WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:05.480 Ephesians chapter 5, I had the opportunity to be those girls pastor when they were young 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:10.880 and I remember when they sang with their mother and Sidney would get on a little chair or 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:13.980 something in order to be tall enough to join in. 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:15.480 Blessed, blessed. 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:21.280 I believe they probably got all their talent from their daddy because he don't have any 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:21.740 left. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.420 He's a whole lot bigger than I am or at least he's big in a different way. 00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:39.079 I'll put it that way. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:49.600 There are two approaches that individuals can take toward their marriage. 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:59.519 A couple can decide that they are together and stand back to back or side to side. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:12.200 And fight off whatever may come or they can stand toe to toe and try to win the fight between 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:12.780 each other. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:25.359 And I want to encourage you today to fight together and to protect your marriage. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:30.260 Now I realize with such a message like this, it does not apply to everyone in the room. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:32.780 At least not in the same ways. 00:01:33.980 --> 00:01:36.719 But I do believe it is a weighty enough subject. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:40.939 I do believe it is important enough that we need to deal with it. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:47.519 Even when it may not particularly apply to our individual lives where we are in our life. 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:53.959 I think it is important enough to maintain families for the Lord Jesus Christ and the world in which 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:57.159 we live that we need to take some time out this summer. 00:01:57.879 --> 00:02:01.379 As I have said, I believe family matters. 00:02:02.119 --> 00:02:07.060 So we took some time this summer to talk about family matters. 00:02:07.060 --> 00:02:17.039 And I will tell you that a strong, healthy, godly marriage that protects itself through the power 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:22.420 of the Holy Spirit of God from what the world faces does not come naturally, yet it can come. 00:02:23.920 --> 00:02:27.080 It just depends on which nature you're relying on, quite honestly. 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:31.439 Ephesians chapter 5, beginning in verse 15 says, 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:40.000 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:43.960 Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:50.199 And do not get drunk with wine, for this is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:56.340 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 00:02:56.340 --> 00:03:03.080 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:08.340 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:09.719 And then he speaks of marriage. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:12.140 And he closes with this in verse 33. 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:16.319 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:20.939 and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:28.719 I have two daughters, and both of my daughters have had historic softball careers. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:32.579 I say historic because they are in the past. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:37.860 In the long past, even though both of them are young. 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:40.919 Abby, I believe, played for one year. 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:46.199 She was the daffodil puller out in the outfield. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:51.199 She was very successful at it, unless the ball came out there, 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:53.599 and then she ran the opposite direction. 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:56.459 But man, she looked good in a uniform. 00:03:57.959 --> 00:04:01.379 So when Millie came along, she was our great white hope. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:07.179 And Millie was a lot more engaged in it, cared about it, tried harder at it. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:08.479 It meant something to her. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:12.679 Abby just wanted a better bat bag so she could look good walking in. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:20.840 But Millie had the passion, and you can tell in girls' softball where the passion is by the dugout. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:27.180 Because the dugouts of girls' softballs are usually loud with chants and songs and such. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:31.280 And I would look over there, and Millie would be wearing herself out, 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:33.460 yelling to the top of her lungs, 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:35.840 You ugly! You ugly! 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:37.899 You ain't got no alibi, you ugly! 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:39.220 And things like that. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:46.100 And I thought, oh dear God, give her that passion on the field. 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:50.700 And when she moved to shortstop, man, I was beaming. 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:52.980 I mean, the girl got a hot spot, you know. 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:54.880 She's playing in a hot spot. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:58.540 She was less than a year off corrective eye surgery 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:03.540 when the ball took a bad bounce, and she played it off her eye socket. 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:07.480 It was the beginning of the end. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:10.040 Her career went down like flames. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:16.660 And the stitch mark on her face, I'll just be honest with you, it made her daddy proud. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:27.020 But leading up to that time, we had spent hours in the yard practicing. 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:32.060 I'd stand behind them and show them how to swing. 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:39.859 I would show them how to get in front of the ball and protect the ball, keep it in front of you. 00:05:39.919 --> 00:05:42.120 It's a whole lot harder to get it if it gets behind you. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:44.079 Keep it in front of you. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:49.079 I'd show them how to throw, and I'll just tell you, Millie had a main arm. 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:51.159 She was successful until she wasn't. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:54.500 But the success did come with a price. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:06:03.280 She could hit the ball because she was shown how to stand, how to get ready, how to take her best swing. 00:06:03.400 --> 00:06:05.500 And she worked at it. 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:16.300 I thought about that when I thought about how I want you to hit a home run in your home life. 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:20.700 And you can't do that unless you work at it. 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:25.980 You can't do that unless you give it your best swing. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:30.500 And so this morning, I want to show you how to prepare and protect. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:34.980 And it is similar to softball training, at least for me, and I'm not a coach. 00:06:37.820 --> 00:06:39.900 The first thing is keep your feet planted. 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:45.980 The Apostle Paul put it this way, look carefully how you walk. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:51.860 With the best of intentions, things can easily go adrift in a marriage. 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:54.700 And it's not immediate, and it's not always obvious. 00:06:56.080 --> 00:07:01.180 It's kind of like putting one foot on the boat and keeping the other on the dock. 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:02.980 You better pay attention to what you're doing. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:06.560 Because the drift can get ugly quickly. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:16.060 And even when there is a sudden mishap or slip up or let's just say that one sins against God and against each other. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:20.259 I will tell you that sin did not come overnight. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:29.180 There's a vulnerability that you had in your life that the devil got a foothold. 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:36.680 And you put your foot in the wrong place and you begin to drift. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:42.000 And those drifts usually end in a plunge. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:48.860 And it's never apart from putting yourself in such a position. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:55.439 When two Christians marry, they both have a built-in advantage. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:57.519 I'll be honest with you. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:01.219 Christians also have a built-in disadvantage. 00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:06.799 And that disadvantage is that they come into their marriage with high expectations. 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:11.299 They know that Scripture teaches that it ought to last forever. 00:08:11.479 --> 00:08:13.819 And so they plan on it lasting forever. 00:08:14.039 --> 00:08:17.479 So when things go awry, they're surprised that they went awry. 00:08:17.599 --> 00:08:18.919 And they don't know how to respond to that. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:22.819 But even greater than that, there's a built-in advantage. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:28.819 Because the advantage for the Christian is they have a built-in lifetime warranty. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:31.099 And you know what that warranty is? 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:32.879 The grace of God. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:38.120 The grace of God will give you everything that you need. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:43.720 Not just to sustain you in marriage, but to help you thrive in marriage. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.259 His grace enables us in the midst of our weakness. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:52.539 His grace reconciles the wrong and the strained. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:56.620 His grace restores the worn and the broken. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:59.179 His grace repairs what is wrong. 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:01.519 He gives us all we need. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:07.279 But I'll tell you that we still have to do the work that goes along with it. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:11.899 You have to ask for forgiveness sometimes. 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:15.199 And you have to be willing to forgive. 00:09:17.459 --> 00:09:23.159 You must have to look past the wrongs and keep no record of them. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:27.139 You have to keep standing strong. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.159 You have to resist. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.579 You have to give. 00:09:29.939 --> 00:09:34.480 You have to decide that you're third behind God and behind your spouse. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:41.899 You have to be faithful to rest in him and be willing to be good and angry at the same time. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.659 And I mean be good even when you are angry. 00:09:47.420 --> 00:09:49.240 But I want you to understand something, Christian. 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:50.639 You don't do it alone. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:52.279 He enables you. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:55.279 But you have to follow his lead. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:10:03.679 When the Hebrews were at the Red Sea being pursued by Pharaoh, they wanted to give up. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:04.620 They wanted to go home. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:06.939 They thought it was a dead end. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.639 But they paused. 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:17.740 As uncomfortable as they were and with an army pursuing them, they paused and waited on God. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:24.740 And God parted the sea and dried the land for them to walk on. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:32.700 Later on when they were led by Joshua, walking around Jericho to claim that city, 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:36.840 by about the third day they were walking around going, what in the world are we doing? 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:39.399 Is this really worth it? 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:40.580 Is it really going to work? 00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:41.440 Should I continue? 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:43.200 But they did continue. 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:46.500 And God made the walls tumble in his due time. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:52.320 And what I'm saying is that God has given you everything that you need. 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:54.300 The promise of his presence. 00:10:54.640 --> 00:10:56.560 The promise of his power. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.880 The promise of his guidance. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:03.080 You just got to keep both feet planted on the dock. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:09.420 Don't put your foot on the side of a boat not tethered to the dock. 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:10.200 You'll drift. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:15.180 And it may be slow, but it will be certain. 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:18.180 Keep your feet planted. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.800 The second thing I advise you do is keep your knees bent. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:28.480 To put it plainly, Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 16 through 18, 00:11:28.920 --> 00:11:30.020 Rejoice always. 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:32.260 Pray without ceasing. 00:11:33.020 --> 00:11:34.800 Give thanks in all circumstances. 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:37.820 For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:40.120 First he says, rejoice always. 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:44.080 In other words, don't walk around sour all the time. 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:46.799 Praise the Lord in the good times. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.039 Praise the Lord in the bad times. 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.240 Thank him for walking with you. 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:55.639 And don't act like and don't look like you're miserable. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:57.860 Rejoice. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:03.060 No one wants to be around a negative person. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.480 That's not fun. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.620 Don't always talk about your troubles. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:12.560 I heard Lou Holt say one time, don't talk about your troubles. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:15.659 90% of people don't care and the other 10% are glad. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:21.620 Take those matters to the Lord. 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.860 Take them to the Lord. 00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:29.860 But he also says, pray without ceasing. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:34.579 And you may look at that passage like I did for the first few times I looked at it. 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:36.039 How in the world do you do that? 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.159 You've got to function in life. 00:12:37.219 --> 00:12:38.059 How do you do that? 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:44.339 But I've learned what that really means is keep your eyes on Jesus and take everything to him in prayer. 00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:48.159 And to always be dependent upon prayer. 00:12:49.359 --> 00:12:51.439 Do the same in your marriage. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:54.339 Realize that you're not independent. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.419 You're dependent upon the Lord. 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.459 You're dependent upon him. 00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:59.500 You'll remain dependent upon him. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.819 That will not change. 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:04.239 There's never a moment that we don't need his wisdom. 00:13:04.619 --> 00:13:07.379 There's never a moment we don't need his strength. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:10.740 There's never a moment we don't need his forgiveness. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:14.460 And I will tell you, I don't care your age. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:17.340 You've not outgrown the mercy of God. 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:22.439 If you're married, nor has your marriage. 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.639 Temptations come. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.899 Disagreements come. 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.620 Discouragement comes. 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.220 And every day we sin. 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.440 And our sin not only affects us. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.500 I want you to hear me. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:36.759 Our sin not only affects us. 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:39.279 No matter how private or public it is. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.639 It does not only affect us. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:47.740 One of the evil lies the devil loves to tell is this ain't going to bother nobody. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.039 What's it hurt? 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.659 It's a lie. 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:56.959 It affects you and it affects your relationship with others, especially your marriage. 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:00.579 And therefore you need to be in constant prayer. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:02.919 Preacher, what does that mean? 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.719 How often do I pray? 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.159 Every time you think about it. 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:11.639 A dedicated time of prayer daily, I believe, is necessary. 00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:15.419 And calling on the Lord throughout the day is necessary. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:20.939 Both can become habitual if you'll be faithful with it. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.159 Just keep two things in mind. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.699 One is we are not our own. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:32.240 God created you to worship him. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:41.120 And everything that we are, everything that we have, every situation, every relationship, everything in our lives are for him. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:52.000 We purposely set our lives and our marriage in a way that make them distinctive and comprehensively about God at all times. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:54.179 Because they're not your own. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.740 They're his. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.799 So honor him. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.860 And the second thing you need to remember is this. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:07.480 We are and will always be dependent. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.340 Will always be. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:15.220 I raise my children with the hope that they will be independent one day. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:21.379 I cannot say the same about how God raised me. 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:26.980 Because God raised me to be dependent upon him. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:29.460 And that can never change. 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:33.200 Why? 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.259 Because I'm a sinner. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:42.419 And I must lean on him constantly to forgive me. 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.259 To strengthen me. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.200 To guide me to be more like him. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:52.520 And we're all that way. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.540 Don't look at me like that. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.480 We're all that way. 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:58.460 We don't think as we should. 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:00.040 We don't speak as we should. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:02.000 We don't act like we should. 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.780 We need his help. 00:16:03.900 --> 00:16:04.740 We need his wisdom. 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.640 We need his forgiveness. 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.700 We need his strength. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:10.800 And if we need that as individuals. 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:15.520 How much more do two individuals. 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.759 Need it. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.720 Who are building a relationship. 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.379 Together. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.420 Trying to honor. 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:24.080 And please the Lord. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.900 And honor. 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:27.920 And please each other. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:31.699 The only way that can happen. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.379 Is to realize. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:35.059 We are and will always be. 00:16:35.959 --> 00:16:36.399 Dependent. 00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:38.199 And so because we're dependent. 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:39.919 We ought to ask. 00:16:42.599 --> 00:16:43.860 Matthew chapter 7. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.620 Verse 7 through 11 says. 00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:47.019 Ask and it will be given to you. 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:47.979 Seek and you will find. 00:16:48.099 --> 00:16:49.360 Knock and it will be opened to you. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:51.099 For everyone who asks receives. 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.219 And the one who seeks finds. 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.199 And the one who knocks it. 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:55.159 Knocks it will be opened. 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.899 Or which one of you. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:58.319 If his son asks him for bread. 00:16:58.439 --> 00:16:59.419 Will give him a stone. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.539 Or if he asks for a fish. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.480 Will give him a serpent. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.139 If you then. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.720 Who are evil. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.180 Know how to give good gifts. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.339 To your children. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.019 How much more will your father. 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.740 Who is in heaven. 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:13.960 Give good gifts to those. 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:15.339 Who ask him. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.359 So in other words. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.779 Jesus is saying there. 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.500 Ask. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.099 God cares about you. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:25.440 God cares about your spouse. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.279 God cares about your marriage. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.640 And he cares about it more than you do. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:32.320 And so he'll give you the good things. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.279 That you ask for. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.660 When you ask. 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:36.259 So ask. 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:38.220 The second thing is listen. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.860 Listen to him. 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:44.259 A lot of us act toward God. 00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:46.259 Like that man acted toward his wife. 00:17:47.340 --> 00:17:48.519 He's worried about her. 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:51.240 And he went to the doctor. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:53.119 And concerned about his wife's hearing. 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.099 And the doctor said. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.180 I'll tell you what you do. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.139 Stand behind her. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.859 And say something. 00:17:58.019 --> 00:18:00.279 And tell me how close you are. 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.279 When she hears it. 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:04.160 So the man went home. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.539 And saw his wife in the kitchen. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:07.379 Cutting carrots on the countertop. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:11.039 And about 15 feet away. 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:11.480 He said. 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.519 Honey what's for dinner. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.279 She didn't say anything. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:17.160 He went about halfway there. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.440 And repeated the same question. 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.640 Still nothing. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:22.320 Very concerned now. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.640 He gets right behind her. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:23.880 And asks. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.960 What's for dinner? 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.820 And she turns around. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.220 And says. 00:18:27.300 --> 00:18:28.500 For the third time. 00:18:28.560 --> 00:18:29.200 Beef stew. 00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:36.279 We're the same way with God sometimes. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:39.519 We think he's not answering. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:42.100 And the reality is. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.820 We're not listening. 00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:47.060 So let's keep our knees. 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.519 Because. 00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:51.759 We're not our own. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:54.820 And we're dependent upon him. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.620 So ask him. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.920 He tells us to ask him. 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:01.880 Seek him. 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.200 Not. 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.800 That speaks of a persistence. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.800 And then listen. 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:12.620 Because your relationship with God. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.880 Highly affects. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.800 Your marriage. 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.299 And. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.440 That's a huge. 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:21.639 Lastly. 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:24.759 Be in your spot. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.639 When Millie played shortstop. 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:32.859 She had to learn to stay in the spot. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.119 To alter. 00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:37.960 Where she needed to be. 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.579 For the play that was at hand. 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:43.460 And as well. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.639 You need to be in your spot. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.939 And what I mean by that is. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.839 You need to be right here. 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.059 In your spot. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:56.940 I've seen it again and again. 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:02.139 When the strains come. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.440 In a family's life. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.759 Church too often becomes secondary. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.759 If things are rough. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:13.480 If things are rough at the house. 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:15.279 Sunday morning can be pretty rough. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:19.059 And so sometimes it's easier. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.259 Just to let things slip. 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.140 It's a horrible. 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.579 Wicked strategy. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.700 Of the evil one. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.819 To lead you. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.660 To neglect. 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:34.099 Your spiritual life. 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:36.119 When things are not going. 00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:37.099 The way they need to go. 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.839 And when the marriage. 00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:41.459 Feels the heat that comes. 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.219 Without a constant. 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:46.399 Reiteration of the need. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.419 And the presence. 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.419 Of the Lord. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.219 In that relationship. 00:20:52.459 --> 00:20:54.339 We become too forgetful. 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:57.819 When the struggles come. 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:59.059 Where do we turn? 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.659 If we've neglected. 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.700 Our relationships with God. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.019 If we've already stopped. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.920 Turning to him. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.360 And stopped asking him. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.620 And stopped listening. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.000 Where do we turn? 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.279 I'm just telling you. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.240 It often happens. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:29.000 And if you're not listening. 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:29.660 To the Lord. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:32.840 Then who are you listening to? 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.980 Other voices. 00:21:39.060 --> 00:21:39.920 Other voices. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.980 Other voices beside the Lord. 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:45.300 Other voices beside his word. 00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:48.600 Other voices. 00:21:49.080 --> 00:21:50.259 Besides the church. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.019 And I'll just tell you. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.900 You get beyond that. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.660 There's not a whole lot out there. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.259 That believes in sustaining. 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.240 A marital relationship. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.280 It's not there. 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.620 The church. 00:22:08.280 --> 00:22:09.259 And the word. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.759 And the people of God. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.360 Will always remind you. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.900 That marriage matters. 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:19.180 Will always remind you. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.400 You are not alone. 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:24.780 I'll always remind you. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:26.940 You are dependent upon the Lord. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:30.100 You'll remain dependent upon the Lord. 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:33.060 And you need those reminders. 00:22:33.060 --> 00:22:35.019 And you need to be in your place in worship. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.019 The crowded world. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.879 The crowded world. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.440 Can sure feel. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.359 Lonely. 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:47.160 New hardware store was opening. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:51.220 Wife wanted to go see the new hardware store. 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.619 Husband didn't care anything about going. 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:56.799 She kept badgering him about going. 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.879 And finally she said. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.919 If you don't go. 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.519 I'll be the only woman there. 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.759 Among all those men. 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:04.019 And he said. 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.559 If I go. 00:23:04.679 --> 00:23:05.959 You'll still be the only woman there. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.879 Among all those men. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.859 He didn't get it. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.519 He didn't get it. 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.719 She wanted him there. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:22.579 I'm telling you this morning. 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:30.579 I don't pretend to know the timing of God. 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:33.839 And how he works in his economy. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:38.319 I just know that I trust it. 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.980 And I try to obediently follow it. 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.839 I just got a strong sense. 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.740 That possibly. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:49.059 There's a wake up call today. 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:51.079 To get it. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.339 Protect your marriage. 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.519 Keep your feet. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.720 Planted. 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:03.679 I tell my kids. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.279 Text Abby. 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.740 Last night. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.579 I tell Millie. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.439 About every time she leaves the house. 00:24:15.179 --> 00:24:15.819 Nothing stupid. 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:19.980 That covers a lot of territory. 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:24.079 And if you think that's inappropriate to say. 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:26.599 You just go see what some kid will do. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.639 If they act stupid. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.399 I promise you. 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.339 It's not inappropriate. 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.579 Tell them not to do something stupid. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.079 Covers a lot of stuff. 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:36.220 And I've come today to tell you. 00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:39.500 Don't do anything stupid. 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.740 Wake up to the reality. 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.900 Keep your feet planted. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:47.359 Keep your knees bent. 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:50.660 And be in your spot. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.380 Because God cares about your family. 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:58.940 And because we care about your family. 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:06.380 And because we've got to work hard to protect it. 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.620 Just by being persistent. 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:09.880 Just by being persistent. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.620 To be dependent. 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.140 To be dependent. 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.620 Upon him. 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:12.660 To be dependent. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.020 Upon him. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:21.259 With every head bowed. 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.980 I ask you today. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:26.980 Has there ever been a time in your life. 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:29.639 When you've surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:33.500 Because the reality is. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.920 There's a built-in advantage. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.900 I told you that. 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:37.880 If you are a child of God. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:41.160 You've got the Holy Spirit living within you. 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.880 To lead you. 00:25:43.540 --> 00:25:44.600 And if you don't know the Lord. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:47.560 There's a great disadvantage in so many different ways. 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:49.620 And one of them is in your home. 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:54.159 I'm thankful that today is the day of salvation. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.159 If you don't know the Lord. 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.299 You can come forward today. 00:25:56.719 --> 00:25:58.019 I'd love to guide you. 00:25:58.099 --> 00:26:00.379 In what it means to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus. 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.799 Just surrender to him. 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:03.879 Admit you're a sinner. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.939 Admit you need him in your life. 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:09.459 Make a commitment to follow him from this day forward. 00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:10.619 He'll change your life. 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.979 Maybe you're here and you have done that. 00:26:13.979 --> 00:26:16.679 But you've never acknowledged that publicly through baptism. 00:26:17.419 --> 00:26:19.039 Jesus showed us by an example. 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:21.099 As well as told us by his commission. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.879 To follow him in baptism. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:29.000 Maybe you're here and God's leading you to be a part of First Baptist Church. 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.779 You've visited with us. 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.920 You've felt a part of it. 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:33.259 You want to be a part of it. 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.480 Feel led to be a part of it. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:34.960 You come. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.599 Love to guide you in that. 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.779 But I got a feeling that. 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.659 For a lot of us. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:45.200 There's just matters that we need to lay before the Lord. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:47.440 And we can do that where we stand in a few moments. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:49.240 You can do it where you sit right now. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.259 Or you can do it at this altar. 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:53.019 Or you got a pastor here to pray with you if you'd like. 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:56.420 Lay it before the Lord. 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:59.660 Take the warning that he gave us. 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.240 And live in response to it. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:06.519 He'll be honored and your family will be strengthened. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:10.279 Lord Jesus I ask today. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:14.579 That you'll work and you'll move in hearts and lives. 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.960 Like only you can. 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:19.660 Help us to hear what you have to say. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:22.359 Work and move in us oh God. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.500 As only you can. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:26.400 And help us to have the fortitude. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.920 And the courage and the obedience. 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.839 To just follow. 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:31.119 As you lead oh Lord I pray. 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:33.339 In Jesus precious name. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:33.940 Amen.