WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.400 You know, one of the most important qualities that we need to develop, to put into practice 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:15.700 if we're going to live the best life possible, is wisdom. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:18.839 And I want you to think with me about it. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:27.199 Some people would think that the most important quality is love, and I certainly wouldn't 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:31.859 disagree when you start talking about putting love at the top of the list. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:38.600 But doesn't love need to be expressed wisely? 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:50.019 Wise parents know that sometimes you need to express what would be considered tough love. 00:00:50.020 --> 00:01:00.240 And when you express that tough love to your child, your child considers it anything but loving. 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:04.219 Modern technology is great. 00:01:05.320 --> 00:01:12.879 It has given us the ability to instantly communicate with people about anything that crosses our minds. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:23.399 But if we don't use it wisely, we may use the best communication tools ever invented to spread stupidity. 00:01:23.939 --> 00:01:27.799 Or to stir up unnecessary controversy. 00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:31.140 Or just waste time. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:41.659 Just about everything that we do in life requires that we act wisely in order to achieve the desired results. 00:01:41.659 --> 00:01:46.479 Now, we're turning back to Proverbs this morning. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:49.280 Going back to the subject of wisdom. 00:01:50.739 --> 00:01:53.439 Seeking to grow in wisdom. 00:01:53.539 --> 00:01:54.840 Seeking to become wise. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:02:01.739 And when you hear that word wisdom, when we talk about being wise, let me just remind you. 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:07.359 We're talking about more than just having understanding. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:09.960 Just having knowledge of something. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:15.620 We're talking about more than someone just being smart when we talk about a person being wise. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:21.740 The wisdom that we need most, all of us, is God-given wisdom. 00:02:22.260 --> 00:02:25.140 The kind of wisdom we see described in Proverbs. 00:02:26.100 --> 00:02:32.780 The goal of the writers of Proverbs is to help us as God's people to live wisely. 00:02:33.420 --> 00:02:37.060 And we can summarize what that means like this. 00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:41.000 A wise person has correct knowledge. 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:43.420 That's intellectual wisdom. 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:47.580 Understands how to apply that knowledge to life. 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:49.640 Practical wisdom. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:54.420 And then demonstrates godly character in all things. 00:02:55.099 --> 00:02:56.719 That's moral wisdom. 00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:08.460 Probably the most well-known part of Proverbs to most of us is in chapter 3, verses 5 and 6. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:11.000 Maybe verses 5 through 8. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:13.180 I want you to turn there if you would. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:26.500 This short section of Proverbs 3 shows us the key to developing the kind of wisdom that we're talking about. 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:38.180 These verses emphasize that wisdom is developed in the context of a relationship with God in which we trust Him wholeheartedly. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:47.500 Wisdom is not something that you just achieve through an academic exercise. 00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:56.400 There's really no formula that you can follow to acquire God-given or biblical wisdom. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:02.360 There's a lot of things we can read, we can study, we can observe that'll help. 00:04:03.760 --> 00:04:17.720 But the kind of wisdom we're talking about, it happens, it develops, it matures in the context of a right and close relationship with God. 00:04:18.660 --> 00:04:21.980 And that's what Proverbs 3, verses 5 through 8 is talking about. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:23.180 Let's read it. 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:51.780 What does it mean to trust God? 00:04:51.779 --> 00:05:00.379 I'm going to guess that a lot of people in this room, you memorize trusting the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:01.839 Well, what does it mean? 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:13.239 Well, to trust the Lord means simply to depend on Him, to rely on Him, to lean on Him, to put your confidence in Him. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:18.739 The idea of doing this with all your heart means that we trust God totally. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:25.060 The word heart refers to more than just our emotions. 00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:28.620 Some people think, you know, if you do something with all your heart, it's just all your emotions. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:28.960 No. 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:37.000 In fact, I listened to the sermon that Mike preached a few weeks ago when I was gone, just a few days ago, actually. 00:05:37.419 --> 00:05:38.439 He did a great job. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:46.000 And he explained that the idea of loving with your heart is more than just a feeling. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:50.839 We're talking about loving God with all that's within us. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:56.100 We're talking about trusting God with every fiber of our being. 00:05:56.100 --> 00:06:01.180 And, you know, we can only trust God like that if we have a relationship with Him. 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:04.060 Do you trust people you don't know? 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:09.980 Do you trust people that you are just casually acquainted with? 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:12.860 Hopefully you don't. 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:18.720 And just as a word for some people who may need to be encouraged or reminded, 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:26.240 people who call you or people who send you emails and ask you personal questions 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:30.720 and they want personal information, don't trust them. 00:06:31.400 --> 00:06:33.960 They're out to con you, to scam you. 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:39.120 Just use good old common sense. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:45.680 Don't trust yourself, anything about yourself, to people you don't know, 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:48.680 that you don't have a relationship with, 00:06:49.280 --> 00:06:52.420 that you cannot be sure that you can confide in. 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:54.399 That's what we do. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.939 And so in order to really trust God with all of our heart, 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:00.939 we've got to have a relationship with Him. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:06.120 And the kind of relationship that we need to be thinking about 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:09.660 is a relationship that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:07:10.340 --> 00:07:14.300 Jesus made it real clear in John 14, verse 6, the end of that, 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:17.840 that no one comes to the Father and talking about 00:07:17.840 --> 00:07:21.280 no one can have a relationship with the Father except through me. 00:07:22.280 --> 00:07:25.040 So the first step, really, and we've talked about this in days gone by, 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:28.579 in this series, the first step to being truly wise 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:30.899 is to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:34.359 The first step to becoming a wise person 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:39.359 and having the kind of relationship where you can trust God with all your heart 00:07:39.359 --> 00:07:41.959 means you've got to have a relationship with Jesus. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:45.359 Look at the next idea. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:47.859 In all your ways acknowledge Him. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:49.699 Verse 6. 00:07:50.539 --> 00:07:53.699 To acknowledge God means more than just be aware of Him. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:56.579 Even the devil is aware of Him. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:59.099 It means to truly know Him. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:00.939 To know Him in a personal way. 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:02.399 To have fellowship with Him. 00:08:02.919 --> 00:08:04.519 This is really just another way of saying 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:06.459 trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:08:06.979 --> 00:08:09.779 Solomon is telling us that trusting God 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:12.779 requires that we be totally committed to Him. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:14.500 Look at the verse. 00:08:14.919 --> 00:08:18.159 With all your heart and in all your ways. 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:20.839 I want you to look at one more phrase 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:22.599 that describes what it means to trust God. 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:25.259 And we're looking at positive ways we do this. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.920 In verse 7. 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:29.060 Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.639 The importance of fearing God 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:34.319 is repeatedly stressed in Proverbs. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:36.360 It begins in chapter 1. 00:08:36.939 --> 00:08:38.639 You'll find it throughout the book. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.019 It's even in chapter 31, the last. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:42.620 From beginning to end and in between. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.819 At least 10 times 00:08:44.819 --> 00:08:46.879 the writers of Proverbs 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:49.399 tell us that the key to being wise, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:52.019 the key to having the right kind of knowledge 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:54.259 is to fear God. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:56.620 And as we've already seen in previous studies, 00:08:56.819 --> 00:09:00.019 that means we need to treat God with reverence, 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.539 with respect. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:03.860 And in the context here, 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:05.819 fear the Lord and turn away from evil, 00:09:06.819 --> 00:09:10.759 it means that we will seek to obey Him. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:12.179 We'll fear Him. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:13.100 We'll honor Him. 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:14.139 We'll respect for Him. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.259 We'll have respect for Him by... 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:18.799 When we learn His Word, 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:20.139 when we learn what He says in His Word, 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.460 we'll want to obey it. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:23.180 We'll want to do what He says 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:25.940 and turn away from every form of evil. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:28.400 That'll be the normal part of our lives 00:09:28.400 --> 00:09:31.100 if we truly are fearing God 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:33.379 and trusting Him with all of our heart. 00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:37.280 Now, the idea of trusting God 00:09:37.280 --> 00:09:38.460 as we're thinking about this morning 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:41.379 is not just expressed in positive terms 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.200 in these verses. 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:45.340 Let's look at what you might say negatively, 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:47.620 what we must not do 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:48.980 if we're going to trust God. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:50.399 Again, in verse 5, 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:52.160 do not lean on your own understanding. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:54.700 Now, this does not mean 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:56.000 that you don't use your brain. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.700 It doesn't mean that you don't learn 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:01.440 from your experiences in life. 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:04.340 You know, there are some Christians 00:10:04.340 --> 00:10:05.379 who have this idea, 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:07.000 because I've heard it come out of their mouth before, 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:09.799 that we really don't need to 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:11.919 try to think deeply 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:14.960 about God and the things of God, 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:16.620 especially some of the mysteries of the Bible. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:19.460 Some people think in terms 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:22.299 we just need to focus on our feelings 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:24.080 and our love 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.659 and our emotional relationship with God, 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:27.179 so to speak. 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.019 Well, that's not true. 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:32.840 We need to love God with our minds, 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:33.860 with our hearts, 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.939 with our will, 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:37.199 with everything that is within us. 00:10:37.939 --> 00:10:39.159 When He says here, 00:10:39.299 --> 00:10:40.519 do not lean on your own understanding, 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.519 He's not saying, 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:44.000 don't use your brain. 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.579 He's not saying, 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.620 don't think. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:49.360 Don't learn from experience. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:49.759 No. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:52.220 That would not only be unwise, 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:53.240 it would be foolish. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:57.100 To not lean on your own understanding 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:57.659 means, 00:10:58.680 --> 00:11:00.659 don't look at yourself. 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:03.840 Don't look at the world 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:04.899 or to the world 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:08.100 for you're a real source of wisdom. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:10.820 In other words, 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.960 don't reject the truth of God's Word 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:16.320 and replace it with your own best thinking. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:17.860 You know, 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:19.340 when we face situations in life, 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:21.480 we've got to form opinions, 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.620 we've got to make decisions. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:25.540 We don't need to just scratch our head 00:11:25.540 --> 00:11:26.060 and think, 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:26.239 well, 00:11:27.239 --> 00:11:29.599 what's the best that I can figure out here? 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:31.139 What's other people saying? 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:33.319 We need to be always, 00:11:33.459 --> 00:11:33.939 as Christians, 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.639 trying to look at life 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:37.339 through the lens of Scripture. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:38.539 Trying to understand, 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:40.519 what would God have us to think? 00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:42.719 What would God have us to believe? 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.679 What would God have us to do 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:45.779 in this situation? 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:48.319 If we truly trust God, 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:50.299 we're going to look to Him 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:51.500 as He's revealed Himself 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.459 and His will 00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:54.000 in His Word. 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:55.579 And we're going to make that 00:11:55.579 --> 00:11:57.100 our source of wisdom, 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:59.799 our first priority source of wisdom. 00:12:00.339 --> 00:12:01.419 The other negative warning 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:02.360 reinforces this. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.000 He says, 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.959 Be not wise in your own eyes. 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:08.159 The person who is wise in his own eyes 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:10.279 has an inflated 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:12.720 and incorrect understanding 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:13.879 of himself. 00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:15.460 And you know, 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:15.899 we can, 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:18.019 we can all do that, 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:18.399 can't we? 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:21.420 We think too highly of ourselves. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:23.399 We think too highly of our opinions. 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:26.420 We think too highly of our understanding 00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:27.740 or wisdom. 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:29.919 We need to be, 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:31.460 we need to be very careful here. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:34.180 There's another place in Proverbs 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:35.399 in chapter 26 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:37.539 where we're told 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:39.580 that the person who thinks like this 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.799 too highly of himself 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.799 is worse than a fool. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:43.960 Look at it on the screen. 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:46.259 Do you see a man who is wise 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.259 in his own eyes? 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:50.279 There's more hope for a fool 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.180 than for him. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.860 Paul says something similar. 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:56.240 He doesn't talk about being a fool, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:58.500 but he says in Romans chapter 12 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.360 in verse 16, 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.320 Never be wise 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:03.759 in your own sight. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.240 This is repeated 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.799 in scripture like this 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:10.299 because we just naturally think 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:12.180 we're smarter than we are. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:13.360 We, 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.680 that we know more 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:16.220 than we really do. 00:13:17.060 --> 00:13:18.279 It's just natural 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:19.039 for us to lean 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.500 on our own understanding. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:25.120 It is great 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:27.039 if there are people 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:27.720 in your life 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.860 who have told you 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.100 or they show it 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.899 by the way they act. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.019 It's great 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:32.480 if there are people 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.559 in your life 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:35.139 who think you're wise. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.159 They're just impressed 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.340 with your knowledge, 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.679 with your intelligence, 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:42.259 and they like to 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.700 ask you for advice. 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.100 They want to know 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:45.720 your opinion. 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.399 You should be flattered. 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:50.559 That's great 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.759 if people think that. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.240 But you cannot 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.259 think it of yourself 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:59.220 because if you do, 00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.159 there's more hope 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.059 for a fool 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:03.740 than for you. 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.579 The scripture says. 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.659 We're setting ourself up 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.840 for disaster 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.539 if we, 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.299 if you, 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.079 if I, 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:15.300 think of myself 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:16.020 as really 00:14:16.020 --> 00:14:17.420 a great source 00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:18.080 of wisdom. 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:19.660 Now, 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.620 let's think about 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.320 how well 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.080 we are putting 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:23.879 this teaching 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.240 about trusting God 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.740 into practice. 00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:28.440 And I want us 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:28.740 to do that 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.520 by answering 00:14:29.520 --> 00:14:30.480 another question. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.300 Number two, 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:33.100 how can I tell 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:35.259 if I am trusting God? 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:38.040 How can I tell 00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:39.920 if I'm trusting God 00:14:39.920 --> 00:14:41.460 like this passage says? 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.540 Well, 00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:43.740 what is the source 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:45.120 of what you believe 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.980 and how you live? 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:49.379 Where can you trace 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:51.180 your basic beliefs, 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.519 your worldview, 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:55.900 the way you just 00:14:55.900 --> 00:14:57.139 live life 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.000 and treat people 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.840 and do the things 00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.240 you do? 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:01.240 Is your source 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.160 the Word of God? 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:05.019 Or is it just 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.540 your own best thinking? 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.660 Or is it just 00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:10.060 what everybody else 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.480 is thinking? 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:12.220 what's popular 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.240 right now? 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.460 I want us to look 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:15.980 at one of the most 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.220 controversial issues 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.039 of today 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.399 to help us 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.639 really answer that. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:21.840 The issue I'm talking 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.980 about is marriage. 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.659 How would you 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.820 define marriage 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.320 this morning? 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.300 Would you define it 00:15:28.300 --> 00:15:29.240 the way God does 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.940 in His Word 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.139 in Genesis chapter 2 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.759 verse 24? 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.940 Here's what 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.980 Scripture says. 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:36.379 Therefore, 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.519 a man shall leave 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.600 his father and mother 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.060 and hold fast 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:41.100 to his wife. 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:43.000 King James 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.980 uses that old word 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.320 cleave to his wife. 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:46.600 It's using a word 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.800 here that describes 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:48.759 the strongest 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.980 possible union 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.940 like being glued 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.440 together 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.420 or even welded 00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:52.980 together. 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:53.960 Therefore, 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:54.720 a man shall leave 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.399 his father and mother 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.360 and hold fast 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.019 to his wife 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.680 and they shall 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:59.560 become one flesh. 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.620 Here's the first question. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:04.159 Do you have the conviction 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:06.440 that marriage 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.179 should be a lifetime 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.360 commitment 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.519 or 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:12.759 it's a temporary 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.419 arrangement? 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.279 It's a temporary 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:17.279 arrangement that exists 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:19.940 until problems happen, 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:22.460 until we get tired 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.080 of one another 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:26.299 or find someone better. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.519 The world thinks 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.419 that latter way. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:32.360 The world says 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.139 that divorce 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:33.719 is really, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.419 excuse me, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:34.939 okay, 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.419 it's not ideal, 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:39.179 it is painful, 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.559 but it's just not 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.120 that really, 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:42.959 it's just not really 00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:43.819 that big a deal. 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:46.519 The world says 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.019 divorce happens. 00:16:49.219 --> 00:16:49.699 It happens 00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:50.439 for all kinds 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.159 of reasons 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.639 and we should just 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.500 accept it 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:55.539 as inevitable 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:57.379 in about half 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.919 the marriages 00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.480 that happen 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.299 in this country. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.299 that's what 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.219 the world thinks. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.099 But 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.399 God's word 00:17:05.399 --> 00:17:06.220 says that marriage 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.000 is designed 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.659 to be a permanent 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:11.039 one flesh 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.920 relationship. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.460 Therefore, 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.779 married couples 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:18.259 should be encouraged 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:20.000 to work 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.960 through problems, 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:23.079 to grow 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.960 and develop 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.039 their relationship, 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:27.700 to work 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.339 and pray 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.240 and seek help 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:29.940 if necessary 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.599 to make 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.539 their marriages 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.440 not just work 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:35.619 but mature, 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.379 flourish. 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.180 You know, 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.700 God intends 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.319 for divorce 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.500 to be a rare 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.720 occurrence 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.559 and only when 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.220 there are biblical 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.259 grounds such as 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.519 sexual immorality 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.339 or desertion. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.440 I want to make 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.240 clear here 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:58.799 divorce 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.299 happens 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:01.339 because of sin. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.579 God's will, 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.799 God's design 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.359 for marriage 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.039 has been broken. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.420 One man, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.279 one woman, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.440 one flesh 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:10.940 relationship 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.759 for life. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.859 That's God's plan. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.839 That's God's will. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:14.759 And when that 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.359 doesn't happen, 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:16.859 His will 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.660 has been violated. 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.880 Now, 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.840 everyone involved 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:20.480 in a divorce 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.660 may not be guilty 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.160 of sin. 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.220 Sometimes, 00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.440 one spouse 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:28.620 commits adultery, 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.259 deserts their spouse, 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.420 will not reconcile. 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.860 Things like that 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:37.060 take place sometimes. 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.320 And the victim 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.600 in those situations 00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:41.920 would not be guilty 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.500 of divorce. 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.800 I also want to point out 00:18:44.800 --> 00:18:47.640 that like all sin, 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:50.160 divorce can be forgiven. 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:52.480 God is a God 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.140 of grace 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.080 and mercy. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.400 And with any sin 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:57.600 that we truly confess 00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:58.460 and repent of, 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.779 He forgives. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:00.960 He can give us 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.860 a fresh start. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.460 But what I want us 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.100 to see 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:05.860 and think about 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.420 right here, 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:09.960 God really wants 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.220 us as His people 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.019 to understand 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:15.140 divorce is not 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.040 His will. 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:18.139 It's not His plan. 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.980 And it shouldn't be 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.700 something that 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:22.460 we just think of 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.799 as, 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.379 well, 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:23.980 it's okay 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.799 if it doesn't work 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.420 like I thought 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.099 it would work. 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:28.180 We need to learn 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.559 to trust God 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:31.200 with all our heart 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:33.659 in our marriage. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:37.340 we need to work 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:39.880 to please God 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:42.460 and have the kind 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:42.980 of relationship 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.019 with our spouse 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.660 that He intends 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:47.940 and that we will enjoy 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:50.720 if we'll seek God's way, 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.840 if we'll not be selfish 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.740 and self-centered, 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.560 if we'll put our spouse 00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:56.460 first. 00:19:58.060 --> 00:19:59.360 Along the same line, 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:00.980 how do you encourage 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.620 other people 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.439 who talk to you? 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:03.279 I know sometimes 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.759 friends will talk, 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:06.019 co-workers will talk, 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.059 even family members 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.479 will talk, 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:08.919 ask your advice. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.859 Are you quick 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:13.399 to encourage somebody 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:13.919 that will just 00:20:13.919 --> 00:20:15.259 be done with them? 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.119 Or, 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:19.059 do you encourage 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.839 just the opposite? 00:20:21.179 --> 00:20:22.579 To work on it, 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.639 seek help, 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.539 pray, 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:28.199 save your marriage 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:30.980 because this is God's ideal. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.420 Second question, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:33.559 though, 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.200 about marriage. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:36.059 Do you have the conviction 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.740 that marriage 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.440 should be between 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.140 one man 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.200 and one woman 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.160 only? 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.980 Or do you think 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.519 it's okay 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.940 for two men 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.380 or two women 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.640 to be married? 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:49.120 Controversial thought 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:51.080 idea today. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.740 The world says 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.940 that same-sex marriage 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.799 is not only permissible, 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:58.039 but it is actually 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.539 the law of the land 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.460 in this country. 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.440 The Supreme Court 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.099 has ruled 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:04.180 it is law 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.599 in this country. 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.419 But God's Word 00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:08.319 says that marriage 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.059 is designed 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.259 to be experienced 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.799 only 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:13.519 by one man 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:15.359 and one woman. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.639 Scripture also teaches 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.919 that homosexual behavior 00:21:18.919 --> 00:21:21.139 is sinful behavior. 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.839 That means 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.200 that same-sex marriage 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.700 is sinful. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.279 And I want you 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.880 to understand 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:29.600 that is 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:30.580 the only 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.700 teaching 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.880 of Scripture 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:34.480 concerning marriage. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.160 There is another, 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.500 there is not another option. 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:40.080 If you choose 00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:41.039 to reject that, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.420 you have that privilege. 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.519 But I want you 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:43.819 to understand 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.759 you are rejecting 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:46.319 the Word of God. 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.140 You're rejecting 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.000 the only thing 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.920 that Scripture teaches 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.200 about marriage 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.799 if you reject 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.360 one man, 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.500 one woman, 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.299 one flesh relationship 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.819 for life. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.400 Now, 00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:02.220 the world 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.960 has taken 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.759 their view 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:06.160 one step further 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.299 than making it legal. 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:11.100 The world now says, 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.860 our culture now says, 00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.660 you can't believe 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:16.140 what the Bible teaches 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:18.520 and be a respected 00:22:18.520 --> 00:22:19.960 or acceptable 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.520 member of society. 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:24.440 The world now tells us 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.560 you can't call 00:22:25.560 --> 00:22:26.980 same-sex marriage 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.940 sinful 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:31.620 without you being condemned. 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:34.800 And where it can happen, 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.180 you be punished. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.200 I'll give you 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:40.020 one of the latest examples. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:43.340 Chip and Joanna Gaines 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:45.119 are a married couple 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.819 who hosts 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.579 the popular 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:49.459 HGTV show 00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:51.000 called Fixer Upper. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.000 I know a lot of you 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.259 watch that. 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.759 Chip and Joanna 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:58.259 are also committed Christians 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.740 and they attend 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.699 a large evangelical church 00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:02.879 in Waco, Texas. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:07.059 A popular news website 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.399 called BuzzFeed 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:10.279 has come out 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.980 with an article 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.559 condemning them 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.759 for being a member 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.819 of this church 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:18.419 where the pastor 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.279 teaches that 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.500 same-sex marriage 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.859 is sinful. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.879 This news website, 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.740 BuzzFeed, 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.599 implies in their article 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:30.440 that because Chip 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.139 and Joanna 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:31.899 are members 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:33.059 of that church, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:35.319 they must be against 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.720 same-sex marriage 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.879 and that should 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:39.119 disqualify them 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.299 from having a show 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.980 on HGTV. 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.819 Now, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.319 from what I've read, 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:46.720 that church 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.579 that they're a member of 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:49.119 and that pastor, 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.599 they're very much like 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.679 our church 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:54.240 and most 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.960 Southern Baptist 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.039 Convention churches. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.019 They teach 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.419 simply the truth 00:23:59.419 --> 00:24:00.019 of Scripture 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:01.000 about marriage. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.919 They speak 00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:04.119 the truth in love 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:06.200 and they welcome 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.919 everyone 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:08.339 into their church 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:10.599 including gay people. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.819 they've made 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.819 that kind of statement 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:15.799 and their idea is 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.980 they want everyone 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.899 to feel welcome 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.679 in their church. 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:20.519 They want their doors 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.099 to be opened. 00:24:21.199 --> 00:24:21.799 They want everybody 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.419 to come 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:23.679 and they want everyone 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.319 to hear 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.619 the good news 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.339 about Jesus. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.799 Salvation is by the grace 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.159 of God 00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:29.240 through faith in Jesus. 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.939 They want everyone 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:32.539 to hear the full truth 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:32.980 of God 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.859 about everything. 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:35.740 and their prayer is 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:37.119 as people hear 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.879 God's Word, 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.899 as they hear 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.539 this good news 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.179 about Jesus, 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.740 they'll trust Jesus. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.859 They'll surrender 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.639 their lives to Him 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.299 as their Savior 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:46.879 and Lord 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:48.319 and they'll want 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.519 to live their life 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.399 according to the truth 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.219 of God's Word 00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:53.379 and turn from all sin 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:55.399 including the sin 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:55.859 of homosexuality. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:59.079 That is the desire 00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.979 of our church. 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:02.000 I hope 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.960 that you know 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.900 I've said it 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.980 on various occasions 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.980 and various ways. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.400 The doors of our church 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.279 are open to anyone 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.019 and everyone. 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.599 We're not going to 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:13.079 bash anyone 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.880 because of who they are, 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.819 what they are, 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.059 what their sinful 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.759 condition is 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.640 because we're all 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.360 sinful people. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.980 We're all 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.660 sinners in need 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.900 of a Savior. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.200 And if we're Christians 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.200 it's not because 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.779 we figured anything out. 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.660 If we're Christians 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.740 it's because God 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:35.480 favored us, 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:38.080 demonstrated His grace 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.779 to us 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:40.299 by calling us 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.059 in the midst 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.759 of our sin 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.840 to see the truth 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:45.720 and turn from our sin 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.000 and trust Jesus. 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.580 Salvation by the grace 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:49.900 of God 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.700 through faith in Jesus 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.880 plus nothing else. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.420 And we want everybody 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.860 to come 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.980 and hear this message. 00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.860 We want to love 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.380 everybody who comes 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.660 as we try to 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.700 communicate this message 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.680 in the most positive 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.720 and gracious way 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.880 that we can. 00:26:07.540 --> 00:26:08.360 Here's what I want 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:08.960 to ask you now. 00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:11.540 Do you trust 00:26:11.540 --> 00:26:13.120 God enough 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:15.080 to stand on 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.680 the truth 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.760 of His Word 00:26:16.760 --> 00:26:19.220 even about marriage 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:21.280 no matter what 00:26:21.280 --> 00:26:23.000 the world might say 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:25.480 or do to you 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.799 if you do? 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.279 Or 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.839 could you ever 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.839 envision yourself 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.920 leaving this church 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.000 because I preach 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.400 what I've just said 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.860 about marriage? 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:40.380 Or because our church 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.640 and our denominational 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:43.140 statement of faith 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:45.180 defines marriage 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.640 exclusively as 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.940 the uniting of 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.680 one man 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.640 and one woman 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.559 in covenant 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.200 commitment 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.440 for a lifetime. 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:55.519 the day has come 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:58.900 the day is here 00:26:58.900 --> 00:27:00.299 when some Christians 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.019 in this country 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:03.180 are being persecuted 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:07.279 for simply saying 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.799 they believe 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.600 this truth. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.840 The day has come 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.680 when some people 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.039 are being 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.360 Christians 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.180 are being persecuted 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.559 because they are 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:17.019 members of a church 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.620 that believes this 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:20.840 or a denomination 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:22.019 that believes this. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:24.920 You know right now 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.059 it's easy for us 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.900 to say that we 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.519 trust God 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.440 with all our heart 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:30.299 we lean not 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.759 on our own 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.400 understanding 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.400 when it doesn't 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.240 cost us anything. 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.620 But the real test 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.420 will come 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:40.380 when we 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.860 have to risk 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:43.160 losing friends 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.320 or jobs 00:27:44.320 --> 00:27:45.580 or earthly security 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:48.140 in order to 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.059 publicly stand 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.600 and say that 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.519 we trust God 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.799 and we're going 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.319 to remain 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.220 faithful to him 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.139 and the truth 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.859 of his word. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.240 That leads us 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.200 to the final question. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.539 Why should I 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.240 trust God? 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.420 Well first 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.220 in verse 6 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.980 the latter part 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.740 he will make 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.059 straight your paths. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.879 The word straight 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.500 here is used 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.940 to describe 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.259 travel made safe 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.619 by clearing 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:10.379 and leveling 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.000 a road. 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.740 The idea 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.200 is that 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.819 if we will 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:15.460 live our lives 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.000 according to the 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.039 teaching of God's word 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.039 if we'll live 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.379 our lives 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:18.799 according to 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.759 God's wisdom 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.720 God will make 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:23.279 our path 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.779 in life 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.299 smoother 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.700 and straighter 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.279 but that doesn't 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.740 mean it will be 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.200 easy. 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.720 That doesn't 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.319 mean that 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:32.119 doing life 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.940 God's way 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.399 living life 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.059 God's way 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.819 is going to be 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.460 the easiest way. 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.879 A lot of times 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.639 it will be hard 00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:40.279 but God's way 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.180 is always the best 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.899 way for his 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:42.299 people. 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.599 That's because 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.879 God created us 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:46.599 God's gifted us 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.419 God has a plan 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:48.179 for our life 00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:48.919 and the path 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:50.159 if we follow him 00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:50.939 we'll follow the 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.559 path in life 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.419 that God designed 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:53.079 for us 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.559 that will most 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.599 glorify him 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.539 and enable us 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.439 to make the best 00:28:58.439 --> 00:28:59.959 difference in this 00:28:59.959 --> 00:29:00.419 world. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.039 Another reason 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.439 why we should 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:02.939 trust God 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:03.279 is because 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.659 what it says 00:29:03.659 --> 00:29:04.279 in verse 8 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.179 it will be 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:06.039 healing to your 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.619 flesh 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.839 and refreshment 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.959 to your bones. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.259 As we've said 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.779 throughout our 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.759 study of Proverbs 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.859 Proverbs are not 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.339 promises. 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:14.779 They're a 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.619 description of how 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.099 life 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:17.000 descriptions of 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.539 how life 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.599 usually works. 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.419 This verse is 00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:21.659 not promising 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.259 that if we 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.019 trust God 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.839 we'll always 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.480 be healthy 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:26.359 but it does 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.000 mean that 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.559 living life 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.339 God's way 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:30.559 will help us 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.179 to avoid 00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:32.240 bringing unnecessary 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.519 problems upon 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.199 ourselves. 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.919 A lot of people 00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:36.759 who suffer in 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.279 this world 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.879 have brought 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.599 a lot of it 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.119 on themselves. 00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:40.039 Not everyone. 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.399 Some of the 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.059 most godly 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.659 people you'll 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.860 never know 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.820 struggle 00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:47.040 with health 00:29:47.040 --> 00:29:47.740 problems 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:49.240 with financial 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.019 problems 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.120 with family 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.980 problems 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:54.220 but as a 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.040 general rule 00:29:55.040 --> 00:29:57.000 living life 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.040 God's way 00:29:58.040 --> 00:30:00.340 results in the 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:01.740 best life 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.240 we could 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.160 experience 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:05.560 compared to 00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:05.920 people who 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.720 don't live life 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.620 God's way. 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.459 God's way 00:30:08.459 --> 00:30:09.719 this passage is 00:30:09.719 --> 00:30:10.599 encouraging us to 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.439 trust God in all 00:30:11.439 --> 00:30:13.039 things and 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.079 warning us don't 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.979 trust yourself. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:17.319 Don't trust in just 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.479 what the world is 00:30:18.479 --> 00:30:18.879 doing. 00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:20.839 Or we could think 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.659 about it like this. 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.919 This passage is 00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:23.799 telling us not to 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.359 live our lives 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:24.899 according to that 00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:25.579 old song 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.759 My Way. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:29.119 That song was 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:29.700 originally made 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.640 popular by Frank 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.839 Sinatra and 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.200 later by Elvis 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.759 Presley. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.279 Now I would 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.299 give my Elvis 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.960 impression and 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.799 sing it for you 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:41.119 but you may not 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:41.879 get the point 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.359 if I do. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.879 So look at the 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.680 first and last 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:47.579 stanzas of this 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:49.039 song My Way and 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.660 think about what 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.099 it's saying. 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.119 And now the end 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.599 is near and so I 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.599 face the final 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.039 curtain. 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:56.740 My friend I'll 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.579 say it clear. 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.920 I'll state my 00:30:58.920 --> 00:31:00.140 case of which I'm 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:00.579 certain. 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.160 I've lived a life 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.859 that's full. 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.059 I traveled each 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.859 and every highway 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.960 and more much 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.220 more than this I 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:09.299 did it my way. 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.079 For what is a 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.240 man what has he 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.579 got if not 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.460 himself that he 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:16.240 has not to say 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.039 the things he 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:19.259 truly feels and 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.900 not the words of 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.460 one who kneels. 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.500 The record shows 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:26.220 I took the blows 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:27.960 and did it my 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.019 way. 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.059 Now the writer 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.680 of Proverbs 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.299 would say that 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.120 is an absolutely 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:35.059 foolish song 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.940 that only a 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:38.259 fool would 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.759 sing. 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.400 And if there 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.000 was some way 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.620 to know 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:43.960 we can be 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.880 confident that 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:45.759 Frank Sinatra 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.339 and Elvis 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.940 Presley 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:49.220 would agree 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.579 I was a 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:52.100 fool for 00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:53.120 singing and 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:54.079 living life 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.819 my way. 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:58.139 When you think 00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:58.619 about it 00:31:58.619 --> 00:32:00.339 my way 00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:00.960 is the name 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.559 of the road 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.399 that leads to 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:03.159 a whole lot 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.819 of heartache 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.699 in this life 00:32:04.699 --> 00:32:06.859 and to hell 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.259 for all 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.720 eternity. 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.960 The opposite 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.899 of living life 00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:12.679 my way 00:32:12.679 --> 00:32:14.220 or as 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.059 Proverbs says 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.139 being wise 00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:16.599 in your own 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.039 eyes 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.480 the opposite 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.199 is to fear 00:32:19.199 --> 00:32:19.779 the Lord 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:21.839 kneel before 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.240 him 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:24.119 and trust 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.599 in the Lord 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:24.960 with all 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.559 your heart. 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.399 That's 00:32:27.399 --> 00:32:28.119 the key 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:28.680 to becoming 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.359 wise. 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.259 So now 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:31.720 you get 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.460 to decide 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:35.039 are you 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.519 going to 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.339 live life 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.779 my way 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:40.059 or are you 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.519 going to live 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:40.940 life 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:42.180 God's way? 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.299 That's a choice 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.720 we make 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.339 every day 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:47.839 and it's a 00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.299 choice 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.299 that we will 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.799 live with 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.379 for all 00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:51.079 eternity 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:53.039 my way 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.459 or God's 00:32:54.459 --> 00:32:54.720 way. 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:55.839 Would you 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.459 pray with me? 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.220 Father 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:59.619 help us to 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.220 see what is 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:00.659 the pattern 00:33:00.659 --> 00:33:01.579 of our lives. 00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:04.259 Can we 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.879 get up this 00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.359 morning and 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:05.759 sing 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:09.019 I did it 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.480 or I'm 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.919 doing it 00:33:09.919 --> 00:33:10.480 my way 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:13.019 or are we 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.440 doing it 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.099 your way 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:15.640 or at least 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.380 seeking to 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:16.880 do that 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.860 and confessing 00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:18.519 and repenting 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:18.779 of it 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.099 when we 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.960 don't. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.579 Dear God 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.279 show us 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:24.240 the key 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.860 to wisdom 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:26.480 is trusting 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.819 you, 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:27.920 loving you, 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.279 obeying you 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.380 and living 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.299 life your 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:31.740 way. 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.579 Show us 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.039 that the 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.740 beginning 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.680 of wisdom 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:38.240 and a real 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.740 relationship 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.319 with you 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:41.240 is through 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.659 faith in 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.419 Jesus Christ. 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:43.879 Surrender to 00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:44.379 him as 00:33:44.379 --> 00:33:45.500 Lord and 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:45.939 Savior of 00:33:45.939 --> 00:33:46.559 our lives. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.859 Show us 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.119 how we 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:48.700 should respond 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.720 now and 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:49.919 then in 00:33:49.919 --> 00:33:50.379 attitude of 00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:50.819 prayer let's 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.220 just listen 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.439 to the 00:33:51.439 --> 00:33:51.659 Lord. 00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:52.960 Respond to 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.599 him as 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.279 he speaks 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.539 and I'll be 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:56.019 happy to pray 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.480 with you 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:56.899 during this 00:33:56.899 --> 00:33:57.279 time I'll be 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.579 here at the 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:57.879 front. 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.059 If you want 00:33:59.059 --> 00:33:59.299 to share 00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.779 something with 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:01.099 me you 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.919 come as 00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:02.559 God leads.