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Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] ["Pomp and Circumstance"] You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You Good evening and welcome to Verity Baptist Church. Let's go ahead and find our seeds this evening Find the seats and find a hymnal close to you and turn the page number two hundred and forty five Song number two hundred and forty five and we will open the service with the old account was settled song number two hundred and forty five And many things below I went up to the keeper And settled long ago Long ago Long ago Yes the old account Was settled long ago Hallelujah And the raggers cleared today For he washed my sins away When the old account was settled Long ago Song number two hundred and forty five Sing it out on the second The old account was large And growing everyday For I was always sinning And never tried to pay But when I looked ahead And saw such pain and growth I said I would settle I settled Long ago Long ago Long ago Yes the old account was settled long ago Long ago And the raggers cleared today For he washed my sins away When the old account was settled Long ago On the third but there's a hallelujah in the chorus Everyone up to shout hallelujah Like you mean it alright Song number two four five On the third When in that happy home My Savior's home above I'll sing with him so slowly And praise him for his love I'll not forget that book The page is wide as snow Because I came and settled Settled long ago Not on my knees I said it all Yes the old account was settled Long ago And the raggers cleared today For he washed my sins away When the old account was settled Long ago Sing it out on the last Oh sinner trust the Lord Be cleansed of all your sin For thus he had provided For you to enter in And then you knew you should live A hundred years below Up there when you'll regret it I said it long ago Long ago Not on my knees I said it all Yes the old account was settled Long ago Hallelujah And the raggers cleared today For he washed my sins away I said it long ago Long ago Amen great team Welcome to Verity Baptist Church Here on our Sunday evening service We call it the most exciting service of the week We are definitely excited to see everyone here this evening Let's open the service with a word of prayer Be your heavenly father We love you and we thank you again for the opportunity To be in your house this evening Thank you for the dear people who come and sing praises To your name and love to learn from your words Lord, we pray that you bless the service We pray that you bless the singing And the fellowship to come We love you Jesus and I pray Amen It's now time for favorites where if you're selected We will sing a stanza from the song That you picked Raise your hand, go for it 210 on the last Song number 210 We're gonna sing it out on the last Start with Wonderful grace Of Jesus Wonderful grace Of Jesus Each in the most In fact By its transforming Power Making God's Deep child Purchase the most In heaven For all eternity And the wonderful Grace of Jesus Reaches me And the children Now she speaks of Jesus Reaper than the mighty Growing sea Higher than the mountain Smarten like a fountain Also kiss your eyes For we believe Older than the scope Of my discretion Singing greater heart And all my sin and shame O magnify the precious Name of Jesus Praise His name Brother Nate 24 Song number 24 And can it be That I should gain Song number 24 Song number 24 On the first And can it be That I should be An interest In The Savior's blood Thy Evil Name Pass His Name For He Who Lives In Tennessee O Amazing Word Hallelujah O Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Amazing Word Hallelujah My Love I Told Me CC 24 On the last You don't have to turn anywhere Song number 24 Sing it out on the last Long I Am present Spiritly And With Me Just Mine I Do Some Big Thing I Sing it out My Change My heart Was Free And Ooh And Ooh Amazing How Can it be That Thou My God Chosen Sing one more song Brother Noah God 188 Song number 188 this will be the last Song for favorites Sing it out with some passion Sing it like you mean it Song number 188 the love of God Sing it out on the first The love of God Is way too far The time of day Will never tell It goes beyond The highest star And which is The lowest of The guilty The time will bring A little son To win His very child He wackens out And falls in love This is A love of God A witch of God A measure less And Strong Never Endure The saints in me Just saw Amen Amen We're going to welcome you to Verity Baptist Church tonight We're glad you're with us. Let's go ahead and take our Bulletins. We'll look at some announcements real quickly If you do not have a Bulletin just raise your hand One of our ushers can get one for you If you need a bulletin just put your hand up we'll get one for you The verse is weak Hebrew 6 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love Which ye have showed toward his name And that ye have ministered to the saints And do minister And that's a good verse there If you open up your bulletin you'll see our service time Sunday morning service 10 30 AM We had a wonderful service this morning. We're glad you're back out tonight For the evening service And we do invite you to be with us on Wednesday night If you're interested in learning more about our service Make sure you check out our General study. It is at 7 PM For our midweek service If you look at our soul winning times, our main soul winning times On Saturday mornings at 10 AM And then we have additional soul winning times on Thursdays and Fridays And Sundays at 2 PM And if you are a soul winner Make sure you add your salvations on your communication card And if you have a map that you haven't finished Make sure you're clearly marked What was done, what was not done Put in the bin in the foyer If you're a first time guest If it's your first time here at Verity Baptist Church We're glad you're with us We have a gift we'd like to give you as you walk out of the church building tonight If you go out our main foyer If you go out our secondary foyer You'll see a little table set up And on that table you'll see these little gift bags Please grab one on your way out as a gift from us to you for being our guest tonight There are several resources in this bag that we'd like you to have The one I'd like to highlight is this documentary that our church made It's called Being Baptist It's very well made, very interesting We think you'll like it and want to give this to you as a gift We'd love to help you out grabbing one of those gift bags on your way out And if you are a guest we'd ask that you please take a moment to fill out the communication card Which is inserted in your bulletin And you can drop it in the offering plate As it goes by If you look at the announcements there We of course are a family integrated church Children and infants are always welcome in the service We do not separate children from their parents for any reason We do have mother baby rooms and daddy rooms available for your convenience And make sure you use those rooms If you have a child that's been distracting during the service If you need some privacy If you look at the announcements and upcoming events Of course we had our worker appreciation Sunday this morning And we had of course a good time with that And just thanking all of the volunteers We appreciate all of you Want you to know about the workdays That there are no workdays scheduled for this week So it is Thanksgiving week And so just be aware of that And then of course this Wednesday is our annual PIE social And it's on Wednesday November 22nd at 7pm We'll be having PIE after the service So we ask if you can please bring a PIE to share You can either bake it or buy it And we would appreciate your help with that Turkey bowl is on Thursday November 23rd There is a sign up sheet in the main foyer If you'd like to sign up It is at 7am on Thanksgiving morning Choir practice, they have practice at 5 children's choir Had their practice home school group They've got PE class on Thursday November 30th No ladies weight loss accountability group this week Meetings will resume on Wednesday November 29th There's other things there for you to look at Please don't forget to turn your cell phones off If you look at the back of the bulletin Birthdays and anniversaries for the month of November We have Owen Gibbs birthdays today November 19th And then this week we have Adrian Rios birthday on November 20th My wife has a birthday on Wednesday November 22nd Miss Joanne Jimenez Jeremiah Morales has a birthday November 23rd Ivy Grace Oates has a birthday November 23rd Faith Johnson has a birthday November 24th Miss Tina Kolak has a birthday November 24th And we're remembering Titus Oates And we're remembering Titus Vincent on November 24th as well Praise report, money matters, all of those things Are there for you to look at I do have one baptism certificate to hand out So let me go ahead and read this This says certificate of baptism This certificate is awarded to Linda Meyer In recognition of her baptism on the 50th of November Of the year 2023 Presented by Verity Baptist Church with the verse Therefore we are buried with him by baptism Into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead By the glory of the Father even so we should walk in units of life And we have pictures here for Miss Linda To remember the day of her baptism And let's go ahead and give her a round of applause Alright, I think that's it For the announcements We're going to go ahead and sing the chorus of the week Which is the insert in your bulletin And we're going to sing It's not in vain As we prepare to receive the offering This evening And let's go ahead and sing it out First we have labored in the beginning Of the morn And it seems the world has stolen our reward But God has not forgotten And when he calls us home We'll receive eternal treasure And a place of honor near the throne It's not in vain It's not in vain We serve a risen Savior Jesus rules and reigns The heavens fear us all Do not walk alone Our labor our witness Our faith It's not in vain Good, you're singing well, sing it out on the second God has seen our claims full service Through the years And the heart aches all the burdens All the tears I will not be disturbed There's a purpose, there is a plan There's a reason for each trial So trust the reading of his hand Good, sing it out It's not in vain It's not in vain We serve a risen Savior Jesus rules and reigns The heavens fear us all Do not walk alone Our labor our witness Our faith It's not in vain Amen, good singing. We'll have the guys come up and help us with the offering at this time. And let's go ahead and bow our heads and have a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord, we do love you. We thank you for allowing us to gather together tonight. Lord, we pray that you bless the offering, the gift, and the giver. We pray that you'll meet with us as we open up your word and study the Bible together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. We pray that you'll meet with us as we open up your word and study the Bible together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. In Jesus' name we pray. Turn your Bibles to Genesis chapter 41. If you don't have a Bible, raise your hand and I shall bring you one. Just Genesis chapter 41. Genesis 41, we will read the entire chapter as our custom. Just keep your hands up and I shall bring you a Bible. Genesis 41, the Bible reads, And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed. And, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored kind in fat flesh, and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kind came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-flesh, and stood by the other kind upon the brink of the river. And the ill-favored and lean-flesh kind did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kind, so Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time. And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke. And, behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled. And he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all the wise men thereof. And Pharaoh told them his dream. But there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day. Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me and Ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker. And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he. We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was there with us a young man, in Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard. And we told him. And he interpreted to us our dreams. To each man according to his dream he did interpret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was. Me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph. And they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. And he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it. And I have heard say of thee that thou canst stand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me. God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river. And behold, there came up out of the river seven kind, fat-fleshed and well-favored, and they fed in a meadow. And behold, seven other kind came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness. And the lean and the ill-favored kind did eat up the first seven fat kind. And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them. But they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good. And behold, seven ears withered, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears. And I told this unto the magicians, but there was none that could declare it to me. Then Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one. God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kind are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years. The dream is one. And the seven thin and ill-favored kind that came up after them are seven years. And the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh. What God is about to do, he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, and there shall arise after them seven years of famine. And all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine shall consume the land. And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following, for it shall be very grievous. And for that dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice. It is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt. That the land perish not through the famine. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such as one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled. Only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. And they cried before him, Bow the knee! And he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphna-pah-hay-nah, and he gave to him his wife Asenath, the daughter of Potiphar, priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earths brought forth by handfuls, and he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities, the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much until he left numbering, for it was without number. And unto Joseph was born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath, the daughter of Potiphar, priest of On, bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, for God said he hath made me forget all my toil and all my father's house. And the name of the second he called Ephraim, for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteous, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of Dirth became to come, according as Joseph had said, and the Dirth was in all the lands, but in the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Joseph for bread. And Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold them to the Egyptians, and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn, because all the famine was so sore in all lands. Let's pray. Lord God Almighty, thank you for this day. Thank you again for this opportunity to come together. Please bless the message. Please bless Pastor. Let it bring glory and honor to you. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. Amen. All right, we're there in Genesis chapter number 41. And of course on Sundays we've been going through a series through the book of Numbers called Wilderness Wanderings, but we're taking a break from that today. Because of course this morning was our worker appreciation day, and I preached a sermon on the subject of work. But there's so much in the Bible about work that I wasn't able to get everything in that I wanted to say, so I decided to turn that sermon into kind of a little two-part miniseries. And even tonight we're not going to get through everything the Bible teaches about work, but there's some things I wanted you to learn about work. And we're specifically looking at work through the life of Joseph, because Joseph is just an incredible character in the Bible. But when it comes to be an example of someone who works and who is productive, Joseph is an amazing person. And I'll just give you a definition for work. Again, like I did this morning, work is defined as activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. And I'm not going to re-preach this morning's sermon, but this morning we did learn. I'll just review it real quickly. This morning we did learn about the fact that hard workers push themselves, which means that they don't have to be supervised. They're self-starters. They can get themselves to work, and hard workers produce. They are productive. They produce value. Hard workers persevere through difficulty, and hard workers prosper through God. We talked about that this morning. And tonight I'd like to give you a few more lessons regarding work. And we're there in Genesis chapter 41. I'd like you to look down at verse number 39. And again, this morning we were dealing with the story of Joseph. Here we kind of come to the end of the life of Joseph. And we see how things end up for him. Genesis 41 and verse 39, the Bible says this, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled. Only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And I want you to notice, and here we're just going to continue on kind of where we left off. But the first point that I'd like to make tonight is this regarding hard workers. And it is this, that hard workers get promoted. Hard workers get promoted. And in this story we see here that Joseph is brought out of prison and he is promoted. He is put in a position of authority. We see there in verse 39, Pharaoh said unto Joseph, verse 40, Thou shalt be over my house. Verse 41, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. So I want you to notice that hard workers are going to get promoted everywhere they go. And what we see is that Joseph got promoted everywhere they go. And you know, people often dream about this type of promotion, right? Where someone like Pharaoh, Pharaoh was the most powerful man in the world at the time. And he took notice of Joseph and he promoted him and gave him this power and authority. But here's what we need to remember about Joseph is this, that everywhere Joseph went, he got promoted. Everywhere he was, he was promoted. We saw this already this morning, but let me just show it to you again. Go back to Genesis 39, and here's what I want you to understand. Joseph was promoted to be the second in command to Pharaoh. Pharaoh's the most powerful man on earth at this time. The nation of Egypt's the most powerful nation on earth at this time. And Joseph was promoted to be the second in command. But what we see in the life of Joseph is that everywhere that he went, he was being promoted. And everywhere that he went, he's being put in authority. Notice Genesis 39, verse 4. Here we see Joseph in Potiphar's house. And of course, he's in slavery. He's been sold into slavery. And look at verse 4, and Joseph found grace in his sight, Potiphar's sight, and he served him. And he made him, notice the words, overseer over his house. The word overseer means manager or the ruler of the house. Potiphar made Joseph overseer over his house, and all that he had, he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed Egypt's house for Joseph's sake. And the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field. Look at verse 6, and he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he knew not he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person in all favor. So here's what we see. Joseph is a slave, and he works hard, and he's promoted in Potiphar's house. But then of course, like we saw this morning, he's lied about. He's thrown into prison. But then what happens there? Go to Genesis 39. Look at verse 20. We see Joseph in Potiphar's house, and what happens? He gets promoted. Then we see Joseph in prison. What happens there? Genesis 39 and 20. And Joseph's master, which is Potiphar, took him and put him into the prison. And of course, we know that Potiphar's wife lied about him, got him thrown in prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound, and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the side of the keeper of the prison. Look at verse 22. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in prison, and whatsoever they did, he was the doer of it. I mean, think about this. Joseph is a prisoner in prison, and then they put him in charge of all the prisoners. The Bible says that the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison. So I want you to notice a couple of things. First of all, we see that everywhere Joseph goes, he's getting promoted. But the other thing that I want you to notice is this, that before Joseph was promoted to the palace, before he's promoted to this big job with all the benefits, with a big salary, with all the things that you would imagine that an individual would want, before he's promoted there, he was promoted in prison. Before he's promoted there, he was promoted as a slave. And here's what I'm trying to tell you, is that Joseph was a hard worker no matter what position he found himself in. And you know, people often think, they think, well, if I got that big promotion, then I would work hard. But you know, you should work hard at the entry level job you're at. You should work hard in any position you find yourself in, because that is what's going to lead you to being promoted and to have the favor of God upon your life, and you're not going to be ready to be the second in command for the entire nation of Egypt if you're not working hard all along the way. And I'm sure that being the second in command in Potiphar's house helped him be ready to be the second in command in Pharaoh's house. So we see here that hard workers get promoted, they get promoted everywhere they go, and they work hard no matter what position they have. So look, no matter what position you have at work or what position you find yourself in, you ought to just decide, I'm going to work hard. This morning we talked about the fact, keep your place there in Genesis, that's our text for tonight. Go to the book of Esther, if you would, Esther chapter 9. If you open up your Bible just right in the center, you're more than likely following the book of Psalms. And if you go backwards, you have the book of Job and then the book of Esther, Esther chapter 9. And you know, this morning we were talking about the fact that we often recommend and tell people that starting your own business or working for yourself is definitely a good avenue to go through and to go to. And I do agree with that. But it's not for everybody. And some people, you know, shouldn't work for themselves. And maybe you have a type of job where it doesn't really make sense for you to go on your own and it makes sense for you to work somewhere, work for a company. But here's what I would say. If I was going to go work somewhere and if I was going to go work at a company, my goal would be to get promoted as high as possible. I mean, I don't care if you're working at McDonald's. If I worked at McDonald's, I'd be trying to run McDonald's. I'd be trying to get as high up in that chain as possible, obviously with character, with integrity, not by cheating or stealing or anything like that, but just by working hard. And when you work hard in whatever position you find yourself. See, the Bible teaches that when we are faithful in that which is least, then God will give us more. And oftentimes the reason that we don't get the promotions and we don't get the raises and we don't get the things that maybe we would like to have is because we're not being good workers in the areas we find ourselves in. So whether you find yourself in Potiphar's house or you find yourself in prison, work hard. Because that will be the gateway to get you into the palace and get you recognized by... And think about this. And again, I'm not preaching on the life of Joseph. I preached on the life of Joseph years ago. But one thing that always struck me about Joseph is this, is how all these things were connected. And God was bringing him down a road that honestly, if you would have asked Joseph and if you would have asked me, we would not have wanted to go down. But it ended up working like Joseph said. God worked all things for good. He said that they meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. And consider the fact that his brother sold him into slavery. And I'm sure Joseph didn't like that. And we wouldn't have liked that. But that's what got him to Egypt. When he got to Egypt, he was bought into the house of Potiphar. And then Potiphar's wife lied about him. And Potiphar's wife got him thrown in prison. And I'm sure Joseph didn't like that. And I wouldn't have liked that. And that would have been discouraging. But that's what got him in connection with the butler. And the fact that he was there in prison and met the butler. But consider this. What if Joseph would have been in prison and just been lazy? What if he would have just been discouraged and would have just got mad at God and got angry at God and had a bad attitude? Then he would have never had the opportunity to be over the butler. He would have never had the opportunity to minister to the butler. Which would have never talked to Pharaoh. Which would have never brought him out of prison. Do you see how all these things are connected? And often in life, the way that you and I, we think, well, when I get that raise, then I'll act better. Or when I get that position, then I'll act better. But the position you find yourself in now, the place you find yourself in now, you need to be a hard worker there. And those are the connections. That is the avenue that God will allow to help you be promoted. Because hard workers get promoted. Look, everywhere they go, hard workers get promoted. And throughout the Bible, we see that God's people are always being promoted. We saw it here in the story of Joseph. But let me give you some other examples. Look at Esther chapter 9. Look at verse 4. And what's interesting to me, the examples I'm going to give you right now are Old Testament stories of the children of Israel in captivity. But to me, when I read these stories, I think, okay, this is how believers are supposed to be in the workplace. Because what are we seeing? Joseph in the workplace. What are we going to see here in Esther 9? We see Mordecai in the workplace. Notice what the Bible says, Esther 9 and verse 4. For Mordecai was great. And that phrase, was great, or that term great, is referring to his position. He was a man of great authority. Notice, for Mordecai was great in the king's house. Do you see that? His position was great and his fame went out throughout all the provinces. For this man, Mordecai, notice what it says, waxed greater and greater. Look at Esther chapter 10 and verse 2. And all the acts of his power and of his might and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, where unto the king advanced him. Do you see that? The king advanced him. Everywhere Joseph went, he was promoted. Everywhere Mordecai went, he was promoted. Where the king advanced him, as they, are they not written in the books of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? Verse 3, For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus. Doesn't that sound like Joseph? I mean, I just want you to notice that we see Joseph being promoted. We see Mordecai being promoted. Let's look at another example. Go to Daniel chapter 2. Daniel chapter 2. You're there in Esther. You go past Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Daniel chapter 2. Look at verse 48. We saw Joseph being promoted. We saw Mordecai being promoted. Now let's look at Daniel. Notice what the Bible says. Daniel 2, 48. Then the king made Daniel, notice these words, a great man, again referring to his position, and gave him many great gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, notice, and the chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. So we see Daniel is given a position of greatness. He's made ruler over all the whole providence of Babylon, and he's made the chief of the governors. We see Mordecai is great in the king's house, and he waxed greater and greater, and the king advanced him, and he was next unto the king. We see Joseph is made second in power to Pharaoh, and is the greatest in Egypt, only second to Pharaoh. And here's what I'm showing you. Don't you think that God is trying to make this point that wherever his people work, they ought to be the best worker? They ought to work hard and get promoted, because hard workers get promoted. Let me give you another example. Go to Daniel chapter 3. Daniel chapter 3. Look at verse 30. Daniel chapter 3 and verse 30. In Daniel 3 and verse 30, the Bible says this, Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the providence of Babylon. So we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. What do they get? Promoted. They get a promotion. What does Daniel get? He gets promoted. What does Mordecai get? He gets promoted. What does Joseph get? He gets promoted. And here's the point that I'm trying to make, is that hard workers get promoted. And look, guys, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, I'm just trying to be real with you. If you've been working at the same place for 20 years, and everybody's getting promoted ahead of you, even the guy that doesn't speak English is not your supervisor, you know, that probably has something to do, and it says something about your work ethic. Because hard workers get promoted. And when you work hard, they're going to notice that, and they're going to say, there's somebody that should be in charge. There's somebody that should be running the show. There's somebody that should be ruling things. Go to Proverbs chapter 12. Proverbs 12. If you go back to Psalms, right after Psalms you have the book of Proverbs, Proverbs chapter 12. Do me a favor, put a ribbon or a bookmark or something there in Proverbs, because we're going to leave it, and we're going to come back to it. I'd like you to have your place in Genesis, and have your place in Proverbs. Proverbs chapter 12, and look at verse number 24. Notice what the Bible says. Look, the Bible promises this, that hard work will get you promoted. We already saw it in narratives. Mordecai, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Joseph. But then here in Proverbs, the Bible even just states it. Proverbs 12, 24. Notice what it says. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule. Who's going to rule the diligent? Who's going to rule the hard worker? The hand of the diligent shall bear rule. Notice, but the slothful shall be under tribute. The slothful is going to be under the authority of someone else. The slothful will be under tribute, but the hand of the diligent shall bear rule. Now you say, well, what is the connection between being a hard worker and getting promoted? Well, if you remember point number one of this morning's sermon, a hard worker doesn't have to be supervised. So when your supervisor, when your boss, when the owner of your company is looking for someone to put in a supervisory position, he's going to take notice of the guy that doesn't need to be supervised. Because the guy that doesn't have to be supervised, the guy that doesn't have to be micromanaged, the guy that doesn't have to be checked in on every five minutes, that's the guy we're going to put in charge of all the other lazy guys who do need to be supervised, who do need to be micromanaged, who aren't going to, who are lazy or aren't just going to work just because it's the right thing to do. So I want you to notice that hard workers get promoted. Let me give you another example. Proverbs 22. Proverbs 22. Look at verse 29. Proverbs 22, 29. Proverbs 22, 29, the Bible says this, See, is thou a man diligent in his business? I mean, this is a man who's, the word diligent means they're working hard. Man of activity, they're busy. They're diligent in their business. By the way, let me say this. Jesus said, as a 12-year-old boy, I must be about my father's business. See, is thou a man diligent in his business? Notice what the Bible says. He shall stand before kings. Isn't that true about Joseph? Isn't that true of Mordecai? He shall stand before kings. Notice these words. He shall not stand before mean men. Now here in Proverbs 22, 29, when the Bible says the word mean there, when it says he shall not stand before mean men, the word mean there is not the word that you and I would think of, someone mean like not, someone who's not nice. That's not the word that's being used there. The word mean is being used in a mathematical way. The word mean is a mathematical term. In the context of mathematics and statistics, the word mean refers to what is informally called the average. If you're doing math and somebody's asking you for the mean number of something, they're asking you for the average. And what the Bible literally is saying here is that when you see a man diligent in his business, that guy's going to stand before kings. He's not going to stand before average men. Do you see that? When it says he's not going to stand before mean men, he's not going to stand before average men. If a man is diligent in his business, he's going to stand before kings. He's going to stand before people with power. He's going to stand before people with authority. He's not going to stand before mean men. And let me just say this. The average man today is a lousy worker. And look, I want to speak to the young people and the young men tonight and kind of give the young men some thoughts because obviously we live in a world where it's hard to make ends meet. It's hard to make income. But let me just say this to young men. If you can learn this, this will help you so much. When it comes to the workplace, you just have to realize that being a hard worker is like your secret weapon because most people out there are lazy. And look, just let me explain something to you, okay? And it's not that complicated and you're going to think I'm mocking people or making fun of people. I'm not making fun of people. But the average young man in America today is a video game playing fool. They can't get up early. They can't show up anywhere on time. They don't know how to work hard. That's like the average worker out there. So when you get a job anywhere, when you get a job anywhere and you show up on time, you work hard, you look your boss in the eye, you speak in complete sentences, they're just going to be like, you're the greatest thing ever. See, is thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings. He shall not stand before mean men. He shall not stand before average men. And I would say this, you don't want to stand with average men because average men are losers. Go back to the book of Genesis, Genesis chapter 30. So let me just give you some advice regarding how to get promoted. And let's just maybe say it this way, how to get a raise, right? Because you need a raise. Inflation is up. You need some more money. Well, we touched on this this morning, but I just want you to see it again. Genesis 30, 29. Remember Jacob? Jacob raised Joseph. Jacob was a great worker. Genesis 30, number 29, remember Jacob was putting in his resignation letter. And he said unto him, Jacob said unto Laban, Thou knowest how I have served thee and how thy cattle was with me, for it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude. And the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming, and now shall I provide, and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? And what Jacob is doing, he's telling Laban, he's explaining to him why he's going to leave. Because he's saying, look, I've been working for you for all these years. You changed my wages ten different times. I've been working for you for twenty years, and it's now time for me to go on my own. I made you rich, but it's time for me to make some money. Look at verse 31, and he, Laban, said, What shall I give thee? I want you to notice, here, Jacob's boss is saying to him, just name your price. What do I need to pay you for you to stay? Notice, and Jacob said, That shall not give me anything. If that will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock. And of course, if you know the story, they have this whole deal where Jacob ends up becoming rich as a result, and God blessed him and God helped him. The point that I want you to make here is that Jacob had his boss, Laban, just begging him not to leave, and pretty much just saying, look, I'll pay you whatever I need to pay you for you to stay. I want you to stay. Here was a guy that just got a raise. We've seen men in the Bible that got a promotion. So how do you do that? How do you go out into the workforce, and how do you get a raise, how do you get a promotion? Okay, here are the steps. Number one, become valuable. You need to become valuable. Now you say, well, what does that mean? I don't know what that means in the context of your job. But whatever is valuable in your job, that thing that needs to be done, that thing that that's how we pay the bills, that's what we get paid for, that's what we send invoices for, that's what people write big checks for, whatever that is, whatever that is in your context, in your workplace, in your career, in your situation, you need to become that person. Valuable. Now here's what most people think, and this is the lazy man's way of thinking. Most workers think, when I get paid more, I'll produce more value. Wrong. That is the wrong way. The opposite is true. When you produce more, when you become more valuable, then you'll get paid more. You understand what I just said? Produce more value, then you are paid for what you provide. Here's what people think. When I get paid more, I'll produce more. Wrong. When you produce more, you'll get paid more. And literally, there's a logical reason for this. It's not just a spiritual truth, although it is a spiritual truth, there's literally a logical reason for this. Because when you start working for a company, and they're paying you minimum wage, they're paying you minimum wage because you're not worth much. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, that's the truth. You're not bringing a lot of value to the table. So you know, the truth is this, your boss doesn't really care if you come or go, because unvaluable people, video game playing fools, are a dime a dozen. Literally. Do you understand what I'm saying? So he doesn't pay you much because you're not worth much. But when you start reading, when you start learning, when you start training outside of work, when you start gaining confidence and credibility and competence, and you start becoming valuable, now the boss is going to look at you and say, I don't want to lose that guy. That's when the raises come. That's when the promotions come. See, people think, well, if I get a raise, I'll do more. No, do more and then you'll get a raise. Because until you do more, the boss doesn't really care of you whether you stay or not. Do you understand what I'm telling you? Look, I'm just trying to help you out. You do whatever you want. And look, I'm not even saying whatever. I realize that there are life situations where people, maybe you can't work the greatest job. Maybe you are. I'm not mocking you. If you work at McDonald's, look, I think working at McDonald's or being a gent, any work, we talked about it this morning, in all labor there is profit. And any work that is honest and you're not ripping people off and you're not selling drugs or whatever, that is good and that is righteous in the eyes of God. But if you've got some situation where the best you can do is work at a fast food place, hey, that's fine. All I'm telling you is this. I'm not mocking. I'm literally telling you, if I woke up tomorrow and I found myself in a situation where the only place I could work, it was McDonald's, or the only place I could work was Taco Bell, I'm not mocking you. I'm saying I'm going to be the best worker at Taco Bell. I'm going to become a shift lead and a shift manager. I'm going to run that Taco Bell, then I'm going to run the district, I'm going to run the whole state of California. I mean, I don't know how high you have to go in McDonald's, but I'm going to climb that McDonald's University ladder and at some point, you know, they're going to dress me up like Ronald McDonald and pay me up a lot of money. I'm just saying wherever you find yourself, you say, I work at Walmart, then run it. But here's what you're not going to do. You're not going to be some clerk at Walmart saying, well, when they pay me more, I'll do more. It doesn't work that way. You work, you produce, you become valuable, and then they'll say, we can't lose that guy. He knows too much. He's worth too much. Pay that guy more. Keep him here. Laban's saying, what shall I give thee? That's how it works. How can I get a raise? Become valuable. Most people think when I get paid more, I'll do more. No, no, no. No, no, no. You do more. And look, whether you're a worker or whether you're a business owner, whether you work for yourself, or whether you're a pastor of a church, here's a rule that you should always follow. Provide more value than you're being paid for. How can I become the greatest at whatever area you find yourself in? Provide more value than you're getting paid for. Look, I'll just be honest with you, and maybe I shouldn't say this. Maybe this is a carnal thing or whatever. I don't know. But as a pastor, I try to provide more value in my sermons than I'm actually getting paid for. Can I just say that? I'm literally up here trying to preach better sermons than the average pastor. Because I don't want to be with mean pastors. Mean, you know, not new IP mean. Mathematical mean. Average. I don't want to be average. You say, but you're trying too hard. You spend too much time studying, you alliterate those outlines, and you come up with it. You're trying too hard. There's only 250 people here. Right? But I'm trying to preach at the level of 500 people. I'm trying to produce that value so we can get there. That's how it works! And pastors literally, they think, well, we've got 20 people here, so I'm not going to try that hard. But when we have 200 people, they don't really stay. You'll never have 200 people. Because the way it works is you provide value. Then you're given the position. Then you're given the promotion. Then God helps you. Then God grows you. Then God exalts you. So we see that hard workers get promoted. Go to Genesis chapter 40, if you would. Genesis chapter 40. Some of you are like, well, you need to try harder. Those numbers aren't that great. Well, look, I'm trying. I'm trying the best I can. Genesis 40. I'm trying to get better every day, every week. Genesis 40. So number one, hard workers get promoted. Here's point number two. Or point number six, however you're looking at it. However your notes are outlined if you continue your notes from this morning. Not only do hard workers get promoted, but here's point number two. Well, let's look at the past. Look at Genesis 40 and verse 14. This is Joseph in prison. And he just got done interpreting the dream for the butler and the baker. And notice verse 14. He says, but think on me. He's telling the butler, because the butler's about getting ready to be released from prison. He says, but think on me, when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness I pray thee unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. Notice verse 15. For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Now I want you to notice that this passage in the entire life of Joseph is the closest we get to Joseph complaining. But he's not complaining. I don't believe Joseph complained at all. He's literally not complaining here. Because notice he's not charging God foolishly. He's being factual. He's just telling the butler, hey look, I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews. And he says, and here in Egypt also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. And he's just saying, when you get out of here, can you mention that to Pharaoh and see if you can get me out of here? He's not complaining at all. But this is the closest you get to Joseph. And what this highlights for me is this, that Joseph, you don't see him complaining in his whole life at all. And if anybody had something to complain about, it was Joseph. I mean he was sold into slavery, lied about, put in prison, forgotten by the butler, after this the butler forgets for two years. If anybody had a reason to complain, it was Joseph. But Joseph did not. You say why? Here's why. Because hard workers get promoted, number one, and hard workers do not protest, number two. They don't complain. Look, when it comes to being a hard worker, you need to understand this. Don't complain, just work. And I would say this, don't compare, just work. Let's go to the New Testament. Go to Ephesians chapter 6. We saw these passages this morning, but we looked at a different verse this morning. I want you to see a different thing this evening. Ephesians chapter 6 in the New Testament, you have Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1st, 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians. Ephesians chapter 6. And look, what I'm telling you, I'm telling you this about the value thing. We ran our church, my wife and I started Verity Baptist Church in our living room 13 years ago. And when we started our church in our living room, with my family, with brother Ray and Miss Denise, you know, we started on time. I would get up and say, good evening, welcome to Verity Baptist Church tonight, let's take our, I mean exactly like we do right now. You say when you had five people on a Sunday night? Yeah, when we had five people on a Sunday night, we ran it like we had a hundred people. Because that's how it works. You need to be serious. And look, if you say I'm starting out in business, then run it like you're a multi-million dollar business. I'm not saying you have all the finances, I'm not saying, I'm just saying run it professionally. Put work into it and work hard at it. Hard workers get promoted. But secondly, I want to say this, hard workers do not protest. Here's something that I've noticed about workers, and they have a tendency to compare themselves. And there's two things that really, they don't make any sense. And if you think about it, if you separate yourself from the situation and you just think about it, I think you'll agree with me, these things do not make any sense. Here's something that workers have a tendency to do, and it is to compare and complain. Compare and complain. So here's what they'll do. They'll look at a guy who's not working, and they'll say so-and-so's not working, and maybe so-and-so's their boss, maybe so-and-so's their supervisor, maybe so-and-so's the manager. And they'll say so-and-so's not working, and here's what the average American worker thinks. They're not working, so I'm not going to work. Well, you're the one that's not going to get promoted then. Think about just like the work going on at the building, just a volunteer. Does it make any sense to say so-and-so's not working, so I'm going to stop showing up? So-and-so's not working, so I'm going to stop working. How does that make any sense? Okay, we already got one guy who's not working, so then you're going to make it worse by you not working? That doesn't make any sense. Do you understand what I'm saying? Here's what would make more sense. So-and-so's not working, so I'm going to work harder to make up for that guy if you actually cared about what's happening. It makes no sense to say so-and-so's not working, so I'll stop showing up until it's worth days, because so-and-so wasn't working. So you're just going to make it worse for us? You're just going to make it harder for those of us that actually are showing up and working? Look at Ephesians 6, look at verse 5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Notice these words, as unto Christ. Not with eye service as men-pleasers. There's so much eye service, I think, in work sometimes. Why are you looking around so much? Just put your head down and work. Why do you know what your boss is or isn't doing? Why don't you just put your head down and work? Not with eye service as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will, doing service. Don't miss it. As to the boss. Is that what it says? As to the manager. Is that what it says? I'm sorry, do you have a different Bible than I have? As to the Lord. And not to men. When you go to work, you work for God. You work for the Lord. You know what that means? That means that it doesn't matter what the other guy is or isn't doing. I'm not doing it for the other guy. Not to men, but to the Lord. When I show up to a work day, I'm there for the Lord. I'm not there for you or anyone else. I'm there for God. And if I'm there for God, then it doesn't matter what anybody else is doing. I'm there for God. So it makes no sense to say, well, the sirens are not working, so I'm going to stop trying to do those work days because those guys didn't talk too much. That makes no sense. It makes no sense. They're not helping, so I'm going to stop helping you. Because that will get the job done. How about, hey, I'm doing this for the Lord. It doesn't matter what anybody else is doing. And that's true at a work day, and that's true at your job. Go to Colossians 3, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. I'm just saying, look, separate yourself from the emotions and ask yourself, doesn't that not make any sense? If the goal is to get the job done, doesn't it make sense to say, well, other people aren't working, so I'm going to keep working and work hard? It doesn't make sense to say, other people aren't working, so I'm going to stop working, too. And then you wonder why you've been at the same position for however many years. Colossians 3, 22, servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God, and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, don't miss it, as to the Lord, and not unto men. So you've got to ask yourself this question. When you're working, who are you working for? And the answer is, the right answer is, it doesn't matter who, it doesn't matter where you're at. The right answer is, if you're a Christian and you're working, it's as unto the Lord. And if I'm working for the Lord, then it doesn't matter what the other guy is or isn't doing. It doesn't matter what the supervisor is or isn't doing. I don't need to be having eye service and being the work police and making sure, look, I'm here, they're for God. I agree, everybody should be working, I get that, I understand that, but the point is this, why are you there? And it should be for the Lord. So here are things that make no sense. People who say that because so-and-so's not working, I'm going to stop working. That doesn't make any sense. That's not even logical. That's dumb. What would make more sense is to say so-and-so's not working, so I'm going to work harder to make up for it. That would actually make sense. But let me just say this, we should not complain just work, and we should not compare just work. You know, and we've been talking a lot about it because we've been in the book of Numbers, and I hope you get the point from the Bible. God hates complaining. Let me let you in on a little secret. Complaining about complaining is still complaining. Some of you are going to take a little while to get that. Complaining about the complainers is complaining and doesn't make any sense. Those guys complain so much, you're complaining right now. Those guys, they just whine so much, you're whining right now. That makes no sense. You say, what does a hard worker do? He just works. He doesn't compare. He doesn't complain. He's not there for anybody else. I'm there for the Lord. I'm not trying to please anybody else. I'm not trying to impress anybody else. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. I'm there for God. And I just think it's funny when we take this high horse, we're complaining about the complainers, but you're complaining. It's like the people that are like, you guys are so judgmental. You're judging us right now. It makes no sense. And look, if you would just separate yourself from the emotions and look at it logically, you'd be like, yeah, that's the point. I'm complaining about the complainers. That doesn't really make any sense. I'm going to stop working because the other guy's not working. That doesn't make any sense. If you're doing it for the Lord, if you're doing it for the Lord, it wouldn't matter what the other guy's doing. If you're doing it for the Lord, it wouldn't matter what the other guy's saying. If you're doing it for the Lord, you'd only care what the Lord thought. Go to Genesis 41. The question is, are you doing it for the Lord? Genesis 41. So hard workers get promoted. Some of you are like, you need to stop working so hard on these sermons. You're making a little too much sense there. Genesis 41. Number one, hard workers get promoted. Number two, hard workers do not protest. Here's point number three, or point number seven, however you're looking at it. Hard workers provide. We can say it this way, hard workers get paid. How about that? I'm keeping up with the alliteration there. Genesis 41, look at verse 42. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand and arrayed himself in vestures of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had and they cried before him, bow the knee. And he made him a ruler over all the land of Egypt. Go to Genesis chapter 30. Look at verse 43. Genesis 30 and verse 43. Remember Jacob? So we see Joseph. Do you think Joseph got paid? It seems like he got a paycheck right then. He got a raise, he got a ring, he got a gold chain. I mean, he's getting paid. Look at verse 43, Genesis 30, verse 43. The man, this is Jacob, remember he worked hard, sleep, left his eyelids. He worked hard and Laban saying, just name your price. Genesis 30, 43. The man increased exceedingly and had much cattle and maidservants and menservants and camels and asses. Let me tell you something. The secret to making money, you ready? It's hard work. It's hard work. It's not a degree, it's hard work. It's not a business, it's hard work. Look, you can have a degree and not make good money. And you can have a degree and make great money. You say, what's the difference? Hard work. You can have a business and be bankrupt. You can have a business and make great money. What's the difference? Hard work. You understand what I'm saying? The difference is hard work. You say, I need money. I need to pay the bills. I need to get paid. Okay, here's the secret. Work hard. In all labor, there is profit. Let's go to Proverbs. Proverbs chapter 6. Did you keep replacing Proverbs? Proverbs 6. I got to finish this because it's getting into overtime now. I'm going to get time and a half or something. I'm not sure how that works. Proverbs 6. One day you guys will get my jokes. Proverbs 6. Look at verse 6. Proverbs 6. It's hard to laugh when you're so much conviction. Proverbs 6. Go to the ant. Proverbs 6. Go to the ant thou sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise. Having no guide, overseer, or ruler. Look at verse 8. Provideth her meat in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest. You know how hard workers, they get paid. Let me tell you something. At your job, the people that get paid the most, they're working hard. I mean, there's a psychopath out there who lies and cheats and steals and gets himself. I get that. But by and large, the people that make the most money in this world work hard. And you say, well, what about evil, wicked people out there and these billionaires? Let me tell you something. Those evil, wicked people out there and these billionaires out there, I'm not saying that we should strive to be like them or whatever, but even the wicked people, they still work pretty hard. There's just no way around it in this world. You want to make money? Work hard. Proverbs 10. Look at verse 4. Proverbs 10, verse 4. Proverbs 10, 4. The Bible says, he beceth poor. Look at what it says. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand. The term slack hand is like about being lazy. You ever heard of a slacker? What's a slacker? Someone doesn't try very hard. Well, the Bible says that's a recipe for being broke. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Look at Proverbs 12 and verse 11. Proverbs 12 and verse 11. Proverbs 12 and 11 says this, he that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. Look, instead of following a bunch of vain persons on YouTube, telling you how you're going to get rich without working hard and having a four-hour work week, why don't you just get out and till your land so you can be satisfied with bread? Because that's the actual secret to money. You need money? You need to pay your bills? Everybody needs to pay their bills. You say, how do I do it? That's the secret. Go to Proverbs 23. Proverbs 23. Now let me just say this. I'm not telling you that our goal should be to be rich. I'm not saying that. In fact, the Bible teaches against that. Proverbs 23 and verse 4 says this, labor not to be rich, cease from thine own wisdom. The Bible says that people who desire to be rich fall into a snare. They fall into a trap. So your goal should not be to labor to be rich. The love of money is the root of all evil. But let me just say this. When you work hard, you're going to have money. That's just how it is. And look, the love of money is the root of evil, not money. This is why Abraham was rich, Isaac was rich, Jacob was rich, Joseph was rich. I mean, all sorts of characters in the Bible were rich. But you know, your job should be to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul and all thy mind. Love God and go to work because you love God and work for God and work as unto the Lord and just put your head down and don't compare and don't complain and get to work and be a good worker and don't need to be super. And when you do all those things, you might find that God blesses you financially. That's just the way it goes. So hard workers get promoted and hard workers do not protest and hard workers provide. Let me just talk for a minute. Go to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, if you would, in the New Testament. You find the T-books, they're all clustered together, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. You go there and let me just talk for a minute to the young men in our church. I'm talking about young men, if you're a teen boy or in your early 20s or something like that, let me just talk to young men that are getting ready to go into the workforce because obviously our church has a lot of young men in it. Praise the Lord for it. I like the young men in our church. I think they're hard workers. I've seen them work at these work days and I'm impressed with them. But I want to give you young men some advice. If you're smart, you would listen to what I'm going to say to you because look, I'm trying to say these things to anyone that will listen, any young person that will listen to me and especially young men because we're talking about work right now. Let me just say this to you young men because you need to understand. These are things I've said to my sons and I'm trying to say it to all of you. I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to help you understand something. The odds in this world are stacked against you. We live in a society that is designed for a two-income household. That's just the way it is. The world that you and I live in is designed for a man to go to work and for him to send his wife to work. You say, why is the world designed that way? Because the devil hates the Bible. The Bible teaches that you young men should get married and you should provide for your wives and you should provide for your children and your wives should not have to go to work. But the devil has created this culture that lives on a two-income household. Here's what that means for you young men. You're going into a society, look, there was a time in our society back in the 40s and the 50s and the 60s and the 70s where a guy could literally go to work in a warehouse and make enough money to provide for a family. Those days are gone. And part of the reason those days are gone is because women went to work and there's just so many people in the workplace now. So look, when you're a young man who's going to get married and try to have a wife who stays home and homeschool your children, the odds are stacked against you. You literally have to go out there and make twice as much as the other guy. But it can happen. So how do you know? Because we have a church full of men that do that. We have a church full of men that make enough money. I'm not saying they're rich, I'm not saying they make enough money. They're living miracles. So look, you guys, you young men, just understand this. I'm going to get married when I'm 18. You go ahead and do that, idiot. I get married when I'm 18. Okay, but just understand this, just understand this. The moment you get married, the moment you get married, unless you're a mama's boy, unless you're a mama's boy and your mama's going to pay your bills, the moment you get married and nine months later you have a baby, now you're an 18-year-old kid who has to feed three people, four people if it's twins, five people two years from now. Do you understand what I'm saying? Say, what do I do? Listen to me, that's what you do. Say, what do I need to do? You young men, you, the minute you graduate high school, you need to get into a career. Listen to me, just please listen to what I'm telling you. You need to get into a career that takes years to become proficient in. You need to find a career. Look, if it's college, whatever, I don't necessarily recommend it, but if it's college, it's college, whatever it is. It doesn't matter what it is, but here's what I'm telling you. You need to get into some sort of a job that it requires three, four, five, six years before you become whatever it is that you're trying to be and you're fully paid and fully, you know, have the benefits or whatever. You need to find a job that takes years for you to get there. You say, why? Because those are the people of value. Those are the ones that get paid. If you can get trained to do it in two weeks, anyone can do it. You understand what I just said? If all it takes is a three-month certification, anyone can do that. Look, I don't even know if anybody in church has a three-month certification. I don't want anybody to say, look, I'm just saying. I'm talking to the young men. I'm trying to help them out a little bit. Before you've got three mouths to feed, understand something that you need to get yourself into a career that requires years of training, years of preparation, years of being under someone, years of whatever it is, before you get to that level where you're the journeyman, whatever it is, because those are the people that get paid. And look, the video game playing fools don't have the character to do that. They don't have the character to work that job and be consistent and work hard and go up that ladder. So look, you do whatever you want. You do you. But I'm just telling you, if you're smart, you'd listen to me. Go into a career that takes years for you to become proficient because otherwise you're going to be in a career that anyone can do. Now, let me say this to young men as well. Try to find something, obviously, that you enjoy, but you really need to consider earning ability and earning power. This whole dream that I want to do something that fulfills me and I'm just happy to go to work, look, at the end of the day, work is work. I want to work at a unicorn farm where we feed people. Look, it's work. I literally have my dream job, and I hate it sometimes. Can I just be honest with you? I'm doing what I love, and sometimes I'm just like, I got to write another sermon. I got to take another phone call. I got to talk to that guy again. Look, I'm just telling you, you should try to obviously find something that you like, something that you have an aptitude for, something that is not just the worst in the world. I'm not saying that, but I am saying this. There is no job out there that is just marshmallows and sprinkles all the time. It's work. Do you know why they're paying you? Because it's work. So find something that you enjoy, but you better find something that pays bills too. Do you know what these idiots are doing? I'm going to go to school and be an artist. I'm going to go to school and teach history. Well, you don't get paid for that. You don't get paid for that. Do you understand? I'm not making fun of you. I'm just saying, can we be real? Your children aren't going to get fed on you working your little dream job. So find something you enjoy, but you need to consider earning ability. You need to figure out, am I going into a career that's going to make me money? And if you're going to college, don't get into debt, and make sure you get a degree that's going to pay you something. Just realize that your job is to provide, and you need to make good money to be able to provide for your family. And look, your goal should be, you say, what should my goal be? Your goal should be to have a job that you can work hard at, that you can earn an honest living, that you can be valuable and secure in, so you can have the money to do what God has called you to do, which is to provide for your family and to serve God. That should be your goal. And let me just give you another piece of advice, guys. Because remember, if you're smart, you're going to hit the ground running once you graduate high school. And look, I've had this conversation with my sons. We've talked about this. I'm just trying to help you guys. If you're smart, you're going to hit the ground running when you graduate high school, and you're going to find a career. Obviously, you can search around and maybe do different things and take a few months and figure out what you like. But once you decide, this is what I'm doing, get yourself in some sort of program or some sort of way that you're going to do something that takes years to become proficient at, to become a certain skill level at. And look, here's what I'm telling you guys. You're going to get married. And look, my wife and I have talked about this. It's kind of not fair for a lot of young men today. You get married, and then everyone just wants to live the American dream. You have to have two cars, and you have to have a dog, and you have to have this, and you have to have that. You know what would be smart? You know if you're smart, you know what you'd do? You'd graduate high school. You'd decide, I'm not getting married until I'm 20. And you'd live at home until you got married. By the way, that's what the Bible says. And then you know what you could do for those two years, between 18 and 20, when you're not in high school anymore, but you're not living outside your parents' home, you know what you could do? You'd save up a whole lot of money. You'd buy a car, not a car that is cool. You'd buy a car that is functionable. You'd save up money. So that way when you walk down that aisle and say, I do, you actually have a car, you actually have some money in the bank, you actually have a plan, you're two years into a career that four years later you're going to be making $100,000 a year. Do you understand what I'm saying? Or do whatever you want. Go ahead and struggle. I'm not mad at you. I'm just trying to help you. Because people aren't having these conversations with their kids. They're just like, yeah, raise unicorns. Do what you want. No, that's stupid. Just get a liberal arts degree. That's dumb. Get a job. Get a job that's going to pay you something. And look, you grown men, God bless you. You say, I wish I would have heard that 10 years ago. Look, God bless you. But if you find yourself in some dead-end job, I'm not mad at you. You already have a wife. You already have kids. I get it. It's hard. But you know what you need to do is you can either decide I'm going to be in the same spot I find myself today five years from now or I can start working on myself and become valuable. And really, those are the guys that I'm kind of telling like, start a business, but work hard. But you need to get up every day and work, though. And if you can't do that, then do something else. But I'm just telling you, this doesn't just happen by accident. You have to plan for these things. And you have to be a hard worker is what the Bible says. Go to 1 Thessalonians 4. I'll finish up. Let me just show you a couple of passages. We'll be done. 1 Thessalonians 4, look at verse 11. 1 Thessalonians 4, 11. And that ye study to be quiet. I want you to know these words. And that ye study. And that ye study. This is a passage on working. You know, if you're going to be valuable, you might have to study. You might have to read something. You might have to take a course. I'm not saying a college course. I'm saying you might have to learn something. And that ye study to be quiet. No complaining, no comparing. And to do your own business and to work with your own hands as we commanded you. That ye walk honestly. Not lying, not stealing, not drug dealing. That ye walk honestly toward them that are without. Notice it. And that ye may have lack of nothing. This is God's plan for success. You want to not lack anything? Study, shut your mouth, and work. 2 Thessalonians 3. Let me give you another one. We'll finish up. 2 Thessalonians 3. Look at verse 10. 2 Thessalonians 3 and verse 10. Look, do whatever you want. I'm your pastor. I love you. I'll be here for you. But you can save yourself a lot of heartache, especially you young men. And my heart goes out to you because the odds are stacked against you. I get that. So I'm just trying to help you open your eyes and realize, oh, but we're in love. You're an idiot. You're not going to be that in love when you're struggling financially and just hating life. So maybe put a break on it for two years and save up some money and actually get a job. Or do whatever you want. 2 Thessalonians 3. Look at verse 10. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. That's what the Bible says. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all but our busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. You say, how do we make it in this world financially? You work hard. You stop complaining. You stop comparing. You stop saying, well, that doesn't work. No, no, no. You just quiet. Do it unto the Lord. Study. Work hard. And watch God prosper you. Let's bow our heads and have a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord, we love you. Lord, I pray that you would help us, all of us, to be hard workers. Lord, help me to be a hardworking pastor. We all have different jobs. We work in different capacities and do different things. Lord, I pray you'd help us. I pray you'd help us all to just determine, I'm going to be a hard worker. I'm going to work hard. And I know that financially, the economy, things can get difficult and hard. But help us to be like Joseph and just overcome, persevere through difficultness, and just work hard. I pray, Lord, that you'd help us to be a hardworking church. In the matchless name of Christ, we pray. Amen. We're going to have Brother RJ come up and lead us in a final song. I just want to remind you a couple of things. First of all, I just want to remind you that, of course, this week is Thanksgiving. So this Wednesday is our Pie Social, our annual Pie Social. So just make sure that you don't forget about that. And if you can, please bring a dish to share. If you could bring a pie, you know, bake a pie, buy a pie, do whatever you need to do. And then after the service, we'll have a time of fellowship with Pie in the service. And, of course, Thanksgiving is on Thursday. There is a turkey bowl if you'd like to be a part of that. Also, no workdays this week, no workdays Thursday or Friday. We're taking Thanksgiving off. But we're going to start working again next week, and we could use some hard workers. So we'd appreciate your help with that. And, of course, if there's anything we can do for you, please let us know. If you would not mind looking around your area, making sure everything's kind of cleaned up and put away any mess that your kids might have made. And, of course, my wife and I, we pray for you. We love you. And we're here for you if you need anything. And we just hope that you know that. Why, Brother R.J., come up and lead us in the final song at this time. Amen. Let's grab our songbooks and turn to page number 255. Song number 255. We'll end the service with Amandine. Song number 255. Sing it out on the first. Jesus has a table spread where the saints of God are fed. He invites His chosen people, come and dine. With His manna He doth be in the surprise of every need. Don't be sweet to struggle in Jesus all the time. Come and dine, the master, call it, come and dine. You may feast in Jesus' table all the time. He holds ebb and won't teach you, turn the water into wine. Do the hungry, call it now, come and dine. Song number 255 on the second. The disciples came to land, thus obeying Christ. But men rode the masterful unto them, come and dine. They then found their horses high, setting fish upon the fire. Thus He satisfies the hungry every time. Come and dine, the master, call it, come and dine. You may feast in Jesus' table all the time. He holds ebb and won't teach you, turn the water into wine. Do the hungry, call it now, come and dine. Sing it out on the last. Soon the lamb will take his bride to be ever at his side. Heaven with a simple beat. Lords will be a glorious sight. All the saints and fathers white. And with Jesus they will feast eternally. Come and dine, the master, call it, come and dine. You may feast in Jesus' table all the time. He holds ebb and won't teach you, turn the water into wine. Do the hungry, call it now, come and dine. Amen. Great seeing if anyone here has questions about salvation, baptism, or church membership, pastor will be at the door. We'd love to talk to you, direct you to someone who is trained to do that as well. Brother Matt, would you dismiss us with your word of prayer? Heavenly Father, Father, we thank you for coming. In the name of Jesus, Lord, I pray that you all will take up the heart, and that we all get to work, and that may be the gospel, Lord, and may you keep your faith in the name of the Lord, Jesus, Lord Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen.