WEBVTT 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:11.199 You're must make it this shit of the road. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:21.039 I don't know if you know this, but you know the Nehemiah, if you look up Nehemiah, the name means God has comforted. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:22.719 Look it up. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:26.079 That's exactly what the name Nehemiah means. 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:29.519 God has comforted is that over one. 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:35.359 Such a powerful picture of what the Holy Spirit is here to do in our life. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:37.759 He's here to build up the walls. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:47.759 He's here to help us filter out the things in our life that are not worthy of the pure power that come out the other end that God intends to use. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:52.960 At The Road, our mission is to empower people to change the world. 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:57.200 For more information on The Road, visit theroad.org. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:00.479 We hope you are encouraged by today's message. 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:08.000 This morning I want to start with a verse in Ecclesiastes. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:13.040 How many of you know Solomon was a I almost said wise guy. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:14.959 I can't say wise guy if you're Italian. 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:16.400 This has got a different meaning. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:18.640 But he was the wisest man, right? 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:22.799 And so if a wise man says something, we should listen. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:23.599 What do you think? 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:25.120 Okay, so we should listen. 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:29.359 So Solomon spends the entire book of Ecclesiastes whining. 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:32.560 I I like to say it's too bad I wasn't around in Solomon's time. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:35.120 I could have probably taught him how to be a professional whiner. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:35.840 I'm pretty good. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:37.040 Any whiners? 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:39.519 A lot of liars. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.079 Anyway, uh, he said uh chasing after wind nine times. 00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:46.640 All this vanity is quoted 33 times. 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:49.439 Meaningless, meaningless, 35 times. 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:56.400 But at the end of the book, he summarizes everything that he's saying with this verse. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:58.319 Ecclesiastes 12, 13. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:04.799 He says, Now, now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:09.039 Now that I've said all these things, here is the conclusion of the matter. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:10.960 Say these words with me. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:12.319 Fear God. 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:15.360 Sam, fear God, and what? 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:18.479 Obey, keep his commandments. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:24.240 He goes on to say, For this is the whole duty of man. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:25.599 Wow. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:30.080 I don't know about you, but to me that's one of the more profound verses in the entire Bible. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:32.319 By the way, it's validated in other places. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:35.919 Let me read to you Deuteronomy 10, 12 to 13. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:58.800 In the New King James Version, it says this, and now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes which I have commanded you today for your good. 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:02.639 All throughout the Bible, this whole idea of obeying God, fearing God. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:04.960 Now, fear God and obey his commands. 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:10.159 Fear God in this context does not mean be afraid of God or cower in a corner. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:16.719 The word literally means to revere God, be in awe of God, worship God. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:24.560 Okay, we're gonna talk more about that component in two weeks when we're appropriating the power of God and his Holy Spirit in our life. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:34.319 But it also means that the idea of keep his commandments is an idea that we are to obey his rules, obey what he's calling us to do. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:37.120 The whole duty of man are those two things. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:43.520 And I'm convinced, by the way, that it's very hard to obey without having the Holy Spirit in you to help you and assist you. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:47.520 And again, that's why these two messages packaged together are so incredibly important. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:51.039 And by the way, I'm gonna be sharing a lot of verses with you rapid fire. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:53.680 There's no way I could share all of them with you. 00:03:53.759 --> 00:04:03.599 So in the app, this teaching on obedience is a huge study with verses all throughout the Bible on the need for obedience in our lives. 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:09.439 So if for further study, if you want to get the app, there'll be more verses than what you're gonna hear from me today. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:12.080 I want to begin by looking at a familiar story. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:16.319 Uh let's begin by looking at Matthew chapter 4, verses 1 to 11. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:20.959 It's a familiar story about when Jesus was led by the devil into the desert to be tempted. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.720 Let's follow the story, and I want to make some points along the way. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:30.399 Beginning in verse 1, it says, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:33.040 After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:37.519 The tempter came to him and said, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:42.319 The very first word I want you to note, write in your Bible if you want, you'll see it on the screen. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:46.000 Jesus was tempted in the very natural area of hunger. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:47.199 Hunger. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.360 It goes on to say this. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:00.959 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:11.920 If you are the Son of God, he said, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:15.839 The second place of temptation for Jesus was in the area of pride. 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:17.120 Make a note of that. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.199 Hunger and pride. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:25.759 Jesus answered, It is also written, by the way, do you notice what Jesus does every time he's tempted? 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:27.839 He reminds the devil who he is. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:32.639 He reminds the devil of the truth of the word of God, and you and I have that same availability, guys. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:35.920 We can remind the devil of who he is anytime we're tempted as well. 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:42.560 But he goes on to say, okay, again, Jesus answered, It is also written, do not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:49.600 Then he said, Again, the devil took him, probably very frustrated by now, to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:54.319 All this I'll give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.920 The third area of temptation for Jesus was greed. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:00.959 Hunger, pride, and greed. 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:06.800 In verse 10, Jesus said to him, Say these words with me, say them loud. 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:08.800 Away from me, Satan. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:09.680 Say it again. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:16.160 Away from me, Satan, for it is written, Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:21.120 Then, in verse 11, is I love the word then when it appears in scripture. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:24.879 Then in this context and in most is a transitional word. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:30.800 It means as a result of what has just taken place, here is what happened. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:41.279 As a result of Jesus resisting the devil in the area of hunger, pride, and greed, it says the devil left him and angels came and attended him. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:46.480 How many of you would like to have angels come and attend you? 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:48.959 Listen, guys, please hear me. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:54.560 There is a profound relationship between obedience and power. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:55.759 I believe that. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:59.360 Listen, Jesus was absolutely sinless, was he not? 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:00.480 Right? 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:08.240 As a result of him being absolutely sinless, not some, but all of God's power could flow through that man's life that on earth. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:09.920 Okay, now please hear me. 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:11.439 We can never be sinless. 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:12.639 That's not possible. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:15.120 But is there a formula at work here? 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:16.240 I believe there is. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:21.360 To the degree to which we clean out the stuff in our life, more and more of God can flow through our life. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:27.839 And you'll see here as we close later, that's what God is calling us to do, guys, if we're going to be instrumental in our culture today. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:34.240 But the enemy is a master at taking us off target and tempting us in the area of hunger, pride, and greed. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.439 What's hunger? 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:40.879 Well, we need to resist temptation in the area of hunger, guys, but I'm not just talking about hunger for food. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:47.360 Although for some of us we could maybe do a little better job of resisting in that area more, but I'm talking about just food. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.360 What are you allowing into your mind? 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:53.680 What about the drugs and the alcohol and the other stuff that you're consuming? 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:59.040 What kind of crud are you letting into your life that's stopping up God's power from working in you? 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:03.759 And the world, the flesh, and the devil, they're all at cross purposes for what God wants. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.959 The world tells you, hey, this is the way you need to dress. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.959 This is the way you need to look to be cool. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:11.439 This is what you need to do to be hip, okay? 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:16.639 And they're trying to sell us all these goods and all these things that are distractions, guys. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:20.399 I remember years ago, I was watching TV and there was this beer commercial, okay? 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:23.199 And then this beer commercial, there were six people on the beach. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:24.879 There were three women and three men. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:27.519 And these people were unbelievable. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:32.320 These men, you know, in these skimpy little bathing suits, muscle-bound, chiseled guys. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:37.200 Okay, and then there's these three women that they were, they were, they were, they were, they were wearing these little bitty bikinis. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:39.919 They had absolute perfect bodies, you know. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:45.120 And they go over in the commercial, they get over, they open up the thing and they're all sweating, you know, because it's hot. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:49.200 And they pull out the beer bottle and it comes out, and the ice is dripping off the beer bottle. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:50.559 Listen, listen, listen. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:52.080 I I I want to tell you something. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.600 I used to drink a lot of beer, you know. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:55.360 I've never seen anybody drinks a lot of beer. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.559 It looks like that. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:08:59.200 They don't look like that. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.759 Uh, you know, they they say with six-pack abs, you know. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:02.639 No, no, no, no, no, no. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:03.840 They're barrel abs. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:13.759 I mean, it reminds me of the the guy driving down the street, his wife is sitting next to him, and she sees a billboard, you know, and the billboard has this beautiful woman carrying a six-pack of beer. 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:16.639 And she turns to her husband and she says, Honey, look at this, look at this. 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:19.840 They're trying to tell me that if I drink a six-pack of beer, I could look like that. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:24.240 He said, No, honey, what they're telling you is if I drink a six-pack of beer, you'd look like that. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:29.360 Some of these you can't repeat in public, okay? 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:33.919 So, anyway, so hunger, what are you allowing into your into your life? 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:34.399 Pride. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:36.159 Come on, guys, you all know what pride is. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.600 It's the opposite of humility. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:38.559 It's all about me. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:40.159 You guys have heard me say this before. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:44.080 When I first started my ministry, I it was all about pride. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:47.600 You know, I I didn't care about ministry that much. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:51.759 I thought, you know, yeah, I want to communicate God's truth, and I'm sure God's happy with that. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:54.960 But really, my concern was more about what people thought of me. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:10:00.240 You know, and could I platform myself in such a way to where people thought that was cool and it was all about me? 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:02.320 Pride can be hideous, guys. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:04.320 And it's our position and station in life. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:08.159 Workaholism, by the way, is a form of pride when you really drill down. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:09.440 And what about greed? 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:10.960 I don't need to unpack these things. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.159 You guys know what this stuff is. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.879 Materialism, you know, this what are you what are you giving up in order to have more? 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:19.279 You know, that's a that's an important question. 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.200 What are the real riches of life? 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:35.440 Colossians 2, 2 to 4 says, My purpose is that they, you and I, may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding. 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:37.440 That's where the riches are, guys. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:41.440 They're not in the material possessions that we tend to focus on. 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:43.120 So, what is our call? 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:44.480 What does the Bible say? 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:50.080 What are some scriptures that kind of represent the call on our lives when it comes to this area of obedience? 00:10:50.240 --> 00:11:00.240 Colossians 3 8 says, But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language from your lips. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:02.639 1 Peter 1, 13 to 16. 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:05.440 Therefore, listen, prepare your minds for action. 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:12.639 Be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:23.519 As obedient children, as obedient children, as obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.960 You know the difference, guys, between ignorance and stupidity? 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:30.240 Ignorance is when you don't know any better. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:34.799 Stupidity is when you know better and you do it, you don't do it anyway. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:43.200 And sadly, listen, guys, I'm pee I'm I'm preaching to a bunch of people that we have no excuse when it comes, we're not ignorant. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:45.840 We know better and we don't do it anyway. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.840 That's not what God is looking for. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:49.679 We need to be mindful of this. 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:57.200 Colossians 3, 3 to 5 says, You died, were died, and your life is now hidden or secure with Christ in God. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:05.279 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:07.200 2 Corinthians 10 5. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:18.720 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:22.240 We take captive every thought. 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:24.000 You've all read that verse. 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:30.879 How many of you would say, I sure would like to do a better job of taking my thoughts captive? 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.080 Raise your hand. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.120 Okay. 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:36.799 I have discovered how to do it. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.559 Would you like me to share it with you? 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:46.240 Okay, the four of you that answered that, I'll meet you in the lobby after the let me do this again. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:50.320 I have discovered how to take thoughts captive. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:52.879 Would you like me to teach you? 00:12:55.200 --> 00:13:01.440 You do understand that if I teach you this, you can no longer claim ignorance. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:05.120 Do you still want me to teach you? 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.720 Let me demonstrate it. 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.480 Jesus. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.480 Jesus. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:15.840 I just love the name of Jesus. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:18.080 You are such a great God. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.679 I love you, Lord. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:25.519 I honor you, I praise you, I adore you, I am so thankful that you're in my life. 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:28.480 I just I just love you, Lord, so much. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.000 Jesus. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.440 It's that simple. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:40.559 You cannot do that and entertain that thought at the same time. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:42.480 I know, I've tried it. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:48.639 What does the devil do when you when you say the name of Jesus? 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.759 Please. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:50.960 Come on, guys. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.720 We don't have an excuse. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:55.360 We can take our thoughts captive. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.360 All we have to do is get serious about it. 00:13:57.440 --> 00:14:02.240 And if you're in a place where you can't do it and speak the words, whisper them. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:14.639 I've been in situations where I've been in a crowd of people and I've been tempted by certain things, and I'll just close my eyes or maybe look away for a moment and just start in my spirit, just start saying the name of Jesus. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:16.399 It works, guys. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:17.360 It works. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:25.279 Romans 12, 2, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:28.480 There isn't anyone on the sound of my voice that doesn't know what that means. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.840 Be in the Word of God. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:40.799 Then it says, if you will do this, if you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will. 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:46.960 Listen, there's nobody that I've ever talked to that's a follower of Jesus that doesn't want to know what God's will is in their life. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:52.960 And if you're struggling to discover God's will in your life, I want to ask you the question: could it be that we're violating this verse? 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:54.320 I want to tell you something, guys. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:59.200 Most of the problems we experience in our lives is because we're violating what the word of God is telling us to do. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:01.200 We're willfully violating it. 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:04.480 If we're following the word of God, you're gonna have clarity. 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.600 You're gonna have path. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:09.919 The Bible's the Bible is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:16.559 That means he illuminates my daily steps and he sets a light on the pathway that he wants me to go and the purpose of my life. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:19.279 You're not in the Bible, those promises are not for you. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.879 It's that simple, guys. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.320 We got to get this. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.639 What will happen if I don't resist? 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:26.399 Here's some warnings, okay? 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.879 1 Thessalonians 4, 3 to 6. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.240 Here's what it says. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:49.679 It is God's will that you should be sanctified, that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen who do not know God, and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:55.679 Listen, the Lord will punish men for all such sins. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:16:00.399 It's a promise, as we've already told you and warned you, he will punish you. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:03.279 Luke 1134, your eye is a lamp of your body. 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:06.080 When your eye are good, your whole body is full of light. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.600 When your eyes are bad, they're full of darkness. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:14.159 Ecclesiastes 8.8, no one has the power over the wind to contain it. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:17.279 No one has the power over the day of his death. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:25.600 As no one is discharged in time of war, listen, wickedness will not release those who practice it. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.000 You'll be ensnared by it. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:33.039 It's kind of like there are consequences, guys, to the choices that we make. 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:40.799 How many of you know we live in a world today that doesn't understand consequences, doesn't like consequences, no accountability, I can do whatever I want to do, and I'm okay. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:43.840 That's the world we're living in today, but that's not God's world. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.519 That's not what God is saying to us. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:50.159 I I look at Pharaoh in Egypt and I thought I think to myself, that guy's really pretty stupid. 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:52.720 I mean, I mean, how many times did Pharaoh get warned? 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:55.200 Hey, if you don't let my people go, what did he say? 00:16:55.360 --> 00:17:02.720 Flies in the water, blood flies, blood in the water, uh, frogs, gnats, firstborn has to die. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:06.480 I mean, Pharaoh just making kept making bad choices. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.559 And that's what happens with up sometimes. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:15.200 When your children sinned against them, it says in Job 8.4, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:17.359 He gave them over to it. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:27.200 In Ezekiel 23, 49, you will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.799 Then you will know. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.240 I'm the sovereign Lord. 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.680 Romans 1.27. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:38.400 In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:46.000 Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.920 What does the word due mean? 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:49.920 What does it mean? 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.160 You deserve it. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:18:01.039 Now listen, it's not politically correct to associate that verse with homosexuality, but I'm sorry and don't give a rip what politically correct people think. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:05.920 That's exactly what that verse is talking about, but I'm not here to elevate that to any place it doesn't belong. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:12.000 There's no difference between that and somebody, listen, somebody living together and is not married. 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:15.119 There could be maybe some of you here are in that boat. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:20.160 God doesn't care where you are on some perceived list of what is really bad and what is not so bad. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:22.160 What God is saying is it's all bad. 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:24.079 He's saying don't do those things. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:34.480 And if you're doing that, if you're doing you're doing smaller things and you're maybe even living together out of wedlock, and you're wondering why God's power isn't flowing through your life, don't wonder, guys, it's not gonna flow through your life. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.839 You gotta get serious. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:39.599 You're perfectly welcome to do that, and you're perfectly welcome to violate this verse. 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.559 That's your choice. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:46.000 But if it's not your choice, if you really want to be a child of God and make a difference in our world. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.279 Does this make sense? 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.279 Say amen if it makes sense. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.640 All right, okay. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:19:00.240 So, anyway, uh you'll uh in uh in 1 Corinthians 15, 33, it says, bad company corrupts good character. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.440 You hang you become like the people you hang with, guys. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:10.240 And that's just these are some of the you know some of the things that are gonna happen and the consequences that are gonna happen if we don't do these things. 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:15.759 In order to demonstrate this, I wanna I want to use this filter. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:27.680 This is a uh a water filter for a filtration system, and I like to use a water filter because the Bible says out of us out of us should flow rivers of living water. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:31.839 I want you to think about this as being your choice chamber. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:38.160 Every day there are four forces flowing through your life. 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:43.200 In a water filter, there's water flowing through that has a lot of impurities in it. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:52.720 The power or purity of what comes out the end of this filter is determined by how good a job the filter does of taking out the impurities. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.400 You're tracking with me. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:20:01.440 So in your life, there are four forces that are going through your life every single day. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:05.519 There's the world, the flesh, the devil, and the Lord. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:10.079 All four of those forces are competing for you every single day. 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:13.920 Oh, on Sunday morning there's a lot of the Lord going through there. 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:16.240 But what's happening on Monday? 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:22.799 Mondays, sometimes I say Christians struggle from what I call moral schizophrenia. 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:26.880 It's a truth learned on Sunday that's not applied on Monday. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.359 How are you filtering out? 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:33.759 Because ultimately that's going to determine what comes out the other end. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:36.240 We are in the book of Nehemiah. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:46.720 I don't know whether you know this, but in the Old Testament, Nehemiah is a powerful type or picture of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:57.839 And what Nehemiah is, he's coming as the Holy Spirit type to restore the walls of the city, which you can compare the walls to our soul. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.599 Okay, he's restoring the soul. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:03.599 And you've been hearing teaching from Steve that kind of move in that direction. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:13.920 But in today's world, we have the Holy Spirit who is here to help us restore and build up our walls, our soul. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:23.440 I don't know if you know this, but you know the Nehemiah, if you look up Nehemiah, the name means God has comforted. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.440 Look it up. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:28.799 That's exactly what the name Nehemiah means. 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:31.119 God has comforted. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.559 Is that cool or what? 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:38.000 It's such a powerful picture of what the Holy Spirit is here to do in our lives. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:50.480 He's here to build up the walls, he's here to help us filter out the things in our life that are not worthy so that the pure power can come out the other end that God intends to use. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.319 How do I overcome? 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.519 How do I resist? 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.880 How do I do this? 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.319 There are two ways. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:59.759 And I'm gonna close here in a minute with the one that I talked about earlier. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:06.319 The first way we're going to talk about in two weeks, and it's simply this focus on Jesus. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:08.240 In two weeks we're going to talk about that. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:14.400 Colossians 3 2 says, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:19.359 But for this session, the second thing is get mentally tough. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.599 Subject the flesh. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.599 Here's some examples. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:25.200 Daniel 1.8. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:29.680 It says, but Daniel, he was offered royal food and wine. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:34.559 You remember the story, and it was looked really tasty and really good, but he had a greater purpose. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:40.960 He had a goal in mind and a vision that allowed him to make a commitment and say, no, here's what happened. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:47.039 He resolved, it says here, not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:52.480 And he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:59.519 The word resolved in the New King James says he purposed in his heart. 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:02.240 Daniel had moral courage. 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:06.720 He stepped up and said, No, I am not going to do this. 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:09.119 And guys, that's what God's calling for in us. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.799 We've got to have that kind of moral courage. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:16.880 In 1 Corinthians 9, 24 to 27, it'll be in your notes, not on the screen. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:22.559 It's where Paul talks about beating his body in order to make it his slave. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.519 I love that. 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.799 I beat my body. 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:27.119 I say, no, you're my slave. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.720 Psalm 101.4. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:33.440 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:37.039 I will have nothing to do with evil. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:40.400 Man, that's that's the kind of people we need to be, guys. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:45.839 Romans 13, 12 to 14 says, the night is nearly over and the day is almost here. 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:51.440 So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:59.839 Let us behave decently as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness and sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:04.799 Rather, listen, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:07.599 That has to do with what we'll talk about in a couple of weeks. 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.960 Focus on Jesus. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:12.799 And then it says this, and do not think. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:19.599 In other words, put out of your mind about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:22.240 Get mentally tough. 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:27.759 There's a story about a famous football coach, George Hallis. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:29.680 He's a coach of the Chicago Bears. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.279 Some of you may remember that name. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:35.039 He was a legend, actually in his own time. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:39.440 But George had a custom that he would do it every year. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:48.559 He'd be up in his office at Soldier Field looking over the field, and the rookies would come into camp to scrimmage with the veterans. 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:55.759 The rookies didn't know this, but George would be up there watching them with binoculars because he wants to know what's going on. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:58.480 And he doesn't want them to know he's watching. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.960 But every year he would do the same thing. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:06.000 After he was done, or they were done, they would, the rookies would come up into the locker room. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:10.240 They wouldn't even shower, they're just sitting there, and they knew George was going to come talk to them. 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:13.359 And they're thinking, boy, George Alice is going to come talk to us, you know. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.559 And so here comes George. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:17.599 He comes walking in, and they're all going, wow, George Alice, you know. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:22.480 And uh, and uh George would say, Hey, you guys want to make the Chicago Bear football team do you? 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:25.599 And they all go, Yeah, we want to make the Chicago Bear football team, you know. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:28.880 And uh and he would say, I gotta tell you something, I've got to be honest with you guys. 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:34.240 I've been I've been doing this for a lot of years, and I've been watching you guys from up here in the office. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:36.880 I've been watching your entire workout. 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:48.240 And this crop of rookies this year, I gotta be honest with you guys, this year's crop of rookies, you guys are the most lily-livered, whining, pathetic wimps I have ever seen in my whole life. 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:52.400 And of course, they're all sitting there going, Oh man, yeah, I hope he wasn't watching me, you know. 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.480 So, so here's what he would do. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:57.599 Now, I want you, let's just pretend you guys are in the locker room. 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.680 So I want you to answer the questions. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:02.160 I'm George Hallison, you're ready, you want to make the football team. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.599 So you gotta answer really loud. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:06.799 So he says to them, I saw one of you guys. 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:14.079 You went across the line and some big linebacker hits you and you and you hurt your shoulder and you go winding off the field. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:17.279 Do you think that's the kind of guy I want on this football team? 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.279 Oh, what about the guy who gets hit? 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:24.720 I saw one guy that got hit, got hit a second time, and he got a little blood coming out of his nose, and he goes winding off the field. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.319 Is that the kind of guy we want? 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:29.759 What about the guy gets hit, gets up again, gets hit, gets up again? 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:34.960 All of a sudden he breaks his little pinky filler finger, or maybe he pulls a hamstring and he goes winding off the field. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.640 Is that the kind of guy I'm looking for? 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.279 What about the guy who gets hit and he's up? 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:41.440 He gets hit, breaks his finger, doesn't matter. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.160 He's up again. 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:44.880 He gets hit, he's down, bloody nose, he's up again. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.960 He gets hit, pulls a hamstring, doesn't matter. 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.759 He's limping. 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:50.960 He's up, he's down, he's up, he's hit, he's up. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:53.920 He never, never quits, never comes off the field. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.680 Is that the kind of guy I want? 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.799 No. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:05.039 I want the guy who's hitting these guys. 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:19.359 Some of you are getting hit and you're getting knocked on. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:24.559 And it's time to you to get back up on your feet and start hitting. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.359 Back. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:28.319