WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.320 When I was living in Mississippi, I came back to Pickens for a few days to help bury a dear friend. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:09.560 I know he was a friend of many of you as well. 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:20.219 Oliver Neely was a strong example in this community and changed a lot of people's lives due to his influence for the gospel. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:26.820 And one day I went on a ride to go to Old Stomping Ground, a little ride of nostalgia, 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:34.359 because my grandfather built a cabin a long time ago on the banks of the South Saluda River. 00:00:35.620 --> 00:00:43.400 And when I was growing up, we used to go to that cabin in the back of that wagon on the other side of that cabin. 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:51.420 Much has changed since that place was sold after his death, but I was pleased to see the cabin was still standing. 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:57.880 That chimney is still there, and the rafters that he put, they've improved the home. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:00.620 Quite a bit has changed now. 00:01:01.160 --> 00:01:03.060 For one, they have indoor plumbing now. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:07.320 That's it from another angle now. 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:13.000 When I was growing up and we went up there, we were kind of highfalutin. 00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:13.960 We had a two-seater. 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:18.219 And you can always go to the bathroom with a friend, I guess. 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:24.139 But anyway, and I know what it is to sweep before you go, if you know what I mean. 00:01:24.179 --> 00:01:26.679 If you don't know what I mean, good for you. 00:01:27.119 --> 00:01:36.119 But even with all that, if you look behind that, you'll see the devastation that a tornado, I believe, in April 2020 caused in that area. 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:38.599 It was still pretty special. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:47.640 I go back there sometimes and reflect upon what God gave us so many years ago. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:02:04.000 Now, whether it's a literal spot or just a spot in your mind, we all need to go back like that spiritually 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:14.580 and reflect on the times God did a work in us or when we had a special time with the Lord. 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:17.159 Abraham did that. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:28.240 And I want you to see what we need to do based on his example and some other biblical examples in the midst of our journey. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:32.840 Genesis chapter 12, beginning in verse 4, it says, 00:02:32.980 --> 00:02:37.920 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:41.500 Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:49.020 And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son and all their possessions they had gathered 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:52.540 and the people they had acquired in Haran. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:57.539 And they set out to go to the land of Canaan. 00:02:58.799 --> 00:03:06.139 When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to a place at Shechem, 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:09.259 to the oak of Moreh. 00:03:10.359 --> 00:03:12.819 At that time, the Canaanites were in the land. 00:03:13.899 --> 00:03:15.579 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 00:03:15.580 --> 00:03:17.480 To your offspring, I'll give this land. 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:22.780 So he built there an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:29.080 From there he moved to the hill country of the east of Bethel 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:34.840 and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:38.880 And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:45.060 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negev. 00:03:46.799 --> 00:03:48.740 God told Abram to go. 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:57.699 And when he did go, God would show him where he was to go, what he was to do, and would work through him. 00:03:58.620 --> 00:04:03.819 And we talked about in detail last week how he took a pit stop for too long in Haran. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:09.699 But then he set out with his family, and verse 5 tells us, 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:12.680 the people that they had acquired in Haran. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:19.939 In other words, those that he had led out of moon god worship 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:24.039 and into the worship of the Heavenly Father. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:28.000 He stopped at the Oak of Moreh. 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:31.480 That's a popular spot in that day. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:37.379 It is known particularly for the Canaanite shrines 00:04:37.379 --> 00:04:44.680 and the lessons of the false religions that were taught in that area. 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:50.840 Abram stopped there, shared some of what God was showing him 00:04:50.840 --> 00:04:53.800 and where God was taking him, 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:57.640 and then after sharing that with them, 00:04:57.640 --> 00:05:00.680 brought those people along with him. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:02.560 along on his journey. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:05.660 God's not only giving him the land, 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:08.680 but he is making him a blessing as he goes, 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:11.480 just as God promised that he would do. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:16.080 And Abram is changing the land in which he journeys through. 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:20.600 Due to the promises of God, Abram hung around, 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:24.520 but the Canaanites had the good land in that area. 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:28.299 Therefore, he moved on and journeyed through the Negev. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:31.500 The Negev is a barren desert land. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:33.919 It is hard traveling. 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:39.939 But I want you to notice what Abram learned in Haran, 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.579 the land of plenty, 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:47.159 at least in worldly thought. 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:50.580 But in reality, just like the meaning of the word, 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:53.800 it was a spiritually parched area. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:59.760 He learned there that the promises of this world is not worth the focus. 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:03.440 Don't focus on what this world has. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:07.000 Focus instead upon what God has. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:11.060 And when he realized what God had for him, 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:14.920 his obedience went from a partial obedience 00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:17.240 of staying in some places too long 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:18.779 and taking too many people with him 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:20.860 to a partial obedience, 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:22.500 to a full obedience, 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:24.620 or just pure obedience. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:27.899 Not only is Abram now on the move, 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:29.699 but God was also on the move. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:32.220 And notice what we do, 00:06:32.920 --> 00:06:33.920 just like he did, 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:36.699 when God is on the move. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.580 When God moves in your life, 00:06:41.020 --> 00:06:42.759 first we need to recognize. 00:06:44.080 --> 00:06:45.900 We need to recognize the movement of God. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:47.319 Sometimes we miss the movement of God 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:48.600 because we just don't recognize it. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:51.139 We're not spiritually alert to know what's going on. 00:06:51.700 --> 00:06:53.500 We're not receptive to it. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:56.360 We're not obedient to it. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:00.020 The best way to recognize those things 00:07:00.020 --> 00:07:01.439 is to get in on it. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:04.279 Take God at his word. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:07.759 Listen to what the spirit of God speaks to you 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.480 about the personal application 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:11.000 of God's word in your life. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:13.720 Respond to it in obedience. 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:15.920 Respond when he speaks. 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.399 And we have a lot of hindrances along the way 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:20.659 because we sometimes don't recognize 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:22.120 when God speaks to us 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.839 and what he would have for us. 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:27.720 We see what others need to have in their life. 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:29.920 We see what changes need to take place 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.540 in other people's lives, 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:34.700 but we fail to acknowledge our own spiritual woes. 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:38.620 We fail to acknowledge what God wants to say to us 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:39.860 and we don't listen 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:43.860 when his leading invades our life. 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:45.900 Or we go to Heron and stop. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:46.640 We go halfway. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:50.319 We start on a trek, 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:53.680 but we just half obey. 00:07:55.479 --> 00:07:56.899 Old boy told me not long ago, 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:59.099 you know, I believe in God and all that, 00:07:59.219 --> 00:08:02.099 but I don't think we need to get so wound up about it. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:06.219 Well, I think we need to get wound up about it. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:07.279 I do. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:08.079 I do. 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:10.399 I think he's worthy of us getting a little wound up. 00:08:11.339 --> 00:08:12.779 He got wound up enough, 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:14.560 thank God, to go to the cross for us. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:14.800 Amen? 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:17.100 And so we ought to get wound up for him. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.319 It could be because God seems to be speaking 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.160 sometimes too much to us. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:22.319 What God says sometimes, 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:24.699 he digs into the closets of our lives. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.139 He deals with stuff in our lives 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:27.259 that we don't want to touch 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:28.720 and we don't want to deal with. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.759 Abram was in the land of the Canaanites, 00:08:31.840 --> 00:08:33.139 in a place of the shrines, 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:35.000 in the place of pagan worship, 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:36.399 and God says, 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:39.080 your children and your children's children 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.139 will inherit this land. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.359 Abram could have easily said, 00:08:46.479 --> 00:08:47.819 how in the world is that going to happen? 00:08:49.479 --> 00:08:50.799 I mean, do you see who's here? 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.779 And they're pretty mighty. 00:08:53.479 --> 00:08:54.919 I mean, how's that going to take place? 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:57.119 There's strong people here. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:08:59.439 Or he could have said, 00:08:59.739 --> 00:09:03.159 what do you mean my children 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:04.239 and my children's children? 00:09:06.739 --> 00:09:07.559 What about me? 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:07.579 What about me? 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:12.720 What's in it for me? 00:09:15.520 --> 00:09:16.980 Because I want you to notice 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.020 that God was saying, 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:22.360 not saying that Abram would get the land. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:27.340 He said his offspring would get the land. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:31.660 Recognize that God speaks 00:09:31.660 --> 00:09:33.320 and pay attention to what he says 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:35.100 because when God's on the move, 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:37.200 there's something else we need to do. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:38.240 We need to recognize it, 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:38.900 but that's not it. 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:40.240 We also need to remember. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.780 We need to remember it. 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:47.220 When God speaks truth to us, 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:48.280 I'm talking about personalized, 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:49.560 customized truth to us 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:50.740 by the Holy Spirit of God. 00:09:50.920 --> 00:09:52.040 It is special, 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.580 and you need to archive it. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.600 You need to hold on to it. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.400 Notice what happens 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:00.400 as Abram is on the way 00:10:00.400 --> 00:10:02.460 to the Lord's promises, okay? 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:03.820 He's on his way 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:05.320 to where God would tell him to go, 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:06.740 and the Lord speaks to him, 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:08.820 and he recognizes the presence of God, 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:10.960 and when he recognizes the presence of God, 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:12.480 he builds an altar there 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.460 as a testimony 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:14.879 to what God said 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.440 when he claimed that land. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:19.539 Now, he left that land, 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:22.159 but he didn't take that altar with him. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:26.159 He left that altar there. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.560 He left it behind, 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.399 and when he moved again, 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:32.060 and he called on the Lord again, 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:34.019 he had a powerful time with the Lord. 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:35.460 He built another altar. 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:39.779 He didn't take that altar with him either. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:40.720 He left it behind. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.220 So I want you to think about this, 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:42.759 what happens. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:45.000 After Abram's gone from the area, 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:46.439 and people come back to that, 00:10:46.579 --> 00:10:47.960 when those Canaanites come back 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.340 to the Oak of Moreh 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:51.519 to worship their foreign gods, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.919 they just see an altar there 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.439 to Abraham's God. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:57.960 They see an altar there, 00:10:58.299 --> 00:11:01.319 recognizing that he left his testimony there. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:03.420 This is where God spoke to me. 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:05.800 He left a witness there. 00:11:06.400 --> 00:11:07.420 He does the same thing 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:08.660 when he goes to Bethel, 00:11:08.920 --> 00:11:11.060 and Beth in Hebrew is house, 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:12.540 and El is short for God. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.080 House of God's what it means. 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:16.120 Abraham had a good day 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:16.980 in the house of God, 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:18.180 and he didn't forget it. 00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:19.320 He left his testimony behind 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:21.320 along with that altar. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:25.200 He remembered what God did for him. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:28.000 That reminds me of a passage 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:31.160 in 1 Chronicles 21 00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:33.060 when David was tempted 00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:35.960 to get prideful about all he had. 00:11:37.420 --> 00:11:38.920 God had blessed him mightily, 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:39.940 and so he started counting. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.240 He wanted to see how much he had, 00:11:42.280 --> 00:11:42.980 so he took a census. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.620 Scripture says he was tempted 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.960 by Satan to take that census, 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:47.420 and so he took an inventory. 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:50.820 And when he tried to count up 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:51.420 all his strength, 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.480 he got filled up with pride 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:53.280 of his accomplishments, 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:55.480 and the cost of that sin 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.679 came upon his people, 00:11:56.839 --> 00:11:58.639 and his guilt overwhelmed him 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:00.059 because of the cost 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:01.220 his people had to pay 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.720 because of his sin, 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:05.639 and so he looked for a flat, 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:09.100 clear place to build an altar. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:12.279 There's no better flat, 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:14.699 clear place in that day 00:12:14.699 --> 00:12:15.860 to build an altar 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:17.620 than the threshing floor. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.779 He found a threshing floor. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.319 The threshing floor 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:25.000 is a crucial part 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:27.139 of the harvest of wheat. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.199 It was a raised area 00:12:29.199 --> 00:12:31.679 that was floored with rock 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:33.299 or a hard surface, 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:36.179 hard-packed dirt surface. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:40.159 It was on a threshing floor 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.299 where they would pound out the wheat, 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.959 and they would loosen it up 00:12:43.959 --> 00:12:46.199 and separate the chaff 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:48.240 or the holes from the good wheat. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.620 And in the same way, 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:52.539 David cleaned out that spot 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.500 on that threshing floor, 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.180 and it was on that threshing floor 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.840 that David built an altar, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.879 and he laid it out 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.639 before the Lord. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.759 It's appropriate 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.820 that it was on a threshing floor 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.799 because there he threshed it out. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:04.399 He shook out the worthless 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.159 in his life, 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:07.000 and he let the good in his life 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.659 shine through right there 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.639 before the Lord. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:12.820 It was there that God came to him. 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.320 It was there that the fire 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:15.419 fell upon him, 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:16.419 and it was there 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:18.099 in that very spot 00:13:18.099 --> 00:13:19.479 that God told him 00:13:19.479 --> 00:13:21.399 the promised temple of the Lord 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.719 was to be built. 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:26.599 And when they went back to build it, 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.399 he bought the land 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:29.959 to put it right where God spoke. 00:13:32.699 --> 00:13:34.039 He found out that day 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:38.839 that he laid it out before the Lord, 00:13:39.219 --> 00:13:40.099 and he realized 00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:42.000 how desperate he was 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.980 and how much he needed God. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:43.419 He recognized 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:45.240 that God had spoken, 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.199 and he remembered 00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:47.399 that God had moved. 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.539 After Moses died, 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:54.799 Joshua was to be 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:57.899 the one to finally bring 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:59.939 the people to the promised land. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.059 All that time in that desert, 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.959 and Moses was not the one 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:05.639 to carry him over. 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.500 And when they got to the Jordan 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:10.159 and they stepped into the river, 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:12.719 the water stopped flowing 00:14:12.719 --> 00:14:14.539 and were cut off from the area, 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:17.319 and they all passed on dry land, 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.980 even though it was flood season, 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:21.740 and the river would be swelling. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:25.600 And after they got through that river, 00:14:25.819 --> 00:14:27.259 Joshua instructed them, 00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:28.539 as God had told him, 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:30.259 to take a stone, 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:35.100 one representing each of the 12 tribes, 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:36.459 which made up all of the people 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:37.339 that came across, 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:42.019 and exactly where the Ark of the Covenant, 00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:47.080 which represented the presence of God, 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.500 had crossed, 00:14:48.660 --> 00:14:50.740 they were to set up 12 stones 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.120 of remembrance 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:56.080 on the banks of that river. 00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:00.160 And Scripture says that 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:02.560 when you bring your children 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.520 back through here, 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:06.000 and tell them about 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.460 how we crossed over the Jordan, 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.480 and they see those 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:11.360 rough-hewn stones 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.900 erect out of the ground, 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:13.759 and they ask you, 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:15.420 what do these stones mean? 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.580 You tell them. 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.480 Tell them how God parted the waters. 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.700 Tell them how He moved you 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.480 to the other side. 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.800 Tell them how He paved the way 00:15:26.800 --> 00:15:28.300 to claim your promises. 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.700 Parents, listen to me today. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.899 Tell them how He brought you through. 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:38.639 I had a memory pop up. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.580 It's on my phone. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.680 It's in my calendar. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.800 I know when it is. 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.659 I had a memory pop up this week 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:46.320 from eight years ago. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.460 And I want you to see a video 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.200 for just a moment. 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:50.879 Just entertain me. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:53.700 I opened it up. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:55.139 It was addressing me. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:56.039 I opened it up. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.100 And it said, 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.580 I know I'm a sinner. 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:03.379 And I know that Jesus died 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.519 for my sins. 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:06.820 I know that He rose again. 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:09.200 I know that He's coming back. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:11.860 And I want Him to save me. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.200 Can we pray now? 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:18.240 She went to sleep 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.520 before she could give it to me 00:16:19.520 --> 00:16:20.220 last night. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.780 So when she woke up, 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.640 me and her had talked. 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:27.360 And then we got the family 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.300 in the room together. 00:16:29.140 --> 00:16:30.280 And she prayed that 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:31.220 Jesus in her life. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:31.960 Yeah. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.320 Thank you. 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.160 Thank you. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.340 I'm going to tell you, 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.180 can you sleep last night? 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:39.919 I'm going to tell you 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:40.719 hearing her comments 00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:41.419 this morning, 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:43.039 having given her heart 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.000 and life to the Lord 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.939 Jesus Christ, 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.459 knowing what she did. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:46.919 As a matter of fact, 00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:47.739 when I let Abby read 00:16:47.739 --> 00:16:48.019 the letter, 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.359 I said, 00:16:48.459 --> 00:16:48.659 well, 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.979 you can't put in much 00:16:49.979 --> 00:16:50.839 wine in her mouth. 00:16:52.739 --> 00:16:53.479 It's true. 00:16:55.599 --> 00:16:57.239 She wants to join our church 00:16:57.239 --> 00:16:58.459 on that profession 00:16:58.459 --> 00:16:59.120 and my baptism. 00:16:59.719 --> 00:17:00.359 If you're happy, 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:00.939 she's coming. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:01.679 Say amen. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.199 Amen. 00:17:04.159 --> 00:17:05.919 That is a precious, 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:08.160 memorial stone 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:09.980 in my life. 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:14.080 I've marked it down. 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:19.519 When Samuel was leading Israel, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:23.500 the Philistines were bearing down 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.640 upon him. 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.980 And the people 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:29.039 grew very afraid. 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:33.180 They knew the ruthlessness 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.180 of the Philistines. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:38.299 They were intense battlers. 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.860 And they called out to the Lord 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:42.000 and they fasted and prayed 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.299 and called out to the Lord. 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.299 And in 1 Samuel, 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.019 chapter 7, 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.580 verse 10, 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.120 it says, 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.840 the Lord 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:49.519 thundered 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.259 with a mighty sound 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.740 that day 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.920 against the Philistines 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.400 and threw them 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.240 into confusion 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.920 and they were defeated 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.299 before Israel. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:01.099 And when they won 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.740 that battle, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.619 Samuel took a stone. 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.740 He called it 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.619 an Ebenezer, 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:09.379 which is Hebrew 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:10.619 for a stone 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.799 of help. 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.859 And he said, 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.759 till now, 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.039 the Lord 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.220 has helped us. 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.839 In other words, 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.299 when I look back 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.099 at how we got 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.859 where we are, 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.599 the Lord 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.659 has guided us. 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:28.320 He's helped us. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.820 He recognized 00:18:30.820 --> 00:18:31.660 that God 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.560 had done the work 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.320 and then he 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:35.120 remembered it 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.440 and laid it down. 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.380 And I'm telling you, 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.440 when God moves, 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.140 mark it down. 00:18:44.040 --> 00:18:45.200 And then in the days 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.779 afterwards, 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.920 after the move 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.480 of God, 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.720 we reflect. 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:56.059 He said to Abram, 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:57.220 to your offspring, 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.380 I will give 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.559 this land. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:03.559 Abram was trusting God. 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:05.339 He was following God. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.860 He was obeying God 00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:07.920 for bigger reasons 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.640 than himself. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.920 We're going to talk 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.539 about the steps 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.620 of faith along the way 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.880 as we carve 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.680 through his life, 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.100 but this may be 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:18.259 why he is remembered 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.460 in Scripture the most. 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:22.420 because he was not 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.319 doing this 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.440 for himself. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.920 Abram was not 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.900 going to get the land. 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.180 He was going to start 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.940 on a road 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:39.079 to better influence 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:40.519 later generations. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.340 And it is my burden, 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:43.740 folks, 00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:44.480 to instill 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.480 within my children 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.720 not only a love 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.319 for the Lord 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.400 so that I can rest 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.720 in that, 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.220 but also 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.480 that they can share 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.319 with their children 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.500 and that they can share 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.779 with their grandchildren. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.860 Abraham died 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.600 in a cave 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.759 and he was buried, 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.720 Abraham died 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:02.380 and with only the cave 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.259 he was buried in, 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.680 but what he left 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:06.440 was so much more. 00:20:08.120 --> 00:20:09.100 And it's ironic 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.759 that some folks 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.579 work so hard 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:12.100 to have so much here 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:13.000 to leave 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.720 to the next generation 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.279 generation 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.180 that they get 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.059 so busy 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.319 to actually 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.880 leave 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.680 what actually 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.500 counts 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.700 for all eternity. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.880 Hebrews 11, 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.519 9 and 10 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.019 says this, 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.259 by faith he went 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:27.799 to live 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.420 in the land 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.940 of promise 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.019 as in a foreign land 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.160 living in the tents 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.140 with Isaac and Jacob, 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.019 heirs with him 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.880 of the same promise 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:35.059 for thank God 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.920 he was looking forward 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.460 to the city 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.920 that has foundations 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.839 whose designer 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.660 and builder 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.460 is God. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.900 He had a bigger plan. 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:44.600 Abraham left a legacy 00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:45.319 because he wasn't 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.400 concerned about himself. 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.299 He was concerned 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.319 about obeying God, 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.140 honoring God, 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.779 preparing the next generation. 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.299 And I want to be 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.200 very clear church, 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.240 we need to be concerned 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.519 about the very same thing, 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:57.559 preparing the next generation. 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.180 How do we do that? 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.620 Not by building cabins 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.200 on the river. 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.700 I mean I wish 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.500 I could have kept it. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:06.140 When I went back, 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.500 that day when I went 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.480 and visited that cabin, 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.279 that man wasn't there, 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.140 I knocked on his door. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:13.039 I took some family back 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.799 at spring break 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.120 in March of that year 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.900 and we knocked on the door 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.480 and he answered. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.579 And he said, 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:18.980 come in, 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.640 I want to show you. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.500 And when I looked up 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.259 and looked at the ceiling 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.860 in that house, 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:25.259 those rafters 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.759 that were up there 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.620 were the same rafters 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.700 my grandpa had put up there. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.940 A lot of other things 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:33.779 wasn't recognizable. 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.079 Didn't have to prime 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.640 that pump 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.819 to get that kitchen sink 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.500 going anymore. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:43.240 but I saw 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:46.360 what he had done 00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:50.660 and that's special 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.420 but that's not 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.019 what I'm talking about. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.759 I'm talking about 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:55.240 leaving some smoking altars 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:58.079 and leaving some standing stones. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.900 I'm talking about 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.840 speaking of how God moved, 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.640 laying down a spiritual marker 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:07.160 and then going back 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.200 and reflecting on that. 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:11.060 Not only will that strengthen you 00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:12.000 in the times of trouble 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.560 that's coming 00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:14.759 because we all got more coming 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:17.860 but it'll also strengthen 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.980 those before you. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:21.860 my grandfather, 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.299 the one that built that cabin 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:27.299 often shared with me 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.460 the stories of the blessings 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.019 of the Lord. 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:32.400 I remember the exuberance 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:33.039 that he shared 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.880 when he shared Christ 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.460 with somebody. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.319 He sold tools 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.000 for somebody else 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.039 at Anderson Jockey Lot. 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.279 Anytime we went 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.120 to Anderson Jockey Lot 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.599 and saw him 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.279 he'd always be 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.599 with a hammer in hand 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.559 or a screwdriver in hand 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.799 he'd be sharing his faith 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.400 with somebody 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.200 who was walking 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.940 through that area. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.059 He shared stories 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.880 of the blessings of God 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.340 and how the Lord 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:53.299 had watched over him 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:56.000 and I don't remember 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.580 those stories. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.519 Man, I wish I did. 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:03.279 Wish I could hear his voice. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.580 We were in the military 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.480 and moved around 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:07.279 and so some of the communication 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.120 that family had 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.220 was reel to reel 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.740 audio 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.779 and they'd mail 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.660 and you could hear 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.319 each other talk 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.940 and I asked mom 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.880 what happened to that? 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.200 They're gone. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:20.779 I don't remember 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.200 those stories. 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.860 I wish I did 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:22.660 but you know 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.279 what I remember? 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.220 I remember that man 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.240 giving God praise. 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.559 I remember the times 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.340 and the places 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:33.220 that I saw him 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.960 praise the Lord. 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.740 I remember him 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:38.319 testifying to God's goodness. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.980 I remember him 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.220 leaving spiritual markers 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.360 for me to go back to. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:48.799 What gives me hope 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.259 for tomorrow? 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.859 What gives me hope 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.240 for tomorrow 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.119 is the same God 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.759 that brought me 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.559 through the dilemmas 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.199 of yesterday. 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.259 The same God 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.259 that's guiding me 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.159 through the obstacles 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.019 of today 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.419 is the same God 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.059 that's already 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.459 in my tomorrows. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.719 He's the same God 00:24:06.719 --> 00:24:07.279 that's already laid 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.979 my path. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.059 He's the same God 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.399 that's already 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:11.359 straightened my path 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.359 and leveled my path 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.599 and lit the path 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.240 I walked. 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.619 And I'm going 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.359 to make a point 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:19.559 for the rest 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.439 of my days 00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:21.619 to tell the younger 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:22.359 generations 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:24.439 about the God 00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.179 that came to me 00:24:25.179 --> 00:24:27.219 and that changed me 00:24:27.219 --> 00:24:29.419 and that meets me 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.059 every morning 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:32.939 and is already 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:34.099 in my tomorrows. 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:36.980 and church 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.099 I'm just asking you 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:40.579 will you make 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.579 the greatest investment 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.339 that you could ever 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.859 make 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.919 in anything 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:47.599 will you just join me 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:50.139 because I think 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.639 there need to be 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.419 some altars 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:53.539 that are left smoking 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:56.019 and some stones 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.959 that are left set 00:24:57.959 --> 00:25:00.179 for us all 00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:01.099 to be encouraged 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:02.639 and for the next 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.179 generations 00:25:03.179 --> 00:25:04.059 to be encouraged 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.719 by how God 00:25:05.719 --> 00:25:06.939 has walked before us 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:08.899 and taken care 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.359 of us. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:12.179 We serve a great 00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:12.839 God don't we? 00:25:14.959 --> 00:25:15.740 Let's don't keep 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.480 it to ourselves. 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:18.839 Let's share it 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.319 with others. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.299 With every head bow 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.139 and every eye closed 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:25.639 what are you doing 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.399 with what God's 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:26.939 given you? 00:25:29.459 --> 00:25:30.019 For one 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.440 he's given you 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.059 an opportunity 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.599 today 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.859 to surrender 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.420 your life 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:33.799 to the Lord 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.460 Jesus Christ 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:34.940 and if you've 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.680 never done that 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.240 I want you to know 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.059 the greatest decision 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.639 you'll ever make 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.160 in your life 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:39.200 is to give your 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.720 heart and life 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.079 to the Lord 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.759 Jesus Christ. 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.240 You just need 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.700 to confess 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.519 your need of him 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.420 the sin 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.319 that so separates 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.960 you from him 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.440 and ask him 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.059 to cleanse you 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.960 and to change you 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.480 and I thank God 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.039 he'll save you 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.259 today. 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.099 Today's the day 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.980 of salvation. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.559 He's the same 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:52.879 yesterday, 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.519 today and forever. 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.740 You can rest in that. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.579 You come down 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:56.940 this aisle 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.799 and we begin to sing 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.619 and I promise you 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.299 we'll lead you 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.899 in how to have 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.460 a relationship 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.159 with Christ. 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.659 Maybe you have 00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.099 done that 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:05.000 but your life 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:08.019 your life's not 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.000 marked by the 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.859 right stones. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.019 There's things 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.680 in your life 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.440 that are missing. 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:15.559 First step 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.039 of obedience 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.639 after giving your 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.059 heart and life 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.680 to the Lord Jesus 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.539 is to follow him 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.039 through public 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.480 confession 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.139 by baptism. 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.559 There may be 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.139 folks here today 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:22.519 who've never 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.139 done that. 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.940 There's a hindrance 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.519 in your life 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.960 spiritually 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.519 because you've 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.960 not followed 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.680 through with that 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.960 as God's 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.400 instructed 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.039 and I want 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.420 to encourage 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:30.799 you to just 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.359 be obedient 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:32.099 to that. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.599 Follow him 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.859 in that. 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.900 Trust him. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.160 Maybe God's 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.519 leading you 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:40.920 to be a part 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.359 of this church. 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.079 God's blessed 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.559 us. 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:45.139 2022 was a 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.680 wonderful year 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.039 in the life 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.539 of this church 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:46.940 and God's 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.339 blessed us 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.879 in many ways 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.139 and I'm 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.900 thankful for that 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.779 and I know 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.299 that God's 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.259 speaking and 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.980 leading others 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.559 as well 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:52.980 and so if 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.440 God's leading 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.160 you I encourage 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:54.599 you to come 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.279 just be obedient 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.139 to follow God. 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.539 We'd love to 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.279 have you 00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.980 and explain 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.399 whatever we 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:00.839 need to explain 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.059 to you 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.399 and help you 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.939 along the way. 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.839 First step 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.319 is just to let 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.679 us know. 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.839 But most 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.299 particularly 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.059 today 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:10.379 Christian 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:12.699 what are you 00:27:12.699 --> 00:27:13.079 doing 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:15.480 to mark 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.119 your path 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.559 for the Lord 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.439 Jesus Christ? 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.519 How are you 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.039 doing that? 00:27:21.719 --> 00:27:22.619 For yourself 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.339 and for others 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:23.859 as well. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:28.179 let's leave 00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:28.639 some altar 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.119 smoking 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:29.759 because we 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.899 we made a 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.599 point to talk 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.559 about what 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.039 God did 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.519 in our 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:33.939 presence. 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.639 Let's leave 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:37.199 some memorial 00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:37.839 markers in 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.399 our lives 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:38.939 so folks 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:39.319 know 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.639 so we can 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:41.339 be reminded 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.059 because we 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.439 need that 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:42.939 reminder 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:45.159 what God's 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.579 done in our 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.019 lives. 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.240 I don't know 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.639 how God's 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:49.139 speaking to you 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.759 today but I 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.199 encourage you 00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:50.639 to commit your 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.219 life to him 00:27:51.219 --> 00:27:52.000 completely 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.279 wholeheartedly 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.179 trust him 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.500 he's worthy 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.019 of it. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:56.779 Lord Jesus 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.320 I love you 00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:57.759 and thank you 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.160 dear God 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.440 for the 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.759 opportunity 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.140 you give us 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.460 today. 00:27:59.600 --> 00:27:59.980 Lead us 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.480 right now 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.000 I pray 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.180 in Jesus 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.660 name. 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.420 Amen.