1 00:00:30,419 --> 00:00:32,499 And if you missed the first part of today's message, you have 2 00:00:32,499 --> 00:00:35,579 to go back and listen to it because I don't think we want to 3 00:00:35,579 --> 00:00:37,219 re preach it just for the sake of time. 4 00:00:37,699 --> 00:00:40,099 But we're going to begin tonight with number seven. 5 00:00:40,259 --> 00:00:43,619 So if you say I missed the first six points, you did. 6 00:00:44,339 --> 00:00:46,459 But you can go back and get those, I'm sure. 7 00:00:46,459 --> 00:00:49,179 And I trust to see that as we continue in God's Word, I want to 8 00:00:49,179 --> 00:00:51,819 say thanks again to Brother Weatherby and to your church for 9 00:00:51,819 --> 00:00:55,459 your kindness and inviting me to come out to preach this weekend. 10 00:00:56,019 --> 00:00:59,459 I trust that the Lord will use his word to encourage your hearts. 11 00:00:59,459 --> 00:01:00,939 My wife and I are delighted to be with you. 12 00:01:00,939 --> 00:01:01,689 We love this place. 13 00:01:02,879 --> 00:01:04,799 We had the privilege of serving here for eight years. 14 00:01:04,879 --> 00:01:09,959 And so many of our teenagers, we call them, are now fathers and 15 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:15,039 mothers and college students and graduates and faithful members 16 00:01:15,039 --> 00:01:15,559 of your church. 17 00:01:15,559 --> 00:01:19,399 We praise the Lord what God has done at Heritage Baptist Church, 18 00:01:19,399 --> 00:01:21,919 Victory Baptist Church, the church I Pastor, if you have your 19 00:01:21,919 --> 00:01:23,679 Bibles, let's go to Joshua, chapter four. 20 00:01:24,639 --> 00:01:27,799 I introduced to you this morning our theme and our title for 21 00:01:27,799 --> 00:01:28,119 tonight. 22 00:01:28,119 --> 00:01:29,879 And the title is the same this evening. 23 00:01:29,879 --> 00:01:30,359 Part 2. 24 00:01:30,359 --> 00:01:32,639 When moving forward is complicated. 25 00:01:33,519 --> 00:01:35,039 When moving forward it's complicated. 26 00:01:35,039 --> 00:01:38,239 This morning you'll remember we began diving into Joshua chapter 27 00:01:38,239 --> 00:01:38,799 number four. 28 00:01:39,839 --> 00:01:42,359 And as you look at it with me, the Bible says in Joshua, chapter 29 00:01:42,359 --> 00:01:43,199 four, verse one. 30 00:01:44,159 --> 00:01:47,999 And it came to pass when all the people were clean passed over 31 00:01:48,079 --> 00:01:53,839 Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, take you 12 32 00:01:53,839 --> 00:01:59,649 men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, and command ye 33 00:01:59,649 --> 00:02:04,729 them saying, take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of 34 00:02:04,729 --> 00:02:08,649 the place where the priest's feet stood firm, 12 stones. 35 00:02:09,289 --> 00:02:12,849 And ye shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging 36 00:02:12,849 --> 00:02:15,689 place where ye shall lodge this night. 37 00:02:16,489 --> 00:02:20,489 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared for so prepared 38 00:02:20,489 --> 00:02:23,289 of the children of Israel, out of every tribe of man. 39 00:02:24,099 --> 00:02:26,899 And Joshua said unto them, pass over before the ark of the Lord 40 00:02:26,899 --> 00:02:31,619 your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up, every man 41 00:02:31,699 --> 00:02:35,899 of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number 42 00:02:35,899 --> 00:02:39,939 of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign 43 00:02:40,018 --> 00:02:44,019 among you that when your children ask their fathers in time 44 00:02:44,019 --> 00:02:47,699 to come, saying, what mean ye by these stones? 45 00:02:48,739 --> 00:02:53,189 Then ye shall answer them that the waters of Jordan were cut off 46 00:02:53,189 --> 00:02:57,509 before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan, 47 00:02:57,909 --> 00:02:59,829 the waters of Jordan were cut off. 48 00:03:00,709 --> 00:03:04,389 And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel 49 00:03:05,189 --> 00:03:05,749 forever. 50 00:03:05,749 --> 00:03:07,229 Let's pray and ask The Lord to help us tonight. 51 00:03:07,229 --> 00:03:11,749 May we, Lord, tonight I stand before you needy. 52 00:03:13,029 --> 00:03:16,709 It is my desire, Lord, to teach and to preach tonight from 53 00:03:16,709 --> 00:03:18,629 your word and declare what you say. 54 00:03:19,579 --> 00:03:21,979 Lord, I pray that you completely empty me of myself. 55 00:03:22,699 --> 00:03:26,019 Lord, I realize tonight that in my flesh I can do nothing to help 56 00:03:26,019 --> 00:03:26,619 this church. 57 00:03:27,419 --> 00:03:30,259 But, Lord, by the spirit of God, through your word, you could 58 00:03:30,259 --> 00:03:33,739 use tonight's message from your word to encourage the hearts 59 00:03:33,739 --> 00:03:38,379 of your people, Lord, to help this church as they move forward 60 00:03:38,939 --> 00:03:39,899 for God's glory. 61 00:03:40,539 --> 00:03:43,219 So I pray tonight, Lord, that you would empty me and you would 62 00:03:43,219 --> 00:03:43,659 use me. 63 00:03:43,659 --> 00:03:46,129 Lord, please speak to our hearts. 64 00:03:46,129 --> 00:03:47,849 Lord, I pray tonight more than anything. 65 00:03:48,489 --> 00:03:50,329 May each of us be spirit filled. 66 00:03:50,329 --> 00:03:51,849 From the preacher to the listener. 67 00:03:52,249 --> 00:03:56,129 And may the spirit of God manifest himself this evening in 68 00:03:56,129 --> 00:03:57,449 our hearts in this place. 69 00:03:58,009 --> 00:04:01,049 And may we leave here, Lord, saying that God has been with us 70 00:04:01,049 --> 00:04:01,929 and met with us. 71 00:04:02,649 --> 00:04:05,609 We love you in Jesus name, Amen. 72 00:04:06,089 --> 00:04:09,689 I count it a privilege and also great responsibility anytime 73 00:04:09,689 --> 00:04:11,209 I preach and teach God's word. 74 00:04:13,049 --> 00:04:16,289 Sometimes I've heard it said recently, I enjoy podcasts and I 75 00:04:16,289 --> 00:04:17,469 enjoy listening preaching. 76 00:04:17,469 --> 00:04:20,549 And there's a particular podcast I listen to that's not of 77 00:04:20,549 --> 00:04:22,789 an independent Baptist stripe. 78 00:04:23,189 --> 00:04:27,589 And I'll tell you that for this reason, the men on there say 79 00:04:27,589 --> 00:04:33,989 it's really hard for any preacher to preach 35 good sermons 80 00:04:33,989 --> 00:04:34,469 a year. 81 00:04:35,269 --> 00:04:36,869 And here's the point they're trying to make. 82 00:04:37,109 --> 00:04:40,669 If you're a pastor and you're preaching on Sunday mornings and 83 00:04:40,669 --> 00:04:43,609 you have to preach 52 sermons and. 84 00:04:43,759 --> 00:04:45,959 And by the time you have other guest preachers in, they made the 85 00:04:45,959 --> 00:04:50,199 point how hard it is to preach 35 good sermons in one year. 86 00:04:50,199 --> 00:04:53,679 And I just couldn't help but laugh because our church has three 87 00:04:53,679 --> 00:04:56,639 services a week, so you begin to do the math. 88 00:04:57,599 --> 00:05:00,679 If we only get 35 good ones, my church is in trouble, and your 89 00:05:00,679 --> 00:05:01,439 church is, too. 90 00:05:01,679 --> 00:05:05,199 And so I often tell my church I can't hit a home run every time, 91 00:05:05,519 --> 00:05:07,439 but I hope at least I don't strike out. 92 00:05:07,439 --> 00:05:09,879 Okay, so we'll go for a single or a double. 93 00:05:09,879 --> 00:05:10,799 And that's okay. 94 00:05:10,879 --> 00:05:12,199 It's okay if you laugh a little bit. 95 00:05:12,199 --> 00:05:14,479 But I trust tonight the spirit of God will help me. 96 00:05:14,559 --> 00:05:15,509 I just want to be a helper. 97 00:05:15,819 --> 00:05:16,299 A blessing. 98 00:05:16,779 --> 00:05:19,979 This morning, as we concluded, we came to this text here in Joshua 99 00:05:19,979 --> 00:05:22,899 chapter four on the screen, if it's there, would you mind going 100 00:05:22,899 --> 00:05:24,139 to that next slide there? 101 00:05:24,539 --> 00:05:27,579 And this is just going back and reminding us where we were. 102 00:05:28,459 --> 00:05:31,339 And if you keep going. 103 00:05:31,418 --> 00:05:33,179 Let's go to the next slide here. 104 00:05:34,299 --> 00:05:34,699 All right. 105 00:05:34,699 --> 00:05:35,179 Very Good. 106 00:05:35,259 --> 00:05:37,579 So the children of Israel have been in shittim. 107 00:05:38,059 --> 00:05:40,059 They're going across to the Jordan River. 108 00:05:40,059 --> 00:05:44,029 God led them there and difficulties begun to happen because 109 00:05:44,029 --> 00:05:45,189 they get the Jordan River. 110 00:05:45,189 --> 00:05:48,269 And now in Joshua, chapter four, they're going across. 111 00:05:48,429 --> 00:05:51,469 And as God directs, as they're going across, by the way, if you 112 00:05:51,469 --> 00:05:58,669 look there to Jericho and Gibeon, Bethel, AI, it seems like 113 00:05:58,669 --> 00:06:00,189 that's the difficult task. 114 00:06:00,989 --> 00:06:05,549 But before you ever get to AI, which should have been the small 115 00:06:05,549 --> 00:06:06,189 enemy, the. 116 00:06:06,189 --> 00:06:09,399 The easier enemy, Jericho stands in his way. 117 00:06:09,959 --> 00:06:12,799 But before they ever got to Jericho, they're about to come to 118 00:06:12,799 --> 00:06:13,959 a place called Gilgal. 119 00:06:14,599 --> 00:06:17,279 Before they get to Gilgal, they're in the midst of the Jordan 120 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:17,599 River. 121 00:06:17,599 --> 00:06:18,839 So that's where our text is. 122 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,079 Tonight they go in the Jordan River. 123 00:06:21,079 --> 00:06:23,239 And in your notes, if you'll put down number seven, if you're 124 00:06:23,239 --> 00:06:26,519 taking notes as we follow God, number seven. 125 00:06:26,999 --> 00:06:32,159 We must move forward without forgetting the past victories of 126 00:06:32,159 --> 00:06:32,519 God. 127 00:06:33,569 --> 00:06:38,009 We must move forward without forgetting the past victories of 128 00:06:38,009 --> 00:06:38,369 God. 129 00:06:38,849 --> 00:06:43,009 I'm so thankful for all that God will do in our lives in the future. 130 00:06:43,169 --> 00:06:46,209 I'm so thankful that all that God will do in the church, I pastor 131 00:06:46,209 --> 00:06:46,689 the future. 132 00:06:46,849 --> 00:06:49,689 I'm so thankful for all that God will do in this church in the 133 00:06:49,689 --> 00:06:49,969 future. 134 00:06:50,769 --> 00:06:55,409 But by looking the future, if we think about the past, we move 135 00:06:55,409 --> 00:06:57,729 forward, remembering how good God has been. 136 00:06:58,209 --> 00:07:00,369 Joshua's here in Joshua, chapter four. 137 00:07:00,529 --> 00:07:03,409 And as Joshua has commanded the men, he says to them here in 138 00:07:03,409 --> 00:07:08,909 verse number, verse number six, he says, hey, go get these 12 139 00:07:08,909 --> 00:07:09,269 stones. 140 00:07:09,269 --> 00:07:13,029 And I want you to do this, that this may be a sign among you 141 00:07:13,989 --> 00:07:17,909 that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 142 00:07:18,549 --> 00:07:20,789 what mean ye by these stones? 143 00:07:21,829 --> 00:07:25,309 Then ye shall answer them that the waters of Jordan were cut off 144 00:07:25,309 --> 00:07:27,269 before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 145 00:07:27,669 --> 00:07:32,079 When it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off. 146 00:07:32,079 --> 00:07:35,039 And these stones shall be a memorial unto the children of Israel. 147 00:07:35,039 --> 00:07:35,599 How long? 148 00:07:36,399 --> 00:07:37,039 Forever. 149 00:07:37,759 --> 00:07:41,639 Joshua said, I don't ever want us to forget what God did. 150 00:07:41,639 --> 00:07:42,559 Question for you. 151 00:07:42,719 --> 00:07:45,559 Would the children of Israel who were alive remember the Red Sea 152 00:07:45,559 --> 00:07:47,319 passing their entire lives? 153 00:07:47,319 --> 00:07:47,839 They would. 154 00:07:48,399 --> 00:07:50,959 Would the children of Israel remember who were alive in this Jordan 155 00:07:50,959 --> 00:07:51,479 river crossing? 156 00:07:51,479 --> 00:07:52,159 Would they remember? 157 00:07:52,159 --> 00:07:52,959 Of course they would. 158 00:07:52,959 --> 00:07:55,119 But what about the next generations? 159 00:07:56,219 --> 00:07:57,379 What about the work of God? 160 00:07:57,379 --> 00:08:01,459 And here's what I'd remind you of that those of us who know must 161 00:08:01,459 --> 00:08:02,939 tell those who don't. 162 00:08:03,739 --> 00:08:07,619 And it's our privilege to tell our children about not just who God 163 00:08:07,619 --> 00:08:09,099 is, but what God has done. 164 00:08:09,899 --> 00:08:14,419 And as you desire to move forward, moving forward is good for 165 00:08:14,419 --> 00:08:17,099 us to remember the goodness of God in the past. 166 00:08:17,659 --> 00:08:20,939 And Joshua said, I want these stones to remind everybody. 167 00:08:21,909 --> 00:08:25,429 I want everyone to know what God did in this place. 168 00:08:25,669 --> 00:08:28,469 I want when they see these stones and ask a question, hey, grandma, 169 00:08:28,469 --> 00:08:30,149 Grandpa, what happened here? 170 00:08:30,229 --> 00:08:34,469 And with smiles on faces, we could say, I want to tell you what 171 00:08:34,469 --> 00:08:35,829 God did in this place. 172 00:08:35,829 --> 00:08:38,469 I'm thankful for the past victories. 173 00:08:38,869 --> 00:08:43,029 And Joshua does not want to continue moving forward without drawing 174 00:08:43,029 --> 00:08:45,669 a line and saying, but let's remember this place. 175 00:08:46,549 --> 00:08:50,189 Let's ensure that our children and grandchildren and future generations 176 00:08:50,189 --> 00:08:53,069 can go back and say, let me tell you what God did. 177 00:08:53,069 --> 00:08:56,149 As the Bible continues, in the book of Joshua, we go to the book 178 00:08:56,149 --> 00:08:56,549 of Judges. 179 00:08:56,549 --> 00:08:57,389 We don't have to turn there. 180 00:08:57,389 --> 00:09:00,589 But Judges, chapter number two, the Bible used this language. 181 00:09:00,589 --> 00:09:03,869 And after that generation, they passed away. 182 00:09:03,869 --> 00:09:08,189 And the Bible says there arose another generation after them which 183 00:09:08,189 --> 00:09:11,389 knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which God had done in Israel. 184 00:09:11,389 --> 00:09:11,869 What happened? 185 00:09:11,869 --> 00:09:12,629 Here's what happened. 186 00:09:12,949 --> 00:09:17,469 Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpa stopped telling their children 187 00:09:17,469 --> 00:09:20,149 and grandchildren the goodness of God and the victories. 188 00:09:20,149 --> 00:09:21,189 And guess what happened? 189 00:09:21,629 --> 00:09:24,189 One generation comes along and they just think, well, these are 190 00:09:24,189 --> 00:09:25,269 my mom and dad's. 191 00:09:25,269 --> 00:09:27,389 This is their conviction, their preferences. 192 00:09:27,869 --> 00:09:31,269 But as generations go on now, it's just what they believe because 193 00:09:31,269 --> 00:09:32,589 they didn't experience it. 194 00:09:32,989 --> 00:09:37,269 I just want to remind you, as you move forward, as we move forward 195 00:09:37,269 --> 00:09:40,629 for God's glory, may we remember the past victories that 196 00:09:40,629 --> 00:09:42,989 God has done in our life and in our midst. 197 00:09:43,309 --> 00:09:45,229 If you will notice, this is very interesting. 198 00:09:46,029 --> 00:09:49,789 Now, they passed over the river here, Jordan. 199 00:09:50,169 --> 00:09:52,249 You come over to chapter four. 200 00:09:52,249 --> 00:09:53,209 Look at verse number 14. 201 00:09:53,209 --> 00:09:54,969 So the Bible says this about Joshua. 202 00:09:55,129 --> 00:09:59,929 On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel. 203 00:10:01,049 --> 00:10:06,489 And they feared him as they feared Moses all the days of his 204 00:10:06,489 --> 00:10:06,769 life. 205 00:10:06,769 --> 00:10:08,969 Doesn't it sound like the Lord's beginning to do a great work? 206 00:10:09,449 --> 00:10:11,849 Joshua's been magnified in the eyes of the people. 207 00:10:12,249 --> 00:10:14,569 Things seem to be going so well. 208 00:10:14,569 --> 00:10:18,879 Take your Bible if you would, and go over to verse number chapter 209 00:10:18,879 --> 00:10:20,119 five of verse number one. 210 00:10:21,079 --> 00:10:23,999 Things seemed to going so well and they passed over the river here. 211 00:10:23,999 --> 00:10:25,599 You can go back to sermon slide if you all would like. 212 00:10:25,599 --> 00:10:28,239 I just wanted to reference this as they're going across the 213 00:10:28,239 --> 00:10:30,519 Jordan River, Chapter five, verse one. 214 00:10:30,519 --> 00:10:34,519 And it came to pass when all the kings of the Amorites, which 215 00:10:34,519 --> 00:10:39,359 are on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the 216 00:10:39,359 --> 00:10:43,849 Canaanites which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried 217 00:10:43,849 --> 00:10:47,889 up the waters of Jordan from before the Children of Israel, until 218 00:10:47,889 --> 00:10:52,049 we were passed over, that their heart melted. 219 00:10:52,929 --> 00:10:57,169 Neither was their spirit in them anymore because of the children 220 00:10:57,169 --> 00:10:57,809 of Israel. 221 00:10:57,809 --> 00:11:01,649 Question for you, as you consider here in our text, these 222 00:11:01,649 --> 00:11:06,769 nations, now they're scared, their hearts melting, because they 223 00:11:06,769 --> 00:11:10,789 know what has happened to the children of Israel, what God has 224 00:11:10,789 --> 00:11:11,909 done because of these people. 225 00:11:12,469 --> 00:11:15,149 Doesn't it seem to you, how many of you all served in the military? 226 00:11:15,149 --> 00:11:15,989 Would you raise your hand? 227 00:11:16,949 --> 00:11:18,229 Thank you for your service. 228 00:11:19,029 --> 00:11:22,269 It seems to me that when victories are coming, you keep pressing 229 00:11:22,269 --> 00:11:22,429 on. 230 00:11:22,429 --> 00:11:24,309 If your enemy is scared, don't you feel the same way? 231 00:11:25,029 --> 00:11:25,829 But it's interesting. 232 00:11:25,829 --> 00:11:26,549 Chapter five. 233 00:11:26,549 --> 00:11:29,989 We just got done hearing, as the Bible tells us, that the victory 234 00:11:29,989 --> 00:11:30,629 has happened. 235 00:11:30,629 --> 00:11:32,069 God is doing a great work. 236 00:11:32,789 --> 00:11:35,989 And in verse number two, the story takes an odd turn. 237 00:11:37,259 --> 00:11:41,259 It seems to me the best time to continue the assault on the enemy. 238 00:11:41,259 --> 00:11:45,019 The best time to continue moving forward is to full speed ahead. 239 00:11:45,099 --> 00:11:46,139 It's time to go. 240 00:11:46,379 --> 00:11:47,819 Jericho's in front of us. 241 00:11:47,819 --> 00:11:48,459 Let's go. 242 00:11:49,019 --> 00:11:51,019 But God has divine Paul. 243 00:11:52,139 --> 00:11:56,219 And God says, okay, you're now across the Jordan River. 244 00:11:56,459 --> 00:11:58,379 And look what God says in verse number two. 245 00:11:59,099 --> 00:12:04,849 At that time, the Lord said unto Joshua, make these sharp knives 246 00:12:06,129 --> 00:12:07,169 and circumcise. 247 00:12:07,169 --> 00:12:08,529 Again, the children of Israel. 248 00:12:08,529 --> 00:12:09,729 The second one. 249 00:12:10,609 --> 00:12:13,609 And Joshua made him sharp knives and circumcised the children 250 00:12:13,609 --> 00:12:16,689 of Israel at the hill of their foreskins. 251 00:12:17,649 --> 00:12:19,569 Now you say, why is this important? 252 00:12:21,649 --> 00:12:24,529 I'll be discreet because I know we have children in here and 253 00:12:24,529 --> 00:12:25,889 I recognize the crowd. 254 00:12:26,769 --> 00:12:31,769 But when our boys were younger and when they were circumcised, I 255 00:12:31,769 --> 00:12:34,359 would not have wanted to be in the room to experience that. 256 00:12:36,029 --> 00:12:39,589 I certainly would not want to be around or experience what these 257 00:12:39,589 --> 00:12:40,829 men experienced. 258 00:12:41,949 --> 00:12:46,029 So why would God choose to, in the midst of moving forward, say, 259 00:12:46,189 --> 00:12:48,589 let's do something that's going to slow everything down? 260 00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:51,869 If you have your notes, I put this number eight in my notes. 261 00:12:51,869 --> 00:12:55,869 We must move forward only after sanctification. 262 00:12:56,909 --> 00:13:00,959 We must move forward only after sanctification. 263 00:13:00,959 --> 00:13:01,959 Look at verse number four. 264 00:13:02,599 --> 00:13:07,279 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise all the people 265 00:13:07,279 --> 00:13:09,399 that came out of Egypt that were males, even. 266 00:13:09,399 --> 00:13:12,959 All the men of war died in the wilderness, by the way, after they 267 00:13:12,959 --> 00:13:13,599 came out of Egypt. 268 00:13:13,599 --> 00:13:14,559 What's the Bible referring to? 269 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:18,039 Well, for 40 years, the Bible says their carcasses fell in the 270 00:13:18,039 --> 00:13:18,519 wilderness. 271 00:13:19,159 --> 00:13:21,279 Now there's another generation after them. 272 00:13:21,279 --> 00:13:25,039 Not the unbelieving, faithless generation, but a new generation 273 00:13:25,039 --> 00:13:26,759 who had not been circumcised. 274 00:13:27,429 --> 00:13:29,789 The Bible says in verse number five, now all the people that came 275 00:13:29,789 --> 00:13:31,109 out were Circumcised. 276 00:13:31,829 --> 00:13:34,509 But all the people that were born in the wilderness, by the way, 277 00:13:34,509 --> 00:13:37,829 as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. 278 00:13:38,629 --> 00:13:41,269 For the children of Israel walked 40 years in the wilderness 279 00:13:41,269 --> 00:13:44,589 till all the people that were men of war which came out of Egypt 280 00:13:44,589 --> 00:13:50,069 were consumed because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord, 281 00:13:50,629 --> 00:13:53,389 on whom the Lord swear that he would not show them the land. 282 00:13:53,389 --> 00:13:56,719 When the Lord swear unto their fathers that he would give us a land 283 00:13:56,719 --> 00:13:58,039 that flowed the milk and honey. 284 00:13:59,159 --> 00:13:59,559 Why? 285 00:14:00,839 --> 00:14:02,959 Why was this circumcision so important? 286 00:14:02,959 --> 00:14:05,599 Well, if you were to go back and study in the book of Genesis, 287 00:14:05,599 --> 00:14:09,479 chapter number 17, Leviticus, chapter number two, you'd understand 288 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:14,479 the rite, the ceremonial rite of circumcision, that this represented 289 00:14:14,479 --> 00:14:17,159 the covenant that man was making with God. 290 00:14:18,119 --> 00:14:19,319 This was God's people. 291 00:14:19,479 --> 00:14:20,679 These were God's people. 292 00:14:21,499 --> 00:14:23,979 This covenant relationship was a special thing. 293 00:14:24,219 --> 00:14:26,059 And God says, timeout. 294 00:14:26,939 --> 00:14:29,099 I've led you out of the land of Egypt. 295 00:14:29,499 --> 00:14:32,219 Your fathers were a rebellious and wicked generation. 296 00:14:32,619 --> 00:14:36,059 You've come across the Jordan river on dry land because of who 297 00:14:36,059 --> 00:14:40,659 I am, and now about to send you over to possess the very land 298 00:14:40,659 --> 00:14:44,059 that I promised you and appropriate the land. 299 00:14:44,059 --> 00:14:44,779 It's yours. 300 00:14:45,339 --> 00:14:47,819 But before you do, we need to get something right. 301 00:14:48,799 --> 00:14:50,079 We need to get something straight. 302 00:14:51,279 --> 00:14:53,359 You need to be sanctified. 303 00:14:54,319 --> 00:14:55,999 You need to be set apart. 304 00:14:56,479 --> 00:14:58,719 Because you are my possession. 305 00:14:59,359 --> 00:15:00,159 You're my people. 306 00:15:01,599 --> 00:15:03,679 In my notes again, I take notes. 307 00:15:03,679 --> 00:15:04,879 And I hope this might help you. 308 00:15:04,879 --> 00:15:06,159 Letter A. I have this about. 309 00:15:06,319 --> 00:15:07,719 This idea about moving forward. 310 00:15:07,719 --> 00:15:08,399 Letter A. 311 00:15:08,719 --> 00:15:11,279 Moving forward required God's approval. 312 00:15:12,079 --> 00:15:14,599 It wasn't just them saying, okay, God, you've done all this. 313 00:15:14,599 --> 00:15:15,039 No, no. 314 00:15:15,199 --> 00:15:18,279 They wanted the Lord's approval on what they were doing. 315 00:15:18,279 --> 00:15:22,539 And God said, you cann move forward without consulting me. 316 00:15:23,099 --> 00:15:25,019 You cannot move forward your way. 317 00:15:25,019 --> 00:15:29,379 You can only move forward when I say it's time, when I know that 318 00:15:29,379 --> 00:15:30,299 you are sanctified. 319 00:15:30,299 --> 00:15:31,099 A set apart. 320 00:15:31,099 --> 00:15:32,619 People, let her be. 321 00:15:32,619 --> 00:15:35,019 Moving forward was a personal decision. 322 00:15:36,379 --> 00:15:36,779 Yes. 323 00:15:36,779 --> 00:15:38,779 The children of Israel were ready to move forward. 324 00:15:38,779 --> 00:15:44,339 But I just want to remind you that no man could be forced to be 325 00:15:44,339 --> 00:15:45,019 circumcised. 326 00:15:45,989 --> 00:15:47,109 These were not babies. 327 00:15:47,749 --> 00:15:48,629 These were men. 328 00:15:49,509 --> 00:15:52,509 And the decision was not everybody else was doing it. 329 00:15:52,509 --> 00:15:56,949 This was a very, very, very serious, personal decision. 330 00:15:57,669 --> 00:16:00,869 And I want to remind you, as a group of people move forward. 331 00:16:01,669 --> 00:16:02,869 Groups move forward. 332 00:16:03,909 --> 00:16:08,549 By personally people taking it seriously, by individual people saying, 333 00:16:08,549 --> 00:16:11,589 no, not only do we want to be set apart, that's nice. 334 00:16:12,389 --> 00:16:13,029 We want this. 335 00:16:13,029 --> 00:16:13,669 No, no, no. 336 00:16:13,669 --> 00:16:15,429 God says, what do you want? 337 00:16:16,069 --> 00:16:18,949 And God says, you need to Be a sanctified people. 338 00:16:18,949 --> 00:16:20,869 Moving forward was a personal decision. 339 00:16:21,669 --> 00:16:22,949 Notice this letter C though. 340 00:16:22,949 --> 00:16:25,189 Moving forward was in God's timing. 341 00:16:25,989 --> 00:16:27,909 Moving forward was in God's timing. 342 00:16:28,069 --> 00:16:29,909 You come down with me to verse number eight. 343 00:16:30,549 --> 00:16:33,469 And I love so personally when I love reading God's word, I like 344 00:16:33,469 --> 00:16:34,469 putting myself in the story. 345 00:16:34,949 --> 00:16:37,029 So would you think about verse number eight with man? 346 00:16:37,029 --> 00:16:38,069 The Bible says this. 347 00:16:38,559 --> 00:16:41,759 It came to pass when they had done circumcising all the people 348 00:16:42,559 --> 00:16:45,759 that they abode in their place in the camp till they were whole. 349 00:16:45,759 --> 00:16:49,999 It's just a verse that might not grab your attention, but let's 350 00:16:49,999 --> 00:16:51,359 consider the Bible saying here. 351 00:16:51,999 --> 00:16:55,119 If the men of Israel in the midst of them being circumcised, 352 00:16:55,599 --> 00:16:58,119 someone, the enemy was to come on, they were in not. 353 00:16:58,119 --> 00:16:59,759 They were in no condition to fight. 354 00:17:00,879 --> 00:17:02,079 They needed to heal. 355 00:17:03,119 --> 00:17:05,239 And God says, hey, you ready to go over? 356 00:17:05,239 --> 00:17:07,599 By the way, if you remember on the map, where are they going to 357 00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:07,719 go? 358 00:17:07,719 --> 00:17:08,639 To Gilgal. 359 00:17:09,139 --> 00:17:13,619 And from Gilgal to a place with no walls, no enemies, just this 360 00:17:13,619 --> 00:17:15,699 little place called Jericho. 361 00:17:16,179 --> 00:17:18,419 And you know I'm being facetious because you understand 362 00:17:18,419 --> 00:17:20,019 the great enemy that Jericho was. 363 00:17:20,179 --> 00:17:23,859 And God says, I know you're about to go do some great task. 364 00:17:24,099 --> 00:17:26,179 By the way, God fights that battle for them anyway. 365 00:17:26,419 --> 00:17:29,979 But God says, before you do, I want you to know you will go on my 366 00:17:29,979 --> 00:17:30,499 timing. 367 00:17:30,899 --> 00:17:35,179 And God says, this circumcision, this covenant relationship 368 00:17:35,179 --> 00:17:35,739 you have with me. 369 00:17:35,739 --> 00:17:37,979 By the way, do you know God talks about circumcision in the New 370 00:17:37,979 --> 00:17:40,889 Testament, but he talks about not just the circumcision of the 371 00:17:40,889 --> 00:17:43,849 flesh, but he talks about the circumcision of the heart. 372 00:17:44,809 --> 00:17:47,609 I just want to remind you, if we're going to move forward, we only 373 00:17:47,609 --> 00:17:52,129 can move forward after we personally ensure that we're sanctified. 374 00:17:52,129 --> 00:17:53,289 What is sanctification? 375 00:17:53,289 --> 00:17:55,369 Well, when we were born again, we were saved. 376 00:17:55,929 --> 00:17:57,369 God justified us. 377 00:17:58,089 --> 00:17:59,689 God declared us righteous. 378 00:18:00,409 --> 00:18:03,969 One day either Jesus will come back or I will die. 379 00:18:03,969 --> 00:18:05,889 And one day I will be glorified. 380 00:18:05,889 --> 00:18:07,289 I'll experience glorification. 381 00:18:07,599 --> 00:18:08,439 I'll be with my Savior. 382 00:18:08,439 --> 00:18:09,919 And you will too, if you're a Christian. 383 00:18:10,239 --> 00:18:15,079 But along the pathway from justification to glorification, we're 384 00:18:15,079 --> 00:18:18,239 living in this time, that's called sanctification. 385 00:18:18,959 --> 00:18:20,959 Can I encourage you with something I've learned? 386 00:18:20,959 --> 00:18:25,279 And I'm learning, just because you have been saved for X number 387 00:18:25,279 --> 00:18:29,199 of years or just because you teach a Sunday school class, or just 388 00:18:29,199 --> 00:18:31,719 because you have some position leadership, or just because you're 389 00:18:31,719 --> 00:18:35,449 X number of years old, that does not make you spiritual. 390 00:18:37,289 --> 00:18:39,209 This has been A hard lesson for me to learn. 391 00:18:39,849 --> 00:18:43,409 But there are people who I look at and say they must be spiritual 392 00:18:43,409 --> 00:18:44,409 because they're. 393 00:18:45,049 --> 00:18:46,649 And we have all these parameters. 394 00:18:47,129 --> 00:18:52,089 But friends, a person becomes spiritual by spending time with Jesus, 395 00:18:53,049 --> 00:18:55,369 by obeying his word, by being courageous. 396 00:18:55,369 --> 00:18:58,169 And God says that's the work of sanctification. 397 00:18:59,329 --> 00:19:02,689 And so if we're going to move forward for God's glory, if we're 398 00:19:02,689 --> 00:19:04,129 going to do that, it's complicated. 399 00:19:04,129 --> 00:19:07,649 And one of the complications is ensuring that before we move forward 400 00:19:07,969 --> 00:19:10,609 that we are living a life of sanctification. 401 00:19:10,769 --> 00:19:11,449 It's interesting. 402 00:19:11,449 --> 00:19:13,489 The Bible says they go to a place called Gilgal. 403 00:19:13,569 --> 00:19:16,889 The Bible says in verse number oh, verse number nine. 404 00:19:16,889 --> 00:19:20,009 And the Lord said unto Joshua, this day have I rolled away the reproach 405 00:19:20,009 --> 00:19:24,169 of Egypt from all wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal 406 00:19:24,169 --> 00:19:24,969 unto this day. 407 00:19:24,969 --> 00:19:25,849 You know what Gilgal means? 408 00:19:25,849 --> 00:19:26,369 A rolling. 409 00:19:27,379 --> 00:19:31,219 Gilgal is a place where the shame of Egypt is rolled away. 410 00:19:32,099 --> 00:19:36,659 Do you know that God's able to take all the shame, all the negative 411 00:19:36,819 --> 00:19:42,579 thoughts and comments, and God's able to say, if you walk with 412 00:19:42,579 --> 00:19:44,819 me and if you'll be sanctified, and if you follow me, 413 00:19:44,819 --> 00:19:46,659 God is able to roll all that away. 414 00:19:47,059 --> 00:19:49,579 And you say, what a merciful God, that he could do that. 415 00:19:49,579 --> 00:19:51,059 And I say, praise the Lord. 416 00:19:51,139 --> 00:19:54,219 Not only do I believe God can do that, but I believe God desires 417 00:19:54,219 --> 00:19:58,269 to do that in our lives, in our families and our churches. 418 00:19:58,349 --> 00:20:04,189 May God do a work like he did in Gilgal, in this church where God 419 00:20:04,189 --> 00:20:05,869 rolls away the shame, the reproach. 420 00:20:05,869 --> 00:20:09,469 And God brings on and chooses to breathe life and move things forward 421 00:20:09,469 --> 00:20:10,349 for God's glory. 422 00:20:10,829 --> 00:20:14,589 As we continue our text here, we'll go over to chapter number five. 423 00:20:15,549 --> 00:20:17,389 The Bible says something very interesting. 424 00:20:17,949 --> 00:20:18,829 Verse number ten. 425 00:20:19,629 --> 00:20:24,039 The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal and kept the Passover 426 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:27,559 on the 14th day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. 427 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:31,439 And they did eat of the old corn, the land, on the morrow after 428 00:20:31,439 --> 00:20:35,239 the Passover, unleavened cakes and parched corn, the selfsame day, 429 00:20:35,399 --> 00:20:36,919 everything sounds so good. 430 00:20:37,799 --> 00:20:39,359 They've now been set apart. 431 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:41,079 They've now faced circumcision. 432 00:20:41,079 --> 00:20:42,319 The men, they now are whole. 433 00:20:42,319 --> 00:20:43,719 And everything seemed to be going good. 434 00:20:43,799 --> 00:20:48,839 And they have enjoyed for over 40 years Manna, angel food from heaven. 435 00:20:49,809 --> 00:20:54,489 And all of a sudden God says, okay, you're ready to leave the wilderness 436 00:20:54,489 --> 00:20:55,729 and go to the promised land. 437 00:20:56,129 --> 00:20:59,489 And God does something I think is quite miraculous. 438 00:20:59,969 --> 00:21:01,489 Verse number 11. 439 00:21:02,209 --> 00:21:03,489 I'm sorry, verse number 12. 440 00:21:04,849 --> 00:21:12,249 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the 441 00:21:12,249 --> 00:21:13,329 old corn of the land. 442 00:21:14,209 --> 00:21:18,559 Neither had the children of Israel manna any more, but they did 443 00:21:18,559 --> 00:21:21,399 eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. 444 00:21:21,399 --> 00:21:25,479 I could preach entire series on this verse, but I'm not here to 445 00:21:25,479 --> 00:21:26,039 do that tonight. 446 00:21:26,039 --> 00:21:27,239 Can I just give this thought tonight? 447 00:21:27,239 --> 00:21:28,479 Number nine in my notes. 448 00:21:29,199 --> 00:21:33,039 We must move forward as mature Christians. 449 00:21:34,319 --> 00:21:38,079 We must move forward as mature Christians. 450 00:21:38,719 --> 00:21:41,519 God says, okay, children of Israel, you've come across the Jordan 451 00:21:41,519 --> 00:21:41,799 River. 452 00:21:41,799 --> 00:21:43,199 The stones I want people to remember. 453 00:21:43,199 --> 00:21:45,199 You've been circumcised, you've been sanctified, you've been 454 00:21:45,199 --> 00:21:47,499 set apart, you're healed, you're getting ready to go in the 455 00:21:47,499 --> 00:21:48,099 promised land. 456 00:21:48,099 --> 00:21:48,819 And guess what? 457 00:21:48,899 --> 00:21:53,299 No more manna, no more spoon fed, if you would. 458 00:21:54,019 --> 00:21:56,739 The provision's not going to be handed to you. 459 00:21:56,819 --> 00:22:00,059 Now you're going to enjoy the blessings, but you're going to have 460 00:22:00,059 --> 00:22:01,259 to work for it. 461 00:22:01,259 --> 00:22:04,419 You remember at one point they complained about the manna and God 462 00:22:04,419 --> 00:22:05,899 said, okay, I'm going to give you what you want. 463 00:22:05,899 --> 00:22:06,419 Quail. 464 00:22:07,859 --> 00:22:10,819 They had learned that God's way is best. 465 00:22:11,789 --> 00:22:15,229 But now God says, before you go in the promised land, the manna 466 00:22:15,229 --> 00:22:15,789 ceased. 467 00:22:16,189 --> 00:22:16,949 And I love it. 468 00:22:16,949 --> 00:22:18,829 There's not necessarily complaining in this verse. 469 00:22:19,309 --> 00:22:24,989 There's just a reality that as we follow God, we have to be mature. 470 00:22:26,189 --> 00:22:30,549 And here's the thing, as we get through this process, can I remind 471 00:22:30,549 --> 00:22:32,109 you they haven't even got to Jericho yet. 472 00:22:32,749 --> 00:22:35,429 Have you noticed that there's a lot of steps in order to get to 473 00:22:35,429 --> 00:22:36,029 Jericho? 474 00:22:36,919 --> 00:22:37,879 And then they go to Jericho. 475 00:22:37,879 --> 00:22:40,199 And I remind you, after Jericho, they still fall again in 476 00:22:40,199 --> 00:22:40,679 AI. 477 00:22:41,399 --> 00:22:44,359 God's always doing a work in our lives. 478 00:22:44,999 --> 00:22:47,839 And God always desires to do a work in our churches. 479 00:22:47,839 --> 00:22:51,239 But can I remind you of something tonight that God is intimately 480 00:22:51,239 --> 00:22:52,839 interested in you personally. 481 00:22:54,919 --> 00:23:01,159 God does not necessarily have mature churches because mature churches 482 00:23:01,159 --> 00:23:03,879 are only made up of individuals and churches who are 483 00:23:03,879 --> 00:23:04,839 spiritually mature. 484 00:23:05,909 --> 00:23:09,269 And if a church is going to be a godly church, it doesn't get there 485 00:23:09,269 --> 00:23:11,709 by saying it or acting like it. 486 00:23:11,709 --> 00:23:17,029 It takes individual people saying, I will be spiritually mature. 487 00:23:17,829 --> 00:23:20,549 I will dig in God's word for myself. 488 00:23:20,869 --> 00:23:23,749 I will walk with God, I will fight my flesh. 489 00:23:23,989 --> 00:23:25,349 I will not sin. 490 00:23:25,509 --> 00:23:26,149 I will. 491 00:23:26,389 --> 00:23:27,509 It's a personal thing. 492 00:23:28,149 --> 00:23:31,229 And if we're going to move forward for God's glory, we must 493 00:23:31,229 --> 00:23:32,549 be mature Christians. 494 00:23:33,389 --> 00:23:36,269 Now, I'm about to get point number 10 and you're saying you've 495 00:23:36,269 --> 00:23:37,469 not been controversial. 496 00:23:37,469 --> 00:23:38,589 And I'm about to be. 497 00:23:39,549 --> 00:23:42,109 And I'm looking at some eyes and you're thinking, what is he about 498 00:23:42,109 --> 00:23:42,589 to say? 499 00:23:42,669 --> 00:23:43,389 Can I just tell you? 500 00:23:43,389 --> 00:23:45,189 Have I proven yet that I don't have an agenda? 501 00:23:45,189 --> 00:23:47,269 I'm here to help you, all right? 502 00:23:47,269 --> 00:23:48,349 Because some of y' all know me. 503 00:23:48,349 --> 00:23:48,989 You're not concerned. 504 00:23:48,989 --> 00:23:50,229 Some of y' all are like, I don't know this guy. 505 00:23:50,229 --> 00:23:50,789 Where's he going? 506 00:23:50,789 --> 00:23:52,429 Okay, number 10, ready for it. 507 00:23:53,229 --> 00:23:55,109 We must be sorry. 508 00:23:55,109 --> 00:23:59,149 We must move forward by making conscious choices. 509 00:24:00,689 --> 00:24:04,769 We must move forward by making conscious choices. 510 00:24:05,169 --> 00:24:07,729 Originally, I was thinking about my message and said, I will 511 00:24:07,729 --> 00:24:08,369 move forward. 512 00:24:08,929 --> 00:24:12,089 And then I was going to title tonight's I will make a choice and 513 00:24:12,089 --> 00:24:12,849 choose a side. 514 00:24:14,129 --> 00:24:16,969 But I want to show you what the side is that God tells us to 515 00:24:16,969 --> 00:24:17,569 decide on. 516 00:24:18,129 --> 00:24:19,489 Joshua, chapter number five. 517 00:24:19,489 --> 00:24:20,449 Would you look at me? 518 00:24:20,449 --> 00:24:25,249 In verse number 13 came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho. 519 00:24:26,419 --> 00:24:28,939 They lift up his eyes and looked, and behold, there stood a 520 00:24:28,939 --> 00:24:31,699 man over against him with the sword drawn in his hand. 521 00:24:33,379 --> 00:24:40,939 Joshua went unto him and said unto him, art thou for us or for 522 00:24:40,939 --> 00:24:41,859 our adversaries? 523 00:24:42,899 --> 00:24:44,339 I want you to get the text here. 524 00:24:44,819 --> 00:24:48,339 Joshua has seen, experienced God's blessing under Moses. 525 00:24:48,659 --> 00:24:50,659 Joshua has been faithful to God. 526 00:24:50,819 --> 00:24:53,859 He has chosen to be one of the good spies of good report. 527 00:24:54,449 --> 00:24:55,809 Joshua lived through the wilderness. 528 00:24:55,809 --> 00:24:58,049 Joshua is now the leader of children of Israel. 529 00:24:58,049 --> 00:24:59,729 He's been through the Jordan river. 530 00:24:59,729 --> 00:25:01,569 He circumcised the men. 531 00:25:01,809 --> 00:25:03,129 Sanctification's there. 532 00:25:03,129 --> 00:25:04,329 Everything seemed to go well. 533 00:25:04,329 --> 00:25:07,009 The man has ceased and Joshua now has a choice. 534 00:25:07,409 --> 00:25:08,929 Joshua runs into a man. 535 00:25:08,929 --> 00:25:11,489 And Joshua, I can just imagine, with his hand on his sword, 536 00:25:11,649 --> 00:25:13,649 asks a question, and it's a really good question. 537 00:25:14,369 --> 00:25:17,089 And Joshua says he doesn't recognize this person. 538 00:25:17,329 --> 00:25:22,949 And he says, are you for us or are you for our adversary? 539 00:25:22,949 --> 00:25:25,149 In other words, which side are you on? 540 00:25:27,549 --> 00:25:28,589 Oh, I love it. 541 00:25:29,309 --> 00:25:30,349 I love what happens. 542 00:25:30,349 --> 00:25:31,629 Joshua runs into a man. 543 00:25:31,629 --> 00:25:32,749 He doesn't know who it is. 544 00:25:33,149 --> 00:25:35,309 Some people think this was just an angel. 545 00:25:35,629 --> 00:25:36,749 I do not believe. 546 00:25:36,749 --> 00:25:39,389 I think this was a pre incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. 547 00:25:39,389 --> 00:25:43,029 And the reason why is what the angel which is not an angel says. 548 00:25:43,029 --> 00:25:48,189 In verse number 14, Joshua said, Art thou for us or for adversaries? 549 00:25:48,189 --> 00:25:55,109 And he said unto him, nay, what did the angel of the Lord say? 550 00:25:56,069 --> 00:25:58,149 Joshua, I'm not for you. 551 00:25:59,029 --> 00:26:01,189 And Joshua, I'm not for your adversary. 552 00:26:02,149 --> 00:26:05,269 You're asking to choose sides, but you've missed it. 553 00:26:06,469 --> 00:26:10,429 Because, Joshua, there's not a right side and a wrong side in this 554 00:26:10,429 --> 00:26:10,869 text. 555 00:26:11,589 --> 00:26:12,389 Here's what happens. 556 00:26:12,389 --> 00:26:13,349 Look at the rest of the verse. 557 00:26:13,429 --> 00:26:19,299 But as captain of the Lord of hosts, am I Now come Why do I believe 558 00:26:19,299 --> 00:26:20,459 this is a pre incarnate appearance? 559 00:26:20,459 --> 00:26:21,379 Look at the rest of the verse. 560 00:26:21,459 --> 00:26:26,139 And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and did worship and said, 561 00:26:26,139 --> 00:26:28,659 what saith my Lord unto his servants? 562 00:26:28,659 --> 00:26:32,539 And the captain of the Lord of hosts said unto Joshua, loose thy 563 00:26:32,539 --> 00:26:36,419 shoe from off thy foot, for the place whereon thou standest is 564 00:26:36,419 --> 00:26:36,819 holy. 565 00:26:36,819 --> 00:26:38,099 And Joshua did so. 566 00:26:38,179 --> 00:26:40,979 Joshua did not bow down and worship a man. 567 00:26:42,019 --> 00:26:44,659 And I don't believe Joshua bowed down and worshiped an angel. 568 00:26:45,719 --> 00:26:49,079 Joshua bowed down and did obeisance and recognized that he 569 00:26:49,079 --> 00:26:51,079 was in the presence of God. 570 00:26:52,679 --> 00:26:58,759 And in God's presence, God was not for Israel or against Israel. 571 00:26:58,759 --> 00:27:00,599 The question was the wrong question. 572 00:27:01,639 --> 00:27:05,279 Because the question was not whose side are you on? 573 00:27:05,279 --> 00:27:09,799 The question was, Joshua, whose side are you on? 574 00:27:10,649 --> 00:27:12,009 And there's only one side. 575 00:27:13,369 --> 00:27:15,689 The side is the Lord's side. 576 00:27:16,329 --> 00:27:18,769 And when the question's asked, are you for us or against us? 577 00:27:18,769 --> 00:27:24,409 God says, nay, no, Joshua, are you on my side? 578 00:27:25,369 --> 00:27:26,809 Friends, I want to tell you something. 579 00:27:27,369 --> 00:27:32,209 Do you realize how much time we live our lives trying to get people 580 00:27:32,209 --> 00:27:33,449 to agree with us? 581 00:27:34,409 --> 00:27:37,729 How much time we invest and spend trying to get people to think 582 00:27:37,729 --> 00:27:39,449 that we're right or we're wrong? 583 00:27:40,019 --> 00:27:43,379 And when that happens, it leads to so many other things. 584 00:27:44,099 --> 00:27:46,899 And by the way, there's times when people are right and people 585 00:27:46,899 --> 00:27:47,459 are wrong. 586 00:27:47,459 --> 00:27:49,299 I'm the first to admit that I'm a pastor. 587 00:27:49,299 --> 00:27:49,819 Guess what? 588 00:27:49,819 --> 00:27:50,499 You know what I want. 589 00:27:50,659 --> 00:27:53,219 I like people being on my side in our church. 590 00:27:53,379 --> 00:27:54,899 I love it when people are on my side. 591 00:27:55,139 --> 00:27:57,059 But you know what I'm often reminded of? 592 00:27:57,539 --> 00:27:58,819 It's not my side. 593 00:28:00,179 --> 00:28:06,109 The goal for me as a pastor is to lead the church to follow Jesus. 594 00:28:06,909 --> 00:28:09,909 The goal that I have as a pastor, the goal that you have as 595 00:28:09,909 --> 00:28:13,869 a church member is to know, what does God want for my life? 596 00:28:14,509 --> 00:28:15,829 What does God have? 597 00:28:15,829 --> 00:28:18,869 What is God's will and do whatever God says. 598 00:28:18,869 --> 00:28:20,989 What did God say to Joshua in Joshua chapter one? 599 00:28:21,149 --> 00:28:24,749 He said, joshua, only be thou strong and very courageous and observe 600 00:28:24,749 --> 00:28:27,069 to do, observe to do. 601 00:28:27,469 --> 00:28:28,589 Don't turn to the right hand. 602 00:28:28,589 --> 00:28:29,709 Don't turn off Joshua. 603 00:28:29,709 --> 00:28:31,269 Don't choose the right or left hand side. 604 00:28:31,269 --> 00:28:33,309 Joshua, just follow me. 605 00:28:33,309 --> 00:28:36,679 And my question tonight is how do you know? 606 00:28:37,639 --> 00:28:39,479 How do you know what's the Lord's side? 607 00:28:40,599 --> 00:28:45,159 How do you help make sure that you're on God's side? 608 00:28:46,279 --> 00:28:47,199 Would you take your Bible? 609 00:28:47,199 --> 00:28:49,319 We're gonna go to the New Testament for making application. 610 00:28:49,319 --> 00:28:50,519 We're finished here this evening. 611 00:28:50,918 --> 00:28:52,279 James, chapter number three. 612 00:28:53,239 --> 00:28:54,439 James, chapter three. 613 00:28:57,559 --> 00:29:00,239 James, chapter number three is a text of scripture that you often 614 00:29:00,239 --> 00:29:00,679 think of. 615 00:29:00,679 --> 00:29:04,319 And this text of scripture is a text where the Bible talks about 616 00:29:04,319 --> 00:29:04,919 the tongue. 617 00:29:06,039 --> 00:29:09,159 And if I say James chapter three, some of you all think, is 618 00:29:09,159 --> 00:29:11,079 this preacher gonna talk about the tongue? 619 00:29:12,039 --> 00:29:12,439 No. 620 00:29:13,079 --> 00:29:13,799 But yes. 621 00:29:15,159 --> 00:29:18,559 James, chapter three is when the Bible talks about can a fountain 622 00:29:18,559 --> 00:29:20,079 yield both salt water and bitter? 623 00:29:20,079 --> 00:29:22,119 He talks about the fact that the tongue can no man tame. 624 00:29:22,119 --> 00:29:24,679 It's an unruly evil full of deadly poison. 625 00:29:25,479 --> 00:29:27,719 But I'm not gonna talk to you about James, chapter three, those 626 00:29:27,719 --> 00:29:29,799 verses we're gonna look in Chapter number three, verse one. 627 00:29:29,799 --> 00:29:35,709 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive 628 00:29:35,709 --> 00:29:36,829 the greater condemnation. 629 00:29:36,829 --> 00:29:38,709 For in many things we offend all. 630 00:29:39,509 --> 00:29:42,709 If any man offend not in word, the same as a perfect man and able 631 00:29:42,709 --> 00:29:44,069 also to bridle the whole body. 632 00:29:44,389 --> 00:29:48,629 Jump down with me if you would, to verse number 13. 633 00:29:49,909 --> 00:29:58,819 God's word says, who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among 634 00:29:58,819 --> 00:29:59,939 you church? 635 00:29:59,939 --> 00:30:01,019 Can I ask you a question tonight? 636 00:30:01,419 --> 00:30:05,579 Do you want to be known as a wise man or a wise woman? 637 00:30:07,099 --> 00:30:08,299 Let me ask you a second question. 638 00:30:08,299 --> 00:30:08,899 Don't answer. 639 00:30:08,899 --> 00:30:11,419 But are you known as a wise man? 640 00:30:12,059 --> 00:30:13,099 As a wise woman? 641 00:30:14,459 --> 00:30:17,659 So many people say, I want to be a wise man. 642 00:30:18,459 --> 00:30:19,619 I want to be a wise. 643 00:30:19,619 --> 00:30:23,179 I want people to look at me and say, I'm a wise man. 644 00:30:24,149 --> 00:30:24,949 I'm a wise woman. 645 00:30:24,949 --> 00:30:27,429 And God says, let me answer the question for you. 646 00:30:27,589 --> 00:30:29,869 Who is a wise man and endured with knowledge? 647 00:30:29,869 --> 00:30:30,429 Who's wise? 648 00:30:30,429 --> 00:30:31,029 Who has knowledge? 649 00:30:31,029 --> 00:30:31,669 Look at the verse. 650 00:30:32,309 --> 00:30:33,029 Let him. 651 00:30:33,749 --> 00:30:40,469 And I could add or her show out of a good conversation his works 652 00:30:40,709 --> 00:30:43,389 with meekness of wisdom. 653 00:30:43,389 --> 00:30:45,509 What is God's word saying here to us? 654 00:30:45,749 --> 00:30:51,059 There's a criteria for people being wise men and wise women. 655 00:30:51,059 --> 00:30:52,099 What's the criteria? 656 00:30:52,099 --> 00:30:55,179 The Bible uses this phrase, let him show up a good conversation. 657 00:30:55,899 --> 00:30:58,459 The word conversation, when you and I think about it, has to 658 00:30:58,459 --> 00:30:59,859 do with what we're saying with our words. 659 00:30:59,859 --> 00:31:00,899 And that's true today. 660 00:31:00,899 --> 00:31:03,859 But the word conversation as used in scripture has to do with 661 00:31:03,859 --> 00:31:05,019 more of your manner of life. 662 00:31:05,019 --> 00:31:06,139 It's more encompassing. 663 00:31:06,699 --> 00:31:11,339 God says, if you want to be a wise person, don't tell people you're 664 00:31:11,339 --> 00:31:12,139 a wise person. 665 00:31:13,179 --> 00:31:17,259 Live a life that proves you're a wise person by the way that you 666 00:31:17,259 --> 00:31:18,859 choose to live your life. 667 00:31:18,939 --> 00:31:20,459 Let him show have a good conversation. 668 00:31:20,459 --> 00:31:23,929 His works would notice this meekness of wisdom. 669 00:31:24,489 --> 00:31:27,049 Keep on reading here, verse 14. 670 00:31:28,089 --> 00:31:38,049 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory 671 00:31:38,049 --> 00:31:41,529 not and lie not against the truth. 672 00:31:42,249 --> 00:31:45,369 I came across this verse here recently for me personally. 673 00:31:45,849 --> 00:31:49,329 And the phrase here lie not against the truth really gripped 674 00:31:49,329 --> 00:31:49,769 my heart. 675 00:31:50,459 --> 00:31:53,739 I began a study personally for me of all the place in scripture 676 00:31:53,739 --> 00:31:55,899 where we can lie to ourselves. 677 00:31:56,859 --> 00:31:57,819 And I'll tell you this. 678 00:31:58,299 --> 00:32:00,539 The Bible talks about James chapter number one. 679 00:32:00,939 --> 00:32:03,979 But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only. 680 00:32:03,979 --> 00:32:05,099 What's the rest of the verse say? 681 00:32:05,579 --> 00:32:06,579 Deceiving your own. 682 00:32:06,579 --> 00:32:09,379 For if any man be a hearer of the word, not a doer, he's like unto 683 00:32:09,379 --> 00:32:11,099 a man beholden, his natural face a glass. 684 00:32:11,739 --> 00:32:15,539 For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forget 685 00:32:15,539 --> 00:32:17,179 the manner of man he was. 686 00:32:17,259 --> 00:32:19,979 In other words, do you know that we can be self deceived? 687 00:32:21,309 --> 00:32:23,949 Do you know that we can look into the mirror and say, oh, at church, 688 00:32:23,949 --> 00:32:24,269 man. 689 00:32:24,509 --> 00:32:26,869 And I'll use this example as a husband, as a father. 690 00:32:26,869 --> 00:32:29,269 Do you know how many times I go to a church service and I'm preaching 691 00:32:29,269 --> 00:32:32,709 or listening and God convicts me about something in my life that 692 00:32:32,709 --> 00:32:35,629 has to change And I say, lord, with your help, I'll change it. 693 00:32:35,629 --> 00:32:39,029 Do you know that sometimes 10 minutes later I can't remember the 694 00:32:39,029 --> 00:32:39,749 message is on. 695 00:32:39,749 --> 00:32:41,229 Can I be honest with you for a second? 696 00:32:41,549 --> 00:32:43,229 If you think preachers remember everything. 697 00:32:43,309 --> 00:32:45,629 Sometimes people say, I appreciate your message this morning. 698 00:32:45,969 --> 00:32:48,129 And I'm in my mind thinking, what did I preach on? 699 00:32:48,129 --> 00:32:50,849 Because I preached Sunday school, Sunday morning, Sunday night 700 00:32:50,849 --> 00:32:51,409 chapels. 701 00:32:51,409 --> 00:32:52,369 I've talked to my family. 702 00:32:53,009 --> 00:32:53,809 Here's the thing. 703 00:32:53,809 --> 00:32:58,649 All of us take scripture in, but the intake of scripture does 704 00:32:58,649 --> 00:32:59,729 not make you spiritual. 705 00:33:00,529 --> 00:33:04,209 It's when we take scripture in and apply it to our lives and let 706 00:33:04,209 --> 00:33:05,889 the word of God change us. 707 00:33:06,369 --> 00:33:08,929 And so God says we can be self deceived. 708 00:33:09,089 --> 00:33:10,849 How do we know for self deceived? 709 00:33:10,849 --> 00:33:13,139 Look again the verse, verse number 14. 710 00:33:13,219 --> 00:33:23,019 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, what is 711 00:33:23,019 --> 00:33:23,859 bitter envying? 712 00:33:23,859 --> 00:33:24,739 What does this mean? 713 00:33:26,339 --> 00:33:28,819 It means someone who becomes envious. 714 00:33:29,539 --> 00:33:33,739 Bitter envying, for instance, at the sight of superior excellence 715 00:33:33,739 --> 00:33:34,499 of another person. 716 00:33:35,699 --> 00:33:39,499 If someone else by being right or someone else by being better at 717 00:33:39,499 --> 00:33:39,779 something. 718 00:33:40,019 --> 00:33:42,019 If we think I deserve that. 719 00:33:42,879 --> 00:33:44,559 I wish people said that about me. 720 00:33:45,119 --> 00:33:47,119 I wish that everyone thought that I was right. 721 00:33:47,119 --> 00:33:49,359 I wish everybody would choose my side. 722 00:33:49,359 --> 00:33:53,359 Can I tell you the Bible calls that bitter envying. 723 00:33:53,999 --> 00:33:54,799 Keep on going. 724 00:33:55,199 --> 00:33:57,439 Bitter envying literally means this. 725 00:33:57,839 --> 00:34:01,759 If a person has selfish ambition. 726 00:34:03,519 --> 00:34:05,119 Selfish ambition, Not. 727 00:34:05,759 --> 00:34:10,409 Not that everyone or not that God's glorified, but that somehow 728 00:34:10,809 --> 00:34:11,609 I look good. 729 00:34:12,409 --> 00:34:16,649 If you have bitter envying and the Bible uses word strife. 730 00:34:17,609 --> 00:34:18,089 Strife. 731 00:34:18,089 --> 00:34:18,809 What is strife? 732 00:34:18,809 --> 00:34:22,569 Strife means contention, literally, if you look it up, strife 733 00:34:22,569 --> 00:34:27,529 means electioneering, trying to get People to get on your side. 734 00:34:28,649 --> 00:34:29,529 I want to be right. 735 00:34:30,329 --> 00:34:32,849 In order for me to be right, then I have to make sure that other 736 00:34:32,849 --> 00:34:34,809 people know that I'm right and get them. 737 00:34:34,809 --> 00:34:36,409 It's almost like this tug of war. 738 00:34:37,799 --> 00:34:43,479 And in our lives, how often do we choose that we want to be right, 739 00:34:44,679 --> 00:34:47,239 that we want to be the person who has the answers. 740 00:34:48,359 --> 00:34:51,559 And this entire text isn't about bitter envying or strife. 741 00:34:51,559 --> 00:34:52,918 You know what this entire text is about? 742 00:34:53,159 --> 00:34:54,679 It's about two types of wisdom. 743 00:34:55,399 --> 00:35:00,119 In verse number 13, the Bible refers to godly wisdom. 744 00:35:00,919 --> 00:35:04,039 But before God can give us godly wisdom, he has to tell us about 745 00:35:04,638 --> 00:35:05,438 earthly wisdom. 746 00:35:06,318 --> 00:35:07,558 What is earthly wisdom? 747 00:35:07,558 --> 00:35:11,398 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory 748 00:35:11,398 --> 00:35:14,118 not, and lie not against the truth. 749 00:35:14,118 --> 00:35:17,598 Do you realize in chapter number three, he's speaking to people 750 00:35:17,598 --> 00:35:18,318 that were leaders? 751 00:35:18,398 --> 00:35:19,478 Go back to verse number one. 752 00:35:19,478 --> 00:35:20,877 Be not many masters. 753 00:35:22,078 --> 00:35:24,718 He's saying, hey, in the church, James, by the way, you know, 754 00:35:24,718 --> 00:35:25,438 James was. 755 00:35:25,838 --> 00:35:27,598 James was the half brother of Jesus. 756 00:35:28,158 --> 00:35:30,758 James was the man who was the spokesman, the leader of the church 757 00:35:30,758 --> 00:35:33,478 of Jerusalem, James, the one who, when Paul came back, James spoke 758 00:35:33,478 --> 00:35:33,758 up. 759 00:35:34,109 --> 00:35:35,269 James was a godly man. 760 00:35:35,269 --> 00:35:38,189 And James said, hey, so many people think that there's wise. 761 00:35:38,829 --> 00:35:40,189 So many people think that they know. 762 00:35:40,189 --> 00:35:42,229 And James says, hey, don't be around many masters. 763 00:35:42,229 --> 00:35:43,149 Here's what you should do. 764 00:35:43,709 --> 00:35:47,869 Find out who a person is by what wisdom they choose. 765 00:35:48,509 --> 00:35:49,469 What's the wisdom? 766 00:35:49,549 --> 00:35:51,789 Well, the godly wisdom we're about to learn about. 767 00:35:51,789 --> 00:35:54,949 But first, he addresses earthly wisdom, man's wisdom. 768 00:35:54,949 --> 00:35:57,789 Keep on reading verse number 14. 769 00:35:58,589 --> 00:35:59,789 Lie not against the truth. 770 00:35:59,789 --> 00:36:05,489 This wisdom, this wisdom, this ungodly or this earthly wisdom descendeth 771 00:36:05,489 --> 00:36:09,169 not from above, but is earthly. 772 00:36:10,129 --> 00:36:13,089 Now, if I were to say to you, are you a wise person? 773 00:36:14,129 --> 00:36:16,409 Few of you all raise your hand right now because we're in church 774 00:36:16,409 --> 00:36:17,649 and we're talking about wisdom. 775 00:36:17,889 --> 00:36:19,969 But if I were to ask you outside of church, do you consider 776 00:36:19,969 --> 00:36:20,769 yourself wise? 777 00:36:20,929 --> 00:36:22,929 Most of us will say, well, I think so. 778 00:36:23,969 --> 00:36:24,929 I hope so. 779 00:36:25,089 --> 00:36:29,639 You know what James says in James, chapter three, if you don't 780 00:36:29,639 --> 00:36:34,439 have a vote, but people could truly just watch the manner of your 781 00:36:34,439 --> 00:36:36,879 life, they'll figure it out. 782 00:36:37,759 --> 00:36:42,679 Or if we were honest with the fruit of our life, we'd figure out 783 00:36:42,679 --> 00:36:45,359 how wise we are or how wise we are not. 784 00:36:46,399 --> 00:36:51,479 And God's word says in verse number 15, this wisdom descendeth 785 00:36:51,479 --> 00:36:53,279 not from above, but is earthly. 786 00:36:54,309 --> 00:36:57,109 And if I were to say to you, if you're not choosing godly wisdom, 787 00:36:57,109 --> 00:36:59,989 you're choosing earthly wisdom, most of us will say, okay, 788 00:36:59,989 --> 00:37:01,349 that doesn't hurt my feelings too bad. 789 00:37:01,749 --> 00:37:03,829 But do you notice that James kind of doubles down? 790 00:37:04,309 --> 00:37:06,789 This wisdom descend not from above, but is earthly. 791 00:37:06,789 --> 00:37:08,549 It is sensual. 792 00:37:09,829 --> 00:37:10,909 It's about what you want. 793 00:37:10,909 --> 00:37:11,869 It's about your desire. 794 00:37:11,869 --> 00:37:12,789 It's all about you. 795 00:37:13,749 --> 00:37:16,509 But then he goes on further and he says something that really, 796 00:37:16,509 --> 00:37:17,189 I don't like. 797 00:37:18,469 --> 00:37:20,629 This earthly wisdom is earthly. 798 00:37:21,709 --> 00:37:22,749 Here's the word he chooses. 799 00:37:23,229 --> 00:37:23,949 Devilish. 800 00:37:25,389 --> 00:37:26,509 Man's wisdom. 801 00:37:26,589 --> 00:37:33,069 Earthly wisdom, our selfish ambition at the very end of it is 802 00:37:33,069 --> 00:37:36,109 earthly, sensual, devilish. 803 00:37:36,669 --> 00:37:39,549 Do you know what God desires to do in every one of our lives? 804 00:37:40,429 --> 00:37:41,949 God desires to bless us. 805 00:37:42,909 --> 00:37:45,589 God desires to see us become more like the image of Jesus. 806 00:37:45,589 --> 00:37:46,669 But you know what the devil wants to do? 807 00:37:46,669 --> 00:37:47,949 He wants to destroy your life. 808 00:37:49,149 --> 00:37:50,549 He wants to destroy your marriage. 809 00:37:50,549 --> 00:37:51,749 He wants to destroy your family. 810 00:37:51,749 --> 00:37:53,309 He wants to destroy this church. 811 00:37:53,789 --> 00:37:55,709 And do you know what often happens? 812 00:37:56,829 --> 00:38:02,069 Churches, families can be destroyed by people thinking, I want 813 00:38:02,069 --> 00:38:02,829 what I want. 814 00:38:04,349 --> 00:38:09,349 Me number one on the throne in my life is not God, it's me. 815 00:38:09,349 --> 00:38:15,269 But we me love to portray ourselves as following God. 816 00:38:15,269 --> 00:38:16,339 Jesus is preeminent. 817 00:38:17,209 --> 00:38:19,289 And James says, okay, you want to know? 818 00:38:19,289 --> 00:38:20,289 You know what the test is? 819 00:38:20,289 --> 00:38:21,209 Verse number 13. 820 00:38:21,769 --> 00:38:24,729 Let him show out of a good conversation his works. 821 00:38:25,609 --> 00:38:29,929 Let his life preach, not just his words keep on going. 822 00:38:30,649 --> 00:38:33,929 This wisdom descended not from above, but his earthly, sensual, 823 00:38:33,929 --> 00:38:34,529 devilish. 824 00:38:34,529 --> 00:38:35,689 Look at verse number 16. 825 00:38:36,649 --> 00:38:46,579 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion in every evil 826 00:38:46,979 --> 00:38:47,379 work. 827 00:38:48,179 --> 00:38:51,619 Can I really simplify this text down to two things? 828 00:38:52,899 --> 00:38:57,619 There's godly wisdom and there's selfish ambition. 829 00:38:58,659 --> 00:39:00,979 And we love to say, well, there's godly wisdom and there's 830 00:39:00,979 --> 00:39:01,379 everything else. 831 00:39:01,379 --> 00:39:04,019 But God says in James, chapter three, there's only two. 832 00:39:05,139 --> 00:39:09,699 There's godly wisdom and then there's man's selfish ambition. 833 00:39:10,599 --> 00:39:11,559 And we all like to say. 834 00:39:11,559 --> 00:39:14,199 I like to say I'm not selfishly ambitious. 835 00:39:14,199 --> 00:39:15,079 And guess what? 836 00:39:15,159 --> 00:39:16,119 I'm a liar. 837 00:39:16,359 --> 00:39:17,719 If I truly believe that. 838 00:39:17,959 --> 00:39:19,559 You know what happens every day in my life? 839 00:39:20,039 --> 00:39:22,079 I have this thing to battle I think you know something about. 840 00:39:22,079 --> 00:39:23,159 It's called a flesh. 841 00:39:23,959 --> 00:39:26,238 Every morning I wake up and I look in the mirror. 842 00:39:26,238 --> 00:39:29,479 The greatest enemy I have is not anyone else. 843 00:39:30,439 --> 00:39:31,439 It's that man. 844 00:39:31,439 --> 00:39:32,679 I'm looking in the mirror. 845 00:39:32,679 --> 00:39:34,679 It's that flesh, the devil. 846 00:39:34,759 --> 00:39:35,639 It's this world. 847 00:39:36,389 --> 00:39:39,109 The enemy is after me and after you. 848 00:39:39,749 --> 00:39:42,669 And God says, hey, there's godly wisdom and there's selfish 849 00:39:42,669 --> 00:39:43,189 ambition. 850 00:39:43,269 --> 00:39:45,429 Where does selfish ambition lead to? 851 00:39:45,749 --> 00:39:47,829 Where envying and strife is. 852 00:39:48,709 --> 00:39:50,149 Have you ever been in a workplace? 853 00:39:50,149 --> 00:39:51,349 There's envying and strife. 854 00:39:52,469 --> 00:39:55,109 Have you ever been In a home where there's envying and strife. 855 00:39:55,989 --> 00:39:58,389 Have you ever been in a church where there's envying and strife? 856 00:39:58,869 --> 00:39:59,989 And if you have, here's. 857 00:39:59,989 --> 00:40:03,479 The Bible says on the authority of Scripture, there is 858 00:40:03,719 --> 00:40:07,159 confusion in every evil work. 859 00:40:07,959 --> 00:40:08,599 Confusion. 860 00:40:08,599 --> 00:40:09,879 What does confusion mean? 861 00:40:10,119 --> 00:40:16,439 Instability, disorder, commotion, disturbances. 862 00:40:17,879 --> 00:40:19,799 What happens when there's commotion? 863 00:40:19,799 --> 00:40:23,479 I think about the Bible verse where there's pride. 864 00:40:24,519 --> 00:40:26,119 With pride is contention. 865 00:40:26,919 --> 00:40:28,319 And I do believe pride. 866 00:40:28,319 --> 00:40:29,399 But what does pride mean? 867 00:40:29,399 --> 00:40:30,439 Pride means my way. 868 00:40:31,079 --> 00:40:33,919 God says when we selfishly want our way, it's about selfish 869 00:40:33,919 --> 00:40:35,479 ambition, not about what God wants. 870 00:40:35,879 --> 00:40:38,759 There is pride and there is contention. 871 00:40:38,759 --> 00:40:39,759 And then the Bible goes on here. 872 00:40:39,759 --> 00:40:40,439 Do you notice this? 873 00:40:40,519 --> 00:40:41,799 And every evil work. 874 00:40:42,039 --> 00:40:46,959 Now, this text is powerful, but these verses are often just skipped 875 00:40:46,959 --> 00:40:49,759 over because what is this talking about? 876 00:40:49,759 --> 00:40:53,799 This is talking about our ambition, our wisdom. 877 00:40:54,039 --> 00:40:55,159 What does it lead to? 878 00:40:55,879 --> 00:40:58,329 Every work. 879 00:40:58,969 --> 00:40:59,929 Which work is it? 880 00:40:59,929 --> 00:41:01,849 Well, the Bible tells us every. 881 00:41:03,049 --> 00:41:08,329 When we want our way, when it's all about me. 882 00:41:08,969 --> 00:41:11,769 I can lead to any evil thing. 883 00:41:12,169 --> 00:41:14,409 The sky's the limit on what I can do. 884 00:41:14,409 --> 00:41:16,009 Because now it's not about God. 885 00:41:17,289 --> 00:41:18,809 Now it's all about what I want. 886 00:41:19,609 --> 00:41:20,649 It's all about me. 887 00:41:21,289 --> 00:41:22,889 It's all about me being right. 888 00:41:22,889 --> 00:41:24,409 People knowing that I'm wise. 889 00:41:25,499 --> 00:41:27,779 I love, though the Bible doesn't just give us a negative look 890 00:41:27,779 --> 00:41:32,059 with, if you would, in verse number 17, but the wisdom that is 891 00:41:32,059 --> 00:41:32,699 from above. 892 00:41:34,299 --> 00:41:37,819 I love this, that God's going to tell us what truly godly wisdom 893 00:41:37,819 --> 00:41:38,019 is. 894 00:41:38,019 --> 00:41:41,659 And so you say, well, I think my wisdom's godly wisdom. 895 00:41:41,899 --> 00:41:45,819 Or I think I may be selfishly ambitious in my family, in my job, 896 00:41:45,819 --> 00:41:46,699 in my church. 897 00:41:47,019 --> 00:41:48,579 Well, don't have to worry about it. 898 00:41:48,579 --> 00:41:51,019 Let God's word tell you and then he tells us what it is. 899 00:41:51,329 --> 00:41:52,449 What is Godly wisdom? 900 00:41:52,769 --> 00:41:56,129 Wisdom that from above is first pure. 901 00:41:56,769 --> 00:41:57,569 Do you know what's wonderful? 902 00:41:57,569 --> 00:42:00,569 When you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you lied 903 00:42:00,569 --> 00:42:00,849 about. 904 00:42:02,769 --> 00:42:07,009 It's wonderful when you can just say the truth is in my life. 905 00:42:07,809 --> 00:42:12,009 When you're not hiding things, when you're just living a life that 906 00:42:12,009 --> 00:42:12,849 is pure. 907 00:42:14,609 --> 00:42:15,889 It's clean, it's clear. 908 00:42:15,889 --> 00:42:18,009 But the Bible says wisdom from above is first pure. 909 00:42:18,009 --> 00:42:18,919 Notice the second one. 910 00:42:19,629 --> 00:42:21,869 Then notice this phrase, peaceable. 911 00:42:22,589 --> 00:42:24,029 What does God's wisdom do? 912 00:42:24,669 --> 00:42:28,429 God's wisdom is pure and God's wisdom is peaceable. 913 00:42:29,469 --> 00:42:33,309 Next, Bible says God's wisdom is gentle. 914 00:42:34,109 --> 00:42:35,509 God's wisdom is gentle. 915 00:42:35,509 --> 00:42:37,589 Do you know that gentle doesn't mean like. 916 00:42:37,589 --> 00:42:38,829 Just like you're holding a baby. 917 00:42:38,829 --> 00:42:42,109 Gentle means appropriate or fair. 918 00:42:43,869 --> 00:42:48,119 Being gentle doesn't mean I never correct, hey, we have children. 919 00:42:48,679 --> 00:42:51,119 We have three kids and we have good kids. 920 00:42:51,119 --> 00:42:52,119 I'm thankful for them. 921 00:42:52,359 --> 00:42:55,159 But if I left our kids themselves, I would not be a good 922 00:42:55,159 --> 00:42:55,559 father. 923 00:42:55,959 --> 00:42:58,999 The Bible says, if we truly have a dad, guess what our dad does? 924 00:42:59,239 --> 00:43:00,959 He disciplines and chastens us. 925 00:43:00,959 --> 00:43:01,799 Why our Father? 926 00:43:02,039 --> 00:43:04,599 Because he wants to make us like him. 927 00:43:04,919 --> 00:43:08,359 And we as parents should want to correct our children so that they 928 00:43:08,359 --> 00:43:10,799 can learn what is right and what is wrong. 929 00:43:10,799 --> 00:43:12,479 And guess what God says. 930 00:43:12,479 --> 00:43:14,209 Wisdom that is from above is pure. 931 00:43:15,399 --> 00:43:19,279 It's peaceable, it's gentle, it's fair, it's equitable. 932 00:43:19,279 --> 00:43:20,039 Keep on going. 933 00:43:20,439 --> 00:43:21,639 Then the Bible says this. 934 00:43:22,279 --> 00:43:24,119 Easy to be entreated. 935 00:43:25,319 --> 00:43:26,879 Easy to be entreated. 936 00:43:26,879 --> 00:43:28,599 In other words, good for persuasion. 937 00:43:28,919 --> 00:43:31,519 Someone can have a conversation and doesn't have to 938 00:43:31,519 --> 00:43:32,759 say, no one else can talk. 939 00:43:33,079 --> 00:43:33,879 It's my way. 940 00:43:34,599 --> 00:43:38,599 God's wisdom has no problem having a conversation, seeking what 941 00:43:38,599 --> 00:43:43,729 God wants and conversing in a way that is pure and peaceable and 942 00:43:43,729 --> 00:43:45,209 gentle and easy to be entreated. 943 00:43:45,209 --> 00:43:45,889 Keep on going. 944 00:43:46,689 --> 00:43:49,169 Full of mercy. 945 00:43:49,169 --> 00:43:52,529 Oh, wow, now I'm just going to tell you my own life. 946 00:43:53,329 --> 00:43:57,329 Do you know, sometimes I don't want to have a conversation. 947 00:43:58,289 --> 00:44:01,129 Sometimes I don't want to take the opportunity to be full of mercy. 948 00:44:01,129 --> 00:44:03,369 Sometimes I just want to say, here's the way it is, this is how 949 00:44:03,369 --> 00:44:03,729 it is. 950 00:44:04,209 --> 00:44:08,059 And sometimes I. I can be not very kind. 951 00:44:09,019 --> 00:44:11,579 And God says, well, I can tell you which one that is. 952 00:44:11,579 --> 00:44:12,779 That's not God's wisdom. 953 00:44:13,419 --> 00:44:14,699 That's your selfish ambition. 954 00:44:14,699 --> 00:44:15,579 That's your wisdom. 955 00:44:16,139 --> 00:44:22,539 My wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full 956 00:44:22,539 --> 00:44:23,099 of mercy. 957 00:44:23,099 --> 00:44:23,739 Keep on going. 958 00:44:24,219 --> 00:44:25,579 And good fruits. 959 00:44:26,059 --> 00:44:26,859 Keep on going. 960 00:44:27,659 --> 00:44:34,159 Without partiality, not biased in favor of one party more than another. 961 00:44:34,319 --> 00:44:35,359 Not prejudiced. 962 00:44:35,759 --> 00:44:38,079 God's wisdom says, I'm not. 963 00:44:38,319 --> 00:44:41,679 It's not about everything else inside. 964 00:44:41,759 --> 00:44:44,799 It's about, what does God want for my life? 965 00:44:46,559 --> 00:44:48,279 What is the right thing to do? 966 00:44:48,279 --> 00:44:49,999 And the Bible says, without partiality. 967 00:44:49,999 --> 00:44:50,639 Notice this. 968 00:44:50,639 --> 00:44:53,559 And without hypocrisy. 969 00:44:53,559 --> 00:44:55,519 No one likes being called a hypocrite. 970 00:44:55,999 --> 00:44:56,719 I don't. 971 00:44:57,949 --> 00:44:59,189 I'm not gonna call you hypocrite tonight. 972 00:44:59,189 --> 00:45:00,029 But I will tell you this. 973 00:45:00,349 --> 00:45:03,989 If we're living a life of wisdom, we can live a life without 974 00:45:03,989 --> 00:45:04,829 hypocrisy. 975 00:45:05,789 --> 00:45:07,069 But can I be honest with you? 976 00:45:07,709 --> 00:45:12,869 Too many times in my life I thought I was wise, but it was only 977 00:45:12,869 --> 00:45:18,189 outward because the fruit of my tongue, the works of my flesh, 978 00:45:19,069 --> 00:45:24,329 my outward responses, the way I responded to people was not godly 979 00:45:24,329 --> 00:45:27,289 and pure and gentle and peaceable and because of that, I 980 00:45:27,289 --> 00:45:28,049 know what it was. 981 00:45:28,609 --> 00:45:29,729 It wasn't God's wisdom. 982 00:45:29,729 --> 00:45:30,529 It was my ambition. 983 00:45:30,609 --> 00:45:31,329 It was my way. 984 00:45:31,329 --> 00:45:32,369 It's what I wanted. 985 00:45:32,929 --> 00:45:33,449 So you say. 986 00:45:33,449 --> 00:45:35,409 Okay, preacher, wrap it up already. 987 00:45:36,129 --> 00:45:37,129 Well, God's not done yet. 988 00:45:37,129 --> 00:45:37,649 In verse 18. 989 00:45:37,649 --> 00:45:38,408 Would you look at it? 990 00:45:38,408 --> 00:45:47,089 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make 991 00:45:47,089 --> 00:45:47,569 peace. 992 00:45:48,699 --> 00:45:50,619 Verse number 18, I think we just skip over. 993 00:45:51,179 --> 00:45:54,939 But do you realize that God uses a word twice in verse number 994 00:45:54,939 --> 00:45:58,219 18, and he's used the same word, a few verses about wisdom? 995 00:45:58,219 --> 00:45:58,859 What's the word? 996 00:45:58,859 --> 00:46:00,939 Church peace. 997 00:46:02,459 --> 00:46:07,219 The Bible says the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. 998 00:46:07,219 --> 00:46:08,379 What's the Bible talk about here? 999 00:46:08,459 --> 00:46:09,099 Harvest. 1000 00:46:10,219 --> 00:46:13,219 Guess what happens when you live a life that's pure, gentle, 1001 00:46:13,219 --> 00:46:13,819 easy being true. 1002 00:46:13,819 --> 00:46:14,459 You know what you do? 1003 00:46:15,139 --> 00:46:18,179 You put out a crop of peace. 1004 00:46:19,219 --> 00:46:22,939 You put out a crop of not about what I want or about my way. 1005 00:46:22,939 --> 00:46:24,259 I want God's way. 1006 00:46:25,219 --> 00:46:26,979 I want to follow God's word. 1007 00:46:27,619 --> 00:46:29,859 I want to live a life that's pleasing to Jesus. 1008 00:46:29,939 --> 00:46:31,179 And because you do that. 1009 00:46:31,179 --> 00:46:32,339 Can I just use a phrase? 1010 00:46:32,659 --> 00:46:34,899 You don't have to be a jerk for Jesus. 1011 00:46:36,099 --> 00:46:38,459 You can be kind and loving and nice. 1012 00:46:38,459 --> 00:46:41,659 And even if people disagree with you, do you know, you can still 1013 00:46:41,659 --> 00:46:47,289 be kind and loving because God's wisdom is first pure, then 1014 00:46:47,849 --> 00:46:52,769 peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of good works, full 1015 00:46:52,769 --> 00:46:55,129 of mercy, without partiality, without hypocrisy. 1016 00:46:55,129 --> 00:46:57,769 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. 1017 00:46:57,769 --> 00:47:00,649 And the Bible keeps on going of them that make peace. 1018 00:47:00,649 --> 00:47:05,049 Can I remind you of Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers. 1019 00:47:06,489 --> 00:47:11,699 God said, joshua's walking around Jericho, and I'm sure it's 1020 00:47:11,699 --> 00:47:12,259 dark at night. 1021 00:47:12,259 --> 00:47:14,259 I imagine he's doing a reconnaissance mission. 1022 00:47:14,259 --> 00:47:17,179 And Joshua just wants to see what's coming up in Jericho. 1023 00:47:17,659 --> 00:47:19,579 We just want to move forward for God's glory. 1024 00:47:20,059 --> 00:47:21,139 This has been complicated. 1025 00:47:21,139 --> 00:47:22,659 We had to go across the Jordan River. 1026 00:47:22,659 --> 00:47:23,779 We had to put stones up. 1027 00:47:23,779 --> 00:47:25,019 We had to circumcise people. 1028 00:47:25,019 --> 00:47:25,979 There's no more manna. 1029 00:47:25,979 --> 00:47:27,219 This is so complicated. 1030 00:47:27,219 --> 00:47:30,339 And here he is, and he has his hand on the sword, and he says, sir, 1031 00:47:30,339 --> 00:47:31,819 are you for us or against us? 1032 00:47:31,819 --> 00:47:34,299 And God says, nay. 1033 00:47:35,909 --> 00:47:37,909 But as captain of the Lord of hosts, am I come. 1034 00:47:39,109 --> 00:47:40,269 Can I encourage you? 1035 00:47:40,269 --> 00:47:41,829 Your life will come down to this. 1036 00:47:43,029 --> 00:47:45,829 Which wisdom will you choose? 1037 00:47:47,269 --> 00:47:53,269 God's wisdom is looking into God's word and following Jesus. 1038 00:47:54,309 --> 00:47:57,909 Man's wisdom is all about selfish ambition. 1039 00:47:59,109 --> 00:48:02,229 God said to Joshua, joshua, I am not for you. 1040 00:48:02,859 --> 00:48:04,139 I am not against you. 1041 00:48:04,139 --> 00:48:05,419 I am God. 1042 00:48:06,699 --> 00:48:07,939 And I just want to encourage you tonight. 1043 00:48:07,939 --> 00:48:09,499 As we get done, finish this way. 1044 00:48:09,739 --> 00:48:14,739 If you're going to be a person who follows God, you need to be a 1045 00:48:14,739 --> 00:48:15,019 person. 1046 00:48:16,379 --> 00:48:21,659 As the Bible says in James, chapter one, let every man be swift 1047 00:48:21,739 --> 00:48:31,019 to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath for the righteousness of 1048 00:48:31,019 --> 00:48:31,299 man. 1049 00:48:31,299 --> 00:48:36,969 I'm sorry, the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of 1050 00:48:36,969 --> 00:48:37,209 God. 1051 00:48:37,209 --> 00:48:39,089 Do you want God's righteousness in your life? 1052 00:48:39,969 --> 00:48:41,889 You and God's righteousness in your church? 1053 00:48:42,449 --> 00:48:44,449 If you want, I'll tell you where it comes from. 1054 00:48:44,689 --> 00:48:48,689 It comes from a person who says, I want to walk with God. 1055 00:48:49,889 --> 00:48:51,409 I want to follow Jesus. 1056 00:48:51,409 --> 00:48:53,169 I want to be committed every day of my life. 1057 00:48:53,169 --> 00:48:55,649 I want to be more and more like Jesus Christ. 1058 00:48:56,609 --> 00:48:59,569 And when we follow Jesus and want to be more and more like him, 1059 00:49:00,059 --> 00:49:02,499 the Bible says he predestined us. 1060 00:49:02,499 --> 00:49:04,539 Predestined us to be what? 1061 00:49:05,019 --> 00:49:07,179 Conformed to the image of his son. 1062 00:49:07,179 --> 00:49:09,499 Jesus wants to make you church member. 1063 00:49:10,219 --> 00:49:13,099 Jesus wants to make you sir, and you, ma', am, and you teenager 1064 00:49:13,099 --> 00:49:14,139 and child and me. 1065 00:49:14,139 --> 00:49:16,059 He wants to make us more like Jesus. 1066 00:49:16,699 --> 00:49:19,939 And the more we're like Jesus, the more we will find that when we 1067 00:49:19,939 --> 00:49:24,739 choose God's wisdom, we become people that are choosing wisdom. 1068 00:49:24,739 --> 00:49:32,249 And we are pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full 1069 00:49:32,249 --> 00:49:37,169 of mercy, full of good works, without impartiality, without hypocrisy. 1070 00:49:37,169 --> 00:49:37,809 Let me ask you a question. 1071 00:49:37,809 --> 00:49:39,129 Let's get that rubber meets the road. 1072 00:49:39,369 --> 00:49:40,969 Would people describe you that way? 1073 00:49:42,249 --> 00:49:44,489 Or would people describe you as a person who. 1074 00:49:45,129 --> 00:49:47,209 Well, it's about what I want. 1075 00:49:47,609 --> 00:49:48,729 It's about my way. 1076 00:49:49,289 --> 00:49:52,849 And I would just remind us that God's not asking, which side 1077 00:49:52,849 --> 00:49:53,369 are you on? 1078 00:49:54,259 --> 00:49:55,859 God didn't say, Joshua, pick a side. 1079 00:49:56,739 --> 00:50:00,179 God said, joshua, get on your face before me. 1080 00:50:00,979 --> 00:50:02,139 Sanctify yourself, Josh. 1081 00:50:02,139 --> 00:50:04,099 You're about to lead my people, Joshua, and here's what you 1082 00:50:04,099 --> 00:50:04,579 need to do. 1083 00:50:04,899 --> 00:50:09,659 You make sure that you're after me, after my will. 1084 00:50:09,659 --> 00:50:11,779 You make sure you're pure, you're holy. 1085 00:50:12,099 --> 00:50:17,059 Because, Joshua, I am doing a work and I want to move forward. 1086 00:50:17,059 --> 00:50:20,809 But you need to make sure you first are worshiping me and you're 1087 00:50:20,809 --> 00:50:23,889 ready to move forward personally, before God can move forward 1088 00:50:23,889 --> 00:50:24,969 the entire children of Israel. 1089 00:50:24,969 --> 00:50:26,609 So the question in wrapping up is this. 1090 00:50:27,489 --> 00:50:29,489 Does Heritage Baptist Church want to move forward? 1091 00:50:30,369 --> 00:50:34,369 I think the answer is yes, but it doesn't work that way. 1092 00:50:36,529 --> 00:50:39,089 If we took a vote tonight, I have nothing to do with your church. 1093 00:50:39,089 --> 00:50:39,569 I couldn't do it. 1094 00:50:39,569 --> 00:50:41,049 But we took a church who wants to move forward. 1095 00:50:41,049 --> 00:50:45,089 I think everybody's going to say yes, but what does that mean? 1096 00:50:46,139 --> 00:50:47,339 You know what moving forward means? 1097 00:50:48,059 --> 00:50:51,659 Moving forward means every member of this church chooses. 1098 00:50:51,659 --> 00:50:53,259 I'm gonna follow Jesus. 1099 00:50:54,059 --> 00:50:56,179 I'm gonna submit myself to him. 1100 00:50:56,179 --> 00:50:57,819 I'm gonna seek to live a godly life. 1101 00:50:57,819 --> 00:50:59,339 I wanna be like Jesus. 1102 00:50:59,739 --> 00:51:03,739 I wanna be a person who is pure and gentle and easy to be treated. 1103 00:51:03,739 --> 00:51:06,139 Yeah, I'll be fair and equitable, but I wanna follow God's 1104 00:51:06,139 --> 00:51:07,059 word and know God's word. 1105 00:51:07,059 --> 00:51:08,179 I wanna be like Joshua. 1106 00:51:08,179 --> 00:51:09,659 Strong and very courageous. 1107 00:51:10,219 --> 00:51:12,619 And when God does that in hearts, you know what God does? 1108 00:51:13,229 --> 00:51:16,909 God takes a group of people and he knits their hearts together 1109 00:51:17,629 --> 00:51:19,789 and he helps a group of people to follow him. 1110 00:51:19,789 --> 00:51:22,749 And as he does that, then God says, like to the children of Israel, 1111 00:51:22,749 --> 00:51:23,709 okay, it's time. 1112 00:51:24,589 --> 00:51:25,429 There's Jericho. 1113 00:51:25,429 --> 00:51:26,029 Let's move forward. 1114 00:51:26,909 --> 00:51:32,069 May God help each of us to be people who walk with God and submit 1115 00:51:32,069 --> 00:51:32,829 to his will. 1116 00:51:33,229 --> 00:51:37,389 And may the goal of our lives be to be on God's side. 1117 00:51:38,359 --> 00:51:39,959 I trust this has been a help to you. 1118 00:51:40,279 --> 00:51:41,519 And may God help this church. 1119 00:51:41,519 --> 00:51:42,279 Brother Weatherby.