WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.160 Well, good morning, UC family. 00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:03.919 Now, come on, y'all. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:04.959 Good morning. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:08.880 Hey, it is so good to see you guys in the house. 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:10.400 Man, we were just singing now. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:11.199 Come on. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:12.480 I love this series. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:14.960 It has been a breath of fresh air. 00:00:15.199 --> 00:00:19.280 If we have not had an opportunity to meet, my name is Jason Mick. 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:23.359 I serve as one of your pastors, as the executive pastor here at United City Church. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:27.679 It's good to look around and see some old familiar friends and faces in the room. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:31.839 And if you've got a copy of God's word, I want to invite you to open up with me. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:37.200 We're going to anchor ourselves today in Matthew chapter 16. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:38.719 So open up your Bibles with me. 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:40.159 Get ready to take some notes. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:44.159 Hold it there as we're going to jump and dive in today. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:52.799 August of 1999 will be a time in my life that I will forever remember. 00:00:53.520 --> 00:00:58.000 I was 15 years old, living in Northeast Oklahoma. 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:12.719 And that summer I was traveling and at a basketball camp when I got a phone call in July saying, we're going to move from Oklahoma to Salt Lake City, Utah. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:23.280 Now I think like most 15-year-olds, it kind of took me for a little bit of shock because myself at 15, my world evolved around me. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:26.959 Everything evolved around me. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:33.120 And just in a simple phone call, I felt like my world came crashing in. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:40.640 This world that I had evolved around me, involving popularity and sports and girls. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:43.840 Now all of a sudden was, we're going where? 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:59.680 And I'll never forget when we packed up and I was two weeks into my sophomore year, and we traveled from Oklahoma and we came through Park City, and then all of a sudden we're going through this canyon, and there's Salt Lake City, and one guy used to say that this is the place. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:01.680 And I was like, this is not the place. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:13.039 And here we found ourselves arriving in the land that was foreign to me, not just geographically, but even just socially, culturally. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:30.000 Little Baptist boy had been saved at eight and was moving to 15 and moving at 15 to this foreign land where I went to the school of hard knocks apologetics, where I was met with opposition to this book and only this book. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:37.280 And I would be honest with you, that was one of the most miserable years of my life. 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:45.439 I went through a year of depression, a year of doubting, a year of wrestling with God. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:50.400 I questioned, I struggled, and I doubted. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:54.240 I mean, I'm not just talking surface level type stuff. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:57.840 I'm talking deep soul level doubt. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:00.639 Sure, saved at eight, but I was struggling. 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:02.960 Like, God, do you even see me? 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:05.759 God, do you even care? 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:11.360 God, have I just been on religion autopilot? 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:15.120 God, how real are you here? 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:24.560 I remember a few months later, I heard a message that I wasn't ready for, but I desperately needed. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:26.000 You ever been there? 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:28.719 I desperately needed this message. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:44.719 And it was a message out of 1 Kings, and it was this moment in Scripture where we see Elijah standing face to face with Baal, the prophets of Baal, confronting an entire nation, drifting in compromise. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:56.800 And in this particular passage of the story, in 1 Kings 18, the question's posed: how long will you go limping between two different opinions? 00:03:56.960 --> 00:03:58.719 If the Lord is God, follow him. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.639 But if Baal, then follow him. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:05.919 And it was like a sword that just cut through the fog. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:13.360 In that moment, one question rose above all others. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:17.680 Who do I really worship? 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:20.319 Who do I worship? 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:27.600 It wasn't the size of my faith that was being questioned in this moment, but it was who and what was I putting it in? 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:38.480 Because I had put so much faith and hope and trust into popularity and the people pleasing and sports and girls, and those were my little G gods. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:41.120 And all that was taken away from me. 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:44.720 And so my 15-year-old world collapsed on itself. 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:51.360 And this is where I wrestled with my Savior, and he met me in my despair. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:05:05.839 You may not be 15-year-olds, 15-year-old right now, going through a canyon or a valley, living in a hotel room in Salt Lake City for a month. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:15.680 But you may feel like you're isolated, desperate, questioning, struggling, doubting, wrestling with God. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:25.439 And perhaps today, as we've been in this worship series, today, and my prayer is that you would get a clear vision of who King Jesus is. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:28.879 He is the author and perfecter and the object of our faith. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:32.879 If you're taking notes today, our title is King Jesus. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:42.319 In this worship series a couple weeks ago, we talked about how and when do we, or how and what is worship, and last week when we worship. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.720 And we all know this to be true, as Pastor Brian was talking about. 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:46.160 It's like when don't we worship? 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:52.079 The reason why we're gathering back in here today is because as living sacrifices, we're prone to crawl off the altar. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:56.160 And we need to continue to put ourselves in position before our King Jesus. 00:05:57.360 --> 00:06:01.519 So as we close out this series, we're going to be talking about who? 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:03.439 Who? 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:11.360 Let me ask: who or what is truly at the center of your worship? 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:18.079 Is it Jesus or something or someone else with Jesus' name taped over it? 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.399 Everyone places their faith in something or someone. 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:29.839 It could be comfort, could be self, could be money, health, relationship, success. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:32.879 But only one is worthy, and his name is Jesus. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:38.639 Only one deserves the honor and the praise and to be the object of our faith. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:43.360 The Bible reveals that Jesus is not just a man or a more example moral example. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:44.399 He is king. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:46.399 He is Lord of Lords. 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:51.920 He ultimately rules, he reigns, and he will return. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:54.000 He is holy, holy, holy. 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:56.000 This is our King Jesus. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:57.279 This is who we praise. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.560 This is who we worship. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:00.959 This is who we surrender our lives to. 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:09.839 And as we look this morning at one of life's most important questions in life, every single one of us have got to come up with an answer. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.199 Now we're good at asking questions. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:16.079 Many of us have gone through different stages and ages, like, where are my toys, or what new toy will I get? 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:17.680 To when is nap time? 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:19.759 And be honest, some of us are still asking that question. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.279 When is nap time? 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.000 Preach. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:31.680 You go through the adolescent years and teenage years, and you start asking, like, do they like me? 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:32.800 I like them. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:36.319 What am I gonna do after graduation? 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:39.439 What am I gonna do for my career? 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.800 What's my family gonna look like? 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:42.560 What is retirement gonna look like? 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:45.120 All valid and good questions. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:49.040 But there's even other questions that I dare to say that we've asked. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:52.720 Where did I come from? 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:54.399 Who created me? 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:58.560 What's my purpose on this earth? 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.560 Why is everything so broken? 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:05.040 What's the solution? 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.199 And ultimately, who is Jesus? 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:11.680 Who is Jesus? 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:18.800 Who you say Jesus is is one of the most critical questions that you must give an answer to. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:26.000 It's not just an intellectual exercise. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.759 It's not an opinion piece. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:33.840 This isn't an op-ed where you get to place your opinion on who King Jesus is. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:39.120 It's a recognition and a full surrender of his majesty and his person. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:46.799 And in Matthew 16, Peter and Jesus and the disciples were having the same kind of discussion. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:56.159 Now, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 00:08:56.320 --> 00:09:03.039 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:09.440 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:17.440 And Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:21.279 Y'all, can we just pause for a moment in Peter's response here? 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:22.480 Did you circle that? 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:23.519 Did you highlight that? 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:25.200 Did you write it down? 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:29.120 He said, You are the Christ, the Messiah. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.639 What do we know about King Jesus? 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:31.519 He's the Christ. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:32.399 He's the Savior. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:35.120 He's the one who came to redeem those of us who are lost. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.360 He came to seek and to save. 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:42.399 This is our King Jesus of who we worship. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:47.759 And it's not merely just a religious statement or something that we're just saying from the Bible. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:51.440 It's something that we declare because it's an identity piece of who Jesus is. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:56.080 It's an authority and it's an understanding of a surrender and posturing to him. 00:09:56.559 --> 00:10:01.519 But what does it truly mean to believe Jesus Christ is King? 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:07.679 Well, there's four aspects of the kingship of Jesus, not limited to, but four I want to highlight for us this morning of who King Jesus is. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:12.639 First is this He's the King who has all authority. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:15.279 And what does that word all mean in the Greek? 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:16.480 All. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.960 So now you're biblically trained in theologians. 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:29.360 Isn't it confusing that sometimes we we profess him as Savior, but we hold on to aspects of our life and fail to give him all. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:34.960 He is Lord over all of it, not just some of it, all. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:41.840 Colossians 1 says, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:47.759 For by him all things were created, and in him all things hold together. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:57.440 And just before Jesus' crucifixion, Pilate, he even questioned the kingship of Jesus right to his face in John chapter 18. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.720 But Jesus clarified. 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:01.600 He said, Then Pilate said to him, So are you king? 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:04.879 And Jesus answered, You say that I am king. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:12.320 For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:16.879 Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:20.080 Like sheep who know their shepherd. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:22.240 What else do we know about our King? 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:24.720 He's the sacrificial king. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:29.919 Isaiah 53, the suffering servant, reads, He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:33.840 The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:43.360 2 Corinthians 5, 21, for our sake he made him to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:48.240 This is Jesus Christ, the King who left his throne to wear a crown of thorns. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:53.360 And Jesus just he didn't just die, he laid down his life and died for us and for you. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:55.519 He bore your punishment. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:00.080 He took your punishment, what you and I deserve, death. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:03.840 And he purchased your salvation. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:05.759 What a great exchange. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:12.000 Here, Jesus, I'm gonna give you all of my sin, all my trash, my garbage, all this junk. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:17.279 And he says, I will take that all upon me because of how much I love you. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:19.039 You're like, does Jesus see me? 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:22.720 Does Jesus wonder about my life? 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.080 I mean, I wrestled with that. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:26.399 Do I even matter to God? 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:30.960 If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at the cross of Christ. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:34.000 That's how much he loves you. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:38.320 Willing to lay down his life for you, sacrifice so that you may have life. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.759 What else do we know about our king? 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:41.360 He's the king of kings. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:51.279 Revelation reminds us, 1916, on his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:59.120 He's also the king who carries you through and everything you need. 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:03.919 The author of Hebrews reminds us, let us run with endurance. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:11.360 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:16.559 Jesus isn't just the beginning of our faith, he's the finisher and everything we need in between. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:20.960 He's everything we need from salvation, endurance, joy, and peace. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:29.039 And we choose to fix our eyes on him because when we get a greater view of who Jesus is, it changes everything. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:39.440 When we see who King Jesus is and what he's done, we begin to understand who we are and we respond with faith and worship. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:46.720 You are not defined by what you've done, but by what Christ did for you. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:55.919 So we don't look at our sin, we don't look at our circumstances and allow those things to dictate or define us. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:14:00.799 Rather, we turn our eyes off the sin and put it on our Savior. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:04.639 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:08.399 Because in him, we're reminded of really key truths. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.080 In Christ, you're redeemed. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.519 This is who you are if you're in Christ. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.720 Look at that prepositional phrase. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.720 Students, you're about to go back to school. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:19.120 In Christ, this is who you are. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.320 You are redeemed. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:22.639 In Christ, you are a new creation. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:26.879 In Christ, you are chosen and loved. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:29.679 In Christ, you are sealed. 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:39.600 15-year-old Jason wrestled with, man, I was saved at eight, but now at 15, I'm wondering, man, did I lose my salvation? 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.960 I feel far from God. 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:46.000 And I was reminded, I never did anything to earn my salvation, therefore I couldn't do anything to lose it. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.039 Jesus sealed me. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:49.519 He said, I'll never forsake you, I'll never leave you. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:57.039 What I needed was repentance and turn my life and fully surrender over to him under his lordship and kingship. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:08.159 I had professed him as Savior and Lord, but had forgotten my first love and needed to repent of that and come back because I knew I was sealed. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:12.720 In Christ, you are an overcomer. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:22.799 By the blood of Christ, the blood that has been shed, that He came, He became sin, that you might become the righteousness of God. 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:31.519 This is not a, oh, I've got to get my life put together and come to Jesus and do things in order to earn God's love. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:35.200 God's love was demonstrated for you on the cross of Christ. 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:42.320 And because of that, we don't fight for victory, we fight from victory. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.600 Victory has been won. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.840 Jesus conquered death in the grave. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.039 He's risen. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:49.360 And because of that, this is our identity. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.440 We have been raised to walk in newness of life. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:54.639 How many of y'all saw these little kids and students get baptized today? 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.399 That's the gospel. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:16:02.799 The old life is gone, the new has come, and in Christ you are these things. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:06.320 But this is who Jesus is and who he says we are. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:09.519 Then why in the world do we struggle to worship him? 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:14.080 Isn't it easy to talk about in a place like this? 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:19.039 Isn't it easy sometimes to lift up our voice in praise and song? 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:24.399 But why is it so difficult to give him our full worship? 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:30.639 We're saying, my aim, this bullseye, to say, yeah, I'm fully surrendered in a life of worship to King Jesus. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:32.480 Jesus at the center of it all. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.679 But our lives would say that we're camped out on the fringe. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:38.159 And we miss the mark. 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:43.279 And we love the idea of Jesus as Savior, but we struggle with him being King. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:54.080 Submission to the Lordship of Jesus starts getting real when it touches our calendar, our comfort, and our credit cards. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.559 It gets real, real fast. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:02.960 Some of us, we live at the mercy of our calendars as opposed to the mercy seat of Jesus. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:08.880 We take things that can be good and we make idols out of them. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:13.519 We begin elevating the creation over the creator. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.559 Here's some of the things that I believe that we struggle with. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.480 They're not limited to, but perhaps some examples. 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.160 The first being finances. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:30.559 You say he's king, but you're more strategic with your 401 and with your generosity. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:35.279 You tithe leftovers, not first fruits. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:40.880 You'll save and sacrifice for vacations, but not mission. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:46.880 You trust your budget more than God's provision and sovereign hand. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:52.720 Does your bank statements reflect a heart that says Jesus is my treasure? 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.240 What about sports and entertainment? 00:17:56.400 --> 00:18:00.079 Listen, I went to Oklahoma State, I got my undergrad, I love bright orange. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.839 I believe bright orange. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:03.279 We were terrible last year. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:06.319 Praise God that we're back. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:18.240 But sometimes we're more guilty of and more passionate about 19 to 20 year olds or pros on a sports field or court, but passive about the kingdom of God. 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:23.680 We will cheer louder for touchdowns than we ever shout in praise. 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:30.480 We rearrange schedules for games, but not for the church or for services. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:42.960 We'll memorize stats and recruiting and all the ins and outs, the plays, but barely crack open the scripture. 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:51.680 Do your passions align more with teams or God's mission to make disciples? 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.799 Relationships and dating. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:19:02.319 You say he's the Lord of your relationships, but you date based more on chemistry instead of godly character. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:09.759 You compromise on convictions because that person might make you feel good. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:15.519 You pray after you're in too deep, not before you get involved. 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:23.039 And I would ask, is Jesus the filter for your heart or just a voice you consult when it's convenient? 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.559 Sex and identity. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:33.839 You say you worship God, but culture has discipled your view of sex more than Jesus. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:39.519 You call purity old-fashioned and obedience judgmental. 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:44.480 You try to justify what God clearly confronts in Scripture. 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:48.799 Have you exchanged holiness for happiness? 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:51.759 And are you chasing approval more than truth? 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.359 What about career and work? 00:19:54.319 --> 00:20:05.039 You say your work is for God's glory, but it becomes dangerous when you become so dependent and care more about systems and strategies than the Spirit of God. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:11.920 It's dangerous because you're building your platform and not his kingdom. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:18.400 You treat co-workers as competition, not image bearers. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:22.880 You leave faith in the parking lot instead of bringing him into the boardroom. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:28.880 Is Jesus the Lord of your profession or just your Sunday? 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:33.759 And we can be guilty of worshiping comfort. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:39.119 We will always navigate to the easiest route. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:43.759 Listen, we will never drift towards holiness. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:46.480 But we can easily drift to our couch. 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:50.240 We can be passive and put off what we ought to do today. 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.200 We do it tomorrow. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.720 I'll do that later. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:57.279 And we become passive and too comfortable in what we want, when we want. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:21:02.480 And so we find ourselves worshiping this false God of preference and passivity. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:07.200 As opposed to being obedient to the King. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:11.359 So we remember who King Jesus is. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:19.519 We fix our eyes on him because we recognize the struggle and the tendencies that we tend to fall off in like sheep who all go astray. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:28.559 Need to put our eyes on the shepherd and listen to his voice because he alone satisfies the thirst and the weariness of our souls. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:31.839 I have absolutely loved this series. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:35.279 We've been cracking up, cracking up some old hymns on the screen. 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.640 Some of you like, can we have the hymnals back? 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.319 You know, some of y'all understand what I'm talking about. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:41.680 Like you get the hymnal and you're like, turn to you know, hymnal 22. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:43.920 We're gonna sing the first, second, and fourth stanza. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.960 Why not the third? 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.640 If you know, you know. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:59.680 And I was sitting here at the earlier service with Pastor Chris, and we're just talking about just some of the nostalgia of some of these songs of old, but the truth of eternity. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.839 Remains the same. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:05.440 And I'm sitting here thinking, like, some of my top five favorite hymns. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.519 Amazing grace. 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:13.279 You put that on some bagpipes, I'm gonna be a weeping, weeping man. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:17.359 I think of other hymns like how great thou art. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:20.240 Holy, holy, holy. 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:24.720 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:31.200 Last week, we sat around in our home in Dallas. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.599 Aaron and the four kids and I. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:37.359 It was the night before the moving trucks were gonna come. 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:41.519 We sat around in a circle and we just talked about all the things we're thankful for. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:46.000 All the things that we got to see God do in those seven years that we were in that home. 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:49.839 And as I was wrapping up that time and praying over my family, I'm a crier. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.759 I was like, I'm gonna be crying. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.960 We finished praying. 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:55.920 Jojo goes, Dad, I've never seen you cry like that. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.200 I go, Yes, you have. 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:04.000 The next morning, Aaron and the kids went ahead and got in the van and they came down here. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:07.839 I stayed back to make sure the moving trucks were all loaded. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:12.000 And I'm about to leave the house for the last time. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:18.000 And I was reflecting just on all the goodness of the last seven years, what God has done. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:21.839 And I just start singing, Great is thy faithfulness. 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.720 And I'm crying. 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:27.119 Praise God, I was by myself. 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:30.480 And I'm just weeping and crying. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:38.319 And two days later, I'm driving down our new street here in Northeast Houston. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:42.799 And the Spirit of God just prompted me to start singing, Great is thy faithfulness. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.759 Praise God, you weren't there. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:46.240 It was a joyful notice of the Lord, but not your ears. 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:52.319 And it wasn't through tears that I was singing and praising my God, it was through joy. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:57.440 You see, listen, the circumstances don't dictate the praise and the worship. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:02.799 I was sad over here, but I was definitely thankful and remembering the faithfulness of God. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:06.880 And aren't you grateful that even when we're faithless, God is faithful? 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:15.920 And not but 48 hours later, I'm driving and I can still sing, Great is your faithfulness. 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:20.000 He is faithful, he's worthy. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:24.880 And then turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:30.799 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:36.880 Look full in his wonderful face. 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.720 Now we have in church. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:51.599 And the things of earth will grow strangely in the light of his glory and grace. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.200 If you're new to church, don't worry about it. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.079 It's all good. 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.599 Soak it in. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.440 Soak it in. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.200 Take those truths. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:02.640 Fix your eyes upon Jesus. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:11.119 You know, the same Peter that we're reading about, who asked the same question, was posed the question like, you're the Christ, you're the Son of God. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.799 You know, Peter struggled. 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.480 He declared that. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.920 I'm sure we declared that. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.359 But Peter struggled. 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:20.400 Two chapters earlier in Matthew chapter 14. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:22.559 He walked on water, but what did he do? 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:24.240 He looked away. 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:27.920 And Peter answered him, Lord, if it's you, command me to come to you on the water. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.720 He said, Come. 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:31.519 So Peter got out of the boat and he walked in the water and came to Jesus. 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:34.400 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid. 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:37.680 And beginning to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:45.519 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt? 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:48.960 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:56.559 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, Truly, you are the Son of God. 00:25:58.079 --> 00:26:00.400 What a declarative statement. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.240 Lord, save me. 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:05.519 And Jesus immediately reached out his hand. 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.240 And I get it. 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.200 We've all messed up. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.160 We've all blown it. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:10.720 We've all sinned and we don't get it right all the time. 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:14.240 But let me remind you that failure does not disqualify you. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.240 Hello? 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.079 I'm here too. 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:27.119 And I'm thankful that Jesus didn't disqualify me based on my past and my sin and my doubts and my fear. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:32.880 But perhaps, like Peter, you need a Lord Jesus save me moment. 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.599 He restores. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.200 He reaches out. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:41.680 Can anyone relate to Peter where one minute you're courageous and the next you're sinking? 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:46.720 Does anybody else need to walk by faith and not by sight? 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:52.400 You need to walk in full surrender instead of trying to control everything? 00:26:54.160 --> 00:27:02.000 Anyone else need to cast off anxieties, fears, doubts, and lay it at the feet of King Jesus? 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:14.160 Perhaps there's some unrepentant sin that you're trying to suppress and try to keep in the darkness, but God is calling you to confess it and bring it to the light because there's healing and restoration there. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:24.799 Can I just tell you, I've been so thankful to have a front row seat of watching what God has done through United City over these last six years, specifically with Pastor Chris being here and him and I being friends? 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:33.279 It's been amazing to watch the hand of God move and new people reach with the gospel of Jesus Christ in our area. 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:36.079 Disciples being grown and living out. 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.359 It has been awesome. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:43.039 But can I tell you for a moment, how many of y'all desire to see the Lord do an awakening in our lives? 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:47.680 We desire to see an awakening in Northeast Houston and across our country and our world. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:54.480 We will not see an awakening revival until God's people get repentant and put our eyes on Jesus. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:28:10.079 Perhaps we've got some unrepentant sin that we need to render captive and fully surrender so that we can walk in the freedom that Christ has provided. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:19.119 That same Peter said, Jesus, I'm not going to deny you, and then he denied him three times. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:29.519 That same Peter wasn't disqualified because after Jesus' resurrection, Jesus reminded Peter of forgiveness, redemption, and grace. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.799 So what do we do? 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:33.759 Maybe you're drowning in fear, maybe you're drowning in sin. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:37.279 Maybe you're going through that canyon and that valley of life. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.839 I would say, look up and turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.920 The same hand that lifted Peter is extended to you. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.759 That's grace and that's hope. 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:49.839 Jesus didn't say he was a way, he said he was the way, the truth, and the life. 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:52.000 And nobody comes to the Father except through him. 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:58.160 Jesus is not just a good suggestion, he is the great I am. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:03.839 Jesus is a far better Savior than you are at sinning. 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:05.359 I promise you that. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.720 I love what Jesus does here. 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:32.319 He didn't just stop with Peter's confession that Jesus was king. 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:34.240 He called for action. 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:45.119 As we jump into Matthew 16 again, the last four verses of this conversation, then Jesus told his disciples that if anyone, the invitation is open for anyone. 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:55.039 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 00:29:55.680 --> 00:30:02.960 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:08.079 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:11.200 Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:19.839 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:27.839 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:33.920 What are you holding on to that's keeping you from fully surrendering and following Jesus? 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:36.240 What's holding you back? 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:44.640 Are you thankful this morning that Jesus doesn't just leave us in our sin and our mess, but he offers new life? 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:50.720 That judgment fell on Jesus. 00:30:53.119 --> 00:31:00.319 If we profess him as Savior, let's live as though he's the king Jesus and recognize what he saved us from. 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:02.480 What do we deserve because of our sin? 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:04.480 The Bible says that we deserve death. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:08.319 Romans 6.23, the wages of sin is death. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.200