WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.540 For the last time we get to watch that little video introduction, how many of y'all have enjoyed our study of Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus? 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:21.019 Yeah, I have enjoyed it too. Well, in honor of that, I'm going to re-preach all the sermons this morning that I've preached over the last few months. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:26.460 Look, we should be out of here in about three hours, alright? So, it's alright. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:32.039 Alright, the funny thing is, I am actually going to go back. 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:38.620 If you have come in in the middle of this series, or at the tail end, or you missed some along the way, that's okay. 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:46.420 I'm going to give you a little summary of each chapter as we prepare to wrap up this series in Ephesians. 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:56.380 So, if you'll take your Bibles and go to Ephesians 6, and if you'd like to turn all the way back to chapter 1 and go with me as we go chapter by chapter, 00:00:56.460 --> 00:01:02.759 up to chapter 6, you can. But I'm going to be starting off talking about this book. 00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:05.900 It's divided into two sections. Let's say it together. Ready? 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:11.560 Who we are, how we live. That's kind of the themes of the book of Ephesians, 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:16.040 written by the Apostle Paul, who wrote many, many books in the New Testament. 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:22.860 It was written around AD 62 from his setting in Roman imprisonment. 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:25.020 He was likely under house arrest at this time. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:27.400 This was a church he was very familiar with. 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:33.040 He had been their pastor for approximately three years, and you can read all about that in Acts chapter 19. 00:01:33.700 --> 00:01:37.640 So, much of the study from this series was done from these two books, 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:39.840 as well as a few others kind of trickled in, 00:01:39.960 --> 00:01:44.180 but the Christ-Centered Exposition series and the Bible Exposition Commentary. 00:01:44.180 --> 00:01:50.240 Part 1, again, talks about who we are in Christ, who we are in Christ. 00:01:50.600 --> 00:01:53.320 So, by way of review, let's dive into it. 00:01:53.400 --> 00:02:02.120 Chapter 1, Ephesians chapter 1, we talked about understanding my identity in Christ causes real-life worship. 00:02:02.740 --> 00:02:03.320 Y'all remember that? 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:07.340 Understanding my identity in Christ causes real-life worship. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:15.180 Verse 7 of Ephesians 1, in Him, in Jesus, we have redemption through His blood, 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:19.840 the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace. 00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:24.439 And in verse 6, it says, to the praise of His glorious grace. 00:02:24.640 --> 00:02:27.580 So, when we understand all that God did for us, 00:02:27.980 --> 00:02:32.060 all that He made us to be in spite of how bad we are, 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:35.180 God, you know, you know how bad you are, you know how bad I am. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:38.039 You may not know how bad I am, but let me tell you, it's pretty bad, okay? 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:46.280 In spite of us, God loved us so much that He gave us real-life value. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:48.080 He gave us real-life worth. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.360 So much worth that it cost the blood of His own Son. 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:58.720 So, that understanding, that identity in Christ Jesus causes us to worship Him in real life. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:04.080 Not just sing the songs, not just show up at church, but real-life worship, obedience, prayer, 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:11.440 taking time, setting time aside to dive into His Word where He reveals Himself to us. 00:03:11.820 --> 00:03:15.460 Again, in chapter 1, it says, we studied several weeks ago, 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:20.000 my confidence grows as my intimate knowledge of God grows. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.699 My confidence grows as my intimate knowledge of God grows. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:26.520 Back in verse 18, 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:30.039 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:34.280 so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:37.819 what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:42.900 and what is His immeasurable greatness of power toward us who believed. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:46.960 Our confidence in God can grow when we understand 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:51.599 and begin to gain a more intimate knowledge of how great God is, 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:54.140 how much better God is than we are, 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:55.640 how much mightier, 00:03:56.219 --> 00:04:00.260 how much more faithful and reliable than our confidence in Him grows. 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:04.400 And then, since He has given us such worth and called us His children, 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:06.580 our confidence in ourselves can grow, 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:07.900 not in our flesh, 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:09.420 but in His Spirit, 00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:10.939 which lives in us. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:12.840 So, chapter 2. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:14.219 Chapter 2. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:17.600 A gospel-centered life gives me purpose. 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:20.719 A gospel-centered life gives me purpose. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:21.759 What do we mean by that? 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:22.579 Whoa. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:23.980 Sorry. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:25.279 I jumped ahead a little bit. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:25.720 Here we go. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:28.620 I give up earthly privileges. 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:30.899 I give up earthly preferences. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:33.659 I give up earthly priorities. 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:37.620 And I give up earthly passions. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:44.060 Then, I daily trade my earthly identity for my heavenly identity. 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:46.460 So, this is kind of the theme of chapter 2. 00:04:46.640 --> 00:04:46.900 All right? 00:04:46.960 --> 00:04:47.620 Let's back up. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:50.560 A gospel-centered life gives me purpose. 00:04:50.840 --> 00:04:51.520 First of all, 00:04:51.840 --> 00:04:56.440 you and I are always trying to find the purpose for our broad life, 00:04:56.580 --> 00:04:58.360 the purpose for our year, 00:04:58.460 --> 00:04:59.400 the purpose for our month, 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:00.600 the purpose for our day. 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:04.240 What will our purpose be today? 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:06.640 What will the purpose be of this conversation? 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:08.580 What will the purpose be of this task? 00:05:09.020 --> 00:05:13.360 Our purpose should come from our gospel-centered life. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:15.379 What do we mean by gospel-centered life? 00:05:16.640 --> 00:05:19.600 It means that we are centering our life 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:20.879 in the decisions we make, 00:05:21.260 --> 00:05:22.879 in the actions we make, 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:24.560 in the way we think. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.040 We've been talking in Romans 12 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:27.960 about changing the way we think. 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:33.359 We've been talking about changing us 00:05:33.359 --> 00:05:36.339 from self-centered to gospel-centered. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:39.779 I recognize that my new identity in Christ 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:43.339 reframes my life to not be about me anymore. 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:46.679 Now it's about Jesus and what he did for me 00:05:46.679 --> 00:05:48.560 and what he is making me to become. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:54.660 So now the decisions I make are in that new mind, 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:59.540 toward that new man that God is creating in me. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:02.920 So a gospel-centered life then gives me purpose. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:07.180 Now I know what I should say to that person 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:08.480 who's mistreating me. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:12.579 Now I know how I should respond to that person 00:06:12.579 --> 00:06:14.360 when I want to respond one way, 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:16.960 but I know that my purpose 00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:19.259 in this gospel-centered life 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:21.560 would be to respond how Jesus would. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:25.319 So that means we have to give up earthly privileges 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:28.500 that we would otherwise hold tightly to. 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:30.780 We give up earthly preferences 00:06:30.780 --> 00:06:33.759 that seem like the biggest thing in the world to us. 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:36.720 We give up earthly priorities. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.020 You ever had somebody rearrange your priorities? 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.840 You ever had life rearrange your priorities? 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:42.000 You ever had life? 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:46.060 Moving along, trying to make as much money as you can, 00:06:46.119 --> 00:06:47.439 trying to be as successful as you can, 00:06:47.479 --> 00:06:49.560 and then all of a sudden a heart attack hits. 00:06:50.159 --> 00:06:52.319 All of a sudden something stops you in your tracks 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:54.339 that rearranges your priorities. 00:06:55.159 --> 00:06:58.799 The gospel can do that for you in the best of ways. 00:06:59.479 --> 00:07:01.139 And then we give up our earthly passions. 00:07:01.379 --> 00:07:04.479 What passions of the flesh are drawing you away 00:07:04.479 --> 00:07:08.199 from the beautiful, beautiful future 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:10.159 that God has lined out for you? 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:14.580 So, we daily trade our earthly identity 00:07:14.580 --> 00:07:16.520 for our heavenly identity. 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:18.660 And then, chapter 3, 00:07:18.760 --> 00:07:20.880 we talked about a Christ-centered Christian. 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:22.620 How a Christ-centered Christian 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:24.740 is a willing prisoner of Christ. 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:27.780 A Christ-centered Christian understands 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:30.720 the mystery of Christ. 00:07:31.080 --> 00:07:33.720 So willingly, we're surrendering to Christ 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.879 and saying, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:37.540 God, I don't fully understand you 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:39.040 and everything about your mystery, 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:41.020 but I understand that it's a mystery. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:42.879 Why did you love me so much? 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.340 Why did you send your son to die for me? 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:48.500 How did you know that I would be a sinner 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:49.879 and yet you chose me? 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:52.820 And yet you gave me the ability to respond to you 00:07:52.820 --> 00:07:56.000 and the responsibility to say yes to your call. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:08:00.120 We don't understand everything about the mystery of God, 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.600 but we understand that it's a beautiful mystery 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:05.300 and it has saved our souls. 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:07.660 What a wonderful thing. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:09.300 And a Christ-centered Christian 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:11.740 is a servant of the gospel of Christ. 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.540 That's that rearranging of priorities. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:16.319 We're no longer a servant to sin. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:19.000 Now we are a servant to a much better master. 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:21.899 The gospel of Jesus. 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:24.819 The good news of Jesus that says, 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:26.799 hey, I'm a sinner. 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:27.699 You're a sinner. 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.099 We're all sinners. 00:08:31.799 --> 00:08:38.299 But God, in his great love with which he loved us, 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.399 sent his only son, Jesus. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:43.439 And that is the message that I will take 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:45.079 to anyone everywhere. 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:47.819 I will be a servant to that good news. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:50.120 And because we're a servant of the gospel, 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:53.080 we proclaim the riches of Christ. 00:08:53.419 --> 00:08:54.700 The wonderful riches. 00:08:55.060 --> 00:08:57.480 Does your life reflect the riches of Christ? 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:03.159 Would your spouse say your life reflects the riches of Christ? 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:06.500 Would your kids say your life reflect the riches of Christ? 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:11.200 If not, we need to spend a little more time 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:16.519 thinking, praying, focusing on that gospel 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:19.200 and letting it change us from the inside out. 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:21.540 Letting it change the way we think. 00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:23.480 And then people will believe us 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:25.160 when we proclaim the riches of Christ. 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:26.020 Say, hey, trust me. 00:09:26.140 --> 00:09:28.340 God is so rich in mercy. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:29.640 He's so rich in grace. 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:31.280 He's so rich in love. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:34.259 And he wants to be that for you too. 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:36.120 And then a Christ-centered Christian 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:38.900 boldly accesses the Father. 00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:40.560 In chapter 3, 00:09:40.660 --> 00:09:42.200 a Christ-centered Christian 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:44.140 boldly accesses the Father. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.620 We don't have to be ashamed to come to God 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:48.259 because despite all of our faults, 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.759 despite all of our shortcomings, 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.600 he welcomes us with open arms. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.580 He never holds it over our head. 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:57.379 He welcomes us as a good father would to his child. 00:09:57.480 --> 00:09:57.879 So, 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:02.699 for some reason, 00:10:02.819 --> 00:10:03.879 this is not advancing anymore. 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:06.360 Can you take me to the next slide? 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.139 There we go. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:09.539 Thank you. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.319 I don't know why that's not working. 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.180 It was working. 00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:14.600 So, continuing in chapter 3, 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.160 Jesus Christ himself, 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:17.060 y'all remember this part, 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:19.340 is the why behind the what 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:23.260 of me being a Christian. 00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:29.460 Jesus is the why behind the what. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:31.000 How many of you grew up in churches 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:32.780 that always talk to you, 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:34.300 whether it's this church or another one, 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:37.340 that so often talk to you 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:39.420 about what you should do 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:41.959 or what you should not do as a Christian. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.339 I grew up like that. 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:45.899 Oftentimes, 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.139 and listen, 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:49.699 the Bible is full of those kinds of admonitions 00:10:49.699 --> 00:10:50.959 of what we should do 00:10:50.959 --> 00:10:52.479 and what we should not do as Christians. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:52.939 However, 00:10:53.939 --> 00:10:55.539 sometimes in churches, 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.139 probably more than sometimes, 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:00.979 we have missed the why behind the what. 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.699 We talked about this several weeks ago. 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:06.740 Jesus is the why behind the what. 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.140 Sometimes, 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.300 then, 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.340 in our efforts 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.080 to get people to conform 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:14.160 to how we think 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:15.460 a Christian ought to be, 00:11:16.540 --> 00:11:17.540 we lack 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:20.400 telling them about the motivation. 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.400 We lack telling them 00:11:21.400 --> 00:11:22.520 about the real reason 00:11:22.520 --> 00:11:23.040 why 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:25.379 you shouldn't go out 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:25.900 and get drunk. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.540 Why you shouldn't go out 00:11:27.540 --> 00:11:29.080 and do the things 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.440 that your flesh tells you to do. 00:11:31.140 --> 00:11:32.400 Why you should go 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:34.340 be faithful to be here 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.400 on Sundays in church 00:11:35.400 --> 00:11:37.140 and not forsake the gathering 00:11:37.140 --> 00:11:38.320 of the church body together. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.960 All these things 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.060 that the Bible commands 00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:42.180 a Christian to do, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:44.180 the Bible is very clear 00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:45.080 about the why. 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.400 But sometimes, 00:11:46.520 --> 00:11:47.120 we've missed that. 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:49.040 So we've got to remind ourselves 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:51.100 that Jesus is the why 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.000 behind the what. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:55.700 It says in verse 18 of chapter 3, 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:56.780 Through Him, 00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:57.880 through Jesus Christ, 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.280 we both have access 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:00.699 in one spirit 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:02.439 to one Father. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:03.639 So, 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.079 we talked about 00:12:05.079 --> 00:12:07.159 powerful prayer. 00:12:07.819 --> 00:12:08.679 Which is awesome 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.899 because in just a few minutes, 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:11.259 we're going to wrap up this book 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.339 at the end of chapter 6 00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.220 and talk about 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.439 powerful prayer. 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:17.339 But there's a little preview 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:18.519 here in chapter 3. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:19.419 It says, 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.559 Pray with humility. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:22.740 Pray for God's full power 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.980 and full love. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:26.139 Pray with great expectations. 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.419 Can you imagine 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.059 a prayer life 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:28.899 that looks like that? 00:12:29.099 --> 00:12:29.899 Where we humbly 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.799 come before God? 00:12:31.359 --> 00:12:32.139 Not thinking, 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.579 Man, 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:34.779 I'm a pretty good Christian. 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:38.039 God needs to listen to me 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.779 and He better do 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.319 what I want. 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:40.979 None of us would ever 00:12:40.979 --> 00:12:41.839 say that, right? 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:42.519 But sometimes, 00:12:42.599 --> 00:12:43.219 that's the attitude 00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:44.159 we bring in prayer. 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:45.619 And then, 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:46.799 if God doesn't respond 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.459 exactly how we want Him to, 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:49.599 we get a little 00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:50.799 bent out of shape sometimes. 00:12:52.479 --> 00:12:53.899 But praying with humility 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.019 and praying for God's 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.779 full power 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:57.199 and full love. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.779 Can you imagine 00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.879 a prayer life like that? 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:03.439 Praying for God's 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:04.199 full power 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:05.459 and full love 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:06.220 in your life 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:06.959 or in the life 00:13:06.959 --> 00:13:08.039 of someone you're praying for? 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.699 What a difference 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:10.299 that would make. 00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:11.620 And praying 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:13.139 with great expectations. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.879 It's an old missionary, 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.079 C.T. Stud, 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:17.600 who said, 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:21.100 expect great things 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:21.600 from God 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:23.100 and attempt great things 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:23.820 for God. 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.420 Pray with great expectations. 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:28.920 There is nothing 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:30.899 that God can't do. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.980 There's no mountain 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.740 He won't move. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.620 So we should pray 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:37.460 expecting nothing less 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.360 than God's greatness 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.580 to be at work. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:42.220 And then, 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.320 well, 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.540 it's kind of working sometimes 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.060 and then not. 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:46.899 So if you'll take me 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.519 to the next one, 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:47.840 sorry, 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.360 thank you, 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.420 ask God to help you 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.720 take the next step 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.120 in your life. 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.320 What do we mean by that? 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.580 Ask God to help you 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.399 take the next step 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:56.940 in your life. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:59.100 The second to last verse 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:00.040 of Ephesians 3, 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.159 now to Him 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.279 who is able to do 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.639 above and beyond 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.000 all that we ask 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.600 or think 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:07.060 according to the power 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:08.840 that works in us, 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:10.399 to Him be glory. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.899 God can do everything 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:15.279 that we want Him to do 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:17.460 and so much more. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.840 So sometimes 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.899 He doesn't answer us 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.540 exactly 00:14:20.540 --> 00:14:22.019 as we want Him 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.820 to answer us 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:24.000 because He wants 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.519 to give us 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:26.240 that so much more part. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.159 And in our mind, 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.860 that doesn't work, 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:30.300 right? 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.320 Because we're this 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:32.040 small-minded, 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:32.639 right here, 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.379 right now 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.600 kind of people. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.480 We don't see it 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.379 from His perspective. 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:40.279 So God might be 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:40.799 wanting us 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.080 to take the next step 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:43.820 toward this beautiful ending 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:45.139 that He has for us. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.220 And that might look 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.860 a little different 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.039 than what we have planned. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.879 So we have to ask God, 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.139 God, 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.340 what is the next step 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.720 that I need to take 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.220 in my prayer life? 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.799 And then chapter, 00:14:59.480 --> 00:14:59.759 well, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.700 before we jump 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.940 into chapter 4, 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:03.160 we're launching 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:03.840 into part 2. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:05.160 So that was our identity 00:15:05.160 --> 00:15:06.100 in Christ, 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.440 who we are in Christ. 00:15:08.140 --> 00:15:08.740 Part 2, 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.060 how we live 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:11.020 for Christ. 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:12.340 How we live 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:12.980 for Christ. 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.800 We said in chapter 4, 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:15.740 God's design 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.560 is diversity. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.460 Satan's distraction 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:20.400 is division. 00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:21.980 God's design 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.420 is the diversity 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.440 of the believers. 00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:25.880 Look around this church. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.240 Seriously, 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.040 look around for a minute. 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.080 Check around, 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.440 you know, 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.640 I'm giving you permission. 00:15:29.780 --> 00:15:30.760 Look at everybody's outfits. 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:33.880 Judge not, 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.800 lest ye be judged. 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:37.260 Look around 00:15:37.260 --> 00:15:39.100 at this diverse crowd 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.860 we got in here. 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:41.240 We got all kinds of people 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.100 from all kinds 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.000 of different walks of life, 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:43.400 right? 00:15:44.380 --> 00:15:45.180 All kinds of different 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:46.260 experiences and backgrounds 00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:46.700 in here. 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:48.540 That's God's design. 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.480 God's design 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.380 is diversity. 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.880 Diversity among races. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.260 Diversity among genders. 00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:55.600 Diversity among 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.780 financial standing. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.080 Diversity among 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.120 family life. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.980 Diversity among 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.440 experiences and backgrounds. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.480 Diversity among future. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.900 But God brings us 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:07.280 all together 00:16:07.280 --> 00:16:09.180 under His banner. 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:11.560 His banner of love. 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:13.379 His banner of being 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.879 washed in His blood. 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:16.860 Washed clean 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.720 from all those sins 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.780 that separate us 00:16:19.780 --> 00:16:20.200 from Him. 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:22.660 But Satan wants 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:24.200 to take that same concept 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:25.420 and distort it. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.960 His distraction for us 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.320 is division. 00:16:29.900 --> 00:16:30.700 God's design 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.980 was this beautiful 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.960 diverse body 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:34.180 gathering together 00:16:34.180 --> 00:16:35.060 under His name. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.480 Satan's distraction 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.639 is highlighting 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.400 those differences 00:16:38.400 --> 00:16:40.259 to drive us apart. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.320 And that happens 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.300 so often in churches. 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:44.460 Y'all, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.360 I think it's incredible 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.060 that this church 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:46.560 has been around 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.639 since 1876. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.040 Right? 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.839 Most churches 00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:52.039 never last that long. 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:54.699 So, 00:16:56.099 --> 00:16:59.240 chapter 4. 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.639 We walk worthy 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.879 before God 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:03.240 when we apply 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.200 the gospel 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.399 directly. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.700 We're challenged 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.980 in chapter 4. 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.720 Live worthy 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.839 of the calling 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.259 you have received. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.299 So, 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:14.960 when we apply 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.740 this gospel 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.420 of diversity, 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.660 when we apply 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.400 this gospel 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.019 of unity, 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.700 when we apply 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.460 this gospel 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.080 of not putting 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:24.180 ourselves above 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:25.180 everybody else, 00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:26.960 then we walk 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.180 worthy of that 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.560 gospel that we've 00:17:29.560 --> 00:17:29.940 received, 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.759 that we've received 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.759 because we're applying 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.400 it directly. 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.700 Can I tell you 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.840 the gospel of Jesus, 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.460 the good news 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.039 is Jesus, 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.140 of Jesus, 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.860 is not just good enough 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.759 to save you 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.500 from your sins, 00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:41.420 it's good enough 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:42.279 to get you 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.160 through this life. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.960 it's good enough 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.759 to help you 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.960 walk worthy 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.860 before God. 00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:50.080 But you've got 00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:51.120 to apply it. 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.259 Not just applying 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.900 it by putting 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.880 your faith in Jesus 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.740 and saying, 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.019 I trust Jesus 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.240 enough to save 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.040 me from my sin. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.920 I trust Him 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.460 enough that He 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.460 died on the cross, 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.560 that He was buried, 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.340 that He didn't 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:03.900 stay dead, 00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:04.740 He came up 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.340 out of the grave 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.400 and He's alive today. 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.160 He hears me 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:07.720 when I pray, 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.500 He hears me 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.340 when I sing to Him. 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.160 I believe, 00:18:10.300 --> 00:18:11.160 I put my faith 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.740 in Him 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.840 for salvation. 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.980 That's good, 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.440 that's the starting place. 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.259 But you've got 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.460 to keep applying 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.180 the gospel 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:20.240 in all the days 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.259 that come after that 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.480 until He brings us home. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.540 So many Christians 00:18:24.540 --> 00:18:25.580 have been saved 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:27.340 for so many years. 00:18:28.040 --> 00:18:28.300 Man, 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:28.740 that day 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.660 when you put your faith 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.100 in Jesus 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:31.259 was 20, 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:31.779 30, 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.300 40, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:32.800 50, 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.380 60, 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:35.240 70 years ago. 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.340 But you haven't 00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:40.620 applied that gospel 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:43.059 very many days 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.719 after that. 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.219 There's no other way 00:18:48.219 --> 00:18:48.759 to walk worthy 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.339 before God 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:51.419 than when we apply 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:52.839 the gospel directly. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.419 So what does that look like? 00:18:54.719 --> 00:18:55.479 It looks like 00:18:55.479 --> 00:18:56.199 a new creation 00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:57.639 from conversion 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:59.299 to transformation. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.719 We're not just staying 00:19:01.719 --> 00:19:03.479 at the converted part. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.699 Talking about 00:19:04.699 --> 00:19:06.179 getting saved, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.719 we call it. 00:19:06.939 --> 00:19:07.659 Putting your faith 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.100 in Jesus 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:08.519 and saying, 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.000 I believe. 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.300 That makes you 00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:12.019 a child of God. 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.680 That makes you 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.140 a Christian. 00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:14.740 That's being converted 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.279 from death to life. 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.380 But then 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.660 the transformation 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.759 part happens. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.480 Then the Holy Spirit 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:24.540 starts to transform you 00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:26.340 and change you 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:29.400 from the inside out. 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.500 Once again, 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:32.680 we're hitting on churches again. 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:33.620 Sometimes churches 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.700 have tried to change people 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.779 from the outside in. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.839 It doesn't work 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.220 very well, 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.599 does it? 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:41.399 You can get people 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:43.000 to conform 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.920 to the outside changes 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:46.019 you want them to make. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.399 I've seen it happen. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.279 I've seen it happen 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.960 in my own life. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.539 But inwardly, 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.039 they're not changed. 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:54.579 Inwardly, 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.480 they're just as rotten 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:58.059 as you want their outside 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.379 to stop being. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:03.260 God wants to transform you 00:20:03.260 --> 00:20:04.560 from the outside, 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.960 from the inside out. 00:20:07.040 --> 00:20:07.600 Romans 12, 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.160 once again, 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.340 he wants to change 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:11.040 the way you think. 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:12.420 So, 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.140 Romans 4, 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:14.960 I'm sorry, 00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:15.620 Ephesians 4, 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.640 daily renew 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.740 my values 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.820 to reflect 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:21.360 my new nature 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.140 in Christ. 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:22.940 Y'all, 00:20:23.060 --> 00:20:24.040 this is a daily 00:20:24.040 --> 00:20:24.740 transformation. 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.860 It's not a one-time 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.240 pill 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.539 that you take 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.839 that makes you 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.000 look like Jesus 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.680 every day. 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.640 Doesn't work. 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:36.799 It is a daily renewal 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.279 saying, 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.220 going to God 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.620 in prayer 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.579 better than any pill 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.079 could be. 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.420 He's always there. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.240 He's always effective. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.440 And the side effects 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.039 are grace, 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:47.559 peace, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.079 faith, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:48.859 love, 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.359 hope, 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:49.920 joy, 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.079 long-suffering, 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.440 goodness, 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.200 patience, 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:53.839 meekness. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:56.319 So, 00:20:56.419 --> 00:20:57.159 we daily renew 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:57.799 our values 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.740 to reflect 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.839 our new nature 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.439 in Christ. 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.899 Your family knows 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.599 when you do this. 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.099 Your family knows 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.659 when you don't. 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.539 You know when you do this. 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.980 You know when you don't. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.079 So, 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.799 that's our challenge. 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.759 Here's a question. 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.399 How often 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:13.299 do my words 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:13.879 and actions 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:15.259 cause grief 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.279 to the God 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:16.939 who loves me 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.599 so deeply? 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.339 How often 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.139 do my words 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.659 and actions 00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:21.379 cause grief 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:21.939 to the God 00:21:21.939 --> 00:21:22.559 who loves me 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.599 so deeply? 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:25.279 In the latter part 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.879 of Ephesians 4, 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.480 putting away lying, 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.799 speak truth, 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.480 each one, 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.200 to his neighbor. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.859 Be angry 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:35.299 and do not sin. 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.299 Be kind 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.059 and compassionate 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.819 to one another, 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.899 forgiving one another 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:40.119 just as God 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.299 also forgave you 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.139 in Christ. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.519 God laid so much 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.139 on the line. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.799 He sacrificed everything. 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.579 He gave up 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.460 His one 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.740 and only Son, 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.500 His highest prize, 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.399 His highest treasure. 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.960 So, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.659 why would we then 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.299 turn around 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.799 and hold back 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.879 so much from Him? 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.579 Why would we not 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.099 turn around 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.079 and forgive our neighbor? 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.440 Why would we not 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.799 show the same kind of love 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.639 that God showed to us? 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.579 My true nature 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.419 is revealed 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:10.319 in my words, 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.240 my actions, 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.240 and my attitudes 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.539 toward others. 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.559 That's what Ephesians 4 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.460 challenges us on 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.159 so much. 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.940 Be kind to each other. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.720 Be gentle 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.339 with each other. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.240 Share with each other. 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.700 Don't be stingy. 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:24.200 Don't be prideful. 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.700 Don't be arrogant. 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.339 Don't be hateful 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.920 and unkind. 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.740 Our true nature, 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.980 that daily renewal 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:34.019 of our attitudes, 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:36.319 our perspectives, 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.960 is revealed 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.720 in our words, 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.359 our actions, 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.180 and our attitudes 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.339 toward others. 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.200 So, 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.440 how often 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.120 does my path 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.980 stray from following 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.660 Jesus' footsteps? 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:47.220 The answer is 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.800 pretty often, 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.240 isn't it? 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.700 It's true. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.500 The answer is 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.100 pretty often. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.880 Chapter 5 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.700 challenges us 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.800 to imitate Jesus 00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:56.180 when we walk in love, 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:56.880 light, 00:22:57.040 --> 00:22:57.660 and wisdom. 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.120 Love, 00:22:59.300 --> 00:22:59.519 light, 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.140 and wisdom. 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.920 Everything exposed 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.540 by the light 00:23:02.540 --> 00:23:03.340 is made visible. 00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:04.700 What makes everything 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.940 visible is light. 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.140 Get up, 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.620 sleeper. 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.740 Rise from the dead 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.480 and Christ 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:11.300 will shine on you. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.800 Let the light 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.559 of Jesus 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:15.039 shine into 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.919 the dark corners 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:17.059 of your life. 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:19.119 Whether it's sin, 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.099 whether it's trauma 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.019 from the past, 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.680 whether it's 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.819 a broken relationship, 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.519 whatever the dark 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.799 corners of your mind 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.539 and your heart 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.500 and your life are, 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.480 God can shine there 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:33.240 and He can transform it. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.720 He can bring hope 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.059 where there is no hope. 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:38.299 And He can help you 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:40.500 develop that new nature 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.700 that walks worthy 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.140 of Him 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.880 and His gospel. 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:44.960 So, 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.480 then we get into, 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.660 I want to make sure 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.000 we got, 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.720 there we go. 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.700 Then we get into 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.900 the last part 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.819 of chapter 5 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:54.380 and it talks about 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.359 mutual submission. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.339 We pivot then 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.799 if we're talking about 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.880 being kind to each other, 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:00.140 treating each other well, 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.039 then we start 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.839 getting specific. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.339 Paul starts highlighting 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.440 different relationships, 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.640 husband and wife, 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.220 bosses and employees, 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.400 parents and children. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:12.059 And he introduces 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.839 this concept 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.259 of mutual submission. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.319 We submit 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.539 to God's Spirit 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.059 in us 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.420 when we voluntarily 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:20.519 submit to each other. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.680 This is not 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.680 lording it over each other. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.539 This is not saying, 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.539 I'm in charge, 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.579 you better listen to me. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.640 That's not at all 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.140 the Spirit 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.099 that Jesus taught 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.700 His disciples 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.839 and that's not at all 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.339 the Spirit 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:32.619 that Paul is teaching us. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.599 He says, 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.420 submit one another 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.539 to one another, 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.079 submit yourselves 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:39.359 to each other. 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.139 So, 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.240 how does God 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.779 want to change 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.419 my thinking 00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:43.879 to see my relationships 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.059 as He would see them? 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.079 You might have had 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.779 a different view 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.939 of your relationships, 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.399 but how are you 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.159 going to let God 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:51.699 influence how you view 00:24:51.699 --> 00:24:52.859 your relationships? 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.219 Husbands, 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.139 are you going to let God 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:55.899 change the way 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.579 you think 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.699 about your home 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.579 and about your wife? 00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.699 Wives, 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.139 are you going to let God 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:02.000 influence the way 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.399 you think about your husband? 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.059 Husbands, 00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:05.819 we're supposed to love 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.099 our wives sacrificially, 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:08.579 lay down our life 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.059 for them 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.579 as Jesus did 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.419 for His church. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:12.899 Husbands, 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.480 I mean, 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:13.859 wives, 00:25:13.939 --> 00:25:14.939 you're supposed to 00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:16.000 lovingly honor, 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.639 respect, 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:19.019 and follow your husband 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.919 as he follows Christ. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.299 And as he follows Christ, 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.500 laying his life down 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.000 for you, 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.199 that is a picture 00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:28.799 of mutual submission 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.000 to each other, 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.659 not one dominating 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:32.519 over the other. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.879 Chapter 5 also says, 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:36.280 we submit to God's Spirit 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:38.220 in us when we voluntarily 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.420 submit to each other. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.320 That's what it teaches 00:25:40.320 --> 00:25:42.660 at the end of chapter 5. 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:44.840 Then, 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:47.620 we get into serving the Lord 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.940 by serving others. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.440 In chapter 6, 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.420 it gets into parents 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:51.920 and children, 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.320 bosses and employees, 00:25:54.040 --> 00:25:54.960 and this concept 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.940 continues on. 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:56.860 Less hierarchy, 00:25:57.300 --> 00:25:58.280 more humility. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.720 Less who's in charge, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.360 and more, 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:03.039 how can I serve? 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:03.920 You understand 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:05.059 there's a mind shift? 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.039 Once again, 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.680 we're just going to 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.460 keep hitting on it. 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.299 Romans 12, 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.720 changing the way 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.740 you think. 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.420 That's why I referenced 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.059 this passage 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.120 time and time again 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.779 through our study 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.339 of Ephesians. 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.160 So the first part 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:18.880 of chapter 6, 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.839 we serve God 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.980 when we willingly 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.460 serve each other. 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.220 Parents serving children. 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:25.500 Sometimes that looks like 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.720 training them up 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.799 in the way they should go. 00:26:29.600 --> 00:26:30.440 Teaching them. 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.380 To follow Jesus 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.440 in all of His teachings. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.700 That's often how parents 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.700 can serve their kids. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:38.880 But also, 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.960 not being cruel, 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.059 not being unkind, 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.420 not being impatient 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.960 is a way parents 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.839 can serve their kids. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.259 Kids, 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.620 you can serve your parents 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.460 by honoring them, 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.380 by obeying them, 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:52.059 so your days would be long 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.180 on this land. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.759 And then we got into 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.339 the last part 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.100 of chapter 6. 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.200 Last Sunday, 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.640 and we said, 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.380 know your enemy, 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:02.220 Satan himself, 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.700 see some passages, 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.880 some verses about that. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.579 Our struggle is not 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.460 against flesh and blood. 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.680 It's against rulers, 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.319 authorities, 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.200 the cosmic powers 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.880 of this darkness, 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.720 against evil, 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:14.839 spiritual forces 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.400 in the heaven. 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.860 It's against all 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.860 the darkness of sin. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.579 It's against all 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.079 the darkness 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:20.220 of lostness. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:22.400 Wade in here. 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:24.720 Do you remember 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.839 when I said last Sunday, 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.660 our enemy is not 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.039 each other, 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:27.860 our enemy is 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:29.380 lostness, 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.600 being lost, 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.880 all the darkness, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.700 spiritual darkness 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.460 out there of being lost 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.620 and not being saved. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:38.639 I went to Wade's Bible study 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.259 the next night. 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.179 By the way, 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:40.659 men, 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.699 if you haven't had a chance 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:43.559 to attend Wade's Bible study 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.299 on Monday nights, 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.500 that's an awesome opportunity. 00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:46.279 Jump in with that 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.679 if you can, 00:27:46.719 --> 00:27:47.559 if your schedule allows. 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:49.500 And I went last week 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.379 and it's a great, 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:50.839 great time, 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.279 a fellowship, 00:27:51.479 --> 00:27:51.959 Bible study, 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.279 prayer. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.660 So I got there 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.819 and Wade had drawn 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.840 the Loch Ness Monster. 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:01.079 You know what they call 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.299 the Loch Ness Monster? 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.240 Nessie. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.960 They call her Nessie sometimes. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:08.900 Well, this was Lossie, right? 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.480 Lossie, 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:11.440 the lostness monster 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.420 instead of Loch Ness. 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.559 I'm just saying that 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.740 so it'll stick in your head, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.039 all right? 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.900 So who's our enemy? 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:17.980 Lossie, 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:19.059 the lostness monster, 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.420 okay? 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.059 We're fighting against 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.940 lostness out there. 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.240 We're not fighting each other. 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.799 We're not fighting politics. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.940 We're not fighting Hollywood. 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:28.000 We're fighting against sin. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.360 And then you know 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:30.820 your equipment. 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:31.940 You know your enemy 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.299 and you know your equipment. 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.320 And we talked about 00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:35.059 the armor of God. 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.360 Our enemy is the spiritual 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:37.539 darkness of lostness, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.420 but our equipment 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:40.120 is the spiritual armor of God. 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.799 You see, 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.740 spiritual fights spiritual. 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.640 We can talk about gun control 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:48.600 and what kind of guns 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:49.720 we should be allowed to own 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.279 and all this, 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.700 but y'all, 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.779 that's not what we're fighting 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.899 this spiritual battle with. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:55.059 We're fighting this spiritual battle 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.859 with the armor of God. 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.619 And we went through it last Sunday. 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.960 Every piece of protective armor, 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.019 the weapon, 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.639 which is the word of God, 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.539 that two-edged sword. 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.460 So we prepare for war 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.839 by putting on 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.160 the Lord Jesus himself. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.539 All the armor, 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.799 all the weapons 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.680 that you can assemble 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:15.700 is nothing without Christ himself. 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:16.460 He's the one 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.680 that gives the power. 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.240 So, 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:20.920 in the last five minutes today, 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:23.840 we're going to close out 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:25.420 Ephesians 6. 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.779 Would you look with me 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.720 at verse 10? 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.340 If you're able to join us 00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:29.759 in standing, 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.500 would you stand? 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.640 If you need to remain seated, 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.180 that's fine. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.700 Ephesians 6, 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.680 and verse 10. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.180 Finally, 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:39.420 be strengthened by the Lord 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:42.200 and by his vast strength. 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.580 Skip down to verse 18. 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.600 Pray at all times 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.740 in the Spirit 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.640 with every prayer and request. 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:49.740 Stay alert 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:51.180 with all perseverance 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.180 and intercession 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.400 for all the saints. 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.340 Pray also for me 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.300 that the message 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:57.320 may be given to me 00:29:57.320 --> 00:29:58.500 when I open my mouth 00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:00.519 to make known with boldness 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:02.000 the mystery of the gospel. 00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:02.860 For this, 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.340 I am an ambassador in chains. 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:06.060 Pray that I might be bold enough 00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:06.880 to speak about it 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.500 as I should. 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.680 And then he gives 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.700 his farewell address. 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.240 Tychicus, 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.600 our dearly loved brother 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.480 and faithful servant 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.920 in the Lord, 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.160 will tell you all the news 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.560 about me 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:15.500 so you can be informed. 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:16.779 I'm sending him to you 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.480 for this reason, 00:30:17.580 --> 00:30:18.259 to let you know 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.920 how we are 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.279 and to encourage your hearts. 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.580 Peace to the brothers 00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:22.100 and sisters 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:23.299 and love with faith 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.720 from God the Father 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.720 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.960 Grace be with all 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.279 who have undying love 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:30.019 for our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.740 You may be seated. 00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:38.460 Prayer is the power. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:42.259 How do we remember 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.320 who we are in Christ? 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.620 How do we wake up 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:45.600 every morning and say, 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.980 man, I'm not going to be upset. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.200 I'm a child of God. 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:50.400 Prayer is the power. 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.299 Going to God first, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.880 the start of each day. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.940 Closing each day 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:57.620 by going back to God 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.480 before we go to sleep. 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.279 Doing as Jesus did 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.539 and praying before our meals. 00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:04.920 Stopping along the way 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.960 to give thanks to God. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.680 Stopping to bring problems 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.100 to Him. 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.400 Stopping to bring requests 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:11.640 to Him as needs arise. 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.559 Prayer is the power. 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.420 All the time, 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.640 everywhere, 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.160 for everything, 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.480 and everyone. 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:22.279 How are we supposed to pray? 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.980 Let's say it together. 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.840 Would you join me? 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:26.379 All the time, 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.519 everywhere, 00:31:28.199 --> 00:31:29.279 for everything, 00:31:29.959 --> 00:31:30.819 and everyone. 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.500 Let's do it again. 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.980 All the time, 00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:34.279 everywhere, 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.139 for everything, 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.740 and everyone. 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:38.720 That's how we're supposed 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.139 to pray. 00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:40.959 That's how we're supposed 00:31:40.959 --> 00:31:41.319 to pray. 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.339 So can you and I 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.379 improve our prayer life? 00:31:45.699 --> 00:31:46.059 Yeah? 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.619 Can you improve 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.220 your prayer life? 00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:50.119 I know I can improve mine. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:52.139 Y'all looking at me like, 00:31:52.219 --> 00:31:53.219 no, I got this under control, 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.539 but I think you can. 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:58.399 Verse 18 tells us that. 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:04.119 Pray at all times 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.459 in the Spirit 00:32:05.459 --> 00:32:07.000 with every prayer 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.359 and every request. 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.279 Okay? 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:11.059 That's our commission 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.559 from God. 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:13.519 1 Thessalonians 5, 17 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.000 gives a similar charge. 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:15.919 Pray constantly. 00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:17.599 Give thanks in everything, 00:32:17.939 --> 00:32:19.379 for this is God's will 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.980 for you in Christ Jesus. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.240 Give thanks to God 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.380 in the good times. 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.660 Give thanks to God 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.740 in the bad times. 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.120 In every season, 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.460 for everything, 00:32:28.820 --> 00:32:30.000 give thanks to God, 00:32:30.040 --> 00:32:31.400 even when it breaks 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:31.840 your heart, 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:33.400 even when it's hard, 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.700 even when it's difficult. 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:36.900 Thank God you have someone 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.820 to run to in prayer. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.440 Philippians 4, 6. 00:32:41.520 --> 00:32:42.540 Don't worry about anything, 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.960 but in everything, 00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:45.240 through prayer and petition, 00:32:45.620 --> 00:32:46.600 with thanksgiving, 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.520 present your requests 00:32:48.520 --> 00:32:49.180 to God. 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.860 D.L. Moody said it this way, 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.300 He who kneels the most 00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:55.040 stands the best. 00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:56.320 Thought that was one 00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:57.100 of the best quotes 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:58.380 I've read on prayer. 00:32:59.180 --> 00:33:00.420 He who kneels the most 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.000 in prayer 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.680 stands the best 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.740 in this life. 00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:05.620 Number two, 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:07.880 pray for gospel advance. 00:33:08.580 --> 00:33:09.460 This is what Paul 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:10.680 asked them to pray for. 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.860 At the end of this letter, 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:13.900 after everything 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.640 he'd given them, 00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:16.320 all this incredible content 00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:17.100 that came from 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:18.040 the Holy Spirit of God, 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:19.099 and it was preserved 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.879 for you and I 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.639 to read today, 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.940 Paul closes it out 00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.559 by saying, 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:24.420 pray that I will share 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.019 the gospel. 00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:28.059 Pray for the gospel 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.940 to flourish. 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.159 Y'all, 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.039 how many times 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:32.859 have we been guilty 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.920 of not praying 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.559 for the gospel? 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.940 Not praying 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.599 for the lost 00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.200 to be saved. 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:38.079 Our enemy 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.859 is lostness. 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.399 We'll pray against 00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:42.119 a lot of other things. 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.119 We'll pray for 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.119 a lot of other things, 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.059 but so often 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.839 we don't pray 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.799 for the gospel 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.519 to advance. 00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:48.719 And we read about this 00:33:48.719 --> 00:33:49.959 in verses 19 and 20. 00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.299 Romans 10, 1, 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.559 Paul was all about this. 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.139 He said, 00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.179 my heart's desire 00:33:54.179 --> 00:33:55.099 and my prayer 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.179 for God, 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.099 to God, 00:33:57.199 --> 00:33:58.139 is that they 00:33:58.139 --> 00:33:59.859 would be saved. 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:00.979 He's talking about 00:34:00.979 --> 00:34:01.519 the Israelites 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.279 who were lost, 00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:02.979 his people, 00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:04.219 his countrymen. 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.359 He wanted them 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:06.119 to be saved. 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:08.039 How many friends, 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:08.679 co-workers, 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.299 families, 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:09.819 neighbors, 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.019 how many people 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.759 do you know 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.640 in your life 00:34:12.640 --> 00:34:14.620 that need to be saved? 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:16.060 And are we praying 00:34:16.060 --> 00:34:16.500 for them? 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.180 Are we praying? 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.700 Is that our heart's 00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:20.760 desire to God? 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:22.400 Matthew 9, 38, 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.600 Jesus said, 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.600 pray earnestly 00:34:24.600 --> 00:34:25.700 to the Lord 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.380 of the harvest 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:28.160 to send out laborers 00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:29.100 into his harvest. 00:34:29.540 --> 00:34:30.660 We pray for the lost 00:34:30.660 --> 00:34:31.340 to be saved 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.120 and we pray 00:34:32.120 --> 00:34:32.960 for the saved 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.900 to be sent 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:35.400 out 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:37.480 as witnesses, 00:34:38.200 --> 00:34:39.220 as missionaries 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:40.580 with his gospel, 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:40.639 people. 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:42.259 It's a hard quote, 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:42.539 y'all. 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.900 Paul Washer, 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.440 a pastor 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.960 who often tells it 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.599 like it is, 00:34:46.779 --> 00:34:47.019 okay, 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:48.019 he said, 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:49.079 we spend more time 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.739 praying to keep 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:50.619 saints out of heaven 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:52.219 than we ever spend 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:52.860 praying to get 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.659 sinners into heaven. 00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.860 I'm not saying 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.619 you shouldn't pray 00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:58.819 for Aunt So-and-So's 00:34:58.819 --> 00:34:59.400 heart attack 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.900 or whatever, 00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:02.119 you fill in the blank 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:03.119 with the health concern, 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:04.840 but y'all, 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.440 is it true 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.360 that we probably 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.420 spend more time 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.679 praying to keep 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.779 saints on this earth 00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.400 and out of heaven? 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:12.139 than we ever pray 00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:13.699 to get sinners 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:14.239 into heaven. 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.539 God, 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.460 save my sister. 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:17.880 God, 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.679 save my brother. 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.440 Save my son. 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.460 Save my mom. 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:23.960 Save my boss. 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:26.039 Save my neighbor. 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.179 Save that person 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:29.279 that drives me nuts. 00:35:33.279 --> 00:35:34.559 So finally, 00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:37.500 verse 23 and 24. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:39.940 we can be encouraged. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.880 I don't want to leave you 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:44.619 just feeling guilty. 00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:46.039 It's not how Paul left us 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:46.760 in Ephesians here. 00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:50.199 Be encouraged by God's peace, 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.119 his love, 00:35:51.320 --> 00:35:51.880 his faith, 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.760 and his grace. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:53.699 Those four words 00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.760 are found in the final two 00:35:54.760 --> 00:35:55.659 verses of Ephesians. 00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:57.119 God's peace, 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:57.760 love, 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.360 faith, 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.019 and grace. 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.139 God's peace. 00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:02.280 So as we pray, 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:06.159 as we pray for all things, 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:06.940 for everyone, 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.280 at all times, 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:10.519 for the gospel to advance, 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:13.099 we know that God's got us. 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:15.719 We know that our faith in him, 00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:18.420 that he bore in our hearts, 00:36:18.759 --> 00:36:20.139 and we responded to 00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:21.179 when he called our name. 00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:23.799 And the love 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:24.639 that he continually 00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:25.579 shows to us 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.559 and calls us 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.539 to show to each other. 00:36:28.399 --> 00:36:29.539 And the grace 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:31.319 that he initially 00:36:31.319 --> 00:36:32.000 showed us 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.539 in not sending us 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:33.940 to hell 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.099 to pay for our sins. 00:36:35.779 --> 00:36:36.599 And the grace 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:37.339 that he continues 00:36:37.339 --> 00:36:38.799 to show us every day 00:36:38.799 --> 00:36:41.199 in withholding 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:43.480 so many things 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.039 from us 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:46.159 that our mistakes 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:47.519 and our failures 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.599 would otherwise 00:36:48.599 --> 00:36:49.419 lead us into. 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:52.000 And the peace 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:54.180 that surpasses 00:36:54.180 --> 00:36:55.119 all our understanding. 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:55.700 The peace 00:36:55.700 --> 00:36:57.260 that is beyond explanation. 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.900 The peace 00:36:58.900 --> 00:36:59.519 in the middle 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.280 of the storm. 00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:03.619 These four things 00:37:03.619 --> 00:37:04.659 will go with us. 00:37:05.720 --> 00:37:06.900 As we go into 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:08.700 another sermon series, 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.180 as we leave today 00:37:10.180 --> 00:37:11.700 and we go have lunch, 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.680 as we get up 00:37:13.680 --> 00:37:14.659 and go to work tomorrow, 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.460 as we get up 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:16.539 and interact 00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:17.320 with each other, 00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:19.280 these four things 00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:20.920 can carry us on. 00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:22.720 God's peace, 00:37:23.060 --> 00:37:23.660 his love, 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:24.560 his faith 00:37:24.560 --> 00:37:27.180 that he gave to us 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:29.240 and his grace. 00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.840 So the takeaway 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.360 for today, 00:37:34.140 --> 00:37:35.200 God's great purpose 00:37:35.200 --> 00:37:35.720 for me 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:36.920 starts with prayer. 00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:39.560 Ephesians is all about 00:37:39.560 --> 00:37:40.780 God's great purpose. 00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:42.940 Who are we in Christ? 00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:44.200 What are we supposed 00:37:44.200 --> 00:37:45.800 to do for Christ? 00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:45.920 Christ. 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:48.100 This is God's great purpose 00:37:48.100 --> 00:37:48.560 for me. 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.720 For you 00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:50.980 and for me, 00:37:51.080 --> 00:37:52.000 it starts 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:53.019 with prayer. 00:37:54.160 --> 00:37:54.860 So church, 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.840 I want to call us 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:56.920 into a season of prayer. 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:59.700 For the next several months, 00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:02.039 you'll hear things 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:02.760 on the calendar 00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:04.640 to try to enable that 00:38:04.640 --> 00:38:05.480 and try to 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:06.740 provide opportunities 00:38:06.740 --> 00:38:07.600 for us to pray 00:38:07.600 --> 00:38:08.220 individually 00:38:08.220 --> 00:38:08.920 and corporately 00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:10.000 together as a church. 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.039 church. 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.940 But I would love 00:38:11.940 --> 00:38:12.659 to call us 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.719 into an intentional 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:14.880 season of prayer 00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.960 at First Baptist 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.440 Henrietta. 00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:19.079 So would you, 00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:21.019 with heads bowed 00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.599 and eyes closed 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:22.219 in this moment, 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.940 would you start 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.619 that right now? 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.159 All of us together, 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.900 would we purpose 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.539 in our hearts 00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:29.940 and say, 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.300 God, 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:33.760 maybe my prayer life 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:34.700 is better than it's been 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.400 in a long time? 00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:37.700 Or maybe it's suffering. 00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:40.320 Maybe I'm not praying 00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:40.900 anywhere near 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.880 as much as I should. 00:38:43.180 --> 00:38:44.080 Regardless of where 00:38:44.080 --> 00:38:44.920 you find yourself 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.460 right now, 00:38:46.340 --> 00:38:47.600 none of us are praying 00:38:47.600 --> 00:38:48.360 as we ought to. 00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.500 So would you take 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:50.860 a moment 00:38:50.860 --> 00:38:52.320 in this quiet time 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:53.980 and ask God 00:38:53.980 --> 00:38:56.060 to remind you 00:38:56.060 --> 00:38:56.760 frequently 00:38:56.760 --> 00:38:57.800 throughout the day 00:38:57.800 --> 00:39:00.039 to turn to him 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:00.420 in prayer? 00:39:01.640 --> 00:39:02.180 And then would you 00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:03.200 take an extra step 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:04.800 and say, 00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:05.120 God, 00:39:05.180 --> 00:39:06.260 help me to schedule 00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:06.800 a time 00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:07.880 to pray. 00:39:09.560 --> 00:39:09.780 Y'all, 00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.460 I don't know about you, 00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:11.280 but if I don't schedule 00:39:11.280 --> 00:39:11.720 something, 00:39:11.840 --> 00:39:12.480 it's probably not 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:13.060 going to get done. 00:39:14.160 --> 00:39:15.340 You can talk to Joy 00:39:15.340 --> 00:39:16.340 or Sarah 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:16.900 or any member 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:17.500 of the staff 00:39:17.500 --> 00:39:19.320 and they'll tell you 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:19.920 if I don't put it 00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:20.500 on my calendar, 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.840 I'm going to forget it. 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:23.480 Part of it. 00:39:23.640 --> 00:39:24.660 Maybe you're like that too. 00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.860 Whatever it takes 00:39:26.860 --> 00:39:27.260 for you, 00:39:27.260 --> 00:39:27.880 if it's putting it 00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:28.460 on a calendar 00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.120 on your phone 00:39:29.120 --> 00:39:30.060 or on a paper calendar 00:39:30.060 --> 00:39:31.080 or writing a sticky note 00:39:31.080 --> 00:39:31.620 on your mirror, 00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:32.740 whatever it takes 00:39:32.740 --> 00:39:33.260 for you, 00:39:34.680 --> 00:39:35.860 would you find a time 00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:36.840 that you can schedule 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.880 to prayer? 00:39:40.980 --> 00:39:41.660 Family prayer 00:39:41.660 --> 00:39:42.240 is important. 00:39:43.240 --> 00:39:44.380 Praying with best friends 00:39:44.380 --> 00:39:46.740 is important. 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.460 But private, 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:51.600 individual, 00:39:51.800 --> 00:39:52.720 one-on-one time 00:39:52.720 --> 00:39:53.240 with God 00:39:53.240 --> 00:39:55.320 is irreplaceable. 00:39:55.320 --> 00:39:57.180 you can't replace 00:39:57.180 --> 00:39:57.440 that. 00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.420 That's where God 00:39:59.420 --> 00:40:00.260 speaks to us 00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:02.660 in ways that 00:40:02.660 --> 00:40:03.039 we'll never 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.640 otherwise hear. 00:40:05.519 --> 00:40:06.519 That's where God 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:07.580 opens His arms 00:40:07.580 --> 00:40:08.760 and holds us close 00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:09.840 and gives us 00:40:09.840 --> 00:40:10.360 that peace 00:40:10.360 --> 00:40:11.559 when we stop 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.820 and slow down 00:40:12.820 --> 00:40:13.580 and pray. 00:40:14.100 --> 00:40:14.880 That's where God 00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:16.240 reveals His great 00:40:16.240 --> 00:40:17.039 purpose to us. 00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:19.500 So if you're struggling 00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:20.099 a little bit, 00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:22.699 whatever that is, 00:40:23.219 --> 00:40:23.860 would you lay it 00:40:23.860 --> 00:40:24.320 on Jesus 00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:24.840 in prayer? 00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:27.519 God, 00:40:27.579 --> 00:40:27.960 right now, 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.539 would you work 00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:29.159 in your church? 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.779 Would you work 00:40:30.779 --> 00:40:31.360 in our hearts? 00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:34.059 What a difference 00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:34.779 could be made 00:40:34.779 --> 00:40:35.440 in Henrietta, 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:35.840 Texas, 00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.539 and beyond 00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:40.880 if our church 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:42.159 was a church 00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:43.460 committed to prayer? 00:40:44.820 --> 00:40:45.900 Show us what steps 00:40:45.900 --> 00:40:46.559 we need to take, 00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:46.840 God, 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:48.139 in our own lives 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:48.719 and together 00:40:48.719 --> 00:40:49.259 as a church. 00:40:50.259 --> 00:40:51.219 We'll give you the glory 00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:51.480 of God. 00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:51.820 Amen. 00:40:51.820 --> 00:40:51.980 Amen. 00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:52.079 Amen. 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:52.320 Amen. 00:40:52.320 --> 00:40:52.380 Amen. 00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:52.480 Amen. 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:52.820 Amen. 00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:53.320 Amen. 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:53.420 Amen. 00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:53.460 Amen. 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:53.480 Amen. 00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:53.500 Amen. 00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:53.599 Amen. 00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:53.619 Amen. 00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:53.679 Amen. 00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:53.759 Amen. 00:40:53.759 --> 00:40:53.779 Amen. 00:40:53.779 --> 00:40:53.820 Amen.