WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.140 me, if you will, today at Judges, Judges chapter 8, verses 22 through 27. Judges chapter 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:16.859 8, verses 22 through 27. You know, Jackie Smith was one of the greatest high school 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:23.359 athletes to ever play football in the state of Louisiana. He was an All-American. He went 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:29.980 on to college, was one of the best tight ends considered in college football. He even went 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:36.980 on to play in the NFL, and he was considered a Hall of Fame, one of the best tight ends 00:00:36.980 --> 00:00:42.539 to ever play the game. But many of you who remember the name Jackie Smith today, those 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:49.100 of you who are old enough to remember the 1970s, you'll probably remember Jackie Smith for one 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:58.299 play in his entire career that he will always be remembered for. It was in the 1979 Super 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:04.420 Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cowboys were trailing late 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:11.739 in the third quarter, 21 to 14. But the Cowboys, with their Hall of Fame quarterback, Roger Stalbeck, 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:19.060 were driving, and they were deep into Pittsburgh territory. And it was third down, and the play 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:25.120 was called. The ball was hiked. Roger Stalbeck goes back for the pass. Jackie Smith runs into 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:34.060 the end zone, begins to cross. No one is even close to him. No one is within 10 yards of him. 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:39.060 And so Roger Stalbeck throws the ball right to him, and this is what happens. 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:54.060 It's third down and three, Dallas at the Pittsburgh 10. Roger back to throw, has a man open in the end zone, caught, touchdown, dropped, dropped in the end zone, Jackie Smith all by himself. Oh, bless his heart, he's got to be the sickest man in America. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:02:15.060 The Hall of Fame quarterback, I mean tight end, that one of the greatest of all time, but he will always be remembered for that one play. He ran down into the end zone, crossed over, Roger Stalbeck hit him right in his hands. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:29.800 Whether it was the moment, whether it was the light, who knows, but this great tight end allowed the ball to hit him in the hands and bounce to the ground, and the Dallas Cowboys had to settle for a field goal. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:40.780 And then they lost the game by four points, and so many believe that that one play cost the Dallas Cowboys the Super Bowl. 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:54.900 And it ended up Jackie Smith retired after that game, even though the Dallas Cowboys asked him to come back. He was shamed and couldn't get beyond it, and he retired. 00:02:55.740 --> 00:03:07.120 You know, the way an athlete plays throughout his whole career, nothing is more important sometimes than the way they end their career, because that's the way we typically remember them. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:11.819 And it's not only the athlete, but it's the Christian as well. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:18.680 What is very important and what we're going to be talking about today is finishing the race strong. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:25.319 Finishing the race strong. There's nothing more critical in the Christian life than crossing that finish line 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:36.120 and being faithful and being faithful and being faithful and running as strong and faithfully and as committed in that moment than at any other time in your life. 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:43.979 Maybe more so than any other time in your life, because it is so critical that we finished well. 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:48.680 In my past church, I had a gentleman by the name of Donald Green. 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:56.900 He was already in his early 80s. He might have been five feet tall, rounder than me, butterball. 00:03:57.140 --> 00:03:59.819 I always remember he'd pull his pants up to about right here. 00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:03.300 But he was a ball of energy and fire. 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:09.920 And he told me numerous times, I want to finish the race strong. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:17.060 I want to run the race and cross the finish line better than I ever did in my life. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:23.579 And this is a man in his early 80s that was still going on mission trips to places like Romania. 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:32.060 He was still coming out for church visitation every Monday night, whether it was raining or dark or cold. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:35.699 It didn't matter. He and his wife would show up. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:39.160 Now, I have to put this into context. We did grow there. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:43.660 That was our visitation ministry, which means you have four teams. 00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:51.640 And each team, let's say Justin's on the G team, he would only show up the first Monday of the month. 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:54.120 And then the R team would be the second, and you get the point. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:58.100 But Mr. Green and his wife, they came every week. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:04.440 It didn't matter. They were on fire for the Lord, passionate about making the name of Jesus known. 00:05:04.760 --> 00:05:09.520 And they wanted to serve faithfully until they crossed that finish line. 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:14.299 And it was always funny because there were a few times when Mr. Green might be out of town 00:05:14.299 --> 00:05:17.060 or he might not be feeling well or one thing or another. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:23.000 And he would call me, and it was almost like he was asking for permission not to come to visitation. 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:28.839 I was thinking, Mr. Green, you're doing more than most people half your age are doing. 00:05:29.219 --> 00:05:31.979 I've only asked for one night a month commitment, 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:36.120 and you're already giving four and five nights out of the month. 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:42.300 So, you know, if you're not feeling well or you're out of town, we completely understand that. 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:49.019 Well, this morning I want us to take a look at a figure in Scripture that we all know very well. 00:05:49.579 --> 00:05:56.740 We know the highlights, the achievements, and the success of this figure. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:59.800 But do we know how he finished the race? 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:09.980 Do we know what took place after the famous battle that Gideon defeated the Midianite army with 300 men? 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:20.519 He was going up against 135,000 Midianite soldiers with 300 men, and God gave him the victory. 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:22.400 We all know that story. 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:30.939 But do we know what takes place next and how Gideon stumbled before the finish line? 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:39.399 Let's look together at our Scripture in Judges 8, and we're going to be reading verses 22 through 27. 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:42.739 The Israelites said to Gideon, 00:06:43.159 --> 00:06:50.319 Rule over us, you, your son, and your grandson, because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian. 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:52.379 But Gideon told them, 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:57.659 I will not rule over you, nor my son rule over you. 00:06:58.300 --> 00:07:00.319 The Lord will rule over you. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:01.120 And he said, 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:06.879 I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:11.219 You know, it was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:12.620 And they answered, 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:14.680 We'll be glad to give them. 00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:19.839 So they spread out a garment, and each man threw a ring from his plunder onto it. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:25.759 The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to 1,700 shekels, 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:31.439 not counting the ornaments, the pendants, and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:34.279 or the chains that were on their camels' necks. 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:40.779 Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:45.859 All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:51.159 and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:52.319 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:56.019 Father, we come to you this morning, 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:59.059 and we thank you, Lord, for the Word of God. 00:07:59.559 --> 00:08:02.699 We thank you that we can come to it, 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:04.519 and we can learn life lessons, 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:08.420 and we can grow in our relationship with you, 00:08:08.479 --> 00:08:09.539 and we can trust it, 00:08:09.979 --> 00:08:12.680 knowing that it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:16.000 And we ask, Lord, today that you just speak to each one of us, 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:18.659 draw us closer to you and nearer to you, 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:22.360 and speak to our hearts that as we leave this place today, 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.120 those whom we encounter will say, 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:26.919 surely they were with the Lord. 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:29.579 And it's in your holy name we pray, Father. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:30.379 Amen. 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:35.879 You know, following Gideon's great military victory, 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:43.059 where he went out and he defeated a Midianite army of 135,000 soldiers, 00:08:43.319 --> 00:08:47.579 and God had narrowed his army down to only 300 men. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:51.379 And the Israelites came to him and said, 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:55.120 because you have delivered us out of the hand of Midian, 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:57.879 we want you to become our king. 00:08:57.879 --> 00:09:02.639 You know, they wanted to be like all the other nations around them. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:03.980 Now, this was a big moment. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.820 This was a big moment. 00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:06.139 Why? 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:08.139 Because up to this point, 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:11.179 Israel had never had a king. 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.740 Israel had been set aside by the hand of God 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:17.740 to be ruled by God and God alone, 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.059 and they'd never had a king. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:23.220 But they're asking Gideon to become their king. 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:26.080 You know, we all like to be bragged on, don't we? 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:32.820 We all like to feel important or feel special or even to be in a position of power. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:37.460 And so, this must have, if not for just a second, 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:40.200 been a real temptation for Gideon, 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:42.420 for him to accept the offer, 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:45.759 you know, to believe that he is the one that helped them 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:49.879 be delivered from Midian and become their king. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:56.820 But overall, Gideon shows some very good wisdom here in denying their quest. 00:09:56.899 --> 00:09:58.019 Look at verse 23. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.559 But Gideon told them, 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:04.059 I will not rule over you, nor my son rule over you. 00:10:04.340 --> 00:10:06.879 The Lord will rule over you. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:12.259 Gideon understood that Israel was God's chosen people, 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:15.580 and they had been set aside to be ruled by God, 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:17.179 and they were to never have a king. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:21.679 Now, we know later on in history that they do adopt a king, 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:24.099 but it becomes the downfall of them. 00:10:24.479 --> 00:10:26.219 But Gideon, at this moment in time, 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:31.599 realizes that God was certainly to be the one to rule over them, 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:38.879 and so he refuses their request certainly to become king. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:41.980 Now, this is also a big moment here, 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:46.980 because Gideon had led Israel to defeat an army 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:54.139 that was 450 times larger than themselves. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:56.659 Now, I want to put this in context today, 00:10:56.740 --> 00:11:00.960 because if it were in modern day weaponry, 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.740 we might could think, 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:06.840 yeah, 300 men with jet fighters flying over, 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:10.580 dropping bombs, machine guns, tanks, 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:14.580 all the modern day nuclear weaponry and stuff, 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:19.460 300 men might defeat an army of 135,000. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:23.200 But that's not the context in which they were setting, was it? 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.220 What were they fighting with? 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:30.500 Swords, maybe spears. 00:11:31.420 --> 00:11:34.139 I don't know if they had bow and arrows at that point in time. 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:36.019 But let's think about this. 00:11:36.060 --> 00:11:38.279 Who's the biggest and strongest man in the room? 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.180 Brian Hester. 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:44.680 Brian Hester's the biggest, strongest, 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:48.040 most ferocious man in the room. 00:11:48.040 --> 00:11:50.620 And he's got a spear. 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:55.320 Now, surround him with 450 men, 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:57.399 also with spears and swords. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.200 What are his odds of winning? 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:03.080 I'll even give him a gun. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:08.580 But he's still going up against 450 men. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:10.879 What are his odds of winning? 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:14.820 Probably not very good. 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:17.019 He's not going to succeed. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:19.860 And so when you look at the odds of the battle, 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:26.259 there's only one explanation as to who won that battle. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:29.379 And after all the history of Israel, 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:30.919 they should have known. 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:34.440 All the things they've seen God do throughout their history, 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:37.200 all the battles He had already won for them, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.379 they should have known. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.440 But look who's getting the glory. 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:46.700 You know, they told Gideon they wanted him to rule over them 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:51.240 because he had won the battle. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:55.300 And there's not one spoken word here in Scripture 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:58.500 that is in recognition of God. 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:04.560 Not one word here in recognition that God is who won that battle. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:06.519 Now we can look back and remember, 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:08.279 go back to the story of Gideon. 00:13:08.359 --> 00:13:11.719 When he first raised his army, he raised an army of 32,000. 00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:13.819 And God said, your army's too big. 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:15.379 Narrow it down. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.819 So 22,000 soldiers left. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.099 He had an army of 10,000. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.339 He said, it's still too big. 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.739 Narrow it down. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.159 Now we know why. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:26.899 Now we know why God told them, 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.879 or told Gideon that his army was too big. 00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:33.919 Because if he had gone into battle with an army of 32,000 men 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:37.019 and defeated an army of 135,000, 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:40.459 somehow maybe they thought, well, we pulled it off. 00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:43.079 Maybe we're better than we thought we were. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:47.279 But when you go into a battle of 300 men, 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:50.059 that again the odds are 450 to 1, 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:57.500 there's no explanation except God won that battle. 00:13:57.959 --> 00:14:01.359 But they were given Gideon the glory and the praise. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:04.319 Now Gideon refused to be their king, 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:06.299 but he does make one request. 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:10.859 He makes a request that they take a gold earring, 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:15.459 which the Midianite soldiers had the tradition of wearing gold earrings, 00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:19.839 and he asked for one gold earring from each of the soldiers. 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:21.159 And they were glad. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:25.579 They probably were thankful that he didn't require even more than that. 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:27.479 They just asked for one gold earring. 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:28.819 And so they laid out a garment, 00:14:29.239 --> 00:14:34.239 and the soldiers began to throw their one gold earring into that. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:42.239 And it came out to be 43 pounds of gold that Gideon had. 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:47.919 And I don't see anything in Scripture or anything that I've read 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:51.580 that tells me that Gideon's request was wrong 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:55.399 and that he was doing anything out of the will of God 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.120 by requesting their earrings. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.299 There are times in Scriptures, people like Abraham, 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.860 that they were told, don't take a single thing. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:10.320 And they were told and instructed by God not to touch the plunder. 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:14.700 But I don't see that in the story with Gideon at all. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:18.720 So I don't see anything that he's done here to be wrong. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.759 But look what he does with the gold. 00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.899 Verse 27. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:30.240 Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:35.340 And all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:39.659 and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:45.459 You know, Gideon, he takes this gold and he makes it into an ephod. 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:51.879 Now, an ephod was something that was associated with the priestly garments 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.840 and priestly robes. 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:57.759 And we don't completely understand everything there is about it, 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:04.240 but it was a way that the priest consulted God and discerned God's will. 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:06.980 Look with me, if you will, and I didn't put this in the notes, 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.639 so you'll have to actually open your Bibles. 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:10.779 The first Samuel 23. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:16.679 First Samuel 23, and let's look at verses 9 through 12. 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:20.279 This is where David was seeking the will of the Lord. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.059 It says, 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:24.179 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, 00:16:24.239 --> 00:16:26.079 he said to Abathar the priest, 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:27.779 Bring the ephod. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.099 David said, 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:32.559 O Lord God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:37.419 that Saul plans to come to Kaliah and destroy the town on account of me. 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:40.779 Will the citizens of Kaliah surrender me to him? 00:16:41.339 --> 00:16:44.559 Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:47.599 O Lord God of Israel, tell your servant. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.879 And the Lord said he will. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.500 Again, David asked, 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:56.080 Will the citizens of Kaliah surrender me and my men to Saul? 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:58.639 The Lord said they will. 00:16:58.939 --> 00:17:04.559 Flip over to 1 Samuel 30 and look at verses 7 and 8. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:09.380 1 Samuel 30, verses 7 and 8. 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:13.640 Then David said to Abathar the priest, the son of Abimelech, 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.220 Bring me the ephod. 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:17.319 Abathar brought it to him, 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:19.240 And David inquired of the Lord, 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:21.639 Shall I pursue this raiding party? 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:23.039 Will I overtake them? 00:17:23.439 --> 00:17:24.759 Pursue them, he answered. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:29.119 You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue. 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:32.960 So the ephod was a part of the priestly garment 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:38.900 And it was a means for them to seek the Lord's will and direction. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:42.259 Today we have the Holy Spirit that lives within us. 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:45.059 And the Holy Spirit guides and directs us. 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:50.420 We don't need things like casting of lots and putting out the fleece, 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.079 Things like that. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:55.259 We seek the Word of God and we seek the Holy Spirit to lead us. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:18:00.019 But in that day and time they didn't have the Word of God the way we do today. 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:05.079 And they certainly didn't have the Holy Spirit the way we do today. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:09.420 And so God had given them that means to discern the will. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:14.960 But Gideon takes the gold from the earrings that he had gotten 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:17.039 And he makes this ephod. 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.099 But look what happens. 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:24.919 All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping there 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:29.019 And it became a snare to Gideon and his family. 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:33.719 You know I'm sure Gideon knew who won that battle. 00:18:33.959 --> 00:18:37.639 If you go back and you read how God worked in Gideon's life 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:41.399 To even give him the courage to go into a battle like that. 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.699 Gideon knew. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:46.159 And we can assume, again scripture doesn't tell us 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:48.719 So we're assuming and sometimes that may get us into trouble. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:51.440 But we can assume that Gideon was doing something 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:55.519 Probably to bring glory and honor to God. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:58.299 He made this ephod and he put it in his hometown. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:02.620 It was probably something to help the people recognize 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:04.660 And remember that God won the battle. 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:10.160 But the people took what Gideon created with his own hands 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:12.360 And they began to worship it. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:16.339 They turned it into an object of worship 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:20.659 And this became a snare to Gideon and his family. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:23.079 Now there's two things that I would say 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:26.859 About Gideon in this moment and in this story. 00:19:26.919 --> 00:19:29.259 Two things that Gideon did wrong. 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:33.859 First of all, when they gave him glory for winning the battle 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:37.899 There's not a word here that tells us that Gideon corrected them. 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:41.300 There's not a word that Gideon said, 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:43.380 I didn't win that battle. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.900 And he did say, I won't rule over you. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:49.120 But he didn't say, I didn't win that battle. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:51.460 The glory belongs to the Lord. 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:56.240 And so, one of the first things that Gideon does wrong in this 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.620 That becomes a snare to him and shames his name and his family 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:03.259 Is he takes the glory away from God. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:06.799 But the other thing I believe, and this is my beliefs 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:11.759 Is that he didn't stop the people from worshiping the ephod either. 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:17.160 You know, they prostituted themselves by worshiping the ephod 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:20.460 And Gideon never stopped it. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:23.019 He could have destroyed it, thrown it in the river, 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:26.460 Done whatever, burned it, melted all the gold back down, 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:29.859 Whatever, to stop the people from doing it. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.680 But he didn't. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:34.500 Do you remember John in Revelation 19? 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.799 An angel appeared before him. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:41.920 And John was so overwhelmed that he fell before him 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.980 And began to worship. 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.400 And the angel said, no, no, no, no, no. 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.060 Don't do that. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.320 Get up to your feet. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.420 I'm just a messenger of the Lord. 00:20:48.560 --> 00:20:49.660 Do not worship me. 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:52.759 Or do you remember in Acts chapter 14 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.840 When Paul and Barnabas, they healed a crippled man. 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.420 And the people began to respond, 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.940 Y'all must be gods. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:02.200 And they began to try to worship. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:06.820 And Paul and Barnabas had to fight to stop them. 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:09.680 But they stopped them and they said, 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:11.380 Do not worship us. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.860 We're only men. 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:17.620 Worship only belongs to Jesus Christ. 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:22.579 And so, what Gideon may have attempted to do, 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.939 You know, to bring recognition to God, 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:28.119 He allowed it to get out of control. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:31.779 And he took the glory from the Lord for winning the battle. 00:21:31.939 --> 00:21:35.719 But he didn't stop the people from worshiping the ephod. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:41.439 And he left it up there in his hometown throughout his lifetime. 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:47.660 You know, we can't say enough about the importance of finishing well. 00:21:48.320 --> 00:21:52.539 You know, Paul frequently uses the imagery of running a race 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:56.080 to show what the Christian life is like. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:22:01.320 And that it is important for us to run the race with all perseverance, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:05.480 throw off every weight, everything that would hinder us or slow us down, 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:11.380 but to finish the race as strongly as we ever ran it. 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.660 Never stop. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.900 Never quit. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.160 Never give up. 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.940 But keep running the race. 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:22.180 The Christian life is very much that way. 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:26.500 It doesn't matter how we got started. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:31.200 You know, sometimes, maybe some of us in here today 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:36.140 didn't get started very well in either living the life 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.660 or living the Christian life. 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:41.460 Maybe we've stumbled a bit along the way. 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:46.660 But God is a gracious God that loves us and forgives us, 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:51.660 picks us up, and encourages us to get back to running the race. 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:56.600 So despite the failures, despite the sin 00:22:56.600 --> 00:23:00.640 that maybe we've fallen into throughout our lives, 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:04.380 we can go to Christ and ask Him to forgive us 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:10.500 and cleanse us and purify us with the blood of Jesus Christ 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.840 that was shed on Calvary 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:15.240 and then continue running the race 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:17.740 and set it up just like Donald Green, 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:20.320 the gentleman in my last church. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.160 Make it your goal. 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:26.640 Make it your intentions to run the race strong 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:29.620 and to continue to run the race 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:31.820 and cross the finish line 00:23:31.820 --> 00:23:35.960 as strongly as you ever ran it throughout your lifetime. 00:23:36.780 --> 00:23:40.300 You know, the Apostle Paul didn't get started very well 00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:43.920 in serving the Lord Jesus Christ in his life either. 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:47.720 He started off as a Pharisee, up and becoming. 00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:53.060 You know, he had a great future in the Pharisee party 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:56.579 and he may have one day become the high priest. 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.500 We don't know that. 00:23:57.559 --> 00:24:00.720 But he was ruled or governed by the law 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:03.179 and a set of rules and regulations. 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:05.919 And he was so passionate about that 00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:08.019 that he was out killing Christians. 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:11.460 He was putting Christians to death. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:15.579 He was arresting Christians and having them thrown in jail 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.339 or whipped and beaten. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:22.619 He was even on his way to Damascus 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:25.399 to have Christians arrested 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:28.899 when Jesus Christ appeared to him 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:31.000 on the road to Damascus in a bright light. 00:24:31.959 --> 00:24:33.439 And you know, from that day forward, 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.720 Paul's life changed. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.559 From that day forward, 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:41.379 Paul no longer lived for a set of laws 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:45.159 or rules, regulations. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:48.560 He set aside all of his ambitions, 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.540 all of his drive, 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:54.080 all of the things he had been living for before, 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:57.220 and he focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:59.060 And from that point forward, 00:24:59.340 --> 00:25:03.320 he began to die daily unto himself 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:06.560 and allow God's will, God's wishes, 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:09.779 God's dreams for his life to be lived out. 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:12.639 And he faced whippings, 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:15.420 stonings, beatings, imprisonments, 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.259 shipwrecks, snakebites. 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:20.879 He faced all of those things with joy 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:24.960 to take the gospel message into the world 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:27.859 to those who still needed to hear it, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:30.899 to take the gospel so that people could hear 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:32.859 of the love of Jesus Christ, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:35.420 come to Jesus, be forgiven of their sin, 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:39.160 and be freed from the penalty of sin. 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:41.759 The penalty that those individuals 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.340 would spend all eternity in hell. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:49.220 And it was Paul's desire that burned within him 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:52.600 to make the name of Jesus known 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:55.360 and that people would worship him 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:58.360 and live for him and serve him. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:01.519 And Paul said he died daily. 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.620 He had to die daily. 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:06.939 Every day he got up, he put himself aside. 00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:11.059 The things that were important to him previously 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.439 are no longer important. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:15.899 He counted it as rubbish, he said. 00:26:15.979 --> 00:26:18.279 All of the things of the past were rubbish 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:22.299 that he could only make Jesus 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:26.179 and the blood of Christ that was shed at Calvary 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:27.799 to make it known. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:32.019 The problem sometimes in Christians' lives 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:35.279 are as we think that when we get saved, 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:38.299 that's the end of the race. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:41.359 And really that's just the start. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:44.700 That's when the starting pistol gets fired, 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.819 is at the beginning of the race. 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:49.099 And that's when our race begins, 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:52.039 when we come to know Jesus Christ 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:54.319 as our Lord and Savior. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:58.259 And we are to fix our eyes upon Christ, 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:01.799 throw off every hindrance that would hinder us, 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:04.440 and run to win the race. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.779 That means dying to self. 00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:08.440 All the things, all of our hopes, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.180 all of our dreams, all of our ambitions, 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:12.839 all the things that we were living for, 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:15.699 we set them aside, 00:27:15.699 --> 00:27:18.659 and we allow the will of God 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:20.599 to be birthed within us. 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:25.599 And now our dreams, our hopes, our desires, 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:29.259 the things that we live for 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:31.939 are given to us by God. 00:27:32.459 --> 00:27:36.279 That it is our ambition to bring glory 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:40.459 to the Lord Jesus Christ above all else. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:44.019 And we're willing to face whatever challenges, 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.259 whatever obstacles, 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:47.360 whatever things come our way, 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:51.380 we will face them and pay the price 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:55.360 to be running that race to make Jesus Christ 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:57.660 so that when we cross the finish line, 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:00.799 we can finish it strong. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:03.420 A few years ago, 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:08.360 I was leading a Bible study at Cafe Connections. 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.600 And many of y'all know this. 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:11.079 Many of you know this story. 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:15.379 But we were leading a Bible study on Friday night. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:19.859 And we had a rather interesting mixture 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:22.899 of individuals coming to that Bible study. 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.899 Well, one night, 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.359 I live up 183, 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:30.219 and there's some trailers along the way 00:28:30.219 --> 00:28:32.439 that I stopped and picked up a couple of guys 00:28:32.439 --> 00:28:33.939 that had been homeless. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:36.359 And they moved up there to move in 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:37.359 with one of them's mother. 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:39.139 But I stopped there. 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:40.139 And when I got there, 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.479 Jimmy, 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.699 not Jimmy Dicker, by the way, 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:45.819 he was sitting there, 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:49.279 and he just had that blank stare on his face like, 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:52.659 and he was sunburned really bad. 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.099 And I said, 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:54.939 man, what are you doing? 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:55.619 I said, 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.839 you need to put your shirt on. 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:58.099 You're getting really sunburned. 00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:00.139 And he just stared at me. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.059 And I said, 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.439 are you coming to Bible study tonight? 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:06.620 Well, the other gentleman was off working, 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.140 you know, 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:08.580 mowing somebody's yard and stuff. 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.500 So I kept asking him. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:11.320 And it took probably 10 to 15 minutes 00:29:11.320 --> 00:29:12.220 to finally get him to say, 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.019 no, I'm not coming. 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.500 So I'm like, 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.000 almost like, 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.420 good, 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.019 you know, 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.600 let's go. 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.779 Jumped in my truck, 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.279 took off. 00:29:18.340 --> 00:29:19.480 I stopped at McDonald's. 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.920 I had pre-ordered some hamburgers 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.400 because I always fed the people. 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:25.299 And then went over to Cafe Connections. 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.980 And I hadn't been there two minutes. 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:29.039 And he walked in the door. 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.059 And I was thinking, 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.559 man, 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.559 how'd you get, 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.440 he didn't have a car. 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:35.399 And this was probably five miles up 183. 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.359 How did you get here? 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.659 He never would answer me. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.619 He just looked at me. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:42.079 And I started thinking in my spirit, 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.319 Lord, 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.819 please don't let him pull out a gun 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:45.779 or a knife or something to kill me. 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.980 Because I'm beginning to realize 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.799 something's really wrong. 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:48.940 Well, 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:50.200 I realized it back in the trailer. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.940 Something's really wrong with this guy. 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:54.039 But he kept just staring at me. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.279 Well, 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:56.460 I learned some valuable lessons that day. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:56.819 Number one, 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:58.740 you don't turn your back on somebody on meth. 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:01.319 But I was standing there 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:03.379 at the island. 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:05.119 And I was putting the hamburgers 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.079 and drinks and stuff out. 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.379 And I'm like, 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:06.559 hey, 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:06.799 Jimmy, 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.220 you hungry? 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.359 Come on over here and get this. 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:08.859 Well, 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.700 the next thing I know, 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:11.259 he punched me in the face. 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:12.220 Right there, 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.159 just as hard as he could. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:13.940 He was 23 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:15.700 and a rather big dude 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:18.099 that he could have thrashed me easily. 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.099 However, 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.539 God answered my prayer. 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.619 He didn't have a gun or a knife. 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:25.000 But he hit me so hard 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:27.279 that Michelle made me 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:29.299 go have my jaw x-ray 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.879 to make sure it wasn't broken. 00:30:31.679 --> 00:30:32.659 Because I was leaving 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.699 a couple days after that 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.339 to go to Peru. 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.619 But he hit me 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.619 and then he ran. 00:30:36.719 --> 00:30:38.019 Fortunately for me, 00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.979 he hit me and ran. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:41.139 And he was asked later 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:42.019 why he did it. 00:30:42.439 --> 00:30:43.039 And he said, 00:30:43.439 --> 00:30:45.899 voices told him to hit me. 00:30:45.979 --> 00:30:46.099 Now, 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.719 I don't know if those 00:30:46.719 --> 00:30:47.619 are demonic voices 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:48.679 or voices he heard 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.799 because he was on meth. 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.000 But, 00:30:51.399 --> 00:30:52.819 I'll have to admit, 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.779 it rattled me 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.879 and it scared me. 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.899 And I had to really think 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:58.719 long and hard 00:30:58.719 --> 00:31:00.480 did I even want to go back 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.079 over there 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:03.099 and risk him coming in again 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.219 to, 00:31:05.219 --> 00:31:05.579 you know, 00:31:05.619 --> 00:31:06.699 this time bring a gun 00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:07.480 or a knife. 00:31:08.159 --> 00:31:09.319 And I really struggled. 00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:10.259 I thought about just 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.759 ending the Bible study. 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.699 Fortunately, 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.379 I was co-teaching 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:16.320 that with Jim Gilstrap. 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.200 And for those of you 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.820 that know Jim, 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.940 Jim's not scared of anything. 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:19.880 You know, 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.080 he walked around 00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:21.600 in Peru, 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:23.000 you know, 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.780 never scared of 00:31:23.780 --> 00:31:24.840 the most dangerous areas 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:25.540 where he was, 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.280 which might not have been 00:31:27.280 --> 00:31:27.740 real smart. 00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.220 But anyway, 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.260 he's not scared. 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.840 And if Jim's watching this today, 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:31.320 hi Jim. 00:31:33.280 --> 00:31:33.720 But, 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.880 so we continued 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.840 and I brought myself 00:31:37.840 --> 00:31:39.200 to go back over there. 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.700 And I even had the opportunity 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.960 to eventually talk to Jimmy, 00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:43.860 forgive him, 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.380 told him I didn't hold anything. 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.420 I didn't press charges 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.160 against him. 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:49.360 And I invited him back 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.180 to the Bible study. 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:51.940 And he did come back once. 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.160 But the point 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.520 of all of that is 00:31:54.520 --> 00:31:56.220 sometimes we face challenges. 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:58.340 Sometimes we face difficulties. 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.920 Sometimes we put ourselves 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:01.120 in awkward positions. 00:32:01.120 --> 00:32:02.840 But God wants us 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:04.440 to run the race 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.920 as strong 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.480 as we ever did. 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:08.420 And we see that 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.660 in the life of Paul. 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:12.160 Paul ran the race. 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.380 And he faced 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:14.700 all those difficulties 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.700 being imprisoned, 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.880 being whipped, 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.660 being beaten, 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.680 being stoned 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.320 to where the people 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:20.300 thought he was dead, 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.720 being shipwrecked, 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.980 being snakebitten, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.380 and he did it all 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.820 for the glory of the Lord. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.779 Can I ask you today, 00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:31.860 are you running the race 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:33.420 like that? 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:34.740 Can you say, 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.420 like Paul says 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.940 in 2 Timothy 4, 7, 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.360 I have fought 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.200 the good fight. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:42.279 I have finished the race. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:44.500 I have kept the faith. 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.259 Are you running 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.500 the race today 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:49.400 with that much focus, 00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.860 that much determination, 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.380 that much commitment 00:32:52.380 --> 00:32:54.420 that your only goal 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.019 and purpose 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.759 is to bring glory 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.500 and honor 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.940 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.299 and you're faithful 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:01.120 and obedient 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:03.740 to however he wills 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.740 to use your life. 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.779 That you've taken 00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.680 all those things 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:08.460 that you've been living for 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:10.560 and you've set them aside. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.160 They don't matter. 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:15.279 It's all rubbish 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.360 and garbage 00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:17.860 compared to knowing 00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:18.880 Jesus Christ 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:21.500 and making Him known. 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:24.160 If you're not living that way, 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.779 can I ask you 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.480 another question? 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.039 Why not? 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:29.539 Why not? 00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:32.320 What stands in your way 00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:34.299 to making Jesus 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:36.120 your priority of life 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:38.000 and that you will live 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.539 for Him 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:39.679 and serve Him 00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:41.599 and trade all the things 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.759 you used to live for 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.659 for the things 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.500 that He wants you 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.179 to live for 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:46.639 and the purposes 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:47.719 that He has 00:33:47.719 --> 00:33:50.000 in your life. 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.519 I'm going to ask 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.679 the musicians to come 00:33:51.679 --> 00:33:52.259 and lead us 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.759 in a closing time. 00:33:54.699 --> 00:33:55.579 And I want you 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:57.159 to just be very sensitive 00:33:57.159 --> 00:33:58.119 to the Holy Spirit 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.799 this morning 00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:00.379 and what He is saying 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:01.219 to you. 00:34:01.679 --> 00:34:02.699 And I'll be down here 00:34:02.699 --> 00:34:03.179 if you'd like 00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:03.979 to come forward. 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.539 Lord, I'll be more than happy 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.559 to pray with you 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.599 or if you have a decision 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.400 to make today 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.800 that maybe you don't know 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.539 Jesus Christ 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.639 as your Lord and Savior 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.960 and today's the day 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.079 that you want to ask Him 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.240 to come into your heart 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:16.480 to be your Lord. 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.219 I'll be here 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.380 to pray with you.