1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:19,920 Steve Webb: just with one plea. But watch out for me. This is in 2 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:23,160 the word with Mel Bennett, a study of Scripture passages from 3 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,880 the Word of God. This is episode number 35. And my name is Steve 4 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,180 Webb, thank you for being with us today. It's great to be back 5 00:00:30,180 --> 00:00:33,480 with you again. I'm so thankful that our beloved pastor Bennett 6 00:00:33,480 --> 00:00:36,630 is back behind the microphone. It's been about 10 months and 7 00:00:36,630 --> 00:00:39,900 I'm thrilled to be able to produce this episode for you. In 8 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:43,320 today's episode, Pastor Bennett is in chapter one of the Gospel 9 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:47,520 of John, he's in verses 32 through 35. He'll be discussing 10 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:51,300 the Holy Spirit and the first disciples. If you have your 11 00:00:51,300 --> 00:00:54,780 Bible with you. Let's read along with our pastor, Pastor Bennett. 12 00:00:54,780 --> 00:00:58,260 I'm so glad to say the floor is yours. Welcome back. 13 00:00:58,289 --> 00:01:01,139 Mel Bennett: Thank you, Steve, I so much appreciate your help. 14 00:01:01,859 --> 00:01:04,919 That coming of the Spirit, and the first disciples is what 15 00:01:04,919 --> 00:01:08,399 we're going to discuss. And we go to John chapter number one, 16 00:01:08,399 --> 00:01:12,659 verses 32 through 35. Let's begin reading at verse number 17 00:01:12,659 --> 00:01:17,069 32. And John bore witness saying, I saw the Spirit 18 00:01:17,069 --> 00:01:21,149 descending from heaven like a dove, and he remained upon him, 19 00:01:21,629 --> 00:01:26,189 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water, 20 00:01:26,669 --> 00:01:30,689 said to me, upon whom you see the Spirit descending and 21 00:01:30,689 --> 00:01:35,099 remaining on him, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 22 00:01:35,549 --> 00:01:39,359 And I've seen and testified that this is the Son of God. 23 00:01:39,929 --> 00:01:43,169 Something happened at the baptism of Jesus, which 24 00:01:43,169 --> 00:01:46,949 convinced John the Baptist beyond all doubt that Jesus was 25 00:01:46,949 --> 00:01:51,839 the Son of God. At the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit of God came 26 00:01:51,839 --> 00:01:55,769 upon him with power. John says he saw this in the form of a 27 00:01:55,769 --> 00:02:00,929 dove, a dove to a Jew was a sacred bird, neither 100 nor 28 00:02:00,929 --> 00:02:05,189 eaten. The picture of a dove was one which the Jew both knew and 29 00:02:05,189 --> 00:02:08,699 loved. Remember this time the Christian doctrine and 30 00:02:08,699 --> 00:02:12,959 realization of the Spirit had not yet come in to being when 31 00:02:12,959 --> 00:02:16,799 John the Baptist spoke of the Spirit coming upon Jesus, he was 32 00:02:16,799 --> 00:02:21,329 thinking in Jewish terms of that day, what was the Jewish idea of 33 00:02:21,329 --> 00:02:27,749 the spirit? The Jewish word for spirit is Ruach Are you a si H, 34 00:02:27,869 --> 00:02:31,979 which means wind, to the Jews, there were always three basic 35 00:02:31,979 --> 00:02:36,299 ideas of the Spirit. The Spirit was power, power, like a mighty 36 00:02:36,299 --> 00:02:40,859 rushing wind, the spirit was life. Secondly, the very center 37 00:02:40,859 --> 00:02:44,549 and soul and essence of life, the very dynamic of the 38 00:02:44,549 --> 00:02:48,659 existence of man was through the Spirit of God. Thirdly, the 39 00:02:48,659 --> 00:02:53,279 spirit was God, the power and the life of the spirit was 40 00:02:53,279 --> 00:02:56,789 beyond mere human achievement and attainment, the coming of 41 00:02:56,789 --> 00:03:01,439 the spirit into a man's life was the coming of God. Above all, it 42 00:03:01,439 --> 00:03:05,849 was the spirit who controlled the prophets and inspiring these 43 00:03:05,849 --> 00:03:09,899 prophets. Look at Mike as listen to his words in Micah three, 44 00:03:09,899 --> 00:03:14,519 verse number eight, but truly, I am full of power by the Spirit 45 00:03:14,519 --> 00:03:18,509 of the Lord, and of justice and my to declared Jacob his 46 00:03:18,509 --> 00:03:24,299 transgression, and to Israel, his sin. Isaiah 5921 says, As 47 00:03:24,299 --> 00:03:28,379 for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord, my spirit 48 00:03:28,379 --> 00:03:32,369 that is upon thee, and my words, which I have put in my mouth, 49 00:03:32,579 --> 00:03:36,329 shall not depart out of my mouth, or out of the mouth of 50 00:03:36,329 --> 00:03:39,899 thy seed, or out of the mouth, who they seed seeds, saith the 51 00:03:39,899 --> 00:03:44,369 Lord from henceforth, and forever. Again, and Isaiah six 52 00:03:44,369 --> 00:03:48,779 one, Isaiah says, The Spirit of the Lord had God is upon me, 53 00:03:48,959 --> 00:03:52,589 because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the 54 00:03:52,589 --> 00:03:58,709 meek. And as Isaiah 36 chapter, and verse number 26. It says, a 55 00:03:58,709 --> 00:04:03,029 new heart will also will give you and a new spirit will I put 56 00:04:03,029 --> 00:04:07,499 within you, and I will put my Spirit within you, says, verse 57 00:04:07,499 --> 00:04:11,249 number 27. You see, the Spirit of God did three things for the 58 00:04:11,249 --> 00:04:14,789 person in whom he came, he brought to people the truth of 59 00:04:14,789 --> 00:04:19,169 God. Secondly, he gave people the power to recognize the truth 60 00:04:19,349 --> 00:04:23,579 when they saw it. And thirdly, he gave them the ability and the 61 00:04:23,579 --> 00:04:28,829 courage to preach the truth to people. Now at His baptism in a 62 00:04:28,829 --> 00:04:32,999 most unique way, this Spirit came upon Jesus, this coming of 63 00:04:32,999 --> 00:04:36,569 the Spirit upon Jesus was in a totally different way than he 64 00:04:36,569 --> 00:04:40,169 had ever come upon any other person, before men had what 65 00:04:40,169 --> 00:04:44,579 might be called spasmodic experiences of the spirit. These 66 00:04:44,579 --> 00:04:48,539 were moments of dazzling illumination of extra ordinary 67 00:04:48,539 --> 00:04:53,309 power of superhuman courage, however, these times would come 68 00:04:53,309 --> 00:04:56,999 and go, John the Baptist goes out of his way to point out the 69 00:04:56,999 --> 00:05:01,799 fact that the spirit remained on him This was no momentary 70 00:05:01,799 --> 00:05:06,029 inspiration. In Jesus, the spirit uniquely took up his 71 00:05:06,029 --> 00:05:10,019 permanent abode. This is just another way of saying that the 72 00:05:10,019 --> 00:05:15,119 mind and the power of God was uniquely upon Jesus. Here we can 73 00:05:15,119 --> 00:05:19,229 learn a great deal about what the word baptism means also, in 74 00:05:19,229 --> 00:05:23,819 the Greek it means to dip or to emerge. It was used to close 75 00:05:23,819 --> 00:05:27,929 being dipped in die, or have a ship submerged beneath the 76 00:05:27,929 --> 00:05:32,699 waves. It can also be used of a person being so drunk, that he 77 00:05:32,699 --> 00:05:37,469 is soaked in drink. John tells us that when Jesus baptized as 78 00:05:37,469 --> 00:05:41,339 us with the Holy Spirit, he means that Jesus can bring God's 79 00:05:41,339 --> 00:05:45,449 spirit to us in such a way that we are soaked in the Spirit, 80 00:05:45,659 --> 00:05:50,009 that life is permeated with him, that we are saturated with the 81 00:05:50,009 --> 00:05:54,719 Spirit of God. What did his baptism mean for John? Well, 82 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,649 first of all, understand John's own baptism means two things. 83 00:05:58,949 --> 00:06:02,639 First of all, it meant cleansing, it meant that man was 84 00:06:02,639 --> 00:06:06,479 being washed from the impurities that come to him. It meant 85 00:06:06,479 --> 00:06:10,769 dedication. Secondly, it meant that I went out to a new, a 86 00:06:10,769 --> 00:06:15,509 different and a better kind of life. Jesus baptism, however, 87 00:06:15,689 --> 00:06:19,859 was a baptism with an of the Spirit. This was a different 88 00:06:19,859 --> 00:06:24,089 kind of baptism. This was a baptism where God took control 89 00:06:24,089 --> 00:06:27,719 of a man's very life. Certain things happen when the Spirit 90 00:06:27,719 --> 00:06:32,189 takes control of an individual. Number one, life is illuminated, 91 00:06:32,819 --> 00:06:36,479 there comes a knowledge of God, the will of God becomes clear. 92 00:06:36,659 --> 00:06:41,699 That person knows what God's purpose is, and follows that 93 00:06:41,699 --> 00:06:47,909 purpose. He understands that what life means and where duty 94 00:06:47,909 --> 00:06:51,959 lies, some of God's wisdom and light has come into them. 95 00:06:52,439 --> 00:06:57,119 Secondly, life is strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Knowledge 96 00:06:57,119 --> 00:07:00,809 without power is a frustrating thing. The Spirit gives us not 97 00:07:00,809 --> 00:07:04,589 only knowledge, to know the right but also the strength of 98 00:07:04,589 --> 00:07:08,699 the power to do the right. The Holy Spirit gives us a triumph 99 00:07:08,699 --> 00:07:13,289 and adequacy to cope with duties of life. Thirdly, life is 100 00:07:13,289 --> 00:07:17,519 purified. Christ's baptism was to be a baptism with fire, 101 00:07:17,549 --> 00:07:23,549 Matthew 311, and Luke one 316. The filth of evil things is 102 00:07:23,549 --> 00:07:28,289 cleansed and burned away, until a person is clean and pure, Too 103 00:07:28,289 --> 00:07:31,499 often our prayers for the spirit or kind of formality, I'm 104 00:07:31,499 --> 00:07:35,759 afraid. But when we know that for which we are praying, our 105 00:07:35,759 --> 00:07:39,689 prayers for the spirit become a desperate cry of a hungry heart 106 00:07:39,689 --> 00:07:44,429 for more of God, oh, God, I need you, and long for more of you to 107 00:07:44,429 --> 00:07:48,569 control my life. May God grant that this becomes the way we 108 00:07:48,569 --> 00:07:53,849 seek God for a baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The 109 00:07:53,849 --> 00:07:57,149 second thing I want us to discuss this morning, is the 110 00:07:57,149 --> 00:08:01,529 first disciples in John chapter one, verse 35, through 39, we 111 00:08:01,529 --> 00:08:05,369 read these words, again, the next day, John stood with two of 112 00:08:05,369 --> 00:08:09,689 his disciples, and looking at Jesus as his as he walked, he 113 00:08:09,689 --> 00:08:13,409 said, Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him 114 00:08:13,409 --> 00:08:18,239 speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and seeing 115 00:08:18,239 --> 00:08:22,709 them, following them him said to them, what do you seek? They 116 00:08:22,709 --> 00:08:27,959 said to Him, Rabbi, which is to say, when translated, teacher, 117 00:08:28,199 --> 00:08:32,579 where are you saying, He said to them, Come and see, they came 118 00:08:32,579 --> 00:08:36,539 and saw where he was staying, and remained with him that day. 119 00:08:36,629 --> 00:08:40,439 Now, it was about the 10th hour, or about four o'clock in the 120 00:08:40,439 --> 00:08:44,879 afternoon. This passage is full of beautiful, revealing truths 121 00:08:44,879 --> 00:08:48,059 and touches, I believe. It starts with John the Baptist 122 00:08:48,059 --> 00:08:51,719 once again, pointing to one beyond himself. He must have 123 00:08:51,749 --> 00:08:55,919 known that when he spoke as he did about Jesus, it would cause 124 00:08:55,919 --> 00:08:59,969 those who followed him to follow this new and greater teacher, 125 00:09:00,419 --> 00:09:05,789 yet he did it now No, there is no jealousy here. He had come to 126 00:09:05,819 --> 00:09:11,519 attract men to Jesus and not to himself. There is no harder task 127 00:09:11,639 --> 00:09:15,779 than to take the second place once the first place has been 128 00:09:15,809 --> 00:09:19,769 known and enjoyed. Believe me, I speak from experience here for I 129 00:09:19,769 --> 00:09:23,549 pastored in two places, and I said I would never be an 130 00:09:23,549 --> 00:09:27,329 assistant to anyone again, but God knew better. I had resigned 131 00:09:27,329 --> 00:09:30,359 to pastoring in North Dakota, and was enjoying a somewhat 132 00:09:30,359 --> 00:09:34,499 fruitful evangelistic ministry. When I found myself stranded in 133 00:09:34,499 --> 00:09:38,279 Southern California, and my ministry shut down by unusual 134 00:09:38,279 --> 00:09:42,539 cancellations. It was then I was compelled to take a position as 135 00:09:42,539 --> 00:09:46,529 a second place pastor. The question was, would I obey God 136 00:09:46,709 --> 00:09:50,339 and stay in that position or not? It was the most difficult 137 00:09:50,339 --> 00:09:54,899 decision to make, but God took any always takes the divine 138 00:09:54,899 --> 00:09:58,859 initiative. You see once Jesus had emerged and come on the 139 00:09:58,859 --> 00:10:03,119 scene, John I never had any thought, but to send men to him. 140 00:10:03,449 --> 00:10:06,959 So to have John the Baptist disciples lift him and follow 141 00:10:06,959 --> 00:10:10,949 Jesus. Then Jesus did something that was entirely typical of 142 00:10:10,949 --> 00:10:14,909 him. He turned and spoke to them. In other words, he met 143 00:10:14,909 --> 00:10:19,829 them halfway, he made things easier. And he still does Praise 144 00:10:19,829 --> 00:10:24,029 God. He opens the door and invites the person seeking Him 145 00:10:24,059 --> 00:10:28,799 in, oh, how easy it is to have come to Jesus today. All you 146 00:10:28,799 --> 00:10:32,879 need to do is accept his invitation. Once you begin in 147 00:10:32,879 --> 00:10:36,839 your heart to long for him, he in fact, will meet you more than 148 00:10:36,839 --> 00:10:42,179 halfway. This is a picture of I believe, divine invitation, God 149 00:10:42,179 --> 00:10:45,749 will always take the first step toward us. The Bible declares 150 00:10:45,749 --> 00:10:50,129 that he came to seek and to save that which was lost. Notice it 151 00:10:50,129 --> 00:10:55,439 says he came to seek. And we need to rest upon that word that 152 00:10:55,439 --> 00:10:59,609 God is seeking after us. When we go to God, he does not hide 153 00:10:59,609 --> 00:11:03,749 himself and keep us at a distance. We go to him one who 154 00:11:03,749 --> 00:11:08,249 stands willing and waiting for us, and who even takes the 155 00:11:08,249 --> 00:11:12,179 initiative by coming to meet us on the road of life. When the 156 00:11:12,179 --> 00:11:16,739 prodigal son returned home, the Bible tells us the father ran to 157 00:11:16,739 --> 00:11:21,179 meet him, or a picture of man returning to God this is for the 158 00:11:21,179 --> 00:11:24,719 father ran to meet the son. The son didn't run to meet the 159 00:11:24,719 --> 00:11:28,169 father, but the father ran to meet him. And what a beautiful 160 00:11:28,169 --> 00:11:32,339 picture it is, of our returning to God. Secondly, there was a 161 00:11:32,339 --> 00:11:37,469 divine question. Jesus begins by asking these two men in the most 162 00:11:37,469 --> 00:11:41,699 fundamental question of life, what are you looking for? Were 163 00:11:41,699 --> 00:11:44,549 they nationalists looking for a political leadership and a 164 00:11:44,549 --> 00:11:48,269 military commander who would help them to crush the power of 165 00:11:48,269 --> 00:11:52,529 Rome? This was a big issue of the day, or were they humbled me 166 00:11:52,529 --> 00:11:56,639 in a prayer seeking for God and His will? Or were they simply 167 00:11:56,639 --> 00:12:00,509 puzzled, bewildered men and sinners, seeking the light on 168 00:12:00,509 --> 00:12:04,739 the road of life and forgiveness from God? It would be well, if 169 00:12:04,739 --> 00:12:08,879 everyone now and then would ask ourselves the question, What am 170 00:12:08,879 --> 00:12:13,259 I looking for? What am I trying to get out of life? What is my 171 00:12:13,289 --> 00:12:17,999 aim and goal? If I am honest, in the depths of my heart, what am 172 00:12:17,999 --> 00:12:22,289 I really trying to get out of life, some people are trying to 173 00:12:22,289 --> 00:12:26,309 get security. These want to position which provide safety, 174 00:12:26,639 --> 00:12:30,269 if they can have enough money to meet the everyday needs of life, 175 00:12:30,719 --> 00:12:34,679 and then a little leftover for the time of retirement. There's 176 00:12:34,709 --> 00:12:39,389 is a material desire. Now this is not her wrong aim, but it is 177 00:12:39,389 --> 00:12:43,709 a low aim. It is an inadequate aim for which direct all of your 178 00:12:43,709 --> 00:12:49,079 life in reality, let us admit, there is no safe place. Nothing 179 00:12:49,079 --> 00:12:52,229 is really secure in the trouble the world in which we live. 180 00:12:52,739 --> 00:12:56,219 Secondly, some people are seeking for a career. They're 181 00:12:56,219 --> 00:13:00,209 searching for power for prominence for prestige, a place 182 00:13:00,209 --> 00:13:04,139 to fit the talents and abilities they believe they have, in and 183 00:13:04,139 --> 00:13:07,739 of themselves. They are looking for an opportunity to do the 184 00:13:07,739 --> 00:13:11,789 work they believe themselves capable of doing it is not a bad 185 00:13:11,789 --> 00:13:16,139 aim either. If it is directed by motives of personal ambition, it 186 00:13:16,139 --> 00:13:20,429 can be a bad thing. If it is motivated by the desire to serve 187 00:13:20,429 --> 00:13:24,599 our fellow man. It can be a high aim, dear friend, the search for 188 00:13:24,599 --> 00:13:29,729 God. That is the only aim Jesus Christ can meet and supply. 189 00:13:30,029 --> 00:13:35,369 Peace can never be found outside of Jesus. I believe we need to 190 00:13:35,369 --> 00:13:37,919 look at man's answer to the question of what are you 191 00:13:37,919 --> 00:13:41,909 seeking? They answered him, Where are you staying? Nope. 192 00:13:41,909 --> 00:13:45,479 First they called him Rabbi, Rabbi, where are you staying? 193 00:13:45,689 --> 00:13:50,519 That is a Hebrew word meaning my great one. It was a title of 194 00:13:50,519 --> 00:13:54,329 respect given by seekers of knowledge to teachers and 195 00:13:54,329 --> 00:13:58,919 Wiseman. John was writing his gospel for Greeks who would not 196 00:13:58,919 --> 00:14:03,479 recognize this Hebrew word. So he translated it for him. Then 197 00:14:03,539 --> 00:14:07,649 he used a Greek word which means Teacher, why did these men ask 198 00:14:07,649 --> 00:14:12,269 this kind of a question? It was not mere curiosity. They meant 199 00:14:12,269 --> 00:14:16,949 that they not only wish to speak to Jesus on the road, in passing 200 00:14:16,949 --> 00:14:22,319 words, they wish to enter in and linger long with him and talk 201 00:14:22,319 --> 00:14:26,009 about their problems and their troubles. The one who wants to 202 00:14:26,009 --> 00:14:30,929 be Jesus disciple can never be satisfied with a passing word 203 00:14:30,989 --> 00:14:35,129 with Jesus. He wants to meet Jesus, not as a mere 204 00:14:35,189 --> 00:14:40,409 acquaintance in passing, but as a friend in his own house. Now 205 00:14:40,409 --> 00:14:43,859 Jesus gave an answer. Listen to what he said, Come and see. 206 00:14:44,309 --> 00:14:47,939 Jewish rabbis had a way of using that phrase in their teaching. 207 00:14:48,179 --> 00:14:51,149 They would say, Do you want to know the answer to the question? 208 00:14:51,389 --> 00:14:54,479 Do you want to know the answer and solution to your problem 209 00:14:54,689 --> 00:14:58,409 will then come and see, we will think about it together. When 210 00:14:58,409 --> 00:15:02,279 Jesus said come and see he will is inviting them not only to 211 00:15:02,279 --> 00:15:06,569 come and talk, but to come and find the things that he alone 212 00:15:06,569 --> 00:15:11,579 could open to them. Now, he closes with a comment about the 213 00:15:11,579 --> 00:15:16,139 time, John who wrote this gospel in his paragraph by telling us, 214 00:15:16,259 --> 00:15:20,099 it was about four in the afternoon. It may be that he was 215 00:15:20,099 --> 00:15:24,239 one of the two who followed Jesus that day. You see, he 216 00:15:24,239 --> 00:15:28,439 could tell you exactly what time it was, where he was there, and 217 00:15:28,439 --> 00:15:32,849 he knew he could tell you the very hour he walked and talked 218 00:15:32,849 --> 00:15:37,199 with Jesus. I believe when a person really meets Christ, He 219 00:15:37,199 --> 00:15:40,649 will never forget that time any more than he can forget the day 220 00:15:40,649 --> 00:15:45,659 of his physical birth. It means and marks the dividing line 221 00:15:45,689 --> 00:15:50,819 between the time when he did not know Jesus, and the time he came 222 00:15:50,819 --> 00:15:55,139 to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I've heard many people say they 223 00:15:55,139 --> 00:15:58,439 were Christians all their life, and could not tell you when they 224 00:15:58,439 --> 00:16:02,249 were born again, I believe you can know the time and the place. 225 00:16:02,699 --> 00:16:06,419 I was born into a Christian home. But I knew the time when 226 00:16:06,419 --> 00:16:10,859 as a teenager, I accepted Jesus and was truly born again of the 227 00:16:10,859 --> 00:16:15,059 Spirit of God. If you cannot say that today, why not open your 228 00:16:15,059 --> 00:16:19,379 life to Jesus and make him look Lord of your life right now? He 229 00:16:19,379 --> 00:16:23,279 is saying, let's sit down and talk. You can tell me anything. 230 00:16:23,519 --> 00:16:27,239 And I will answer and hear you and give you an answer to your 231 00:16:27,239 --> 00:16:30,749 deepest questions. Listen to the words of a beautiful hammer, 232 00:16:30,749 --> 00:16:36,389 written by John H. Stockton, who lived in 1811 through 1877. He 233 00:16:36,389 --> 00:16:40,349 pastored in New Jersey, wrote about 25 hymns and published two 234 00:16:40,349 --> 00:16:45,329 song books. It is uncertain exactly when he wrote this great 235 00:16:45,329 --> 00:16:49,529 song. But listen to the words only trust him. Come every soul 236 00:16:49,529 --> 00:16:53,159 by center press. There's mercy with the Lord, and He will 237 00:16:53,159 --> 00:16:57,809 surely give you rest by trusting in His Word. Only trust him. 238 00:16:57,989 --> 00:17:03,059 Only trust him. Only trust him now for he will save you He will 239 00:17:03,059 --> 00:17:08,189 save you, He will save you now. Second verse says For Jesus shed 240 00:17:08,189 --> 00:17:12,179 His precious blood, rich blessings to be so plunged down 241 00:17:12,179 --> 00:17:17,489 to the Crimson flood that washes widest snow. Yes, Jesus is the 242 00:17:17,489 --> 00:17:22,199 truth, the way that leads you into rest. Believe in Him 243 00:17:22,199 --> 00:17:27,179 without delay, and you are fully blessed. Come then and join this 244 00:17:27,179 --> 00:17:32,219 holy band and on to glory go to dwell in that celestial land 245 00:17:32,339 --> 00:17:37,619 where Joy's immortal flow. Only trust him, only trust him. Only 246 00:17:37,619 --> 00:17:42,509 trust him now. He will save you. He will save you. He will save 247 00:17:42,509 --> 00:17:47,009 you now. Let us pray. Our Father and our God, we come to you this 248 00:17:47,219 --> 00:17:50,189 morning or this day. And we thank you for your many 249 00:17:50,189 --> 00:17:53,159 blessings which you have provided us with. You've given 250 00:17:53,159 --> 00:17:57,269 us food DEET, you've given us shelter or I had clothes to wear 251 00:17:57,269 --> 00:18:00,179 and we're so grateful and thankful. But we're most 252 00:18:00,179 --> 00:18:03,389 thankful for the salvation that you have provided for us through 253 00:18:03,389 --> 00:18:07,589 Jesus Christ, if we will but accept him. And so we pray this 254 00:18:07,589 --> 00:18:11,609 prayer today. Lord, come into my life. Come into my heart. 255 00:18:11,819 --> 00:18:15,899 Forgive me of my sins, cleanse me from all unrighteousness and 256 00:18:15,899 --> 00:18:21,449 make me a new creature in Christ Jesus. Amen. Listen, if you pray 257 00:18:21,449 --> 00:18:25,649 that prayer with me, you have become a child of God today. God 258 00:18:25,649 --> 00:18:29,129 bless you, and may he make you a blessing to others. 259 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:34,700 Steve Webb: If you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett and 260 00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:37,850 gave your life to the Lord, I would love to send you a copy of 261 00:18:37,850 --> 00:18:41,330 the new believers Bible. It's a very special edition of the New 262 00:18:41,330 --> 00:18:44,660 Testament with hundreds of notes written by Pastor Greg Laurie. 263 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:47,750 And it's meant to help you get into God's word and start 264 00:18:47,750 --> 00:18:50,720 growing in your faith. It's free, and it's Lifespring 265 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:54,290 media's gift to you. All you need to do is send me an email 266 00:18:54,290 --> 00:18:57,170 at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And tell me you 267 00:18:57,170 --> 00:18:59,780 prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett. Let me know where to 268 00:18:59,780 --> 00:19:02,570 send you a copy of the new believers Bible and I promise I 269 00:19:02,570 --> 00:19:06,410 will not share or sell your information with anyone ever. I 270 00:19:06,410 --> 00:19:09,800 just want to help you get a firm foundation. That email address 271 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:13,460 again is Steve at Lifespring media.com. And in the subject 272 00:19:13,460 --> 00:19:17,120 line of your email put, I prayed with Pastor Bennett. Thank you 273 00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:20,270 Pastor Bennett for bringing us once more a look at scripture 274 00:19:20,270 --> 00:19:24,560 that encourages us to meet the real and living Messiah. I hope 275 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:27,410 you'll join us next time. The best way to get all a pastor 276 00:19:27,410 --> 00:19:30,590 Bennett's podcast is to subscribe. Of course it's free. 277 00:19:30,620 --> 00:19:33,710 All you have to do if you have a podcast app is just search in 278 00:19:33,710 --> 00:19:37,190 your app for in the word with Mel Bennett or you can subscribe 279 00:19:37,190 --> 00:19:40,760 it subscribe dot Lifespring media.com There's even a way 280 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,220 there to receive an email whenever a new episode is 281 00:19:43,220 --> 00:19:47,060 published. Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you 282 00:19:47,090 --> 00:19:50,900 may make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the 283 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:54,380 Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 284 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:57,110 Thank you for joining us. My name is Steve Webb.