WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.980 I want you to turn to Genesis chapter 3, Genesis chapter 3. 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:12.419 Tonight is the Super Bowl and I'm excited that one I still 00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:13.540 claim him as mine. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:16.460 He apparently don't claim me anymore. 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:21.019 Chris Jones, defensive tackle for all pro defensive tackle for 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:26.839 Kansas City Chiefs and so I wear his colors today in honor of 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:27.039 him. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:32.179 So went to Houston High School and a dear friend, so sweet and a 00:00:32.179 --> 00:00:32.640 good guy. 00:00:32.899 --> 00:00:37.659 But anyway, the Super Bowl and in preparation for the Super Bowl, 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:40.240 both teams have watched film. 00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:43.480 They've spent time in preparation. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:45.099 They do that on the college level. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:47.460 They do that on the high school level. 00:00:48.019 --> 00:00:54.159 They watch their game to see their strengths, to see their 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:58.579 weaknesses, to point those things out to the players, to allow 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:00.019 them to see those problems. 00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:04.780 Then they also watch film of their opponent and see what their 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:08.500 tendencies are, what their strengths are, what their weaknesses 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:08.939 are. 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:11.799 And then you make a plan to combat that. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:15.039 Whether on offense, to try to beat their defense. 00:01:15.699 --> 00:01:18.659 Or whether you're on defense, trying to stop their offense. 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:22.640 They strategize and make plans for that. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:27.120 So this morning I want us to watch a little film together. 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:30.640 It isn't a game. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:33.939 And honestly, it isn't a film. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:36.759 It's a narrative account. 00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:44.300 But I want to help us picture some images in our minds. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:48.200 More than that, I want you to understand strategy. 00:01:49.740 --> 00:01:53.580 I want you to understand the strategy of the evil one. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:58.340 And I also want you to understand how we can defend ourselves 00:01:58.340 --> 00:02:00.219 against the evil one. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:05.540 As I said a couple of weeks ago, Satan is a snake in the grass. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:08.060 But he's a convincing one. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:10.400 He's a slimy one. 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:12.599 He's a sneaky one. 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:16.780 And Adam and Eve were the first to fall for his schemes. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:19.540 But there's no need for us to point fingers at them. 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:22.460 Because all of us have done the same thing. 00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:27.960 We fell for the evil one's schemes. 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:32.020 So my prayer this morning is we can get a handle on that. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:35.360 Get a better understanding of what we're dealing with. 00:02:36.459 --> 00:02:38.340 Better know how to combat it. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:41.560 But then another step that we won't know today, 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:43.560 we'll know in the coming days, 00:02:44.359 --> 00:02:47.099 is do we carry out those combative strategies 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:49.399 to gain victory in our lives? 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:54.960 It's found in Genesis chapter 3, verse 1 through 6. 00:02:55.659 --> 00:02:59.159 And I'll just tell you, I don't believe this is just a one-time occurrence. 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:01.259 I believe that this is a one-time occurrence 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:07.620 that explains what happens again and again and again in our lives. 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:11.599 A blueprint of sorts for what we deal with. 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:14.340 Genesis chapter 3 says this. 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:20.800 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. 00:03:20.920 --> 00:03:21.960 He said to the woman, 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.099 did God actually say, 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:26.620 you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? 00:03:27.420 --> 00:03:29.159 And the woman said to the serpent, 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:31.340 we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:32.840 But God said, 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:35.500 you shall not eat the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:37.860 Neither shall you touch it lest you die. 00:03:37.860 --> 00:03:40.280 But the serpent said to the woman, 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:41.820 you will not surely die. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:44.780 For God knows that when you eat of it, 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:47.120 your eyes will be opened and you'll be like God, 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:49.980 knowing good and evil. 00:03:50.820 --> 00:03:53.440 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food 00:03:53.440 --> 00:03:56.280 and that it was a delight to her eyes 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:00.000 and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, 00:04:00.540 --> 00:04:02.500 she took of its fruit and ate. 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:06.200 And she also gave some to her husband who was with her. 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:08.639 And he ate. 00:04:10.579 --> 00:04:15.239 There was no need for her to sin. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:19.899 She was placed in the garden of Eden. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:23.579 She had everything she needed around her, 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:25.039 yet she wanted more. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:29.039 Even the garden and all its beauty was not enough. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:33.680 And the one place that she was forbidden to go, 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:36.720 the one thing that she was forbidden to do, 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:38.740 that's what she wanted to do. 00:04:38.840 --> 00:04:39.459 That's where she went. 00:04:40.900 --> 00:04:43.220 So often that is the case. 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:46.519 We often have so great an appetite 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:50.160 for the things that we need to stay away from, 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:52.960 the things that often lead us astray. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:56.579 So I want you to be well aware this morning 00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:58.620 that the devil is on attack. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:02.399 He knows how to place things before us 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:05.899 that would most lead us to fall. 00:05:06.620 --> 00:05:08.099 I told you a couple of weeks ago, 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:10.620 it's not because he's omniscient that he knows all things. 00:05:11.039 --> 00:05:14.120 It's because he and his army of demons watch us 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:15.639 to see our tendencies, 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:17.579 to see what we look at, 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:20.979 to see how we respond and how we act and what we say. 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:24.980 And he leads us to fall in those areas, 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:27.319 just like he did with this first question 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:29.740 that he asked in verse one. 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:31.379 He said, did God actually say, 00:05:31.520 --> 00:05:33.220 you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:34.200 That's just a question. 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:35.220 That's not just a question. 00:05:35.460 --> 00:05:39.400 It's a twisting, deceptive type question. 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:42.259 He did not question the love of God. 00:05:42.960 --> 00:05:45.740 He did not deny the existence of God. 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:47.420 I'll tell you what he did. 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:50.759 He went after the word of God. 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:53.939 He attacked the word of God. 00:05:54.020 --> 00:05:55.580 So I want you to notice this process. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:57.680 First thing he does is he attacks God's word. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:01.100 He asked the question, did God actually say, 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:02.520 and then he twists the question. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:06.040 Did God say you shall not eat of any of these trees? 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:09.240 Now remember, it was the word of God 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:13.360 that gave Adam and Eve everything that they had. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:16.340 As we talked about a few weeks ago, 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:21.939 God spoke and the sun and the moon were developed. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:24.780 Stars in the sky were placed. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:27.520 The land separated from the water. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:30.360 All on the speaking of God. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:32.379 Vegetation was created. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:34.020 Animals were made. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.860 All on the voice of God. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:40.060 It all came from the word of God. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:43.939 His instruction came by his word. 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:49.759 All that they knew was by the word of God. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:52.199 And that's what the devil attacked. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:58.040 We base all of our faith on the word of God. 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:03.879 We believe his word that Christ is the only way. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:08.920 We believe his word that we live by his instruction. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:12.959 That his will and his way is what's best for our lives. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:17.519 We believe his word that he walks with us in the valley. 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:19.759 That he will not leave us alone. 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:24.019 That the peace that he gives us is beyond any of our understanding. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:29.899 We believe his word that he sent Christ to live as an example for us. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:32.519 To die as a sacrifice for us. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:35.139 To rise as an eternal hope for us. 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:38.000 To ascend to prepare a place for us. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:43.879 And to return to take us with him that where he is we may also be. 00:07:44.799 --> 00:07:46.179 We believe his word. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:50.139 That upon that salvation we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:54.060 We are sealed by his spirit. 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:57.179 We are guaranteed an eternal inheritance. 00:07:57.359 --> 00:07:59.000 All because of his word. 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:02.000 We believe that we've been changed by salvation. 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:04.399 We've been challenged by his commission. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.839 And that we've been empowered by his spirit. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:10.500 To share with others the hope that God has granted to us. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:14.720 And we believe all of that based upon the word of God. 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:18.819 All that we believe is the word of God. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.899 These truths are not only printed on a page. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:24.899 They are God breathed. 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:25.899 They are God breathed. 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.919 Into the writers of scripture. 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:31.219 And God indwelt within us. 00:08:31.299 --> 00:08:33.259 When we give our hearts and lives to him. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:36.620 All we know about God. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:38.639 Is the word of God. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:40.720 If you attack his word. 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:42.279 You attack him. 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:44.500 If you attack his word. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.079 You attack his salvation. 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:48.000 If you attack his word. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.860 You attack the hope that he has given to us. 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.700 The foundations of our belief. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:54.480 Is found in the word of God. 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:57.879 Therefore the evil one attacks the word of God. 00:08:58.940 --> 00:09:01.000 Notice how he attacks the word of God. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.740 He questions what it says. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:07.740 He said you shall not eat of any of the trees. 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:08.840 It's not what he said. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.399 At all. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.700 We believe his word. 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:15.680 And he attacks his word. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:17.500 Now I'll tell you what he attacks when he attacks God's word. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.740 He attacks that Christ is the only way. 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:23.340 A lot of philosophies about that today. 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.200 Christ is still the only way. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:29.279 He attacks that we live by God's instruction. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:31.740 That that's the best way for us. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:34.659 We often question that. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.460 I know God says this. 00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:38.000 But what about my circumstances? 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.179 He attacks that. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:42.399 He attacks the fact that we. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:45.179 Is God really walking with me? 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:48.220 Does God really see my circumstances? 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:50.879 Does God understand where I am? 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:54.740 The word says God never leaves me alone. 00:09:54.819 --> 00:09:55.559 I feel alone. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:59.860 Can God really give me a peace in the midst of my circumstances? 00:10:00.819 --> 00:10:02.399 He attacks the fact that our salvation. 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.279 Can come. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.759 No better way to cripple a Christian. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.179 Than make them question their salvation. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:10.699 And so if you question your salvation. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.360 Let's clear it up. 00:10:12.780 --> 00:10:13.879 Before we leave here today. 00:10:14.140 --> 00:10:15.520 I will take the time. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:16.700 To meet with you. 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:17.980 And let's clear it up. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:20.160 There's no need for you to doubt. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:21.340 Your salvation. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:22.500 Because it's the best way. 00:10:22.780 --> 00:10:25.120 How are you going to share your faith with anybody? 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:27.180 If you're not even sure about it yourself. 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:29.940 How are. 00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:31.900 How are you going to live. 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:34.220 In the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:34.400 --> 00:10:35.580 If you struggle. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.060 With your salvation. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.980 No need for you to struggle. 00:10:39.540 --> 00:10:40.200 With that at all. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:41.240 But that's where he attacks. 00:10:42.140 --> 00:10:46.980 He attacks the fact that we've been challenged by the commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:49.820 That his last words told us to go and tell others. 00:10:49.920 --> 00:10:50.700 And make disciples. 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:51.780 And baptize them. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:56.200 Not only do we not want to travel the world to reach somebody. 00:10:56.280 --> 00:10:58.640 We only want to walk across the street and share Christ with somebody. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.140 You know. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.720 He attacks that. 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:02.840 I've said before. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.660 I've said recently. 00:11:03.660 --> 00:11:08.259 That there's always going to be two tides against you. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.120 When you try to do two things for the Lord. 00:11:10.280 --> 00:11:12.899 One is to share your faith with somebody. 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:15.639 You're always going to be under attack when you do that. 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.480 And prayer. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:18.060 There's always an attack for prayer. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:20.200 You'll think of something else you need to do instead of pray. 00:11:20.280 --> 00:11:21.580 So you'll get up and stop praying. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:25.440 And the devil loves to get us not to evangelize people. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:26.820 And not to pray. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.520 Because that's where the power is. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.100 So he attacks those things. 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:34.400 He attacks the fact that we're empowered by his spirit to share. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:37.180 You'll say, well, I don't know what to say. 00:11:37.400 --> 00:11:38.720 I don't know what to do. 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.300 He'll give you the words to say. 00:11:42.219 --> 00:11:45.719 When he opens the door and you walk through it, you're empowered by the spirit of God. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:49.099 But the devil's going to whisper in your ear, you ain't adequate. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.419 You can't handle it. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.979 He attacks the word of God. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:59.699 Not only does he attack, but he also questions the word of God. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:03.240 Satan is trying to bring doubt. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:09.419 He says, did he really say that you could not eat of any fruit? 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:10.359 No, he didn't. 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:12.439 It's not what he said. 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:17.319 He said, you may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but this one. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:23.219 But what God said and what the devil said is polar opposites. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:25.359 And that's how he questions God's word. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:29.259 The devil has convinced the world to ask us, 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:32.939 is God's plan really what's best for me? 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:39.299 I mean, if I know what the word of God says, 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:42.039 and I see how it tells me to live, 00:12:42.099 --> 00:12:45.859 I mean, is that really the best plan for me? 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:47.959 I don't know that you ask that out loud. 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:54.120 But every time we're tempted to sin and we struggle with it, 00:12:54.459 --> 00:12:55.679 that's exactly what we're asking. 00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:57.719 Is God's plan what's best? 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:00.599 Maybe how about this question? 00:13:00.599 --> 00:13:04.099 How can a loving God hate those who disagree with God's word? 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.379 How can he do that? 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.960 That's a question the devil loves to throw out. 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:12.620 Is the Bible really relevant today? 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.360 Come on, thanks, 2,000 years old. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.740 Is it really relevant today? 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.779 That's a question the devil loves to throw out. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.940 And all of that is twisting. 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:23.899 All of it is a perversion of God's word. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.379 I'll tell you what God said. 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:31.000 God said adulterers and perverts and liars and thieves and murderers 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.940 will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:33.659 That's what he said. 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:39.279 If they come to Christ, he will wash away their sins. 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:42.200 He will remove their sins. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:45.240 When people come to Christ, they are a new creation. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:47.220 They are not the same. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:47.879 Listen to me. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.299 They don't do the same things they used to do. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:52.360 Their minds are being transformed. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.480 They're not perfect. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:59.379 But the process begins of a mind transformation. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:03.460 The will is empowered by the spirit of God. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.939 Do we always listen to him? 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.259 No. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:08.480 We're in the process of being transformed. 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:11.399 We are in the process of growing in the Lord. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.580 The process for living that changes. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.840 Our purpose for living changes. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.799 All of that changes. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.659 And when people remain in their sins 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:24.299 and do not come to Christ 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:27.360 or when they struggle in their walk with Christ, 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:29.659 God does not hate those folks. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:32.060 God does not hate them. 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.800 When we speak against sin, 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:35.180 I want to be clear about something. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:37.100 When we speak against sin, 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:39.500 I'm not telling us to hate the sinner. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:42.220 I'm telling us to hate the sin. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.659 And no matter what the sin may be, 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:45.180 we have a responsibility 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:47.360 to share the gospel with folks. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:49.860 To not let them be brainwashed 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.840 by an evil world 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.740 in which it's led by the evil one. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:55.379 to convince us that the sins of yesterday 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:57.320 are somehow not sins today. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.480 It is a twisting 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:02.340 and a perversion of God's word. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.799 God does not hate those folks. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:05.240 God loves those folks. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.379 God loves those enough 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:08.480 to send Christ to die for them. 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.879 That's how much he loves them. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:13.500 The word of God is timeless. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.799 It is always on time. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:19.379 It is relevant. 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:22.799 It is God breathed. 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.799 It is spirit filled. 00:15:26.979 --> 00:15:28.139 And it is a book 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:30.519 that reads us like a book. 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:31.959 I want you to listen 00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:33.079 to what Hebrews says about it. 00:15:33.359 --> 00:15:34.959 Hebrews 4, 12 and 13 says this. 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.259 For the word of God 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.500 is living and active, 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:39.099 sharper than any two-edged sword, 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:41.339 piercing to the division of soul 00:15:41.339 --> 00:15:42.620 and of spirit and of joints 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.099 and of marrow, 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.679 and discerning the thoughts 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:46.959 and the intentions of the heart. 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:48.399 You know why it's such a struggle 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.259 for you to spend time 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.959 in God's word? 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:51.779 Because the devil don't want you 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:53.839 to read God's word 00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:56.579 and to sense the spirit of God 00:15:56.579 --> 00:15:57.759 discerning your thoughts 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:59.419 and the intentions of your heart. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.899 We'd just soon stay distant from that. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.099 And no creature 00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:06.419 is hidden from his sight, 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:09.240 but all are naked and exposed 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.439 to the eyes of him 00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:12.000 to whom we must give account. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:14.080 So I don't want to be naked 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.620 and exposed, 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.220 so I'll just not spend time 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:16.919 in God's word. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.139 That's why we don't like it. 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.460 That's why we struggle with it. 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.120 That's why the forces 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.820 of the evil one 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.559 come against you 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.379 and get you struggling. 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.600 Those of you who are trying 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.580 to be on a reading plan 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:28.039 and you get behind a little bit 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:28.840 and you get discouraged 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.759 and get overwhelmed by that 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:29.960 and say, 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.080 I'm just going to give it up. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.720 Don't do it. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.440 Don't do it. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:32.879 I don't know what 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.440 they're telling you to do. 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.460 Skip it and start today 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.340 fresh and new. 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.159 But you stay in God's word 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:38.679 every day. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.740 If you can't handle 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.960 the chapters you got to do, 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:41.980 don't do them all. 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.259 I'm giving you permission. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.139 Don't do them all. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.620 But you be in God's word 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.120 every day. 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.500 You spend time 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.360 in God's word every day. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.120 You need it. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.539 You're going to be saturated 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.680 with this whole evil world 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.480 the rest of the day. 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.519 You better take time out 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.399 to hear from God. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.180 I'm just telling you. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.299 Don't tell me 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.019 you don't have time. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.740 You don't have time not to. 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.139 You've got to take in God's word. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.099 And if somebody asks you 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.559 if you believe 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.180 that only people 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:06.000 that believe like you 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.559 go to heaven, 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.880 you tell them no. 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:08.000 No. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.940 No. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.140 Tell them this. 00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:13.260 I believe Jesus. 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:16.720 I believe what Jesus says. 00:17:16.820 --> 00:17:17.540 That's what I believe. 00:17:17.800 --> 00:17:18.980 And you know what Jesus says? 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:21.260 Jesus says in John 14, 6, 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.100 I am the way, 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.580 the truth, 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.100 and the life. 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.360 And no man comes 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:25.980 unto the Father 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.820 except through me. 00:17:27.520 --> 00:17:28.540 So I don't know 00:17:28.540 --> 00:17:29.500 all the things that I believe. 00:17:29.540 --> 00:17:29.880 I don't know 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.660 if all they're correct. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.480 But I know one thing. 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.540 I believe in Jesus. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.920 And I believe what Jesus said. 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:34.760 And Jesus said 00:17:34.760 --> 00:17:35.700 you have to come through him. 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:38.580 You just point, folks, 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.600 to Jesus. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.720 He's the one that said it. 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:43.120 You got an issue with it? 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:44.080 Take it up with him. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.400 But take it up with him. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.819 Get on your knees 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:48.160 and get before him 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.140 and take it up with him. 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.680 All of that 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.660 is questioning 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.900 the word of God. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.840 And when Satan 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:55.180 questions God's word, 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.640 he wants us 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.620 to question his word. 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.299 He wants the, 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:01.160 he works hard on us 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.840 questioning 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:03.400 the word of God. 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.420 Not only that, 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:06.480 but he distorts 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.540 God's word. 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:10.740 He rephrases 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.680 this question 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.940 in a negative way. 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.700 He says, 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.560 did God 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.540 say 00:18:16.540 --> 00:18:19.700 that you shall not 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.680 eat of any 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.460 tree 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.400 in the garden? 00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:23.720 Well, 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.660 they'd starve to death. 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.540 That'd be the case. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.720 He didn't say that at all. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.400 What'd God 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.040 really say? 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.259 He really said, 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.200 you may surely 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.279 eat of every tree 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.720 in the garden, 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:36.240 but of one. 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:37.859 I'll tell you 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.339 what the devil's 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:38.700 trying to do. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.559 He's trying to cast 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.240 doubt on God's 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.720 motivation. 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:43.639 He's trying to cast 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.139 doubt on, 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.240 is God 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.539 holding me back 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.379 from opportunities? 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.180 I mean, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.940 what looks like 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.779 out there in the world 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.420 looks like the best 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:53.960 thing to do. 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.099 That's the stuff 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.680 I want to do. 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.000 If I do what God 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.460 tells me to do, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.440 I'll be held back 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.140 from those things. 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.779 I won't be able 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.680 to enjoy all those 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.100 things. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.480 Somehow God 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.779 don't want you 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.440 to be happy. 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:07.759 No, 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.380 I'll tell you what. 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.900 He's trying to keep 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.380 you from getting 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:10.900 trapped. 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.539 That's what he's 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.120 trying to do. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.799 He's trying to keep 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.160 you from getting 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.500 trapped. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.860 We can get trapped 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:17.519 in habitual 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.600 lifestyles of 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:20.319 behaviors that we 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.400 were not designed 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.380 to be a part of. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.180 God didn't make us 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.779 for that. 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.039 And when we go 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.980 outside of God's 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.640 purpose for our 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.180 lives, 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:30.059 we get hooked 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.579 on stuff we 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:30.880 don't need to be 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.400 hooked on. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:33.759 Satan tempted 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.539 her by telling 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.579 her she would 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.500 in fact be 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.279 like God. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.100 He was making 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:43.180 God out to be 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.200 so jealous that 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:44.920 he was holding 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.940 her back from 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.480 her potential. 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.819 I want to be 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.460 clear because 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:51.900 the Old Testament 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.340 is clear. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.799 We serve a 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.420 jealous God. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:55.779 We do. 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:56.920 I don't know 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:58.059 how that hits 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.500 you where you 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:58.740 are. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.319 But I'm 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:00.639 sorry. 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.460 We serve a 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.000 jealous God. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:02.980 But I want to 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.500 be clear about 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.859 something. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:05.980 He's not 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.200 jealous of us. 00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:08.559 He's jealous 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.259 for us. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.759 He wants all 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.139 of us. 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:13.319 He wants all 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.539 of us. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.059 He wants the 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.839 best for us. 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.119 And the devil 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.839 does not. 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.659 And so the devil 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.099 is going to 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.639 limit, try his 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:21.379 best to limit 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.079 our potential 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.980 because our 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.740 greatest potential 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.619 is found in 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.019 Christ. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.059 Christ. 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.420 And one way 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.279 the devil does 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.180 that, the one 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.980 way he works in 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.980 this world is 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.299 through distorting 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.960 God's word. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.139 But that's not 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:35.559 the only thing 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.079 that happened 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.799 because this 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.319 wasn't all the 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.559 devil. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.400 So let's turn to 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.099 Eve for just a 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.259 minute. 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.819 What did she 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.019 do? 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.660 She fell into 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.139 temptation. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.279 Why did she 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.759 fall into 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.200 temptation? 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:48.759 I'll tell you 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.059 why. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.480 She diminished 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.139 God's word. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:52.980 She did. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.360 When she 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:54.779 began to 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.240 think about 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.700 it and 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.259 continue to 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.519 look at 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.980 opportunity 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.579 before her, 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.380 God's word 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.000 got smaller. 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.460 The whispers 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.599 of that snake 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.700 got louder. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.319 And if you 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.259 ignore God's 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:09.039 word, walk 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.539 away from 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:11.319 God's word, or 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.900 don't apply 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.120 God's word to 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:13.579 your life, it's 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:13.940 going to happen 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.400 every time. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.079 I promise you. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.680 I'll tell you 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.099 how the devil 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:17.400 does it. 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:17.779 He does it in 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.059 two different 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.360 ways. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.579 One is he 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.480 works in our 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.339 world and the 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.900 world gets 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:24.500 so loud in 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.220 distorting the 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.880 word of God 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:27.420 that that's what 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.140 we hear, and 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.580 that's all we 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:28.820 hear. 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:30.080 I mean, listen 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:31.100 folks, it's 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:32.200 being shouted 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.340 all around us. 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:34.940 It's being 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.600 shouted in the 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.620 news we watch. 00:21:37.320 --> 00:21:37.840 It's being 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:38.600 shouted in the 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.220 twisting of 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.820 science. 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.740 It's being 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.660 shouted in the 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.800 polarizing focus 00:21:43.800 --> 00:21:44.800 on politics. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.120 Tear God's 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.540 people up 00:21:47.540 --> 00:21:48.380 through politics 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:51.120 instead of on 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.940 the power of 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.500 the gospel. 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.660 So he does 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.400 it loud like 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.759 that, but I'll 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.100 tell you how 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.580 else he does 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:55.680 it. 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.460 He does it by 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.060 whispering to 00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:58.160 us individually. 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.740 Did God 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.540 really say, 00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:07.080 do you really 00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:07.700 think? 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.700 Does that 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.540 apply to you? 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:16.240 What about 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.200 your circumstances? 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:21.420 man, that is 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.400 easy to fall to. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.920 We have an 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.120 inborn nature 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.740 within us that 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.900 pulls us toward 00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.200 it. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.720 And the first 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.840 one to face it 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:37.059 who didn't have 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.960 an inborn tendency 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.819 like we do 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:40.840 fell for it. 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.519 He fell for it. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.660 Adam and Adam 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:47.460 just dumbly 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.279 following along 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.200 joined right in. 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.700 And we've been 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.500 dumbly following 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.779 along, joined 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.779 right in ever 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.220 since. 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.680 Every time. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.440 Tell you what, 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.519 James 1 describes 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.420 what happens to us. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.480 James 1. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:09.680 I pray that 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.120 when I read 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.640 this passage 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.039 you'll see 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:13.500 if it applies 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.160 to your life 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:16.000 and what's 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.559 really happening 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.120 in your life. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.400 But each 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:20.980 person 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.620 is tempted 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:24.519 when he's 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.120 lured and 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.720 enticed 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.220 by his own 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.620 desire. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.960 Then desire 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.620 when it has 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.200 conceived, 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.819 gives birth 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.440 to sin. 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:34.259 And sin 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.740 when it is 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.460 fully grown 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:37.299 brings forth 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:39.500 death. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.039 And I want 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.600 you to understand 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.240 the New Testament 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.080 concept of 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.559 death. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.880 You say, 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.240 well preacher, 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:49.740 what I do, 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.180 I'm not going 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.779 to die doing 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.059 that. 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:52.960 Yeah, 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.299 you are. 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.259 Yeah, 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.500 you are. 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.519 My grandmother 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.080 went home to be 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.480 with the Lord 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.299 years ago 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:04.819 and I 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.279 didn't lose 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.400 her. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:05.799 I know 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.140 where she's 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.400 at. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:07.960 Okay? 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.220 And I 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.339 miss her. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.559 And the 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.539 reality is 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.860 that she 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.500 never died. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.360 Scripture 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.200 tells me 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.539 that when 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.140 she closed 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.640 her eyes 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.039 in death 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.380 here, 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.759 because of 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.339 her commitment 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.860 to the Lord 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.259 Jesus, 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.279 she opened 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.679 her eyes 00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:29.099 in glory. 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.740 It was a 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.279 transition. 00:24:32.479 --> 00:24:33.199 She left 00:24:33.199 --> 00:24:33.619 the shell 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.119 behind. 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:35.719 I lived 00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:36.139 away from 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:36.299 her. 00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:36.599 I didn't 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:36.919 see her 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.279 in her last 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.539 days. 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:37.779 And when 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.159 I saw 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.359 her corpse, 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.219 it broke 00:24:41.219 --> 00:24:41.839 my heart 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:43.699 that I 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:44.099 hadn't seen 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.679 her alive. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:50.620 she died, 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:52.299 but she 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.019 still lives. 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.680 So I 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.140 want you to 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.700 understand 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:58.600 that there 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.279 are deaths 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.960 that happen 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.840 in our lives 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.420 spiritually 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:03.120 that don't 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:03.539 stop our 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.000 heart from 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.299 beating. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.340 Our brains 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.039 keeps going, 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.960 but we 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.460 find out 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:09.779 that our 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.299 relationships 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.000 with others 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.899 become very 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.539 strained 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.920 because of 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.259 our sin 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.680 patterns. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.960 We find 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.480 out that our 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.519 honesty with 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.899 others becomes 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.799 very strained. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.619 There's a death 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.019 that takes 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.579 place, a 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.639 separation that 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:26.740 takes place, a 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.519 chasm between 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.339 us and others. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.420 There's a chasm 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.139 that happens 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.220 between us and 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.740 God. 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.799 As we 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.799 continue in sin 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.379 patterns, 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.460 and don't 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.059 acknowledge 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.460 them. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.619 If you 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.500 fail to 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.500 spend time 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.159 with the 00:25:44.159 --> 00:25:44.879 Lord in 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.359 the morning 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.960 or in 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.319 tomorrow 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:49.059 evening or 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.799 whenever you 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.319 do it, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.240 if you 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.159 fail to 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:53.700 spend time 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:53.980 with him 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.480 tomorrow, 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.899 Tuesday it's 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.240 going to be 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.500 easier to 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:57.940 not spend 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.379 time with 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:58.619 God. 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.379 Wednesday it's 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:01.720 going to be 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.700 easier not to 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.099 spend time 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:03.519 with God. 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.399 Thursday you're 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:05.720 going to start 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.200 getting good 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.579 at it. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:10.819 Friday you're 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.099 going to be 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.899 that much 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:12.500 worse shape. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.879 By next 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.980 Sunday you're 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.159 going to be 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.579 putting on a 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.319 fake smile when 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.680 you come to 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.200 church trying 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.700 to hide the 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:20.139 fact that you 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:20.720 ain't seen 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.420 hide or hair of 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.960 the Lord in 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.619 the last week. 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.980 That's a death 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.440 that's taking 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.960 place. 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:28.639 You understand 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:28.879 that? 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.200 Because we have 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.039 an ongoing 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.079 relationship. 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.279 relationship. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.019 Okay? 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.859 If I live with 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.579 my family for 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.059 the next week 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.439 and I never 00:26:37.439 --> 00:26:38.019 speak to any 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:40.019 of them, I 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.679 hope I make it 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.259 to church next 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.519 week. 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.859 But that's a 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.720 death that's 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.599 taking place. 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.899 And that's the 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.519 kind of death he's 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.139 talking about. 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:54.399 Now, stupid 00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:55.599 sin patterns that 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.439 lead to habits, 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.000 that lead to 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.199 degradation, will 00:26:58.199 --> 00:26:58.899 lead to death as 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.200 well. 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.740 And we all 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.600 know cases where 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:03.320 people got too 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.080 caught in sinful 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:05.840 patterns and they 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.700 lost their life 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.380 because of that. 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.980 But I want you to 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.920 understand, there's 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.680 death that can 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.820 happen before your 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:13.000 heart stops and 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.660 your brain stops 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.120 functioning. 00:27:14.780 --> 00:27:15.820 And God wants to 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:16.580 protect us from 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:18.980 that by doing the 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.220 baby steps of 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.000 living out our 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.560 faith for the 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.060 Lord on a 00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:22.900 consistent basis. 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:24.880 Eve considered the 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.380 temptation, just 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.980 like James 1, 14, 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:28.680 15 tells us. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.460 Eve considered the 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.940 temptation. 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:32.880 She grew an 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:34.600 appetite for the 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.360 fruit of temptation 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.740 and her perspective 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.320 changed. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:40.200 When you entertain 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.140 the options the 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:42.060 devil throws out, be 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:43.300 careful, it'll change 00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:43.860 her perspective. 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.900 You'll see it 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.259 differently. 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.259 Now she saw it was 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.900 good for food. 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:50.320 What started as a 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:51.280 question to consider 00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:52.140 became a temptation. 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.680 And I'm going to 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.080 tell you, those 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:54.880 questions can be 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.220 subtle. 00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.040 They really can be. 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.500 And that's the 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.900 problem. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.220 The subtle nature of 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.960 the questions that 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.039 he asks us sometimes. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.380 Before you know it, 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.600 the thought begins, 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.519 if God really loves 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.120 me, why would he 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.940 deprive me from 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.319 that? 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.120 I mean, that looks 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:06.980 like the best tree in 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.579 the whole garden. 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.900 Why shouldn't I do 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.240 that? 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:11.400 If he really cares for 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:11.940 me, why would he 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.480 deny that? 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.279 You see the twisting 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.140 of the truth there? 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.380 The psalmist tells us 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.220 how to combat it. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.860 All of Psalm 119 tells 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.579 us how to combat it. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.220 But Psalm 119, 11 says, 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.720 I have hidden your 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:26.039 word in my heart that 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.000 I might not sin against 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.400 God. 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.400 The best combat you 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.220 have toward the evil 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.200 one is to know the 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.059 word of God, to spend 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.980 time in the word of 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.180 God. 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.180 It is when these 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.279 questions come that 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.920 the word must not be 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.640 diminished in our mind 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:40.480 but be amplified in our 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:40.799 mind. 00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:41.819 Because I'm telling you, 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.140 you'll go in a hole if 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.880 you are not careful. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.839 When we open our mind 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.579 to consideration, when we 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.900 begin to dialogue with 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:51.079 temptation, we're in 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.960 trouble, folks. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.000 You're in trouble. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.480 I like what scripture 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.920 says, snatch them from 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.319 the fire. 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.380 I tell those men on 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.240 Tuesday morning sometimes, 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.620 the reason why we meet 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.720 at 6 a.m. on Tuesday 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.680 and the reason why we 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.799 meet at 9 a.m. on 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.680 Tuesday and the reason 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.579 why we read through 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:08.120 books together to talk 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:08.940 about how to live out 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.799 our faith for the Lord 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.700 and the reason we 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.840 discuss that is I'm 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:13.279 hoping, dear God, I can 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.559 snatch some old boy from 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.720 the fire, keep him from 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.840 doing something stupid in 00:29:16.840 --> 00:29:17.279 his life. 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:20.000 God, wake us up. 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.900 Wake us up before we 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.640 go too far. 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:27.660 The steps of temptation 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:29.019 are there's a reflective 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.720 question. 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:33.940 As Barney Fife says, 00:29:34.040 --> 00:29:35.140 nip it in the bud when 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:35.960 that comes, okay? 00:29:36.560 --> 00:29:37.440 There's a reflective 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.860 question. 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.600 The second thing is 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.380 there's a desire. 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.680 There's a desire. 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.300 And then the third thing 00:29:44.300 --> 00:29:45.560 is where the sin comes in 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.300 and that's a sinful 00:29:46.300 --> 00:29:46.720 action. 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:50.380 And the answer to walk 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.940 away from temptation is 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:53.019 don't focus your attention 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.740 on the question. 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.640 Get back to the word of 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:56.940 God. 00:29:58.700 --> 00:30:00.900 Instead of considering the 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:02.579 temptation, consider this. 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.819 And if you don't know this 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:05.019 scripture, you need to 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.579 write it down. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.299 If you don't write nothing 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.000 else down, you need to 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:08.440 write this down and live by 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.660 it. 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:10.160 It's 1 Corinthians 10, 13. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.319 It'll pull you out of a 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.519 hole. 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:15.599 No temptation has 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.279 overtaken you. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.460 That's not common to man. 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.900 You're not an exception to 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.279 the rule. 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.579 We all face temptation. 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.359 It might be slightly 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:23.879 customized. 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.460 But I got news for you. 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:26.759 If we were to stand up this 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.379 morning, and we're not 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.639 going to, if we were to 00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:29.420 stand up this morning and 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.420 confess all our sins to 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.079 each other, and I had a 00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:32.099 big board up here, there 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.639 ain't a board big enough to 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.720 cover Pickens County to 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.819 cover all our sins, okay? 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.039 And I were to write them 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.740 up there, you know what 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.079 you'd see? 00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:39.980 You'd just see four or five 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.400 categories. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:40.920 You wouldn't see that 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.599 many different things. 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:43.319 I mean, there's nuances, 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.980 and I know you're 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.679 different than the rest 00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:45.059 of us. 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.959 See how he does it? 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.879 Somehow you're different. 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:54.359 The reality is, no 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.519 temptation sees you except 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.039 what's common. 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.980 God is faithful. 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.319 I want you to hear me. 00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:04.279 You've got to hang your 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.939 hat on this. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.279 He will not let you be 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:10.139 tempted beyond your 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.579 ability. 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:13.500 But with the temptation, he 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:15.019 will also provide the way 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.699 of escape. 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:20.659 That you may be able to 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:21.339 endure it. 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:25.219 God will provide a way out. 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.819 The way to sin may be this 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:30.000 big old wide open door right 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.659 in front of you. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.599 That's so easy. 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.219 And you feel this sucking 00:31:34.219 --> 00:31:35.480 feeling that you're just going 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:35.859 into. 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.639 Like a vacuum. 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:41.060 Take a second look. 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:42.600 Look around a little bit. 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:45.720 God's provided another way 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.080 out. 00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:51.080 And when you fail to amplify 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:52.960 God's word in your life, 00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:54.380 that's a key passage. 00:31:55.520 --> 00:31:57.320 Psalm 119, 11 is another key 00:31:57.320 --> 00:31:57.740 passage. 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.560 Memorize them. 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.140 Say them. 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:05.000 When you fail to amplify God's 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.060 word in the midst of your 00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:07.680 temptation and instead 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.860 diminish God's word, you're 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.700 going to fall to it. 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:10.900 You're going to fall to it. 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.940 She also added to God's word. 00:32:16.020 --> 00:32:17.160 I want you to notice what 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:18.740 happens once she starts having 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.960 a conversation with Satan. 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.820 I hope that raised a red flag 00:32:22.820 --> 00:32:23.540 when I said that. 00:32:23.780 --> 00:32:25.100 When she starts having a 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:26.400 conversation with Satan. 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:30.080 She said that God said not to 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:30.860 touch the tree. 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:33.280 He said neither shall you 00:32:33.280 --> 00:32:33.720 touch it. 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.720 That's not true. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.540 He didn't say that. 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.840 He didn't say that. 00:32:38.040 --> 00:32:38.960 We need to stick to God's 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.280 word. 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:41.180 And we don't need to be 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.200 conversing with Satan. 00:32:43.620 --> 00:32:44.620 Converse with God. 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.660 Call out to God. 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:51.100 We don't take away from God's 00:32:51.100 --> 00:32:52.300 word because we don't like that 00:32:52.300 --> 00:32:52.660 part. 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:55.200 We don't need to add to God's 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.540 word. 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:57.039 God said enough. 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:58.039 He said all we need. 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.119 Let's just follow what he 00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.359 said. 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.460 Don't add to God's word. 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:04.099 Not only that, she ignored 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:04.700 God's word. 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:07.799 When she saw that the tree was 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:10.079 to be desired to make one 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:13.899 wise, she's on a slide at this 00:33:13.899 --> 00:33:14.200 point. 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.680 You're in a mess at this point 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.299 because you're already 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:18.299 reaching for the tree. 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.940 First John 2 verse 16 tells 00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.680 us how we sin. 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:24.839 It says, for all that is in the 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:26.279 world, the desires of the flesh 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.899 and the desires of the eyes and 00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:29.539 pride of life is not from the 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.599 father but is of the world. 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:33.220 All three aspects of sin is 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.799 mentioned in that scripture and 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:37.199 all three aspects of sin happen in 00:33:37.199 --> 00:33:37.759 her life. 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.919 I want you to see this. 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:43.560 It's kind of like diagramming sentences in 00:33:43.560 --> 00:33:44.000 English. 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:47.580 What a God forsaken activity. 00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:48.160 But anyway. 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.519 But I remember having to make those 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.100 little things. 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.180 I don't think kids know what I'm 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:54.600 talking about now. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.779 But diagram sentences, you know. 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.539 Break it down. 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:59.360 Well, let's diagram our sin and our 00:33:59.360 --> 00:33:59.800 temptation. 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:02.259 Let's see what that's about. 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:06.140 It says the desires of the flesh, the 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:07.879 desires of the eyes, the pride of 00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:08.039 life. 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:11.860 The desires of the eyes, she saw what 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.539 she's looking for. 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:12.840 Okay. 00:34:13.820 --> 00:34:16.179 The desires of the flesh was that she 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.780 wanted it. 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:21.440 And the pride of life was that she 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:22.860 could become like God if she did it. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.880 She'd call her own shots. 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.480 She'd do it her way. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:29.079 Temptation got loud. 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.440 Her attention got distracted. 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:32.039 Desire got strong. 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.340 And the word of God got ignored. 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:37.039 And sin comes when we do things our 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.340 way. 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:41.360 Every time we sin, we try to become 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:41.940 our own God. 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.119 We try to run our own life. 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:45.920 And when our appetite gets wet for 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:47.280 worldly opportunities, and when we 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:48.920 look at the things that God has told 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:51.019 us not to, when we seek to do it our 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.260 way, we sin against God. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:54.320 And the ramifications are huge. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.980 They're much bigger than they appear. 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.159 It's kind of like the message that 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:58.139 used to be in those side view 00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:58.519 mirrors. 00:34:59.260 --> 00:35:00.860 The things you're looking at are much 00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.760 bigger than they appear. 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:03.199 Don't back into it. 00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:07.380 And I'm just telling you, the 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.880 ramifications of our sin are much 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.679 bigger than they appear. 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:12.119 And we will look at those in the 00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.760 days ahead. 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:15.639 But I want you to see it for what it 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:15.900 is. 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:19.699 Whereas salvation comes when we stop 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:21.300 doing it our way, sin comes when we 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.699 start doing it our way. 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:25.500 And when we do, it's an attack on the 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.000 word of God. 00:35:26.199 --> 00:35:27.880 It's an attack on the truth of God. 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:29.460 It's an attack on the character of 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.659 God. 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:34.219 The apostle Paul said this, and I 00:35:34.219 --> 00:35:35.840 relate to it so well, I know you do 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:37.039 too, whether you admit it or not. 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:39.880 Romans 7, verse 15 and 17 through 20. 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:41.900 I'll read it and I'll get close to 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.159 closing. 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:45.920 For I don't understand my own actions. 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:50.840 For what I do not do, for I do not do 00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:53.740 what I want, but I do the very thing I 00:35:53.740 --> 00:35:54.019 hate. 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.700 You've been there? 00:35:59.079 --> 00:36:03.000 So now, it is no longer I who do it, 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:05.019 but sin that dwells in me. 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:07.860 For I know that nothing good dwells in 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.720 me that's in my flesh. 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:10.220 For I have the desire to do what is 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:13.320 right, but not the ability to carry it 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:13.620 out. 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:16.920 For I do not do the good I want, but 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:19.200 the evil I do not want is what I keep 00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:19.700 on doing. 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:22.740 Now, if I do what I don't want, it's no 00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:25.280 longer I who do it, but sin that dwells 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.260 within me. 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:31.039 There is a way that is right. 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:34.340 And Jesus said, I am the way. 00:36:35.100 --> 00:36:37.519 Any other way interrupts our relationship 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:38.100 with God. 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:41.539 And the ramifications of that sin is 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.059 great. 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.980 And we'll study that soon. 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:48.739 However, let's make a commitment today 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:52.079 to walk away from our sin. 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:58.460 Carlos Villas was a Spanish monk who 00:36:58.460 --> 00:37:00.639 lived in India and wrote a book about 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.360 living in India. 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:06.220 And he talks about a bicycle ride that 00:37:06.220 --> 00:37:09.059 he took across the Indian countryside. 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:12.380 And as he was riding, he noticed an 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:17.900 unusual silence that came across nature. 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:22.900 The birds stopped singing. 00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:28.240 Crickets mum their calls. 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:31.979 Everything got still. 00:37:33.979 --> 00:37:35.739 With no clear explanation. 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:40.219 And then off to the side, he looked and 00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:42.239 the mystery was solved because what he 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:46.599 saw there, not that far away, was a 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.000 snake. 00:37:48.439 --> 00:37:52.339 That snake had his head raised up and he 00:37:52.339 --> 00:37:55.599 was waving it back and forth with his 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:57.099 eyes fixed on something. 00:37:58.239 --> 00:38:01.559 And Carlos looked to see what the snake was 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:05.279 looking at and he saw a bird not far away. 00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:08.479 And the bird was transfixed. 00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:10.659 It was glued on the snake. 00:38:11.819 --> 00:38:14.639 It was paralyzed like a deer in the 00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:17.079 headlights, like a mule at a new gate. 00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:22.619 And in reality, mentally, he was because 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:25.259 some snakes have the ability to do that and 00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:26.419 it leads to their domination. 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:31.420 Vilas just braced for the impact in 00:38:32.139 --> 00:38:33.500 anticipation of what was going to happen. 00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:39.099 And then he thought, maybe I have time. 00:38:41.180 --> 00:38:44.180 And so immediately, Carlos threw his bike 00:38:44.180 --> 00:38:48.280 down, started screaming at the bird, waving 00:38:48.280 --> 00:38:52.420 his arms and yelling at the bird until the 00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:55.740 bird stopped staring at the snake. 00:38:55.740 --> 00:39:00.579 Looked at this crazy man and flew off. 00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:09.679 I've come today, folks, to throw down my 00:39:09.679 --> 00:39:16.279 bicycle, to raise my hands and to scream if I 00:39:16.279 --> 00:39:23.819 have to, to tell you, don't get caught in the 00:39:23.819 --> 00:39:24.719 stare of the snake. 00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:28.819 Let's break it today. 00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:32.100 That habit in your life. 00:39:33.100 --> 00:39:35.120 That pattern that you're leading to. 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:37.920 That thought that you're entertaining. 00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:40.840 That that you're already caught up with. 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:47.220 Whatever it is, today's the day to stop it. 00:39:47.219 --> 00:39:52.399 Today's the day to realize what the evil one's doing to you. 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:58.459 Today, will you tell the Lord, Lord, give me the power and 00:39:58.459 --> 00:40:03.139 strength to walk away from what displeases you. 00:40:04.099 --> 00:40:07.079 Help me to live in a way that honors you. 00:40:07.259 --> 00:40:08.500 Answer my questions. 00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:11.199 Give me the faith to trust you. 00:40:12.239 --> 00:40:14.699 Guide me, oh God, all the way. 00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:18.279 Now listen, you may be here this morning and you've never 00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:20.239 surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:22.480 There's never been a time when you've asked him to forgive 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:23.679 you and to cleanse you of your sin. 00:40:23.980 --> 00:40:25.939 There's never been a time when you've committed your life to 00:40:25.939 --> 00:40:26.279 Christ. 00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:27.539 It's never happened in you. 00:40:27.779 --> 00:40:30.799 And I'm going to tell you, the power that I speak of, the way 00:40:30.799 --> 00:40:33.839 out that I speak of, is not available to you outside of 00:40:33.839 --> 00:40:34.239 Christ. 00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:35.639 It's not. 00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:38.980 Scripture says you are a slave to sin. 00:40:39.899 --> 00:40:42.480 A servant to follow his leadings. 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:47.139 And so I'm telling you today that if you'll call upon the name 00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:48.760 of the Lord, you shall be saved. 00:40:49.539 --> 00:40:51.920 And if you'll ask him to forgive your sins and to come into your 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:55.139 life and change you, he'll empower you with the spirit of 00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:59.699 God and he'll enable you to walk away from the patterns in your 00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:01.800 lives that have been so destructive in the past. 00:41:02.599 --> 00:41:04.940 And I am thankful that you don't do that alone. 00:41:05.780 --> 00:41:09.199 Not only does the Holy Spirit come to dwell within you, but you've got a 00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:13.879 church body that would love to come alongside of you and support you in 00:41:13.879 --> 00:41:17.139 your struggle to help us all become stronger in the Lord. 00:41:17.379 --> 00:41:20.460 That's what this is about, folks, is growing in the Lord. 00:41:21.539 --> 00:41:24.099 If you've never done that, I'd love to guide you in that process. 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:25.119 I really would. 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:28.379 You come as we stand and sing in just a moment. 00:41:28.500 --> 00:41:32.699 I mean, maybe you're here and you have done that, but there's that sin 00:41:32.699 --> 00:41:33.599 pattern in your life. 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:35.519 You can't get a handle on it. 00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:39.460 Can we confess it before the Lord today? 00:41:40.819 --> 00:41:47.239 Can we see it for what God sees it and commit ourselves to follow him from 00:41:47.239 --> 00:41:47.960 this day forward? 00:41:48.719 --> 00:41:51.139 To trust him with the unanswered questions? 00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:53.779 To trust him with the uncertainty of tomorrow? 00:41:54.339 --> 00:41:57.159 To know that what he knows is best for us? 00:41:57.219 --> 00:41:58.639 To just leave it with him? 00:41:58.639 --> 00:42:08.159 I want you to know all week I prayed for you to walk away from the stuff 00:42:08.159 --> 00:42:11.420 that so encumbers you and live freely for the Lord. 00:42:12.460 --> 00:42:14.500 Maybe you're here and God's drawing you to this church. 00:42:15.559 --> 00:42:17.440 You know this is the place that you'd join us. 00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:19.259 We're not perfect, nor are you. 00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:24.079 So we'll join each other along in the journey and struggle till Jesus 00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:25.179 comes for his sake. 00:42:25.859 --> 00:42:27.379 You come and obey God. 00:42:27.380 --> 00:42:29.160 Maybe you've made a private decision for the Lord. 00:42:29.400 --> 00:42:30.760 You've never made that public. 00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:33.940 Today, you come. 00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:34.860 We'll baptize you. 00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:35.480 Not today. 00:42:35.740 --> 00:42:36.559 We'll line it up. 00:42:37.099 --> 00:42:40.000 You come and obey God as he speaks to your heart and life. 00:42:40.740 --> 00:42:41.920 Stand together if you will. 00:42:43.140 --> 00:42:44.800 Obey the Lord as he speaks to you. 00:42:45.700 --> 00:42:50.960 Lord Jesus, I ask today that you'll move and you'll work in our lives as only 00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:52.320 you can, oh God, I pray. 00:42:52.880 --> 00:42:55.079 In Jesus' precious name, amen. 00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:55.180 Amen.