WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:03.960 for just a moment and isn't it a privilege to 00:00:03.960 --> 00:00:07.320 be in the presence of the Lord here this afternoon. 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:11.160 Thank you for being here. Thank you for worshiping 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:14.359 the Lord with such passion and sincerity and 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:17.719 of course these singers and musicians, they have 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.579 blessed us, amen. So thankful for their ministry. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:24.539 I don't wanna take it for granted, a lot of extra 00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:28.559 work and practice. Every service, we are so blessed. 00:00:29.019 --> 00:00:31.760 and we thank God for that, and we thank God for 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:34.240 you, and of course to our guests. Don't you love 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:36.579 when guests come to Heaven View? We are blessed. 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:40.659 We are blessed today. If you happen to be here 00:00:40.659 --> 00:00:43.500 in the service and you have never just said to 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:47.820 the Lord, Jesus, forgive me for my sins. I don't 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:50.619 know a lot about the Word, the Bible, but if 00:00:50.619 --> 00:00:53.960 I'm not lined up, just forgive me. If you haven't 00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:57.969 done that, he's ready to forgive you today. And 00:00:57.969 --> 00:01:00.710 if you've done it before, but you're one of those 00:01:00.710 --> 00:01:03.810 that tries to every day get closer to the Lord, 00:01:03.890 --> 00:01:07.629 this is a great service for that. Anybody know 00:01:07.629 --> 00:01:10.769 that he still washes sins away when people are 00:01:10.769 --> 00:01:15.109 baptized in Jesus' name? If you are a guest here 00:01:15.109 --> 00:01:17.689 today, we do not baptize for church membership. 00:01:17.930 --> 00:01:20.569 We just encourage people that when they have 00:01:20.569 --> 00:01:23.650 made Jesus their savior, they need to be baptized 00:01:23.650 --> 00:01:26.560 in Jesus' name. You may say, well, I just came 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:28.920 for a good Sunday. I didn't bring any clothes 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:32.099 to change into. We have robes. We have water 00:01:32.099 --> 00:01:35.140 that's warm and ready. We'd love to baptize you 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:38.060 today in Jesus' name, and we don't do that to 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:40.379 make you a member of our church. That's the custom 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:42.700 of some, but we just feel like we ought to do 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:44.900 what the Bible says. We ought to just do what 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:47.439 the Bible says, and we're gonna help you do that. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:50.980 by getting you baptized in Jesus' name today. 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.359 Don't put it off, let it happen today. And you 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:56.519 know, you've enjoyed the service so far, I'm 00:01:56.519 --> 00:01:59.319 sure, but if you listen closely, occasionally 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:01.680 you'll hear people speaking in a language that's 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:04.859 not English or maybe even Spanish. It's literally 00:02:04.859 --> 00:02:07.260 people speaking with other tongues. Anybody ever 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:10.199 read about that in the Bible? It happens here 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:13.030 at Heaven View all the time. So if you have never 00:02:13.030 --> 00:02:15.030 been filled with the Spirit and never spoken 00:02:15.030 --> 00:02:16.990 with other tongues, would you meet me at the 00:02:16.990 --> 00:02:20.310 altar today and let's pray together with an attitude 00:02:20.310 --> 00:02:24.210 that is Jesus, whatever you have for me, if it's 00:02:24.210 --> 00:02:28.610 in the Bible, I want it in my life. Anybody ever 00:02:28.610 --> 00:02:30.509 been filled with the Holy Ghost speaking with 00:02:30.509 --> 00:02:32.590 other tongues? Look at all of these that have 00:02:32.590 --> 00:02:37.030 raised their hands. I just don't think that God 00:02:37.030 --> 00:02:40.490 is prejudiced. If he would do it for the person 00:02:40.490 --> 00:02:43.150 near you, he'll do it for you, and he'll do it 00:02:43.150 --> 00:02:47.189 today, in Jesus' name. Praise God. Also wanna 00:02:47.189 --> 00:02:50.889 say how much I appreciate everybody in this sanctuary 00:02:50.889 --> 00:02:54.830 that serves beyond just this service, but you 00:02:54.830 --> 00:02:58.580 are one of our volunteers, well over 100. volunteers 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:01.340 that serve in a number of capacities. Obviously, 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:04.000 if you come a few services in a row, you see 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:07.460 some familiar faces on the platform. But really, 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:09.960 there's a lot that happens that's nowhere near 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:12.479 the platform that makes this a great church. 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:15.520 And we wanna say thank you to every single one 00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:19.479 of you that volunteers in any capacity to be 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:21.919 a blessing to the work of God through this church. 00:03:21.979 --> 00:03:25.240 We are not naive. We acknowledge that the kingdom 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:28.259 of God is bigger than a church. and so there 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:30.860 are ways to serve outside of your local church, 00:03:31.219 --> 00:03:33.740 but it really is the will of God that everybody 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:37.599 serve in a local church. Get involved in your 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.000 local church and serve, and there's an accountability 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.539 connected with that, and if you have not made 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:46.659 yourself accountable to serve, I urge you, this 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:48.879 is a new year, even though we're in the month 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:51.580 of March, ending the month of March, the first 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:54.719 quarter, there's a work for anybody and everybody 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:57.449 to do, amen, and we want to encourage. But we 00:03:57.449 --> 00:04:00.330 do want to say thank you. And because in January 00:04:00.330 --> 00:04:03.430 we had some weather issues, we missed two Sundays. 00:04:03.969 --> 00:04:06.830 Then in February I had a few travel issues. Sometimes 00:04:06.830 --> 00:04:09.870 I minister in other places. I wanted to be here 00:04:09.870 --> 00:04:12.349 for this service when we acknowledge, as we have 00:04:12.349 --> 00:04:15.569 done every year for several years, someone that 00:04:15.569 --> 00:04:18.189 we call the volunteer of the year. This would 00:04:18.189 --> 00:04:22.110 be for 2025. And there are so many here that 00:04:22.110 --> 00:04:25.230 would qualify for that award. And it's just a 00:04:25.230 --> 00:04:29.050 way to thank all. of you by recognizing one of 00:04:29.050 --> 00:04:31.129 you, and we did that in the morning service, 00:04:31.449 --> 00:04:34.430 and we're gonna do it again here in this service. 00:04:34.529 --> 00:04:37.350 And I just wanna say, as you clap and cheer, 00:04:37.370 --> 00:04:39.790 and I hope that you will for this person, this 00:04:39.790 --> 00:04:43.149 person represents all of us. Thank you for being 00:04:43.149 --> 00:04:46.910 a volunteer. The Volunteer of the Year, in this 00:04:46.910 --> 00:04:50.279 case, has been involved, I would say, since even 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:53.100 before I was a part of Heaven View, and that 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:56.939 goes back over 25 years, constantly serving in 00:04:56.939 --> 00:04:59.980 the hospitality ministry in between services, 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:02.939 serving for men's prayer and fellowship in terms 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:06.040 of hospitality, always helping with marriage 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:09.000 matters. When we have our Faith Promise International 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:11.759 Fellowship, this individual is constantly involved 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:14.660 in working and serving, a big part of our church 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:18.850 picnic involved with serving. Also, every Christmas 00:05:18.850 --> 00:05:21.910 concert involves a tremendous amount of effort 00:05:21.910 --> 00:05:24.970 in serving others. This involves ministry that 00:05:24.970 --> 00:05:27.970 we provide when it comes to weddings, funerals, 00:05:28.189 --> 00:05:30.689 district events, even our recent blood drive 00:05:30.689 --> 00:05:34.069 and kingdom connections. Man, this person must 00:05:34.069 --> 00:05:37.389 be exhausted. I want you to help me honor Sister 00:05:37.389 --> 00:05:40.769 Dana Haynes. Would you come up here? Our volunteer 00:05:40.769 --> 00:05:45.470 of the year for 2026. I'll meet you halfway. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:06:04.860 Come on up here. Would you give her one big hand? 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:14.899 She works like crazy around here. you may be 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:17.060 seated, have been involved in so many ways for 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:20.360 so many years. In fact, her husband, Randy, is 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:23.300 not always able to be in church with us, but 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:26.540 he is constantly working behind the scenes helping 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:29.160 Sister Dana. I see Phillip here, of course, he 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.540 lives in the United Kingdom, but when he's home, 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:34.639 he's always been a help to us as well. This family 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:37.639 is one serving family, and we honor them and 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:41.180 thank them for the work that they do. We give 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:44.779 God praise. And again, every single one of you 00:06:44.779 --> 00:06:47.560 that volunteer in any capacity, you are worthy 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:50.800 of recognition and reward. And I just have to 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:53.399 believe the day is coming soon when we're gonna 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:56.740 see him say, well done, thou good and faithful 00:06:56.740 --> 00:07:00.519 servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. And 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:03.100 I do wanna challenge you, if you might look around, 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:06.500 I know if you combine the crowd from both services, 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:08.120 you might say, well, there's plenty of people 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:10.000 doing plenty of stuff, they don't need me, we 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.899 need you. There is a work for anyone that wants 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:16.199 to do anything that involves serving and if you'll 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:18.639 contact the church office and say I want to be 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.519 involved a little bit more It would be a great 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:23.579 blessing to the church and certainly it would 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:27.680 be a great blessing to you Church is so much 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.939 better When you're involved you just show up 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:33.560 on a Sunday and kind of look around sometimes 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:36.220 critique You're not gonna get a lot out of church 00:07:36.509 --> 00:07:38.910 You're not gonna enjoy it. And you'll find ways 00:07:38.910 --> 00:07:41.529 to be critical of it. But if you're involved, 00:07:42.529 --> 00:07:45.209 full speed ahead, whatever I can do, what does 00:07:45.209 --> 00:07:47.949 the Bible say? Whatever your hands find to do, 00:07:48.850 --> 00:07:52.649 you'll be much more blessed being involved in 00:07:52.649 --> 00:07:55.170 serving. And I'm thankful for each one of you 00:07:55.170 --> 00:07:57.910 that served with such passion. Would you stand? 00:07:58.269 --> 00:08:00.389 I wanna turn your attention to the New Testament, 00:08:00.509 --> 00:08:03.410 the book of 2 Corinthians chapter number four. 00:08:04.050 --> 00:08:07.860 I am. concluding a series that we started on 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:10.220 the kingdom of God at the beginning of the year. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:14.220 And I am of course aware that we are racing towards 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:18.360 Easter Sunday, focusing on the cross. And so 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:21.259 I am going to speak on the subject, the kingdom 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:25.920 and the cross, the kingdom and the cross. I did 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:28.720 preach about this at 9 .30 and if you are able 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:32.879 to go back. and enjoy that message online. That 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:36.120 would mean a lot to me for all of us to continue 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:39.200 to grow together. Second Corinthians chapter 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:43.620 four and verse 16. Therefore, we do not lose 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:47.419 heart, even though our outward man is perishing. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:50.399 Sister Dana, you must feel that way sometimes. 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:53.779 All the stuff you're doing around here. But the 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:58.120 Bible says, even though our outward man is perishing. 00:08:58.409 --> 00:09:03.970 Yet the inward man is being renewed day by day 00:09:03.970 --> 00:09:08.769 Every day look at verse 17 for our light affliction 00:09:08.769 --> 00:09:13.649 Which is but for a moment is working for us a 00:09:13.649 --> 00:09:17.590 far more exceeding an eternal weight of glory 00:09:17.590 --> 00:09:20.669 While we do not look at the things which are 00:09:20.669 --> 00:09:25.129 seen But at the things which are not seen for 00:09:25.129 --> 00:09:28.789 the things which are seen are temporary but the 00:09:28.789 --> 00:09:31.129 things which are seen, I'm sorry, the things 00:09:31.129 --> 00:09:34.830 which are not seen are eternal. I would like 00:09:34.830 --> 00:09:38.190 to just focus your attention on the kingdom and 00:09:38.190 --> 00:09:40.990 the cross. Let's ask the Lord to speak to us 00:09:40.990 --> 00:09:44.049 right now. Everybody that can pray with passion, 00:09:44.169 --> 00:09:46.950 would you cry out to the Lord for an anointing? 00:09:46.970 --> 00:09:49.870 Pray for me, pray for your family, pray for your 00:09:49.870 --> 00:09:53.110 brothers and sisters, our guests, that every 00:09:53.110 --> 00:09:55.370 one of us would receive from the Lord today. 00:09:56.129 --> 00:10:22.269 We love you Jesus. In the name of Jesus one more 00:10:22.269 --> 00:10:24.830 time. Could you thank the Lord for his presence 00:10:24.830 --> 00:10:30.429 or his word? We love you, Jesus. We love you, 00:10:30.429 --> 00:10:36.529 Jesus. Hallelujah. The Lord bless you. You may 00:10:36.529 --> 00:10:40.289 be seated. I want to remind you today that the 00:10:40.289 --> 00:10:44.490 kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy 00:10:44.490 --> 00:10:49.460 in the Holy Ghost. and we are on our way to experiencing 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:53.679 more and more of the kingdom of God until when 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:57.279 we see the kingdom of God in all of its fullness, 00:10:57.639 --> 00:11:01.720 we will celebrate a place where there is no sin, 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:06.259 there is no sickness, there'll be no dying over 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:09.519 there. In fact, I believe when we live in the 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.759 kingdom of God in all of its fullness, we are 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:17.820 all gonna be able to shout, it's gonna be. One 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:21.500 taste, one glimpse of the glory of the kingdom 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:25.220 of God in all of its fullness. One writer sang, 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:29.379 wrote the song, what a day that will be. When 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:34.879 my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon his face, 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:40.080 the one who saved me by his grace, when he takes 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:45.080 me by the hand and leads me through the promised 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:50.659 land, what a day, what a glorious day that will 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:54.700 be. We certainly live in the tension of what 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:59.000 we would call now and not yet that the kingdom 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:02.659 of God is working in us and through us and we 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:06.139 see little glimpses of God's glory as we yield 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:09.720 to his spirit He is the king reigning over our 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:13.059 lives. Maybe we're not always yielding to his 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:17.200 reign but when we do we see his blessing and 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:21.100 favor upon our lives and yet we know there is 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:25.899 a that not yet aspect when we get to that particular 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:30.259 place in God's kingdom plan where everybody that's 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.320 sick is completely healed, where everybody that's 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:36.919 lonely is completely satisfied in the presence 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:40.100 of the Lord. There is a place called heaven that 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:43.480 is an aspect of the kingdom of God. And I just 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:47.139 dare say that when we get to that city, there'll 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:50.580 be no more complaining or murmuring or frustration. 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:54.539 about the challenges of this life, but we will 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:58.279 rejoice and say our light affliction was but 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:01.720 for a moment, but oh my goodness, it was working 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:07.779 for us, in us, and through us, a far more exceeding 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:14.470 and eternal weight of glory. Praise God. We see 00:13:14.470 --> 00:13:19.350 the Bible says through a glass Darkly, but soon 00:13:19.350 --> 00:13:23.929 face to face When you cannot see all that God 00:13:23.929 --> 00:13:27.570 is doing you can get a little bit weary in well 00:13:27.570 --> 00:13:33.029 -doing But when we see him as he is oh What's 00:13:33.029 --> 00:13:37.169 singing? Oh? What's shouting on that happy morning 00:13:37.169 --> 00:13:41.009 when we all shall rise? Can I give you permission 00:13:41.009 --> 00:13:43.950 at heaven view if you ever? want to dance and 00:13:43.950 --> 00:13:46.429 shout, it's just a little picture of heaven. 00:13:46.690 --> 00:13:49.429 If you ever want to clap your hands and shout 00:13:49.429 --> 00:13:52.230 for joy, it's just a little taste of heaven. 00:13:52.529 --> 00:13:55.470 Maybe there's struggle, maybe there's turmoil, 00:13:55.730 --> 00:13:59.129 but there's heaven. There is the kingdom of God. 00:14:00.169 --> 00:14:06.570 And we celebrate it today. The question is, because 00:14:06.570 --> 00:14:10.490 we cannot see everything that is unfolding as 00:14:10.490 --> 00:14:15.139 it relates to the kingdom of God. Can we maintain 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:22.059 our focus on his promise? Can we endure until 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:27.960 the end? Can we live for what is eternal? Because 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:32.179 everything that comes with the kingdom of God 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:37.700 comes with the tragedy and the triumph of the 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:42.269 cross. The kingdom is beautiful. The cross. is 00:14:42.269 --> 00:14:46.820 horrible. The kingdom is glory revealed. The 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:51.840 cross is agony endured. The kingdom is a crown 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:56.179 to be worn. The cross is a burden to be carried. 00:14:56.600 --> 00:15:00.980 The kingdom is a prize to be gained. The cross 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:06.179 is a price to be paid. The kingdom of God is 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:10.700 where Christ reigns. The cross is where Christ 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:14.659 was rejected. And so I preach to the this beautiful 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:19.399 congregation today. There is no celebration of 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:23.559 the kingdom of God without the sacrifice of the 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:27.080 cross. I wanna remind you that we were not redeemed 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:31.139 with corruptible things like silver and gold, 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:34.419 but we were redeemed with the precious blood 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:39.019 of Christ as a lamb without blemish and without 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:43.059 spot. Can I tell you that Calvary was a high. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:48.200 by price for Christ to pay for my sins, for your 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:52.720 sins, but he had the kingdom in view. He could 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:56.559 see a place where there was no more sorrow and 00:15:56.559 --> 00:16:01.059 no more sickness and no more sadness and no more 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:05.259 death. And so he kept his eye on the prize, if 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:08.799 you will. In fact, the scripture says he has 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:13.139 delivered us from the power of darkness. and 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:18.559 conveyed us or transferred us into the kingdom 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:23.259 of his dear son in whom we have redemption through 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:28.169 his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Now 00:16:28.169 --> 00:16:31.210 this may sound a little bit like a fairy tale, 00:16:31.350 --> 00:16:34.909 but I believe that God was in Christ reaching 00:16:34.909 --> 00:16:38.970 for lost people because he recognized the kingdom 00:16:38.970 --> 00:16:42.870 of darkness is a kingdom of death. The kingdom 00:16:42.870 --> 00:16:46.610 of darkness is everything the devil spews out 00:16:46.610 --> 00:16:51.129 at humanity to lure us away from the peace, the 00:16:51.129 --> 00:16:54.950 love and the joy that's in the Holy Ghost. And 00:16:54.950 --> 00:16:58.899 the only way that he could rescue us and redeem 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:03.759 us from a reservation if you will with the kingdom 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:07.720 of darkness was to robe himself in flesh and 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:11.220 come to this earth as a man and face the penalty 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.859 of death for every one of my sins every one of 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:18.140 your sins and why did he do it it's because he 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:21.539 could see you in the kingdom of God he could 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:25.259 see me in the oh my lord have mercy let's not 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:28.869 wait till Easter to say thank you, Jesus, for 00:17:28.869 --> 00:17:32.829 the cross. Thank you, Jesus, for the blood applied. 00:17:33.170 --> 00:17:37.380 Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul. I wonder 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:40.200 if you stand for just a moment and clap your 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:43.339 hands and shout with your voice like you're just 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:46.140 so glad that you're not on your way to hell, 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:49.059 that you're just so glad that you're on your 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:52.880 way to heaven. Oh my goodness, he died for me. 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:57.119 I think I'll praise him. He died for me. I think 00:17:57.119 --> 00:18:05.339 I'll worship him. He died for me. Praise the 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:12.880 name of the Lord. You may be seated. We are two 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:16.579 weeks away from Easter Sunday, and we will celebrate 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:20.859 the death, the burial, the resurrection of Jesus. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:24.619 We encourage you, as you've already heard, invite 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:27.559 as many people as you can. That's a great way 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:31.599 to express your gratitude for Calvary, inviting 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:33.240 somebody to church. You know, there's a lot of 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:36.150 people don't go to any kind of church. Those 00:18:36.150 --> 00:18:38.430 are the people I'd like for you to target as 00:18:38.430 --> 00:18:40.170 we get ready for Easter Sunday. We're not trying 00:18:40.170 --> 00:18:42.609 to pull anybody out of any church, but why don't 00:18:42.609 --> 00:18:44.849 you just go find someone, don't even go to church 00:18:44.849 --> 00:18:47.569 and say, let me tell you, there is a savior whose 00:18:47.569 --> 00:18:51.230 name is Jesus. He died for our sins. So we want 00:18:51.230 --> 00:18:53.769 you to come and celebrate with us that you don't 00:18:53.769 --> 00:18:56.789 have to be bound by the kingdom of darkness. 00:18:57.150 --> 00:18:59.569 There's a kingdom of light. There's a kingdom 00:18:59.569 --> 00:19:02.130 of power and victory. There's a kingdom where 00:19:02.130 --> 00:19:06.269 Jesus reigns over everyone. We want to celebrate 00:19:06.269 --> 00:19:09.910 that kingdom. Praise the name of the Lord. It 00:19:09.910 --> 00:19:13.750 is so important that we as believers, we as men 00:19:13.750 --> 00:19:17.109 and women of God on our way to heaven, that we 00:19:17.109 --> 00:19:21.569 never take for granted the reality of the kingdom 00:19:21.569 --> 00:19:25.029 of darkness, the works of the flesh, if you will, 00:19:25.609 --> 00:19:31.109 the satanic forces of hell that are allied against 00:19:31.109 --> 00:19:34.690 the kingdom of God. It sounds like some sort 00:19:34.690 --> 00:19:38.250 of science fiction, if you're not careful, or 00:19:38.250 --> 00:19:41.549 just what old Christians and old preachers used 00:19:41.549 --> 00:19:44.609 to talk about. But I'm telling you, Calvary was 00:19:44.609 --> 00:19:49.380 so gruesome because hell is so real. Calvary 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:52.940 was such a penalty and a painful experience for 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:55.940 Jesus Christ because that's where each one of 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:58.880 us would be headed if it wasn't for his grace 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:02.500 and his mercy. And so we need to live for God 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:06.740 in his kingdom with a special appreciation for 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:10.519 the righteousness and the peace and the joy that 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:14.900 we enjoy in the Holy Ghost wherever you see evidence 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:18.539 that Jesus is reigning in your life. that you're 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:20.819 not just doing your own thing and living your 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:24.000 own way and just sucked into your own opinion 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:26.599 about how life ought to work, how church ought 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.059 to work. When you get delivered from that, that's 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:31.599 a good reason to rejoice. That's a good reason 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:34.619 to come to church with a sense of anticipation. 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:38.599 I'm on my way to heaven and I'm so glad. I'm 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:42.039 on my way to glory and I'm so glad. Do I have 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:45.400 affliction? Yes. Do I have struggle? Yes. Do 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:48.720 I have bad days? Yes. Yeah, but I have a savior. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:54.119 His name is Jesus. He reigns. He reigns. He reigns 00:20:54.119 --> 00:21:01.220 over my life. Praise the name of the Lord. Writer 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:04.480 of Hebrews says, how much more shall the blood 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:08.599 of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:12.920 himself without spot to God cleanse your conscience 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:18.029 from dead works to serve the living God. We don't 00:21:18.029 --> 00:21:20.269 know a lot about the book of Hebrews. We're not 00:21:20.269 --> 00:21:22.569 quite sure who wrote it. Sometimes we're not 00:21:22.569 --> 00:21:24.789 even sure of the audience, but we know because 00:21:24.789 --> 00:21:27.890 it has been preserved in the word of God for 00:21:27.890 --> 00:21:31.450 us that it applies to us today. Can I tell you 00:21:31.450 --> 00:21:34.289 that one thing is for sure, that the writer of 00:21:34.289 --> 00:21:37.690 Hebrews was trying to awaken the church to the 00:21:37.690 --> 00:21:41.130 danger of being just a people that are sucked 00:21:41.130 --> 00:21:45.210 into dead works, into a form of godliness, but 00:21:45.210 --> 00:21:49.150 no religion. to proclaim two weeks before Easter 00:21:49.150 --> 00:21:52.990 that Jesus didn't die for our sins so we could 00:21:52.990 --> 00:21:56.250 sit on a pew maybe once or twice a week. I think 00:21:56.250 --> 00:21:58.690 it's bigger than that. I believe he wanted to 00:21:58.690 --> 00:22:01.769 pull us out of the kingdom of darkness, out of 00:22:01.769 --> 00:22:04.390 the kingdom of gossip, out of the kingdom of 00:22:04.390 --> 00:22:07.269 lust, out of the kingdom of pornography, out 00:22:07.269 --> 00:22:09.789 of the kingdom of backbiting, out of the kingdom 00:22:09.789 --> 00:22:12.190 of being critical, out of the kingdom of being 00:22:12.190 --> 00:22:15.029 disobedient. He could see everything about that 00:22:15.029 --> 00:22:19.089 kingdom as pulling people into death and into 00:22:19.089 --> 00:22:23.170 Satan's lair. But bless God, he went to the cross 00:22:23.170 --> 00:22:27.529 and at the cross he paid the price so I can enjoy 00:22:27.529 --> 00:22:35.230 and celebrate the kingdom of life. Praise the 00:22:35.230 --> 00:22:40.009 name of the Lord. When Jesus Christ was talking 00:22:40.009 --> 00:22:45.680 about his own march to the cross. In Luke chapter 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:51.140 9, he says in verse 22 about himself, the son 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:56.299 of man must suffer many things and be rejected 00:22:56.299 --> 00:23:01.279 by the elders and chief priests and scribes and 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:07.500 be killed and be raised the third day. I don't 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:11.940 believe there was any other way for Jesus to 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:17.240 save our sins. than the cross. I think that our 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:20.920 sins were that bad. I think that our human nature 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:24.440 without God is that dangerous. That the only 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:29.779 way that he could rescue us was to die in our 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:32.619 place. It's gonna sound crazy, but I believe 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:35.420 every sinner in here ought to die, starting with 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:38.559 me. But the only reason why I don't have to die 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:42.630 is because Jesus died for me. That's the only 00:23:42.630 --> 00:23:46.690 way that he can pull me out of the kingdom of 00:23:46.690 --> 00:23:50.069 darkness and into the kingdom of his dear son. 00:23:50.490 --> 00:23:54.150 So he basically says, I had to be killed and 00:23:54.150 --> 00:23:57.130 I had to rise up the third day. But then he says 00:23:57.130 --> 00:24:00.930 in the next verse, If anyone desires to come 00:24:00.930 --> 00:24:05.470 after me, let him deny himself and take up his 00:24:05.470 --> 00:24:09.410 cross daily and follow me. For whoever desires 00:24:09.410 --> 00:24:13.470 to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses 00:24:13.470 --> 00:24:17.390 his life for my sake will save it. For what profit 00:24:17.390 --> 00:24:21.549 is it to a man if he gains the whole world and 00:24:21.549 --> 00:24:26.349 is himself destroyed or lost? I wanna preach 00:24:26.349 --> 00:24:29.970 to you today as critical. as it was for Jesus 00:24:29.970 --> 00:24:32.630 Christ to have a cross. Anybody that's gonna 00:24:32.630 --> 00:24:35.410 follow him in these last days, there's a cross 00:24:35.410 --> 00:24:38.650 for you and there's a cross for me. The old timers 00:24:38.650 --> 00:24:40.990 used to say it all the time, but we've kind of 00:24:40.990 --> 00:24:43.049 made Christianity a little bit prettier in our 00:24:43.049 --> 00:24:45.369 day. But I wanna preach the truth to you today. 00:24:45.690 --> 00:24:48.890 There is a cross for every person that wants 00:24:48.890 --> 00:24:52.769 to follow Jesus from this world to that wonderful 00:24:52.769 --> 00:24:55.910 kingdom. And I wanna encourage you from the words 00:24:55.910 --> 00:24:58.740 of Jesus Christ. if you ever start following 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:02.680 Jesus to the degree that you lose your life and 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:05.579 you lose your preferences and you lose your opinion 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:08.220 and you lose a bunch of likes on social media 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:11.579 and you lose even the affection of those that 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:14.200 have a form of godliness. I want to encourage 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:17.980 you to stand strong and recognize if I lose my 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:21.299 life, I will gain my life. As long as I'm taking 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:24.180 up my cross and I'm following, I'd like to shake 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:27.200 somebody out of that Christianity. that says, 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:30.380 let's make it easier. Let's find a softer road. 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:33.799 Let's find a pathway that's wide. Can I tell 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:37.400 you, Jesus went to the cross for a narrow way. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:40.700 Jesus went to the cross for people that would 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:44.299 say, though none go with me, still I will follow. 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:47.700 And he still makes the appeal today. Is there 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:51.319 anyone anywhere that will say, I will follow 00:25:51.319 --> 00:26:00.240 Jesus. So let me take up my cross. Praise God. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:12.200 Jesus promises kingdom, benefits. I mean, we 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:16.299 are loaded down with benefits. Everybody gets 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:21.079 sick, but when I get sick, I can call on Jesus. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.980 Everybody goes through seasons where they feel 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:27.990 like, Nobody loves me, nobody cares about me, 00:26:28.069 --> 00:26:31.509 nobody knows the trouble I've seen. But when 00:26:31.509 --> 00:26:33.430 I go through that, when you go through that, 00:26:34.049 --> 00:26:38.609 I can call on Jesus. It doesn't mean that I don't 00:26:38.609 --> 00:26:43.069 have troubles. I got affliction, but compared 00:26:43.069 --> 00:26:46.390 to the kingdom of God, it's a light affliction. 00:26:47.089 --> 00:26:50.089 It's but for a moment. and it's an opportunity 00:26:50.089 --> 00:26:54.869 for me to put my eyes on what I cannot see, the 00:26:54.869 --> 00:26:58.630 eternal, to get my focus off of the temporary 00:26:58.630 --> 00:27:02.490 and just make up my mind. I'm in it for the kingdom 00:27:02.490 --> 00:27:05.970 of God. I'm in it for the favor of God. I'm in 00:27:05.970 --> 00:27:14.109 it because Jesus died for me. Praise God. And 00:27:14.109 --> 00:27:16.930 every kingdom benefit that you and I might list 00:27:16.930 --> 00:27:23.650 comes with a cross. Not everybody's healed. Not 00:27:23.650 --> 00:27:27.630 everybody gets the promotion. Not everybody comes 00:27:27.630 --> 00:27:30.109 to church and feels like everybody pats you on 00:27:30.109 --> 00:27:31.730 the popo, makes you feel like you're the most 00:27:31.730 --> 00:27:37.410 important person alive. Sometimes, sometimes 00:27:37.410 --> 00:27:42.230 it's affliction. It's affliction. Because there 00:27:42.230 --> 00:27:46.690 is no kingdom of God without a cross. There is 00:27:46.690 --> 00:27:50.059 no kingdom of God. without a cross. When you 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:52.680 sit across the table from somebody and they tell 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:55.319 you, it don't take all that, that's a lie from 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:58.599 the pit of hell. And there's a spirit behind 00:27:58.599 --> 00:28:01.460 that lie. So I'm not saying the person that told 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:04.180 you that is a liar, I'm just saying they believed 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:07.039 a lie. Are you hearing what I'm saying? I'm saying 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:10.539 you cannot have the kingdom of God without the 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:13.849 cross. And there is a spirit in this world that 00:28:13.849 --> 00:28:16.849 wants to try to convince this last group of people 00:28:16.849 --> 00:28:19.609 that are gonna serve God before the trumpet sound, 00:28:19.789 --> 00:28:22.109 hey, it don't take all that. You don't have to 00:28:22.109 --> 00:28:24.670 be that faithful. You don't have to be that committed. 00:28:24.789 --> 00:28:27.609 You don't have to be that passionate. Can I tell 00:28:27.609 --> 00:28:31.410 you, Jesus went to the cross. A crown of thorns 00:28:31.410 --> 00:28:34.769 was shoved upon his head. A spear ripped through 00:28:34.769 --> 00:28:37.829 his side. There were nails in his hands and his 00:28:37.829 --> 00:28:40.490 feet. Don't tell me that I don't have to tell. 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:45.380 and follow him when the King of Kings, the Lord 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:49.299 of this religion, challenged us to take up our 00:28:49.299 --> 00:29:01.220 cross. And follow him. And so, God, he doesn't 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:05.539 issue a disclaimer. The closest we get to it 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:08.759 is the verse that we're looking at today when 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:13.230 he says, Don't lose heart Even though it feels 00:29:13.230 --> 00:29:18.589 like you're dying on the outside By the way, 00:29:19.170 --> 00:29:23.869 that's what crucifixion does Even though you 00:29:23.869 --> 00:29:30.190 have days where you feel like I can't do it anymore 00:29:30.190 --> 00:29:33.430 I'm talking about real practical stuff. Don't 00:29:33.430 --> 00:29:36.670 raise your hand. Do you ever go to work and say 00:29:36.670 --> 00:29:42.039 this job is killing me? The outward man is perishing. 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:44.359 Where's your savior in the kingdom of God and 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:48.180 all those miracles? Well, he's allowing you to 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:52.019 take up your cross. I don't get to choose my 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:55.319 cross. I don't get to choose your cross. You 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:57.940 don't get to choose your cross. But you get to 00:29:57.940 --> 00:30:03.059 choose to cause the inward man to continue to 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:06.940 be renewed day by day. How? I'm gonna keep my 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:09.980 eyes on the kingdom of God. I'm gonna stay in 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:13.119 the word and in prayer. And the greatest goal 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:16.359 of my life is not to just live happily ever down 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:20.220 here. We are eat up with that. We are eat up 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:23.420 with how can Jesus make my life better down here? 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:27.769 That's not Christianity. Christianity is, though 00:30:27.769 --> 00:30:30.890 none go with me, still I will follow. Take this 00:30:30.890 --> 00:30:33.910 whole world, but give me Jesus. There is a kingdom. 00:30:34.089 --> 00:30:36.809 There is a kingdom. And I tell you, there's probably 00:30:36.809 --> 00:30:39.369 somebody in this sanctuary right now. You have 00:30:39.369 --> 00:30:41.849 suffered more than I could ever imagine, and 00:30:41.849 --> 00:30:44.109 you have suffered more than anybody else in the 00:30:44.109 --> 00:30:46.630 building. And I want to ask you today, don't 00:30:46.630 --> 00:30:50.069 waste your life feeling miserable about what 00:30:50.069 --> 00:30:52.710 you suffered. Instead, grab a hold of the word 00:30:52.710 --> 00:30:55.710 of God and say, I know I've been afflicted. But 00:30:55.710 --> 00:30:58.750 in comparison to the kingdom of God, it's just 00:30:58.750 --> 00:31:01.509 a light affliction. It's just a temporary struggle 00:31:01.509 --> 00:31:04.190 because I'm on my way to glory. I'm on my way 00:31:04.190 --> 00:31:07.329 to glory. I want to keep my eyes not on the things 00:31:07.329 --> 00:31:10.130 which I can see, but on the things which I cannot 00:31:10.130 --> 00:31:18.630 see. Praise God. We are not the first ones to 00:31:18.630 --> 00:31:23.190 walk this way. We are not the first ones to take 00:31:23.190 --> 00:31:27.859 up our cross. follow Jesus yet we are surrounded 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:32.039 by a cloud of witnesses some leap out of the 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:35.529 pages of the Bible And some are those great heroes 00:31:35.529 --> 00:31:38.210 of the faith that are responsible for you and 00:31:38.210 --> 00:31:41.109 I sitting on church pews today, but all of them 00:31:41.109 --> 00:31:44.410 have the same testimony because we are surrounded 00:31:44.410 --> 00:31:47.609 by so great a cloud of witnesses. Let us lay 00:31:47.609 --> 00:31:51.529 aside every weight and the sin which does so 00:31:51.529 --> 00:31:55.269 easily ensnare us and let us run with endurance 00:31:55.269 --> 00:31:59.049 the race that is set before us, looking unto 00:31:59.049 --> 00:32:02.950 Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. 00:32:02.890 --> 00:32:06.710 who for the joy that was set before him endured 00:32:06.710 --> 00:32:10.430 the cross, despising the shame and is set down 00:32:10.430 --> 00:32:13.910 at the right hand of the throne of God. If you 00:32:13.910 --> 00:32:16.990 and I are gonna stand and then kneel and cast 00:32:16.990 --> 00:32:19.890 our crowns before the throne of God, we're gonna 00:32:19.890 --> 00:32:22.750 have to make the damn journey that Jesus Christ 00:32:22.750 --> 00:32:26.109 made as God robed up in the flesh. We're gonna 00:32:26.109 --> 00:32:29.569 have to make up our minds. I'm keeping my eyes 00:32:29.569 --> 00:32:33.990 on the prize. I'm staying. focused on the kingdom 00:32:33.990 --> 00:32:45.529 of God. Praise God. As I transition from serving 00:32:45.529 --> 00:32:50.130 this church as pastor for 25 years and getting 00:32:50.130 --> 00:32:55.089 ready with anticipation for the next 25 years. 00:32:56.549 --> 00:33:02.299 Woo -hoo! I'm fired up. Now I think Jesus is 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:06.140 coming soon. But can I tell you what makes me 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:10.660 nervous? Is if we convince the next generation, 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:14.980 those that are 30 and under, that it don't take 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:18.180 all that. And we had a spirit run through this 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:21.839 church not too long ago where people were saying 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:24.619 that kind of stuff to people. It don't take all 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:28.029 that. I'm telling you the devil is a liar. I'm 00:33:28.029 --> 00:33:30.009 telling you that this is about the kingdom of 00:33:30.009 --> 00:33:32.869 God. It's not about what you want. It's not about 00:33:32.869 --> 00:33:35.849 what I want. This is about that Bible. And you 00:33:35.849 --> 00:33:38.950 better be careful lest you send a message to 00:33:38.950 --> 00:33:41.289 our young people that it don't take all that. 00:33:41.470 --> 00:33:43.789 Because before you know it, they'll come to church 00:33:43.789 --> 00:33:46.049 and they won't worship unless they feel like 00:33:46.049 --> 00:33:48.289 it. They'll look in their Bible and they'll only 00:33:48.289 --> 00:33:51.069 obey the parts that seem to appeal to their flesh. 00:33:51.390 --> 00:33:54.829 My God, have mercy. Nobody is going to heaven 00:33:54.829 --> 00:33:59.210 without a cross. Lord and Savior. He took that 00:33:59.210 --> 00:34:02.930 cross. He took that beating. He took that suffering. 00:34:03.190 --> 00:34:05.349 And then he said, come on, you want to follow 00:34:05.349 --> 00:34:08.590 me? Take up your cross. And I want to say to 00:34:08.590 --> 00:34:12.710 our students, I beg you, the kingdom of God is 00:34:12.710 --> 00:34:16.809 so glorious that the cross is just a small thing. 00:34:17.170 --> 00:34:27.590 The kingdom of God is so glorious. You may be 00:34:27.590 --> 00:34:33.570 seated. I don't want anybody to misunderstand. 00:34:34.710 --> 00:34:37.570 There's people in this sanctuary right now that 00:34:37.570 --> 00:34:40.710 if you knew the cross that they're carrying, 00:34:41.769 --> 00:34:46.010 if you knew the burden they're bearing, but some 00:34:46.010 --> 00:34:51.170 of them are the most dedicated, worshipful, committed, 00:34:51.969 --> 00:34:55.889 faithful people of God. Because they don't live. 00:34:56.460 --> 00:35:01.159 Like their cross is just so heavy that I don't 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:04.980 think I can make it another Sunday No, they've 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:08.920 discovered. It's just a light affliction Because 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:13.039 the kingdom of God is so glorious if there is 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:16.610 affliction in your life take up your cross You're 00:35:16.610 --> 00:35:19.949 on your way to the kingdom of God. If there is 00:35:19.949 --> 00:35:23.269 loss in your life, take up your cross. You're 00:35:23.269 --> 00:35:26.210 on your way to the kingdom of God. If there is 00:35:26.210 --> 00:35:29.030 heartbreak in your life, take up your cross. 00:35:29.230 --> 00:35:32.050 You are on your way to the kingdom of God. I'm 00:35:32.050 --> 00:35:34.289 reaching for somebody today. It's never gonna 00:35:34.289 --> 00:35:37.170 be easy. There's not an easier pathway. What 00:35:37.170 --> 00:35:39.829 is the pathway for the people of God in these 00:35:39.829 --> 00:35:43.170 last days? Take up your cross and follow him, 00:35:43.250 --> 00:35:46.710 but keep your eyes on the prize. Just believe 00:35:46.710 --> 00:35:49.590 one step here on earth, next step in heaven. 00:35:49.889 --> 00:35:52.489 One step here in Winston -Salem, next step in 00:35:52.489 --> 00:35:55.690 heaven. So I'm not gonna waste my life being 00:35:55.690 --> 00:35:58.949 critical about the pathway that God has chosen 00:35:58.949 --> 00:36:02.849 for me. I see the kingdom of God and I know it's 00:36:02.849 --> 00:36:06.050 gonna be glorious and I'm gonna keep on keeping 00:36:06.050 --> 00:36:21.500 on. to raise your hand. But how many of you feel 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:26.699 like if God wanted to, he could have made it 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:30.619 an easier pathway? After all, he loves everybody. 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:34.920 And if some people get a little bit of a news 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:38.940 flash that serving Jesus takes 100 % commitment, 00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:43.920 they're gonna check out. You think the Lord would 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:46.739 say, well, I gotta... I gotta mix this up a little 00:36:46.739 --> 00:36:52.500 bit. I mean, I love the world. I died for the 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:55.320 world. I gotta make this as easy as possible. 00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:59.639 Wouldn't that be cool? But he didn't do that. 00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:03.239 I don't understand why he's done it the way he's 00:37:03.239 --> 00:37:08.719 done it. But I can tell you, he done it. It's 00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:12.699 his kingdom. It's his cross. I don't know any 00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:15.099 human being That would have set up Christianity 00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:19.719 the way God set it up. I don't know. I don't 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:24.960 know. But it's his kingdom. It's his cross. And 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:27.900 the cross he asks you to bear. There'll be people 00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:29.960 that you sit on the same pew with them for decades 00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:32.760 and they don't know the cross you've had to bear. 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:35.119 But I'm begging you, don't look on the things 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:37.900 that are seen. Look on the things that are not 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:39.980 seen. And I just want to give you a little bit 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:46.630 of a news flash. Even Lucifer himself has no 00:37:46.630 --> 00:37:52.610 idea why Jesus chose the cross as the pathway 00:37:52.610 --> 00:37:57.489 to establishing his kingdom in the hearts of 00:37:57.489 --> 00:38:03.170 his people. Satan never understood the cross. 00:38:04.730 --> 00:38:07.949 He wanted the kingdom, but he didn't want the 00:38:07.949 --> 00:38:12.300 cross. We get a little snapshot of Satan In Isaiah 00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:16.760 14, how are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:20.039 son of the morning? How are you cut down to the 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:23.760 ground, you who weaken the nations? For you have 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:26.840 said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven. 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:30.280 I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:33.179 I will also sit on the mount of the congregation 00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:36.360 on the father's sides of the north. I will ascend 00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:40.260 above the heights of the clouds. I will be like. 00:38:40.840 --> 00:38:44.900 the most high. Did you hear what Satan said? 00:38:46.139 --> 00:38:52.199 I want the kingdom of God on my terms. I want 00:38:52.199 --> 00:38:56.159 the kingdom of God, but I want to be exalted 00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:59.559 into a position of prominence just because of 00:38:59.559 --> 00:39:02.619 who I am. That's like people who live for God 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:04.900 so many years and expect that they should have 00:39:04.900 --> 00:39:07.460 a little bit more influence in the church because 00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:09.639 of how long they've been in church or how much 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:13.349 money they give. That comes from Lucifer. That 00:39:13.349 --> 00:39:17.409 comes from Lucifer. That was his problem. I want 00:39:17.409 --> 00:39:22.349 to be like God. I want to be large and in charge 00:39:22.349 --> 00:39:27.530 in the congregation. That was Lucifer. I want 00:39:27.530 --> 00:39:32.730 to be like the Most High. I'm just saying, be 00:39:32.730 --> 00:39:36.440 careful what you ingest in your spirit. From 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:38.500 people that think you can have the kingdom of 00:39:38.500 --> 00:39:41.099 God on your own terms. You know where that comes 00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:44.960 from it comes from Lucifer Lucifer said I want 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:47.599 the kingdom of God and I want to be in the congregation, 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:51.780 but I wanted my way Sounds like a little bit 00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:55.840 of a spoiled bread old Lucifer does them You 00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:59.260 know what the next verse says Yet you shall be 00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:04.219 brought down to Sheol to hell to the lowest depths 00:40:04.570 --> 00:40:09.269 of the pit. Young people, do not be deceived 00:40:09.269 --> 00:40:12.429 by those that promise you the kingdom of God 00:40:12.429 --> 00:40:16.050 without a cross. That is a demonic delusion. 00:40:16.489 --> 00:40:18.849 Saints of God that have lived for God for years, 00:40:19.150 --> 00:40:21.650 but now certain levels of commitment you no longer 00:40:21.650 --> 00:40:24.989 think are necessary, that is a demonic delusion. 00:40:25.230 --> 00:40:27.809 You can sit on a church pew until the trumpet 00:40:27.809 --> 00:40:30.769 sounds, but you need to be delivered from that 00:40:30.769 --> 00:40:34.349 demonic Delusion the devil don't understand the 00:40:34.349 --> 00:40:37.030 cross He thinks we ought to be able to have prominence 00:40:37.030 --> 00:40:40.889 and glory and position in the congregation without 00:40:40.889 --> 00:40:44.909 the cross But it is a dynamic demonic Delusion 00:40:44.909 --> 00:40:48.530 the end of Christianity without the cross is 00:40:48.530 --> 00:40:50.949 the kingdom of darkness You might say well, I've 00:40:50.949 --> 00:40:54.550 been a believer for 50 years the end of the kingdom 00:40:54.550 --> 00:40:58.269 of darkness without a cross Is a demonic delusion. 00:40:58.309 --> 00:41:01.389 It is the kingdom of darkness. I beg every saint 00:41:01.389 --> 00:41:04.949 of God to make up in their hearts and minds a 00:41:04.949 --> 00:41:07.949 fresh appreciation. Oh Lord, I wanna take up 00:41:07.949 --> 00:41:12.409 my cross every single day and follow you. I wanna 00:41:12.409 --> 00:41:17.409 die daily and follow you because I see the kingdom 00:41:17.409 --> 00:41:28.750 of God. It is such a stark, stark contrast when 00:41:28.750 --> 00:41:36.340 you see Lucifer, expecting the kingdom of God 00:41:36.340 --> 00:41:43.260 in all of his pride. And then you see Jesus, 00:41:45.139 --> 00:41:51.500 so different, so bizarre, because the Bible says, 00:41:52.579 --> 00:41:56.079 let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ 00:41:56.079 --> 00:42:00.460 Jesus, who being in the form of God. did not 00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:02.739 consider it robbery to be equal with God, but 00:42:02.739 --> 00:42:09.079 made himself of no reputation, taking on the 00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:13.699 form of a bondservant, a slave, and coming in 00:42:13.699 --> 00:42:18.500 the likeness of men, and being found in appearance 00:42:18.500 --> 00:42:23.059 as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient 00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:30.289 to the point of death, even the death. Satan 00:42:30.289 --> 00:42:33.050 don't know what to do with that It doesn't it's 00:42:33.050 --> 00:42:37.449 like a foreign language to him Jesus was God 00:42:37.449 --> 00:42:43.349 in flesh He had every right to be God to be large 00:42:43.349 --> 00:42:48.949 to be in charge And he humbled himself He didn't 00:42:48.949 --> 00:42:52.289 care about his reputation That's what gets people 00:42:52.289 --> 00:42:55.170 been out of shape about living for God. Well 00:42:55.170 --> 00:42:57.349 bless God. I've done this I've done that nobody's 00:42:57.349 --> 00:43:01.139 patting me on the back That's not Jesus. That's 00:43:01.139 --> 00:43:06.460 Lucifer. That's Lucifer. That's not Jesus There 00:43:06.460 --> 00:43:09.360 has to be something that gets ahold of us That 00:43:09.360 --> 00:43:12.639 says wait a minute. I'm not in this to be like 00:43:12.639 --> 00:43:18.019 Satan. I'm in this to be like Jesus So I'm I'm 00:43:18.019 --> 00:43:20.820 gonna be a bond servant. I'm gonna just get myself 00:43:20.820 --> 00:43:26.619 to obedience Whoa, that's crazy. It's my life. 00:43:26.699 --> 00:43:32.920 I should do what I want to do That's Lucifer. 00:43:33.880 --> 00:43:37.019 That's not Jesus. And we've got to get our eyes 00:43:37.019 --> 00:43:40.880 on a kingdom. The kingdom where Jesus reigns. 00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:43.460 And he starts that reign not in heaven, but in 00:43:43.460 --> 00:43:47.119 here. And we just say, Jesus, though nobody in 00:43:47.119 --> 00:43:49.760 my family understands it. Though nobody in my 00:43:49.760 --> 00:43:53.170 neighborhood understands it. I am going to humble 00:43:53.170 --> 00:43:56.489 myself and become obedient to the cross that 00:43:56.489 --> 00:43:59.289 you've caused me to bear and I'm gonna follow 00:43:59.289 --> 00:44:02.190 you with all of my heart. In fact, the scripture 00:44:02.190 --> 00:44:05.269 goes on to say when Jesus humbled himself that 00:44:05.269 --> 00:44:08.829 way, therefore God also has highly exalted him 00:44:08.829 --> 00:44:12.070 and given him a name which is above every name 00:44:12.070 --> 00:44:15.110 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow 00:44:15.110 --> 00:44:17.670 of those things in heaven and those on earth 00:44:17.670 --> 00:44:20.530 and of those under the earth and that every tongue. 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:24.059 should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the 00:44:24.059 --> 00:44:26.920 glory of God the Father. I want you to know something 00:44:26.920 --> 00:44:30.099 today. We have honored our volunteers, but I'm 00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:32.119 telling you, if we ever get a revelation of the 00:44:32.119 --> 00:44:35.099 cross, we'd have many more volunteers. If we 00:44:35.099 --> 00:44:37.420 ever get a revelation of Jesus, we'd have all 00:44:37.420 --> 00:44:39.380 kinds of people saying, hey, is there someplace 00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:41.559 where I can clean? Is there someplace where I 00:44:41.559 --> 00:44:43.940 can help? Is there a Bible study I can teach? 00:44:44.239 --> 00:44:47.019 You know what keeps people from serving in the 00:44:47.019 --> 00:44:49.739 church in these last days? It is the attitude. 00:44:49.769 --> 00:44:52.750 of Lucifer that says, I want an easier pathway, 00:44:52.949 --> 00:44:55.809 but I want to preach Jesus to you today. If you 00:44:55.809 --> 00:44:58.289 will humble yourself and become obedient, you 00:44:58.289 --> 00:45:00.829 would be amazed at the way the Lord would open 00:45:00.829 --> 00:45:03.329 doors for you and cause you to be blessed. You 00:45:03.329 --> 00:45:05.869 say, well, I tried that. It didn't work. That's 00:45:05.869 --> 00:45:08.610 not how you live for God. You get up every day 00:45:08.610 --> 00:45:11.090 and you take up your cross and you say, I'm on 00:45:11.090 --> 00:45:13.710 my way to heaven. I'm on my way to glory. And 00:45:13.710 --> 00:45:17.030 if nobody pats me on the back, it's okay. I've 00:45:17.030 --> 00:45:22.269 got a savior. He rules. He reigns in my life. 00:45:24.070 --> 00:45:32.550 Praise God. And so when I close, I think sometimes 00:45:32.550 --> 00:45:38.590 preaching like this, it sounds so crazy. I get 00:45:38.590 --> 00:45:43.769 that. I get that. It sounds so crazy. You want 00:45:43.769 --> 00:45:46.070 a big church pastor? You better not preach like 00:45:46.070 --> 00:45:50.559 that. I don't want a big church. Now I believe 00:45:50.559 --> 00:45:53.260 God's promised us a much bigger building with 00:45:53.260 --> 00:45:56.460 many more people that are hungry for Him. But 00:45:56.460 --> 00:45:58.099 that's the key, they're gonna be hungry for Him. 00:45:59.440 --> 00:46:02.179 That's the key. They're gonna be hungry for Him. 00:46:04.400 --> 00:46:06.139 And I don't want to see anybody leave the church, 00:46:06.800 --> 00:46:08.539 but if the Lord needs to empty the church out 00:46:08.539 --> 00:46:11.239 of people that are not hungry for Him, I want 00:46:11.239 --> 00:46:13.820 everybody to feel welcome. But we cannot preach 00:46:13.820 --> 00:46:17.320 an easier way. And we cannot transmit to our 00:46:17.320 --> 00:46:20.340 students that there is a way to live for God 00:46:20.340 --> 00:46:23.400 in these last days where Jesus just blesses you. 00:46:23.420 --> 00:46:25.900 He just takes care of you. And if you ever get 00:46:25.900 --> 00:46:28.440 a little thumbnail or you ever get a little mosquito 00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:32.199 bite, then you just quit everything. Bless God. 00:46:32.760 --> 00:46:35.219 What kind of God is that? I got a mosquito bite. 00:46:36.280 --> 00:46:38.219 That's how people are living for God in these 00:46:38.219 --> 00:46:43.480 last days. That's not the Savior. that let that 00:46:43.480 --> 00:46:47.460 crown be crushed on his head and that spear be 00:46:47.460 --> 00:46:50.420 ripped through his side. Where have we lost the 00:46:50.420 --> 00:46:54.599 revelation of the cross? I think I know the answer. 00:46:55.420 --> 00:46:58.440 It's right here in my pocket. What happened to 00:46:58.440 --> 00:47:01.320 my phone? Oh, this message is over. Everybody's 00:47:01.320 --> 00:47:06.059 dismissed. Anybody got a phone? This is where 00:47:06.059 --> 00:47:08.980 we lost it, right here. This is where we lost 00:47:08.980 --> 00:47:12.170 it, right here. Forgive me. Not every message 00:47:12.170 --> 00:47:14.469 should be about the phone, but this is just too 00:47:14.469 --> 00:47:17.369 good to pass up. Do you know the way this phone 00:47:17.369 --> 00:47:22.030 works? Everything you believe will be reaffirmed 00:47:22.030 --> 00:47:27.329 by the algorithm. Everything you believe about 00:47:27.329 --> 00:47:30.110 God, about life, about marriage, about raising 00:47:30.110 --> 00:47:34.550 kids, about money, it'll be reaffirmed until 00:47:34.550 --> 00:47:36.469 everybody in this building will be their own 00:47:36.469 --> 00:47:43.559 God. And you'll come to church. And your pastor 00:47:43.559 --> 00:47:47.320 will have about 35, 40 minutes to clean up your 00:47:47.320 --> 00:47:51.659 head from seven hours a day of you seeing and 00:47:51.659 --> 00:47:53.960 scrolling about everything that reaffirms what 00:47:53.960 --> 00:47:58.400 you believe. That's why we don't have a passion 00:47:58.400 --> 00:48:01.300 for the cross anymore. I wonder what would happen 00:48:01.300 --> 00:48:04.139 if you took your phone and just used it as a 00:48:04.139 --> 00:48:10.840 phone for two weeks. You'd get a revelation. 00:48:11.929 --> 00:48:15.070 That it's not really about what you think It's 00:48:15.070 --> 00:48:17.610 not really about what you think. It's not really 00:48:17.610 --> 00:48:19.369 about it. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen 00:48:19.369 --> 00:48:22.989 you be delivered You just take two weeks and 00:48:22.989 --> 00:48:24.989 don't look at your phone for scrolling look at 00:48:24.989 --> 00:48:27.050 your phone to call your husband your wife your 00:48:27.050 --> 00:48:37.349 kids Wow, there is a Savior there is a cross 00:48:37.349 --> 00:48:41.289 there is a kingdom and I haven't filled my head 00:48:41.289 --> 00:48:44.650 with four to seven hours a day with all the junk 00:48:44.650 --> 00:48:50.130 that just affirms what I think is true. Oh, would 00:48:50.130 --> 00:48:51.869 you raise your hand? Maybe you're not ready for 00:48:51.869 --> 00:48:54.170 that kind of commitment. Why not just try it 00:48:54.170 --> 00:48:57.949 for 24 hours? Between now and dinner tomorrow. 00:48:58.630 --> 00:49:00.030 Just say, you know what, I'm gonna just use my 00:49:00.030 --> 00:49:02.750 phone like a phone. And if you don't do it, hey, 00:49:02.750 --> 00:49:06.650 guess what, nobody will know. But if you don't 00:49:06.650 --> 00:49:08.369 do it, you oughta think about why you don't wanna 00:49:08.369 --> 00:49:15.539 do it. You ought to think about that. Oh, hallelujah. 00:49:16.500 --> 00:49:19.920 I love you, Jesus. I believe you're getting us 00:49:19.920 --> 00:49:22.300 ready for the kingdom of God. You're getting 00:49:22.300 --> 00:49:24.980 us ready for the kingdom of God. You're getting 00:49:24.980 --> 00:49:29.800 us ready for the kingdom of God. So here's my 00:49:29.800 --> 00:49:32.420 final scripture and I got distracted and I apologize 00:49:32.420 --> 00:49:37.809 for that. I'm old. but we speak the wisdom of 00:49:37.809 --> 00:49:42.030 God in a minute, even for you to say, but we 00:49:42.030 --> 00:49:47.730 speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. The hidden 00:49:47.730 --> 00:49:52.769 wisdom which God ordained before the ages for 00:49:52.769 --> 00:49:57.170 our glory, which none of the rulers of this age 00:49:57.170 --> 00:50:01.989 knew, for had they known it, they would not have 00:50:01.989 --> 00:50:08.489 crucified the Lord of glory. If the devil would 00:50:08.489 --> 00:50:12.329 have known what the cross would produce, he would 00:50:12.329 --> 00:50:13.849 have said, whatever we do, we can't let that 00:50:13.849 --> 00:50:19.389 guy go to the cross. He had no idea that the 00:50:19.389 --> 00:50:23.730 cross was the doorway to the kingdom of God. 00:50:24.690 --> 00:50:28.650 Do you think the cross that you carry is of no 00:50:28.650 --> 00:50:31.809 consequence? Do you think that the burden that 00:50:31.809 --> 00:50:35.949 you bear is just, well? If I do it great, if 00:50:35.949 --> 00:50:40.130 not, who cares? Are you kidding me? The princes 00:50:40.130 --> 00:50:44.869 of this world, Lucifer himself, the spirits of 00:50:44.869 --> 00:50:50.130 darkness had no idea the power that's in the 00:50:50.130 --> 00:50:54.389 cross. But it's a little bit different now. A 00:50:54.389 --> 00:50:58.369 little bit different now. Because now the devil 00:50:58.369 --> 00:51:03.980 knows that cross. I gotta keep people off their 00:51:03.980 --> 00:51:07.500 cross. If I keep people off their cross, then 00:51:07.500 --> 00:51:10.579 they're not gonna see the kingdom of God. I already 00:51:10.579 --> 00:51:12.699 thought, man, if I put affliction on people, 00:51:13.260 --> 00:51:17.199 if I put sacrifice on people, if I make that 00:51:17.199 --> 00:51:22.659 man go to that cross and suffer that agony, I 00:51:22.659 --> 00:51:27.139 win! And he lost. So now he's gotta keep you 00:51:27.139 --> 00:51:31.619 from your cross. Because... If you'll take up 00:51:31.619 --> 00:51:34.659 your cross every day, you're headed to the kingdom 00:51:34.659 --> 00:51:38.139 of God. And you're not gonna be in heaven saying, 00:51:38.480 --> 00:51:40.019 oh, I wish I wouldn't have carried that cross. 00:51:41.239 --> 00:51:43.059 I wish I wouldn't have prayed and read my Bible 00:51:43.059 --> 00:51:45.960 and maybe even paid my tithes. How cool would 00:51:45.960 --> 00:51:49.300 that be? We're just having fun. I mean, it's 00:51:49.300 --> 00:51:53.699 in the Bible, that's all right. My brothers and 00:51:53.699 --> 00:51:58.199 sisters, I see the kingdom of God today. And 00:51:58.199 --> 00:52:01.050 I have not seen it with these eyes. in terms 00:52:01.050 --> 00:52:04.530 of a vision or a dream, but I've seen it in this 00:52:04.530 --> 00:52:09.429 book that has never led me the wrong way, has 00:52:09.429 --> 00:52:12.550 never failed me yet. And the very next verse 00:52:12.550 --> 00:52:18.170 says, I has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has 00:52:18.170 --> 00:52:22.030 it entered into the heart of man the things which 00:52:22.030 --> 00:52:25.809 God has prepared for those who love him. I believe 00:52:25.809 --> 00:52:28.659 I'll take up my cross now. I believe I'll take 00:52:28.659 --> 00:52:31.559 up my cross now because I know the kingdom of 00:52:31.559 --> 00:52:33.960 God is coming and even though I may go through 00:52:33.960 --> 00:52:36.099 some light affliction Even though I may face 00:52:36.099 --> 00:52:38.039 some struggles, and even though there may be 00:52:38.039 --> 00:52:40.159 things about the Bible that get on my nerves, 00:52:40.400 --> 00:52:42.500 even though I may wonder, Jesus, why haven't 00:52:42.500 --> 00:52:44.840 you taken care of this problem and that problem? 00:52:45.059 --> 00:52:48.380 All I know is if I'll carry this cross. Eye has 00:52:48.380 --> 00:52:51.639 not seen, ear has not heard. It hasn't even entered 00:52:51.639 --> 00:52:55.239 into my heart or my mind what God has prepared 00:52:55.239 --> 00:52:58.360 for them that love Him. There are some senior 00:52:58.360 --> 00:53:01.139 saints in this sanctuary. You've carried your 00:53:01.139 --> 00:53:04.550 cross too long to give up now. trusted in the 00:53:04.550 --> 00:53:07.590 Lord too long to find an easier path right now. 00:53:07.789 --> 00:53:10.329 There are some wonderful new converts in this 00:53:10.329 --> 00:53:13.969 sanctuary. He's delivered you from so much evil 00:53:13.969 --> 00:53:27.750 and so much darkness. Don't turn back now. And 00:53:27.750 --> 00:53:33.010 some of you precious, precious saints of God. 00:53:34.010 --> 00:53:38.269 That grew up in a church This church or another 00:53:38.269 --> 00:53:42.010 church like this church You just been serving 00:53:42.010 --> 00:53:48.010 God because It was kind of handed down to you 00:53:48.010 --> 00:53:53.110 You have no idea what darkness is like you have 00:53:53.110 --> 00:53:57.489 no idea what the devil is like And you want to 00:53:57.489 --> 00:53:59.969 leave your cross on the side of the road because 00:53:59.969 --> 00:54:05.039 it's not convenient because everybody Are you 00:54:05.039 --> 00:54:08.860 kidding me? Are you kidding me? Just because 00:54:08.860 --> 00:54:12.860 you haven't faced darkness is not a good reason 00:54:12.860 --> 00:54:16.679 to lay down your cross now. Oh, I wish somebody 00:54:16.679 --> 00:54:19.300 would hear me today. Just because he doesn't 00:54:19.300 --> 00:54:21.079 always do everything you want him to do the way 00:54:21.079 --> 00:54:24.260 he wants you to do it, oh, don't lay down that 00:54:24.260 --> 00:54:28.500 cross now. Oh, catch a vision of the kingdom 00:54:28.500 --> 00:54:31.659 of God. Would you stand and all across this sanctuary, 00:54:31.780 --> 00:54:34.300 would you just raise your hands and just give 00:54:34.300 --> 00:54:37.239 the Lord praise from your voice and with your 00:54:37.239 --> 00:54:40.739 hands. Thank him for the cross. Thank him for 00:54:40.739 --> 00:54:44.019 the cross. Thank him for his cross. Thank him 00:54:44.019 --> 00:54:47.659 for your cross. Thank him for this narrow way. 00:54:48.360 --> 00:54:51.690 Thank him for this narrow way. Come on, broad 00:54:51.690 --> 00:54:54.570 is the way that leads to destruction, and many 00:54:54.570 --> 00:54:56.869 there be that are gonna find it, but there's 00:54:56.869 --> 00:55:00.250 a narrow way. There's a narrow way, and sometimes 00:55:00.250 --> 00:55:03.710 it involves crying out to God when it seems like 00:55:03.710 --> 00:55:06.570 the heavens are brass. Sometimes it involves 00:55:06.570 --> 00:55:09.570 obeying the scripture. What everybody else tells 00:55:09.570 --> 00:55:12.590 you, it doesn't matter. I just beg you today. 00:55:13.010 --> 00:55:16.769 Thank you for the cross, Lord. If you'd like 00:55:16.769 --> 00:55:19.469 to come and join others in prayer, I would love 00:55:19.469 --> 00:55:23.719 for you to come. I would love for you to come 00:55:23.719 --> 00:55:26.780 and thank the Lord for the cross right now. And 00:55:26.780 --> 00:55:29.599 I'd love for somebody to come and say, Jesus, 00:55:29.719 --> 00:55:33.860 forgive me for even being tempted to choose an 00:55:33.860 --> 00:55:40.380 easier path. Jesus, forgive me. I ask you to 00:55:40.380 --> 00:55:42.860 ask the Lord to forgive you if you have been 00:55:42.860 --> 00:55:46.559 spreading misinformation about the pathway that 00:55:46.559 --> 00:55:49.539 involves holiness and separation from the world. 00:55:54.090 --> 00:55:57.090 Worship doesn't matter, and service doesn't matter.