WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.980 Thank you, men. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:15.560 If you have your Bibles, I want you to turn to Ephesians chapter 6. 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:22.640 Ephesians chapter 6 is a story in Greek mythology about a great hero named Achilles. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:36.039 The legend is that his mother, when he was a baby, dipped him in the river Styx to coat his entire body with an invincible shield. 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:48.980 And when she dipped him, she held him by the tip of his heel so that only one portion of his body was not covered by those empowered waters. 00:00:48.979 --> 00:00:58.399 In the course of the great battle of the Trojan War, Achilles was struck in the heel of all places with an arrow and was slain. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:05.420 It was the one uncovered point on his body where he was vulnerable. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:12.379 And ever since then, men and women have been vulnerable by an injury to the Achilles. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:13.659 I promise you, it hurts. 00:01:15.199 --> 00:01:17.159 That's just mythology, my friend. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:21.319 What we're talking about these days is a real war. 00:01:22.399 --> 00:01:26.759 But a real war that if we're not careful, we can be very vulnerable to. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:32.500 It's an unseen war that is stoked by the devil and his demons. 00:01:32.979 --> 00:01:42.259 That is the undercurrent to much of the conflict and the difficulty that is seen and surrounds us today. 00:01:43.259 --> 00:01:45.560 We need not be vulnerable to that. 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:52.260 I think there's power in knowledge, but only if you put that knowledge to use. 00:01:52.980 --> 00:01:55.960 We've studied the schemes of the evil one. 00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:58.799 Now we study protection from it. 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:02.439 The Apostle Paul called it the armor of God. 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:06.340 And he encourages us to make sure we're buckled up. 00:02:06.680 --> 00:02:07.599 Make sure we're plated. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:09.539 Make sure we're shielded. 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:11.460 Make sure that we're properly footed. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:13.340 Make sure we're armed. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:16.520 Last week we looked at the belt of truth. 00:02:17.420 --> 00:02:24.360 That it is imperative that we not only believe in Christ, but that we commit our lives to such a belief. 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:25.659 That we live it out. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:31.640 And the reality is that that kind of, like a belt, kind of holds everything together. 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:37.659 Today we look at what the Apostle Paul calls the breastplate of righteousness. 00:02:38.179 --> 00:02:40.179 When he says in Ephesians 6 verse 14, 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:55.179 The breastplate was a key piece of the armor of a Roman soldier. 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:57.740 It was often called a thorax. 00:02:58.340 --> 00:03:03.860 It was a breastplate that typically was made of bronze, which covered the front of the body. 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:09.020 Although there were earlier versions, more primitive versions of it, that were made of thick metal. 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:12.939 Sometimes with bone and metal, excuse me, thick leather. 00:03:13.340 --> 00:03:14.680 Excuse me, let me say that again. 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:19.879 Made with thick leather, with bone and metal sometimes sewn in. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:30.240 More affluent officers may have made one of, have one made of chain mail, which is a small metal rings linked together to form a chest armor. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:36.879 But the breastplate usually started below the neck and went to the top of the thighs. 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:44.159 It was made to protect the vital organs, primarily the lungs and the heart. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:48.379 Now with our lungs, we breathe in and out. 00:03:48.579 --> 00:03:50.799 We take in air and we exhale. 00:03:51.799 --> 00:03:55.539 And if we take in bad air, we'll pay for it. 00:03:56.680 --> 00:04:04.159 In the same way, spiritually, if we take in polluted stuff, we're going to suffer. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:15.359 You can't hang out in evil, negative, unwholesome atmospheres and it not affect you spiritually. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:16.500 You're going to breathe it in. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:18.100 It's going to affect you. 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:24.699 Let me just say that in the last days before a national election of such significance, 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:30.779 I encourage you to be careful how much of the propaganda you breathe in, okay? 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:33.680 It's a big election. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:37.920 But what if it doesn't go your way? 00:04:40.400 --> 00:04:42.700 What if it doesn't go the way that I want it to? 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:44.140 What are you going to do? 00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:48.580 If your person loses the election, what are you going to do? 00:04:51.020 --> 00:04:51.840 I'm going to tell you something. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:54.840 On November the 6th, whoever's going to be the president next year, 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:57.180 on November the 6th, I'm going to get up 00:04:57.180 --> 00:05:00.500 and I'm going to make me a good, strong cup of coffee 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:03.939 and I'm going to walk my dog and I'm going to read my Bible 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:06.279 and I'm going to seek the face of the Lord 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:10.360 and I'm going to trust his hand regardless. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:14.240 My trust is in God. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:18.100 The Oval Office does not change that. 00:05:18.900 --> 00:05:24.900 And I pray that America will make the best decision of two poor choices in my opinion. 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:28.479 And I don't care to discuss that. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:32.179 But we need not be consumed with it. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:34.500 The world's consumed with it. 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:38.000 But our hope is in Christ, folks. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:40.519 Let's not miss the perspective here. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:44.399 Don't take in too much of that mess. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:46.239 You'll be mad at the world. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:52.139 Now, my old adage is, and I think y'all live by it, 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:54.800 don't spend more time watching the news than you spend time with the Lord. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:57.780 Because it will change your perspective. 00:05:59.100 --> 00:06:03.199 There's a lot that's worse, however, than watching the news and taking that in. 00:06:04.340 --> 00:06:06.519 And the things that are worse than that, stay away from them. 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:08.980 There's no need in it. 00:06:09.840 --> 00:06:11.220 Be careful what you take in. 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:14.180 Protect the air in which you breathe. 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:15.980 Take in good air. 00:06:16.280 --> 00:06:17.420 Stay away from the unhealthy. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:21.400 The breastplate protected the lungs. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.000 It also protected the heart. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:28.840 And in the Greek mindset, the heart was the seat of a person's will, 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:33.019 of their emotions, of their beliefs, of their attitudes. 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:39.840 And the reality is, although we understand some things, anyway, about cardiology, 00:06:39.840 --> 00:06:41.980 the reality is when we talk about the heart, 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:45.220 we talk in the same way as the Greek mindset. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:48.500 When you want somebody to give their all, you say, put your heart into it. 00:06:49.460 --> 00:06:55.900 When you get your heart broke, you say, somebody broke my heart. 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:00.620 Or you'll say, I believe it with all my heart. 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:05.640 Or even when you really want somebody to know you're telling the truth, 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:07.400 I crossed my heart. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:11.279 That's when you know it's settled they got to be telling the truth. 00:07:12.299 --> 00:07:13.799 Especially with the needle in the eye. 00:07:13.859 --> 00:07:14.879 But that's a different subject. 00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:21.519 When Paul talks about having the mind of Christ in Philippians chapter 2, 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:25.419 he speaks of how feelings and attitudes should be like Christ. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.560 Philippians 2, 5 says, having this mind among yourselves, 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:30.560 which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:36.100 I believe it's best summarized in Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23 through 25. 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:38.839 It says, keep your heart with all vigilance. 00:07:39.780 --> 00:07:41.839 For from it flow the springs of life. 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:46.379 Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk from you. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:52.939 Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you. 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:54.959 Don't look to and fro. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:55.899 Look straight ahead. 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:59.220 Righteousness protects what we take in. 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:02.080 Righteousness protects what we breathe out. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:05.220 It also protects our heart, how we feel, how we respond. 00:08:05.880 --> 00:08:08.440 Well, what kind of righteousness am I talking about? 00:08:08.940 --> 00:08:10.160 Well, I'm glad you asked. 00:08:12.080 --> 00:08:13.720 Because it's not all the same. 00:08:15.020 --> 00:08:18.900 I want to share with you quickly three types of righteousness. 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:22.440 And I want to be clear, all righteousness is not the same. 00:08:23.440 --> 00:08:25.680 One, there's insufficient righteousness. 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:31.100 That's when we just try to do the right thing. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.940 We just do it in our own strength. 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:37.259 And some think that they're righteous because of their religious efforts. 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:43.519 Jesus spoke of that in a parable in Luke chapter 18, verses 9 through 14. 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:44.379 He said this, 00:08:44.379 --> 00:09:02.740 And he pointed at the guy next to him at the altar. 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:04.620 Don't do that if you come to the altar today. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:05.639 Don't point at the guy next to you, okay? 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:06.879 He said, 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.120 I fast twice a week. 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:09.439 I grieve tithes. 00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:10.699 I give tithes. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.720 And maybe grieve. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.360 But anyway, I give tithes of all that I get. 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:18.939 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, 00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:20.039 but beat his breast, saying, 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.799 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:24.439 I tell you, this man went down to the house. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:26.600 He's justified rather than the other. 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:28.759 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:31.980 And the one who humbles himself will be exalted. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:34.259 We give, we serve, we worship. 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.639 We do those things. 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:36.940 I want you to hear me this morning. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:44.480 We do those things not to pay back, not to be sufficient, but to obey. 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:47.620 To trust God and obey. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:48.620 Obey the Lord. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:54.180 Trust everything else with the Lord. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:56.000 I want you to listen to what the Apostle Paul said. 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:58.899 He said in Philippians chapter 3, 4 through 7, he said, 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:01.879 If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:06.680 Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, 00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:11.920 a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the law of Pharisee, as to zeal, a persecutor of the church, 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:13.860 as to righteous under the law of blameless. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:18.740 But whatever gain I had, I count as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:23.460 Now, to put it in our language, that's like him saying that 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:26.920 I was dedicated to the Lord as a child. 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:31.960 And I came from a family that was pillars in the church. 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:35.019 And I was trained in all the programs of the church. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:35.840 And I volunteered. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:36.740 I worked in areas. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.460 And nobody even saw me doing it. 00:10:39.160 --> 00:10:40.900 I did stuff nobody even recognized. 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.360 Then I served in leadership. 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.160 I was a deacon. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:45.860 I taught a life group. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:48.060 I took some Bible classes. 00:10:48.300 --> 00:10:50.139 I might even worked on staff. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:54.279 The reality is, so much similar to what he said, 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.240 all of that can come in the way. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:59.960 All of that stuff can set us back from what really matters. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:03.879 Paul explains his insufficient righteousness in Romans. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:07.159 When he says Romans, in Romans 7, verse 15, 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:08.279 He said, 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:10.279 For I don't understand my own actions. 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:12.519 For I do not do what I want, 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.779 but I do the very thing I hate. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.360 Have you ever been there? 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.879 Don't look at me smugly. 00:11:18.959 --> 00:11:19.699 You've been there. 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.699 I know you have. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.339 Listen to what he goes on to say. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:25.259 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.319 that is in my flesh. 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:28.100 For I have the desire to do what's right, 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:30.959 but not the ability to carry it out. 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:32.959 For I don't do the good that I want, 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:35.600 but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:38.320 Of course we've been there, 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:41.700 because our own righteousness is insufficient. 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:44.200 We can't do this alone. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:45.759 We're not good enough, period. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:50.700 And then there's also imputed righteousness. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:54.620 That's a theological term, 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:56.860 a word we don't use very much anymore, 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.220 but I want to explain it. 00:11:58.680 --> 00:12:01.220 When someone submits his or her life to Christ, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.100 Christ, excuse me, 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:05.160 God imputes Christ's righteousness 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:06.379 into our lives. 00:12:06.579 --> 00:12:08.120 When Christ died on the cross, 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.179 he was sinless. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.939 He was perfect, 00:12:10.219 --> 00:12:11.919 but he took on our sin. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.539 When we become Christians, 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:15.120 we're sinful and we're unrighteous, 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.559 but when we become a child of God, 00:12:17.819 --> 00:12:18.919 we are made right. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.639 We take on his righteousness, 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.159 and we receive his ascribed, 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:26.659 our imputed righteousness. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:29.459 Again, the apostle Paul, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:33.399 who God used to build our theology 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:36.079 off the teachings of Christ 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:37.719 and the law of God. 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:41.159 He speaks a lot about this. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.659 And let me just say something about the apostle Paul. 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:46.079 Just due to some conversations I've had 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:48.240 in circles recently, 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.659 I want you to understand 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:55.740 that some try to separate the words of Jesus 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:58.659 and the words of Paul, 00:12:58.659 --> 00:13:02.279 and they say that what Jesus said 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.340 is what's important, 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:07.159 and that somehow Paul is just a commentator 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.299 along the way, 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.200 not so much. 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.320 He had his problems. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:18.000 Don't pick portions of God's word 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.740 to value over other portions. 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:23.120 This is God's word. 00:13:23.900 --> 00:13:24.300 Period. 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:27.260 It is God-breathed, inspired, 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:30.940 and we are able to see the life of Christ 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:31.900 through the gospels. 00:13:32.160 --> 00:13:33.820 We're able to see his teaching 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:36.560 and see what he shows us and how to live. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:39.280 And then God brought up the apostle Paul 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:43.600 trained in all these ways that he spoke of 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:45.339 to share with us 00:13:45.339 --> 00:13:48.579 how do we apply what we see in Christ's life? 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:51.079 How do we apply what we hear him teach? 00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:53.000 How do we apply that to our life? 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:55.379 That's where our Christian theology comes from. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:58.659 Paul, and with the help of a couple of other fellows, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:01.579 but the reality is most of it comes from Paul. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:03.600 So don't ever try to separate 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:06.279 that somehow if Jesus didn't speak of this, 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:08.279 then the Bible must not speak of it. 00:14:08.339 --> 00:14:09.059 That's not true. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.039 That's not true. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.980 That's just a little side note. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:12.879 That's free. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:13.759 That don't cost a thing. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:17.100 Don't pick portions of God's word to value 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.379 and others to not. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.519 That's the word of God. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.519 God uses it all. 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:22.259 It's all inspired. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:26.500 And what the apostle Paul says 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:29.159 in Philippians chapter three, verse nine, 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.480 is that when we gain Christ 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:33.259 and are found in him, 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.720 we don't have, notice how he says this, 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:37.600 a righteousness of my own 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.680 that comes from the law, 00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:41.139 but that which comes through faith in Christ, 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.220 the righteousness of God, 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:44.180 that depends on faith. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.340 In other words, as children of God, 00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:49.040 we have got what we need to live for Christ. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.399 We have righteous protections. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:55.100 That means that when we're saved, 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.299 we're set apart, 00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:59.399 the Holy Spirit indwells us 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:02.059 with the righteousness of Christ. 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:05.159 Christ went to the cross sinless. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:08.179 He died his death for sinners. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:11.099 And when we accept his truth in our lives, 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:14.459 he imputes righteousness into our lives. 00:15:14.719 --> 00:15:17.459 We are wired into it. 00:15:17.579 --> 00:15:18.519 He took our sin. 00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:21.019 We take his righteousness. 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:23.639 The great theologian of the 16th century, 00:15:23.739 --> 00:15:26.919 Martin Luther, called it the glorious exchange 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.559 when we hand him our sin 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:31.479 and he hands us his righteousness. 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:36.379 Christ has credited us with righteousness. 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:38.060 Not on what we've done, 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:42.300 but on what he's done for us. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:45.139 When we lost power, 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.940 when Helene came through, 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.920 we have a generator hooked up 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:50.240 and the generator kicked in 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:53.139 and was working wonderfully for the first 30 hours. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.460 And then it died. 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.879 I went out there and laid hands on it. 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.379 It didn't work. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:01.480 And I just had faith 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.799 the power was going to come back on 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.980 and if we find some kind of supplemental help, 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.620 then the reality is 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.860 we'll just go without it longer. 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:09.059 So we'll just bear it. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.879 And we bore it. 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.480 And it was dark. 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:15.120 And I told you last week about the solar lights. 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:19.759 And we just hung on, 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:22.019 lost our food in the refrigerator 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.799 and all that stuff. 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:24.639 And several people in the church 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.379 offered us generous. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:25.820 They did. 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:27.420 And I said, no, we'll be all right. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:27.960 We'll be all right. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.300 We'll be all right. 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:30.640 Well, finally, several days later, 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.540 somebody said, 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.280 Pastor, 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:35.940 I'm bringing a generator 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:37.800 and I'm going to wire it into your house. 00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:42.520 And I don't want to hear nothing else about it. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.620 I said, all right. 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:45.140 He said, I'll bring you some gas. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.240 So he brought me some gas. 00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.920 I said, how often am I going to fill that thing? 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.400 Every three hours? 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.300 No, no, no, no, no. 00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:50.580 About every 12. 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:52.680 So he hooked me up 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.760 and we had lights 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.919 and as it got warmer, 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.100 we had ceiling fans 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.159 and we were thanking God 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.860 for the lights and the ceiling fans. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:02.439 We even got the sin box lit back up 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:04.019 and was able to watch some TV, you know. 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:06.519 So not watching sin. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:06.900 But anyway, 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:11.059 but we got that taken care of. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.140 Some of y'all don't remember 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.039 what they called it. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.359 But anyway, 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:16.539 but you know what? 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:20.599 What if all that would have been wired in 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.200 and we just said, 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.159 nah, we just don't bother. 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.059 As it gets hotter outside, 00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:26.519 we ain't going to cut those ceiling fans on. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.680 We're not going to cut a lamp on. 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.819 We're just going to sit here in the dark. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.220 We've got the capacity. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.539 It's been wired in, 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:39.180 but we're just not going to utilize it. 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.259 Well, that'd be kind of dumb. 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:45.259 So it is for the Christian. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.400 When we are in Christ, 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:50.379 we're made right. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.500 We've been justified. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:55.099 Romans 8 verse 1 says, 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:56.960 there is therefore now 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.819 no condemnation for those 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.680 who are in Christ Jesus. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.420 When we come to Christ, 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.200 Christ makes us free. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:06.440 Now, that freedom 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:09.019 and that credited righteousness 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.160 needs to reflect 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.779 in our lives. 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:14.619 And that's the last type of righteousness. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.539 That's empowered righteousness. 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.359 That's living out 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.960 what we have within us 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.680 as believers. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.940 Imputed righteousness 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.539 changes our position. 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.420 Once we're saved, 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:30.240 we are in Christ. 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.799 Our position has changed. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.379 Righteousness has been 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.579 fastened on. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.440 Now we have to utilize it. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.460 Now we're empowered 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.860 by the Holy Spirit of God. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.539 Now we have to practically 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.660 live that out 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:45.720 to daily depend upon his lead. 00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:46.960 And right living 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.240 is what keeps Satan 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.960 from getting 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.200 an easy opportunity to attack. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.140 So let me ask you, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.500 is there a place that you go 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:56.000 that makes you more vulnerable 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.620 to fall into sin? 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.660 If there is, 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.799 stop going there. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:06.919 Is there a person 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:08.139 that Satan uses 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:09.839 to lead you into temptation? 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.819 If there is, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.460 stop hanging with them. 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.859 Now, if they live in your home, 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.879 that's a different matter. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.740 Satan divides families. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.579 God does not. 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:22.700 But 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:28.019 is there a time of day 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:32.359 or a situation 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:36.119 or a conversation 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:39.400 that makes you 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.859 more vulnerable. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.759 If there is, 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.259 notice that. 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:49.599 And as the great theologian 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.619 Barney Fife said, 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.599 nip it in the bud. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.639 Get rid of it. 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:57.140 Make the necessary changes 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.940 to live right. 00:19:59.080 --> 00:19:59.820 And when we do, 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.500 we're plated. 00:20:01.020 --> 00:20:01.300 Now, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.680 if we're plated 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.680 with right living, 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.320 if our minds 00:20:05.320 --> 00:20:06.259 are set on Christ 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.940 and our eyes 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.820 are fixed on Jesus, 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.400 the author 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.160 and perfecter 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.860 of our faith 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.700 as Hebrews 12, 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.720 1 and 2 says he is, 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.759 then we grow more like him 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:16.120 with each defeated temptation. 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:18.300 This kind of utilize, 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.300 this kind of living 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:20.880 utilizes the strength 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.759 that we have in Christ 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.879 and makes us much stronger 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.879 to the next attack 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:26.000 of the evil one. 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.200 And believe me, 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.500 Satan will try his best 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.180 to defeat you. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.220 He don't want to give you 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.619 a headache. 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.799 He wants to ruin 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.259 your life. 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.879 And he can force us to, 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.619 he cannot force us to sin, 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.039 but he works overtime 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.400 to try to find 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.200 our weakness. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.740 He loves to strike 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.400 a spark 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.319 that leads 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:44.680 to a full flame 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.240 of fire 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.940 of temptation 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.740 and failure. 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.759 However, 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:49.140 when we come to Christ, 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.460 old things 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.180 are passed away. 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:51.519 behold, 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:53.160 all things are new. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.860 We have a strength 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:56.320 to squash 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:57.640 the flickers 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.519 of failure 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.500 and weakening 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.160 the force 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.000 of temptation. 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:02.460 Matthew 5, 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.860 verse 6, 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.600 Jesus said, 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.299 blessed are those 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:04.799 who hunger 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.720 and thirst for righteousness 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:07.100 for they shall 00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:08.279 be satisfied. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.420 Is that what 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.220 we're hungry for? 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.460 Does all of our lives 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.120 reflect that? 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.980 I know it reflects it 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.560 on Sunday morning 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:17.019 at 1030, 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:19.019 but does all of our lives 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.840 reflect that? 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.159 In the Song of Solomon, 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.159 it talks about 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:24.179 building a wall 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:25.519 to protect the vineyard, 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.659 but it warns 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.240 and says 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.500 it's the little foxes 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.559 that spoil the vines. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.740 And what it's talking about 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.379 when you try to keep 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.859 the deer 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.639 and whatever other 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.159 kind of animals 00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.839 they may have fought 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.959 to keep out, 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.480 if they leave cracks 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.679 in that fence, 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:40.859 little foxes 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.579 will get through there 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.359 and they won't eat 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.579 the grapes 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.720 off the vine. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.200 they'll eat 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.759 that tender part 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.140 of the vine 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.500 around the bottom 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.000 and they eat 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.880 all the way around it 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.279 and they kill 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.779 the whole vine. 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.740 You lose all the fruit. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.100 And that's what 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:56.519 Solomon says in there. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.339 He says, 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.460 it's the little foxes 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.180 that spoil the vines. 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.880 And quite honestly, 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.000 fruitfulness, 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.039 our fruitfulness 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.000 is hindered 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.500 by the little things 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.240 in our lives. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.259 Like the little cracks 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.100 in the breastplate 00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.339 that exposes the heart. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.519 If you've got 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.620 a little bitter in you, 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.059 it'll expose you. 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.379 If you've got a little look 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:16.119 that you look too long at, 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:17.179 it'll expose you. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:17.960 If you have a little 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.460 selfishness in your life, 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:21.019 it'll expose you. 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.819 If you have a little 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.039 self-reliance, 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.579 it'll expose you. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.480 Are you crooked? 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.579 Just a little bit. 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.759 It'll expose you. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.379 All of these things 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.339 will throw us off 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.179 in our walk with God 00:22:32.179 --> 00:22:33.460 and exposes us 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.220 to an enemy 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:36.339 that loves to attack. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.240 Not only does he 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.899 love to attack, 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.859 but he also loves 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.460 to accuse. 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:40.599 He's called 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.440 the accuser 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.079 of the brethren. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.980 And our cracks 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.199 leave room 00:22:45.199 --> 00:22:46.279 for his insults. 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:46.919 And be clear, 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:48.179 if you're not living it, 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.699 the world will know it. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.319 Your witness 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.699 will be affected. 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:55.019 And even if the world 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.240 doesn't know it, 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.699 nobody but you 00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:58.259 knows it, 00:22:58.679 --> 00:22:59.819 you will fail 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.879 to be a witness 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:02.759 because you're hindered, 00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:05.419 because you are weakened, 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:07.720 because that weakness 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.819 has been exposed 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.500 to the evil one. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:12.400 And I promise you, 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.119 the devil will remind 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.819 you of it often. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.259 He'll not only tempt you, 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.920 he'll dog you out. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.559 And he'll remind you 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.099 of it often. 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.299 The reality is 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:26.019 that we settle 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.980 for second best 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.819 instead of God's very best 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.920 in our lives too often. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.480 We wreck our lives 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.339 with hypocrisy 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.200 by not applying 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:37.839 that which we know 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.480 to be true. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.420 Matthew 6 verse 33 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.720 says, 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.880 seek first the kingdom 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.299 of God 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.079 and his righteousness 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.860 and all these things. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.599 You know what that is? 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.839 That means everything else. 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.660 The Lord will provide 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.279 the rest. 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.519 If we'll seek him, 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.079 whatever else 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.039 you're worried about, 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.319 he'll take care of that. 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.160 That means we seek him 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.759 every day. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.620 Are there going to be 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.620 crazy days? 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.059 Yeah. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.140 Yeah, 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.259 there's going to be 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.039 crazy days. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.660 Does God understand 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.940 when crazy days come along? 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.320 Yes, 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.880 of course he understands that. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.420 However, 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.900 we're speaking of more 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.620 than just Christian lip service. 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:16.060 We're talking about 00:24:16.060 --> 00:24:17.480 more than just showing up. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.160 We're speaking of 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.779 maintaining 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:21.220 a nurturing relationship, 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.259 seeking him daily, 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.180 seeking the right things 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.560 of God daily. 00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:27.700 Right living 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:29.080 is the breastplate 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:29.920 that deflects 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.660 the blows of condemnation 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.560 and the shots 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:33.460 at compromise. 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:35.600 That's what deflects 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:36.960 many of these blows. 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.360 It's not in our strength. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.700 It's in the armor of God. 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:41.319 It's not in our self-reliance. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.319 It's in our dependence 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.980 upon him. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.319 Never underestimate 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.819 your influence 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:48.720 and do not let the devil 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.579 tell you today 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.940 that you are done, 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.779 that you've already 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.640 messed up, 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:54.519 that God can't use you, 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.920 that there's no starting over. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.500 There's a Greek word 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:58.900 for that 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.819 and it's baloney. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.819 It ain't true. 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:03.259 It ain't true. 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.399 You put on 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.240 a breastplate of righteousness 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.579 today, 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.939 you get it right today 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:09.919 and watch how God 00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:10.339 will use you. 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:10.819 Martin Luther, 00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:12.379 that 16th century theologian 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.779 I mentioned, 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.119 said this. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.619 He says, 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:15.899 because sometimes 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.700 we don't think about 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:18.039 the influence 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.519 that we can have 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:18.980 as Christians. 00:25:19.159 --> 00:25:19.740 We don't see it. 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.240 Why don't you listen 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.599 to what he says? 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:23.000 The pagan does tremble 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.299 at the rustling of a leaf. 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:27.359 He feels the hound of heaven. 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.379 That's what he called God, 00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.200 the hound of heaven. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.420 He sniffs us out 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.279 and finds us. 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.299 We don't find him. 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:33.039 He finds us. 00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:35.840 He feels the hound of heaven 00:25:35.840 --> 00:25:37.539 breathing down his neck. 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.180 Listen to this. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.039 He feels crowded 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.059 by holiness 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:44.120 even if it is only 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:44.960 made present 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.400 by an imperfect, 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.980 partially sanctified 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.900 human vessel. 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:55.019 God uses 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:57.160 imperfect vessels. 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:59.120 Thank God. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.380 Amen? 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.200 We'd all be hopeless 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.720 if not. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.960 I want to read that again. 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.460 I want you to get 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.560 the full picture here. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.500 The pagan does tremble 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.440 at the rustling of a leaf. 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:10.440 You think he don't feel 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.420 God moving in his life? 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:13.080 He feels it. 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:14.080 He feels the hound of heaven 00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:14.700 breathing down his neck. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.360 He feels crowded 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:15.900 by holiness 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.080 even if it's only 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:17.580 made present 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.259 by an imperfect, 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.380 partially sanctified 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:21.160 human vessel. 00:26:21.800 --> 00:26:23.060 Back in the mid-70s, 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:25.500 one of the leading 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.700 golfers in the PGA 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:28.240 went golfing one day 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.279 with Gerald Ford, 00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:29.839 the president 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.639 of the United States 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:31.159 at the time, 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.240 Jack Nicklaus 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:35.200 and Billy Graham. 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:38.240 He's a pro golfer. 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.259 He played with Jack, 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:41.700 but he was blown away 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:43.200 by being with Ford, 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.839 the president, 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.019 and Billy Graham. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:48.359 And after he finished, 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.059 he was standing 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.099 next to Jack Nicklaus 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.680 and somebody said, 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.720 what was it like 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:55.539 playing with the president 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.700 and with Billy Graham? 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.960 And he said, 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.420 Jack just started cussing 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.680 and carrying on. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.359 And then he said, 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:05.000 I don't need Billy Graham 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.779 stuffing religion 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.619 down my throat. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.339 And he went 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:10.200 to the practice team. 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.819 His friend followed him 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:14.720 and in fury, 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.000 he just started 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.059 beating the balls. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:19.259 His neck was growing red. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.879 He was somewhat 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.819 in a tirade. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.779 And finally, 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.480 the pro golfer 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.579 just got silent 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.519 and settled down. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.319 And that friend said, 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:33.299 was Billy a little 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.139 rough on you today? 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:37.160 And Jack replied, 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.519 no, 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.339 he didn't even mention religion. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.720 It's astonishing 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:48.059 that Billy Graham 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.960 had not said a word 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.639 about God, 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.839 about Jesus, 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.420 or about religion. 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:57.359 Yet the pro was angry 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:58.139 when he left 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:59.279 under the conviction 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.960 that came from being 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.619 in the presence 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:03.519 of a man of God, 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.400 Billy Graham. 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:09.100 the righteousness 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:10.220 of God 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:13.440 is where our victory is. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.240 It's where our hope is. 00:28:17.320 --> 00:28:18.280 With every head bowed 00:28:18.280 --> 00:28:18.960 and every eye closed, 00:28:19.040 --> 00:28:19.960 I want to ask you today, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.560 if you've never surrendered 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.360 your life to the Lord 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:24.180 Jesus Christ, 00:28:24.280 --> 00:28:25.220 the reality is 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.200 what I speak of 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.400 is something foreign to you. 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.360 I'm not going to tell you 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:31.140 by coming to church 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.860 you get that. 00:28:32.280 --> 00:28:32.900 It only comes 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.320 through a relationship 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:33.880 with Christ. 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:36.200 If you've never 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:36.880 surrendered your life 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.960 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:38.600 I want you to know 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:39.840 it'll change your life 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.320 when you do, 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:40.840 for real. 00:28:42.280 --> 00:28:43.380 We'd love to guide you 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:43.840 in that, 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.820 and so I encourage you 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.700 when we stand and sing 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.700 in just a moment to come, 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.340 love to start 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.500 that process with you, 00:28:50.300 --> 00:28:50.960 sharing with you 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.380 what it means 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.540 to give your life to Christ. 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.720 Maybe you've done that 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.660 but never acknowledged 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.280 it publicly. 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.220 We baptized several 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.880 last week. 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.680 We'll do it again. 00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.280 Have you ever 00:28:59.280 --> 00:29:00.480 acknowledged Christ 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.100 through baptism? 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.820 If you haven't, 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.440 you come. 00:29:02.560 --> 00:29:03.460 We'll line that up. 00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:05.320 Maybe God's drawing you 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:06.220 to First Baptist Church. 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:07.320 God's doing a wonderful work 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:07.940 here and we're thankful. 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.920 Maybe God's leading you 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.740 to be a part of that. 00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:11.980 If He is, 00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:12.460 you come. 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.340 Or maybe God's just 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:17.060 showed you 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.680 some cracks 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.300 in your armor, 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.820 showed you 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:21.280 some things 00:29:21.280 --> 00:29:21.840 aren't right 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:23.540 that you need 00:29:23.540 --> 00:29:24.040 to get right 00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:24.720 before the Lord. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.100 You do that. 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:26.540 You can do that 00:29:26.540 --> 00:29:27.100 where you are. 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:27.560 You can do it 00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:28.080 at His altar. 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.480 You can do it 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.880 with the pastor 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.560 praying for you. 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:31.359 I don't know 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.279 what God's told you 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.240 but I know 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.960 you'll never be happy 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.339 unless you do 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.359 exactly what He's told you. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.960 So just be obedient. 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:37.639 Heavenly Father, 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.259 I love you 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.440 and I ask for you 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.399 to guide us right now 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.539 to just simply be obedient 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.399 and follow your lead 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:44.319 in everything that we do 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.599 in this very moment. 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.659 In Jesus' precious name, 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.419 amen. 00:29:48.419 --> 00:29:48.539 Amen. 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.539 Amen.