WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 All right, well, we are continuing on with our series this morning, Stories of the Kingdom, 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:11.560 ! Looking at the parables of Jesus. So if you will take the Word of God with me and turn to the book of Matthew. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:23.920 Matthew's Gospel. Of course, Matthew was a tax collector who Jesus found and redeemed, and he became a devout follower of Jesus 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:32.000 and gave us that first gospel from which we learned so much about the Savior. So we are looking at Matthew chapter 12. 00:00:32.300 --> 00:00:40.799 We've been in chapter 13 for the first couple of segments of this series, but today we're moving back a chapter to chapter 12. 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:45.560 We're going to pick it up in verse 22 of Matthew 12. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:57.640 Matthew chapter 12 in verse 22. This morning, we're going to be talking about the subject, the divided kingdom. 00:00:58.120 --> 00:01:05.280 The divided kingdom from Matthew 12 verse 22. We're going to read down through verse 30. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:16.519 All right, let's begin. I'm reading from the Christian Standard Bible. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:21.920 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him, meaning Jesus. 00:01:22.980 --> 00:01:27.260 Jesus healed him so that the man could both speak and see. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:35.359 All the crowds were astounded and said, could this be the son of David? 00:01:36.320 --> 00:01:39.580 And I'll pause for a moment here. They mean, could this be the Messiah? 00:01:40.080 --> 00:01:46.840 Could this be the promised king who would come and deliver them, give them victory over their captors, 00:01:47.520 --> 00:01:51.160 be their king that they had awaited for so long? 00:01:51.540 --> 00:01:52.500 Verse 24. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:02:01.719 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, this man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:10.659 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus tells them, every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction. 00:02:11.479 --> 00:02:15.379 And no city or house divided against itself will stand. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:22.780 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:25.859 How then will his kingdom stand? 00:02:27.299 --> 00:02:33.199 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? 00:02:33.359 --> 00:02:35.840 For this reason, they will be your judges. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:36.879 Verse 28. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:43.979 If I drive out demons by the spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:54.959 How can someone enter a strong man's house, watch this, and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:58.599 Then he can plunder his house. 00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:03.099 Anyone who is not with me is against me. 00:03:03.899 --> 00:03:08.579 And anyone who does not gather with me scatters. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:18.180 Let's pray right now and ask God to give us illumination, shine his light on the truth behind these scriptures this morning. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:20.380 God, I pray right now that you would do just that. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:28.420 That by your spirit, by your power, by your wisdom, your divine revelation, you would allow us to have clear minds, 00:03:28.880 --> 00:03:33.100 distraction-free focus on what your word is teaching us this morning. 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:34.640 And we'll give you all the glory for it. 00:03:34.700 --> 00:03:35.780 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:03:36.200 --> 00:03:36.500 Amen. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:41.560 So we are looking at this passage specifically. 00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:45.719 And first of all, we're not going to dwell on the first part of it. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:49.240 There's an incredible miracle here. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:52.620 Jesus heals someone who was possessed by demons. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:58.639 That in and of itself is nothing that you and I could do apart from the power of God. 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:02.179 And so we see this incredible miracle. 00:04:02.179 --> 00:04:07.059 And we see the Pharisees responding to it. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:08.979 Not how you and I would respond. 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:18.300 If we saw someone casting out demons out of someone, we would think, wow, that person must have God's power on them. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:22.139 Of course, the Pharisees are going to twist what just happened. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:24.800 Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:28.120 They were very much opposed to Jesus and his teachings. 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:31.240 Because, of course, he came from the one true God. 00:04:31.520 --> 00:04:39.439 And they were holding on to their man-made religious system that was not compatible with the true gospel of God. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:42.740 And so they're opposing him at every step. 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:49.519 And so they said, yeah, he only casts out demons because he has the power of Satan to do so. 00:04:50.219 --> 00:04:54.560 So Jesus is making the point here that, no, no, no, that doesn't make any sense. 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:56.300 That doesn't hold up under examination. 00:04:56.300 --> 00:05:00.960 You can't just say, I'm doing this by the power of Satan. 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:04.759 That doesn't make sense that Satan would be working against himself. 00:05:05.460 --> 00:05:11.100 Maybe I would be possessing people with demons, but I wouldn't be casting them out, right? 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:14.439 So he's making this obvious point. 00:05:15.100 --> 00:05:18.120 But let's dig a little deeper this morning. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:21.720 I want to make something clear to you all. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:25.519 God's word is precise. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:30.800 There may be many applications to a given passage of scripture. 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:33.840 But there is only one true interpretation. 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:39.840 So the one true interpretation of this scripture is what we just talked about. 00:05:40.340 --> 00:05:49.560 How Jesus is making this obvious point to the Pharisees when they're making this illogical accusation after the miracle he just did. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:52.019 And he's saying, no, I'm clearly sent from God. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:56.240 I clearly am using God's power, not working through Satan. 00:05:56.300 --> 00:06:02.639 So this kind of thing may have happened multiple times through Jesus' ministry. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:03.360 We don't know. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:06.560 We could only have recorded what the scriptures teach us. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:13.699 But why then is this included in our scriptures for our benefit? 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:20.379 I think we can look at this and say, yeah, we know that Jesus wasn't sent from Satan. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:23.159 So why would he include this for us? 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:29.340 I think part of the reason is so we can draw some applications. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:42.720 After understanding what the interpretation of this passage is, we can draw some applications that will help us here in 2025 in Henrietta, Texas, in Clay County, in our corner of the world. 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:46.080 How can this passage apply to us? 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:49.699 Well, let's look at some of those applications this morning. 00:06:50.099 --> 00:06:53.839 Number one, bind the strong man. 00:06:54.719 --> 00:06:56.599 Bind the strong man. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:58.939 Down here in verse 29. 00:06:59.479 --> 00:07:10.180 How can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:15.459 So if anyone is accused of breaking and entering after this, that's not on me. 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:16.120 All right? 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:17.759 It's in the book. 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:18.980 Just reading it to you. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.620 Don't go break into anybody's house and tie them up and clean them out. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:23.120 All right? 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:38.519 But what we can understand from this is the very obvious principle that Jesus is saying you can't go in and conquer an enemy, a strong enemy, unless you first take care of that enemy. 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:41.120 You've got to tie them up. 00:07:41.219 --> 00:07:42.279 You've got to conquer them. 00:07:42.479 --> 00:07:49.819 You can't just go take what they own and enjoy the spoils of your victory without first conquering that enemy. 00:07:50.539 --> 00:07:58.740 So we have an application that we can take from this that says we must bind the strong man. 00:07:59.099 --> 00:08:02.719 I want to draw your attention to 1 John chapter 4 and verse 4. 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:08.259 The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:10.539 How many of y'all would agree with that statement? 00:08:11.419 --> 00:08:11.759 Amen. 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:22.339 The one who is in you, if you are in Christ and Christ is in you, he is greater than any force that you could come up against in this world. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:23.839 I can promise you that. 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:31.799 And I can also promise you that there are some powerful forces that you could come up against in this world. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:36.939 Jesus Christ holds all the power. 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:39.879 He holds the key to life and death. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:42.480 He holds the key to death and hell. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.199 He said so. 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.959 He was there at creation. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:51.240 He's been there at every step of God's work in this world. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:55.560 And he says, all power is given to me. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:03.940 But do you understand that God also allows Satan a certain amount of power? 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:07.840 He allows Satan power over darkness. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:17.180 And while he also holds ultimate power over darkness, Satan is allowed to work until his time is up. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:28.620 And I can also tell you this, Satan, maybe in this instance we can call him the strong man, is more powerful than you or I am. 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:36.940 Apart from the power of God, you and I pale in comparison to the power of sin and darkness. 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:38.880 We can't defeat it. 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:42.920 We'll come up against it and we'll lose every time. 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:46.380 But with God's power, we have nothing to fear. 00:09:47.020 --> 00:09:51.080 With God's power, we can bind the strong man. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:57.260 We will see his strength displayed in our lives in a lot of different ways. 00:09:58.160 --> 00:10:00.280 First off, you might see past hurts. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:02.380 But do you see what these are? 00:10:03.640 --> 00:10:04.600 Anybody know what those are? 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:06.840 There are buttons. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:07.519 Yes, they are. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:08.560 Do you know what kind of buttons? 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.300 They're detonators. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:10.980 That's right. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:14.000 You push those and something's going to go boom. 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:17.560 These are dangerous traps. 00:10:18.300 --> 00:10:19.580 You've got past hurts. 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:20.779 You've got pride. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:21.960 You've got anger. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.080 You've got guilt. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:24.200 And you've got shame. 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:27.500 Every one of us is prone to these. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:31.460 Every one of us could be swayed by these. 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:34.680 We could easily fall into these traps. 00:10:35.280 --> 00:10:40.420 So what is it that we can do about this? 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:46.100 How can we bind the strong man and conquer these traps? 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:52.980 We have to remember, first of all, that the one in us is greater than the one who set these traps. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:11:00.399 The one in us has the way to diffuse these traps. 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:02.379 Past hurts. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:10.720 You might be held up with someone who hurt you or something that happened in your life and you just can't seem to move on. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:15.360 Maybe it's something that you did to someone else. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:18.179 And that's maybe tied in with that guilt and shame. 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:21.500 But past hurts can derail us. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:26.699 They can be a strong man that can, instead of tying him up, it can tie us up. 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:37.179 And we'll never experience the blessings, the joy, the freedom, the victory that God has planned for us. 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:41.359 Because we're so consumed with past hurts. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:42.759 Pride. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.819 Pride is a big one, isn't it? 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.300 Pride. 00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:50.480 Sometimes we can't go to someone else and admit any wrongdoing because of our pride. 00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:53.640 Sometimes our pride makes us obtuse. 00:11:53.780 --> 00:11:55.180 Sometimes it makes us hard-headed. 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:56.960 Sometimes it makes us stubborn. 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:01.780 We never get to humble ourselves before God. 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:04.260 Bow down before him. 00:12:04.700 --> 00:12:06.580 Sometimes both physically and mentally. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:10.420 And say, God, I submit to you. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.880 But we can't do that because of pride. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:17.620 And that strong man has a strong bond over us. 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:19.759 And we can't conquer him. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.100 Anger. 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.899 Anger is a big one, isn't it? 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.120 Sometimes we love to see, look at Jesus. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:33.539 The kind of one time we see him really get angry in the New Testament. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:42.759 And we see him throwing the tables over and casting the crooked dealers out of the temple that God had set up for worship of him. 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:47.319 And we see his righteous indignation or righteous anger. 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:48.779 And we say, yeah, that's it, man. 00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:49.599 Jesus got angry. 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:50.419 I can get angry, too. 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:52.120 My temper is not a problem. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:58.080 And those around you, those who love you and know you best, know that it absolutely is. 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:00.460 Sometimes it's external. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.419 And everybody knows when you're mad. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.879 Everybody knows when you're not okay. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:06.200 And you're going to make sure everybody knows about it. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.600 Or sometimes it's internal. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:11.420 And you might not be an exterior expresser. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:15.519 You might not wear all your feelings out there for everybody to see. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.940 But you internalize everything. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:19.540 And that anger inside is eating at you. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.120 And you'll never forgive. 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.159 And you'll never move on. 00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:28.220 And it's going to be a cancer that takes you to your grave. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:33.460 But God wants you to bind that strong man. 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:37.060 And experience the blessings. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:39.779 The victory, the joy in letting go. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.159 In giving it to him. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.980 In casting your burdens on him. 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:49.440 Understanding that you get to share a little bit of what Jesus endured. 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.220 With all the injustice. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.960 All the wrong that was done to him. 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:56.340 That he had done nothing to deserve. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:06.540 We really don't hold any chance of saying what we have endured pales. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.659 In comparison with what Jesus has endured. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:13.279 We can't hold up to that. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:17.519 We know that he suffered so much more greatly than we ever will. 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:21.279 So our anger is never justified. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:24.500 And we must bind that strong man. 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.860 And the last one is guilt and shame. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.139 Every one of us is carrying guilt. 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:29.819 Every one of us is carrying shame. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:33.480 And Jesus wants to deliver you from that. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:37.840 Jesus wants to deliver you from the guilt and the shame. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:41.320 Now God can use those as tools in your life. 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:43.140 When we stray away from him. 00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:44.980 When we start to go our own way. 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:48.700 Our conscience and the promptings of the Holy Spirit inside of us. 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:50.560 Can draw us back and say no. 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.200 That's not what God had designed for you. 00:14:54.140 --> 00:14:55.800 That's not the path he has for you. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.060 You've strayed away. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:59.599 You're going off into things and you're hurting yourself. 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:01.639 And you're possibly even hurting others. 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:05.859 Come back to the narrow path that Jesus had you on. 00:15:07.859 --> 00:15:12.419 But God never wants you to hold on to your guilt and shame. 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.139 Why? 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:16.699 Because you don't understand how he looks at you. 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:19.919 If you're holding on to your guilt and shame. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:27.459 You don't understand that God looks at you as his perfect, righteous, forgiven child. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.500 Now you are not perfect. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.579 By yourself you are not righteous. 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:35.819 Any more than I am. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:38.539 But every one of us. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:42.299 If we have placed our faith in Jesus and Jesus alone. 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.159 For the forgiveness of our sins. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.120 His death. 00:15:45.339 --> 00:15:46.179 His resurrection. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:48.120 Then we can be forgiven. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:54.559 And we can be seen as his righteous, clean, holy children. 00:15:55.719 --> 00:15:57.039 That's an incredible thing. 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:01.459 That you and I didn't deserve. 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:04.679 You and I did nothing to earn it. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:07.299 But Jesus just freely gave it. 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:16.079 So any guilt and shame are actually traps that the devil could use to undermine your faith in God. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:25.039 When you start believing that how you see yourself is more true than what God says you are. 00:16:26.219 --> 00:16:33.500 Then you're believing yourself and Satan's lies over God's promises and truth. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:36.960 Jesus said, I am the way. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.539 I am the truth. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.279 I am the life. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:42.320 There is no other life apart from him. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:44.299 There's no other truth apart from him. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:48.120 So anything that is not what Jesus told us in his scriptures. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.559 That's not truth. 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.000 That's a lie. 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:55.799 Don't fall into the devil's trap of guilt and shame. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:58.379 These are strong men. 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:04.359 And we have the power to bind them. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:07.940 We have the power to not fall into these traps. 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:11.059 Because the one in us as children of God. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:20.559 I'm not assuming everyone in this room has made that momentous, that huge decision by faith to put all of your belief in Jesus. 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:23.140 For the forgiveness of your sins. 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.299 But if you have. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.079 And you'll know if you have. 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:27.939 I'm not talking about going to church. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.319 I'm not talking about being a good person. 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:34.539 I'm talking about that once in a lifetime decision to say, God, I can't do it. 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:37.139 I believe in you. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.319 Save me. 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.579 Forgive me. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:40.699 Cleanse me. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.699 Make me your child. 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:46.199 If that has happened for you, then Jesus says you are one of his. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.579 You are a child of God. 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:52.279 And you have him, his spirit in you. 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:57.059 And the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:59.259 So, bind the strong man. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:02.359 That's an application we can take from Jesus' teaching here. 00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:07.599 Secondly, are you with me or against me? 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:11.220 You're either with me or against me. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.319 There's no middle ground here. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.900 Look back at verse 30. 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.519 The first part. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:21.480 Anyone who is not with me is against me. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.740 Boy, that's tough, isn't it? 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:27.059 There's no gray area. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:30.900 Now, I will promise you, there is a lot of gray in scripture. 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:34.700 People who try to make scripture all black and white. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:39.360 And say it either tells you exactly what to do or exactly what not to do. 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.140 That's not true. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.380 There are certain areas where it does. 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:46.279 There are certain areas that are absolutely clear and plain. 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.740 And how we should obey Christ. 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.240 How we should love our lives. 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.900 How we come to faith in him. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:53.340 There are certain things that are absolutely black and white. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:56.220 There are other areas that I think are intentionally left gray. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:19:00.480 Because we are supposed to follow the discernment. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:02.500 The leading of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:06.240 And then he will individually deal with us. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.440 In our lives. 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.920 So somebody might come to you and say. 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:12.119 Well, I'm pretty sure the Bible says that. 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.940 You shouldn't go watch movies in the movie theater. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.619 That's. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:18.279 One of the rules I had growing up. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.279 And the Bible doesn't actually say that. 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:24.279 So there's some gray area there. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.759 There are probably certain movies that. 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:29.559 Any child of God should not go watch in the movie theater. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.019 Right? 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:34.639 They very clearly go against the morals and teaching of the scriptures. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:39.680 But we can't just make blanket statements where the Bible doesn't make one. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.119 Well, here. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.660 He makes a very clear statement. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.400 He says you're either with me. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.500 Or against me. 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:49.799 And anyone who is not with me. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.519 Is against me. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:55.160 That's pretty exclusive, isn't it? 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:58.119 He's drawing a hard line in the sand. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:01.539 He's kind of making a lot of enemies there. 00:20:02.679 --> 00:20:05.899 Saying if you're not actively with me. 00:20:06.479 --> 00:20:09.479 Then you're actually against me. 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:12.019 Whether or not you even realize it. 00:20:12.959 --> 00:20:16.259 I want to draw your attention to Joshua 24 and verse 15. 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:20.699 Choose you this day whom you will serve. 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:23.220 But as for me and my house. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:25.120 We will serve the Lord. 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:27.980 Joshua was commanding the people of God. 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.920 The Israelite people. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.779 And saying listen. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.299 You have to make a choice. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.080 This is a moment. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:35.380 I'm drawing a line in the sand. 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:37.180 Anybody remember Texas history? 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.580 Drawing the line in the sand. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.160 So anybody who's going to stay here. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.759 Come on over. 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:42.980 And they did. 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:46.180 This is the big moment. 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:48.140 This is the moment that you choose. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.860 Whom you're going to serve. 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:53.880 Is it going to be you? 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.860 Or is it going to be God? 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.819 Because I promise you. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.700 Those are going to lead different directions. 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:02.740 Choosing to serve yourself. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:05.000 Will lead you to a different destination. 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:07.120 Than choosing to serve God. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:10.719 You can decide which destination. 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.399 You want to arrive at. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:18.059 You can decide what you want to experience along the way. 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.979 God's blessings. 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:21.579 Or whatever you can get for yourself. 00:21:22.979 --> 00:21:23.959 God's protection. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:26.679 Or hanging yourself out to dry. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.659 In the storms of life. 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.339 But you have to choose. 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.159 Because if you're not with him. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.619 You're against him. 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.000 If you're not with him. 00:21:38.739 --> 00:21:39.679 You're against him. 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.419 What does it look like. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.699 To be with Jesus. 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:45.239 We're going to dive into it. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.679 Just a little bit more. 00:21:47.439 --> 00:21:48.359 In just a moment. 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:52.219 But maybe it looks like. 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.619 Making sure you don't miss. 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.339 The gathering of the believers. 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.279 Maybe it looks like. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.459 Making sure you don't. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.599 Go day after day after day. 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.679 Without cracking open. 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.959 The word of God. 00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:05.559 And reading what it has to say. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.239 Maybe. 00:22:08.239 --> 00:22:08.319 Maybe. 00:22:08.959 --> 00:22:10.179 It looks like. 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.019 Making a decision. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:12.439 Based on what you believe. 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:12.839 God. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.759 Has taught you. 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.639 From the word. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:18.979 And not just what sounds best. 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:19.539 To you. 00:22:20.959 --> 00:22:22.379 Maybe it's changing. 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.739 Your moral compass. 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:28.059 Maybe living this way. 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:29.099 Isn't okay anymore. 00:22:29.479 --> 00:22:30.619 Because you're not. 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.019 Living for yourself. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.059 You're choosing. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.799 To follow. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.639 Someone else. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.200 Maybe those. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.339 Innocent flirtations. 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:40.039 Are not acceptable anymore. 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.059 Because you're not setting. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.119 The rules for yourself. 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:44.099 You're following God's rules. 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.559 Maybe that sketchy. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.299 Business dealing. 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.519 That you think. 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.460 You can get away with. 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.539 Isn't okay anymore. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:53.160 Because you're not serving yourself. 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.400 You're serving someone else. 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.879 You have a different master. 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.039 Whatever it is. 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.799 However it looks. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.200 However it applies to you. 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.680 I can't begin to guess. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.839 What's going on in your. 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.000 Heart. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.200 And in your life. 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.460 But I do know. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.419 That it looks different. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.879 When you have a master. 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:12.960 Are you going to be. 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.720 Your own master. 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:15.839 Or are you going to say. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.399 I choose. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.399 To serve. 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.200 The Lord. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.200 Me. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.079 And my house. 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.500 We will serve the Lord. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:22.839 Because. 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.919 I want to be with him. 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.680 I don't want to be against him. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.419 I don't want to take on God. 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.059 And I think. 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:29.000 When we understand. 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:30.059 That Jesus is saying. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.259 If you are not. 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.379 Following me. 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.759 Then you're working. 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.919 Against me. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.379 Boy. 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.319 If I had told you that. 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:38.039 On your way in the door. 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.519 This morning. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.319 Hey good morning. 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.379 Great to see you at church. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.079 By the way. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.139 If you're not following Jesus. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.240 You're working against him. 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.759 Everybody would have looked at me. 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.299 Like what? 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.179 Good night man. 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.480 But that is literally. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.679 What he's teaching us here. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.879 And he goes on. 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:53.539 To teach us a little bit. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.399 More about it. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.299 When he says. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.679 At the end of verse 30. 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:59.080 Anyone who does not gather with me. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.560 Scatters. 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:02.539 What does he mean by that? 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.620 Well that's our third point this morning. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.600 You're either gathering. 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.120 Or you're scattering. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.900 I think this is a reference. 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:10.080 Back to Ecclesiastes. 00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.900 Back to Ecclesiastes. 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.779 In the Old Testament. 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.100 Wow. 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.920 We just jumped ahead. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.460 There we go. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.140 Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.960 In verse 5. 00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:19.980 A time to scatter stones. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:22.160 And a time to gather them. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.980 The prophet was teaching. 00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:25.480 He said. 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:27.519 There is a time for everything on this earth. 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:29.040 There is a time to scatter stones. 00:24:29.100 --> 00:24:30.180 And a time to gather them. 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.320 What's he talking about? 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:33.019 That's a very obscure reference. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.920 Well I had to kind of dig deep. 00:24:35.040 --> 00:24:36.300 Into historians. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.160 And theologians. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.100 And archaeologists. 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.740 And all this. 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.980 And preparation for this. 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:43.060 And I kind of gathered some facts. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.940 Gathered. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.380 Thank you. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.160 Just checking if you're with me here. 00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:49.920 These are scattering stones. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:52.220 This is an example of scattering stones. 00:24:52.540 --> 00:24:55.700 What would scattering stones be used for in ancient times? 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:57.480 Anybody want to venture a guess? 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.120 Scattering. 00:24:59.320 --> 00:24:59.740 I like it. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.160 What's that? 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.680 Traveling? 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:01.940 No. 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:03.860 War? 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:06.200 Like catapults? 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:12.180 Launching as a means of tearing something down. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.180 These. 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.940 These. 00:25:14.820 --> 00:25:15.720 Probably not. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.920 Super. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.120 Interesting here. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.360 But. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.039 These were used as. 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.279 Weapons. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.460 Ammunition. 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:25.000 They'd be put into catapults. 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:26.240 And hurled at walls. 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:28.259 To eventually knock them down. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:28.799 In war. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:32.380 Scattering stones are meant to break down. 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:34.140 They're meant to tear down. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.420 To break things apart. 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.759 On the other hand. 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.519 You've got gathering stones. 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:40.340 And what would gathering stones be used for? 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.140 Buildings. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.500 Yeah. 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:44.600 Be used to build something up. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.759 Completely different. 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.820 You see how they look. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.960 Very different. 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.320 Than these. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.980 So I think Jesus is making a reference here. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.380 To something that they would understand. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.640 You're either. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:02.039 A scattering stone. 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:04.440 Or a gathering stone. 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.060 What are you? 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:11.580 Not asking what you want to be. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.099 Or how you like to think of yourself. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.819 But in the kingdom of God. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:16.919 Remember this whole thing. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.619 Is called stories of the kingdom. 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.039 God is revealing. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.220 Little by little. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.179 What his kingdom looks like. 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.460 Because it looks very different. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.419 Than the kingdom of this world. 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.639 The kingdom of this world. 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:30.279 Everybody's in it for themselves. 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.339 Everybody's trying to get what's best for them. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.740 Everybody's trying to do. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:35.299 What they think will make them happy. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.079 Give them pleasure. 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:39.379 But in God's kingdom. 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.960 It looks very different. 00:26:41.679 --> 00:26:42.720 And he says. 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.919 You either function. 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:45.759 As a scattering stone. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:47.059 To break things apart. 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.460 To tear things down. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:50.539 Or you are a gathering stone. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:52.579 To build things up. 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.419 And how does he put it? 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.819 He puts it way better than I could. 00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:57.859 Anyone who is not with me. 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.839 Is against me. 00:26:59.179 --> 00:27:02.679 And anyone who does not gather with me. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.240 Scatters. 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:08.460 Y'all I didn't say this. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.319 Jesus did. 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:13.960 If you aren't gathering with Jesus. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.859 Then you're scattering. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:21.599 If you aren't building up. 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.680 God's kingdom. 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.319 With Jesus. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.859 Then you're scattering. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.079 Or tearing down. 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.120 His kingdom. 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:32.539 If you're not actively. 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.839 Gathering people. 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:35.519 Into his church. 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:37.679 Building up his body. 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.779 He calls the church his body. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.779 He calls the church his bride. 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:44.240 The church is preeminent. 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:45.519 On this earth. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.179 For him. 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:47.819 It is who he loves. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.859 He cherishes. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:49.959 He prizes. 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.259 It's who he died for. 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:56.299 And if you're not actively gathering. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.359 Into his church. 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.079 Then you're scattering. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:06.619 I don't want to be a scatterer. 00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:08.960 I want to be a gatherer. 00:28:12.699 --> 00:28:13.179 So. 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.699 It might be time. 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.539 For us to decide. 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.659 What we're going to be. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.799 Are we with him? 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.899 Or are we against him? 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.619 Are we gathering? 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.439 Or are we scattering? 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.599 Exodus chapter 32. 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:32.419 This is one of those moments. 00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:34.159 This is one of those. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.539 Draw your saber in the sand. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.659 And say. 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.679 Which side are you going to be on? 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.579 Moses stood in the gate of the camp. 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.719 This was right after. 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:46.459 That they built that golden calf. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:48.159 And they were worshiping it. 00:28:48.219 --> 00:28:49.799 Instead of the one true God. 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:51.639 He had just delivered them. 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:54.000 And before you know it. 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:55.220 They're telling Aaron. 00:28:56.020 --> 00:28:56.960 Moses' assistant. 00:28:57.520 --> 00:28:58.060 To say. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:02.080 Build us a new God. 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.520 Build us a new God. 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.900 You ever cheated on God like that? 00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.940 God's been good to you in your life? 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:12.020 I can promise you I have. 00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:15.200 There's been times when God's brought me through. 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:17.080 All kinds of wonderful things. 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:17.960 Incredible things. 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:19.780 God moments that only he could do. 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:21.079 And then before I know it. 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.920 I'm turning around. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.339 And I'm ignoring him. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.220 I'm turning around. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.539 And I'm pursuing something else. 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.559 I'm turning around. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:28.279 And I'm giving something else. 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.539 The place in my heart. 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.180 In my life. 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.639 That God alone should have. 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.660 So we see the Israelite people. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:35.240 His chosen people doing that. 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.980 They're saying. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.220 Man. 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:36.720 Yeah. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.139 We know. 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.359 Yeah. 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.319 God's great and all that. 00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:40.440 But he's not doing anything for us right now. 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.799 Aaron. 00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.660 Build us a new God. 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.180 Make it pretty. 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.740 Make it something we can look at. 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:47.319 So he builds this golden calf. 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:49.279 And then Moses stands before the people. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.259 And he says. 00:29:50.659 --> 00:29:53.439 Who is on the Lord's side? 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.720 Come to me. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.599 You're going to have to decide. 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:59.240 We're not going to get into the rest of the story. 00:29:59.559 --> 00:29:59.659 But. 00:30:01.939 --> 00:30:05.220 Nothing good happened to the ones who were not on the Lord's side that day. 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.619 Exodus 32. 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:12.059 Gives us a moment. 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.059 Again. 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:15.059 There's one interpretation of that passage. 00:30:15.179 --> 00:30:16.559 But there's many applications. 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:19.599 And one of the application that we can take. 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.319 Is. 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.940 Are we on the Lord's side? 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:26.019 Are we truly on the Lord's side? 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:28.559 Or have we seen him work in our life? 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.619 But we have not been faithful. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.579 To him. 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:34.859 Great president Abraham Lincoln said. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:37.500 I know that the Lord is always on the side of right. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:41.940 But it's my constant anxiety and prayer. 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:44.500 That I and this nation. 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:46.039 Should be on. 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.380 The Lord's side. 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.460 He wasn't a perfect man. 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.500 He wasn't a perfect president. 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.940 But I believe we saw his heart. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:57.019 That America would be on the Lord's side. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.519 That should be the heart. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.640 Of our church. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:04.319 That should be the heart of our homes. 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.400 That should be our hearts. 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:08.820 It's my constant anxiety. 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.759 And prayer. 00:31:10.040 --> 00:31:11.380 I'm anxious about it. 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.440 And I'm faithful to pray about it. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.380 That we. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:16.040 That me and my house. 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.460 We will serve the Lord. 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:19.300 That I will cross the line. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:21.380 I will step over that line of the sand. 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:24.140 And I will be on the Lord's side. 00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:25.820 I'm going to be a gatherer. 00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:26.860 Not a scatterer. 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:28.180 I'm going to be with him. 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.420 Not against him. 00:31:32.780 --> 00:31:34.660 The strong man will fight against that. 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:41.620 You'll have moments where it's challenged. 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:44.600 You choose to be on the Lord's side. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.940 Do you know what you're also choosing? 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.980 Increased attacks from Satan. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.740 You choose to be a gatherer. 00:31:51.780 --> 00:31:52.519 Not a scatterer. 00:31:52.560 --> 00:31:53.380 You know what you're choosing? 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:58.620 Satan to try to knock down what you're building up through God's power. 00:31:58.619 --> 00:32:01.779 But I can promise you. 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:06.479 For every time he knocks something down in your life. 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:09.319 God has the power and the good will. 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:11.159 To bless you. 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.539 To heal you. 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:14.219 To lift you up. 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:17.599 To lead you to places that you can't go on your own. 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:19.959 I'm not promising you're going to get rich. 00:32:20.199 --> 00:32:23.439 I'm not promising all the problems with you physically are going to get fixed. 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:28.360 I'm not promising any tangible thing other than God will be with you. 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.640 And that's enough. 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:34.440 Those of you who have walked with him know it's enough. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:38.660 And if you're wondering this morning, if you're questioning it. 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:44.039 Then I'll just say you haven't yet tasted enough of him. 00:32:45.320 --> 00:32:47.420 You haven't yet walked with him long enough. 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:50.720 Because in every moment that we question. 00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:52.080 In every moment that we doubt. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.580 He comes through. 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:56.840 He shows himself real again. 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.539 And again. 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:02.019 Stay on his side. 00:33:03.840 --> 00:33:05.720 Church, we're facing a line in the sand. 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:11.900 We are facing a moment as a church. 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:15.259 Whose side are we going to be on? 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:18.200 Let me break it down like Jesus did. 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:20.599 Are we going to be gatherers? 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.900 Or scatterers? 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:25.000 It's my question for all of you. 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.460 The teenagers. 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.759 The adults. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:30.039 Our senior members. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.819 Everybody in between. 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:33.859 The kids who are still in the room. 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:38.879 Are you going to gather people into God's church? 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:41.339 Because if we're not. 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.559 We're actually scattering them. 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:46.759 Isn't that a crazy concept? 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:50.259 We're either building up God's kingdom. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:52.859 Or we're working against it. 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:54.339 Even if we didn't want to be. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.839 Even if we don't see that we are. 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:59.619 God is telling us you're either with me. 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:01.539 Or you're actually working against me. 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:04.420 You're either gathering and building up my kingdom. 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.279 My church. 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:07.740 Or you're actually tearing it down. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.420 Don't be a scatterer. 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.639 Be a gatherer. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.619 Whose side are you on? 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.699 Decide today. 00:34:13.819 --> 00:34:14.480 In this moment. 00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:16.319 I will be on the Lord's side. 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:16.799 For me. 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.079 For my house. 00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:19.859 We will be on the Lord's side. 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:21.119 Would you bow your heads in prayer with me? 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.500 God. 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:24.000 That's our prayer to you right now. 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:26.400 That we would be on the Lord's side. 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.739 That we would be on your side. 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:28.779 God. 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:33.939 I look across this room. 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.899 At so many faces. 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:37.439 People that I've come to know and love. 00:34:37.479 --> 00:34:38.319 In the last two years. 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:41.139 Think so highly of. 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:43.899 But God. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:46.179 You love them so much more. 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:47.079 Than I ever could. 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.739 My love pales in comparison. 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.759 To your love for them. 00:34:49.879 --> 00:34:51.399 But your warning to us. 00:34:51.439 --> 00:34:52.379 Is so real. 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:56.579 Even good. 00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:57.599 Well meaning people. 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:01.460 Who've been church members. 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.140 And Christians. 00:35:02.140 --> 00:35:03.820 For many many years. 00:35:04.700 --> 00:35:06.519 Can be used to work. 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.260 Against. 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.119 Our Lord. 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.760 And his purposes. 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.059 God. 00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:13.180 Let your purposes. 00:35:13.180 --> 00:35:14.360 Outweigh ours. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:16.079 Let them replace ours. 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:17.480 Let them take the place. 00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.639 Of ours. 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.740 Our agenda. 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.740 Our preferences. 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:24.240 Let us set it aside. 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:28.059 Let us take on yours. 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.179 Whose side. 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:29.960 Are we on? 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.280 As the piano plays. 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.079 I'm going to ask you this. 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.679 Our heads are bowed. 00:35:36.659 --> 00:35:37.460 In a moment. 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.099 We'll stand. 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:39.900 And we'll sing the song. 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:41.000 That Jared's going to lead us in. 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:42.800 But before we dismiss today. 00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:44.679 I just want to ask you that question. 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:46.380 Are you on the Lord's side? 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:50.719 Jesus said. 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.679 A divided kingdom. 00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.659 Cannot stand. 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:56.000 Can I make this application? 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.880 A divided church. 00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.599 Cannot stand. 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:02.179 We're either on the Lord's side. 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:02.900 Or we aren't. 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:05.940 We're either walking with him. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:07.480 Into an uncertain future. 00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:09.679 Or we're holding back. 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:11.219 Saying I'm not sure about it. 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.579 We're either gathering. 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:16.219 Or we're scattering. 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:20.679 Let me ask you a couple of questions. 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:23.659 As you sit in silence and prayer. 00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:26.880 Is there anyone here today. 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.579 Who says. 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.619 I don't know the Lord Jesus. 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:30.760 As my personal savior. 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:33.139 I need to make that decision. 00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:34.300 Once and for all today. 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:36.179 To place my faith in Jesus. 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:37.880 Would you slip your hand up right now? 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.740 Anybody in the room? 00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:42.300 Thank you. 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:46.060 Let me follow it up with this question. 00:36:46.740 --> 00:36:48.039 If most of us in this room. 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.760 Would say yes. 00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.740 I'm a child of God. 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:54.080 Let me just ask you this. 00:36:54.120 --> 00:36:55.260 And you don't need to raise your hand. 00:36:58.260 --> 00:37:00.100 Are you gathering into his kingdom? 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:02.460 And that's it. 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.880 I'm not going to ask if you're scattering. 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:05.719 Because he already said. 00:37:05.819 --> 00:37:06.319 If you're not. 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:08.159 Then you're scattering. 00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:11.639 So I'm just going to ask you that. 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:14.119 Are you gathering into his kingdom? 00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:16.839 Doesn't mean you've had 10 people. 00:37:16.839 --> 00:37:17.920 Join the church this year. 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:19.279 Because of your efforts alone. 00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:21.759 But are you praying actively? 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.539 Are you seeking? 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.599 And are you speaking. 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:26.539 To those. 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.799 In your life. 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.900 In your circle of life. 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.980 Do people encounter you. 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:33.079 As a child of God. 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.699 And see any difference. 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.980 In that encounter. 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.779 Than in any other. 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:39.099 They have during that week. 00:37:41.799 --> 00:37:42.940 Is their moment. 00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:44.199 With a child of God. 00:37:44.279 --> 00:37:44.819 Any different. 00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:46.539 Than with anybody else. 00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:49.920 God can use you. 00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:50.779 To accomplish. 00:37:51.259 --> 00:37:52.059 Powerful things. 00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:53.339 To build up his kingdom. 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.019 In ways. 00:37:54.339 --> 00:37:55.799 That you and I cannot imagine. 00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:56.920 I've seen it in my life. 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.699 I know many of you. 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.519 Have seen it in yours. 00:38:00.099 --> 00:38:02.639 Are you on his side? 00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:05.799 God I pray that right now. 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.900 As we stand to sing. 00:38:07.339 --> 00:38:08.679 I pray that you would. 00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:11.460 Show us exactly what we need to do. 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.779 To be gathering stones. 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.779 To build up your kingdom. 00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:16.860 To bind the strong man. 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.719 Who opposes us. 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:20.119 To not be a divided church. 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.759 Let us be united. 00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:24.579 Not as the Pharisees were. 00:38:24.579 --> 00:38:25.599 Not even as. 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:27.559 Many of the. 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.779 Jewish people were. 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.659 When you came. 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.619 Help us to be your bride. 00:38:31.719 --> 00:38:32.340 Your church. 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:34.400 Bought by your blood. 00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.159 Saved. 00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:36.279 By your grace. 00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:38.500 United together. 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.559 Building up your kingdom. 00:38:40.679 --> 00:38:41.719 It's in Jesus name we pray. 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.299 Amen. 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:43.239 Would you stand with me? 00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.000 Jared's. 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:43.919 Gary? 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:43.919 00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:44.059 Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary Scott, Gary