1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,800 He's been in the place, amen. 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:05,440 One thing I love about praise and worship 3 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:07,020 and just say in the name of Jesus, 4 00:00:07,020 --> 00:00:09,360 which we've sung all about this morning, 5 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:11,600 is that when his presence inhabits 6 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,800 the praises of his people, amen. 7 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,400 When we praise, as Sandra already mentioned, 8 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:19,120 it's a sweet savor unto God and his presence comes down 9 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:21,140 and we feel him in the place. 10 00:00:21,140 --> 00:00:23,400 But the most wonderful thing about that presence 11 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,860 is the power comes with it, amen. 12 00:00:25,860 --> 00:00:29,280 The power of God, which changes people's lives and hearts, 13 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,840 which sees healings take place, amen. 14 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:36,040 I love the presence of the Lord and thank you for praising him 15 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,240 in the house of God this morning. 16 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:41,080 If you have your Bibles, I'm gonna be preaching 17 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:43,680 out of the book of Judges, chapter two this morning. 18 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:48,760 I'm gonna be starting in verse eight 19 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,960 and going through to verse 14. 20 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:54,700 If you have it, say amen. 21 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:58,200 Just a few of you will wait a little longer. 22 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:06,960 Judges chapter two, we're gonna start in verse eight 23 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:08,760 and go through to verse 14. 24 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:13,080 Now if you're ready, say amen. 25 00:01:14,960 --> 00:01:16,640 And starting in verse eight, it says, 26 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:21,640 and Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died 27 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:25,400 being 110 years old, and they buried him 28 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:28,200 in the borders of his inheritance, 29 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,920 in Timnath-Heres and the Mount of Ephraim 30 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,040 on the north side of the hill Gash. 31 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:36,040 And also all the generation were gathered 32 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,160 unto their fathers and there arose another generation 33 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:42,000 after them which knew not the Lord, 34 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,280 nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. 35 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,240 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight 36 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:51,240 of the Lord and served Balaam. 37 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:53,400 And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers 38 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:55,560 which brought them out of the land of Egypt 39 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,480 and followed other gods of the other gods 40 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:00,240 of the people were round about them 41 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,400 and bowed themselves unto them 42 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,000 and provoked the Lord to anger. 43 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,080 And they forsook the Lord and served Baal and Asheroth. 44 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,360 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel 45 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,760 and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers 46 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:16,960 and spoiled them and he sold them 47 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,760 into the hands of their enemies round about 48 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:24,640 so they could not any longer stand before their enemies. 49 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:26,560 In these few scriptures we see a culmination 50 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:28,120 of God's covenant. 51 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:30,440 The people of Israel were dwelling in the promised land 52 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,800 that Joshua had led them to but his life came to an end 53 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,800 as well as Joshua, the people of Israel who followed him 54 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,720 and entered in the Canaan from the beginning were also gone. 55 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:41,720 Then we have one of the, what I believe 56 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,160 to be the saddest scriptures in the Bible 57 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:47,640 where it says there arose another generation after them 58 00:02:47,640 --> 00:02:51,040 which knew not the Lord nor the works which he had done 59 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,480 for Israel. 60 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,360 I wanna priest you today if I could for just a moment 61 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:57,440 on where are the witnesses. 62 00:02:58,360 --> 00:02:59,840 If I, I'll pray for you if you pray for me. 63 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:02,120 Father, I love you this morning and I thank you 64 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:04,520 for this opportunity to stand behind your sacred desk 65 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,680 and preach the word of God. 66 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:08,240 I pray that your help will arrive 67 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:09,640 and that I would preach under the anointing 68 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:11,120 of the Holy Ghost and Lord, 69 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,840 that you would guide my mouth this morning. 70 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:15,920 As you burn this in my heart, I pray that we would, 71 00:03:15,920 --> 00:03:17,440 as a people would have ears to hear 72 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:19,400 what your spirit is saying. 73 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,240 And in Jesus name, everybody said, amen. 74 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:28,160 As we look into the context of these scriptures today, 75 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:32,320 we'll see that we have come to an end of Joshua's journey. 76 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,640 Joshua being the leader of the Israelite people 77 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:37,760 after Moses' death who led them out of the wilderness 78 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,040 and into the promised land. 79 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,360 The book of Joshua records that he led them through, 80 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,040 led them out of the wilderness and into through 81 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,640 many obstacles on the way to Canaan. 82 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:50,280 They made their way down to Jordan, 83 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,360 the Jordan River where God gave Joshua instruction 84 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:56,680 as to how he was going to get them across that great river. 85 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,480 Then he instructed Joshua to get the priest of the Levites 86 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,200 and take up the Ark of the covenant. 87 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:03,840 And they were to carry it before the people. 88 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,240 Joshua then instructed the people that once they saw 89 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,320 the Ark pass by to follow. 90 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,880 And it was Joshua chapter three, verse seven that read, 91 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,400 and the Lord said unto Joshua, this day, 92 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,380 I will begin to magnify thee in the sight of all, 93 00:04:16,380 --> 00:04:19,000 that they may know that as I was with Moses, 94 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:20,440 so I will be with thee. 95 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,600 And as that proclamation was laid to Joshua from the Lord, 96 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:26,320 as the priest walked out into the Jordan 97 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:30,520 and they came to the brink of the waters, they stood still. 98 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,120 And as their feet touched that brink of the water, 99 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:34,960 the water which came down stood above 100 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,440 and rose up a great heap or a wall. 101 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,040 And there was there, it was there that God stopped 102 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,160 the flow of the river and the people of Israel 103 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,280 walked across on dry ground. 104 00:04:44,280 --> 00:04:46,000 And when the kings of the Amorites 105 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:47,960 and the kings of the Canaanites heard all 106 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,760 that the Lord had done and dried up the river 107 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:51,840 for the people of Israel, 108 00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:54,400 the Bible says that their hearts melted. 109 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:56,820 Neither was their spirit in them anymore. 110 00:04:56,820 --> 00:04:59,480 It was then that they shut up the city and locked it down. 111 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,320 No one was coming in and no one was going out of the city 112 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,360 because they knew that the people of Israel 113 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:08,160 were on their way and that the God of Israel was with them. 114 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,080 Joshua then led them to Jericho. 115 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,960 And we see which seemed like an impossible obstacle 116 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:14,960 to overcome, it had impenetrable walls 117 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:16,840 that could not be overtaken, 118 00:05:16,840 --> 00:05:18,800 but further instruction came from God 119 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:21,400 on how to overcome this great obstacle. 120 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,420 It was there that the mighty walls of Jericho fell flat 121 00:05:24,420 --> 00:05:27,040 because of God's power and Israel's obedience. 122 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:28,840 Next, in the Battle of Gibeon, 123 00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:32,000 we see nine opposing kings and their armies gathered together 124 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,560 and in camp before Gibeon and waged war against it. 125 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:38,240 Joshua ascended from Gilgal with all the people of war 126 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:39,480 and the mighty men of Valor. 127 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:41,760 And the Lord said to Joshua, fear them not, 128 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,280 for I have delivered them into thine hand. 129 00:05:44,280 --> 00:05:47,000 There shall not a man of them stand before thee. 130 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,960 The Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them 131 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:52,200 and their enemies were destroyed. 132 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:53,880 It was later that Joshua asked the Lord 133 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:55,640 to pause the sun in the sky. 134 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:57,640 It was there that the sun stood still 135 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,880 and the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. 136 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,200 We know and understand that there are many, 137 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:06,520 many more miracles that happened in the book of Joshua 138 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:09,360 because God truly was with him. 139 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,160 You see, the book of Judges is the antithesis 140 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:13,500 of the book of Joshua. 141 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:15,480 In the book of Joshua, we see conquest. 142 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,440 In Judges, we see compromise. 143 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:19,320 In Joshua, we see victory. 144 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,480 In Judges, we see defeat. 145 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,840 We see freedom in one side and bondage on the other side. 146 00:06:24,840 --> 00:06:29,080 Progress versus regress, obedience versus disobedience, 147 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:33,320 passion versus mediocrity, heavenly inspiration in Joshua 148 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,160 versus earthly inspiration in Judges, 149 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:39,800 joy versus sorrow, strength versus weakness, unity 150 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,760 versus disunity, strong leadership versus weak leadership, 151 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:46,640 and God's word and will versus Israel's will. 152 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,640 You see, the differences in the two books are drastic 153 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,520 and are powerful and have great meaning. 154 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,600 In these comparisons, I cannot help but draw 155 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:59,600 a unique parallel with the world which we live in today. 156 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,320 The past victories, the past power of God, 157 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,960 the past miracles, the past manifestations, 158 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:07,520 the past leadership, the past life we led, 159 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:10,640 having God at the head guiding us seems very far 160 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:12,600 from this present day that we live in. 161 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:16,640 Then we look in the, when the book of Joshua closed 162 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:18,240 and the people were gathering around, 163 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:20,960 are enjoying the benefits of Canaan. 164 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,360 They're enjoying the promised land that they were promised 165 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:24,840 so many years ago. 166 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,120 Then the question becomes, why did that change? 167 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:30,900 You see the shift from Joshua into Judges 168 00:07:30,900 --> 00:07:33,200 and why did that change? 169 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,440 Well, it says that there arose a generation 170 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:36,800 that did not know the Lord. 171 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:39,760 The people that went in with Joshua, 172 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,880 we're two generations removed from those very people 173 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:45,260 that walked with Joshua and encountered Canaan 174 00:07:45,260 --> 00:07:49,960 for the very first time, but they did not know the Lord. 175 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,880 What we realize is that the word did not get out. 176 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:55,000 The stories of what God had performed 177 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,200 in the midst of the people were not shared. 178 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,040 Testimonies had no voice. 179 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:01,440 There were no one found to be a witness 180 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:02,800 of the great works of God. 181 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:04,680 What you have to understand this morning 182 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,440 is we are one generation away from losing it all. 183 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:10,000 We are one generation away from losing our families. 184 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,680 We are one generation away from losing our communities, 185 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,640 losing our schools, our very own church. 186 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,200 We're one generation away from losing it. 187 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:21,120 As a body of Christ, we are this close 188 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,920 to losing everything that we take for granted for now. 189 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,120 Prior to Joshua's death, we read in Joshua chapter 24 190 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:32,680 that he would gather all the tribes of Israel 191 00:08:32,680 --> 00:08:34,880 and its judges and its leaders. 192 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,680 Then he began to walk them through the history. 193 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:40,320 He began to tell them about all the wonderful things 194 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,560 that they experienced and that God had done. 195 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:46,640 The promises of God and the covenant 196 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:47,600 he made with their fathers, 197 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,280 many of them served false gods and did evil. 198 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,920 Joshua urged them to put away false gods 199 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:56,760 and with sincerity and in truth serve the Lord. 200 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:58,820 We read in Judges that they forsook the Lord 201 00:08:58,820 --> 00:09:00,400 and served false gods. 202 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,720 Well, I came to tell you today 203 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:04,760 that it doesn't have to be that way. 204 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:06,200 I came to tell you today 205 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,480 and that somebody needs to hear that it's time 206 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,480 that we as a church, we as a mom and dad, 207 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:12,280 we as our generation of grandparents 208 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:16,040 and grandparents stand up and say what Joshua did 209 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,440 and he warned the next generation to lend an ear, 210 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:20,760 do not lend an ear to the deceptions of the enemy 211 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:22,000 and to serve these false gods. 212 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,120 What am I talking about? 213 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:25,180 I'm talking about the false god of identity. 214 00:09:25,180 --> 00:09:27,440 I'm talking about the false god of social media. 215 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:29,600 I'm talking about the false god of attention 216 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:30,720 and selflessness. 217 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,300 I'm talking about the false god of money and finances. 218 00:09:33,300 --> 00:09:35,080 We chase too many things. 219 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,000 It's time, mom and dad, that we stand up and proclaim 220 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:41,000 as Joshua did, as for me and my house, 221 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,240 we will serve the Lord. 222 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,880 The generation coming after you needs to hear it. 223 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:48,000 Yes, it will be hard. 224 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,880 Yes, it will seem at times that you are facing an obstacle 225 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:52,200 you can't overcome. 226 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,000 Yes, it will seem like a losing battle 227 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,680 but the trust and faith that you have that is in God 228 00:09:56,680 --> 00:09:58,400 will be with you through it all. 229 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:01,000 We have the promise this morning. 230 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:02,260 Give God praise. 231 00:10:02,260 --> 00:10:07,260 Isaiah 41, 10 says, fear not for I am with you. 232 00:10:09,900 --> 00:10:13,000 Be not dismayed for I am your God. 233 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,020 I will strengthen you. 234 00:10:14,020 --> 00:10:15,160 Yes, I will help you. 235 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:17,920 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 236 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,760 That's the strength and the power we have behind us 237 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:24,120 to say no, I will tell my children. 238 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:25,800 As for those that live in my household, 239 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,040 we will serve the Lord. 240 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:29,880 You can make your own decision when you get old 241 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:31,360 and move out but in my house, 242 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:33,280 we're gonna serve the Lord, amen. 243 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,040 It's time that we stand up as a mom and dad, 244 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,040 as a men and women and take back our homes, amen. 245 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,120 We've allowed the enemy to come into our homes, 246 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:44,160 to infiltrate our homes, to allow our children 247 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:45,880 to see things that they don't understand 248 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:47,200 and maybe they shouldn't understand 249 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:49,200 but they hear things that's not right 250 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:50,960 and they can't tell it right from wrong 251 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:52,560 but it's time we took it back. 252 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:56,320 After Joshua died and was buried, 253 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:00,120 another generation arose that did not know the Lord. 254 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,720 The generation before saw the Jordan River stop 255 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:05,160 and dry ground became exposed. 256 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:07,560 The generation before saw the walls of Jericho fall. 257 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:09,880 They saw these miraculous things happen 258 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:10,920 that could not have happened 259 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,640 if it weren't for God's power and might 260 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:17,000 and now this generation that we have in Judges chapter two 261 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,480 did not know the Lord. 262 00:11:19,560 --> 00:11:21,080 Why? 263 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:22,880 Sometimes along the way, 264 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,520 somewhere along the way we have forgotten to testify. 265 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,280 Somewhere along the way we have forgotten to be a witness 266 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:31,880 to the things that God has performed in our life. 267 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:33,280 Sometimes where along the way 268 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:35,640 we have forgot to tell our children 269 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,960 how the power of God and what he's manifested 270 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,400 not only in our lives but we've seen him do in others' lives. 271 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:44,640 It's a shame that we have taken away the opportunity 272 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:47,040 for testimonies to be shared. 273 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:48,680 We've taken that away. 274 00:11:48,680 --> 00:11:53,160 We have the church, the body of Christ. 275 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,160 We don't tell our children the great things God has performed 276 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:58,840 that grow up not understanding Acts 17, 28 277 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:02,160 where it says, for in him we live and we move 278 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:04,280 and we have our very being. 279 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:05,440 I don't know if you have today 280 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,840 but I've already thanked him for the breath of my lungs. 281 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,240 I've already thanked him for life and the ability to stand 282 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:13,480 for it's not my ability that God's seeking, 283 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:15,120 it's my availability. 284 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,560 And I stand before you today being available to God 285 00:12:17,560 --> 00:12:20,400 and I would ask you to do the very same thing. 286 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:21,880 Be available unto God. 287 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:23,400 Study to show thyself approved. 288 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,400 Give your heart and your life back to God 289 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:27,160 and let him be the leading factor. 290 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:30,840 Instead we let our kids watch Harry Potter 291 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:33,680 and all kinds of shows that promote LGBTQ 292 00:12:33,680 --> 00:12:36,640 and they become numb to the evil that's being displayed 293 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:38,720 in front of their very eyes. 294 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,040 And then their ears become very numb 295 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,200 to the things that they hear, the music they listen to, 296 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,080 the words that are spoken on television everywhere. 297 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,640 They see social media and news articles and broadcasts. 298 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:51,200 I don't know if they read as much as they watch 299 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:52,600 but you know what I'm saying. 300 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:57,920 It teaches them that it's okay and they accept it 301 00:12:57,920 --> 00:12:59,640 because they're conditioned to it. 302 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,920 Are we forgetting to condition our children about the Lord? 303 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:08,200 Are we forgetting to share the good news of the gospel 304 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:10,280 in our own households? 305 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,120 To the youth, to the high school students, 306 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:13,760 some in here are teachers. 307 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:15,640 Are we forgetting to be the light 308 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:17,280 that's supposed to shine so bright 309 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:19,560 that it pierces every bit of darkness? 310 00:13:20,680 --> 00:13:22,640 We have forgotten to tell our children and young people 311 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:24,840 about Jesus and the miracles he performed, 312 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:27,160 the redemptive work that he performed on the cross 313 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:28,000 at Calvary. 314 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,320 We have forgotten to tell our stories 315 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,440 and our testimonies and our witness. 316 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,880 My children would not know about the healing 317 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:39,000 that God performed in me had I not told them. 318 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,000 When I went to the doctor and I was having trouble 319 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,200 with my bladder and things were going on in my life, 320 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,080 I had to go get looked at. 321 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,960 So I went to a doctor and they tell me I have this tumor 322 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,800 inside my bladder, on the wall of my bladder. 323 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:53,760 And the doctor sitting there telling me and my wife 324 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,600 and the prognosis is, son, I don't know for sure. 325 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,840 We'll go in and do surgery and take the tumor out, 326 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:01,800 but I'm on, I bet the house that you've got bladder cancer. 327 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,160 This is the most common thing that we see 328 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:05,480 and the result is this. 329 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:07,720 And I bet that's the case. 330 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:09,840 He didn't realize who he was talking to. 331 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,080 He didn't realize who he was talking to 332 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:14,720 because that very next Sunday, 333 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,880 I made my way down to the altar 334 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,280 and a preacher man came down and laid hands on me 335 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:21,040 and proclaimed something over my life 336 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:23,680 that no one will ever take from me. 337 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:25,360 He said, you may be worried, 338 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:27,120 something I worried about that I didn't even share 339 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,040 with my wife, he said, you may be worried 340 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,480 that you're not gonna be here to see your kids grow old. 341 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:34,800 You may be worried that death will take you way too soon, 342 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,960 but God said, I'm not done with you, my son. 343 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:39,880 The proclamation was laid over my life 344 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:41,320 and I held on to that. 345 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,720 I held on to what thus saith God. 346 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:47,040 I held on to that, but my kids wouldn't know 347 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:48,600 if I didn't tell them. 348 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,560 The tumor was taken out, they sent it off for tests 349 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,320 and I go back for my follow-up appointment, 350 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,720 of course, to find out the result that I expected. 351 00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:59,560 I don't have bladder cancer. 352 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:01,640 It's a one-off tumor, they don't understand it. 353 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,800 They can't tell me how it's not cancer. 354 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:05,640 All I can, I looked at them and I loved it. 355 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:06,920 I looked at the doctor and I said, 356 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:09,720 man, I'm just here for you to confirm what I already know. 357 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,920 I'm not here for you to tell me that I don't have cancer. 358 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:15,000 I know that's the result because I prayed, 359 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,080 I've saw God, God has spoken into my life 360 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:17,920 and he's healed me. 361 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,200 Yeah, well, you weren't healed, you never had cancer. 362 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:22,520 I believe I was healed. 363 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,920 Now, when I tell the story, guess who's getting the glory? 364 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,880 My mighty God is getting all the glory, amen? 365 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:33,680 We've got to tell our children of the mighty works of God. 366 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,040 Where are all the witnesses? 367 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:40,840 They need to hear about a father that will never hurt them. 368 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:43,640 They need to hear about a son who paid the ultimate price 369 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,720 that we can have everlasting life. 370 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:48,360 They need to hear about the Holy Spirit who dwells in us 371 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:50,760 and leads us and convicts us and strengthens us 372 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:51,880 and comforts us. 373 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:53,960 They need to hear the truth. 374 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,240 The generation, this generation did not know the Lord 375 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:00,360 because the ones before them did not tell them. 376 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:04,360 Nowhere does it say that they spoke about it. 377 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,200 What happens is what typically happens. 378 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:10,120 Time goes by and we forget to take the time 379 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,200 to think about what's important, 380 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:14,440 to think about the future and where we're headed. 381 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:17,240 We forget about it and then time goes by 382 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:19,000 and they knew not the Lord. 383 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:21,480 It's a dangerous place to be, 384 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:23,800 but the first step in losing a generation 385 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:25,560 is not sharing our stories. 386 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:26,680 That's the very first step. 387 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:29,560 Everyone in here has a story to tell. 388 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:32,840 If you're saved, you have the greatest story to tell of all. 389 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,640 If you're not, then we can fix that here in a little while. 390 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,320 That's okay. 391 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:38,360 Amen. 392 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:40,520 But if you've saved and Jesus sanctified you 393 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:42,520 and saved you from your sin 394 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:44,520 and you are now living and serving him, 395 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:46,760 you have a testimony, you have a witness, 396 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:49,640 you have some opportunity to go to some young kid, 397 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,320 to some high schooler, to some middle schooler, 398 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:53,320 to your very own children in your own home 399 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:55,560 and tell them what God did for you. 400 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:58,760 We must share our stories, our witness, 401 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,000 our testimony of what God has brought us through. 402 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,600 We must tell the next generation, 403 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:05,160 we must engage our young people. 404 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:09,320 We must share our stories with our people and our children. 405 00:17:09,320 --> 00:17:12,200 Instead, we tell stories of back in the day. 406 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:13,400 We tell stories of, man, 407 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,880 I remember what church used to be like. 408 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:17,560 I remember when we used to jump the pews 409 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:18,840 and shout the aisles 410 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:21,320 and dance all around the front row during worship. 411 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:25,320 We talk about the past like it's not available now. 412 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:30,600 We talk about the past, but I'll ask you what's changed. 413 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:32,760 What's changed about the past? 414 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:35,400 The Bible says, God's the same. 415 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:37,160 Hebrews 13 and eight says, 416 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,360 I'm the same yesterday, today, and forever. 417 00:17:40,360 --> 00:17:43,320 If God hasn't changed, what's changed? 418 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:45,000 We have. 419 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,480 We as a people have changed. 420 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,440 But I'm asking today, child of God, 421 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:53,160 men and women of God, the body of Christ, 422 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:55,880 can we get back to the focus and foundation 423 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:59,160 on Jesus Christ and preaching and teaching 424 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,560 our children and our youth about the power 425 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:04,120 that he moves every day with, amen? 426 00:18:04,120 --> 00:18:08,120 The second step to losing a generation 427 00:18:08,120 --> 00:18:10,120 is not knowing the Lord. 428 00:18:10,120 --> 00:18:14,120 If you don't tell the stories, you don't know the Lord. 429 00:18:14,120 --> 00:18:17,160 We're gonna lose the next generation. 430 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:18,840 The world starts falling apart 431 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,240 when we don't pass down the stories of truth. 432 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:24,680 You can't be afraid to tell your children the hard things. 433 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:27,880 You can't be afraid to discuss the hard things. 434 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:29,240 What do you mean the hard things? 435 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:31,880 You can't be afraid to talk about the birds and the bees 436 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:34,040 with your boy or girl. 437 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,280 You can't be afraid to talk about drugs 438 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,280 and vapes and cigarettes. 439 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:40,520 You can't be afraid to talk about those things. 440 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:42,920 I can promise you this, and being a youth pastor, 441 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:45,800 you know I know, they're already hearing it. 442 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,880 They're already hearing it. 443 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:51,480 My son is seven years old, 444 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:53,880 and he comes to tell me the other day 445 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:56,600 that there's a kid in his class that's already vaping. 446 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,400 Why do you even know what a vape is? 447 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,400 You're seven. 448 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:03,400 It blew my mind. 449 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:05,960 But it's scary because they're already hearing it. 450 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,360 Why are we not telling them about the good things? 451 00:19:08,360 --> 00:19:10,200 Why are we not telling them about these things? 452 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:11,400 Before they get in the school system, 453 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,000 we're already seeing it and healing it. 454 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,920 As I said earlier, evil's all around them. 455 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,280 They're gonna hear it, they're gonna see it, 456 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:18,360 they're gonna think it, they might even do it. 457 00:19:18,360 --> 00:19:21,960 But as a man and woman of God, you have an obligation. 458 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:24,760 Your first calling as father, your first calling as mom, 459 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,960 your first calling as mom, your first calling as grandparents 460 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:29,800 is to shelter your children. 461 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:31,640 The Bible says to raise them up in the way they should go, 462 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:33,560 and they will not depart from it. 463 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,200 They may stray for a little while, 464 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:37,160 but they will come back in time. 465 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:40,720 They should be hearing from you first. 466 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:41,560 Amen? 467 00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:45,960 They can handle it a lot better than you think. 468 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:47,280 They can handle it. 469 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:50,040 I immediately sat down with Neathen and started explaining to him. 470 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,920 He already knew that it was wrong 471 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:54,080 because he's been watching, 472 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:56,640 he's been listening, he's been hearing. 473 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:58,840 But I sat down and talked with him. 474 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,160 And I said, son, you understand, and he did, impress me. 475 00:20:03,360 --> 00:20:04,320 But we've got to do that. 476 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:07,120 We've got to take our children back. 477 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:10,440 We've got to take our children back. 478 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,320 At the end of the day, they will believe truth or lies. 479 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:17,120 They will either serve God or Satan, 480 00:20:17,120 --> 00:20:19,480 but they must know the truth. 481 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:24,480 They have their own choice, but they must know the truth. 482 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:28,280 I received a phone call a couple weeks ago 483 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,760 from a high school kid, and he was in tears. 484 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:34,680 He was crying, he was struggling, 485 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:35,640 and he called me for help. 486 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:36,880 He didn't know what to do. 487 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:39,840 He was struggling with an addiction, 488 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,040 an addiction to pornography. 489 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:42,640 This is a high school kid. 490 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:47,560 And I counseled him. 491 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:50,720 I went over scripture with him, which he already knew. 492 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:54,000 But I talked to him, I encouraged him, I guided him, 493 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,400 I led him, I did everything I knew to do, 494 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,080 and everything I felt like the Lord was saying. 495 00:20:57,080 --> 00:20:58,800 Telling me to say, I told him. 496 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:00,800 And we got off the phone, he felt a lot better, 497 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:02,520 but the enemy will not stop. 498 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,000 You guys need to understand, the enemy will never give up. 499 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:07,400 And I tell the youth, I said, 500 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:09,840 the enemy does not care about you. 501 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:11,520 He only cares that you don't make it 502 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,560 into the presence of the Father. 503 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:15,080 He doesn't care about you. 504 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:16,920 He doesn't care if you end up in hell. 505 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:17,760 He doesn't care. 506 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,560 His job is to make sure you don't end up with the Father. 507 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:23,920 And I tell them that, but we have to as well. 508 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:25,520 They can't just hear it on Wednesday night. 509 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:27,360 They can't just hear it on Sunday morning. 510 00:21:27,360 --> 00:21:29,640 They've got to hear it every day of the week. 511 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:30,920 And when you get an opportunity 512 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:32,280 that God does something in your life, 513 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,960 and you get an opportunity to example the power 514 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:38,360 that God performed, you must tell the children. 515 00:21:38,360 --> 00:21:40,160 You must tell the youth. 516 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,840 I came to tell you, don't back down, Dad. 517 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:47,240 Don't back down, Mom. 518 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,160 Don't back down, child of God. 519 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:52,200 You are fighting for the next generation. 520 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,640 They need to know, what do they need to know? 521 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:57,600 They need to know that we are more than a conqueror. 522 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,520 They need to know that I can do all things 523 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:01,080 through Christ who strengthens me. 524 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:02,760 They need to know that no weapon 525 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:04,360 formed against me shall prosper. 526 00:22:04,360 --> 00:22:06,440 They need to know that Jesus is Savior, 527 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:11,080 sanctifier, water baptizer, and soon coming King. 528 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,920 They need to know the truth. 529 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,200 John 832, very popular scripture says, 530 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,200 and ye shall know the truth, 531 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,920 and the truth will make you free. 532 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,240 In the book of Judges, we see a disobedient 533 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:29,040 and idolatrous people get defeated time and time again 534 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,040 because of their rebellion against God. 535 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,880 God raised up judges to throw off the yoke of bondage 536 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:37,560 and restore the nation to pure worship. 537 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:40,680 But every new judge that sits in the seat of the seat 538 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:42,920 of the judge that spoke of the Lord 539 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:46,920 after every new judge would come and they would return, 540 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:49,240 but they would always return back to their wicked ways 541 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:51,640 and he would have to raise up another judge. 542 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:54,480 It's difficult sometimes when you feel like 543 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:56,440 you just can't get through. 544 00:22:56,440 --> 00:22:57,880 Maybe you're talking to your high schooler, 545 00:22:57,880 --> 00:22:59,720 maybe you're talking to your kid and you're thinking, 546 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:01,200 there's nothing I'm saying getting through. 547 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,480 It may be difficult, but when you think 548 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:05,240 the prayers for your children aren't being heard, 549 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:07,360 when you think that nothing's working 550 00:23:07,360 --> 00:23:09,240 and things just keep going wrong, 551 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:11,040 and all around you and all you can see 552 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,080 is this next generation is headed in the wrong direction 553 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,280 and all is lost, let me remind you 554 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:19,000 and encourage you out of Acts chapter two verse 17. 555 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:22,880 And it shall come to pass that in the last days, 556 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:27,320 saith God, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. 557 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:28,160 And who? 558 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:31,040 Your sons and your daughters will prophesy 559 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:33,120 and your men shall see visions 560 00:23:33,120 --> 00:23:35,120 and your old men shall dream dreams. 561 00:23:35,120 --> 00:23:39,880 There's a plan in place for our young people. 562 00:23:39,880 --> 00:23:43,800 God said it, he's gonna perform it, amen. 563 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,560 Let's make it greater, let's make it bigger, 564 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:49,400 let's share our testimonies, let's spread the gospel 565 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:53,080 to the youth as much as possible. 566 00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:56,240 That's how we do it. 567 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:00,840 I came to encourage you today to hold on. 568 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:04,200 Hold on, child of God, and keep fighting. 569 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:07,160 Contending for the sake of the next generation 570 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:11,800 because God will work a miracle, amen. 571 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:14,560 This is a stubborn generation, I know. 572 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:17,400 This is a stubborn generation, 573 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,680 but you know what they have allowed me to see? 574 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:21,120 That if they accept it, 575 00:24:21,120 --> 00:24:23,320 they'll be your hardest fighters for it. 576 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:25,760 Can I tell you that if you share the gospel 577 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:27,960 with your young people when they accept it 578 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:29,280 and they believe it as truth, 579 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:31,320 they will fight harder than you've ever seen 580 00:24:31,320 --> 00:24:33,320 somebody fight for it, amen. 581 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:35,960 Let's fill them up, let's direct them 582 00:24:35,960 --> 00:24:38,240 and point them in the right direction. 583 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,360 They must taste it, they must hear from us. 584 00:24:41,360 --> 00:24:43,600 Be a witness to the next generation, 585 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:46,600 share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, 586 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:49,520 share the stories that God has performed in your life. 587 00:24:50,440 --> 00:24:52,320 Isaiah 43, 10 through 12 says, 588 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:55,160 ye are my witnesses, said the Lord, 589 00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:58,320 and my servant whom I have chosen, 590 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:01,080 that you may know and believe me 591 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:03,720 and understand that I am he. 592 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:05,480 Before me there was no God formed, 593 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:07,160 neither shall there be after me. 594 00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:10,920 I, even I, and the Lord, 595 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:12,880 and beside me there is no savior. 596 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:16,160 I have declared, I have saved, 597 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:19,080 and I have showed when there was no strange God among you, 598 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:21,280 therefore ye are my witnesses, 599 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:24,360 saith the Lord, that I am God. 600 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:26,600 The people of this generation, 601 00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:28,000 the people of the generation of the future 602 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:31,040 need to know who God is. 603 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:33,880 They need to know of his power and his might 604 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:38,520 and what a life field following his footsteps looks like. 605 00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:41,200 Let's be that generation 606 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:43,840 that doesn't let the future generations fall. 607 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:45,840 Let's be that generation right now 608 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:48,560 that fights and contends for the faith 609 00:25:48,560 --> 00:25:50,760 for our future generations, amen? 610 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,720 You can come to play the piano, I'm closing. 611 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:59,720 And you can stand. 612 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:15,480 It's been said that it's easier to build strong children 613 00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:17,680 than to repair broken men. 614 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:23,760 And that's another reason why it's so important 615 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:25,600 for us to build strong children. 616 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:28,360 And the strongest way that I know how 617 00:26:28,360 --> 00:26:31,800 and the strongest way that I can encourage you to know how 618 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:33,960 is that everything you do honors God. 619 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,400 Every walk you do, every time you get an opportunity 620 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:39,400 to tell them about what God is doing for you. 621 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:42,520 Share those stories. 622 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:47,040 Be a witness not only to strangers, not only to the world, 623 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:49,400 but even to the ones in your own home. 624 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:50,840 Even to the friends of your kids 625 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:53,760 when they come over to your house to stay the night. 626 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,760 Show them what it's like and what it means 627 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:00,000 to be a true child of God, a true Christian. 628 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:06,040 And I'm not saying that to be hard on certain people. 629 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:07,440 I love them. 630 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,880 I love everyone, whether you know Christ or not, I love you. 631 00:27:10,880 --> 00:27:13,240 But that's why I wanna share with you 632 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:15,720 because I don't wish that anybody gets, 633 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:19,600 I want everyone I run into to make it to heaven with me. 634 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:22,760 I've always had this mentality of I hope heaven is packed. 635 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:25,640 And if it's not, let me get some people to go with me 636 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:26,960 so we can pack it out. 637 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:29,560 But I think it's gonna be packed. 638 00:27:31,040 --> 00:27:32,120 I'm excited. 639 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:35,800 And one of the things that excites me 640 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:38,200 when I talk about this and sharing our stories 641 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:43,200 is in Matthew 24, 14, it says that once the, 642 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:46,280 and I'm paraphrasing, but once the world hears 643 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:48,600 of the good news of Jesus Christ, 644 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:50,160 then the end will come. 645 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:54,480 That means as soon as we get the word out, 646 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:56,440 God's coming back to get us, amen? 647 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:00,520 And I'm praying for that day. 648 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:02,760 No, I wanna grow old, I wanna see my kids grow 649 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:03,920 and I wanna have grandbabies. 650 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:06,520 I don't want all that, but I want the Lord to come. 651 00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:09,600 Because more often not, I find myself waking up 652 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:11,800 not wanting to go to work the next morning. 653 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:15,960 I don't want the bills and all the stuff that comes with it. 654 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:20,960 God blesses, but I'd rather be in heaven, amen? 655 00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:22,720 I'd rather be in heaven. 656 00:28:22,720 --> 00:28:26,440 So this morning, if you find yourself in a situation 657 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:28,880 where you have sons and daughters, 658 00:28:28,880 --> 00:28:30,320 grandsons and granddaughters 659 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:32,320 who maybe they've strayed from the Lord, 660 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:36,720 maybe they've walked away and I know there's prayers 661 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:40,560 in this house of daughters and sons and grandchildren 662 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:43,120 and great grandchildren who have strayed. 663 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:45,480 I know their stories in here. 664 00:28:45,480 --> 00:28:48,200 I would like for everyone who has that and is willing to 665 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:49,120 to come up to the front 666 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:52,360 because I wanna pray for those sons and daughters. 667 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:56,360 I wanna pray and believe that God will move and intervene 668 00:28:56,360 --> 00:28:59,200 and meet them right in the very midst of where they are. 669 00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:05,760 I pray that God grips their heart and touches their spirit 670 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:07,440 because I know they've been told, 671 00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:10,240 some of them have been told they've been raised in it. 672 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:11,800 They've been guided by it. 673 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:14,080 But sometimes we stray. 674 00:29:14,080 --> 00:29:16,040 Sometimes we push a little hard 675 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:19,320 and we push them further away than we meant to do. 676 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:21,600 But God can perform the work. 677 00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:23,680 It's not up to us to perform the work. 678 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:24,600 We're to be the witness. 679 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:27,520 We're to be the one that's showing them what it looks like, 680 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:29,560 but God performs the work, amen? 681 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:36,320 It's time that we take our future generations back. 682 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:40,360 There are so many things in this world now, 683 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:42,040 more now than ever before, 684 00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:44,240 where the enemy is keeping them distracted, 685 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:45,560 keeping them confused. 686 00:29:45,560 --> 00:29:48,480 And it's time, men and women of God, 687 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:51,240 that we take our future generations back, amen? 688 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:54,640 Stretch your hands toward heaven. 689 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,520 Let's just begin to pray. 690 00:29:56,520 --> 00:29:57,680 Pray for each other. 691 00:29:58,960 --> 00:30:00,320 Pray for your own. 692 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:15,320 Father, we love you today.