1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:15,440
Welcome to Hub City Vineyard.

2
00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:23,060
To get connected or to give online go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church.

3
00:00:23,060 --> 00:00:27,360
If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text

4
00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,840
change me to 970-00.

5
00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,200
Thank you and enjoy the message.

6
00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:39,000
Alright I guess evil Mr. John thinks he is a football player.

7
00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,600
Not sure what was happening there.

8
00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,040
I want to reiterate, well first I want to welcome you.

9
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:47,920
Thanks for hanging out with us here at HCV if you are new.

10
00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:52,200
That's especially important to say we are thankful that God brought you here.

11
00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:56,040
If you are watching from home thank you for welcoming us into your space, your kitchen,

12
00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,200
your living room, wherever you may be watching.

13
00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,880
The announcements brought up night to shine.

14
00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:07,560
This past Friday we transformed this building into a giant party.

15
00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:11,440
So basically we had more than 600 people fill this place.

16
00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:16,280
We had over 200 special guests and their partners that came to encourage them and help them

17
00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:20,520
and over 200 volunteers and it was the party of the year.

18
00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,240
Let me tell you.

19
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:27,000
So a big shout out to Tracy and her team.

20
00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:28,000
This is a yearly event.

21
00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,840
I am telling you, you don't want to miss it next year.

22
00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:37,960
Seeing everyone just dance and do the YMCA and sing karaoke.

23
00:01:37,960 --> 00:01:44,000
I mean there was one special guest that sung way maker and karaoke and I was just in tears.

24
00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,120
It was amazing.

25
00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,400
So anyway thank you to everyone that made that happen.

26
00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:50,200
Reach starts tonight.

27
00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:54,800
We will be serving at the cold weather shelter for serving the homeless this entire week.

28
00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:55,800
Kelsey needs some helpers.

29
00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:58,920
So I want to throw this out there.

30
00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:01,760
She needs breakfast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

31
00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:03,200
It's real simple.

32
00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,280
If you could serve breakfast for any of those days please show up.

33
00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:07,640
It involves no cooking.

34
00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:08,640
It's cereal.

35
00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:09,640
All you do is set it out.

36
00:02:09,640 --> 00:02:10,640
Real simple.

37
00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:13,600
And she needs overnight on Friday and Saturday.

38
00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:17,520
So if you can fill those needs please see her at the Welcome Hub.

39
00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,460
There's also mustard seeds there.

40
00:02:19,460 --> 00:02:23,400
My daughter made mustard seed jars this week so if you missed them at the end of the last

41
00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,080
series you can grab a mustard seed.

42
00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,680
One more announcement that's kind of important.

43
00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:30,680
I need your help.

44
00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,280
Ok I need your help with an upcoming series.

45
00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:37,240
In May we are going to do a series entitled Inked.

46
00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:38,240
Inked.

47
00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,520
I-N-K-E-D.

48
00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:41,880
And I need your help in that.

49
00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,400
I need you to submit your tattoos.

50
00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:50,600
So if you have a tattoo and you have a story behind it I need you to go to hcv.church forward

51
00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:52,000
slash inked.

52
00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:57,200
I need a picture of your tattoo and your testimony as to why you got it.

53
00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:58,200
Ok.

54
00:02:58,200 --> 00:02:59,200
Why you got it.

55
00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:05,320
And then your testimony, your story may be in one of my sermons in the month of May because

56
00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,680
I'm going to build my sermons in May all around your tattoos.

57
00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:12,160
How does that sound?

58
00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:13,760
But I need your what?

59
00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:14,960
I need your help.

60
00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:18,720
I need a picture of your tattoo and the story.

61
00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,760
If you just send me your picture it doesn't work.

62
00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:22,200
I need the story too.

63
00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:23,200
Ok.

64
00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:24,200
Picture and story.

65
00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:25,200
Send them in.

66
00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:30,640
If your story isn't chosen in the month of May every tattoo that's submitted we are going

67
00:03:30,640 --> 00:03:36,120
to print out black and white copies of it and fill the cafe with your tattoos to decorate

68
00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:37,120
it.

69
00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:38,120
Ok.

70
00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:39,120
Lots of fun.

71
00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:40,120
Lots of fun.

72
00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,720
It's going to be hard for me to pick which one I am choosing.

73
00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,560
But I will be submitting one of my own.

74
00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:45,560
Ok.

75
00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:47,560
All of my tattoos are after Jesus.

76
00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:49,160
So I got a lot of stories.

77
00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:50,160
Ok.

78
00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:51,160
Alright.

79
00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:55,960
So last week we kicked off our new series Under Armour with a challenging talk on the

80
00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,160
struggle is spiritual.

81
00:03:58,160 --> 00:03:59,160
Right.

82
00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:04,320
And we learned that we are daily in a spiritual battle against the evil rulers of this unseen

83
00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:05,320
world.

84
00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:07,840
Listen if you missed that talk go to our YouTube channel and tune in.

85
00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:08,840
Ok.

86
00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:10,180
Lives were changed last week.

87
00:04:10,180 --> 00:04:13,000
The spiritual warfare is real.

88
00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:14,280
Ok it's legit.

89
00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:20,280
And Paul is writing to a thriving church in Ephesus very similar to ours from a prison

90
00:04:20,280 --> 00:04:27,200
cell with a Roman soldier sitting right beside him and he begins to describe the armour of

91
00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:28,200
God.

92
00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:29,760
As you can see this is our armour.

93
00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:31,720
He's starting to get what?

94
00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:32,720
Transformed.

95
00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:33,720
Right.

96
00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,040
This we've named him Maximus.

97
00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:39,120
So if you want to come up and high five Maximus please do.

98
00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:43,880
He's not fully done yet but we are going to cover two aspects of the armour this morning

99
00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:45,960
in Ephesians 6 14.

100
00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:47,560
Stand your ground.

101
00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:52,480
Put on the belt of truth and the body armour of God's righteousness.

102
00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,300
So now listen.

103
00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:59,760
I was praying this morning for our gatherings and God kind of highlighted for me that this

104
00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,120
morning I'm going to be teaching.

105
00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:02,120
Ok.

106
00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:03,120
This isn't preaching.

107
00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:08,040
I'm going to be teaching you about two aspects of God's armour and this is my challenge to

108
00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:09,040
you.

109
00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:10,040
Don't check out.

110
00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:11,040
Ok.

111
00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:16,800
Don't check out because if you apply these two pieces of the armour to your life your

112
00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:18,520
life will change today.

113
00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:22,640
I promise it will change today.

114
00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:28,960
See Paul's reasoning to highlight the armour for the church and you and me is so that we

115
00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:35,260
are equipped and empowered by Jesus to follow him in the enemy territory and bring God's

116
00:05:35,260 --> 00:05:36,480
kingdom to this world.

117
00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:37,480
Ok.

118
00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:40,560
The way that we give our life to Jesus guess what we are in a battle.

119
00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:45,920
We are in a spiritual battle and the first piece of the armour that Paul highlights is

120
00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:53,680
the belt of truth and you can see this belt that wraps around Maximus in his midsection.

121
00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:54,680
Notice it's shining.

122
00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:56,680
He's happy now it's cleaned up.

123
00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:02,520
Now Roman soldiers during this time they would have been wearing and carrying somewhere around

124
00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:11,400
70 to 80 pounds of armour daily for 12 to 15 hours on their shifts and as they are holding

125
00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:18,360
this heavy armour the belts that went around their waist literally stabilised the core

126
00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:20,840
or the centre of the soldier.

127
00:06:20,840 --> 00:06:26,880
So the belt that Paul is describing please hear this is not an everyday fashion belt.

128
00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:27,880
Ok.

129
00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:32,420
It's not a fashionista belt where you are showing it off and it's an accessory to

130
00:06:32,420 --> 00:06:33,600
your clothes.

131
00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:39,320
It's not a nice big thick belt with a belt buckle that says you love America or anything

132
00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:40,320
like that.

133
00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:41,320
Ok.

134
00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:43,000
That's not the belt we are talking about.

135
00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:47,720
The belt that we are referring to in modern day terminology would have been this weight

136
00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:48,720
lifting belt.

137
00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:49,720
Right.

138
00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:53,560
So when you use a weight lifting belt you strap it around your waist.

139
00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:54,560
Ok.

140
00:06:54,560 --> 00:07:00,100
You put it through and you pull it back and the reason that you put on a weight lifting

141
00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:06,200
belt for those of you that lift is because you are about to carry something very heavy.

142
00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:12,240
You are about to lift something so this belt it stabilises your core.

143
00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,360
Now why is Paul referring this to us?

144
00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:20,440
Because we were not created to carry the weight of our everyday lives.

145
00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:21,440
Ok.

146
00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:25,720
When we give our lives to Jesus God places a calling on our life that we are going into

147
00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:28,600
this world and make a difference for Him.

148
00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,280
And we need the belt of truth.

149
00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,840
We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

150
00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:35,840
Ok.

151
00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,240
That's why Paul is challenging us.

152
00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:41,240
Next he refers to the breastplate of righteousness.

153
00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:46,520
Now most of the weight of the armour as you can see here would have been this breastplate

154
00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:47,800
of righteousness.

155
00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:54,840
The breastplate it covers the front and I want you to see here the side and the back.

156
00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:55,840
Right.

157
00:07:55,840 --> 00:08:00,280
We know that enemies they don't just attack you from the front.

158
00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:06,440
They attack you from the side and the rear because they are trying to destroy you.

159
00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:12,020
Now our enemy that we face every single day right he is facing shooting fiery darts at

160
00:08:12,020 --> 00:08:16,160
us because he wants to tear down our life and destroy us.

161
00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:22,360
And again the breastplate is the most crucial because it protects the vital organs.

162
00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:23,360
Right.

163
00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:27,000
And if your heart gets stabbed it doesn't matter how strong he is it doesn't matter

164
00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:34,180
how smart he is it doesn't matter how much money he has that blow will destroy his life.

165
00:08:34,180 --> 00:08:37,840
Now today's example of the breastplate would be this.

166
00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:38,840
Ok this.

167
00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:40,860
Does anybody know what this is?

168
00:08:40,860 --> 00:08:43,160
This is Kevlar body armour.

169
00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:51,360
Ok this was given to me to borrow of course by my friend Mr. Oh he promised it would be

170
00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:52,360
heavy.

171
00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:56,440
Oh my gosh.

172
00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:58,320
There we go.

173
00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:01,880
Ok he promised it would be heavy it's about 40 pounds.

174
00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:09,100
Ok about 40 pounds of weight and of course why would I wear a Kevlar body armour?

175
00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:14,480
Because it protects me right from the attacks of the enemy.

176
00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:19,640
Now you'll see many police officers you'll see many armed those in the army the armed

177
00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:20,680
forces.

178
00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:26,600
They wear these for protection because they are constantly being attacked and bombarded.

179
00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:33,600
Now Paul is telling us about the belt of truth and this breastplate right because he desires

180
00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,800
that the church that you and I walk this out for the long haul.

181
00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,920
He says you're in a race I want you to run to win.

182
00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:45,720
Well in order for us to run to win we've got to be armoured up which leads us to our first

183
00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:47,840
thought.

184
00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,640
Truth stabilizes a follower of Jesus.

185
00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:55,360
This belt of truth stabilizes a follower of Jesus.

186
00:09:55,360 --> 00:10:01,680
Ephesians 6 13 to 14 therefore put on every piece of God's armour so you are able to resist

187
00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:04,360
the enemy in the time of evil.

188
00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:09,680
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm stand your ground putting on the belt

189
00:10:09,680 --> 00:10:10,880
of truth.

190
00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:14,680
Now everyone knows that the core matters.

191
00:10:14,680 --> 00:10:20,960
Our cores stabilize us so that we can stand up straight and continue to move forward.

192
00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:25,280
Talk to any physician talk to any trainer and they're going to tell you the most important

193
00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:30,600
thing you can do for your health is lose weight and strengthen your core true or false.

194
00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:36,360
Okay that's that's the key to us surviving and Paul is telling the church that as we

195
00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:41,560
follow Jesus into this spiritual battle we need on a belt that will stabilize us from

196
00:10:41,560 --> 00:10:43,080
the attacks of the enemy.

197
00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:44,960
We need to put on the belt of truth.

198
00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:50,480
We need truth literally wrapped and notice this thing is velcroed it's tight around our

199
00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:54,120
waist so that we can fight off Satan.

200
00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:59,440
John 17 I'm not asking you to take them out of the world okay this is Jesus praying for

201
00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:04,260
us but to keep them safe from the evil one they do not belong to this world any more

202
00:11:04,260 --> 00:11:09,160
than I do make them holy by your truth.

203
00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:11,640
Teach them their word which is truth.

204
00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:19,080
How do we get taught the word we have to understand the foundation of our truth is the Bible.

205
00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:23,960
That's it the foundation of our truth is the Bible and as we read the Bible and apply it

206
00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:29,840
to our lives suddenly our lives are supported by truth because daily we're bombarded with

207
00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:35,520
distractions whether it be social media news we watch a book we're reading a show we're

208
00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:41,800
bins watching we have to learn to live by truth because the world wants to bombard us

209
00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:43,640
with lies right.

210
00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:49,360
The world wants to tell us what we can and can't do what's fashionable what's right but

211
00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:56,760
here's the reality sometimes right sometimes it's easier to believe a lie than it is to

212
00:11:56,760 --> 00:12:00,960
wrap truth around your waist and that's what the world's going to tell you just believe

213
00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:07,640
the lies because truth offends people but yet this belt of truth it fits all shapes

214
00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:15,140
and sizes and it welcomes us right to build a foundation that we can stand on and please

215
00:12:15,140 --> 00:12:20,820
hear me out it may not be the most comfortable belt that you've ever put on but it's essential

216
00:12:20,820 --> 00:12:26,440
for spiritual warfare not only do we need to learn about the truth we need to live it

217
00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:31,680
first John 318 deal children let us not merely say that we love each other let us show the

218
00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:37,040
truth by our actions in other words allow what is written in that book to become a part

219
00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:43,480
of us let's be a community of faith that is known for our integrity for what we say is

220
00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:48,460
true let's be a community of faith where our relationships with one another and our families

221
00:12:48,460 --> 00:12:54,840
are full of grace humility and forgiveness right we are a people right we learn this

222
00:12:54,840 --> 00:13:00,840
on Friday night that reaches out to the marginalized and forgotten and we will continue to do so

223
00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:07,360
because I know that God is calling us to reflect his truth right in all aspects of our life

224
00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:13,120
especially the way we speak the way we live and the way we love which leads us to our

225
00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:19,200
next thought see the devil deals in deception see the tactic of the enemy is to attack truth

226
00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:24,640
our enemy wants to destroy truth and he whispers in our ears to the point where we begin to

227
00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:32,600
doubt what God says is true did I really experience God on that Sunday morning did I really make

228
00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:39,240
that commitment to follow Jesus can I trust God to provide for me does Jesus really heal

229
00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:46,160
my body can Jesus save my marriage and these things that go through our minds and it begins

230
00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:53,020
to deceive us so that we question truth which causes what the rest of the armor to become

231
00:13:53,020 --> 00:13:59,640
unstable if we take this belt off in the midst of a difficult war we are going to become

232
00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:05,400
unstable John 844 for you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do

233
00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:10,680
the evil things he does and this is Jesus speaking to the religious leaders remember

234
00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:16,280
last week he called Peter Satan now he is calling the religious leaders you are just

235
00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:22,040
children of your father the devil in other words Jesus speaks in truth he has always

236
00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:28,240
hated the truth referring to Satan because there is no truth in him when he lies it is

237
00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:32,400
consistent with his character for he is a liar and a father of lies remember Satan is

238
00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:38,280
a father of lies he disguises himself and manipulates our perspective he wants to destroy

239
00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:43,560
our families he wants to ruin our marriages and he wants our life to be constantly filled

240
00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:50,480
with bad mistakes and bad choices the enemy tries to deceive our lives every single day

241
00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:55,320
and he is going to whisper lie after lie after lie and that is why it is so important to

242
00:14:55,320 --> 00:15:00,240
surround yourself on a weekly basis with other Jesus followers and it is not just Sunday

243
00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:05,040
mornings it is through the week you need to get yourself around people that are going

244
00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:09,680
to encourage you and love on you because see the problem with being deceived is quite often

245
00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:14,080
we do not even know it we do not even know we are deceived and how do I know that because

246
00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:22,680
Satan he downplays sin he tempts us is it really that big of a deal really oh you deserve

247
00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:29,280
that go ahead and buy it oh that is what is best for you I am sure of it if it is what

248
00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:34,820
makes you happy indulge in it there is no need to resist God is going to forgive you

249
00:15:34,820 --> 00:15:43,700
anyway and we hear those voices and then we sin and then immediately you know what happens

250
00:15:43,700 --> 00:15:51,240
Satan completely reverses his course he tempts us we sin right and then he becomes the accuser

251
00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:56,180
and he says you are not good enough for God's grace and he points fingers at us you did

252
00:15:56,180 --> 00:16:01,940
that you made that choice you drank that you ate that you smoked that God is never going

253
00:16:01,940 --> 00:16:07,560
to forgive you you will never have joy again and notice the claims that Satan makes in

254
00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:15,040
the accusations are directly contradicting right to the temptation yet we continue to

255
00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:22,120
believe him and that is Satan's plan he tempts us into doing it into believing something

256
00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:27,000
and then he accuses us when we do it but there is hope which leads us to our next thought

257
00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:34,600
about the belt truth is a person and his name is Jesus truth is a person and his name is

258
00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:39,480
Jesus first John 1 14 the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us we have seen

259
00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:46,000
his glory the glory of the one and only son Jesus who came from the father full of grace

260
00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:53,560
and truth see the focus of our spiritual warfare isn't Satan it is not some imaginary soldier

261
00:16:53,560 --> 00:17:02,980
it is Jesus see Paul wasn't using this contemporary illustration to explain spiritual warfare

262
00:17:02,980 --> 00:17:10,960
see Paul was simply reminding the church right in Ephesus of prophet Isaiah's presentation

263
00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:18,360
of the warrior king that would come listen to what is written about Jesus Isaiah 11 5

264
00:17:18,360 --> 00:17:27,720
he will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment see this was prophesied

265
00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:33,480
thousands and hundreds of years before Jesus even came Paul knew of the prophecies and

266
00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:38,040
then he is simply teaching the church as he is looking at this soldier today our series

267
00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:43,720
is called Under Armour and listen to this their mission statement Under Armour is designed

268
00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:49,560
to inspire you with performance solutions you never knew you needed and you can't live

269
00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:57,280
without that is the church friends we didn't know we needed this but yet we can't live

270
00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:02,480
without it Hebrews 1 1 through 3 long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our

271
00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:07,100
ancestors through the prophets like Isaiah and now in these final days he has spoken

272
00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:12,360
to us through his son God promised everything to the son as inheritance and through the

273
00:18:12,360 --> 00:18:19,680
son he created the universe now notice this part the son Jesus radiates God's own glory

274
00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:26,200
and expresses the very character of God and he sustains everything by the mighty power

275
00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:34,460
of his command if we want to know God because God is truth we have the exact representation

276
00:18:34,460 --> 00:18:41,280
of him in Jesus and how do I know that well Jesus said it himself John 14 6 excuse me

277
00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:47,080
Jesus told him I am the way the truth and the life no one can come to the Father except

278
00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:52,040
through me Jesus made this statement which may be the most exclusive statement in the

279
00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:58,560
history of mankind basically he's saying you want to know and live by truth I'm the truth

280
00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:04,040
I am truth and nobody reconnects to the Father except through me truth is a person in his

281
00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:12,200
name is Jesus and to put the belt of truth around us means one thing would Jesus do it

282
00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:17,280
so is it okay if I make this really practical for you today like if we want to be a church

283
00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:21,380
that's founded on Jesus I believe there's a statement that we can live by that will

284
00:19:21,380 --> 00:19:26,400
set all of this straight it's four simple letters that you may have heard before but

285
00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:32,960
for some reason today in 2025 it's no longer cool it's no longer accepted and it's no longer

286
00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:39,680
talked about and those four letters are WWJD now some of you think in WWJD Chris is that

287
00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:47,720
a website is that a link that I click or what is that it's not a website it's four simple

288
00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:52,520
letters that are actually a principle that we can all live by and it will guide us in

289
00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:59,800
the truth what would Jesus do right now this was huge back when I gave my life to Jesus

290
00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:10,160
in early 2000s right WWJD was everywhere bracelets commercials shirts everybody was wearing WWJD

291
00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:16,360
and now it's gone why why is it going why is it forgotten why is the fad going because

292
00:20:16,360 --> 00:20:21,000
if we actually live by that principle it would lead us into all truth and you say Chris what

293
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:26,640
you think about the four letters what would Jesus do what would Jesus do in that situation

294
00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:31,080
what would Jesus do with this decision I'm about to make how would Jesus speak to my

295
00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:39,360
spouse hmm how would Jesus raise my kids how would Jesus care for the poor right how Jesus

296
00:20:39,360 --> 00:20:45,040
lived is how we should live it's not our way right but some of you are saying well Chris

297
00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:51,160
I believe this about the Bible but I believe this is okay for my life and I want to say

298
00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:56,000
to you okay well if it's okay for your life would it be okay for Jesus's life and see

299
00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:01,440
if we compare the two and they don't line up guess what it's not okay it's not truth

300
00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:07,960
Jesus understood sin and the power of it so he consistently challenges us not to live

301
00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:13,080
in it and he extends grace on a daily basis when we mess up so I believe if we begin to

302
00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:21,840
adopt a mindset that Jesus is truth and what would Jesus do then suddenly 99% of all of

303
00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:29,160
our problems would go away 99% of all of our addictions would Jesus smoke this would Jesus

304
00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:39,900
drink this would Jesus take this chances are it would be no no and then the choice then

305
00:21:39,900 --> 00:21:43,900
is up to us now this week I did something a little different I was really challenged

306
00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:47,800
by as I was preparing for this so I took my little Jesus you know there's little Jesuses

307
00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:52,040
that we gave out last Easter we're gonna get him again for this Easter but anyway there's

308
00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:57,080
this little Jesus figure I took my little Jesus put a glue dot and put it on the right

309
00:21:57,080 --> 00:22:03,320
on the dash of my car so now everywhere I'm driving to guess what Jesus is staring right

310
00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:10,400
at me so every time I get frustrated every time I get frustrated about the car gone 20

311
00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:15,180
miles an hour when I'm late to church on a Sunday morning driving up Virginia Avenue

312
00:22:15,180 --> 00:22:21,920
Jesus is staring at me saying what would what would I do Chris right because all of us need

313
00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:28,560
a little reminder all of us need a little reminder John 8 Jesus said to the people who

314
00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:33,640
believed in him you are truly my disciples if you remain faithful my teachings and you'll

315
00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:38,400
know the truth and the truth will set you free how many of you want to be set free right

316
00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:45,160
I want to be set free I want to live an abundant life right what would Jesus do and my other

317
00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:51,160
challenge to you is this there isn't any reason we're not in Matthew Mark Luke and John every

318
00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:55,160
day of the week there be there shouldn't be a day that goes by that we're not in one of

319
00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:01,280
those books learning who Jesus was right we you can camp out there for two years reading

320
00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:06,400
Matthew Mark Luke and John over and over again and guess what you will grow spiritually I

321
00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:14,920
promise you because Jesus is truth which leads us to our next thought and the breastplate

322
00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:19,800
right righteousness what is the breastplate of righteousness remember it protects our

323
00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:24,640
vital organs and so many people think well Chris what's right let me define it for you

324
00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:32,920
righteousness is right living so it is righteousness means right living stand your ground put on

325
00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:39,520
the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness again Paul is quoting the prophet

326
00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:46,360
Isaiah how do I know that Isaiah 59 17 he put on the righteousness as his body armor

327
00:23:46,360 --> 00:23:50,320
and placed the helmet of salvation on his head which we'll discuss in a few weeks he

328
00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:55,320
clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion

329
00:23:55,320 --> 00:24:00,560
I just want to stop there just for a second because I just I have a problem with some

330
00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:06,160
of the images I see of Jesus out there right and the one that bothers me the most is the

331
00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:12,440
is the long flowing beautiful brown haired American Jesus right that just bothers me

332
00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:18,400
because that's not what Jesus looks like okay and if you want an image can I let me read

333
00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:26,760
this for you again all right Jesus is not some wimp right he's not just this dude that

334
00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:32,320
just was strolled through the countryside carrying in and some sheep and leading them

335
00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:43,200
the way he put on righteousness as his body armor right he's a warrior the helmet of salvation

336
00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:49,080
on his head and he clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a

337
00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:56,040
cloak of divine passion that is Jesus right Sam I need that tattooed on me can you work

338
00:24:56,040 --> 00:25:01,520
on that for me thank you okay that's gonna be my next tattoo right there I say a 59 17

339
00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:07,600
because that's what I want my Jesus to look like right and righteousness is doing the

340
00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:15,040
right thing it's living God's way and Jesus is our standard of living what would Jesus

341
00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:20,560
to oh my gosh it's amazing these two build on each other Matthew 633 seek the kingdom

342
00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:26,000
of God above all else live righteously he will give you everything you need and this

343
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:32,480
is the problem with the American church live righteously you know what that means don't

344
00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:41,080
fake it stop faking it stop showing up on Sunday morning looking good dressed up mask

345
00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:46,760
on high-fiving everybody and smiling when your life's falling apart right if your life's

346
00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:52,440
falling apart you need to be upfront here on your knees desiring to get closer to Jesus

347
00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:57,920
and unfortunately the American church they love their masks they live righteously on

348
00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:04,640
Sunday for a few hours right but then are a complete mess the rest of the week God doesn't

349
00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:09,720
want us to act like a follower of Jesus he wants us to be one and how do I know that

350
00:26:09,720 --> 00:26:15,440
Philippians 3 for his sake I have discarded everything else counting it all as garbage

351
00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:20,320
so that I could gain Christ and become one with him I no longer count on my own righteousness

352
00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:26,600
through obeying the law rather I become righteous through faith in Christ for God's way of making

353
00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:32,720
his right with himself depends on faith see Jesus didn't come to earth and die so that

354
00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:38,040
we can have a better version of our previous life that's not why he came Jesus didn't

355
00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:45,480
come to make people who were bad a little bit better or a little bit good he came to

356
00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:53,680
see people who were dead trapped in their sin alive again living in abundance righteousness

357
00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:59,880
is right living so stop faking and embrace hope which leads us to our next thought of

358
00:26:59,880 --> 00:27:06,960
the breastplate righteousness guards our hearts Proverbs 423 guard your heart above all else

359
00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:13,080
for it determines the course of your life the words we speak the thoughts we consider

360
00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:20,000
the desires we have the decisions we make ultimately come from our hearts what we truly

361
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:27,240
value determines everything and our heart determines what we value Paul is challenging

362
00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:33,320
us with the breastplate guarded guard your heart and how do you guard your heart with

363
00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:40,440
righteousness Proverbs 13 6 righteousness guards the person of integrity right we are

364
00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:49,480
born into sin our hearts naturally lead us or push us towards unrighteousness right we

365
00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:55,600
want to be drifting towards unrighteousness but sadly sometimes the only thing that's

366
00:27:55,600 --> 00:28:01,600
keeping us from making the righteous choice right is not the lack of sin within us but

367
00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:06,360
the lack of opportunity to carry out what our hearts truly desire for example all right

368
00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:15,800
what's the difference between lust and adultery what's the difference between lust and adultery

369
00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:24,160
the opportunity that's the difference if the opportunity presented itself chances are you're

370
00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:30,520
going to commit adultery because you're constantly lusting over something you shouldn't have

371
00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:37,440
James 4 7 humble yourselves before God resists the devil and he will flee from you why should

372
00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:43,120
we not give devil an opportunity why resist the devil why is Jesus destroying the works

373
00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:47,960
of the devil why should we constantly be on alert because in each case the answer is the

374
00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:54,460
same the battle is real and it's spiritual don't enter the battle underprepared which

375
00:28:54,460 --> 00:29:01,320
leads us to our final thought righteousness is embraced not earned righteousness is embraced

376
00:29:01,320 --> 00:29:04,800
not earned now this is where I'm going to get a little theological for you okay this

377
00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:09,240
is where I'm going to teach for you so I want to silence distractions does everyone hear

378
00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:14,160
that I don't want you looking around I don't want you high-fiving your kid I don't you

379
00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:18,320
know you can kiss them and cuddle them but I need your ears listening okay this is very

380
00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:23,400
important it's very important for us because if we don't get our theology correct we're

381
00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:28,440
going to try to fix ourselves we're going to try to do it all in our own strength not

382
00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:32,920
realizing that in order to be righteous we have to first become righteous and that's

383
00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:40,680
a gift from God we have to receive that gift righteousness is both imputed and imparted

384
00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:45,920
and you're like well what does that mean imputed righteousness imputed means it's given to

385
00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:52,480
us at the moment of salvation so the day that we give or gave our lives to Jesus we receive

386
00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:58,760
righteousness immediately it's given to us we are justified with God which means we accept

387
00:29:58,760 --> 00:30:05,040
Jesus into our lives and God no longer looks at us through our past sin it's gone he now

388
00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:10,860
looks at us through our relationship with Jesus right and it's just as if we've never

389
00:30:10,860 --> 00:30:20,240
sinned that is the start of the journey and that's good news 2nd Corinthians 521 for God

390
00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:26,360
made Christ who never sinned to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right

391
00:30:26,360 --> 00:30:31,920
with God through Christ we don't have to work for it we don't have to do anything we simply

392
00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:38,680
embrace it we embrace righteousness 1st Peter 2 24 he personally carried our sins in his

393
00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:44,120
body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right by his wounds

394
00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:50,560
we are healed which leads us to the question so many people asked well if this is truth

395
00:30:50,560 --> 00:30:57,000
if this is truth Chris which it is why do I struggle every day why is my life all messed

396
00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:03,200
up well the reason is we are much more complex than we think we are we are actually made

397
00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:09,520
up of our bodies which is our flesh that's the physical side of us that's the side with

398
00:31:09,520 --> 00:31:15,080
all those habits and those addictions and those struggles and temptations like our flesh

399
00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:20,080
needs to be born again right that's an important step and it's important for us to understand

400
00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:25,240
because quite often we get our flesh or our bodies mixed up with our spirits saying but

401
00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:32,200
I still struggle with my flesh you are going to struggle with your flesh till the day you

402
00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:37,400
die did everyone hear that we are going to struggle with our flesh because we are born

403
00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:42,360
into sin until the day we die because when we die we get a new heavenly body and guess

404
00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:47,600
what there is no more struggles with that heavenly body but until we get it it's going

405
00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:55,040
to constantly be a struggle and Jesus tells us church crucify your flesh every day he

406
00:31:55,040 --> 00:32:01,360
says take up your cross and deny it every single day so we have our body and our flesh

407
00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:07,640
we also have our soul which is our mind our will and our emotions right our mind isn't

408
00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:14,000
crucified Paul tells it needs to be transformed because as our mind goes guess what our body

409
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:23,280
does it follows we can't change our flesh until we daily renew our mind until we renew

410
00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:27,500
the way we think we have to get the order right and so many people in the church they

411
00:32:27,500 --> 00:32:33,640
are trying to fix their struggles with their flesh when they shouldn't be focusing on that

412
00:32:33,640 --> 00:32:38,080
then they get into their mind and they shouldn't be focused on that you have to first focus

413
00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:48,840
on your spirit your spirit so when I ask whether or not you have given your life to Jesus that

414
00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:53,840
is what I am talking about it's the spiritual side of us and following Jesus is a spiritual

415
00:32:53,840 --> 00:33:00,360
decision and this is important because if we don't transform the spirit then our soul

416
00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:05,560
and our body and our flesh won't change either it all starts there and if we get it all out

417
00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:10,520
of order guess what you live a frustrated life and you are constantly running into a

418
00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:17,360
wall thinking I can't do it I am not going to make it but you first have to understand

419
00:33:17,360 --> 00:33:21,920
that righteousness begins with our spirits and my question to you this morning and it

420
00:33:21,920 --> 00:33:27,600
is the most important question I ask every single week is have you accepted what Jesus

421
00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:33,080
did on the cross it is the most important question I ask every single week a new life

422
00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:38,960
begins when our spirit is born again right we don't get a new body we don't get a new

423
00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:45,840
mind our heart gets saved then our bodies and our minds have to follow so if you are

424
00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:53,960
in a relationship with Jesus hear this you are righteous yes you are righteous do you

425
00:33:53,960 --> 00:34:01,520
need to become righteous yes that is our bodies and our minds we are righteous but we need

426
00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:09,640
to become righteous are you saved yes if you believe in Jesus are you being saved yes

427
00:34:09,640 --> 00:34:16,540
it is a both and right my spirit is saved while my body and mind are being saved every

428
00:34:16,540 --> 00:34:26,440
single day every day and it has to start with that simple question are you saved are you

429
00:34:26,440 --> 00:34:32,440
saved because maybe your struggles are so overwhelming and so hard because you truly

430
00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:37,560
haven't given your life to Jesus so I am going to pray a simple prayer and I am going to

431
00:34:37,560 --> 00:34:43,880
invite everyone to do it just like we do every single week and it is the most important prayer

432
00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:54,800
a person would pray Jesus I am broken I am full of doubt shame regret sin change me I

433
00:34:54,800 --> 00:35:03,880
believe you are God's son I believe you died for me make me new set me free fill me with

434
00:35:03,880 --> 00:35:14,320
your spirit God help me to serve others in Jesus name amen now if you prayed that for

435
00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:22,320
the first time guess what you are righteous you are righteous now imparted righteousness

436
00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:26,720
that is imputed imparted righteousness is working it out every single day and that is

437
00:35:26,720 --> 00:35:33,080
called sanctification why does the church use all these big words I don't know right

438
00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:38,720
sanctification just means you are going to allow God to do a deep work in your life right

439
00:35:38,720 --> 00:35:47,960
sanctification or righteousness begins everyone hear this from the inside out and so many

440
00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:54,800
people want to fix the outside in and that is why you are frustrated you are frustrated

441
00:35:54,800 --> 00:36:00,000
because you can't fix it in your own strength it has to be from the inside out Ephesians

442
00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:04,260
4 but that isn't what you learned about Christ since you have heard about Jesus and have

443
00:36:04,260 --> 00:36:09,320
learned the truth that comes from him throw off your old sinful nature and your former

444
00:36:09,320 --> 00:36:14,880
way of life which is corrupted by lust and deception instead let the spirit inside your

445
00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:19,520
heart renew your thoughts and attitudes put on your new nature created to be like God

446
00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:28,080
truly righteous and holy there is a righteousness we embrace every single day and we have to

447
00:36:28,080 --> 00:36:33,080
live it out and work it out which leads us to our action step Chris how do I do that

448
00:36:33,080 --> 00:36:39,400
daily pursuing righteousness and truth it is real simple it is one step are you ready

449
00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:47,800
realize whatever you feed grows and whatever you starve dies I am going to read that again

450
00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:56,120
for you whatever you feed grows whatever you starve dies and I am just going to be honest

451
00:36:56,120 --> 00:37:01,360
with you some of you are feeding the wrong things in your life some of you are feeding

452
00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:04,840
the wrong things you are feeding your negative thoughts you are feeding your flesh you are

453
00:37:04,840 --> 00:37:09,480
feeding your temptation you are allowing it to lead you away from God when in reality

454
00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:15,360
we first need to feed our spirit if we are not feeding our spirit we are not growing

455
00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:20,000
closer to Jesus we have to connect into the church we have to connect into other followers

456
00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:25,120
of Jesus most importantly we have to follow him every single day can I be honest with

457
00:37:25,120 --> 00:37:30,880
you the most important thing you do every day is not your family time it is not your

458
00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:36,960
breakfast it is not your workout it is not your board meeting it is not your business

459
00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:41,720
it is not your work the most important thing we do every day is connect to Jesus because

460
00:37:41,720 --> 00:37:47,360
guess what your family time is going to thrive when you are connected to Jesus and if you

461
00:37:47,360 --> 00:37:51,080
are not connected to Jesus and you are having a bad day your kids are going to stress you

462
00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:57,600
out and you are going to want to put them to bed it is the most important thing you

463
00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:05,080
do every day we need to feed our spirit it produces righteousness ok when we feed our

464
00:38:05,080 --> 00:38:13,720
spirit it produces righteousness when we feed our flesh and mind it produces rottenness

465
00:38:13,720 --> 00:38:22,680
everyone get their pens out everyone get your pen down when we feed our spirit it produces

466
00:38:22,680 --> 00:38:31,640
righteousness when we feed our flesh and mind it produces rottenness think of those nasty

467
00:38:31,640 --> 00:38:38,400
fruit flies that are hovering around your rotten bananas they are the worst things in

468
00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:45,160
the world and the only way you get rid of rottenness is to what throw them away throw

469
00:38:45,160 --> 00:38:51,880
them away what is God telling you to throw away 1 Peter 1 but now you must be holy in

470
00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:57,320
everything you do just as God who chose you as holy for the scripture say you must be

471
00:38:57,320 --> 00:39:03,440
holy because I am holy we must remember the same Jesus that saves us spiritually is the

472
00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:10,520
same Jesus that sanctifies us and changes us every single day when Jesus left he left

473
00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:17,980
behind the Holy Spirit to empower us 1 Thessalonians 5 now may the God of peace make you holy in

474
00:39:17,980 --> 00:39:23,800
every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until Lord Jesus

475
00:39:23,800 --> 00:39:32,740
comes again will you stand with me now listen there are some of you right now I am just

476
00:39:32,740 --> 00:39:40,280
being honest with you here ok I am just being honest with you here you are fighting the

477
00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:47,400
wrong battle because you are feeding the wrong thing you have to stop feeding your flesh

478
00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:52,960
you have to stop feeding your mind and you have to choose to feed your spirit when you

479
00:39:52,960 --> 00:40:00,920
wake up the first thing that comes into your mind when you wake up should be gratitude

480
00:40:00,920 --> 00:40:07,440
gratitude the first thing that comes to your mind when you wake up should be a hallelujah

481
00:40:07,440 --> 00:40:16,240
I am alive the first thing we do when we get downstairs should be worship in the Bible

482
00:40:16,240 --> 00:40:24,180
and if you do that this week for all seven days I promise you everyone hear this I promise

483
00:40:24,180 --> 00:40:30,800
you you are going to have a week of abundance and you are going to choose to feed your spirit

484
00:40:30,800 --> 00:40:38,320
which is the most important thing so God challenged me to close with the song ok then I want all

485
00:40:38,320 --> 00:40:45,040
of you to either listen to or sing your choice but I felt like Rhett was supposed to sing

486
00:40:45,040 --> 00:40:53,280
this song over us and it is called a hard fall hallelujah then no matter what you are

487
00:40:53,280 --> 00:41:00,040
going through no matter what is happening in your life if you choose to say hallelujah

488
00:41:00,040 --> 00:41:05,520
and you choose to put Jesus first your life will be transformed amen let's sing

489
00:41:05,520 --> 00:41:23,400
there's no impossible I believe that you are working now pour it out oh pour it out