WEBVTT 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:20.000 Titus chapter two. 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:25.280 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:34.880 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, and love, and in steadfastness. 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:43.759 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slenders or slaves too much wine. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:01:01.920 They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:24.000 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled, show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching, show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:24.719 Declare these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:27.039 Let no one disregard you. 00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:28.719 This is the word of God. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:32.879 Yeah. 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:34.560 That's good. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:36.719 Little little afternoon lull, right? 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:39.520 Alright, so here I'm already gonna tell you what I love about you. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:42.800 I love the levity in this in this community. 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:48.560 Like I know you're Irish and so you're quick-witted and have that biting sarcasm that's actually your love language too. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:50.159 Love and hate language. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:50.800 I love it. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:52.960 Uh, but I just here's why. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:57.919 Because levity is always a byproduct or a fruit of love in the community. 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:06.960 And so it's it's so apparent to me who you love and that God's love is in this place, it's changing your lives and that'll belong to him. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:08.240 So it's just great. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:08.719 I love it. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:09.840 So be encouraged. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:11.759 Um, that is very evident. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:18.560 Almost like Titus talks about uh so much about the grace of God has appeared for all people. 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:21.039 Um, you're seeing it amongst you. 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:26.000 When you take that serious, when that when that embraces you, it changes how you live. 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:27.599 So be encouraged. 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:37.039 Um, as I mentioned, 1998 was a crucible for myself and for my family. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.280 I mentioned that our our marriage was, we we saw a different future. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:42.719 We didn't want to be married to each other. 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:47.360 It wasn't because we hated each other uh or there was infidelity or anything like that. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:53.280 Um, but we just weren't really trying to embrace what the world was giving us. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:04:00.159 We really wanted to believe in God and honor him, and we at the same time, we really wanted to play by the world's rules. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:06.960 We wanted to claim, we wanted accomplishments, we wanted to acquire things that told people we knew how to live this life. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:08.639 We wanted that so badly. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:15.439 And in God's great mercy, I remember that when I lost my job, uh, the airline I was working for happened to go out of business, as airlines do. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:18.480 And I was praying, Lord, I'm tired of this. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:27.279 Like, I don't want to live my life anymore in a way where I feel like I'm wasting it and you're not getting any glory and any honor out of it. 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:29.279 I prayed that prayer three months later. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:32.319 I lost my job and we ended up in Virginia by ourselves. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:34.000 We were isolated, we have no family. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:36.720 We're fully on the East Coast by Washington, D.C. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:39.439 East Coast and West Coast culture is very different. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:40.639 We didn't like it out there. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:42.079 We were isolated. 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:48.000 Um, Christy hurt her back when she was taking uh one uh JJ, he was probably five years old. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:51.920 She was taking him to daycare to go to work, and she fell and hurt her back. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:53.839 Like I said, we lost our home. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:55.199 It was tough. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:05:00.319 But during that season, this is where God actually met us. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:01.519 Were we believers? 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:05.680 Yeah, I believe we were, but we were walking away very quickly. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:15.600 And it was during that season, during that suffering, during that pain, during that confusion, during that crucible, is where we met God really for the first time. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:17.600 That is our testimony. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:31.839 As he redeemed us, as he as slowly brought our marriage back together, as he put us before his face, as the word of God started to live in our lives again, as the church became a family again, we found ourselves in this community group. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:33.040 Y'all do community groups? 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:33.920 Yeah, okay. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.199 So we are in a community group. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:41.040 This community group, however, was led by an 82-year-old widow whose name is Mrs. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:42.160 Thompson. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:42.959 Right? 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:44.639 And she she was fantastic. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:53.759 And she she was that kind of combination of tough and tender, you just don't see in anybody, let alone an 80-plus-year-old widow. 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:57.839 And I remember coming in and she said, How are you doing, Jason? 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:00.240 She had a very deep southern draw. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:01.920 How are y'all doing, honey? 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:02.959 Something like that. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:05.759 I said, Well, actually, Miss Thompson, not great. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:07.279 Like, um, this is hard. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:09.439 Um, we're going through this really tough season. 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:13.600 We really want to get back home to the West Coast, and I don't know that that's ever going to happen. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:19.279 Uh, the airline I'm with is gonna take forever for me to like progress up through the stages and make some money. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:23.839 And I've got a bunch of little kids, and you know, etc., etc., etc. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:26.000 And so she didn't say a word. 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:29.199 She walked over to her table and she picked up this devotional. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:31.040 I'm like, oh boy, here it comes. 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:32.639 But she was so sweet. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:35.199 And she started reading me this little one-page devotion. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:37.040 She says, I just read this today. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.160 This is for you. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:43.600 And she said, Do you know how a silversmith purifies silver? 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:44.560 I said, No, Mrs. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:45.839 Thompson, how does he do it? 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:51.519 She goes, Listen, he puts it into the crucible, into the smelter, and he adds heat. 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:55.759 And as that silver starts to melt, it liquefies. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.319 And then he adds more heat. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:02.319 And what happens is the impurities in the dross float to the top. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:07.040 And as they start, as it starts to collect on the top, then he adds more heat. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:19.439 What that heat does is it burns away this dross, these impurities, these things that are that are getting in the way of the silver becoming truly used. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:21.439 Do you know how he knows when he's done? 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:22.399 I said, no. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:30.000 When he burns it so hot, all the dross and the film is off the top, and you can see his reflection perfectly. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:34.160 The silversmith can see his reflection in the silver. 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:37.360 So that's what God's doing to you. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.759 Like he's adding heat to your life. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:43.680 Don't run away from it because I know you went out really badly. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:54.319 Let the silversmith let him burn, and he's gonna burn these impurities out of you, and it's gonna put you in a new position, a new relationship with him, so you can trust him. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:58.639 This is an 82-year-old woman telling me, you can trust him. 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:03.360 Like my husband died, like my sister lives with me, who's older than me, right? 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:05.759 So, like, we can do this together. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:07.199 Don't run from the heat. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.240 Change my life. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.639 Like, I never ever forgot that. 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:12.879 Um, this is what God is doing in your life. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.000 I didn't know that. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:16.160 I kind of figured it, right? 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:21.439 But I needed someone to say, look me in the eyes and say, hold tight. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:22.480 It's worth it. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:23.519 Don't give up. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:24.959 Yeah, I know it hurts. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.399 Like, we're not gonna let you die. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:27.759 Like, here's a baked apple. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:32.320 She literally gave me a baked apple, which nobody under 100 makes anymore, right? 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:34.960 So I was like, thanks. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:41.519 Um, but she I needed her voice in my life, it made all the difference to me. 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:44.559 This is what we're talking about. 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:49.360 Now, you may not have anybody who's 82 in your congregation. 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:51.679 No. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.519 So waiting for somebody to say, I'm back here. 00:08:56.799 --> 00:08:58.559 It doesn't matter. 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:03.519 You know the family that you need is the family that God has given you. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.240 Right here. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.600 This is who you need. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:08.240 He is not limited in working through you. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:09.440 Do you know that? 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:19.679 So you might be in a different age and stage, you might have different ethnicities, you might be further down the road or not as far down the road in your career or school. 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:28.720 And God, by his spirit, will, because he has appeared, he's here, he will work through you to encourage you to train one another. 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:30.639 This is how families work. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:32.879 So don't miss that. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:48.320 Uh, we saw in chapter one that the apostle Paul's directions to Titus, because there was chaos in the household of God, was first to install elders that aligned with these basic character qualifications. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:57.120 The only competency that we can see there was really teaching the Word of God, embracing it and embodying it, letting it live in you so that you can teach it. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:01.200 But these were all character qualifications, and none of them were remarkable. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:03.840 They were very, very basic things. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:18.240 And the reason he sets that up is so that those quote dads of the church can step down, not step up, to lift up the community and thereby also set the pace and the pattern of faithfulness in the household of God. 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:21.759 And then he just pops right through to everyone else, right? 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:24.799 Which includes the elders, but every single one of us. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:33.440 There's no such thing as a professional Christian. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:36.080 Leaders are not professional Christians. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:51.840 He contrasts their simple lives that are adorned with the gospel with those who are self-willed, who are self-sourced in truth, and who are coming to the community to get from them. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.879 Leaders do one of two things. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:58.080 They either serve you or they take from you. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.840 There is no middle ground. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:04.559 And for a leader, anything that I don't take from God, I will take from you. 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:12.559 And so you want your leaders, you want your people to be truly in Christ. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:18.320 Because as we do that, we will learn to stop taking things from one another and serving one another. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:22.960 And this is the beautiful household that God has made here and wants to grow. 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:25.759 So let's look inside this house a little bit. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:33.200 The big idea that we're working with is that God's household thrives on a foundation of first true faith. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.799 We understood what that was. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:39.360 Secondly, irreproachable leaders, but now we're going to look at theocentric servants. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:41.120 Listen, I had to make it rhyme, right? 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:43.039 T-I-Titus. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:48.879 But theocentric servants is just this: that you are first belonging to God. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:54.960 You belong to God, and that will bring you to a position where you can belong to one another as a family. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:59.679 You're not just a servant in general, you are you're belonging first to God. 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:04.559 So let's understand this and see how this works itself out in the community. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:08.720 There's three things that a theocentric servant will do. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:11.759 First, they will embody doctrine. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:19.600 Notice that it says, but as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:21.679 Sound just means healthy. 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:24.000 Doesn't it say teach sound doctrine? 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.440 Did you catch that? 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:28.240 Teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:34.080 In other words, teach your community to live their lives in concert with this sound doctrine. 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:43.679 Let that doctrine not just be something that's abstract, that you embrace in the ether, but something that is worked down into your soul, that's lived out. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:47.919 Teach them how to live in accordance with sound doctrine. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.399 This is what Titus is called to do. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:52.000 So embody this doctrine. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:54.000 Secondly, invest in others. 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.720 This is what theocentric servants do. 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:00.879 You are called in this community to invest your life. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.639 And it's hard. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.799 It doesn't always work out perfectly. 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:07.120 And honestly, it's not always rewarded. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.320 Just want you to know that. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.840 It's not always appreciated. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.759 Sometimes the timing's off, but just don't worry about that too much. 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:17.200 Embody doctrine, invest in others, and embrace your place. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:23.679 Paul always go back goes back to remind us it's not what you do that changes your life. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:25.759 What you do can never change who you are. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.440 Works can't do that. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:30.240 But who you are will change what you do. 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:35.679 He reminds us for this reason the grace of God has appeared for all people. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.879 The grace of God that we we belong to that. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:44.080 So he never lets us get very far in the do before he brings us back to the belief. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:46.320 Believe this because you belong to the living God. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:52.480 Believe this because it's by grace that you belong to him, not according to your works. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.159 So embody doctrine. 00:13:54.320 --> 00:14:03.200 Um, Paul is exhorting Titus to embody this, to teach this, and to embrace his place along with the rest of them. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:05.039 First, embody and invest. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.159 And there's a lot of stuff here. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:10.799 I'm gonna take just a moment, like take some time to pop through all these things that he's calling. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.320 He covers the entire community. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:14.799 Older men, uh, older women. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.080 Notice he starts there. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.039 Do you know why? 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.559 It just makes sense. 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:20.559 Because they're the moms and dads of the church. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.600 Do you understand that? 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:24.080 It doesn't mean that they're better. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.279 It really doesn't. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:28.320 It just means that they have a little bit more track record. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:30.000 They have a little bit more time. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:35.039 Time is also like a crucible, regardless of how good or bad your life is at the moment. 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:46.159 They have a little more runway behind them so that they can lovingly put their arms around other men and women in the community and help them. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.559 So he starts first with the older. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:52.960 Now, if you are older, I want you to know you've probably learned a hard lesson. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.799 You can't live this life on your own terms. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.720 Man, I've I've tried so hard. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.360 I really have. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:59.600 I've tried to live for my own comfort. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.919 It is the most boring thing I've ever done. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.519 Truly, right? 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:12.000 This is what we've been discipled to uh culture's taught us this that as you age, you should have more money and less commitments. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:15.039 It doesn't matter if you're 35 or 45. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:26.399 Like as you progress in age, our culture is telling us get rid of commitments so that you can be free and live how you want and have as much free cash as possible. 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:40.720 And if you're older, as you grow older, you'll be tempted to escape into things like do you golf, TV, alcohol, or just it's sometimes it's just fun to kill the dreams of younger people, right? 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:45.919 So ha ha that's cute now because our dreams didn't come true. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:57.120 So uh, but it it's something we we but embrace this fact, embody this fact that you will set the pace and the pattern of faithfulness in this home. 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:59.440 You're like, well, I'm not old. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:03.759 Well, you're older than somebody here, because I saw a newborn almost. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:09.919 You're older than somebody here, so don't misplace this because it says older. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.759 You're older than somebody. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:15.360 You you maybe are a few steps in front of somebody in this community. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:21.440 So God is gonna call you to embody this doctrine so that your life is being trained by the gospel. 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:25.519 He's gonna call you to invest in someone else and be invested in. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:29.120 This is part of what we do. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.799 It's normal. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.960 It's what we're called to do. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.399 So let's look at that. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.600 Older men. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:43.840 You're to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and insteadfastness. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.679 What is sober-minded? 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:54.559 That means, men, you're to have an unclouded mind that is not growing out of self-centeredness and comfort. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:57.279 You see things as they are. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:04.960 Walk away from spiritual inebriation where you see things as you want them to be or as you imagine them to be. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.720 See them truly. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:10.720 Be sober-minded, dignified. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:14.240 Men, is your life worthy of respect? 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:19.680 Would somebody five or ten years behind you be motivated to emulate you? 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:26.720 And I'm not talking about what they see right here, I'm talking about what they see when you're at home by yourself. 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.160 Because eventually they catch up to one another. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:35.200 You can mask and hide for a long time, but eventually it will eat you. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:40.160 So are you dignified, worthy of respect, worthy of emulation? 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:44.880 If your best friend lived like you did, would you be like, all right, you're on it? 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.480 We're not perfect. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.720 But even in your intent. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.559 Men, be self-controlled. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:53.359 This is a main theme in chapter two. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:57.680 It's a main theme because this is what the grace of God does. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:59.440 Now, what do we mean by self-control? 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:05.839 Because he calls men, women, older men, uh, younger men, older women, younger women, and even just everybody. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.880 Self-controlled is this it's a strong will. 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:15.359 You should have a strong will, but it yields to the Holy Spirit and a mind that is held captive by God. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.000 Uh, Dr. 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:19.920 Jean, one of my old seminary professors, says this. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:28.319 Being self-controlled means you have the ability to curb desires and impulses to produce a specific outcome in your life. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:33.200 Think about how much you've had to sacrifice for education. 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:38.720 Think about how much time you've had to sacrifice to get where you are. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:42.000 Think about an athlete for a minute. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:47.519 Think about how much time and energy they've had to put in to just being competitive. 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:49.519 That is being self-controlled. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:54.079 Think about how high the stakes are for you and for this community. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.519 Not just in danger. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.880 I'm really talking about that. 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:58.799 I'm talking about an opportunity. 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:02.880 If we're not self-controlled, we never get off the block. 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:06.480 Sound in faith, love, and steadfastness. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:08.559 That is simple spiritual maturity. 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:17.119 Using your experience, your position, your power, your strength to benefit others. 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:19.119 We're called to do that. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.279 And your word is solid. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.000 Amen. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.880 I'm gonna ask you a question. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.319 What breaks your heart? 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:28.400 Like just we'll pull you down into deep depression. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.359 What is that? 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:34.880 For most of us, it could be that we didn't get into the right school. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:39.119 Um, it could be that I got overlooked for a promotion again. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:42.880 Maybe it's a relationship. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:48.000 Maybe my kid didn't get onto the right football club. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.000 We call them soccer teams. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.960 Right? 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:53.119 Just heartbroken. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:59.839 Paul says in Romans chapter 9, I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:06.240 For I wish that I myself were a cursing cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers. 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:09.359 Let your heart break for the right thing. 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.200 Be sober-minded. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:13.839 Let your heart break for the things of God. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:16.880 Let your heart embrace and love the things of God. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:19.039 That's what he's calling you to, men. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:22.240 That's what he's calling you to. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.119 Older women. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:31.599 It says in verse 3, older women likewise, that word likewise is used all over. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:35.519 It means you're not some other category of men. 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:38.720 That means that and this other stuff too. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:42.000 This means I'm not going to push you categorically away. 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:48.400 We both should embody all these things, but here's some specific things I want the older women to embrace. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:52.000 They're to be reverent behavior, not slanderous or slaves to much wine. 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.519 They're to teach what is good. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.799 What is reverent? 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:59.599 That means you live your life quorum deo before the face of God. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:02.240 There's power in that. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:05.200 Remember that your life belongs to God. 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:08.720 You were purchased at a very, very high price. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:15.359 That's not to make you feel guilty, that's to make you feel powerful and loved and beautiful. 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.400 You understand that? 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:19.839 And everything in culture is telling you that you're not. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:24.319 Reverent, not slanderous. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:34.400 As we age, it's easy to let go of zeal for God and replace it, as our dreams are broken, with a critical eye towards the younger set. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.839 And just telling you. 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.119 And we will complain. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.640 They don't parent like they should. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.839 They don't do that, right? 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.279 Can you believe what she's wearing? 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.200 Like these things happen. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.319 It's normal. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:46.240 It's not normal in God's house. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:52.240 But we're Paul's letting us know these things are where we will drift if we're not holding on to the gospel. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:56.160 So before you speak, ask yourself, and women speak more than men. 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:58.960 This is this is actually science, right? 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.680 About three times. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.680 As many words daily. 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.920 Your brain is different than ours. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:11.279 When a brain is being formed in the room, I have there was a rush of testosterone to actually shut down the two halves of my brain. 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:13.119 They don't communicate as well. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.559 That's not good or bad. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.839 It's just the way that God made us. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:19.920 So men and women's brains are different in some degree. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:26.079 Men have, we compartmentalize more because our brains are literally more compartmentalized. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.680 Women are more connectors. 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:29.119 It's just the way God has made them. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.160 So you speak more. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.839 So this just makes sense. 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:34.640 But before you speak, ask yourself. 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:36.880 And this of course applies to all of this. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:41.839 Is what I'm about to say about this person absolutely true? 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:44.160 I mean, I know for a fact it's true. 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:47.279 Not that you've heard it, you know that it's true. 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:50.240 Does it build them up or tear them down? 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:53.200 And is it really necessary for me to say this? 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:57.200 Is it not slaves to much wine? 00:22:57.680 --> 00:23:09.200 You might get the idea as you age that you have put your time in, you have raised your kids, you have finished up with the work world, or at least you've got yourself in the position you need to be in. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.799 It's time to coast. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.440 Alcohol will be your best friend. 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.240 Right? 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.960 Instead of checking out, teach. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.279 Do you know how much you have to offer? 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.880 Well, I haven't made it that far. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.400 Do you know how much you have to offer? 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:29.279 There's a whole line of people behind you that would love it if you would take some time and give them some attention. 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:34.319 It says they are to teach what is good and so train the younger women. 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:41.279 Use your experience, your wisdom, your gifts, your strengths to serve the younger women. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:51.920 And for the younger woman, it says, let the older women teach you. 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:55.759 I know that there's generational differences. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:59.039 I know that we irritate, I irritate my kids all the time. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:01.119 You gotta look past that. 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:01.920 Right? 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.680 Just take a moment. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:13.839 As you get established in life, women, younger women, your temptation will be to import the values of the culture into your life. 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:16.400 Especially when you're younger. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:23.839 Instead of finding peace, joy, and fulfillment as your status as daughters of the most high. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.799 We've done all this. 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.319 I've been through this. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:31.039 I have two girls, and I have a boy. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:34.079 And I've seen how this works out, and this is no joke. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:36.160 It is a fight to the finish. 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:43.920 I will tell you, in my opinion, I don't know how it works in Irish culture, I can tell you in American culture, it is much harder to walk as a woman as it is a man. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:49.039 Basically, if I'm a dude, if I have some level of success in my job, I'm good. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:59.359 If I'm a woman, I have to have a career, I have to have an education, I have to have kids, I have to look a certain way, and I'm gonna tell you the clock is running. 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:04.400 And it's no matter what you do or what path you choose, it's never going to be good enough. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.920 You cannot win this battle on your own. 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.200 I promise you. 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.880 You will not make it. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:18.480 You need to have women in your corner. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:24.720 Let them love you, let them guide you, let them disciple you, let them gently correct you. 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:30.240 They don't have to be old, maybe just a little further down the road. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:37.440 Um, my wife, Christy, is a nurse and she's really good at what she does. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:42.079 But I see how she operates in the, well, I see how she works in the OR. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:45.599 Like the younger nurses will come to her. 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:59.039 And she just she was telling me yesterday, oh yeah, we had this phone call, this mandatory management meeting, and they told us, oh, they're gonna split the the operating room into the OR and a cardiac unit and an endo unit, and everybody's freaking out. 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:00.720 They all think they're gonna lose their jobs. 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:03.279 She's like, We're not gonna lose our jobs, right? 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.720 Just we'll be okay. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:07.759 That's part of what older men and women do. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.960 We we've seen it. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:13.279 Now we're not always right, but we do know it's probably gonna be okay. 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:15.839 And if it isn't okay, it's still okay. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:21.759 So part of what you do is you help stabilize the community by saying, Yeah, we've kind of bounced off the walls a little bit. 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:24.799 It hasn't always worked out, but you're gonna be all right. 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:28.960 Like, and even if things go sideways here, there's other places to work. 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:34.240 So that's part of how you serve and receive that as a younger woman. 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:40.160 Be so oh, uh, yes, train the young women to love their husbands and children. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:44.880 Is there any harder or more demanding or rewarding job than this? 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.079 You see this? 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:50.960 Love is very difficult. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:56.799 It's really, as far as scripture is concerned, it's the measure of what you're willing to give for something. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:27:00.960 And here's something I can tell you about moms they give a lot. 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.799 And they get very little. 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.599