1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,000 Hallelujah. 2 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,000 My Lord. 3 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Say that with me. 4 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:04,000 Hallelujah. 5 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:20,720 You know, we join the host that's under the altar as they begin to declare in Revelation 6 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:21,720 19. 7 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:22,720 Hallelujah. 8 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:23,720 Hallelujah. 9 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:24,720 Hallelujah. 10 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:25,720 You know, He is everything. 11 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:30,400 He's all in all. 12 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:31,400 Amen. 13 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:36,640 Give Him a good praise as you're seated in His house this morning. 14 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:45,280 Well, glory to His name. 15 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:54,360 His glory is as bright in the valley as it is on any mountaintop, wherever I've stood. 16 00:00:54,360 --> 00:01:00,480 I don't know about your valleys, but the ones I've had to walk through, it seemed like it 17 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:02,800 was brighter. 18 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:04,440 His glory shined brighter. 19 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:09,200 Because when I'm on the mountain, things are clear. 20 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:15,040 It's when I'm in that valley, when things close in, then the illuminating factor of 21 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:19,280 His grace and love, His glory shines. 22 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:21,360 My Lord. 23 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:27,800 Let's take a minute and just, however you feel, just worship Him and thank Him for His 24 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:28,800 glory in the valley. 25 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:29,800 Father, I love you today, Lord. 26 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:30,800 I thank you for your glory in the valley. 27 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:52,200 I thank you, Lord, for shining in the light. 28 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:57,200 Hallelujah. 29 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:11,240 Earlier this morning, when they were rehearsing, you know, some of them get here about 8 o'clock 30 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:18,560 every Sunday morning, start preparing and putting things together in order to lead you 31 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:19,560 and I to worship. 32 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:22,560 Don't you appreciate their sacrifice? 33 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:28,960 Let them know that. 34 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:34,120 Some of you at about 8 o'clock are just getting that first cup of coffee. 35 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:39,800 Start getting your mind wrapped around coming to worship and they're here preparing to lead 36 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:40,800 us in. 37 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:46,520 And when they started this song this morning, all the way down to the end of the hall, doors 38 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:53,560 are all open so nobody here to absorb it, so it just comes rolling in my door. 39 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:58,360 When they started singing it, it got down to me. 40 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:04,520 I had to come up here and just see and just watch. 41 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:09,920 I'm telling you, I felt the glory of the Lord this morning and I thought it's going to be 42 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:13,080 a good day at the Hopewell Church of God. 43 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:14,080 Amen. 44 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:15,780 The Lord is already here. 45 00:03:15,780 --> 00:03:17,760 He was here waiting on our arrival. 46 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:18,760 Amen. 47 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:20,840 Has it been good to you this week? 48 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:21,840 Amen. 49 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:26,040 Let's go before the Lord with our tithe and offering and don't forget today, hopefully 50 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:31,680 you came prepared for the special offering we mentioned last week and the two particular 51 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:37,880 needs that we're going to reach out and help some people. 52 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:39,520 The offering today will go for that. 53 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:44,560 If you give online and you've already given and had forgotten about the offering, you 54 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:49,600 can go back and just put special offering and we'll be sure that it gets there. 55 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:50,600 We want to bless these needs. 56 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:56,720 We have a family connected to our church, used to attend this church, who lost everything 57 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:02,800 in a fire, a house fire, everything. 58 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:07,920 We want to try and help them and bless them. 59 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:17,560 Father Scotty Hernandez is Sergeant Major in the company that he serves with. 60 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:25,440 Child in that very rare condition and looking at amputating some limbs on this child. 61 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:29,240 So we want to reach out and be a blessing to them. 62 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:30,240 Amen. 63 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:32,720 Father, I love you today. 64 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:39,360 As we come prepared to worship you in spirit and in truth today. 65 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:44,040 Over the household of faith, I ask God that you would bless them with jobs and better 66 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:52,560 jobs, increases, checks in the mail, refunds, rebates, the best sale in town, whatever's 67 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:55,720 out there, Lord, that will bless your people. 68 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,760 I ask Lord that you bring that into their life. 69 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:03,920 Not more than, but not less than what your word speaks over us. 70 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,840 And according to your word, you'll supply all of our need according to your riches in 71 00:05:07,840 --> 00:05:12,440 glory by Christ Jesus. 72 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:13,440 Calls us to prosper. 73 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:14,440 Bless your people. 74 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:15,440 In Christ's name. 75 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:16,440 And the church says, amen. 76 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:31,040 Stand with me and come and worship in your giving today as we march around. 77 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:35,560 I've had many tears and sorrows. 78 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:40,160 I've had questions for tomorrow. 79 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:48,360 There have been times I didn't know right from wrong. 80 00:05:48,360 --> 00:06:06,800 But in every situation, God gave blessed consolation that my trials only come to make me strong. 81 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:15,160 Through it all, through it all. 82 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:19,440 And I've learned to trust in Jesus. 83 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:24,520 And I've learned to trust in God. 84 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:32,760 Through it all, through it all. 85 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:42,360 And I've learned to depend upon His word. 86 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:46,680 I've been to a lot of places. 87 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:51,400 I have seen so many faces. 88 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:58,880 But there have been times that I've felt so all alone. 89 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:10,360 But it was in those lonely hours, all those precious lonely hours that Jesus let me know 90 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,360 I was His own. 91 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:23,880 And it was through it all, through it all. 92 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:29,080 And I've learned to trust in Jesus. 93 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:33,080 And I've learned to trust in God. 94 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:41,080 Through it all, through it all. 95 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:49,080 And I've learned to depend upon His word. 96 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:54,080 So I thank God for my mountains. 97 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:58,080 And I thank God for my valleys. 98 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:06,080 And I thank Him for all the storms He's brought me through. 99 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:16,080 For if I never had a problem, how would I know that He could solve them? 100 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:21,080 But I know what faith in God's word could do. 101 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:26,080 Oh, it's come through it all. 102 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:31,080 Through it all. 103 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,080 Well, I've learned to trust in Jesus. 104 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:40,080 And I've learned to trust in God. 105 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:48,080 Through it all, through it all. 106 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:56,080 I've learned to depend upon His word. 107 00:08:56,080 --> 00:09:04,080 I've learned to depend upon His word. 108 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:13,080 I've learned to depend upon His word. 109 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,080 Hallelujah. You trusting in the word of God? 110 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:19,080 Do you trust in the word of God? 111 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:24,080 Give Him praise for His word this morning. 112 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:27,080 Hallelujah. 113 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:32,080 You know that all is quite a bit. 114 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:39,080 Through it all, right? 115 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:47,080 There's a lot that gets wrapped up in that pretty bow through it all. 116 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:54,080 But we're trusting in God, believing in God, amen? 117 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:57,080 If you have your Bibles, be turning with me. 118 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:04,080 We're going to continue in this little mini-series. 119 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:08,080 We're going to finish it up today, that contend for the faith. 120 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:17,080 And in finishing that up, we're going to look at the expectations and hope of the faith. 121 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:23,080 Expectations and hope of the faith, amen? 122 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:28,080 I'm going to read you a book of Jude, verse three. 123 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:31,080 The book of Jude, verse three. 124 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:35,080 While you're turning there, let me again say it's so good to see you in the house of the Lord. 125 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:40,080 If you're visiting with us this morning, I don't know what kind of shape I'll be in when this is over. 126 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:44,080 So if you'll go out the doors to my left, right over there at the counter, 127 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:52,080 we have some folks there ready to greet you and we want to bless you and let you know how much we appreciate you being here today. 128 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:56,080 We have a number of churches in Bradley County, 80, 90, somewhere around nearly 100. 129 00:10:56,080 --> 00:11:01,080 And so it is an honor that you've chosen Hopewell Church of God this morning, amen? 130 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:04,080 Because you could have been a lot of different places. 131 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:08,080 So thank you for being here and honoring us with your presence today. 132 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:12,080 Hopewell family, thank you so much for being here today. 133 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:18,080 And I know you look around as I am and you see faces that aren't here. 134 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:27,080 With summer comes vacations and places to go and so let's remember our brothers and sisters as they travel about, amen? 135 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:34,080 And that they have such a good time on vacation, they're so wore out that they have to go to work to get rest. 136 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:42,080 Fair enough? Wouldn't you like to have one of those so wore out from vacation you get rested at work? 137 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:50,080 Jude, verse 3, beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, 138 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:59,080 it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith, 139 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:06,080 which was once delivered unto the saints, the expectations and hope of the faith. 140 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:07,080 Father, I love you today. 141 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:14,080 Lord, I thank you for how you stirred our heart over the past weeks to minister this word and from this passage. 142 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:18,080 Lord, I pray that it has been an encouragement to the body of Christ. 143 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:24,080 I ask, Lord, that truly that we are enriched because of the power of your word. 144 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:31,080 We live on, we thrive in your word. It's hope and it's life. 145 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,080 So help us today, Father. Help me this morning. 146 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:37,080 May I be expedient. The Lord won't beat around the bush and be here all day. 147 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:41,080 Help me say what you want me to say. We let the folks go. 148 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,080 In Christ's name, and everybody says, Amen. 149 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:53,080 I figured you all would have been to Amen and real good there saying what needs to be said and letting the folks go. 150 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:57,080 Sometimes it takes me a little longer than others to say it. 151 00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:02,080 As I mentioned, we're closing this little mini-series. 152 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:08,080 If you've been here for any length of time, you realize I'm not known as a series preacher. 153 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:13,080 Thirty years of preaching over that thirty years, probably on two hands. 154 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:19,080 You could add up how many series I've done. It just doesn't work that way through me. 155 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:24,080 These guys, they'll enter into two or three series and they've got six months of the year. 156 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,080 And I'm thinking, they say, well, it makes it easier to study. 157 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:29,080 I said, well, it just doesn't work that way for me. 158 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:34,080 So when the Lord does move me on one, it kind of gives me a little relief. 159 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:52,080 And as we are contending for the faith and the fall of digging in, you remember that to contend means to to take hold of and to be in conflict for to contend for to strive against the opposition. 160 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:59,080 And as we are contending for the faith, we are reminded that the faith is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 161 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:11,080 That's the sum total of the faith that we're living out, the gospel message, the good news and all that is contained in Jesus Christ and his word and instruction for us. 162 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:24,080 By believing and accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ, it affords to us the believer access to the promises and the privileges that are made in and through the word of God. 163 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:31,080 I don't know if you realize that, but there are promises that have been made, thousands of promises in the word of God. 164 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:37,080 And according to the word of God itself, they are yay and amen in Christ Jesus. 165 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:42,080 And those promises are to those who are of the faith. 166 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:47,080 You're outside the faith. The promises of God, the good things of God, the privileges that you have. 167 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:53,080 And by being a child of God are not afforded to you being outside the faith. 168 00:14:53,080 --> 00:15:00,080 You get a little rain of goodness in your life because it rains on the just and the unjust. 169 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,080 Amen. Everybody gets a little wet. Right. 170 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:15,080 So when we think about the privileges and the promises that are provided to us through the faith, through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice of Christ himself. 171 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:26,080 If you remember last week, I told you and made that little comment about that it is all based upon the precept and the concept of the sacrifice of who Christ is. 172 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:30,080 Amen. And the glory of God through Christ in and through our lives. 173 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:40,080 So as Jude is writing to the church, he's wanting them to earnestly contend earnestly means to do with intensity. 174 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:49,080 He meant to earnestly contrive, to be have conviction and to seriously take note of what it is that you're doing. 175 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:52,080 And we are to take the faith very seriously. Amen. 176 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:57,080 We are to be intense about the relationship that we have with Jesus Christ. 177 00:15:57,080 --> 00:16:06,080 I don't know that if we fully understand some of the magnitude that goes by when God said he'd have no other before me. Amen. 178 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:11,080 We put a lot of things in front. We love God. We we love Christ or we say we do. 179 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:19,080 But he has to be number one in our life. The priority of our love has to flow from our love for Jesus Christ. 180 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:23,080 You can't love your boat more than Christ. You can't love your golf clubs more than Christ. 181 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:27,080 I'm about to bust a bubble. You can't love your kids more than you love Christ. 182 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:32,080 You can't love your grandchildren more than you love Christ. You can't love your bank account more than you love Christ. 183 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:38,080 You can't love your wife or your husband more than you love Christ. You can't love yourself more than you love Christ. 184 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:42,080 He has to be the supremacy of your love in your life. 185 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:49,080 The number one priority of your being should be to love him with all that is within you. 186 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:55,080 That is the requirement. Is it not? When Jesus was asked in question, what is the greatest of the commandments? 187 00:16:55,080 --> 00:17:02,080 That thou should love the Lord thy God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might, with all of your being. 188 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:09,080 Then second under this, let other relationships flow out of that. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. 189 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:15,080 The supremacy is not love yourself and then love your neighbor. It's loving our neighbors as we love ourself. 190 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:20,080 So we are to earnestly contend for the gospel, the good news of Christ, 191 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:29,080 and the faith that we have that brings and affords us those privileges and the promises that are made available through the work of Jesus Christ. 192 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:37,080 On Wednesday night, many of you were here and we celebrated what we labeled as our freedom fellowship up at the pavilion. 193 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:44,080 It was hot, but I sat on the edges and I don't know if you noticed, but I watch. I like to watch folk. 194 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:49,080 I like to see how you interact together. I love to see the church in fellowship. 195 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:55,080 And it was a wonderful, wonderful time that we had. You can't beat homemade ice cream. Amen. 196 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:59,080 You can't beat a hamburger and a hot dog with everything you can pile on top of it. 197 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:03,080 But on top of that, the fellowship of the body of Christ. 198 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:11,080 I noticed Sister Erica posted some of the pictures from our fellowship together and how others begin to comment outside of our fellowship. 199 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:16,080 Oh, how everyone looks so happy. Amen. Everyone looks so happy. 200 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:20,080 It looks like everyone was having a wonderful, fun time and we were. 201 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:26,080 It was hot, but we were still having a good time together, seeing the church fellowship together. 202 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:33,080 And it was all because of the night before of the celebration of our national independence. Amen. 203 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:36,080 And we were going to celebrate that on Thursday. 204 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:42,080 Oh, last Sunday, Brother George used an illustration of an Ivan Parker song in his Sunday school class. 205 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:46,080 And he showed me a little quote that Brother Randy had sent him of that song. 206 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:51,080 And when I began to read it, I said, I need a copy of that because we're going to use that again come Sunday. 207 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:56,080 It struck me. I'd never heard the song and I don't know why, but I'd never heard it. 208 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:59,080 So I want you to hear the lyrics as we begin to move in. 209 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:04,080 And I want you to think about the expectation and the hope that we have in the faith. 210 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,080 Amen. It begins this way. 211 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:36,080 Amen. 212 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:14,080 I'm in the hope of liberty that begin to move me and begin to stir in my heart as we begin to think about contending for the faith and the expectations and the hope that we have in the faith. 213 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:18,080 While I'm in the faith, I do expect some things from God. 214 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:26,080 I expect those promises and privileges that are afforded to me in my faith to him to be a reality in my life. 215 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:29,080 I don't read the Bible wishing that those things would happen. 216 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:36,080 I read the word of God with expectation that they can happen in my life and what he has promised to others. 217 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:40,080 He has promised to me and those promises of God are yes and yes. 218 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:44,080 Yes. Amen. To all those who are loving him. 219 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:50,080 And I don't know about you, but I love him a far above any and everything on the face of this earth. 220 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:53,080 I love Sister Kathy with every fiber of my being. 221 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:56,080 But the fibers that I can't measure is what I love him with. 222 00:20:56,080 --> 00:21:03,080 Hallelujah. Because I know what he has done for the soul of this old wretched once man. 223 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:18,080 I do know that it was on Galgotha's Hill that the price was solidified and the hope that I have and the freedom that I have is in the expectation of the promises of God because of the faith that I have in him. 224 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:23,080 Hallelujah. The gospel. The good news. 225 00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:28,080 Jesus saves. Jesus saves. 226 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:33,080 The vile sinner. He saves. 227 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:38,080 That's a hope that I have for all who don't know him. 228 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:44,080 I don't know if you realize it or not, but you can be a good sinner and still go to a devil's hell. 229 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:56,080 Huh? So I'm thankful that I have been made whole by the redemptive work of Christ and Christ alone and the hope that the gospel brings into my life. 230 00:21:56,080 --> 00:22:02,080 So when we begin to think about the expectations, what can you and I expect in everyday life? 231 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:08,080 I find myself not fully surprised by a lot of the things that happen. 232 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:15,080 Anybody besides me? I see some crazy stuff going, but the older I get, the less it's surprised. 233 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:20,080 The less I'm surprised by the stupidity of humanity. I'm sorry. 234 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:26,080 I mean, I mean, that's just the way it is. The older I get, the less it surprises me. 235 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:31,080 I thought, well, there you go. I wonder what God thinks on the throne of eternity sometime. 236 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:38,080 No wonder he told Moses, let me wipe this bunch out and start all over. 237 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:44,080 Even, well, I've got to get on or I'll get hung up. 238 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,080 I'm not surprised by a lot of the things that happen. 239 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:52,080 Could be because I'm a realist, not a pessimist. I know some think, says, 240 00:22:52,080 --> 00:23:02,080 I'm a pessimist, but not really. I am a realist, a realist, not always positive, not always negative. 241 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:06,080 But I'm right in the middle. Things are just what they are. 242 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:10,080 Hello? And the sooner you get balanced in your life, 243 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:14,080 the more you'll not be surprised by some of the things that come across your pathway. 244 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:20,080 Amen. Some of the things that others can bring, some of the things that the enemy can offer into your life. 245 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:27,080 I'm not fully yet a pessimist. I'm holding on to the idea of realism 246 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:31,080 because the reality of life in which we live life sometimes stinks. 247 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:34,080 Come on, somebody. I said sometimes life stinks. 248 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:40,080 But the good thing about that is being a child of God and one who is a member of the faith family 249 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:45,080 is that there is a rose that will shine and illuminate in the stitch of life. 250 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:50,080 And there's still a sweet aroma that confines you because of the faith that you have. 251 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:53,080 Oh, thank him for his glory in the wilderness. 252 00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:57,080 But I even thank him more down in the valley when the glory, why? 253 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:03,080 Because there is a lily that blooms there. My God, you may be walking through the wilderness 254 00:24:03,080 --> 00:24:06,080 and the valley of life right now. It may be bleak where you are. 255 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:12,080 Stop looking for the negative and start looking for the lily that will bloom in your valley 256 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:17,080 because of the glorious love that Jesus Christ has for you. 257 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:29,080 Earnestly, seriously contend over the years I've seen people quit church over some of the dumbest things. 258 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:36,080 I got about 30 years in it now and I've seen almost every reason, heard almost every excuse 259 00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:42,080 as to why somebody quits church. And it's still, this part does amaze me, 260 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:57,080 how that people will use those excuses to run as far from the help that is trying to be offered to them as they can go. 261 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:00,080 How they, well, you're running the wrong direction. 262 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:05,080 That's what the altars for. Come to Jesus, right? 263 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:11,080 He'll take care of that stuff. And most of the time it's because we've got our eyes on other people 264 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:14,080 and ears to opinionate it to their opinions. 265 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:21,080 And so we'll let others talk us out of the promises and the privileges that God has afforded to us 266 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:25,080 because of the faith that we are living out in our everyday life. 267 00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:32,080 And we'll let others skewer us and skew us from the promise that God has made for us. 268 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:38,080 You do know that that is just a tactic of the devil. 269 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:40,080 How many knows that? 270 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:45,080 Okay, so next time y'all come at me with something I'm going to say, well, you said, 271 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:53,080 you knew it was the devil. And so if it is the devil, why are you running away? 272 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:56,080 Let's breathe. Everybody take a deep breath. 273 00:25:56,080 --> 00:26:00,080 Say, Lord, help pastor to move on. 274 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,080 Thank you. I'm moving right now, right now. 275 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:09,080 The expectations that I have in God, I find myself fully amazed and in awe. 276 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:14,080 Not amazed in awe of what people do or things that arise or even problems that come up, 277 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:18,080 calamity that makes its way in. I'm not surprised when Hamas attacks Israel. 278 00:26:18,080 --> 00:26:25,080 I'm not surprised when an Iran does what they do or Japan or China or any other nation in the world do what they do. 279 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:31,080 I'm not surprised by some of the stupidity that our own nation does and perpetrates around the world. 280 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:33,080 I'm not surprised by some of that stuff. 281 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:40,080 But when I do get put in awe is when God begins to work in my life and when he begins to unfold the expectations 282 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:46,080 and the promises and the privileges that I read in his word and they begin to be reality in my life, 283 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:49,080 then I stand at awe. I stand amazed. Amen. 284 00:26:49,080 --> 00:26:57,080 That the goodness that God don't ever forget that God is good and there's nothing else that he can be and nothing else that he ever will be. 285 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:02,080 He is good now. He was good then and he always will continue to be good. 286 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:08,080 Hallelujah. And when that goodness is unfolded upon my life, I truly stand in awe 287 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:15,080 because I don't expect some of the things that God does. Amen. 288 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:21,080 You just can't, I can't get my mind around how good and how faithful he is. 289 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:28,080 The scripture says he is faithful that promised. Amen. He is faithful that promised. 290 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:37,080 So if he promised and he is faithful, then I myself can let those expectations be real in my life. 291 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:41,080 When I think of the expectation of liberty, we've just celebrated. 292 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:48,080 John 836 is true. If the son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. 293 00:27:48,080 --> 00:27:54,080 But then Paul would say, do not return again to the bondage. 294 00:27:54,080 --> 00:28:01,080 My Lord, could we just put a tent stake down and preach on don't return to the bondage. 295 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:06,080 If the son therefore has set you free, remain free. What do you say? 296 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:11,080 I'm saying you can walk back into the bondage. That's the reason the apostles told us that. 297 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:16,080 Do not return again to the bondage. He told the Galatians in chapter one, 298 00:28:16,080 --> 00:28:23,080 I am so amazed that you are so early and so easily removed from the faith. 299 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:29,080 He was amazed. He hadn't been, I don't know what people acted like in his day 300 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:35,080 since they were just starting the church out. He probably hadn't got to see some of the stuff you and I have seen. 301 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:40,080 I'm thankful we hadn't seen some of the things he had to deal with too. 302 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:47,080 He said, I'm totally amazed that you're so easily removed from the faith. 303 00:28:47,080 --> 00:28:51,080 The questions of the promises that are there and that are made. 304 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:56,080 John would say further in 1125, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. 305 00:28:56,080 --> 00:29:00,080 And he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 306 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:05,080 Here begins the expectation for me and the hope that I have in the faith. 307 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:11,080 I am expecting this reality in and for my life. 308 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:15,080 One of these days, I'm going to be dead. 309 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:20,080 But I'm holding on to the expectation. Yet shall I live. 310 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:28,080 Yet shall I live. Why? Because he is the resurrection and the life, which is a staple in the faith. 311 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:31,080 If Christ be not risen, then our faith is in vain. 312 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:36,080 But Christ is risen. Hallelujah. And our hope is in him. Amen. 313 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:43,080 And so that is an expectation for me that I will live forever. 314 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:47,080 You know what my greatest expectation and hope is I'm waiting for one of these days? 315 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:56,080 The new body. Travis getting up at 530 in the morning to go get a new body. 316 00:29:56,080 --> 00:30:01,080 I'm going to wait to the earnest expectation of my hope. Hallelujah. 317 00:30:01,080 --> 00:30:04,080 In a twinkling, Travis, you're putting hours in. 318 00:30:04,080 --> 00:30:07,080 It's going to happen for me in a twinkling of an eye. 319 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:18,080 And I'm going to have a brand new one. Hallelujah. 320 00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:23,080 That's a revelation for some of you and an excuse for the rest of you. 321 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:31,080 You go say, hmm. Well, I don't know if we get her back now. 322 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:36,080 Yet shall I live. That's the expectation that I have. 323 00:30:36,080 --> 00:30:39,080 Fourteen and one, he further says, John records the words. 324 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:42,080 Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. 325 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:47,080 For in my father's house are many mansions. And where I am, there you may be also. 326 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:51,080 For I'm going to prepare a place for you. Hallelujah. 327 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:53,080 That is an expectation that I have. 328 00:30:53,080 --> 00:30:56,080 The old songwriter said just a cabin on the other side of glory. 329 00:30:56,080 --> 00:31:00,080 No, a cabin's not going to satisfy me. Hallelujah. 330 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:04,080 I've lived in single wide trailers. I've lived in double wide trailers. 331 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,080 I've lived in all of that stuff down here below. 332 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:11,080 I am not working and walking and living this faith out for a cabin on the other side of glory. 333 00:31:11,080 --> 00:31:16,080 My God, he has promised me a mansion and that's going to be my expectation. 334 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:20,080 He said there are many rooms in his father's house and one of those are mine. 335 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:24,080 And that's what I want and I am not going to settle for anything else. 336 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:28,080 Why can you say that, pastor? Because the promise is a mansion. 337 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:34,080 The promise is a place. It's not a cabin on the other side of glory. 338 00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:41,080 I am expecting that is the hope that I have. 339 00:31:41,080 --> 00:31:48,080 That's why I resist the devil the way I do every day. 340 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:55,080 Because I finally figured out that my soul is more important than my flesh. 341 00:31:55,080 --> 00:32:00,080 Now some of you are still in that struggle. You are still in that struggle. 342 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:05,080 Because your flesh still drags you to places that your soul would never take you. 343 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:12,080 And you let it. My Lord, that's some good preaching right there. 344 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:17,080 It's old school, it's rough, but it will get you to heaven if you listen to me. 345 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:24,080 You better ignore your flesh and hear the echo that's going on in your soul. Amen? 346 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:28,080 Hear the echo that's going on in your soul. 347 00:32:28,080 --> 00:32:33,080 John would further say and record in 1427, the words of Christ, 348 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:38,080 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, 349 00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:45,080 give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 350 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:49,080 Now that's one of those promises and hopes that I'm hanging on. 351 00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:52,080 You and I both know that everything that comes to you, 352 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:58,080 every bit of information that comes into your life is not positive. 353 00:32:58,080 --> 00:33:05,080 Every situation, every circumstance, every trial that comes to your life is not positive. 354 00:33:05,080 --> 00:33:10,080 It's a battle, it's a war, it's a tough life that we are called to live. 355 00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:20,080 But it's a life that we are called to live with the hope of the grace that makes it livable. 356 00:33:20,080 --> 00:33:26,080 There's hardships, there's heartaches, there's pains, there's tragedy, there's disappointment. 357 00:33:26,080 --> 00:33:31,080 People don't always do the right thing. 358 00:33:31,080 --> 00:33:36,080 And you're left in the wake of their wrong decision making. 359 00:33:36,080 --> 00:33:41,080 And you have to live your way through that, live your way out of that. 360 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:47,080 And it takes the abundance of the grace of God in order to do it. 361 00:33:47,080 --> 00:33:52,080 And that is the only way we survive it. 362 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:59,080 But it's just not survival, it's thriving. 363 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:09,080 I know Sister Savannah was encouraging us this morning about wherever it is that you're walking, he is good. 364 00:34:09,080 --> 00:34:12,080 God is good in spite of it all. 365 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:13,080 Amen. 366 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:21,080 And the expectation that you have can be of his goodness and his mercy to be extended to you in your situation currently right now. 367 00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:26,080 He said, it's my peace that I've given to you, not as the world gives, but my peace I give to you. 368 00:34:26,080 --> 00:34:28,080 That's what I'm affording to you. 369 00:34:28,080 --> 00:34:37,080 Can you imagine the peace that he finally prayed through in Gethsemane, the peace that he had to endure the pain that was before him for the next days? 370 00:34:37,080 --> 00:34:44,080 They were whipping him and shaming him and pulling his beard from his face and mocking him and then crucifying him. 371 00:34:44,080 --> 00:34:51,080 The Bible says it was for the joy of you and I, the joy that he had that he endured the cross and the shame of it all. 372 00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:52,080 It was joy. 373 00:34:52,080 --> 00:34:55,080 He had peace in his heart and peace in his mind. 374 00:34:55,080 --> 00:35:06,080 His fleshly body went through some turmoil and some tribulation, but in his soul and mind, he had already ratified the situation of God the Father's peace when he said, not my will, but thy will be done. 375 00:35:06,080 --> 00:35:09,080 He was at peace with the rest of it. 376 00:35:09,080 --> 00:35:16,080 Are we at peace with the rest of it? 377 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:20,080 Sometimes peace is hard to come by, isn't it? 378 00:35:20,080 --> 00:35:26,080 Sometimes peace is hard to acquire, but it's a prayer away. 379 00:35:26,080 --> 00:35:36,080 It's hope and expectation that what Jesus said he meant, peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. 380 00:35:36,080 --> 00:35:39,080 I don't give you what they give out. 381 00:35:39,080 --> 00:35:42,080 I give you something greater. 382 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:44,080 I give you my peace. 383 00:35:44,080 --> 00:35:45,080 Listen to this. 384 00:35:45,080 --> 00:35:51,080 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 385 00:35:51,080 --> 00:35:55,080 John has a theme here with his troubled heart. 386 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:59,080 He's wanting believers to know Jesus was relaying the message. 387 00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:06,080 You do not have to be afraid or troubled. 388 00:36:06,080 --> 00:36:11,080 And I know there's some things that enter into our life that are very fearful. 389 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:12,080 Aren't they? 390 00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:19,080 Diagnoses that come in, crosses that arise, can bring fear into our lives. 391 00:36:19,080 --> 00:36:24,080 But that's not God. 392 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:27,080 God's not bringing that into your life. 393 00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:31,080 Are you hearing me? 394 00:36:31,080 --> 00:36:36,080 We have not been given a spirit of fear. 395 00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:38,080 That's not what he's given. 396 00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:39,080 Oh, my God. 397 00:36:39,080 --> 00:36:42,080 I feel the Lord helping some folk in here this morning. 398 00:36:42,080 --> 00:36:52,080 You've not been given a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind. 399 00:36:52,080 --> 00:36:56,080 You ever feel like you're going about half crazy? 400 00:36:56,080 --> 00:36:57,080 Hold on. 401 00:36:57,080 --> 00:36:59,080 That's not the mind of Christ. 402 00:36:59,080 --> 00:37:04,080 The promise and the privilege of the faith that you're living out is peace. 403 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:07,080 It's peace. 404 00:37:07,080 --> 00:37:11,080 It's peace in the midst of whatever situation. 405 00:37:11,080 --> 00:37:12,080 What does that song say? 406 00:37:12,080 --> 00:37:16,080 Sometimes he calms the storm, and then sometimes he calms me. 407 00:37:16,080 --> 00:37:18,080 You ever hear that one? 408 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:23,080 Sometimes he'll tell the storm to be still, and then sometimes he'll tell you and I. 409 00:37:23,080 --> 00:37:28,080 How many have told you young adults, I said sit still. 410 00:37:28,080 --> 00:37:35,080 I try to tell Sister Kathy these things every time a wasp flies by. 411 00:37:35,080 --> 00:37:37,080 Don't go wailing at him. 412 00:37:37,080 --> 00:37:40,080 He's on his way to somewhere. 413 00:37:40,080 --> 00:37:42,080 Right? 414 00:37:42,080 --> 00:37:44,080 Don't go wailing at life. 415 00:37:44,080 --> 00:37:46,080 It's on its way by you. 416 00:37:46,080 --> 00:37:51,080 The chaos and stuff that's coming again, let it go. 417 00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:52,080 Oh, Ron Canole said this. 418 00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:55,080 When you're going through hell, go ahead. 419 00:37:55,080 --> 00:37:59,080 He said if you catch hell, let it go. 420 00:37:59,080 --> 00:38:03,080 Whatever you do, don't stop. 421 00:38:03,080 --> 00:38:06,080 Keep going. 422 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:09,080 We have to keep moving forward. 423 00:38:09,080 --> 00:38:10,080 We have to keep going forward. 424 00:38:10,080 --> 00:38:13,080 The peace that you have is from him, not as the world. 425 00:38:13,080 --> 00:38:17,080 The world doesn't afford to us peace. 426 00:38:17,080 --> 00:38:22,080 The prince and the power of this world is not about peace for your life. 427 00:38:22,080 --> 00:38:27,080 Matter of fact, he's come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. 428 00:38:27,080 --> 00:38:31,080 But there's a promise and a privilege to those who are living out the faith. 429 00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:41,080 Jesus said, but I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. 430 00:38:41,080 --> 00:38:46,080 That in the midst of the chaos, you can still have abundant grace and have an abundant life. 431 00:38:46,080 --> 00:38:53,080 When the devil's trying to take everything you have, he still will bring grace into your life 432 00:38:53,080 --> 00:38:57,080 because of the faith that you've put in him. 433 00:38:57,080 --> 00:39:02,080 The trust that you have released to him and the promise of his word 434 00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:08,080 and the fulfillment of his act and the atoning sacrifice that he made. 435 00:39:08,080 --> 00:39:13,080 Well, hallelujah. 436 00:39:13,080 --> 00:39:17,080 Chaos and life, circumstances, knowing the enemy's against us. 437 00:39:17,080 --> 00:39:24,080 Another expectation, John 16, 33, those things I have spoken unto you. 438 00:39:24,080 --> 00:39:29,080 That in me you might have peace. 439 00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:38,080 In the world you shall have tribulation, but don't worry. 440 00:39:38,080 --> 00:39:43,080 Be happy. 441 00:39:43,080 --> 00:39:47,080 Be of good cheer. 442 00:39:47,080 --> 00:39:53,080 I have overcome the world. 443 00:39:53,080 --> 00:39:59,080 And then humanity and their superior philosophy says, 444 00:39:59,080 --> 00:40:05,080 did you get crucified? 445 00:40:05,080 --> 00:40:16,080 What did you overcome? Well, Billy Bob, read on. 446 00:40:16,080 --> 00:40:19,080 Read on. 447 00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:26,080 On the third day, can somebody say the third day? 448 00:40:26,080 --> 00:40:37,080 He arose with authority and power over death, hell, the grave, and everything else. 449 00:40:37,080 --> 00:40:48,080 I have an expectation and a hope that because he lives, I can live. 450 00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:57,080 Don't focus on the world too much. Be a realist, not a pessimist. 451 00:40:57,080 --> 00:41:02,080 Matthew 11, 28, 29. 452 00:41:02,080 --> 00:41:07,080 Expectations because of the faith that we live. 453 00:41:07,080 --> 00:41:11,080 Jesus said, come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will. 454 00:41:11,080 --> 00:41:18,080 Not maybe, not possibly. Not if it's on Tuesday or Thursday. 455 00:41:18,080 --> 00:41:23,080 Come unto me all you that are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 456 00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:28,080 Take my yoke. Here's the key. You've got to take him on. 457 00:41:28,080 --> 00:41:32,080 Take my yoke upon you. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, 458 00:41:32,080 --> 00:41:38,080 and you shall find rest unto your souls. Your souls. 459 00:41:38,080 --> 00:41:43,080 What are we talking about? Your soul. While I go, let your soul take you where you need to be. 460 00:41:43,080 --> 00:41:47,080 Rest unto your souls. 461 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:52,080 For my yoke is easy. My burden is light. 462 00:41:52,080 --> 00:41:58,080 The expectation that the reason that I contend for the faith daily 463 00:41:58,080 --> 00:42:07,080 is because the hope that I have in the promise of God's word 464 00:42:07,080 --> 00:42:12,080 is that he means what he said and said what he means. 465 00:42:12,080 --> 00:42:18,080 And when his word says he is no respecter of person, 466 00:42:18,080 --> 00:42:22,080 that means he loves me as much as he loves you. 467 00:42:22,080 --> 00:42:26,080 I think he loves me more. 468 00:42:26,080 --> 00:42:30,080 I claim to be the favorite son. 469 00:42:30,080 --> 00:42:37,080 Favor comes my way because I love him with all my being. 470 00:42:37,080 --> 00:42:43,080 I'd love to say I never failed him, but I'd be telling you a big one. 471 00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:47,080 But just like my mother, the scripture says, 472 00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:51,080 who the Lord loveeth the son that he loveth, he chasteneth. 473 00:42:51,080 --> 00:42:59,080 My mother loved me a lot. 474 00:42:59,080 --> 00:43:02,080 Yeah. 475 00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:05,080 I think I was her favorite. 476 00:43:05,080 --> 00:43:10,080 The love that she bestowed upon me. 477 00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:14,080 We talked about that this week as we were riding up to celebrate Noam's birthday. 478 00:43:14,080 --> 00:43:16,080 I said, my Lord. 479 00:43:16,080 --> 00:43:20,080 Because I questioned her about her love for the ones behind me. 480 00:43:20,080 --> 00:43:26,080 She can't love them as much as she did me. 481 00:43:26,080 --> 00:43:32,080 She says, well, I got older, and I said, no, that ain't no excuse. 482 00:43:32,080 --> 00:43:36,080 She just didn't love me as much as she did me. 483 00:43:36,080 --> 00:43:37,080 She loved me. 484 00:43:37,080 --> 00:43:42,080 2 Corinthians 12, you better stand and I'll quit amblin'. 485 00:43:42,080 --> 00:43:46,080 2 Corinthians 12, 9 and 10, the expectation, the hope. 486 00:43:46,080 --> 00:43:52,080 He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 487 00:43:52,080 --> 00:43:55,080 It's not a sin to become weak. 488 00:43:55,080 --> 00:43:57,080 Are you hearing me? 489 00:43:57,080 --> 00:43:59,080 It's not a sin to become weak. 490 00:43:59,080 --> 00:44:01,080 It's life. 491 00:44:01,080 --> 00:44:04,080 Why do you think we have the promises? 492 00:44:04,080 --> 00:44:06,080 Because the Lord knew. 493 00:44:06,080 --> 00:44:09,080 He lived it out himself. 494 00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:10,080 Right? 495 00:44:10,080 --> 00:44:13,080 He knew that weakness was going to come. 496 00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:17,080 He knew that weariness was going to come into our lives. 497 00:44:17,080 --> 00:44:21,080 And he said, I've got to provide them with some promise and privilege. 498 00:44:21,080 --> 00:44:28,080 Help them through the weak moments, the weary moments, the hard moments. 499 00:44:28,080 --> 00:44:33,080 Why do you think we have that wonderful promise in the Psalm, the 23rd Psalm? 500 00:44:33,080 --> 00:44:42,080 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil, for thou art with me. 501 00:44:42,080 --> 00:44:57,080 Because according to Ecclesiastes 3, under the sun, under the heavens, there's a point at a time and purpose for everything. 502 00:44:57,080 --> 00:45:07,080 And sadly, folks, there's a time appointed to be born and a time to die. 503 00:45:07,080 --> 00:45:13,080 There's a time for mourning and a time for laughter. 504 00:45:13,080 --> 00:45:23,080 And the expectation that I have and the hope that I have and the faith that I'm striving every day to live out 505 00:45:23,080 --> 00:45:35,080 is that in those moments, those seasons, the words of his promises will be revealed into my life. 506 00:45:35,080 --> 00:45:41,080 All things work together for good, right? 507 00:45:41,080 --> 00:45:43,080 We'll make sure I get that one right. 508 00:45:43,080 --> 00:45:47,080 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. 509 00:45:47,080 --> 00:45:50,080 How many really, you love God? 510 00:45:50,080 --> 00:45:55,080 You love him. 511 00:45:55,080 --> 00:46:02,080 To them who are the called according to his purpose. 512 00:46:02,080 --> 00:46:14,080 So if you love God, then this all things is going to work out. 513 00:46:14,080 --> 00:46:21,080 It's going to work out for you, maybe not for others. 514 00:46:21,080 --> 00:46:27,080 To them who are the called according to his purpose. 515 00:46:27,080 --> 00:46:36,080 All things work together for good for them, those who are of the faith. 516 00:46:36,080 --> 00:46:44,080 Because you've been called out of darkness into his marvelous light. 517 00:46:44,080 --> 00:46:59,080 So I have an expectation when things aren't going so good, that good is on its way. 518 00:46:59,080 --> 00:47:02,080 I don't know what the good looks like. 519 00:47:02,080 --> 00:47:04,080 I don't know what it feels like. 520 00:47:04,080 --> 00:47:08,080 I don't know all the particulars about it. 521 00:47:08,080 --> 00:47:09,080 All I know is this. 522 00:47:09,080 --> 00:47:16,080 Whenever comes my way, there's a point goodness is going to invade. 523 00:47:16,080 --> 00:47:19,080 I might have to suffer a little while. 524 00:47:19,080 --> 00:47:21,080 Might and weep. 525 00:47:21,080 --> 00:47:28,080 I might have to endure some hardship once in a while. 526 00:47:28,080 --> 00:47:30,080 Look how good it turned out for Paul. 527 00:47:30,080 --> 00:47:37,080 He was crucified. 528 00:47:37,080 --> 00:47:39,080 I'm living the life that I now live. 529 00:47:39,080 --> 00:47:43,080 I live by the faith of the Son of God. 530 00:47:43,080 --> 00:47:46,080 That's how I'm living day by day. 531 00:47:46,080 --> 00:47:51,080 If you'll indulge me to close with these passages of scripture, the hope, the reality of the hope, 532 00:47:51,080 --> 00:47:55,080 and I'll dismiss with this. 533 00:47:55,080 --> 00:47:57,080 Revelation 19, John would write, 534 00:47:57,080 --> 00:48:03,080 And I saw heaven open and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. 535 00:48:03,080 --> 00:48:06,080 And in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 536 00:48:06,080 --> 00:48:10,080 And in the eyes was a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns. 537 00:48:10,080 --> 00:48:14,080 And he had a name written that no man knew, but he himself. 538 00:48:14,080 --> 00:48:22,080 He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 539 00:48:22,080 --> 00:48:27,080 He would continue to say, 540 00:48:27,080 --> 00:48:35,080 Chapter 21, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, 541 00:48:35,080 --> 00:48:38,080 and there was no more sea. 542 00:48:38,080 --> 00:48:45,080 And I, John, saw the holy city. 543 00:48:45,080 --> 00:48:55,080 New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 544 00:48:55,080 --> 00:49:01,080 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 545 00:49:01,080 --> 00:49:05,080 and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people. 546 00:49:05,080 --> 00:49:10,080 And God himself shall be with them and be their God. 547 00:49:10,080 --> 00:49:13,080 And here's one we all love. 548 00:49:13,080 --> 00:49:25,080 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, 549 00:49:25,080 --> 00:49:35,080 neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. 550 00:49:35,080 --> 00:49:39,080 That's my expectation. 551 00:49:39,080 --> 00:49:44,080 That's the fulfillment of the hope that I live with every day. 552 00:49:44,080 --> 00:49:46,080 You want to know how I do what I do? 553 00:49:46,080 --> 00:49:50,080 I've just, this message just makes it plain. 554 00:49:50,080 --> 00:49:59,080 How I live with the endurance and fight the good fight of faith with patience? 555 00:49:59,080 --> 00:50:05,080 It's because of the expectation and the hope that I have that this isn't it. 556 00:50:05,080 --> 00:50:10,080 That this world isn't it. 557 00:50:10,080 --> 00:50:17,080 No matter how much you have or don't have in it, it's still miserable. 558 00:50:17,080 --> 00:50:23,080 Because it's not where we're destined to be. 559 00:50:23,080 --> 00:50:25,080 And that's how I live it day by day. 560 00:50:25,080 --> 00:50:28,080 That's how I face the enemy that comes against me day by day. 561 00:50:28,080 --> 00:50:35,080 That's how I endure the tribulations, the hardships and the heartaches that come my way. 562 00:50:35,080 --> 00:50:38,080 See, it really doesn't matter how old you are. 563 00:50:38,080 --> 00:50:43,080 You don't have to be 58 to be living through some tough times. 564 00:50:43,080 --> 00:50:48,080 Three weeks ago, four weeks ago now, at the senior youth camp, 565 00:50:48,080 --> 00:50:53,080 500 and something plus teenagers in youth camp, 566 00:50:53,080 --> 00:51:00,080 one night during the altar call, I was told the speaker gave an invitation 567 00:51:00,080 --> 00:51:06,080 to any who had thought about harming themselves. 568 00:51:06,080 --> 00:51:14,080 Two-thirds of the crowd rushed to the front. 569 00:51:14,080 --> 00:51:20,080 You don't have to be old to feel like life isn't worth living. 570 00:51:20,080 --> 00:51:30,080 You know, that thief that's out to steal, kill and to destroy, he's after all of us. 571 00:51:30,080 --> 00:51:37,080 So it's in the wilderness that his glory shines the brightest, in the valley that he illuminates. 572 00:51:37,080 --> 00:51:39,080 Father, I love you today. I thank you, Lord. 573 00:51:39,080 --> 00:51:45,080 I thank you for your help today. I thank you for the hope that I have in your word. 574 00:51:45,080 --> 00:51:48,080 The goodness of God. 575 00:51:48,080 --> 00:51:50,080 I love you, Lord. 576 00:51:50,080 --> 00:51:57,080 Over the household of faith today, I know many are battling, many are struggling. 577 00:51:57,080 --> 00:52:04,080 And I ask, Lord, by your grace, that the expectations of your hope rise in each life. 578 00:52:04,080 --> 00:52:08,080 That the word today has built them up and strengthened them. 579 00:52:08,080 --> 00:52:12,080 Hopefully, Lord, I relayed your goodness and your love to them 580 00:52:12,080 --> 00:52:19,080 and the expectation of why we earnestly, seriously, stringently contend, 581 00:52:19,080 --> 00:52:29,080 resist the opposition of the faith for the reality of the hope 582 00:52:29,080 --> 00:52:36,080 and the expectation that one of these days, when it's all said and done, 583 00:52:36,080 --> 00:52:39,080 there's a city for square coming down. 584 00:52:39,080 --> 00:52:43,080 There'll be no light in that city for Jesus. 585 00:52:43,080 --> 00:52:53,080 Woo! Jesus will be there to light, to illuminate. 586 00:52:53,080 --> 00:53:02,080 And we'll be able to go in and out without tear, without sorrow, without pain, 587 00:53:02,080 --> 00:53:11,080 without hurt, without heartache, without mental anguish. 588 00:53:11,080 --> 00:53:14,080 That's my expectation. How many of you have that expectation? 589 00:53:14,080 --> 00:53:16,080 Lead us in that course, would you? 590 00:53:16,080 --> 00:53:19,080 Let's sing this before we dismiss. I want us to sing this. 591 00:53:19,080 --> 00:53:39,080 Let it be your prayer. Let it be your prayer. 592 00:53:39,080 --> 00:53:42,080 Oh, sing it to Him, Church. 593 00:53:42,080 --> 00:54:10,080 Oh, sing of the goodness of God. 594 00:54:10,080 --> 00:54:13,080 Oh, sing of the goodness of God. 595 00:54:13,080 --> 00:54:19,080 Goodness of God. 596 00:54:19,080 --> 00:54:45,080 Oh, my life, you are faithful. Oh, my life. 597 00:54:45,080 --> 00:54:58,080 Oh, my goodness. 598 00:54:58,080 --> 00:55:16,080 It's running after me. 599 00:55:16,080 --> 00:55:44,080 Oh, my goodness. 600 00:55:44,080 --> 00:55:47,080 Hallelujah. 601 00:55:47,080 --> 00:55:51,080 You got a need in the house, just lift your hand. 602 00:55:51,080 --> 00:55:56,080 You got some type of chaos, some type of something going on. 603 00:55:56,080 --> 00:55:59,080 The enemy's just coming in like a flood. 604 00:55:59,080 --> 00:56:01,080 Well, today the Lord has raised up a standard. 605 00:56:01,080 --> 00:56:04,080 That's the standard of His Word and His hope. 606 00:56:04,080 --> 00:56:08,080 Father, all over the house today, His hands are raised. 607 00:56:08,080 --> 00:56:11,080 I ask God that you begin to move on behalf of every need. 608 00:56:11,080 --> 00:56:14,080 Every petition that's presented by hands being lifted, 609 00:56:14,080 --> 00:56:17,080 we surrender it all to you today. 610 00:56:17,080 --> 00:56:21,080 This day, Lord, this morning, this morning, sweet Holy Ghost, 611 00:56:21,080 --> 00:56:27,080 this morning today, my expectation and my hope. 612 00:56:27,080 --> 00:56:30,080 I may have to go through the fire, but I'm not going to be burned. 613 00:56:30,080 --> 00:56:34,080 I may have to walk through the rivers, but I'll not be overwhelmed. 614 00:56:34,080 --> 00:56:38,080 I'll not be drowned out because of the promise of Your Word. 615 00:56:38,080 --> 00:56:41,080 Lord, hands are lifted. 616 00:56:41,080 --> 00:56:47,080 Troubles and issues and problems in life 617 00:56:47,080 --> 00:56:51,080 represented all over this congregation. 618 00:56:51,080 --> 00:56:58,080 Touch my brothers, touch my sisters today, Lord. 619 00:56:58,080 --> 00:57:02,080 Encourage them this morning. 620 00:57:02,080 --> 00:57:15,080 Let Your glory illuminate their wilderness and their valley. 621 00:57:15,080 --> 00:57:17,080 Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. 622 00:57:17,080 --> 00:57:30,080 Give Him the best praise You brought with You today. 623 00:57:30,080 --> 00:57:41,080 Next Sunday morning, when you come in at 10.35, 624 00:57:41,080 --> 00:57:45,080 the altars are going to be open for prayer. 625 00:57:45,080 --> 00:57:49,080 For the remaining three Sundays of this month, 626 00:57:49,080 --> 00:57:54,080 may go further, but at least the next three Sundays of this month, 627 00:57:54,080 --> 00:57:58,080 from 10.35 to 10.45, we're going to have prayer. 628 00:57:58,080 --> 00:58:01,080 And you'll know when prayer time's ended, they'll start a song, 629 00:58:01,080 --> 00:58:07,080 and then you can just worship where you are, just ease to your seat. 630 00:58:07,080 --> 00:58:09,080 But we're going to pray. 631 00:58:09,080 --> 00:58:14,080 We're going to have a few minutes of just solemn assembly gathering and to pray. 632 00:58:14,080 --> 00:58:19,080 We're going to pray for the petitions that our governors ask the churches 633 00:58:19,080 --> 00:58:21,080 and believers to pray for. 634 00:58:21,080 --> 00:58:24,080 We're going to do that, and then any other need that you have, 635 00:58:24,080 --> 00:58:26,080 and then we're going to proceed on into service. 636 00:58:26,080 --> 00:58:28,080 Amen? 637 00:58:28,080 --> 00:58:36,080 So if you come in next week, the doors are going to be closed. 638 00:58:36,080 --> 00:58:38,080 So a few ease in. 639 00:58:38,080 --> 00:58:41,080 If you don't want to come to the front, make your seat an altar, 640 00:58:41,080 --> 00:58:47,080 just kneel and pray, we're going to give some time to some consecrated prayer. 641 00:58:47,080 --> 00:58:49,080 Amen? 642 00:58:49,080 --> 00:58:53,080 And that's what's going to be going on from 10.35 to 10.45. 643 00:58:53,080 --> 00:58:57,080 So if you have any questions about what you want to do when you come in here, 644 00:58:57,080 --> 00:59:01,080 then just stay out there. 645 00:59:01,080 --> 00:59:06,080 Because if that's not what you're doing, I may ask you to go out there 646 00:59:06,080 --> 00:59:09,080 and wait a few minutes while people are praying, 647 00:59:09,080 --> 00:59:12,080 because we're going to set the table. 648 00:59:12,080 --> 00:59:19,080 I feel God doing something deep here at the Hopewell Church of God, 649 00:59:19,080 --> 00:59:23,080 and we're going to have to do some deeper things. 650 00:59:23,080 --> 00:59:32,080 God is moving us to pray, and we're going to do it to see what he has in store. 651 00:59:32,080 --> 00:59:34,080 God bless you. I love you. 652 00:59:34,080 --> 00:59:37,080 Visitors, don't forget to go by that side, that welcome center out front. 653 00:59:37,080 --> 00:59:39,080 They've got something special for you. 654 00:59:39,080 --> 00:59:41,080 Thank you so much for being here today. 655 00:59:41,080 --> 00:59:43,080 Hopefully you'll be back next week. 656 00:59:43,080 --> 00:59:49,080 Go in peace.