WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:07.519 And notice verse 26, verse 26, and they arrived at the country of the Gadderenes, which is over against Galilee. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:08.320 Verse 27. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:19.039 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man which had devils, plural, long time, and aware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:24.480 Now, if you remember reading this over in the book of Matthew, he cuts himself at night and he screams out. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:27.600 And he comes to Jesus and he falls down before him. 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:31.039 And Jesus begins to deal with this situation in verse 29. 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:42.479 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, for oftentimes it had caught him, and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters, and he break the bands and was driven of the devil into the wilderness. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:46.240 This was a wild man that was satanically possessed. 00:00:46.479 --> 00:00:47.439 Verse 33. 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:52.960 The devils beseech him that if they're going to go out, they want to go into some swine, some pigs. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:54.320 What verse 33? 00:00:54.560 --> 00:01:02.799 Then went the devils out of the man and entered into the swine, and the herd ran violently down into a steep place in the lake and were choked. 00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:13.920 And when they had fed the when they that fed them saw what was done, so here's the keepers of the swine, this herd of swine, they fled and went and told it into the city and in the country. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.599 Now watch verse 35 down to the end of the chapter carefully. 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:28.000 Then they went out to see what was done, and came to Jesus, found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:29.120 What's the next word? 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.280 Clothed and in his right mind. 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:32.959 Interesting. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:34.879 And they were afraid. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:39.280 I I think of this. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:55.439 If there was a wild man running around, I grew up in a town of 500 people, and if there was a wild man running around in that town, and he always had his clothes off and he cut himself and they couldn't chain him and everything, I think there would be some people rejoicing that he was clothed and now sitting in his right mind. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:02.799 They also, which saw it, told them by what means he was possessed of the devils was healed. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:04.000 Verse 37. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:10.240 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadderens round about besought him to do what? 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:12.719 Depart from him, from them. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:15.599 For they were taken with great fear. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:18.879 And he went up into the ship and returned back again. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:25.520 The Bible says in another scripture that the whole city came out and said, besought him, saying, You know, leave us. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:28.240 Just, just, just, just go away. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:30.159 Look at verse 38. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:36.719 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:42.639 But Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house and show how great things God had done unto thee. 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:47.919 And he went his way and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.280 Here was something interesting. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:58.319 The whole city came out and wanted Jesus to go away, and this man who used to be just a demoniac, uh crazy man, wanted to be with him. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:00.879 One besought him to leave. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:04.240 One besought him and said, I want to spend time with you. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:04.879 I want to be with him. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:09.520 Now Jesus said to that man, you go on out and tell others what I've done for you. 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:14.639 So his witness was more important than him spending time, if you would, walking around the countryside with Jesus. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:16.240 Have you ever thought about this? 00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:21.680 Why is it that when some people hear the gospel, they reject it? 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:25.599 And others, people, when they hear the gospel, they receive it. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:28.400 I mean, how many of you have witnessed to somebody? 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:30.319 You've told somebody about your faith? 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:37.599 Doesn't it amaze you sometimes that so many people reject it and then every once in a while somebody just is ready to receive it? 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:39.199 Isn't it amazing to you? 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:48.240 How many of you have uh friends and even family members that you've told the gospel to over and over and over and over again, and they keep rejecting it? 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.680 Do you know what I'm talking? 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:58.319 Why is it that so many people beseech the Lord, so to speak, to say, no, I don't want to have anything to do with that? 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:09.039 While others, which many of us are here this morning, receive it anon with joy, and we want to be with him, and we want to spend time with him, and we want to get into the word more. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:13.759 Isn't it amazing that it seems like more reject it than accept it? 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:19.680 Here you have a situation where the whole city comes out and says, Leave us. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:20.879 Get out of here. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:22.560 We don't have anything to do with you. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:24.000 We're afraid of this situation. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:25.040 Just go away. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:28.319 And one man says, I don't want you to go away, I want to be with you. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:31.040 Look, if you would at Matthew 7. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:34.639 The Bible tells us this already, and we need to receive it and accept it. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:36.160 Look at Matthew 7. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:38.639 Look at verse 13. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:40.560 Verse 13, brethren. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:44.639 Enter ye in at the what? 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:46.160 The straight gate. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:50.720 For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:56.399 And underline the next word, many there be which go in thereat. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:59.920 So many go in the broad way that leads to destruction. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:01.120 But look at verse 14. 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:04.319 Because straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life. 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:05.600 And what's the next word? 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:08.240 Few there be that find it. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:19.439 If you've ever wondered in your mind, uh, boy, I wonder if there's more that receive the gospel or more that reject it, the Bible says very clearly, more are going to reject the gospel than that receive it. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:19.920 Amen? 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:23.360 If you look in this city, you say, well, no, this is a Christian nation. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:25.519 Brethren, I don't know about this as a Christian nation. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:26.480 I just know this. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:36.480 There's going to be more that reject the narrow way and go into that broad gate than those that few go in that straight, narrow gate and stay in. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:41.040 It doesn't surprise me that the whole city came out and said, get away from us. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:44.879 And one man said, No, no, I like to, I like to stay with you. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:47.279 Do you ever feel like a minority? 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:50.560 Come on, do you ever feel like a minority? 00:05:51.360 --> 00:06:00.639 Some of you in your extended family, now not all of you, but some of you in your extended family, because you are a committed Christian, you are not you are a minority in your family. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:02.639 In fact, you're the oddball. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:04.000 Amen? 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:06.160 And everybody looks at you that way. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:12.639 I mean, Thanksgiving rolls around, Christmas rolls around, and they say, uh, is the fundamental Christian coming? 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:16.639 And you're a minority. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:25.519 Even if your family are supposedly quote unquote Christians, you're different because you go to church every Sunday. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:29.199 Some of you even go to church every Sunday night. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.480 Even more you go to church Wednesday night. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:40.079 And you read your Bible daily, and they look at you and say, right? 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:41.439 Do you know what I'm talking about? 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:50.000 The more we look at ourselves as committed and we become part of that few, we look at ourselves and we say, you know what? 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:55.199 We're like the guy who said, No, I'd like to be with you, when all the rest of the people, it seems, they don't want to have anything to do with it. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:07:02.959 Now, I'm not saying that you don't have maybe uh relatives or friends or neighbors, but did you ever uh how many of y'all live in an apartment complex? 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:06.399 Um, are you the strange one there? 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.079 Is your family the strange one? 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:11.040 Come on, tell me. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:22.480 I mean, uh here's here's 15 units that way and 15 units that way, and you live on the bottom or the top or whatever, and 30 units on the bottom and everything, and and you are different. 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:26.079 Now, there's other people that say they're Christians, but you're different. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.079 You get up and you actually go to church. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:29.839 You actually have some standards. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.720 You are the few amongst the many. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:34.480 You might as well accept it. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:37.120 It's going to be that way from now to the end of your life. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.439 Isn't that a blessing as a thought? 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:46.319 You are, as a Christian, as a sold-out, dedicated, born-again, blood-bought, believes in hell, Christian. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:48.319 Wait a minute, wait a minute. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:48.959 What'd you say? 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:49.920 I said believes in hell. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:53.439 Believes in hell, believes in heaven. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:08:01.439 Believes in the power of God, believes in the book, believes that the words are preserved, believes that you ought to be in church, believes that prayer is right, believes that there ought to be some standard. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:04.160 You're a minority, minority. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:06.959 Isn't that a blessing? 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:12.079 Look, if you went a little bit further, look at Revelation 16 and John 3. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:14.639 Revelation 16 and John 3. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:20.959 Revelation 16 and John chapter 3. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:22.639 Let's go a little further. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:26.480 And I believe after these two scriptures you'll understand where I'm heading. 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:28.800 Revelation 16 and John 3. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:33.759 Notice Revelation 16, then notice the actions of some people here. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.320 Revelation 16. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:38.399 And look if you would at verse 8. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:39.440 Verse 8. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:48.399 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun, and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:51.039 Revelation 16, verse 9. 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:54.480 And men were scorched with great heat. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:55.840 And what did they do? 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.759 Blaspheme the name of God. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:09:07.440 Here they are, getting chastised by God, and they're blaspheming God while it's going on, which had power over these plagues. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:10.559 And they repented not to give him glory. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.279 Look at verse 20. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:16.399 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:22.240 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent, and men what? 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:24.240 Say it, blaspheme God. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:27.039 Because of the plague of hail, for the plague there. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:37.120 You would think, brethren, with heat coming out, scorching them, with great hail falling down from heaven, there'd be a lot of people falling down and repenting, saying, God forgive me. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.720 I don't want to be judged this way. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:41.840 You know, uh, do whatever you had to do, but but I want to get right. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.679 But they're not doing that. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:46.559 Look, if you would at verse 10. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:47.840 Verse 10. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:53.279 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seed of the beasts, and the kingdom was full of what? 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:54.320 Darkness. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:57.759 And they gnawed their tongues for pain. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.519 And what they do in verse 11? 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:01.440 Blaspheme the God of heaven. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.559 Now watch this. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:07.919 Because of their pains and their swords, and repented not of their, say it. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:09.360 Their what? 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:12.000 That's the problem right there. 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.799 That's it right there. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.559 What's a deed? 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.039 An action? 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.240 An activity? 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.399 You know what the real problem is? 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:28.320 When you really just boil it down and look at it, you know what kept us from God for a while? 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.080 Our deeds. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.000 Our actions. 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.679 Our activities. 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:39.679 Now, I didn't get saved till I was 24 years old, but I'll tell you what kept me from God, my deeds. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:42.159 My actions, my activities. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:46.879 On one side, please look up here, I didn't want to give them up. 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:50.159 I wanted to justify them because I liked them. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:11:00.639 And in here, you've got a situation going on where judgment is being poured out and they're gnawing on their own tongues and they're blaspheming God and they don't want to repent of their deeds. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.279 You know what that is? 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:01.759 Pride. 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:03.600 It's pride. 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.480 Look at John 3. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:05.120 Stay with me. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.639 John chapter 3. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.279 John chapter 3. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:10.960 And it's so clear here. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.559 Everybody in good shape so far? 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.200 Yes, sir. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:15.200 You say, I wonder where you're going with this thing. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:15.919 You'll see in a minute. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.120 Look at John chapter 3. 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:18.799 And look at verse 19. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:22.000 And this is the condemnation. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:25.840 That light is come into the world. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:30.159 And men love darkness rather than light. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.679 Now here's the why. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.039 Because their what? 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.960 Their deeds were what? 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:39.039 You see, their actions weren't right. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:44.080 And when this light came in and the truth came, they didn't like it. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:45.759 Verse 20. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.919 For everyone that doeth what? 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:50.159 Evil hateth the light. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.759 Man, they can't stand it. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.960 Hey, look up here, please. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:56.240 You know why some of those people in the apartment complex can't stand you? 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:58.000 Because you don't do what they do. 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:02.399 You're not out getting drunk on Saturday night. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:11.600 And they look at you and they they see you inside there, or they know you're not participating, and they know that's not your standards, and they they they despise it. 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:14.960 They would like you better if you just got out and got drunk with them. 00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:16.320 Yes or no? 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:16.960 Amen? 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:21.519 I mean, the family comes around and it's New Year's. 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:26.000 And I don't know about your family or anything like that, but there's going to be some social drinking and all that. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:30.720 And you know, uh, when it came down to that, we just decided our family's not participating. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:36.000 In fact, uh, we stayed for the meal, but if they get the booze out, we leave. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.000 Amen. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:39.840 Why? 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:44.960 Because we don't want our children to lose respect for their uncles and their aunts and their family members. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:48.960 I don't want my children to see grandpa or grandma drunk. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:52.960 Praise the Lord, I don't have any grandparents for my children that drink. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:00.799 Why don't they want to come to the light? 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:02.240 Because they hate it. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.600 Verse 20, look at it. 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:06.960 For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.360 Why? 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.320 Look at it, verse 20. 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:10.240 Lest his deeds should be what? 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.200 Reproved. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:13.279 Lest somebody should say, hey, you know what? 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.799 Your actions are wrong. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.159 Your activity is wrong. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.679 Your deeds are wrong. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:20.080 Now, let me just clarify some things. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:22.799 Light and truth go hand in hand. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:27.840 So when the truth comes, men don't want to see the truth. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:31.679 They don't want to understand the truth because it's going to show them that they're wrong. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:33.679 Alright, let me give you an illustration. 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:39.120 Situation, a woman who kept her house very, very pristine. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.559 I mean clean. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:44.320 A situation came up where they brought in some video cameras. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:46.000 And do you ever see some of those video cameras? 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.759 They have the very bright lights. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.360 Came into the house, those very bright lights. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:55.279 And when they put the lights on in the room, you know what they saw up in the corners? 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:57.200 Cobwebs. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.639 How embarrassing. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.879 Look up in the corner. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:06.399 Now the natural light, the normal light in the room, didn't show those cobwebs. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:11.279 But when those bright lights were brought in, cobwebs there and cobwebs over on the ceiling, cobwebs. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:14.000 And that's what the Word of God does. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:23.519 It brings in light that's not just natural light, it's supernatural light that begins to shine in our hearts and we begin to see ourselves as not as good as we thought we were. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.120 Amen? 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.320 Come on, yes or no? 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:32.320 When this Bible started coming into my life and started manifesting my deeds, I didn't like it. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:40.000 In fact, when the preacher came to me the first time in Buford, South Carolina, and said, you know, some things that what was right and what was wrong, I got angry with him. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:41.279 But you know what was going on? 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:43.200 The bright light was shining in my heart. 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:45.279 And I didn't like it. 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.960 I didn't like the light. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.440 Why? 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:49.120 Because my deeds were evil. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:51.039 My actions, my activities. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.799 Verse 21, look at it. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:55.679 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:59.039 That means deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in God. 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:03.840 Brethren, the reason some of them besought him to leave, leave, leave, leave. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.440 They didn't want the truth. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.600 And I'm gonna make this statement. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.799 Many will not want the truth. 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:14.559 Only a few are going to receive it. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:17.120 Hey, we go out and give out the gospel. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:26.639 Please, we give out, we give out thousands and thousands of invitation and tracts every month to come to church to the gospel and everything like that. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.080 Many reject it. 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.399 Only a few receive it. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.080 But that doesn't mean we stop doing it. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:40.399 Because the Bible already tells us that many are going to reject the truth because their deeds are evil and they hate it. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:47.759 But when someone gets turned around and repents, they start coming to the light and they get right, they begin to like the light. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.679 They begin to like truth. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.960 Alright now. 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:58.320 I'm to the point of the message, so you know I'm halfway, and I'm going to say some things that I hope you won't get up and walk out. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.879 I mean that. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:08.639 Have an open mind just for the next five minutes. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.759 Look at Romans chapter 1. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:19.759 And look at 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:22.240 I'm going to give you an illustration. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:27.679 The message is not totally on this, but it's an illustration to prove what we're talking about. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.480 Look at Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians 4. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:38.080 Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians 4. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:45.759 It's to prove the illustration that people hate the truth because it reproves their deeds. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:50.960 And because they don't want to repent of their deeds, their activities, the pride is almost like. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:54.000 Well, look at Romans chapter 1. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.919 Look at verse 24. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.000 Verse 24. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:01.840 Wherefore God also gave them up to what? 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:06.960 Uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies. 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:11.359 Now remember, what we're going to talk about here is dishonoring to the body that God formed. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:13.119 Between themselves. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:18.799 Who changed the truth of God into a lion, worship and serve the creature more than the creator, who is blessed forever. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.519 Amen. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:22.559 For this cause God then gave them up unto what? 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.759 Vile affections. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:27.119 So it says this that what we're going to talk about here is vile. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:29.119 It dishonors their own body. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:33.759 For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:35.279 So here's what we got so far. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:40.240 It dishonors the body, it's vile, and it's against what was naturally determined by God. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.359 Verse 27. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:47.200 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one towards another. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:55.200 Men with men, working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of the heir which was meat. 00:17:55.359 --> 00:18:00.640 So it's unseemingly, it's against nature, it's vile, and it's dishonoring. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:01.759 Amen? 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.640 Yes or no? 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.480 Verse 28. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:10.880 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to reprobate mind and do those things which are not convenient. 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:13.440 So here's what we've got so far in this category. 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:18.720 It's not convenient, it's unseemly, it's against nature, it's vile, and it's dishonoring. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:25.920 Hey, you don't have to know too much to know that what it's talking about here in verse 27, men with men, is what? 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.640 Homosexuality. 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.839 Homosexuality. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:32.079 Now, don't you dare think that this church is homophobic. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:37.279 Don't you dare think this church is gay bashing. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:40.880 We believe the Bible would teach this. 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:46.559 Homosexuality is just as bad as heterosexuality outside of marriage. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:54.400 I'll guarantee you, somebody's right now saying, I don't agree with that. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:57.119 That's because society has formed your opinions. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:01.119 Society and the lobbying has formed your opinions. 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:05.200 You see, God still has the same opinion he always had. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.880 Come on, talk to me. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:13.680 Hey, heterosexuality outside of marriage, whether it be fornication or adultery, is just as bad as homosexuality. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:16.240 The message is not about homosexuality. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:25.839 The message is about people don't want to come to light because their deeds are evil, so what they do is they change the deeds to make it acceptable. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.880 What are you talking about? 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:37.359 Hey, you and I both know that society is making it now to where homosexuality is becoming more and more, as society considers it acceptable. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:41.279 They're teaching it more and more in the public schools that it's acceptable. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.720 Come on, yes or no? 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:47.200 Now see, somebody's gonna get all mad and everything, and you say, well, he was just a gay basher. 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.759 No, no, no. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.880 I'm a truth stander. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.359 Stand for the truth. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.960 When light hits, you know what people do? 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.720 Oh, I don't I don't agree with that. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.960 Oh, ooh, yeah, ooh, I don't agree with that. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:01.759 I know some guys, and you know, even though they are, they're nice guys. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.519 Doesn't matter whether nice or not. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.400 Hey, I flew back on the airplane. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:10.000 Two guys coming back into San Diego, they were they were homosexuals. 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:16.480 They were friendly to me and everything like that, as far as cordial and all that, but their deeds are evil. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.200 Say amen. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.319 You say, I don't agree with it. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:29.200 See, see, the problem is when truth hits, people in society don't want to accept the truth, so they'll accept the majority. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:39.839 And if the majority says it's okay when God says it's not convenient, it's unseeming, it's against nature, it's vile, and it's dishonoring their own bodies, they don't take that into account. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:44.240 Now, the whole message isn't about this, it's just about changing society. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:48.319 Just because society changes doesn't mean we do. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:50.400 We stay with truth. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.839 Let me say it again. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.359 We stay with truth. 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:55.759 Now, I've witnessed too many homosexuals. 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.279 I've seen some of them get saved. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:59.519 I've preached a few of their funerals. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:06.799 I've witnessed to heterosexuals that are outside of marriage, uh in permiscuity, uh, living in adultery or living in fornication. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.799 God's going to judge them all the same. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:12.480 Let me say this: a homosexual can get saved. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:15.599 You say, wait a minute, it says they're a reprobate. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:18.000 It says when they don't like to retain God in their knowledge. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:25.599 I know heterosexuals don't want to retain God in their knowledge either, amen. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:29.279 But the point of it is this it's not what God set up. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:33.680 So we don't change it, we stick with the opinion of the Bible. 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:38.720 Now, if somebody says, I don't agree with that, you're not disagreeing with me, you're disagreeing with the book. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:42.319 Whether I believe you're right or wrong doesn't matter. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.920 You'll stand before God one day. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.200 Amen. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.079 Come on. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:53.599 I use this as an illustration to say this you come off with something like this in society, and they'll look at you, and you are in the minority. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:59.039 I didn't say maybe, I said you're in the minority. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:04.160 If you believe that homosexuality is an evil deed, you are in the minority. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:08.160 Because now they're coming out with science, falsely so-called, that says they're born with it. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:13.519 Now I'm just now that's don't be that way. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.640 Just read the book. 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:24.480 Look at 2 Corinthians 4. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.319 Only had one that left so far. 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.440 2 Corinthians 4. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.119 Stay with me. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:33.200 2 Corinthians 4. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.839 And 2 Corinthians 4. 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:37.200 And you know I'm being kind. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:42.400 This Bible, if you read it, it's not as kind as I'm being. 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:45.440 I could show you some scriptures that you'd go. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.519 They're in there, amen? 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.359 2 Corinthians 4. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.880 But that's not the message this morning. 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:57.119 The message deals with why men and women won't come to the light. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:23:02.160 They don't want to come to the light because their deeds are going to be reproved and they're going to be told you're doing wrong. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.640 And please look up there, they're going to have to change. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:07.279 You know what repentance is? 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:11.200 Repentance is a word that means that I'm willing to change. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.559 Hey, brethren, you know what? 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.559 Salvation does change us. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:22.559 And we have to be willing to accept the change that God wants to make in us. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.279 It's called repentance. 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:28.160 Look if you would at 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.039 Are we doing okay today? 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:29.680 Amen. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.240 Stay with me. 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.759 Look if you would, verse 3. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:39.759 If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the God of this world, Satan, hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:46.559 Watch it, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine into them. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.839 Verse 6. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:55.279 For God who commandeth to light, to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:00.799 Brethren, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:10.480 I don't know of anybody in this room today when the light, the truth shined into our hearts, that when we looked into our own hearts, we saw the darkness and was ashamed. 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:13.119 You remember that when truth hit you? 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:15.119