WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:00.719 Man, it's good. 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:03.359 Sean, I don't have those dance moves, man. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:10.960 I don't know if we're gonna be able to do this right, but we're we're gonna we're gonna we're we're we're gonna we're gonna figure it out. 00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:12.400 We're gonna figure it out. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:16.160 Um look to your neighbor, say it's good to see you this morning. 00:00:18.239 --> 00:00:21.039 And if you lied, you can blame the preacher, okay? 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:23.679 No, it better be good to see each other this morning. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:25.760 There's a lot of exciting things happening. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:29.120 If you look, you might get overwhelmed with it, but don't, because it's good. 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:30.239 Here's the question. 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:32.399 The question is, are you involved in it or not? 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:34.560 It's not do we have a lot of things happening. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:36.880 The question is, what are you doing? 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:41.840 And so be a part, be in the community, get involved, help make a difference. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:45.759 Uh someone once told me, you know how you stop criticizing? 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:46.799 Start doing. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:56.719 That's one of the best advice pieces I can give you is if you think something needs to be done better, or something needs to be done, or there's something for you to do, the best thing for you to do is do it. 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:00.880 Be a doer, not just a hearer, not just a consumer, be a doer. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:07.359 And so this week and coming up, next week's everything else, uh, you have opportunities to serve. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:10.000 Um, you will be blessed more than you give. 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:10.799 Did you know that? 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:11.359 You will be. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:13.519 I promise you, you will be in every capacity. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:15.120 There's a lot going on there. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:18.640 Uh, he said I would hit on some things that caught me off guard. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:20.959 Um, but there is a lot happening. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:23.120 Hoping a haircut is coming up. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:26.799 We have uh a meeting for that uh coming up, Darla. 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:27.200 Correct? 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:28.159 No, we don't. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:29.359 Okay, maybe we will. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:31.040 Thank you so much, Navy. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:33.760 Um a lot going on. 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:38.079 Okay, we will be having a meeting for that soon uh for Hope and a Haircut. 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:41.200 We're gonna help change our community radically with the love of Jesus. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:44.959 Uh, there's a lot happening with the youth ministry, Heights Pond tonight. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:48.079 Uh, the kickoff, there is a meeting happening right after this. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:49.840 Um, so just a lot of goodness. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:02:02.079 Uh Darla got home, and when she arrived, there were so many boxes sitting out in front of her house of backpacks that we will be giving away to young people in our community here and surrounding areas. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:06.480 We're gonna load them up with the essential backpacks, a fresh haircut and gifts. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:13.919 And so if you think that it's just about money or giving backpacks or essentials, you're totally missing the whole boat. 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:20.400 We are giving people the hope of Jesus, planting seeds that are going to sprout. 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:30.240 And I'm telling you, it's gonna be one of the greatest things that we see over the next three to five years is people's life radically being changed by the love of Jesus. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:31.039 Amen. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:33.840 That's why we do what we do, so it's so good. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:39.120 Uh, I I want to help you this morning because it helped me. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:47.280 Um, this is week six of our sermon series in heaven, but I'm tying week six, seven, and eight together today. 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:50.560 So this will be my last sermon on heaven. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.360 In August, we're jumping to something else. 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:57.199 But if you're sad about it, I would love for you to buy this book, Heaven. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:02:58.800 It's a great book by Randy Alcorn. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:02.479 It covers everything that I've been speaking to you about in this series. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:07.199 Um, if you want to go deeper into heaven, if you want to have a conversation, listen, I love doing this. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:10.240 I love getting coffee and talking about the Bible, okay? 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:18.080 So if there's anything that you want to discuss, or maybe you still have questions on or you want to break down, I'd love to have that conversation with you. 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:27.759 Uh, but the book is called Heaven by Randy Alcorn, and I absolutely recommend you picking it up and reading it one of these days. 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:30.879 I've got a lot to cover today, so let's get into it. 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:36.319 When we talk about heaven, the core realities of heaven, we've talked about heaven is our true home. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:39.840 It's our citizenship, that we are exiles on earth. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:41.919 We've talked about the present heaven. 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:46.319 We've talked about believers that are immediately at home with the Lord the moment they die. 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:48.159 There is no soul sleep. 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:55.039 We talked about retaining our identity, our personality, and the ability to recognize each other. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:00.639 We talked about uh when Peter was on the mountain with Jesus, he immediately recognized Moses. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:04.879 He immediately recognized those that were there. 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:11.759 We talked about the final eternal heaven is the new heaven and the new earth, a renewed physical creation. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:15.599 We talked about heaven comes down to earth, the new Jerusalem descends. 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:17.600 God dwells with his people forever. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:26.639 We talked about the earth itself is redeemed and made new, not abandoned or destroyed in the sense of annihilation because God doesn't make mistakes, amen. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:33.120 We talked about our bodies will be raised and transformed, imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:36.319 We talked about continuity and transformation. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:39.040 We talked about our bodies mattering to God. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:41.839 The resurrection of Jesus guarantees ours. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:44.079 We talked about life on the new earth. 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:49.120 We talked about feasting culture, art, music, the best of the redeemed human creativity. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:53.199 We talked about adventure, exploration, earning, and endless discovery. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:57.839 No more curse, no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, and no more pain. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:00.319 I think heaven sounds pretty good, amen. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:05.360 And today we're gonna end with eternity starts today. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.160 Eternity starts today. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:13.439 I want you to know that eternity is not the moment you die, eternity is right now in the living. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.600 For even when you die, you still live. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:17.279 That is a true reality. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:19.920 And you and I are gonna experience both. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:29.759 And I promise you that one day you will look back and be grateful that you believed in Jesus Christ with everything that you have in you. 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:34.160 We're gonna start this morning in 1 Corinthians 3, 10 through 15. 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:40.720 Some of these verses I have told you before, but we're gonna dive deeper in them today. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:49.279 Says, by the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:51.839 But each one should build with care. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:57.360 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Christ Jesus. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:58.480 Do you believe that? 00:05:58.720 --> 00:05:59.360 I believe that. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:02.639 I believe no one else can lay the foundation except Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.399 He did it for you and I. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:17.600 For if anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:23.920 It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:31.680 So everything we've done here on earth, everything that's happened, will be put on an altar and it will burn up. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:49.279 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss, but yet will be saved, even though only as one escaping through the flames. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:54.879 Now, this passage in 1 Corinthians, I've preached to you before, but we're going at a different angle at it today. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:07:06.240 Because you need to understand as a Christian and a believer that you are not saved because of your works, you are saved by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:09.600 You are saved because of the cross and what he paid for you. 00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:12.959 Salvation, literally, the definition, is something you cannot earn. 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:14.959 It is something that is given freely. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:22.160 But because he paid the price for you and I, you should have faith that produces works, according to James. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:22.879 Amen? 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:37.279 So because I believe in Jesus Christ, because I believe in what he did for me, and because I accepted him into my heart, I should then, Romans 12, verse 1, I should present myself wholly and acceptable unto God, which is my reasonable service. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:39.040 So now I've accepted him. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:46.800 My desire is that he always accepts me and how I live through him, and how he lives through me. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.680 And because of that, right now does matter. 00:07:49.839 --> 00:08:03.839 It's not about fire insurance, it's not about waiting to get to heaven, but I understand that one day all of my doings and all of my works, good and bad, will be put on an altar and that will determine my rewards in heaven. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:05.759 Well, that's intriguing. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:06.800 Rewards in heaven. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:07.360 Okay. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:09.199 Well, let's keep going. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:12.639 We need to understand that this is different than the white throne judgment. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:15.439 The white throne judgment is meant for those that are non-believers. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:17.120 This is the judgment seat. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:18.560 This is a good thing for believers. 00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:20.879 You should not fear judgment for those that know Jesus Christ. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:22.959 Some of you are like, man, I'm just terrified of judgment day. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:24.959 I'm scared when I get there, he's not going to let me in. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:26.399 Stop the nonsense, okay? 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:27.519 Stop the nonsense. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:31.040 Some of this stuff's been put into you from people that have never read their Bible. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:32.480 Stop the nonsense. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:36.720 If you are a believer in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, you will sit at the judgment seat of a good altar. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.720 You do not have to be afraid nor fearful. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.879 You will have reverence because he is a holy God. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:44.000 However, you are saved by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:51.600 And when you stand before all your good things will be put on an altar, all your bad things, all the lies, all the things, all the deeds, whatever you can name it, will be burned away. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:54.159 But that was burned away because of what he did, not what you did. 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:59.200 And so we get to the next portion of scripture. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.120 It says it like this in Matthew 6. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:09.039 Do not store your up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:15.919 But store up for yourself treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where I don't know why anyone again. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:16.480 Okay. 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:20.559 For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:22.559 Okay, I want you to think about this. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:27.919 For where your treasure is, your heart will also be. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:32.000 Where my treasure is, where my heart will also be. 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:42.080 I think if we're honest with ourselves, we need to understand that what we do here and how we invest into the kingdom of God really does matter. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:46.720 Because we're not storing the same way that people on earth store. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:58.639 You know, farmers get ready, they do their hay, they put it in the barn, all these different things we prepare, but everything we do here on earth doesn't seem to last when we just do it for the physical. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:05.519 Everything that we purchase, whether it's a car, it is continually going to depreciate. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:18.240 However, when we invest into the kingdom of God, it continues to compound and compound and gets greater and greater because God can do more with our little bit than we can do with our lot. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:20.480 That's how He works. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:25.440 There will be no jealousy in heaven, there will be no envy in heaven. 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:29.679 Truth is, none of us will have gotten in our on our own merit. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:36.080 But because of our dependency on Christ, our good deeds will not go unnoticed. 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:37.519 And I need you to know that. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:39.840 Your good deeds will not go unnoticed. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:44.960 You are not saved by your good deeds, but your good deeds will not go unnoticed. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:47.600 It's why it matters what you do here on earth. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:51.039 It's why it matters that you strategize serving the Lord. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:58.960 It's why it matters that you and your spouse start having some serious questions about the work and savings you're putting into your heavenly investment portfolio. 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:04.720 You need to be intentional because these things do not happen without intention. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:09.279 You need to actually have a heart for the kingdom of God. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.480 God doesn't need your money, but he wants your heart. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:16.000 God doesn't need your talents, but he wants your heart. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:19.360 God doesn't need your time, but he wants your heart. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:23.519 And God doesn't need you nor me, but he wants our hearts. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:33.679 At some point, we have to treat the kingdom of God like it is our first priority, like it is the biggest thing to us. 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:36.480 For us to know what the will of the Father is. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:43.200 It is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and then love our neighbor as we love ourselves. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:48.480 But if we don't love him with everything, we won't know how to love ourselves the way he's called us to love him. 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.799 This is a big deal. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:56.799 I have to love him right so that I can allow him to love me right, so that I can see myself this way that he sees me. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:01.440 And in response to that, the reflection of what I see in my life, I can love others in the same way. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:02.879 This is important. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:13.840 There's a lot there, there's a lot to grab in that moment of understanding, and it's deeper than we most mostly think, but some of us treat this building like it's the church. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.279 You know? 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:19.039 We treat brick and mortar like it's the church. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.960 This is not the Old Testament. 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:24.480 We don't even realize the truth that we are the temple of God. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:28.080 Some of you may care more about this building than you care about your neighbor. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.159 That's horrible. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:32.639 This building will one day fall. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:34.159 I hate to say it. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.159 History proves it. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:41.600 In 200 years, if God has still not come back yet, this building may not be here. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:44.000 But the soul lives forever. 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:48.159 We do not worship idols and brick and mortar, we worship the kingdom of God. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:55.200 And when we worship the kingdom of God, we should realize that each of us are the temple of God, and because of that, we are the church, not the building. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.480 It's important. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:59.759 It's important what I'm talking about this morning. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:11.600 Because when we understand how crazy it is that God would be obsessed with someone like you, or he would be obsessed with someone like me, I can't help but think about what Psalms says here. 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:16.320 He says 8 and 4, what is mankind that you are mindful of them? 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:19.120 Human beings that you care for them. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:21.840 I have no idea why God loves me. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:24.559 I have no idea why he would forgive someone like me. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:29.519 I would get annoyed with me way quicker than he has. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.279 You know? 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:37.600 This patience that he has, this love that he has, it is it is hard to comprehend. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.960 Would you agree? 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.240 I agree. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:47.919 Because I know who I've been and I know who I am and I know the struggles that I've had, but Jesus is crazy about you. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:51.519 But the question is, are you crazy about him? 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.000 Do you care? 00:13:55.279 --> 00:14:00.799 Or is this place just a location for a status that you can check off your box each week? 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:03.759 Before we go any further, I think it's important to address something. 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:05.519 We need to do a little housekeeping. 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:11.519 I want you to know that if you sit here this morning and you feel the spirit of condemnation, that is not from the Lord. 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.600 The Lord does not condemn. 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.759 Some of you are gonna be like, that's a lie. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.240 No, it's not. 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.519 Let's have a Bible study. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:23.440 The Lord corrects, the Lord convicts. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.000 Correction is different from condemnation. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:29.440 For in my house, I correct my kids, but I would never condemn them. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.519 Two different things. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.519 This morning, if you have a spirit of correction, that's a good thing. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:37.679 Because God only corrects those that He loves. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:40.720 The same way that I correct my kids because I love my kids. 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:45.679 My kids know that when I bring correction, that it's not always fun, but it's for their best interest. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:50.399 And I'm not going to be the one correcting you today, but if the Spirit of God corrects you, amen. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:51.919 Amen. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:53.440 For we all need correction. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.320 I need correction. 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.120 You need correction. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.240 We all need correction. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.159 But condemnation is meant to destroy. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:00.159 Correction is to do in love and build up. 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:03.360 If you are being corrected, it is to build you up, not to tear you down. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.320 We need to know that. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:09.360 I say this because if eternity starts now, I think it's time that we start acting like it. 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:10.559 You know? 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.879 I've done a lot of funerals in my life. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:15.679 I've done 51 funerals, I've only done seven weddings. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:19.039 There's a lot of people that I've seen head off into eternity. 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:25.840 And sometimes we think eternity starts at the funeral date or at the day that they flatline, but eternity started the day that they breathe. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:26.799 Amen. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.159 Eternity starts now. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:33.200 And I think it's time that we start reading like it. 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:37.440 If eternity starts now, I think it's time we start witnessing like it. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:42.000 If eternity starts now, I think it's time we start praying like it. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.799 And I don't mean just praying for your food. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.720 I mean actually praying. 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:48.480 It's important. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:53.120 I love John 3.16, but that's the start of my story. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.399 It's not the end of my story. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:59.440 John 3.16 is such a good promise that I live on every day. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:01.360 But it's just the start of my story. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:06.240 It's in Isaiah that we read this in 61, 1 through 4. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.440 Back up. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:12.720 The Spirit of the Lord is sovereign and on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.200 Poor. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:15.200 I told you this is like my mission statement, guys. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:20.559 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom from the captives and release the darkness for the prisoners. 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:26.559 This was prof this was prophet prophecy that was given in Isaiah 700 years before Jesus would come. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:30.799 But Jesus says these exact same words, and then he says something else we'll get to in a minute. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:45.039 To proclaim the gear of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the owl of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:50.879 They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:56.960 Verse 4 says it like this They rerew, rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:17:01.600 They will renew the ruined cities that they have been devastated for generations. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:05.839 This is a promise, and it is the foretelling of a Messiah. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:12.400 And Jesus comes in the New Testament and he speaks the same words that were prof that were prophetic in Isaiah. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:15.759 But he also tells us something that through his doing would happen. 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:17.519 And it's in John 14 and 12. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:28.640 Verily, truly I tell you, whoever believes in me, John 3, 16, will do the works that I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.960 Why does he say because I'm going to the Father? 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:33.359 Because he's going to be an advocate for you and I. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:37.920 He says that when he goes to the Father, then he will send the helper, which is the Holy Spirit. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:40.319 You didn't just get in the church to sit on a pew. 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.039 I'm sorry. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:43.920 You did not just get in the church to get fire insurance. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:50.960 You got in the church to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which would produce a great work in and through you. 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:59.119 The whole world will know that you belong to Jesus because of the greater work that He's going to do in you and through you. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:01.039 But there's got to be a commitment. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.640 There's got to be something. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:13.279 And I don't really have a main point today, but if I did, it would be this your victory and defeat is found in your repeat. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:21.599 Your victory and your defeat is found in your repeat. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:31.359 When we talk about eternity now, I want you to understand that I see people who are just living it, man. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.799 Victory. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.559 Victory. 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:36.000 Victory. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:40.480 And then I see people who's just constantly defeated. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.160 Defeated. 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.759 Defeated. 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:51.200 And you know, my goal for the next few minutes is to better prepare us for getting eternity ready now. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:55.440 Because the way the Lord showed this to me was very convicting for me. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:58.640 Because sometimes I find myself in these same seasons. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:02.079 See, Psalms 114 says it like this. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:08.480 And why Jordan did you turn back? 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:11.359 Why mountains did you leap like rams? 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:14.079 You hills like lambs. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:19.839 Now, this is a rhetorical question about Israel and Exodus in the scripture in which we're reading. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:23.519 This is talking about God's presence. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:30.799 And a rhetorical question, if you don't know what a rhetorical question is, it's really someone who asks a question they already know the answer to and they're just making a point. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.279 Okay? 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:33.599 For example, the best college football team. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.640 No, I'm just kidding. 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.799 I'll just I like to mess with Josh. 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.640 You know? 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:43.519 Or I tell Maddox, I look at Maddox and I was like, Maddox, who's the man of the house? 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:46.079 I know the answer to that question. 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:49.119 I just want to make sure he knows the answer to that question. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.640 And he knows it. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.559 He knows dad's the man of the house. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:55.839 That's why he's happy when dad leaves because he thinks he's the man of the house. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:58.319 But he knows dad's the man of the house. 00:19:58.559 --> 00:20:00.400 It's a rhetorical question. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:03.440 And this is a rhetorical question in this moment. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:06.559 Why is it, C, that you fled? 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:09.200 Why, Jordan, did you turn back? 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:22.720 You know, the point is a reminder to those that we're all in bondage and that through all of our trials and through all of our impossible situations, the presence of God has always been the answer. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:41.200 And throughout your whole life and through every season that you've been through, the reason you've came out of it has always been, whether you acknowledge it or not, the overwhelming presence of God protecting you, leading you, helping you, everything that's ever happened. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:43.039 It's always been Him. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.960 It's always been Him. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:53.200 And then if that's true, do you think your victories over the enemy are going to start with you now? 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:55.200 Can we really just talk about this this morning? 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:58.559 I want to be real and authentic with you guys every Sunday. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.920 Every Sunday. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:04.400 Do you really think the battles you're facing now that all of a sudden I got it? 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.440 I'm good. 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.880 I'm good. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:09.519 Lord, thank you for the last time. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:12.000 This time, I got it. 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.839 You really think that? 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:16.799 You really think that you're gonna figure it out? 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:26.799 You really think when we talk about our victory and our defeat is found in the repeat, let me remind you that Jesus is the one that made the sea flee. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:30.480 Jesus was the one who made the Jordan turn back. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:33.680 Jesus was the one who made the mountains leap. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:36.160 It was never you, it's always been him. 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:43.200 And often we lose sight of his presence because we are trying to carry our present problems on our own. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:49.119 So people come up to me and they say, Pastor, I don't know what to do. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:51.119 Pastor, this is happening. 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:59.680 Pastor, and I I know because sin, sin, sin, the world, people, things, sin, people. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.519 Things, sin. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:03.359 It's a fight. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.599 It's a spiritual warfare. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:16.000 And it's crazy to me that people don't want to acknowledge that the spiritual realm is real, but you can't feel the way you feel inside at night without acknowledging that the spiritual realm is real. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:20.799 And at some point, you gotta learn to fight. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:25.839 You gotta learn that your victory or defeat is found in the repeat. 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:28.240 And I might be preaching to you like a Pentecostal preacher. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.680 It comes from my great-grandmother. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.720 I'm sorry. 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:35.279 But I need to preach to you today because I need some of us to figure it out. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.839 That there is an equation to this. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.440 There is a way to this. 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:42.160 I want to help us because God has helped me. 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:46.559 But I need to remind you that the victory and the defeat is found in your repeat. 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:49.200 And I need you to understand that the devil is a schemer. 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:53.200 And I need you to know that God has given us a pathway to victory. 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:56.240 But will we acknowledge the pathway this morning? 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:09.359 I need you to know that hard seasons are part of life, but they are meant to be passing through, not a continuous loop of this is hard today, and this is hard today, and this is hard today, and I just don't know if we're gonna make it. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:13.119 And next month, I just don't know if we're gonna make it, and next month, I don't know if we're gonna make it. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:17.279 Listen to me, at some point we have to get victory. 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:22.240 At some point, some of us act like Jesus' life was easy. 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:28.640 Let me ask you, day one, when you were born, was someone trying to kill you because somebody was trying to kill Jesus. 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:32.880 From the very day he was born, someone was out to kill him. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.680 And some of you are shocked that people are out to kill you. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.880 You gotta be kidding me. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.599 Let me tell you, there is one out to kill you. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.799 His name's Satan. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:44.000 And he comes to seek, kill, and destroy. 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:48.720 And some of us need to put on our spiritual eyes a little bit more to understand that this is part of it. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:54.880 If you didn't want to be in the church and have to face controversial things, well, I'm sorry. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:59.119 For if you love Jesus and you're a part of his kingdom, you're gonna be hated too. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.559 Welcome to the family. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:04.079 But greater is he that's in you than he that's in the world. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.400 And it's time for you to learn how to fight. 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:10.480 You know, there's this old song that said the Holy Ghost will take the chicken out of you. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:13.039 You ever heard that song? 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:15.039 I'm not singing it. 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:26.559 But there's this part where it goes, you can beat up the devil, making black or blue, but the Holy Ghost will take the chicken out of you. 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.960 It's a good song. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.720 It's a good song. 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.119 You remember that song at Camp? 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.119 Yes, he remembers it. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.799 This song. 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:43.279 You know, the crazy thing is, my son was getting bullied a little bit, and I was like, son, let me teach you how to fight a little bit. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:46.720 I don't want you to fight, and I don't want you to start it. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:50.000 But if they start it, you better finish it. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:53.359 People are like, well, that's not very separately. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:55.279 Listen, I'm a shepherd and I'm a dad. 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:59.599 Dad comes first, and if those two have to collide, you're gonna see dad win. 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.039 That's just it. 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.599 But teach him how to fight. 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:10.240 Some of us have been in the church so long, and you've heard the word of God your whole life, but you still don't know how to fight the enemy. 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:14.880 You're still crying over it because the enemy keeps stealing your lunch every month. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:18.960 You're still crying it because the enemy keeps stealing your joy every week. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.799 You wake up defeated. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.240 You can't figure it out. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:25.519 I go to church, I give, I give my time. 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.119 I can't figure it out, God. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.880 What am I doing wrong? 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:35.200 You blame everybody else except looking in the mirror and saying, Have I really learned how to spiritually fight? 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.519 We okay? 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:40.319 We're trying to figure it out. 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.920 Let me help you figure it out. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:50.720 Because some of us think that our seasons of hardship are supposed to be against us, but it's actually in our hardship that we find out how strong our God really is. 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:55.680 It's in our season of hardship that we begin to see the spirit for what it is. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:57.839 So this is Matthew chapter 4. 00:25:57.920 --> 00:26:02.880 And I love this passage because it's interesting, because some people think it contradicts, but it doesn't at all. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:07.200 It says, when Jesus Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.559 That's crazy. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.799 You ever read that? 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:17.920 Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:25.519 Why would the spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil? 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:29.599 This is also in verse 2, the most obvious verse I've ever read in my life. 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:32.960