WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.719 Mark chapter 6, the word was out. Jesus was making a radical difference. The difference that Jesus made in lives was amazing. The disciples were being sent out. They're being used in powerful and effective ways. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:42.399 And the passage that precedes the one that we're going to read speaks of how he sent out the apostles with great effectiveness. And that got the attention of Herod because culture was being affected. Lives were changing and Herod didn't like it. It unsettled him. He was afraid of it. 00:00:42.399 --> 00:01:06.159 There's so much about it that he didn't understand and he didn't know. Who is this Jesus anyway? John the Baptist was dead. Killed by Herod. And the account we'll read today tells that story. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:22.379 And as Jesus was ministering, some were saying that he must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. And that unsettled King Herod. It greatly concerned him. And our passage tells us why. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:37.819 It's in Mark chapter 6, beginning verse 14, it says this. King Herod heard of it. And that it it's talking about is this great movement of God as Christ was affecting people as well as sending out disciples. 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:50.319 King Herod heard of it for Jesus name had become known. Some said John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. That's why these miraculous powers are at work in him. 00:01:50.319 --> 00:02:00.599 King Herod said he's Elijah. But others said he's a prophet like one of the prophets of old. But when Herod heard of it, he said, John, whom I beheaded, has been raised. 00:02:01.539 --> 00:02:12.400 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:16.959 For John had been saying to Herod, it's not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:23.340 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted him put to death, but she could not. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:28.080 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:31.960 And he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:34.420 And yet he heard him gladly. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:43.280 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:48.479 For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:58.500 And the king said to the girl, ask me for whatever you wish and I'll give it to you. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:04.740 And he vowed to her, whatever you ask, I'll give you. 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:06.639 Up to half of my kingdom. 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:36.619 Up to half of my kingdom. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:04:06.619 Up to half of my kingdom. 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:11.159 Because of what he had previously done to John the Baptist. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:17.500 Could it be that Jesus is actually John the Baptist that's been raised from the dead? 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:26.399 And Mark brings it up to foreshadow what is coming in the crucifixion of Christ. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.839 And Herod's role in the crucifixion of Christ. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:35.500 Now, ironically, Mark does not bring up Herod at the crucifixion of Christ. 00:04:35.979 --> 00:04:36.699 Luke does. 00:04:37.079 --> 00:04:45.339 However, Mark obviously references Herod here in light of what's going to happen in the last days of Christ. 00:04:45.339 --> 00:04:51.359 The account that he gives here is the execution of John the Baptist. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:55.900 John the Baptist was very unique. 00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:57.899 He lived in the wilderness. 00:04:57.899 --> 00:04:59.039 He lived in the wilderness. 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:05.739 And where I grew up and where I lived most of my life, the wilderness to me was always the woods. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:09.799 And so when I grew up, I always thought that he was talking about he must have lived in the woods. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:12.540 Well, when you go to the Middle East, the wilderness is not the woods. 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:13.139 It's the desert. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:16.460 And he lived in the desert. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:21.980 And those desert mountains in that area are full of caves. 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:25.000 And bandits hide in there. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:34.579 Jesus speaks of that in the story of the man on the road to Samaria. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:40.180 And he speaks of how thieves and bandits and those type things attacked. 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:42.800 They would hide in the caves and those type things. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:45.720 And people who lived, those nomads, would live in those caves. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:48.339 And John the Baptist probably did that very thing. 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:52.959 It says that he wore a camel hair coat. 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:54.759 We actually have an image of John the Baptist. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:57.379 If you will show them that to him. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:05:58.959 That's John the Baptist right there. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:03.980 Actually, he looked more like this. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:09.860 Such a coat is a practicality under the circumstances. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:15.000 Because camel skin is water resistant. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:19.079 It's warm as desert nights sometimes get cold. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:22.319 But even more than that, it was a symbol. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:28.199 For Zechariah chapter 13 verse 4 identifies such peril as a sign of profit. 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:35.100 2 Kings 1.8 tells us that the prophet of all prophets, Elijah, wore that kind of coat. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:49.980 Matter of fact, it became such a known mark of identity among prophets that Zechariah warned of false prophets that would wear a hairy cloak in order to make themselves more believable. 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:51.660 And to watch out for them. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:53.580 It was common. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:55.300 And no wonder. 00:06:55.300 --> 00:07:06.099 When I went out west years ago, I was surprised to see free range horses running in the desert. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:08.979 It amazed me when I saw them come through town. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:11.060 We were in some Arizona town. 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:15.100 But when I went to the Middle East, what I saw run through town were camels. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:17.519 Free range camels. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:20.319 They're common in the desert. 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:24.879 Scripture tells us John the Baptist ate locusts and honey. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:26.819 Why do you eat that? 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:28.100 Because that's what you find in the desert. 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:33.079 He came preaching repentance and baptizing people with a baptism of repentance. 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:36.039 And as they turned from the sin of their heart, they would be clean. 00:07:36.659 --> 00:07:42.519 And the public physical presentation of that change came through baptism by immersion. 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:47.860 Jesus came to him and asked John the Baptist to baptize him. 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.419 And he did. 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:56.360 And our passage today talks about how he died upon the orders of King Herod. 00:07:56.419 --> 00:07:59.799 Now, we need to keep our King Herod straight because there's more than one in Scripture. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:04.340 One was raining when Jesus was born. 00:08:05.460 --> 00:08:06.560 And he was crazy. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:16.060 He spent the last 24 years of his life building a desert resort that stands on the high cliffs 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:18.920 looking over the Dead Sea called Masada. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:26.080 And at that retreat, he built three palaces for his wives to live in. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:37.079 He was known, however, to throw unsuccessful soldiers, untrusting servants, and dissatisfying wives off a cliff. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:40.639 That was his favorite way of killing folk. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:44.259 And I remember going to Masada and walking through those remains 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:49.100 and looking out one of those windows that was right on the edge of the cliff wondering, 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:53.799 I wonder if he threw anybody out this window because it had no ledge outside of it. 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:57.339 He was known for that kind of thing. 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:02.479 Psychiatrists say that he had the traits of a paranoid schizophrenic, 00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:05.719 a dangerous problem when it's unmedicated. 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:08.779 And he died in 4 AD. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:11.599 So he's dead when this account takes place. 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:15.179 The Herod that John speaks of is Herod Antipas, 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:18.019 which is the other King Herod's son. 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:21.299 And I don't know if he's crazy, but I do know he was in sin, 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:23.579 and he was married to a sinful and crazy woman. 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:27.899 He had taken her from his brother. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:31.679 And John was preaching very strong at that time, 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.259 and he gained a lot of attention. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:36.279 Large crowds went out into the desert to see him. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:41.399 And Mark says all of Judea, that means that whole surrounding area, 00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:44.840 as well as the city, were going out to see John the Baptist. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:47.399 So I'm telling you, it was quite a movement. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.500 He was gaining a lot of attention. 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:51.280 He called sin, sin. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:53.480 And when he preached against the adultery of Herod, 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:57.100 the adulteress grew angry. 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:04.200 So she set up the opportunity at his birthday party, 00:10:04.420 --> 00:10:05.800 among all his friends, 00:10:06.280 --> 00:10:11.580 to have her daughter do a provocative dance in front of him. 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:14.900 And it excited him. 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:20.400 And he promised her anything she wanted, 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:25.320 like a guy who's drank too much in front of his friends. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:29.240 And she got it. 00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:31.920 He was lustful. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.460 He was weak. 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:36.280 And John died early because of it. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.420 John was a unique man. 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:43.200 And I believe he died, in part, 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:47.800 due to poor responses to a powerful conviction. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:54.700 The poor responses came from Herod and his wife Herodias. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:58.900 The powerful conviction came from the Holy Spirit. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:04.980 I believe Herod Antipas was convicted about his wayward life 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:09.240 and wanted the voice that convicts to be snuffed out. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.519 And he thought that was John. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:17.459 And John was simply an instrument of the Holy Spirit the whole time. 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:22.360 Now let me tell you what we get from this passage today, 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.319 what I'm aiming at. 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:27.480 By looking at Herod and by looking at his wife, 00:11:27.760 --> 00:11:31.840 we get a better understanding of what happens when God convicts someone. 00:11:32.760 --> 00:11:33.879 And my hope is this, 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:37.360 that we recognize God's conviction in our life 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:39.400 and that we respond in obedience. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:44.620 I want you to notice some traits of what happens when God convicts. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.860 When God convicts, we feel pursued. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.800 We feel pursued. 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:54.679 When Herod heard that lives were being changed by Jesus and his disciples, 00:11:54.859 --> 00:11:57.359 he was haunted by the guilt of killing John. 00:11:57.479 --> 00:11:58.899 Did John come back to life? 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.079 What is this? 00:12:00.099 --> 00:12:00.859 He was freaking out. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:03.740 And what he felt was the pursuit of the Lord. 00:12:03.839 --> 00:12:04.639 I mean, I'm going to be clear. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:07.959 The Lord was pursuing him as John the Baptist was preaching. 00:12:08.599 --> 00:12:10.159 And now that John is dead, 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:12.459 that same message continues on. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:15.079 God did not simply stop doing that. 00:12:15.079 --> 00:12:15.659 As a matter of fact, 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:19.699 one theologian of old called God the hound of heaven. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:24.859 Because his spirit just continues to sniff us out no matter what we do, 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:26.979 pursuing us with conviction. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:29.120 And that may seem haunting. 00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:34.779 Not only did it appear that way to Herod and Herodias, 00:12:34.839 --> 00:12:36.359 but it also appeared that way to David. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:47.320 David slept with another man's wife and then had her husband put into a situation that would end his life 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:51.220 in order for David to cover up his own sin. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:54.800 And he probably thought he got away with it. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.899 But he didn't. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:00.399 And God brought a prophet named Nathan to him. 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:02.480 And Nathan told him a story. 00:13:03.420 --> 00:13:04.759 And said a man had a lot of sheep, 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.980 but he went to his neighbor and took the one sheep he had 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.779 and stole it from him. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:10.620 And David said, 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:13.139 show me the man. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.000 And Nathan said, 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:16.339 you're the man. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:20.839 And conviction hit David's heart. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.819 In his love, 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:27.120 God pursues us. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:30.600 And when convicted by the Holy Spirit, 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.740 we feel that pursuit. 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:36.699 Herod thought John was haunting him. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:38.620 He was not. 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:41.840 It was the Spirit of God. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.640 It was the Spirit of God. 00:13:44.780 --> 00:13:49.379 You sense that pursuit when God convicts. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.259 But I'll tell you, 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:51.820 something else happens when we get convicted. 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:54.000 When we get convicted, 00:13:54.140 --> 00:13:55.300 we often feel hatred. 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:59.340 I want you to notice what it says in Mark 6, verse 19. 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.060 It says, 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:02.140 And Herodias had a grudge against him 00:14:02.140 --> 00:14:04.379 and wanted to put him to death, 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.600 but she could not. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.660 She had a grudge against him. 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:07.960 In reality, 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:08.720 she hated him. 00:14:09.400 --> 00:14:09.800 Why? 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.780 Because John the Baptist pulled no punches. 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.780 He spoke to the heart, 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.740 and when we are in sin, 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:17.700 we don't like people speaking to the heart. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:18.980 More than that, 00:14:19.040 --> 00:14:20.660 the Spirit probes the heart, 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:22.200 and it is natural for us 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:25.180 to displace our shame with anger toward God 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:26.780 and toward anyone he uses 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:28.460 to speak to the heart 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:30.080 in a convicting manner. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:32.940 I believe in Acts, 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:35.340 when Stephen was stoned to death 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.960 for standing up for Christ 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:39.160 and for speaking to the heart of the matter 00:14:39.160 --> 00:14:41.060 in a very powerful sermon, 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:44.580 after he spoke so strongly for Christ 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:48.720 and spoke so strongly against the religious hypocritical leaders 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:51.920 about how they were ignoring their opportunity in Christ, 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:54.879 Acts chapter 7 verse 54 tells us 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.019 that they responded, 00:14:56.099 --> 00:14:56.819 I want you to listen to this, 00:14:57.099 --> 00:15:00.179 by becoming enraged, 00:15:00.439 --> 00:15:02.860 and they ground their teeth at him, 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:05.860 and then they stoned him to death. 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.419 They hated him. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:12.680 And his death was followed by the scattering of saints. 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.379 They left that place 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:16.340 because Christians were dying for their faith, 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.500 and so they scattered, 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.700 and when they scattered, 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:20.100 a man named Saul, 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.519 who would later be named Paul, 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:24.779 witnessed Stephen's death. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.419 As a matter of fact, 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:27.259 gave approval to Stephen's death, 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.920 which hints at the fact 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:31.120 that he may have been the one to order it. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.560 But you see, Stephen's death was not enough. 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.240 He got orders. 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.720 He asked for orders 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:38.659 to go search out Christians, 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:41.919 to find more of them to kill and to imprison. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.379 And he was on his way to Damascus 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:46.480 to kill Christians when he met the Lord. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:50.159 I will always be totally convinced 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:53.200 that his zeal to kill and to imprison 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:57.240 was driven by the conviction in his heart 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:59.580 as God was working in his life. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.500 He hated the conviction. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:04.299 He tried to silence the message of the gospel. 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:06.120 When he silenced Stephen, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.740 he went after anybody else 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:09.159 that would share the message of the gospel. 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.820 That is until he met the Lord. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.480 And when he met the Lord forever, 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.740 he was changed. 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:16.240 Why do you think people hate a church 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.240 that preaches the gospel? 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:21.139 There are people that hate a church 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:23.580 that speaks to the heart of the matter. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:27.019 There are people that are vehemently opposed 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.399 opposed to the church 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:30.699 if it speaks against their lifestyle, 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:33.319 if it speaks against their choices. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.799 Do you know what it could be? 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.960 It could be the conviction of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:45.799 God's word gets to the heart of the matter. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:48.120 I want you to see how the Hebrews writer puts it. 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.459 Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12, 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.019 he says this, 00:16:50.359 --> 00:16:52.419 For the word of God is living and active, 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:54.979 sharper than any two-edged sword, 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:57.459 piercing to the division of soul and spirit, 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.399 of joints and of marrow, 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:00.279 and discerning the thoughts 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:03.639 and the intentions of the heart. 00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:04.279 In other words, 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:07.379 the word of God gets to the heart 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.740 of the matter 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:11.460 and people don't like it. 00:17:17.540 --> 00:17:18.640 When convicted, 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:22.800 we also feel fear. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:28.520 Verse 20 tells us that Herod feared John. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:32.360 He even protected John in the beginning. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.760 So why was he afraid of him? 00:17:35.300 --> 00:17:36.460 Because he was convicted. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.880 And God was speaking to him. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.880 And when God speaks, 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.480 he stirs and he shakes the heart. 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.600 It can be frightening. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.059 Think about the disciples 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:47.440 when they were in that storm 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.259 and they were scared. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.500 And Jesus was sleeping in a boat. 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.640 And they woke up. 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:53.640 They woke him up. 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.799 And when he woke up, 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.600 he spoke peace and the storm ceased. 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:58.319 No longer were they scared of the storm. 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.299 You know who they were scared of now? 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.079 Mark chapter 4 verse 41 says, 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:04.420 And they were filled with great fear 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.420 and said to one another, 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:07.140 Who then is this? 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:10.240 That even the wind and the seas obey him. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.440 Why were they afraid? 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:13.539 Because they knew that they were not holy. 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:16.700 And they knew by the power of his presence 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:19.200 that they were in the presence of a holy God. 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:21.440 When God speaks to the heart, 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:24.240 when the spirit convicts, 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:27.600 we feel fear. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:31.480 But not only that, 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.199 when we're convicted, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:35.119 we feel confused. 00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:38.959 Mark chapter 6 verse 20 says this, 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.779 When he heard him, 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.279 speaking of John the Baptist, 00:18:43.719 --> 00:18:45.240 I want you to pay attention to what this says. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:47.599 He was greatly perplexed, 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:50.740 and yet he heard him gladly. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:56.460 Do you hear the spiritual struggle 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:59.759 that's going on within him? 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.740 It gets confusing at times. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.259 You bet it is. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.440 Do you know why? 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:07.480 There's a spiritual battle going on within him. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.559 Because he likes what he says. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.680 What he says is the truth, 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.059 but he don't like what he says. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.759 Because what he says is the truth. 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.859 There's a battle going on, 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:19.599 a spiritual battle that is raging within. 00:19:20.699 --> 00:19:22.919 And I love what the Apostle Paul says about it, 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:24.179 because I relate to it so well. 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.479 You do too, 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.599 whether you admit it or not. 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:28.919 Romans chapter 7 verse 14 says this, 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.779 For we know that the law is spiritual, 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:32.379 but I am of the flesh, 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:33.740 sold under sin. 00:19:34.959 --> 00:19:36.959 For I do not understand my own actions. 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:39.339 For I do not do what I want, 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:41.699 but I do the very thing I hate. 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:45.439 If I do what I don't want, 00:19:45.479 --> 00:19:46.219 I agree with the law. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:46.940 That's good. 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:49.519 So now it is no longer I who do it, 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:51.600 but sin that dwells within me. 00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:54.860 For I know that nothing good dwells in me 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.059 that is in my flesh. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:58.660 For I have the desire to do what's right, 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:02.120 but not the ability to carry it out. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.220 Listen to this next verse. 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:07.279 For I do not do the good I want, 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:11.259 but the evil I do not want 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:13.059 is what I keep doing. 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:17.019 Now if I do what I do what I do, 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.700 what I don't want, 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.980 it's no longer I who do it, 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:23.299 but it's sin that dwells within me. 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.919 Have you ever been there? 00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:28.720 Our sin nature, 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:31.539 the conviction of the Holy Spirit, 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:34.179 and the battle within 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:37.379 will drive an unrepented one 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.540 batty, 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.380 it'll get you. 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:43.580 Herod grew perplexed when he heard John. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.640 He loved to hear him, 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.740 but he grew perplexed by it. 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:48.700 That's a spiritual battle of wills taking place. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.240 That's very real. 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:51.980 And let me tell you something. 00:20:52.320 --> 00:20:54.360 The spiritual battle that is within 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:56.920 is much more real 00:20:56.920 --> 00:21:00.600 than the injustice that we see in the world. 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:03.259 the wars that we see in the world, 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.779 I believe a lot of them are due 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:07.379 to the results of spiritual conviction, 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:10.519 where people are just trying to shut it out. 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:14.059 It's in the hearts of humans. 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:16.500 Conviction will confuse. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.679 Not only that, but this. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:22.019 When convicted, 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.559 we feel sorry. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:29.379 Herod gave his wife 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.960 everything she wanted. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.200 He killed John the Baptist, 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.559 and notice what it says 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:35.059 in Mark chapter 6, verse 26. 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.259 It says, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:39.139 and the king was exceedingly sorry. 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.579 Listen to this pride. 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:47.379 But because of his oaths 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:49.879 and his guest, 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.879 he didn't want to break his word to it. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:22:01.039 Ignoring the voice of God 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:03.740 will make you sorry. 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:09.740 In an effort to cater to the characters 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.700 in which he was hanging out with, 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:14.720 instead of submitting to the Savior, 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:17.220 in order to win friends, 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.799 in order to impress peers, 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:21.179 instead of being won over 00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:23.079 by the Spirit's woes to salvation, 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:25.139 it led him to sorrow. 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:28.559 To make life-changing decisions 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.339 while failing to listen to the voice 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:33.019 that brings life change 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:36.439 will cause you to be sorry. 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:39.939 How do you think the rich young ruler felt? 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:43.620 when he asked Christ 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:45.400 and then was confronted by Christ, 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:48.279 he didn't want to leave his lifestyle 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.759 and he wasn't willing to leave his lifestyle. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.519 Mark chapter 10, verse 22, 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:56.480 says that he went away sorrowful. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.920 He was sorry. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:01.200 How do you think Peter felt 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:03.100 when he heard that cock crow 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:05.640 after a night of denying Christ 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:07.620 when just hours before he promised 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:09.480 that he would never deny Christ? 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.460 I'll tell you how he felt. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.060 He was sorry. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.620 Mark chapter 14, verse 72, 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:18.039 says he broke down and wept. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:21.460 The conviction of the Holy Spirit 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.599 will make you sorry. 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:25.940 Or will it? 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:31.639 Why would God cause you to feel 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:34.799 that you were being haunted by him? 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:39.500 Why would God speak with such power 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.460 to our hearts 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:42.659 that we hate to hear the message? 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:47.899 Why would God's voice make us afraid? 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:50.919 Why would God's voice cause confusion? 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:54.899 Why would God's voice make us sorry? 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:57.039 Why would God do such? 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.279 God doesn't do that. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:05.359 God speaks. 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:09.279 And he gives us opportunity. 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:13.299 And everything in our sinful being 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:15.379 may fight against that opportunity 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:17.420 because of the areas of our life 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.639 that we want to protect. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.500 The areas of our life 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.779 that we want to keep doing. 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.180 The areas of our life 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.879 that we don't want to give over. 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:29.000 And when we do that, 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.379 refuse. 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:34.539 His opportunity for forgiveness. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:37.660 Refuse his opportunity for repentance. 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.920 Havoc sets into our lives. 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:42.779 I am convinced 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:44.660 the two most miserable people on the earth 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:47.099 are people under conviction. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:50.099 That means Christians that need to repent 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:54.700 and lost folks that need salvation. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:58.400 And the reality is 00:24:58.400 --> 00:25:00.860 neither one of them 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:02.380 need to be miserable. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.480 There's no need to. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.980 Because the same God 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.059 that loves us enough 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.380 to convict us of the things 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.160 that we do wrong, 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:13.720 the same God that pursues us, 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:15.640 the same God that gives us 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:18.360 such a heavy weight upon us 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:20.340 that it causes all this hate 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:22.100 and sorrow and confusion 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.399 and all these things 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.459 that it causes within us 00:25:24.459 --> 00:25:25.759 is the same God, 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.679 I want you to hear me today, 00:25:26.679 --> 00:25:28.000 that will accept us 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:30.359 exactly like we are this morning 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:32.179 and make us exactly like 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:33.339 He'd like for us to be 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.659 when we'll just say, 00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.899 oh dear God, 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.939 I can't do this on my own. 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:41.200 I'm a fallen man, 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.160 I'm a fallen woman, 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.660 I need you, oh God, 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.200 to forgive me of my sins 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.519 and to empower me 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.480 with the Spirit of God 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:49.380 to walk away from the patterns 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:49.980 of the past, 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.580 to walk away from the habits 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:53.140 that I can't seem to get out of. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:55.740 Lord, let me to walk in a way 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.519 that pleases you 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:59.279 with all of my life. 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.980 I'll tell you what He'll do. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:05.080 If you've never surrendered your life 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.919 to the Lord Jesus, 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.960 He'll save you today. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:10.539 He'll meet you where you are 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:12.299 and He'll save you today. 00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:14.259 Don't wait until you clean up 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.199 your life well enough. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.480 You're not going to clean it up 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.919 well enough. 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:18.240 That's why you need a Savior. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:20.119 I'll tell you what else He'll do. 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:21.480 Christian, 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:23.220 if you know you're a Christian 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.359 and you know you've given 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.419 your heart and life to the Lord, 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.139 but God's convicting you 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.059 because of habits 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.460 and patterns in your life 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.839 that are not pleasing to Him, 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.480 you call on Him today 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:34.099 and ask Him to forgive you 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.640 of your sins 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.460 and to cleanse you 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.259 and to come into your life 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.120 and empower you 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.380 and to change you 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:40.000 and to take over the habit, 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.880 take over the difficulty. 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:45.019 God, I repent today. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:47.759 I turn from what I've been doing 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:50.079 and I go back to the way 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:52.299 I pursue you, oh God, 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.019 instead of my own ways. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:57.079 And I thank God today. 00:26:58.599 --> 00:27:00.220 I wouldn't do what I do 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:02.019 if I couldn't tell you this. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:05.000 He'll meet you where you are 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.900 and He'll make you 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.259 what He'd have you to be. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.600 Do what God tells you to do. 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.720 If God's drawing you 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.200 to Pickens First Baptist Church, 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.400 you come. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.940 If God's leading you 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.680 to be baptized 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:21.640 and to publicly profess your faith 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:23.140 that you've only had privately, 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:25.220 then you do that today. 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.940 If God's telling you 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.120 to walk away from a pattern 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:28.620 in your life 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.700 that's not pleasing to Him, 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:31.519 you lay that down before Him 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.600 and say, oh dear God, 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.120 with all your might, 00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:35.319 Lord, will you help me 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.819 to walk out 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.700 of what I'm doing 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.120 and walk in a way 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.640 that pleases you. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.880 If you've never given 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.940 your life to Christ, 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.360 you come today and say, 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.559 Pastor, I want to be saved. 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:48.840 I want God to change my life 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:50.740 and I promise you He will. 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.799 He'll meet you where you are. 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.880 Don't leave this place 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:57.740 not doing what God tells you to do. 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:58.759 We're going to stand 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.359 and we're going to sing 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.200 but more important than that. 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.039 Whether it's at this altar, 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.900 whether it's at the pew 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.480 where you are, 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.259 whether it's for the pastor 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.900 praying for you, 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.920 whatever it is, 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.059 just be obedient 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.200 to what God tells you to do. 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:08.879 Heavenly Father, 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.539 I love you. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.180 Lord, I'm thankful 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.940 for the examples 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:15.079 that you give us in Scripture 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.019 that you allow us 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.859 to learn from 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.920 so we don't have to do 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.759 the same thing. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.379 We don't have to find ourselves 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.220 in the same trap. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.640 Help us to walk out of it today, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.079 oh God, 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.299 only by your strength, 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.119 only through your grace, 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.740 only by our faith. 00:28:29.179 --> 00:28:30.579 In Jesus' precious name, 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:30.960 amen. 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.019 Amen.