WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.019 I titled this sermon, Fathered by the Father of the Heavenly Lights. 00:00:09.700 --> 00:00:16.219 And really, it's a sermon on who God is as a father, more than anything else. 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:19.320 And this isn't an exhaustible list. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:24.539 I mean, we're gone for eternity talking about God's fatherhood. 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:29.100 But these are just a few particular things that I wanted to mention. 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:33.140 And even the Spirit was leading me to talk about. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:36.020 So why this topic? 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:38.240 Why this topic, Christ Church? 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:41.939 Truthfully, honestly, I don't know. 00:00:43.400 --> 00:00:48.180 It's really because I was praying a ton about what I should preach on. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:57.180 And the topics of fathering and fatherhood and fatherlessness just kept coming to mind. 00:00:57.179 --> 00:01:02.899 And so over and over again, just felt led to preach on it. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:11.560 So to start, there's a recent discovery that there's no one on earth without a father. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:20.700 Obviously, I'm being sarcastic because there is a father for everyone here on this earth, right? 00:01:21.520 --> 00:01:28.379 Whether your father abandoned you when you were a child, whether you currently are with your father, 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:34.200 whether your father was a sperm donor or whatever, right? 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:38.120 There is a father for everyone here on this earth, right? 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:44.100 Even if you're raised in a lesbian household, a seed came from a man, right? 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:53.939 But everyone has an experience of fathering, right? 00:01:54.379 --> 00:02:04.239 Whether that fathering is abandonment or loving or hatred or abuse or whatever, 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:08.759 everyone has an experience of being fathered, right? 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:13.139 Experiences of my own father. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:18.039 I was born in South America, raised there, grew up Muslim. 00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:19.539 My dad, Hindu. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:23.039 My dad was a very abusive alcoholic, right? 00:02:23.639 --> 00:02:26.740 Beat me, beat my siblings, right? 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:28.699 So that is my experience of fathering. 00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:33.199 And then I came to the States when I was nine years old and then just wrestled with that, 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:38.879 wrestled with abandonment and loneliness and not having a father in my life, 00:02:38.959 --> 00:02:43.359 but having my mom and my sisters to look to. 00:02:45.679 --> 00:02:52.780 So really, this is also how the Lord has fathered me in different ways in which I've had to wrestle 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:56.860 with all of the crazy stuff that's happened in my life. 00:02:57.479 --> 00:02:59.699 Lord, Lord, where are you? 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:00.840 Right? 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:06.659 So as we talk about God's fatherhood and fathering, 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:10.639 the world has a lot to say about fathers, right? 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:18.599 And we have our own preconceived notions of what our own father is, 00:03:18.939 --> 00:03:22.759 how we are as a father, how we don't want to be as a father, 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:24.539 different stuff like that. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:29.099 And in the media, the most consistent view of a father in a home 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:31.839 is the goofball comic relief. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:34.039 You know what I'm talking about? 00:03:34.519 --> 00:03:37.799 Like, that doesn't add much to the family, but a funny, 00:03:38.339 --> 00:03:39.819 but a quick, funny joke. 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:42.699 Um, I love comedians. 00:03:42.859 --> 00:03:48.139 I love comics, but I, it like makes me gag every time they do the dumb father joke. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:52.459 Jim Gaffigan, like, like, I hate that so much. 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:54.399 But it is fun, though. 00:03:55.299 --> 00:03:59.719 Um, and now we're in an age where we're moms. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:05.419 Moms are now either leading the family in a role where the father is supposed to be in, 00:04:05.419 --> 00:04:12.939 uh, or it's supposed to be this weird co-equal, uh, relational dynamic within a marriage. 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:19.180 Um, and then, uh, marriage now becomes nothing but a punchline, right? 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:25.360 Uh, where you don't like your current partner, just divorce and go find another one. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:31.780 It's like my two-year-old who loves a bike one second and then loves another toy another second 00:04:31.780 --> 00:04:34.379 and discards his bike, right? 00:04:34.960 --> 00:04:41.020 Um, so the world has a lot to say, uh, about father, mothers, our marriage, right? 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:44.539 Um, but what does the Bible have to say? 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:46.779 And I don't want to focus on, on moms. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:47.719 Moms are awesome. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:53.240 Or marriage, but I primarily want to focus on, uh, the father, right? 00:04:53.859 --> 00:05:02.000 Uh, and the purpose of my teaching this, uh, for this church, uh, is, uh, for us to consider 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:09.359 these truths, uh, so that we can use them as weapons against our flesh, against the world, 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:16.379 and against Satan, uh, and to be encouraged by who our father is truly. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:24.680 So, uh, honestly, the, the first place that I want to start is what is a father, uh, and 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:27.639 how is God a father, right? 00:05:29.020 --> 00:05:34.620 Um, let's put simply, a father is someone who, uh, begets children. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:37.520 Um, what does beget mean? 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:44.959 Uh, it means a man, uh, bringing a child into existence by the process of reproduction, 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:46.120 right? 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:52.279 I'd say that again, a man bringing a child into existence by the process of reproduction, 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:53.519 right? 00:05:53.539 --> 00:05:54.699 That's, that's how we get fathers. 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:58.639 What about God the father? 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:00.759 Reproduction? 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:07.560 Um, does God the father become a father at the incarnation of Jesus Christ? 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:10.719 Uh, the Bible would say no. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:15.459 God is immutable, uh, meaning he doesn't change. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:23.199 Uh, James 1 17 says, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:27.379 of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows, right? 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:29.819 So our father does not change. 00:06:30.339 --> 00:06:35.759 And if at the incarnation, God, the father somehow became a father there, that would mean that 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:38.459 he is changing in some sort of way. 00:06:39.219 --> 00:06:48.699 Uh, so, so how, if God doesn't change, when and how is Jesus begotten, uh, at the incarnation, 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:51.920 some, some weird, like, when does it happen? 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.439 How does Jesus become a father? 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:58.180 So there's, uh, there's two trails we can go down, uh, with this question. 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:07.980 Um, as, as God the father begetting Jesus, uh, the first trail that men have gone down, 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:12.879 uh, is Jesus was a created being, uh, by God the father. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:19.500 Now that Jesus is not truly God, uh, or God has always been a father and Jesus is, uh, 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.199 God's eternally begotten son. 00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:22.300 So, so I'll say that again. 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:30.319 The two trails are either Jesus is a created being created by God, the father, not truly 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:38.040 God, but created by God, the father, or he is God's eternally begotten son, right? 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:43.600 Meaning, uh, that within the triune God, right? 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:48.700 That God had their relationship from eternity past to eternity future. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:57.660 Uh, there has never ceased, uh, or started this relationship between fatherhood and sonship 00:07:57.660 --> 00:08:00.640 between God, the father and God, the son, right? 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:05.920 Uh, the, the early church actually dealt with this, uh, issue in Arianism. 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:07.680 If you guys have heard of that before. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:11.819 Uh, it's a heresy that says Jesus is like God, right? 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:15.300 But not God created by God, but not God. 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:21.680 Uh, it's a, it is a, it is from this heresy that we get the Nicene Creed, uh, which Christians 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.320 fought in part. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:29.420 It says we believe in one God, the father, the almighty maker of the heaven and the earth 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:31.360 and all that is seen and unseen. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:37.500 We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God eternally. 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:45.860 Begotten of the father, God from God, light from God, triune God from a true God. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:46.159 Sorry. 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:47.759 True God from true God. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:52.799 Begotten, not made of one being with the father through him. 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:53.960 All things were made. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:54.960 That is through Jesus. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:58.879 All things were made for us and for our salvation. 00:08:59.040 --> 00:09:00.980 He came down from heaven, right? 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:04.780 So as it pertains to attributes, right? 00:09:05.780 --> 00:09:09.940 Uh, the father, the son, and the Holy spirit are not different at all, right? 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:15.080 Attributes, uh, meaning love, kindness, tender. 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:21.740 Like there's no difference in attributes within the triune God, but there are differences in 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:22.620 roles, right? 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:27.639 Um, and the roles are very distinct. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:32.740 Uh, we would not have marriage be the way it's supposed to be, uh, if there was not God, 00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:33.740 the father, right? 00:09:33.780 --> 00:09:37.800 We have fatherhood and fathers within marriages because God is a father. 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:43.679 We have subordinate roles like a wife because God, the son is subordinate to the father, 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:45.299 to children and so on. 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:49.199 Um, okay. 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:50.799 Thanks for that bit of history, Zamir. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:53.240 Uh, some of that went over my head. 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:59.859 Uh, but how does that help us relate to God, the father and, and why? 00:10:00.079 --> 00:10:01.599 I'm glad you asked church. 00:10:02.439 --> 00:10:07.779 Um, it relates to us because of the father. 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:12.199 Of, of one of my favorite doctrine that is adoption, right? 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:17.620 I love adoption, uh, adoption, humanly speaking. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:19.359 I think we all know what adoption is. 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:26.179 Uh, it is taking a child, whether it be a son or a daughter from a family that is not your 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:30.799 own and bringing them and claiming them as a son and daughter. 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:35.759 And they have all the rights of a son or a daughter, right? 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:44.620 Um, and this type of adoption, humanly speaking, is not different from what happens when we 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:48.819 are saved, when we are adopted into the, into the family of God. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:54.480 So you can consider this with me as, uh, in, in Ephesians two, uh, verses one through five, 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.600 you can turn there if you'd like. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:11:01.120 Um, I'm gonna, I'm gonna go through it, uh, almost verse by verse. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:14.580 Um, so verse one and two, and you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you previously 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:19.320 walked according to the ways of the world, according to the ruler of the power of the 00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:23.440 air, the spirit, uh, now working in the disobedient, right? 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:28.100 So, uh, notes here is that we were dead, right? 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:32.060 We were dead and slaves, uh, to sin, right? 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:40.660 There, there's a, there's a, um, a conversation that Jesus has with a Pharisee, uh, at one point 00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:44.100 where, where he calls them sons of the devil. 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:47.000 And in this conversation, he says one thing to them. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:55.460 He says, um, very truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin, right? 00:11:56.179 --> 00:12:01.360 Uh, and in this, you were dead in the trespasses, uh, and sins. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:04.820 We, we were slaves to sins, right? 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:08.820 Uh, and our master, what was an evil one, right? 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:15.460 Um, there, there's an analogy out there of, of, uh, what it, what it's like when we're saved, 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:15.720 right? 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:18.080 Uh, it, it goes like this. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:24.160 Um, Jesus is standing in a boat and we're drowning in the ocean. 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.779 Help me. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.019 Oh God. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:33.519 And Jesus throws up, throws us a rope, uh, and we grab it and he pulls us in. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:36.720 Uh, but that is not what this says. 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:42.660 We were dead in our trespasses and in our sins. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:50.139 Meaning the analogy should be, we were stinky, rotten corpse at the bottom of the sea. 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:57.600 And God had to dive into that darkness of that abyss and breathe life into our dead bodies. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:01.860 That is, that, that is how we walked, right? 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.100 Verse three. 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:12.100 Uh, we, we too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:14.180 of our flesh and thoughts. 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:19.360 And we're by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:24.019 So we're children, uh, of, of wrath here, right? 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:29.120 Um, being fathered, uh, by wrath. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:35.759 Um, and then to, to consider this, this child analogy a little further, right? 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:41.939 When Jesus is talking to the Pharisee, um, he, he talks about them, uh, being liars, right? 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:45.120 There's none amongst us here who is not a liar. 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:51.779 And our father, therefore, whenever we were not saved was Satan, right? 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:55.419 Fathered by wrath, fathered by Satan, right? 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:57.259 Uh, that is who we are. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:14:00.279 That is who we were, right? 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:03.299 Um, want to go there. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:08.340 It says, uh, why Jesus says to the Pharisees, why is my language not clear to you? 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:10.620 Because you're unable to hear what I say. 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:17.039 Um, you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:21.039 He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth. 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.620 And there is no truth in him. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:30.500 When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of liars, or 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.860 the father of lies, right? 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.399 This is the way in which we walk. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:39.120 We walk in the way that Satan wanted us to walk in, right? 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:44.580 What, what an abusive and horrible father, uh, and slave master we were under. 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:48.360 Um, keep going. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.500 But God, but God. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:15:00.539 God, who is rich in mercy because of his great love he had for us, made us alive with Christ. 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:04.580 Even though we were dead in trespasses, right? 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:07.299 Diving into the bottom of that sea. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:11.039 You are saved by grace. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.679 You're saved by works. 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:15.399 You're saved by how much you go to church. 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:17.480 You're saved by how much you read your book. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.299 No, you are saved by grace. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.419 Undeserved. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:29.600 And raises us up with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ. 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:38.060 So that in the coming age, he might show the immeasurable riches of his kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:41.019 But God saved us. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.700 But God saved us. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:44.500 Right? 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:54.100 If we are lying dead corpses in the bottom of the sea, we would have had no inclination of our deadness. 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.539 Unless God saved us. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:56.899 Right? 00:15:57.440 --> 00:16:01.379 In election, in predestination, there is no way. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.779 There's no way. 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:04.000 Lazarus. 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.759 Think of Lazarus. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:14.319 There is no way that Lazarus gets up from being dead until Jesus says, Lazarus, wake up. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:18.519 Or that child that is dead. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.620 Or that servant. 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.259 Right? 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:23.240 The centurion's faith. 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.580 Right? 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:26.299 Jesus commanding. 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.259 Calling. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:31.299 It's only by God that dead men can breathe again. 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:39.700 And into this is our great adoption. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:42.159 Into the family of God. 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:42.860 Right? 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.300 Where it says, 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:55.000 So that in the coming ages, he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:17:01.320 Because in our sonship, it is in Christ's sonship. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.139 Right? 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:06.360 Christ is the firstborn among all creation. 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:12.059 When we are risen, we will be with Christ. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.679 We will be raised again. 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.599 We will be sons. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.799 And receive the benefits of sons. 00:17:16.959 --> 00:17:20.519 Even though you're a daughter, you will receive the benefits of sons. 00:17:20.679 --> 00:17:21.740 Eternal life. 00:17:22.219 --> 00:17:23.240 Immeasurable riches. 00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:24.000 Right? 00:17:24.479 --> 00:17:26.240 Things that we cannot comprehend. 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:29.479 Given to us because of grace. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.359 Not because of your works. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.979 Not because of how early you are to church. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.079 Not because of anything that we can do. 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.479 Right? 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.979 Because of grace. 00:17:42.199 --> 00:17:45.919 So, it's all good and well, Zemir. 00:17:46.979 --> 00:17:49.000 How does that flesh out for us? 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:54.619 Well, our old father, Satan, knows us really well. 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:56.979 He knows us really well. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.219 It's crazy how well he knows us. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:04.079 He knows our needs really well, especially. 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:07.039 But he is the father of lies. 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.139 The great deceiver. 00:18:08.679 --> 00:18:15.799 And the one who led our first parents, Adam and Eve, into sin, thus plunging the world into darkness. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:26.819 And so, when this great deceiver, this father of lies, your old slave master, whisper lies into your ears. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.659 Do you listen? 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.039 Right? 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:32.920 When he mentions your salvation. 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.599 Hey, are you really saved? 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.539 Those people do it better than you. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.799 Are you really saved? 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:45.220 Will God keep his promises? 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:48.180 Will he really keep you to the end? 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:54.940 When he says, you're not as good as such and such. 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.860 In your needs. 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:02.519 My car broke down again. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.400 Tornators. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.779 God. 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.920 My husband just lost his job. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:14.200 Your desires. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.100 Things you want. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.900 Being singled. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.160 Right? 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.980 Not being married. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:25.460 Your kids aren't listening to you and it's driving you up the walls. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:30.060 You're such a bad mother or father. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:33.159 Your weight. 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.679 How you look. 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.599 How you feel. 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:38.419 Your wife not being a great helper. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.720 Your appearance. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.559 Your sonship. 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.019 Fill in the blank. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:47.679 Do you believe the father of lies? 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:50.240 Because he knows you really well. 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:55.480 He knows the human condition. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:57.720 Right? 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.019 Right? 00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:05.059 Our response is no. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.339 No. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.139 I'm a son. 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.400 I'm a daughter. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:16.099 I have the sonship and inheritance that will be given to me one day by the father of lies. 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:19.599 And there is nothing that can take that away from me. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.980 Not even your lies. 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:23.460 Not even how you make me feel about myself. 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:27.720 Not even how much I might hurt. 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.799 How much pain I might have in my heart. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.400 Right? 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:30.460 Right? 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:34.980 Um. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:40.680 And then on the other hand of Satan, there's our flesh. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.420 There's the old man that Paul talks about. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:49.620 He talks about in such a way, I do the things that I do not want to do. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.619 Um. 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.619 Um. 00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:52.699 Yes. 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:54.239 We are born again. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.839 We are new creations. 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:58.699 But our faith is not yet realized. 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.299 Right? 00:20:59.459 --> 00:21:02.979 Meaning, we are not yet in our glorified bodies. 00:21:03.979 --> 00:21:10.279 Our current bodies of death still desires the pleasures of our old father, the devil. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.200 Right? 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:13.940 And I can even think of this in my own father. 00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:14.660 Right? 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:21.139 Like, I had to wrestle with my dad drinking alcohol. 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.759 Uh. 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:25.619 Like, being an abusive alcohol drink. 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.059 Right? 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.460 An alcoholic. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:33.140 Like, whenever I got married, I was like, oh, I don't want to drink alcohol again because 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:35.480 I'm going to overdo it and become like my father. 00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:42.200 Or my dad would beat my mom and I'd get into arguments with my wife and say, I'm going to 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:44.380 beat my wife because I'm going to be like my dad. 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:45.779 Right? 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:45.860 Right? 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:50.399 There is that in us with our old father, Satan. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:53.659 Where we think, I could just lie. 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:56.059 Lying would be so much easier. 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.139 I used to do it all the time. 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:01.059 I could watch porn. 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.139 I used to do it all the time. 00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:04.279 It's a great release. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.359 Right? 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:09.139 These are temptations from not only Satan, but our own flesh. 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:11.639 Because of who we were fathered by. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:19.540 And these are things that we must fight and rage against because we're no longer under 00:22:19.540 --> 00:22:22.300 the cruelty of Satan, but under God. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.680 Um. 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:30.240 And then, on God, God, God, God's fatherhood, just, just a bit of a reprieve. 00:22:30.300 --> 00:22:32.020 Just want to talk about providence really quickly. 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.280 Um. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:38.100 Within God's, like, you've ever played dominion before? 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.060 I love dominion. 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:40.840 Um. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:43.860 Whooped Michael three times in a row. 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.060 Uh. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.200 There's estates. 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.759 And there's duchies. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.360 And there's providences. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.160 Uh. 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:56.620 Providences are, it's kind of a way, uh, it's almost language of royalty of, of what a king 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:59.020 kind of has dominion and sovereignty over. 00:22:59.080 --> 00:22:59.200 Right? 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.100 This is my province. 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:00.780 Right? 00:23:01.780 --> 00:23:08.940 When we talk about province in regards to God, we talk about it in such a way where it's 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:11.060 not an area, it's everything. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.559 Right? 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.480 Right? 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:13.980 Uh. 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:22.819 Where it's like God's sovereignty, if we believe that God is omniscient, omnipotent, um, and I 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.579 forget the other one. 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:25.679 Omnipresent. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.680 Uh. 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:35.160 Then, um, providence is such a glorious thing to think about because he's our father. 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.480 Right? 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:38.519 We're like, oh, God is the most powerful being. 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.420 God is everywhere. 00:23:40.560 --> 00:23:41.320 He knows everything. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.660 Right? 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.660 Um. 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:47.240 That this should be such a comfort to us. 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:54.279 That in God's providence and sovereignty, he can do anything and knows everything. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.360 Right? 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:57.599 It's such a comfort to the heart. 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:58.399 Uh. 00:23:58.399 --> 00:24:02.899 To know that we're not left without, that God even knows our hearts, our thoughts, everything 00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.779 that's going on. 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:04.119 Right? 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.279 And if he's the author of life and death. 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.539 Right? 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:06.979 He is. 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:08.979 He's the author of life and death. 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.699 Then he has ordained all things. 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.639 Not only life. 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.919 Not only giving birth to kids. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.799 But also death. 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.299 Right? 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:20.500 That he knows everything that's happening. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.099 He's ordaining everything. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:23.960 Um. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:28.000 I thought that would be a good reprieve. 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.200 Um. 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:31.539 So, on to my next point. 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.599 Of good and goodness. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.579 Um. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:39.079 And the question of what is good. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.399 And what does it mean to have goodness. 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.039 And who is good. 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.379 Uh. 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:47.200 Dictionary definition of good is. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.740 Uh. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.119 That which is morally right. 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.819 Uh. 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.619 Righteousness. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.659 Uh. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.759 Goodness is. 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.799 Uh. 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:56.419 The quality of being morally good or virtuous. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.579 Um. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.899 I think these definitions are okay. 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.299 Uh. 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:04.059 But there's so much fluidity. 00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:05.779 In them. 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.759 And here's what I mean by that. 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.559 Uh. 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.259 One culture. 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.339 Uh. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.440 It's okay to be your wife. 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.500 Right? 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:16.019 That's morally right in that culture. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.639 Uh. 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.480 Or. 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:19.920 Uh. 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.519 With a king. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.400 Who. 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:23.940 Who executes peasants for no reason. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.339 Is that morally okay? 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.480 Well. 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.500 What about king? 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:29.079 Is it kings who set laws? 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.480 Yes. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.639 Is that good? 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.119 No. 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.119 Right? 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.460 And so with these definitions. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.440 There's so much. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.839 Things you can add to it. 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.960 Because there's no absolute. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.539 Right? 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:43.059 Who defines what is morally right? 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.139 Who defines what is virtuous? 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:45.859 Right? 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.379 Uh. 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.359 Because what's virtuous. 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.359 Uh. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.899 In the bible. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.920 Is different than what's virtuous in the Quran. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.500 Right? 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:54.639 Right? 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.299 Um. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:26:00.680 I had to break out the textbooks for a good definition. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:01.700 Uh. 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.419 Grudem says. 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:07.740 The goodness of God means that God is the final standard of good. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:10.779 And that all that is. 00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:11.759 Um. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:15.659 And that all that God is and does is worthy of approval. 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:17.460 Seems like circular reasoning. 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:17.960 Doesn't it? 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:22.839 The goodness of God means that God is the final standard of good. 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:24.720 Seems like it. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.480 But it's not. 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:26.539 Uh. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:28.000 And the phrase at the end. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.279 I want to hit on for a little. 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.720 Worthy of approval. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.519 Uh. 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.039 It's interesting to think. 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:33.879 Uh. 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.019 To. 00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:35.919 It's interesting that he added it. 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:38.059 I think it's appropriate that he added it. 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:38.699 Uh. 00:26:38.699 --> 00:26:40.419 Because of what I was saying before. 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:43.899 Who defines what is worthy of approval? 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:45.179 Who defines what is good? 00:26:45.699 --> 00:26:45.980 Right? 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:48.559 And the only thing that we can say. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.720 Uh. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.379 To these things. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:52.659 Is the final standard of good is God. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.259 Um. 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.399 Another word. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.259 Good. 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.179 Uh. 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.439 And goodness is God. 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:01.119 And God is good and goodness. 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:01.599 Or. 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.839 God is good. 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:04.959 All the time. 00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:05.919 All the time. 00:27:06.939 --> 00:27:07.759 God is good. 00:27:08.199 --> 00:27:08.459 Right? 00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:10.199 It's a truth that never changes. 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:10.899 That never ends. 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:13.199 Because God is good. 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.299 He is. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.079 It's his isn't it. 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:17.539 It's his ontological being. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:17.939 Right? 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.259 That's who he is. 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.179 It's like the verse. 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.519 God is love. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.779 God is good. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.500 And I. 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.639 I bring up this truth. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.460 Not only in providence. 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.720 But so that we would remember. 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:32.119 Who our father is. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.700 He is good. 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.920 He is the moral excellence. 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.259 Right? 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.039 Uh. 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:37.619 Don't take my word for it. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.539 Let's go to scriptures. 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.619 Right? 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.740 Luke 18. 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.500 Verses 18 through 19. 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.680 And a ruler. 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.019 And the rich young ruler. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.879 And a ruler asked him. 00:27:47.159 --> 00:27:47.740 Good teacher. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:50.220 What must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.680 And Jesus says to him. 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.680 Why do you call me good? 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.879 No one is good except God alone. 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:56.740 Right? 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:59.220 No one is good except God alone. 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.420 Uh. 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:02.539 The best people you can think of in your life. 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.220 Consider Gandhi. 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:06.640 Like Mother Teresa. 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.740 Or George Mueller. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.779 I love George Mueller. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.599 Uh. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:13.240 But apart from God. 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:16.420 There is no goodness found in them. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:19.120 Apart from God. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.680 No goodness. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:22.640 Because Jesus says right there. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.680 Only God is good. 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.980 There is nothing within man. 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:30.039 That can even try to muster up what is good. 00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:33.160 Then Psalm 105. 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.200 For the Lord is good. 00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:37.259 His steadfast love endures forever. 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:39.340 And his faithfulness to all generations. 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:40.680 Psalm 106. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:40.920 One. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.640 Praise the Lord. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.920 O give thanks to the Lord. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.720 For he is good. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:47.299 And his steadfast love endures forever. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.680 Psalm 107. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.039 One. 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.980 O give thanks to the Lord. 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.859 For he is good. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.099 And his steadfast love endures forever. 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.639 Psalm 34. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.019 Eight. 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:57.139 O taste and see. 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:59.240 That the Lord is good. 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:02.259 Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.519 There is no doubt. 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.159 That there is endless verses. 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:07.019 Filled with God's goodness. 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.220 Right? 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:11.839 Blessed is the man who takes refuge. 00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:13.039 Or woman. 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:15.339 In God. 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.299 Because he is good. 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:18.700 Now. 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:21.680 Here is where the rubber meets the road. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.819 When we can. 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.519 Think of all these things. 00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:25.319 Theologically. 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.579 Have them in our hearts. 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.299 It is truth. 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:28.619 Right? 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:32.759 But what about when trials come. 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:34.480 And you can't see past your own nose? 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:35.720 Right? 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:39.079 Or what about when things are very good? 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.359 Like I am talking. 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.039 Fripped up. 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.000 Went up like crazy. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.460 Good. 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:46.880 When we are doing really well. 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:49.400 The temptation is to say. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:49.880 Look. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.319 At what is within me. 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.579 And what I can do. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.660 When I set my mind to. 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.620 Right? 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:57.460 Look at how strong I am. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:58.420 Dad. 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.799 Dad. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.700 Look at these back flips. 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:01.400 Right? 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:04.319 But not really talking to our dad. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.559 Where. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.319 It is really pride within us. 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:09.160 Business is going really. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.720 Really well. 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.380 Doing really good. 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.380 Making a lot of good money. 00:30:13.040 --> 00:30:13.340 Man. 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:16.200 Can't believe I made all those good business decisions. 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:17.220 The temptation is to say. 00:30:17.560 --> 00:30:17.980 It was. 00:30:18.060 --> 00:30:18.660 It was me. 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.700 Parenting is going really well. 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.280 So good. 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.440 Such a good parent. 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.400 On me. 00:30:24.800 --> 00:30:25.200 Grandparents. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.680 All my kids are saved. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.700 All my kids are saved. 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:29.400 Temptation. 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.440 Take pride in yourself. 00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:32.420 Look at how good I did as a parent. 00:30:32.520 --> 00:30:33.160 20 years ago. 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:37.060 I am like consistently reading my Bible. 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.400 I am in prayer every day. 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.620 I am fasting like three or four times a week. 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.500 Right? 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.079 Than me. 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:44.339 I give so much. 00:30:45.399 --> 00:30:46.319 So much money. 00:30:46.439 --> 00:30:47.439 I just give it all away. 00:30:48.239 --> 00:30:48.899 I don't even care. 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:49.799 Right? 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.899 These are great things. 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:52.959 I believe it. 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.919 These are great things. 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:57.039 But the temptation is to think that it's within our own power. 00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:59.099 That we can do these things. 00:30:59.159 --> 00:31:00.139 When in fact it's not. 00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:01.399 Right? 00:31:02.219 --> 00:31:04.319 Bill Gates gives away loads of money. 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.419 Right? 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.299 Bill Gates is not a Christian. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:10.159 That is by God's common grace. 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:12.859 That Bill Gates can give away money. 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.079 And help people. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.440 Truly. 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:17.419 I think that he does help people in some ways. 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:21.079 It's God's providence. 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.299 And goodness. 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.359 That we are able. 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:26.039 To glorify him. 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:26.619 Right? 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:28.519 And he demands glory. 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:28.940 Right? 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.700 The Lord. 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:32.859 Describe all glory to the Lord. 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.539 Right? 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.259 We must. 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:38.299 And then when we go through trials. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:44.399 It's so easy for us to get our eyes off of the Lord. 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.200 And keep our eyes on ourselves. 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:49.659 When our hope is just desperate. 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:50.980 And we don't know what to do. 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.579 As an aside. 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.680 But it's like. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:57.240 Some of my favorite movie scenes. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.839 Are when. 00:31:59.099 --> 00:31:59.299 You know. 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:01.440 The good guys are being hammered down. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.400 It's like. 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.600 Hammering down. 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.559 By the bad guys. 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.640 And then it's like. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.340 Plot twist. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.160 Change of speed. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.500 The good guys are back up. 00:32:09.600 --> 00:32:10.059 It's like. 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:11.019 Lord of the Rings. 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.860 Helms deep. 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.299 Like the orcs are. 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.259 At the door. 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.120 They're ramming. 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:17.380 Ramming open the. 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.000 The doors. 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:18.840 They're in there. 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.240 Like. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.120 Like they're all like. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.140 What are we going to do? 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:23.240 And then Gandalf. 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.360 Just comes out. 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:25.539 Shining. 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:27.440 With the riders of Rohan. 00:32:27.580 --> 00:32:28.080 And you're like. 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.380 Yes. 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:29.900 Right? 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:34.600 God's sons. 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.880 And daughters. 00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:38.420 Are always. 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.259 With him. 00:32:39.800 --> 00:32:40.440 And never. 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.460 Out of his problems. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.960 Even when you feel. 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:44.200 So beaten down. 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:44.880 Right? 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:47.340 And there's so much. 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:48.560 Things to be beaten down by. 00:32:49.040 --> 00:32:49.160 Like. 00:32:49.800 --> 00:32:50.800 Your child develops. 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.200 Cancer. 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.360 You develop. 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:52.759 Cancer. 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:56.019 Your marriage. 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.900 Is in shambles. 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.240 Right? 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.300 Right? 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:01.460 You haven't gotten pregnant yet. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.140 Right? 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.440 Lord. 00:33:03.560 --> 00:33:04.560 It's been eight years. 00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.680 And we haven't gotten pregnant yet. 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:09.360 You had another miscarriage. 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.120 Another one. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.460 Father. 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:14.120 Why am I still single? 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.460 Lord? 00:33:18.280 --> 00:33:18.720 God. 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:19.440 We're. 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:21.180 We're barely making it. 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.500 Right now. 00:33:21.580 --> 00:33:22.360 We have no money. 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.960 You're the creator of all things. 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.980 And we have no money. 00:33:25.320 --> 00:33:26.320 And you've created all things. 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.120 And we have no money. 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.800 How's that work? 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.440 Right? 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:33.000 And you can fill in the blank. 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.320 With so much trials. 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.580 That we have in our lives. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.080 But God. 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.840 Is always. 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.440 Good. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.100 God is good. 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.779 All the time. 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.960 All the time. 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.779 God is good. 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:49.039 Even when we can't see past our own nose. 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.579 We have no money. 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.579 00:33:49.579 --> 00:34:01.480 and he is so good, and he loves you guys and me so much, but do you have faith to believe that 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:07.899 in trials, in his goodness? If not, cry out as that man cried out, 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:13.420 I believe, help my unbelief. 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:23.360 And I'm just going to close. As of recent, Bellicose went through an end time series, 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:29.619 great series, thought it was awesome. If you haven't listened to it, you should. 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:40.200 But, you know, consider these things during the great tribulation, right? Just like all the death 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:49.359 that will happen. All like, like, like more than half the world would be wiped out during this time. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:57.139 That's a lot of people. And then I love to think of one, like, even if this happened now, 00:34:57.139 --> 00:35:02.539 how crazy it would be, that you can only buy and sell if you got the mark of the beast. 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:09.880 Let's consider that happened now. Michael, how do you keep your business running? 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:13.480 How do you keep buying blinds? 00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:18.159 Back to the grocery store. 00:35:20.759 --> 00:35:21.920 No more ribeyes. 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:25.099 I don't raise cows. 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:30.219 Right? That's one thing. Buying and selling. 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:34.819 Do you have faith that you are God's son? 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:39.839 That there is providence and he's in control of all things. 00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:41.819 That he is good 00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:44.159 in these things. 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:46.920 That he will take care of you 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:49.659 even in the great tribulation. 00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:54.579 Much less than just parenting our kids. 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:58.579 And with that, let's pray. 00:35:58.579 --> 00:36:00.579 I'm sure I take this one.