WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.660 I want you to turn to Genesis chapter 9, Genesis chapter 9. 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:05.799 We've been blessed this morning with music now, folks. 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:07.200 My soul. 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:11.140 Sit on that front row sometimes and say, Lord, just don't let me mess this up. 00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:15.919 I guess we could just, after such a worship time, we could just go home, couldn't we? 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:17.179 But we're not. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:27.839 But anyway, we spent a couple of weeks talking about Noah and the flood, and there's a lot 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:28.500 to learn. 00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:30.559 Somebody came up with a list of that. 00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:33.399 All I ever needed to know, I learned from Noah. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:35.759 I'll give you the top 10. 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:38.179 Number 10, don't miss the boat. 00:00:39.799 --> 00:00:42.439 Number 9, we're all in the same boat. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:46.159 Number 8, plan ahead. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:48.519 It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:52.100 Number 7, stay fit. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:55.460 When you're 500 years old, you might be asked to do something big. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:59.060 Number 6, don't listen to critics. 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:01.960 Just do the job that needs to be done. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:05.939 Number 5, for safety's sake, travel in pairs. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:10.740 Number 4, speed isn't always an advantage. 00:01:10.900 --> 00:01:13.359 The cheaters were on board, but so were the snails. 00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:16.780 Number 3, when you stress, float a while. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:21.519 Number 2, remember, the ark was built by an amateur. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:24.480 The Titanic was built by a team of professionals. 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:32.620 And number 1, no matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:36.380 And that's what I want to talk about this morning is that last one. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:40.100 For the rainbow is the great culmination of the flood. 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:42.939 It really speaks to the whole story. 00:01:43.800 --> 00:01:47.600 It speaks to everything that comes after the story as well, I believe. 00:01:48.020 --> 00:01:52.260 It's found in Genesis chapter 9, beginning in verse 8. 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:53.880 And it says this, 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:57.959 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:02.420 Behold, I established my covenant with you and your offspring after you. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:09.099 And with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:13.500 as many as came out of the ark, it is for every beast of the earth. 00:02:14.019 --> 00:02:19.800 I established my covenant with you that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood. 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:23.579 And never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. 00:02:24.500 --> 00:02:25.199 And God said, 00:02:25.419 --> 00:02:32.359 This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you for all future generations. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:39.819 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:43.620 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:48.599 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:52.819 And the water shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:56.579 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:03:02.659 And remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that's on the earth. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:04.299 God said to Noah, 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:10.859 This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that's on the earth. 00:03:10.860 --> 00:03:19.600 God had given Noah specific instructions on how to build the ark that he would fill with animals. 00:03:20.380 --> 00:03:22.740 Noah obeyed and the flood came. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:26.140 For 40 days and 40 nights it rained. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:31.359 And 150 days later, the ark rested on Mount Ararat. 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:37.419 A year after the floods had started, Noah came out of the ark. 00:03:37.959 --> 00:03:41.899 And after Noah built an altar and worshiped, God made a covenant. 00:03:42.899 --> 00:03:46.799 God was pleased by the aroma that came from the altar. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:53.780 And the Lord makes a covenant not to ever destroy the earth with water because of us. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:57.439 Or strike down every living creature again. 00:03:58.200 --> 00:04:03.000 He then told them to get busy replenishing the earth and we've been doing that ever since. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:07.540 So what's the real message of the flood? 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:13.180 What I want to do this morning is I want to summarize the flood event and the aftermath. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:17.560 And I believe it points to a summary of the gospel as well. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.340 The good news of Christ. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:22.459 Almost like a gospel presentation. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:24.259 I want you to see this. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:28.819 First thing you need to see is that our sin caused a curse. 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:34.980 Our sin is more than a stone in the shoe of God. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:39.420 Our sin is not a lack of him getting his way. 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:47.860 God's not some cosmic killjoy becoming insecure in his leadership because we do something different than what he tells us to do. 00:04:48.340 --> 00:04:53.259 Our sin is simply not an alternative way of living life. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:55.580 It's an offense to God. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:05:02.360 I want you to see the devastation that God felt when he looked at the state of the world. 00:05:02.840 --> 00:05:05.240 In Genesis 6, 5 and 6 it says this. 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:13.040 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:19.500 And the Lord regretted that he made man on the earth and it grieved him to his heart. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:25.019 You need to understand that our sin is a slap in the face of God. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:29.180 Even further and more literally a flogging on the back of God. 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:33.680 And when we sin we accuse God of not really loving us. 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:37.620 Not really having the best idea for us. 00:05:38.280 --> 00:05:43.740 He apparently is not able to lead us if we're leading ourselves in a different direction. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:49.199 It's as if the creation has turned against the creator. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:51.780 That sounds like something from a horror movie. 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:54.620 Or an episode of a horrible life. 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:59.139 But I want you to understand that our sin grieves the heart of God. 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:04.160 It is his deepest hurt and the consequences are great. 00:06:04.980 --> 00:06:07.740 It drives a wedge between us and God. 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:15.420 Jesus describes the separation that our sin causes between us and God as a fixed chasm. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:18.180 What that means is friend we're alienated. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:19.939 We are separated. 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:21.560 We are condemned. 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:26.000 We have no hope unless there's a fix. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:32.939 And in Genesis chapter 6 he is telling us the whole world needs to be fixed. 00:06:33.019 --> 00:06:35.040 Now the second step of that summary is this. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:37.019 Our Lord brought a cure. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:42.220 You could call it, you could call the flood the great reset if you would. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:45.680 Something had to fix it and God loves us so much. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:50.180 He doesn't want us to destroy the earth and ourselves with no regard. 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:52.980 And that's why he does not ignore our sin. 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:55.220 He answers it with his wrath. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:07:00.660 He designed us, he designed our bodies and our surroundings for obedience. 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:07.420 And when we lack obedience it destroys the body and his wrath destroys the earth. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:14.000 God in his love must discipline a rebellious humanity regardless of the cost. 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:15.100 Because he's a holy God. 00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:17.620 And so God acted in his wrath. 00:07:17.960 --> 00:07:20.040 His holiness could not ignore sin. 00:07:20.200 --> 00:07:24.260 And thankfully his love is as serious as his wrath. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.720 Which leads to the third point of the summary. 00:07:27.320 --> 00:07:28.980 And that is our Lord made covenant. 00:07:30.580 --> 00:07:34.960 In the midst of a recovering world was a commitment. 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:37.620 A promise. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:40.479 A sign of his grace. 00:07:41.219 --> 00:07:45.560 The rainbow was seen for the first time. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:52.419 A symbol of God's promise not to destroy the earth with water again. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:58.040 It's a sign of his grace upon a sinful humanity. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:02.720 A humankind that has started a war against God. 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:07.259 Whether that be by ignoring their very creator that created them. 00:08:07.700 --> 00:08:11.420 Or whether it be by shaking their fist at him and continuing in our rebellion of sin. 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:15.300 A war that we could not win. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:18.640 A war that would destroy us. 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:21.080 And so God responded. 00:08:22.080 --> 00:08:26.060 The rainbow is more than just a prism of beautiful colors. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:30.959 There has been an attempt for the last 50 years to make the rainbow. 00:08:31.780 --> 00:08:34.879 A symbol of diversity and equality. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:38.879 And a spectrum of human sexuality and gender. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.320 It is not. 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:46.639 It is instead a sign of the end of a spiritual war. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:56.080 The bow that he speaks of is the same word that is used for a bow as if shooting an arrow. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:03.759 God's wrath felt to the earth like a precision attack. 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:07.539 As if he was using the weapons of that day. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:10.740 Like he aimed his bow at the earth. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:14.159 But with the arc of the rainbow. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:21.319 There is the picture of God not aiming that bow at the earth. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:26.419 But hanging that bow on the wall of the sky. 00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:30.480 Hanging up his wrath against them. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:34.019 He said he would not cut them off. 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:37.899 Terms only used one other time in Genesis. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:41.740 And it speaks to anyone who would not enter into a covenant given to Abraham. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:45.180 When God says he will not cut you off. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:48.200 He is saying he will not give up on us. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:50.879 He will not turn us away. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:53.700 He will not destroy us. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:58.139 The spectrum bow that is in the sky is not pointed at us. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:01.539 It's pointed away from us. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.100 How appropriate. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:07.620 God's pointing the bow at himself. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:11.480 And that's where the summary of the gospel comes in. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:15.440 Because the gospel is that we are all sinners. 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:18.240 Romans 3.23 says, 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:21.299 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:23.340 We're all in the same boat, folks. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:27.279 And that sin, our sin, has caused a curse. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:30.360 Scripture is clear about what that curse is. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:34.779 In Romans 6.23, the wages of sin, the cost of penalty of sin is death. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.179 It's that separation. 00:10:36.339 --> 00:10:37.740 It's that chasm I spoke of. 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:41.240 But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:47.000 That death is that chasm of separation between us and God due to our sin. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.980 Our sin caused a curse. 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:53.319 But our Lord brought a cure. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.779 The world couldn't fix itself. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.279 Noah couldn't fix the world. 00:11:00.319 --> 00:11:01.819 Only God could bring the cure. 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:06.040 And so it is with us as individuals. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:11.020 I want you to listen to how the Apostle Paul describes it. 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.740 Describes our state. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.540 It says in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:18.500 Beginning in verse 1. 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:23.900 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.320 In which you once walked. 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:29.460 Following the course of this world. 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:32.620 Following the prince of the power of the air. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:37.440 The spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:44.200 Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh. 00:11:45.800 --> 00:11:49.280 Carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. 00:11:50.280 --> 00:11:52.780 And were by nature children of wrath. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.840 Like the rest of mankind. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:59.879 It's a scathing passage of scripture. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:03.180 That speaks of the difficulty that we're in. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:08.100 And it is followed, thank God, by the biggest but in all of scripture. 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.340 But God. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.220 What did y'all think I was talking about? 00:12:13.300 --> 00:12:13.740 My goodness. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.080 But God. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:18.860 It goes on to tell us. 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:20.820 It is in God's mercy. 00:12:21.020 --> 00:12:22.100 And because of his love. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.120 And by his grace. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.879 That he met us where we are. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:27.840 That he awakens our spiritually dead souls. 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:29.259 And he draws us to himself. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.860 And our surrender to that drawing. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.680 Our following. 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:33.379 His lead. 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:37.020 Changes our lives for now until eternity. 00:12:38.020 --> 00:12:40.940 He cures our curse. 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:43.520 And just like the flood. 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:45.960 But even greater. 00:12:46.920 --> 00:12:47.940 Our Lord made a covenant. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:54.200 The rainbow is the sign of the noatic covenant. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:58.740 It's the first clearly defined covenant in scripture. 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:02.080 Even though it is not the first. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.400 But it's not the last either, thank God. 00:13:06.380 --> 00:13:08.160 He made a covenant as well with Abraham. 00:13:09.020 --> 00:13:10.000 And with his offspring. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.080 And he marked that covenant with male circumcision. 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:16.940 He went on to make a covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:20.159 And he promised them a land for their own. 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:23.139 He made one with David. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:26.000 That points to the promise of Christ. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:29.960 He also made one through Jeremiah. 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:32.159 That led to the greatest covenant. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:34.080 And that is that covenant through the cross. 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:37.080 The greatest sign of grace is not the rainbow. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:41.600 The greatest sign of grace is the cross. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:45.279 I'm thankful that when I see the rainbow. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:49.259 I'm reminded that God hung his warrior bow up. 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.220 Not pointing it at us. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.759 We're not fighting against God. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.240 God's not mad at us. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:58.060 And he's not at war with you. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.480 He's hung up his bow. 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:04.659 Now don't misunderstand me. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.100 Lightning's going to come in your life. 00:14:06.180 --> 00:14:07.580 There's going to be thunder in your life. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.399 There's going to be difficulty in your life. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.120 You are fallen folks. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.500 We are fallen folks. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.180 Living in a fallen world. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:19.340 God will make his presence known. 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:22.980 However, I want you to hear me today. 00:14:24.040 --> 00:14:25.920 You can rest in his promise. 00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:29.139 God keeps his covenant. 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:34.280 If it was just a contract, somebody could breach it and it'll be over. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.139 But it's not. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:36.720 It's a covenant. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:39.639 God keeps his covenant. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.960 In spite of us many times. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:45.600 And about that bow. 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.700 I want you to understand. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:52.400 He's actually pointing that bow at himself. 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:57.500 That he himself now would pay penalty for the evil. 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.400 And the sin of humanity. 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:03.000 And that is exactly what he did on the cross. 00:15:05.540 --> 00:15:08.379 The cross is what all the word of God points to. 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:12.639 It's what that bow in the sky points to. 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:16.320 When we look at the cross, we remember. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.620 Like the old hymn says. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.440 Jesus paid it all. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.160 All to him I owe. 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:25.160 My sin had left a crimson stain. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:27.019 But thank God he washed it. 00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:28.519 White as snow. 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:31.360 So from the rainbow to the cross. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:34.040 We find our hope. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:36.860 We find our salvation. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:39.420 We find our security. 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.519 In the Lord. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:45.960 When he hung that bow. 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.820 He made a promise. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.400 To the earth and all of humanity. 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:53.240 And when Jesus hung on the cross. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:56.320 He made a promise to us as individuals. 00:15:56.320 --> 00:16:00.660 That if we would confess him Jesus as Lord. 00:16:02.260 --> 00:16:05.220 And believe that God raised him from the dead. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:08.080 We shall be saved. 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:11.580 What a shame it is. 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:17.160 To be aware of the fallen state in which we find ourselves. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:22.500 And never respond to the grace of God that's offered to us in response. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:25.519 If you're here this morning. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:31.039 And there's never been a time when you've acknowledged the sin that's in your life before a holy God. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:34.299 When you've confessed that to him. 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:36.559 And asked him to forgive you and to cleanse you of that. 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:40.620 I want you to know the day is the day of salvation. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.939 Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:49.360 He'll change you where you are today. 00:16:50.020 --> 00:16:51.740 And make you what he'd have you to be. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:55.220 I'm thankful the word of God is clear. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.620 That when we do confess that before him. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:01.659 And ask him to empower our lives with the Holy Spirit of God. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:05.180 He not only saves us, forgives us for our sins. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.640 Gives us an eternity with him. 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:13.120 But he also promises life and life more abundantly in John 10. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:18.319 And life and life more abundantly is not just talking about when we leave this life. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:21.460 It's talking about an uptick in life today. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:27.240 It's talking about the quality of having a living Lord leading us all the way. 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:32.700 If you've never given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:36.900 We're going to close our time together with an invitation. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.440 We're going to stand and we're going to sing. 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:46.079 More important than standing and singing is that you respond to the Lord as he speaks to you. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.940 The Holy Spirit does not speak audibly. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.660 He speaks within your hearts. 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:54.980 If you feel a drawing in yourself to come to the Lord Jesus. 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.480 You didn't come up with that on your own. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.320 God's drawing you. 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.380 And you need to respond. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.860 Maybe you're here and you have given your heart and life to the Lord. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.660 And you know that. 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.340 You've done that. 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:07.899 But you've never publicly acknowledged that. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:17.880 Jesus tells us by his example and by his commission that when we're saved our first step of obedience is to follow him in baptism. 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:22.400 If you'll come today we'll be happy to set that up for you. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.420 We're not doing it today. 00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:25.300 We'll be happy to line that up. 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:27.040 We have it scheduled in the future already. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:36.319 So I encourage you if you've accepted the Lord in your life but you feel like your faith is a private faith that you've never let anybody know. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.539 Jesus said if you're ashamed of men. 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:42.099 If you're ashamed of me before men I'll be ashamed of you before my father in heaven. 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:53.199 So I encourage you to openly and honestly let others know that Christ has come into your life by acknowledging that today and by acknowledging that through baptism. 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:55.859 Maybe you're here and God's drawing you to this church. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:19:00.179 You feel like this is a place where you want to join us in your journey. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.939 Shride together until the Lord comes together. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:06.159 God's leading you to be a part of this church. 00:19:06.219 --> 00:19:08.639 We'll be happy to lead you through that process as well. 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:16.920 But you know last Sunday I gave an opportunity for you to let me know if you had any prayer requests. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.020 Anything to share. 00:19:19.020 --> 00:19:21.440 And I was flooded with all kinds of prayer requests. 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:27.220 And I spent much of the day Monday and honestly most of the week praying for those needs that people had. 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:32.220 When I got to the middle of the week and I looked at our prayer guide that we do on Wednesday morning. 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:43.079 And I began to think about those prayer requests that I had received in which I could add to the church prayer schedule and let other people know what was going on. 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.120 I realized something. 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.900 Made a huge impact on me. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:53.620 The requests that had been shared with me were not requests that I could make public. 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:58.479 They were not stuff that everybody needed to know. 00:19:59.739 --> 00:20:02.619 It reaffirmed something that I learned a long time ago. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:05.279 And that is there's a pain on every pew. 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:09.199 People struggling and dealing with stuff. 00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.500 Burdens about their own life. 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:13.159 Burdens for other people's lives. 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:16.439 Tests, struggles all along the way. 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:23.779 And I want you to know whatever it is that you're carrying today, you can lay it at his feet at this altar. 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.279 You can do it where you stand. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.900 It's where you'll stand you too. 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.600 But you can do it at this altar. 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:31.279 You can do it with a pastor praying with you if you'd like. 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:35.100 I just want you to lay that before the Lord. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.600 Ask God to take it. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.400 And then trust him. 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.539 Trust him. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.600 Same God that stopped the flood water. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.340 Same God that hung the rainbow. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:49.740 Same God that sent his son to die on the cross. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:53.640 Loves you enough to care about the hurt that you feel today. 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:56.799 And he'll guide you through it if you'll surrender to him. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.519 And give it over to him. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.700 Let's pray together. 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:05.400 Lord Jesus, help us to simply be obedient as you speak to our hearts and lives. 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:12.740 Help us not be satisfied with doing anything less than our very best to follow what you would have for us, dear God. 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:15.059 I pray for every soul in this building today. 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:20.159 For those who may be watching online, dear God, if they don't know you, may today be the day of salvation. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:24.579 Father, if they need to make a public decision, Lord, lead them to do that. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:28.179 If they have a burden, dear God, lift that burden from them, oh God, I pray. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:31.019 That they'll surrender that to you today. 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:36.139 I love you and I thank you for the opportunity of worship. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:40.679 Help us to do it wholeheartedly by obeying what you tell us to do. 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:43.039 In Jesus' precious name, amen.