1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,000
Welcome to Healing Scars with Pastor Burton. Here you'll find practical, relevant, biblical information.

2
00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:19,000
The Bible will be broken down verse by verse so that you get the full context of the scripture to better grow in your relationship with Jesus.

3
00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:25,000
Good morning everybody. Welcome to church. Happy Veterans Day.

4
00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:35,000
It's great to have everybody with us. It's great to have everybody who's streaming with us online and everyone who's going to be streaming, who listened to the podcast and everything.

5
00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:47,000
So as we get started here today, I'm actually going to ask that everybody stand and face our flag.

6
00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:55,000
As Brian here is actually going to play taps for us. I would like to point out he is a US Army veteran.

7
00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:29,000
Thank you, Brian. Well done.

8
00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:40,000
Now, I know it's kind of odd. It's Veterans Day. Why are we starting with taps? Isn't that something that we do on Memorial Day or like when somebody dies?

9
00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:50,000
Oh yes, yes, yes. There's other times that we play it. We actually play it every day in the military. That's a sound that we're all kind of used to, especially towards the end of the day.

10
00:01:50,000 --> 00:02:07,000
It signifies a lot of things. And first and foremost, which is why we're starting with it today, is being that it's Veterans Day, for those of us who have served, even though it's Veterans Day, we still take a moment to reflect on those that we've lost.

11
00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:23,000
And the playing of taps, it does for everyone who served. It's a very somber moment. We think of those that we have served with, those of us that have lost, those that we're still in touch with, and the relationships that we have, the memories that were formed, and the bonds.

12
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:34,000
So there's a lot in there. I'm not going to go too much further into that because I know I don't want to derail the train too much. I want to try to value you guys' time. I don't want to hold you hostage.

13
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:41,000
So it is a very important thing. It's one of those universal symbols, though. This is why we play it.

14
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:57,000
Now, of course, the point of all this, as I said, it's Veterans Day. Happy Veterans Day. That's tomorrow. Today is actually the Marine Corps' 249th birthday. So happy birthday to all my fellow Marines.

15
00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:07,000
So we have a couple things going on there. Actually, before I get there, jump the gun on that slide there.

16
00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:13,000
From one vet to another, I mean, it feels weird as a veteran when somebody says thank you for your service. It does.

17
00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:20,000
Or when somebody calls you a hero. Because none of us looks at ourselves that way, nor really should we.

18
00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,000
That's just our mindset, right?

19
00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:34,000
However, I do want to remind everybody you did raise your hand, you did step out, and did something greater than yourself for your fellow man.

20
00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:42,000
That itself is bravery. And that is the thing heroes are made of, whether you served in peacetime or not.

21
00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:54,000
In addition to that, this week, if you go to our website, now I know sometimes if you just go to cross66.org, it takes you to the old website.

22
00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:59,000
We're not sure what's going on with that. That shouldn't be happening. But we bought another URL.

23
00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:05,000
So if you go to thecross66.org, that one's guaranteed to take you to the right site every time.

24
00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:10,000
And we have a new tab listed up there. It's called our Wall of Honor.

25
00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:15,000
So if you go there now, you'll actually find there's already a few pictures there of our veterans.

26
00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:19,000
You'll find my pretty face. You'll find Brian's pretty face.

27
00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:23,000
You'll also find Albert's pretty face. Unfortunately, he's not with us today.

28
00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:28,000
However, this is something that we would like to bring attention to.

29
00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,000
We have a lot of veterans, a lot of active duty service members in our area.

30
00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:39,000
So for those of you who are serving or those of you who have served, we would love to get your picture up there as well.

31
00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:43,000
You can send it through the email. It's listed there on the website. Or you can send it to me, whatever works.

32
00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,000
Or you can bring it in. We'll take a picture. We'll find a way.

33
00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:55,000
But we'd love to have a picture of you in whatever uniform up there on that slide as well.

34
00:04:55,000 --> 00:05:01,000
So now we'll go to that slide that I was going to. We're going to go into our world a little different today.

35
00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:12,000
I'm going to start off with a prayer written by Marine veteran Dick Wilson, which is appropriately named for the day, our Marine Prayer.

36
00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:18,000
Almighty God, Father of the fatherless, now take me home.

37
00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:30,000
I was what others could not be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do.

38
00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:40,000
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, but gave hope, security and freedom to all.

39
00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:51,000
I have seen the face of terror, felt the sting and cold of fear and experienced the warm comfort of your love and protection through it all.

40
00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:59,000
I have enjoyed the sweet taste of life, comrades, love of country, your guiding hand and word.

41
00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:10,000
I have cried, failed, pained, loved and hoped.

42
00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:16,000
I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.

43
00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:20,000
But what are we in life echoes into eternity.

44
00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:32,000
I humbly offer that with your guidance, I have done my duty and lived with the grateful pride of what I am, a United States Marine.

45
00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:44,000
Deep sea inside now hold our bodies, but you, O Lord, guard our souls until that final day when all stand before you guilty.

46
00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:51,000
And for those who believe, receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

47
00:06:51,000 --> 00:07:00,000
Almighty God, Father of love, through the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, I pray you now take me home.

48
00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:07,000
For you have proven to be always faithful, simple, fidelis.

49
00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:10,000
It's a wonderful prayer, isn't it?

50
00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:15,000
Now, of course, you know, it calls to being a Marine.

51
00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:24,000
But when you actually listen to what's being said, it calls and tugs on the heartstrings of everyone who has ever served or is currently serving.

52
00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:37,000
You know, it's when you put on that uniform and you accept the missions that our country has and they're not always easy.

53
00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:46,000
You know, it's you think about it's our country who during times of peace and times of war has beckoned the question.

54
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,000
Who will stay on the watch?

55
00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,000
Who will stay on the watch?

56
00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:58,000
And it's important to note because it actually parallels Isaiah 6, 8.

57
00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:02,000
And on that note, I'll ask everybody go ahead and open up your Bible or your Bible app, whatever it is that you use.

58
00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:10,000
And let's actually turn to Isaiah, Chapter 6, verse 8.

59
00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,000
So Isaiah 6, 8.

60
00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:18,000
This week I'm actually reading from the NIV version for part of this.

61
00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,000
The word says this.

62
00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:26,000
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send?

63
00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,000
And who will go for us?

64
00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:35,000
And I said, Here I am. Excuse me. Here am I. Send me.

65
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:37,000
It's the heart of a volunteer.

66
00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:44,000
It's the heart of someone answering that that quiet call the Lord in the back of their head, right?

67
00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:49,000
To do what's been asked by their people.

68
00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:50,000
Right?

69
00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:55,000
Their country, their nation, whatever words you want to put to it, their tribe.

70
00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:56,000
Right?

71
00:08:56,000 --> 00:09:01,000
But they're still responding ultimately to a call of God that's been placed upon their hearts.

72
00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,000
And it is a calling.

73
00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:06,000
It's a special calling.

74
00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:15,000
And more importantly, whether they realize it or not, they're living out what it means to follow the greatest of commandments.

75
00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:23,000
They're living out what it is to love God with all their heart and to love their fellow man because it's in their actions.

76
00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:26,000
Like I said before, a warrior's path, it's not always easy.

77
00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:29,000
Matter of fact, quite often, it's not easy at all.

78
00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,000
It's quite the opposite.

79
00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,000
You know?

80
00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:38,000
The easiest part is really just walking into the recruiter's office going, Hey, how's it going, man?

81
00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,000
What's up?

82
00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,000
And usually you've got some guy sitting behind a desk looking all pretty.

83
00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,000
And he starts selling things to you like a used car salesman.

84
00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:51,000
You don't even know it.

85
00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,000
Not to say that they're all like that.

86
00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,000
There's some actually really good ones out there.

87
00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,000
But there's a lot of people that have been lied to, unfortunately, in that process.

88
00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,000
You know, and those guys, they're good.

89
00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:02,000
Oh, they're good.

90
00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,000
You know, that training paid off.

91
00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,000
I don't know if they stand there in the mirror and they practice on themselves or what.

92
00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:10,000
But I'll tell you what.

93
00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:13,000
But some of these guys are really good, too, though.

94
00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:16,000
You know, that's one place where I was blessed.

95
00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,000
My recruiter, he didn't pull any punches.

96
00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000
Not a single one.

97
00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,000
He said, Oh, you've already had surgery on that knee.

98
00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:24,000
We're going to have to get that looked at.

99
00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000
I can't promise you nothing yet.

100
00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:31,000
You know, not everybody's blessed that well, though.

101
00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:38,000
But really, once you get through that recruiting office and you signed that little paper,

102
00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:42,000
you got your cool little pulley shirt, whatever it is that they give you now.

103
00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,000
I don't know.

104
00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:44,000
They might give you uniform away now.

105
00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,000
I don't know.

106
00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:54,000
They do a lot, you know, but you go in there and you start getting ready to go and take that oath, right?

107
00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:59,000
Things are already starting to get hard because now that you've gone in and you signed off on that little paper

108
00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,000
saying, Hey, this is my intent.

109
00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,000
They're already giving you stuff to do.

110
00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,000
They're giving you knowledge to learn.

111
00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,000
Like, what?

112
00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,000
It's like I was doing this so I'd get money to go to college.

113
00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:11,000
I didn't know I was going to be doing this kind of stuff, you know, on top of, Hey, guess what?

114
00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:15,000
We're also going to go and we're going to run a whole bunch of miles up that hill.

115
00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:18,000
Expect you to be there, right?

116
00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,000
And then you get to your boot camp, your basic and so on.

117
00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:28,000
And it gets harder and harder as you as you travel and you pick up more duties and responsibilities and you pick up rank.

118
00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:31,000
It gets harder.

119
00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:32,000
That's the nature of the beast.

120
00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,000
It's not meant to be easy.

121
00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,000
It's not an easy life.

122
00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:44,000
But the payoff, the payoff when you live for the Lord, it really is, you know, it's just very similar.

123
00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:49,000
To when we come to Jesus, if you think about it.

124
00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,000
These parts showing up.

125
00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,000
Listen to what somebody has to say.

126
00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,000
Opening up that Bible.

127
00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,000
But then you start reading.

128
00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,000
You start listening.

129
00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,000
You start hearing.

130
00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:07,000
And things in your life start to change.

131
00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:12,000
And the more we depend on Christ.

132
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:16,000
The more trials that we start facing.

133
00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:23,000
The more the enemy starts attacking.

134
00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:26,000
And that's the same as what Isaiah was seeing here.

135
00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:36,000
When Isaiah was looking at this, he was recognizing the fact that without God, he was absolutely without a doubt, powerless.

136
00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,000
To do anything.

137
00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,000
That was truly meaningful.

138
00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:51,000
To do anything that was truly going to be lasting and worthwhile.

139
00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:58,000
But just like us, he knew that with God, standing at his six, supporting him, taking care of him.

140
00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:02,000
And up in front of him, leading the way.

141
00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,000
He could do great things.

142
00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:10,000
He could do absolutely great things, which is why he said, send me.

143
00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:11,000
Right?

144
00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,000
Now let's turn to Judges.

145
00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:19,000
Book of Judges, chapter seven.

146
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,000
So Judges seven.

147
00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:27,000
We're going to be going through verses two through seven.

148
00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000
And the word says.

149
00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:40,000
And the Lord said to Gideon, the people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands.

150
00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:48,000
Lest Israel claim glory for itself against me, saying, my own hand has saved me.

151
00:13:48,000 --> 00:14:04,000
Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.

152
00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:14,000
And twenty two thousand of the people returned and ten thousand remained.

153
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:18,000
But the Lord said to Gideon, the people are still too many.

154
00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:25,000
Bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there.

155
00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:35,000
Then it will be that of whom I say to you, this one shall go with you.

156
00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:39,000
The same shall go with you.

157
00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:44,000
And of whomever I say to you, this one shall not go with you.

158
00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:46,000
The same shall not go.

159
00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:59,000
So he brought the people down to the water and the Lord said to Gideon, everyone who laps from the water with his tongue as a dog laps.

160
00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:02,000
You shall set apart by himself.

161
00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:07,000
Likewise, everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.

162
00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:13,000
The number of those who left putting their hands to their mouth was three hundred men.

163
00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:17,000
But all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.

164
00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:28,000
Then the Lord said to Gideon, by the three hundred men who left, I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hands.

165
00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,000
Let all the other people go.

166
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,000
Every man to his place.

167
00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:37,000
See, God, he doesn't just want people who are going to go with the flow.

168
00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:44,000
It's not the people who are more unhappy to just kick back and just, you know, whatever.

169
00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,000
If it gets done, it gets done, right?

170
00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:54,000
He's not looking at those people who want to do the least amount possible but for maximum pay, right?

171
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,000
It's like we all know those, you know, you're at work, hey, how's it going?

172
00:15:56,000 --> 00:16:03,000
Oh, you know, same old, same old, doing the least I can for maximum pay, you know?

173
00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:07,000
God doesn't want those people for his army.

174
00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:15,000
Those aren't the people who are going to serve him because they're not going to be serving with a grateful heart, right?

175
00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:22,000
Instead, he wants people who want to be there.

176
00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:34,000
He wants people who are hungry, that are passionate, that have that love and that want and that need in their hearts to go out.

177
00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:39,000
The people who want to go out and actually get business taken care of.

178
00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:44,000
That's who God's looking for.

179
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:47,000
He wants people who are filled with passion.

180
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:53,000
Because when you're filled with passion, you know what that is, you know what your love is.

181
00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000
That's where you find your ministry.

182
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,000
That's where you find your people.

183
00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:04,000
This is where you find the ones who want to listen to what you have to say.

184
00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,000
You hear your testimony.

185
00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:09,000
And that's how they come to find Jesus.

186
00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:14,000
It's how the Holy Spirit is able to work within you and actually get the attention of others.

187
00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:18,000
It's not just another flickering light driving by.

188
00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:19,000
It's powerful.

189
00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:22,000
It grabs them and it puts them in the spotlight.

190
00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:28,000
It says, hey, come here, sit down, let's chat.

191
00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:32,000
Isaiah knew this.

192
00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,000
And he stepped out in faith saying, send me.

193
00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,000
These 300 men had passion.

194
00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:38,000
They were in it.

195
00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,000
They were in it to win it, right?

196
00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:46,000
We've all heard that saying before, that, you know, just look at how they're chosen, right?

197
00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,000
You have all these men, they're taken down to the water.

198
00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:55,000
You had this big group sitting there and they're taking a knee and they're getting down there with their little cups, you know, pinkies up.

199
00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,000
Hello.

200
00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,000
You know, I'm a refined gentleman.

201
00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:04,000
This is a gentlemanly art war, you know, where we're going to go out.

202
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,000
We're going to have our armor spit shine.

203
00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:11,000
And, you know, our swords are going to be glimmering, you know.

204
00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:14,000
Then you have the 300.

205
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:20,000
I kind of like to think of the 300 as those E3s that have been in service for a while.

206
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:26,000
You know, or even your NCOs, like your corporals, your sergeants, that type.

207
00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:28,000
You see in the movies, they're kind of rugged.

208
00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:31,000
You know, they've got a little dirt on their uniform.

209
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:32,000
You know, it's not quite as crisp.

210
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,000
It's a little dirty.

211
00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,000
They've been out wearing it.

212
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,000
It's like it's up to par.

213
00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:38,000
They know how to do it.

214
00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,000
They can clean up real nice when they need to.

215
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:43,000
But when they're in the field, they're dressed for work.

216
00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:44,000
Things are broken in.

217
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:48,000
You get that new guy coming out and they're like, nope, take this off, take this out, throw that away, get rid of this.

218
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,000
You don't have this.

219
00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:50,000
You're going to need one.

220
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,000
You better find one.

221
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,000
Right?

222
00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:54,000
These guys are down there.

223
00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,000
They're like, I don't got time for this.

224
00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:00,000
I'm not even going to pull out my canteen cup.

225
00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,000
They're just scooping up water and they're just drinking it, right?

226
00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,000
So it's not about they're laughing.

227
00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,000
They're cupping their hands and pulling it up.

228
00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:07,000
They're like, you know, let me get this.

229
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,000
OK, I got my fill.

230
00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:10,000
I got stuff to do.

231
00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:14,000
The Lord's put something in front of me and it's time to go to it.

232
00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:18,000
Right?

233
00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,000
Big old slurp.

234
00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,000
If they're lucky, maybe there's like a little fish in there, a little guppy or something to get a snack with it.

235
00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,000
I don't know.

236
00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,000
Nothing too dirty.

237
00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,000
Those dirty waters aren't too fun.

238
00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,000
I'll tell you what.

239
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:34,000
You know, but you know, they're doing what they need to and then they're moving on.

240
00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,000
It's not pretty.

241
00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:41,000
They're not concerned with how everything looks up here to the masses.

242
00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:44,000
They're not trying to create a pretty environment for the press.

243
00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:48,000
They're not trying to bring out the pomp and circumstance for the higher ups.

244
00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,000
Right?

245
00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,000
So that guy, he's got he's got something shiny on his collar.

246
00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:56,000
We better make sure everything looks right and goes just perfect while they're here.

247
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,000
They're like, nope.

248
00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,000
Get out of the way.

249
00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:04,000
I ain't got time for that.

250
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:08,000
They're focused on what God's put before them.

251
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:15,000
Now, for all of us here, we need to think about what's before us because there's work for all of us to do as well.

252
00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:20,000
God has given us work.

253
00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:22,000
Every single one of us.

254
00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:25,000
As Christians, as believers, we have a duty.

255
00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:30,000
We have a mission that we are tasked with.

256
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,000
Something that we need to carry out.

257
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,000
And don't let there be any doubt in your mind.

258
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:45,000
Don't question it for a second that from the moment you began to believe in Jesus Christ and you accepted him as your Lord and Savior, guess what?

259
00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:50,000
You were enlisted into his military.

260
00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:55,000
From that moment, you became a soldier for Christ.

261
00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,000
You were in his ranks.

262
00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:07,000
And as such, each and every one of us has an obligation to carry out the great commission.

263
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,000
So that's the point of it all.

264
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,000
We all have a mission.

265
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,000
It's right here in Matthew 28.

266
00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:18,000
So if you turn to Matthew chapter 28, verses 18 through 20.

267
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:25,000
Matthew 28, verses 18 through 20.

268
00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:32,000
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

269
00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:43,000
Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

270
00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:45,000
Excuse me, the Holy Spirit.

271
00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,000
Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

272
00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:56,000
And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

273
00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,000
Amen.

274
00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:03,000
It's that mission that tells us to go out into the world, right?

275
00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,000
I'm not saying stay here.

276
00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,000
I'm not saying get comfy, kick up your feet.

277
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:07,000
He's saying, go!

278
00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,000
Get out there.

279
00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:12,000
Get out into the world.

280
00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:24,000
To share the gospel, to share the good news, and baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, right?

281
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:25,000
It's very clear.

282
00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:29,000
It's very plain right here.

283
00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:34,000
And I know that there's going to be somebody out here thinking, I'm not a soldier.

284
00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:37,000
I'm not a warrior.

285
00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,000
I'm a lover, not a fighter.

286
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:43,000
I beg to differ.

287
00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,000
Because let me ask you this.

288
00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,000
Do you love Jesus?

289
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000
Do you?

290
00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:51,000
Do you love Jesus?

291
00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:56,000
Are you willing to die for Jesus?

292
00:22:56,000 --> 00:23:03,000
Because if you truly love Him, the answer is yes.

293
00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:07,000
And when you truly love something, you're willing to fight for it.

294
00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:12,000
Lay down your life if need be.

295
00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:17,000
Because that's what love is.

296
00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,000
So do you love Jesus?

297
00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:21,000
The answer for each of one of us should be yes!

298
00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:22,000
Yes!

299
00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:23,000
Yes!

300
00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,000
Right?

301
00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:32,000
Passion, fire, that willingness to do what it takes.

302
00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,000
Goodness.

303
00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,000
I'm seeing lights and hearing sirens.

304
00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:38,000
Lord be with them.

305
00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:42,000
Whoever they're going to see.

306
00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:47,000
So when you're a lawyer for Christ, the answer is always going to be yes.

307
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,000
And when you love something, when you love someone, you're willing to lay down your life.

308
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:55,000
You're ready to do what needs to be done.

309
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:59,000
With that, I'd like to tell you about the 40 martyrs of Seabest.

310
00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,000
You might not be too familiar with them.

311
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,000
A lot of people aren't.

312
00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,000
Especially not in this part of the world.

313
00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,000
If you are familiar, hang on.

314
00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,000
It's going to take a minute.

315
00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:17,000
So the 40 martyrs of Seabest, their story takes place around 320 AD.

316
00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:23,000
At this point, Emperor Licinius decided he wanted to get rid of all Christianity in his territory.

317
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,000
He wanted it gone.

318
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:25,000
Boom.

319
00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,000
Out of here.

320
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:27,000
Right?

321
00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:30,000
And so he started sending out work.

322
00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:34,000
Here, there, everywhere.

323
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:44,000
And he happened to know the Romans 12th legion, which was named, nicknamed I should say, the full manata,

324
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:52,000
which means the lightning or the thundering legion, they were posted within his territory.

325
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:58,000
This is a legion who was famous not only as skilled warriors, but because of their prayers.

326
00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:02,000
Because they would go, they went out and there was a drought going of some sort.

327
00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:06,000
And they went out and they would pray.

328
00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:07,000
And then the rains came.

329
00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,000
The Lord provided.

330
00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:15,000
So this is one of those legendary groups.

331
00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:25,000
And so word was sent out to the commander of the military forces here in this area in Seabest, Armenia, which happens to be Turkey now.

332
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,000
All right?

333
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:30,000
So if you're familiar with the globe, think Turkey, a little town called Sivas.

334
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:31,000
All right.

335
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:36,000
The Christians of this group, the commander called for them all.

336
00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:38,000
He said, hey, round them all up.

337
00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:39,000
I want them to come here.

338
00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:42,000
I want them front and center right now.

339
00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,000
So they were sent forth.

340
00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,000
They come out.

341
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,000
Here come all these men.

342
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,000
And he tells them, hey, this is the deal.

343
00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:53,000
You're going to renounce your faith.

344
00:25:53,000 --> 00:26:03,000
You're going to burn and make sacrifices not only to our emperor, but to the gods that the emperor has told us to worship.

345
00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:06,000
Because those are our gods.

346
00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:11,000
And if you do this, you're going to be honored.

347
00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:20,000
If you don't do this, you're going to lose all of your military rank and status.

348
00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:24,000
And you're going to be left in disgrace.

349
00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,000
Now, I want you to take some time to think about this tonight.

350
00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:33,000
So to make sure that you're taking it seriously and so you know how serious it is, you're all being locked up tonight.

351
00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:35,000
So all 40 of these men were taken and they were locked up.

352
00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:38,000
They were put in a jail for the night to think about it.

353
00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:41,000
So they took the night and they sang hymns to each other.

354
00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:43,000
They pray.

355
00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:47,000
They're brought back out before the commander.

356
00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,000
Commander says, okay, you're here.

357
00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:51,000
It's good to see you.

358
00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,000
You're good-looking guys.

359
00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:57,000
Oh, and the stories of your valor hall, they're second to none.

360
00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:58,000
You guys are heroes.

361
00:26:58,000 --> 00:26:59,000
Beautiful.

362
00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,000
He's buttering them up, right?

363
00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:03,000
He says, so you've had some time.

364
00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:04,000
You know what's going on.

365
00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,000
You know what's what.

366
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:07,000
What do you say?

367
00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:10,000
And they're like, nope.

368
00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:12,000
You're out of your mind.

369
00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:16,000
Not only we say no, but there's nothing you can do to us that's going to change our mind.

370
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:19,000
No way, dude.

371
00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:22,000
He's pretty angry at this point.

372
00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:24,000
He's embarrassed and he's infuriated.

373
00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:28,000
Not only are they telling him no, but the way that they're talking to him.

374
00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:31,000
You know who you're talking to.

375
00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:36,000
You know, back to jail with you.

376
00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:40,000
So not only are you going to go back, they send word out, it's getting official, a little bit higher up.

377
00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:44,000
Somebody a little bit more clout comes in.

378
00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:49,000
So this guy comes in, this official shows up, tries to convince him, hey, just do what you're told.

379
00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:50,000
It's going to be okay.

380
00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,000
Nothing's going to come of it.

381
00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,000
No harm, no foul.

382
00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,000
Seems fair, right?

383
00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:01,000
A lot of guys at this point are like, okay, it's getting kind of serious.

384
00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:05,000
It's like we got the governor up in here.

385
00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:08,000
Nah, not doing it.

386
00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:09,000
Forget about it.

387
00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:10,000
Nope.

388
00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:11,000
Nope, nope, nope.

389
00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:15,000
Governor's like, sure, all right, now, let's get off my back.

390
00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:17,000
That's all on you.

391
00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:21,000
Commander, take care of it.

392
00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:28,000
Sounds like someone's car alarm's going off out there.

393
00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:32,000
Anyway, go check it.

394
00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:33,000
You sure?

395
00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:36,000
Okay.

396
00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:39,000
Everybody's checking their keys right now.

397
00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:44,000
It's actually nice because, as my wife was saying, it's nice you could hear it because I couldn't hear it before.

398
00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:46,000
Well, we had an alarm at our house and I couldn't hear it.

399
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:47,000
It's going off.

400
00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:48,000
She's like, you can't hear that?

401
00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:51,000
Nope.

402
00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:53,000
That's pretty loud.

403
00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:57,000
Anyway, rabbit trails.

404
00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:59,000
So let's get checked on.

405
00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:02,000
Anyway, so I said, nope, no way, not going to do it.

406
00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:04,000
Commander, take care of them.

407
00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:07,000
Deal with the situation.

408
00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:14,000
The winners in this particular part of the world, they're known for being particularly extra frigid.

409
00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:18,000
They're a special kind of cold, real special kind of cold, bitter.

410
00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:22,000
And you think about what people wore for clothing back then at that.

411
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,000
It wasn't exactly great.

412
00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:26,000
You think about what we're wearing right now.

413
00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,000
We go outside even just this morning.

414
00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:31,000
It's a little chilly out.

415
00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:33,000
Right?

416
00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,000
These guys, they had to really put on layers.

417
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,000
They had to go and stand next to fires to keep warm.

418
00:29:37,000 --> 00:29:43,000
Well, knowing that it's extra cold and just outside of this town, there was a lake.

419
00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:56,000
And because the temperatures dropped so much, you could take all 40 of these men and then some, walk them out onto this lake without fear of it giving way and any of them falling down.

420
00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:58,000
Guys, I got it.

421
00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:02,000
I know it's going to convert them.

422
00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:05,000
If this doesn't convert them, they're going to die.

423
00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:07,000
It's in their hands.

424
00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:09,000
So he tells them, hey, guess what?

425
00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:10,000
This is what's going to happen.

426
00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:12,000
We're going to go out here to this lake.

427
00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:15,000
But before you go on it, I want to make something clear.

428
00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:20,000
There's going to be some bath houses set up over here with nice warm water.

429
00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:21,000
We're going to build some fires up.

430
00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,000
We're going to keep that water nice and warm.

431
00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:26,000
You guys are going to get marched out here on this lake.

432
00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:29,000
But you're not just going to get marched out here on this lake.

433
00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:32,000
You're going to be stripped down naked.

434
00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:34,000
We're going to march you all out here in the middle of this lake.

435
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:37,000
And you're going to stand there all night or until you decide to renounce your faith.

436
00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,000
If you renounce your faith, you can come in.

437
00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:40,000
We'll get you in one of these bath houses.

438
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:41,000
We'll get you warmed up.

439
00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:43,000
You'll be good to go.

440
00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:46,000
It's like nothing ever happened.

441
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:48,000
These guys were a bunch of wild men.

442
00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:49,000
Check this out.

443
00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:50,000
I love this.

444
00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:51,000
They go to march them out there.

445
00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:52,000
Here's the lake.

446
00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:54,000
They see it.

447
00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:57,000
They start acting like a bunch of college kids in like an old 70s or 80s movie.

448
00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:01,000
They're tearing off their clothes and they go running out on the lake.

449
00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:04,000
Woo-hoo!

450
00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:05,000
It's cold.

451
00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:07,000
They got the fires kicked on.

452
00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:08,000
The water's getting warmed up.

453
00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:18,000
And here's a bunch of naked Roman soldiers, 40 of them, singing hymns, praying, kind of

454
00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:20,000
standing next to each other a little bit.

455
00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:21,000
They're facing God.

456
00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,000
They're not breaking.

457
00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:26,000
Not going to happen.

458
00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:28,000
So the night starts going on.

459
00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:31,000
There's another Roman guard that's not part of this legion.

460
00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:35,000
He's standing off to the side next to a fire on the side of the bath house trying to keep

461
00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:36,000
warm.

462
00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:39,000
He's watching what's going on while everybody else is starting to turn in for the night,

463
00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:40,000
go to sleep, all that kind of thing.

464
00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:42,000
It's just his turn on the watch.

465
00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,000
But he's amazed at what he's seeing.

466
00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:51,000
Here's these guys in basically sub-zero temperatures, butt naked, and they're just on fire for the

467
00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:52,000
Lord.

468
00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:53,000
They're singing hymns.

469
00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:54,000
They're praying.

470
00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:57,000
Nothing's going to break them.

471
00:31:57,000 --> 00:32:05,000
And then it gets to a point later into the evening that temperatures finally dropped.

472
00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:14,000
One person, one of these legionnaires walks in off the ice, says, that's it.

473
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:15,000
I tap.

474
00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:16,000
I give.

475
00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:17,000
I renounce my faith.

476
00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:18,000
Like, okay, cool.

477
00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:19,000
You go in this bath house.

478
00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:20,000
I'll be here getting the water.

479
00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:21,000
We'll warm up.

480
00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:22,000
So I'll do it.

481
00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:25,000
He goes running.

482
00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:27,480
He hops in that water.

483
00:32:27,480 --> 00:32:31,000
He dies of shock.

484
00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:32,000
Done.

485
00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:34,920
The remaining 39, they're still out there.

486
00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:35,920
They're not budging.

487
00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:37,280
They're still singing hymns.

488
00:32:37,280 --> 00:32:38,280
They're still praying.

489
00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:40,680
They're still standing out there together.

490
00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:43,680
Shivering, but they're standing out there.

491
00:32:43,680 --> 00:32:48,120
And this guard, this legionnaire who's off to the side, who's watching the whole thing,

492
00:32:48,120 --> 00:32:53,280
at this point, he has this image crowns on all of their heads.

493
00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:54,780
It's like, you know what?

494
00:32:54,780 --> 00:32:57,040
These guys aren't breaking.

495
00:32:57,040 --> 00:32:59,500
Their God is the God.

496
00:32:59,500 --> 00:33:03,120
I believe in them and I believe in their God.

497
00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:09,060
And at this point, he himself finds their faith because he knows of their faith in Christ.

498
00:33:09,060 --> 00:33:11,320
So he goes to the other officials that are there.

499
00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:14,040
He says, you know what?

500
00:33:14,040 --> 00:33:18,320
These guys are proved to me beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus is our Lord.

501
00:33:18,320 --> 00:33:23,800
So he strips off his clothes and he goes running out there onto the ice and he joins the other

502
00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:27,960
39 bringing their number back up to 40.

503
00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:28,960
And he stays there.

504
00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:30,960
So the rest of the night goes on.

505
00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:33,520
Not a single person comes off the ice.

506
00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:38,040
Morning comes and they go out to check on them.

507
00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:42,400
Almost everybody has frozen to death at this point and those who haven't are on their last

508
00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:44,120
breaths.

509
00:33:44,120 --> 00:33:49,040
They don't have much longer.

510
00:33:49,040 --> 00:33:51,620
They never gave up.

511
00:33:51,620 --> 00:33:59,360
They never gave up.

512
00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:03,080
And they epitomized.

513
00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:05,240
They gave an example of love.

514
00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:12,440
This is an example of what warriors who are truly committed and truly believe in Christ

515
00:34:12,440 --> 00:34:15,560
believe in what they're willing to do, this lengths that they're willing to go for.

516
00:34:15,560 --> 00:34:21,160
And they knew what was going to happen to them.

517
00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:29,560
We turn to John 15, John 15 verse 13.

518
00:34:29,560 --> 00:34:37,600
He says, greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

519
00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:45,760
No greater love than to lay down your life for Christ.

520
00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:47,480
That's what these men did.

521
00:34:47,480 --> 00:34:56,040
It's what these martyrs did and it's what thousands of other people have done since.

522
00:34:56,040 --> 00:35:06,760
These martyrs still being killed today for the love of Christ.

523
00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:10,080
So let me ask you, are you hungry yet?

524
00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:11,080
Are you hungry?

525
00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:12,080
Are you feeling passion?

526
00:35:12,080 --> 00:35:13,080
Are you feeling that fire?

527
00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:19,000
You're like, whoa, you're just talking about death and now you're asking if I'm hungry?

528
00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:20,000
What?

529
00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,960
I'm not trying to be morbid here, but are you hungry for the love of Christ?

530
00:35:22,960 --> 00:35:25,000
Are you hungry for what he has to offer?

531
00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:29,000
What we know is waiting for us in eternity.

532
00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:32,920
We're going to suffer here one way or another.

533
00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:38,320
So is it worth it to suffer and try to minimize it for a little bit of comfort for a small

534
00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:39,400
period of time?

535
00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:43,040
Or is it worth it to go through it and to lean into Christ and to depend on him for

536
00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:48,640
everything that he has to provide us because he's already done everything for us?

537
00:35:48,640 --> 00:35:51,600
He's already done it all.

538
00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:56,240
Are you willing to sacrifice your own life for love?

539
00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:58,560
And that's the path that's before us all.

540
00:35:58,560 --> 00:36:03,920
There's a fork in the road where we have to decide, am I willing to do it or not?

541
00:36:03,920 --> 00:36:06,420
Because that path, it's difficult.

542
00:36:06,420 --> 00:36:08,200
It's going to be difficult.

543
00:36:08,200 --> 00:36:11,980
However, we're never alone.

544
00:36:11,980 --> 00:36:15,160
We're going to meet brothers and sisters in Christ along the way, but we're never alone

545
00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:22,680
because the Holy Spirit is with us and guiding us every step of the way.

546
00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:26,400
I said, when you love something, you have to be ready to fight because anything worth

547
00:36:26,400 --> 00:36:31,320
loving is worth fighting for, is worth dying for.

548
00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:33,440
And you have to be willing to fight for it.

549
00:36:33,440 --> 00:36:40,280
If you're not willing to fight for it, then do you truly love it?

550
00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:43,280
God fought for us.

551
00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:47,160
He's fought for us several times since day one.

552
00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:53,560
He fought for us so hard that he sent Jesus to take the cross, to be nailed to a tree,

553
00:36:53,560 --> 00:36:56,700
to die for us.

554
00:36:56,700 --> 00:37:04,960
He died for us, taking away our sin and our inequity, covering us in his blood so we could

555
00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:08,160
be reunited with the Father.

556
00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:13,080
A punishment he didn't deserve.

557
00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:15,800
It's love.

558
00:37:15,800 --> 00:37:28,000
And now it's our turn to get in the fight and to show the world who God is, what God's

559
00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:29,000
love is.

560
00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:34,560
God is love.

561
00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:40,720
So get in the fight.

562
00:37:40,720 --> 00:37:49,680
Now on a final note here before we get ready to close, there are many people who have wondered

563
00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:52,960
over the years, how do I think of veteran?

564
00:37:52,960 --> 00:37:57,400
How do I think someone who's put on a uniform and gone out and done something for me and

565
00:37:57,400 --> 00:37:58,400
for our people?

566
00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:02,080
It's a common question.

567
00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:06,560
There have actually been people who have come up to me and said, hey, you served.

568
00:38:06,560 --> 00:38:07,760
I've always felt funny doing this.

569
00:38:07,760 --> 00:38:08,760
How do I do this?

570
00:38:08,760 --> 00:38:19,160
The answer is actually easier than you think, but a whole lot harder than most people are

571
00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:22,240
prepared.

572
00:38:22,240 --> 00:38:32,960
And that is simply live a life worth their sacrifice.

573
00:38:32,960 --> 00:38:39,400
To live a life worth the sacrifice of Christ.

574
00:38:39,400 --> 00:38:42,120
That's it.

575
00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:45,200
Because the actions and the things that you do and the way you treat your fellow man,

576
00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:50,860
the things that you're willing to do for your fellow man, it speaks volumes.

577
00:38:50,860 --> 00:38:56,440
Our warriors didn't go out there to die for nothing.

578
00:38:56,440 --> 00:39:04,080
They went out to die for an ideal and for love and make no doubt about it, our country

579
00:39:04,080 --> 00:39:11,400
was founded on an ideal that is based in love for another man, breaking them away from slavery

580
00:39:11,400 --> 00:39:15,040
and other bondage.

581
00:39:15,040 --> 00:39:16,760
So live a life worth their sacrifice.

582
00:39:16,760 --> 00:39:26,380
Live a life worth the sacrifice of Christ.

583
00:39:26,380 --> 00:39:28,240
So we're going to pray now real quick.

584
00:39:28,240 --> 00:39:33,920
And when I'm done with this prayer, we have a video that we're going to watch real quick.

585
00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:34,920
So let us pray.

586
00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:42,160
Lord, we thank you for the men and women who are still willing to take that oath of a warrior.

587
00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:47,760
Those men and women who are willing to stand up post and show the world what it is to reach

588
00:39:47,760 --> 00:39:52,240
out and love even when they may not realize that they're doing it.

589
00:39:52,240 --> 00:39:56,800
When they may not truly realize whether or not they're coming here or being called home

590
00:39:56,800 --> 00:39:58,440
to you.

591
00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:04,420
We ask that you guide their steps, keep them from running astray and provide for their

592
00:40:04,420 --> 00:40:08,680
safety every step of the way.

593
00:40:08,680 --> 00:40:17,840
Not only while they're away from their families and loved ones, their homes, but away from

594
00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:25,600
the places that they just yearn to be while they're working in something that is bigger

595
00:40:25,600 --> 00:40:31,000
than themselves, something that's bigger than each and every one of us.

596
00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:35,520
We ask the same for every one of us as we go out and we go into the world as you've

597
00:40:35,520 --> 00:40:42,000
told us to, that we remember to put on your armor as we march out into those dark places

598
00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:47,100
with your light and that we take that light and we wield it in a way that points the way

599
00:40:47,100 --> 00:40:50,640
to you and to your glory and not our own.

600
00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:56,800
That we remember that it's on us to lift up our fellow man and to look out for them even

601
00:40:56,800 --> 00:41:04,120
when they can't or they won't do it for themselves.

602
00:41:04,120 --> 00:41:08,840
And as the weather shifts, we ask for the strength and the fortitude that's going to

603
00:41:08,840 --> 00:41:14,120
be needed in dealing with the many things in our lives and the many people we come across

604
00:41:14,120 --> 00:41:22,080
so that we can provide an example for others to look towards in you.

605
00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:23,800
We thank you for your many blessings.

606
00:41:23,800 --> 00:41:27,960
We thank you for your mercy and we thank you for your grace.

607
00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:36,080
And ultimately we thank you for your love and the sacrifice that you've made for us

608
00:41:36,080 --> 00:41:39,520
and all of us people said.

609
00:41:39,520 --> 00:41:44,080
Thank you all for joining us here today at Healing Scars with Pastor Burton.

610
00:41:44,080 --> 00:41:49,840
Please like, subscribe and share our podcast on any platform it is that you tune into us

611
00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:50,840
on.

612
00:41:50,840 --> 00:41:58,320
If you do have any questions, any prayer requests or would like to know more about our ministry,

613
00:41:58,320 --> 00:42:08,440
you can find us on our website at BeTheLightSanctuary.org or on Facebook at BeTheLightSanctuary.

614
00:42:08,440 --> 00:42:13,560
You can also find how to contact us there whether it's direct message or email.

615
00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:16,120
We look forward to hearing from you all.

616
00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:44,120
God bless.