1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,520 I'm gonna invite you to stand with me one more time. 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:05,520 We're going to the book of Second Chronicles 3 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:08,560 chapter seven, verse 14. 4 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:10,480 Second Chronicles chapter seven, verse 14, 5 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:14,040 starting a new series called, If My People. 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,160 We are in a 21 days of prayer and fasting church. 7 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,420 And so we started this last week. 8 00:00:20,420 --> 00:00:25,420 So I'm inviting everybody to join us in these 21 days 9 00:00:25,540 --> 00:00:29,560 of consecration, prayer and fasting, amen. 10 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:34,560 And anytime we purpose in our heart to do this together 11 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:38,920 as a church individually, 12 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:43,480 we know that powerful things can happen. 13 00:00:43,480 --> 00:00:47,620 And this particular verse has always been one 14 00:00:47,620 --> 00:00:50,160 that has stuck out to me and is familiar to all of us. 15 00:00:50,160 --> 00:00:53,520 It reads, If My People, someone say, 16 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:58,200 If My People who are called by my name 17 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:03,200 will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn. 18 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:10,080 Everyone say turn, turn from their wicked ways. 19 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:14,040 Then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin 20 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,040 and heal their land. 21 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:18,440 I have a very simple message today 22 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:22,120 that I've entitled, The Power of If. 23 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:23,320 I'm gonna invite you to pray with me. 24 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:26,920 Father, I thank you for what you're doing in this house. 25 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,640 Thank you God for the blessing 26 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:31,240 that we have to come together. 27 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,420 Oh, how sweet it is Lord, for the people of God 28 00:01:34,420 --> 00:01:36,880 to come together under the banner of love, 29 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:38,840 under the banner of your name Lord, 30 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:41,560 to worship you God, to be fed of your word. 31 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:45,120 And I pray God that you would anoint my lips of clay. 32 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,560 You put your word in my heart that I might preach today 33 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:51,140 to edify, to encourage and if so God, 34 00:01:51,140 --> 00:01:55,540 to challenge your people in Jesus name we pray. 35 00:01:55,540 --> 00:01:57,680 Some would say amen. 36 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,560 Now you may be seated in the presence of God. 37 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:05,560 If is a powerful little word. 38 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,440 And when you stop to think about it, 39 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:13,220 every great thing begins with an if. 40 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,240 Every achievement from the Nobel Prize 41 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:22,240 to an Olympic medal begins with a what if. 42 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:27,240 What if, every dream from the building of great edifices 43 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:32,840 like the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building 44 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:38,160 to landing a man on the moon began with what if. 45 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:44,120 Every innovation in medicine, science, technology 46 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,800 begins with an if. 47 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:52,800 This little word pushes us to look beyond the status quo, 48 00:02:55,720 --> 00:03:00,720 to believe for what could be and rarely has such a small word 49 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,480 held such great potential. 50 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:12,400 Without a doubt the word if can be the ultimate game changer. 51 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:17,400 It is the doorway to new beginnings. 52 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:24,000 It is the bridge from potential to reality 53 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:29,040 but most of all if is God's invitation to trust his word. 54 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:37,780 It's God's invitation to trust him and his word. 55 00:03:37,780 --> 00:03:42,780 There are in the Bible over 1700 ifs. 56 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:49,960 Most of them are conditional conjunctions 57 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:53,360 on the front end of God's promises, 58 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:58,360 meaning that if we meet the condition 59 00:04:00,260 --> 00:04:04,280 that God will deliver on his promises. 60 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:09,280 Someone say if, that's a powerful word today. 61 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,800 And all throughout scripture when we read that word if, 62 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:19,800 it invites us to call on God, 63 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,760 it invites us to trust him. 64 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:27,760 It's a conditional promise that if we will do something 65 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,000 then God will do something. 66 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:36,000 For example, Matthew chapter 17 verse 20, 67 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:41,000 if you have faith as a mustard seed, 68 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:46,360 you will say to this mountain move from here to there 69 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:50,740 and it will move, amen. 70 00:04:50,740 --> 00:04:55,740 If, someone say if, if we confess our sins, 71 00:04:55,740 --> 00:05:00,740 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 72 00:05:02,860 --> 00:05:07,860 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 73 00:05:08,260 --> 00:05:12,740 But it's only on if we confess. 74 00:05:12,740 --> 00:05:17,740 For in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 75 00:05:17,740 --> 00:05:22,740 These are just a few of the many of the ifs 76 00:05:23,900 --> 00:05:25,620 in the word of God. 77 00:05:26,580 --> 00:05:29,180 That on the other side of these ifs 78 00:05:29,180 --> 00:05:34,180 are the promises of mountains removed of sins forgiven. 79 00:05:36,180 --> 00:05:41,180 Beyond these ifs, away a bountiful harvest. 80 00:05:41,260 --> 00:05:44,260 And I have found and discovered in my heart 81 00:05:44,260 --> 00:05:49,260 and my own life and my own reading and study of scripture, 82 00:05:49,540 --> 00:05:54,540 my own observations of God's work in the lives of others, 83 00:05:54,540 --> 00:05:58,020 I have come to realize that that word if, 84 00:05:58,020 --> 00:06:01,100 it contains and on the other side of that if 85 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:06,100 is contains all the things that God wants to give us. 86 00:06:06,340 --> 00:06:10,340 All that stands between us and greater things 87 00:06:10,340 --> 00:06:12,060 is that small if. 88 00:06:12,060 --> 00:06:14,420 Greater things is that small if. 89 00:06:14,420 --> 00:06:17,200 And one of the things that I want to convey, 90 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:21,020 what I want to transfer into someone's heart today, 91 00:06:21,020 --> 00:06:23,420 into your life and the simple message, 92 00:06:23,420 --> 00:06:28,060 one of the things I want to transfer into your spirit 93 00:06:28,060 --> 00:06:31,260 is to understand that God is willing, 94 00:06:31,260 --> 00:06:36,260 God is willing to do all the things that he has outlined 95 00:06:36,980 --> 00:06:39,740 and promised to do in his word. 96 00:06:39,740 --> 00:06:42,380 I want you to understand that it's not the will of God 97 00:06:42,380 --> 00:06:44,420 that any man should perish, 98 00:06:44,420 --> 00:06:47,860 but that all should come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 99 00:06:47,860 --> 00:06:50,100 That God wills to bless us, 100 00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:53,180 that God wills to pour out his spirit. 101 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:57,180 He wills to manifest his glory and his power 102 00:06:57,180 --> 00:06:58,860 with signs and wonders in our, 103 00:06:58,860 --> 00:07:02,940 he wills to revive, he wills to restore, 104 00:07:02,940 --> 00:07:05,140 he wills to do great in my, 105 00:07:05,140 --> 00:07:09,180 it's never, I want you to understand that if, 106 00:07:09,180 --> 00:07:13,820 it's never on God's end, if is always on our end. 107 00:07:13,820 --> 00:07:17,100 If is not with God, but if is with us. 108 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:20,460 God wants to bless and he wants to move. 109 00:07:20,460 --> 00:07:23,940 The only question that we must wrestle with today, 110 00:07:23,940 --> 00:07:27,820 the only question that we must come to terms with today 111 00:07:27,820 --> 00:07:31,620 is if I am willing to do my part 112 00:07:31,620 --> 00:07:35,740 and if I am willing to go where God calls me to go 113 00:07:35,740 --> 00:07:39,820 and if my people who are called by my name, 114 00:07:39,820 --> 00:07:43,900 the question of if today is on us. 115 00:07:43,900 --> 00:07:46,980 And I believe that as we look at the example, 116 00:07:46,980 --> 00:07:50,140 there was one man who knew the power of if, 117 00:07:50,140 --> 00:07:53,460 his name was Solomon, whom after the dedication 118 00:07:53,460 --> 00:07:55,820 of the temple heard these words 119 00:07:55,820 --> 00:07:58,340 that we have uttered time and time again. 120 00:07:58,340 --> 00:08:03,340 Usually during times of consecration, prayer and fasting, 121 00:08:03,340 --> 00:08:06,140 our spirits will lead us back 122 00:08:06,140 --> 00:08:09,140 to this sacred verse in the Bible. 123 00:08:09,140 --> 00:08:12,180 But this verse, this verse didn't just, 124 00:08:12,180 --> 00:08:14,940 it wasn't just spoken in isolation. 125 00:08:14,940 --> 00:08:17,940 This verse in 2 Chronicles 7, 14, 126 00:08:17,940 --> 00:08:20,780 it wasn't just a standalone verse. 127 00:08:20,780 --> 00:08:24,300 It is surrounded by a very important context 128 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:26,140 that we must realize today. 129 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:28,940 Seven years in the making of this temple, 130 00:08:28,940 --> 00:08:32,260 Solomon constructed a temple for the Lord 131 00:08:32,260 --> 00:08:34,060 like no other. 132 00:08:34,060 --> 00:08:36,780 Its walls were lined with cedar 133 00:08:36,780 --> 00:08:38,900 and overlaid with pure gold. 134 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:43,180 Its surfaces were adorned with intricate carvings 135 00:08:43,180 --> 00:08:45,140 and its furnishings were crafted 136 00:08:45,140 --> 00:08:48,860 with such profound reverence to God. 137 00:08:48,860 --> 00:08:53,140 No expense was spared, no detail was left undone. 138 00:08:53,140 --> 00:08:58,140 This was quite a magnificent edifice created for God. 139 00:08:58,260 --> 00:09:00,660 This temple, unlike anything else, 140 00:09:00,660 --> 00:09:03,260 people from all over the world came 141 00:09:03,260 --> 00:09:05,820 to view this marvelous structure 142 00:09:05,820 --> 00:09:08,700 that Solomon had built for the Lord. 143 00:09:08,700 --> 00:09:12,180 And after his dedication with the aroma 144 00:09:12,180 --> 00:09:15,060 of burnt offerings and the sounds of worship 145 00:09:15,060 --> 00:09:19,380 still in the air, Solomon went back into his quarters 146 00:09:19,380 --> 00:09:22,820 to rest, but he couldn't rest for too long 147 00:09:22,820 --> 00:09:27,060 because he was soon awakened by the voice of God 148 00:09:27,060 --> 00:09:30,820 who came into his quarters and began to speak to him. 149 00:09:30,820 --> 00:09:33,100 If I can just pause here for one moment 150 00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:36,420 and tell you that there is something about worship. 151 00:09:36,420 --> 00:09:38,860 Anytime you give God worship 152 00:09:38,860 --> 00:09:41,220 and your worship costs you something, 153 00:09:41,220 --> 00:09:45,100 it will always draw the presence of God. 154 00:09:45,100 --> 00:09:47,540 Oh, hallelujah, with somebody who knew 155 00:09:47,540 --> 00:09:49,380 what I'm talking about here today. 156 00:09:49,380 --> 00:09:51,620 When worship costs you something, 157 00:09:51,620 --> 00:09:54,540 it will always invite the presence of God. 158 00:09:54,540 --> 00:09:57,540 If you want more of God, then offer him 159 00:09:57,540 --> 00:10:01,260 more sacrificial worship, hallelujah. 160 00:10:01,260 --> 00:10:04,340 And Solomon had offered the offerings 161 00:10:04,340 --> 00:10:06,980 and the sacrifices unto God. 162 00:10:06,980 --> 00:10:10,780 And for many days they worshiped as a people 163 00:10:10,780 --> 00:10:13,180 and they burnt these offerings 164 00:10:13,180 --> 00:10:18,220 and the smell of the aroma of the sacrifices 165 00:10:18,220 --> 00:10:23,220 just lingered in the air and it rested the attention of God. 166 00:10:23,220 --> 00:10:28,220 And so as the last embers of the sacrifices 167 00:10:28,220 --> 00:10:30,820 were glowing in the courtyard, 168 00:10:30,820 --> 00:10:33,420 the Lord entered Solomon's room 169 00:10:33,420 --> 00:10:36,500 and he began to share with him some things. 170 00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:41,180 And he starts to define his relationship with his people. 171 00:10:41,180 --> 00:10:45,340 And the most important thing that God wants Solomon to know 172 00:10:45,340 --> 00:10:47,980 and what he wants us to know today 173 00:10:47,980 --> 00:10:50,980 is that the promises of God are great 174 00:10:50,980 --> 00:10:55,980 and his healing hand is great and his wonders are great. 175 00:10:56,180 --> 00:11:01,180 But there is a little if that is in the middle of it all. 176 00:11:01,660 --> 00:11:05,380 And he begins to paint this picture for Solomon. 177 00:11:05,380 --> 00:11:10,380 He begins to show Solomon a very dark picture at first. 178 00:11:10,580 --> 00:11:14,980 And I invite you to read with me the preceding verse 179 00:11:14,980 --> 00:11:19,420 in verse 13 because it is a grim situation 180 00:11:19,420 --> 00:11:22,340 that God paints for Solomon. 181 00:11:22,340 --> 00:11:25,380 It is a state that feels desolate, 182 00:11:25,380 --> 00:11:28,260 hopeless and unpromising. 183 00:11:28,260 --> 00:11:30,460 In verse 13, he says, the Lord says, 184 00:11:30,460 --> 00:11:34,460 "'When I shut up heaven and there is no rain 185 00:11:34,460 --> 00:11:37,840 "'or command the locusts to devour the land 186 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:41,940 "'or send pestilence among my people.'" 187 00:11:41,940 --> 00:11:44,940 Solomon is hearing God tell him, 188 00:11:44,940 --> 00:11:46,220 he's hearing the Lord say, 189 00:11:46,220 --> 00:11:51,220 "'Solomon, there is a condition, there is such a thing 190 00:11:51,220 --> 00:11:56,020 "'as a dark and desperate reality. 191 00:11:56,020 --> 00:11:58,840 "'There are things that I will allow to happen 192 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:02,900 "'and these things could happen as a result of sin, 193 00:12:02,900 --> 00:12:06,720 "'as a result of my people turning their backs on me, 194 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:11,420 "'as a result of idolatry, as a result of rebellion, 195 00:12:11,420 --> 00:12:13,800 "'as a result that there are many things 196 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:18,300 "'or just purely as a test of your faith.'" 197 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:21,540 There are many reasons why one could end up 198 00:12:21,540 --> 00:12:25,220 in the picture that God paints in verse 13. 199 00:12:25,220 --> 00:12:27,180 He doesn't give all the context, 200 00:12:27,180 --> 00:12:30,260 he just says, when is when? 201 00:12:30,260 --> 00:12:32,420 He doesn't say when is, he just says, 202 00:12:32,420 --> 00:12:34,940 "'When I shut up heaven.'" 203 00:12:34,940 --> 00:12:38,020 And basically he describes a famine, 204 00:12:38,020 --> 00:12:41,500 he describes sickness with pestilence 205 00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:43,500 and all manner of problems. 206 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:45,580 He describes these things. 207 00:12:45,580 --> 00:12:48,420 And what I wanna tell you today about the power of if 208 00:12:48,420 --> 00:12:51,980 is that if is the starting point. 209 00:12:51,980 --> 00:12:55,460 And that starting point is often a place 210 00:12:55,460 --> 00:12:59,520 where we wouldn't think God would move, hallelujah. 211 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:03,420 It is easy to overlook the need for if 212 00:13:03,420 --> 00:13:05,580 when everything is going good. 213 00:13:05,580 --> 00:13:08,940 It is easy to overlook the need for if 214 00:13:08,940 --> 00:13:13,940 in times of great times and prosperity and health and wealth. 215 00:13:15,060 --> 00:13:17,860 But it's in those times of great trial 216 00:13:17,860 --> 00:13:22,580 that that little word, that two letter word if 217 00:13:22,580 --> 00:13:26,340 becomes a lifeline for our lives. 218 00:13:26,340 --> 00:13:28,500 And it starts at the bottom. 219 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:30,380 What I want you to understand 220 00:13:30,380 --> 00:13:33,380 is that if does not start on the mountain, 221 00:13:33,380 --> 00:13:36,700 but that little word if starts in the valley. 222 00:13:36,700 --> 00:13:39,540 That concept of if doesn't start when everything 223 00:13:39,540 --> 00:13:43,460 is going good, but it starts when your chips are down 224 00:13:43,460 --> 00:13:45,460 and the odds are against you 225 00:13:45,460 --> 00:13:48,140 and you feel like you're being backed into a corner 226 00:13:48,140 --> 00:13:49,940 and you feel like you don't understand. 227 00:13:49,940 --> 00:13:53,540 That's where the power of if is realized. 228 00:13:53,540 --> 00:13:56,900 And that gives me great consolation today 229 00:13:56,900 --> 00:13:59,260 that when God starts painting the picture, 230 00:13:59,260 --> 00:14:04,260 he does a start with lilies and roses and mountain tops 231 00:14:04,260 --> 00:14:09,260 and beautiful seashores, but he starts in an ugly place. 232 00:14:09,580 --> 00:14:12,100 He starts in a place that for me 233 00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:14,380 and my wife I would never want to be. 234 00:14:14,380 --> 00:14:17,620 He starts in a place that nobody would want to experience 235 00:14:17,620 --> 00:14:22,420 with sickness and with problems and with disease 236 00:14:22,420 --> 00:14:26,260 and with famine, but I've come to tell somebody today 237 00:14:26,260 --> 00:14:29,420 that that's where the work of God always begins. 238 00:14:29,420 --> 00:14:30,820 Hallelujah. 239 00:14:30,820 --> 00:14:33,900 It begins in places you would never imagine. 240 00:14:33,900 --> 00:14:36,980 It begins in situations you would never fathom. 241 00:14:36,980 --> 00:14:39,900 It begins in places where you feel hope is all, 242 00:14:39,900 --> 00:14:41,820 but hope is lost. 243 00:14:41,820 --> 00:14:44,220 I came to encourage somebody today 244 00:14:44,220 --> 00:14:47,260 that if you find yourself in a place like that, 245 00:14:47,260 --> 00:14:50,860 you are a candidate for an if revival. 246 00:14:50,860 --> 00:14:55,100 You are a candidate to see the miraculous hand of God. 247 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:58,460 You are a recipient of what God can do. 248 00:14:58,460 --> 00:15:01,900 So I encourage you to do like the Psalmist said, 249 00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:05,020 I will lift my head to the hills. 250 00:15:05,020 --> 00:15:08,460 Lift up your eyes to the hills 251 00:15:08,460 --> 00:15:11,380 and see where your help comes from today. 252 00:15:11,380 --> 00:15:12,860 Can somebody clap your hands 253 00:15:12,860 --> 00:15:15,660 and let's give God a praise this afternoon. 254 00:15:15,660 --> 00:15:16,900 Hallelujah. 255 00:15:18,380 --> 00:15:22,180 If begins in the valley, not on the mountain. 256 00:15:22,180 --> 00:15:25,020 If begins in the valley of dry bones. 257 00:15:25,020 --> 00:15:26,820 Hello, Ezekiel. 258 00:15:26,820 --> 00:15:29,780 Can these bones live? 259 00:15:29,780 --> 00:15:30,980 Oh, hallelujah. 260 00:15:30,980 --> 00:15:33,540 If somebody say if. 261 00:15:33,540 --> 00:15:35,580 It begins in the lions then. 262 00:15:35,580 --> 00:15:37,060 Hello, Daniel. 263 00:15:37,060 --> 00:15:38,980 It begins in the pig's pen. 264 00:15:38,980 --> 00:15:41,140 Just ask the prodigal son. 265 00:15:41,140 --> 00:15:43,740 It begins in the Philippian jail cell. 266 00:15:43,740 --> 00:15:45,940 Just ask the apostle Paul. 267 00:15:45,940 --> 00:15:49,060 Let me bring it home for somebody this afternoon 268 00:15:49,060 --> 00:15:51,820 in this place or watching on live stream. 269 00:15:51,820 --> 00:15:54,660 If begins with the cancer diagnosis. 270 00:15:54,660 --> 00:15:55,500 Oh, hallelujah. 271 00:15:56,580 --> 00:15:59,580 It begins with a negative prognosis. 272 00:15:59,580 --> 00:16:02,180 If begins with a wayward child. 273 00:16:02,180 --> 00:16:04,500 It begins in a financial struggle. 274 00:16:04,500 --> 00:16:07,140 It begins with a mental health crisis. 275 00:16:07,140 --> 00:16:09,220 It begins in drug addiction. 276 00:16:09,220 --> 00:16:11,420 It begins in a sin sick world. 277 00:16:11,420 --> 00:16:13,260 I've come to tell somebody, 278 00:16:13,260 --> 00:16:17,780 don't you ever underestimate the power of an if 279 00:16:17,780 --> 00:16:20,780 because even if everything is coming against you, 280 00:16:20,780 --> 00:16:23,140 even if everything may be falling apart 281 00:16:23,140 --> 00:16:25,100 and your world is caving in, 282 00:16:25,100 --> 00:16:28,500 I've got news for you and I got news for the devil. 283 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:30,700 If I've got an if in my spirit, 284 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:32,420 that's all that I need 285 00:16:32,420 --> 00:16:35,580 because my God has got the final say 286 00:16:35,580 --> 00:16:37,140 and the final word. 287 00:16:37,140 --> 00:16:40,180 Is there a believer in the house of God today? 288 00:16:41,580 --> 00:16:43,140 That's what I believe. 289 00:16:43,140 --> 00:16:44,060 That's what I believe. 290 00:16:44,060 --> 00:16:46,060 That's what I see time and time again. 291 00:16:46,060 --> 00:16:48,300 You see, people want miracles 292 00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:51,540 but they don't wanna be in a place that necessitates one. 293 00:16:52,820 --> 00:16:54,580 We wanna see blind eyes open 294 00:16:54,580 --> 00:16:58,700 and the deaf speak and the mute hear 295 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:01,580 and we wanna see the greatness of God 296 00:17:01,580 --> 00:17:04,980 and the manifestations of signs and wonders 297 00:17:04,980 --> 00:17:05,980 and that's wonderful. 298 00:17:05,980 --> 00:17:07,820 I wanna see that too. 299 00:17:07,820 --> 00:17:10,340 And everybody wants a resurrection 300 00:17:10,340 --> 00:17:12,060 but nobody wants a tomb. 301 00:17:13,780 --> 00:17:17,260 But you can't have a resurrection without a tomb. 302 00:17:17,260 --> 00:17:18,300 Whew, my God. 303 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:20,100 We want revival, that's great 304 00:17:20,100 --> 00:17:22,460 but we don't wanna be around any dead things. 305 00:17:22,460 --> 00:17:24,420 And the only way to have a revival 306 00:17:24,420 --> 00:17:25,860 is you gotta get around dead things 307 00:17:25,860 --> 00:17:28,980 or allow whatever it is that God is allowing in your life 308 00:17:28,980 --> 00:17:31,060 to have its full effect. 309 00:17:31,060 --> 00:17:34,220 I want you to understand the power of if today 310 00:17:34,220 --> 00:17:36,260 and what faith is really all about. 311 00:17:36,260 --> 00:17:38,700 Faith is like a seed. 312 00:17:38,700 --> 00:17:42,700 It won't sprout until it's buried in dirt. 313 00:17:44,220 --> 00:17:45,060 Ooh, hallelujah. 314 00:17:46,060 --> 00:17:47,060 Can I say it like this? 315 00:17:47,060 --> 00:17:48,300 Everybody wants to grow. 316 00:17:49,620 --> 00:17:51,060 Somebody say, I wanna grow. 317 00:17:51,060 --> 00:17:53,020 The problem is no one wants to be buried. 318 00:17:55,820 --> 00:17:57,660 Man, we could just stop right there, brother. 319 00:17:57,660 --> 00:17:58,500 Hallelujah. 320 00:17:59,460 --> 00:18:00,460 Oh my God. 321 00:18:00,460 --> 00:18:01,820 Everybody wants to grow. 322 00:18:01,820 --> 00:18:03,940 And when we think about growth, we think about, 323 00:18:03,940 --> 00:18:06,580 I'm going to another level. 324 00:18:06,580 --> 00:18:08,660 Yeah, but before you go to another level, 325 00:18:08,660 --> 00:18:11,460 you gotta get some dirt put on you a little bit. 326 00:18:11,460 --> 00:18:13,460 That seed's not gonna germinate, 327 00:18:13,460 --> 00:18:17,060 it's not gonna grow and sprout until you get buried. 328 00:18:17,060 --> 00:18:19,060 I dare you to ask that seed, 329 00:18:19,060 --> 00:18:22,060 hey seed, how do you feel being down there 330 00:18:22,060 --> 00:18:24,460 underneath all of that soil and dirt? 331 00:18:24,460 --> 00:18:27,220 And that seed would have an honest conversation with you 332 00:18:27,220 --> 00:18:32,220 and say, well, since you asked, it's kind of lonely down here. 333 00:18:32,220 --> 00:18:33,860 It's kind of dark down here. 334 00:18:33,860 --> 00:18:35,660 It's kind of dirty down here. 335 00:18:35,660 --> 00:18:37,860 It doesn't feel very good down here. 336 00:18:37,860 --> 00:18:41,060 But oh, there's an if in my spirit 337 00:18:41,060 --> 00:18:45,060 that tells me everything is gonna be all right. 338 00:18:45,060 --> 00:18:47,060 Somebody shout hallelujah. 339 00:18:47,060 --> 00:18:49,060 Somebody shout hallelujah. 340 00:18:51,060 --> 00:18:55,060 Woo, I wanna grow, but don't bury me, God. 341 00:18:56,460 --> 00:18:58,060 Don't put no dirt on me. 342 00:18:58,060 --> 00:19:01,660 Oh Lord, but if you're gonna grow, 343 00:19:01,660 --> 00:19:05,460 then you gotta be in a place where growth can happen. 344 00:19:05,460 --> 00:19:08,060 And oftentimes that's where the dirt gets put on you. 345 00:19:08,060 --> 00:19:09,060 That's where it gets dark. 346 00:19:09,060 --> 00:19:11,460 That's where it gets dirty. 347 00:19:11,460 --> 00:19:14,060 And that's where God does his best work. 348 00:19:14,060 --> 00:19:18,260 And that's where God, his handiwork is seen 349 00:19:18,260 --> 00:19:20,060 and put on display. 350 00:19:20,060 --> 00:19:22,260 That's where the power of if is realized. 351 00:19:22,260 --> 00:19:24,860 Woo, I can keep going on and on. 352 00:19:24,860 --> 00:19:26,260 I can give you more examples. 353 00:19:26,260 --> 00:19:28,660 I could talk about the Good Samaritan 354 00:19:28,660 --> 00:19:30,660 and how the Levite and the priest, 355 00:19:30,660 --> 00:19:33,660 they both missed their revival. 356 00:19:33,660 --> 00:19:34,460 Why? 357 00:19:34,460 --> 00:19:36,660 Because they didn't wanna get their hands dirty. 358 00:19:36,660 --> 00:19:37,660 Woo, my God. 359 00:19:37,660 --> 00:19:39,460 They didn't wanna get down to where this guy was 360 00:19:39,460 --> 00:19:41,260 and say, man, I don't know, man. 361 00:19:41,260 --> 00:19:42,660 You know, that's kind of funky over there. 362 00:19:42,660 --> 00:19:44,260 I don't think I, I don't got time for that. 363 00:19:44,260 --> 00:19:45,860 But it was the Good Samaritan, 364 00:19:45,860 --> 00:19:48,060 the one that nobody else would expect, 365 00:19:48,060 --> 00:19:50,060 the half breed, if you will, 366 00:19:50,060 --> 00:19:52,660 that went down and served 367 00:19:52,660 --> 00:19:54,660 and brought this man back to life 368 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:56,460 and then paid whatever was due 369 00:19:56,460 --> 00:19:58,660 so that he can sit up in that hotel 370 00:19:58,660 --> 00:19:59,460 wherever he was at. 371 00:19:59,460 --> 00:20:00,660 And it cost him, 372 00:20:00,660 --> 00:20:03,060 but he had to risk his reputation. 373 00:20:03,060 --> 00:20:05,060 He had to risk everything. 374 00:20:05,060 --> 00:20:06,460 He had to roll up his sleeves. 375 00:20:06,460 --> 00:20:08,660 He had to get down in the dirt 376 00:20:08,660 --> 00:20:09,860 where no one else would go. 377 00:20:09,860 --> 00:20:12,460 And that's where God is calling his people. 378 00:20:12,460 --> 00:20:17,260 If you want revival, then get around folks who need reviving. 379 00:20:17,260 --> 00:20:20,660 If you want growth and allow the dirt to cover, 380 00:20:20,660 --> 00:20:24,460 that's where if is realized. 381 00:20:24,460 --> 00:20:26,660 That's the starting point. 382 00:20:28,860 --> 00:20:31,460 There's a lot of things we can do to grow, 383 00:20:31,460 --> 00:20:32,460 to enhance ourselves. 384 00:20:32,460 --> 00:20:34,460 And all these things could be wonderful and great, 385 00:20:34,460 --> 00:20:36,060 increase our knowledge, information. 386 00:20:36,060 --> 00:20:38,660 Hey, you can download just about anything now and then. 387 00:20:38,660 --> 00:20:41,060 But there are certain things that can only be understood, 388 00:20:41,060 --> 00:20:44,260 that can only be realized in the valley. 389 00:20:45,860 --> 00:20:48,260 And God tells, 390 00:20:48,260 --> 00:20:49,660 he tells his servant, 391 00:20:50,660 --> 00:20:52,460 he tells his servant, 392 00:20:52,460 --> 00:20:54,860 Solomon, Solomon, 393 00:20:54,860 --> 00:20:57,260 everything you've done for me, son, is beautiful. 394 00:20:57,260 --> 00:21:00,060 I mean, I'm here because of what you did. 395 00:21:00,060 --> 00:21:01,060 I wouldn't have showed up 396 00:21:01,060 --> 00:21:03,460 if you didn't worship me the way you did. 397 00:21:03,460 --> 00:21:05,460 But I've got to paint this picture for you, Solomon. 398 00:21:05,460 --> 00:21:06,860 You need to understand, 399 00:21:06,860 --> 00:21:09,860 it's not all gonna be peaches and cream, son. 400 00:21:09,860 --> 00:21:11,660 It's not all gonna be good times. 401 00:21:11,660 --> 00:21:12,860 It's not all gonna be, 402 00:21:12,860 --> 00:21:16,860 there may be for whatever sovereign reason it is, 403 00:21:16,860 --> 00:21:19,460 you may find yourself with that pestilence 404 00:21:19,460 --> 00:21:23,460 and with those problems in the world around you may darken. 405 00:21:23,460 --> 00:21:27,260 But, but if, someone say if. 406 00:21:27,260 --> 00:21:30,660 And if, if is not only a starting point, 407 00:21:30,660 --> 00:21:33,060 but it's a turning point. 408 00:21:34,060 --> 00:21:35,060 Whew, Jesus. 409 00:21:35,060 --> 00:21:36,660 That's all I came to preach today, 410 00:21:36,660 --> 00:21:38,260 is that if it's a starting point 411 00:21:38,260 --> 00:21:40,460 and it's also a turning point. 412 00:21:42,860 --> 00:21:47,060 After the grim reality of verse 13 sat in, 413 00:21:47,060 --> 00:21:49,060 I mean, I don't know how you would feel if you were Solomon, 414 00:21:49,060 --> 00:21:50,660 God shows up to your room, starts talking, 415 00:21:50,660 --> 00:21:51,660 and then he starts saying, 416 00:21:51,660 --> 00:21:53,860 yeah, I'm gonna shut up the heavens 417 00:21:53,860 --> 00:21:54,860 and it's gonna get bad. 418 00:21:54,860 --> 00:21:57,460 Well, I don't know if I want this message. 419 00:21:57,460 --> 00:21:59,260 Lord, that's not what I want to hear, 420 00:21:59,260 --> 00:22:01,860 but it gets better. 421 00:22:03,060 --> 00:22:05,660 After that grim reality of drought and pestilence, 422 00:22:05,660 --> 00:22:10,660 the Lord revealed the power of if to shift the momentum 423 00:22:11,060 --> 00:22:13,460 in that next verse, which we all love 424 00:22:13,460 --> 00:22:15,860 and which we all have heard and read. 425 00:22:15,860 --> 00:22:20,860 If my people who are called by my name 426 00:22:21,660 --> 00:22:26,660 will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn 427 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,860 from their wicked ways, Solomon. 428 00:22:31,860 --> 00:22:35,060 Look, there's gonna be times where it is gonna get bad, 429 00:22:35,060 --> 00:22:40,060 either in your house or around your house. 430 00:22:40,060 --> 00:22:42,660 There's gonna be moments where the heavens 431 00:22:42,660 --> 00:22:45,460 are gonna shut up, there's gonna be sickness, 432 00:22:45,460 --> 00:22:48,860 there's gonna be problems, yes, there will be, Solomon, 433 00:22:48,860 --> 00:22:53,860 but if my people, I'm not gonna leave you comfortless, 434 00:22:55,860 --> 00:22:58,060 I'm not gonna leave you without a lifeline, 435 00:22:58,060 --> 00:23:01,260 I'm not gonna leave you nor forsake you, Solomon, 436 00:23:01,260 --> 00:23:06,260 it might look bad, but I'm throwing a little if your way, 437 00:23:06,260 --> 00:23:08,060 that's all right, hallelujah. 438 00:23:08,060 --> 00:23:10,260 I've got an if for you, Solomon, 439 00:23:10,260 --> 00:23:14,260 that if my people who are called by my name 440 00:23:14,260 --> 00:23:16,860 would just humble themselves and pray, 441 00:23:16,860 --> 00:23:19,860 and he tells them something that is very important about if, 442 00:23:19,860 --> 00:23:23,060 because lest anyone think that I came to preach today 443 00:23:23,060 --> 00:23:26,860 about wishful thinking, lest anyone think I came 444 00:23:26,860 --> 00:23:29,260 just to talk about having a positive attitude 445 00:23:29,260 --> 00:23:32,060 or just being an optimist, 446 00:23:32,060 --> 00:23:34,460 that's not what I'm talking about here today. 447 00:23:34,460 --> 00:23:37,060 It's not just about having good intentions, 448 00:23:37,060 --> 00:23:40,460 about just having a dream or a personal goal. 449 00:23:40,460 --> 00:23:43,660 If you're really gonna unlock the power of if in your life, 450 00:23:43,660 --> 00:23:47,260 then you've gotta make a decision in your heart. 451 00:23:49,860 --> 00:23:52,860 Gotta make a decision, it's not just an intention. 452 00:23:52,860 --> 00:23:56,860 Good intentions are nice, they're important, 453 00:23:56,860 --> 00:23:59,860 but good intentions are not good enough. 454 00:24:02,460 --> 00:24:04,260 Intentions don't change anything. 455 00:24:06,060 --> 00:24:10,660 I wish things would change, well, why don't we if my people? 456 00:24:10,660 --> 00:24:11,860 I wish things were different, 457 00:24:11,860 --> 00:24:14,660 well, you don't just have to wish that they are, 458 00:24:14,660 --> 00:24:18,260 we can make a difference, hallelujah. 459 00:24:20,460 --> 00:24:23,460 And that's what a complete turnaround looks like. 460 00:24:23,460 --> 00:24:28,460 And that's my friend church, that's what repentance is. 461 00:24:30,060 --> 00:24:35,060 God defines the terms for solemnities. 462 00:24:35,860 --> 00:24:39,060 He says, if you wanna get yourself out of this, 463 00:24:39,060 --> 00:24:40,660 this is what it's gonna take. 464 00:24:40,660 --> 00:24:45,660 If you wanna see a change, then this is what is required. 465 00:24:46,860 --> 00:24:50,460 You've got to turn, hallelujah. 466 00:24:50,460 --> 00:24:55,460 You've got to turn, and this is where people get stuck. 467 00:24:57,860 --> 00:24:59,260 Lord, I thought if I just called on you, 468 00:24:59,260 --> 00:25:00,860 everything would be all right. 469 00:25:02,260 --> 00:25:06,060 Yes, that's where it starts, you call on me, 470 00:25:06,060 --> 00:25:09,660 but you've gotta turn, someone say turn. 471 00:25:09,660 --> 00:25:10,860 And there are three turns, 472 00:25:10,860 --> 00:25:14,260 I wanna point out before I close my message today. 473 00:25:14,260 --> 00:25:16,260 There are three turns of a turnaround. 474 00:25:16,260 --> 00:25:21,260 Very simply, this is simple, but very important. 475 00:25:21,460 --> 00:25:26,460 And the first turn is a turn from self, amen. 476 00:25:27,260 --> 00:25:32,260 Here they are, three turns of a turnaround. 477 00:25:32,260 --> 00:25:34,060 Solomon, if you want things to change, 478 00:25:34,060 --> 00:25:35,460 let me give you the secret. 479 00:25:35,460 --> 00:25:37,660 You've got to turn from self, number one. 480 00:25:37,660 --> 00:25:41,860 He said, humble, he said, will they humble themselves? 481 00:25:41,860 --> 00:25:43,260 Let me tell you something today, 482 00:25:43,260 --> 00:25:48,260 nothing will change unless we first humble ourselves. 483 00:25:49,260 --> 00:25:51,260 Humble ourselves before the Lord. 484 00:25:51,260 --> 00:25:55,860 I'm not talking about a superficial humility. 485 00:25:55,860 --> 00:25:57,860 I'm not talking about fake humility. 486 00:25:57,860 --> 00:26:01,260 I'm talking about truly humbling ourselves before God, 487 00:26:01,260 --> 00:26:03,260 humbling ourselves before his word, 488 00:26:03,260 --> 00:26:07,260 humbling ourselves before the authorities that God has over us. 489 00:26:07,260 --> 00:26:11,260 I'm talking about true submission and humility before God. 490 00:26:11,260 --> 00:26:13,260 And if we will do that, the Lord said, 491 00:26:13,260 --> 00:26:15,260 you have done the first turn. 492 00:26:15,260 --> 00:26:17,860 You need to humble yourself. 493 00:26:17,860 --> 00:26:21,260 Humbling yourself is not walking around 494 00:26:21,260 --> 00:26:24,260 with your head hanging low and the bottom lip, 495 00:26:24,260 --> 00:26:25,860 you're almost tripping on it 496 00:26:25,860 --> 00:26:27,660 because you're so sad and humble. 497 00:26:27,660 --> 00:26:29,260 Man, she's so humble, look at her, man. 498 00:26:29,260 --> 00:26:30,860 She just looks depressed over there, man. 499 00:26:30,860 --> 00:26:31,860 She's super humble. 500 00:26:31,860 --> 00:26:34,260 No, that's not what humility is. 501 00:26:34,260 --> 00:26:36,260 Humility is not walking around looking sad 502 00:26:36,260 --> 00:26:37,860 with your head hanging low. 503 00:26:37,860 --> 00:26:41,060 No, humility is not what humility is. 504 00:26:41,060 --> 00:26:44,260 Humility is the posture of your heart. 505 00:26:44,260 --> 00:26:48,260 Humility is saying God is deserving of all the glory. 506 00:26:48,260 --> 00:26:53,060 Humility is saying, you know, is denying myself 507 00:26:53,060 --> 00:26:54,660 and picking up my cross. 508 00:26:54,660 --> 00:26:57,860 Humility is saying God is in control. 509 00:26:57,860 --> 00:27:01,860 Humility is denying myself what it craves. 510 00:27:01,860 --> 00:27:04,460 That's why we're in a time of prayer and fasting. 511 00:27:04,460 --> 00:27:06,460 That's why we're consecrating. 512 00:27:06,460 --> 00:27:08,660 We're humbling ourselves before God. 513 00:27:08,660 --> 00:27:12,660 We're denying ourselves whether it's sleep or whether it's food 514 00:27:12,660 --> 00:27:15,060 or whether it's media, whatever it is, 515 00:27:15,060 --> 00:27:18,660 we are denying our flesh what it wants 516 00:27:18,660 --> 00:27:21,260 so that we can surrender to God. 517 00:27:21,260 --> 00:27:24,660 Somebody give the Lord some praise here this afternoon. 518 00:27:24,660 --> 00:27:26,460 Come on and clap your hands. 519 00:27:26,460 --> 00:27:30,260 Oh, God, help us to humble ourselves. 520 00:27:30,260 --> 00:27:32,860 Humble ourselves is to submit to Him. 521 00:27:32,860 --> 00:27:36,060 And so many people miss their if moments in God 522 00:27:36,060 --> 00:27:38,260 because they won't humble themselves. 523 00:27:38,260 --> 00:27:40,660 I tell you, if you don't humble yourself, 524 00:27:40,660 --> 00:27:42,060 God will humble you. 525 00:27:42,060 --> 00:27:50,060 God will exalt the humble 526 00:27:50,060 --> 00:27:54,260 and He will humble the exalted. 527 00:27:54,260 --> 00:27:57,460 Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God 528 00:27:57,460 --> 00:28:05,260 and He will raise you up in due time. 529 00:28:05,260 --> 00:28:06,660 Turn. 530 00:28:06,660 --> 00:28:11,260 The second turn is you got to turn to God. 531 00:28:11,260 --> 00:28:12,660 Turn to God. 532 00:28:12,660 --> 00:28:19,260 He said, pray and seek my face. 533 00:28:19,260 --> 00:28:23,260 To seek God's face is an invitation 534 00:28:23,260 --> 00:28:27,660 to an intimate relationship with Him. 535 00:28:27,660 --> 00:28:29,860 It is an invitation to know Him. 536 00:28:29,860 --> 00:28:36,260 The face of God represents an encounter with God. 537 00:28:36,260 --> 00:28:42,260 He did not say seek my hands, seek my arms. 538 00:28:42,260 --> 00:28:49,060 He said, seek my face. 539 00:28:49,060 --> 00:28:53,260 Seek a face-to-face relationship with me. 540 00:28:53,260 --> 00:28:55,460 It reminds me of the relationship 541 00:28:55,460 --> 00:28:58,660 that Moses had with the Lord. 542 00:28:58,660 --> 00:29:04,260 The Bible says that He would speak to him face to face 543 00:29:04,260 --> 00:29:08,660 as a man speaks to his friend. 544 00:29:08,660 --> 00:29:13,660 Too often we only focus on the hands of God. 545 00:29:13,660 --> 00:29:17,260 Oh, what's God going to give me? 546 00:29:17,260 --> 00:29:19,660 What's in it for me? 547 00:29:19,660 --> 00:29:21,460 What am I going to get out of this? 548 00:29:21,460 --> 00:29:25,060 Well, God is bringing us to a place 549 00:29:25,060 --> 00:29:28,660 where it's not about what I'm going to get out of this. 550 00:29:28,660 --> 00:29:32,060 No, God wants us to seek Him 551 00:29:32,060 --> 00:29:38,060 for the pleasure of knowing Him alone, 552 00:29:38,060 --> 00:29:43,060 where He is our reward. 553 00:29:43,060 --> 00:29:45,060 Can we ever get to... 554 00:29:45,060 --> 00:29:48,460 I think this is the high water mark of the Christian life. 555 00:29:48,460 --> 00:29:52,460 God, if you never bless me again, 556 00:29:52,460 --> 00:29:56,860 if I have your presence, I have everything I need. 557 00:29:56,860 --> 00:30:00,060 God, if I don't get that raise that I want, 558 00:30:00,060 --> 00:30:02,460 if I don't get that new contract if I'm looking for it, 559 00:30:02,460 --> 00:30:04,460 if I don't get the house that I've always wanted, 560 00:30:04,460 --> 00:30:07,060 if I don't get the stuff that I think I need, 561 00:30:07,060 --> 00:30:09,460 if things don't kind of go according to my... 562 00:30:09,460 --> 00:30:12,060 But if I have your presence, God, 563 00:30:12,060 --> 00:30:14,060 if I know you like Paul said, 564 00:30:14,060 --> 00:30:19,460 that I may know Him in the power of His resurrection 565 00:30:19,460 --> 00:30:21,860 and in the fellowship of His suffering, 566 00:30:21,860 --> 00:30:23,460 that's all that I want. 567 00:30:23,460 --> 00:30:28,060 I count it all as loss that I may gain Him. 568 00:30:28,060 --> 00:30:31,260 Is there somebody here today with a heart for God 569 00:30:31,260 --> 00:30:33,060 that says, no matter what, Lord, 570 00:30:33,060 --> 00:30:36,660 the most important thing I want is you? 571 00:30:36,660 --> 00:30:42,860 God is calling us to seek Him, to turn to God. 572 00:30:42,860 --> 00:30:45,260 Someone say, turn to God. 573 00:30:45,260 --> 00:30:47,260 Turn to God. 574 00:30:47,260 --> 00:30:48,460 I need to turn to Him. 575 00:30:48,460 --> 00:30:50,660 And as I get ready to close, listen, 576 00:30:50,660 --> 00:30:54,660 there is not just a turning from self 577 00:30:54,660 --> 00:31:02,260 and a turning to God, but there is a turning from sin. 578 00:31:02,260 --> 00:31:07,660 He said, turn, my people who are called by my name 579 00:31:07,660 --> 00:31:17,860 will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn. 580 00:31:17,860 --> 00:31:22,060 Can I tell you that the power of if 581 00:31:22,060 --> 00:31:34,460 hinges heavily on whether we turn from self to God 582 00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:41,060 and from sin, from their wicked ways? 583 00:31:41,060 --> 00:31:45,260 God, help us. 584 00:31:45,260 --> 00:31:52,660 If is powerless without genuine repentance. 585 00:31:52,660 --> 00:31:57,660 That's why this is not just a name and inclaimant message. 586 00:31:57,660 --> 00:32:00,260 Hallelujah. 587 00:32:00,260 --> 00:32:05,460 It's not just a God wants to make you rich kind of message. 588 00:32:05,460 --> 00:32:07,060 No, no, no. 589 00:32:07,060 --> 00:32:11,460 God is not a vending machine, my friend, 590 00:32:11,460 --> 00:32:13,860 where you can just punch in certain things 591 00:32:13,860 --> 00:32:15,460 and get what you need. 592 00:32:19,260 --> 00:32:23,860 God is spirit and He wants to be known, 593 00:32:23,860 --> 00:32:29,460 but He is also a Holy Spirit. 594 00:32:29,460 --> 00:32:32,060 He is the Holy Ghost. 595 00:32:32,060 --> 00:32:34,860 Amen. 596 00:32:34,860 --> 00:32:41,060 And the path to Him is a path of self denial, 597 00:32:41,060 --> 00:32:46,260 turning from self and from our wicked ways. 598 00:32:49,660 --> 00:32:54,860 How does one effectively turn from sin? 599 00:32:54,860 --> 00:32:58,260 A lot of people are struggling to turn from sin these days, 600 00:32:58,260 --> 00:32:59,860 wicked ways, and you say, why is that? 601 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:10,260 One of the reasons the Lord showed me is that 602 00:33:10,260 --> 00:33:12,860 they're just focused on what not to do. 603 00:33:15,660 --> 00:33:20,060 It's not just, let me tell you something. 604 00:33:20,060 --> 00:33:22,060 Making a decision against something 605 00:33:22,060 --> 00:33:24,860 is only half the battle. 606 00:33:24,860 --> 00:33:27,460 Making a decision for what you're not going to do 607 00:33:27,460 --> 00:33:29,860 is only half the battle. 608 00:33:29,860 --> 00:33:35,460 The other half of the battle is making a decision for something. 609 00:33:35,460 --> 00:33:37,860 The reason why some folks are struggling, 610 00:33:37,860 --> 00:33:41,060 maybe with a sin or an area that just can't, 611 00:33:41,060 --> 00:33:44,060 is because all your focus is just on not doing that, 612 00:33:44,060 --> 00:33:45,860 and that's fine. 613 00:33:45,860 --> 00:33:48,060 But there also has to be a focus on 614 00:33:48,060 --> 00:33:50,860 not just what I'm not doing, 615 00:33:50,860 --> 00:33:54,660 but what I am doing. 616 00:33:54,660 --> 00:33:57,660 Paul said, do not walk according to the flesh. 617 00:33:57,660 --> 00:33:59,260 But he didn't stop there. 618 00:33:59,260 --> 00:34:02,860 He said, but according to the Spirit. 619 00:34:02,860 --> 00:34:05,660 It's not just a matter of what you're not doing. 620 00:34:05,660 --> 00:34:10,060 Some people keep sinning because they're just trying hard not to sin. 621 00:34:10,060 --> 00:34:12,060 That's not enough. 622 00:34:12,060 --> 00:34:17,060 You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. 623 00:34:17,060 --> 00:34:19,660 Oh, my God. 624 00:34:19,660 --> 00:34:23,860 You can do nothing wrong and still not be doing nothing right. 625 00:34:23,860 --> 00:34:27,660 I'm not doing this and I'm not doing that. 626 00:34:27,660 --> 00:34:30,660 That's part of it. 627 00:34:30,660 --> 00:34:35,860 But the other part is turning to God. 628 00:34:35,860 --> 00:34:38,860 I don't just want to be known for what I'm against. 629 00:34:38,860 --> 00:34:42,260 I want to be known for what I'm for. 630 00:34:42,260 --> 00:34:45,660 I don't just want to be, oh, my God, 631 00:34:45,660 --> 00:34:48,460 living a life where I don't sin. 632 00:34:48,460 --> 00:34:50,260 I need to be pursuing. 633 00:34:50,260 --> 00:34:53,260 I need to seek Him. 634 00:34:53,260 --> 00:34:56,660 Would you stand with me this afternoon? 635 00:34:56,660 --> 00:35:00,860 God is waiting on our humility. 636 00:35:00,860 --> 00:35:04,060 He's waiting on our willingness to seek Him. 637 00:35:04,060 --> 00:35:11,460 He's waiting on someone to believe in the power of if. 638 00:35:11,460 --> 00:35:14,260 But that if, oh, Hallelujah. 639 00:35:14,260 --> 00:35:19,860 The only way to unlock the power of if is if we will turn. 640 00:35:19,860 --> 00:35:21,860 Turn from my ways doing things. 641 00:35:21,860 --> 00:35:25,460 How many of you know that His ways are not our ways? 642 00:35:25,460 --> 00:35:29,260 How many of you know His thoughts are above ours? 643 00:35:29,260 --> 00:35:34,660 And so sometimes turning away from myself and my ways is exactly that. 644 00:35:34,660 --> 00:35:42,860 It's turning from what I think and what I know and trusting in Him. 645 00:35:42,860 --> 00:35:44,660 And in this season of consecration, 646 00:35:44,660 --> 00:35:48,860 in this hour we are drawing close to God, church, 647 00:35:48,860 --> 00:35:52,260 the hour of seeking His will, His direction, 648 00:35:52,260 --> 00:35:55,860 this is what God has prescribed for us to do. 649 00:35:55,860 --> 00:35:58,260 I don't know about you, but there are some promises. 650 00:35:58,260 --> 00:35:59,460 I invite you right there where you are. 651 00:35:59,460 --> 00:36:01,460 If you just want to begin to pray, I invite you to close your eyes. 652 00:36:01,460 --> 00:36:03,260 I feel the presence of God. 653 00:36:03,260 --> 00:36:06,460 I feel God is moving in this moment right now. 654 00:36:06,460 --> 00:36:11,060 Hala bobo yosham dala maya sheek alayah. 655 00:36:11,060 --> 00:36:16,460 Oh, God, there have been some if moments that God is showing us. 656 00:36:16,460 --> 00:36:18,860 There have been some if moments that God has showed us. 657 00:36:18,860 --> 00:36:21,860 God showed us an if moment last Sunday. 658 00:36:21,860 --> 00:36:23,060 This place was filled. 659 00:36:23,060 --> 00:36:27,860 There was souls, almost 60 souls, men and women and children that were here. 660 00:36:27,860 --> 00:36:31,260 And God showed me a what if moment. 661 00:36:31,260 --> 00:36:33,460 I saw an if right before me, 662 00:36:33,460 --> 00:36:38,660 but then I realized that this is just a glimpse of what God can do. 663 00:36:38,660 --> 00:36:43,260 But the real question is not whether God wants to do it because He does, 664 00:36:43,260 --> 00:36:49,660 but if my people, God, would humble themselves 665 00:36:49,660 --> 00:36:54,460 and will they pray, will they turn from their wicked ways, 666 00:36:54,460 --> 00:37:00,660 then what you saw is just a foreshadow of what I'm getting ready to do in your life. 667 00:37:00,660 --> 00:37:06,460 What you see in part is going to be a reality in your life. 668 00:37:06,460 --> 00:37:11,460 I wonder if there's somebody here today that's got some ifs in your family, 669 00:37:11,460 --> 00:37:16,060 some ifs in your heart, some ifs in your life, 670 00:37:16,060 --> 00:37:19,860 that if we will call on Him and if we will turn to Him, 671 00:37:19,860 --> 00:37:24,860 if we will lift our hands in worship, if we will lift our hearts in prayer, 672 00:37:24,860 --> 00:37:29,260 if we will call upon Him while He is near, 673 00:37:29,260 --> 00:37:32,860 if we will call upon Him in this moment, 674 00:37:32,860 --> 00:37:39,260 if God will not turn His hand and climb His ear to us and begin to move, 675 00:37:39,260 --> 00:37:45,060 is there somebody in this place right now that can join me in calling upon the Lord, 676 00:37:45,060 --> 00:37:50,060 that can join me in lifting our hearts in worship right now? 677 00:37:50,060 --> 00:37:52,660 I invite you, come on, I invite somebody right now. 678 00:37:52,660 --> 00:37:54,260 I invite you right there. 679 00:37:54,260 --> 00:37:58,060 If you want to make an altar, make one right now. 680 00:37:58,060 --> 00:38:03,260 If you want to make an altar, make one today. 681 00:38:03,260 --> 00:38:10,460 There are some things we've got to lay down at an altar. 682 00:38:10,460 --> 00:38:13,660 There are some things we've got to lay down before God 683 00:38:13,660 --> 00:38:18,460 and say, here it is, Lord, I'm trusting in you, God. 684 00:38:18,460 --> 00:38:44,460 I have your way in my life.