1 00:00:31,539 --> 00:00:32,499 Well, good evening. 2 00:00:32,499 --> 00:00:34,339 Y' all sounded good tonight. 3 00:00:34,739 --> 00:00:39,379 Thank you for being here in your place and if you would open 4 00:00:39,379 --> 00:00:43,299 your Bibles to Roman Romans chapter number five. 5 00:00:43,379 --> 00:00:44,899 Romans chapter number five. 6 00:00:45,219 --> 00:00:47,219 We will begin there. 7 00:00:47,859 --> 00:00:52,099 And just for a moment, I just want to share with you my heart for 8 00:00:52,099 --> 00:00:52,819 just a second. 9 00:00:54,579 --> 00:00:59,179 Many of you have come up to me and congratulated me, so I want to 10 00:00:59,179 --> 00:01:00,059 thank you for that. 11 00:01:00,059 --> 00:01:05,099 And this is a privilege and a lot to handle. 12 00:01:05,099 --> 00:01:07,339 And so I'm going to ask that you pray for me. 13 00:01:07,579 --> 00:01:11,579 Pray for me in this new position has taken over as for the 14 00:01:11,579 --> 00:01:14,699 time being for the assistant pastor position. 15 00:01:16,699 --> 00:01:20,539 And I just want you to know that this is not a one man show, 16 00:01:21,099 --> 00:01:21,539 okay? 17 00:01:21,539 --> 00:01:23,579 It's not a two man show or a three man show. 18 00:01:24,149 --> 00:01:25,669 This is all hands on deck. 19 00:01:26,069 --> 00:01:26,949 We need you. 20 00:01:27,589 --> 00:01:31,029 We need you to find a place, find a gap and fill it. 21 00:01:31,749 --> 00:01:37,829 We need you to see something and jump right in with a solution. 22 00:01:38,389 --> 00:01:43,789 And so I'm going to ask you to help us, to help us accomplish the 23 00:01:43,789 --> 00:01:46,949 things that God has already told us that he wants us to do. 24 00:01:46,949 --> 00:01:49,109 It's to reach Haslett, Texas. 25 00:01:49,109 --> 00:01:52,689 It's to, to share the gospel, to get the gospel around the world. 26 00:01:53,249 --> 00:01:54,609 We have a job to do. 27 00:01:55,249 --> 00:01:58,889 And I'm just going to ask you to find a place. 28 00:01:58,889 --> 00:02:02,569 If you're already involved in other areas, can you do something 29 00:02:02,569 --> 00:02:02,889 else? 30 00:02:02,889 --> 00:02:05,808 If you're not involved in something, can you find a place to 31 00:02:05,808 --> 00:02:06,209 serve? 32 00:02:06,609 --> 00:02:09,089 And this is how we are going to get through this. 33 00:02:09,569 --> 00:02:11,089 It is by the grace of God. 34 00:02:11,089 --> 00:02:15,209 And by the way, I just want to say some of you have been very, very 35 00:02:15,209 --> 00:02:15,569 nice. 36 00:02:15,569 --> 00:02:17,529 I just want you to know I have no money to give you. 37 00:02:17,529 --> 00:02:19,919 You come up with compliments, I have no money to give you. 38 00:02:21,429 --> 00:02:26,789 But anything good that you see in me, it is a direct result of the 39 00:02:26,789 --> 00:02:27,589 grace of God. 40 00:02:28,549 --> 00:02:29,189 Okay? 41 00:02:29,189 --> 00:02:30,749 And I want you to know that. 42 00:02:30,749 --> 00:02:35,509 And that has led me to this passage here in Roman 5, Romans, 43 00:02:35,509 --> 00:02:41,909 chapter 5 is Paul is explaining the benefits of the grace 44 00:02:41,909 --> 00:02:47,009 of God in your life and in the church's life and how the grace of 45 00:02:47,009 --> 00:02:51,169 God can affect and help and enable us to accomplish the things 46 00:02:51,169 --> 00:02:52,769 that God has called us to do. 47 00:02:53,089 --> 00:02:53,449 Right? 48 00:02:53,449 --> 00:02:56,129 God has called you to do something right. 49 00:02:56,129 --> 00:02:59,009 You know that you've been told your whole life or as long as you've 50 00:02:59,009 --> 00:03:03,089 been in church that God has a plan for your life, for your life. 51 00:03:03,089 --> 00:03:04,049 Do you know that? 52 00:03:04,689 --> 00:03:05,729 Are you doing it? 53 00:03:06,609 --> 00:03:10,609 Are you doing what God has called you while you are breathing 54 00:03:10,609 --> 00:03:11,209 God's air? 55 00:03:11,209 --> 00:03:15,729 Are you doing the work that he's called you to do so tonight. 56 00:03:15,889 --> 00:03:16,449 Paul. 57 00:03:17,329 --> 00:03:18,769 We're going to start off with. 58 00:03:19,729 --> 00:03:21,649 Let's read a few verses here. 59 00:03:21,649 --> 00:03:26,129 We'll read through 1 through 5 and then we'll pray and we'll begin. 60 00:03:26,609 --> 00:03:28,729 The Bible says Romans, chapter 5, verse 1. 61 00:03:28,729 --> 00:03:32,129 It says, Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace 62 00:03:32,129 --> 00:03:36,209 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we also. 63 00:03:36,529 --> 00:03:37,329 By faith. 64 00:03:37,809 --> 00:03:38,369 I'm sorry. 65 00:03:38,369 --> 00:03:42,529 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace. 66 00:03:43,159 --> 00:03:43,799 This grace. 67 00:03:43,799 --> 00:03:44,279 It says. 68 00:03:44,359 --> 00:03:47,959 It says wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory 69 00:03:47,959 --> 00:03:48,599 of God. 70 00:03:49,959 --> 00:03:54,359 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also. 71 00:03:54,919 --> 00:03:59,799 Knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience 72 00:04:00,439 --> 00:04:01,799 and experience hope. 73 00:04:02,119 --> 00:04:07,359 And the hope and hope maketh not, maketh not ashamed because the 74 00:04:07,359 --> 00:04:10,899 love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which 75 00:04:10,899 --> 00:04:11,979 is given unto us. 76 00:04:12,139 --> 00:04:12,939 Let's pray. 77 00:04:13,659 --> 00:04:14,979 Lord, I need you tonight. 78 00:04:14,979 --> 00:04:18,619 I ask that you would hide me behind the cross, Lord. 79 00:04:18,619 --> 00:04:22,659 Fill my mind with, Lord, what I've studied and what you want me 80 00:04:22,659 --> 00:04:23,899 to share tonight. 81 00:04:23,899 --> 00:04:27,579 Lord, I pray that you prepare our hearts to hear exactly what you 82 00:04:27,579 --> 00:04:29,059 have for us, Lord. 83 00:04:29,059 --> 00:04:31,979 I pray that you would deal with us individually and as a whole, 84 00:04:32,779 --> 00:04:33,219 Lord. 85 00:04:33,219 --> 00:04:36,489 Accomplish that which we need to do, Lord. 86 00:04:36,489 --> 00:04:40,689 Help us to see the things from your vantage point, Lord, so we could 87 00:04:40,689 --> 00:04:44,369 do more clearly and better the things that you've called us to. 88 00:04:44,609 --> 00:04:46,369 Lord, I've asked this in Jesus name. 89 00:04:46,609 --> 00:04:47,249 Amen. 90 00:04:47,969 --> 00:04:49,249 All right, so grace. 91 00:04:49,809 --> 00:04:52,849 I love definitions of biblical terms. 92 00:04:52,849 --> 00:04:57,409 And trying to understand the matter of grace is we don't have 93 00:04:57,409 --> 00:05:02,429 time tonight to go over everything that grace, what is accomplished 94 00:05:02,429 --> 00:05:03,869 by grace and what is grace. 95 00:05:03,869 --> 00:05:05,589 So we'll hit some of the high points. 96 00:05:05,589 --> 00:05:10,229 And so the definition that you probably have heard is Christ riches. 97 00:05:10,949 --> 00:05:13,189 God's riches at Christ's expense. 98 00:05:13,189 --> 00:05:13,589 Right? 99 00:05:13,829 --> 00:05:16,469 And then if you know Brother Stewart, Brother Stewart would say 100 00:05:16,549 --> 00:05:21,749 that grace is unmerited favor even unto enablement. 101 00:05:23,109 --> 00:05:24,549 Even unto enablement. 102 00:05:24,709 --> 00:05:25,669 Now I'll tell you my. 103 00:05:25,749 --> 00:05:26,389 I like. 104 00:05:27,759 --> 00:05:28,559 That's a very good one. 105 00:05:28,559 --> 00:05:31,519 These are all very good, but one that I have written in my Bible 106 00:05:31,519 --> 00:05:32,719 about what grace is. 107 00:05:34,079 --> 00:05:34,799 Two words. 108 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:38,879 Grace is desire and power. 109 00:05:41,199 --> 00:05:42,799 Desire and power. 110 00:05:43,118 --> 00:05:49,959 Grace, the grace of God on your life will give you the desire 111 00:05:49,959 --> 00:05:52,399 to do what God has called you and I to do. 112 00:05:53,689 --> 00:05:57,569 Then the power is God enables us to do that which he's called us 113 00:05:57,569 --> 00:05:57,849 to. 114 00:05:59,129 --> 00:06:01,769 So for tonight I'm going to use that. 115 00:06:01,769 --> 00:06:06,569 That grace is the desire and the power to do the will of God. 116 00:06:07,369 --> 00:06:13,009 So what we need in any day, in any year, at any time is you and 117 00:06:13,009 --> 00:06:16,649 I need grace to accomplish the Things that God has called us to, 118 00:06:17,049 --> 00:06:17,449 right? 119 00:06:17,449 --> 00:06:18,809 We need the grace of God. 120 00:06:18,809 --> 00:06:22,549 Paul describes it, look at in verse two, it says, by whom we also 121 00:06:22,549 --> 00:06:28,429 have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice 122 00:06:28,429 --> 00:06:31,269 in the hope of glory, of the glory of God. 123 00:06:32,069 --> 00:06:35,149 So just a little bit of context, you know this, but as a 124 00:06:35,149 --> 00:06:39,909 reminder, Paul was in Corinth at the time and he was writing to 125 00:06:39,909 --> 00:06:41,029 the church at Rome. 126 00:06:41,589 --> 00:06:43,909 And you can read about it in Acts 18. 127 00:06:45,029 --> 00:06:50,799 Paul had never personally been to Rome at this point of his ministry 128 00:06:50,799 --> 00:06:55,199 and he was wanting to go to spread the gospel at Rome. 129 00:06:55,199 --> 00:06:58,519 He wanted Rome to be the central place of the gospel. 130 00:06:59,079 --> 00:06:59,959 You say why? 131 00:06:59,959 --> 00:07:03,918 Well, I think because you've heard it, that all roads lead to 132 00:07:03,918 --> 00:07:04,279 Rome. 133 00:07:05,799 --> 00:07:10,439 What if the gospels there you can get the gospel to every place 134 00:07:10,439 --> 00:07:14,819 in the world from Rome because every road leads to Rome, right? 135 00:07:14,899 --> 00:07:19,339 So that was, I believe where Paul thought process came from. 136 00:07:19,339 --> 00:07:25,899 And Paul had a deep burning desire to spread the gospel to the 137 00:07:25,899 --> 00:07:32,419 point to where it wasn't just, wasn't just sympathy, right? 138 00:07:32,419 --> 00:07:37,539 It wasn't just this desire, but he had a desire that had feet 139 00:07:37,539 --> 00:07:38,019 on it. 140 00:07:38,339 --> 00:07:39,779 It started to do things. 141 00:07:40,299 --> 00:07:44,299 And his desire was to preach the gospel and to share and spread 142 00:07:44,299 --> 00:07:44,939 the gospel. 143 00:07:45,339 --> 00:07:48,979 So what he did is he started writing the book of Romans and he 144 00:07:48,979 --> 00:07:56,178 is giving a comprehensive explanation of the Gospel and the 145 00:07:56,178 --> 00:07:57,339 effects of the gospel. 146 00:07:57,899 --> 00:08:03,619 And through verse, through chapters one through four and so 147 00:08:03,619 --> 00:08:08,619 on, he has began to explain the inner workings of the gospel. 148 00:08:10,139 --> 00:08:13,979 When I was younger, my grandfather was in a really bad car 149 00:08:13,979 --> 00:08:14,419 accident. 150 00:08:14,419 --> 00:08:16,619 He broke his neck and he was paralyzed. 151 00:08:17,419 --> 00:08:19,899 And so I grew up sitting. 152 00:08:20,059 --> 00:08:21,659 I was a five year old little boy. 153 00:08:21,739 --> 00:08:24,299 I'd climb up on his lap in his wheelchair. 154 00:08:24,379 --> 00:08:28,619 We would watch the morning news and Wheel of Fortune or whatever 155 00:08:28,699 --> 00:08:29,819 was on afterwards. 156 00:08:30,779 --> 00:08:35,099 And I would take his razor and I would shave his beard with it. 157 00:08:36,129 --> 00:08:36,369 Why? 158 00:08:36,769 --> 00:08:39,649 Because I wanted to take the razor apart and put it back together. 159 00:08:41,089 --> 00:08:42,289 That was just something I like to do. 160 00:08:42,289 --> 00:08:43,409 I like to take it apart. 161 00:08:43,489 --> 00:08:45,889 Most of the things I took apart never got put back together. 162 00:08:46,209 --> 00:08:47,649 But this razor I could. 163 00:08:47,889 --> 00:08:51,089 And when I would sit upon my grandfather's lap, he would begin 164 00:08:51,089 --> 00:08:56,769 to tell me about the glories of heaven and about how one day he's 165 00:08:56,769 --> 00:09:00,209 going to get a new body and that he's going to be able to race 166 00:09:00,209 --> 00:09:02,849 me and that he wants to race when we get to heaven. 167 00:09:02,849 --> 00:09:04,129 I thought well that'll be great. 168 00:09:04,129 --> 00:09:05,849 I want to get to heaven. 169 00:09:05,929 --> 00:09:07,049 How can I get there? 170 00:09:07,369 --> 00:09:09,129 He said, well, there's a problem. 171 00:09:09,929 --> 00:09:11,449 Said grandpa, tell me the Problem? 172 00:09:11,449 --> 00:09:12,329 What's the problem? 173 00:09:12,489 --> 00:09:14,569 He said there can't be any sin in heaven. 174 00:09:15,529 --> 00:09:18,089 Well, as a five year old little boy, I didn't understand it. 175 00:09:18,409 --> 00:09:22,969 So later on, probably three months after I actually got to the 176 00:09:22,969 --> 00:09:26,969 point, in my mom's bedroom, I said, I'm ready to be saved. 177 00:09:27,589 --> 00:09:30,269 And on the corner of her bed, she opened her Bible and shared with 178 00:09:30,269 --> 00:09:31,109 me the gospel. 179 00:09:31,509 --> 00:09:32,949 And it's changed my life. 180 00:09:33,509 --> 00:09:33,909 Right? 181 00:09:34,069 --> 00:09:35,509 We're saved by grace. 182 00:09:35,829 --> 00:09:38,269 It's not by works of righteousness which we have done. 183 00:09:38,269 --> 00:09:40,629 It's according to his mercy that he saved us for. 184 00:09:40,629 --> 00:09:42,389 By grace are you saved through faith? 185 00:09:42,629 --> 00:09:43,029 Right? 186 00:09:43,188 --> 00:09:46,749 So there's a saving grace is what I'm getting at is that you and 187 00:09:46,749 --> 00:09:50,509 I, if you're saved tonight, you did not get saved based on the 188 00:09:50,509 --> 00:09:53,589 merits that you have done, your good works, your bad works. 189 00:09:53,899 --> 00:09:56,819 No, it's based on the character and nature of God that 190 00:09:56,819 --> 00:09:57,659 He saved you. 191 00:09:57,739 --> 00:10:01,659 That grace is what flows from God towards man. 192 00:10:01,899 --> 00:10:05,579 It's the goodness of everything good in your life, everything 193 00:10:05,579 --> 00:10:07,979 remotely good that you can think of is grace. 194 00:10:08,619 --> 00:10:09,739 I mean, think about it. 195 00:10:10,299 --> 00:10:11,579 You're saved by grace. 196 00:10:12,539 --> 00:10:16,379 Well, the Bible says that we are to live by grace as well, and 197 00:10:16,379 --> 00:10:18,059 we're also to grow by grace. 198 00:10:18,459 --> 00:10:24,009 And so Paul starts to give this some context and that's what 199 00:10:24,009 --> 00:10:26,769 I pray that we can look at for just a short time. 200 00:10:26,769 --> 00:10:27,889 So look at verse one again. 201 00:10:27,889 --> 00:10:31,329 It says, therefore being justified by faith, we have peace 202 00:10:31,329 --> 00:10:33,569 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 203 00:10:33,889 --> 00:10:40,769 So the first, first point is that grace brings peace with God, 204 00:10:40,929 --> 00:10:41,289 right? 205 00:10:41,289 --> 00:10:42,209 That's salvation. 206 00:10:43,329 --> 00:10:44,929 We are saved by grace. 207 00:10:45,389 --> 00:10:47,549 The Bible here is using the word justified. 208 00:10:48,109 --> 00:10:49,069 The word justified. 209 00:10:49,149 --> 00:10:51,389 You've heard this many, many times. 210 00:10:51,469 --> 00:10:55,149 But for the sake of review, it's good to hear it again. 211 00:10:55,549 --> 00:10:55,949 Why? 212 00:10:55,949 --> 00:10:57,509 Because truth never changes. 213 00:10:57,509 --> 00:11:01,389 And this is truth that you and I need to withstand the things that 214 00:11:01,549 --> 00:11:02,749 God has for us. 215 00:11:02,989 --> 00:11:06,549 Because this is where you're going to go back to when the wind 216 00:11:06,549 --> 00:11:10,149 starts blowing and the flood waters start rising and the storm 217 00:11:10,149 --> 00:11:11,549 clouds start brewing. 218 00:11:11,859 --> 00:11:14,499 You're going to need to come back to the point where you put your 219 00:11:14,499 --> 00:11:18,259 faith and trust in Christ, because that is the grounding point 220 00:11:18,259 --> 00:11:19,139 for the Christian. 221 00:11:19,459 --> 00:11:20,299 Look what it says. 222 00:11:20,299 --> 00:11:23,979 It says, therefore being justified by faith, we have peace 223 00:11:23,979 --> 00:11:24,579 with God. 224 00:11:24,899 --> 00:11:27,779 There is now unity between you and God. 225 00:11:28,339 --> 00:11:31,699 You and I cannot open enough doors. 226 00:11:32,419 --> 00:11:34,059 We can't give all the money. 227 00:11:34,059 --> 00:11:37,699 You can't join multiple churches, which that's not impossible 228 00:11:37,699 --> 00:11:38,059 anyway. 229 00:11:38,059 --> 00:11:44,369 But you, you can't do enough things to obtain God's favor. 230 00:11:44,849 --> 00:11:48,249 You need to come to the saving knowledge, the Only way to come to 231 00:11:48,249 --> 00:11:51,649 the saving knowledge of Christ is by grace. 232 00:11:51,889 --> 00:11:56,129 It's by understanding your need for the Savior. 233 00:11:56,209 --> 00:12:02,449 It's when you start to understand that your very nature, 234 00:12:02,449 --> 00:12:06,719 the things that come out of you impure, they are. 235 00:12:06,719 --> 00:12:07,279 They are. 236 00:12:07,839 --> 00:12:11,479 Actually, the Bible says, look in verse 10 says, it calls us enemies. 237 00:12:11,479 --> 00:12:15,439 Look at verse 10, it says, for if when we were enemies, we were 238 00:12:15,439 --> 00:12:20,479 reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, 239 00:12:20,799 --> 00:12:23,679 we shall be saved by his life. 240 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:26,639 So it's not by works of righteousness. 241 00:12:27,199 --> 00:12:32,719 This matter of justification is the act of God declaring a sinner 242 00:12:33,349 --> 00:12:33,829 righteous. 243 00:12:35,509 --> 00:12:41,309 Justification doesn't just mean forgiveness, which, yes, forgiveness 244 00:12:41,309 --> 00:12:43,269 took place when you got saved. 245 00:12:43,509 --> 00:12:45,349 God has forgiven you of your sin. 246 00:12:45,349 --> 00:12:50,389 But let me remind you that there is no sin that can go unpunished. 247 00:12:51,269 --> 00:12:54,069 All sin must be paid for at the school. 248 00:12:54,389 --> 00:12:54,909 Okay? 249 00:12:54,909 --> 00:12:58,149 We have excused and unexcused absences, right? 250 00:12:58,719 --> 00:13:01,039 So if you have a doctor's appointment, you can get an excused 251 00:13:01,039 --> 00:13:01,679 absence. 252 00:13:01,999 --> 00:13:04,879 There's never a point where God can excuse your sin. 253 00:13:06,479 --> 00:13:08,719 All sin must be paid for. 254 00:13:09,359 --> 00:13:14,399 So what God did while he justified you, when God restored 255 00:13:14,399 --> 00:13:18,759 your relationship and brought you into a good standing with God, 256 00:13:18,759 --> 00:13:22,719 a right standing, he didn't just forgive your sins. 257 00:13:23,119 --> 00:13:28,309 He is now crediting to your account the righteousness of God. 258 00:13:29,269 --> 00:13:31,429 You and I, this is a good deal by the way. 259 00:13:32,549 --> 00:13:37,909 You come to God with your sin, he will exchange it for his righteousness. 260 00:13:38,869 --> 00:13:42,269 You come to God and admit that you're wrong, that your thoughts 261 00:13:42,269 --> 00:13:46,109 are impure, and that everything about you is contrary 262 00:13:46,109 --> 00:13:47,429 to God and his nature. 263 00:13:48,229 --> 00:13:53,849 And God, who is rich in mercy, will say, I will receive you because 264 00:13:53,999 --> 00:13:57,719 the exact way that you are, and I will forgive you of your sins. 265 00:13:57,719 --> 00:14:02,879 And better yet, I will give you and credit to your account, my 266 00:14:02,959 --> 00:14:04,159 own righteousness. 267 00:14:04,239 --> 00:14:07,919 So, by the way, you and I are not saved because we say a prayer. 268 00:14:08,319 --> 00:14:10,399 We're not saved because we join the church. 269 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:16,239 We're saved because Christ has fulfilled the law on your behalf, 270 00:14:17,119 --> 00:14:21,939 that there was a man named Jesus who lived his life without 271 00:14:21,939 --> 00:14:22,379 sin. 272 00:14:22,379 --> 00:14:24,019 Perfect, pure and spotless. 273 00:14:24,579 --> 00:14:27,379 Never thought a bad thought, never said a bad thing. 274 00:14:27,459 --> 00:14:30,299 You know, I've said this before, but if he got a spanking 275 00:14:30,299 --> 00:14:35,019 when he was a little boy, his mom was wrong because he did nothing 276 00:14:35,019 --> 00:14:35,459 wrong. 277 00:14:35,858 --> 00:14:37,259 And so what did God do? 278 00:14:37,259 --> 00:14:43,179 God took that sinless account and he took it to the cross, took 279 00:14:43,179 --> 00:14:43,939 it to the cross. 280 00:14:43,939 --> 00:14:48,459 And there he willingly laid down his life, the innocent for the 281 00:14:48,459 --> 00:14:48,939 guilty. 282 00:14:49,899 --> 00:14:52,179 And that is what Paul is saying. 283 00:14:52,179 --> 00:14:56,299 You have to have the foundational understanding of justification 284 00:14:56,539 --> 00:14:59,179 or the rest of this passage doesn't make sense. 285 00:14:59,739 --> 00:15:00,699 Look what it says. 286 00:15:01,259 --> 00:15:05,059 If we don't properly understand that we have been placed 287 00:15:05,059 --> 00:15:10,419 into a new standing with God, then verse three is a little hard 288 00:15:10,419 --> 00:15:10,859 to understand. 289 00:15:11,659 --> 00:15:14,409 Verse four, it's tough. 290 00:15:14,409 --> 00:15:15,089 Look what it says. 291 00:15:15,089 --> 00:15:15,809 Look at verse three. 292 00:15:15,809 --> 00:15:19,169 It says, and not only so, but we glory in tribulations. 293 00:15:19,649 --> 00:15:20,689 Excuse me, Paul. 294 00:15:21,729 --> 00:15:23,809 I'm sorry, can you say that again? 295 00:15:25,009 --> 00:15:26,369 What are you talking about? 296 00:15:27,169 --> 00:15:30,089 Are you talking about glorying in your problems? 297 00:15:30,089 --> 00:15:35,689 In your trials and your sufferings and that someone let you 298 00:15:35,689 --> 00:15:35,929 down? 299 00:15:35,929 --> 00:15:38,049 That someone talk ill about you? 300 00:15:38,699 --> 00:15:41,499 That someone wants to do you or your family harm? 301 00:15:42,619 --> 00:15:45,819 And you are now talking about glorying in this? 302 00:15:46,859 --> 00:15:48,219 Paul, are you okay? 303 00:15:48,859 --> 00:15:50,619 Do you understand what you're saying? 304 00:15:51,179 --> 00:15:52,299 He says, oh, yeah. 305 00:15:52,619 --> 00:15:55,499 He said, because I understand what justification is. 306 00:15:56,539 --> 00:16:00,659 And you and I, when we can make sense out of this world and 307 00:16:00,659 --> 00:16:03,899 out of the things that we have to go through, which, by the way, 308 00:16:03,979 --> 00:16:07,739 man that is born a woman is few days and full of troubles. 309 00:16:08,699 --> 00:16:11,859 These people driving out here on 156 are dealing with the same 310 00:16:11,859 --> 00:16:12,779 things you are. 311 00:16:13,419 --> 00:16:15,819 They have the same problems you and I have. 312 00:16:15,979 --> 00:16:19,459 They're let down, they're disappointed, they're frustrated 313 00:16:19,459 --> 00:16:20,859 or whatever the case may be. 314 00:16:20,859 --> 00:16:22,539 They're dealing with the same things. 315 00:16:23,499 --> 00:16:24,139 But we. 316 00:16:24,779 --> 00:16:28,779 The Bible says here, it says, but we glory in tribulations, knowing 317 00:16:28,779 --> 00:16:31,499 that tribulations worketh patience and patience experience 318 00:16:32,159 --> 00:16:33,199 and experience hope. 319 00:16:33,279 --> 00:16:37,599 And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad 320 00:16:37,679 --> 00:16:40,959 in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto you. 321 00:16:41,119 --> 00:16:43,119 So first we get peace with God. 322 00:16:43,919 --> 00:16:47,839 This act of peace is this justification that you and I have 323 00:16:47,839 --> 00:16:51,519 been made righteous in the sight of God, that we've been credited 324 00:16:51,759 --> 00:16:55,919 for all the things that God has done in this life for you. 325 00:16:56,719 --> 00:16:58,639 So that means if we were to take. 326 00:16:59,389 --> 00:17:05,389 If we were to take your life and put it into video form and display 327 00:17:05,389 --> 00:17:06,989 it tonight for everyone to see. 328 00:17:07,869 --> 00:17:09,309 Don't worry, we're not going to. 329 00:17:10,989 --> 00:17:12,589 Some of you are squirming a little bit. 330 00:17:13,069 --> 00:17:14,269 Makes me uncomfortable. 331 00:17:14,349 --> 00:17:16,109 I don't want you to know that. 332 00:17:17,869 --> 00:17:20,429 But do you know what would happen if we did that tonight? 333 00:17:20,669 --> 00:17:22,989 If this was God's view of your life? 334 00:17:24,519 --> 00:17:26,279 We take my son, Brendan. 335 00:17:26,439 --> 00:17:29,759 There's some things that he's done that he's not proud of. 336 00:17:29,759 --> 00:17:34,039 He would tell you, but I remember the day when he accepted 337 00:17:34,039 --> 00:17:35,239 Christ as his savior. 338 00:17:36,039 --> 00:17:38,959 So now if we were to play his video up here, do you know what it 339 00:17:38,959 --> 00:17:41,159 would say, what it would show? 340 00:17:41,799 --> 00:17:45,639 It would show a man who is 33 and a half years old. 341 00:17:45,799 --> 00:17:50,079 Who lived a perfect life, who never sinned in thought, word or 342 00:17:50,079 --> 00:17:50,439 deed. 343 00:17:51,579 --> 00:17:55,499 Because the blood of Christ has been shed for you and I. 344 00:17:56,459 --> 00:17:57,659 We have been justified. 345 00:17:58,459 --> 00:18:01,339 God can no longer see your sin through his blood. 346 00:18:01,899 --> 00:18:04,059 Everything that you have done has been paid for. 347 00:18:04,059 --> 00:18:05,259 It's been accounted for. 348 00:18:05,419 --> 00:18:07,859 And God says, I'll take that deal every day. 349 00:18:07,859 --> 00:18:11,419 If a sinner comes to me with his sin, I will exchange it for my 350 00:18:11,419 --> 00:18:12,139 righteousness. 351 00:18:12,539 --> 00:18:15,179 I'm not willing that any should perish, but that all should 352 00:18:15,179 --> 00:18:16,059 come to repentance. 353 00:18:17,189 --> 00:18:19,029 By the way, that's the God we serve. 354 00:18:19,589 --> 00:18:21,349 Aren't you glad that God is good? 355 00:18:22,309 --> 00:18:27,029 Are you convinced solely that God is good and that the things that 356 00:18:27,029 --> 00:18:30,709 happen to you are good? 357 00:18:32,789 --> 00:18:34,389 Even the disappointments? 358 00:18:34,629 --> 00:18:35,069 God? 359 00:18:35,069 --> 00:18:35,829 Are you sure? 360 00:18:37,349 --> 00:18:39,149 Well, when given proper context. 361 00:18:39,149 --> 00:18:40,549 Look what it says in verse two. 362 00:18:40,629 --> 00:18:45,469 It says, by whom we have received access by, by faith into 363 00:18:45,629 --> 00:18:46,589 this grace. 364 00:18:47,949 --> 00:18:51,549 Look at the next phrase wherein we stand. 365 00:18:53,389 --> 00:18:54,509 Where are you tonight? 366 00:18:55,549 --> 00:18:57,869 Are you standing in the light? 367 00:18:58,349 --> 00:19:03,549 In the view that you've been justified before the supreme judge 368 00:19:03,549 --> 00:19:04,509 of the universe? 369 00:19:05,229 --> 00:19:08,509 That now you will not have to give an account for your sin? 370 00:19:08,989 --> 00:19:14,459 That your sin has been paid for to the point to where not only 371 00:19:14,459 --> 00:19:18,459 you won't get the punishment, but now you can receive all the blessings 372 00:19:18,459 --> 00:19:19,139 of God. 373 00:19:20,979 --> 00:19:25,139 You and I want the blessings of God so bad in our lives. 374 00:19:26,259 --> 00:19:28,418 We pray for them, we plead for them. 375 00:19:29,459 --> 00:19:33,099 We're happy to share with the world and our friends that God has 376 00:19:33,099 --> 00:19:34,579 blessed us in different ways. 377 00:19:38,189 --> 00:19:42,669 Sometimes that overshadows the point of who you are. 378 00:19:43,469 --> 00:19:44,909 The point of who I am. 379 00:19:46,189 --> 00:19:49,949 I've sinned against a holy and a righteous God. 380 00:19:50,269 --> 00:19:53,389 It's amazing to me, as I think about through the Old Testament, 381 00:19:53,549 --> 00:19:55,469 of how God appeared to man. 382 00:19:55,949 --> 00:19:58,389 And you think of Isaiah's vision. 383 00:19:58,389 --> 00:20:02,229 And when Isaiah saw the throne room of God, he said, woe is me, 384 00:20:02,229 --> 00:20:03,789 for I am undone. 385 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,719 For I'm a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people 386 00:20:07,719 --> 00:20:08,839 of unclean lips. 387 00:20:09,319 --> 00:20:11,519 That response was, oh, no. 388 00:20:11,519 --> 00:20:16,039 He bowed down before God, which I think was, of course, appropriate. 389 00:20:18,199 --> 00:20:22,599 Then you get to the New Testament and the Bible says to come 390 00:20:22,599 --> 00:20:24,279 boldly before the throne of grace. 391 00:20:25,879 --> 00:20:26,279 Why? 392 00:20:27,399 --> 00:20:30,039 Because God has imparted his nature upon you. 393 00:20:31,239 --> 00:20:34,399 God has given you the things that you and I need to live out the 394 00:20:34,399 --> 00:20:36,439 life that we need that he's called us to. 395 00:20:37,319 --> 00:20:41,319 So this grace, this grace has accomplished justification. 396 00:20:41,639 --> 00:20:44,359 It's accomplished a new standing before God. 397 00:20:44,919 --> 00:20:46,919 But are you still standing there? 398 00:20:47,719 --> 00:20:55,559 You see, the Christian life, I believe, no doubt, is difficult. 399 00:20:57,009 --> 00:20:58,929 Brother Weatherby would say impossible. 400 00:21:00,129 --> 00:21:05,009 He would say the Christian Life is impossible to live by yourself. 401 00:21:05,569 --> 00:21:07,889 You and I cannot live this Christian life. 402 00:21:09,729 --> 00:21:13,729 This life is impossible to which God has called you and I to 403 00:21:13,729 --> 00:21:17,089 live without the Holy Spirit of God's work. 404 00:21:17,889 --> 00:21:19,729 So I want you to look down at verse five. 405 00:21:20,289 --> 00:21:25,219 Verse five says, it says, and hope maketh not ashamed because the 406 00:21:25,219 --> 00:21:29,339 love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which 407 00:21:29,339 --> 00:21:30,379 is given unto you. 408 00:21:30,539 --> 00:21:31,099 Okay? 409 00:21:31,339 --> 00:21:35,979 So keep that in mind that we're getting to the Spirit filled 410 00:21:35,979 --> 00:21:36,299 life. 411 00:21:36,779 --> 00:21:40,179 So before we get there, we'll make one more step back. 412 00:21:40,179 --> 00:21:45,099 I want you to look through this for a second. 413 00:21:45,179 --> 00:21:46,699 Look through Romans 5. 414 00:21:46,859 --> 00:21:49,589 I want you to look at verse 9, okay? 415 00:21:49,829 --> 00:21:52,069 Verse 9 says much more. 416 00:21:52,069 --> 00:21:56,549 Then look at verse 10, halfway through it says much more. 417 00:21:58,469 --> 00:22:02,469 Look at verse 15 midway through it says much more. 418 00:22:03,109 --> 00:22:06,069 17, halfway through, much more. 419 00:22:06,149 --> 00:22:09,269 Verse 20, all the way at the end, much more. 420 00:22:10,549 --> 00:22:14,009 Paul is taking and he is king. 421 00:22:14,239 --> 00:22:21,839 Comparing Adam in the Garden of Eden where Adam had perfect fellowship 422 00:22:21,839 --> 00:22:22,559 with God. 423 00:22:23,919 --> 00:22:31,279 Paul is saying that you and I, who has been justified by the finished 424 00:22:31,279 --> 00:22:35,439 work of the cross, by the resurrecting in the ascended Christ, 425 00:22:38,239 --> 00:22:44,929 we have it better than Adam did in the Garden of Eden that it's 426 00:22:44,929 --> 00:22:49,489 better to live right here in Romans 5 than in the Garden of Eden. 427 00:22:50,849 --> 00:22:51,729 Do you believe that? 428 00:22:53,729 --> 00:22:55,729 Do you know the difference between the two? 429 00:22:57,809 --> 00:23:00,929 Adam could sin and fall. 430 00:23:02,449 --> 00:23:09,099 He did not have the blood of Christ covering him now upon salvation. 431 00:23:09,499 --> 00:23:11,819 Now salvation was imparted after the fall. 432 00:23:11,819 --> 00:23:12,379 Of course. 433 00:23:12,619 --> 00:23:13,099 Yes. 434 00:23:13,419 --> 00:23:15,819 Adam got saved the same way you and I did. 435 00:23:15,819 --> 00:23:19,139 He was only looking forward to the coming of Christ, to the promised 436 00:23:19,139 --> 00:23:22,699 Messiah, to God coming out and fixing this. 437 00:23:23,899 --> 00:23:27,059 Adam got saved by grace, through faith, looking forward to 438 00:23:27,059 --> 00:23:27,939 the coming Messiah. 439 00:23:27,939 --> 00:23:30,539 He believed God and it was counted unto him righteousness. 440 00:23:31,099 --> 00:23:32,139 So was Abraham. 441 00:23:33,839 --> 00:23:37,719 But can you imagine, just for a moment, walking in the Garden of 442 00:23:37,719 --> 00:23:44,959 Eden with God in the cool of the day, perfect fellowship with 443 00:23:44,959 --> 00:23:51,359 the Creator, doing exactly what God has called you to do, fulfilling 444 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:56,799 God's will completely and then falling. 445 00:24:00,089 --> 00:24:02,289 You know what I believe? 446 00:24:02,289 --> 00:24:05,969 That it truly is better to live in Romans 5 than in the Garden 447 00:24:05,969 --> 00:24:06,569 of Eden. 448 00:24:06,889 --> 00:24:10,569 Because now when you and I fall, it's been paid for. 449 00:24:11,849 --> 00:24:15,609 You do not ever have to give an account for your sin before God. 450 00:24:16,089 --> 00:24:20,889 You have been justified now by being justified. 451 00:24:21,209 --> 00:24:24,689 When we go through the trials of this life, when we're dealing 452 00:24:24,689 --> 00:24:30,689 with struggles and heartaches and, and the things that make life 453 00:24:30,689 --> 00:24:32,529 tough, we deal with it. 454 00:24:34,289 --> 00:24:37,329 We could spend the rest of our time going around the room with only 455 00:24:37,329 --> 00:24:43,649 a handful of us explaining the hardship that we have had the Loss 456 00:24:43,649 --> 00:24:48,529 or the pain or the struggle, the trials that we've had to endure, 457 00:24:49,489 --> 00:24:53,309 the decisions that were very, very hard to make, that we're not 458 00:24:53,309 --> 00:24:54,229 taken lightly. 459 00:24:56,389 --> 00:24:59,109 But here in verse 2, where it says wherein we stand. 460 00:25:00,229 --> 00:25:08,309 The point that I'm trying to make is that you cannot make sense 461 00:25:08,309 --> 00:25:14,469 of your trials without the foundational understanding of justification. 462 00:25:15,189 --> 00:25:19,349 Your trials mean nothing if you. 463 00:25:19,879 --> 00:25:23,679 If they have not worked you to the place to where you realize your 464 00:25:23,679 --> 00:25:24,759 need for salvation. 465 00:25:25,239 --> 00:25:26,839 Or maybe you're saved. 466 00:25:27,559 --> 00:25:30,519 I believe most of us in here tonight would profess Christ as their 467 00:25:30,519 --> 00:25:30,999 savior. 468 00:25:33,159 --> 00:25:36,439 You're saved and man, things are good. 469 00:25:36,519 --> 00:25:38,759 And then all of a sudden they're not. 470 00:25:39,799 --> 00:25:40,759 Life happens. 471 00:25:41,479 --> 00:25:42,439 Trials come. 472 00:25:43,319 --> 00:25:44,279 I can tell you. 473 00:25:45,409 --> 00:25:51,809 I can tell you one time I got a call at 4am saying that my daughter 474 00:25:51,809 --> 00:25:55,249 was about to be delivered with an emergency delivery. 475 00:25:56,449 --> 00:25:59,689 My daughter Emily was very sick when she was born. 476 00:25:59,689 --> 00:26:00,529 She went through. 477 00:26:02,049 --> 00:26:06,529 She had a blood disorder and went through a process called a cordiocentesis. 478 00:26:07,409 --> 00:26:11,769 A cordiocentesis is a blood transfusion while the baby is in 479 00:26:11,769 --> 00:26:12,609 the mother's womb. 480 00:26:14,469 --> 00:26:15,389 Very bizarre. 481 00:26:15,389 --> 00:26:16,549 I can't even. 482 00:26:16,709 --> 00:26:19,589 When I say a needle this big, I mean, the needle might have been 483 00:26:19,589 --> 00:26:20,069 this big. 484 00:26:20,389 --> 00:26:21,269 It was huge. 485 00:26:22,469 --> 00:26:27,349 And I had sit there with my wife as they are guiding the ultrasound 486 00:26:27,669 --> 00:26:32,509 camera deal and the needle and trying to hit the umbilical cord 487 00:26:32,509 --> 00:26:37,749 just right to give little Emily a blood transfusion because 488 00:26:38,069 --> 00:26:39,829 she was on the verge of heart failure. 489 00:26:41,409 --> 00:26:43,809 And I got a call. 490 00:26:44,049 --> 00:26:45,809 My wife, they decided to keep her. 491 00:26:46,209 --> 00:26:46,969 Her levels. 492 00:26:46,969 --> 00:26:47,369 They were. 493 00:26:47,369 --> 00:26:53,929 It's amazing medicine, the advancements of what we have, the 494 00:26:53,929 --> 00:26:55,489 equipment that they have. 495 00:26:55,968 --> 00:26:59,889 They were able to measure an artery in the brain, the velocity 496 00:26:59,889 --> 00:27:03,289 of the blood flowing through that artery to see if she was anemic 497 00:27:03,289 --> 00:27:03,809 or not. 498 00:27:04,369 --> 00:27:07,569 And so they were monitoring that blood vessel in her brain and 499 00:27:07,569 --> 00:27:12,079 they said it's flowing pretty fast, which means that the viscosity 500 00:27:12,079 --> 00:27:14,159 is not thick enough of what it should be. 501 00:27:14,159 --> 00:27:18,759 So her blood is thinning and we need to take her now. 502 00:27:19,559 --> 00:27:25,159 So I rushed to the hospital, came in and they were ready. 503 00:27:25,559 --> 00:27:26,999 It was full steam ahead. 504 00:27:27,559 --> 00:27:28,519 It was happening. 505 00:27:28,519 --> 00:27:29,719 There was no questions. 506 00:27:29,719 --> 00:27:33,959 It was change and get in there and here we go. 507 00:27:35,139 --> 00:27:35,379 And. 508 00:27:41,699 --> 00:27:49,019 There's something about a dad not being able to do anything for 509 00:27:49,019 --> 00:27:49,619 his kids. 510 00:27:52,499 --> 00:27:53,859 I couldn't do anything. 511 00:27:54,579 --> 00:27:55,859 I felt hopeless. 512 00:27:57,059 --> 00:28:02,419 I said, God, save my little girl, do anything. 513 00:28:02,499 --> 00:28:03,939 I need this little girl. 514 00:28:04,819 --> 00:28:06,339 Help me help her. 515 00:28:06,979 --> 00:28:09,219 I said, God, I don't know what to do. 516 00:28:10,019 --> 00:28:11,699 How do I make sense of this? 517 00:28:13,139 --> 00:28:18,419 This little girl is struggling to survive and I can't give her what 518 00:28:18,419 --> 00:28:18,979 she needs. 519 00:28:20,579 --> 00:28:24,819 I felt like in a sense of failure. 520 00:28:25,619 --> 00:28:26,659 I didn't know how to. 521 00:28:26,999 --> 00:28:30,519 How to help my little girl during that process. 522 00:28:30,999 --> 00:28:33,359 Emily spent six weeks in icu. 523 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:36,359 In ICU with my wife. 524 00:28:36,439 --> 00:28:39,959 They gave my wife a room on the opposite end of the hospital, 525 00:28:40,039 --> 00:28:42,039 in the empty room to stay there. 526 00:28:42,679 --> 00:28:44,359 My wife stayed there the whole time. 527 00:28:46,039 --> 00:28:50,759 I had the other three kids and we all survived, by the way. 528 00:28:51,239 --> 00:28:52,759 We had cereal and toast. 529 00:28:53,339 --> 00:28:57,539 No, that's not a joke. 530 00:28:57,539 --> 00:28:59,019 We had cereal and toast. 531 00:29:01,579 --> 00:29:07,019 But for six weeks, my wife would get up after having surgery 532 00:29:07,339 --> 00:29:11,499 and walk, I think, close to half a mile from one end of the hospital 533 00:29:12,059 --> 00:29:16,459 to the other end to feed Jake every three hours or four hours. 534 00:29:19,829 --> 00:29:21,269 That was a difficult time. 535 00:29:21,829 --> 00:29:22,789 I was saved. 536 00:29:23,589 --> 00:29:25,469 I knew that God saved me. 537 00:29:25,469 --> 00:29:26,869 I knew that God loved me. 538 00:29:27,029 --> 00:29:28,869 I knew that he had called me. 539 00:29:28,869 --> 00:29:32,789 In fact, that was the point to where I had as a family. 540 00:29:32,789 --> 00:29:37,109 We had already surrendered and moved to Texas to come to attend 541 00:29:37,109 --> 00:29:38,709 Norris, to go to Bible school. 542 00:29:39,509 --> 00:29:42,469 I said, God, I'm trying to do what you want me to do. 543 00:29:42,469 --> 00:29:43,669 What are you doing? 544 00:29:45,529 --> 00:29:50,089 This is going to keep me from getting to them to what you called 545 00:29:50,089 --> 00:29:50,489 me. 546 00:29:52,569 --> 00:29:54,249 It doesn't make sense, God. 547 00:29:56,249 --> 00:30:00,249 There's times in our life where our life does not make sense 548 00:30:01,289 --> 00:30:06,489 unless we view it from standing on the place of justification, 549 00:30:07,209 --> 00:30:11,529 standing on our renewed relationship with Christ, that now 550 00:30:11,529 --> 00:30:15,089 we have access to the Father at any time that we need to. 551 00:30:15,249 --> 00:30:17,009 You know what God taught me through that? 552 00:30:18,049 --> 00:30:23,569 How much I needed Him, Taught me that dependence is key. 553 00:30:23,809 --> 00:30:27,609 How was I going to move to Texas, my family 1100 miles away, 554 00:30:27,609 --> 00:30:30,769 and provide for them if I didn't have all the answers? 555 00:30:31,249 --> 00:30:35,489 And God had to take me to the end of myself, to where I realized 556 00:30:35,569 --> 00:30:41,279 I cannot do this, but God can. 557 00:30:41,839 --> 00:30:46,399 Look, what he says here, it says, and hope maketh us not ashamed. 558 00:30:46,399 --> 00:30:46,919 Verse 5. 559 00:30:46,919 --> 00:30:50,799 Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the 560 00:30:50,799 --> 00:30:54,639 Holy Ghost, which is given unto us as a church. 561 00:30:54,639 --> 00:30:57,279 We can sit here and we can say, you know what? 562 00:30:57,279 --> 00:30:58,039 We need a better. 563 00:30:58,039 --> 00:30:59,519 We need better programs. 564 00:30:59,839 --> 00:31:04,229 And if we had Brother King, better bulletins and. 565 00:31:04,379 --> 00:31:07,659 And if we had all the things that we need, then this would all 566 00:31:07,659 --> 00:31:11,099 be better and we had better organization and all this thing. 567 00:31:11,099 --> 00:31:14,139 I'm telling you that right now, God is not looking for a better 568 00:31:14,139 --> 00:31:16,219 plan or a better process. 569 00:31:17,339 --> 00:31:22,459 Ian Bound says, God is looking for better men while the church is 570 00:31:22,459 --> 00:31:23,899 looking for better methods. 571 00:31:25,259 --> 00:31:29,019 So men tonight, ladies too, but men. 572 00:31:31,429 --> 00:31:35,029 Are you fully surrendered to the will of God, to your life, for 573 00:31:35,029 --> 00:31:35,589 your life? 574 00:31:36,309 --> 00:31:39,669 Are you being controlled by the Holy Spirit? 575 00:31:39,669 --> 00:31:40,309 Of God. 576 00:31:40,709 --> 00:31:44,069 Have you yielded yourself to the point to where you say, there 577 00:31:44,069 --> 00:31:50,629 is nothing I can do but to surrender my all to the Savior? 578 00:31:52,549 --> 00:31:56,349 And that is how you can make verse three make sense. 579 00:31:56,349 --> 00:32:02,209 Not only so, but we glory in tribulations knowing that tribulations 580 00:32:02,209 --> 00:32:05,609 worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope. 581 00:32:07,849 --> 00:32:12,729 After going through a trial, you come out of it better. 582 00:32:14,169 --> 00:32:17,609 I've told you before, I've grown more in the valley than I ever 583 00:32:17,609 --> 00:32:18,489 have on the mountain. 584 00:32:22,169 --> 00:32:24,169 We want to live on the mountaintop. 585 00:32:26,259 --> 00:32:28,019 We want a life with no problems. 586 00:32:29,139 --> 00:32:32,259 We want a life where everything is just perfect and we 587 00:32:32,259 --> 00:32:33,619 know exactly what to expect. 588 00:32:33,699 --> 00:32:34,539 It's scheduled. 589 00:32:34,539 --> 00:32:34,939 Nope. 590 00:32:34,939 --> 00:32:35,739 Hey, nope. 591 00:32:35,739 --> 00:32:36,659 It's not time for that yet. 592 00:32:36,659 --> 00:32:37,939 You got 30 more minutes. 593 00:32:38,499 --> 00:32:42,659 No, but see, is that a life of dependence? 594 00:32:43,859 --> 00:32:45,939 You see, grace goes this far. 595 00:32:47,219 --> 00:32:50,619 This is the grace that you and I need to live out the life that 596 00:32:50,619 --> 00:32:51,399 we've He. 597 00:32:51,399 --> 00:32:52,439 We've been called to. 598 00:32:52,759 --> 00:32:55,079 And by the way, we've all. 599 00:32:55,079 --> 00:32:58,359 If you're saved tonight, you've been called to do something. 600 00:32:59,159 --> 00:33:06,239 And I would ask you to search your heart tonight to ask God, am 601 00:33:06,239 --> 00:33:08,199 I completely surrendered? 602 00:33:08,759 --> 00:33:10,479 I'm preaching to myself up here. 603 00:33:10,479 --> 00:33:11,959 I just thought I'd share it with you. 604 00:33:14,279 --> 00:33:18,519 God has put me in a place that I cannot do this. 605 00:33:20,519 --> 00:33:25,799 I can't physically, emotionally, spiritually. 606 00:33:25,799 --> 00:33:26,359 This is. 607 00:33:26,519 --> 00:33:27,479 This is tough. 608 00:33:29,959 --> 00:33:35,079 But the grace of God will enable us. 609 00:33:35,319 --> 00:33:41,159 God uses the Holy Spirit of God as his divine enabler. 610 00:33:43,089 --> 00:33:46,689 And if you and I want the grace that we need to accomplish 611 00:33:46,689 --> 00:33:53,289 the things that God has called us to, it is only by a surrendered 612 00:33:53,289 --> 00:33:53,569 life. 613 00:33:55,089 --> 00:33:59,489 It is only by completely, completely relying on Christ. 614 00:34:01,409 --> 00:34:06,289 You will be reminded, and I will be reminded constantly of my 615 00:34:06,289 --> 00:34:06,849 failures. 616 00:34:08,459 --> 00:34:12,579 And I go back to the cross and Christ says, hey, I paid for that, 617 00:34:12,579 --> 00:34:12,939 too. 618 00:34:13,899 --> 00:34:15,099 I paid for that, too. 619 00:34:17,499 --> 00:34:18,859 Tonight, I want you to. 620 00:34:21,979 --> 00:34:26,059 I want you to think about your hardest day. 621 00:34:28,219 --> 00:34:29,979 Think about your biggest struggle. 622 00:34:30,539 --> 00:34:31,539 Maybe you were young. 623 00:34:31,539 --> 00:34:33,259 Maybe you were older. 624 00:34:33,259 --> 00:34:34,529 Maybe it was recent. 625 00:34:34,529 --> 00:34:35,889 Maybe it was years ago. 626 00:34:37,809 --> 00:34:42,129 I want you to think back to that time. 627 00:34:43,169 --> 00:34:45,089 What did God teach you through that? 628 00:34:47,009 --> 00:34:48,849 Did you come out better or worse? 629 00:34:51,089 --> 00:34:53,169 Sometimes I want to know what's going to happen. 630 00:34:54,529 --> 00:34:55,969 I really want to know. 631 00:34:55,969 --> 00:34:58,209 Like, Lord, just tell me what's going to happen. 632 00:34:58,689 --> 00:34:59,649 What should I do? 633 00:34:59,809 --> 00:35:00,689 Where should I go? 634 00:35:01,558 --> 00:35:03,718 He says, if I did, you wouldn't depend on me. 635 00:35:05,318 --> 00:35:09,798 Through that hard time that you're thinking about, did you grow 636 00:35:09,798 --> 00:35:10,958 closer to the Lord? 637 00:35:10,958 --> 00:35:14,878 Did God put you in a position where you realized there was nothing 638 00:35:14,878 --> 00:35:15,798 you could do? 639 00:35:18,038 --> 00:35:21,518 I am convinced that God is in the business of bringing men to the 640 00:35:21,518 --> 00:35:22,358 end of themselves. 641 00:35:24,838 --> 00:35:26,598 What does that better than a trial? 642 00:35:29,308 --> 00:35:33,868 Trials and tribulations have a way of reprioritizing your life. 643 00:35:35,788 --> 00:35:39,868 Have a way of examining the things that shouldn't be there or 644 00:35:39,868 --> 00:35:40,588 should be there. 645 00:35:41,708 --> 00:35:46,348 I would encourage you tonight to be fully surrendered to the will 646 00:35:46,348 --> 00:35:46,908 of God. 647 00:35:49,308 --> 00:35:51,508 Don't be overwhelmed at the things you don't know. 648 00:35:51,508 --> 00:35:55,729 Just know that you are resting with peace with God. 649 00:35:56,609 --> 00:35:59,649 Your relationship with God is settled. 650 00:36:00,209 --> 00:36:02,369 That word stand means established. 651 00:36:02,769 --> 00:36:08,049 Means that your feet are firm in who and what he is. 652 00:36:08,209 --> 00:36:10,289 And the person and work of Christ. 653 00:36:10,529 --> 00:36:11,329 It's done. 654 00:36:13,009 --> 00:36:19,009 And what you and I need is grace to accomplish his will. 655 00:36:19,879 --> 00:36:25,159 So tonight, as you stand with me to your feet, as the piano begins 656 00:36:25,159 --> 00:36:25,719 to pray. 657 00:36:26,039 --> 00:36:27,079 Not pray, play. 658 00:36:28,279 --> 00:36:32,599 I do ask that you would be in an attitude of prayer. 659 00:36:33,079 --> 00:36:35,079 The altars will be opened.