Partnering With Other Churches - Selected Scriptures from Acts

2:04To have this body of believers that we love, to have this body of believers that loves us, all the fellowship we get to experience, all the ways we get to serve each other, all the ways we get to bear each other's burdens and pray for one another. We're so grateful for the relationships we have in this church. We're grateful for the life and the joy in this church. We're thankful that you've protected us and allowed us to keep gathering.

2:44Father, I pray that you would be with us tonight, help us understand your word, help us catch the vision of the New Testament church, help us have their same heart to share and love and serve. Of their church bodies. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' name, amen. Well, we're going to start with just a broad question. Before we get to why would Emmanuel do this, and even more specific, why would Emmanuel do this with Southern Oaks? I want to just try and capture a vision for why churches would ever do this at all. Why would a church partner with another church? And I think that the first answer that we should give is that this is a pattern that we see in Scripture. This is the exciting pattern we see in the New Testament.

3:44From the very beginning, do you remember in Acts chapter 2? From the very beginning, when that first generation is turning to the Lord and they're believing, already from the very beginning, they have this heart to share. I don't know if that's ever captivated you when you see that Acts 2 church, but already they are selling what they have. They're giving things away. They're blessing each other. They're sharing with anyone who has a need. Just from the very beginning, and it doesn't stop there. We'll see that this happens at a church level as well in the New Testament church. And so turn over to Acts chapter 9. This is just a little bit of background. Remember that Saul was breathing threats. And murder against the early church. He was persecuting the church. This man, Saul, he was traveling around. But then the Lord appeared to him, and Saul was converted, and he became a Christian. And he began to eventually become a teacher. And he taught in Damascus for a while. Look at chapter 9, verse 23. He was a skilled teacher teaching in Damascus. Verse 29. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gate, the date, the gates. Sorry, they were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him. But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. So he's already teaching in Damascus from an early date. And we'll find out that he's preaching, he's teaching, he's confounding his opponents from the very beginning. Look at verse 26. When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. And you would be too, by the way. Last time he was in Jerusalem, it wasn't going well for you, right? He was persecuting the Christians, and so they didn't believe. Verse 27, but Barnabas, do you remember Barnabas? But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So Barnabas stands up and testifies among the other disciples, saying, No, We listen to Saul. He is converted. He's been teaching, and he can teach well. He's preaching boldly in Damascus. And so then, Paul, Saul, Paul, verse 28, so he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord, and spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him. When the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So again, he's going to be killed. This time, I don't think they use a basket to get him away, but they sneak him off to Caesarea and then sail him off to Tarsus, which is normally the city that we associate with Saul, Saul of Tarsus. Verse 31: So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. So I just wanted to set the scene a little bit and give a little bit of Paul's background. That Paul persecuted the church, but then taught in Damascus and had to escape there and went down and taught in Jerusalem and then had to escape there and went off into Tarsus. And that sets us up for a time when we see some churches cooperating together. So turn over to Acts chapter 11, verse 19.

7:18Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. These are all places that are north of Jerusalem, speaking the word to no one except Jesus. Remember, that was the program at this time. They were speaking to the Jews. It would soon go to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. But right now, they're speaking only to Jews. So, verse 20, but there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number who believed turned to the Lord. And the report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Okay, so Barnabas has already been a treasure down in Jerusalem. He's already been a leader there that's helped them understand things.

8:08But they hear about some people from another church going up to Antioch and people in Antioch believing, and they hear that this church is doing well in Antioch. And so they think, okay, we're going to send Barnabas to go up to Antioch. Well, it doesn't stop there. Verse 23. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man. This is Barnabas, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So, okay, a great many people were added to the Lord in Antioch. The church is growing, so they need another teacher. Verse 25, so Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. Remember, that's where they sent Saul away a couple chapters ago. So Barnabas is going to go get Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians. So just an amazing story of the Jerusalem church sending Barnabas, Barnabas going to get Saul from Tarsus, bringing Saul there, and they teach. They're the teachers there for a whole year, and they bless this church. And this church would have loved them.

9:22But there's a need. And so, just as Jerusalem shared these teachers with Antioch now, verse 27, in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. That's going north. Remember, Jerusalem is higher in elevation. So they say going down. But on the map, it's going up. All right, so one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world. This took place in the days of Claudius. So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. So they're going again. You know, when Antioch was in need, churches sent them the teachers they needed, the leaders that they needed. When Antioch is thriving and doing well, instead of turning inward and saying, this is awesome, we're going to keep building up this church. This is a dream come true. We've got the best teachers in the world. Instead, when they hear there's a need, right away they send Paul and Barnabas down to Jerusalem. And then in the next chapter, look at chapter 2. 12, verse 25. They had returned to Antioch, but now, verse 25, Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem. And when they had completed their, sorry, Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark. Now, there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon, who is called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Menaean, a member of the court of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. And then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So they just came back from Jerusalem. They've got their teachers back. This is exciting. And God says, okay, now send them away. And Paul and Barnabas go on their first missionary journey. So I just wanted to quickly, hopefully that seemed quickly. That seemed quick. I wanted to paint this picture of churches are just helping each other. They're sending leaders. They're sending their best teachers down to go help with the need in Jerusalem. And then Jerusalem is sending doctrine back out. You remember Acts 15? They have this problem with the Judaizers that are messing with the Gentile churches. And so the church and Jerusalem meets together to address this so that they can send out a doctrinal proclamation throughout the whole earth. Again, the church. Is in Jerusalem sending out doctrine to the whole earth. They've already sent out teachers, and all these other Gentile churches are sending money back to Jerusalem. It's like they don't even think twice about it, is the pattern we see. They're just so quick, they're so eager, they're excited to help one another. When they hear about another church being planted, when they hear about another church that needs help, needs a teacher, needs money, they're just quick, we want to help, we want to share.

12:36You might also remember that for most of the book of Acts, Paul is going on these journeys, these missionary journeys, to share the gospel, to plant churches, but also to raise funds to go back to Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Israel is under this famine. The church is poor there, they need help. And Paul is going on these journeys. And on the way back, after planting these churches and strengthening these churches, he's bringing money back to Jerusalem. Turn over to 2 Corinthians chapter 8.

13:17We hear an example of this. Paul is telling a story about churches that partner with him to bless the church in Jerusalem. He's describing their heart and how they want to help. They love to help. 2 Corinthians 8, verse 1. We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that's been given among the churches of Macedonia. For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy in their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

14:03Did you catch all that? He's talking about the churches in Macedonia. This would have been churches like in Philippi, I think Berea, Thessaloniki, Thessalonica. The churches of Macedonia, verse 2. For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, and as I can testify, and beyond their means of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.

14:44He's saying these churches were not wealthy churches. It's not like they're sharing out of the abundance of their wealth. These churches are just begging to be a part of it. They are in a severe test of affliction. They are in extreme. Extreme poverty, and yet their joy is overflowing because they just want to help another church. And so they're sending money back through Paul to go down to Jerusalem. Any thoughts or observations about that? Well, one of the churches that may have been involved in that is in Philippi, and I want you to turn to Philippians. It's our last place to turn.

15:35I don't know when the last time you read Philippians was, but this letter in particular, more than any of the others, continues this theme of partnership in the gospel. The church in Philippi was a partner with Paul in the gospel. They worked hard to be generous, to send gifts to support Paul. And so you hear about that message. Paul is reporting to them about some things that are happening in different churches. He's telling them thank you for their gifts.

16:09He is using language about himself. Like, for example, look at Philippians 1, verse 1. Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. Paul doesn't usually use that introduction. Peter uses it in 2 Peter, and James uses it in James. But here, Paul uses it, and he's saying, We're slaves. We're servants of the Lord. You could say that he was refusing to be a servant to his old master, sin. And he's being used by the Lord, presenting himself to the Lord. But Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi with the overseers and the deacons, grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. So this is to the whole church. He's writing to them saying, You have partnered with me. Thank you. Let me give you a report of all this work that's being done. Look at verse 3. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

17:18They're co-workers with Paul. They're partners. Some people think that that's what he means when he continues on in verse 6, and I'm sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. You know, usually we read that about salvation. You know, we think that's a good work. But it could be that he's talking about their partnership, this good work that God has worked through them, worked in them. Verse 7, it's right for me to feel this way about you all because I hold you in my heart, for you are partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection. Of Christ Jesus, and it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. And then listen, in verse 12, he gives a report. I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. And he'll talk about rivalries. He'll say that's the worst of the church, right? Indeed, some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. So, yes, there is this rivalry and these dissensions, but we're not worried about that. We're just preaching Christ. Thank you for partnering with us.

18:56Paul's mission, what then? Verse 18, only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. And in that I rejoice. And you remember that special passage that he says, you know, he doesn't know whether it's better for him to depart and be with Christ or to stay and keep laboring alongside the Philippians. Look down at verse 29 of chapter 1. For it has been granted to you, the Philippians, that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake. Engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

19:39They're engaged in this conflict together with Paul. Look over at chapter 2, verse 19. Some more fellow workers that are in partnership with all of this. Verse 19, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how, as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. So again, you have this swapping of leaders. He's sending Timothy. He sends Epaphroditus. I thought it necessary, verse 25, to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed, he was ill, near to death, but God had mercy on him and not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. You know, if we're just keeping all of these things, Things in mind that the churches are just helping each other, sending money, sending leaders, sending doctrine across the globe. And now we see Paul's example of sending a worker, his best men, sending Timothy, sending Epaphroditus because he wants to bless this church. This church has sent gifts to him because they want to bless him. They're working together. They're laboring side by side for the gospel.

21:25It's hard not to be captivated by that picture, right? We're almost done. Turn over to Philippians chapter 4. Almost done with this part. Don't get too excited. Chapter 4. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. My joy and my crown. These are fellow workers. These are people who Paul loves to think about. He loves to think about the church in Philippi because they didn't only believe, but they joined with him in this partnership. Verse 2: I entreat Eodia and I entreat Centiki to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women who have labored side by side with me and the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life. Again, he's remembering those who have labored side by side with him.

22:30Look down at verse 10. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. So he's saying in a past they had partnered with him before, they had blessed him with a gift, and they've been longing to ever since then. They have wanted to give more blessings to Paul, support his ministry, send blessings to the church in Jerusalem, maybe, but they haven't had an opportunity. Now they just had another opportunity to send maybe Epaphroditus, who he's sending back. But look at verse 11. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. So he's not saying, you know, I was greedy for this. I needed this. I'm content no matter what. But still, thank you for the gift. Thank you for partnering. Verse 12: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I could do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet, it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you, Philippians, yourselves, know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

23:53Can you imagine hearing those words as the church of Philippi? He's already called you his joy and Crown. He's talked about how he's loved you. And then out of this whole region, no church had partnered with him except that church. They took the initiative to partner with Paul, to be gospel partners. Verse 16: Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment and more. I'm well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts that you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

24:49So if we're putting together a few of these puzzles, we see already Jerusalem, Antioch, they love to serve each other. In 2 Corinthians, we read about these churches in Macedonia that are just crazy because they're in a severe test of affliction. They're in extreme poverty, and yet they're desperate to help other churches. They're desperate to send to Paul to help. And one of those churches was probably Philippi. In fact, he says when he left Macedonia that first time, there was only one church that wanted to help, and it was this church, Philippi.

25:24He's commending them because of their service, because they wanted to. not turn inward and just focus on polishing every little corner of their church. But instead, they wanted to turn outward. They wanted to bless other churches. They wanted to support the mission. So back to our initial question. Why would churches partner together? It's the exciting pattern we see in the New Testament. It's a vision that we should want to catch, you know, this desperation of churches to want to help other churches, to not close in and turn inward.

26:13We should want to help. We should want to bless with resources. We should want to bless with teachers. We should want to bless by helping them hammer out their doctrine. When we do, we can take part in what we see in Acts, this biblical model of training up leaders and sending them away, of training up men and women who are disciples and want to make more disciples of Christ. It's a pattern we see in the New Testament. I'm going to step through some other reasons that we've already heard in these texts that we studied tonight. But a second reason, why would churches want to partner together?

27:00Partnership brings needed encouragement and hope to both churches. Churches partnering together brings needed encouragement and hope to both churches, certainly, obviously, to the one that's being helped, right? Sometimes it can feel like that phrase in Hebrews 12, 12, you know, they've got the drooping hands and the weak knees. And man, it just feels so good to have a friend come alongside them and say, come on, let's keep ministering. Let's not give up. You know, your lamp isn't out yet. Let's keep striving for this. And what a gift of love that is. I mean, you've probably experienced that in your own life, right? When you feel down or melancholy, downcast, to have a friend or a spouse come and say, you know, don't give up. Stick in this. Stick with this. Keep going.

28:04You know, what a gift that is. And I think that is a gift to the church that's being helped, but I think it's a help to both churches. When we have that attitude and we're a church that's helping another church, surely that'll give excitement and hope to us, right? Another way to serve, another way to serve our king, our new king, our new master, another way to present ourselves to him, to be used by him. There's encouragement there. There's nourishment. There's fresh vision and excitement and passion as churches partner together, as they encourage one another and work hard together.

28:45The third reason, partnership like this. Partnership restores a gospel witness to a community in need of Jesus. Have you ever thought about this? This is a big one for me. You know, how often do we see little churches that are right in the middle of a neighborhood? There's 200 homes around it, and yet there's seven people at the church. And they're like that for 10 years. And no one in that neighborhood would ever even think of attending that church. They might have not even ever even noticed that church that they drive by every single day.

29:36But there's lost people in those neighborhoods. Those are communities that if that church were to be revived or be replanted, if the ministries are going strong so that on a Sunday, you know, on Sunday morning, I don't know if you guys have ever arrived in between the 9 o'clock service and the 10.30 service when the 9 o'clock occurs. 9 a.m. People are still here. They're all out there. And at 10:30, people are coming in and saying hi, and it just looks like a big, happy mob everywhere, all over campus. And you better believe that when people drive by, they see that, and they know that. They see the hundred smiles out there. They see that, oh, that's not a dead church, there's life there.

30:22How cool would it be for more churches to be non-ignorable like that? Right? To where there's something to notice. Look at all that life there. Rather than driving by that church a hundred times and never even thinking about it, there's people there, there's life there. These churches can reach out to the neighborhoods, they can reach the lost there. These churches can leave a legacy. Instead of being a lampstand that just flickers out and dies, these churches can leave a legacy of being revived, carrying on that tradition, standing for what the church used to stand for in earlier times.

31:08So it's the exciting pattern we see in the New Testament. It brings needed encouragement and hope to both churches. It restores a gospel witness to a community in need of Jesus. Number four, it fights against the territorialism that can come from our flesh. Have you ever experienced that? You know, I'm ashamed to say, I certainly have. You hear of a like-minded church across town that you should be excited when they're growing and thriving and doing well. And you hear that they're doing well, and there's this feeling inside of, I wish those people were coming to our church. There's this weird competition and territorialism that comes in.

31:50But what do we read? You know, he refreshed me in Rome. He rendered service at Ephesus. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful for me to ministry. Tychicus, I have sent to Ephesus. This church gave to this church. You know, all of this, people helping other people, refreshing other people, working hard for others. You know what he never says, Paul, in the New Testament? He never says, you know, that church in Antioch is getting a little too big. Or these two churches are competing. Or I really wish more people would move to this city and become part of this church instead of that church over there. You know, he's not saying stuff like that. Instead, it's send them our leaders. When they need a teacher, send them a teacher. When they need money, send them money right away, not even thinking about it.

32:41When they need help with doctrine, send them this message. Tom Baber told me the other day, he said, you know, sometimes we pray for the church in America to be revitalized. And we can even pray for our community, you know, that God would revitalize the churches in this community. That the churches would grow and thrive. But sometimes, what we mean when we pray that is we want our church to be revitalized, right? We turn inward again. And yes, it's obviously a great thing for life and joy and revitalization to be happening in our church, but I just think that sometimes we can have this inward focus rather than this outward joy to serve. The fifth reason, last reason, God is honored. God is glorified.

33:35If it's true that these churches are languishing in these communities all across our town, so that people can drive by these churches and see dilapidated buildings with no people there. I don't know. That doesn't seem like it gives glory to God and honor to God. But I think God is glorified when even the buildings, no, the church is not a building, but even the buildings are revived. The congregation are thriving. There's a fire in the people at that church. God is honored as churches help other churches steward money, steward their buildings, steward other resources.

34:21God is honored when a gospel witness is able to go out again in that community. God loves. His church, doesn't he? Shouldn't we love to see life in his church, life that brings him glory, brings him honor? God has the power to bring any dying church back to life for his glory, doesn't he? No matter how far they've gone down the path. How many, what was the lowest Emmanuel got to? Seven people on a Sunday morning.

34:58How long ago? You know? 1990. Seven people at Emmanuel. Yeah. God has the power to bring any dying church back to life for His glory. God can pump life into any church. So, real quickly, I hope that you've caught a vision for why churches could partner together with other churches just in general. But the question is, why, Emmanuel, why now? I think first we should allow a little conviction to come into our hearts. Sometimes we can have this mentality of, you know, what's our goal at Emmanuel?

35:43And every now and then it can feel like our goal, if we're not careful with our own hearts, can feel like our goal is to get in that really nice building. And when we get in that nice building, we're going to grow to fill that building. And our church is going to be full of people we like. It's going to be full of the preaching we like and the music we like, and we're going to kick back our feet, and we have arrived. This is bliss. This is the church that we have created.

36:16But is that our goal? To just only create this paradise for us and then turn inward and love it. You know, yes, we should love the church. You know, I'm not saying we shouldn't. Of course, you know that. You know, I love the church. But shouldn't we also, at the same time, have this same desire that the New Testament church had of, yes, experiencing that love and joy that we have with each other, but also being desperate to go out and help other churches have that same joy and fellowship?

36:49I think that should be our goal at Emmanuel. You know, why not, sometimes people ask, why not just let churches die? If they've only got five people in their church, it's clear they're not doing a great job. Why don't we just let that church die? We can plant a new church. It'll be cleaner. Not as much baggage to deal with. Why not let churches die? I don't know. What do you think about that? I don't think it's a win for the community, even if we let a church die and planted two churches. I think that why not plant the church and Try and help this church not die.

37:34Why not do both? Why not allow people to go there, life to go there, and see if God can revitalize them, bring them back to life? And so, why partner with Southern Oaks right now? Why are we doing this right now? You know, we're just about to enter into a new building. We've been kind of a few years of turmoil, moving out from downtown, coming here, waiting for a new building. Doesn't it seem like a weird time to go out and help another church? Well, I don't think so. I think that Emmanuel right now has this contagious life and joy. I think Emmanuel right now has a whole lot of musicians. I think Emmanuel right now has a whole lot of teachers, a whole lot of young men and women that have been trained up, that are ready to serve their king.

38:32I think the time is right for Emmanuel. Not only that, I don't know if I've ever heard of a church that has been meeting in the afternoons at another church, like Southern Oaks has been meeting in the afternoons here, that has come to that church and said, We want your help. We want you to help us lead. We want you to help us change the course of this ship and help us revitalize. We want you to be. On the leadership team, we don't just want your advice. We want your input. We want your leadership.

39:12I don't think it happens too often. Question is: what could the future of this look like? Yes, we are helping Southern Oaks, and if you want to be a part of that, come and talk to us soon. If nothing else, be joyfully praying. Keep serving at Emmanuel. Keep thriving and loving Emmanuel, but also be praying, thinking about this other church, that God would bless them, that God would bring life. But I just want to give you a little taste of maybe a vision of what this could look like in the future. What if Emmanuel kept having ministries like this? What if Southern Oaks wasn't the last one that this happened with?

39:57I don't know if you know this, but Emmanuel is part of a local association of Baptist churches. There's about 60 or 70 now that are in this association. Some are strong. Some are very large, maybe not doctrinally, very sound, but very large, and they don't need our help. But there are a lot that are small. There are a lot that were already in rough shape, and COVID's just made it worse. And they're on their last breath as a church. We could see this happening again and again.

40:30And we could see it happening that what if the Lord answers our prayers, brings life to Southern Oaks? What if he revives them and causes them to be planted again somewhere in this community as a thriving church, a growing church? Well, you better believe that those other churches that are working their tails off and they're on their last leg and they're burnt out in ministry because there's 13 people left in their congregation, they're going to see that. And maybe they come and say, Emmanuel, could you help us?

41:12And I don't know if you know this, but we have a seminary campus here, and we're churning out graduates that are theologically trained. We have essentially a music school in this church, and we're churning out musicians. You know, we have been blessed at this church that we have been churning out, can't think of another word, musicians, leaders, teachers. That's right. So, what if this kept growing? What if this ministry, just dream a little bit about this? What if, you know, I know that some of you grew up in this church. Some of you are brand new to this church, but most of us, the reason why we're here. Is because we believe that Emmanuel is a strong church with doctrinal convictions and good teaching. That's why we might drive across town 25 minutes to get here or longer. Some of you drive longer.

42:15Well, what if there wasn't just one church, if you believe there's just one church like that in town? What if there was one on the south side of Collis Station? What if there is one on the west side out towards the airport? What if there's one in North Bryan? What if in all of these little pockets there's these dying churches that are able to be revived, and all of a sudden there's good, strong teaching there? There's people singing good, doctrinally rich songs. There's churches there that are able to reach out to their community. How cool would that be? What an impact. We don't know if that's how the Lord is going to use this ministry down the road with Emmanuel, but what if that is how he used it? What if all over this town Emmanuel was able to help over and over and have these little churches all over town with faithful preachers and good musicians and good nursery workers and all of the above? How cool would that be? I think that so many more people would come to know the Lord. I think the word would go out that the Lord would be working in the community. It's fun to imagine, right? It's fun to dream about a little bit. That's why we're doing this. That's why we have entered into this agreement with Southern Oaks. That's why we're working hard for this.

43:41Because what if that became true? What if the Lord used these efforts, used this time to cause a, I can't think of the word, revival in this community? What if the Lord used it to cause a revival in this community? What if the Lord used these efforts through these churches to bring more people to his name, to bring more people under his kingship? It would be an exciting thing to be a part of, right? Yes, it'll mean sacrifices. Yes, it'll mean we send off teachers that we love. Yes, it'll mean we send off musicians that we love.

44:30That's hard. It's something that we've gotten used to at this church because we have a college ministry, so every four years, you know, we only get them for a little bit. We always have to send people off. Parents, you know this. You've got to send off your kids. Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's painful, but it's also exciting. It's rewarding. It's a joy to follow that New Testament pattern of being eager to serve, not even giving it a second thought. We'd love to send money. We'd love to send resources. We'd love to send. Teachers. We love to send leaders. We love to send doctrine. We love to send music. All of it.

45:12There is a pattern in the New Testament. It brings needed encouragement and hope to both churches in a partnership. It restores a gospel witness to a community in need of Jesus. It fights against territorialism that can come from our flesh. And most important, God is glorified. God is honored. Let's pray. Father, we pray that if it's your will, you would use a manual. You would give a servant hearts that long to sacrifice, that long to love, that long to work hard, to bless other churches that can, in turn, bless their communities and honor you and glorify you.

46:18Father, it's our will to be your servants as a church to hear the same. Commendation that the church in Philippi heard to be a joy in a crown, to be a partner in gospel ministry, to be slaves along Paul and Timothy. That would be such a privilege, Father. Father, if it's your will, then we would love for Emmanuel to be used in this way. We pray that you would continue to bring life and joy and growth, knowledge, and maturity to the people in this church. Help Emmanuel grow and thrive.

47:17For the churches that we get to partner with, we pray that you would use Emmanuel if it's your will, as you cause them to grow and thrive and prosper.