WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:02.319 Welcome to the Awakening Church podcast. 00:00:02.479 --> 00:00:07.040 We pray this message encourages you and provides the hope and light of Jesus Christ. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:08.640 Thanks for tuning in. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:22.640 Today we're closing out our series, Hello Life. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:28.399 We've been journeying for the last today is eight weeks through this letter. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:32.000 It's really a sermon written by the Apostle John. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:35.359 It's called First John. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:43.439 And as we close, the sermon titled Today is A Pre-Ection Reflection. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:49.520 In just two days, the presidential election arrives. 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:58.240 Endless streams of political ads, smear campaigns, the overflowing mailbox will cease. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:02.159 Many of us are holding our breath, aren't we? 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:10.239 How will this shake out and are hoping that, well, at least not terrible? 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:16.400 And for us today, let me ask you. 00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:21.439 How are followers of Jesus to respond this election season? 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:33.359 Not what we see outside, not what we're seeing on social media, but how are we actually supposed to respond? 00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:39.359 What does God want to say to his church before the election? 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:47.359 And it's here that you then hold your breath, wondering what your pastor is about to say about the election. 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:05.519 And honestly, we have a fairly divided church. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:13.439 Awakening has both Democrats and Republicans, and chances are you're sitting next to someone who may vote differently than you. 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:15.120 Don't look. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:30.159 Ethnically, culturally, generationally, and politically. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:31.919 What a gift. 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:34.560 And what a challenge. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:48.639 Learned early on that we couldn't do a one-size-fits-all parenting strategy with our kids. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:52.080 It would have been amazing if we could. 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:54.879 We thought we could. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:03.919 When our first was born, we stumbled and figured out some things and thought we maybe had it, you know, a plan. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:07.599 And then the second was different than the first. 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:11.120 Let me give you an example. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:17.199 One of our kids, we tell, this is we're telling them, take it easy. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:18.479 Relax. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:23.439 Stop doing, you know, so much homework. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.159 Don't worry about your grades. 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:29.840 Another one of our kids, I won't sell any of them out. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:34.159 We say, worry about your grades. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.919 Do the hard work first and then have fun. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:38.319 Why? 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:40.240 Because they're just different people. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:43.520 They have different strengths and weaknesses. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:52.800 And that is part of the challenge of preaching in this moment, is we are a church made up of different people with different strengths and weaknesses. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:56.000 And there isn't a one size fits all here. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:04:12.319 And yet, what sometimes what we forget is in both of those ways that we try to guide our kids is actually a fundamental principle that is true, just applied differently because of their personality. 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:26.800 And so what I want to do with our time is remind us of the foundational truth of God's word, the principle, and here's what I'm trusting is that the Spirit will speak to you personally in how to apply it. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:36.720 And can we just for a second hold off on thinking about who needs to hear this message? 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:38.399 Okay? 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:51.360 I know your mom or your dad or your uncle or your sister or your cousin or your coworker or whoever else, at some point you're gonna go, man, they need to hear this. 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:58.879 And here's what I'm gonna ask Holy Spirit, let me hear this. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:02.639 Let me hear from you today. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:17.199 John closes out his letter sermon, and I think one of the more odd ways, it's a single sentence, and it's like a mic drop moment. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:31.279 You know, remember, this is a sermon that he's given that's written to the churches in Asia Minor in Ephesus, and and he takes, you know, he doesn't end with a farewell, he doesn't end with, you know, grace and B to you. 00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:32.720 He ends with this. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:41.279 He ends by uh the verse right up there um dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:44.000 Mic draw. 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:49.839 Now he hasn't said anything about idols for the entire book. 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:59.439 And he leaves us with one sentence at the very end, and I actually believe this is God's word to his church before the election. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:04.800 And I love that he says, dear children, he says this multiple times throughout the epistle. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:06.480 Dear children, we're family. 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:07.360 One, we're family. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:10.079 You're sitting next to brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:11.360 We're family. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:14.399 It's also our identity. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:16.000 You're beloved. 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:23.199 You're a daughter or a son of the King Most High. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.040 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:30.399 Now, why in the world does John end this way? 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.720 Let me just give you a few thoughts. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:42.319 First, and this is something they were aware of, but we often forget, neglect, or are completely blind to it. 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:45.439 We live among idols. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:47.519 Idols are pervasive. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:48.720 We live among idols. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:07:05.439 We think of idols as like, well, American idol for sure, um, but we think of idols as an ancient thing, a relic of one of those things where there's, you know, the image made of wood or gold or silver, and that people bow down to this image and worship it. 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:08.720 And yet, idols are a human thing. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:11.439 They are created from our hearts. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:16.959 It's something we naturally do, something we naturally replace instead of God. 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:20.399 And so let me give you a definition for an idol. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:25.279 An idol is when a good thing becomes an ultimate thing. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:28.800 Idols are not, in general, a bad thing. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.000 It's a good thing. 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.839 And so there are good parts to it. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:40.160 And the minute it becomes an ultimate thing, there's still some of those good parts, but then it becomes a destructive thing in our life. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:46.480 Sometimes an idol is a relationship, it might be a boyfriend, a girlfriend. 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.000 It might be a pursuit. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:57.360 Sometimes an idol is our pursuit, it might be sports that you're running after, it might be your career, it might be getting your education. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:02.480 Idols also can be political things. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:07.040 It is anything that occupies the place of God. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:13.759 Idolatry is looking to some created thing to give you what only God can give you. 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:19.680 And by the way, in Silicon Valley, we have some specific gods of our valley. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:26.240 Every region has some specific gods, some things that we worship, that we bow down. 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:35.840 And it, you know, we don't think about it as gold, silver, or wood, but but but we bow down to the gods of success in the valley. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:41.120 We bow down to the gods of affluence and influence. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.039 Who do you work for? 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:44.000 What do you drive? 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:45.039 Where do you wear? 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.279 How many followers do you have? 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:51.039 We bow down to these gods consistently. 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:56.960 It's all around us and it's pervasive in our culture so much that we don't see it. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:06.639 The gods of power, of ideologies, of political parties. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:10.559 First thing he says is we live among idols. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:16.480 Martin Luther writes this whatever your heart clings to, that is your idol. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:21.360 Let me ask you, what is your heart clinging to? 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:27.200 What captures your heart more than Jesus? 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:32.000 He says, Dear children, keep yourself from idols. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:34.559 One, because idols are pervasive. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.639 We live among them, they're around us. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:39.679 Secondly, here's what happens in the church. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:42.720 We ask God to coexist with our idols. 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:44.879 Idol are deceptive. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.720 We ask God to, you know what? 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.840 I need you. 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:55.919 Yeah, God, I'm gonna sing these songs, but I actually need my job and I actually am worshiping my career or that relationship. 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.799 We ask God to coexist with our idols. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:01.759 Notice, he's speaking to believers right now. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:07.120 And he tells them, dear children, keep away from these things. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:12.159 An idol mindset is this Jesus plus blank equals life. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:18.080 Life meaning happiness, purpose, peace. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:22.639 Anytime we go Jesus plus, and then you fill in the blank. 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:24.399 I don't know what your blank is. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:36.960 The very first command of the Ten Commandments is you shall have no other God before me. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:41.519 He will not share his glory with another. 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:48.399 We ask him to coexist with our idols, and he says, It doesn't work that way. 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:52.399 Sometimes I make this joke to my wife, it's not funny at all. 00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:57.840 Um, but I say this joke to her, I said, Jenny, you're my favorite wife. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:02.080 She's like, Why? 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:03.200 Why? 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:07.519 Because nobody wants to be a favorite spouse. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.960 And we kind of do that with God. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:11.360 Why? 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:16.960 Because you don't want one and only spouse, wholehearted dedication. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:23.840 You're my only wife, you're my only one, and God says, No, I am your only God. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:39.679 And the tension of our soul is we can get that, and then we subtly then go, you know what, God, you're my favorite, but I have some of these other things that I'm bringing along with me. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:42.159 How would you fill in that blank? 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:51.679 Who or what are you looking to bring happiness, peace, or purpose to your children? 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.480 Keep yourselves from idols. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.159 We live among them. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:02.080 There's this tendency of our heart to ask God to coexist with them. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:07.840 And the reality is, is the power of idols can be broken. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:09.360 Idols are actually powerful. 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:12.159 They're not just pervasive, they're persuasive. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:16.639 We kind of think, isn't this just the way it is? 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:21.279 Isn't this the just the way we go about life in Silicon Valley in America? 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.279 It's the way of the world. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.519 He says, keep yourselves. 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:31.919 That word keep means to watch out, to avoid, to be on one's guard against, to protect or take careful measure of. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:38.080 This isn't something that he says, well, you know, do your best, but you're not gonna make it. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:42.000 The power of idols can be broken. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:42.960 How do we do this? 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:47.120 I just want to give you a few thoughts from 1 John 5. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:51.039 The first way that we do this is that we put first things first. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:58.000 1 John 5 2, he says, This is how we know that we love the children of God. 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:04.559 This is how I know that I'm loving you most fully and well. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:09.519 This is how I know I'm loving my neighbors well. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:14.080 By loving God and carrying out his commands. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:16.399 I'm gonna put first things first. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:20.399 I'm gonna God put you in your priority of place. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:30.399 I'm gonna say, you are the love of my life, and I am directing my heart and my attention and my affection towards you. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:34.080 How do we break the power of the idols around us? 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:38.559 Put first things first, give Jesus your ultimate allegiance. 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.919 Love of God. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:45.519 Then notice what he says, and carry out his commands. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:55.279 When we're thinking about this in the election context, may we elevate biblical truths over political views. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:14:05.039 There's a great book of how to engage as a follower of Jesus in the political sphere called Compassion and Conviction. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:14.799 Highly encourage you to read it, written by multiple authors from different streams of life and professions. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:28.879 In it, they write, do an inventory of where you stand on issues like immigration, criminal justice, abortion, and sexual ethics, and then be honest how you came to those conclusions. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:37.200 Did you reach your opinion through the love and truth of the Bible, or have you been indoctrinated by a group identity that's outside of Christ? 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:49.759 Tim Keller, as he is writing and unpacking the first century church, and it really says there's five social projects that were core to the early church. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:54.559 One was that the early church was a multiracial, multi-ethnic community. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:58.720 Second, they were highly committed to the poor and the marginalized. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.360 Third, is that they were non-retaliatory. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:06.799 They had were marked by this incredible uh commitment of forgiveness. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:13.200 Fourth, they strongly practiced and practically were against abortion and fanticide. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:18.000 And fifth, they had a revolutionary ethic when it came to sex. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:25.120 He writes this the early Christian community was both offensive and also attractive. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:32.000 Believers did not construct their social project in some strategic way to reach Roman culture. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:37.200 Each of the five elements was there because Christians sought to submit to biblical authority. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.600 They are all commanded. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:45.679 They are all just as category-defined, both offensive and attractive today. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:51.600 The first two, ethic, uh ethnic ethnic diversity and caring for the poor sound liberal. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:55.360 The last two, abortion and sexual ethics, sound conservative. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:16:02.159 The third, of course, that meaning non-retaliatory, marked by forgiveness, sounds like no particular party. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:10.559 Churches today are under enormous pressure to jettison the first two or the last two, but to not keep them all. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:15.679 Jesus is not aligned with the political party. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:20.960 He's not Republican, he's not Democrat. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:28.720 And the call for us is to put first things first. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:36.080 Love for our God, and then out of his commands, what did you say? 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:47.919 You know, one of the things that Jesus said, He said, take the log out of your own eye before taking the speck out of your neighbor's eye. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:17:02.720 We have an incredible capacity to demonize whoever is on the other side of our view while neglecting our own inadequacies and uh things that are discrepancies in our own views. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:08.000 What would it look like where we just simply go, you know what? 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:14.720 Here's the areas where we have to grow and be really honest about that. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:19.759 First, how we break the power of idols is put first things first. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:23.200 Secondly, get your source of hope right. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.039 Are you tired? 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:38.880 I mean, obviously, all the noise and I'm ready for, you know, to not get political text anymore. 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.839 So effective. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:50.400 But the rhetoric on both sides is this is the most important election in human history. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:53.680 This is the fight for democracy. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:56.640 But it was four years ago, too. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:59.759 And it was eight years before that. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:09.440 And we have subtly shifted our hope to a political party, to a presidential candidate. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:14.000 Get the source of your hope right. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.440 First John 5, 5. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:18.000 Who is it that overcomes the world? 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:27.039 Well, the person that wins this week, the presidential seat? 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.559 No, actually. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:34.559 Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:41.279 John, right now, is writing in the shadow of the Roman Empire. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:49.279 To Christians who would undergo great persecution as a result of their faith. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:52.240 And he says, You're actually an overcomer. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:57.200 In the Bible, the scriptures talk about three kingdoms. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:59.359 He says, Who is it that has overcome the world? 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.759 First, there is the kingdom of God. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:09.680 That's where Jesus invites us to pray, and we're going to close our time praying this way: your kingdom come, your will be done. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:16.319 It's the recognition that God's kingdom, his reign, his will is not being done on this planet. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.839 There's the kingdom of God. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:33.039 When Jesus came, he said, Behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand because Jesus, the king, is present and is breaking forth everywhere a follower of Jesus aligns their will with God's will. 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.440 So there's a kingdom of God. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.519 There's the kingdom of me. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:40.079 My will be done. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:44.160 And then there's the kingdom of Satan. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:48.880 When he's talking about the world, it's a world system. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:55.599 And you look around, and it's easy to go, man, the world's dark, isn't it? 00:19:58.400 --> 00:20:00.400 The world has always been dark. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:08.720 Why are Christians shaking in their boots right now? 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:14.960 Well, because our hope is misplaced. 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:21.200 Where's your hope? 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:24.720 Who is it that overcomes? 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:30.960 Only the one who believes, who's put their full faith and allegiance and trust. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:34.720 Jesus, you are the rescuer and leader of my life. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:39.359 Who is it that overcomes is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:45.920 So our hope is not in this election. 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:48.240 America is not the promised land. 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:54.160 The hope of the world is not a political party, but the person of Jesus. 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:58.640 Your hope is not in the economy. 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:02.240 Your 401k, your job. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:08.880 The return of Jesus, not the return of American values, is our hope. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:11.759 There's an old hymn that goes this way. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:19.680 My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:27.519 I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but holy lean on Jesus' name. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:39.279 All of the ground is sinking sand. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:44.720 All of the ground is sinking sand. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:52.480 Worship is a part of our weapons to reorient our hope. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:57.680 Worship is simply our prayers in song form. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.759 We didn't do this. 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:02.319 But I want to do it now. 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:08.400 I'm going to invite Robbie to come forward and remind ourselves. 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:42.000 I want you to say that. 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:29.759 I dare not trust the sweetest phrase. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:27:24.799 Just in his followers are before in Christ and the weak eight song in the save of He is Christ our cornerstone where the weakness wrong in the Savior's heart and through our stones He is Lord Lord of all through the soul He is Ord Lord. 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:37.920 Maybe just put that song on repeat this week. 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:44.400 We need to constantly remind our hearts. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:50.640 We need worship because our hearts are easily adrift from God. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:55.039 And it draws us back to Him. 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:05.279 So how do we do this? 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:07.279 Put first things first. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.799 Get your source of hope right. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:20.000 You are an overcomer because Jesus is King, nothing else. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:23.519 He defeated sin, death, and Satan. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:28.880 He is resurrected and he sits at the right hand of the throne of the Father. 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:34.000 And he will return and restore and make all things right. 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:36.720 This is our confidence. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:39.119 This is our hope. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:50.160 And so the final thing John tells us is to be confident in prayer. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:58.000 It's funny, we're confident about so many things of inconsequence. 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:03.759 And we're deeply confident in our political opinions. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:10.640 We're far more confident in those than we are in our prayer. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:16.000 John writes this: this is the confidence we have in approaching God. 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:18.480 Like, isn't this amazing? 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:22.160 Like you can have confidence in approaching God. 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:28.240 That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:35.119 Prayer, by the way, is not somehow to get God to do our will. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:38.880 Prayer is to move our will unto God's will. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:46.799 And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we ask of him. 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.640 Prayer. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:00.400 I love how Oswald Chamber says it. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:05.839 We do not pray in order to do the greater work. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.799 Prayer is the greater work. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:14.559 Wherever prayer focuses, the power of God falls. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:30.079 We spend so much time spinning out worrying, toasting, complaining, griping. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:35.119 Be confident in prayer. 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:46.000 The God of the universe hears you. 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:56.160 Prayer changes things. 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.480 God invites us to this. 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.079 What your heart needs. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:08.720 What this world needs. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:15.759 In two days, and in two years, and in two millennia. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:34.079 Have an unshaken hope in him. 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:37.279 And as a result, I'm not running to other people. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.400 I'm running to the source. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.680 I'm running to Jesus. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.880 I'm running to my Savior. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:42.799 And I'm bringing it all to him. 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:47.279 So I just want to close with a prayer. 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.720 Just a time of prayer. 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:55.039 Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:57.200 We call it the Lord's Prayer. 00:31:57.839 --> 00:32:07.519 And I just want to walk us through that prayer and guide you in a time with your Heavenly Father. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:12.720 And so if you would just sit back and relax, and if you want to close your eyes, you can. 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:15.359 If you want to keep them open, that's fine. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.160 Begin to settle your soul. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:25.839 Jesus says, this then is how you should pray. 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:32.079 Our Father in heaven. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.480 Hallowed be your name. 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:40.880 Not distant deity, but personal Father. 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:46.079 Perfect, good, all-wise, all-kind. 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.839 Compassionate Father. 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:54.160 It says, Hallowed be your name. 00:32:56.400 --> 00:33:01.119 Let your name, your character, who you are, be sacred to me. 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:04.000 I don't want to bring you down to my level. 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:06.240 I want to move my thoughts to you. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.960 And so would you worship? 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:16.240 Would you look up and see God for who he is? 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:25.839 Would you remind yourself that he is your perfect loving father? 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:35.279 Sometimes the best way to worship is just to thank God. 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:43.119 Start going through areas of your life that you're grateful for. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.079 God thank you. 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:46.400 God thank you for the breath of my lungs. 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:50.079 God thank you for this moment to be with you. 00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:56.160 God thank you for this space, this church, this community. 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:06.559 Jesus begins with worship and then he moves to surrender. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:09.360 Your kingdom come. 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:14.400 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:18.079 It's a prayer of surrender. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:23.039 Recognizing that there's the kingdom of me. 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:26.320 God, I surrender my will to your will. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:29.840 Your kingdom come, your will be done in my life. 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:31.840 It's got to begin personal. 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:40.719 Not my will, but yours be done. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.679 Pray that over your home. 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:51.119 Pray that over your school. 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.559 Pray that over your word. 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:54.079 Pray that over this valley. 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:56.000 Pray it over our country. 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.679 Your kingdom come. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:35:02.480 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:19.519 One of the most amazing things is God invites us to ask. 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.719 And he delights to answer. 00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:28.719 And he moves to request. 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:30.800 Give us today our daily bread. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.960 I don't know what you need today. 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:36.559 But would you ask it of your heavenly father? 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:38.400 God, I'm needing, I'm needing hope. 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:40.079 I'm struggling with that. 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:44.960 God, I'm just struggling with my emotions. 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:46.559 I'm needing help. 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:52.639 I feel so lonely, lost. 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:56.400 Bring what you need to Him today. 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:58.719 God, would you give me today? 00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:02.719 Tomorrow's too much for me, but would you give me today? 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:20.960 There's something powerful about repentance. 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:30.079 Jesus invites us and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:37.599 To confess simply means to agree with God. 00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:40.639 Would you confess? 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.639 God, would you forgive me? 00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:44.239 What are the areas? 00:36:44.320 --> 00:36:45.920 What are the things that you're carrying in? 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:49.599 Jesus saying, I've already died for that, I've paid for that. 00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:55.039 And then who do you need to forgive? 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:03.039 Could it be a family member or a co-worker? 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:09.280 A friend. 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:16.159 And then this prayer of protection. 00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:18.639 Lead us not into temptation. 00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:21.679 But deliver us from the evil one. 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:26.239 You know, we all have a natural bent away from God. 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:33.199 And moments like these can sometimes bring out not the best in us the worst. 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.960 God, would you lead me from temptation? 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:36.159 Would you guard my lips? 00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:37.440 Would you guard my heart? 00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:39.199 Would you guard my mind? 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:43.679 And we recognize that there is an evil one active. 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:46.480 As Peter says, be alert. 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:50.960 Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:52.320 God, would you deliver us? 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.920 Would you protect us? 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:14.159 For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory. 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:17.920 Forever and ever. 00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:19.599 Amen. 00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:27.039 We hope you are blessed by this message. 00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:31.679 Please subscribe to our podcast for access to every episode as they're uploaded. 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:33.920 And hey, we'd love to connect with you. 00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:40.000 Take a next step by filling out our virtual connection card at awakeningchurch.com/slash card.