24-0721p Transcript

Preacher: John Nousek

Good evening. (0:59) Good evening.

(1:02) So, this evening, I selected those verses and entitled the sermon, (1:12) Why You Run in a Race. (1:15) You may have heard that phrase before, in a different context. (1:22) But God describes this life as a race.

(1:26) It’s not a sprint. (1:33) And for some, that race may be longer, and for some, it may be shorter. (1:41) We don’t know exactly when that day will come, when the race is over for each one of us.

(1:48) But it is definitely described as a race. (1:54) And the question is, how should we run the race? (1:59) I’d like to also read several other passages. (2:07) This next one is Matthew 7, 13, and 14.

(2:14) Enter the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. (2:22) There are many who go in by it. (2:26) Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, (2:32) there are few that find it.

(2:37) See, in Christian life, selecting the Lord, our God, and our Creator, is our authority in this life. (2:52) He tells us, it’s going to be a race. (2:56) Just like runners who, you just heard from 1 Corinthians, (3:03) they train, they train, and they train.

(3:09) Sometimes these runners train for a very long time. (3:13) Olympic runners, for instance, they train most of their lives. (3:19) And then their peak is reached at a fairly early age, and then that’s it, possibly.

(3:30) But for Christians, our race is our entire life. (3:36) And God says, not only is it a race, (3:41) gee, what I just read to you from Matthew, that’s going to be difficult. (3:48) And you want me to run a long, hard, difficult race? (3:56) Why would I sign up for that? (4:00) Well, it’s just the way it is.

(4:03) The reality is that that’s how it’s described by our Lord. (4:09) It’s kind of like He’s given us fair warning. (4:11) He says, look, long it will be, difficult, yes it will be.

(4:19) What happens to runners? (4:21) Especially, I think, of marathon runners. (4:26) There’s a 26.1, 26.2 miles. (4:31) Even trained over a long period of time, during the race, they can feel it.

(4:38) They can feel the pressure, the pain. (4:42) It’s just exhausting. (4:45) It looks like it’s never going to end.

(4:50) You can stumble, you can fall. (4:52) You can have things go wrong. (4:54) Muscle cramp, whatever.

(4:57) In a very real way, that’s how this life is. (5:00) We stumble sometimes. (5:02) We do things we shouldn’t be doing.

(5:06) Now it says in the book of James, in chapter 3, verses 2 through 5, (5:12) when we all stumble in many things, if anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man. (5:19) Able also to bridle the whole body. (5:23) Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths.

(5:27) They may obey us. (5:29) And we turn their whole body. (5:34) Look also at ships.

(5:36) Although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, (5:41) they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. (5:48) Even so, the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. (5:53) Gee, I want to point this out to you.

(5:56) You know, God says, even the smallest things. (6:00) He gives us the example of the rudder on the back of a boat. (6:05) Now that is a very small in comparison to the size of the vessel.

(6:13) The Titanic even had a small rudder. (6:16) Huge, huge boat. (6:17) God says, these small things are important.

(6:25) As we run the race, even the small things are important. (6:30) And He is giving us that warning. (6:34) Not to stray.

(6:36) Not to think. (6:38) We can play around over here and we can be because I can always come back and I can always…​ (6:52) You know, the small events in our lives do have a big impact often. (7:00) And sometimes they’re positive, sometimes they’re negative situations.

(7:10) Like as a young boy walking into a local Lawson’s store, (7:17) those that know what a Lawson’s store was, (7:21) a little convenience store, sell milk, eggs, bread, candy. (7:28) Candy’s good. (7:32) Small event.

(7:34) I want that candy. (7:37) I don’t have the money. (7:41) The young man walked out of that store without paying for that candy (7:44) and took it home with him and ate it and loved it.

(7:54) But that memory is still in there. (7:57) It’s in such a small little event so long ago. (8:04) And yet, not good.

(8:09) And so we’re offered forgiveness for our sins. (8:13) Make no mistake, those small things have an impact. (8:18) Sometimes we remember them.

(8:21) Sometimes we don’t. (8:24) They seem to steer our lives in a direction the more we may choose not to choose. (8:33) I’m going to read that one more time, that one verse.

(8:36) Look also at ships. (8:38) Again, this is James 3, verse 4. (8:41) Look also at ships. (8:42) Although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, (8:46) they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

(8:52) And I want to point out in that verse, notice it’s the pilot who steers the rudder. (9:00) Okay? (9:02) We have free will. (9:03) We are the pilot, in a sense, in our lives.

(9:06) We make the decisions. (9:08) I want to put mustard or ketchup on my hot dog. (9:11) Okay, big deal, you might think.

(9:14) Everything is a decision, good or bad. (9:19) And it’s up to us to choose. (9:21) God gives us that free will.

(9:24) And so we are asked at all to make the right decisions according to his standard. (9:35) You know, it’s like he’s giving us fair warning in a sense. (9:40) I have the freedom.

(9:42) Yes, you do. (9:44) But he gives us in many instances an example of, look, free will and freedom is one thing. (9:51) But there are consequences to making decisions that are contrary to his approval.

(10:01) You know, it’s just like when we leave here in this parking lot tonight. (10:04) This is an analogy. (10:06) It’s not exact.

(10:07) But I’ll give it to you anyway. (10:09) You know, we pull out of this parking lot. (10:13) It’s evening.

(10:15) Presumably, we’re all going to go home afterwards. (10:18) Those on the phone, maybe you are at home or you’re somewhere where you’d like to be at home. (10:25) And we pull out of the parking lot.

(10:28) First thing you have to do is make a decision, left or right. (10:33) Can’t even get out of the parking lot without deciding something. (10:36) Come on.

(10:38) We all might possibly make a stop or two on the way home. (10:43) Stop at the local Lawson’s, maybe. (10:49) But we all eventually make it to our destination.

(10:54) And in the same way, our ultimate eternal home begins to turn. (11:06) Repentance. (11:07) Turning away from sin, pain, suffering, and things that lead to our own destruction.

(11:14) Because I want to. (11:16) Maybe. (11:21) To the left, as God says.

(11:24) To the goats, rebellion, and pain. (11:28) To the right, obedience. (11:33) Away from sin, our selfish desires, towards repentance, with a humble heart, eager to serve the Lord.

(11:44) Everything is a series of small decisions with big consequences. (11:51) You know, we don’t do it alone. (11:56) It tells us not to forsake meeting together, for instance.

(12:06) Because. (12:07) I’m going to read from the Old Testament, in Ecclesiastes. (12:11) Ecclesiastes 4.10, it says, (12:13) If they fall, for if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

(12:20) That’s good news. (12:22) And then it goes on. (12:23) But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

(12:31) We’ve been in a spot, we just needed somebody there. (12:34) Just for that one little thing. (12:37) It’s just so much more difficult when you’re on your own.

(12:42) And you want to have somebody to help you. (12:44) It’s kind of rotten, actually. (12:48) So in James 5.19, it reads, (12:52) James 5.19, (12:56) My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone brings him back, (13:02) let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wanderings, (13:08) they’ll save his soul from death, (13:12) and will cover a multitude of sins.

(13:20) It’s good to have somebody to help you out when you need it. (13:23) And as a Christian, we need other Christians to keep us going. (13:29) Because it’s a long race.

(13:33) You don’t know when it’s going to end. (13:35) You don’t know what the circumstances are going to look like tomorrow. (13:38) We have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring.

(13:41) But it is a race. (13:45) From the beginning, God told Cain, (13:49) this is even back in Genesis, (13:51) from the very beginning. (13:54) Genesis 4, verses 7 and 8 reads this.

(13:59) God speaks to Cain, (14:02) If you do well, will you not be accepted? (14:06) And if you do not do well, (14:08) sin lies at the door, (14:12) and its desire is for you. (14:17) But you should rule over it. (14:20) There again, there’s the free will, (14:25) and the fair warning.

(14:29) You have the choice. (14:31) Don’t go down that road. (14:35) The very next verse, verse 8. (14:40) Now Cain talked to Abel, his brother, (14:43) and it came to pass, when they were in the field, (14:49) that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

(14:57) That’s not the right road. (15:01) God told him not to. (15:04) One verse later, bad news.

(15:09) They’re both brothers. (15:11) One’s dead. (15:13) The living is the killer.

(15:16) Guilty is charged. (15:19) So don’t be deceived. (15:20) The devil wants us to think much differently (15:23) than God, (15:26) how God thinks of things.

(15:29) That wicked creature, the devil, wants us to believe that we’re (15:32) not in harm’s way. (15:34) Everything’s fine. (15:37) It’s just natural thoughts.

(15:39) It’s just the way things are. (15:41) What are you worried about? (15:43) Come on. (15:45) Turn it on.

(15:49) He wants us to believe that things will go on as they are, (15:52) even if it’s good news today. (15:54) It’ll go on and on and on without any problems. (15:58) Because it just will.

(16:00) No. (16:02) Let’s get back to the race. (16:06) Suppose a marathon runner, (16:08) I suppose they may feel that way.

(16:12) Long race, (16:15) long road ahead, (16:16) especially early in the race, (16:19) 26 point something miles, (16:23) a couple miles into the race, (16:26) they’ve got 20 miles or so to go. (16:30) I don’t know. (16:31) When I was in the Army, (16:32) they had us run two miles.

(16:35) And you had to make a time (16:36) in order to stay active, (16:38) in order to stay qualified. (16:42) You had to meet the minimum requirement. (16:45) And (16:47) they would train us to do that.

(16:49) I ran so much during that time, it was ridiculous. (16:52) But that’s how we kept it up. (16:54) That’s how we kept qualified.

(16:56) That’s how you run the race. (16:58) And you keep running. (17:00) Even if you did it yesterday.

(17:02) Get up. Let’s go. (17:05) We’re going to run another three miles today.

(17:08) We’re going to run five miles today. (17:11) Don’t even think about asking. (17:13) Just do it.

(17:16) That’s for our own good. (17:20) You know, (17:21) contrary to God’s word, (17:23) Satan wants us to believe (17:25) that change will never come. (17:26) And it never will.

(17:28) And even if it did, (17:29) so what? (17:31) There will always be plenty of time (17:33) to switch sides. (17:34) If you really want to, (17:37) another lie. (17:39) If you really want to (17:41) choose something different, (17:43) you always have tomorrow.

(17:46) No. (17:47) We don’t always have tomorrow. (17:49) We barely have today sometimes.

(17:53) Okay. (17:56) Proverbs 27, verse 1. (17:59) Do not boast about tomorrow. (18:03) For you do not know (18:04) what a day may bring forth.

(18:09) No palm reader, (18:11) no card reader, (18:12) no tarot cards, (18:13) no howling at the moon nut (18:18) can tell us (18:19) exactly what’s going to happen (18:22) tomorrow. (18:24) It just isn’t there. (18:26) There’s no basis for believing any of that.

(18:29) But yet there’s the world filled (18:31) with people who believe (18:32) or say they can. (18:36) It’s not true. (18:38) It’s just not.

(18:39) You know, I’m going to quote (18:41) from a rock and roll band. (18:45) Have you heard of these guys? (18:48) I remember hearing this song (18:49) long ago and thinking, (18:51) wait a minute. (18:54) The more often I heard it, (18:57) the more I just wanted (18:58) and I finally did just shut it off.

(19:00) The band is called (19:01) Led Zeppelin. (19:02) And they had a song. (19:05) It was called Stairway to Heaven.

(19:09) Sounds nice. (19:10) You have the answer. (19:12) Stairway to Heaven.

(19:15) Here’s the couple lines (19:17) that really got me. (19:19) It says, yes, (19:21) there are two paths (19:22) you can go by. (19:24) So far, OK.

(19:28) There’s God’s path (19:29) and there’s the devil’s path. (19:31) Those are two paths. (19:34) That’s it.

(19:36) And then the road. (19:39) Yes, there are two paths (19:40) you can go by. (19:41) But in the long run, (19:43) there’s still time to change (19:44) the road you’re on.

(19:47) That’s the verse. (19:52) I’m just going to say it. (19:54) It’s demonic.

(19:56) To say you have more (19:58) than enough time. (19:59) You can do you can change (20:00) this at any time. (20:01) You can make your decision (20:03) to play around in the world (20:05) over here.

(20:05) But tomorrow you can (20:07) it’s no problem. (20:08) Come on over. (20:10) It doesn’t work that way.

(20:12) You don’t have tomorrow. (20:14) You don’t have time (20:16) to change the road you’re on. (20:19) You know, it’s (20:24) it’s very deceptive.

(20:26) The best. (20:27) I think that way. (20:29) Every decision, every small (20:30) decision is big.

(20:34) So in the book of James (20:36) four. (20:38) Back to the book of James (20:40) in chapter four verses (20:43) 13 through 16. (20:48) It reads the following.

(20:50) Come now you who say (20:52) today or tomorrow (20:54) will go to such and such (20:55) a city spend a year there (20:56) by himself and make a (20:58) profit. (21:00) Whereas you do not know (21:02) what will happen tomorrow. (21:04) What is your life? (21:05) It is even a vapor that (21:07) appears for a little (21:08) time.

(21:10) And then vanishes away. (21:13) Instead, you ought to say (21:14) if the Lord wills, (21:15) we shall live and do (21:17) this or that. (21:18) But now you boast in (21:20) your arrogance.

(21:21) All such boasting is (21:23) evil. (21:29) It’s evil. (21:30) He says, (21:31) you know, (21:36) I’m fifty seven years (21:38) old.

(21:43) Fifty seven. (21:46) Last week I was 16 (21:49) or so I thought (21:51) it blows by fast. (21:57) So that’s verse where (21:58) he says for what (22:00) is your life? (22:01) It is even a vapor that (22:02) appears for a little (22:04) time and then (22:05) vanishes away (22:07) through.

(22:11) It’s gone fast. (22:15) You know, we have no (22:16) way of knowing how much (22:17) time we have (22:18) until it ends. (22:20) It will end.

(22:21) It will go by fast. (22:24) We don’t know what (22:25) tomorrow brings. (22:26) I don’t have a written (22:27) guarantee in some book (22:28) somewhere other than (22:30) what the scriptures (22:31) here give us.

(22:34) This is guaranteed. (22:37) OK. (22:37) This is guaranteed.

(22:39) God’s proven it. (22:41) He’s demonstrated it. (22:44) Anybody want to ask me (22:45) about it later? (22:47) I can (22:48) build on that all day (22:49) long.

(22:56) However, (22:57) when that day does (22:58) arrive for each one (22:59) of us, (23:00) we’re going to see (23:01) something that he (23:02) wrote. (23:03) He gave us in (23:04) Matthew 25. (23:06) And this is kind of a (23:07) long passage (23:09) to read, (23:10) but I’m going to read (23:10) it because I like (23:13) reading.

(23:16) So this is Matthew (23:17) 25 verses 31 (23:19) through 46. (23:21) When the Son of (23:22) Man comes in (23:23) his glory, (23:25) Matthew 25, (23:27) 31 to 46. (23:29) When the Son of Man (23:30) comes in his glory (23:31) and all the (23:32) holy angels with (23:33) him, (23:34) then he will sit (23:35) on the throne (23:36) of his glory.

(23:37) And the nations (23:38) will be gathered (23:39) before him. (23:41) And he will (23:42) separate them (23:43) one from another (23:45) as a shepherd (23:46) divides his sheep (23:47) from the goats. (23:49) And he will set (23:50) the sheep on his (23:51) right hand, (23:53) the goats on his (23:54) left.

(23:56) And the king (23:58) will say to those (23:59) on his right hand, (24:00) Come, (24:01) you blessed (24:02) of my father. (24:05) Inherit the (24:06) kingdom prepared (24:06) for you for the (24:07) foundation, (24:08) from the foundation (24:09) of the world. (24:10) For I was hungry (24:11) and you gave me (24:12) food.

(24:14) I was thirsty (24:15) and you gave me (24:16) drink. (24:16) I was a stranger (24:17) and you took me in. (24:20) I was naked (24:21) and you clothed (24:22) me.

(24:22) I was sick (24:23) and you visited (24:24) me. (24:26) I was in prison (24:27) and you came (24:28) to me. (24:29) Then, (24:31) the righteous (24:31) will answer him (24:33) saying, (24:34) Lord, (24:36) when did we (24:37) see you hungry (24:38) and feed you (24:39) or thirsty (24:41) and give you (24:41) drink? (24:42) When did we see (24:43) you a stranger (24:45) and take you in (24:46) or naked (24:47) and clothe you? (24:49) Or when did we (24:50) see you sick (24:50) or in prison (24:51) and come to you? (24:54) And the king (24:54) will answer (24:55) and say to them, (24:56) Assuredly, (24:57) I say to you, (24:59) inasmuch (24:59) as you did (25:00) it to one (25:02) of the least (25:03) of these, (25:04) my brethren, (25:06) you did (25:07) it (25:07) to me.

(25:10) Then he will (25:10) also say to those (25:12) on the left (25:12) hand, (25:16) depart from (25:16) me. (25:17) You cursed (25:18) into the (25:19) everlasting fire (25:20) prepared (25:21) for the devil (25:22) and his angels (25:23) for I was (25:24) hungry (25:24) and you gave (25:25) me no food. (25:26) I was thirsty (25:27) and you gave (25:28) me no drink.

(25:30) I was a stranger (25:31) and you did not (25:32) take me in. (25:33) Naked (25:33) and you did (25:34) not clothe me. (25:34) I was sick (25:35) and in prison (25:37) and you did (25:38) not visit me.

(25:41) Then they also (25:42) will answer him (25:43) saying, (25:44) Lord, (25:45) when did we (25:46) see you hungry (25:47) or thirsty (25:47) or a stranger (25:49) or naked (25:49) or sick (25:50) or in prison (25:52) and did not (25:54) minister to you? (25:56) Then he will (25:57) answer them (25:59) saying, (26:01) Assuredly, (26:02) I say to you, (26:04) inasmuch (26:05) as you did (26:05) not do it (26:07) to one of (26:08) the least of (26:08) these, (26:10) you did not (26:11) do it (26:12) to me. (26:15) And these (26:16) will go away (26:18) into everlasting (26:19) punishment (26:20) but the righteous (26:22) into (26:23) eternal (26:24) life. (26:28) So, (26:29) as we run (26:30) the race, (26:33) we have decisions (26:33) all day long, (26:35) lots of decisions (26:36) day after day, (26:37) things that we (26:38) could choose to do, (26:39) not to do.

(26:39) Here, (26:41) he’s saying (26:41) to the unrighteous, (26:45) you had that (26:46) opportunity (26:47) to do the (26:48) kind, (26:49) charitable, (26:50) hospitable, (26:51) hospitable (26:52) things to do (26:53) for others. (26:55) You walked (26:56) away. (26:58) You had the (26:59) opportunity, (26:59) I gave it to you (27:01) and yet (27:03) you (27:04) thumbed your nose (27:05) and walked.

(27:11) C.S. Lewis (27:12) was an atheist (27:13) for many years. (27:17) He, (27:17) he’s deceased. (27:19) A well-known (27:20) writer, (27:21) Christian writer, (27:22) turns out.

(27:23) Later in life, (27:23) he became a (27:25) Christian (27:26) and (27:28) he wrote something (27:29) that pertains (27:30) to all of this. (27:31) I’m going to read (27:32) this to you as well. (27:36) Every time (27:36) you make a choice, (27:37) he says, (27:39) you are turning (27:39) the central part (27:40) of you, (27:41) the part of you (27:42) that chooses (27:42) into something (27:44) a little different (27:45) than it was before.

(27:47) And taking your (27:48) life as a whole, (27:49) with all (27:50) your innumerable (27:51) choices, (27:52) fancy word, (27:53) a lot of choices, (27:54) all your life (27:55) long, (27:56) you are slowly (27:56) turning the central (27:58) thing, (28:00) our self, (28:02) the central thing (28:03) into (28:03) a heavenly (28:04) creature (28:05) or a hellish (28:07) creature. (28:08) Either into a (28:09) creature that is (28:10) in harmony with God (28:13) and with all (28:14) other creatures (28:15) and with itself (28:17) or else (28:17) into one (28:19) that is in the (28:20) state of war (28:21) and hatred (28:22) with God (28:23) and with its (28:24) fellow creatures (28:25) and with itself. (28:28) To be one kind (28:29) of creature is heaven, (28:30) that is, (28:31) joy and peace (28:32) and knowledge (28:33) and power.

(28:34) The other (28:35) means madness, (28:37) horror, (28:40) rage, (28:41) impotence, (28:42) and eternal (28:43) loneliness. (28:47) That sounds (28:47) pretty dark. (28:50) Each one of us (28:51) at each moment (28:52) is progressing (28:53) towards one state (28:54) or the other.

(29:00) It’s a long race. (29:01) It can be an (29:02) even longer race (29:03) depending on (29:05) which state we’re (29:06) moving to. (29:10) And when that day (29:11) comes, (29:13) we’d like to be (29:16) where Timothy was (29:20) at the end of, (29:21) I’m sorry, (29:21) where Paul was (29:22) at the end of his life (29:23) as he wrote to Timothy.

(29:27) He says, (29:29) this is 2 Timothy (29:30) chapter 4, (29:31) three verses, (29:33) 2 Timothy 4, (29:34) 6 through 8, (29:36) where I am already (29:38) as a drink offering (29:40) and the time (29:41) of my departure (29:42) is at hand. (29:44) He knows the end (29:46) is near. (29:47) I have fought (29:48) the good fight.

(29:49) I have finished (29:50) the race. (29:53) I have kept (29:54) the faith. (29:56) Finally, (29:57) there’s laid up for me (29:57) the crown of righteousness (29:59) which the Lord, (30:01) the righteous judge, (30:04) will give to me (30:05) on that day (30:06) not only to me, (30:09) not to me only, (30:10) but also to all (30:11) who have loved (30:12) his appearing.

(30:16) And in 2 Timothy 4, (30:17) 6 through 8. (30:21) Paul’s looking back (30:21) on his life. (30:23) It hasn’t been easy. (30:24) It’s been long.

(30:26) We have an account (30:26) of a lot of different (30:27) situations that he was in (30:29) that probably died. (30:31) Typically, (30:39) we in the United States (30:40) here in Ohio (30:42) typically don’t experience (30:44) the kind of things (30:45) he experienced (30:47) typically. (30:49) But let’s be honest.

(30:52) As many times (30:54) it can be very difficult (30:56) to be a Christian (30:58) because (31:00) the allure of sin (31:01) is right there (31:03) right in front of you. (31:04) We don’t need that. (31:06) We don’t need to choose that.

(31:13) Now, while we’re here, (31:15) now while we’re (31:17) alert (31:19) and we are (31:21) living (31:23) and we have free will (31:25) and a choice, (31:29) God’s given us this opportunity (31:31) to choose him. (31:33) No matter what our (31:34) past life may have looked like, (31:38) always been given (31:39) the opportunity (31:40) to choose him. (31:43) And (31:45) I’m going to tell you (31:47) very quickly (31:48) about something that came up (31:50) even this past week for me.

(31:53) Now, (31:55) those on the phone (31:56) can’t see this, (31:57) but (31:57) those here can see this. (32:00) This is a tax bill (32:02) from Cuyahoga County. (32:04) It has a due date on it.

(32:07) It says (32:08) due date (32:08) is July 18th. (32:12) So, July, (32:14) morning of (32:16) July 19th, (32:17) I said to myself, (32:20) Ralph, (32:23) I don’t think I paid my tax bill yet. (32:26) What was the date? (32:27) What does that thing do? (32:29) I’m sitting at my desk (32:30) at a job, (32:33) pulled up the internet, (32:35) typed in (32:35) due date (32:36) Cuyahoga County (32:37) Real Estate Taxes (32:39) on the screen (32:41) in bold letters (32:41) that said July 18th.

(32:44) It is now (32:44) 10.30am (32:45) July 19th. (32:48) Panic (32:50) because (32:52) this bill comes (32:53) with a 10% penalty. (32:56) It’s already expensive.

(32:58) I don’t want 10% more. (33:02) I was so (33:03) beside myself (33:07) that I took both hands, (33:09) made a fist, (33:11) popped it on the top (33:12) of the desk. (33:14) I don’t know how I did this.

(33:17) I delayed. (33:19) I was going to pay it (33:20) on the 15th (33:22) when my employer (33:23) gave me (33:25) my paycheck. (33:26) And then I had time (33:28) the 18th.

(33:31) Now it’s the 19th. (33:33) So what did I do? (33:34) Of course, (33:35) I got in my car (33:36) right then and there. (33:37) Out from behind my desk, (33:39) I got in the car, (33:40) I drove downtown, (33:41) and I got into (33:42) where you pay your bill.

(33:45) And (33:48) there was (33:50) people lined up (33:51) behind the windows. (33:52) Big glass (33:54) counters. (33:56) There was like (33:57) six or seven of them.

(33:58) They’re all sitting there (33:59) not doing anything. (34:01) I walk up. (34:03) I’d like to pay (34:04) my tax bill.

(34:07) You’re due yesterday. (34:09) There’s nobody there (34:11) except the people (34:11) taking the money. (34:12) Everybody who was smart (34:14) was there yesterday.

(34:16) Oh, great. (34:19) The girl says, (34:22) there’s no penalty (34:23) right now. (34:25) You can pay it.

(34:28) And I wrote a check (34:29) right then (34:29) and I told her, (34:31) praise God, (34:34) you guys are expensive enough. (34:37) I’ll tell you, (34:40) God gives us free will (34:41) to choose, (34:42) make decisions (34:43) all the time, (34:44) all, just (34:44) our whole lives (34:46) until that time comes (34:47) when it’s over. (34:48) And we don’t know (34:49) when that is.

(34:51) But don’t be (34:52) what I did (34:53) with my stupid tax bill (34:55) and take it in (34:55) a day late. (34:57) Don’t be no, (34:59) Mr. Nesick, (35:00) there are no penalties. (35:03) That’s not (35:03) what you’re going to hear.

(35:05) What you’re going to hear (35:07) I read to you. (35:10) Matthew 25. (35:12) A long, (35:12) long set of verses, (35:13) 31 to 46.

(35:18) Ghosts and a sheep. (35:20) There’s a dividing line (35:21) between the two (35:22) and elsewhere in the scriptures (35:23) describes what that (35:24) dividing line (35:25) looks like. (35:26) Great gulf (35:27) between the two (35:28) and one can’t get (35:29) from one side to the other.

(35:31) When it’s over, (35:31) it’s over. (35:33) And I urge (35:37) those that are (35:38) Christians today (35:40) to make decisions (35:41) based upon that (35:45) and not to stumble. (35:47) We have friends here (35:49) and we have (35:50) other Christians (35:51) elsewhere (35:51) that we may know (35:53) that help us (35:54) because we need support.

(35:58) But (36:03) let’s not think (36:04) we run the race alone. (36:06) We do run the race. (36:09) And for those (36:10) who may not be Christians (36:13) who have not (36:14) made that commitment (36:16) who have not (36:17) decided to obey (36:19) the gospel (36:19) because of all kinds (36:21) of reasons.

(36:22) Some (36:22) because of (36:23) will, (36:24) choosing. (36:25) Some because (36:25) they haven’t heard it. (36:27) Some because (36:28) because, because.

(36:29) But I urge you (36:30) don’t be like me (36:31) and that stupid tax bill. (36:33) Make a decision today. (36:35) Do it now (36:36) because we don’t have (36:37) tomorrow.

(36:39) That’s all I have. (36:40) Thank you.