WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.860 We are continuing our series in the book of Ephesians today, so if you'll take the word of God with me and turn to the book of Ephesians. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:11.040 We are completing chapter 1 today, Lord willing. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:17.059 Beginning in verse 15. Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 15. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:20.460 As you turn there, I want to remind you of a little bit of background on the book. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:27.199 Ephesians has two themes. The first half of the book talks about who we are. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:29.460 The second half, how we live. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.259 Who we are and how we live. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:41.820 Much of our content from this series was drawn from the Christ-centered exposition series of commentaries, 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:45.859 the book on Ephesians, authored by Pastor Tony Merida. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:52.960 And the background of the book of Ephesians is it was written by Apostle Paul around the year AD 62. 00:00:53.299 --> 00:00:57.820 And the setting, he was under house arrest and Roman imprisonment far away. 00:00:57.820 --> 00:01:00.960 But he was very familiar with this church in Ephesus. 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:04.400 He had been a pastor with them for about three years. 00:01:04.540 --> 00:01:06.780 You can read that account in Acts chapter 19. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:10.319 The breakdown of the book, again, chapters 1 through 3. 00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:12.780 Who we are in Christ, our identity. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:17.200 And actually this corresponds well with what the youth are studying on Wednesday nights. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:21.620 They have a series going on studying our identity in Christ. 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:26.780 And that is exciting when that overlaps with what's going on here on Sundays. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:30.460 The second half of the book talks about how we live for Christ. 00:01:30.580 --> 00:01:32.480 So who we are and how we live. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:36.500 Part 1, we're in right now, who we are in Christ. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:42.939 So today we'll be reading from primarily the Christian Standard Bible, Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 15. 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:44.859 If you're able to, would you join me in standing? 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:47.679 If you need to remain seated, that's fine. 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:53.239 But if you're able to join me in standing, we'll read together Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 15. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:00.039 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:04.459 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:12.959 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of him. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:20.819 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling. 00:02:21.359 --> 00:02:24.500 What is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints. 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:31.099 And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:36.259 According to the mighty working of his strength. 00:02:36.979 --> 00:02:37.919 Verse 20. 00:02:38.519 --> 00:02:44.500 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens. 00:02:45.019 --> 00:02:49.539 Far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion and every title given. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:53.400 Not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:03:02.200 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him, Jesus, as head over everything for the church. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:03.420 Remember that? 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:05.560 Church is not about me. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:08.159 Church is about Jesus. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:10.700 Which is his body. 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:16.620 The fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. 00:03:16.700 --> 00:03:17.319 You may be seated. 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:19.500 Lord, I thank you for this time. 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:28.139 I thank you that you've given us this letter to this church in Ephesus that is still 100% relevant for our church in Henrietta. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:31.280 I ask that you would move in our hearts this morning. 00:03:31.860 --> 00:03:36.280 Let the light of your word reveal the truth about us. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:38.860 And help us to walk out of these doors today. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:41.159 Knowing you more intimately. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:42.439 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:42.960 Amen. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:44.659 All right. 00:03:44.740 --> 00:03:47.920 This chapter is broken down into two sections. 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:51.659 We covered two weeks ago, the first half and the second half here. 00:03:52.019 --> 00:03:53.719 Man, that first half was powerful. 00:03:54.119 --> 00:03:55.199 Absolutely powerful. 00:03:55.579 --> 00:04:04.119 It's really hard for Paul to improve on what he did in that first chapter, the first half of the first chapter of Ephesians. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:06.519 Talking about who we are in Christ. 00:04:06.619 --> 00:04:09.060 The redemption that we have through his blood. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:10.879 The inheritance that we have received. 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:13.079 That we were chosen by God. 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:19.860 And being chosen by God motivates us then to love him, to worship him, to give him praise. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:25.120 And now he closes this chapter with a prayer. 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:26.780 A prayer for the church. 00:04:27.080 --> 00:04:36.900 A magnificent prayer that you and I can latch on to and be grateful that this is in the scriptures meant for our edification today. 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:39.300 So what is he talking about in this prayer? 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:40.600 Let me ask you this question. 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:41.960 Does anybody know who these people are? 00:04:45.840 --> 00:04:46.780 Good guess. 00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:51.960 It took us a minute to even identify the type of jerseys, but we got there. 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:58.420 These are arguably the top five soccer players in the world right now. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:03.700 Arguably the best at their positions, according to the main soccer publications out there. 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:13.339 I dare say that if any one of these guys walked into our church this morning, there's not one person in this room who would have a clue who they are. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:21.060 However, if they went in just about anywhere else in the world, they would be mobbed. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:24.279 Paparazzi would be following them everywhere. 00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:29.039 There'd be crowds thronging them because those people know these guys. 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:32.099 These guys are worldwide celebrities. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:34.000 Except in the United States. 00:05:35.739 --> 00:05:38.259 We're the only ones who don't play football with our feet. 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:48.699 And so there is a little disconnect there between knowing who these people are and knowing who these people are. 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:52.599 Now take a minute and let's hear some names. 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:52.939 All right. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:53.819 Who do we have up here? 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:55.519 Troy Aikman. 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:57.599 Roger Stavak. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:05:59.379 Tony Romo. 00:06:00.159 --> 00:06:00.920 Zach Prescott. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:04.259 My wife even know who a couple of these guys were, man. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:07.040 Listen. 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:16.500 If any one of these guys walked into our building this morning, we might have to cancel the service because y'all would be so starstruck, right? 00:06:17.020 --> 00:06:17.720 Who am I kidding? 00:06:17.780 --> 00:06:18.360 I would be too. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:20.160 Yeah. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:26.360 You walk into a town in Texas and throw some Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks up there, absolutely people know who they are. 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:31.139 For those of you who didn't have a clue, those are Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks, okay? 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:42.800 It's all in the context of what you care about, what your interests are, what you spend your time learning about. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:45.960 And around the world, soccer is king. 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:50.639 But here in Texas, the Dallas Cowboys are king. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:55.520 They may not always be king on the scoreboard on Sundays, all right? 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:59.939 But we're going to win today and they kick at noon, so we need to hurry up. 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:03.139 But y'all don't rush off. 00:07:03.219 --> 00:07:05.500 We got to help get ready for Drunkertreat, okay? 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:07.819 So let's wrap this puppy up. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:08.659 All right, here we go. 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:16.919 So the idea here is we need to reflect and consider how well we know God. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:20.639 Because there are certain things that we know very well. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:23.279 And a lot of it depends on context. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:29.639 And the truth is, how well you know God depends on how much time you've spent studying him. 00:07:30.059 --> 00:07:32.239 How much time you've spent with him. 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:35.819 How much time you've spent learning about him. 00:07:36.539 --> 00:07:39.179 How much of a nerd you are about God. 00:07:40.179 --> 00:07:42.619 How many Star Wars nerds we got in here? 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.120 Yes? 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:45.939 Some of you, like, hesitantly. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.759 Not proud of it, but yes. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:50.939 I did. 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:51.899 I did say yes. 00:07:52.459 --> 00:07:52.879 I did. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:54.920 Star Trek? 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:56.060 Anybody Star Trek? 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:56.780 You got some Trekkies? 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.240 Wow. 00:07:57.540 --> 00:07:57.819 Wow. 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:01.819 The age of some of those, like, okay. 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:04.639 Some younger people who are Star Trek fans. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:05.060 All right. 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:06.819 What else? 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:07.300 Marvel? 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:08.819 DC? 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:10.620 What? 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:11.879 Marvel and DC, Jessica. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:12.280 Wow. 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:12.800 Okay. 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:14.899 Amazing. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:18.620 We're bridging gaps here in this church, man. 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.840 Well, listen. 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:33.340 How many of us nerd out for holy God as much as we do for these other areas of entertainment 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:34.560 in our lives? 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:38.759 Now, look, I can tell you every single member of the Dallas Cowboys this year. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.519 I love them to death. 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:42.100 I love my Texas Rangers. 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.240 Let's not talk about last night. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:52.600 But how much of our time, how much of our interest is spent knowing more and more about 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:58.700 these things that matter in the here and now, but in the scope of eternity, they don't 00:08:58.700 --> 00:08:59.399 matter a bit. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:01.259 They don't matter at all. 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:08.580 But we oftentimes know far more about that than we do the one who bled and died for us, 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:14.220 rose from the grave victoriously, and offers life-changing power to us every day. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:19.580 So there is a revelation involved in knowing God. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:22.220 Let's look back at verse 17 of chapter 1. 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:24.740 Verse 17 of Ephesians chapter 1. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:30.820 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the spirit 00:09:30.820 --> 00:09:36.039 of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:43.100 That you would get to know God better, and then you would experience this divine revelation 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:44.779 that comes with knowing God. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.759 What are we talking about when we say revelation? 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:49.200 That God reveals things to you. 00:09:49.540 --> 00:09:51.980 God reveals the truth about Himself. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:54.779 God reveals His true nature. 00:09:55.320 --> 00:10:01.220 Do you realize that if you grow up in church, oftentimes you can get a distorted view of who 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:01.920 God is? 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.600 You understand that? 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:09.899 You can all of a sudden realize, especially growing up in Baptist churches, that God is 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:11.199 not just a bunch of rules. 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:17.819 Because sometimes that is what we portray, and that is what we emphasize, that if you 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:23.379 do this, if you check these boxes, if you live according to how we say you ought to live, 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:26.439 then you are good, you are fine, and God is happy with you. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:28.659 That is not an accurate view of God. 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:31.039 God knows the truth about you. 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:32.879 He knows the truth about me. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:38.919 He knows we are far worse than the image that we portray on Sunday morning in church. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:45.419 Whether you're standing in a choir or sitting out here, we try to portray the best version 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:46.740 of ourselves, don't we? 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:48.000 Of course we do. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:50.419 God knows that you're not really that. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:56.700 He knows that those people, young people who post on Instagram, their lives aren't really 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:57.320 like that. 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:04.640 They took that picture 25 times to get it just right, to portray this certain image. 00:11:05.400 --> 00:11:07.580 And we do that in our day-to-day lives. 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:10.740 When people are coming over to our house, what do we do? 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:13.420 We try to straighten it up real quick. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.240 We try to clean it. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:16.360 We go, oh man, I've got to throw the dishes in the dishwasher. 00:11:16.540 --> 00:11:20.660 I've got to go make the bed real quick, you know, or at least close the door to the bedroom 00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:21.400 so they don't go in there. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:27.899 We try to portray an image that we have it all together when God knows we don't have 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:28.360 it all together. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.100 We are a mess. 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:36.240 But God is revealed when we get to know Him better, we realize those aren't the things 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:37.480 that He prioritizes. 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:39.439 Remember what we talked about in our series on the church? 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.899 Don't make the secondary stuff primary. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:46.079 Primary is what God really cares about. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:46.980 He cares about you. 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.240 He cares about your heart. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:50.279 He cares about rescuing you. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:52.159 He cares about changing you. 00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:54.000 He cares about saving you. 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:56.679 He cares about redeeming your life. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:59.839 So there is a revelation in knowing God. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.879 Now man, we care about how you have it all together. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:09.939 Mankind, our fellow neighbor, we are judging. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.699 We talk back. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:14.339 We talk bad about you behind your back. 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.319 That's what people do. 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:17.059 God doesn't do that. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:24.239 So we reveal the real God when we get to know Him better. 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:25.559 How do you get to know God better? 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:26.899 You spend time with Him. 00:12:27.479 --> 00:12:28.179 You pray. 00:12:28.719 --> 00:12:29.500 You talk to Him. 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:33.259 You actually spend time in your day talking to the one who wants to hear from you. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:39.059 You actually spend time reading the instruction manual for life that He left behind here. 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:42.419 And we've got Him so nicely bound in leather and all that. 00:12:44.219 --> 00:12:46.319 That is God. 00:12:47.479 --> 00:12:49.539 He's revealed Himself to us. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:54.879 I'm not talking about getting some vision because you ate too much Mexican food the night before. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:58.980 I'm talking about real, genuine learning of who God is. 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.220 He's told us exactly about His nature. 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:04.720 He's told us everything we need to know about Him. 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.980 And it's all there for the taking. 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:10.200 And God reveals Himself to us. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.899 You know what else? 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:13.820 He reveals us in Him. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.759 It's like a mirror. 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:18.799 However, when we look at God, we see how fake we are. 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:27.819 When we look at how real and genuine His love is, we see how poor of an excuse our love is. 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.819 And then we're just astounded. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.299 Why would God love me? 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:34.179 I'm a mess. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.580 I can't measure up. 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:39.019 That's what grace is all about. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.659 That's what salvation is all about. 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:44.259 That's what God is all about. 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:47.779 So we need Holy Spirit glasses. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:50.679 We need Holy Spirit glasses. 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:52.960 These are not rose-colored glasses. 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:55.899 This is not looking through life that everything's okay. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:14:05.919 It's realizing that everything is not okay, but it can be well with my soul despite all the mess around me. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.419 Despite all the mess within my own heart. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:12.460 It can still be well with my soul because God loves me. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:13.700 He cares. 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:16.620 He's sacrificed everything. 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:21.919 And He wants and desires above everything else a relationship with me. 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:24.039 Because that glorifies Him. 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.419 That brings glory to Him. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:36.060 So we have an opportunity to worship our God, praise Him, bring honor and glory to His name every day by working on our relationship with Him. 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:38.479 Seeing us as He sees us. 00:14:38.479 --> 00:14:41.739 Seeing Him as He truly is. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:46.180 We can only do that by looking through these Holy Spirit glasses. 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:56.419 So if you have put your faith in Christ, repented of your sins, turn from them and turn to Him as your Savior to become His child, then you have the Holy Spirit with you. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:15:01.719 And the Holy Spirit can reveal who God is and who we are to us. 00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:06.099 2 Corinthians chapter 4 kind of talks about this. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:10.220 We are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:21.620 God who said, let light shine out of darkness, has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:24.220 That is a revealing light. 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:31.060 It is an illuminating light that shines on our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:34.500 And it allows us to see clearly. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:38.920 Until then, we're seeing a distorted view of the world. 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:43.560 And that's why we're so easily swayed by things we read online. 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:45.840 By things we watch online. 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:49.720 By things we hear other people say. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.440 Things we hear people say about us. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:59.020 We are so easily swayed by everything except what God says. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.100 So we must get to know Him better. 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:08.620 We've got to look through His Holy Spirit glasses and then see who we really are and who He really is. 00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:11.620 Number two, the blessings of knowing God. 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:14.740 The blessings of knowing God. 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:17.860 Did y'all notice today in your bulletins you've got some work to do? 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.900 Anybody notice that? 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:21.380 Good. 00:16:21.380 --> 00:16:22.360 Y'all doing the work? 00:16:22.760 --> 00:16:23.480 Y'all writing it down? 00:16:23.900 --> 00:16:24.600 Alright, here we go. 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:26.800 We told you for a little while this was coming. 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:29.360 We're going to be active participants today. 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.600 Fill in those blanks. 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:33.280 Alright, so number one, the revelation of knowing God. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:35.900 Number two, the blessings of knowing God. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:37.780 Boy, the blessings of knowing God. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:41.220 We could spend the rest of the day talking about them and still not scratch the surface. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:44.600 But let's give a little overview here beginning in verse 18. 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.800 Ephesians 1.18. 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:48.879 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.639 Talk about that revelation. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:55.080 So that you may know what is the hope of His calling. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.639 There we go. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.720 The hope of His calling. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:01.019 What is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints? 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.340 The wealth of His inheritance. 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:14.019 And what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the mighty working of His strength? 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.740 Did you catch those three key words that were in there? 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:22.279 Hope, inheritance, and power. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:24.420 Hope, inheritance, and power. 00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:31.240 These are three blessings of knowing God that the text reveals to us here in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:33.339 So, let's look first over Jeremiah. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.180 We're looking at hope. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.319 Hope number one. 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:36.980 Hope. 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.900 Then Jeremiah 29.11. 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:40.660 I know the plans I have for you. 00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:42.320 Plans for your well-being. 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.640 Not for disaster. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.820 To give you a future and a hope. 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:53.160 That is why Christians can have such a positive outlook on life. 00:17:53.300 --> 00:17:55.040 Even when things aren't going well. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:58.220 It's because God gives us a future and a hope. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.600 He promises that. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:04.019 So, it's like it doesn't matter how bad the here and now gets. 00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:05.380 I know that there's a future. 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:07.040 And I know my future is secure. 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:09.019 I know there's a hope for today. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:17.059 I know that even though I mess up, God's love for me wasn't contingent on me not messing up. 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:20.599 God loves me despite my mess ups. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.500 So, I can have a hope. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.700 And I can still have a future. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.539 My future is secure. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:30.759 There's nothing that I did to inherit God's presence. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.599 There's nothing I did to inherit God's love. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:36.359 And there's nothing that I can do to lose it. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:39.180 I have a future. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.559 And it's secure. 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.220 And I have a hope. 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.519 And it's real. 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.799 And it's unshakable. 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.200 You know what the enemy of hope is? 00:18:47.659 --> 00:18:48.099 Fear. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.940 The enemy of hope is fear. 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:54.440 How many of us struggle with fear on a daily basis? 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.519 You don't have to raise your hand. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.000 We know you do. 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.139 You know I do. 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.640 We all do. 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:00.680 We all do. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:05.520 Every one of us struggles with fear. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:10.540 Because we are living in this flesh. 00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:16.320 But that's why we must remind ourselves continually who God is. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:18.379 We got to get to know him more intimately. 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.319 That's where that hope comes from. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.439 Look through those Holy Spirit glasses. 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:25.139 And remember that we have a hope. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.119 And it's alive. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.619 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:30.539 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.879 In his great mercy. 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:35.559 He's given us new birth into a living hope. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.960 There's a song. 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:39.819 A Christian song that's written about that. 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.099 That says Jesus Christ. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.720 My living hope. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.319 He is our living hope. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.059 He's alive. 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:47.819 That's why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:51.980 Is the one thing that we can rest all of our hope on. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:54.399 It's the one thing that we can build our hope on. 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.419 Because if he died. 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:57.099 And he didn't come back to life. 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.460 Then he wasn't God. 00:19:58.679 --> 00:20:00.259 The things he said weren't true. 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:03.319 And this is all an exercise in futility. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.399 It's all worth nothing. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:08.139 But he did rise from the dead. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:10.080 He is alive today. 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:12.580 And he is our living hope. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:14.780 Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.800 From the dead. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.080 You and I have hope. 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:19.300 Well we can only have hope. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:22.080 When we get to know God better. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.720 Because otherwise. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:27.180 We can't battle that fear that surrounds us. 00:20:27.280 --> 00:20:27.540 Yes. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.140 Our destiny is secure. 00:20:29.540 --> 00:20:31.420 We should have that hope. 00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:32.720 And carry that with us. 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.220 But we're too caught up in fear. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:38.120 We're too caught up in getting to know everything. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:38.940 Everything else around us. 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.320 Except. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.280 The God. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.680 Who loves us. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.240 And can transform. 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:45.720 Our lives. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.820 First Peter chapter. 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.740 One. 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:48.920 And the next verse. 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:50.560 We read verse three a moment ago. 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:53.020 Into an inheritance. 00:20:53.020 --> 00:20:54.640 That can never perish. 00:20:54.780 --> 00:20:55.380 Spoil or fade. 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:55.960 Did you get that? 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.860 His great mercy. 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:59.460 He's given us new birth. 00:20:59.520 --> 00:21:00.800 Into this living hope. 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:02.800 Because Jesus rose from the dead. 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:04.240 And into an inheritance. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:06.080 That can never perish. 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.159 Spoil or fade. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.179 How many of you guys. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:10.279 Have like a hundred million dollar inheritance. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:10.960 Waiting on you. 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:13.159 Whenever so and so does. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.740 I didn't think so. 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.599 If you are. 00:21:18.659 --> 00:21:19.480 You need to tithe on that. 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:19.699 Okay. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.220 So. 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.140 So. 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:23.580 Um. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.900 Our inheritance. 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:28.100 Is so much better. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.120 Than a hundred million dollars. 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.799 Our inheritance. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:32.039 Can never perish. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.960 Spoil or fade. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.259 It can't be wasted. 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.299 On something else. 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:37.080 It can't. 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:38.220 Have its value. 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:38.940 Decrease. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.920 Through the stock market. 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.059 Our inheritance. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.720 Is so much better. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.380 Because it is eternal. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.100 It is forever. 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.219 Forever. 00:21:48.179 --> 00:21:49.879 You know what the interesting part in that. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.879 This is another blessing. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.059 Of knowing God. 00:21:53.459 --> 00:21:54.259 It's understanding. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:56.480 That he is our inheritance. 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:57.899 You know what the crazy part is. 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:59.719 We are his inheritance. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.240 Did you see there. 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:01.719 Uh. 00:22:01.719 --> 00:22:02.319 In verse. 00:22:03.939 --> 00:22:04.980 Where was it here. 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.319 Ephesians chapter one. 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:07.799 And verse eighteen. 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.480 That you may know. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.940 What is the hope of his calling. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.720 What is the wealth. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:18.039 Of his glorious inheritance. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.980 In the saints. 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.960 Do you know what scripture teaches here. 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.140 And it alludes to it right here. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.759 Ephesians one. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:27.700 We are his prize. 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.400 That weird. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:34.039 It is easy for us to recognize. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.759 How great and good God is. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:38.259 How he is our inheritance. 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.860 He is our treasure. 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.399 He is our prize. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.839 He is so much greater than we are. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:45.019 That's not hard to wrap our heads around. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.319 But it's a little wild. 00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:49.919 To consider that God looks at us. 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:52.259 As the big prize that he won. 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:54.859 We are his inheritance. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:57.319 And he can't wait to get us home. 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:00.579 He is so looking forward. 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:03.679 To this joyous reunion in heaven someday. 00:23:03.679 --> 00:23:06.019 When he gathers all the children into the fold. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:10.400 So we can take comfort in knowing. 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:13.019 That God is going to take care of us. 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.779 We are his inheritance. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.579 God has got us. 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.279 He loves us. 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.359 He values us. 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.819 He treasures us. 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:22.859 But that's a blessing of knowing God. 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:26.200 That's a blessing of being familiar with him. 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:28.519 That's a blessing of knowing his heart. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.160 Knowing his mind. 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.420 Spending time with him. 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:34.320 Then you see how God sees you. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.480 And you see who he really is. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.779 And then finally. 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:42.660 It talks about the blessing of knowing God. 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.019 It's his power. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:47.180 The immeasurable greatness of his power. 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:49.800 Toward us who believe. 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.220 Folks do you know why? 00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:55.160 You may not have experienced the power of God in your life. 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:57.400 Because you may not really believe. 00:23:57.400 --> 00:24:01.900 You might not really be saved. 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:04.360 If you died today. 00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:06.880 You might head straight to a burning hell. 00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:10.580 Because you've never turned from your sin. 00:24:10.780 --> 00:24:12.320 And put your faith in Jesus. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.580 I'm dead serious. 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:19.500 I will give that invitation every time I preach. 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:22.300 And 99.9% of the time. 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.800 Nobody walks down here. 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:25.019 But I guarantee you. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:27.200 There are people sitting in this Sunday. 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.720 Under the sound of my voice. 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.660 Every week. 00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:31.400 Week after week after week. 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:33.680 And they refuse to repent of their sin. 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:35.740 And put their faith in Jesus for salvation. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.380 I promise you that is true. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.180 In our church. 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:43.100 Don't start looking around and wondering who it is. 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.620 Look in your own heart. 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.759 Say God. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.960 Am I your child? 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:52.060 Have I truly repented of my sin. 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:53.200 And put my faith in Jesus? 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:57.539 Has there been visible evidence of that in my life? 00:24:58.539 --> 00:25:01.600 Do I see evidence of the Holy Spirit in my life? 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.759 Because otherwise. 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:04.360 There's no power. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.759 Did you see what it said? 00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:09.180 The power is there for you who believe. 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.200 You don't believe. 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.960 You don't get the power. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.380 If you don't believe. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.360 You don't get the inheritance. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:17.839 If you don't believe. 00:25:17.959 --> 00:25:18.759 You don't get the hope. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.579 That is the blessing. 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:23.599 Of knowing God. 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:26.379 Please don't leave this room today. 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.719 Without meeting God. 00:25:29.719 --> 00:25:30.699 And getting to know him. 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.879 That's what this is all about. 00:25:33.979 --> 00:25:34.179 Y'all. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.879 We can sing the songs. 00:25:35.959 --> 00:25:37.019 And the choir sounds great. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.519 And we can dress up nice. 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.379 And come and be friendly to everybody. 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:42.360 But that is all worth nothing. 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.580 If you don't know Jesus. 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:45.680 You got to know Jesus. 00:25:46.300 --> 00:25:48.340 You got a meeting for the first time today. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.360 For those who do believe. 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:53.320 We have access to unlimited power. 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:55.580 I talked about it with the teens on Wednesday night. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:58.020 Jesus said all power is given unto me. 00:25:58.280 --> 00:25:59.500 So you can go. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.140 With all that power. 00:26:01.260 --> 00:26:02.680 Because I am with you. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:05.020 So we have access to all his power. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.380 Second Peter chapter one. 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:11.660 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness. 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:12.940 Watch this. 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:15.860 Through the knowledge of him. 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:18.620 Who called us by his own glory and goodness. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:23.180 Knowing God better gives you access to his power. 00:26:23.520 --> 00:26:25.260 And that's all you need for life. 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:27.820 Everything required for life. 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:30.580 And for living how God wants you to live. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.560 Living godly. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:34.340 Is found in knowing God. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:36.740 You got to know him better. 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:39.199 That's why we study his word. 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.959 That's why we gather together. 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:42.939 That's why we have Sunday school classes. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.419 That's why we have small groups. 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.500 That's why we have ministries throughout the church. 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:48.419 To get to know God better. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:50.679 We know God better by obeying him. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.959 We know God better by coming to church. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.619 By fellowshipping with the believers. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:58.019 By singing songs that praise him and talk about his goodness. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:27:00.699 We know God better. 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:03.380 That gives us access to his power. 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:05.840 Which is all we need for life. 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:06.900 So. 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.900 Finally. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.580 The victory of knowing God. 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:15.019 Those blessings of knowing God are amazing. 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.420 But I can promise you. 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.360 There is a victory. 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.819 In knowing God. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:20.779 There is a victory awaiting us. 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:23.640 It's this theological idea. 00:27:23.840 --> 00:27:24.480 Of already. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.660 But not yet. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:26.880 You understand what I'm saying? 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:28.740 God has already sealed us. 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:30.400 He's already secured us. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.799 He's already forgiven us. 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.799 And made us his children. 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:35.680 We just haven't realized that yet. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.940 We're still trapped in this body. 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:41.039 We're still living on this wicked earth. 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:43.299 Surrounded by sin. 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.359 All around us. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:47.559 But the victory is already won. 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.480 Look at verse 20. 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:50.839 He exercised this power in Christ. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.500 By raising him from the dead. 00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:54.640 And seating him in his right hand in the heavens. 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.599 Far above every ruler and authority. 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.619 Power and dominion. 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.919 And every title given. 00:27:59.179 --> 00:28:00.000 Not only in this age. 00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:01.459 But also in the one to come. 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:03.699 And he subjected everything under his feet. 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:07.559 And he appointed him as head over everything for the church. 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:09.000 You want to know who's in charge of this church? 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.740 Jesus is in charge of this church. 00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:12.859 He's the head of this church. 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.219 Which is his body. 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:19.139 The fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:21.559 Can I clue you in on something here? 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.539 This is one of my favorite resources. 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.879 Wilmington's Guide to the Bible. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:26.060 And the man who wrote this said. 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:28.960 The believer is fighting from a victory. 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.380 Not for a victory. 00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:32.660 The victory is already won. 00:28:33.520 --> 00:28:35.160 That's the good news for you this morning. 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:37.660 Jesus already beat death. 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.880 He conquered death. 00:28:40.020 --> 00:28:41.440 1 Corinthians 15 says. 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:43.040 Thanks be to God. 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.980 Who gives us the victory. 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.820 Through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:47.040 --> 00:28:49.200 We are living this life. 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.980 Fighting this spiritual battle. 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:52.580 From a place of victory. 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:55.159 Not trying to win the victory. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.139 God's already won it. 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.619 It's here. 00:28:58.139 --> 00:29:00.079 It's here for us to live in. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.659 Enjoy. 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.240 Claim. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:03.379 Every time Satan comes after you. 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:05.419 Every time he tries to discourage you. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.599 Or attack you with fear. 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.819 Or tempt you. 00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:10.000 With something you know you shouldn't do. 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:11.059 You can say Satan. 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.460 You're a beaten enemy. 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:12.579 You can say Satan. 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.819 God has won. 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.559 I'm not going to give in. 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.639 To a loser. 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.120 So. 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.160 The takeaway this morning. 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.960 Is my confidence grows. 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:28.480 As my intimate knowledge of God grows. 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.620 My confidence grows. 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:34.200 As my intimate knowledge of God grows. 00:29:34.280 --> 00:29:35.200 What do we mean by this? 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:37.960 How does knowing God give me confidence? 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.360 One. 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.980 I see more clearly. 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:45.940 We talked about that illumination. 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:47.880 That revelation of seeing us. 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.779 As God sees us. 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.519 And seeing him. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.680 As he really is. 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:52.079 I can see more clearly. 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.120 That gives me confidence. 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.539 I have hope. 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.059 A living hope. 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:57.220 Jesus is alive. 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.440 My hope is real. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.799 And that gives me confidence. 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.299 And I have. 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.480 And I am. 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.819 God's inheritance. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.079 Boy that should give you confidence. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:09.240 You have inherited all that God is. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.980 We are joint heirs. 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:12.420 Co-equal. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.259 With. 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.740 The son of God himself. 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:15.240 Jesus. 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:17.099 We are joint heirs. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.900 With Christ. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.380 And then God sees us. 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.180 As his inheritance. 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.940 Talk about a confidence builder. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.980 God values you so much. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.360 And then I have power. 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.900 I have all power. 00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:30.019 That God has. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.420 The Holy Spirit of God. 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.380 Walks with me. 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.120 Prepares the path for me. 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.980 Protects me. 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:35.920 Guides me. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.960 If I listen to him. 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:39.160 I have all that power. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:41.060 And I already have the victory. 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.480 These are confidence builders. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:45.019 That we can go with us. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.660 Every step of the way. 00:30:46.800 --> 00:30:48.000 Second Timothy chapter two. 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.460 The last book of the Bible. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.220 That Paul wrote. 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.720 That we have record of. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.980 He says I'm not ashamed. 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:55.040 Toward the end of his life. 00:30:55.100 --> 00:30:56.100 He said I know. 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.220 Whom I have believed. 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:59.040 And I'm persuaded. 00:30:59.040 --> 00:31:00.640 That he is able to keep. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.200 What I have committed to him. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.940 Until that day. 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.980 You see the confidence. 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.880 It's oozing through that. 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:06.820 You see the confidence. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.580 That Paul had. 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.500 I know. 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.119 Who I have believed in. 00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:12.519 And I am absolutely. 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.539 Persuaded. 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:16.259 That he will keep. 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.259 What I have committed to him. 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.179 Until that day. 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.319 What kind of confidence. 00:31:22.439 --> 00:31:22.819 Do you have. 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.839 Here's the real question. 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.980 How well do you really know God. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:33.000 There is a direct link. 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:35.039 There is a direct correlation. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:37.519 Between how well you know God. 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.339 And your confidence level. 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:39.859 As a Christian. 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:42.159 If you're shaky. 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:46.460 You're beaten up by fear. 00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.579 Tossed to and fro. 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.700 Insecurity. 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.180 Uncertainty. 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:52.339 You need to get to know God better. 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.460 God is the answer to that. 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.119 His power. 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.740 His hope. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.720 His inheritance. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.799 All these. 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.379 Can soothe those fears. 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:04.319 All these can reassure you. 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.099 But you've got to get to know him. 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.599 You've got to spend time with him. 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.659 You've got to get to know him intimately. 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:12.139 And you can recognize him in the world. 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.279 You can see. 00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:14.799 That's from God. 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.539 That's from God. 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.659 Hebrews 4. 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:21.919 Let us then approach God's throne of grace. 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.299 With confidence. 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:26.099 So that we may receive mercy. 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.720 And find grace. 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:30.019 To help us in our time of need. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.799 We can approach God. 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.339 With confidence. 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.440 Okay. 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.539 We're talking about a daily activity. 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:38.039 A daily approach. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:40.319 Getting down on your knees. 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:42.379 Maybe even lying prostrate. 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.180 If you need to. 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:44.379 On your face. 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.200 Before God. 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.019 Spending time. 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.019 Getting to know him. 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.940 Sometimes just being quiet. 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.240 And listening to him. 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.519 Waiting to see. 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:56.680 What those thoughts and burdens. 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.700 And prayers that he puts into your heart. 00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:00.279 Opening up his word. 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:02.599 And seeing what he's already said to us. 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:04.059 And then rising up. 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:05.700 And walking with him. 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.700 In confidence. 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:09.559 We can daily approach him. 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.779 With confidence. 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:12.519 We can run into the king's court. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.819 We can run up to his throne. 00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:16.759 And take. 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:19.180 All of his time. 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:19.920 At any moment. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.140 You understand? 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.599 My confidence grows. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.539 As my intimate knowledge. 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.339 Of God grows. 00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:27.440 Would you bow your heads with me? 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.240 God. 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:30.059 I ask that you would increase our confidence. 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.740 That you would increase our knowledge of you. 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:33.960 There might be somebody in here this morning. 00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:35.599 Who needs to meet you for the first time. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.019 So right now. 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.980 While our heads are bowed. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.960 I'm going to ask this question. 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.900 Like I do every week. 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.980 If you don't know Jesus. 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.859 As your savior. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.740 And you know today's the day. 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.740 You need to repent of your son. 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.900 Turn from it. 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.579 And turn to Jesus. 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:50.160 Would you slip your hand up real quick please? 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.740 Would you slip your hand up? 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:53.119 Thank you. 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.440 Let me ask this question. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:57.339 How many of you might say that. 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:01.019 I need to be a more confident Christian. 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:03.519 Which means I need to get to know God better. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:07.039 I need to change my view of God. 00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:07.799 Get to know him. 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:10.320 In the way that the Bible actually portrays him. 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.739 Not other people. 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:14.059 Tell me what he is. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.820 I need to get to know him for myself. 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:19.620 How many of you would say. 00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:20.059 That's me. 00:34:20.140 --> 00:34:21.700 I need to build my confidence. 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.640 And get to know God better. 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:23.059 Thank you. 00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:23.600 Thank you. 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.280 Thank you. 00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:26.140 How many of you would say. 00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:26.620 That fear. 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.059 Has been attacking me. 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.180 And that's something. 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:30.940 I need prayer for. 00:34:32.220 --> 00:34:33.039 Fear has been. 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:33.780 Coming after me. 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.880 Would you slip your hand up real quick. 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:35.480 I'll pray for you. 00:34:35.600 --> 00:34:35.980 Thank you. 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:36.660 Thank you. 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:38.739 God you see these hands. 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.139 And you know. 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:40.460 You know every other question. 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.480 That I could have asked. 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.799 And you know the answers. 00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:44.980 I pray that you would work at our hearts. 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.539 This morning. 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.579 That nobody would leave this room. 00:34:48.779 --> 00:34:50.779 Having a false relationship with you. 00:34:50.859 --> 00:34:52.199 That nobody would leave this room. 00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:53.619 Still trusting in themselves. 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.579 That nobody would leave in this room. 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:57.099 Thinking that you don't love them. 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:58.239 You don't care about them. 00:34:58.879 --> 00:35:00.859 God you've told us exactly the opposite. 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:03.039 And you prove it time and time again. 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.820 In our lives. 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:06.840 And those who haven't experienced that. 00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:10.019 I pray that they would get to know you better. 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.619 That they would learn. 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:14.420 What is that power? 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.880 What is that hope? 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.579 What is that inheritance? 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:18.699 That is found in you. 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.759 In Jesus name we pray. 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:21.840 Amen.