1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,700 It's a beautiful day to be in the house of the Lord, amen? 2 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:03,540 Amen. 3 00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:06,560 Amen, be praying for pastor this morning 4 00:00:06,560 --> 00:00:08,960 as I know there's some time difference 5 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,240 between where he is and where we are. 6 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:16,200 He's preaching at a fellow pastor of his church 7 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,680 in Pulaski, Tennessee this morning. 8 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:23,440 So my apologies, but you're stuck with me today, amen? 9 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:26,400 That's all right, okay. 10 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,440 I got one clap, all right. 11 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,440 That's all right. 12 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:32,600 Listen, it's not about me, amen? 13 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,360 Brother Dwayne already said it's not about me. 14 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,320 It's about him, and it's about doing what we can 15 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:38,780 to please him, amen. 16 00:00:39,980 --> 00:00:41,640 So be praying for pastor. 17 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,320 Today I'll be reading out of John chapter 12 18 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:48,040 if you have your Bibles or your electronic devices, 19 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:49,480 whatever you brought the word in with you. 20 00:00:49,480 --> 00:00:52,680 Hopefully it is the written word of God, amen? 21 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:57,680 Chapter 12 in John, we'll be starting in verse 44. 22 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:00,080 I'll be finishing in 50. 23 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:09,720 When you have it, say amen. 24 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:11,000 Amen. 25 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,000 There we go, we are right there with me. 26 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,720 All right, in verse 44, Jesus cried and said, 27 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,200 he that believeth on me believeth not on me, 28 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:22,920 but on him that sent me. 29 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,920 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 30 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,480 I am come to a light into the world 31 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:36,480 that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 32 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:40,600 And if any man hear my words and believe not, 33 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,560 I judge him not, for I came not to judge the world, 34 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:46,080 but to save the world. 35 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:50,080 He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words 36 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:54,080 hath one that judget him the word that I have spoken 37 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,520 the same shall judge him in the last day. 38 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:59,240 For I have not spoken of myself, 39 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,520 but the Father which sent me. 40 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:03,840 He gave me a commandment, 41 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,040 what I should say and what I should speak. 42 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,000 And I know that his commandment is everlasting life. 43 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,600 Whatsoever I speak therefore, 44 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:16,320 even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 45 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:18,520 This morning, I would like to preach with you 46 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:20,880 for just a few minutes on a thought, 47 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,320 his word still stands. 48 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:24,720 I'll pray for you if you pray for me. 49 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:26,800 Father, I love you today and I thank you. 50 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:28,160 God, your word has been broken 51 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:30,320 and I know it will not return void 52 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:32,400 because your word also says that it won't. 53 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,320 Father, I pray right now God, 54 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,400 as I have submitted myself unto your anointing, 55 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:39,200 Father, I pray that you would guide my lips 56 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:40,040 and guide my tongue. 57 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:42,680 Help me to speak the words that are edifying unto you, Lord, 58 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,840 not for me to be lifted up, but for the name of Jesus. 59 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,240 And Lord, I ask that you be with me in this time. 60 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,480 Help us to have ears to hear what your spirit is saying. 61 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:54,320 And in Jesus' name, I pray, amen. 62 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,640 I'm gonna go ahead and chew this mint. 63 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:06,120 Get that out of there. 64 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,520 But after singing like that, I needed one. 65 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:12,120 Can I get somebody to say amen? 66 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:15,880 Last thing y'all wanna see is white particles 67 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:17,640 come flying out of my mouth, right? 68 00:03:17,640 --> 00:03:18,720 That would not be good. 69 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,200 I was preaching in the youth one Wednesday night 70 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:24,880 and I was just letting it fly. 71 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:28,720 And I got to realizing there's debris coming out of my mouth. 72 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,000 And I don't know why, but it stopped and it hit me. 73 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:31,820 I asked them, I said, 74 00:03:31,820 --> 00:03:33,960 y'all seeing spit come out my mouth? 75 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:34,800 They're like, 76 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,000 I was like, oh no, let me wipe. 77 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:41,680 I don't care. 78 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:43,480 Usually it's dry, I'm so nervous. 79 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,160 There's nothing in there, but it happens sometimes. 80 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,040 Everybody's like, yes sir, it does. 81 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:49,880 It happens. 82 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:52,240 It happens, I'm telling you. 83 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:53,740 I'm trying not to do that today. 84 00:03:53,740 --> 00:03:57,180 Let's get into what the Lord has for us this morning, amen. 85 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,640 As we look at the book of John as a whole, 86 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,520 as well, our text this morning, 87 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:06,880 we see a profound distinction in the phrase, the word. 88 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,240 Did you know that in the Greek, 89 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,480 the original language of the New Testament, 90 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:12,440 two different Greek words are used 91 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:14,780 to refer to the word of God. 92 00:04:14,780 --> 00:04:17,880 One being the logos and the other being rama. 93 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:22,040 The most commonly known of these two Greek words is logos. 94 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:23,200 Logos or logos. 95 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,300 In the New Testament, logos is used to refer 96 00:04:26,300 --> 00:04:27,860 to the constant written word, 97 00:04:27,860 --> 00:04:30,140 which is recorded right here in the Bible. 98 00:04:30,140 --> 00:04:32,640 The second being the Greek word rama, 99 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:34,200 which is used to refer 100 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,440 to the instant personal speaking of God. 101 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:41,600 Isn't it great that our God isn't a silent God, amen. 102 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:42,800 He's a speaking God. 103 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,800 His written word is a record of his speaking, 104 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:46,720 but that's not all. 105 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:48,960 He continues to speak today 106 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,480 and he wants to speak directly to us. 107 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:53,800 Both the logos and the rama 108 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,080 are crucial to our Christian life. 109 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,580 God uses this, his logos word, 110 00:04:58,580 --> 00:05:01,120 to speak his rama word to us. 111 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,680 And God's living instant speaking always corresponds 112 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:08,160 and never contradicts his written word, amen. 113 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:11,380 John begins in this gospel by calling Jesus the word. 114 00:05:11,380 --> 00:05:13,120 In John 1,1 he tells us, 115 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:16,520 in the beginning was the word and the word was with God 116 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,080 and the word was God. 117 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,560 Using this designation for Christ, 118 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:24,080 John presents him as the personal word of God 119 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,280 and indicates that in these last days, 120 00:05:26,280 --> 00:05:29,680 God has spoken to us in his son, amen. 121 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:32,460 Scripture declares that Jesus Christ 122 00:05:32,460 --> 00:05:34,840 is the manifold wisdom of God 123 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:38,960 and the perfect revelation of the nature and person of God. 124 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:43,040 Just as a person's words reveals his or her heart 125 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,360 and mind Christ as the word reveals 126 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:47,760 the heart and mind of God. 127 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:50,600 John gives us three main characteristics of Jesus Christ 128 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,280 as the word, the first being that the words relation 129 00:05:53,280 --> 00:05:54,120 to the Father. 130 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:57,320 You see Christ was preexistent with God. 131 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,260 Before the creation of the world, 132 00:05:59,260 --> 00:06:02,440 he was a person existing from eternity, 133 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:07,440 distinct, but in eternal fellowship with God the Father. 134 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:08,720 Christ was divine. 135 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,000 The scripture says the word was God, 136 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,760 having the same nature and essence as the Father. 137 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:15,440 The words relation to the world, 138 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,280 it was though Christ, it was through Christ 139 00:06:18,280 --> 00:06:22,280 that the Father created and now sustains the world, amen. 140 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:24,160 The words relation to humanity, 141 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,400 the word was made flesh, thank God for that. 142 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:31,040 The Son of God took on human nature, but without sin. 143 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,100 This is the basic statement of the incarnation. 144 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:36,100 Christ left heaven and entered the condition of human life 145 00:06:36,100 --> 00:06:38,260 through the gateway of human birth. 146 00:06:38,260 --> 00:06:41,040 Why are you telling us this today, Pastor Brian? 147 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,040 I'm telling you this because I believe 148 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,680 that what God has burned into my spirit 149 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,780 to preach to you this morning and all week long, 150 00:06:48,780 --> 00:06:51,980 that we must get back to the word of the living God 151 00:06:51,980 --> 00:06:55,020 being the source and the priority in our lives. 152 00:06:55,020 --> 00:06:58,260 We must get back to what thus says the word of the Lord. 153 00:06:58,260 --> 00:07:00,440 We must get back to living our lives 154 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:02,640 in accordance to his holy scripture. 155 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:05,560 We must get back to proclaiming, believing, protecting, 156 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:09,640 and preaching the unadulterated word of God, amen. 157 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,400 It's become cliche to say, 158 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,040 have you read your Bible lately? 159 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:15,800 It's become cliche to address those things 160 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:17,840 because we all in the essence of ourself 161 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:19,980 have failed to do so, amen. 162 00:07:19,980 --> 00:07:21,800 We get our clips, we get our highlights, 163 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,080 we get our videos on social media 164 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:26,920 and that's how we view, I've been in my word, 165 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,040 but have you really been in your word today? 166 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:31,200 I would ask that question, not pointing fingers, 167 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,960 but even speaking to myself, amen. 168 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:36,200 We get too distracted sometimes. 169 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,720 It's almost like a cop out for all ministers 170 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:40,800 and the church leaders, but in reality, 171 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:45,000 it is a very representation of God, this written word. 172 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:46,320 You look around the world today 173 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,520 and it does not take long for you to realize 174 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:50,880 that we have gotten away from the word. 175 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:52,640 When you look around at our own life, 176 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,480 it's not hard to see that we might have gotten away 177 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:56,300 from the word. 178 00:07:56,300 --> 00:07:57,880 When you look into your own self, 179 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:00,880 it's not hard to see that we may have gotten away 180 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,480 from the word, just like in school students, 181 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,720 oftentimes have to study the words. 182 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:08,320 At least, it was when I was in school, 183 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:09,440 nowadays it's way different. 184 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,880 They got tablets and all kinds of electronic devices, 185 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,480 but in our studies, we had to study the book. 186 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:18,200 It had our direction, it had information in it 187 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:20,460 that would ultimately help us to pass the test 188 00:08:20,460 --> 00:08:22,200 or even pass the class. 189 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:24,600 I came to tell you today that your Bible 190 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:26,740 is that very book for the believer. 191 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:28,680 It is the book that holds all the answers 192 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:29,880 for life's difficulties. 193 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:33,120 It is the book that we can receive revelations 194 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:33,960 from the Father. 195 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,600 It is the book where we can revive directions 196 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:37,420 from our lives. 197 00:08:37,420 --> 00:08:38,480 Do you know it? 198 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:40,600 Because God's word still stands. 199 00:08:41,560 --> 00:08:42,840 Amen. 200 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:46,080 I often wonder what kind of world my children will grow up in. 201 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,840 Maybe some of you ponder that very same thing. 202 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:52,200 I worry about it and I pray about it. 203 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:54,900 In a world engulfed with so much darkness, 204 00:08:54,900 --> 00:08:57,340 where are we to turn? 205 00:08:57,340 --> 00:08:59,520 John chapter 12 and verse 46 says, 206 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,920 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes 207 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:05,320 in me should not abide in darkness. 208 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:07,280 When the world seems dark and it seems to be 209 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:11,240 the only getting work, Jesus said, I have come as a light. 210 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,400 If we turn to Jesus, if we will just give our cares 211 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:16,400 and our worries to Jesus, he is the one 212 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,480 and the only one who can be the light for us 213 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,240 that dispels all darkness, amen. 214 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:24,760 We can abide in his light. 215 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:26,140 We sung about it this morning. 216 00:09:26,140 --> 00:09:28,720 It's interesting to me, it always blows me away 217 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:32,640 when worship songs are sung, not chosen by myself, 218 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:36,640 but they seem to just line up with what I'm preaching on. 219 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,480 God has a plan for us this morning in this atmosphere 220 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:43,600 and in this place and I fully intend on subjecting myself 221 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:45,420 to God's will this morning, amen. 222 00:09:45,420 --> 00:09:48,280 That's a little extra that's not in my notes, right? 223 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:51,560 But I plan on doing that, hopefully you will too. 224 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:55,360 But it's important to understand that we see the enemy 225 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,760 wants to keep you in a place of constant worry. 226 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:02,460 The enemy wants to keep you in a place of constant anxiety. 227 00:10:02,460 --> 00:10:04,960 The enemy wants to keep you in a place of discouragement 228 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,880 and doubt and the enemy wants to keep you 229 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:08,600 in a place of fear. 230 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,560 But the word says in 2 Timothy 1 verse seven, 231 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:14,280 for God has not given us a spirit of fear, 232 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,560 but a power and of love and of a sound mind. 233 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:19,800 It's through Christ the Father created the world 234 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:21,960 and through Christ that it is sustained. 235 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:25,000 When the world is falling apart, the word still stands, 236 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:25,840 amen. 237 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:28,440 We worry about who will be president. 238 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:30,720 We worry about who's gonna be in the Senate 239 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:32,520 or what's Congress going to do. 240 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:35,480 We worry about who's gonna be our next general overseer 241 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:37,120 in this coming up election. 242 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:38,860 We worry about the state of our schools 243 00:10:38,860 --> 00:10:40,760 and what our kids will be taught. 244 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,820 But I came by this morning to encourage you 245 00:10:43,820 --> 00:10:46,120 that it does not matter, why? 246 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,040 Because the Bible says if you train up a child 247 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:49,880 the way they should go, they shall not depart from it. 248 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:52,680 So for my kids' sake, they're okay. 249 00:10:52,680 --> 00:10:55,400 I believe they're gonna be okay. 250 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:57,920 They may stray, but the root of the word 251 00:10:57,920 --> 00:10:59,920 is ingrained in them and it will stand. 252 00:10:59,920 --> 00:11:01,520 You need to understand that the will of God 253 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:03,940 will be performed even if it comes through 254 00:11:03,940 --> 00:11:06,400 the carnality of man, which is another reason 255 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,360 why we can't consume ourselves with the worry 256 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:09,400 of this world. 257 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:10,280 It doesn't matter. 258 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:13,400 The book tells us what the ending is going to be like, amen. 259 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:14,820 It doesn't matter who's in charge. 260 00:11:14,820 --> 00:11:16,560 It doesn't matter who's running the show. 261 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:17,920 It doesn't matter if they're a Christian, 262 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:20,680 if they live by our faith, if they believe in Jesus Christ 263 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:22,040 or have him as their savior. 264 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,920 All that matters is God's will will be performed 265 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:27,880 in this very world, even if it comes through 266 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:30,640 the carnality of man, even if it's not the president 267 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:33,300 we wanted in there, even if it's not the next leader 268 00:11:33,300 --> 00:11:35,800 that we thought should be the one to be the next leader, 269 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,840 it does not matter because God's will will be performed. 270 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:39,680 Amen. 271 00:11:44,660 --> 00:11:46,920 God is still on his throne. 272 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:48,640 And if we believe what the Bible says, 273 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:51,880 then it's going to get worse before it gets better. 274 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:54,280 But God's will shall be performed in this world 275 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:59,280 without fail because his perfect will and his word are true. 276 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:01,760 The word still stands today. 277 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,400 He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 278 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,360 We get so wound up about everything going on 279 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,200 and we let the enemy use that against us, 280 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:10,240 be encouraged today. 281 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:13,880 God is still on his throne and the word still stands. 282 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:16,200 Verse 47 gives us a little insight and it says, 283 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,920 "'If anyone hears my words and does not believe, 284 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,520 "'I do not judge him, for I did not come to judge 285 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:23,080 "'the world, but to save the world.'" 286 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:24,320 That's hope. 287 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:26,400 That speaks hope to me today. 288 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,400 That that Savior Jesus came to save me. 289 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,960 Jesus makes a very profound statement here. 290 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:34,720 He identifies his specific reason for coming 291 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:36,160 to this earth in the flesh. 292 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:37,960 He came to save the world. 293 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:41,180 The world in its physical sense was created by God 294 00:12:41,180 --> 00:12:43,040 and is therefore perfect. 295 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:45,120 But he was speaking to us, 296 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,840 the inhabitants of this spirit, of this physical world. 297 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:52,840 He came to save us. 298 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:56,160 He came to give us a way of escape from this world. 299 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:58,040 You may be thinking, wow, that's great. 300 00:12:58,040 --> 00:12:59,840 No judgment for me, just salvation. 301 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:01,680 But as we look at the next verse, 302 00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:03,460 we read what is in my opinion, 303 00:13:03,460 --> 00:13:05,640 one of the scariest verses in the Bible. 304 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:06,800 Verse 48 reads, 305 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:10,620 "'He who rejects me and does not receive my words 306 00:13:10,620 --> 00:13:12,560 "'has that which judges him. 307 00:13:12,560 --> 00:13:15,420 "'The word that I have spoken will judge him 308 00:13:15,420 --> 00:13:16,920 "'in the last day.'" 309 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,280 So we understand this very profound statement 310 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:23,440 captures the essence of the choice presented to humanity 311 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:26,600 to accept or to reject the teachings and beliefs 312 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:28,480 and faith in Jesus Christ. 313 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:30,360 There are three specific points 314 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:32,880 to take away from this passage of scripture alone. 315 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,120 Examining the weight of Jesus' words, 316 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:38,680 the choice before us and the consequences of that choice. 317 00:13:38,680 --> 00:13:40,900 For my note takers, point number one, 318 00:13:40,900 --> 00:13:43,660 I have titled the authority of Jesus' words. 319 00:13:43,660 --> 00:13:47,540 You see, Jesus' teachings are not merely suggestions 320 00:13:47,540 --> 00:13:50,380 or philosophical musings. 321 00:13:50,380 --> 00:13:53,260 They are the very words of life. 322 00:13:53,260 --> 00:13:56,180 John 1.1 reminds us that in the beginning was the word 323 00:13:56,180 --> 00:13:59,020 and the word was with God and the word was God. 324 00:13:59,020 --> 00:14:01,460 Jesus as the living word speaks 325 00:14:01,460 --> 00:14:03,980 with the full authority of the Father. 326 00:14:03,980 --> 00:14:08,420 His words offer life, truth, and a path to salvation. 327 00:14:08,420 --> 00:14:10,260 When we encounter the teaching of Jesus, 328 00:14:10,260 --> 00:14:13,060 we are not merely encountering historical doctrines 329 00:14:13,060 --> 00:14:16,300 or historical documents or ethical guidelines. 330 00:14:16,300 --> 00:14:19,340 We are engaging with the divine wisdom 331 00:14:19,340 --> 00:14:21,100 that crafted the universe. 332 00:14:21,100 --> 00:14:23,020 So if you find yourself this morning 333 00:14:23,020 --> 00:14:24,580 going through something difficult, 334 00:14:24,580 --> 00:14:25,940 maybe you don't know a way out, 335 00:14:25,940 --> 00:14:27,460 maybe you don't know what you're going to do, 336 00:14:27,460 --> 00:14:28,780 maybe you've given up. 337 00:14:28,780 --> 00:14:30,420 I'm here to tell somebody today, 338 00:14:30,420 --> 00:14:33,300 don't you worry about the troubles in this life. 339 00:14:33,300 --> 00:14:35,380 Don't you worry about what the enemy, 340 00:14:35,380 --> 00:14:37,260 if it'll take away your joy. 341 00:14:37,260 --> 00:14:39,900 Don't you allow child of God, the enemy, 342 00:14:39,900 --> 00:14:42,620 to discourage you, to fill you with anxiety, 343 00:14:42,620 --> 00:14:43,940 fear of what you're going through 344 00:14:43,940 --> 00:14:45,020 because the Bible says, 345 00:14:45,020 --> 00:14:47,980 when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 346 00:14:47,980 --> 00:14:49,900 When anxiety is great within me, 347 00:14:49,900 --> 00:14:52,140 your consolation brought me joy. 348 00:14:52,140 --> 00:14:55,620 Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will sustain you. 349 00:14:55,620 --> 00:14:58,700 He will never let the righteous be shaken. 350 00:14:58,700 --> 00:14:59,540 Amen. 351 00:15:00,980 --> 00:15:02,900 There's a hope that we have in Jesus 352 00:15:02,900 --> 00:15:05,500 and his authority he's been given through the Father. 353 00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:06,340 Amen. 354 00:15:07,540 --> 00:15:09,620 Secondly, we see that there's a choice 355 00:15:09,620 --> 00:15:11,860 presented to humanity. 356 00:15:11,860 --> 00:15:13,900 We have a choice. 357 00:15:13,900 --> 00:15:15,060 Nobody's going to bend your arm. 358 00:15:15,060 --> 00:15:16,820 My children don't have a choice 359 00:15:16,820 --> 00:15:20,260 when it comes to what dad says, right? 360 00:15:20,260 --> 00:15:23,460 I got any dads in the house, any strict fathers. 361 00:15:23,460 --> 00:15:26,500 My children at my house do not have a choice. 362 00:15:26,500 --> 00:15:28,380 It's what thus saith dad, right? 363 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:30,540 Right? 364 00:15:30,540 --> 00:15:32,620 Y'all know my kids. 365 00:15:32,620 --> 00:15:34,740 Some of y'all are like, yes, amen, preach. 366 00:15:36,300 --> 00:15:37,540 I love my children, 367 00:15:38,780 --> 00:15:41,180 but sometimes they get a little crazy. 368 00:15:41,180 --> 00:15:43,940 I gotta set them under dad's authority, right? 369 00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:46,380 But my children don't have a choice. 370 00:15:46,380 --> 00:15:47,220 I gotta do it. 371 00:15:47,220 --> 00:15:49,140 When I was a kid, I didn't have a choice. 372 00:15:50,500 --> 00:15:53,460 It was torture if I didn't do what mom and dad said to do. 373 00:15:54,580 --> 00:15:56,420 I'm telling y'all, I can tell the story right now. 374 00:15:56,420 --> 00:15:58,420 Y'all be laughing, but I don't want to embarrass my parents. 375 00:15:58,420 --> 00:15:59,620 They sitting right there. 376 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:03,060 I'll go ahead and tell you anyway, it's funny. 377 00:16:04,220 --> 00:16:08,220 So real quick, and this is way off, it's not off topic. 378 00:16:08,220 --> 00:16:11,620 It speaks to the authority that I'm talking about. 379 00:16:11,620 --> 00:16:13,380 But me and my brother growing up, 380 00:16:13,380 --> 00:16:16,180 all we wanted to do was go outside. 381 00:16:16,180 --> 00:16:19,460 We come home, we threw our book bags in the room, 382 00:16:19,460 --> 00:16:22,380 and we were outside, and we knew we had to be back by dark. 383 00:16:22,380 --> 00:16:25,260 My parents, for the most part, didn't know where we were. 384 00:16:25,260 --> 00:16:27,020 But back then was a different time. 385 00:16:28,300 --> 00:16:30,940 We were out in the neighborhood playing kickball, football, 386 00:16:30,940 --> 00:16:33,780 with kids in the neighborhood just having fun. 387 00:16:33,780 --> 00:16:36,460 Well, in summertime, my mom worked thirds, 388 00:16:36,460 --> 00:16:38,700 dad was at work, when mom was asleep, 389 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:40,660 because she worked thirds, we couldn't go outside. 390 00:16:40,660 --> 00:16:42,980 We weren't allowed to go outside unless a parent was awake. 391 00:16:42,980 --> 00:16:45,060 It's a good rule to have, right? 392 00:16:45,060 --> 00:16:48,460 Problem is me and Brandon weren't going to stop playing. 393 00:16:48,460 --> 00:16:49,860 That's the problem. 394 00:16:49,860 --> 00:16:52,460 So we was in the house roughhousing, wrestling, 395 00:16:52,460 --> 00:16:54,860 probably breaking stuff, we did that a lot. 396 00:16:55,780 --> 00:16:57,820 And my parents, this is torture, y'all, I'm telling y'all. 397 00:16:57,820 --> 00:16:59,300 When I get to this, it's torture. 398 00:16:59,300 --> 00:17:01,780 So my mom wakes up, and she's fit to be tied, 399 00:17:01,780 --> 00:17:04,540 and she should be, because my sister was always 400 00:17:04,540 --> 00:17:06,660 just in her room by herself doing her own thing. 401 00:17:06,660 --> 00:17:08,860 She stayed far away from me and my brother. 402 00:17:09,740 --> 00:17:11,780 But we were in there, and my mom got so mad, 403 00:17:11,780 --> 00:17:13,460 she said, y'all, come in here with me. 404 00:17:13,460 --> 00:17:16,620 We had to go in her room, in the dark room, 405 00:17:16,620 --> 00:17:18,340 and I was on one side of the bed, 406 00:17:18,340 --> 00:17:19,900 my brother was on the other, 407 00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:21,940 and we had to sit there while she slept. 408 00:17:21,940 --> 00:17:26,940 And for two real hyper high energy boys, 409 00:17:28,540 --> 00:17:32,300 I remember it, so we were old enough, that was torture. 410 00:17:32,300 --> 00:17:34,220 Me and Brandon would peek around the edge of the bed, 411 00:17:34,220 --> 00:17:35,860 hey man, what are you doing? 412 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:39,860 He's like, shh, go wake mama up. 413 00:17:39,860 --> 00:17:41,020 That was torture. 414 00:17:42,140 --> 00:17:45,340 We were under her authority in that moment. 415 00:17:47,260 --> 00:17:49,900 But Jesus Christ had the authority of the Father. 416 00:17:51,540 --> 00:17:54,460 But the difference between that is we have a choice to make. 417 00:17:55,900 --> 00:17:57,700 Jesus can have all authority, 418 00:17:57,700 --> 00:17:59,580 he can give us the guideline, 419 00:17:59,580 --> 00:18:01,740 he can give us the directional path, 420 00:18:01,740 --> 00:18:03,980 but we have a choice to make, 421 00:18:03,980 --> 00:18:05,860 whether we choose to follow him or not. 422 00:18:07,620 --> 00:18:10,380 Throughout the gospels, Jesus extends this invitation 423 00:18:10,380 --> 00:18:12,980 to follow him, to accept his teachings, 424 00:18:12,980 --> 00:18:15,900 and to enter into a relationship with God. 425 00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:17,740 This choice is very crucial. 426 00:18:17,740 --> 00:18:20,300 In John chapter three, verse 16 through 17, 427 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:22,340 it declares, for God so loved the world 428 00:18:22,340 --> 00:18:24,300 that he gave his only begotten son, 429 00:18:24,300 --> 00:18:27,740 that whosoever believes in him should not perish, 430 00:18:27,740 --> 00:18:29,700 but have everlasting life. 431 00:18:29,700 --> 00:18:31,940 For God did not send his son into the world 432 00:18:31,940 --> 00:18:33,340 to condemn the world, 433 00:18:33,340 --> 00:18:37,220 but that the world through him might be saved. 434 00:18:37,220 --> 00:18:39,740 Accepting Jesus and his words 435 00:18:39,740 --> 00:18:42,140 means embracing the hope of eternal life. 436 00:18:42,140 --> 00:18:44,540 Rejecting him leads to a rejection 437 00:18:44,540 --> 00:18:47,100 and the very means of salvation offered by God. 438 00:18:47,100 --> 00:18:49,100 I have come to tell you this morning 439 00:18:49,100 --> 00:18:50,620 that it's not too late. 440 00:18:50,620 --> 00:18:52,140 You may be sitting here today 441 00:18:52,140 --> 00:18:54,380 and questioning things in your mind. 442 00:18:54,380 --> 00:18:55,540 You may be sitting here today 443 00:18:55,540 --> 00:18:57,460 and the enemy has deceived you into believing 444 00:18:57,460 --> 00:18:59,140 it's too late for you. 445 00:18:59,140 --> 00:18:59,980 That you're alone, 446 00:18:59,980 --> 00:19:01,940 that no one can help your situation. 447 00:19:01,940 --> 00:19:03,780 You may be looking or searching 448 00:19:03,780 --> 00:19:05,740 for a purpose in this life. 449 00:19:05,740 --> 00:19:07,500 Can I remind you of what the Bible says 450 00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:09,100 in Jeremiah 29, 11, 451 00:19:09,100 --> 00:19:12,180 for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. 452 00:19:12,180 --> 00:19:14,700 Plans to prosper you, plans not to harm you, 453 00:19:14,700 --> 00:19:17,180 plans to give you a hope and a future. 454 00:19:17,180 --> 00:19:19,540 You see, God has a plan for you. 455 00:19:19,540 --> 00:19:22,500 The hope that Jeremiah is speaking of here 456 00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:24,980 is the very hope that we have in Christ Jesus, 457 00:19:24,980 --> 00:19:27,460 who was and is and is to come. 458 00:19:27,460 --> 00:19:29,460 You see, there is a choice to make. 459 00:19:29,460 --> 00:19:31,260 There is an end to this life coming 460 00:19:31,260 --> 00:19:33,380 and Jesus is the only way to God. 461 00:19:33,380 --> 00:19:34,980 The world will tell you 462 00:19:34,980 --> 00:19:37,380 that you can find your own way to God. 463 00:19:37,380 --> 00:19:39,540 The world will tell you that God is loves 464 00:19:39,540 --> 00:19:40,380 and he's very, 465 00:19:40,380 --> 00:19:43,260 and the message nowadays is acceptance. 466 00:19:43,260 --> 00:19:47,380 You'll be accepted for who you are and what you are. 467 00:19:47,380 --> 00:19:49,420 I have a very specific problem 468 00:19:49,420 --> 00:19:52,060 with that idea of acceptance. 469 00:19:52,060 --> 00:19:54,060 Yes, we preach all the time from this pulpit, 470 00:19:54,060 --> 00:19:55,220 come as you are, 471 00:19:55,220 --> 00:19:56,060 and that is true, 472 00:19:56,060 --> 00:19:57,500 but there's no way, shape, or form 473 00:19:57,500 --> 00:20:00,900 that God intend on you to stay where you are. 474 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:02,900 There is a plan and a purpose for your life 475 00:20:02,900 --> 00:20:05,860 and that plan and purpose has to be subjecting yourself. 476 00:20:05,860 --> 00:20:08,260 The Bible says to deny yourself, 477 00:20:08,260 --> 00:20:10,700 to pick up my cross and follow me. 478 00:20:10,700 --> 00:20:14,020 It's not about a sacrifice of one thing or another. 479 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:16,700 It's a total sacrifice and surrendering of yourself. 480 00:20:18,140 --> 00:20:19,780 You see, in the first coming of Jesus, 481 00:20:19,780 --> 00:20:21,140 he did not come to judge, 482 00:20:21,140 --> 00:20:25,500 but he makes a very, very scary proclamation in verse 48. 483 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:27,940 It states that if we do not receive his words, 484 00:20:27,940 --> 00:20:30,580 then we have that which judges us, 485 00:20:30,580 --> 00:20:32,820 which is his very spoken word, 486 00:20:33,940 --> 00:20:36,660 which is the scary because as I look around the world 487 00:20:36,660 --> 00:20:38,740 and even the church as a whole, 488 00:20:38,740 --> 00:20:41,820 I see something that's getting farther and farther away 489 00:20:41,820 --> 00:20:43,580 from the word of God. 490 00:20:43,580 --> 00:20:45,980 It seems as though we have lost our way. 491 00:20:45,980 --> 00:20:48,500 It seems we have lost our focus. 492 00:20:48,500 --> 00:20:50,180 It seems we have lost our priority, 493 00:20:50,180 --> 00:20:52,980 which should always be the perfect will of God. 494 00:20:52,980 --> 00:20:56,300 As a church, we have begun to compromise the word of God. 495 00:20:56,300 --> 00:20:57,660 Amen. 496 00:20:57,660 --> 00:20:59,620 We have begun to compromise the word of God 497 00:20:59,620 --> 00:21:01,900 in a way that has allowed the enemy 498 00:21:01,900 --> 00:21:04,380 to set up false teachers and false preachers, 499 00:21:04,380 --> 00:21:06,460 false prophets and false apostles 500 00:21:06,460 --> 00:21:08,260 to lead his people astray. 501 00:21:09,460 --> 00:21:10,940 In churches all across America, 502 00:21:10,940 --> 00:21:13,220 there are wolves that are in sheep's clothing 503 00:21:13,220 --> 00:21:14,820 proclaiming the false gospel 504 00:21:14,820 --> 00:21:17,780 and the body of Christ can't distinguish between the two 505 00:21:17,780 --> 00:21:20,940 because the word is lacking in their own life. 506 00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:24,940 The door of compromise has begun to swing open. 507 00:21:24,940 --> 00:21:29,300 The glass window has a crack that has begun to splinter 508 00:21:29,300 --> 00:21:33,820 and become a big shattering piece of glass. 509 00:21:33,820 --> 00:21:35,580 Where does it end? 510 00:21:35,580 --> 00:21:39,260 Where does the compromise start and where does it stop? 511 00:21:39,260 --> 00:21:42,020 Paul urges us in Romans 16, 17 to 18, 512 00:21:42,020 --> 00:21:43,340 now I urge you brethren, 513 00:21:43,340 --> 00:21:46,820 note those who cause divisions and offenses 514 00:21:46,820 --> 00:21:51,820 contrary to the doctrine which you learned and avoid them. 515 00:21:52,380 --> 00:21:55,180 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ 516 00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:58,740 but their own belly and by smooth words and flattering speech 517 00:21:58,740 --> 00:22:01,460 deceive the hearts of the simple. 518 00:22:01,460 --> 00:22:05,380 Paul's warning us here for this very thing I'm talking about. 519 00:22:05,380 --> 00:22:07,060 You see, we are supposed to watch out 520 00:22:07,060 --> 00:22:09,620 for those that profess Christ yet come in 521 00:22:09,620 --> 00:22:10,860 with a different teaching 522 00:22:10,860 --> 00:22:13,540 other than the absolute truth of scripture. 523 00:22:13,540 --> 00:22:15,780 You must understand that there is a spirit 524 00:22:15,780 --> 00:22:17,700 that is at work in this world today 525 00:22:17,700 --> 00:22:21,580 that wants to cancel out you and I and our principles. 526 00:22:21,580 --> 00:22:22,780 I can almost hear it. 527 00:22:22,780 --> 00:22:25,580 If you'll compromise, if you'll just relax, 528 00:22:25,580 --> 00:22:27,900 if you'll just bend a little on your principles, 529 00:22:27,900 --> 00:22:29,860 I wanna tell you today that there has been 530 00:22:29,860 --> 00:22:32,220 too much relaxing in some of our churches. 531 00:22:32,220 --> 00:22:35,420 Any amount of compromise is too much compromise. 532 00:22:35,420 --> 00:22:37,220 I'm afraid we've came to the day 533 00:22:37,220 --> 00:22:39,380 that Jude talked about in his epistle. 534 00:22:39,380 --> 00:22:42,980 Jude sat down to write about our common salvation 535 00:22:42,980 --> 00:22:47,620 and became so overwhelmed in passion to warn the church. 536 00:22:47,620 --> 00:22:49,620 He said, while I sit down to write 537 00:22:49,620 --> 00:22:52,420 about our common salvation, it overwhelmed me 538 00:22:52,420 --> 00:22:56,340 and I need to say to you, wake up and contend for the faith 539 00:22:56,340 --> 00:22:58,380 which was once delivered to the saints. 540 00:22:58,380 --> 00:22:59,700 Make no mistake about it. 541 00:22:59,700 --> 00:23:02,060 This isn't a message of doom and despair. 542 00:23:02,060 --> 00:23:04,300 It's a call to the men and women of God 543 00:23:04,300 --> 00:23:07,820 to get back to the scripture and get back to the word of God, 544 00:23:07,820 --> 00:23:10,540 to get back to Jesus as the Lord of our lives. 545 00:23:10,540 --> 00:23:13,700 It's one thing to have Jesus as Lord of your life 546 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:15,780 than to know Jesus as Lord. 547 00:23:15,780 --> 00:23:17,460 He's gonna be identified as Lord, 548 00:23:17,460 --> 00:23:20,980 cause that's who he is, but is he Lord of your life? 549 00:23:20,980 --> 00:23:22,700 To open up our hearts and once again, 550 00:23:22,700 --> 00:23:25,020 allow the scriptures to transform us, 551 00:23:25,020 --> 00:23:27,860 then we will see the power of God manifest in ways 552 00:23:27,860 --> 00:23:29,900 that we have not seen before. 553 00:23:29,900 --> 00:23:33,060 Then we will begin to see a change in our lives 554 00:23:33,060 --> 00:23:33,900 in those around us. 555 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:36,180 God is still on his throne and he is still able 556 00:23:36,180 --> 00:23:38,620 to do a great and mighty things in us 557 00:23:38,620 --> 00:23:40,420 and in our lives and in our world, 558 00:23:40,420 --> 00:23:43,580 because his word still stands, amen? 559 00:23:46,180 --> 00:23:47,980 Third thing we need to realize is that 560 00:23:47,980 --> 00:23:50,380 the consequence of that very choice. 561 00:23:52,180 --> 00:23:54,340 We have a choice to make and there's consequences 562 00:23:54,340 --> 00:23:55,980 with every choice we make, amen? 563 00:23:56,940 --> 00:23:59,100 We're always trying to find out what's the best, 564 00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:00,940 what's the best consequence of the choice 565 00:24:00,940 --> 00:24:02,660 that's best for us. 566 00:24:02,660 --> 00:24:03,620 That's me. 567 00:24:03,620 --> 00:24:04,540 Brian's always trying to figure out 568 00:24:04,540 --> 00:24:06,820 what's worked best for Brian, right? 569 00:24:06,820 --> 00:24:09,100 I have to understand sometimes that maybe Brian's idea 570 00:24:09,100 --> 00:24:11,380 is not the best idea and that's okay, 571 00:24:11,380 --> 00:24:14,580 but there's a choice and a consequence to that choice. 572 00:24:14,580 --> 00:24:19,100 Jesus makes it clear that there is a day of judgment coming. 573 00:24:20,020 --> 00:24:23,220 That day, a day when our response to his word 574 00:24:23,220 --> 00:24:25,660 will determine our eternal destiny. 575 00:24:25,660 --> 00:24:27,940 The choice to reject Jesus and his teachings 576 00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:31,180 is not a personal preference or an alternative option, 577 00:24:31,180 --> 00:24:34,020 but it carries eternal implications. 578 00:24:34,020 --> 00:24:39,020 Hebrews 9.27 states, as it is appointed for men to die once, 579 00:24:39,860 --> 00:24:42,700 but after the judgment. 580 00:24:42,700 --> 00:24:44,900 You see, we will all stand before God one day. 581 00:24:44,900 --> 00:24:48,180 The word of Jesus are the standard 582 00:24:48,180 --> 00:24:49,900 by which we are to be judged. 583 00:24:49,900 --> 00:24:53,420 As the embodiment of truth, life, and the way to the Father, 584 00:24:53,420 --> 00:24:55,980 we all will stand before God one day 585 00:24:55,980 --> 00:24:57,660 and it will be the very word of God 586 00:24:57,660 --> 00:24:59,500 by which we will be judged. 587 00:24:59,500 --> 00:25:03,300 We will give an account for our life. 588 00:25:03,300 --> 00:25:08,060 Then I realize I do not follow his word. 589 00:25:08,060 --> 00:25:09,740 We stand before God in the judgment 590 00:25:09,740 --> 00:25:13,060 and we realize, wait, maybe I missed something. 591 00:25:13,060 --> 00:25:16,340 Maybe I didn't follow as much as I thought I did. 592 00:25:16,340 --> 00:25:17,460 That sounds harsh, doesn't it? 593 00:25:17,460 --> 00:25:20,180 That sounds tough to be judged and I would agree, 594 00:25:20,180 --> 00:25:23,700 but then I realize that Jesus is the one who died for me 595 00:25:23,700 --> 00:25:26,700 and given me a way of escape. 596 00:25:26,700 --> 00:25:27,940 There is a consequence, 597 00:25:27,940 --> 00:25:31,180 but you can make a choice today to follow Christ, 598 00:25:31,180 --> 00:25:34,580 to follow the word and you will be changed 599 00:25:34,580 --> 00:25:37,580 because his word still stands, amen? 600 00:25:45,420 --> 00:25:47,700 You can go ahead and come to the piano. 601 00:25:47,700 --> 00:25:48,780 I'm gonna be closing. 602 00:25:50,260 --> 00:25:55,820 Not a very long scripture today, 603 00:25:55,820 --> 00:26:00,820 but when I stand before God one day, and in my mind, 604 00:26:03,500 --> 00:26:05,660 this is how it, it's not how it works. 605 00:26:05,660 --> 00:26:06,940 Please, this is not scripture. 606 00:26:06,940 --> 00:26:09,300 This is Brian's idea, all right? 607 00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:11,380 So differentiate that between the two, 608 00:26:11,380 --> 00:26:13,380 but when I stand before the Lord one day, 609 00:26:16,220 --> 00:26:18,060 it's as if I'm gonna stand there 610 00:26:18,060 --> 00:26:20,820 and obviously give an account for my life, 611 00:26:20,820 --> 00:26:23,900 but in my mind, Jesus, or God has a board 612 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:27,340 and on that board is me, is my life. 613 00:26:29,420 --> 00:26:32,500 From birth until death, accomplishments, 614 00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:35,660 things that I've done, things that I have achieved 615 00:26:35,660 --> 00:26:40,020 in my life and I'm gonna give an account for everything, 616 00:26:40,020 --> 00:26:45,020 but the scariest thing for me is if I look at that board 617 00:26:45,340 --> 00:26:48,820 and then I look back to God and I say, that's not me. 618 00:26:48,820 --> 00:26:50,220 That wasn't, that's not me. 619 00:26:50,220 --> 00:26:54,140 God, you've got things, that's not me. 620 00:26:55,660 --> 00:26:59,620 And then for God to tell me, I know that's not you, 621 00:26:59,620 --> 00:27:01,860 that was the plan that I had for you. 622 00:27:03,740 --> 00:27:06,020 You see, there are things in this word 623 00:27:06,020 --> 00:27:08,060 that we are not even aware of yet. 624 00:27:09,940 --> 00:27:12,060 There are things in the scripture that, 625 00:27:14,460 --> 00:27:19,460 and hear my heart, I know I'm nowhere coming. 626 00:27:19,460 --> 00:27:22,380 I know I'm nowhere close, right? 627 00:27:24,500 --> 00:27:28,220 It's the standard and I know I don't measure up. 628 00:27:29,220 --> 00:27:30,900 There has to be a sense of understanding 629 00:27:30,900 --> 00:27:33,340 that I'm not good enough, that's okay. 630 00:27:33,340 --> 00:27:35,100 Not doing it for me. 631 00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:36,620 I'm okay with not being good enough, 632 00:27:36,620 --> 00:27:38,820 but I don't wanna stand before the Lord one day 633 00:27:38,820 --> 00:27:40,660 and think I missed out on something 634 00:27:40,660 --> 00:27:42,540 because I didn't have my nose buried 635 00:27:42,540 --> 00:27:47,540 in the word of God, in Jesus, and the reality of that, 636 00:27:53,300 --> 00:27:56,500 hit me so hard throughout this week, y'all can stand. 637 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:02,460 So the question then becomes for you today, 638 00:28:02,460 --> 00:28:04,660 if you find yourself standing before the Lord, 639 00:28:05,540 --> 00:28:06,780 what will he see? 640 00:28:08,460 --> 00:28:10,540 Will he see someone who's lived their lives 641 00:28:10,540 --> 00:28:11,660 according to the scriptures? 642 00:28:11,660 --> 00:28:16,660 Will he see someone who followed his will in their life? 643 00:28:19,020 --> 00:28:22,220 Will he see someone who has let Jesus be Lord of their life? 644 00:28:24,140 --> 00:28:27,660 We have a choice to make, amen? 645 00:28:28,620 --> 00:28:30,420 And I wanna encourage each and every one of you, 646 00:28:30,420 --> 00:28:32,020 I wanna encourage anyone that's here today 647 00:28:32,020 --> 00:28:34,300 that does not know the Lord, Jesus Christ, 648 00:28:34,300 --> 00:28:37,900 as their Lord and Savior, that today is the day for you, 649 00:28:37,900 --> 00:28:40,580 if you choose so. 650 00:28:41,780 --> 00:28:45,300 No one can make you, maybe you're feeling a tug 651 00:28:45,300 --> 00:28:47,060 on your heart right now so strong, 652 00:28:48,700 --> 00:28:50,660 that you're not really sure what to do. 653 00:28:52,900 --> 00:28:54,900 I've been in that very spot where it felt like 654 00:28:54,900 --> 00:28:56,860 my heart was gonna beat out of my chest, 655 00:28:56,860 --> 00:29:00,900 and I felt anxious, I felt overwhelmed, 656 00:29:00,900 --> 00:29:02,460 and all I could do is just cry 657 00:29:02,460 --> 00:29:04,500 and not understand really what's happening. 658 00:29:05,900 --> 00:29:07,660 But as you sit in this church today, 659 00:29:07,660 --> 00:29:11,340 I wanna encourage you that these altars are open right now, 660 00:29:11,340 --> 00:29:12,860 and I wanna pray with you. 661 00:29:14,900 --> 00:29:16,140 But there's a choice to be made, 662 00:29:16,140 --> 00:29:18,060 and that choice is an eternal one. 663 00:29:19,820 --> 00:29:21,860 So I encourage you today, maybe you find yourself 664 00:29:21,860 --> 00:29:23,220 in a position where you've fallen away, 665 00:29:23,220 --> 00:29:25,380 you knew Jesus, you knew God as your, 666 00:29:25,380 --> 00:29:27,580 Jesus as the Lord of your life, but you've fallen away, 667 00:29:27,580 --> 00:29:30,100 and if you have, there's a great opportunity 668 00:29:30,100 --> 00:29:31,900 for you to get back in alignment 669 00:29:31,900 --> 00:29:33,940 with his will for your life. 670 00:29:33,940 --> 00:29:37,580 Because one thing I can promise you with 100% certainty 671 00:29:37,580 --> 00:29:39,860 is that God's plan for your life is far greater 672 00:29:39,860 --> 00:29:43,260 than anything you could ever comprehend or imagine. 673 00:29:52,900 --> 00:29:56,020 I love you today, Lord, and I thank you, God, for your word. 674 00:29:57,340 --> 00:30:02,340 I thank you, Lord, that it is everything I need in this life. 675 00:30:02,340 --> 00:30:06,340 I thank you for your word being himself, Jesus Christ, 676 00:30:06,340 --> 00:30:07,740 and my Savior. 677 00:30:09,340 --> 00:30:12,580 I love you today, and I thank you for the opportunity 678 00:30:12,580 --> 00:30:15,860 that I have to speak before your people. 679 00:30:16,580 --> 00:30:19,180 And God, I pray that your word was edifying unto you. 680 00:30:19,180 --> 00:30:23,500 I pray, God, that you would move in the hearts 681 00:30:23,500 --> 00:30:24,860 and lives of us today. 682 00:30:26,580 --> 00:30:28,740 And as we go our separate ways, God, I pray that you would 683 00:30:28,740 --> 00:30:30,620 bring us back at the appointed time, 684 00:30:30,620 --> 00:30:33,620 Lord, I love you today, and I thank you, and I praise you. 685 00:30:34,980 --> 00:30:37,420 If there's anyone that would like prayer for anything, 686 00:30:38,860 --> 00:30:42,140 again, these altars are open, I won't tear you too, too long. 687 00:30:42,140 --> 00:30:44,460 It's an early Sunday morning, amen? 688 00:30:46,220 --> 00:30:48,020 I was very short today. 689 00:30:49,860 --> 00:30:50,700 That's okay. 690 00:30:50,700 --> 00:30:56,700 These past few weeks, and until the end of May, and it may go 691 00:30:56,700 --> 00:30:59,300 longer, a pastor has called us to prayer. 692 00:31:01,300 --> 00:31:03,740 More than that, to spend time in the altars. 693 00:31:04,940 --> 00:31:07,300 We've been opening the church on Thursday evenings, 694 00:31:07,300 --> 00:31:10,580 and it was a designated time of prayer for you to come 695 00:31:10,580 --> 00:31:12,220 and pray in these altars. 696 00:31:13,180 --> 00:31:16,580 And I believe that if we take this opportunity to pray 697 00:31:16,580 --> 00:31:21,180 in these altars, and I believe that if we take this message 698 00:31:21,180 --> 00:31:24,020 today and study these scriptures, and study the word, 699 00:31:24,940 --> 00:31:28,980 and make it a part of our daily life, and our living, 700 00:31:28,980 --> 00:31:31,980 and identify who Jesus Christ is through his word, 701 00:31:32,980 --> 00:31:35,220 and we tie that with that prayer that pastor's 702 00:31:35,220 --> 00:31:39,460 been talking about, I think we will begin to see God 703 00:31:39,460 --> 00:31:43,140 manifest himself in ways, not only in our service, 704 00:31:43,140 --> 00:31:44,740 but in each and every one of our lives, 705 00:31:44,740 --> 00:31:47,660 in ways that we've been seeking and searching for 706 00:31:47,660 --> 00:31:49,060 for such a long time. 707 00:31:53,220 --> 00:31:56,940 Not trying to be scary today with the message of judgment, 708 00:31:56,940 --> 00:32:01,220 but it's a real thing that we need to understand, amen? 709 00:32:01,220 --> 00:32:02,060 I know I do. 710 00:32:02,060 --> 00:32:05,380 It's, believe me, if I could, if the Lord would let me 711 00:32:05,380 --> 00:32:07,580 preach anything else, I would have. 712 00:32:07,580 --> 00:32:10,220 But this has been on my heart all week long. 713 00:32:10,220 --> 00:32:11,660 I don't know why. 714 00:32:11,660 --> 00:32:13,460 I can only hope that God's will was performed. 715 00:32:13,460 --> 00:32:15,140 I know that his will was performed, because I believe 716 00:32:15,140 --> 00:32:17,140 I did what he called me to do today. 717 00:32:18,100 --> 00:32:20,780 I believe I spoke the word that he gave to me today. 718 00:32:22,940 --> 00:32:25,940 Of course, it doesn't compare to how he would have done it, 719 00:32:27,780 --> 00:32:29,900 but I feel like I did my assignment. 720 00:32:32,500 --> 00:32:34,500 Father, I love you today and I thank you. 721 00:32:36,620 --> 00:32:39,140 Lord, bless us as we go our separate ways. 722 00:32:39,140 --> 00:32:40,300 Bless us. 723 00:32:40,300 --> 00:32:41,620 Touch us throughout this week. 724 00:32:41,620 --> 00:32:43,740 God, bring us back next Sunday morning. 725 00:32:46,340 --> 00:32:48,220 Touch our mothers throughout the week, God, 726 00:32:48,220 --> 00:32:51,340 as we approach Mother's Day. 727 00:32:55,220 --> 00:32:57,260 I love you, Lord, and I thank you. 728 00:32:57,260 --> 00:33:12,260 In Jesus' name, amen.