WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:00.800 Well good morning. 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:03.680 We are in James chapter five today. 00:00:03.839 --> 00:00:05.040 And happy Thanksgiving. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:06.400 Thanksgiving week. 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:08.800 Maybe your family will be together. 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:17.920 And when families gather, there's so much stress, love. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:21.839 I don't know what you were thinking something because you started laughing. 00:00:22.399 --> 00:00:24.399 There is stress though, right? 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:27.199 Because maybe you're hosting like 17 people. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:37.439 And Jim can't sit next to Betty, and Judy still isn't talking to Billy and Brad's gluten-free, and Frank's vegan. 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:38.880 Michelle's on a cleanse. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:41.679 And you gotta handle all that. 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:48.320 Or maybe there's just one person that's like actually did hurt you, and they're gonna be there. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:55.039 So even the most thankful week of our year, we can end up stressed. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:58.240 We have two family pictures this week. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:00.880 Not one, I can handle one, but two. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:07.359 So that's you just just be in prayer for two family pictures to see how that goes. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.760 Life was stressful 2,000 years ago. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:15.200 Life was stressful 20 years ago, life is stressful today. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:19.439 Um difficult than we want it to be. 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:25.680 Um matter the cause of your stress, if you are stressed, you're stressed. 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:29.760 Like I have a lot of stress and anxiety, like that's something I struggle with. 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:38.239 And I used to think that I shouldn't be stressed about my stress because the circumstances, I've looked at the circumstances, like, well, that's not stressful. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:39.920 I know some of the stuff y'all are going through. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:43.599 I shouldn't be stressed, but then I'm only stressed about the fact that I'm stressed, right? 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:45.280 Like it's not a helpful thing. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:46.799 If you're stressed, you're stressed. 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:54.959 So, how do we walk with God through our difficulty, through stress, through being overwhelmed when you just feel under it? 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:58.400 And James knows that we will have this. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:20.159 We will feel overwhelmed and we will feel stressed for something as serious as persecution of our faith, or that kid of yours, that spouse of yours, that friend won't cooperate with you, or something incredibly first world because you're renovating your master bathroom and you haven't had a shower. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:27.919 I mean, you've had a shower, you haven't had a like a shower in your bathroom for three months, and then the tile's out of stock, right? 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:33.280 And you're like, ah, like, ooh, you're so stressed about first world, still stress, still stress. 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:35.759 So we get stressed all sorts of things, right? 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:37.680 And when we're stressed, we become overwhelmed. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:44.000 We become overwhelmed, we become inconsistent, and we become unkind. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:48.319 Because life's difficult, James gives us two words. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:50.479 He says, be patient. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:51.840 Be patient. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.080 He says, be steadfast. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:57.840 Let's read this passage section by section. 00:02:57.919 --> 00:02:59.439 Uh James 5, 7 and 8. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:02.960 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:11.840 See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:14.319 You also be patient. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:18.879 Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:25.439 Point number one is this patience flows from an established heart. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:34.639 Establish your heart means to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix. 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:37.840 It's an image of stability of heart. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:44.000 It's steely resolution, not fear and inconsistency. 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:46.080 Doesn't that sound great? 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:47.919 Wouldn't that be great? 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:53.840 This week, as I drove around, just normal work week, driving around Marietta. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:59.759 Everywhere we drive, our whole town has been built around Kinesaw Mountain. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:02.719 The mountain itself is fixed. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:06.960 We all have to adjust around this mountain all the time. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:09.280 Because the mountain is established. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:13.599 Everything else adjusts around that which is established. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:16.160 It's stable, it's secure. 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:23.680 Imagine that sort of heart that is stable, secure, established, fixed. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:29.839 Now remember, James assumes the gospel and James writes of the effects. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:37.680 So we begin by remembering that the stable, fixed, steady heart is a heart that's at peace in Jesus. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:42.399 For our full forgiveness, already handled in Jesus, our full righteousness already handled in Jesus. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:44.959 Nothing for us to add, only for us to receive. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:52.079 Our very identity, so we're relieved of trying to form our identities by other people's approval or our achievements. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:53.680 We have it in Jesus. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:57.680 We have life in God's provision and providence. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:05.040 Verses 7 and 8, when James uses this language, the coming of the Lord, it's not fear-based. 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:09.839 So sometimes we hear that and we think, oh, you better, you better, or he's coming. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.000 He's gonna get you know, he's gonna get you. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:14.000 Like you better or else. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:28.000 But this is actually not what this language is hopeful imagery of expectancy of the one who loves you and redeems you will come and make all things right. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:31.439 We have to remember who is the one who is coming? 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:37.279 Well, that's Jesus, the one who said, All you who are weary and burdened, come to me. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:43.600 So James is saying, yes, life is hard, it's disappointing, it can be stressful. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:50.480 And James says, because of all of that, be like a be like a farmer. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:54.399 Which to us is like, doesn't mean that much. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:06:02.240 But in his time, James's time in ancient Palestine, farmers readied their land, and there were early rains and there were late rains. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:12.959 So the early rains came in around October, and it readied the soil, and they planted the seed, and it helped the seed, those early rains, helped the seed get down in the soil. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:14.879 And then months would pass. 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:18.480 The late rains would not come until March and April. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:23.600 Those late rains would come and they would swell the grain and would guarantee a good crop. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:28.240 So there were always these in-between months. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:32.000 Do you know anything about in-between months? 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:32.720 Right? 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.120 Like you're hopeful, but you're waiting. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:39.360 You're hopeful he will ask, but he hasn't called. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:43.839 You're hopeful the job will work out, but the email hasn't arrived. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:47.439 You're hopeful the medicine will work, but it's only been a week. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:50.720 You're hopeful for restoration, but you're still waiting. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:57.920 So the seed's in the ground in October, and then there's just no rain. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.399 And the farmer just has to wait. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:02.720 The farmer can't do anything else. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:05.360 He can't control anything else. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:14.240 November, December, January, February, four months of waiting every single year. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:16.160 Completely dependent. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:20.079 It just feels like when we're in that season, doesn't it just feel like life's passing by? 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.279 Hurry up, God. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:23.600 Like get on my timetable here. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.519 James knows life is filled with waiting. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:31.360 And James says, hey, be like that farmer. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:32.879 Be like that farmer. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:34.720 You're gonna get these seasons. 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.160 Be like the farmer. 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:43.439 Have an established heart in God's provision and God's providence. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:45.839 James 5, 9, and 10. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:47.040 Do not grumble. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:50.000 Okay, so this is like, well, how do we wait? 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:50.959 How do we wait? 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:51.519 We're waiting. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.560 How do we wait? 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:57.279 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:59.759 Behold, the judge is standing at the door. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:05.600 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:12.160 Point number two, kind words flow from an established heart. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:14.240 You're waiting. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:16.240 It can be frustrating. 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:18.079 Don't grumble. 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:22.560 James ties our impatience to our grumbling. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:25.920 To grumble means to groan or murmur. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:27.920 It's negativity toward each other. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.519 It's just, yeah, that's what it is. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:31.120 It's just all over each other. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:32.159 Negativity. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:36.799 A few months ago, our family was headed out for pizza. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:38.559 It was dinner time. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.840 We got a little late starts. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.759 Dinner time, we headed to the pizza place. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:44.720 We got there and it was closed. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:47.919 Not a good moment for a hungry family. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:49.039 The grumbling starts. 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:50.480 Why didn't we go to Chipotle? 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:54.080 Why don't we go to Chick-fil-A? 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:56.399 Why don't you shut up? 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:56.960 Right? 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:59.360 That's just what's going on in the family. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:04.960 So we head to another pizza place, which takes too long to get there. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:07.440 We get there, it's not like a pizza hut. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:15.279 I look at the menu, it's more money than I planned on because I thought we were going to be at the first restaurant, now we're at the second restaurant, and that price is not what I wanted. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:19.360 So then I say, hey, why don't we just grab two pizzas to go? 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:21.360 You would have thought I hit their grandmother. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:22.720 They turned on me. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:24.720 Family turned on me. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:26.559 Why can't we sit down? 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.240 Why are you being cheap? 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.080 Why didn't we go to Chipotle? 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.080 You know, like over and over again. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:32.240 Right? 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:33.279 And then I'm on them. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:34.960 I'm on them, right? 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:36.399 Nobody's happy. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:37.759 We're all hangry. 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:39.759 Just getting hangrier and hangrier. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:41.600 Weary, overwhelmed, stressed. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:44.240 And then what happens when we're like this? 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:45.679 Our words. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:47.919 We grumble. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:49.840 And James says, don't grumble. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:58.799 All that awaits us when we do it, and you know, because you've done it, all that awaits us is more brokenness and more frustration, and eventually an apology is needed. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.919 I mean, the fact is it can get a lot worse than that, right? 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:10.080 I mean, some of us are not looking forward to going to Thanksgiving because of a word that was spoken sometime in the past. 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.559 Our words matter. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:18.240 James keeps revisiting this subject, and James motivates us with the idea of judgment. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:20.240 Which is odd. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.639 It's an interesting way to motivate us. 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:28.320 A lot of us can struggle with doubt and worry about the idea of a judgment to come. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:32.960 But if you're a Christian, you have to remember Revelation 14, the end of the story. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.879 The judge is the Lamb. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.919 Jesus is our judge. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:44.559 And in Christ's work for us on the cross, not our work for him is by what we're judged. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:48.559 So we never have any fear of judgment before God. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:51.679 Because God sees us as he sees his own son. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:56.399 Fully accepted, fully loved, fully righteous, fully forgiven. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:02.159 And yet, James uses this idea of judgment for our motivation. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:07.120 Now, some theologians think he's probably maybe hinting toward some sort of rewards in heaven. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.279 And Paul hints toward this as well. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:11.600 2 Corinthians 5, 10. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:20.720 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:24.240 This isn't speaking about whether you're forgiven or not. 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:30.240 This is speaking about some sort of rewards, and like there's lots of you can go read forever about this. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:38.879 But as soon as we start thinking about rewards in heaven, the question pops up will some people be happier in heaven than other people? 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:44.639 I mean, if Cindy Joe's getting a whole bunch of rewards and you get none, I mean is she going to be happier? 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:46.000 But that can't be, right? 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:50.000 Because Revelation 21:4 says every tear is dried up. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:53.120 There's no sorrow, there's no sadness. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:59.279 Psalm 16, 11 says God's presence is the fullness of joy. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:10.000 See, at first we think if Cindy Jo gets more rewards than we do, then she's going to be increased in joy and we will be decreased in joy. 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.919 But that's worldly. 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:15.919 That's actually sinful because it has to do with envy and regret. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.919 And there's no regret and there's no envy. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:19.440 That's already gone. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:21.679 Heaven is a place without those things. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:33.600 So meaning when Cindy Joe gets a reward in heaven and you didn't get it, Cindy Joe's reward and increased joy only increases your joy. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:37.360 It's only a place of joy and increasing joy. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:46.320 And James says, as Christians, let that coming judgment be a reminder, and he's speaking it with intensity. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:50.960 Let it be a reminder to live with intentionality. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:53.200 That this world is not all there is. 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:55.679 These days are not all the days we have. 00:12:55.919 --> 00:13:00.559 Two implications of living with patience and steadfastness in these days. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:07.039 Live patient and kind, knowing this world is not all there is. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:12.159 Your story is bigger than this moment or circumstance. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:15.279 And that's the doctrine of providence. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:18.879 That your life is guided by his goodness. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:28.799 Second implication: live steady and hopeful and sustained readiness for all will be restored. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:34.960 Your story is not over, and all will be made right. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:40.799 That's the doctrine of restoration, that all the sadness will come untrue. 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:50.320 So we're called to live patient and kind, steady and hopeful, patient, steadfast, like that farmer. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.279 James 5, 11 and 12. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:57.759 Behold, we consider those blessed who remain steadfast. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:05.759 You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:16.480 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:24.080 Point number three is this as we gaze upon God's compassion and mercy, we are empowered with steadfastness. 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:30.799 We come into steadfastness because we've gazed and we continue to gaze on his compassion and mercy. 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:36.000 Verse 11, the word steadfast means to remain or persevere or endure. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:38.399 I mean, Job is the story of this. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.240 Job has the dream. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:46.720 He has the wealth, he has the health, he has the family, he has the friends, he's got it going on. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.240 He's got it finally. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:52.559 He accomplished it, and then it begins to fall. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.679 And he loses it all. 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.879 And his friends try to give him explanations for this. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:05.200 But in it all, Job remains, he endures, he waits and he waits in those four months, right? 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:07.200 The four months the farmer has to wait at. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.679 Blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.799 I mean, who who says that kind of stuff? 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:29.519 Who lives through pain like that? 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:40.080 Well, verse 11 tells us you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.120 Right? 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:45.360 It's those who have put their gaze on the Lord's compassion and mercy. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:49.360 And then James takes us in verse 12 back to our words again. 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:52.960 Our mouths and our words are so important to James. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:59.600 He knows how much destruction we can cause, or how much life we can create. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:04.159 James says, be setfast in character and word. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:15.440 When it comes to this idea of swearing and oaths, this is speaking to the habit of people that were making promises and commitments, knowing they're gonna weasel out. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:22.320 See, when we say yes, we need to mean yes and we need to live yes. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:26.799 And when we say no, we need to mean no and we need to live no. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:30.240 That's about character, that's about integrity. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:32.399 And that's that's it's period, it's done. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.759 That's not for sell. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.399 We're not gonna sell it. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:40.159 Not for more money or convenience or pressure. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:42.720 None of those things can alter our word. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:51.600 Without the steadfastness of character and word, relationships erode, families erode, churches, organizations, they erode. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.679 There's nothing for them to stand on. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:17:06.000 And James is calling us to a wholehearted faith free of division, with established hearts, where we're patient and steadfast, and character and integrity matters. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.759 Verse 11. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:10.000 Again, how do we how do we do this? 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.640 How do you do this? 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.079 How do you become like this? 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:17.440 And you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:22.480 See, James connects our steadfastness and our character to our gaze. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:26.640 Where are we putting our minds' attention and our heart's affection? 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:28.559 What have we seen? 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:37.119 Twenty-two years ago, I was fresh out of college, the church I was going to was going on a ski retreat to Colorado. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:43.519 And I just entered seminary and I was also working full-time, so I finally had some money so I could go. 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.640 I was so excited. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:48.960 I had never seen the Rocky Mountains, I'd never seen the mountains of the West. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:18:07.200 And I can remember at the Denver airport, getting in a car with my friend Tim and driving out of that airport and getting on I-70, headed toward the Rocky Mountains and the Rockies, being on the other side of Denver, going through Denver and just seeing that wall of mountains, driving up through those foothills, driving up through the pass. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:10.400 I was in the Rocky Mountains, I've never gotten over it. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:12.000 Have you ever seen anything? 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:14.480 Have you seen something and you just haven't gotten over it? 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:16.319 You just seem to keep talking about it. 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.119 I can't get enough. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:21.039 Like I talk about, I promise I tried to find other sermon illustrations. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:26.000 I work really hard trying to find, and I just keep coming back to the Rockies and the Tons. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.640 It's bad. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.960 I mean, somebody will text me about the Toms. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:32.640 I can be in a conversation with my lovely wife about the future of our marriage. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:37.920 If somebody texts me about the T Ton, I'm like, sorry, like this, this is important. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:40.079 I've got to get to this right now, right? 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.200 I've seen something. 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.640 I can't get enough. 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:46.880 I mean, during the week, that's I I look at pictures of mountains. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.240 I want to go to the mountains. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:50.160 I can't wait to plan the next trip to the mountains. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.519 Like, I've seen something. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:55.119 I'm fixated with a fixed heart. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:19:00.160 It's my gaze, it's my heart's affection and my mind's attention. 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.079 Now that's worldly, right? 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:05.599 Like that's there to send my heart onward. 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:07.759 My heart can't stop there. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.559 My heart has to go onward to the Creator. 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:14.240 To his compassion, to his mercy. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:16.720 That's where our hearts are established. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:26.000 So, how do we grow to an established heart so that we might be steady, stable, fixed, secure? 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:29.119 How do we grow to an established heart? 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:35.359 We gaze upon the Lord's compassion, his tender-heartedness toward us. 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:42.880 We gaze upon the Lord's mercy, his moving, loving heart toward us while we are amess. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:50.000 So all the ways we fail, the ways we gaze upon things we shouldn't, the ways we're not patient. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.359 Anybody else impatient? 00:19:54.319 --> 00:20:00.160 The ways we're not steadfast, the ways we don't use our words kindly, and we grumble. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.680 I love to grumble. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:07.359 All the ways we do that, it breaks us into our need of Jesus. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:19.440 So we turn our gaze from ourselves, our circumstances, this world, our merit, our ability to control, to the wisdom and the tenderness of Jesus for us. 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.880 His provision and his providence. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:31.119 Remember, James says, You have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.720 Let's pray together. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:38.240 God, thank you for the call this morning for us to be people of character. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:42.319 We say yes when we mean yes. 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:44.960 We say no when we mean no, we live it. 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:49.680 People of patience, steadfastness, stability of heart. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:53.279 God, would you give us greater stability of heart? 00:20:54.480 --> 00:21:01.200 Would the inner core of who we are be even more established in your provision and providence for us? 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:08.400 That we are loved not as we should be, but in your grace, we are loved as we are by Christ's record for us. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:23.359 May that give us such a great establishment and foundation that from that source, Christ Himself, that we might be empowered to live with patience, with steadfastness, and kind words. 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.799 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.599 Amen.