WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.780 Ephesians chapter 6, 58-year-old Mike Tyson fought a YouTuber the other night 00:00:06.780 --> 00:00:10.700 that was 30 years younger than him. 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:13.859 I remember the Tyson of old. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:16.940 My neighbor had HBO. 00:00:18.059 --> 00:00:23.620 We didn't allow such filth in our home, so we'd go up there and watch it, 00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:26.300 at least boxing. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:35.020 Tyson had a contract with HBO, and because he was hardly challenged in a fight, 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:37.920 he fought about every six weeks. 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:42.920 Now, normally a heavyweight fighter won't fight, but every four to six months at the most, 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:45.100 sometimes a year in between. 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:49.079 But Tyson had an uppercut that was deadly. 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:55.019 He didn't throw one the other night, but he made millions. 00:00:55.020 --> 00:01:03.240 He mostly played defense in the shortened rounds of the eight-round fight. 00:01:03.620 --> 00:01:04.799 It wasn't much of a fight. 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:11.500 Tyson hit him early and hit him hard and scared him, and it kind of scared Tyson 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:17.300 because they had a deal that if Tyson lasted four rounds, he'd make an extra few million dollars. 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:20.719 When Tyson realized he was able to knock the boy out, he laid up. 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:24.439 And so, interesting, but not very fun to watch. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:29.099 So far, we've spent time talking about the armor of God, 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:31.019 and everything we've talked about has been defensive, 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:35.379 keeping your hands up, protecting yourself. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:39.659 But the reality is, 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:44.280 we've learned that our battle is not against other people, 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:49.579 that the real war that's going on, the real war is one that's spiritual. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:53.980 And our best defense is a godly lifestyle. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:58.120 Our best defense is a commitment to truth, 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:03.760 a path that is paved with the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:07.659 and to have a certainty of our salvation, 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:12.099 and to have the faith to trust God completely, 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:20.099 that he'll do for us in a world that we desperately need him to lead us. 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:26.960 Knowing all those things and doing all those things does us a world of good against the enemy. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:30.819 In Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10 through 20, 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:34.500 there's only one offensive weapon that's mentioned. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:37.139 And I want to talk about that this morning. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:40.659 Ephesians chapter 6, verse 17 says this, 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:45.780 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, 00:02:46.740 --> 00:02:47.919 which is the Word of God. 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:51.859 I want to focus for a few minutes on the sword of the Spirit, 00:02:51.979 --> 00:02:54.759 which is the Word of God. 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:57.740 That is our weapon of warfare. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:06.699 Particularly, this word for sword in the Greek speaks of a 12 to 18 inch dagger. 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:10.780 That was carried in a seat on the side of a soldier. 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:18.120 Be sure to have your weapon. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:25.900 Now it's interesting that the word that is used here for the Word of God, 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:32.780 typically the word that is used for the Word of God is logos. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:38.500 Logos is what you see in John 1 when it talks about Jesus being the Word. 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:41.360 It talks about how he's the Word of God. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:47.700 As a matter of fact, logos is used 330 times in the New Testament to speak of the Word of God. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:50.260 But here there's another word used. 00:03:50.920 --> 00:03:52.900 And that other word is rima. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:57.980 Rima speaks of the spoken Word of God. 00:03:58.140 --> 00:04:02.480 It's used multiple times in the New Testament as well, but not near as much. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:06.560 But it speaks of a directly spoken Word. 00:04:06.679 --> 00:04:08.560 So if you put that in context where we are, 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:14.379 he is saying take up the spoken Word of God as a weapon. 00:04:15.639 --> 00:04:18.500 In other words, speak the Word of God. 00:04:18.599 --> 00:04:22.839 To speak the Word, you have to know the Word. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:33.039 Therefore, I want to give you a few techniques, a few swipes, a few stabs that you need to be familiar with. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.899 If you want to win a knife fight, bring a gun. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:49.539 But if you want to defeat the enemy, know the Word of God and speak it. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:55.879 Now, anyone who has a weapon needs to become familiar with that weapon. 00:04:57.260 --> 00:05:02.000 If you decide today that you've never owned a gun, but you want to go buy a gun, and you go buy a gun, 00:05:02.080 --> 00:05:03.580 you need to learn your weapon. 00:05:03.780 --> 00:05:07.000 Just having one is going to do more harm than good. 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:09.700 You need to know your weapon. 00:05:11.580 --> 00:05:13.920 Folks, you need to know your weapon. 00:05:15.580 --> 00:05:18.420 Like a ball player needs to spend time playing ball. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:21.800 If he or she is going to be good at it, they've got to play it. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:23.700 They've got to know it. 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:25.660 They've got to be familiar with it. 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:31.439 And in the same way, if you're going to win with a strategy against the evil one, 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:35.400 in the war in which we face, you have to spend time in God's Word. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:43.840 So I want to ask you this morning to commit with me to follow three steps to have a proper response 00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:46.259 when the enemy engages us. 00:05:47.520 --> 00:05:48.300 Three steps. 00:05:48.300 --> 00:05:51.139 First is to adhere to the Word of God. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:54.060 Believe the Word of God. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:55.460 Believe it. 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:58.759 2 Timothy 3, verse 16 and 17 says, 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:05.420 All scriptures breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:11.879 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:17.719 Now, if you believe that, you'll trust the Word of God. 00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:23.219 You'll be changed by the Word of God because it reproofs and it rebukes. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:24.879 Think about it. 00:06:25.219 --> 00:06:28.459 Have you ever read God's Word or had it read to you? 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:34.959 And had a verse just stuck in your life? 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:36.459 I mean, it just spoke to you. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:40.719 It just seemed to come to life as if the breath of God himself was in that. 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:41.719 Well, he is. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:56.000 And I mean, you just, it just, it's just like he was more than stepping on your toes, just digging into your life. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:00.220 That's the reproof of God's Word. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.699 It corrects. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:06.439 You want to know what pattern to walk your life in? 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:08.699 Study God's Word and it'll guide you. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:11.000 It'll also train you. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:14.199 It'll also equip you for whatever the task may be. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.759 Like a weapon strapped on for warfare. 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:20.139 And I want you to listen to the effectiveness of the Word of God. 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:22.740 It says it in Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12, when it says, 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:26.480 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:30.319 piercing to the division of souls and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:33.439 discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:36.740 It gets to the heart of the matter. 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:43.780 Do you want to know why you always have a struggle with spending the proper time in God's Word daily? 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.579 Because it gets to the heart of the matter. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.660 And either one or two things happens. 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:53.040 And Satan don't want us to get to the heart of the matter. 00:07:53.780 --> 00:07:55.760 He don't want us to spend time in God's Word. 00:07:55.840 --> 00:08:02.700 So he'll come up with any kind of thing to distract us along the way as he possibly can. 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:06.180 He'll keep us out of God's Word as best he can. 00:08:07.960 --> 00:08:12.960 But then also, when we begin to read God's Word and it begins to speak to our lives, 00:08:12.960 --> 00:08:14.140 a lot of times we'll close the book. 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:17.340 We don't want to deal with it. 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:22.779 The reality is it speaks to where we are. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:23.359 It's effective. 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:28.000 When the Holy Spirit shows us our waywardness of our thoughts, 00:08:28.479 --> 00:08:29.899 the waywardness of our intentions, 00:08:30.299 --> 00:08:32.419 by us spending time in God's Word, 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:34.659 we tend to have one of two responses. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:37.879 We either change our lives in accordance with God's Word, 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:39.360 or either we close the book. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:42.360 And if you want to win the real war, 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:49.539 don't miss the opportunity afforded you by the conviction of the Holy Spirit through God's Word. 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.460 Respond with obedience and let it stick. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:55.639 And I want to clarify something. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:58.139 The Word of God will bring conviction. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:08:59.980 The Holy Spirit's at work in the Word of God, 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:01.680 and He'll bring conviction in your life. 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.720 But if God convicts you of a sin, 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:06.279 and you don't respond to that obediently, 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:07.319 do you know what? 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:11.000 The next time you'll be a little more numb to it than you were last time. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.419 And before long, 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:17.360 you can hear the truth that you know to be true, 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:20.639 but you're hardened to it. 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:21.860 You're callous to it. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:24.620 And you no longer listen to it. 00:09:26.699 --> 00:09:28.000 Romans 1 talks about it, 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:32.259 how Satan loves to darken the mind. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:35.299 And that's often what he'll do. 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:39.379 He'll get us out of the light of God's Word, 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:44.759 and he'll darken us along the way. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.319 We need to respond with obedience. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:48.460 We need to let it stick. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.720 We need to adhere to God's Word. 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:50.399 The second thing is, 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:52.200 we need to adjust to the Word, 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.759 adjust our lives to the Word. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:57.740 God uses the spoken and written Word to speak to our hearts, 00:09:57.879 --> 00:10:00.500 and we need to adjust our lives to that. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:05.500 Because God can use His Word to save us. 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:09.539 1 Peter 1, verse 23 and 25 says this, 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.759 You have been born again, 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.940 not a perishable seed or of unperishable, 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:17.220 but through the living and abiding Word of God. 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:20.039 For all flesh is like grass, 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:22.539 and all its glory like the flowers of grass. 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:26.059 The grass withers and the flower falls, 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:27.599 but the Word of God remains forever, 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:31.959 and this Word is the good news that has been preached to you. 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.860 Now, what does it say? 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.539 It says that we are saved. 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:39.579 We're born again by the living and abiding Word of God. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.480 So you may ask me, 00:10:41.199 --> 00:10:42.659 what does that have to do with spiritual warfare? 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:47.539 Do you know what Satan strategizes the most over? 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:51.819 He wants to keep lost people lost. 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:59.019 If one never comes to the Lord Jesus 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:02.120 and is never saved, 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:05.740 the devil claims that life. 00:11:07.219 --> 00:11:10.399 Now, Christ says that the proclaimed Word of God, 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.459 through the parable of the sower, 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:14.500 He says that that can be snatched away 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:17.519 and is not able to take root, 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.840 and that's what Satan loves to do. 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:25.519 God uses the sharing and the proclaiming of His Word 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:27.039 to change lives. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:29.879 It's effective. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:32.340 It works. 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:35.120 It's by the Word of God 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:40.179 that we are led to the Lord Jesus for salvation. 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.279 God uses the Word to save us. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.000 God uses the Word to cleanse us. 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:46.500 John chapter 15, verse 3 says, 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.940 Already you are clean because of the Word 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:49.940 that I've spoken to you. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:52.940 Ephesians 5 says that because Christ loved the church, 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.519 He, quote, 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:56.340 gave Himself up for her 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:58.639 that He might sanctify her, 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:01.919 having cleansed her by the washing of water 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:04.080 with the Word. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:06.259 It's through the Word of the Holy Spirit, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:06.899 excuse me, 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:07.879 it's through the Word of God 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:10.080 that the Holy Spirit speaks, 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:11.700 leading us to repent, 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:17.420 leading us to plunge into the forgiveness of God. 00:12:18.520 --> 00:12:20.300 God uses the Word to cleanse us. 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:20.940 Not only that, 00:12:21.020 --> 00:12:23.060 God uses the Word to confirm us. 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:24.560 When doubts come, 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.040 turn to the Word of God. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.160 Turn to the Word of God. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:31.259 John 5, verse 24 says, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.879 Jesus said, 00:12:32.939 --> 00:12:33.980 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:12:34.219 --> 00:12:36.419 whoever hears my word and believes Him 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:38.319 who sent has eternal life. 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:40.019 He does not come into judgment, 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:42.860 but has passed from death to life. 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:45.059 Do you want to be a shouting Christian 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.339 instead of a doubting Christian? 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.639 Or if you want them quiet folks, 00:12:48.699 --> 00:12:49.899 at least a certain Christian 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.100 instead of a doubting Christian? 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:54.139 Adjust to the Word of God. 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:56.199 It's life-changing. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:13:04.019 But do what we need to do. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:08.159 Do what we need to do 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.179 in our spiritual battle. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:12.779 And that is that we need to adhere 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.840 to God's Word. 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:15.500 We need to stick to it. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:18.139 We need to adjust our lives 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.679 in accordance with the Word of God. 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:23.059 However, we also need to attack 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:24.359 with the Word of God. 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:26.219 I told you it's an offensive weapon. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:29.159 And as we went through this study, 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.500 particular scripture verses 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.039 have popped up again and again. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.699 And I don't apologize for that 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:34.779 because I think God 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:37.120 embedded those scriptures in the Word 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.039 so that we would have them. 00:13:38.099 --> 00:13:38.859 And these are scriptures 00:13:38.859 --> 00:13:40.359 that I advise you to memorize. 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:43.059 I advise you to write them down. 00:13:43.479 --> 00:13:44.899 I advise you to post them 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.079 in particular places. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:48.639 Keep them ever before you. 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:51.179 Put them on the dash of your car. 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:51.919 Don't look at them 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.899 when you're driving down the road. 00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:54.199 But when you stop at a red light, 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.980 read that passage of scripture. 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.879 Put them on the mirror 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.240 in the bathroom if you need to. 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.759 Put them ever before you. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.759 Leave them before you. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.059 I mean, this is our artillery. 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.720 This is what we take into battle. 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:11.120 This is what we prepare ourselves by. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:13.580 I'm convinced 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.539 that these passages 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:18.120 will pull you out of the grip 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.620 of what Satan tries to get us into. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.720 I'm convinced of that. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.139 John 10.10 says, 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.720 the thief comes but for. 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:24.799 But for means 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:26.100 this is the only reason he comes, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.100 but to steal, 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.259 to kill, and to destroy. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.360 Christ has come 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.240 that we might have life 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.419 and have it more abundantly. 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:33.159 But the thief comes 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.639 only to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.159 And if you look 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.240 at the larger context 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.019 of that passage, 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.539 Christ is saying 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:41.820 that he's watching over his sheep. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.940 And he will not let a wolf 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:46.180 come in to take them. 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:47.319 And friend, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.659 that's what the devil looks like. 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:50.139 He's like a wolf. 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:52.379 His demons are like a pack of wolves 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.679 circling and growling 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:54.639 and trying their best 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:57.000 to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.620 That's his only purpose. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:04.799 I just heard a couple of days ago 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:07.019 that the NBA has told their players 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.519 to be on guard 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:12.319 because international gangs 00:15:12.319 --> 00:15:14.259 are crossing into America 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:16.939 and are looking at the NBA 00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:18.139 and the NFL schedules 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.220 to see when the stars 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.000 are not at home, 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.759 invading their home, 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:23.199 stealing their stuff. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:26.759 And they said, 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:29.360 you better make sure 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.480 that you've got alarms. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.259 And we advise, 00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.019 the NBA said, 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:34.819 we advise you to get a watchdog. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:40.520 I thought I'd put you 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:41.160 on high alert. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.300 That might distract you 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:44.440 in the fourth quarter today, 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:45.300 you know? 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:51.400 That is nothing less, 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:52.780 as a matter of fact, 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:54.020 it's evidence of 00:15:54.020 --> 00:15:55.980 what the devil's already doing. 00:15:57.440 --> 00:16:00.440 It's just another physical sign 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:03.240 of a spiritual battle. 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:10.040 Let me give you another verse 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:10.980 to sharpen your sword. 00:16:12.640 --> 00:16:14.460 1 Peter 5, 8, and 9. 00:16:15.900 --> 00:16:16.760 Be sober-minded. 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.240 Be watchful. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.400 Your adversary, the devil, 00:16:20.540 --> 00:16:21.940 prowls around like a roaring lion 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:23.180 seeking someone to devour. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.660 Resist him. 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:27.340 Firm in your faith. 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.460 Remember what I said earlier? 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.620 Adhere to the word of God. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.260 Let it stick. 00:16:30.380 --> 00:16:31.500 And then adjust your life 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.440 in accordance with it. 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.500 How? 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.600 By being watchful. 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.100 By being serious. 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:39.400 Let's quit being flippant 00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:40.520 about spiritual matters. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.540 Don't be compromised 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.660 in the midst of it. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.680 We need to rest in that. 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:51.480 We need to understand 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.300 the seriousness of it. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.400 We don't need to be freaked out by it. 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:54.400 We don't need to be scared of it. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.080 He that is in us 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:58.420 is greater than he that's in the world. 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.500 We can rest in that. 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:01.100 We can rest in that, 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:02.740 but we better rely upon God's word 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.480 and we better pay attention 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.160 to what's going on. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:08.200 When we have a slip in our life, 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.580 it's a place 00:17:09.580 --> 00:17:12.279 for there to cause a foothold, 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.960 for the devil to get us in a foothold, 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.720 which leads to a stronghold, 00:17:16.040 --> 00:17:17.300 which leads to a habit, 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.120 which leads to destruction. 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.779 He looks 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:25.240 for places to get in. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:28.240 And we need to seriously analyze 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:30.620 our lives by the Holy Spirit of God 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.400 working with us 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.680 through the word of God 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:34.279 to see what it is in our lives 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.420 that could cause weakness 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.720 and could cause us to distract 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:38.079 our walk with God. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.880 And some of us don't have to work hard on that. 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.920 We know what that is. 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.000 It's ever before. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.539 Like David said of his sin, 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.039 he said, 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:45.259 it's ever before me. 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.440 It's like somebody face guarding you 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:47.980 in basketball. 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.960 It's ever before me. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.740 It won't let go. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.160 And some of you know exactly 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.539 what your difficulty is. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.099 How do you know that? 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:55.799 Because the word of God shows that. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.119 And because the spirit of God 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.119 has led you in that. 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:02.639 So let's get serious about this thing. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.500 Be sober minded. 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.339 Be watchful. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:07.279 We've got somebody after us. 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.659 And we need to just be prepared. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.339 It gets better. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.079 So don't freak out on me. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.000 It gets better. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.940 Let me give you another one 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.740 to sharpen your sword. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.619 These verses are kind of like a whetstone. 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.619 They just sharpen the sword. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.879 They just make your weapon 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.559 that much sharper. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.599 James 4, 7-8. 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:31.419 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 00:18:31.699 --> 00:18:33.319 Resist the devil and he'll flee from you. 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.459 Draw near to God 00:18:34.459 --> 00:18:35.259 and he'll draw near to you. 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:35.839 I've told you. 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.639 This is one of my favorites. 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:38.339 I've hung my hat on this. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.539 Not only in the pulpit 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:41.339 but in my own life in recent days 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.159 as we went through this. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.839 Because I just keep thinking about 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.979 resist the devil 00:18:44.979 --> 00:18:46.099 and he'll flee from you. 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.879 That's a promise 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:48.419 from the word of God. 00:18:48.739 --> 00:18:49.559 Resist the devil 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.539 and he'll flee from you. 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.940 Now I told you a few weeks ago 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:53.119 that he may flee from you 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.180 for 30 seconds. 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:54.619 Okay? 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.740 And then come back. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.200 Resist him. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.299 Resist him 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.139 and he'll flee from you. 00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.960 It may be five minutes later 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.039 and he'll come back. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.240 Resist him 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:08.579 and he'll flee from you. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.200 It may be an hour later 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.879 and he'll come back. 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.659 Resist him 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.639 and flee. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.779 It may be another day. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:14.779 Resist him. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.920 You see what's happening? 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:18.180 The gap's getting larger, folks. 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:23.380 And we need to be persistent 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.220 in this matter. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.880 Resist the devil 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:29.620 and he'll flee from you. 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.620 That's a promise 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.560 from the Lord 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:32.660 but we got to resist him. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.279 We can't entertain him. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.039 We can't let those things 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.140 take over. 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.420 Read it and know it. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.580 Resist and he'll flee. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.160 Another one. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.000 1 Corinthians 10, 13. 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:45.400 I want you to hear me on this 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.640 because I hear a lot 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.019 of justification from folks. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.220 No temptation has overtaken you 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.540 that's not common to man. 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.120 God is faithful 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:54.500 and he will not let you 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.740 be tempted beyond your ability 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.840 but with the temptation 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:58.200 he will also provide 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.880 the way of escape 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.220 that you may be able 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.340 to endure it. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.380 Now I love this passage 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.440 because of two things. 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:05.440 One is because 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:07.600 no temptation has overtaken you 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.720 that's not common. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.800 And one of the great deceptions 00:20:10.800 --> 00:20:11.780 of the evil one 00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:12.460 is to tell us 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:12.920 that somehow 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:14.840 we're an exception to the rule. 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:17.179 That yes we have a struggle 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.799 in this area 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.019 but if people only knew 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.220 what our circumstances are 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.019 don't you know 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.339 your circumstances are different 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.319 than anybody else's 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.539 and because your circumstances 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.459 are so much different 00:20:25.459 --> 00:20:26.179 that somehow 00:20:26.179 --> 00:20:27.639 your sin is justified 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.859 because if anybody else 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.799 was in your situation 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:31.240 then your sin would be justified 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.899 in their life too. 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.500 But nobody else has experienced 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.439 what you've experienced. 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:36.059 There's a Greek word for that. 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.740 Baloney. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.939 If we were to write down 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:43.179 the places that the devil 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:44.139 loves to tempt us 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:45.140 on a whiteboard in here 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.320 there's not a whiteboard 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:46.980 in Pickens County 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:48.160 large enough for us to use. 00:20:49.100 --> 00:20:50.580 But if we were to take 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:51.440 those things 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.980 and consolidate them 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.900 into common 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.660 common areas 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.440 you would find 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.480 there's not that many areas 00:20:59.480 --> 00:20:59.880 out there. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.320 There is not that much 00:21:01.320 --> 00:21:02.480 difference in us folks. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:04.740 No temptation has seized you 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.780 except what's common 00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:06.540 to us all. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.180 We deal with it. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.759 We deal with it 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.460 in different levels. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.160 We deal with it 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.820 in different places. 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.600 Some of us are greater 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.860 weaknesses to other areas 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.299 and all that stuff 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.299 but we're all being tempted 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.259 by the same thing. 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.559 And not only that 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:19.059 but he's provided 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.079 the way of escape 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:22.219 every time. 00:21:23.459 --> 00:21:24.579 You can't say 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.639 like Flip Wilson said 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.199 in the 70's 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:27.099 the devil made me do it. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.619 He can't make you do it. 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.199 God provides you 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.959 a way out. 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:34.099 You need to know that. 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.659 And in the battle 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.159 of temptation 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:39.000 I want you to know 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.900 God's providing you 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.420 a way out. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.240 There's a way out. 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.380 Don't say I couldn't help it. 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.539 It's not true. 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.359 He'll provide the way out. 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.079 The devil will try 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.279 his best to convince us 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.980 we're the only person 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.859 in that situation 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.839 that somehow 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:57.059 our sin is justified 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.500 and that we have 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:00.680 no other choice. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.960 I had to do it. 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.259 Hogwash. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.099 It's not true. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.880 It's not true. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.960 He tries the same 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.160 old tricks on all of us 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.779 and when he finds 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.240 a weakness 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:15.480 he just hangs out there. 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.380 He'll just stay there. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.519 One more. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.579 2 Corinthians 10 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:26.319 4 and 5 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:28.059 Man 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:30.519 For the weapons 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.180 of our warfare 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.779 are not of the flesh 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:34.059 but have divine power 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.279 to destroy strongholds. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.599 We destroy arguments 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:39.039 and every lofty opinion 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.019 raised against 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.039 the knowledge of God 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.399 and I want you 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:43.599 to get this last phrase 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:46.039 and I want you 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.619 to learn it 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:49.440 and I want you 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.240 to live by it. 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:51.579 I want me 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.359 to live by it. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.500 Take every thought 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:55.980 captive 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:58.180 to obey Christ. 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.200 Take every thought 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.700 captive 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:05.160 to obey Christ. 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:08.019 Every discouraging 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.120 thought that you have 00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:11.519 take it captive 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:13.460 to obey Christ. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.200 Every immoral 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:18.120 thought that you have 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:20.240 take it captive 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.480 to obey Christ. 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.380 Every indecent 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:27.120 thought that you have 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:29.240 take it captive 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:51.160 to obey Christ. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.380 Every defiled 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:54.460 thought that you have 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:56.279 take it captive 00:23:56.279 --> 00:24:05.839 to obey Christ. Every disparaging thought that you have, take it captive to obey Christ. I said a 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:10.740 couple of weeks ago, it's like whacking a mole. You just got to keep whacking to knock it all out. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:19.319 But I'm telling you, through the Holy Spirit of God, he will train us through his word and through 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:28.879 his activity in our lives to take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:35.159 Those dark areas of your life don't have to exist anymore, friend. 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:43.119 This is a war we can win. It's already been won. We're just fighting skirmishes that we don't have 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:48.339 to fight. The power of God's in us and he uses his word to do it. 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:51.819 He gives us the strength that we need. Trust the word of God. 00:24:52.939 --> 00:25:00.879 It is your weapon against the warfare that we face. Trust the word of God. 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:05.879 And we live in a day, because I've had personal discussions with folks on this, 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:15.559 we live in a day when folks are trying to compartmentalize and disparage the word of God 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.940 to justify their action. 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:28.919 Stick to the word of God. Trust it. Trust it. It's smarter than science. It's more accurate. 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:35.740 I know some of you did better in science than I did and you're skeptical. I'm telling you, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:45.299 trust the word of God. Trust the word of God. And when things seem chaotic, 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:58.099 God's not an author of chaos. So you just go back to the word of God and trust the word of God. 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.079 God's not an author of God. You just go back to the word of God. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:08.619 When Billy Graham was a young man, he held a crusade in Pennsylvania and it did not go the way that he wanted it to go. 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:14.159 It didn't go as well as he thought it should. And he was down about it. 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:22.140 I want you to get this now. He was discouraged about it. And about the same time, 00:26:24.040 --> 00:26:30.279 a friend who had, he knew from years ago, who had studied at a liberal theological school, 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:37.360 Princeton University, started placing doubts in Billy Graham's mind about the word of God. 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:48.799 It was the summer of 1949. And Billy was invited to a Christian retreat in the mountains outside of Los Angeles. 00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:56.299 The place is called Forest Home. And when he got there, he began to struggle over these issues. 00:26:58.199 --> 00:27:03.319 One night he walked out in the woods and he set his Bible on a stump and he cried out to God. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:08.559 And he said, Oh God, there are many things in this book I don't understand. 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:13.359 There are many problems with it from which I have no solution. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:22.720 There are many seeming contradictions and I can't answer some of the philosophical and psychological questions that are being raised. 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:29.059 Falling on his knees and being moved by the spirit of God, he cried out, 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:35.019 Father, I'm going to accept this as thy word by faith. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:44.299 I'm going to accept this and I'm going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions, 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:49.859 beyond my doubts, because I believe this is your inspired word. 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:55.079 And Graham said he stood up, his eyes were burning and the power of God was all over him. 00:27:55.079 --> 00:28:01.799 And Billy Graham says a major bridge was crossed that day as he rested against that stone. 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:08.879 The next day he preached at that retreat center and 400 people got saved. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:15.539 The one who had invited him, Henrietta Mears, 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:25.139 one of the great biblical authors, excuse me, authors of biblical issues of that day. 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:28.299 God used Henrietta in a powerful way. 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:31.500 She said, I've never seen him preach like that. 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:33.519 I've never seen him preach with that authority. 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:40.619 Just a few weeks later, he held the historic Los Angeles crusade. 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.639 It was scheduled for three weeks. 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:44.319 However, God got in the middle of it. 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:54.759 And that crusade went on for eight weeks where he preached to 350,000 people and 3,000 people were saved. 00:28:55.220 --> 00:29:01.220 That event in Los Angeles is what the media grabbed the attention of the media. 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:06.700 And Graham's ministry was never the same again. 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:11.599 All because he took God at his word. 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.679 Do you want to win the spiritual battles that you face? 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:20.000 Strap on the sword of the word of God. 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:23.919 God uses his word. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:31.640 And victory can come in our lives when we trust his word. 00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:35.800 When we live by his word. 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:42.019 When our lives are marked by the word of God. 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:45.720 With every head bowed and every eye closed, I ask you this morning, 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:49.319 Have you ever given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:54.980 I'm not going to assume everybody that walks in a First Baptist Church has ever surrendered their life to Christ. 00:29:57.500 --> 00:30:01.519 And I want you to know if you haven't, he'll meet you exactly where you are. 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:05.660 He'll forgive you of your sins and he'll come into your life. 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:08.100 If you'll just commit your life to follow him. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.319 And ask him to cleanse you. 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:15.099 Maybe you're here and you have done that, but you've done it privately. 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.259 You've never done it publicly. 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:18.819 You've never acknowledged Christ through baptism. 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:23.960 By his example and by his commission, he's told us that's the first step of our obedience in Christ. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:29.579 If you've never been baptized as a believer, I encourage you to come, be obedient, follow Christ. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:33.159 Maybe God's leading you to be a part of First Baptist Church. 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.539 God's doing wonderful things here. 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:37.500 And I know he's working in the hearts and lives of many folks. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:40.980 And I just encourage you to simply be obedient, follow his lead. 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:43.380 We'll guide you in that process, but follow his lead. 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:53.000 For everybody else that's here, is there stuff in your life you need to lay down before the Lord? 00:30:55.720 --> 00:31:01.779 Hindrances and strongholds and difficulties in the midst of these battles that we face that you need to lay down before the Lord. 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:06.380 And I'm thankful that you can lay them down right where you'll stand in just a moment. 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:08.160 You can do it at this altar. 00:31:08.260 --> 00:31:09.320 I'll be happy to pray for you. 00:31:09.520 --> 00:31:11.420 I have no idea how God spoke to you. 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.760 I just know what he told me to do. 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:16.200 And I just ask you to be obedient. 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:19.200 Just do exactly what he calls you to do. 00:31:19.260 --> 00:31:20.420 Nothing more and nothing less. 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.220 And he'll be pleased. 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.900 He'll honor you. 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:25.960 He'll honor your life if you'll honor him. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:31.860 Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity you give us to walk with you. 00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:35.839 Help us to be obedient and follow you as you lead right now, Father, I pray. 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:38.359 In Jesus' precious name, amen.