WEBVTT

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 Are you in service so far this morning?

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 Amen. I have too.

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 I'm grateful to see all of you who were able to join us in person here this morning,

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 as well as I want to welcome you, those who are joining online,

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 and thank you for participating.

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 We know many watch every Sunday who can't be here in person.

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 Would you take the Word of God with me and turn to the book of Luke, chapter 9?

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 We'll read verse 23 together.

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 Luke, chapter 9, and verse 23.

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 Have you ever heard somebody say, what would Jesus do?

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 You ever had a little WWJD bracelet?

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 Yeah? Seen something like that? That was a fad for a while.

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 And it was really based on a book by Charles Sheldon called In His Steps.

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 And it was interesting that many, many years ago, back in the 1800s,

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 through the ministry of William Booth and the Salvation Army,

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 there really became a groundswell of people who were commonly asking themselves and each other the question,

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 what would Jesus do?

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 We need to be more like Jesus.

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 Well, last Sunday morning and then again in the evening,

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 our choir sang a song called The Jesus Way.

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 How many of y'all were here for that?

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 How many of y'all, that song blessed you?

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 Me too.

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 That's a song that's been around just a couple of years now,

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 and it is a powerful song.

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 It says, I choose the Jesus Way.

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 So as we start a brand new series here in the life of our church on Sunday mornings called Be a Disciple,

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 the first part of that that I would like to draw our attention to is choosing the Jesus Way.

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 Have you ever heard somebody say,

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 well, that's not the Christian thing to do.

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 That's not the Jesus Way.

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 That's true.

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 It's a phrase we often hear, but what does it really mean?

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 Today we're going to explore what the Jesus Way is,

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 what that pathway looks like that Christ, the Son of God, laid out for us to follow.

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 It is a way that leads to a fulfilling and abundant life.

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 Would you stand with me if you're able to,

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 and let's read Luke chapter 9, verses 23 through 25.

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 Luke chapter 9, verses 23 through 25.

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 Then he said to them all,

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 If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself.

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 Take up his cross daily and follow me.

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 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it.

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 But whoever loses his life because of me will save it.

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 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world and yet loses or forfeits himself?

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 Would you pray with me?

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 God, I pray that you would speak to us from your word this morning.

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 Let no one leave this house today having missed something that the Holy Spirit had for them.

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 God, if there's someone here who has not yet chosen the Jesus Way,

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 giving their life to you,

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 let them make that life-changing decision this morning before they leave.

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 God, for so many of us in this room who have made that decision of turning from sin and turning to Jesus,

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 we've become your children.

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 I pray that we would once again recommit ourselves to the Jesus Way and walk in it.

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 It's in your name we pray.

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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 go back to English literature, American literature?

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 How many of you all remember back in school when you studied literature?

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 Anybody?

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 Anybody?

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 That few.

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 Wow.

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 Chiquita Graves is very disappointed in the rest of you

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 because she had so many of you in class, all right?

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 Well, how many of you would recognize this name?

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 Robert Frost.

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 There.

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 Okay, good.

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 We had more hands up.

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 Don't worry.

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 They remember.

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 Robert Frost, one of the foremost American poets,

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 and he wrote a very, very famous poem,

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 and part of it goes like this.

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 Two roads diverged in a wood,

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 and I, I took the one less traveled by,

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 and that has made all the difference.

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 I bring that to you because we can often learn

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 from all kinds of different things in the world.

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 We can learn from history.

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 We can learn from science.

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 We can certainly learn from literature,

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 and I want to draw the attention to that phrase,

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 the road less traveled.

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 The road less traveled.

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 Can I assure you that the Jesus way is the road less traveled?

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 High school students, junior high students,

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 college students, even elementary students,

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 the Jesus way in your school is the road less traveled.

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 You will often feel like you are alone

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 in walking the Jesus way,

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 but it will make all the difference.

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 So I'm challenging us this morning from the word of God

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 to be a disciple,

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 and step number one according to Luke chapter nine

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 in being a disciple is following Jesus,

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 choosing the Jesus way.

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 So let's look back at Luke chapter nine and verse 23.

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 He said to all of them,

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 if anyone wants to follow after me,

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 and then he gives the steps to do so.

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 But first we must make a decision that we choose to follow.

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 We choose to be a disciple.

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 We choose the Jesus way,

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 and then we can see what all that entails.

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 But let's look at what the Jesus way is.

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 Number one, if you're taking notes in your bulletin this morning,

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 the Jesus way is a way of love.

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 The Jesus way is a way of love.

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 Have you ever heard people say,

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 man, I don't like those kind of churches

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 that just talk about God's love all the time,

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 and they never talk about sin.

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 Anybody ever heard that?

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 All you ever do is focus on the love of God,

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 and that's it.

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 Can I tell you something?

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 If there is a church

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 that is focusing on the love of God,

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 and you come away feeling like that,

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 then that church is not accurately preaching on the love of God.

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 Because the love of God should be the most convicting,

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 challenging, exposing attribute of God to us.

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 It should convict us of how little love we show.

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 It should call us to sacrifice.

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 It should call us to lay down our lives.

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 It should call us to turn from sin,

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 turn from self,

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 and turn to Jesus for the sake of others.

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 That is the way of love.

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 That is the Jesus way.

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 The Jesus way is a way of love,

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 and that love will make you turn from sin.

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 That love will make you turn from self.

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 John chapter 13 says this,

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 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples

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 if you love one another.

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 You know what the main problem

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 with why Christianity or the church in America

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 isn't as effective as it should be?

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 It's not God's fault.

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 Funny thing is,

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 it's not even the lost world around us' fault.

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 It's Christians' fault.

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 It's our fault.

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 Just realized I hadn't turned that on.

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 I'm so sorry.

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 Y'all, we have a,

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 how old is your mother?

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 97.

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 We have a 97-year-old lady

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 who's just started coming recently,

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 and she comes because she's,

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 we've got a hearing device that helps her hear,

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 and I've got this little thing

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 that I hook up and turn on,

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 and it helps her hear,

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 and she's just so happy to be back in worship,

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 hearing church and worship music and all that.

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 So, yeah, that is something to get excited about.

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 All right, let me go back and start over, okay?

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 I'm just kidding.

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 You didn't miss that much.

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 Hopefully you were able to hear some.

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 By this, everyone will know

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 that you are my disciples

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 if you love one another.

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 There are all kinds of ways of showing love.

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 Sometimes it might be wearing a little microphone

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 when you preach.

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 Sometimes it might be going out

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 at Pioneer Union on Saturday

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 and handing out water bottles

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 before the parade starts.

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 Sometimes it might be sacrificing something

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 for the good of someone else.

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 Sometimes it might be putting yourself

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 into an uncomfortable situation

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 and bringing up that big no-no,

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 because we don't talk about politics

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 and we don't talk about religion with people, right?

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 Because that just gets into arguments and fights.

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 But bringing up the love of God to people

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 and what God has done in your life,

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 that might be one of the best ways

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 that you can show love.

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 And if we show love,

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 then they'll know

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 that we're His disciples.

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 Because the world around us

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 tries to show love, don't they?

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 They think they've got love figured out.

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 They think they've cornered the market on love,

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 but their love is so self-centered.

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 Their love is either lust,

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 it's either ego,

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 it's either wanting to make myself

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 feel good about myself.

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 Whatever their love is,

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 it is not an accurate picture

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 of God's love to us.

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 So if we show the Jesus way of love,

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 then they'll know

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 that there's something different.

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 We are His disciples.

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 The Jesus way is a way of love.

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 Matthew 22 and verse 39 says,

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 this is the cornerstone

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 of the Jesus way.

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 He says this,

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 love your neighbor as yourself.

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 Love your neighbor as yourself.

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 On this hangs all the other commandments.

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 You must love God.

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 And if you love God,

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 then you will love your neighbor as yourself.

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 If you find yourself not loving your neighbor

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 like you should,

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 then you may want to back up and see,

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 huh,

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 probably not loving God like I should either.

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 Because if I did,

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 then I wouldn't have such a hard time loving my neighbor.

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 Even when your neighbor mistreats you.

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 Even when your neighbor doesn't deserve it.

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 Even when your neighbor has crossed you,

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 has hurt you,

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 time and time again,

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 you still show love.

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 The disciples asked Jesus,

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 how many times are we supposed to forgive?

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 How many times are we supposed to give people another chance?

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 And Jesus made the point,

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 70 times 7,

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 but y'all,

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 when you hit 70 times 7,

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 you're supposed to keep forgiving.

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 You're supposed to keep giving

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 more and more chances

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 out of a heart of love.

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 Love is not just a feeling.

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 It's so easy when you're in a dating relationship,

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 you're engaged,

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 you're newly married,

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 it's so easy to identify love

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 as that warm, fuzzy feeling.

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 But it's so much more than that.

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 Love is a decision

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 that you renew

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 moment by moment,

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 day after day.

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 I will continue to love

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 in spite of whether it's earned,

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 whether it's deserved,

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 because God loved me

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 when I didn't earn it.

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 I didn't deserve it.

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 It's not just a feeling.

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 It's an action.

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 It's a decision.

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 It's putting others before yourself.

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 The Jesus way is a way of love.

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 Number two,

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 the Jesus way is a way of sacrifice.

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 The Jesus way is a way of sacrifice.

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 Y'all, you can't have love

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 without sacrifice.

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 The minute you're in a relationship

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 and you get to the point

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 where you have to sacrifice,

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 and all of a sudden

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 you start growing

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 less engaged

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 with that relationship,

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 feeling like,

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 huh, I'm not sure

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 it's worth it.

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 You can take it to the bank

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 that that wasn't really love.

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 That wasn't love.

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 Because real love

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 puts others

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 before ourselves.

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 Real love says,

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 I will lay down

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 whatever I need to lay down.

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 I will give up

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 whatever I need to give up

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 for the good

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 of the person I love.

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 The Jesus way

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 is a way of sacrifice.

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 Mark chapter 10

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 and verse 45,

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 the New International Reader's Version

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 says it this way.

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 It's kind of a paraphrase.

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 I like how it phrases it here.

00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.759
 He did not come

00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.460
 to be served.

00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:00.320
 Talking about Jesus.

00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.120
 Jesus did not come

00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:02.940
 to be served.

00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:03.840
 Instead,

00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:05.600
 He came to serve others.

00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:07.940
 He came to give His life.

00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.820
 Your Bible might say ransom.

00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.639
 And I love how it kind of

00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:13.519
 portrays what ransom is.

00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:15.199
 He came to give His life

00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:16.159
 as the price

00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.919
 for setting many people free.

00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.779
 What is the price

00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:22.620
 of your love?

00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:24.699
 What is the cost

00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:26.179
 of your love?

00:13:26.939 --> 00:13:28.759
 And if your love for God

00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.220
 hasn't cost you something,

00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:33.480
 then maybe it's not real love.

00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.919
 If your love for God

00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.059
 has not sacrificed

00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:40.120
 something in your life,

00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.100
 then maybe it's not real love.

00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:43.199
 Maybe it's very shallow.

00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:46.480
 Jesus came to give it all

00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:48.360
 as the price

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.819
 for setting you free,

00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.259
 setting me free.

00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:52.980
 So,

00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.720
 the Jesus way

00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:56.240
 is a way of sacrifice.

00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:58.199
 Matthew 20 and verse 28

00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:58.500
 said,

00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.259
 Jesus came not to be served,

00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.639
 but to serve.

00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:04.539
 Jesus washed His disciples' feet.

00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:06.799
 We read that He humbled Himself,

00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:09.319
 took upon Him the form of a servant,

00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.299
 was made in the likeness of men,

00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:13.519
 and being found in fashion as a man,

00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.719
 He humbled Himself,

00:14:14.959 --> 00:14:16.339
 He laid down His life,

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.899
 He was obedient to the Father,

00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:19.959
 and then He was raised from the dead.

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:22.179
 And now God has highly exalted Him

00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.479
 and has given Him a name

00:14:23.479 --> 00:14:24.699
 above every other name

00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:26.579
 because He took upon Him

00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:27.459
 the form of a servant,

00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.299
 because He laid down His life,

00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.399
 because He sacrificed,

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:32.120
 because He humbled Himself,

00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.980
 because He made Himself

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.179
 as less than.

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.060
 But we don't like doing that,

00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.419
 do we?

00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:39.200
 We like to lift ourselves up

00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.700
 as high as we possibly can.

00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:42.440
 Jesus is calling you

00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:43.679
 to sacrifice that.

00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:45.819
 If you want to choose

00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.639
 the Jesus way,

00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.879
 then it's a way of sacrifice.

00:14:50.719 --> 00:14:52.539
 He came to give His life

00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.839
 as the price.

00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.639
 Number three,

00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.939
 the Jesus way is a way of love,

00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.679
 it's a way of sacrifice,

00:15:00.239 --> 00:15:03.079
 and it's a way of transformation.

00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:05.419
 The Jesus way

00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:07.599
 is a way of transformation.

00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.899
 Would you look over

00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.439
 in Romans chapter 9 with me?

00:15:11.359 --> 00:15:12.779
 Romans chapter 9,

00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.980
 let's look at verse 19.

00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.159
 Romans chapter 9,

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.779
 verse 19.

00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.860
 We just got done reading

00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.759
 in verse 18.

00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.860
 He has mercy on whom God,

00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:32.179
 God has mercy on whom

00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.240
 He wants to have mercy.

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.399
 He hardens whom He wants to harden.

00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.639
 God is sovereign.

00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:38.039
 He's in charge of it all.

00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:40.379
 You might think you've figured out

00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:42.899
 how to have one up on God

00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.500
 and you don't.

00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:43.919
 Okay?

00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:45.100
 God's in charge of it all.

00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:45.939
 You might think that

00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:46.879
 you're living your life

00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:49.720
 apart from God's power and will,

00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.639
 but you are not.

00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.519
 He is in charge.

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.759
 So verse 19,

00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.620
 You will say to me,

00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.080
 therefore,

00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.659
 why then does God

00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.759
 still find fault?

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.519
 For who can resist His will?

00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.980
 But who are you,

00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.779
 a mere man,

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.039
 to talk back to God?

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.240
 Will what is formed

00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.159
 say to the one

00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.799
 who formed it,

00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.700
 why did you make me like this?

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.200
 Verse 21,

00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.960
 Or the potter has no right

00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.000
 over the clay

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:14.400
 to make from the same lump

00:16:14.400 --> 00:16:15.740
 one piece of pottery

00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.460
 for honor

00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:18.480
 and another for dishonor.

00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.900
 Don't forget that part

00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:21.460
 we just read

00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.220
 about the potter

00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:23.020
 and the clay.

00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:25.040
 And what if God,

00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:28.020
 wanting to display His wrath

00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:29.740
 and to make His power known,

00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.700
 endured with much patience

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:33.040
 objects of wrath

00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:35.320
 prepared for destruction?

00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.720
 Verse 23,

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.180
 What if He did this

00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:38.879
 to make known

00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.019
 the riches of His glory

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:41.840
 on objects of mercy?

00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.960
 That would be you and me

00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:45.779
 as children of God.

00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.860
 That He prepared beforehand

00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.920
 for glory on us.

00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.620
 Verse 24,

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.600
 The ones He also called

00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:54.300
 not only from the Jews,

00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:56.500
 but also from the Gentiles.

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.740
 Now there's a lot of theology

00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.960
 in this passage.

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.300
 And if this was a seminary course,

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.820
 then I could take you through

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:05.180
 what I went through in seminary

00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:06.000
 and Bible college

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.740
 and have studied since then.

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:09.039
 And we could dive into

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.380
 the rich soteriology

00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.759
 or the doctrine of salvation.

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.700
 And what does God have to say

00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.220
 in the Bible

00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.299
 about how we're saved?

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.140
 We could dive into

00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.799
 all these points

00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.940
 in this passage

00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.019
 about salvation.

00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:22.039
 But for our purposes today,

00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:23.340
 I want to draw your attention

00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.180
 to the fact

00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:25.420
 that we read from this

00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:28.000
 that God is molding the clay.

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.440
 Some clay

00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:31.380
 will be useful to Him

00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:33.120
 and some will not.

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:35.880
 But He's molding all of us.

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.080
 Some will be vessels of honor.

00:17:39.280 --> 00:17:40.680
 Some will be vessels of glory.

00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:42.360
 Objects of mercy.

00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:45.300
 And some will be objects

00:17:45.300 --> 00:17:46.080
 for destruction.

00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:47.920
 So,

00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:49.900
 the ultimate goal

00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.300
 of the Jesus way

00:17:51.300 --> 00:17:53.300
 is not as much

00:17:53.300 --> 00:17:54.740
 about what we do

00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.360
 as it is

00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:58.280
 about who we become.

00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:01.660
 who God is making us to be.

00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.339
 Now,

00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.160
 I promise you,

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.039
 that concept

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.399
 is different

00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:10.799
 than what you may have heard

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.279
 or believed

00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.519
 for most of your life

00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.259
 as a Christian.

00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:18.299
 Because if there's one

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.720
 error

00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:21.819
 that so many

00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.899
 of our churches

00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:25.180
 have made over the years,

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.799
 it's that

00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.079
 not necessarily

00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.039
 in our words,

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.899
 although sometimes

00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.619
 in our words,

00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.740
 but definitely

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.980
 in our practice

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.759
 as churches,

00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.680
 we emphasize

00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.899
 that God

00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:37.919
 is more interested

00:18:37.919 --> 00:18:39.099
 in what you do

00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:40.980
 than who you are.

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.619
 And that is

00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:43.639
 completely backwards.

00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:47.079
 God is not impressed

00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.440
 by our works.

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.940
 He never has been.

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.240
 He never will be.

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.440
 He is only impressed

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.839
 by how much

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.519
 of ourselves

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.680
 we give up

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.079
 to Him.

00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.980
 And then

00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:01.000
 He can do the works

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.980
 through us.

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.579
 And then

00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.900
 He gets the glory,

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.900
 not us.

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.299
 When God

00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.980
 does something

00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.859
 in your life,

00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.680
 it's transforming.

00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.900
 That means

00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.839
 you change

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.839
 from one form

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.160
 into another.

00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.519
 How transformed

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.119
 are you

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:23.719
 after however

00:19:23.719 --> 00:19:24.699
 many years

00:19:24.699 --> 00:19:25.939
 you've been

00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:26.299
 walking

00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.099
 with Jesus.

00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:29.139
 I love

00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.759
 that we have

00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.199
 many,

00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.519
 let's say,

00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.539
 veteran Christians

00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.419
 in our church.

00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.839
 People have been

00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.679
 saved a while.

00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.199
 Okay?

00:19:36.959 --> 00:19:37.639
 I love

00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.139
 the children

00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:38.859
 that we have

00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.699
 turning to Jesus

00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:40.899
 at young ages.

00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:41.939
 Jesus said,

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:42.819
 let the little children

00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.539
 come to me.

00:19:44.219 --> 00:19:44.519
 And so,

00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.500
 by God's grace,

00:19:45.959 --> 00:19:47.099
 50 years from now,

00:19:47.219 --> 00:19:48.199
 60 years from now,

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.319
 70 years from now,

00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.399
 some of these kids

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:51.439
 will still be in churches

00:19:51.439 --> 00:19:52.279
 and they'll be the

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.339
 veteran Christians.

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.039
 You know what I mean?

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.519
 But I'm not impressed

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.200
 by how long

00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.579
 you've been

00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:01.519
 a child of God.

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.980
 What amazes me

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.159
 is how much

00:20:06.159 --> 00:20:07.220
 God has transformed

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.259
 you over that time.

00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.099
 Are you the same

00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.899
 person now

00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:12.679
 as you were

00:20:12.679 --> 00:20:13.359
 10 years ago?

00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:14.859
 20 years ago?

00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:16.339
 30 years ago?

00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:18.139
 5 years ago?

00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.819
 Last year?

00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.099
 Or has God

00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.919
 been transforming

00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:21.700
 you along the way?

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.039
 Are you more

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.980
 like Jesus now?

00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:25.939
 Are you more loving?

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.579
 Are you more kind?

00:20:28.179 --> 00:20:29.720
 Do you sacrifice more?

00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:31.099
 Are you more

00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.079
 like Jesus

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.879
 now

00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.359
 than when

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.779
 it first began?

00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:39.220
 The Jesus way

00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.139
 is a way

00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.019
 of transformation.

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.319
 If you're not

00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.079
 ready for that,

00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:45.059
 then you might

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.799
 want to hold off

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.559
 on calling yourself

00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.039
 a disciple.

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:49.579
 But if you want

00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.440
 to be my disciple,

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.359
 then you've got

00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:52.960
 to choose

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.039
 to follow

00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.019
 me.

00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:55.920
 And he will

00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.819
 lead you places

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.779
 that you could

00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.599
 never dream of.

00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.740
 He will lead you

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.779
 places that

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:02.119
 will transform you.

00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.240
 He will show you

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.139
 things and teach

00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.659
 you things

00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.659
 that will change

00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.579
 you from the

00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.799
 inside out.

00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:10.339
 So we read

00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.440
 back in Romans

00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.019
 9

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.460
 about this

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:15.480
 fascinating

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.059
 description

00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.059
 of the potter

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.759
 and the clay.

00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.339
 And there's a couple

00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.039
 things that jump

00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.659
 out to me here.

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.519
 Number one,

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.359
 the clay has

00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.119
 no rights

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.799
 of its own.

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.059
 The clay

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.200
 has no rights

00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:25.899
 of its own.

00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:27.099
 Do you see

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:28.180
 back in

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.139
 Romans 9

00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:29.819
 and verse

00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.799
 19,

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:34.119
 who can resist

00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.720
 his will?

00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.619
 Verse 20,

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.279
 who are you,

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.000
 a mere man,

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.659
 to talk back

00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.159
 to God?

00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:38.940
 Will what is

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.599
 formed say

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.079
 to the one

00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.539
 who formed

00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:40.680
 it,

00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.500
 why did you

00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:41.859
 make me

00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.399
 like this?

00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.259
 Can you

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.359
 imagine a

00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:45.099
 potter at his

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.779
 potter's wheel

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:47.259
 forming something,

00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:48.220
 forming a jar,

00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.960
 and then the jar

00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.319
 says,

00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.220
 man,

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.799
 I wanted to be

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.659
 a serving dish.

00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.500
 I didn't want

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.039
 to be a jar.

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.200
 Well,

00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.819
 the clay's not

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.299
 in charge,

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.720
 is it?

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.819
 It doesn't get

00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.480
 to choose

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.619
 what it's going

00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.059
 to be.

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.879
 It has to

00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:02.799
 conform itself

00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.619
 to the will

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.579
 of the potter.

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.559
 The clay has

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.119
 no rights

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.700
 of its own.

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.799
 But how often

00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.599
 have you and I

00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:10.159
 said to our

00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:10.619
 potter,

00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.359
 why did you

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.019
 do this to me?

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.799
 Why did you

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.779
 make me like this?

00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.039
 Because he's

00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.879
 got a grand

00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.559
 and glorious

00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.420
 will for you.

00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.579
 And if you

00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.200
 walk closely

00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.680
 with him,

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.059
 you don't have

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.559
 to go out

00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.059
 there and

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.960
 fight and

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.559
 scratch and

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.299
 figure out

00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.319
 what exactly

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.420
 you're supposed

00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:30.879
 to be and

00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.559
 how your life's

00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.200
 supposed to go.

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.559
 God will

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.379
 lead you

00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.299
 by his

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.680
 spirit.

00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.799
 You just

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.099
 have to

00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.480
 concentrate

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.480
 on being

00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.740
 close to

00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.019
 him,

00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.599
 being submissive

00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.519
 to him,

00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.059
 learning to

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.319
 love him

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.059
 and love

00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.599
 like he

00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:46.980
 loves.

00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.159
 Romans

00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:48.819
 chapter 9

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.339
 and verse

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.879
 20 through

00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:51.220
 24 gets

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.700
 a little bit

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.339
 further in

00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.059
 to this

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.899
 clay.

00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.299
 In this

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.720
 potter

00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.259
 example,

00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.539
 number one,

00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:56.879
 the clay

00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.259
 has no

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.579
 rights of

00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:57.899
 its own.

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.399
 Number two,

00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.920
 the clay

00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.299
 has unseen

00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.960
 potential.

00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.659
 Unseen

00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.180
 potential.

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.440
 You look

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:05.980
 at this

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.639
 lump of

00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:06.960
 clay

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.899
 and to

00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.279
 me,

00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:09.839
 it looks

00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.500
 like mud

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:10.899
 that should

00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:11.619
 be discarded.

00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:13.559
 To me,

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.099
 it looks

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:14.440
 like it

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.940
 has no

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.339
 use.

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.299
 But in

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.859
 the hands

00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.220
 of a

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.579
 master

00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.079
 potter,

00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.319
 he sees

00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.740
 what it

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.240
 could be.

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.920
 And that

00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.279
 is the

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.839
 wonderful,

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.799
 reassuring

00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.759
 hope that

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.180
 you and

00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.839
 I have

00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.700
 that even

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.339
 though some

00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:27.920
 people might

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.420
 look down

00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:28.960
 on us,

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.079
 even though

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.700
 some people

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.440
 might criticize,

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.339
 even though

00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:32.819
 some people

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.559
 might ignore,

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.299
 they might

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.200
 marginalize,

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.720
 they might

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:37.079
 think that

00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.839
 you have no

00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.359
 potential,

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.339
 no future,

00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.039
 God sees

00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.440
 it all.

00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.680
 He sees

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.279
 the truth.

00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:46.160
 and the

00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:46.700
 truth is

00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.319
 stronger than

00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.059
 those lies.

00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:50.980
 You have

00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.379
 unseen

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.920
 potential.

00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.139
 Even your

00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:53.740
 family might

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.160
 not see.

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.339
 Even your

00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.000
 spouse might

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.399
 not see.

00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:58.200
 Even yourself

00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:59.500
 might not

00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.759
 see.

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.599
 But God

00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.139
 sees it.

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.319
 And out of

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.759
 his heart

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.279
 of love,

00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.339
 he's just

00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.079
 waiting for

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.639
 you to

00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:09.779
 submit yourself

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.279
 to his

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.379
 hands so

00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:11.740
 he can

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.359
 mold you

00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.599
 into something

00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.419
 beautiful.

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.939
 He calls

00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.259
 it a

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.240
 vessel

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.159
 of

00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.480
 glory,

00:24:19.699 --> 00:24:20.359
 an object

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.019
 of mercy.

00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.859
 Verse 22,

00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:22.859
 what if he

00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.399
 did this

00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:23.859
 to make

00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.439
 known the

00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.000
 riches of

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.500
 his glory

00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.619
 on objects

00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.339
 of mercy

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.000
 that he

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.459
 prepared

00:24:28.459 --> 00:24:29.099
 beforehand

00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.579
 for glory?

00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.639
 God is

00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.539
 preparing you

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.699
 for glory.

00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:35.819
 Don't

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:37.099
 exchange it

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.659
 for something

00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.139
 less.

00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:41.339
 Don't

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.939
 give up

00:24:41.939 --> 00:24:42.699
 the glory

00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.319
 that God

00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.940
 has waiting

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.519
 for you

00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.900
 for something

00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.480
 temporary,

00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.080
 something

00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:48.640
 shallow,

00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:49.960
 something so

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.400
 meaningless.

00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.000
 The clay

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.779
 has unseen

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.279
 potential.

00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.279
 Philippians

00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.920
 chapter 2

00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.720
 and verse 13

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.400
 puts it this

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.640
 way,

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.819
 it is God

00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.440
 who works

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.160
 in you

00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:00.039
 both to

00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.840
 will and

00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.380
 to work

00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:02.259
 for his

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.500
 good pleasure.

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.940
 Submit

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.740
 yourself to

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.440
 God's good

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.360
 pleasure and

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:07.920
 he will work

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.440
 in you,

00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.200
 he will work

00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.960
 through you

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.039
 for your

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.700
 good and

00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.400
 for his

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:12.900
 glory.

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.140
 2 Corinthians

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.539
 chapter 3,

00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.000
 we're almost

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.319
 done.

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.460
 2 Corinthians

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.100
 chapter 3

00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.420
 and verse

00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.819
 18.

00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:21.860
 The Lord

00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:22.680
 who is the

00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:24.000
 spirit makes

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.779
 us more

00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.480
 and more

00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.480
 like him

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.559
 as we are

00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.759
 changed into

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.680
 his glorious

00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.160
 image.

00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.019
 Do you see

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.759
 the transformation

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.259
 there?

00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.259
 Choosing the

00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.160
 Jesus way is a

00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.500
 way of

00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.220
 transformation.

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.339
 transformation.

00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:39.180
 When you

00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.860
 turn from

00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.319
 your sin

00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.559
 and you

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:40.940
 turn to

00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.360
 Jesus

00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.799
 and you

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.319
 hear the

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.220
 gospel preached,

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:44.740
 gospel,

00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.240
 that's just

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.640
 the word

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.579
 that tells

00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:46.940
 us the

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.539
 good news

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.100
 of Jesus

00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.920
 that you

00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.220
 and I

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.759
 were sinners.

00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.980
 We still

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.500
 are by the

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:51.720
 way.

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.680
 We were

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.160
 born into

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.440
 sin.

00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:53.839
 We had

00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.380
 no hope

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.680
 to redeem

00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.200
 ourselves,

00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.539
 to fix

00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.140
 ourselves.

00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.279
 But Jesus

00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.480
 in his

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.079
 goodness and

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.660
 his love

00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.700
 laid down

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.380
 his throne

00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.900
 and came

00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.400
 to heaven

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.120
 humbled

00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:06.660
 himself,

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.620
 took on

00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.360
 human form,

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.960
 was born

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.420
 of the

00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.200
 Virgin Mary.

00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:10.540
 We got

00:26:10.540 --> 00:26:10.980
 Christmas

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.480
 coming up

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:11.920
 before you

00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.300
 know it.

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.440
 The whole

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.840
 world is going

00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.120
 to be talking

00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.600
 about Jesus'

00:26:14.780 --> 00:26:15.080
 birth.

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.060
 And then

00:26:19.060 --> 00:26:19.340
 he grew

00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.660
 up and

00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.080
 he performed

00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.740
 many miracles,

00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.320
 showed that

00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:22.900
 he was God

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.360
 time and

00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:23.920
 time again.

00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.440
 And you

00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:25.680
 know who

00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.080
 hated him,

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.300
 right?

00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:27.060
 The religious

00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:27.820
 people hated

00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.019
 him.

00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.220
 That's who

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.720
 couldn't stand

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.080
 Jesus.

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.540
 But then

00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:32.980
 he willingly

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.500
 laid down

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.920
 his life

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.340
 and allowed

00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:34.820
 himself to

00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.160
 be put

00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.700
 to death

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.820
 because that

00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.100
 was the

00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.759
 plan from

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.180
 the beginning.

00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.340
 All along

00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:41.120
 he laid

00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.500
 down his

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.779
 life,

00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:42.060
 he was

00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:42.540
 crucified,

00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.720
 gave it

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:43.980
 up,

00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.700
 but he

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.200
 didn't stay

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.460
 dead.

00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.380
 We're not

00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:46.800
 singing to

00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:47.120
 a dead

00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.540
 God on

00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:47.820
 Sundays.

00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:48.180
 We're not

00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.620
 praying to

00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:48.920
 a dead

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.220
 God.

00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.080
 He's

00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:50.420
 alive,

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:50.840
 he hears

00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.259
 us three

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.640
 days and

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.080
 three nights

00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.360
 later,

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.420
 Jesus arose

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:53.840
 from the

00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:54.100
 dead.

00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:55.600
 We talk

00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:55.880
 about it

00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.180
 at Easter

00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:56.480
 time,

00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:56.740
 right?

00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.360
 Two most

00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.360
 powerful,

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.720
 momentous,

00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:02.240
 transformational

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.240
 moments in

00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.580
 history.

00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:05.099
 Jesus' birth

00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.740
 and Jesus'

00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.179
 death,

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:06.919
 resurrection.

00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:08.319
 So,

00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.639
 that's the

00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:09.980
 gospel.

00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:10.960
 And now

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.559
 he says,

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:12.859
 if you just

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.579
 simply turn to

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:13.819
 me,

00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.460
 say,

00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.679
 God,

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.159
 I believe,

00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:15.779
 I put my

00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.179
 faith in

00:27:16.179 --> 00:27:16.339
 you,

00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.039
 I believe you

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.299
 came,

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.879
 I believe you

00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.099
 died,

00:27:18.179 --> 00:27:18.679
 I believe you

00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:18.960
 rose,

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.839
 I believe you

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.279
 love me,

00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.319
 I believe you

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.279
 will forgive me,

00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.740
 then you can be

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.339
 what we call

00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.019
 saved.

00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.740
 Saved from the

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.259
 punishment of

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.539
 sin.

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.000
 Saved from that

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.799
 terrible place that

00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.579
 God prepared for

00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.539
 Satan and all

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.460
 those who

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.039
 will die

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.720
 without turning

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.519
 to Jesus.

00:27:36.419 --> 00:27:37.000
 But if you

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.659
 give your life

00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:38.119
 to Jesus,

00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.960
 then he will

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.980
 save you.

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.879
 We heard that

00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.519
 testimony of

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.119
 Megan earlier in

00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.500
 the service,

00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.460
 it was powerful,

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:44.779
 man.

00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:46.059
 So great to

00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.439
 hear that.

00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:47.839
 So that's when

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.359
 it starts.

00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:50.119
 But then day

00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:50.679
 after day,

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.240
 we're changed

00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:54.359
 into his image.

00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.899
 Day after day,

00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:57.399
 more and more,

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.179
 by God's spirit,

00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.440
 his holy spirit

00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.820
 indwelling us,

00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.680
 going around with

00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.539
 us everywhere we

00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:03.779
 go.

00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:04.880
 He teaches us,

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.779
 he corrects us,

00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.840
 we go two steps

00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.480
 forward and one

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.140
 step back and

00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.820
 then he just

00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.779
 never gives up on

00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.279
 us and keeps

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.259
 leading us on and

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.360
 changing us more

00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.380
 and more into

00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:13.940
 his image.

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.680
 So if you

00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.759
 aren't changed,

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.600
 if you've been

00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.560
 changed less and

00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:18.340
 less instead of

00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.960
 more and more,

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.680
 then maybe you

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.420
 haven't been open

00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.799
 to God's holy

00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.740
 spirit and his

00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.060
 leading.

00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.080
 Well, it's time to

00:28:25.080 --> 00:28:25.580
 change that.

00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:27.180
 It's time to be

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.779
 transformed.

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.920
 It's time to get

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.440
 back on the

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.440
 transformation train,

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.700
 okay?

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:33.200
 Maybe it took a

00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.920
 stop and you got

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.620
 off the train for

00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.019
 a little while.

00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:35.560
 It's time to get

00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.880
 back on and let

00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:38.060
 God start transforming

00:28:38.060 --> 00:28:39.060
 you again.

00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:40.100
 I want to share

00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:41.539
 this verse with

00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.560
 you, part of the

00:28:42.560 --> 00:28:43.039
 song that the

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.800
 choir sang last

00:28:43.800 --> 00:28:44.420
 week.

00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.720
 I choose surrender.

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.860
 I choose to

00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.140
 love.

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.900
 Oh God, my

00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.539
 Savior, you'll

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.539
 always be enough.

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.860
 I choose forgiveness.

00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:52.000
 I choose grace.

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.019
 I choose to

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.779
 worship no matter

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.600
 what I face.

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.759
 What is he doing?

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.180
 He's choosing

00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:58.180
 the Jesus way.

00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.279
 He's choosing

00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.840
 transformation.

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.080
 He's choosing

00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:02.700
 sacrifice.

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.800
 He's choosing

00:29:03.800 --> 00:29:05.120
 real love.

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.539
 It's not a

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:06.779
 feeling.

00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.220
 It's not an

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.680
 environment.

00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:09.900
 It's not an

00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.300
 atmosphere.

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.060
 It's not something

00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:12.019
 you get just by

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.660
 being around it.

00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.620
 Did you ever

00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.620
 sleep on top of

00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.279
 your book at night

00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:16.880
 before you had a

00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.240
 test?

00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:18.080
 Because you were

00:29:18.080 --> 00:29:19.080
 hoping by osmosis

00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.640
 it would get in

00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:19.800
 there?

00:29:20.800 --> 00:29:21.840
 It doesn't work

00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:22.660
 with the Jesus way

00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.220
 either, okay?

00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:24.100
 You can't just hang

00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:25.000
 around Jesus.

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.779
 You can't just hang

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:27.440
 around the church house

00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.059
 and hang around

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.900
 Christians and all

00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.920
 of a sudden you

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.740
 become more like

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.019
 Jesus.

00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:32.500
 No, it's a choice.

00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:34.019
 Now you should hang

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.660
 around the church.

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.299
 You should hang

00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.360
 around other people

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.279
 like Jesus because

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.480
 maybe they'll start

00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.720
 to convince you to

00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.440
 be like that too.

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.500
 But you have to make

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.140
 the choice for

00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:42.600
 yourself.

00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.860
 Children, teenagers,

00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.420
 it's not enough to

00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.860
 grow up in a God

00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:48.059
 fearing, Christ

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.940
 honoring home.

00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.740
 You have to choose

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.900
 yourself.

00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.539
 Say, I choose

00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:53.880
 surrender.

00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:55.240
 I choose love.

00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.100
 I choose God, my

00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:57.420
 Savior.

00:29:57.760 --> 00:29:58.540
 He will be enough

00:29:58.540 --> 00:29:58.880
 for me.

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.900
 I choose forgiveness.

00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.260
 That's hard.

00:30:01.860 --> 00:30:02.620
 Choosing forgiveness.

00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.380
 I choose to give

00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.320
 grace like God's

00:30:05.320 --> 00:30:05.740
 given me.

00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:07.260
 I choose to worship

00:30:07.260 --> 00:30:09.600
 no matter what I

00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.200
 face.

00:30:11.260 --> 00:30:12.060
 It's easy to sing

00:30:12.060 --> 00:30:12.340
 that.

00:30:12.520 --> 00:30:13.500
 It's really hard to

00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:13.980
 live that.

00:30:15.760 --> 00:30:18.040
 I choose the Jesus

00:30:18.040 --> 00:30:18.340
 way.

00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.340
 So our takeaway

00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:21.180
 this morning is

00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.480
 commit to the Jesus

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.860
 way and then

00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:25.039
 sit back and watch

00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.799
 God transform you

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:28.579
 into becoming his

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.139
 disciple.

00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.579
 This morning,

00:30:30.719 --> 00:30:31.459
 choose the Jesus

00:30:31.459 --> 00:30:32.379
 way before you walk

00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:33.019
 out those doors.

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.459
 Say, man, I chose

00:30:34.459 --> 00:30:35.240
 the Jesus way a long

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.619
 time ago.

00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.179
 What are you talking

00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.379
 about?

00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.199
 You might need to

00:30:37.199 --> 00:30:37.699
 choose it again.

00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.559
 I don't know about

00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.219
 you, but I need to

00:30:40.219 --> 00:30:40.719
 choose it every

00:30:40.719 --> 00:30:40.979
 morning.

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.539
 Sometimes multiple

00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.359
 times throughout the

00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:44.039
 day, I've got to

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.079
 sit back and say,

00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.599
 you know what?

00:30:45.659 --> 00:30:46.539
 I've gotten off the

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:46.839
 track.

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.459
 I've gotten off the

00:30:48.459 --> 00:30:48.799
 path.

00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.579
 I got off at the

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.059
 train stop.

00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.659
 I got to get back

00:30:51.659 --> 00:30:51.859
 on.

00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:54.039
 I got to choose

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.919
 the Jesus way again

00:30:54.919 --> 00:30:56.439
 and then watch God

00:30:56.439 --> 00:30:57.979
 start transforming me

00:30:57.979 --> 00:30:59.259
 again into being his

00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.639
 disciple.

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.639
 Can you imagine what

00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.359
 that would look like

00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:03.199
 if our church was full

00:31:03.199 --> 00:31:05.519
 of transforming Jesus'

00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.319
 disciples?

00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.259
 And we showed each

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.079
 other the kind of love

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.979
 he showed to his

00:31:10.979 --> 00:31:12.679
 disciples and his

00:31:12.679 --> 00:31:15.019
 friends and those

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:16.579
 outside the lost.

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:19.879
 Can you imagine if we

00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:21.859
 became his disciples?

00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.819
 Would you pray with me

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.019
 now?

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:26.139
 God, I pray that we

00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:27.279
 would be your disciples,

00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:28.259
 that we would choose to

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.659
 follow you, that we would

00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:31.960
 be a church, not a church

00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:35.460
 that names the name of

00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.319
 Jesus and says, oh,

00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.579
 yeah, man, I'd go to

00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.119
 First Baptist.

00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.460
 I'm a Christian.

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.240
 I love God.

00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.240
 God, I love you.

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.240
 I love you.

00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.299
 But a church that chooses

00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:45.220
 moment by moment

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:47.839
 to rest in your

00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:50.380
 forgiveness, to lean into

00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:55.200
 your grace, a church that

00:31:55.200 --> 00:32:00.700
 is powerful, not because of

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:04.279
 how angry we can get or how

00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:06.059
 much might we show or how

00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:08.099
 impressive we are, a church

00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:11.939
 that is powerful because of

00:32:11.939 --> 00:32:13.000
 our forgiveness, because of

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:14.000
 our love, because of our

00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:16.339
 sacrifice, because God is

00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.399
 transforming us.

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.740
 And then we're right where

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.639
 you want us to be.

00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:25.159
 We're the kind of church

00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.939
 you want us to be.

00:32:28.939 --> 00:32:29.879
 Jared's going to lead us in

00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:30.299
 a song.

00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:32.240
 Before he does, let me ask

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.059
 you a couple of questions.

00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.579
 I'd love for you to keep

00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.759
 your seats as he sings.

00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.699
 Just enter into a time of

00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:39.859
 prayer.

00:32:39.939 --> 00:32:40.799
 We've got a few minutes

00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.459
 before we dismiss.

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:45.559
 Would you just section off

00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:49.359
 this time to be a time of

00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:52.899
 quiet reflection on your

00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:53.259
 heart?

00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:56.240
 Not talking about what you

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:56.559
 do.

00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.559
 Maybe there's something that

00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.619
 God's convicting you about

00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:02.599
 what you do, and you need to

00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.779
 answer him and listen to the

00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.719
 Holy Spirit and obey.

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:07.140
 But right now I'm really

00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:09.700
 focusing on those who aren't

00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:11.339
 necessarily going out and

00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:13.720
 doing all the things that we

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:15.140
 know bring dishonor to God.

00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.160
 You're not living that kind of

00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:16.700
 lifestyle.

00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:21.360
 But inwardly, you might have

00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:22.460
 stopped being transformed

00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.079
 along the way.

00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:27.660
 I'm talking to myself, I'm

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.640
 talking to my family, and I'm

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.579
 talking to my church family.

00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:32.699
 I believe the Holy Spirit

00:33:32.699 --> 00:33:35.500
 needs some room to work within

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.059
 our church.

00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:38.559
 And I pray that right now we

00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.699
 would open up our hearts and

00:33:39.699 --> 00:33:41.960
 say, God, transform me once

00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.279
 again.

00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.899
 I don't know what it's going to

00:33:46.899 --> 00:33:47.339
 take.

00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.960
 I don't know what it's going to

00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.779
 look like for you.

00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.859
 It's hard enough to figure out

00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.859
 what it looks like for me.

00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:57.639
 But I pray that we would make a

00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:59.899
 commitment to the Jesus way.

00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.439
 And then we watch God transform

00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:03.839
 us.

00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:06.879
 That means every morning, every

00:34:06.879 --> 00:34:09.960
 night, moment by moment, when we

00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:11.819
 mess up, we stop and we step back

00:34:11.819 --> 00:34:13.719
 and say, God, forgive me.

00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:15.099
 I know you already forgive me.

00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:16.480
 I know your grace never leaves.

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:19.820
 I know I messed up.

00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.679
 I know I spoke in anger.

00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.659
 I know I was selfish.

00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.719
 I know I was self-centered.

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.679
 I know I was greedy.

00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.639
 I know I was fearful.

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:28.719
 Whatever it is, God, I know.

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:35.119
 And I just got to get back on the

00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.659
 Jesus way.

00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:37.460
 Get back on the transformation

00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:37.840
 train.

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.820
 Let you change me again.

00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:43.440
 All right, let me ask you these

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:43.820
 questions.

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.039
 Is there anybody in here, I

00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.139
 shared the gospel earlier.

00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:48.139
 And you say, I need to turn from

00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:49.139
 my sin and turn to Jesus.

00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.240
 Would you slip your hand up now?

00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.159
 I'd love to pray for you.

00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:53.199
 Anybody in here, I've never been

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:53.659
 saved.

00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:54.820
 I want to do that today.

00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:55.719
 Thank you.

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.860
 For the rest of us, I'm not going

00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.740
 to ask you to raise your hand.

00:34:58.780 --> 00:35:00.079
 I'm just going to ask you to listen

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:01.519
 to the Holy Spirit right now.

00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:03.079
 Jared, would you lead us in this

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.400
 song?

00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:04.920
 You can let him sing over you.

00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.300
 You can join in singing.

00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.019
 It's up to you.

00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:09.059
 Let's keep our seats and let God

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.019
 speak to us.