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[0:00] I had originally planned to preach a message entitled, Times of Refreshing, but I was spending time with the Lord on Friday morning and just reading my Bible and I felt like the Lord began to highlight some things to me and kind of shift the direction I was going in.

[0:22] If you remember a couple of weeks ago, I preached a two-part series entitled, Grow Up. Did anybody enjoy that, receive anything from that? Praise God.

[0:35] As I was reading, I feel like God showed me something that would be a part three to that series and it wasn't my intentions or my plan to do that, but it kind of worked out that way.

[0:48] And the first two parts, the first one was, does your character match your calling? The second one was, a slave to the master. And today, I'm going to start with the same scripture that we started in that series with.

[1:03] Galatians 4, the first two verses, verses 1 and 2. And the Word of God says this, Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, in other words, as long as he remains childish, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all.

[1:26] This tells me that you can be master by inheritance, but slave by maturity level. God can have a magnificent inheritance for you, but your maturity level keeps you at the level of a slave.

[1:45] Verse 2 says, Go with me now to Matthew chapter 26.

[1:58] I'm going to read these verses and then we'll pray. Matthew chapter 26. Matthew 26, verses 14 through 16.

[2:10] If you've got it, say amen. Amen. This is what it says. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?

[2:31] And they counted out to him 30 pieces of silver. So from that time, he sought opportunity to betray him.

[2:43] What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you? They counted out to him 30 pieces of silver. And from that time, he sought opportunity to betray him.

[2:56] Let's pray. Father, in Jesus' name, I thank you for this word that I believe you've given me for your people. I pray, God, that our hearts would be open, that our minds would be attentive.

[3:11] I thank you, God, for your peace, which surpasses all understanding. I pray that you would have your way in our hearts this morning. May we surrender and respond to your drawing.

[3:25] Let this be an on-time word for your people. In Jesus' name. And everyone said, amen. Amen. So in the verses that I just read you, we see that Judas was willing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

[3:46] I'm sure you've heard that story, many of you, before. He was willing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

[3:56] As I read that the other morning, the Lord showed me something that I had never known before. And maybe you've heard this, maybe you haven't. But I want to pull this point out of this verse, of this story today.

[4:10] So one piece of silver, and he got 30. But one piece of silver was worth about 64 cents.

[4:21] And that makes, if you're a mathematician in here, that makes 30 pieces of silver worth about $19.20. What I did not know is that $19.20, or 30 pieces of silver, or 30 pieces of silver, in those days was the price of a slave.

[4:45] 30 pieces of silver, 30 pieces of silver, 30 pieces of silver. If you want to fact check that, that's Exodus 21, verse 32.

[4:57] Exodus 21, verse 32. So Judas was willing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which again was the price of a slave.

[5:09] So it begs this question. Was Judas willing to betray his master so that he could become his own master?

[5:24] He received 30 pieces of silver. So it begs the question, did he himself want to become a master instead of following the master?

[5:37] You see what I'm saying? He betrayed someone eternal for something temporary.

[5:48] I used to think it was about money. He betrayed Jesus for some money. But I'm starting to think that he betrayed Jesus because he had some power issues. Because he had a power struggle.

[6:01] Because he didn't know how to submit. He didn't want to be led. He wanted to lead. He didn't want to follow his master. He wanted others to follow him.

[6:14] He didn't know how to surrender. He didn't know how to submit. He didn't know how to follow his Lord. He compromised his integrity.

[6:27] He compromised his integrity. He compromised his walk with the Lord. And I want to tell you this this morning. That one who is willing to walk away from Jesus in order to become a master in other people's eyes is even more of a slave to sin than they were when they first began.

[6:52] Go now to 2 Peter chapter 2. I'm going to read a lot of scripture to you this morning. But I don't apologize for that. Because what is preaching without the Bible?

[7:05] 2 Peter chapter 2. Starting at verse 18. I'm going to read through verse 22. It says, It says,

[9:13] People to follow them on the outside. But often times they're bound internally. There are some internal chains on the inside. Galatians chapter 5 and verse 1 says this, Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.

[9:36] And do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.

[9:49] And do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. If you go down to verse 13 of that same chapter. Galatians chapter 5. It says, For you brethren have been called to liberty.

[10:03] Been called to freedom. Only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh. Well, God will forgive me so I can do it.

[10:13] God will give me grace. So he's alright if I do it. The Bible says, Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. Absolutely not.

[10:25] And then it goes on to say in verse 14. Excuse me, verse 13. You've been called to liberty. Don't use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh. But through love serve one another.

[10:36] For all of the law is fulfilled in one word. Even in this. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another.

[10:50] Beware lest you be consumed. By one another. I want to read another verse to you. 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 16. It says, As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice.

[11:06] But as bondservants of God. God has set you free if you've been born again. But you don't use that liberty as an opportunity for your flesh. As an opportunity to do anything that you want.

[11:19] Just because God will forgive you. Because who do we think that we are to take advantage of the forgiveness of God? Who do we think that we are that we can take advantage of the grace of a holy God?

[11:33] See, you can either be a slave to sin. Or you can be a slave to Christ. One will set you free and the other will keep you bound.

[11:45] God has called all of us to be in submission to Him. The Bible says in Romans chapter 6 verses 20 through 22. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

[12:02] When you didn't know the truth, there was no obligation to obey the truth. But now that you know the truth, you know better.

[12:12] I preached a sermon a few months ago. I know too much. And now that I know the word of God, I have an obligation to walk in His word and walk in His will.

[12:23] When you didn't know it, you didn't have to obey it. But now that you've heard the gospel. Now that you've heard the truth of His word. You have an obligation from God to walk in it.

[12:36] See, God is only obligated to deal with you one time. Any time after that is just grace. God is only obligated to deal with us.

[12:48] To deal with our heart one time. And if He deals with you again, He's showing you grace. Amen. Verse 21. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?

[13:02] For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin. And having become slaves of God. You have your fruit to holiness.

[13:14] And the end everlasting life. Again, you can be a slave to sin. Or you can be a slave to God. One sets you free.

[13:25] And the other keeps you bound. I want to tell you this morning. That the most freeing thing that you will ever experience.

[13:36] Is when you become a slave to the master. The most freeing thing you will ever encounter in your lifetime. Is when you surrender to Christ.

[13:48] And become a slave to the master. And it almost sounds contradictory. If you think about it with your natural mind. Because to be a slave, you think bound.

[13:59] You think that I'm in chains. But when you become a slave to Christ. You will have more freedom than you've ever encountered. And ever experienced in your life. Because whom the Son sets free.

[14:10] Is free indeed. And a lot of us, we get into this mindset. Especially if you've not yet surrendered to the Lord. You think.

[14:21] Even if you don't say this out loud. You think things like. Well, I don't want to surrender to Christ yet. Because I won't get to have fun anymore. But I want to tell you. That you might not get to have fun anymore.

[14:34] But you'll have a joy that you've never experienced. You'll have a peace. Which surpasses all understanding. You'll have a peace that surpasses your natural understanding.

[14:46] But you might not get to have your temporary pleasure. But you'll get an eternal joy. That you can't get without Christ. That you can't get without a relationship with the Lord.

[14:58] I tell the young people all the time. That you are not missing out on what the world has to offer. The world is missing out on what you have to offer. And what you have to offer is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

[15:13] Somebody say amen. Amen. I want to tell you that fulfillment is better than fun. Fulfillment is better than fun.

[15:26] Purpose is better than pleasure. It might give you happiness in the moment. But it can't give you joy eternally. That sin you're struggling with.

[15:38] It's fun for a moment. But it leaves you empty when that feeling is gone. It leaves you broken when that feeling is gone. Fulfillment from Christ is so much better than fun from sin.

[15:52] Does anybody believe that this morning? I want to tell you that if there is anything in your life. That you would be willing to walk away from Jesus in order to gain.

[16:10] You're not where you need to be in your walk with the Lord. If there is anything in your life that you're willing to walk away from Jesus in order to keep.

[16:24] Then you're not where you need to be in your relationship with God. Jesus said this in Matthew chapter 10 verses 37 and 39.

[16:35] He said he who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

[16:50] And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it.

[17:03] And he who loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16 verse 24 through 26 says this.

[17:14] Then Jesus said to his disciples. If anyone desires to come after me. Let him deny himself. And take up his cross.

[17:28] And follow me. That is so counter cultural. In today's world. We want what makes us happy. We want what makes us feel good.

[17:39] We want to go where we are celebrated. We want to go where we get a hand clap of praise. A hand clap of honor. But rarely do we find people who truly just want Jesus to be glorified.

[17:54] Who truly just want Jesus to be honored. Who truly just want Jesus to be lifted. I am talking about even in the churches across America. We have people who will put a pastor on a pedestal over Christ.

[18:09] And will give the pastor more praise than we give Jesus. But Jesus said if I be lifted up from the earth. Then I will draw all men unto me.

[18:20] But if we don't do the lifting. He won't do the drawing. We have got to lift him up. So that he by his Holy Spirit can do the drawing. And the goodness of God can lead those that need it to repentance.

[18:37] If anyone desires to come after me. Let him deny himself. And take up his cross. And follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it.

[18:49] But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

[19:05] What will a man give in exchange for his soul? When you get to the end of your life. You will not care one bit.

[19:18] About how big your house was. When you get to the end of your life. You will not care one bit. About how nice your rims were. About how many shoes you had.

[19:31] And I love shoes. Trust me. But when you get to the end of your life. There is only one thing that will matter. Is did you deny yourself.

[19:42] And follow Jesus. Did you take up your cross. And follow the Lord. Did you know Jesus. Were you born again.

[19:55] That will be the only thing that will matter. When you get to the end of your life. Did you get born again. Did you lay down your fleshly desires. Did you lay down your carnal desires.

[20:07] Did you lay down your sinful nature. To pick up a cross. And follow Jesus. I know it's not popular. But it is powerful. I know it's not what gets a bunch of amens.

[20:21] But it will make you live right. It will make you walk in holiness. It may not make you happy. But it will make you holy. Did you deny yourself.

[20:33] Take up your cross. And follow the Lord. What profit is it to a man. If he gains the whole world.

[20:43] And loses his own soul. See I want you to understand this morning. That temporary riches. Must never get in the way.

[20:56] Of eternal riches. Natural riches. Natural riches. Must never get in the way. Of spiritual treasures. Treasures that are laid up in heaven.

[21:07] A mansion that is prepared for you. In heaven. These things. Of this life. Must never get in the way. Of the things that are eternal. Temporary relationships.

[21:19] Must never get in the way. Of your eternal relationship. With God. I've seen too many people. Get into a relationship. That God has not intended.

[21:31] And then they walk away. From their eternal relationship. With God. And sooner than later. You don't even find them. In church anymore. Because they're in a relationship. That feeds their flesh.

[21:42] And not their spirit. Temporary pleasure. Must never get in the way. Of eternal pleasures. Do you believe that this morning? Amen.

[21:53] I'm going to read one more verse. To you this morning. First John chapter 5. First John chapter 5. Verse 21.

[22:05] The last verse of the chapter. First John 5 verse 21. The New King James Version says it like this. Little children. Keep yourselves from idols.

[22:18] Amen. It's a short verse. It says keep yourselves from idols. The New Living Translation says it like this. Dear children. Keep away from anything.

[22:30] That might take God's place. In your hearts. The New King James Version says idols. And this translation says anything.

[22:40] That might take God's place. In your hearts. So what is an idol? It is anything. That might take God's place. In your heart.

[22:51] Stay away from anything. If you know that there is a possibility. That it will take God's place. At the center of your heart. Don't entertain it. If you know that it's not going to lead you to Christ.

[23:05] Understand that it's going to lead you away from Christ. If it's not pushing you to Jesus. It's pulling you away from Jesus. Stay away from anything. Stay away from anyone.

[23:18] That might take God's place. In your heart. And I want to tell you this. To bring you some encouragement. When you finally get to the place.

[23:29] Where you are willing. To lay down your favorite thing. In order to follow Jesus. God will let you keep your favorite thing.

[23:42] If you get to a place in your heart. Where you're willing to lay it down. And say God you can take it. If you want to take it. He'll let you keep it. Because he understands. That you put more priority.

[23:54] On your relationship with God. Then you do that thing. But the moment. That it takes God's place in your heart. He'll remove it. And if he doesn't remove it.

[24:06] He'll take his hand off of it. He'll take his hand off of it. Because God only puts his hand. On what you place in his hand.

[24:16] God only puts his hand. On what you place in his hand. God can't put his blessing.

[24:27] On something that you keep in your own hands. God can't put his favor. On something that you won't release to him. Because it says to him.

[24:39] That you don't trust him with it. It says to him. That you think you can do a better job with it. Than he could do with it. God only puts his hand.

[24:51] On what you place in his hand. God only puts his blessing. On what you use to bless him. And God only honors. What you use.

[25:02] To honor him. God won't put his hand on a relationship. That you won't place in his hand. God won't put his hand on a business. That you won't place in his hand.

[25:13] That you won't release to him. God won't put his hand on a home. On a family. That you won't place in his hands. God won't put his hand on a ministry. That you won't place in his hand.

[25:25] That you won't use to bless him. That you won't use to honor him. Think about it. Because Abraham. Was willing.

[25:36] To lay down his sins. Son Isaac. God allowed him to keep his son. If he wasn't willing. God would have made him lay down his son.

[25:49] But because he got to the place in his heart. Where he was actually willing to lay it down. In order to walk in obedience. Because he was willing to lay it down.

[26:00] To fulfill the calling on his life. Because he was willing to lay it down. And pick up his cross. And follow Jesus. God let him keep his son. And the same thing.

[26:12] Happens in our own walk with Christ. He will test you to see. If you are actually willing. To lay it down. Are you willing to lay it down.

[26:25] What is that thing in your life. And the praise team can go ahead and make their way back up. What is that thing. In your life. That's gotten in between.

[26:37] You and God. God. That one thing. That one thing. That seemingly little thing. I gave a message.

[26:47] I gave a message one time. To the youth. Talking about a wedge. A wedge. A wedge. Is a small thing. But it can separate.

[26:58] Very large things. It's a wedge. It gets in between. Something. And separates. It may feel like that one little thing.

[27:09] Is a small thing. But if it's getting in between you and God. It's not small. If it's getting in between you and the Lord. It's not a little thing.

[27:20] It's not insignificant. And that is the deception of the enemy. To make you think that because it's a little thing. You don't need to really worry about it. You don't really need to take care of it.

[27:31] Because it's just small. I've said it like this before. Sin is like a seed. It starts off small. And below the surface.

[27:43] Where nobody can see it. But you and God. And we get deceived by the enemy. In thinking that because it's small. It's not that big of a deal.

[27:55] But with each time that you water it. The roots grow a little bit deeper. And when you finally get to a place. Where you're ready to uproot it.

[28:08] The roots have grown so deep. That it's got you. That it's gripped you. And it is going to take the miraculous power of God.

[28:20] To set you free. But often times we only get to that place. Because we watered the seed a little bit. And a little bit. And a little bit.

[28:30] And then the roots grow so deep. That it gets difficult to uproot it. That it becomes impossible to uproot it in your own strength. And in your own power.

[28:42] On the flip side. Obedience is like a seed. Sometimes it seems small and insignificant. But never underestimate what God can do.

[28:53] With one act of obedience. Amen. Every head bowed. Every eye closed. Some of you in this place.

[29:05] The one act of obedience. That you need to make this morning. Is to surrender to Jesus. If you've heard this message this morning.

[29:18] And you know that you're not where you need to be with the Lord. And God is dealing with your heart. Your heart's beating out of your chest. Your palms are sweaty. That's the Lord dealing with you.

[29:29] And if you're in here. And you know that there has been something. That has gotten in between you and God. Then as we sing this song here in a moment.

[29:41] And I get done praying. I'm going to ask you to make a bold step. And come down to this altar. Even if you've been saved. Even if you gave your life to Christ.

[29:52] But you've just drifted away through a series of events. No matter what it looks like. If you know that your priorities. Are out of order. That there is something that you feel like.

[30:04] If God asked you to lay it down. You couldn't. If you're in here. And that's you. I want you to respond. The Lord wants you to respond.

[30:15] To come down to this altar this morning. And lay it all down at Jesus' feet. Jesus said. Seek first the kingdom of God.

[30:27] And his righteousness. And then all the other things will be added. The issue with many of us. Is that we get so caught up. In seeking after the things. That we miss God.

[30:40] But if we would seek wholeheartedly. After God. He would provide. All of the other things. That we need. And that we get distracted by. So I'm going to give this invitation.

[30:51] To two groups of people. The first group. Is if you've never known Jesus. As your personal Lord and Savior. You're lost without him. And you know it. You've been living a sinful life.

[31:02] You've been living a life. That is opposite of the word. And the will of God. And if you're in here. And you want to get saved. You want to get born again. Born anew. Not just a better life.

[31:14] But a new life. A new creation in Christ. If you're in here. And you don't know Jesus. When I'm done praying. I want you to come down. To this altar. The second group.

[31:25] I want to speak to. Is those who are already saved. But you've gotten distracted. There's something. In your life. That if God. Asks you to lay it down.

[31:36] Like he asked Abraham. To lay his son Isaac down. You wouldn't be able to do it. And may we all. Get to the place. Where we're willing. To lay whatever down.

[31:46] That we need to lay down. Where we're willing. To deny ourself. And take up our cross. And follow him. May we all get to that place. So if you're in here.

[31:57] And you don't know Jesus. Or if you're in here. And you know him. But you've drifted away. A little wedge. Has gotten in between you and God. And separated you. And it felt like a small habit.

[32:10] But now you feel. A million miles away from God. If you're one of those two people. The moment that I'm done praying. And we stand to our feet. I want you to respond. And come and surrender to the Lord.

[32:21] And ask him to uproot anything. That needs to be uprooted. Let's pray. Father in Jesus name. I thank you for your word. I thank you for your spirit.

[32:35] That does the work. In our hearts. God it is our responsibility. As vessels of God. To plant the seed. And to water the seed. But it is your responsibility.

[32:46] To bring the increase. So God right now. The seed has just been sown. The water has just been thrown on the seed. And God I'm praying that by your spirit.

[32:58] Right now in this moment. Right now during this altar call. That you would bring increase. To the seeds that have been sown. Through your word. God I pray that we would surrender again.

[33:10] That we wouldn't get distracted. But that we would be wholeheartedly focused. Wholeheartedly surrendered. Wholeheartedly submitted to you. Walking in your will.

[33:21] Walking in your ways. God I pray that you forgive us. For every sin we've ever committed. Wash us in the blood of Jesus. I thank you for what you did. When you sent your son.

[33:33] To die on a cross. For our sins. That if we would place our faith. And our trust in you. We would be made completely. And totally new. And I thank you God.

[33:44] That you've given us the opportunity. To do that this morning. The Bible says that if you will confess. With your mouth. That Jesus is Lord. And believe in your heart. That God raised him from the dead.

[33:56]  You will be saved. In Jesus name. If you'll stand to your feet. All over this room.