WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.839 Thank you so much for sharing. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:14.540 If you have your Bibles, I want to turn to Matthew chapter 8. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:14.540 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.000 I just often call that the trial sermon, and I told you at the time that I was not on trial. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:37.200 I hadn't even been arrested. 00:00:39.259 --> 00:00:46.700 And then I preached on Mark chapter 6, among other passages, and I want to return to that today. 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:51.340 Now, I will tell you, I'm not starting over at four years of sermons, okay? 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:53.039 It's not the case. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:59.379 We're preaching through the book of Mark after we took an excursion during Easter. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.859 And as we approached this passage, I couldn't help but think about another passage. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:14.640 These two passages are two of the most startling passages that I've ever come across. 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:19.500 They are two passages that stump me. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:27.240 It's found in Matthew chapter 8, beginning in verse 5, and it says this. 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:36.659 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Christ, appealing to him, 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:41.319 Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly. 00:01:41.979 --> 00:01:44.679 And he said to him, I will come and heal him. 00:01:45.399 --> 00:01:50.119 But the centurion replied, Lord, I'm not worthy to have you come under my roof, 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:53.400 for I only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:58.640 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:02.800 And I say to one, go, and he goes, and the other come, and he comes. 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:05.780 And to my servant, do this, and he does that. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:16.020 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:26.039 truly I tell you, there is no one in Israel, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:28.539 Did you catch it? 00:02:28.539 --> 00:02:33.799 Jesus was amazed. 00:02:34.900 --> 00:02:38.479 It says he marveled at the man's faith. 00:02:39.519 --> 00:02:42.239 Now, Jesus was limitless. 00:02:42.959 --> 00:02:45.539 He knew all things and could do all things. 00:02:45.659 --> 00:02:48.039 The only limits that he had, he put upon himself, 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:52.739 and he only had them while he lived in the flesh on the earth. 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:57.840 Philippians 2, verse 6-8 gives us a hint of that, 00:02:57.939 --> 00:03:02.020 when it says, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God, 00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:06.640 a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, 00:03:06.760 --> 00:03:10.600 being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form. 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:13.820 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, 00:03:14.140 --> 00:03:16.420 even death on the cross. 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:23.359 I don't know what all he gave up when he came in the flesh, in human form, 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:27.159 and whoever tells you that they do completely understand that, 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:31.199 either lies to you or is ignorant enough to think they know. 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:34.939 The reality is, it is beyond us. 00:03:35.779 --> 00:03:42.500 But I would have thought that a man's faith would not have marveled him. 00:03:44.779 --> 00:03:45.639 But it did. 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:51.079 So what amazed Jesus? 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:54.779 I'll tell you what amazed Jesus. 00:03:55.119 --> 00:03:59.539 It was an abundance of unexpected faith. 00:04:00.619 --> 00:04:03.339 The man showed amazing faith. 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:08.119 And he was not a man who was expected to show amazing faith. 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:10.359 He was a centurion. 00:04:11.359 --> 00:04:15.099 A centurion was a high-ranked official, 00:04:15.099 --> 00:04:18.259 an officer in the Roman army. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:22.540 He led a century of men, usually between 80 and 100 men, 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:25.399 in a company of soldiers. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:27.699 They were sharp men. 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:30.120 They were notables of the community. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:32.719 They were known for their deliberation. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:34.839 They were known for their consistency. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:37.119 They were known for their strength. 00:04:37.119 --> 00:04:39.719 They were known as being battle-tested. 00:04:39.719 --> 00:04:42.339 They were known as being experienced. 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:47.919 We see a presence of the centurions sprinkle throughout the New Testament. 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:51.779 Here, this one had watched Jesus. 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:55.419 and he had seen the power of Christ 00:04:55.419 --> 00:04:59.879 and he had now put his faith in Christ. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:02.159 There was another centurion 00:05:02.159 --> 00:05:04.899 that stood at the foot of the cross of Christ. 00:05:05.059 --> 00:05:07.299 He oversaw the death of Christ 00:05:07.299 --> 00:05:09.399 only to utter in the end 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:11.879 in Mark chapter 15 verse 39 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:14.699 truly this man looking at Christ 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:16.879 was the Son of God. 00:05:18.039 --> 00:05:20.379 In the book of Acts we find Cornelius. 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:23.040 Cornelius is the first Gentile convert 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:26.540 and interestingly enough he is also a centurion. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:29.920 Paul had a centurion at his side 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:31.579 through many of his travels 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:33.819 as he traveled from prison to prison 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:36.879 having a centurion beside him many times. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:40.939 The status of a centurion made for an impressive resume 00:05:40.939 --> 00:05:45.120 but it also made for a Gentile 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:48.339 who was an outsider. 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:53.419 So what you have is a Gentile outsider 00:05:53.419 --> 00:05:56.019 working for the Roman government. 00:05:57.619 --> 00:06:00.799 That man was not expected to respond to Christ 00:06:00.799 --> 00:06:01.759 in a positive way. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:02.739 I mean think about this. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:06.879 Jesus was a Jew focused on saving 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.479 and training Jews to reach the rest of the world 00:06:09.479 --> 00:06:10.399 for the kingdom of God. 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:14.579 But those Jews that represented the kingdom of God 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:15.819 to the people of that day 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:18.859 they're the ones that tried to kill Christ. 00:06:19.679 --> 00:06:22.079 They're the ones that did not follow him. 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:27.919 Upon arranging for his execution 00:06:27.919 --> 00:06:31.500 they built new and unheard of relationships 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:34.459 with the Romans to have him executed. 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:37.620 Yet here he is in fact 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:41.859 a commander of the opposing army of another race 00:06:41.859 --> 00:06:45.719 that showed the greatest step of faith 00:06:45.719 --> 00:06:47.719 in all of the land. 00:06:48.659 --> 00:06:50.459 And Jesus marveled. 00:06:52.539 --> 00:06:53.959 He was astonished. 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:57.839 He was astonished. 00:06:59.919 --> 00:07:01.979 At the belief of one 00:07:01.979 --> 00:07:05.099 that was not even expected to be listening. 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:09.159 Not even expected to be watching. 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.779 And then we look at Mark chapter 6. 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:24.059 Mark chapter 6 verse 1 through 6 says this. 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:26.399 Jesus went away from there 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:27.959 and came to his hometown 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:30.439 and his disciples followed him. 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:34.119 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue 00:07:34.119 --> 00:07:36.500 and many who heard him were astonished saying 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:38.159 where does this man get these things? 00:07:39.679 --> 00:07:41.879 What is the wisdom given to him? 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:45.959 How are such mighty works done by his hands? 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.279 Is not this carpenter the son of Mary 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:50.839 and brother of James and Joseph 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:52.659 and Judas and Simon 00:07:52.659 --> 00:07:55.939 and are not his sisters here with us? 00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:00.779 And they took offense at him. 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:05.120 And Jesus said to them 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:07.719 a prophet's not without honor 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:11.820 except in his hometown 00:08:11.820 --> 00:08:14.680 and among his relatives 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:17.620 and in his own household. 00:08:19.380 --> 00:08:21.640 And he could do no mighty work there 00:08:21.640 --> 00:08:25.120 except that he laid his hands 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.860 on a few sick people and healed them. 00:08:28.320 --> 00:08:29.720 And he marveled 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:33.120 because of their unbelief 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:36.700 and he went about among the villages 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:37.620 teaching. 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:43.360 What amazes Jesus in this circumstance? 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:48.360 An absence of expected faith. 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:53.379 He was preaching in his hometown 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:57.200 among those that knew him best 00:08:57.200 --> 00:09:00.440 yet they did not respond. 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:03.320 Now we're not talking about 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:04.380 some wild child 00:09:04.380 --> 00:09:05.680 that's finally come home 00:09:05.680 --> 00:09:07.440 and now he'll come back 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:09.180 and let's see what he's made of. 00:09:10.560 --> 00:09:11.480 Not at all. 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:14.720 The reality is 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:15.460 this is Jesus. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:18.760 He didn't have wild days. 00:09:20.520 --> 00:09:21.960 He didn't involve himself 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:23.140 in the debaucheries of the day. 00:09:23.260 --> 00:09:24.700 Christ was sinless. 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:26.300 He was born into common means. 00:09:26.760 --> 00:09:28.320 He was born to a common family. 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:30.960 But he was 100% God 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.960 and at the same time 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:33.379 100% man. 00:09:34.020 --> 00:09:35.879 His ministry did not start 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:37.420 until he came out of a desert 00:09:37.420 --> 00:09:38.600 of temptation 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.560 and he came out of it 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:42.040 as a sinless man. 00:09:42.900 --> 00:09:44.200 His testimony 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:46.980 preceded his ministry. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:49.360 Yet the very people 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.820 that he had come from 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:51.620 the very people 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:53.380 that he was sent 00:09:53.380 --> 00:09:54.880 to train and prepare 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:55.820 the people 00:09:55.820 --> 00:09:57.580 that you know 00:09:57.580 --> 00:09:58.759 will believe in him. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.519 The expected people. 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:02.039 His own people 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:04.700 failed to recognize 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:06.360 his power and might. 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:08.519 They failed to recognize 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:10.679 who he really was 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:12.519 and he was amazed. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.399 Now I want you to notice 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:17.320 what this means 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:18.000 because verse 5 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:18.679 makes this clear. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:20.779 people's lives 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:22.819 were not impacted 00:10:22.819 --> 00:10:23.939 by Christ 00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:25.979 as they could have been 00:10:25.979 --> 00:10:27.879 because the very people 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:28.919 that should have been 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:29.759 his support 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:32.000 did not believe him. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.000 Those who 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:36.479 really knew him. 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.639 That's amazing. 00:10:45.319 --> 00:10:46.899 I wonder how we amazed 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:53.639 what do we do 00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:55.720 that amazes Jesus? 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:57.459 Now 00:10:57.459 --> 00:11:00.679 I doubt we surprise him. 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:02.360 As a matter of fact 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.360 we don't surprise him. 00:11:05.579 --> 00:11:06.340 He knows us. 00:11:07.819 --> 00:11:09.360 Nothing throws him off. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:11.899 He knows our heart. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:14.919 The frailness though 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:15.779 of humanity 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.379 in the incarnate Christ 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.319 has been shed. 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.979 Jesus is all knowing. 00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:22.979 He's ever present. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:24.179 He's all powerful Lord. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.219 He sits at the right hand 00:11:25.219 --> 00:11:25.519 of the Father 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.339 praying for us. 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:28.360 And he knows 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.279 how to pray for us 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.219 because he knows us. 00:11:32.219 --> 00:11:33.860 He knows how to pray for us 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:34.500 when we utter 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.599 our ramblings. 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:38.559 When we skirt around 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:39.259 the real issues 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.159 of our life. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:43.219 when we share 00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:44.779 our grocery list 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.519 of wants 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.159 and wishes 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:47.939 to an almighty God 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:48.679 that sees 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:49.740 into us 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:50.559 and sees 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:51.679 through us 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:52.579 the whole time 00:11:52.579 --> 00:11:53.679 while we're trying 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.480 to convince him 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.519 that we are of one 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.459 heart and mind 00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:57.199 with his will. 00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:00.779 He knows all that. 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:04.259 But aren't we still amazing? 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:09.539 How we look past 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:11.799 the work that he's done 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:13.439 in his word 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:14.919 the work that he's done 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.959 through his word 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:17.299 the work that he's done 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.659 through our lives 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.959 the work that he's done 00:12:19.959 --> 00:12:20.740 in our lives 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.319 the work that 00:12:21.319 --> 00:12:24.839 that he's working 00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:25.459 in us 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:26.199 and through us 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:27.259 and yet we're still 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.480 afraid to hand him 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.720 the reins of our life. 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.579 It isn't amazing 00:12:32.579 --> 00:12:33.539 that we still worry 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:37.279 we still do the very things 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:37.939 that he tells us 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:38.559 not to do 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:39.779 we worry about things 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:42.240 we worry about stuff 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.740 we worry about mammon 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.639 that's a good 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.799 King James Version 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.639 word right there 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.120 mammon 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:49.679 you know what mammon is? 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.699 Mammon's that stuff 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:52.459 it's your stuff 00:12:52.459 --> 00:12:53.419 you know 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.100 you may not have much 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.939 but it's your stuff 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:57.459 don't mess with my stuff 00:12:57.459 --> 00:13:00.559 matter of fact 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.339 some of that mammon 00:13:01.339 --> 00:13:01.799 we've made 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:03.319 tremendous sacrifice for 00:13:03.319 --> 00:13:10.439 they never satisfy 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:14.559 we want a little more 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:17.099 a little bigger 00:13:17.099 --> 00:13:17.699 a little better 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.359 a little newer 00:13:18.359 --> 00:13:23.579 he tells us 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.179 to be anxious 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:24.779 for nothing 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:25.819 but yet a doctor 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:26.439 tells us 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.619 he wants to run a test 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:29.240 and sheer panic 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.240 invades our lives 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:34.060 he tells us 00:13:34.060 --> 00:13:35.120 to seek him first 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:37.120 and if we're 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:40.960 if most of us 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:41.419 are honest 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.580 the agenda of God 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.659 in our lives 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.700 sometimes comes 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.740 second place 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.700 maybe third place 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:50.840 maybe 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.840 we won't go there 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:56.879 the King of Kings 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.740 and the Lord of Lords 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.759 comes in the flesh 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.780 to live among us 00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:02.040 takes upon himself 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:02.960 our frailties 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.640 yet passes 00:14:03.640 --> 00:14:05.200 every tempting test 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:07.300 giving every trial 00:14:07.300 --> 00:14:08.040 to the Father 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:09.400 dying a sinner's death 00:14:09.400 --> 00:14:10.240 so that we would not 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.879 have to 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:13.080 was buried in a barred tomb 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:13.759 because you don't need 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.460 to buy something 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.480 that you're only going to use 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.220 for a few days 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:18.960 and later he arose 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:22.379 he walked among us 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.259 for 40 days 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:23.680 and ascended 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.360 to the right hand 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:24.840 of the Father 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.920 to build us 00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:26.800 a place in heaven 00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:27.800 to make intercession 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:28.560 on our behalf 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.960 to wait until the Father 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.740 says go 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.860 and the trumpet blows 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.680 and he comes 00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:33.680 to take us home 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:35.039 isn't it amazing 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.060 even with all that 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.240 that our daily lives 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.899 often do not reflect 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.920 the change 00:14:39.920 --> 00:14:41.360 that's taken place 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:45.019 we must amaze 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.259 Jesus still today 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:48.279 no I don't think 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.300 we catch him off guard 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:49.659 I don't think 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.580 we catch him by surprise 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.800 he saw it coming 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.460 all the time 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:54.139 but surely he marvels 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.340 at the missed opportunities 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:57.100 that we walk away from 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:58.980 don't you think 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.580 he marvels 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.039 at the people 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:00.639 that he places 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.399 in our path 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:04.100 that we walk by 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:08.340 don't you think 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:08.879 he marvels 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.519 at the way 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.819 he always makes 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.379 a way out 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.079 when we're tempted 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:13.240 1 Corinthians 10 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.559 13 promises us that 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.199 and yet 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:16.259 we fail 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:19.419 and we fall 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:19.939 right back 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:20.559 into the same 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.340 sinful patterns 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.500 time and time again 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:25.720 don't you think 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.500 he marvels 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:29.419 that he's given us 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:30.960 all that we'll ever need 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:34.059 yet instead of 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.399 tapping into the power 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.240 that is within us 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.000 by the Holy Spirit 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.340 of God 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.399 we reach for 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.419 everything around 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:39.939 us looking 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:40.539 for something 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.319 to lean on 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:43.899 it's amazing 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.459 folks 00:15:44.459 --> 00:15:47.679 don't you marvel 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.240 over that 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:51.919 don't it 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.399 amaze you 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:52.639 I mean 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.719 what do you think 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:54.620 God would do 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:57.459 how do you think 00:15:57.459 --> 00:15:58.299 he would bless 00:15:58.299 --> 00:16:01.579 if we decided 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.000 today 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.019 to live our lives 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.379 in a way 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:03.539 that 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.939 will amaze 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.640 him 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:08.420 amaze him 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:08.420 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:08.980 that 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.140 we 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:08.980 that 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.140 we 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:09.140 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.939 dedicate ourselves to the Word of God. 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:15.519 Amaze Him in the way that we dedicate ourselves to prayer. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:19.939 Amaze Him in the way that we trust Him in all that we do. 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:25.259 Amaze Him in the way that we forsake this world and follow Him 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:28.460 instead of forsaking Him and following the world. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:33.179 Amaze Him in the way that we lean on Him daily. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:37.399 Amaze Him in the way that we truly believe that He's everything that we've got. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:39.539 He's the only hope that we've got. 00:16:41.459 --> 00:16:45.819 Amaze Him in the way that we believe that He saves all who will believe. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:51.919 Amaze Him in the way that we rest in the guidance that He gives us when we listen. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:59.419 To amaze Him with the way we believe He gives peace 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:04.960 for everyone who will find their rest in Him. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.840 I don't know about you. 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.420 But I want to amaze Jesus. 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:17.340 Not with the things that I fail to believe. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:23.960 But the way I'm determined to believe that God's up to something pretty special. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:31.440 Because His grace is amazing. 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:39.420 I said His grace is amazing. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:46.240 Why don't our lives amazing? 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:56.099 The question is, are we willing to live an amazing life for Jesus today? 00:17:58.140 --> 00:18:05.859 To just live for the Lord Jesus in an amazing fashion. 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:13.119 I'm going to tell you, this whole dark world needs that kind of light. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:19.619 And God's called us to be that kind of light. 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.740 Not only called us now, 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:25.019 He enabled us by the Spirit of God 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:28.679 to be that for His honor 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:30.519 and for His glory 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.340 and for His kingdom. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.720 I don't know if it will be amazing to Him. 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.779 But I know one thing. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.779 If we trust Him with everything we've got 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.660 and lean on Him completely 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:46.680 and live for Him wholeheartedly, 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:49.500 it would be absolutely amazing. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.560 May we do that. 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:53.600 May we do that. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:58.039 I'll tell you how it starts. 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:03.740 It starts by surrendering your life to the Lord Jesus. 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:08.980 It starts by asking Him to come into your life 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:11.699 and to forgive you of the sins that have separated you. 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.959 And asking Him to cleanse you. 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.240 And to make you whole. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:21.279 And committing your life to live amazing for Him. 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:23.219 Not in your own strength, 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:26.160 but by the power of the strength of God. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.860 The Spirit of God that indwells us. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.019 You've never given your heart and life to the Lord. 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:32.839 Give it to Him. 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.360 Today. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.620 Maybe you're here this morning. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.640 You have done that, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.579 but you've never acknowledged that publicly. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:43.339 You've never been baptized as a believer. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:46.559 And Jesus, by His commission and by His example, 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:51.700 tells us that the proper way to acknowledge our salvation 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:54.200 is to follow that up with public baptism. 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:58.080 It's a physical representation of what happens to us spiritually. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:20:02.559 If you've never done that, I encourage you to come. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:06.059 We plan to do that in the next few weeks. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.839 And so I encourage you to come. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:13.099 I told you when I began that 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:18.240 that I preached on these two passages 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:21.019 and a very similar theme 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:24.480 on the first Sunday that I preached in this church. 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:29.380 I remember it. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:32.620 I had a three-piece suit on with a tie. 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.200 Sitting right here. 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.380 Taking all of it in. 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.480 Trying to figure out what in the world. 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:46.160 What in the world are they getting into? 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.440 What in the world am I getting into? 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:51.779 How's all this going to work out? 00:20:54.820 --> 00:20:55.900 And I remember 00:20:55.900 --> 00:21:01.019 working on that sermon in preparation 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:03.340 for that day 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:06.880 and saying, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.299 God, 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:13.100 if you're not going to do amazing things in that church, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.860 I don't want to go. 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:14.920 I don't want to go. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.799 I could have stayed where I was. 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.880 God, if you're going to do something 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:27.539 where we can tell it's been by your hand 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:30.779 and by your direction 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:35.900 and you're going to allow me to get in on a move of God, 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.779 then I want to be a part of it. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.680 Lord, let it be amazing. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:47.820 I can tell you after almost four years, 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:50.060 it's been amazing. 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.980 God's been good to us. 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:56.500 He really has. 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:58.580 So if you're a guest here today, 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.240 this ain't a sales pitch. 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:00.680 It's true. 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:05.480 God's leading you to be a part of Pickett's First Baptist Church. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.400 I can tell you 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.640 that I thank God 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.860 if He's leading you, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.500 you need to follow. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.759 It's a blessed body of believers 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:17.000 and we're excited about what God's done. 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:19.920 We're excited about what God's going to do. 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:23.259 It's a good people to be a part of 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:25.059 if God so leads. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:29.879 Whatever that is, 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.960 then there's the rest of us 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:36.059 that in reality there's things in our life 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.919 that we just, 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:39.519 it's just not amazing. 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:45.399 It just needs to be changed in our lives 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:47.359 and we need to lay those down before the Lord today. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.859 And you can do that where you stand 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:52.019 as this song is sang 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.980 or you can do it at this altar 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.680 or you can do it with a pastor praying for you. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.779 I'll always tell you, 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:01.440 I never want you to do more 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.900 than what God tells you to do. 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:05.079 But it is always my prayer 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:06.360 that you'll never be satisfied 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.259 with doing less 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.680 than what God would have you to do. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.839 Just be obedient. 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.960 If you need Christ, come. 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.259 Let me share Christ with you. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.940 If you need to publicly acknowledge Him, come. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.240 We'll line that up. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.759 God's leading you to this church, you come. 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:26.079 God's leading you to deal with a matter in your life 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.420 that you need to lay down before Him. 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.940 You come. 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.500 You take care of that. 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:31.059 However God leads you to do it, 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.400 you take care of that. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.799 Heavenly Father, I love you. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.160 And I thank you, Lord, 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:38.759 for the blessing 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:42.740 that you give us to be your children, 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.779 to allow you to lead and guide us, God. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.660 And I'm thankful, Lord, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.799 for how we've seen it 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:50.160 in our midst, dear Father. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.200 And I ask, God, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.700 that you will make us hungry 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:56.599 to be more like you, 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:58.879 to live more for you, 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.019 to lay down today 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.279 the matters that we need to lay down before you 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.899 and to walk out of here 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:07.099 ready to live amazing lives 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.379 for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.559 Lead us right now, 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:13.179 oh God, I pray in Jesus' name. 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:13.639 Amen.