In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of diligently adding virtues to one's faith. He references 2nd Peter chapter 1, specifically focusing on verses 5-7. The qualities to be added include virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. The speaker encourages believers to possess these qualities in increasing measure, as they will prevent them from being unfruitful in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sermon also highlights the significance of serving the Lord faithfully and being fully devoted to Him, using examples of individuals who have made sacrifices for their faith.

So we're going to continue. We're in Acts chapter 2 and if you'll turn to verse 42. Acts 2, 42 reads this. Of course we're talking about the time right after Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost when it says that the people he spoke to were cut to the heart and they asked what they should do and he told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. And then they were baptized. He had also told them to save themselves from this corrupt generation. Then it said last week we talked about how those who gladly received the word were baptized and that day about 3,000 souls were added to them. And so then in verse 42 today we come to this statement and they, being the ones that had been baptized, they continued, it says, steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and in the fellowship and in the breaking of bread and in prayers. And I want to just look at that one phrase today, they continued steadfastly. And I want to talk about the dynamic difference devotion makes. This word for they continued steadfastly comes from a combination Greek word. The root idea of it is to be strong or fortified and toward. It's a combination word. So in other words it's to be strong towards something. Strongs who wrote the Strong's Analytical Concordance gave this description of the word. It says it's to be earnest towards, to persevere towards, to be constantly diligent, to adhere to, to give oneself continually toward. So after these believers were baptized, these 3,000, what they did is they constantly fortified themselves towards the apostles' teaching. And that's really what made the difference in their lives. I'm not even 50 years old yet and yet I've had enough experience to know that those people who progress well in their spiritual life are not an accident. There's not a difference in how people are born again. Some are not born again with just greater spiritual genes than others. The critical factor in spiritual growth and spiritual fruitfulness is diligence. It's how you strengthen yourself towards the apostles' teaching. And I want to give an example of that. Just several examples from the Old and New Testament. Joshua. Turn in your Bibles to the book of Exodus. And out of the blue, Joshua's name appears here in Exodus 17. No mention of him beforehand. If you have one of these Bible search engine programs, you can check this out. You can type in the name Joshua and the first place it'll appear is in the book of Exodus 17. When all of a sudden, the Israelites are preparing for a battle the next day and Moses chooses Joshua. Here in Joshua 17, look at verse 9. It says, And the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands. Well, why Joshua? Where'd he come from? Why did Moses just turn around and say, You, Joshua, you go and you take some of the men. You lead us in this battle. Well, we have to look a little bit if we're going to find this. Turn in, if you're still in Exodus, turn in chapter 24. Exodus 24, find verse 13. What do you notice in verse 13? It says, Then Moses set out with Joshua, his what? His aid. Actually, the Hebrew word here means his personal attendant, his servant. You know, it's no accident, and I've seen this, that those people who do well in their spiritual life are those who want to be around a man of God. They want to be close to them. They want to be near those who have wisdom. You don't have to hunt them down. You don't have to talk to them about being in church. You don't have to talk to them about reading the Bible. When they want to experience God, they find a person who knows God, and they are with them. Joshua had attached himself to Moses as his personal attendant. And I think he's a smart man. Moses was the closest person to God at this time, and Joshua wanted to be as near as he could get. We also know this by looking at the same book of Exodus, chapter 33. Exodus 33. Find verse 11. Okay. In verse 11 of chapter 33, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend, and then Moses would return to the camp. But his young aide or servant, Joshua, did not leave the tent. Now, he's a young man. Now, what do you young men, what would y'all want to be doing? Would you want to be standing at the tent of God? Well, if you loved God, you would. If God were your interest, you would. This young man, Joshua, had such an interest in being near God. That's the reason Moses said, Joshua, you lead the men. No accident. His devotion to God made his selection possible. You know, the Bible says, many are called, but few are chosen. Well, the Lord knows whose hearts are devoted to Him. And Joshua showed himself to be devoted to the Lord. Do you remember the instance when the people of Israel grumbled against the Lord, did not want to go into the land of Canaan because they said the giants were too big? Do you remember there was two men out of 603,050 men over 20 years old, two of those, two out of 603,050. Two of them were said by the Lord to have a different spirit. Joshua was one of these. The Lord said of Joshua, he hath a different spirit, he hath followed me fully. It's no accident that Joshua is chosen because his devotion to the Lord is intensely different than those around him. Devotion makes a dynamic difference in a life. And you will see some men prosper in the Lord because they devote themselves fully to pleasing the Lord while others don't make that kind of progress. And the difference is their devotion. It's interesting, it says in the Greek version of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint, it's interesting, turn in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 16, and the same Greek word is used of Joshua that Jesus uses of those who are going to be his disciples. The Lord said of Joshua, Joshua son of Nun, he hath a different spirit, he hath followed me fully. And the Greek word for followed, fully, is found here in Matthew chapter 16, look at verse 24. And then Jesus said to his disciples, if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. Joshua had followed the Lord. He followed the Lord fully and Jesus uses this same Greek word that says if you really want to be a disciple, here is the basis of it, you follow me fully. Joshua did, Joshua gave himself to this level of devotion and he was used mightily of the Lord. Not an accident. Let's look at another man. I want to use two examples from the Old Testament and then several from the New. Elisha. Well, if you did the same thing with the Bible search engine and you type in the name Elisha, not Elijah, there's two similar prophets. Elijah came first. The famous confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel was Elijah. But there came a prophet after him named Elisha. In the first place Elisha appears in the scripture is in 1 Kings 19. Let's turn there together. Let's take a peek at his life. 1 Kings chapter 19. When you get to chapter 19 find verse 16. And we'll read that together. It says, This is during the Lord's instructions to Elijah. Also anoint Jehu son of Nebshi king over Israel and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel, Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death those who escape the sword of Hazael and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve 7,000 in Israel all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him. Now, why does the Lord just tell Elijah, I want you to go and anoint Elisha? Is it just a random choice? Does God just make random choices? Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, pick a prophet by his toe. Pew. Spin the dial, let's send him to Elisha. No, God doesn't make those kind of decisions. When God chooses someone, there's a reason. He chose David to be the king after Saul. Because he said, I have chosen David, son of Jesse, to be king. He is a man after my own heart. He will do all my will. There's a reason he was chosen. There's a reason Elisha was chosen and we can see it. It won't take us long to figure out why. Look in verses 19 and 20. This tells about when it actually happened. Elijah goes and he finds Elisha. Here in verse 19. So Elijah went down from there and found Elisha, son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Have you figured that out? There's twelve yoke of oxen going on here. And he is driving one of the pair. Fairly well off. To have twelve yoke of oxen plowing a field, you could tear up some ground. He is driving the twelfth team himself. And here Elijah shows up. And Elijah went up to him, threw his cloak around him, and Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. And then it says, he said, Elijah, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye. He said, and then I will come with you. Go back, Elijah said. What have I done to you? Elijah said, not me. I was told to come here, wrap my cloak around you, do what you do. Well, so Elisha left him and went back. And he took his yoke of oxen and he slaughtered them. And he burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people and they ate. And then he set out to do what? Follow. Same word. Same word. He set out to follow Elisha. Now, do you think he planned to go back? Jacob thinks so. I don't know, Jacob. You can tell how good Jacob's become a very good listener over here. I mean, y'all have seen progress, haven't you? And little Jacob. His parents are working. No, Jacob. He burned. He slaughtered the oxen and he burned the yoke and the plow. He had no intention of going back. He left it all. Sounds like a group of fishermen who dropped their nets, didn't they? And walked and followed. And it's no accident. That's not the whole story. This person, when he had opportunity to give himself to the Lord, he gave himself fully. He had another opportunity that comes up. And I want you to turn with me to 2 Kings. We have to go to the next book. Next book of Kings to find it. 2 Kings chapter 2. And you'll get another peek into Elisha's heart. Elijah is about to be taken to heaven. And Elisha gets wind of it. And here in 2 Kings chapter 2, verse 2. Elisha. Elijah said to Elisha, Stay here. The Lord has sent me to Bethel. But look at what Elisha said. As surely as the Lord lives and you live, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel. Well, in verse 4, it happens again. Then Elijah said to him, on another occasion, Stay here, Elisha. The Lord has sent me to Jericho. And here's Elisha's reply. As surely as the Lord lives and you live, I will not leave you. So they went to Jericho. Well, it happens again. In verse 6, the third time. Then Elijah said to him, Stay here. The Lord has sent me to Jordan. And he replied, As surely as the Lord lives and you live, I will not leave you. Three times he's told, Hey, you can stay here, I'm going here. Three times he said, I won't let you out of my sight once. I am here to follow you. So what happens? You remember the story? Because of his diligence and he is so set to be near the man of God and do what he's called to do, the Lord sends down from heaven a fiery chariot, and Elijah is taken up. Well, and before that happens, at this time, look after verse 6. I don't want to forget this part. Elijah finally asked him, after he cannot get Elisha to separate from him, in verse 9, Elijah said to Elisha, Tell me, what can I do for you before I'm taken from you? What do you think Elisha is interested in? Elisha is interested in being used of God. And a person being interested in being used of God has pretty intense requests. I want a double portion of your spirit. Grant me to have a double portion of your spirit. Elijah said, Well, you've asked a difficult thing, yet if you see me when I'm taken from you, it will be yours, otherwise not. Well, did it happen? Yes. Because of Elisha's diligence, he saw Elisha taken up, picked up Elijah's mantle that had fallen down, rolled it up, walked back to the Jordan that they had just crossed, slapped the water with it, the water parted, he walked across, and everyone knew that the same spirit and power that was upon Elijah was now upon Elisha. And it was on him because of his devotion. Devotion makes a dynamic difference. It's not something overlooked by God. It's what separates the men from the boys, really, spiritually. What about the New Testament? That's the Old Testament. What about some examples in the New Testament? Well, I'll ask you a simple question. What are the most common names of the disciples? When I say the disciples, who comes to your mind first? Okay, we have some different answers. Maybe there's not an absolute common. I think most people would say Peter, James, and John. Why is that? Why do most people say Peter, James, and John? Well, first of all, other than one mention in the book of Acts, are there any other apostles' names mentioned in the whole book of Acts other than Peter, James, and John? Yeah, he's later. We have to save him. No, there's not. You know, James is a quick in and quick out. Of course, I'll give you a hint why that is here in a minute. But to tell you a little bit about these guys, do you think that they were possibly the most popular disciples because they were the most intensely devoted of the disciples? Is that possible? You know, Jesus himself gave James and John nicknames. It says he surnamed them. That's what the King James says. Well, a surname means that Jesus called them a name other than by their name. Do you remember what he called them? Sons of Thunder. They must have been Type 8 personalities, you know. Actually, these were intense. How do you know they're intense? Well, you know, they had just got through. Jesus had just got through instructing his disciples and sending them out and telling them, you know, if a place doesn't welcome you, walk out to the edge of the city and take your shoes off, you know. If they don't receive your message, shake the dust off, you know. I tell you the truth, it'll be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah for that city. Well, they learned that lesson well. There was a city in Samaritan that Jesus was headed toward Jerusalem, but the city didn't want Jesus to pass through. And James and John got wind of it, so they came to Jesus and said, Hey, they won't let us through? You want us to call down fire from heaven? We'll take care of these guys. Well, you have to be sensitive. I mean, Jesus did rebuke them and said, You know, you don't know what spirit you are of, but let me tell you, there is something about their devotion. They insult our Master. They don't want to let the Lord through. Why do they deserve to live? They were intense. And they were chosen for a reason. There's also something they're famous for. I don't think we should fault them for it that much. Where did they want to be? They wanted to be one on the right, one on the left. That's where I want to be? I want to be as close to my Lord as possible. It bent the other disciples out of shape. Jesus did not give them that big of a rebuke. He just said, If you want to be great in God's kingdom, learn to be the servant of all. These men were intense. But you don't hear much more about James in the book of Acts. You know why you don't hear about James in the book of Acts? And I don't believe it's any accident, he was the first one dead. You know why? I believe he was the first one out there preaching the gospel. He was probably so intense they couldn't handle it. He was the first gone. First one killed. Tradition says they threw him off the top of the temple and then beheaded him. The Bible just mentions that he was beheaded. In and out. A fire of God burned in his heart. You know about Peter and John, though. What's something else that kind of tells of their intensity? The intensity of their devotion? What about after the crucifixion? Several days after the crucifixion, Sunday morning, they come back and they hear a report that the tomb's empty. All the disciples were there. All the disciples, the women come back and tell them the tomb's empty. What's the rest of the story? Who takes off running? Peter and John take off running. It's no accident. You see, the man whose heart is bent to devote himself to the Lord is just different from other men. Devotion makes a dynamic difference. It does. No accident. You know, we can laugh at Peter, make fun of Peter. I think we can all empathize with Peter. Peter said, even if everyone else denies you, I won't deny you. Well, he wasn't strong enough. But what happened in the garden? Did Peter show his devotion to the Lord in the garden? He was the only one who took a sword and swung at least once. All the others ran. Peter swung and then ran. Jesus told him to put up the sword. What was he going to do? He was a man like that. But his heart burned. And you know what? I'll honestly tell you, this is the honest truth. And I think most of you know this. You let a man get intense about the Lord and people are uncomfortable around that man. They're just awkward. People have a way, whether verbally or subtly, saying, don't you think you're carrying this a little too far? Don't you think you're just a little bit too intense with him? You know what? For most people it is too intense. But those who are the most devoted make the most dynamic difference. And they're not ordinary men. And there was one other. The last one I want to talk about was one Steve mentioned, Paul. Why Paul? You would think of any person to pick as one of the 13 letters. You realize more of Paul's letters are in the New Testament than anyone else. 13 of the 26 letters in the New Testament came from Paul. That's half the New Testament. Why? Why Paul? Another one of those eeny, meeny, miny, moe choices of God? Or did God see something in Paul? Let's look at Paul's own words. Turn to 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy chapter 1. Would you find chapter 1 of 1 Timothy? Then look at verses 12 through 16. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me faithful. Why did Jesus consider Paul faithful? Appointing me to his service, even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man. I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. Now Paul's describing himself as a blasphemer and an ignorant and a violent man. Don't misunderstand him. He was no sailor. Blasphemer means to speak against. What did Paul speak against? He spoke against the Christians because he thought they were advocating a different God. So he spoke against them in defense of what he was convinced of. And he was a violent man. What does it mean? He went and literally arrested Christians and had them thrown in prison. Why? Because he believed they were a cult and he believed that he needed to rid the Jewish world of the danger of them. He was so intent on wiping them out that he got letters from the high priest. He even chased them to other cities. And you know what God considered him? Faithful. Faithful to what he believed and intensely committed to following through with what he believed. Thirteen of his letters are in the New Testament. Let's look at Paul's heart one other place. Turn to Acts chapter 20. It's not an accident that half of our New Testament comes from this apostle personally chosen by the Lord Jesus. Acts chapter 20 verses 22 through 24. Paul was talking to a gathering of the Ephesian elders and they had realized that it was going to be the last time they saw him. And so he says in verse 22, And what's his response to knowing that in every single city change and tribulations awaits him? What does he say? None of these things move me. Neither do I count my life dear to myself. Chains don't move me. Tribulations don't move me. I don't even count my life dear to me except for one thing. That I may finish that which the Lord has appointed me to do. I want to finish the race with joy. And the ministry I receive from the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. It's no accident. He was chosen. Turn with me real quick just to wrap this up. Just a couple more verses into 2 Peter. Let's summarize this and find a personal application of it. 2 Peter chapter 1. And we spoke about this before. Verses 5. The first five verses of 1 Peter speak of this. But I want to talk from verse 5 on. But also for this very reason giving all diligence add to your faith virtue. The virtue knowledge. The knowledge self-control. Self-control perseverance. Perseverance godliness. And the godliness brotherly kindness. And the brotherly kindness love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure. If they abound in you. Then they will keep you from being barren and unfruitful in your knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But he who lacks these things. He's short sighted. Even to blindness. And he's forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. You see a person. The key to having these spiritual qualities abounding in you. Is diligence. And I've mentioned this before that the Greek word for diligence is where we get our English word from speed. They are very quick to fully devote themselves. To gaining everything they need to be a fruitful servant in the Lord's eyes. Now one other two other scriptures. Book of Romans chapter 12. The book of Romans chapter 12 verses 11 and 12. The word diligent and its opposite is found here in these verses in Romans chapter 12. This is Paul's instructions to all of us. Romans 12 verses 11 and 12 says this. Do not be lagging in diligence. And the Greek idea for lagging is don't be falling behind in being diligent. But be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Continuing steadfast. There's a very same phrase that used of those that continued steadfast in the apostles teaching. This is that same word. Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Continuing steadfast in prayer. But Paul tells all Christians don't be lacking in the speed of diligently devoting yourself to the Lord. Don't be slothful. The Greek word for slothful is akneros. And it has the idea of sluggish, unprofitable, not diligent. It's also found in one other place. You remember where it's found slothful? Can you think of a place where Jesus described a servant as slothful? In the parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25. You remember after the first servant went out and said, Master, the five talents you gave me, see they've gained five more. What did Jesus say to him? Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou have been faithful in a few things, you shall be made master over much. The servant who he had given two talents to brought back and said, Lord, the two talents you gave me, they produced two more. He said, good and faithful servant. Thou have been faithful in a few things, you shall be made master over much. And the third servant came to him and said, Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you do not sow and reaping where you haven't sown. And so I took your money and I hid it in the ground and here's your talent again. You can have it back. And what did Jesus say to this particular servant? He said, wicked first and what second? Slothful. Wicked and slothful. Do you realize that? It's not just, devotion is not just the dynamic difference. Devotion is the real evidence of the love for God. You are as devoted, you love God as much as you're devoted to Him. And you know what? Everybody here understands what devotion is. Now, for example, let's be real honest. How much devotion does it take to attend church once a week? When you go to work five. How many rewards should we pass out for just showing up? You know, a lot of people that, there's some older men here, you work with people. A lot of you know that just because you work for a company does not mean you're devoted to your job. How do the bosses at work know who's devoted and who doesn't? Who's not? They know. And they know by watching the actions of those they're looking over. You know, the Lord knows how devoted we are. He can't hide that. And I, for one, am just going to be honest. It's not very difficult to come to church one day a week and be here a couple hours. I don't think God's going to pass out very many rewards for that. Devotion had better go far beyond that. If we expect to be rewarded and welcomed by the Lord in heaven. You know how the, an hour and a half, actually two and a half hours. You know how much almost two and a half hours is in a day? That's about ten percent of one day. That's all it is. Ten percent of one day is not, cannot equate to giving all. And I just want to encourage us to take a deep look and examine ourselves. I'm grateful and I know that there are many people here who serve the Lord far beyond these doors. And that's what we need to be doing. We need to be serving the Lord gladly. Day in, day out. Whether your ministry is sending cards to people, buying supplies, calling on people. I know there are families here who call on others when they're sick. They're always aware of what's going on in their neighborhood. They make visits. For some of you families, you spend nearly several evenings every month at a visitation and a funeral home, don't you? Because you are devoted, you're devoted to your friends. And the Lord sees that and He will reward that. The Lord knows who are fully devoted to Him. And that's the reason it makes a real difference in your life. You know, at the end of this parable, and we finish with this. After Jesus said, that wicked and swathful servant. You know, you knew I was a hard man, did you? Well then why didn't you at least take my money and put it in the bank so I could have had it back with interest? Then He said something to the servants around. And this is something that really nails home the spiritual dynamics of being devoted to Christ. He said, what did He say? He said, take the talent from Him and give it to who? Who? Yeah, He didn't just say, give it to one of the other two. Randy pointed out quite correctly, He said, give it to the one who has ten. And they said, Lord, he already has ten. He said, to him who has, he shall be given more. And he will have an abundance. But to him who has not, even that which he thinks he has shall be what? Taken from him. Was Jesus saying that where you and I are going to be in our spiritual life will directly be a result of the amount of devotion we render unto Him? Undeniably, yes. And those who are the most devoted receive the most. There is no equality in God in that way. To whom much is given, much is required. To him who has, more shall be given. Because Jesus said it one other way in one other place. He said, it's with the measure ye meet, what? That's what will be measured to you. The servant who had ten ended up with eleven. Who's going to get your and my talent? God will get His work accomplished. Is that clear? Do you understand that? I'm not trying to get workers in the church. God will get His work accomplished. Jesus said, when He was coming to Jerusalem and all the people were praising Him, and the Pharisees didn't like it, they said to Him, Lord, command your servants to stop. What did He say? I say, if they stop, the stones will cry out. God can get stones to testify. So, accomplishing His work is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about how are you or I going to be involved. Who misses out if we're not devoted? God will have a kingdom. God will have His church, and God will overcome in the end. But we're the ones that miss out when we're not devoted. I don't want you to miss out. To whom? He who has a lot, He'll be given more. So, let's just, this principle. Why did these early Christians so prosper? Because of how they devoted themselves. What did I say they did initially? They fortified themselves towards the Apostles' teaching. They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching. And they had dynamic lives, as you'll find. Let's pray. Lord, You're the searcher of all hearts. You know the levels of our devotion. You know what we cherish. You know the degree we cherish Your Word. You know the degree we cherish intimate time with You. Because it says, Nothing is hidden from You, the eyes of whom we must give account. All things are laid bare before You. And what we're asking for this morning, Lord, We approach Your throne of grace. We want to receive mercy. Would You stir the fire within us? If we have been lacking, then forgive us and purify us. Cleanse us from things that have hindered us, that have taken away, anything that has cooled the fire of devotion. And fan into flame, like Paul told Timothy. Lord, would You fan into flame the gift that's in us? And give us the ability to walk with an intense fire of devotion towards You. And yet, at the same time, meekness and understanding and wisdom towards men. I don't quite understand how to do that, Father. I acknowledge before all these people, I acknowledge before You, when I'm intense, people scatter. They don't know what to deal with me. I don't fully know how it's supposed to look, Lord. But I fear much more becoming lukewarm than I feel being full of fire. I know how You said You feel about lukewarm devotion. It makes you sick. And God, would You spare any person here from being one of those who make you sick? And would You help renew us, that we would serve You in a manner that is worthy of Your great name. And devote ourselves to You in a measure like You devoted Yourself to us. Help us grow in devotion. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Let's devote ourselves. And I think you'll see, from history even, you know when the Lord moved in great awakenings and stirrings and revivals? It's when people devoted themselves. They devoted themselves. They began to have intense times of prayer. They intentionally witnessed. They intentionally longed to see the Lord. And guess what? Christianity looked again like the early church. And it's happened many times throughout the centuries. Great missions, you know. A guy named C.T. Studd. Famous English cricketeer. They said one of the greatest cricketeers of all time. Right in the middle of... Came to know Christ. What did he decide to do? This isn't worth it. This is a game. I'm going to China. He went to China and with several months he was dead. What do you think his reward will be in heaven? I think he'd make much more in heaven than he would have ever made as a cricketeer. Jim Elliot. Do you remember the story of Jim Elliot? The Alkanians? Jim Elliot said this. He who is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. We need some young men. Any young men volunteer to be Joshua's? You know what I mean? Be a Joshua. Don't leave the tent. Find a man of God and as often as you can be be at his side. Be at his side. Persevere. I can just tell you as a church. It doesn't work. I can hound you. I can call you every day. I can, you know, put pressure on you. Convict you with sermons and things like that. It doesn't work. You don't have to do that to a man who God has touched their heart. You have to usually tell him, Look, you can't come to everything. You need to stay home now and then. I mean, they are intense. They seek. Let's have some more of those in here. Intense seekers of the Lord. Alright, we're dismissed.