WEBVTT 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:14.179 Today on Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram. 00:00:14.259 --> 00:00:17.519 Before I had trusted Christ, I wondered if God 00:00:17.519 --> 00:00:21.079 existed, and if He did, what does He want from 00:00:21.079 --> 00:00:24.760 me and why? Today, I'm going to answer that question. 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:28.980 Stay with me. What does complete surrender to 00:00:28.980 --> 00:00:31.899 God actually look like? It's not an emotional 00:00:31.899 --> 00:00:34.759 moment that fades by Tuesday. Today on Living 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:37.380 on the Edge, Chip Ingram gets intensely practical 00:00:37.380 --> 00:00:40.539 about total commitment. Using the picture of 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:43.600 a blank check made out to Jesus Christ, he shows 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:46.179 exactly what you're saying yes to and why it's 00:00:46.179 --> 00:00:49.079 not the sacrifice you think it is. This teaching 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:51.200 will challenge your assumptions about control, 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:54.700 safety, and what makes life truly exciting. You'll 00:00:54.700 --> 00:00:57.439 discover why settling for plastic pearls keeps 00:00:57.439 --> 00:00:59.759 you from experiencing the treasure God wants 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:02.100 to give you. Well, here's Chip Ingram continuing 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:04.939 his message, How to Give God What He Wants the 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:07.739 Most. When Jesus is teaching this, it's out of 00:01:07.739 --> 00:01:12.019 Matthew chapter 13, verses 44 and 45. He says, 00:01:12.040 --> 00:01:14.459 the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:17.959 in the field, which a man found, then he hid 00:01:17.959 --> 00:01:20.700 again, and from joy over it, he goes and sells 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:23.799 all that he has, and he buys that field. So look 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:26.879 at verse 45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:29.569 like a merchant seeking fine pearls. And upon 00:01:29.569 --> 00:01:33.209 finding one pearl of great value, of exquisite 00:01:33.209 --> 00:01:36.049 value, of over -the -top priceless value is the 00:01:36.049 --> 00:01:38.549 idea, he went and sold all the pearls that he 00:01:38.549 --> 00:01:41.049 had, and he bought it. So if you have a pen, 00:01:41.150 --> 00:01:42.909 pull it out. Let's go up to verse 44. I want 00:01:42.909 --> 00:01:45.530 you to see something. Jesus isn't talking about 00:01:45.530 --> 00:01:48.510 money and treasure. He's making a very profound 00:01:48.510 --> 00:01:51.349 spiritual point and principle about decision 00:01:51.349 --> 00:01:55.829 -making. And what he's saying is this. Jesus 00:01:55.829 --> 00:01:59.349 is saying when you understand who he is, and 00:01:59.349 --> 00:02:01.969 you get the treasure of what it is to have relationship 00:02:01.969 --> 00:02:04.709 with him and the plan that he has for you on 00:02:04.709 --> 00:02:08.250 this earth, you would with reckless abandon and 00:02:08.250 --> 00:02:13.110 joy forsake all else to get that. Put another 00:02:13.110 --> 00:02:18.030 way, his thesis is, total commitment is the channel 00:02:18.030 --> 00:02:21.069 through which God's biggest and best blessings 00:02:21.069 --> 00:02:24.870 flow. Did you realize that? I mean, total commitment, 00:02:24.930 --> 00:02:28.849 he sold all that he had. Motive, joy. above the 00:02:28.849 --> 00:02:30.270 word in your notes where it says total commitment, 00:02:30.370 --> 00:02:32.710 would you write the word surrender and put a 00:02:32.710 --> 00:02:38.330 box around it? Surrender is the conduit. It's 00:02:38.330 --> 00:02:41.250 the channel to which God's best and biggest blessings 00:02:41.250 --> 00:02:43.770 flow. And so what I want to do in the remainder 00:02:43.770 --> 00:02:46.909 of our time, I want to define very specifically 00:02:46.909 --> 00:02:50.330 what total commitment looks like. We are not 00:02:50.330 --> 00:02:53.569 leading up to some emotional moment. We're leading 00:02:53.569 --> 00:02:57.759 up to a wise, where you're going to weigh the 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:01.560 risk and the logic of saying to God in a few 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:05.840 minutes, I surrender all to you. I would sign 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:09.319 a blank check made out to you. I would say to 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:12.780 you, from this day forward, I'm all in. I may 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:16.159 be a little fearful, but I'm all in. But in order 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:18.180 to do that, you know, what's that look like? 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:21.460 The answer is in Romans chapter 12, verse 1, 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:25.340 and after 11 chapters of treasure, of what God 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:27.780 has done, of how much he loves you, of his sovereignty, 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:32.000 his goodness, his forgiveness, his power, his 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.180 spirit living within you, his gifts, all the 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:38.560 plans that he has for you. In chapter 12, your 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:42.139 response to that is, therefore, I urge you, brothers, 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:46.639 sisters, fellow family members, the Apostle Paul 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:50.229 writes, In view of God's mercy, offer your bodies 00:03:50.229 --> 00:03:53.370 a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. 00:03:53.590 --> 00:03:59.270 This is your spiritual act of worship. Notice 00:03:59.270 --> 00:04:02.150 the structure. There's a command, there's a motivation, 00:04:02.430 --> 00:04:05.330 and there's a reason. I'd like you, if you will, 00:04:05.469 --> 00:04:10.110 put a box around the word offer, put a box around 00:04:10.110 --> 00:04:14.530 living sacrifice, and then put a little box around 00:04:14.530 --> 00:04:20.199 the word holy. The command is to offer your body 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:23.199 to God. And this isn't metaphorical. This is 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.720 like your physical body, your eyes, your head, 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.720 your hands, all that you are. And the word offer 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:31.399 here is in a tense in the Greek language that's 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:34.180 punctiliar. And what that means is on a certain 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:37.560 day at a certain time. This passage is not explaining 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:40.319 how to have your sins forgiven. This passage 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:43.279 is not explaining what it means to be in God's 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:46.579 family. Salvation occurs at the end of chapter 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:50.180 3, 4, and right in chapter 5, the work of Christ 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:55.319 by grace. You receive the free gift by faith. 00:04:56.600 --> 00:05:00.720 Chapter 12 is saying, how do normal Christians 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:04.800 follow Jesus out of gratitude? And God says, 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:09.540 are you ready? This is what I want. I want you, 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:15.290 on a certain day, at a certain time, to say to 00:05:15.290 --> 00:05:19.889 me, all I am, all I have, is yours. That's what 00:05:19.889 --> 00:05:25.449 it means to offer. I will tell you that tens 00:05:25.449 --> 00:05:27.829 of thousands of people in America and around 00:05:27.829 --> 00:05:30.829 the world do not understand the channel through 00:05:30.829 --> 00:05:32.709 which God's best and biggest blessings flow. 00:05:33.910 --> 00:05:37.449 The power for the Christian life comes in this 00:05:37.449 --> 00:05:42.329 moment of offering. Now, it requires faith. It 00:05:42.329 --> 00:05:44.389 requires believing in an invisible treasure that 00:05:44.389 --> 00:05:49.089 you can't see, but it's a historical living God 00:05:49.089 --> 00:05:51.089 who's walked upon the earth and died in your 00:05:51.089 --> 00:05:53.149 place and rose and sits at the right hand of 00:05:53.149 --> 00:05:56.449 God and says to you, there's an unspeakable treasure 00:05:56.449 --> 00:05:59.930 who for joy says to you, let me give you the 00:05:59.930 --> 00:06:03.490 best. And then notice it's not just one big emotional 00:06:03.490 --> 00:06:05.370 experience. What's the next box? It's living 00:06:05.370 --> 00:06:09.569 sacrifice, right? Many of you in this room will 00:06:09.569 --> 00:06:12.189 make that step today. Many in this room have 00:06:12.189 --> 00:06:16.209 already taken that step. But it's you offer your 00:06:16.209 --> 00:06:19.449 body as a living sacrifice. So the living sacrifice, 00:06:19.629 --> 00:06:22.670 you know, is a lot like marriage. You know, in 00:06:22.670 --> 00:06:25.790 1978, I said to Teresa, I surrender to you, nobody 00:06:25.790 --> 00:06:27.810 else but you. And she said, I surrender to you. 00:06:27.889 --> 00:06:29.569 And we said, let's do this together forever, 00:06:29.670 --> 00:06:32.649 no matter what. But I've had to renew that commitment 00:06:32.649 --> 00:06:35.129 almost every day. And there's times we needed 00:06:35.129 --> 00:06:36.870 marriage counseling. We've had hard times with 00:06:36.870 --> 00:06:38.810 some of our kids. We've had health issues. We've 00:06:38.810 --> 00:06:41.829 had cancer. We've had all kind of problems. But 00:06:41.829 --> 00:06:46.470 no matter what, because we said, boom, we commit 00:06:46.470 --> 00:06:50.170 to one another no matter what. It was that commitment 00:06:50.170 --> 00:06:53.670 that's kept us together. And it's been the channel 00:06:53.670 --> 00:06:56.509 of God's biggest and best blessings. I've got 00:06:56.509 --> 00:07:00.129 a great wife. I've got a loyal wife. I've got 00:07:00.129 --> 00:07:03.759 the best friend I've ever had. I've got a relationship 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:06.379 I never saw in my family growing up. I never 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:10.120 dreamed. Has it been easy? No. It's been great. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:14.420 See, the issue is not he wants to take something 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:18.339 good away. The issue is any good thing that stands 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:21.639 between you and him that's an idol will destroy 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:24.040 your relationship with him. And by the way, it'll 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:27.800 destroy your relationship with the idol. So it's 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.750 a living sacrifice. You make the commitment, 00:07:30.829 --> 00:07:33.949 but then it's daily, renewing and living, and 00:07:33.949 --> 00:07:38.329 it's holy. That's the last word. It's holy. You 00:07:38.329 --> 00:07:41.850 can't come and not deal with your stuff. There's 00:07:41.850 --> 00:07:43.930 some of you, you're sitting here at this moment, 00:07:43.970 --> 00:07:46.529 you're thinking, if I surrender, this relationship 00:07:46.529 --> 00:07:48.889 with this rotten guy or this girl that I know 00:07:48.889 --> 00:07:51.850 isn't God's will, but I sure love her, God would 00:07:51.850 --> 00:07:54.629 say, you know it's not right. For some of you, 00:07:54.649 --> 00:07:57.089 you're realizing, we probably, living together 00:07:57.089 --> 00:07:59.740 is not an option if I surrender. For others of 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:01.600 you, you're going, oh my gosh, you know, my priorities 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:04.399 are so out of whack. I'm a workaholic or my finances 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:11.120 are a mess. See, it's holy. No blemish sheep. 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.439 He's just saying, you come as you are, but there's 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.899 this commitment to say, God, I'm not playing 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:18.620 games. I'm going to do life your way. And then 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.500 I'm going to bring all of me. And that's not 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:22.500 only the good stuff, but you're going to come 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:24.660 and say, I'm bringing my fears of rejection. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:27.120 I'm bringing my fears of the future. I'm bringing 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:29.779 my fears of what you might do. I trust that you're 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:35.279 a good God. In fact, notice the motivation. The 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:38.259 motivation is not get with the program. It's 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:42.919 the mercy of God. The mercy of God. He's looking 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:45.779 back on the last 11 chapters, but he's saying... 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:49.059 God's asking for all of you, but what's he done? 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:51.940 He's loved you. He's forgiving you. He's paid 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:54.179 for your sin. He's caused the spirit to come 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:56.159 into your body. He's taken you from the kingdom 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.840 of darkness and put you in the kingdom of light. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:09:00.720 He's adopted you as a daughter or as a son. He 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:03.299 has a purpose for your life. He's creating a 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:05.620 place at this very moment in heaven for you. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:11.139 He's laid down his life. He says, can't you trust 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:14.980 me? This is like someone who's, who you've given 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:18.059 a million dollars. And they come to you and they 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:24.320 say, hey, you think I could borrow 20 bucks? 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.860 He goes, I don't know. I don't know if you'd 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:29.360 pay it back. And you go, what do you mean I don't 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:30.700 know if I'd pay it back? I gave you a million 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:34.799 dollars. Yeah, well, I don't know. See, that's, 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:37.580 you start to get the kingdom logic. How could 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:41.299 you not to a God who has demonstrated why you 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:44.720 were his enemy and I was his enemy? laid down 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:48.019 his life, how can we not believe that he's good, 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:52.240 that he's compassionate, that he's kind? See, 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:54.919 this is not a get with the program, be a superstar 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:58.340 or a Christian Marine. This is a let your father 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:02.379 love you. Let's remove the barriers. And the 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:09.980 final reason is your spiritual act of worship. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:15.279 In other words, What God really wants. I mean, 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:17.120 we started out with a question that leads to 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.919 a decision. The question is, how do you give 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.480 God what he wants the most? Are you ready for 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:26.059 this? It gets real simple. God wants you. All 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:31.590 of you. Every aspect of you. See, you can read 00:10:31.590 --> 00:10:33.750 the Bible, you can pray, you can come to church, 00:10:33.850 --> 00:10:35.289 you can give some money, you can go on a missions 00:10:35.289 --> 00:10:36.870 trip, you can try and be a good moral person. 00:10:37.009 --> 00:10:38.909 You can do all kind of things. There was a group 00:10:38.909 --> 00:10:41.169 in the New Testament that did all that and more. 00:10:41.309 --> 00:10:43.649 And Jesus said the harshest things that ever 00:10:43.649 --> 00:10:45.610 came out of his mouth about those religious people 00:10:45.610 --> 00:10:49.009 because their hearts weren't his. They were in 00:10:49.009 --> 00:10:51.730 control and they used their religion and they 00:10:51.730 --> 00:10:53.870 thought they were better than other people. They 00:10:53.870 --> 00:10:55.610 weren't tender, they weren't broken, they weren't 00:10:55.610 --> 00:11:00.769 loving. Left to ourselves, we are a people who 00:11:00.769 --> 00:11:03.590 will create some little grid or model about how 00:11:03.590 --> 00:11:05.590 we're okay with God because we're doing this, 00:11:05.730 --> 00:11:08.610 this, this, this, and this as we gain and keep 00:11:08.610 --> 00:11:12.210 control. And your control always is shown by 00:11:12.210 --> 00:11:14.029 where your money goes, where your time goes, 00:11:14.169 --> 00:11:15.809 where your energy goes, and what you dream about. 00:11:17.549 --> 00:11:21.029 And when he has your heart in those areas, I'll 00:11:21.029 --> 00:11:22.629 tell you what, those things get transformed. 00:11:24.250 --> 00:11:27.720 And then, are you ready? You discover why you're 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:33.240 here. You discover what your purpose is. You 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:36.120 discover there really is more to life than setting 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:40.200 goals and accomplishing them. You experience 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:43.340 the treasure both now and the promise forever. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:49.799 He wants you. You're listening to Living on the 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:52.200 Edge with Chip Ingram. We're halfway through 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:54.700 today's message, so don't go anywhere just yet. 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:57.659 Today's insightful lesson comes from our series 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:00.639 called God's Dream for Your Life. Want to dig 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:03.340 deeper into these truths? Well, the full series 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:07.340 is ready for you online at livingontheedge .org. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:10.720 You'll discover extra teaching content, downloadable 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:13.220 materials, and discussion guides to take you 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:16.840 further. Find it all at livingontheedge .org. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:19.820 Well, now let's rejoin Chip with today's message. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:23.340 As you turn to the back page, I wanted to just... 00:12:24.009 --> 00:12:26.190 I'll give you two pictures that have been very 00:12:26.190 --> 00:12:32.389 helpful to me. One is a blank check. And I want 00:12:32.389 --> 00:12:35.450 to tell you, please do not hear everything will 00:12:35.450 --> 00:12:37.809 be easy and wonderful and great. In fact, many 00:12:37.809 --> 00:12:41.850 of you will be tested. It may get worse before 00:12:41.850 --> 00:12:44.929 it gets better. The Holy Spirit would say, well, 00:12:44.970 --> 00:12:48.970 how's it working for you your way? And today, 00:12:50.730 --> 00:12:52.710 pay to the order of Jesus Christ, and there's 00:12:52.710 --> 00:12:55.450 a date, and you'll write today's date. And then 00:12:55.450 --> 00:12:57.809 you'll sign your name. And there'll be a sense 00:12:57.809 --> 00:12:59.850 of fear in your heart, but it'll be a step of 00:12:59.850 --> 00:13:03.409 faith, and you'll say, I'm all in, God. You can 00:13:03.409 --> 00:13:06.210 cash this. You can cash this with my future. 00:13:06.330 --> 00:13:08.429 You cash this with my relationships. You cash 00:13:08.429 --> 00:13:10.850 this with my finances. You cash with my career. 00:13:10.990 --> 00:13:13.690 You cash it with my geography. I will do whatever 00:13:13.690 --> 00:13:16.169 you want me to do. I believe you're that good 00:13:16.169 --> 00:13:19.649 and that kind. And I actually believe that you 00:13:19.649 --> 00:13:21.590 could pick out what's better for me than I could 00:13:21.590 --> 00:13:24.470 pick out for me. Do you see how arrogant it is 00:13:24.470 --> 00:13:26.750 when we say to God, oh, I want your forgiveness 00:13:26.750 --> 00:13:29.129 and your salvation, but I'll run my life. Because 00:13:29.129 --> 00:13:30.970 I'm way smarter than you. I mean, you created 00:13:30.970 --> 00:13:35.450 the universe, but look at me. So I really want 00:13:35.450 --> 00:13:39.850 you to think risk, reason, the decision -making 00:13:39.850 --> 00:13:43.490 process. What it means to fill out the check, 00:13:43.529 --> 00:13:48.179 I came across a small excerpt of a, of a prayer 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:51.580 by a lady named Ruth Myers. And just lean back. 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:53.960 You can even shut your eyes. When you think about 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:56.740 what it means for you to sign this check in just 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:59.220 a moment, think of a prayer that might go something 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:02.240 like this. Lord, I'm yours. Whatever the cost 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:06.320 may be, your will be done in my life. I realize 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:08.919 that I'm not on earth to do my own thing or to 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:12.059 seek my own fulfillment or my own glory. I'm 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:14.379 not here to indulge my desires or increase my 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:17.990 possessions or to impress people. To be popular 00:14:17.990 --> 00:14:21.429 or to prove I'm somebody important or to promote 00:14:21.429 --> 00:14:24.289 myself. I'm not even here to be relevant and 00:14:24.289 --> 00:14:28.470 successful by human standards. I am here on this 00:14:28.470 --> 00:14:32.210 earth to please you. And so now I offer myself 00:14:32.210 --> 00:14:36.309 to you for you are worthy. All that I am or hope 00:14:36.309 --> 00:14:41.230 to be, I owe to you. I am yours by creation and 00:14:41.230 --> 00:14:44.029 I am yours by the purchase price of your son 00:14:44.029 --> 00:14:48.190 on the cross that paid for my sin. And so right 00:14:48.190 --> 00:14:51.250 now, I give you my body and each of its members, 00:14:51.409 --> 00:14:55.990 my entire inner being. I give you my mind, my 00:14:55.990 --> 00:14:58.370 emotional life, my will, my loved ones, my marriage 00:14:58.370 --> 00:15:01.049 or my hope for marriage. I give you right now 00:15:01.049 --> 00:15:03.230 my abilities and my gifts, my strengths and my 00:15:03.230 --> 00:15:05.450 weaknesses, my health and my status, whether 00:15:05.450 --> 00:15:07.909 it be high or low. I give you my possessions, 00:15:08.029 --> 00:15:11.929 my past, my present, and my future. And I even 00:15:11.929 --> 00:15:15.309 give you when you want to bring me home to be 00:15:15.309 --> 00:15:20.309 with you. I'm here to love you and to obey you 00:15:20.309 --> 00:15:26.149 and to glorify you. You ready to take that step? 00:15:28.289 --> 00:15:31.330 It'll be the greatest decision you ever, ever 00:15:31.330 --> 00:15:35.110 make. And for some of you that are a little bored, 00:15:35.309 --> 00:15:39.330 if you play lots of video games, watch a lot 00:15:39.330 --> 00:15:42.090 of TV, have to go to a lot of movies, find yourself 00:15:42.090 --> 00:15:44.590 shopping or eating a lot, you know what those, 00:15:44.590 --> 00:15:48.620 that's symptoms of a life. of boredom. That's 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:52.519 a symptom of nothing of genuine purpose and focus. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:57.000 That's a symptom of medicating yourself with 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:02.960 plastic pearl beads. And I had a little struggle 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:06.240 growing up long before I was a Christian. I like 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.259 adventure. I like excitement. I like risk. And 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.519 so someone early introduced me to cards. I played 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:15.769 cards Friday night, gambled. And then I was fascinated 00:16:15.769 --> 00:16:17.909 with horse racing. So by my senior year, Tuesday 00:16:17.909 --> 00:16:22.070 and Friday nights, I played the horses. And I 00:16:22.070 --> 00:16:24.889 just can't tell you the thrill that it is to 00:16:24.889 --> 00:16:28.190 put down $2 your very first bet and win $103 00:16:28.190 --> 00:16:31.889 Quinella. I thought, what an easy way to make 00:16:31.889 --> 00:16:35.950 money. And so that sent me on a journey where 00:16:35.950 --> 00:16:38.330 I found myself about a year and a half later, 00:16:38.429 --> 00:16:43.309 literally in the boy's bathroom. I put my feet 00:16:43.309 --> 00:16:45.909 up on the commode so they couldn't see me. And 00:16:45.909 --> 00:16:48.750 when the three linemen on the football team that 00:16:48.750 --> 00:16:51.370 I owed a few hundred dollars to were coming to 00:16:51.370 --> 00:16:54.769 collect in a very inappropriate way to my body, 00:16:54.850 --> 00:16:59.490 I decided to quit gambling. I wasn't a Christian, 00:16:59.570 --> 00:17:01.070 wasn't anything spiritual to it. It was like, 00:17:01.090 --> 00:17:06.529 this is nuts. And I got a problem. But I have 00:17:06.529 --> 00:17:11.099 to tell you, when I turn on the old TV, and the 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:17.200 World Poker Texas Hold 'em is on, I just have 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:23.759 to check it out. And here's what I love, because 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:27.039 there's a great principle. You know, it's the 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:29.180 final table. They got all these stacks, millions 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:31.960 of dollars. The pot's worth, you know, $14 .7 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:38.740 million. Two Loho cards, those. Risk, mm, these 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:42.440 are good cards. Reason, evaluating everything 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:46.859 I've seen this guy do in response. Action, faith. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:49.019 You could probably finish it with me, right? 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:54.759 I'm all in. And then what happens? Electricity 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:57.339 happens. The game completely changes. Then he 00:17:57.339 --> 00:18:03.819 steps up. He starts walking around. Why? Here's 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:07.880 why. Because something's going to happen. There's 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:11.390 no... until you get to the point where you say, 00:18:11.509 --> 00:18:14.730 I'm all in. He's either going to get a bracelet 00:18:14.730 --> 00:18:16.650 and multiple millions of dollars, or he's going 00:18:16.650 --> 00:18:19.789 to lose. And I want to tell you that the God 00:18:19.789 --> 00:18:22.230 of the universe brought you in this room on this 00:18:22.230 --> 00:18:27.269 day for you to say to him, I'm all in. And when 00:18:27.269 --> 00:18:30.309 you do, you will begin to experience power and 00:18:30.309 --> 00:18:34.150 excitement and challenge and purpose like you've 00:18:34.150 --> 00:18:38.009 never known. Because just like in Texas, hold 00:18:38.009 --> 00:18:42.460 them. The game never really gets interesting 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:49.839 until you're all in. And my sad observation is 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:52.220 the great majority of Christians that I know 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:56.660 are just trying to be nice people, trying to 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:58.579 get a little bit better mobility for their family, 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:02.180 trying to figure out how to balance all the demands, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:06.119 be a little bit more polite than most people. 00:19:06.990 --> 00:19:09.289 Read your Bible now and then and come to church 00:19:09.289 --> 00:19:13.690 and put a little salve on the guilt of your soul. 00:19:15.970 --> 00:19:18.309 And your heavenly father, I think, with tears 00:19:18.309 --> 00:19:22.509 in his eyes, say, why won't you taste the treasure? 00:19:24.430 --> 00:19:26.990 Without faith, it's impossible to please God. 00:19:27.990 --> 00:19:31.849 But those that come must believe that he is and 00:19:31.849 --> 00:19:35.880 that he's a rewarder. of those who diligently 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:41.319 seek you. Father, as we bow our heads and you 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:44.079 are working deeply and powerfully inside the 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:47.240 hearts and minds of the people in this room, 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:50.579 I pray that you would grant faith and courage 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:53.720 to sign the check, not just the perfunctory action 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:56.900 of doing it in just a moment, but the signing 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:59.440 of the check from their heart, even with the 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:04.519 fear and concern, and say, God, I'm yours. All 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:09.299 I am, all I have, all I hope to be, you deal. 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:13.079 Lord, I pray for those that know that there's 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:15.740 real hard decisions that need to be made, that 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.619 you give them the courage to mentally make that, 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.660 to tell you in their heart right now what they're 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:23.160 gonna do and find a trusted friend that they 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:26.319 can share that with. Lord, for those that this 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:28.660 is the first time, God, I pray for supernatural 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:32.250 grace. For those that have made this commitment 00:20:32.250 --> 00:20:35.009 before, as they sign it, could you help them 00:20:35.009 --> 00:20:38.849 reaffirm and be reminded this is what the Christian 00:20:38.849 --> 00:20:41.750 life's all about? And then finally, Lord, for 00:20:41.750 --> 00:20:43.369 those that in their heart of hearts just say, 00:20:43.450 --> 00:20:46.829 in integrity, I couldn't sign that. I've got 00:20:46.829 --> 00:20:49.490 to deal with something. I've got to resolve a 00:20:49.490 --> 00:20:52.549 couple things. Lord, would you help them to be 00:20:52.549 --> 00:20:55.549 honest with themselves and honest with you and 00:20:55.549 --> 00:21:02.619 get help? We love you. Help us to want more of 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:06.420 you. Help us to turn in our plastic pearls for 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:13.059 the real thing. Amen. This is Living on the Edge 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:15.539 with Chip Ingram and some challenging teaching 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:19.279 about what it means to go all in with God. Chip 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:21.980 will return shortly with closing thoughts. Want 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:24.299 to hear this message again or share it? Well, 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:28.599 find it online at livingontheedge .org. You know, 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:30.940 for more than 30 years, Living on the Edge has 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:33.339 helped believers move from casual Christianity 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:36.680 to genuine discipleship. That's our mission, 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:39.539 equipping followers of Jesus to actually live 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:42.359 like followers of Jesus. Not through guilt or 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:45.000 religious obligation, but through clear biblical 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:48.079 teaching that makes Scripture practical for everyday 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:51.109 life. Right now, listeners across the nation 00:21:51.109 --> 00:21:53.470 are growing spiritually because of this ministry. 00:21:54.029 --> 00:21:56.490 Believers stuck in mediocrity are discovering 00:21:56.490 --> 00:21:59.710 what wholehearted faith looks like. People bored 00:21:59.710 --> 00:22:02.809 with plastic pearl religion are finding the real 00:22:02.809 --> 00:22:05.930 treasure. This impact multiplies because faithful 00:22:05.930 --> 00:22:08.829 partners make it possible. Maybe you've listened 00:22:08.829 --> 00:22:11.170 for years and this ministry has shaped your walk 00:22:11.170 --> 00:22:13.710 with Christ. Or perhaps you're newer to Living 00:22:13.710 --> 00:22:15.730 on the Edge and you're experiencing breakthrough. 00:22:16.170 --> 00:22:19.190 Either way, we invite you into partnership. Your 00:22:19.190 --> 00:22:21.789 monthly support provides the stability we need 00:22:21.789 --> 00:22:24.630 for long -term planning. After three decades 00:22:24.630 --> 00:22:27.609 of ministry, we've learned this. Biblical discipleship 00:22:27.609 --> 00:22:30.549 changes everything. When people really understand 00:22:30.549 --> 00:22:33.130 God's Word and how to live it out, their marriages 00:22:33.130 --> 00:22:36.490 transform. Their parenting improves. Their workplaces 00:22:36.490 --> 00:22:39.450 become mission fields. Their whole lives align 00:22:39.450 --> 00:22:42.450 with God's purposes. That's the legacy you invest 00:22:42.450 --> 00:22:45.130 in when you give to Living on the Edge. Will 00:22:45.130 --> 00:22:47.849 you join our team today? Visit livingontheedge 00:22:47.849 --> 00:22:51.170 .org to give or write to Living on the Edge, 00:22:51.309 --> 00:22:56.990 P .O. Box 3007, Atlanta, Georgia 30024. You can 00:22:56.990 --> 00:23:02.910 also call us at 888 -333 -6003. Well, now here's 00:23:02.910 --> 00:23:05.890 Chip. Before we say another word today, I want 00:23:05.890 --> 00:23:08.890 to ask you a very important and life -changing 00:23:08.890 --> 00:23:12.920 question. Are you ready to take that step? Are 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:15.500 you ready to say in your heart of hearts, Lord, 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:19.240 yes, I am afraid, but I want you to know that 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:23.000 by faith, I'm all in. I'm signing the bottom 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:25.140 of the check. I'm taking all the chips of my 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:27.480 life and I'm pushing them to the center of the 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.200 table. And I want to say today, all that I am, 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:33.700 all that I have, all that I'll ever be, they're 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:38.019 yours. Now lead me, guide me. I'll address whatever 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:41.079 you show me, but I can't do it on my own. Lord, 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:43.980 I'm telling you today, I want you to be the Lord 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:46.339 of my life. I want you to have the same place 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:50.079 at this very moment in my heart and my will that 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:53.039 you have in the universe. And God, I pray that 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.160 you'll be gentle. I pray that you'll give me 00:23:55.160 --> 00:24:01.160 grace. And Lord, I choose today to say, I'm all 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:05.750 in. If you do that, would you email me here, 00:24:05.789 --> 00:24:07.529 right here at Living on the Edge, and then tell 00:24:07.529 --> 00:24:09.990 the greatest Christian you know what you've done? 00:24:10.410 --> 00:24:14.269 Because your life is about to experience a radical 00:24:14.269 --> 00:24:16.710 change. And it's probably going to get really 00:24:16.710 --> 00:24:19.750 good and really hard, maybe all at the same time. 00:24:19.910 --> 00:24:22.190 Some of you have some really big decisions you 00:24:22.190 --> 00:24:25.250 need to make, some hard conversations, some steps 00:24:25.250 --> 00:24:27.470 to take. And what I want you to know, you are 00:24:27.470 --> 00:24:31.210 going to experience God's power. He loves you. 00:24:31.329 --> 00:24:35.089 He's for you. But brace yourself because you 00:24:35.089 --> 00:24:38.250 have now entered a world where power and life 00:24:38.250 --> 00:24:40.690 occur and where the enemy doesn't want you to 00:24:40.690 --> 00:24:44.890 go. You're all in. You're a child of God. What 00:24:44.890 --> 00:24:46.990 does it mean to get God's best for your life? 00:24:47.150 --> 00:24:49.809 I'm Dave Drewy, inviting you to find out next 00:24:49.809 --> 00:24:56.190 time on Living on the Edge. Today's program is 00:24:56.190 --> 00:24:58.630 produced and sponsored by Living on the Edge.