WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:03.120 Look at Romans chapter 8, if you would, and Romans chapter 8. 00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:06.000 And notice uh, if you would, verse 15. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:10.800 Verse 15 says this for ye have not received the spirit of what? 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:12.240 Bondage. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:16.399 Again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of what? 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:17.440 Adoption. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:21.199 Whereby we cry, say it, Abba, Father. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.320 Now turn this down just to pinch up there, if you would. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:34.000 So the idea is then is uh as a member of this family, in fact it's the greatest family that there ever was, or ever will be, with the greatest father, if you would. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:40.640 We who have been adopted into this family, it's not a spirit of bondage that we have. 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:47.600 Now, it's interesting because if you look at verse 16, it says, the spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the what? 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:48.799 The children of God. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:53.039 And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. 00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:56.719 That means everything that He has, we get a part of. 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:02.240 If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be what? 00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:03.600 Glorified together. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:09.760 I don't know about you this morning, but if you'll think with me just for a moment, it's nice to be part of God's family. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:20.000 It's nice to be part and be able to get on your knees or be able to look up or be able to walk along or drive along and be able to say Abba, Father, and know who you're talking to. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:26.400 When you start thinking about this family, the great thing about this family is there's only one begotten son. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:29.680 Only one that's ever been begotten into this family. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:32.560 Now, as Gentiles, the rest of us are what? 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:33.680 Adopted. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:37.439 Now, you know the greatest thing about adopted is you don't earn it. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:41.680 You don't earn adoption, you receive it. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:45.920 Nobody earned the right to be adopted by God the Father. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:47.760 All we had to do was what? 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:48.719 Receive it. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.280 And God is no respecter of persons. 00:01:51.760 --> 00:02:00.719 You see, he'll adopt anybody, anywhere, any place into the family if they'll just, in a humble manner, if you would, come to him and receive the work that's already been done. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:03.120 Look at Galatians chapter 4, stay with me. 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:05.120 Galatians chapter 4. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:08.800 In Galatians chapter 4, it talks about this adoption again. 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:13.199 And look what it says in Galatians chapter 4, in verse 6. 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:22.639 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his sons into your hearts, crying what? 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:23.840 Abba Father. 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:31.360 You know, the only way somebody can really cry, Abba Father, is with the Holy Spirit inside saying, Cry this. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:34.400 Cry this and say this with the understanding. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:34.960 You know what? 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:40.240 For years, I ever once in a while when I was in trouble, I'd say, God, you've got to help me. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:42.960 But I didn't say Father. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:45.520 Because I didn't know who the Father was. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:53.520 I mean, I'd get in trouble and you know something would be going on, or I'd be, man, you ever get that shockwave that comes on you when you think you're in big trouble or something? 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:55.280 And you say, Oh God. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:02:58.080 If there is a God, help me right now. 00:02:58.240 --> 00:02:59.599 You know what I'm talking about? 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:09.360 It's so nice now, even when you're not in trouble, to look up to heaven or bow your head, if you would, and to say, Father, I just want to thank you for what you've done for me. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:12.080 I just want to thank you for letting me be a part of your family. 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:16.719 And look at verse 7, it says this wherefore thou art no more a servant. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:18.159 But a what? 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:19.199 A son. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:22.240 And by the way, ladies, I think this would apply as a daughter also. 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:24.800 And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:25.840 You say, now wait a minute. 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:27.280 I thought we were supposed to be servants. 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:33.520 Well, in John 15 and 15, it says this that the servant doesn't know what his Lord doeth. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:39.680 So the context here is this: we're not a servant in that we don't know what our father is doing. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:43.439 In fact, we know what our father is doing because he left us a book. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:46.000 And then he left us a spirit to explain the book. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:47.039 And you know what we do? 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:48.560 We have family meetings. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:52.240 You're in one of our family meetings right now. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:56.800 Whether you're part of God's family or not, welcome to a family meeting. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:58.319 It's called church. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:00.560 And we get together in our family meetings. 00:04:00.639 --> 00:04:07.280 We get together Sunday at 10 o'clock in the morning, uh, Sunday at 11 o'clock, Sunday night at 6 o'clock, and Wednesday night at uh what time? 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:08.319 7 o'clock. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:10.639 And then we have other family outings all through the week. 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:12.000 All kinds of things going on. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:12.960 But it's a family. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:14.080 Are you listening to me? 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:18.319 Uh by the way, uh, you say, now wait, I don't understand this concept of family. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:26.319 Well, as a family, when the Holy Spirit is sent into us, in our hearts we can actually cry, Abba, Father. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:29.600 And it's not so much, well, I wonder what God's doing. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:31.199 Man, it's all revealed here. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:36.079 And it says that uh I hath not hear, nor ear heard, or I have not seen, nor ear heard. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:37.199 But you know what it says? 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:41.519 That the Spirit reveals to us what the Father wants of us. 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:42.399 Hey, you know what? 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:44.480 I know what the family purpose is. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:48.079 I know what the Father's purpose is. 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:52.399 To reach a lost world for Christ and to expand the family. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:53.839 That's not hidden. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:54.800 Amen? 00:04:55.680 --> 00:05:00.160 I mean, I'm glad when I wake up, I know what the family purpose is, and I know this. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:03.279 One of the family purposes is to be in church at the family meeting. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:06.720 There was no question this morning when I woke up if I was going to come to the family meeting. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.319 You'd say, Well, you're the preacher. 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.519 Yeah, but there was no question years ago after I got saved. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:16.240 The family's going to get together, the family's going to meet, and we're going to talk about what the father wants. 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:17.199 Amen? 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:21.040 Now, if you would look with me a little bit more, and let me show you some things about this family. 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:22.319 Look at Ephesians 2. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:25.120 Now, I know you know this, but I want to show you something about our family. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:32.639 Ephesians chapter 2, and by the way, it's the best family there ever was, there ever will be, because we have the best father. 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:34.959 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:38.800 Ephesians chapter 2, I want to show you something unique about this family. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:40.319 Uh, you know these scriptures. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:41.680 Look at verse 8. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:43.519 For by what? 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:44.560 Come on, say it. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:45.360 For by what? 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:45.839 Grace. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:46.800 Are you saved? 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.800 And by the way, you have to be saved. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:51.839 You have to have your sins forgiven to be part of this family. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:58.160 You can't work your way in, you just receive the forgiveness of sins by the action of confessing with your mouth. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:00.240 For that by grace are you saved through faith. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:02.560 And that not of yourselves, it is the what? 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:03.680 It's a gift of God. 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:06.000 Not of works, lest any man should what? 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:08.480 Now, I want to show you something in verse 9. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:13.199 One of the things that is never promoted in our family is to boast of ourselves. 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:17.040 Bragging about ourselves in this family is not allowed. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:18.720 Let me say that again. 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:21.279 God never promotes bragging about ourselves. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:22.560 Amen? 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:24.160 Well, you say why? 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:27.279 Because bragging or boasting stems from pride. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:30.319 And our Father always resisteth the proud. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:32.160 And giveth grace to the who? 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.439 In fact, you've got to be humble to be a part of this family. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:36.560 Is that right? 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:39.920 I mean, humility is required for salvation. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:40.800 Wouldn't you agree? 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:44.800 Because only through repentance, only through humility comes repentance. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:50.959 Now, I don't know about you, but when you think about it, every once in a while, uh the Father corrects me. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:52.959 You ever boast about yourself? 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:57.600 Did you ever boast about yourself? 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.519 How many ever have? 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:01.600 The rest of you? 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:05.759 God doesn't like lying either, amen. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.079 No lying in this family. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.759 Now, the idea though is simply this. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:17.600 In our family, as a father, if you would, in our family, he doesn't allow bragging. 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:18.800 He doesn't allow boasting. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:24.720 Hey, you know, when we get finally to our heavenly home that the Father is preparing right now, nobody's bragging up there. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:26.720 Nobody's boasting up there. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:31.600 You see, we don't get in through working our own works, but I want to show you something else about this family. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.560 Look at verse 10. 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:34.079 For we are his what? 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:37.040 Workmanship, say it, created in Christ Jesus unto what? 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:40.560 Good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:45.839 One of the things the Father likes about our family and wants us to do, if you're part of the family, is to work. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.759 He doesn't want us to boast about ourselves, but brethren, you know what? 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:53.759 He expects the men and the women of his family, the sons and the daughters, to what? 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:54.560 To work. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:58.000 Now, may I say this and listen to me very carefully. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:03.519 We're not working for our salvation, and we're not working to maintain our salvation. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:04.959 Let me say it in a different way. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:09.120 We didn't work to become part of this family, we were adopted. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:12.560 And we don't work to stay a part of this family. 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.720 It's grace and grace alone. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:17.759 Look, if you would with me, and look at Romans chapter 4. 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:19.199 Let me give you a little doctrine here. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:21.680 Romans 4 and Luke chapter 18. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:23.839 Romans 4 and Luke 18. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:25.680 Shouldn't we know about our family? 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:29.839 He doesn't want us to brag about ourselves, but he wants us to work. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:34.399 And while you're turning to Romans 4 and Luke 18, let me remind you something. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:37.279 Everybody in this family is supposed to be peculiar. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.600 Now we qualify, many of us do, amen? 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:44.240 Glad you're here, Brother Palmer. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:46.080 Me and you, we qualify for this thing. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:46.879 Peculiar. 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:50.720 You say, well, what's what's the word peculiar delineate? 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:54.080 It says that we're supposed to be peculiar, zealous of good works. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:09:03.440 You see, God will allow, if you would, disobedience, and once you're part of the family, you you never kicked out. 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:06.320 Come on, look at me. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:12.080 Once you're part of this family, you don't, he doesn't uh he doesn't disown you. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:18.799 He doesn't, I don't know how you would say, uh, once he adopts you, he he never ring eggs on that. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:22.080 Once you're adopted and you're in, you're you're part of the family. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:27.279 But there are family members that are obedient, and there are family members that are disobedient. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:32.080 There are family members that abide, and there are family members who are prodigal. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:35.679 But even as a prodigal, you're still part of the family. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:36.879 Is that right? 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:39.279 He's just waiting on you. 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:48.000 Now, the idea is this to be peculiar and zealous of good works, it's not so much that we're working totally for ourselves, it's that we're working for our father. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:51.120 And that gives him pleasure. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.159 Huh. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:55.759 Look, if you would at uh Romans chapter 4, notice something here. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:10:01.440 This is an attitude that's becoming prevalent in our country and almost we have to be careful in our homes. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:03.279 Look at Romans chapter 4, verse 1. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:08.399 What shall we say, then, that Abraham our father has pertaining to the flesh have found? 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:10.799 For if Abraham were justified by what? 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.840 Say it, works, he hath whereof to do what? 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.360 You know what it says there? 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:18.639 If Abraham earned his way in, he could boast about it. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.759 Is that what it says? 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:20.960 Come on, yes or no? 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:23.759 He's got where of the glory, but not before God. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:25.200 For what saith the scripture? 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:28.639 Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for what? 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.440 Righteousness. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:30.799 Now look at verse 4. 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:36.480 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of what? 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:42.480 You know, if someone thinks they've worked their way into this family, they almost got this idea that God owes them. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:45.360 They all have this idea that the Father owes them. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:48.480 And you know what's prevalent more and more in our society today? 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:51.759 It's almost like the children feel that the parents owe them. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.559 You know, in this family it's different. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:59.360 God owes us as children absolutely nothing. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:03.440 He is not a debtor to us. 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:05.519 We are a debtor to him. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:09.919 As the children of God, he doesn't owe us a thing. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.720 But we owe him so much. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:20.799 It's not like this thing, and and would you understand this in America today, and Brother Palmer working with the Girls' Academy. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.080 Is that the way you're calling it? 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.679 That all changes so often. 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:27.039 Depending on the legality, is what the term is. 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.399 You see this so much. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:34.320 It's almost like young men and young ladies, they demand of their parents certain things. 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:38.000 Well, you're my parent and you owe me this. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:41.440 That's not the way it is in God's family. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:49.679 In God's family, we're thankful that we're born again and eternally alive, and we look at that thing and say, you know what? 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.879 Whatever we have, we owe God everything for. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:59.360 And he asks that we give him our life. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.840 Everything. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:03.679 Locked, stock, bare. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:05.840 You know what he says? 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:08.799 It's not yours that I'm after, it's you. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:13.279 It's not what you have that I want, he says, it's it's you that I want. 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:14.399 Because he knows this. 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:19.840 When he has us, he has everything that we supposedly have. 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:25.840 And someone says, Well, I don't know if that's fair. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:28.000 God is always good. 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:30.240 And God is always fair. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:34.639 And the very fact that we have life and eternal life, we owe him everything. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.399 We are not debtors to him. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.559 Or we are not, he is not a debtor to us. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:40.000 We are a debtor to him. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:46.720 Now, now, by the way, sometimes uh the children that we have try to put guilt chips on us. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.559 Ladies? 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:49.440 Men? 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:53.840 It's almost like, well, you know, I did this for you, so you owe me. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.600 You can't do that with God. 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.679 Let me show you something. 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.879 Look at Luke 18. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:00.879 Oh, you hold your place there in Romans. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.320 Look at Luke 18. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:05.120 Are you with me so far? 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:08.000 Luke 18, and you're holding your place in Romans. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:08.879 Look at this attitude. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:12.000 This attitude is not prevalent in our family. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:14.480 Luke 18, look at this thing. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:16.559 Uh two men, verse 10. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.320 Luke 18, verse 10. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:21.600 Two men, I turn this up just a little bit, guys, in case I lose my voice. 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:24.000 Two men went up into the temple to pray. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.039 The one a what? 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.679 Talk to me. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.720 A Pharisee. 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.679 And the other a what? 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.000 Now notice the Pharisee's attitude. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.720 This is not the attitude that our family allows. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:35.679 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with who? 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.960 So you know he's boasting to himself. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.480 He's bragging to himself. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.759 Do you ever do that? 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.360 Look up here just for a minute. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:45.039 Do you ever boast to yourself? 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.480 Okay, good. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:50.639 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:51.279 God. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.480 Now he wasn't talking to God. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:56.320 He was talking to himself. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.399 But he's going through the motion. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:01.840 God, I thank thee. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:04.799 That I am not as other men are. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.679 Extortioners. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:09.679 Unjust. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.519 Adulterous. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.720 Or even as this Republican. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:18.559 I fast twice in the week. 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:20.480 Now who's he telling that to? 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.080 Himself. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:23.600 Is that right? 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.279 You know what he's saying? 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.519 Good, good boy. 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:31.360 You fast twice in a week. 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:39.039 I give tithes of all that I possess. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.200 You see him boasting and bragging to himself? 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.759 That attitude isn't allowed in our family. 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:51.200 This kind of attitude leads to destruction. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.600 Verse 13. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:15:00.720 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:02.399 But smote upon his breast. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:07.200 You see, there's humility here, saying, God, be merciful to me, a what? 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.159 A sinner. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:11.679 You see, it's not works that get you saved, because look at verse 14. 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:14.399 I tell you, this man went down to his house what? 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.360 Justified. 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:18.159 The only way you get justified is by humility. 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.200 Amen. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:22.799 The one man said, I fast twice in the week. 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:25.840 I give tithes of all that I possess. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:28.879 And I'm not an extortioner, and I'm not unjust. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.399 I'm not an adulterer. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:34.159 Like uh, I'm not like this publican. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:38.559 Brethren, verse 14. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:41.759 For every one that exalteth himself shall be what? 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.639 A based. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:45.679 And he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:54.879 In our family, the reason this family is so, this is the best family with the best father, is that humility reigns. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:10.000 As a church, wouldn't you agree that what we should be as a church is a, yes, I'll use the word, a microcosm of the whole kingdom? 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:21.759 What I'm saying is, if God has this family that he's going to join together one day, shouldn't we as a church exemplify those attitudes that are prevalent in the family? 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.279 Yes or no? 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.080 Talk to me. 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:31.360 Well, the only way the church can exemplify those attitudes is that we exemplify those attitudes in our home. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:42.240 If in my home I'm saying, you know what, I thank God that I'm not like that other family in our church. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:49.440 I mean, uh, I we we give of all the tithes. 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:53.200 We we we don't do what they're doing. 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.759 We do do the right things. 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:58.879 You know, in the family, brethren, there's no room for that attitude. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:01.919 Comparing ourselves or among ourselves is not what? 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.399 Say it. 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.360 Why? 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:08.240 And for a for a father to look at his family and say, oh no, look, my family. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.240 Look, compare to that family. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:20.480 Yeah, we're uh we're kind of we're kind of proud of our children. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.319 You know, I'm thankful for my children. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:31.680 But I know this, if they've learned anything, they've learned it from God. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:37.440 In fact, most of the things that they learn that they shouldn't be learning, that's what they get from me. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:50.480 You know, if my oldest boy sometimes gets a little loud with one of the other boys, I think, you know where he got that from? 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.119 His mom. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:58.240 Now you better laugh. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.480 And I hope she's laughing. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:17.839 But there's there's not this attitude, if you would, of you see, what the Pharisee was in competition and comparing himself to the publican, and the Bible says that if we compare ourselves among ourselves, it's not wise. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:21.119 In fact, we're supposed to, by love, serve each other. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:25.519 Now, if you would look back at Romans chapter 11. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:27.279 You held your place in Romans. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:29.519 Look at Romans chapter 11. 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:42.319 And what we should be doing this morning, dads, is examining a little bit of what the father's characteristics are about his family, and look a little bit about what's going on in our families. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:44.559 But you don't have to be a father to do that. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:48.319 In fact, you can just examine a little bit what's going on in our lives. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:50.400 Romans chapter 11. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:59.920 Look what he says, uh, this idea and this concept about the Pharisees saying, Well, I thank God that I'm not like this guy. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:02.720 He's trying to justify himself. 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:07.759 And I uh I uh I uh pay tithes and I fast. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.319 He's trying to work his way in. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:13.440 Look at verse 6 of Romans chapter 11. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:19.519 And if by grace, then it is no more of what? 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.079 Say it. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.559 Works. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:26.640 You see, that Pharisee was trying to justify his entrance into his religious standing with God. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:29.200 Otherwise, grace is no more grace. 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:32.720 But if it be of works, then it is no more grace. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.559 Otherwise, work is no more work. 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.680 You know what that scripture says? 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.640 Please look up here. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:41.119 It's either grace or it's works, and you can't combine the two. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.359 Come on, yes or no? 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:49.359 It's either we got there by God's forgiveness and by God's grace, or we worked our way there. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:58.319 So as soon as we get in our idea and our mindset that you know what, it's just a privilege to be a part of this family. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:01.039 The only reason I'm in it is because of grace. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:06.640 I didn't work my way in, I didn't work my way in to maintain it, I didn't work my way to keep it or anything like that. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:11.519 It's just God's grace that allows me in, and a God's grace that allows me to stay in. 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.480 You know what that means? 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.240 That means our father is good. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.480 That means our father is merciful. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.960 That means our father has to overlook a lot. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:22.160 That means our father has to forbear a lot. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:30.480 That means if I'm practicing what my father is doing, I need to forbear a little bit more. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.960 With my children. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.559 Hello? 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.400 You know, I was thinking about it this week. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:47.839 He's not giving us the spirit of bondage to fear. 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:50.559 I started looking outside and thinking, you know what? 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:53.440 I wonder if there's a spirit of bondage in my house. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.480 Now you gotta understand something. 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:02.799 My my wife would not be one to incorporate the spirit of bondage in our home. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:06.000 In fact, my wife's personality would allow for some liberty. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:11.200 You know who'd be the one in my home to promote a spirit of bondage and fear? 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.599 What are you looking at? 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:21.200 They're saying, no, wait a minute, I don't understand what you're talking about, bondage. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.960 Shouldn't they reverently respect you? 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.599 Yeah. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:30.000 But I I think there's a difference between the idea of respect and the idea of bondage. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:35.759 I mean, when they walk in, I know they're gonna things will change a little bit when I walk in. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.480 But you know what? 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:39.759 When I walk in the door, I don't want them coming to attention. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:46.319 And standing there in fear. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:49.680 Because they know I'm gonna point out what they've been doing wrong. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:53.119 You know, dads, it's good every once in a while to tell them they're do something right. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:57.359 You say, Well, I can't find anything they're doing right. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.119 you're not looking. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:12.640 I just uh I just spent a week with my oldest son out in the sticks, out in the weeds, the bush. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:25.039 And uh I uh I made sure that I spent some time reflecting on not so much him as a son but me as a dad. 00:22:29.279 --> 00:23:01.599 It was good uh all through the week he's real clingy to me he'd come up and I'd be standing there and man he'd put his arms around me and start you know scratching my back and hugging me and all that kind of stuff and I thought man I'm glad he's still doing that and I'm glad he was unashamed of it now if he didn't do something like that once in a while I'd I'd say why doesn't he do that? 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.519 Well it's just not my son's nature. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:24:12.720 Oh no no it's a reflection of us now moms hug all the time but dad I I see nothing wrong with uh a 22 year old son hugging a a 50 year old dad do your children know they can hug you i i'm not talking about just when they're young two three oh yeah they're gonna hug you and I'm not talking about when they're 13 and 14 they hug you for money come on I know how that works dad you're the greatest dad there ever is and I think what do you want it's nice when they don't want nothing but to express their love and affection but I realize something that if we don't give them room to do that. 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.400 What do you mean room? 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:21.279 I mean that they know they're not going to get scolded for it. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:25:08.960 Now I may not be talking to many dads in here but I'll guarantee you as your children grow up some of you dads in here they're gonna wonder whether it's okay to hug you look at Galatians chapter 2 Galatians chapter 2 we doing okay this morning it's good to be part of the best family Galatians chapter 2 and let's understand something real clearly here Galatians chapter 2 It's a privilege to be part of this heavenly family. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:26.240 By the way are you now if you're unsure and you say well you know I I think I kind of relate to that guy who said God and talked to himself then I want to tell you something it doesn't have to be that way. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:37.359 I want to tell you right now that if you receive Christ as Savior the Spirit of God will come in you and you will be able to actually cry Abba Father and mean it. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:54.640 And when you say God it won't just be some word it won't be just some being that you have imaginations that have you know eyeballs coming out his head and and antennas and and you know because you've been watching too many movies. 00:25:58.319 --> 00:26:33.119 I mean when you say God after you know who he is it's so good to know about his personality and you say do you have a picture in your mind of God no I know what his throne looks like I know what his seating I think I know more about his characteristics than what he actually looks like how can you love someone you don't even know what they look like is it hard to love love? 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:36.400 Is it hard to love grace? 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:38.640 Is it hard to love mercy? 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:41.039 Is it hard to love forbearance? 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:45.039