WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 If you'll turn with me this morning to Luke chapter 12, Luke 12.

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 We've heard Jesus address the Pharisees and the lawyers in the last couple of weeks.

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 Pretty strong words for them that also have convicted us in many places.

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 But as we turn the page to chapter 12 of Luke's gospel, Jesus speaks in the midst of very large crowds directly to his disciples.

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 To those apparently following him.

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 And in just the same few verses, Jesus will issue some of the most serious warnings that he ever gives to his disciples.

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 Right alongside some of the most comforting words he ever speaks.

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 This is God's holy word, which speaks to his followers truthfully, clearly, and unequivocally still today.

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 Luke 12 at verse 1.

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 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another,

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 he began to say to his disciples first,

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 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known.

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 Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light,

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 and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

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 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do.

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 But I will warn you whom to fear.

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 Fear him who after he has killed has authority to cast into hell.

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 Yes, I tell you, fear him.

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 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?

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 And not one of them is forgotten before God.

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 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

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 Fear not.

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 You are of more value than many sparrows.

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 And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men,

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 the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.

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 But the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

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 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven.

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 But the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

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 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities,

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 do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself for what you should say.

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 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

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 Pray with me.

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 Father, this is your word.

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 And your word is living and active.

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 It's sharper than a double-edged sword.

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 It pierces to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow.

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 It cuts to our hearts.

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 So, Father, we ask that it would do that by your Spirit this morning.

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 Even if it hurts, even if it challenges us,

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 Father, might it show us our hearts and might it show us our Savior.

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 Search us, O God.

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 Know our hearts.

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 Try us.

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 Know our anxious thoughts.

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 See if there's any wicked way in us so that you may point us back to the way everlasting.

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 We need Him.

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 We ask it in His name.

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 Amen.

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 If you are heading somewhere and you see one of these signs, it's not good.

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 You know to be careful.

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 There's danger ahead, right?

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 Any number of things might happen.

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 If you continue on the path that you're currently on, you might merely slip and fall.

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 That wouldn't be too bad.

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 You might run into a very unfriendly dog.

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 Perhaps you've done that before.

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 It's not good.

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 Could be even worse.

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 The bridge could be out.

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 And there's no way to go forward.

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 You can't stay on the same path.

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 You could be facing even, one of the signs I hadn't personally seen before, danger of death.

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 Yes, I'm not sure how, but stay away from that area.

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 Don't keep going down that path, right?

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 Jesus this morning is speaking to those of us who are on or considering the path of following Him.

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 And He's saying, danger, warning, look out.

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 And it's not just that you might get hurt, but Jesus is warning us of eternal dangers.

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 He's raising the stakes beyond even these signs.

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 And He's challenging us to consider seriously some eternal realities that are not merely matters of life and death,

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 but are matters of eternal life and death.

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 And let me remind you, these warnings are not for someone else.

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 They're given to people like you and me.

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 They're not for someone else.

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 The audience of these warnings as Jesus speaks here to His disciples would be found in church on a morning like this.

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 Would be hanging out, looking around, inquiring about Jesus.

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 Jesus, we dare not treat these clear warnings lightly.

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 They are tailor-made for us.

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 People just like us.

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 So first, Jesus says, warning.

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 Religious pretense will be exposed.

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 Look at verse 1.

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 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known.

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 Therefore, whatever you've said in the dark shall be heard in the light.

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 And what you've whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

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 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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 Hypocrisy.

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 That thing that the world tells Christians that we're guilty of all the time, right?

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 Perhaps so much so that you've kind of brushed it off.

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 You don't really take that accusation seriously anymore.

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 I'm not a hypocrite, right?

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 But this time, it's from Jesus.

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 Jesus says, beware of hypocrisy.

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 He's been talking to the religious leaders about this danger of having your outward religiosity

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 not match your inward reality.

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 Doing lots of good religious things, but not having a genuine reality in your heart.

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 You remember last week we saw in chapter 11 several examples of this as he talked to the Pharisees.

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 Verse 39 of chapter 11, I think.

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 Is that on the next slide?

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 Verse 39.

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 There it is.

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 Now, you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you're full of greed and wickedness.

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 You fools, did not he who made the outside make the inside also?

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 You see what Jesus has been challenging the leaders on, right?

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 He does this repeatedly.

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 The outside looks nice perhaps, but you're ignoring the inside.

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 Inside.

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 And now, Jesus says, that two-faced, double-life struggle that they have can seep into all the people around them.

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 It's a danger for anyone following Jesus.

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 That leaven, that yeast works its way through the whole loaf of bread.

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 It starts with the leaders and spreads into all of the followers.

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 Watch out, Jesus says.

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 Be on your guard against hypocrisy.

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 Why?

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 Because one day everything will be known for what it truly is.

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 You're not going to get away with it.

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 You may fool your friends.

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 You may fool your business partners.

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 You may fool your spouse or your kids.

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 But one day our ultimate commitments, what we truly value and truly live for, will be exposed for all to see.

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 So hypocrisy is very short-sighted.

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 It won't get you where you want to go ultimately.

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 Be warned.

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 Danger.

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 Danger.

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 How would you feel if everything you ever did or said was uncovered?

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 Exposed?

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 That makes you feel a little uncomfortable as it does me?

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 Then you can see at least the seeds of hypocrisy sown in our hearts, right?

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 Maybe we don't think of ourselves as hypocrites.

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 I mean, we're not the Pharisees, right?

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 What should we watch out for as signs that the bridge is out ahead, so to speak, in our lives?

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 That we're not truly following Jesus?

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 Here are some examples.

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 Huntsville hypocrisy to consider in your own heart.

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 Hypocrisy looks like saying God is sovereign and in control,

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 but following your own feelings of what is best for your life,

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 or trusting only your own plans for your life.

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 Hypocrisy looks like being kind and patient in church and at small group,

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 but being insufferable and hateful and quick-tempered at home.

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 Hypocrisy looks like never missing time with God when others are watching,

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 like right now.

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 I'm here.

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 But never making time for God in private.

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 This leaven of hypocrisy, I don't know where it might show up in your life,

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 but be honest with yourself.

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 When that leaven starts to work its way in your heart, it's insidious, it's dangerous,

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 it's devastating in our hearts.

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 My girls like to play pretend, to make up stories where they get to play a variety of different roles.

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 In particular, they like to play mommy and have someone else be the baby.

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 And one time not too long ago, I was offering to play with one of my girls,

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 and she wanted to make up a story.

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 She wanted me to be the baby, and she would pretend to be the mommy, the one who is in charge.

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 And this was delightful for a couple of minutes,

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 until what began to happen is she started to kind of believe this story,

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 that she was really in charge.

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 And so what that meant was that I could only do what she told me to do.

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 I couldn't quit playing the game and go do something else when I wanted to,

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 because I was the baby and she was the mommy and she was in charge.

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 Sit back down, Daddy.

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 You see how quickly that happens for us?

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 Sometimes if we pretend long enough,

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 we begin to believe there's reality where there's not.

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 Sometimes the yeast does in our heart what it does to a lump of dough.

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 What happens to the bread if you've ever baked it?

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 It begins to expand and to blow up so that it looks bigger,

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 but inside it's actually not as substantial.

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 There's nothing there.

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 And so I play church and pretend to be religious for long enough that I begin to think,

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 maybe I do know God.

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 Yeah, maybe there is spiritual reality there.

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 I think I've got everything I really need.

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 I've kind of figured this church thing out.

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 You just kind of go enough times and wear the right stuff

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 and make sure you don't say the wrong thing.

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 And yeah, there is reality there.

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 And Jesus says,

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 beware of the temptation to think.

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 The outward religiosity creates inward reality.

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 Watch out.

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 Secondly, Jesus says,

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 warning, warning,

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 don't fear man more than God.

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 Verse 4.

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 Next slide has verse 4.

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 There we go.

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 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body

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 and after that have nothing more that they can do.

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 But I will warn you whom to fear.

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 Fear him who after he has killed

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 has authority to cast into hell.

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 Yes, I tell you, fear him.

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 What are you afraid of?

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 Does it scare you to think of being exposed?

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 Your hypocrisy being revealed

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 so others can know the truth about you?

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 Do you fear failure?

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 Criticism as a Christian?

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 Are you afraid you will suffer physical harm

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 for your beliefs?

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 I've dealt with all of those recently

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 as I consider traveling to India

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 to preach the gospel in a country

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 where many are less keen on that taking place

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 than the place I usually am.

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 And the fear of other people's negative opinions

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 is a daily struggle for me.

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 Perhaps the most consistently frustrating struggle

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 throughout my life.

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 But Jesus says don't fear those temporary things.

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 Rather, there's an appropriate fear of God

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 we should have.

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 An awareness of His awesome greatness.

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 And that before Him,

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 we deserve not only physical harm,

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 but eternal damnation

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 when we see who He is.

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 The Bible tells us

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 one of the results of our sinfulness

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 is that there is no fear of God

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 before our eyes.

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 We don't consider the weight of His glory.

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 We don't bow before Him quickly.

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 We don't follow His commandments naturally.

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 And as a result,

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 there's a danger for all of us

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 that as we stop fearing God,

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 we become driven by other things we fear more.

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 Things like physical harm,

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 loss of reputation,

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 status with men,

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 discomfort,

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 whatever the things are that you fear.

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 Jesus says don't let those lesser fears

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 drive you.

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 You must fear God.

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 Have you taken a sober look

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 at His perfect holiness,

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 His righteous anger,

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 His just wrath against sin,

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 and realized you should rightly tremble before Him

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 because of His awesome greatness?

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 Have you glimpsed just a little bit

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 of His infinite majesty

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 and seen yourself as finite?

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 Perfect.

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 Small.

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 Vulnerable.

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 Before Him.

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 See, most of us don't regularly face

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 those who are intent to kill us

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 as Jesus' disciples soon would.

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 And yet, we too find fear of man

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 overwhelming our fear of God,

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 don't we?

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 Can you imagine

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 what the temptation would be like for you

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 if it actually was your very life

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 that was threatened because of your faith?

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 You're already being driven by

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 lesser concerns than that.

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 What someone might think,

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 what someone might say,

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 how you feel about yourself,

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 and those things are driving us.

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 When you begin to see your life

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 driven by fear,

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 Jesus says,

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 watch out.

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 There's one whom you should fear

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 and with Him consequences are eternal.

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 Not merely years of pain and embarrassment,

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 but an eternity of torment and death.

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 Which consequence is more fearful?

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 He says.

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 Finally, Jesus says,

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.000
 warning.

00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.079
 Warning.

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.119
 Again, watch out.

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.680
 Willfully rejecting Jesus

00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:17.299
 will have eternal consequences.

00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.460
 You see how these three warnings

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.460
 are connected

00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:22.859
 as Jesus continues that theme

00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:24.839
 of what happens eternally

00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.799
 by painting here a picture

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:29.220
 of the judgment seat of God.

00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:31.559
 That's the picture here in verse 8

00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:33.740
 that Jesus is giving for us.

00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.639
 I tell you,

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.220
 everyone who acknowledges Me

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.019
 before men,

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:39.559
 the Son of Man also will acknowledge

00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:41.379
 before the angels of God.

00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.799
 But the one who denies Me

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.679
 before men will be denied

00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:48.159
 before the angels of God.

00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.619
 That's the setting here.

00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:51.519
 God's eternal judgment

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.379
 before the throne of God.

00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:56.359
 Whether or not one has embraced Jesus

00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:59.399
 is the key to what happens

00:17:59.399 --> 00:18:01.359
 before that throne.

00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:03.139
 That's what it all hinges on.

00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:04.919
 And Jesus continues,

00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.579
 verse 10,

00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:07.759
 everyone who speaks a word

00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.019
 against the Son of Man

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.859
 will be forgiven.

00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.459
 But the one who blasphemes

00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:13.699
 against the Holy Spirit

00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:16.519
 will not be forgiven.

00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:20.679
 Perhaps no more frightening warning

00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:21.919
 in the world.

00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:24.000
 You can't be forgiven.

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:27.740
 What's the unpardonable,

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:30.940
 the unforgivable sin?

00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.339
 Those words get our attention,

00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.059
 don't they?

00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.200
 They got my attention

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.160
 when I was a kid.

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.880
 I remember reading them

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:41.819
 and going in tears to my dad,

00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.940
 scared to death

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.920
 that I had committed

00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.880
 the unforgivable sin,

00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.180
 even though I had no idea

00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:48.980
 what it would have been

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.819
 that I would have done.

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.279
 I just,

00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:52.139
 I knew there couldn't be

00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:54.079
 a worse place to find myself.

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.500
 Dad, what does this mean?

00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.740
 Have I done it?

00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:01.539
 I don't want to spend a lot of time

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.960
 on this verse,

00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.159
 but two things to say

00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:05.019
 about it briefly.

00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:05.759
 And the first is,

00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.460
 what is it?

00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:08.419
 This blaspheming

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.840
 the Holy Spirit?

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:13.180
 In the context here,

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.759
 this unpardonable sin

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.560
 seems to be persistent,

00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.480
 willful rejection

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:20.019
 of Jesus.

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.840
 The person, Jesus,

00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.700
 that the Holy Spirit

00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.220
 testifies to us

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.539
 is the Son of God

00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.180
 and the Savior of sinners.

00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:31.120
 It says we can say something

00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:31.820
 against Jesus.

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:34.300
 We might have a negative word

00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:35.200
 to say about Him

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.680
 and be forgiven for that,

00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.440
 but not against

00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.660
 the Holy Spirit

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.820
 when we willfully

00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.840
 and repeatedly

00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:43.080
 shut our hearts

00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.900
 to the truth of Jesus

00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.160
 from His Spirit.

00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:48.259
 We're choosing

00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.620
 to face death

00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:50.539
 on our own.

00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:53.740
 Secondly,

00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.620
 have I done it?

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.700
 Perhaps it makes you feel

00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.920
 as it made me feel

00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:01.680
 when I was a child.

00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.620
 I'll tell you

00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:05.140
 what my dad told me.

00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:07.100
 If you are worried

00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.720
 about it,

00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.740
 you haven't done it.

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.620
 Because of the nature

00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.500
 of the sin

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.460
 described here

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.259
 and elsewhere

00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.060
 in Scripture

00:20:16.060 --> 00:20:18.080
 as this unforgivable sin,

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.200
 you can know

00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.900
 that sincere conviction

00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.420
 and concern

00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:24.140
 not to be stuck

00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:25.000
 in this sin

00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.120
 is evidence

00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:27.280
 that you are not

00:20:27.280 --> 00:20:28.640
 stuck in this sin.

00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:29.960
 If there's a sensitivity

00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:31.360
 to God's Spirit

00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:32.140
 in your heart

00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:33.180
 bringing conviction

00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.400
 of some sin

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:34.980
 upon you,

00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:36.180
 then keep listening

00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.820
 to Him

00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:38.240
 and let Him

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.060
 point you

00:20:39.060 --> 00:20:39.900
 to the forgiveness

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:41.500
 of Jesus.

00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.480
 See, that's the whole point

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.720
 of this final warning

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:47.259
 in these verses

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.900
 is that eternity

00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:50.600
 hinges on your

00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:51.860
 active embrace

00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.759
 of Jesus.

00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.759
 You must be

00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.840
 clinging to Him

00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:56.920
 or you are standing

00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:58.960
 on shaky ground.

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.980
 if you are merely

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.900
 pretending

00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.180
 religiously

00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:04.059
 but don't truly

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.140
 know Jesus.

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.700
 If you are more afraid

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.079
 of earthly consequences

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:10.079
 than eternal judgment.

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.440
 If you are denying

00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.120
 Jesus

00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:13.360
 before men,

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.660
 then beware

00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.500
 when you stand

00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.440
 before the judge

00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.480
 of all the earth

00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.779
 and your only hope

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.019
 is that Jesus speaks up

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.620
 to advocate

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.579
 for you.

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.059
 There is a judge.

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.000
 There is a heaven.

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:28.019
 There is a hell.

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.799
 And the determining

00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.819
 factor for your

00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.839
 eternal destiny

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.700
 is not what you've done

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.319
 or who you're

00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.720
 associated with

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.440
 but whether you

00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.839
 know Jesus.

00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.660
 The judge will either

00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.079
 say,

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:43.640
 welcome

00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:45.140
 my child

00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:47.019
 or depart

00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.740
 from me.

00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.079
 I never

00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:50.319
 knew you.

00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.339
 To those of you

00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.079
 here this morning

00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.500
 still wondering

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.399
 about Jesus

00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.559
 still trying to figure

00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.319
 out what you would

00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.000
 make of Him.

00:21:59.399 --> 00:22:00.899
 Let me encourage you

00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:03.460
 fully to entrust

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.079
 yourself

00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.019
 forever

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.619
 to Jesus.

00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.960
 If He speaks

00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:10.059
 on your behalf

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.819
 before His Father

00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.699
 the judge

00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:14.139
 that's all that matters.

00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.960
 It's all you need.

00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.079
 I remember

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.399
 my childhood

00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.259
 best friend

00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.480
 his father

00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.160
 was the head

00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.799
 of the P.E.

00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.279
 department

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.200
 at Memphis

00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.140
 State University

00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.759
 is what it was

00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.339
 called then.

00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:28.920
 And so

00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.860
 he and I

00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.759
 could go

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.779
 and as little

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.279
 kids

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.900
 we could go

00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.420
 into the

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.799
 practice gym

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.039
 where the Tigers

00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.200
 practiced

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.880
 college basketball.

00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.519
 It seemed

00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.440
 incredible.

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.140
 I think it was

00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.680
 just a normal

00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.019
 court.

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.019
 But we could

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.920
 go in there

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.740
 after hours

00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.200
 with all the

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.660
 lights off

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.000
 and we could

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.740
 flip a switch

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.079
 and go

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.180
 play basketball

00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.480
 and man

00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.059
 we felt like

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.819
 we were awesome.

00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:52.259
 Except every

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.079
 once in a while

00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.939
 his dad

00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:54.220
 had gone

00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.799
 to his office

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.460
 and somebody

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.859
 would walk

00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:56.399
 down and stick

00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:56.960
 his head in

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.599
 and look at me

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.119
 like I was

00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.700
 doing something

00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.119
 I shouldn't

00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.599
 be doing.

00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.399
 And I felt

00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.039
 very guilty.

00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.539
 I felt like

00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:02.859
 I was being

00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.519
 caught somewhere

00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:03.879
 I wasn't

00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.679
 supposed to be.

00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.839
 And I'd look

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.439
 for my friend

00:23:06.439 --> 00:23:07.059
 really fast.

00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.539
 Hey Bill!

00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.119
 Bill!

00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:08.759
 And he would

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:08.960
 come up

00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.200
 Hey!

00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.839
 He's okay!

00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.379
 He's with me!

00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:11.879
 And they'd

00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.679
 smile and wave

00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:14.220
 and go off.

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.579
 And I kind of

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.579
 hung next to him

00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:16.859
 and thought

00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.519
 yeah that's right

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.599
 with him

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:20.299
 I can be right here.

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.139
 I can come

00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:21.799
 right into this

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.299
 place where

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.899
 nobody else

00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.480
 gets to come

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:23.779
 where all

00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.259
 these awesome

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.159
 basketball players

00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.139
 are because

00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.819
 I'm with

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.720
 him.

00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.980
 If God's

00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.579
 son speaks

00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.359
 on your

00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.059
 behalf

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.460
 before his

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.039
 throne

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.659
 you're good.

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:41.299
 You're in.

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:43.019
 It's all

00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.019
 that's required

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.720
 is for you

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.619
 to be connected

00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.919
 to the son.

00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:49.060
 In fact

00:23:49.060 --> 00:23:49.640
 it's the only

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:51.140
 thing that

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.519
 matters.

00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.000
 It's not

00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.420
 what you've

00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:52.740
 done.

00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:53.880
 It's not

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.300
 how you've

00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:54.700
 failed.

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.200
 It's not

00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.560
 even how

00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:56.420
 hypocritical

00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.360
 you've been

00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.060
 that determines

00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:58.660
 your eternal

00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.660
 destiny at that

00:23:59.660 --> 00:23:59.980
 point.

00:24:00.300 --> 00:24:00.860
 It's whether

00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.500
 or not

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.279
 Jesus

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.759
 acknowledges

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.200
 you.

00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.320
 His blood

00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.080
 pays for

00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:06.740
 your sins.

00:24:07.080 --> 00:24:07.259
 His

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.940
 perfection

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.880
 replaces

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.120
 your failures

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.880
 and your

00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.460
 eternity

00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.519
 is secure.

00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.220
 Nothing

00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.660
 else is

00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:15.080
 enough.

00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.259
 Nothing

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.599
 else

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.019
 matters.

00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:17.899
 Nothing

00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.379
 else

00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.220
 is

00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.559
 needed.

00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.299
 So if

00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.439
 you haven't

00:24:22.439 --> 00:24:22.980
 embraced

00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.439
 him don't

00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.000
 be content

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.599
 dabbling

00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.339
 with religion.

00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:26.879
 Don't be

00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.220
 content

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.259
 playing around

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.019
 with church

00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.879
 and showing

00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.279
 up

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.179
 occasionally.

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.259
 Be all

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.119
 in on

00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.779
 Jesus.

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.559
 Entrust

00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.379
 yourself to

00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.059
 Jesus

00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.279
 forever

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:40.539
 as you

00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.019
 do so.

00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.659
 As we

00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.960
 trust in

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.359
 Jesus

00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:45.819
 the comfort

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.659
 offered to

00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.679
 us is

00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.539
 as profound

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.019
 as the

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.559
 warnings that

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:50.919
 we've been

00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:51.459
 given this

00:24:51.459 --> 00:24:51.779
 morning.

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:52.879
 It's a

00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.599
 comfort from

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.139
 the Father,

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:54.979
 the Son,

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.399
 and the

00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.099
 Holy Spirit.

00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.939
 All of

00:24:56.939 --> 00:24:57.559
 them together

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.919
 speaking comfort

00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.699
 to us.

00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:00.839
 First we

00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.459
 see here

00:25:01.459 --> 00:25:02.740
 your secure

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.500
 identity

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:05.059
 from the

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.379
 Son.

00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.799
 If you're

00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.819
 headed towards

00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:09.599
 a dangerous

00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.559
 dog,

00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:12.299
 if you're

00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.339
 headed towards

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.679
 a bridge

00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.599
 that's out

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.319
 ahead,

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.240
 the danger

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.179
 of death,

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.919
 and someone

00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.599
 gives you a

00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.480
 sign to let

00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:21.759
 you know

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:21.980
 that,

00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:22.559
 that's a

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.740
 friendly thing

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.259
 to do.

00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.240
 Right?

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.700
 Friends

00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.839
 warn us of

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.159
 danger.

00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.879
 Good friends

00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.720
 say hard

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.440
 things to

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.359
 those they

00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.720
 love,

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.240
 particularly

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.200
 warning them

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.179
 of danger

00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:36.859
 in the path

00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.480
 they're walking

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.960
 on.

00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.019
 These may be

00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.960
 stern warnings,

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.380
 but Jesus

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.279
 speaks them

00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.299
 as a friend

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.380
 and even

00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:47.000
 reaffirms

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.740
 that intention

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.319
 in this

00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.180
 passage.

00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.039
 The one

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.680
 place in

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.099
 all the

00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.900
 Bible where

00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.440
 He addresses

00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.180
 His disciples

00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.559
 directly as

00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.279
 friends.

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.599
 Verse 4,

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.980
 I tell you

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.920
 my friends.

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.980
 My friends,

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.860
 Jesus says.

00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.979
 There's a

00:26:06.979 --> 00:26:08.439
 wealth of

00:26:08.439 --> 00:26:09.519
 security in

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.319
 those words

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.519
 as Jesus

00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.679
 warns those

00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.199
 He loves.

00:26:13.479 --> 00:26:13.879
 But listen,

00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.699
 if you're

00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:15.219
 with the

00:26:15.219 --> 00:26:15.619
 Son,

00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.539
 if by faith

00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.019
 you're a

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.719
 friend of

00:26:18.719 --> 00:26:19.179
 Jesus,

00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.659
 the one who

00:26:20.659 --> 00:26:21.599
 is by nature

00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.559
 a friend of

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.099
 sinners,

00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.979
 your identity

00:26:24.979 --> 00:26:25.859
 is secure.

00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:28.139
 You're safe

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.899
 in the gym.

00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.259
 Your relationship

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.179
 with God

00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:33.039
 is settled.

00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:36.299
 There's also

00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.960
 comfort from

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.759
 the Holy Spirit

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.259
 in this

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.680
 passage.

00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.240
 At the end,

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.019
 verse 11,

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.720
 when they

00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.079
 bring you

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.579
 before the

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.119
 synagogues

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.359
 and the

00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:43.839
 rulers and

00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:44.539
 the authorities,

00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.680
 do not be

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.359
 anxious about

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:46.779
 how you

00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.359
 should defend

00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:48.079
 yourself or

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.420
 what you

00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.099
 should say,

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.279
 for the

00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.859
 Holy Spirit

00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.359
 will teach

00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:51.680
 you in

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.159
 that very

00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:53.659
 hour what

00:26:53.659 --> 00:26:54.019
 you ought

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.539
 to say.

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.180
 The Holy

00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.279
 Spirit with

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.519
 you,

00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:59.099
 constant help

00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.539
 from the

00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:00.899
 Spirit,

00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.119
 ever present,

00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.319
 dwelling in

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.639
 you.

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.479
 Because yes,

00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.039
 this passage

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.059
 speaks primarily

00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:07.199
 of eternal

00:27:07.199 --> 00:27:07.679
 dangers,

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.219
 but it doesn't

00:27:08.219 --> 00:27:09.199
 overlook the

00:27:09.199 --> 00:27:10.439
 earthly dangers,

00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:11.559
 the trying

00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.539
 situations we

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.000
 will face

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.699
 beyond our

00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.279
 wisdom or

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.399
 strength to

00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:15.779
 handle.

00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:18.039
 Jesus says

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.859
 be comforted

00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.379
 because the

00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.000
 Spirit will

00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.059
 show us how

00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.899
 we can testify

00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:23.019
 to Jesus.

00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.119
 He will give

00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.719
 us the words

00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:25.519
 to speak before

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.479
 men that will

00:27:26.479 --> 00:27:27.319
 proclaim our

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.319
 hope in our

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.719
 Savior.

00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.939
 What a great

00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.979
 comfort that is

00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.460
 for whatever

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.279
 the trial we

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.980
 will face,

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.779
 for whatever

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.579
 the situation

00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.339
 we will find

00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.279
 ourselves unsure

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.640
 of what

00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.460
 faithfulness to

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.200
 Jesus will

00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.900
 look like.

00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.180
 He gives

00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:43.559
 us His

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.940
 Spirit for

00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.700
 constant,

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.920
 unfailing

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.079
 help.

00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.120
 But I think

00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.759
 easily my

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.720
 favorite word

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.500
 of comfort in

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:55.019
 this passage is

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.579
 the assurance of

00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.440
 our unchanging

00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:59.480
 value from the

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.220
 Father Himself.

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.039
 Look at verse

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.519
 six.

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.379
 Are not five

00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.359
 sparrows sold

00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.339
 for two pennies?

00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.279
 And not one

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.920
 of them is

00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.879
 forgotten before

00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.399
 God?

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.940
 Why, even the

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.920
 hairs of your

00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:16.000
 head are all

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.379
 numbered.

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.099
 Fear not,

00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.740
 you are of

00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.559
 more value

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.139
 than many

00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.899
 sparrows.

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.859
 The very one

00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.720
 who because of

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:29.019
 our natures we

00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.139
 are told rightly

00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:31.059
 to fear,

00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.099
 because of our

00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.400
 relationship we

00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.740
 are told not

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.359
 to fear.

00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.400
 Verse five,

00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.759
 fear Him.

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:42.000
 Verse six and

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.859
 seven, fear

00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:44.119
 not.

00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.579
 The one who

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.619
 because of what

00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.359
 we're like and

00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.220
 what He's like

00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.960
 should be the one

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.519
 we would fear

00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.539
 above all others

00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.859
 because He's our

00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.559
 Father,

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:56.799
 do not fear.

00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.339
 Have you ever

00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.079
 considered putting

00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:01.279
 a price tag on

00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.759
 your children?

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.839
 Don't answer that

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.319
 if they're sitting

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.779
 next to you.

00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.379
 How valuable

00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:10.500
 are they to you?

00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:13.099
 Your heavenly

00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.119
 Father says you

00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.859
 are precious

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:16.400
 to Him.

00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.779
 He cares about

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.740
 sparrows,

00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.160
 about things

00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.599
 that others

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.359
 overlook and

00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.099
 devalue and

00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.099
 are worthless

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.220
 to them.

00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.460
 He's interested

00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.279
 in the minute,

00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.180
 seemingly

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.339
 insignificant

00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:29.839
 details of

00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.559
 our lives.

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.200
 That's how much

00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.680
 He cares.

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.420
 Some of you

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:34.980
 find it more

00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.640
 amazing than

00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.220
 others that He

00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.940
 can count all

00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.000
 the hairs on

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.539
 your head.

00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:39.920
 I understand

00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.319
 that.

00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.200
 For many of us

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.180
 I'm told it's

00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.039
 over a hundred

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.859
 thousand hairs.

00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:47.660
 And He knows

00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:49.299
 every single

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.240
 one.

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.559
 The Bible tells

00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.359
 us He counts

00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:53.140
 our hairs.

00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:55.359
 It says He counts

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.220
 our tears.

00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.319
 You may have

00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.099
 cried a lot.

00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.960
 It says He calls

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:02.259
 us by name

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:04.099
 that He knows

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:05.400
 every activity

00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:06.299
 we're ever

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:08.220
 involved in.

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:12.019
 His eye is

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.059
 on the sparrow

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:15.500
 and so I know

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:17.319
 He watches

00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.480
 me.

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.819
 It's a great

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.339
 reminder, a great

00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:24.000
 comfort.

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.240
 let not your

00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.039
 heart be troubled.

00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.799
 His tender

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.900
 word I hear

00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:29.000
 and resting

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.119
 on His goodness

00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:31.519
 I lose my

00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.339
 doubts and

00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.160
 fears.

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.779
 Though by the

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:36.119
 path He leadeth

00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:37.480
 but one step

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:39.000
 I may see

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.299
 His eye

00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.420
 is on the

00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.119
 sparrow

00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:43.660
 and I know

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.599
 He watches

00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.299
 me.

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.359
 His eye

00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.240
 is on the

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.920
 sparrow.

00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.920
 I can't

00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.240
 sing that

00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.480
 part.

00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:53.300
 And I know

00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:54.380
 He watches

00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:55.000
 me.

00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.340
 Even though I

00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:57.220
 only see one

00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.080
 step maybe

00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:59.600
 I don't actually

00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.660
 know whether

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:01.680
 the bridge is

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.779
 out, whether

00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.880
 there's danger

00:31:03.880 --> 00:31:04.279
 ahead.

00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.340
 There's someone

00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:07.740
 watching me

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:10.140
 who cares

00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:11.480
 for me

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.500
 and it's the

00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:14.180
 comfort of

00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.060
 that beautiful

00:31:15.060 --> 00:31:15.880
 song.

00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.740
 It's the

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.620
 one that

00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.380
 Jesus is

00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:19.240
 giving us

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.820
 here speaking

00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.460
 about our

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.980
 value to

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.580
 His Father.

00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.420
 That's the

00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:23.980
 kind of

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.440
 comfort offered

00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.340
 to every

00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:26.900
 one of you

00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.480
 this morning

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.960
 in the

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.720
 gospel of

00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.640
 Jesus Christ.

00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:31.140
 The warnings

00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.020
 in this passage

00:31:32.020 --> 00:31:33.180
 are clear that

00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.960
 if we continue

00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.220
 in our hypocrisy,

00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.240
 if we shape

00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.880
 our lives

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.420
 around the

00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.520
 fear of man

00:31:38.520 --> 00:31:39.600
 and deny

00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.420
 before others

00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:41.140
 the authority

00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.820
 of Jesus,

00:31:42.020 --> 00:31:42.860
 we do so

00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.700
 at our own

00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.160
 peril.

00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.260
 We find

00:31:45.260 --> 00:31:45.740
 eternal

00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.339
 safety

00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:47.559
 nowhere else

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.519
 but in

00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.079
 fully

00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:50.160
 entrusting

00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.900
 ourselves

00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:52.279
 to Jesus.

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.660
 And the

00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.500
 comforts

00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.500
 tell us

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.440
 that as we

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.120
 trust our

00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.480
 God,

00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.160
 not just

00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.920
 once but

00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.839
 again today

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.339
 as you

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:03.299
 trust Him,

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.700
 we're His

00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.180
 children.

00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:08.359
 We always

00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.259
 have His

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.880
 presence

00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.660
 and His

00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.579
 help and

00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:11.859
 we are

00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.660
 treasured

00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.440
 and cared

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.420
 for by Him

00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.039
 beyond

00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.900
 what we

00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.060
 could

00:32:16.060 --> 00:32:16.779
 understand.

00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.360
 And it

00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:20.080
 won't stop.

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.039
 He treasures

00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.820
 us and

00:32:22.820 --> 00:32:23.920
 cares for us

00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.880
 forever.

00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:26.940
 When you

00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.300
 see the

00:32:27.300 --> 00:32:27.920
 bridge out

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.360
 ahead,

00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.920
 if you see

00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.380
 that this

00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:29.740
 morning,

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.360
 that the

00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:31.019
 path you're

00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.900
 on won't

00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:32.519
 get you

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.340
 to God,

00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.080
 cling to

00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:35.519
 Jesus.

00:32:36.320 --> 00:32:36.960
 Find Him

00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.960
 to be the

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.740
 bridge to

00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.539
 the Father,

00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:40.759
 the great

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.000
 Savior we all

00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:42.400
 need.

00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.820
 let's pray.

00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:47.840
 Jesus,

00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.420
 thank You

00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:50.280
 for loving

00:32:50.280 --> 00:32:50.840
 us enough

00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:51.360
 to warn

00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.840
 us.

00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.040
 Thank You

00:32:55.040 --> 00:32:55.620
 for knowing

00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:58.340
 that when

00:32:58.340 --> 00:32:58.920
 we see those

00:32:58.920 --> 00:32:59.540
 warnings for

00:32:59.540 --> 00:32:59.860
 what they

00:32:59.860 --> 00:33:00.460
 really are,

00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.080
 we need

00:33:01.080 --> 00:33:01.820
 Your comfort

00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.280
 too.

00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.600
 And so

00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:04.980
 where we

00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.420
 need to

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.120
 be shaken

00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:09.340
 into seeing

00:33:09.340 --> 00:33:10.080
 the reality

00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.619
 of our

00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.319
 hearts and

00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:11.720
 lives,

00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.139
 would You

00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:12.599
 do that

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.019
 by Your

00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.399
 Spirit?

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.759
 And call

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.119
 us back

00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:16.599
 to the only

00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.159
 place of

00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:17.619
 comfort.

00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.740
 Call us

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.240
 back to

00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:20.960
 clinging so

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.839
 tightly to

00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.879
 You that

00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.359
 we couldn't

00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.759
 possibly stand

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:26.579
 without You.

00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.399
 Might we

00:33:28.399 --> 00:33:29.039
 trust You

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.720
 again today?

00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.139
 Might we

00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:31.099
 depend upon

00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.699
 You every

00:33:31.699 --> 00:33:33.119
 moment of

00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.619
 this week?

00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:34.039
 And might

00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.500
 we then

00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.339
 stand before

00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.039
 our God

00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:37.740
 confident

00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.500
 because of

00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.139
 our great

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.680
 Savior.

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:40.860
 We ask

00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.140
 it in

00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:41.640
 His name.

00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.580
 Amen.

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.200
 For more

00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.720
 information,

00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:47.520
 visit us

00:33:47.520 --> 00:33:48.420
 online at

00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.320
 southwood.org.

00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:55.779
 views

00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.319
 on

00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:03.659
 overarching

00:34:03.659 --> 00:34:05.579
 in

00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.599
 the

00:34:06.659 --> 00:34:07.220
j Fam

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:08.039
 on