1 00:00:00,940 --> 00:00:02,330 Marcel: and Happy New Year. 2 00:00:02,550 --> 00:00:06,345 My name is Marcel Hall and, uh, it's, uh, One of the ministers here for 3 00:00:06,355 --> 00:00:10,035 the OC Church of Christ, especially, uh, specifically here in the North 4 00:00:10,035 --> 00:00:14,915 OC and, uh, honored to speak and so grateful to have the opportunity 5 00:00:14,915 --> 00:00:16,325 to be part of our church family. 6 00:00:16,335 --> 00:00:18,974 Thank you to all those who are visiting here with us today. 7 00:00:19,215 --> 00:00:20,644 So grateful to have you. 8 00:00:20,644 --> 00:00:25,014 Hopefully you had a good holiday season and break and you're ready to bring in. 9 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:30,190 I want to thank all those who, uh, served last year and are serving 10 00:00:30,190 --> 00:00:35,150 in different roles this year from AV to ushering to our worship team, 11 00:00:35,150 --> 00:00:36,550 welcome team, all that good stuff. 12 00:00:36,789 --> 00:00:37,090 Thank you. 13 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:37,640 Thank you. 14 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:37,949 Thank you. 15 00:00:37,950 --> 00:00:40,050 Thank you so much for your service. 16 00:00:40,050 --> 00:00:41,740 Really appreciate that. 17 00:00:41,990 --> 00:00:43,889 Uh, do you have any goals for the new year? 18 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:46,480 You do. 19 00:00:46,510 --> 00:00:47,220 Some of you do. 20 00:00:47,290 --> 00:00:47,710 Okay. 21 00:00:47,730 --> 00:00:50,040 Some of you like, I don't do that new year's resolution thing. 22 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:50,940 Okay, that's cool. 23 00:00:51,295 --> 00:00:51,805 That's cool. 24 00:00:51,805 --> 00:00:52,305 You know what? 25 00:00:52,305 --> 00:00:56,025 I got up this morning, I was feeling good, and I realized I have to have a new goal. 26 00:00:56,725 --> 00:00:58,144 I gotta lose a couple pounds. 27 00:00:59,404 --> 00:01:01,245 Man, I put on my suit, and I was like, man, this feels 28 00:01:01,245 --> 00:01:02,434 a little tighter this year. 29 00:01:02,434 --> 00:01:03,055 You know what I'm saying? 30 00:01:03,924 --> 00:01:06,394 And I have been doing a couple push ups and some, you know, 31 00:01:06,395 --> 00:01:07,464 some weight lifting, Kevin. 32 00:01:07,834 --> 00:01:10,495 So I feel good about that, but it was around the tummy area 33 00:01:10,645 --> 00:01:11,455 that it was a little tight. 34 00:01:12,005 --> 00:01:15,265 And so I said 2025, well we gonna have to get some, some six pack 35 00:01:15,285 --> 00:01:16,405 back, you know what I'm saying? 36 00:01:16,845 --> 00:01:18,515 And so that is what's going on. 37 00:01:18,935 --> 00:01:22,824 Now those who know me, know that every year I come up with 38 00:01:22,824 --> 00:01:24,504 a slogan for the new year. 39 00:01:25,835 --> 00:01:27,505 And I've been doing this since 2008. 40 00:01:29,485 --> 00:01:32,155 So that was before some of y'all were even born, okay? 41 00:01:32,914 --> 00:01:36,655 And it's really cool because as I've been doing it now, as we get 42 00:01:36,655 --> 00:01:38,565 into it, people give me suggestions. 43 00:01:39,794 --> 00:01:43,264 So I've been getting suggestions this year, like, Hey Marcel, what's the slogan? 44 00:01:43,550 --> 00:01:47,240 What about and so people start giving me suggestions, which I really 45 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:52,369 appreciate and so I do have a new slogan for the year Are you guys ready 46 00:01:52,369 --> 00:01:54,810 for the slogan for the year now again? 47 00:01:54,810 --> 00:01:59,719 This is my personal slogan and sometimes it applies to the church and we use it 48 00:01:59,719 --> 00:02:04,470 as a theme But we do have a church theme we'll talk about next week But this is 49 00:02:04,470 --> 00:02:07,619 a slogan here and Dallas said it could be where's that a Dallas it could be 50 00:02:07,619 --> 00:02:09,729 the North OC slogan So there you go. 51 00:02:09,729 --> 00:02:14,210 We could have it So I do want to Remind us of last year's slogan and last year's 52 00:02:14,210 --> 00:02:19,100 was become more in 24 and we felt like it we did focus in on that becoming 53 00:02:19,100 --> 00:02:23,849 more and I do feel like God has answered that prayer in more ways than one and 54 00:02:23,849 --> 00:02:27,929 so now for 2025, here's what it is. 55 00:02:27,929 --> 00:02:29,728 Can I better get a drum roll, please? 56 00:02:30,569 --> 00:02:31,310 Here we go. 57 00:02:31,935 --> 00:02:32,775 And so here we go. 58 00:02:32,775 --> 00:02:37,805 The slogan for 2025 is Let the Spirit Drive in '25. 59 00:02:39,265 --> 00:02:41,344 Let the Spirit Drive in '25. 60 00:02:41,394 --> 00:02:43,635 Some of y'all are thinking it's going to be thrive in 25. 61 00:02:43,644 --> 00:02:45,224 Sorry, used that in 15. 62 00:02:45,244 --> 00:02:45,825 There you go. 63 00:02:46,024 --> 00:02:47,474 I've been doing this for a long time. 64 00:02:47,474 --> 00:02:49,054 All right, but you'll go ahead. 65 00:02:49,054 --> 00:02:50,334 You can use the hashtag. 66 00:02:50,394 --> 00:02:54,314 Let the Spirit Drive in '25 on your Instagram and Facebook and 67 00:02:54,314 --> 00:02:56,795 Twitter X threads and tick tock. 68 00:02:56,814 --> 00:02:57,434 There you go. 69 00:02:57,704 --> 00:02:59,474 I'm sure I'm missing another one, but there you go. 70 00:02:59,504 --> 00:02:59,885 YouTube. 71 00:02:59,904 --> 00:03:00,295 There you go. 72 00:03:00,629 --> 00:03:01,789 You can go ahead and use that. 73 00:03:01,799 --> 00:03:02,829 It's free of charge. 74 00:03:02,829 --> 00:03:03,209 Okay. 75 00:03:03,209 --> 00:03:03,579 All right. 76 00:03:03,579 --> 00:03:04,569 So go ahead and use that. 77 00:03:04,829 --> 00:03:08,539 But we're gonna actually, this is going to be the sermon title for today. 78 00:03:09,289 --> 00:03:12,289 Let the Spirit Drive in '25. 79 00:03:13,309 --> 00:03:14,629 Let's go to the Father in prayer. 80 00:03:14,629 --> 00:03:18,109 Father, thank you so much for this chance to worship you 81 00:03:18,109 --> 00:03:20,049 with my brothers and sisters. 82 00:03:20,910 --> 00:03:24,220 God, we're so grateful that you are a God that we can worship. 83 00:03:24,220 --> 00:03:27,070 You're a God who calls us into relationship. 84 00:03:27,420 --> 00:03:30,010 And not only with you, but you call us into a relationship 85 00:03:30,010 --> 00:03:32,060 with the rest of your children. 86 00:03:32,380 --> 00:03:35,920 And God, we get a chance on Sundays and Wednesdays and every time we 87 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:40,728 meet in our small groups, God, to encourage and strengthen one another. 88 00:03:41,310 --> 00:03:44,840 And Father, we're grateful right now for your word as we're able to dive 89 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,880 into your word and be inspired and be led, be instructed into who you are, 90 00:03:50,059 --> 00:03:54,719 who we are in Christ, and also your direction and will for our lives. 91 00:03:55,020 --> 00:04:00,289 I thank you, Father, for your Holy Spirit that dwells in every true believer. 92 00:04:00,599 --> 00:04:03,380 God who directs and guides our very steps. 93 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:05,790 It's in the name of Jesus that we pray. 94 00:04:06,020 --> 00:04:06,430 Amen. 95 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:07,050 Amen. 96 00:04:08,704 --> 00:04:13,415 We're talking about driving in 25, or let the Spirit drive in 25. 97 00:04:13,924 --> 00:04:18,164 And, uh, one of the many blessings that we have for those of us who 98 00:04:18,164 --> 00:04:22,825 are in Christ Jesus, meaning we are a disciple of Jesus Christ. 99 00:04:23,094 --> 00:04:27,875 One of the many blessings, we get a chance to receive God's indwelling 100 00:04:28,044 --> 00:04:30,724 via His Holy Spirit in our lives. 101 00:04:31,390 --> 00:04:34,890 And so if we're going to be talking about letting the spirit drive in 25, 102 00:04:34,950 --> 00:04:38,480 we're going to look at some text here to, to understand what that means and how 103 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:42,820 we can live this out in our lives, not only for this week, but going forward. 104 00:04:42,820 --> 00:04:45,650 And so as we talk about letting the spirit drive in 25, I want to 105 00:04:45,730 --> 00:04:49,960 do a quick little example of what that might look like in our lives. 106 00:04:49,980 --> 00:04:50,450 Okay. 107 00:04:50,450 --> 00:04:51,580 Are you guys with me here? 108 00:04:51,970 --> 00:04:56,740 And so for Christmas, my, uh, my family gives my kids a lot of gifts. 109 00:04:57,030 --> 00:04:59,489 We don't really give too many gifts to our kids. 110 00:04:59,490 --> 00:05:00,100 Sorry. 111 00:05:00,515 --> 00:05:02,995 But they get a lot of family members who get gifts. 112 00:05:03,295 --> 00:05:07,455 And my son, he got this, um, this, uh, remote control car. 113 00:05:08,595 --> 00:05:09,715 And it's really cool. 114 00:05:10,115 --> 00:05:11,995 The problem is, he'll use it for about two days. 115 00:05:13,325 --> 00:05:14,725 And we won't ever see this thing again. 116 00:05:14,735 --> 00:05:15,444 You know what I'm saying? 117 00:05:15,754 --> 00:05:19,105 He got about 25 of, uh, uh, uh, remote control cars. 118 00:05:19,615 --> 00:05:22,145 How many does he play with beyond three days? 119 00:05:22,195 --> 00:05:22,585 None. 120 00:05:22,665 --> 00:05:23,725 Okay, you know what I'm saying? 121 00:05:23,725 --> 00:05:25,105 And so I don't even know where the rest of them are. 122 00:05:25,665 --> 00:05:31,230 But many times in our life, we can be like We could be like this car. 123 00:05:32,170 --> 00:05:36,360 And so what happens is we are living our lives and here 124 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:37,820 we're going and we're moving. 125 00:05:37,830 --> 00:05:40,679 Let's make sure this is Okay, here we go. 126 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:42,070 We're going along and 127 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:46,300 We're going. 128 00:05:47,670 --> 00:05:50,840 We're moving along and sometimes we pick up a little speed and we're driving 129 00:05:50,849 --> 00:05:53,849 around and we almost fall off the ledge. 130 00:05:55,465 --> 00:05:56,185 There you go. 131 00:05:58,385 --> 00:06:00,984 But we're moving along, and this is our life, and then sometimes 132 00:06:00,984 --> 00:06:04,384 we go out of control, and we bump into things, we crash. 133 00:06:05,395 --> 00:06:09,374 And this is our life, and yes, we're moving along, and yes, there's some, 134 00:06:09,734 --> 00:06:14,504 maybe some thrills in this, but it's not really living up to what it should be. 135 00:06:15,844 --> 00:06:19,414 Until we go ahead, and we get the remote control. 136 00:06:20,374 --> 00:06:21,574 And we get some power. 137 00:06:22,064 --> 00:06:23,674 And we get a chance to get to moving. 138 00:06:23,674 --> 00:06:24,874 Oh, watch out here now. 139 00:06:25,215 --> 00:06:26,594 Here's my son if I mess up. 140 00:06:27,304 --> 00:06:28,715 I didn't tell him I was using it either. 141 00:06:28,794 --> 00:06:29,054 Okay. 142 00:06:31,054 --> 00:06:34,484 But if we go ahead and we get a chance to have the, the, the. 143 00:06:35,134 --> 00:06:36,244 See that's me driving. 144 00:06:37,094 --> 00:06:37,825 There you go. 145 00:06:38,314 --> 00:06:39,864 But you see we got a little more engine. 146 00:06:39,864 --> 00:06:40,864 We got a little more power. 147 00:06:40,864 --> 00:06:42,574 We're going somewhere. 148 00:06:42,704 --> 00:06:44,183 And here's what's really cool about this one. 149 00:06:44,183 --> 00:06:44,905 Check this out man. 150 00:06:44,905 --> 00:06:45,704 This is kind of cool. 151 00:06:45,905 --> 00:06:46,584 It goes up. 152 00:06:46,594 --> 00:06:47,804 Did y'all see that right there? 153 00:06:50,125 --> 00:06:52,775 When we got the roll control, we realized we can do some things that 154 00:06:52,775 --> 00:06:54,784 we weren't able to do by ourselves. 155 00:06:56,034 --> 00:06:58,435 But then there's some times when we try to go ahead and look at that. 156 00:06:58,645 --> 00:07:00,174 We try to do both. 157 00:07:00,664 --> 00:07:05,784 And when we try to drive, instead of letting the Spirit drive us, because 158 00:07:05,785 --> 00:07:09,295 when we have the Spirit that drives us, we're able to move and become who we are. 159 00:07:09,505 --> 00:07:14,495 And we're able to do some things that we were unaware we were capable of doing. 160 00:07:15,050 --> 00:07:18,420 But sometimes we try to mix it up and we say, I'm gonna let the Spirit drive, 161 00:07:18,590 --> 00:07:24,190 and I'm gonna also drive as well, and we're just gonna be a hot mess. 162 00:07:25,570 --> 00:07:27,070 And it doesn't work. 163 00:07:28,060 --> 00:07:34,030 And so as we can see, our lives, yes, we can move, we can go forward. 164 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:38,940 But it's not the life that it's intended to be until we 165 00:07:38,940 --> 00:07:41,034 have the Holy Spirit drive us. 166 00:07:41,905 --> 00:07:45,195 Until we're able to do things we weren't even sure we were capable 167 00:07:45,195 --> 00:07:51,715 of doing, but we are guided to live out our intended design. 168 00:07:52,565 --> 00:07:55,765 And so we're going to look over in Galatians chapter 5 and we're going 169 00:07:55,765 --> 00:08:00,124 to see some more about this idea of letting the Spirit drive in 25. 170 00:08:00,135 --> 00:08:01,484 Church, are you with me here? 171 00:08:02,115 --> 00:08:03,865 Let's go ahead and let's get into it. 172 00:08:04,415 --> 00:08:10,115 First things first is when we understand here we are led by and live by the Spirit. 173 00:08:10,125 --> 00:08:11,584 That's really what it means. 174 00:08:12,465 --> 00:08:20,175 To have the Spirit drive us, is that we're led by, and we live by, the Spirit of God. 175 00:08:20,175 --> 00:08:24,965 In Galatians chapter 5, in verse 13, this the, uh, a letter 176 00:08:24,965 --> 00:08:27,125 written to the region of Galatia. 177 00:08:27,565 --> 00:08:30,845 And so the region of Galatia had several cities and several churches and 178 00:08:30,845 --> 00:08:32,715 the Apostle Paul writes this letter. 179 00:08:32,955 --> 00:08:37,495 The Apostle Paul is a Christian missionary and leader in the first century church. 180 00:08:37,875 --> 00:08:41,905 And he writes this letter because there's some false teachings, some false doctrine 181 00:08:41,914 --> 00:08:46,935 that's starting to seep into the Christian church there, into the community. 182 00:08:46,974 --> 00:08:48,255 And so he's correcting it. 183 00:08:48,770 --> 00:08:51,640 And so we're going to take it up in the middle here, or really toward 184 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:53,420 the end of the letter, alright? 185 00:08:53,420 --> 00:08:55,270 You can read the first part up into it. 186 00:08:55,530 --> 00:09:00,210 But he's going to start turning now to how we're free from these, uh, old, 187 00:09:00,479 --> 00:09:05,390 uh, um, regard to the Mosaic Law, and some of the laws in the Old Testament, 188 00:09:05,390 --> 00:09:07,540 and how we now have freedom in Christ. 189 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:11,270 And how because of that freedom in Christ, we can live by the Holy Spirit. 190 00:09:11,450 --> 00:09:14,740 So we take it up in Galatians chapter 5, in verse 13. 191 00:09:14,740 --> 00:09:21,925 It says, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free, but do not 192 00:09:21,925 --> 00:09:24,384 use your freedom to indulge the flesh. 193 00:09:24,745 --> 00:09:28,234 Rather, serve one another humbly in love. 194 00:09:28,555 --> 00:09:32,624 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command. 195 00:09:32,634 --> 00:09:34,794 Love your neighbor as yourself. 196 00:09:35,004 --> 00:09:38,394 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will 197 00:09:38,484 --> 00:09:39,874 be destroyed by each other. 198 00:09:39,874 --> 00:09:41,134 Isn't that real right there? 199 00:09:42,005 --> 00:09:43,994 That's real in your family, in the church, wherever. 200 00:09:43,994 --> 00:09:46,314 If you bite and devour each other, you're gonna destroy. 201 00:09:47,790 --> 00:09:50,290 But here's where it turns to our topic. 202 00:09:50,709 --> 00:09:55,099 It says, so I say, walk by the Spirit. 203 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:58,500 And you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 204 00:09:58,750 --> 00:10:01,449 Flesh meaning our sinful nature. 205 00:10:01,740 --> 00:10:04,150 Our desire for what's against God. 206 00:10:04,770 --> 00:10:07,910 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit. 207 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,950 And the spirit, what is contrary to the flesh. 208 00:10:11,460 --> 00:10:13,710 They are in conflict with each other. 209 00:10:13,860 --> 00:10:16,110 So that you are not to do whatever you want. 210 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:21,210 But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 211 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:23,880 The acts of the flesh are obvious. 212 00:10:23,890 --> 00:10:26,650 Sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery. 213 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:28,530 Idolatry and witchcraft. 214 00:10:28,854 --> 00:10:33,405 Hatred, Discord, Jealousy, Fits of Rage, Selfish Ambition, 215 00:10:33,604 --> 00:10:38,344 Dissensions, Factions and Envy, Drunkenness, Orgies, and the like. 216 00:10:38,425 --> 00:10:39,785 I love that, and the like. 217 00:10:39,974 --> 00:10:42,735 Just in case you thought something wasn't listed, and the like. 218 00:10:43,935 --> 00:10:46,685 I warn you, as I did before. 219 00:10:46,685 --> 00:10:49,865 So as, when he was in person, he had talked to them about this. 220 00:10:50,084 --> 00:10:54,165 And he says, I warn you as I did before that those who live like this, This 221 00:10:54,565 --> 00:10:56,685 will not inherit the kingdom of God. 222 00:10:57,465 --> 00:11:01,635 But the fruit of the spirit, the result, the what's produced when 223 00:11:01,635 --> 00:11:05,845 you walk and live and have the spirit of God in your life is this. 224 00:11:05,895 --> 00:11:11,604 It's love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 225 00:11:11,874 --> 00:11:14,405 gentleness, and self control. 226 00:11:15,025 --> 00:11:16,954 Against such things there is no law. 227 00:11:17,385 --> 00:11:20,555 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 228 00:11:20,785 --> 00:11:22,745 with its passions and desires. 229 00:11:23,170 --> 00:11:28,319 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 230 00:11:28,319 --> 00:11:30,200 We'll stop right there. 231 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,449 What does it mean to let the Spirit drive? 232 00:11:34,500 --> 00:11:40,260 Again, it means to be led by the Spirit and to live by the Spirit. 233 00:11:41,110 --> 00:11:45,040 As we see here in the text here, when we let the Spirit lead, that means 234 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,714 you will have a God centered life. 235 00:11:49,835 --> 00:11:54,105 You are God reliant and not self reliant. 236 00:11:55,055 --> 00:12:02,734 Trusting in God and trusting in His will and His commands for your life. 237 00:12:03,625 --> 00:12:07,175 It means living by the Spirit of God. 238 00:12:07,484 --> 00:12:10,855 Living a godly and spiritual life. 239 00:12:10,855 --> 00:12:15,365 Not a natural, humanistic lifestyle. 240 00:12:15,915 --> 00:12:19,874 But obeying the Spirit of God's leadership and direction. 241 00:12:20,990 --> 00:12:24,880 And so when we are spirit driven, again it means we are led by the 242 00:12:24,900 --> 00:12:27,840 spirit and we live by the spirit. 243 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:32,460 The problem I have sometimes is that I can be led by my 244 00:12:32,510 --> 00:12:35,990 emotions and live by my opinions. 245 00:12:37,590 --> 00:12:38,780 Can anybody relate to that? 246 00:12:39,690 --> 00:12:44,240 Um, my emotions get me and so they lead me to wherever and therefore I 247 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:48,820 make mistakes and I go and I crash into things like we saw earlier. 248 00:12:49,780 --> 00:12:55,340 Or I live based on what I believe is the right thing to do. 249 00:12:56,049 --> 00:12:57,914 And so it's based off of not the science. 250 00:12:58,055 --> 00:13:00,135 Spirit's direction and guidance. 251 00:13:00,285 --> 00:13:06,055 But what I think and what I perceive to be right and oftentimes that 252 00:13:06,055 --> 00:13:10,364 leads me to either getting close to falling off the edge or falling off. 253 00:13:12,180 --> 00:13:16,710 And therefore, causing a train wreck in my lives and affecting others. 254 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:19,040 Can anyone relate to that? 255 00:13:20,589 --> 00:13:25,319 You see, but what can happen if we live by the Spirit's leadership? 256 00:13:26,259 --> 00:13:29,150 What if the Spirit were to drive our lives? 257 00:13:29,209 --> 00:13:31,360 What can happen in our lives? 258 00:13:31,380 --> 00:13:33,750 Let's go ahead and let's go over this text again. 259 00:13:34,010 --> 00:13:38,204 So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of others. 260 00:13:41,275 --> 00:13:45,685 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 261 00:13:46,314 --> 00:13:50,574 You see, it says here that when we follow the Spirit, we actually live 262 00:13:50,574 --> 00:13:52,765 out God's purposes for our lives. 263 00:13:53,064 --> 00:13:57,425 We actually live the way we were destined and designed to live. 264 00:13:58,065 --> 00:14:01,255 Because the Spirit is driving and guiding and leading us. 265 00:14:01,435 --> 00:14:04,015 And He's always going to lead us to God's will. 266 00:14:04,945 --> 00:14:08,685 We're never going to veer out of God's will when we follow the Spirit of God. 267 00:14:08,734 --> 00:14:09,445 Are you with me there? 268 00:14:10,940 --> 00:14:16,939 And so we gratify God's desires and we therefore live a godly life as opposed 269 00:14:16,939 --> 00:14:22,850 to gratifying our sinful desires would lead to maybe immediate gratification but 270 00:14:22,860 --> 00:14:29,839 long term not only distraction but also sometimes drastic uh, uh, uh, disaster 271 00:14:31,429 --> 00:14:36,830 leading us away from who we really desire to be deep in our very souls. 272 00:14:37,540 --> 00:14:42,300 But when we follow God we actually gratify the godly desires that are in us. 273 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:47,870 And then we're free from being judged by the law, but we now have a freedom 274 00:14:47,870 --> 00:14:50,880 to follow God by faith through grace. 275 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:55,479 See, we don't have to worry about the do's and the do nots, because the Spirit 276 00:14:55,479 --> 00:14:58,240 is leading us to do the right thing. 277 00:14:59,260 --> 00:15:02,080 Because we are saved by grace through faith. 278 00:15:03,190 --> 00:15:05,190 And then it says here, the fruit of the Spirit. 279 00:15:06,095 --> 00:15:11,375 Meaning God's character and God's activity produces this in our lives. 280 00:15:11,445 --> 00:15:15,275 Love, joy, peace, forbearance, patience is another word. 281 00:15:15,785 --> 00:15:18,675 Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. 282 00:15:18,685 --> 00:15:21,304 Who doesn't want that in their lives? 283 00:15:22,385 --> 00:15:23,414 We all want that. 284 00:15:24,594 --> 00:15:27,275 I'm looking at that going, I need some self control with my eating 285 00:15:27,395 --> 00:15:30,084 for the next month to get this soup back to where it needs to be. 286 00:15:31,795 --> 00:15:33,895 But this is what God produces. 287 00:15:33,895 --> 00:15:37,655 Now we have to, we know, we have to work in conjunction with God. 288 00:15:38,815 --> 00:15:40,665 He just doesn't do it all, we do nothing. 289 00:15:40,665 --> 00:15:44,175 We're called to join him in this transformational work. 290 00:15:44,585 --> 00:15:47,525 But God produces these things in our lives. 291 00:15:48,349 --> 00:15:53,569 If and when we follow the Spirit's lead, and He guides us 292 00:15:53,579 --> 00:15:58,039 to His will, and He blesses our faithfulness with ultimate victory. 293 00:15:58,039 --> 00:15:59,909 I want to read a couple passages real quick. 294 00:15:59,909 --> 00:16:02,960 We're going to come back to Galatians 5, but I want to read some classic 295 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:06,989 passages in the Old Testament, which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, 296 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:13,270 that help us see the blessings we have that are available for you and for me. 297 00:16:13,510 --> 00:16:15,970 When we let the Spirit drive our lives. 298 00:16:15,970 --> 00:16:19,370 Over in Proverbs chapter 3 and verse 5 it says, Trust in 299 00:16:19,370 --> 00:16:21,150 the Lord with all your heart. 300 00:16:21,349 --> 00:16:23,170 Why didn't it say with just some of your heart? 301 00:16:24,490 --> 00:16:27,030 Boy, I wish it would have just said trust in the Lord with some of your heart. 302 00:16:27,590 --> 00:16:29,020 Because I can accomplish that every day. 303 00:16:30,170 --> 00:16:33,350 But it says, trust in the Lord with all your heart. 304 00:16:33,790 --> 00:16:36,220 And lean not on your own understanding. 305 00:16:36,660 --> 00:16:38,630 In all your ways submit to Him. 306 00:16:38,650 --> 00:16:40,380 He will make your path clear. 307 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:46,150 When we submit to the Spirit's lead in our lives, the Spirit 308 00:16:46,190 --> 00:16:48,460 guides us to straight paths. 309 00:16:48,460 --> 00:16:51,800 He guides us to God's will and to blessings. 310 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:54,400 Have you ever tried to guide yourself, though? 311 00:16:55,610 --> 00:16:57,240 How does that turn out, usually? 312 00:16:59,309 --> 00:17:00,689 Doesn't turn out well, does it? 313 00:17:01,230 --> 00:17:04,470 When we lean on our own understanding and think that we 314 00:17:04,470 --> 00:17:06,920 have it, where does that lead to? 315 00:17:07,750 --> 00:17:10,720 Usually, probably friction, even especially in our relationships. 316 00:17:11,574 --> 00:17:16,165 We make poor choices and poor decisions which have consequences 317 00:17:16,335 --> 00:17:17,484 which we regret often. 318 00:17:18,334 --> 00:17:20,115 Let's go on over to Psalm 23. 319 00:17:20,115 --> 00:17:21,534 Church, are you still with me here? 320 00:17:22,545 --> 00:17:23,483 I love this passage. 321 00:17:23,483 --> 00:17:24,513 It's a classic psalm. 322 00:17:24,513 --> 00:17:26,345 It says, The Lord is my shepherd. 323 00:17:26,405 --> 00:17:27,115 I lack nothing. 324 00:17:27,530 --> 00:17:28,109 Nothing. 325 00:17:28,450 --> 00:17:30,580 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 326 00:17:30,580 --> 00:17:32,340 He leaves me beside quiet waters. 327 00:17:32,410 --> 00:17:34,470 He refreshes my soul. 328 00:17:34,780 --> 00:17:37,720 He guides me along the right paths for his namesake. 329 00:17:38,020 --> 00:17:40,739 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 330 00:17:40,739 --> 00:17:42,820 Sorry, that's the, that's the Coolio in me. 331 00:17:44,529 --> 00:17:45,559 Gangster's Paradise. 332 00:17:45,559 --> 00:17:46,480 Y'all know what I'm talking about. 333 00:17:47,250 --> 00:17:48,770 That was a 1984 edition. 334 00:17:48,770 --> 00:17:50,040 There's some other translations. 335 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:51,500 I, I should have put that in there. 336 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:52,980 Sorry, but every time, sorry. 337 00:17:53,430 --> 00:17:54,710 Y'all just enter Marcel's world. 338 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:55,819 Sorry, let's get back to the text. 339 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,990 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear 340 00:18:00,050 --> 00:18:03,530 no evil, for you are with me. 341 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,040 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 342 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,570 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 343 00:18:09,780 --> 00:18:14,430 You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. 344 00:18:14,859 --> 00:18:19,490 Surely your goodness and your love will follow me all the days of my life. 345 00:18:19,915 --> 00:18:23,685 And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 346 00:18:24,475 --> 00:18:30,524 We see so many blessings from allowing God to drive, direct, and lead our lives. 347 00:18:30,795 --> 00:18:32,945 It says here we'll have nourishment. 348 00:18:33,295 --> 00:18:34,754 We'll have refreshment. 349 00:18:34,915 --> 00:18:36,174 We'll have peace. 350 00:18:36,175 --> 00:18:37,125 We'll have rest. 351 00:18:37,935 --> 00:18:41,764 We'll also be guided when there's dark times around us. 352 00:18:42,505 --> 00:18:43,905 And here's what's interesting. 353 00:18:43,945 --> 00:18:48,255 Sometimes God's will, sometimes when we follow the spirit of God, there's 354 00:18:48,305 --> 00:18:50,224 actually darkness that surrounds us. 355 00:18:51,965 --> 00:18:55,515 And that's when it's tough to stay following God. 356 00:18:55,705 --> 00:18:57,645 Because we're like, man, there's so much darker. 357 00:18:57,645 --> 00:18:59,085 There's so much hard times. 358 00:18:59,085 --> 00:19:01,444 And I feel like, God, you led me down this path. 359 00:19:01,624 --> 00:19:03,085 So this can't be the right path. 360 00:19:03,265 --> 00:19:07,465 Let me take control and do my thing. 361 00:19:07,755 --> 00:19:10,494 And let me see if I can get myself out of this. 362 00:19:12,635 --> 00:19:13,985 But that's some stinking thinking. 363 00:19:15,125 --> 00:19:19,355 Because sometimes, God's will goes through the middle of darkness. 364 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:21,860 Do the middle of hard times. 365 00:19:21,909 --> 00:19:23,530 Do the middle of scary times. 366 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:26,480 During the middle of times where you are a victim of people's 367 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:29,060 poor choices and sinful behavior. 368 00:19:29,100 --> 00:19:32,569 Sometimes that's in line with what God's will is for your life. 369 00:19:32,709 --> 00:19:34,149 How can that be? 370 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:35,800 But yet, think about the cross. 371 00:19:37,939 --> 00:19:40,090 It was God's will that Christ would suffer. 372 00:19:40,189 --> 00:19:40,589 Why? 373 00:19:40,709 --> 00:19:44,020 So that you and I wouldn't have to suffer and we can have salvation. 374 00:19:44,925 --> 00:19:48,815 So sometimes God will treat us like he does his son and have us be a 375 00:19:48,825 --> 00:19:52,685 victim but this for something good and better on the other side of it. 376 00:19:54,515 --> 00:19:59,845 And this is when we have to let the spirit drive in our lives even when it's scary. 377 00:20:01,165 --> 00:20:07,105 Even when we're hurt, when we have pain, when we are confused. 378 00:20:07,145 --> 00:20:11,495 I don't understand what's going on and God I see, I'm following you but this 379 00:20:11,495 --> 00:20:12,775 doesn't look like it's getting any better. 380 00:20:12,885 --> 00:20:15,055 In fact, it looks like it's getting worse right now. 381 00:20:15,334 --> 00:20:16,315 Have you ever had that? 382 00:20:16,315 --> 00:20:16,385 No. 383 00:20:17,709 --> 00:20:19,249 But God's saying, just keep following me. 384 00:20:20,150 --> 00:20:21,060 Just keep following me. 385 00:20:21,060 --> 00:20:22,020 I'm driving this thing. 386 00:20:22,030 --> 00:20:22,440 Trust me. 387 00:20:22,570 --> 00:20:25,170 It says we're gonna go through the darkest valley. 388 00:20:25,180 --> 00:20:26,440 Did you catch that? 389 00:20:27,190 --> 00:20:29,149 It didn't say you stay in the darkest valley. 390 00:20:29,719 --> 00:20:32,969 It says you go through the darkest valley. 391 00:20:33,860 --> 00:20:35,129 I heard a preacher say it one time. 392 00:20:35,129 --> 00:20:39,689 He says, The best, the safest place you can be is at the center of God's will. 393 00:20:41,389 --> 00:20:42,209 And that stuck out to me. 394 00:20:42,209 --> 00:20:43,310 I go, that's so true. 395 00:20:44,090 --> 00:20:46,680 Because whether there's so many good things going on in my life, 396 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:49,960 or there's hard times, if I'm at the center of God's will, I'm safe. 397 00:20:50,409 --> 00:20:51,310 Because He's present. 398 00:20:51,310 --> 00:20:51,379 That's it. 399 00:20:52,250 --> 00:20:54,500 For your rod and your staff that cover me, you are with me. 400 00:20:54,500 --> 00:20:55,850 I don't have to fear evil. 401 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:57,370 I don't have to fear the outcome. 402 00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:00,040 I don't have to fear people and their judgment of me. 403 00:21:01,530 --> 00:21:04,149 Because you are with me. 404 00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:08,350 And you're taking me through the darkest valley. 405 00:21:08,820 --> 00:21:10,020 And where does it lead to? 406 00:21:10,299 --> 00:21:11,650 Blessing upon blessing. 407 00:21:11,650 --> 00:21:15,870 It says surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. 408 00:21:16,070 --> 00:21:19,860 As God is guiding me, there's goodness and there's mercy and there's love 409 00:21:19,870 --> 00:21:21,989 that I can always see is present. 410 00:21:22,825 --> 00:21:27,055 And was it Lee, to dwelling in the house of the Lord forever 411 00:21:27,895 --> 00:21:30,955 being with God for all eternity. 412 00:21:31,785 --> 00:21:35,685 Again, this is what happens and what's available for you and for me when 413 00:21:35,685 --> 00:21:37,995 we let the spirit drive our lives. 414 00:21:39,430 --> 00:21:42,670 So then my question is, well, how do we let the Spirit drive? 415 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,480 Let's get back to our main text over in Galatians 5. 416 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:47,070 Church, are you still with me here? 417 00:21:48,020 --> 00:21:48,830 Alright, let's get into it. 418 00:21:48,859 --> 00:21:51,559 First thing here is we see we have to submit to God. 419 00:21:52,169 --> 00:21:54,220 If we're going to let the Spirit drive, the first thing we have to 420 00:21:54,220 --> 00:21:55,899 do is we have to submit to God. 421 00:21:55,949 --> 00:21:57,449 Galatians 5, 16 again. 422 00:21:57,619 --> 00:22:01,570 So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 423 00:22:01,810 --> 00:22:04,159 For the flesh desires what is contrary to God. 424 00:22:04,429 --> 00:22:07,719 To the spirit and the spirit what is contrary to the flesh. 425 00:22:07,929 --> 00:22:08,719 They're at odds. 426 00:22:08,749 --> 00:22:10,290 They're in conflict with each other. 427 00:22:10,499 --> 00:22:12,399 So you are not to do whatever you want. 428 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:16,479 But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 429 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:18,610 What is this guided to first things first? 430 00:22:18,610 --> 00:22:25,320 We have to make a decision that we are going to submit our lives to God. 431 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:27,620 We are going to submit. 432 00:22:27,639 --> 00:22:30,180 We are going to surrender and we're going to submit. 433 00:22:30,210 --> 00:22:33,730 I am going to be a God centered person. 434 00:22:35,405 --> 00:22:38,935 I am going to be one who follows Jesus, the Messiah. 435 00:22:39,105 --> 00:22:43,095 I'm going to be one that follows the Spirit's promptings in my life. 436 00:22:43,244 --> 00:22:47,635 If I don't start off with the submission and the decision, I can't get anywhere. 437 00:22:48,825 --> 00:22:52,654 If we don't turn on the, if we don't make a decision, if we 438 00:22:52,655 --> 00:22:56,034 don't turn on that remote, the car doesn't move in the same way. 439 00:22:57,085 --> 00:23:00,325 And so if we take this analogy, we literally have to hand over 440 00:23:00,455 --> 00:23:04,135 the keys of our life over to God and say, Lord, you drive. 441 00:23:05,164 --> 00:23:07,425 Who was it, Carrie Underwood that said, Jesus, take the wheel? 442 00:23:08,705 --> 00:23:12,115 We have to literally say, Jesus, take the wheel of my life and 443 00:23:12,115 --> 00:23:13,835 don't be a backseat driver. 444 00:23:14,815 --> 00:23:15,565 Because that's what we like to do. 445 00:23:15,615 --> 00:23:16,735 Uh, can you please make a left? 446 00:23:16,775 --> 00:23:17,465 Uh, what are you doing? 447 00:23:17,465 --> 00:23:18,044 You're going a little too fast. 448 00:23:18,045 --> 00:23:18,754 Can you slow down? 449 00:23:20,004 --> 00:23:24,355 I believe God be like, man, if you don't shut up back there, let me drive. 450 00:23:25,355 --> 00:23:26,084 My son is six. 451 00:23:26,084 --> 00:23:28,245 He be trying to, he be, he be doing some backseat driving. 452 00:23:28,534 --> 00:23:30,285 I'm like, you've never driven before. 453 00:23:31,494 --> 00:23:33,635 Why are you telling, and he does, he does it to my mom. 454 00:23:33,645 --> 00:23:37,735 My mom's like, boy, if you don't stop, but that's what we be doing to God. 455 00:23:37,735 --> 00:23:39,975 Like, God, if you, can we tell you how to do this? 456 00:23:40,225 --> 00:23:41,955 Do you know I'm the Ancient of Days? 457 00:23:43,265 --> 00:23:45,185 Don't you know I've been doing this for a long time? 458 00:23:45,185 --> 00:23:45,805 I know what I'm doing. 459 00:23:45,935 --> 00:23:47,435 I have a pretty good track record. 460 00:23:48,655 --> 00:23:50,805 And so we have to submit to God. 461 00:23:50,815 --> 00:23:54,184 We have to decide, God, your will over mine. 462 00:23:54,485 --> 00:23:57,124 The same prayer Jesus had in the Gethsemane, in the Garden of 463 00:23:57,124 --> 00:23:59,635 Gethsemane, before he went to the cross. 464 00:23:59,895 --> 00:24:03,425 Not my will, but your will be done. 465 00:24:03,425 --> 00:24:08,745 So we have to make that first initial decision to submit to God. 466 00:24:08,765 --> 00:24:10,395 Second, we have to deal with sin. 467 00:24:11,545 --> 00:24:14,085 We have to deal with sin. 468 00:24:14,095 --> 00:24:15,345 Let's go back over the passage. 469 00:24:15,345 --> 00:24:19,055 It says, the acts of the flesh are obvious and it lists all these things. 470 00:24:19,285 --> 00:24:23,965 Sexual sin, idolatry, that could be any form of, uh, putting 471 00:24:23,995 --> 00:24:25,754 anything above God in our lives. 472 00:24:25,754 --> 00:24:28,414 That could be ourselves, it could be image, it could be fame, it 473 00:24:28,415 --> 00:24:30,334 could be wealth, whatever it is. 474 00:24:30,694 --> 00:24:34,085 Or worshiping things that are not of God. 475 00:24:34,365 --> 00:24:38,805 Hatred, discord, all these different relational issues and sins. 476 00:24:39,245 --> 00:24:43,135 It says, I warn you as I did before, those who live like this will 477 00:24:43,135 --> 00:24:45,105 not inherit the kingdom of God. 478 00:24:45,345 --> 00:24:49,905 Those who belong to Christ, verse 24, have crucified the flesh 479 00:24:50,045 --> 00:24:52,715 with its passions and desires. 480 00:24:53,235 --> 00:24:57,875 You see, we have to address and confront these issues in our life. 481 00:24:59,004 --> 00:25:02,055 We have to address that we can't leave these over in the corner 482 00:25:02,225 --> 00:25:05,655 and think somehow if I leave it in the corner it's going to be okay. 483 00:25:06,465 --> 00:25:08,755 We have to confront the sin in our lives. 484 00:25:10,064 --> 00:25:12,794 We have to look and say, is this in my life? 485 00:25:12,794 --> 00:25:14,215 Because it says, and the like. 486 00:25:16,285 --> 00:25:17,745 So what's like this? 487 00:25:17,795 --> 00:25:18,845 Is it in my life? 488 00:25:18,885 --> 00:25:20,934 Is it, is there anything controlling me? 489 00:25:20,945 --> 00:25:22,004 And then here's the thing. 490 00:25:22,145 --> 00:25:24,925 It's not just the outward sinful acts. 491 00:25:26,185 --> 00:25:27,084 It says to deal with. 492 00:25:27,105 --> 00:25:30,704 It says, crucify the flesh and what? 493 00:25:30,984 --> 00:25:32,475 It's passions and desires. 494 00:25:32,475 --> 00:25:33,784 The inside as well. 495 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:37,790 We have to address and confront what's in our hearts. 496 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:40,430 Because sometimes we can address, Okay, all right, the drinking, the 497 00:25:40,430 --> 00:25:41,770 smoking, the lying, the cheating. 498 00:25:41,980 --> 00:25:43,349 All right, I can do all that. 499 00:25:43,550 --> 00:25:46,120 But the anger and bitterness that's within us, 500 00:25:48,850 --> 00:25:54,769 the resentment that we may have, the lust that is within us, that maybe 501 00:25:54,769 --> 00:25:57,330 doesn't yet come out in action. 502 00:25:57,330 --> 00:25:59,739 It says we have to crucify that. 503 00:25:59,919 --> 00:26:01,939 That means we have to put it to death. 504 00:26:02,189 --> 00:26:03,539 We got to get a sledgehammer. 505 00:26:03,539 --> 00:26:07,679 We got to kill that sin that's within us. 506 00:26:08,235 --> 00:26:09,495 And it's not a one time thing. 507 00:26:09,495 --> 00:26:10,784 This is a lifestyle. 508 00:26:10,794 --> 00:26:13,985 But we have to crucify the sin that's in us. 509 00:26:13,985 --> 00:26:17,504 You know, God can't bless and He can't leave if we have this 510 00:26:17,514 --> 00:26:19,175 sin unchecked in our lives. 511 00:26:19,754 --> 00:26:20,754 He can't do it. 512 00:26:22,575 --> 00:26:27,144 If I want to get closer to God, but yet I have all this sin that I haven't addressed 513 00:26:27,145 --> 00:26:29,304 and confronted, it's not gonna work out. 514 00:26:30,239 --> 00:26:33,400 Because God's gonna lead me, He's gonna say, We gotta deal with this sin, this 515 00:26:33,420 --> 00:26:37,210 baggage, this stuff is weighing you down, so therefore you can't follow me. 516 00:26:39,580 --> 00:26:42,690 And so He's gonna always call us to deal with it. 517 00:26:42,909 --> 00:26:46,159 You say, I wanna serve, I wanna be more used in the ministry. 518 00:26:46,350 --> 00:26:49,700 But if you have issues with people, that's not gonna work out. 519 00:26:51,270 --> 00:26:54,620 So we have to deal with the sin in our lives. 520 00:26:54,620 --> 00:26:57,270 And first we have to acknowledge there may be sin in our lives. 521 00:26:58,745 --> 00:27:02,255 Then, not after we, after we acknowledge it, then you go, Well, you know what? 522 00:27:02,265 --> 00:27:03,835 I need to get real about this. 523 00:27:03,835 --> 00:27:05,215 I need to confess this to God. 524 00:27:05,425 --> 00:27:08,994 Many times I need to pull other people in my life, so I can get help on 525 00:27:08,995 --> 00:27:10,945 how to overcome this sin in my life. 526 00:27:11,145 --> 00:27:13,035 Brothers and sisters, are you with me here? 527 00:27:14,275 --> 00:27:15,534 We have to deal with sin. 528 00:27:15,745 --> 00:27:16,864 And it's the new year. 529 00:27:16,864 --> 00:27:20,915 What a great opportunity we have to start fresh, to start anew. 530 00:27:22,179 --> 00:27:26,530 It's by looking at our sin right now and by dealing with it so that we can 531 00:27:26,530 --> 00:27:33,500 go out and we can be, become, and do all that God wants us to be, become, and do. 532 00:27:34,219 --> 00:27:38,830 And the next thing we need to do is then we need to keep in step with the Spirit. 533 00:27:39,139 --> 00:27:42,499 After we deal with our sin, we have to keep in step. 534 00:27:42,550 --> 00:27:45,539 I love that imagery that comes to mind in this passage. 535 00:27:45,539 --> 00:27:50,264 It says, Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step With the spirit. 536 00:27:50,465 --> 00:27:51,955 It's not a one time thing. 537 00:27:51,955 --> 00:27:56,261 I made a decision on January 5th I need to make a decision on January 6, 538 00:27:56,261 --> 00:28:02,525 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and so forth I need to make a daily decision that me and 539 00:28:02,525 --> 00:28:07,135 the Lord we are going to walk together I'm not gonna jump in front of him. 540 00:28:08,185 --> 00:28:14,565 I'm going to follow his lead in my life So every morning I make a decision I'm 541 00:28:14,565 --> 00:28:18,910 gonna submit to you I'm gonna deal and I'm gonna follow your direction That 542 00:28:18,910 --> 00:28:21,300 means we need to have daily time with God. 543 00:28:21,470 --> 00:28:25,100 Not for legalistic purposes, because we desperately need 544 00:28:25,100 --> 00:28:26,840 God's leadership in our lives. 545 00:28:27,009 --> 00:28:29,930 How can we be led by God if we don't spend time with God? 546 00:28:31,309 --> 00:28:35,150 So we have to spend time with God in His Word and in prayer. 547 00:28:35,710 --> 00:28:38,630 But then we follow the Spirit's lead throughout the day. 548 00:28:39,370 --> 00:28:41,480 You see, when I'm in, I'm in sync with the Spirit. 549 00:28:41,480 --> 00:28:45,409 When I'm, I have a general understanding of God's will for our lives as Christians. 550 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:48,100 I have that, and you have that general understanding. 551 00:28:48,524 --> 00:28:52,985 But what happens is, throughout the day, the Spirit will lead you and open your 552 00:28:52,985 --> 00:28:56,945 eyes to opportunities where He wants to use you and He wants you to do something. 553 00:28:57,604 --> 00:29:02,485 And those promptings, that's when we have to continually follow the Spirit's lead. 554 00:29:03,004 --> 00:29:06,754 I know what I can do, oftentimes, is, there's an opportunity. 555 00:29:07,385 --> 00:29:09,855 And something will say you should go say something. 556 00:29:09,855 --> 00:29:12,925 You know, go call that brother and sister that you've been thinking about. 557 00:29:12,925 --> 00:29:15,044 Or, you know what, share your faith right now. 558 00:29:15,254 --> 00:29:19,945 And I'll say, uh, I'll do it later. 559 00:29:21,254 --> 00:29:24,435 And later turns into, didn't do it at all. 560 00:29:26,014 --> 00:29:26,955 Can any of you relate to that? 561 00:29:28,425 --> 00:29:30,085 And so then I'm like, Oh man, I messed up. 562 00:29:30,085 --> 00:29:31,125 Okay, I'll do it again. 563 00:29:31,205 --> 00:29:33,055 But yet, the Spirit's been prompting me. 564 00:29:33,055 --> 00:29:36,355 But because I decided I'm going to be here and not stay in step 565 00:29:36,355 --> 00:29:40,345 with the Spirit, I lose out on the opportunity to see God working but 566 00:29:40,345 --> 00:29:42,834 also to join God in His good work. 567 00:29:43,494 --> 00:29:46,524 To continue to be a good, a divine agent of good. 568 00:29:47,844 --> 00:29:52,055 And so we have to make daily decisions, again, to spend time with God. 569 00:29:52,185 --> 00:29:55,065 But then we follow the Spirit's prompting throughout the day. 570 00:29:55,065 --> 00:29:55,545 You know what? 571 00:29:55,695 --> 00:29:59,105 Let me, let me, let me encourage that person at work. 572 00:29:59,990 --> 00:30:03,160 You know what, let, let, let me, let me give some help to that student in class. 573 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:04,850 You know what, let me call that sister. 574 00:30:04,850 --> 00:30:06,420 I know she's been going through some things. 575 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:07,670 Let me give her a call. 576 00:30:07,670 --> 00:30:09,100 You know what, so and so, I haven't seen him. 577 00:30:09,290 --> 00:30:10,260 Let me check in on him. 578 00:30:10,390 --> 00:30:13,730 You know, my neighbor, I've never really shared the good news with my neighbor. 579 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:15,220 Let me share the good news. 580 00:30:15,559 --> 00:30:18,060 And God will start to create opportunities. 581 00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:22,210 And you'll start to see more clearly where the Spirit is prompting you. 582 00:30:22,370 --> 00:30:24,830 And then when you step in faith, you will do it. 583 00:30:24,830 --> 00:30:28,839 And you'll see God work, not only in their lives, but in your life. 584 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:34,180 As you stay closer and closer to God, understanding more and more of 585 00:30:34,180 --> 00:30:37,020 who He is, His nature, and His will. 586 00:30:37,450 --> 00:30:41,000 That means also consistently connecting with Spirit filled, 587 00:30:41,260 --> 00:30:43,500 Spirit led disciples of Jesus. 588 00:30:43,969 --> 00:30:47,219 To keep in step with the Spirit, that means we gotta have other people around 589 00:30:47,219 --> 00:30:49,679 us that are Spirit filled and Spirit led. 590 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:50,640 You get what I'm saying? 591 00:30:50,830 --> 00:30:54,070 If I spend all my time, the majority of my time, with people 592 00:30:54,070 --> 00:30:57,969 who aren't Spirit filled and Spirit led, guess what that's gonna do? 593 00:30:57,969 --> 00:30:58,049 Hmm. 594 00:30:58,350 --> 00:31:02,310 I'm not going to be as prone to being spirit led because I'm going to probably 595 00:31:02,320 --> 00:31:06,590 morph into more of their thinking as opposed to the Spirit's thinking. 596 00:31:07,080 --> 00:31:09,370 So are you saying don't ever spend time with non Christians? 597 00:31:09,550 --> 00:31:11,950 No, then you missed every other word before that. 598 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:18,120 I'm saying here is if we're going to stay in step with the Spirit, we have to have 599 00:31:18,190 --> 00:31:24,420 consistent connection with our brothers and sisters who are spirit led as well. 600 00:31:25,380 --> 00:31:26,969 Let's get real practical right here. 601 00:31:27,030 --> 00:31:27,690 Can we do that? 602 00:31:27,710 --> 00:31:29,369 Can we have some action steps this week here? 603 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:31,340 Let's go ahead and let's do this here. 604 00:31:31,360 --> 00:31:32,510 Church, are you still with me? 605 00:31:33,790 --> 00:31:36,710 First up, this week here, write this down, take a picture, do whatever 606 00:31:36,710 --> 00:31:37,900 you need to do here, alright? 607 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:39,419 So you can do this this week here. 608 00:31:39,419 --> 00:31:41,620 I'd encourage you to start tonight or Monday. 609 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:44,239 Don't wait till Tuesday, cause then you won't do it, alright? 610 00:31:44,289 --> 00:31:46,110 Don't wait till the newsletter comes out. 611 00:31:46,190 --> 00:31:48,740 Go ahead and do it today or, or tomorrow. 612 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:49,790 Here's first thing. 613 00:31:49,990 --> 00:31:51,270 Address unchecked sin. 614 00:31:52,760 --> 00:31:54,750 Address any unchecked sin. 615 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:58,290 Sin you maybe you haven't confessed, you haven't acknowledged, or sin 616 00:31:58,290 --> 00:31:59,580 that you just haven't dealt with. 617 00:32:00,775 --> 00:32:03,965 And whatever the spirit leads to prompting, whether that's getting help 618 00:32:03,965 --> 00:32:05,435 or maybe it's just a clear decision. 619 00:32:05,435 --> 00:32:07,025 I need to cut this thing out of my life. 620 00:32:07,035 --> 00:32:10,725 Whatever it is, address the unchecked sin. 621 00:32:11,475 --> 00:32:14,495 And then secondly, pray for the church to be spirit driven. 622 00:32:15,554 --> 00:32:18,694 Not just for you, because it's not just about you. 623 00:32:18,834 --> 00:32:20,614 It's about all of us. 624 00:32:21,535 --> 00:32:24,265 It's about every single one of us being spirit driven. 625 00:32:25,010 --> 00:32:28,490 And so we need to pray not only for ourselves and for our family members, 626 00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:30,630 but we need to pray for the congregation. 627 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:35,409 And not just our congregation, but for all of the saints all across the world. 628 00:32:36,010 --> 00:32:39,579 Because how incredible would it be if all the saints were spirit driven? 629 00:32:41,330 --> 00:32:45,590 How incredible would it be for every disciple of Jesus to be spirit driven? 630 00:32:45,699 --> 00:32:46,999 What would that look like? 631 00:32:48,059 --> 00:32:49,090 You see, we need to pray. 632 00:32:49,730 --> 00:32:50,960 We need to always go to God. 633 00:32:50,990 --> 00:32:56,125 God, may I be spirit filled, but may your every single one of your saints Be 634 00:32:56,125 --> 00:33:02,365 spirit driven today and let's watch and let's testify to God's goodness as he 635 00:33:02,365 --> 00:33:08,575 leads us closer to him, closer to his will, and closer to being spirit driven. 636 00:33:09,610 --> 00:33:11,130 We're going to take communion right now. 637 00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:15,820 This is a time where we take the emblems, uh, the, the bread and the 638 00:33:15,820 --> 00:33:20,300 juice that represent Jesus blood and body that was broken and spilled 639 00:33:20,309 --> 00:33:22,950 for our opportunity at salvation. 640 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:27,209 And in Romans chapter 8, you can read Romans chapter 8 because it really 641 00:33:27,209 --> 00:33:30,390 coincides with Galatians chapter 5, the text that we read here. 642 00:33:30,650 --> 00:33:33,420 But it's going to help us see, again, the connection between the It's the 643 00:33:33,420 --> 00:33:38,710 spirit and the cross and the salvation that you and I enjoy and the spirit 644 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:40,910 that gives us freedom in Christ. 645 00:33:41,210 --> 00:33:43,640 We'll close out here, Romans chapter 8 and verse 1. 646 00:33:43,650 --> 00:33:47,669 It says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation. 647 00:33:48,165 --> 00:33:51,975 For those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law 648 00:33:51,985 --> 00:33:56,315 of the spirit who gives life and set you free from the law of sin and death 649 00:33:56,675 --> 00:33:59,765 for what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh. 650 00:34:00,085 --> 00:34:05,354 God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be 651 00:34:05,404 --> 00:34:11,085 a sin offering, and so he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the 652 00:34:11,085 --> 00:34:16,304 righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us who do 653 00:34:16,304 --> 00:34:18,175 not live according to the flesh. 654 00:34:18,580 --> 00:34:21,239 But according to the Spirit. 655 00:34:21,239 --> 00:34:21,760 Let's pray. 656 00:34:22,120 --> 00:34:25,199 Father, thank you so much for your scriptures. 657 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:27,149 Again, thank you for your Holy Spirit. 658 00:34:27,830 --> 00:34:30,070 Thank you for the opportunities that we have. 659 00:34:30,619 --> 00:34:34,779 God, we do acknowledge, I know I have forfeited so many blessings. 660 00:34:34,779 --> 00:34:38,800 So many good things by allowing, not allowing your Spirit to drive. 661 00:34:38,810 --> 00:34:42,100 But, well, I veer out of the course and direction for my 662 00:34:42,100 --> 00:34:43,760 life because I take things over. 663 00:34:44,030 --> 00:34:46,010 And God, I acknowledge that and I confess that. 664 00:34:46,010 --> 00:34:47,998 And Father, I repent of that. 665 00:34:48,380 --> 00:34:51,260 And Father, we desperately want to be led by your spirit. 666 00:34:51,290 --> 00:34:53,420 We want to be empowered by your spirit. 667 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:55,699 We want to obey your spirit. 668 00:34:56,110 --> 00:34:58,870 And Father, we are so grateful that it's because of Christ 669 00:34:58,870 --> 00:35:00,270 that we have this opportunity. 670 00:35:00,270 --> 00:35:02,580 We have the spirit in our lives. 671 00:35:03,029 --> 00:35:05,310 And we have the example in Christ. 672 00:35:05,710 --> 00:35:07,930 Thank you, Lord, for staying upon the cross. 673 00:35:07,930 --> 00:35:10,560 Thank you for dying for my and everyone's sins. 674 00:35:10,560 --> 00:35:12,460 But thank you for resurrecting. 675 00:35:12,740 --> 00:35:16,870 Therefore, allowing us to resurrect too, spiritually, and have a new life. 676 00:35:17,170 --> 00:35:18,570 It's in the name of Jesus. 677 00:35:18,770 --> 00:35:19,290 Amen.