WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.319 Welcome to Gateway Churches Podcast. 00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:06.480 Wherever you're tuning in from, we hope you're encouraged by today's message. 00:00:09.039 --> 00:00:09.759 Hallelujah. 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:12.240 I'm so honored to be here today. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:14.800 Um my name is Cece. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:18.640 Uh it's not really whinings. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:23.280 It hasn't been whining's for over 40 years, but I kind of got stuck with whinings. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:25.839 My my married name is Love. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:26.960 Oh, I know. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:27.839 Isn't that nice? 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:28.399 Oh. 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:39.520 Oh, and and I'm stuck with whining somehow that happened, but but I'm honored to be here and I give honor to all of God's people. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:41.439 And I'm excited about the word today. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:43.039 Anybody excited about the word? 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:46.159 Anybody glad to be in the house of the Lord? 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:49.039 All right, Gateway. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:51.600 Now I like people to talk back to me, okay? 00:00:51.840 --> 00:01:01.679 I just feel like believers should be the happiest people in the world, no matter what you're going through, because of the God we serve. 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:04.079 Now I can praise Him by myself. 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:06.480 I want you to say Amen, but if you don't, I can't. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:08.319 I brought my own Amen. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:13.519 A greater measure. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:15.680 Everybody say a greater measure. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:18.079 The Holy Spirit is a gift. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:22.000 It is a powerful, he is the most powerful gift we could ever have. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:28.159 The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:36.799 He is a free gift from God to enable us to understand how incredible the love of God is. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:42.319 And he comes to help us to become more like Jesus. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:43.040 Amen. 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:51.439 John 16, 7 through 15 says, Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away. 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.879 For if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you. 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:58.079 But if I depart, I will send him unto you. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:19.280 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment, of sin because they believe not on me, of righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more, of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 00:02:19.520 --> 00:02:24.800 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:42.400 Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:51.680 He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.280 All things that the Father hath are mine. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:02.879 Therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall show it unto you. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:12.879 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are saved, they're filled, they're baptized, they're sealed, and they're sanctified. 00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:14.879 Hallelujah. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:19.280 You also have the Holy Spirit to comfort you. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:26.000 The Holy Spirit reveals God's thoughts, teaches, and guides you into all truth. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:29.199 He is our helper. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:31.840 Isn't that good news? 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:36.879 The Holy Spirit, oh my God, He is my helper. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:41.120 The Holy Spirit is a powerful gift. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:52.560 And today I want to encourage you to pursue a greater measure of God's power working in your life. 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:59.199 In Ephesians 3:14 through 21, Apostle Paul writes a prayer on behalf of this congregation. 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:01.360 A prayer for power. 00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:02.719 Can you say power? 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:06.560 Did you know that God still has all power? 00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:08.800 All power. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:10.719 There's no weakness in him. 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:13.280 A prayer for power. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:17.920 His focus in this prayer is for the Holy Spirit's power to fill every believer. 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:27.120 He prayed for help and strength through God, and he also asked God to help the Ephesians to walk out their faith. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:50.879 Ephesians 3, 14 through 16 reads, For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might through his spirit in the inner man. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:05:06.879 Paul knelt before the Father, then he prayed that God would grant the petitions that were being made on behalf of these believers according to his riches and glory, because the riches of God's glory are without measure. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:18.720 Paul prayed that the answers would be given to believers without measure, beyond their comprehension. 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:22.720 Paul first prayed that God would grant strength to these believers. 00:05:22.959 --> 00:05:32.720 Strengthened with might is literally become mighty by his power, which the Holy Spirit brings to work in the believer. 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:47.920 Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature can be renewed and strengthened day by day through the Holy Spirit. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:55.199 God sent the Holy Spirit to be with and within his followers after Christ went to heaven. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:06:01.920 God made the Holy Spirit available to all believers, all who believe in Jesus. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:06.480 We receive the Holy Spirit when we receive Jesus Christ as Savior. 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:17.040 Then when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we receive all the power we need to become like Christ and to do greater works. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:24.399 Verse 17 through 19 reads that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:32.160 Christ wants to take up permanent residence in your heart. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:35.680 Doesn't want to just visit, but he wants to live there. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:37.199 He wants to dwell. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:40.079 He wants to dwell in your heart. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:43.680 That you be rooted and grounded in love. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:51.839 When you hear rooted and grounded, you get the stable image of a tree, a strong tree that's unmovable. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:57.439 And and it's being nourished. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:01.439 Roots are being nourished by the love of God. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:20.639 May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:25.439 We need to know how much God loves us. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:27.439 We need to know. 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:35.360 Comprehend means to receive experientially, not simply to understand intellectually. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:43.120 To know the love of Christ, to know the love of Christ is the essence of the greatest fullness. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:52.639 All the fullness of God speaks of more than just one experience or one aspect of his truth or power. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:08:01.120 It's participating in all of God's blessings, all of his resources, all of his wisdom and his work. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:04.160 We need to know. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:09.519 Have you ever noticed that most of us are attacked by the enemy by the same lie? 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:11.920 He uses it over and over again. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:18.399 That we've been forgotten, that we're not enough, that we're not loved. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:22.240 And I'm here to let you know that is a lie from the pit of hell. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:26.079 God loves you with an everlasting love. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:30.560 It is the strongest force, it is the strongest power by far. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.240 We can't forget what he's already done. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:40.960 So many of us are waiting on prayers and we're waiting on things and we forget what he's already done. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:42.960 He's already done enough. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:46.000 Turn to your neighbor and say, He's already done enough. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:55.519 When we think about that, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 00:08:55.679 --> 00:09:01.039 And then Jesus gave his life and he paid the highest price. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:06.480 He's already proven that he loves us. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:07.120 Amen? 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:13.120 John Owen says that Christ's love is total, complete, eternal, and all-encompassing. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:16.960 We may never fully grasp the measure of Christ's love for us. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:25.840 It is as wide as the outstretched arms of the crucified Savior, embracing the Jew and the Gentile, reaching whosoever will. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:32.240 It reaches low enough to the most wretched sinners and high enough to reconcile them to a holy God. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.000 How big is his love? 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:35.759 As big as the cross. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:36.799 Hallelujah. 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:38.399 God's love is deep. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:45.039 It reaches to the depths of discouragement, the depths of despair, and even death. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:49.120 Believers cannot rationally explain Christ's love. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:53.600 They can only know it through experience. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:10:18.399 Romans 8, 38 and 39 says, For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things presence, nor things to come, nor height, nor death, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:20.799 Oh, yeah, you can give Him praise for that. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.799 Do you believe it? 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:36.320 As believers, as we get to know Christ better, we are filled with the fullness of God, lacking nothing. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:42.159 Time out for being weak Christians. 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:45.440 The two don't even go together. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.600 He's done too much for us to be weak. 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:53.360 We are soldiers in the army of the Lord. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:56.879 Do I have any soldiers in here today? 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:09.039 The fullness is expressed only in Christ Jesus, in union with Christ and through his empowering Holy Spirit. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.639 We are complete. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.480 Complete. 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:14.480 He finished it on the cross. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.360 Amen? 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:29.279 We have all the fullness of God available to us, but we must seize that fullness through faith, through prayer, through praise and worship, as we daily live for him. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:33.600 Or should I say, as we daily die for him. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:37.600 Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is also for you. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:42.000 We can ask the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of our lives. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:44.399 Everybody say a greater measure. 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:46.720 A greater measure. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:48.080 Verse 20. 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:57.679 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:01.440 Now to him who is able, God is able. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:04.480 Everybody say, God is able. 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.799 Say God is able. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:11.200 No matter what you're facing, no matter what you've been through, God is able. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:14.639 This focuses on God's sovereignty and power. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:19.840 It reminds us that God is not limited by human constraints and challenges. 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:31.279 He has the authority to act in ways that exceed our understanding and to bring about outcomes that we can't even dream of, that we didn't even think were possible. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.960 Hallelujah. 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:36.720 His thoughts are not like our thoughts, his ways are not like our ways. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.519 Amen. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:42.159 The phrase exceedingly abundantly above means without limit. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:52.639 This is a powerful verse that talks about the limitless nature of our God's, our God's ability and his willingness to work in our lives. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:57.519 A lot of times we're saying we're waiting on God, but I'm here to let you know that God is waiting on you. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:02.960 God has done everything that he needs to do, but he's waiting on you. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:10.399 He wants to flow through you in a way that you've never experienced before in your life. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:12.639 But but but you got to get out of the way. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:18.240 We are guilty of regarding God as if he were just a mere man. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:25.759 For instance, if we feel like there's no way out, then we just, you know, we just think there's no way out. 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:34.480 But but I'm here to let you know that God's ability to deliver us is not limited to if we can figure out a way. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:38.480 If we know how he's going to do it. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.639 He's not limited to our thinking. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:42.399 Our thinking is limited. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:45.039 But God has no limits, right? 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:52.320 His ability to deliver us is not subject to our ability to understand how he's going to do it. 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:56.159 See, I don't even have to know how he's going to do it, because I know he is. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:58.000 He's been too faithful. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.519 He cannot lie. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.120 He never fails. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:04.879 He's not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:09.840 So I've gotten to the place in my walk with God that I don't have to know how he's going to do it. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:13.039 Because he can't fail. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:22.720 We waste a lot of time and we we get depressed, and anxiety is taking over because we're trying to figure out how. 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:26.000 God said, I just need you to obey me. 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.279 Trust me. 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:29.679 I've already worked it out. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.559 I know the end from the beginning. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:34.000 I'm not nervous. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:36.559 It didn't take me by surprise. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.559 I'm God. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.679 Right? 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.600 We have to remember that. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.120 He has no limits. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:48.879 This exceedingly abundantly above was demonstrated in Genesis 1 when God created the heavens and the earth. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:50.080 Where were you? 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:53.840 I love it in Job when God said, Where were you? 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.799 When I did that. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:57.919 Amen. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:05.279 Ephesians 1, 19 through 23, it says, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe? 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:27.840 According to the working of his mighty power, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:38.480 And he put all things, can you say all things, under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:40.639 Anybody a part of that body? 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:48.960 Anybody a part of that body, which is his body, the fullness of him who feels all in all. 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:08.320 That same resurrection power is living inside of us. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:19.039 That same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead and placed them in a position of excellence, far above any other power. 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:21.279 Sometimes we think it's a close race. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:26.080 I need you to know that God is far above any other power. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.279 Alright? 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.000 The devil is no match for him. 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:35.759 Now we are no match for the enemy on our own. 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:39.120 But with God, all things are possible. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.159 Amen. 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:43.600 If God be for you, who can be against you? 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:56.480 This tells us that there is no other power more excellent than God's, and no authority on earth greater than the authority God has given in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:00.080 It is a wonderworking power living on the inside. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:07.759 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:14.480 Paul wrote these words while he was under house arrest. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:27.519 He wasn't in a church convention with worship music being played in comfortable seats in one of the best-looking churches in the world. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:33.359 Paul wrote these words while he was in the midst of suffering. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.519 The midst of suffering. 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:38.480 Believers were being persecuted. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:44.400 Are we even saved in here today? 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.680 Let's think about it. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:53.519 He wrote these words, one of the most powerful verses in scripture. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:58.079 One of the most encouraging words in Scripture. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:01.759 How could Paul write this in the midst of suffering? 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:08.640 He could write it because he had personally experienced it. 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.880 It wasn't just head knowledge. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:19.599 But he had experienced the transforming power of God's love. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:26.720 When God saves us, he radically changes our lives. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.799 It's not a slight change. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:34.720 People shouldn't be wondering if you're saved or not, or shocked if they find out you're a believer. 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:46.799 This verse explodes with power and abundance, but how do we tap into this power? 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:54.400 How do we unlock and unleash this power so that we can experience a greater measure in our everyday lives? 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:56.960 It's easy to worship Him in here. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.759 Something would have to be wrong with you. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.519 To be in the presence of God's people. 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:10.880 But if I followed you home, will I experience the same worship? 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.799 The same power. 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:22.319 Mark 16, 17 and 18 says, And these signs shall follow them that believe. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:25.039 In my name, they shall cast out devils. 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.720 They shall speak with new tongues. 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.759 Is this the word? 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.119 Am I making up stuff? 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:37.519 Is this they shall take up serpents, and they and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:41.119 They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:48.960 Not just the disciples, but those who would believe on Jesus through their preaching. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.160 He was talking about us. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:52.480 Turn to your neighbor and say, He's talking about you. 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:54.640 Yeah, he was talking about you. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.160 He was talking about you. 00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:07.599 When we're baptized in the Holy Spirit, God radically changes us, and this awesome power actively works within us to enable us to live holy lives every day. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.519 Victory, every single day. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.960 He paid for it. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:15.519 I'm not one of those people who like to leave stuff uh on the table. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:18.000 If God paid for it, I want it. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.880 I'm not leaving nothing on the table because you know what? 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:26.079 I believe everything that he put on the table, we actually need. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:33.359 We're going through way too much. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:38.880 And it's not for it's not for the cause of Christ. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:44.240 We're going through stuff because we just keep trying to do stuff our own way. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:48.799 We want to live in sin and in church at the same time, and it will never work. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.160 We want to be holy sometimes. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:21:03.680 We want God with us in the times when we we we uh want to live right, but when we want to do things that we know we have no business doing, then we don't want him around. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:09.039 But I need you to know that God sees in the dark, right? 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:19.599 We say he's all powerful, we we say he's all powerful, but some of us don't believe he can see in the dark, but he sees in the dark. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.920 You see, see, I live my life for him. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:27.920 I'm I'm known, people know me for my music all over the world, right? 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:34.480 They know me for my music, but God only knows me through my relationship. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:44.559 He could care less how many awards I have. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:53.279 When I stand before him, he's not going to ask me, How many Grammys do you have? 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:59.759 That will not count for anything, but he's going to be looking. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.839 For a heart like his. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.920 Did you do what I told you to do? 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:09.119 Did you love your enemies? 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:13.519 Did you apologize to that person when you hurt their feelings? 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:24.079 We are baptizing the Holy Spirit and we have the power to live holy. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.559 Why? 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:28.559 Because greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.880 It is time out for playing church. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:33.200 Lukewarm will not cut it. 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:42.799 The devil is coming after our children, he's coming after our marriages, he's coming after our grandchildren. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.480 I didn't come to play. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:51.279 Because I've got to stand before God for everything I say and do. 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.559 Amen. 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:55.519 So it's time for the church to be the church. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:59.519 Either you're for him or you're against him. 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:06.960 One of the greatest deceptions of our time is somebody told us it was a middle. 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.960 But there is no middle. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:15.839 You have to choose, Jesus Day, who you're gonna serve. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:21.279 He said, You're either for me or you're against me. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:23.119 There is no middle. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:27.839 Now the level of power working in us differs from person to person. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:34.079 You see, we determine how much of this power really works in our lives. 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:38.640 And it is in our best interest to maximize this power experience. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:42.480 I need all the power I can get. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:46.640 Do you see what's going around in our world today? 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.839 We need all of the power. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.799 Amen. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.519 I don't have time to be offended. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:56.960 I don't we we spend so much time being offended. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:59.279 I've never heard of such before. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:02.319 It's like you're you're you're you're you're hurt again. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.319 Who offended you today? 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:17.279 I don't have time to be offended because I've got to get everything that God has for me so that I can make it. 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.160 Amen? 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:27.039 I want my children to know who Jesus is. 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:30.000 My grandchildren to know who Jesus is. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:34.559 So we have to start living this thing. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:39.599 The devil could care less about us getting together and about us having goosebumps. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:44.960 He's gonna, he, he wants to know, are you gonna live it when you walk out of these doors? 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:49.759 He's not threatened by us just acting like we like Jesus. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:55.279 But are you willing to die for him, die to your flesh, to your desires? 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:57.200 I'm talking to the young people too. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:01.359 I love when young people, young people fall in love with Jesus now. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:05.039 Give him everything, be bold about it. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:07.279 Be bold about it. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:13.279 The world is bold about doing what the world wants to do. 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.759 So why are we quiet? 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.240 Why are we being silent? 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:22.480 They need to see Jesus, right? 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.680 They need to see him. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.119 And guess what? 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:27.279 They've got to see him in you. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:37.039 Since God can do above what we ask or think, then whatever the problem is, whatever you're going through, it's a light thing for him. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.920 But that being the fact is not enough. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:44.319 We must learn, like Paul, how to make this fact become a reality. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:56.240 No matter how capable God is in solving our problems, the only thing that is relevant is whether we are experiencing that same power in our everyday lives. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:59.759 Paul understood that his life was not his own. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.680 Your life is not your own. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.279 It was bought with a price. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:06.559 Paul understood that this life was temporary. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:10.799 Paul understood that eternity was the only thing that counted. 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.799 He understood that. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.480 So he committed. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:23.440 He committed to dying daily for the God that he loved so much and the and for the God that he knew loved him. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:27.200 God loves everybody. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:30.400 My question to you is do you love him back? 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:35.759 We need to understand that in our flesh dwells no good thing. 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:38.480 Our flesh will never get saved. 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:40.880 It wars against the spirit. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:46.319 You don't, you don't, whatever your flesh wants to do, just do the opposite. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.960 It's not hard. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:53.279 We're making living for Christ hard. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.480 It's not that hard. 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.720 It's not that complicated, should I say? 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:59.279 It's not always easy, but it's not that complicated. 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.640 It's simple. 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:04.799 He said, if you follow the spirit, you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:07.279 But you got to follow the spirit. 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:09.519 God will always do his part. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:12.720 But we have to cooperate with the spirit. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.599 Amen? 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:25.599 As you yield and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you through the knowledge of God's word, the Holy Spirit will start working at a greater measure in you. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:28.480 We have to learn how to yield. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:32.559 Paul understood that he had to yield to the Holy Spirit. 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.680 We must yield. 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.039 It's not in our strength. 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.160 We could never do it. 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:38.799 God never expected us for us to do it. 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:41.440 That's why he gave us his spirit. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:44.640 But we must yield to the Holy Spirit. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:53.920 And as we yield to him, we will experience his peace, his love, his joy, his power at a greater measure. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:57.039 We will only experience what we allow. 00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:07.680 God's ability is boundless, but we will only experience his glory in our life to the degree that we allow his power to be active in us. 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:23.920 In other words, a person who is not passionate toward God, who does not yield to him, yield to his will in his way in his life, will not experience the power of God to the degree of someone else who is yielded. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:29.039 See, that's why I don't have time to be offended. 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:39.039 I don't have time to allow someone, let's just say I come up to you and you and and and and speak to you, and you you decide you don't want to speak to me for whatever reason. 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:40.559 That's your issue. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.000 I just know you haven't yielded. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:50.000 So it's no need in me getting upset and and stopping. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:52.880 I can't let nobody stop my flow. 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:57.039 I just can't let them do it. 00:28:58.480 --> 00:29:02.799 God wants to flow through us unrestricted. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:10.880 So what I'm saying is that our passion for God determines how much power we actually have. 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:14.240 So let's ask ourselves a question. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:16.079 I want you to examine yourself. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:21.359 What's hindering the power from working through you? 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.599 What's hindering the power? 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:29.359 He's given us the same resurrection power. 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:32.240 So what's hindering it from flowing? 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.000 What's restricting? 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:39.839 We are limiting God by our thoughts. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:43.359 We're limiting him by our words and our actions. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:48.160 You see, our thoughts will tell us how much word we are meditating on. 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:53.279 Our words will tell us how much word we are speaking out of our mouths. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:58.799 And our actions will tell us how much word we are actually walking out. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:03.839 We love to say, God knows my heart. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:09.279 Well, he said, out of the whatever you speak is coming out of your heart. 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:14.720 It doesn't take a lot of discernment, it just takes two ears to listen. 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:22.640 The more word you obey, notice I didn't say just no. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:27.440 The more word you obey, the more power you possess. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:33.759 The more we die to ourselves, the more Christ can live in us. 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:37.279 He does not force himself on us. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:42.720 He will take control of only the portion of our lives we will yield to him. 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:49.039 It is then that God will do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:56.640 Throughout this letter to the Ephesians, Paul talks about God's power and that they have this power, the Holy Spirit living in them. 00:30:56.880 --> 00:31:01.200 He continually encourages his readers to live by this power. 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:06.079 And you can only live by this power when you live by the Word of God. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:19.599 God is capable of doing things that we can't even imagine, and that includes in our lives, whatever brokenness, whatever you're facing, you can actually experience new life in Jesus. 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:23.759 Now, this doesn't mean that we get everything we want when we want it. 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:26.880 Sometimes God doesn't give us what we want. 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.880 And thank God. 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:33.200 I look over my life, some of the prayers I was crying. 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:35.759 I'm so glad he wasn't listening to me. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:39.359 I'm glad he heard me, but he didn't listen to me. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:45.200 Because when he doesn't give us what we want, it's because he only can give us what we need. 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:51.519 He desires, he's always gonna give us what's best for us. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:54.480 That's why you gotta know that he loves you. 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:57.759 You gotta know that he's got your back. 00:31:58.559 --> 00:32:00.559 You gotta know that you're covered. 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:04.960 You gotta know that he knows your name. 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:08.960 You gotta know that he'll never leave you or forsake you. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.559 You gotta know it. 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:16.880 It's a daily surrender and consent. 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:20.480 We live a life of yes, Lord, and amen. 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:25.359 Dying to your flesh every day, living for Christ. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:31.519 And it's the only way you can step into the incredible life that God has for each and every one of us. 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:36.240 We all play a part in telling the world who Jesus is. 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:40.559 The more we yield to the Holy Spirit, the greater the measure. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:44.400 The more we say yes, Lord, the greater the measure. 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:46.559