1 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,399 --> 00:00:24,079 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,100 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,719 --> 00:00:41,160 You guys might have heard like back in January, I had the whole AFib thing in my heart and 5 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:49,120 anyway, it was better since January and then it happened again last week and lasted for five days straight and 6 00:00:50,530 --> 00:00:55,429 I was at the softball game on Monday and the doctors like yeah, you could play just listen to your body 7 00:00:55,429 --> 00:00:59,229 I'm like, okay, I will and I said to the guys beforehand like watch 8 00:00:59,229 --> 00:01:00,689 I hit like a grand slam or something 9 00:01:00,689 --> 00:01:04,250 My heart just lands back into rhythm and I didn't hit a grand slam 10 00:01:04,250 --> 00:01:07,549 But I did it a pretty solid double and by the time I got to second base 11 00:01:07,549 --> 00:01:10,870 My heart was back in rhythm. So praise the Lord for softball 12 00:01:11,849 --> 00:01:15,750 And I still am on those beta blockers, but that's alright 13 00:01:15,750 --> 00:01:20,609 It blocked my beta male tendencies alpha male only, right? So there you go 14 00:01:21,450 --> 00:01:21,969 but 15 00:01:22,950 --> 00:01:24,549 Yeah, so no work. We're good 16 00:01:25,990 --> 00:01:30,769 So softball though, you know another game Thursday. We have not won a game yet 17 00:01:30,769 --> 00:01:36,609 So pray for that we could really use it. We could use a win. Alright, so we are in Joshua 18 00:01:38,010 --> 00:01:40,909 16 we're gonna be talking about Ephraim and 19 00:01:42,269 --> 00:01:50,129 I'm gonna give you kind of from Genesis up until even the gospel of John the story of Ephraim and 20 00:01:50,129 --> 00:01:56,170 honestly, it's a story of so much potential that was then wasted like and 21 00:01:56,870 --> 00:01:59,010 But God still redeems 22 00:01:59,010 --> 00:02:06,430 Like he does with all of us, right? So let's turn to Joshua 16 and jump in at verse 1 23 00:02:07,870 --> 00:02:13,889 So the lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan by Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east 24 00:02:13,889 --> 00:02:17,689 To the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains of Bethel 25 00:02:18,370 --> 00:02:21,169 Then went out from Bethel to loves passed 26 00:02:21,829 --> 00:02:24,629 along to the border of the archeites to 27 00:02:25,849 --> 00:02:32,969 Ataroth and went down westward to the boundary of the Jephalites as far as the boundary of Lower Beth 28 00:02:32,969 --> 00:02:35,949 Haran to gazere and it ended at the sea 29 00:02:36,430 --> 00:02:41,009 So the children of Joseph Manasseh and Ephraim took their inheritance 30 00:02:42,129 --> 00:02:47,870 the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus the border of their inheritance on the east side was 31 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:51,750 Ataroth Adar as far as Upper Beth Haran and 32 00:02:52,750 --> 00:02:59,069 This is a bunch of names of cities and places that you know, you're not expected to know you won't be quizzed on it 33 00:02:59,729 --> 00:03:02,330 so I'm gonna continue at verse 34 00:03:03,570 --> 00:03:04,530 9 and 35 00:03:04,530 --> 00:03:10,629 The separate cities of the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh all the cities within their villages 36 00:03:10,629 --> 00:03:14,229 And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwell in gazere 37 00:03:14,229 --> 00:03:19,210 But the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers 38 00:03:20,570 --> 00:03:21,050 so 39 00:03:21,990 --> 00:03:26,610 Right off the bat. I want to say something pretty interesting about how God redeems things the 40 00:03:27,250 --> 00:03:30,449 Canaanites in gazere that they did not drive out 41 00:03:30,449 --> 00:03:32,550 When Solomon was king 42 00:03:34,849 --> 00:03:37,389 The Pharaoh from Egypt wanted 43 00:03:38,329 --> 00:03:39,909 Solomon to marry his daughter 44 00:03:39,909 --> 00:03:46,590 So as a dowry he went in and wiped out the Canaanites that were in gazere so that they would get married 45 00:03:46,590 --> 00:03:48,150 Now he wasn't supposed to marry 46 00:03:48,750 --> 00:03:51,889 He you know Solomon was not supposed to marry other people 47 00:03:51,889 --> 00:03:58,710 But God used the enemy and used something he wasn't supposed to do and still turned it around for something good and drove out 48 00:03:58,710 --> 00:04:02,009 The Canaanites out of their land, so I thought that was pretty cool 49 00:04:02,009 --> 00:04:05,389 But tonight I just want to go through 50 00:04:06,270 --> 00:04:11,510 the the story of Ephraim and all of the potential he had and 51 00:04:12,270 --> 00:04:15,129 Where he and his tribe went wrong 52 00:04:15,870 --> 00:04:21,290 So Jacob as you know he's also known as Israel he had 12 sons and 53 00:04:21,290 --> 00:04:23,990 the 12 tribes of Judah and 54 00:04:24,149 --> 00:04:29,910 The 11th son was Joseph so you saw in verse 1 the Lot fell to the children of Joseph 55 00:04:29,910 --> 00:04:32,549 so Joseph was a son of 56 00:04:33,490 --> 00:04:36,029 Israel of Jacob and 57 00:04:36,029 --> 00:04:37,990 He went to 58 00:04:38,589 --> 00:04:43,949 Go check on his brothers and in Shechem and so his father loved him the most 59 00:04:43,949 --> 00:04:48,389 Played favorites and his brothers hated him for it. He had the special 60 00:04:49,069 --> 00:04:53,269 Clothes you know the coat of many colors, and he was always telling on them 61 00:04:53,269 --> 00:04:58,970 He's in charge of them even though he was the 11th and at the time the youngest and so it really created a lot of 62 00:04:58,970 --> 00:05:04,649 Issues in their family and so much so that they wanted to actually kill him 63 00:05:04,649 --> 00:05:10,129 So I want you just to remember Shechem okay the town of Shechem they 64 00:05:10,129 --> 00:05:16,110 His brother his dad told Joseph to go check on his brothers, and he went to Shechem and 65 00:05:16,790 --> 00:05:21,529 There his brothers were gonna kill him and instead decided to sell him into slavery 66 00:05:21,529 --> 00:05:28,110 And so they threw him in a pit sold him to slave traders who then took him to Egypt and while he was in Egypt 67 00:05:28,649 --> 00:05:35,029 He was the slave of this guy named Potiphar and things were good like he was you know became second command of the house 68 00:05:35,750 --> 00:05:39,670 He was being blessed and Potiphar loved him and then Potiphar's wife 69 00:05:39,670 --> 00:05:43,449 You know wanted to sleep with them, and he said no and she kept trying 70 00:05:43,449 --> 00:05:49,509 He kept saying no until finally she just had it and she said that he tried to sleep with her forcibly 71 00:05:49,509 --> 00:05:54,889 And so then you know Potiphar believed his wife threw him in prison 72 00:05:54,889 --> 00:05:59,949 And so he went from already a bad situation to a much worse situation 73 00:05:59,949 --> 00:06:04,509 An ex-slave in prison and through a turn of events 74 00:06:04,509 --> 00:06:07,870 You know he interpreted some dreams, and he's about to get out 75 00:06:07,870 --> 00:06:15,769 But then the people who he helped forgot about him for years, and he still sat in prison until finally he rose to power and 76 00:06:15,769 --> 00:06:19,889 From prison becomes second in command of all of Egypt because God 77 00:06:19,889 --> 00:06:23,790 Lifted him up right that first humble yourself under the mighty hand of God 78 00:06:23,790 --> 00:06:25,310 And he will lift you up in due time 79 00:06:25,310 --> 00:06:31,009 So he was obedient to God and he was raised up and was in charge of all 80 00:06:31,009 --> 00:06:33,689 Egypt at that time and 81 00:06:33,689 --> 00:06:41,850 So Pharaoh gave him a wife as Anith who was the daughter of Potiphar which is not Potiphar 82 00:06:41,850 --> 00:06:46,149 It's not the same person. This is Potiphar. They kind of like similar names back then 83 00:06:46,149 --> 00:06:53,009 But he was actually a priest of the the God of Ra so like not a good guy either and 84 00:06:53,769 --> 00:06:56,529 You know the Lord blessed their marriage 85 00:06:56,529 --> 00:07:02,930 And he had these kids and they were the two sons which I want to read verse 40 or chapter 41 of Genesis 86 00:07:02,930 --> 00:07:07,149 The two sons are Manasseh and Ephraim, so it says Joseph 87 00:07:07,709 --> 00:07:15,410 To Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came who Asnath and the daughter of Potiphar a priest of on board 88 00:07:15,410 --> 00:07:15,790 of him 89 00:07:16,649 --> 00:07:23,069 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh for God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house 90 00:07:23,069 --> 00:07:26,050 so Manasseh's name means to forget and 91 00:07:26,870 --> 00:07:33,709 Then the name of the second is called Ephraim for God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction 92 00:07:33,709 --> 00:07:39,389 so the first one is to be forgetful to forget and the second one is to be fruitful and 93 00:07:39,389 --> 00:07:42,910 You know my dad said it before it's much better to be fruitful despite 94 00:07:43,490 --> 00:07:49,290 Opposition and affliction than just trying to forget it and we see an extra blessing on Ephraim's life 95 00:07:50,509 --> 00:07:55,009 So there are three things that set Ephraim apart, which we're about to get into 96 00:07:56,050 --> 00:08:00,050 One is the prophetic blessing that he receives from Jacob 97 00:08:01,009 --> 00:08:03,009 two is leadership and 98 00:08:03,870 --> 00:08:09,550 three is an inheritance of land that gives him proximity to the 99 00:08:10,170 --> 00:08:16,970 Tabernacle of God so we see prophetic blessings we see leadership and an inheritance from God 100 00:08:17,850 --> 00:08:22,350 So I want to turn to Genesis 48 to read about 101 00:08:22,350 --> 00:08:26,430 The prophetic blessing that Israel gives to Ephraim 102 00:08:32,610 --> 00:08:35,289 All right Genesis 48 103 00:08:35,790 --> 00:08:38,590 Verse 5 and now your two sons 104 00:08:38,590 --> 00:08:43,409 This is Jake Jacob speaking to Joseph and now your two sons 105 00:08:43,409 --> 00:08:49,509 Ephraim and Manasseh who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt are mine as 106 00:08:49,659 --> 00:08:55,620 Reuben and Simeon they shall be mine your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours 107 00:08:55,620 --> 00:08:58,639 They will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance 108 00:08:59,179 --> 00:09:05,860 So this is really interesting the grandfather adopts his sons so that both his sons 109 00:09:05,860 --> 00:09:11,460 Get an inheritance essentially Joseph gets a double portion and both of his kids 110 00:09:12,299 --> 00:09:18,659 Become equal partakers in the blessing of the land and then in verse 13 111 00:09:18,659 --> 00:09:25,100 I think it's so funny it right after this he's like your two sons are mine and then his two sons are standing there and and 112 00:09:25,100 --> 00:09:30,960 Jacob goes who are they he's like these are my two sons Ephraim and Manasseh, so he didn't have good vision 113 00:09:31,500 --> 00:09:37,639 And he wanted to really double-check it was them because if you remember Jacob pulled a trick to get the blessing over Esau 114 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,480 so verse 13 and 115 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:48,440 Joseph took them both Ephraim with his right hand towards Israel's left hand and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand 116 00:09:48,659 --> 00:09:53,899 And brought them near to him then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head 117 00:09:53,899 --> 00:10:00,820 Who was the younger and his left hand on Manasseh's head guiding his hands knowingly for Manasseh was the first born 118 00:10:00,820 --> 00:10:06,559 So here Joseph brought him up so he would lay his right hand on you on Manasseh and left on Ephraim 119 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:13,039 That would be the first born blessing the better blessings on the right hand and the second born the lesser blessing on the left 120 00:10:13,039 --> 00:10:14,639 and instead of 121 00:10:14,639 --> 00:10:16,059 rolling with it 122 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:23,820 Jacob goes like this and prays this way and he prays this prayer and you'll see in verse what happens ready 123 00:10:23,820 --> 00:10:27,539 Verse 15 he blessed Joseph and said God 124 00:10:28,220 --> 00:10:34,399 Before whom my father's Abraham and Isaac walked the God who has fed me all my life long to this day 125 00:10:34,399 --> 00:10:42,639 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil bless the lads and let my name be named upon them and the name of my father's 126 00:10:42,639 --> 00:10:46,080 Abraham and Isaac and let them grow and multitude in the midst of the earth 127 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:52,360 Now when Joseph saw that his father had laid his right hand on the head of the Ephraim of Ephraim it displeased him 128 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:58,799 So he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head 129 00:10:58,799 --> 00:11:02,860 And Joseph said his father not so my father for this is the first born 130 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:09,639 But his father refused and said I know my son. I know he shall become a people and he shall 131 00:11:09,639 --> 00:11:11,639 be great and 132 00:11:11,639 --> 00:11:17,340 Truly his younger brother shall be greater than he and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations 133 00:11:17,340 --> 00:11:23,179 So he blessed them that day saying by you Israel will bless will bless saying my God 134 00:11:23,179 --> 00:11:28,360 Make you as Ephraim as Manasseh and thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh 135 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:29,700 so 136 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:35,639 He blessed Ephraim above his his older brother. So not only was it that 137 00:11:36,439 --> 00:11:43,379 Joseph got the better blessing the firstborn blessing now his son Ephraim got the even better blessing over Manasseh 138 00:11:43,379 --> 00:11:47,500 So Ephraim was the most blessed of all the sons of Jacob 139 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:51,620 So right off the bat he gets the prophetic blessings 140 00:11:51,620 --> 00:11:56,960 And if you read chapter 49 after this a lot of these don't sound like blessings for the other brothers 141 00:11:56,960 --> 00:11:58,600 They're pretty rough like 142 00:11:59,439 --> 00:12:01,799 It's it says to Simeon Levi 143 00:12:01,799 --> 00:12:09,039 Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their counsel like that doesn't sound like a blessing 144 00:12:09,039 --> 00:12:16,299 but this is prophecy of what will happen and then it goes all the way down to Joseph in verse 22 is fruitful bow a 145 00:12:16,299 --> 00:12:21,320 fruitful bow by a well and his branches run over the wall and 146 00:12:22,540 --> 00:12:29,740 Yeah, and he's fruitful in all these ways so it's amazing to see the blessing that is upon them and it's not just 147 00:12:29,740 --> 00:12:34,700 Hopeful sayings. It would actually came to pass that Ephraim was a great and mighty 148 00:12:35,340 --> 00:12:36,679 tribe of Israel 149 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:45,019 So they had the prophetic blessing things were looking pretty good right to start off his origin story like this 150 00:12:45,019 --> 00:12:49,419 Things are looking really good for him and then you have leadership 151 00:12:50,539 --> 00:12:57,299 Try the tribe of Ephraim were leaders. They were called when they went to the wilderness to lead the Western tribes 152 00:12:58,039 --> 00:13:06,039 through the wilderness and not only that but you know Joshua this book the one who leads him into the promised land is from the 153 00:13:06,039 --> 00:13:08,299 tribe at Ephraim and 154 00:13:08,860 --> 00:13:11,320 Also, we'll read about in a minute 155 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:16,679 But when there's a division between the southern two tribes of Israel and the northern ten 156 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:23,159 Ephraim becomes the leader of the whole northern kingdom and Jeroboam who is an Ephraim might becomes king 157 00:13:23,159 --> 00:13:29,500 So there is both prophetic blessings over them real blessings. I mean everything's going right for them 158 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,559 leadership, you know, God is using them to lead the people and 159 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:39,659 Joshua and Ephraim might leading them into the promised land. Everything is looking great 160 00:13:40,639 --> 00:13:45,719 so then we even get the inheritance which we just read about in chapter 16 and 161 00:13:46,860 --> 00:13:51,580 There's something really interesting. I said remember Shechem right the town of Shechem 162 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:55,679 So when Abraham before all this began 163 00:13:56,259 --> 00:14:02,580 He was in the land of Canaan and the very first promise saying this promised land will be yours when he was there 164 00:14:02,580 --> 00:14:06,519 He was in Shechem and he built an altar there 165 00:14:06,519 --> 00:14:10,440 So at the very beginning of all this in the town of Shechem 166 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:15,540 the promised land was given to Abraham and he built an altar there and 167 00:14:16,519 --> 00:14:16,960 now 168 00:14:17,660 --> 00:14:22,559 Jacob when he was living in Canaan, he actually bought the land of Shechem 169 00:14:22,559 --> 00:14:29,720 He purchased it and in this chapter verse 40 chapter 48 when he is blessing 170 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,600 Ephraim he gives him the plot of land which is Shechem 171 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:39,600 Which is that whole area there for his own which has Jacob's well in it, which we're gonna get to here 172 00:14:40,580 --> 00:14:42,919 So not only was it the first altar 173 00:14:42,919 --> 00:14:50,820 It was the very first form of inheritance that Israel ever had it was owned by them. This was given to 174 00:14:50,820 --> 00:14:51,659 to 175 00:14:51,659 --> 00:14:56,559 Ephraim as well and at Shechem Joshua renews the covenant 176 00:14:56,559 --> 00:15:03,120 so, you know an amazing time where they come in the promised land in the same spot where the where the 177 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:09,280 the original altar is where the purchased land is they renew the covenant with God and 178 00:15:10,159 --> 00:15:13,779 This same place of Shechem was a place where the Levites lived 179 00:15:13,779 --> 00:15:20,039 So the people who ministered to God in the temple, this was one of their villages that they lived in 180 00:15:20,039 --> 00:15:22,539 It was also a city of refuge 181 00:15:22,539 --> 00:15:28,659 So mercy and justice was done there because when there was an accidental killing which we'll see in a couple chapters in Joshua 182 00:15:28,659 --> 00:15:33,500 This was a place that people could run to and say like this was an accident. I need justice 183 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:37,340 We need to figure this out. You can't just come in and and wipe me out because something 184 00:15:37,340 --> 00:15:42,759 accidentally happened so it is a place of spiritual leadership of justice 185 00:15:42,759 --> 00:15:47,539 Mercy, and then it even becomes a place of a throne 186 00:15:47,539 --> 00:15:53,620 So Shechem is where the northern kingdom set up its throne when it's split apart 187 00:15:53,620 --> 00:15:59,379 So it's rule a place of rule and dominance and not only all that 188 00:15:59,980 --> 00:16:07,259 But the tabernacle of God before went to Jerusalem rested in Shiloh, which is in Ephraim's land, too 189 00:16:07,340 --> 00:16:14,159 So this was a place of the religious center where everyone would come and worship God and this is right in Ephraim's backyard 190 00:16:14,159 --> 00:16:20,740 He has it all like even Samuel the prophet was from Ephraim like everything was going for them, right? 191 00:16:21,580 --> 00:16:21,840 and 192 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,279 so from here both having 193 00:16:25,060 --> 00:16:30,740 Leadership having a prophetic blessing having the blessing of the land where all this good stuff is happening 194 00:16:30,740 --> 00:16:34,879 from here the heights of success and 195 00:16:34,879 --> 00:16:36,139 so much potential 196 00:16:36,879 --> 00:16:37,840 Ephraim Falls 197 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,740 You know pride comes before the fall, right? 198 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:45,340 And so there's a lot of stories of pride that you'll see with Ephraim 199 00:16:45,340 --> 00:16:47,860 But I want to turn to first Kings 200 00:16:47,860 --> 00:16:55,779 So now the descendants of Ephraim have grown and grown and grown until we get to this story in first Kings chapter 11 201 00:16:57,419 --> 00:17:03,059 And I know I'm bouncing all around a lot, but I hope you're enjoying it because it's an interconnected story 202 00:17:03,620 --> 00:17:07,299 That really is amazing. So first Kings 203 00:17:10,460 --> 00:17:11,660 Chapter 11 204 00:17:13,740 --> 00:17:14,339 Okay 205 00:17:15,660 --> 00:17:17,799 We're gonna look at verse 29. So 206 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:22,580 Jeroboam I told you about he was a servant of Solomon and 207 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:25,700 He was an Ephraimite. He's from Ephraim 208 00:17:26,420 --> 00:17:31,880 So verse 29 now it happened at the time when Jeroboam went out at Jerusalem that the prophet 209 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:38,480 Ahijah the Shillanite met him on the way and he had clothed himself with a new garment and he tore them 210 00:17:39,059 --> 00:17:43,740 And the two of them were alone in the field and he took hold of the new garment that was on him and tore it 211 00:17:43,740 --> 00:17:50,900 Into 12 pieces and he said to Jeroboam take for yourself ten pieces for thus says the Lord the God of Israel behold 212 00:17:50,900 --> 00:17:56,700 I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give it to the ten tribes to you 213 00:17:56,700 --> 00:18:02,720 But he shall have one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem the city 214 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:08,180 Which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel because they have forsaken me and worship 215 00:18:08,180 --> 00:18:10,619 Asherah's the Goddess of the Sidonians 216 00:18:10,619 --> 00:18:16,460 Chemosh the God of the Moabites and Milcom the God of the people of Ammon and have not walked 217 00:18:17,180 --> 00:18:19,779 In my ways to do what is right in my eyes 218 00:18:21,039 --> 00:18:27,460 So he takes the land away from Solomon because he just he had a thousand wives and started worshiping all their Gods 219 00:18:27,460 --> 00:18:31,200 You know, I don't know how you can actually have that many wives 220 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:37,259 It's insane, but very expensive and he was very rich. So it worked out. No, I'm just kidding. It's fine 221 00:18:38,279 --> 00:18:38,799 and 222 00:18:38,799 --> 00:18:39,799 so 223 00:18:41,380 --> 00:18:47,059 He's taking the tribes away and giving them to Ephraim and guess what he says to him ready 224 00:18:48,779 --> 00:18:55,059 Verse 38 it shall be if you heed all that I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my sight 225 00:18:55,059 --> 00:19:01,440 To keep my statutes and my commandments as my servant David did then I will be with you and build for you an everlasting 226 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:05,519 Enduring house as I built for David and will give Israel to you 227 00:19:05,519 --> 00:19:08,419 he was gonna set up a similar covenant an 228 00:19:09,420 --> 00:19:15,920 Everlasting covenant with Ephraim if he just listened to him and did what he said just like David you hear about David all the 229 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:22,619 Time you could have heard about Jeroboam all the time as well the Godly king that in the midst of Solomon's fall 230 00:19:22,619 --> 00:19:24,220 He led the people back to God 231 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:26,240 And guess what happens? 232 00:19:27,259 --> 00:19:30,420 Let's look at verse 12 or chapter 12 233 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:31,500 ready 234 00:19:34,039 --> 00:19:36,099 Verse 25 chapter 12 235 00:19:36,900 --> 00:19:38,859 then Jeroboam built Shechem 236 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:43,480 Shechem again, look at that in the mountains of Ephraim and 237 00:19:44,339 --> 00:19:48,039 dwelt there and he went out from there and built penuel and the 238 00:19:48,039 --> 00:19:53,220 Jeroboam said in his heart now the kingdom made return to the house of David go back to Solomon's house, right? 239 00:19:53,339 --> 00:19:56,359 It might happen if these people go up to offer 240 00:19:56,359 --> 00:20:00,880 Sacrifices in the house of the Lord Jerusalem then the heart of the people will turn back to their Lord 241 00:20:01,699 --> 00:20:06,420 Rehoboam king of Judah and they will kill me and take and go back to Rehoboam the king of Judah 242 00:20:06,420 --> 00:20:08,559 therefore the king asked advice and 243 00:20:09,559 --> 00:20:10,000 And 244 00:20:11,159 --> 00:20:16,779 Where was that the king asked advice and made two calves of gold and said to the people 245 00:20:16,779 --> 00:20:23,359 It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your Gods Oh Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt 246 00:20:24,819 --> 00:20:26,119 What a turn of events 247 00:20:26,659 --> 00:20:32,579 Like if you just listen to me, you'll have an everlasting kingdom, but you could tell he had zero faith 248 00:20:32,579 --> 00:20:37,240 No faith whatsoever because he thought oh like if they go back and worship God in 249 00:20:37,259 --> 00:20:43,400 On the other side in the other two tribes land of the king of David, right? 250 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:48,640 His family's land they're gonna start following him again. So I don't trust with God saying instead 251 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:52,559 I'm gonna do exactly what we did in the wilderness and create instead of one golden calf 252 00:20:52,559 --> 00:20:56,920 I'm gonna make two golden calves and I'm gonna set them up and say these two calves brought you out of Egypt 253 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:58,759 But we know how that works, right? 254 00:20:59,579 --> 00:21:04,359 And he set up shrines and all the high places and led the people away into 255 00:21:06,499 --> 00:21:07,779 Idolatry and 256 00:21:07,779 --> 00:21:09,360 you know all 257 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:14,160 Through the rest of the Old Testament talks about Ephraim 258 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:20,440 I specifically talks about Jeroboam and says when all these bad kings that says they walked in the ways of Jeroboam 259 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:24,019 They sinned like him. He went from having a possible 260 00:21:24,019 --> 00:21:28,500 Eternal kingdom with God that would endure like, you know 261 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:32,299 He would be reigning his family be reigning on the earth 262 00:21:32,299 --> 00:21:39,159 just like David's family and instead just threw it all away because he was afraid that he would lose what he had right then and 263 00:21:40,779 --> 00:21:42,759 You know what ended up happening after that 264 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:51,740 They were completely conquered by the Assyrians and the Assyrians came in and by the time the Old Testament ends 265 00:21:51,740 --> 00:21:55,160 You never see another mention of Ephraim ever again 266 00:21:55,980 --> 00:21:58,640 He's not even in the New Testament his tribe anymore 267 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:05,400 They're considered the law that one of the ten lost tribes of Israel because after the Assyrians came in 268 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:11,160 They intermarried they threw him into exile. They just dispersed into all the other nations of the people and 269 00:22:11,980 --> 00:22:14,039 They didn't even have any identity anymore 270 00:22:14,039 --> 00:22:19,180 So going from the strongest tribe everyone to be everyone wanted to be part of Ephraim 271 00:22:19,180 --> 00:22:26,380 So suddenly no one even knows who Ephraimites are because they're just wiped off the planet and it all happened because from the heights 272 00:22:26,380 --> 00:22:32,740 Of success and pride they turned to other Gods and they wanted to cling to what they had in that moment 273 00:22:32,740 --> 00:22:34,640 There was so much 274 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:36,339 potential that was wasted 275 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:38,880 But there is 276 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:41,779 Something good that comes out of this 277 00:22:41,779 --> 00:22:44,900 When the Assyrians intermarried and they lost their identity 278 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:49,640 They became known as as the people of Samaria the Samaritans 279 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:53,920 So the Ephraimites were a major piece and a major 280 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:57,980 The blood of Ephraim was a huge part of the Samaritans 281 00:22:57,980 --> 00:23:03,720 Now Samaritans were despised by the Jews. They were considered like half breeds. They intermarried 282 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:07,160 They didn't actually worship in Jerusalem. They had different customs and all 283 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:08,400 but 284 00:23:09,259 --> 00:23:14,440 We see something amazing happen. So all that happened in Shechem, right? 285 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:22,519 Well God wants to redeem everybody and he wants to redeem Ephraim and he wants to redeem Shechem this place that had so much 286 00:23:22,519 --> 00:23:25,900 potential where the first altar was right and 287 00:23:25,900 --> 00:23:31,359 What it fell and we saw Joseph betrayed and sold into slavery. We saw 288 00:23:32,139 --> 00:23:36,000 Jeroboam having, you know a kingdom set up against God in 289 00:23:36,740 --> 00:23:43,640 Shechem and here in John 4 can we turn there John 4 verse 5 290 00:23:46,879 --> 00:23:51,500 So this is speaking of Jesus he Jesus came to a city of Samaria 291 00:23:52,519 --> 00:23:57,420 Which is called Sikar near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph 292 00:23:59,559 --> 00:24:03,339 This land that he gave to Joseph was the land that he gave to Ephraim and 293 00:24:04,660 --> 00:24:05,140 Sikar 294 00:24:06,319 --> 00:24:12,039 They don't know the exact spot of Sikar, but they say that you it was right next to 295 00:24:12,660 --> 00:24:16,720 Shechem you can actually see Shechem that so this well if you stood at the well 296 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:21,880 You could look right there and there's Shechem the town. So in the exact town where all this happened 297 00:24:23,579 --> 00:24:29,059 All this rejection of God and now Ephraim ran away and they're not even a people anymore 298 00:24:29,059 --> 00:24:32,019 They're the Samaritans Jesus comes there 299 00:24:32,519 --> 00:24:39,519 to the same town to the same people and he says give me a drink to the woman at the well the Samaritan and 300 00:24:41,180 --> 00:24:46,299 I love this right here verse 10 if you knew the gift of God and who it was who says to you 301 00:24:46,299 --> 00:24:50,839 Give me a drink. You would have asked him and he would have given you living water and 302 00:24:51,660 --> 00:24:52,519 She said 303 00:24:53,319 --> 00:24:58,299 Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where do you get this living water? 304 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:01,319 Are you greater than our father Jacob? Yes 305 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:07,900 Who gave us this well and drank from it himself as well as his sons and his livestock and Jesus answered 306 00:25:07,900 --> 00:25:10,059 Whoever drinks with this water will thirst again 307 00:25:10,059 --> 00:25:13,599 But whoever drinks to the water that I shall give him will never thirst 308 00:25:13,599 --> 00:25:20,500 But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life 309 00:25:21,039 --> 00:25:23,400 speaking of eternal life in the Holy Spirit 310 00:25:24,799 --> 00:25:26,519 and then let's jump to 311 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:27,539 22 312 00:25:29,319 --> 00:25:33,859 You worship what you do not know we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews 313 00:25:33,859 --> 00:25:39,819 But the hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers shall worship the father and spirit and truth 314 00:25:39,819 --> 00:25:46,099 For the father is seeking such to worship him God a spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth 315 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:51,140 He's offering salvation to the same exact people 316 00:25:51,980 --> 00:25:53,619 That rejected him 317 00:25:54,279 --> 00:25:59,500 that ran away from him that did horrible horrible things and just 318 00:26:00,300 --> 00:26:06,200 essentially disappeared into the people of the world that they weren't supposed to be a part of and 319 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:10,940 Even this place that was supposed to be a holy place a shrine to God 320 00:26:11,779 --> 00:26:18,140 Became a picture of rebellion and they still to that day were worshiping in a place. They weren't supposed to worship 321 00:26:18,140 --> 00:26:20,539 still rebelling against God and 322 00:26:21,700 --> 00:26:27,819 That's why he said in the day is coming the hour is at hand when you will truly worship in spirit and truth 323 00:26:27,819 --> 00:26:32,680 It won't just be outward, you know religion. It'll be from your heart in your spirit 324 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:36,859 You're actually worshiping God from within and then also in truth 325 00:26:36,859 --> 00:26:43,700 Not in like fake versions of the gospel or of the truth. It's the real truth. Like you're not worshiping here 326 00:26:43,700 --> 00:26:45,920 This is a fake version of 327 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:50,460 Judaism the true version of Judaism is what Jesus brought which is actually 328 00:26:50,460 --> 00:26:56,059 Faith in him and salvation and you don't need to go to a place anymore. He's saying to the Samaritans 329 00:26:56,059 --> 00:27:00,380 It's not about you anymore. It's not about your land. It's not about what you have to offer 330 00:27:00,380 --> 00:27:04,220 It's all about him come to him and that water will 331 00:27:04,220 --> 00:27:09,500 Bowl like fill you up. The Holy Spirit will fill you up. And so 332 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:12,819 the thing I'm taking away from this is if 333 00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:15,619 He can redeem me for him 334 00:27:15,619 --> 00:27:20,619 Who weren't even people anymore and he can redeem Shechem in John 4 335 00:27:20,619 --> 00:27:25,900 How much more can he redeem you and me right here in land sale, Pennsylvania? 336 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:27,880 I don't think we're in as bad as Shechem was 337 00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:31,019 But like if he did this 338 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:36,119 He can easily redeem us right he can redeem anyone his love is so great 339 00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:42,059 His mercy is so strong his cross is so powerful that no sin can separate you from him 340 00:27:42,059 --> 00:27:47,319 And all we have to do is come to him. He has redeemed us like despite our mistakes 341 00:27:48,080 --> 00:27:53,000 Wasted time wasted opportunities or gifts failures faithlessness 342 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:58,139 rebellion and sin just look at the story of Ephraim the heights he fell from and 343 00:27:59,120 --> 00:28:04,319 God still redeems like no matter what we've done even maybe if it was today 344 00:28:04,319 --> 00:28:12,259 If you're in him, you are forgiven you're a new creation and he won't hold anything against you. He forgives you 345 00:28:12,259 --> 00:28:15,400 he forgave even the darkness of 346 00:28:16,140 --> 00:28:18,400 Ephraim and like if if we have 347 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:24,759 Sinful tendencies which we do right? We have a sinful nature. God not only forgives us that 348 00:28:24,759 --> 00:28:30,359 He gives us the ability the empowerment by the Holy Spirit to have victory over them and 349 00:28:31,460 --> 00:28:37,779 It all comes to that moment right there like he had with the woman at the well. It's not just outward 350 00:28:37,779 --> 00:28:44,400 Religion and trying to do all the right things in your own strength. It's just simply coming to him at the well, right? 351 00:28:44,500 --> 00:28:48,200 He has he is the water we need we need to drink from his well 352 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:53,000 we need to come to him for forgiveness for mercy and for strength and 353 00:28:53,740 --> 00:29:02,779 I love this because what he offers to the Samaritans there and then to all the Gentiles is an amazing thing and and 1st Peter 2 354 00:29:03,860 --> 00:29:10,859 Says something that's truly profound 1st Peter 2 verse 9 says you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood 355 00:29:10,859 --> 00:29:12,680 This is 2 Gentiles 356 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:20,160 This is like, you know, you couldn't say this in the Old Testament only the Levites could be could be royal priesthood 357 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:25,559 But you are chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation his own special people 358 00:29:25,559 --> 00:29:31,119 That you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness even the darkness of Ephraim, right? 359 00:29:31,759 --> 00:29:37,400 Into his marvelous light who once were not a people but are now a people of God 360 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:41,420 Like the Ephraimites they lost their identity. They were no longer a people 361 00:29:41,420 --> 00:29:46,720 But now they were a people of God and so are you and I and they did not have mercy 362 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:49,079 But now they have obtained mercy through him 363 00:29:49,620 --> 00:29:54,660 And I also love 2nd Corinthians 1 20 for all the promises of God are yes 364 00:29:54,660 --> 00:29:58,779 And amen in him to the glory of God through us. So if we're in Jesus 365 00:29:59,319 --> 00:30:05,200 Every single thing that he promises promises us in his word is true and it's for us 366 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:10,039 it's not some promises for us depending on how good we are it's all of them and 367 00:30:11,940 --> 00:30:15,279 You know, I just want to close it with one more point and 368 00:30:15,279 --> 00:30:23,119 You know, sometimes I don't if there's anybody in here that it's I think we all do at times we can forget how 369 00:30:23,819 --> 00:30:28,160 powerful the love of Christ is that he actually redeemed us from our past like 370 00:30:28,940 --> 00:30:31,839 Like he redeemed Ephraim. He can redeem us like 371 00:30:32,359 --> 00:30:38,779 Psalm 103 says as far as the East is from the West so far has he removed our transgressions from us like 372 00:30:39,279 --> 00:30:40,940 Even if it just happened today 373 00:30:41,599 --> 00:30:44,859 In him our sins are separated as far as the East is from the West 374 00:30:44,859 --> 00:30:47,980 They never touch if you keep going east to keep going west 375 00:30:47,980 --> 00:30:50,779 I know we're on a planet so you do kind of come back around 376 00:30:50,779 --> 00:30:57,759 That's not the point but they don't touch if you go that way East and West that is how far our sin is separated from us 377 00:30:59,079 --> 00:30:59,519 and 378 00:30:59,519 --> 00:31:04,700 Beyond just being freed. He also calls us to redeem the time 379 00:31:04,700 --> 00:31:09,819 Right redeem means to buy back and to use for a good purpose 380 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:11,599 Ephesians 5 381 00:31:12,140 --> 00:31:17,279 Says see that you walk circumspectly or carefully walk carefully and wise 382 00:31:17,279 --> 00:31:23,740 So work walk circumspectly not as fools, but as wise for deeming the time because the days are evil 383 00:31:23,740 --> 00:31:28,259 Therefore do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is 384 00:31:28,779 --> 00:31:30,400 So he's called us 385 00:31:31,380 --> 00:31:33,579 He's forgiven us he's freed us 386 00:31:33,579 --> 00:31:39,200 He's empowered us to live for him and he calls us to redeem the time like he redeemed us 387 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:42,559 We're called to redeem the things in our life in the time that we have 388 00:31:42,559 --> 00:31:44,359 and I have a really 389 00:31:46,579 --> 00:31:51,420 Interesting story of redeeming some time that you know might be interesting to you guys 390 00:31:52,559 --> 00:31:58,819 Sometimes we think like redeeming the time has to be something so like profound or like oh my gosh 391 00:31:58,819 --> 00:32:04,319 I just you know preach in front of a thousand people like Billy Graham and they all raised their hands or like I I 392 00:32:04,319 --> 00:32:08,960 Prayed over all these people and they every single one was healed, but you know redeeming the time 393 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:12,279 Just means using the time for him 394 00:32:12,279 --> 00:32:19,920 That could be that is alone at home reading the word and becoming more like him and that is praying for the people and 395 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:23,960 Then receiving salvation and being healed all those things 396 00:32:23,960 --> 00:32:26,140 But it's every single part of our day 397 00:32:26,140 --> 00:32:32,740 We use and redeem for him in our work and our families in our in our hobbies and whatever we do 398 00:32:32,740 --> 00:32:35,240 wherever we are we are using the time for him and 399 00:32:36,759 --> 00:32:40,700 Some of you know the story. I know gail knows it's I told it in a small group of time, but 400 00:32:40,700 --> 00:32:45,779 So when I was an intern at this company, you know 401 00:32:45,779 --> 00:32:48,960 this this verse definitely applied to me because I 402 00:32:50,180 --> 00:32:52,339 Was not expected to do a lot 403 00:32:52,339 --> 00:32:54,500 You know, I was I was in a band 404 00:32:54,500 --> 00:33:00,599 I was touring and working part-time for this company and they were like just have me do some simple Excel stuff 405 00:33:00,599 --> 00:33:03,740 But I wanted to do a good job. I wanted to learn, you know 406 00:33:03,740 --> 00:33:07,980 I wanted to use my time not just to get like an easy boring paycheck 407 00:33:07,980 --> 00:33:11,020 but actually like do something to help the company and 408 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:12,299 so 409 00:33:13,500 --> 00:33:15,779 We had this old system that used 410 00:33:16,559 --> 00:33:21,279 Like it was like green and black and you couldn't even click on stuffs all function keys 411 00:33:21,279 --> 00:33:26,079 Like it was from the 80s. That's how old the software was so you could program stuff 412 00:33:26,879 --> 00:33:29,740 To speed things up and I never I didn't know how to program 413 00:33:29,740 --> 00:33:33,619 I did really bad in college with my programming class and I 414 00:33:33,619 --> 00:33:37,759 Wanted to be able to do this because one I thought it would be cool to learn and what the other 415 00:33:37,759 --> 00:33:44,279 Piece I wanted to you know, help out the company and I wanted this to somehow give like glory to God 416 00:33:44,279 --> 00:33:46,440 so I literally prayed I'm like God I 417 00:33:47,140 --> 00:33:50,119 Want to learn how to do this and I want to get really good at it 418 00:33:50,119 --> 00:33:56,440 And somehow I pray this would glorify you like what a weird thing to pray like this random programming language 419 00:33:56,440 --> 00:34:03,200 That I never learned that might not do too much. I just pray that somehow glorify them and sure enough 420 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:08,539 I picked it up pretty quickly and like it just things were making sense and I got pretty good at it 421 00:34:08,539 --> 00:34:15,019 And I was doing these programs that were like speeding things up a lot for the company and the guy 422 00:34:15,019 --> 00:34:18,380 I was doing it for it was so funny. He one day 423 00:34:18,980 --> 00:34:25,159 He messages me and he's like, hey his name is Mike Tobin. Maybe he's watching. I don't know and he goes 424 00:34:25,159 --> 00:34:28,559 He's like, hey Jesse, you know, you got really good at this really fast 425 00:34:29,019 --> 00:34:32,179 And you know, I was telling your boss like I don't know what it is 426 00:34:32,179 --> 00:34:35,920 Like how how you were able to do this, but I know you go to church 427 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:39,099 We're both saying maybe we should start going to church, too 428 00:34:39,099 --> 00:34:44,440 And you know, maybe we'll get better at our jobs and and also become better people 429 00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:51,139 I'm like, what the heck like how does this boring random little programming language that an intern is trying to learn? 430 00:34:51,880 --> 00:34:57,960 Somehow connects the dots in this guy's head and it wasn't it was the Holy Spirit connecting the dots that God did this 431 00:34:57,960 --> 00:35:04,920 And now he wants to you know, grow closer to God and sure enough like I don't know where he's at now 432 00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:10,179 I believe I feel like he's probably saved but he told me he doesn't work at the company anymore 433 00:35:10,179 --> 00:35:14,099 But like a year later, he's like, hey, I had a business trip out to Colorado 434 00:35:14,779 --> 00:35:17,619 And I just want to tell you like I got to the top of the mountain 435 00:35:17,619 --> 00:35:20,199 I felt God's presence like I don't know how to explain it 436 00:35:20,199 --> 00:35:23,199 I felt him there with me as I looked off the top of the mountain 437 00:35:23,199 --> 00:35:25,500 It was so beautiful and I fell to my knees 438 00:35:25,500 --> 00:35:32,019 I was just like crying and I was like wow God is real. I'm like just this story of like something so 439 00:35:33,159 --> 00:35:40,679 insignificant with a work project turning into this guy is like so aware of God and really it was all him, right and 440 00:35:41,559 --> 00:35:43,900 That's what he wants to do. He wants to redeem everything 441 00:35:43,900 --> 00:35:48,260 he wants us to redeem the time that we have even if it's insignificant and 442 00:35:48,260 --> 00:35:54,320 Boring and random like if we just do things for him and ask him to use it 443 00:35:54,320 --> 00:36:00,780 God will use it and glorify him and he will redeem the time. So not only are we redeemed from our past 444 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:06,599 But we're called to redeem whatever we have for him and God will use us in powerful ways 445 00:36:08,199 --> 00:36:10,400 So let's pray and 446 00:36:10,679 --> 00:36:15,599 I could think up some questions for small group real quick, but Lord we just thank you 447 00:36:16,300 --> 00:36:23,019 For this story Lord to see something so inspiring that despite all the failures of this tribe 448 00:36:23,019 --> 00:36:26,059 God that started so great and ended so bad 449 00:36:26,059 --> 00:36:27,639 Lord that you met 450 00:36:28,199 --> 00:36:35,519 The people Lord who became Samaritans and we're still living in rebellion that you met them God and you offered salvation 451 00:36:35,519 --> 00:36:38,119 And that is us Lord. We are the people that 452 00:36:38,820 --> 00:36:43,019 Lord maybe had good or bad beginnings Lord, but before we met you either way 453 00:36:43,019 --> 00:36:46,619 We were just messed up Lord and we needed you were lost in our sins God 454 00:36:46,619 --> 00:36:51,679 I just thank you for your love and what you went through on the cross or the 455 00:36:52,359 --> 00:36:55,980 Incredible pain that you went through Lord for us 456 00:36:55,980 --> 00:37:02,519 Lord to free us to redeem us from our sins in our past and I thank you God that you didn't just stop there 457 00:37:02,519 --> 00:37:07,860 But you empower us Lord to live this life for you not still enslaved to sin God 458 00:37:08,119 --> 00:37:13,440 But triumphing over it by the power of your cross and I pray that all of us tonight 459 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:16,279 we have good conversations and you would highlight and 460 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:19,480 Show us areas of our lives God 461 00:37:19,480 --> 00:37:27,300 That you have been faithful and have redeemed and that we can testify God and and glorify you in it tonight 462 00:37:27,300 --> 00:37:32,980 And I also pray Lord that um there if there are areas that we need to give to you Lord 463 00:37:32,980 --> 00:37:36,460 And then we need to repent from and allow you to further redeem God 464 00:37:36,460 --> 00:37:42,000 I pray that we will that we'll listen to your spirit and I also pray that we would listen to you as you lead us 465 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:47,380 To redeem the time that we have and this the situations and the relationships in our life 466 00:37:47,380 --> 00:37:52,079 So that you can be glorified in all of it. We love you in Jesus name. Amen 467 00:37:53,900 --> 00:37:56,019 So I guess I got like two questions 468 00:37:56,840 --> 00:37:59,199 Maybe three. Let's try them out. I have one 469 00:38:00,460 --> 00:38:05,380 If you have a story of someone, you know that that God redeemed their life 470 00:38:05,380 --> 00:38:09,440 It could have been a crazy testimony that is just inspirational. Like wow 471 00:38:09,440 --> 00:38:12,679 God God saved them from this terrible thing and look at them now 472 00:38:13,679 --> 00:38:16,039 Another thing is your own life 473 00:38:16,039 --> 00:38:17,699 So if you don't feel comfortable sharing about your own life 474 00:38:17,699 --> 00:38:22,500 You can share about somebody else if you have something that you want to share that's personal that God has freed you and saved you 475 00:38:22,500 --> 00:38:26,340 from that's an amazing thing to share because we all have them and 476 00:38:27,360 --> 00:38:33,420 Then finally, are there any areas in your life that God is highlighting to redeem the time? 477 00:38:33,420 --> 00:38:40,400 Is it a relationship? Is it a place you go like the gym or your job or whatever it is? 478 00:38:40,820 --> 00:38:46,320 That you feel like okay, I want to step up and really be intentional allow God to redeem this area 479 00:38:47,360 --> 00:38:54,760 So that's it another person or your own life of redemption and then an area that you want to allow God to redeem and use you 480 00:38:56,059 --> 00:38:57,820 That is it 481 00:39:01,900 --> 00:39:07,360 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church as we praise God and discuss his word 482 00:39:07,360 --> 00:39:13,539 Don't forget to join us for worship lives Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube 483 00:39:14,059 --> 00:39:16,639 Be blessed and have a great day