WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:03.439 We've been in a series talking about being kingdom-minded. 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:04.959 Can you say kingdom-minded? 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:10.880 Something that each and every one of us have been called to be as children of God. 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:13.359 Scripture says that we are to have what? 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:14.480 The mind of who? 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:16.000 The mind of Christ. 00:00:16.239 --> 00:00:19.359 The mind of Christ, how do we have the mind of Christ? 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:22.640 By receiving our information from above. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:25.199 The world has a lot of nonsense information. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:29.039 You need to start receiving your information from above. 00:00:30.079 --> 00:00:34.399 Instruction that has been written down in Scripture, revealed by what? 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:36.000 The Spirit of God. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:37.039 Amen. 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:48.640 As you begin thinking the way that Christ did, as you begin to operate under the leading of the Holy Spirit according to God's word, you might find yourself doing things out of the ordinary. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:50.560 Can you say out of the ordinary? 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:53.280 Yes, you are a peculiar people. 00:00:53.520 --> 00:00:57.840 It might be out of the ordinary to come forward and have the elders pray for you. 00:00:58.079 --> 00:01:04.640 But listen, when you do things out of the ordinary, it's because you're expecting out of the ordinary results. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:08.239 You're expecting out of the ordinary blessings. 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:18.239 Listen, you might find yourself spending more time at the altar, something out of the ordinary, but it leads to out of the ordinary results. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:24.719 You might find yourself talking to people about Christ more than you ever have before, praise the Lord. 00:01:24.959 --> 00:01:29.599 You might find yourself teaching Sunday school, doing something out of the ordinary. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:31.920 I never thought I'd be able to do that. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:34.480 Or getting involved in another ministry. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:42.959 You might find as you do things out of the ordinary, you will reach out of the ordinary results and out of the ordinary blessings. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:48.879 And as we tap into this attitude of being kingdom-minded, you will naturally reflect what? 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:50.640 The supernatural. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.319 And you will begin to reflect the supernatural. 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:44.960 Why? 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:45.520 How? 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:49.039 By letting God do a work in your family. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:03:02.080 By allowing God to shine his love and forgiveness through you, by speaking his word into your situation and watching the miraculous take shape in whichever way God wants to. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:06.719 See, you can reflect the supernatural in the way that you get up in the morning. 00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:07.759 Did you know that? 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:15.840 You can reflect the supernatural by just putting a smile on your face and knowing that God's got even this. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:22.479 Because you know that God has something more for you to accomplish today for his kingdom and glory. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:26.960 We said that king, being kingdom-minded is looking towards what? 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:28.159 The future. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:30.560 Looking towards the future. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:35.919 Because in the kingdom of God, there is always something to look forward to. 00:03:36.080 --> 00:03:37.919 Do you believe that this morning? 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:42.479 Think of what you have to look forward to as children of God. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:45.439 Think of what you have to look forward to. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:48.240 Did you know that Christ is coming back for you? 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:52.479 I'm just making sure you knew that. 00:03:53.360 --> 00:04:04.960 Because when the days start to wear out and you start to get sick and tired of being sick and tired, you can realize that God has a future and that he's coming back for his children. 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:12.319 It says in this in John 14, verse 2 through 3, it says, In my Father's house there are many rooms. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.959 If it were not so, I would have told you, because I'm going to prepare a place for who? 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:17.839 For you. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:27.759 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:54.560 See, when those who have fallen asleep in Christ, along with those who are alive, will be joined together in something that we have to look forward to. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:05:09.920 In 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, let me remind you of this in verse 16: for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with the shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:11.759 Praise the Lord. 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:24.000 Then we who are alive, that's you and I, who remain, will be caught up together, will be raptured up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:27.199 And so we will always be with the Lord. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:29.040 Do you believe that this morning? 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:33.199 And guess who has to look forward to this future? 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:35.600 Guess who gets to look forward to this future? 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:37.120 His church. 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:39.759 Not this building, remember? 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:41.680 His church. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:46.240 You and I, members of one body with Christ as the head. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:50.639 Listen, people of God, you have so much to look forward to. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:54.319 So much to look forward to with the kingdom of God. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:59.199 And as I read this next scripture verse, I want it to just wash over you. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:04.639 I want us to shut our eyes and let his word wash over you this morning. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:10.480 In Revelation, it says this Revelation chapter 21, keep your eyes shut. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.639 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:20.800 For the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:31.199 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:43.360 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and he will dwell among them. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:58.480 Listen, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be among them, and he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:12.319 And he who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:17.920 And he said, Right, for these words are faithful and true. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:22.639 See, when you're kingdom-minded, this is what is on your mind. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:28.560 When you're kingdom-minded, this is what is going on in your mind. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:41.040 And not only are you looking forward to your own future, but you're looking to invite others to join in the wonderful things that God has made available for all of humanity. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:48.959 Can you imagine that being kingdom-minded is not all about you? 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:50.480 Could you imagine that? 00:07:51.920 --> 00:08:01.360 Being kingdom-minded is not all about you because the world needs to know that there is so much more to look forward to than just a new Tesla. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:09.759 There's so much more to look forward to than the new iPhone or the new series that's coming out on your streaming. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:13.519 Hey, I get excited too. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:17.680 Those are fun things to look forward to. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:22.560 But when was the last time you invited somebody to hear God's word? 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:28.879 When was the last time you invited somebody to fellowship with believers? 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:37.440 Because although these things are wonderful to look forward to in life, and I look forward to them too. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:39.919 God has so much more. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:45.279 And not just the temporary things that get old fast, and we need new ones and new ones. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:48.879 They wear out so fast, especially those new TV series. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:57.200 But He's got some eternal things to look forward to, things that will last for eternity. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:03.840 And I love when the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon and sees what God is able to do. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:12.720 And I looked up in 1 Kings 10:7, and this is what Queen of Sheba says when she visits the wisest person to ever live. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:21.759 Howbeit I believe not the words until I came, and mine eyes had seen it, and behold, the half was not told to me. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:27.519 Thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I had heard. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:33.679 I believe the half has not been told of the things that God has prepared for those that love him. 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.759 Do you believe that this morning? 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:52.000 For those who follow him wholeheartedly, see, when we behold the things that were that are to come, when we finally get to the throne of heaven, singing, worthy is the Lamb that was slain. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:10:00.159 I believe we're gonna look around and we're gonna say, Wow, God, the half had not been told. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:04.159 The half had not been told, but there was so much more. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.879 Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:09.679 Thank you for never giving up on me. 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:15.200 Thank you, Lord, for strengthening me even when I was weak. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:22.559 Thanking, thank you, Lord, for keeping me on the path of righteousness by leading me in your spirit. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:26.639 See, we talked about the spirit last week. 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:32.480 Because being led by the spirit is an important part of being kingdom-minded. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:34.399 Do you believe that this morning? 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:41.120 Being kingdom-minded requires fellowship of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:46.559 Being kingdom-minded, it requires fellowship of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.639 It requires walking in the Spirit. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.440 Guess what? 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:52.399 It requires listening to the Spirit. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:02.000 You know what that means? 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:23.200 That means when you get all wrapped up, tied up, tangled up in the mess that you've created, and you want to stay angry and you want to stay mad and you want to stay unforgiving, you need to shut your eyes and you say, God, what should I do in this situation? 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:26.399 Should I be loving? 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.720 Should I be forgiving? 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.960 Should I be patient? 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:33.279 Should I show self-control? 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:37.840 God, what should I do in this situation? 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:41.679 And I know the Spirit of God will reveal it to you. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:45.679 And how you can accomplish His word in your situation. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.759 That's listening to the Spirit. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:54.639 But listen, you gotta get the Word of God inside of you so that way the Spirit can speak to you through His word. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.240 Do you understand what I'm saying? 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:03.440 In 1 Corinthians, it says this, chapter 2, verses 9. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:16.879 But just as it is written, things which eyes had not seen or ears not heard, and which have not entered the human heart, all that God has prepared for those who love them, for to us God revealed them through the Spirit. 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:21.039 For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:27.120 For who among the people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:31.600 So all the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:34.320 Now we have not received the Spirit of the world. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.919 Can I get an amen? 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:42.879 But the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:44.960 Do you see what the Spirit does? 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:57.279 We also speak these things not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:08.559 But a natural person, listen, does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are what? 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.399 Spiritually discerned. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:15.120 But the one who is spiritual discerns all things. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:23.759 Yet he himself is discerned by no one, for who has known the mind of the Lord that he will instruct him, but we have the mind of Christ. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.840 See, amen, amen. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:30.159 Being kingdom-minded requires fellowship with the Holy Spirit. 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:35.600 So I asked you last week, what does your fellowship with the Holy Spirit look like? 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:39.600 What does your fellowship with the Holy Spirit look like? 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:45.200 When you read the Bible, do you allow the Spirit to reveal its mysteries to you? 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:48.960 Or are you just checking off a checklist? 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:53.600 You don't have to read the whole book back to front in one night. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:58.799 But imagine if you took just one verse, read it, and allowed the Spirit to reveal it to you. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:01.039 Fellowship of the Spirit. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:06.159 Do you spend time in prayer? 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:15.360 Do you spend time in worship and in praise and allow the Spirit to speak to speak to you and through you in different tongues? 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:18.960 Are you baptized in the Holy Spirit? 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:26.480 Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to overwhelm you where you can't get enough of what the Spirit is revealing to you? 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.360 I ask you this. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:36.000 Have you ever experienced that true power to be witnesses of Jesus Christ? 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:41.440 What's your fellowship with the Holy Spirit look like? 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:52.399 Where the Spirit gives you such a confidence and an understanding of the things of God, I encourage you this morning, spend time in the presence of God. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:15:02.000 Listen to that still small voice, reminding you of the things that are right and that are written down in God's word. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:09.919 With this in mind, we find that being kingdom-minded is yes, walking in the spirit. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:18.720 But this morning I want to tell you being kingdom-minded is walking in the spirit and denying the flesh. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:22.960 Denying the flesh, it's a tough one. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:25.919 Denying that old flesh. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:38.639 See, in your journey to becoming kingdom-minded, putting on this mind of Christ that scripture talks about, doing things out of the ordinary, reflecting the supernatural. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:50.960 Yes, we're looking towards the future, and we're even finding our fellowship with the Holy Spirit, but you're gonna find that something is going to continually be trying to take you off course. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:55.759 Something is gonna try to get in the way of you being kingdom-minded. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:01.919 And that is the desires of the flesh. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:06.559 How many have been set free this morning through Christ Jesus? 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:10.159 Are there any who have been set free through Christ Jesus? 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:15.840 But Galatians 5 13 says this you brothers and sisters were called to be free. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.039 Can you say free? 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.639 Say it again. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.399 Oh, we love free. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.480 Free. 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:29.279 But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather, serve one another humbly in love. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.840 You're free. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:34.799 Receive that this morning. 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:40.720 But don't let your freedom be an excuse to indulge the flesh. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.639 Thank you, Lord, for your grace. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.639 Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:47.039 And Paul says this in Romans 6. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.720 What shall we say then? 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:52.320 Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:55.039 God forbid, say God forbid. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:01.200 How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:04.160 This is what Scripture says. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:07.279 Oh, thank you, God, for your grace. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.599 Thank you, God, for your forgiveness. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:15.759 But should we continue to sin so that grace may abound, God forbid. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:21.200 See, when we were baptized in Christ, we were baptized into his death. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:23.119 Do you believe that this morning? 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:44.000 And just like Christ was resurrected from the grave, was resurrected from the dead, so you and I, when we give our lives to Christ, so we are resurrected with Christ, and we are to walk in what Scripture calls the newness of life. 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.920 How many enjoy the new? 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.720 Amen. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.920 I know you do. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.519 Praise the Lord. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:18:07.680 Romans 6 13, it continues: neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, as those that are alive from the dead, as those that are alive. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:12.000 And your members are instruments of righteousness unto God. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.759 I want to read it again. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:31.839 Neither ye yield ye, too many wise, neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield ye yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:41.519 When we have fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we find that walking in the newness of life becomes so much easier. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:45.519 That's why I needed to talk about the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:59.279 Because you're going to find that if you don't allow the Holy Spirit to really do a work in your life, then yes, denying the flesh is going to be very difficult for you. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:12.319 We find that walking in newness of life and denying the flesh comes so much easier when we start to find our fellowship with the Holy Spirit. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:17.279 It says in Galatians 5 16, so I say what? 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:22.079 Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.279 Can you say that with me? 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:29.200 So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:29.839 Why? 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:37.599 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the flesh. 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:44.559 They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:49.920 But watch, if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 00:19:50.160 --> 00:20:20.480 The acts of the flesh are obvious sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like, I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:26.559 Obviously, in the church that Paul is writing to, there's a lot of nonsense going on. 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:34.480 And unfortunately, in today's church, there's a lot of nonsense going on. 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:46.559 But the Lord, through his word, reveals to us that, hey, it's time to get kingdom-minded. 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:52.880 It's time to put away those desires of the flesh that lead to death. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:59.039 And start to chase after the things of the spirit that lead to life. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:03.359 And not just life, but life more abundantly. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:14.160 You see, we realize through scripture that the flesh and the and the spirit they desire what is contrary to one another. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.640 You have to realize that. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:24.640 We read last week, because then it goes into the fruits of the spirit. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.480 But the fruits of the spirit are what? 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:33.920 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, favoress, gentleness, and self-control. 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.680 You know that one. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:40.319 Showing which direction the Holy Spirit is going to lead you in. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.799 If it's not in that direction, then guess what? 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.480 It's the flesh. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:51.440 If you're not walking towards the fruits of the Spirit, then you're walking towards the flesh. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:59.599 Unfortunately, the more that we deny the leading of the Holy Spirit and giving in to the desires of the flesh. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:04.960 The more our fellowship of the Spirit becomes more unfamiliar. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:20.960 Listen, you can get excited and find your fellowship with the Holy Spirit, but if you choose to continue to give in to the desires of the flesh, then your fellowship of the Holy Spirit will become more and more and more unfamiliar. 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:32.480 The more we deny the leading of the Holy Spirit, the more our fellowship of the Spirit becomes more unfamiliar. 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:45.119 Just because the world finds something acceptable does not mean that the kingdom of God finds it to be that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:52.400 You see, that's why the Bible calls us to be transformed by what? 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:54.559 The renewing of our minds. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:59.119 No longer being conformed to this world. 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.759 God loves everybody. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.519 Do you believe that this morning? 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.640 I hope you do. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.480 God loves everybody. 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:12.240 It doesn't matter your past, it doesn't matter what you've walked through, God knows it all. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:14.400 And He loves you this morning. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:19.440 And God will accept you just the way that you are. 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:32.160 But there must be a willingness to surrender every part of who you are and allow Him to transform you into who you were truly meant to be. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:40.000 You see, even the thief on the cross, he had a past, and God loved him. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:51.039 But in the words that he spoke, there was a heart of surrender, there was a heart of brokenness, there was a heart of God. 00:23:52.960 --> 00:24:00.079 Here I am, transform me, even in the last moments of his life. 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:35.039 When we give our lives to Christ, there needs to be a surrender, a willingness to say, hey, I might have been taught a lot of different things, but now, God, I'm allowing you to teach me your will, to teach me your word, a willingness to surrender every part of who I am in brokenness, and God, I allow you to transform me into your image, into who I was truly meant to be, no longer following after the things of this world. 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.559 But guess what, God? 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:39.359 I'm gonna deny the flesh. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:44.960 And being led by the Spirit into righteousness through Christ Jesus. 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.559 Thank you, Lord. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:53.200 See, thankfully, Christ gave us instruction to live by. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:25:05.039 Christ gave us instruction to live by, and not only did he give us instruction, but Christ gave us the perfect example of what that instruction looks like in the flesh. 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:08.559 Will we fall short? 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:10.319 Of course we will. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:12.559 Will we fall short? 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.839 Always. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:17.119 But God looks at the heart of you and I. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:26.880 God looks at the heart of the person and looks at their desire to live life the way that He instructs them to live. 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.920 I think of a child. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:34.960 And when I think of a child, of course, I think of my child. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:38.000 I think of baby Emora. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:47.200 I got one in my house, and Emora is at the age, she's almost a 14-month-old. 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:52.720 She's at the age where she likes to throw her food all over the ground. 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:56.160 Breakfast, lunch, dinner, restaurant, wherever. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:26:00.480 When she's done eating, she'll just throw it, she'll do one of those. 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.839 She thinks it's funny. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:10.559 She also enjoys going into the cabinets and rearranging all of the Tupperware. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:16.400 She enjoys rearranging all the pots and the pans, even though they're heavier than her. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:20.480 We prayed for a healthy, strong girl, and that's what we got. 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:32.799 But as her father, I have been given the responsibility to teach her how to keep her food on the table. 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:39.759 I've been given the responsibility to teach her how to stay out of the cupboards. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:43.759 And it's not that I'm trying to spoil her fun. 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:47.440 Daddy would never want to spoil babies' fun. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:52.640 Throwing food on the floor can be fun. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:56.079 Emptying the cabinets can also be fun. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:27:02.000 But as her father, I'm trying to teach her a better way of life. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:10.559 A life that is literally not as messy. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:21.440 As her father, not only am I trying to teach her, I'm trying to protect her. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:25.599 I'm trying to protect her from harm and getting hurt. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:31.599 I'm trying to teach her things that will help her get the most out of life. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:34.960 Listen, she's still a baby. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:41.440 And I'm sure there will be so many more things that I am going to need to teach her. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:28:00.400 But I'm believing that if she would listen to my voice, if she listens to the words that I speak, and not only that, if Emora would follow my example, she will become even more than what I have planned for her. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:06.559 I'm sure along the way, she's gonna make some messes. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.880 She's gonna keep making messes. 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:14.559 She's gonna keep reaching for the cookie jar, even though I say, don't reach for the cookie jar. 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:19.680 But I want a cookie, but I want a cookie, but I want yeah, you can eat a bunch of cookies. 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:43.440 But after I've told her not to eat those cookies over and over and over again, but as she denies doing the things that she wants to do and follows the things that I tell her to, eventually, I believe she's going to experience all the benefits of listening to her father's instructions. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.559 Do you understand what I'm saying this morning? 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:51.200 Your heavenly father loves you. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:29:00.640 Your heavenly father loves you and desires for you to listen and follow the example that has been given. 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.720 Will you make mess? 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.400 Of course you will. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.720 Will you make messes? 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.240 Plenty of them. 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:37.440 But I'm telling you this, according to God's word, as you deny the flesh and the things that are not beneficial to you, and you follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the instruction of his word, eventually you are going to experience the benefits of listening to your heavenly Father's instructions, and not just for today, but for all of you all of eternity. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:40.960 Romans 6, 22 through 23 says this. 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:54.319 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:03.039 Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.559 Hallelujah.