Drooling For The World's Approval - [1 Corinthians 4:8-13]

Hipster Christianity and the World’s Approval

There's a new book that's sweeping Christian evangelicalism, and it's called hipster Christianity. Hipster Christianity, so I have a question for you this morning. Are you cool? I guess by the laugh that means no.

Are you really a? Hipster modern world thinks you're cool. You think you're cool. This book fuses the American obsession with cool and Christianity. Publishers Weekly said being hip is about valuing independence freedom and reinvention, but when evangelical Christian culture adopts hips.

Rebellious nature what happens to the message of the institutional church? Can you be cool and a Christian? Should you sell coolness? One reviewer said what could possibly be wrong with churches pursuing cool culture in an attempt to attract today's young trend obsessed congregants and To me to ask the question is To answer it if we want to be a hip church.

These are some of the things we are told to do. Focus mainly on social justice and creation care. Now I'm not. I couldn't make this up. Sponsor church outings to micro breweries. Show clips from R-rated movies during services.

Put a worship pastor on stage decked in clothes from American apparel. Print bulletins on recycled cardstock. Be okay with cussing. Use Helvetica fonts as much as possible. Less ink for the environment.

Advertise gluten-free options for communion. Just this week the largest church in America largest that I know of. I watched some video online and they were having a special music song from Miley Cyrus a Charlotte's Web soundtrack and the other one I saw was one by Celine Dion.

Be cool. Be a cool pastor and talk about things like authenticity Kingdom justice quote NT ride in sermons and the list goes on and on and on. The book says that guy with the Poseidon tattoo I saw in the hookah bar last night is a Presbyterian pastor who knew and the message is this Be really cool.

Then people will like your coolness and then you can tell them you're a Christian surprise surprise. And it's okay to be cool and a Christian as well. You can really have it all. These people are desperate for the world's approval.

They're hankering for the world's approval. No, they're drooling for it. What would Paul say to hipster Christianity? What would Paul say to coolness? Especially if you're using coolness as a springboard to preach the gospel.

Oh, we don't want to hear about forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. We don't want to hear about hell and justice and holiness. Unless you're cool. Let's turn our Bibles to 1st Corinthians chapter 4 and ask the question was Paul a hipster.

Was Paul cool? This morning, we'll look at this topic of Immaturity and that's exactly what was happening to the Church of Corinth. They were influenced by immature people. Just like we are today. It's immature to say the gospel needs a crutch.

Let's dress up the cross of Christ with something. That's pretty and then they'll like it remember the old religions had some kind of symbol that was indicative of fruitfulness, maybe our religion will have a stock-of-grain.

Maybe our religion will have some symbol that puts a good spin on what we believe. But we know for Paul, let's forget chapter 4 for a second go back to chapter 1. We know Paul Has nothing to do with that because he's learned from his master.

How can you make the cross cool and hip? How can you make Christianity cool and hip and by the way this morning? I will gladly exchange Ephemeral temporal Hipsterness and coolness for the transcendent gospel that God sent his superior son for a Substitutionary atonement on our behalf.

I'd gladly trade. And look what he says in 1st Corinthians chapter 1 verse 18 as he's addressing people that have bought into worldly thinking. That have purchased the lie that says Immaturity is actually good.

1st Corinthians 1 18 remember for the word of the cross is hip. For the word of the cross is cool. The doctrine that says Jesus died on behalf of sinners at Calvary Assuaging the holy justice of God. The doctrine that says in love the Father Son and the Spirit.

With an eternal arrangement an eternal agreement eternal covenant sent the Son to die on our behalf. No, that's kind of old hat who's going to buy that for the word of the cross is what? Folly nonsense moronic.

That God's Son is hanging on a tree is not very hip. Receiving God's judgment. It's not very cool. Actually the world says it's going to think it's Folly and it's especially it's folly to those who are what?

Perishing Christianity if we really understand the cross is an embarrassment. To people who aren't believers. It's repulsive. It's an embarrassing thing. That glory should come from the cross who does that?

Cicero said the very word cross should be far removed not only from the person of a Roman citizen. But from his thoughts his eyes and his ears. I Don't want to hear it. You can just imagine the world when it really understands the cross not just some kind of ornament around our necks.

Or some kind of earring, but it really understands the cross the depravity of man the sin of man. Needing only the atonement only Christ's death would do something that powerful something that infinite the Son of God the Eternal Son.

When understands that it recognizes how bad we are and then it doesn't want it at all. And what does it say? It says they think it's folly but to us look at the verse in verse 18, but to us Who are being saved it is the power of God?

It works. It's effective. God's plan is right and good. We don't need to resort to worldly wisdom. Look at verse 19 Memo to the hipsters. For it is written. I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning.

I will thwart. That's right from Isaiah chapter 29. The Assyrians are gonna come and destroy Judah. What do we do? You know prayers good. But we don't want to just pray that maybe won't work and so let's go get the Egyptians and let's get the Egyptians over here and let's have a Partnership with the Egyptians.

Let's cooperate with Egyptians and that's how we're afford off the Assyrians and Paul says that's bad thinking. That's not trusting in the Lord. And so we move to 1st Corinthians chapter 4 as Paul is trying to help this church understand Why they're dividing and they're dividing because they've got worldly wisdom they want the world's approval and he's still in chapter 4 verses 8 through 13 today is Trying to get the Corinthian church to think properly about leadership about the cross of Christ about worldly wisdom.

And this morning we're going to look at this passage and learn from Paul this point. We're going to learn what immaturity looks like so that we don't do it Positively, maybe I could say it this way. Let me show you two Thoughts that you need to have etched into your memory so that you don't become immature.

So you don't act like somebody who's immature. Immaturity is okay for people who are new in Christ, right? But immaturity is not good for those who should know better and Paul knew the Corinthians knew better.

He was there for 18 months teaching them. Two thoughts today to make sure we run from Corinthian immaturity so that we might be mature in Christ. How can I be immature. Number one you want to stay immature?

You want to stay in spiritual diapers? You want to be like a carnal Corinthian? Number one think that you have arrived spiritually. That's exactly what happened to the Church of Corinth. We've arrived.

We're there no more need to study and to put off and to put on and to think about the cross. We're there. We are the world. Now for those of you that don't like sarcasm in the pulpit. Sorry, but Paul is super.

No, that's that's not what I sent. Whatever that meant to you is fine each having his own meaning. Paul's Sarcasm in these next few verses. It's real. It's biting. It's full of irony and It's like they won't listen to a normal sit-down talk you ever had kind of a family meeting.

We need to get everything straight. Let's work through these issues and and the dad wants to help the family. So let's sit down and talk kind of conference time. When people don't listen. Sarcasm is a good way to get their attention.

It's a good way to make your point. We don't want to be sarcastic all the time. We don't want to go around and tell people sarcastic thoughts and comments. Some people are just like that. They're like I have the gift of sarcasm.

Paul uses it strategically, but it's biblical and Paul is going to just Go for the jugular here with sarcasm. And if you had never read this part of scripture, you're gonna think who talks like this. Paul talks like this.

Especially when the Church of Corinth needs it now, remember Paul has learned from Jesus very well. There's two basic approaches to talk to believers and unbelievers. Here's the first approach when you meet somebody who knows they're needy who knows they haven't arrived who knows that they're not dependent on self.

They're far from self-sufficient. Then we talk to them kindly and nicely and we come alongside of them. We're like the Holy Spirit who comes alongside and and helps and encourages and comforts and leads.

And Jesus would do that very often especially with sinful people people that the world would call sinners. But there's another way to talk to people and you talk this way to these people because they realize That they're not as great as they think they are.

They think they have righteousness they're not dependent on the Lord they're not sufficient upon and they're so they're self-sufficient and Jesus and Paul and Peter for that matter really whacked them.

And so I don't want you to be immature. I don't want to be immature. So, let's make sure we never think we've arrived and look at the sting that comes with 1st Corinthians chapter 4 8 if you're artistic you should probably draw like a little bumblebee next to this verse because it hurts.

You look down in your arm, and you've already brushed the bee off, but you can see that little muscle just pumping. Right if you have glasses on you can just see you go that thing is still giving me venom right here.

This is one of those kind of bee bite. You know you I have my physical tomorrow. I'm sure yeah, I'm gonna hear this. It's just gonna be like a little bee sting. Well bees hurt. This is meant to hurt, but it's for the glory of God.

Paul's an apostle he wants them to think rightly. Who in this congregation could raise their hand and say I've arrived? Somebody just rose that raise their hand and then it was a kid and they go. I don't think I'll just listen to what he says.

1st Corinthians chapter 4 verse 8 the anatomy of immaturity. Point one you think you've arrived, so I want to be mature. Let's not think we've arrived. Let's continue to hunger and thirst. Already you have all you want.

Already you have become rich. Without us Apostles you have become Kings. I was in a hipster church. I'd put my finger in my mouth and pop a bubble. Already you have all you want. You're filled already you have become rich already you have become Kings.

You're fat dumb and happy. You're full. You're rich you're a king and That you did reign so that we might share the rule with you now when you are Hungry, and you eat food the way God has designed your stomach is no longer.

Do you feel hunger pains do you? You go, I'm. So the right word sated satiated full, I don't know. Yes, okay, it's like they've got no desire no Stomach growling. If you're a Christian you want to keep maturing and to be more and more like who you are in Christ.

You realize what Jesus has done for you and in response and gratitude and out of love. You should never think to yourself, you know, my stomach never growls for truth for righteousness for honor for exalting Christ.

I'm just never really hungry because I'm full. I've had it. I've gone to Bible school. I've gone to Bible College. I've been to IBS and now I just want to live my life. It's like people who say you know what I've hit 65 70 years old and I'm ready to retire.

I've retired from this learning holiness is hard. Give me the therapeutic Celine Dion this that and the other. I just want nice. I hear people say well. You know don't go to Bethlehem Bible Church because it's like seminary from the pulpit.

I think well. Maybe compared to preschool it is. But I want you to learn. I want you to grow. I want you to have feelings in your stomach where you say. I kind of thought I knew Christianity. But I couldn't go that deep.

I didn't understand it and these truths are like salt to my tongue and I just makes me want to drive deeper and farther. So I commend you for being at Bethlehem Bible Seminary. Don't you want to learn what's the opposite?

Oh, you're so full. Let's just do the R-rated movie clip and let's sing. Maturity says I still need to learn whether you're a young man in Christ a young woman in Christ or you're a senior saint. I still want to learn.

I still want to grow because the Corinthians if they had that attitude. They're not going to be walking around like peacocks strutting around look at us. Can you imagine who they're doing it to? Paul the Apostle.

You can't teach us anything. You were here for 18 months, and now we're beyond you. You're down here Paul here. We're here. You can't teach us anything. We're full. We're rich. We're kings we're reigning.

Paul says don't think you've arrived. The dictionary says sarcasm is a cutting often ironic remark intended to wound. And might I add since this is a Christian assembly in love. It's cutting. It's a loving thing to do church discipline.

It's a loving thing to evangelize. It's loving to say to a church that thinks they're filled, and I don't think this is our church. But it's loving to tell the truth. He doesn't soothe their pride. He attacks it.

You know if you're gonna criticize somebody you just say before you criticize me say just bless their hearts, and then you go ahead. He doesn't say anything like that. The Corinthians don't think Paul the Apostle can help in any way.

That's like a four-year-old marching into your room on Sunday morning say thanks for all the training. I'm done with you. I don't need you anymore. I'll see you after I make a name for myself in New York City.

I remember a boxer once I Forgot his name. He said he was gonna take the world by storm and he went to New York City to make a name for himself and he said the first thing I realized that they stole my luggage and I Wasn't as great as I thought I was.

Paul takes a bulldozer and Just Smashes down. What they think he says you already have everything you need. You see how many times the word already is used there. Paul says it's like Thanksgiving dinner and the guys have to excuse themselves and kind of take their belt and Unloosen it a couple straps because you just feel so full.

He says that's how you think you are spiritually. You've got your 38 belt size and you've expanded it up to a 44. After Thanksgiving dinner, is this a true statement? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. That's right from Matthew chapter 5 verse 6. They're doing the exact opposite. We know we're the teachers you can't teach us. That's what are those who hunger and thirst for it they can't get enough.

When I left you Corinth you were on your way you were in about third grade. But now you think you're working on your PhD. You skipped everything and If you use the world's wisdom to measure yourself, you'll think you're wise.

That's what they're doing. Well according to Paul's Schema, we're not wise but we've got different rules now. It's worldly wisdom and according to the world. We are wise we've arrived. We're full see the progression then we're rich and then we're kings.

The philosophers in their day talk like that stoic philosopher said I alone am rich. I alone reign as king and Paul says in your dream You're already reigning. You've set up your own kind of millennial kingdom and you think you're already reigning in it.

The Apostles as Spectacles of Suffering

Number two. Found in verses 9 through 13. For us as we think about the passage, let's not ever think we've arrived. Let's hunger and thirst for righteousness. Use God's ordained means prayer. Preaching studying etc to grow we never want to think we've arrived.

Number two. So we don't slip into immaturity. Let's think properly. About Apostles and how they manifest the theology of the cross before the theology of glory. In other words Paul is going to show himself with the Apostles as Those who are mature.

So that the Corinthians can follow the mature ones and here's what the mature ones do. First of all, they don't think they've arrived and second of all they suffer and they realize it isn't your best life now.

The cross comes before the crown. Theology of suffering comes before the theology of glory. Show me leaders who are great leaders and I'll inevitably show you people who suffer. Those who follow the suffering servant actually what?

Suffer, oh. It's good for Jesus to suffer the Apostles to suffer, but we don't want to suffer anymore. We've got a different route. And so Paul is going to say you're acting like you're full and you're not and second of all.

Don't forget looking at us the Apostles we have by the grace of God. Matured and you want to see a matured Saint? It'll be a Saint who's not standing up like they're a king. But they're down on their faces.

Verse 9. For I think that God has exhibited us Apostles as. Now think of the contrast you're reigning and we are what Americans hate to hear last of all. What are the Apostles like? Remember, he's going to go on to say in verse 16 be imitators of me.

They're like men sentenced to death. Because we have become a spectacle to the world to angels and to men. You also Bethlehem Bible Church with me and all the leaders need to say to yourself. The Apostles set the bar for how we should live.

They're the ones to whom we should look as exemplary models of the theology of the cross. So what does Paul say here in verse 9? For I think that God has made its Apostles in other words. Look at us. Compared to the Corinthian Church the Apostles look like failures.

If I compare you to the Apostles I think we should look like the failures. That's the right kind of thinking God has exhibited us by the way, but we have become a spectacle in the SV the Greek word. You'll like it.

Theatron theater we have become a Spectacle to the world. It's like we're up on this theater stage platform. I don't like to call this a stage because on stages you act. I like to call this something very I know.

It's high liturgy. We call this a platform and so Paul says I'm like I'm on a theater some amphitheater and For them they would recognize. Who is put before people in an amphitheater? Who are the ones that are low enough to be put on stage for the world to watch and everyone else to watch.

I'll tell you who Slaves and criminals to be executed in the Colosseum. To let the Lions out to let the animals out and then you say, you know what? We've got a God that needs to be propitiated and we need to offer a human and so who do we use?

Let's not use business people and advisors and and smart intellects. We need to have people who are expendable. People that we don't like people that we don't need and so if you have to offer a sacrifice.

Unto some God don't pick somebody who's in leadership if America had to offer somebody to please the God. I doubt we'll pick the president or the vice president. I Don't want you to say well, you know, if it was me, I'd do something different you get my point spectacles.

Paul says I'm just the opposite of you. The Apostles are opposite of you. You want to be up on stage saying look at us? We've arrived. We'll teach you and yes, you should be on stage. But you should be on stage with us on your way to be executed.

That's pretty hip Corinthians you're on the stage taking a bow and the Apostles are on stage and everybody's saying kill Dead we don't need these Christians. And by the way, the sentiment in America is growing the hatred the visceral hatred of a Bill Maher or somebody who hates Christianity and In one sense, I don't know how to think about this.

Because I may escape jail you may escape jail. But your kids in the next generation who are going to stand up and say this is the truth. This is the gospel and whether you're enslaved to adultery fornication any other kind of perversion.

Homosexuality covenants anything else you're a sinner a god-damned sinner until Jesus Christ is Going to be recognized by you by the grace of God and you bow and you kneel and you submit. You know what?

They're gonna do with those kind of people when they can change the laws and they will change. Look at Sweden look at Canada. Look at every place else. Look at Rome back then. It's going to cost you. I Always hated it that in the old generations if there was a crisis, they'd call in the pastors.

We were up pretty high in the list right with lawyers the dignified ones. Oh Clergy, you know, please and then now We're at the bottom. But that's more right thinking that's more aligned with what the Bible says.

I just feel sorry for my kids. My son Luke's a preacher if one of your kids is a preacher then what are they going to get? They're going to need to realize that it's it's going to be cross before crown.

Suffering before glory. Jesus suffered. Paul suffered. Stephen suffered Peter suffered and we've been living high in the hog the last 200 years in America and it's about over. But you know the good news is It's forgiveness worth it is.

Obeying God in light of what he's done for us in Christ worth it. See if your number one goal is acceptance hipster cool easy life. Spiritual retirement then you've got to change the message. Well the original manuscripts Hell is just some kind of annihilation and the list goes on and on and on.

But if you really realize who God is and what he said in his word. Then you think you know if I have to suffer like John Bunyan if I have to suffer like William Carey if I have to Suffer like Mary Mary Slessor if I have to suffer like William Tyndale John Wycliffe and the list goes on all your favorite heroes are sufferers.

But it's worth honoring the Lord. It's worth forgiveness. That's the kind of person that's recognized by the Spirit of God's Enlightenment and illumination and that's the kind of person who's growing.

Who's not immature? I mean, I don't like it that America's going the way it's going. But some amphitheaters of execution and jail. Would do the church well I? Can guarantee you this next Sunday if the IRS people are standing at that door and they say when you come in you're allowed to worship.

Publicly and openly if you give us your social security number because you will be taxed half your money. You can come freely worship. I wonder how many people would be at Bethlehem Bible Church. I Know this.

I know we'd grow and I know as God slams down. The world slams down. Martyrs the blood of the martyrs is the seedbed of the church, isn't it? And by the way when I look at myself and my old life I don't think we deserve much more than being a spectacle anyway by the way who did this verse 9.

For I think that God has exhibited us you see the theology of the sovereignty of God and suffering. God is sovereign over suffering. God sovereign through suffering and God is sovereign over who suffers and how they suffer.

I had asked myself the question am I ready for the world to look at me like a spectacle a condemned prisoner. Humiliated. I read this week that the people who were condemned to death and put in the amphitheater were called bestiary and it says those who went into combat with beasts as a means of torturous capital punishment.

Death by wild beast was a punishment for enemies of the state. A Category which included those taken prisoner and slaves found guilty of a serious crime. They were sent to their deaths naked and unable to defend themselves against the beasts.

Even if they succeeded in killing one fresh animals were continually let loose on them until they were all dead. It was reported that it was seldom necessary for two beasts to be required to take down one man.

On the contrary one beast frequently dispatched several men. Cicero mentioned mentioned one single lion that alone dispatched 200 men. Paul says suffering. Hardship and the world hating me is the paradigm for mature Christians.

He goes on in verse 10. I Don't know if you know catfish, but when I hold the catfish I have to hold carefully because they have barbs that come up. I actually learned this week technically they're called barbells barbels.

And you can almost feel this verse if you were to wrap your hands around it you can feel the things that stick up. You want a model to follow Bethlehem Bible Church? Here's your model to follow. We are fools for Christ's sake.

But you are wise. We are weak, but you're strong. You are held in honor, but we remember the Apostles are in disrepute. You see the three contrasts. They're fools. Wise mentally physically weak strong socially honorable despised.

Paul says you're arrogant Corinthians. Paul wasn't a real fool. He wasn't really weak. He wasn't really contemptible. But he shows the contrast here earlier in chapter 1 we talked about the weakness of God.

I like that old banner that I saw once a sandwich board. Remember sandwich boards for those of you that are too young it Was a board with a couple pieces of rope and then had kind of had a hole where you put it on your head.

And there was one advertisement here and one here. Even when you drive past West Boylston there's some sandwich shop, and there's a guy out there with a sandwich board almost every day. What's the name dark?

Dagwood's yeah. Darby's. Darcy's. I don't know what it's called. I Just know the guys out there waving every time with the sandwich board. It's like Paul's got a sandwich board on. I'm a fool for Christ's sake and then on the back.

Whose fool are you. I mean everything's backwards in our minds because we think. Unlike biblical revelation. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of God who talks like that.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. What's the response when you suffer? Here's a response? Rejoice and be glad. For your reward is great in heaven for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You're just in a long domino line of those who've suffered by the way if you're not a Christian here this morning. You need forgiveness of sins. But you need to know that your life as you know it could be completely over and you need to count the cost.

Because if you want to be held high in high esteem with your friends family neighbors. Whenever Jesus had a large crowd coming and talking to him He often did things like this. If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers.

And sisters yes, even his own life. He cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross death and come after me cannot be my disciple. And if you're a Christian remember cross before crown verse 11.

Where the Apostles cool? To the present hour we hunger and thirst we're poorly dressed and buffeted. And homeless. I don't even have a real home. I just wander from place to place. Paul said I've been beaten.

That word buffeted means to beat to pummel. Paul says we're on the lowest social. Rung. Maybe I could put it this way. The Corinthians are like televangelists today. Thinking they have arrived thinking they're mature thinking they're fat dumb and happy spiritually.

They're full. They're rich. They're raining. But in reality show me someone who has reached Christian maturity, and I'll show you somebody who's like Paul. Brutally treated. Paul said that's exactly the word used in Matthew 26 of Jesus and his ill treatment.

Verse 12 and we labor working with their own hands by the way Greeks hated labor you mean to tell me you're a worker. They hated it. We're slandered. We answer with the kind words. We're reviled. We're cursed.

How about this verse 13? It's like the worst is for last ever heard the bestest for last. Here's the worst for last. You sure you want to become a Christian. When slandered we entreat we have become and still are in the world's Eyes, I wonder if people think this way of you at work.

Are you cloaking your cool Christianity? Like scum of the world the refuse of all things. I Have one word for that. I'd probably have to say picturesque. Paul says we are cast off and when people look at us because they know who we are as Apostles.

We might duck and jive and be quiet about it not tell people we're real Christians. But everybody knew Paul was and when they looked at Paul they said listen. That guy is garbage. That guy's filth. You only use these words for people who were sacrificed in pagan ceremonies.

Who are the most low criminals? It means what's removed by cleaning? Scrapings. If I go into my yard, and I play football with Luke or frisbee with the girls. Sometimes I'll begin to walk in the house, and I'll say I stepped in something.

And then I'll go outside. I'll put my foot up like this, and I'll take a stick. And I'll take a stick and I'll begin to do the dirty job. Cleaning my shoe. That's the word here removing something from your shoe with a stick.

They're not good for anything. Maybe to work maybe to sacrifice. This reminds me of the Hindu caste system. The Indian caste system. The Corinthians thought they were at the top of the pecking order. We're the priests the teachers the judges.

Maybe we used to be warriors. We used to be farmers and merchants. We used to be labors and craft workers. Paul says you know what we are. We're the untouchables. The untouchables in the caste system in India quote their jobs or habits involved.

Polluting activities including any job that involved ending a life such as fishing. Killing or disposing of dead cattle are working with their hides. Any contact with human emissions such as sweat urine or feces?

This included occupational groups such as sweepers and washerman. How did society think of Jesus? Second question is a servant greater than his master. Sadly if I struggle with it, you must struggle with it as well.

I'd like to have a good reputation with my neighbors the people in the town universities wouldn't you. I Like to have a good status at work. Popularity, but what Paul basically says is it's enough to be justified redeemed.

Reconciled forgiven adopted and if the world hates you. It's a sign of maturity. They shouldn't hate you because you're dumb stupid. Prideful and arrogant they should hate you because more and more you begin to look like Christ Jesus himself.

Just like Paul did. You don't even have to go looking for a fight. Paul who may be outside of Christ Jesus Lived the most holy life. People knew it and therefore here was Paul's glory honor and worldly recognition.

I Was in far more labors and far more imprisonments. Beaten times without number often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews 39 lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods once I was stoned three times.

I was shipwrecked a night and a day I've spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys and dangers from rivers. Dangers from robbers. Dangers from my countrymen. Dangers from the Gentiles. Dangers in the city.

Dangers in the wilderness. Dangers on the sea. Dangers among false brethren brethren. I have been in labor and hardship through many sleepless nights in hunger and thirst often without food in Cold and exposure apart from such external things.

There's the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches. If you'd like to be a mature Christian, then you say to yourself one. I haven't arrived. God give me that taste for thirsting and hungering and second of all you ought to say to yourself I need to look to Christ and the Apostles for authentic Christianity.

The good news is This world doesn't last forever and one day we'll stand before God. And for those who have looked to Christ Jesus for salvation, you know what you won't hear on Judgment Day. Think about it.

What should you hear on Judgment Day? Here's what I should hear. Scum refuse bile worm. Blasphemer enemy. And because of Christ's death his life his resurrection. Do you know what I'm gonna hear? Do you know what you're gonna hear?

Son. How about that. Well done. Enter in my presence in my presence is fullness of joy. I'm no longer middle-aged. Middle age is 35 for a man. I'm 50. I've got 1520 years maybe a day to live between now and then and I say God I want to soak up your truth.

And then as I look like you more and more I look like the Apostles more and more whatever comes comes. I can't even believe we could possibly Get a new building our new land because if we lived in these days you think they'd sell us land.

You think we'd be able to build a building. I Think to myself I am son such easy street. When it comes to my Christianity, it's all going to be worth it friends in light of what God has done. There's a man.

I don't think you've ever heard of his name was Ebenezer Wooten. W-o-o-t-e-n and he's kind of a crazy evangelist in England century or two ago. And he would go outside and he would preach and he was on the village green in England at Linford Brook.