If This Is True, Then Do This

Turn your Bibles to Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2. Those of you that get the email about what's happening to Ohana. Uh in that email, I told you I'd do something unexpected this morning, and that is I'm going to swap sermons. Uh I'm scheduled to preach tonight on the series in Philippians. And uh normally on Sunday morning, I'm doing the King Me series, but I'm going to swap them around. As I was working on the Philippians message and working on the message from Kings, I I I just really felt like that that it need to be in reverse order and that the Philippians message was better for Sunday morning.

And so we're going to stop Kings me for the day. And we're going to look at Philippians chapter 2 and talk about that at this time. So Philippians chapter 2 and verses 1-4. For those of you who don't come out on Sunday night, we uh rotate between our pastoral staff and preaching through some verses from Philippians anywhere from a couple of verses up to six or eight verses at the most. And then we end with a discussion period time as well. But in Philippians chapter 2 and beginning with verse number one, it ays, "If there be therefore any consolation of Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies fulfill you, my joy, that you be like-minded, having the same love, you know, one one accord of one mind, let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in loneliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man at his own things but every man also on the things of others. Now this passage as we look at it uh the the word is if is used in verse number one. It says if there be therefore any consolation Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of spirit if any bows and mercies. Now normally if is kind of like well if this happens and and and and but the idea of the word if there is since since this is true then this is what should happen. Some of you have worked with computers. You know about the if then and and principle. And the way the if and and then principle works in programming computers.

For example, if the inventory is less than five, then send an alert and reorder from stock. So that's what you tell the computer to do. So as soon as it goes less than five, it's going to put out alert to everybody and then it's going to reorder stock on that. And so it's the if then and principle. Uh another example outside of computers, if you are married then you should be nice to your wife and you will be happy. You see uh it's a if then and and principle and the Bible's full of these if then and and principles. For example, in uh Matthew chapter 6, the Lord's prayer. Uh after the Lord's prayer, Jesus explains it this way.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses. And so if you have been forgiven by God, then you must forgive others. And because of that, you will be forgiven of your sins as well. You see, it's an if, then, and and principle. Another example is found in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. And it basically says this, if I am saved, then I should tell others how to be saved, and I will reward for that. So that's an if, then, and one final one from 1 Corinthians chapter 1. I want you to put a mark in Philippians and turn over there.

1 Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verses 3-7. 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and:es 3-7. The Bible says, "Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ. then in everything you are enriched by him in all utterance and all knowledge even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that you come behind in no um no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and so what he's saying here if you've been comforted in God if you've received comfort in a trial in your life then you can comfort others as well and God will comfort you more and so the Bible's full of these and here in Philippians chapter 2 he's saying Listen, if these things in verse number one are true, then in verse number two, this is what you should be doing.

And then verse number three, and this is what's going to happen. And so, let's look at first of all, Philippians chapter 2 and verse one. If now it starts out there, if there be therefore any constellation of Christ and those been around for a while know that whenever you see a therefore in your Bible, find out what it's there for. Find out why it's there. Now in this case what it's doing is referring back to the previous verses. If you look at Philippians chapter 1 and:es 27 through30, it says, "Only let your conversation, your your lifestyle, the way your life speaks, be as it becometh, the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of predition, but to you of salvation and that of God.

For unto you is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now here to be in me. And so he said, listen, therefore, because God has been there for you, because you have stood fast and and continued on the Lord, then these things are true. And so the first thing he says, if there be therefore any consolation in Christ, any consolation in Christ, and again, go to 2 Corinthians, this is what I should have read before, by the way. I read the wrong one there. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and:es 3-7. It says, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforted us all in our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted God.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for not for for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer as whether we be comforted. It is for your consolation and salvation. Am I and and our hope is of you is steadfast knowing that as you are partakers of the suffering, so also you shall be of the consolation. You see, he's saying here that you can have that conflict if there being a consolation Christ. Now, what does that word consolation mean? It basically means to come alongside.

You know, when you're going through a difficult time in your life, isn't it a blessing when somebody comes alongside of you, whether it's your spouse or whether it's family members or whether it's church members or friends and and they come alongside to to encourage you and to help you through that journey. and and and he says if there being a consolation in Christ if Christ says come alongside you and again if you've been comforted then you can comfort others and God will comfort you more but you see uh we find comfort first of all in salvation in 2 Thessalonians 2 16-1 17 it says now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our father which hath loved us and given us an everlasting consolation and good hope through grace comfort your hearts and establish you in every word and work.

You see, we find consolation in Christ that he has established us that he has given us that peace in Christ and and so we have that in our salvation knowing that I'm going to heaven, knowing that my sins are forgiven, knowing that I have eternal life, that consolation in Christ. But it's also a consolation that comes through the Holy Spirit. In John chapter 14 16-1 17 it says I will pray the father and he shall give you another comforter that you may abide with him forever even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but you know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Jesus said I'm going to send another comforter and that's the holy spirit now that word comforter comes from the same word as the word constellation it's a word pericolitus it means he comes comes alongside.

He says, "Listen, I'm not going to be here with you physically." And so what I'm going to do is I'm going to give you the Holy Spirit and I'm going to give you the Holy Spirit as a comforter to come alongside of you as you go through the trials of life. And so we are we have consolation through uh the our salvation knowing my sins are forgiven that I'm going to heaven. We have consolation through the word of God and through the Holy Spirit. And we also have consolation through the word of God. In Romans chapter 15:es 4 and 5, it says, "For whatsoever things were written before time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might know have hope.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." You see, God has given us his word to console us, to be consolation. when I'm going through difficult times, I can go to the word of God and find encouragement. I I can carry it with me, hide thy word in my heart, and it can give me consolation. But we also can find consolation in one another. In Hebrews chapter 10 and verses 23 and 24, it says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promise. Let's consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.

Not forsake not forsaking assembly as ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching. You see, I can find consolation in one another. I I can find comfort in coming to church and consolation in fellowship with other Christians. And and so he said, listen, the first thing if you if there be any consolation in Christ, and then he goes on to say, if any comfort of love, the word comfort is a very similar word to the word consolation. It's the same root word, but it's a little bit different. The word consolation means to come alongside.

The word comfort means to come alongside with words of love. See, it says not don't just come alongside somebody, but come alongside with words of love and encouragement. And in in Jeremiah chapter 31 and verse number three, it says, "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, yay, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." You see, God came alongside and said, "Listen, I love you." Romans chapter 5 and verse number eight. God commendeth or showed his love towards us in that while we're yet sinners. And God wants us to provide comfort as we come alongside people.

And one of the ways we can provide comfort is through our words. Uh go over to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and look at verses 9 through 11. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verses 9- 11. It says, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to aim to to obtain salvation of our Lord by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another even as also you do." He said, "Listen, comfort one another. Come along and share the blessings of God and and and to share that is because of the love of God that I can come alongside you and be an encouragement."

But it's more than just coming alongside of you. It's coming alongside of you with words of comfort. And and then it it goes on in Philippians chapter 2 and verse one. It says, "If there's any fellowship of the spirit." Look at Ephesians chapter 2. Chapter 4 and:es 2-6. Ephesians chapter 4 right before Philippians. Ephesians chapter 4 and:es 2-6. He says, "With all loneliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in a bond of peace, there's one body and one spirit, even as you're called in one co hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and the father of all who is above all and through all and in you all."

He said, "Listen, if there's any fellowship of the spirit and we have this bond together because of our common salvation because of Jesus Christ and we have that fellowship of the spirit." Now, let me ask you a question. Does God spirit bear witness with your spirit? Go over to Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8 and look at verses 15-1 17. Romans chapter 8 and:es 15-17. Romans 8:15. The Bible says, "For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you receive the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, aba, father." The spirit itself beared witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

And if children and heirs, heirs of God and joint hes with Christ is so that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together. You see the the spirit of God beareth witness with our spirit. Look at verse number nine. But you're not in the flesh but in a spirit. If so be the spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. You see the way you receive the spirit is when you receive Jesus Christ as your personal savior. The Bible says in 1 John 5:es 12 and 13 says, "He that hath the son hath life, and he that hath not the son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may believe on the name of the son of God. You see, you can know that you're going to heaven. You can know that your sins are forgiven. You can know that you have eternal life. You can know that from the word of God because it's written right there. Jesus said in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." You can not just think you have eternal life. You can know that you have eternal life because the word of God tells you how you can know that.

But we also know that through his spirit. His spirit bears witness with our spirit. I I know that I'm saved because there's a time and a place I trusted Christ as my savior. I know that I'm saved because the word of God tells me how to be saved. And I did. I called upon the name of the Lord. But I also know that I'm saved because I have that witness of God's spirit because he's given me his spirit as a comforter. and he's given me a spirit to dwell within me. And if you don't have the spirit of God, then you don't have salvation. He that hath the son hath life. And you need to have the spirit of God.

And I wonder have you do you have God's spirit? Does his spirit bear witness with your spirit that you know that you're saved and going to heaven? Then back in Philippians chapter 1 and look at verse number 27. It is only that your conversation be as it become of the gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you or else be absent. I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. One spirit and one mind, one body is what it says in Ephesians chapter 4. We are one in Christ. We are a body of believers. And what we have in common is we have the spirit of God and he is the one that makes us a body of Christ.

Look back at 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and I want you to look at verse 11 again. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse 11. The Bible says, "Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another even as also you do." So let me ask you a question. What words do you have to share that are edifying to those around you? What words do you have to share that are going to comfort those around you? You see, one of God's callings for you and I is that we would share that fellowship in the spirit that we would speak words of love as we come alongside one another. And so, what are the words that you share?

One of the things here at Ohana that we encourage is this that every time you see somebody, you ought to be able to look them in the eyes and say one of five things. Number one, you should be able to say the words, "I love you." Now, we're scared of those words, but there's nothing wrong with it. They're good Bible words. The words called to love one another. By this shall men all men know we're his disciples. And you ought to be able to look somebody in the eye and say, "Listen, brother, I love you in Christ. Listen, sir, I love you in Christ. We love you." And you ought to be able to say that.

Second thing you should be able to say to somebody is say the words, "I prayed for you." There's about four or five people this morning that I could say to them, listen, I prayed for you on Friday. I prayed for you on Saturday. Those are words of encouragement. Yet, I'll be able to say this, how is Blank doing? To ask him, how is how is your mom doing that was sick? Or how how is your situation at work? Or how is this? You know, we we don't we don't remember to pray for people. You know, we'll tell people, I'll pray for that's the biggest lie Christians say. But when you pray for somebody, you ought to remember and come back and say, how is that going?

How is that going? And then you ought to be able to ask him, let me you ought to be able to say to somebody, let me tell you what God showed me this week. Let me tell you what God did for me this week. Or ask him, let tell me what God did for you this week. See, the Bible says to be comforters, to come alongside with words of encouragement. and to come alongside and in the fellowship of the spirit. In Ephesians 4:29, it says, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." When we speak to and about one another, it's not words that are corrupt, but words of grace and words that edify and build up.

In Proverbs 25:11, it says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Let me ask you a question. When's the last time you sent a note or an email or text to somebody just to be an encouragement? We got some folks in our church that are sick. I wonder how many email notes or texts they've gotten from people in the church. You see, we we don't do that. And God said, "If there's any fellowship of the spirit, then you ought to be coming alongside one another, whether it's to provide a meal or to give a word of encouragement to be a bit a blessing and a help to them and and to come alongside one another."

Amen. And so in Philippians chapter 2 and verse one, he says, "If if this is true, there be any consolation of Christ, if there's any comfort of love, if there's any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies." And the idea of bowels and mercies is the bowels were considered the seed of emotion and and to have that emotional relationship to build positive relationships with one another. and mercies is sometimes we we may not have that connection with somebody but we're going to show them that love of God anyway. But he goes on in verse two now and says this, "Fulfill you my joy." So if this is true, verse one, then here's what you should be doing.

Verse number two, he said, "Fulfill you my joy." In Hebrews 13:17, it says, "Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls. as they must give account that they may endure a joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you. You see to come to have that relationship then provides joy in that relationship. Not hurt or anger or bitterness but joy. You know it's interesting later on in Philippians chapter 4. Turn over there. Philippians chapter 4. We all know verse number four. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. But look at verse one. Therefore my brethren dearly beloved and long for my joy and my crown crown.

So stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved. I beseech yodius and I beseech that they be the same mind in the Lord. And I treat thee also true yoke fellow help those womans which labored with me in the gospel with Clement also and with other my fellow laborers whose names are in the book of life. You see there is no joy in fellowship when there's conflict between Christians. And he says listen fulfill my joy. And if you want the joy of the Lord, he said before he did verse four, he said, listen, you guys got to get this resolved. You got to get this worked out, whatever your problems are. And then he goes on to say, not only fulfill you my joy, but be likeminded.

In Romans 12 and:es 14- 16, it says, "Bless them which persecute you, and bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one towards the other. Mind not hide things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. You see, he says, "Want to be likeminded." And part of being likeminded is to have to rejoice with those rejoice and weep with those that weep. It it's when we hear a prayer request, we we weep with them of the loss of a family member. We weep with them of the truggle they're going through um healthwise or we we we but we also rejoice.

Hey, you got a promotion. Hey, God gave you this blessing. But it's rejoicing with one another, being likeminded. Now, the idea of being like-minded, first of all, if we're going to be like-minded, then we've got to have the same mind. The problem is, we've all got different minds. We've all got different ways of thinking, approaching things. But we have something special, and that's the mind of Christ. Philippians chapter 2:5 lets his mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. You see what gives us that unity, what brings us together and to bond in Christ is that that mind of Christ to have his heart.

We love because he loved us. We forgive because he forgave us. You see, we have that mind of Christ to be a servant because he was a servant. To be likeminded is to have the mind of Christ. But it also goes on and says um look at Philippians 1:27. He says only let your conversation be as become of the gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you or else be absent I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast with one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Look a little further down there in verse number two. Fulfill you my joy that you be like-minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind.

Now that phrase one mind is not just repeating what he said about being like-minded. It's a little bit different. And the one mind is the idea of unity. In Psalms 133 and verse number one, it says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." And God says, "Listen, when you as a body of Christ are in unity, when you come together in a united mind with the mind of Christ," he said, "That's what that's what honors me." He said, "Listen, if you have consolation of Christ, if you have a comfort of love, if you have fellowship of spirit, then have that same mind, have that mind of Christ, be likeminded in unity with one another."

He says, "Fulfill you my joy that you be like-minded, having the same love." In John 13:34 and35, it says, "As a new a new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples. You have love one towards another." God says, "Listen, I want you to have that same love." But here's the problem. We consider love to be something that's based upon feelings. And our love for others is based upon whether we like them or not, whether they make us feel good or not. But God commended his love towards who are yet sinners.

Christ died for us. You see, he wants us to have the same love, that love of God. See, if we we love him because he first loved us. And because of his love for us, it tells us in first John, that's how we can love our brethren as well. And when you're not loving your fellow Christians, you're not fulfilling the then that Christ said to do. You're not doing what he told us, that same love. Then he says in that verse at the end of verse number two, he says, "Of one accord." Of one accord. Go over to Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2. The early church was just beginning here and people were getting saved and lives were being changed.

And verse 44 it says, "And all that believed were together and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house to eat their meat with gladness and singles to heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord add the church daily such as to be saved. That idea of one accord means to be in harmony. That's don't you love to hear people singing in harmony? You know, our worship team is up here and they're all on microphones and we have to back there in the back adjust those microphones because if all you ever heard was the tenor, it would sound bad.

If all you ever heard is the bass, it wouldn't sound good. But when all four parts are in harmony, that's a blessing. And God says, "Listen, I want you to be of one accord. I want you to be in harmony, working for the same goals, working for the same uh end goal there, and to keep working together in harmony." And when you're not in harmony, then God says, "You're not fulfilling what you need to do. If I done this for you, if I've been a consolation, if I've been a comfort, if if I've been a given you fellowship in the spirit, then you need to be of one accord. Right? But then going back to Philippians chapter 2, look at verse number three, 3 and 4.

It says, "Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in loneliness of mind, each esteem other better than themselves. and look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others, the loneliness of mind. He says, first of all, let nothing be done through strife. Go over to James chapter 3, the book of James, chapter 3, and look at verses number 13- 18. James chapter 3, beginning with verse number 13. Who is a wise man endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness and wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, glory not, lie not against the truth.

This wisdom is said not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envy and strife is, there is confusion every evil work. But the wisdom is from above is for pure than peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. He said, "Listen, when there's strife, when there's bitter envy, when you have that kind of attitude, that's not of God." He said, 'Listen, if this is true, verse number one, then this is what should happen, verse number two, and there should be no strife.

Yeah, but you don't know what they did. You don't know what they said. I I just can't get along with them. No, there's no there's no ifands or buts in this verse. He says, put away strife. And he also says to put away vain glory but uh let nothing be done through strife or vain glory. Look at Galatians chapter 6. Galatians chapter 6. Galatians chapter 6 beginning with verse number one down through verse number five. He says, "Brother, if a man be overtaken in a fall, ye which are spiritual shall restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, consider thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear one of his burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

And if any man, if a man think himself be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoice in himself alone and not another. For every man shall bear his own burden." That's not a contradiction error. We need to bear our own burdens. But there's sometimes our burden is so heavy. We need someone to come along and help us with that burden as well. Someone to come alongside of us to be our consolation and our comforter. But but the point he's saying here is listen, don't look at yourself. See what our problem is. When people start telling me, "Well, I'm not I'm not happy with the church now."

That's usually because they're not showing up and they're being selfish and self-centered. Psalms 122:1 says, "I was glad when they said unto me, let's go in the house of the Lord." And verse 9, it says, "Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good." You see, we've got to give put away that vain glory. It's all about me. I want to come to church to receive a blessing, but more importantly, I want to come to church to be a blessing. I want to come to church to come alongside of somebody to encourage them to help them in their journey. It's not about strife. The James tells us that the wrath of man workketh not the righteousness of God.

Well, I've got a right to be upset. That doesn't work for God. God had every right to send you and I to help, but he sent his son to die for us. See, let nothing be done through strife or vain glory. But he said, he goes on to say, "But in loneliness of mind," in Matthew 11:es 28-30, it says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest in your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus said, I'm meek and lowly. Remember what he said earlier? Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.

Jesus had that loneliness of mind. It it doesn't mean that he was lesser. It means that he he didn't uh act like well I'm God and you're all just peeons and no he came down with loneliness of mind. He says I want to come down to your level. I want to be there where you need me to be at. I want to come and walk alongside of you. You see folks it's not about you. In Romans 12:es 9-13, it says, "Let love be without dissimulation or hypocrisy. Ah for that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another in brother with brotherly love in honor preferring one another, not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing hope, patient distrib distributions, continued instant prayer, distributing necessity sakes given to hospitality."

He said, 'Listen, it's not about you. And too many of us, it's all about me. If I'm not happy, if I don't like what's going on or whatever else it might be, and we focus on ourselves, and we become self-centered and selfish and and and we we we don't look at the needs of others. He said, listen, you've got to have that lowest mind. Put others first and yourself last. Have that right attitude. Humble yourself. In James chapter 4 and verse number 10, it says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up." And we need to come and humble ourselves. We need to come seeking to be a blessing.

We need to come looking for somebody we can come alongside of and give them words of encouragement. We need to look for fellowship and building that bond. Back in Philippians chapter 2, it says, Look not every man his own things but every man also in the things of others. We need to look beyond ourselves. We need to see other better than ourselves. We need to look listen and care. Again Psalms 12:9 because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. Is there anyone in this congregation that is better because you're here? Is there anybody in this congregation is better because you're here?

You see, just coming to church, that's great and I'm glad you're here. But folks, it's not just about coming to church, sitting in a chair, and going home. It's about esteeming others better than myself. It's about building relationships. It's about finding those strangers and getting to know them. It's about reaching out beyond myself to look, to listen, and to care about people. Job 42, Job went through many trials in his life, and he was struggling. In Job 42:10, it says, "The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. Also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

When you start praying for other people, it changes them. But you know who else it changes? You me. Folks, I've said this before, but I can't tell you what an awesome privilege, what an awesome blessing it is to be able to walk up to somebody and say, "Kenny, I pray for you this week. How's it going? How's it going?" That changes not just him, but it changes me. I know when somebody comes to me and says, "Pastor, I'm praying for you." Boy, that just encourages me. It just helps me to deal with what I'm going through. And folks, that's what makes a difference when you start praying for people. And especially pray for your enemies.

The Bible says, it's not just your friends. It's praying for your enemies. Pray for the stranger. Pray for the people. Get to know people. And you get to know them. When you pray for them, you get to know them. And that's what he's saying. He's saying, "Listen, you got to do more than just show up." You see, it's good to pray, but don't just pray, do something. In James 2 14-17, it says, "What did the prophet, my brethren? Though a man say heath faith and have not works, can I can faith save him? For a brother or sister, be naked and destitute to the food. And one of you say, "And depart in peace, be warmed and filled, notwithstanding, you give them not those things which are needful to the body."

What does it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead, being alone. God wants us to pray for one another, but sometimes he wants you to be the answer to somebody's prayers. Sometimes you're the one that can come in there and, hey, let me let me give you a meal cuz you're sick. you're the one that can come there when a a single mom or a lady whose husband's TD and go on and come and say, "Let me take your kids for a for a couple hours, give you a break." It's when you come alongside of a an elderly member of the church or an elderly person and say, "Let me mow your lawn for you." Is when you come to the pastor say, "Pastor, let me wash your car for you."

Yeah. But you see, it's when you put practical application to your prayers. There's many a time I've been praying for somebody I thought, you know what, I haven't written them a note to tell them I'm praying for them. There's many times I've been praying for somebody said, you know what, I need to give them a call and see how they're doing. There's many times I've been praying for somebody and and and I thought, I I need to go and and check up on them and see what I can do to be a blessing. You see, you need to pray for one another, but you need to do something with those prayers. Look in 1 John chapter 3, 1 John chapter 3, and look at verses 16-18.

1 John chapter 3, beginning verse number 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he left down laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But who so hath this world's goods, and seeth his brethren have need, and shutth up his bowels in compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love and word, neither in tongue, but in deed in truth. Here's another if, then and if you got comfort from God, if because he laid down his life for us, we ought to also lay down our lives for our brethren. If he did this, then we should do that. So, let me challenge you. What are you doing? If this is true, if Jesus died to save you, gave you grace and mercy, and loved you when you didn't deserve it, then why are you not doing that same thing? And if you do that, then God's going to bless you.