WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.800 Good morning, church. Happy Thanksgiving week. How's everybody? Wonderful. Like I said earlier, I missed y'all last Sunday. I watched online as I was driving out to Abilene. I did get to stick around and teach my starting point course last Sunday. It was our second to last one. And we had a good time and then I had to hit the road to make it out. I had an early meeting out there. So thank you for putting up with Jared for a week. I know it was 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 rough. That was a joke. Y'all relax. He did a great job. I really thought he did. So thank you to Jared for filling in and covering the end of Colossians 2. Listen, I'm a little bit sad today. We're finishing our Colossians series today. We're going to start a Christmas series next Sunday. Can you believe it's Christmas already? Here we are. But wait, we're not there yet. It's Thanksgiving week. All right. We got to think about the week of gratitude. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:24.659 Gratitude. So just in advance, how many of you have at least a Facebook account? Maybe you have other social media, but you've at least got a Facebook account. How many of you have, you don't have Facebook, but you got something else? Instagram or what they're calling X, but we all know it's Twitter. Something like that. Yeah. I think Facebook is kind of the primary one in this congregation. That's all right. 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:43.939 All right. Be prepared for all the gratitude posts this week. Everybody's going to start throwing thank you posts on Facebook because it's the week of gratitude. There's nothing wrong with that. Amid our turkey comas and football naps, we will be also saying thank you online. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:51.719 You might get some thank you texts. Anybody ever get a thank you text on Thanksgiving? Anybody ever send those? 00:01:53.620 --> 00:02:09.180 No? Y'all a bunch of ungrateful people, man. I'm kidding. Listen, it's all right to do those things, but saying thank you and being thankful are sometimes two different things. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:17.080 So let's talk about that today. Listen, the Lord put the book of Colossians on my heart many months ago. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:23.520 I try to keep my sermons planned out a few months ahead so we kind of know where we're going. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:31.200 And it just so lined up that the last Sunday of Colossians, we would be covering Colossians chapter four, 00:02:31.200 --> 00:02:38.960 and he kicks this thing off by talking about thankfulness. So the Lord worked all that out with the calendar. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:47.099 So let's dive into Colossians chapter four. While you're turning there, anyone can feel grateful when life is going great. 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:53.580 That is the easiest time to feel appreciative and want to say thank you. 00:02:53.640 --> 00:02:56.780 But what about when work is stressful? 00:02:58.140 --> 00:03:00.659 Jerry did a great job talking about work last Sunday. 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:04.079 What about when your job is a problem? 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:07.719 What about when your bank account is shrinking? 00:03:08.939 --> 00:03:15.419 What about when things around the family or the house are tense, to put it lightly? 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:22.579 Gratitude is not proven in a thank you card or a post on Facebook. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:27.000 Gratitude is proven under pressure. 00:03:29.140 --> 00:03:31.439 So let's look at Colossians chapter four. 00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:36.860 Remember, Paul is writing these words from prison. 00:03:37.920 --> 00:03:40.340 He's under house arrest in Rome. 00:03:40.760 --> 00:03:43.120 There are guards at the door. He can't leave. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:47.860 If they had tracking anklets, maybe they would have let him wear that back then. 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:50.180 But he was under house arrest. 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:53.600 Life was not at its peak for Paul. 00:03:54.420 --> 00:03:59.100 And he writes in Colossians chapter four about gratitude. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:01.720 So let's dive in. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:11.560 While we're in Thanksgiving season, we all want to take time to be thankful. 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:16.220 But what does a thankful heart actually look like? 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:20.740 I think we would all admit saying thank you and being thankful are two different things. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:29.300 But let's see what Paul has to say about Colossians chapter four and verse two. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:30.500 We're going to pick it up in verse two. 00:04:30.500 --> 00:04:34.040 I believe Jared left off in verse one last Sunday. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:39.980 Has anybody ever noticed that sometimes the chapter and verse divisions in the Bible are different? 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:42.279 Most of the time they're fine. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:48.660 But then sometimes it's like, why didn't he include the first verse of Colossians four at the end of Colossians three? 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:51.199 Because it's kind of wrapping up that thought process. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:56.759 So I appreciate Jared for jumping ahead and diving into chapter four and verse one. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:59.100 We're going to pick it up in verse two. 00:04:59.100 --> 00:05:00.840 So here we go. 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:06.899 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a what? 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:09.679 There you go. 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:12.419 Thankful heart or your Bible might say Thanksgiving. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:17.479 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:26.460 Pray for us too that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ Jesus. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:27.439 Verse four. 00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:31.560 Pray that I will proclaim this message clearly as I should. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:32.140 Verse five. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:37.700 Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:38.460 Verse six. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:45.140 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:52.459 If you'll notice as we've gone through this letter, we call it a book in the Bible, but it was when it was written, it was a letter. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:59.819 It was a letter from Paul, the father of many churches in those early years of the church age. 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:05.420 And Paul had never even visited this conversation, this congregation, this church. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:09.860 But a follower of Paul's had gone and started this church. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:13.500 And he came to Paul while he's trapped in Rome under house arrest. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:15.600 He said, can you help our church? 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:19.279 Can you write us a letter with instructions for our church? 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:24.799 So it's been preserved down through history for us to still draw from today. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:31.959 We understand that Paul was writing this as he was guided by the Holy Spirit of God what to say to this church. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:36.619 So this is the conclusion. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:40.019 We haven't covered every verse in Colossians. 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:42.979 We're not going to cover every verse today in chapter four. 00:06:43.059 --> 00:06:43.779 We don't have time. 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:47.919 If we blocked off maybe three hours for the sermon every Sunday, we might get close. 00:06:48.739 --> 00:06:50.019 But it's hard to do that. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:52.839 I don't think I could pay attention to me for three hours. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:54.779 So don't worry, we're not going to go that long today. 00:06:56.839 --> 00:07:03.779 But we've learned much from Paul's letter to this church in this place called Colossae. 00:07:05.339 --> 00:07:09.239 Week one, we looked at Christ over the cosmos. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:13.259 The whole ordered universe as God created it. 00:07:13.779 --> 00:07:16.479 And we learned that he holds it all together. 00:07:17.539 --> 00:07:20.419 So let me jump ahead. 00:07:21.159 --> 00:07:23.379 By the way, this is a sneak peek into our sermon today. 00:07:23.799 --> 00:07:25.579 Gratitude is a decision, not an emotion. 00:07:25.679 --> 00:07:27.159 If you want to write that down, write that down. 00:07:27.359 --> 00:07:29.119 We're going to talk about it more in a little bit. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:34.779 But we've been studying this series through Colossians, Christ over all. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:37.979 How many of you would say, I believe Christ is over all? 00:07:37.979 --> 00:07:39.899 Would you raise your hand and testify to that? 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:42.159 Yeah, I think just about everybody in here would agree with that. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:46.740 But when we break it down, we start to say what he's actually over. 00:07:47.520 --> 00:07:49.800 So first off, we said he's over the cosmos. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:52.300 He's over everything he created. 00:07:53.820 --> 00:07:59.780 And Colossians 1.17 teaches us, in him, in Jesus, all things hold together. 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:04.100 Week two, we looked at Colossians chapter two. 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:07.020 And we said Christ is over us. 00:08:08.020 --> 00:08:11.320 So our roots must grow down into him. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:17.700 That is how we understand this new identity he's given us. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:20.960 He's actually changed our very identity as people. 00:08:21.320 --> 00:08:25.060 He said, you're no longer members of this sinful race. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:29.019 Now I've brought you into my family as my children. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:30.860 He's changed our identity. 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:34.519 We can grow from him and let our roots grow down into him. 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:38.019 Week three, we talked about how Christ is over religion. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:40.299 Christ is over religion. 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:43.220 We can be rooted in Christ. 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:44.220 Christ is over religion. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:46.100 But we need to put on a new nature. 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:48.100 A new nature. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:50.620 Not the old way. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:56.879 Jesus came to actually put a stop to the old way, which was obeying the law to be made right with God. 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:58.259 That could never work. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:02.259 You can't obey all the laws that God gave you. 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:03.940 You'll never get it all right. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:06.899 You can try as hard as you can, but you'll never get there. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:10.399 And so religion tells you, you've got to follow these rules. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:11.759 You've got to follow these laws. 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.159 You've got to do it how we say. 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:15.819 Jesus says, I came to put a stop to that. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:17.319 I'm making you new. 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:18.919 I'm going to give you a new nature. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:22.379 You can grow with me as I teach you and change you. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:23.840 Not you doing it. 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:24.959 It's me doing it. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:30.759 And then last Sunday, Jared talked about, hold on a minute. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:31.980 Did we get out of line? 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:32.620 There we go. 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:35.519 Yes, last Sunday, Jared talked about work. 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:42.980 And Colossians 3.23 advised us, Colossians 3.23, work for the Lord, not for men. 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.980 That's a wonderful principle. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:50.519 Sometimes this time of year gets crazy at work, depending on the line of work you might be in. 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:52.319 Sometimes it's more stressful. 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:56.120 They know a break is coming, a holiday break for some of you. 00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:59.439 And so you've got to press hard and finish strong. 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:02.139 We've got to get everything done before Christmas comes, et cetera. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:06.039 And so work can get very stressful. 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:11.039 The Bible says we're not working for them. 00:10:11.819 --> 00:10:13.480 We're not even working for ourselves. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:14.720 Yeah, you've got to pay your bills. 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:17.840 Yeah, you've got to keep your job and all those things. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:22.740 But we're working to please the one who gave us the ability to work. 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:26.620 We're working to please the one who gave us the family to provide for. 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:33.379 We're working to please the one whose breath we're breathing, whose air is providing us oxygen. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:39.539 So Christ is over our performance. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:47.680 Whatever you're doing, whatever your hand finds to do, do it for the Lord, not for people. 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:50.159 So now we pick it up. 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:56.399 And we're saying Christ is over our hearts. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:00.239 Colossians chapter 4, verses 2 through 6. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:02.899 And we're going to have to stop there because that's all the time we have. 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:10.059 If you want to continue on and study out the remainder of this chapter, I encourage you to do that as we close out this letter from Paul. 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:19.619 But today, from these verses, I hope that we can testify together at the end of this time, Christ is over our hearts. 00:11:20.319 --> 00:11:22.779 He's captured our hearts. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:25.139 That's what he's after. 00:11:25.859 --> 00:11:26.819 That's what he wants. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.619 He wants our hearts. 00:11:28.979 --> 00:11:33.839 Because what we do from the heart truly changes us. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:39.220 Who we are in our hearts is our true identity. 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:43.759 So Christ wants to rule over our hearts. 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:49.120 And I promise you, they're safer with him than they are even with ourselves. 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:53.320 They're safer with him than they are with anyone else. 00:11:54.040 --> 00:12:02.340 When Christ rules your hearts, gratitude becomes not just what you do, but who you are. 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:11.759 Gratitude becomes not just what you say, but who you actually are when Christ rules over your hearts. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:13.080 So we're going to talk about gratitude. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.060 We're going to talk about thankfulness. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:19.660 And we're going to talk about God changing our hearts from the inside out. 00:12:20.780 --> 00:12:22.360 We're not just saying be a thankful. 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:24.160 We're not just saying say thank you. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:25.980 We're saying be a thankful person. 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:29.259 We're not just saying be grateful when you're blessed. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:34.059 We're saying be grateful even when the blessings seem less obvious. 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:36.159 So let's look at number one. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.899 A thankful heart seeks God. 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:41.600 If you're filling this out in the bulletin, we've got these blanks in there. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:42.840 You can write down seeks. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.259 A thankful heart seeks God. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:46.240 What do we mean by that? 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.700 Colossians 4 or 2 says it again. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:50.539 But I want to read this from the Amplified Bible. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:55.500 By the way, on the Bible app, if you download it from the App Store, I think it's called YouVersion. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.559 It comes out of Life Church in Oklahoma. 00:12:57.840 --> 00:12:58.980 They publish this thing. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:04.639 And they have every possible imaginable version of the Bible that's ever been printed and published. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:08.360 So some of them are maybe better than others and more accurate than others. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.679 Some of them have different styles. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:16.200 But I like every once in a while I like to go to this Amplified Bible because it really fleshes out the meaning of it, puts it in language. 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:17.200 It's easy to understand. 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:21.960 And so let's look again at chapter 4 and verse 2, Colossians, in the Amplified Bible. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:25.860 Be persistent and devoted to prayer. 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:34.480 Being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:43.480 I think that's a pretty accurate way to expand on what Paul was teaching to this church in Colossae. 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:45.080 Let's look at it again. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:48.220 Be persistent in your prayer. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:50.680 Be devoted to your prayer. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:54.080 Do you think he's saying make it a big deal in your life? 00:13:55.020 --> 00:13:56.720 Make it a big part of your life? 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:59.440 You think he's promoting prayer here? 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.720 Saying, guys, prayer is important. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.139 It's essential. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:05.200 Be persistent at it. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:08.720 Have you ever felt like you were praying and it wasn't getting anywhere? 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:12.800 It was like bouncing on the ceiling and not going any higher? 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:17.879 Sometimes you feel like, God, are you even hearing me right now? 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:20.659 Paul says, be persistent. 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:27.079 There's a song that I heard that said, when you don't feel like praying, you know what you should do? 00:14:28.359 --> 00:14:29.519 Let's say it a little louder. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.959 When you don't feel like praying, pray. 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:35.559 That's being persistent in prayer. 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:36.119 Why? 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.719 Because that is an act of faith. 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:47.219 If Jesus was sitting in the room saying, tell me everything that's on your mind, then it's easy for us to talk, right? 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:49.019 We'll unload, man. 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:51.579 Jesus, you finally showed up in person. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:53.299 Been waiting my whole life for this moment. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:56.979 Let me tell you a few things about what's going on in my life. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:59.720 But he's not. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.159 But he's with us all the time through his spirit. 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:08.240 And so he says, if you pray, when you pray, that shows your faith. 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:13.620 I think if we took a poll and said, how many of you in the room are people of faith? 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.920 We'd probably get pretty close to 100%. 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:19.300 Yes, I'm a person of faith. 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:32.019 But we can actually put that faith into action and show to our own hearts that we are people of faith when we pray and we're persistent at it. 00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:35.859 You can't take prayer out of my life. 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:38.819 I'm going to be persistent at it. 00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:41.099 I may not be awesome at it. 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.159 I may not be an expert at it. 00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:45.519 I might stumble over my words. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.579 Sometimes I might not even know what to say. 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:52.480 And I'm just kind of sitting there awkwardly like, God, I don't know how to put this into words right now. 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:55.780 But there's just a lot going on in my life. 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.500 You know what I mean? 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.960 Felt that way? 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.980 Sometimes that's all you can pray. 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.000 And it's okay. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:10.139 We've even got a verse in the Bible that says, when we don't know what words to say, the Holy Spirit provides the words for us to God. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.960 Because he knows our hearts well. 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.280 Isn't that crazy? 00:16:15.160 --> 00:16:16.680 God's like, don't worry, I got you. 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:21.120 I'll say the words that you can't figure out how to say right now. 00:16:21.599 --> 00:16:24.039 That is being persistent in prayer. 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:28.639 When you can't come up with a fancy prayer that sounds good to impress other people. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.259 It's not about those people anyway. 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:34.199 It's about you and the one who's listening and cares for you. 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:37.019 So be persistent in prayer. 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.359 Don't give up on it. 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.259 Be devoted to it. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.340 It's so important to you. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.700 That comes from the word devotion. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:52.559 Anybody ever heard somebody say, do you have a morning devotions with God? 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:54.519 Do you have a devotional time with God? 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:57.080 That became kind of a buzzword in Christianity. 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.860 Do you, a time of devotions. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:05.380 It means you're supposed to open your Bible or maybe you got a little book at Mardell's that's like a 365 devotions for every day of the year. 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.440 Something like that. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.660 There's nothing wrong with those things. 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:09.660 I've got several of them in my office back there. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:16.900 I don't know that I've ever, yeah, I think I have maybe once or twice gone through one of those where I did it every day of the year. 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:21.560 I finished, you know, a 365 day devotional in a year. 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.259 It's hard though. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:25.860 I've started many of them and at some point I stopped along the way. 00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:27.740 Am I the only one? 00:17:27.780 --> 00:17:28.660 I see some heads nodding. 00:17:28.780 --> 00:17:29.540 That makes me feel good. 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.519 It's hard. 00:17:31.600 --> 00:17:32.660 We're about to have New Year's. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:35.060 That's a whole other thing with resolutions and all that stuff. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:36.940 I'm going to read the Bible every day this year. 00:17:37.540 --> 00:17:39.300 There might be some days when you don't. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:42.000 Might be some days you get busy. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:47.759 But prayer is an act of devotion to God. 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:50.519 It says I'm devoted to you. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.779 Kind of like I'm devoted to my spouse. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:58.140 So things may not always be great between us. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.319 But I'm going to still love her. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.000 She's going to still love me. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:05.039 It's the picture of marriage that God created. 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:08.819 Sin got in the way and sin can break that sometimes. 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:15.299 And it brings an unhappy ending to a union of a husband and a wife. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:22.720 But in the marriage relationship, and it's described that way in the Bible, 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:27.740 the marriage relationship that Jesus wants to have with the church, 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.200 there's devotion there. 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:33.980 He's fully committed to us. 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:38.180 And he's asking us to be devoted to him in return. 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.680 Go to him in prayer. 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:41.880 He's always there. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:44.440 He's always listening. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:49.039 A thankful heart will seek God. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:53.360 It'll seek him out in prayer every day. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.960 Many times a day. 00:18:55.960 --> 00:19:00.920 Even if it's a, God, I just can't right now. 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:04.900 God, help me with this one because I'm about to go off on him. 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:09.620 Even if that's what it is, pray in that moment. 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:13.779 And you'd be surprised how God might calm your spirit in that moment 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:16.680 before you do just unload on somebody. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:19.500 However deserving they might be of that. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:21.640 So be persistent. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.660 Be devoted to prayer. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:27.460 Be alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:29.259 Alert and focused. 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:30.420 I love these words. 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.220 Be alert. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:35.180 Be aware of moments to pray. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:41.740 Be aware of moments when you need God actively right then. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.619 I've got to turn to God right now. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.759 You get some bad news. 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.640 Yep, got to pray. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.200 You get some good news. 00:19:49.100 --> 00:19:49.860 Got to pray. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.660 Got to thank God. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.960 Ask him for wisdom. 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:57.820 Help me not get sidetracked by what I think is this great thing. 00:19:58.300 --> 00:20:00.259 Help me to remember he's in control of it all. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.960 He gives. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.040 He takes away. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:04.460 Blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.540 Be alert in prayer. 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:09.960 And be focused in your prayer life. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:14.420 What are we focused on in our prayer life? 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:20.940 God, this truck has just got some miles on it now. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.600 And they just came out with a new one. 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:25.500 The tailgate is way cooler than the one I have. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:33.300 God, would you just pour out the blessings from heaven on me and just give me that new truck on Christmas morning? 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:37.660 Because, you know, I could bless so many people with giving them rides in this truck. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:46.080 Look, I'm not saying that God doesn't sometimes give us a truck or God doesn't sometimes give us tangible blessings. 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:47.620 Of course he does sometimes. 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:52.580 But when we're focused in our prayer life, we're not worried about the truck. 00:20:52.579 --> 00:21:03.980 Or the boat or the 401k or whatever it is that you could substitute there that you think will bring you happiness and security or fulfillment. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:07.899 We're focused on God and his kingdom. 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:10.539 We're focused on God's will. 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:13.559 Saying, God, this world is broken. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:19.480 My life can be very quickly broken and fall apart. 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.819 Apart from you. 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:24.299 The darkness is all around us. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.460 Please shine your light. 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:30.480 In my life, my family's life, the lives of those around me. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.440 Shine through me. 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:44.559 When our prayer lives are focused on his will and his kingdom, then God unloads blessings on us according to his will and his kingdom. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:48.740 Sometimes he'll choose to upgrade your vehicle. 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:51.400 Sometimes he'll choose to give you a better job. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:54.820 Sometimes he'll choose to restore a relationship that's broken. 00:21:55.360 --> 00:22:00.880 Sometimes he'll choose things that bring us that momentary pleasure and we just say, thank you, God. 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:02.100 Thank you for that. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:05.320 But it was never about those things. 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:10.400 It was about God putting him first, his will, and his kingdom first in my life. 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:13.019 I'm focusing my prayer on that. 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:19.039 So persistent, devoted, alert, and focused with an attitude of thanksgiving. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.340 Why do we go to him in prayer? 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:23.640 Because he's come through so many times. 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:25.759 Why do we believe he loves us? 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:30.620 Because he sent his only son to die for our sins and take the penalty of the things that we've done wrong. 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:33.159 Why do we believe that he's good? 00:22:33.239 --> 00:22:34.619 Because he's always been good. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.139 Why do we believe he can actually come through? 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.579 Because he created everything. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.099 He holds it all together. 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:46.000 So we're thankful to him that we get to approach him without having to jump through a bunch of hoops. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:53.919 We don't have to go through a bunch of different ways to get to God and gain an audience with God. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:57.379 We have an immediate audience with God anytime we want it. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:59.340 That's why he calls us children. 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.300 And he's the father. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:07.200 We're not just subjects of the king. 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:10.520 We're not just citizens under a president. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:16.039 I don't know about you, but I don't have access to the White House anytime I want it. 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:21.279 I can't go to England and gain an audience with the queen or the prime minister. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.480 I can't do that. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:26.960 But I can go to the king of the universe anytime I want. 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.120 And so can you. 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:32.319 So we're thankful for that. 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:37.960 God, thank you for listening anytime, anyplace, anywhere. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:43.799 Then Matthew chapter 6 and verse 33. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:48.220 Seek the kingdom of God above all else. 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:52.700 And he will give you everything you need. 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.140 So don't worry about tomorrow. 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:58.400 Don't worry where it's all going to come from. 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:02.559 And I got to tell myself that because I get worried about tomorrow sometimes. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:05.799 Both in my life and in the life of our church. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:08.339 Church, where's it going to come from? 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:10.099 How's it going to all work out? 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.460 God, what are you going to do? 00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:13.159 Don't worry about that. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.539 Seek the kingdom of God above all else. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:19.159 He will give you everything that you need. 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:23.720 So gratefulness doesn't come from getting everything you want. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:28.019 I'm not going to ask who's filled out a Christmas list and who hasn't, okay? 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:33.359 But whether or not you have, whether or not Christmas brings everything you want or not, 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.460 that's not where gratefulness comes from. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:38.599 It comes from giving God your attention. 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:41.399 Taking your attention off yourself. 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:43.599 Taking your attention off your problems. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:46.240 Taking your attention off of the pleasures. 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:53.419 Taking your attention off of the priorities that you have and putting them on the Lord and his kingdom. 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:58.379 And then all these other things will be added to you. 00:24:58.380 --> 00:25:03.840 Number two, a thankful heart sees opportunities. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:07.839 A thankful heart seeks God. 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:10.299 A thankful heart sees opportunities. 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.899 What do we mean? 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:12.939 Let's look back at Colossians 4. 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:18.179 Paul says, pray for us that God will give us many opportunities. 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:25.400 And then later in verse 5 he says, live wisely and make the most of every opportunity. 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:28.279 Would you go over to 2 Corinthians chapter 12? 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:31.060 I'm going to read from the New International Reader's Version. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:36.139 It's kind of a slightly more accessible language version of the NIV. 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:41.339 NIV is maybe the most outside of the old King James Version, which has been around a long time. 00:25:41.399 --> 00:25:43.720 The NIV is probably the most popular Bible out there. 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:46.139 This is the reader's version of that. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.519 So 2 Corinthians 12 and verse 7. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:51.420 For sake of time, I'm going to go ahead and read while you turn. 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:55.039 Paul's writing to a different church, church in Corinth. 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:58.079 But we got to tie this in to what he's teaching here. 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:04.160 Because even though he's chained to a guard in Rome under house arrest, he's not praying for an escape. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:08.519 He's praying for open doors for God's work. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.859 2 Corinthians 12 verse 7. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:13.940 So I wouldn't become proud of myself, Paul writes. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.660 I was given a problem. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:19.600 This problem caused pain in my body. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:24.120 Anybody ever had a problem that caused pain in your body? 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.279 Yeah. 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:28.400 I have too. 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.860 I know many of you have. 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:34.580 Some of you I visited in the hospital when you had problems that had pain in your body. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:39.820 He said, it's a messenger from Satan to make me suffer. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.440 What a way to put it, man. 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:45.320 Paul was like, I hate this thing. 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:47.740 Whatever it was, we don't know exactly what it was. 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:49.539 People have guessed what it might have been. 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:51.139 But Paul never really told us. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:53.579 Clearly, it caused him physical pain. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:55.099 Whatever this problem was. 00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:58.139 He said, it's a messenger from Satan to make me suffer. 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:00.819 Verse 8. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:04.839 Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:08.899 But he said to me, sure, Paul. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.899 I got you, man. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.779 I'll take this problem away. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.879 I'll take all the problems out of your life. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:17.339 You're just going to have a beautiful, happy Disney Channel life from now on. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:20.339 Unfortunately, that's not what he said. 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:22.099 And he doesn't usually say that to us either. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.740 He said, nope, Paul. 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:26.660 My grace is all you need. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:30.079 My power is strongest when you are weak. 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:34.440 Your Bible might say, my grace is sufficient for you. 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:45.440 So Paul says, since God told me that, I'm very happy to brag about how weak I am. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:48.140 That's what we brag about, right, guys? 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:52.100 Man, have you seen how much I can't bench press? 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:57.500 Have you seen how many arm wrestling matches I've lost? 00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:00.200 I'm the weakest of them all. 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:04.120 Paul says, I'm very happy to brag about how weak I am. 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:08.759 Then Christ's power can rest on me. 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:14.380 Because of how I suffered for Christ, I'm glad that I'm weak. 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:17.000 Verse 10, I'm glad in hard times. 00:28:17.760 --> 00:28:21.280 I'm glad when people say mean things about me. 00:28:22.280 --> 00:28:23.200 Whew, that's a tough one. 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:27.000 I'm glad when things are difficult. 00:28:27.820 --> 00:28:29.840 I'm glad when people make me suffer. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:35.400 And he finishes this by saying, when I'm weak, then I'm strong. 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:39.160 When I'm weak, then I'm strong. 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:43.420 He sees an opportunity in suffering. 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:46.460 He sees an opportunity in weakness. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.640 He sees an opportunity in hardship. 00:28:49.520 --> 00:28:51.680 He sees an opportunity in opposition. 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.840 People are coming at him. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.560 When people are mocking him. 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.820 When people are making fun of him. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:59.240 When people are spreading false rumors about him. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:03.360 When life seems to be programmed against him. 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:07.659 And trust me, you read the exploits of Paul. 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.839 Look through the book of Acts. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:12.099 Life came up against that guy all the time. 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:15.599 And he said, I've learned something through all this. 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:18.819 I've asked God to take my hardships away. 00:29:19.199 --> 00:29:20.299 But he won't. 00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:22.079 And I realize now why. 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.139 Why? 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:28.259 Because it makes God look so much stronger. 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:30.500 When I'm able to continue. 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.539 When I'm able to survive. 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.819 When I'm able to come out the other side. 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.339 Still with the joy of the Lord. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:39.039 When God doesn't let me be destroyed. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:41.319 God holds me up. 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.460 And it draws people to the one. 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.379 The only one. 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.779 Who can hold them up too. 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.159 So most people pray. 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:50.220 God, get me out of this. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:52.539 But grateful people pray. 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:54.980 God, get to me. 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.539 In the middle of this. 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:59.299 Y'all, this is a lesson I'm still learning. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:02.960 Instead of asking God to get you out of something. 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.160 Whatever it is for you. 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:07.500 Can you instead ask God to get to you. 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:09.059 In the middle of that. 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.860 God, get to me. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:14.400 In this suffering I'm going through. 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:17.100 Get to me in this depression. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.700 Get to me in this despair. 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.880 Change me. 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:23.500 In ways that the good times. 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:26.299 Be a whole lot harder for you to get to me. 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.539 Number three. 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.620 A thankful heart. 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.220 Speaks grace. 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:42.200 A thankful heart seeks God. 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:44.839 A thankful heart sees opportunities. 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:48.000 And a thankful heart speaks grace. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.640 Back in Colossians 4. 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:53.140 Let your conversation be gracious. 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.539 Gracious. 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:57.099 Whatever rules your heart. 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:59.180 Rules your mouth. 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.200 Dictates what you say. 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.759 If bitterness rules your heart. 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.440 Complaints will flow out of it. 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.759 If anxiety rules your heart. 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:10.400 Negativity will flow out of it. 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.740 If Christ rules your heart. 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:15.440 Grace will flow out of your mouth. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:17.039 James chapter 3. 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.680 Talks about this quite a bit. 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.559 The book of James. 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:26.900 And it says can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring. 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:28.680 Y'all like spring water? 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:30.380 Anybody like drinking spring water? 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:34.400 Has anybody ever had fresh spring water like from a spring? 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:36.460 Like way up in the mountains? 00:31:36.560 --> 00:31:39.460 You got to be careful because you don't know if there's some dead animal further upstream. 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:41.720 And you're drinking poison water. 00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.420 You know what I'm saying? 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:47.180 But you ever had some real just good clean fresh water straight from nature? 00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:50.080 I know all the bottled water companies say that's where theirs come from. 00:31:50.300 --> 00:31:57.320 I wonder sometimes if they're really out there dipping their bottles and then putting them in Costco or Sam's Club. 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:57.879 Anyway. 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:07.179 But James paints this picture when he says can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.960 Go with me one last place. 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.279 Would you? 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:09.639 Exodus. 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:12.279 We're going all the way back to the second book of the Bible. 00:32:12.439 --> 00:32:12.799 Genesis. 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:13.879 Exodus. 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:16.259 Exodus chapter 16 verse 1. 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.599 I don't have it on the screen. 00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.720 You might actually have to turn there. 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.000 You ready? 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:21.880 While you're turning I'm going to read. 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.579 By the time you catch up. 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.480 Hopefully I won't be done. 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.000 But we'll see. 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:27.579 Exodus 16 verse 1. 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:29.460 Then the whole community of Israel. 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:29.960 Okay. 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.680 So you got the picture. 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.799 We got the children of Israel. 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:35.700 Set out from Elam and journeyed into the wilderness of sin. 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:37.180 Did you hear that? 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.640 The wilderness of sin. 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.380 Little side note. 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:42.460 Be careful what happens in the wilderness of sin. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:42.740 Okay. 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:46.480 Now this is not the sin that you're thinking of. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:49.120 This is a name that came from Mount Sinai. 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.680 Totally different kind of deal. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:53.120 But I'm just going to use it as a moment to say. 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:55.160 Be careful what happens in the wilderness of sin. 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:57.480 When you're off lost in the desert of sin. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.120 Don't ruin your life there. 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:01.140 Let God bring you back out of that. 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:01.360 Okay. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:04.140 So the children of Israel is in the wilderness of sin. 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:06.299 Between Elam and Mount Sinai. 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:08.299 They arrived there on the 15th day. 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:09.019 The second month. 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:10.920 One month after leaving the land of Egypt. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.860 Remember how they left the land of Egypt? 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.519 God parted the Red Sea. 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.420 Crazy things happened. 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:18.579 And miracles that have never happened again since. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.160 I mean wow. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:22.019 What God did to get them out of Egypt. 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.900 They should be riding high. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:26.660 Can you believe God did that for us? 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.759 A month ago. 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:32.519 And that high would last years for me. 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:32.799 Right? 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.740 Seeing what God just did. 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:37.160 Verse 2. 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:38.160 There too. 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.500 There too. 00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:42.480 The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:46.720 So a month after the Red Sea. 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:49.279 God's people are complaining. 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:53.759 If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt. 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.860 They moaned. 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:58.240 There we sat around pots filled with meat. 00:33:58.360 --> 00:33:59.900 And ate all the bread we wanted. 00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:03.540 They were slaves in Egypt. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.440 Ate all the bread they wanted. 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:09.599 They ate all the bread that their masters would allow them to have. 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:11.300 They were slaves. 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.840 And they were not treated well. 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:15.539 Moses and Aaron. 00:34:15.680 --> 00:34:18.160 You brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death. 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:21.119 So then God starts talking to Moses. 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.500 And he says look. 00:34:24.859 --> 00:34:27.299 I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.980 Each day the people can go out. 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:32.159 And they can pick up as much food as they need for that day. 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:34.480 I'm going to test them in this. 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.839 To see whether or not they'll follow my instructions. 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:39.480 On the sixth day they'll gather the food. 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.859 When they prepare it. 00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:43.099 They'll be twice as much as usual. 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:46.019 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel. 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:50.380 By evening you'll realize that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:52.159 Don't forget that. 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:54.820 In the morning you'll see the glory of the Lord. 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.500 Because he's heard your complaints. 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:59.739 Which are actually by the way against him. 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.179 Not us. 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.780 Not against us. 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:06.800 What have we done that you should complain about us? 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:07.780 God did this. 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:09.119 He got us out of Egypt. 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:12.500 He's the one who's been leading us through this wilderness. 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:14.320 When you complain it's not against us. 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.079 It's against God. 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.699 By the way remember that? 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:19.000 When you're complaining about your life. 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:21.539 It's not against whoever you're complaining about. 00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:22.599 It's against God. 00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:25.880 You're saying God I'm not content with the situation you put me in. 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:28.219 So I think I'm mad at Joe Blow over there. 00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:30.619 But I'm actually mad at the God who's controlling it all. 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.819 Just remind yourself of that. 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:35.679 Moses and Aaron are reminding the people of this. 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:36.739 Verse 8. 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.679 Then Moses added. 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:40.959 The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening. 00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:43.339 And bread to satisfy you in the morning. 00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:46.139 For he's heard all your complaints against him. 00:35:46.459 --> 00:35:47.419 What have we done? 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:49.739 Your complaints are against the Lord. 00:35:50.299 --> 00:35:51.000 Not us. 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:55.260 Now we can go on and we can read the rest of that passage. 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:59.019 And it's fascinating to track the children of Israel as they're wandering through the desert. 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:01.440 They did go and they did take too much. 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:03.260 They didn't obey God's instructions. 00:36:03.260 --> 00:36:06.300 And some of the people got real sick. 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:10.760 Some of them even died as a result of not obeying God's instructions. 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.080 Why? 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:12.320 Because they were griping. 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.780 Because they were complaining. 00:36:14.220 --> 00:36:16.140 Because even after seeing God through. 00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:19.800 Come through in such a powerful visible way. 00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:21.100 Parting the Red Sea. 00:36:21.700 --> 00:36:23.360 Killing all their enemies behind them. 00:36:23.720 --> 00:36:25.780 Rescuing them from oppression. 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:28.200 Instantly they turned on him. 00:36:29.140 --> 00:36:29.680 Said nope. 00:36:30.620 --> 00:36:32.100 What have you done for us lately? 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:35.100 I'm not happy with the food we have to eat. 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:37.620 We had way better food back in Egypt. 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:42.080 You can't speak grace if you're griping. 00:36:43.120 --> 00:36:45.460 You can't speak grace if you're griping. 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:50.960 Christ is no longer ruling your heart when you're griping. 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:53.540 Let me remind myself of this. 00:36:54.020 --> 00:36:57.360 Christ is no longer ruling my heart when I'm complaining. 00:37:00.680 --> 00:37:02.320 I want to share this quote with you. 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.380 And we're just about finished. 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:09.040 Appreciation is the highest form of prayer. 00:37:16.600 --> 00:37:22.120 It acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts. 00:37:22.620 --> 00:37:23.800 Alan Cohen said that. 00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:24.800 And I want to change it. 00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:26.380 And I want to change it a little bit. 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:28.160 Look at it again. 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:31.340 Appreciation is the highest form of prayer. 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:36.680 For it acknowledges the presence of let's change good to God. 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:47.919 It acknowledges the presence of God wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts centered on God. 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:57.579 Wherever you choose to shine the light of the gratitude that the Holy Spirit gives your heart. 00:37:58.079 --> 00:38:03.000 You will see the presence of God wherever you shine that light. 00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:05.340 Even in tragedy. 00:38:05.780 --> 00:38:07.420 Even in loss. 00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.780 Even in. 00:38:09.440 --> 00:38:10.659 I don't know if I should say it. 00:38:11.179 --> 00:38:11.739 Change. 00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:14.360 Such a terrifying word. 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:20.099 You can still see the presence of God there. 00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:27.159 If you choose to shine the light of a thankful heart onto that situation. 00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:31.199 So here's my challenge for you. 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:35.299 Trade your thanksgiving thought for a Holy Spirit habit. 00:38:36.779 --> 00:38:39.839 Don't just be a thanksgiving thankful person. 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:47.400 Let God change you into a truly thankful person year round. 00:38:48.100 --> 00:38:51.360 Because wherever you shine the light of that thankful heart. 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.600 You'll see God there. 00:38:53.160 --> 00:38:54.980 So the big idea of this whole series. 00:38:55.740 --> 00:38:56.740 The last six weeks. 00:38:57.260 --> 00:38:57.840 Is this. 00:38:58.360 --> 00:38:59.800 When Christ rules your heart. 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.940 Gratitude rules you. 00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:04.340 When Christ rules your heart. 00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:06.079 He rules everything. 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:09.660 And it changes your perspective on everything. 00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:11.300 From focused on me. 00:39:11.920 --> 00:39:13.180 To thankfulness to God. 00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:15.180 From focused on me. 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:16.960 To thankfulness to God. 00:39:17.640 --> 00:39:19.920 From focused on whether I'm happy or not. 00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:22.720 Whether everything lines up just how it's supposed to. 00:39:23.140 --> 00:39:25.260 When Christ rules my heart. 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:27.519 He rules everything. 00:39:28.180 --> 00:39:29.600 Christ is over all. 00:39:29.680 --> 00:39:30.640 Would you bow your heads with me? 00:39:31.140 --> 00:39:33.860 God I pray right now on behalf of all the people. 00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:35.280 That you have gathered in this room. 00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:37.800 That you would rule our hearts. 00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:41.680 That we would not be hard hearted against you. 00:39:41.740 --> 00:39:42.880 That we would not be resistant. 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:46.260 We see cautionary tales of the children of Israel. 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.480 Wandering through Egypt. 00:39:48.640 --> 00:39:49.460 Captivated in Egypt. 00:39:49.640 --> 00:39:50.460 And then freed. 00:39:50.580 --> 00:39:51.760 And then wandering through the desert. 00:39:52.260 --> 00:39:53.800 And we see their hard heartedness. 00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:55.240 We see them turn against you. 00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:56.180 Time and time again. 00:39:56.420 --> 00:39:58.960 No matter how many times you come through for them. 00:39:59.320 --> 00:40:01.880 God we can apply that directly to our lives. 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:04.800 You've come through for so many in this room. 00:40:04.940 --> 00:40:06.119 Time and time again. 00:40:06.260 --> 00:40:08.180 And yet we still struggle with fear. 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:09.840 We still struggle with doubt. 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:13.160 And we still abandon thankfulness. 00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:15.619 If there's ever a week. 00:40:15.840 --> 00:40:17.579 To turn our attention back to you. 00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:21.220 And let you capture our hearts. 00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:23.360 To truly change us. 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:25.360 This would be the week to start it. 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:29.120 I pray that you would do a work in our hearts. 00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:30.019 Right now. 00:40:30.640 --> 00:40:31.380 Before we leave. 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.880 Before we start Thanksgiving week. 00:40:33.920 --> 00:40:35.360 Change us from the inside out. 00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:38.500 Church the organ is going to play just for a moment. 00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:40.579 Would you keep your seats? 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:40.700 Yes. 00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:54.300 Gratitude is not determined by your situation. 00:40:54.300 --> 00:40:57.140 It's determined by our Savior. 00:41:00.120 --> 00:41:02.060 We can always be thankful. 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:07.260 I'm grateful for what Presley taught those kids. 00:41:07.380 --> 00:41:08.580 She literally said those words. 00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:10.840 Always be thankful. 00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:16.960 May our prayers become more God-centered. 00:41:18.220 --> 00:41:21.539 May our perspective become more about God's kingdom. 00:41:22.440 --> 00:41:23.440 That's what's important. 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:24.860 God's mission in this world. 00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:29.260 And may our words become more filled with grace. 00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:34.179 Many of us are going to gather with family this week. 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:36.800 That can be stressful situations sometimes. 00:41:38.079 --> 00:41:40.260 Sometimes blow-ups can happen around the holidays. 00:41:40.260 --> 00:41:44.960 Let our words be words of grace. 00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:50.080 Let Christ rule over our hearts. 00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:54.069 Let our words do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do not do for those who do for those who do not do for those who do for those who do not