WEBVTT 00:00:11.470 --> 00:00:14.169 Today on Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram. 00:00:14.250 --> 00:00:18.030 God wants to do something great in your life. 00:00:18.809 --> 00:00:21.230 That's right. He wants to bless you. He wants 00:00:21.230 --> 00:00:24.489 to prosper you. He wants you to move out of where 00:00:24.489 --> 00:00:27.989 you are today to experience breakthrough. But 00:00:27.989 --> 00:00:30.410 if that's going to occur, he needs something 00:00:30.410 --> 00:00:33.369 from you. Something that unleashes his supernatural 00:00:33.369 --> 00:00:36.590 power in your life. Would you like to know what 00:00:36.590 --> 00:00:41.240 that is? Well, stay with me. What does God need 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:43.840 from you before he can work through you? Today 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.200 on Living on the Edge, Chip Ingram answers that 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:48.960 critical question. We've learned that breakthrough 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:52.000 follows a pattern. God works in the world, then 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:55.399 in his people, then through his people. But here's 00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:58.140 where it gets personal. Making room for God requires 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:01.500 us to deal with the idols in our lives. Those 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:04.340 things we secretly believe will bring us satisfaction 00:01:04.340 --> 00:01:07.280 instead of God. It's all part of our series, 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:10.340 Experience Breakthrough. Today, Chip walks us 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:12.819 through the specific steps of repentance and 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:15.459 surrender. Here's Chip Ingram with a message 00:01:15.459 --> 00:01:19.340 titled, Making Room for Breakthrough. How does 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:23.120 breakthrough actually happen? How does it happen? 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:26.959 The answer is the pathway to breakthrough involves 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:31.420 God's sovereign work in the world, first and 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:34.599 foremost. Then we're going to see His sovereign 00:01:34.599 --> 00:01:38.159 work in His people. And finally, a little bit 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:40.500 later, we'll see it's his sovereign work through 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:43.439 his people. Let's take them one at a time. First 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:49.579 of all, God's sovereign work in the world. Number 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:53.019 one, there's external pressure. External pressure. 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:58.379 Stuff starts happening. Second, it's the sovereign 00:01:58.379 --> 00:02:00.819 work of God, not just in the world, but he always 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:04.079 begins with his people. When you happen to be 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:06.359 a follower of Christ for a while, After a while, 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:08.259 what we start doing is, you know the problem 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:11.259 is Hollywood. Or you know what? It's the government. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:14.000 Or those corporations. Or it's all those lazy 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:17.159 people. What we tend to do is we find someone 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:19.120 else somewhere where the problem is to blame. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:21.099 And I will tell you this. Here's God's perspective. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:24.340 Repentance always begins with a household of 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:30.439 faith. Here's the principle. God must work deeply 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:34.699 in you before he will work powerfully through 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:39.150 you. That's always his agenda. He always starts 00:02:39.150 --> 00:02:42.789 in us. He always puts his finger on what he wants 00:02:42.789 --> 00:02:46.650 to do in us. And so individuals have a breakthrough 00:02:46.650 --> 00:02:50.229 like an Apostle Paul. And then a group has a 00:02:50.229 --> 00:02:54.449 breakthrough, like the church. Research tells 00:02:54.449 --> 00:02:56.710 us when a city sees about 10 % of the population 00:02:56.710 --> 00:03:00.830 converted to Christ, you begin to see a ripple 00:03:00.830 --> 00:03:05.520 effect. then educational, governmental, corporate, 00:03:05.659 --> 00:03:08.439 and entertainment cultures, they get transformed. 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:11.780 But they don't get transformed by external power 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.479 and saying, this is the way it's going to be 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:15.479 because we're going to say what happens in a 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:18.259 country. They get transformed historically and 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:21.439 biblically because how we live transforms things 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:24.319 from the inside out. The values are so attractive. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:27.300 It's not you Christians against us. It's you 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:29.879 Christians meeting the deepest needs and living 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:32.419 the life. I wish I had a marriage like yours, 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:34.699 the way he repaired it. I wish I had a relationship 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:37.500 with my kids like yours. I wish my finances were 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:41.840 in order at a time like this like yours. I wish 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:45.360 I experienced peace the way I see you do. Now 00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:48.240 here's what I want you to get. As I was studying 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:52.599 and praying and thinking and I jotted this in 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:57.060 my journal. Because I wanted to kind of get a 00:03:57.060 --> 00:04:00.819 picture of how this works. When the consequences 00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:04.180 of unrighteousness multiply and God's judgment 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:06.300 out of his compassion and sovereign plans align, 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:10.840 it's time. It's time for a major breakthrough. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:15.500 One, he always calls individuals. Two, they first 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.939 return to an accurate view, first and foremost, 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:21.800 of his goodness and mercy. that leads them personally 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:24.800 to repentance. Three, dependency and humility 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:28.360 follow. Evidence by cries for help and direction 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:32.060 from God. Four, people seek God personally and 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:34.699 corporately in prayer and fasting for forgiveness 00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:37.620 and direction. And that becomes the norm in their 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:42.779 experience. Adoration and praise replace consumer 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:45.439 -oriented prayers of fix my life and make me 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:48.370 happy. Fifth, a missional concern for God's love 00:04:48.370 --> 00:04:50.089 for others and the need to demonstrate God's 00:04:50.089 --> 00:04:51.889 love for one another, break through religious 00:04:51.889 --> 00:04:55.850 activity into service outside the church and 00:04:55.850 --> 00:04:58.209 the relational support and unity with tangible 00:04:58.209 --> 00:05:02.990 expressions inside the church that cross denominational 00:05:02.990 --> 00:05:07.649 and gender and ethnic boundaries. God's spirit 00:05:07.649 --> 00:05:10.329 then prompts individuals to take specific steps 00:05:10.329 --> 00:05:12.829 of repentance and obedience in their families, 00:05:12.889 --> 00:05:14.889 in their churches, in their communities, to reach 00:05:14.889 --> 00:05:17.360 into their neighborhoods. and to their workplaces 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:22.139 with an unusual boldness and sacrifice, often 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:24.620 accompanied then by supernatural manifestations 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:28.480 of God's presence and power to authenticate his 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:33.519 word and his work. It starts organically. It's 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:35.600 in an office here, a family here, a neighborhood 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:38.180 there. And like a mustard seed, it begins to 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:41.920 grow. God's favor and hand and blessing is poured 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:44.339 forth, resulting in renewal, revitalization. 00:05:45.129 --> 00:05:47.790 and a massive movement of people outside of Christ 00:05:47.790 --> 00:05:51.810 finding Christ as Savior, and a new level of 00:05:51.810 --> 00:05:54.670 commitment and love of those inside the church. 00:05:56.610 --> 00:06:02.410 It's God's plan. God will do breakthrough. It 00:06:02.410 --> 00:06:04.810 starts with individuals, then groups, churches, 00:06:04.990 --> 00:06:10.269 cities, nations. I believe God, if you look at 00:06:10.269 --> 00:06:15.949 our world, is ready for a breakthrough. I jotted 00:06:15.949 --> 00:06:19.610 down, would you like a quick picture of our world? 00:06:20.389 --> 00:06:23.810 Could it be ripe? Global instability, religious 00:06:23.810 --> 00:06:26.410 division, idolatry and corruption within and 00:06:26.410 --> 00:06:29.550 outside the church, the sacrifice of children 00:06:29.550 --> 00:06:34.129 in slavery, abortion, famine, infanticide, moral 00:06:34.129 --> 00:06:39.470 decay, family institutions and family life deteriorating. 00:06:40.009 --> 00:06:42.589 A global one -world economy, debt, class divisions, 00:06:42.970 --> 00:06:45.629 the rapid acceleration of technology, uncertainty 00:06:45.629 --> 00:06:48.670 and rapid national change in regions with major 00:06:48.670 --> 00:06:52.009 shifts of power, the rise of radical Islam, the 00:06:52.009 --> 00:06:55.389 shift of global power to China and India, America's 00:06:55.389 --> 00:06:57.430 decline in education, economics, innovation, 00:06:57.750 --> 00:07:01.589 and leadership. You know what? That could be 00:07:01.589 --> 00:07:05.470 a depressing list. I don't think it is. I think 00:07:05.470 --> 00:07:10.360 you and I are in a window of time. where we are 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:13.699 ripe for not just individual and group and church 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:17.839 and city breakthroughs. We're ripe for a time 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:21.420 of God doing a great work. And by the way, he's 00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:23.540 doing it. It's happening in China. It's happening 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.120 in Korea. It's happening in Africa. It's happening 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:27.019 in South America. It's not happening in America. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:34.680 Why? My premise, we haven't made room. Okay, 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:37.699 there's the big picture. What would it look like 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:42.379 for you? What would it look like for me to make 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:46.100 room in your heart, your life, and your relationships 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:50.339 for God to break through? You ready? Two action 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:52.399 steps, your personal pathway to break through. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:56.019 Action step number one, right out of Mark, right 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:59.120 from the lips of Jesus. He said what? Mark 115. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:03.220 The kingdom of God is near. But what was he saying 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:07.720 then? The kingdom. What's the kingdom? The kingdom 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:10.759 is whose king? Jesus is here with unlimited power 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:13.399 and his heart is full of goodness and mercy to 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:16.100 do good. So how do you respond to the king who 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:18.180 wants to do good to you and to everyone around 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:25.040 us? Repent and believe in the good news. The 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:28.920 truth, God is good. God wants to bless you in 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:33.259 all that you do. Do you believe that? He's good. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:38.120 The first step, To break through is understanding 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:40.240 and believing God's goodness. Here's the question 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:43.519 though. Put a star by this one. The question 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:46.519 is from where or whom do you believe the good 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:51.379 in life will come? That's critical. Ask yourself, 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:56.039 from where do you believe, I mean the good, when 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:58.480 I mean the good in life, satisfaction, fulfillment, 00:08:58.919 --> 00:09:01.740 great relationships, prosperity, however you 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:07.470 define that. Or from whom? And what I'm gonna 00:09:07.470 --> 00:09:09.289 tell you is the Bible's really clear. There's 00:09:09.289 --> 00:09:12.409 two options. There is Jesus and there is the 00:09:12.409 --> 00:09:16.429 world system. And I think if you would stop and 00:09:16.429 --> 00:09:20.539 pull back and say, My energy, my time, my thoughts, 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:23.779 and my money. Do I believe the good in life is, 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:26.139 man, when we go public, when I finally have kids, 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:28.240 when we remodel the kitchen, when I find the 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:30.299 right girl, when I find the right guy, I'll tell 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:32.080 you what, if I can keep working out and, man, 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:34.460 when I get really buff and look really sexy, 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:40.559 then, then, then, then, then. The world offers 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:43.750 idols. That's all they are. And the idols say, 00:09:43.870 --> 00:09:46.590 we'll deliver for you. We'll love you. We'll 00:09:46.590 --> 00:09:48.250 make you famous. We'll make you significant. 00:09:48.289 --> 00:09:50.350 We'll make you happy. And instead, they make 00:09:50.350 --> 00:09:53.730 you a slave and they put you in bondage. And 00:09:53.730 --> 00:09:57.509 God says, believe that I'm the source of goodness. 00:09:58.190 --> 00:10:00.330 Believe that I will give you the highest and 00:10:00.330 --> 00:10:03.149 the best. I'll not withhold any good thing from 00:10:03.149 --> 00:10:06.009 those who walk closely with me. I've got your 00:10:06.009 --> 00:10:10.580 best. You're listening to Living on the Edge 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:13.100 with Chip Ingram. We'll hear more from Chip in 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:15.740 just a moment. If you've missed any part of this 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.820 message or if you'd like to share it with a friend, 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:21.840 you can find it anytime online at livingontheedge 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:25.159 .org. And while you're there, you'll also discover 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:28.120 a full library of Chip's teaching series, small 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:30.980 group resources, and practical tools to help 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:33.360 you grow in your faith. It's all waiting for 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:37.460 you at livingontheedge .org. Now let's get back 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:40.480 to today's message. And so when you answer that 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:45.220 question, now we're hitting the pay dirt of where 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:48.419 and why and how you need to make room. Because 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:51.360 action step number two is make room in your life 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:56.679 for God's breakthrough. Isaiah 57, 15, you might 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:59.220 jot in the corner, is one of those interesting 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:02.299 passages that says that God can only dwell in 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:05.100 freedom and in all that he is in two places. 00:11:06.090 --> 00:11:08.850 And it says he dwells in the highest place in 00:11:08.850 --> 00:11:11.370 the heavens that is absolutely pure and angels 00:11:11.370 --> 00:11:16.190 adoring him and also with the humble and contrite 00:11:16.190 --> 00:11:19.509 in heart. Those that have a broken spirit and 00:11:19.509 --> 00:11:21.870 a contrite heart. Those that are desperately 00:11:21.870 --> 00:11:24.250 dependent. Those, in Jesus' words, that are poor 00:11:24.250 --> 00:11:26.669 in spirit. Those who say, God, I'm in desperate 00:11:26.669 --> 00:11:29.870 need of you. Those are the people that have made 00:11:29.870 --> 00:11:32.750 room so that the spirit of God and the love of 00:11:32.750 --> 00:11:36.309 God and the goodness of God can satisfy Didn't 00:11:36.309 --> 00:11:39.850 Psalm 23 say, he'll refresh, he'll satisfy your 00:11:39.850 --> 00:11:43.309 soul. What money can't do, what a relationship 00:11:43.309 --> 00:11:45.549 can't do, what a house can't do, what a new car 00:11:45.549 --> 00:11:47.669 can't do, what a promotion can't do, what going 00:11:47.669 --> 00:11:49.990 public can't do, what looking younger can't do, 00:11:50.090 --> 00:11:54.610 what a surgery can't do. He says, I'll do. Well, 00:11:54.649 --> 00:11:57.330 how do you make room? The truth is, it's the 00:11:57.330 --> 00:11:59.110 goodness and kindness, the tolerance and the 00:11:59.110 --> 00:12:02.049 patience of God that leads to repentance. And 00:12:02.049 --> 00:12:04.169 then put the next line, put a parenthesis around 00:12:04.169 --> 00:12:07.409 it. Because it's really just a definition of 00:12:07.409 --> 00:12:09.750 repentance. It's a change of mind that always 00:12:09.750 --> 00:12:12.529 leads to a change of behavior. That's how you 00:12:12.529 --> 00:12:16.090 make room. You realize, I'm thinking like this 00:12:16.090 --> 00:12:17.990 about God. I'm thinking like the prodigal son. 00:12:18.110 --> 00:12:19.990 I'm in the pig pen and I'm thinking, give me 00:12:19.990 --> 00:12:22.110 my money, I'm gonna do my thing. And God, you 00:12:22.110 --> 00:12:23.470 know, I might want a little fire insurance, but 00:12:23.470 --> 00:12:25.730 I'll do my thing my way. And I'm gonna do my 00:12:25.730 --> 00:12:30.230 own stuff. Repentance is the Dr. Phil question. 00:12:31.210 --> 00:12:35.679 How's this working for you? I've royally messed 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:38.240 up my life. I've royally messed up my relationship. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.419 I've royally messed up my health. I've royally 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:42.299 messed up my work career. I've royally messed 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:48.679 up. And unfortunately, most people think that 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:50.899 I guess I need to work my way back to getting 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:53.320 religious and try really hard and improve my 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:56.960 morality in some day, some way, somehow. And 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:01.740 over there, there's a father. This day, a father. 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:08.700 Arms open. Come, daughter. Come, son. And when 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:11.899 you see his goodness, no one wants to run towards 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:14.000 someone who's, you know, saying, okay, I'm glad 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:16.220 you finally came. You are a jerk. Okay, we got 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:18.120 that down. And you're an immoral jerk. And by 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.320 the way, you did this, you did this, you did 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:21.039 this. I mean, it's like, hey, I don't need that. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:24.960 It's all true. See, we do that to ourselves. 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:29.320 God will show us our sin without condemnation. 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:33.360 He'll say, oh, that's true. I place that on my 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:37.490 son. I love you. And I'm gonna change you from 00:13:37.490 --> 00:13:40.970 the inside out. But you gotta make room for me. 00:13:42.029 --> 00:13:44.889 And the way you make room for God is number one, 00:13:44.909 --> 00:13:47.370 you gotta get rid of the competitors. And then 00:13:47.370 --> 00:13:50.110 he gives us a very clear process. Would you open 00:13:50.110 --> 00:13:51.830 your Bibles to James? I wanna give you just a 00:13:51.830 --> 00:13:53.929 beginning to start here. James chapter four. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:57.580 The context is, this is the very first book of 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.019 the New Testament written. So, mostly Jewish 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:02.100 Christians, they're being persecuted, they're 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:04.340 spread abroad. I mean, they've lost their jobs, 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.840 they've lost their homes, some have been kicked 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:09.259 out of their family. Life is really hard. Chapter 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:12.480 1 tells them, never forget where the good comes. 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:14.360 Every good and perfect gift comes from above, 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:15.759 from the Father of lights, with whom there's 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:18.379 no variation or shifting shadow. Regardless of 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:21.080 your circumstances, the real good in life isn't 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:24.120 out there, it's with God. And so obey his word. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:26.419 Don't live in hypocrisy. Get a hold of your tongue. 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:30.399 Then in chapter four, he begins to speak to them 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.600 because some of them have made a new friend. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.960 Some of them have made a new friend that they 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:37.460 think will deliver the good in life. And in verse 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:39.320 four, it says, you adulterous people, don't you 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:40.980 know that friendship with the world is hatred 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:44.240 toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:47.080 with the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.879 you not know or think that the scripture says 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:52.039 without reason that the spirit is caused to live 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:55.539 with jealousy because he intensely cares for 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:59.019 you, but he says to us, and he gives more grace. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:01.379 And that's why the scripture says God is opposed 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:03.840 to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:09.960 And so he says, you gotta make room for him in 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:13.840 your life. And part of it is realizing the idols 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:16.740 that we Christians worship that are filling our 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:20.299 life have to get removed. And then are you ready? 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:22.460 He tells us exactly how to do it. I'm going to 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:25.039 give you the verbs. And what you're going to 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:26.799 see is there's some verbs, there are action words, 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.659 and there's some promises. Notice the first command. 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:32.019 It's overarching. Submit, therefore, to God. 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:36.000 Write that down. It's a military word. Hupo tasco. 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:38.519 Come under your commander. It's a picture of 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.580 a captain calling his troops. They say, yes, 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:43.639 sir. First step to make room. You come over to 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:45.980 God's side. Whatever it is you're dealing with, 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:48.259 whatever relationship, whatever addiction, whatever 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:52.559 idol, And you say, reporting for duty, you are 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:55.740 the good, kind God. Whatever you say, the righteous 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:59.639 path, I will do life your way. I'm taking on 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:01.899 your yoke. I don't know what it is. I want you 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:05.519 to know I'm really afraid. But I want you to 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:10.299 know that it's not working for me. And you want 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:14.159 to do the impossible. Step one, submit therefore 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:17.559 to God. Then notice the next command. Resist 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:20.320 the devil and he'll flee from you. It's a command. 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:23.820 We're talking about your soul. We're talking 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:27.100 about a battle that's huge and you will not be 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:29.879 let go of lightly. And so you don't just say 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.919 reporting for duty and think, oh, it's going 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.580 to be great. No, it's going to get really hard. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.899 And so you need to resist those lies. You know 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:38.399 what? You'll be single all your life if you're 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:40.200 living together and you move out. You know what? 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.899 You'll never rise in the company if you do that. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.879 You know what? I know everyone's doing this and 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.240 they don't report their taxes and you'll never 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:47.299 build a business unless you lie, lie, lie, lie. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:51.960 Resist the devil and he'll flee from you. And 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:56.940 then positive command. Draw near to God. He'll 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:59.240 draw near to you. Is this awesome? This is the 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:01.460 prodigal daughter or the prodigal son taking 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:03.879 steps toward God and before they get close, he 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:06.940 runs. He will run to meet you. He wants you to 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.539 have prayer times where you feel like he's in 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:12.099 the room. He wants to comfort you and love you 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:16.559 and care for you and hold you. Notice the next 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:21.200 verb. He says, wash your hands and purify your 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:24.920 hearts. Notice you double -minded. We get our 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:28.740 word schizophrenic. Wash your hands. It's the 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:32.279 activities. What specific activities are you 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:36.319 doing that you know are wrong? Stop it. You say, 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:38.440 I can't. Well, of course you can't. You choose 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:41.920 to stop it and you get some help. But you take 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:44.579 that step. But he says it's not just external 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:47.059 activities that you know are wrong. It's your 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:49.099 motives and your heart. Purify your heart, you 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:51.700 double -minded. See, their problem is the same 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.759 as ours. I want to be a good Christian. I want 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.869 to go to heaven. I want to be deeply loved. I 00:17:55.869 --> 00:18:01.089 want God to bless my life and my way, my stuff, 00:18:01.190 --> 00:18:04.349 my thought, my goals, my idol, my work, my family, 00:18:04.390 --> 00:18:07.450 my picture. There is no middle ground with God. 00:18:09.970 --> 00:18:12.930 He won't have competitors. And idols can be your 00:18:12.930 --> 00:18:15.289 grandkids. Idols can be success. Idols can be 00:18:15.289 --> 00:18:18.490 your body. Idols can be money. Idols can be the 00:18:18.490 --> 00:18:20.250 letters behind your name or the letters you want 00:18:20.250 --> 00:18:22.130 behind your kids' names. Idols can be the... 00:18:22.490 --> 00:18:24.630 school they get into. It can be where they were 00:18:24.630 --> 00:18:27.710 on the traveling team or their SAT scores. And 00:18:27.710 --> 00:18:29.210 when you look at where your time and where your 00:18:29.210 --> 00:18:31.089 energy and where your focus and what really matters, 00:18:31.170 --> 00:18:34.329 that will tell you what you worship. And all 00:18:34.329 --> 00:18:38.390 he's saying is, you know, it ain't going to be 00:18:38.390 --> 00:18:42.509 pretty later because they're dead. They don't 00:18:42.509 --> 00:18:48.730 give life. Make room for me. Let me love you. 00:18:50.089 --> 00:18:52.660 And so then he Talks about the emotional level. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:55.519 He says, grieve, mourn, wail. Change your laughter. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:59.759 It's a picture of not like ha -ha laughter. It's 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.900 a picture of the sensual, foolish laughter. You 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:06.000 know, who cares, whatever. And he says, turn 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:11.460 it to mourning. So this isn't some little formula. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:13.940 This is heart of heart. This is on a certain 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:16.500 day at a certain time, preferably today. And 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:19.859 you have a real gut check with God. And you not 00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:23.180 only say my way's not working, you not only own 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:25.980 and identify what the idols are, but you come 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:28.019 to a heavenly father who's extended goodness 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:30.079 and kindness and mercy and goodness and kindness 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:32.779 and mercy even when we keep neglecting and rejecting 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:37.880 him. And in tears, you say, I'm sorry. I've been 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:39.660 dissing you. Have you ever betrayed someone, 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:42.200 another human being? I mean, really betrayed 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:44.619 him and be caught and then just think, why did 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:48.279 I do that? Notice we're called an adulteress. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:53.859 You adulterous people. See, sin isn't about external 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:59.099 behaviors. Sin is about relationship. Sin is 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:03.119 about betrayal. It's us having other lovers other 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:05.599 than Jesus and believing those other lovers will 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:09.859 satisfy. It's coming to God and saying, I broke 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:16.130 your heart. I don't hear your voice. people don't 00:20:16.130 --> 00:20:17.890 see the love and the light and the grace and 00:20:17.890 --> 00:20:20.869 the purity of Jesus in me. And what he wouldn't 00:20:20.869 --> 00:20:25.710 say is, I know. I love you anyway. Let's start 00:20:25.710 --> 00:20:31.250 again. Last command, humble yourself under the 00:20:31.250 --> 00:20:34.210 mighty hand of God. I mean, that's just, you 00:20:34.210 --> 00:20:38.150 know, I give. I can't do it. And what's the promise? 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:41.319 He will exalt you. Literally the word, he'll 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:43.920 lift you up. He'll take you in his arms. He'll 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:46.079 fix things. He'll turn things around. Overnight, 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:49.339 no. Without effort, no. It'll require courage. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:53.380 In fact, your assignment on the back is I want 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:55.799 you to take this week, and I don't want you just 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:59.559 to review this. I want you to, the only way you 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.500 will take steps like this, you'll begin it today, 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:04.339 is you need to have a shepherd that is good. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.940 You need to have a God that's powerful. I want 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:12.400 you to use this. as your source of adoration. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:15.700 I want you to spend two or three minutes a couple 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:18.700 times a day and just use this as a basis. I praise 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:21.559 you and I thank you that you will fill my cup. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:24.200 I praise you and I thank you that you have. I 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:26.339 praise you that no matter what I'm going through, 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.980 the darkness and the fear out of the decision 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:30.039 that I've made, that you'll be with me. Make 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:33.279 this a source of adoration. And I will tell you 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.960 what happens. When your God gets bigger, your 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:38.240 problems get smaller. And he'll work in you. 00:21:39.049 --> 00:21:44.089 Then he'll work through you. This is Living on 00:21:44.089 --> 00:21:46.910 the Edge with Chip Ingram. Making room for God 00:21:46.910 --> 00:21:49.329 means getting brutally honest about what's competing 00:21:49.329 --> 00:21:52.750 for his place in our hearts. It's not easy, but 00:21:52.750 --> 00:21:55.549 it's essential for breakthrough. More from Chip 00:21:55.549 --> 00:21:57.809 on this topic in a moment, so please stay with 00:21:57.809 --> 00:22:00.789 us. If today's message stirred something in you, 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:03.720 A desire to go deeper with God? To experience 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:06.539 His presence in fresh ways? Let me point you 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:09.799 to a powerful tool. It's chips -free, 10 -day 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:13.569 devotional called Psalms of Hope. Over 10 days, 00:22:13.769 --> 00:22:16.150 you'll explore three life -changing psalms with 00:22:16.150 --> 00:22:19.089 Chip as your guide. Psalm 1 reveals the source 00:22:19.089 --> 00:22:22.390 of true blessing and prosperity. Psalm 15 shows 00:22:22.390 --> 00:22:24.809 you how to live with stability when life gets 00:22:24.809 --> 00:22:28.089 chaotic. And Psalm 23 offers the comfort and 00:22:28.089 --> 00:22:30.990 assurance that God personally cares for you as 00:22:30.990 --> 00:22:33.650 your shepherd. If you're ready to make room for 00:22:33.650 --> 00:22:36.089 God, these psalms will guide you on that journey. 00:22:36.349 --> 00:22:39.390 Best of all, Psalms of Hope is yours free at 00:22:39.390 --> 00:22:43.339 livingontheedge .org. Search for Psalms of Hope 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:46.599 and begin today. We can freely offer resources 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:49.079 like this because friends like you support this 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:51.880 ministry. If Living on the Edge has been helpful 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:54.420 in your walk with God, would you consider supporting 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:57.460 us? Your gift of any amount helps us continue 00:22:57.460 --> 00:23:00.319 reaching people with biblical teaching that transforms 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:04.500 lives. You can give at livingontheedge .org or 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:08.519 by writing to Living on the Edge, P .O. Box 3007, 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:14.559 Atlanta, Georgia. You can also call 888 -333 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:18.599 -6003. And don't forget to stay connected through 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:21.500 the Living on the Edge podcast. Find us on Apple 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:24.880 Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:27.740 Well, now here's Chip with one final thought. 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:31.839 As we close today's program, the title of this 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:35.440 message is called Making Room for Breakthrough. 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:40.009 You have to make room. God is willing. He's good. 00:23:40.049 --> 00:23:42.450 He loves you. He wants to pour out grace, goodness, 00:23:42.650 --> 00:23:45.930 goodness to your soul, all areas of your life. 00:23:46.490 --> 00:23:49.809 But you have to make room. And the way we make 00:23:49.809 --> 00:23:51.950 room is of one word. It's called repentance. 00:23:52.609 --> 00:23:55.390 It's a change of mind. It means you look at your 00:23:55.390 --> 00:23:59.329 life. You look at what God has to say. about 00:23:59.329 --> 00:24:01.829 your speech, about your relationships, about 00:24:01.829 --> 00:24:04.109 purity in your heart, about how you use your 00:24:04.109 --> 00:24:07.329 money. And you say, God, I want to do life your 00:24:07.329 --> 00:24:10.210 way. And in any area where it's not being done 00:24:10.210 --> 00:24:15.230 his way, you say, I'm sorry. I want to trust 00:24:15.230 --> 00:24:18.309 you. You're good. And so I repent and I turn 00:24:18.309 --> 00:24:21.789 from my way to your way. And that's a big step 00:24:21.789 --> 00:24:25.089 and it's scary, but God will provide. But if 00:24:25.089 --> 00:24:28.440 you don't make room, you will not see a breakthrough. 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:31.720 Decide what that is and then find the person 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:34.480 who loves God the most, who's the most mature, 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:36.900 and tell them what you're doing and ask them 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:40.140 for help. Because no one does breakthroughs alone. 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:44.140 Repent and then find a friend. What barriers 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:47.119 keep us from experiencing breakthrough? I'm Dave 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:50.039 Drewy, inviting you to find out Friday on Living 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:55.859 on the Edge with Chip Ingram. Today's program 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:58.680 is produced and sponsored by Living on the Edge.