WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:06.179 Okay, well listen, thank you for just the opportunity to be able to spend this day with you. 00:00:06.299 --> 00:00:12.919 It's been, it has been, it's always a little extra work that I don't mind putting in, coming to outside things. 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:20.140 But in particular, I'm just so thankful that you gave me, whether you know it or not, 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:25.260 the opportunity to just spend the last few weeks thinking more about prayer. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:27.219 So thank you for that. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:31.960 And whether or not, I mean, I hope you get a boatload of stuff out of this spiritually today. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:36.159 But even if you get nothing, I've been massively blessed just in my preparation. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:38.179 So thank you for that. 00:00:38.579 --> 00:00:45.039 The title of this session, and I'm not quite sure if it's your title for the day or whatever, 00:00:45.140 --> 00:00:48.140 is Being a People of Prayer. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:51.820 And I don't know how you can be a church. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:01:02.179 I don't know how you can be a Christian without having some hunger for developing your relationship with God. 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:06.939 I don't know that you, as a Christian or as a church, cannot be a people of prayer. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:07.379 Can you? 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:09.599 I mean, I don't know if that's possible. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:12.799 It's just such a central part of everything that we are. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:16.819 So good theme, good value if it's one of your values. 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:22.819 I think it's interesting that this is a value of yours because we have six core values at Corroboros. 00:01:23.639 --> 00:01:26.679 We have kind of a, as many churches have done in recent days, 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:33.099 tried to think through maybe more of our unique place in the city or our unique place in the body 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:39.979 or what is our unique calling because of the kind of people that are a part of our believing community or whatever. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:43.560 We've come up with mission and vision statements and values. 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:46.500 And we have six core values at Corroboros. 00:01:46.600 --> 00:01:51.100 And one of them is being committed to developing a people of prayer. 00:01:51.240 --> 00:01:51.820 Isn't that interesting? 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:58.879 As I've looked through loads of different websites over the years, thankfully, thankfully, 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:07.300 some kind of commitment to developing our prayer lives is usually there somewhere in a church's DNA. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:10.620 And that's good because it just, it has to be. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:16.240 And yet it's interesting as well that even though we all know this is important, 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:21.539 we also know, I think, that you can't force people into prayer, can you? 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:23.060 You can't. 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:26.180 I know as a pastor, I don't know if Graham feels this way as well, 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:30.040 I know I'm prone, even though I don't like it, 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:36.379 I can be prone to guilt tripping people into things. 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:37.259 You know what I mean by that? 00:02:37.259 --> 00:02:41.799 You know, and you just, you know, there's only five people at the prayer meeting this week 00:02:41.799 --> 00:02:43.419 and we die without prayer. 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:44.719 So, you know, where are you? 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:54.000 And trying to get people to be motivated by, I don't know, raising my voice or stomping my feet or whatever. 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:55.699 You can't do that. 00:02:55.859 --> 00:02:56.180 You can't. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:01.979 Prayer is not something you can guilt trip people into. 00:03:02.259 --> 00:03:05.259 Prayer isn't even something that you can force people into. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:11.120 I'm not even quite sure prayer is necessarily something you can teach people into. 00:03:11.519 --> 00:03:12.579 Does that sound strange? 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:14.599 I'm not. 00:03:14.679 --> 00:03:16.280 When you think about it, I'm not even quite. 00:03:16.459 --> 00:03:19.099 I mean, we need to know what the Bible says about it, 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:21.639 but I'm not quite sure that's the way in. 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:30.439 I think rather prayer is primarily a function of a developing relationship with Christ. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:31.299 Think about that. 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:33.080 I think it's a function. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:40.860 It's not like a thing, you know, that you have to do is, you know, tick that box as a Christian. 00:03:41.100 --> 00:03:45.580 I think it's more a function of our relationship with Christ. 00:03:45.700 --> 00:03:48.000 And I see it both as an inworking. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:55.560 It's an inworking of our relationship with Christ in the sense that the more we pray, 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:59.919 the deeper our relationship will become. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:00.539 Is that fair? 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:04.539 The more we pray, the more time we spend with God, 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:08.920 the more we talk to him and listen to him, which is what I think prayer is, 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:11.259 the deeper our relationship. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:13.800 So it's an inworking of our relationship with Christ. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:15.439 But I also think it's an outworking. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:17.480 Think about it. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:18.259 Think about it. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:18.700 Think about it. 00:04:18.700 --> 00:04:25.660 It's an outworking of our relationship with Christ as well in the sense that the deeper our relationship gets, 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:28.520 the more we'll pray. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:30.939 Does that make sense? 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:34.819 You know, and just think about relationships. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:38.960 Just think about what it is to have relationships or the lack of relationships. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:42.479 And why would you why would a relationship not grow? 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:48.579 What things are involved in making a relationship strong? 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:54.459 And so I think prayer is essentially an inworking and an outworking of a relationship with Christ. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:57.500 And I guess one of the verses that really captures this for me, 00:04:57.560 --> 00:05:00.240 even though it's not necessarily a prayer verse per se, 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:02.939 is John 15 verse five. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:08.120 Which says, I am the vine. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:09.759 You are the branches. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:11.660 This is Jesus speaking. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:16.720 He who abides in me and I in him. 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:19.180 He bears much fruit. 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:24.680 For apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:36.199 And I'd like to suggest to you that that maybe more than anything helps us understand how utterly dependent we are on God. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:40.379 How utterly dependent we are on him. 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:47.540 Your theme for today is, and I think it's your value that you have, 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:52.680 is walking with God in prayer more dependently. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:54.100 Isn't that interesting? 00:05:54.100 --> 00:05:59.720 You recognize this or whoever wrote the statement recognizes this. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:08.000 That a huge part, and I'm not quite sure that we understand this as believers as much as we need to. 00:06:08.320 --> 00:06:16.400 A huge part of what prayer is has to do with our dependence on God. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:19.200 I guess for years, I don't know how you view prayer. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:20.840 I don't know how you do prayer. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:25.359 Usually corporately, we do prayer fairly similarly. 00:06:25.359 --> 00:06:30.079 We get into groups or we sit in a big circle or we pray as a congregation. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:37.579 But, and this is sometimes hard, but it would be amazing if at some point today, 00:06:37.719 --> 00:06:43.620 you could share with somebody else what your personal prayer life is like. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.780 Now that's very personal, isn't it? 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:48.939 Ooh, and I don't even know if Scottish people do that. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:50.459 Personal. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.959 Ooh, you know, deep and meaningful. 00:06:53.280 --> 00:06:54.280 Do you do deep and meaningful? 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.000 I don't know. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:00.980 But it would be really, really amazing if you could go there, even a little bit go there. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:01.680 What is it? 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:04.519 What are the dynamics of your prayer life like? 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.259 Where do you go? 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:05.800 What do you do? 00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:06.420 What do you say? 00:07:06.500 --> 00:07:07.199 What do you think? 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:09.740 Do you ever talk about that with anybody? 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:17.199 I rarely talk with people about the intimate dynamics of my prayer life. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:23.160 And yet I think we're missing a huge opportunity as believers to share something that could be encouraging. 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:24.319 It could be motivating. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:33.839 For years, I viewed my prayer mainly as just my, it was my connection with God. 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:37.319 That's kind of how I, it was my, that's where I connected with God. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:41.800 I would, I'd go someplace and I'd connect with God, Him and me. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:49.259 Or I may have viewed it, and many do, as my access to His power source. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:50.300 You know what I mean? 00:07:50.300 --> 00:08:00.480 The, the, the, what's, what's the, the, the, the, the, the quote that prayer is the, the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence. 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:01.520 Remember that? 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:02.780 Isn't that big? 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:08.160 Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:09.860 That's a, that's a good one. 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:12.460 And I'm, listen, I'm sure that's true. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.300 But far more than that, I have come to believe, maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:19.439 But I think scripture backs me up on this. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:35.980 Far more than that, I've come to believe that maybe more than anything, prayer is an expression of how much I know I can't do anything without Christ. 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:39.299 Let that settle on you for just a minute. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.360 Maybe more than anything. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:44.919 I'm making this suggestion, you can come back on me today on this one if you want. 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:57.959 That maybe more than anything, prayer is my expression of how much I know, John 15, 5, how much I know. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:04.139 Not just it's a nice verse and yeah, you kind of pay it lip service, but how much I know. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:10.939 I can't do anything without God. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:14.360 And I think this is proven out in our lives, don't you? 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:16.340 I think this is proven out. 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:21.919 I think we can test this theory out in our own lives. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:30.079 Because why is it when, for me anyway, maybe not for you, but I'll be personal. 00:09:30.959 --> 00:09:34.120 Because I don't know, you guys haven't shared your personal prayer lives with me. 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:38.099 Maybe we'll talk about that a little bit in our break or whatever together. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:43.219 But for me, why is it when things are going just swimmingly in my life? 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:43.759 Thank you. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:49.899 It doesn't always work that way, but there are seasons where things are going swimmingly in my life. 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:54.919 Why is it that during those seasons, I really struggle to pray? 00:09:55.939 --> 00:09:56.919 Is that fair? 00:09:57.299 --> 00:10:02.460 One of the places that I struggle to pray more than anywhere else is on holiday. 00:10:04.319 --> 00:10:09.639 I got all these grand ideas for the books I'm going to read and the time that I'm going to spend with God. 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:11.259 And my mother lives in Florida. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.519 So we go there. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.679 I didn't get this tanned in Edinburgh. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:17.059 Alright? 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:17.980 So we go there. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.539 And I've got all these grand plans. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:20.700 And I'm relaxing. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:24.220 And I have all the time that I need. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.439 I'm not going to work. 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:26.819 I don't have any messages to prepare. 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:27.919 I'm not visiting anybody. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:29.679 I've got all this time. 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:31.840 And I'm just thinking, this is going to be amazing. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.939 And I've got these ideas for how I'm going to pray. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:38.840 And I struggle more on holiday to find time or spend time with God than anywhere. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:40.240 Why is that? 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.759 Why is that? 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.340 I don't know if you've found that. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:47.060 And yet, when the absolute bottom falls out of my world. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.160 And that happens occasionally as well. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:52.200 When the absolute bottom falls out of my world. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:54.100 Man, you can't get me off my knees. 00:10:55.180 --> 00:10:56.879 You can't get me off my knees. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:57.860 What's that all about? 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:58.720 What is that saying? 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:06.879 I think it's saying that our prayer lives are probably one of the greatest barometers anywhere of our level of real dependence on God. 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:12.220 So if I'm not praying, then who am I depending on? 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:14.160 I'm depending on me. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:19.120 Let me share a little bit more about this in my seminar. 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:23.360 And I've shared this with you guys, I'm sure, before on and off through the years. 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:25.459 But about 15 years ago, I had a nervous breakdown. 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:27.639 Never even knew what one was. 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:29.719 Never particularly wanted to have one. 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:32.860 But I had a nervous breakdown. 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:35.300 I was out of the ministry for almost a year. 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:37.860 Never thought that I would ever go back. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:41.100 I couldn't even take a visitor in my house. 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:45.440 When one of the elders came to visit me, I ran upstairs to my room, literally, to hide. 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:48.779 Never thought I'd ever go back to ministry again. 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:52.879 And people asked me, I remember at the time and over the years as I've shared that, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.480 do I know why I had a nervous breakdown? 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:57.439 It's a good question, isn't it? 00:11:57.620 --> 00:12:00.860 Don't ask somebody who's having a nervous breakdown why they're having a nervous breakdown 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:02.459 or they'll just have a worse nervous breakdown. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:03.740 Okay? 00:12:03.839 --> 00:12:07.740 But people have asked, you know, because I think people have had nervous breakdowns 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:09.740 or anxiety or panic or depression or whatever. 00:12:11.079 --> 00:12:11.480 Why? 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:14.399 Why may that have been the case for me? 00:12:14.459 --> 00:12:17.600 And I think there are probably loads of reasons as I look back and reflect on it. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:19.700 But one reason that I'm almost certain is true. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:31.879 Is that over the years, I believe that I had drifted into a pretty extreme life of self-dependence 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:34.560 and self-reliance as a pastor. 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:43.019 During the time that I had off work, which was a long time, I had a lot of time to think. 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:47.279 And as I reflected back on my relationship with Christ, 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:51.000 I had a lot of time to pray as well, particularly in the acute periods of my anxiety, 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:51.899 all I did was pray. 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:56.319 And, you know, I just thought I hadn't been praying for my sermons. 00:12:56.819 --> 00:13:00.740 I can think about numerous times walking up to a pulpit and just thinking, 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:02.480 I haven't even prayed over this message. 00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:03.159 Why? 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.539 Well, I've done it hundreds of times. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.919 I could do it. 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:08.779 I've done it hundreds of times. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.299 You know, what do I need God for? 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:10.980 I can do it. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.500 See what I mean? 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.720 You start doing life that way. 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:17.720 And yeah, I don't know if you're on a road to a nervous breakdown, 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:20.960 but you're not in a good place. 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.960 So I hadn't been praying for my ministry. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.259 I hadn't been praying for my family. 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:26.980 I hadn't been praying for my own relationship with Christ. 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:29.100 And it came to a head for me in Romania 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:33.460 when I'd been invited over to speak at the Bible school there 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.580 on guess what subject? 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:35.980 Prayer. 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.920 They'd asked me to go over in prayer. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.360 And I spoke on prayer for a week, spoke on the Lord's Prayer. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:44.360 And all these young people were coming up, 00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:45.259 and they were like, 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:47.220 oh, you know, I'd never thought of these things. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:49.780 This is changing my prayer life, they were telling me. 00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:51.300 This is changing my prayer life. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:53.220 And I'm thinking deep inside my own heart, 00:13:53.280 --> 00:13:54.420 my prayer life's a mess. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:58.440 My prayer life's a mess. 00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:01.540 I don't know that it had been so weak. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:06.599 And I had been in the ministry for 12 years by that point in time. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.539 Say, how do you do that? 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:11.639 Well, I'm sure you've got a parallel somewhere in your life. 00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:14.219 You don't have to be a pastor to struggle with prayer. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.879 Okay, my text for this morning is Mark 9. 00:14:16.959 --> 00:14:17.839 So turn to Mark 9. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.839 Okay, we've got a few minutes, 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:22.959 but text here, Mark 9. 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.439 I'm going to pick it up in verse 14. 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:30.159 Okay, so Mark 9, you there? 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.679 Mark 9, verse 14. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:35.399 This is coming on the back of Peter and James and John, 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:37.319 just having been up the mountain with Jesus. 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.019 Remember? 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:45.399 When he has been transfigured into something. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:48.439 Not quite sure anybody really can unpack this perfectly, 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:50.399 but he's transfigured into... 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:53.439 We know that something of his glory was veiled. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.699 We often talk about that when we look at Philippians 2, 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:59.299 and the kenosis of Christ, or the emptying of Christ, 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:03.599 and something of his glory is veiled as he comes into the world. 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:05.699 But here in Mark 9, 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:09.679 and on this mountain experience that Peter and James and John 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.519 have the privilege of being a part of, 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:14.120 Jesus is transfigured into something, 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.539 not what it was, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:18.199 of a manifestation of that outward glory. 00:15:18.359 --> 00:15:19.559 So it has to be, right? 00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:21.899 Because he's literally shining. 00:15:22.859 --> 00:15:24.399 He is literally glowing. 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:29.360 His garments, it says, becomes brighter than anything on earth. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:36.480 So there's something going on here of a manifestation of the greatness of God, 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:38.539 and the greatness of who Jesus is, 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:41.059 as God in human flesh. 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.740 And it's so staggering, 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:46.059 it literally knocks these guys off their feet as God speaks from heaven. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:48.059 And they're literally floored. 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.659 They're literally floored. 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:51.879 I don't know if you've ever been floored by God, 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:54.100 but they are literally floored by God. 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:56.799 Once in my life I remember being floored by God. 00:15:57.699 --> 00:16:00.919 When my parents finally got saved after years of praying for them, 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:03.679 and literally falling on my face before the Lord. 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.480 I said, well, Lord, that's it. 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.079 I said, take me now. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.259 You know, I felt as though I'd seen everything I needed. 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:11.279 These guys were floored by God. 00:16:11.339 --> 00:16:12.939 And then Mark picks it up in verse 14. 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:15.139 So that's the context. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:17.059 Mark then picks it up in verse 14. 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:19.039 He says, when they came back to the disciples, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:21.039 so they came down off the mountain and back, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.219 the disciples were there, 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.019 and they were gathered. 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:26.319 There was a large crowd had gathered around them, 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:30.239 and there were some scribes there that were arguing with them. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:33.279 And it says, immediately when the entire crowd saw Jesus, 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:35.459 so Peter, James, John, Jesus, all coming down from the mountain, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.059 they saw Jesus, they were amazed, 00:16:37.979 --> 00:16:39.779 and began running up to greet Him. 00:16:40.239 --> 00:16:42.219 He had performed many miracles by this time. 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.879 He was becoming more and more well-known. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:47.220 And Jesus asked them, what are you discussing with them? 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:50.960 What are you discussing together with the scribes and the Pharisees? 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.399 And one of the crowd answered to the disciples. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.779 One of the crowd answered Him, 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:56.039 Teacher, I brought you my son, 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:59.120 possessed with a spirit which makes him mute. 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:02.759 And whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.019 and he foams at the mouth, 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:06.779 and grinds his teeth, and stiffens out. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:11.759 And I told your disciples to cast it out. 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:14.879 So he had brought this boy to the disciples, 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:19.119 apparently, while Jesus and the others were on the mountain. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.639 Brought your disciples to cast it out, 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:23.779 and they couldn't do it. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:27.660 And he answered and said to them, 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:31.920 O unbelieving generation, 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:35.059 how long shall I be with you? 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:38.160 How long shall I put up with you? 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.440 Bring him to me. 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:41.359 And they brought the boy to him. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.299 When he saw him, 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:44.460 immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.700 falling to the ground. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.099 He began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.680 And he asked his father, 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:51.859 how long has this been happening to him? 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.939 And he said, from childhood. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:55.119 Imagine this guy's life. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:18:00.179 Imagine his anxieties, his fears, his burden. 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.479 It's often thrown him both into the fire, 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.740 and into the water to destroy him. 00:18:07.479 --> 00:18:09.939 But if you can do anything, 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.579 take pity on us, and help us. 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:15.859 And Jesus said to him, 00:18:16.439 --> 00:18:17.559 if you can, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:23.980 all things are possible to him who believes. 00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:27.399 Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.579 I do believe. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.339 Help my unbelief. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.899 Boy, is that an honest statement, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.799 if you've ever heard one, 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:36.919 of the complexity of the life of faith. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.399 Isn't it? 00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:40.119 That is the life of faith, folks. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.980 That is the life of, 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.039 certainly my life of, 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:42.940 I do believe. 00:18:44.159 --> 00:18:45.159 Help my unbelief. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:49.160 Incredible, simple, compact little statement, 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:50.500 of the complexity, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.700 and the reality of a life of faith, 00:18:52.800 --> 00:18:54.580 just tucked in this little story. 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.440 But we're not going to talk about that this morning. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:56.880 But anyway, 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:59.800 when Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.540 he rebuked the unclean spirit, 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.400 saying to it, 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.540 you deaf and mute spirit, 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:05.019 I command you come out of him, 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.720 and do not enter him again. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.740 After crying out, 00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:10.420 and throwing him into terrible convulsions, 00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:11.700 it came out. 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:15.140 And the boy became so much like a corpse, 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.380 that most of them said, 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.920 he's dead. 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:19.220 But Jesus took him by the hand, 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.039 and raised him up, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.920 and he got up. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:23.019 When he came into the house, 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:25.400 his disciples began questioning him privately, 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:28.180 why could we not drive it out? 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.680 And I don't think he wanted to say, 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.039 because you're a bunch of numpties, 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.000 but, you know, 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.080 maybe that was, 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.440 and his mind would have been on mine. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:39.500 But instead he says to them, 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:41.640 this kind cannot come out, 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:44.480 by anything but prayer. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.420 Isn't that interesting? 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:51.200 Isn't that interesting? 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.200 Because, 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.120 Mark 9, 00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:58.019 comes after Mark 6, 00:19:58.500 --> 00:20:00.480 which is where Jesus in Mark 6, 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.920 has already, 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:04.720 sent these same guys out, 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.220 with power over, 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:08.019 all unclean spirits. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.980 So that's where we are. 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.759 Jesus had sent them out, 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.640 with power over unclean spirits, 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.279 which is what, 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.500 is going on here. 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.059 But now here's an unclean spirit, 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.339 and they can't do it. 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.319 Why not? 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.019 Why, 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.680 can't they do it this time? 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.740 What has happened? 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.220 Well, 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.860 Jesus tells them what's happened, 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:29.600 doesn't he? 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.160 In fact, 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.140 they ask him, 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.759 outright, 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.640 in verse 28. 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.480 Lord, 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.019 why could we not, 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.000 drive it out? 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.700 And he said to them, 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:40.120 this kind only comes out, 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:42.120 by prayer. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.900 Isn't that interesting? 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.600 Why prayer? 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.160 Well, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.740 I'm going somewhere, 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.620 with this by the way. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:46.920 Okay? 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.000 Why prayer? 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.440 Why not praise? 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.079 Why not, 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.200 this kind only comes out, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.600 by me? 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.860 Or this kind only comes out, 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.920 by exorcism? 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.039 Or this kind only comes out, 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.299 by command, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.240 or backflips, 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.079 or nosedives, 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.519 or I don't know, 00:20:59.579 --> 00:20:59.839 whatever. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:00.880 Why, 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.039 why, 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.039 why prayer? 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.740 Let me tell you why, 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.500 I think prayer. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.319 Because I think prayer, 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.019 more than anything, 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:08.299 is the greatest indication, 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:09.879 that we really know, 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.119 that we can't do anything, 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.740 without Jesus. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:18.299 And I think these guys, 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.059 doesn't say this here, 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.180 I'm reading between the lines, 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:23.339 but I think these guys, 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.359 had stopped praying. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:29.559 I think they had, 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.259 stopped relying, 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.000 on Jesus, 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.759 to do the work, 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.299 of the ministry, 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.219 to live, 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.459 the life of the Christian, 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.359 to obey, 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.599 the words, 00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.459 and commands of God. 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.699 I think they had stopped, 00:21:43.959 --> 00:21:45.000 depending on Jesus, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.259 to do that. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.439 And they got to a place, 00:21:48.679 --> 00:21:49.359 where they thought, 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.679 they could do it themselves. 00:21:53.479 --> 00:21:54.939 And I think a lot of Christians, 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:58.579 and I think a lot of churches, 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:01.639 if we're not careful, 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.339 wind up in exactly, 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.240 the same place. 00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.139 Exactly, 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.899 the same place. 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.879 And I'll tell you something, 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.819 it scares the life out of me, 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.740 because, 00:22:14.219 --> 00:22:16.879 I remember being woken up, 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.779 to the drift, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.740 that had taken place, 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.379 in my own life, 00:22:20.459 --> 00:22:21.259 15 years ago. 00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:23.779 Scares the wits out of me. 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:28.259 I'm tempted, 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.039 to share a little bit more, 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.639 about that experience, 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.639 but I'll talk to you about it, 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.099 in the seminar, 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.759 a little bit more. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.779 This is the utter danger, 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.960 of self-sufficiency. 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.099 And I just want to finish off, 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:37.899 with the last couple of minutes, 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.339 I've got here. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.720 This is the utter danger, 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.720 of self-sufficiency. 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:43.019 And I just want to finish off, 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.019 I want to give you four things, 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.059 that I think self-sufficiency, 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.839 leaves us with, 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.940 according to this text. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:48.480 And why prayer, 00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:49.380 is such a significant, 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:51.400 way to battle, 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.860 or to counter, 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.380 the inevitable, 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:57.980 inevitable, 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.360 am I right, 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.380 or am I wrong with this? 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.420 Tell me if I'm wrong. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.759 The inevitable, 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:04.059 drift, 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:06.120 that we are prone to, 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:09.140 as frail, 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.779 and broken, 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.000 and sinful human beings, 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.440 the inevitable drift, 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.480 that we're prone to, 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.680 when it comes, 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.680 to this whole issue, 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.320 of prayer. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.039 And our dependence, 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.579 on self, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.639 rather than our dependence, 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.759 on God. 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.639 So four things, 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.480 I think self-sufficiency, 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.179 leaves us with, 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.339 according to this text. 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:25.759 Number one, 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.879 I think self-sufficiency, 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.659 when we drift into that, 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.819 it leaves us with, 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.679 obviously, 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.980 self-ability. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.139 Think about it, 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:35.220 self-sufficiency, 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:36.240 leaves us with, 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.279 self-ability. 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:37.980 In other words, 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.659 we can only do, 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.359 when we become self-sufficient, 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.639 we can only do, 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:44.279 what's humanly, 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.000 possible. 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.240 Is that fair? 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.039 Because we're not, 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.899 depending on Christ. 00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.960 Apart from me, 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.759 you can do, 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.299 nothing. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.359 And that's exactly, 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.359 what happens. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:55.960 I mean, 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.799 we can go to work, 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.899 we can drive our car, 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.319 we can, 00:23:59.259 --> 00:23:59.559 but, 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.500 I don't know, 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.119 that we can live, 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.159 the Christ life. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.439 Ourselves, 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.379 does anybody, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.220 think they can? 00:24:09.419 --> 00:24:09.740 You know, 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.740 of course we don't. 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.859 We know we can't, 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:13.119 but this is the inevitable, 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:15.159 proneness to drift, 00:24:16.159 --> 00:24:17.519 into self-sufficiency. 00:24:17.719 --> 00:24:18.579 And I think we all, 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:20.379 I think we all experience that. 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.859 I think we all experience that. 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.740 We can only do, 00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:28.939 what's humanly possible. 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.479 And in the spiritual realm, 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.299 that's not much, 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.699 is it? 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:34.199 What's humanly possible, 00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:36.199 is not much in the spiritual realm. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.599 In fact, 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.099 it's nil. 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:39.159 It's nil. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.740 So you wonder why, 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.399 I don't know, 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:44.159 your relationships are crumbling, 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.399 or you wonder why, 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:48.599 nobody in your sphere, 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.819 is getting saved, 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.299 or you wonder why, 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:54.059 your patience is low, 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.019 or you wonder, 00:24:55.459 --> 00:24:55.799 why, 00:24:56.199 --> 00:24:57.599 your marriage is frail, 00:24:57.719 --> 00:24:58.599 or you wonder, 00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.219 why, 00:24:59.719 --> 00:25:02.859 your service at church, 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:03.980 is a burden. 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:09.019 Rather than a blessing. 00:25:10.719 --> 00:25:11.679 I don't know if I'm, 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.839 if I'm hitting any targets, 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.279 but, 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.659 you know, 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:16.259 I have felt, 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.740 all of those things. 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.339 I have been through, 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.679 all of those things, 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.439 and more. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.179 And then, 00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:28.459 and I have probably wondered why. 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.079 But boy, 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:30.539 I'll tell you, 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.219 when, 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.480 when, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:31.719 when, 00:25:31.719 --> 00:25:33.419 when God needs to push your buttons, 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.879 he knows what buttons to push. 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.980 And again, 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.159 I'll share in the seminar, 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:42.219 I certainly don't have it all together. 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:44.500 I certainly don't have it all together. 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.919 But I think I'm learning. 00:25:48.679 --> 00:25:49.079 Slowly, 00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:51.019 57 years on, 00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:51.439 you know, 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.579 I think I'm learning. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:54.039 Not 57 years a Christian. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:55.000 Don't think I'm that old. 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.559 Alright? 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:58.019 I think I'm learning. 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.779 But I, 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.799 no way have it together. 00:26:00.199 --> 00:26:00.719 So number one, 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.259 self-sufficiency leaves with self-ability. 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:02.740 Number two, 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.899 self-sufficiency, 00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:05.859 because all these guys had, 00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:06.759 was their self-ability. 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.039 So, 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.579 self-sufficiency number two, 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.400 leaves us with self-philosophy. 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.980 Now watch this. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.299 Self-sufficiency, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.420 when we get self-sufficient, 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.079 we, 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:15.460 we, 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.680 nine times out of ten, 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.259 we, 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.559 we, 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:17.740 we, 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.059 when we're self-sufficient, 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:21.140 we're also self-convinced. 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.920 Aren't we? 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.940 I've got what it takes. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.619 I can do it. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.859 I can do it. 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.259 I can do it. 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.079 I got that way. 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:29.039 I got that way. 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.420 I got that way. 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.779 Every Sunday morning now, 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.079 I take my message, 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:36.119 and I hold it out before God. 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.019 Every Sunday morning, 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.339 I hold it out before God, 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.719 and I say, 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:38.959 Lord, 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:41.699 this is just a manuscript, 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:45.179 that I've tried to put together, 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:45.719 here, 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:47.359 in my humanness, 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.719 my brokenness, 00:26:48.939 --> 00:26:50.179 hopefully some of my dependence, 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.400 and I say, 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:52.299 this is only a manuscript. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.700 Lord, 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.039 you have to make it a message. 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:58.140 You've got to make it a message. 00:26:58.600 --> 00:27:00.200 And if you don't make it a message, 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.600 then everybody's going to go home, 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.460 starving spiritually. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.420 Starving spiritually. 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:10.200 But for years, 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:10.860 for years, 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.539 I just waltzed up to the pulpit. 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.060 I did. 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:16.680 And it wasn't until I had this breakdown, 00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:17.480 I looked back, 00:27:17.580 --> 00:27:19.560 and for a number of years before that, 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:19.800 I thought, 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:21.600 I've preached hundreds of messages. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:24.140 I'm not saying any of them have been good, 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.140 but I've preached them. 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.920 Hundreds of messages. 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:30.600 And I just started to live that way. 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:33.259 I think I got like these guys did in Mark 9. 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:36.180 I got to the point where I've done this before. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.539 Now, to begin with, 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.240 the first time you're up front of people, 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:39.720 and you know, 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.039 you're praying like mad. 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:41.680 Why? 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.900 Because you have a need. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.619 You're not on holiday. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:47.259 You're not sitting in a lounge chair in Florida. 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.240 You have a need. 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.279 And you pray. 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.259 Because it's hard. 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:53.359 There's pressure on you. 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.960 That's a good thing, folks. 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.839 That's a good thing. 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.660 I met with a guy this week 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:58.579 who's really struggling with different things. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:02.379 And with all the pastoral compassion I could muster, 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:02.980 I tried to tell him, 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.299 you know what? 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.420 That's not as bad as you think. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.980 That's not as bad as you think. 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.299 Yeah, it's heavy. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.380 Yeah, it's hard. 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:11.140 But there are going to be things going on 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:13.000 in the depths of your heart right now 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.099 that you would never believe. 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:16.839 Because you're learning to depend on God. 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:18.140 You're learning to depend on God. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:20.019 When I'm sitting there and the sun is shining 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.380 and everything, the world is right, 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:23.019 I'm not learning to depend on God 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.640 because I'm not. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.640 I'm laying in the sunshine. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:24.900 I'm not. 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:32.620 So you start to become self-convinced 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:34.180 and probably self-deceived. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:36.800 In Luke's account of this same incident, 00:28:37.280 --> 00:28:37.880 in Luke's account, 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.640 this is Mark's account, 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.180 but in Luke's, 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:40.060 Matthew and Luke, 00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:42.540 the synoptics all have this incident 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:43.759 from different perspectives 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.840 and they all add different bits. 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.920 It's good to look at this 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:47.759 maybe later on or tonight or whatever, 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:49.300 go back and look at Matthew, Mark, and Luke's. 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.240 It's a big full picture. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:52.059 But in Luke's account of this same incident, 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.900 Jesus says to the disciples 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:55.259 when he's talking to them 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:57.180 about their need to depend on him 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:58.539 and the fact that they're unbelieving 00:28:58.539 --> 00:29:00.000 and this only comes out by prayer, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.980 Luke says, 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:05.359 let these words sink into your heads. 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.759 That's where he says they're numpties basically, 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.660 thick heads. 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:12.380 Let these words sink into your heads 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:14.400 because I think you've become self-convinced 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.299 and self-deceived. 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:19.299 Thinking you can do the work of God 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.819 on your own. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.639 Man. 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:23.579 Number three, 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:26.940 self-sufficiency leaves us with self-eminency. 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:27.859 Doesn't it? 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:29.000 Think about it. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.500 Self-sufficiency. 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.099 Self. 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.700 I can do it. 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:35.119 Leaves us with self-eminency. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.259 The more we depend on self, 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.559 the more we believe in self 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:39.000 and the more we believe in self, 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:41.039 the more we exalt self. 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.740 And this is an easy thing to do, folks. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:45.019 You may not think it's happening, 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:48.240 but I don't know that there's a human being alive 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.960 that isn't tempted into this. 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.900 Reading between the lines, 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.440 I wonder, 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.960 even though Peter, James, and John 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:56.240 weren't a part of the crowd 00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:00.740 that tried to toss the demon out of the boy, 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.660 reading between the lines, 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.700 I wonder whether 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:07.859 some of the material's not been organized here 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.579 with Mark. 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.839 I'm putting this, 00:30:09.899 --> 00:30:10.919 and I'm sure the incident, 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.399 this was chronological, 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:15.419 but it's interesting that this situation 00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.500 with the boy happens 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.899 right after this situation 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:20.039 where Peter, James, and John 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:22.179 are on the mountain with Jesus. 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:24.119 And not only do they see this, 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:26.419 whatever this manifestation of his glory is, 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.500 but who else do they see up there? 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:32.679 Moses and Elijah. 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:34.000 And it doesn't say this, 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.859 I tend to do a little bit of reading 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:36.619 between the lines 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:38.599 when I'm studying the Bible, 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:40.039 but it's just asking questions. 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.500 It's all I'm doing is asking questions. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.180 You know, 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:43.279 what could be going on here? 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.960 What's going on in these guys' minds? 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.839 You've got to ask yourself, 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.799 especially in narrative, 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.960 you've got to ask yourself those questions. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.279 It's good because it makes it live. 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.440 These are real people. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.559 How do you think, 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.400 potentially, 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.380 how do you think 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:57.480 Peter, James, and John 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.119 were feeling 00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:59.839 as they came down the mountain 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:02.140 to the other guys 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.940 who hadn't been with Jesus 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:06.840 and seen this manifestation 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.640 of his glory? 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.240 I don't know. 00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:10.040 I'm reading between the lines. 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.620 It doesn't say this, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.280 but I wonder 00:31:11.280 --> 00:31:12.660 if there wasn't something 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.540 these guys might have been 00:31:13.540 --> 00:31:14.520 slipping into themselves. 00:31:14.860 --> 00:31:15.620 I wonder if they might have, 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.680 when's the last time 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:18.160 you saw Moses and Elijah? 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:21.900 You know? 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:22.920 We did. 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.360 We saw them. 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:24.980 You know, 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.620 I don't know. 00:31:26.060 --> 00:31:27.080 But it's just kind of funny. 00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:27.800 These guys, 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:29.660 we know Peter puts his foot in it. 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.560 We know these guys 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.140 don't get it right. 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.000 We know they're prone 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.259 to the same kind of 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:35.500 self-life that we are. 00:31:37.280 --> 00:31:37.520 So, 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.920 I'm not quite sure about that. 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:39.160 But, 00:31:39.320 --> 00:31:39.520 anyway, 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.100 last one here. 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.900 Self-sufficiency 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:43.180 leaves us with self-ability, 00:31:43.300 --> 00:31:43.800 self-philosophy, 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.540 self-eminency. 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.080 Self-sufficiency 00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:47.480 ultimately leaves us 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:49.420 with self-exclusively. 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.040 That's it. 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.600 That's it. 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.340 In other words, 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:56.100 you want to try to live 00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:57.320 the Christ life without Christ? 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:57.980 Go ahead. 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.060 Go ahead. 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.640 Go ahead. 00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:02.940 I wonder if, 00:32:03.040 --> 00:32:03.340 folks, 00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:05.160 I wonder if what God 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:06.960 is saying to our broken world 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.940 in the mess that it is today. 00:32:10.280 --> 00:32:11.240 Read Romans 1. 00:32:11.320 --> 00:32:12.380 Romans 1 is all about this. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.660 In the mess that it is. 00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:14.660 If that's the way 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.400 you want to live, 00:32:16.520 --> 00:32:18.680 if you want to reject me 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:20.240 and everything that I stand for, 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:23.300 and every purpose 00:32:23.300 --> 00:32:24.340 that you were made to have 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.440 in your creation, 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.900 if you want to live that way, 00:32:27.280 --> 00:32:27.780 go ahead. 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.180 Go ahead. 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.220 Go ahead. 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.720 And I'll show you 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:33.039 what a world like that looks like. 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.740 And I think that happens 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.619 in our lives as well. 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.240 You want to live? 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:39.319 You want to live 00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:41.660 with no prayer life? 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.440 You want to live 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:44.899 without that dependence on God? 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:45.619 Go ahead. 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:47.119 You'll be left with you. 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:51.160 You'll be left with you. 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:53.620 And I think we all know 00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:55.279 in the deepest depths 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.259 of our hearts, 00:32:56.540 --> 00:32:57.440 when we understand 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.560 the reality of who we are 00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.440 in our own brokenness, 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.660 that's not a pretty picture. 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.940 It's not a pretty picture. 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.880 When we stop depending on God, 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.400 eventually, 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.900 we begin to believe 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.980 that not only are we all we need, 00:33:11.080 --> 00:33:11.620 but actually, 00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:12.640 we're all there is. 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.060 Don't we? 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:15.640 We're all there is. 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.420 Mark doesn't record this, 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.120 but if you read on 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:20.040 in Luke's account again 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.819 of this incident, 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.379 the disciples actually 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.639 start to rebuke others 00:33:23.639 --> 00:33:24.240 after this, 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.799 right after this, 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.960 they start to rebuke others 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.539 who are driving out demons 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:28.379 in Jesus' name. 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.399 So think about that. 00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.559 So they're looking at, 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:31.899 I don't know, 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.220 they're looking at another church 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:36.299 with a program that's working 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.399 and they're, 00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:39.240 you know how sometimes we get? 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:41.599 And we start taking shots 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.379 at our own people. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.740 So they're looking at another church 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.839 or they're looking at another Christian 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:47.980 who's leading loads of people to Christ. 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:48.859 And maybe, 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.019 and this is strange, 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.759 don't look at me this way, 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:52.980 you probably know this, 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:57.399 but there's something in me 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:59.180 and I hate it, 00:33:59.299 --> 00:34:00.099 I hate it, 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.899 but there's something in me 00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:03.579 that can actually start to envy 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:07.240 and even begin to think ill of 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:09.599 other Christians 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:11.360 who seem to be more productive 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:11.980 than I am. 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:15.420 And I almost wish them unwell. 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.619 Isn't that awful? 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.380 You ever think a believer 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.039 could be like that? 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:20.160 Maybe I don't even belong 00:34:20.160 --> 00:34:21.000 in front of you 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.260 or in the ministry 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:23.579 or anything like that. 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:26.440 But something ugly in my flesh 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.260 can get there. 00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:28.539 And I think that's what 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.400 is happening here. 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:31.220 They are so self-dependent, 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.280 so self-reliant, 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.160 that there are people 00:34:33.160 --> 00:34:34.559 who are actually casting out demons. 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:35.900 They're on the same team! 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:40.000 And they're casting out demons. 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:43.119 And in Luke 9, 49, 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.559 John says, 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:45.039 Master, 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.860 can you believe this? 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:49.240 We actually saw someone else 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.880 driving out demons in your name, 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.280 but we tried to stop him 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:53.559 because he's not one of us. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.440 Can you believe that? 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.240 Somebody other than me 00:34:59.240 --> 00:35:00.059 wanting to do something 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:01.280 in Jesus' names. 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:01.800 Well, 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.140 my time's up. 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:04.860 Walking with God 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.400 in prayer 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:07.200 more dependently. 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.180 And I think that's what 00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.760 prayer is all about 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.500 in the first place. 00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:13.500 That's what prayer is all about 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.280 in the first place. 00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:15.540 In other words, 00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:16.540 I don't think 00:35:16.540 --> 00:35:17.700 we can walk with God 00:35:17.700 --> 00:35:18.519 dependently 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.320 outside of prayer. 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.720 Think about that. 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.980 I don't think we can walk 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:23.320 dependently on God 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:25.160 outside of prayer. 00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:27.440 And I know 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.159 that my prayer life 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:28.699 is the absolute 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.599 greatest indication 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.359 of how dependent 00:35:30.359 --> 00:35:31.559 I am on God. 00:35:31.859 --> 00:35:32.480 I know it is. 00:35:33.879 --> 00:35:35.039 I know when I am 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:36.139 really depending on God, 00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:36.940 I'm on my knees. 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.879 And when I'm not, 00:35:41.279 --> 00:35:42.500 I'm just doing my own thing. 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:44.339 I don't know if that's 00:35:44.339 --> 00:35:45.000 what you were expecting 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.399 this morning, 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.159 but that's what you got. 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:47.879 Okay? 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:49.519 It is about dependence. 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.859 It is about dependence. 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.619 Your statement says 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:54.559 it's about dependence. 00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:55.659 And I think you're right. 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.799 I think you're right. 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.980 I think you've got that right. 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.539 Let me pray. 00:35:58.639 --> 00:35:58.920 And then, 00:35:59.420 --> 00:36:01.059 I think we just got 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:01.880 a break coming up here. 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.219 Father, 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:05.539 we, 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:06.920 here we are. 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:08.639 Here we are 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:09.460 in our humanness. 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:09.900 Here we are 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.759 in our brokenness. 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:11.719 Here we are today 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:13.199 with this opportunity 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:14.480 that you've provided 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:15.199 for us 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:16.420 to be together 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.940 and to think 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.559 and to hear 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.139 and to listen 00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:19.860 and to ponder 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:21.860 and to readjust 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.920 our lives. 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.159 What a great 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.119 opportunity today 00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:26.119 for us to have 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.719 a mid-course correction 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:29.799 in our spiritual lives. 00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:31.619 And so, 00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:31.980 Lord, 00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:33.839 in dependence on you, 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:35.819 we close our eyes, 00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.879 we bow our heads, 00:36:37.399 --> 00:36:38.239 and we do this thing 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:38.839 called prayer. 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.859 We speak to you 00:36:39.859 --> 00:36:41.279 because of the precious 00:36:41.279 --> 00:36:42.139 blood of Jesus 00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:43.099 that's opened the way 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.659 for us 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:45.399 to have this relationship 00:36:45.399 --> 00:36:45.920 with you. 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:48.780 we express our dependence 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.240 on you. 00:36:49.320 --> 00:36:50.079 We confess 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:51.800 our proneness 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:55.180 to self-sufficiency 00:36:55.180 --> 00:36:55.820 rather than 00:36:55.820 --> 00:36:56.619 God-dependency, 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.519 and we pray 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:59.039 and ask you 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:01.139 that in this special time 00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:02.159 we have together today, 00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:03.539 you would help us 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:04.800 to become more 00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:06.079 reliant and dependent 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:06.659 on you 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.800 so that we might live 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.340 in this world 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.900 in a way 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:10.280 that glorifies you. 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.159 In Jesus' name, 00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.579 Amen.