WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.500 Tonight, so continuing our series on what is a man, I'm going to be talking about a man is a worker. 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:11.500 ! A man is a worker. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:17.600 This topic may be one of the more seen ones in our day. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:29.600 It's so easy, frankly, to be a lazy man in today's world because a lot of things are just handed to us, which illuminates the need for hardworking men. 00:00:29.600 --> 00:00:35.600 So, I'm going to be talking about that before I jump into everything I'm going to pray. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:36.600 Okay? 00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:43.600 Father, we thank you, Lord, for the ultimate work in your son Jesus. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:50.600 We pray, Lord, that you would make us into men who are not mediocre workers, but hard workers. 00:00:50.600 --> 00:00:54.600 Ultimately, for your king, your kingship, and your glory, Lord. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:01:04.599 Would you transform us, Lord, and redeem our work so that it becomes a joy to us, even to where we can say our toil is our joy. 00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:09.599 We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:12.599 Okay, a man is a worker. 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:14.599 So, what's the problem? 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:23.599 I want to get into diagnosing the problem before we talk about the specifics of work and maybe even the ethic therein. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:30.599 So, the problem in our day and age is that in a lot of ways, we are the most blessed. 00:01:30.599 --> 00:01:33.599 We are the most... 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:40.599 We live in an age of enjoying the benefits of hardworking men. 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:44.599 We are reaping the benefits of a lot of other people's work. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:48.599 And because of that, there's different struggles. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:49.599 Okay? 00:01:49.599 --> 00:01:53.599 When you live in an age that has been handed to you, or you have it made, we live in America. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:02:00.599 If you look at every other country, America pretty much surpasses them all in many ways. 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:07.599 And that didn't come by just some, you know, people coming across the Atlantic, right? 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:10.599 It was that, but it was way more. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:11.599 This was built. 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:12.599 It was worked for, right? 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:16.599 And so, we live in a very blessed nation and society. 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:26.599 And unfortunately, what's happened is, especially among the younger generation, but even you can see it in the older folks as well, 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:39.599 is there's this kind of taking for granted and almost like embracing all that's been handed to us as a deserved or as a right, 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:45.599 an entitlement to what other people have worked hard, even died for, to give us. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.599 And this causes a myriad of problems. 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:49.599 Okay? 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:53.599 We live in a grossly homosexual day. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:03:08.599 And what I mean by that is, I don't mean necessarily in the specific sexual aspect of homosexuality, but more so what Andrew Isker calls the, the, what does he call it? 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:15.599 Like the, the edict or the ethic of homosexuality or the essence of it, which is basically self-gratification. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:16.599 Okay? 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:23.599 That fundamentally, to be homosexual is to glorify your own sexual desires above all, right? 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:28.599 That's, that's what the pride flag represents is this kind of hedonistic self-gratification. 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:37.599 Well, not only is that spirit alive in the sexual way, but it's, it's also the spirit of our age in the air that we breathe. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:45.599 The self-glorifying, self-indulgent, even entitled, ethic. 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:46.599 Okay? 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:51.599 All built and handed to us by men who have died and worked hard to give us that. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:52.599 We've squandered it. 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:54.599 We've basically squandered it. 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:55.599 Okay? 00:03:55.599 --> 00:04:08.599 And so we live in an age of effeminate slackness, said John Milton, which I think is a key phrase because work, as I'm, as I'm going to talk about this, work is distinctly masculine. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:09.599 Okay? 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.599 Um, women can work, obviously. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:17.600 Women are workers and they should work, but there is something divine. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:26.600 And we'll see this in, in the Bible that God blesses man to do work, um, in a very specific way. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:33.600 And then he gives man a helper to do the man's work, to help them. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:40.600 Basically, he gives the man a helper fit so that he can actually complete his God given task, which is to work. 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:41.600 Okay? 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:52.600 And so, when, when we think about our day and age, we have to realize there, there are many things against us, even in the air that we breathe. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:54.600 How everyone relates to one another. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:59.600 And, uh, right down to when we go home and we're alone and how we think. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:00.600 Okay? 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:02.600 So, work is distinctly masculine. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:12.600 A lot of people talk about, um, you know, if someone, a lot of people say, if they see a good worker, they say that guy has a good work ethic. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:13.600 Okay? 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:19.600 Work ethic is a great word, but it's often, you know, kind of just, we just say it. 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:22.600 Ethic referring to morality, right? 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:26.600 Um, is a strong, uh, rich word. 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:30.600 Imagine if we changed it, though, if we said that guy has a good work morality. 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:32.600 That's another level. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:35.600 You know, what, what's your work morals like? 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:38.600 Uh, what's your standards of work? 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:41.600 The right work and the, and the bad work. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:42.600 Do you have standards? 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:43.600 Okay? 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:45.600 Uh, there's such thing as a work ethic. 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:48.600 And I think, ultimately, that God calls us to. 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:55.600 And so, all of our thoughts on work, work ethic, all these things need to be funneled through the Word of God. 00:05:55.600 --> 00:06:10.600 And we see in Genesis, uh, 2, verse 15, that God says, the Lord God, uh, took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to keep it. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:12.600 Other versions say cultivate it. 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:13.600 Cultivate it. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:17.600 We're going to talk a lot about cultivating and how a man is distinctly called to cultivate. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:21.600 The word cultivate means to bring up, um, it's a farming term. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.600 It means to, like, uh, bring up crops and work the land and that sort of thing. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:29.600 There's a lot of imagery in there, uh, that actually has to do with your, your personal life. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:35.600 How you, how you relate to cultivating the various areas of your life. 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:42.600 And so, all of our thoughts about work ethic and how we understand that was fractured long ago in the Garden. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:43.600 Okay. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:49.600 When, when man was put in the Garden, God said he was put for two reasons. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:52.600 To work it and to keep it. 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:53.600 Okay. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:54.600 That's his divine task. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:55.600 Work and keep. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:07:01.600 Another, uh, word to understand keep, uh, can be translated to guard or protect. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:02.600 Okay. 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:03.600 Okay. 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:11.600 So right from the, from the get go, uh, you by God without sin, this is God's original intention 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:12.600 for man. 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:15.600 You are created as a, as a worker warrior. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:16.600 Okay. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:20.600 Work it, keep it, guard it, protect it, work it. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:24.600 And we've lost the intention because of sin. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:29.600 We've marred the ethic of work that God intended because of sin. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:38.600 And, um, we see that in Genesis three verse six, uh, when the woman, uh, it says when the 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:43.600 woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:47.600 the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:52.600 And she also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate. 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:53.600 So what happens? 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:58.600 Um, we've reiterated and hearkened on this, this phrase, her husband who is with her over 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:03.600 and over in the, in the teachings, but I'm going to capitalize on it again. 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:04.600 Okay. 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:12.600 Uh, Adam was there and what was his divine job to work the garden and keep the garden. 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:14.600 And what did he do? 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:16.600 He didn't do his job. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:18.600 He failed to do his job. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:19.600 Okay. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:20.600 God said, this is your job. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:23.600 Work the garden, protect the garden. 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:24.600 Okay. 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:28.600 Now we have this serpent that comes in and deceives his wife right in front of him. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:31.600 And, and, and he says nothing. 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:35.600 He's, he is even offered the fruit and he eats. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.600 Okay. 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:37.600 So he didn't do his job. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:40.600 And how, how did Adam fail to do his job? 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:48.600 Well, uh, the serpent didn't, uh, I think, uh, come in the front gate, you know, uh, and say 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:53.600 like, Hey guys, uh, why do you believe, why do you believe what God says? 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.600 Eat this fruit. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.600 And they're like, okay. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:56.600 You know, I think it was more than that. 00:08:56.600 --> 00:09:02.600 And we see that even in a verse one, it says, now the serpent was more crafty than any other 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:04.600 beast of the field of the Lord God has made. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:05.600 Okay. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:07.600 So the serpent, uh, was stealthy. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.600 He was sly about it. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:16.600 There was something in Adam that wasn't, uh, he wasn't operating as God had told him to. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:21.600 He didn't have his, uh, he wasn't on his toes, his head on a swivel, or maybe he did, 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:25.600 but there was something crafty about it that he ignored, right? 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:27.600 There was some passivity in there. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:35.600 And so, um, we were not told like how the serpent got in and all the backstory leading up to that, 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:40.600 but it probably wasn't just, you know, it's like, Oh, the serpent's in here. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.600 Weird. 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:47.600 Um, there was probably a lot more to it, but Adam failed to, to do his job. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.600 Okay. 00:09:48.600 --> 00:10:03.600 And so, um, men don't want to work because they've settled for lesser rewards and become, uh, they've become lazy in that settling, uh, for the mediocre. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:04.600 Okay. 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:11.600 This is something in our day and age with everything handed to you with the rise of technology and ease of things, you know, 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:13.600 AI is really great at this. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:18.600 I'm not saying AI is bad or anything like that, but man, doesn't it make life easier? 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:25.600 Uh, man, you know, when electricity was inventing, invented, like how everything changed, right? 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:28.600 The washing machines, the, the, the stoves, everything, right? 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:33.600 You can think of so many things and none of those things are bad in and of themself. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:37.600 We just have to understand they made everything easier for us. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:45.600 And we can, we can rest upon those things and, and slowly actually lose what God told us to do in our mind and not do it. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:57.600 And so, um, God's original design distinctly masculine design was to work and protect. 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:11.600 Um, you know, if you talk to any older person, especially like grandparents above 80 years old, they'll tell you how it was, especially if they were a farmer or something back in the day, how they would work long hours and how we have it made. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:15.600 And, you know, if you're young, you're probably going to be like me, be like, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm sure it was tough. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:16.600 Like, like we get it. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:27.600 And, uh, but we're so disconnected from the life of the aged and how things were and people who actually get what we don't understand, we, we brush off. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:28.600 Okay. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.600 That's another route is our pride. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:36.600 Honestly, in this age has elevated ourself above people who sincerely have understood work ethic. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:40.600 And, um, this includes so many things that we just don't have to do anymore. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:51.600 Um, tasks like if you're a farmer, you know, plowing, harrowing, sewing, weeding, milking, foddering, repairing tools and fences, threshing, processing. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:12:02.600 Uh, a lot of times women ran the dairy and the poultry and the vegetables and food preservation while the men took care of the heavy lifting and the animals, uh, all those things. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:05.600 Uh, that's a full day's work and more, right? 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:09.600 Sometimes you work into the night and a lot of us don't have to do that. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:16.600 A lot of us, a lot of us don't have to do those things and perspective is really important, right? 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:23.600 And, uh, not only that, but whatever you're called to do, let's say your life's not like that, right? 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:28.600 You don't have to like induce that kind of life to be a good worker, right? 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:38.600 You don't have to make yourself, uh, have a lot of things to put yourself under hard work so that you become a certain person. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:41.600 You already actually have all those avenues before you. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:51.600 All those avenues for hard work and for pouring yourself out so as to be a man, uh, uh, fulfilling what God originally intended. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:53.600 All those things you can do now in your own life. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:13:04.600 We're going to get to that as I, as I talk about it, but, um, it's, it's in each one of our lives that we're called to that work. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:18.600 Where are you called in your specific life to take up the creation, uh, orders to, to work where you're not, to protect where you haven't been. 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:18.600 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.600 Okay. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:25.600 And ultimately when God gives a command because of sin, we can't do it apart from his spirit. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:30.600 So there's an element here that, that we have to have or we miss it all. 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:34.600 So man was made for work and man was made for war. 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:39.600 Um, a lot of times we can think of, uh, a man as a cultivator. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:45.600 That word in Genesis two, uh, connected with keep it. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:52.600 We can think of it as, um, you know, cultivate as a horticultural term. 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:56.600 We can think of a man with like pruning shears, just kind of trimming up his garden. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:59.600 Maybe he's wearing his grandma's straw hat or something, you know? 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:01.600 Uh, but it's not like that. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.600 Okay. 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:19.600 It's probably more like, uh, a man who needs to draw his machete, uh, by divine instruction and hack down the vines in his life that are constantly growing and trying to choke him out. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:24.600 Choke out his, his family, choke out his church, choke out the other people around him. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:29.600 We need to think of it that way because that's connected in, in what God said. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.600 He said, work it and protect it. 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.600 Okay. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:34.600 As if it's like this, this is what you're called to do. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:38.600 And don't be, don't be so lax about it. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.600 Right. 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:43.600 Where, where are you drawing your machete to the, to the vines that are growing? 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:46.600 Are you even aware of any vines, so to speak, in your own life? 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:49.600 These are good things to think about. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:54.600 Um, a man, a man is a worker in this specific way where he's called to, 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:59.600 take up God's sword to the specific areas of his life. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:02.600 How is your work? 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.600 A couple of questions. 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:06.600 Think about your own soul. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.600 Think about your own life. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.600 How is your work? 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.600 You can think about your physical job. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.600 Do you work only at, at one pace? 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:17.600 Only doing the bare minimum? 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:19.600 Are you cutting corners? 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:23.600 Are you the guy who takes the longest lunches, who shows up late and is the first one to leave? 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:27.600 Uh, maybe you're not doing that, but maybe that's your mentality. 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.600 Like, just get me out of here as soon as possible. 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.600 Always watching the clock. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.600 Not concerned about the actual task at hand. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:38.600 And then eventually you actually screw up because you're really not concerned about what's before you. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:42.600 Um, that, that can be actual work. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.600 What about spiritually? 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:47.600 You know, some people have spiritual ADHD. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:52.600 Where they never actually quite arrive. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.600 Because really they don't really care. 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:58.600 They only care about what's interesting to them. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:01.600 That's why many people don't read the Bible fully. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.600 They just read the verse that gets them. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:05.600 That's laziness. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.600 That's laziness. 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:13.600 And if, and if you don't, if you don't actually put to death your supposed ADHD, when in reality 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:20.600 it's self-inflicted distraction, then, uh, you might be, you might actually be found not 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.600 even knowing who your God is. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.600 Okay. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:26.600 God has called you to take up the sword of the spirit. 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:29.600 Which the, which the Bible says is the word of God. 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.600 Okay. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:35.600 How much more if, if you don't even read the word of God, can you take up it as a sword? 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.600 Okay. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:39.600 We need to know where we're actually being lazy. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:42.600 And we have to be honest about that. 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:45.600 I've been in many situations in my life. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:51.600 I feel like as I'm talking through this, I can see me in the, in the mixture. 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:56.600 And, um, but how much this, these type of words has helped me. 00:16:56.600 --> 00:17:01.600 The teaching has helped me to realize and awaken me where I've been asleep. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.600 Where are we asleep to these things? 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.599 To our own laziness? 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:07.599 Maybe even our own pride thinking we're a good worker. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:11.599 You know, work, work isn't just being a good worker. 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:13.599 Isn't just working long hours. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.599 Okay. 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:19.599 We, what we want to say is the guy who works 80 hours a week, man, that guy's a hard worker. 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.599 Not necessarily. 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:25.599 It's not the quantitative amount of time that makes you a good worker, right? 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:27.599 It's the quality. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:30.599 How is the quality of your work? 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:36.599 Do you even have a barometer to assess what is good quality and what is bad quality? 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:40.599 Don't use the world standard on this. 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.599 Go to the word of God. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:43.599 What does God say about work? 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:48.599 Ultimately, when we think about these things, work is distinctly masculine. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:51.599 In the sense that work gives you dignity. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:54.599 We know this because work was here before sin. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:57.599 Some of you guys might need to hear that. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:02.599 Because the truth is, a lot of the time we treat work as if it's a curse to us. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:05.599 As if work itself is a curse. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:12.599 Although the work or our toil was cursed by God, it was actually originally good. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:14.599 Its intention was good. 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:22.599 And we'll talk more about that, of how the Bible actually says that God's gift to man is to enjoy his toil. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.599 It's Ecclesiastes. 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:25.599 Do you believe that? 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:32.599 Or do you believe that your work is a consignment to oppression and you're always seeking an out to escape it? 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.599 God doesn't want you to do that. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:39.599 God wants you to enjoy the thing that he has given you. 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:42.599 Even in a strange way, even the toil of it. 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.599 So how is your work? 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:48.599 Are you self-controlled? 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:55.599 There's a principle in scripture that if a man can't rule himself, then he isn't fit to rule others. 00:18:55.599 --> 00:19:02.599 In the qualifications for an elder, it says, it doesn't say if a man can't rule himself. 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:04.599 That's already assumed. 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:11.599 It says if a man can't rule his household, then how can he be expected to rule God's church? 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:13.599 God's house, right? 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:35.599 If you can't rule yourself, if you're not disciplined in your own life, saying no to the things, saying no to sin, saying no to the things that maybe aren't necessarily sin, but keep you from what you ought to do, then how are you going to be able to rule others? 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:38.599 You know, if you can't govern yourself. 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:44.599 God in Christ Jesus wants us to say he wants to save us from this lack of self-rule. 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:47.599 He wants to give us the power by his spirit. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:52.599 Ultimately, if he does that, it's really not us anymore. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:55.599 It's the power of God living through us. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.599 Right. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:20:01.599 But the truth is, we have to understand the areas that we have fallen short. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:06.599 So are you self-controlled? 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:14.599 Proverbs 16, verse 32 says, he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes his city. 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.599 Do you believe that? 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.599 He who rules his spirit. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:18.599 How is your spirit? 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:21.599 Is it like all over the place, all the time? 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:31.599 I'd venture to say that most young men, especially my generation, and I've struggled with this majorly, struggle with being ruled by their feelings. 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:35.599 How every single day, you wake up, how do I feel today? 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.599 Good? 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.599 Bad? 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.599 Do I want to work? 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.599 Not really. 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.599 Oh, whatever. 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:42.599 And then you just kind of go to work and your work's kind of terrible. 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:44.599 But, you know, I clocked in. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:46.599 I worked the full eight, you know. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.599 You're just living by your feelings. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:52.599 You're just, every single whim. 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:57.599 How you even think about God, your feelings just declare and preach to you. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.599 God is this. 00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:59.599 You're this. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:02.599 You know, all these things come from the inside. 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:10.599 And the Proverbs says, he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes the city. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:15.599 We've got to put to death our feelings and really know the actual truth. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:18.599 How do you spend your time? 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:23.599 The lazy man wastes his time. 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:25.599 I heard this stat the other day. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.599 I think it was Jordan Peterson. 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:34.599 He asked a crowd of people, you know, how many of you think, how many of you waste 10 hours a day? 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.599 He asked that to the crowd. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.599 He said, raise your hand. 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:39.599 And he said, 10% raise their hand. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:41.599 And that seems like small. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.599 It's only 10%. 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:44.599 But I'm like, 10 hours? 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:46.599 That's like the whole day. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.599 That's crazy. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.599 Whatever. 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.599 And he's like, how many of you waste six? 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:52.599 And I think he said half the room. 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:54.599 Six hours a day. 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.599 It's like, what? 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:58.599 Yeah, that's hard to believe depending on who you are. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:08.599 But if you ask a whole room and half of them say that, we've got a problem in society, you know? 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:10.599 Do we even know how to use our time? 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:13.599 He who rules his spirit is better than he who takes his city. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.599 How much more our time? 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:17.599 Do you have vision for your time? 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:20.599 Do you have vision for your time that's not already allotted? 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:24.599 Meaning the time that you spend when you're not at work, right? 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.599 That time's allotted. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:33.599 But all the other time, are you busy playing video games, watching movies, watching shows, watching porn? 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:42.599 So many guys, they call it a day, they get some DoorDash, they turn on Netflix to waste their night, and they finish it with porn. 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.599 It's despicable. 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:46.599 It's a complete waste of time. 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:48.599 But not only just that. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.599 It's not that merely. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.599 It's a lack of vision for the time. 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:54.599 It's just an embrace of no vision at all. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:57.599 And the Bible says, without vision, the people perish. 00:22:57.599 --> 00:23:01.599 How many of you believe that if you don't get vision, you're going to perish? 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:05.599 Maybe not in a physical way, but spiritually. 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:16.599 Even, like, I think there's been science backing, like, what things like porn does to your mind. 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:18.599 It wastes you away. 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:22.599 You're going to perish because of these things. 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.599 How do you spend your time? 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.599 How do you spend your time? 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:32.599 1 Corinthians 9, verse 24 through 27 says, 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:39.599 Do you not know that in a race all the run is run, but only one receives the prize? 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:41.599 So run that you may obtain it. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:45.599 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:51.599 Then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.599 And one that never fades away. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.599 That's a big vision. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.599 A lot of people don't believe that. 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.599 So I do not run aimlessly. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.599 I do not box as one beating the air. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.599 But I discipline my body and keep it under control. 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:06.599 Lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified. 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:10.599 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:13.599 They do it to receive a perishable wreath, Paul says. 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:16.599 But we, believers, an imperishable. 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.599 And one that never fades away. 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:19.599 That's a big vision. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:21.599 A lot of people don't believe that. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:24.599 They don't believe in imperishable things. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:29.599 But if you are a believer, if you're a Christian, if you trust in Christ, 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:33.599 we don't fix our eyes on what we see, that which is perishable, 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:38.599 but that which is unseen, which the scripture says is eternal. 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.599 Okay? 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.599 These are real things. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:47.599 And many people walk around their entire lives in unbelief about these things. 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:52.599 We need to wake up and inform ourselves, not only that God's created us to be a worker, 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:55.599 but that our work has bearings on eternity. 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.599 Okay? 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:58.599 Our work does not save us. 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:01.599 Being a good worker does not save you. 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:07.599 You can't work hard enough, enough hours, or even have the best quality of work to save you. 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:13.599 That's the thing, is that as a Christian, as someone who confesses Jesus Christ, 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:16.599 that which is not perishable but is eternal, 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:21.599 our work does not contribute at all to our salvation. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:26.599 It's the finished work of Jesus, the finished work of another person. 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:29.599 So when we talk about work, this is the lens you have to have. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:33.599 If you're trying to earn something through your work, if you're trying to gain someone's approval, 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:36.599 whether it's a parent or boss, you're going to be exhausted. 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:39.599 And your work will always never be enough. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.599 Okay? 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:46.599 When I'm talking about work, I'm talking about a place, not that we work from to get acceptance, 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:51.599 or that we work for to get acceptance, but where we work from. 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:58.599 Every man who really knows that he's a son in Christ is going to be compelled to work hard. 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.599 Okay? 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:02.599 This is the basis by which we work. 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.599 Okay? 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:13.599 So, I think I was talking about how we spend our time, but we're going to move on from that. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:16.599 So, are you self-controlled? 00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:18.599 How do you spend your time? 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:23.599 Are you the guy that people want to work with, or the guy that no one wants to work with? 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.599 Okay? 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:30.599 Are you the guy that everyone is asking for to work with, or the guy who gets tossed to the side 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:34.599 because you're a horrible worker, maybe you always complain? 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:37.599 Complaining is the rule of the day in the workplace. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:49.599 It's almost like if you want to become like a guy that fits in, just talk bad about your boss, complain, you know, whatever. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:54.599 But this is, at the very least, sin, and it's not going to produce good workers. 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.599 Right? 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:58.599 It's not going to produce men who take responsibility. 00:26:58.599 --> 00:27:01.599 If anything, it's going to cause division. 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:03.599 But are you that guy, though? 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:06.599 Are you that guy that wants to work hard? 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:09.599 Are you the guy that people respect in the workplace? 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:12.599 That people want to work alongside with? 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.599 Be that guy. 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:15.599 The lazy man isn't that guy. 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.599 Okay? 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:19.599 The lazy man is the man who doesn't even think that way. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:22.599 Some of us need to be set free from how we think. 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.599 Okay? 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:27.599 Be the guy who people want to work with. 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.599 Be the linchpin. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:32.599 The guy that somebody calls, you know, when they're in a pinch. 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:37.599 You know, the linchpin is the little pin that holds the tire under the axle. 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:41.599 If it's not there, that tire is going to soar away and it's a bad day. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.599 Right? 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.599 Be the guy who... 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:45.599 Want to be that guy. 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:47.599 And go after it. 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.599 Okay. 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:50.599 Moving on. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:55.599 I mentioned that we all have gardens of our life. 00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:57.599 To use the Genesis term. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:59.599 God put man in the garden to work and keep it. 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.599 To cultivate it. 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:04.599 So I just have three areas. 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:07.599 And then we'll get into the closing points. 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:10.599 Three areas or three gardens to work and keep. 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.599 Number one. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.599 The household. 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.599 The household. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.599 Okay? 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:16.599 If you're single, don't check out. 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.599 Okay? 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:20.599 This doesn't mean that this isn't for you. 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:23.599 Actually, I'd probably say it's more for you potentially. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:25.599 Because if you're going to get a wife. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:29.599 If you're going to get married and actually have a family and a household. 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.599 Where you live. 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.599 How you live now. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.599 Determines that. 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.599 It affects that. 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.599 Okay? 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.599 Okay? 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:37.599 You have a house right now. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.599 You don't have a family yet. 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:40.599 Or a complete household. 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.599 But you have a house. 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:43.599 And how are you managing it? 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.599 Okay? 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:51.599 So, Andrew Isker writes in his book, The Bonifest Option. 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:54.599 He says, God designed men to love their wives and their children. 00:28:54.599 --> 00:29:01.599 And to desire so intensely to have a wife and sons and daughters that he would kill and even die for them. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:19.599 Generations of psychological and social conditioning has diverted the course of this great river of passion to flow instead to cheap consumer goods, vapid entertainment, and pornography. 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.599 Okay? 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:25.599 You live in a day and age that wants to take your passion for things like family. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:28.599 Things like sacrificing for the brother next to you. 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:31.599 And take it all the way down to an individual level and say, you know what? 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.599 All that passion. 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.599 All that virility. 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.599 All that drive. 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:39.599 Why don't you exhaust it on cheap goods, vapid entertainment, and pornography? 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:42.599 That's the air you breathe right now. 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.599 Okay? 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:44.599 How do I know that? 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:46.599 Because, I mean, I don't even think I have to say. 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:48.599 You guys all know that. 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:50.599 That's the rule of the day, right? 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:52.599 Go home, entertainment. 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:54.599 Before you go to bed, pornography. 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:56.599 Cheap consumer goods. 00:29:56.599 --> 00:30:00.599 You guys probably eat ramen noodles a lot. 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.599 Maybe Kraft mac and cheese. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.599 I don't know. 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.599 Like, whatever. 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:07.599 But this is the air we breathe. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:13.599 He also says, you were created not to be a bug in a hive, responding to the stimuli until 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.599 you expire. 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:20.599 You were created not to be a bug in a hive, but a free man conquering, subduing, and filling 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:22.599 unknown space. 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:29.599 The fake world you live in is constructed to subvert the impulse or redirect it. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:38.599 You can conquer unknown virtual space in an open world video game or metaverse, but the 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:41.599 flesh and blood world is already owned, so don't bother. 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:43.599 That's the lie. 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:46.599 But this world is to be conquered. 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:52.599 And the means that God has given you to subdue the earth is the household. 00:30:52.599 --> 00:31:01.599 He's saying that because, in a lot of ways, this society has made a strong effort to destroy 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.599 the household. 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:05.599 All the way down to the family unit, right? 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:10.599 And single men, it's important that you guys know that you're a part of that, whether for 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:11.599 good or for ill. 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:16.599 Even at the rate that you see people getting married older and older and less and less, 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:18.599 that's the effect. 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:20.599 There's less and less families. 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:22.599 There's less and less covenant. 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:25.599 And this is the rule of the day. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:29.599 But it starts by combating that and working hard against it. 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:33.599 Remember, this is in the context of our work, right? 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.599 A man is a worker. 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:41.599 How are we doing with these gardens, working and keeping them in our household? 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:48.599 You know, it's so easy as a single person to throw the laundry in the corner, not do the 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.599 dishes, all these things. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:51.599 But all those things matter, right? 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:54.599 All those things contribute to something. 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:58.599 And once you get married, if you don't address those things, someone else will address them 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:01.599 for you and let you know. 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.599 But they're a part of ruling your house. 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:05.599 And we have to work hard at them. 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.599 So the household. 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:10.599 This means raising yourself in wisdom. 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:12.599 It means seeking out wisdom. 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.599 It means being humble. 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:16.599 Meaning you have to actually seek wise counsel. 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:18.599 You can't just be your own dog. 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.599 That's pride. 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.599 That's hubris. 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:22.599 I'm my own dog. 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:25.599 You know, that's a gospel being preached right now. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.599 You make your own destiny. 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:27.599 You be your own man. 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:29.599 There's some truth in that, right? 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:32.599 Like, men need to take responsibility. 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:34.599 They need to pick themselves up. 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:36.599 No one's going to do it for them. 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:39.599 But hubris says, I don't need other men. 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:41.599 I can be self-made without them, right? 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.599 That's foolishness. 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:44.599 You're a fool if you think that way. 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:46.599 And we need other men. 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:48.599 We need people older than us. 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:53.599 We need peers that are actually peers that are like competing against us. 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.599 You know? 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:59.599 Not that our friends can't be people that we're constantly just better than them. 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.599 You know? 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.599 We're like smug about it. 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.599 Like, that's stupid. 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:07.599 We need friends who actually will sharpen us and rub against us. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:12.599 But we need friends who can see into our house too. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:16.599 Friends who can see our household and say, hey, you really neglect this area. 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.599 You know? 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:19.599 You spend way too much money. 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.599 You're a big spender. 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.599 You don't save any money. 00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:22.599 Your house is filthy. 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.599 You know? 00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:24.599 I can't do that. 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.599 I don't see you guys' house. 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:26.599 But your friends do. 00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.599 You know? 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:29.599 Your family does. 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:31.599 We gotta rule our house. 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:32.599 Second category. 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.599 Garden to work and keep. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.599 The church. 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:37.599 Feels like most neglected amongst young people. 00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:40.599 But we gotta care about what God cares for. 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.599 And ultimately what He died for. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:45.599 There's a message that has gone forth that is a total lie. 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:49.599 And it's been the biggest bill of goods sold to the church. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:54.599 It basically says, being a Christian just means believing in Jesus from your heart only. 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.599 Although that's a big part of it. 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:57.599 You have to believe in Jesus from your heart. 00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:58.599 You can't get around it. 00:33:58.599 --> 00:33:59.599 You must. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:04.599 But that's not the only thing God calls us to. 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.599 Jesus calls us to work. 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:06.599 Okay? 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:09.599 He calls us to take up our cross. 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:12.599 And He calls us not to do it alone, but with the church. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:16.599 With a group of believers all committed to that same thing. 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:18.599 That same teaching. 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:20.599 Matthew 28 verse 19 says, 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.599 Jesus says, 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:25.599 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:28.599 Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:30.599 And behold, I'm with you always. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.599 Okay? 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:33.599 Jesus died and what does He say? 00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:34.599 He says, go. 00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.599 Are you going? 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.599 Do you even know what that means? 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.599 Are you making disciples? 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:39.599 You who profess to know Christ. 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:43.599 Do you have a plan for making disciples? 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:46.599 Or are you hoping it happens by osmosis? 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.599 You know? 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:50.599 Are you hoping some random person in the line asks you about Jesus? 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:53.599 And you're like, finally, Lord, thank you. 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:55.599 While ignoring what He says. 00:34:55.599 --> 00:34:56.599 He says, go. 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:59.599 And make disciples of all nations. 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:01.599 Teaching them to observe all that I commanded. 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.599 Okay? 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:06.599 We have to do this not alone, but in the context of the church. 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.599 This is how we get a plan. 00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.599 Okay? 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.599 Do you have a plan? 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:12.599 Do you know how to work hard as a man? 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:17.599 Are you working as a man hard after the things that God wants you to in this way? 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:21.599 What about the one another verses in the Bible? 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:23.599 There's way too many to cover right now. 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.599 But, love one another. 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.599 Serve one another. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.599 Bear one another's burdens. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:27.599 Submit to one another. 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.599 Build one another up. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:30.599 Show hospitality to one another. 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.599 And et cetera. 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:32.599 There's more. 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:34.599 Do you guys have a plan for any of those? 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.599 Those are commands in Scripture. 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.599 Okay? 00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:41.599 How's your work ethic with even things like loving one another? 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:43.599 Building one another up. 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.599 Showing hospitality. 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.599 Right? 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:47.599 Or are we so... 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:52.599 Have we so drunk the Kool-Aid that we are so isolated and we never see people? 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:55.599 We don't let people in our house and we don't want to go over there. 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:58.599 We just want the TV and the couch. 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.599 Okay? 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:01.599 We need to be saved. 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.599 We need to be saved. 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:03.599 We need to be saved. 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:05.599 So that's the church. 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:07.599 What about society? 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.599 Third garden of your life. 00:36:08.599 --> 00:36:09.599 What about society? 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:12.599 Most men don't even think about society. 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.599 They just live in it. 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.599 Okay? 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:17.599 They're just a bug in the hive as Isker said. 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:19.599 But what about society? 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:21.599 Man can shape society. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:24.599 Listen, a beaver can make a dam. 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.599 Right? 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.599 An animal can make something. 00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:28.599 Make a shelter for himself. 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:31.599 But he can't build a skyscraper. 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:33.599 Or an iPhone. 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:35.599 Or he can't make a saxophone. 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:37.599 Let alone play it. 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.599 Okay? 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:44.599 God has constructed man in a unique way to be able to make things that have differed from 00:36:44.599 --> 00:36:46.599 every creature of creation. 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.599 Okay? 00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:51.599 He calls you to go into the world as a witness to society. 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:53.599 An unbelieving world. 00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:55.599 A world that does not know God. 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:58.599 And to be a witness to them. 00:36:58.599 --> 00:37:01.599 And to build something from nothing. 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:05.599 Jesus says in a peculiar phrase in Luke 19, 00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:07.599 Occupy until I come. 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:09.599 Occupy until I come. 00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.599 Okay? 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:14.599 You can hear a little bit of the creation mandate in there, which says, 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.599 Fill the earth. 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:17.599 Fill the earth. 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:18.599 Alright? 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:24.599 God made man to defend his garden, his domain, and to do it with the people next to him. 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:28.599 Forming society and establishing influence. 00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:32.599 A man that's a worker is in society. 00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:35.599 Obviously, you guys' jobs are in society. 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:35.599 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:37.599 You play a part. 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:41.599 But how does your work affect that society? 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:44.599 Proverbs 22 says, 22 verse 19 says, 00:37:44.599 --> 00:37:47.599 Do you see a man skillful in his work? 00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:49.599 He shall stand before kings. 00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:52.599 He shall not stand before obscure men. 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:55.599 This is a society verse. 00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:58.599 Do you see a man that's skillful? 00:37:58.599 --> 00:38:00.599 He's going to stand before rulers. 00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:02.599 He's going to stand before kings. 00:38:02.599 --> 00:38:04.599 His work will be a witness to him. 00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:11.599 The Bible says to be fruitful and multiply. 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:13.599 And to fill the earth. 00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:17.599 Fruitfulness implies growth. 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:20.599 Which means, as I'm saying all these things, 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:23.599 a lot of this can be like, you know, work harder. 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:24.599 Do better. 00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.599 All these things. 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.599 Right? 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:28.599 Obviously, you know, that's the main goal. 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.599 That's what we're striving after. 00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:30.599 It's harder work. 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.599 Maturity. 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.599 Maturity. 00:38:32.599 --> 00:38:35.599 But God says to be fruitful. 00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:39.599 And fruit, the very nature of fruit implies growth. 00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.599 Okay? 00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:43.599 It implies the need for watering. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:46.599 And it implies that you don't have a ripe apple 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:48.599 before you have a little bud. 00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:49.599 Right? 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:52.599 So, don't be unrealistic with growing. 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:54.599 Understand yourself. 00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:56.599 Understand how God is shaping you. 00:38:56.599 --> 00:38:59.599 Understand when you need water and sunlight, so to speak. 00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:01.599 When you need the help of other men. 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:05.599 When you need the supplemental nature of all these other things. 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.599 Right? 00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:09.599 You're not going to arrive all at once. 00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:11.599 But you have to aim at it. 00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:12.599 You have to strive after it. 00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:13.599 Can't be absent. 00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:14.599 Right? 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:18.599 So, who is the hard-working man? 00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.599 Have you ever met him? 00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:21.599 Have you ever met a man who's hard-working? 00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:22.599 Who's like this? 00:39:22.599 --> 00:39:23.599 Who's commendable? 00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:24.599 Respectable? 00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.599 Who's, uh... 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:34.599 Who's confident in his work, even though it's not perfect? 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:36.599 Who doesn't make excuses? 00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:39.599 Who outworks everyone, it seems? 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:44.599 Not because he's like the greatest guy ever, but just because he's committed to something? 00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:47.599 Have you ever met a man who's a finisher? 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:49.599 Who goes to bed tired? 00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:51.599 Tired but satisfied? 00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:52.599 You guys do that? 00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:54.599 You guys ever go to bed tired? 00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:58.599 Some of you go to bed tired just because you're like, man, it's a long day and I did nothing. 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.599 I'm tired. 00:39:59.599 --> 00:40:02.599 That's not the kind of tiredness I'm talking about. 00:40:02.599 --> 00:40:05.599 I'm talking about the satisfaction of a hard day's work. 00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:06.599 Right? 00:40:06.599 --> 00:40:07.599 Of spending yourself. 00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:11.599 We gotta have categories in our mind for this. 00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:13.599 Because they're masculine. 00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:14.599 Because they're godly. 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.599 Right? 00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:18.599 He never gives up. 00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:19.599 He keeps working. 00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.599 He perseveres. 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:21.599 Alright. 00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:24.599 Got five minutes left. 00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:27.599 I've got some closing points. 00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:36.599 God wants you to be more of a hard worker than even you do. 00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:45.599 God wants you to be more built into his image, his original design, than you do. 00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:54.599 This glorified example of what you think is the ultimate thing, God wants that more from you than you want it from yourself. 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.599 Believe him. 00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:58.599 Believe that in him is the only way to get that. 00:40:58.599 --> 00:41:00.599 Go after him in that way. 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:09.599 Go after him not as bypassing all of his means and his ways. 00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:15.599 You can't go to God without going through Jesus Christ, the only mediator. 00:41:15.599 --> 00:41:16.599 God wants you to be more than you. 00:41:16.599 --> 00:41:29.599 So if you're struggling with sin, if you're struggling with pornography or whatever it is, if you're wasting your life, you can't get on top of those things, on top of your sin, without Jesus. 00:41:29.599 --> 00:41:30.599 You can't. 00:41:30.599 --> 00:41:35.599 Jesus is the only way to the Father, the Bible says. 00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:37.599 We have to repent of our sin. 00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:39.599 Paul actually uses this phrase. 00:41:39.599 --> 00:41:47.599 He says that he testifies of repentance towards God and faith in his Son. 00:41:47.599 --> 00:41:50.599 He makes a little bit of a distinction that I read the other day and I thought was cool. 00:41:50.599 --> 00:41:55.599 Because we need to be reconciled to our Father because we've sinned against him. 00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.599 Okay? 00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:58.599 Our sins are against God the Father. 00:41:58.599 --> 00:42:03.599 But God the Father has provided in his Son a way that we can be cleansed. 00:42:03.599 --> 00:42:08.599 But it's only through faith toward his Son that we can get that. 00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:15.599 We must repent of our sins of laziness and neglecting God's design for us. 00:42:15.599 --> 00:42:17.599 So my closing points are this. 00:42:17.599 --> 00:42:19.599 What are we going to stop doing? 00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:21.599 What are we going to start doing? 00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:28.599 I was thinking and praying about this and I was trying to come up with some practicals and the start-stop method seemed to be the best approach. 00:42:28.599 --> 00:42:33.599 So, number one, what are we going to stop doing? 00:42:33.599 --> 00:42:35.599 Stop trying to be somebody. 00:42:35.599 --> 00:42:36.599 Okay? 00:42:36.599 --> 00:42:46.599 Stop wandering about in idolatry, looking at the next guy online, maybe the next actual man that's ever before you. 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:48.599 Stop trying to be that person. 00:42:48.599 --> 00:42:49.599 You're your own person. 00:42:49.599 --> 00:42:51.599 God made you distinct. 00:42:51.599 --> 00:42:54.599 Stop trying to be somebody. 00:42:54.599 --> 00:42:57.599 1 Thessalonians 4 says, 00:42:57.599 --> 00:43:27.599 00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:29.599 We want people to approve of us. 00:43:29.599 --> 00:43:30.599 Just forget about it. 00:43:30.599 --> 00:43:31.599 Okay? 00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:34.599 If you're approved in God and Jesus Christ, you lack nothing. 00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:35.599 Okay? 00:43:35.599 --> 00:43:38.599 Stop trying to be somebody. 00:43:38.599 --> 00:43:41.599 Not just for a week, not even for six months. 00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:42.599 What about for years? 00:43:42.599 --> 00:43:44.599 What about years of faithfulness? 00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:45.599 Did that kill you? 00:43:45.599 --> 00:43:46.599 Did that kill you? 00:43:46.599 --> 00:43:59.599 I resolved a long time ago, or maybe not a long time ago, but to just live an unremarkably ordinary life and find enjoyment in it. 00:43:59.599 --> 00:44:00.599 You know? 00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:05.599 So I got rid of social media, stopped lusting for likes, you know? 00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:08.599 And just started enjoying what was before me. 00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:14.599 Limiting it to entertainment, enjoying God in the everyday rather than ignoring God. 00:44:14.599 --> 00:44:19.599 I'm not perfect, but we need to do this, you know? 00:44:19.599 --> 00:44:23.599 Guys need to stop thinking that they're going to make some great impact on the world. 00:44:23.599 --> 00:44:27.599 You might, but maybe not in the way that you're pursuing. 00:44:27.599 --> 00:44:28.599 Okay? 00:44:31.599 --> 00:44:33.599 You know, who really knows who you are? 00:44:33.599 --> 00:44:36.599 Stop making investments in your persona. 00:44:36.599 --> 00:44:39.599 The people who are closest to you know your persona. 00:44:39.599 --> 00:44:41.599 They know who you are. 00:44:41.599 --> 00:44:42.599 Lean into that. 00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:44.599 Lean into what they're saying. 00:44:44.599 --> 00:44:45.599 Okay? 00:44:45.599 --> 00:44:46.599 Stop trying to be somebody. 00:44:46.599 --> 00:44:49.599 Number two, stop glorifying talent and giftedness. 00:44:49.599 --> 00:44:52.599 And start glorifying hard work. 00:44:52.599 --> 00:44:53.599 Okay? 00:44:53.599 --> 00:45:00.599 I saw this quote that was painted on this gym. 00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:02.599 It was like a personal training gym. 00:45:02.599 --> 00:45:03.599 But I thought it was awesome. 00:45:03.599 --> 00:45:04.599 It says, 00:45:04.599 --> 00:45:08.599 Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work. 00:45:08.599 --> 00:45:10.599 So true. 00:45:10.599 --> 00:45:14.599 You know, how many talented people do we never see because they're lazy? 00:45:14.599 --> 00:45:15.599 They squander it. 00:45:15.599 --> 00:45:18.599 All of us are that for some degree or another, you know? 00:45:18.599 --> 00:45:21.599 But stop glorifying talent and giftedness. 00:45:21.599 --> 00:45:23.599 Especially glorifying it above character. 00:45:23.599 --> 00:45:28.599 How many people do we find out whether it's an actor or actress? 00:45:28.599 --> 00:45:37.599 Whether it's a sports player or athlete who does these awesome things, wins the awards, and then we actually find out about their life. 00:45:37.599 --> 00:45:39.599 And they're terrible people. 00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:41.599 It taints their image, right? 00:45:41.599 --> 00:45:43.599 It's like, man, I don't really want to watch this person anymore. 00:45:43.599 --> 00:45:45.599 I don't really love them as much. 00:45:45.599 --> 00:45:47.599 They abandon their family. 00:45:47.599 --> 00:45:48.599 You know? 00:45:48.599 --> 00:45:49.599 They cheated on their spouse. 00:45:49.599 --> 00:45:52.599 You know, they live a life of sensuality. 00:45:52.599 --> 00:45:53.599 You know? 00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:54.599 It mars the image. 00:45:54.599 --> 00:46:02.599 Stop glorifying the thing that we think makes someone good when it's devoid of their actual person. 00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:04.599 Their actual content of their life. 00:46:04.599 --> 00:46:06.599 Number three. 00:46:06.599 --> 00:46:08.599 Stop surrounding yourself with fools. 00:46:08.599 --> 00:46:09.599 Okay? 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:12.599 I was thinking about this one. 00:46:12.599 --> 00:46:19.599 It's really important but hard to detect because you have to understand that fools attract each other. 00:46:19.599 --> 00:46:20.599 Okay? 00:46:20.599 --> 00:46:25.599 It's a hard reality because sometimes you're like, am I surrounded by a fool? 00:46:25.599 --> 00:46:26.599 I don't know. 00:46:26.599 --> 00:46:33.599 One of the best ways to figure that out, though, is not by asking yourself, am I surrounded by fools? 00:46:33.599 --> 00:46:36.599 But more so, do I know anyone who is wise? 00:46:36.599 --> 00:46:37.599 Okay? 00:46:37.599 --> 00:46:39.599 Are they in my life? 00:46:39.599 --> 00:46:41.599 Fools attract each other. 00:46:41.599 --> 00:46:44.599 Don't protect yourself from your own weaknesses. 00:46:44.599 --> 00:46:48.599 This is a motive for surrounding yourself with people like you if you're a fool. 00:46:48.599 --> 00:46:49.599 Right? 00:46:49.599 --> 00:46:53.599 If you waste your time and all these things is you really don't want to be called up. 00:46:53.599 --> 00:46:54.599 You really don't want to be challenged. 00:46:54.599 --> 00:47:02.599 So, I'm going to surround myself with people like me because they're not going to call me out because they're just like me. 00:47:02.599 --> 00:47:03.599 So, I'll be able to stay here. 00:47:03.599 --> 00:47:04.599 Right? 00:47:04.599 --> 00:47:09.599 Well, that's cowardly and you still stay weak. 00:47:09.599 --> 00:47:12.599 And you're protecting your weakness. 00:47:12.599 --> 00:47:14.599 So, step out of your comfort zone. 00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:15.599 Get around someone who's wise. 00:47:15.599 --> 00:47:17.599 Do you know anyone who is wise? 00:47:17.599 --> 00:47:18.599 Right? 00:47:18.599 --> 00:47:20.599 Surround yourself with wise people. 00:47:20.599 --> 00:47:23.599 1 Corinthians 15 says, 00:47:23.599 --> 00:47:24.599 Do not be deceived. 00:47:24.599 --> 00:47:26.599 Bad company ruins good morals. 00:47:26.599 --> 00:47:30.599 Whoever walks with the wise is wise or becomes wise. 00:47:30.599 --> 00:47:32.599 But a companion of fools will suffer harm. 00:47:33.599 --> 00:47:34.599 Okay? 00:47:34.599 --> 00:47:35.599 Stop doing those things. 00:47:38.599 --> 00:47:39.599 What are we going to start doing? 00:47:39.599 --> 00:47:41.599 Number one, start today. 00:47:41.599 --> 00:47:42.599 I was thinking about this. 00:47:42.599 --> 00:47:44.599 What do I mean by that? 00:47:44.599 --> 00:47:45.599 Stop putting it off until tomorrow. 00:47:45.599 --> 00:47:46.599 Okay? 00:47:46.599 --> 00:47:49.599 A lot of people are just saying, I'll get it tomorrow. 00:47:49.599 --> 00:47:50.599 I'll start tomorrow. 00:47:50.599 --> 00:47:55.599 Don't even necessarily think to yourself, I need to get this grandiose plan. 00:47:55.599 --> 00:47:56.599 Okay? 00:47:56.599 --> 00:47:59.599 You're going to be paralyzed by the planning. 00:47:59.599 --> 00:48:01.599 Just start with something small. 00:48:01.599 --> 00:48:02.599 Okay? 00:48:02.599 --> 00:48:03.599 Start with what's right in front of you. 00:48:03.599 --> 00:48:06.599 Number two, find a big vision. 00:48:06.599 --> 00:48:12.599 I just said, start with something small and I'm saying, get something big. 00:48:12.599 --> 00:48:15.599 But you don't have to get a lot of big things. 00:48:15.599 --> 00:48:16.599 You just have to get one. 00:48:16.599 --> 00:48:17.599 Right? 00:48:17.599 --> 00:48:20.599 You just got to get just a short few. 00:48:20.599 --> 00:48:22.599 But it has to be bigger than you. 00:48:22.599 --> 00:48:24.599 Start by getting wise people around you. 00:48:24.599 --> 00:48:25.599 I already said that. 00:48:25.599 --> 00:48:27.599 The church can't be neglected. 00:48:27.599 --> 00:48:28.599 Okay? 00:48:28.599 --> 00:48:30.599 It's indispensable. 00:48:30.599 --> 00:48:34.599 And number four, start by coming to Christ. 00:48:34.599 --> 00:48:37.599 We all need to become the hardworking man. 00:48:37.599 --> 00:48:40.599 A lot of us are not the hardworking man and we know it in different ways. 00:48:40.599 --> 00:48:43.599 A lot of us are hard workers in different areas. 00:48:43.599 --> 00:48:46.599 But I'm not talking about the areas that you're good in. 00:48:46.599 --> 00:48:48.599 Don't pride yourself on what you're good at. 00:48:48.599 --> 00:48:52.599 Look at the areas that you are lazy. 00:48:52.599 --> 00:48:56.599 If you're a hard worker at work, this hits me really hard. 00:48:56.599 --> 00:48:59.599 If you go hard at work and then you come home, 00:48:59.599 --> 00:49:02.599 how is your work ethic in your house? 00:49:02.599 --> 00:49:04.599 Do you clock out, so to speak? 00:49:04.599 --> 00:49:08.599 Or are you clocking back into your different job? 00:49:08.599 --> 00:49:10.599 You know, one that really makes a dent. 00:49:10.599 --> 00:49:11.599 You know? 00:49:11.599 --> 00:49:13.599 One of my coworkers recently said, 00:49:13.599 --> 00:49:18.599 did you know that I spend more time with you than you spend with your wife? 00:49:18.599 --> 00:49:22.599 And I was like, I guess you're right. 00:49:22.599 --> 00:49:26.599 I guess I'm with you eight hours a day and I'm with her less. 00:49:26.599 --> 00:49:28.599 I'm like, but why are you telling me that? 00:49:28.599 --> 00:49:30.599 I don't want to think of you that way. 00:49:30.599 --> 00:49:31.599 You know? 00:49:31.599 --> 00:49:33.599 But our work has a lot of barriers. 00:49:33.599 --> 00:49:36.599 Like we're away at work most of the day. 00:49:36.599 --> 00:49:39.599 Even more so what we do when we're not at work is so important. 00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:40.599 Right? 00:49:40.599 --> 00:49:43.599 It makes an impact on our family and all those things. 00:49:43.599 --> 00:49:49.599 Lastly, the hard working man knows how to work from a place of rest. 00:49:49.599 --> 00:49:51.599 This only comes through the gospel. 00:49:51.599 --> 00:49:53.599 This only comes through Jesus. 00:49:53.599 --> 00:49:55.599 Don't glorify not resting. 00:49:55.599 --> 00:49:57.599 Don't glorify hustle above resting. 00:49:57.599 --> 00:49:59.599 You need to rest in Jesus. 00:49:59.599 --> 00:50:00.599 You need to rest physically. 00:50:00.599 --> 00:50:05.599 That's a part of working hard is to prioritize rest. 00:50:05.599 --> 00:50:06.599 Get vision for God. 00:50:06.599 --> 00:50:07.599 Get vision for your wife. 00:50:07.599 --> 00:50:19.599 Get vision for sex, for your kids, for church, for doctrine, for the loss, for your job, for finances, for budgeting, for your debt, for your time, for your talents, for your health, for education. 00:50:19.599 --> 00:50:20.599 All these things, right? 00:50:20.599 --> 00:50:25.599 It might seem overwhelming, but God will help you do what he's called you to do. 00:50:25.599 --> 00:50:26.599 He's called you to do it. 00:50:26.599 --> 00:50:27.599 He's made you a worker. 00:50:27.599 --> 00:50:28.599 He's made you a worker warrior. 00:50:28.599 --> 00:50:29.599 Amen? 00:50:29.599 --> 00:50:30.599 Amen.