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 --> 00:00:29,000
Good morning everybody. Welcome. It's good to see everybody here. It's great to, you know, also, well, I should, I should,

4
00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:37,000
I'd be remiss if I didn't say, excuse me, got trip hazards here, my lovely dog.

5
00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:44,000
I'd be remiss if I didn't welcome everybody who's joining us online as well and those who listen to us on the podcast and everything as well.

6
00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:49,000
So welcome, welcome to our sanctuary. Thank you for joining us.

7
00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,000
With that said, let us pray.

8
00:00:52,000 --> 00:01:00,000
Lord, we thank you for bringing us together here today and for this time with you as we grow in your word.

9
00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:05,000
We ask that you help us to open our hearts and our minds to what you have to tell us.

10
00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:11,000
And we ask that you show us how to apply it in our daily lives. Amen.

11
00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:20,000
Alright, so as you enter today, I'm sure you noticed we have some decorations up. We've got a little nativity going on.

12
00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,000
So thank you to everybody that helped out with that.

13
00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:31,000
Veterans Ministry helped out with pulling stuff out and then, of course, you know, a little bit of help last night as well.

14
00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:39,000
You know, my lovely wife over there with her attention to detail and everything, because, well, let's face it, I'm a guy other than stapling things in and doing

15
00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:43,000
brute damage. I don't always have the keenest eye for some of the stuff.

16
00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:51,000
So rearranging some of the plants and stuff, too, is always a good thing. So, you know, thank you to everybody, though, who helped out with that.

17
00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,000
It's very nice.

18
00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:58,000
With that said, you know, we don't have a whole lot of decorations on our tree over here.

19
00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,000
We do have lots of lyes and some garland. There's only a few ornaments.

20
00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:11,000
So I bring that up because I would like to encourage everybody, if you have an ornament or some kind of decoration that you would like to bring for our

21
00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:16,000
church family tree, please bring it in and feel free to just go ahead and throw it up on there.

22
00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:27,000
Also, as you came in, I'm sure you noticed we have a very nice new rug out here in our coffee bar area that was donated by the Criley family.

23
00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:32,000
So, you know, we definitely thank them for that generous donation as well.

24
00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:38,000
You know, Lord knows we've needed that for a long time.

25
00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,000
So good things are happening. A lot of wonderful things.

26
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:46,000
The giving season is definitely hitting its stride.

27
00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:51,000
All right. Now, of course, we're off and running. We're going through December now.

28
00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:56,000
You know, this is a period that the Christian community refers to as Advent.

29
00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:06,000
All right. Now, if you're not familiar with this term, simple as definition, it's a Christian season in which we gather and prepare

30
00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:10,000
and we celebrate the coming of Christ.

31
00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:18,000
All right. And needless to say, various denominations and everything have different traditions that fall in as well.

32
00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:22,000
Remember last week, we started talking a little bit about traditions.

33
00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:31,000
And, you know, just like everybody else, like I was already talking about, you know, decorations, clothing, music, food,

34
00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:36,000
this general change is an attitude. You know, it's just that time of year. A lot of people tend to be a little bit more chipper.

35
00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,000
They tend to be nicer than they are the rest of the year.

36
00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:45,000
You know, people travel, you know, friends, family, all that kind of stuff.

37
00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:51,000
You know, and this is all a good thing. It should be a good thing. These are things that we should be doing.

38
00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:57,000
Absolutely. In our preparations, however, we need to be mindful.

39
00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:01,000
Right? Should always be mindful anyway.

40
00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:05,000
But, you know, to start with, though, we're going to kind of reflect here a little bit.

41
00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,000
Just a couple weeks ago, we were talking about Mary and Martha.

42
00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:13,000
So at this point, I'd encourage everybody to go ahead and open up our Bibles or Bible app, whatever it is that you use.

43
00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:22,000
Let's turn to Luke chapter 10 verse 40. All right. So Luke 10 verse 40.

44
00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:27,000
All right. And like I said, it's just kind of a little refresher, a little flashback, if you will.

45
00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:38,000
The word says, But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached him and said,

46
00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:45,000
Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?

47
00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,000
Therefore, tell her to help me.

48
00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:57,000
See, what happened to Martha and what happens to a lot of us is we get so tied up in the decorations and the pomp and the circumstance

49
00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:04,000
and doing this and doing that, that we lose track of what Christmas is really about.

50
00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,000
Right? What the season is really about.

51
00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:17,000
We're so focused on this to-do list that we have in front of us that we change from being a worshiper

52
00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:23,000
to a legalist caught up in the hurricane and what the world says we need to be doing.

53
00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,000
And it's really not what we should be doing.

54
00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:28,000
You know, we get caught up in that storm.

55
00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:32,000
Our eyes come off of Jesus and we forget the most important thing.

56
00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:37,000
Right. The reason for the season, the reason, of course, is Jesus.

57
00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:44,000
You know, and because of that, we lose that that joy that comes from knowing that the King is coming.

58
00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:58,000
Right. Last week even, we looked at John the Baptist and his actions were actually prophesied hundreds of years earlier in Isaiah chapter 40, verse 3.

59
00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:01,000
So Isaiah 40, verse 3, the Bible says,

60
00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:13,000
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

61
00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:20,000
This is also the same thing that's being referred to in the first few verses of Mark in chapter 1.

62
00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:28,000
If we go to Mark chapter 1, specifically, if we just glance at verses 2 and 3, the word says,

63
00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:40,000
As it is written in the prophets, behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.

64
00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:51,000
The voice of the one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

65
00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:57,000
This is a, you know, it's a big thing coming from Isaiah and even being repeated in Mark.

66
00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:07,000
Because for hundreds of years, people found great comfort and great joy as they looked to the coming of the Messiah.

67
00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:14,000
They knew he was coming and it was a good, you know, our great comforter at work, right?

68
00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:24,000
And not only that, but knowing that God keeps his promises that there's salvation for those who trust in him.

69
00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:30,000
Now, in both these places, you know, it's saying make his paths straight.

70
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:36,000
Not crooked, not crisscross, no ups and downs, straight.

71
00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:46,000
This is an early rally cry to the people to change their ways, to repent of all the stuff that they're doing wrong.

72
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:50,000
All these places where they've fallen short, right?

73
00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:55,000
This isn't, you know, one of those like, oh, it's going to be okay, God forgives.

74
00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,000
You know, people like to say that today, oh, God forgives.

75
00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,000
Yeah, God forgives, but you know what?

76
00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:04,000
It's not an excuse or a hall pass to just go out and do what you want.

77
00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,000
It doesn't work that way.

78
00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,000
That's why we're told, repent, change your ways.

79
00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,000
When John went out, repent, change your ways.

80
00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,000
The Lord is coming, right?

81
00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,000
And that's exactly what's going on here.

82
00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:19,000
Instead, you know, what we need to be focused on is establishing that relationship with God,

83
00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:25,000
seeking his forgiveness for all of those shortcomings.

84
00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:29,000
You know, that's what they needed to do then and it's no different today.

85
00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:34,000
It's no different today at all.

86
00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,000
You know, it's the Christmas season.

87
00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:38,000
We should be happy.

88
00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:39,000
We should be rejoicing.

89
00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,000
We should be joyful, right?

90
00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:46,000
You know, the Christmas carols, joyful and triumphant and all that, you know, right?

91
00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,000
This is a season of good cheer.

92
00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,000
And you know, we should be preparing, absolutely.

93
00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,000
You know, bring out the decor.

94
00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,000
Bring out the music.

95
00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,000
Bring out the sweaters, ugly and otherwise.

96
00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:02,000
You know, depending on the colors, it might be pretty on somebody and ugly on somebody else.

97
00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:03,000
Who knows?

98
00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000
You know, but you know, bring it all out.

99
00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:08,000
You know, it's Christmas.

100
00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:14,000
And Christmas itself, it's not just about the birth of Christ.

101
00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,000
It's not.

102
00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,000
That's what we focus on.

103
00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:21,000
And don't get me wrong, I mean, the holiday season, it's here and yes, it is about his birth,

104
00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:25,000
but that's not all it's about.

105
00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:35,000
Because it's just as much about his birth and humble beginnings as it is about his second coming,

106
00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,000
his return.

107
00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:44,000
We get so caught up in one thing, we get hyper focused and we forget about that.

108
00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,000
That tunnel vision sets in.

109
00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,000
We get so caught up in, oh, baby Jesus, right?

110
00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,000
What was that?

111
00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:52,000
Was that Wolf Farrow movie?

112
00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,000
It's like, oh, I like the baby Jesus.

113
00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,000
This is my favorite, right?

114
00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:02,000
Everybody's just like, oh, it's adorable, it's cute.

115
00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,000
And we take our eyes off the ball.

116
00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:06,000
We forget.

117
00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,000
There's so much more to it.

118
00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,000
It's not just this one little piece.

119
00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:16,000
Turn with me to Luke 12, verses 37 and 38.

120
00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:23,000
So we're going to go to Luke chapter 12, verses 37 and 38.

121
00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:28,000
And Jesus tells us, blessed will be those servants.

122
00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:32,000
The master finds alert when he comes.

123
00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:41,000
Truly, I tell you, he will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.

124
00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:50,000
If he comes in the middle of night or even near dawn and finds them alert, blessed are those servants.

125
00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,000
So we're making that straight path, right?

126
00:10:53,000 --> 00:11:00,000
We're laying that foundation for his path through this world.

127
00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:07,000
Everything we say, everything that we do, our interactions with people, the way we live our lives,

128
00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:16,000
these are all things that are used to point the way to Jesus, the path of light.

129
00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:22,000
Remember I was using that analogy the other day about moving and reflecting those mirrors and everything,

130
00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,000
and how light just kind of bounces through?

131
00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,000
Come on in, guys.

132
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:32,000
But the light kind of bounces through the tunnels and the caves and illuminates things and everything, right?

133
00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:37,000
Do those lights today zigzag as they're going from point A to point B or any of that kind of stuff?

134
00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,000
No.

135
00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:43,000
They go straight, boom, boom, boom, boom, right?

136
00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:47,000
It's a straight path everywhere it goes, and we're doing the same thing.

137
00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:51,000
Remember, we reflect that light, you know?

138
00:11:51,000 --> 00:12:00,000
And these are all things that are used by him, for him, because all things are by him and for him.

139
00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:05,000
So we're celebrating the birth of Christ, but we're also celebrating the fact that he is going to return.

140
00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,000
It's promised. It's been foretold.

141
00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,000
We know it's going to happen.

142
00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:15,000
So with that said, you think about it.

143
00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,000
You have people all around the world.

144
00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,000
They're looking the part.

145
00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:24,000
They're talking the part.

146
00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:33,000
All the outward appearance are there, the pomp and the circumstances there, but are they walking the part?

147
00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,000
Where are they inside?

148
00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,000
What's that inward part? Where are their hearts at?

149
00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:44,000
Where are their minds truly at?

150
00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,000
We see this so much.

151
00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:52,000
People say one thing, but their intention and where their hearts are is somewhere else.

152
00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,000
It's not where it should be.

153
00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:58,000
It's not on the goal.

154
00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,000
Everything's right in front of us.

155
00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:05,000
Yet so many people, they turn into Clark Griswold.

156
00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:08,000
I think most of us are familiar with that movie.

157
00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,000
It comes on every year.

158
00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:12,000
It's probably already been on cable once or twice already.

159
00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,000
They're already talking about it at work.

160
00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,000
But what do we have here?

161
00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,000
We have the whole family gathered together.

162
00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:23,000
It's supposed to be this joyful, happy thing, and things start happening.

163
00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:26,000
Things aren't perfect.

164
00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,000
So there's some little bickering.

165
00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,000
Go out to get a Christmas tree.

166
00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,000
What happens? Oh, we forgot to saw.

167
00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:33,000
Let's just uproot it.

168
00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,000
We have squirrels.

169
00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,000
We have animals chasing each other around the house.

170
00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:42,000
The post on the landing at the top of the stairs isn't just right.

171
00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,000
So what happens?

172
00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,000
He gets his chainsaw.

173
00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,000
Cuts that sucker down.

174
00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,000
Or at least the loose part.

175
00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,000
He cuts the head of it off.

176
00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,000
Just going up.

177
00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,000
Everything's building and building and building.

178
00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:58,000
The tension is building and building and building.

179
00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,000
Here's the family.

180
00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:00,000
They're all going out.

181
00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,000
They're going shopping or something.

182
00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:03,000
And what happens?

183
00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:08,000
Clark is so focused on what he needs to get done.

184
00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,000
This needs to be done and this needs to be done.

185
00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,000
What happens?

186
00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,000
He gets locked up in the attic, right?

187
00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,000
Can't even get out.

188
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,000
Starts freezing to death.

189
00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:21,000
So he's pulling out his mom's and his wife's old clothing and bundling up and all this stuff,

190
00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,000
trying to stay warm, looking goofy.

191
00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,000
And he comes across an old video.

192
00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,000
Kind of reminds me of the old days.

193
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,000
Brings a smile to his face.

194
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,000
And then he falls right back into it.

195
00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:35,000
And that tension builds and builds and builds.

196
00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:40,000
And then comes the final straw that breaks the camel's back.

197
00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,000
And what happens?

198
00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,000
He unleashes a tirade.

199
00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:47,000
A profanity ridden vulgar tirade.

200
00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:48,000
Throwing things.

201
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,000
Kicking things.

202
00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:51,000
The whole bit.

203
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,000
Granted, it gave one relative a great idea for a gift, right?

204
00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,000
Brought the police out.

205
00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,000
But, you know.

206
00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:58,000
For us, it's a movie.

207
00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,000
It's humor.

208
00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:04,000
And unfortunately, this is what happens in real life, too.

209
00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,000
I think of my dad losing his temper.

210
00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,000
Oh, here's somebody's mug.

211
00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:11,000
Oh, out the window it goes.

212
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,000
Right?

213
00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:19,000
You know, matter of fact, just the other day, somebody posted a picture up.

214
00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:23,000
Of a brand new hole in their wall.

215
00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:26,000
Somebody thought that they were Mike Tyson and their prime.

216
00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:32,000
And I'd venture to say that as much as the wall lost, their hand probably lost more.

217
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:36,000
But it happens.

218
00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,000
The focus is gone.

219
00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:44,000
Instead of being focused on where it should be and all the joyful things and the things that should be bringing us happiness,

220
00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,000
it's somewhere else.

221
00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:49,000
And odds are, it's happened to people in this room.

222
00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:50,000
At least once.

223
00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,000
Not necessarily during the holiday season.

224
00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:54,000
But it's happened, right?

225
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,000
Things happen, we lose control.

226
00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000
We don't act the way that we should.

227
00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,000
We don't act the way Jesus has told us to.

228
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:05,000
We're not preparing the way.

229
00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:08,000
We're not making that path straight.

230
00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:12,000
Instead, we're throwing obstacles in it.

231
00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,000
We're making things hard.

232
00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:20,000
So in this season especially, this is a time that we need to step back and recalibrate.

233
00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:25,000
We need to make sure that the reason for this season is what comes first.

234
00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,000
Remember we were talking about the analogy of the cook and the rabbit.

235
00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:31,000
First things first, get the rabbit.

236
00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:32,000
Same thing.

237
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:36,000
First things first, Jesus.

238
00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:39,000
Jesus, are we living in such a way?

239
00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:41,000
Are we talking in such a way?

240
00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:49,000
Are we treating people in such a way that all reflect Christ in our lives?

241
00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:53,000
Are we putting him first?

242
00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:57,000
The first thing is, was and always will be Jesus.

243
00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:02,000
If you would, turn with me to 1 Peter chapter 2.

244
00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:09,000
So 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 4 and 5.

245
00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:16,000
The word tells us, come to him as a living stone, rejected indeed by men,

246
00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:20,000
but chosen by God and precious.

247
00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:27,000
You also as living stones are being built up in a spiritual house,

248
00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:35,000
a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

249
00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:38,000
Christ, our cornerstone.

250
00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,000
You hear this in a lot of songs.

251
00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,000
Christ, my cornerstone.

252
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:50,000
The one who's our foundation, our rock, the one that we are built up on.

253
00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,000
First things first, Jesus.

254
00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:57,000
And then we're built up through him in the Holy Spirit.

255
00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,000
So it's paramount that we keep him at the forefront,

256
00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:08,000
that we make sure that he is the base of everything and never take our focus off of that.

257
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,000
Once he's there, then we can start building up.

258
00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,000
There we can go into the world.

259
00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:19,000
But what good is a house without a foundation?

260
00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:23,000
First time a storm comes through, the winds pick up.

261
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,000
It's not going to last very long, is it?

262
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,000
I kind of get this picture in my head.

263
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,000
I got red fox going over and leaning on it.

264
00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,000
This thing is collapsing.

265
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:35,000
I might have dated myself a little bit there.

266
00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:39,000
Just a little.

267
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:43,000
So we've got to keep that in mind.

268
00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:44,000
So going into the next point here now.

269
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,000
So let's turn now to 1 Peter chapter 3.

270
00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,000
So we're just going to go back one chapter.

271
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:58,000
So 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 15.

272
00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,000
So in 1 Peter 3, 15, the word says,

273
00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:15,000
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

274
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:21,000
As Christians, it's on us to tell the world about our hope.

275
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:24,000
We shouldn't be afraid.

276
00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:33,000
In fact, if we've truly opened our hearts to Jesus, we're not afraid.

277
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:43,000
Because that place that's in us, that hole, where that spirit of fear goes and hides and tugs at our little heartstrings, isn't filled with fear.

278
00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:46,000
It can't be filled with fear because it's filled with the Holy Spirit.

279
00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:53,000
And where the Holy Spirit resides, the enemy and his tools cannot be.

280
00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:56,000
They can't coexist together.

281
00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:00,000
God can't be where sin is.

282
00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:04,000
What's fear?

283
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:11,000
When we look at it in this context, it's looking at life without looking at God in the picture.

284
00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:21,000
Losing sight of the most precious person that we should have in our lives.

285
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:28,000
So when we're focused on Christ, it becomes a whole lot easier to tell others about him.

286
00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:32,000
We don't have that fear amongst us anymore.

287
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:41,000
There's a stark difference between being afraid of something and having nerves.

288
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:47,000
I'm pretty sure everybody in here has gone swimming.

289
00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:51,000
The first time you get in that pool, you're scared, but after a while, you learn how to swim.

290
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:56,000
The first time you go off the diving board, it's a little scary, but then after that, you're like, oh, this isn't so bad.

291
00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,000
Let me go again and again and again.

292
00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,000
And then you go up on that high dive.

293
00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,000
You're like, OK, the story's changed again.

294
00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:03,000
I'll heck with it.

295
00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:06,000
I'm going.

296
00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,000
I can fly!

297
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,000
Cannonball!

298
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:14,000
Right?

299
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,000
It's not so scary anymore.

300
00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,000
It's like now you're up there and that board might be a little wobbly.

301
00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,000
A little breeze comes along.

302
00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:25,000
It's like, OK, not so easy to keep my balance.

303
00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:27,000
It might make you a little nervous, right?

304
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:30,000
Because nobody wants to fall and look like a clown, right?

305
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,000
You want to go up there and have that perfect dive.

306
00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:37,000
Go running off and do that macho man elbow.

307
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:40,000
Try to land on our brother.

308
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:45,000
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, right?

309
00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,000
But it's the same thing.

310
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:53,000
It's so much easier to talk to people about Christ because then we go out and it's like, you know what?

311
00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,000
Let me tell you about Jesus.

312
00:21:54,000 --> 00:22:00,000
Let me tell you what he has done in my life and how that's given me hope, how that has healed me, right?

313
00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:06,000
How that has changed me and how that's changed my life and how I know he's done all this for me.

314
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:10,000
I know he can do things for you as well.

315
00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:12,000
Right?

316
00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:24,000
It's why we have that unexplainable peace in our hearts when everybody else around us is going around pulling out hair, you know, just absolutely going bonkers.

317
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,000
We're able to rest like, you know what?

318
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,000
It's in God's hands.

319
00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:28,000
It's going to be OK.

320
00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,000
I'm going to go take a nap.

321
00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:36,000
Whereas these guys, they're trying to sleep with one eye open.

322
00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,000
They're waiting for that other shoe to drop.

323
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,000
Like, ah, it's coming.

324
00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:40,000
Something bad is coming.

325
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:46,000
I don't know what it is, but it's coming.

326
00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:54,000
The difference is literally because we are filled with the Holy Spirit and no longer have that spirit of fear within us.

327
00:22:54,000 --> 00:23:06,000
Instead, because we have this Holy Spirit, we are wrapped up in the warmth of his love and his caring about how we go through our lives and guiding our steps.

328
00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:12,000
And so we were able to draw comfort from the fact that we know we're safe in his loving hands.

329
00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:17,000
You know, John the Baptist, he had a mission.

330
00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,000
What was it?

331
00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:27,000
Go out and preach repentance and that the Lord is coming.

332
00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:28,000
It was a mission.

333
00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:32,000
It was his purpose.

334
00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,000
Missions and purpose never take a break.

335
00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,000
And you know what?

336
00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,000
We have the same mission.

337
00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:41,000
We have the exact same mission.

338
00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:45,000
This is one of those places called the Great Commission.

339
00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,000
It's one of those terms that's thrown out, people don't explain what it is.

340
00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,000
They're just like, oh, you're a new Christian.

341
00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:50,000
Guess what?

342
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,000
You should know the Great Commission.

343
00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:52,000
Moving on.

344
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,000
No.

345
00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,000
It doesn't work that way.

346
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:56,000
We need to train people up.

347
00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,000
People need to understand what's going on here.

348
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,000
Right?

349
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:04,000
The Great Commission, it didn't just fall on him.

350
00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:07,000
It falls on us as well.

351
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:14,000
We as believers, as Christians, as followers of Christ, should be going out and telling people, hey, no, that's wrong.

352
00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,000
You need to repent from your sin.

353
00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,000
You need to turn away.

354
00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,000
You need to change the way you're doing things.

355
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:21,000
You need to change the way you're going through life.

356
00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,000
You need to do things differently.

357
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,000
And here's why.

358
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:29,000
And Christ is coming again.

359
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,000
Christ came.

360
00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:32,000
He died.

361
00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000
He rose again.

362
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:38,000
He ascended and he is returning.

363
00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:42,000
It's that little piece of the gospel a lot of people forget about.

364
00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:43,000
Right?

365
00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:45,000
The Christmas story.

366
00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:49,000
He came.

367
00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:51,000
He died.

368
00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,000
He rose again.

369
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:57,000
He ascended and he is returning.

370
00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:02,000
So we're not just preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ.

371
00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:08,000
We're also celebrating his return.

372
00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:23,000
You know, it's when it comes to this season, this isn't just yes, it's joyful, it's cheerful, it should be.

373
00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:31,000
But this is a ramp up for us as Christians in the spiritual war of good and evil.

374
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:33,000
It really is.

375
00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:39,000
Because this time of year, this is where we ramp up and our voices really come out.

376
00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,000
We get loud.

377
00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:42,000
Love Jesus.

378
00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,000
Jesus is the reason we're going out.

379
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,000
I'm hanging up my wreath.

380
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:50,000
I'm putting up my tree and I'm putting a big old cross up on top of it.

381
00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:56,000
I'm putting lights up on my house and every time somebody drives past it, they're going to be reminded, hey, this is a Christmas season.

382
00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:58,000
And when they think about it, they're going to realize, hey, it's Christmas.

383
00:25:58,000 --> 00:25:59,000
What is Christmas?

384
00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,000
Oh, yes, Jesus.

385
00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:06,000
Period.

386
00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:12,000
It is a frontal assault by us on the enemy.

387
00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,000
We're putting the light into the world.

388
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:18,000
Even in the darkness, our Christmas lights are a light in the darkness.

389
00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:21,000
Someone just has to drive by and they can see it.

390
00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,000
Whether they're a believer or not, they think about it.

391
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:25,000
Deep down inside, they have conviction.

392
00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:26,000
They know what's right.

393
00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:27,000
They know what's going on.

394
00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:28,000
They know what the truth is.

395
00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:32,000
Whether they want to deny it or not, they can deny, deny, deny, but you know what?

396
00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:33,000
It's still there.

397
00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:37,000
They're still staring them in the eye going, ha, ha, ha, sucker, I'm not going nowhere.

398
00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:41,000
Like it or not.

399
00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:44,000
Love me.

400
00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,000
Again, great commission.

401
00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:47,000
We have a mission.

402
00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,000
We have a purpose.

403
00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,000
So let's take a little bit more of a look at that.

404
00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:55,000
Let's go to Matthew 28 verses 16 through 20.

405
00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:57,000
So Matthew 28, 16 through 20.

406
00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:01,000
If you're not too familiar with the great commission, this right here, this is it.

407
00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:06,000
So highlight it, underline it, put a bookmark, whatever.

408
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:13,000
The word tells us, then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

409
00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:17,000
When they saw him, they worshiped him.

410
00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,000
But some doubted.

411
00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:28,000
Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

412
00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:41,000
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

413
00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:47,000
And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

414
00:27:47,000 --> 00:28:03,000
And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

415
00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:05,000
This is great commission.

416
00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,000
Our mission.

417
00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:10,000
Commanded by Jesus.

418
00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:13,000
Now this isn't one of those little recordings that's going to explode.

419
00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:18,000
You're a mission, should you choose to accept it, no, you're a believer, you're a follower of Christ.

420
00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:19,000
Guess what?

421
00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:20,000
You're a mission.

422
00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:21,000
Do it.

423
00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:23,000
That's what it is.

424
00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:31,000
And we notice here that Jesus tells them to go out to all nations, to go out to the whole world.

425
00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:37,000
Not your back door, not to your neighbors, not just to work, over to your buddies.

426
00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:40,000
Take it to everybody.

427
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:43,000
Part of the joy of this season, like I said, we're putting up lights, we're putting up decorations.

428
00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:44,000
Guess what?

429
00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:49,000
We're putting it in the world's face.

430
00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:57,000
This is that one time when we're getting up close and personal and people don't even realize it.

431
00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:03,000
You know, people wonder, you look at suicide statistics, especially this time of year.

432
00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:08,000
One of the biggest reasons is people don't feel that they have a purpose.

433
00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:11,000
And they don't feel like they have a purpose because they don't know Christ.

434
00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:14,000
They don't know the Bible.

435
00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:17,000
They haven't truly heard the testimony.

436
00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:22,000
They've just heard, oh, this verse, this verse, this verse, and they've had it beaten in their head.

437
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,000
But they don't truly know.

438
00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:30,000
And because they don't know, they don't know that we have this mission.

439
00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:34,000
And so they go around and they feel empty.

440
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:38,000
They feel empty because the Holy Spirit's not there.

441
00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:39,000
They haven't invited him in.

442
00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:44,000
They haven't accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

443
00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,000
But this is it right here.

444
00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:51,000
This is our purpose, to go to the world and tell them Jesus died, rose again, ascended, and is returning.

445
00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:52,000
Period.

446
00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:57,000
He's returning for all those who believe and trust in him.

447
00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:07,000
You know, with so much hurt in the world, with so much ugliness, so much pain, with so many lost in the world,

448
00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:17,000
with the spiritual forces of darkness just closing in and putting the world in this chokehold, right?

449
00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:18,000
You have to stop.

450
00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:24,000
You have to ask yourself, what are you doing to tell others about Christ in you?

451
00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:27,000
What are you doing to introduce people to Jesus?

452
00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:31,000
What are you doing to shine his light so people could come to it?

453
00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:37,000
Because his light, it's like a mosquito to a flame, right?

454
00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,000
We as people are the same.

455
00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:40,000
We see his light.

456
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:41,000
We know the truth.

457
00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:45,000
We know that this is a welcoming, comforting place.

458
00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:49,000
The difference is unlike a mosquito, we're not going to die.

459
00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,000
We'll die here, but we're not going to die there.

460
00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:56,000
You know, we're promised eternity.

461
00:30:56,000 --> 00:31:04,000
Up until a few years ago, my personal phone, pull this out, if you were to pick it up, give me a call.

462
00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:08,000
I had a ringback tone, a color tune, whatever you want to call it.

463
00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:09,000
There's different names for it.

464
00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:19,000
But if you called me, you knew that you had the right number because for what, almost 20 years, like two decades,

465
00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:22,000
I had the same song as my little tune.

466
00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:30,000
So instead of hearing the ring, ring, you got to hear Sam and Dave's, hold on, I'm coming.

467
00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:36,000
All right, hold on, you know, get little Blues Brothers tune in there.

468
00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,000
This is my go-to tune.

469
00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:43,000
Unfortunately, that feature was retired by most companies just a couple years ago.

470
00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:46,000
My company just last year, that went away.

471
00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:48,000
So now if you call me, it's very boring.

472
00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:51,000
It's ring, ring, ring, ring.

473
00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:52,000
Now it's my ringtone, though.

474
00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:59,000
So if you call me, everybody in the house is going to know it's my phone that someone's calling me because what are you going to hear?

475
00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:00,000
That's right.

476
00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:02,000
Hold on, I'm coming.

477
00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:03,000
There's not a doubt.

478
00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:06,000
In fact, sometimes people probably get kind of get tired of it.

479
00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:08,000
It's you again.

480
00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:12,000
Right.

481
00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:13,000
But that was it.

482
00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,000
You know, it's it's.

483
00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:18,000
In fact, some of you, if you've been near me, you've heard my phone is going off.

484
00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:19,000
You're going to hear the tune.

485
00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:20,000
It happens.

486
00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:23,000
Just not up here because I have my do not disturb turned on.

487
00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:25,000
So no one's getting through.

488
00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:26,000
Sometimes. Hey, I tried calling.

489
00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:27,000
I tried texting.

490
00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:28,000
Sorry.

491
00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:29,000
Chirped it off.

492
00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:30,000
I couldn't hear it.

493
00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:33,000
It doesn't even vibrate.

494
00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:34,000
Keep this in mind.

495
00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:35,000
We're going to come back to it.

496
00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:36,000
All right.

497
00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:39,000
This I shared this for a purpose.

498
00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:45,000
Well, you would turn with me to First John, Chapter two, verse 18.

499
00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:56,000
So First John, Chapter two, verse 18, the word says, Dear children, this is the last hour.

500
00:32:56,000 --> 00:33:04,000
And as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now, many Antichrist have come.

501
00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:08,000
This is how we know it's the last hour.

502
00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:16,000
So think about if it was the last hour, then with all the time that's gone by since.

503
00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:20,000
We're minutes away, a minute seconds away.

504
00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:24,000
We don't know, but we're certainly less than an hour away, aren't we?

505
00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:36,000
The time has come, which, you know, this is this place is this is a warning right here that we need to be vigilant as Christians.

506
00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:52,000
We have to be vigilant because there are and we already see false leaders, false Christians, and all these people who rise up and they're trying to lure away the weak Christians, people who are new in their walk.

507
00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:56,000
You know, people sometimes refer to as baby Christians.

508
00:33:56,000 --> 00:33:57,000
Right.

509
00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:58,000
We've all been there.

510
00:33:58,000 --> 00:33:59,000
We were new.

511
00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:00,000
We didn't really know a whole lot.

512
00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:05,000
So it's real easy to kind of pull us away because we were still learning.

513
00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:06,000
And for us with ourselves, we still are.

514
00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,000
It's a lifelong pursuit.

515
00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:13,000
She won't truly know everything until we're there with the father.

516
00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:20,000
But that's what you know, in this time, this is one of the biggest things Christians.

517
00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:22,000
You know, are being pulled away.

518
00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:25,000
They're being deceived.

519
00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:30,000
And this veil is basically being put over their eyes to keep them from truly seeing Christ.

520
00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:33,000
Instead, they're seeing the Antichrist.

521
00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:36,000
And it sounds good and it feels good.

522
00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:39,000
So I could it sounds good and it feels good.

523
00:34:39,000 --> 00:34:43,000
They equate it to all of it looks like a duck.

524
00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:48,000
And it walks like a duck.

525
00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:50,000
It's a duck.

526
00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:55,000
Not necessarily the case.

527
00:34:55,000 --> 00:35:00,000
Now, you go to Pastor Mark's house, they have what was it called?

528
00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:04,000
McKeezy some weird name.

529
00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:07,000
It's not it's not a wascovy.

530
00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:10,000
Not really a duck, but similar to a duck.

531
00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:17,000
But you think about it, even at a small age, when you're a little, little kid and it happened to all of us.

532
00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:19,000
Oh, look, it's a duck.

533
00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:22,000
And we all heard the story of the ugly duckling, right?

534
00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:26,000
And what did the ugly duckling turn out to be?

535
00:35:26,000 --> 00:35:30,000
Not even a duck at all.

536
00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:36,000
Yeah, what type of waterfowl, but not a duck.

537
00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:38,000
Oh, big mistake.

538
00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:43,000
Some people that's easier to learn than others.

539
00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:49,000
And that's why it's so important that we go out and we talk to people and we tell them the truth.

540
00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:52,000
We introduce them to the truth.

541
00:35:52,000 --> 00:36:04,000
So people will stop putting their faith in men where it doesn't belong and governments where it doesn't belong and start putting their faith and their trust in Jesus.

542
00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:10,000
The one person it truly does belong in.

543
00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:15,000
You know, it's in the season.

544
00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:24,000
It's not like I said, we don't just tell them it's about the birth of Jesus. It's also about his impending return. And it can be at any moment.

545
00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:27,000
It can happen while we're here in the service. It can happen afterwards and we're on our way home.

546
00:36:27,000 --> 00:36:31,000
It can happen a week or years from now. We don't know.

547
00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:35,000
We all might be in the grave.

548
00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:40,000
Buried, waking up to our creator before that day ever happens here.

549
00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:42,000
We don't know.

550
00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:50,000
So just like the song on my phone, Jesus is telling us the same thing.

551
00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:55,000
Hold on. I'm coming.

552
00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:57,000
There we go.

553
00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:02,000
Just feeling it. I like it.

554
00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:07,000
And we can see Jesus telling us the same thing when we turn to Revelation chapter 22.

555
00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:12,000
We turn to Revelation chapter 22 verse 20.

556
00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:16,000
It's one of the last verses in the Bible.

557
00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:24,000
I believe it is the next to last verse in the Bible.

558
00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:33,000
Where it says, he who testifies to these things says, surely I am coming quickly.

559
00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:39,000
Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

560
00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:43,000
Come Lord Jesus.

561
00:37:43,000 --> 00:37:47,000
Hold on. I'm coming.

562
00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:51,000
He's finishing up what he's doing. What's he doing?

563
00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:57,000
For each believer, he's making a place for us, right?

564
00:37:57,000 --> 00:38:00,000
Now, it's not going to be easy.

565
00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:06,000
After all, we are on the front lines in the war of light and darkness.

566
00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:09,000
We're putting on that armor of God.

567
00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:13,000
We're reaching down and we're picking up that shield of faith.

568
00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:18,000
And then we're reaching down over here and we're drawing out that sword of the spirit.

569
00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:20,000
And we're walking over to the devil.

570
00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:25,000
We're getting up in his face. I'm going to bring it.

571
00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:28,000
Let's do this. Come on. I'm ready.

572
00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:32,000
God's got my back. How about you?

573
00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:35,000
I didn't think so. You're in trouble.

574
00:38:35,000 --> 00:38:40,000
I'm bringing it.

575
00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:45,000
We have to change our perspective. We have to remember that's what we're doing in this season.

576
00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:50,000
Bring it! It's Christmas time.

577
00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:53,000
My Lord's come and he's coming back.

578
00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:55,000
You're not going to like it when he gets here.

579
00:38:55,000 --> 00:39:01,000
When you see him riding in on that horse, it's going to be a bad day for you.

580
00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:07,000
Unless you're on this side.

581
00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:10,000
Right? That's what we're telling the devil.

582
00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:12,000
The devil ain't coming over.

583
00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:21,000
All the fallen angels, aka demons, all the non-believers, those who refuse to admit to the truth,

584
00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:25,000
or even give it the time of day.

585
00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:30,000
See, we need to be more like John, the Baptist.

586
00:39:30,000 --> 00:39:34,000
John, if you think about it, very much like Mary.

587
00:39:34,000 --> 00:39:38,000
We just talked about Mary and Martha, right?

588
00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:41,000
Where was Mary? At the feet of Jesus.

589
00:39:41,000 --> 00:39:47,000
Focused. I'm ready. Fill me up, Lord. I'm hungry.

590
00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:51,000
Feed me with that word.

591
00:39:51,000 --> 00:39:55,000
John was the same way. Hey, I got a mission. I got stuff to do.

592
00:39:55,000 --> 00:39:59,000
Get out the way. I'm going to work.

593
00:39:59,000 --> 00:40:01,000
There's stuff going on.

594
00:40:01,000 --> 00:40:06,000
There's something much more important than all this nonsense, all this garbage that the news is putting up in front of us,

595
00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:12,000
all this hogwash coming out in the movies or music or whatever, right?

596
00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:18,000
It's like there's stuff to do, and that is to go out and get the word out to the people, to talk to the people,

597
00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:22,000
let them know, hey, that's a sin.

598
00:40:22,000 --> 00:40:25,000
There's a better way.

599
00:40:25,000 --> 00:40:28,000
Remember, when we do it, we need to do so lovingly.

600
00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:32,000
It's like, yeah, you're sinning. I've sinned. Guess what? There's a better way.

601
00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:35,000
Not, you're going to hell.

602
00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:37,000
Good way to turn people away.

603
00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:42,000
There's a better way. You can do better. I believe in you. I know you got this.

604
00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:45,000
Let me show you this.

605
00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:52,000
Right? That's what John was doing. He was going out. He was telling people, hey, you're making a mistake.

606
00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:55,000
There's a better way.

607
00:40:55,000 --> 00:41:01,000
His name is Jesus, and he's coming.

608
00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:04,000
And he's coming again.

609
00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:08,000
We should all be Johns.

610
00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:15,000
You know, the thing is, you know, as a church, we don't know when Jesus is coming back.

611
00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:20,000
We just know that he's coming back, and that's enough.

612
00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:25,000
We know it's going to be soon. How soon? Don't know. Doesn't matter. Soon enough.

613
00:41:25,000 --> 00:41:31,000
Which means our mission, our purpose, it's not just a mission.

614
00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:35,000
It's a rescue mission.

615
00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:40,000
A rescue mission from God.

616
00:41:40,000 --> 00:41:45,000
You know, joking around about the Blues Brothers a little bit. We're on a mission from God.

617
00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:47,000
Well, guess what?

618
00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:50,000
Strap in, because we're on a rescue mission from God, people.

619
00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:55,000
Straight up. To bring his light out into the darkness.

620
00:41:55,000 --> 00:42:00,000
To reach down and pull as many people up into his light as possible.

621
00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:04,000
To introduce them to Jesus.

622
00:42:04,000 --> 00:42:10,000
And to do so to be able to reach as many people as possible.

623
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:16,000
All the people that we possibly can that the Lord puts in front of us to reach out to.

624
00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:19,000
So that they don't perish for all eternity.

625
00:42:19,000 --> 00:42:25,000
So that they come into a relationship with him and know his love, his grace, and his mercy.

626
00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:30,000
And to rejoin the family that Christ shed his blood for.

627
00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:35,000
So this holiday season, we all need to stay focused.

628
00:42:35,000 --> 00:42:41,000
Share the gospel with the world. And not just part of it, but the whole thing.

629
00:42:41,000 --> 00:42:46,000
And remember that he's returning soon.

630
00:42:46,000 --> 00:42:52,000
We have so much more than just a humble birth to remember.

631
00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:56,000
Let us pray.

632
00:42:56,000 --> 00:42:59,000
Lord, we thank you for being with us.

633
00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:03,000
We thank you for all that you've done for us. All that you've promised.

634
00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:06,000
And all that's to come.

635
00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:10,000
We thank you for bringing us together as your bride, as your family.

636
00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:16,000
And reminding us that this season is not just about what has happened.

637
00:43:16,000 --> 00:43:19,000
But what is happening now and what is to come.

638
00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:26,000
We ask that you continue to keep us, or help us to keep focused, I should say.

639
00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:28,000
Oh yeah, help us to keep focused.

640
00:43:28,000 --> 00:43:33,000
You know, as we go through life, we know we're going to have obstacles.

641
00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:38,000
And we know we're going to need you to help us to get through, around, and over all those obstacles.

642
00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:41,000
We need you to help us to be overcomers.

643
00:43:41,000 --> 00:43:46,000
That you show us the best way to shine your light for others to see.

644
00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:53,000
That when you put us in those places, and you put us in front of those people that need to hear about you.

645
00:43:53,000 --> 00:44:01,000
That you're placing us, and we recognize that we're in the best place to share the testimony that you've placed within us.

646
00:44:01,000 --> 00:44:05,000
For others to find you.

647
00:44:05,000 --> 00:44:17,000
That we can share with others how to come to a relationship with you so that they can know your love, your forgiveness, your mercy, your grace.

648
00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:28,000
And understand that all we need, all the everything that can be provisioned for us in life that truly matters, comes from you.

649
00:44:28,000 --> 00:44:35,000
And we thank you for this season that demonstrates how the body should be coming together to reflect your light and your love.

650
00:44:35,000 --> 00:44:40,000
While following you into the battle that's already been won against the darkness.

651
00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:49,000
And just the same, help us to remain vigilant and steadfast, keeping in mind that while you have already won the battle,

652
00:44:49,000 --> 00:44:54,000
we're still in the heat of it while we await your return.

653
00:44:54,000 --> 00:44:58,000
And all his people said, Amen and Amen.

654
00:44:58,000 --> 00:45:03,000
Thank you all for joining us here today at Healing Scars with Pastor Burton.

655
00:45:03,000 --> 00:45:10,000
Please like, subscribe and share our podcast on any platform it is that you tune into us on.

656
00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:17,000
If you do have any questions, any prayer requests, or would like to know more about our ministry,

657
00:45:17,000 --> 00:45:27,000
you can find us on our website at BeTheLightSanctuary.org or on Facebook at BeTheLightSanctuary.

658
00:45:27,000 --> 00:45:32,000
You can also find how to contact us there, whether it's direct message or email.

659
00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:47,000
We look forward to hearing from you all. God bless.