WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.219 Hebrews chapter 11, Hebrews chapter 11, before I get started, this week's a pretty big week, 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:19.260 ain't it? Some of you too old to know, but school starts back. If you are working administration 00:00:19.260 --> 00:00:27.320 or faculty or staff at a school, do me a favor and stand for just a moment. Go ahead, don't 00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:41.420 be shy, don't be ashamed. Stand here for just a moment. Amen. Heroes that are put under fire often 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:49.939 have the opportunity to make wonderful impacts on young people. I'm thankful for what you do, 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:58.879 and go into what feels like the war zone. I am speaking at YLA this week, and I told her middle 00:00:58.879 --> 00:01:04.420 school is like a school of terrorists, you know? I mean, it's just part of it, but it's just that age 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:09.979 in life, you know? Did I say that out loud? I guess I did, but anyway, but it's just that age in life, 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:15.259 but I appreciate what you do, and I want to begin this morning by just praying for you and for our 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:25.340 students, okay? Let's pray together. Lord Jesus, thank you for those who have dedicated their lives 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:35.760 to leading, to teaching, and to staffing, feeding, cleaning after, doing whatever needs to be done 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:43.680 for students, dear God. I'm thankful for Christians that do it. When we live in a spiritual war zone 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:49.500 that so often focuses upon the schools, I'm thankful for those who stand for their faith, 00:01:50.100 --> 00:01:55.740 and Lord, who in the midst of their circumstances continue to be a testimony for the Lord Jesus, 00:01:56.600 --> 00:02:02.480 just in the way they live, allowing folks to see Christ through them. And so, God, I pray 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:08.700 that you'll give endurance for the race. I pray, dear God, that you'll give strength 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:16.579 for the times of trials. I pray, dear God, that you will do a work not only in those that lead, 00:02:16.679 --> 00:02:22.899 but God, I pray for our students. I pray, Lord, that they will live out their Christian example 00:02:22.899 --> 00:02:28.439 before others. They'll live out their faith. They won't fall into the traps that so many fall into 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:35.179 during school age that sometimes can war on their life for a lifetime. God, I pray that you will 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:41.260 watch over them. Help them to achieve great things, dear God, and help them, Lord, to keep their eyes 00:02:41.260 --> 00:02:48.060 upon you through it all. I love you and thank you that every time I've dropped a young'un off in my life, 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:55.460 I can entrust that child to you and ask you, dear God, to guide her. So, God, today, I pray that you'll do 00:02:55.460 --> 00:03:01.640 that for our schools as they start this week, dear Father. Thank you for the opportunity to lean upon you. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:06.599 Thank you for the opportunity to worship. In Jesus' name, amen. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:13.099 This morning, I'm going to finish up talking about Abraham. We've spent a lot of time talking about 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:17.859 Abraham, but I want to begin by telling you what we're going to talk about next week. 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:24.899 I'm going to begin a series called The Reality of Eternity, and I believe it is a very important series. 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:29.799 I'm going to talk about the reality of heaven, and I'm going to talk about the reality of hell, 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:35.080 and most of what I talk about about heaven will be the first part of that series, and the second part 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:43.560 will be about hell. I want to encourage you to pray with me about that because it's pivotal. 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:49.920 A lot of people are so fascinated with heaven that they'll come and listen to a sermon about heaven 00:03:49.920 --> 00:03:54.220 when they may not come other times because they want to know about the unknown. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:04:02.020 And then there's others who need to hear the truth, the reality of hell, and some people that God has laid upon your heart, 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:05.659 and you've wanted the opportunity to invite and can't figure out why. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:12.900 Listen, next Sunday, I'll be preaching on one minute after you die. 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:21.360 One minute after you die. It's pivotal. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:27.040 And so I encourage you to pray that God will allow you to invite somebody to come. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:34.420 You'll be here yourself, and that we'll start August the right way, studying the Word of God. 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:38.699 There's a lot of thoughts about eternity, and a lot of them are not biblical. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:43.659 We're going to deal with the biblical basis of what happens when we leave this life. 00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:49.579 And so I'm looking forward to that, but we ain't there yet because we're finishing up with Abraham today. 00:04:49.719 --> 00:04:52.420 You know, there's an old woodsman's proverb that says, 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:56.019 a tree is best measured when it's down. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:02.439 In other words, don't admire somebody too much too early 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:08.000 because the proof is when it's all said and done. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:14.259 A few years ago, Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:18.360 one of our six Southern Baptist seminaries that we support through the co-op program, 00:05:19.659 --> 00:05:26.399 at that school, the president and his wife wanted to honor those who had accompanied them 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:30.600 in helping to save the Southern Baptist Convention from liberalism. 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:36.939 And they wanted to do that by decorating their new chapel and performing arts center 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:45.540 with stained glass windows of modern leaders of the conservative resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention. 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:50.800 And they began to put these stained glass windows up. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:06:01.960 And halfway through the nearly $2 million, six dozen window, 20 year commission, 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:04.580 the project was stopped. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:09.220 The installed windows were taken down. 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:13.340 New leadership came into that seminary 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:18.340 and changed what they wanted to focus on. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:23.779 And many of the living legends that had already been put in stained glass 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:29.639 have now been defamed by moral failure. 00:06:31.539 --> 00:06:35.639 Don't immortalize people until they're mortally gone. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:40.219 There's still time for them to mess up. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:46.260 However, when the tree does come down, 00:06:47.260 --> 00:06:50.160 you can judge it with confidence. 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:54.780 And as we walk through the life of Abraham, 00:06:54.960 --> 00:06:57.360 we walk through the life of Abraham together. 00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:00.420 Now we can see the whole story. 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:03.800 There were rough years along the way. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:06.100 There were disappointments along the way. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:10.100 There were bold, soul-stirring, life-changing years 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:15.520 and eternity-influenced decisions that were made along the way 00:07:15.520 --> 00:07:17.460 that God truly blessed in. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:22.939 And Hebrews 11 is what I call the, and I'm not the only one, 00:07:23.200 --> 00:07:25.520 the hall of fame of faith. 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:30.939 It focuses on those heroes of faith that we look to 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:33.160 and then follows that up by saying, 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:35.180 with such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:39.379 that's a little hint about what's coming 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:40.879 in the coming service series. 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:44.439 But what a great cloud of witnesses that we're surrounded by. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:45.160 Run on. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:47.639 Keep running in the midst of that. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:52.240 But of all the folks that are mentioned in Hebrews 11, 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.980 probably the one that's most focused on more than anybody else 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:57.300 is Abraham because of his faith. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:08:00.180 And he kind of sums up his life. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.379 I want us to look at that today. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:06.780 It's in Hebrews 11, verse 8 through 12, and it says this. 00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:11.379 By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.040 to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:17.680 And he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:21.840 By faith, he went to live in the land of promise, 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:25.900 as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:28.379 heirs with him of the same promise. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:32.459 For he was looking to the city that has foundations, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:35.419 whose designer and builder is God. 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:39.980 By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive, 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:42.000 even when she was past the age, 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:47.179 since she considered him faithful who had promised. 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:51.599 Therefore, from one man, and in him as good as dead, 00:08:52.099 --> 00:08:55.500 were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven 00:08:55.500 --> 00:09:02.719 and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 00:09:04.719 --> 00:09:08.659 The faithfulness of Abraham's walk of faith 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:12.240 can teach us a lot about how to live. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:16.299 And I want to simplify it as much as I can this morning 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:19.799 by giving you four simple principles 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:24.480 to live by in your spiritual walk. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:26.759 The first is this. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:30.340 When called, go. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:33.379 When called, go. 00:09:35.060 --> 00:09:37.820 He went when God told him to go, 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:41.180 and he was determined to be where God wanted him to be. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:43.100 And let me be clear, 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:46.480 he did not have a God-given agenda 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:48.379 that was placed in front of him 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:51.440 so that he knew where he was going and what he was doing. 00:09:51.640 --> 00:09:56.260 He had no future family picture to know what was ahead. 00:09:56.940 --> 00:09:58.940 No printout of the future. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:00.860 He went by faith. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:02.960 And when you go by faith, 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:06.240 you trade your plan for God's plan. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:10.200 You set aside what you can see 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.800 for what God will show you. 00:10:12.180 --> 00:10:14.100 You exchange what you know 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:15.940 for that that you do not know. 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:19.639 And he went without knowing where he was going. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:24.600 Now this is not some pitiful little man 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:25.800 looking for a handout 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:28.440 or a man who didn't have anything going on at all. 00:10:29.040 --> 00:10:30.460 When God called Abraham, 00:10:30.460 --> 00:10:32.500 Abraham was 75 years old 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.980 and he was well-established. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.379 He was a rich man. 00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:38.560 He had every reason to stay exactly where he was 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:41.540 except the fact that God told him to go. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:44.940 And for a person of faith, that is enough. 00:10:45.780 --> 00:10:48.120 And on faith, he picked up and went. 00:10:49.780 --> 00:10:52.519 It is sweet to listen to somebody else do such. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:55.420 It's wonderful to hear that story. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.580 But let me ask you a question. 00:10:56.580 --> 00:11:04.280 If God led me and I knew that God was leading me, 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:10.879 would I go if I didn't know where I was going? 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.960 Think about that, folks. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:21.040 If I could not at least anticipate 00:11:21.040 --> 00:11:26.180 what to expect with any kind of accuracy, 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:29.479 do you step out and go? 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:30.519 I mean, that's tough. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:33.299 But that's faith. 00:11:35.579 --> 00:11:38.339 And Christians have a tendency to have a tough time 00:11:38.339 --> 00:11:40.739 to walk across the street to share their faith 00:11:40.739 --> 00:11:43.059 with a neighbor that they speak to often, 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:47.879 let alone go to an unnamed destination. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.559 And I want to be clear, 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:51.379 he didn't have a prayer team 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:54.539 that met after church down at the altar 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:56.319 and prayed over him to go. 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:57.579 No, not at all. 00:11:57.839 --> 00:12:00.500 He was surrounded by idol worshipers, 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:04.579 worshiping Canaanite gods. 00:12:05.219 --> 00:12:06.620 He didn't have that kind of support. 00:12:07.839 --> 00:12:09.799 Now, whether you have that kind of support 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:12.120 or whether you feel like you don't have that kind of support, 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:15.079 be clear, a walk of faith in the Lord 00:12:15.079 --> 00:12:17.099 comes without a clear roadmap. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:20.240 Man, I wish you'd make it clear. 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.460 But you have to take it a day at a time. 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.259 You walk daily with the Lord 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:29.860 and trust him for that day 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:32.500 because you don't know what tomorrow holds, 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:34.080 but thank God you know who holds tomorrow. 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:35.399 So you rest in that. 00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:37.460 And God cultivates our faith 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:39.480 by holding those details back. 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.840 He knows what they are, 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:43.399 but he holds those details back 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:45.200 so he can cultivate our faith. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:47.180 And that's where our blessing comes in. 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:51.180 Now, when I say when called, go, 00:12:51.300 --> 00:12:52.340 I want to be clear about something. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.620 God didn't call Abraham 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:57.160 to go into vocational Christian ministry. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:59.420 That's not what he did. 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.740 Don't you dare think 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:04.379 that's the only calling of God upon somebody. 00:13:04.520 --> 00:13:05.379 It is not. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.680 Now, having said that, 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.200 let me tell you, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.480 it is very real. 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:12.200 To me, it's a pretty special one. 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:14.800 For me, it was a very clear one. 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:16.940 I didn't know what I was going to do, 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.160 but I knew what I was supposed to do. 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:20.020 And God made that clear. 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:24.100 And I knew when he spoke what I was to do. 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:26.420 However, it does not stop there. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:29.460 He has called me in many ways 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:33.100 at many times to do many things. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:36.220 And I want to be clear. 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:38.200 I have a relationship with the Lord. 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.399 Some people don't feel comfortable with this, 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.659 but he speaks to me. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:42.300 He does. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.320 We have a relationship. 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:45.779 He does. 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:47.000 Now, I realize people can say 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.100 all kinds of quacky things 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.340 when they say that, 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:50.639 but I'm telling you, 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:52.139 I believe the Holy Spirit of God 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.980 indwells a believer 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.580 and leads them 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.980 to do what they do. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:56.960 For instance, 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:59.399 I had a man I was praying for one time, 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.279 and I was burdened for him. 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:03.839 And God laid that on my heart one night, 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:06.740 and I picked up the phone 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:09.120 and called this man at 10 p.m. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.959 I don't call folks at 10 p.m. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:15.299 You can call me if you need to, 00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:18.279 but I don't call folks at 10 p.m. 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.699 I don't do that, 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.679 but God led me to do it. 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:27.120 I've been trying to reach him for Christ. 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:27.860 He was stubborn. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:28.919 I had had the opportunity 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:30.159 to baptize his wife. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.860 I knew she had a burden for him. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.500 I knew he needed to change his life, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.480 and I knew only Christ could do that, 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:37.379 and so I called him. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.220 God wouldn't let me sleep 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.600 because I was burdened 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.539 for this man's salvation. 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.659 I didn't know why it was pertinent 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.740 at 10 p.m. at night, 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.559 but I don't know those things. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:50.199 And so I did what I felt led to do, 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.639 and I called him. 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:53.879 And I said, 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.279 Chuck, 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:58.199 God has laid you on my heart tonight, 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:01.959 and if you'll surrender your life 00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:03.240 to the Lord tonight, 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:06.199 I will ride over your house 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:09.120 and meet you in your front yard 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.159 and lead you to Christ. 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:14.639 But if you tell me no, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.179 the blood's on your head, 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.000 not mine. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.679 I've done what I was supposed to do tonight. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.939 So what do you think? 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:25.679 He said, 00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:26.379 Preacher, come on. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.399 We stood out in our nightlight 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.919 in front of his house, 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.919 the whole house asleep, 00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:33.179 except me and him, 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.919 standing out in the yard. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:36.519 He gave his heart and life 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.719 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.319 and I said, 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:39.939 Walk back in there 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:40.579 and wake up your wife. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:42.179 She won't be mad at you 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:44.000 for telling her you got saved. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.639 Go with God 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.279 and trust him 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:53.399 for the rest 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:56.799 because God blesses such as that 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:59.740 if you'll just lean upon him. 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.599 Faith grows 00:16:01.599 --> 00:16:03.099 through that. 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.579 Faith builds on faith 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:07.439 in your life 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:09.599 and establishes legacies of faith. 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.159 A seed of faith 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.679 will grow into something 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:15.559 that's blossoming in your life 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:16.139 in faith. 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.599 And if you don't venture 00:16:17.599 --> 00:16:19.240 on the uncertain path of faith, 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:21.219 you will never enjoy 00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:22.699 the joys that come 00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:24.459 with the uncertainties 00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:25.740 that come in your life 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:27.339 due to your walk of faith. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.240 And watching God 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:31.500 show up and show out 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.559 at the right time, 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:34.539 but you have to have the faith 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.259 to step out 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.479 and acknowledge him. 00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:38.579 You have to do that 00:16:38.579 --> 00:16:39.919 to come to Christ. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.279 And a relationship 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:42.839 with the Lord 00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:44.599 starts by your surrender 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:46.419 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:48.079 When you sense 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:49.779 that God is stirring 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.679 in your heart, 00:16:50.859 --> 00:16:52.019 that something needs 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.299 to change in your life, 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:54.899 that you can't change yourself, 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.639 I want you to know 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.439 that Christ came 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.959 and died for your sins, 00:16:59.079 --> 00:16:59.980 for your wrongdoing 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.939 that separates you 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.559 from the Lord. 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.200 And God, 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.019 His Holy Spirit 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.059 will come to us 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:07.059 and will speak 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.119 to our hearts and lives. 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.119 No, it's not audible. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.379 It's louder than that. 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.299 And you know 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.720 it's Him speaking to you. 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:13.740 And you know 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.579 you need to come 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.639 and surrender your life 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.720 and give it 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.819 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.799 That begins 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.039 that relationship. 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:22.819 And then you have 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:24.000 the faith to continue 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.439 to please God, 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.960 to continue 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.919 to grow in God. 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.460 Abraham shows us this, 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.839 that even in extreme 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.579 circumstances, 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.819 you ought to trust 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.279 the Lord. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.939 You ought to go with God 00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:38.000 even when you're standing 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.399 on the foot of Mount Moriah, 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.359 not knowing 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:41.379 what's coming ahead, 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.799 but trusting that 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.579 whatever's coming, 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:44.519 God's there. 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.720 You'll be surprised 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:47.299 where life will take you. 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.559 If you let the Lord 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.399 lead you 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:50.700 and as you look back, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.079 you'll see His hand 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.359 upon you the whole time. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.879 You don't always 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.759 see it at the time, 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.919 but you can look back 00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:58.700 and see God's hand 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.700 upon you the whole time 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.379 that you never sensed 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.359 at the time, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.359 but God in fact 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.079 was leading you 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:05.319 all the way. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:08.379 It is rarely easy, 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.619 often challenging, 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.240 but so is growth 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:13.639 and God wants us to grow. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:17.720 And so when He calls, 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:20.480 whatever He calls you 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:20.899 to do, 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.619 go. 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.440 Second thing I learned 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.379 from Abraham's life, 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.099 and I ain't focused 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.059 on this a whole lot 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.339 during this series, 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.440 so I'm going to do it 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:30.940 right now. 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.480 When married, 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:34.679 stay. 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.579 When married, 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.019 stay. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.179 Now I want to be clear 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:43.679 about something. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:46.660 The devil has a wonderful 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:49.140 time making us feel guilty, 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:52.240 are shamed over sin 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:54.940 that is in our past 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:56.779 that is under the blood 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.360 of Christ. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.460 You've had sin in your life, 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.120 you put that under 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.820 the blood of Christ, 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:04.100 and He cleans the slate, 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:06.299 and you need to let it go. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.220 Period. 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.339 Period. 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:10.000 I'm not talking about 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.779 yesterday. 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.660 Whatever happened 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.319 yesterday 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.980 needs to be confessed, 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.519 forgiven, 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.779 and moved past. 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:18.140 Don't hold it against 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.579 yourself, 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.460 because God don't hold 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:19.960 it against you 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.519 if you ask Him 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.100 to forgive you 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:22.180 and to cleanse you. 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.279 So I'm speaking 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.039 to the current, 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.740 not the past. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.759 And if you're married 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.380 today, 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:33.299 stay married. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:38.619 Abraham and Sarah 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.019 did 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.819 for over 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.680 a hundred years. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.000 They put them 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.919 in the Greenville News 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:46.359 and celebrated them. 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.299 Match that. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.779 Now that ain't 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.579 no piece of cake. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.039 What do you think? 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.119 He was called 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.119 to pick up everything 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.059 in the midst 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.379 of a very settled state. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.639 And to go on 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:06.000 direction by God 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.919 to a new place. 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.659 And his wife said, 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.359 where are we going? 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.940 And he said, 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.539 I don't know. 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:15.359 I'm looking for a city 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:16.339 that has foundations 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.119 whose designer 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.279 and builder is God. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.639 And I can just see 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.480 Sarah kind of going, 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.000 oh my. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.399 And where is that? 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.019 And he said, 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.240 honey, 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.079 come on. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.059 Now that's Daniel's 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.619 paraphrase, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.119 but that's what 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:28.599 was happening. 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.460 When they wanted 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.919 a child, 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.359 but they couldn't 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:31.960 have one, 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:33.340 Sarah, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.420 as she was called 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:34.779 then, 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.640 said, 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.360 have one with 00:20:37.360 --> 00:20:38.180 my maidservant. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.779 He did. 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.720 That didn't go well. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.579 You know that story 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.120 if you've been here 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.640 a few weeks. 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.519 Hagar resented her 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:45.100 and Sarah was then 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:45.880 mean to her 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:48.299 and sin never works out. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:50.039 It never works out. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.460 Just because Scripture 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.259 points out 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.380 that those things happen 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.360 does not mean 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:55.579 that God justified it 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.500 or that it was okay. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:58.119 It's a big misunderstanding 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:59.299 about that today 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.119 that things that happened 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:02.079 in yesteryear 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.980 that God gives direction 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:05.000 and guidance through 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.880 in the midst of that 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.400 is somehow justified 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.680 by us. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.440 Not at all. 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.759 But God speaks 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.720 to where we live 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.799 and what our circumstances 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.920 are and how we are 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.839 to respond to that. 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.940 And Hagar resented her 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.079 and Sarah was mean to her 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.680 and sin didn't work out 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.859 and it never does 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.920 so don't go that route. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.880 Twice as they traveled, 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.440 Abraham told his wife 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.100 to tell others 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.200 that she was his sister 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:28.360 which was a half truth 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.680 and a half truth 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:32.240 is always a whole lie 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.559 but it was to be 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:36.920 but she was to tell people that 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.820 to make sure 00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:39.580 that Abraham was not killed 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.559 because his wife 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.100 was beautiful. 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:45.279 Such a philosophy 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.519 led to some kind 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.960 of difficulty along the way 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.340 because sin always 00:21:49.340 --> 00:21:50.720 leads to difficulty. 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:52.200 So don't go that route. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.420 When she did have eyes 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.920 Abraham took him away 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.940 to sacrifice him 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.100 because God told him 00:21:58.100 --> 00:21:58.779 to do that. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.920 And I guarantee you 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.080 that made for tense days 00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.680 as well. 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:05.240 But somehow they hung around 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.779 for a hundred years together. 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:09.340 And the closest example 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.000 that I've seen 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.200 of anybody of that 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.900 is a couple 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:15.420 named Herbert 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:19.600 and Zelmyra Fisher. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:23.059 Herbert and Zelmyra 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:25.980 was married 86 years. 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.799 How many have been married 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.579 86 years? 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:30.000 86 years. 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.059 They married 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.179 when Calvin Coolidge 00:22:32.179 --> 00:22:33.159 was president. 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:35.419 They reared five children. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.480 They survived 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.279 the Great Depression 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.819 off a nickel a day. 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.539 They reared five children 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.819 through the World War II 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:45.279 on ration supplies. 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.259 They witnessed 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.639 the Korean War together. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.360 They witnessed 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.380 the Vietnam War. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.160 They witnessed 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.440 the Civil Rights Movement. 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.440 They witnessed 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.140 the passing 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:55.320 of 15 presidents. 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.540 The world changed 00:22:57.540 --> 00:22:57.900 a little bit 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.600 over their time. 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:01.060 And a year 00:23:01.060 --> 00:23:02.280 before Herbert died, 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.420 he was interviewed 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:05.380 on Valentine's Day 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.240 2010. 00:23:07.560 --> 00:23:08.720 And they asked him, 00:23:08.780 --> 00:23:09.120 they said, 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:09.660 Herbert, 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:10.520 what's your secret? 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.420 What's your secret 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.100 for being married 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:13.759 86 years? 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.740 And Herbert said, 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.080 there isn't a secret. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.619 It was only God 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.659 that kept us together. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.399 And the next year, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.460 he went on to be 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:23.919 with the Lord. 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.240 Folks, 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.740 when married, 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.199 stay. 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.419 Stay. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.740 Third thing is this. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.279 When commanded, 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.119 obey. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.519 When commanded, 00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:36.939 obey. 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:39.139 I've tried to share 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:40.099 the powerful message 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:42.079 of Genesis chapter 22 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.119 when God asked Abraham 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.559 to sacrifice his son 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.119 of promise. 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.700 We spent two weeks 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:48.000 evaluating the sacrifice 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.679 of Isaac. 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:51.379 We have examined 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.259 how God told him 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.259 to go and do it 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.859 and he went 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.619 and we talked about 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.440 that place, 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.759 that dreaded place, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.599 how he looked 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.619 to the top of that mountain 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.559 and dreaded going 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.440 to that place 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.419 as he started 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.059 that journey, 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.819 as he made that climb 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.799 and as he arrived. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.539 It is amazing to me 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.859 how he told his servants 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:09.099 that he and the boy 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.799 would return 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.460 after they went 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.940 to worship. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.220 He knew something 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.679 was up, 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.179 didn't know how 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.720 it was all going 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.259 to shake out, 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:14.920 knew God 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.220 was going 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.860 to take care of it. 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.720 If he took his boy 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:16.960 from him, 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.200 he was going 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.820 to bring him back. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.860 He knew it was 00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:19.420 all going to work 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.980 out somehow 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:23.019 and he bound 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.779 his teenage 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.279 or young adult son. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.799 Somebody asked me 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.240 about that. 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.039 Man, I don't know. 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.100 How he placed him 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:31.680 on the altar 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.500 and then watched 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.220 God provide. 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:34.080 You want to talk 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.840 about sweet worship? 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.680 Think about that. 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:37.039 Can you imagine 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.580 what it was like 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:38.140 going back down 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.560 that mountain? 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:42.200 It is the most 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.460 challenging times 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.419 that we go through 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.299 that sometimes 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.399 lead to the greatest 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:48.460 worship experience 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:50.240 because the provisional 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.919 hand of God 00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:52.460 is seen in the clearest 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:54.240 and is seen 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.740 the clearest 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.240 in the most 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.720 difficult circumstances 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.740 that we face 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.319 in our life. 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.220 You need to trust God. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.339 When God asks 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.200 the most of you, 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.500 he gives his best. 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.480 When God leads you 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.099 to do something, 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.639 do it. 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.920 When God commands, 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.400 obey. 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.620 Because he has 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.320 your ram 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:13.860 waiting in a bush 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:15.740 for the opportune time. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.100 Trust him. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.220 You won't know 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.580 it's there 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:20.200 until it's time. 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.700 Honor God 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.840 with your obedience 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:24.020 and he'll honor you. 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.259 When commanded, 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.259 obey. 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:33.100 And lastly, 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:36.080 when knocked down, 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.859 get up. 00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:43.439 When life 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:44.179 knocks you down, 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.639 get up. 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.699 The marriage 00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:48.259 that lasted 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.299 over a hundred years 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.079 ends in the death 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.519 of Sarah. 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:52.899 Abraham 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.259 mourned 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.579 the death 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.359 of his wife 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:56.919 and buried her 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.539 the best way 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.019 he could. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:26:01.519 But God 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.039 wasn't finished 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.559 with Abraham. 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.139 That loss 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.920 in his life 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.819 did not finish 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.519 his life. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.680 He turned 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.200 his attention 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.940 to his son, 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:16.099 finding his son 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.460 a lifelong companion. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.500 And in order 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.420 for the promise 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.879 of God 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.740 to be carried out, 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.500 Isaac needed 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.519 at least one heir. 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.200 Abraham, 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.619 after Sarah's death, 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.019 would live 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.599 another 38 years. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.480 He eventually 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.559 found another woman. 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.599 They had 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.339 more children. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.700 As 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:38.619 Ecclesiastes 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.539 chapter 3, 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.859 1, 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.519 2 through 4 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.000 says, 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.799 for everything 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.859 there is a season 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:47.119 and a time 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:47.940 for every matter 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:49.099 under heaven. 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:49.680 A time 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.079 to be born, 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.379 a time 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:50.900 to die, 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.099 a time 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.680 to plant 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.099 and a time 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.700 to pluck up 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.360 what is planted, 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:55.779 a time 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.340 to weep 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:56.779 and a time 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.340 to laugh, 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:57.680 a time 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.160 to mourn 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.700 and a time 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.480 to dance. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.920 I mention 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.460 that scripture 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.400 for two reasons. 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.019 One is this, 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.519 if you've suffered 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.240 great loss 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.980 in your life, 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.640 I pray 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.980 that you heal 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:13.180 and the balm 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.960 of the Lord 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.059 will provide you 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.779 a comfort 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.720 and a peace 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.680 that is unlike 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.740 anything this world 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.279 can offer. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:21.700 because the only 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.099 one that can 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.660 feel the voyage 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.160 in our life 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.779 is the Holy 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.660 Spirit of God. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.619 I am thankful 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.619 that when I stand 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.980 behind any casket 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.940 I can promise 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.480 a family 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.359 that if they'll 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.039 look to the Lord 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.680 and commit their 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.319 lives to Him 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.079 that He'll be 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.960 faithful even 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.519 in the hardest 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.019 time. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.039 That He will 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.579 not leave us 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.019 alone. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.359 He will not 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.200 forsake us. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.220 He'll come 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.740 to us. 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.539 That the peace 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.139 that He gives 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.759 us is unlike 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.619 anything this world 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.639 can offer to us. 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:48.560 And I want to 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.180 encourage you 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:50.340 today to attempt 00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:51.700 to live again. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.960 If you're here 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.360 this morning 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.800 God hasn't 00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:55.540 taken you home 00:27:55.540 --> 00:27:56.720 when He took 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.180 your loved one 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.540 home. 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:58.920 Although it may 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.780 have felt like it. 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:00.980 But God has 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.600 more for you. 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.680 We need you 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:05.360 to serve Him 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.560 right alongside 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.259 us. 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.480 Don't stop 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.140 living until 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:09.800 you die. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.060 The other 00:28:14.060 --> 00:28:14.700 reason I say 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.480 that is this. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:18.100 I'm going to 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.680 mingle into 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.140 your business 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.440 here. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.700 If you have 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.380 a parent who 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.080 has lost his 00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:26.940 or her spouse 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:29.860 let them live. 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.420 Let them live. 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.180 Don't try to 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.900 ascertain how 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.560 long they need 00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.180 to wait to 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.820 find a maid 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.680 or don't try 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.300 to find them 00:28:37.300 --> 00:28:37.720 one. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.180 Let them 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.660 live. 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.580 Marriage 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.480 should only end 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.180 in death and 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.920 when it does 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.560 it's over. 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:48.320 God wants us 00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:49.460 to live and 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.420 honor and serve 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.180 Him for all 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.740 of our days. 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.720 Be faithful to 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.280 your spouse 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:53.880 until the end. 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.880 Be faithful to 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.560 God until the 00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:55.700 end. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.160 When life knocks 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:58.180 you down by 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.800 loss and pain 00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.920 and setback 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:02.200 get up! 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.420 Get up! 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:14.880 God wants you to 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.740 live. 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.380 He wants you to 00:29:16.380 --> 00:29:16.880 live. 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.820 Beat you like a 00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:18.340 yard dog. 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.940 God's still on the 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.640 throne folks. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:27.140 And He still wants 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:27.580 you to live 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.620 wholeheartedly for 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:29.000 Him. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:32.099 God gave us the 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.220 account of the 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.220 life of Abraham 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.420 for us to 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.380 learn from. 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.500 Not just to get 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.220 some historical 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.359 knowledge but to 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.299 learn from. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.500 And so let's 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.279 learn from it. 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:43.900 And when God 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.640 calls, go. 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.180 And when you're 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.119 married, stay. 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:52.500 And when God 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.579 commands, obey. 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.339 And when you get 00:29:57.339 --> 00:30:00.219 knocked down, get 00:30:00.219 --> 00:30:00.539 up! 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.699 Because that's 00:30:03.699 --> 00:30:04.779 what walking by 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.339 faith is. 00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:11.039 With every head 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:13.719 bowed and every 00:30:13.719 --> 00:30:14.559 eye closed, it is 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:17.559 my prayer that 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.319 through the life of 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.099 Abraham, I'm 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.939 you'll see 00:30:19.939 --> 00:30:20.459 yourself. 00:30:21.699 --> 00:30:22.539 Not because you've 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:22.899 been through the 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.599 same experiences 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.439 that He has, but 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.179 because the same 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.299 God that led Him is 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.000 the same God that 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.419 leads you. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.879 And if you're not 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.539 being led by the 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.019 Lord because you 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.319 don't have a 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.000 personal relationship 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.079 with Him, the 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.719 sin and the 00:30:33.719 --> 00:30:34.479 wrongdoing that is 00:30:34.479 --> 00:30:35.299 in your life will 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.059 separate you from 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.319 Him. 00:30:37.479 --> 00:30:38.199 If you'll ask Him 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.839 today to forgive 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.159 you and to 00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:39.639 cleanse you and to 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.019 come into your 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.859 life and save you, 00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:41.619 He'll do exactly 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.019 that. 00:30:43.979 --> 00:30:44.799 God's working in 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.359 your heart in a 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:45.899 way like that. 00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:46.439 Will you let me 00:30:46.439 --> 00:30:46.719 know? 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:47.899 We're going to 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.579 stand in just a 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:48.739 moment. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.160 We're going to 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.460 sing. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.259 You come down 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.819 this aisle and 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:52.039 say, Pastor, I'd 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.740 love to give my 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.259 heart and life to 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.559 the Lord Jesus 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:53.740 Christ. 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.660 Pastor, I've 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.460 given my heart and 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:55.960 life to the Lord 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.660 Jesus Christ. 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.299 Maybe you've done 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.200 that privately, but 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.279 you've never done it 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.839 publicly. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.579 You've never 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.279 acknowledged Him 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.940 through baptism 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:06.000 publicly. 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.900 We have a cool 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.859 experience happening 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:09.720 in two weeks. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.180 An outdoor 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.140 baptism at Camp 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:13.319 McCall, dinner on 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:13.759 the grounds. 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:15.000 man, does it get 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.480 any better? 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.440 If you need to 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:17.920 settle those 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.480 matters in your 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:20.859 life, let's do 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.019 that. 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.759 We've got time to 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.379 deal with that. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.400 Make it right. 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.180 Deal with it. 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.279 Let's make what's 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.099 private public. 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.619 Let's let folks 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.640 know with biblical 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.619 baptism what it 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:32.819 means to live for 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.180 the Lord. 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.339 Maybe God's drawing 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:35.940 you to be a part of 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.559 this church. 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.019 You're kind of in 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.440 between. 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.619 Hadn't found your 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.940 place, but you know 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:42.799 God's leading you to 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.240 be here. 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.100 I encourage you to 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.220 come. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.059 We'd love to guide 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.000 you in that process. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.400 We'll stand in just 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:50.680 a moment. 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.400 We'll sing, and as 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.720 we sing, as soon as 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.580 we begin to sing, you 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:53.880 come. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.220 Maybe you're here and 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.039 you just got stuff. 00:31:58.100 --> 00:31:58.559 You've been knocked 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:58.980 down. 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.320 Or God's calling you, 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:03.180 or God's commanding 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:03.660 you something. 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.840 Or you're struggling 00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:06.580 with whether to stay 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.080 or not. 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:11.279 I have no idea what's 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.840 going on in your 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:13.500 life, but I know the 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.399 Holy Spirit does. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.980 I truly believe he 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:18.240 led me to be here 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.619 today, to say what I 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:22.019 said today, so he can 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.779 work in your hearts 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.539 and lives, and I 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.259 encourage you to just 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.119 be obedient to him. 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:26.319 I'd love to pray with 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.599 you. 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:27.639 You can pray at this 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:29.259 altar as God leads. 00:32:30.459 --> 00:32:31.339 Just don't ever be 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.139 satisfied with doing 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.959 anything less than what 00:32:32.959 --> 00:32:33.720 God would have you to 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:33.959 do. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.379 Just trust him today. 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.839 Heavenly Father, I 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.299 love you. 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.240 Thank you, Lord, for 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.919 your love that you 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.519 have for us. 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.699 Guide us today, 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:44.460 oh God, I pray to live 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:46.019 out our faith for you. 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:48.700 In Jesus' precious name, 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.340 amen. 00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:49.440 Amen. 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:49.519 Amen.