WEBVTT 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:07.280 Welcome to the Awakening Church podcast. 00:00:07.599 --> 00:00:11.599 We exist to awaken this generation to a new life in Christ. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:13.039 Thanks for tuning in. 00:00:13.199 --> 00:00:16.399 To find out more, go to awakeningchurch.com. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:24.160 As we get started today, I want to ask you a question and I want you to really think deeply about it. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:28.640 What is the biggest challenge you're facing right now? 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:39.200 Maybe put it another way, if there's one thing that God could take away, or one thing that He could fix, and you said, Oh Lord, just what would it be? 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:45.679 One pressure, one relationship, you know, maybe me, one check in the mail, or one opportunity. 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:47.759 In other words, what is it? 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.240 What's the challenge that you're facing? 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:55.359 Might be internal, might be external, but but I don't want you to just be vague. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:01:00.640 I want you to say, this is what my biggest challenge is. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:02.560 Have you got it? 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:05.200 Maybe it's I'm depressed. 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:08.079 Maybe it's my mate left me. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:11.439 Maybe it's one of my kids is not doing well. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:14.480 They've been home, there's no activity. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:16.400 This is not going well. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:19.599 Have you got it? 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:20.480 Okay. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:25.760 We all have times like this, right? 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:28.799 Jesus had times like this. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:33.280 Jesus had a time that was so overwhelming, so difficult. 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:37.359 He asked his closest to come, will you pray with me for an hour? 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:41.840 And then he went off by himself and basically said, God, if there's any other way. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:44.799 And it was just excruciating and painful. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:47.359 But there's one thing that sustained him. 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:53.760 The writer of Hebrews tells us there was something he had in the midst of that that made him not give up. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:02:00.000 He didn't give in, despite all the temptation, all the pain, and even everything that was coming at him. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:05.840 Yes, he was fully God, but never forget he was fully, fully human. 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:16.319 And the writer of Hebrews will tell us in chapter 12, it was for the joy set before him that he endured the cross, despising the shame. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:20.560 But he looked down the corridor, it was perspective. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:41.680 He knew there would come a moment when they would pierce his skull, they would put nails in his wrists, there would be a moment even far more painful than the physical, where the Father would turn away in a moment, the first time in all of history, and Jesus would absorb, literally become our sin offering. 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:47.680 He knew all that was coming, but the thing that sustained him wasn't willpower. 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:51.919 It wasn't that he had a big S on his chest where he could just pull up his robe. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:55.680 The thing that sustained him is he had perspective. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.039 He understood the joy set before him. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.599 He endured the cross. 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:18.400 And over the years, I've had more than a handful of times where I have felt overwhelmed, discouraged, depressed, afraid, whether it was an injury, whether we have gone through cancer with Teresa, and praise God, we made it through that. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:24.639 We've had different times with our kids, whether it was, you know, a struggle with them or a medical issue. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:33.599 I've been had times in ministry where I've been stuck in countries or I remember once when a guy in the Philippines had a machine gun pointed at me and I thought, this is the end. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:41.439 I've had lots and lots of times where, God, if you don't provide, we're gonna have to shut down the church or the ministry or a close friend. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:47.759 We all have these times, and what I want to tell you is perspective is the key. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:04:05.520 See, often our circumstances don't change, but if we can see them, if we can get them in perspective, when you have a big problem, a big challenge, I mean a big issue, a problem relationship, it just you focus on it, it gets closer and closer and closer, and pretty soon you're looking at all of life through that problem. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:11.680 When in reality, maybe 80, 90% of your life is actually pretty good, but it feels terrible. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:21.839 So here's the question: How do you get perspective when you're facing challenges that are physically, relationally, and emotionally overwhelming? 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:23.040 Let me say that again. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:30.079 How do you get perspective when you're going through things that have you swallowed up? 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:36.639 I call it the five pillars of perspective, and this has been just a little personal journey. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:05:01.040 I for about 30 years studied the attributes of God, and I came up with just these five pillars that I walk through in my mind that allow me, with a little process that I'm going to share with you, that takes the problems, that takes the issues, that takes the challenges, and it gets them out of in front of my face, down here, doesn't change them necessarily, but I see them completely differently. 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:02.560 Pillar number one is this. 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:03.360 Are you ready? 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:05.120 This is how you get perspective. 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:07.839 Number one, God is good. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:11.759 Jot down in your notes, if you will, Psalm 84.11. 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:15.680 For the Lord God is a son and a shield. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:19.199 The Lord gives grace and glory, promise. 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:24.720 No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:25.920 God is good. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:27.680 In other words, it's his nature. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.319 God isn't good because you've been good. 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:33.920 God, in his nature, just as he is holy, he is good. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:42.160 In other words, in the words of Tozer, God says that there's a desire in God to bless you, to be for you. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:46.560 He finds a holy happiness in the blessing of his people. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:48.639 He loves it when you're doing well. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:50.959 He wants to give you good things. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:54.639 As you walk with him, he doesn't want to withhold any good thing. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:57.680 And then notice he's a son, unlimited power. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:05:59.920 He's a shield, unlimited protection. 00:06:00.160 --> 00:06:01.600 He gives grace. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.959 In other words, he'll give you what you don't deserve. 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:06.560 He gives glory. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.759 The word literally means to lift you up. 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:23.439 And when you begin to believe that God is good, that he's not down on you, then you can look down the road and say, feels risky, feels hard, I don't know what's coming. 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:27.680 But what I know is the person behind it is good. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:29.199 He's for me. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:30.560 He cares for me. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:34.639 If he asks me to take a step of faith, it's for my good. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:38.319 If I'm in a difficult situation, it's for my good. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:46.480 If people are doing some things that are unfair, that are wrong, he says, this is how I want you to respond, because it's for my good. 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:53.839 The basis of a sane relationship and life is believing, really believing, that God is for us. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:59.120 His arms are not crossed, he's not down on you, he's not pointing out everything every day. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:04.480 When when God wants to point out something in your life or my life that's wrong, he's very specific. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:21.920 And the only goal is to say, Chip, boy, that what came out of your mouth, or chip, you know what you just let into your mind, or chip that attitude, or chip what you posted and how you said it, he'll be very specific so I can agree, oh Lord, you're right. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.639 Because his goal is to restore our relationship. 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:26.160 He's not down on me. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:30.000 Pillar number two, life is hard. 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:38.319 Jesus in John 16, 33 says, These things I've spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:41.920 In the world you will have tribulation. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:43.920 Translation, trouble. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:50.480 It's gonna be hard, it's gonna be difficult, it's gonna be unjust, it's gonna be not fair, it's gonna be painful. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:54.480 In the world you'll have tribulation, but take courage. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:56.560 I've overcome the world. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:06.959 Part of what overwhelms us in our perspective is when things happen to us, and we just think, God, how could you? 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:09.360 This is so unfair. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:24.639 I think for many, you do understand that the whole prosperity gospel, this idea that if you just believe and have faith all the time, you're gonna be wealthy, you're never gonna be sick, everything's gonna go your way, that's a very interesting proposition. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:26.800 It is absolutely not biblical. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.959 Does God want to bless you and help you? 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:29.759 Certainly. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:36.240 But Jesus' word to his disciples was, I'm going to leave, and what I want you to know is it's gonna be great one day. 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:37.600 It's in fact it'll be perfect. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:40.240 It's called heaven, and I'm going to prepare a place for you. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:42.240 Until then, life is hard. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:44.000 It's gonna be unfair. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:50.399 Could we agree that the disciples, the apostles, really obeyed God and went forth? 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:51.200 Yes. 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:53.679 How did that work out for them? 00:08:54.240 --> 00:09:07.919 What we know from church history is every one of those apostles was martyred save one, and that was the apostle John, and he got exiled and stuck on a rock to write a book that tells us how it's all gonna come out, Revelation. 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:15.200 See, if your expectations are God owes you, uh, God, if I've loved you, I'm tithing. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:17.519 I go to church, I'm reading your Bible now. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:19.360 We're having family devotions. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.360 I gave over and above to missions. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:26.559 You owe me a good job, a happy marriage, and kids a turnout right, you're gonna be very disappointed. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:32.480 There's lots of things that go on in life, and it's a fallen world. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.919 And really bad things happen to really good people. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:39.679 And what Jesus said was, um, you're not exempt. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:44.720 One group came to him once and they said, Lord, have you heard what Pilate did? 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:47.360 And he killed those Jews that were worshiping here. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:50.879 And you know, they were expecting Jesus to give some answer. 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:56.559 And his answer was, Do you think those who died were any worse sinners than other people? 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:04.720 And then Jesus said, Oh, have you heard the other news report about that tower in Silo, how it fell and it crushed, and some people died? 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:11.039 You know, it was just an accident, you know, whether it was, you know, the wood rusted, or I guess wood doesn't rust, but you know what I mean. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:15.440 And then his point was, they were no greater sinners, but he says, repent. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:19.679 In other words, bad things are going to happen because it's a fallen world. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.759 Brace yourself. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.480 Don't expect that life is going to be easy. 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.919 It gives you perspective. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:41.919 I often use uh the illustration because I've had a couple good buddies who played football and and uh they they love it when you know that running back or the wide receiver comes across and they're sort of laying in wait, you know, and uh of course they don't hit them, lead with the head anymore. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:49.440 But when they come across like that and they bam and they knock them out and then they stand over them like that and start doing all this stuff, right? 00:10:49.679 --> 00:11:00.159 If you want to be a wide receiver in the NFL, or if you want to be a running back that when you break through that hole, if you don't think you're gonna get hit by a linebacker, you're dreaming. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:16.159 And if you want to walk with God, if you want to have an impact for Jesus Christ, if you want to be a man, a woman who God would say, Well done, my good and faithful servant, you want to be the kind of dad that your kids say, I'd like to be like my dad, or I'd like to be like my mom. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:24.559 You'd like to be the kind of neighbor that our neighbors say, you know, I'm not even sure about the Christianity stuff, but if they were all like Joe who lives next to me, man, I'd I'd be all in. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:35.120 I will tell you what, there are spiritual linebackers, and there is evil that'll come your way, and God will protect you, but it won't be easy. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:40.080 The third pillar is not only is God good and life is hard, but God is sovereign. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:48.879 Romans 8 28 says, and we know that God causes all things to work together for good, to those that are called according to his purpose. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:56.559 Sometimes this is kind of thrown out flippantly, so let's talk about what sovereignty means and what it doesn't mean. 00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:04.559 When we say God is sovereign, it means that he sees all things from the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:08.639 It's that he's all powerful, he's all knowing, and he has purposes. 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:19.519 Sovereignty does not mean that he's orchestrating every decision and every little event in all of life, and that we all happen to be little puppets that have been predestined to work out in some little way. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:22.320 He's given us very significant freedom. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.639 We make decisions and there's consequences. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:27.200 We sing praise and has consequences. 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:34.799 But the overall purposes and sovereignty of God, he will not allow his purposes to be thwarted. 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:37.360 That's that's Job 42, too. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:13:05.519 And when evil happens to his children whom he loves, because he has control and sees all things and can orchestrate things, he actually will take the difficulties and the pains, and he can reshape them even when they're from our sin and our own mistakes, and he can reshape them because he's a gracious and loving father and work them for our good, often for our character, for our future, for our relationships. 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:11.600 If you've not read the book of Genesis lately, uh, read chapters 37 through 50. 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:16.159 There's only 50 chapters in the book, and yet 13 chapters are about Joseph. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.720 Why? 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:24.639 Because it tells the story of God's favor and goodness and love for a person in the midst of a very fallen world. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:29.360 So Joseph is the guy that gets a dream and a word from God, and this is what I'm gonna do. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.759 And he doesn't handle it really well, okay. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:34.080 But then he gets sold by his brothers. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:38.159 Then he's falsely accused of rape, then he's forgotten in prison. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:42.639 And I mean bad, bad, bad, bad for 13 years. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:51.759 And all the while God was working those challenges and this little line all through those verses, and the Lord was with Joseph, and the Lord was with Joseph. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.440 Something was happening. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:59.039 What was happening is his character and his dependence, and it wasn't fair, and it just was terrible. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:01.519 But he didn't give up and he didn't give in. 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:11.360 He was getting stronger and stronger, and then God prepared him to be the second most powerful in the world and save the entire nation of Israel. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:22.639 He could even say, because he saw God's sovereignty and his goodness and accepted that life was hard, he said to his brothers in chapter 50, verse 20, as for you, you meant it for evil. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:29.840 But God meant it for good to bring about this present result to preserve or save many people alive. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:33.120 Quite honestly, we don't get to see this all the time. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:39.919 I've had some times, some situations in my life that I've been so angry and so hurt and so betrayed. 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:46.799 And now, getting a little bit older, I look back some of that, you know, five, ten, fifteen, twenty years. 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:50.639 Wow, oh Lord, that was terrible. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.159 That was wrong, that was unfair. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.840 But I wouldn't be here. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:15:07.919 Actually, I would have never come to this church when I got to be the pastor, or I would have never gone to this country, or maybe I would have never met Teresa, or oh God, I didn't see it, and I didn't see it right away, but I got perspective. 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:08.960 You are good. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.919 Yes, life is hard, but you're sovereign. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:14.960 Fourth pillar is God is all wise. 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.879 The end of uh Hebrews chapter 11. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:26.159 The Apostle Paul has given the definitive work on the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:29.919 And it's great fodder for theologians to argue about. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:46.559 And it's interesting to me that the author of the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man, when he gets to the very end of how all that fits together in that mystery and that greatness and the awe, he doesn't come out with a theological position that's against other people. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:51.679 He looks at both knowing, yes, you're in control, yes, we are responsible. 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:53.919 Is it a mystery and in awe? 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.840 This is what he he says in praise. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:00.320 Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:05.440 How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:08.399 Who has known the mind of the Lord who became his counselor? 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:14.000 Or who has first given him counsel or given anything to God that he should pay him back? 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:18.159 For from him and through him and to him are all things. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:20.000 To him be the glory forever. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:31.759 In other words, what he's saying is the ways of God, the paths of God, the decisions of God, the wisdom of God, you try and trace it out and get to why he does, what he does, with whom, when, where, not. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.519 He can't. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.600 He sees it, he's other. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:49.039 The classic theological definition of the wisdom of God is that God brings about the best possible results by the best possible means for the most possible people for the longest possible time. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:51.440 Think about that. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:59.440 Your life right now, your your difficulty, your challenge, God's orchestrating, he's working for your good. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.759 You shouldn't be surprised that it's hard. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:04.640 Welcome to the spiritual NFL, welcome to life. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:11.440 But he's in control, and he is not just setting you loose, hoping, oh, I hope things go well. 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:26.880 He is orchestrating his paths and his ways, he's bringing about what you can't see, probably, the best possible ends by the best possible means for the most possible people for the longest possible time. 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:33.759 I was uh at a time in my life when I was ready to pretty much give up on God. 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:40.720 Uh give up, I was studying for the ministry at the time, and I won't go into all the details, but we we've all had that, right? 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:42.480 And some of you are there right now. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.359 Despair, despondent, forget it. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.480 Where are you, God? 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:48.960 If this is what it means to serve you, I'm done. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:50.960 I can't take it anymore. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:18:02.160 And I happened to uh have a theology class at the time, and that definition of wisdom I had learned in the last day or two or three. 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.799 And I was having this conversation. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.759 I'm done. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.319 Okay? 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:09.440 I no, I'm serious, I'm done. 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:13.359 I mean, I gave up this, I gave up this, we moved out here, we don't have any money. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:16.319 This is bad, this is bad, this is bad, this is bad, this is hard. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.359 I am done. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:19.359 And by the way, this happened. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:32.720 And then the wisdom of God is that character which, and by his attribute, he brings about the best possible ends for the most possible people for the longest possible time. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:36.000 And this thought came to me. 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:54.960 If there was a kinder or gentler way for God to shape my life, cause my marriage to be what he wants it to be, make me the man and the father that he wants me to be and I want to be, and prepare me for whatever he has in the future. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:19:05.599 If there was a kinder or gentler way than what I'm currently experiencing, I would be experiencing that because he is good and he is all wise and he's sovereign. 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:14.559 And on the basis of trusting the wisdom of God that I can't see his path, I am so glad I did not opt out. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:22.880 The fifth pillar is not just that he's good or life is hard or God is sovereign or God is all wise, but God is all powerful. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:31.920 Jeremiah would write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, chapter 32, verse 17, Ah, Lord God, I love this. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:38.079 Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:41.119 Nothing is too difficult for you. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:47.839 I don't know what you're going through, but it might take us 10, 20, 30, 40 years to do something. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:51.680 God can move a mountain, God can solve a problem like that. 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:55.599 He has all power, and that power is available. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:20:02.400 The Apostle Paul would write in Ephesians chapter 1, he would say to us that, you know, our spiritual eyes have been opened. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:07.200 And he says he would pray that we would know this hope of our calling, what God has in store. 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:17.279 And then it says he prays that he would allow us to grasp and understand the power that dwells within us, the same power that raised Christ from the dead. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:19.119 And I'll never forget studying. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.400 It's it's verse, you know, like 18, 19, and 20 of chapter one. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:36.240 And when he begins to talk about his power, he uses four different Greek words to basically get around it in every way imaginable to say, can you grasp the power that God has and it's available? 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:40.720 And often it's not just power that does a miracle, it's a power to persevere. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:58.160 The greatest power I think Jesus ever experienced was the power of the Holy Spirit as he depended on the Father in view of his perspective to go to the cross, to stay on the cross, to not call down angels, and to die for you and me, and to give his life that we might have life. 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:12.559 And sometimes the greatest thing and the greatest power you will ever need is to make it through the hardest time in your marriage, or with one of your kids, or with a disease, or without a job, or with the uncertainty of what's going to happen in the future. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.640 But the power is available. 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:20.799 See, when I am really, really, really struggling, I have to go back to the basics and I have to pause. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:25.119 And I take that thing that's up here that I'm struggling with. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:30.079 Lord, I know that you are good. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:33.359 I know that life is hard. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.920 I know that you are sovereign. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:41.440 I know that you're all wise, and I know that you're all powerful. 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:53.440 And what I want you to know is that the number one thing God is asking you and asking me, and asking all of us every day and every way, regardless of what you're going through, here's the fundamental question. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.640 Write this one down. 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:58.000 What does it look like to trust God in this situation? 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.680 You know, they ask. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:02.079 Jesus, what is the work of God? 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.559 I mean, what's it mean to really follow you and to follow God? 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.440 What do you really want? 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:11.599 And Jesus said in John 6, this is the work of God that you believe on him who he has sent. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:17.039 The only time he ever, ever criticized or rebuked the disciples, what it was about. 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:20.319 Oh, you of little faith. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:23.440 Here's the deal: God wants you to trust him. 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:30.400 Can you trust a good God in a life that's hard, who's in control, who's all-wise and is all powerful? 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:34.079 And then you ought to be asking right about now, okay. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:47.839 If you're a follower of Jesus, if you believe his word, I don't, and you don't have any argument about what I've just shared. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:54.559 It's it's it's basic theology, it's just what the Bible teaches about who God is and and how life works. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:23:04.799 But here's the question: So, um how do I get that into my everyday life in a way where I am trusting God? 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:07.440 I mean, Chip, could you like give me a game plan? 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:10.799 Yes, as a matter of fact, I can. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:16.799 Um let me give you four action steps. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:19.680 Some of the times it'll be just a willful decision. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:36.799 I'm not saying you're gonna feel ooey-gooey about it, but let me give you four action steps that by faith you can regain perspective and begin to trust the goodness and the power and the wisdom and the sovereignty of God in the midst of your hard situation. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:43.279 Action step number one: absolutely refuse to worry. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.799 What? 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:48.000 Yes, absolutely refuse to worry. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:51.680 I'll never forget the first time I ever heard it stated that way. 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.599 It was Oswald Chambers. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:58.799 Uh he was doing ministry during uh, I believe it's Second World War. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:10.319 And um he was in a camp and people were dying and things were everywhere, and he he read Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7, and he realized to worry is a sin. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:16.240 You know, be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, right? 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:19.359 Offer your quests up to God. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:25.519 And the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:29.039 And Oswald Chambers said, I just realized it's a choice. 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:34.720 And he wrote in his journal, and I read it in my utmost for his highest, I will absolutely refuse to worry. 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:36.880 When it comes, I'm just I'm not going to do that. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:40.799 And it was sort of this defiant, I won't, I I refuse to worry. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:46.559 And you know, I'll be honest with you, most of us, here's where I try not to worry. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.839 I don't want to worry. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.759 I'm really working on that worrying. 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.880 I don't really want to worry. 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:54.079 I really know it's a sin, but let's just talk with one another about it. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:57.680 Really is really tough and COVID's really tough, and what about this and what about that? 00:24:57.759 --> 00:25:01.119 And you know, like I'm assigned in the household, I'm the worry wart. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.640 You want to get perspective? 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.720 Don't give yourself permission. 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:10.400 Instead, you need to pray, but a special kind of prayer. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.240 What's it say? 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:16.799 Be anxious for nothing, command, but in everything, by prayer, it's a general word. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.720 It means just get your focus up immediately. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:21.279 You start to fear, you start to be anxious, focus up. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:33.359 By prayer and supplication, that means you begin to move from just a worship and a concept of who God is to I'm going to now enter into asking for some specific things. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:37.920 And he goes, with thanksgiving, begin to give thanks for what you do have, and then make your request. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:40.000 And literally, it's like bring your grocery list. 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:43.440 Lord, I want to know about the job, one of my children, what about this, what about that? 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:50.240 And you bring them, and he says, as you offer them and leave them there, there's a peace that God will give you. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:55.039 When worry knocks at the door of your heart, let prayer answer it. 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:58.640 It's a discipline, it's a choice, it's a challenge, but we can do it. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.079 You want to get perspective? 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.200 Don't worry. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:03.920 Absolutely refuse to worry. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:10.880 When worry knocks on the door of your heart, let this kind of prayer answer it. 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.640 Philippians 4, 6 and 7. 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:15.440 Two, get God's direction. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:20.400 But in other words, God, how do you see this? 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.880 God, what do you want me to do? 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.640 God, should we relocate? 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:26.079 I mean, a lot of people are doing that now. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.599 God, should I should I change jobs? 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.039 God, should I shut down the business? 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.559 God, should I hang on? 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.319 Lord, I would hate to do it. 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.599 Should I lay off some people? 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.799 Should I keep them on? 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:38.000 Lord, should I take some money out of here or out of there? 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:40.000 Uh God, what do you want me to do? 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:42.160 Do you want me to change jobs? 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:46.240 I don't have the answer to those questions, and neither do you. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:48.559 So how do you get God's direction? 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.480 Let me give you three specific ways. 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:54.400 Number one, his word. 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.960 Psalm 119, 105. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:27:01.200 Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:04.480 You know, it's this morning. 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:10.240 I didn't actually feel much like reading the Bible and had a lot on my plate, but here's what I've learned. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:13.200 Lord, um, there's some things I don't know what to do. 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:17.039 And I don't know if you're gonna speak specifically, but I'm gonna show up. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:21.519 And your Holy Spirit takes your word and you make it the living word. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:27.759 And so I'm gonna be reading this morning slowly and reflectively, and I'm asking you to speak to me. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:33.920 If it's a specific issue, you may want to study that specific issue, but get into God's word to get direction. 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:36.960 Second, get wise counsel. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.920 Get wise counsel. 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:44.960 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed. 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.960 Proverbs 15, 22. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:52.720 Who are the wisest, most godly people and ask them for help. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:28:03.759 I recently had to uh make a big presentation, and and so I called a pastor who's 90 years old, who uh I mean alive and he swims six times a week and godly. 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:06.880 And I just laid out my life and laid out the world situation. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:09.119 I said, Don, what what do you think? 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:15.440 And then I I called a guy that was the head of the largest company in the world, actually the executive vice president and of operations. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:18.079 He ran this, it was the largest company in the world for a season. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:25.279 And I just I just called him and I said, Hey, I'm I'm just the business world and the finances, that's so over my head. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.720 What do you see coming? 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:28.240 Will you will you help me with that? 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:33.599 And so, you know, and then I then I I talked to two or three friends, a mentor that since I was been 28 years old. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:40.319 I just went to people and said, Would you help me think through what is going on? 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.839 And you know me. 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:44.960 Uh, even this week, I've asked three of our board members to come in. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:50.880 We're gonna spend all day strategically saying, okay, Lord, what's the next season for Living on the Edge? 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:52.799 What do you want it to look like? 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:57.519 Uh we're we're in the spiritual hand sanitizer and mask business. 00:28:57.680 --> 00:29:04.000 I mean, it's been an exhausting but wonderful year of helping people that are in real need. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.759 Well, we've learned some things. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:10.160 What do you want 2021, 22, 23 to look like? 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:16.240 And so after you get into his word and you get wise counsel, then ask for wisdom. 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.279 God promises. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.319 James 1, 5. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:25.440 If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and he'll give it. 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:27.200 But here's the caveat. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:34.079 Lord, I don't know exactly what to do, but if you'll show me, before you show me, I'll do whatever you show me. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.200 I don't want to relocate. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.319 You want me to relocate? 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:36.880 I will. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:40.240 I don't want to start a new business, but you want me to start a new business, I will. 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.680 It's been a rough season. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.599 I do not want to go to marriage counseling. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.200 You want me to go to marriage counseling? 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.000 I will. 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:48.559 Whatever you say, I will do. 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.880 And he promises he'll show up. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:53.359 Absolutely refuse to worry, number one. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.799 Get God's direction, number two. 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:57.359 Number three, develop a plan. 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.279 A bad plan. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.480 Don't float. 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:02.720 Don't let the world make decisions for you. 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:05.440 Don't just, I wonder what's going to happen, and are they gonna do this? 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.720 And develop a plan. 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.000 Proverbs 16. 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:11.759 The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.960 That's verse nine. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:18.559 But verse three says, commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:21.039 You know, you I don't know what to do. 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.240 I feel paralyzed. 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:30.400 Get out a yellow sheet of paper, or get out your iPad, your computer, your laptop, whatever, and just I'm going to write out my plan. 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.839 This is what I'm going to do. 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:34.799 And just write out a very bad one that you can revise. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:38.559 You have to say, as far as I know, this is a situation. 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.920 Here's all the facts. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:41.519 Here's the counsel. 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:46.079 This is what God showed me in his word, or I'm reading, I didn't get anything special. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:52.880 So, with all I know, this is what I'm going to do, this is when I'm going to do it, and this is how I'm going to do it. 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:56.640 And then go back to your counselors and say, This is the plan I think I should follow. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.599 What do you think? 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:59.039 But you've got to act. 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:02.799 And number four, move forward boldly. 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:06.559 Move forward boldly. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:12.960 Joshua was overwhelmed with his new leadership, and it was his crisis moment. 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:19.119 And the Lord said, Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not tremble or be dismayed? 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.000 Why? 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:24.880 For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.960 And here's what I can tell you. 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:39.440 Um, your family, your friends, those of you in supervisor roles and leadership roles, people are desperate for someone to lead clearly and boldly and biblically. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.480 This is what I think. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:42.240 You won't get it right all the time. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:46.559 But God promises He will always, always, always deliver. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:49.200 He delivers in three ways, and I'll close with this. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:52.160 Number one, and this is my this is my a priority. 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:54.079 Lord, deliver us out of this. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:56.079 COVID is gone tomorrow. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:32:02.160 Uh this person is healed, a check comes in the nail, the economy back bounces back super fast. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:06.880 I mean, God deliver us out of things, and he does, and it's miraculous, and we praise him. 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:11.039 More often, he delivers us through things. 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:14.799 Like he said to the Apostle Paul, My grace is sufficient for you. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.960 Power is perfected in weakness. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:20.640 I'm not going to take you out of it, I'm going to give you grace to go through it. 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:32.559 And then, as we've learned with some of God's most precious, precious saints, people that he loves, people I think a lot like Enoch, where God just couldn't wait for him to die. 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:34.000 He just took him up. 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:40.240 Psalm 116 says that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his godly ones. 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:50.000 God delivers us out of situations, he delivers us through situations, and sometimes he delivers us unto himself for an eternity to be with him. 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:58.400 Lord, I pray for the challenge that's in the front of each person's mind and what they're going through. 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:02.079 And I ask for the gift of perspective. 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:11.839 I ask that you, God, Holy Spirit, would help people to believe and to trust that you are good, to remember that life is hard, that you're wise, that you're sovereign, that you are all powerful. 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:27.279 And finally, Lord, I pray for the discipline and the grit and the grace to refuse to worry, to get a clear direction from you, to develop the best plan that we can, and then move boldly in the power of your spirit. 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:32.319 And God, I pray for your hand of favor and blessing upon your people. 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.839 In Jesus' name. 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:34.880 Amen.