WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.179 How many of you love following the GPS exactly to the letter? 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:08.380 Michael Scott did that. 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:09.779 We wound up in a lake. 00:00:11.660 --> 00:00:17.900 If you know anything about the office, how many times was Dwight the actual voice of reason over, I don't know. 00:00:18.420 --> 00:00:19.820 ! That was a rare occasion. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:26.600 I wanted to just show you that little clip, number one, just to get your attention and wake you up after a lot going on this morning. 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:30.620 This was a lot of fun having the graduates come forward. Big congratulations to y'all. 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:33.160 I got to have breakfast with them this morning. 00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:37.420 We broke breakfast burritos together, and it was great. 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:39.039 But we had a good time. 00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:45.219 I'm really preaching to them this morning, so the rest of y'all, I hope you get something from it. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:51.320 But the message is kind of geared toward them, and we're talking about the GPS of grace. 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:53.000 So let's see what we mean by that. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.259 Take your Bibles, if you would, and go to Paul's letter to the churches in Rome. 00:00:57.380 --> 00:00:58.480 We call it the book of Romans. 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:00.640 Let's go to chapter 8. 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:06.939 This is one of the more well-known verses in the Bible because of what it promises, and we love it. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:08.799 Romans chapter 8. 00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:12.240 We're going to talk about the GPS of grace. 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:22.039 While you're turning, we're in the middle of a series on Romans, and this one is kind of a one-off to the side. 00:01:22.179 --> 00:01:25.339 We kicked off our series in Romans last Sunday with Mother's Day. 00:01:25.539 --> 00:01:28.579 We're starting in the back of the letter and going to the front. 00:01:28.679 --> 00:01:38.319 So we were in chapter 16 last week, and we talked about kind of the kingdom matriarchs that God used mightily in the lives of Paul and the early church. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:50.479 This Sunday, we're jumping ahead, so to speak, to chapter 8, and we're going to look at these principles that could apply to not only our graduates, but all of us. 00:01:50.679 --> 00:01:54.539 So let's see what Paul writes in verse 28 of Romans 8. 00:01:54.659 --> 00:01:58.359 We know that God causes, what's that word? 00:01:59.739 --> 00:02:00.739 All things. 00:02:00.919 --> 00:02:01.839 What do we have on the screen? 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:03.659 Everything. 00:02:03.919 --> 00:02:04.919 Come on, y'all can do better than that. 00:02:04.979 --> 00:02:05.639 Let's say it together. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:05.900 Ready? 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:06.799 One, two, three. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:07.980 Everything. 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:21.860 God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:30.060 Can I throw this little caveat, set this precedent, just get this in there so we're all on the same page here? 00:02:30.060 --> 00:02:34.680 This is all of us who have faith in Jesus Christ. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:42.960 All of us who have faith in Jesus Christ are called according to his great purpose for us. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:47.860 So this applies to all of us who would say, yes, I'm a follower of Jesus. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:56.060 I may not always follow him as well as I should or could by his spirit's power, but I do try to follow Jesus. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:04.060 I have faith that he is God, that he came to this earth, that he walked among us, that he died a death on the cross. 00:03:04.140 --> 00:03:09.640 That was God's plan for all of us to be saved, to be reconciled, have a relationship restored with God. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:19.039 And then God raised him from the dead in power and he lives today and offers forgiveness of our sins, offers us a place in his family as the children of God. 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:24.099 So if you believe that and you have faith in Jesus, then this applies to you. 00:03:25.239 --> 00:03:41.419 So we collectively, as God's church, God's what he calls body of believers, we know that God uses everything, all the things in our lives to work together. 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:45.719 Say, but yeah, there's no way this thing's going to fit in, right? 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:50.359 This is an outlier. This is going to mess it all up. It throws a wrench into it. 00:03:50.419 --> 00:04:00.379 God says, no, no, no. I use that. I use that thing, that big thing that keeps you up at night, that big thing that seems to ruin it. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:12.139 I use all of that to work together for the good of you who love God and who he has called according to his purpose. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:14.939 So this is what Paul's talking about in Romans 8, 28. 00:04:15.179 --> 00:04:17.659 Now, this is probably the last time we're going to go to this verse. 00:04:18.099 --> 00:04:22.779 But I wanted to start with it because this provides the precedent for what we're going to talk about today. 00:04:23.039 --> 00:04:25.860 And we're going to be in a couple of passages in the Old Testament. 00:04:26.159 --> 00:04:27.959 But think about a GPS right now. 00:04:29.019 --> 00:04:35.800 Think about this verse through the context of a global positioning system, in case you're wondering what GPS stood for. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:44.740 Remember those early days of GPS, when they had the one like Michael had in his car there, or maybe you had it mounted on your dashboard. 00:04:44.900 --> 00:04:52.360 Before everybody got them on their phones, the GPSs were rudimentary. 00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:54.060 They were a little rough. 00:04:54.759 --> 00:04:56.699 They had a hard time sometimes. 00:04:57.540 --> 00:05:02.060 And sometimes you would find yourself lost from following the GPS. 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:15.000 I can promise you that as you try to follow the GPS which God put inside you, apart from his spirit, just all of us have our brains. 00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:17.319 All of us are born with a conscience. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:24.540 And we all have this guidance system within us that oftentimes gets us lost. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.340 Because it's imperfect. 00:05:26.339 --> 00:05:34.859 When we try to live this life according to our best understanding, we find ourselves going off track. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:38.579 In ending up in places we didn't intend to end up. 00:05:39.739 --> 00:05:41.359 Now that might be physical places. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:43.579 Or that might be relationships. 00:05:44.479 --> 00:05:45.419 Might be a career. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:50.879 Might be a mental health place that you never planned to be in. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:55.600 But life has a way of getting us off track. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:06:02.500 And our internal GPS or guidance system doesn't always help out as well as we thought it would. 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:11.060 So Jesus said to his disciples, when he was down here on this earth, he said, it's better if I go away. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:13.980 And they're thinking, wait, what? 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:15.060 No, it's not. 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:17.360 It's not better if you go away. 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:18.600 Jesus, what are you talking about? 00:06:18.659 --> 00:06:19.279 Don't go anywhere. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:22.279 We're just getting started with you. 00:06:22.419 --> 00:06:24.579 We're following you around this world. 00:06:24.799 --> 00:06:25.919 We're walking with you. 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:26.899 We're living with you. 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:31.059 You're kind of who our whole world revolves around right now. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:32.339 What are you talking about going away? 00:06:32.839 --> 00:06:35.119 He says, yeah, it's actually better if I leave you. 00:06:35.719 --> 00:06:41.479 If I go away, I'm going to leave something better for you, which is my, what is it? 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:42.579 Spirit. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:44.439 It's my spirit. 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:47.359 My spirit will remain with you. 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:49.079 And you know what the funny thing is? 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:59.180 He said the next thing he said was, my spirit will show you or reveal to you all things. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.459 He said, my spirit will help you understand. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:09.739 You know what the disciples often had a hard time doing with Jesus? 00:07:11.359 --> 00:07:13.299 Understanding what he was talking about. 00:07:14.919 --> 00:07:17.259 Go open up Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 00:07:17.359 --> 00:07:18.819 First four books of the New Testament. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.659 They're called the gospel records. 00:07:20.799 --> 00:07:24.879 It was these men who walked with Jesus or talked to those who directly walked with Jesus. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:30.060 And they wrote down all these historical records of the life of Jesus on this earth. 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:36.040 And we get to read in there that his disciples were constantly asking him, Lord, what does this mean? 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:38.580 You're telling these parables. 00:07:38.700 --> 00:07:39.520 You're telling these stories. 00:07:40.020 --> 00:07:41.920 We don't understand where you're going with this. 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:43.560 What are you talking about? 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:45.140 They had a hard time understanding. 00:07:46.140 --> 00:07:48.100 Jesus says, I'm going to go away. 00:07:48.200 --> 00:07:49.980 And I'm going to leave my spirit here. 00:07:50.080 --> 00:07:52.580 And he's going to reveal all these things. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:54.100 And he's going to help you understand. 00:07:54.100 --> 00:08:00.420 This is the literal spirit of God himself. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.340 It is God in spirit form. 00:08:04.140 --> 00:08:08.540 And for those of you, how many of you would say, I have faith in Jesus. 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.160 I'm a child of God. 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:12.500 Would you testify that by lifting your hand up in the air? 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:12.760 Yeah. 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:16.100 I think that's just about, if not everybody in this room. 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:19.560 And if you couldn't raise your hand a moment ago, that's all right. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:20.500 Don't feel singled out. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:25.519 We would love to talk to you and reveal more from the scriptures about Jesus to you. 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:31.259 And at the proper time, I believe that God would reveal himself to you and draw you to himself. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:39.639 But for those of us who said, yes, I'm a child of God, then you have access to all of God in spirit form. 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:45.659 And God's GPS is a GPS of grace. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:54.799 So much more effective than the internal GPS that you carry around with you everywhere as you try to make decisions in this life. 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:56.539 What should I go? 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:58.179 What job should I work? 00:08:58.240 --> 00:08:59.059 Who should I marry? 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:01.039 When should I have kids? 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.579 What should I do with these kids now that I have them? 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:11.680 And then before you know it, they're grown up and they're walking down here on senior Sunday and sending them off to the next stage. 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:15.920 And that's going to get here for me a whole lot faster than I realize. 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:21.139 My oldest one's starting junior high in the fall and I cannot even begin to wrap my head around that. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.340 Jared, he's joining your youth group. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.100 This poor child. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:26.460 Anyway, just kidding. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:41.440 So we know when you put it in context of thinking through God helping me through this life as my guidance system that replaces the one that's inside of me. 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:48.460 I'm now guided by a greater power, a voice full of grace. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:50.460 How many of you have heard of the jokes? 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:54.220 And I really hope someday they come out with this of the sarcastic GPS. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.400 Has anybody heard of that? 00:09:57.060 --> 00:10:03.440 I've heard little like, I don't know if they're AI recordings or something where it's like somebody's, I told you to take that right. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:05.500 No, not this one, that one. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:06.420 You missed it. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:10.320 You know, the GPS is just giving you sass every time you mess up. 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:16.300 Most people who give you advice in life expect you to follow it. 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:20.060 And when you don't, they'll hold it over your head. 00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:26.539 God's GPS is a GPS of grace. 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:30.539 He knows you're going to follow him very imperfectly. 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:40.980 He knows you're not always going to listen to his voice and obey his instructions in the context of what we know about him from the scriptures. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:44.500 Michael was missing the context there, wasn't he? 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.460 It said, turn right. 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:49.200 And he immediately turned right. 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:53.259 He was missing the context that the little map on the screen could have provided him. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.960 And his co-passenger was trying to provide for him. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:57.759 No, it means go up there and turn right. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.139 The context is so important. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.819 But God's GPS is a GPS of grace. 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:08.180 One mistake does not break God's plan. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:13.180 God's not a fragile or imperfect GPS. 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:17.700 He is the sovereign navigator for our lives. 00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:23.960 So let's look at a couple of examples in the Bible and find a couple of truths that we know about God. 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:27.379 In just the next couple of minutes, I want to share some things with you. 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:33.180 And I hope it impacts and maybe even changes the way you look at the Holy Spirit of God and God himself. 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:36.459 So number one, God is the master of misfortune. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.799 He's the master of misfortune. 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:40.739 We know what we mean by misfortune, right? 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:42.059 Bad things happening to you. 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:46.399 Outside forces causing trouble in your life. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:52.779 There's hardly a greater example than this in the scriptures than Joseph, the life of Joseph. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:57.399 So Genesis chapter 50, if you'd like to read along, Genesis 50 and verse 20. 00:11:58.199 --> 00:12:02.919 Joseph says, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:05.079 Do we remember who he was saying that to? 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.620 It's Bible trivia time. 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:10.539 Who was Joseph quoting that to when he said in Genesis 50 and verse 20? 00:12:10.839 --> 00:12:11.399 Ray, do you remember? 00:12:11.979 --> 00:12:12.679 His brothers. 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:13.599 Good job, man. 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:15.439 Somebody's doing a good job in Sunday school. 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:20.419 Probably comes from his parents at least because I know how they teach the Bible to their kids. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.779 But listen, Genesis 50 and verse 20. 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:28.339 Joseph is saying to his brothers, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.779 What's he talking about? 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:32.600 Well, number one, his brothers sold him into slavery. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:36.720 How many of you had a complicated relationship with your siblings growing up? 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:40.939 There's some kids raising their hands right now. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.220 Yes, I have a complicated relationship. 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:47.579 All three of the child's boys are like, it's very complicated. 00:12:48.339 --> 00:12:50.500 We love each other most days. 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:50.980 All right. 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:57.220 I bet none of your brothers have actively tried to sell you into slavery. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:00.759 Joseph, y'all quit. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.159 We're not giving you ideas. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.460 Okay, stop. 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:06.779 Joseph had all y'all beat. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:13.580 Now, maybe the only one who had it worse was Abel because Cain literally killed him. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.080 Okay. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:18.840 I think Joseph's brothers had a plan for that and one of them was able to put a stop to it. 00:13:18.900 --> 00:13:20.860 So listen, it was bad. 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:22.120 It started off bad. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:24.420 Joseph had a bad relationship with his family. 00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:26.420 They literally sold him into slavery. 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.220 Then what happened? 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:28.700 He was betrayed by them, right? 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:31.820 Then we get into slander was told about him. 00:13:32.040 --> 00:13:33.420 He landed on his feet. 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.780 Well, God allowed that to happen. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:41.379 God put him in as a servant slash slave in the house of Potiphar, high-ranking Egyptian. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:48.459 And then Potiphar's wife spreads this false rumor that he was trying to get with her and steal her away from her husband and all this. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.959 And really, it was the other way around. 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.459 So he was betrayed. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.699 He was slandered against. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:54.439 And then he was forgotten in prison. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.439 He gets thrown into prison. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:57.259 God gives him these amazing dreams. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:14:02.959 And he interprets these dreams for these guys that worked for Pharaoh. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:05.060 And then they get out of prison and they forget about him. 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:13.240 He said, yeah, when you go before Pharaoh and everything works out how you want it to, don't forget about me back here in prison and what happened. 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:14.000 They forgot about him. 00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:14.620 He was abandoned. 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:17.920 But God didn't abandon him. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.680 God didn't slander him. 00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:20.960 God never betrayed him. 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:22.720 He stayed with him. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:25.840 And not only was he present, he was working. 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:29.060 Well, we went through the life of Joseph probably a year or two ago. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:32.500 And we talked about all these things and broke it down in detail. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:37.500 You can find any of the old sermons that we've been through here on our YouTube channel at FBC Henrietta. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:42.759 But what we realized was God is always working behind the scenes. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:58.440 So that's why Joseph was able to say when eventually he did get out of prison and Pharaoh himself made him second in command of the entire dominion of Egypt. 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:01.820 Egypt was the world power at the time. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:09.500 And Pharaoh made him second in command only behind Pharaoh himself. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:23.559 Sure enough, his brothers and his family comes asking him for food because the famine was spreading across the region and they needed to come beg for food from Pharaoh's household. 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:29.019 And Joseph is in the position to say, ha, you hurt me. 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.559 Ain't no way I'm helping you. 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:38.779 But his response instead was, I see that what you did was to harm me, but God would not allow that. 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:46.559 God used the misfortune that you caused in my life for his glory and for my good. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.719 And now it's going to be for your good too. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:55.440 And he went ahead and helped them in far more ways than they ever would have dreamed. 00:15:55.940 --> 00:16:01.180 So Joseph is the perfect picture of how God is still the master. 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:05.779 God is still in control when misfortune comes upon you. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.740 When trouble comes into your life. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:13.379 Young people, I promise you, as much as we all want the best for you, problems are going to come. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.680 Heartbreak is going to come. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:20.799 And I'm not trying to paint a gloomy picture, but life does that on its own enough. 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:27.139 And I think probably in today's world, you even see a little bit of that as a teenager or even before. 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:30.639 You start to see the harsh realities of life sometimes. 00:16:31.359 --> 00:16:33.399 This world is not a perfect place. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.419 It's full of sin. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.599 It's full of trouble. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.359 And you're living among sinners. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:40.039 And that's why you fit in so well, because you're a sinner too. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.339 And so am I. 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.599 We all hurt each other. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:48.959 Sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. 00:16:49.359 --> 00:16:51.699 But misfortune comes upon all of us. 00:16:52.739 --> 00:17:03.019 So as you're trying to navigate this life, full of misfortune, full of trouble, full of people either intentionally or unintentionally trying to trip you up, 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.639 what do you do? 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:08.320 You stick with God's GPS. 00:17:08.320 --> 00:17:12.220 If you're taking notes in your bulletin, the next blank is map. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:16.740 God's map has no dead ends. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:23.120 You could have argued that Joseph hit a dead end many, many times. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:26.939 But God always had a way of escape. 00:17:28.399 --> 00:17:37.479 We even read in the scriptures, there is no temptation that comes on you, but such as is common to all of us. 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:42.099 And with the temptation, God always makes a way of escape. 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:44.019 That's true for any trouble. 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:50.279 God might have you endure a season of trouble, but it's only going to be for a season. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.440 There's always going to be an end. 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:57.119 There's always going to be a way that God eventually brings deliverance. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.660 It may not be right when you want it. 00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:01.619 I can almost guarantee you it's not going to be right when you want it. 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:08.619 It's not always going to be exactly what you want or would have thought was best, but God will always deliver. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:11.639 God will always bring salvation. 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:13.900 He does so every time. 00:18:14.520 --> 00:18:16.920 Ultimately, He's going to deliver us from this life. 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:19.600 He's going to deliver us from this body of death. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:25.820 Paul felt that when he wrote much of the New Testament, and he felt this body of death letting him down over and over again. 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:28.540 And he said, who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:30.960 My physical body's failing me. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:34.540 My sin nature is causing me to do things I know I don't even want to do. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.960 Who's going to deliver me from this? 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:40.240 And then he said, I thank Jesus Christ my Lord. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.460 He's the one who delivers me. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:47.519 So God's map, God's GPS has no dead ends. 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:50.099 What does a GPS say when you take a wrong turn? 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.259 Rerouting. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.640 Recalculating. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:57.880 Recalculating. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:02.700 And then sometimes it doesn't recalculate fast enough, and you're like, where do I go? 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.579 Tell me where to go. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.519 Recalculating. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.359 It's great. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:07.639 God's right there. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:11.819 Every time you turn to him, he is there. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:18.919 It's been said over and over again, God's only a prayer away. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.079 And it's true. 00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:22.819 Truth is, he was never away in the first place. 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.799 He's always present. 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.519 He's always with his children. 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:31.639 It's when we finally turn to him in faith and say, God, what do I do? 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.700 My brothers have betrayed me. 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.200 What do I do? 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.379 It's all right. 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:35.779 I got you. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.460 My master's wife lied about me. 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.099 What do I do? 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.200 It's all right. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:40.620 I got you. 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:43.240 I'm in prison, wasting away. 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:45.340 The guys I helped forgot about me. 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:45.980 What do I do? 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.080 It's all right. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.660 I got you. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:58.039 God, whatever happens in college, in the Air Force, wherever this life and the Lord is leading 00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:04.140 you in this life, God's got you through any kind of misfortune that will come along. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.740 You may have to endure it. 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:07.120 You may have to get through it. 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:11.299 It may take a while, but God's map has no dead ends. 00:20:11.699 --> 00:20:15.179 And then number two, God is the master of mistakes. 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:17.199 I thank God for this one. 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:22.599 The things you can't control, that's the misfortune, right? 00:20:22.959 --> 00:20:25.639 The outside forces that cause trouble in your life. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:27.900 What about when you're the cause of it? 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:33.460 What about when I'm the one who made my own mistakes and I brought the trouble on myself? 00:20:34.520 --> 00:20:37.020 That's probably the case more often than not, isn't it? 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:44.759 If we're being honest, if we're real, if we're truthful, sometimes we are the cause of our own misfortune. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:50.080 God is the master even of our mistakes. 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:52.199 So let's move on. 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:54.899 Let's look at Peter, the life of Peter. 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:57.399 Boy, this was a guy who made some mistakes. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:03.599 I'm looking back at Matthew 14 and we see that Peter was walking on water to Jesus. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.759 They're in the fishing boat. 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.859 Jesus appears walking on the water. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:11.259 Got to be one of just the pure coolest miracles that Jesus ever did, right? 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:17.200 How amazing would it be just to be able to stroll across the waves and not sink? 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:24.019 And then Peter, by faith, his powerful, great faith, he jumps out of the boat and he's like, 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:26.220 Hey man, Jesus can do it. 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.400 He can make me do it. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:31.059 And he gets out there and starts walking across the waves to Jesus. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.319 And Jesus is like, Come on, buddy, let's go. 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.559 And then what happened? 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.480 Peter lost a little bit of faith. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:42.180 And he's like, Oh shoot, man, what am I doing? 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.900 I'm not Jesus. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.380 I'm not God. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.220 What was I thinking? 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:49.240 And he looks down and boom, he starts to go under. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:54.299 He lost the faith that was helping him do supernatural things. 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:58.700 God can do whatever he wants to do through you. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:05.759 He says, if you've got faith, the tiniest little bit of a grain of a mustard seed, all right? 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.960 Tiny little bit of faith. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:09.440 He said, you can move that mountain over there by faith. 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.079 Peter's experiencing this. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:16.279 And then he loses his faith and he starts to sink. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:20.500 And Jesus goes over and mercifully grabs him. 00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:23.240 He was master even in Peter's mistake. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:27.380 He didn't say, Oh, God shouldn't have lost his faith. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.819 See you, Peter. 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.940 You've been real, been fun. 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:35.200 Moving ahead, John chapter 18. 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:42.160 We see Peter at the garden after Jesus had prayed and the disciples had fallen asleep. 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:45.140 And Jesus is about to get arrested and then taken. 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:48.620 And the events that lead to his crucifixion started happening real fast. 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:53.839 The betrayer, Judas, leads the soldiers to Jesus. 00:22:54.479 --> 00:22:56.359 And Peter draws his sword. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.459 And what does he do? 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:01.859 Cut off the ear of a man named Malchus. 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:05.899 And he took matters into his own hands. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.599 Once again, he lost faith. 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:15.559 He lost faith that here I am trying to protect the God of the universe with my sword. 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:19.819 He could speak them all dead if he wanted to. 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:23.259 But I'm going to get it there and fight his battle with his sword for him. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.519 With my sword for him. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.299 And what happened? 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:31.259 Jesus stepped in, corrected him, and put the guy's ear back. 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:35.039 He fixed the mistake that Peter made. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:38.539 He was master over that situation too. 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:41.819 And then you see later, Luke 22. 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:45.440 Peter is by a fire. 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:51.019 Jesus has been taken away to be crucified. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.599 And those who walked with him, 00:23:55.099 --> 00:24:01.200 I'm sure there were, so to speak, people out watching for his disciples 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:04.039 to see if they could be arrested as well. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:09.839 And there's a servant girl standing by the fire. 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.359 And she says, 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:13.379 Aren't you one of the ones who was with Jesus? 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:16.139 Aren't you one of those Jesus followers? 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:17.759 And he said, 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:17.940 Me? 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:18.700 No. 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.859 Please no. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.720 He curses. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:23.000 And he denies Jesus. 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.680 And he does it again. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.079 And then he does it again. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.460 Three times. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:31.160 He denies his Savior. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.160 His Master. 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:33.640 His Rabbi. 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.319 He lost his faith. 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.640 And he failed. 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.500 Then we go to John 21. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:45.120 And what happened in John 21? 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:51.139 Jesus meets Peter at maybe his lowest point. 00:24:52.959 --> 00:24:54.099 He doesn't lecture him. 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.539 He doesn't say, 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.239 I told you so. 00:24:57.399 --> 00:25:00.599 Fairly fresh off denying Jesus three times. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:05.279 Peter meets him on the beach after he got done fishing. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:08.859 Remember a few weeks ago we talked about Jesus cooking breakfast for his disciples. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:11.079 And he wants to have breakfast with you in the morning. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.420 He wants to meet with you. 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:16.119 And it was just after that in John 21. 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.559 Jesus corners Peter. 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:20.119 Gets him alone and he says, 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.639 Do you love me? 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.559 Peter said, 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.559 Yes, Lord, I love you. 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.500 And he says, 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:27.839 Peter, 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.379 Do you love me? 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.579 I said, 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.019 Yes. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.180 I already told you. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.139 Yes, I love you. 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.700 Peter, 00:25:35.020 --> 00:25:36.480 Do you love me? 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.540 Yes, Lord. 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:41.000 And he's getting emotional now. 00:25:41.520 --> 00:25:42.100 Yes, Lord. 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.880 You know I love you. 00:25:43.320 --> 00:25:47.880 You realize how many times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him? 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.480 Three. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:53.200 How many times had Peter denied Jesus in public? 00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:53.800 Three. 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.300 Match up, right? 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.460 It's to reaffirm. 00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:01.080 Jesus knew Peter's heart. 00:26:01.780 --> 00:26:03.000 He knew he loved him. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:05.240 He knew he was prone to weak faith. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:11.960 But he needed Peter to be able to reaffirm in his own mind out loud with his master. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:14.080 Yes, Lord, I love you. 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.600 I denied you. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.900 I love you. 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.920 I denied you. 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:18.560 I love you. 00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:19.320 I denied you. 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.060 I love you. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:22.820 God was master even over the denial. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:28.540 God was master even over when you lose your faith in God. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:31.259 He is still master over that. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:33.539 He can bring you back. 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:40.259 I'm sure Peter was feeling at his lowest after he denied his faith in Jesus. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:51.099 Then Jesus effectively wiped his slate clean, reset his GPS, said, all right, Peter, let's go now. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:54.599 Because the next word out of his mouth were, feed my sheep. 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:56.559 I got great plans for you. 00:26:56.919 --> 00:26:58.379 I've got big plans for you. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:01.399 You can do powerful things through me. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:03.299 And then it takes off. 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:06.219 The next time we see Peter is in Acts chapter 2. 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:08.179 And he's not hiding in the shadows anymore. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:10.179 He's not denying Jesus anymore. 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:12.000 He's not losing his faith anymore. 00:27:12.219 --> 00:27:15.699 He's standing in the center of Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:24.000 preaching with so much power that 3,000 people were converted to the way of Jesus in a single sermon. 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.779 I've never preached a sermon like that. 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.360 That's like the standard. 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:33.080 And none of us are ever going to live up to that standard, man. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:36.200 Psalm 103 and verse 14. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:41.640 He knows how we are formed and he remembers that we are but dust. 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:47.400 All the expectations you put on yourself, you put those on you. 00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:50.780 God has expectations for himself. 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:55.440 God knows what he can do with just a little bit of faith. 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:59.200 He remembers that you're dust. 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:01.120 He remembers that I'm a mess. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.860 And he knows that. 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.980 And he says, get up anyway. 00:28:04.020 --> 00:28:05.040 I got a job for you, man. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.940 Let's get back on the path. 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:09.540 Let's get back on the road. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:15.139 So graduates, young people, when you make mistakes, not if, but when, 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:19.940 when you make mistakes, remember God is still master of those mistakes. 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:23.240 God can redeem them. 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:25.319 He's in the redeeming business. 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:31.879 He can take them and he can work them together for your good and for his glory. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:35.700 God makes a way where we made a mess. 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.079 Can we say that together? 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:41.899 God makes a way where we made a mess. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.639 I've lived that. 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:46.039 I guarantee you, you've lived that. 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:52.639 If you've been walking with Jesus for any amount of time, he has made a way where you have made a mess. 00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:54.779 And you know what's really cool? 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:58.039 God can turn a weakness into a strength. 00:28:58.039 --> 00:29:03.980 God can turn a mess into a miracle. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:06.500 He can do something powerful. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:10.920 He stood Peter up before thousands of people. 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:20.400 And instead of hiding in the shadows in public like he did before, God turned him into somebody who could get up in front of people who were not Jesus followers. 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:30.019 And he could speak with such power, so much faith in God that he would convince them by his spirit to turn to the way of Jesus and join them. 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:33.559 And he used Peter mightily in the early days of the church. 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:41.859 The church that we came from, the early churches that got their start before this thing spread all around the world and we get to be a part of it today. 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:44.319 God used Peter powerfully. 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:51.919 You can thank Peter largely that First Baptist Henrietta is in existence today. 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:56.539 Because God used Peter powerfully in getting the church off the ground. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.379 Now we're a small part of that. 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:04.039 So, I want to close with this. 00:30:05.939 --> 00:30:11.879 Graduation speakers, people around this season, you might hear this, graduates. 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:13.419 You might hear, go be great. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.519 Go do great things. 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.740 I'm not saying that you're not going to be great. 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:22.379 I'm not saying that you're not going to do great things. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:27.099 But rather than telling you that, this is what I would tell you. 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:33.759 I hope and I pray and I will be here to help you get to this point. 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:37.259 As will many people in this room. 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:42.980 But I hope and pray that this is where you reach in your life. 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:46.500 That you would look back on your high school career. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:48.200 That you would look back on your college career. 00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:49.900 Your military service career. 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:52.360 Your employment career. 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:54.480 Your general work career. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.120 Your family history. 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:59.079 That you would look back at every point along the way. 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.759 And this would be your testimony. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:03.180 Not, I did great things. 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.740 Not, I was great. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.559 They asked me to be great. 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.519 They told me to be great. 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.279 And I was great. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:10.899 That's not the testimony that I hope you have. 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.379 I hope it's this. 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:15.919 Joining King David as he wrote in Psalm 126. 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:19.700 The Lord has done great things for us. 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:21.599 And we are filled with joy. 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:23.859 I want your life to be filled with joy. 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:28.979 I want God to take the things that happen to you. 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.099 The misfortune. 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.919 The mishaps. 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.679 The mistakes. 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:32.579 The mess. 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:34.399 I hope he takes all that. 00:31:34.979 --> 00:31:36.459 And works it together. 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.299 Through your faith. 00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:40.279 For his good. 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.339 And his glory. 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:44.579 He says he'll do it. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.399 He'll be glorified in it. 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:48.139 And you'll feel the good. 00:31:48.459 --> 00:31:49.539 You'll live the good. 00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:51.019 You'll experience the good. 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:52.539 Because he's a good God. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.899 He's a good father. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:57.119 He's a great father. 00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.759 So go out. 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:02.079 To the Air Force. 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:03.379 To UNT. 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.240 To Texas Tech. 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.839 Go out knowing. 00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:07.940 That whether life derails you. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.899 Or you derail yourself. 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.279 Or both. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.700 The great navigator. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:17.200 Is already recalculating the path. 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.759 To get you back to him. 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:21.839 And to get you to where he wants you. 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.379 The great things. 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.700 That he has in store. 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.500 For you. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.559 Would you bow your heads with me? 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:31.819 Some of us are a little further down the road. 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:33.200 Than these young people are. 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:36.119 Some of us are a lot further down the road. 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.159 Than these young people are. 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:42.299 But whatever stage of life you're on. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:45.639 God has not yet seen fit. 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.619 To bring you home. 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.480 To his presence. 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.240 For eternity. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:51.559 So this applies to you. 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:56.579 Maybe you've experienced a lot of misfortune. 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:58.180 Maybe you've made a lot of mistakes. 00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:00.680 Maybe you've forgotten. 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.859 That this GPS. 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.839 That you're following. 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:05.000 Is one of grace. 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:08.299 And the sovereign God. 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:09.519 Rules over it all. 00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:11.539 He's master over it all. 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:13.259 I pray. 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.759 By God's spirit. 00:33:14.879 --> 00:33:16.119 That he would warm your heart. 00:33:16.399 --> 00:33:17.859 That he would comfort your heart. 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.759 That he would remind you. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:21.059 How good he is. 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:23.899 How full of grace he is. 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.879 How full of mercy. 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.819 He keeps the trouble. 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.839 From being such. 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.159 That would overwhelm you. 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.700 He keeps the sin. 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.839 From compounding. 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:37.619 To where it would break. 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.399 The relationship. 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:40.319 He pulls you back in. 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:42.159 Paul said it this way. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.319 Where sin abounded. 00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:46.099 Grace much more abounded. 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.879 You're never too far. 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.919 I pray that you would run home. 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.799 To the father today. 00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:59.159 Let me ask two questions. 00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.720 And we'll close. 00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:03.439 If there's anyone in the room today. 00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:03.899 Who says. 00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:05.159 I want to turn to that father. 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:06.539 I need to turn to Jesus. 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:09.299 I want to be God's child. 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:11.180 I want to experience that grace. 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:14.240 I need to be saved today. 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:15.420 I need to turn to Jesus today. 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.260 Would you slip your hand up. 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:16.920 And I'll pray for you. 00:34:17.560 --> 00:34:18.360 If you're in the room. 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:20.340 And you want to accept God's invitation. 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:21.580 To become his child today. 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.300 I want to extend that to you. 00:34:24.560 --> 00:34:25.080 Thank you. 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:26.360 Let me ask you this question. 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:28.100 Is there anyone in the room today. 00:34:28.180 --> 00:34:28.760 Who would say. 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.480 Who would say. 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:31.660 I've lived some of that misfortune. 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:33.080 I've made some of those mistakes. 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.500 But either way. 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.719 I need to turn back to God. 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:39.039 I want him to increase my faith. 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:41.480 And like we saw with Peter. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:41.980 And Joseph. 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:42.619 And others. 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.639 I want to experience. 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.599 God's goodness. 00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:46.119 And grace. 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:47.420 And blessings in my life. 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:48.440 And remember. 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.559 He's working through all that. 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.900 Maybe you say. 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.920 I'm going through something. 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:54.219 And I need prayer. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.299 And I need the reminder. 00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:57.099 Of God's grace. 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:57.819 For me today. 00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.679 Would you slip your head up. 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.679 And I'd love to pray for you as well. 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.099 Thank you. 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.739 Thank you. 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:02.980 Thank you. 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.179 God. 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:03.940 You see these hands. 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.079 And better than that. 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:06.679 You know exactly what they're going through. 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:09.699 You know what all of us have been through. 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.920 You know what's around the corner. 00:35:11.319 --> 00:35:12.360 You know what lies ahead. 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:15.839 And we can trust your goodness. 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:19.799 So I pray for these specific situations. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.980 Whatever they are God. 00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:24.940 That you would show them exactly what to learn from it. 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:26.699 How you want to grow them from it. 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:29.019 And that you would deliver them. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.619 And that they would give you the glory. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.860 Give you the praise. 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:35.579 And say look what God has done. 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:37.639 He has done great things for me. 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:39.059 And I'm filled with joy. 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:41.239 God I pray this for our graduates. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.339 I pray for Jordan. 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.199 I pray for Caden. 00:35:43.299 --> 00:35:44.059 I pray for Chaden. 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:47.480 I pray for joy to fill their lives. 00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:50.079 The joy that comes from having faith in you. 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.719 Through the mistakes. 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:53.299 Through the misfortune. 00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:55.380 That you would bring them out. 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.400 The other side. 00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:59.599 As living testimonies to the goodness of God. 00:35:59.660 --> 00:36:01.280 And the faithfulness of God. 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:03.480 Help us as a church to support them. 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:05.900 And have their back in prayer. 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:08.300 And support wherever they go in this world. 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.460 It's in Jesus name we pray. 00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:10.440 Amen. 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:15.679 Thank you so much for joining us today. 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.400 For Senior Sunday. 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:18.220 For celebrating these graduates with us. 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:21.599 We look forward to celebrating all of our Henrietta graduates. 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:23.619 And surrounding school graduates. 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:25.500 Very soon. 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:26.820 I think this week is graduation. 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.519 So that's exciting. 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:29.760 So we look forward to seeing many of you there. 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:32.380 But until then we're going to close in prayer. 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.920 Who's closing us today? 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.000 Okay. 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:36.639 I'll close this today. 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:37.039 Steve. 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:37.460 Thank you. 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.059 Come on Steve. 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:40.039 I almost stole your prayer from you man. 00:36:41.200 --> 00:36:41.780 Steve Ross. 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:43.440 Our deacon chairman is going to come close us in prayer. 00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.720 But thank you all for joining us in worship. 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:46.099 If you're a guest. 00:36:46.180 --> 00:36:47.019 And I haven't gotten to meet you. 00:36:47.180 --> 00:36:47.900 I'll be in the back. 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.900 I'd love to talk to you. 00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.800 And get to know you a little bit. 00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:51.420 But we want to thank you for joining us in worship. 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:53.460 I'll see some of you tonight at business meeting. 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.400 Let's pray please. 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:01.860 Lord we thank you for this day. 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:04.099 Thank you for this service this morning. 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:09.960 We just thank you Lord for this church and our members. 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.480 We thank you for our pastor. 00:37:14.260 --> 00:37:15.539 Thank you for our ministers. 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:19.920 We lift them up and as their families also. 00:37:20.660 --> 00:37:21.860 And ask for your blessings. 00:37:23.640 --> 00:37:25.420 Lord we thank you for these seniors. 00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:28.019 That you brought them to this point. 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:31.099 We pray your blessings on them. 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:33.860 As they go forth. 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.460 In your faith. 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.140 In your love. 00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:41.240 Lord we ask that you. 00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.820 Be with us. 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.000 As we leave today. 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.720 In Jesus name we pray. 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:47.039 Amen.