1 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,399 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:26,859 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,859 All right, so we are in Numbers 5. 5 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,640 So we are officially out of Leviticus for a couple weeks. 6 00:00:42,899 --> 00:00:43,619 How's everybody feeling? 7 00:00:44,500 --> 00:00:45,460 Pretty good. 8 00:00:46,759 --> 00:00:47,179 Nice. 9 00:00:48,699 --> 00:00:51,960 Has Numbers felt kind of like Leviticus 2.0? 10 00:00:52,820 --> 00:00:53,259 A little bit. 11 00:00:54,039 --> 00:00:54,880 There's a lot of the law. 12 00:00:55,259 --> 00:00:56,859 We talked about this the first week. 13 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,799 But first ten chapters are preparation for the journey, kind of a lot of law stuff again. 14 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:05,579 And then the rest of Numbers is stories and things happening. 15 00:01:06,019 --> 00:01:09,060 So none of it is dry, at least not for me. 16 00:01:09,359 --> 00:01:13,719 But I know it gets fun when you see stories and crazy stuff happening. 17 00:01:13,719 --> 00:01:21,700 So before we get into it, Numbers 5, I would like to open up with Luke 18. 18 00:01:22,299 --> 00:01:23,819 So you guys can turn there. 19 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:26,180 I know you just got to Numbers 5. 20 00:01:26,340 --> 00:01:27,260 Markelle, I hear you flipping. 21 00:01:29,599 --> 00:01:34,560 So as you pull up, Luke 18 verse 9. 22 00:01:35,859 --> 00:01:39,579 And I love this small little section right here. 23 00:01:39,599 --> 00:01:42,359 And I feel like it's a glimpse into God's heart. 24 00:01:43,719 --> 00:01:51,480 He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. 25 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,819 Two men went up to the temple to pray. 26 00:01:55,200 --> 00:02:00,519 One a Pharisee who was a teacher of the law, and the other a tax collector. 27 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:03,620 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. 28 00:02:04,239 --> 00:02:11,460 God, I thank you I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 29 00:02:11,460 --> 00:02:15,800 I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 30 00:02:16,460 --> 00:02:22,639 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, 31 00:02:23,020 --> 00:02:27,659 but beat his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 32 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:33,699 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other, 33 00:02:33,819 --> 00:02:39,199 for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 34 00:02:40,939 --> 00:02:51,039 I love this because we see that in God's economy and the way God works, humility goes a long way, right? 35 00:02:51,740 --> 00:02:56,000 Like we know that God resists the proud and he gives grace to the humble. 36 00:02:56,659 --> 00:03:02,099 So that speaks to me powerfully because as someone who knows they aren't perfect, 37 00:03:02,300 --> 00:03:08,200 and I think everyone in here knows that, we can tend to get weighed down by areas we failed 38 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,039 or like aren't good enough, all these things. 39 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:18,319 But we see here this guy standing far off, just aware of his need for God was justified. 40 00:03:18,620 --> 00:03:24,379 And that means to declare, to pronounce one to be just, righteous, or as they should be. 41 00:03:24,860 --> 00:03:27,500 So even though he failed in areas as a tax collector, 42 00:03:27,759 --> 00:03:30,800 which usually these people are stealing money from their own people, 43 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:35,180 so the Israelites were under Roman rule at the time, 44 00:03:35,180 --> 00:03:39,780 and they were doubling up the taxes and keeping half and giving half to Rome. 45 00:03:40,479 --> 00:03:42,580 So these people were pretty shady. 46 00:03:43,259 --> 00:03:49,139 And this guy just was aware of his sin, and in God's presence, confessed it and repented, 47 00:03:49,340 --> 00:03:55,039 and he was made righteous by God, while the other one, the Pharisee was not. 48 00:03:55,259 --> 00:04:00,620 And the reason is, is because the Pharisee appealed to his own goodness, his own righteousness, 49 00:04:00,919 --> 00:04:04,060 saying, look at all the things I've done, you fail. 50 00:04:04,060 --> 00:04:07,680 If you try to go on your own merit, you fail with God. 51 00:04:07,919 --> 00:04:13,699 But if you appeal to the goodness of God and his righteousness, you are justified. 52 00:04:14,159 --> 00:04:16,120 That is the gospel right there, right? 53 00:04:16,540 --> 00:04:20,839 Like, there is nothing you can do to find favor in God's sight, 54 00:04:21,019 --> 00:04:23,180 but it's all by what he's done. 55 00:04:23,519 --> 00:04:27,800 And it's by trusting in him, like this tax collector, we're justified. 56 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,300 So this is kind of a good template to start Numbers 5, 57 00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:36,860 where we get into confession, to realize it's not about, oh, I need to confess the sin. 58 00:04:36,980 --> 00:04:38,019 I'm such a bad person. 59 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:42,360 It's truly just about being aware of where you failed, 60 00:04:42,779 --> 00:04:45,180 giving it to God, and now you're justified. 61 00:04:45,439 --> 00:04:47,939 Your slate is clean with him, right? 62 00:04:48,500 --> 00:04:51,040 And I love the root word of confess, 63 00:04:51,379 --> 00:04:57,240 because the root word of confess means to throw, to shoot like an arrow, 64 00:04:57,259 --> 00:04:58,819 or to cast like a net. 65 00:04:58,819 --> 00:05:04,339 So this isn't just like, you know, slowly opening the door a little bit, 66 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:08,639 like a crack to let someone see a little bit into your dirty room, right? 67 00:05:08,759 --> 00:05:11,300 This is throwing everything out there, right? 68 00:05:11,519 --> 00:05:13,199 It's just in the open. 69 00:05:13,439 --> 00:05:18,180 So like how you cast a net, it spreads out, it goes out, and it's just in the open. 70 00:05:18,319 --> 00:05:22,420 Or when you shoot an arrow, it's just out there and far away from you. 71 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:26,779 So when we confess our sin, it's important to know what that means, 72 00:05:26,779 --> 00:05:31,100 and that means to fully just throw it out in the light, in the open, 73 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,939 and we know that he's faithful and just to forgive us our sins, amen? 74 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,379 All right, let's read Numbers 5. 75 00:05:38,639 --> 00:05:39,939 We're going to start at Verse 5. 76 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:43,019 Let's get over there. 77 00:05:44,980 --> 00:05:49,139 So it opens up with ceremonially unclean persons. 78 00:05:49,439 --> 00:05:50,780 So we know, like, if you... 79 00:05:51,319 --> 00:05:53,139 We learned a lot about that already in Leviticus, 80 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:56,079 but if you're a leper or have a discharge or touch the corpse, 81 00:05:56,079 --> 00:06:00,959 they say you have to stay outside of the camp until you're clean, 82 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:03,079 and then they do this ritual and you're allowed back in. 83 00:06:03,779 --> 00:06:06,259 There's a lot of symbolism to sin and why that's important 84 00:06:06,259 --> 00:06:08,300 to get sin out of your life, 85 00:06:08,699 --> 00:06:14,019 but also this practically could spread disease in the people and harm them. 86 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:16,879 So let's jump down to Verse 5. 87 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:20,959 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 88 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:22,879 Speak to the children of Israel, 89 00:06:22,879 --> 00:06:26,899 when a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness 90 00:06:26,899 --> 00:06:30,339 against the Lord, and that person is guilty, 91 00:06:31,079 --> 00:06:33,680 then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. 92 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,899 He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, 93 00:06:37,259 --> 00:06:41,079 plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged. 94 00:06:41,399 --> 00:06:44,379 But if the man is no relative to whom restitution may be made 95 00:06:44,379 --> 00:06:46,879 for the wrong, the Lord... 96 00:06:46,879 --> 00:06:47,800 Yeah. 97 00:06:48,639 --> 00:06:51,339 The restitution for the wrong must go to the Lord for the priest, 98 00:06:51,339 --> 00:06:56,180 in addition to the ram of the atonement with which atonement is made for him. 99 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:00,399 Every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, 100 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,959 which they bring to the priest, shall be his. 101 00:07:03,740 --> 00:07:06,079 And every man's holy thing shall be his. 102 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,000 Whatever any man gives, the priest shall be his. 103 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,639 So we see, confess to the Lord, 104 00:07:12,980 --> 00:07:16,660 and we see that this sin or trespasses against the Lord and against people. 105 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,959 So it's important to realize that, you know, 106 00:07:19,959 --> 00:07:23,519 not every sin is against people, but every sin is against God. 107 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:30,120 So he is a party at play in sin. 108 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,139 Like, not at play in sin. 109 00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:34,259 I mean, he was... 110 00:07:34,259 --> 00:07:35,860 He had to die because of our sin, right? 111 00:07:36,019 --> 00:07:38,779 And when we sin, we're actually sinning against him, 112 00:07:38,959 --> 00:07:40,399 and also sometimes people. 113 00:07:41,220 --> 00:07:45,399 So confession here is super, super, super important. 114 00:07:46,100 --> 00:07:48,040 And sometimes when we talk about confession, 115 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,040 it seems heavy, you know, like... 116 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,399 You know, it's not like it's something we love to do, right? 117 00:07:53,759 --> 00:07:56,860 You know, especially in Catholicism, you go to the priest, 118 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,160 and it's this whole ritual thing you have to do. 119 00:07:59,339 --> 00:08:02,560 Sometimes it's like frowned upon, like, oh, that's so religious. 120 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,540 But in real life, like, we don't want to have to own up to things we've done, right? 121 00:08:06,959 --> 00:08:10,500 Like, there's so many other things in Christianity that are more fun, right? 122 00:08:10,579 --> 00:08:16,439 I mean, I would rather be in a worship set for an hour or do something fun for God, 123 00:08:16,439 --> 00:08:20,720 but, like, confessing, like, that's not really up there on my list. 124 00:08:22,359 --> 00:08:25,819 But when you have ongoing sin that's unconfessed, 125 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,939 like, nothing else will help you apart from confession. 126 00:08:30,379 --> 00:08:33,360 Like, you could, you know, read your Bible a ton. 127 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,620 You could listen to a ton of worship music. 128 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:37,159 You could, like, really help people. 129 00:08:37,279 --> 00:08:42,139 And while all those things are good and, you know, they're pleasing to God, 130 00:08:42,139 --> 00:08:46,820 if you have unconfessed sin, you're still going to feel the same way. 131 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,120 You can't run from that. 132 00:08:48,519 --> 00:08:52,120 And that's why confession is so, so important. 133 00:08:52,639 --> 00:08:54,159 And it's truly for us. 134 00:08:55,039 --> 00:08:56,559 And why is confession important? 135 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,120 Because it sets you free. 136 00:08:59,779 --> 00:09:03,500 First John 1.9, write this down if you have it. 137 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:10,480 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, 138 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:14,799 and he will purify us from all unrighteousness. 139 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:20,740 Like, the point of confession isn't just to make God aware of something 140 00:09:20,740 --> 00:09:22,740 because he knows everything, right? 141 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:28,419 It's not as much God-focused as it is actually a gift to us, right? 142 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:32,960 It's to acknowledge something that we did is wrong, to make it right. 143 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,720 And that allows us to receive God's forgiveness. 144 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,820 It allows us to feel his forgiveness, right? 145 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:44,879 And also we can come back into alignment with who he is 146 00:09:44,879 --> 00:09:48,000 and have unbroken connection with him. 147 00:09:50,539 --> 00:09:54,899 Now, confessing sin actually helps it lose its power over you. 148 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,460 Like, if you keep something in the dark, it's really hard to shake that. 149 00:09:59,659 --> 00:10:03,179 It's so hard to get away from that sin once it's become habitual 150 00:10:03,179 --> 00:10:04,740 and nobody else knows about it. 151 00:10:04,740 --> 00:10:08,419 But confessing it actually loses its power. 152 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:10,259 And I want to show you some verses here. 153 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:16,200 Proverbs 28.13, whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, 154 00:10:16,519 --> 00:10:20,419 but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 155 00:10:21,759 --> 00:10:26,639 Another Psalm 32, when I kept silent my bones wasted away 156 00:10:26,639 --> 00:10:29,159 through my groaning all day long. 157 00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:31,659 For day and night your hand was heavy on me 158 00:10:31,659 --> 00:10:34,659 and my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 159 00:10:35,220 --> 00:10:39,100 But then I acknowledged my sin and I did not cover up my iniquity. 160 00:10:39,460 --> 00:10:42,639 I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord 161 00:10:42,639 --> 00:10:46,179 and you forgave me the guilt of my sin. 162 00:10:47,139 --> 00:10:53,120 Like covering up, it has serious impacts to your health, your life, your mental state. 163 00:10:53,460 --> 00:10:56,500 But man, in a moment, if you just bring it to God, 164 00:10:56,740 --> 00:11:00,539 you are immediately forgiven and that weight is taken off of you. 165 00:11:00,539 --> 00:11:06,399 And you know, it's so easy sometimes if you know there's something going on 166 00:11:06,399 --> 00:11:08,460 that you don't want to deal with, right? 167 00:11:09,799 --> 00:11:11,379 You can justify it. 168 00:11:11,580 --> 00:11:14,879 And you almost like can live in this alternate reality 169 00:11:14,879 --> 00:11:16,539 where you're like, oh, I didn't really do that. 170 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:18,059 You know, it wasn't that bad. 171 00:11:18,259 --> 00:11:22,200 And you're like almost falling into this deception that you're making for yourself. 172 00:11:22,659 --> 00:11:23,740 That's dangerous, right? 173 00:11:24,379 --> 00:11:26,600 Like a lot of bad things happen when that starts. 174 00:11:27,159 --> 00:11:28,720 Like your life goes out of control. 175 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:32,700 But when you acknowledge something and you're just like, here it is, God. 176 00:11:32,879 --> 00:11:34,419 I cast it out there in the open. 177 00:11:34,539 --> 00:11:36,340 The sin, I sinned against you. 178 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:37,500 It was wrong, Lord. 179 00:11:37,940 --> 00:11:39,059 Just like that tax collector. 180 00:11:39,299 --> 00:11:40,679 Lord, please forgive me a sinner. 181 00:11:41,100 --> 00:11:42,700 He says you're justified. 182 00:11:43,340 --> 00:11:47,440 And now you are actually like with reality. 183 00:11:47,639 --> 00:11:51,340 You are actually aware of the truth of what's going on. 184 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:55,419 And I love the, you know, Switchfoot, 185 00:11:55,419 --> 00:11:59,379 anybody who was listening to Christmas music in the 2000s 186 00:11:59,379 --> 00:12:01,100 must have loved the song because I did. 187 00:12:02,799 --> 00:12:04,539 I dare you to move, right? 188 00:12:04,820 --> 00:12:05,419 Remember that song? 189 00:12:06,019 --> 00:12:06,559 I dare you to move. 190 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:08,580 The bridge is so good. 191 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:12,080 And it says maybe redemption has stories to tell. 192 00:12:12,980 --> 00:12:15,340 Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell. 193 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:18,259 Where can you run to escape from yourself? 194 00:12:18,759 --> 00:12:19,620 Where are you going to go? 195 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:21,779 Salvation is here, right? 196 00:12:22,039 --> 00:12:24,200 Like you can't go anywhere else. 197 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:25,639 You can't save yourself. 198 00:12:26,500 --> 00:12:30,220 But right where you fell is Jesus' forgiveness for you. 199 00:12:30,659 --> 00:12:32,539 And his hand is out just saying, 200 00:12:32,879 --> 00:12:35,220 just open up about it to me, right? 201 00:12:36,439 --> 00:12:40,100 I, a lot of you guys know I love the show alone. 202 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:42,200 You know, the survival show. 203 00:12:42,299 --> 00:12:43,799 Anybody else watch those survival shows? 204 00:12:44,299 --> 00:12:45,799 I've shared a few stories now. 205 00:12:45,919 --> 00:12:47,720 Yeah, Ken, they're my favorite. 206 00:12:48,059 --> 00:12:50,000 I mean, I can binge watch those things. 207 00:12:50,179 --> 00:12:51,559 And for some reason, it doesn't feel wrong. 208 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:52,840 You know, it's like nature. 209 00:12:53,399 --> 00:12:56,019 It feels like a Godly show, you know? 210 00:12:58,240 --> 00:12:59,240 Yeah, yeah, right? 211 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:01,960 Oh, man. 212 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,200 So, alone is great. 213 00:13:05,779 --> 00:13:07,139 There's this one season recently, 214 00:13:07,259 --> 00:13:08,440 I forget which one it was, 215 00:13:08,539 --> 00:13:09,679 and I don't remember the guy's name, 216 00:13:09,879 --> 00:13:11,980 so I hope, you know, the story's starting off pretty rough. 217 00:13:12,820 --> 00:13:15,679 But this guy, he was, when he first started, 218 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:17,700 you know, he just had this edge to him. 219 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,240 And, you know, he's surviving. 220 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:22,019 He's always complaining and this and that. 221 00:13:23,179 --> 00:13:24,480 And things are going wrong. 222 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:26,899 And then slowly, like, his perspective starts changing. 223 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:28,620 And slowly, he seems more positive. 224 00:13:29,019 --> 00:13:31,779 And he's more kind to, honestly, himself, 225 00:13:31,980 --> 00:13:32,919 because it's alone. 226 00:13:33,179 --> 00:13:33,899 He's the only person there. 227 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,700 And then he starts to open up about his life. 228 00:13:39,419 --> 00:13:43,019 And he started talking about a struggle with alcohol, he had. 229 00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:45,080 And it started when he was a kid. 230 00:13:45,159 --> 00:13:47,159 I think he might have been 14, 15 years old 231 00:13:47,159 --> 00:13:47,919 when he started drinking. 232 00:13:47,919 --> 00:13:50,100 And now he's 60-something. 233 00:13:50,899 --> 00:13:54,740 And so it escalated into drinking every single day 234 00:13:54,740 --> 00:13:56,100 at the age of, like, 16. 235 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:58,980 And, like, right after school, even during school. 236 00:13:59,799 --> 00:14:01,919 And he didn't give, like, numbers, 237 00:14:02,259 --> 00:14:04,659 but, like, he was having a lot of drinks every single day. 238 00:14:05,059 --> 00:14:08,500 And he explained it like he felt like he was just pulling up 239 00:14:08,500 --> 00:14:12,200 this warm, fuzzy blanket over him and over his life 240 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:13,500 and everything kind of... 241 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:15,360 It felt like a safety mechanism, 242 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:16,899 so he didn't have to deal with stuff. 243 00:14:17,379 --> 00:14:19,840 But people that loved him would come and say, 244 00:14:19,919 --> 00:14:22,279 hey, this is an issue, like, you got to change it. 245 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:24,419 And he would always push them away and say, 246 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,639 it's not an issue, it's fine, it's not a big deal. 247 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,519 And he pushed these people away for maybe 40-something years 248 00:14:31,940 --> 00:14:33,559 until finally he's on the show. 249 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:37,559 And I think his last drink was his first day in the woods. 250 00:14:38,019 --> 00:14:41,440 Like, he literally went onto the show, like, in withdrawal, 251 00:14:41,659 --> 00:14:43,159 which is probably why he's so cranky, right? 252 00:14:43,759 --> 00:14:48,580 But as he's going and the symptoms of this are leaving his body 253 00:14:48,580 --> 00:14:51,480 and as he's getting in touch with nature 254 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:53,659 and kind of reflecting on his life, getting out of it, 255 00:14:53,679 --> 00:14:56,600 he started to realize, man, this actually is an issue. 256 00:14:57,159 --> 00:14:58,240 This is an issue. 257 00:14:58,500 --> 00:15:01,399 And as he opened up about it, he finally got to the point 258 00:15:01,399 --> 00:15:03,460 where he's like, you know, this is wrong. 259 00:15:03,799 --> 00:15:04,980 Like, I can't do this anymore. 260 00:15:05,399 --> 00:15:08,639 And he acknowledged it, he confessed it on live TV, 261 00:15:08,639 --> 00:15:11,600 and he said, I'm going to change, like, repentance. 262 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:15,259 Like, we almost see a parable of the gospel here. 263 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:18,179 Like, you're aware of your sin, you confess your sin, 264 00:15:18,299 --> 00:15:20,460 you repent from your sin, and now you go back changed. 265 00:15:20,879 --> 00:15:25,379 So he's going back into his life now getting rid of alcohol 266 00:15:25,379 --> 00:15:29,240 and living actually in touch with the people around him, 267 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:31,419 pulling that fuzzy blanket off, like he said, 268 00:15:31,679 --> 00:15:34,600 and actually loving people and being honest with them. 269 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:38,720 So just, like, that is what confession does. 270 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:42,080 It makes sin lose its power over us, 271 00:15:42,620 --> 00:15:46,080 and it's a gift to us to be able to actually live this life 272 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:47,700 the way God's called us to live. 273 00:15:48,059 --> 00:15:50,559 It's not a scary thing, it's not a heavy thing. 274 00:15:51,159 --> 00:15:53,360 You know, obviously, if you've hurt some people 275 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:54,440 and now you have to own up to it, 276 00:15:54,500 --> 00:15:57,019 there's going to be some heavy, hard moments there, 277 00:15:57,100 --> 00:15:58,259 but it's worth it. 278 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:01,779 Like, it is so worth it, not living a lie, right, 279 00:16:02,059 --> 00:16:05,899 and actually being true and being free from your past. 280 00:16:07,239 --> 00:16:09,620 Now, I do want to just give a warning here 281 00:16:12,919 --> 00:16:15,840 against obsessive self-analyzing before we go any further, 282 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,740 because, like, you know, I've fallen into it, 283 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:20,100 maybe some of you guys have, too. 284 00:16:21,419 --> 00:16:23,840 Just suddenly now you're, like, aware of sin, 285 00:16:24,019 --> 00:16:26,379 and now you're going to go through every single aspect 286 00:16:26,379 --> 00:16:29,039 of your life pulling every motive apart 287 00:16:29,039 --> 00:16:31,500 and thinking, man, I must be the worst person ever, 288 00:16:31,799 --> 00:16:33,019 getting insecurity and all. 289 00:16:33,019 --> 00:16:36,840 And there's this term I read a couple, like, a little while ago 290 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,740 when I was kind of going through a season like this, 291 00:16:40,519 --> 00:16:42,620 and it was morbid introspection. 292 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:44,039 That's a big word, right? 293 00:16:44,879 --> 00:16:47,299 This article is probably the only place that ever used it. 294 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:50,679 But morbid, you know, like, around death and introspection, 295 00:16:50,919 --> 00:16:52,620 it's just focus, focus on yourself. 296 00:16:53,139 --> 00:16:55,379 And it's this hyperanalysis of everything, 297 00:16:55,799 --> 00:16:58,740 all your motives and thinking and thinking, okay, 298 00:16:58,899 --> 00:17:00,659 like, everything I do is sinful. 299 00:17:00,659 --> 00:17:01,559 That's not God. 300 00:17:02,259 --> 00:17:03,159 Like, it is not God. 301 00:17:03,379 --> 00:17:05,339 And you don't want to get into that place. 302 00:17:07,220 --> 00:17:10,400 1 John 3.20 is an awesome verse to combat that, right? 303 00:17:10,579 --> 00:17:12,579 It's, for if our heart condemns us, 304 00:17:12,940 --> 00:17:15,880 God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things. 305 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,039 He knows us. 306 00:17:18,099 --> 00:17:19,440 Like, we don't even know ourselves. 307 00:17:19,599 --> 00:17:20,359 God knows us. 308 00:17:21,140 --> 00:17:22,940 Another one is Romans 8. 309 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:27,460 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 310 00:17:28,059 --> 00:17:31,099 When you're in Him, you confess, you move on. 311 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,180 There is forgiveness, and there is no condemnation. 312 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:39,900 A good way to kind of discern between conviction by God 313 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:42,099 and condemnation by the enemy, you know, 314 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,259 Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. 315 00:17:44,900 --> 00:17:48,460 So he wants to accuse you and, you know, just cast you down. 316 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:51,819 It's like when we were training our dogs growing up, 317 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:53,099 we weren't good at it. 318 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:55,279 Our family is really bad with pets. 319 00:17:56,719 --> 00:17:59,799 But we had dogs, and it was hard to potty train them. 320 00:17:59,960 --> 00:18:02,500 So one thing I think we learned, and it's probably not nice, 321 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,759 if they poop inside the house, you know, 322 00:18:04,859 --> 00:18:06,619 you like shove their face near the poop, 323 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:07,599 and you're like, no, no. 324 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:09,420 And you show them the poop, right? 325 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:11,640 And you yell at them, and then you send them out. 326 00:18:13,399 --> 00:18:17,299 And if, as an analogy, that's not God. 327 00:18:18,019 --> 00:18:20,240 God does not shove your face in your mistake 328 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,180 and scream no at you and cast you out. 329 00:18:22,319 --> 00:18:24,160 That is Satan right there, right? 330 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:27,099 Satan makes you focus on your failings, 331 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,660 on your mistakes, and screams at you saying, 332 00:18:29,660 --> 00:18:31,000 look how messed up you are. 333 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:35,259 But Jesus, he convicts to a higher standard, right? 334 00:18:35,660 --> 00:18:38,420 The Holy Spirit will show you the standard 335 00:18:38,420 --> 00:18:39,579 of where you're supposed to live, 336 00:18:39,819 --> 00:18:41,980 and he empowers you to now live up to it. 337 00:18:42,279 --> 00:18:45,480 So it is an upward focus, a hope-filled focus 338 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,279 when he convicts you of righteousness, the Bible says, 339 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:52,720 instead of the enemy condemning you of your sin. 340 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,079 So if you are ever struggling, 341 00:18:55,559 --> 00:18:58,740 confess, trust in Jesus, and move on 342 00:18:58,740 --> 00:19:00,539 because he's calling you to a higher standard, 343 00:19:00,539 --> 00:19:03,720 and you should always feel, you can feel remorseful 344 00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:05,160 and hopeful at the same time, 345 00:19:05,500 --> 00:19:07,220 is essentially what I'm trying to say. 346 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:14,240 All right, so the next section of numbers, 347 00:19:15,099 --> 00:19:16,240 super interesting, guys. 348 00:19:16,519 --> 00:19:17,900 It's very different. 349 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:22,480 Concerning unfaithful lives, that's what it's called. 350 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:27,359 I guess for me, it's more suspicion of unconfessed sin 351 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:28,799 since we're kind of in this topic. 352 00:19:29,980 --> 00:19:32,140 So it starts off talking about a husband 353 00:19:32,140 --> 00:19:35,720 if he's jealous of his wife thinking that she cheated on him, okay? 354 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:37,940 There's no evidence. 355 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:39,700 She hasn't confessed to it. 356 00:19:39,980 --> 00:19:40,940 No one's come forward. 357 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:42,599 He's just purely suspicious. 358 00:19:44,220 --> 00:19:46,720 This ritual we're going to read about 359 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:48,420 is a way for the truth to come out. 360 00:19:49,039 --> 00:19:51,579 I think it's pretty great that God wants that, right? 361 00:19:51,740 --> 00:19:54,720 Could you imagine being in a house where your partner 362 00:19:55,339 --> 00:19:56,819 is just always thinking you're cheating 363 00:19:56,819 --> 00:19:58,619 and there's actually nothing going on 364 00:19:58,619 --> 00:19:59,819 and you have to live with this? 365 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:04,519 But God set up this way for the truth to come out. 366 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:06,519 Either, yes, they did, or no, they didn't, 367 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:08,279 and it's settled, right? 368 00:20:08,559 --> 00:20:10,079 So the goal is justice 369 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,680 and to vindicate the woman if she's done nothing wrong 370 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,920 or to show that she actually has cheated on her husband, 371 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:18,839 the truth is going to come out. 372 00:20:19,259 --> 00:20:20,839 So let's go down to verse 16. 373 00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:26,259 And the priest shall bring her near the wife 374 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:28,480 and set her before the Lord. 375 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:32,279 The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel 376 00:20:32,279 --> 00:20:35,279 and take some of the dust, remember that, 377 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:38,259 some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle 378 00:20:38,259 --> 00:20:40,000 and put it into the water. 379 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:44,779 Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, 380 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:46,640 uncover the woman's head, 381 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:49,319 and put the offering for redemption in her hands, 382 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:50,819 which is the grain offering of jealousy. 383 00:20:51,519 --> 00:20:53,400 And the priest shall have in his hand 384 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,619 the bitter water that brings a curse 385 00:20:55,619 --> 00:20:57,480 to the water with the dust in it. 386 00:20:57,940 --> 00:20:59,819 And the priest shall put her under oath 387 00:20:59,819 --> 00:21:01,180 and say to the woman, 388 00:21:02,380 --> 00:21:04,119 if no man has lain with you 389 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:06,000 and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness 390 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:08,319 while under your husband's authority, 391 00:21:08,319 --> 00:21:11,039 be free from this bitter water that brings a curse. 392 00:21:11,539 --> 00:21:14,160 But if you have gone astray while under your husband's authority 393 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:15,779 and if you have defiled yourself 394 00:21:15,779 --> 00:21:20,420 and some man other than your husband has lain with you, 395 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:23,859 then the priest shall put the woman under oath 396 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:27,160 of the curse and shall say to the woman, 397 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:30,559 the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people. 398 00:21:30,859 --> 00:21:33,380 Then the Lord make your thyrot and your belly swell. 399 00:21:33,759 --> 00:21:35,000 So I look this up. 400 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:37,339 Very weird phrase. 401 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:38,640 Thyrot, belly swell. 402 00:21:40,180 --> 00:21:44,079 So basically it's a euphemism for being barren. 403 00:21:45,380 --> 00:21:47,799 And rot actually means to fall away. 404 00:21:48,220 --> 00:21:48,960 So maybe to wither. 405 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:51,480 So there'd be some sort of sickness and withering, 406 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:53,319 and you'd be barren. 407 00:21:54,500 --> 00:21:56,980 Just for some description there 408 00:21:56,980 --> 00:21:58,819 because it's kind of confusing sounding. 409 00:21:59,299 --> 00:22:00,259 So then verse 23. 410 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:03,599 Then the priest shall write these curses in a book, 411 00:22:03,599 --> 00:22:06,079 and he shall scrape them off into the bitter water. 412 00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:08,700 And he shall make the woman drink the curse, 413 00:22:09,019 --> 00:22:10,740 the bitter water that brings a curse, 414 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:13,220 and the water that brings the curse shall enter her 415 00:22:13,220 --> 00:22:14,019 to become bitter. 416 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,799 And then essentially, if she did sin, 417 00:22:17,579 --> 00:22:19,079 then that curse is going to happen. 418 00:22:19,099 --> 00:22:22,500 But if not, then she's vindicated in front of all the people. 419 00:22:24,839 --> 00:22:29,640 Now, when I'm reading this and I see the dust, right, 420 00:22:29,819 --> 00:22:32,059 the dirt from the floor of the tabernacle, 421 00:22:32,059 --> 00:22:35,500 I see this writing and this cup to drink, 422 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:37,579 there's a lot of things that come to mind. 423 00:22:38,599 --> 00:22:41,920 And I want to jump over to John 8. 424 00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:44,940 So if you find your way over there, John 8. 425 00:22:50,819 --> 00:22:53,039 Verse 1, let me know when you guys are there. 426 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:05,980 I'm there. 427 00:23:06,539 --> 00:23:06,680 Cool. 428 00:23:10,120 --> 00:23:12,640 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 429 00:23:13,519 --> 00:23:16,940 Now early in the morning, he came again into the temple, 430 00:23:17,420 --> 00:23:20,839 and all the people came to him and sat down and taught them. 431 00:23:22,180 --> 00:23:25,400 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman 432 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:30,500 caught in adultery, and when they had set her in the midst, 433 00:23:30,500 --> 00:23:34,119 they said to him, teacher, this woman was caught in adultery 434 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:35,599 in the very act. 435 00:23:36,339 --> 00:23:37,720 There's no suspicion here. 436 00:23:39,180 --> 00:23:42,559 Now Moses and the law commanded us that such should be stoned, 437 00:23:42,839 --> 00:23:43,680 but what do you say? 438 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,819 This they said testing him that they might have something 439 00:23:47,819 --> 00:23:49,880 of which to accuse him. 440 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:54,799 But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground 441 00:23:54,799 --> 00:23:55,660 with his finger. 442 00:23:56,180 --> 00:23:57,539 Other versions say dust. 443 00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:00,559 He wrote in the dust with his finger, 444 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:03,160 as though he did not hear. 445 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:07,279 So when they continued asking him, 446 00:24:07,460 --> 00:24:09,539 he raised himself up and said to them, 447 00:24:09,819 --> 00:24:11,660 he who is without sin among you, 448 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:15,099 let him throw a stone at her first. 449 00:24:15,759 --> 00:24:18,579 And again he stooped down and wrote in the dust. 450 00:24:19,859 --> 00:24:22,980 Then those who heard it being convicted by their conscience 451 00:24:23,539 --> 00:24:24,539 went out one by one, 452 00:24:24,660 --> 00:24:26,799 beginning with the oldest, even to the last. 453 00:24:27,559 --> 00:24:28,980 And Jesus was left alone. 454 00:24:30,140 --> 00:24:33,380 And the woman standing in his midst. 455 00:24:34,660 --> 00:24:38,680 When Jesus had raised himself up and saw no one but the woman, 456 00:24:39,059 --> 00:24:41,799 he said to her, woman, where are those accusers? 457 00:24:43,180 --> 00:24:46,680 Those accusers of yours, who has anyone condemned you? 458 00:24:48,019 --> 00:24:54,640 She said, no one, Lord, and Jesus said to her, 459 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:59,720 so we see the priest would stoop down and sweep up some dirt 460 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:01,819 to throw into the cup as a curse. 461 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,519 And we see Jesus stoop down and write in the sand, 462 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:07,720 in the dust. 463 00:25:08,380 --> 00:25:11,119 The priest would write onto a book, 464 00:25:11,759 --> 00:25:14,619 a curse, and scrape it off into this cup. 465 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:18,319 And here Jesus is writing something in the dust we don't know. 466 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:22,319 Maybe it's people's specific sins around them 467 00:25:22,319 --> 00:25:24,039 and they're aware of the fact that, 468 00:25:24,039 --> 00:25:26,779 hey, I'm like that Pharisee we read about in the beginning. 469 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:28,279 I'm not righteous either, actually. 470 00:25:29,140 --> 00:25:30,819 And when they were convicted, they all left. 471 00:25:31,059 --> 00:25:33,240 So we see this dust and this writing. 472 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:37,480 And in the old covenant, she should have been stoned, right? 473 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:39,279 This should have happened. 474 00:25:40,500 --> 00:25:43,420 But Jesus' writing in the dust actually set her free. 475 00:25:43,539 --> 00:25:46,180 And instead of a curse and instead of death, 476 00:25:46,740 --> 00:25:48,240 he doesn't condemn her at all. 477 00:25:48,799 --> 00:25:50,380 He actually offers her forgiveness. 478 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:52,019 He offers her mercy. 479 00:25:53,059 --> 00:25:54,960 This is who Jesus is, right? 480 00:25:55,759 --> 00:25:57,339 And you might ask, how can he do this? 481 00:25:57,619 --> 00:26:01,680 Isn't that kind of contradicting the commandment, right? 482 00:26:03,019 --> 00:26:04,960 This is what's supposed to happen. 483 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:06,059 He's going against it. 484 00:26:06,859 --> 00:26:10,500 Well, Jesus says he didn't come to abolish the law 485 00:26:10,500 --> 00:26:11,519 but to fulfill it. 486 00:26:12,019 --> 00:26:14,400 So what needs to be done about this, right? 487 00:26:14,599 --> 00:26:19,380 Why can he say, neither do I condemn you going sin no more? 488 00:26:20,380 --> 00:26:24,160 I want to jump over to Matthew 26. 489 00:26:29,380 --> 00:26:30,160 This is why. 490 00:26:36,380 --> 00:26:42,220 Verse 38, he's in the Garden of Gethsemane 491 00:26:42,220 --> 00:26:44,960 the night before he's going to be crucified. 492 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:48,440 And he's talking to his father in heaven. 493 00:26:50,700 --> 00:26:51,660 And he said to his disciples, 494 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:54,940 My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. 495 00:26:55,519 --> 00:26:56,880 Stay here and watch with me. 496 00:26:58,059 --> 00:27:00,359 He went a little further and fell on his face 497 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:04,359 and prayed saying, Oh, my father, if it is a possible, 498 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:07,039 let this cup pass from me. 499 00:27:07,420 --> 00:27:09,740 Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. 500 00:27:10,960 --> 00:27:12,180 Then he said to his disciples, 501 00:27:13,180 --> 00:27:15,799 he came to his disciples and found them sleeping 502 00:27:15,799 --> 00:27:18,519 and said to Peter, What could you not watch with me one hour? 503 00:27:18,980 --> 00:27:20,740 Watch and pray unless you enter into temptation. 504 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:23,299 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 505 00:27:23,819 --> 00:27:25,920 And again, a second time he went away and prayed, 506 00:27:26,180 --> 00:27:29,759 Oh, my father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, 507 00:27:30,019 --> 00:27:32,359 unless I drink it, your will be done. 508 00:27:33,980 --> 00:27:37,140 He can forgive and he can fulfill the law 509 00:27:37,140 --> 00:27:39,000 because the cup that we deserved, 510 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:44,400 the cup that this woman deserved in Numbers 5, he drank. 511 00:27:47,799 --> 00:27:49,099 He took the curse. 512 00:27:50,619 --> 00:27:52,980 And the curse that was written in the book, 513 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:56,759 the curse because of sin that was scraped off, 514 00:27:57,140 --> 00:27:59,599 was scraped off of our conscience, right? 515 00:28:00,319 --> 00:28:02,220 The sin was repealed off of us 516 00:28:02,220 --> 00:28:04,839 and went into the cup that he drank himself. 517 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:08,000 It says he became sin who knew no sin. 518 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:12,740 He literally put it on himself on the cross. 519 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:15,420 He took the curse. 520 00:28:15,660 --> 00:28:18,599 He took the punishment and he drank it. 521 00:28:19,519 --> 00:28:23,980 He took all of it and he became a curse for us. 522 00:28:25,099 --> 00:28:27,460 And now we don't have a book of rules 523 00:28:27,460 --> 00:28:29,799 and record of our sins anymore. 524 00:28:30,079 --> 00:28:32,460 There's one book left, right? 525 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:36,460 It's the book of life and nobody can scrape you out of that. 526 00:28:38,419 --> 00:28:42,359 Our names are written there forever when you trust in him. 527 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:46,279 The reason there is forgiveness and confession 528 00:28:46,279 --> 00:28:49,700 is not anything in ourselves. 529 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:54,000 It's purely 100% because he already paid 530 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:55,819 for the sin you're about to confess. 531 00:28:58,079 --> 00:29:00,740 That's why we can come to him with confidence. 532 00:29:01,099 --> 00:29:03,960 Even right after we sinned, we can come to him with confidence. 533 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:07,680 Not confidence in ourself, confidence in him, Hebrews 4. 534 00:29:08,579 --> 00:29:10,460 Seeing then that we have a great high priest 535 00:29:10,460 --> 00:29:13,220 who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, 536 00:29:13,579 --> 00:29:15,380 let us hold fast our confession, 537 00:29:15,839 --> 00:29:17,380 for we do not have a high priest 538 00:29:17,380 --> 00:29:19,220 who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, 539 00:29:19,799 --> 00:29:22,920 but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 540 00:29:23,519 --> 00:29:26,180 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace 541 00:29:26,180 --> 00:29:30,380 that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 542 00:29:31,059 --> 00:29:31,940 See that? 543 00:29:33,460 --> 00:29:35,500 Confession is forgiveness of sin, 544 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:37,920 but now we hold on to confession, 545 00:29:38,519 --> 00:29:41,759 the confession of who Jesus is that we trust in him as our Savior. 546 00:29:42,279 --> 00:29:44,900 We confess the sin, cast it away. 547 00:29:45,279 --> 00:29:48,579 We hold on to the confession of who Jesus is, right? 548 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:57,980 So I want to close with just an amazing, amazing representation 549 00:29:58,500 --> 00:30:01,079 of an amazing parable Jesus gives us 550 00:30:03,059 --> 00:30:07,839 of insight into what confession looks like for us, 551 00:30:09,619 --> 00:30:12,400 what it looks like in his heart for us, 552 00:30:12,519 --> 00:30:13,440 and that is in Luke 15. 553 00:30:13,599 --> 00:30:14,339 You don't have to turn there. 554 00:30:14,380 --> 00:30:15,180 I can just read it. 555 00:30:16,900 --> 00:30:18,640 This is about the prodigal son, right? 556 00:30:20,220 --> 00:30:22,140 Before his dad was dead, he said, 557 00:30:22,259 --> 00:30:23,420 hey, I want the money. 558 00:30:23,799 --> 00:30:25,680 I want my inheritance, even though you're not dead, 559 00:30:26,179 --> 00:30:28,140 which is just a slap in the face, right, 560 00:30:28,279 --> 00:30:30,259 saying you're not even worth being around for. 561 00:30:30,660 --> 00:30:31,599 I wish you were dead. 562 00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:32,599 Can I just have my money now? 563 00:30:33,299 --> 00:30:36,119 He goes and squanders all of it, wastes it away, 564 00:30:36,359 --> 00:30:39,579 and now he's living as a servant in squalor, 565 00:30:39,700 --> 00:30:41,059 you know, the effects of sin. 566 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:43,240 And he finally has a moment, 567 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:44,819 kind of like that guy in Alone, 568 00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:46,240 where he's like, what am I doing? 569 00:30:46,539 --> 00:30:48,819 This isn't how I'm meant to live. 570 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,660 And he arose and came to his father, 571 00:30:52,660 --> 00:30:55,259 and he had a speech ready, actually, in verse 18. 572 00:30:55,819 --> 00:30:57,019 I will arise and go to my father, 573 00:30:57,259 --> 00:30:57,900 and will say to him, 574 00:30:58,019 --> 00:31:01,000 father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 575 00:31:01,180 --> 00:31:03,839 Again, see that as sin against God and against man. 576 00:31:04,299 --> 00:31:06,440 And I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 577 00:31:06,599 --> 00:31:08,400 Make me like one of your hired servants. 578 00:31:09,460 --> 00:31:10,980 And he arose and came to his father, 579 00:31:11,039 --> 00:31:12,680 but when he was still a great way off, 580 00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:15,700 his father saw him and had compassion, 581 00:31:16,199 --> 00:31:20,180 and he ran and fell on his son's neck and kissed him. 582 00:31:20,700 --> 00:31:21,819 And the son said to him, 583 00:31:21,819 --> 00:31:23,400 father, I have sinned against heaven and earth, 584 00:31:23,460 --> 00:31:24,059 and in your sight, 585 00:31:24,319 --> 00:31:26,299 and am no longer worthy to be called your son. 586 00:31:26,599 --> 00:31:28,619 But the father said to his servants, 587 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:30,480 bring out the best robe. 588 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:31,599 Put it on him. 589 00:31:32,019 --> 00:31:34,500 Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, 590 00:31:34,839 --> 00:31:37,200 and bring the fatted calf here and kill it, 591 00:31:37,259 --> 00:31:38,920 and let us eat and be merry. 592 00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:41,940 Before he could even say anything, 593 00:31:42,539 --> 00:31:44,200 before he could even confess it, 594 00:31:44,460 --> 00:31:45,900 the forgiveness was already there. 595 00:31:46,819 --> 00:31:48,740 His father was sprinting, 596 00:31:48,839 --> 00:31:50,299 which people back then didn't do. 597 00:31:51,019 --> 00:31:51,500 Right? 598 00:31:52,460 --> 00:31:54,640 Sprinted, met him, hugged him, kissed him, 599 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:57,299 welcomed him back before he could even get the words out. 600 00:31:58,619 --> 00:32:00,740 And then he says his little speech, 601 00:32:01,460 --> 00:32:02,279 but he already said, 602 00:32:02,420 --> 00:32:03,920 hey, let's get the party ready, right? 603 00:32:04,259 --> 00:32:05,920 Like all the heaven, the angels, 604 00:32:06,500 --> 00:32:08,259 everyone starts cheering the moment 605 00:32:08,259 --> 00:32:09,859 a sinner returns to God. 606 00:32:10,519 --> 00:32:10,740 Right? 607 00:32:11,160 --> 00:32:13,559 And the moment we as sons and daughters of God, 608 00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:15,819 even if we fall into sin, 609 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:17,960 as soon as we do, don't hide it. 610 00:32:17,960 --> 00:32:18,839 Bring it to him. 611 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:20,680 Immediately find forgiveness, 612 00:32:21,079 --> 00:32:23,160 and that is the heart God has for you. 613 00:32:23,460 --> 00:32:23,920 Every time. 614 00:32:24,839 --> 00:32:25,579 Every single time. 615 00:32:28,179 --> 00:32:29,619 So I have some points, 616 00:32:29,799 --> 00:32:31,960 and it's also going to be kind of the discussion topic, 617 00:32:32,399 --> 00:32:33,359 topics we have up to, 618 00:32:33,559 --> 00:32:37,440 but like how do we practice this that we were talking about? 619 00:32:37,440 --> 00:32:38,380 How do we walk it out, 620 00:32:38,519 --> 00:32:40,200 this like freedom and crisis confession? 621 00:32:40,539 --> 00:32:43,059 And I just kind of quickly put down some points. 622 00:32:43,359 --> 00:32:44,680 It's not exhaustive, obviously. 623 00:32:45,380 --> 00:32:47,440 You guys can add stuff to this as well. 624 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:50,920 But the first thing to do, 625 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,000 just in how you walk with God, 626 00:32:53,279 --> 00:32:54,940 this is day in, day out, 627 00:32:55,220 --> 00:32:56,460 relationship with him, 628 00:32:56,900 --> 00:32:58,339 is to be honest with him. 629 00:32:58,940 --> 00:33:00,619 Like if we can't be honest with God, 630 00:33:01,119 --> 00:33:02,380 we're not honest with anyone. 631 00:33:02,579 --> 00:33:03,680 We're not honest with ourself. 632 00:33:04,259 --> 00:33:06,339 We're not honest with the people around us. 633 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:08,400 We have to be honest with God first. 634 00:33:09,420 --> 00:33:10,980 And when we're honest with him, 635 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:12,660 that's where true friendship starts. 636 00:33:12,799 --> 00:33:14,660 That's where we actually are close to him 637 00:33:14,660 --> 00:33:16,339 and we hear him speaking to us. 638 00:33:16,339 --> 00:33:17,839 So we're honest with him. 639 00:33:18,359 --> 00:33:20,220 The next thing is to keep a soft heart with God. 640 00:33:20,900 --> 00:33:23,519 So let's say it's not even like anything's wrong, 641 00:33:23,519 --> 00:33:25,779 but you're just distracted and you feel cold 642 00:33:25,779 --> 00:33:28,519 and you're not hearing him like you used to. 643 00:33:28,599 --> 00:33:30,460 You're not feeling him like you used to. 644 00:33:30,839 --> 00:33:32,819 You need to stop that immediately. 645 00:33:33,119 --> 00:33:34,880 You need to get some time with him, 646 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:35,700 talk with him, 647 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:38,900 listen to some worship songs that move your heart. 648 00:33:39,140 --> 00:33:42,420 Like do something to get into that secret place 649 00:33:43,099 --> 00:33:44,920 that Jesus shows us in the Gospels. 650 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:46,539 Get into that secret place with him 651 00:33:46,539 --> 00:33:48,500 and get your heart soft with him 652 00:33:48,500 --> 00:33:50,039 so you can feel him and hear him again. 653 00:33:51,500 --> 00:33:52,980 Like we just read, 654 00:33:53,700 --> 00:33:54,819 pray for help. 655 00:33:55,299 --> 00:33:56,759 Like how often do we go through life 656 00:33:56,759 --> 00:33:58,599 without even asking for help, right? 657 00:33:58,839 --> 00:34:01,859 Like you might be struggling with a temptation 658 00:34:01,859 --> 00:34:04,900 or you might just be like weighed down 659 00:34:04,900 --> 00:34:06,420 by cares and worries. 660 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:07,680 Talk to him. 661 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:09,559 Pray for help and grace, 662 00:34:09,699 --> 00:34:11,000 his power to overcome. 663 00:34:11,619 --> 00:34:13,039 Then if you do sin, 664 00:34:13,599 --> 00:34:15,739 confess your sin immediately to God, 665 00:34:16,099 --> 00:34:17,019 but also to each other. 666 00:34:17,440 --> 00:34:18,880 James 5, 16 says, 667 00:34:19,199 --> 00:34:20,940 therefore confess your sins to each other 668 00:34:20,940 --> 00:34:23,380 and pray for each other so that you may be healed. 669 00:34:23,780 --> 00:34:25,400 The prayer of a righteous person 670 00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:27,260 is powerful and effective. 671 00:34:27,900 --> 00:34:28,719 Don't do it on your own. 672 00:34:28,920 --> 00:34:30,179 Have people around you, 673 00:34:30,639 --> 00:34:31,940 family members, friends, 674 00:34:32,280 --> 00:34:33,900 maybe it's someone you don't really even know well 675 00:34:33,900 --> 00:34:34,860 but you know they're a believer 676 00:34:34,860 --> 00:34:36,320 and you like it better that way 677 00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:38,300 because you're not super close to them, right? 678 00:34:38,420 --> 00:34:39,320 You're not going to feel judged. 679 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:40,539 Like whoever it is, 680 00:34:40,559 --> 00:34:43,179 there's got to be one person at least in your life 681 00:34:43,179 --> 00:34:44,340 that you can be honest with 682 00:34:44,340 --> 00:34:46,219 because when you say things out loud, 683 00:34:46,219 --> 00:34:47,119 there's accountability 684 00:34:47,119 --> 00:34:48,860 and now they're praying for you 685 00:34:48,860 --> 00:34:50,599 and we see in James 5 686 00:34:50,599 --> 00:34:51,940 that there is power 687 00:34:51,940 --> 00:34:55,920 and there's effective work of righteous prayer. 688 00:34:56,880 --> 00:34:58,199 Also, when you confess, 689 00:34:58,639 --> 00:34:59,360 you better repent. 690 00:34:59,840 --> 00:35:00,880 You don't just say it 691 00:35:00,880 --> 00:35:01,940 and then still want to do it 692 00:35:01,940 --> 00:35:02,820 and keep doing it, right? 693 00:35:03,360 --> 00:35:05,219 Repentance means to change your mind, 694 00:35:05,599 --> 00:35:06,320 change your direction. 695 00:35:06,659 --> 00:35:08,920 So if you know something's off 696 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:10,340 and you confess it, 697 00:35:11,059 --> 00:35:13,179 you need to also change your mind 698 00:35:13,179 --> 00:35:15,260 and that is a decision you make 699 00:35:15,260 --> 00:35:17,059 and then when you do that, 700 00:35:17,179 --> 00:35:19,239 the Holy Spirit empowers you, right? 701 00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:22,179 To keep walking in that direction. 702 00:35:23,119 --> 00:35:23,420 Next thing, 703 00:35:23,840 --> 00:35:25,800 keep a short record of wrongs. 704 00:35:25,860 --> 00:35:27,980 You can't be remembering your past forever. 705 00:35:28,260 --> 00:35:30,199 You can't allow your heart to condemn you. 706 00:35:30,440 --> 00:35:33,019 It's going to be too hard of a life, right? 707 00:35:33,079 --> 00:35:33,659 We all mess up. 708 00:35:33,780 --> 00:35:36,039 We need to keep a short record of wrongs 709 00:35:36,039 --> 00:35:37,159 just like David did. 710 00:35:37,159 --> 00:35:39,260 He did some really messed up stuff, right? 711 00:35:39,940 --> 00:35:41,380 And still, the Bible says 712 00:35:41,380 --> 00:35:42,840 he was a man after God's own heart. 713 00:35:42,940 --> 00:35:43,500 He repented. 714 00:35:43,719 --> 00:35:46,380 He walked in communion with God again. 715 00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:47,900 And finally, 716 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:49,500 walk in the Spirit 717 00:35:49,500 --> 00:35:52,039 and you will not gratify the lust of the flesh. 718 00:35:52,280 --> 00:35:53,440 That is Bible word there. 719 00:35:53,619 --> 00:35:54,300 That is truth. 720 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:56,199 If you walk in His Spirit, 721 00:35:56,960 --> 00:35:57,639 you won't. 722 00:35:58,420 --> 00:35:59,519 You might be tempted, 723 00:35:59,699 --> 00:36:00,500 but if you're in the Spirit, 724 00:36:00,820 --> 00:36:04,579 it's impossible to give into that temptation. 725 00:36:05,019 --> 00:36:06,300 As soon as you give into it, 726 00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:07,679 you're not walking in the Spirit anymore. 727 00:36:07,960 --> 00:36:09,039 So walk in His Spirit 728 00:36:09,039 --> 00:36:11,340 and you will not gratify the lust of the flesh. 729 00:36:12,079 --> 00:36:14,599 So there are some topics we can talk about. 730 00:36:16,320 --> 00:36:17,599 And let's just pray. 731 00:36:18,980 --> 00:36:20,300 Lord, we just thank You, God, 732 00:36:20,460 --> 00:36:23,239 for the gift of confession, Lord, 733 00:36:24,059 --> 00:36:26,840 that we actually find freedom, Lord, 734 00:36:27,019 --> 00:36:28,280 from the power of sin. 735 00:36:28,840 --> 00:36:30,260 We find forgiveness. 736 00:36:30,860 --> 00:36:32,880 We find power by the prayer 737 00:36:32,880 --> 00:36:35,480 of our brothers and sisters in Christ. 738 00:36:36,219 --> 00:36:39,360 We find freedom from guilt, God, 739 00:36:39,800 --> 00:36:41,900 that we can have a clear conscience before You. 740 00:36:42,380 --> 00:36:44,300 And we know 100 percent 741 00:36:44,300 --> 00:36:46,260 when we confess You 742 00:36:46,260 --> 00:36:48,460 and confess our sin to You, God, 743 00:36:48,900 --> 00:36:51,000 You are faithful and just to forgive us. 744 00:36:51,380 --> 00:36:52,480 There is nothing, Lord, 745 00:36:52,880 --> 00:36:54,480 more powerful than You 746 00:36:54,480 --> 00:36:56,059 and Your forgiveness and Your love. 747 00:36:56,260 --> 00:36:58,219 So we pray tonight, God, 748 00:36:58,320 --> 00:37:00,460 that Your Holy Spirit would do a work in us. 749 00:37:00,460 --> 00:37:04,219 I pray that You would be so close to us 750 00:37:04,219 --> 00:37:05,599 in our conversations, God. 751 00:37:06,139 --> 00:37:07,260 And I pray, Lord, 752 00:37:07,380 --> 00:37:09,099 even if there's something that someone feels like 753 00:37:09,099 --> 00:37:10,679 they just want to open up about, Lord, 754 00:37:10,820 --> 00:37:12,860 and confess, I pray that they would have the courage 755 00:37:12,860 --> 00:37:13,599 to do that tonight 756 00:37:13,599 --> 00:37:16,420 and find some of this freedom that we're talking about. 757 00:37:16,920 --> 00:37:17,920 And I thank You, Jesus, 758 00:37:18,039 --> 00:37:20,159 for Your goodness, Your faithfulness, 759 00:37:20,300 --> 00:37:22,219 and all that You're doing in our lives. 760 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:23,719 And we love You, in Jesus' name, amen. 761 00:37:27,740 --> 00:37:31,019 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church 762 00:37:31,019 --> 00:37:33,539 as we praise God and discuss His Word. 763 00:37:34,260 --> 00:37:37,280 Don't forget to join us for Worship Lives Sunday mornings 764 00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:39,699 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 765 00:37:40,699 --> 00:37:42,780 Be blessed and have a great day!