WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.179 Last Saturday, my AT&T U-verse modem went out, which meant I have no TV, no internet, no home phone. 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:12.320 It's been that way now for almost a week. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:20.140 Well, when it first went out, I called AT&T and I spoke with a technician. 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:24.539 It took a while, but I finally got a live person on. 00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:32.399 And he walked me through several steps trying to fix it from wherever he was. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:35.100 Well, he was very patient. 00:00:36.379 --> 00:00:39.539 He was very positive as we went through this. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:41.560 And by the grace of God, so was I. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:46.359 But he finally came to the conclusion that my modem was dead. 00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:48.579 It could not be repaired. 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:51.899 And so he said he would have to order a new one. 00:00:51.899 --> 00:01:02.460 Now, as this technician went through his process, there were times when he had to pause because he was running a test. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:05.359 He was sort of a personable person. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:08.280 And so he made some small talk. 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:13.959 But he really, during these pauses, he really wanted to talk about the coronavirus. 00:01:15.259 --> 00:01:18.500 He asked me about what it was like here. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:22.439 I asked him about what it was like where he was. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:29.480 He said in one of our little conversations, he said, I made a mistake last night. 00:01:29.900 --> 00:01:33.239 I watched too much news about this. 00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:35.060 And he said, I'm going to be honest with you. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:35.960 I'm afraid. 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:38.859 I am afraid right now. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:47.780 And so that was some of the things that we talked about over this nearly 30-minute time together. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:02:02.980 When we came to the end, he was obviously bothered, concerned about life because of this coronavirus crisis. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:07.540 And so I asked him, would you like for me to pray for you? 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:09.460 I'd like to pray for you. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:11.719 He said, you'd like to pray for me? 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:12.840 And I said, yes, I would. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:14.259 What's your name? 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:16.900 Well, he told me his name. 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:20.300 But before he said anything else, he told me his name. 00:02:20.360 --> 00:02:23.020 And he said, would you also pray for my little girl? 00:02:24.039 --> 00:02:27.680 Because I am very concerned about her. 00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:29.780 I said, I would. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:32.800 I said, could we pray right now? 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:35.580 He said, let me close my eyes. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:37.939 So I prayed for him. 00:02:38.860 --> 00:02:40.219 I prayed for his little girl. 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:45.479 When I got through with the prayer, I told him. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:47.439 I called him by name. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:50.960 I said, I don't know what your religious background is. 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:56.960 But I want to encourage you to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:59.219 He is God's son. 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:08.219 And he's promised to take care of all who trust him now, our lives today, and forever. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:14.340 I then asked him if he had a Bible. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:19.300 He said, I don't, but my wife does. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:24.699 My wife goes to church, but I know that I need to as well. 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:32.079 I said, well, I want to encourage you to get your wife's Bible and read the Gospel of John. 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:35.320 I told him where it was located in the New Testament. 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:37.680 And he said that he would. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:43.100 Well, we were winding it up, and he said, I want to tell you something. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:47.160 He said, I really didn't want to come to work today. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:52.140 After all that that I listened to last night, I was just almost panicked. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:54.179 I was very down. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:58.359 He said, but you have helped me. 00:03:59.299 --> 00:04:06.419 He said, I thank you so much for praying for me and talking with me because it has made a difference. 00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:10.199 You have encouraged me. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:13.539 Now, I was blown away by that. 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:24.920 But, you know, it tells me that God is using the coronavirus crisis to get people's attention all over the world. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:31.539 This man that I was talking to is in a country in Central America. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:34.959 And he's concerned. 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:46.259 And he was very open to me talking to him about Jesus, praying for him, even talking to him about reading the Gospel of John. 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:54.039 As I said in my newsletter column this week, and in the email that came out from me, 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:57.479 I don't know what God's purpose is for the coronavirus. 00:04:58.899 --> 00:05:00.560 I do not know. 00:05:01.099 --> 00:05:03.539 I'm not making any kind of pronouncements. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:11.259 But, what if God is working through this? 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:16.259 It's his plan to get a lot of people's attention. 00:05:17.299 --> 00:05:22.039 And to ultimately lead to a real spiritual awakening. 00:05:24.359 --> 00:05:26.799 I think we ought to pray to that end. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:30.519 I'll share more about that at the end of this service. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:37.899 But this morning, I want us to think about, before a spiritual awakening can ever take place, 00:05:38.979 --> 00:05:42.719 a revival's got to happen in the lives of God's people. 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:50.680 Some people use the phrase spiritual awakening and the word revival basically interchangeably. 00:05:50.919 --> 00:05:52.359 They're talking about the same thing. 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:57.259 But most people who write on this subject, they make a distinction between the two. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:05.600 They would call revival, say revival describes God's work of restoration and renewal among his people. 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:08.180 A revival is for Christians. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:13.020 A revival is what Christians experience when God moves this way. 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:23.740 Spiritual awakening follows revival, but it touches the lives of many people in a community or a whole area. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:29.159 In a spiritual awakening, many people will be saved. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:38.680 But even those who don't become believers, they will know that a revival has taken place in the lives of God's people. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:41.039 People that they see and know and interact with. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:49.760 I have no doubt that this present crisis has caused many people to think about their relationship with God. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:53.100 To do some self-examination. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:58.620 Probably even to read the Bible when they haven't read it for a long time. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:06.879 I am confident that it has caused many Christians to wake up. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:15.860 And to realize that we have fallen far from being the holy people God has called us to be. 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:19.259 And to influence our community. 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:29.339 This morning, I want us to do more than just realize and talk about our spiritual poverty. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:43.319 This morning, I want us to come back to God on his terms with the prayer that he will do a work of spiritual renewal and revival in us. 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:52.579 You know, one of the best descriptions of God's terms for revival is found in 2 Chronicles 7, verse 14. 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:56.019 Many of you are familiar with that verse. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:08:06.519 I want us to study it this morning with the goal, with the prayer that God will work in us individually. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:19.899 He will give us a true heartfelt desire and spiritual power to do exactly what he says in order to experience revival. 00:08:19.899 --> 00:08:25.099 Let's read now 2 Chronicles 7, verse 14. 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:36.299 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:42.419 then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:48.759 The first thing we need to understand is that this verse is addressed to God's people. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:49.439 Look at it. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:52.759 Let's look at the people who can experience revival. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:57.759 He says, if my people who are called by my name. 00:08:58.179 --> 00:09:02.840 It's very clear, isn't it, that this verse is addressed to God's people. 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:06.259 He actually calls them my people. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:11.059 He emphasizes in the next phrase that they are my people who are called by my name. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:13.899 Who are those people? 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:16.559 Who are God's people called by his name? 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:23.079 Well, in this verse, it refers to Jews living under King Solomon's reign. 00:09:24.079 --> 00:09:29.039 In the Old Testament in general, Jews are the only people who are called, 00:09:29.119 --> 00:09:34.479 and I quote from Deuteronomy 28, are called by the name of the Lord. 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:41.500 In the New Testament, only Christians are called this in Acts chapter 15, 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:44.739 a people for his name. 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:52.060 Here in 2 Chronicles 7, 14, this phrase, my people who are called by my name, 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:55.379 it includes all true believers. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:58.139 It's addressed to you and me. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.539 Let me be clear. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:06.440 This verse is not addressed to the United States of America as a nation. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:11.560 A lot of people have talked about it this way, but that's not correct. 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:16.799 Americans are not God's chosen people. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:26.319 This verse is describing how God's people must respond to him in order to experience revival. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:35.759 Now, if enough Christians and churches throughout our country do experience revival, 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:39.559 it will have a powerful effect on our entire country. 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:41.259 It will affect every community. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:46.239 But this verse is not addressed to our country. 00:10:47.339 --> 00:10:49.179 It's addressed to churches. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:54.000 It's addressed to individual Christians like us. 00:10:54.719 --> 00:10:57.799 Let's look now at the prerequisites for experiencing revival. 00:10:57.799 --> 00:11:04.559 When you were in high school or college, I'm sure you discovered prerequisites. 00:11:05.099 --> 00:11:09.000 There are probably some classes or at least one or two that you wanted to take, 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:11.339 but you found out you couldn't register for them. 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:13.959 You couldn't get in the class until you had the prerequisite. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:17.719 Maybe you had to be a junior or a senior to get in the class. 00:11:18.199 --> 00:11:20.559 Or maybe you had to have a certain GPA. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:26.500 Maybe you had to take a certain number of courses before you could get in. 00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:35.899 Well, if we want to experience revival, God says there are some requirements that we must fulfill first. 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.299 Let's look at it. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.599 First, we must humble ourselves. 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:44.559 He says, if my people are called by my name, humble themselves. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:52.099 That word translated humble originally means or refers to the bending of the knee 00:11:52.099 --> 00:11:57.259 or the bending of the neck in subjection to another person. 00:11:58.459 --> 00:12:08.279 God calls us, His people, to voluntarily subject ourselves to Him because He is God. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:19.939 Because we know He is Almighty God, Holy God, and we have dishonored Him by the way that we have sinned against Him, 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:26.879 the way that we have ignored Him, the way that we've disobeyed or even rebelled against Him. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:34.839 God calls us to be humble, to humble ourselves before Him, 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:40.780 which involves a brokenness, a brokenness over our sins. 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:50.000 It describes a heartfelt sorrow that we have genuinely because we have offended God. 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:56.920 If we're serious about experiencing revival or just personal spiritual renewal, 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:02.700 we've got to get serious about who we are before God. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:04.740 He's God, we're not. 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:08.940 If we're going to experience revival personally in our church, 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:19.200 we've got to demonstrate genuine humility, brokenness, grief over our sin before God. 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:23.100 This will lead us to the next prerequisite for revival. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.280 We must pray. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:29.200 It says, if my people are called by my name, pray. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:34.940 Now, the first way we must pray if we're going to draw close to God is to confess our sins. 00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:44.420 God refuses to listen to you and me when we are holding on to some sin that He's convicted us of. 00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:52.840 We cannot willfully, intentionally live in disobedience to God and expect Him to hear our prayers. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:14:00.500 David, the man who is described as a man after God's own heart, he said this about this matter. 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:07.240 He said, if I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:13.580 We cannot hold on to our sin and expect God to hear us when we pray. 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:23.200 But what the good news is, if we are willing to confess our sins, if we are willing to pray this way, 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:30.519 God is ready and willing to forgive us, to cleanse us, give us a fresh start. 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:34.399 Look at what I hope is a very familiar verse of Scripture to you. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:44.699 1 John 1.9, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.460 Personal confession. 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:52.419 The first order of the day under this heading, we must pray. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:54.480 But there's more to it here. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:15:03.320 Old Testament scholar Walt Kaiser says that the Hebrew word for prayer here focuses on intercessory prayer. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:05.180 Praying for others. 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:11.860 I want you to listen to how he emphasizes the importance of us praying for one another. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:14.000 He says, mark it well. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:19.139 Where intercession goes thin or ceases altogether, 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:24.519 There the saints and the churches drift into spiritual lethargy. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:29.019 And the forces of evil have a field day in the culture. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:35.360 It's important that we pray for one another. 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:44.740 It's important that we are true intercessors and not just confessors and certainly not just seekers. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.559 What does it mean to pray like this? 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:52.699 Well, a pastor by the name of S.D. Gordon describes it like this. 00:15:53.319 --> 00:16:00.479 True intercession takes the persons and places in the world where evil is assaulting the kingdom of God 00:16:00.479 --> 00:16:05.479 and pleads that the strong hand of God might defeat evil. 00:16:06.099 --> 00:16:11.859 It prays that the lost might see the glorious offer of grace given by our Lord Jesus 00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:15.239 and that they might come to trust Him personally. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:20.600 The intercession takes the persons and places in the world, 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:23.320 takes us to persons and places in the world where there's evil. 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.799 I want you to think about something. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:29.299 Liberals in Washington, D.C. 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:33.379 who oppose God and the truth of His word 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:37.700 are some of the persons and places in this world 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:42.399 where evil is assaulting the kingdom of God. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:44.519 Now, I'm not talking politics here. 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:49.340 Don't get excited about this being a liberal bashing time. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:52.340 But here's what I want to point out. 00:16:53.459 --> 00:17:01.740 Anyone who advocates, promotes killing babies in their mother's wombs, 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.899 they're evil people. 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:07.359 They're assaulting the kingdom of God, 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:09.900 which is another way of describing the rule of God, 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.359 even the word of God. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:17.819 That replies to Republicans, Democrats, Independents, anyone else. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:22.400 The killing of a sacred human life 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:25.259 at any time, 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:29.839 the murder of a sacred human life 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:31.259 is evil. 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.920 It's moral evil. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.440 And we need to acknowledge that 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.879 and we need to oppose that 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:39.319 and we need to pray about that. 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.319 Let's think here. 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:43.839 What's our usual response 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.359 toward evil and evil people 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.660 who oppose God and the truth of His word? 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.200 Well, 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.660 a lot of times we just get angry, don't we? 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:55.600 We curse, we call names, 00:17:56.259 --> 00:18:00.140 or we just seek political or legal solutions. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:07.680 Now, how often do you really pray 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:13.360 that God would act to defeat evil, 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.540 to call sinners to repentance? 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:19.120 How often do you really pray 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.559 that God would so work 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:22.779 to advance His kingdom, 00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:23.559 His rule, 00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.419 His authority 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.679 in this world 00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:27.419 as Jesus taught us to pray? 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.139 Let me be clear. 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.959 We should be angry about evil. 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.859 Wherever it's found, 00:18:35.979 --> 00:18:37.519 we should be angry about evil 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.519 because God is. 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.819 There is nothing wrong 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:44.799 with seeking political and legal solutions 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.759 wherever we can. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:47.319 That's one of the ways 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.940 in this country 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:50.119 we can fight against evil. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.059 But, 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:53.559 God has given us 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.579 the weapon of prayer. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:58.839 And we need to use this weapon 00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:01.259 in this fight against evil. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:04.480 And if we don't, 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:06.339 we're never going to defeat it. 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.900 It can't be defeated 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.180 just because we're angry, 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.799 just because we say things 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.400 that we really shouldn't say. 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:15.420 And it's never going to be defeated 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.259 in the courts 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:18.580 or in the legislature. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.620 We need the power 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:24.980 of God's working through prayer 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:27.040 to stop evil. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:29.620 That leads us to the next prerequisite. 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.660 We must seek God's face. 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:32.380 He says, 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.660 if my people who are called by my name 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:36.320 seek my face. 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:37.460 Now, 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.280 I hope you understand 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.839 that does not literally mean 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:41.519 we need to try to 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.500 conjure up 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.859 some kind of spirituality 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:46.680 where we actually have a vision 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:48.799 and see God's face. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.740 God told Moses 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.399 that no one can see his face 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.259 and live 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:55.519 in Exodus chapter 33. 00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:58.220 But to seek God's face, 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:00.460 what is being talked about here, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.519 means to seek his presence, 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:04.160 his approval. 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:07.700 It means to 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:10.540 seek to be in his presence, 00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:12.300 to enjoy him, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.259 and to experience 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.720 the blessings that come 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:17.820 when we please God. 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:21.240 James describes how we do that. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.200 It's in James chapter 4. 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:23.540 He says, 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.580 draw near to God 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.720 and he'll draw near to you. 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:27.580 Cleanse your hands, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.320 you sinners, 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.540 and purify your hearts, 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.320 you double-minded. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.559 Now, 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.159 think about that. 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:36.159 When we draw near to God, 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.480 he draws near to us. 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:40.039 But James points out 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.559 that experiencing 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:43.299 closeness to God 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:44.799 has conditions 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.720 similar to what we see 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.839 here in 2 Chronicles 7, 14. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.319 We must cleanse our hands 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.200 and purify our hearts, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.679 he says. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:55.279 Unclean hands refer to 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:57.480 our sinful actions 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:59.099 against other people. 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.319 Impure heart describes 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:03.559 sinful motives 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.939 and desires. 00:21:05.939 --> 00:21:07.079 If we are serious 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.539 about drawing near to God 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.359 and enjoying fellowship 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:09.899 with him, 00:21:10.679 --> 00:21:12.480 we must get serious 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.279 about confessing our sins 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.559 in attitude, 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.939 in word, 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:22.399 as well as in actions. 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.720 Let's not forget 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.599 that drawing near to God 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.460 or seeking him 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.700 is something we can't do 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.720 half-heartedly. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.059 What we're talking about 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.640 this morning 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.900 is not something 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.819 you just think, 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:36.900 this is a good idea, 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:38.680 I think I'll give it a try. 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.799 We're talking about 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.720 as God speaks 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.319 through his word 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.860 this morning, 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:45.400 there ought to be 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:47.059 a sense of conviction 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.700 that this is true, 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:51.240 that this speaks to me, 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:53.759 and I want to respond. 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.680 That's the desire 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.480 of my heart 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.980 to do what God's 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.660 calling me to do, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.819 to obey him. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.720 But I want you to look. 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.859 God makes it clear 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.680 that he will accept 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.980 no half-hearted effort. 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.339 From Jeremiah 29, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.460 he says, 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.640 you will seek me 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:11.259 and find me 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.900 when you seek me 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.839 with all your heart. 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:17.579 In light of what 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.619 Jeremiah is saying, 00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:21.899 will you seek God? 00:22:22.699 --> 00:22:24.500 Will you find God? 00:22:25.939 --> 00:22:27.199 Will you do it 00:22:27.199 --> 00:22:28.559 with all your heart? 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.659 What James says 00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:31.819 about cleansing our hands 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.819 and purifying our hearts 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:34.619 also involves 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.679 the same response 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:37.379 as God's last prerequisite 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.159 for revival. 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.119 Look at this, 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.859 we must turn 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.179 from our wicked ways. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.259 Scripture says, 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:42.939 if my people 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.879 are called by my name, 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:46.420 turn from their wicked ways. 00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.980 Now the phrase there, 00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:48.720 wicked ways, 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.020 that's just a more 00:22:50.020 --> 00:22:51.060 graphic way 00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:52.620 of describing sin. 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.840 All sin is evil. 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.960 All sin is wicked 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:58.720 in the sight of God. 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:01.000 The word that best 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.980 describes the way 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.640 that we turn 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.960 from our evil ways 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.260 or wicked ways 00:23:05.260 --> 00:23:06.880 is the word repent. 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:09.300 A very familiar word 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:10.400 if you're a Christian, 00:23:10.780 --> 00:23:12.380 if you are a student 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.240 of the Bible. 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.960 But not really 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.840 all that familiar 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:17.640 to most people. 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.140 I want you to look 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.360 at how Wayne Grudem, 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.140 the theologian, 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.880 defines it. 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.740 I think he includes 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:24.620 the basic elements 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.880 that we need to think about 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:27.200 when it comes to understanding 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.040 what it means to repent. 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.160 Grudem says, 00:23:29.260 --> 00:23:29.580 repentance 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:32.720 is a heartfelt sorrow 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.820 for sin, 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:36.380 a renouncing of it, 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.880 and a sincere commitment 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.620 to forsake it 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:41.579 and walk in obedience 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.919 to Christ. 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:45.779 If we truly repent 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.739 of our sins, 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.759 we will follow through 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.159 on everything found 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.079 in this verse, 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:53.099 2 Chronicles 7, 14. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:55.719 If we truly repent, 00:23:56.719 --> 00:23:57.939 we will turn away 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:59.439 from every sin 00:23:59.439 --> 00:24:00.459 we have confessed 00:24:00.459 --> 00:24:01.119 in prayer. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:03.319 We will hate 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.479 every sin 00:24:04.479 --> 00:24:07.039 that has dishonored God 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.959 and broken our fellowship 00:24:08.959 --> 00:24:09.599 with Him. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.879 We will, 00:24:11.959 --> 00:24:12.799 if we truly repent, 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:14.359 not just turn from sin, 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.719 but we'll turn to God 00:24:15.719 --> 00:24:17.119 in love, 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.039 in humility, 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:21.000 and obedience. 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.539 We'll want to know God better, 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.119 love Him more, 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:30.519 and faithfully serve Him, 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.839 please Him 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:34.659 in everything that we do. 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:37.180 And if we will turn to God 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.740 this way, 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:41.220 we will for sure 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:43.220 enjoy close 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.259 and personal fellowship 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.940 with Him. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.980 I want to encourage you 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.700 to do that now. 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.399 Listen to the Lord 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:53.440 as He calls you, 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.279 speaks to you, 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.099 encourages you, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.180 convicts you. 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.519 Do what He's telling you to do. 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:02.659 God blesses obedience. 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.000 As we see in the last part 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.599 of this verse, 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.960 the promise of revival. 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:09.180 There are two things 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.559 that God promises to do 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:12.539 when we meet His prerequisites 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.519 for revival. 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:15.359 It says at the last part of that, 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.759 then I will hear from heaven 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:18.659 and will forgive their sin 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:20.540 and heal their land. 00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:22.759 God will forgive our sin 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:24.300 when we come to Him this way. 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:26.200 I want to encourage you. 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.480 Take God at His word. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.360 You can be forgiven 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:33.580 of whatever you've done 00:25:33.580 --> 00:25:34.840 against God. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.480 No matter how terrible, 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.960 no matter how long ago, 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:42.660 no matter if it took place 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:45.320 30 minutes ago, 00:25:45.320 --> 00:25:47.820 you can be forgiven 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:50.900 and have a fresh start 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:53.180 with God right now. 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:55.940 Look again at 1 John 1, 9. 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.640 If we confess our sins, 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.440 what does it say? 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.259 He is faithful and just 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:02.000 to forgive us our sins 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.660 and to cleanse us 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:06.660 from all unrighteousness. 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:09.880 You can draw close to God 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.620 and know 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:13.800 that He will draw close to you 00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:15.820 because you've come clean 00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.360 before Him. 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.380 Now the reason God 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.740 forgives this way, 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:23.040 the reason He can just forgive, 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:24.660 let it go, 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:25.900 and give us a fresh start 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:27.700 is because we are united 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:29.140 to Jesus by faith. 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.460 This 1 John 1, 9, 00:26:31.540 --> 00:26:32.540 in fact, this entire message 00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:33.660 is directed to believers 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:35.180 only. 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.880 If you are united 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:39.759 to Jesus Christ in faith, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.660 God accepts you 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:44.019 because during His earthly life, 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:46.900 Jesus fully obeyed God's law. 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.700 Jesus fulfilled 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.440 all the requirements of the law. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.480 He pleased God. 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:55.040 And through faith in Him, 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:58.060 God credits His faithful obedience 00:26:58.060 --> 00:26:58.820 to us. 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:02.519 And then Jesus died on the cross 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.400 to pay the penalty 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.440 for our sin. 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.440 And He paid it in full. 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.680 One of the last things He said 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:08.900 was, 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.779 it is finished. 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.039 The penalty for our sin 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.859 has been paid in full. 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.940 When we trust Him, 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.139 when we are one with Him 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:17.700 in faith, 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.700 God counts His death to sin 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:22.259 as our death to sin. 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.900 That's why we can be forgiven. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:27.700 If you don't know Christ 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.779 as your Lord and Savior, 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:31.440 I want to encourage you 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.480 to turn to Him now. 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.980 Admit your need 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.240 of Him 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.000 to save you. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.940 Admit your sin 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.740 and repent of it. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.519 Turn from it. 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.839 Put your trust in Jesus 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:46.440 as your Savior. 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.259 Surrender control 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.000 of your life to Him 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.980 as your Lord. 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.079 Call upon Him now 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.720 to save you 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.639 and He will. 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.819 There's a final phrase here. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:59.460 God will heal our land. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.079 That was a promise 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.359 to the people of Israel 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:04.220 that if they ever sinned 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.919 against God 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:06.480 and experienced 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:08.220 some kind of national disaster 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.259 and that did happen. 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.659 Famine, drought, 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.819 being taken away, 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.639 captured by other countries, 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.379 taken away, 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.599 into exile. 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.960 When those kind of things 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.480 happened, 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.819 Solomon was telling them 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.279 when he wrote 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.700 2 Chronicles 7-14, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:26.019 if they would fulfill 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:27.960 these prerequisites, 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.160 God would rescue them. 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.860 If they obey, 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:35.420 God will forgive them 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:37.080 and heal their land. 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.000 We can apply this 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.880 by saying that 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:41.920 whenever we suffer 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:43.160 the effects of sin 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.519 as individuals, 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.460 as a church, 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.380 or as God's people 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.299 in general 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.039 in this country, 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:52.039 if we will do 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.879 what God says 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:53.700 in this verse, 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.500 He will bring 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.619 spiritual healing 00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.859 to us 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.940 in the form 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.579 of revival. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.180 It may 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:05.139 just be personal 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.740 for you. 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.779 If you'll be 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.859 faithful 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:10.019 in doing 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.779 what He's saying 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.299 to do 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:13.019 as a faithful 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.659 Christian 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:14.960 trusting in Jesus, 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.180 it may be 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.619 that you 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.659 experience revival. 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:19.559 If your family does, 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.099 it may be 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.019 a real revival 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.399 that takes place 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:21.960 in your home. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.000 It may take place 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.700 in our church 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.319 if we all 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.059 will get serious 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:27.259 about obeying God. 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.679 And if God 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:30.379 really does 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.480 a work 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.259 of bringing 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.799 revival 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.339 and spiritual 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:33.899 awakening, 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.659 it'll affect 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:37.319 us 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.179 in this country 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:39.559 far and wide. 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.419 But it's all 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.019 going to begin 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.159 with Christians. 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.960 Us listening 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.399 to God 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.240 and obeying Him. 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.139 Walter Kaiser 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:48.039 explains why 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.619 it's so important 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.799 that we listen 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.099 to God, 00:29:50.199 --> 00:29:50.679 obey Him, 00:29:50.739 --> 00:29:51.199 and live a 00:29:51.199 --> 00:29:51.939 holy and pure 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.419 life. 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.259 Look at what 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.659 He says. 00:29:54.199 --> 00:29:54.959 God wants us 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.759 to be clean 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.539 persons, 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.839 channels through 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:59.079 which His blessings, 00:29:59.639 --> 00:29:59.979 witness, 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.000 and interventions 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.339 in this sinful 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:04.079 world can flow. 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:06.059 I want to ask 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.219 you, 00:30:07.219 --> 00:30:07.859 are you 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.539 spiritually, 00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:09.359 morally, 00:30:09.679 --> 00:30:10.779 and ethically 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:12.079 clean 00:30:12.719 --> 00:30:14.019 before God? 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.059 God, 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:16.879 are you 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.559 such a 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.720 clean 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.400 person 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.240 before God 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.680 as Kaiser 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.559 says that God 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.279 can work 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.319 through you 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.980 right now? 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.639 If you are, 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.579 ask God 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:30.359 to use you 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.039 to make a 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.680 difference 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:34.099 in your home, 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:34.819 in your circles 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.480 of friends, 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.559 in this community, 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.740 wherever He wants 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.400 to use you. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.099 Ask God. 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:40.759 Tell Him 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.900 you want to be 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.359 used. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.959 You want to be 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.679 a difference 00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:44.039 maker. 00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:46.219 But if you're 00:30:46.219 --> 00:30:46.679 not, 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:48.339 if you're not 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.219 clean before God 00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:49.740 right now, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.259 what needs 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:51.759 to happen? 00:30:52.939 --> 00:30:53.500 Do you need 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:53.899 to humble 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.639 yourself before 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.019 God? 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:56.939 And maybe 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:57.839 before others. 00:30:58.979 --> 00:30:59.779 If you've sinned 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.579 against other people, 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:01.240 you need to confess 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.000 your sin to them. 00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:03.959 You need to humble 00:31:03.959 --> 00:31:04.879 yourself before 00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:07.079 them as well. 00:31:08.439 --> 00:31:09.039 Do you need 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.639 to pray 00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:10.539 right now 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.099 and confess 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.859 your sins? 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.179 And I'm 00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:12.619 talking about 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.459 specifically 00:31:13.459 --> 00:31:14.979 admitting to 00:31:14.979 --> 00:31:15.419 God 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:17.399 this particular 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:17.939 sin, 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.719 that particular 00:31:18.719 --> 00:31:19.179 sin. 00:31:20.719 --> 00:31:21.679 Do you need 00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:22.639 to seek God's 00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:23.259 face 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.699 by drawing 00:31:24.699 --> 00:31:25.859 close to Him? 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:28.639 And 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:31.539 right now, 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.039 do you need 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.519 to turn 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.539 away from, 00:31:34.979 --> 00:31:35.579 stop, 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.279 hate, 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:38.220 some specific 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.059 sins 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:40.980 that God 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.240 has been 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.940 convicting you 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:42.279 of? 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.899 It may be 00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:44.680 something no one 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.399 else knows about. 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:46.759 It may be 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.399 something that's 00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:48.139 affecting you 00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:48.379 and your 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:48.980 relationships 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:50.379 at home 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:50.980 or at work 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.960 or with friends. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.599 You know what it is. 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.079 God's made it clear. 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:57.059 Obey Him. 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.139 Final thought. 00:31:59.140 --> 00:32:01.200 Jesus concluded 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.960 His teaching 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.840 on one occasion 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:04.220 with words 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.860 that apply 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:06.280 to all we learn 00:32:06.280 --> 00:32:07.420 from God's Word. 00:32:08.060 --> 00:32:08.540 Look at what 00:32:08.540 --> 00:32:09.140 Jesus said. 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:10.759 Now that you 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:12.100 know these things, 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.900 you will be 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.540 blessed 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:16.440 if you do them. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.740 Think about it. 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:20.400 Now that we know 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.580 these things 00:32:21.580 --> 00:32:23.800 from God's Word, 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:26.039 we will be 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.659 blessed 00:32:26.659 --> 00:32:29.480 if we do them. 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:31.159 Let's pray 00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:31.539 together. 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.799 Father, 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.859 help us 00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:36.419 to see 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.019 clearly 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.559 how we need 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.159 to respond 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:40.059 to this message. 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:42.859 Help us 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.460 to truly 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.859 humble ourselves. 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.259 Help us 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.700 to confess 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.619 our sins. 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.299 Help us 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.039 to pray 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.039 specifically 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:54.399 Lord, 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.259 help us 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:58.240 to seek 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.799 You, 00:32:59.480 --> 00:32:59.899 to draw 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.899 close to You, 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:02.920 to experience 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:05.059 Your loving 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.859 presence 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.680 and fellowship. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.339 Help us, 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:10.659 Father, 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.399 to hate 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.180 all sin 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.680 and turn 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.079 from it. 00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:15.399 Help us 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:15.920 to run 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.700 from temptation. 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.619 We know, 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:18.899 Father, 00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:19.420 that You'll give us 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:19.819 the power 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.359 to always 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:20.980 turn away 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.279 help us 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.140 to take 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.440 it. 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:26.079 Lord, 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.559 we thank 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:27.839 You 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:29.900 for making 00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.519 it clear 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.059 how we 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:31.559 can 00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.680 come close 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.059 to You. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.380 We thank 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:34.519 You, 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:34.740 Father, 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.120 for putting 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:35.720 Your Spirit 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.420 in us 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.059 as Christians 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:38.480 to enable 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.079 us to do 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:39.460 this. 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.000 I pray, 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:42.299 Father, 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.860 that You'll help 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:43.759 all of us 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.559 now respond 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.279 in obedience 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:48.380 and draw 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:49.299 near to You 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:51.539 and we 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:51.819 trust, 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.099 Father, 00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:52.359 that You 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:52.639 will draw 00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:53.339 near to 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:53.899 us. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.579 In Jesus' 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.019 name we 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.359 pray, 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.259 Amen. 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:57.460 Amen. 00:33:57.460 --> 00:34:27.440 Thank you.