WEBVTT

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<v SPEAKER_00>There's a line in the gospel today that is as honest as it gets.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus says, the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's not about bad people.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We're talking about you and me, all of us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because we are all like the idea of light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We love the idea of light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We just don't always like what it reveals.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because light exposes things.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It shows what is really there.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And sometimes it's easier to stay in the dark.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, if we go to the first reading, the apostles are arrested, thrown into prison.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, not because they did something wrong, but because they were living in the light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They were speaking the truth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They were witnessing to the resurrection.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the moment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In the middle of the night, God sets them free.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The doors open.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They walk right out.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If that were us, what would we do?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thank you, Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm going home, right?

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's maybe what I would say.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or I'm going to stay quiet for a while.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let me lay low.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I got the message.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But the angel says something very specific.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Go.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Go and tell the people everything about this life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not part of it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not the safe version.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And what do they do?

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<v SPEAKER_00>They go right back to the temple.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The same place they were arrested.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The same place it could happen all over again.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the difference.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do you see it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>When you encounter the risen Christ, you don't just change your life, you change your priorities.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is where the gospel hits.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus says, People prefer darkness to light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well because light asks something of you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Darkness lets you stay hidden.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Light calls you forward.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Darkness lets you stay comfortable.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Light calls you to change.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the tension that we live in.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because part of us wants the light, and part of us wants to stay where no one sees too much.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the truth, you can't live both.

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<v SPEAKER_00>At some point you have to choose.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because it gets exhausting.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The apostles chose and it cost them everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They were arrested, threatened, pressured, but they didn't go back.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So let me bring this to you because this is where it gets real.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When you're life, you are are you choosing comfort over truth?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Where are you staying quiet when you should speak?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Where are you avoiding something you know needs to change?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Where are you living half in the light and half in the darkness?

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<v unknown>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because the resurrection doesn't just invite you to believe, it calls you into the light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Come on, step into it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But here's the good news.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus doesn't bring you into the light to expose you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He brings you into the light to heal you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the difference.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The world will expose your shame.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God reveals in order to be able to restore.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So don't be afraid of the light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Don't avoid it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Don't run from it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because the same God who opened those prison doors is trying to open something in your life right now.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And the question is not, is the door open?

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<v SPEAKER_00>It is.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The question is, will you step into the light or go back into the dark when it's convenient?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because once you've seen the light, you can't pretend that you haven't seen it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And if you choose it, if you really choose it, you won't just be free, you'll start to live differently.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And then people will notice.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Wow, you really love the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You love Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that's when you become a witness to the truth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not perfect, but real.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Giving testimony to the world of what Christ has done in your life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And then that's what changes the world.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.