WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.120 Mark chapter 3, have you ever just felt overwhelmed? 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:07.400 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.659 We all deal with stressful circumstances that seem bigger than anyone could ever imagine. 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:46.140 And I believe Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 is reassuring when it talks about our Lord Jesus. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:46.719 For it says, 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:51.320 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:00:51.620 --> 00:00:57.260 but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 00:00:57.259 --> 00:01:01.619 Today we look at Mark chapter 3. 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:05.780 I don't believe Jesus is overwhelmed here, I'll be honest with you. 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:07.539 But he had a lot going on. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:10.840 He was under a lot of pressure. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:20.900 He had disciples that he were about to call his apostles that were under a lot of pressure. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:30.940 However, Jesus, I believe, gives us great guidance in this passage about those times that are overwhelming. 00:01:32.860 --> 00:01:37.719 This scripture, this passage is considered a transitional passage by most theologians. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:44.840 That it's showing a transition between the time of Jesus, when he left Capernaum, 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:50.219 he traveled throughout Judea, preaching. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:53.480 And as people came, healing. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:58.219 It was a great movement of God. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:01.159 As Christ spoke the gospel. 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:04.039 As people's lives were changed. 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:05.959 The crowds grew. 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:07.739 And it was amazing. 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:13.860 And after this passage, what we'll look at next week is when he calls the apostles 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:17.900 to fully, full-time engage with him. 00:02:18.259 --> 00:02:19.439 To follow him. 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:23.919 So that he can begin, as A.B. Bruce calls it, the training of the twelve. 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:30.979 And what you'll see after that point is every time Jesus has an interaction with folks, 00:02:31.159 --> 00:02:33.859 it's a teaching time for those disciples. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:36.639 He was teaching them how to share. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:40.699 He was empowering them with gifts of miracles. 00:02:41.459 --> 00:02:48.299 And as well, he was preparing them to establish the church that we see in the book of Acts. 00:02:48.739 --> 00:02:51.479 The church that we're benefactors to today. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.959 So it is a transitional time. 00:02:55.419 --> 00:02:58.659 But it's a few verses that share the background or the atmosphere 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:03.919 and how it changes in this timeline of the ministry of Christ. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:06.459 But I believe it's also much more than that. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:07.599 More than a transition. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:16.019 It also shows us how Jesus shows us how to make transitions. 00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:20.900 He tells us how to deal with the overwhelming. 00:03:22.620 --> 00:03:27.540 He tells us how to handle life when it seems like it's pressing in on us. 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:32.719 And he does that not through teaching it, but through showing it. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:34.040 I want you to see this. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:37.100 It's in Mark chapter 3, beginning in verse 7. 00:03:37.200 --> 00:03:38.060 And it says this. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:04:08.060 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:36.980 When you look at a map and see where people are transitioning to Jesus, 00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:39.980 it is quite amazing. 00:04:40.980 --> 00:04:44.980 Scripture says they come from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, 00:04:46.960 --> 00:04:52.420 Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan and from the Tyre and from Sidon. 00:04:52.700 --> 00:04:57.060 And they're coming from all over Israel to see Jesus. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:02.000 From the southern deserts that approach Egypt to the northern coast. 00:05:02.400 --> 00:05:06.280 From the heart of the country to the east bank of the Jordan. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:06.960 And the heart of the country to the east bank of the Jordan. 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:08.780 It is a wide area. 00:05:08.780 --> 00:05:15.420 Those that traveled from the south traveled as much as 100 miles by foot to get to Jesus. 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:24.319 The only part of this surrounding area that's not mentioned is Samaria. 00:05:25.520 --> 00:05:28.960 Now there's another area on the other side of the Jordan called the Decapolis. 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:33.020 That was 10 Roman-based cities in that area. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:38.279 But we already know from previous passages that Jesus has ministered in that area. 00:05:39.479 --> 00:05:41.339 But Samaria is different. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:48.399 Mark, throughout the gospel of Mark, never mentions Samaria. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:56.399 There was a lot of tension with Samaria and the rest of the surrounding region. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:00.399 And it comes back to what happened years before this. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:08.839 When the Assyrians besieged Samaria in 722 BC, 00:06:08.839 --> 00:06:14.359 they deported many of the Israelites, scattering them. 00:06:15.299 --> 00:06:21.839 Then they moved other people into Samaria with the remaining Samaritans. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:27.500 So you had people all over the world, known world, coming into that area. 00:06:28.179 --> 00:06:30.679 And when they came in with those Samaritans, 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:36.179 they were, not only did they come, but they brought all their gods with them, 00:06:36.679 --> 00:06:39.199 all their false beliefs with them. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:42.939 And then they get in there with Samaritans and they marry. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:50.099 And Solomon teaches us that when you marry people that have other faiths and other religions, 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:53.000 that it can pollute you in your walk with God. 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:57.439 And that's exactly what happened to him because he had a thousand women from all over the world, 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:58.480 as Solomon did. 00:06:58.919 --> 00:07:03.639 And he got intoxicated with all of that and got off track. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:08.120 And he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to say, I messed up. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:09.839 I missed it. 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:17.079 And so what happened here in Samaria was this intermarriage and this compromise of faith among believers, 00:07:17.479 --> 00:07:22.680 there was a lack of racial purity, which was a big deal among these folk. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:27.919 And Samaritans were called half-breed dogs. 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:30.240 You didn't go to Samaria. 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:37.460 It was tense for generations afterwards, including the time in which Christ walked in those days. 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:40.759 All of these places are listed, but not Samaria. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:42.139 And that's probably why. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:47.600 John records that later that Jesus made a point to go through Samaria. 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:50.500 John 4 says Jesus had to go through Samaria. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:51.920 You don't have to go through Samaria. 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:53.400 You make your way around it. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:57.199 That's like saying that you have to go down a New York City dark alley at midnight. 00:07:57.900 --> 00:07:58.879 You don't have to. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:00.519 You can go around a block. 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:05.019 You didn't have to go through Samaria, but Jesus, it says, had to go through Samaria. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.699 And you know what happened when he went through Samaria. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:08.680 He met a woman at the well. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:11.779 He changed her life, and she went and told others. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:15.579 And when he met that woman at the well, he broke racial barriers. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:17.399 He broke gender barriers. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:21.480 Every barrier with the gospel, as we should. 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:25.620 However, in this passage, Samaritans are not mentioned here. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:28.399 So all of these people are coming. 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:35.019 They're rushing to the point of possibly crushing him, as it says in verse 9. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:45.220 That word crushing there is the same word they use for the wine press when they throw the grapes into the bin and walk on those grapes, squeezing out those juice. 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:47.299 Hopefully they wash their feet before they did that. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:50.120 If not, there's a little extra twang in that juice. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:54.320 But they crush those grapes. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:09:03.519 And that's the word there that he speaks of when he says that they were crushing him, lest they crush him. 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:09.179 So what do you do when everything starts pressing in on you? 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:11.960 It says in verse 10 that people were pressing. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:16.120 They came from all over, and the pressures were pressing. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:21.279 We looked last week at the Pharisees and the Herodians who plotted against Christ. 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:24.039 The expectations of the people were pressing. 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:28.860 People had their wants of what he was supposed to be and what he was supposed to do. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:34.080 And he had a mission that he was to follow for our salvation. 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:37.200 And all of this is pressing in on Christ. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:46.540 And I believe when we see how he deals with it, how he deals with pressing matters, that we can better know how we can deal with it. 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:47.640 Because he's our example. 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:51.660 He's the one that not only empowers us, but he's the one that also gives us our example. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:56.660 So what do you do when you face pressing matters? 00:09:59.020 --> 00:10:00.259 Let's learn from the master. 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:06.299 The first thing, when life presses in, withdraw. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:14.720 When things get tight, Jesus has a plan. 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:16.860 And he had a plan of action then. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.740 He said, have me a boat ready at all times. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:22.559 Now, I've spoke of this before. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.179 I'll be quick. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:31.000 But that boat could have been used for amplification process, for amplification on that water. 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:35.120 Because if people start crowding in and they can't hear, he can get out in that boat. 00:10:35.319 --> 00:10:36.739 I've been on the Sea of Galilee. 00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:44.659 I've been in a boat that was supposed to be like those boats that they were in, much larger than the one that he asked for, which is more like a dinghy. 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:54.059 But the reality is, I've been on those boats and I've seen other tourists on other boats and I've heard their conversations across the water as they've heard our conversations across the water. 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:57.899 Because if you spend much time on the water, you know it's amplification. 00:10:58.319 --> 00:11:03.459 But it appears that here, and it was used for that by Christ more times than one in Scripture. 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:07.959 But it appears here that it was there instead for evacuation purposes. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:11.779 He needed a plan of escape because they were crushing. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:18.919 We need a plan of escape. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:23.699 Even a pattern of escape. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:27.559 And I want you to listen to me this morning. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.500 I want you to hear me out. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:30.120 Because I don't want you to misunderstand this. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:32.639 Take it out of context or get half of it. 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:36.579 I don't mean run away. 00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:40.839 I don't mean we leave our family. 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.159 That's of the devil. 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:44.860 Okay? 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:47.480 I don't mean that at all. 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:51.079 I don't mean that you leave your job. 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:53.539 Unless that's what God's telling you to do. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:57.559 And I would encourage you to try to secure another one before you leave that one. 00:11:57.939 --> 00:12:00.899 Just personal advice, not from Scripture. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.059 But I encourage you to do that. 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:06.319 I don't mean leave your church. 00:12:06.439 --> 00:12:11.619 And I sure don't mean neglecting meeting together, as the Hebrew writer said, as some are in the habit of doing. 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:12.459 I don't mean that either. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.079 No. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:19.500 I mean we better make some time to be set apart. 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:25.820 We need a time of quiet with the Lord. 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:28.620 And we need it often. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.340 And we need it daily. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:35.700 Mark chapter 1 verse 35 that we looked at a few weeks ago says, 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:40.960 And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place. 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.640 And there he prayed. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:47.660 It was the Lord's pattern to get up early and pray. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:50.299 Now listen, I'm a morning person. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:55.379 And I like doing it that way as well. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:59.059 I'm kind of like my, I had a veterinarian. 00:12:59.459 --> 00:13:00.399 He didn't treat me. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.199 He tripped my dog. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:04.919 But in Mississippi. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:07.659 And he was primarily a cow doctor. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.399 That's what he did. 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:10.639 He took care of people's cattle for the most part. 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:14.659 But he opened his office from 6 to 8 a.m. in the morning. 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:15.639 And that was it. 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:18.559 If you had a pet and wanted to see him, you bring it from 6 to 8. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.279 And you know what he said? 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:23.179 He said, because that's the only people I like are people that get up between 6 and 8. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.460 That's the only people he dealt with. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.080 I'm a morning person. 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:32.199 And so all the morning people in the crowd look at Mark 1 verse 35 and say, 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.860 Yeah, that's exactly how you're supposed to do it. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:39.259 You're supposed to get up in the dark and spend time with the Lord as Jesus did. 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:43.919 However, at 10 p.m., the night owls are just starting. 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:51.799 And all those folks that got up with the Lord in the dark and with the chickens, 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:58.819 about 10 o'clock are folding up their spiritual wings and getting mighty cranky and getting ungodly. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:01.199 It's a good thing they did get up in the morning with the Lord. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:05.159 I realize everybody works on a different schedule. 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:08.579 At night, Dawn looks at me and says, 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:11.079 Why are you going to bed this early? 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:15.620 And in the a.m. I look at her and say, Why aren't you getting up now? 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:16.839 I mean, I don't say it. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.459 I think it. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.459 And you're not going to tell her. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.959 And I'm sure she wasn't listening. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.059 Folks are different. 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:23.959 We're different. 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:30.740 And how it works, how you work that out between you and the Lord is up to you and the Lord. 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.620 But I want to make some suggestions to you. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:37.300 One is spend time with God daily. 00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:43.780 You need the spiritual nourishment of withdrawing to be with the Lord. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:50.039 We live in a wicked world, an evil world, a pressure-filled world, a tempting world. 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:54.000 And you need time with the Lord daily. 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:58.720 I hope and pray that every time you come here, 00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:03.199 that you get a blessing from every song that's sang, 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.179 that you're uplifted through the prayers, 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:09.079 that you're challenged and encouraged through the Word of God. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:13.240 I know Brian works hard to make that happen on his part. 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:16.779 I try my best to do everything I can to prepare for this time. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:19.360 Because I do believe it don't look like a desk anymore. 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:21.039 But it is a sacred desk. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:23.840 It is the opportunity for us to go before God. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.700 And I take that seriously. 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.639 But I got news for you. 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.580 This ain't enough. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:33.320 You got to have time with God. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:37.000 You need to spend time with God daily. 00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:41.279 Secondly, spend time with God first. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:46.220 And I realize that it's easy for one that gets up early to say that. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:50.220 However, it only makes sense to spend time with God first. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.659 I mean, in Ephesians chapter 6, 00:15:52.839 --> 00:15:56.740 it explains our spiritual preparation 00:15:56.740 --> 00:16:02.120 as if it was a body of armor that we put on, 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:04.600 a spiritual armor that we put on. 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:07.920 When do you put the armor on for battle? 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.220 When you're done? 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.420 Or before you go into battle? 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:18.100 I spent 25 years every Friday in the fall 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.940 speaking to football teams 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:21.340 and telling guys, 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.279 taking some battle from the Old Testament 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.440 and saying, 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:26.720 you need to go out there 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.420 and kill somebody 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.500 in the name of Jesus. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:34.759 I had the opportunity to do that 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:36.200 for high schools, 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.720 for colleges on Saturday. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:40.480 It's a blessing to have that kind of opportunity. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.259 And I always enjoyed it. 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:45.139 But we did that before the game. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:49.159 You're licking wounds and celebrating afterwards. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:52.299 But you do that before the game. 00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:56.039 If you need directions to go somewhere, 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:58.159 I would advise you get them before you go. 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:04.079 And I don't like anybody telling me where to go. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.859 I don't. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.180 Okay? 00:17:05.399 --> 00:17:07.159 So my GPS is silent. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:11.159 And I pray that the people in my car are silent as well. 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.119 But that's another matter. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.859 But my GPS is silent. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.940 I don't need them barking at me about where to turn. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.580 But because of that, 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.980 sometimes I'll miss a turn. 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:22.340 I won't look up and see that. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.340 So I'll miss that turn. 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:26.259 And we'll go another way around to do that. 00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:27.779 It would have been best 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:30.820 if I knew I was making that turn 00:17:30.820 --> 00:17:33.600 before I got to the turn. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.700 Listen, friend. 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:37.860 There's going to be turns in your day today 00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:39.799 that you don't know that's coming. 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.980 And you need preparation for that 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:43.039 before it comes. 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:45.840 It only makes sense to start your day 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.959 with the Lord. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:51.500 Get your direction daily first. 00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:56.379 And then schedule seasons of withdrawal. 00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:00.759 You need to pull away. 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:05.980 whether it is for a day 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:09.220 or for an hour, 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:13.240 you need to just sit before the Lord. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.440 I'm thankful 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.379 that this past week 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:22.859 through benefactors and sponsors 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:25.059 that work with Billy Graham's Training Center 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:27.700 and through your church's, 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:30.019 this church's generosity 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.759 to give us the time to do that. 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.819 Dawn and I was able to go 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.179 to the Billy Graham Training Center 00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:36.480 at the Cove this past week. 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:39.399 Sat under Erwin Lutzer for three days. 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.119 Erwin Lutzer, 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.500 legendary pastor of Moody Church 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:44.460 for over 30 years. 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.519 Pastor emeritus there. 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.220 He's written a ton of books 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:49.160 and just sat at his feet 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:52.660 and listened to a good godly man 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.360 share the wisdom. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.140 Spend time together 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.299 in God's beautiful nature 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.880 and just, 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.339 just to decompress 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.600 and just to take it in 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:03.880 and just to be fed. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.600 I'm telling you, 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.559 you need to schedule seasons 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.339 of withdrawal. 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.360 Now, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.600 sometimes I may do that 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.440 on a walk. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.100 I had a health crisis 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.139 earlier this year 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:20.119 and it's caused me 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:23.000 to have to build back my strength 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:27.639 and when I was in cardiac rehab, 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.899 they had me go down the hallway 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:32.899 and walk for six minutes 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:33.919 at a brisk pace 00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:36.000 to measure how far I walked 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.959 and they said, 00:19:38.459 --> 00:19:40.579 what's your goal 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:43.740 at the end of this time together? 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.680 And I said 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.839 to do a 10 mile hike 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.400 in the mountains 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:49.099 and they said, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.259 well, 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.039 we're hoping to get 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:51.440 100 feet more out of you 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.700 and I said, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:52.859 well, 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.039 we're about nine and a half miles 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.259 different between me and you. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:57.700 The reality is 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:59.339 to walk down a trail 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.380 by the river 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:02.299 in the mountains 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.339 is therapy for me. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.380 It does me a world of good 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:07.279 and it don't take the place 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.099 of my time with God 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.660 but I'll tell you, 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.579 it is a time with God. 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:13.019 For me, 00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:14.039 when I see the beauty 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.339 of creation 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.559 and see what God's made, 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.319 it reminds me 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.500 of how great our God is. 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.559 It's reassuring to me 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:22.059 to see that 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:24.419 and so it's been my prayer 00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:25.220 and I'd encourage you 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.179 praying with me 00:20:26.179 --> 00:20:29.359 that I'd have the opportunity 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:30.259 to be able to do that. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:30.879 Again, 00:20:30.919 --> 00:20:31.639 I think I could 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:33.119 but we'll see 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:37.179 because you need 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:38.419 and it's different 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:39.139 for different folks. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.619 Sometimes, 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:40.959 you may need 00:20:40.959 --> 00:20:41.500 a rod and reel 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.000 in your hand. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.199 You might need 00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:44.879 a tree stand. 00:20:46.479 --> 00:20:47.139 You might need 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.079 a ride down the road. 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:50.759 Quiet moments 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.399 of reflection 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.019 with the Lord. 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.279 Now, 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.199 again, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.679 I told you, 00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.179 you need to listen 00:20:55.179 --> 00:20:56.059 closely this morning. 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.699 That does not 00:20:58.699 --> 00:20:59.359 take the place 00:20:59.359 --> 00:20:59.779 of worship. 00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:02.339 That does not 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.059 take the place 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.439 of corporate worship 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:05.799 on the Lord's Day. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.319 It does not 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.000 take the place 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.059 of personal worship 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.240 daily. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.459 So, 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:12.079 don't tell me 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:13.079 my daily time 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.759 with God 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.019 is while I'm 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.980 driving down 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.679 123. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.879 Don't do that 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.519 because you're 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.379 full of ungodly 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.059 thoughts when you're 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.419 driving down 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.099 Highway 123 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.599 in the morning. 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:21.879 Okay? 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:22.559 I promise you. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.179 So, 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.799 don't do that. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.599 It's not the same 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.839 but I think 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.459 you need both. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.899 It does not 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.440 take the place 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:32.820 of worship. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.300 We dedicate 00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:33.880 ourselves 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:35.560 to not forsake 00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:36.180 the assembly 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:37.080 of the people 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:37.600 of God. 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:38.420 However, 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.140 you need time 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:39.620 to withdraw. 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:40.640 And Jesus knew 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.259 the disciples 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.000 needed that. 00:21:42.300 --> 00:21:43.160 They needed time 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.800 to pull away. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.400 We do as well. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.480 And you say, 00:21:46.560 --> 00:21:46.640 well, 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.180 I'm so busy. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.440 Listen, 00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:48.500 you are not 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.860 too busy 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.640 for that. 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.320 There's a book 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:51.759 that was written 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.140 years ago 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.120 called Too Busy 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:54.420 Not to Pray. 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.700 The reality is 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.360 if your schedule 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.019 is so busy, 00:21:58.019 --> 00:22:00.740 it's too busy. 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.440 And so, 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.180 you need to 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.319 ask the Lord 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.480 in this very hour, 00:22:05.639 --> 00:22:05.940 God, 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.119 show me 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.859 what I need 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.660 to do different 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.700 in my life 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:11.299 to make time 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.139 for you. 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.619 We are not 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.680 busier than Jesus 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.019 nor are we 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.220 doing as important 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.799 a work 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.799 as he did. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.400 When life 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.119 presses in, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:21.859 you need to 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.139 withdraw. 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.859 Not only that, 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.519 but when life 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.359 presses in, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.460 you need to 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:27.779 minister. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.059 I want you 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.360 to notice 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.819 what Jesus 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.079 did. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.620 His aim 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.559 was to pull 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.180 away with 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.779 his disciples. 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.319 However, 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.740 the people 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.140 just kept 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.420 coming. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.019 They kept 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.299 coming. 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:38.579 They were 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.000 coming from 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.500 all over 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:39.980 and they 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.779 were pushy. 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.340 They were 00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:42.160 so eager 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.700 to be healed, 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.299 they were 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.759 trying to 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.259 touch his 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.640 garment. 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.160 But when 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:46.900 one tries 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.440 to touch 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:47.900 and the 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.460 other behind 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.720 him is 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.079 trying to 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.460 touch 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.880 and the 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.360 other behind 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:50.579 him is 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:50.920 trying to 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.240 touch, 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.200 it became 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.480 a mob 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.279 mentality, 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.000 a somewhat 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.700 chaotic 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.539 atmosphere to 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:56.920 the point 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.440 that he 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.800 told him 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:58.100 to have 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.560 that boat 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.279 behind him 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.920 at all 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:01.000 times ready 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.800 for evacuation. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.860 He knew 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.500 he had to be 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.019 able to pull 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.460 away from 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.080 all of that. 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.060 His priority 00:23:07.060 --> 00:23:07.620 was to 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.100 preach, 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.019 to impact 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.580 lives for 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:10.060 eternity, 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:12.039 not just for 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.800 temporal healing, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.980 and to train 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.779 his disciples. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.480 However, 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.400 I want you to 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.640 notice that he 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.560 always took 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:19.140 time to 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.500 minister. 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.539 He still 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:22.200 meets needs. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.240 needs. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.039 The scribes 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.580 are questioning 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:24.840 him and 00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:25.180 trying to 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.500 set him 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.700 up. 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.380 The people 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:26.960 are pushing 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.779 their way 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.140 in. 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.360 He felt 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.799 the need 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.380 to withdraw 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.059 with his 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.580 disciples, 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.440 but even 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.039 with that, 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:33.519 he still 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.160 ministered. 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.420 He never 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.620 stopped meeting 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.000 needs. 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.220 You know 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.480 what that 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:37.980 tells me? 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.840 That tells 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.279 me that we 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.720 need to be 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:41.259 careful when 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.980 we go through 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.440 pressing 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.019 matters. 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.880 Because when 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.420 we go through 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:45.860 pressing 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.380 matters, 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:48.120 God will 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:48.680 still put 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.140 people in 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.740 our path 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.799 that need 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.180 Jesus. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.319 Let's be 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.599 honest, 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.019 it's easy 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.299 to get 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.980 selfish when 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.359 things get 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.720 pressing. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:58.980 But the 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.500 reality is 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.920 God still 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.359 puts people 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.819 before you 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.120 that need 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.420 Jesus. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.180 Many have 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.559 come here 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:03.980 today, 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.579 and you need 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:05.960 God to 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.440 intervene in 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.839 your life. 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.220 There's a 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.700 matter in 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.079 your life 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.380 that you 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:08.839 need God 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.620 to intervene 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.059 in your 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.359 life, 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:10.579 and you 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:10.920 come in 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.319 here today 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.799 with a 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.620 heavy heart. 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.279 Maybe it's 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.740 the life of 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.079 a loved 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:15.440 one. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.160 Your heart 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.680 is heavy 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.640 for that 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.140 person's 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.559 life, 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.059 or maybe 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:20.559 it's another 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.119 pressing 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.779 matter in 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.159 your life. 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:22.819 You've 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.220 come in 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.579 here with 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:23.799 that. 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.159 I got 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:24.700 news for 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.019 you. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.099 You're 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.639 not alone 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.200 in that. 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.779 You're 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.099 not the 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.480 only one 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.099 experiencing 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.720 that. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.000 I've 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.399 learned 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:33.980 through 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.839 long-term 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.619 pastorates 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:35.899 that, 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:36.639 and I 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.079 hope I'm 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.379 able to 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:37.819 be here 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.299 a long 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.720 time, 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.579 but I've 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.019 learned 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.759 there's a 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.259 pain on 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.919 every pew. 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:44.759 I said 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.099 that one 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.399 time to 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:45.599 another 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:45.919 pastor, 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.139 and he 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:46.339 said, 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:46.519 yeah, 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:46.899 the key 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.220 is to 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.500 find out 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:47.779 who they 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.099 are. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.619 And I 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:48.759 said, 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:48.879 no, 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.159 that's not 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.380 what I 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:49.620 meant. 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:55.800 That's 00:24:55.800 --> 00:24:56.140 not what 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.480 I meant, 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.080 you bunch 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:57.200 of 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.600 darlings. 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.160 It's not 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.420 what I 00:24:59.420 --> 00:24:59.660 meant at 00:24:59.660 --> 00:24:59.900 all. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.240 The reality 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.720 is, 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:06.340 until you 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:06.860 sit beside 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:07.300 somebody's 00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:07.980 hospital bed, 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.220 until you 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.600 walk through 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.080 a line by 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:12.840 some casket, 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.920 you don't 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.500 really get the 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.120 opportunity 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:18.459 to really 00:25:18.459 --> 00:25:18.739 get to 00:25:18.739 --> 00:25:19.099 know them. 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:22.739 I wish 00:25:22.739 --> 00:25:22.939 y'all 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.399 knew you 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.219 very well, 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.679 all of 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:24.839 you. 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.339 But the 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.159 reality is, 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:29.319 doing this 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.559 for an 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:29.839 hour, 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.079 don't allow 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.319 that to 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.619 happen, 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.399 just alone. 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:33.639 That's why I 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.179 always encourage 00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:34.559 you to be a 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.039 part of more 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.459 than just 00:25:35.459 --> 00:25:35.759 this. 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.579 But besides 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:36.979 that, 00:25:38.979 --> 00:25:39.879 when calamity 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.419 comes, 00:25:41.959 --> 00:25:42.519 you can walk 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.199 through somebody 00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:44.039 and pray with 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.399 somebody through 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:45.680 that. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.140 You build a 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.580 relationship 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.060 with them. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.100 You get to 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.460 know them. 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:50.780 That's where 00:25:50.780 --> 00:25:51.600 ministry really, 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.060 really is. 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:56.620 And so I 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:56.940 want you to 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.440 remember something 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.880 when you come 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.540 in this place 00:25:58.540 --> 00:25:59.160 every day. 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.540 Instead of 00:26:01.540 --> 00:26:02.120 coming in 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.320 saying, 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.040 what can I 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:03.780 get today? 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.519 No matter 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:07.860 how many 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.200 pressing 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:08.680 matters are 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:08.900 on your 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.200 heart, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.519 I want you 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.980 to try to 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.300 think, 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.160 what can I 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.840 give today? 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:17.880 who is 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.340 God going 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:18.700 to place 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.019 in my 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.540 path? 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.740 Not in 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.240 your way 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.519 to get 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:22.820 out for 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:23.180 lunch, 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.500 that's not 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.740 what I 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.060 said, 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.580 in your 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.019 path. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.100 Sometimes 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:29.440 it's a 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.880 call that 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.480 comes when 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.740 you don't 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.000 want to 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.220 get a 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.480 call. 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.060 Sometimes 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:34.440 it's a 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.940 visit that 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.380 comes when 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.620 you don't 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:35.860 want to 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.080 get a 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.240 visit, 00:26:36.300 --> 00:26:36.480 you want 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.600 to be 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:36.759 left 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.100 alone. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.019 Sometimes 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.360 it's an 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:39.940 interruption 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:43.180 when we 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.440 don't want 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.600 to be 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:43.980 bothered. 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.759 But 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.740 Jesus was 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.400 not looking 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.060 to minister, 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.440 he was 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.000 looking to 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.320 withdraw. 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:50.940 However, 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.580 when people 00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.340 needed a 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:52.759 word from 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.019 God, 00:26:53.280 --> 00:26:53.860 when people 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.440 needed a 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:54.860 touch of 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.080 healing, 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:55.860 when people 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.360 needed a 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:56.580 loving 00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:57.360 response, 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.420 he was 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.400 always ready 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:00.860 to give 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.080 it. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.259 I think 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.680 about the 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.420 time when 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:05.720 the little 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.180 girl was 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.680 dying. 00:27:09.780 --> 00:27:10.300 They 00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:10.700 asked him 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.080 to come 00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:11.519 and on 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.080 his way 00:27:12.080 --> 00:27:12.440 a woman 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.019 came to 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.840 him that 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.420 had a 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.560 issue of 00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:16.039 blood. 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:16.779 She was 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.279 dying. 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:20.680 And he 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.420 paused in 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:21.660 what he 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.120 was doing 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.140 and said, 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.680 who touched 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:23.880 me? 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.160 And people 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.560 were all 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:25.259 around him 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.480 and the 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.800 disciples were 00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:25.920 like, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.340 everybody's 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:26.680 touching you, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:26.940 what are you 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.480 talking about? 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.980 He changed 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.460 that lady's 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.779 life. 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.940 When he 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.600 got to 00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:32.980 the young 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.400 girl who 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:33.880 had died 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:35.200 before he 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.600 got there, 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.560 they panicked, 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:37.900 they said he 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.380 was too late. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:38.560 He said, 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:38.960 I ain't too 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.200 late. 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.080 That's my 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.420 version. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.140 I ain't too 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.360 late. 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:44.219 And that 00:27:44.219 --> 00:27:44.559 little girl 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:44.959 came back 00:27:44.959 --> 00:27:45.439 to life. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.439 But he 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:47.279 made time. 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:47.639 I want you 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.000 to hear me. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.759 He made 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.000 time for 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.419 something that 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:50.740 wasn't on 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.199 the schedule. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.839 So let's 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.319 not be 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.859 selfish in 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.099 the midst 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.339 of our 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:56.799 difficulty. 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.479 It is so 00:27:58.479 --> 00:27:59.099 easy for us 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.619 to shelf 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.699 ourselves until 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.379 everything in 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:01.919 our life is 00:28:01.919 --> 00:28:02.299 right. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.000 I'm not 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.359 ready to 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.619 serve the 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:06.939 Lord right 00:28:06.939 --> 00:28:07.319 now because 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:07.779 I've got, 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.419 I've got to 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:09.679 get some 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:10.039 things right. 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.319 Listen, 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.539 everything in 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.220 your life is 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.960 never going 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.539 to be right. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:14.980 That's why 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.440 you need to 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.859 depend upon 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.359 the Lord. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.579 And that's 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:18.839 not a 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.220 criticism. 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:19.940 That's for 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.559 all of us 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:20.940 folks. 00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:21.759 There's always 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.299 going to be a 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.059 missing piece 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.480 somewhere. 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.559 And if we 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.139 wait until 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.960 everything's 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.480 settled before 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.220 we get serious 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.579 about the 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.079 Lord, we'll 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.740 never get 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.319 serious about 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:29.720 the Lord. 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.299 So serve 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.700 the Lord 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.519 even when 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.200 matters are 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.920 pressing in. 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.420 Understand, 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.079 you're not in 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.700 this alone. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.920 There's others. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.599 And not only 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:37.920 that, but 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.159 this. 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.799 When life is 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.619 pressing in, 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.180 silence the 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:42.500 demons. 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.539 Silence the 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:45.799 demons. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.819 Notice there 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:48.359 were unclean 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.519 and demonic 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.339 spirits that 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.339 came near as 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.680 well. 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.339 And what this 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.119 means is that 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.379 there were 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.559 people filled 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.159 with demons, 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.159 possessed with 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:57.879 demons that 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:59.059 were coming as 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.319 well. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.019 Demons were 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.839 speaking through 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.259 those people and 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.960 they immediately 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.180 started acknowledging 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.879 who Christ was. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.480 The demons 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:06.839 did. 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:10.059 even the 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.839 religious leaders 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.559 didn't recognize 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.099 him as the 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.339 Lord. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.299 Matter of fact, 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.539 they were 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.859 trying to 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.139 kill him. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:14.740 They were 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.379 already plotting 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.419 against him. 00:29:17.179 --> 00:29:18.399 We're only in 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.240 Mark chapter 3, 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.619 but they're 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.039 already trying 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.559 to kill him. 00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:26.259 But the 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.740 demons knew 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.319 who he was. 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.359 And when they 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:29.939 saw him, they 00:29:29.939 --> 00:29:30.659 fell down before 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:30.959 him. 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.319 The sick 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.379 fell into him, 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:34.779 pushing to get 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.220 to him. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.660 The demons 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:37.200 fell down before 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.140 him in panic 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.100 and submission. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.059 The demons 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:42.100 then seem to 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.759 give him 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.180 praise, but he 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.019 shuts them up. 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.759 He silences 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.019 them. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.279 They praise him, 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:48.980 but he silences 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.240 them. 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:49.700 What in the 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.079 world is going 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.440 on with that? 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.860 Why would he 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.460 silence them? 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.200 Well, we get a 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.700 couple of clues 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.200 from Scripture. 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.680 One of them is in 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.740 Acts 16, 16 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:59.059 through 18, when 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:00.180 Paul and Silas, 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.900 Luke's with them 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:01.180 because he's 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:01.920 writing about it, 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.100 and it says Paul 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.640 and Silas is 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.000 ministering, it 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.339 says this, 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.159 as we were 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:05.559 going to the 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.119 place of prayer, 00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:06.639 we were met 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.359 by a slave 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.919 girl who had 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.419 a spirit of 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:09.639 divination and 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.099 brought her 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:10.919 owners much 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:12.220 gain by fortune 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.639 telling. 00:30:13.199 --> 00:30:13.659 She followed 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.279 Paul and us 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.819 crying out, 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:15.359 these men are 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.919 servants of the 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.480 most high God 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.419 who proclaim to 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:17.939 you the way of 00:30:17.939 --> 00:30:18.459 salvation. 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.039 That would 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.559 seem like an 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.079 acclamation. 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.879 And this she 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.500 kept doing for 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.179 many days. 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:24.759 Paul, having 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.359 been greatly 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.259 annoyed, turned 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.079 and said to the 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.439 spirit, I command 00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:29.220 you in the name 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.139 of Jesus Christ 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:31.599 to come out of 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:31.819 her. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:33.259 And it came 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.599 out that very 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.019 hour. 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.759 Scripture says 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.579 that Paul got 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.379 annoyed with her, 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.200 not so much her, 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.839 but the demons 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.500 that were in her 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.439 that had taken her 00:30:41.439 --> 00:30:41.579 over. 00:30:41.679 --> 00:30:41.839 Why? 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.779 Because they were 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.700 speaking well of 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:43.960 him. 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.399 He got annoyed 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.119 and he cast out 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.759 the demon because 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.679 it was hurting his 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.139 witness. 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.379 Because this girl 00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:52.519 was known to be 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.159 able to tell 00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:53.859 fortunes. 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.359 Because she was 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.039 demon possessed, 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:57.480 and because she was 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.000 demon empowered with 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.099 a supernatural power 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.920 that came from 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.380 demons. 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.960 And she had 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.920 people who owned 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:07.920 her, who were 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:09.140 prostituting her out 00:31:09.140 --> 00:31:09.759 for fortune 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.140 telling. 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.440 She was not 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:18.980 known to walk 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.480 with the Lord. 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.799 People knew what 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.680 her reputation was. 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.440 So by giving them 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:27.259 praise and sounding 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.359 as if she aligned 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:31.720 with them, the 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:33.839 reality is it 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.599 either weakened 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.859 their ministry 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.960 because they were 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.379 aligned with 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:38.000 somebody who was 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.839 not of God, or 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.339 either she was 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.420 elevating herself. 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.339 But either way, 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.779 it wasn't working. 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.299 Therefore, at least 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.700 partially, to silence 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.859 her, he cast out 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.960 the prophet-making 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.400 demon. 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.839 And the people who 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.700 owned her were not 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.519 happy with that 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.079 because they just 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.940 lost their fortune 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:55.579 through her. 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.740 not only that, 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.200 but I want you to 00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:00.240 notice in Matthew 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.460 chapter 16, verse 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.440 21 through 23, it 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.859 says this. 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.960 From that time, Jesus 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.799 began to show his 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.680 disciples that he must 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.480 go to Jerusalem and 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.299 suffer many things for 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:08.940 the elders and the 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.559 chief priests and the 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.240 scribes and be killed 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.339 and on the third day be 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.839 raised. 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.379 And Peter took him 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.279 aside and began to 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:14.960 rebuke him, saying, 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:15.839 Far be it from you, 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.599 Lord, this shall never 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:19.220 happen to you. 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:22.440 But he turned and said 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.460 to Peter, get behind 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.039 me, Satan. 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:26.740 You're a hindrance to 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:28.000 me, for you're not 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.819 setting your mind on 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.640 the things of God, but 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:31.799 on the things of man. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.319 Peter wasn't demon 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.700 possessed. 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.180 He was demon 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.000 influenced. 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.759 Jesus was telling them 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.880 about the cross that he 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.700 was to bear, and Peter, 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.880 I know he was not demon 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:47.059 possessed because he was 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:48.220 a follower of Christ. 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.079 And when you follow 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.180 Christ, you become 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:52.319 indwelled with the Holy 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.700 Spirit of God, and the 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:55.180 Holy Spirit of God lives 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.980 within you. 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:59.180 And demons can't live 00:32:59.180 --> 00:33:00.160 where the Holy Spirit 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:00.640 is. 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.960 That don't happen. 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:06.160 So the reality is, 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.940 people who are demon 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.820 possessed need the 00:33:07.820 --> 00:33:08.120 Lord. 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.779 That's what they need. 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:12.900 So we're not demon 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.640 possessed if we're 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.400 Christians today, but 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.400 we're demon influenced. 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.759 Some of the things you 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.340 think, some of the 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:20.500 things you say, some of 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.640 the things you do, that's 00:33:21.640 --> 00:33:22.440 demon influenced. 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:22.480 Christ. 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:24.240 And what Peter said, 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:25.059 although he was trying 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.920 to protect Christ, trying 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.960 to encourage Christ, trying 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.900 to have his back, and all 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:33.640 that kind of stuff, was 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.519 the influence of the evil 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:34.880 one. 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.299 Because Jesus had set his 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:39.799 face toward Jerusalem, and 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:41.320 before what was before him. 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:44.160 And so he looked at Peter 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.279 and said, get behind me, 00:33:45.340 --> 00:33:46.340 Satan, you're a hindrance to 00:33:46.340 --> 00:33:46.539 me. 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.400 Satan was using Peter to 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:49.480 try to throw Jesus off 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.440 track from his mission of 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:50.920 the cross. 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.500 And then notice that he 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.440 says, for you are not 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.900 setting your mind on the 00:33:54.900 --> 00:33:56.000 things of God, but on the 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.160 things of man. 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.120 That's exactly what the 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:58.940 devil wants to do. 00:33:59.820 --> 00:34:00.799 That's exactly what he 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.240 wants to do. 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.799 He wants us to set our 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:04.080 minds on ourselves. 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.840 He wants us to set our 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:08.300 mind on our desires. 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.639 He wants us to set our 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.740 mind on our troubles. 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.720 He wants us to set our 00:34:13.720 --> 00:34:14.880 mind on our worries. 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:18.099 And when life is pressing 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:21.760 in, that intensifies, by 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.119 the way. 00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:25.119 Satan sees the stress in 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.500 our life. 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:27.240 He sees our weaknesses. 00:34:28.180 --> 00:34:29.740 He goes after them to try 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.780 to make a fool out of us in 00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:31.360 the midst of it. 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:33.220 And when life is pressing 00:34:33.220 --> 00:34:35.119 in, we need to silence 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.860 those demons. 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.000 And I'm not speaking of 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.579 demon possession. 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.880 I'm speaking of demonically 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:41.280 influenced thoughts. 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.619 The evil one's suggestions 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.359 to us. 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:47.019 He gets aggressive when 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.759 the pressure's on. 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:51.420 So how do we pull away 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:53.819 and withdraw to the Lord 00:34:53.819 --> 00:34:54.739 in the midst of our 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.079 struggle? 00:34:56.819 --> 00:34:58.679 And how do we continue to 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:00.559 minister even when it 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.460 feels like the world is 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.659 caving in on us? 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:06.819 And how do we silence the 00:35:06.819 --> 00:35:07.559 demonic thoughts? 00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.739 How do we silence the 00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.239 depression? 00:35:10.839 --> 00:35:12.279 How do we silence the 00:35:12.279 --> 00:35:12.719 anger? 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:15.639 How do we silence the 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:16.099 spite? 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.400 How do we silence the 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.519 revengeful thoughts? 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:23.179 The impure thoughts? 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:25.460 The hopelessness? 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:27.599 How do we silence those 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.019 things? 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.679 The Apostle Paul said in 00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.839 Colossians 3 verse 2, 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:34.159 set your mind on things 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:35.819 that are above, not on 00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:37.000 things on earth. 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:39.059 We have to set our minds 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:41.559 on what, not what we can 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:44.420 see and not what we can 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:47.480 figure out and not what we 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.239 can understand. 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.800 We've got to set our minds 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:55.559 on him, even in transition, 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:58.260 especially when the pressure 00:35:58.260 --> 00:36:00.280 is really on. 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:04.240 When the Golden Gate Bridge was 00:36:04.240 --> 00:36:07.000 built in the 1930s, it was a 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.880 dangerous work. 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:11.620 The winds would howl through 00:36:11.620 --> 00:36:12.100 the bay. 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:15.660 The currents below were fierce. 00:36:16.720 --> 00:36:18.300 The fog was so thick at times 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:19.500 a man couldn't see his hand in 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.019 front of him. 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:22.720 And in the early months of 00:36:22.720 --> 00:36:25.180 building that bridge, 11 workers 00:36:25.180 --> 00:36:27.200 fell to their death. 00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:30.899 That made the work slow. 00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:33.079 Because if you see a guy fall 00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:34.239 beside you, you'll slow down 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:34.599 a little bit. 00:36:35.319 --> 00:36:36.739 And it made them afraid. 00:36:37.259 --> 00:36:37.719 It was real. 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:40.219 And then they did something that 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:41.739 nobody had ever done before. 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:46.759 They hung a huge safety net 00:36:46.759 --> 00:36:48.859 underneath that bridge. 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.739 It was expensive. 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:54.299 Some said it was foolish to do 00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:54.599 that. 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:57.480 However, that net ended up 00:36:57.480 --> 00:37:00.900 saving 19 men's lives who fell 00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:02.940 into the net instead of into 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.440 the water. 00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:06.460 They actually formed a little 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:08.819 club and called it the 00:37:08.819 --> 00:37:11.119 Halfway to Hell Club because 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:14.279 they knew without that net they 00:37:14.279 --> 00:37:14.940 would have been in trouble. 00:37:16.819 --> 00:37:18.019 And here's what's interesting. 00:37:19.819 --> 00:37:21.920 Once that net was in place, 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:25.320 the work didn't get any easier. 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:28.880 The wind still blew like it did 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.320 before. 00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:32.180 The fog still came just as thick. 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:34.720 The danger was still there. 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:37.519 However, those men worked with 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:40.320 greater confidence because they 00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:41.720 knew if they fell, they wouldn't 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.039 die. 00:37:44.220 --> 00:37:45.119 You know what? 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:49.440 Work effort came up. 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:51.679 The pace picked up. 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:54.500 The bridge was a more successful 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:56.500 project than it had been before 00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:57.860 because of that. 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.639 They had a net 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:03.559 to help them make it through. 00:38:05.559 --> 00:38:06.059 Folks, 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:08.940 when life is pressing, 00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.559 keep on. 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:13.619 Keep on going to Jesus. 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:16.699 Keep on ministering to other 00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.099 people. 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:20.500 Keep on silencing the demons by 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:22.659 setting your minds on things 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.960 above. 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:26.359 Because 00:38:26.359 --> 00:38:28.940 we have a net 00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:30.639 in the Lord Jesus. 00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:32.819 And his grace 00:38:32.819 --> 00:38:34.039 is sufficient 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:36.299 for whatever matters 00:38:36.299 --> 00:38:38.420 that we may face. 00:38:40.299 --> 00:38:41.920 During the pressing times, 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:44.820 during the transitions. 00:38:47.820 --> 00:38:48.880 Now let me ask you a very 00:38:48.880 --> 00:38:49.920 personal question this morning. 00:38:52.200 --> 00:38:53.559 When you look over your life 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.320 and think about 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:56.900 the decisions you've made 00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:57.539 in your life, 00:38:58.980 --> 00:39:00.320 has there ever been a time 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.159 in your life when you've 00:39:01.159 --> 00:39:02.320 truly surrendered your life 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.800 to the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:39:05.740 --> 00:39:06.700 You've asked him to come 00:39:06.700 --> 00:39:07.440 into your life. 00:39:08.220 --> 00:39:09.360 You've asked him to forgive you 00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:10.159 of your sins. 00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:12.480 You've asked him to change you. 00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:15.159 To save you. 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:17.920 Friend, 00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:18.960 if that's never happened 00:39:18.960 --> 00:39:19.299 to you, 00:39:19.359 --> 00:39:19.980 there's no net. 00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:23.399 There's no net. 00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:26.940 I wouldn't want to be 00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:27.619 where you are, 00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:28.299 quite honestly. 00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:32.000 If you've never given 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.719 your life to Christ, 00:39:32.779 --> 00:39:33.420 if there's a question 00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:34.199 about that in your life, 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:35.980 don't leave this place today 00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.579 without nailing that down. 00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:38.779 There's no need to do that. 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.400 There's no need 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.240 to let that linger. 00:39:41.260 --> 00:39:42.500 Eternity hangs in the balance. 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:46.100 If you have done that, 00:39:46.240 --> 00:39:47.480 is it a private matter 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:48.420 that you did with the Lord 00:39:48.420 --> 00:39:49.260 by yourself 00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:51.000 or maybe just with a few 00:39:51.000 --> 00:39:52.019 or have you ever 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:53.500 acknowledged that publicly? 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:54.800 Have you ever told 00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:55.600 anybody about it? 00:39:57.180 --> 00:39:57.580 Jesus, 00:39:57.780 --> 00:39:58.340 by his example 00:39:58.340 --> 00:39:59.120 and by his commission, 00:39:59.280 --> 00:40:00.540 show us that the first step 00:40:00.540 --> 00:40:01.480 of obedience after that 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:01.940 is baptism. 00:40:02.620 --> 00:40:03.480 If you've never been 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.440 baptized as a believer, 00:40:04.580 --> 00:40:05.640 I encourage you today 00:40:05.640 --> 00:40:06.720 to commit to do that. 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:08.459 You can join this church 00:40:08.459 --> 00:40:09.179 by baptism. 00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:10.659 Maybe you're a member 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:11.179 of this church 00:40:11.179 --> 00:40:12.239 and you realize over time 00:40:12.239 --> 00:40:12.819 this has happened 00:40:12.819 --> 00:40:13.519 just recently. 00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:14.839 You realize 00:40:14.839 --> 00:40:16.319 there's never been 00:40:16.319 --> 00:40:17.079 a time in your life 00:40:17.079 --> 00:40:17.679 for you to baptize 00:40:17.679 --> 00:40:18.119 as a believer. 00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.719 Something happened 00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:19.439 to you as a child 00:40:19.439 --> 00:40:20.000 but in reality 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:21.179 you got saved since then. 00:40:21.339 --> 00:40:22.039 You've never been 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.699 baptized as a believer 00:40:22.699 --> 00:40:23.579 and you realize that. 00:40:24.359 --> 00:40:25.179 You want to be obedient 00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:26.000 to follow God. 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:27.779 We're not going to 00:40:27.779 --> 00:40:28.639 baptize you this morning 00:40:28.639 --> 00:40:29.719 but we'll line it up 00:40:29.719 --> 00:40:30.659 in the coming days. 00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:33.659 Commit to that today 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:34.579 if you've never done that. 00:40:34.579 --> 00:40:37.319 Maybe God's drawing you 00:40:37.319 --> 00:40:38.739 to Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:40:39.199 --> 00:40:40.659 I'm blessed that God's 00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:41.659 doing a wonderful work 00:40:41.659 --> 00:40:42.880 in this church. 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:44.599 God's so good to us. 00:40:44.639 --> 00:40:45.380 He really is. 00:40:46.259 --> 00:40:46.900 And if you feel like 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.579 the Lord's leading you 00:40:47.579 --> 00:40:47.819 to do that, 00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:48.860 we'll be happy to guide you 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.719 in that process. 00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.360 We'll be happy to do that. 00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:53.779 But then for the rest of us, 00:40:54.819 --> 00:40:56.259 there's pressing matters. 00:40:59.079 --> 00:41:00.159 Some of you came in here 00:41:00.159 --> 00:41:01.539 with a weight around your neck 00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:03.460 that's weighing you down 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:05.960 and I encourage you 00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:06.739 to set your mind 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:07.539 on things above. 00:41:08.779 --> 00:41:09.840 Give it over to the Lord. 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:11.639 That'll take you 00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:12.699 following Him in obedience 00:41:12.699 --> 00:41:13.820 and whatever that means. 00:41:16.719 --> 00:41:17.420 You can do it 00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:18.039 where you'll stand 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:18.619 in just a moment 00:41:18.619 --> 00:41:19.259 instead of singing. 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:19.900 Get it right. 00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:21.500 You can do it at this altar 00:41:21.500 --> 00:41:22.300 as someone did 00:41:22.300 --> 00:41:24.539 in our nine o'clock worship. 00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:26.759 I'll be happy to pray with you. 00:41:26.800 --> 00:41:27.159 I'm here. 00:41:27.159 --> 00:41:29.379 But let's just take 00:41:29.379 --> 00:41:29.940 a few moments 00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.579 to make sure 00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.259 we do everything 00:41:31.259 --> 00:41:31.839 we need to do 00:41:31.839 --> 00:41:32.759 to be obedient to God. 00:41:35.279 --> 00:41:36.420 To not let that 00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:37.299 be a pressing matter 00:41:37.299 --> 00:41:37.859 in our life 00:41:37.859 --> 00:41:39.039 that we've been disobedient 00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:40.980 when God spoke to us. 00:41:42.039 --> 00:41:42.699 Heavenly Father, 00:41:42.799 --> 00:41:43.739 lead us right now 00:41:43.739 --> 00:41:45.779 to simply do 00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:46.879 what you'd have us to do. 00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.619 Nothing more 00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:48.579 and nothing less. 00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:49.759 Give us the boldness, 00:41:49.920 --> 00:41:50.460 the courage, 00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.219 and the faith 00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:52.859 to just follow you 00:41:52.859 --> 00:41:53.599 and set our minds 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:54.579 on you, oh God. 00:41:55.239 --> 00:41:56.699 In Jesus' name, amen.