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<v SPEAKER_00>There's a moment in today's gospel where everything shifts.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Up until that point, it's a debate, back and forth, questions, arguments, resistance.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But then Jesus says that one line, before Abraham came to be, I am.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that's it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No more discussion.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No more dialogue.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They pick up stones because they understand exactly what he's saying.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is not poetry.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is not symbolism.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is a claim.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He is God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And they knew what he was claiming.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But here's the problem.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We've heard that so many times that we no longer feel the weight of it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because if Jesus is just a teacher, a good man, an itinerant preacher, someone who inspires you, went around doing nice things, then we need to move on from that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But if he really truly is the I am, then everything changes.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now go back to the first reading.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God speaks to Abram, and he doesn't just give him a blessing, he gives him a covenant, a relationship, a promise.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And then he does something very important.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He changes his name.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Abram becomes Abraham.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, because when God enters your life, your identity changes.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You're no longer just who you were, you are now who God is calling you to be.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the condition.

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<v SPEAKER_00>On your part, you must keep my commandment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's not one-sided.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God gives everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We must respond.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, if we go back to the gospel, Jesus says, Whoever keeps my word will never see death.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's a huge statement.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not you'll feel better or you'll have a good life, but we'll never see death.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And they reject it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, because they are stuck in the surface.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They're thinking biologically, Abraham died, the prophets died, they can't see beyond the vision.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the teaching.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Don't miss this.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Faith is not just believing that God exists, faith is trusting that his word is true, even when you don't fully understand it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Abraham lived that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He trusted, he obeyed, he moved forward without seeing the full picture.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's why Jesus says, Abraham rejoiced to see my day.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Abraham didn't have everything figured out, but he had enough.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He had enough trust, he had enough surrender, enough faith.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now here's where it gets real.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because the same tensions is in your own life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You hear the words of Christ, you know the teachings, you've heard them over and over.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But the question is this do you keep his word?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not do you agree with it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Does it sound good to you?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do you understand it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do you like it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do you live it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because Jesus is clear, whoever keeps my word, he says, not hears it, not admires it, keeps it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that's where most people stop.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because keeping his word means letting go of control, changing your habits, confronting your sins, making real decisions, placing God at the very center of your life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And all of that may be difficult or uncomfortable.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So what do people do?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, the same thing they did in the gospel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They resist, they question, they reinterpret, they soften, and eventually they pick up stones.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Maybe not physically, but internally, rejecting the authority of Christ over their life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because here's the truth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You cannot accept Jesus as God and live however you want.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If he truly is the I am, then he is not optional.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so here's how we can bring it home.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Where are you resisting his word?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Where have you heard it but not kept it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What part of your life is still operating outside of the covenant?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Yeah, you're good in some parts of your life, but what about the other parts?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because God has already spoken, he's already revealed, he's already given himself.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The question is not, is God faithful?

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<v SPEAKER_00>The question is, are you faithful?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because Abraham became who he was, not because he was perfect, but because he trusted.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And you will become who you're meant to be, not by knowing more, but by surrendering more.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So today don't reduce Jesus to a voice you listen to.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Recognize him for who he is.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I am.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And if that's true, then stop negotiating.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Stop delaying.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Stop holding back.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Make today the day where you start living like it matters.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because it does.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Jesus is inviting you to the fullness of life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.