1 00:00:14,139 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:27,059 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,359 --> 00:00:42,640 So today, you know, as you know, we're gearing up for Easter, I like to call it Resurrection Day. 5 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:50,200 And we finished the last book of Hebrews a few weeks ago. 6 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:56,240 And rather than starting a new book leading up to Passion Week and Resurrection, 7 00:00:56,859 --> 00:01:00,060 we've been doing topical studies for a few weeks. 8 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:04,060 So don't get alarmed, we're going to stick verse by verse as we always do. 9 00:01:04,659 --> 00:01:10,000 In fact, you can start preparing, we're going to get into the book of Acts after Resurrection Day, 10 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:11,659 so you can be reading ahead. 11 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,099 And that's actually the book that we started with at this church. 12 00:01:15,099 --> 00:01:21,780 We did a brief study of Ephesians chapter 6 in terms of spiritual warfare, 13 00:01:22,019 --> 00:01:27,959 and then we got into the book of Acts because we really want to have that pioneering spirit, 14 00:01:28,260 --> 00:01:33,739 you know, that apostolic attitude really towards bringing the gospel everywhere. 15 00:01:34,620 --> 00:01:37,480 And so we're going to be studying that so you can read ahead. 16 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:41,120 I think we've probably gone through every book of the New Testament at this point, 17 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,939 so we're starting back where we began. 18 00:01:43,939 --> 00:01:46,159 So you can be reading ahead. 19 00:01:46,299 --> 00:01:50,879 But today, we're going to talk about finding the Savior in our suffering. 20 00:01:52,420 --> 00:01:55,540 And what prompted this really is, you know, 21 00:01:55,579 --> 00:01:59,239 I know many people have been going through a thing or two in this life, you know, 22 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,280 challenges, difficulties, losses, and so forth. 23 00:02:04,519 --> 00:02:12,580 And it's so important for us to realize that nothing happens under the sun that the Lord is not aware of. 24 00:02:13,580 --> 00:02:20,379 And He wants to take part in the suffering of man to bring us closer to Him. 25 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:25,319 He wants to meet us in our suffering. Amen. 26 00:02:26,379 --> 00:02:32,439 In fact, Peter says that humble yourself beneath the mighty hand of the Lord 27 00:02:32,439 --> 00:02:34,539 and He will lift you up in due time. 28 00:02:35,180 --> 00:02:37,300 Cast all your cares upon Him. 29 00:02:38,539 --> 00:02:39,259 How does it end? 30 00:02:40,300 --> 00:02:41,319 For He cares for you. 31 00:02:41,319 --> 00:02:41,979 Do you believe that? 32 00:02:42,099 --> 00:02:42,740 Like He cares. 33 00:02:43,039 --> 00:02:48,819 No matter what you're going through, He cares about the things that you are going through. 34 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:51,500 And He wants to lead you through it. 35 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:55,719 I love those songs we were singing about the fire meeting us in the fire. 36 00:02:55,879 --> 00:02:58,960 Sometimes we go through storms, we go through fires, 37 00:02:59,060 --> 00:03:03,520 whatever analogy or metaphor you want to attach to it, we go through stuff. 38 00:03:04,460 --> 00:03:11,020 And yet the Lord wants to meet us in those things so that we can be drawn closer to Him. 39 00:03:11,020 --> 00:03:15,939 So this is after Palm Sunday begins what we call Passion Week, right? 40 00:03:16,740 --> 00:03:19,939 And Passion Week actually, you think Passion like love. 41 00:03:20,139 --> 00:03:22,680 Well, He did go through all that because He loves us. 42 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:27,659 But Passion actually comes from the Latin word passio, which actually means suffering. 43 00:03:28,539 --> 00:03:35,460 So we are approaching the week of suffering for the Lord, this Holy Week. 44 00:03:35,740 --> 00:03:36,759 And so we can prepare. 45 00:03:37,259 --> 00:03:39,979 And as I was thinking about this, I was thinking about how, you know, 46 00:03:39,979 --> 00:03:42,240 again, each of us are going through things. 47 00:03:42,340 --> 00:03:45,840 But the Lord was going through all the normal stuff we do 48 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,080 and He knew what was facing Him in Jerusalem. 49 00:03:49,979 --> 00:03:54,080 And in fact, through His ministry, maybe after about a year and a half, 50 00:03:54,199 --> 00:03:58,719 He started speaking to His disciples, warning them of what was going to happen. 51 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:02,240 In fact, we read this in Mark chapter 8 verse 31. 52 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:08,479 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things 53 00:04:08,479 --> 00:04:12,480 and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes 54 00:04:13,039 --> 00:04:16,540 and be killed and after three days rise again. 55 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:20,560 And that wasn't the first time. He reiterated that several times. 56 00:04:20,660 --> 00:04:24,800 Many times after something great just happened, like feeding the 5,000 57 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:28,920 or the amount of transfiguration, all these things He would say, 58 00:04:29,519 --> 00:04:33,220 well, yeah, let's not get carried away with what's happening here 59 00:04:33,220 --> 00:04:37,579 because there's going to be some suffering that's in store. 60 00:04:37,579 --> 00:04:40,100 And, you know, all of us go through suffering in this world. 61 00:04:40,519 --> 00:04:44,100 I think it's important really to recognize that. 62 00:04:44,459 --> 00:04:47,439 But, you know, even before this last week coming up for Jesus, 63 00:04:47,860 --> 00:04:50,360 He had already gone through a lot of suffering, 64 00:04:50,860 --> 00:04:52,500 normal suffering like we go through. 65 00:04:52,860 --> 00:04:57,439 And one thing I was thinking about is His Father Joseph. 66 00:04:57,579 --> 00:04:59,459 I'm sure you've thought about this before. 67 00:04:59,839 --> 00:05:03,259 His earthly father, His guardian, if you want to call it that. 68 00:05:03,259 --> 00:05:07,500 You know, we read about Him up till the age of 12 69 00:05:07,500 --> 00:05:10,259 that Joseph was part of His life. 70 00:05:11,139 --> 00:05:13,899 But after that, we don't read about Him anymore 71 00:05:14,959 --> 00:05:17,079 because He just is not mentioned. 72 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,540 In fact, many times when He was in His own hometown, 73 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,600 I think we have that slide of Mark chapter 6 74 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:27,660 where He was speaking and they were probably, 75 00:05:27,819 --> 00:05:29,839 they were very enamored with the way He spoke 76 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:31,720 and He did miracles there. 77 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,139 Not many, not as many as He could have, 78 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:35,339 but because of their unbelief. 79 00:05:35,959 --> 00:05:39,079 But they said, is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, 80 00:05:39,199 --> 00:05:41,800 the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon 81 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:44,259 are not His sisters here with us? 82 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,660 And so they were offended at Him. 83 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:49,620 But notice, they don't mention Joseph. 84 00:05:50,019 --> 00:05:54,300 So probably most theologians believe that Jesus lost His Father 85 00:05:54,300 --> 00:05:55,879 and Joseph was a just man. 86 00:05:56,420 --> 00:05:58,459 I believe probably He passed away. 87 00:05:59,039 --> 00:06:01,819 You know, in fact, we see this again and again 88 00:06:01,819 --> 00:06:04,620 where He's not mentioned in Scriptures. 89 00:06:05,439 --> 00:06:07,160 And as you know, at the cross, 90 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,139 Jesus being the oldest son would have been the guardian 91 00:06:11,139 --> 00:06:12,759 of His mother, the widow. 92 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:15,800 And so at the cross when He was dying, 93 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:18,860 He said to His disciple John, 94 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:24,560 He said, behold your mother and woman, behold your son. 95 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,899 So we see this, that He was giving responsibility 96 00:06:28,899 --> 00:06:32,420 over to John as opposed to His half brothers 97 00:06:32,420 --> 00:06:34,199 because they were not yet believers. 98 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:35,899 So we see this picture. 99 00:06:36,100 --> 00:06:39,620 And you know, this resonates in me because I lost my father. 100 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:40,879 I've shared this before. 101 00:06:40,959 --> 00:06:41,959 Many of you might know this. 102 00:06:42,319 --> 00:06:44,120 But when I was 20, I was up at Penn State, 103 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:48,379 got the phone call, and, you know, Dad died, you know, 104 00:06:48,379 --> 00:06:49,339 in a car accident. 105 00:06:49,540 --> 00:06:51,459 So it was very, like, abrupt. 106 00:06:51,459 --> 00:06:54,379 And I just remember being in shock. 107 00:06:54,500 --> 00:06:56,379 And it's a life changer, it really is. 108 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:58,460 You know, when you lose someone that close 109 00:06:59,060 --> 00:07:02,379 and you're young, so you don't even have to process all that. 110 00:07:02,819 --> 00:07:04,660 And it's a life changer. 111 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:06,079 You really grow up fast. 112 00:07:06,639 --> 00:07:09,639 So Jesus went through that, okay? 113 00:07:10,220 --> 00:07:12,819 But He didn't just go through that. 114 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:17,879 He also went through His cousin John the Baptist 115 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,160 being beheaded in prison. 116 00:07:23,019 --> 00:07:24,959 You know, He was very close with John the Baptist. 117 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,699 John the Baptist was His herald, His right-hand man 118 00:07:28,699 --> 00:07:31,139 pointing everyone, look, behold the Lamb of God 119 00:07:31,139 --> 00:07:32,720 who takes away the sins of the world. 120 00:07:32,899 --> 00:07:36,720 He was out there ushering in the Messiah, right? 121 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,639 And so they were, they, He was, He loved John the Baptist. 122 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:43,279 And at one point, as you know, 123 00:07:43,439 --> 00:07:47,860 John the Baptist sent a message to him, 124 00:07:47,860 --> 00:07:49,579 John were waiting for us or someone else. 125 00:07:49,620 --> 00:07:52,139 And that was all because he was probably struggling 126 00:07:52,139 --> 00:07:54,220 with his predicament in prison. 127 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,259 So then the word says when Jesus heard 128 00:07:57,259 --> 00:07:59,139 that John the Baptist was beheaded, 129 00:07:59,180 --> 00:08:01,740 He had to just get away from the crowds 130 00:08:01,740 --> 00:08:04,579 and just like process this, you know? 131 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,639 I mean, Jesus knew earthly suffering, 132 00:08:08,959 --> 00:08:11,519 the same kind of suffering that you and I go through 133 00:08:11,519 --> 00:08:13,279 or others in the world. 134 00:08:13,339 --> 00:08:15,360 He went through that too. 135 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,860 And His disciples, you know, He was close with them 136 00:08:19,860 --> 00:08:20,420 and everything. 137 00:08:21,180 --> 00:08:23,740 And yet He realized, I'm leaving them behind. 138 00:08:24,699 --> 00:08:26,660 You know, He kept preparing them, 139 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:28,259 but still they were His friends. 140 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,160 And yet He had to leave them behind. 141 00:08:32,620 --> 00:08:35,659 Even when He went to His hometown Nazareth, 142 00:08:35,820 --> 00:08:38,580 as I mentioned before, and He was teaching, 143 00:08:38,740 --> 00:08:40,500 they're like, wait a minute, we know this kid. 144 00:08:41,279 --> 00:08:44,379 He's that kid that used to play with the yo-yo. 145 00:08:44,379 --> 00:08:46,039 No, I don't know if there was yo-yos back then. 146 00:08:46,340 --> 00:08:47,980 He was always building stuff. 147 00:08:48,539 --> 00:08:50,159 Maybe we can surmise, right? 148 00:08:50,820 --> 00:08:53,700 But He was that kid, like, how is He suddenly this guy 149 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:55,879 that knows all this stuff and doing these mirroring, right? 150 00:08:56,299 --> 00:08:57,980 And they were so offended at Him, 151 00:08:58,059 --> 00:08:59,460 they chased Him out of the tent, 152 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:02,039 almost pushed Him off a cliff to kill Him. 153 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:05,440 You know, do you think that would weigh on your spirit 154 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:07,039 if you were Jesus? 155 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:09,240 Like, you're looking across from a guy 156 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:11,659 who you helped fix his front door. 157 00:09:11,659 --> 00:09:14,080 I don't know, I'm conjecturing a bit, I know. 158 00:09:14,779 --> 00:09:16,820 But, you know, it's like this guy, I know, 159 00:09:17,039 --> 00:09:18,200 and he's ready to kill me, 160 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,740 because he doesn't like what I'm saying and doing. 161 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:23,259 Like, that's some weighty stuff. 162 00:09:23,299 --> 00:09:25,080 I never had someone hate me that much. 163 00:09:25,399 --> 00:09:27,039 Maybe there's been people close to it, 164 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,700 but not that much, that they throw me off of a cliff. 165 00:09:30,100 --> 00:09:34,059 I mean, He had to go through a lot of things, didn't He? 166 00:09:36,420 --> 00:09:38,860 And then Judas, you know, 167 00:09:38,860 --> 00:09:43,220 a man that He trusted with the treasury, you know, 168 00:09:43,279 --> 00:09:44,279 and He knew He was stealing. 169 00:09:44,539 --> 00:09:46,100 He knew who would betray Him. 170 00:09:47,419 --> 00:09:51,340 And He knew about Judas, what He was going to do. 171 00:09:52,019 --> 00:09:54,460 And yet He was giving them time and time again 172 00:09:54,460 --> 00:09:58,100 opportunities to receive His love. 173 00:09:59,059 --> 00:10:01,059 And at the Last Supper, it says that He was just, 174 00:10:01,059 --> 00:10:02,960 like, vexed in His spirit. 175 00:10:03,059 --> 00:10:05,000 He was just so, like, weighed down. 176 00:10:05,340 --> 00:10:08,240 Like, one of you that are sitting here right now 177 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:09,679 are going to betray me. 178 00:10:10,340 --> 00:10:12,940 Like, it was, that would have been tough, wouldn't it have? 179 00:10:13,399 --> 00:10:15,899 I mean, I'm sure you've been betrayed through your lifetime, 180 00:10:15,899 --> 00:10:18,039 but you probably still remember it. 181 00:10:18,179 --> 00:10:21,299 I mean, it leaves a scar sometimes, you know? 182 00:10:21,500 --> 00:10:22,700 He went through that too. 183 00:10:23,100 --> 00:10:27,100 So, yeah, He was about to go through the greatest of all suffering, 184 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:29,340 dying on the cross for our sins, 185 00:10:29,419 --> 00:10:31,120 but He went through a lot of things. 186 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,399 And the reason I bring this up is because 187 00:10:33,399 --> 00:10:36,559 Jesus is aware of all of our sufferings. 188 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:40,460 I love what Isaiah predicted about Him in Isaiah 53. 189 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:43,700 If you could put that slide up, Pat. 190 00:10:44,159 --> 00:10:46,779 It says that He was despised. 191 00:10:46,980 --> 00:10:49,799 I'm using the New Living Translation for a reason 192 00:10:49,799 --> 00:10:52,240 because it just has more comfortable language. 193 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:54,559 I usually don't study with that, but 194 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:56,700 He was despised and rejected, 195 00:10:56,919 --> 00:11:01,000 a man of sorrows acquainted with the deepest grief. 196 00:11:01,940 --> 00:11:05,519 We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. 197 00:11:05,519 --> 00:11:08,940 He was despised and we did not care. 198 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,379 Yet it was our weaknesses He carried. 199 00:11:12,740 --> 00:11:16,440 It was our sorrows that weighed Him down. 200 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:21,460 And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, 201 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:23,919 a punishment for His own sins. 202 00:11:24,759 --> 00:11:27,620 But He was pierced for our rebellion, 203 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:30,019 crushed for our sins. 204 00:11:30,740 --> 00:11:33,820 He was beaten so we could be whole. 205 00:11:33,820 --> 00:11:37,519 He was whipped so we could be healed. 206 00:11:38,220 --> 00:11:40,200 He went through the scourging, 207 00:11:40,279 --> 00:11:44,399 but He also went through all the other aspects of emotions 208 00:11:44,399 --> 00:11:47,480 because He wanted to resonate with us. 209 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:52,039 He wanted to be able to show us what it looks like 210 00:11:52,039 --> 00:11:53,759 to go through these things. 211 00:11:54,539 --> 00:11:57,080 I also love in Hebrews how it talks about 212 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:01,159 we have a high priest that didn't have sin, okay? 213 00:12:01,159 --> 00:12:05,159 But He had no sin and yet He still reconciled 214 00:12:05,879 --> 00:12:10,700 all of these sufferings in ours in Hebrews 4, 15 and 16 215 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,919 where it says that we have the high priest, 216 00:12:15,159 --> 00:12:16,980 if you have that slide, 217 00:12:18,419 --> 00:12:19,860 for we do not have a high priest 218 00:12:19,860 --> 00:12:22,100 who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses 219 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:25,639 but was in all points tempted. 220 00:12:26,399 --> 00:12:30,779 And by the way, that tempted doesn't mean He was enticed to do it. 221 00:12:30,779 --> 00:12:32,559 It means He was tested, okay? 222 00:12:32,639 --> 00:12:34,299 In fact, we learn that, you know, 223 00:12:34,740 --> 00:12:37,379 that God can't be tempted by anything 224 00:12:37,379 --> 00:12:39,539 and He doesn't tempt us either, right? 225 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:43,840 So it's the fact that He was being tested as we are. 226 00:12:44,019 --> 00:12:47,419 Yet without sin, let us therefore come boldly 227 00:12:47,419 --> 00:12:50,639 to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy 228 00:12:50,639 --> 00:12:55,039 and find grace to help in time of need. 229 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:56,299 You see, He gets us. 230 00:12:56,460 --> 00:12:59,139 You know that commercial they show at the Super Bowl, 231 00:12:59,139 --> 00:13:00,159 He gets us. 232 00:13:00,279 --> 00:13:01,960 I don't love the commercials themselves. 233 00:13:02,620 --> 00:13:05,100 But the message is He does get us. 234 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:06,360 The question is, do we get Him? 235 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:08,620 Okay, He does get us. 236 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:10,299 But we got to get Him. 237 00:13:11,139 --> 00:13:14,779 And He makes Himself very available to all of us. 238 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:25,159 I was talking to my family member, 239 00:13:25,259 --> 00:13:26,399 a good friend actually, 240 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:30,200 and we met up for lunch. 241 00:13:31,860 --> 00:13:34,860 And while we were talking, I brought up this guy, 242 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,379 he brought this guy up that we both know. 243 00:13:38,220 --> 00:13:41,639 And he actually was part of my journey 244 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:44,879 going into teaching the Bible 245 00:13:45,399 --> 00:13:49,820 because he was in charge of the 5th and 6th grade ministry 246 00:13:49,820 --> 00:13:51,200 over in our old church. 247 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,860 And I signed up, I think probably because my son Jesse was in that class. 248 00:13:55,860 --> 00:13:56,940 Were you in that class then? 249 00:13:57,639 --> 00:13:58,500 Maybe, I don't know. 250 00:13:59,120 --> 00:13:59,519 What's that? 251 00:14:01,460 --> 00:14:02,320 The 5th and 6th. 252 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:02,720 I don't know. 253 00:14:02,820 --> 00:14:04,559 We're having a conversation which we shouldn't have. 254 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,340 I'll tell you later or you could tell me later. 255 00:14:09,059 --> 00:14:13,460 So, I got an opportunity just to help out in 5th and 6th grade. 256 00:14:13,779 --> 00:14:14,860 And I really struck it. 257 00:14:15,299 --> 00:14:19,039 You know, a real good camaraderie with the leader of that ministry 258 00:14:19,039 --> 00:14:20,419 was pretty big actually. 259 00:14:21,019 --> 00:14:22,620 But one thing I noticed, 260 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:26,000 so often we would get into these conversations 261 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:29,299 and I could just tell he was struggling with doubt. 262 00:14:29,879 --> 00:14:31,179 And here he was teaching, right? 263 00:14:31,620 --> 00:14:33,019 He was struggling with doubt. 264 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:36,100 And we always got into the man on the island conversations 265 00:14:36,100 --> 00:14:37,519 and you know what I'm talking about. 266 00:14:37,639 --> 00:14:40,039 He's like roundabout that never have an end. 267 00:14:40,220 --> 00:14:44,120 And I'm like, so as he's talking about all these things, 268 00:14:44,559 --> 00:14:47,240 he eventually left the church, okay? 269 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:49,320 And he drifted around with his family. 270 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:55,399 And over time, I just heard that he was drinking a lot. 271 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,440 He just was not even really plugged into a church. 272 00:14:59,059 --> 00:15:02,159 You know, wasn't really zealous about his faith. 273 00:15:02,899 --> 00:15:05,019 And so I talked to my family member. 274 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:06,159 I said, whatever happened to him? 275 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,080 Well, you know, some things like, you know, 276 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:16,100 his cousin got ALS and still like just hanging on to life 277 00:15:16,100 --> 00:15:17,899 and just it really wrecked his life. 278 00:15:17,899 --> 00:15:21,840 And his father got dementia and then went home with the Lord. 279 00:15:21,879 --> 00:15:23,460 He was a believer who went home with the Lord. 280 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:25,860 So these things are weighing on him 281 00:15:25,860 --> 00:15:28,460 and he just kind of wandered away. 282 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:30,340 And I was thinking about this. 283 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:32,039 I'm thinking, how could you wander? 284 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:33,000 Now, this is me. 285 00:15:33,519 --> 00:15:34,980 I'm not judging a person. 286 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:36,320 Well, I guess I kind of am, 287 00:15:36,419 --> 00:15:41,559 but why wander away when trials happen? 288 00:15:42,220 --> 00:15:45,200 I don't know about you, but trials push me into God. 289 00:15:46,019 --> 00:15:46,820 You know, they really do. 290 00:15:46,820 --> 00:15:48,860 They draw me into God. 291 00:15:49,019 --> 00:15:50,259 They don't draw me away. 292 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:52,759 I think every trial you can make a choice. 293 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:57,240 Is this going to draw me to God or draw me away from God? 294 00:15:58,139 --> 00:16:01,860 Because being drawn away from God is foolish 295 00:16:01,860 --> 00:16:04,460 because you get no answers away from God. 296 00:16:05,399 --> 00:16:08,080 You get no direction away from God. 297 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,399 In fact, you're probably going to make things worse 298 00:16:11,399 --> 00:16:15,340 if you're not getting answers from God. 299 00:16:15,340 --> 00:16:17,019 And yet this is what he did. 300 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:18,700 And he just drifted away. 301 00:16:18,980 --> 00:16:21,019 And now he's shipwrecked in his faith. 302 00:16:21,779 --> 00:16:24,399 You know, and I don't know what's going to become of him, 303 00:16:24,460 --> 00:16:28,399 but it's really, we need to be drawn into God, don't we? 304 00:16:28,860 --> 00:16:32,059 And trials and suffering, they're going to happen to all of us, 305 00:16:32,059 --> 00:16:33,419 but we have to get drawn in. 306 00:16:34,399 --> 00:16:37,299 Last week, before the service, 307 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:39,179 we were in the prayer room talking. 308 00:16:39,299 --> 00:16:43,639 It's amazing how so many things get said and read and so forth in there 309 00:16:43,639 --> 00:16:46,340 that just really build community. 310 00:16:46,620 --> 00:16:47,840 You're welcome, by the way. 311 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:49,480 I mean, I think we can't all fit, 312 00:16:49,500 --> 00:16:53,179 but we could try in the prayer room before the service at 9.30. 313 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:58,200 But I was talking with Paula and Gail, 314 00:16:58,740 --> 00:17:01,799 and we were just talking about suffering and the value of it. 315 00:17:02,220 --> 00:17:04,660 And I know if you're like me, I don't like suffering, 316 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:10,940 but you get an opportunity to meet God in a fresh way 317 00:17:10,940 --> 00:17:13,099 when you go through sufferings, don't you? 318 00:17:14,019 --> 00:17:15,920 Because he meets you there, 319 00:17:16,339 --> 00:17:19,539 and when all of your identity is stripped away 320 00:17:19,539 --> 00:17:24,779 in these other responsibilities, these other roles, 321 00:17:26,180 --> 00:17:28,940 suddenly you're left with Jesus. 322 00:17:30,619 --> 00:17:33,079 And he's there with you saying, 323 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:36,039 okay, I'm right here with you. 324 00:17:36,140 --> 00:17:37,700 This is, I'm who you need. 325 00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:38,900 This is it right now. 326 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:40,900 It's you and me. 327 00:17:42,660 --> 00:17:43,559 And what are we going to do? 328 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:49,019 You get to meet Jesus in such a tender and intimate way 329 00:17:49,019 --> 00:17:51,700 in the midst of suffering, don't you? 330 00:17:51,799 --> 00:17:54,019 I don't know if, does that resonate with any of you? 331 00:17:54,380 --> 00:17:57,039 Have you ever been there where you just said, 332 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:59,980 man, I just, I needed to be at my lowest point 333 00:17:59,980 --> 00:18:02,740 to realize that he's here. 334 00:18:02,980 --> 00:18:03,759 He's still with me. 335 00:18:03,980 --> 00:18:05,759 Like everyone else can wander away, 336 00:18:05,759 --> 00:18:09,680 but he's still here with me, 337 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,859 and he's going to carry me through whatever is happening. 338 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:15,500 He's with me. 339 00:18:16,299 --> 00:18:19,160 That's such confidence that all of a sudden, 340 00:18:19,559 --> 00:18:21,819 he says, you know, we're good here together 341 00:18:21,819 --> 00:18:23,599 and just hang on here, 342 00:18:25,019 --> 00:18:28,259 but when it's time, I'll show you the way out. 343 00:18:29,380 --> 00:18:30,339 I'll show you the way out. 344 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:33,180 No temptation to seize you, which is uncommon to man, 345 00:18:33,180 --> 00:18:36,480 but God will always provide an escape. 346 00:18:38,039 --> 00:18:41,920 He's always there to show you the way out. 347 00:18:42,380 --> 00:18:44,579 I love what Jesus said at the Last Supper. 348 00:18:45,339 --> 00:18:50,500 He's with his disciples, and he keeps preparing them. 349 00:18:50,819 --> 00:18:52,019 Like, things are going to be different. 350 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:54,240 Oh, we understand, Jesus. 351 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:55,079 No, you don't. 352 00:18:55,559 --> 00:18:56,700 They're going to be a lot different. 353 00:18:56,839 --> 00:18:57,460 Yeah, I get it. 354 00:18:57,700 --> 00:18:58,740 No, you don't, right? 355 00:18:59,259 --> 00:19:00,779 And he keeps warning them. 356 00:19:00,779 --> 00:19:03,779 And then he says this in John 1633, 357 00:19:04,460 --> 00:19:06,539 he says, these things I have spoken to, 358 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,740 that in me, you may have peace. 359 00:19:10,779 --> 00:19:13,779 In the world, you will have tribulation, 360 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:16,460 but be of good cheer. 361 00:19:16,859 --> 00:19:19,680 I have overcome the world. 362 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:23,339 This word tribulation, now, if I was reading this, 363 00:19:23,579 --> 00:19:26,480 I would think, now, Jesus is warning his disciples, 364 00:19:27,299 --> 00:19:29,259 when I leave, there is going to be 365 00:19:29,259 --> 00:19:31,019 all kinds of persecution. 366 00:19:32,279 --> 00:19:35,519 You're going to be martyred for your faith. 367 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:37,880 Like, I would think this is his main point here. 368 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:40,619 But you know, that word for tribulation, 369 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,259 philepsis, is actually a word that covers 370 00:19:44,259 --> 00:19:46,220 all kinds of suffering, 371 00:19:47,099 --> 00:19:49,960 not just the suffering of persecution. 372 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:52,299 In fact, that's usually a different word, diagmas, 373 00:19:52,839 --> 00:19:54,799 and it really means just that. 374 00:19:54,799 --> 00:19:59,160 You are being persecuted because of sharing the gospel. 375 00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:01,099 But in this case, he's going, 376 00:20:01,099 --> 00:20:03,660 you're going to have all kinds of troubles, like everybody does. 377 00:20:04,660 --> 00:20:08,279 But in me, you will find peace. 378 00:20:09,099 --> 00:20:09,960 In me. 379 00:20:10,839 --> 00:20:14,900 You know, it is important that we make a distinction, right, 380 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:21,799 between suffering because of persecution, diagmas, okay? 381 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:28,059 And suffering because it's common suffering for all humanity, okay? 382 00:20:28,299 --> 00:20:32,819 There is a difference, but the result is in both, 383 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:38,660 or either we can still glorify Jesus in the midst of it, right? 384 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:43,640 It's kind of like if you were fired from your job, okay, 385 00:20:45,120 --> 00:20:48,400 for sharing the gospel with people and work, 386 00:20:48,519 --> 00:20:50,519 and the boss said, yeah, we don't do that around here, 387 00:20:50,519 --> 00:20:53,000 yet you just did it again, you're out, okay? 388 00:20:53,339 --> 00:20:55,440 That could be seen as persecution, right? 389 00:20:56,500 --> 00:20:59,259 And yet, if you're laid off, 390 00:20:59,759 --> 00:21:02,000 because they don't have the work, okay? 391 00:21:02,339 --> 00:21:06,440 That's not persecution, but you could still share the gospel 392 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:08,299 and the fact that you lost your job. 393 00:21:08,599 --> 00:21:09,900 You know what, boss? 394 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:12,660 God will show me something else. 395 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:14,339 I'll get something better. 396 00:21:14,519 --> 00:21:15,539 I believe that. 397 00:21:16,839 --> 00:21:18,380 You don't have to worry about me. 398 00:21:18,380 --> 00:21:21,539 I'll be fine because, you know, the Lord provides all my needs 399 00:21:21,539 --> 00:21:23,000 according to his riches and glory. 400 00:21:23,779 --> 00:21:25,500 I think I just heard that this morning, didn't I? 401 00:21:26,140 --> 00:21:27,220 Dan, did you share that? 402 00:21:27,299 --> 00:21:27,900 Good work, buddy. 403 00:21:29,279 --> 00:21:30,339 But really, you know, I mean, 404 00:21:30,579 --> 00:21:35,400 we could still be sharing Jesus in suffering of any kind, 405 00:21:35,420 --> 00:21:37,339 whether it be persecution, diagmas, 406 00:21:37,839 --> 00:21:39,660 or whether it be fallipsis over here 407 00:21:39,660 --> 00:21:43,359 in just everyday, normal, common suffering. 408 00:21:43,819 --> 00:21:47,420 But I think sometimes we forget I'm in this for a reason. 409 00:21:47,420 --> 00:21:51,700 God allowed this to happen for a reason. 410 00:21:53,279 --> 00:21:54,220 What's the reason? 411 00:21:55,319 --> 00:21:56,579 To glorify Jesus. 412 00:21:57,299 --> 00:22:02,059 To allow Jesus to rise up in me in this situation 413 00:22:02,059 --> 00:22:03,980 and be glorified. 414 00:22:04,220 --> 00:22:07,259 So I don't have to fret or worry or struggle 415 00:22:07,259 --> 00:22:11,940 because he's in this and he will prevail. 416 00:22:12,339 --> 00:22:14,700 Take heart for I have overcome the world. 417 00:22:15,220 --> 00:22:19,140 He will overcome in the midst of whatever the suffering, 418 00:22:19,319 --> 00:22:21,240 the fallipsis you're going through. 419 00:22:21,339 --> 00:22:24,079 This word fallipsis is used for childbirth, you know? 420 00:22:24,420 --> 00:22:26,980 We have so many babies being born in this place. 421 00:22:27,279 --> 00:22:28,420 Praise the Lord, okay? 422 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,299 But I'll bet you the one thing you didn't have to go through 423 00:22:31,299 --> 00:22:34,740 is the actual birth of the child, right? 424 00:22:35,319 --> 00:22:37,299 I'm convinced if men had to do that, 425 00:22:37,380 --> 00:22:38,140 there would be no children. 426 00:22:38,380 --> 00:22:40,759 I know we would be childless right now 427 00:22:40,759 --> 00:22:42,680 if wimpy me had to do that, okay? 428 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,700 Thank God the Lord knew, okay? 429 00:22:45,779 --> 00:22:47,279 Who was really the stronger vessel? 430 00:22:47,539 --> 00:22:50,160 But no, that's anti-biblical, so let's get back on track. 431 00:22:50,539 --> 00:22:52,599 But anyway, you know what I'm saying? 432 00:22:52,799 --> 00:22:57,759 Like really, it's suffering that's labeled with relational disputes 433 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,680 with just trials of situations happening. 434 00:23:03,299 --> 00:23:06,420 It's tribulation, fallipsis is actually discussed 435 00:23:06,420 --> 00:23:11,400 when Paul had to confront the Corinthians for their sin in the church. 436 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:14,240 He said, you know, I was so sad about that. 437 00:23:14,319 --> 00:23:15,500 That was fallipsis. 438 00:23:15,500 --> 00:23:18,539 You know, I was suffering because I didn't want to do that. 439 00:23:18,700 --> 00:23:21,680 Don't you hate confronting people in their sins? 440 00:23:22,059 --> 00:23:24,299 Because you're thinking, I probably have two logs in my eye. 441 00:23:24,380 --> 00:23:25,660 Let me see where I can get these out. 442 00:23:25,779 --> 00:23:26,700 Where's a mirror, you know? 443 00:23:26,940 --> 00:23:29,339 Because you're always thinking I'm probably at least that bad, right? 444 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,859 But really, sometimes we just need to do it. 445 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:36,579 But it's still a heavy thing that we have to go through. 446 00:23:36,579 --> 00:23:41,880 And even fallipsis is even used for, you know, the suffering of sin, 447 00:23:42,839 --> 00:23:44,779 of unbelievers even, you know. 448 00:23:45,220 --> 00:23:47,799 I'll never forget when I was a youth pastor 449 00:23:47,799 --> 00:23:52,839 and this one youth kid, he was living with his mother 450 00:23:54,499 --> 00:23:59,900 and his father, unfortunately, was addicted to, 451 00:24:01,059 --> 00:24:05,279 it's not heroin, it's fentanyl or whatever it is now, 452 00:24:05,279 --> 00:24:07,519 tranq or whatever it's called. 453 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,220 So he was living right near the supply 454 00:24:11,220 --> 00:24:16,720 and his son was so sad, you know, that he couldn't live with his father 455 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:19,940 and his father seemed like such a nice guy and everything. 456 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:26,539 But I'll never forget having this meeting with grandmom, grandson and dad 457 00:24:26,539 --> 00:24:30,680 and just talking about, you know, what's going on here 458 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:32,440 because he was acting up in school. 459 00:24:32,559 --> 00:24:34,240 He was acting up with his grandmom. 460 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:35,839 I mean, you can imagine, right? 461 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:37,440 He's not living with any of his parents. 462 00:24:38,380 --> 00:24:43,279 And so as we were talking through all this, I'll just never forget, you know. 463 00:24:43,940 --> 00:24:46,619 The dad said to his son, you know, 464 00:24:46,740 --> 00:24:49,319 I don't know why God's putting me through this, 465 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:56,859 why God's causing me to suffer, you know. 466 00:24:58,500 --> 00:25:01,299 That doesn't fit any theology, okay. 467 00:25:01,299 --> 00:25:04,539 And we work, talk through all that. 468 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:10,599 But, you know, it's the suffering of sin, that humanity sustains, you know. 469 00:25:11,399 --> 00:25:14,400 And unfortunately, you know, I hope he's with the Lord 470 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:17,500 but he never made it through that patch of his life. 471 00:25:17,700 --> 00:25:20,799 You know, I think the son is doing, his son is doing well now 472 00:25:20,799 --> 00:25:23,279 but, you know, his grandmom had to raise him. 473 00:25:23,759 --> 00:25:26,680 But it's just, that's thalepsis in this world. 474 00:25:26,819 --> 00:25:29,480 And, you know, thalepsis is trying to come upon all of us 475 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:33,099 but the Lord says, take heart, find peace in me 476 00:25:33,099 --> 00:25:36,220 for I have overcome the world. 477 00:25:36,299 --> 00:25:38,940 The only place to find peace is in Jesus. 478 00:25:39,700 --> 00:25:43,259 He's the only place there is peace, is knowing him. 479 00:25:43,579 --> 00:25:48,200 And when we do go through something, we find him in the midst of it. 480 00:25:49,119 --> 00:25:55,299 If we could put that verse up again, that John 16, 33. 481 00:25:55,299 --> 00:26:00,200 These things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace. 482 00:26:00,819 --> 00:26:04,900 In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer. 483 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:06,460 That's hard sometimes, isn't it? 484 00:26:06,859 --> 00:26:07,779 Be of good cheer. 485 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:13,420 I have overcome the world, you know, have peace. 486 00:26:13,940 --> 00:26:15,759 I love that verse in Philippians. 487 00:26:15,920 --> 00:26:20,920 I have it up there, verse 6, 4, 6 and 7. 488 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:23,539 That be anxious, you could probably quote this 489 00:26:23,539 --> 00:26:26,480 if you've been up a few nights with some anxiety, you know. 490 00:26:26,779 --> 00:26:29,420 Sometimes I say I'm anxious for everything 491 00:26:29,420 --> 00:26:34,059 but the word is be anxious for nothing but in all things 492 00:26:34,059 --> 00:26:37,900 through prayers and supplications and thanksgiving, 493 00:26:38,420 --> 00:26:42,940 make your request known to God and the peace, the peace 494 00:26:43,539 --> 00:26:46,539 which transcends all understanding 495 00:26:46,539 --> 00:26:50,599 will guide your heart and mind in Jesus Christ. 496 00:26:50,859 --> 00:26:51,740 Is that awesome? 497 00:26:51,740 --> 00:26:53,519 Have you ever been there? 498 00:26:54,339 --> 00:26:56,960 I've had many anxious days and nights 499 00:26:56,960 --> 00:26:58,920 and about all kinds of things 500 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:03,299 but, you know, when I prayed I knew there was an answer coming. 501 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:06,019 You know, I might not get right to sleep. 502 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:07,599 It might be a few hours later 503 00:27:07,599 --> 00:27:12,240 but I know the next morning the Lord will give me clarity. 504 00:27:12,440 --> 00:27:13,440 Isn't that great about him? 505 00:27:13,859 --> 00:27:16,680 He always does that. He always brings clarity. 506 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:21,059 We can really glorify God in every type of suffering. 507 00:27:21,059 --> 00:27:25,539 You know, I just went through a thing or two with my heart 508 00:27:25,539 --> 00:27:27,779 and it's so weird because people always look at you 509 00:27:27,779 --> 00:27:30,599 like they think I'm healthy, you know, and I am healthy. 510 00:27:30,819 --> 00:27:33,900 To me, you know, I think I feel great, by the way. 511 00:27:34,339 --> 00:27:37,180 Awesome, you know, but thank you, praise the Lord. 512 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:40,359 But I had a thing or two, you know, that I never expected, 513 00:27:40,599 --> 00:27:45,119 you know, like a defibrillator, a pacemaker 514 00:27:45,740 --> 00:27:49,039 and last year I almost died of severe asthma. 515 00:27:49,039 --> 00:27:52,279 I mean, it's just been a weird year, you know, it really has been. 516 00:27:52,859 --> 00:27:55,460 And yet, you know, I know the Lord has a reason for it, 517 00:27:55,619 --> 00:27:57,279 you know, and I know he's in it 518 00:27:57,759 --> 00:28:01,380 and he also allows you to get a peek of your life, doesn't he? 519 00:28:01,859 --> 00:28:03,940 And say, you know, I never promise you to be here forever. 520 00:28:04,759 --> 00:28:07,839 This life is but a mist. Your body is a tent. 521 00:28:08,519 --> 00:28:10,400 You know, you can read all that and say, 522 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,319 well then, what am I going to do with my days that are left? 523 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:17,539 You know, I love the word says that we're in a race. 524 00:28:18,139 --> 00:28:21,420 Run the race. You know, we're not racing against anyone. 525 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:24,759 We're racing against our own demise. 526 00:28:25,140 --> 00:28:26,000 Do you ever think about that? 527 00:28:26,220 --> 00:28:29,119 We're only racing, not in speed. 528 00:28:29,259 --> 00:28:32,539 We're racing to say, Lord, I want to do everything 529 00:28:33,259 --> 00:28:34,940 that you're leading me to do. 530 00:28:34,980 --> 00:28:38,299 I don't want to get sidetracked and guided elsewhere. 531 00:28:38,500 --> 00:28:42,079 I just want to run your race in my life. Amen. 532 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:44,180 And that's what it's all about. 533 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:46,819 But like it was, as we were going through it, 534 00:28:46,819 --> 00:28:48,980 you know, I remember they said, you know, 535 00:28:49,140 --> 00:28:52,680 I was going in first for the two and a half hour MRI, right? 536 00:28:53,079 --> 00:28:55,759 Literally two and a half hours and you have to stay awake 537 00:28:55,759 --> 00:28:57,259 and they give you instructions. 538 00:28:57,819 --> 00:28:59,740 Breathe, breathe out and all this stuff. 539 00:29:00,420 --> 00:29:02,140 But it wasn't that, I don't mind MRIs. 540 00:29:02,339 --> 00:29:04,640 But anyway, they said, so what kind of music do you want? 541 00:29:04,859 --> 00:29:07,480 I'm like, well, Christian music. 542 00:29:07,779 --> 00:29:10,799 Okay. So the whole two and a half hours, you know, 543 00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:14,240 the technicians are listening to Christian music. 544 00:29:14,259 --> 00:29:15,299 I'm like, well, there you go. 545 00:29:15,299 --> 00:29:17,920 There's some benefits going on right here. 546 00:29:18,500 --> 00:29:21,380 And then when they put in all this hardware in my chest, right? 547 00:29:21,759 --> 00:29:22,720 A new hard drive. 548 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:24,920 They said, what kind of music do you want to listen to? 549 00:29:25,579 --> 00:29:26,799 Christian music, right? 550 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:27,900 And it was so funny. 551 00:29:28,039 --> 00:29:28,700 I just never forget. 552 00:29:28,859 --> 00:29:30,900 This is like, this is awesome, Lord. 553 00:29:31,279 --> 00:29:33,240 Like here I am and I'm here and all these, you know, 554 00:29:33,460 --> 00:29:35,579 I can't remember any song that I played, but Jesus, 555 00:29:35,839 --> 00:29:38,480 like Jesus was just being sang out, you know? 556 00:29:38,799 --> 00:29:42,460 And it was so cool just thinking like all these people, 557 00:29:42,500 --> 00:29:44,359 there's probably six people in the room 558 00:29:44,359 --> 00:29:46,759 and they're all hearing about Jesus. 559 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:49,619 And a lot of them are saying, oh, I like this song. 560 00:29:49,759 --> 00:29:52,200 So I'm like, wow, something's resonating here, you know? 561 00:29:52,559 --> 00:29:54,740 But just everything, we can glorify God 562 00:29:54,740 --> 00:29:58,799 in all kinds of common suffering, fallipsis. 563 00:29:58,940 --> 00:30:00,299 Like it's all for a reason. 564 00:30:01,039 --> 00:30:01,900 We don't like it. 565 00:30:02,079 --> 00:30:05,359 We wish it would stop, but it's here, you know? 566 00:30:05,599 --> 00:30:06,480 A lot of times I wonder, 567 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:09,200 should we be praying that it go away 568 00:30:09,879 --> 00:30:11,640 or should we be praying, Lord, 569 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:14,920 what am I supposed to do in it? 570 00:30:15,859 --> 00:30:18,740 Like Lord, what are you showing me right now 571 00:30:18,740 --> 00:30:23,279 so I can operate effectively in the midst of this? 572 00:30:23,339 --> 00:30:25,579 And I've blown it many times, trust me. 573 00:30:25,700 --> 00:30:28,339 Like I suddenly panic or I wish that, you know, 574 00:30:28,539 --> 00:30:29,960 oh, this is out of control. 575 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:33,079 I guess suddenly I'm off of, you know, God's radar. 576 00:30:33,380 --> 00:30:34,460 Like he doesn't even know where I am. 577 00:30:34,539 --> 00:30:35,400 Well, he always does. 578 00:30:36,420 --> 00:30:38,759 And yet sometimes I can just struggle and think like, 579 00:30:38,759 --> 00:30:41,019 you know, I better handle this my way 580 00:30:41,019 --> 00:30:43,720 and you know, that's not a good song 581 00:30:44,500 --> 00:30:46,480 and it's not a good life to live by. 582 00:30:46,619 --> 00:30:49,319 You know, I did it my way, then you did it the wrong way. 583 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:51,400 Okay, we need to do it God's way. 584 00:30:51,460 --> 00:30:52,480 They need to rewrite that song. 585 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:55,440 I did it God's way. 586 00:30:56,099 --> 00:30:57,160 What do you think? I don't know. 587 00:30:57,460 --> 00:31:01,099 I think Frank's not around to change that up. 588 00:31:01,619 --> 00:31:03,839 But anyway, so this is what we're trying to do. 589 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:07,700 We're trying to really embrace God in the midst of suffering. 590 00:31:07,980 --> 00:31:08,480 You know what I love? 591 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:10,700 Like if you ever read about, of all play, 592 00:31:10,700 --> 00:31:13,380 do you know who the first person, 593 00:31:13,559 --> 00:31:16,559 the angel of the Lord appeared to in the Bible? 594 00:31:18,420 --> 00:31:18,819 Hagar. 595 00:31:21,099 --> 00:31:22,599 Like, you know, the Lord, you know, 596 00:31:22,599 --> 00:31:25,440 got some visions and spoke to by God, 597 00:31:25,519 --> 00:31:28,000 but the angel of the Lord first appeared 598 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,259 to an Egyptian slave woman 599 00:31:30,259 --> 00:31:35,180 that was forced to conceive by Abraham. 600 00:31:35,500 --> 00:31:37,240 I mean, just a weird sorted mess. 601 00:31:37,599 --> 00:31:39,420 Okay, and that's life, isn't it? 602 00:31:39,420 --> 00:31:42,259 I mean, that's, I'm so glad the Bible doesn't hide 603 00:31:42,259 --> 00:31:43,759 all the warts and wrinkles. 604 00:31:44,160 --> 00:31:47,759 I mean, the Bible is so out there and real. 605 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:50,019 Nobody would make this up. 606 00:31:50,319 --> 00:31:52,920 Okay, it doesn't make anyone except God look good. 607 00:31:53,079 --> 00:31:55,359 Okay, when you really track it out. 608 00:31:55,740 --> 00:31:58,279 But so, but Hagar, you know, 609 00:31:58,420 --> 00:31:59,839 she does what she's told. 610 00:32:00,039 --> 00:32:00,779 Everything okay. 611 00:32:01,019 --> 00:32:03,299 All right, you know, she, she's pregnant. 612 00:32:03,779 --> 00:32:07,720 Okay, suddenly some dynamic between Hagar and Sarah. 613 00:32:07,720 --> 00:32:10,019 Sarah says, get rid of her. 614 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:12,740 Okay, and like, you know, she's so like, you know, 615 00:32:13,140 --> 00:32:15,299 she's crying, she's running away. 616 00:32:15,700 --> 00:32:16,619 And suddenly, guess what? 617 00:32:16,740 --> 00:32:19,400 The angel of the Lord appears to her 618 00:32:20,079 --> 00:32:22,900 and tells her, no, I will take care. 619 00:32:22,940 --> 00:32:25,440 You have a child, he will be a mighty nation. 620 00:32:26,220 --> 00:32:27,880 Okay, and his name will be Ishmael 621 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:29,299 because I heard you. 622 00:32:29,359 --> 00:32:31,660 His name means God hears. 623 00:32:32,380 --> 00:32:34,839 Okay, and so she went back, followed through. 624 00:32:35,299 --> 00:32:37,319 Finally, you know, I don't know what the deal was. 625 00:32:37,319 --> 00:32:39,039 Ishmael was picking on Isaac. 626 00:32:40,220 --> 00:32:44,039 And Sarah says, nuh-uh, nuh-uh, not around here. 627 00:32:44,559 --> 00:32:45,299 Get rid of them. 628 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,200 So there she is leaving, 629 00:32:47,799 --> 00:32:50,799 and the Lord appears to her again. 630 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:53,980 You know, that's someone that isn't even a patriarch. 631 00:32:54,319 --> 00:32:57,480 That's someone who isn't even part of the lineage of Jesus. 632 00:32:58,059 --> 00:33:01,480 And yet the Lord made it a point to meet with her 633 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:03,299 and bless her. 634 00:33:03,380 --> 00:33:05,480 And not only that, but bless Ishmael, 635 00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:09,779 saying, no, I have a purpose in everyone's life. 636 00:33:10,460 --> 00:33:14,900 Everyone can find me in the midst of suffering. 637 00:33:15,039 --> 00:33:18,460 You know, Moses messing up his career in Egypt, 638 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:20,819 messing up his leadership over Israel. 639 00:33:21,240 --> 00:33:22,460 And yet the Lord met him and says, 640 00:33:22,579 --> 00:33:24,359 all right, we're gonna try this again my way 641 00:33:24,359 --> 00:33:28,480 at the age of 80, at the age of 80, right? 642 00:33:29,700 --> 00:33:31,700 You know, the Lord meets us sometimes 643 00:33:31,700 --> 00:33:35,920 in those lowest places, and he does something amazing. 644 00:33:36,319 --> 00:33:39,160 Remember David, I think Jesse brought this up 645 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:43,859 in a Bible study on Wednesday night, 646 00:33:44,180 --> 00:33:46,319 but how when David was, 647 00:33:46,559 --> 00:33:48,140 it's too long of a story to get into it all, 648 00:33:48,220 --> 00:33:53,220 but David was sent home, him and his 600 men 649 00:33:53,220 --> 00:33:54,380 by the Philistines, 650 00:33:55,519 --> 00:33:58,259 because they were not welcome to fight in this battle. 651 00:33:58,420 --> 00:33:59,839 I think that was God's providence 652 00:33:59,839 --> 00:34:04,079 over the whole situation, saving David of big mistakes 653 00:34:04,079 --> 00:34:05,279 in either direction. 654 00:34:06,079 --> 00:34:09,840 And so the Philistines said, 655 00:34:09,860 --> 00:34:11,400 you can't join us in this battle. 656 00:34:11,519 --> 00:34:13,980 You might change your mind and fight against us. 657 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:16,639 So when they went, while they were away, 658 00:34:17,139 --> 00:34:19,599 the Amalekites, the enemy of the Lord's people, 659 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:23,099 came and captured all of their people 660 00:34:23,099 --> 00:34:25,840 and burned their city, Ziklag, right? 661 00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:29,039 So David and his men come back 662 00:34:29,039 --> 00:34:32,019 and they look around, all their stuff's gone. 663 00:34:32,539 --> 00:34:34,400 The town is burnt down. 664 00:34:35,780 --> 00:34:37,159 All their people are missing. 665 00:34:38,340 --> 00:34:40,980 And they're like bawling their eyes out 666 00:34:40,980 --> 00:34:43,239 and all of a sudden, probably one by one, 667 00:34:43,300 --> 00:34:44,719 they're looking over at David and thinking, 668 00:34:44,900 --> 00:34:46,460 what kind of leader is this? 669 00:34:47,320 --> 00:34:50,599 First, he sends us up to fight with the Philistines, 670 00:34:51,240 --> 00:34:52,940 and then while we're gone, 671 00:34:53,719 --> 00:34:56,900 we lose everything and everyone that's important to us. 672 00:34:56,900 --> 00:34:58,820 And they started picking up stones 673 00:34:58,820 --> 00:35:00,539 ready to stone them to death. 674 00:35:01,420 --> 00:35:02,300 And you know what David did? 675 00:35:03,539 --> 00:35:05,800 He didn't run, he probably ran a little bit, 676 00:35:06,260 --> 00:35:10,179 but he went somewhere and he took strength in the Lord. 677 00:35:10,420 --> 00:35:11,039 That's what it says. 678 00:35:11,340 --> 00:35:13,900 He just, Lord, what am I gonna do? 679 00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:15,239 Like, this is miserable. 680 00:35:15,559 --> 00:35:17,239 I don't know where my family is. 681 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:19,519 All my stuff is gone. 682 00:35:19,619 --> 00:35:21,360 The things that I've been accumulating, 683 00:35:21,659 --> 00:35:24,739 you know, important stuff, things to live on, 684 00:35:24,739 --> 00:35:27,980 it's all gone and our houses are burnt down. 685 00:35:28,699 --> 00:35:33,099 And now my best friends are about to kill me. 686 00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:37,539 Like, talk about your whole world burning away. 687 00:35:38,519 --> 00:35:39,219 And what did he do? 688 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:44,460 He took strength and the Lord and the Lord gave him direction. 689 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:46,559 I believe that's what the Lord wants to do. 690 00:35:46,780 --> 00:35:49,260 When we're in misery, he says, I got this. 691 00:35:50,019 --> 00:35:53,780 You just need to be tethered to me going through it. 692 00:35:53,780 --> 00:35:58,739 I love this picture two weeks ago in the visionary parenting. 693 00:35:59,739 --> 00:36:03,139 That's a great class, those of you who have children 694 00:36:03,139 --> 00:36:06,059 or are going to have children who have been attending. 695 00:36:06,219 --> 00:36:07,699 We even have some grandparents there. 696 00:36:08,380 --> 00:36:10,059 Jill and I attended, it's awesome. 697 00:36:10,820 --> 00:36:13,780 And so I remember this one analogy that the speaker, 698 00:36:14,679 --> 00:36:16,719 I forget his name, but he does a great job. 699 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:18,760 Fantastic communicator. 700 00:36:19,199 --> 00:36:22,000 And he was talking about how parents need to guide 701 00:36:22,000 --> 00:36:24,199 their children, even through adolescence, 702 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:25,940 when they start wanting to wander. 703 00:36:26,380 --> 00:36:28,440 I mean, every adolescent wanders, right? 704 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:30,900 But that's when you need to keep more, 705 00:36:31,300 --> 00:36:35,059 not control over them, but keep tethered to them. 706 00:36:35,219 --> 00:36:39,920 Keep guiding them and compare it to a mountain climbing expedition. 707 00:36:40,739 --> 00:36:42,739 And as they're climbing up the mountain of life, 708 00:36:43,159 --> 00:36:45,099 you need to keep tethered to them. 709 00:36:45,159 --> 00:36:47,260 You need to keep the lifelines, the ropes, 710 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:50,159 and keep, you know, guiding them up 711 00:36:50,159 --> 00:36:53,219 and keeping it taut and just encouraging them. 712 00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:56,059 All right, your left foot goes to the left and da, da, da, da, da. 713 00:36:56,139 --> 00:36:57,840 And actually, left foot to the left. 714 00:36:58,039 --> 00:36:58,400 Yeah. 715 00:36:59,579 --> 00:37:02,099 Make sure you're going the right direction. 716 00:37:02,300 --> 00:37:04,119 I'll lead you each direction. 717 00:37:04,719 --> 00:37:06,820 But like, what do the adolescents want to do? 718 00:37:06,940 --> 00:37:07,780 They want to... 719 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:12,820 They want to cut the line and go their own path. 720 00:37:13,260 --> 00:37:14,760 Or they're on the ledge and they're like, 721 00:37:14,800 --> 00:37:16,179 this is taking too long. 722 00:37:16,860 --> 00:37:18,179 The sun's in my eyes. 723 00:37:18,179 --> 00:37:20,159 This guy doesn't know what he's doing. 724 00:37:21,159 --> 00:37:24,360 Clip, I'm going to find my own path. 725 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:27,059 I think that's what we do with God. 726 00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:30,460 This is not happening fast enough, God. 727 00:37:30,699 --> 00:37:32,420 I'm not getting up quick enough. 728 00:37:33,340 --> 00:37:36,099 I don't like this experience, Lord. 729 00:37:37,139 --> 00:37:39,099 So I'm going to try it my way. 730 00:37:40,280 --> 00:37:42,260 And the Lord's like, you're going the wrong way. 731 00:37:42,840 --> 00:37:43,739 It's not going to work. 732 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:47,780 We need to be tethered to God through these trials, don't we? 733 00:37:47,780 --> 00:37:49,800 And he will guide us through them. 734 00:37:50,860 --> 00:37:56,539 I love a few verses that really bring this home about suffering. 735 00:37:57,239 --> 00:38:03,599 Colossians 1, 24 and 2 Corinthians 1, 5. 736 00:38:04,239 --> 00:38:06,940 I now rejoice in my sufferings. 737 00:38:07,139 --> 00:38:10,039 Now, do you rejoice in your sufferings? 738 00:38:11,199 --> 00:38:12,000 Well, you know what? 739 00:38:12,099 --> 00:38:17,139 You can rejoice in what God is doing in you in the sufferings. 740 00:38:17,139 --> 00:38:19,400 You don't have to say, yay, I lost my job. 741 00:38:19,559 --> 00:38:22,179 Or, yay, I just got hacked. 742 00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:25,460 And I just, whatever, something bad happened. 743 00:38:25,980 --> 00:38:27,260 I'm so happy about it. 744 00:38:27,260 --> 00:38:28,980 No, you don't have to be happy about that. 745 00:38:29,460 --> 00:38:32,900 But you can rejoice in what God is going to do through it. 746 00:38:32,900 --> 00:38:35,360 You can trust him going through it. 747 00:38:35,940 --> 00:38:39,619 I rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up in my flesh 748 00:38:39,619 --> 00:38:42,780 what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ 749 00:38:42,780 --> 00:38:46,860 for the sake of his body, which is the church. 750 00:38:47,659 --> 00:38:51,360 Jesus didn't go through everything that you went through, 751 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:57,099 but when you go through it, you can go through it with him. 752 00:38:57,880 --> 00:39:01,460 So he is going through it with you, right? 753 00:39:01,920 --> 00:39:04,159 And then he also wrote to the Corinthians, 754 00:39:05,159 --> 00:39:08,159 for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, 755 00:39:08,360 --> 00:39:12,500 so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 756 00:39:12,500 --> 00:39:15,179 So in sufferings, in thalipsis, 757 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:19,179 I will just embrace the Lord and be strengthened. 758 00:39:19,539 --> 00:39:20,760 How about Romans 8? 759 00:39:21,519 --> 00:39:22,940 Awesome chapter. 760 00:39:23,800 --> 00:39:28,780 Every amazing verse finds itself landing in Romans 8. 761 00:39:29,139 --> 00:39:31,079 I don't know if you've ever really just like 762 00:39:31,079 --> 00:39:33,659 marinated in Romans 8, but you should. 763 00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:34,659 It's tremendous. 764 00:39:34,980 --> 00:39:39,179 So many epic verses are found in Romans 8. 765 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:42,079 But Paul writes, 766 00:39:43,159 --> 00:39:47,079 who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 767 00:39:48,059 --> 00:39:50,440 Shall trouble, remember that's thalipsis, 768 00:39:50,579 --> 00:39:55,119 that's common suffering, or hardship, or persecution. 769 00:39:55,460 --> 00:39:56,239 That's diagmas. 770 00:39:56,420 --> 00:39:58,579 That's when someone is throwing you in jail 771 00:39:58,579 --> 00:40:00,460 for sharing your faith, 772 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:04,420 or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sore. 773 00:40:05,099 --> 00:40:06,280 You know what he's about to say. 774 00:40:06,280 --> 00:40:09,239 Nothing can separate us. 775 00:40:09,699 --> 00:40:13,159 In fact, we read on Romans 8, 37, 38. 776 00:40:15,019 --> 00:40:16,780 Yet in all these things, 777 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:21,179 we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 778 00:40:21,420 --> 00:40:24,579 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, 779 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:27,659 nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, 780 00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:30,139 nor things present, nor things to come, 781 00:40:30,440 --> 00:40:32,059 nor height, nor depth, 782 00:40:32,360 --> 00:40:34,219 nor any other created things 783 00:40:34,219 --> 00:40:37,940 shall be able to separate us from the love of God 784 00:40:37,940 --> 00:40:40,780 which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 785 00:40:40,900 --> 00:40:42,559 What a promise that is. 786 00:40:42,980 --> 00:40:45,639 It doesn't matter what you're going through, 787 00:40:46,659 --> 00:40:48,679 Jesus is meeting you there. 788 00:40:49,039 --> 00:40:50,500 You know, Paul prayed, 789 00:40:51,019 --> 00:40:53,220 Lord, take this thorn in my side away. 790 00:40:54,239 --> 00:40:55,220 You know, many people speculate 791 00:40:55,820 --> 00:40:57,219 on a lot of different things, 792 00:40:57,460 --> 00:41:00,539 but we know that he bore the scars of Christ. 793 00:41:00,739 --> 00:41:02,579 He finishes the book of Galatians saying, 794 00:41:02,579 --> 00:41:04,960 I'm tired of people bothering me. 795 00:41:05,300 --> 00:41:07,280 I wear the scars of Christ. 796 00:41:07,699 --> 00:41:11,460 I have the evidence that I have lived the life 797 00:41:11,460 --> 00:41:12,760 serving the Lord. 798 00:41:13,360 --> 00:41:17,599 And so he was evidently proof 799 00:41:18,559 --> 00:41:21,039 of God pulling him through these things. 800 00:41:21,179 --> 00:41:22,619 Like, I wonder if he actually died 801 00:41:22,619 --> 00:41:25,079 when he was stoned at that point. 802 00:41:25,980 --> 00:41:28,480 Like, I believe they said they gathered around him 803 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:31,900 and prayed and suddenly he pops up 804 00:41:31,900 --> 00:41:32,659 and says, I'm sorry, you know? 805 00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:36,340 I mean, he bore the scars of Christ 806 00:41:36,340 --> 00:41:42,380 and yet he carried that optimism of the Lord 807 00:41:42,900 --> 00:41:44,480 knowing that all of the sufferings 808 00:41:44,480 --> 00:41:45,980 he went through were for a purpose. 809 00:41:46,380 --> 00:41:48,920 And you remember when he was asking the Lord 810 00:41:48,920 --> 00:41:50,519 to take this thing away? 811 00:41:50,579 --> 00:41:51,860 Maybe it was blindness. 812 00:41:52,960 --> 00:41:54,039 Maybe it was other things. 813 00:41:54,199 --> 00:41:56,960 But we know that it was some kind of infirmity 814 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:58,519 and he prayed three times, 815 00:41:58,699 --> 00:41:59,860 Lord, take this away. 816 00:41:59,860 --> 00:42:02,380 But finally the Lord said, no, my strength 817 00:42:02,380 --> 00:42:04,780 is proven through your weakness. 818 00:42:06,199 --> 00:42:07,699 You have everything you need. 819 00:42:07,780 --> 00:42:09,679 In fact, you're gonna be more powerful 820 00:42:10,219 --> 00:42:11,599 because of your condition. 821 00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:13,579 I mean, how about that? 822 00:42:14,739 --> 00:42:17,000 I don't wanna hear that personally in the flesh, 823 00:42:18,039 --> 00:42:22,760 but the Lord knows what is best for my eternal Chris, 824 00:42:23,400 --> 00:42:25,300 which I'll have a new name back by then anyway. 825 00:42:25,860 --> 00:42:26,559 But he knows. 826 00:42:27,199 --> 00:42:29,059 He knows what he's doing in me. 827 00:42:29,059 --> 00:42:32,059 That's why I love the fact that the word says 828 00:42:32,619 --> 00:42:36,460 that suffering produces patience 829 00:42:37,059 --> 00:42:41,559 and patience, character, and character, hope. 830 00:42:42,539 --> 00:42:45,239 Every step of that ladder we can say, 831 00:42:45,340 --> 00:42:46,639 you know what, I'm going through this 832 00:42:46,639 --> 00:42:49,320 because I know through this suffering 833 00:42:49,320 --> 00:42:50,800 I'm gonna gain patience. 834 00:42:51,260 --> 00:42:54,139 And okay, Lord, we can get through this together. 835 00:42:54,920 --> 00:42:58,059 And then through patience I can build character, 836 00:42:58,059 --> 00:42:59,820 Christ-like character, 837 00:43:00,380 --> 00:43:04,079 because now I am being consoled in his suffering. 838 00:43:04,679 --> 00:43:07,780 I am partnered with him 839 00:43:07,780 --> 00:43:11,079 and I sense a camaraderie with him, 840 00:43:11,619 --> 00:43:15,000 a friendship with him in the midst of sufferings 841 00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:17,500 because I'm going through it with him. 842 00:43:18,300 --> 00:43:21,639 That's the key is we go through things with him, amen. 843 00:43:22,980 --> 00:43:24,960 If the worship team can come forward, 844 00:43:28,299 --> 00:43:31,940 I love this 2 Corinthians chapter 4 845 00:43:33,799 --> 00:43:36,239 verses 16 to 18. 846 00:43:39,840 --> 00:43:41,639 I used to be able to quote all this. 847 00:43:41,780 --> 00:43:42,679 I kind of forgot it. 848 00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:43,840 I get to get back to it. 849 00:43:44,380 --> 00:43:46,380 Don't you love just ripping off a verse or two, 850 00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:47,159 just like, yeah. 851 00:43:48,099 --> 00:43:49,619 That means it's like it's in here 852 00:43:49,619 --> 00:43:51,719 and it's part of your DNA, you know. 853 00:43:51,980 --> 00:43:55,219 It's in your every cell when you know verses 854 00:43:55,219 --> 00:43:58,860 that are just like, that's how you think, you know. 855 00:43:59,039 --> 00:44:01,300 We have the mind of Christ. 856 00:44:02,380 --> 00:44:04,679 When we soak in the Word, 857 00:44:04,780 --> 00:44:06,420 when we just meditate on the Word, 858 00:44:06,539 --> 00:44:09,320 when we chew on it and it's like the cud, 859 00:44:09,579 --> 00:44:10,739 we don't have time to get in all that, 860 00:44:10,940 --> 00:44:13,280 but it's like it's just part of who we are 861 00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:16,840 and you could just rip off verses of Scripture 862 00:44:17,480 --> 00:44:19,440 at every time they're needed. 863 00:44:19,559 --> 00:44:20,940 I get this, yeah, yeah. 864 00:44:21,340 --> 00:44:23,219 I have to renew my mind, you know. 865 00:44:23,559 --> 00:44:24,780 Don't conform to the patterns of this world 866 00:44:24,780 --> 00:44:27,000 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 867 00:44:27,199 --> 00:44:28,880 Then you'll be able to prove the good, acceptable 868 00:44:28,880 --> 00:44:30,099 and perfect will of God. 869 00:44:30,559 --> 00:44:32,280 Like, whatever you go through is like bam 870 00:44:32,280 --> 00:44:36,039 because the Lord wants you to use the sword of the Spirit 871 00:44:36,039 --> 00:44:38,579 to pierce through everything, amen. 872 00:44:39,760 --> 00:44:40,760 And so it says, 873 00:44:41,260 --> 00:44:42,920 therefore we do not lose heart 874 00:44:42,920 --> 00:44:46,460 even though our outward man is perishing, 875 00:44:46,800 --> 00:44:51,559 yet the inward man is being renewed day by day 876 00:44:51,559 --> 00:44:55,619 for our light affliction, which is but a moment, 877 00:44:55,860 --> 00:45:00,900 is working for us a far more excellent exceeding, 878 00:45:01,360 --> 00:45:02,940 I'm sorry, a far more exceeding 879 00:45:02,940 --> 00:45:06,400 and eternal weight of glory 880 00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:10,800 while we do not look at the things which are seen 881 00:45:10,800 --> 00:45:13,699 but at the things which are not seen 882 00:45:13,699 --> 00:45:16,500 for the things which are seen are temporary 883 00:45:16,500 --> 00:45:20,800 but the things which are not seen are eternal. 884 00:45:21,360 --> 00:45:23,300 You know, we're going through some things 885 00:45:23,300 --> 00:45:27,019 and some things may last longer than we want to 886 00:45:27,019 --> 00:45:28,619 even into heaven. 887 00:45:30,079 --> 00:45:32,619 You know, the things, these temporal things 888 00:45:32,619 --> 00:45:33,800 that Lord, please, you know, 889 00:45:33,860 --> 00:45:36,019 I don't want this issue with my heart or lungs 890 00:45:36,019 --> 00:45:37,460 or I don't want this, you know, 891 00:45:37,840 --> 00:45:39,360 Lord, make it go away. 892 00:45:39,780 --> 00:45:42,840 No, no, this is exactly where I want you. 893 00:45:43,199 --> 00:45:44,980 And I know some of you that struggle with that, 894 00:45:45,260 --> 00:45:47,679 no good father would give his child some, 895 00:45:48,139 --> 00:45:49,940 well, he determines what's good. 896 00:45:51,039 --> 00:45:53,840 He can use things that we perceive as bad 897 00:45:53,840 --> 00:45:55,679 as being very good. 898 00:45:56,840 --> 00:45:59,940 He can work things through all kinds of suffering 899 00:46:00,480 --> 00:46:03,900 and bring salvation through it. 900 00:46:05,460 --> 00:46:06,840 He could do great things 901 00:46:06,840 --> 00:46:09,039 through the midst of all these things. 902 00:46:10,440 --> 00:46:12,280 So I think a good idea is, you know, 903 00:46:12,519 --> 00:46:15,099 when we're going through something, 904 00:46:15,780 --> 00:46:16,860 you know, what do we do? 905 00:46:17,760 --> 00:46:22,659 How do we respond to it? 906 00:46:24,659 --> 00:46:27,039 Well, one thing, we stay tethered to him 907 00:46:27,039 --> 00:46:30,159 and say, Lord, I love that model, ask. 908 00:46:31,000 --> 00:46:32,639 Ask, seek, knock. 909 00:46:33,059 --> 00:46:33,860 Have you ever heard of that? 910 00:46:34,760 --> 00:46:35,860 Ask, seek and knock. 911 00:46:35,940 --> 00:46:37,639 Of course, Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit 912 00:46:37,639 --> 00:46:39,940 which we always need more of. 913 00:46:40,639 --> 00:46:42,480 By saying, Lord, ask the Lord. 914 00:46:42,760 --> 00:46:45,159 All right, so why am I going through this? 915 00:46:48,260 --> 00:46:50,179 You know, death happens. 916 00:46:53,640 --> 00:46:54,940 This is a tent. 917 00:46:56,179 --> 00:46:56,920 Health happens. 918 00:46:59,260 --> 00:47:01,639 Relationships, you know, I did my best. 919 00:47:03,579 --> 00:47:04,119 Finances. 920 00:47:05,639 --> 00:47:06,940 It's only money. 921 00:47:08,300 --> 00:47:09,380 It's not eternal. 922 00:47:11,659 --> 00:47:15,019 But, you know, I'm going to trust you 923 00:47:15,019 --> 00:47:15,980 going through it. 924 00:47:18,820 --> 00:47:20,699 But what do you want me to learn in it? 925 00:47:21,360 --> 00:47:23,159 Like, how can I be transformed 926 00:47:23,159 --> 00:47:27,099 more like you going through this right now 927 00:47:27,099 --> 00:47:30,539 that when I come out, I'm more like you? 928 00:47:31,159 --> 00:47:33,260 Even if I just blew it a minute ago 929 00:47:33,260 --> 00:47:38,079 and curse, war, complain, whine. 930 00:47:39,239 --> 00:47:40,139 That was then. 931 00:47:41,179 --> 00:47:42,119 This is a new minute. 932 00:47:43,260 --> 00:47:45,920 I'm starting over right now, right here, Lord. 933 00:47:47,079 --> 00:47:49,639 What do you want me to do in the midst of it? 934 00:47:49,960 --> 00:47:50,719 And then seek. 935 00:47:51,079 --> 00:47:52,360 I love seeking, you know, because, 936 00:47:52,960 --> 00:47:55,239 Lord, what should I be looking for? 937 00:47:55,380 --> 00:47:57,360 Is there an escape door here? 938 00:47:57,539 --> 00:47:58,099 Is there a ladder? 939 00:47:58,920 --> 00:48:02,480 Is there someone or something that I should be aware of 940 00:48:02,480 --> 00:48:08,000 that's in my presence that is part of my help, you know? 941 00:48:08,579 --> 00:48:10,139 That's why getting alone 942 00:48:10,139 --> 00:48:15,380 and drawing away from God is so dangerous 943 00:48:16,139 --> 00:48:19,300 because the lion only goes after the antelope 944 00:48:19,300 --> 00:48:20,920 that's by himself, right? 945 00:48:21,579 --> 00:48:23,260 And so when you're just saying, 946 00:48:23,260 --> 00:48:24,440 I could do this by myself, 947 00:48:24,619 --> 00:48:26,300 no, you really can't. 948 00:48:26,400 --> 00:48:27,519 We need to be seeking. 949 00:48:27,780 --> 00:48:29,179 Lord, where's my help come from? 950 00:48:29,300 --> 00:48:30,940 I know it's from you, but through who? 951 00:48:31,559 --> 00:48:31,860 Where? 952 00:48:32,239 --> 00:48:35,199 Like, how can you help me through this? 953 00:48:36,119 --> 00:48:37,539 Because you say you will, 954 00:48:37,539 --> 00:48:40,000 and you will never forsake me, Lord. 955 00:48:40,440 --> 00:48:41,480 So I'm trusting that. 956 00:48:42,159 --> 00:48:43,099 What do you want me to do? 957 00:48:43,500 --> 00:48:44,739 Seek, Lord, I'm looking. 958 00:48:45,380 --> 00:48:46,500 And then knock, you know. 959 00:48:49,119 --> 00:48:52,000 Lord, what door am I supposed to go through? 960 00:48:53,519 --> 00:48:54,579 What should I be? 961 00:48:55,599 --> 00:48:58,820 What door do I need to knock on to get answers? 962 00:49:05,139 --> 00:49:06,719 Lord, open the door. 963 00:49:06,719 --> 00:49:09,119 I love what he said to the Church of Philadelphia. 964 00:49:09,860 --> 00:49:11,360 Behold, I stand at the door. 965 00:49:12,480 --> 00:49:13,940 That's another place I knock. 966 00:49:14,619 --> 00:49:17,360 He who opens the door, I will come in and dine with him. 967 00:49:17,400 --> 00:49:23,500 But he also said that behold, I stand in front of an open door. 968 00:49:24,460 --> 00:49:26,659 You know, I believe he wants to open doors. 969 00:49:26,800 --> 00:49:28,880 Maybe we keep banging on the wrong door 970 00:49:28,880 --> 00:49:30,940 to resolve our situation. 971 00:49:31,440 --> 00:49:32,760 And he's like, look, that door's locked. 972 00:49:32,960 --> 00:49:34,019 I keep trying to tell you. 973 00:49:34,659 --> 00:49:36,079 But here's an open door. 974 00:49:36,519 --> 00:49:38,239 You just don't want to go through it. 975 00:49:39,380 --> 00:49:41,840 We need to look for the door to go through. 976 00:49:42,659 --> 00:49:44,780 The Lord, we're all going to go through stuff. 977 00:49:44,920 --> 00:49:45,659 That's a promise. 978 00:49:45,900 --> 00:49:48,599 The Lord said, this is a promise. 979 00:49:49,420 --> 00:49:51,139 In this world, you will have troubles. 980 00:49:52,579 --> 00:49:54,039 That comes to everyone. 981 00:49:55,099 --> 00:49:58,880 The great news is we know how to navigate through the trouble. 982 00:49:59,920 --> 00:50:01,980 We know how to navigate through the storm 983 00:50:01,980 --> 00:50:04,579 because we have the chief pilot, right? 984 00:50:05,039 --> 00:50:09,019 We have the one who can show us why we're going through it, 985 00:50:09,280 --> 00:50:11,300 what to do in the midst of it, 986 00:50:11,420 --> 00:50:13,780 and where we're going when we get out of it, amen? 987 00:50:15,539 --> 00:50:16,699 So let's pray. 988 00:50:17,480 --> 00:50:20,199 I want to just invite if anyone doesn't know the Lord here today, 989 00:50:20,860 --> 00:50:21,840 what are you waiting for? 990 00:50:22,659 --> 00:50:24,900 I don't mean to offend you, but maybe a little 991 00:50:25,679 --> 00:50:28,119 because the Lord is a rock of offense 992 00:50:28,119 --> 00:50:31,579 for those who choose to try to step around him. 993 00:50:31,579 --> 00:50:32,579 You're not going to. 994 00:50:33,659 --> 00:50:35,840 So today, why don't you just receive the Lord? 995 00:50:36,059 --> 00:50:36,860 Stop being a fool. 996 00:50:37,199 --> 00:50:39,099 Give your life to Jesus right now. 997 00:50:39,940 --> 00:50:43,420 Just say, Lord, I want to give my life to you now. 998 00:50:43,619 --> 00:50:47,280 I surrender my life right here, right now. 999 00:50:48,440 --> 00:50:52,019 I want to die, die with you on the cross, 1000 00:50:52,239 --> 00:50:57,159 right here, right now, so that I can live, 1001 00:50:57,159 --> 00:51:00,800 so I can rise up and be alive in you. 1002 00:51:02,920 --> 00:51:04,920 Forgive me of all my sins, and you know what? 1003 00:51:05,239 --> 00:51:07,900 Fill me with your Holy Spirit. 1004 00:51:08,619 --> 00:51:10,199 In Jesus' name, amen. 1005 00:51:11,239 --> 00:51:12,820 You know, that's salvation. 1006 00:51:13,699 --> 00:51:15,760 I was so close talking to my son, Jake, 1007 00:51:15,940 --> 00:51:20,199 and he just led his employee to the Lord two days ago. 1008 00:51:20,380 --> 00:51:21,880 I'm like, yeah, awesome. 1009 00:51:23,000 --> 00:51:23,840 Praise the Lord. 1010 00:51:23,980 --> 00:51:25,400 You know, it's time, man. 1011 00:51:25,480 --> 00:51:25,800 It's time. 1012 00:51:25,800 --> 00:51:26,960 You're wasting time. 1013 00:51:27,019 --> 00:51:29,219 If you don't receive the Lord right today, 1014 00:51:29,679 --> 00:51:31,340 you're wasting valuable time. 1015 00:51:31,440 --> 00:51:32,760 You don't know how much time you'll have left. 1016 00:51:33,599 --> 00:51:35,119 Don't waste any more of it, amen. 1017 00:51:36,900 --> 00:51:41,139 So, Lord, just thank you for these brilliant saints, Lord God. 1018 00:51:41,440 --> 00:51:43,340 Thank you that through whatever we go through, 1019 00:51:43,500 --> 00:51:46,760 we carry your glory in these jars of clay 1020 00:51:46,760 --> 00:51:49,199 that are never crushed, Lord God. 1021 00:51:49,539 --> 00:51:51,739 We're never in despair, Lord God. 1022 00:51:51,739 --> 00:51:55,960 We are always carrying the power of God wherever we go, 1023 00:51:56,300 --> 00:51:59,199 and we thank you in Jesus' name, amen. 1024 00:51:59,579 --> 00:52:01,320 Let's give the Lord a round of applause, 1025 00:52:01,539 --> 00:52:02,440 and why don't you stand up? 1026 00:52:08,800 --> 00:52:11,739 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church 1027 00:52:11,739 --> 00:52:14,260 as we praise God and discuss His word. 1028 00:52:14,940 --> 00:52:18,000 Don't forget to join us for Worship Lives Sunday mornings 1029 00:52:18,000 --> 00:52:20,380 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 1030 00:52:20,380 --> 00:52:23,519 Be blessed and have a great day!