WEBVTT

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 Book of Ephesians, we are continuing on chapter 5.

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 Chapter 5. How many of you brought your Bible with you this morning?

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 Wonderful. I love it. I actually got some Bibles waved at me right there. That was fun.

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 How many of you have the Bible on your phone? You're going to use that this morning?

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 That's alright. Don't be ashamed. It's okay. Own it.

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 You've just given in to the technological takeover of the world. That's alright.

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 I'm kidding. I do it every day, so no problem.

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 Yeah, it's a nice advantage to have that.

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 Whatever you're looking at, I hope it's a copy of God's Word this morning.

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 There should be one in the few back in front of you if you don't have one there.

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 Ephesians chapter 5. By way of review, we have gone through this book, the first four chapters of it.

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 It's talking about who we are and how we live.

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 Y'all notice the difference in this slide here today?

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 Alright, I've had this top left book up there for quite a while.

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 I consult that regularly in my study for this series.

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 But I've also added in the Bible exposition commentary from Warren Wearsby.

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 That's a great resource as well for anyone who wants to dive into a more in-depth study of the Bible.

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 The breakdown, I'm sorry, the background of the book of Ephesians written by the Apostle Paul around the year AD 62.

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 And he was in prison at the time.

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 I say, what did you do in prison?

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 Well, I wrote a book of the Bible.

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 So that was quite an accomplishment that God breathed into Paul to write down God's words for us that have lasted for all time.

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 And he was very familiar with this church in Ephesus.

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 He had been their pastor for about three years and then wrote this letter back to them.

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 We can read about his exploits in Ephesus in Acts chapter 19.

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 And of course, the breakdown of the book, it's nice and handy, divided up into two sections, chapter 1 through chapter 3.

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 Who we are in Christ, chapters 4 through the end of the book.

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 How we live for Christ.

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 The identity and then the practical side.

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 What should we then do with our newfound identity in Christ?

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 So that's the part we're in right now.

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 The second half, how we live for Christ.

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 Let's look at Ephesians chapter 5, verses 1.

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 And we'll read down through 17.

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 I'm reading from the Christian Standard Bible.

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 I know we've been up and down a good bit during this service.

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 If you're able to join us in standing one more time, let's do it again one more time in honor of God's word.

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 Ephesians chapter 5, verse 1.

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 Therefore, be imitators of God.

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 We heard about it in our children's time just a moment ago with Miss Sarah.

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 Imitators of God as dearly loved children.

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 Walk in love as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us.

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 A sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

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 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you.

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 As is proper for saints.

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 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable.

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 But rather giving thanks.

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 For know and recognize this.

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 Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person who is an idolater does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

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 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments.

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 For God's wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things.

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 Therefore, do not become their partners.

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 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

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 Live as children of light.

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 For the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

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 Testing what is pleasing to the Lord.

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 Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.

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 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.

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 Everything exposed by the light is made visible.

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 For what makes everything visible is light.

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 Therefore, it is said, get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead.

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 And Christ will shine on you.

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 Pay careful attention then to how you live.

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 Not as unwise people, but as wise.

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 Making the most of the time.

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 Because the days are evil.

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 So don't be foolish.

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 But understand what the Lord's will is.

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 God, I ask that you would reveal to us what exactly you would have us to learn today.

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 From your word.

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 May your spirit have free reign and ability to work in our hearts.

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 And we'll thank you and give you all the glory in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 You may be seated.

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 Thank you for standing.

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 How many of you have been up to the Colorado Rocky Mountains?

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 Anybody?

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 Yeah, good number.

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 That's awesome.

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 How many of you have been to the Marble, Colorado area?

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 I would have been surprised if there had been a hand raised.

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 That is a very obscure little part of Colorado.

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 And then in that area, Marble itself is a very small town.

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 And the reason they called it Marble, Colorado was this marble quarry that can be found up in the mountains.

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 And you have to hike up to it.

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 The roads are all impassable.

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 And there's three big mountains around there.

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 The one closest to the marble quarry is Treasure Mountain.

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 Well, there used to be a campground up there.

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 I don't know if it's even there anymore.

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 It could be.

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 But I haven't been there since I was a kid.

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 But every year, my dad and my older brother, who will be here next week,

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 and I used to go up there just about every year for a little father-son getaway.

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 So my dad knew the owner of this campground.

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 And we would go up there before the camp season would open.

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 So we'd be there, and the camp owner wouldn't be there,

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 but he'd let us through and let us go stay at this campground.

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 And there'd still be snow everywhere.

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 And it was an interesting time.

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 It was a lot of fun.

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 For one thing, we would go to Sam's Club or Costco or something before we ever got up to the remote mountain area.

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 And we'd stock up for that week with all kinds of provisions.

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 And, you know, we'd get our sodas.

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 And we wouldn't stick the sodas in the refrigerator.

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 We'd stick them in the little creek that ran right outside of the cabin.

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 And they'd be way colder than you could ever get in the refrigerator.

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 There's a lot of fun.

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 So we would have a blast.

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 And the point of this, the reason I'm bringing it up today,

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 for one thing, it's really pretty.

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 The next thing is, we would always take hikes.

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 Just about every day, we'd take some kind of hike.

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 And at some point during that week,

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 and there were even some years,

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 we'd bring another dad and his son with us

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 and kind of have more of a friend-type week

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 rather than just father and son.

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 But we would always go up and do this hike up to the top of Treasure Mountain.

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 And that was the goal, try to get as far up.

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 And if we could actually reach the summit, that'd be a lot of fun.

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 And these are 11, 12, 13,000-foot mountain peaks.

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 So not, you know, super high like the Himalayas or something,

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 but still a pretty good hike.

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 And this was a lot of fun.

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 But I was probably, I don't know, in the range we were doing this,

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 I was probably anywhere from 8 to 15 or so.

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 So the first few years,

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 they wouldn't let me go all the way to the top of the mountain.

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 But then eventually, I remember the year I finally got to do it.

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 And especially that first year,

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 my dad would lead out in front,

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 and he would say,

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 okay, now, once we get past the tree line and all this,

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 you really just need to walk where I walk.

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 Step in my footsteps.

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 Because otherwise,

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 for one thing, my legs were a whole lot shorter.

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 For another thing,

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 he'd been doing that path for years

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 and kind of knew where to go

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 and where the tricky spots would be.

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 And he said,

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 if you go out and forge your own path,

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 you're liable to get into a deep snow drift.

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 It'd be hard to get out of.

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 You might hit something that makes you fall or whatever.

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 So he'd say,

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 just walk where I walk.

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 I wish there was like some kind of,

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 you know,

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 incredible climax to the story,

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 but there isn't really.

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 Because I actually did it.

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 I actually walked where he walked.

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 The only time I didn't really

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 was when we were still in the trees.

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 And I thought,

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 okay, well, we're not really past the tree line,

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 so it's okay.

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 So I kind of ventured off on my own.

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 And sure enough,

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 went through this big bunch of snow

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 and wound up with my boot in a little stream

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 that was running underneath the snow

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 and I couldn't see it.

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 So then everything got wet.

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 And the problem is,

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 in that kind of deal,

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 you can't just get wet

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 and then keep going.

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 If you get wet,

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 you got to go back

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 and get out of the wet clothes

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 and socks and all that.

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 Because otherwise,

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 it'll freeze.

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 Nobody wants that.

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 So that cut short

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 my little hike that day.

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 But it is,

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 I learned the importance of,

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 okay,

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 you've really got to walk

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 where your guide

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 tells you to walk.

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 Step literally

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 in his boot prints.

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 And unrelated to this,

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 but I remember the year

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 when my brother decided

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 to be the point man,

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 so to speak,

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 and go out

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 and blaze the trail for us

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 on up ahead.

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 And then he came running back

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 not too long after that,

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 totally out of breath,

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 and he said,

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 a mountain lion

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 just ran across my path.

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 It's about 15 feet in front of me.

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 Just boom.

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 I was like,

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 okay,

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 we're all going to stay together

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 as a group now.

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 So that was a lot of fun.

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 But I definitely learned

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 the importance of walking

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 where I was supposed to walk.

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 So look back.

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 Well, before we do,

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 I want to show you this verse.

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 1 Peter 2, 21.

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 You were called to do this

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 because Christ also suffered for you,

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 leaving you an example

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 that you should,

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 let's read it together.

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 Follow in his steps.

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 Follow in his steps.

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 That's exactly what God called us to do.

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 Walk in my boot prints.

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 I'll keep you out of the real bad snowdrifts.

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 I'll keep you from getting wet

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 in the streets.

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 I'll keep you on the path

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 that I know you need to walk.

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 This is the best path for you to walk.

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 And I remember at times in Colorado

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 when I would look over and say,

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 it looks like we can make it easier over there.

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 And he'd say,

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 no,

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 underneath all that

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 is loose shale

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 and we'll fall.

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 I remember at times when,

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 you know,

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 we were going back down the mountain.

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 And sometimes that's the trickiest part

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 is going down the mountain

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 rather than going up.

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 It's easier to fall going down.

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 And I remember there would be times

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 when he'd say,

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 okay,

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 now on this part,

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 you need to sit down

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 and slide down

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 because it's actually formed a glacier over here.

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 And we'll get down a whole lot better

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 and easier

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 and there's snow at the bottom

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 to impact our landing and all that.

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 We just need to slide down now.

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 And I wouldn't have known that

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 if I hadn't walked that path before.

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 But can I remind every one of us,

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 Jesus came to this earth himself.

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 He was born a man.

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 The Bible says he was tempted

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 in every area

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 that you and I get tempted in.

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 He literally walked this path of life before us.

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 He knows exactly what we can go through.

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 He knows all the arrows

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 that the devil will shoot at us.

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 He's heard it all before.

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 And he can show us

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 where to place our feet

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 as we go through this life.

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 And that's what we're called to do.

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 Follow in his steps.

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 So the title of our sermon today

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 is How to Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus.

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 How to Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus.

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 Number one, you've got it in your bulletin.

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 Number one, walk in love.

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 Walk in love.

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 Back in verse one, Ephesians chapter five.

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 Be imitators of God

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 as dearly loved children

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 and walk in love

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 as Christ also loved us,

00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.360
 gave himself for us.

00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:34.300
 What does it mean

00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:36.480
 be imitators as dearly loved children?

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.480
 I love this quote by Mark Twain,

00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:40.100
 the famous author

00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:42.940
 and kind of comic writer.

00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.759
 He said,

00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.659
 children are natural mimics

00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.620
 who act like their parents

00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:49.460
 despite every effort

00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.560
 to teach them good manners.

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.680
 Some of you didn't get that,

00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.700
 but I saw a couple jokes.

00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:58.540
 children are natural mimics

00:12:58.540 --> 00:13:00.480
 who will act like their parents

00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.820
 despite every effort

00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.420
 that we make

00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:03.420
 to teach them good manners.

00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.340
 In other words,

00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:07.520
 yeah, do as I say,

00:13:07.640 --> 00:13:08.660
 not as I do, right?

00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.900
 But children usually do what we do

00:13:10.900 --> 00:13:12.280
 rather than always

00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:14.460
 what we tell them to do, right?

00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.680
 So that is the point

00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:18.560
 is that children are imitators.

00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.420
 They're mimics.

00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.519
 Children will do

00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:23.200
 what they see usually.

00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.139
 That's how we learned.

00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.220
 It's how we learned to talk,

00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.800
 hearing others talk around us.

00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:30.900
 It's how we learned

00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:32.200
 to live our lives

00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:32.900
 and do the things

00:13:32.900 --> 00:13:33.740
 that we do every day

00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.879
 is usually by seeing others

00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:37.240
 model that for us.

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:40.060
 So Philippians chapter two,

00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:40.900
 verse five,

00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:43.120
 let this mind be in you,

00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.659
 which was also in Christ Jesus

00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:46.379
 who made himself

00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.340
 of no reputation,

00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:48.179
 took upon him

00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.139
 the form of a servant,

00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.679
 was made in the likeness of men

00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:52.360
 and being found in fashion

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.080
 as a man,

00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.960
 he humbled himself,

00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.960
 became obedient unto death,

00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:59.139
 even the death of the cross.

00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:02.360
 So this is the mind

00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:04.299
 that we should have.

00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:06.720
 The mindset that we should have

00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.480
 is imitating,

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.560
 mimicking,

00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.720
 copying,

00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.019
 learning from

00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.720
 Jesus.

00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:14.700
 He is our example.

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.820
 So what did he do?

00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.259
 What is it we're supposed

00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:19.340
 to learn from him?

00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.279
 What are we supposed

00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.419
 to mimic from him

00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:21.879
 or imitate?

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.360
 He made himself

00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.460
 of no reputation.

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.240
 That goes against

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.740
 what we do.

00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.340
 You and I don't want

00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.000
 to make ourselves

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.740
 of no reputation.

00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.820
 We want to build up

00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.440
 our reputation

00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.960
 and make it as big

00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.019
 and great as we can.

00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:35.080
 We want to exalt ourselves.

00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.399
 We want to promote ourselves.

00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:39.060
 When you're in the job site,

00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.539
 you know,

00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:41.340
 oftentimes you're going

00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.540
 for some kind of promotion,

00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.460
 more pay,

00:14:45.160 --> 00:14:46.180
 better hours,

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.240
 better perks,

00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:49.300
 whatever it is.

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.440
 You're trying to build up

00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.340
 your reputation.

00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:53.120
 Jesus had the opposite mindset.

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.440
 He made himself

00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:55.300
 of no reputation.

00:14:55.780 --> 00:14:56.759
 He took upon him

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.740
 the form of a servant.

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.680
 He was made

00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.500
 in the likeness of men.

00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.180
 He was God.

00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.300
 He was the son of God.

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.960
 Left heaven's throne

00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:04.820
 and all the majesty

00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.379
 and glory

00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.639
 and humbled himself

00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:08.299
 to become a servant.

00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:11.120
 Humbled himself

00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.679
 and became obedient

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.539
 unto death.

00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.460
 This is what we're

00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.039
 supposed to imitate.

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.379
 It's a mind shift.

00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:17.960
 It's different.

00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:19.179
 We got to stop

00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.139
 the way we've been thinking

00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:23.179
 and consciously choose

00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:25.879
 to imitate someone else.

00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:29.639
 So this is hard to read

00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.340
 probably from where

00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.740
 you're sitting,

00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.600
 but I'll try to read it

00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.439
 off for you.

00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:35.420
 Let me give you

00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.580
 the scriptural background

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.460
 before we get there.

00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:38.880
 So we said,

00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:40.060
 be imitators of God.

00:15:40.400 --> 00:15:41.260
 Walk in love.

00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.020
 Now,

00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.540
 when you say love

00:15:44.540 --> 00:15:45.600
 in today's world,

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.800
 oftentimes,

00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.980
 we might say love,

00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:50.820
 but what is heard

00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:51.480
 is lust.

00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:53.560
 There's a big difference

00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:55.320
 between love and lust.

00:15:55.640 --> 00:15:56.200
 And that's why

00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:56.840
 in verse 3,

00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.780
 it dives straight

00:15:57.780 --> 00:15:59.460
 into this comparison,

00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.420
 this contrast.

00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.400
 Sexual immorality,

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.200
 impurity,

00:16:03.520 --> 00:16:04.660
 greed should not even

00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.580
 be heard of among you.

00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:06.300
 Verse 4,

00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.920
 obscene or foolish talking

00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:08.740
 or crude joking.

00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:09.780
 Don't do it.

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.700
 Verse 5,

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.800
 every sexually immoral

00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:14.760
 or impure or greedy person

00:16:14.760 --> 00:16:16.520
 who is an idolater

00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:18.220
 does not have an inheritance

00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.240
 in the kingdom of God.

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.520
 So what are we talking about?

00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.860
 The difference in love and lust

00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.600
 and how you know,

00:16:23.260 --> 00:16:24.620
 and this is for young people,

00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:25.540
 older people alike,

00:16:26.260 --> 00:16:27.320
 is one,

00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.060
 the column on the left

00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:29.760
 is love.

00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.620
 Godly agape love.

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.960
 Not getting into that idea

00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.759
 of the word agape,

00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.519
 but that's the form of love

00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.840
 that God showed to us.

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.960
 There's agape love.

00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:41.240
 There's phileo love,

00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:43.000
 which is more of a familial

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.860
 or friendship type love.

00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.120
 And then there is the,

00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:46.600
 obviously,

00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:47.600
 the erotic love,

00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.080
 and that's where you get into lust

00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.799
 and that kind of thing.

00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.840
 So on the left,

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.759
 we have the love

00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.820
 that God showed for us,

00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.000
 which is that agape love.

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.279
 That means sacrificial,

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.080
 holding nothing back.

00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.200
 Everything I have,

00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.740
 I will lay down

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.539
 out of my love for you.

00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.059
 That's the kind of love

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.640
 that God showed us on the cross.

00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.720
 So what does that look like?

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.519
 It's unconditional.

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.819
 Lust, on the other hand,

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.819
 or what some people would call love,

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.279
 is conditional.

00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:20.599
 I will love you if such and such.

00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.480
 God did not do that.

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:26.120
 He loved us despite all these things

00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:29.299
 that would normally erode love.

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.720
 On the left,

00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:33.559
 it's patient and long-suffering.

00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.740
 It'll last.

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.680
 On the right,

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.759
 lust, temporary and finicky.

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.140
 On the left,

00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:42.620
 love gives first from abundance.

00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.240
 On the right,

00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.420
 it takes first,

00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.980
 constantly comparing and always needy.

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.799
 What does it mean

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:50.279
 it'll give first from abundance?

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.920
 It means that there is plenty of love.

00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.859
 That's not a shallow amount.

00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:57.000
 It's not going to run dry.

00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.920
 And I can promise you

00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.339
 God's love for you and for me

00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.359
 will never run dry.

00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:04.980
 He'll never run out of love for us.

00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:06.740
 And it'll always give first.

00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.180
 He won't take first.

00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:10.000
 Girls, can I remind you,

00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:12.000
 if a guy tells you he loves you,

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.940
 but the first thing that he wants

00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.079
 is something from you,

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.440
 that's not love.

00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:17.139
 Right?

00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:19.060
 That's not love.

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.460
 Give first.

00:18:22.520 --> 00:18:23.720
 And then on the left,

00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:24.580
 always available

00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:25.880
 and always listening.

00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.360
 And on the right,

00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.640
 randomly interested,

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.500
 limited attention.

00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:32.960
 Randomly interested,

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:33.780
 limited attention.

00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.320
 Think through the relationships

00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:36.020
 that you have.

00:18:36.320 --> 00:18:37.080
 Think through the relationships

00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:38.060
 you have in your life.

00:18:38.780 --> 00:18:39.620
 Is it love?

00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.140
 Is it godly love

00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:43.140
 or is it human love

00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.020
 that might even be

00:18:44.020 --> 00:18:45.200
 categorized as lust?

00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.460
 And then on the left,

00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.860
 desires unity and harmony.

00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.900
 And on the right,

00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.220
 it's inconsistent.

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.420
 It's discordant.

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.880
 It's not unified.

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.539
 It's not harmonious.

00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.059
 You're not together.

00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.299
 And it's inconsistent.

00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.240
 And then on the left,

00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.880
 selfless and meek.

00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:04.819
 Humble.

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.840
 And on the right,

00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:09.200
 it's selfish and prideful.

00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:11.519
 So there's a real distinction

00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:13.380
 between love and lust.

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.799
 Between sometimes

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:18.819
 what humans strive to love like,

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:21.140
 but we fall so far short.

00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.240
 But on the left

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.340
 is the kind of love

00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.700
 that we receive from God

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.220
 and the kind of love

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:30.779
 that God can shine through us

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.840
 to someone else.

00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.660
 God can help us love

00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.980
 how he loves.

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:38.700
 So it's incredibly important

00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.640
 to understand

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.140
 that we read

00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:43.799
 in verse 2 of chapter 5

00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:45.680
 to walk in love

00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:47.759
 as Christ loved us.

00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.000
 Now what does it mean

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.279
 in verse 5

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.599
 when it says,

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.099
 know and recognize this,

00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.900
 every sexually immoral

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.839
 or impure

00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.240
 or greedy person,

00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:59.120
 and I love that they

00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:01.079
 combined those impure

00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.579
 and greedy

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:03.360
 with the sexual immorality.

00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:05.859
 because that is greediness.

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.379
 That is a form of take

00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.519
 for me, right?

00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:11.039
 So what does it mean

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.519
 when it says

00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.659
 these kinds of people

00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:14.699
 will not have an inheritance

00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:16.159
 in the kingdom of Christ in God?

00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.979
 Does that mean

00:20:17.979 --> 00:20:19.319
 if you commit sexual sin

00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.319
 that you don't get to go to heaven?

00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.279
 Is that what that means?

00:20:23.719 --> 00:20:24.379
 Because remember,

00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.039
 this is written

00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:26.339
 to Christians.

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.939
 It's written to a church.

00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.419
 It's written to people

00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:31.439
 who have already said

00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:32.240
 that they have placed

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.179
 their faith in God.

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.619
 So what does it mean?

00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.559
 We all are coming up

00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.579
 empty like I did, okay?

00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.899
 That's good.

00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:47.679
 I tried to study this out

00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.719
 and I even talked to

00:20:48.719 --> 00:20:49.459
 some friends

00:20:49.459 --> 00:20:49.959
 and ministry

00:20:49.959 --> 00:20:50.740
 and that kind of thing

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.459
 and finally

00:20:51.459 --> 00:20:52.740
 what I realized is

00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.919
 I'm skipping over

00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.579
 a key part.

00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.559
 It says,

00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.719
 no one recognized this,

00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.879
 every sexually immoral

00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.459
 or impure

00:21:00.459 --> 00:21:01.319
 or greedy person

00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:03.720
 who is an idolater

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:06.740
 does not have an inheritance

00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.980
 in the kingdom of Christ in God.

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:10.079
 You understand that that part

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.660
 who is an idolater

00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.480
 is crucial,

00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.279
 essential.

00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.579
 Can't skip over it.

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:19.179
 it means that,

00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.519
 what is an idol?

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.019
 What is an idol?

00:21:22.199 --> 00:21:22.399
 Anybody?

00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:25.240
 Substitute for God.

00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.299
 That's a great way to put it.

00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.720
 Something that you have lifted up

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.299
 or elevated above God.

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.359
 Now,

00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:34.119
 you and I will do that

00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.599
 at times in our life.

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:38.179
 We will place something else

00:21:38.179 --> 00:21:38.899
 more important

00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.959
 than God in our lives.

00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:42.379
 And usually that will lead us

00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.019
 off into somewhere

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.919
 that we don't need to be.

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.579
 However,

00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:48.419
 if you are an idolater,

00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:51.879
 it means that you have refused

00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:53.659
 to acknowledge God as God.

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.439
 And so these people

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:59.599
 have elevated their own lust,

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.879
 their own greed,

00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:03.419
 themselves above God.

00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:06.560
 And this seems to be someone

00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:08.779
 who perpetually does this.

00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.360
 So actually,

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.600
 he's warning us

00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.920
 that there are people

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.779
 possibly even in this church

00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.279
 in Ephesus,

00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.580
 and it would be foolish

00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:17.720
 to think that we don't have

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.580
 people like this

00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.380
 in our town

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.700
 or even in our church today

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:22.920
 who have not actually

00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.800
 humbled themselves

00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:25.060
 and made God,

00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.120
 God in their life.

00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:28.640
 That means they're not saved,

00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.180
 if you will.

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.240
 They're not Christians.

00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.039
 They haven't truly

00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.460
 repented of their sin

00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.399
 and put their faith

00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:36.879
 in a Savior.

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.299
 They are an idolater,

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:44.279
 someone who will not

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.819
 acknowledge God as God.

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.519
 So,

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:51.180
 they've let lust be their God.

00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.200
 They've let sexual immorality

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.059
 be their God.

00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.099
 They've let obscenity,

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.960
 foolishness,

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.599
 impurity, greed

00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.559
 be their God.

00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:01.519
 So this is a warning.

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.859
 And then it goes on to say,

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:08.599
 walk in light.

00:23:09.159 --> 00:23:10.500
 Let no one deceive you.

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.179
 No one like this.

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.440
 Don't let these people deceive you

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:16.000
 with empty arguments

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:18.099
 because God's wrath

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.839
 is coming on the disobedient

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:21.240
 because of these things.

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.159
 Have you ever noticed

00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:24.720
 that if you talk to someone

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.019
 who lives for themselves,

00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.159
 they will come up

00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.399
 with all kinds of reasons

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.120
 why they should?

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.640
 They'll come up

00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:32.040
 with all kinds of excuses

00:23:32.040 --> 00:23:33.500
 why it's okay for them.

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.200
 Have you ever noticed that?

00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:38.000
 You can be calling someone

00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.660
 on the carpet

00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.200
 for their obvious,

00:23:40.560 --> 00:23:42.000
 obvious sin

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.160
 that is destructive

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.040
 to them,

00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.140
 to those around them.

00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.259
 And they will just

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.060
 come back with,

00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.480
 well,

00:23:47.800 --> 00:23:48.759
 you don't understand

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.540
 my situation.

00:23:50.300 --> 00:23:51.440
 You don't understand

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.320
 what I've been through.

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.000
 You don't understand

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.860
 this and this and this.

00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.719
 And yes,

00:23:55.939 --> 00:23:58.299
 I don't understand,

00:23:58.479 --> 00:23:59.599
 but Jesus does.

00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:02.279
 And he still calls you

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.839
 to walk in the light.

00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:06.879
 He still can empower you

00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:09.259
 to resist the devil

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:11.059
 and the devil will flee from you.

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.019
 There is forgiveness.

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.139
 There is grace.

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:18.519
 But in order to experience

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.199
 the forgiveness

00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:20.159
 and the grace,

00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.540
 we must turn

00:24:21.540 --> 00:24:22.660
 from the sin.

00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:25.540
 We must turn

00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:26.680
 from the sin.

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.220
 And if we don't,

00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:31.920
 we cannot walk

00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.480
 in the light.

00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.700
 Look at verse 8.

00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.900
 Once you were in darkness,

00:24:38.300 --> 00:24:39.740
 but now you are light

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.400
 in the Lord.

00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:42.160
 Live as children

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.080
 of light,

00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.420
 for the fruit of the light

00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.720
 consists of all goodness,

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.300
 righteousness,

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.599
 and truth,

00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:49.539
 testing what is pleasing

00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.139
 to the Lord.

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.480
 Don't participate

00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.899
 in the fruitless works

00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.500
 of darkness.

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.440
 Instead,

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.559
 expose them.

00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.899
 It's shameful

00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:58.539
 to even talk about

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.279
 what's done by them.

00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.200
 Verse 13,

00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.220
 everything exposed

00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.819
 by the light

00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.440
 is visible.

00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.539
 That's what makes

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.379
 everything visible.

00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.339
 And so get up,

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.680
 wake up,

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.139
 and Christ will shine

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.819
 on you.

00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:11.359
 Now,

00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:14.879
 I don't normally quote

00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:15.579
 Johnny Cash

00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.220
 in my sermons.

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.599
 However,

00:25:17.159 --> 00:25:18.259
 this one was on the money,

00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:18.679
 all right?

00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:20.119
 As sure as God

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.139
 made black and white,

00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.879
 what's done in the dark

00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.740
 will be brought

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.579
 to the light.

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:26.799
 Now,

00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.720
 God said it a whole lot

00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.279
 more eloquently

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.220
 here in Ephesians.

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.559
 But I think

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.500
 that that's spot on.

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.559
 God will shine

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.439
 in the darkness.

00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:37.639
 Now,

00:25:37.699 --> 00:25:37.980
 listen,

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.000
 that should be

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.939
 a good thing for you.

00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:40.960
 That should be

00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.619
 a good thing,

00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:43.220
 that God sees

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.919
 the things you do

00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:45.419
 for Him.

00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.919
 That God always sees

00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.480
 the struggle

00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.299
 that you go through.

00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.240
 That He's there

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.279
 and that the darkness

00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.379
 can't overwhelm you.

00:25:51.439 --> 00:25:52.519
 It can't overcome you.

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.759
 You do get to walk

00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.500
 in God's light

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.319
 unless you're enjoying

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.299
 the darkness too much.

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.579
 Unless you're hiding

00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.099
 in the darkness.

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.519
 Unless you're sneaking

00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.679
 around doing things

00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.819
 that you know

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.539
 are not healthy,

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.199
 that you know

00:26:04.199 --> 00:26:05.119
 are not good for you

00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.179
 or anyone you love.

00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.039
 But you're putting

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.119
 yourself first

00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:09.639
 and you're lifting

00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.980
 yourself above God.

00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.779
 And then,

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.000
 it's a scary thing

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.859
 to think that the light

00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.399
 is going to shine

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.880
 in the darkness.

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.580
 What's done

00:26:16.580 --> 00:26:17.100
 in the dark

00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:18.280
 will be brought

00:26:18.280 --> 00:26:18.860
 to the light.

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.220
 So,

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:26.519
 let's go to Luke.

00:26:26.780 --> 00:26:27.780
 Luke chapter 12.

00:26:28.040 --> 00:26:28.960
 There's nothing covered

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:30.240
 that won't be uncovered.

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.700
 There's nothing hidden

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.920
 that won't be made known.

00:26:33.780 --> 00:26:34.680
 Whatever you have said

00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.100
 in the dark

00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.000
 will be heard

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.700
 in the light.

00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.100
 What you've whispered

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.620
 in an ear

00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.580
 in private rooms

00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.780
 will be proclaimed

00:26:40.780 --> 00:26:42.019
 on the housetops.

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.799
 Y'all,

00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.279
 you want to see

00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.859
 evidence of that?

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.599
 Turn on the news.

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.339
 Right?

00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.599
 We're constantly

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.400
 hearing of things

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.339
 whether it's politicians

00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:49.059
 in Washington

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.539
 or even pastors

00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.940
 in large churches

00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.720
 and ministries.

00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.639
 People in Hollywood.

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.019
 People in the business world.

00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:58.599
 You know,

00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.460
 look at all this stuff

00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.579
 with Epstein

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.440
 and his island

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.180
 and the lists

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.980
 that are coming out

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.440
 of people

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.779
 that participated

00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.960
 in the horrific things

00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.839
 that went on there.

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.079
 Human trafficking,

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.480
 etc.

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:11.819
 Everything eventually

00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:13.019
 will come to light.

00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.559
 It'll be proclaimed

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.360
 on the housetops.

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.259
 John 8, 12.

00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:19.019
 Jesus said,

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.339
 I am the light

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.799
 of the world.

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:24.180
 Anyone who follows me,

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.660
 if you're walking

00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.620
 in his steps,

00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:28.160
 will never walk

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.660
 in the darkness.

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.680
 But you will have the light.

00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.759
 You will have the light.

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.259
 Doesn't mean you won't

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.779
 mess up.

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.279
 It doesn't mean

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.960
 you won't fall.

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.680
 It doesn't mean

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.480
 you won't sin.

00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.980
 But you will not live

00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.680
 in that darkness.

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:42.339
 God will shine his light.

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.980
 And if you follow him,

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.599
 you will not walk

00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.000
 in darkness.

00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.519
 You will have

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:49.019
 the light of life.

00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.120
 Let me hit this briefly.

00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.799
 You understand

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.640
 there's a distinction.

00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.539
 Jesus says

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.740
 that we are

00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.920
 the light of the world.

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.620
 He said,

00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.680
 you were once darkness,

00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:03.460
 but now you are

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.000
 the light.

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.880
 But do you understand

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.720
 that we are not

00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.400
 the source?

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.039
 Of the light.

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:10.819
 Jesus is the light source.

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:14.160
 He is the way.

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.319
 He is the truth.

00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.460
 He is the light.

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.420
 And he said,

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.860
 I am the light of the world.

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.700
 And then later,

00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:21.019
 he called you and I

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.779
 the light of the world.

00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:23.819
 But our source

00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:25.019
 is Jesus.

00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.420
 We are shining

00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.240
 that light

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.900
 into the darkness.

00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.220
 So,

00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:32.819
 walk in love.

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.980
 Walk in the light.

00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:36.339
 And then number three,

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.779
 walk in wisdom.

00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.480
 Verse 15.

00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.360
 Real quick.

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.000
 Verse 15.

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.660
 Pay careful attention

00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.640
 then to how you live.

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.319
 Not as unwise people,

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.259
 but as wise.

00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:48.000
 Making the most of the time.

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.480
 Because the days are evil.

00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:50.700
 So don't be foolish,

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.539
 but understand

00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:53.240
 what the Lord's will is.

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.839
 Number one,

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.779
 embrace wisdom.

00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.000
 Embrace wisdom.

00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.059
 Back in verse 15,

00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.299
 it said,

00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.940
 don't live as unwise people,

00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:03.079
 but as wise.

00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.899
 Embrace wisdom.

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.740
 Proverbs 4

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.159
 elaborates on that.

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.519
 Wisdom is supreme.

00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.980
 So get wisdom.

00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.359
 Whatever else you get,

00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.519
 get understanding.

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.399
 You know,

00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.200
 it's super helpful

00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.879
 to compile knowledge,

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.220
 but unless you,

00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:19.339
 unless you come to grips with it,

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:21.839
 unless it makes sense for you

00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.859
 and you can apply it,

00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:24.079
 unless you understand

00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:26.299
 what to do with that knowledge,

00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.359
 then it doesn't do you any good.

00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.799
 Right?

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.539
 So wisdom is supreme.

00:29:29.719 --> 00:29:30.339
 Get wisdom

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:32.179
 and get the understanding

00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:34.039
 of what to do with that wisdom.

00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.019
 Number eight,

00:29:35.439 --> 00:29:35.939
 verse eight,

00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.659
 Proverbs 4,

00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.459
 cherish her

00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.619
 and she will exalt you.

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:40.740
 If you embrace her,

00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:42.839
 she will honor you.

00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:45.079
 Embrace wisdom.

00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:47.479
 She will honor you.

00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:50.819
 You will bring honor to God.

00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.979
 And just like Jesus,

00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:55.179
 we read a moment ago in Philippians,

00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.619
 he humbled himself,

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.979
 took on the form of the servant.

00:29:57.979 --> 00:29:59.979
 And the next verses after that said,

00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:02.179
 God highly exalted him,

00:30:02.479 --> 00:30:03.219
 gave him a name,

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.359
 which is above every name

00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.599
 so that the name of Jesus,

00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.119
 every knee would bow

00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.939
 with things in heaven,

00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.599
 things in earth,

00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.719
 things under the earth,

00:30:09.719 --> 00:30:11.219
 and every tongue would confess

00:30:11.219 --> 00:30:12.579
 that Jesus is Lord.

00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:14.019
 If you humble yourself,

00:30:14.199 --> 00:30:15.279
 God will exalt you.

00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:17.500
 You will bring glory to him

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.659
 and he will then in turn

00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:20.979
 give honor to you.

00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:22.559
 But you must embrace

00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.779
 godly wisdom.

00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:26.160
 And then adopt fruitfulness.

00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.960
 Adopt fruitfulness.

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.480
 Apparently I ran out of

00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.880
 a room on that there

00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:33.120
 and it just dropped the S down.

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.599
 But you get it, right?

00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.940
 Verse 16,

00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:38.579
 making the most of the time

00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.940
 because the days are evil.

00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.660
 What does that mean,

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.799
 making the most of the time?

00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.759
 It means you're productive.

00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:45.839
 It means you understand

00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:47.839
 that Jesus is coming back.

00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.779
 The day is coming soon

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.339
 when Jesus will return.

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:53.779
 We don't have tomorrow guaranteed.

00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:55.619
 We make plans.

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.879
 Boy, it's going to be cold.

00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.819
 I got to do this.

00:30:58.640 --> 00:30:59.940
 Well, the Cowboys are going to play,

00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:00.980
 so I got to do this.

00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:04.759
 Well, my parents are coming to town

00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:06.440
 or my kids are coming to visit,

00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.500
 so I got to do this.

00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:09.099
 We make all these plans,

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.379
 but we don't know

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.980
 that tomorrow is guaranteed.

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:14.299
 All we have is today.

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.259
 All we have guaranteed

00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:18.180
 is right now, this moment.

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:21.579
 So we must keep a sense of urgency

00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:23.400
 as the children of God

00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:25.000
 and adopt fruitfulness.

00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.440
 Romans chapter 13,

00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:30.019
 do this knowing the time

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.839
 that now, right now,

00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:33.279
 it is high time

00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:35.160
 to awake out of sleep

00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:37.759
 for now our salvation is nearer

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.059
 than when we first believed.

00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:40.000
 Our salvation,

00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:41.900
 that moment when Jesus comes back.

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:44.120
 And we get to start our eternity

00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:45.860
 with God forever in heaven.

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:48.640
 Now it's nearer

00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.860
 than when we first believed.

00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.680
 The night is far spent.

00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.740
 The day is at hand.

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.380
 Therefore,

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:56.019
 let us cast off those works of,

00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.400
 what is it?

00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.440
 The works of what?

00:31:59.299 --> 00:31:59.759
 Darkness.

00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:03.500
 Let's put on the armor of what?

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.519
 Light.

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:07.099
 Let us walk properly

00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.579
 as in the, what?

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.539
 Day.

00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:12.259
 Not in revelry and drunkenness.

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:14.099
 Not in lewdness and lust.

00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.180
 Not in strife and envy.

00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:19.660
 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ

00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:21.960
 and make no provision for the flesh

00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:24.460
 to fulfill its lust.

00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:26.400
 You see how this ties together?

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:28.279
 The darkness versus the light.

00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.900
 Love versus lust.

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:32.000
 The flesh versus the spirit of God.

00:32:34.280 --> 00:32:35.240
 And then finally,

00:32:35.340 --> 00:32:36.680
 understand God's will.

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.620
 Verse 17.

00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.460
 It said,

00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:41.640
 don't walk as unwise people.

00:32:41.780 --> 00:32:42.580
 Walk as wise.

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.980
 Make the most of your time.

00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.259
 And then verse 17.

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.620
 Don't be foolish,

00:32:47.040 --> 00:32:48.040
 but understand

00:32:48.040 --> 00:32:50.300
 what the Lord's will is.

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:52.360
 We've been hitting this passage

00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.800
 the last two Sundays.

00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.920
 And here we are.

00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.940
 We're going to hit it again today.

00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.759
 Romans 12.

00:32:57.080 --> 00:32:57.660
 Verse 2.

00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:59.820
 Don't copy the behavior

00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:01.539
 and the customs of this world,

00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:04.240
 but let God transform you

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:06.620
 into a new person

00:33:06.620 --> 00:33:09.200
 by changing the way you think.

00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.720
 Then you'll learn to know

00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:12.000
 God's will for you.

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.460
 That's how you can understand God's will.

00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.840
 It said in Ephesians 5,

00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:18.019
 don't be foolish.

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.740
 Understand what God's will is.

00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:20.620
 Well, that's great.

00:33:20.800 --> 00:33:21.820
 How do I do that?

00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:24.180
 God is so much bigger than I am.

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.860
 I recognize that.

00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.380
 God's so much greater than I am.

00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:29.980
 How do I understand God

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.700
 and His will for me?

00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:34.480
 Let Him transform you

00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:36.640
 by letting Him change

00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:38.160
 the way you think.

00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:41.259
 You feel like you're hitting a wall.

00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:45.100
 You just can't get past

00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:46.180
 whatever it is.

00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:47.539
 If it's an addiction,

00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.940
 if it's a problem,

00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.920
 if it's something that someone else

00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:52.320
 is messing up for you,

00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:55.099
 and you just can't get around this wall,

00:33:55.779 --> 00:34:00.079
 let God change the way you think.

00:34:00.939 --> 00:34:03.379
 And then He can transform you.

00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:05.740
 He can change you.

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.480
 Then you'll know

00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:09.739
 what His will is in that situation.

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.900
 Then you'll know

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:14.739
 you'll experience the breakthrough.

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.139
 Then you'll get to see

00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.440
 the fruitfulness.

00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:19.400
 You'll get to see the promises of God.

00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:21.860
 You'll get to see the blessings.

00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:25.260
 Because God can change me.

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:27.099
 God can change you.

00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:31.019
 I call you back to this verse

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.860
 that we read at the beginning.

00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.559
 You were called to this

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:37.760
 because Jesus suffered for us.

00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:40.480
 That is our example

00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:44.099
 that we can walk in His steps.

00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.960
 Guys, I promise you,

00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:48.119
 if you get out of those boot prints,

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:50.139
 you're liable to get into

00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:51.480
 all kinds of treachery.

00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:52.740
 You're liable to get into

00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.659
 all kinds of danger.

00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:56.139
 You're liable to get off the path

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.820
 that God intended for you

00:34:57.820 --> 00:35:00.320
 and experience all kinds of things

00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:02.039
 that He does not want to see

00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:03.679
 His children go through.

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.880
 Whatever God allows you to go through,

00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.179
 He'll get you through that.

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.139
 Don't worry about that.

00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.420
 He will get you through that.

00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:11.059
 It might be tough.

00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:11.980
 It might be difficult.

00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:12.960
 It might be taxing.

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:15.599
 It might be sad at times.

00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:17.460
 But God is enough

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.500
 to get you through that.

00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:20.300
 It's those things

00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:22.440
 that we get into

00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:24.900
 that He never planned for us

00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:27.240
 when we get out of His footsteps.

00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.659
 That's what messes you and I up.

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:32.000
 That's what leaves the scars

00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.940
 that don't seem to heal.

00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:36.539
 That's what keeps you up at night.

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:39.199
 But I promise you,

00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:41.179
 when we follow His steps,

00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:43.579
 man, we experience joy.

00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:45.599
 We experience blessings.

00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:48.179
 We experience that good life

00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:50.099
 that He has for us.

00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:52.119
 Looks a little different sometimes

00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.940
 than the good life

00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:54.799
 that we think we deserve.

00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.659
 But it's so much better

00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:58.579
 than anything that we could

00:35:58.579 --> 00:36:00.159
 fight and scrape to achieve.

00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:02.880
 So our point to ponder today,

00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:04.719
 how often does my path stray

00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:06.159
 from following Jesus' footsteps?

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:08.960
 How often do I get out of those footsteps?

00:36:09.399 --> 00:36:11.059
 How often do I wander off

00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:12.420
 on my own

00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:14.119
 and I wind up

00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.960
 in all kinds of trouble

00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:17.299
 that I need God

00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:18.379
 to get me out of again?

00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:21.319
 And God in His loving graciousness

00:36:21.319 --> 00:36:22.279
 picks us back up,

00:36:22.859 --> 00:36:23.920
 puts us back on the path

00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:24.179
 and says,

00:36:24.279 --> 00:36:25.420
 walk in my footsteps again.

00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:26.960
 Walk where I walked.

00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:28.299
 I got you.

00:36:28.859 --> 00:36:30.019
 We can handle this together.

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:32.940
 If we imitate Jesus,

00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:34.920
 we imitate Jesus

00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.340
 when we walk in love,

00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:38.139
 light, and wisdom.

00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.759
 That's the ingredients

00:36:39.759 --> 00:36:41.079
 that Paul gave us

00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:42.139
 in his letter to Ephesus.

00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:43.780
 Walk in love.

00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:44.860
 Walk in light.

00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:46.320
 Walk in wisdom.

00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:47.360
 We find all of that

00:36:47.360 --> 00:36:48.059
 in the Word of God.

00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:49.699
 We find all of that

00:36:49.699 --> 00:36:50.840
 in the fellowship of believers

00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.960
 in our church.

00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:52.980
 We find all of that

00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:54.940
 by going constantly to God

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:56.300
 in prayer throughout the day.

00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:59.240
 So we walk in love

00:36:59.240 --> 00:37:00.400
 and light and wisdom.

00:37:01.120 --> 00:37:02.700
 And that's how we imitate God.

00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.160
 Amen?

00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.180
 Let's pray together.

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.560
 God, I pray that you would

00:37:05.560 --> 00:37:07.360
 continue to work on us, Lord.

00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:10.140
 We're all trying to follow you

00:37:10.140 --> 00:37:12.280
 and sometimes we get out of line.

00:37:12.580 --> 00:37:13.800
 Sometimes we stray

00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.539
 from your footprints.

00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.680
 But God, draw us back.

00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:18.080
 Don't let us wander too far.

00:37:18.240 --> 00:37:19.060
 Pick us back up.

00:37:19.140 --> 00:37:20.320
 Put us back on the path

00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:21.960
 and let us walk forward.

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:26.380
 At this time, church,

00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:27.340
 we're going to enter into

00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:28.380
 a time of Lord's Supper.

00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:33.659
 I'm going to call our deacons forward

00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.940
 at this time.

00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:38.539
 The deacons, if you'll come forward.

00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:44.840
 The Lord's Supper

00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:46.820
 is a very special time

00:37:46.820 --> 00:37:48.619
 that's reserved just for the church.

00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:50.880
 And we're not going to take long

00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:51.579
 with it this morning,

00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.340
 but it's important

00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:53.519
 that we observe this.

00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:55.319
 And our church has planned

00:37:55.319 --> 00:37:56.819
 on doing this every so often.

00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:01.199
 The Lord's Supper is a time

00:38:01.199 --> 00:38:02.400
 when we examine our hearts.

00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:04.579
 And so it's important...

00:38:04.579 --> 00:38:11.360
 It is important

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:13.039
 to examine our hearts

00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:14.139
 at times like this

00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:16.440
 and ask the kind of question,

00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.420
 God, have I strayed

00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:18.059
 from your steps?

00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:21.159
 I'm going to ask that together

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.920
 as a room,

00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.819
 we bow our heads

00:38:22.819 --> 00:38:24.659
 and enter into a time

00:38:24.659 --> 00:38:25.579
 of quietness,

00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.980
 examining our hearts

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:28.179
 and saying,

00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:29.639
 God, show me

00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:30.799
 where I've strayed

00:38:30.799 --> 00:38:31.980
 from your footprints.

00:38:34.299 --> 00:38:35.779
 Maybe there's something obvious

00:38:35.779 --> 00:38:36.980
 that God will bring to mind

00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:38.559
 that you know you need

00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.059
 to work on.

00:38:39.139 --> 00:38:40.059
 You know you need to

00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:41.319
 flee from.

00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:43.200
 God, you know you need to

00:38:43.200 --> 00:38:43.860
 to be able to do it this morning.

00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:44.180
 Regardless,

00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:46.640
 this is the moment

00:38:46.640 --> 00:38:48.340
 when we stop

00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:49.500
 and we think about

00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.240
 the Lord's death,

00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.880
 his sacrifice.

00:38:52.640 --> 00:38:53.800
 That's why Paul reminded us

00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:54.780
 there in Ephesians 5

00:38:54.780 --> 00:38:55.720
 of the sacrifice

00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:57.480
 that Jesus made for us.

00:38:57.480 --> 00:39:01.219
 So let's stop

00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:01.780
 and remember

00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:02.840
 his body

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:04.099
 broken on the cross

00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.639
 for us,

00:39:05.260 --> 00:39:06.099
 his blood

00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:07.240
 shed

00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:08.679
 for the forgiveness

00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:09.699
 of our sins.

00:39:11.900 --> 00:39:12.980
 We thank him

00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.480
 for that.

00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.800
 We praise him

00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:15.260
 for that.

00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.639
 And then together

00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.360
 as a church,

00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:21.740
 we take the bread

00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:23.219
 and we drink

00:39:23.219 --> 00:39:23.860
 from the cup

00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:25.420
 in honor

00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:26.099
 and remembrance

00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:27.480
 of his body

00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.280
 and his blood.

00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:32.079
 And the Bible says

00:39:32.079 --> 00:39:32.820
 let us first

00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:34.000
 examine ourselves

00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:36.480
 before we do this

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:36.880
 together

00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:37.680
 as a church.

00:39:39.220 --> 00:39:39.860
 Examine

00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:41.519
 that our love

00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:41.920
 for him

00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:42.480
 is strong.

00:39:44.740 --> 00:39:46.099
 That we're not perfect

00:39:46.099 --> 00:39:49.260
 but we are truly

00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:49.780
 committed

00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:52.180
 to following

00:39:52.180 --> 00:39:53.039
 in the steps

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:53.559
 of Jesus.

00:39:53.860 --> 00:39:55.260
 esta sure

00:39:55.260 --> 00:39:57.180
 is

00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.240
 et

00:39:59.240 --> 00:40:00.780
 so

00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:00.840
 I

00:40:00.840 --> 00:40:01.940
 was

00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:02.660
 in

00:40:02.660 --> 00:40:03.200
 this

00:40:03.200 --> 00:40:03.579
 thought

00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:06.740
 was

00:40:06.740 --> 00:40:07.420
 as

00:40:07.420 --> 00:40:08.340
 I

00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:08.420
 I

00:40:08.519 --> 00:40:09.039
 ever

00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:10.900
 a

00:40:10.900 --> 00:40:11.240
 Bye

00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:11.519
 I

00:40:11.519 --> 00:40:11.640
 be

00:40:11.640 --> 00:40:11.900
ing

00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.280
es