WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 Bible this morning, turn over to the book of 2 Peter. 2 Peter, we're going to continue in our 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:05.540 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.019 What weighs that decision? You know, when you have a issue or a problem or a friend that even asks 00:00:38.019 --> 00:00:45.880 you for advice or a boss who challenges you to do something that's a little unscrupulous, 00:00:46.899 --> 00:00:53.219 you know, of trying to do things counter to what guides you, you know? In a world we live today, 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:56.200 many people are guided by how they feel about it in the moment. 00:00:56.200 --> 00:01:05.140 You know, what's expedient right now and what makes me feel good or what's going to make me 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:12.079 be able to maintain what I have. And so the question that comes about is why do you do that? 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:20.300 What are you basing those decisions on? You know, when we understand that we can't just trust what 00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:28.280 we feel in the moment that we need to understand who has the final say in your life as a believer. 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:33.979 The Bible tells us you've been bought with a price and that you belong to the Lord Jesus. 00:01:35.039 --> 00:01:40.000 And so he should have the final say and the final say that he gives us is the Word of God. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:46.560 You know, we saw that last week as we began here in chapter 1 that Peter tells us very clearly 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:53.939 that God has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness and that we are to grow 00:01:53.939 --> 00:02:00.359 in them with all diligence. You know, we talked about diligence last week, you know. Diligence doesn't 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:07.320 mean it's, oh, when I have time. Diligence means I'm going to do it and I'm going to take the time to do it. 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:14.379 I'm going to put that into the schedule. I'm going to do those things and understand. But how do we know 00:02:14.379 --> 00:02:20.560 that the Bible is true? You know, how can we be sure that God's Word is worth building your life upon? 00:02:21.579 --> 00:02:25.299 You know, that's an important question because that's the question that Peter answers next. 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:31.219 He tells us that God has given us everything and then he says, I want you to know you can trust the 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:39.939 book. That you can trust the book because as we see here that Peter understood that his feelings 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:46.319 didn't guide things, you know. Now, Brother Lou back here is a pilot and he can probably affirm this. 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:52.120 When you get in the clouds, Lou, and it's really dense, do you fly by feeling? I mean, how many would 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:59.659 feel comfortable with your pilot in the clouds flying the plane by feeling? They have to trust what? 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:08.379 Instruments. They have to trust the instruments that give them guidance of how and what's going on. 00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:16.740 The same is in our life because oftentimes in life we live in the dust and fog of sin and just all the 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:23.379 messed up things in this world. But oftentimes people wonder why they crash. The reason they crash is 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:29.840 because they're guided by their feelings instead of guiding by the instrument that God's given us. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:37.579 And God has given us instruments, his Word to guide us there. And so when we understand, 00:03:37.580 --> 00:03:43.720 that's what Peter's telling us is God is giving us something we can trust more than our feelings, 00:03:44.220 --> 00:03:50.900 more than even the greatest day of your life. You know, people oftentimes will talk, well, 00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:57.740 God gave me an experience. I want you to understand that you cannot guide your life solely from experience. 00:03:59.640 --> 00:04:04.700 God allows you to might have an experience, but that experience isn't the guide. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:10.799 And Peter's going to talk about that this morning. Because I tell you what, Peter probably had one of the 00:04:10.799 --> 00:04:20.339 greatest experiences that a person could have. When you see Jesus Christ transfigured before your eyes, 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:27.860 and he hears Moses and Elijah speaking on the mount, I don't know about, to me, I don't know if you get much 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:36.600 better experience than being the presence of God in that sense of being right there when they saw Jesus 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:42.360 transfigured. And Peter's going to refer to that here this morning. So if you found 1 Peter chapter 1, 00:04:42.580 --> 00:04:46.100 go ahead and take your Bibles. Let's stand together. We'll pick up here in verse 12 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:52.980 of 2 Peter chapter 1 and follow along here. And it says this, you notice he says, 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:58.680 wherefore. Now remember, whenever you see the word wherefore in the Bible, it refers to what came 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:04.319 before. In other words, he's building upon it. He's building upon those things. He says, 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:12.100 wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:19.300 and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet as long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:27.319 up by putting you in remembrance, knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:33.759 our Lord Jesus Christ had showed me. Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:39.860 to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, 00:05:40.379 --> 00:05:47.480 when we were made known unto you the power of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:54.819 of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory. Then there came such a voice 00:05:54.819 --> 00:06:01.620 to him from the excellent glory, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:09.060 came from heaven we heard, and when we were with him in the holy mount, we have also a more sure word 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:15.839 of prophecy. Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:23.980 until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:30.300 scripture is of any private interpretation. But for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:37.379 but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Let's pray. Heavenly Fathers, we 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:43.939 come before you this morning, Lord. We're just thankful for your word. Lord, the guide to us, Lord, 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:51.160 it guides us in this life, gives us what we need to not only navigate the challenges of this life, 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:58.819 but to live godly, live for you, and to be transformed into your image here, Lord, of just 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:04.199 of all the things in our life. Lord, help us to grab a hold of this truth here this morning, be put in 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:11.639 remembrance. Lord, there's many things that we know, but we don't remember. That we need to take 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:18.560 time to slow down, and to remember, and to put into practice. Lord, I just pray your hand be upon the 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:24.379 message here today, Lord, that you would be what is seen, and what's shown. And Lord, that we might be 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:30.560 encouraged and strengthened here today, Lord, that we might trust you more, that we might remember who 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:35.699 you are, what you've done, and what you provided for us. And Lord, we ask it all in your precious name. 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:43.379 Amen. May be seated. You know, as we see here, Peter knows he's about to die. Peter's getting to 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:49.319 that point in life where he says, hey, my days before me are definitely shorter than the days behind me. 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:55.339 He said, I know that that's going to come. Matter of fact, he says, Jesus told me that I was going to 00:07:55.339 --> 00:08:03.680 die one day. You know, he said, I understand the reality of that. And Jesus told him he was going to 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:12.579 die in his old age. You know, John chapter 21 tells us this. And he says, we find in our text, 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:17.639 he talks about shortly, I must put off this tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:25.279 showed me. You know, people know generally that their time is short. You know, when people know 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:30.500 that time is short, you know what happens? There seems to be a shift. You know, we can be distracted 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:37.199 by a lot of things in life, but you know, when you think you're faced with the end, your focus changes. 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:44.179 Your focus moves from that which is peripheral, and it starts shrinking the circle down pretty fast of 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:50.620 what's important. You know, and starts taking that in and say, okay, what's really important? You know, 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:55.779 if you ever know, I've been on the deathbed of many people, you know, most of the time they're not 00:08:55.779 --> 00:09:01.139 worried about the weather. Oftentimes, especially believers, they're worried about others of what 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:06.899 they're going to hold on to. They're worried about what people are going to remember. They're worried 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:12.259 about their kids. Are they going to remember the things you taught them? Are they going to remember, 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:17.519 did you equip people in the right way? Did you do the right things? And we see here that 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:24.679 Peter is doing this very moment with other believers. He's telling them, he says, with the time I have 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:32.340 left, the truth needs to understand that the truth doesn't stop with him, or what he's seen, that he 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:39.360 points them to the scripture, the word of God, and says one thing we can possess and give to you, 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:44.159 and to the next generation, the generation after, and the generation after, he says it's the word of God. 00:09:46.180 --> 00:09:48.539 You know, that's the reason God has preserved his word. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:55.840 It records Peter's experiences, but Peter says, hey, the word of God is more important. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:10:04.420 A more sure word. You know, and as Peter begins pointing this through, giving the direction here, 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:10.319 notice here, as we look at verse 12, of don't forget. You know, don't forget. You know, look back 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:17.059 here at verse 12 in our text this morning. It says, wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:24.179 always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:28.139 What's he talking about there? He's talking about that like precious faith 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:37.019 that he spoke of in verses 2 and 3. He says that like precious faith, you know the truth. You know 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:43.199 how to be saved. You know what God has given to you. We've taught you. We've shown you. We've presented 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:49.019 these things to you, and we see here, he says, don't we forget what we know. You know, that's the problem, 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:54.860 is it's not oftentimes that we lack the information. We lack remembering the information. We lack recall, 00:10:54.860 --> 00:11:02.259 especially in the moment. If something's not on the forefront of our mind, we find here that we 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:08.720 forget the believers that Peter was writing to were already established in the present truth, 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:14.720 and everybody says, hey, you guys know what you have, but you need to implement it and keep it in 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:21.740 the forefront of your mind. You need to remember. You know, we see here in verse 12, he talks about 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:27.500 remembrance, to be put in mind personally. You know, this is one of those dynamics. The word 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:34.899 remembrance here is used three times here in the next few verses, but they all have a little different 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:43.500 attachment to it. The first one we find here in verse 12 tells us, remember, be put in your mind 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:49.200 personally. In other words, he says, you need to understand it on a personal level. In verse 13, 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:54.259 notice what it tells us here. He says, yea, I think it me, as long as I am in this tabernacle, 00:11:54.400 --> 00:12:00.000 to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. In other words, he says, I know you know it, 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:03.420 and you need to know it personally, but I need to remind you again anyways. 00:12:05.520 --> 00:12:07.379 Have you ever noticed that oftentimes we need reminded? 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:16.000 We need reminded of many things. It's easy to let things slip. You know, life gets busy. Things happen. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:22.360 Now look down in verse 15 quickly. He says, moreover, I endeavor that you may be able after my disease 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:28.320 to have these things always in remembrance. In other words, this word remembrance here implies 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:33.639 to make or to help you remember. And he says, I'm going to pass from the scene. You need to be 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:39.340 diligent to remember, to put yourself in a way that you can know and understand. 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:47.860 You know, God makes it clear we need to be reminded. You know, think about Israel. You know, 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:54.019 if experience guided us, Israel should have had the experiences. They saw what God did to Egypt 00:12:54.019 --> 00:13:01.899 to get their release and set free. He saw what they did when they walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:06.779 You know, have you ever read the Bible and said, man, they're foolish people. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:12.240 Why don't they remember? And then you look at the mirror and say, well, why don't I remember? 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:20.199 Look over to Deuteronomy chapter 6 for a moment. Deuteronomy chapter 6 here in verse 6 says, 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:25.079 and these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart, 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:42.980 Have you thought about that for a moment? What was God's instruction to Israel? 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:48.379 He said, if you don't keep it on the forefront, you'll forget. 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:53.440 If you don't keep it as a priority, you'll forget. 00:13:53.440 --> 00:14:00.340 Jesus tells us something. Look over to John chapter 14. 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:03.600 John chapter 14 here in verse 26. 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:09.120 It tells us this. We have, you know, we have an advantage over Israel of the Old Testament. 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:13.600 We live in a blessed generation. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:18.740 Notice what Jesus says, but the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:23.120 whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:29.460 He shall notice and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:36.060 You know, as a believer, you have an advantage because you've got a Holy Spirit that will stir your heart. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:39.340 What a blessing. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:43.500 That God gives us something to even help us remember. 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:48.320 To help us grab a hold of that truth that's there. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:54.539 Because, in other words, we will leave that truth, leaving the truth behind is a danger. 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:57.879 You know, or something that we need to make sure we do to leave it behind. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.580 Notice Peter here in verse 15. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:05.899 He says, I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:11.139 Peter's goal is that he wanted to ensure the truth would last after he's gone. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.980 You know, we have the truth. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:17.759 We got this letter that God inspired to stir us to remembrance. 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:23.079 To stir us to those things, to understand how this works. 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:28.480 Because Peter's letter here, his second letter, is important. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:31.139 Because Peter's talking in this book about something very critical. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:38.060 Because he's really dealing a lot with those things of remembering and not just remembering the experience. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.759 Remember the truth. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:44.960 Remember the truth that takes place. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:48.259 You know, that's the reason that we live in a spoiled generation too. 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:51.000 Because we got these little electronic calendars that always beep at us. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:56.120 Long as you put the information in, it reminds you. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:59.080 You know, it's like this last year. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:01.080 It's one of those things I've never had to do before. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:03.320 I've had to start taking medications. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:07.639 And it's one of those things that when you don't do something and you have to do something, you've got to put a reminder in. 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:14.340 So twice a day, my phone goes ding and says, hey, did you take your medication? 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.320 You know, sometimes it still doesn't help. 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:18.100 But you know what we do that for? 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.220 Is to help us remember. 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.139 To remember. 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:24.000 You know, because we set it for all sorts of things. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.299 For birthdays, in medicine, for meetings. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:28.460 But not because they don't matter. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:30.019 Because life gets busy. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:35.100 You know, that's the reason we need to put the scripture as a priority in our life. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:39.100 Not just listening to it, but applying it to thinking. 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:46.620 You know, one of the problems I think we have in our generation is you had a mindset for a while. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:49.679 It's just like, well, if you read your Bible every year, things will be good. 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:53.379 The problem is, if you don't meditate on the Bible, you're still in trouble. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:57.500 Think about, remember what God has said. 00:16:58.059 --> 00:17:00.099 To remember what God has declared. 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:05.059 Because that's how we work through the problems and issues that we have in life. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:08.679 Because we have something more sure than anything else. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:12.659 Because I want you to see or notice what Peter says about the word of God. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:16.680 Because he starts with a contrasting statement in this. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.580 That he goes this. 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.860 He says that we were there. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:22.840 He says, I want you to know we were there. 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.600 Who's he talking about? 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:25.279 Him and the other apostles. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.820 Notice in verse 16, it says this. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:33.680 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables. 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:34.560 We. 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:38.100 In other words, Peter says, this is not just from me. 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:40.619 It's from the other apostles, as we'll learn. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:43.519 And he speaks very clearly about this. 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:50.279 And he says that we were made known unto you the power of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:54.480 But we're eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.779 You know, think about that for a moment. 00:17:56.919 --> 00:18:04.740 Peter says, I saw Jesus Christ transfigured before me. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:17.000 Him and John and James all saw something that was an experience that many people say, oh, you had that experience. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:24.359 And it was an important experience for Peter because, remember, Jesus used that to teach him something very important. 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:30.319 That experience happened not for Peter to say, I'm important because I had an experience. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:34.440 He had an experience to teach him something about God. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:37.359 Teach him something about who Jesus is. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:39.740 Because notice here, what he says here. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:42.319 He says, we're not following cunningly devised fables. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.819 You know, not myths. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:52.660 You know, false teachers, even in the days of the apostles, were trying to downplay the witness of the apostles. 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:56.960 Remember, the church is built on the foundation of the apostles. 00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:05.279 The things that they said, the things that they established, are the foundation of the church that Jesus Christ started. 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.400 Jesus is the cornerstone. 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:12.840 They laid the foundation of that to establish what we do today. 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:16.759 But false teachers were calling them, hey, don't trust them. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.620 They're just made up stories. 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:23.879 And Peter says, I want you to know there was nothing made up about it. 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:30.279 He said, our faith is not built upon tall tales, but things that really happened. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:33.639 He says, I was an eyewitness. 00:19:35.719 --> 00:19:36.779 Along with others. 00:19:37.239 --> 00:19:38.159 And where was that? 00:19:38.239 --> 00:19:39.500 That was in the holy mount. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:43.539 When him and John and James went up on the mount. 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:45.819 And Jesus was transfigured. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:48.259 And Moses and Elijah were there. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.819 Speaking with Jesus. 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:55.039 You know, Peter saw something. 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.599 But he says here something else. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:58.420 He says very clearly. 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.519 He says, as notice verse 17. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:03.259 For he received from God the Father honor and glory. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:07.359 And then there came a voice to him from the excellent glory. 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:09.479 You know, this is important. 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:12.159 He says, he heard God. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:15.799 He says, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:17.939 Hear ye him. 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:20.679 You know, Peter talks about that in verse 18. 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:25.619 He says, this voice which came from heaven, we heard when we were with him in the mount. 00:20:26.219 --> 00:20:29.099 Now, Peter's developing something here that's important. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:32.659 Because, you know, there's a lot of people today that use the excuse, 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:35.479 well, I had an experience or God told me. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:37.880 God told me that this is what I need to do. 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:43.039 And I believe the Holy Spirit can speak to us. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:48.779 But the problem is, is that to know which spirit is speaking to you, 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.539 you need to measure it against something. 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.819 I don't know how many of you saw on the news this week. 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.720 This is a great example this week, you know. 00:20:56.360 --> 00:21:00.620 There was a quote unquote preacher who came out and said, 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.440 God told him to take a second wife. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:05.200 Literally. 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.539 He was interviewed. 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.299 That was his statement. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:09.640 I prayed about it and God gave me a dream. 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:13.080 That I needed to take a second wife. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:16.660 That was his experience to justify his action. 00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:18.299 Think about that for a moment. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:23.299 He's building it upon a supposed experience. 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:26.519 Of what he was supposed to do. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:29.059 Now, Peter's building this because Peter says, 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:34.700 Hey, I want to tell you, I've had an experience that supersedes experiences. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:37.059 He's building this for a reason. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.599 He says, in the Holy Mount. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:41.899 You know, he talks about the course of witnesses. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:45.379 You know, even John later writes in 1 John 1. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.039 He says, 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:59.539 You know, Paul later speaks of it in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.000 He says, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:10.279 I want you to know that those apostles didn't die for a myth. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:15.779 They did not die for a made-up story. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:20.720 They didn't even die for their experience. 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:24.359 Because their hope was not in the experience. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:27.859 We get in trouble when we put our hope in the experience. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.460 He says, 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.319 I just want to tell you, 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:34.879 I'm a witness to what I'm about to tell you. 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:37.500 You know, when you think about, 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.460 when you go to court, 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.540 who's a better witness? 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:42.420 Somebody that's a second-hand testimony 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.900 or a first-hand witness? 00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:48.380 You know, we have a thing in our legal system called hearsay. 00:22:50.020 --> 00:22:50.300 You know? 00:22:50.760 --> 00:22:52.560 Well, my friend Joe told me. 00:22:52.800 --> 00:22:55.800 Well, that doesn't measure up. 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:59.780 But when Joe comes and says, 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:01.620 Hey, I'm giving testimony 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:03.880 that this is what I saw, 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:05.020 that's a whole different weight. 00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.340 Peter's saying, 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.180 I want you to understand, 00:23:08.280 --> 00:23:09.440 I want to give this weight 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:11.540 of what I'm about ready to do, 00:23:11.780 --> 00:23:13.500 about what I'm about ready to tell you, 00:23:13.540 --> 00:23:14.820 because this is important 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:16.460 for you to grab a hold of. 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:19.820 Because there's something more sure than experience. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.420 There's people in trouble today. 00:23:21.520 --> 00:23:23.660 My experience tells me this. 00:23:24.020 --> 00:23:24.760 And Peter says, 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.920 I don't care about your experience. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:29.260 I got an experience that supersedes your experience. 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.220 I don't know. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.400 I don't think I would argue with that 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.180 when Peter saw Christ transfigured. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.560 That's a pretty big experience. 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:38.780 Hearing a voice from heaven. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.240 He looks at this. 00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:41.280 Look at verse 19. 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:42.180 He says, 00:23:42.280 --> 00:23:44.300 We have also a what? 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:48.720 More sure word. 00:23:51.060 --> 00:23:51.580 Wow. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.200 Peter says, 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:55.580 I've had experiences beyond experiences. 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:58.880 Experiences that God allowed him to have. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:03.060 To teach and to learn. 00:24:03.760 --> 00:24:04.940 But you know what Peter says? 00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:05.220 Hey, 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:08.920 don't live your life on experience. 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:11.720 Peter says, 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:14.700 I don't trust this because of my experiences. 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.580 He says, 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:19.100 We have a more sure word of prophecy. 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:21.700 We have something of more value. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.520 He says, 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.180 Notice this. 00:24:23.260 --> 00:24:24.480 Where until you do well, 00:24:24.780 --> 00:24:25.880 that you take heed. 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.740 To take heed to it. 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:31.600 As unto a light that shineth in a dark place. 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:35.660 Until the day dawn and the day star arise in your heart. 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.800 Think about what Peter's saying. 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:44.120 The word of God is more sure than a mountaintop experience. 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:46.739 He says, 00:24:46.739 --> 00:24:50.639 It's more sure than a voice that you heard from heaven. 00:24:50.959 --> 00:24:51.539 He said, 00:24:51.699 --> 00:24:54.719 The word of God holds a higher place. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:59.099 Peter just told us about the greatest moments of his life. 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.259 And then he says, 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:03.919 The written word of God is more sure than my experience. 00:25:04.719 --> 00:25:06.539 It's what he's given to us. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.199 You know, 00:25:07.239 --> 00:25:08.419 I want you to understand, 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:10.239 But experiences are real. 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:12.759 But they seem to happen to one person. 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.719 They fade. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:17.579 Your experience can be misinterpreted. 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.279 You know, 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:20.259 I've seen people all the time. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.459 Well, 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.039 I think this is what I want to do. 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.079 Or I experience something. 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:23.399 Therefore, 00:25:23.479 --> 00:25:24.239 I make a decision. 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:25.339 Then it turns out wrong. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:28.399 Because experiences respond to emotion. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:31.119 God gives us emotions for a reason. 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:33.119 But I want you to understand, 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.139 Your emotions, 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:36.739 Your feelings are not direction. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.719 Think about it. 00:25:37.719 --> 00:25:39.239 How much trouble would you be in 00:25:39.239 --> 00:25:41.719 If you let your feelings guide everything in your life? 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:43.159 Let me just give you an example. 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:45.460 When the last time somebody cut you off in traffic. 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:47.360 I'm sure when they cut you off, 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:49.120 The first thought came to mind wasn't, 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.940 There's a soul that needs a savior. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:51.960 But you know, 00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:54.320 When we consider who they are and what's going on, 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.940 That they're people just like you. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.380 You can have a different perspective. 00:25:57.380 --> 00:26:02.300 It's not built on our experience or what happened. 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:04.760 It's what God has told us we need. 00:26:05.060 --> 00:26:06.840 To look at those things differently. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:12.380 To understand the picture of what God has there. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.160 Because experiences fade. 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.200 The Bible, 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.180 I want you to understand, 00:26:16.280 --> 00:26:17.980 He says it's open to everyone. 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.560 It never changes. 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.160 It's always proven true. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.720 You know, 00:26:21.800 --> 00:26:27.519 Think back when Jesus was using the example of Lazarus and the rich man. 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:30.140 You remember that story there in Luke 16? 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:35.080 Where the rich man woke up in hell. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:37.720 And Lazarus was in Abraham's bosom. 00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:40.259 And Jesus accounts a conversation. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.440 And He concludes it this way. 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.120 Because the guy is saying, 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:46.860 Just send somebody back from the dead. 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.000 And they'll believe. 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:49.460 So they don't have to come here. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:51.920 You know what He's really saying? 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.880 Give them an experience. 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.759 And it'll change them. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.840 Look over to Luke 16 for a moment. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.460 Luke 16 and verse 31. 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.640 And He said unto them, 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:04.500 If they hear not Moses and the prophets. 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.779 Now, you got to consider. 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.860 What's the context here? 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:10.039 What was the word of God they had for that day? 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.579 The Old Testament, 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.779 Which is summed up in Moses and the prophets. 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.920 None of the New Testament had been written yet. 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:20.400 So He's telling them there, 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.539 The word of God, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.740 Neither will they be persuaded, 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.840 Though one rose from the dead. 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:28.019 In other words, you know what He said? 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:28.740 He said, 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:31.080 If they don't believe the word of God, 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:33.759 Their experience won't make them believe it either. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.440 You know what? 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.340 There's a lot of people that say, 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:37.080 Well, I want to read and get an experience. 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:40.820 You know, the only experience you need to have from the word of God 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:44.099 Is a relationship with Jesus through faith in Him. 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:46.559 When we understand that, 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:48.359 It'll change your life. 00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:50.799 It'll change what takes place. 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:53.339 Because the word of God is important. 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:55.220 Notice what Isaiah 40 tells us. 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:55.779 It says, 00:27:55.939 --> 00:27:56.859 The grass withereth, 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:59.139 And the flower fadeth, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:02.859 But the word of our God shall what? 00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:05.879 Stand for how long? 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.019 Forever. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.220 Forever. 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.579 Because what is it? 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:12.200 He tells us it's a light in a dark place. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:18.779 You know, this word dark reveals a dim and dirty place 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:21.440 That is a fair picture of this world. 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:25.539 You know, this world is a dark place. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:28.859 People love darkness rather than light. 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.619 You know, John writes this. 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:33.359 He tells them very clearly. 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:36.519 He says in 1 John 5, 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.900 He says, 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:39.639 The whole world lieth in wickedness. 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.920 In the next chapter, 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:42.660 Peter's talking about Lot. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:46.819 And he says he's vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.619 You know what? 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.339 We live in a dark world. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:55.920 We live in a world that darkness prevails. 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.579 If nothing else, I'll tell you, 00:28:57.639 --> 00:29:00.240 Yesterday was a day that people loved darkness rather than light. 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:03.200 When we have a holiday that celebrates death. 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:05.400 I'm not going to get into that dynamic much, 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.580 But I must go make that statement. 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:10.960 Think about the spiritual dynamic of what's going on. 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:13.759 As a believer, are we dead? 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.540 We're alive in Christ. 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:20.019 As a believer, you ought to celebrate life, 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:23.420 Not celebrate death. 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:28.599 Death and darkness go together. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:30.559 Why do you think they do everything after dark? 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:34.379 You know, there's some reason for some things 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:36.019 That the Bible describes. 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:39.180 I want you to see here this dynamic. 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:43.740 And we get worn down by the way of the wicked people around us. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:45.359 But Jesus says this, 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.000 I am the light of the world. 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:49.380 He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:51.819 But shall have the light of life. 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:55.660 As a believer, we're to walk in light. 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.680 What's that light? 00:29:58.099 --> 00:30:00.160 Look over to Psalm 119 for a moment. 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:02.259 Verse 105 says what? 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.680 Thy word is what? 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:09.500 A lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.940 The word of God says, 00:30:11.060 --> 00:30:15.660 Hey, I'm the light you need to see to navigate the darkness. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:18.060 You know, darkness is all around us. 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.580 We ought to be light. 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:22.220 To walk in the light. 00:30:23.580 --> 00:30:25.580 Think about it, till the day dawns. 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:30.480 You know, Zacharias called Jesus the day spring from on high. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:35.700 The sunrise who came to give light to them that sit in darkness, 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.960 In the shadow of death, 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:39.240 To guide their feet into the way of peace. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:42.299 You know, the sun broke through when Jesus came. 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:44.640 He came as a light to the world. 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:49.559 To move us, to transform us from darkness to light. 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:52.420 To be different, to be changed. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:54.700 Because now we can see where we're going. 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:56.339 To trust in Him. 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:58.519 One day, I want you to understand, 00:30:58.519 --> 00:31:01.299 Until the day star rises, I believe it's talked about, 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:03.960 One day when we'll see Him face to face. 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:07.359 But until then, we have His light to guide us. 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:10.079 You know, remember we talked about Pilate's a little earlier. 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:14.900 In the clouds, He trusts His instruments, not His instincts. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:17.799 When your emotions, your circumstances, 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:21.619 And even your spiritual experiences point one way, 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:23.859 And Scripture points another way, 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:25.240 You have a choice to make. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.700 Are you going to go with your experience, 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:28.500 Or are you going to go with the Word of God? 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:32.539 So sadly, we have a tendency to go with our experience over the Word of God. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.200 How do I feel? 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.519 How does this talk to me? 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:38.100 Instead of saying, what does God's Word say? 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:42.720 How do we apply that into our life? 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:46.319 Because notice what He says here. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:51.159 It's not from man, but from God. 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.700 Notice here in verse 20, 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:55.220 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.960 Of any private interpretation. 00:31:57.579 --> 00:32:00.559 For the prophecy came not of old time by the will of man, 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:02.179 But the holy men of God spake, 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:04.599 As they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.879 You know what Peter's saying? 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:08.599 The Word of God is not a human invention. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:12.039 The Bible didn't start with the writer's ideas. 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:14.440 There's a lot of books written 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:18.379 That have a lot of human ideas 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:20.539 To solve life's problems. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:22.940 You can go down to the bookstore and find a hole. 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.920 It's called self-help. 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:26.960 I'm going to look to all these different sources. 00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:29.059 I'm going to look to philosophers 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:31.539 And all sorts of doctors 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.879 And all sorts of things. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.960 And you know what God says? 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:37.579 The things you need most is the Word of God. 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:41.159 You have already given you everything 00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:43.119 That pertains unto life and godliness. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:45.000 It's not a human invention. 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:47.019 Think about Jeremiah the prophet 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:50.939 Telling us here in chapter 1 verse 9, 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:53.099 Then the Lord hath put forth His hand 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.159 And touched my mouth. 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.599 And the Lord said unto me, 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:58.419 Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:33:00.960 2 Timothy tells us all Scripture 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.879 Is given by what? 00:33:02.159 --> 00:33:03.240 Inspiration of God. 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.779 How did this happen? 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.839 They were carried along, moved. 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:10.139 This word is the same word used in Acts 27 00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:12.879 To describe a ship that's being driven by a storm. 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:15.259 It says the men that wrote the Scripture 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.299 Were real men, 00:33:16.699 --> 00:33:17.839 Each with their own personality, 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:20.359 Their own way of describing things, 00:33:20.439 --> 00:33:22.000 Their own way of talking. 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.919 But the Holy Spirit carried them 00:33:24.919 --> 00:33:26.980 Right where God wanted them to go. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.839 You know, I want you to understand 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.899 This is this picture 00:33:30.899 --> 00:33:32.379 That being driven, 00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:33.259 In other words, 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.460 They didn't put up the sail 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:38.379 Or control the utter on the, 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.420 I think that's the right word. 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.559 That's the one that came to mind anyways. 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.160 Rudder. 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:42.720 That's the one. 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.859 Not utter rudder. 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:45.619 Mornings. 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:47.879 That wasn't the right word when it came out. 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.000 It's close. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.680 I want you to understand, 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.420 He says this, 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.700 He says they were driven. 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.799 In other words, 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.720 God totally directed, 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:59.819 They became totally dependent upon God. 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:03.759 Totally dependent upon Him 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:05.079 For what was there, 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:05.900 What was written. 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:07.920 You know, 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.880 Proverbs 30, 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:10.280 Verse 5 says this, 00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:11.780 Every word of God is pure. 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.420 He is a shield unto them 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:14.659 That put their trust in Him. 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.639 Add thou not unto His words, 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.760 Lest He reprove thee, 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.980 And thou be found a liar. 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.840 Jesus said this, 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:22.179 It says, 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:23.380 For verily I say unto you, 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:24.659 Till heaven and earth pass, 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:26.339 One jot or one tittle 00:34:26.339 --> 00:34:28.099 Shall no wise pass from the law, 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:30.779 Till all be fulfilled. 00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:34.299 I want you to understand, 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:37.379 It guides us even in daily life, 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:39.379 Because Scripture came from God, 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.920 And not from man. 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.579 We do not come to it 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:44.379 To make it say what we want. 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:47.539 We come to listen for direction and guidance. 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:49.960 Notice you don't get to tell a light 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:52.319 How to shine. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.539 The light does its task. 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:57.539 The word of God does its task to guide us. 00:34:59.099 --> 00:35:01.960 Light will always pierce darkness. 00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:06.259 Light will do its task. 00:35:06.819 --> 00:35:07.519 We need to remember, 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:09.579 We need to build reminders. 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.319 You know, 00:35:11.359 --> 00:35:14.239 That's the reason it's more than reading the word of God, 00:35:14.339 --> 00:35:16.099 It's studying the word of God. 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:20.799 When we understand that we put effort into it, 00:35:20.819 --> 00:35:23.819 To think and to contemplate and to meditate upon it, 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:26.139 To allow it to soak in. 00:35:28.219 --> 00:35:28.699 You know, 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:29.319 The problem is, 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.779 Oftentimes I think in life, 00:35:30.839 --> 00:35:33.339 We take the word of God like a big gushing rainstorm. 00:35:35.339 --> 00:35:36.079 In a rain, 00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.799 Heavy rain, 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:39.019 It hits the surface and runs off. 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:41.739 What we need to do is let it soak in. 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.960 Ourselves absorb, 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:46.780 The truth of the word of God. 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:49.139 You know what that is? 00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:50.000 That's meditating, 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:50.619 Studying, 00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:52.719 To understand what is the context. 00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.860 What's God trying to teach us here? 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.960 How is he trying to teach us? 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:56.960 How does this apply, 00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:59.280 Into the principles of my life? 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:00.019 You know, 00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:01.199 To understand, 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:03.199 To weigh feelings by the word. 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:06.419 When feelings in scripture disagrees, 00:36:06.819 --> 00:36:09.000 You need to let scripture have the last word. 00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:10.739 To keep those things, 00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:13.460 You need to keep a lamp lit in your life, 00:36:13.559 --> 00:36:15.899 Because in the dark seasons of life, 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:18.119 You need to hold on to what God has written. 00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:19.419 You know, 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.839 Romans 15 says, 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:23.019 Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written, 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.799 For our learning, 00:36:23.899 --> 00:36:24.259 That those, 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:26.339 Through patience and comfort of scripture, 00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:28.259 We might have hope. 00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.139 This morning, 00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:31.119 Our hope is in the Savior. 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:34.880 Our hope is not in a spiritual movement, 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:36.039 It's not in a church, 00:36:36.859 --> 00:36:39.079 It's not in baptism, 00:36:39.299 --> 00:36:40.179 It's not in ritual. 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:43.519 Our hope is only found, 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.900 In Jesus Christ, 00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:48.179 And his word. 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:51.219 Because the word of God, 00:36:51.359 --> 00:36:52.519 Is what reveals to us, 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:54.219 What we need to know about Jesus. 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:57.500 What we need to know about God. 00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:59.219 What we need to understand, 00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:01.179 Because the question is, 00:37:01.259 --> 00:37:03.500 Will you believe what God has said about his son? 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:05.480 That starts with understanding, 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.319 That you're a sinner, 00:37:06.459 --> 00:37:07.539 That needs a Savior. 00:37:08.259 --> 00:37:09.919 To understand that picture, 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:11.159 That whosoever will, 00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:11.839 You know, 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:14.339 Let him take of the water of life freely. 00:37:15.279 --> 00:37:15.519 You know, 00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:16.179 Jesus said, 00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:17.539 He that heareth my words, 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.939 And believe on him that sent me, 00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:20.379 Hath everlasting life, 00:37:20.699 --> 00:37:22.659 And shall not come into condemnation, 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:26.000 But shall pass from death to life. 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:27.439 Cometh by hearing, 00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:28.360 And hearing by what? 00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:30.400 The word of God. 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:31.820 The word of God, 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:33.280 Is our foundation, 00:37:33.780 --> 00:37:34.740 Of faith. 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:36.059 Not saved, 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.460 There's no better day than today, 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.659 Than to call upon the Savior. 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.220 If you're unsure. 00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:42.039 To know him as Savior, 00:37:42.200 --> 00:37:43.840 I want you to understand, 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:44.740 That Peter says, 00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:45.780 You do well, 00:37:46.280 --> 00:37:47.179 To take heed. 00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:49.400 That word heed, 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:51.679 Means hearing without doing, 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.320 Or to hear, 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:54.200 And to do. 00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:55.739 It's not hearing without doing, 00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:57.419 Because one that does that, 00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:58.579 Is fooling themselves. 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:02.159 Think about what Jesus said, 00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:02.500 He said, 00:38:02.599 --> 00:38:04.639 Why call ye me Lord, 00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:04.980 Lord, 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:06.859 And do not the things which I say. 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.899 What is God showing you, 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.579 In your life, 00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.419 Even this week, 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.279 That you ought to obey? 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.639 Put it off. 00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:15.039 Diligent now. 00:38:17.219 --> 00:38:17.779 Diligence, 00:38:18.199 --> 00:38:18.779 Isn't, 00:38:19.699 --> 00:38:20.919 Necessarily long term, 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:22.480 Diligence starts at a point, 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.320 And move forward. 00:38:25.119 --> 00:38:26.219 Are you going to start, 00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:26.960 Being diligent, 00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:29.360 Really trust the word of God, 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.000 In your life. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:31.579 Jesus said this, 00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:32.340 Whosoever, 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.599 Heareth these sayings of mine, 00:38:34.719 --> 00:38:35.880 And doeth them, 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.599 I will liken him, 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.760 Unto a wise man, 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.900 Which built his house, 00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:42.019 Upon a rock. 00:38:44.159 --> 00:38:46.079 Today are you building your life, 00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:47.440 Upon the word of God. 00:38:48.400 --> 00:38:49.659 Something more sure, 00:38:49.800 --> 00:38:50.699 Than your feelings, 00:38:51.240 --> 00:38:52.300 Or your experiences. 00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:53.960 Where are you? 00:38:54.760 --> 00:38:55.159 Savior, 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.480 Do you need to trust him more? 00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:59.300 Do you need to continue, 00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.900 To build upon the foundation, 00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:01.940 Of the word of God, 00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:02.599 In your life? 00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:05.539 What about you today? 00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:06.639 As heads are bowed, 00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.519 And eyes are closed? 00:39:09.079 --> 00:39:10.719 Maybe God's speaking to you, 00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:13.039 Holy Spirit's talking to you, 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.460 And says, 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:13.740 Hey, 00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:16.440 What are you trusting? 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:18.240 In your feelings? 00:39:20.159 --> 00:39:21.480 Are you trusting my word? 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:23.740 Can't operate in both. 00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.760 You? 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:25.679 To you today, 00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:26.360 Heavenly fathers, 00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.820 We just come before you this morning, 00:39:27.920 --> 00:39:28.079 Lord, 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:28.800 We thank you. 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:29.960 Lord, 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:30.539 We just pray. 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.960 Let's have your hand upon each one, 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.460 Here today. 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:32.719 Lord, 00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:33.599 You know the need, 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:35.159 You know the things, 00:39:35.159 --> 00:39:37.899 that you're stirring hearts here even this morning 00:39:37.899 --> 00:39:41.559 to make a decision about what you would do 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:43.159 or have them to do. 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:46.799 But Lord, we know that the reality is 00:39:46.799 --> 00:39:50.460 many will shun or to avoid, 00:39:51.239 --> 00:39:52.559 take heed to your word. 00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:56.239 To come to you today humbly, 00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:59.299 our feelings and our emotions to say, 00:39:59.299 --> 00:40:03.920 Lord, you are everything. 00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:06.960 Lord, your spirit work upon the opportunity 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:08.300 to respond here today. 00:40:09.639 --> 00:40:12.360 And we might not go away just as we walked in. 00:40:13.260 --> 00:40:17.180 It might be a light that you shine through 00:40:17.180 --> 00:40:21.139 as you guide our path, how it impacts others. 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:24.720 And Lord, we ask all these things in your precious name. 00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:27.619 As the piano plays, what about you?