WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:02.640 And we started a new series uh last week. 00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:06.959 Pastor Stephen started a new series on the temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:08.560 The temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:11.279 How many know that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit? 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:12.000 Amen? 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:22.800 And this week's um title, I guess you could call it the best version of yourself. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:25.039 The best version of yourself. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:36.159 There's a lot of self-help books out there that talk about being the best version of yourself, but we're gonna learn how to be the best version of ourselves when we apply the Holy Spirit to our lives. 00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:42.240 So as we go through this series, we've learned that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:56.960 And when we gave our lives to Jesus, when we recognize our need for a savior and surrendered our lives to God, what happens now is that we have allowed Jesus to usher the Holy Spirit into our lives. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:00:57.920 Amen? 00:00:58.240 --> 00:00:59.840 I should hear an amen on that one. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:03.679 We have allowed the Holy Spirit to be ushered into our lives. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:06.239 Thank you. 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:10.159 And when that happens, there's a change. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:13.680 A change was made inside of us. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:16.079 We become, the Bible says, a new creation. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:17.519 We've talked about that before. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:19.599 You are a new creation in Christ. 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:21.359 The old man is gone. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:31.359 And what was once an empty house, and what was once broken down, now has new now has a new resident inside of it. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:34.879 And what was once dead is now brought back to life. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:39.040 What was once separated from God is now brought back together. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:46.159 What was once lost, its purpose, what once has lost its purpose, is now given a future again. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:54.159 So when we accept Christ and place him Lord of our life, the Holy Spirit takes residence inside of us. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:57.359 And that shouldn't be a shock to you. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.560 You should know that already. 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.040 Maybe some of you didn't know that, but now you know. 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:10.719 When you give your life to Christ and you surrender to the things of Him, His Spirit begins to He enters into you and begins to transform your life. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:16.639 So now no longer are you just an empty, broken down vessel that could have been. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:18.240 But now you listen to this. 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:26.240 Now you are living, breathing, intentional, called and chosen child of God who is an important part of God's family. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:28.240 Did you hear that this morning? 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:32.000 That's an important statement. 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:34.240 And I want you to repeat after me. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:36.159 Now you are a what? 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:36.960 Living? 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:46.800 Say it, living, you are breathing, intentional, called and chosen child of God. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:48.560 Come on, say that again. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:56.560 I'm a living, I am breathing, I am an intentional, I am a called and chosen child of God. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:02:58.960 Amen. 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:00.719 You have to get that inside of you. 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:02.719 You have to realize that. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:08.479 Your spirit is renewed and continues to be renewed. 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:19.759 Your soul is being transformed, even your body is being used, your physical body is being used for worship to glorify Christ just as it was created to be. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.759 We all know what happened in Genesis chapter 3. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:37.360 When Adam and Eve sinned, there was a separation there, but because of the work of the cross, now we have access to his throne room, we have access to forgiveness, we have access to the King of Kings because of what he did. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:43.680 And now, spiritually, we can be created as it was supposed to be. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:49.039 Right now, because we're on this earth, there's still a curse, our bodies still deteriorate. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:54.240 anybody bodies did anybody's body deteriorating? 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:59.520 My body sometimes feels like that. 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:08.479 I played softball last Friday, and then I played again the following Monday, that following Monday, and my body felt it. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:13.599 I was kind of getting out of my my vehicle like an old person. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:18.800 No offense to any old people getting out like that, but I was walking around like this for a little bit. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:20.000 I had to stretch. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:22.879 When I was younger, my 20s, I didn't even was stretching. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:23.759 What is that? 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:25.680 I mean, who stretches in their 20s? 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:26.079 Anybody? 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:26.480 I don't know. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:28.160 I don't I didn't stretch. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:31.199 But now I feel it in my body as I'm getting older. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:32.879 I feel different aches and pains. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:38.079 You're walking, anybody 40 and above walking, all of a sudden you're like, what is that about? 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:39.920 What is going on? 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:42.560 That's all still part of this curse. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:47.519 That physical, this physical place that hasn't been completely restored yet. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:50.879 The Bible talks about someday there'll be a new heaven and new earth. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:56.639 But right now we are placed on this earth and we still have to deal with the curse of sin in that regard. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:04:59.920 But spiritually speaking, you are set free this morning. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:01.040 Amen. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:06.639 And I want to read this verse to you. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:07.279 Listen to this. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:11.759 It comes from 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verses 19 through 20. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:18.240 It says, Or do you not know that your body, that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you? 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:20.160 I want to pause right there for a second. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:23.600 That word body right there in the Greek is called Soma. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:25.600 Soma, S-O-M-A. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:30.879 And that's referring to every part of your body. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:36.000 Your physical, your spiritual, your mental capacity. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:38.160 That's all of it. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:44.000 So when it's saying body in that, in this verse, it's saying the temple of the Holy Spirit is within you. 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.079 And where did this spirit come from? 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:50.319 It came from God, and that you are not your own, for you have been bought for a price. 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:51.759 Now look at what it says here. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:55.360 Therefore, glorify God in your body. 00:05:55.600 --> 00:06:00.879 So now I'm gonna glorify God in my body, my physical body, I'm gonna give him glory. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:06.240 The way I live my life, the mental capacity of my life, I'm gonna give him glory. 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:08.480 He's gonna give me a new mind. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:09.920 He's gonna renew my mind. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:15.439 Spiritually speaking, my spiritual body, we're gonna be connected with the Holy Spirit. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:19.519 So when it says body, it's body, soul, and spirit in that verse. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:20.399 That's what it means. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:26.480 The Holy Spirit takes residence within you and begins to transform your physical, mental, and spiritual body. 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:27.360 Amen. 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:34.000 See, the problem we run to as children of God is that we forget what God has done in our lives. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:37.439 Sometimes people forget that they are a child of God. 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:41.279 Sometimes they forget that they are a temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:43.519 And that happens to all of us. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:49.920 Sometimes you can look at people and say, I wonder if they realize that they are a temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:52.879 That they realize the Holy Spirit is inside of them. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:55.759 And you might think to yourself, Pastor Mike, that's judging. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:07:00.399 Well, the Bible also says you'll know them by their fruits. 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:12.480 So you know how somebody is living their life, maybe just by a conversation, or by the way they're living their lives, or where they are spiritually, by how they're acting and what they're doing in their lives. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:17.439 You can't forget that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:23.920 I actually asked my wife to come up. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:28.160 She has a funny story that she wants to share that goes along with this. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.360 Come on up, Karen. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:31.759 This one goes way back. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:36.959 I was probably, I don't know, 12. 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:39.040 Way back. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:44.399 We were living in New Hampshire, and my dad, if you knew him, he loved cars. 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:50.959 Um he just sometimes would go in his spare time just to test drive a new car that came out. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:08:01.040 And so uh what was fun was there'd be grand openings or fun days, and he'd pack all of us because there's free popcorn and free hot dogs. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:05.360 And when you got six kids, that's what you do for a field trip. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.439 So or eight kids, whatever. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:21.360 So anyway, we're all in the vehicle, and my dad wanted to, I think it was the Astro van that had come out, and we're all sitting in the vehicle, and he's test driving it now. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:24.480 And we're driving, and he's mad. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:33.519 And he's having a conversation with us in the back, getting replies and everything, saying, Oh, that salesman, he's a liar. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:38.399 He said this thing's gonna get 35 miles to the gallon, and I know it isn't. 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:44.000 And of course, he hears it is, it is, you know, from the peanut gallery in the back. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:55.840 And then he's saying, No, no, it's it's all a lie, and uh these stores aren't gonna work, and I guarantee you that there is no warranty, like the guy saying, There is, there is a warranty. 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:59.600 But my dad didn't know that the guy was in the car with us. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:18.559 And it was him replying, and my dad thought it was my brother Timmy, but we're all sitting there trying to get my dad's attention through the mirror, saying, He's so when my dad saw that the guy was in the car, he goes, but other than that, the car's great. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:22.000 And I'm sure many of us have embarrassing stories like that. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:22.639 Amen? 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:23.679 Anybody? 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:26.399 Bunch of liars, you gotta get saved. 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:30.159 Nobody's raising their hand, nobody has embarrassing stories, yeah, right. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:38.080 Maybe you've pocket dialed someone by accident, and the person on their side of the phone was listening to your conversation, you didn't even realize it. 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:51.279 You uh maybe you accidentally pressed talk to text in your conversation, and um you know your whole team of at work might have heard your conversation or got a text uh that didn't make any sense or whatever it might have been. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:10:04.000 There's moments when you realize that when somebody else is in the room and when somebody else is listening behind the scenes, you sometimes begin to sit up a little taller, right? 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:16.159 When you're by yourself or with your family, you might act a little different, but when there's someone new or someone different, you begin to act a little more um gracious or appropriate, right? 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:19.360 So you think about what you say before you say it. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:23.519 You're all of a sudden the best version of yourself for the most part. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:29.519 And we all know everybody has two sides to themselves, sometimes three sides to themselves. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:33.519 The one that everybody sees and the one that they don't let anybody see. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:42.639 The person we pretend to be and the person we truly are when everybody goes home, are they are they the same person? 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:49.200 Sometimes, men, we suck in our stomachs a little bit when we talk to somebody. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.799 Hi, how are you doing? 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:54.399 Yes, and then when they leave, you're like, oh, thank you, Lord. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:01.679 But thank the Lord that He didn't leave us alone, amen. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:05.600 When He ascended into heaven, He sent His Comforter, the Holy Spirit. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:11.679 Because when the Holy Spirit is operating in your life, he's transforming you from the inside out. 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:25.200 So whether you are young, you're middle-aged, or older, or at home, at church, at work, wherever you might be, you're the same child of God that he created you to be from your mother's womb, whether wherever you might be. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:33.600 What people see outside of your home, you're the same person when you're by yourself. 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:36.720 You're a child of God. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:42.480 And I want to show you something that happens to a lot of believers. 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:52.559 There's a trap that people fall into, and it's something that that the devil uses to disrupt your life, and it's just a short little verse, it's James chapter 1.8. 00:11:52.960 --> 00:12:01.200 James chapter 1.8 says, being a double-minded man, now, ladies, that's talking about mankind, so you're not excused from this. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:05.679 Being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:09.600 Have you ever met someone who doesn't know what to order at a restaurant? 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:14.960 And they're just, you're like, come on, come on, everybody's waiting. 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.480 They don't know how to make a decision. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.720 We're not talking about those small things. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:21.519 We're talking about a double-minded person. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:24.879 Someone who's walking the fence, who's in the middle of the road. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:29.279 They're gonna pick a side, but they don't know what side to pick, so they're they're picking, they're in the middle. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:41.440 See, the Bible talks about double-mindedness, being a double, being double-tongued, having flattering lips, as a deceitful, uh, have a deceitful heart, being lukewarm. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:55.679 See, the Holy Spirit wants to do away with all the back and forth between the darkness and the light, being one person in the day and then another person in the dark, deciding, oh, today I think I might follow the Lord, and the next day, nah, I'm just gonna do what I want. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:58.960 See, the enemy wants to bring confusion to your life. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.480 That's what his job is. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.759 That's what he wants to do. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:06.960 He wants to bring confusion, he wants to bring chaos, he wants to bring disruption to your life. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:11.840 And when you identify like this, it becomes like a circus act. 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:14.559 And you allow the devil to move into your life. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:20.080 And next thing you're juggling all these different things and you lose focus and everything comes crashing down. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:26.320 And then you're embarrassed because somebody saw the side of you that they weren't meant to see. 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:31.600 I remember one time we were I was at the store with PT, another PT story. 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:35.600 And we were either at home or at Home Depot at or at Lowe's. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:39.840 And I think we were getting paint for one of the classrooms or something, I don't remember what it was. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:49.759 And we're there trying to pick out the paint or order the paint, whatever it, whatever we were doing, and we hear in another aisle someone talking to somebody, and they were swearing up a storm. 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:52.960 They were they were really going for it. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:14:01.840 And the person comes around the corner, and we both recognize this person because they were a person who came to church. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.159 Came to this church. 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.679 Maybe you're here right now. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.799 No, I don't know. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:10.080 This is a long, this is a long time ago. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:14.159 And we both, me and PT looked at each other like, whoa, like wow. 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:18.639 And then he comes and he and he sees us and he goes, hey, he didn't really didn't know that we heard him. 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:20.960 He's like, hey, and he became the Christian. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:24.080 Hey, Pastor PT, how are you? 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.600 Good, great sermon on Sunday. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:27.919 Yeah, that really touched my life. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.919 We didn't hear that a second ago. 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:35.279 A double-minded person. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:42.799 Ephesians 5, 8 through 13 says this for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:49.840 Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists of in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:59.440 As you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:06.320 For it is look at this, verse 12, for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:13.440 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.840 And then look at what it says in Luke chapter twelve. 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.480 Luke chapter twelve, verses two through three. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:20.080 Do you guys have that verse? 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:26.240 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:36.080 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have been whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed onto the housetops. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:41.759 See, there are people who give their lives to Christ and continue to live double lives. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:51.200 They come to church, they read their Bibles, they even serve in a ministry in the kingdom of God and continue to live a double life. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:55.840 The one you see in church and the one you see at home, they're two different people. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:58.639 Does that mean you're a bad person? 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:02.159 Does that mean you don't belong in the presence of God? 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.879 Does that mean you will always have to be that way? 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:08.720 Well, the answer to those three questions is no, you don't have to be that person. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:14.399 And if that's you this morning, you need to wake up and get a and get a new perspective of what being a Christian is. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.960 Because you don't have to live a double life. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:24.799 But you need to change and ask the Holy Spirit to weed out what doesn't belong in your life. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:28.240 You have to choose to follow the things of the Lord. 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:31.440 He just doesn't zap in, you become this perfect person. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.720 It takes work, it takes discipline. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:37.600 It's hard sometimes. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:43.039 But how many know you you can do it because all things are possible if you have Christ on your side? 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.000 Amen. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:48.799 So the question is: how can I be constant and consistent? 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:51.200 How can I be constant and consistent? 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:59.039 How can you be the same person at work, at home, or church without feeling like a fake or a phony or like you're trying too hard? 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:05.839 First, the first thing is we, and we've talked about this, is that you have to remember that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:08.079 The Holy Spirit dwells inside of you. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:11.839 The second thing is the Holy Spirit wants to transform you. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.920 Listen to this, it's very important. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:18.240 The Holy Spirit wants to transform you into the image of Christ. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.240 Into the image of Christ. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.759 He wants to make you like Christ. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.519 Does that mean you're gonna be perfect like Christ? 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:27.759 No, but he wants to transform you into the image of Christ. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.319 Why? 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:32.000 Just so you can say, look what I did to that person, I changed them into the image of Christ. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.839 No, there's more to it than that. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:39.119 It's so you could be a witness to others that way you can say, Look how God has changed my life. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:40.720 Look what he's doing in my life. 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.839 Am I a perfect person? 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:45.759 No, but I am striving to be more like him and look what's happening to my life. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:50.559 I now have joy and peace and happiness, even in the midst of a storm. 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:55.440 Do you understand that this morning? 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:59.519 It's a testimony to the people around us, what God can do. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:04.240 They might look at you and say, weren't you that person that used to do this, that, and this and that? 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:06.240 What happened to that person? 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.480 Well, God has changed my life. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:13.519 See, the Holy Spirit wants to transform us into the image of Christ. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:16.640 Hebrews 13 8 says, Jesus Christ is what? 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:19.599 The same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:23.680 The same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:44.880 Where we are, He wants to change us to where we are consistent, where we are constant, where we are dependable, where we are real people who are once sinners, but now the Holy Spirit is living inside of us, rearranging, convicting, transforming, bringing to light, even giving strength to live, move, and have our being in Christ. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.359 That's what the Holy Spirit does. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:51.839 Some might say, well, Jesus doesn't expect me to be perfect all the time. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:56.480 He knows that you're not going to be perfect all the time. 00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:00.240 But people use that as an excuse not to change. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:06.240 He understands that I make mistakes, that you make mistakes, and that we're human, that we make mistakes. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:13.359 And people say, well, it's all under his grace anyway, so you know I can kind of live I can live however I want because I'm under his grace. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:18.400 And you hear that all the time: his grace, his grace, his grace, his grace. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.119 Well, guess what? 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:21.839 You're abusing his grace when you're living that way. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.680 Listen to what Paul says. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:27.200 Paul says this in Romans chapter 6, verses 1 through 4. 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:30.240 This is what shall we say then? 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:33.920 Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.519 Far from it. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:39.119 How shall we who die to sin still live in it? 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:46.000 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized in Christ Jesus have been baptized in his death? 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:57.519 Therefore, we have been buried with him through the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in the newness of life. 00:19:57.680 --> 00:20:00.880 You understand that's where we talk about you are a new creation. 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:02.559 The old person is gone. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:08.880 That person is dead, and now you are raised up like Christ was raised up in the newness of life. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:16.079 So now grace is the door that you can walk through. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:20.960 Listen to what it says here in Titus chapter 2, verses 11 through 14. 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:25.680 For the grace of God has appeared. 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:27.440 Who is the grace of God? 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:29.279 What does it mean that he's appeared? 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.599 It was Jesus when he came to this earth. 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.960 And what did Jesus do? 00:20:33.519 --> 00:21:02.000 He brought salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously, in a godly manner in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, eager for good deeds. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:09.039 See, his grace is not a justification for sin or to keep on walking in the flesh. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:23.759 But his grace is the only reason you have access to the Holy Spirit and the possibility of taking somebody that was filthy and like you and I and make us worthy to be transformed and to walk in the newness of life. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:25.599 Did you hear that this morning? 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:30.480 Grace is a door, not a coverall for your sin. 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.519 Grace is a door. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:34.000 Grace is a door to repentance. 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:36.640 It is a door to forgiveness. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:45.119 It is the door to salvation, to a new life in Jesus Christ, because of the work of the Holy Spirit being completed in your life. 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:51.920 See, Paul even talks about grace as a door to the power to overcome obstacles. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:57.279 Second Corinthians, Paul is talking about this thorn in his flesh that he has to deal with. 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:59.440 2 Corinthians chapter 12 9. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.960 To what he says. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:08.720 He says, and he has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:17.279 So now Paul says this, most gladly, therefore, I would rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.920 Do you understand what that's saying this morning? 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:25.200 It's saying, So now I am glad to boast about the things that I am weak, my weaknesses. 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:30.160 So now I can show the world that the power of Christ can work through me. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.640 Do you understand that this morning? 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:36.640 Because when I am weak, he is strong. 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:39.039 He works through me through my weaknesses. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:42.160 He works through me through my trials and my tribulations. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:46.799 That's why he says, I count it all joy when I walk through these situations. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.559 I count it joy. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:48.960 Why? 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.440 Why? 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.559 Because he likes suffering? 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:52.640 No, nobody likes to suffer. 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:54.799 But he knows what God can do. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:57.200 He knows what God can do in your life. 00:22:57.440 --> 00:23:03.200 He knows how God can change you and make you into the man and make you into the woman of God he wants you to be. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:14.720 He knows he can take those problems that you might have, those things that you might struggle with and change them for the change them and take them out of your life and replace them with his goodness and his mercy and his peace. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:31.440 So by his sufficient grace, the power of Christ is now in me, giving me and giving you the ability to listen to this, giving you the ability to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:33.039 Praise the Lord. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:38.400 And you might be thinking, Pastor Mike, that that just feels impossible to do. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.720 How do I change who I am? 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:42.720 How do I change my emotions? 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.640 How do I change my thoughts? 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:46.960 How do I change my desires? 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:51.440 This is the way I am, and this is the way I will always be. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.799 And what do you hear there? 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.880 I, I, I, I, I. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.160 Well, guess what? 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.160 You cannot change yourself. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:24:00.480 So you're just going to be stuck in a rut. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.640 But let me let you on a little secret. 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:10.079 If you surrender your life to the Holy Spirit, you surrender your life to the Lord, He is the one that changes you, not you. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.680 Amen. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:15.759 You have to allow the Holy Spirit to change you. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:19.200 You have to choose who you're going to serve. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:24.480 Am I going to be a lukewarm Christian or am I going to be on fire for the things of God? 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:29.599 And how do we change from being a lukewarm Christian to being on fire for the things of God? 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:31.759 I'll say it over and over again. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.519 You need to get in his word. 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.920 You need to have a relationship with him. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.119 You need to pray. 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:39.519 You need to ask the Holy Spirit to enter into you. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:46.319 You need to ask the Holy Spirit to change the person that you are and to becoming to the image of Christ. 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:50.480 That's how you become a person who is on fire for the things of the Lord. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:54.960 Even when things are going, when not things, when life is not going your way. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:25:01.039 Because now when things aren't going your way, you know that Christ is still going to be there leading and guiding you. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:03.200 Because He's going to give you joy in those moments. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.519 He's going to give you peace in your suffering. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:07.039 He's going to give you happiness. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:20.000 Because now you're going to be able to use that problem, whatever it might be, to be a testimony to the things, to the people around you, and to be able to proclaim Christ to those around you because of what you have gone through. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.680 That's what it's all about. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.119 Do you understand that this morning? 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:26.960 That you're just not you're not just an empty vessel. 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:30.160 You're not just an empty vessel. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:32.160 You're not just going through the motions. 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:36.079 You're not just a person who comes to church on Sunday and that's it. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:38.880 No, you're on fire for the things of God. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:42.400 You're on fire for his word. 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:45.359 You have a desire to know who he is. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:48.559 You have a desire to have a relationship with him. 00:25:48.799 --> 00:26:06.240 You have a desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to be led by the Holy Spirit, to go up to people and talk to them about Christ, to be involved in ministry, to be involved in connect groups, to be involved in teaching kids, to be involved in someone's life, to be involved in bringing someone to church. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:08.160 Let me tell you something. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:14.720 You're not going to have that desire if you don't get into the presence of the into the presence of the Lord. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.559 You understand that this morning? 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:24.880 If you want to have a desire to be in the presence of the Lord, you need to move towards the Lord because He's there calling all of us. 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:29.359 And he will do what He says because He is a God that doesn't change His mind. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.599 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:36.000 When He tells us that He loves us and He has a promise for us, He's going to do it. 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.839 All we have to do is stand on those promises. 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.480 Amen. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:41.680 But I want to read Ephesians chapter 3. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:45.119 Ephesians chapter 3, verses 20 through 21. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:52.799 It says, now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:55.440 Pause there for one second. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:06.480 So beyond what you can even imagine, he is able to do. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.839 How does he do this? 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:11.759 He does it according to the power that works within us. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:18.720 To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.680 Amen. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:27.359 We have to remember there is a power at work within us, making you the best version of yourself. 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:33.680 The Bible says this power is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we could ask or think. 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:45.440 A power that resides in us, that if you would allow, is able to transform even the most unthinkable parts of who you are and into the image of Christ. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:47.359 Did you hear that this morning? 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:51.119 Those deep down things that you think that they're so shameful. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:58.960 God is still able to change those things and take those things out of your life and turn those things into the image of Christ. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:04.880 If we truly are the temple of the Holy Spirit, then why are we living two lives? 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:07.039 Sometimes three lives. 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:07.039 Living your life as a reflection of his glory. 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:10.400 And I want you to take notice of that last part of that verse. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:12.880 It says, To him be the glory. 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.920 God should be gloried. 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:18.400 Your life should bring glory. 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:25.839 The way you live your life should bring glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:29.200 Listen, you don't have to pretend anymore. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:38.880 The Holy Spirit is dwelling within you and desires to give you the real, give you a real experience of what a child of God looks like. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:42.480 Stop resisting the Holy Spirit. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:47.920 I would encourage you this morning, don't resist the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:55.359 Instead, allow him to transform you into the image of Christ, which is the best version of yourself. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.079 Amen.