WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:03.060 Amen. If you have your Bibles, I want you to turn to Luke chapter 18. 00:00:04.360 --> 00:00:08.259 Luke chapter 18. Jesus is the master teacher. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:14.240 He knows how to grab you and take you in. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:22.539 Every time I prepare a message on the words of Christ, I'm just hoping that I don't get in the way. 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:31.280 Because his words are true and they have a way of just kind of turning everything upside down. 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:37.920 I compared it a few weeks ago to when I used to watch boxing and give them some body blows 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:42.039 and finally they drop their hands and open up their head and knock them out. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:51.640 And in the same way, Jesus had a way of speaking to folks in such a way that made them sensitive to what he had to say. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:58.500 In other words, he speaks of the poor who are rich, the humble who are great, 00:00:59.620 --> 00:01:05.099 the sinners who are forgiven, and the righteous that are really the sinners. 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:09.560 He even does that when he teaches on how to pray. 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:15.200 And in our passage today, he shows us the kind of prayer that works. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:21.400 And I believe he shows us how we ought to look when we pray. 00:01:21.640 --> 00:01:26.439 Luke chapter 18, beginning in verse 9, it says, 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:33.420 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:36.939 and treated others with contempt. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:43.400 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:47.599 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus, 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:54.119 God, I thank you that I'm not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, 00:01:54.399 --> 00:01:55.799 or even like this tax collector. 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:56.879 I fast twice a week. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:01:59.439 I give tithes of all that I get. 00:02:00.339 --> 00:02:05.519 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:06.979 but beat his breast saying, 00:02:07.979 --> 00:02:09.599 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:15.359 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. 00:02:16.519 --> 00:02:19.259 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:25.699 but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:28.099 Jesus said, 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:31.579 Two men went up to pray. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.400 Now, to go to the temple, you had to go up. 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:39.300 Jerusalem is a high point. 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:42.860 And any time you leave Jerusalem, you go down. 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:49.219 So it became synonymous with going up to worship. 00:02:49.580 --> 00:02:54.300 When they talked about going up, they talked about going to worship. 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:57.980 Even if you're looking down from the Mount of Olives, 00:02:58.140 --> 00:02:59.640 where the Garden of Gethsemane is, 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:03.860 the Temple Mount sits a little lower than the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:07.480 But even when you look at it, you still have to go down into the valley 00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:10.560 and come up to go to worship. 00:03:10.920 --> 00:03:16.680 Therefore, they were going up, being a righteous act of worship. 00:03:18.040 --> 00:03:20.800 One man was a Pharisee. 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:26.260 Now, the Pharisees knew how to look. 00:03:27.220 --> 00:03:28.260 They had to look. 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:30.540 Matter of fact, they were very concerned about their look. 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:35.139 Deion Sanders' approach is look good, feel good, feel good, play good. 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:37.659 And that's kind of like the Pharisees, you know. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:43.319 All Pharisees, we knock them a lot because Christ knocked them a lot. 00:03:43.399 --> 00:03:44.659 But they weren't bad people. 00:03:46.079 --> 00:03:47.659 They lived upright lives. 00:03:48.399 --> 00:03:52.959 The one that this one did more than was necessary. 00:03:52.960 --> 00:04:00.020 When he brags at the altar about fasting twice a week, that wasn't necessary. 00:04:00.920 --> 00:04:04.340 The reality is the law taught them to fast on the Day of Atonement. 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:09.939 But some would go, as my daughter would say, they were a little extra. 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:11.680 They would do a little extra. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:14.659 And they would fast a couple of times a week, 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:17.980 particularly on Monday and Thursday. 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:25.800 And to emphasize it even more, they would pale their faces with whitener to show their misery. 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:28.600 Nevertheless, don't misunderstand me. 00:04:28.640 --> 00:04:30.220 This is not a bad man. 00:04:30.340 --> 00:04:32.100 He would be considered upstanding. 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:34.319 He would be considered a pillar. 00:04:34.860 --> 00:04:36.520 He went the extra mile. 00:04:36.660 --> 00:04:38.780 Not only that, but he gave extra, too. 00:04:39.900 --> 00:04:41.980 One was to tithe their income, but... 00:04:41.980 --> 00:04:45.439 And one still to tithe his or her income. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.840 But not everything. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:49.340 They would tithe... 00:04:49.340 --> 00:04:53.960 Some would try to show out the things that they harvested. 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:56.759 They would try to tithe on those things as well. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:05:00.259 Jesus mentions when he speaks to the scribes and the Pharisees 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:05.980 and how they loved to tithe on mint and other herbs just to show. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:10.960 But in reality, there were so many other parts of their life that wasn't right. 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:16.439 Scripture is very clear that we're still to tithe our income, but not on everything. 00:05:16.700 --> 00:05:17.160 I mean, listen. 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:22.520 When the harvest comes in and you get those wonderful, beautiful tomatoes at the house, 00:05:23.200 --> 00:05:25.259 you don't have to bring the preacher the best you got. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:26.759 You don't have to do that. 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:28.560 You can wait until they get old and rot. 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:30.939 But I'm telling you, it's not a biblical requirement. 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:35.120 But if you do, don't brag about it on the altar. 00:05:36.020 --> 00:05:36.939 And that's what he was doing. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:40.200 He, along with many Pharisees, went above and beyond. 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:46.000 The problem with them going above and beyond is they went above and beyond for the wrong reasons. 00:05:46.539 --> 00:05:50.500 And Jesus verbally attacks them instead of the sharded sinner. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:50.979 Why? 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:55.279 Because they were glorifying themselves instead of God. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:06:01.199 They were so prone to be proud of themselves and their upright living that they gravitated, 00:06:01.899 --> 00:06:07.399 listen to me, they gravitated toward looking right and being proud of how they looked. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:12.560 They lived to be seen and looked down on anybody that didn't look the part. 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:19.679 That wasn't up to par with what they wanted to appear to be. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:27.739 Just listen in verse 11 and 12 of the eyes that are in his statement here. 00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:31.839 When he said, God, I thank you that I'm not like the other men. 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:33.899 I fast twice a week. 00:06:34.099 --> 00:06:36.799 I give tithe of all I got. 00:06:37.419 --> 00:06:40.719 Again and again, the emphasis was on I. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:43.319 Concerned about what he looked like. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:50.379 Luke even says before the parable, he mentions why Christ mentioned the parable in verse 9 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:56.079 when he said he spoke of people who trusted in themselves and treated others with contempt. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:07:01.639 Literally, that means they counted others as nothing. 00:07:02.599 --> 00:07:05.019 They were not concerned with anyone else. 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:06.060 They were concerned about themselves. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:08.919 And they thought they were enough. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:13.199 They thought they could live good enough to be right with God. 00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:17.719 And the reality is they couldn't live good enough to be right with God 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:20.259 and we can't live good enough to be right with God. 00:07:20.339 --> 00:07:21.019 We need a Savior. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:24.779 There was also a tax collector there. 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:27.859 A crook. 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:30.599 A schemer. 00:07:32.159 --> 00:07:33.359 He didn't look so good. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:37.319 There were people in church that day going, what's he doing here? 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:39.619 He don't belong here. 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:43.119 But I'll tell you what he was doing there. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:46.959 He was humbling himself before an almighty God. 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:52.539 Now, I don't want to make light of his sins because they were many and they were bad. 00:07:52.540 --> 00:08:00.060 Jewish tax collectors were appointed by the Roman government to collect taxes from their very own people 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:05.320 and they were paid by the fees that they would add to the required tax. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:10.560 They were notoriously known as extortionists, ripping people off. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:16.899 Even Zacchaeus, when he came to the Lord, he said, because of what he had done as a tax collector, 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:25.639 he said, I give 50% of all I have to the poor and I will pay back fourfold anyone that I have defrauded of anything. 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:35.319 That says two things about this man and about Zacchaeus. 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:37.139 That one, they were crooked. 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:40.919 And second, they were changed. 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:45.019 Notice it says he was beating his breast. 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:50.419 That don't relate to our culture as much as it does to that culture. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:51.860 It means he's hurting. 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:52.899 It means he's mourning. 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:54.759 It means he's ugly crying. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.379 It means he's regretting. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.840 He's remorsing. 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:00.319 It means he's sorry. 00:09:00.439 --> 00:09:01.559 Not that he got caught. 00:09:03.079 --> 00:09:04.659 He's sorry that he was wrong. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:08.460 He's not asking God to look past his sin. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:11.500 He's not asking God to help him feel better about his sin. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:14.580 No, he says, God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:19.440 Literally, he says there, oh, God, be perpetuous to me, the sinner. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:27.740 Now, that verb there comes from the same word as used for the mercy seat where the blood of the offering was sprinkled. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:38.720 What that gives us clue to is that this crooked Jew had a background that helped him to understand the necessity of sacrifice. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:41.399 He had been taught better. 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:45.340 There was a grandma praying somewhere in the background, I think. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:52.059 There was a mama that brought him up the right way, apparently, because he knew the word. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:54.200 And he didn't have a lamb. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:56.679 He knew about a lamb. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.860 He knew about a priest. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:00.139 He didn't have a lamb, but he asked for forgiveness. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:02.940 He didn't have a priest, but he asked for forgiveness. 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:09.480 And humbly, yet boldly, he came before the throne, helpless, broken, needing a Savior. 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:16.680 Now, you would expect a Pharisee in the temple, but you would not expect a Roman tax collector. 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:19.080 One flattered himself. 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:23.240 One was absolutely humiliated. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:26.680 One pretended to be righteous, but was not really. 00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:30.660 The other didn't pretend to be righteous, and he was made right. 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:36.680 One stood in an open, proud position, drenched with self-pride. 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:44.099 Now, Herbert Lockyer says this, he asked for nothing, confessed nothing, and received nothing. 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:47.059 There's not much worship in that, folks. 00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:50.819 The other prayed at a distance. 00:10:52.359 --> 00:10:53.559 He stood away. 00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:55.219 He was ashamed. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:57.379 And he cries out ashamed. 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:02.779 He's beating his breast, remorsefully and broken. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.220 And as I pondered on that man last weekend, 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:13.519 I thought about what he must be feeling and what he must be saying in his heart. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:16.960 I couldn't help but think of that old song, Rock of Ages, 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:21.879 that says, not the labor of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:26.120 Could my zeal, no respite, no. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:28.159 Could my tears forever flow. 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:30.399 All could never sin erase. 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:33.519 Thou must save, and thou alone. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:36.460 Nothing in my hand I bring. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.840 Simply to the cross I cling. 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:43.279 I mean, this man looks dirty. 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:46.139 And he's the one that gets clean. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:50.759 And the one that looks clean is the one that leaves dirty. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:53.179 One is justified, one is not. 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:55.259 One is forgiven, one is not. 00:11:56.860 --> 00:12:00.860 Because you've got to see your guilt in order for it to be made right. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:03.960 So the Pharisee was concerned about how he looked in prayer, 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:07.360 and the tax collector was not, and yet his prayer was effective. 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:12.279 And effective prayer looks pretty good. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:20.620 And when Jesus says that, the righteous establishment comes unglued. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.059 They don't like it? 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:29.039 So what does that parable say to us? 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.879 What does that mean to us? 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:36.759 Well, I think it means, I think it tells us how we should look when we pray. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:44.960 First, when we pray, we need to look up. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.360 We need to look up. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:50.120 Because worship's not about us. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.120 It's about God. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:55.759 I want to ask you a rhetorical question. 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:58.840 I want you to think about it, not only in our time together this morning, 00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.759 but throughout this day. 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:01.559 Why are you here this morning? 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:08.000 I mean, many go to church to see what they can get out of it. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.119 I came because I want you to bless me today. 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:15.599 I came because I want you to serve me today. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.259 I want to see what's in it for me. 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:22.659 And I'll just tell you, friend, that's not worship. 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:27.359 That's no different than when you leave here and you go to a restaurant, 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:31.399 make an order, waiting on somebody to serve you. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:35.899 I mean, that's no different than going to a show 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:40.059 and saying, I paid the money, perform for me. 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:44.479 Worship is turning our eyes upon Christ. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:47.779 As the old song says, looking full in his wonderful face 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:50.779 and allowing the things of this world to go strangely dim 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:52.479 in the light of his glory and his grace. 00:13:52.719 --> 00:13:56.879 Worship is not about what do you have for me today, 00:13:56.979 --> 00:14:00.399 but Lord, what do you want of me today? 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:07.839 And I'm kind of weird because I don't like to call this hour a worship service 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:11.879 because I think it does a disjustice to what we're supposed to be doing here. 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:15.419 To me, this is a worship hour. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.980 At least you hope it's an hour, right? 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:19.059 But anyway, it's a worship hour. 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:23.500 We're to serve him when we leave this room. 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:26.879 We serve him throughout the week. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:32.439 We serve him when we meet the people walking down the streets. 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:39.700 We serve him as we follow his lead, as we trust in the Lord 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:41.860 and lean not on our own understanding, 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:45.980 but in all of our ways acknowledge him. 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:48.059 That's how we serve. 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:52.080 Worship is adoring him, putting him in proper place and privilege, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:53.340 but it's not service. 00:14:54.520 --> 00:14:57.080 I'll just tell you, I'm glad you're here, but this is not enough. 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:01.060 When you come in here, you ought to sing with all your heart. 00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:02.100 You ought to pray with all your might. 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:04.400 You ought to listen and obey and give obediently 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:06.120 and then go and then serve 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:08.340 because sitting is not serving. 00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:11.700 The first act of worship is to look up. 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:18.780 The greatest scene of adoration and worship of God in Scripture, 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:21.040 I believe, besides the book of Revelation, 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.980 is in Isaiah chapter 6. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:30.620 When Isaiah goes before the throne of God in prayer, 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:37.280 God gives him a vision in the midst of horrible times in his country. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.879 And I believe it's a pattern for us 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:42.740 because it begins with Isaiah being caught up 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.740 with the magnificent presence of God. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.840 And my friend, we need to get caught up. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:51.439 I pray that we get caught up. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.139 That's how we ought to begin our worship. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.879 Jesus teaches us in the model prayer. 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:59.919 Our Father in heaven, holy is your name. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:03.019 The first thing we ought to do in prayer is look up 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:05.639 because it's not about us, it's about him. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.440 And then we also ought to look in. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:14.080 Because when we look up to the Lord, it's amazing how, 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:16.679 I don't know how to describe this, 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:18.759 but it's amazing how when we look up to the Lord, 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:22.120 how there's a reflection that we can see of ourselves 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:24.580 and the mess of the state that we're in. 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:27.580 After Isaiah worshiped at the throne of God, 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:30.200 he said, woe is me, I am lost. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:35.660 I believe our lives will change when we see God for who he is. 00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:39.720 And as this Pharisee did, missing meals and tithing double 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:42.420 does not fix the state that we're in. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:46.800 We have to see that without the grace and forgiveness of God, 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:49.640 we are all in a mess. 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.340 We're in a mess. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:56.180 And until we see that, until we acknowledge that, there's no hope. 00:16:57.540 --> 00:17:00.840 I mean, among Christians, there are many that do not smoke, 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:03.540 do not drink, do not cuss or run with those who do. 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.100 They're pretty people. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:10.180 They are excellent at golf or fishing or hunting or fixing. 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:14.400 They have beautiful, clean, wonderful homes and spotless cars, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:18.160 and they put their all in their career and can show the fruit of it 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.080 or at least part of it. 00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:21.880 They may even be stewards of what they have, 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.860 and they give faithfully and they attend faithfully 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:25.480 and they speak eloquently. 00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:28.080 They seem to have it all, 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:31.460 and they attempt to show that they do, in fact, have it all. 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:32.360 Just check Facebook. 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.360 You'll see. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:38.220 But if that's the case, 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:42.600 if that's the case for you, 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.880 you've received your reward. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.279 I mean, that's it. 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:51.220 Because the problems that we have are within us, 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.279 and there are many. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:18:00.600 And they are not solved if they or if we will not admit them to God. 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:05.080 We don't even admit them to ourselves oftentimes. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:12.880 And to confess our sins literally means to agree with God 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:15.400 on what our sins are. 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:19.019 To agree with God on our sins, 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:20.480 that Christ died for our sin, 00:18:20.560 --> 00:18:23.100 and that our sins are a big deal 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:25.460 because he died for them. 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:28.759 Even the little white ones, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.200 the little sins. 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:34.440 Confess it, 00:18:35.060 --> 00:18:36.740 and confess it all. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.400 But I want to be clear, 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.420 confess it to God. 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:41.100 I'm with Spurgeon, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.580 who said, 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.400 if you ever make a confession before man, 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:45.539 let it be a general one, 00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:47.120 but not a particular one. 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:51.940 Because focusing on the gory details 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:54.180 of your past stupidity and testimony time 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:56.440 makes for a distraction. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:00.560 It actually is another form of selfishness. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:03.619 But confessing it to God 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:05.519 is getting it right. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.639 And through the scope of the Holy Spirit of God, 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:11.079 we have to look inside of ourselves, 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:13.139 and we get to look inside of ourselves 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:16.399 and see what's really wrong with us. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:19.780 I want you to imagine something. 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.940 I want you to think about someone 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.240 going to the doctor 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:27.380 and making an appointment 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.940 and going to see the doctor 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:30.040 and getting in there 00:19:30.040 --> 00:19:30.560 and saying, 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.920 Doc, I want you to know 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.240 that I am in perfect health. 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.060 I mean, my lungs are clear, 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.420 my muscle tone is perfect, 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:40.680 my digestion could not be better, 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.840 my circulation's better 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:44.040 than anybody else I know. 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.220 I have no infections, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.539 I have no diseases, 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.160 I have no hurts, 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.059 I have no ailments. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.539 Matter of fact, 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:50.420 I was sitting in the waiting room 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.220 out there looking at everybody. 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:52.400 Man, I'm telling you, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.500 I am in perfect health, 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.440 especially compared to them. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.360 What's the doctor to do? 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.420 What's the point of your visit 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:07.460 except to brag about how great you are? 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.940 But yet, that's sometimes 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:13.180 the way we come before the face of the Lord. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.120 Lord, look at me. 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.640 But to really worship, 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:21.440 to seek the face of God, 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:24.000 you got to look in. 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.079 Tell you what else you need to do, 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:27.819 you need to look out. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:32.600 It is easy to criticize this Pharisee. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.279 I mean, Luke tells us in the beginning 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.960 what to look for 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.660 before he ever started the parable. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:40.720 And folks don't like people 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.880 like this Pharisee. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.019 Those perfect people 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.640 or those people who think they're perfect. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.420 I mean, who does he think he is anyway? 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:51.080 Don't like folks like that. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.380 But let us be careful. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.100 Some that criticize him 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:58.180 will not spend the time 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.080 that he does in prayer. 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:03.439 Some will criticize him 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:04.839 for bragging about his tithe, 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.779 yet in reality, 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:07.179 they're robbing God themselves 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:08.279 by not being stewards 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.539 of what God has given to them. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.000 So be careful 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.539 because when we start criticizing others 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.319 for what they're doing, 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.839 we're doing the same thing 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.960 the Pharisee was doing. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.819 Ivan, 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:21.179 Ivor Powell said this. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:21.720 He said, 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:23.480 it's very easy to criticize a man 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.559 who has only climbed 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:26.039 halfway up a ladder, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:28.139 but if we have not even left the ground, 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:30.580 our mouths should remain closed. 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.480 If we're not careful, 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.780 we'll be like that Sunday school teacher 00:21:34.780 --> 00:21:35.720 that taught this parable. 00:21:36.580 --> 00:21:37.360 And at the end of it, 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.759 she said, 00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.700 now let's thank God 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:40.820 that we're not like that proud Pharisee. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.140 So when we pray, 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.800 look out. 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:48.160 Look out for surface prayers 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.640 that do not get to the heart of the matter. 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.580 Look out for sin 00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:53.980 that we try to justify 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.600 but are much more wrong 00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.620 than we think they are. 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.960 Look out for our attempts 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.420 to avoid the reality of our sin 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:03.120 and make it sound a lot milder 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.840 than it is. 00:22:04.800 --> 00:22:05.960 Euphemisms in prayer 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.560 is dangerous. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:12.580 Look out about holding our head up 00:22:12.580 --> 00:22:13.220 so high 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.600 even before the throne of grace. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.400 I'll tell you how you ought to look 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.940 when you pray. 00:22:17.040 --> 00:22:17.800 You ought to look out. 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.880 And then lastly, 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.060 I believe you ought to look around. 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:27.480 And when you open your eyes 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:29.519 at the close of your prayer, 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.379 you ought to look around. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:32.220 I noticed something about this Pharisee. 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:36.399 I noticed about the tax collector too. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.240 It says the Pharisee stood 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:44.059 by himself. 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:49.000 But it also says 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.799 that the tax collector 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.200 stood 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.299 at a distance. 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:02.139 We're to pray alone. 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.220 We're to spend time 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.000 with God alone. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.920 But we are not to stay there. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.839 Because when we get right, 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.099 we have to open our eyes, 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.500 get up from our place of devotion, 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.500 or today, 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.140 get up from our pew 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.859 and look around 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.579 and see where God 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.759 would have us to serve. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:29.000 It's easy to enjoy God alone. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.660 I do it practically 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:32.079 every morning early 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.119 before anybody else 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.099 in my house is up. 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.500 But then they get up. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.160 And then you got to go 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.880 face the world. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.859 You are not faithful 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.900 to his plan 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.380 if all you do 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.259 for him 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.440 is alone. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.019 I said, 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.359 I don't consider this a service. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.740 I consider it a worship hour. 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:59.000 But I want you to know 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.940 you'll have the opportunity 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.700 in just a few minutes 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.519 as we leave this place 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.259 to serve others. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.900 And I have no idea how. 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.259 But God has strategically 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.200 placed us here 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.559 to use us 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.420 in a mighty way. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.640 Even where we are now. 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:18.539 Do not miss 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.400 the blessings 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:23.059 of Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.579 Spurgeon said, 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.639 Satan hates Christian fellowship. 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.379 It's his policy 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:33.579 to keep Christians apart. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.359 I've learned it. 00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:41.019 Learned it from the Nature Channel. 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.159 Watching those hyenas 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:45.019 go in a pack 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:48.099 with a lion 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:50.379 hiding in the brush 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:53.460 waiting on one hyena 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.840 to hang out 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.279 to hang out too long 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.960 by himself. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.360 And then he attacks. 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.200 That's why Scripture says 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.440 he's like a roaring lion 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.299 seeking whom he may devour. 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:07.039 And he'll sneak up on you too. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.240 Let's get together. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.620 Let's make a point 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:16.279 to step outside 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.519 of our comfort zone maybe. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:20.039 We are blessed 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.960 with the opportunity 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.019 for small groups. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.420 We are blessed 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.519 with prayer groups. 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.940 We are blessed 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.480 with groups 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.379 that walk through 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:28.559 a study together. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.440 We are blessed 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:30.940 with groups 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.920 that just get together 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.400 weekly, 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:34.059 reflect on a few things, 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.819 pray together, 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.319 and fellowship together. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:38.119 In a couple of weeks 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.700 we'll have our 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.779 Thanksgiving meal together. 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.399 We'll celebrate 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.059 the Lord's Supper 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.839 around the table. 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:44.439 We'll have the opportunity 00:25:44.439 --> 00:25:45.539 to fellowship together. 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.559 And Satan loves 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:51.220 to keep us away 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.039 from those things. 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:55.379 He loves to keep us idle. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.439 He loves to keep us 00:25:58.439 --> 00:25:59.559 between places. 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.720 Not committed. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:05.559 Just continuing on. 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.439 muttering on 00:26:07.439 --> 00:26:08.480 instead of really 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:11.500 investing our lives. 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.039 So let's get together. 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:19.220 You want to know 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.759 how you look 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.279 when you pray? 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:20.919 You look up. 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.740 You make him 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:27.279 the focus of your prayer. 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.240 Our hope and prayer 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.919 is not to change heaven 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:35.399 but to change us. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.379 So look up. 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.539 Look in. 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.480 Look out 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:45.720 because we can easily 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.359 get in trouble 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.819 thinking too much 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.419 of ourself 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:49.599 and then look around. 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.039 Let God use you. 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.220 It's interesting to me 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.700 how Jesus closes this. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:27:00.539 as the worship hour 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:00.980 closed 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.160 the Pharisee went away 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.140 even more guilty 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:03.779 than the one 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.720 that he came in with 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.840 and that dirty old 00:27:06.840 --> 00:27:07.660 tax collector 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.980 left justified. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.600 That's what Scripture 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:10.860 says. 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.500 He left justified. 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.259 You know what that means? 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.279 That means he left clean. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.460 So my question today is 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.860 how are you going 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.519 to leave today? 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:24.940 Oh, Pastor, I'm fine. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.680 I'm not a Pharisee 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:30.000 and I'm not a tax collector. 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.339 Yeah, I know. 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.779 Pharisee realized 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:41.079 my question is 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:43.000 did the Pharisee realize 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.879 that he left 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:45.019 in worse shape 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.460 than he came? 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:49.579 Probably not. 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.500 And a lot of folks 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.200 leave church 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.819 the same way. 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.960 And I'm just saying 00:27:57.960 --> 00:28:00.960 quit standing over there. 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.079 Truly 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:08.460 know where to look 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:10.640 how to look 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:12.000 when you pray 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:14.140 and then do 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:16.180 what he tells you to do. 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:19.259 with every head bowed 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:22.259 and every eye closed. 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.660 I ask you this morning 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.440 where are you at? 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:33.319 I don't mean the address. 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.380 I know that. 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.299 I mean, 00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:38.640 what is it in your life 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:41.840 that you need God 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:42.680 to intervene in? 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.440 That needs to change 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.279 in you. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.819 It's possible 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.480 that one's here 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:47.960 this morning 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.980 and you've never 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.359 you've never 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.039 surrendered your life 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.559 to Christ. 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:51.980 You may have been 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.839 part of church. 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.700 You may not have been. 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:55.160 You may have been 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.799 raised in a good home. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.539 You may not have been. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.619 But in reality 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.480 in your own life 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.019 there's never been 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.859 a time when you've 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.639 surrendered your life 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.639 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.180 You've asked him 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.680 to forgive you 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.339 and to cleanse you 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:06.180 and to come into your life 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.000 and change you. 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.779 And if that's your story 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.599 I want you to know 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.119 that today's 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:11.940 the day of salvation. 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:14.160 you have the opportunity 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:16.059 to come to him 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.779 and be changed 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:18.279 by him. 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.559 Maybe you're here 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.140 and you do know 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.860 that you're a Christian 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.960 but the reality is 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:24.920 you ain't praying right. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.380 You ain't looking 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.320 in the right place. 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:27.700 You ain't looking 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.360 the right way. 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.580 God needs to do 00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:32.440 a work in your life 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.100 and I'm thankful 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:35.000 this altar is open. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.480 I'd love to pray 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.320 with you if you'd like 00:29:37.320 --> 00:29:37.860 or you can do it 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.440 right where you are. 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:40.220 Whatever God 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.980 leads you to do 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.480 I just think 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.000 you ought to get it 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.500 settled before you 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.220 leave this place. 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.580 Maybe you're here 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.360 and God's drawing you 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.920 to this fellowship. 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.200 You know this is 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.759 where you're to be. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.279 I just ask you 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.920 to obey God. 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.620 Just do what 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.279 he tells you to do. 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.240 Maybe you've made 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.200 a private decision 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.840 but you've never 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:01.580 made that public. 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.080 You've never been 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.940 baptized as a believer. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.480 I want you to know 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.320 you're welcome to come. 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.799 I'd love to talk 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.480 to you about that. 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.879 Jesus told us 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:15.639 about a proud Pharisee 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:17.899 and a dirty sinner 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:20.460 so that we could 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.579 see our own life 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:24.619 and see what it is 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.299 in our life 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:26.019 that needs him 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.659 to touch 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:28.480 and to change 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:30.339 and I encourage 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:30.879 you to do just 00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:31.579 that this morning. 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.200 Heavenly Father 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.859 I love you 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:35.579 and I thank you 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.139 for the privilege 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:36.619 you give us 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.019 to worship 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.859 this morning Lord. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.519 Lead us 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.479 oh God I pray 00:30:40.479 --> 00:30:42.599 right now 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:44.000 to simply be obedient 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.699 to follow you. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.699 In Jesus precious name 00:30:46.699 --> 00:30:47.459 Amen.