WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.120 Come quickly. If you have your Bibles, turn with 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:06.400 me to the book of Hebrews, that wonderful 11th 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:10.699 chapter. A place that, as any Bible reader, you 00:00:10.699 --> 00:00:14.380 should be familiar with. We're going to see what 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:16.519 the Spirit of the Lord has to say from there 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:18.679 today. So good to see you. Thank you for being 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:21.800 in the house of the Lord this morning. We may 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:25.420 have had a few more with the hamburgers and hot 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:30.199 dogs, but, you know. You're letting me know you're 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:32.740 here for the right reason, not just the hot dog 00:00:32.740 --> 00:00:37.439 and the burger. So thank you on this memorial 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:42.259 weekend that you've gotten yourself up and ready 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:47.280 and come to the house of the Lord. Amen. Because 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:51.619 the Lord is going to return. He is coming. Amen. 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:55.119 And wouldn't you hate to be piled up on a Sunday 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:58.890 morning at Bed Springs Church of God. And the 00:00:58.890 --> 00:01:04.730 trumpet sound. Huh? That would, I'd hate to be 00:01:04.730 --> 00:01:10.269 there. Oh. You know, if he counts church attendance 00:01:10.269 --> 00:01:13.150 as faithfulness, my Lord, we're piled up on a 00:01:13.150 --> 00:01:19.569 Sunday morning. And then the trumpet sound. Wouldn't 00:01:19.569 --> 00:01:21.950 you feel guilty going? Some of you wouldn't. 00:01:22.629 --> 00:01:25.939 Deadbeat, no. I wouldn't either if that's where 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:27.920 I was at and the horn sounded and I was ready. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:32.120 You don't have to be guilty about going. If you 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:38.060 go, if you go, it's intentional. It's not accidental. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:42.959 Amen? If you feel that sudden quick change and 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:45.700 you're transformed, it won't be accidental. You 00:01:45.700 --> 00:01:48.459 won't just barely make it. You've determined 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:52.019 to make it. Amen? And all that just to say thank 00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:54.159 you for being here on Memorial Day weekend Sunday 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:58.140 morning. Let's read in chapter 11. Let's start 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:01.359 about verse 32. Again, thank you for being in 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.739 the house of the Lord today. If you're visiting 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:06.260 with us, we trust and pray you've already encountered 00:02:06.260 --> 00:02:09.780 the Lord through your worship and lifting your 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:13.500 voice and your heart to the Lord. Continue to 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:16.800 remember Brother Matthew Geislinger in your prayers. 00:02:18.420 --> 00:02:22.539 but a long road to recovery ahead. I also remember 00:02:22.539 --> 00:02:25.620 Brother Dwayne Strickland who is preaching back 00:02:25.620 --> 00:02:29.039 in South Carolina today. Let's ask the Lord to 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:33.039 just wind him up, ring him out. Amen. Use him 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:36.620 for his glory. Verse 32 reads in the book of 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:42.060 Hebrews, And what shall I say more for the time 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:46.669 would fail me to tell of Gideon of Barak? of 00:02:46.669 --> 00:02:50.810 Samson and Jephthah, of David also and Samuel 00:02:50.810 --> 00:02:54.270 and of the prophets, who through faith subdued 00:02:54.270 --> 00:02:57.129 kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, 00:02:57.490 --> 00:03:00.750 stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence 00:03:00.750 --> 00:03:04.229 of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of 00:03:04.229 --> 00:03:07.669 weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, 00:03:07.889 --> 00:03:11.250 turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women 00:03:11.250 --> 00:03:13.729 received their dead, raised to life again, and 00:03:13.729 --> 00:03:16.810 others were tortured, not accepting deliverance 00:03:16.810 --> 00:03:19.210 that they might obtain a better resurrection. 00:03:19.650 --> 00:03:23.409 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging. 00:03:23.409 --> 00:03:27.650 Yes, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They 00:03:27.650 --> 00:03:31.669 were stoned. They were sewn asunder. They were 00:03:31.669 --> 00:03:35.250 tempted, were slain with the sword they wandered 00:03:35.250 --> 00:03:39.319 about in sheepskins and goatskins. being destitute, 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:42.840 afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:46.479 worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:49.699 and dens and in caves of the earth. And these 00:03:49.699 --> 00:03:54.580 all, having obtained a good report through faith, 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:58.939 received not the promise, God having provided 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:03.719 some better thing for us, that they without us 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:10.389 should not be made perfect. The memorial of a 00:04:10.389 --> 00:04:14.150 great faith. With the help of the Lord today, 00:04:14.270 --> 00:04:17.110 we're going to talk about that. The memorial 00:04:17.110 --> 00:04:20.509 of a great faith. Father, we love you. We thank 00:04:20.509 --> 00:04:22.230 you for your goodness and your mercy and the 00:04:22.230 --> 00:04:24.970 abundance of your love. I ask God now that you 00:04:24.970 --> 00:04:27.610 just help us in a mighty way. We'll give you 00:04:27.610 --> 00:04:30.170 praise for all things as you just minister to 00:04:30.170 --> 00:04:32.889 our hearts through the power of your word. Lord, 00:04:32.949 --> 00:04:35.740 let that anointing that causes it. to be easy 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:39.040 to preach. Lord, just let it flow like a river. 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:42.079 Flow through me today. I surrender myself, my 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:45.839 mind, my body, my lips, my speech to be yours. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.939 Lord, help me say what's expedient. Lord, to 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:51.259 the body of Christ, in which would edify them, 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:53.519 but also be pleasing to you. Lord, we'll be quick 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:57.459 to praise you for all things to whom glory belongs. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:05:01.399 In Jesus' mighty name. And the church said, amen 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:04.060 and amen. You can be seated. for just a little 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:07.079 while. If the Lord helps us, you'll be out of 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:16.600 here by 12. If he helps me, it'll be 1230. So 00:05:16.600 --> 00:05:20.180 I'll let you determine how you're going to pray 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:26.079 for that blessing this morning. Max Licato shared 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:27.980 a little story, a little funny, and I've shared 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:30.279 it with you before, but it's worth repeating. 00:05:32.189 --> 00:05:34.149 about a little parakeet by the name of Chippy. 00:05:34.329 --> 00:05:36.290 How many of you remember little Chippy? Anybody 00:05:36.290 --> 00:05:39.350 remember little Chippy? Who had a very, very 00:05:39.350 --> 00:05:45.949 bad day. Chippy's owner had begun to clean his 00:05:45.949 --> 00:05:50.670 cage, and she was cleaning his cage with a vacuum 00:05:50.670 --> 00:05:54.769 cleaner, and nearing the end of the task, the 00:05:54.769 --> 00:05:58.829 phone rings, and she turns away to see... where 00:05:58.829 --> 00:06:01.310 the phone is at, and when she does, she moves 00:06:01.310 --> 00:06:04.610 the wand of the vacuum cleaner, and it sucks 00:06:04.610 --> 00:06:08.490 little Chippy right up. When she turned around 00:06:08.490 --> 00:06:13.850 to see and to finish her task, she realized Chippy 00:06:13.850 --> 00:06:17.550 was gone, and in a panic, cuts off the vacuum 00:06:17.550 --> 00:06:19.810 cleaner, opens it up, gets the bag out, the old 00:06:19.810 --> 00:06:22.910 bag kind, you remember though, rips it open, 00:06:23.050 --> 00:06:25.209 and sure enough, there's little Chippy in dust. 00:06:26.780 --> 00:06:29.699 and all the stuff that's gathered up in the house, 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:32.519 choking, trying to catch his breath. She panics, 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:35.360 still in a panic mode, grabs little Chippy, heads 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:39.040 to the bathroom, turns the water on, sticks little 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:41.160 Chippy under there to wash all the dirt and the 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:44.600 dust and the grime off little Chippy. She didn't 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:46.279 stay long enough to let the water get warm, so 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:48.500 it's cold water, and when she gets him out, she's 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:50.600 got a little towel, the little bird's just doing 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:52.779 his best, so she realizes she needs to dry him 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:55.620 off quick. So she grabs the hair dryer out from 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:57.579 under the sink, plugs it in, puts it on high, 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:00.620 and begins to dry the feathers of little Chippy. 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:06.279 Little Chippy fluffs up. She tells the story 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:08.000 to a neighbor, and a few days later, the neighbor 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:10.500 asks her, says, well, how's Chippy? She said, 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:18.279 well, Chippy don't sing like he used to. Sometimes 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:21.600 when life sucks you up in the vortex and spits 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:25.399 you out, After you've been through the spin cycle, 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:32.920 you don't sing like you used to. Hello? But let 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:35.759 me declare to you this morning, the song that 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:38.680 you sang for offering, Sister Kathy and I was 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:40.720 singing as we was getting ready for church this 00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:44.199 morning. There's a light in the window. And a 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.240 table spread with splendor. Someone standing 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:51.600 by. An open door. Right. I can see a crystal 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:57.579 river. Lord, I must be here forever. Amen. And 00:07:57.579 --> 00:08:01.060 I've never been this homesick before. Right. 00:08:01.470 --> 00:08:03.850 I'm homesick. I'm ready to see the Lord because 00:08:03.850 --> 00:08:06.350 I've been sucked up, spit out, blow dried, and 00:08:06.350 --> 00:08:09.589 nearly grounded. But I am determined that I'm 00:08:09.589 --> 00:08:13.230 going to keep my song. Hallelujah. Can I suggest 00:08:13.230 --> 00:08:16.149 to you today, don't let the world and the things 00:08:16.149 --> 00:08:18.350 of the world and the enemy come against you and 00:08:18.350 --> 00:08:21.129 rob you of your song because I've told you before 00:08:21.129 --> 00:08:24.269 and I'll repeat it again. This is the worst it's 00:08:24.269 --> 00:08:27.129 going to be for you and I. Amen. And we must 00:08:27.129 --> 00:08:31.300 leave behind ourselves a great memorial. of faith. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:38.679 Hey, hallelujah. We read this chapter 11. You 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:41.019 know chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews. It's 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:45.299 a monument. It's left as a monument of faith. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.399 It's a memorial of faith for every one of us 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:51.399 who follow in the footsteps of righteousness. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:54.740 Amen? As we endeavor to serve God and to love 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:57.830 God and to follow after God. This chapter is 00:08:57.830 --> 00:09:00.129 known as the Hall of Faith, and it does stand 00:09:00.129 --> 00:09:03.090 as a memorial for you and I because as you begin 00:09:03.090 --> 00:09:05.549 to read through there, you say, well, I've been 00:09:05.549 --> 00:09:07.990 there, and I've had that, I've experienced that, 00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:11.350 and I too have survived as they survived. Their 00:09:11.350 --> 00:09:13.970 names are recorded. The deeds of their lives 00:09:13.970 --> 00:09:16.690 are recorded so that you and I may know that 00:09:16.690 --> 00:09:21.470 we can leave a memorial of faith behind us. Amen? 00:09:21.690 --> 00:09:24.610 It's all about serving, loving, and maintaining 00:09:24.610 --> 00:09:28.320 and keeping you. Your faith in the face of every 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:31.980 opposition that comes your way. Knowing that 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:35.340 God is faithful. It's in this chapter of 11 that 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:38.299 it's regarded so dearly to the hearts. And it 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:41.320 reminds us of all those who have left their faith 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:45.210 to be a memorial for you and I. And we can understand 00:09:45.210 --> 00:09:47.269 if you'll just read the last verse of chapter 00:09:47.269 --> 00:09:51.110 10. But we are not of them who draw back unto 00:09:51.110 --> 00:09:54.389 perdition or to punishment, but of them that 00:09:54.389 --> 00:09:58.129 believe to the saving of the soul. That's who 00:09:58.129 --> 00:10:01.549 we are. The author of Hebrews is writing to those 00:10:01.549 --> 00:10:04.350 who would be reading after him and after those 00:10:04.350 --> 00:10:07.389 who are living life and living faith before them. 00:10:07.529 --> 00:10:09.809 He said, we're not of those who turn back to 00:10:09.809 --> 00:10:12.850 destruction, but we are those who persevere and 00:10:12.850 --> 00:10:15.440 press forward. Amen. Paul would say, I press 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:18.179 toward the mark for the prize of the high calling 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:21.340 of God in Christ Jesus. But he didn't press forward 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:24.200 until he said, but this one thing I do, forgetting 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:26.659 those things which are behind me. Hallelujah. 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:30.220 I forget all of that stuff, but I can't get it 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:32.980 out of my mind because I leave a memorial at 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:35.700 every place that God has brought me and everywhere 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:38.240 that God sustains me and everywhere that God 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:41.980 keeps me. I leave a memorial of my faith as I 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:44.720 walk away. I had a good friend of mine who used 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:46.899 to say, I'm going to light a fire to it and walk 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:49.659 off by the light of it. Hallelujah. That's the 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:52.159 way I am by every obstacle and every opposition 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:55.580 that begins to present itself against my faith. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:58.639 God is greater and greater is he that's in me 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:01.259 and greater is he that's in you than he that 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:04.279 is in this world. I pray that your faith becomes 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:07.639 a great memorial to those who will come after 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:10.500 you and that you can light a match to it and 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.299 walk off by the light of it. Hallelujah. The 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:15.620 devil doesn't have authority. He doesn't have 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:19.419 power. All he has is access. My God. All he's 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:22.179 got is access to you. He don't have power over 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:24.340 you. He doesn't have authority over you. And 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:26.860 he sure can't match the faith that you have in 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:29.940 God. Because he cannot match God. Because again 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:33.220 I declare it. Greater is he that is in you than 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:37.679 he that is in this world. May your faith be a 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:45.590 memorial. Well, I'm about to get wound up. understand 00:11:45.590 --> 00:11:49.450 what is at stake with our faith when we understand 00:11:49.450 --> 00:11:53.269 that shrinking back pulling back drawing back 00:11:53.269 --> 00:11:58.230 puts us in harm's way it puts you in the in the 00:11:58.230 --> 00:12:02.149 crosshairs of destruction So we cannot draw back. 00:12:02.250 --> 00:12:05.330 We have no other option but to continue to press 00:12:05.330 --> 00:12:09.250 forward, and we press forward on in faith, which 00:12:09.250 --> 00:12:14.269 brings the preservation of the soul into limelight. 00:12:14.350 --> 00:12:17.950 When we begin to understand that if I go back, 00:12:18.009 --> 00:12:20.850 there's nothing but destruction, but I know what 00:12:20.850 --> 00:12:23.870 lays before me. Paul would pin it this way. I 00:12:23.870 --> 00:12:26.889 have not seen and ear has not heard, and neither 00:12:26.889 --> 00:12:29.370 has it entered into the heart of man what God 00:12:29.370 --> 00:12:33.259 has. has in store for those who love him. Can 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:35.740 I tell you, there's nothing behind you. There's 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:38.480 nothing but sin's dark draw. There's nothing 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.340 but sin's destruction and the price that sin 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:44.759 demands of you. For the wages of sin is death, 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:47.120 and after death a man will face the judgment 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:50.120 and he'll hear from God. Depart from me, thou 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:52.960 worker of iniquity, for I have never known you. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:56.879 But those who persevere in faith and by faith 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:59.820 has the perseverance that... They will have the 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:03.259 preservation of their soul. We don't draw back, 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:06.340 but we only march forward. I may have to drag 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:09.940 my way, but I'm going forward. I may be on all 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:12.940 fours crawling, but every inch of the mile of 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:15.580 the journey is worth it. Because again, I declare 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:18.539 to you, this is the devil's only shot at you. 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:22.039 So maintain your faith. Put up a memorial at 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:29.399 every point of victory in your life. Happy Memorial 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:35.659 Day weekend. So when we look at it, the evidence 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:40.080 of authentic saving faith is what is preserving 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:44.659 us and causing us to continue to press on. Faith 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:48.919 that saves from destruction is a faith that lives 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:54.100 day by day, day by day. You can't believe today 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:58.419 and not tomorrow. Faith must be alive and well 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:02.919 every single moment of your life. You can't say 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:05.059 I'm going to believe at 9 and then I'm going 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:07.440 to take a break and pick it back up at 12. No, 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:10.399 it's a continuance of your faith and your trust 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:14.539 in God Almighty because it is his abundant grace 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:17.919 that causes you to be able to continue to press 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:21.460 on. And it's his grace that causes my faith to 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:24.759 be renewed every day. I think about that grace 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:27.250 to grace. faith to faith and glory to glory. 00:14:27.389 --> 00:14:29.830 And I think of it like the manna. For some reason, 00:14:29.889 --> 00:14:32.389 I've been thinking about that verse that we talked 00:14:32.389 --> 00:14:34.710 a little bit about last week when he said, my 00:14:34.710 --> 00:14:37.309 grace is sufficient for you. I've not been able 00:14:37.309 --> 00:14:40.129 to get that off of my mind, that in your weakness, 00:14:40.230 --> 00:14:43.710 my strength comes and prevails in your life. 00:14:43.889 --> 00:14:46.889 And it's new every day. I think about the manna 00:14:46.889 --> 00:14:49.789 of the Exodus. Hallelujah. As the children of 00:14:49.789 --> 00:14:52.110 Israel are wandering their way, they weren't 00:14:52.110 --> 00:14:54.450 wandering, they were being led. Somebody needs 00:14:54.450 --> 00:14:56.590 to be led. to understand that this morning. You're 00:14:56.590 --> 00:14:59.389 not on a wayward journey. You're not on a happenstance. 00:14:59.389 --> 00:15:02.230 The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord, 00:15:02.330 --> 00:15:05.590 and you're being taken on a life's journey. And 00:15:05.590 --> 00:15:07.750 so if you're being taken on a life's journey, 00:15:07.909 --> 00:15:10.070 then there's a live preparation that's being 00:15:10.070 --> 00:15:12.649 made for you. There's provision that comes your 00:15:12.649 --> 00:15:15.370 way. And I begin to think about that manna that 00:15:15.370 --> 00:15:19.250 showed up every single morning. Every day there 00:15:19.250 --> 00:15:21.789 was enough for the day's travel. There was enough 00:15:21.789 --> 00:15:25.480 for the day's journey. gather for tomorrow unless 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:28.740 it was on Friday and you had to prepare for the 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:31.919 seventh day so that you could rest and keep it 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:35.139 holy hallelujah and then you could gather a double 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:37.700 portion and have enough but there was never left 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:40.659 over if you had too much it would turn to canker 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:43.659 and the worms would be there it would sour and 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:46.080 I'm here to tell you today it works the same 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:49.259 way with grace I get the full measure of God's 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:52.840 abundant grace in my life every single day I 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:55.600 I don't leave none for tomorrow because I have 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:59.440 finally, finally in my journey with God, in the 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:02.580 faith that I have in my salvation, I have finally, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:05.899 Sister Kathy, begin to understand that I can 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:08.639 go to sleep and know that I've not exhausted 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:11.500 his grace. I've not exhausted his power. And 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:14.320 the memorial of my faith is determined by the 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:18.720 power of his grace as exposed to my life. So 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:22.480 I get up in the morning and I gather grace. Oh, 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:33.779 the live long day. Happy Memorial Weekend. Just 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.840 think what everybody's missing. It's not here 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:43.740 today. Hallelujah. I have learned that I will 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:52.210 not exhaust his grace. So I use it. Because I 00:16:52.210 --> 00:16:59.950 sure don't want to lose it. And when I lay my 00:16:59.950 --> 00:17:02.429 head to finally sleep in the wee hours of the 00:17:02.429 --> 00:17:07.029 morning, when I lay my head upon my pillow, I 00:17:07.029 --> 00:17:10.809 know that should the Lord cause me to wake and 00:17:10.809 --> 00:17:13.410 give me strength to put my feet on the floor, 00:17:13.549 --> 00:17:18.170 I simply have to bow and pick up my dose of grace. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:23.079 Because in the weakness of my flesh and my creativeness. 00:17:23.630 --> 00:17:27.109 I know that his divine power and the infinite 00:17:27.109 --> 00:17:30.650 wisdom that he has toward us, that he will extend 00:17:30.650 --> 00:17:34.250 to me every ounce of strength that I need. I 00:17:34.250 --> 00:17:36.390 don't want to hear from nobody telling me, oh, 00:17:36.509 --> 00:17:39.109 I can't make it, oh, I can't go on. It's because 00:17:39.109 --> 00:17:42.309 you refuse to bend over and bow and pick up your 00:17:42.309 --> 00:17:44.930 grace. Honey, if you're too sorry to bend over 00:17:44.930 --> 00:17:47.990 and pick it up, I can't help you. But I'm here 00:17:47.990 --> 00:17:50.509 to tell you, you can make it if you'll bow a 00:17:50.509 --> 00:17:54.130 knee and begin to gather your grace. If you'll 00:17:54.130 --> 00:17:56.809 bow your knee and begin to gather your daily 00:17:56.809 --> 00:18:00.349 grace early in the morning, you can make it because 00:18:00.349 --> 00:18:03.450 there's no devil in hell that can deter you or 00:18:03.450 --> 00:18:24.859 defeat you or turn you around. Because if you 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:30.579 can't make it, you make God a liar. I haven't 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:33.160 even got to my points yet. We're still working 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:43.180 on this intro. Yeah, you make God a liar. Because 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:49.220 the way I read the book, he said nothing is coming 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:55.950 against you such as is common to man. In other 00:18:55.950 --> 00:18:59.549 words, it may be new to you, but it's not new 00:18:59.549 --> 00:19:08.390 to humanity. Hello? In other words, somebody 00:19:08.390 --> 00:19:11.609 else has already dealt with it. Some child of 00:19:11.609 --> 00:19:13.849 God somewhere in the four corners of this world 00:19:13.849 --> 00:19:17.349 has already dealt with whatever it is you're 00:19:17.349 --> 00:19:20.789 dealing with. And they've left a memorial of 00:19:20.789 --> 00:19:25.509 faith. They've left, they've erected. a memorial 00:19:25.509 --> 00:19:29.829 of faith to let you and I know when we come by 00:19:29.829 --> 00:19:32.990 that way on our journey and we're experiencing 00:19:32.990 --> 00:19:36.569 something in our life that we've never experienced 00:19:36.569 --> 00:19:42.990 before. He said, I will not allow or permit more 00:19:42.990 --> 00:19:47.470 to come on you than you are able to bear. And 00:19:47.470 --> 00:19:51.529 if it gets that way and I see that you may not 00:19:51.529 --> 00:19:54.769 be able to bear up, Hear what I'm going to do 00:19:54.769 --> 00:19:59.130 for you. I will make a way of escape for you. 00:19:59.769 --> 00:20:03.069 Hey! Somebody needs to start looking for your 00:20:03.069 --> 00:20:05.569 way out. You go to these dinner theaters, these 00:20:05.569 --> 00:20:08.369 escape dinner things, and you go in there and 00:20:08.369 --> 00:20:10.990 you try to figure out the clues so that they'll 00:20:10.990 --> 00:20:12.569 open the door and let you out. Honey, I'm here 00:20:12.569 --> 00:20:14.650 to tell you, whether I can figure it out or not, 00:20:14.750 --> 00:20:18.309 I'm going to get out. Hello? You're not going 00:20:18.309 --> 00:20:21.190 to keep me in there. If I think I'm locked up 00:20:21.190 --> 00:20:23.450 and it starts closing in, I'm coming out anyway. 00:20:24.309 --> 00:20:27.970 I just don't like it, you know. I'll make a way 00:20:27.970 --> 00:20:31.650 out. That's the way I've determined in my life 00:20:31.650 --> 00:20:34.809 and my walk of faith and the journey. I'm going 00:20:34.809 --> 00:20:37.390 to get out. And I'm not just going to barely 00:20:37.390 --> 00:20:40.029 escape either. I'm not just getting out by the 00:20:40.029 --> 00:20:43.569 skin of my teeth. There will be a door open unto 00:20:43.569 --> 00:20:46.529 me and there will be a way of escape provided 00:20:46.529 --> 00:20:49.910 because the promise of the word of God is that 00:20:49.910 --> 00:20:52.630 he would not allow it to squish the life out 00:20:52.630 --> 00:20:55.609 of me. I may come out crawling, but it'll be 00:20:55.609 --> 00:21:01.529 a wide door that I crawl through. Man, I wish 00:21:01.529 --> 00:21:04.930 I had me a fired up organ player this morning. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:08.940 It would be better than any seventh, any stretch 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:12.099 that you've ever been to in your life. If I had 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:14.599 me a good Hammond organ this morning, you would 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:18.140 think my skin complexity would garken about nine 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:21.500 shades because I could get, I mean, I'm telling 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:24.059 you, I could get soulish this morning if I had 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:26.799 me a good hot organ. I mean, we could preach 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:29.200 it. We could know it that God's going to make 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:32.480 a way of escape for you. Don't tell me you can't. 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:35.119 Don't tell me you're going to give up and turn 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:38.559 around. You can make it. Where is it? Find one 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:59.099 and go read it. Hebrews 11 and 1 defines faith, 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:04.940 doesn't it? Gives you a definition of the faith. 00:22:06.250 --> 00:22:09.710 It holds out to the preservation of the soul. 00:22:11.390 --> 00:22:18.329 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. 00:22:19.869 --> 00:22:27.630 The evidence of things not seen. The evidence 00:22:27.630 --> 00:22:31.950 of things not seen. I was out just right after 00:22:31.950 --> 00:22:34.859 the break of day this morning. It hadn't been 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:40.460 breaking too long. Dogs had to go out. I was 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:42.339 kind of agitated that they didn't just give me 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:46.619 at least 30 more minutes. You know, you know 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:51.299 how we are. But if I had that 30 more minutes, 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:54.940 I wouldn't have got to witness Noah's testimony. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:02.000 Because right out there at the breaking of the 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:06.200 day this morning. I got out past the trees in 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:09.099 the yard and was standing there watching them 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:11.380 dogs who were just about to bust piddle around. 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:16.940 I mean, she'd been barking for 20 minutes walking 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:21.079 out, and she smells every blade of grass to find 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:26.599 the right one to desecrate. You dog owners, you 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:30.740 with me? Well, I got one of them. It don't matter 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:33.119 if it's 2 o 'clock in the morning or 6 o 'clock. 00:23:33.730 --> 00:23:36.769 It's got to be the right blade of grass. I'm 00:23:36.769 --> 00:23:43.049 thinking. But I look up. Again, I notice how 00:23:43.049 --> 00:23:44.750 cloudy it was. And then I thought to myself, 00:23:44.869 --> 00:23:49.470 well, y 'all did well. You did well by rescheduling 00:23:49.470 --> 00:23:52.990 your picnic. Look at those clouds. Dark. Rough. 00:23:53.809 --> 00:23:55.329 Looked like it could rain any minute. And it 00:23:55.329 --> 00:23:57.730 already had been raining, I thought. So it kindly 00:23:57.730 --> 00:23:59.890 pleased me, you know. A lot of times you make 00:23:59.890 --> 00:24:01.890 those decisions and you go out and it's a bluebird 00:24:01.890 --> 00:24:06.150 sky. And you feel about this big. But I felt 00:24:06.150 --> 00:24:08.289 good about it this morning. Good decision. We're 00:24:08.289 --> 00:24:09.930 going to pick a prettier day and we're going 00:24:09.930 --> 00:24:12.650 to still eat a hamburger and a hot dog one of 00:24:12.650 --> 00:24:15.890 these days. And then I began to notice something 00:24:15.890 --> 00:24:20.990 in those dark clouds. I thought, well, surely 00:24:20.990 --> 00:24:24.490 that ain't what I think it is. And the more I 00:24:24.490 --> 00:24:27.150 looked, I let my eyes scan the skies and the 00:24:27.150 --> 00:24:32.809 clouds. And lo and behold, I saw both ends. of 00:24:32.809 --> 00:24:38.970 the prettiest rainbow this morning in the storm 00:24:38.970 --> 00:24:41.910 cloud. You ain't going to make me preach all 00:24:41.910 --> 00:24:47.509 that, are you? I'm looking at dark, stormy clouds. 00:24:48.589 --> 00:24:51.509 And I thought, well, they ain't enough sun to 00:24:51.509 --> 00:24:55.509 make a rainbow. So I turned around and looked 00:24:55.509 --> 00:24:58.950 back toward the east. And sure enough, the sky 00:24:58.950 --> 00:25:03.119 was getting red. And my mind just, I don't know 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:05.500 how you function, but my mind always searches 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:08.660 for Scripture for the first thought. And I look, 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:10.779 and I said, well, red sky in the morning, sailors 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:13.720 take warning. You know, Jesus said you can even 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:15.279 tell the weather, but you can't even, you got 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.980 enough sense to get in and out of the rain. But 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:19.839 anyway, that's the water's parallel. Don't look 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:23.819 for book and chapter. And I thought, well, I 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:26.059 guess that's enough. And I turned back to look. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.980 And for about three to four minutes, it kept 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:32.059 getting brighter. And brighter, that beautiful 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:34.119 yellow and the purple. You know what I'm talking 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:37.079 about. It was a beautiful rainbow just arched 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:39.940 across the sky. And I said, Lord, if that's not 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:43.259 a testimony and a memorial, I don't know what 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:46.440 is. Thank you for letting me know that I'm on 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:49.900 the right track this morning because I see the 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:52.559 witness that you're not going to let destruction 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:56.000 come upon us again. Hallelujah. You said you'd 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:59.220 put a bow in the clouds. Most of the time we 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:01.579 don't see a rainbow until the rain is over and 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.859 the clouds are moved out. Amen. And there's still 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.880 some of the mist or the moisture in the air and 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:08.200 then it just illuminates. But I'm here to tell 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:11.339 you there's a promise. There's a testimony. There's 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:14.539 a memorial in the darkness. the cloud hallelujah 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:17.019 and there is a witness when you begin to look 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:21.500 around at the unforetold and the unseen memorials 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:24.380 that God leaves behind you go outside now you 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:26.519 may search for a month and not see another one 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:29.319 but when you need it the most you may stand and 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:31.539 begin to look at the darkness of the gloominess 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:34.740 of life you may be feeling like chippy your song 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:37.400 is gone and you've done been sucked up and spit 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:40.519 out and puffed up, wind blown, and you're just 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:43.799 doing good to be alive. But hallelujah, when 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:46.880 you lift up your eyes and see the bow that is 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:49.619 placed in the heavens, your mind can't help but 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:52.400 wrap around the memorial that God said there'd 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:56.140 be stormy days, but he said the stormy days wouldn't 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:59.220 take me out. He said, I'll put a bow in the cloud 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:02.200 and it'll always be there. And when you need 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:04.640 it the most, look for the memorial. There's a 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:07.940 memorial of three. wooden pieces with three nails. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:10.819 It's called the Cross of Calvary, which describes 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:14.519 a memorial that he died for you. And my God, 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:18.859 he's going to keep life flowing in you. Woo! 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:31.579 Substance and evidence. What it declares to us 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:34.099 is that faith doesn't just look back on what 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:40.579 God did. It looks forward to what God plans to 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:45.380 do. Amen. I look at that rainbow and it tells 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:47.880 me it's never going to flood. But I know what 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:52.680 he plans to do. Hello. I look at that bow and 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:54.980 it stands as a memorial. God said it will never 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:57.160 flood the earth again. Oh, we see high waters, 00:27:57.279 --> 00:28:01.039 don't we? We've had historic floods. Since they've 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.700 been keeping records back up in the mountains 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:04.799 of Tennessee and North Carolina through that 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:07.140 hurricane. Who thinks that a hurricane is going 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:09.819 to do that much damage in the mountains in the 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:12.220 Appalachians? Who thinks that hundreds are going 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:14.400 to lose their lives and homes washed down rivers 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:16.700 and creeks? Amen. Who thinks that's going to 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.500 happen? You think you're safe from a hurricane 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:25.240 in the mountains? High water. There's flooding 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:28.960 every spring. Every winter there's flooding. 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:34.180 But it don't surpass the top of Mount Ararat. 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:38.859 He didn't say the water never would get deep 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:40.759 again. He just said it'll never flood the earth 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:44.019 and destroy it. And there's my memorial. So every 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:47.799 time I see in the news floodwaters rising, I 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:52.420 know that they're going to recede. So every time 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:55.700 I hear someone turning in a prayer request of 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:59.119 how heavy life is and how troublesome life is 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:02.059 and what the problems of life are and they don't 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:04.799 see a way out, I can look back and know that 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:06.720 God has made a promise that, hey, it ain't going 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:10.440 to take you out if you don't let it. If you'll 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:12.519 bow and pick up the grace for the day, you're 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:15.660 going to make it. You're going to make it. You're 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:17.440 going to make it. Child of God, you're going 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:20.140 to make it. It may not turn out the way you want 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:22.039 it, the way you desire it, the way you've told 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:25.059 God to do it, but if you'll keep your faith marching 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:28.480 forward and pick up your manifestation of grace 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:34.579 every day, you will make it. We're going to survive 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:41.539 it. A memorial is as simple as this. It's what's 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:44.819 left behind as a witness to those who follow 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:48.440 after. That's... That's about as simple. That's 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:57.740 my definition. That's why it's so simple. It's 00:29:57.740 --> 00:30:03.440 what's left behind as a witness to those which 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:07.559 follow after. And if you'll get in this book, 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:14.259 you get in your book. You'll discover memorial 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:17.420 after memorial after memorial after memorial. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:25.180 It's a witness. There's a witness. That's all 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:29.640 memorials are. I know we live in a woke culture 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:31.799 that's bent so out of shape that ain't got enough 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:35.740 sense to get in out of the rain. That they'll 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:38.299 walk by a memorial and get offended by it but 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:40.920 don't have enough sense to know why it's there. 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:49.180 It serves as a witness. We have our landscape 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:52.619 dotted with memorials that witness ignorance 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:59.019 that had taken place. As warning signs not to 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:04.880 allow ignorance again to overwhelm us. But ignorance 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:07.759 is on a rampage in the United States of America. 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:11.539 Let's cover them up. Let's build walls around 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:13.880 them. Get the crane. Let's take it up and put 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:16.400 it on the back lot somewhere. Let's remove it. 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:19.180 Why? Well, it's offensive. My God, it's supposed 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:24.299 to be offensive so that we do not repeat the 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:28.500 steps of ignorance toward one another. That's 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:39.200 why they're there. You should be offended. I'll 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:44.980 really get stuck. The memorials that we've read 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:48.140 about this morning, I love the reason I chose 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:50.660 this text was because David and some of the other 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:55.140 great characters of the Bible are just honorable 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:59.680 mentions. Do you know what I'm saying? They're 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:03.900 all in one little verse. Some of the others got 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:06.079 three or four verses. Abraham gets a little bit 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:08.920 of... Credit there. Gets a little bit of descriptive 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:11.920 going on. But David just got an honorable mention. 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:16.220 Gideon. You know Gideon. The dude with the light 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:18.279 and the picture and the trumpet in his hand. 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:23.460 Him. Gideon. Just moved right on. Barely gets 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:27.119 a comma. Just gets you to hesitate. Oh, that 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:30.920 was Gideon. As an honorable mention. But you 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:34.619 know what? The memorials of Gideon remain in 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:37.970 my mind. When Gideon told the angel, the Lord 00:32:37.970 --> 00:32:40.970 said, look, I am the least of the least of the 00:32:40.970 --> 00:32:44.490 least. I'm a nobody. But then the introduction 00:32:44.490 --> 00:32:48.009 is, Gideon, you mighty man of valor, what you 00:32:48.009 --> 00:32:49.970 doing here threshing wheat at the wine press? 00:32:50.710 --> 00:32:53.049 Huh? You're in the wrong place, son, doing the 00:32:53.049 --> 00:32:56.390 wrong job. Why are you here? He knew why he was 00:32:56.390 --> 00:32:58.569 there. He knew why he was there, and he knows 00:32:58.569 --> 00:33:02.289 why you are where you are, right? But see, we 00:33:02.289 --> 00:33:05.170 have to stop these self -identifiers. Everybody 00:33:05.170 --> 00:33:07.250 wants to identify themselves. You need to get 00:33:07.250 --> 00:33:10.329 over that and be identified and receive the identification 00:33:10.329 --> 00:33:14.410 that God has given you. Amen? You know, that 00:33:14.410 --> 00:33:16.490 new creature who you are, not that old thing 00:33:16.490 --> 00:33:18.430 that he found in the ditch and in the gutter 00:33:18.430 --> 00:33:21.410 somewhere and pulled out and renewed and restored 00:33:21.410 --> 00:33:24.769 and refreshed and saved by his marvelous grace. 00:33:24.890 --> 00:33:27.470 That's who you are. We need to take and recall 00:33:27.470 --> 00:33:31.529 again the identifiers of who we are. are able 00:33:31.529 --> 00:33:36.609 to stand and face the opposition. If you're going 00:33:36.609 --> 00:33:39.769 to live for Christ, you're going to face opposition. 00:33:42.210 --> 00:33:46.630 1 Peter 4 and 12, Apostle Peter writes it this 00:33:46.630 --> 00:33:50.009 way, Beloved, think it not strange concerning 00:33:50.009 --> 00:33:53.470 the fiery trial which is to try you as though 00:33:53.470 --> 00:34:06.359 something happened to you. But rejoice as you 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:11.539 are partakers of Christ's suffering. That's 13a. 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:15.719 Don't think it's strange because you're finding 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:20.940 a little hardship in your life. Don't start letting 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:24.039 the devil convince you that God's forsaken you 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:28.500 because life's a little hard right now. Got nothing 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:32.719 to do with that. Peter says, but rejoice. Count 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:36.639 it as rejoicing. Be happy that you can suffer 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:41.800 for Christ's sake. No, that ain't where we live, 00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:46.719 is it? Uh -uh, no, no, no. It's woe and agony 00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:52.820 on me. Right? Despair. If it wasn't for bad luck, 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:57.280 I'd have no luck at all. Amen. How many know 00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:02.340 what I just quoted? How many have no clue? Anybody 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:05.579 that doesn't have a clue? Daniel, son, it's your 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:11.320 daddy's fault. It's your daddy's fault. Help 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:15.199 him, Dad. Show him how to Google it. Tell him 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:19.179 what to look for. Put it in the box, and Siri 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:22.119 will tell you. You might be amazed. You won't 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:28.460 be impressed, but you might be amazed. Telling 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:33.500 on us now. A high school graduate that doesn't 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:36.719 know that quote. Our school system is failing. 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:41.860 And I mean, the boy had more rope and tassels 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:44.139 and sashes and medals. Randy said he clinked 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:45.920 like Colonel Clink trying to walk down the aisle. 00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:48.820 I bet he don't even know who Colonel Clink is 00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:52.599 either. So I wasted three minutes of preaching 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:56.940 time. Educate the boy. Young man, he's not a 00:35:56.940 --> 00:36:02.159 boy anymore. Educate the young man. Well, I can't 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:04.920 preach past that. Stand to your feet. I've just 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:14.219 preached myself from under the anointment. I'm 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:16.260 teasing because I've preached over saying a lot 00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:19.940 more stuff than that. But I think you've gotten 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:27.380 the gist this morning. What are you going to 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:31.769 leave behind? Don't think it's strange concerning 00:36:31.769 --> 00:36:37.349 the trials that are to try your faith. Our faith 00:36:37.349 --> 00:36:42.829 has to be tested. It has to be tested. For whose 00:36:42.829 --> 00:36:47.449 sake? For yours and for mine. It's for our sake. 00:36:48.610 --> 00:36:51.070 I hope and pray that one of these days when they 00:36:51.070 --> 00:36:54.230 shovel dirt, if the Lord don't come, when they 00:36:54.230 --> 00:36:56.630 shovel dirt in on the box that they put me in, 00:36:58.639 --> 00:37:01.179 I hope I'd be worthy to live out a life enough 00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:03.380 that they could chisel in the stone memorial 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:09.900 that's before me. And say he practiced what he 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:21.340 preached. It's what I love to be said over me. 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:29.269 Pastor Cliff lived by the code. Of the word that 00:37:29.269 --> 00:37:36.710 he declared. He lived by it. That to me would 00:37:36.710 --> 00:37:41.090 be a great memorial. That one of these days. 00:37:41.110 --> 00:37:46.489 Some of these young people. When they're. Looking 00:37:46.489 --> 00:37:50.429 at their grandkids. They can remember a morning 00:37:50.429 --> 00:37:53.630 like this. When they had a pastor. That yielded 00:37:53.630 --> 00:37:59.559 himself. Enough to. Look like a fool. But yet 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:04.280 preach with passion. Conviction. And they're 00:38:04.280 --> 00:38:08.420 reminded of what I said. Not just how I went 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:15.099 about saying it. I pray that there's a memorial 00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:20.880 of Pentecost that is left behind. Today is Ascension 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:25.940 Sunday also. What a great memorial. When you 00:38:25.940 --> 00:38:29.539 walk around the landscape. Of Israel. They have 00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:35.239 a little place up there. But it's not nearly 00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:40.360 as celebrated as other places around. Kindly 00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:46.159 unkept when I was there in 2000. I thought, huh, 00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:52.219 this is where it really happened. But there's 00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:56.079 a memorial there if you want to go find it. This 00:38:56.079 --> 00:39:05.139 is where he ascended. Wow. What a memorial. The 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:07.980 Mount of Transfiguration. It's about the same. 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:15.019 The same place where they wanted to build three 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:30.480 temples. I wonder do we have the faith to be 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:36.800 his polycarp in the face of opposition. He stood 00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:42.739 as they tried to get him to renounce his faith 00:39:42.739 --> 00:39:48.260 in a pile of wood that they're about to set on 00:39:48.260 --> 00:39:56.719 fire. And I love this quote. He said, 80 and 00:39:56.719 --> 00:40:00.880 6 years I have served Christ, and he has done 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:06.900 me nothing but good. How then could I curse him, 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:11.500 my Lord and Savior? And with that, they lit the 00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:18.900 match. And he surrendered his life. Do we have 00:40:18.900 --> 00:40:22.760 that? Do we have the wherewithal as those who 00:40:22.760 --> 00:40:28.900 stood in the... Roman coliseums as the beasts 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:32.820 were turned upon them. They were left to the 00:40:32.820 --> 00:40:36.119 slaughter of the gladiators. Oh, I know it's 00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:43.480 Hollywood, but it's real. It was real. Could 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:48.679 we stand in the center of those arenas and not 00:40:48.679 --> 00:40:53.630 curse God? I remember in 2000 when I was in Israel, 00:40:53.690 --> 00:40:57.769 we went to the amphitheater, the half coliseum 00:40:57.769 --> 00:41:04.989 at Caesarea by the Sea. And standing in the middle 00:41:04.989 --> 00:41:11.250 of that arena with the various doors around the 00:41:11.250 --> 00:41:14.170 bottom, I think they say somewhere around 4 ,000 00:41:14.170 --> 00:41:18.949 people could sit there. But in Rome, that coliseum 00:41:18.949 --> 00:41:26.929 could seat thousands. And our guide was having 00:41:26.929 --> 00:41:29.030 us to close our eyes as we stood in a circle 00:41:29.030 --> 00:41:32.929 back to back. He said, now I want you to try 00:41:32.929 --> 00:41:39.570 to imagine the roars of lions. And you're standing 00:41:39.570 --> 00:41:43.710 here not knowing from which one of these porticos 00:41:43.710 --> 00:41:48.409 they're going to come at you. Now I want you 00:41:48.409 --> 00:41:52.269 to know it kind of was surreal for me. It really 00:41:52.269 --> 00:41:56.219 was. I cried for 11 straight days from the time 00:41:56.219 --> 00:42:00.119 my feet touched down in Tel Aviv till we got 00:42:00.119 --> 00:42:02.860 out of there. I saw, I can't remember a whole 00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:05.980 lot of what I did saw or see because I saw it 00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:13.139 through puddles of water. That Coliseum stands 00:42:13.139 --> 00:42:16.400 for a lot of things, but it stands for memorial 00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:22.340 as well for all of us who follow. Their faith. 00:42:22.800 --> 00:42:27.659 Or they did not deny Christ. They stood. Polycarp 00:42:27.659 --> 00:42:30.400 stood in the face of flames. You and I most likely, 00:42:30.400 --> 00:42:31.820 we're not going to have to do that. You're not 00:42:31.820 --> 00:42:36.800 going to have to do that. But when you put it 00:42:36.800 --> 00:42:39.659 in comparison of how weak we offer ourselves 00:42:39.659 --> 00:42:45.360 as to what we do face. Somebody hurt your little 00:42:45.360 --> 00:42:57.360 feelings? I preach too loud? Really? Oh, they 00:42:57.360 --> 00:43:00.139 got that music too loud there. I ain't going 00:43:00.139 --> 00:43:02.699 back. Well, go find you a church of Christ. They 00:43:02.699 --> 00:43:14.500 don't even play it. Hello? They don't? Well, 00:43:14.519 --> 00:43:16.500 I like a little. No, you just want what you want. 00:43:23.079 --> 00:43:31.860 I'm sorry, I'm very wound tight lately. Whining 00:43:31.860 --> 00:43:34.599 so -called Christians don't go very far on my 00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:36.920 list. Never have, but they don't even go far 00:43:36.920 --> 00:43:40.219 now. Be careful, because I'll just tell you to 00:43:40.219 --> 00:43:41.920 go find yourself somewhere else, because I'm 00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:45.320 definitely not going to be your cup of tea. You're 00:43:45.320 --> 00:43:47.219 here on Memorial Day weekend, so you're probably 00:43:47.219 --> 00:43:49.280 the core, and I really, really have to get right 00:43:49.280 --> 00:43:57.099 to cause you to leave. There's memorials, the 00:43:57.099 --> 00:44:02.219 seven steps of the Via Della Rosa. From the whipping 00:44:02.219 --> 00:44:11.500 post. Walk those steps. I've put my feet on these 00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:17.139 stones that Christ put his feet on. Surreal. 00:44:17.679 --> 00:44:24.800 Knowing that he walked down this way. And I'm 00:44:24.800 --> 00:44:28.780 walking. I'm following. We're back to bring this 00:44:28.780 --> 00:44:33.219 thing together. A memorial stands as a witness 00:44:33.219 --> 00:44:39.059 to all those who follow after. The Via Dolorosa. 00:44:39.980 --> 00:44:46.880 Galgotha's Hill. An empty tomb. An upper room. 00:44:48.380 --> 00:45:00.929 Hello? And so... Suck it up, buttercup. It may 00:45:00.929 --> 00:45:07.110 get right before we get to leave. But there's 00:45:07.110 --> 00:45:12.090 grace every morning. And for those of you fortunate 00:45:12.090 --> 00:45:20.650 enough to be full of the Holy Ghost, well, there's 00:45:20.650 --> 00:45:30.219 even more. You're going to make it. May you leave 00:45:30.219 --> 00:45:36.920 behind a memorial of great faith. Don't let them 00:45:36.920 --> 00:45:39.679 say of you, well, they were up and down. I mean, 00:45:39.739 --> 00:45:42.940 you know, he's on fire one week and just barely 00:45:42.940 --> 00:45:45.019 drug in the next week. No, don't let them say 00:45:45.019 --> 00:45:48.119 that of you. Leave a great memorial of a great 00:45:48.119 --> 00:45:51.219 faith. They trusted God through the thick and 00:45:51.219 --> 00:45:53.460 through the thin, through the good and the bad. 00:45:53.760 --> 00:45:57.099 They're still able to sing. There's a light in 00:45:57.099 --> 00:45:59.760 the window. Father, I love you today. Just stretch 00:45:59.760 --> 00:46:02.000 your hands this way. If you need an extra added 00:46:02.000 --> 00:46:04.119 touch of grace, just lift your hand. I'm going 00:46:04.119 --> 00:46:06.199 to pray over you. If you're lost and going to 00:46:06.199 --> 00:46:07.599 a devil's hell, you need to come down here and 00:46:07.599 --> 00:46:10.079 let me pray with you. If that's you, I'm giving 00:46:10.079 --> 00:46:12.940 you an opportunity to repent and to know Christ 00:46:12.940 --> 00:46:15.380 and free pardon of sin today. There's a memorial, 00:46:15.659 --> 00:46:19.099 an empty cross and an empty tomb for you. Hallelujah. 00:46:19.460 --> 00:46:21.440 You don't have to leave this world in misery 00:46:21.440 --> 00:46:25.960 and in sin. You can leave it born again through 00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:27.880 the power and the testimony and the witness of 00:46:27.880 --> 00:46:30.360 Jesus Christ. Father, over this household of 00:46:30.360 --> 00:46:33.099 faith, there are many in this very room right 00:46:33.099 --> 00:46:36.059 now sick in body. And if that's you, put a hand 00:46:36.059 --> 00:46:38.079 on the shoulder. Put a hand on the shoulder. 00:46:38.099 --> 00:46:40.840 There's many here sick in body who need a touch 00:46:40.840 --> 00:46:44.480 of your amazing, amazing grace, who need access 00:46:44.480 --> 00:46:48.119 to those stripes whereby we are healed. And Lord, 00:46:48.239 --> 00:46:50.239 I know that you're able to grant such healing. 00:46:50.599 --> 00:46:54.500 Your will be done. We're not going to give up. 00:46:54.579 --> 00:46:56.260 We're not going to give out. We're not going 00:46:56.260 --> 00:47:00.079 to turn around. I'm not going back. But my faith 00:47:00.079 --> 00:47:03.840 is a faith that causes me to press forward. I'm 00:47:03.840 --> 00:47:06.920 going forward. I'm looking for my doorway. I'm 00:47:06.920 --> 00:47:09.500 looking for my escape because you said you wouldn't 00:47:09.500 --> 00:47:11.860 let more on me than I can bear come down on me 00:47:11.860 --> 00:47:14.519 without making that way. Your people are looking 00:47:14.519 --> 00:47:17.480 for the way out, Lord. Life's tough. The pressure 00:47:17.480 --> 00:47:20.739 is on. The enemy's raging. But I know this. You're 00:47:20.739 --> 00:47:24.079 on our side. And if God be for us, then who can 00:47:24.079 --> 00:47:26.840 be against us? Over the household of faith this 00:47:26.840 --> 00:47:29.099 morning, Father God, in the name of the Father. 00:47:29.230 --> 00:47:32.309 That lovely name of Jesus. Touch your people. 00:47:32.710 --> 00:47:34.610 Strengthen their faith. Lord, if they've been 00:47:34.610 --> 00:47:36.849 whining, let them shut it up and let's go on 00:47:36.849 --> 00:47:40.170 with you for glory. For glory's sake, Lord, I'm 00:47:40.170 --> 00:47:42.030 not going to whine about it. I'm not going to 00:47:42.030 --> 00:47:43.809 be down. I'm not going to think it's strange. 00:47:44.050 --> 00:47:46.329 I'm not going to think something has gone wrong. 00:47:46.630 --> 00:47:49.309 I'm just going to count it and rejoice over it 00:47:49.309 --> 00:47:52.590 because you have chosen me worthy and the suffering 00:47:52.590 --> 00:47:55.170 that I go through compares to nothing that you've 00:47:55.170 --> 00:47:57.309 gone through for me. But because you've gone 00:47:57.309 --> 00:48:00.780 through it, I can. also because you will supply 00:48:00.780 --> 00:48:03.639 all of my need. We're going to make it. You're 00:48:03.639 --> 00:48:05.039 going to make it. Tell your neighbor, you're 00:48:05.039 --> 00:48:07.860 going to make it. You're going to make it. You're 00:48:07.860 --> 00:48:10.880 going to make it. We're going to get out of this 00:48:10.880 --> 00:48:19.400 thing, church. Hallelujah. We're going to make 00:48:19.400 --> 00:48:23.739 it. Amen. So leave a great memorial of faith. 00:48:24.480 --> 00:48:27.000 Father, I love you. I thank you. Watch over your 00:48:27.000 --> 00:48:29.940 people this weekend as we rejoice and we truly 00:48:29.940 --> 00:48:35.280 do celebrate the freedom, the freedom that we 00:48:35.280 --> 00:48:38.559 enjoy because of the full price that was paid 00:48:38.559 --> 00:48:43.280 for it. Men and women of our armed forces have 00:48:43.280 --> 00:48:47.860 bled and died, bled and died so that we can still 00:48:47.860 --> 00:48:50.880 assemble together in spirit and in truth. They 00:48:50.880 --> 00:48:54.340 bled and died for the democracy of this great 00:48:54.340 --> 00:48:57.219 nation. And Father, I pray for their blood's 00:48:57.219 --> 00:49:00.280 sake, don't let the ignorance of Washington erase 00:49:00.280 --> 00:49:05.639 it. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.