WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.159
 Good morning.

00:00:02.319 --> 00:00:08.419
 I would ask you, if you will, to open your Bibles to the book of Genesis chapter 35.

00:00:08.419 --> 00:00:12.800
! We pick up with Genesis this morning.

00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:19.839
 We pick up with this story about Jacob and his family.

00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:26.359
 So we'll read 35, we'll read down through verse 8 in chapter 36.

00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:31.359
 So, if you're able, I would ask in honor of the Word of God, if you would stand as we

00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:37.859
 read together, as I read, and you'll join me in reading silently.

00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:38.460
 Is that fair?

00:00:40.859 --> 00:00:43.719
 If we all try to read at the same time, that might be tough.

00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:46.840
 All right, so verse 1, chapter 35.

00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:53.260
 God said to Jacob, arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there.

00:00:53.259 --> 00:00:59.439
 Make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.

00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:05.620
 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, put away the foreign gods that

00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:09.319
 are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.

00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:17.539
 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers

00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:22.080
 me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.

00:01:22.800 --> 00:01:30.160
 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had and the rings that were in their

00:01:30.160 --> 00:01:30.560
 ears.

00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:35.460
 Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem.

00:01:36.800 --> 00:01:42.200
 And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them so that

00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:45.079
 they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

00:01:45.700 --> 00:01:52.100
 And Jacob came to Luz, that is Bethel, which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people

00:01:52.100 --> 00:01:52.939
 who were with him.

00:01:52.939 --> 00:02:00.740
 And there he built an altar and called the place El Bethel, because there God had revealed

00:02:00.740 --> 00:02:03.620
 himself to him when he fled from his brother.

00:02:04.240 --> 00:02:07.040
 And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died.

00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:11.060
 And she was buried under an oak below Bethel.

00:02:11.200 --> 00:02:14.680
 So he called its name Elan Bakuth.

00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:22.680
 God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Padan Aram and blessed him.

00:02:22.760 --> 00:02:25.159
 And God said to him, your name is Jacob.

00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:29.719
 No longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.

00:02:30.140 --> 00:02:32.000
 So he called his name Israel.

00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:37.000
 And God said to him, I am God Almighty, be fruitful and multiply.

00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:44.020
 A nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall come from your own

00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:44.400
 body.

00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:50.560
 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you and I will give the land

00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:52.180
 to your offspring after you.

00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:56.780
 Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him.

00:02:56.780 --> 00:03:03.000
 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone.

00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:07.479
 He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it.

00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:12.780
 So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel.

00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:19.340
 Then they journeyed from Bethel when they were still some distance from Ephra.

00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:23.259
 Rachel went into labor and she had hard labor.

00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:29.039
 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, do not fear for you have

00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:29.780
 another son.

00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:36.659
 And as her soul was departing for she was dying, she called his name Ben-oni, but his

00:03:36.659 --> 00:03:38.099
 father called him Benjamin.

00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:43.739
 So Rachel died and she was buried on the way to Ephrath, that is Bethlehem.

00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:46.899
 And Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb.

00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:50.959
 It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day.

00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:55.820
 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

00:03:56.760 --> 00:04:02.280
 While Israel lived in the land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine,

00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:03.840
 and Israel heard of it.

00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:06.400
 Now the sons of Jacob were 12.

00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:14.420
 The sons of Leah, Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

00:04:14.700 --> 00:04:17.560
 The sons of Rachel, Joseph, and Benjamin.

00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:21.879
 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant, Dan, and Naphtali.

00:04:22.280 --> 00:04:26.740
 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant, Gad, and Asher.

00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:31.439
 These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan-Aram.

00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:40.160
 And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, in Kiriath-Arba, that's Hebron, where Abraham

00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:41.899
 and Isaac had sojourned.

00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:49.019
 Now the days of Isaac were 180 years, and Isaac breathed his last, and he died, and was gathered

00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:52.299
 to his people, old and full of days.

00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:55.079
 And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:59.120
 These are the generations of Esau, that is, Edom.

00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:02.099
 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites.

00:05:02.100 --> 00:05:05.340
 Ada, the daughter of Elan, the Hittite.

00:05:06.080 --> 00:05:13.320
 Olahabah, the daughter of Anna, the daughter of Zebion, the Hivite.

00:05:13.700 --> 00:05:18.960
 And Basmath, Ishmael's daughter, the sister of Nabiath.

00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:22.840
 And Adar bore him Esau, Eliphaz.

00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:32.219
 Basmath bore Raul, and Olahabama bore Jash, Jalem, and Korah.

00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:36.259
 These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

00:05:36.859 --> 00:05:42.359
 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock,

00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.719
 all his beasts, all his property that he acquired in the land of Canaan.

00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:53.420
 He went into a land away from his brother Jacob, for their possessions were too great for them to dwell together.

00:05:53.700 --> 00:05:58.220
 The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.

00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:01.740
 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir.

00:06:02.320 --> 00:06:04.060
 Esau is Edom.

00:06:04.400 --> 00:06:04.880
 Let's pray.

00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:10.700
 Father, would you cause your word to come alive in our hearts this morning?

00:06:11.080 --> 00:06:14.520
 God, would you show us the truths that you mean for us to see

00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:20.500
 in this story of Jacob and his family and Esau?

00:06:21.359 --> 00:06:24.419
 God, we ask you to bless this morning in Christ's name.

00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:24.939
 Amen.

00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:26.579
 Y'all can have a seat.

00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:32.359
 Y'all did notice I spared you all the difficulty of reading the rest of those names.

00:06:32.359 --> 00:06:37.019
 So on your bulletin, you'll see chapters 35 and 36.

00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:42.759
 I will speak towards that, but I think I would have jumbled them up pretty badly.

00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:47.019
 Y'all remember chapter 34?

00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:50.419
 We just read 35 and part of 36.

00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:52.079
 Do you remember 34 two weeks ago?

00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:57.439
 Let me ask this question.

00:06:57.719 --> 00:07:00.019
 How did Jacob get there?

00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:12.159
 How did he get to the place in 34 where all of that mess took place in their family,

00:07:12.919 --> 00:07:20.060
 where his daughter was taken, sexually abused, humiliated,

00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:23.680
 and the people that did it seemed to have no remorse at all?

00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:27.300
 And he said, don't make a big deal about it.

00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:29.540
 I'm afraid if you make a big deal about it,

00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:32.900
 we'll be stench in the nostrils of the people of the land,

00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:33.759
 and we'll be in trouble.

00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.439
 They will destroy us and our family.

00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:40.720
 It's as if he didn't want to come to the honor of his daughter.

00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:45.940
 And then in 34, we saw that never once was a name God mentioned.

00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:49.880
 This place, Shechem.

00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:54.980
 And so we go from 34 and we step into 35,

00:07:56.520 --> 00:08:00.000
 and we see God says this.

00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:01.720
 God says to Jacob, arise.

00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:04.520
 Go to Bethel and dwell there.

00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:07.460
 Make an altar to the God who appeared to you

00:08:07.460 --> 00:08:10.100
 when you fled from your brother Esau.

00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:13.260
 How gracious is God?

00:08:15.760 --> 00:08:19.340
 Do we remember some of the things that Esau has experienced?

00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:24.720
 If we look back on the truths in the book of Genesis about Esau,

00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:25.460
 what do we see?

00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.600
 We see that...

00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:29.880
 Jacob, sorry, did I say Esau?

00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:30.460
 Jacob.

00:08:31.260 --> 00:08:32.779
 In the life of Jacob, what do we see?

00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:35.960
 We see a man that has a sin problem, don't we?

00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:44.000
 Do you all remember how he tricked his brother to get the birthright?

00:08:45.040 --> 00:08:50.220
 Do you remember how he planned with his mother to deceive his father?

00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:53.220
 You remember how...

00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:54.220
 Do you remember how...

00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:02.519
 He boldly lied to his father over and over.

00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.720
 Are you really Esau?

00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:04.300
 Yes.

00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:05.279
 Yes, I'm really Esau.

00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:05.680
 Come here.

00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:06.519
 Let me touch your arm.

00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:08.660
 He had put goat's hair on his arm.

00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:14.459
 He shows poor, if any, leadership to his family.

00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.779
 Let me ask this question.

00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:27.659
 How is it that this man Jacob, who experienced the presence of God at Bethel...

00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:31.659
 You remember when he was leaving, after all this went down with his family, he's really

00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:34.819
 running from Esau because Esau was planning to kill him.

00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:41.259
 And his mom was able to work out a story with his dad and said, you need to send him back

00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:45.559
 to get a wife in our homeland, not here among the Canaanite people.

00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.719
 And so he goes and on the way...

00:09:48.719 --> 00:09:50.819
 You remember that God met him on the way?

00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:55.379
 And as he's laying down at this place, you remember the name of the place?

00:09:55.379 --> 00:10:02.779
 This place that he called the house of God, Bethel, as he's fleeing from Edom and he lays

00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:05.759
 his head on a rock and he dreams that night and what does he see?

00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:07.539
 The stairway to heaven.

00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:10.299
 And he said, this is awesome.

00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:12.399
 This is the doorway to heaven.

00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:19.500
 How is it that a man who experienced that, not only that, but when he goes to the land of

00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:28.740
 his mother's family to Laban, he sees God bless over and over again such that he becomes rich.

00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:36.580
 All the livestock and the animals that God put in his hands as he spent 21 years or 20 years

00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:38.480
 serving Laban in that land.

00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.779
 He sees the hand of God in his life.

00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:48.419
 And yet here he is in this place, this place where it's worldly.

00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.439
 This is Shechem.

00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:58.279
 Again, verse 1, God said to Jacob, arise and go to Bethel.

00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.379
 What is he...

00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:05.459
 When he says arise and go, we have to understand that that means arise and leave.

00:11:06.319 --> 00:11:09.659
 Leave where you are and I want you to go to this place.

00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:10.500
 What place, God?

00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:13.699
 This place where I met you.

00:11:13.839 --> 00:11:15.659
 This place where you made vows.

00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:17.819
 This place called Bethel.

00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:23.659
 This place that you remember, right?

00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:26.699
 This place you experienced me.

00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:29.600
 Let me ask this question.

00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:37.339
 Why do you think that he didn't go to Bethel when he was called to go back to the land of his

00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:38.339
 relatives?

00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:43.559
 Why didn't he go to Bethel?

00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:45.100
 Why did he choose to go to Shechem?

00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:47.639
 This place of worldliness.

00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:58.759
 How is it that this guy whose name means trickster, a guy who's got a huge sin issue, a guy who's met God,

00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:06.039
 how is it that he finds himself in this place of sin and idolatry and worldliness and fear?

00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.500
 How is it?

00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:11.019
 You know, I would pause for a second.

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:16.779
 Do you sometimes find yourself in a place just like that?

00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:22.539
 a place in Jacob's situation where their family,

00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:25.419
 at least at that moment, was defined by worldliness

00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:29.019
 and idolatry and sin and fear.

00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.980
 This was the chosen of God.

00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:38.620
 We hear in the scriptures, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:42.620
 And yet he finds himself there.

00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:45.579
 Let me share this this morning.

00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:49.340
 And how gracious is God that he would say to Jacob,

00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:53.520
 the one who has found himself in this sinful place,

00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:55.680
 he would say, Jacob, do you hear me?

00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:59.820
 Jacob, I want you to arise and I want you to go to Bethel.

00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:05.480
 Here's the main point I believe in the passage this morning is this,

00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:11.840
 is that God patiently and graciously refines his chosen people.

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:18.780
 God graciously and faithfully calls his chosen people

00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:24.980
 to a life of faithfulness and worship.

00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:28.000
 So I see the refining this morning.

00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:29.060
 If you like to take notes,

00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:32.820
 there's three ways that I see here that God refines his people

00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:34.399
 as we look at the text this morning.

00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:38.840
 God graciously and faithfully refines his chosen people.

00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:42.740
 And we see it in the life of Jacob here as we look.

00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:44.819
 Look with me in verse one again.

00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.639
 He says to Jacob,

00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:48.679
 Jacob, I want you to leave this place

00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:50.500
 that's characterized by worldliness,

00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.299
 that is Shechem.

00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:54.379
 And I want you to go to this place

00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:56.079
 that's characterized as my house,

00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.079
 the place where I met you before

00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.360
 and I will meet you again.

00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:07.240
 And I want you to make an altar there to me.

00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:10.820
 Isn't it interesting that how he says this?

00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:11.820
 Instead he said,

00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:13.540
 I want you to make an altar to me.

00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.180
 Look what he says.

00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.379
 I want you to make an altar to the God who appeared to you.

00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.379
 Do you remember him?

00:14:19.400 --> 00:14:21.139
 Jacob, do you remember that event?

00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:23.060
 Do you remember the God that appeared to you?

00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:25.000
 Do you remember the powerful moment?

00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.259
 Do you remember the blessing?

00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:28.700
 Hey, do you remember what you promised?

00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:34.020
 Do you remember that you anointed that pillar

00:14:34.020 --> 00:14:37.340
 with a promise?

00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.320
 We can see it.

00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:40.620
 Chapter 28, it says this.

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.800
 Behold, I am with you.

00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:50.520
 This is when he is in Bethel the first time,

00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.100
 when he's fleeing from Esau.

00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:55.240
 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.540
 and will bring you back to this land

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.120
 for I will not leave you

00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:01.759
 until I have done what I promised you.

00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:04.459
 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and he said,

00:15:04.599 --> 00:15:06.860
 Surely the Lord is in this place

00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.059
 and I did not know it.

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:11.179
 How awesome is this place?

00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.279
 There is none other.

00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:14.439
 This is none other than the house of God.

00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:19.020
 And then again, God graciously,

00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:22.180
 in 31, chapter 31,

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:30.679
 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream,

00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.359
 Jacob, and I said, here I am.

00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:37.219
 And he said, I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.

00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.660
 I am the God of Bethel,

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.500
 where you anointed a pillar

00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.519
 and you made a vow to me.

00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:46.180
 Now arise, go out from this land

00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:49.220
 and return to the land of your kindred.

00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.980
 Tell me why Jacob didn't go to Bethel.

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:56.379
 Tell me why Jacob ended up in Shechem.

00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:59.580
 It's as if in chapter 31,

00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.080
 God is saying, I want you to rise

00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.920
 and I want you to leave

00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:03.720
 and I want you to go back to this land

00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.700
 where your relatives are

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:06.520
 and I want you to go to Bethel,

00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.640
 the place where I am,

00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:11.379
 the place that you've called the house of God,

00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:13.560
 the place that I met you

00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:15.980
 and you powerfully made a vow to me.

00:16:17.640 --> 00:16:18.900
 And yet what does he do?

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.259
 He takes his family to Shechem.

00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:23.100
 How gracious is God

00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:25.400
 that God would allow all this stuff

00:16:25.400 --> 00:16:26.620
 to go on in his life,

00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.100
 all this disobedience.

00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:29.900
 We do see, right,

00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:31.800
 that his family is full of idolatry.

00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.800
 They've got idols.

00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:36.199
 They've got earrings in their ear

00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:39.719
 that in some way are part of worshiping another God.

00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.099
 Their family is a mess.

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.120
 And yet God says,

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.899
 Jacob, Jacob, I want you to go.

00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:51.240
 You know, I see three aspects of this call.

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.299
 He speaks to us.

00:16:54.479 --> 00:16:55.779
 God, point number one,

00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:57.159
 God refines in this way,

00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.919
 point number one.

00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:59.699
 He speaks to us

00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:01.740
 and calls us to faithfulness and worship.

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.759
 Have you heard it personally?

00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:07.819
 Have you heard the call of God in your life

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.859
 to walk faithfully

00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:11.620
 and to live a life of worship?

00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.599
 You know,

00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:15.180
 there's a chance that many of us,

00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.480
 if not all of us Christians,

00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:19.099
 have found ourselves at times in our life

00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:22.339
 in a place where we didn't hear God,

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.660
 we didn't sense God,

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:26.259
 we had sin that we'd allowed in our life,

00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:28.160
 we were in somewhat of a wreck

00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.220
 as far as our life.

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.240
 Have you been there?

00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.539
 Have you been to a place

00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:35.379
 where you feel far away from God?

00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:39.720
 How gracious is God to call us back?

00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:42.099
 You know, the phrase that I see

00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:43.220
 over and over in scriptures,

00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:45.160
 this phrase, return to me.

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.259
 He says it to his children,

00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.440
 return to me.

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.559
 What is he saying when he says,

00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.279
 return to me?

00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.379
 Turn away and leave.

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.859
 Turn your back on this worldly living,

00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:56.799
 this sinful living,

00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:59.379
 this reliance on self,

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:02.779
 this pursuit of your own selfish dreams.

00:18:03.199 --> 00:18:04.679
 Turn your back on that

00:18:04.679 --> 00:18:07.179
 and turn to me and come to me.

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:11.339
 His call for us as Christians

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:14.319
 is to live a faithful life of worship

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:17.240
 and that's what he's calling Jacob to.

00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.979
 He's saying to him,

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.740
 Jacob, return to me.

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:21.099
 Do you see him saying that?

00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:23.339
 He doesn't use these words in the text,

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:25.299
 but isn't that exactly what he's saying?

00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.299
 Arise, leave Shechem,

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.639
 come to Bethel.

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.639
 What is Bethel?

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.539
 It's a place where I met with you.

00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:33.199
 Return to me.

00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.919
 Live for me.

00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.259
 Establish an altar there.

00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:39.000
 Make an altar.

00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.699
 What is he saying?

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:41.000
 What does that mean symbolically

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.039
 to make an altar?

00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:43.419
 You know what an altar represents?

00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.799
 It represents worship.

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.399
 You know what he's calling him to?

00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:49.619
 He says, turn away from worldliness

00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:52.159
 and turn to me and worship me.

00:18:52.719 --> 00:18:53.919
 Come to me.

00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.939
 Walk in my ways.

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.000
 Worship me.

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.879
 And what does Jacob do?

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:04.739
 I want you to see three aspects of this call.

00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.579
 Number one is,

00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:07.439
 he has a decision to make, doesn't he?

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.859
 He has a decision to make.

00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:12.879
 When God calls us to faithfulness,

00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:14.319
 we have a decision to make.

00:19:14.719 --> 00:19:15.399
 Have you been there?

00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:19.080
 Maybe some of us are there this morning.

00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.320
 Maybe we're at a place

00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:22.440
 where God has revealed sin in our life.

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.820
 Maybe God's revealed to us

00:19:24.820 --> 00:19:26.780
 we're not in the middle of his will right now.

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:30.000
 We've wandered off to this place

00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.880
 that we've created on our own.

00:19:32.300 --> 00:19:34.140
 We're chasing something that's not of God,

00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.100
 that's all of us.

00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:37.519
 And we find ourselves there right now.

00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:39.600
 And I want you to hear the truth

00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:41.220
 of this passage to you and me

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:43.900
 is that God is calling us to faithfulness

00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:45.340
 and calling us to worship.

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.860
 Is your life right now,

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.960
 is my life right now

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.780
 defined by faithfulness and worship?

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.880
 We have a decision to make.

00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:58.700
 Are we going to turn away from sinful living

00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:00.980
 and are we going to turn and face

00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:02.360
 and walk to God and say,

00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:05.400
 God, I desire to give my life away

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:07.080
 in service of your kingdom.

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:10.080
 God, I desire to worship you

00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:12.120
 not only with my mouth as I say,

00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.040
 but with my heart.

00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:15.399
 I desire to give my life away

00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:18.879
 as a ransom for your kingdom,

00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:22.200
 to give my life away in service to your kingdom

00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.960
 so that you could use me for your glory.

00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:24.579
 Are we there?

00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:27.079
 What did Jacob do?

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.039
 How did he make this decision?

00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.379
 What decision did he make?

00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.159
 Here's what he did.

00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.200
 Verse two,

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.759
 so Jacob said to his household

00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.339
 and to all who were there with him,

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:39.099
 put away the foreign gods that are among you

00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:40.319
 and purify yourselves

00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.740
 and change your garments.

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.460
 What is he saying?

00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.079
 All of this stuff,

00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:46.839
 these idols,

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:49.480
 all anything that has anything to do

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.720
 with these other religions,

00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:52.440
 now is the time, family,

00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.240
 put it away.

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:56.700
 I want you to get rid of every single ounce of it.

00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.180
 Matter of fact,

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:59.259
 I want you to get rid of the clothing

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.740
 that's stained with the stuff.

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:03.339
 I want you to take your garments off

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:05.779
 and I want you to put fresh garments on

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.359
 as a way of saying,

00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.419
 God, we're now heading to you

00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:10.799
 to serve and honor you.

00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.779
 We don't want anything to do

00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:14.179
 with this worldly lifestyle

00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.179
 that we've been living.

00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.699
 And what did they do?

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:20.279
 This might have been,

00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.479
 at least in my estimation,

00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.959
 one of the first times

00:21:22.959 --> 00:21:24.679
 that Jacob actually stood up

00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.979
 and started to lead his family.

00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.879
 He's been so passive

00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.740
 and we saw that

00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.779
 when we saw his character

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:32.019
 years ago

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:33.299
 as we've read through Genesis

00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:35.299
 that he by nature is timid.

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:37.079
 He by nature wants to hang out

00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.099
 in the tent.

00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:40.680
 He is not a confrontational guy.

00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:43.579
 He's a subtle, slippery guy

00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.919
 who's willing to lie

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:46.379
 and trick, cheat, steal.

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:49.139
 But God's doing a work in his life.

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.799
 Do you see it?

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.619
 Do you see him stand up

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:51.779
 and say,

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.680
 all right, enough's enough.

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.000
 This is it.

00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.279
 I want you to give me

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.019
 every idol,

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.119
 every ring,

00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.759
 anything that has anything

00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.379
 to do with this worldly life

00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.799
 and these other gods.

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.539
 We're getting rid of him right now.

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.399
 What did the family do?

00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:04.799
 Yes, sir.

00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.759
 Yes, sir.

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.879
 And they brought him.

00:22:06.919 --> 00:22:07.339
 And what did he do?

00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.779
 He took every single one of them.

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.319
 He put it in a place of worldliness.

00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.559
 He dug a hole and said,

00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.059
 we're done.

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.039
 I'm burying it.

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.839
 This is it.

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.220
 He puts it in the hole

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.539
 and they all together do what?

00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:19.019
 They all head to Bethel.

00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.279
 And what did they do

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.119
 when they get to Bethel?

00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.879
 Keep reading with me.

00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.460
 He said to them,

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.220
 let us arise

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.379
 and let us go to Bethel

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:29.559
 so that I may make there

00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.759
 an altar to God

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.660
 who answers me

00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.500
 in the day of distress,

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.500
 who's been with me

00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.379
 wherever I've gone.

00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:36.160
 Boy, what a good memory.

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:39.019
 He must not have remembered it

00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.460
 in Shechem,

00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:39.920
 but boy,

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.119
 he remembers it now, right?

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:43.900
 God has graciously reminded him

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:46.839
 that I've been with you all along.

00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.720
 Have you not seen it?

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.779
 Christian, let me ask you,

00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.839
 do you believe,

00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.379
 do you recognize,

00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:53.420
 do you understand

00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.960
 that God will never leave you

00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.579
 or forsake you

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.079
 if you're his?

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:59.119
 And even when we run

00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.359
 headlong after sin,

00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:01.839
 even when we turn our back

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.240
 on what God's calling us to do

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.419
 and we go a different direction,

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.259
 you know what God does?

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:07.259
 He graciously

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:09.679
 and faithfully comes

00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:12.079
 and draws us back to him.

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.939
 That's what he does

00:23:13.939 --> 00:23:14.759
 for all his children.

00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.799
 Now, we might be kicking

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.339
 and screaming

00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:18.000
 and it might be very,

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:18.639
 very painful

00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:20.079
 because we don't want to honor,

00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:21.039
 we don't want to return

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.839
 for some reason,

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:25.139
 but he won't ever leave us

00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.939
 or forsake us.

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.159
 The graciousness of God

00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.539
 is he's refining us.

00:23:29.959 --> 00:23:30.959
 So you see

00:23:30.959 --> 00:23:33.059
 the second aspect.

00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.599
 Number one,

00:23:33.699 --> 00:23:35.059
 he's this aspect

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.919
 of this call of God

00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:38.119
 that says return to me

00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.419
 is one,

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.480
 we've got to make a decision.

00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.199
 Secondly,

00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.939
 we need to come clean.

00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:45.599
 His family came clean

00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:47.199
 and they buried all that stuff

00:23:47.199 --> 00:23:48.779
 and then thirdly,

00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.379
 do you see it?

00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:50.279
 What do we have to do

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.759
 in addition?

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:52.879
 We have to turn to him

00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.379
 with a life of worship.

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.819
 Is that what they did

00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.379
 as a family?

00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:00.319
 Yeah, so verse five,

00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.039
 read with me.

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.359
 And they journeyed,

00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.779
 as they journeyed,

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:05.059
 picture this,

00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.559
 they just left Shechem, right?

00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.019
 You remember

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.779
 what they did in Shechem?

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.980
 You remember what the sons did?

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.960
 They took a sword, right?

00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.900
 Or several swords.

00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:14.799
 They got,

00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.339
 they caused them all

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:16.759
 to be circumcised

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.859
 and what did they do

00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.200
 with the sword?

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.200
 They went and slaughtered them all.

00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.100
 Do you think that all the people

00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:22.080
 of the surrounding land

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.160
 are happy with them right now?

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:26.259
 Do you think that they want to say,

00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:26.680
 we need to,

00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.000
 man,

00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:28.900
 who knows where this dude's going next

00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.360
 and his family,

00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:31.080
 we need to take this dude down now.

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.059
 We need to go ahead

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.200
 and,

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:34.039
 and do you think he's afraid

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.559
 that'll happen?

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:34.819
 Sure,

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.799
 if we look in 34,

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.900
 Zach was afraid of.

00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.019
 And yet,

00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.400
 here we,

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:39.980
 here we go.

00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:41.259
 He finally turns

00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.440
 and he heads the direction

00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:44.440
 that God's called him to go

00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.980
 and look what God's doing.

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:48.500
 God's protecting him along the way.

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.259
 You know,

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.420
 there's a principle in scripture

00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:53.360
 that said that we're in God's hand

00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:56.200
 and there's not a single power on earth

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.460
 that can take us out of his hand.

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.100
 Do you think he's protecting us

00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.640
 as his children?

00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:01.120
 You better believe he is.

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.039
 And I see this protection

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.600
 in the life of Jacob

00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.220
 and his family.

00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.380
 As they turn

00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.180
 and started going

00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:07.880
 to the place

00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:09.299
 where God has called them to go,

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:11.119
 there's a protection

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:12.079
 that God gives them.

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.139
 As they journey,

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.359
 a terror of God

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.379
 fell on the cities

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.419
 that were around them

00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:18.059
 and they did not pursue

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:19.000
 the sons of Jacob.

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.599
 And as a result,

00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.059
 Jacob came to Bethel

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:24.559
 and there he did what?

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.379
 He built an altar.

00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:27.200
 You know what that altar represents?

00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:29.220
 I've said it before.

00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.259
 It represents worship.

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.759
 So these three aspects

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.639
 of this call,

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.559
 we need to make a decision

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.659
 we need to come clean

00:25:40.659 --> 00:25:42.799
 and we need to live our life

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.899
 in worship to God.

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.919
 And that's what he did.

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.259
 I want you to see

00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.500
 point number two.

00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:54.000
 So the three ways

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.899
 that God refines,

00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:58.859
 one is that he speaks to us

00:25:58.859 --> 00:26:00.319
 and calls us to faithfulness

00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.720
 and worship.

00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.440
 Number two,

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.899
 he gives us a new name

00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.819
 and blesses us.

00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.179
 Number two,

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.519
 he gives us a new name

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:08.019
 and blesses us.

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.900
 Where do I see that?

00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.740
 Verse nine.

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:12.160
 Look with me at verse nine.

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.839
 It says this,

00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.559
 God appeared to Jacob again

00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.740
 when he came from Paddan Aram

00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.680
 and blessed him

00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.660
 and God said to him,

00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:21.359
 your name is Jacob.

00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.619
 No longer.

00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.680
 Why did God do this

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.200
 a second time?

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.339
 Hadn't we already visited

00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.200
 this once before?

00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:30.099
 Hasn't God already met him

00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.940
 and already said,

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.019
 you're no longer Jacob,

00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.740
 your name's Israel?

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:35.559
 Why is he having to do it again?

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.680
 Let me just say,

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.120
 he wasn't living like Israel,

00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:38.460
 was he?

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:41.120
 He was living an awful lot

00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.779
 like Jacob.

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:44.059
 It's as if God has to remind him,

00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.440
 graciously remind him again.

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.079
 Jacob,

00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.960
 do you remember?

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.539
 Your name is Israel.

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:50.019
 You're not Jacob.

00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.579
 You're not the cheater anymore.

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.799
 You're the one

00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.140
 that wrestles with God

00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.500
 and you desire a blessing.

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:59.099
 So he shares this with him again

00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:03.359
 as a way to draw him to himself.

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.539
 Your name is Jacob.

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:07.519
 No longer shall you become,

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.180
 excuse me,

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:10.359
 your name is now Israel.

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:14.180
 So he called his name Israel

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.160
 and God said to him,

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.460
 I am God Almighty.

00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:18.420
 Be fruitful and multiply.

00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:20.839
 A nation and a company of nations

00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.740
 shall come from you.

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.559
 What do you hear here?

00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.299
 As we read this,

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:27.059
 a nation shall come from you.

00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:27.680
 Verse 12,

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.659
 the land,

00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.200
 I will give it to you.

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.980
 Does that ring in your ears

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.059
 if it was a promise

00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:37.339
 that was promised to Abraham

00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:39.519
 and then a promise

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.720
 that was promised to Isaac

00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.639
 and now here it is,

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:44.220
 a promise that's also given to Jacob?

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:48.000
 Do you see this truth

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:50.519
 that God always follows through

00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.919
 on his promises always

00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:54.379
 and God is promising him

00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.700
 this covenant promise

00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:57.940
 has been extended to Jacob

00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:59.580
 that I'm going to bless you

00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:01.340
 and I'm going to multiply your seed?

00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:03.280
 You're going to have so many kids

00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:04.300
 that if you were to look up

00:28:04.300 --> 00:28:05.440
 and try to count all the stars,

00:28:05.560 --> 00:28:06.720
 you'll not be able to number them?

00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:13.260
 The blessings of God

00:28:13.260 --> 00:28:14.820
 are going to pour upon you

00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:16.520
 in ways you can't imagine.

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:18.920
 There are kings in your loins.

00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:21.200
 Your children will be,

00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:23.099
 some of your children will be kings

00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.139
 that will be on the throne.

00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:27.160
 Who is he talking about ultimately?

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.839
 Let's just take a step aside

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.960
 from the story for a second

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.059
 and let's just look at the truth

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.339
 that's being pointed to here.

00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:34.240
 Do you see the truth?

00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.319
 It's Jesus.

00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:40.700
 Out of you is going to come a son

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:42.519
 who's going to be seated on the throne,

00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.119
 the throne,

00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:45.119
 that is the throne of God Almighty,

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.660
 the throne of heaven

00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:49.799
 and it's through that son

00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.379
 that the world is going to be blessed

00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.579
 and through that son

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:54.039
 there's going to be so many children

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.319
 you can't even count.

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.920
 Was Jesus married?

00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.160
 You know Jesus didn't marry?

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:03.700
 How is it then that Jesus can have sons?

00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:05.720
 How is it that Jesus can have offspring?

00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.339
 He has offspring

00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.980
 because it's talking about

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.720
 the spiritual children

00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.720
 that would be born

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.620
 because of their faith in Jesus

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.420
 as the Messiah.

00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:17.759
 You know that is me

00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.480
 and for all of us

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.200
 who are in the kingdom

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.480
 or Christians in this room,

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.920
 it's you,

00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:24.480
 that we're spiritual descendants of Jesus.

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.799
 Apart from Jesus,

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.920
 we're not sons of God.

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:30.279
 That's what he was ultimately talking about,

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:32.860
 this blessing that he says,

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:34.220
 I'm going to give you a new name.

00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.000
 You're going to be different.

00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.839
 Let me ask this question.

00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:39.039
 Is that true for you?

00:29:39.139 --> 00:29:40.319
 Have you been given a new name?

00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:43.740
 Do you act different?

00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.619
 You know all of us as Christians

00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:51.139
 have been given a new name,

00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.500
 haven't we?

00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:55.159
 It's a defining name

00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:58.919
 and it has a life-offering change

00:29:58.919 --> 00:30:00.859
 that takes place in our life.

00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.000
 What is a new name?

00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:02.759
 Christian.

00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:05.359
 And you'll know they're Christians

00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:06.559
 by their love,

00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.539
 by their love.

00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:09.419
 You'll know they're Christians

00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:09.919
 by their love.

00:30:09.959 --> 00:30:10.779
 You know what God does?

00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:13.299
 He takes the heart of stone,

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:16.339
 this heart that's focused on self,

00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:19.480
 that wants to satisfy self,

00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.579
 and you know what he does?

00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.259
 He takes it,

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.779
 in a sense,

00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.579
 he takes it out

00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.740
 and he puts in a new heart.

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.019
 And you know what that new heart is?

00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.799
 That new heart is a heart of love.

00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.559
 It's a heart of flesh

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.899
 as we see it in the Old Testament.

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.679
 He changes our heart.

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:33.980
 He creates in us a new heart.

00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:35.940
 And that new heart desires what?

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.019
 The honor of God.

00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:39.920
 The new heart desires to worship God

00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:41.160
 and serve God.

00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.840
 That's the effect

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:46.240
 of what God does

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:49.960
 in the lives of his chosen people.

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:53.720
 He did this to Jacob.

00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:55.200
 Isn't it amazing

00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.120
 how long it takes

00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:56.700
 for this thing

00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:59.220
 to seat itself in his heart?

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.120
 Do you see that Jacob

00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.840
 keeps returning

00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:02.880
 to this sinful life?

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.319
 It's like,

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.380
 Jacob, come on, man.

00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.940
 Look what you've seen.

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:07.180
 Look at the blessings

00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.700
 you've been given.

00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:08.779
 How is it you still

00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.920
 live in this way, man?

00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.880
 Why don't you live for God

00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.559
 and serve him?

00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.019
 But you know,

00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.680
 the question's true

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.380
 for you and me too.

00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:17.580
 Are we Christian

00:31:17.580 --> 00:31:18.320
 at a place

00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:19.320
 where we genuinely

00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:20.360
 have given our life

00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:20.940
 over to God

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.780
 for his kingdom

00:31:21.780 --> 00:31:22.300
 and his glory?

00:31:22.580 --> 00:31:22.820
 You know,

00:31:22.860 --> 00:31:23.560
 that's what the word of God

00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:24.400
 calls us to, right?

00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.500
 Seek ye first

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.140
 his kingdom

00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.140
 and his righteousness

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:30.440
 is the call

00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.520
 to every Christian.

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.360
 Live for God.

00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:35.240
 Give your life away

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:38.740
 as a sacrifice.

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.060
 You know,

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.319
 this is not new

00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:44.799
 to scripture.

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.359
 It's not like

00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.240
 this is the only place.

00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:49.579
 Listen at what Moses said

00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.599
 to the people

00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.619
 before he departed

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.359
 as they are,

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:55.059
 in the book of Deuteronomy

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.819
 says this.

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.740
 He's speaking

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.539
 to the Israelites,

00:31:58.679 --> 00:31:59.119
 the nation.

00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.039
 And he says this

00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.700
 to the nation

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:03.440
 before he departs

00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:03.839
 from them,

00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:04.559
 before he dies.

00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.480
 And if you faithfully

00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.279
 obey the voice

00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.700
 of the Lord your God

00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.379
 being careful

00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.539
 to do all his commandments

00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.639
 I command you today,

00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:13.039
 the Lord your God

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:14.299
 will set you high

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.319
 above all the nations

00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:15.980
 of the earth.

00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.799
 And all these blessings

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.019
 shall come upon you

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.000
 and overtake you

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:21.039
 if you obey

00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:22.019
 the voice

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.259
 of the Lord your God.

00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.460
 You know,

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.639
 when we decide

00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:28.000
 to turn away

00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.720
 from worldliness

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.680
 and we decide

00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:31.259
 to live a life

00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:31.720
 of worship,

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.440
 you know what comes

00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:32.819
 with that?

00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.579
 It's this incredible blessing.

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.440
 You know,

00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:36.819
 and that's not

00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.519
 the only place.

00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.159
 Deuteronomy 30,

00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.159
 he says it again.

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.839
 Listen to this.

00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:43.019
 The Lord will again

00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.839
 take delight

00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:45.220
 in prospering you

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:46.519
 as he took delight

00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.379
 in your fathers

00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.000
 when,

00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:49.339
 I emphasize the word

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.679
 when,

00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:51.439
 when you obey

00:32:51.439 --> 00:32:52.179
 the voice

00:32:52.179 --> 00:32:53.199
 of the Lord your God

00:32:53.199 --> 00:32:54.500
 to keep his commandments

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:56.019
 and his statutes

00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.679
 that are written

00:32:56.679 --> 00:32:57.740
 in the book of the law.

00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.779
 When you turn

00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.839
 to the Lord your God

00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.919
 with all your heart

00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:02.720
 and with all your soul.

00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.859
 You know what the result

00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:06.199
 of a worship-filled life is?

00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:08.519
 It's abundant blessing.

00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:11.539
 It's joy

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:13.019
 that you can't imagine.

00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.960
 It's peace

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.539
 that passes

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.660
 all understanding.

00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:18.359
 It's the rest

00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.900
 that your soul desires.

00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.019
 It's intimate communion

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.720
 and fellowship

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.720
 with God himself.

00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:30.559
 There's a beautiful verse.

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:33.240
 I don't have time

00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:34.839
 to share the context,

00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.440
 but I want you

00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:37.220
 to hear this powerful truth

00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:39.220
 out of 2 Chronicles.

00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.019
 It says this

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.539
 in terms of

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.680
 those who

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:46.039
 are walking

00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.400
 toward the place

00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.420
 that God has called

00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.299
 them to go.

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.019
 God says this,

00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.740
 for the eyes

00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.279
 of the Lord

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.240
 run to and fro

00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.460
 throughout the whole earth

00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.799
 to give strong support

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.839
 to those

00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.600
 whose heart

00:33:57.600 --> 00:33:58.779
 is blameless

00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.700
 toward him.

00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.120
 Boy,

00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:02.000
 don't I want

00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.559
 the Lord

00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:04.200
 to strongly support me

00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.319
 as I seek

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.240
 after him.

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.599
 It doesn't mean

00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:07.000
 our life

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.900
 doesn't have difficulty.

00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:11.860
 Again,

00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.039
 three ways

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.480
 that God

00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.039
 refines.

00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:14.679
 Number one,

00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.659
 he speaks to us

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.300
 and calls us

00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.119
 to faithfulness

00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.519
 and worship.

00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.280
 Number two,

00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.280
 he gives us

00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:19.960
 a new name

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.960
 and he blesses us.

00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.139
 And number three,

00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:23.019
 God uses

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.260
 the broken world,

00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.440
 this broken world

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.199
 as a means

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.679
 of training

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.179
 his people.

00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:29.219
 God uses

00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:31.340
 this broken world

00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:33.019
 as a means

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.920
 of training

00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.440
 his people.

00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:37.000
 Do you notice

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.320
 here

00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:39.300
 in 35

00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:41.180
 that there's

00:34:41.180 --> 00:34:41.980
 some difficulty?

00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.519
 So we see

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:47.000
 in 16 and following,

00:34:47.120 --> 00:34:48.360
 we see Rachel's death.

00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.220
 She dies

00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:50.120
 in childbirth.

00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:52.059
 As she is giving birth

00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.720
 to Benjamin,

00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.559
 a son,

00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.120
 that labors

00:34:55.120 --> 00:34:55.840
 very hard

00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.760
 and she doesn't make it.

00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.400
 she dies

00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.700
 and the great sadness

00:34:58.700 --> 00:35:00.360
 that certainly

00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.800
 envelops Jacob

00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:02.620
 is real.

00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:04.240
 He sets up

00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:05.100
 a memorial

00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:05.640
 for her.

00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:06.600
 He puts stones

00:35:06.600 --> 00:35:07.620
 over her grave

00:35:07.620 --> 00:35:08.180
 so that

00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:10.120
 no one will forget

00:35:10.120 --> 00:35:12.100
 this is the woman

00:35:12.100 --> 00:35:13.420
 that he deeply loved

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.100
 and the wound

00:35:14.100 --> 00:35:14.620
 is deep.

00:35:16.060 --> 00:35:17.080
 So there's still

00:35:17.080 --> 00:35:18.200
 loss for the Christian

00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:19.120
 that goes

00:35:19.120 --> 00:35:19.700
 a direction

00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.120
 that God

00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:21.320
 calls him to go.

00:35:22.060 --> 00:35:22.940
 Jacob turned,

00:35:23.080 --> 00:35:24.140
 he put away

00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:24.680
 the idols,

00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.340
 he turned

00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:25.900
 and he went

00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:26.420
 toward God

00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.280
 and he established

00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:28.099
 an altar

00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.579
 and he began

00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:29.220
 to worship

00:35:29.220 --> 00:35:30.180
 and the statement

00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:30.480
 was,

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:30.720
 God,

00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:31.440
 no longer

00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:31.800
 do we want

00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.440
 to live that way.

00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:33.240
 We want to live

00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:33.760
 for you

00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:34.480
 from now on

00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:35.240
 and what happens?

00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:35.920
 Death

00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:38.740
 and sadness

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:40.960
 and difficulty

00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:42.960
 and tragedy.

00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:45.159
 Do you know

00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.780
 that Christians

00:35:45.780 --> 00:35:46.920
 are not delivered

00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.700
 from that stuff?

00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.019
 Do you know

00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:50.800
 it's still real

00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.619
 for all of us

00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:52.700
 even if we're

00:35:52.700 --> 00:35:53.860
 following God,

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.300
 even if we're

00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.840
 faithfully worshiping

00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.900
 with all of our

00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.320
 heart and all

00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:58.800
 of our life,

00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.160
 you know what

00:35:59.160 --> 00:35:59.560
 happens?

00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:00.780
 Death,

00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.240
 tragedy,

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.600
 and difficulty,

00:36:04.100 --> 00:36:04.960
 and circumstances,

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.120
 and pain.

00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:08.660
 We're not

00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:09.680
 delivered from that.

00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.940
 It is interesting

00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:13.519
 how God chooses

00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:15.320
 in his providence

00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:17.100
 to use these things

00:36:17.100 --> 00:36:18.900
 to change us,

00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:20.760
 to refine us,

00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:23.780
 to make us

00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.620
 into the image

00:36:24.620 --> 00:36:25.040
 of Christ.

00:36:25.120 --> 00:36:25.320
 Do you know

00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:26.020
 even Christ

00:36:26.020 --> 00:36:27.600
 wasn't delivered

00:36:27.600 --> 00:36:28.080
 from that?

00:36:29.540 --> 00:36:29.900
 Do you know

00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:30.500
 that Christ

00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.520
 suffered much

00:36:31.520 --> 00:36:33.080
 even though

00:36:33.080 --> 00:36:33.760
 he never

00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:34.880
 even sinned?

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.120
 Even though

00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:36.500
 he was doing

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.360
 exactly what

00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:38.020
 God called him

00:36:38.020 --> 00:36:38.400
 to do?

00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:40.300
 He suffered

00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:41.340
 much,

00:36:42.200 --> 00:36:42.920
 was crucified

00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.840
 on a cross.

00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:45.120
 The word of God

00:36:45.120 --> 00:36:45.960
 says as he was

00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:46.300
 young,

00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.580
 he learned

00:36:47.580 --> 00:36:48.200
 obedience

00:36:48.200 --> 00:36:49.260
 through the things

00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:50.020
 that he suffered.

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.420
 You know

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:52.800
 what the book

00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.640
 of James says?

00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:54.880
 I bet many

00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.320
 of you can

00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:55.780
 quote it.

00:36:56.580 --> 00:36:57.060
 It's just

00:36:57.060 --> 00:36:57.840
 a powerful,

00:36:58.580 --> 00:37:00.160
 difficult passage

00:37:00.160 --> 00:37:01.000
 for us to step

00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.340
 into,

00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:01.880
 but here's what

00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:02.440
 it says in

00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:02.700
 James.

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.660
 Count it all

00:37:03.660 --> 00:37:04.020
 joy,

00:37:04.100 --> 00:37:04.640
 my brothers,

00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:05.960
 when you meet

00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:07.840
 various kinds

00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:08.620
 of trials.

00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:10.420
 If you know

00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.640
 that the testing

00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.420
 of your faith

00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:13.840
 produces steadfastness,

00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:14.360
 let me stop.

00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:16.460
 The testing

00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.500
 of your faith.

00:37:17.600 --> 00:37:17.920
 Christian,

00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:19.320
 you know

00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:19.840
 that faith

00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.380
 that is not

00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.079
 tested is not

00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.500
 faith?

00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.780
 It's just

00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:23.440
 a concept.

00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:28.680
 And God

00:37:28.680 --> 00:37:29.900
 chooses to use

00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:30.800
 the circumstances

00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.480
 of life

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.340
 to test

00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:33.059
 that faith

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.559
 and to refine

00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.380
 that faith

00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:37.260
 and to help

00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.019
 us to see

00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:39.059
 our own sin

00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:40.340
 and to turn

00:37:40.340 --> 00:37:41.240
 away from sin

00:37:41.240 --> 00:37:42.360
 and to help

00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:42.940
 us see our

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.860
 own idolatry

00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:44.659
 and to take

00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.119
 the idols

00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:45.820
 and bury them

00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.220
 in the ground

00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:46.500
 and say,

00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:47.219
 no more,

00:37:47.299 --> 00:37:47.599
 I'm going

00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:48.000
 this way.

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:50.719
 It's these

00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.539
 difficulties

00:37:51.539 --> 00:37:52.079
 in life,

00:37:52.139 --> 00:37:52.859
 these trials

00:37:52.859 --> 00:37:53.339
 that God

00:37:53.339 --> 00:37:55.000
 uses to refine

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.959
 us into the

00:37:55.959 --> 00:37:57.099
 image of Jesus,

00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:59.079
 into the character

00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.739
 of Jesus.

00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:01.659
 It goes on to say,

00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:03.639
 and let steadfastness

00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:05.859
 have its full effect

00:38:05.859 --> 00:38:06.919
 that you may be

00:38:06.919 --> 00:38:08.119
 perfect and complete,

00:38:08.319 --> 00:38:09.139
 lacking in nothing.

00:38:09.659 --> 00:38:11.079
 There's a maturity

00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:12.519
 that has taken place

00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.939
 through the difficulties

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.780
 of this life

00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:16.079
 and God's doing it.

00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:18.340
 And He's doing it

00:38:18.340 --> 00:38:19.300
 for our sake

00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:20.579
 that we might

00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.599
 enjoy Him.

00:38:21.659 --> 00:38:22.200
 You know how we

00:38:22.200 --> 00:38:22.820
 enjoy God?

00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:24.840
 It's when we begin

00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:26.039
 to feast on Him,

00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.639
 when we begin

00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:28.500
 to be absorbed

00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.639
 and totally

00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:30.619
 focused on Him,

00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:31.599
 when we surrender

00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.659
 our whole life

00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:33.880
 and yield ourselves

00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:34.300
 to God.

00:38:34.340 --> 00:38:34.679
 You know what

00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:35.480
 the result is?

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.940
 It's joy

00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.840
 that you can't

00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:39.400
 contain.

00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.740
 And don't take

00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:43.559
 my word for it.

00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:44.179
 We can turn

00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:44.919
 to John 15.

00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.279
 You remember

00:38:45.279 --> 00:38:46.039
 what John 15

00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.379
 is about?

00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:46.859
 It's about

00:38:46.859 --> 00:38:47.699
 the vine and the branches.

00:38:47.819 --> 00:38:48.059
 He said,

00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:48.579
 here's what I want

00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:48.879
 you to do.

00:38:48.939 --> 00:38:49.759
 I want you to abide

00:38:49.759 --> 00:38:49.979
 in me.

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.439
 Matter of fact,

00:38:50.479 --> 00:38:51.199
 I command it.

00:38:51.759 --> 00:38:52.539
 Abide in me.

00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:54.000
 He says,

00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:54.679
 apart from me,

00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.599
 you can do nothing,

00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.419
 meaning that there's

00:38:56.419 --> 00:38:57.599
 no spiritual benefit

00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:59.879
 of any at all

00:38:59.879 --> 00:39:00.979
 unless you abide

00:39:00.979 --> 00:39:01.319
 in me.

00:39:01.419 --> 00:39:02.139
 Because it's not

00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:03.179
 what you do for me,

00:39:03.219 --> 00:39:03.919
 it's what I do

00:39:03.919 --> 00:39:04.979
 in and through you.

00:39:05.819 --> 00:39:06.579
 And when I do

00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:07.039
 these things

00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.919
 in and through you,

00:39:07.959 --> 00:39:08.879
 when you abide in me,

00:39:08.939 --> 00:39:09.199
 you know what

00:39:09.199 --> 00:39:09.779
 the result is?

00:39:09.819 --> 00:39:10.919
 Verse 11 is the result.

00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:12.539
 John 15, 11,

00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.099
 you know what it says?

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:14.300
 These things I've told you.

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:14.559
 Why?

00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:16.559
 So that you might have joy

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:18.420
 and have it to the full.

00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:21.239
 Overflowing joy.

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.420
 You know where it comes from?

00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:22.900
 Abiding.

00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:24.880
 You know where it comes from?

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:25.380
 Worship.

00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:27.699
 This life of worship

00:39:27.699 --> 00:39:29.980
 is where it comes from.

00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:41.579
 God chooses by His own providence

00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:42.960
 to use this broken world

00:39:42.960 --> 00:39:43.860
 as a means

00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:46.219
 to refine His people.

00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.059
 Do you see

00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:49.900
 how gracious God is

00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:51.599
 to love us enough

00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:53.099
 to put us through

00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:54.460
 trials and circumstances

00:39:54.460 --> 00:39:56.579
 so that we would be changed

00:39:56.579 --> 00:39:57.679
 into the image of Christ

00:39:57.679 --> 00:39:58.619
 and we would be able

00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:59.559
 to enjoy Him.

00:40:00.119 --> 00:40:01.319
 And He would do this work

00:40:01.319 --> 00:40:02.179
 in our character

00:40:02.179 --> 00:40:03.679
 to refine us

00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:04.639
 so that we look

00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:05.799
 a lot like Jesus.

00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.900
 We'll never look

00:40:06.900 --> 00:40:07.859
 exactly like Jesus.

00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:09.440
 We've had sin in our life

00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:10.099
 but you know what He's doing?

00:40:10.339 --> 00:40:11.159
 He's causing

00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:12.739
 the Holy Spirit

00:40:12.739 --> 00:40:13.380
 within us

00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:14.279
 to shine forth

00:40:14.279 --> 00:40:15.079
 in such a way

00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:15.920
 when people see us

00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:16.259
 it's like

00:40:16.259 --> 00:40:17.299
 something's different

00:40:17.299 --> 00:40:18.039
 about that guy.

00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:19.480
 What in the world

00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.480
 is so different?

00:40:20.719 --> 00:40:21.920
 They can't get over

00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:22.359
 the fact

00:40:22.359 --> 00:40:23.019
 there's something

00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:24.119
 uniquely different

00:40:24.119 --> 00:40:25.480
 about this guy.

00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:27.039
 I see a guy

00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:28.280
 who doesn't slap me

00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:29.099
 when I slap him.

00:40:29.179 --> 00:40:29.820
 I see a guy

00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:30.860
 who doesn't retaliate.

00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:31.880
 I see a guy

00:40:31.880 --> 00:40:32.639
 who loves

00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.699
 even when he's hurt.

00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:35.219
 Wait a minute.

00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:36.539
 People don't do that.

00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:38.659
 You know what's true

00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:39.539
 for you and me too?

00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:41.380
 In and of our own self

00:40:41.380 --> 00:40:42.360
 we would never love

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.980
 in such a way

00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:43.860
 but when the Holy Spirit

00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:44.619
 is free to live

00:40:44.619 --> 00:40:45.320
 His life through us

00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.139
 you know what it looks like?

00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:47.139
 It looks like love,

00:40:47.260 --> 00:40:47.800
 joy, peace,

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:48.199
 patience,

00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:48.639
 gentleness,

00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:49.139
 kindness.

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.659
 It looks like

00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:51.480
 the fruit of the Spirit

00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:52.480
 and the Holy Spirit

00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.679
 is free to bless people

00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:54.559
 through our lives

00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.820
 when we will quit

00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:57.000
 chasing our own

00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:59.099
 idolatrous sinful things

00:40:59.099 --> 00:40:59.759
 and begin to say

00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:00.659
 God I'm yours

00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:01.539
 to do with

00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:02.679
 whatever you want

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.759
 for the sake of your kingdom.

00:41:05.400 --> 00:41:06.980
 And that's what's going on here.

00:41:07.099 --> 00:41:08.299
 God is refining him.

00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:10.159
 But let me make this distinction.

00:41:10.380 --> 00:41:11.259
 So I haven't talked

00:41:11.259 --> 00:41:12.139
 about Esau at all

00:41:12.139 --> 00:41:12.940
 but you see

00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:15.500
 as we step into chapter 36

00:41:15.500 --> 00:41:18.279
 we see at the end of 35

00:41:18.279 --> 00:41:19.119
 and then 36

00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:20.799
 it talks about

00:41:20.799 --> 00:41:22.159
 the blessings to Esau.

00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:23.440
 But let me just say this.

00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:27.079
 God's special grace

00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:28.960
 and covenant promises

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.440
 are not given to all people.

00:41:30.519 --> 00:41:31.139
 Let me say it again.

00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:34.920
 God's special grace

00:41:34.920 --> 00:41:36.079
 and covenant promises

00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:38.159
 are not given to all people.

00:41:39.820 --> 00:41:40.539
 Do you notice that

00:41:40.539 --> 00:41:41.539
 God's work of grace

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:42.760
 is uniquely different

00:41:42.760 --> 00:41:43.519
 towards Jacob

00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:44.440
 compared to Esau?

00:41:46.079 --> 00:41:47.159
 Have y'all seen that

00:41:47.159 --> 00:41:47.780
 as y'all have read?

00:41:47.780 --> 00:41:53.900
 God's work of grace

00:41:53.900 --> 00:41:56.000
 is uniquely different

00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:58.100
 in the life of Jacob

00:41:58.100 --> 00:41:59.160
 than it is in Esau.

00:41:59.560 --> 00:42:00.640
 Look at Esau.

00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:02.440
 Did y'all read it

00:42:02.440 --> 00:42:04.120
 while I was praying maybe?

00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.519
 The rest of them?

00:42:07.420 --> 00:42:08.900
 I don't know if y'all read it

00:42:08.900 --> 00:42:10.640
 before we met today

00:42:10.640 --> 00:42:12.180
 but if you start reading all this

00:42:12.180 --> 00:42:13.000
 you know what you're going to see?

00:42:13.060 --> 00:42:13.480
 You're going to see

00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:15.140
 name after name after name

00:42:15.139 --> 00:42:16.159
 after name after name

00:42:16.159 --> 00:42:16.639
 after name.

00:42:17.219 --> 00:42:18.679
 It sounds like Esau

00:42:18.679 --> 00:42:19.819
 has been incredibly blessed

00:42:19.819 --> 00:42:20.339
 doesn't he?

00:42:20.339 --> 00:42:20.719
 You know what?

00:42:20.819 --> 00:42:21.199
 He has.

00:42:22.779 --> 00:42:24.199
 Isn't this a promise to Abraham

00:42:24.199 --> 00:42:25.059
 that your offspring

00:42:25.059 --> 00:42:25.980
 are going to be blessed?

00:42:28.319 --> 00:42:30.319
 And so God's common grace

00:42:30.319 --> 00:42:31.400
 has been abundantly

00:42:31.400 --> 00:42:32.819
 poured upon Esau

00:42:32.819 --> 00:42:34.219
 and what do you see?

00:42:34.339 --> 00:42:35.440
 What does that common grace

00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:35.960
 look like?

00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:36.199
 Well,

00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:38.059
 in this case

00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:38.779
 for Esau

00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:41.500
 he's so wealthy

00:42:41.500 --> 00:42:44.160
 he's got so many herds

00:42:44.160 --> 00:42:45.600
 that he can't even stay

00:42:45.600 --> 00:42:47.160
 in the same land as Jacob.

00:42:47.380 --> 00:42:48.340
 Both of them have been

00:42:48.340 --> 00:42:49.340
 tremendously blessed

00:42:49.340 --> 00:42:50.040
 with possessions.

00:42:50.840 --> 00:42:53.000
 And now he migrates to Seir

00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:54.620
 so God gives him a place

00:42:54.620 --> 00:42:55.860
 to call home.

00:42:57.320 --> 00:42:58.960
 You see children,

00:42:59.220 --> 00:43:00.260
 you see property,

00:43:00.420 --> 00:43:01.400
 you see possessions

00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:02.860
 but you know what you don't see

00:43:02.860 --> 00:43:03.760
 in the life of Esau?

00:43:04.100 --> 00:43:04.900
 The call of God.

00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:09.019
 Never do you see Esau

00:43:09.019 --> 00:43:11.280
 receive this draw,

00:43:11.500 --> 00:43:12.740
 this touch on his life

00:43:12.740 --> 00:43:13.220
 and his heart.

00:43:13.599 --> 00:43:14.680
 Never do you see

00:43:14.680 --> 00:43:15.880
 in Esau

00:43:15.880 --> 00:43:17.420
 this calling out of sin

00:43:17.420 --> 00:43:18.880
 and remorse.

00:43:19.200 --> 00:43:20.079
 You don't even see

00:43:20.079 --> 00:43:20.619
 he's interested

00:43:20.619 --> 00:43:21.599
 in spiritual things.

00:43:21.660 --> 00:43:22.280
 Have you noticed?

00:43:22.900 --> 00:43:24.180
 He never was interested

00:43:24.180 --> 00:43:25.180
 in spiritual things.

00:43:25.660 --> 00:43:27.139
 He gave away his birthright

00:43:27.139 --> 00:43:28.940
 which is a spiritual place

00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:29.700
 that he found himself

00:43:29.700 --> 00:43:30.660
 because he was first born.

00:43:31.180 --> 00:43:32.380
 He's never been interested.

00:43:32.380 --> 00:43:35.599
 He's only wanted things.

00:43:36.780 --> 00:43:37.280
 You know,

00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:38.200
 when he didn't receive

00:43:38.200 --> 00:43:39.539
 the blessing from his father,

00:43:39.680 --> 00:43:40.019
 Isaac,

00:43:40.180 --> 00:43:41.360
 what was his beef?

00:43:41.880 --> 00:43:42.180
 He said,

00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:42.500
 no,

00:43:43.099 --> 00:43:44.800
 don't you have something for me?

00:43:44.900 --> 00:43:46.220
 I want all the goods.

00:43:47.539 --> 00:43:47.740
 I mean,

00:43:47.760 --> 00:43:48.640
 you've got so much,

00:43:48.700 --> 00:43:49.760
 I want it all.

00:43:50.700 --> 00:43:51.099
 You know what,

00:43:51.119 --> 00:43:51.579
 did he get it?

00:43:51.640 --> 00:43:52.440
 He ended up getting it,

00:43:52.519 --> 00:43:52.780
 didn't he?

00:43:53.280 --> 00:43:53.700
 Why?

00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:54.900
 Because Jacob went

00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:55.700
 to another land.

00:43:55.780 --> 00:43:57.400
 He couldn't even keep it up.

00:43:57.400 --> 00:44:01.660
 The grace of God

00:44:01.660 --> 00:44:02.420
 is different

00:44:02.420 --> 00:44:03.680
 in the life of Jacob.

00:44:03.800 --> 00:44:04.340
 What is it?

00:44:04.780 --> 00:44:04.960
 Hey,

00:44:04.980 --> 00:44:05.300
 Jacob,

00:44:05.740 --> 00:44:06.440
 you're mine.

00:44:13.700 --> 00:44:15.160
 Has God said that to you?

00:44:17.099 --> 00:44:18.099
 Let me just say

00:44:18.099 --> 00:44:19.440
 that there might be some here

00:44:19.440 --> 00:44:21.079
 that are not a Christian.

00:44:22.700 --> 00:44:23.579
 And I get it.

00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:24.180
 There's a time

00:44:24.180 --> 00:44:25.220
 up until I was 22

00:44:25.220 --> 00:44:26.180
 I wasn't a Christian either.

00:44:26.179 --> 00:44:28.739
 and I didn't even understand.

00:44:30.879 --> 00:44:32.179
 But my question to you

00:44:32.179 --> 00:44:33.039
 if you're not a Christian,

00:44:33.179 --> 00:44:34.460
 have you heard the call of God?

00:44:35.139 --> 00:44:35.980
 Have you heard him say,

00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:37.039
 I want you to come

00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:37.899
 and follow me?

00:44:41.019 --> 00:44:41.519
 You know,

00:44:41.579 --> 00:44:42.539
 there's an invitation

00:44:42.539 --> 00:44:43.960
 to anyone today

00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:44.980
 who's not in the kingdom.

00:44:45.199 --> 00:44:46.419
 God would say to you,

00:44:46.519 --> 00:44:46.719
 come,

00:44:47.460 --> 00:44:48.099
 follow me.

00:44:48.919 --> 00:44:50.219
 And you know what I'll do?

00:44:50.299 --> 00:44:51.419
 If you'll follow me,

00:44:51.419 --> 00:44:52.799
 I will change your heart.

00:44:53.859 --> 00:44:55.619
 I will protect you

00:44:55.619 --> 00:44:57.359
 I will give you

00:44:57.359 --> 00:44:58.619
 a whole new life.

00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:00.799
 I will do a work

00:45:00.799 --> 00:45:01.500
 in your heart

00:45:01.500 --> 00:45:02.980
 you can't even imagine.

00:45:04.339 --> 00:45:05.980
 And you will be mine.

00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:08.619
 And you will be with me

00:45:08.619 --> 00:45:10.079
 one day where I am.

00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:11.219
 Now,

00:45:11.259 --> 00:45:12.059
 how is that possible?

00:45:12.179 --> 00:45:12.900
 You know how it's possible?

00:45:12.960 --> 00:45:14.159
 We talked earlier about Jesus.

00:45:14.359 --> 00:45:14.599
 You know,

00:45:14.699 --> 00:45:15.420
 all of this,

00:45:15.779 --> 00:45:16.940
 all of these promises,

00:45:17.519 --> 00:45:18.579
 these covenant promises

00:45:18.579 --> 00:45:19.079
 of God

00:45:19.079 --> 00:45:19.579
 that he's given

00:45:19.579 --> 00:45:20.079
 to Abraham,

00:45:20.339 --> 00:45:20.599
 Isaac,

00:45:20.599 --> 00:45:21.079
 and Jacob.

00:45:21.079 --> 00:45:23.099
 You know what

00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:24.059
 they were all pointing to?

00:45:24.259 --> 00:45:24.559
 Jesus.

00:45:25.460 --> 00:45:26.719
 They were all pointing

00:45:26.719 --> 00:45:27.519
 to a Messiah.

00:45:27.639 --> 00:45:28.519
 They were all pointing

00:45:28.519 --> 00:45:29.360
 to one who would

00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:30.679
 live in our place

00:45:30.679 --> 00:45:31.639
 and die in our place.

00:45:31.699 --> 00:45:31.900
 You know,

00:45:31.980 --> 00:45:32.759
 because we can't do it

00:45:32.759 --> 00:45:33.259
 without sin.

00:45:33.519 --> 00:45:34.179
 Ask Jacob

00:45:34.179 --> 00:45:35.679
 if he struggles with sin.

00:45:37.000 --> 00:45:37.699
 And yet,

00:45:37.759 --> 00:45:38.699
 God chose him.

00:45:40.019 --> 00:45:41.099
 And God graciously

00:45:41.099 --> 00:45:42.159
 worked on his life

00:45:42.159 --> 00:45:43.259
 to try to change

00:45:43.259 --> 00:45:43.860
 his heart,

00:45:44.380 --> 00:45:45.440
 to change him.

00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:47.340
 And he promised him

00:45:47.340 --> 00:45:48.819
 these incredible promises.

00:45:48.820 --> 00:45:49.500
 You know,

00:45:49.559 --> 00:45:50.080
 those promises

00:45:50.080 --> 00:45:51.200
 are for you and I,

00:45:51.539 --> 00:45:52.519
 for all of those

00:45:52.519 --> 00:45:53.980
 who turn their lives over,

00:45:54.460 --> 00:45:55.980
 who recognize their sin,

00:45:56.340 --> 00:45:57.720
 who recognize their rebellion,

00:45:58.039 --> 00:45:59.260
 who see that Jesus

00:45:59.260 --> 00:46:00.720
 was the promised Messiah,

00:46:01.100 --> 00:46:02.059
 who understand

00:46:02.059 --> 00:46:03.220
 that Jesus died

00:46:03.220 --> 00:46:04.180
 in our place.

00:46:06.360 --> 00:46:06.920
 Christian,

00:46:07.340 --> 00:46:09.140
 I hope you hear this call

00:46:09.140 --> 00:46:09.840
 from this passage

00:46:09.840 --> 00:46:10.360
 this morning.

00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:12.080
 Will you please,

00:46:12.200 --> 00:46:12.640
 please,

00:46:12.780 --> 00:46:13.100
 please,

00:46:13.160 --> 00:46:13.740
 I beg you,

00:46:14.160 --> 00:46:14.920
 take the idols

00:46:14.920 --> 00:46:15.700
 out of your life.

00:46:18.820 --> 00:46:20.019
 What is it

00:46:20.019 --> 00:46:20.880
 that you've allowed

00:46:20.880 --> 00:46:21.680
 in your life

00:46:21.680 --> 00:46:22.900
 that doesn't honor God?

00:46:24.080 --> 00:46:25.100
 What is it

00:46:25.100 --> 00:46:26.120
 that you've allowed

00:46:26.120 --> 00:46:26.880
 a place

00:46:26.880 --> 00:46:27.960
 that reside with you

00:46:27.960 --> 00:46:28.980
 and you carry it along

00:46:28.980 --> 00:46:30.559
 and it doesn't honor God?

00:46:33.539 --> 00:46:35.380
 He's calling to us

00:46:35.380 --> 00:46:37.080
 to turn aside

00:46:37.080 --> 00:46:37.980
 from all that stuff,

00:46:38.059 --> 00:46:38.580
 to leave it,

00:46:38.820 --> 00:46:39.500
 and to turn

00:46:39.500 --> 00:46:40.539
 and symbolically,

00:46:40.640 --> 00:46:41.019
 in a sense,

00:46:41.059 --> 00:46:41.720
 to make an altar

00:46:41.720 --> 00:46:42.059
 and say,

00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:43.440
 as of this day,

00:46:43.740 --> 00:46:44.900
 from now on,

00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:46.380
 I choose to worship you.

00:46:46.720 --> 00:46:47.280
 You know what worship

00:46:47.280 --> 00:46:47.880
 looks like?

00:46:47.880 --> 00:46:48.680
 Abiding.

00:46:49.619 --> 00:46:50.619
 That's what it looks like.

00:46:50.660 --> 00:46:51.000
 Let's pray.

00:46:51.980 --> 00:46:52.340
 Father,

00:46:52.460 --> 00:46:55.420
 we are humbled

00:46:55.420 --> 00:46:58.860
 that you would

00:46:58.860 --> 00:46:59.960
 so graciously

00:46:59.960 --> 00:47:01.840
 refine us.

00:47:01.920 --> 00:47:02.079
 God,

00:47:02.140 --> 00:47:03.380
 you would so graciously

00:47:03.380 --> 00:47:04.700
 show us our sin

00:47:04.700 --> 00:47:07.000
 and by your power,

00:47:07.200 --> 00:47:09.140
 you would put something

00:47:09.140 --> 00:47:09.760
 within us

00:47:09.760 --> 00:47:10.800
 that allows us

00:47:10.800 --> 00:47:11.380
 to turn away

00:47:11.380 --> 00:47:12.000
 from that sin.

00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.260
 God,

00:47:12.300 --> 00:47:13.320
 you said you've given us

00:47:13.320 --> 00:47:15.160
 everything we need

00:47:15.160 --> 00:47:16.059
 for life

00:47:16.059 --> 00:47:16.720
 and godliness

00:47:16.720 --> 00:47:17.500
 in this world.

00:47:17.880 --> 00:47:19.300
 everything we need

00:47:19.300 --> 00:47:19.900
 in the person

00:47:19.900 --> 00:47:20.840
 of the Holy Spirit

00:47:20.840 --> 00:47:23.059
 that we now

00:47:23.059 --> 00:47:24.220
 can choose

00:47:24.220 --> 00:47:25.599
 to live for you

00:47:25.599 --> 00:47:26.420
 and honor you

00:47:26.420 --> 00:47:27.740
 and worship you

00:47:27.740 --> 00:47:28.300
 fully.

00:47:29.160 --> 00:47:29.760
 God,

00:47:29.820 --> 00:47:30.320
 would you

00:47:30.320 --> 00:47:31.760
 continue to do

00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:32.320
 this work,

00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:33.500
 this maturing work,

00:47:33.599 --> 00:47:34.660
 this changing work

00:47:34.660 --> 00:47:37.019
 that's taken us

00:47:37.019 --> 00:47:38.400
 to this place

00:47:38.400 --> 00:47:40.760
 that looks a whole lot

00:47:40.760 --> 00:47:41.380
 like Jesus?

00:47:42.300 --> 00:47:42.800
 God,

00:47:42.860 --> 00:47:43.960
 where we don't choose

00:47:43.960 --> 00:47:45.740
 to let our selfish ways

00:47:45.740 --> 00:47:46.900
 rule our lives,

00:47:46.900 --> 00:47:47.559
 we choose

00:47:47.559 --> 00:47:48.139
 to let you

00:47:48.139 --> 00:47:48.860
 rule our lives.

00:47:48.920 --> 00:47:49.059
 God,

00:47:49.099 --> 00:47:49.579
 would you do

00:47:49.579 --> 00:47:50.160
 that work

00:47:50.160 --> 00:47:51.380
 and for those

00:47:51.380 --> 00:47:52.260
 that don't know you

00:47:52.260 --> 00:47:53.039
 as Lord and Savior,

00:47:53.220 --> 00:47:53.380
 God,

00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:54.000
 would you open

00:47:54.000 --> 00:47:54.480
 their eyes

00:47:54.480 --> 00:47:55.240
 to understand

00:47:55.240 --> 00:47:57.320
 what it means

00:47:57.320 --> 00:47:58.880
 to turn to you,

00:47:59.240 --> 00:47:59.960
 what it means

00:47:59.960 --> 00:48:00.760
 to give their life

00:48:00.760 --> 00:48:01.099
 to you

00:48:01.099 --> 00:48:01.460
 and I pray

00:48:01.460 --> 00:48:01.980
 in your name,

00:48:01.980 --> 00:48:02.400
 amen.

00:48:02.400 --> 00:48:02.500
 Amen.