1 00:00:00,310 --> 00:00:01,829 Marcel: It's the holiday season. 2 00:00:01,829 --> 00:00:03,410 Are you guys excited about the holidays? 3 00:00:05,340 --> 00:00:09,769 You have a Thanksgiving, we have Christmas, we have new years time to 4 00:00:09,770 --> 00:00:12,240 eat a lot, perhaps maybe eat too much. 5 00:00:12,750 --> 00:00:17,570 I know that's my sin during this time, but uh, it's a season of holidays 6 00:00:17,570 --> 00:00:19,410 and particularly Thanksgiving. 7 00:00:19,419 --> 00:00:20,939 It's a season of giving thanks. 8 00:00:20,950 --> 00:00:25,110 So I want us to do this in, in pairs and in threes and fours. 9 00:00:25,110 --> 00:00:26,430 Answer this question right here. 10 00:00:26,529 --> 00:00:28,040 What are you thankful for? 11 00:00:29,110 --> 00:00:30,229 What are you thankful for? 12 00:00:30,229 --> 00:00:31,000 Just whatever it is. 13 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:31,799 Go ahead right now. 14 00:00:31,799 --> 00:00:34,640 Share what is something that you are thankful for. 15 00:00:51,950 --> 00:00:52,850 All right, let's get it. 16 00:00:52,879 --> 00:00:54,019 Let's get a couple people to share. 17 00:00:54,030 --> 00:00:55,550 Let's hear a couple of things here. 18 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,249 What's one thing that you are thankful for? 19 00:01:00,019 --> 00:01:00,559 Let's go ahead. 20 00:01:00,570 --> 00:01:04,000 Let's have some people share one thing that you are thankful for. 21 00:01:05,919 --> 00:01:07,120 Okay, you were just talking. 22 00:01:07,190 --> 00:01:08,160 All right, so here we go. 23 00:01:08,330 --> 00:01:08,870 All right, Alan. 24 00:01:08,870 --> 00:01:09,180 Yes. 25 00:01:21,670 --> 00:01:22,080 Okay. 26 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:25,070 He said he's thankful for the body of Christ and being in the church and 27 00:01:25,250 --> 00:01:29,320 how he can get help and receive help during with his struggles and whatnot. 28 00:01:29,470 --> 00:01:29,820 Okay. 29 00:01:29,870 --> 00:01:30,259 Amen. 30 00:01:30,259 --> 00:01:30,979 That's awesome. 31 00:01:31,129 --> 00:01:31,570 All right. 32 00:01:31,570 --> 00:01:31,999 Yes, sir. 33 00:01:31,999 --> 00:01:32,329 Mr. 34 00:01:32,369 --> 00:01:32,710 Artechi. 35 00:01:43,539 --> 00:01:44,009 Okay. 36 00:01:44,009 --> 00:01:46,658 For those who couldn't hear, Will said he's thankful for his 37 00:01:46,660 --> 00:01:48,990 mother in law, Joyce and Joyce. 38 00:01:48,990 --> 00:01:50,500 If you know, we've been praying for Joyce. 39 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:52,910 She just had surgery and look at her in the house. 40 00:01:53,149 --> 00:01:54,300 Come on, representing. 41 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:55,940 Let's go, Joyce. 42 00:01:57,910 --> 00:01:59,500 Joyce is a lovely woman. 43 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:06,520 Now, if she can be here after heart surgery, you better not have an excuse. 44 00:02:07,610 --> 00:02:09,110 Talk about my thumb hurts. 45 00:02:09,110 --> 00:02:10,060 You know what I'm saying? 46 00:02:10,650 --> 00:02:11,930 She's worshiping the Lord. 47 00:02:11,930 --> 00:02:12,120 Amen. 48 00:02:12,230 --> 00:02:13,469 We are thankful for you, Joyce. 49 00:02:13,469 --> 00:02:13,629 All right. 50 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:14,189 Any others? 51 00:02:14,190 --> 00:02:14,589 Any others? 52 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:15,789 Something that you're thankful for? 53 00:02:15,790 --> 00:02:16,899 Yes, Jane. 54 00:02:23,029 --> 00:02:27,270 She says she's thankful for her family, how God is always taking care of us. 55 00:02:27,270 --> 00:02:27,700 Awesome. 56 00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:27,990 Okay. 57 00:02:27,990 --> 00:02:28,140 All right. 58 00:02:28,180 --> 00:02:29,079 We'll go one more. 59 00:02:29,260 --> 00:02:29,910 Uh, Stacy. 60 00:02:29,925 --> 00:02:31,730 I'm thankful that Jessica. 61 00:02:33,595 --> 00:02:34,315 Okay, 62 00:02:37,235 --> 00:02:37,834 awesome. 63 00:02:38,464 --> 00:02:42,394 Stacey shared that her niece, Jessica, uh, which we're gonna announce she's 64 00:02:42,394 --> 00:02:44,615 getting baptized today after service. 65 00:02:44,615 --> 00:02:45,214 Amen. 66 00:02:45,214 --> 00:02:45,815 Come on. 67 00:02:46,355 --> 00:02:47,075 Amen. 68 00:02:47,825 --> 00:02:50,885 Let me ask you this, these are all things that we can think of for ourselves. 69 00:02:50,885 --> 00:02:54,454 What are some things that we all can thank God for? 70 00:02:54,454 --> 00:02:57,185 Okay, so go ahead and answer this question there. 71 00:02:57,344 --> 00:03:00,464 What are some things that we all can thank God for? 72 00:03:00,464 --> 00:03:03,404 And if you're online, go ahead and put in the little chat there, uh, 73 00:03:03,404 --> 00:03:04,985 some things and answer that question. 74 00:03:04,995 --> 00:03:06,375 What are some things you can be thanked for? 75 00:03:06,555 --> 00:03:08,853 So let's go ahead and give you about 30 seconds or so. 76 00:03:09,005 --> 00:03:11,754 What are some things that we all can thank God for? 77 00:03:38,664 --> 00:03:39,244 Alright. 78 00:03:39,654 --> 00:03:43,005 Let's go ahead and, uh, let's get some, some, some more sharing here. 79 00:03:43,265 --> 00:03:46,454 Alright, right there, my man in the, uh, is that a Dodgers hat right there? 80 00:03:46,684 --> 00:03:47,504 Okay, yeah, go ahead. 81 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:52,020 Okay, we're thankful for God's grace. 82 00:03:52,530 --> 00:03:53,950 Yes, that's so true, right? 83 00:03:53,950 --> 00:03:56,780 We all can be thankful for just the fact that we're living today. 84 00:03:57,020 --> 00:03:59,168 It's a sign of His grace. 85 00:03:59,170 --> 00:03:59,940 Yes, others? 86 00:04:00,250 --> 00:04:01,190 Uh, right here, Dallas. 87 00:04:02,970 --> 00:04:04,610 God's consistency. 88 00:04:04,929 --> 00:04:05,919 Okay, there you go. 89 00:04:05,919 --> 00:04:08,670 How God is consistent in who He is and what He does. 90 00:04:08,830 --> 00:04:09,930 Okay, awesome, awesome. 91 00:04:09,930 --> 00:04:10,990 Alright, any others? 92 00:04:10,990 --> 00:04:13,180 What are some things we all can thank God for? 93 00:04:13,180 --> 00:04:14,120 Yes, uh, Daniella. 94 00:04:16,084 --> 00:04:17,173 His protection. 95 00:04:17,173 --> 00:04:18,385 God protects us. 96 00:04:18,385 --> 00:04:18,725 All right. 97 00:04:18,725 --> 00:04:19,673 Yes, Josephine. 98 00:04:22,215 --> 00:04:25,255 His second chances and his promises. 99 00:04:25,255 --> 00:04:25,674 Okay. 100 00:04:25,674 --> 00:04:26,135 All right. 101 00:04:26,315 --> 00:04:27,104 Uh, yes, Mr. 102 00:04:27,105 --> 00:04:27,495 Barber. 103 00:04:30,284 --> 00:04:33,405 This beautiful Southern California weather, right? 104 00:04:33,405 --> 00:04:33,875 Yes. 105 00:04:34,075 --> 00:04:35,245 We're all so grateful. 106 00:04:35,254 --> 00:04:36,714 It's getting cold in the morning, right? 107 00:04:36,714 --> 00:04:38,544 But then by the afternoon, it's pretty good there. 108 00:04:38,774 --> 00:04:41,905 Yes, we all can thank God for a number of different things that 109 00:04:41,905 --> 00:04:43,544 apply to every single one of us. 110 00:04:44,105 --> 00:04:48,015 And so we're actually going to start a sermon series here for the holiday season, 111 00:04:48,295 --> 00:04:52,615 uh, and it's called this, it's called thank God for, and we're going to walk 112 00:04:52,615 --> 00:04:55,325 through what we can all thank God for. 113 00:04:55,585 --> 00:04:57,705 And so we're going to be talking about that today. 114 00:04:57,705 --> 00:05:01,255 And today we're going to be talking about how we can thank God for his word, 115 00:05:01,875 --> 00:05:07,515 how we can thank God for his written revelation, what we call the Bible. 116 00:05:07,515 --> 00:05:08,625 Let's go to God in prayer. 117 00:05:08,625 --> 00:05:11,405 Father, thank you so much for your word. 118 00:05:11,405 --> 00:05:12,725 Thank you for the church. 119 00:05:13,035 --> 00:05:14,975 Thank you for your consistency. 120 00:05:14,985 --> 00:05:16,275 Thank you for your grace. 121 00:05:16,285 --> 00:05:17,705 Thank you for your mercy. 122 00:05:17,985 --> 00:05:20,865 Thank you for your promises, your second chances. 123 00:05:21,184 --> 00:05:22,815 Thank you for your faithfulness. 124 00:05:23,575 --> 00:05:24,955 Thank you for allowing us to be here. 125 00:05:24,955 --> 00:05:27,104 Thank you for the family of believers. 126 00:05:27,115 --> 00:05:31,714 Thank you that we can see Jessica get baptized here later on today. 127 00:05:31,735 --> 00:05:35,375 Thank you for this chance to worship you here in Placentia. 128 00:05:35,375 --> 00:05:37,034 God, we thank you so much. 129 00:05:37,235 --> 00:05:39,425 We can spend hours thanking you. 130 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:42,909 But God, it's because you are good. 131 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:47,050 And we thank you for being that to us. 132 00:05:47,280 --> 00:05:51,130 I pray right now that you will speak your word into our hearts so that 133 00:05:51,130 --> 00:05:54,069 we may respond the way we should. 134 00:05:54,069 --> 00:05:56,599 In the name of Jesus, Amen. 135 00:05:57,010 --> 00:05:59,760 All right, we're going to go over to Psalm chapter 19. 136 00:05:59,790 --> 00:06:01,150 Psalm chapter 19. 137 00:06:01,390 --> 00:06:04,090 It's one of my favorite passages in the Bible. 138 00:06:04,090 --> 00:06:06,670 We're going to read in Psalm 19 in verse seven. 139 00:06:07,065 --> 00:06:10,495 Uh, and we're gonna see what's so special about God's word. 140 00:06:10,495 --> 00:06:13,885 I know many of us, we can, we can preach a sermon ourselves on how 141 00:06:13,885 --> 00:06:16,974 special and awesome the word of God is. 142 00:06:16,975 --> 00:06:19,294 But we're gonna go ahead and, and look at this passage. 143 00:06:19,294 --> 00:06:23,975 It's gonna reveal to us why God's word is so special and why we can be thankful. 144 00:06:24,565 --> 00:06:26,815 And we're going to take it up in verse 7. 145 00:06:27,085 --> 00:06:32,005 The first 6 verses talk about God's creation and how God's creation, 146 00:06:32,144 --> 00:06:35,755 because of God's creation, because of the stars and moons and all these 147 00:06:35,755 --> 00:06:37,585 different things, we can praise God. 148 00:06:37,925 --> 00:06:41,425 And it makes this transition to now talking about how His word 149 00:06:41,664 --> 00:06:43,825 leads to our praise of Him. 150 00:06:43,825 --> 00:06:45,855 In Psalm 19 in verse 7. 151 00:06:45,875 --> 00:06:46,865 Church, are you with me? 152 00:06:47,925 --> 00:06:50,005 It says, The law of the Lord is perfect. 153 00:06:50,604 --> 00:06:52,315 Refreshing the soul. 154 00:06:52,554 --> 00:06:57,234 The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 155 00:06:57,645 --> 00:07:01,114 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. 156 00:07:01,505 --> 00:07:06,255 The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 157 00:07:06,664 --> 00:07:10,184 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. 158 00:07:10,625 --> 00:07:15,534 The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 159 00:07:15,835 --> 00:07:18,085 They are more precious than gold. 160 00:07:18,375 --> 00:07:20,955 Than much pure gold. 161 00:07:21,105 --> 00:07:22,575 They're sweeter than honey. 162 00:07:22,755 --> 00:07:27,765 Than honey From the honeycomb by them, your servant is warned. 163 00:07:28,035 --> 00:07:31,245 In keeping them there is great reward. 164 00:07:31,245 --> 00:07:33,495 We'll stop right there. 165 00:07:33,885 --> 00:07:38,355 David is the writer of this song, king David, and he writes this and 166 00:07:38,355 --> 00:07:43,275 he's talking about God's word and he mentions God's word being perfect. 167 00:07:43,635 --> 00:07:47,174 Trustworthy, right, radiant, precious. 168 00:07:47,435 --> 00:07:49,945 It's sweet for the soul. 169 00:07:50,955 --> 00:07:55,775 And David, you can see, has so much respect and love for God's word. 170 00:07:56,185 --> 00:07:58,854 He's moved, he's stirred to write these things. 171 00:07:59,104 --> 00:08:00,695 Here's what's incredible. 172 00:08:00,695 --> 00:08:03,794 Actually, me and Karina were talking about this in the morning here. 173 00:08:04,065 --> 00:08:09,655 Is that King David probably has, more than likely, really, the 174 00:08:09,655 --> 00:08:12,204 first five, six books of the Bible. 175 00:08:12,895 --> 00:08:14,635 And maybe a couple songs. 176 00:08:16,185 --> 00:08:18,875 So he doesn't have all the John 3 16. 177 00:08:18,875 --> 00:08:21,125 He doesn't have the Romans 8 28. 178 00:08:21,165 --> 00:08:24,984 Oh, God works in the good for all those who believe he doesn't have. 179 00:08:25,045 --> 00:08:26,845 I know the plans I have for you. 180 00:08:26,854 --> 00:08:31,205 He doesn't have any of these scriptures that you and I say are 181 00:08:31,205 --> 00:08:32,895 some of our favorite scriptures. 182 00:08:33,585 --> 00:08:37,145 All he has is the first five, maybe six books in the Bible. 183 00:08:37,145 --> 00:08:38,745 And we know a song from Moses. 184 00:08:39,308 --> 00:08:42,950 And if you've ever read Leviticus and, and, and Numbers, those 185 00:08:42,950 --> 00:08:44,329 could be some difficult reads. 186 00:08:45,950 --> 00:08:47,110 And what does he say? 187 00:08:47,850 --> 00:08:52,790 After just reading those books of the Bible, it's perfect, it's word, it's 188 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,339 trustworthy, it's radiant, it's sweet. 189 00:08:55,489 --> 00:08:56,099 Wow. 190 00:08:56,099 --> 00:08:59,120 His view and appreciation of God's word. 191 00:09:00,150 --> 00:09:03,170 And again, it's not all the scriptures that you and I have. 192 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:07,645 So we could testify to this, now having The rest of the 193 00:09:07,655 --> 00:09:09,825 Old and the New Testaments. 194 00:09:10,645 --> 00:09:11,925 And it's interesting, right? 195 00:09:12,005 --> 00:09:15,535 Because David is called man, a man after God's own hearts. 196 00:09:16,075 --> 00:09:17,315 And you see his what? 197 00:09:17,495 --> 00:09:20,215 His view and appreciation for God's word. 198 00:09:21,265 --> 00:09:26,385 Is there a connection between his heart for God and his view of God's word? 199 00:09:26,954 --> 00:09:28,095 I think there is. 200 00:09:28,515 --> 00:09:29,795 And that tells me something. 201 00:09:30,175 --> 00:09:33,835 Is that if you and I want to be a man or woman after God's own heart, 202 00:09:34,065 --> 00:09:35,994 we need to have the right view. 203 00:09:36,075 --> 00:09:41,444 We need to love and appreciate and consume God's word. 204 00:09:41,714 --> 00:09:44,525 Because that would transform us into the image of Christ. 205 00:09:44,525 --> 00:09:46,105 Are you with me, brothers and sisters? 206 00:09:46,744 --> 00:09:50,355 But David captures how powerful the word of God is. 207 00:09:50,634 --> 00:09:51,825 He says it's perfect. 208 00:09:53,015 --> 00:09:54,464 It's radiant. 209 00:09:54,805 --> 00:09:55,944 It's trustworthy. 210 00:09:55,944 --> 00:09:56,914 It's right. 211 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:59,520 He says, it will refresh the soul. 212 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:00,930 It will make you wise. 213 00:10:00,930 --> 00:10:03,480 It'll give joy from within. 214 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:08,220 It will give light to the eyes, and it will, it will reward you and warn you. 215 00:10:08,430 --> 00:10:11,640 I don't know about you, but I want all of those things in my life. 216 00:10:13,050 --> 00:10:15,480 Do you want any of those things missing in your life? 217 00:10:16,530 --> 00:10:20,970 Of course, we want all of those things Again, how do we receive those things? 218 00:10:21,090 --> 00:10:24,600 It's by consuming God's eternal word. 219 00:10:26,305 --> 00:10:28,665 But let's break this down some brothers and sisters. 220 00:10:28,775 --> 00:10:29,765 Are you with me here? 221 00:10:30,355 --> 00:10:31,055 All right, here we go. 222 00:10:31,055 --> 00:10:31,725 Let's get into it. 223 00:10:31,865 --> 00:10:33,555 It says it is perfect. 224 00:10:33,605 --> 00:10:35,655 It needs no additions. 225 00:10:36,194 --> 00:10:37,105 It's perfect. 226 00:10:37,285 --> 00:10:39,005 It has no omissions. 227 00:10:40,084 --> 00:10:42,405 The word of God is perfect. 228 00:10:42,405 --> 00:10:43,875 And what does that perfect word do? 229 00:10:44,085 --> 00:10:46,655 It refreshes the soul or can be translated. 230 00:10:46,725 --> 00:10:48,275 It revives our souls. 231 00:10:50,185 --> 00:10:51,565 It's so it brings soul. 232 00:10:51,665 --> 00:10:54,755 It brings life to our very being. 233 00:10:57,025 --> 00:10:59,515 Some could call it the true soul food. 234 00:11:00,865 --> 00:11:02,365 Y'all know I love some soul food. 235 00:11:03,235 --> 00:11:06,385 Especially some macaroni cheese as we talk about the Thanksgiving and Christmas. 236 00:11:06,385 --> 00:11:07,075 You know what I'm saying? 237 00:11:07,805 --> 00:11:13,385 But this is even better than all of that because it nourishes our very being. 238 00:11:14,125 --> 00:11:15,065 Our soul. 239 00:11:15,735 --> 00:11:17,255 It says that the word of God is what? 240 00:11:17,435 --> 00:11:18,355 It's trustworthy. 241 00:11:18,355 --> 00:11:21,125 You can rely, you can depend upon God's word. 242 00:11:21,244 --> 00:11:23,565 You can bet your life on God's promises. 243 00:11:25,560 --> 00:11:27,890 You can trust his word. 244 00:11:28,450 --> 00:11:31,980 It says it is wise, making wise the simple. 245 00:11:32,059 --> 00:11:35,939 You can learn how to handle life, how to handle situations, 246 00:11:35,940 --> 00:11:38,380 how to handle relationships. 247 00:11:40,850 --> 00:11:44,850 Learn how to be successful in school, in job, etc. 248 00:11:44,850 --> 00:11:48,380 We can learn these things because it'll make us be, it'll make 249 00:11:48,380 --> 00:11:52,620 us transition from being simple and maybe foolish to being wise. 250 00:11:55,250 --> 00:11:56,910 It says it is right. 251 00:11:56,910 --> 00:11:59,430 I mean, it's not wrong. 252 00:11:59,810 --> 00:12:02,840 It's the standard above all, above opinions, above 253 00:12:02,850 --> 00:12:05,980 feelings, above what's popular. 254 00:12:06,819 --> 00:12:09,590 It says it gives joy to the heart. 255 00:12:09,639 --> 00:12:14,450 It feels good when it comes in and we have the right response or the right, 256 00:12:14,490 --> 00:12:15,320 right, right, right, right, right. 257 00:12:15,330 --> 00:12:19,460 Receiving of his word, but it feels good when we actually follow. 258 00:12:19,460 --> 00:12:22,820 You ever do something in the Bible, you're like, man, that feels good. 259 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,349 It encourages. 260 00:12:26,750 --> 00:12:28,699 The Word of God inspires. 261 00:12:29,390 --> 00:12:30,510 It transforms. 262 00:12:30,510 --> 00:12:32,989 It changes our character, our hearts. 263 00:12:33,050 --> 00:12:35,589 It changes our lives. 264 00:12:37,810 --> 00:12:40,470 And it goes on and it says it is radiance. 265 00:12:40,659 --> 00:12:41,899 It's glorious. 266 00:12:41,970 --> 00:12:42,740 It shines. 267 00:12:42,930 --> 00:12:44,620 It is beautiful. 268 00:12:45,020 --> 00:12:48,290 Kind of like that southern sunny California weather. 269 00:12:50,380 --> 00:12:51,830 It gives light. 270 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:55,950 We can now see clearly. 271 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,400 We can see what's true. 272 00:12:57,410 --> 00:12:58,940 We can see what's right. 273 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:05,530 We can be able to distinguish good from evil because of what the word God does. 274 00:13:07,790 --> 00:13:11,670 It helps us not to be in the dark spiritually. 275 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:17,060 It goes on and it says that the word is firm or another word 276 00:13:17,110 --> 00:13:20,620 that can be used is sure, meaning it's steady, it's dependable. 277 00:13:21,374 --> 00:13:23,785 And we all need security in life. 278 00:13:23,785 --> 00:13:26,234 We need something that's dependable, don't we? 279 00:13:27,524 --> 00:13:30,324 It goes on and it says that it's righteous. 280 00:13:30,374 --> 00:13:34,724 It's more precious than gold, sweeter than the honey, honeycomb. 281 00:13:34,724 --> 00:13:37,384 And these were precious things in ancient times. 282 00:13:37,384 --> 00:13:38,584 And so what is it saying? 283 00:13:38,694 --> 00:13:42,884 It's more valuable than all the wealth in the world. 284 00:13:43,944 --> 00:13:45,504 The word of God is sweet. 285 00:13:45,535 --> 00:13:47,834 It tastes good when you consume it. 286 00:13:48,574 --> 00:13:49,994 It says sweeter than honey. 287 00:13:50,104 --> 00:13:52,665 Whenever I read that passage, I think of Winnie the Pooh. 288 00:13:54,555 --> 00:13:56,265 Some of young folks are like, who's Winnie the Pooh? 289 00:13:56,285 --> 00:13:57,645 Just Google that later. 290 00:13:58,375 --> 00:13:59,064 It's a bear. 291 00:13:59,064 --> 00:13:59,925 He loves honey. 292 00:13:59,925 --> 00:14:01,725 You know, you think Winnie the Pooh, you think honey. 293 00:14:01,725 --> 00:14:02,464 You know what I'm saying? 294 00:14:02,874 --> 00:14:06,584 And I go, wow, I need to spiritually be like a Winnie the Pooh with God's word 295 00:14:06,594 --> 00:14:08,865 and just taking that scriptures in. 296 00:14:11,155 --> 00:14:13,285 Scriptures are finger licking good, you know what I'm saying? 297 00:14:16,405 --> 00:14:18,874 It says and it warns us and it rewards. 298 00:14:20,555 --> 00:14:21,735 It warns us. 299 00:14:22,155 --> 00:14:23,285 There's trouble ahead. 300 00:14:24,645 --> 00:14:27,954 It also said there's rewards when we follow it. 301 00:14:30,095 --> 00:14:32,444 Again, this is God's word. 302 00:14:32,505 --> 00:14:34,845 This is how powerful God's word is. 303 00:14:34,935 --> 00:14:39,895 This is what God's word does when we consume it and we apply it to our lives. 304 00:14:42,025 --> 00:14:42,645 Let me ask you this. 305 00:14:42,655 --> 00:14:43,805 Can you relate? 306 00:14:45,395 --> 00:14:48,985 Can you relate to God's word being or doing these things in your life? 307 00:14:50,470 --> 00:14:54,120 I know many of us, we can testify, we can relate, we can say, God's 308 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:55,470 Word has done those things. 309 00:14:55,500 --> 00:14:58,810 It's been that in my life. 310 00:14:59,170 --> 00:15:01,990 I know I can testify to this being true. 311 00:15:02,179 --> 00:15:06,909 The Word of God has radically changed who I am. 312 00:15:07,610 --> 00:15:08,500 Radically. 313 00:15:08,690 --> 00:15:10,360 I got my Aunt Martha here in the house. 314 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,510 I was, my mom is over there with the kids. 315 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:17,969 They can testify that Marcel Hall of today is radically different from 316 00:15:17,969 --> 00:15:20,210 the Marcel Hall from before Christ. 317 00:15:21,290 --> 00:15:23,330 And all of you should say hallelujah for that. 318 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,309 Cause we might not have had a good experience, you know what I'm saying. 319 00:15:28,569 --> 00:15:32,700 But I can testify what's radically changed my worldview. 320 00:15:34,525 --> 00:15:37,545 How I view the world, it is totally different. 321 00:15:37,805 --> 00:15:39,285 Even with politics coming up. 322 00:15:39,405 --> 00:15:42,245 I mean, my world view is just different now. 323 00:15:42,365 --> 00:15:43,825 I view things differently. 324 00:15:43,935 --> 00:15:45,755 My character is different. 325 00:15:47,145 --> 00:15:49,104 My work ethic is different. 326 00:15:49,114 --> 00:15:51,184 My morality is different. 327 00:15:51,195 --> 00:15:54,965 My choices, what I deem to be right and wrong, true and false, 328 00:15:55,135 --> 00:15:59,525 it's all different because God's word has directed and changed me. 329 00:16:01,505 --> 00:16:04,094 What I view as important and what's valuable. 330 00:16:05,635 --> 00:16:06,754 My integrity. 331 00:16:07,534 --> 00:16:09,145 My relationships. 332 00:16:09,825 --> 00:16:14,494 Directed and stirred and steered by the word of God. 333 00:16:15,824 --> 00:16:17,154 I think of my relationship with my mom. 334 00:16:17,774 --> 00:16:21,145 That's grown and it wasn't a bad relationship but man because of 335 00:16:21,145 --> 00:16:22,845 God's word it has transformed that. 336 00:16:23,575 --> 00:16:27,345 The word of God helped direct me to have reconciliation with my father. 337 00:16:29,260 --> 00:16:32,560 The Word of God has transformed my relationship with my siblings. 338 00:16:33,590 --> 00:16:36,060 And hallelujah, the Word of God has helped me in my relationship 339 00:16:36,069 --> 00:16:37,870 with my wife and my kids. 340 00:16:38,420 --> 00:16:42,569 If it wasn't for the Word of God, my life would be a three course mess. 341 00:16:43,870 --> 00:16:46,159 I would have ruined it twice over. 342 00:16:47,449 --> 00:16:49,460 Probably with no chance of redemption. 343 00:16:49,710 --> 00:16:54,720 But the Word of God, Has given life to my soul. 344 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:57,010 It's giving light to my eyes. 345 00:16:57,050 --> 00:16:59,530 It has warned me and it has rewarded me. 346 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:02,899 And I know there's so many of you that can testify as well. 347 00:17:03,010 --> 00:17:03,750 Am I right? 348 00:17:05,550 --> 00:17:07,550 I know there's so many of you can testify. 349 00:17:08,118 --> 00:17:11,240 That it has revived your soul, your faith, your hope. 350 00:17:11,358 --> 00:17:15,480 When you were discouraged, or you were depressed, or you were doubtful. 351 00:17:15,569 --> 00:17:17,409 The Word of God did something in your life. 352 00:17:18,815 --> 00:17:22,233 So many of you can testify how you handle situations better 353 00:17:22,345 --> 00:17:23,575 because of the Word of God. 354 00:17:24,223 --> 00:17:27,935 You are gonna go into that situation, and then the Word of God, and you said, 355 00:17:27,935 --> 00:17:30,525 You know what, I better not go that way. 356 00:17:31,295 --> 00:17:33,595 And you said, Hallelujah, I follow God's Word. 357 00:17:34,345 --> 00:17:37,425 And you remember, when you used to handle things differently, when it 358 00:17:37,425 --> 00:17:40,405 was just your opinion, your thoughts, your feelings, and how things would 359 00:17:40,415 --> 00:17:44,205 radically be different, and probably destroy certain things in your life. 360 00:17:45,534 --> 00:17:49,975 Many of you can testify you've seen it to be true of relationships 361 00:17:49,975 --> 00:17:53,274 and human behavior, especially when you read the Proverbs. 362 00:17:53,274 --> 00:17:56,845 You're like, that is human life right there. 363 00:17:57,074 --> 00:17:58,204 So much wisdom. 364 00:17:58,204 --> 00:18:03,965 I understand people and I understand myself even more because of the light 365 00:18:04,145 --> 00:18:05,645 that the Word of God has given me. 366 00:18:07,415 --> 00:18:10,235 You many of you can testify has helped you to know the truth, 367 00:18:10,454 --> 00:18:11,705 the truth of who you are. 368 00:18:12,895 --> 00:18:14,115 The truth of life. 369 00:18:14,405 --> 00:18:15,534 Again, what's valuable? 370 00:18:15,824 --> 00:18:16,804 What's important? 371 00:18:17,745 --> 00:18:22,394 The truth of what the world feeds us and be able to distinguish. 372 00:18:22,394 --> 00:18:23,495 That's not right. 373 00:18:23,564 --> 00:18:24,715 That's not right. 374 00:18:24,935 --> 00:18:28,224 That's not true because of God's word. 375 00:18:28,824 --> 00:18:33,104 You've been able to distinguish that you've been able to testify, 376 00:18:33,284 --> 00:18:35,534 man, this is some good soul food. 377 00:18:39,314 --> 00:18:42,534 You know, God's word's incredible when we take a step back, right? 378 00:18:43,425 --> 00:18:47,685 We started thinking about what is done and we start to realize how powerful it is. 379 00:18:48,435 --> 00:18:50,395 And one of the things it does is it makes you what? 380 00:18:51,115 --> 00:18:54,025 Thankful, thankful that you have that. 381 00:18:54,825 --> 00:18:56,585 Where would your life be without God's word? 382 00:18:57,895 --> 00:18:59,674 I don't even want to think of where my life would be. 383 00:18:59,804 --> 00:19:03,325 In fact, I get a glimpse when I look at my life prior to Christ. 384 00:19:06,205 --> 00:19:10,324 Now I know there's some of us in here who can't relate to 385 00:19:10,325 --> 00:19:11,105 the things that I've shared. 386 00:19:13,675 --> 00:19:15,985 And the question then is, why is that? 387 00:19:19,695 --> 00:19:22,525 Which leads to, what does that reveal? 388 00:19:23,635 --> 00:19:27,755 If you can't relate to anything that I'm sharing, what does that mean? 389 00:19:27,755 --> 00:19:28,775 What does that reveal? 390 00:19:28,775 --> 00:19:35,325 I believe it probably means you're not consuming God's word the way you need to. 391 00:19:36,565 --> 00:19:40,785 You don't have the word of God in your life the way it should be, so 392 00:19:40,785 --> 00:19:43,504 therefore you're like, I don't really know what you're talking about. 393 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:47,870 That seems more like theory than it does my experience. 394 00:19:49,270 --> 00:19:52,240 But here's the thing, I have some encouragement for every single one of 395 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:57,070 us, and direction for every single one of us, is that here's the key, and here's 396 00:19:57,070 --> 00:19:59,420 what God is calling you and me toward. 397 00:19:59,570 --> 00:20:02,650 And that's not to only be thankful for His Word, but it's 398 00:20:02,650 --> 00:20:05,660 this, it's to live by His Word. 399 00:20:06,620 --> 00:20:10,200 We are called to live by God's Word. 400 00:20:10,559 --> 00:20:12,770 The Word is to be followed, not just read and liked. 401 00:20:13,335 --> 00:20:16,605 It's not just something you buy at the home goods store or whatever and you get 402 00:20:16,605 --> 00:20:19,345 a little plaque and you put that on your wall and you go, Oh, that's really cute. 403 00:20:19,345 --> 00:20:20,044 I like that. 404 00:20:20,745 --> 00:20:22,575 That's not what the word of God is supposed to be. 405 00:20:22,925 --> 00:20:26,504 It's not just a cool little quote that you see on social media and you like 406 00:20:26,504 --> 00:20:28,824 and now you repost or you reshare. 407 00:20:29,085 --> 00:20:32,205 No, the word of God is supposed to be lived out in our lives. 408 00:20:33,225 --> 00:20:36,945 That's when we start to taste and experience, wow, this thing is powerful. 409 00:20:37,504 --> 00:20:39,235 Wow, it is good for my life. 410 00:20:40,610 --> 00:20:45,150 I need more of it, and I want to share more of it with other people. 411 00:20:45,820 --> 00:20:47,640 You know, let's be reminded of this passage. 412 00:20:48,429 --> 00:20:50,170 Many of us are very familiar with this passage. 413 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:55,279 It says, All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, 414 00:20:55,299 --> 00:20:59,100 correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be 415 00:20:59,150 --> 00:21:02,410 thoroughly equipped for every good work. 416 00:21:02,410 --> 00:21:04,290 I love the way the NIV, you phrase this. 417 00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:07,079 It says, The Word of God is to be, it's useful. 418 00:21:07,179 --> 00:21:09,159 And when something's useful, what are you supposed to do with it? 419 00:21:10,380 --> 00:21:12,460 Supposed to use it, right? 420 00:21:13,130 --> 00:21:17,980 Now I have, uh, uh, uh, a, um, uh, African, uh, drum, 421 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:20,100 uh, uh, a djembe at my house. 422 00:21:20,610 --> 00:21:23,759 And, uh, many people have seen the African drum in our house, 423 00:21:23,759 --> 00:21:25,350 and many people have come over. 424 00:21:25,539 --> 00:21:28,660 And they'll grab the drum, and they'll start to play, and they'll look at me, 425 00:21:28,660 --> 00:21:30,870 and they'll go, Marcel, do you play? 426 00:21:32,840 --> 00:21:34,200 And I go, no, I don't play. 427 00:21:35,810 --> 00:21:36,879 That's a decoration. 428 00:21:38,290 --> 00:21:39,360 They're like, Oh, you don't play? 429 00:21:39,389 --> 00:21:40,290 No, I don't play. 430 00:21:40,780 --> 00:21:43,129 And in fact, in my heart, can you please stop playing that? 431 00:21:43,139 --> 00:21:43,429 You know what? 432 00:21:43,429 --> 00:21:44,029 I'm just playing. 433 00:21:44,239 --> 00:21:45,459 Cause some of y'all are like, Man, that was me. 434 00:21:45,459 --> 00:21:46,489 I'm just playing with you, okay? 435 00:21:47,189 --> 00:21:49,939 But they're over here playing and they're like, Man, you don't use this? 436 00:21:50,129 --> 00:21:51,550 I'm like, Nah, man, it's decoration. 437 00:21:51,550 --> 00:21:52,819 Man, look at the rest of the place. 438 00:21:52,979 --> 00:21:54,239 This is a decoration. 439 00:21:56,220 --> 00:21:56,920 And here's the thing. 440 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,460 Spiritually, some of us, that's what the Word of God is. 441 00:21:59,470 --> 00:22:00,920 It's a decoration in our faith. 442 00:22:02,629 --> 00:22:03,810 We're not using it. 443 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:07,860 It's there, it's there, it's around, it's present, but it's not being 444 00:22:07,860 --> 00:22:09,810 used the way it's supposed to. 445 00:22:11,010 --> 00:22:12,490 And so it's a decoration. 446 00:22:13,679 --> 00:22:16,920 So therefore we're not experiencing its blessings. 447 00:22:17,879 --> 00:22:22,219 We're not testifying to its power and its goodness because we're 448 00:22:22,220 --> 00:22:24,649 not putting it into practice. 449 00:22:25,310 --> 00:22:28,129 You see, when we apply God's word, here's what's really cool. 450 00:22:28,510 --> 00:22:30,510 Then we see Psalm 19 become true. 451 00:22:30,510 --> 00:22:31,340 We can testify. 452 00:22:32,064 --> 00:22:34,895 And then what happens is we're grateful for God's mercy. 453 00:22:34,895 --> 00:22:36,455 We're grateful for God's word. 454 00:22:36,975 --> 00:22:40,054 And then we start to see that we need more of it so that we 455 00:22:40,054 --> 00:22:41,634 consume more of God's word. 456 00:22:41,784 --> 00:22:43,524 And this cool cycle takes place. 457 00:22:43,524 --> 00:22:44,524 Do you guys get what I'm saying? 458 00:22:45,064 --> 00:22:46,094 Because I'm excited. 459 00:22:46,094 --> 00:22:46,554 I'm grateful. 460 00:22:46,554 --> 00:22:47,865 I'm like, man, I need to apply this. 461 00:22:47,865 --> 00:22:50,165 And as I apply it, I go, wow, this is really good. 462 00:22:50,174 --> 00:22:51,214 Hallelujah for it. 463 00:22:51,215 --> 00:22:52,145 I need more of it. 464 00:22:52,284 --> 00:22:54,774 And the cool cycle takes place. 465 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:58,890 But you know, it also takes place is when we don't have 466 00:22:58,890 --> 00:23:00,140 the word of God in our lives. 467 00:23:00,380 --> 00:23:02,150 Another bad cycle takes place. 468 00:23:02,990 --> 00:23:05,640 We think, Oh, it doesn't help me. 469 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:08,520 It's not true. 470 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:11,730 God's promises aren't reliable. 471 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:15,339 So maybe he's not reliable. 472 00:23:15,949 --> 00:23:20,059 So therefore, let me take a step back from this faith thing. 473 00:23:20,429 --> 00:23:23,044 Let me take a step back from the brothers and sisters thing. 474 00:23:23,615 --> 00:23:28,325 In my life, let me take a step back from trying to follow Jesus. 475 00:23:28,445 --> 00:23:31,355 And we keep going and next thing we know, we are distant from God. 476 00:23:32,795 --> 00:23:35,555 And so when somebody gets up there and says the word of God's powerful, 477 00:23:35,615 --> 00:23:38,165 we're so far over here, we're like, I don't think that's true. 478 00:23:38,165 --> 00:23:39,635 'cause I haven't seen it in my life. 479 00:23:39,695 --> 00:23:44,020 But we didn't realize it was all the steps prior that led us to that point. 480 00:23:46,310 --> 00:23:51,649 And I believe that Psalm 19, the opposite is just as true as the affirmative. 481 00:23:51,649 --> 00:23:55,790 What I mean is this, is that if it gives light to our eyes, when we don't have the 482 00:23:55,790 --> 00:23:57,530 word of God in our lives, what happens? 483 00:23:57,679 --> 00:24:04,159 We're blind, spiritually, we don't have the joy in our soul, but now we maybe have 484 00:24:04,159 --> 00:24:07,970 anger and sadness that can't be quenched. 485 00:24:09,515 --> 00:24:12,975 And instead of it making us wise, it makes us foolish. 486 00:24:13,095 --> 00:24:17,474 Because we have removed God's word in our lives, and now we're making poor 487 00:24:17,745 --> 00:24:20,015 choices leading to the destruction. 488 00:24:20,165 --> 00:24:24,155 Maybe not initially, but as the years go by, to our very souls. 489 00:24:26,484 --> 00:24:27,485 And so this is why. 490 00:24:27,845 --> 00:24:30,915 We need to make sure that we just don't like it, but that we 491 00:24:30,915 --> 00:24:32,865 apply God's word to our lives. 492 00:24:32,875 --> 00:24:34,315 Brothers and sisters, are you with me here? 493 00:24:35,100 --> 00:24:39,620 We need to apply God's word and once we do, it will be incredible. 494 00:24:39,889 --> 00:24:42,770 Uh, many of you know I went on the Price is Right, well some of you know, I went on 495 00:24:42,770 --> 00:24:44,309 the Price is Right when I was in college. 496 00:24:44,759 --> 00:24:47,649 And, uh, I showed the, uh, the clip, I think my first 497 00:24:47,649 --> 00:24:49,149 sermon, uh, that I was here. 498 00:24:49,370 --> 00:24:53,129 Uh, I showed the, uh, the clip of, uh, uh, me being on the Price is Right. 499 00:24:53,350 --> 00:24:55,919 And one of the things that I won is I won an electric fireplace. 500 00:24:56,689 --> 00:24:59,639 And, uh, so I won this electric fireplace and I'm in college. 501 00:24:59,860 --> 00:25:02,740 And so what am I going to do with an electric fireplace in my dorm room? 502 00:25:04,820 --> 00:25:06,270 So I didn't do anything with it. 503 00:25:06,659 --> 00:25:08,790 So I, I, I had, I kept it at my mom's place. 504 00:25:08,790 --> 00:25:10,010 And so it was, it was in boxes. 505 00:25:10,010 --> 00:25:11,189 There's three big boxes. 506 00:25:11,669 --> 00:25:12,960 And it was in these three big boxes. 507 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:16,210 And so whenever my mom moved, those three boxes went with her. 508 00:25:17,330 --> 00:25:19,739 And when I moved, those three boxes stayed with my mom. 509 00:25:21,039 --> 00:25:22,780 And so then I went and I get married. 510 00:25:22,780 --> 00:25:25,409 I still don't have, I still have never opened this thing. 511 00:25:26,149 --> 00:25:27,919 And about ten years go by. 512 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:30,589 I tried to sell this thing a couple of times. 513 00:25:30,669 --> 00:25:31,580 Never saw it. 514 00:25:32,629 --> 00:25:35,469 And then we're in this home, and we're in this home, and we don't have 515 00:25:35,469 --> 00:25:39,610 central heating or central air, and there's this breeze that's coming in, 516 00:25:39,610 --> 00:25:41,800 right, in our place, and it's freezing. 517 00:25:42,120 --> 00:25:43,980 And we're like, man, we gotta do something, man, like, 518 00:25:43,980 --> 00:25:45,179 I'm getting cold at night. 519 00:25:46,230 --> 00:25:49,669 And so then I go, you know what, man, I got that electric fireplace. 520 00:25:49,670 --> 00:25:52,889 I said, man, I need to open that thing. 521 00:25:53,129 --> 00:25:55,889 It's been 10 years, it finally was with me, and my wife said, boy, 522 00:25:55,889 --> 00:25:57,050 you better get that fireplace. 523 00:25:57,905 --> 00:26:00,765 So I finally take it, and I take it out the box, there's three 524 00:26:00,765 --> 00:26:04,005 big boxes, and I go, wow, this is actually really easy to assemble. 525 00:26:04,685 --> 00:26:05,745 I don't have to do anything. 526 00:26:06,275 --> 00:26:09,075 I thought I had to have, you know, hammers and screwdrivers, nothing. 527 00:26:09,084 --> 00:26:11,015 All I had to do was put the three things on and it was good. 528 00:26:12,195 --> 00:26:15,295 So when I was humbled by that, and I put it on and I go, wow, this 529 00:26:15,324 --> 00:26:18,905 actually looks a whole lot nicer than what I remember the picture was. 530 00:26:19,555 --> 00:26:21,895 Because The Price is Right sent me a nicer version. 531 00:26:22,665 --> 00:26:24,584 They said, hey, the version you saw, that's actually not 532 00:26:24,584 --> 00:26:25,215 the one you're going to get. 533 00:26:25,294 --> 00:26:26,365 We're going to give you a nicer one. 534 00:26:27,120 --> 00:26:29,910 It was like 2, 000 more, you know, I was like, Whoa, and I'm 535 00:26:29,910 --> 00:26:31,490 looking like, wow, this is nice. 536 00:26:32,220 --> 00:26:34,360 And I said, Karina, let's try to put this in our room. 537 00:26:34,360 --> 00:26:35,850 We put it in, hallelujah. 538 00:26:35,850 --> 00:26:39,400 We were heated up and we kept that thing. 539 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:39,909 And guess what? 540 00:26:39,909 --> 00:26:41,389 I have kept that thing to this day. 541 00:26:41,489 --> 00:26:42,159 It's nice. 542 00:26:42,159 --> 00:26:42,989 We, we love it. 543 00:26:42,990 --> 00:26:43,989 It heats us up. 544 00:26:43,989 --> 00:26:45,710 I'm like, what was I thinking? 545 00:26:45,710 --> 00:26:49,070 I had this treasure for 10 years and I didn't even use it 546 00:26:51,550 --> 00:26:52,090 spiritually. 547 00:26:52,090 --> 00:26:53,280 It's what we do with the word of God though. 548 00:26:54,479 --> 00:26:55,270 This treasure. 549 00:26:56,105 --> 00:27:00,815 This source of heat, this source of refreshment, this changing of our lives. 550 00:27:00,865 --> 00:27:02,775 It's there, but it's in a box. 551 00:27:04,055 --> 00:27:05,294 It's on the side. 552 00:27:05,815 --> 00:27:08,264 You know, old school, we used to just put it on the table 553 00:27:08,275 --> 00:27:09,525 or put it in the bookshelf. 554 00:27:09,885 --> 00:27:11,460 Now it's just an app that's not used. 555 00:27:11,460 --> 00:27:13,215 And in fact, maybe it's closed. 556 00:27:15,215 --> 00:27:19,575 And it's not being used and we're like forfeiting all the treasures and the 557 00:27:19,585 --> 00:27:22,135 blessings because we're not using it. 558 00:27:23,980 --> 00:27:29,160 What would things be like if we actually used this powerful 559 00:27:29,170 --> 00:27:31,370 Word of God in our lives? 560 00:27:33,060 --> 00:27:39,889 It would radically, continually change us more into the image of Christ. 561 00:27:41,069 --> 00:27:47,420 And so this means that the Word of God must be our standard. 562 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:52,754 And I have this little table up here, and I want to Want to get my bag Dallas. 563 00:27:52,754 --> 00:27:53,844 I'm literally in my bag. 564 00:27:53,855 --> 00:27:54,615 You know what I'm saying? 565 00:27:55,094 --> 00:27:55,685 There you go. 566 00:27:55,725 --> 00:27:56,225 There you go. 567 00:27:56,534 --> 00:27:58,344 I got this, uh, this scale here. 568 00:27:58,415 --> 00:27:59,344 All right, there you go. 569 00:27:59,594 --> 00:28:00,314 Brother bought this. 570 00:28:00,314 --> 00:28:02,685 I'm trying to, you know, lose a couple of pounds there. 571 00:28:02,685 --> 00:28:03,094 All right. 572 00:28:03,274 --> 00:28:04,365 Help a brother out there. 573 00:28:04,614 --> 00:28:09,534 And, uh, I have, uh, I have this little Pyrex here and, uh, and 574 00:28:09,534 --> 00:28:11,655 a little measuring tape here. 575 00:28:11,794 --> 00:28:13,205 Now, what are all these things for? 576 00:28:15,405 --> 00:28:16,375 To measure, right? 577 00:28:16,915 --> 00:28:18,715 We use all these things to measure. 578 00:28:19,545 --> 00:28:20,435 And here's the thing. 579 00:28:20,495 --> 00:28:24,025 It's important that we actually have something that's a 580 00:28:24,035 --> 00:28:25,565 standard for us to measure by. 581 00:28:25,985 --> 00:28:27,555 In fact, Eric, Eric, can you come on up? 582 00:28:27,564 --> 00:28:28,211 Let's, let's get both Erics. 583 00:28:28,211 --> 00:28:28,687 Let's get both Erics. 584 00:28:28,687 --> 00:28:32,035 Can you, both Erics, can you come up on stage here real quickly here? 585 00:28:33,354 --> 00:28:35,614 Come up on stage here real quickly, alright? 586 00:28:36,045 --> 00:28:37,675 We're gonna do something here, alright? 587 00:28:38,625 --> 00:28:39,455 Alright, there you go. 588 00:28:39,465 --> 00:28:40,435 Okay, you gonna transfer? 589 00:28:40,605 --> 00:28:43,815 I was actually talking about Erica, uh, uh, uh, Ennis there, but, you know, 590 00:28:43,815 --> 00:28:46,045 if you wanna, both of y'all come up, both of y'all come up, here we go. 591 00:28:46,175 --> 00:28:47,445 We got all nations in here. 592 00:28:47,875 --> 00:28:48,655 Alright, there you go. 593 00:28:49,415 --> 00:28:50,565 Here we go, here we go, here we go. 594 00:28:51,205 --> 00:28:52,175 Come on over, come on over. 595 00:28:52,185 --> 00:28:52,955 Here we go, here we go. 596 00:28:53,295 --> 00:28:54,455 This is Eric Azarte. 597 00:28:54,455 --> 00:28:55,675 Can you say hello to Eric there? 598 00:28:55,675 --> 00:28:56,145 There you go. 599 00:28:56,415 --> 00:28:57,335 Wow, they're all Erics. 600 00:28:57,375 --> 00:28:57,854 There you go. 601 00:28:57,854 --> 00:28:58,595 Come on, here we go. 602 00:28:58,845 --> 00:28:59,574 This is really cool. 603 00:28:59,575 --> 00:29:00,324 This wasn't planned. 604 00:29:00,325 --> 00:29:01,215 This is the Holy Spirit. 605 00:29:01,224 --> 00:29:01,514 Wow. 606 00:29:01,514 --> 00:29:01,945 Here we go. 607 00:29:02,415 --> 00:29:02,765 Alright. 608 00:29:03,065 --> 00:29:05,634 We have Eric Hughes and then we have Eric Ennis here, right here. 609 00:29:05,635 --> 00:29:05,975 Alright. 610 00:29:07,725 --> 00:29:09,704 Now, here's what they used to do back in the day. 611 00:29:09,794 --> 00:29:10,394 I don't know if you knew this. 612 00:29:11,590 --> 00:29:14,880 But back in the day, and this is how we get the terms here, uh, 613 00:29:14,890 --> 00:29:18,240 back in the day, the way they would measure is really a foot. 614 00:29:18,250 --> 00:29:19,890 They would literally go by your foot. 615 00:29:20,650 --> 00:29:23,120 And so somebody would go, okay, well, it's four feet. 616 00:29:24,750 --> 00:29:27,399 And then by hand, that's how they would measure, uh, by the 617 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:28,720 hand there for, for horses. 618 00:29:29,230 --> 00:29:34,630 And a cubit was from your nose all the way to your fingertips. 619 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:36,900 Let's do that real quickly. 620 00:29:36,910 --> 00:29:37,390 Okay. 621 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:37,970 All right. 622 00:29:37,970 --> 00:29:38,630 So let's go ahead. 623 00:29:38,630 --> 00:29:40,240 Can you put your hand out here? 624 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:40,660 Okay. 625 00:29:40,690 --> 00:29:41,140 All right. 626 00:29:41,390 --> 00:29:41,800 There you go. 627 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,420 We're going to go ahead and measure here for a quick second. 628 00:29:44,730 --> 00:29:46,620 Uh, how long that is from your nose, brother? 629 00:29:46,620 --> 00:29:47,069 I'm not gonna try. 630 00:29:47,070 --> 00:29:47,509 There you go. 631 00:29:47,509 --> 00:29:47,830 All right. 632 00:29:47,830 --> 00:29:48,450 Thank you so much. 633 00:29:48,580 --> 00:29:49,719 Hold that tight there, brother. 634 00:29:49,719 --> 00:29:50,289 Okay, here we go. 635 00:29:50,570 --> 00:29:50,849 All right. 636 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:54,050 We got about a, let's just give you, let's say 30 inches here. 637 00:29:54,050 --> 00:29:54,480 Okay. 638 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:55,240 There you go. 639 00:29:55,240 --> 00:29:55,690 All right. 640 00:29:55,700 --> 00:29:56,930 Eric, can you go ahead here? 641 00:29:57,230 --> 00:29:57,580 All right. 642 00:29:57,590 --> 00:29:58,330 Look straight there. 643 00:29:58,330 --> 00:29:58,740 Okay. 644 00:29:58,940 --> 00:30:02,420 We got you at about 30, 35 inches right there. 645 00:30:02,450 --> 00:30:02,810 Okay. 646 00:30:02,810 --> 00:30:03,260 There you go. 647 00:30:03,500 --> 00:30:05,270 Alright, we got tall Eric in this here. 648 00:30:05,300 --> 00:30:05,540 Okay. 649 00:30:05,570 --> 00:30:06,350 Oh, okay brother. 650 00:30:06,380 --> 00:30:07,070 All right. 651 00:30:07,130 --> 00:30:07,250 Yeah. 652 00:30:07,460 --> 00:30:09,225 Eric feeling good about himself, you know what I'm saying? 653 00:30:09,530 --> 00:30:09,770 Alright. 654 00:30:09,770 --> 00:30:11,000 Let's say that's about 40 inches. 655 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:11,450 They're right there. 656 00:30:11,450 --> 00:30:12,110 40 inches. 657 00:30:12,530 --> 00:30:12,920 Wow. 658 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:13,730 That's incredible. 659 00:30:13,730 --> 00:30:14,060 Right? 660 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:20,300 Now, just imagine we told them to go ahead and, uh, let's all build the same thing. 661 00:30:20,300 --> 00:30:23,300 Let's all build these chairs, or let's build tables and you're gonna 662 00:30:23,300 --> 00:30:26,720 use it by your qubit measurements. 663 00:30:30,690 --> 00:30:31,720 How's that going to work out? 664 00:30:33,410 --> 00:30:41,970 Because his was what, 30, 33 was it, 30, 35 was it, and 40, 665 00:30:42,930 --> 00:30:43,909 how's that going to work out? 666 00:30:45,850 --> 00:30:47,310 It's not going to work out is it, why? 667 00:30:48,060 --> 00:30:52,060 Because they're not using the same standard measurements are they? 668 00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:56,180 And so here's the thing, we might do that with a chair, I wouldn't care. 669 00:30:56,835 --> 00:30:58,765 I'm hopeful that they didn't do that with these chairs. 670 00:30:59,635 --> 00:31:02,055 But would you want to do that with your plane, your vehicle, 671 00:31:02,065 --> 00:31:03,495 or bridge, or your house? 672 00:31:04,265 --> 00:31:05,265 Let's just guess. 673 00:31:08,955 --> 00:31:10,055 Here's what I think. 674 00:31:10,515 --> 00:31:11,705 Or if you're cooking, right? 675 00:31:11,705 --> 00:31:12,395 If you're cooking. 676 00:31:12,504 --> 00:31:14,365 You know, my kids like to cook there, you know what I'm saying? 677 00:31:14,495 --> 00:31:17,464 Well, uh, in my opinion, here's how many milliliters. 678 00:31:17,515 --> 00:31:18,535 In your opinion, here's how many. 679 00:31:18,665 --> 00:31:19,665 Let's just use our hands. 680 00:31:19,795 --> 00:31:20,895 How's that gonna work out? 681 00:31:20,915 --> 00:31:22,455 Tell me how that cake is gonna taste. 682 00:31:24,315 --> 00:31:25,845 Hallelujah, Chick fil A doesn't do that. 683 00:31:25,855 --> 00:31:26,825 They got a standard. 684 00:31:27,670 --> 00:31:30,300 Each Chick fil A you go to, boy, you taste that same goodness, right? 685 00:31:31,560 --> 00:31:32,550 Here's the thing here. 686 00:31:33,550 --> 00:31:40,809 If we go ahead and use ourselves as the standard, we're gonna be a mess. 687 00:31:42,099 --> 00:31:45,760 And we're gonna go off of him, but then off of, it's gonna be a mess. 688 00:31:46,330 --> 00:31:48,960 Because here's the thing, hallelujah, these are great men, but they 689 00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:50,320 don't know what they're doing. 690 00:31:53,550 --> 00:31:56,570 Because only the Supreme Ruler, God Most High, knows what he's doing. 691 00:31:57,325 --> 00:31:58,605 He's established the earth. 692 00:31:58,645 --> 00:32:00,305 He's established the laws of life. 693 00:32:00,325 --> 00:32:01,755 He knows what he's doing. 694 00:32:01,865 --> 00:32:03,775 So what does that mean for you and me? 695 00:32:03,805 --> 00:32:06,865 It means that we need to make sure that the Word must be 696 00:32:06,865 --> 00:32:08,455 our standard for our lives. 697 00:32:09,165 --> 00:32:12,484 We need to measure everything by God's Word. 698 00:32:13,075 --> 00:32:17,284 We need to make sure, hey, how does this work when it comes to my relationship? 699 00:32:17,335 --> 00:32:18,945 What does God's Word say? 700 00:32:20,095 --> 00:32:24,375 When it comes to my dating, my romantic interest, what does God's Word say? 701 00:32:25,295 --> 00:32:27,935 When I parent my kids, let me measure it. 702 00:32:28,005 --> 00:32:34,044 Let me use God's word to guide me the way I treat my parents, the 703 00:32:34,044 --> 00:32:39,155 way I treat my kids, the way I share my faith, the way I live. 704 00:32:39,195 --> 00:32:45,715 It has to be based on what God's word, if it's based on anything else, 705 00:32:45,725 --> 00:32:49,365 brothers and sisters, we're a mess and we're in trouble, but wait, we can, 706 00:32:49,385 --> 00:32:52,524 we know that because all we have to do is think back either to our lives. 707 00:32:52,795 --> 00:32:56,095 Before or our lives when we're not doing well spiritually, or we just look 708 00:32:56,095 --> 00:33:01,585 at society today and we can see what it's like when we use anything else 709 00:33:01,885 --> 00:33:03,655 than the measurement of God's word. 710 00:33:04,525 --> 00:33:05,485 Let's go ahead and thank you these brothers. 711 00:33:05,485 --> 00:33:06,235 Thank you so much. 712 00:33:06,445 --> 00:33:07,735 Appreciate you being on here. 713 00:33:11,695 --> 00:33:14,635 Here's the thing, brothers, sisters, whether it's big decisions or small 714 00:33:14,635 --> 00:33:20,275 decisions, they need to be based on the word of God or world views. 715 00:33:21,320 --> 00:33:26,110 Need to be based on the principles laid out in God's Word. 716 00:33:26,580 --> 00:33:28,140 What I watch on TV. 717 00:33:28,160 --> 00:33:29,470 What I wear. 718 00:33:29,630 --> 00:33:31,150 How I speak. 719 00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:34,970 What jokes I share and laugh at. 720 00:33:35,580 --> 00:33:37,419 What I spend my time doing. 721 00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:41,950 Does this align with the truth revealed in God's Word? 722 00:33:43,995 --> 00:33:49,345 What are the principles in God's word that direct our views, decisions, and actions? 723 00:33:49,345 --> 00:33:52,365 Because we can say, well, that's not clearly in the Bible, but 724 00:33:52,365 --> 00:33:53,774 there's biblical principles. 725 00:33:54,985 --> 00:33:58,375 And when we don't know or we don't understand, guess what we do? 726 00:33:58,434 --> 00:34:05,104 We utilize the church to help us to see and discern and decipher and 727 00:34:05,104 --> 00:34:07,935 distinguish what are godly decisions. 728 00:34:08,675 --> 00:34:11,444 And that's called seeking godly advice. 729 00:34:12,665 --> 00:34:18,324 And so our dedication to the word must be our hallmark. 730 00:34:19,405 --> 00:34:21,635 I remember a time in our church, real quickly, I remember a time 731 00:34:21,635 --> 00:34:24,545 in our church when it was clear the word of God was our standard. 732 00:34:25,750 --> 00:34:26,610 I mean, it was clear. 733 00:34:27,040 --> 00:34:30,989 I remember being so inspired when I came out to church in Washington, D. 734 00:34:30,989 --> 00:34:32,230 C., our church in Washington, D. 735 00:34:32,230 --> 00:34:32,440 C. 736 00:34:32,560 --> 00:34:37,429 And I saw every, just what I remember, I'm sure it wasn't 100%, but every member I 737 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:41,458 saw had, and this is old school days, they had their physical Bible and they had a 738 00:34:41,460 --> 00:34:43,369 pen and paper and they were taking notes. 739 00:34:44,020 --> 00:34:46,889 Because they wanted to know and they wanted to take the word back 740 00:34:46,889 --> 00:34:50,728 home to their life and study it out so that they can apply it. 741 00:34:50,730 --> 00:34:52,850 And we would talk to each other, what are you learning 742 00:34:52,860 --> 00:34:54,100 in your Bible study right now? 743 00:34:54,264 --> 00:34:58,825 Now, and when we would counsel and encourage and sometimes even challenge 744 00:34:58,825 --> 00:35:05,435 one another, we opened up the word of God and we let that be the standard, 745 00:35:05,715 --> 00:35:07,975 not our feelings and not our opinions. 746 00:35:08,825 --> 00:35:11,744 And I remember that day and I remember that and I was so 747 00:35:11,744 --> 00:35:16,015 inspired by that and even recently I've been, I've been convicted. 748 00:35:16,015 --> 00:35:19,075 I think it was like Wednesday or Thursday, the Holy Spirit, I felt just convicted 749 00:35:19,075 --> 00:35:22,635 me cause I, I, it hit me as I was praying and I was thinking, you know what, wow, 750 00:35:22,675 --> 00:35:26,725 I don't I'm not using the word of God in my interactions the way I used to. 751 00:35:28,615 --> 00:35:31,495 There used to be a lot more in my text messages and my talk. 752 00:35:31,545 --> 00:35:35,444 In fact, uh, part of me, I realized, felt a little insecure sharing the word of God 753 00:35:35,444 --> 00:35:38,734 because I thought, oh, people, they're gonna, they're gonna be offended by this. 754 00:35:40,224 --> 00:35:41,655 Oh, what in the world? 755 00:35:42,325 --> 00:35:44,735 That's, that's an indictment on me. 756 00:35:45,905 --> 00:35:47,535 That I'm, I'm having this view. 757 00:35:48,985 --> 00:35:50,595 And I'm realizing, wow, you know what? 758 00:35:51,475 --> 00:35:52,465 I'm not sharing. 759 00:35:52,605 --> 00:35:55,485 I'm referencing scriptures as opposed to just looking at the scriptures. 760 00:35:56,165 --> 00:35:59,005 Hey, bro, you know, it says here as opposed to let's 761 00:35:59,005 --> 00:36:00,375 just open up the scriptures. 762 00:36:00,624 --> 00:36:02,125 Let's open up the app on our phone. 763 00:36:02,585 --> 00:36:05,975 Let's look at it so that the word of God may minister to you and 764 00:36:05,975 --> 00:36:08,345 not Marcel Hall minister to you. 765 00:36:09,385 --> 00:36:10,334 And so I made a decision. 766 00:36:10,334 --> 00:36:11,865 I'm repenting of it. 767 00:36:12,635 --> 00:36:18,805 And I want to call the whole church back to where we are a people of the word. 768 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:21,520 Where it's our hallmark. 769 00:36:21,520 --> 00:36:22,850 It's our standard. 770 00:36:23,290 --> 00:36:24,310 It's who we are. 771 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:25,900 Anybody would have walked in those doors. 772 00:36:25,910 --> 00:36:27,080 They say, you know what? 773 00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:29,640 I don't know a lot about those people, but there's a couple things. 774 00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:32,200 I know they love and they love God's Word. 775 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:36,719 They treated me with love and they obey God's Word. 776 00:36:39,159 --> 00:36:41,599 If anybody's gonna say anything negative, man, they're fanatics. 777 00:36:41,599 --> 00:36:42,249 They're crazy. 778 00:36:42,399 --> 00:36:42,889 Hallelujah. 779 00:36:43,039 --> 00:36:43,739 But you know what? 780 00:36:43,739 --> 00:36:45,489 They love and they love God's Word. 781 00:36:46,389 --> 00:36:47,539 That should be us. 782 00:36:48,025 --> 00:36:48,455 Why? 783 00:36:48,465 --> 00:36:54,955 Because we are God's people, and as God's people, we should be people of God's Word. 784 00:36:56,155 --> 00:37:00,825 It is and must remain always to the day Jesus returns. 785 00:37:01,005 --> 00:37:03,115 It's the standard for our lives. 786 00:37:05,095 --> 00:37:07,185 Again, we will see the fruit of it. 787 00:37:08,585 --> 00:37:11,465 But it's our beloved Lord's Word. 788 00:37:11,485 --> 00:37:12,835 Church, are you still with me here? 789 00:37:14,084 --> 00:37:15,515 And may we see the blessings. 790 00:37:16,115 --> 00:37:18,555 And the rewards from living by his word. 791 00:37:18,555 --> 00:37:19,945 Let's close it out here. 792 00:37:20,065 --> 00:37:21,875 I want to give some action steps here, alright? 793 00:37:22,095 --> 00:37:23,805 Some action steps here this week. 794 00:37:23,975 --> 00:37:24,414 Go ahead. 795 00:37:24,425 --> 00:37:27,515 Now if you're visiting here with us, whether you're online or you're in 796 00:37:27,515 --> 00:37:29,415 person, uh, thank you for coming. 797 00:37:29,534 --> 00:37:30,575 I want to encourage you this. 798 00:37:30,584 --> 00:37:31,554 This applies to you. 799 00:37:31,715 --> 00:37:33,535 To go ahead and study God's word. 800 00:37:33,915 --> 00:37:37,445 And what I mean by this is to set up a time to, uh, uh, get 801 00:37:37,445 --> 00:37:38,615 together and study the Bible. 802 00:37:38,645 --> 00:37:43,545 Every single one of us, we need help to understand how we apply God's word. 803 00:37:43,770 --> 00:37:47,000 So I want to encourage you to apply God's Word by studying 804 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:48,910 God's Word with someone this week. 805 00:37:49,060 --> 00:37:51,000 Next up, uh, to reflect. 806 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:55,490 To reflect on your current view and your current obedience to God's Word. 807 00:37:55,850 --> 00:37:57,190 Just get a time to reflect. 808 00:37:57,489 --> 00:38:00,080 Maybe this afternoon, it'd be great tomorrow morning to 809 00:38:00,089 --> 00:38:02,110 start the week off reflecting. 810 00:38:02,359 --> 00:38:04,350 What's my view of God's Word? 811 00:38:06,980 --> 00:38:08,960 What's my current obedience like to God? 812 00:38:10,300 --> 00:38:14,200 And the Spirit will minister to you and give you direction and insights. 813 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:16,180 And then lastly, to pray. 814 00:38:16,590 --> 00:38:19,380 And first off, to pray thanking God for His Word. 815 00:38:19,419 --> 00:38:23,740 Thank you so much for all that it is and all that you do through your Word. 816 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:29,179 And then also pray that we as a church, that we may live by God's Word. 817 00:38:29,579 --> 00:38:31,029 We don't talk about God's Word. 818 00:38:31,039 --> 00:38:32,379 We don't just preach God's Word. 819 00:38:32,569 --> 00:38:34,999 But we live by God's Word. 820 00:38:35,549 --> 00:38:36,940 Right now we're going to take communion. 821 00:38:36,940 --> 00:38:37,240 Amen. 822 00:38:37,260 --> 00:38:42,010 The, uh, the emblems, the juice and the crackers representing Jesus's body 823 00:38:42,340 --> 00:38:46,219 that was broken and his blood that was shed for our salvation and we're 824 00:38:46,220 --> 00:38:52,950 reminded that Jesus is the embodiment and fulfillment of the Word of God. 825 00:38:53,420 --> 00:38:58,000 In John chapter 1 and verse 14, it says, speaking about Jesus, 826 00:38:58,070 --> 00:39:03,959 it says, the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 827 00:39:03,960 --> 00:39:06,720 We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only son. 828 00:39:07,260 --> 00:39:11,220 Who came from the father full of grace and truth. 829 00:39:11,880 --> 00:39:16,530 Again, Jesus is the fulfillment and the embodiment of God's word. 830 00:39:17,130 --> 00:39:21,630 He shows us how to live, what it looks like to apply it, and so as 831 00:39:21,630 --> 00:39:26,190 we thank God for his word, we're thanking God for his son Jesus. 832 00:39:26,190 --> 00:39:27,720 Let's go to God in prayer. 833 00:39:27,720 --> 00:39:30,060 Father, thank you so much for your word. 834 00:39:30,060 --> 00:39:30,705 Thank you so much. 835 00:39:32,145 --> 00:39:35,075 Thank you for his, uh, spoken word that is recorded. 836 00:39:35,075 --> 00:39:38,785 Thank you so much that he reveals your truth to us. 837 00:39:38,795 --> 00:39:41,984 Thank you so much for the scriptures testifying and 838 00:39:41,984 --> 00:39:46,704 prophesying about his coming, his resurrection, and his sacrifice. 839 00:39:47,055 --> 00:39:49,434 Lord, we thank you for fulfilling that. 840 00:39:49,435 --> 00:39:53,425 Thank you so much for, uh, uh, uh, uh, fulfilling every part of the 841 00:39:53,425 --> 00:39:57,935 old covenant and issuing the new covenant through your sacrifice. 842 00:39:58,305 --> 00:40:00,805 Lord, we pray that we can respond with faithfulness. 843 00:40:00,835 --> 00:40:02,395 We can respond with love. 844 00:40:02,605 --> 00:40:07,894 We can respond with gratitude for your son, for your word, and for 845 00:40:07,894 --> 00:40:09,434 this grace that you have given us. 846 00:40:09,434 --> 00:40:11,885 We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.