WEBVTT 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:05.280 Thank you for joining us on the CCW podcast. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:11.119 Make sure you connect with us on social media to stay up to date on ministries and events happening at CCW. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:15.039 We hope you're encouraged, inspired, and motivated by today's message. 00:00:15.199 --> 00:00:19.199 To find out how to connect with us, keep listening after the message ends. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:35.600 Welcome to our Vision Sunday service. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:38.799 And I want to thank you for being here. 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.640 Take your Bibles and turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:47.200 As you're turning there, I have two quick commercials. 00:00:47.520 --> 00:00:50.960 One connect group season is upon us. 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:59.759 We had a big break at the end of Thanksgiving till now, but January 18th, next Sunday, is the start of our Connect Groups. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:07.280 And so if you're not ever been a part of a group, I want to ask you to think and pray even during this service. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:10.239 And if you can, you can go on our app and you can see. 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:12.640 I listed out the names, but it would take me a while. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:20.480 There are 11 different groups that you can sign up for Monday through, I think every day, but Saturday. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:22.799 And there are a couple of multiple times. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:27.040 But this is a major means of discipleship for the church at Chelsea Westover. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:32.959 So please, if you have not, and some folks you've been here for a while, this is a way to get deeper with others. 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:34.799 It's a way to get to know people. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:37.920 We really want you to be involved in a connect group. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:40.319 So please check that out and sign up. 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:45.760 And then one other kind of really, not kind of, an exciting thing has happened for the church. 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:56.799 We nominated and we voted this past December to install the first ever set of deacons at the church at Chelsea Westover. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:58.480 So that's really exciting. 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:05.840 And we are going to commission those deacons and our new councilmen on February the 1st. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:08.560 We're going to have lunch after church and doing that. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:12.560 But in the meantime, you may be getting calls and texts from your deacon. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:14.960 And I wanted to let you know that's legit. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:16.719 And they're calling to check on you. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:18.879 If you're like, I don't know who you are, okay. 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:20.159 We got your name. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:20.960 We're going to follow up. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:24.000 We want to be a church that shepherds and cares for people. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:26.319 So I told them I would let you know that's coming. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:28.879 Now, 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:40.800 In 1836 in San Antonio, Texas, a group of men were at a crumbling stone mission, and everything that surrounded them was bleak. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:42.479 The sound was bleak. 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:49.439 There were thousands of enemy soldiers, and there was just a few hundred men, and they had found a place to hole up. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:52.479 And where they were at, there was not an escape route. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:56.000 But what they could hear was drums in the distance. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:00.960 And that sound was a sound of bleakness marching towards them. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:15.680 Colonel Travis took his sword and he swiped it across the ground and he said this men, if you're willing to fight, cross this line and stand with me. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.560 No backup, no escape route. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:23.840 And chiefly, all the men there walked across that line. 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:34.080 In 2026, I am endeavoring to share with you a vision that God gave me in July as I prayed about our church in 2026. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:39.759 In July, God impressed in my heart these words hold the line. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:45.840 Hold the line because a decision to hold the line is more than just a moment or your moment. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:54.560 It's a decision that shapes the spiritual future of the family around you and shapes our community and our church. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:55.680 Hold the line. 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:57.280 Would you pray with me? 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:07.680 Father, we love you and we are thankful for the praise and worship we've had, for the service that we've already had. 00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:16.319 But God, we, Lord, ask that your Holy Spirit would just move fresh this morning, fall on us. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.319 Empty us of ourselves, God. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:20.720 We come in and there's already a list. 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:22.879 There's things that are to come. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:31.759 God, I pray that you would just remove it and let us in this moment of time and space just be completely present for your word and its work. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:37.279 Empty us of self, fill us with you, and change our hearts, God. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.639 Change us, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:41.600 Amen. 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:49.199 We found out the last few weeks and we intended going into the new year to give a picture of what this line was about. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:53.279 Hold the line two weeks ago, I preached a sermon on the plumb line. 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:57.839 That was that was be obedience to this line, the word of God. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:02.560 And Pastor Dave shared last week about standing in obedience. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:09.839 And so holding that line is about being unmoved by the pressure and conveniences of culture. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:22.399 And I searched through scripture, and we're gonna be looking in Genesis through the life of Joseph for the next several weeks, but I thought about a theme passage, and I came to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:32.319 Herbert Fitzpatrick was an 80-year-old pastor who sat on my ordination council and he asked me a question, and I thought I had it right. 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:37.839 He said, Tell us what is the greatest gospel passage in the Bible. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:44.160 I was like, oh young 23-year-old, 24-year-old pastor, I got it. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:48.720 I said, John 3, obviously, there holds John 3, 16. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:54.000 And now this is opinion, but he said, that's a great one. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:59.360 But you cannot go without preaching 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:04.399 He said before that group of men, I believe this is the greatest passage in all the Bible. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:13.199 And he said that within 1 Corinthians 15, verse 58, he said, In there is the great, therefore. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:16.240 Let's read 1 Corinthians 15, 58. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:30.560 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:38.000 So we have to understand point number one: the promise that motivates us is this great therefore. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:43.680 The promise that motivates us is 57 verses before verse 58. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:45.600 And it's riddled throughout these pages. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:46.879 I want you to look at a few. 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:53.920 Go back to verse 45 through 47, and we're gonna see about this therefore. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:58.959 It says this, verse 45. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:04.160 And so it is written, the first man, Adam, became a living being. 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:08.959 The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:15.439 However, the spirit, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:20.959 The first man was of earth, made of dust, the second man is the Lord from heaven. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:25.519 Now I want you to go to verse 50 and 53 through 53 for context. 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:34.079 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit corruption. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:38.959 Behold, I tell you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:47.839 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:56.639 For this corruptible, me, you, must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:58.560 This is the promise that motivates. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:02.000 The letter A is this it's a transformation that's coming. 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:06.720 We, you and I, are firstborns, born of the first Adam. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:09.279 How many of you are actually firstborns? 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:10.720 Raise your hand. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:14.319 Y'all are the people that straighten us up, right? 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:15.439 Right? 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.879 Dot the I's and cross the T's, we understand. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:25.680 But we are all, in a sense, firstborn of the firstborn, firstborn of a natural man. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:32.159 But of the natural man, what the scripture says, because of that lineage, you and I cannot inherit heaven. 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:36.879 That is, the flesh cannot inherit the spiritual. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:41.840 And so corruption, sin, flesh cannot inherit perfection. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:44.240 But verse 45, it says this. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.480 It doesn't leave us there with no hope. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:50.799 It says that last Adam came and it was spiritual. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:55.360 Paul says that a day is coming. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:57.440 I want you to go back to verse 12. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.200 A little more context. 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:04.320 Getting our scripture in. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.360 Verse 12. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:11.759 Now, if Christ is preached that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:15.679 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:19.840 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is empty. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:26.159 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ, whom he did not raise up. 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.919 In fact, the dead do not rise. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:30.799 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:34.960 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:38.000 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have peris. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:43.120 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most pitiable. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:50.879 But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:57.679 He says, if Christ is not risen, hear this, Jesus is not God. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:03.120 If Christ is not risen, the Trinity of Jesus Christ is a lie. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:06.399 If Christ is not risen, Jesus Christ is a liar. 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:08.000 The church is a lie. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:11.919 If Christ is not risen, preaching is empty. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:16.480 If Christ is not risen, faith is empty, worship is empty. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:20.399 We are all empty, and there is no line to be held. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:26.480 If Christ is not risen, but because he lives. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:46.720 I want to share this truth because he lives. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:49.759 I want to hold a line because he lives. 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:54.480 I don't know what 2025 fed you. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:58.960 For some here, you have hurt from 2025. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:03.120 For some people, you lost someone or something. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:06.320 You had a health scare in 2025. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:21.759 But I want to tell you, because he lives, you can get up in 26 and hold the line, knowing this, one day, this is what it's come back to, a change is going to be complete. 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:26.000 A metamorphosis is going to be complete. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:28.080 It's going to be done. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:34.320 I wouldn't call myself gluttonous, but I do have problems. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:38.240 And they tell me that the first step is admitting. 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:43.279 Wyatt last week said you want to work out a little bit after church. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:45.440 I said, Yeah, I want to work out. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:49.919 So we went in and we got after about an hour, hour and a half. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:52.879 I come home, and this is a sign of my age. 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:56.080 I got all kinds of presents that are supposed to make me healthy. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.840 I got an infrared light, red light therapy little thing. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.360 So I got some red light. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:02.799 I got a sauna mat. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.440 I'm serious. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.840 They want me to be healthy. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:11.519 And so I got in my sauna mat and I sweated a little bit and uh I'm I'm feeling all those things. 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:16.799 But there I was sitting, people were in other rooms, and I just said I have a problem. 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:20.960 And a little birdie was chirping from across the house. 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:31.279 It said, Richard, Richard, there's Bluebell, vanilla bead, ice cream in the freezer, and it's your favorite. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:35.120 And I looked left and I looked right and I knew nobody would see me. 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:38.080 And I said, I can't do this, it's the new year. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:40.159 But then it said it again, Richard. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:51.600 And so I walked in there and I said, one scoop would be fine, two scoops would be fine, three scoops would be better. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:56.000 And then I just about got my spoon and I said, Ooh, peanut butter. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:59.200 And I warmed up some peanut butter, and I thought that'll just be fine. 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.559 I said, Oh, there's some pecan. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.799 That made it healthy. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:17.600 And so I was willing to work two hours, two and a half hours on my health, but I didn't hold no line when that vanilla bean came calling. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:23.279 I'm so glad that God's work isn't finished at salvation. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:25.440 He is into change. 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:35.360 Philippians 1 6 said this, being confident in this very thing, he who hath begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:38.080 There's a transformation date stamped. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:43.200 2 Corinthians 5.17 said, if any man be in Christ, he will be a new creation. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.480 Old things are passed away. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:46.240 Behold, all things are become new. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:53.519 Ephesians 4.22 says, put off your former self, which is about your old man and your old lust. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:58.559 So if you're here today and you're recently a Christian, I've got good news for you. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.320 Change is needed. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:05.200 If you're here today and you're 25 years a Christian, I've got news for you. 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:07.120 Change is needed. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:10.399 Please don't be settled in all your way. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:13.440 God bids us to transform. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:16.320 He says, be renewed in the spirit of your mind. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:19.360 Be transformed, because if you're not transformed, guess what you're going to be? 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.200 You're going to be conformed. 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:23.120 So transformed. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:30.240 Now, this I understand on Vision Sunday is a burdensome weight. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:35.039 This truth that we have not arrived. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:39.200 But it's important for the year to come that you envision this. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:41.120 That change is necessary. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:51.919 So I want you to stop, if you will, for a moment and prayerfully, this little next few things that I ask or say, I want you to prayerfully think over this. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:57.759 Ask God, what would you change in me, God, if I said yes? 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:02.320 I want you to think on that. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:08.159 How should I change God if I were willing? 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:17.519 If you follow and love Jesus Christ in the church, you should not look like people who don't. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:20.399 I'm going to say that again. 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:24.799 If you follow and love Jesus Christ, you should not look like people who don't. 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:30.480 So in 26, is there a TV show that you could cut? 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:34.320 Is there an artist that shouldn't be in your ears? 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:40.240 Is there a place that you should probably think on stopping and not going to? 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:44.720 Is there words that shouldn't come out of your mouth? 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:50.080 What habit, if you said yes, should you stop? 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:54.000 We're coming upon 21 days of prayer and fasting today. 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:57.600 And I want to just challenge you, dare you. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:05.600 Would you stop something and see in 21 days if it really is impacting your heart and life to miss it? 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:18.159 If you don't change, church, Romans said you will be conformed, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:21.600 So there is a change that motivates us. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:26.080 We will one day, and I know it's a struggle, it's hard to be flesh. 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:28.720 It's not easy, it's this tug of war. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:31.120 But we are motivated, 1 Corinthians 15. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.600 There is a final, a glorification. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.679 Letter B is that. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.840 A triumph is certain. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:46.399 It's said there in 1 Corinthians 15, incorruption triumphs over corruption one day. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:49.200 Glory triumphs over dishonor. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.440 This is what Spurgeon said about it. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:58.960 He said, The righteous are put into their graves, all weary and worn, but as such they will not rise. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:04.079 They go there with furrowed brow, the hollowed cheek, wrinkled skin. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:08.319 But one day they shall wake up in beauty and glory. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:11.599 One day it's going to be complete. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:19.039 Since November, I have had some form of what I'm going to call tennis elbow. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.240 I really don't know. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:24.559 Many of you have given me thoughts and ideas, and I have tried. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.880 Heather will tell you, I'm a home remedy. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:29.200 If I can make something fixed, I try. 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:37.839 I've iced, I've heated, I've read light therapied, I've, you know, done things, and it's not, I'm not in pain right now, but it's just sort of annoying. 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.079 Okay. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.240 I've put on my Epsom salts. 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.440 I've done it. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.720 I've done things. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:45.680 Except for change my diet, but I've done things. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.519 I don't know if that helps the elbow. 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:51.440 But I went to see the doctor last week. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.480 And you know what the doctor said? 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:56.559 He said, she said, How long has this been going on? 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:59.599 I said, like since November, maybe a little early. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.680 She said, Oh, so it's a chronic condition. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:04.000 I'm like, well, we don't have to name call. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:06.960 Why does it gotta be chronic? 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.960 Like, I'm chronically feeble? 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.160 Is this what you're saying? 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:12.240 This is like, this is just a condition? 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.599 This is something I live with. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.880 I'm chronically ill. 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.039 And I was like, Well, I didn't like that. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.839 And so, anyway, but I've been living with it. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.680 You all live with things. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:28.720 Most of you, if I had to talk to you outside, you have aches and you have some sort of pains. 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:30.079 Most people go through that. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.799 If you're too young to have that, God bless you. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.759 Like, energy is wasted on the youth. 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:38.720 I wish you could understand what you have. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.599 It's beautiful. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:47.920 But one day, church, we will understand through a new lens. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:50.000 It's gonna be a perfect lens. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:52.160 We will see in a complete way. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:57.200 We will feel outside of this bubble of infirmity. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:19:05.200 When you see it in scripture, a few times people see a glimpse of something like glory, and it changed them. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:10.160 The glory of God, this glorified condition that one day is this promise. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:16.480 And Moses' face when he saw the backside of God, it's an imagery of God passing his glory. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:20.720 His face shone at Christ's transfiguration on the mountain. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:23.119 These men met with the glory of God and it changed them. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:27.119 And they said, We just want to set up and pitch a tent and just stay right here. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:33.359 And then Stephen, as he was passing on as a martyr of the faith, it says something about his countenance. 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:40.400 When humanity was faced with the semblance of God's glory, it gave this mysterious glow. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:46.160 Have you ever seen somebody who was walking without Christ, who came to know Christ? 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:51.039 All of a sudden, you seen a smile that you'd never seen before. 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:53.920 Their face seemed to change. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:58.400 I know when Heather was pregnant with the kids, people would say this my whole life. 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.359 They have a glow. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.960 I'm like, what does that mean? 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:04.319 And then I seen her and I knew what it meant. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:09.279 Something natural, something God-given has happened, and there was this glow. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:12.000 The kids today are saying this all the time. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.680 He got a glow up. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.519 I don't know what that means. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.880 I probably need one. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.960 He got a glow up, right? 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:23.519 Heaven is the greatest story of a glow-up. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:34.160 God creating a perfect people who lost it all, and that God in turn gave everything in his Son Jesus Christ, who gave us the chance to one day regain all that was lost. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:40.640 We return to the glory when we're glorified by God's giving of grace. 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.960 It's a beautiful picture. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:48.480 I want you to look in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 just for a moment. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:54.960 We'll look at verse 1 and then 6 through 8, talking about this certain triumph. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:12.160 It says, For we know, verse 1, that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, and then verse 6 through 8. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:20.079 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:22.480 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:28.240 We are confident, yes, well pleased, rather to be absent from the body and be present from the Lord. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.440 One day. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:32.559 This is the promise that motivates the great, therefore. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:43.200 He says, one day, all of this, this shell, this pain, this hurt, all of that is going to come to a completion state, and that's called glorification. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:45.200 That moves us to the second point. 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:49.279 That was what motivates us too, is the power that moves in us. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:57.359 Look at First Corinthians 15, 54 through 56. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:14.559 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:17.440 O death, where is your sting? 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:20.160 O Hades, where is your victory? 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:23.759 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:27.839 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory. 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:31.599 Letter A, is this the victory that's been declared? 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:44.880 You see, if it all stopped with that therefore ending, as this is just the incorruption doesn't work, then we would be most miserable, pitiable, scripture says. 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:48.240 But it goes on and it says the sting of death is sin. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:23:02.079 This sin that happened to Romans 3.23, 6.23 for the wages of sin, this sin that all men have within them, the language of sin pictures death as an insect with a poisonous sting. 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:06.160 Death sting is our sin. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:09.359 And Romans 3.23 says, For all have that. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:11.599 Not anyone here doesn't have that. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.799 Stings. 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:17.759 Little sins and big sins sting us. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.400 Sinful words and deeds sting us. 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:25.599 Sinful attitudes and hard actions conduct sting in us. 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:29.119 Public sins and private sins sting us. 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:33.759 Sins of commission and sins of omission sting us. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.599 And they defeat us. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:41.039 And if we were left alone to that, we would feel defeated. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:51.440 In my illustrious sports career, in 19, I think 90 or 91, I started playing little league baseball. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:53.599 Never had any experience with it before that. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:56.799 Some of y'all, today you gotta start them at two and a half. 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:58.799 Just put a bat in their hand. 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:02.000 And uh I was nine, late start. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:11.359 But by 10, my team, we had an all-star team that was put together for the state, and we won the Delaware State Championship. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.880 Okay, we won. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.559 Y'all aren't that excited about this. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.920 I mean, we won. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.559 State. 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:19.920 Brookside Bambino Baseball League, we won. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.680 Biggest trophy I got. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:24.880 Okay, and we went from that to regional play. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:29.039 And then by the time I was 12, the league, they would have like drafts. 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.839 They were real serious. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:35.759 I got moved to another team, the Royals, our team came into first place, and uh it was awesome. 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:40.240 So by the time I turned 14 and 15, it was just serious in my life. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:45.920 Well, we had gotten down 15-year-old year, it was PNC Bank. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.880 That's what it got. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.440 It got bad. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:51.920 We had to we had to wear our sponsors, and we were PNC Bank. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.519 Doesn't that strike fear in your heart? 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:57.039 And we came out with dollar signs and checkbooks, I don't know. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.799 You want to open an account? 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:02.960 Um and the other team was shown lumber, right? 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.640 So the lumber yard. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.720 That sounds a little stronger, at least. 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.160 Not some executives playing. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:13.599 Anyhow, we're in the championship game, last inning, and I'm pitching on the mound. 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.640 Hear me, folks. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.839 Two outs. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:19.519 And I'm on the mound, and I strike out three. 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.119 Hate this rule. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:24.160 Worst rule in baseball, but I still don't understand it. 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:28.559 On a third strike, if the catcher drops the ball, the man can run to first. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:30.160 What does it have to do with anything? 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.119 He is out. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.160 He struck out. 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.599 He went running to first. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:37.920 My catcher, who I just struck out, this guy threw the ball in the right field. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.200 All amped up. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.720 The guy gets to second base. 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.319 Next guy gets up. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.039 He hits a ball. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:46.000 Can of corn to center field is, he's just gonna catch it. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:49.440 I mean, the guy is clutch all year long. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:52.000 It hits Nick right in his face. 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:56.799 Ball bounces, guy makes it to third, the other guy scored. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:59.200 Routine ground ball to third base. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:03.279 Guy throws it, bounces in the dirt, goes past the first baseman. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:05.440 They won the game. 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.960 Struck out. 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.640 The third out. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.480 We won the championship. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:13.200 But there's a ridiculous rule. 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.400 Amen. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:17.359 That was defeat. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:30.240 And my counselor recently said, in a few years, if I keep drinking the herbal teas and take 45 big breaths a day, I might be able to shake the defeat. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:38.559 How can they look at themselves in the mirror knowing the man struck out? 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:47.599 The Bible says, Oh death, where is your sting? 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.759 Sin had all of its sting. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.839 Oh hell, where is your victory? 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:56.079 Because death was swallowed up with death. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:27:00.640 Jesus Christ's death swallowed up death. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:10.640 A commentator said, This is the sharpest and shrillest note, the boldest and bravest challenge that ever man rang in the ears of death. 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:18.720 Death is here, outbraved, called craven to his face and bidden to do his worth, and he was swallowed up. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:22.000 That's what Jesus Christ did for you and for me. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:24.720 And we have victory in Jesus. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:27.119 Well, because of that, I wanted to show you. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:31.119 Many of you know this old hymn, Ian Bartlett. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:36.160 There's a video that we have, and I want to show you a little bit about him and why he wrote that. 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:38.000 Victory in Jesus. 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:47.599 Well, I'ma ask y'all to stand, and I thought Miss Nivus could lead us in a little victory in Jesus if that's okay in the middle of a sermon. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.240 Thank you, Miss Niva. 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:06.160 Some of y'all have had victory in Jesus. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:08.160 Some of your faces showed it. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:08.720 Some of you. 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:11.440 I'm hoping twenty twenty six is better. 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:15.200 Victory in Jesus. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:21.359 Man, I'm so thankful for the victory we have in Jesus. 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:27.759 It takes us to letter B of Second Point. 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.440 The verdict's been delivered. 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:41.680 In verse 57, it says, But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:46.400 You see, church, this thing that motivates us. 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:51.599 Death has been called to the stand and is found speechless. 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:59.920 In Romans 8, it says this, who shall lay any charge to God's elect if it is God that justifies? 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:02.480 Who is he that condemns? 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:10.559 It is Christ that died, rather, is risen and makes intercession for us. 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.720 Death has no appeal. 00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:17.759 The Romans that would understand that verse would understand the appeal system. 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:20.240 There's no appeal from death. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.759 The verdict's been delivered. 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:27.200 The verdict reverses the sentence of the curse that happened in Genesis chapter 3. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.920