WEBVTT STYLE ::cue { color: #ffffff; } 00:00:00.650 --> 00:00:01.834 Grace, 00:00:01.882 --> 00:00:03.406 mercy and peace be to you from 00:00:03.428 --> 00:00:05.066 God our Father and from our Lord 00:00:05.098 --> 00:00:06.800 and our Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:00:08.050 --> 00:00:09.454 The Bible passage for this 00:00:09.492 --> 00:00:11.866 message is the Gospel reading, 00:00:12.058 --> 00:00:15.242 but will also incorporate verses 00:00:15.306 --> 00:00:18.122 five through 20 where Jesus 00:00:18.186 --> 00:00:20.606 sends the disciples out on a 00:00:20.708 --> 00:00:22.206 missionary journey and the 00:00:22.228 --> 00:00:23.834 instructions and warnings 00:00:23.882 --> 00:00:24.886 he gives them. 00:00:25.028 --> 00:00:26.534 I will incorporate that into 00:00:26.572 --> 00:00:28.520 the sermon as well. 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:33.240 Picture the scene. 00:00:35.180 --> 00:00:37.780 Jesus calls his disciples 00:00:37.860 --> 00:00:39.390 to him. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:41.870 He looks at them, 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:44.910 they're looking at him, 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:47.470 and he says, 00:00:48.800 --> 00:00:49.950 you're ready. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:54.290 I'm sending you out. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:57.244 You are to tell the lost 00:00:57.292 --> 00:00:58.204 sheep of Israel, 00:00:58.252 --> 00:00:59.884 nowhere else in this trip, 00:01:00.012 --> 00:01:01.884 just the lost sheep of Israel. 00:01:02.012 --> 00:01:04.188 Go to these towns and tell them 00:01:04.214 --> 00:01:04.916 that the kingdom of 00:01:04.938 --> 00:01:05.990 heaven is near. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:08.550 Tell them I have come, 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:13.380 that my reign has begun, 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:17.400 that I will be the Messiah. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:20.436 Tell them the kingdom 00:01:20.628 --> 00:01:21.960 has arrived 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:24.330 with me 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:27.416 and I'm going to give 00:01:27.438 --> 00:01:28.520 you authority. 00:01:30.720 --> 00:01:32.700 You will cleanse lepers, 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:36.024 heal the sick, cast out demons, 00:01:36.072 --> 00:01:37.260 raise the dead. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:39.944 And you don't need to take gold 00:01:39.992 --> 00:01:41.276 or silver or copper or 00:01:41.298 --> 00:01:42.716 extra tunic. No, 00:01:42.898 --> 00:01:45.004 just stop at a house and they'll 00:01:45.052 --> 00:01:45.696 take care of you. 00:01:45.718 --> 00:01:46.752 And if they don't, well, 00:01:46.806 --> 00:01:47.948 shake the dust off your feet 00:01:47.964 --> 00:01:49.330 and go to another one. 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:52.796 Can you see the disciples? 00:01:52.988 --> 00:01:54.516 They're standing up nice and 00:01:54.538 --> 00:01:56.324 straight, send me, send me. 00:01:56.362 --> 00:01:57.670 I'm all ready to go. 00:02:00.120 --> 00:02:03.990 But then Jesus says some more. 00:02:07.960 --> 00:02:09.283 A student is not above 00:02:09.332 --> 00:02:09.876 his teacher, 00:02:09.907 --> 00:02:11.572 a servant above his master. 00:02:11.716 --> 00:02:14.120 They've hated and rejected me 00:02:14.190 --> 00:02:15.176 and they will do the 00:02:15.198 --> 00:02:16.490 same for you. 00:02:17.100 --> 00:02:18.196 You're going to be hauled 00:02:18.228 --> 00:02:19.092 into court. 00:02:19.236 --> 00:02:20.856 You'll stand before kings and 00:02:20.878 --> 00:02:23.348 rulers. You will be persecuted. 00:02:23.444 --> 00:02:25.080 You'll be run out of town, 00:02:26.140 --> 00:02:27.284 you will be attacked, 00:02:27.332 --> 00:02:28.440 you will be hated. 00:02:31.510 --> 00:02:33.222 Families will come apart 00:02:33.286 --> 00:02:33.834 because of you, 00:02:33.872 --> 00:02:35.420 maybe even your own family. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:39.212 Well, now, 00:02:39.266 --> 00:02:40.444 the disciples are not 00:02:40.482 --> 00:02:41.212 quite so sure. 00:02:41.266 --> 00:02:42.812 Their hands aren't raised quite 00:02:42.866 --> 00:02:45.660 as hand up anymore 00:02:47.920 --> 00:02:49.740 and you can see the fear 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:51.630 in their eyes. 00:02:55.820 --> 00:02:57.384 Jesus sends us as well. 00:02:57.422 --> 00:02:58.772 Not like that first missionary 00:02:58.836 --> 00:02:59.350 journey, but 00:03:00.410 --> 00:03:01.646 those instructions for the 00:03:01.668 --> 00:03:03.134 disciples, then. But for us, 00:03:03.172 --> 00:03:04.494 he still sends us. 00:03:04.532 --> 00:03:06.058 He says that we are salt, 00:03:06.154 --> 00:03:07.070 that we are light, 00:03:07.140 --> 00:03:08.234 a city on a hill. 00:03:08.282 --> 00:03:09.674 And at the end of Matthew, 00:03:09.802 --> 00:03:11.646 go make disciples of all 00:03:11.668 --> 00:03:13.230 nations, baptizing them, 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:14.400 teaching them. 00:03:16.130 --> 00:03:17.920 He sends us out too. 00:03:19.170 --> 00:03:21.290 He's given us an incredible 00:03:21.370 --> 00:03:22.000 message. 00:03:23.329 --> 00:03:24.320 Our story, 00:03:24.970 --> 00:03:25.986 the Kingdom of heaven 00:03:26.018 --> 00:03:27.078 has come to us. 00:03:27.164 --> 00:03:29.062 Jesus has arrived in our lives. 00:03:29.116 --> 00:03:32.214 He rules now for us. From the 00:03:32.252 --> 00:03:33.841 cross we have been forgiven. 00:03:33.906 --> 00:03:35.670 He has risen from the dead. 00:03:36.250 --> 00:03:38.634 He has given us hope and 00:03:38.672 --> 00:03:40.714 salvation and life and 00:03:40.752 --> 00:03:42.246 peace and joy. 00:03:42.438 --> 00:03:43.850 His story has become 00:03:43.920 --> 00:03:44.886 our stories. 00:03:44.998 --> 00:03:48.682 And he wants us to go and share 00:03:48.816 --> 00:03:50.800 that kingdom of heaven news 00:03:52.130 --> 00:03:53.120 with others. 00:03:56.930 --> 00:03:57.293 Well, 00:03:57.332 --> 00:04:00.350 we may not quite have that here. 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:01.341 Send me. Send me. 00:04:01.396 --> 00:04:02.882 Because we're already thinking 00:04:02.936 --> 00:04:04.420 about what might happen. 00:04:06.550 --> 00:04:07.554 Some of the fear is 00:04:07.591 --> 00:04:08.900 in our lives too. 00:04:11.269 --> 00:04:13.262 You're at a family gathering, 00:04:13.326 --> 00:04:14.462 gathered around the table, 00:04:14.526 --> 00:04:15.810 and you have that one relative 00:04:15.890 --> 00:04:16.662 that always seems 00:04:16.716 --> 00:04:17.909 to make trouble. 00:04:19.690 --> 00:04:21.269 He's not a believer, 00:04:22.650 --> 00:04:23.558 doesn't want much to 00:04:23.563 --> 00:04:24.630 do with Jesus, 00:04:26.490 --> 00:04:27.606 and he interrupts the 00:04:27.628 --> 00:04:28.726 conversation around the 00:04:28.748 --> 00:04:29.866 table to say, hey, 00:04:29.968 --> 00:04:32.218 I read from this gospel One 00:04:32.304 --> 00:04:34.794 John, that Jesus said, 00:04:34.912 --> 00:04:35.498 I'm the way, 00:04:35.504 --> 00:04:36.409 the truth and the life. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:37.622 No one comes to the Father 00:04:37.686 --> 00:04:38.940 except through me. 00:04:39.470 --> 00:04:41.430 That sounds pretty exclusive. 00:04:41.590 --> 00:04:42.438 Does that mean I'm 00:04:42.454 --> 00:04:43.420 going to hell? 00:04:43.790 --> 00:04:45.454 Look at Aunt May over there. 00:04:45.572 --> 00:04:46.478 She doesn't have much to 00:04:46.484 --> 00:04:47.630 do with the church. 00:04:48.770 --> 00:04:50.990 She doesn't follow Jesus. 00:04:52.050 --> 00:04:53.780 Is she going to hell too? 00:04:56.940 --> 00:04:58.212 Then there's the awkward 00:04:58.276 --> 00:04:59.240 silence. 00:05:01.020 --> 00:05:02.970 Everybody's looking at you. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:05.770 Are you ready? 00:05:07.440 --> 00:05:08.780 Are you afraid? 00:05:10.880 --> 00:05:12.364 Or maybe you're just out 00:05:12.402 --> 00:05:13.496 with the neighbors. 00:05:13.608 --> 00:05:15.580 A backyard barbecue, 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:20.635 and the discussion turns 00:05:20.668 --> 00:05:22.400 to politics. 00:05:23.700 --> 00:05:26.032 And the senator has said 00:05:26.086 --> 00:05:27.810 some outrageous things. 00:05:29.140 --> 00:05:30.770 It's in all the news. 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:32.395 And one of the neighbors 00:05:32.428 --> 00:05:33.076 says to you, hey, 00:05:33.098 --> 00:05:33.830 I know 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:36.372 you have taken a stand 00:05:36.426 --> 00:05:37.700 against abortion. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:40.644 I've heard you talk about it. 00:05:40.682 --> 00:05:42.900 I've seen a sign in your yard. 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:48.050 But this senator we have, 00:05:49.460 --> 00:05:51.132 he is so mean spirited. 00:05:51.196 --> 00:05:52.111 He attacks others. 00:05:52.166 --> 00:05:53.024 He runs them down. 00:05:53.062 --> 00:05:55.183 The language that he used so far 00:05:55.222 --> 00:05:56.032 from being anything 00:05:56.086 --> 00:05:57.068 like a Christian. 00:05:57.164 --> 00:05:59.368 Yet he has taken your position 00:05:59.454 --> 00:06:00.490 against the. Abortion. 00:06:00.570 --> 00:06:02.414 Does that mean you vote for him? 00:06:02.452 --> 00:06:04.078 A scoundrel like that, 00:06:04.244 --> 00:06:05.754 just because of his stance 00:06:05.802 --> 00:06:06.910 on abortion? 00:06:08.370 --> 00:06:09.840 And there you are. 00:06:10.530 --> 00:06:12.350 The neighbors are quiet. 00:06:13.250 --> 00:06:14.800 They're looking at you. 00:06:15.730 --> 00:06:16.880 Are you ready? 00:06:18.450 --> 00:06:19.790 Are you scared? 00:06:23.860 --> 00:06:26.476 Or perhaps perhaps 00:06:26.508 --> 00:06:27.288 you're at work, 00:06:27.414 --> 00:06:30.744 it and your coworkers boss have 00:06:30.782 --> 00:06:31.960 decided to do something 00:06:32.030 --> 00:06:34.250 that's not honest. 00:06:37.020 --> 00:06:39.924 And they are telling you you 00:06:39.982 --> 00:06:42.110 need to go along with this plan. 00:06:42.640 --> 00:06:43.912 It will compromise 00:06:43.976 --> 00:06:45.100 your integrity. 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:48.030 But if you don't go along, 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:52.190 it'll cost you your job 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:55.250 and your health insurance 00:06:56.980 --> 00:06:58.096 and your support for 00:06:58.118 --> 00:06:58.930 your family. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:04.130 Are you ready to speak? 00:07:07.640 --> 00:07:08.820 Are you scared? 00:07:11.640 --> 00:07:12.692 Perhaps you see, 00:07:12.746 --> 00:07:13.350 on 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:16.310 social media post 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:20.000 during June as Pride Month, 00:07:20.170 --> 00:07:21.848 somebody has put up a little 00:07:21.933 --> 00:07:23.336 meme and it's got 00:07:23.358 --> 00:07:24.810 a rainbow on it. 00:07:27.020 --> 00:07:29.560 And it says, God's promise, 00:07:30.140 --> 00:07:31.640 not pride. 00:07:33.580 --> 00:07:34.330 Well, 00:07:35.200 --> 00:07:36.348 you'd like to share it, 00:07:36.354 --> 00:07:37.710 but you're not going to. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:39.996 And yet, you know, 00:07:40.018 --> 00:07:41.516 if you put something up on 00:07:41.618 --> 00:07:44.124 Facebook about your stance or 00:07:44.162 --> 00:07:45.224 your belief or what 00:07:45.282 --> 00:07:46.370 scripture says, 00:07:47.540 --> 00:07:48.784 the trolls will come 00:07:48.822 --> 00:07:50.304 out and attack you. 00:07:50.502 --> 00:07:52.688 You may get put in that social 00:07:52.774 --> 00:07:55.170 media prison time out 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.240 and get unfriended. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:00.870 Are you ready? 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.932 Are you scared to do something 00:08:02.986 --> 00:08:03.750 like that? 00:08:04.920 --> 00:08:06.096 Or perhaps you're 00:08:06.128 --> 00:08:07.540 a high schooler. 00:08:12.250 --> 00:08:13.914 Your friends know you 00:08:13.952 --> 00:08:14.693 attend church, 00:08:14.741 --> 00:08:16.874 and the youth group might even 00:08:16.912 --> 00:08:18.860 be considering some church work. 00:08:22.190 --> 00:08:23.882 But at school, you know, 00:08:23.936 --> 00:08:26.090 if you speak up about 00:08:26.159 --> 00:08:27.130 your faith, 00:08:27.870 --> 00:08:29.530 you will be excluded, 00:08:31.150 --> 00:08:32.220 left out, 00:08:32.750 --> 00:08:35.210 bullied, ridiculed, 00:08:35.630 --> 00:08:37.580 torn apart on social media. 00:08:38.030 --> 00:08:40.580 Are you ready? 00:08:41.190 --> 00:08:42.530 Are you scared? 00:08:47.280 --> 00:08:48.716 Go back to Jesus and 00:08:48.738 --> 00:08:49.900 the disciples. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:55.069 He sees the fear in their eyes. 00:08:56.640 --> 00:08:58.430 He knows what they're thinking. 00:08:59.280 --> 00:08:59.930 He says, I'm 00:09:00.090 --> 00:09:02.110 not sending you out all alone. 00:09:03.010 --> 00:09:04.446 I'm sending you out 00:09:04.548 --> 00:09:06.030 with my promises. 00:09:08.370 --> 00:09:10.926 My promise is simply this that 00:09:10.948 --> 00:09:12.442 when you're hauled into court, 00:09:12.506 --> 00:09:13.566 the Spirit will be there 00:09:13.588 --> 00:09:15.280 to give you words. 00:09:16.370 --> 00:09:18.238 Because you've been with me, 00:09:18.404 --> 00:09:20.000 you've heard me teach. 00:09:20.450 --> 00:09:22.622 You know much of the Old 00:09:22.676 --> 00:09:24.042 Testament scriptures. 00:09:24.186 --> 00:09:25.878 That word within you 00:09:25.964 --> 00:09:27.122 brings the Spirit, 00:09:27.186 --> 00:09:28.646 and he will work with you to 00:09:28.668 --> 00:09:29.814 give you the words you need 00:09:29.852 --> 00:09:31.400 to say. At those times, 00:09:33.290 --> 00:09:35.640 I promise my Spirit for you. 00:09:40.380 --> 00:09:43.320 And even though you are risking 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:45.436 your emotional and mental and 00:09:45.458 --> 00:09:47.390 even physical health doing this 00:09:48.880 --> 00:09:50.728 hatred and persecution 00:09:50.824 --> 00:09:51.980 and ridicule, 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:56.320 don't be afraid. 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:00.736 Be afraid of the one who 00:10:00.758 --> 00:10:02.400 can destroy your soul. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.224 And the one who can do that 00:10:04.262 --> 00:10:05.920 is my Father in heaven. 00:10:06.680 --> 00:10:08.790 And he will not do that 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:11.750 when you acknowledge Him. 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:16.470 He holds your soul in His hand, 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:18.680 and He will not let 00:10:18.750 --> 00:10:19.930 anything happen. 00:10:22.540 --> 00:10:23.656 And when you take that 00:10:23.678 --> 00:10:24.644 last breath, 00:10:24.772 --> 00:10:27.864 that soul will be with me in 00:10:27.902 --> 00:10:30.010 peace until I come back. 00:10:35.400 --> 00:10:37.824 And you see those birds? 00:10:37.952 --> 00:10:38.836 Just a couple of them, 00:10:38.858 --> 00:10:39.684 not even worth a half 00:10:39.722 --> 00:10:40.710 hour of work. 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:43.830 Father knows when they fall. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.324 And you're worth so much 00:10:46.362 --> 00:10:48.090 more than birds are. 00:10:49.260 --> 00:10:51.492 And He knows you so intimately, 00:10:51.636 --> 00:10:53.236 so closely, so personally, 00:10:53.268 --> 00:10:55.224 that He knows exactly how many 00:10:55.262 --> 00:10:57.450 hairs you have on your head. 00:10:58.460 --> 00:11:00.460 You go out with my promises, 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:02.990 the Spirit will be with you. 00:11:03.760 --> 00:11:05.864 The Father holds your soul, 00:11:05.912 --> 00:11:08.188 your body in His very hands. 00:11:08.274 --> 00:11:10.430 And He knows you so close. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:13.440 Do not be afraid. 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:17.104 And He speaks the same 00:11:17.142 --> 00:11:19.090 promise to us today. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:22.050 Jesus simply says, 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.290 you've read My word. 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:27.520 You come to My sacrament. 00:11:29.780 --> 00:11:31.650 You've learned about Me. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:35.680 You've learned so that My story 00:11:35.750 --> 00:11:37.096 has become your story. 00:11:37.238 --> 00:11:38.824 My death has become 00:11:39.021 --> 00:11:40.132 your forgiveness. 00:11:40.196 --> 00:11:41.640 My resurrection has become 00:11:41.710 --> 00:11:43.210 your life and hope. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:48.170 And My Spirit will use that word 00:11:49.260 --> 00:11:51.450 to give you words 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.410 when you need to speak. 00:11:57.260 --> 00:11:58.616 And even though you 00:11:58.638 --> 00:11:59.460 may be attacked. 00:12:02.130 --> 00:12:02.880 Remember, 00:12:04.450 --> 00:12:06.318 my Father holds your very 00:12:06.404 --> 00:12:08.640 soul in His hands 00:12:09.730 --> 00:12:12.320 and He will not destroy it, 00:12:13.010 --> 00:12:14.814 but He will save it. 00:12:14.932 --> 00:12:16.014 And when you take your 00:12:16.052 --> 00:12:17.070 last breath, 00:12:18.850 --> 00:12:21.840 you will be at peace with me 00:12:22.610 --> 00:12:24.302 until I come back and 00:12:24.356 --> 00:12:25.640 reveal everything. 00:12:27.690 --> 00:12:29.110 Don't be afraid. 00:12:31.210 --> 00:12:33.346 And you see the birds that fly 00:12:33.378 --> 00:12:34.614 around there. God knows them. 00:12:34.652 --> 00:12:36.118 And you are worth so much more 00:12:36.204 --> 00:12:38.460 than those birds, jesus says. 00:12:39.470 --> 00:12:42.330 And He knows how many hairs 00:12:43.150 --> 00:12:44.780 you have on your head. 00:12:47.790 --> 00:12:50.830 Hairs on our heads. 00:12:53.330 --> 00:12:54.794 My older sister Joy, 00:12:54.842 --> 00:12:57.534 about 20 years ago received a 00:12:57.572 --> 00:13:00.266 deadly diagnosis called cancer. 00:13:00.378 --> 00:13:01.994 It was located in her liver, 00:13:02.042 --> 00:13:02.946 not quite sure where 00:13:02.968 --> 00:13:03.746 it came from. 00:13:03.848 --> 00:13:05.214 And she went through the usual 00:13:05.262 --> 00:13:07.982 treatments chemotherapy, 00:13:08.046 --> 00:13:10.740 radiation but they did not work. 00:13:11.510 --> 00:13:13.890 And 18 years ago she died. 00:13:15.270 --> 00:13:15.586 Now, 00:13:15.608 --> 00:13:17.214 my sister Joy was not Lutheran 00:13:17.262 --> 00:13:18.520 Evangelical free. 00:13:19.210 --> 00:13:20.950 But she loved her. Lord, 00:13:21.530 --> 00:13:22.374 you could see it. 00:13:22.412 --> 00:13:23.990 The kids did not leave the house 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:25.158 without a prayer or a 00:13:25.164 --> 00:13:26.134 little Bible study 00:13:26.252 --> 00:13:27.640 when they went to school. 00:13:29.390 --> 00:13:31.290 She worked up at her church. 00:13:31.630 --> 00:13:33.482 Things happened because she 00:13:33.536 --> 00:13:35.034 volunteered and did 00:13:35.072 --> 00:13:36.140 so much there. 00:13:36.670 --> 00:13:37.082 She, 00:13:37.136 --> 00:13:38.694 along with one of the pastors, 00:13:38.822 --> 00:13:40.170 led her husband, 00:13:41.410 --> 00:13:42.922 probably an alcoholic, 00:13:42.986 --> 00:13:44.480 to faith in Christ. 00:13:47.170 --> 00:13:48.170 Around town, 00:13:48.250 --> 00:13:50.430 people simply knew Joy 00:13:51.730 --> 00:13:54.030 as one who believed, 00:13:54.190 --> 00:13:57.010 acknowledged and loved Jesus. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:02.604 But she had a little 00:14:02.642 --> 00:14:04.270 idol in her life. 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:08.319 It was her hair. 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:11.852 She took good care of her hair. 00:14:11.915 --> 00:14:14.160 Little pride about her hair. 00:14:16.020 --> 00:14:17.552 Her hair was part of her 00:14:17.606 --> 00:14:19.650 identity, of who she was. 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.396 But you know what the 00:14:23.418 --> 00:14:25.590 chemotherapy and radiation did? 00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:31.156 It took all her hair and she 00:14:31.178 --> 00:14:32.760 could only wear a scarf. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.828 When I went to visit 00:14:35.844 --> 00:14:36.760 her near the end, 00:14:36.830 --> 00:14:38.104 she said satan has been 00:14:38.142 --> 00:14:39.530 working hard at me. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:43.290 But when the time came, 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:47.127 she still spoke of the 00:14:47.214 --> 00:14:48.680 Kingdom of heaven. 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:52.644 At her funeral at her funeral 00:14:52.692 --> 00:14:53.512 was a little stand. 00:14:53.566 --> 00:14:55.400 And on the stand was 00:14:55.470 --> 00:14:56.650 a piece of paper. 00:14:58.180 --> 00:14:58.910 And that paper. 00:15:00.170 --> 00:15:03.054 Was her final testimony or 00:15:03.092 --> 00:15:04.798 witness to whoever came 00:15:04.964 --> 00:15:06.270 to her funeral. 00:15:08.610 --> 00:15:11.200 She would speak one more time. 00:15:15.250 --> 00:15:17.246 She knew it might offend it 00:15:17.428 --> 00:15:19.006 because she begins with I hope 00:15:19.028 --> 00:15:20.222 I don't offend anyone, 00:15:20.356 --> 00:15:21.882 but I want to share my feelings 00:15:21.946 --> 00:15:23.120 with each of you. 00:15:23.490 --> 00:15:24.334 I'm not going to read 00:15:24.372 --> 00:15:25.640 all of this it, 00:15:26.650 --> 00:15:27.960 but here's some. 00:15:28.810 --> 00:15:31.394 The Bible says if you confess 00:15:31.442 --> 00:15:32.934 with your mouth that Jesus is 00:15:32.972 --> 00:15:34.934 Lord and believe in your heart 00:15:34.972 --> 00:15:35.766 that God raised him 00:15:35.788 --> 00:15:36.790 from the dead, 00:15:37.390 --> 00:15:40.250 you too will be saved. 00:15:42.510 --> 00:15:43.962 Because I've accepted Christ 00:15:44.016 --> 00:15:45.690 as my personal Savior, 00:15:46.190 --> 00:15:48.054 he's given me all the strength 00:15:48.102 --> 00:15:50.060 and the peace this past year. 00:15:51.570 --> 00:15:52.974 And I want you to know your 00:15:53.012 --> 00:15:54.590 prayers have been answered. 00:15:56.210 --> 00:15:57.722 My favorite Bible verse 00:15:57.786 --> 00:15:59.440 is Isaiah 26. 00:15:59.810 --> 00:16:01.102 Thou will keep him 00:16:01.156 --> 00:16:02.074 in perfect peace, 00:16:02.122 --> 00:16:04.526 whose mind is stayed on thee 00:16:04.718 --> 00:16:06.690 because he trusts in thee. 00:16:07.030 --> 00:16:08.850 Trust in the Lord forever, 00:16:09.190 --> 00:16:11.102 for the Lord is everlasting 00:16:11.165 --> 00:16:11.970 strength. 00:16:12.870 --> 00:16:14.626 It will give me great joy to 00:16:14.648 --> 00:16:15.974 know I can see many 00:16:16.012 --> 00:16:17.250 of you in heaven. 00:16:17.410 --> 00:16:18.914 As we walk the golden 00:16:18.962 --> 00:16:20.920 streets together. 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:27.810 She heard Jesus call. 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:32.340 And even though she was afraid 00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:36.390 and her hair was gone, 00:16:37.640 --> 00:16:39.092 the Spirit still gave 00:16:39.146 --> 00:16:40.470 her words to speak. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:43.592 And Jesus holds her 00:16:43.646 --> 00:16:45.530 soul in his hands. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:49.000 And God knows, 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.464 even though we could 00:16:51.502 --> 00:16:52.650 not count them, 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:55.912 he knows just how many hairs 00:16:55.976 --> 00:16:58.892 were on her head and how many 00:16:58.946 --> 00:17:00.636 will be there in the day 00:17:00.658 --> 00:17:01.819 of resurrection. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.092 Jesus promise is for 00:17:06.146 --> 00:17:07.390 you as well. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:10.690 He tells you, be a light, 00:17:11.300 --> 00:17:12.748 a city on a hill, 00:17:12.844 --> 00:17:13.980 salt of the earth. 00:17:14.060 --> 00:17:15.680 Go and make disciples. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.849 And then he promises you 00:17:20.020 --> 00:17:21.889 the Spirit will be there. 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:24.735 Your soul is in the 00:17:24.758 --> 00:17:25.810 Father's hands, 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:30.880 and he knows just how many hairs 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:33.050 you have in your head. 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.730 So go, 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.720 and do not be afraid. 00:17:41.580 --> 00:17:42.600 Amen. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:45.016 Now may the peace of God that 00:17:45.038 --> 00:17:46.644 surpasses all our understanding 00:17:46.692 --> 00:17:47.924 keep our hearts and minds 00:17:47.972 --> 00:17:50.056 focused on the promises of God 00:17:50.238 --> 00:17:52.216 as we are sent to proclaim the 00:17:52.238 --> 00:17:55.080 kingdom of heaven. Amen.