WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.960 Everybody will turn to Genesis chapter 22. 00:00:02.120 --> 00:00:02.660 Am I on? 00:00:03.300 --> 00:00:03.940 Can you hear me? 00:00:03.980 --> 00:00:06.000 That's why y'all were so, you couldn't hear me. 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:08.779 I almost did all that again, but I'm not going to. 00:00:10.439 --> 00:00:16.339 I picked up the phone recently, and a friend said, 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:20.140 I, cancer. 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:26.859 His voice broke, as he told me. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:30.920 I knew that tests had been done. 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:34.899 I knew that he was somewhat anticipating it. 00:00:38.119 --> 00:00:40.299 I said, you broke up, tell me again. 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:43.239 And he said, I don't have cancer. 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:46.679 I needed to hear it again. 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:53.780 Wednesday morning at 4 a.m., my daughter, oldest daughter, 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:58.460 left, packed like a mule going down the road. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:00:59.600 I took a picture as she left. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:10.340 I told her I loved her and to be careful. 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:15.700 She got to probably about Pickens County Airport, 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:18.980 and we realized she had left something that she needed, 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:21.920 that she had bought for the first days of school, 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:22.900 and she needed it. 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:24.079 And so we called her. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:24.939 She turned around. 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:30.719 At 4.10, I met her in the road, in front of the house, 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:35.000 put her package in the car, and said, 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:36.219 I love you. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:38.000 Be careful. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:41.299 I wanted her to hear it again. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:49.000 Sometimes you need to hear things again. 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:52.939 Sometimes they need to be repeated. 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:59.260 And Abraham, who we've been studying, 00:02:00.539 --> 00:02:05.140 offered up his son Isaac on the altar 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:06.959 as God instructed him. 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:12.539 And an angel comes to Abraham after he does that 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:15.900 and speaks words that he has already heard. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:21.740 But sometimes we need to hear it again. 00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:24.500 Let's hear it again this morning. 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:29.819 Genesis chapter 22, beginning in verse 15, 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:31.680 it says this, 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:35.000 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:37.240 a second time from heaven and said, 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:41.140 By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:43.500 because you have done this 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:45.760 and have not withheld your son, your only son, 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:47.240 I will surely bless you, 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:50.420 and I will surely multiply your offspring 00:02:50.420 --> 00:02:51.780 as the stars of heaven 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:53.960 and as the sand that is on the seashore. 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:58.140 And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemy. 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:02.319 And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:04.579 be blessed because you have obeyed my voice. 00:03:05.459 --> 00:03:08.339 So Abraham returned to his young men 00:03:08.339 --> 00:03:12.419 and they arose and went together to Beersheba. 00:03:13.859 --> 00:03:17.919 And Abraham lived at Beersheba. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:20.159 Let's pray together. 00:03:21.459 --> 00:03:24.919 Heavenly Father, I am thankful for the word that you give us 00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:28.639 and the words that sometimes you give us a second time. 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:31.899 Those things that we often sometimes, 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:33.459 not only a second time, 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:34.619 but maybe more, 00:03:35.079 --> 00:03:36.959 need to hear again. 00:03:37.579 --> 00:03:38.839 God, I pray today 00:03:38.839 --> 00:03:44.079 that in the things that we face in our lives, 00:03:44.239 --> 00:03:45.679 help us, oh God, 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:48.379 to hear what we need to hear 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:50.039 again today. 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:52.759 In Jesus' name. 00:03:53.839 --> 00:03:54.119 Amen. 00:03:54.119 --> 00:03:54.259 Amen. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:59.599 I really believe verse 15 through 19 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:02.479 is a reboot for Abraham. 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:07.399 He desired a son to carry on the lineage 00:04:07.399 --> 00:04:09.060 that God had promised him. 00:04:09.959 --> 00:04:12.839 Having that son and watching him grow 00:04:12.839 --> 00:04:17.759 and then God asking him to sacrifice his son. 00:04:19.419 --> 00:04:20.980 Willing to trust the Lord, 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:22.199 he followed the command, 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:25.259 trusting that somehow God would intervene. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:27.620 Somehow, if God took his son, 00:04:27.659 --> 00:04:28.620 he'd bring him back. 00:04:29.539 --> 00:04:33.039 He told others that both of them would be back. 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:35.439 Right there at the foot of the hill, 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:37.599 when they followed him most of the way, 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:39.199 he told them to wait 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:40.879 and he and the boy would be back. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.699 He had confidence that God was going to do something 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:47.839 to bring them both back safely. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:51.740 God provided the ram that they noticed 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:55.060 as the knife was raised over Isaac. 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:57.539 That is slightly intense, folks. 00:04:57.540 --> 00:05:02.920 Where do we go from here? 00:05:05.980 --> 00:05:07.920 Well, you remember what you already know. 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:12.020 You hear what you've heard again. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:15.620 So I want to be clear this morning. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:20.019 I may not tell you anything new today, 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:23.319 but there are three truths 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:25.539 that I want you to hear again. 00:05:26.539 --> 00:05:29.879 I think they apply to anything 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:33.180 and everything in your life 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:35.079 that you're concerned about. 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:37.919 Three truths. 00:05:38.979 --> 00:05:40.240 First one is this. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.220 God gives us his word. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:46.740 God gives us his word. 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:49.560 The angel came a second time. 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:51.840 The first time the message 00:05:51.840 --> 00:05:54.040 was when the covenant of God was formed 00:05:54.040 --> 00:05:54.920 with Abraham. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:57.560 It's found in Genesis chapter 15 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:01.480 and before Abraham even had Isaac, 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:02.819 he promised him that he would. 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:06.300 With an uncertainty of how it could be done 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:08.879 when his wife was past 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:10.680 the age of bearing children, 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:13.000 Abraham made other arrangements 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:15.759 with Hagar, the lead maidservant, 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:17.819 against the wishes of God. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:25.199 God promises Isaac again 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:27.000 and then Isaac is born. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:28.300 Miraculously. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:33.180 We get to this event in Genesis chapter 22 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:34.800 on Mount Moriah 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:37.100 and God provides a ram 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:40.180 so that there's no need for Isaac to die there. 00:06:40.540 --> 00:06:41.620 In the aftermath, 00:06:42.020 --> 00:06:44.500 God reiterates, underlines 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:46.340 what he said to start with 00:06:46.340 --> 00:06:48.540 because God keeps his promises. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:51.720 Whether it's his promises 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:55.080 or whether it's the promise, 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:56.960 he keeps it. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:59.500 And when I say the promise, 00:06:59.760 --> 00:07:00.520 I mean 00:07:00.520 --> 00:07:04.939 that once you are saved by the grace of God, 00:07:05.080 --> 00:07:06.920 your salvation is secure. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:09.220 That's the promise of God. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.640 The promise of God is 00:07:11.640 --> 00:07:13.460 that if you'll surrender your life 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:14.879 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:17.019 if you'll admit that you're a sinner 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:18.620 and ask him to come into your life 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:19.480 and to save you, 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:22.139 that he will do it. 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:24.500 It's a promise of God. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.100 Once he does that, 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:27.159 you can rest in that. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:28.319 That never changes. 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.519 You'll change. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:30.939 God doesn't change. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:33.920 But the salvation that you receive from him 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:35.279 will never change. 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.259 It is secure. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:38.600 Not only does it secure your eternity, 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:41.360 but it upticks your life here 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:43.420 because you are empowered now 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:45.240 by the Holy Spirit of God 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:47.199 to rise above the temptation 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:48.600 that you face in this life. 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:51.400 That is the promise of salvation. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:53.319 The promise of God. 00:07:54.580 --> 00:07:55.780 But beyond that promise, 00:07:55.900 --> 00:07:58.960 there are the promises of God. 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:00.819 And I want you to understand 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:02.100 that God's other promises 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:04.900 are just as secure as your salvation. 00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:07.400 Notice the angel says, 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:10.819 because you have done this. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:13.759 Remember, Abraham has went up the mountain with Isaac, 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:15.839 offered his son to the Lord. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.579 The son did not require him. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.899 Excuse me, the Lord did not require his son. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:22.079 And now the angel says, 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:24.019 because you have done this. 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:27.800 Abraham was blessed because he was obedient. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:30.600 But I want you to be clear about something. 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:34.700 God knew Abraham would obey him. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:38.000 God knew Abraham would obey him 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:40.319 before he ever established the first covenant with him. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:42.600 God knew Abraham would obey him 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.840 before he was even created, 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.940 before Abraham was even born. 00:08:46.540 --> 00:08:48.360 The promise of God came 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:49.840 before he knew beforehand 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:51.260 what he was going to show Abraham 00:08:51.260 --> 00:08:52.980 and how Abraham would respond. 00:08:53.760 --> 00:08:55.379 He has promised Abraham 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:57.520 that his descendants would be numerous. 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:01.240 Here the angel takes it a step further. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:04.659 And in that promise of the legacy of Abraham, 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:07.399 he's described for the first time here 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:08.519 in this angelic message, 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:11.600 that that legacy is to be as numerous 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.000 as the stars in heaven, 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:17.320 which are too numerous to count. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:21.840 Now that's hard for us to grasp in Pickens County 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:24.919 because we're blessed with trees 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:26.899 and hills and mountains. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:32.699 Two weeks ago, I spent some nights in South Dakota 00:09:32.699 --> 00:09:36.819 on the backside of nowhere in Big Sky Country. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.100 And when we went out at night, 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:41.319 we saw the stars. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:46.779 Too numerous to count. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:51.500 Never before until this angelic message 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:54.539 was his legacy described as numerous 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:57.620 as the sands on the seashore. 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:05.559 If you were to take a cup of sand 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:09.339 and this afternoon, 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.739 take that cup of sand 00:10:10.739 --> 00:10:13.259 and go to your dining room table 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:16.779 and pour that cup of sand out 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:20.219 and start counting out the grains of sand 00:10:20.219 --> 00:10:22.979 as if you were counting coins, 00:10:24.719 --> 00:10:27.299 well, one, you are a very boring person. 00:10:30.079 --> 00:10:31.539 But number two, 00:10:32.119 --> 00:10:33.879 you won't get it done today. 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:39.080 I believe they're probably beyond 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:41.899 what you're at least willing to calculate. 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:45.480 That's the example that he gives. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:50.480 God's promises are that his blessings 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:54.779 will be too numerous to count. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:57.620 I want you to notice something else too. 00:10:58.820 --> 00:11:00.840 In verse 17, I love this passage. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:01.480 It says this, 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:04.360 And your offspring shall possess 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:06.960 the gates of his enemies. 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:10.519 Now understand the gate of the city. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.600 We're talking about walled cities. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:13.220 Okay? 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:17.180 The gate was the main part of the city. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.920 If you came into that city, 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:22.240 if you went out of that city, 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.100 you had to go through the gate of the city. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:27.980 It was the meeting spot. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:31.000 It was the social spot. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:34.220 If you want to know what was happening, 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:37.019 that's where you went to see what was happening. 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:41.259 It was literally the gateway into the city. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:46.319 Now, you can try to tear down the wall. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:49.080 If you're trying to take over that city, 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:52.740 you can try to build a ramp to go over the wall. 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.759 They did such as that. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:57.600 You can ladder up or try to break through 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.700 or tunnel under, 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:01.860 but the real place to get through was the gate. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:06.019 And even if you did go over or under the wall, 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:08.340 the first thing that an army would do 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:10.259 if it went over the wall or under the wall 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:12.320 was to get to the gate and open it up 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.759 so the rest of the army could come in. 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:20.039 You defeat the enemy by possessing the gate. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.139 And God says here, 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.060 Your offspring, 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:26.039 because of your obedience, 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:28.500 shall subdue the enemy. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.899 You know what that means to us, Christian? 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:33.840 Well, let me remind you of what Jesus said 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:35.320 at Caesarea Philippi. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:38.779 Matthew chapter 16, beginning in verse 15, 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.460 he said this, 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:40.480 He said to them, 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:42.279 But who do you say that I am? 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.379 And Simon Peter replied, 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:46.399 You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:47.960 And Jesus answered him, 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:50.120 Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.720 That just means his daddy's name was Jonah. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.060 Simon Bar-Jonah, 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:56.019 for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:58.320 but my Father who is in heaven. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.800 And I tell you, 00:12:59.800 --> 00:13:01.039 you are Peter, 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:03.559 and on this rock I'll build my church, 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.019 and the gates of hell 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:07.559 shall not prevail against it. 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:11.419 That word for Peter there means rock, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.980 like a small stone. 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:15.959 But the reality is, 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:16.639 when he says, 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:18.039 and on this rock, 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.120 that's a different word, 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:20.439 more like a boulder. 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:23.440 I had a New Testament professor 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:25.640 that described this passage as meaning this. 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:26.840 He said, 00:13:26.900 --> 00:13:27.360 I wasn't there, 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:27.900 but if I was there, 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.220 I believe I would have seen this. 00:13:30.400 --> 00:13:30.900 And he said, 00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:32.400 Peter, 00:13:32.640 --> 00:13:35.540 and you are now rock. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.380 His name was Simon 00:13:36.380 --> 00:13:38.420 before he changed him to small stone. 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.900 You are rock. 00:13:41.280 --> 00:13:42.980 And on this rock, 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:45.000 I'll build my church. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.560 And the gates of hell 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:51.019 shall not prevail against it. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.259 I want to be clear. 00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:55.440 No matter what denomination you come from, 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.500 the church is not built on Peter. 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:59.060 It's built on Christ. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:01.440 He is the foundation, 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:03.460 the cornerstone, 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.580 and the capstone. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.940 That's where the strength comes from. 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:09.100 But get this point. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.340 The gates of hell 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:14.220 shall not prevail. 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:16.180 In other words, 00:14:16.280 --> 00:14:17.520 if you go with God, 00:14:17.640 --> 00:14:19.140 we will possess the gate. 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:21.360 If we go with God, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.800 we will subdue the enemy. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.280 If we go with God, 00:14:24.380 --> 00:14:25.500 we will win the battle, 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:28.220 triumph over the enemy in the war. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.380 With God, friend, 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:30.220 we win. 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:32.380 And the angel had to say that 00:14:32.380 --> 00:14:34.420 a second time to Abraham. 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:36.600 He needed to hear it again 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:38.300 or he wouldn't have repeated it. 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:43.040 Maybe you need to hear it again. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:48.759 I know I do from time to time. 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.580 I need to be reminded 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.980 that with God, we win. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:55.879 That is the blessings of believing. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.960 That is the blessings of obedience. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:01.500 You will gain things from the Lord 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.080 that you do not deserve 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:05.779 because God gives us 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:07.199 his word. 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.720 Second truth is this. 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:12.139 You've heard this before. 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:14.519 You need to hear it again. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:17.179 God challenges us 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.860 to believe. 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:22.459 Abraham had to believe 00:15:22.459 --> 00:15:25.579 God before Isaac was born. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:29.459 Abraham had to believe 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:33.459 God when God asked for Isaac. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:36.680 Abraham had to believe 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:38.840 God in the midst of the journey 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:41.860 when he kept looking at that place, 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.639 dreading the top of that mountain 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.379 where he was going, 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:45.980 looking up to that place. 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:47.780 He had to trust God in that. 00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:51.340 Abraham had to believe God 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.440 when he told his servants, 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.040 wait here, 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:54.259 we'll be back. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.660 We'll be back, 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.480 both of us. 00:15:57.780 --> 00:15:59.840 Abraham had to believe God 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.820 as he bound his son. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.500 Abraham had to believe God 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.660 as he lifted that knife. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.760 Abraham had to believe. 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:09.340 It was a challenge of belief. 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:11.600 And he's not the only one. 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:13.500 Think about David. 00:16:14.780 --> 00:16:16.580 When David walked in 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:18.740 to the valley of Elah 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:21.240 and saw that blasphemous 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.760 giant of a man, Goliath, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.960 breathing out his 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:25.780 sacrilegious threats, 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:28.380 David had to believe in God. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:30.759 I mean, they tried to fit him 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.700 with Saul's armor. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.980 And another passage said 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.120 Saul was a head taller 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.939 than every other man. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:37.179 It didn't fit on David. 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.379 He couldn't believe in the armor. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:43.159 He had to believe in God. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.039 When Saul told him, 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.159 you're just a boy, 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.960 he had to believe in God. 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.220 When David went 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:52.379 and picked up five smooth stones, 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:54.340 praying for accuracy, 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:56.899 he had to believe in God. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:59.019 And he referred back 00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.939 to what God had done 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.000 for him in the past. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.299 He said, 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.779 when I was keeping sheep 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.059 and a bear came along, 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.460 God enabled me 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.420 to protect the sheep. 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.879 When the lion came along, 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.900 God enabled me 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.220 to protect the sheep. 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.099 David had to believe 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.480 that God had prepared him 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.220 for this. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.319 He saw all that shepherding 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.480 as a training ground 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.700 for this valley, 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.799 for this time. 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.420 David had to believe 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.539 that when he went 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.379 with boldness 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:26.100 against those that defy 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:27.060 the living God, 00:17:27.300 --> 00:17:29.260 that God would come through. 00:17:29.540 --> 00:17:31.180 David had to believe. 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:31.920 And when he went 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.640 into that valley 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.060 and when he took his shot 00:17:34.060 --> 00:17:35.120 and when he struck down 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.600 the enemy, 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:38.460 David had to believe. 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.440 But he's not the only one. 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.200 When Peter was in that boat 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.280 in the midst of the storm, 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:47.040 he had to believe. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.819 When he saw Jesus 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:52.399 walking on the water, 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.220 he had to believe. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.079 When Jesus told him 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.500 to walk out on the water, 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.819 he had to believe. 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.420 And as long as his eyes 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.339 stayed on Jesus, 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.299 he stayed up. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.200 And when he looked 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:01.859 at the storm, 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.359 he began to sink. 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:05.460 I promise you folks, 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.139 if you watch the storms 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:07.680 in life, 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:09.859 it'll weaken your faith 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.859 every time. 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.440 But you keep your eyes 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.200 upon the Lord 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:15.099 and he will lead you 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.119 to believe. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:18.779 Because God challenges us 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.639 to believe. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:23.099 He did it in Abraham's life. 00:18:23.459 --> 00:18:25.039 He did it in David's life. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.619 He did it in Peter's life. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.899 Oh, I could go on. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.839 We can talk about Joseph. 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.879 We can talk about Moses. 00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:34.519 Y'all don't want lunch today, 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:34.819 do you? 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:36.139 We can talk about Joshua. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.339 We can talk about Samson. 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.939 We can talk about Nehemiah. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.819 We can talk about Esther. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.960 We can talk about Job. 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.980 Let's get over to the prophets. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.700 Let's turn over to the apostles. 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:54.099 All the way through, 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.279 you will find that 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:58.279 they had to believe. 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:01.700 God challenges us 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:03.159 to believe, 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.839 not just for biblical folks, 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:07.740 for folks today. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:10.500 God challenges us 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.879 to believe. 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.260 So I want to ask you this morning, 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.280 have you ever believed 00:19:15.280 --> 00:19:15.800 on the Lord? 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.260 1 John 1, 9 says, 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.020 if we confess our sins, 00:19:22.760 --> 00:19:24.520 he's faithful and just 00:19:24.520 --> 00:19:26.020 to forgive us of our sins 00:19:26.020 --> 00:19:27.540 and to cleanse us 00:19:27.540 --> 00:19:29.280 from all unrighteousness. 00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:30.060 Leave that up a minute. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.360 I love this passage. 00:19:32.020 --> 00:19:33.320 And what I love about it is, 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.540 if God was, 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:38.819 if God was willing to do it 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.839 but couldn't do it, 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.859 we'd be in a mess. 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.599 And if God could do it 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:46.319 but wasn't willing to do it, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.299 oh man, 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.240 we'd be in a mess. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.859 But thank God, 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.339 he's willing to do it 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.940 and he can do it 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:54.740 and not only does he forgive us 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.399 of our sins, 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.019 but listen, 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:59.119 if you start naming your sins today, 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.359 if we all do that, 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.759 this place is going to get ugly. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:02.339 Okay? 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.599 If we start confessing our sins 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.519 but I'll tell you, 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.900 we can make a list 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:08.700 as long as we possibly 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.359 can think of 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:11.299 and we'll still not name them all. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.299 We'll miss some out. 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.900 And what I am thankful about 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.900 is when we bring 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:17.099 our known sin to God, 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:19.160 he is willing and able 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.420 to forgive us of our sins 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:21.180 and look at what it says, 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.740 and to cleanse us 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:24.819 from all unrighteousness. 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:27.879 He cleans the slate 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:30.440 when we believe. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.339 Have you ever believed 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:35.119 on the Lord? 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.259 If not, 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.559 that's your challenge today 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:41.559 because he challenges us 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:43.480 to believe. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.759 Third thing is this. 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:50.279 God keeps his promise. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:55.059 God populated a nation 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.640 through Abraham 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.579 just like he promised. 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:59.139 He used Abraham 00:20:59.139 --> 00:21:00.519 because of his obedience. 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.139 Think about another man 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.740 that obeyed God. 00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:06.079 Noah obeyed God. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.439 He built a boat 00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:09.000 in the desert 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.740 when it hadn't even rained. 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.639 Why did he do it? 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:13.939 Because God told him to do it. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.379 And all the storms 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.139 and the floods, 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:20.039 when Noah reached dry land, 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.419 the first thing he did 00:21:21.419 --> 00:21:22.439 was build an altar 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.059 to the Lord 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.220 in Genesis chapter 9. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:27.400 It was after the sacrifice 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.559 that God promised 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:30.279 he would never again 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.180 destroy the earth 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.339 by flood 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:34.259 and then he put his bow 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.940 in the sky. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:38.059 All that fight over the rainbow 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.860 if they only knew. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.360 Let me tell you 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.079 what literally 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.240 the Hebrew mind 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.799 would see 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.339 when they look at that passage. 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:48.299 is that when the wrath 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.959 of God 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:50.779 is coming upon 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.599 the people 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.399 of the land 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.419 that it is 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.699 as if God 00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:56.099 has a bow and arrow 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.539 and he is using 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.679 that primitive weapon 00:21:58.679 --> 00:22:00.679 to display his wrath 00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:02.099 toward folks. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.179 That's what the flood 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:03.720 was doing. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.619 It was God 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:06.579 using his wrath 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:08.259 toward the earth 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.480 and when he made 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.039 that covenant 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.559 with Noah 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.679 after he went 00:22:11.679 --> 00:22:12.299 to that altar, 00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:12.939 God, 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.559 thank God, 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.959 hung up his bow. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:17.240 in the sky 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.680 he was done. 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.380 And every time 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.180 you see a rainbow 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.740 you can be reminded 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.700 thank God 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.860 the wrath of God 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.579 has been spared 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.380 from my life 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.460 because God's 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.200 hung up his bow. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.700 I didn't make that up. 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:32.340 The Hebrew language 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.519 tells us that. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:39.420 Hagar 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:41.720 was used 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.259 by Abraham 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.819 and Sarah 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.599 to have the baby 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.139 that they thought 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:45.039 they could not have. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.900 It was not 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.619 in God's will 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.119 and it made 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.900 for a messy 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.940 hairy situation 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.279 but God promised 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.619 her 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.779 before her child 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.200 was born 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.680 that he would 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.660 father descendants 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:56.139 without number. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.279 Job went 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.059 through the worst. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:04.079 I can't imagine 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.960 the losses 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.579 he took 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:08.619 the accusations 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.899 that people made 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.519 the hardship 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.419 that he suffered 00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:13.519 but after he went 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.359 through his trial 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.139 the scripture says 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:15.740 he received 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.740 a double portion 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.419 of all that he had lost. 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:18.679 Why? 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.839 Because God is faithful. 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.819 He keeps 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.879 his promise. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.099 Now I want you 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.119 to recognize something. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.960 Abraham 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.759 when he was 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.840 going up that mountain 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:37.600 with his precious 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.440 son Isaac 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:41.140 did not know 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:43.279 this was a test 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:45.160 of God. 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:50.180 He didn't know 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.019 that till afterwards. 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:54.360 Job 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.860 when he went 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.700 through all his suffering 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:58.960 didn't know 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.360 it was a test 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:03.620 that he was going 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:03.940 through 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:06.420 until he suffered 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:06.940 the losses 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.539 that he did. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.539 I say that 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.079 because 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.519 we usually 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.740 do not recognize 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.539 the test 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.340 that we face 00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:15.460 when we're walking 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.200 in the midst 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.640 of it. 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.720 It's not until 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.400 after the fact 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.220 when we look back 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.200 and see God's hand 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.079 lead us through it 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.360 that we understand 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.220 what was going on. 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.940 It's just too real 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.480 to us. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.080 It's right there 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:29.779 before us. 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.820 The test 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.380 of God 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:32.920 are not 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:34.200 pre-scheduled 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.120 on some syllabus 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.180 that God gives us 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.059 when we give 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.759 our heart and life 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.120 to him 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:39.080 so we can know 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:40.000 when it's going to come 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.840 and when the deadline 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.299 is. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.660 They come 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.480 unexpected. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:47.440 But God's promises 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.860 God promises 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:50.240 that he will not 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.160 leave us alone 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:52.100 in the midst 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.980 of our difficulty 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.259 and God 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.940 keeps his promise. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.099 Not only that 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:59.700 but he blesses 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.759 those who trust 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.180 him 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.299 and turn 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.259 their way 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.559 to his way. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.799 I like the way 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.339 Kent Hughes 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.740 put it. 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.559 He said this 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:11.120 it's all so simple 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:13.059 we grow 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.819 in faith 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.720 as we believe 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.680 the bare word 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.279 of God. 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.839 The process 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.620 is this 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.920 God comes 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.299 to us 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.940 with his word 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.680 and we're challenged 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.579 to believe. 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.680 When we believe 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.240 his word 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.079 he tests us 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.759 by stretching 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.440 our faith 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.339 so that it can 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.099 grow to greater 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:30.240 dimensions than before. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.220 There are always 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.480 valleys next 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.400 to the hilltops 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.019 of faith. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.460 There are ups 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.799 and downs 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:40.240 but God grows 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.200 our faith 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.339 incrementally 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:44.299 so that we are 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.680 enabled 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:47.240 to give our 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.339 Isaacs 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.740 to God. 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:52.539 so 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:52.599 so 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:56.740 so what 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.559 changes 00:25:57.559 --> 00:26:00.579 does God 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:00.980 want you 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.339 to make 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:02.000 in his life? 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.500 What changes 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.980 does God 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.299 want you 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.599 to make 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.240 in your life? 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.500 Resting 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.259 upon the 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.740 promises 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.319 of God 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:13.700 being reminded 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.420 of those things 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.120 that most of you 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.620 when you walked 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.140 in this place 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:17.099 already knew 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:19.459 how does that 00:26:19.459 --> 00:26:20.039 apply to your 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.859 life today? 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.939 What does 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:23.719 his word 00:26:23.719 --> 00:26:24.459 and the conviction 00:26:24.459 --> 00:26:25.219 of his spirit 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:25.980 speak to you 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.199 about in regards 00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:28.259 to a change 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.279 that needs to come 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.480 in your life? 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.899 You may be in that 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:34.559 spot where you say 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.000 well pastor 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.419 listen I'm not 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.059 hearing anything 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.639 from God. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.899 I'm just not 00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.480 hearing it. 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:43.700 and my first 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.559 question would be 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:44.860 it's not 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.339 accusative 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.019 it's a question 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.920 are you 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.240 listening? 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.099 Are you 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.500 attentive? 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.079 Are you 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.019 taking personal 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.839 time in his 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.240 word? 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.079 Because my 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.460 friend the 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:56.940 word of God 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.279 is God 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.880 breathes. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.220 It is a 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.700 living 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.759 active 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:03.460 declaration 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:05.259 of what 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.740 he'll work 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.140 and move 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.740 not only in 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.180 the people's 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.620 lives that 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:07.980 are listed 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.380 in this 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:08.680 book 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.440 but what 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.799 he'll do 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.400 in our 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.320 lives as 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:11.680 well. 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.660 And when 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.220 you ask 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.580 the Lord 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.000 Jesus 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:17.060 God as I 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.580 read this 00:27:17.580 --> 00:27:18.000 will you 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.759 show me 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.840 how it 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.360 applies to 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:20.900 my life? 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.400 God will 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.759 you interact 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.460 with what 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.019 I'm dealing 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.580 with in my 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.180 life today 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.799 as I read 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.440 this passage 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.860 God? 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.299 Will you 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.759 give me 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.340 direction 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:30.140 I ask? 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.120 I promise 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.420 you 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:34.340 the Holy 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:34.840 Spirit will 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:35.460 work and 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.039 move in 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.620 your life 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.000 as you 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.519 trust him 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.360 in his 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.679 word. 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.339 The other 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.839 question is 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:44.740 this have 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.599 you answered 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:47.419 what he's 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:47.979 already told 00:27:47.979 --> 00:27:48.240 you to 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.500 do? 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:52.859 God 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.319 convicted 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:53.599 you in 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:53.959 an area 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.219 of your 00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:54.759 life that 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.179 you're just 00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:57.000 letting lay 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.779 and ignoring? 00:28:00.719 --> 00:28:01.319 Have you 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.859 responded to 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.079 what he's 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.439 already told 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:02.859 you to do? 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.319 I want 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.639 you to hear 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.000 it again. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:08.380 God gives 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.740 you his 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.099 word. 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:11.720 God will 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.859 always challenge 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.900 us to 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:17.680 believe and 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.240 God will 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:20.460 always keep 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.039 his promises. 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.839 You can rest 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.240 in it. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.359 As my friend 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.079 says often 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.319 that's what the 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:31.000 book says and 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.539 the book never 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.099 lies. 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:35.279 every head 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.599 bowed and 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:35.819 every eye 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.279 closed. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.079 I want to 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.579 ask you this 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:40.939 morning has 00:28:40.939 --> 00:28:41.259 there ever 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.899 been a time 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:43.240 in your 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.759 life when 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.199 you've asked 00:28:45.199 --> 00:28:45.459 the Lord 00:28:45.459 --> 00:28:45.939 Jesus to 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:46.219 come into 00:28:46.219 --> 00:28:46.659 your life 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.139 and save 00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:47.419 you? 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:50.819 Have you 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:50.980 ever 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.419 acknowledged 00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:51.819 the fact 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.199 that you're 00:28:52.199 --> 00:28:52.480 a sinner 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.839 and need 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.159 the Lord 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:55.299 Jesus and 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.819 ask him to 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.619 save you? 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.379 If that's 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:58.879 never happened 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.159 to you I 00:28:59.159 --> 00:28:59.519 want you to 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.199 know in a few 00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:00.599 minutes we're 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:00.980 going to stand 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.259 we're going to 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.500 give the 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.899 invitation. 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.700 You can 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:02.980 come for 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.680 various reasons 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.040 but the 00:29:04.040 --> 00:29:04.540 most important 00:29:04.540 --> 00:29:04.960 one of any 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.040 of that is 00:29:06.040 --> 00:29:06.340 that if you 00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:06.580 don't know 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.820 the Lord 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.280 Jesus you 00:29:07.280 --> 00:29:07.780 come I'd 00:29:07.780 --> 00:29:08.019 love to 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.420 guide you 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:08.640 in that 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.220 process of 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.440 what it 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.820 means to 00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:10.040 give your 00:29:10.040 --> 00:29:10.280 heart and 00:29:10.280 --> 00:29:10.560 life to 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:10.880 the Lord. 00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:12.080 If you've 00:29:12.080 --> 00:29:12.440 done that 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.060 privately but 00:29:13.060 --> 00:29:13.500 you've never 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:13.940 done that 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:16.900 publicly you 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.180 need to 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:17.900 acknowledge him 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.620 through baptism. 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.360 It's the 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:20.900 first step of 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:21.320 obedience. 00:29:21.780 --> 00:29:22.940 Christ did 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.400 it as an 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.040 example for 00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:24.460 us to 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:26.100 follow and 00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:26.440 it's the way 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:26.900 to proclaim 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.380 that faith. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.759 So maybe 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.160 you're coming 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.640 today and 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.880 say listen I 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.340 know I've 00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:30.680 given my 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:30.920 heart and 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.220 life to the 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.620 Lord but I've 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.660 never made 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.220 that publicly 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.940 acknowledged and 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.360 I need to do 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:34.860 that today. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.299 Maybe God's 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:37.839 drawing you 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.240 into this 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.660 fellowship. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.680 You know that 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.339 this is where 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.299 God would have 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.079 you to serve. 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.640 Sometimes we 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.400 just put those 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.000 things off. 00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:45.539 Listen if you're 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.259 putting that off 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.120 for no reason 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:48.240 except for 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.059 stubbornness don't 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.759 do that anymore. 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.180 Just obey God 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.559 and come. 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.680 I don't ever want 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.100 you to do anything 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.620 that God's not 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.220 leading you to do. 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.460 Never want you to 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.059 sit on anything 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.860 God is telling you 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.200 to do. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:59.240 Maybe you're 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.539 here this 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.460 morning and the 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:02.120 reality is there's 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.860 just stuff in your 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.660 life that you need 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.259 to believe God 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.880 for and you need 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.539 to lay those 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.000 things at the 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.559 altar and give 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.160 them over to God. 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.400 Not pick them up 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.860 and take them back 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.500 to your seat with 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.640 you. 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.759 Leave them here 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:12.100 at his feet 00:30:12.100 --> 00:30:13.620 trusting him with 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:13.740 it. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.420 I don't know how 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.059 God's speaking to 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.700 you but I promise 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.259 you that if you 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:19.220 obey him he'll keep 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.779 his promises. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.680 You can rest in it. 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.259 Heavenly Father I love 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.059 you and I thank you 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.779 dear God for your 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.700 love for us and I 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.799 ask today that you'll 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.700 move and you'll work 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.220 in our midst. 00:30:28.340 --> 00:30:29.160 Help us to respond 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.600 in obedience as you 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.319 speak to our hearts 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:31.740 and lives. 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:33.380 Oh God I pray in 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.559 Jesus precious name. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.319 Amen.