WEBVTT 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:07.440 And this theme today, we're talking about varying godly character. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:11.519 And we're gonna go into Romans chapter 12, verse 2. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:16.079 A very familiar verse. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:21.440 And when you are there, say, praise the Lord. 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:39.359 It says, and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:40.960 Amen. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:41.920 Amen. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:43.200 You may be seated. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:01:02.960 As we have learned throughout this month, not only does the Spirit of God lead us in many different ways, not only does the Spirit of God enable us to have courage, but the Spirit of God also forms us. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:12.000 When we walk daily in the Spirit with Him, we will naturally grow in our relationship with Him, or we should be. 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:23.040 When we are filled with His Spirit, we have power over the enemy, and that means the power to endure through the trials of life. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:30.959 Sometimes it seems like the situations we face as we walk in the Spirit can be overwhelming. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:32.879 Is there going to be an end to this? 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:34.079 Is there an answer? 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:36.400 But we have to learn to trust in the Spirit of God. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:52.239 If He is walking with us and He is faithful, then we have to trust in Him and trust that what He allows us to go through, God will develop our character and shape us into who He is calling us to be. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:02:04.560 I know who, as we have grown up, you know, we're in certain environments, we maybe play sports or we have certain talents and attributes that God will use to further expand His kingdom and use it for His glory. 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:14.080 But we have to understand sometimes we get so good at something we think it's our own ability, it's within our own power that we can do these things. 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:17.039 And it came from God, not within ourselves. 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:37.759 So we may not like all the situations that we have to go through, but we know that God will grow us and use us and use that, our life, our situations to become stronger spiritually and our walk with Him. 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:43.280 And through that, something grows from us, and that's our character. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:47.439 We have talked about character in many different ways, integrity. 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:54.400 And there's uh quite a few different characters that exemplify these attributes. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:03:00.879 And the first, where we're going to talk about, is having character in temptation. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:03.360 Character in temptation. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:10.080 And now Joseph was one of these characters that really exemplifies this attribute. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:16.319 And one of Jacob's sons, Joseph, sold by his brothers into Potiphar's house. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:25.759 Uh I love my sisters, but I can imagine that my sisters didn't like me that much or are so overwhelmed by who I was, they just wanted to get rid of me out of the house. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:34.800 And although at times they probably did, but um Joseph didn't have that uh that kind of household. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:48.800 His brothers uh were threatened by Joseph, and so they sold him and wanted to do other things before that, but ultimately one of his brothers interceded and he was sold into Potiver's house. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:51.520 But God had favor upon him regardless of that. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:56.000 God had his hand on him, regardless of how his brothers felt about him. 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:57.520 God had a plan. 00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:07.039 And that means, regardless of what we face or what we step into the middle of a situation, we have to know that if we're walking in the Spirit, God has his hand on us. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:09.439 And nothing is surprising to him. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:10.719 Right? 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:17.600 So that means our expectation is God's got this, and he's gonna be with me through it. 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:19.360 Amen. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:27.839 So, but he had God's favor because of his character and his relationship with God. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:36.959 And although he already had God had his hand on him, his character is about to go through many trials and develop through this moment. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.319 But he was greatly used by Potiphar. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:50.079 But because the enemy wants to destroy the good work of God, Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:52.319 That's what the enemy is going to do. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:59.920 He's gonna put something in your life to tempt you to try to ruin the character and stop the work of God in your life. 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:06.240 So, what God calls us to is purity. 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:08.000 Purity. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:12.959 Genesis 39, 9 says, There is none greater in this house than I. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:14.399 This is Joseph. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:25.360 Joseph speaking on the situation with Potiphar's wife coming toward him or trying to uh tempt him. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:31.920 Neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, meaning Potiphar's wife. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:39.279 Because you art his wife, how then can I do this wickedness and sin against God? 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:46.560 So Joseph was given everything because of how close he was to God and the character that he had. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:52.160 God blessed him in everything that he did because of his walk with God. 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:56.240 He could have had anything that he wanted. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:05.839 But what can trip us is when sin comes creeping in, and because we've been given everything, does that mean we can do whatever we want? 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:15.680 And Joseph recognized that this woman was the opposite of what he could have. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:18.480 It wasn't part of God's plan. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:26.160 It's not part of God's plan for us to sin and trip up, and just because we have the freedom to do something doesn't mean that it's right or if it's of God. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:27.279 Amen. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:32.079 It would have destroyed him and his reputation. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:43.360 And so we have to be careful in our flesh because we're used of God and we have favor of God and we have favor in our work and we maybe have favor in our ministry. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:07:00.240 We have to be careful that it doesn't get to our heads and become prideful and we have a weak moment and someone tempts us, whatever the temptation is, it doesn't have to be this kind of temptation that Potiphar's wife was getting trying to get him to sleep with him. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:02.399 But it could be anything. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:08.079 It could be a job, it could be uh money, it could be finances, it could be it could be anything in your life. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:10.639 So we have to be careful. 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:20.000 We must be careful because we have this close relationship with God that we don't take advantage of what he has given to us. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:26.639 Because we may have his favor and his will, but it doesn't excuse us to sin. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:35.040 After all he has done, why would why would we feel like this would be justified to sin? 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:38.879 Why would that be justified? 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:52.480 Because what happens is in our flesh we we come up with all different kinds of reasons when we're angry, when we're upset, or someone did us wrong, or a situation didn't happen the way we wanted to, we try to force it into, well, this must be what God's will is because well, it's in that same direction. 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:57.680 But if you're giving it to sin and you're being sinful in your action, is that God's will? 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:16.560 I've known people that that feel like, well, this is the will of God, even though it's a ministry, but if God didn't make the way or the door for that, what's gonna happen is you're gonna force something to happen, and now you're out of God's will, and then you're gonna be upset, and then and then your life is in disarray. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:17.120 And what do you do? 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:22.720 You start blaming God and other people when it was you who made the choice to act upon that temptation. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:24.399 Does that make sense? 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:32.559 So purity is not just a sexual purity, but it's purity in your spirit, doing the will of God and hearing the voice of God. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:35.840 Does that make sense? 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:42.879 So as he has continually being approached by her, he never gave into her. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:46.799 And as you read, it wasn't just the one time, it was over and over and over again. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:09:02.000 And there's been people that come in your life, and then that temptation just is constantly knocking on your door or that phone or that person or a situation or whatever the temptation is, it's just always like in your face, if you will. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:08.960 But he never gave in to it because the Bible says that God always opens a way out of temptation, he always offers a way out. 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:13.360 So when you're walking in the Spirit, you will be able to see that. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:27.759 But if you don't, you're gonna feel like, well, this must be the direction I need to go because the enemy is gonna deceive you into doing something, and slowly you're gonna give in, and then you're gonna fall into temptation and sin, and disappointment happens, and you disconnect yourself. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:30.240 We'll talk about that here in a little bit. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:35.919 But it said that he fled her one last time, and when he fled, she kept the garment. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.039 She held onto his garment. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:38.480 He didn't go back for it. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:42.399 He's trying to get out of that situation as fast as possible. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:50.480 But because of that, she held on to it, waited for her husband to come home, and said, Look, look what he did. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:52.159 I still have his cloak. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:10:01.519 I don't know why the king assumed that something happened just because he has a cloak, but and then, of course, he believed her, and he was put into prison. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:07.759 Was put into prison by a false accusation of Potiphar's wife. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:22.159 How would we react after all the righteous acts that we have done to avoid a situation, but false accusation occurs, and you have to deal with the consequences of that? 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:29.039 Now, obviously, in this situation, you won't be thrown in jail. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:43.919 Obviously, in this situation, um, this was the only way that the the king could separate or Potiphar could uh separate him from everybody else, assuming that he lay down with his wife. 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:52.639 But in our own lives, there's been times where people have probably said things against us or spread false lies about us. 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:57.360 But we have to stand strong in those moments when we are walking in his spirit. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:07.679 That way, when the situation does come, we're we are we are radiating with the Spirit of God that we're gonna be loved, we're gonna be patient, we're gonna be kind, and we'll talk about that here in a minute. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:23.279 But when those situations come, I I thrive in those moments because there's been situations, and I mentioned some before, where people have reacted towards me in a way that did I do something wrong, and I would approach them about it, and they're like, No, it's always been me. 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:24.879 It was it was my fault. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:31.679 But it was my time to shine because I could go to them, I could ask, is there anything I did to offend you? 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:35.039 Please forgive me if I've done anything. 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:40.879 And it wasn't me, it was them, and they God revealed that to them, and then they made it right in that moment. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:45.600 And that's how God works when we are living righteously and when we are walking in his spirit. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:48.480 It doesn't matter what people say about us, that may not be true. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:56.639 As long as we're walking in his spirit, God's truth will come out of that situation, and we will have victory over that moment. 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:05.759 And he gives us the opportunity to shine as his spirit shines through us because we're walking in his spirit, those are opportunities that we're able to build our character. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:20.240 We have to go through those situations in our lives, and that's the only way we can understand um uh his work in our lives and building that character, that pure, that pure, that pure character. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:32.720 The Bible says in 1 Peter uh chapter 2, verse 12, it says, Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers. 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:43.360 This is Peter talking, they shall see your good works and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:56.240 So people are gonna speak evil against you, but as long as you stay infirm and as long as you're walking in the spirit, there's nothing that they can say against you because you're living in the truth and you're living righteously. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:09.200 Even though we may have to deal with the consequence, in this sense, being some of these who may be being put in prison or they're in a public square preaching the gospel and people are falsely accusing them. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:20.960 Just because someone says something against you that is not truth doesn't mean that it is true, and it doesn't mean that God has left you, and it doesn't mean that the kingdom of God is failing. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:28.399 The enemy is gonna come against you because you are speaking the truth and you are living the truth and you are exemplifying the character of God. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:33.919 The enemy is gonna stop and destroy whatever God is trying to do in your life. 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:38.000 The Bible says that He, the good work that He put in you, He will finish it. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:41.440 He will finish that good work that He has put in your life. 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:48.080 And you are that good work that He is building on this earth. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:50.000 Amen. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:53.840 Integrity. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.840 Joseph had integrity. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.759 Genesis 39, 23. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:07.039 He says, The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because the Lord was with him, that which he did, the Lord made it prosper. 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:15.679 Maybe you are put in this sense because he was falsely accused and no one believed him when he was put into prison. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:19.600 That didn't change who he was because it was in a different place. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:32.159 It doesn't matter where you are, if if if if if Peter can be in prison and they can praise God and the shackles can break and the walls are shaken, it doesn't matter the circumstance that you are gonna face. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.679 God is gonna be with you. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:38.480 You will be victorious regardless of where you are positioned in your life. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:45.600 Despite being falsely accused, he did not fight against it. 00:14:47.200 --> 00:15:01.039 What was the example that Jesus said when he went to be uh tried, and the people would say the against him, when he went before Herod, he said that he did not say one word of the false accusations that were coming against him. 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:07.440 And in this situation, he couldn't, because he knew that his path was the cross, the death on the cross. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.519 So he had to be crucified. 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:12.639 But not once did he say anything against it. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:22.320 He accepted the place and the position that God put him in. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:28.720 So maybe let's just let's just think about this for the workplace, for example. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:54.080 Let's just say I'm I've been at my job for a certain amount of time, and there's somebody who is new, and for whatever reason, the boss is like, you know what, I want them to do this, even though you've probably done, let's say, uh you have a project that you've been working on, and you've been working so hard at it, and you've been planning it, and you've been working with their supervisor with it, but someone else comes in and thinks that they are a better fit for that position, and they take it. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.279 How would you feel about that? 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:58.720 You've worked so hard on this project. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:02.399 You've been praying about it. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:08.159 God's been leading you on this project, but yet someone else comes in and they take it. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:10.000 How would you react? 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:14.720 The first reaction would be like, I did all the work. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:26.240 I put my heart, soul, sweat, emotions, everything, meetings, development, studying, all this, and they come in and they take it from me. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.399 Why do they get this? 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.480 Why do they get to take this project? 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:34.720 Why do they get to take this promotion? 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:44.320 We have to understand that things like that are going to come against us in our life, and we have to make that make sure that we have our integrity in check. 00:16:46.080 --> 00:17:00.559 That doesn't mean that you can't say anything about it or do it the right way or explain the situation, but you have to make sure that your flesh does not take control and give in and start being coming angry and bitter and hateful to those people. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:05.440 So being in this prison, you know what, he just took care of the prisoners. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:11.920 He didn't start screaming and yelling and acting crazy and rattling the jail cells. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.720 He was like, you know what, God, if you put me here, I'll take care of the prisoners. 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:23.200 And because he had favor with God, the the the man who was over the foreman who was over the jails didn't worry about it. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:26.640 Because for whatever reason, God had favor upon him. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:33.680 He maintained who he was and did not allow his circumstance to change who he was. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:38.799 And that's what that's what we gotta work on. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.359 He embraced it. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:45.039 How many of you would love to embrace your hardship? 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:47.039 But guess what? 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:49.440 It didn't seem like it was much of a hardship to him. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:49.759 Why? 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:51.519 Because he was walking in the spirit. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.480 He was walking with him. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.279 God was with him, he didn't do anything wrong. 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:58.640 So in his mind and his heart, he has peace, he has freedom. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:01.519 Because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:16.000 It's not just about chains that are broken and addictions and things, but because you have lived right and made the right choice, regardless of the circumstances that are set against you, I can walk in peace and I can go on in peace, knowing that you know what I have no charge against me because of that. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:20.960 And I'll just, okay, if this is what you want me to do, if you want me to take care of the sheep, I'll take care of the sheep. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:24.000 If you want me to be a desk clerk now, I'll be a desk clerk. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.039 Whatever it is. 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:31.119 I'm probably looking for a different job now since I've been demoted, but you see what I'm saying? 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:33.279 It's not going to change my attitude. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:38.799 Because if it changes my attitude and who I am as a Christian, how then can I be an ambassador? 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.400 How can I be a witness? 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.000 I'm acting like everybody else. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.519 I'll be acting like the world. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.799 They want you to be bitter. 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:48.640 They want you to say things against them, they want you to try to fight against that situation. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.480 That's what the enemy wants. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.920 Amen. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.680 But we can't allow him to do that. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:58.000 I haven't even gotten to the second point yet. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:08.240 So his integrity remained intact and allowed him to have favor and be in charge of all in prison. 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:21.839 When we decide not to react in our flesh, walk in the spirit, our attitude and character will show that we are not going to allow this circumstance to determine how we are going to react and how we should live. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:27.519 When we walk in the spirit, our integrity will remain intact despite what we go through. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:30.079 We will glorify God in our bodies. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.759 Blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:41.519 Lord, you give it and you taketh away, God, but I will bless the Lord at all times, and his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:51.440 If I have to go through this and I'm still gonna have my integrity intact, and I'm not gonna allow the enemy to crush my spirit, then so be it. 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.359 Then so be it. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.640 Amen. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:59.920 Because my salvation is greater than my pride and me winning against the situation. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:05.119 Because just because you may be wronged doesn't mean that you have the right to go and try to take it back. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:07.119 Because maybe that's not what God wants. 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:12.000 Maybe eventually God will reveal something about it and they're gonna come and say, you know what, I made a mistake. 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:13.119 I need you to be in charge. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:18.559 But God's trying to put you in that for a reason because He's trying to build something in your life. 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.920 They're gonna remember that. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.519 They're gonna see how you react. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:23.759 They're gonna see how you handle a situation. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:31.599 Maybe you're not in charge of this, but maybe eventually you may be the lead or you may be the supervisor when they leave because they remember how you handled that situation. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.279 Does that make sense? 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.920 Faithfulness. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:46.319 Luke 16, 10 says, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:53.119 And he that is unjust in least is unjust also in much. 00:20:56.319 --> 00:21:02.799 So when we walk in his spirit, we are faithful despite the amount of work or temptation we face. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:15.920 Because we know that God will be with us no matter how big or small the mountain is before us, we will prevail and we will be victorious because he is faithful. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:21.519 And because he is faithful, we will be faithful no matter what is handed to us in our life. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.640 Amen. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:27.759 Because if we have to go through this, that means he is able to get you through it. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:32.160 Whatever the end result may be, he will be with you through it all. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.599 Amen. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:44.559 If we choose to be unfaithful, how great will that unfaithfulness be in the result of that unfaithfulness? 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:47.680 It will also be great, but at what cost? 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:51.279 To our reputation, our character, our family. 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:56.480 I went through it this weekend, folks. 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.759 Personally, and let me tell you. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.000 My pride got broken down. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:06.640 But as a father and as a leader of my home, I have to listen to my family. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.920 I'm being transparent. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.640 And guess what? 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:12.079 God's put me through it before because I have to preach about it. 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.200 I have to go through it myself. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.799 And it's not always fun. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:24.000 But when you do submit to your character to God, yes, it'll rattle your pride. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:28.559 It'll make you feel so small and worthless at the moment because that's what the flesh tells you to think. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.519 That's what the enemy says. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.079 You're worthless. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.039 You're so worthless. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:33.200 As a husband, as a father, as a leader. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:37.279 But then when you step back and you pray and ask God, Lord, what are you trying to teach me? 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.400 Guess what? 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:40.559 Your family's not going to condemn you. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.599 They're not going to make fun of you. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.799 They're not going to look at you any less. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.680 You know what they look at? 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:50.079 You're a leader, and now you're a father and you're a husband because now you're taking the change in the circumstance. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:54.400 You're molding yourself to what God needs you to be, and now you're leading us. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:23:01.519 And what we do, we we we cower and we give up, and I made a mistake, or oh, I failed. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:06.559 And okay, get back up, ask for forgiveness, move on, and God will help you again. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.599 Amen. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.599 We're gonna talk about that here in a moment. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:12.400 But that is why it's so important. 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:15.599 That is why it's so important that we walk in the spirit. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:22.799 But we will choose to be faithful to Christ because we walk in his spirit, because he has given us his spirit. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:28.960 It's gonna begin to change some things when we realize we want to be pure and he is faithful. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:32.720 He calls us to a character in repentance. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:36.559 And David is another character we see that exemplifies these things. 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:41.680 But in order to have a character of repentance, we have to have a heart after God. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.359 Bless you. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:24:12.400 Acts 13, 22 says, and when he had removed him, when God had removed him, meaning Saul, he raised up unto them David to be their king, to whom also he gave their testimony and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, meaning Samuel, saying this, a man after my own heart, or I'm sorry, God, which shall fulfill all my will. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:21.519 So God told Samuel, Don't look on the outward appearance, look on the inside, and he found David, who had a heart after him. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:30.960 A young man being a shepherd boy, who eventually went to kill a giant and had already had some victories over a lion and a bear. 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:41.759 But there was something about those quiet moments on the hillside and him leading the sheep and being obedient to his father and to God that he had a heart after him. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:51.200 In order for us to have a character to repent, we must have a heart after God and the things of God. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:55.200 Because if we don't have a heart after God, that means we don't understand who he is. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:57.279 And there's no reason for me to repent. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:00.400 Because we feel like he's just gonna beat us down, he's not gonna forgive us. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:08.880 And if we don't know him that he can't forgive us, if we don't know that he's all knowing and he's all he's loving and he will forgive us, why would there be any reason for me to repent? 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:15.440 If I don't have a relationship with him, I don't know who he is, and if I don't know who he is, I have no reason to turn from what I did. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.359 I've maybe I did what was right. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:31.920 Because his word convicts us, and since his word is his word, written by the Spirit, and we take it in and we learn from it, because the Word of God refreshes us, that's what the Word of God says. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:36.960 It refreshes us and renews us, gives us understand understanding and clarity. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:46.799 It'll call us to repent if we have uh if we have acted against the word of God. 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:54.079 But David, despite years of waiting to be king, he remained, his heart remained God's. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:26:04.880 Despite running and hiding in caves, fighting wars, almost being killed, almost killing Saul, but being obedient to the voice of God. 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:09.039 His heart never wavered from God, not once. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:11.599 We know later on it did, and all that. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:18.160 But that's why his heart was after God because he eventually did repent before God. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:23.440 We all must find a place in our heart for the Spirit of God to move. 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:38.559 And if he's not moving, that means your door, access to your life, your emotions, your feelings, what you've gone through, that door, that wall that some of us put up is blocked from God working in your life. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:48.400 Because maybe you don't believe, maybe you feel like it's not gonna work or it's not gonna happen, or maybe things that you're exposed to on a daily basis, or what other people say, you're that means your truth is not in the word of God. 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.400 Your truth is of this world. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.480 And it's confusing you. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:58.720 So despite running, he always had a heart and never wavered from God. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:05.839 How often do we just open ourselves to God and let him move on us and work in our lives? 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:08.240 How often do we do that in our own lives? 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:14.000 Do we leave enough room for him to do his will despite some reservations that we may have about it? 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:22.000 Whether we can allow him to move and work on our lives or deal with the situation. 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:25.119 How much room do you give for God to do that? 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:28.720 Do you completely let go and allow him to have complete freedom in your life? 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:33.519 Or do you want him to have only control over certain things because you like being controlled. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:36.240 You like being in control of a situation in your life. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.759 Maybe you're not emotional. 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:39.759 I don't want to do that because I'm gonna get all emotional. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:41.759 Well, he gave you emotions for a reason. 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:44.319 You may handle it differently, but you gotta let him in. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:50.400 You have to have a heart after God, a heart after his word, a heart to repent. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:58.799 Or perhaps we, or perhaps he's gonna reveal things in our relationship with him that we need to grow in. 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:05.359 And we've been hesitant and we don't want to grow because it's weird and uncomfortable, and I don't know if I want to go that deep. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:16.720 I get it when I remember when my my children were were first learned to swim, and they don't know that it's very unknown that the deep end, it's the deep end of the pool, and there's so many things over there. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:19.279 And there's people playing and having fun, but I don't know. 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.720 You still have some reservations about it. 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.200 That's them. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:23.599 They can stay down there, I'm gonna stay at the shallow end of the pool. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:27.440 But there's something about your parent coming along saying, I'm gonna be with you. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:31.759 And you walk with them, like, I don't want to go that way. 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:35.440 Yeah, we're gonna go that way, and you're gonna walk with them, but you're gonna swim over with them. 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:40.880 Or they come to the side and they jump in and you catch them in their arm, and in your arms. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:47.039 And they realize that even though it's deep, you're helping that we are supporting them in the deep end. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.400 And that's how God works. 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:53.359 Sometimes he may gradually take us to the deep end, or he wants you to jump in. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:29:00.319 But he's gonna be there to catch you to help you, because he's not gonna put you in a situation where it's gonna harm or hurt you or destroy you. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:11.279 If his will is to do something in your life, you've got to trust that he's gonna reveal things in your life that he needs to work on in your heart. 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:21.119 Just like David, you have to have a I have to have a heart for God, I have to have a heart for the things of God, the things of of what his word reveals to us. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:25.759 And he desires for us not to just have portions of it, but all of it. 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:28.880 Proverbs 3 5 says, Trust in the Lord. 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.880 We we we hear this scripture a lot. 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:36.880 Proverbs 3 5, trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.000 There it is. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:41.119 He needs to have all of it. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:50.960 Because if he doesn't have all of it, you're gonna make excuses, you're gonna make your own decisions and go based on your own thinking, and and we all know where that goes. 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:55.039 It's not gonna work out, and you're gonna be disappointed, and you're gonna become angry. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.480 Be like, see, this was what God did. 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.599 No, no, no. 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:00.240 All things work together for good. 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:02.720 For those who love him, those are called according to his purpose. 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:09.279 If it's not working out to the good, and it's harming you spiritually, that's not God's purpose. 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:17.759 You may be going through certain circumstances that it may harm you and hurt you physically, but spiritually, God's growing you. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:29.039 Or maybe it hurts you mentally, or whatever the situation is, but that doesn't mean that that pain and the suffering and what we go through is gonna take away your heart and and cause you pain. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:32.000 He's gonna heal you, he's gonna restore you, he's gonna strengthen you. 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:45.039 It's all about building that character and that heart for God because since we're talking about repentance here, your heart has to be open and willing for God to work in order for you to really come to full repentance to Him. 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:47.279 It's all about starting with your heart. 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.880 He wants all of it. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:57.359 So, because He wants all of it, in order for us to truly repent, we have to have humility. 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:03.119 Humility before Him. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:15.279 Psalms 51, 17 says, the sacrifices of God or a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, which, O God, thou wilt not despise. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:18.079 It's not just about being a broken person. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:22.480 So I kind of had to look at this up to kind of get some understanding of the context. 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:29.599 But he's looking for us not to just be broken, but broken from our human pride. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:34.079 Our flesh, broken from our flesh. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:43.680 We must let go of our own self-reliance and put our trust in him. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:49.680 It's not within our own power, it's not within our own abilities. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:32:14.240 And so when God disciplines you or slaps your hand and you do something wrong, say, okay, God, instead of you getting mad and angry, upset, and and perhaps affecting others around you, like your family, your coworkers, your friends, or doing something to harm yourself, take a step back and say, God, okay, what are you doing? 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:21.200 Don't become frightful and give into your flesh and start making all these excuses of what happened to me and why it happened, distress. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:25.039 Okay, God, what are you calling me to do? 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:36.559 When we sin and we make a mistake, no matter the severity, we must know that he will accept us when we humble ourselves in him. 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:54.319 And sometimes we feel embarrassed about it, and sometimes the sin may cause us to deal with circumstances because maybe it affected the rules of this world and the laws of this world, but because you are made right under him and you've repented and turned away from that, you are now made righteous and good with him. 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:59.599 And ultimately, I'm trying to get to the kingdom of God, I'm trying to get to heaven. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:02.000 I want to be with him in eternal glory. 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:16.240 And if I have a decision that I made on this earth and there's consequences because of it, but I ask for forgiveness, I'm still right, even though I have to deal with the circumstances of my choices. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:24.079 I have to have a heart that's humbled in humility before God. 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:30.319 We have to know that He will accept us regardless of what we have done. 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:34.400 We have to repent and we have to turn from our sinful, selfish ways. 00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:36.160 Because we want to hide. 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:38.720 And just like what did Adam and Eve do? 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:41.920 They went, they hid because they knew what they did was wrong. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.680 And they took them a step. 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:49.359 And and and and Satan, the serpent, deceived them. 00:33:50.960 --> 00:34:04.319 Because they relied so much on what they could see and what potential that what they could feel and receive from that that fruit, despite of what God told them not to eat from it. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:08.239 He didn't say, Oh, this is really good fruit, but don't eat from it. 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.519 He said, just don't even eat it. 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.719 Don't even go buy it. 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.639 Don't eat from it. 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:20.000 There's gonna be a lot of things that we're exposed to, but God says, don't touch it, stay away from it, because it'll destroy your life. 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:21.679 It's the same principle. 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:24.400 And then we mess up and we sin, guess what? 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:24.880 We hide. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:31.360 We try to we try to begin to cover it up, and sometimes what happens, you cover it up, and it makes it worse. 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:33.440 They begin to tie fig leaves together. 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:35.360 He's like, No, no, no, no, no, that's not right. 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:37.199 You're not gonna do it within yourself. 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:41.119 If we're gonna make this thing right, I'm gonna make the way for you to do that. 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:47.199 And so we use animals, he shed the blood, which is also a foreshadowing to what Jesus would do. 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.760 By with the straps we are healed. 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:52.880 His blood was shed on Calvary for our sins. 00:34:54.880 --> 00:35:04.320 So his way of doing things is for us to come to him in humility, not do it within our own selves, and ask for forgiveness and repent. 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.599 Does that make sense? 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:13.280 We don't bring glory upon ourselves because it's not in our own strength that this work can be done, but by his spirit. 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:18.159 We must ensure that we maintain a humble heart and let his work be done in us. 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:20.159 I better move. 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:23.519 So we have to be quick to repent. 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:30.480 Psalms 51, 1 through 2 says, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according to thy multitude of thy tender mercies. 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:37.119 Blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:41.199 He said it himself. 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:52.239 His love never stops, his forgiveness is never ending, and his mercy is faithful. 00:35:52.480 --> 00:36:02.639 With that understanding, we must not live in condemnation if sin has occurred, but allow his forgiveness to purify our heart and our mind. 00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:06.159 Because sometimes we feel like we have to live with it in our minds. 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:12.400 No, you have to allow him to not only purify your repent in your heart, but you have to allow him to refresh you in your mind. 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:19.519 Pray that God would help you in your mind, because that will torment you, and the enemy will use that as a splinter in your side. 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:21.679 Something that's going to keep reminding you of what you have done. 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:26.239 You need to pray and ask God, Lord, help me in this time of infirmity. 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:30.880 Help me through this as I'm repenting and I'm turning away from this sin that I have committed. 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:32.639 Help me so that it's not on my mind. 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:38.480 Help me purify my mind so I think upon and dwell upon heavy things, heavenly things and not on earthly things. 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.440 Amen. 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:44.639 His blood cleanses us and his spirit renews us. 00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:48.639 Because of this truth, when we sin, our response should be quick repentance. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:56.239 The moment we delay our need for forgiveness, the enemy has a moment to deceive us, to deceive our hearts. 00:36:56.480 --> 00:37:00.880 We must not give in to complacency and we must be quick to repent. 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:06.960 You stop walking, the enemy will cripple you and make you believe that you are not worthy to walk with him. 00:37:08.079 --> 00:37:15.840 The moment you delay in repentance, the enemy is beginning to chain you up and binding you to keep you right where you are. 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:20.000 And that's not the work of God in your life, as we have learned. 00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:22.159 You are worthy. 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:25.039 Even if you sin, when you repent, you are worthy. 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:28.800 Because you're doing a work of righteousness that he said that you could have. 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.960 You are worthy. 00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:38.639 And as long as you are living on this earth, you have every opportunity to make things right with God. 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:48.559 This is important for someone who walks in the spirit because we will be placed in positions where our faith will be put under pressure. 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:50.960 And Stephen was one of those people. 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:52.800 He was full of the Spirit. 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:56.719