WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.260 Genesis chapter 3. 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:15.320 The third most earth-shaking event that ever happened is in 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:16.280 Genesis chapter 3. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:24.440 First humans, the very first ones, did the one thing that 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:30.280 humans were not to do on the earth and that was to disobey God. 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:33.740 They disobeyed God, they sinned. 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:40.960 The evil one coerced them to disobey, caused Eve to question 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:46.400 the word of God and messed us all up and we've been disobeying 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:47.159 ever since. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:52.280 It's in our bloodline, it's a spiritual mutation that 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:57.079 personifies itself in many forms in our lives. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:01.740 We're all plagued by it and would be condemned by it if not for 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:06.280 the two greater earth-shaking events that give us hope. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:11.760 One of them is the cross of Christ where Christ took on the 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.599 sins of the world and died in our place. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:20.819 The second is his subsequent resurrection three days later 00:01:20.819 --> 00:01:24.599 that loudly proclaimed that we could have life and life more 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:25.579 abundantly. 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:32.419 So because of Christ, we don't have to be slaves to sin anymore. 00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:40.919 Our problem is that sometimes freed people, people who have been 00:01:40.919 --> 00:01:46.479 freed, Christians, will still not leave their chains. 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:55.579 Sometimes we'll still not walk through the open door of freedom in 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:56.079 Christ. 00:01:56.200 --> 00:02:02.040 Too often we continue to live as if we don't have the power of God in 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:02.420 us. 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:05.600 We still make horrendous decisions. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:08.960 We still act the way that we used to. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:11.080 Don't show enough difference. 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:15.840 We still fall in the same old patterns that have caught us before. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:24.260 So let's learn what happens when we fall into sin by looking at the very 00:02:24.260 --> 00:02:25.000 first sin. 00:02:26.100 --> 00:02:31.500 And my prayer has been it'll help us not to fall for it anymore. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:37.380 It's found in Genesis chapter 3 beginning in verse 6 and it says this. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:42.359 So the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the 00:02:42.359 --> 00:02:46.079 eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise. 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:51.919 She took of its fruit and ate and she also gave some to her husband who was with her 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:53.199 and he ate. 00:02:54.019 --> 00:02:57.859 Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked. 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:04.659 They were so they they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths and 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:09.340 they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. 00:03:10.299 --> 00:03:16.859 And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:18.099 of the garden. 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:23.919 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, where are you? 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:32.219 And he said, I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked and 00:03:32.219 --> 00:03:33.839 I hid myself. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:38.019 He said, who told you that you were naked? 00:03:39.119 --> 00:03:44.179 Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? 00:03:45.179 --> 00:03:53.060 The man said, the woman who you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree and 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:53.719 I ate. 00:03:55.460 --> 00:04:00.080 Then the Lord God said to the woman, what is this that you've done? 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:06.060 And the woman said, the serpent deceived me and I ate. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:14.099 Genesis chapter 2 verse 9 tell us that in the center of the garden there were two trees. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:21.420 There was one tree called the tree of life and the other tree called the tree of the knowledge 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:22.860 of good and evil. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:27.300 There were lots of other splendid, wonderful trees. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:34.259 But these two are recognized prominently in the middle of the garden. 00:04:35.140 --> 00:04:39.160 They were centrally and strategically located. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:41.560 Why? 00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:47.319 Because Adam and Eve had a choice. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:50.620 Do you choose life? 00:04:51.939 --> 00:05:00.159 The tree fruit didn't give eternal life, but the maker of the tree gives eternal life. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:02.860 And that is found in obedience. 00:05:04.039 --> 00:05:11.500 The other tree of the knowledge of good and evil provides for us a choice. 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:20.220 Choosing not to take life, but instead to take in the knowledge of the evils of the world will 00:05:20.220 --> 00:05:23.160 lead us to condemnation. 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:26.779 Now, I want you to notice something here. 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:34.699 It's the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:49.719 God never wanted us to know about evil. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:52.740 I'll go beyond that. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:57.439 God never wanted us to know about good. 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:03.459 God wanted us to know about him. 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:10.240 He just wanted us to choose life in him. 00:06:12.039 --> 00:06:18.060 But by choosing to disobey, we made a choice. 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:24.419 God didn't intend for us to try out all the sinful delicacies of the world. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.099 He chose for us to choose life through Christ. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:33.180 And I will tell you that life in Christ is not a bland and boring diet. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:35.199 He filled the garden with other trees. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:38.079 And every one of them were pleasant in sight. 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:40.579 Scripture says they were good to eat. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:45.300 That is the abundant life that God promises to us. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:50.480 Choosing Christ is not walking away from the excitement of the sinful life into some kind of 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:53.019 bland existence by no means. 00:06:53.019 --> 00:07:01.639 What Christ has for us in this life is better than anything the world can offer. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:10.399 What the world offers is a lot of false hope that leads to traps, to pits, and to dangers. 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:13.179 You bite from the tree of life. 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:16.299 Or in other words, you accept Christ. 00:07:17.659 --> 00:07:21.359 You obey the Lord and follow his leading and obey Christ. 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:23.060 You will not be disappointed. 00:07:24.179 --> 00:07:27.339 But Eve chose wrong and Adam followed her. 00:07:28.679 --> 00:07:31.239 And we do too much of the same. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:35.160 Why do we do that? 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:38.720 What happens when we do that? 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:45.300 When we sin, we are enticed. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:55.060 The attraction was to do what they're not supposed to do. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.879 Now hold up a minute. 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:07.819 Whatever you do, don't look over there. 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:10.800 Don't look over there. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:22.319 Of all the things that they were not supposed to do, 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:27.560 they did the very thing they weren't supposed to do. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:32.019 And if somebody tells you not to look, you just can't help it, can you? 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.679 That's exactly what happens. 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:38.379 The only thing they were not supposed to do, 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:40.419 they could go there, 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:43.120 they could touch it, 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:46.019 they could sit under it, 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:48.519 they could enjoy its shade. 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:51.399 But when they did, 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:53.439 they just could not stop there. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:56.399 And you seldom can. 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.460 Think for me for just a moment. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:01.279 How many times in life 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:02.960 is it permissible, 00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:05.419 how many things in life 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:07.319 is it permissible to go to, 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:10.139 but not to overextend, 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:13.120 not to take a bite of, 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:15.659 just to be able to go to? 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:19.860 I often have people 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:21.819 debate me on the matter. 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:24.019 People tell me a drink every now and then 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:25.139 does not hurt anybody. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:27.319 Well, I will tell you, 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:29.480 there are no redeeming qualities in alcohol. 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:32.699 And if we were honest with each other, 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:36.160 many could testify to that truth this morning 00:09:36.160 --> 00:09:38.980 because your family's been affected by it. 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:41.500 You've got loved ones that's been affected by it. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:44.100 In this church, in every church, 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:46.920 yet folks just need a little. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:51.860 But somehow it becomes a compulsion 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:55.140 and a consumption for way too many. 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:57.580 Somebody may tell me, 00:09:57.780 --> 00:09:59.740 well, they can lie just a little. 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:02.680 No, because when you lie, 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:04.160 you've got to cover up that lie. 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:07.420 And you begin to form a web of lies before long. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:10.160 Same thing with sexual immorality. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.360 Whether it's porn or whether it's fornication 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:16.000 or whether it's homosexuality 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.400 or whether it's adultery, 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.820 just a little of it's wrong, 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.400 but I promise you, 00:10:21.540 --> 00:10:23.400 it'll just get bigger if you entertain it. 00:10:23.400 --> 00:10:25.360 It's a trap. 00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:29.220 And whatever the fruit is 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:31.840 that you just can't help yourself to 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:35.300 and you just have to know more about it, 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:39.300 it sits right in the middle of your garden 00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:42.120 and you've got to make a choice. 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:47.000 Life and all the promises of God 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:53.519 are knowledge that condemns and destroys. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:56.980 Folks, the devil works overtime 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:58.720 to get us to bite. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.340 Do you think that she would have ever bit 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:06.259 if he would have said, 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:06.980 hey, Eve, 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:09.779 I want you to bite that fruit. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.860 Now, it's going to be delicious 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.059 and you're going to enjoy it. 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.019 But when you do it, 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:15.439 it's going to condemn you. 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:18.100 It's going to ruin your family. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:20.899 It's going to bring enmity. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.920 It's going to bring hate. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.860 It's going to bring crime. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.639 It's going to bring heartache. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.060 It's going to bring disease. 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.700 It's going to bring struggle. 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:31.159 It's going to bring pain. 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:33.820 It's going to bring moans and groans. 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:36.540 Do you think she would have eaten that fruit? 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:38.820 No, by no means, not at all. 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.800 Instead, he said, 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.620 did God really say? 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:43.639 Did God really say? 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:53.279 He tells us just a little bit 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:56.399 and we get enticed. 00:11:58.779 --> 00:12:00.259 Not only do we get enticed, 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.480 but when we sin, 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:04.340 we drag others down with us. 00:12:05.699 --> 00:12:06.460 We do. 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.500 We drag others down. 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:09.659 Eve took a bite. 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:11.980 She looked at Adam 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.700 and said, 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.399 try this. 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:17.240 And the man knew better. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:20.879 He was there to hear God's instruction 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.019 and instead of doing 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.279 what God told him to do, 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:25.480 he did what she told him to do. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.420 Don't ever disobey God 00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:28.800 to follow along with somebody else. 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.920 Don't ever do that. 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:31.200 Don't care who it is. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:34.360 The devil often uses 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:36.139 such a tactic. 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.899 He makes the sinner 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:39.539 become a seducer. 00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:40.879 And when the sinner 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.179 becomes a seducer 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.699 to somebody else, 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.379 they follow them 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.480 in the same sin. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:49.519 That's a demonic strategy. 00:12:50.719 --> 00:12:51.539 Now the devil 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.919 is forming a team. 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:54.759 Not only does he have a sinner, 00:12:55.099 --> 00:12:55.919 but he's got a sinner 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.539 that's influencing somebody else 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.879 and leading them to sin. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:12:59.819 And then that person 00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:01.059 will lead somebody else to sin. 00:13:01.219 --> 00:13:03.099 He's forming a team 00:13:03.099 --> 00:13:03.939 among us 00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:05.039 to take care of them. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.519 The devil and his demons 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.699 can work a lot less 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:10.160 if we are convincing each other 00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:11.340 to disobey God. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.960 And like a rotten apple 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.680 spoils the whole bunch, 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:17.420 one sinner will lead 00:13:17.420 --> 00:13:18.780 to another sinner. 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:21.220 Romans 14 verse 7 says this. 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:24.759 For none of us lives to himself 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:27.680 and none of us dies to himself. 00:13:27.780 --> 00:13:28.580 The truth is, 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.920 if you're truly a Christian, 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:32.940 I want you to hear me 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:33.540 when I say this. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.699 If you're truly a Christian, 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:38.199 you're going to most likely 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:39.839 take somebody with you 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:40.480 to heaven. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.199 And if you're going to hell, 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.259 you're probably going to drag 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.899 somebody else along with you. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.799 A Christian friend 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.659 had a burden for 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:57.599 a friend that he 00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:58.860 didn't feel like knew the Lord. 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:01.800 And he went to visit 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.800 his lost friend 00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:03.960 and he had a conversation 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.440 with him. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:07.180 In that conversation, 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.600 he shared Christ with him. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.740 Sitting right there 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.340 in his living room 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.620 and the man muted the TV. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:14.180 He listened to what he had to say. 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.680 He listened to him 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.460 share the gospel. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:20.340 The Christian told him 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.560 that we've all sinned. 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.620 We're all separated from God. 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.899 It's separated us from God. 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:26.460 Our sin has. 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:28.900 It's caused a death in us 00:14:28.900 --> 00:14:30.420 and God showed us 00:14:30.420 --> 00:14:32.820 his love by sending Christ 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:35.300 to meet us where we are 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:36.940 and to save us 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.920 for all of eternity. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.420 He went through the whole process 00:14:39.420 --> 00:14:41.440 and the man listened to all of it. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.600 He thanked him for coming. 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.940 He refused to accept Christ. 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:47.060 He showed him the door. 00:14:47.400 --> 00:14:48.620 He sat back down, 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.060 unmuted his TV, 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:52.060 got a smug look on his face 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:53.259 like how dare him 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.300 come in my house 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:55.060 and say that. 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.339 And his little boy 00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:57.979 walked in the room 00:14:57.979 --> 00:14:59.039 from the next room over 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:00.579 and he came and sat 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:01.479 in his daddy's lap 00:15:01.479 --> 00:15:02.079 and he said, 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:03.719 we don't want to be 00:15:03.719 --> 00:15:04.459 an old Christian, 00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:05.379 do we daddy? 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.759 What an example 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:12.059 because 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:14.459 when we fail 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:15.719 to follow Christ, 00:15:16.079 --> 00:15:18.579 we drag others down with us. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:22.879 when we sin, 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.400 we try to manage it. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.680 We try to cover it up. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:34.120 Shame came upon them immediately. 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:38.740 A death took place immediately. 00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:40.520 It was not physical death. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:43.659 I think they began 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.659 to die at that point 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.720 but the reality is 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.620 the death that happened 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.279 for them was spiritual death. 00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:50.059 And when scripture says 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.000 in Romans 6, 23, 00:15:51.079 --> 00:15:52.240 the wages of sin is death, 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.360 that's what it's talking about. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.100 It's talking about 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:55.360 the spiritual separation 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.919 that happens 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.579 when we face, 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.539 when we commit sin. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.960 The cost or the penalty 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:00.600 of that sin 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:02.079 is that we're separated 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:02.360 from God 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:03.879 and if we don't surrender 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.019 our life to the Lord Jesus, 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.639 we'll forever be separated 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.199 from God. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:09.540 But our sin separates us 00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:10.200 from God 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.740 and because of that 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.840 they both felt shame. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.200 That shame 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.960 led them to cover themselves. 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.280 Now does that mean 00:16:19.280 --> 00:16:20.680 they were not clothed? 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.060 Well, 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.740 not with clothes. 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:25.140 Not like that 00:16:25.140 --> 00:16:26.600 but it's interesting to me 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:28.960 because if you look 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.000 at Psalm 8, 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:31.240 it says that the Lord 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.620 crowned us 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.580 with glory 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.860 and honor. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:36.980 And I'm wondering 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.960 if when 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.920 the two first humans 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.840 were created 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:44.159 and was on the earth 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.399 in the garden, 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.680 could they have been clothed 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:47.940 with something like that as well? 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.600 And what I mean by that 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.960 is this. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.060 Psalm 104, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.340 verse 1 and 2 says, 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.360 the Lord is clothed 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.360 with splendor 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.139 and majesty, 00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:58.500 covering yourself 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.480 with light 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.519 as with a garment 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.659 stretching out the heavens 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:03.060 like a tent. 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:05.120 And since we're made 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.539 in the image of God, 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.860 could it have been 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:09.200 the case for them? 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.740 In other words, 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.200 they weren't quite as stark 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.299 as we may first appear 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.900 but more of a glow 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.720 about them, 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.279 if you will. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.960 And then in Genesis 2, 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.599 verse 25, 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:18.900 it says, 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:19.880 Adam and Eve 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.519 were naked 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.440 and unashamed. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.400 But now, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.880 they're looking 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.860 for coverings. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.019 First miniskirt 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.700 was created 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.839 out of fig leaves 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.279 right there. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:31.059 the first set 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.559 of draws. 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.259 And my wife 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.220 always gets upset 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.539 with me 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.359 when I say draws. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.059 But I think you know 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.579 what I'm talking about 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.139 when I say that. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.899 Why was that? 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.859 Because of shame. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.619 We ought to be 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.180 ashamed of our sin. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.200 Our feelings 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.039 when we sin 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.119 should be like Ezra. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.160 Ezra, 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.139 chapter 9, 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.680 verse 6, 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:52.899 said, 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.700 Oh my God, 00:17:53.780 --> 00:17:55.060 I am ashamed 00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:56.120 and I blush 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:58.300 to lift my face 00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:58.640 to you, 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.160 my God. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.540 For our iniquities 00:18:01.540 --> 00:18:02.780 have risen higher 00:18:02.780 --> 00:18:03.820 than our heads. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.240 And our guilt 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.700 has mounted up 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:09.060 to the heavens. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.580 Acknowledging our sin 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.500 for what it is 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:14.060 is the first step 00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:14.800 to get it right. 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.700 But our tendency, 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.280 however, 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.440 is to try to 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.640 cover it up. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.540 When I was a kid 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.139 and I did something 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:23.960 I wasn't supposed 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.500 to do, 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.359 I didn't want 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.259 to see my parents. 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.119 I didn't want 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:28.899 to make eye contact 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.579 with my parents. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:29.980 I was afraid 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.720 they'd look straight 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.119 through me 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.619 and know exactly 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.079 what I'd done. 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:32.599 I just didn't want 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.460 to do it at all. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.200 And when my kids 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.879 got in trouble 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.839 or when they get 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.359 in trouble, 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:41.159 they don't want 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.899 to look me in the eye. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.319 One of them 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.059 was bad about 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.559 always sticking 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.119 her tongue 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:48.099 literally in her cheek 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:49.279 when she'd done 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.759 something wrong. 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:52.240 It was a giveaway. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.680 I mean, 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.399 you knew it 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:54.899 beyond a shadow 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.139 of a doubt. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.740 They done messed up 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.519 because that tongue 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.740 would go literally 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.519 in the cheek. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.119 Or there'd be 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.279 a sly grin 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.440 as they left 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.139 the room 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:04.940 thinking they 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.779 got away with it. 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.480 But they hadn't 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.460 got out of eye shot. 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.039 You could see 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.259 the sly grin 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.180 come on their face. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.779 And so you could tell. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.700 And by the way, 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:14.700 they always advise 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.720 preachers 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:17.500 to never use 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.019 your family 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.899 as an illustration 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.700 without getting 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.799 their permission first. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.519 And I will tell you, 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.599 I have never asked 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.099 my family 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.779 for permission. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.559 So you can imagine 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.960 how cold and stark 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.279 it is on Sunday afternoon. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.839 We're all the same way. 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:36.279 We try to cover it up. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:37.500 However, 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.319 too many times 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.440 we simply don't 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.159 acknowledge it. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:40.700 We don't agree 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.180 with God 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:41.960 on our sin. 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.460 Jeremiah 6, 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.019 verse 15 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.079 speaks of such a people 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.079 when he said 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.079 they were not 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:48.559 at all ashamed. 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.059 They didn't know 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:51.220 how to blush. 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.779 If we are stuck 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:57.460 in a cycle of sin, 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.539 we will degrade 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.460 over time. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.019 First, 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.879 there's a sense 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.599 of shame 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:03.279 and then there's 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:03.720 an attempt 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.720 to cover it up 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.539 and then we try 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.199 to hide 00:20:07.199 --> 00:20:08.139 from God. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:10.540 and scripture 00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:11.460 says 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:13.360 that God 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:14.440 walked 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.420 in the garden 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.500 in the cool 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.100 of the day 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.980 and they hid 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.500 from him. 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.940 And he asked, 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:23.520 where are you? 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.240 Now, 00:20:25.280 --> 00:20:26.340 notice a couple 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:26.860 of things. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:29.060 One is 00:20:29.060 --> 00:20:29.660 that God 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.780 came to Adam 00:20:30.780 --> 00:20:31.460 and Eve 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.920 to seek 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.600 their fellowship. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:36.659 God 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:38.039 is always, 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.179 always 00:20:40.179 --> 00:20:41.059 the one 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.299 that initiates 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:42.859 contact 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:44.240 with us. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.539 We don't come 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.159 to God 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.119 on our own. 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:48.779 God seeks 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.219 us. 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:52.019 And we love 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.379 him 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:53.759 because he 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.619 first loved us. 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.319 Revelation 3, 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:56.879 verse 20 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.059 said, 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.599 Behold, 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.339 I stand 00:20:59.339 --> 00:20:59.879 at the door 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.679 and knock. 00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:02.219 If anyone 00:21:02.219 --> 00:21:03.199 hears my voice 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.700 and opens 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.240 the door, 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:04.940 I will come 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.420 in with him 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:05.720 and eat 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.140 with him 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.759 and he 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.000 with me. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.360 He is the 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:09.920 one that is 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.340 knocking. 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.620 He is the 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.120 one that is 00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:12.720 pursuing. 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.779 He is the 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.319 one that is 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.240 initiating 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.200 fellowship. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:16.819 And by the 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.019 way, 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.059 that passage 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.840 is often 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:20.480 used evangelistically 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:22.759 as if it's 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.440 speaking to 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.200 one who he 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.759 does not 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.120 know, 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.140 who has 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.840 never surrendered 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:27.220 their life 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.779 to Christ. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.200 But the 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.000 reality is, 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.319 if you look 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.960 at the context 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.580 of the scripture, 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.519 it's actually 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.200 speaking more 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.180 relational about 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.380 it, 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.700 our relationship 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.100 with him, 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.840 that he is 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.440 the one that 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.360 pursues us. 00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:38.539 Now, 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.000 when you look 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.900 at Luke 19, 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.360 verse 10, 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.880 what Jesus 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.279 said, 00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.180 and he says, 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.819 for the son 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.539 of man came 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.000 to seek 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.460 and to save 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.100 the lost, 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.720 that's evangelistically. 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.440 Christ is the 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.279 one that seeks 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.019 us out. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.580 Yet due to 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:52.680 our shame 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.700 and our sin 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.380 and even our 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.720 fear, 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.580 we try to 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:56.640 hide in the 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.259 foliage of our 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.860 lives. 00:21:57.859 --> 00:22:00.939 notice also 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:03.179 that God 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:04.099 asks a 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.679 question. 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.699 Why does 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.819 God ask 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.579 a question? 00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:12.179 I mean, 00:22:12.219 --> 00:22:12.519 he knows 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:12.859 all. 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.299 I love the 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:17.879 questions of 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.199 God. 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.159 God never 00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:19.819 asks a question 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.259 because he 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.599 needs the 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.219 knowledge from 00:22:21.219 --> 00:22:21.399 it. 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.279 God always 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.979 asks a question 00:22:24.979 --> 00:22:25.779 for introspection. 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:28.740 God always 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.539 asks a question 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.160 so we can 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.680 consider the 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.039 answer. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.359 He never 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.039 asks a question 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.639 to get an 00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:35.920 answer. 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.079 He asks so 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.539 that we can 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.519 deal with 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.639 the answer. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.420 Last week 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.759 ago, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.399 Thursday night, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.420 we were 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.980 supposed to 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.680 fly to Peru 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.220 during the 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.039 day and get 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.359 there at 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.879 830. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.799 It's not a 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.819 time change, 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.619 as weird as 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:53.099 it is. 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.240 The west 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.839 coast of 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.500 South Africa 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:58.559 is in the 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.480 same line 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.480 as the 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.299 east coast 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.579 of the 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.140 United States 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:02.420 and I 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:02.779 never, 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.700 I was too 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.380 geographically 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.000 challenged to 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.519 realize that, 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:06.079 but we never 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:06.640 changed time 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:06.779 zones. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.440 I'd never 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:07.819 traveled 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.319 internationally 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:08.660 and not 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.220 changed time 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.480 zones. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.200 It was the 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.460 shortest 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.980 international 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.480 flight I'd 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:11.839 ever had. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.380 We were 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:12.839 leaving at 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.279 10 o'clock 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.680 in the morning 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.200 and was 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.400 going to 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:14.700 get there 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.200 at 830. 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:15.700 I mean, 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.079 man, 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.140 I can work 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.460 on the 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:17.700 plane. 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.779 This is 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.099 going to be 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.519 great. 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:19.900 Well, 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.599 the plane 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:20.980 didn't get 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.339 there in 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.640 time. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.400 We missed 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.200 our flight to 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.339 Lima and so 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.000 we flew all 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.319 night. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.140 And so we 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.500 get there 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.140 Friday morning. 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:28.740 Somebody picks 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.299 us up at 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.619 430 in the 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.119 morning at the 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.380 airport. 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.460 God bless him. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.720 And we go 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.619 back and get 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.460 some rest, 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.619 but, you know, 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.440 the day is 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.339 about shot, 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:39.640 really. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:39.900 I mean, 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:41.180 we meet some 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.200 folks and make 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.859 some arrangements 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.880 and plans for the 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.660 coming days and 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.079 that kind of 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.339 stuff. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.859 And we spend 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:48.200 time together 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.480 on Saturday 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:51.299 and celebrate 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.240 these folks 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.799 who've worked 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.140 online to 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:54.859 better themselves 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.859 these pastors 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.859 who worked 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.379 online to 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.119 better themselves 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:00.039 that Jim and 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.759 Jeff and others 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.619 have been working 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.339 so hard to 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:02.699 train. 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.039 And we 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.459 celebrated them 00:24:04.459 --> 00:24:05.639 and I gave 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:05.959 them an 00:24:05.959 --> 00:24:06.959 encouraging word 00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:07.740 and told them 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.879 from 2 Timothy 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.699 chapter 4 to 00:24:09.699 --> 00:24:10.379 preach the word 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:10.859 in season. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.179 I'd say, 00:24:11.479 --> 00:24:12.059 preach it when 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.699 you don't feel 00:24:12.699 --> 00:24:13.139 like it. 00:24:13.219 --> 00:24:13.699 Preach it when 00:24:13.699 --> 00:24:14.000 you feel. 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.839 Preach it when 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.399 they want to 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:15.699 hear it. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.259 Preach it when 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.779 they don't want 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.199 to hear it. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.839 I just let 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.339 them have it. 00:24:19.979 --> 00:24:21.079 We celebrated 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.539 them, got back 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.000 to the room 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.879 about 10 o'clock 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.659 and while I 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:25.399 was in that 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:26.599 conference, the 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.339 pastor of that 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.039 church who I was 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.720 preaching for the 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.359 following morning 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.759 said, I'd like to 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.420 take you to lunch. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.200 He didn't say that, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.799 he said something 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.480 else, but the 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.200 translator said 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.159 that he said, I'd 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:35.680 like to take you 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.099 to lunch. 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:39.599 And so I asked 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.460 Rose, I said, 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:43.480 I don't know the 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.019 arrangements, I 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.519 told him, I said, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.059 I don't know the 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.819 arrangements, I just 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.420 go where they tell 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.079 me to go, I don't 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.420 know where the 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.299 driver's taking us and 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:48.759 all that stuff. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.940 If we can all get 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.700 it arranged, I'll be 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.480 happy to, I just 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.779 don't know. 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.360 So I got back 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:52.900 and I said, is 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.319 anywhere I can go 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.759 to lunch with this 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:53.900 guy? 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.640 I mean, is that 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.319 going to work in 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.880 the schedule or 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.279 whatever the case 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.460 is for me? 00:24:57.019 --> 00:25:00.480 So at 10 o'clock, I 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.759 get confirmation, not 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.660 about lunch, but I 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.480 get confirmation, oh 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.519 by the way, they 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.640 want you to, after 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.559 you preach there, they 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.180 want you to teach 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:07.680 Sunday school. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.900 I said, Sunday 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.680 school, it's 10 o'clock 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.819 Saturday night. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.599 We flew all night, you 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.940 know, 36 hours ago 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:18.620 and we've been there 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.319 all day and it's 83 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.420 and there is no 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.400 air, you get in the 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.240 car to get the air, 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:23.640 you know what I 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:23.740 mean? 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:24.880 It's been a long 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:26.060 day, we're wore out 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.840 and at 10 o'clock I 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.500 find out I'm teaching 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.720 Sunday school and I 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.380 brought two sermons 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:29.720 with me. 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.460 I brought a Saturday 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.140 sermon and a Sunday 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.440 sermon. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.620 I'll use a Sunday 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.519 sermon again in other 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.380 churches and that kind 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.060 of stuff, but I was 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:37.759 thinking, what in the 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.500 world am I going to 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.740 do? 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:40.200 And some of you may 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.700 feel uncomfortable 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.380 when I talk like 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.259 this, but I'm just 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.880 going to tell you, the 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.580 Lord spoke to me. 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.240 Now if you don't feel 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.820 comfortable with that, 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.720 then I'll say that the 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.680 Holy Spirit gave me a 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.400 strong impression. 00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:49.220 Does that make you 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.480 feel better? 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:51.880 Whatever you want to 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:57.839 say, but in my spirit, 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.519 I heard a question. 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.160 Didn't you just tell 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.860 those men to preach the 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:09.500 word in season and out 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.880 of season? 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.799 When you feel like it 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.440 and when you don't. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.400 When you got a sermon 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.299 prepared and when you 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:16.640 don't. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:20.020 And I said, well, God, 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.500 I need some scripture. 00:26:24.080 --> 00:26:25.940 And he gave me two 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:28.660 different passages and I 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.220 went to bed. 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:38.380 God knew what I preached 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.680 on Saturday. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:43.140 He asked me the question 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:46.680 so that I would think 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:49.279 about the answer. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.519 That's why God asked 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:51.900 questions. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:56.060 God asked questions for 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:56.600 our sake. 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.720 When he says to them, 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:00.620 where are you? 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.900 What he's really saying 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:03.440 is, look at yourself. 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.900 What are you doing? 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:08.720 What are you doing? 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.420 Hiding from me? 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.440 And in reality, 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.560 hiding is futile. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.380 God knows where we are. 00:27:16.540 --> 00:27:17.940 God sees our hearts. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.780 He summons us to stand 00:27:19.780 --> 00:27:20.519 before him. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.300 And he does not summon us 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:24.240 to stand before him for 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.000 condemnation. 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:27.080 Because Jesus said himself 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.900 in John 3, 17, 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:30.140 for God did not send his 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.940 son into the world to 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.540 condemn the world, but in 00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:33.759 order that the world might 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.560 be saved through him. 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:37.340 Listen, if we don't deal 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:39.680 with our sin, if we don't 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.420 answer his pursuing and his 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:43.280 initiating invitations, we 00:27:43.280 --> 00:27:45.100 will face condemnation for 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:45.960 all of eternity. 00:27:46.320 --> 00:27:49.380 But God pursues now to get 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:51.400 things right in our life. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.440 He didn't stop with that 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.759 question. 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.440 He continues in Genesis 3, 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:54.980 verse 11. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.980 He said, who told you that 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.539 you were naked? 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:01.099 Have you eaten of the tree 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.519 which I commanded you not 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.180 to eat? 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:06.460 And Adam was found and he 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:08.779 was caught, so now what? 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.360 Well, he starts pointing. 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.700 He knew he was in the wrong 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.960 and so what did he do? 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.500 He blamed it on Eve. 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.539 And then Eve pointed at the 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:22.240 serpent and the serpent didn't 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.380 have a leg to stand on. 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:29.740 Notice, Adam not only blames 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:32.220 Eve, Adam even blames God. 00:28:33.780 --> 00:28:36.720 He says, the woman whom you 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.860 gave to be with me. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:43.360 All of that happened, get this 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:44.960 now, all of that happened 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.920 before God even accused him. 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:50.960 All God did was ask the 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.640 question, 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:56.279 who told you you were naked? 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:59.019 Have you eaten of the tree 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.420 which I commanded you not to 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:00.759 eat? 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.500 That's all God had done. 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:07.500 Everybody is always blaming 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.920 somebody. 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:11.039 Have you noticed today that 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.620 nobody is at fault for anything 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.019 anymore? 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:16.420 Either somebody did something 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:18.859 to you a long time ago and 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:20.119 it's his or her fault that 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:22.000 you have whatever ailments that 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:24.460 you have or either God made 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.740 you that way and you can't 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.220 help it. 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.059 Well, there's two things, two 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:30.000 facts about sin. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.339 If you get this, we'll go 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:31.660 home. 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:33.339 Two facts about sin. 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.420 One is this. 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:38.819 God sets sin as sin. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:43.419 We don't set sin as sin. 00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:45.919 We don't get to make them 00:29:45.919 --> 00:29:46.439 laws. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:49.119 The laws of this land can 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:49.919 change. 00:29:50.659 --> 00:29:51.799 God's law is never going to 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.319 change. 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:55.039 Denominations can fight about 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:58.220 it, can fold over it, but sin 00:29:58.220 --> 00:30:01.379 will be sin as long as God sees 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:04.019 it as sin and his word never 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.299 changes. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:08.659 So don't fall for this new 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.279 enlightenment. 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:13.399 Somehow we learn something new 00:30:13.399 --> 00:30:14.859 and everybody needs to change 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.559 their ways. 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.779 God sets sin as sin. 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.980 He said it a long time ago that 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:21.680 way and he's never changed and I 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.399 got news for you. 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:24.059 He's never going to change. 00:30:25.399 --> 00:30:27.419 And when we change our perspective 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:30.519 on it, we sin against a holy God. 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.740 God sets sin as sin. 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.519 Second thing is this. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:36.660 Our sin is our fault. 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:40.680 My sin is my fault. 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:44.119 Your sin is your fault. 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:48.200 Our sin is no one else's fault. 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:50.119 Now listen, hear me out. 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:53.079 We have all been influenced by 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:55.839 other people that led us into sin. 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:59.440 We have all influenced others to 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.519 fall into sin. 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:04.480 But nobody made us sin against God. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.700 God giving us a choice. 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:10.200 Don't put God at fault either. 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:13.539 Why did God put a tree there to not 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.019 eat from? 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:16.839 Because God simply gave us freedom. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:19.639 And without it, we could enjoy the 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:21.539 fulfillment of choosing him as Lord. 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:26.240 But if we never had a choice, we 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.240 wouldn't have been able to choose 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.500 him. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:30.680 So because he gave us a choice, we get 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.539 to choose Jesus. 00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:33.019 Listen, folks, I want you to understand 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.220 something. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.899 We are in a war. 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.399 We're in a war. 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:39.480 The devil wants to steal from us. 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:41.119 He wants to kill us. 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.779 He wants to destroy us. 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:45.720 And he will do whatever he needs to do 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:48.879 to try his best to destroy our lives. 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:53.319 And he will if we don't respond correctly. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:57.639 What happens when a child falls down? 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:02.220 When a child falls down, if that child 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.819 can get up, that child will immediately, 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:05.440 if she's anywhere around, that child 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:07.879 will run to his or her mother immediately. 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:11.400 And so must we to God. 00:32:12.760 --> 00:32:16.920 When we fall in our sins, we must run to 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.220 God. 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.720 Not from him. 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:22.360 We must run to him. 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:26.720 The longer we wander in our sin, the more 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.620 shame we'll feel. 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:30.540 The more shame we feel, the more paranoid 00:32:30.540 --> 00:32:31.220 we'll become. 00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:33.200 The more blame we'll toss. 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:37.380 So I'm telling you today, if you're in sin 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:39.080 today, you're playing around with it, 00:32:39.540 --> 00:32:40.960 you're biting forbidden fruit, 00:32:41.280 --> 00:32:42.980 you need to call upon God. 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.620 Just like the psalmist did. 00:32:44.820 --> 00:32:47.140 I want you to listen to Psalm 139, 23 and 24. 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.680 It says this. 00:32:48.280 --> 00:32:49.360 Search me, O God. 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:51.480 Let this be the prayer of our heart, O Lord. 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:54.580 Search me, O God, and know my heart. 00:32:55.340 --> 00:32:57.420 Try me and know my thoughts. 00:32:57.420 --> 00:33:01.080 And see if there's any grievous ways in me. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:04.580 And lead me in the way everlasting. 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:08.679 Can you honestly pray that today before the Lord? 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.939 Search me, O God. 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.159 Know my heart. 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.939 Lord, meet me where I am. 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:17.039 Try me and know my thoughts. 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:22.439 If we sincerely do that today, he'll lead us out of a 00:33:22.439 --> 00:33:23.359 miry pit of sin. 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:25.339 He'll clean us up. 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.199 He'll set us free. 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:33.920 It has been my prayer that by looking at their fall, 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:38.559 looking at their sin, the sweet Holy Spirit of God would 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:43.420 speak to us, work in our lives, and would open our eyes to see 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:43.920 our sin. 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:50.380 May our hearts be open to the Lord today to hear what he has to 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:50.519 send. 00:33:50.580 --> 00:33:51.539 Not hide from it. 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:55.440 Not try to get away from him. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.599 There's no need in that. 00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:00.200 I got news for you. 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.799 God's pursuing you. 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:07.000 God's pursuing you. 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:10.199 He knows where you are. 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:13.219 He knows your circumstances. 00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:20.879 And in the midst of that, Christ died for you to take away 00:34:20.879 --> 00:34:25.899 those sins when we surrender our lives to him. 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:34.480 When we sin, we can come to Christ and be forgiven and be 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.019 made new. 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:38.739 With every head bowed and every eye closed this morning, I got a 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.399 question for you. 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:47.519 Is there a sinful pattern in your life today that is 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.360 encumbering you? 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:53.880 It's holding you back from being everything that God would have 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.320 you to be. 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:57.119 Now, maybe you're here this morning and there's never been a 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:59.200 time in your life when you've surrendered your life to the 00:34:59.200 --> 00:35:00.039 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:02.539 You've never asked him to forgive you of your sins. 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:06.220 You've never asked him to come into your life and to save you. 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.960 You've never surrendered your life to Christ. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.160 Now, I got news for you today. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:12.280 I am so thankful that not only do we as a church give an 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:15.360 invitation today, but the Lord invites you to come to him. 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.639 He pursues you. 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:21.960 He initiates any conviction that you have within your heart. 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:23.720 He draws you to himself. 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:26.840 And today can be the day of salvation for you. 00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:30.960 And so, if you've never done that, I encourage you when we stand 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.539 in just a moment and sing to come. 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:34.139 Come. 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:36.039 I'd love to guide you in that process. 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:40.019 Maybe you're here today and there's a sinful habit in your 00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.480 life. 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:42.599 Something just hangs over you. 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:44.380 You need to let it go. 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:48.519 You need to let God empower you and strengthen you through the 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.699 midst of your circumstances. 00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:54.759 Whether it's in the seat where you are, it's with the pastor that 00:35:54.759 --> 00:35:56.880 you'd like to pray, or at this altar. 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:58.240 Whatever it takes. 00:35:58.380 --> 00:36:00.320 You do business with God today. 00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:02.800 You do what God would have you to do. 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:05.300 Maybe God's drawing you into this church. 00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:09.460 You know that this is where God would have you to serve. 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.579 I encourage you to come. 00:36:10.680 --> 00:36:11.720 We'd love to have you. 00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:15.980 We'd love to guide you in that process of what that means here at 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.519 First Baptist. 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:19.920 And maybe you're here this morning and you have made a 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:23.239 decision for the Lord in the past, but you've never been 00:36:23.239 --> 00:36:24.380 baptized as a believer. 00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:27.400 You've never publicly acknowledged that biblically. 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:30.059 And today you make a commitment to do that. 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:32.960 I don't know how God's leading you, but I know you'll never be 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:35.119 satisfied until you do exactly what he'd have you to do. 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:38.380 And this invitation is your opportunity to respond to him in 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:38.820 obedience. 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.940 Lord Jesus, I love you. 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:44.119 I thank you that you know exactly where we are. 00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:46.019 Lord, we can't hide from you. 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.739 You know what we need. 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:51.039 Help us, God, to just respond to you in obedience today. 00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.179 We love you. 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:58.460 We thank you, Lord, for speaking to us, moving in us, working in 00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.239 our lives, God. 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:01.779 In Jesus' precious name, amen.