1 00:00:14,099 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,079 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,660 --> 00:00:26,920 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,020 --> 00:00:41,240 So this message can be a tough one sometimes, you know, these verses. 5 00:00:41,579 --> 00:00:44,320 Some of you will know what I mean as soon as you start looking at them. 6 00:00:44,500 --> 00:00:52,700 But they're very controversial, so I don't take going through these verses lightly. 7 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:53,740 That's for sure. 8 00:00:54,420 --> 00:01:01,299 And it's controversial, really, because a lot of times people use this to create doubt, you know. 9 00:01:02,859 --> 00:01:04,519 Can I lose my salvation? 10 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,680 You know, am I even saved? 11 00:01:08,879 --> 00:01:11,200 What do I have to do to stay saved? 12 00:01:11,500 --> 00:01:12,739 You know, a lot of these things. 13 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:16,120 And like I said, it's very controversial. 14 00:01:16,439 --> 00:01:20,980 And, you know, what do you do with verses like this in the Bible that talk about, you know, 15 00:01:22,359 --> 00:01:25,219 warning you about falling into too much sin. 16 00:01:25,359 --> 00:01:28,200 And I just want to go through a few of them before we get started. 17 00:01:28,700 --> 00:01:31,219 Because let's just get it out of the way, okay? 18 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:34,260 Let's create the tension in the room, okay? 19 00:01:34,359 --> 00:01:36,319 Right here, right now, okay? 20 00:01:36,780 --> 00:01:42,420 And then once we look at it, then we can progress and just rest in the Lord, okay? 21 00:01:42,719 --> 00:01:45,640 But I want to bring up some stressful verses, okay? 22 00:01:45,719 --> 00:01:46,140 Do you mind? 23 00:01:46,739 --> 00:01:47,319 Can we do that? 24 00:01:48,159 --> 00:01:49,099 Did we pray yet? 25 00:01:49,099 --> 00:01:50,840 I think we didn't pray for the message. 26 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:56,420 Father, God, I'm going to just ask you, Lord, that your Spirit would use these verses in your Scripture 27 00:01:57,100 --> 00:02:04,319 to really settle in each one of us, Lord, and help us reconcile disobedience in our lives 28 00:02:04,319 --> 00:02:08,060 with the assurance of hope to the end, Lord God. 29 00:02:08,379 --> 00:02:10,039 Help us reconcile these things. 30 00:02:10,500 --> 00:02:17,039 And, Lord, I most of all ask you to bypass me or anything I can say that isn't directly from your Spirit, 31 00:02:17,039 --> 00:02:21,259 that you would say what you're supposed to say, Lord, and I would get out of the way. 32 00:02:21,759 --> 00:02:23,479 In Jesus' name, amen. 33 00:02:24,740 --> 00:02:32,099 So, in fact, later in Hebrews, okay, we're going to read Hebrews 10, 26, and 27. 34 00:02:33,159 --> 00:02:37,539 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, 35 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:41,759 there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 36 00:02:42,759 --> 00:02:48,340 but certain fearful expectations of judgment and fiery indignation, 37 00:02:48,879 --> 00:02:52,000 which will devour the adversaries, okay? 38 00:02:52,539 --> 00:02:56,659 That's a little, that probably gets your hair to stand up on the back of your neck a little bit, 39 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:58,340 because we all sin, don't we? 40 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,740 Okay, so we're going to attempt to reconcile that a little bit. 41 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:08,759 More about sin, 1 John 2.4 says, he who says, there's kind of an echo here. 42 00:03:08,819 --> 00:03:10,460 Is that something we can tweak? 43 00:03:11,679 --> 00:03:17,780 And he who says, I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar, 44 00:03:17,780 --> 00:03:20,439 and the truth is not in him. 45 00:03:21,319 --> 00:03:22,139 Tough, right? 46 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:22,960 Tough. 47 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:28,520 And of course, moving into works, what do I have to do to be saved? 48 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:30,719 Don't worry, we're going to address all these things. 49 00:03:30,819 --> 00:03:32,159 Some people are getting ready to walk out. 50 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:33,060 What's he talking about? 51 00:03:33,599 --> 00:03:35,879 But faith without works is dead. 52 00:03:36,180 --> 00:03:39,419 James says this three times in the same chapter, okay? 53 00:03:39,419 --> 00:03:41,960 Faith without works is dead. 54 00:03:42,159 --> 00:03:44,680 So there's going to be evidence of our faith, right? 55 00:03:45,099 --> 00:03:45,740 In works. 56 00:03:46,919 --> 00:03:53,979 Jesus himself said, and a lot of people use this verse to really create angst, okay? 57 00:03:54,479 --> 00:03:59,699 But Matthew 7, 21 to 23, not everyone who says to me, 58 00:03:59,780 --> 00:04:02,460 Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, 59 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,300 but he who does the will of my Father in heaven, 60 00:04:05,819 --> 00:04:07,919 many will say to me on that day, 61 00:04:07,919 --> 00:04:11,740 Lord, Lord, we have not, have we not prophesied in your name, 62 00:04:11,879 --> 00:04:16,800 cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? 63 00:04:17,180 --> 00:04:20,860 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, 64 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,759 depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. 65 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:27,519 Again, we're going to, you know, there's a, 66 00:04:29,199 --> 00:04:32,019 you can challenge every one of these verses in context, 67 00:04:32,439 --> 00:04:34,019 but still they're here, you know? 68 00:04:34,019 --> 00:04:38,540 And I say to this one, the Lord has always known me. 69 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,500 If you're in Christ, he's always known you too, you know, 70 00:04:42,639 --> 00:04:44,379 because we are foreknown, right? 71 00:04:44,959 --> 00:04:48,019 We are foreknown, predestined to be the image of God. 72 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,540 We are called, justified, and glorified, right? 73 00:04:51,959 --> 00:04:53,839 So he's always known you. 74 00:04:54,199 --> 00:04:58,439 So, but in a sense, we can read this and say, like, I never knew you. 75 00:04:58,540 --> 00:05:03,220 So there'll be people that don't grasp where they're at with the Lord. 76 00:05:03,220 --> 00:05:04,839 So we're going to talk about that. 77 00:05:06,300 --> 00:05:07,759 And then finally, just one more, 78 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,300 when Paul kind of encourages the Corinthians in his second letter, 79 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,879 he says, examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. 80 00:05:17,319 --> 00:05:18,160 Test yourselves. 81 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:23,220 Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, 82 00:05:23,639 --> 00:05:26,160 unless indeed you are disqualified? 83 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:28,920 Okay, so, so that's the last one. 84 00:05:29,519 --> 00:05:30,100 Are we good? 85 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:32,100 All right, we can take a big deep breath, 86 00:05:32,100 --> 00:05:34,540 because these verses are here. 87 00:05:35,339 --> 00:05:39,420 And so what we're going to talk about today is a little more of that, okay? 88 00:05:39,500 --> 00:05:41,740 But then we're going to really reconcile it. 89 00:05:42,379 --> 00:05:45,420 And, you know, it's okay sometimes to have some tension. 90 00:05:46,019 --> 00:05:46,579 Do you know what I mean? 91 00:05:47,180 --> 00:05:50,079 Like, some tension in life is good. 92 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:50,980 I'll give you an example. 93 00:05:51,579 --> 00:05:54,620 There was a lot of tension up here when we were worshipping. 94 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:56,060 There was a guitar. 95 00:05:57,180 --> 00:05:59,620 You know, those strings have tension, right? 96 00:05:59,620 --> 00:06:02,899 When they're strummed, they release a tune, 97 00:06:03,399 --> 00:06:05,259 that we were all worshipping to, right? 98 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:07,720 And Vernon on the bass, right? 99 00:06:08,500 --> 00:06:11,040 And Andrew on the electric guitar, 100 00:06:11,199 --> 00:06:14,120 we were worshipping in tension, right? 101 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,879 Because tension, some tension can be good, okay? 102 00:06:18,579 --> 00:06:23,040 I was bouncing on a trampoline two days ago with haze, 103 00:06:23,399 --> 00:06:26,300 and it wasn't good for my knees, but it was good. 104 00:06:26,379 --> 00:06:27,259 We had a good time. 105 00:06:27,259 --> 00:06:31,259 I'm still feeling a little bit of it right now, but it's good. 106 00:06:31,740 --> 00:06:37,019 Trampolines use tension to operate, right? 107 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:41,319 One thing I was thinking about when Ben goes down to Nashville. 108 00:06:41,660 --> 00:06:44,040 We've been to Nashville so many times 109 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:47,079 because all our kids lived down there at one time. 110 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:52,259 And when you go down there, one thing you'll see across the whole city are cranes. 111 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:54,360 You've never seen so many cranes. 112 00:06:54,540 --> 00:06:55,699 I mean, they are just built. 113 00:06:55,699 --> 00:06:58,300 I don't know if they still are, but this was only a couple of years ago. 114 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:00,240 They are building like crazy. 115 00:07:00,980 --> 00:07:01,779 Cranes everywhere. 116 00:07:02,500 --> 00:07:02,920 Construction. 117 00:07:03,500 --> 00:07:06,800 Well, cranes operate on tension, right? 118 00:07:07,079 --> 00:07:10,540 So some tension produces something good, okay? 119 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:13,740 And we can go through so many more examples. 120 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:15,480 You know, a bow and arrow, you know? 121 00:07:15,579 --> 00:07:17,040 It depends where the arrow is pointing. 122 00:07:17,519 --> 00:07:18,740 But a bow and arrow is good. 123 00:07:19,199 --> 00:07:24,379 David Sling, you know, when he had to create tension in that thing 124 00:07:24,379 --> 00:07:27,639 before he released the rock, it took down Goliath, right? 125 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:31,019 Because some tension is good. 126 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,319 So we're going to look at some things that can bring tension, 127 00:07:34,699 --> 00:07:36,660 but what are we going to do with it? 128 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:43,019 Not allow doubt, worry, fear, condemnation to set in. 129 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:47,680 Instead, we're going to let it propel us to something greater, right? 130 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:52,339 We're going to use tension not to have doubt and say, 131 00:07:52,339 --> 00:07:55,620 well, maybe I'm not, or any of this nonsense, right? 132 00:07:56,060 --> 00:07:58,759 Instead, it's going to propel us forward, amen? 133 00:07:59,720 --> 00:07:59,939 Right? 134 00:08:00,079 --> 00:08:02,959 We got to be propelled forward to believe more 135 00:08:02,959 --> 00:08:06,720 because the Lord is going to produce fruit in your life. 136 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:08,939 He promises that, amen? 137 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:16,199 So is that a good enough kind of intro and preparation before we get started? 138 00:08:16,199 --> 00:08:22,279 So Hebrews chapter 6 verse 4, 139 00:08:23,199 --> 00:08:28,100 for it is impossible, I'm going to read these slow so we can really grab on, 140 00:08:28,699 --> 00:08:32,220 for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened 141 00:08:32,220 --> 00:08:35,559 and have tasted the heavenly gift 142 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,659 and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit 143 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,139 and have tasted the good word of God 144 00:08:43,139 --> 00:08:47,299 and the powers of the age to come 145 00:08:48,180 --> 00:08:53,259 if they fall away to renew them again to repentance 146 00:08:53,259 --> 00:08:59,600 since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God 147 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:02,399 and put him to an open shame. 148 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:04,460 So let's just stop there for a second. 149 00:09:06,139 --> 00:09:09,340 So when you read these credentials, to me, 150 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:12,639 this looks like someone who's a believer, wouldn't you think? 151 00:09:12,639 --> 00:09:17,179 I mean, like they've tasted the heavenly gift, 152 00:09:17,340 --> 00:09:20,620 they were partakers of the Holy Spirit, 153 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:25,500 tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. 154 00:09:25,820 --> 00:09:28,639 I mean, this is someone who's in it, right? 155 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:33,440 I mean, partakers of the Holy Spirit, not just some kind of ricochet of it, 156 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,220 they partook in the Holy Spirit. 157 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:37,960 So they were in, okay? 158 00:09:38,580 --> 00:09:41,500 And it says, if they fall away. 159 00:09:42,519 --> 00:09:45,480 Now, I wish that word fall away, 160 00:09:45,779 --> 00:09:49,460 the Greek word is parapypto, okay? 161 00:09:49,620 --> 00:09:50,639 Aren't you glad I said that? 162 00:09:50,779 --> 00:09:53,759 I'm glad that you didn't sit up close as I was saying it here. 163 00:09:54,019 --> 00:09:55,500 I'd be spitting on you right now. 164 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,960 But parapypto, it means fall away, 165 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,940 but that's the only place in the Bible you'll find that word. 166 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,580 So I wanted to find that word somewhere else so I could say, 167 00:10:04,620 --> 00:10:08,240 what exactly do you mean by fall away, right? 168 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,500 But that's the only place that word is located. 169 00:10:11,039 --> 00:10:13,600 Now, there's other times the word says fall away, 170 00:10:13,620 --> 00:10:15,059 but they don't use that word, you know? 171 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:18,220 So, but it says, if they fall away. 172 00:10:18,279 --> 00:10:19,980 Now, the word is if, okay? 173 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:25,120 But you see this Christian who is partaking in all these things 174 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:29,000 and then they fall away, okay? 175 00:10:29,419 --> 00:10:32,320 You say, well, has anyone ever fallen away in the Bible, 176 00:10:32,379 --> 00:10:33,519 like they were saved? 177 00:10:34,319 --> 00:10:37,440 Well, they partook in the Holy Spirit. 178 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:40,480 In fact, Paul spoke about a guy named Demas. 179 00:10:40,860 --> 00:10:42,519 Now, assuming he's the same Demas, 180 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,460 I don't know how many people walked around with that name back then, 181 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:48,820 but he talked about a Demas in his first two letters like, 182 00:10:49,100 --> 00:10:51,799 yeah, this guy Demas, you know, he welcomes you, 183 00:10:51,860 --> 00:10:53,639 he says hello in the Spirit and all that. 184 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,399 And then by 2 Timothy, the last letter Paul ever wrote 185 00:10:57,399 --> 00:10:59,559 was to Timothy saying, yeah, Timothy, 186 00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:02,580 he forsook me while I was in prison 187 00:11:02,580 --> 00:11:06,139 and he left to follow the world, okay? 188 00:11:06,139 --> 00:11:07,360 So there's that. 189 00:11:07,860 --> 00:11:09,139 He talks about a guy named Alexander, 190 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:11,879 which he once spoke highly of. 191 00:11:12,399 --> 00:11:15,899 Suddenly, the Alexander and his buddy, Humanius, 192 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:18,360 I gave over to Satan to have his way. 193 00:11:18,700 --> 00:11:22,139 So, you know, he was, they were in the early church 194 00:11:22,139 --> 00:11:25,639 in when all of it was starting to happen and boom, you know? 195 00:11:25,980 --> 00:11:28,120 The Spirit's doing all kinds of amazing things. 196 00:11:28,539 --> 00:11:32,179 So there's no things that you could see people fell away. 197 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:33,720 Maybe they came back, you know, 198 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:36,799 the Lord doesn't finish the whole package for us, 199 00:11:36,919 --> 00:11:40,179 but it's a warning, it's tension, okay? 200 00:11:40,460 --> 00:11:41,980 It's okay to have tension 201 00:11:41,980 --> 00:11:44,200 because it's not gonna compel us backwards, 202 00:11:44,419 --> 00:11:46,779 it's gonna compel us forward, right? 203 00:11:46,860 --> 00:11:47,940 There's gonna be something beautiful 204 00:11:47,940 --> 00:11:50,279 that comes out of tension, right? 205 00:11:50,940 --> 00:11:53,139 And so we see this tension, 206 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,519 but it starts off with, for it is impossible. 207 00:11:57,500 --> 00:12:02,820 It is impossible for someone to be returned to repentance 208 00:12:02,820 --> 00:12:04,639 after they've tasted all this. 209 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:06,639 Now, the word impossible, 210 00:12:06,639 --> 00:12:11,120 we're just gonna take a look at three verses in Hebrews, 211 00:12:11,659 --> 00:12:13,240 and it says it is what? 212 00:12:13,779 --> 00:12:16,779 The word adunatos means not powerful. 213 00:12:17,039 --> 00:12:19,159 Remember dunamis means power, miracles. 214 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:23,100 Well, dunatos is kind of a form of that word, 215 00:12:23,279 --> 00:12:24,720 it means power, right? 216 00:12:25,279 --> 00:12:29,080 Well, adunatos means no power, right? 217 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:30,820 So it's impossible. 218 00:12:30,820 --> 00:12:35,580 So the word in Hebrew says it is impossible for God to lie. 219 00:12:35,980 --> 00:12:38,340 We believe that, don't we? Okay. 220 00:12:39,039 --> 00:12:40,740 Also, it says it is impossible 221 00:12:40,740 --> 00:12:43,860 for all those sacrifices of the Old Testament 222 00:12:43,860 --> 00:12:46,159 when they slipped the throats of the animals 223 00:12:46,159 --> 00:12:47,139 and drained it out. 224 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:48,700 Did that take away sins? 225 00:12:50,300 --> 00:12:51,720 No, right? 226 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:53,159 It just covered over, 227 00:12:53,179 --> 00:12:54,980 but it was all a picture of Jesus Christ 228 00:12:54,980 --> 00:12:57,840 who had shed his blood from all mankind, right? 229 00:12:57,840 --> 00:12:59,879 It's impossible, right? 230 00:13:00,759 --> 00:13:01,580 The next verse, 231 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:06,639 but without faith, it is impossible to please God. 232 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:08,340 We believe that, isn't it? Don't we? 233 00:13:08,460 --> 00:13:11,419 I mean, you have to please God in faith, right? 234 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:13,539 So these are all the same words. 235 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:16,220 Adunatos means impossible. 236 00:13:17,799 --> 00:13:19,840 So what does he mean by it's impossible 237 00:13:20,659 --> 00:13:23,139 to restore someone to repentance 238 00:13:23,139 --> 00:13:27,259 after they've experienced the good things of God? 239 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:30,340 Well, is it impossible? 240 00:13:30,740 --> 00:13:34,360 Is it really impossible for God to do anything? 241 00:13:35,859 --> 00:13:37,720 No, it's not. 242 00:13:37,860 --> 00:13:39,080 It's impossible for us. 243 00:13:39,759 --> 00:13:41,879 We can't muster up repentance. 244 00:13:42,659 --> 00:13:45,080 We can't say, all right, I'm gonna change my mind again, 245 00:13:45,399 --> 00:13:46,759 but God can. 246 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:49,600 Nothing's impossible for God. 247 00:13:49,659 --> 00:13:53,539 I love when he was speaking to that rich young ruler, 248 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,860 remember, and he said, you know, give it all away. 249 00:13:55,940 --> 00:13:56,980 And it wasn't about what he had. 250 00:13:56,980 --> 00:13:58,919 It was about that stuff had him, right? 251 00:13:59,059 --> 00:14:01,279 And he said, sell it all and follow me. 252 00:14:01,399 --> 00:14:02,480 And he went away sad. 253 00:14:03,039 --> 00:14:04,820 And they're all watching like, wow, that guy, 254 00:14:04,899 --> 00:14:05,759 he had everything. 255 00:14:05,799 --> 00:14:06,639 He was religious. 256 00:14:07,019 --> 00:14:07,899 He was a ruler. 257 00:14:08,059 --> 00:14:10,159 He was young and he had money. 258 00:14:10,580 --> 00:14:12,059 What else do you need in life, right? 259 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:14,440 And he wouldn't follow Jesus, right? 260 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,159 And he went away and Jesus starts saying, 261 00:14:16,299 --> 00:14:18,519 yeah, how hard it is for a rich guy 262 00:14:19,019 --> 00:14:20,820 to enter the kingdom of God. 263 00:14:22,179 --> 00:14:24,240 Now, he wasn't saying no one rich can enter. 264 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,860 He's saying how hard it is because those things 265 00:14:26,860 --> 00:14:29,220 have possessed the person. 266 00:14:29,779 --> 00:14:32,559 And then his disciples said, well, then who can be saved? 267 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:34,580 You know, and then he said, well, with man, 268 00:14:34,779 --> 00:14:37,039 it is adunatos, impossible. 269 00:14:37,820 --> 00:14:41,980 But with God, all things are possible. 270 00:14:42,899 --> 00:14:45,200 All things are possible with God. 271 00:14:45,259 --> 00:14:46,519 He can do it, can he? 272 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:49,659 Right, even when we can't, he can. 273 00:14:49,799 --> 00:14:51,480 He does the impossible. 274 00:14:51,899 --> 00:14:53,240 He makes the impossible possible. 275 00:14:53,289 --> 00:14:57,450 He takes the I am out of possible, impossible. 276 00:14:57,970 --> 00:14:58,570 That makes it possible. 277 00:14:58,750 --> 00:14:59,149 Does that make sense? 278 00:14:59,370 --> 00:15:02,529 Anyway, but do you remember when Jesus was up 279 00:15:02,529 --> 00:15:03,730 on the Mount of Transfiguration 280 00:15:03,730 --> 00:15:05,789 and he appeared in a miraculous way 281 00:15:05,789 --> 00:15:07,490 before Peter, James, and John, 282 00:15:08,029 --> 00:15:09,190 and they're like, wow, you know, 283 00:15:09,250 --> 00:15:10,169 and they were walking in 284 00:15:10,169 --> 00:15:11,690 and they got to the bottom of the mountain 285 00:15:11,690 --> 00:15:13,289 and all of a sudden this demoniac, 286 00:15:14,009 --> 00:15:15,230 the dad's demoniac, 287 00:15:15,350 --> 00:15:17,990 they couldn't cast out the demon out of the sun 288 00:15:17,990 --> 00:15:19,950 and everyone's trying and everything. 289 00:15:20,429 --> 00:15:22,490 And then suddenly the Lord just turns to him 290 00:15:22,490 --> 00:15:25,690 and the guy says, please, please, please, can you, 291 00:15:25,730 --> 00:15:28,590 can you cast out this demon out of my son? 292 00:15:29,269 --> 00:15:31,409 And he said, and then he said that next verse, 293 00:15:31,809 --> 00:15:33,490 with man, it is impossible. 294 00:15:33,789 --> 00:15:37,970 All things are possible for those who believe. 295 00:15:38,850 --> 00:15:43,289 So this word impossible is impossible with man, 296 00:15:43,690 --> 00:15:45,649 but nothing's impossible for God, amen? 297 00:15:46,190 --> 00:15:47,110 He can do anything. 298 00:15:47,549 --> 00:15:50,110 He can restore people to repentance. 299 00:15:50,110 --> 00:15:54,129 You know, some people feel like, oh, I let them down again. 300 00:15:54,409 --> 00:15:57,330 I just burned my bridge to God, okay? 301 00:15:57,450 --> 00:16:00,049 As if it's your bridge that you can burn, right? 302 00:16:00,490 --> 00:16:01,769 You didn't build that bridge. 303 00:16:02,309 --> 00:16:03,610 God built the bridge, right? 304 00:16:04,169 --> 00:16:08,129 And with his cross, he built the bridge. 305 00:16:08,250 --> 00:16:09,350 You ever see that graphic 306 00:16:09,350 --> 00:16:11,769 when they show everybody walking across into heaven 307 00:16:11,769 --> 00:16:13,090 across the bridge, 308 00:16:13,590 --> 00:16:15,450 but some people want to find another way, 309 00:16:15,529 --> 00:16:17,049 they just dropping off, you know? 310 00:16:17,490 --> 00:16:18,870 Well, that's the picture, you know? 311 00:16:18,870 --> 00:16:20,950 We didn't build the cross. 312 00:16:21,629 --> 00:16:24,690 It's Christ, he provided the bridge to him, right? 313 00:16:25,110 --> 00:16:26,750 So he can do all things. 314 00:16:27,169 --> 00:16:30,470 So anyway, so let's move on from there 315 00:16:30,470 --> 00:16:32,250 because all things are possible. 316 00:16:32,429 --> 00:16:34,769 Let's read the next couple of verses in here, 317 00:16:35,629 --> 00:16:38,250 which is verse seven. 318 00:16:39,090 --> 00:16:40,909 For the earth which drinks in the rain 319 00:16:40,909 --> 00:16:42,809 that often comes upon it 320 00:16:42,809 --> 00:16:47,789 and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated 321 00:16:47,789 --> 00:16:50,090 receives blessing from God, 322 00:16:50,470 --> 00:16:52,970 but if it bears thorns and briars 323 00:16:52,970 --> 00:16:56,830 it is rejected and near to being cursed 324 00:16:57,810 --> 00:17:01,049 whose end is to be burned, okay? 325 00:17:01,470 --> 00:17:03,330 So now we're getting into fruit. 326 00:17:03,990 --> 00:17:06,230 Someone who, that rain is a picture 327 00:17:06,230 --> 00:17:08,009 of everything those people have received, 328 00:17:08,230 --> 00:17:09,829 the tasting that the word is good, 329 00:17:10,170 --> 00:17:12,049 partaking of the Holy Spirit, 330 00:17:12,470 --> 00:17:14,730 all these amazing things, the heavenly gift, 331 00:17:14,730 --> 00:17:17,470 they were in the body of Christ. 332 00:17:18,069 --> 00:17:19,470 They experienced all of it. 333 00:17:19,589 --> 00:17:21,450 The rain was coming down, you know, in the Word, 334 00:17:21,890 --> 00:17:24,910 quite often the Spirit is a picture of the rain, you know? 335 00:17:25,329 --> 00:17:26,970 And so they were receiving all of it 336 00:17:26,970 --> 00:17:29,750 and instead of bearing good fruit, 337 00:17:30,190 --> 00:17:33,230 they were bearing thorns and briars, 338 00:17:33,650 --> 00:17:34,930 thorns and briars. 339 00:17:35,309 --> 00:17:38,410 You ever remember when a kid used to run through the woods 340 00:17:38,410 --> 00:17:40,089 or something and all of a sudden you're like, 341 00:17:40,190 --> 00:17:43,549 ah, you're like stuck in the middle of just bushes 342 00:17:43,990 --> 00:17:45,210 and they're ripping your, 343 00:17:45,289 --> 00:17:47,210 and they're just ripping your skin off 344 00:17:47,210 --> 00:17:48,450 and you have shorts, you're dumb enough 345 00:17:48,450 --> 00:17:49,829 to wear shorts into the woods, right? 346 00:17:49,910 --> 00:17:50,869 And you're like, ah, you know? 347 00:17:51,250 --> 00:17:55,269 Because it's just, it's a horrible place to be 348 00:17:55,269 --> 00:17:57,430 and yet people who have the Lord 349 00:17:57,430 --> 00:18:00,890 and their life looks like thorns and briars. 350 00:18:01,029 --> 00:18:02,970 In fact, they have a picture of these thorns and briars. 351 00:18:03,049 --> 00:18:06,410 How would you like your bare leg to run through that, okay? 352 00:18:06,710 --> 00:18:08,089 It's gonna do some damage. 353 00:18:08,309 --> 00:18:09,670 Well, a lot of people, 354 00:18:11,410 --> 00:18:13,910 they've tasted things in the church 355 00:18:13,910 --> 00:18:18,369 but they still are living a life of thorns and briars 356 00:18:18,369 --> 00:18:22,130 and, you know, thorns are really always a picture of a curse, 357 00:18:22,569 --> 00:18:22,950 you know? 358 00:18:23,329 --> 00:18:25,670 They're always a picture of barrenness 359 00:18:26,690 --> 00:18:30,589 because, you know, thorns still grow in barren wastelands 360 00:18:30,589 --> 00:18:31,930 where there's like no water. 361 00:18:32,769 --> 00:18:33,890 The thorns and weeds, 362 00:18:34,109 --> 00:18:37,069 somehow weeds always are able to survive everything. 363 00:18:37,210 --> 00:18:37,750 What is that? 364 00:18:37,750 --> 00:18:40,150 You know, it's the things you don't want growing. 365 00:18:40,490 --> 00:18:42,029 They can survive anything, right? 366 00:18:42,410 --> 00:18:43,950 But the things that you're cultivating 367 00:18:43,950 --> 00:18:45,710 and all they die so quick sometimes. 368 00:18:46,029 --> 00:18:47,470 But that's a different story. 369 00:18:47,809 --> 00:18:51,430 But thorns and briars, you know, sometimes our lives, 370 00:18:51,710 --> 00:18:54,990 we could just be living really in this cursed life 371 00:18:54,990 --> 00:18:56,369 even though we've been blessed 372 00:18:56,369 --> 00:18:59,170 and set free from all that. 373 00:18:59,490 --> 00:19:01,210 You know, it's just a, I love the picture 374 00:19:01,210 --> 00:19:04,710 that Christ wore a thorn, thorny cross, 375 00:19:04,710 --> 00:19:09,349 a cross of thorns so that we can wear a crown of life. 376 00:19:09,829 --> 00:19:10,650 Did you ever think of that? 377 00:19:11,309 --> 00:19:13,710 Like when they embedded that thorn, 378 00:19:13,849 --> 00:19:15,970 that thorny crown into his scalp 379 00:19:15,970 --> 00:19:17,490 and they hit him with a reed. 380 00:19:17,730 --> 00:19:19,890 It wasn't good enough just to put it lightly 381 00:19:19,890 --> 00:19:20,890 on top of his head. 382 00:19:20,950 --> 00:19:23,609 They had to bang it into his scalp. 383 00:19:24,369 --> 00:19:27,950 He wore a thorny, a crown of thorns, 384 00:19:28,589 --> 00:19:32,230 a life that all of us would live apart from him 385 00:19:32,230 --> 00:19:35,309 so that we can wear the crown of life. 386 00:19:35,470 --> 00:19:37,910 You see in scripture over over the crown of life, 387 00:19:38,009 --> 00:19:41,910 the crown of glory, you know, that glorious crown 388 00:19:41,910 --> 00:19:43,130 that we can all wear. 389 00:19:43,269 --> 00:19:44,650 We don't have to have a life 390 00:19:44,650 --> 00:19:47,750 that continues to produce thorns and briars. 391 00:19:47,970 --> 00:19:50,630 We can produce good things in life 392 00:19:51,230 --> 00:19:52,990 because we've been blessed so much, amen. 393 00:19:54,250 --> 00:19:55,890 And so he's saying, look, 394 00:19:56,450 --> 00:20:01,130 that he's moving now into like this idea of fruit, 395 00:20:01,130 --> 00:20:04,190 what your life looks like as a result 396 00:20:04,190 --> 00:20:06,670 of what God has done in your life. 397 00:20:07,230 --> 00:20:09,029 And there's so many examples of this, 398 00:20:09,529 --> 00:20:12,569 but the Lord, he tells us that we were appointed 399 00:20:13,130 --> 00:20:15,009 for good fruit. 400 00:20:15,650 --> 00:20:19,170 John 18, 15, 16, sorry. 401 00:20:19,430 --> 00:20:21,509 He says, you did not choose me, 402 00:20:21,549 --> 00:20:24,009 but I chose you and appointed you 403 00:20:24,009 --> 00:20:27,109 that you should go and bear fruit 404 00:20:27,109 --> 00:20:29,089 and fruit that should remain, 405 00:20:29,089 --> 00:20:33,470 that whatever you ask the Father in my name, 406 00:20:34,009 --> 00:20:34,990 he may give you. 407 00:20:35,250 --> 00:20:36,990 I mean, does that give you some confidence? 408 00:20:37,230 --> 00:20:40,529 Like, Lord, I just wanna produce your fruit. 409 00:20:41,190 --> 00:20:43,569 You know, scripture tells us about asking amiss 410 00:20:43,569 --> 00:20:45,329 for our own selfish things. 411 00:20:45,670 --> 00:20:48,369 But when we ask to do the Lord's will, 412 00:20:48,509 --> 00:20:49,970 he always gives. 413 00:20:51,009 --> 00:20:53,369 You know, he's the father of every good gift 414 00:20:53,369 --> 00:20:55,170 where there's no shadow of turning. 415 00:20:55,170 --> 00:20:59,250 He's a perfect father who always gives. 416 00:20:59,390 --> 00:21:02,549 Not all of us grew up with a perfect father, but he is. 417 00:21:02,809 --> 00:21:06,329 He always knows what we need before we even ask for it. 418 00:21:06,670 --> 00:21:08,329 And the things we shouldn't have, 419 00:21:08,470 --> 00:21:09,769 he knows enough not to give us. 420 00:21:10,250 --> 00:21:11,930 Sometimes he does it just to give us, 421 00:21:12,029 --> 00:21:15,289 see, I gave you that, you shouldn't have had it, right? 422 00:21:15,789 --> 00:21:18,549 And I've experienced that too, and probably you have too. 423 00:21:18,869 --> 00:21:21,069 But he's a good, good father 424 00:21:21,069 --> 00:21:23,809 who just gives perfect gifts, right? 425 00:21:23,809 --> 00:21:29,069 And so this idea that like, he wants to give us fruit. 426 00:21:29,150 --> 00:21:31,869 He wants us to produce fruit in our lives. 427 00:21:32,549 --> 00:21:36,670 Also, Jesus talks about a tree bearing good fruit. 428 00:21:37,009 --> 00:21:38,970 You know, it's always planted near the waters, 429 00:21:39,150 --> 00:21:40,069 the living waters. 430 00:21:40,650 --> 00:21:43,869 And he says in Luke 6 43 to 44, 431 00:21:44,029 --> 00:21:46,809 he says, for a good tree does not bear bad fruit, 432 00:21:47,750 --> 00:21:49,970 nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 433 00:21:50,109 --> 00:21:53,250 For every tree is known by its own fruit. 434 00:21:53,250 --> 00:21:56,250 For men do not gather figs from thorns, 435 00:21:57,109 --> 00:22:00,190 nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 436 00:22:00,529 --> 00:22:02,470 I don't know exactly what a bramble bush, 437 00:22:02,609 --> 00:22:04,049 but it sounds bad, okay? 438 00:22:04,470 --> 00:22:12,230 But the idea is that he will produce fruit in your life. 439 00:22:12,390 --> 00:22:14,289 We don't have to strive to like, 440 00:22:14,390 --> 00:22:16,089 God, I gotta be productive for you. 441 00:22:16,950 --> 00:22:20,890 When you're walking with him, fruit just finds you. 442 00:22:21,849 --> 00:22:23,690 There's low hanging fruit everywhere. 443 00:22:24,369 --> 00:22:25,769 It really is, it's just, you know, 444 00:22:26,210 --> 00:22:28,730 if you say, Lord, I'm yours, what do you want me to do? 445 00:22:29,430 --> 00:22:31,569 Do what you wanna do through me. 446 00:22:32,649 --> 00:22:36,289 There's always so much at our disposal. 447 00:22:36,750 --> 00:22:39,490 It's just laying out there, low hanging fruit 448 00:22:39,490 --> 00:22:41,089 that you don't have to strive. 449 00:22:41,490 --> 00:22:43,609 Sure, if you wanna go to Honduras with Jamie, 450 00:22:44,170 --> 00:22:46,509 you can go there and there'll be fruit there 451 00:22:46,509 --> 00:22:47,849 and there'll be fruit when you get home. 452 00:22:48,329 --> 00:22:49,329 There's fruit everywhere. 453 00:22:49,329 --> 00:22:52,170 No matter where you turn, there's always something, 454 00:22:52,609 --> 00:22:54,390 but Lord says, hey, why don't you go get that? 455 00:22:55,230 --> 00:22:57,009 You know, that's there for you. 456 00:22:57,230 --> 00:22:58,289 You've produced that. 457 00:22:59,150 --> 00:23:01,210 And that's what he wants to do in our lives. 458 00:23:01,309 --> 00:23:03,190 That's the kind of trees we are. 459 00:23:03,549 --> 00:23:05,009 He produces the fruit. 460 00:23:05,430 --> 00:23:09,490 You know, fruit is not, good works and fruit 461 00:23:10,130 --> 00:23:13,569 is not how we get saved. 462 00:23:14,730 --> 00:23:16,930 Fruit and good works is because we're saved. 463 00:23:17,550 --> 00:23:21,150 It's a product of who we are in Christ. 464 00:23:21,349 --> 00:23:23,289 You can't not bear fruit. 465 00:23:23,910 --> 00:23:27,069 I know sometimes when we go through a dry season, 466 00:23:27,349 --> 00:23:29,369 and I'm starting to produce a lot of thorns, 467 00:23:29,829 --> 00:23:32,109 and I'm starting to scratch Jill a lot 468 00:23:32,109 --> 00:23:35,470 and prick her with briars. 469 00:23:35,710 --> 00:23:37,089 I don't wanna be near you 470 00:23:37,089 --> 00:23:39,529 because I'm getting scratched up near you, right? 471 00:23:40,029 --> 00:23:42,349 And sometimes we could start to question, 472 00:23:42,349 --> 00:23:46,289 you know, like, what's going on with me? 473 00:23:46,950 --> 00:23:48,269 Now, I can just tell you this. 474 00:23:48,690 --> 00:23:52,809 I haven't questioned my salvation in 30 plus years. 475 00:23:52,809 --> 00:23:55,910 I got saved only like 33 years ago only, right? 476 00:23:56,609 --> 00:24:00,630 But I've never, I have not questioned my faith 477 00:24:00,630 --> 00:24:02,130 in over three decades 478 00:24:02,130 --> 00:24:05,829 because there's so much evidence of my faith. 479 00:24:06,410 --> 00:24:09,910 It's just the proof just keeps coming out, everything. 480 00:24:09,910 --> 00:24:12,490 Like, I look around, like, how can I ever question 481 00:24:13,509 --> 00:24:15,490 that everything I'm reading about 482 00:24:15,490 --> 00:24:18,109 and the God who lives in me is true? 483 00:24:19,150 --> 00:24:21,410 Not only the feelings, and he does really, 484 00:24:21,789 --> 00:24:24,869 when he really just moves in you. 485 00:24:24,970 --> 00:24:27,170 I mean, do you ever just start bawling your eyes out 486 00:24:27,170 --> 00:24:28,549 because you're just like so, 487 00:24:29,549 --> 00:24:32,569 there's something so tender going on inside your heart. 488 00:24:32,690 --> 00:24:35,049 It's like, your heart is like putty. 489 00:24:35,470 --> 00:24:36,529 You're like, you're just like, 490 00:24:36,529 --> 00:24:39,809 man, God is just so like wonderful. 491 00:24:40,089 --> 00:24:42,769 The way he takes care of me and my future 492 00:24:42,769 --> 00:24:46,930 and relationships, you suddenly love people more. 493 00:24:47,190 --> 00:24:48,210 Like, there's that. 494 00:24:48,869 --> 00:24:52,869 But there's the fact that everything he says comes true. 495 00:24:53,529 --> 00:24:55,049 We can see it all around the world. 496 00:24:55,150 --> 00:24:56,089 It's all true. 497 00:24:56,970 --> 00:24:58,670 But sometimes when we have these times 498 00:24:58,670 --> 00:25:01,990 that we feel like our lives look a bit briary 499 00:25:01,990 --> 00:25:07,950 and thorny, if you're not trusting God, 500 00:25:08,069 --> 00:25:10,789 you could start questioning your own salvation. 501 00:25:11,369 --> 00:25:14,170 You know, fruit does not dictate salvation. 502 00:25:14,289 --> 00:25:16,049 It's a result of it, right? 503 00:25:16,470 --> 00:25:19,569 It's because we're saved that we produce fruit, right? 504 00:25:19,990 --> 00:25:24,809 So let's finish up in verse nine to 12. 505 00:25:25,529 --> 00:25:28,309 But beloved, we are confident of better things 506 00:25:28,309 --> 00:25:29,369 concerning you. 507 00:25:29,369 --> 00:25:32,549 See, that's that tension that like, 508 00:25:32,890 --> 00:25:34,930 you know, he's creating tension. 509 00:25:36,170 --> 00:25:37,369 Like, don't be apathetic. 510 00:25:37,650 --> 00:25:38,710 Don't be sluggish. 511 00:25:39,109 --> 00:25:42,589 Don't be just resting in your past laurels. 512 00:25:42,690 --> 00:25:46,750 Don't be resting in things that once you did 513 00:25:46,750 --> 00:25:50,710 or you saw or experienced, strive for more. 514 00:25:50,809 --> 00:25:52,250 It's like that tension. 515 00:25:52,569 --> 00:25:54,349 He's pulling back and he's like, come on. 516 00:25:54,769 --> 00:25:56,750 Don't like live in the past. 517 00:25:57,389 --> 00:26:00,109 Let the Lord take you into the future. 518 00:26:00,269 --> 00:26:03,190 Let him continue to produce in your life. 519 00:26:03,630 --> 00:26:07,269 You want rewards in heaven to be piling over, don't you? 520 00:26:07,890 --> 00:26:11,309 I mean, this is what he's encouraging them to do, 521 00:26:11,369 --> 00:26:14,630 to just embrace what he wants to do for them 522 00:26:14,630 --> 00:26:18,109 rather than just being apathetic, sluggish, 523 00:26:18,869 --> 00:26:19,589 and ambivalent. 524 00:26:20,309 --> 00:26:22,630 So there's so much more to do, okay? 525 00:26:22,789 --> 00:26:26,269 So he says, beloved, we are confident 526 00:26:26,269 --> 00:26:28,109 of better things concerning you. 527 00:26:28,289 --> 00:26:30,630 Yes, things that accompany salvation. 528 00:26:31,549 --> 00:26:33,029 Though we speak in this manner, 529 00:26:33,470 --> 00:26:36,450 for God is not unjust to forget your work 530 00:26:36,450 --> 00:26:40,250 and labor of love which you have shown toward his name 531 00:26:40,250 --> 00:26:43,069 in that you have ministered to the saints 532 00:26:43,069 --> 00:26:44,250 and do minister. 533 00:26:44,809 --> 00:26:48,930 But verse 11, and we desire that each one of you 534 00:26:48,930 --> 00:26:53,369 show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope 535 00:26:53,369 --> 00:26:57,710 until the end that you do not become sluggish 536 00:26:58,370 --> 00:27:03,569 but imitate those who through faith and patience 537 00:27:03,569 --> 00:27:05,950 inherit the promises. 538 00:27:06,869 --> 00:27:11,349 You know, sometimes, you know, we, 539 00:27:12,829 --> 00:27:15,730 it's okay, especially when we're newer in our faith, 540 00:27:16,089 --> 00:27:18,549 to imitate people, you know, 541 00:27:19,410 --> 00:27:22,829 to see what they're doing, how they're doing it. 542 00:27:22,829 --> 00:27:26,509 You know, that's okay, but like as the Lord starts to work 543 00:27:26,509 --> 00:27:27,670 and you, you're unique. 544 00:27:28,390 --> 00:27:29,930 You're different than anybody else. 545 00:27:30,049 --> 00:27:30,789 You realize that? 546 00:27:31,230 --> 00:27:34,250 You are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus 547 00:27:34,250 --> 00:27:38,730 for good works, works which God prepared in advance 548 00:27:38,730 --> 00:27:40,210 for you to do. 549 00:27:40,650 --> 00:27:45,349 So you are unique and special with special gifts, 550 00:27:45,950 --> 00:27:48,769 special connections, spheres of influence, 551 00:27:49,230 --> 00:27:51,569 talents, gifts, there's things about you 552 00:27:51,569 --> 00:27:54,210 that are unlike me or anybody else, right? 553 00:27:54,769 --> 00:27:57,349 So in the beginning, you start to imitate people 554 00:27:57,349 --> 00:27:59,829 in maybe the way they do things, but you realize, 555 00:27:59,970 --> 00:28:00,509 well, you know what? 556 00:28:00,849 --> 00:28:02,829 The more you're walking with God, you're like, 557 00:28:03,210 --> 00:28:05,509 well, actually, He has me doing something a little different. 558 00:28:06,430 --> 00:28:07,309 It's still great. 559 00:28:07,849 --> 00:28:10,710 It's amazing because He's using you 560 00:28:10,710 --> 00:28:12,490 in that unique and special way. 561 00:28:12,809 --> 00:28:15,250 But when we're first start walking with the Lord, 562 00:28:15,349 --> 00:28:17,329 it's okay to imitate people, you know? 563 00:28:17,569 --> 00:28:19,609 It's so funny sometimes, I don't know if you've ever been 564 00:28:19,609 --> 00:28:23,650 in a Christian setting, but when suddenly a saying 565 00:28:23,650 --> 00:28:26,490 becomes a thing, have you ever been there? 566 00:28:27,109 --> 00:28:30,250 Like suddenly, like, and a lot of times it is scriptural, 567 00:28:30,349 --> 00:28:31,490 like I'll never forget we were praying, 568 00:28:31,869 --> 00:28:35,250 and suddenly we're all praying for a hedge of protection. 569 00:28:35,529 --> 00:28:36,609 Every single person. 570 00:28:37,109 --> 00:28:38,670 Well, Lord, we pray for a hedge of protection. 571 00:28:38,730 --> 00:28:40,309 We're just a hedge of protection suddenly. 572 00:28:40,589 --> 00:28:43,769 It's mentioned once in Job, and suddenly everybody's praying 573 00:28:43,769 --> 00:28:45,170 for a hedge of protection, right? 574 00:28:45,450 --> 00:28:46,950 But it's cool, you know? 575 00:28:47,150 --> 00:28:49,170 They heard somebody they respect say it, 576 00:28:49,170 --> 00:28:50,809 somebody else heard them, and all of a sudden, 577 00:28:50,890 --> 00:28:52,490 we're all saying the same thing, right? 578 00:28:52,829 --> 00:28:54,390 Well, remember the prayer of Jabez? 579 00:28:54,529 --> 00:28:55,930 I can't even quote that to you. 580 00:28:56,150 --> 00:28:57,750 But that was the big thing, you know? 581 00:28:58,009 --> 00:29:00,109 Because everybody wants more, you know? 582 00:29:00,450 --> 00:29:03,769 And we're just, and we're clothing it in scripture, right? 583 00:29:04,450 --> 00:29:05,710 But there's all these things. 584 00:29:05,950 --> 00:29:07,390 Another thing I remember at our old church, 585 00:29:07,470 --> 00:29:09,789 I don't know where it came from, but sweet. 586 00:29:11,369 --> 00:29:11,609 Sweet. 587 00:29:11,650 --> 00:29:14,630 It was a sweet time of worship, sweet. 588 00:29:14,630 --> 00:29:19,130 And I never felt good about being a man saying sweet. 589 00:29:20,089 --> 00:29:20,390 Sweet, sweet. 590 00:29:20,690 --> 00:29:24,349 And then they would say, that was a sweet, sweet time. 591 00:29:24,529 --> 00:29:28,250 And I'm like, geez, that was awesome, that was cool. 592 00:29:28,730 --> 00:29:31,289 But sweet, sweet, I'm not into that. 593 00:29:31,589 --> 00:29:32,190 Sweet, sweet. 594 00:29:32,490 --> 00:29:32,970 I don't know. 595 00:29:33,410 --> 00:29:34,190 But it was a thing. 596 00:29:34,329 --> 00:29:35,250 It suddenly became a thing. 597 00:29:35,450 --> 00:29:36,789 That was a sweet, sweet. 598 00:29:36,990 --> 00:29:38,650 I'm like, you know, I don't know. 599 00:29:39,069 --> 00:29:41,190 But it's like, but they're, you know, it's fine. 600 00:29:41,430 --> 00:29:43,049 It's fine, and there's nothing wrong with it, 601 00:29:43,049 --> 00:29:45,210 because people are imitating other people 602 00:29:45,210 --> 00:29:48,089 who they respect and admire, okay? 603 00:29:48,630 --> 00:29:52,230 And let's not overget, analyze things like that, 604 00:29:52,250 --> 00:29:54,069 which sometimes I get caught into, like, 605 00:29:54,109 --> 00:29:55,890 oh, I hate that word, you know? 606 00:29:56,009 --> 00:29:58,930 But anyway, but so it's okay to imitate in the beginning, 607 00:29:58,970 --> 00:30:02,630 but the Lord has a special work for you to do. 608 00:30:02,710 --> 00:30:03,490 You realize that? 609 00:30:03,890 --> 00:30:07,109 He's working in you to do something amazing. 610 00:30:08,009 --> 00:30:10,349 You know, as the worship team comes up, 611 00:30:11,949 --> 00:30:13,130 well, it's a little early, 612 00:30:13,170 --> 00:30:15,390 but if you want to start meandering up, it's fine. 613 00:30:15,950 --> 00:30:16,730 But I just want to share, 614 00:30:16,809 --> 00:30:19,109 do you remember the parable of the four soils? 615 00:30:19,309 --> 00:30:22,349 Because we're talking about fruit and producing fruit, right? 616 00:30:22,990 --> 00:30:25,529 And I love the parable of the four soils 617 00:30:25,529 --> 00:30:27,609 because it's Jesus talking, 618 00:30:27,609 --> 00:30:29,890 and then He actually explains the whole thing 619 00:30:29,890 --> 00:30:31,549 to His disciples, you know? 620 00:30:31,650 --> 00:30:33,130 Like, they're still not getting it. 621 00:30:33,329 --> 00:30:35,109 And it's funny, sometimes it's a little, 622 00:30:35,329 --> 00:30:36,470 like, you still don't get this? 623 00:30:36,890 --> 00:30:38,150 I don't know the tone of it, 624 00:30:38,150 --> 00:30:40,369 but it sure sounds a little, you know? 625 00:30:40,950 --> 00:30:43,690 But He's telling, He says, you know, seed. 626 00:30:44,170 --> 00:30:45,430 Of course, that's the word of God. 627 00:30:45,869 --> 00:30:48,490 Some seed fell on the wayside, right? 628 00:30:48,869 --> 00:30:51,490 And you remember what happened on the wayside, the road? 629 00:30:52,210 --> 00:30:53,809 The seed that fell on the road, what happened? 630 00:30:54,009 --> 00:30:54,269 You remember? 631 00:30:55,109 --> 00:30:56,349 The birds, right? 632 00:30:56,450 --> 00:30:59,329 The birds came and snatched it up, right? 633 00:30:59,710 --> 00:31:02,250 They snatched it right off the hard soil 634 00:31:02,250 --> 00:31:06,509 because the seed landed and it just stayed there, okay? 635 00:31:06,509 --> 00:31:08,509 And a lot of people are like that. 636 00:31:08,849 --> 00:31:13,589 They'll continuously hear the word spoken all over the place. 637 00:31:13,710 --> 00:31:17,750 They'll walk by someone on the corner even preaching. 638 00:31:17,990 --> 00:31:20,809 You know, we're more of a metropolitan urban areas. 639 00:31:21,170 --> 00:31:22,250 There's people preaching. 640 00:31:22,589 --> 00:31:24,309 And I remember when I went to Penn State, 641 00:31:24,329 --> 00:31:27,089 I'd walk by here, the same guy preaching, right? 642 00:31:27,369 --> 00:31:29,349 Right, Dan? You know his name, don't you? 643 00:31:29,670 --> 00:31:33,150 But anyway, we'd go by and I'd hear it. 644 00:31:33,190 --> 00:31:33,809 I'm like, what a loser. 645 00:31:34,049 --> 00:31:34,849 What's he doing out here? 646 00:31:34,849 --> 00:31:38,789 You know, talking, you know, doom and gloom. 647 00:31:39,509 --> 00:31:43,789 But that was because my heart was the road, 648 00:31:44,049 --> 00:31:46,730 was the hardened wayside. 649 00:31:46,849 --> 00:31:50,009 It just, it sat and I didn't listen at all 650 00:31:50,009 --> 00:31:54,230 and the bird just came and just kept snatching it up, you know? 651 00:31:55,089 --> 00:31:59,490 And then he talked about the seed that's planted in the rocky soil. 652 00:31:59,970 --> 00:32:00,670 You remember that? 653 00:32:01,849 --> 00:32:05,690 And by the way, those birds, that was the agents of the enemy, 654 00:32:05,750 --> 00:32:08,049 just snatching it right off your heart, right? 655 00:32:08,529 --> 00:32:10,369 But then there's the stones and he says, 656 00:32:10,470 --> 00:32:13,369 some seed fell among soil that wasn't very deep 657 00:32:13,369 --> 00:32:15,029 and there was rocks in there, right? 658 00:32:15,490 --> 00:32:18,549 And as soon as it started to sprout the seed, 659 00:32:18,589 --> 00:32:21,470 there's no room for the seed, had no roots in it. 660 00:32:21,650 --> 00:32:23,509 So it couldn't go deep, okay? 661 00:32:23,809 --> 00:32:25,490 It just hit rocks, right? 662 00:32:25,990 --> 00:32:29,430 And he said, those are the people who through fear of man, 663 00:32:29,430 --> 00:32:33,529 persecution, tribulation, whatever it is, they're fearful 664 00:32:33,529 --> 00:32:38,789 and they don't want to let those roots dig deep in their lives, right? 665 00:32:39,269 --> 00:32:41,049 And that's really a picture of like, you know, 666 00:32:41,130 --> 00:32:43,490 we can all have rocky soil at times. 667 00:32:44,349 --> 00:32:47,009 Perhaps we're letting fear, fear of our past, 668 00:32:47,930 --> 00:32:52,990 fear of disappointment, fear of being let down, 669 00:32:53,170 --> 00:32:54,710 fear of whatever, you know? 670 00:32:54,890 --> 00:32:58,809 We don't really get persecuted in this country right now, okay? 671 00:32:58,809 --> 00:33:03,910 So we can't relate to that, but there's other fear of men that can arise, 672 00:33:04,269 --> 00:33:07,210 you know, our friends, our circles of influence or whatever, 673 00:33:07,529 --> 00:33:10,250 all of a sudden, like, I can't be too bold about this. 674 00:33:10,849 --> 00:33:13,670 And that, as soon as it started to sprout, 675 00:33:13,869 --> 00:33:16,450 the sun just burned it up because there's no roots, right? 676 00:33:16,890 --> 00:33:18,890 And that's just a warning to us to like, say, 677 00:33:19,089 --> 00:33:21,069 don't let that happen, you know? 678 00:33:21,390 --> 00:33:24,730 Get the rocks, those rocks out of your soil. 679 00:33:24,730 --> 00:33:31,109 Don't let things get in the way of you embracing what God is speaking to you. 680 00:33:31,650 --> 00:33:33,470 And then the third soil, if you can recall, 681 00:33:33,849 --> 00:33:36,869 was it grew up among thorns, right? 682 00:33:37,309 --> 00:33:39,470 And those thorns just wrapped around. 683 00:33:39,609 --> 00:33:40,869 We were talking about thorns. 684 00:33:41,410 --> 00:33:42,930 As soon as it started to grow, 685 00:33:43,549 --> 00:33:46,549 the thorns just wrapped around and just choked it out. 686 00:33:46,690 --> 00:33:47,549 Nothing could come out. 687 00:33:48,289 --> 00:33:50,690 Nothing could grow on those plants, you know? 688 00:33:50,690 --> 00:33:55,430 And that was really a picture of the cares of the world, 689 00:33:55,529 --> 00:34:00,269 the things in this world that we value more than God. 690 00:34:00,890 --> 00:34:02,269 And we can all fall into that. 691 00:34:02,849 --> 00:34:03,589 You know, we really can. 692 00:34:04,210 --> 00:34:09,070 Suddenly, I want my career more than I care about what God wants for my life. 693 00:34:09,309 --> 00:34:10,590 I want this girl. 694 00:34:11,090 --> 00:34:13,309 I can't tell you how many romances started 695 00:34:13,309 --> 00:34:16,449 and that it just pulled them right out of the church. 696 00:34:16,829 --> 00:34:17,650 It's so sad. 697 00:34:18,210 --> 00:34:21,230 It's like, all I want is God, except for this guy. 698 00:34:22,309 --> 00:34:25,349 And suddenly, whatever he's into, I'm into. 699 00:34:25,789 --> 00:34:26,670 Or vice versa. 700 00:34:26,869 --> 00:34:30,429 A girl, like, wow, what happened to that zeal, you know? 701 00:34:30,949 --> 00:34:35,369 But it's that the thorns just wrap around and just choke it out, you know? 702 00:34:35,969 --> 00:34:39,730 And he's saying, look, keep your seat away from those thorns. 703 00:34:39,969 --> 00:34:42,210 Don't get caught up in that curse, 704 00:34:42,889 --> 00:34:44,269 that curse of riches, 705 00:34:44,809 --> 00:34:46,909 the curse of cares of the world, 706 00:34:46,909 --> 00:34:50,730 of paranoia of things, you know, that might happen. 707 00:34:51,550 --> 00:34:55,010 Instead, just let the soil fall on the deep, rich, 708 00:34:55,550 --> 00:34:59,389 I'm sorry, let the sea fall on the deep, rich soil. 709 00:34:59,530 --> 00:35:02,809 Let the roots grow so, so deep. 710 00:35:03,869 --> 00:35:09,610 And Jesus said, and you'll grow 30, 60, 100 full of whatever was planted. 711 00:35:10,650 --> 00:35:14,050 You know, I once read in Kings is cool, 712 00:35:14,050 --> 00:35:20,050 the Assyrians were coming upon Judah. 713 00:35:20,289 --> 00:35:24,429 They had already taken away Israel out of their land. 714 00:35:24,550 --> 00:35:27,329 They had already exiled them, you know, the story of the north and the south. 715 00:35:28,110 --> 00:35:33,110 And so, Israel was taken away to exile to Assyria, okay? 716 00:35:33,750 --> 00:35:37,489 And now they're on the, knocking on the door of Judah. 717 00:35:37,849 --> 00:35:39,050 They're like right there. 718 00:35:40,130 --> 00:35:43,070 And King Hezekiah is like, oh my gosh, what am I going to do? 719 00:35:43,070 --> 00:35:45,250 I mean, they're huge, they're so powerful. 720 00:35:45,670 --> 00:35:50,090 Like, we can't stop them. Nobody stops Assyria. 721 00:35:50,150 --> 00:35:53,090 They just consume every other nation, right? 722 00:35:53,570 --> 00:35:55,130 And so he reaches out to Isaiah, 723 00:35:55,590 --> 00:35:57,869 and Isaiah gives him a word of encouragement. 724 00:35:58,590 --> 00:36:00,889 This king will not take Judah. 725 00:36:01,650 --> 00:36:05,650 He will spare a remnant of Judah. 726 00:36:06,050 --> 00:36:07,090 And this is a promise. 727 00:36:07,570 --> 00:36:08,530 And when I was reading this, 728 00:36:08,570 --> 00:36:12,050 it just reminded me of this idea of roots digging deep. 729 00:36:12,050 --> 00:36:16,769 He says, and a remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah 730 00:36:16,769 --> 00:36:21,969 shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 731 00:36:22,190 --> 00:36:24,550 You know, the deeper your roots are, 732 00:36:24,730 --> 00:36:29,750 the higher and more abundant your fruit will grow. 733 00:36:29,909 --> 00:36:31,530 You need deep roots, you know. 734 00:36:32,110 --> 00:36:34,949 Deep roots produces high fruit, you know that? 735 00:36:35,550 --> 00:36:39,090 The deeper you just are rooted in the truth of God, 736 00:36:39,090 --> 00:36:42,909 the more fruit that just grows in your life. 737 00:36:43,329 --> 00:36:44,449 When you get rid of the rocks, 738 00:36:44,690 --> 00:36:46,610 get rid of the thorns of life and just say, 739 00:36:46,690 --> 00:36:48,070 Lord, I just need you. 740 00:36:48,170 --> 00:36:49,409 I'm going to be rooted in the love. 741 00:36:49,550 --> 00:36:53,409 Ephesians talks about being rooted in the love of God, 742 00:36:53,650 --> 00:36:55,570 that deep, rich root. 743 00:36:55,789 --> 00:36:58,449 You know, some of you might be here today saying, 744 00:36:59,670 --> 00:37:01,309 well, it's kind of late for me. 745 00:37:02,010 --> 00:37:04,389 I've already screwed this up, that up, 746 00:37:04,690 --> 00:37:05,670 and the other thing up. 747 00:37:06,429 --> 00:37:07,690 Nobody trusts me anymore. 748 00:37:07,690 --> 00:37:09,849 I don't trust them anymore. 749 00:37:10,789 --> 00:37:12,829 They don't forgive me, I don't forgive them. 750 00:37:12,949 --> 00:37:15,010 I mean, I'm just, I got all kinds of stones 751 00:37:15,010 --> 00:37:17,409 and thorns in my soil. 752 00:37:18,369 --> 00:37:19,730 You know, it's too late. 753 00:37:19,809 --> 00:37:20,829 You know, that's the thing. 754 00:37:21,269 --> 00:37:25,429 What's impossible for man is possible for God. 755 00:37:25,730 --> 00:37:28,429 He can, he can erase that I am 756 00:37:28,429 --> 00:37:32,409 right out of your impossible and make it possible. 757 00:37:33,869 --> 00:37:37,230 He can do it, and he can produce so much fruit in your life. 758 00:37:37,230 --> 00:37:41,050 Regardless of your age, some people came to age 759 00:37:41,050 --> 00:37:44,230 when they're in their 60s, 70s, 80s. 760 00:37:44,929 --> 00:37:46,409 Look at Moses, right? 761 00:37:46,889 --> 00:37:49,329 He didn't do anything good doing his 80, okay? 762 00:37:49,690 --> 00:37:51,809 I hope the Lord, I don't want to wait that long, 763 00:37:52,170 --> 00:37:56,170 but, you know, but he can do so many things in your life 764 00:37:56,170 --> 00:37:58,429 if you just say yes to him now. 765 00:37:58,969 --> 00:38:00,510 Yes to him now. 766 00:38:00,690 --> 00:38:02,449 I love this Psalm I came across, 767 00:38:02,449 --> 00:38:06,750 Psalm 92, verses 12 to 15. 768 00:38:07,389 --> 00:38:10,269 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. 769 00:38:10,809 --> 00:38:13,010 He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 770 00:38:13,650 --> 00:38:17,130 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish 771 00:38:17,130 --> 00:38:19,590 in the courts of our God. 772 00:38:19,750 --> 00:38:20,329 And watch this. 773 00:38:20,869 --> 00:38:24,809 They shall still bear fruit in old age. 774 00:38:25,650 --> 00:38:28,389 They shall be fresh and flourishing. 775 00:38:28,690 --> 00:38:30,150 You know, I'm just going to look better and better 776 00:38:30,150 --> 00:38:31,710 until I'm in the coffin. 777 00:38:32,710 --> 00:38:33,510 I'm convinced. 778 00:38:34,230 --> 00:38:35,530 I'm going to look better and better. 779 00:38:36,750 --> 00:38:39,550 I'm going to be, there's going to be fruit just hanging off of me. 780 00:38:39,690 --> 00:38:41,550 I might have, I might have bad posture 781 00:38:41,550 --> 00:38:43,670 because all the fruit I'm just carrying around. 782 00:38:44,070 --> 00:38:46,070 But I'm going to be, I'm going to be, how about you? 783 00:38:46,429 --> 00:38:49,110 I want to be fruitful to my last breath. 784 00:38:49,849 --> 00:38:51,090 Nothing's going to stop me. 785 00:38:51,510 --> 00:38:52,750 And nothing's going to stop you 786 00:38:52,750 --> 00:38:54,849 if you just say yes to the Lord. 787 00:38:55,349 --> 00:38:58,429 And then he says to declare that the Lord is upright. 788 00:38:58,429 --> 00:39:00,090 He is my rock. 789 00:39:00,550 --> 00:39:03,110 And there is no unrighteousness in him. 790 00:39:03,170 --> 00:39:03,909 Isn't that beautiful? 791 00:39:04,650 --> 00:39:07,670 You're going to be bearing fruit until your last breath 792 00:39:07,670 --> 00:39:09,170 if you say yes to the Lord. 793 00:39:09,590 --> 00:39:10,690 It never stops. 794 00:39:11,050 --> 00:39:15,969 All we have to do is show up and say yes, Lord, send me. 795 00:39:16,130 --> 00:39:20,650 Just like our brother David from Pakistan 796 00:39:20,650 --> 00:39:22,050 was sharing two weeks ago. 797 00:39:22,349 --> 00:39:23,150 Just say yes. 798 00:39:23,329 --> 00:39:25,369 Here I am, Lord, send me. 799 00:39:25,670 --> 00:39:29,949 Let's all stand up and let's give the Lord a round of applause 800 00:39:32,029 --> 00:39:35,889 because his word is mighty large and he is in charge. 801 00:39:36,090 --> 00:39:36,150 Amen. 802 00:39:36,989 --> 00:39:38,989 Father God, we thank you for your word, Lord. 803 00:39:39,210 --> 00:39:41,710 Thank you for the mighty work you're doing in our lives. 804 00:39:42,409 --> 00:39:44,210 We thank you that we don't have to worry 805 00:39:44,210 --> 00:39:46,050 about where you're bringing us to 806 00:39:46,050 --> 00:39:49,329 because you have sealed us to the day of our redemption. 807 00:39:49,929 --> 00:39:51,610 We thank you in Jesus' name. 808 00:39:52,030 --> 00:39:52,309 Amen. 809 00:39:52,789 --> 00:39:53,409 Praise the Lord. 810 00:39:55,670 --> 00:40:18,050 Thank you. 811 00:40:25,670 --> 00:40:26,250 Amen.