WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.160 All right, how many of you have been blessed by the service already? 00:00:08.120 --> 00:00:09.080 Yeah, I have too. 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:16.399 That worship was powerful, and I'm grateful to the choir and our musicians and Jared for 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:19.480 leading us to the throne of God already this morning. 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:27.400 Let's go to the Gospel of Luke chapter 9 and verse 23 if we can. 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:28.839 Is this any better? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.440 It's not working. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:35.340 It's weird. 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:39.659 Can you all hear me okay? 00:00:40.519 --> 00:00:41.460 I'm not sure what's working. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:42.280 Sorry. 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:47.019 Luke chapter 9 and verse 23. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:56.659 We're continuing in our series this morning on be a disciple. 00:00:57.079 --> 00:00:58.359 Be a disciple. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:03.600 Last Sunday, we talked about choosing the Jesus way. 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:06.819 Choosing the Jesus way. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:15.579 Back during Pioneer Union, our choir blessed us on Sunday morning and again at the Power 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:20.259 and Praise event at the Cowboy Church with the song entitled, The Jesus Way. 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:24.400 We talked about that last Sunday morning, choosing the Jesus way. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:25.960 What does that look like? 00:01:25.960 --> 00:01:34.140 Our takeaway was commit to the Jesus way and watch God transform you into becoming his disciple. 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:41.540 So all of our sermons are available on our YouTube channel at FBC Henrietta on YouTube. 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:44.060 So you can get caught up if you'd ever like to do that. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:47.739 But that is our challenge from last Sunday. 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:53.460 Watch God transform you into becoming his disciple by choosing the Jesus way. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:59.959 If you wouldn't mind, if you're there in Luke chapter 9 with us, would you mind joining me in standing 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:04.759 as we read this opening text, Luke chapter 9 and verse 23. 00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:09.859 Let's read down through verse 25 together and it's on the screen as well. 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:39.840 Then he said to them all, 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:48.940 God, I pray that you would teach us this life transforming lesson from your words that you spoke to your disciples. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:54.940 I pray that it would change us from the inside out, that we would give you the glory for it. 00:02:55.040 --> 00:02:56.160 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:56.700 --> 00:02:57.020 Amen. 00:02:57.300 --> 00:02:57.960 You may be seated. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:02:59.060 Thank you for standing. 00:02:59.980 --> 00:03:03.420 The title this morning is Living in Denial. 00:03:04.660 --> 00:03:06.340 Living in Denial. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:16.439 Now, I want to go back to Luke chapter 9 and verse 23 so you know what kind of denial we're talking about. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:22.719 He said, if anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:28.620 Just so we're clear, Mark Twain said denial ain't just a river in Egypt. 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:34.759 We're not talking about the kind of denial you might be thinking of, okay? 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:37.319 We're not talking about denial river either. 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:41.140 We're talking about denying ourselves. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:50.620 I want to pivot and go a place that you probably didn't wake up and your mind wandered to this place this morning. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:55.300 I want to go to the concept of asceticism. 00:03:57.860 --> 00:04:00.980 Did anybody start thinking about asceticism when you woke up this morning? 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:03.319 Just me? 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:03.759 Okay. 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:08.800 Only me because I had been studying for this passage. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:10.280 So that was the only reason. 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:13.379 I want to talk to you about Simeon the Elder. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:14.340 All right? 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:18.100 Simeon the Elder was a monk from Aleppo, Syria. 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:20.280 He was a stylite. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:28.879 A stylite is someone who believes that physical suffering is necessary to be right with God. 00:04:31.220 --> 00:04:35.920 An ascetic, a stylite is a form of an ascetic. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:38.560 Someone who ascribes to asceticism. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:47.540 So an ascetic is someone who is characterized by or suggests the practice of severe self-discipline 00:04:47.540 --> 00:04:55.319 and abstaining from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:05:05.620 So it's someone who takes self-denial to the extreme, usually for the reasons of faith. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:12.600 This is an early painting of Simeon the Elder. 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:18.519 Simeon the Elder became a monk, like we said, only over in Syria. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:22.519 He joined a monastery in Aleppo. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:29.680 And his views and his ideas were so extreme, they kicked him out of his monastery. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:35.639 How extreme do you have to be to get kicked out of a monastery? 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:39.160 Because they think you're too strict, you're too rigid. 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:42.980 He moved to a tiny little hut. 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:48.139 But people wouldn't leave him alone in his hut. 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:56.100 So he built a nine-foot pillar and a little three-by-three-foot platform on top of the pillar 00:05:56.100 --> 00:05:58.600 and refused to come down. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:06.280 Problem was, people would still come talk to him on top of his nine-foot pillar 00:06:06.280 --> 00:06:10.600 and they would seek his wisdom and his advice 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:15.480 because they thought this guy must have found the better way. 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:22.360 We've got to come find out how he's cracked the code to this higher way of life. 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:25.080 See what I said, this higher way of life? 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:32.139 Problem was, he was still too accessible to people for his liking. 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:40.560 So he kept building his pillar higher and higher until it was 50 feet high. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:50.379 And he stayed on that pillar, true story, for 37 years until he died. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:56.240 And you don't want to know what physical condition he was in when he died. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:01.560 This guy took self-denial to another level. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:05.759 Did anybody get that? 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.220 Thank you. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:09.280 It just wasn't that funny, was it? 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:11.800 I thought it was pretty funny, personally. 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:16.379 He took self-denial to a level 50 feet high, all right? 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:18.459 Sorry for another bad joke. 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:30.079 The most ironic thing is this guy was trying to get closer to God. 00:07:31.359 --> 00:07:34.120 He was trying to set himself apart. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:41.079 In reality, by his own writings and teaching, 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:44.419 he was trying to deny himself. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:52.139 But the irony in it is that he was living in actual denial. 00:07:53.719 --> 00:07:57.180 Because he was denying the actual fact. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:04.599 He was completely oblivious to the fact that God calls us not to self-absorption, 00:08:05.219 --> 00:08:06.719 not to isolation. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:11.680 He calls us not to lift ourselves up on a pedestal, 00:08:11.900 --> 00:08:14.300 not to ignore the world around us, 00:08:14.380 --> 00:08:18.180 but to come down from our self-erected high place, 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.840 to deny our inner pride and self-righteous attitude, 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:27.760 and to follow Jesus himself as he leads us on mission 00:08:27.760 --> 00:08:32.480 among those all around us who need him so desperately. 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:34.300 That's what a disciple is. 00:08:34.920 --> 00:08:36.480 It's not Simeon the Elder. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.680 It's not asceticism. 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:41.180 It's not being a stylite. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.340 It's not lifting ourselves up. 00:08:43.920 --> 00:08:47.560 That's what denying self actually looks like. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:51.320 In trying to deny himself, 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:57.080 he actually prioritized himself above everyone else. 00:08:57.080 --> 00:09:03.240 So when Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, 00:09:03.900 --> 00:09:09.879 we have to be very careful to look at what he actually means. 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:12.759 I found a very accurate, 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.580 I believe, 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:17.299 I believe description at what Jesus actually means from the Bible teacher, 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:18.500 Kylie Dunn. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:19.620 She wrote this, 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:24.620 Jesus does not have broad generic ideas about self-denial. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:27.519 He has something very specific in mind. 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:30.480 From Luke's writing and elsewhere in scripture, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:33.820 components of self-denial start to take shape. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:36.340 Self-denial is not about you, 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:40.100 but it's submission to a very particular person. 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:42.200 Because of that person, 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:45.060 when properly motivated, 00:09:45.520 --> 00:09:48.000 self-denial is not asceticism. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.820 That's why I wanted to give you that definition a minute ago. 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:52.820 It's not asceticism. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:54.379 It's not Simeon the Elder. 00:09:54.540 --> 00:09:55.760 It's not being a stylite. 00:09:55.760 --> 00:10:00.980 It's not this extreme form of rejecting all indulgences 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:03.640 and lifting yourself up and being a hermit. 00:10:04.140 --> 00:10:05.940 It's not any of that. 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.200 It's worship. 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:10.580 It's worship of Jesus Christ himself. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:14.360 That is self-denial. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:17.840 So let's go back to the word of God. 00:10:18.260 --> 00:10:20.340 Colossians chapter 2 and verse 8. 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:24.180 Would you turn with me over to Colossians chapter 2 and verse 8? 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:39.060 We're going to look at Colossians 2 and verse 8. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:40.879 Then we're going to skip down to verse 16 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:44.120 and read down through the end of the chapter 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:46.720 and into chapter 3. 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.940 Colossians 2 and verse 8. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:54.300 Be careful that no one takes you captive 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:57.800 through philosophy and empty deceit 00:10:57.800 --> 00:11:00.100 based on human tradition, 00:11:00.640 --> 00:11:03.720 based on the elements of the world 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:05.440 rather than Christ. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.660 Let's read that again. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:10.340 Be careful that no one takes you captive 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.220 through philosophy, 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.720 through empty deceit, 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:16.080 based on human tradition. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.820 Did you catch that? 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:22.180 Based on the elements of the world 00:11:22.180 --> 00:11:24.200 rather than Christ. 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:25.620 So what's the lesson here? 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:30.960 Human tradition rarely comes from God. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:34.140 Simeon's tradition here 00:11:34.140 --> 00:11:37.120 became something that became a tradition. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.680 It's still actually practiced today. 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:41.180 In modern day Turkey, 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.040 there's a guy on a pillar, 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.820 there's a monk on a pillar 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:46.320 who's been up there for, 00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.740 I want to say 12 years. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.240 You'd have to fact check me on that. 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:51.760 But he's trying to be the modern day Simeon. 00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.600 He's over there right now. 00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:55.420 You can go visit Turkey if you want 00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:56.820 and go see him up on his pillar. 00:11:58.100 --> 00:12:00.020 It's a tradition still alive today. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.080 He thinks he's closer to God 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.379 because he's being a stylite. 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:07.379 That's a tradition that's nowhere commanded in the Bible. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:10.200 It's not getting him one ounce closer to God. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:14.059 He's actually disobeying God's commands 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:15.679 rather than obeying something 00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:17.559 that God commanded his people to do. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:22.419 So human tradition rarely gets us closer to God. 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.860 Now that's an extreme example, 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:27.159 but let's bring it a little bit closer to home. 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:31.719 Are there things that we have incorporated into our lives 00:12:31.719 --> 00:12:36.000 that feel like maybe that's something that came from God, 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:37.419 but when we break them down, 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.759 it really never came from God. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:42.919 And it might actually be leading us 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:44.559 a little bit further from God 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:46.219 than closer to God. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.740 Or it might be distracting us 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:51.379 from what God actually wants for us 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:55.220 rather than helping us accomplish the mission 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.740 that God actually has for us. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:59.219 Let's look at our home lives. 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:01.879 Are there things that have become 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:05.039 so important to us in our home lives, 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:09.219 we can't think of our life without them, 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:12.000 but they're actually keeping us 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:15.779 from the best that God has for us and our families? 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.699 How about our church? 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:23.220 Are there things that have become so important 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:25.379 that we're used to seeing in our church, 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:27.139 but it's keeping us from the best? 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:29.360 That God has for our church 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:31.799 and accomplishing the mission that he has for our church. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:34.639 The questions that we've got to ask, 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:39.699 tradition not only doesn't always come from God, 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:41.279 rarely comes from God, 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:44.600 sometimes it can keep us from the best 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:46.939 that God has for us. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:49.500 Matthew 15, verses six through nine, 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:52.819 Jesus was, man, really laying it down for him, 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:55.360 and he said, you cancel the word of God 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.420 for the sake of your own tradition. 00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:58.900 He was calling out the Pharisees. 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:02.879 And he said, you cancel the word of God 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.320 for the sake of your own tradition, 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.360 you hypocrites. 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:09.240 Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.260 for he wrote, 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:12.700 these people honor me with their lips, 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:14.840 but their hearts are far from me. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.800 Their worship is a farce, 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:19.539 for they teach man-made ideas 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:22.139 as commands from God. 00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:26.539 They teach man-made ideas 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:29.139 as commands from God. 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:32.059 Now y'all, I'm all about learning 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.539 from the culture around us. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.019 I'm all about, 00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.959 you know, Jesus used a donkey 00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:37.779 and made it talk. 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:41.419 You know, Jesus quoted different people. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.980 Paul quoted different people. 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:46.199 On Mars Hill, Paul quoted philosophers 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:48.860 that had nothing to do with God. 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:50.919 It absolutely stood counter 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.279 to what God believed. 00:14:53.559 --> 00:15:00.559 But, you cannot quote those man-made ideas 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:02.519 as commands from God. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:06.879 You can't have a man say something 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:09.620 and then put it in the mouth of Jesus. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:12.480 You can't come up with an idea 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.740 and then force it on people 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:16.340 as though it came from God. 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:19.259 That's what the Pharisees tried to do. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:22.259 And then enforced those rules on people. 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:26.159 And then legislated their commands 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.539 as though they came from God. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:30.000 That's what Jesus called out. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:31.899 He said, 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.059 you honor me with your lips, 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:36.379 but your hearts are so far from me. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:39.500 That worship is a farce. 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:40.899 That is not worship. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.840 You're not denying yourself. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.740 You're lifting yourself up 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:46.759 so far above me. 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:49.279 You're not my disciples. 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:53.200 So when he calls you to be a disciple, 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:56.460 he's calling you to deny yourself. 00:15:56.460 --> 00:16:00.360 We're starting up a Sunday school class. 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.420 Can't really call it a Sunday school class, 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:03.780 I guess, 00:16:03.900 --> 00:16:07.240 but it's a class that will meet 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.759 for a period of Sundays 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.379 during the Sunday school hour, 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:12.600 but it's a discipleship class is what it is. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.580 For new believers, 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.940 we've had a lot of baptisms recently. 00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:17.879 It's a discipleship class 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.420 that'll meet up, 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.759 meet during the Sunday school hour 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.460 for just a few weeks 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.259 called Starting Points. 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:25.819 And it's for some of our new believers 00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:29.200 or people who maybe just never got discipled. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.139 Maybe were saved, 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:30.860 maybe were baptized, 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.879 maybe recently joined the church 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.779 and just never went through 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:36.939 those foundational level steps 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:38.919 toward being a disciple and follower of Jesus. 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:40.019 We're starting that up 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:41.000 in just a couple of weeks. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:46.700 And that is going to be 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:48.899 one of the key elements of that class 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:53.039 is what Jesus says about being a disciple. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.460 And one of the key elements is denying yourself. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.659 It's saying, 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.500 I don't run my life anymore. 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.860 Jesus runs my life now. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:04.079 Because on the outside, 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:08.519 you can follow one of two paths. 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.359 This isn't in my notes, 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.799 but this is free here, okay? 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:15.059 There's two paths you can follow 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.879 to be a Christian or a church person. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.619 You can say, 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:21.500 I'm going to look like I am on the outside 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:23.959 and then I'm just going to live 00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:25.199 like everybody else does 00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:26.179 the rest of the time. 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:28.379 Or you can say, 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:31.079 I'm going to let Jesus take over my life 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:32.919 and even though I'm going to be imperfect 00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:34.279 and I'm going to fail a lot, 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:37.579 God's going to transform me 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.539 from the inside out. 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:40.899 So it's going to be from the outside 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:42.599 or it's going to be from the inside. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:47.460 The majority of people sitting in church 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.180 will follow the first path. 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:52.319 They're going to let God change their outside. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.099 They're not going to give Him much access 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:54.720 to the inside. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.839 The choice you have to make 00:17:57.839 --> 00:18:00.599 is are you going to be part of that one 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:03.539 or are you going to let God change the inside? 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:06.079 And that's what I'm going to talk about 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.139 with the discipleship class. 00:18:07.919 --> 00:18:09.559 Are you going to be part of the group 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.500 that's going to let God change the inside? 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:15.159 That's what Jesus is challenging us here 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:15.859 in Matthew. 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:18.359 So let's get back to Colossians 2. 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.019 Colossians 2. 00:18:20.439 --> 00:18:22.359 First, human tradition rarely comes from God. 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:25.179 Second, rules cannot conquer sin. 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:28.399 Rules cannot conquer sin. 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:31.240 Back in Colossians 2. 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:33.360 Let's look down at verse 16. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.340 Verse 16. 00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:37.180 Therefore, don't let anyone judge you 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:39.080 in regard to food and drink 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:41.000 or in the matter of a festival 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.340 or a new moon or a Sabbath day. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.220 These were all controversies back then. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:48.580 These are a shadow of what was to come. 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:51.000 The substance is Christ. 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:52.960 See what he's calling you here? 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:55.920 He's not using these words lightly. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:58.779 He's saying shadow and substance. 00:18:59.800 --> 00:19:01.700 This stuff isn't real. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.140 It's not important. 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:08.279 The substance, the real thing, is Jesus. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.400 Let no one condemn you 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:15.640 by delighting in ascetic practices. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.320 There's that word again. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.640 That's why I gave you all the definition 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.220 at the beginning 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.980 because we were going to be using it, okay? 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.099 Okay. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:25.000 Ascetic practices and the worship of angels 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:27.420 claiming access to a visionary realm. 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:30.559 Such people are inflated by empty notions 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.519 of their unspiritual mind. 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:34.860 You ever met anybody who was inflated 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:38.200 by empty notions of their unspiritual mind? 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:41.180 It's really harsh language, isn't it? 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:44.220 Say, man, Christians are just supposed 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.200 to be nice all the time. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.420 Well, that's true, 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:48.500 except Jesus was pretty hardcore over there, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.519 and Paul's kind of rude here. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:55.720 Man, he's calling them 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:58.519 inflated by empty notions 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:01.079 of their unspiritual mind. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:03.759 He doesn't hold on to the head 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:05.640 from whom the whole body, 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:08.160 nourished and held together 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.839 by its ligaments and tendons, 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:12.259 grows with growth from God. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:14.759 If you're not holding on to the head, 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.599 where are you going? 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:20.199 Well, you're not part of the body anymore. 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:23.240 If Jesus is the head 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:26.019 and you become disattached from the head, 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.719 you're on your own. 00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:31.639 Where are you wandering off to? 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:36.519 The mind, the thinking, 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:38.000 isn't going to control you anymore. 00:20:38.199 --> 00:20:39.159 You're off on your own. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:42.940 If you died with Christ, 00:20:43.040 --> 00:20:43.640 verse 20, 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:46.120 to the elements of this world, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.920 why do you live 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:50.259 as if you still belong to the world? 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:53.019 Why do you submit to regulations? 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.340 Wow. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.860 Why do you submit yourself 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:59.860 to regulations? 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.400 Such as, quote-unquote, 00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:04.940 don't handle, don't taste, 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:05.740 don't touch, 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.700 verse 22. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:09.039 All these regulations refer 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:11.080 to what is destined to perish 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:12.779 by being used up. 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.480 These are human commands 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.539 and doctrines. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.580 These were made for the law. 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.539 When the law controlled you, 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.299 when you were subject to the law, 00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:23.080 when you belonged to Satan, 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.960 when you belonged to sin, 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:27.360 this is what controlled you. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.500 Verse 23. 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.500 Although these have a reputation 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.279 for wisdom, 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.759 by promoting, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.519 what do they promote? 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:37.240 Self-made religion. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:40.059 False humility. 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:43.460 And severe treatment of the body, 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.859 otherwise known as asceticism. 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:51.819 They are not of any value 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:55.200 in curbing self-indulgence. 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:58.259 They won't help you 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:00.200 with self-denial. 00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:03.059 These laws, 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.740 these regulations 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:07.600 will fail every time 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:10.880 because you won't keep them. 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.620 Time and time again, 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:17.220 we see in the Bible 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:20.220 people don't keep the laws. 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.019 They can't. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:24.299 And you're no exception. 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:28.500 And the minute you start thinking you do, 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.500 like the rich young ruler 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.259 who came to Jesus, 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.819 I kept the law every day 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:34.319 since I was a kid. 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:36.680 And Jesus quickly shows him, 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:39.579 you missed the whole point of it. 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:41.279 Give up all you have. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.960 Sell it and give the money to the poor. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.440 Well, I can't do that. 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.579 Well, you missed the whole point of it. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:49.339 You're never gonna measure up. 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:51.519 You're never gonna be good enough. 00:22:52.199 --> 00:22:53.220 That's the whole point. 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.459 The whole point is 00:22:54.459 --> 00:22:55.959 God is so much greater than we are. 00:22:57.199 --> 00:22:59.759 You're never going to be good enough. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:04.299 So then quit trying to do 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.399 this self-promoting religion. 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:09.659 Quit trying to do this man-made, 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:11.279 I gotta keep the law 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.299 and I gotta be good 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:14.000 and I gotta keep all the regulations 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:16.180 and I gotta do it myself. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:19.339 Fall into the arms of grace. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:23.519 Thank God that he's a God of love 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.339 and compassion 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:27.799 and he's willing to forgive you 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:29.220 and let you start again 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.539 every day with him. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.940 And then treat others that way. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.779 And quit holding yourself 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:39.160 and everybody around you 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:41.140 to a standard that you can never meet. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:45.540 That's what I gotta remind myself of every day. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:49.580 And that's what I gotta remind you of every Sunday. 00:23:52.020 --> 00:23:54.620 So, rules can't conquer sin. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:59.000 Sin will conquer rules every time. 00:24:00.020 --> 00:24:02.420 But Jesus can conquer sin. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.720 And Jesus can conquer the rules. 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.300 He conquered the law. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.180 He instituted it 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.360 and then he conquered it. 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.420 Joel 2 verse 12. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.120 Let's get back here. 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:16.259 Sorry, I jumped ahead. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.259 Romans 8 first. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.519 Romans 8, here we go. 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:20.640 What the law could not do 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:23.060 since it was weakened by the flesh, 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.620 God did. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.660 Man, I love that verse. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.620 One of my favorite in Romans 8. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.740 And that's like saying, 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:31.340 which one of your kids do you like the best? 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:32.440 I like them all, right? 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.980 But Romans 8 verse 3, 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.180 just one of the best 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.120 in an amazing chapter. 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:37.979 What the law could not do, 00:24:38.739 --> 00:24:39.599 God did. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.500 God did. 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.759 God did it. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.179 The rules couldn't do it, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.159 but God did it. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:48.839 So quit trusting the rules 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:50.799 to make life better for you. 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.579 Trust God. 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.199 Y'all. 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:57.440 Colossians chapter 3. 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.759 Back at it now. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.200 We finished chapter 2. 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:02.600 Let's jump into chapter 3. 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:05.319 So if you have been raised with Christ, 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.059 seek the things above. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.640 So now we've proven 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.759 that the law, 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.319 the rules, 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.160 the regulations 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:13.019 can't fix it for you. 00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:14.720 They can't make your life better. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.100 You have to rely on Jesus. 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:19.080 When problems come, 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.580 when your flesh fails you, 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.400 when your kids' flesh fail you, 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:24.420 when your wife's flesh fail you, 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:26.420 when your husband's addictions 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:29.000 and problems and lust fail you, 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:31.060 you can't run back to the rules 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:31.519 and say, 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.960 why didn't you keep him 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.800 on the straight and narrow? 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.700 You must run to Jesus. 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:40.060 Now we turn to Colossians 3, 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.840 and it says, 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:43.080 so if you have been raised with Christ, 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.980 seek the things above, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.640 where Christ is seated 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.620 at the right hand of God. 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:49.380 Set your mind on things above, 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.640 not on earthly things. 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:51.640 For you died, 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:53.240 and your life is now hidden 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.259 with Christ in God. 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.240 When Christ, 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.020 who is your life, 00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:58.620 appears, 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:01.400 then you also will appear 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.820 with him in glory. 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:04.540 Therefore, 00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:06.660 put to death 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.660 what belongs 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:10.020 to your earthly nature, 00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:11.900 sexual immorality, 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:13.440 impurity, 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.680 lust, 00:26:15.280 --> 00:26:16.080 evil desire, 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:17.220 greed, 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:19.040 which is actually idolatry. 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:21.639 all these things 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.399 that the law, 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.019 the rules, 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:23.720 the regulations 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.000 tried to control 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.099 and couldn't, 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.559 Jesus can help you 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.500 put them to death. 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:32.720 Because of these things, 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.220 God's wrath is coming 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.539 on the disobedient, 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.180 those that are still 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.819 under the law. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.579 You once walked 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.319 in these things 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.720 when you were living in them, 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.000 but now, 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.539 put them away. 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:47.339 put away all the following, 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:47.859 anger, 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.000 wrath, 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.359 malice, 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.500 slander, 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.259 filthy language 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.220 from your mouth. 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.940 Now we're getting 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.519 out of that 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:58.200 immoral area 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.960 and getting into 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.000 the anger area. 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.220 How about this one, 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.799 verse 9, 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.960 do not lie 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.740 to one another 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:05.259 since you've put off 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.920 the old self 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.819 with its practices 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.139 and have put on 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.920 the new self. 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.180 You're being renewed 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.759 in knowledge 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.879 according to the image 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.579 of your creator. 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.579 In Christ, 00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:14.339 there is not 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.179 Jew nor Greek. 00:27:16.439 --> 00:27:17.759 There is no more 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.759 circumcision and uncircumcision, 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.460 barbarian, 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:20.939 Scythian, 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.740 slave and free, 00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:23.079 all the dividing lines 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:23.879 that separate us 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.480 from one another, 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:26.480 but now Christ is all 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.559 and in all. 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.299 Verse 12, 00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:28.699 therefore, 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.720 as God's chosen ones, 00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:32.759 holy and dearly loved, 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.460 here's what you put on. 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:36.119 You put all this stuff on, 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.119 but you gotta put, 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.740 I'm sorry, 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:39.019 you put all this stuff off, 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.619 but you gotta put 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.500 something on instead. 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:41.419 Okay? 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:43.600 That's a tale 00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:44.400 as old as time. 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:46.060 You don't just stop something, 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:47.180 you start something 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.920 in its place. 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.400 Alcoholics Anonymous 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.740 and whatever other 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:53.100 addiction recovery program 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.980 will always tell you 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.019 you don't just try 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.600 to stop doing something, 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.380 you have to start 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.360 something in its place 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:58.880 or eventually 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.539 you'll go back 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.240 to what you were doing 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.160 before, right? 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.640 So instead, 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.940 this is what you put on. 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.800 You put on compassion, 00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:06.980 kindness, 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.279 humility, 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.560 gentleness, 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.779 and patience, 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:13.659 bearing with one another, 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.619 forgiving one another. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.139 Y'all, 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.819 some of you, 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:18.440 that is not in your nature. 00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:23.119 You're not naturally 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.220 the kind of person 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.679 who bears with one another. 00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:28.440 You're the kind of person 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.599 who wants to pick a fight. 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:32.599 That's your old flesh. 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.500 Put it off 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:35.380 and let God help you 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.180 put on 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.859 something new 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.359 and different. 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.740 God can do that 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.200 through you. 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.920 You can't. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.759 Your spouse can't 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:46.039 make that change in you. 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.880 But God can. 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.319 Now if you believe 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.519 God can do anything, 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.960 then He can make 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.140 a change in you. 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.119 Trust me, 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:57.079 He's made a change 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.980 in me. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.740 And He can make 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.759 a change in you. 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:04.059 If anyone has a grievance 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.140 against one another, 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.640 we forgive one another 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.779 just as the Lord 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:09.200 has forgiven us. 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.299 So we also 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.140 are to forgive. 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.220 Verse 14, 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.119 Above all, 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.799 put on love, 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.279 which is the perfect 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:18.259 bond of unity. 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.099 And let the peace 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.680 of Christ, 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.680 to which you are also 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.879 called in one body, 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.720 rule your hearts 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.920 and be thankful. 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.740 Let the word of Christ 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.079 dwell richly among you 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.119 in all wisdom, 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.460 teaching and admonishing 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.039 one another 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.960 through psalms, 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.399 hymns, 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.460 and spiritual songs, 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.799 singing to God 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.419 with gratitude 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.000 in our hearts. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.839 Man, we had some of that 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.259 this morning, 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:39.679 didn't we? 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.639 And whatever you do, 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.619 in word or deed, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.240 do everything 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.339 in the name of the Lord Jesus, 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.539 giving thanks to God 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.980 the Father 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.480 through Him. 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:48.759 Now, 00:29:49.199 --> 00:29:50.339 here's the last one. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.539 Godly self-denial 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:53.099 transforms us 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.460 from the inside out. 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.939 Talked about it last week, 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.399 how choosing the Jesus way 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.820 will transform us. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.940 Well, that happens 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.960 through godly self-denial. 00:30:03.780 --> 00:30:04.820 Godly self-denial 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:06.120 is not saying, 00:30:07.300 --> 00:30:08.720 well, I'm going to give up 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.860 cokes for a year 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:11.759 and I'm going to deny myself that. 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:12.540 Now, maybe, 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.660 maybe your doctor 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.620 thinks you ought to give up 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.840 cokes for a year. 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.840 Maybe your waistline 00:30:16.840 --> 00:30:17.680 thinks you ought to give up 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.400 cokes for a year. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.140 Right? 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.720 But God is not 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.300 in the scripture 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:22.740 saying, 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.759 you have to give up 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.580 cokes for a year 00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.340 or you're not going to be 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:25.880 close to me. 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:26.660 That's not what 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.600 godly self-denial 00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:28.140 is about. 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.440 Godly self-denial 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.540 is what we just read 00:30:30.540 --> 00:30:31.780 in Colossians chapter 3. 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:35.300 That is how it transforms us 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.160 from the inside, 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.540 not from the outside. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.260 The inside change 00:30:40.260 --> 00:30:42.980 will change the outside. 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.880 Us Christians 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:47.020 have got it backwards 00:30:47.020 --> 00:30:48.040 so much 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:49.020 that if we change 00:30:49.020 --> 00:30:49.620 the outside, 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.780 eventually the inside 00:30:50.780 --> 00:30:51.560 will catch up. 00:30:51.800 --> 00:30:52.740 It doesn't happen. 00:30:52.800 --> 00:30:53.300 It's a lie. 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.720 It's a lie. 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.259 The truth is, 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.339 eventually, 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.220 the outside 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.480 will fail 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:03.559 because the inside 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.180 is rotten. 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:10.059 Godly self-denial 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.619 must begin 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.759 on the inside. 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.339 We deny 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:16.240 our flesh 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:18.579 because 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.220 Jesus 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:21.720 has shown us 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.819 so much love, 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.460 we fall in love 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:24.940 with Him. 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:27.380 When you love someone, 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.799 you're happy 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.740 to give something up 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.079 for them. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.620 When you're in love 00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.440 with someone, 00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:35.539 you're happy 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:35.960 to say, 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.600 you know what? 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:39.059 I love you so much, 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.960 I'll do what you need. 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.519 I'll do what's better 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.019 for you. 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.660 That's where 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.600 transformation comes. 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.539 Now we're going to go to Joel 00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:48.240 and we'll be done. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.720 The Lord says, 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.940 turn to me now 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.339 while there is time. 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.180 Give me your hearts. 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.799 Come with fasting, 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:56.759 weeping, 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.660 and mourning. 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:59.640 Don't tear your clothing 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.700 and your grief, 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:02.259 but tear your hearts 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.099 instead. 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:03.539 Y'all, 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.440 this is such 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:06.640 a powerful concept here. 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.980 Don't miss it. 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:09.039 This is the last thing 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.720 we're going to read 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.839 before we're done. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:13.539 Please don't miss this. 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:18.259 Do you see 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.319 the last sentence here? 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:22.220 Don't tear your clothing 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.460 in your grief. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.240 Tear your hearts 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.839 instead. 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.980 Talk back to me 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.339 for a minute. 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:28.940 What do you think 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.779 he means by that? 00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:37.039 When they would mourn, 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.399 they would tear their clothes. 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:42.039 And it was a regular practice. 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.819 It was something 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:44.159 they regularly did. 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:46.359 Why do you think 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.019 he's telling them 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.000 not to do it? 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.420 Superficial. 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.859 Don't let this be 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:55.359 like every other time. 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.859 Let it be meaningful. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.799 Let it be real change. 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.779 Let it be change 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.740 on the inside, 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.680 not the outside. 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:11.320 Maybe they were 00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:12.240 doing it for show. 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.860 They would tear their clothes 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:18.100 when somebody would die. 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.779 They would have their, 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.740 in certain cultures, 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:21.740 you go down to New Orleans, 00:33:21.840 --> 00:33:22.299 anybody ever 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:24.100 been down to New Orleans, 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.580 Louisiana, 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.299 for a funeral? 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:28.019 Seen the wailers 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:29.000 walk through the streets? 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.340 If you have a real 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:31.240 New Orleans funeral, 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.539 you'll see people 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.080 walking down 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.640 through the streets 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.340 of the French Quarter, 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.880 and you have the people 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.420 that are wailing. 00:33:38.280 --> 00:33:38.960 Like literally, 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.520 they'll be, 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.760 whoo, 00:33:41.040 --> 00:33:41.560 oh, 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:42.400 I mean, 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:44.000 it's a thing. 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.340 It is a cultural thing. 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:47.440 And I'm not mocking it 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:47.880 at all. 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.760 It is just a part 00:33:48.760 --> 00:33:49.240 of their culture. 00:33:49.820 --> 00:33:50.740 You're just not used to it 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.440 if you see it. 00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:51.860 You know, 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.460 it's different. 00:33:54.520 --> 00:33:55.620 Sometimes you can hire 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.560 some wailers 00:33:56.560 --> 00:33:57.820 if you don't have people 00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.500 that are equipped 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:58.980 to do that. 00:33:59.160 --> 00:33:59.940 That's a little weird 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.480 to me, 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.100 but whatever. 00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:03.400 But back then, 00:34:03.520 --> 00:34:03.720 yeah, 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:05.100 definitely a similar thing. 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.419 You know, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.919 they would have 00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:06.679 their wailers. 00:34:07.179 --> 00:34:07.199 So, 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.380 yeah, 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:08.679 I mean, 00:34:08.739 --> 00:34:10.139 people are wailing 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.940 in their grief 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.079 and tearing their clothing, 00:34:12.339 --> 00:34:14.500 and it's an outward show. 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.860 Maybe sometimes 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.679 it was sincere. 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.719 Maybe it wasn't. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.380 But the prophet 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:21.380 is saying from the Lord, 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:23.219 don't tear your clothing 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:24.039 in your grief. 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:25.079 Tear your hearts 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.900 this time. 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.900 Let it be on the inside. 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:29.239 And that's what he says before. 00:34:29.839 --> 00:34:30.940 Turn to me now 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:32.039 while there's still time. 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:33.719 Give me your hearts. 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.380 Give me your hearts. 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.360 That's what Jesus 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:39.199 is always saying to us. 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:44.380 We'll give him our tithes. 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.539 We'll give him 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:49.819 our attendance on Sundays sometimes. 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.839 We'll give him 00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:57.719 our membership. 00:34:57.719 --> 00:35:00.379 We'll give him 00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:01.439 lots of different things 00:35:01.439 --> 00:35:03.980 before we give him 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.699 our hearts. 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.659 We hold back our hearts. 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.339 We guard him 00:35:10.339 --> 00:35:11.239 very closely. 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:16.139 And all he really wants 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.419 is our hearts. 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:18.420 God bless you. 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.420 He wants us. 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:20.420 He wants us. 00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:20.920 He wants us. 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:22.940 Because he can do 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.180 so much 00:35:24.180 --> 00:35:26.240 better 00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:28.559 than we're doing. 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:31.240 He can do so much 00:35:31.240 --> 00:35:33.119 with our families. 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:36.440 He can do so much good 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.440 through us. 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.639 You underestimate 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:41.840 the power 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.639 that God can do 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.480 through you. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.740 the good 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:48.000 that God can accomplish 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.920 through you. 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.579 You give him 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.119 your heart. 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:54.280 So I ask you 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:55.900 would you give God 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.340 your heart 00:35:56.340 --> 00:35:56.840 today? 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:01.039 The Jesus way 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:02.179 is a way 00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.480 of transformation 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:04.800 from the inside 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.460 out. 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.360 Our takeaway 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:07.980 this morning 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:10.039 is to deny yourself 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.760 and that starts 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.500 on the inside 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.739 as God 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.780 transforms you 00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:15.079 into becoming 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:16.139 his disciple. 00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:16.699 Would you pray 00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.039 with me? 00:36:18.079 --> 00:36:18.880 God I pray 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.480 that we would be 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:19.920 a people 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.719 who give you 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.400 our hearts. 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:27.760 That we would 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:29.019 tear our hearts 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.940 on the inside. 00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:33.940 That you would 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.719 convict me. 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:41.319 that you would 00:36:41.319 --> 00:36:42.019 convict the men 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.579 in this room 00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:46.899 to man up, 00:36:47.819 --> 00:36:48.739 to step up, 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.659 to take the lead. 00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:53.099 Say family, 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:57.019 we're going to 00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:57.679 follow Jesus. 00:36:59.459 --> 00:37:00.099 We're going to 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.799 choose the Jesus 00:37:00.799 --> 00:37:01.179 way. 00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:04.839 over sports, 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:06.000 over work, 00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.699 over politics, 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:08.699 over money, 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.119 over comfort. 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.579 We are going 00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.599 to choose Jesus. 00:37:19.299 --> 00:37:20.480 Over tradition, 00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:22.940 over reputation, 00:37:24.299 --> 00:37:25.799 whatever idols 00:37:25.799 --> 00:37:26.759 might be standing 00:37:26.759 --> 00:37:27.460 in our way, 00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:30.179 we're going 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:30.659 to deny 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:31.240 ourselves. 00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:34.420 We're going 00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:34.760 to choose 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:35.139 the Jesus 00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:35.480 way. 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:39.460 God, 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:39.940 I call on 00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.240 the women 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:40.820 in this room. 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.720 So many 00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.260 times, 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.559 you've used 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.119 women to 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:46.639 stand up 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.000 and take 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.440 the lead. 00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.519 And I call 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.039 on women 00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:51.460 to 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:55.000 be women 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.519 of God 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:57.219 and if 00:37:57.219 --> 00:37:57.480 that's 00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:57.980 your will, 00:37:58.639 --> 00:37:59.179 let them 00:37:59.179 --> 00:37:59.579 say, 00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.380 God, 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:00.820 make me 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.159 a woman 00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:01.739 of faith 00:38:01.739 --> 00:38:04.079 to be 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:04.559 a godly 00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:04.840 mother, 00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:05.400 a godly 00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:05.900 wife, 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:08.800 a godly 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:09.280 single 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:10.179 woman who 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:10.820 would say, 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:11.880 I will 00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.380 choose the 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:12.960 Jesus way. 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.300 I will 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:14.059 keep myself 00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.340 pure. 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:14.679 I'll keep 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:15.400 myself right. 00:38:15.659 --> 00:38:16.000 I'll be 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.659 an example 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.679 of 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:21.280 what a 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:22.019 holy woman 00:38:22.019 --> 00:38:22.759 of faith 00:38:22.759 --> 00:38:23.219 would look 00:38:23.219 --> 00:38:23.579 like. 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:26.400 and I 00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:26.579 will 00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:26.920 choose 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:27.099 the 00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:27.340 Jesus 00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:27.659 way 00:38:27.659 --> 00:38:27.920 above 00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:28.159 all 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.519 else. 00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:29.719 God, 00:38:29.779 --> 00:38:29.860 I 00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:30.179 give 00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:30.400 you 00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:30.739 my 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:31.079 heart. 00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:37.739 I 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:38.039 pray for 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.179 the 00:38:38.179 --> 00:38:38.579 teenagers 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:38.960 and for 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.099 the 00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:39.360 children 00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:39.719 in this 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:39.920 room. 00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:41.079 They 00:38:41.079 --> 00:38:41.219 are 00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.579 growing 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:41.900 up 00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:42.239 in an 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:42.519 age 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:42.880 when 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.860 the 00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:44.179 outside 00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:44.639 world 00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:44.900 is 00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:45.519 continually 00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:46.719 coming 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:47.039 after 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.360 them, 00:38:48.259 --> 00:38:48.579 trying 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:48.819 to get 00:38:48.819 --> 00:38:48.980 their 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.360 attention, 00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:49.659 trying 00:38:49.659 --> 00:38:50.039 to pull 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.219 them 00:38:50.219 --> 00:38:50.699 away 00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:51.460 from 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:51.619 the 00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:51.860 Jesus 00:38:51.860 --> 00:38:52.159 way, 00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:52.360 from 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:52.679 being 00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:53.059 God's 00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:53.480 disciple. 00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:56.519 I 00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:56.840 pray that 00:38:56.840 --> 00:38:56.960 they 00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.119 would 00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:57.420 listen 00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:57.619 to 00:38:57.619 --> 00:38:57.779 the 00:38:57.779 --> 00:38:58.099 voices 00:38:58.099 --> 00:38:58.619 in 00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:58.819 this 00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.219 church, 00:39:00.319 --> 00:39:01.159 in 00:39:01.159 --> 00:39:01.559 godly 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.119 families, 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:02.980 in 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:03.119 their 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:03.340 youth 00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:03.659 group, 00:39:03.739 --> 00:39:03.799 in 00:39:03.799 --> 00:39:03.960 their 00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:04.179 Sunday 00:39:04.179 --> 00:39:04.420 school 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:04.940 classes, 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.860 in 00:39:06.860 --> 00:39:07.039 their 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.400 lives, 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:07.599 that 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:07.779 would 00:39:07.779 --> 00:39:08.119 say, 00:39:08.779 --> 00:39:09.360 don't 00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:09.639 listen 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:09.759 to 00:39:09.759 --> 00:39:09.940 that. 00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:11.079 You 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:11.400 choose 00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:11.559 the 00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:11.799 Jesus 00:39:11.799 --> 00:39:12.079 way. 00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:12.340 You 00:39:12.340 --> 00:39:12.779 listen 00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:15.179 to 00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:15.319 the 00:39:15.319 --> 00:39:15.480 Lord 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:15.799 Jesus 00:39:15.799 --> 00:39:16.059 in 00:39:16.059 --> 00:39:16.179 your 00:39:16.179 --> 00:39:16.539 life. 00:39:17.279 --> 00:39:17.480 That 00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:17.599 they 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:17.759 would 00:39:17.759 --> 00:39:18.000 come 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:18.199 to 00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:18.519 faith 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:18.880 in 00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:19.079 you 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:19.219 at 00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:19.360 an 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:19.559 early 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:19.880 age, 00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:20.019 that 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.119 they 00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:20.239 would 00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:20.539 follow 00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:20.699 you 00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:20.840 in 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.259 baptism, 00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:21.539 that 00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:21.679 they 00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:21.880 would 00:39:21.880 --> 00:39:22.760 publicly 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:23.559 name 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:23.740 your 00:39:23.740 --> 00:39:24.039 name 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:24.220 and 00:39:24.220 --> 00:39:24.680 choose 00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:25.220 to 00:39:25.220 --> 00:39:25.360 be 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:25.539 your 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:25.960 disciple. 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:27.800 That 00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:27.940 we 00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.119 would 00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:28.360 rally 00:39:28.360 --> 00:39:28.640 around 00:39:28.640 --> 00:39:28.780 them 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:28.940 as 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.059 a 00:39:29.059 --> 00:39:29.440 church 00:39:29.440 --> 00:39:31.200 and 00:39:31.200 --> 00:39:31.420 lift 00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:31.619 them 00:39:31.619 --> 00:39:31.900 up 00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:33.539 in 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:33.840 prayer 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.059 and 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:34.619 participate 00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:34.860 in 00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:35.000 their 00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:35.660 discipleship 00:39:35.660 --> 00:39:35.940 journey. 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:39.280 Thank 00:39:39.280 --> 00:39:39.539 you for 00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:39.820 what you're 00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:40.140 doing in 00:39:40.140 --> 00:39:40.280 our 00:39:40.280 --> 00:39:40.619 church. 00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:41.260 We 00:39:41.260 --> 00:39:41.480 ask 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:41.579 you 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:41.700 to 00:39:41.700 --> 00:39:42.039 multiply 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:42.360 it, 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.519 continue 00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:44.340 to 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:46.980 bless 00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:47.300 it and 00:39:47.300 --> 00:39:47.460 move 00:39:47.460 --> 00:39:47.599 it 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:47.860 forward. 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.539 Church, 00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:49.800 right 00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.099 now, 00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.260 with our 00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:51.440 heads 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:51.840 bowed, 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:52.840 I ask 00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:53.140 it every 00:39:53.140 --> 00:39:53.460 Sunday, 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:53.619 I'm 00:39:53.619 --> 00:39:53.700 going to 00:39:53.700 --> 00:39:53.860 ask 00:39:53.860 --> 00:39:54.000 this 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:54.360 question, 00:39:54.460 --> 00:39:54.660 is there 00:39:54.660 --> 00:39:54.900 anybody 00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:55.320 here 00:39:55.320 --> 00:39:56.300 who 00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:56.480 needs 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:56.640 to 00:39:56.640 --> 00:39:56.820 give 00:39:56.820 --> 00:39:56.920 your 00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:57.140 life 00:39:57.140 --> 00:39:57.300 to 00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:57.559 Jesus 00:39:57.559 --> 00:39:57.760 for 00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:57.860 the 00:39:57.860 --> 00:39:58.059 first 00:39:58.059 --> 00:39:58.360 time? 00:39:58.920 --> 00:39:59.160 Say, 00:39:59.220 --> 00:39:59.320 I'm 00:39:59.320 --> 00:39:59.480 going to 00:39:59.480 --> 00:39:59.619 turn 00:39:59.619 --> 00:39:59.960 from my 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:00.180 sin 00:40:00.180 --> 00:40:00.500 and turn 00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:00.640 to 00:40:00.640 --> 00:40:00.940 Jesus. 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:01.740 I 00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:02.039 believe 00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:02.220 that 00:40:02.220 --> 00:40:02.380 I'm 00:40:02.380 --> 00:40:02.519 a 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:02.680 sinner 00:40:02.680 --> 00:40:02.860 and 00:40:02.860 --> 00:40:02.980 that 00:40:02.980 --> 00:40:03.220 Jesus 00:40:03.220 --> 00:40:03.519 died 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:03.619 on 00:40:03.619 --> 00:40:03.740 the 00:40:03.740 --> 00:40:04.000 cross 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:04.200 for 00:40:04.200 --> 00:40:04.420 me. 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:05.160 He 00:40:05.160 --> 00:40:05.380 rose 00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:05.559 from 00:40:05.559 --> 00:40:05.700 the 00:40:05.700 --> 00:40:05.920 dead 00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.039 and 00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:06.140 I 00:40:06.140 --> 00:40:06.260 want 00:40:06.260 --> 00:40:06.360 to 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:06.579 ask 00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:06.760 him 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:07.119 forgive 00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:07.300 me 00:40:07.300 --> 00:40:07.400 of 00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:07.559 my 00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:07.860 sins 00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.000 and 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.220 become 00:40:08.220 --> 00:40:08.500 my 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.740 Savior 00:40:08.740 --> 00:40:09.160 today. 00:40:09.159 --> 00:40:09.819 Would 00:40:09.819 --> 00:40:09.940 you 00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.119 slip 00:40:10.119 --> 00:40:10.239 your 00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:10.440 hand 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:10.579 up 00:40:10.579 --> 00:40:10.719 if 00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:10.960 that's 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:11.139 you? 00:40:11.359 --> 00:40:11.519 Say, 00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:11.819 I'd like 00:40:11.819 --> 00:40:12.059 to do 00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.219 that 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:12.460 today 00:40:12.460 --> 00:40:12.719 before 00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:12.859 I 00:40:12.859 --> 00:40:13.079 leave. 00:40:14.339 --> 00:40:14.739 Thank 00:40:14.739 --> 00:40:14.920 you. 00:40:15.399 --> 00:40:15.659 What 00:40:15.659 --> 00:40:15.839 about 00:40:15.839 --> 00:40:16.000 the 00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:16.199 rest 00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:16.339 of 00:40:16.339 --> 00:40:16.440 you? 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:16.559 Is 00:40:16.559 --> 00:40:16.659 there 00:40:16.659 --> 00:40:16.960 someone 00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:17.179 who 00:40:17.179 --> 00:40:17.480 says, 00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:17.779 God 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.739 convicted 00:40:18.739 --> 00:40:18.940 me 00:40:18.940 --> 00:40:19.139 about 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:19.500 something 00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:19.719 this 00:40:19.719 --> 00:40:20.019 morning 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:21.059 and 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:21.179 I 00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:21.359 need 00:40:21.359 --> 00:40:21.679 prayer? 00:40:21.819 --> 00:40:22.039 Would 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.159 you 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:22.339 slip 00:40:22.339 --> 00:40:22.480 your 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:22.659 hand 00:40:22.659 --> 00:40:22.819 up 00:40:22.819 --> 00:40:22.899 and 00:40:22.899 --> 00:40:23.019 I'll 00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:23.179 pray 00:40:23.179 --> 00:40:23.359 for 00:40:23.359 --> 00:40:23.559 you? 00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.079 Anybody? 00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:26.119 I 00:40:26.119 --> 00:40:26.279 need 00:40:26.279 --> 00:40:26.480 prayer. 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:26.759 Thank 00:40:26.759 --> 00:40:26.940 you. 00:40:27.179 --> 00:40:27.379 Thank 00:40:27.379 --> 00:40:27.559 you. 00:40:28.019 --> 00:40:28.299 Thank 00:40:28.299 --> 00:40:28.480 you. 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:29.879 Thank 00:40:29.879 --> 00:40:30.079 you. 00:40:30.460 --> 00:40:30.839 Thank 00:40:30.839 --> 00:40:31.039 you. 00:40:31.739 --> 00:40:32.099 Thank 00:40:32.099 --> 00:40:32.299 you. 00:40:33.739 --> 00:40:34.179 God, 00:40:34.279 --> 00:40:34.380 you 00:40:34.380 --> 00:40:34.619 just 00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:34.880 move 00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:34.980 in 00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.079 the 00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:35.259 hearts 00:40:35.259 --> 00:40:35.500 this 00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:35.799 morning. 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:36.719 Church, 00:40:36.759 --> 00:40:36.860 if 00:40:36.860 --> 00:40:37.059 there's 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.460 anybody 00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:38.019 who 00:40:38.019 --> 00:40:38.279 needs 00:40:38.279 --> 00:40:38.440 to 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:38.599 come 00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:38.860 down 00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:39.039 in 00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:39.319 front 00:40:39.319 --> 00:40:39.480 and 00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:39.639 pray 00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:39.819 with 00:40:39.819 --> 00:40:39.980 me, 00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:40.179 I'm 00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:40.400 here 00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:40.519 and 00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:40.819 available 00:40:40.819 --> 00:40:41.079 for 00:40:41.079 --> 00:40:41.360 that. 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:42.239 Jared's 00:40:42.239 --> 00:40:42.360 going 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.460 to 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.619 lead 00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:42.799 us 00:40:42.799 --> 00:40:42.920 in 00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:43.059 a 00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.400 song. 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:44.539 If 00:40:44.539 --> 00:40:44.719 you'd 00:40:44.719 --> 00:40:44.880 like 00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:45.039 to 00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:45.319 stand 00:40:45.319 --> 00:40:45.500 and 00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:45.779 sing, 00:40:45.940 --> 00:40:46.159 you're 00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:46.400 welcome 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:46.599 to. 00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:46.739 If 00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:46.880 you'd 00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.000 like 00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:47.139 to 00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:47.339 keep 00:40:47.339 --> 00:40:47.480 your 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:47.659 seat 00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:47.819 and 00:40:47.819 --> 00:40:48.119 pray, 00:40:48.279 --> 00:40:48.619 that's 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:48.739 up 00:40:48.739 --> 00:40:48.880 to 00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:49.119 you. 00:40:49.279 --> 00:40:49.420 We're 00:40:49.420 --> 00:40:49.559 just 00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:49.719 going 00:40:49.719 --> 00:40:49.759 to 00:40:49.759 --> 00:40:49.940 have 00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:50.079 a 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:50.280 couple 00:40:50.280 --> 00:40:50.440 of 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:50.760 minutes 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.340 where 00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:51.760 God 00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:52.179 has 00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:52.420 the 00:40:52.420 --> 00:40:52.639 liberty 00:40:52.639 --> 00:40:52.880 and 00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:53.099 freedom 00:40:53.099 --> 00:40:53.340 to 00:40:53.340 --> 00:40:53.579 move 00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:53.679 in 00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:53.800 our 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:54.159 hearts. 00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:54.840 Let's 00:40:54.840 --> 00:40:55.019 enter 00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.240 into 00:40:55.240 --> 00:40:55.440 that 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:55.700 now.