WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:04.679 Well, good morning, church. We are continuing our series in the book of Ephesians today. 00:00:04.820 --> 00:00:10.240 So if you'll take the word of God with me and turn to the book of Ephesians, we are 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:17.920 completing chapter one today, Lord willing, beginning in verse 15, Ephesians chapter one 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:21.960 and verse 15. As you turn there, I want to remind you of a little bit of background on 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:29.500 the book. Ephesians has two themes. The first half of the book talks about who we are. The 00:00:29.500 --> 00:00:39.320 second half, how we live, who we are, and how we live. Much of our content from this 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:45.719 series was drawn from the Christ-centered exposition series of commentaries, a book on Ephesians 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:52.140 authored by Pastor Tony Merida. And the background of the book of Ephesians is it was written by 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:58.240 Apostle Paul around the year AD 62. And the setting, he was under house arrest and Roman 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:03.940 imprisonment far away. But he was very familiar with this church in Ephesus. He had been a 00:01:03.940 --> 00:01:08.719 pastor with them for about three years. You can read that account in Acts chapter 19. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:14.740 The breakdown of the book, again, chapters one through three, who we are in Christ, our identity. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:19.159 And actually this corresponds well with what the youth are studying on Wednesday nights. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:27.219 They have a series going on studying our identity in Christ. And that is exciting when that overlaps 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:32.420 with what's going on here on Sundays. The second half of the book talks about how we live for Christ. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:39.599 So who we are and how we live. Part one, we're in right now, who we are in Christ. So today we'll 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:45.200 be reading from primarily the Christian standard Bible, Ephesians chapter one and verse 15. If you're 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:50.180 able to, would you join me in standing? If you need to remain seated, that's fine. But if you're able 00:01:50.180 --> 00:01:57.060 to join me in standing, we'll read together Ephesians chapter one and verse 15. This is why, 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:03.880 since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving 00:02:03.880 --> 00:02:09.260 thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:14.920 the glorious Father, would give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of him. 00:02:14.919 --> 00:02:22.439 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:28.219 calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:38.219 immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the mighty working of his strength. 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:45.360 verse 20. He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:51.500 right hand in the heavens, far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion and every title given, 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:58.699 not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:07.500 and appointed him, Jesus, as head over everything for the church. Remember that? Church is not about me. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:19.280 Church is about Jesus, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. You may be seated. 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:27.939 Lord, I thank you for this time. I thank you that you've given us this letter to this church in Ephesus that is still 100% relevant 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:35.699 for our church in Henrietta. I ask that you would move in our hearts this morning. Let the light of your word reveal 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:44.919 the truth about us and help us to walk out of these doors today, knowing you more intimately. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:47.399 All right, this chapter 00:03:47.399 --> 00:03:50.519 is broken down to two sections. We covered 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:53.599 two weeks ago, the first half and the second half here. 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:55.679 Man, that first half was powerful. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:57.159 Absolutely powerful. 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:06.079 It's really hard for Paul to improve on what he did in that first chapter, the first half of the first chapter of Ephesians, 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:12.840 talking about who we are in Christ, the redemption that we have through his blood, the inheritance that we have received, 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:15.039 that we were chosen by God. 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:18.459 And being chosen by God motivates us then 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:21.819 to love him, to worship him, to give him praise. 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:27.079 And now he closes this chapter with a prayer. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:28.740 A prayer for the church. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:30.399 A magnificent prayer 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:33.040 that you and I can latch on to 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:34.399 and be grateful 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:36.100 that this is in the scriptures 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:38.920 meant for our edification today. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:41.259 So what is he talking about in this prayer? 00:04:41.539 --> 00:04:42.560 Let me ask you this question. 00:04:42.659 --> 00:04:43.920 Does anybody know who these people are? 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:48.740 Good guess. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:53.960 It took us a minute to even identify the type of jerseys, but we got there. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:05:00.379 These are arguably the top five soccer players in the world right now, 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:05.680 arguably the best at their positions, according to the main soccer publications out there. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:10.639 I dare say that if any one of these guys walked into our church this morning, 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:15.300 there's not one person in this room who would have a clue who they are. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:22.340 However, if they went in just about anywhere else in the world, 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:23.300 they would be mobbed. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:26.259 Paparazzi would be following them everywhere. 00:05:26.660 --> 00:05:28.360 There'd be crowds thronging them 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.900 because those people know these guys. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:34.060 These guys are worldwide celebrities, 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:35.960 except in the United States. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.220 We're the only ones who don't play football with our feet. 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:46.860 And so there is a little disconnect there 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:49.160 between knowing who these people are 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:50.660 and knowing who these people are. 00:05:52.320 --> 00:05:54.900 Now take a minute and let's hear some names, all right? 00:05:54.940 --> 00:05:55.780 Who do we have up here? 00:05:56.780 --> 00:05:57.500 Troy Aikman, 00:05:58.640 --> 00:05:59.600 Roger Staubach, 00:06:00.520 --> 00:06:01.340 Tony Romo, 00:06:02.140 --> 00:06:02.880 Zach Prescott. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:06.199 My wife even knows who a couple of these guys were, man. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:09.000 Listen, 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:13.480 if any one of these guys walked into our building this morning, 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:15.959 we might have to cancel the service 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:18.459 because y'all would be so starstruck, right? 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:19.680 Who am I kidding? 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:20.319 I would be too. 00:06:21.740 --> 00:06:23.879 Yeah, you walk into a town in Texas 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.500 and throw some Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks up there, 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:28.319 absolutely people know who they are. 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:31.439 For those of you who didn't have a clue, 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:33.079 those are Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks, okay? 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:39.180 It's all in the context of what you care about, 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:41.319 what your interests are, 00:06:42.379 --> 00:06:44.759 what you spend your time learning about, 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:47.920 and around the world, soccer is king. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:50.879 But here in Texas, 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.600 the Dallas Cowboys are king. 00:06:54.039 --> 00:06:57.079 They may not always be king on the scoreboard on Sundays, 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:57.480 all right? 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.460 But we're going to win today, 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:01.020 and they kick at noon, 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:01.900 so we need to hurry up. 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:05.120 But y'all don't rush off. 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:07.460 We got to help get ready for Drunkertreat, okay? 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:09.780 So let's wrap this puppy up. 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:10.620 All right, here we go. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.439 So the idea here is 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:16.680 we need to reflect and consider 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.879 how well we know God 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:21.080 because there are certain things 00:07:21.080 --> 00:07:22.600 that we know very well. 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:25.259 And a lot of it depends on context. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:26.579 And the truth is, 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:28.699 how well you know God 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:30.360 depends on how much time 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.579 you've spent studying Him, 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:34.219 how much time you've spent with Him, 00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:37.800 how much time you've spent learning about Him, 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:41.159 how much of a nerd you are about God. 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:44.599 How many Star Wars nerds we got in here? 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:45.080 Yes? 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:45.439 Yes? 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.900 Some of you, like, hesitantly. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:50.740 I'm not proud of it, but yes. 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:52.900 I did. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.860 I did say yes. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:54.860 I did. 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:56.900 Star Trek? 00:07:57.200 --> 00:07:58.020 Anybody Star Trek? 00:07:58.140 --> 00:07:58.740 You got some Trekkies? 00:07:58.840 --> 00:07:59.200 Wow. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:07:59.780 Wow. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.800 The age of some of those, like, 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:03.800 okay. 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:06.600 Some younger people who are Star Trek fans. 00:08:06.700 --> 00:08:07.040 All right. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:08.800 What else? 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:09.260 Marvel? 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:10.780 DC? 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.860 Marvel and DC, Jessica. 00:08:14.020 --> 00:08:14.240 Wow. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:14.760 Okay. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:16.879 Amazing. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:20.580 We're bridging gaps here in this church, man. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:22.800 Well, listen. 00:08:23.900 --> 00:08:26.320 How many of us nerd out 00:08:26.320 --> 00:08:29.980 for holy God 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:31.900 as much as we do 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:35.299 for these other areas of entertainment 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:36.539 in our lives? 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.199 Now, look. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.620 I can tell you every single member 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:40.720 of the Dallas Cowboys this year. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:42.459 I love them to death. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.079 I love my Texas Rangers. 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:46.199 Let's not talk about last night. 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:50.639 But how much of our time, 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:51.919 how much of our interest 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:53.980 is spent knowing more and more 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:55.480 about these things 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.159 that matter in the here and now, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.000 but in the scope of eternity, 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:01.360 they don't matter a bit. 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.220 They don't matter at all. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.299 But we oftentimes 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:07.279 know far more about that 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:07.939 than we do 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:10.559 the one who bled and died for us, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.779 rose from the grave victoriously, 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:15.000 and offers life-changing power 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.279 to us every day. 00:09:16.959 --> 00:09:18.740 So there is a revelation 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:21.559 involved in knowing God. 00:09:21.819 --> 00:09:23.279 Let's look back at verse 17 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:24.179 of chapter 1. 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.699 Verse 17 of Ephesians chapter 1. 00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:28.480 I pray that the God 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:29.740 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:30.679 the glorious Father, 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.899 would give you 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:33.559 the spirit of wisdom 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:34.599 and revelation 00:09:34.599 --> 00:09:36.699 in the knowledge 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:38.000 of Him. 00:09:39.219 --> 00:09:40.399 That you would get 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:41.539 to know God better, 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:43.039 and then you would experience 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:45.079 this divine revelation 00:09:45.079 --> 00:09:46.739 that comes with knowing God. 00:09:46.739 --> 00:09:47.859 What are we talking about 00:09:47.859 --> 00:09:48.739 when we say revelation? 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:51.159 That God reveals things to you. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.120 God reveals the truth 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:53.839 about Himself. 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.719 God reveals His true nature. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.860 Do you realize 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:59.240 that if you grow up in church, 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.080 oftentimes, 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.779 you can get a distorted view 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:03.879 of who God is? 00:10:04.660 --> 00:10:05.580 You understand that? 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:08.160 You can all of a sudden realize, 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:09.060 especially growing up 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:09.820 in Baptist churches, 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:12.360 that God is not just 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:13.139 a bunch of rules. 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:15.980 Because sometimes 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.600 that is what we portray, 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.779 and that is what we emphasize, 00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:20.379 that if you do this, 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:21.600 if you check these boxes, 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.240 if you live according 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.500 to how we say 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:25.360 you ought to live, 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.379 then you are good, 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:27.120 you are fine, 00:10:27.180 --> 00:10:28.420 and God is happy with you. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:30.180 That is not an accurate view 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:30.639 of God. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.420 God knows the truth 00:10:32.420 --> 00:10:33.000 about you. 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:34.159 He knows the truth 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:34.840 about me. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:35.960 He knows we are 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:36.980 far worse 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.620 than the image 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:39.379 that we portray 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.320 on Sunday morning 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:40.879 in church. 00:10:42.060 --> 00:10:43.080 Whether you're standing 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:43.659 in a choir 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.940 or sitting out here, 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:46.180 we try to portray 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:47.379 the best version 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.139 of ourselves, 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:48.700 don't we? 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:49.960 Of course we do. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.340 God knows that 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.379 you're not really that. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:54.700 He knows that 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.300 those people, 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:55.840 young people 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.940 who post on Instagram, 00:10:57.560 --> 00:10:58.340 their lives aren't 00:10:58.340 --> 00:10:59.280 really like that. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.800 They took that picture 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:03.160 25 times 00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:04.360 to get it just right 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:05.420 to portray 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:06.600 this certain image. 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:08.400 And we do that 00:11:08.400 --> 00:11:09.560 in our day-to-day lives. 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:11.040 When people are coming 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:11.960 over to our house, 00:11:12.020 --> 00:11:12.700 what do we do? 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:14.780 We try to straighten 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:15.379 it up real quick. 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:16.200 We try to clean it. 00:11:16.280 --> 00:11:16.420 We go, 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:16.800 oh man, 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.280 I've got to throw 00:11:17.280 --> 00:11:17.660 the dishes 00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:18.320 in the dishwasher. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:19.220 I've got to go 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.220 make the bed real quick. 00:11:20.760 --> 00:11:22.000 Or at least close 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.640 the door to the bedroom 00:11:22.640 --> 00:11:23.360 so they don't go in there. 00:11:24.660 --> 00:11:25.900 We try to portray 00:11:25.900 --> 00:11:26.520 an image 00:11:26.520 --> 00:11:27.379 that we have it 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:27.920 all together 00:11:27.920 --> 00:11:28.960 when God knows 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:29.960 we don't have it 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.320 all together. 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.080 We are a mess. 00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:34.360 But God is revealed 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.240 when we get to know 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.700 Him better, 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:36.379 we realize 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:38.200 those aren't the things 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:39.440 that He prioritizes. 00:11:39.540 --> 00:11:40.180 Remember what we talked 00:11:40.180 --> 00:11:40.860 about in our series 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:41.420 on the church? 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:42.480 Don't make the 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.360 secondary stuff 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:43.860 primary. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:45.720 Primary 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.240 is what God 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.040 really cares about. 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:48.939 He cares about you. 00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:50.199 He cares about your heart. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.240 He cares about rescuing you. 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:54.099 He cares about changing you. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.939 He cares about saving you. 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:58.039 He cares about redeeming 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.620 your life. 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.059 So there is a revelation 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:01.799 in knowing God. 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:02.860 Now man, 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:04.240 we care about how you 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.839 have it all together. 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:07.719 Mankind, 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.459 our fellow neighbor, 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.919 we are judging. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.659 We talk back. 00:12:14.439 --> 00:12:15.659 We talk bad about you 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:16.299 behind your back. 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:17.279 That's what people do. 00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:19.059 God doesn't do that. 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:22.079 So we reveal 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:24.199 the real God 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:25.659 when we get to know 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.199 Him better. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.000 How do you get to know 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.539 God better? 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.859 You spend time with Him. 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.159 You pray. 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:31.479 You talk to Him. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.399 You actually spend time 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:32.839 in your day 00:12:32.839 --> 00:12:34.099 talking to the one 00:12:34.099 --> 00:12:35.219 who wants to hear from you. 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:37.399 You actually spend time 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.519 reading the instruction 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:39.679 manual for life 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:41.039 that He left behind here. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:42.319 and we've got Him 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:43.299 so nicely bound 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:44.379 in leather and all that. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:48.279 That is God. 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.699 He's revealed Himself 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:51.500 to us. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.719 I'm not talking about 00:12:53.719 --> 00:12:54.779 getting some vision 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.659 because you ate too much 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.839 Mexican food the night before. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:58.099 I'm talking about 00:12:58.099 --> 00:12:58.559 real, 00:12:59.059 --> 00:12:59.879 genuine learning 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.939 of who God is. 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:02.279 He's told us exactly 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.179 about His nature. 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:04.639 He's told us everything 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.939 we need to know 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:06.699 about Him. 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:08.200 and it's all there 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:08.960 for the taking. 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:10.980 And God reveals 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.180 Himself to us. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.879 You know what else? 00:13:13.140 --> 00:13:14.220 He reveals us 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.800 in Him. 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.740 It's like a mirror. 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.640 When we look at God, 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:20.740 we see how fake we are. 00:13:21.660 --> 00:13:23.600 When we look at how real 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.860 and genuine His love is, 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:28.180 we see how poor of an excuse 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:29.759 our love is. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.780 And then we're just astounded. 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:34.259 Why would God love me? 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:36.160 I'm a mess. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:38.560 I can't measure up. 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.980 That's what grace is all about. 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.940 That's what salvation 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.640 is all about. 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:44.940 That's what God 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.200 is all about. 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:49.740 So we need Holy Spirit glasses. 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:52.640 We need Holy Spirit glasses. 00:13:52.780 --> 00:13:53.360 These are not 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.920 rose-colored glasses. 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.800 This is not looking through life 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:57.860 that everything's okay. 00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:00.160 It's realizing 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:01.860 that everything is not okay, 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:03.879 but it can be well 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.820 with my soul 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:07.920 despite all the mess around me, 00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:09.379 despite all the mess 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.400 within my own heart. 00:14:10.560 --> 00:14:12.320 It can still be well 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.140 with my soul 00:14:13.140 --> 00:14:14.420 because God loves me, 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:15.660 He cares, 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:18.440 He sacrificed everything, 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:21.080 and He wants and desires 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:22.100 above everything else 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.880 a relationship with me 00:14:23.880 --> 00:14:26.000 because that glorifies Him. 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:28.380 That brings glory to Him. 00:14:29.020 --> 00:14:30.640 So we have an opportunity 00:14:30.640 --> 00:14:32.460 to worship our God, 00:14:32.640 --> 00:14:33.260 praise Him, 00:14:33.380 --> 00:14:34.460 bring honor and glory 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.800 to His name every day 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:37.560 by working on our relationship 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.020 with Him, 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:40.700 seeing us as He sees us, 00:14:41.660 --> 00:14:43.700 seeing Him as He truly is. 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:44.980 We can only do that 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.800 by looking through 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:48.140 these Holy Spirit glasses. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:50.000 So if you have put your faith 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.580 in Christ, 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.960 repented of your sins, 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.720 turned from them 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.540 and turned to Him 00:14:53.540 --> 00:14:54.600 as your Savior 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:56.259 to become His child, 00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:57.379 then you have 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.379 the Holy Spirit with you. 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.480 And the Holy Spirit 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.320 can reveal 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.660 who God is 00:15:01.660 --> 00:15:02.879 and who we are 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.200 to us. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:06.300 2 Corinthians chapter 4 00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:08.060 kind of talks about this. 00:15:08.140 --> 00:15:09.920 We are not proclaiming ourselves, 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.560 but Jesus Christ 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.159 as Lord. 00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:13.859 God, who said, 00:15:14.119 --> 00:15:15.439 let light shine out of darkness, 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:17.679 has shown in our hearts 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:19.479 to give the light 00:15:19.479 --> 00:15:20.519 of the knowledge 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.559 of God's glory 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.619 in the face 00:15:22.619 --> 00:15:23.579 of Jesus Christ. 00:15:23.979 --> 00:15:26.199 That is a revealing light. 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:27.699 It is an illuminating light 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:29.599 that shines on our hearts 00:15:29.599 --> 00:15:32.239 through the power 00:15:32.239 --> 00:15:33.039 of the Holy Spirit 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.219 and it allows us 00:15:35.219 --> 00:15:36.459 to see clearly. 00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:37.939 Until then, 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:39.779 we're seeing a distorted view 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.899 of the world. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.459 And that's why 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:43.939 we're so easily swayed 00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:45.519 by things we read online, 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.819 by things we watch online, 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:50.799 by things we hear 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.679 other people say, 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.739 things we hear people say 00:15:53.739 --> 00:15:54.419 about us. 00:15:55.579 --> 00:15:57.739 We are so easily swayed 00:15:57.739 --> 00:15:58.679 by everything 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:00.979 except what God says. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.439 So we must get 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.059 to know Him better. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.539 We've got to look 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.579 through His Holy Spirit glasses 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:07.659 and then see 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.659 who we really are 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.579 and who He really is. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.540 Number two, 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.480 the blessings 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.580 of knowing God. 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.680 The blessings 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:16.700 of knowing God. 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:18.020 Did y'all notice today 00:16:18.020 --> 00:16:18.840 in your bulletins 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.820 you've got some work to do? 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.860 Anybody notice that? 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.360 Good. 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.320 Y'all doing the work? 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.420 Y'all writing it down? 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.540 Alright, here we go. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.180 We told you for a little while 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:28.759 this was coming. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.040 We're going to be 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:31.320 active participants today. 00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:32.560 Fill in those blanks. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.860 Alright, so number one, 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:34.480 the revelation 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.240 of knowing God. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:35.780 Number two, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:36.519 the blessings 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.860 of knowing God. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.939 Boy, the blessings 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:39.740 of knowing God 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.399 we could spend 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.179 the rest of the day 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.860 talking about them 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.379 and still not 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.199 scratch the surface. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.500 But let's give 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.459 a little overview here 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.559 beginning in verse 18. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.819 Ephesians 1.18, 00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:49.220 I pray that the eyes 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:49.759 of your heart 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.819 may be enlightened. 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.600 Talking about that revelation. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.879 So that you may know 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.120 what is the hope 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.039 of His calling. 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:57.620 There we go, 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.679 the hope of His calling. 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.000 What is the wealth 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.480 of His glorious inheritance 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.899 in the saints. 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.099 The wealth 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.279 of His inheritance. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.939 And what is 00:17:07.939 --> 00:17:08.980 the immeasurable 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:11.539 greatness of His power 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:13.379 toward us who believe 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.299 according to the mighty 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.980 working of His strength. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.179 Did you catch those 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:18.039 three key words 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.699 that were in there? 00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:22.480 Hope, 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.459 inheritance, 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.259 and power. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:24.899 Hope, 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.719 inheritance, 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.379 and power. 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:28.019 These are three blessings 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.899 of knowing God 00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:31.699 that the text reveals to us 00:17:31.699 --> 00:17:33.219 here in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:33.779 So, 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.620 let's look first 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.299 over Jeremiah. 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.140 We're looking at hope. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.299 Hope number one. 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:38.940 Hope. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.860 Then Jeremiah 29.11, 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.860 I know the plans 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.620 I have for you. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:44.279 Plans for your well-being, 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.600 not for disaster, 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:47.279 to give you a future 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.799 and a hope. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.620 That is why 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:52.200 Christians can have 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:54.440 such a positive outlook 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.140 on life, 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.180 even when things 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.019 aren't going well. 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.440 It's because God 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.579 gives us a future 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.200 and a hope. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.579 He promises that. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:03.339 So, 00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:03.679 it's like, 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.240 it doesn't matter 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.199 how bad the here 00:18:05.199 --> 00:18:05.980 and now gets, 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.939 I know that there's 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.359 a future, 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.480 and I know my future 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.000 is secure. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.399 I know there's a hope 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:10.980 for today. 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.299 I know that even 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.759 though I mess up, 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.339 God's love for me 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.439 wasn't contingent 00:18:17.439 --> 00:18:19.000 on me not messing up. 00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:21.199 God loves me 00:18:21.199 --> 00:18:22.559 despite my mess ups. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.500 So, 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.460 I can have a hope, 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.019 and I can still 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.679 have a future. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.500 My future is secure. 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.839 There's nothing 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.700 that I did 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:32.799 to inherit God's presence. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.500 There's nothing 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.119 I did 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:35.559 to inherit God's love, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.460 and there's nothing 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.339 that I can do 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.279 to lose it. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:41.140 I have a future, 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.519 and it's secure, 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:44.180 and I have a hope, 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.500 and it's real, 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.779 and it's unshakable. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.160 You know what the 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.180 enemy of hope is? 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.059 Fear. 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.200 The enemy of hope 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.900 is fear. 00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:54.519 How many of us 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.619 struggle with fear 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.400 on a daily basis? 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:56.840 You don't have 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.480 to raise your hand. 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.960 We know you do. 00:19:00.040 --> 00:19:01.120 You know I do. 00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.620 We all do. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:05.240 Every one of us 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.500 struggles with fear 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:10.420 because we are 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:12.500 living in this flesh, 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.720 but that's why 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.700 we must remind ourselves 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:18.280 continually who God is. 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.220 We've got to get to know 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.360 Him more intimately. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.680 That's where that hope 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.259 comes from. 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.400 Look through those 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.400 Holy Spirit glasses, 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.420 and remember 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:27.120 that we have a hope, 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.080 and it's alive. 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.600 1 Peter chapter 1, 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.940 Praise be to the God 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.640 and Father of our 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:32.500 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.840 In His great mercy, 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.680 He's given us new birth 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.540 into a living hope. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:38.940 There's a song, 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.960 a Christian song 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.800 that's written about that. 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.080 It says, 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.080 Jesus Christ, 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.680 my living hope. 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:46.259 He is our living hope. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.019 He's alive. 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.420 That's why the resurrection 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.780 of Jesus from the dead 00:19:49.780 --> 00:19:51.220 is the one thing 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.640 that we can rest 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.940 all of our hope on. 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.940 It's the one thing 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.700 that we can build 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.360 our hope on 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.380 because if He died 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.580 and He didn't come back 00:19:58.580 --> 00:19:59.060 to life, 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.420 then He wasn't God. 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.480 The things He said 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.220 weren't true, 00:20:02.540 --> 00:20:03.580 and this is all 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:05.300 an exercise in futility. 00:20:05.520 --> 00:20:06.380 It's all worth nothing. 00:20:08.280 --> 00:20:10.120 But He did rise from the dead. 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.040 He is alive today, 00:20:12.040 --> 00:20:14.540 and He is our living hope 00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:15.820 through the resurrection 00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:16.759 of Jesus Christ 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.759 from the dead. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.040 You and I have hope. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:21.279 Well, we can only have hope 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:24.039 when we get to know God better 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.680 because otherwise, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:28.159 we can't battle that fear 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:29.159 that surrounds us. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:31.139 Yes, our destiny is secure. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:33.379 We should have that hope 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.720 and carry that with us, 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:37.180 but we're too caught up in fear. 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.319 We're too caught up 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.920 in getting to know 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.899 everything else around us 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:43.240 except the God 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.680 who loves us 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:47.680 and can transform our lives. 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:49.700 1 Peter chapter 1 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.880 and the next verse. 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.560 We read verse 3 a moment ago. 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:54.980 Into an inheritance 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.539 that can never perish, 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.320 spoil, or fade. 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:57.940 Did you get that? 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.820 His great mercy, 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.440 He's given us new birth 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.759 into this living hope 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.779 because Jesus rose from the dead 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.200 and into an inheritance 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:08.060 that can never perish, 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.100 spoil, or fade. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.140 How many of you guys 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:12.240 have like a $100 million inheritance 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.960 waiting on you 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:15.140 whenever so-and-so does? 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:18.700 I didn't think so. 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.560 If you are, 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.660 you need to tie it on that, okay? 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.860 Our inheritance 00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:30.080 is so much better 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:30.720 than $100 million. 00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:32.759 Our inheritance 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.980 can never perish, 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.920 spoil, or fade. 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.220 It can't be wasted 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.259 on something else. 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:40.200 It can't have its value 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.860 decrease through the stock market. 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:43.019 Our inheritance 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:44.699 is so much better 00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:47.339 because it is eternal. 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:49.059 It is forever. 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.159 You know what the interesting 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:51.839 part in that? 00:21:52.439 --> 00:21:53.819 This is another blessing 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:55.039 of knowing God. 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.219 It's understanding 00:21:56.219 --> 00:21:58.439 that He is our inheritance. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.879 You know what the crazy part is? 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:01.679 We are His inheritance. 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.199 Did you see there 00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:04.859 in verse... 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.919 Where was it here? 00:22:07.219 --> 00:22:08.279 Ephesians chapter 1 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.779 and verse 18. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:13.420 That you may know 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:15.139 what is the hope 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.899 of His calling, 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.700 what is the wealth 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:19.980 of His glorious inheritance 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.940 in the saints. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.920 Do you know what 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.920 Scripture teaches here 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.799 and it alludes to it 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.700 right here in Ephesians 1? 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:29.660 We are His prize. 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.319 Isn't that weird? 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:35.399 It is easy for us 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.079 to recognize 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.720 how great and good God is. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:40.200 How He is our inheritance. 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.799 He is our treasure. 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:43.359 He is our prize. 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.279 He's so much greater 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.799 than we are. 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.740 That's not hard 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:47.000 to wrap our heads around. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:49.299 But it's a little wild 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.019 to consider 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.899 that God looks at us 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.619 as the big prize 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.220 that He won. 00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:56.819 We are His inheritance. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.500 And He can't wait 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.279 to get us home. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:02.539 He is so looking forward 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:04.660 to this joyous reunion 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.619 in heaven someday 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.599 when He gathers 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.339 all the children 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:07.980 into the fold. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.839 So we can take comfort 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.339 in knowing 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:14.079 that God's going 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.980 to take care of us. 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.740 We are His inheritance. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.559 God's got us. 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.240 He loves us. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.319 He values us. 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.799 He treasures us. 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.819 But that's a blessing 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.839 of knowing God. 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.740 That's a blessing 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.160 of being familiar with Him. 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:29.300 That's a blessing 00:23:29.300 --> 00:23:30.480 of knowing His heart. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.120 Knowing His mind. 00:23:32.300 --> 00:23:33.380 Spending time with Him. 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.540 Then you see 00:23:34.540 --> 00:23:36.300 how God sees you. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.380 And you see 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.440 who He really is. 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.740 And then finally, 00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:42.720 it talks about 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.220 the blessing 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.640 of knowing God 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.000 is His power. 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:48.080 The immeasurable greatness 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:49.140 of His power 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:50.400 toward us 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.759 who believe. 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.440 Folks, 00:23:52.540 --> 00:23:53.180 do you know why 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.900 you may not 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.660 have experienced 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.519 the power of God 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.140 in your life? 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:58.380 because you may 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.360 not really believe. 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.880 You might not 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.860 really be saved. 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.320 If you died today, 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.280 you might head 00:24:07.280 --> 00:24:08.860 straight to a burning hell 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:11.300 because you've never 00:24:11.300 --> 00:24:12.540 turned from your sin 00:24:12.540 --> 00:24:13.720 and put your faith 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.280 in Jesus. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.400 I'm dead serious. 00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:19.940 I will give that invitation 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.480 every time I preach. 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:24.259 and 99.9% of the time 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.779 nobody walks down here 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.980 but I guarantee you 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.059 there are people 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.180 sitting in this Sunday 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.120 under the sound 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:30.680 of my voice 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.620 every week, 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.660 week after week 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.380 after week 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.339 and they refuse 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.640 to repent of their sin 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.640 and put their faith 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.700 in Jesus for salvation. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.500 I promise you 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.360 that is true 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.160 in our church. 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:44.059 Don't start looking around 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.079 and wondering who it is. 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.579 Look in your own heart. 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:49.720 Say, God, 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.939 am I your child? 00:24:51.939 --> 00:24:52.879 Have I truly 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.019 repented of my sin 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.720 and put my faith 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.179 in Jesus? 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.460 Has there been 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.419 visible evidence 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.480 of that in my life? 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.639 Do I see evidence 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.539 of the Holy Spirit 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.559 in my life? 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:04.740 Because otherwise 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.299 there's no power. 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.159 Did you see 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.720 what it said? 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.819 The power is there 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.579 for you who believe. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.159 believe. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.159 If you don't believe, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.919 you don't get the power. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.359 If you don't believe, 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:17.319 you don't get the inheritance. 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.819 If you don't believe, 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.720 you don't get the hope. 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.460 That is the blessing 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.539 of knowing God. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.220 Please don't leave 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.359 this room today 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:30.679 without meeting God 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:32.639 and getting to know Him. 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:36.139 That's what this is all about, y'all. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.839 We can sing the songs 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:39.000 and the choir sounds great 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.460 and we can dress up nice 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.799 and come and be friendly 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.340 to everybody, 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:44.279 but that is all worth nothing 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.480 if you don't know Jesus. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.539 You gotta know Jesus. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.259 You gotta meet Him 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.319 for the first time today. 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.279 For those who do believe, 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.019 we have access 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.259 to unlimited power. 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.440 I talked about it 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.860 with the teens 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.539 on Wednesday night. 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.440 Jesus said, 00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:59.980 all power is given unto me 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.460 so you can go 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:03.100 with all that power 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:04.640 because I am with you. 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:06.000 So we have access 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.960 to all His power. 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.340 2 Peter chapter 1. 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.000 His divine power 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.720 has given us 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.079 everything required 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:13.599 for life and godliness. 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.900 Watch this. 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:17.059 Through the knowledge 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.839 of Him 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:19.180 who called us 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.019 by His own glory 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.579 and goodness. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.519 Knowing God better 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.740 gives you access 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.160 to His power 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.660 and that's all you need 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.220 for life. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.019 Everything required 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.799 for life 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.180 and for living 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:32.539 how God wants you to live, 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.519 living godly, 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:36.299 is found in knowing God. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:38.700 You gotta know Him better. 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.579 That's why we study 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.139 His word. 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.899 That's why we gather together. 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.000 That's why we have 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.859 Sunday school classes. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.859 That's why we have 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.359 small groups. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.159 That's why we have 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:48.480 ministries throughout the church. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:50.399 To get to know God better. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.659 We know God better 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.639 by obeying Him. 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.839 We know God better 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.919 by coming to church, 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.919 by fellowshipping 00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:56.579 with the believers, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.039 by singing songs 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.779 that praise Him 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:00.000 and talk about His goodness. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.680 We know God better. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:04.580 that gives us access 00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.340 to His power 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:06.840 which is all we need 00:27:06.840 --> 00:27:07.799 for life. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:08.860 So, 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.840 finally, 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.680 the victory 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.539 of knowing God. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.340 Those blessings 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.160 of knowing God 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.000 are amazing 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.380 but I can promise you 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:19.320 there is a victory 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:20.779 in knowing God. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.460 There's a victory 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.740 awaiting us. 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:25.600 It's this theological idea 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.440 of already 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.640 but not yet. 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.299 You understand 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.840 what I'm saying? 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:30.100 God has already 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.700 sealed us. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:32.340 He's already secured us. 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.759 He's already forgiven us 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.759 and made us His children. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.279 We just haven't 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.639 realized that yet. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.159 We're still trapped 00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:39.899 in this body. 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.139 We're still living 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:43.000 on this wicked earth 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:45.259 surrounded by sin 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.339 all around us 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.879 but the victory 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:49.519 is already won. 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.459 Look at verse 20. 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.179 He exercised this power 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:52.799 in Christ 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.939 by raising Him 00:27:53.939 --> 00:27:54.439 from the dead 00:27:54.439 --> 00:27:55.419 and seating Him 00:27:55.419 --> 00:27:56.119 in His right hand 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.619 in the heavens 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:58.039 far above every ruler 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.559 and authority 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.599 power and dominion 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.579 and every title 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.399 given not only 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:01.980 in this age 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.620 but also 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.420 in the one to come 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.339 and He subjected 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.660 everything under His feet 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.819 and He appointed Him 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.599 as head 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.660 over everything 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.539 for the church. 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:09.960 You want to know 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.460 who's in charge 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.980 of this church? 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.240 Jesus is in charge 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.720 of this church. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.660 He's the head 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.839 of this church 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:17.180 which is His body 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.920 the fullness 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.779 of the one 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.880 who fills all things 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.120 in every way. 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.859 can I clue you in 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.539 on something here? 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.659 This is one of my 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.500 favorite resources 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.359 Wilmington's Guide 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:26.839 to the Bible 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.219 and the man 00:28:27.219 --> 00:28:27.779 who wrote this 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.819 said the believer 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.519 is fighting 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.919 from a victory 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:32.359 not for a victory. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.439 The victory 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:34.619 is already won. 00:28:35.479 --> 00:28:36.379 That's the good news 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.119 for you this morning. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.619 Jesus already beat death. 00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:40.859 He conquered death. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.939 1 Corinthians 15 00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:45.019 says thanks be to God 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.959 who gives us the victory 00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:48.779 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:51.160 We are living this life 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:52.940 fighting this spiritual battle 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:54.559 from a place of victory 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:57.139 not trying to win the victory. 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.119 God's already won it. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.579 It's here. 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:01.119 It's here for us 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.039 to live in 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.200 enjoy claim 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.420 every time Satan 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.359 comes after you 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.519 every time he tries 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.379 to discourage you 00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:08.039 or attack you 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.559 with fear 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.779 or tempt you 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.799 with something 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.980 you know you shouldn't do 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:13.019 you can say Satan 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.460 you're a beaten enemy. 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.779 God has won. 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:19.519 I'm not going to give in 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.599 to a loser. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:24.139 So the takeaway this morning 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:26.940 is my confidence grows 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.980 as my intimate knowledge 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:30.599 of God grows. 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:32.440 My confidence grows 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:34.660 as my intimate knowledge 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:36.160 of God grows. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.180 What do we mean by this? 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.920 How does knowing God 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.940 give me confidence? 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.339 One, 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.940 I see more clearly. 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:47.140 We talked about 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.920 that illumination 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.620 that revelation 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.840 of seeing us 00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:50.759 as God sees us 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.500 and seeing him 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.660 as he really is. 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:54.039 I can see more clearly 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.100 that gives me confidence. 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.519 I have hope. 00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:58.019 A living hope. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.160 Jesus is alive. 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.400 My hope is real. 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.779 And that gives me confidence. 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:03.259 And I have 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.440 and I am 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.779 God's inheritance. 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.039 Boy, that should give you confidence. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:09.899 You have inherited 00:30:09.899 --> 00:30:11.220 all that God is. 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:12.940 We are joint heirs 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.379 co-equal 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.220 with 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.720 the Son of God himself 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.159 Jesus. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:19.019 We are joint heirs 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.859 with Christ. 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.700 And then God 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.339 sees us 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.159 as his inheritance. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.899 Talk about a confidence builder. 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.940 God values you so much 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.339 and then I have power. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.859 I have all power 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:32.000 that God has. 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.379 The Holy Spirit of God 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:34.359 walks with me, 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.079 prepares the path for me, 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.980 protects me, 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.879 guides me 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:38.939 if I'll listen to him. 00:30:39.679 --> 00:30:41.119 I have all that power 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:43.000 and I already have the victory. 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:45.419 These are confidence builders 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.980 that can go with us 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:48.599 every step of the way. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.960 2 Timothy chapter 2 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.419 the last book of the Bible 00:30:51.419 --> 00:30:52.179 that Paul wrote 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:53.679 that we have record of. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.019 He says, 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.919 I'm not ashamed. 00:30:55.939 --> 00:30:57.000 It's toward the end of his life. 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.339 He said, 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:59.199 I know whom I have believed 00:30:59.199 --> 00:31:01.000 and I'm persuaded 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.000 that he is able 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.619 to keep 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:04.159 what I have committed to him 00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:04.899 until that day. 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.939 You see the confidence 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.820 oozing through that? 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.700 You see the confidence 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.539 that Paul had? 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.480 I know 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:12.080 who I've believed in 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:14.480 and I am absolutely 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.460 persuaded 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:18.220 that he will keep 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.259 what I have committed to him 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:22.160 until that day. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.259 What kind of confidence 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.799 do you have? 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.820 Here's the real question. 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.940 How well do you really know God? 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:34.980 There is a direct link. 00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:37.019 There's a direct correlation 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:39.480 between how well you know God 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:41.299 and your confidence level 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.820 as a Christian. 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:44.120 If you're shaky, 00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:48.420 you're beaten up by fear, 00:31:48.580 --> 00:31:49.539 tossed to and fro, 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.580 insecurity, 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.000 uncertainty, 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:54.320 you need to get to know God better. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:57.460 God is the answer to that. 00:31:58.179 --> 00:31:59.059 His power, 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.720 his hope, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.700 his inheritance, 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.779 all these 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:04.359 can soothe those fears. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:06.339 All these can reassure you. 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.059 But you've got to get to know him. 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.559 You've got to spend time with him. 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:11.619 You've got to get to know him intimately. 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:14.099 And you can recognize him in the world. 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.240 You can see, 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.759 that's from God. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.519 That's from God. 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:20.639 Hebrews 4, 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.440 let us then approach 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.879 God's throne of grace 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:25.279 with confidence 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:28.019 so that we may receive mercy 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.660 and find grace 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.500 to help us 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.980 in our time of need. 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:33.779 We can approach God 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:35.319 with confidence. 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.400 Okay? 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.500 We're talking about a daily activity, 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:40.000 a daily approach. 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:42.299 Getting down on your knees, 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:44.339 maybe even lying prostrate 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.180 if you need to, 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.339 on your face 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.160 before God. 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.980 spending time 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.000 getting to know him. 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.920 Sometimes just being quiet 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:53.220 and listening to him. 00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:56.500 Waiting to see 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.920 what those thoughts 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:58.560 and burdens 00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.440 and prayers 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.640 that he puts into your heart. 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:02.240 Opening up his word 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.100 and seeing 00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:04.560 what he's already said to us. 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:06.019 And then rising up 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:07.680 and walking with him 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.660 in confidence. 00:33:09.560 --> 00:33:11.540 We can daily approach him 00:33:11.540 --> 00:33:12.720 with confidence. 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:14.480 We can run into the king's court. 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.779 We can run up to his throne 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:18.720 and take 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:21.139 all of his time 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.899 at any moment. 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.099 You understand? 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:25.559 My confidence grows 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:27.519 as my intimate knowledge 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.299 of God grows. 00:33:28.379 --> 00:33:29.399 Would you bow your heads with me? 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:31.079 God, I ask that you would 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:32.019 increase our confidence, 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.799 that you would increase 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.720 our knowledge of you. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.019 There might be somebody 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.920 in here this morning 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.799 who needs to meet you 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.559 for the first time. 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:39.980 So right now, 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.960 while our heads are bowed, 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.920 I'm going to ask this question 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:42.859 like I do every week. 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:44.939 If you don't know Jesus 00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:45.819 as your savior 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:47.699 and you know today's the day 00:33:47.699 --> 00:33:48.939 you need to repent of your sin, 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:49.859 turn from it 00:33:49.859 --> 00:33:50.559 and turn to Jesus, 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:51.479 would you slip your hand up 00:33:51.479 --> 00:33:52.139 real quick, please? 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.719 Would you slip your hand up? 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.079 Thank you. 00:33:56.219 --> 00:33:57.419 Let me ask this question. 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.859 How many of you might say 00:33:58.859 --> 00:33:59.319 that 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:02.159 I need to be a more 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:03.019 confident Christian, 00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:04.859 which means I need to get 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.500 to know God better? 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:09.000 I need to change my view of God, 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.760 get to know him 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:11.159 in the way that the Bible 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:12.300 actually portrays him, 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.739 not other people. 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:16.039 Tell me what he is. 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.280 I need to get to know him 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:17.820 for myself. 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.579 How many of you would say 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.019 that's me, 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.659 I need to build my confidence 00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.599 and get to know God better? 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:25.559 Thank you, thank you, 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:26.219 thank you. 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.099 How many of you would say 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:30.039 that fear has been attacking me? 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.139 And that's something 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.900 I need prayer for. 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.320 Fear has been coming 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:35.740 after me. 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.559 Would you slip your hand up 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:36.860 real quick? 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.440 I'll pray for you. 00:34:37.600 --> 00:34:38.620 Thank you, thank you. 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.700 God, you see these hands 00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:42.400 and you know every other question 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.420 that I could have asked 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.740 and you know the answers. 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.380 I pray that you would work 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.480 at our hearts this morning, 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.539 that nobody would leave this room 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:52.740 having a false relationship with you, 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:54.160 that nobody would leave this room 00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:55.580 still trusting in themselves, 00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:57.539 that nobody would leave this room 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:59.059 thinking that you don't love them, 00:34:59.140 --> 00:35:00.200 you don't care about them. 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.760 God, you've told us 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:02.820 exactly the opposite 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:05.000 and you prove it time and time again 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.800 in our lives 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:08.800 and those who haven't experienced that, 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.320 I pray that they would get 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.000 to know you better, 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.579 that they would learn 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:16.420 what is that power, 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.860 what is that hope, 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.539 what is that inheritance 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.679 that is found in you. 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.699 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:23.840 Amen. 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:25.019 We're going to have just a moment. 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.100 Amen.