1 00:00:29,939 --> 00:00:33,299 If we didn't have the promise, sir, that we could trust and believe 2 00:00:33,619 --> 00:00:38,499 cannot lie, then those promises would all fall apart. 3 00:00:39,219 --> 00:00:41,459 And we sang that song, showers of Blessings. 4 00:00:41,459 --> 00:00:45,339 That's our theme song for the revival that begins next Sunday, 5 00:00:45,339 --> 00:00:46,339 the Lord willing. 6 00:00:46,739 --> 00:00:49,459 And you know, every time I sing that song at the beginning, 7 00:00:49,459 --> 00:00:50,659 it talks about mercy. 8 00:00:50,659 --> 00:00:55,299 Drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead. 9 00:00:56,259 --> 00:00:58,339 And we do have mercy drops and showers. 10 00:00:58,339 --> 00:00:59,939 But I'm praying for a storm. 11 00:01:01,379 --> 00:01:01,939 Amen. 12 00:01:02,579 --> 00:01:03,299 A storm. 13 00:01:04,019 --> 00:01:07,539 Sometimes it takes a storm to get our attention. 14 00:01:08,179 --> 00:01:11,539 And all of us have been tested these last few months, have we not? 15 00:01:11,778 --> 00:01:13,299 Boy, that's an understatement. 16 00:01:13,699 --> 00:01:15,699 People go through trials and testings. 17 00:01:16,499 --> 00:01:19,379 Churches go through trials and testings. 18 00:01:19,939 --> 00:01:25,089 And that song that the ladies just sang through, purging more fruit 19 00:01:25,089 --> 00:01:25,889 we will bear. 20 00:01:26,769 --> 00:01:29,089 And so I think we're. 21 00:01:29,089 --> 00:01:33,329 We had a good spirit this morning and a good attendance, and 22 00:01:33,729 --> 00:01:36,169 I think we're getting place maybe that we can. 23 00:01:36,169 --> 00:01:38,289 God can begin to rebuild. 24 00:01:39,089 --> 00:01:40,449 And I'm believing that. 25 00:01:40,449 --> 00:01:41,609 I don't think it's over. 26 00:01:41,609 --> 00:01:44,929 I think there's still a great future for Heritage Baptist Church. 27 00:01:45,489 --> 00:01:49,329 And looks like you may be in the group that God's going to use. 28 00:01:50,419 --> 00:01:51,819 And it's just. 29 00:01:51,819 --> 00:01:56,179 It's amazing to me that God is so long suffering and, you know, 30 00:01:56,179 --> 00:02:00,019 sometimes maybe it would be good if you could do this on your 31 00:02:00,019 --> 00:02:00,339 own. 32 00:02:01,139 --> 00:02:02,419 I just did it recently. 33 00:02:03,299 --> 00:02:07,059 Just sit down by yourself with a little piece of paper and say. 34 00:02:07,059 --> 00:02:10,339 And ask yourself, what have I learned in the last three months, 35 00:02:10,419 --> 00:02:13,059 four months at this church? 36 00:02:14,179 --> 00:02:15,139 What have you learned? 37 00:02:17,279 --> 00:02:18,079 Say, I don't know. 38 00:02:18,079 --> 00:02:21,759 Well, you may have to have some more trials in until you learn. 39 00:02:22,479 --> 00:02:26,759 You know, if we don't get it, we get to take the tests again until 40 00:02:26,759 --> 00:02:27,359 we learn. 41 00:02:27,359 --> 00:02:30,079 And we can't go to number two until we get through number one. 42 00:02:30,799 --> 00:02:32,279 But you need to write that down. 43 00:02:32,279 --> 00:02:33,719 You say, well, I don't know. 44 00:02:33,719 --> 00:02:36,319 Then ask God to tell you and to show you. 45 00:02:36,719 --> 00:02:40,719 What have you learned in these last several months? 46 00:02:41,699 --> 00:02:44,419 And we still got a lot to learn. 47 00:02:44,659 --> 00:02:45,939 We're always learning. 48 00:02:46,899 --> 00:02:47,739 Take your Bible. 49 00:02:47,739 --> 00:02:50,019 You know, while ago, I was gonna say this. 50 00:02:51,139 --> 00:02:56,179 Most people in the world have never heard that phrase, take your 51 00:02:56,179 --> 00:02:58,979 Bible or open your Bible, please. 52 00:03:00,099 --> 00:03:01,539 We've heard that all our life. 53 00:03:02,339 --> 00:03:04,499 But a lot of people say, what's a Bible? 54 00:03:05,459 --> 00:03:06,979 Or what do you mean, open the Bible? 55 00:03:06,979 --> 00:03:11,449 So the only reason I say that is don't take your Bible granted. 56 00:03:12,329 --> 00:03:13,849 Don't ever take it for granted. 57 00:03:14,009 --> 00:03:18,009 But we're in the book of Isaiah, chapter number 40. 58 00:03:20,329 --> 00:03:22,849 How many of you ever been driving down the road, the highway, 59 00:03:22,849 --> 00:03:24,009 interstate, whatever. 60 00:03:24,489 --> 00:03:27,449 And you're cruising along and they're playing some good music. 61 00:03:27,449 --> 00:03:31,929 And it's a beautiful sunny day and the road is smooth and quiet. 62 00:03:32,249 --> 00:03:35,089 How many of you get real excited when you see a big orange 63 00:03:35,089 --> 00:03:42,039 sign says road work ahead next 20 miles? 64 00:03:43,159 --> 00:03:43,639 Ugh. 65 00:03:45,479 --> 00:03:46,639 That's not much fun. 66 00:03:46,639 --> 00:03:48,199 Most of us don't get excited. 67 00:03:48,839 --> 00:03:51,439 It takes about an hour for Shelly and I to drive over here from 68 00:03:51,439 --> 00:03:52,118 Weatherford. 69 00:03:52,359 --> 00:03:54,519 Yesterday it took us two solid hours. 70 00:03:55,719 --> 00:03:58,839 Traffic was at a dead stop right outside of Weatherford. 71 00:03:58,999 --> 00:04:04,099 And, I mean, we were just crawling along and it was all about 72 00:04:04,099 --> 00:04:04,699 road work. 73 00:04:05,419 --> 00:04:11,419 And I don't know anybody that likes to see road work, but obviously 74 00:04:11,659 --> 00:04:15,179 if they never worked on the roads, it would be worse. 75 00:04:15,579 --> 00:04:17,019 We like them when they finish. 76 00:04:17,499 --> 00:04:20,219 Seems like it takes 20 years now to work on a road. 77 00:04:21,659 --> 00:04:23,699 But I want you. 78 00:04:23,699 --> 00:04:25,379 I want to talk about that tonight. 79 00:04:25,379 --> 00:04:30,659 Because the Bible says for revival, to prepare ye the way of 80 00:04:30,659 --> 00:04:31,179 the Lord. 81 00:04:31,419 --> 00:04:32,379 What does that mean? 82 00:04:32,779 --> 00:04:36,459 How do you prepare for the Lord to make an entrance? 83 00:04:36,939 --> 00:04:42,659 In the book of Isaiah, chapter number 40, it says, comfort ye, comfort 84 00:04:42,659 --> 00:04:44,859 ye, my people, saith your God. 85 00:04:45,739 --> 00:04:52,419 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her 86 00:04:52,419 --> 00:04:56,159 warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, for she 87 00:04:56,159 --> 00:04:59,839 hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 88 00:05:00,719 --> 00:05:03,439 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness. 89 00:05:03,919 --> 00:05:08,159 By the way, this John the Baptist quoted this verse, prepare 90 00:05:08,159 --> 00:05:10,879 ye the way of the Lord. 91 00:05:12,479 --> 00:05:17,119 Most of you ladies and maybe the whole family when you're expecting 92 00:05:17,119 --> 00:05:20,599 a guest, a special guest, special friend, family, someone you 93 00:05:20,599 --> 00:05:24,639 haven't seen in a while, most of the time we prepare. 94 00:05:25,759 --> 00:05:29,759 Most of the time we clean up maybe a little more than we normally 95 00:05:29,759 --> 00:05:33,599 would and we make sure that everything smells good. 96 00:05:34,159 --> 00:05:36,239 Maybe we cut the grass a little more. 97 00:05:36,799 --> 00:05:39,759 I mean, that's just pretty normal, what we do most of the time. 98 00:05:40,639 --> 00:05:42,479 But what if the Lord's coming? 99 00:05:42,559 --> 00:05:43,479 I know he's with us. 100 00:05:43,479 --> 00:05:47,479 But imagine the Lord coming to make a special appearance here during 101 00:05:47,479 --> 00:05:48,159 the revival. 102 00:05:49,759 --> 00:05:54,119 Do we just come in and sit and watch and wait, or do we do any kind 103 00:05:54,119 --> 00:05:55,759 of preparation? 104 00:05:56,879 --> 00:05:59,279 Prepare ye the way of the Lord. 105 00:05:59,679 --> 00:06:04,159 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 106 00:06:05,359 --> 00:06:07,759 Every valley shall be exalted. 107 00:06:08,319 --> 00:06:10,079 The valley, the low places. 108 00:06:10,479 --> 00:06:14,649 And every mountain and hill shall be made low leveled. 109 00:06:15,769 --> 00:06:22,889 And the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. 110 00:06:24,809 --> 00:06:25,929 And here's revival. 111 00:06:25,929 --> 00:06:29,049 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. 112 00:06:30,169 --> 00:06:32,249 And all flesh shall see it together. 113 00:06:33,129 --> 00:06:41,179 For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, preparing the way of the 114 00:06:41,179 --> 00:06:41,459 Lord. 115 00:06:41,459 --> 00:06:44,499 Keep your finger there, but go over to a few more chapters. 116 00:06:44,499 --> 00:06:48,099 Same book, Isaiah to chapter number 64. 117 00:06:49,299 --> 00:06:51,019 We just read from chapter 40. 118 00:06:51,019 --> 00:06:53,219 But go to Isaiah, chapter 64. 119 00:06:55,619 --> 00:06:57,019 And look at verse one here. 120 00:06:57,019 --> 00:07:02,499 O that thou would rend the heavens. 121 00:07:04,419 --> 00:07:07,819 It's like squeezing out a washcloth, Rending it, squeezing 122 00:07:07,819 --> 00:07:08,879 the water out of it. 123 00:07:09,749 --> 00:07:15,749 That thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down 124 00:07:16,869 --> 00:07:17,989 at thy presence. 125 00:07:20,789 --> 00:07:25,509 Revival is a manifestation of the presence of God. 126 00:07:26,229 --> 00:07:26,869 Okay? 127 00:07:27,109 --> 00:07:31,789 Not an ordinary, but an unusual, unusual demonstration of 128 00:07:31,789 --> 00:07:32,709 God's presence. 129 00:07:33,509 --> 00:07:34,269 Verse 2. 130 00:07:34,269 --> 00:07:39,779 And as when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters 131 00:07:39,779 --> 00:07:45,379 to boil to make thy name known to thine adversaries. 132 00:07:46,499 --> 00:07:49,539 That the nations may tremble at thy presence. 133 00:07:50,339 --> 00:07:54,499 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, Thou 134 00:07:54,499 --> 00:07:58,419 camest down the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 135 00:07:59,379 --> 00:08:05,809 For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard nor perceived 136 00:08:05,809 --> 00:08:08,729 by the ear, neither hath the eye seen. 137 00:08:08,729 --> 00:08:15,289 O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth 138 00:08:15,529 --> 00:08:16,169 for him. 139 00:08:16,169 --> 00:08:17,449 Now watch verse five. 140 00:08:17,849 --> 00:08:22,089 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth, number one. 141 00:08:22,729 --> 00:08:24,889 And worketh righteousness. 142 00:08:25,689 --> 00:08:26,489 Number two. 143 00:08:27,279 --> 00:08:33,439 Those that remember thee in thy ways, behold, thou art wroth. 144 00:08:33,439 --> 00:08:41,519 For we have sinned in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. 145 00:08:41,599 --> 00:08:47,319 So both of these passages are talking about a manifestation of 146 00:08:47,319 --> 00:08:53,279 God in such a way that everybody sees it, everybody feels 147 00:08:53,279 --> 00:08:53,519 it. 148 00:08:53,899 --> 00:08:57,979 You don't have half people sleeping, half the people distracted, 149 00:08:58,139 --> 00:09:00,139 half the people playing with the phone. 150 00:09:00,379 --> 00:09:03,939 When God comes down, really comes down, like he would like to 151 00:09:03,939 --> 00:09:06,779 come down, everybody will know it. 152 00:09:10,219 --> 00:09:12,139 Wouldn't you like to see something like that? 153 00:09:14,299 --> 00:09:15,339 Let me tell you something. 154 00:09:15,339 --> 00:09:16,299 So would God. 155 00:09:18,219 --> 00:09:21,199 God thrills and revealing himself. 156 00:09:21,439 --> 00:09:23,119 But most people aren't interested. 157 00:09:23,599 --> 00:09:25,919 Oh, they're not against it, but they're not for it. 158 00:09:27,519 --> 00:09:28,239 They're kind of. 159 00:09:28,239 --> 00:09:32,799 In Dolesville, they just kind of sit and stare. 160 00:09:33,999 --> 00:09:36,559 That's the result in many churches today. 161 00:09:37,519 --> 00:09:39,919 Most people today have never seen a real revival. 162 00:09:42,719 --> 00:09:44,399 They wouldn't be able to describe it. 163 00:09:48,409 --> 00:09:57,049 When a king or president or a dignitary is invited to come to a 164 00:09:57,049 --> 00:10:04,409 city, usually the people that are in the city, the city council, 165 00:10:04,649 --> 00:10:10,729 the mayor, whatever, they want to make a good impression, right? 166 00:10:12,019 --> 00:10:12,339 Yeah. 167 00:10:14,899 --> 00:10:16,099 Tech Haslett. 168 00:10:17,619 --> 00:10:19,939 We get a news, we get a broadcast. 169 00:10:20,419 --> 00:10:24,939 The president, whether you like him or not, the precedent is 170 00:10:24,939 --> 00:10:26,899 coming to Haslett. 171 00:10:27,539 --> 00:10:31,939 And most people would think, where's he coming from? 172 00:10:32,259 --> 00:10:33,939 What road's he coming in on? 173 00:10:35,219 --> 00:10:36,259 Where's he going to be? 174 00:10:36,969 --> 00:10:37,689 What's going to happen? 175 00:10:40,249 --> 00:10:44,489 Most of the time, the city dignitaries will plan the route. 176 00:10:45,049 --> 00:10:47,689 They wouldn't want the president going through a slum. 177 00:10:49,449 --> 00:10:52,729 They wouldn't some dignitary coming in to take him through the 178 00:10:52,729 --> 00:10:53,849 bad side of town. 179 00:10:57,369 --> 00:10:58,489 They would want to. 180 00:10:58,889 --> 00:11:00,209 The fact this is a truth. 181 00:11:00,209 --> 00:11:01,009 This is the truth. 182 00:11:01,009 --> 00:11:07,069 In many times, when a city knows enough time that the president 183 00:11:07,229 --> 00:11:11,709 or some great important dignitary is coming, sometimes they'll 184 00:11:12,029 --> 00:11:15,669 repave the road whether it needs it or not. 185 00:11:15,669 --> 00:11:20,829 So it's extra smooth and quiet and comfortable to ride on. 186 00:11:21,229 --> 00:11:22,349 No potholes. 187 00:11:22,909 --> 00:11:26,789 Can you imagine President coming in, hitting a pothole here 188 00:11:26,789 --> 00:11:31,069 and another one there, and what he's thinking, what he's saying. 189 00:11:32,989 --> 00:11:36,749 Most of the time, they would clean up on both sides of the road. 190 00:11:36,749 --> 00:11:38,749 They'd pick up the trash in the ditches. 191 00:11:39,549 --> 00:11:41,949 They would clean, sweep the sidewalks. 192 00:11:42,669 --> 00:11:48,029 They would maybe repair some of the buildings as they passed by, 193 00:11:49,309 --> 00:11:52,909 but they would have a particular route, a particular highway, 194 00:11:53,229 --> 00:11:55,079 which we've read just a moment ago. 195 00:11:55,079 --> 00:11:56,919 Prepare ye the way of the Lord. 196 00:11:56,919 --> 00:11:58,279 We want the Lord to come. 197 00:11:59,479 --> 00:12:00,839 I know he's in us. 198 00:12:00,919 --> 00:12:01,759 I know that. 199 00:12:01,759 --> 00:12:03,159 I know he's among us. 200 00:12:04,199 --> 00:12:10,439 But a Bible revival and revivals from history were different. 201 00:12:10,519 --> 00:12:14,439 They were a time when God showed up in an unusual way. 202 00:12:16,279 --> 00:12:21,489 But the Bible teaches us, prepare ye the way of the Lord. 203 00:12:23,569 --> 00:12:28,809 Did you know There are over 4 million miles of roadways in the 204 00:12:28,809 --> 00:12:33,529 United States of America that you can drive on, not counting dirt 205 00:12:33,529 --> 00:12:34,129 roads. 206 00:12:36,289 --> 00:12:42,969 But in ancient times, thousands of years ago, before automobiles 207 00:12:42,969 --> 00:12:49,979 or trains or car covered wagons, kings and queens and emperors 208 00:12:49,979 --> 00:12:55,339 and famous generals, they were carried, as you may have seen pictures, 209 00:12:55,819 --> 00:13:01,659 in compartments on the shoulders of four servants. 210 00:13:02,699 --> 00:13:05,939 And they were those four servants would carry with the poles. 211 00:13:05,939 --> 00:13:07,819 You've seen pictures like that, I'm sure. 212 00:13:10,949 --> 00:13:14,789 And they wanted the dignitary to be comfortable. 213 00:13:16,389 --> 00:13:21,109 In fact, in Bible days, ancient days, kings were so respected 214 00:13:22,069 --> 00:13:23,469 that people feared them. 215 00:13:23,469 --> 00:13:26,869 That if it wasn't a smooth ride, they may have to pay for it 216 00:13:26,869 --> 00:13:27,429 by death. 217 00:13:29,029 --> 00:13:34,549 Did you know that they were so afraid that a king had such power 218 00:13:35,759 --> 00:13:38,479 that he could just order, in a few seconds, kill him? 219 00:13:38,479 --> 00:13:39,359 Give me four more. 220 00:13:39,359 --> 00:13:40,559 It knows how to do this. 221 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:42,399 We don't. 222 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:44,319 It's hard for us to comprehend that. 223 00:13:44,319 --> 00:13:46,079 But that was the case. 224 00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:52,959 A rough ride could result in death to many. 225 00:13:55,999 --> 00:13:57,759 Well, what do we think of our king? 226 00:13:58,879 --> 00:13:59,839 King Jesus? 227 00:14:01,289 --> 00:14:06,689 What do we think about him coming next week in a special appointed 228 00:14:06,689 --> 00:14:09,929 time of revival? 229 00:14:13,369 --> 00:14:15,369 How serious do you take that? 230 00:14:18,969 --> 00:14:21,289 So many of us get offended so easily. 231 00:14:22,729 --> 00:14:25,209 We hardly ever think about offending God. 232 00:14:27,619 --> 00:14:28,179 Mm. 233 00:14:29,779 --> 00:14:32,019 That's why sometimes a lot of people leave. 234 00:14:32,019 --> 00:14:35,059 Not every one of them, but a lot of people Leave because they 235 00:14:35,059 --> 00:14:35,699 got offended. 236 00:14:40,739 --> 00:14:41,859 But what about God? 237 00:14:43,539 --> 00:14:44,659 We want a revival. 238 00:14:45,379 --> 00:14:50,379 Do we want it on our terms or do we want to take it so seriously 239 00:14:50,379 --> 00:14:56,089 and careful that we prepare a way for God to come? 240 00:14:57,289 --> 00:15:00,969 There was a time in Israel's history where the Bible says they 241 00:15:00,969 --> 00:15:05,449 dwelt carelessly going into a revival. 242 00:15:05,689 --> 00:15:06,969 If we understand it. 243 00:15:06,969 --> 00:15:10,529 And I'm not sure that even I totally can comprehend it. 244 00:15:10,529 --> 00:15:14,289 You know, it says, eye hath not seen near, ear heard, nor hath 245 00:15:14,289 --> 00:15:17,969 entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared 246 00:15:17,969 --> 00:15:18,969 for them that love him. 247 00:15:19,129 --> 00:15:21,129 Most of the time that is quoted at. 248 00:15:21,569 --> 00:15:25,889 At funerals, and they think it's talking about heaven. 249 00:15:26,289 --> 00:15:27,609 God's preparing a place. 250 00:15:27,609 --> 00:15:29,809 Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. 251 00:15:31,249 --> 00:15:33,569 But we say, you know, it hadn't even entered in our heart. 252 00:15:34,369 --> 00:15:39,249 But here in Isaiah is actually where that verse was, where John 253 00:15:39,249 --> 00:15:40,809 the Baptist quoted from there. 254 00:15:40,809 --> 00:15:44,849 And it had to do not with heaven, but with revival. 255 00:15:45,329 --> 00:15:46,929 That's the context of that verse. 256 00:15:48,439 --> 00:15:50,919 Eye hath not seen nor entered the heart of man. 257 00:15:51,799 --> 00:15:54,759 Ear have not heard the things which God hath prepared. 258 00:15:54,839 --> 00:15:57,879 Revival, a visitation of God. 259 00:16:02,199 --> 00:16:05,519 What does it mean to prepare? 260 00:16:05,519 --> 00:16:10,439 Well, we just read it said, make straight in the desert a highway 261 00:16:11,719 --> 00:16:12,679 for our God. 262 00:16:14,899 --> 00:16:20,339 In other words, a place that's not a lot of twists and turns, avoiding 263 00:16:20,419 --> 00:16:23,539 rocks rather than removing them. 264 00:16:24,819 --> 00:16:28,179 You can't go around sin and expect revival. 265 00:16:28,579 --> 00:16:31,419 If we're going to prepare for revival, we need to get stuff out 266 00:16:31,419 --> 00:16:32,019 of the way. 267 00:16:32,739 --> 00:16:36,259 So when Christ comes, the Spirit of God moves and comes. 268 00:16:38,259 --> 00:16:40,019 That is a straight highway. 269 00:16:42,929 --> 00:16:48,009 Can you imagine carrying a dignitarian in one of those caring 270 00:16:48,009 --> 00:16:51,969 compartments and he just keeps falling against this side and falling 271 00:16:51,969 --> 00:16:57,089 against this side and falling backwards because it's always turning 272 00:16:57,089 --> 00:17:00,609 here and there and here and there instead of a straight course. 273 00:17:02,049 --> 00:17:04,129 You know why a river's crooked, don't you? 274 00:17:05,169 --> 00:17:07,889 Because it follows the path of least resistance. 275 00:17:09,909 --> 00:17:13,029 If there's a lot of rocks and some trees and stuff here, then it's 276 00:17:13,029 --> 00:17:15,829 going to turn this way and you hit something over there, it's going 277 00:17:15,829 --> 00:17:16,789 to turn that way. 278 00:17:17,269 --> 00:17:26,349 And rivers go round and round roads make straight in the desert 279 00:17:26,349 --> 00:17:27,829 a highway for our God. 280 00:17:31,989 --> 00:17:34,469 Instead of getting right with people. 281 00:17:34,469 --> 00:17:38,988 Many times I've been pastoring for over 50 years. 282 00:17:40,108 --> 00:17:42,748 Instead of getting right with people, most of the time we just 283 00:17:42,748 --> 00:17:43,388 avoid them. 284 00:17:46,108 --> 00:17:47,388 It's not time to pray yet. 285 00:17:47,388 --> 00:17:48,508 Some of you are looking down. 286 00:17:50,108 --> 00:17:50,988 Yeah, we do. 287 00:17:51,547 --> 00:17:52,828 We're famous for that. 288 00:17:54,108 --> 00:17:57,948 Somebody hurt our feelings or somebody's different or got a different 289 00:17:57,948 --> 00:17:59,228 this or that and the other. 290 00:18:00,748 --> 00:18:03,419 And so we just avoid them. 291 00:18:08,139 --> 00:18:10,179 Instead of getting right. 292 00:18:10,179 --> 00:18:12,059 You know, I was thinking about this today. 293 00:18:15,179 --> 00:18:21,779 Some of the revivals that I've been in over the years, and I've 294 00:18:21,779 --> 00:18:28,629 seen people that hadn't spoken to someone in a long time, and I've 295 00:18:28,629 --> 00:18:30,909 seen them, during the invitation, get up and go over to 296 00:18:30,909 --> 00:18:35,629 them, and they would embrace and they would weep on each other's 297 00:18:35,629 --> 00:18:40,429 shoulder, and they would say, I'm so sorry I didn't plan. 298 00:18:40,429 --> 00:18:43,429 I don't know how it happened, but I'm so sorry I mistreated you. 299 00:18:44,149 --> 00:18:46,789 And people would see that, and all of a sudden they'd start going 300 00:18:46,789 --> 00:18:47,749 to somebody else. 301 00:18:48,469 --> 00:18:51,229 Don't raise your hand, but how many times have you seen that happen 302 00:18:51,229 --> 00:18:52,069 in a church? 303 00:18:53,839 --> 00:18:54,639 Very seldom. 304 00:18:55,759 --> 00:19:00,719 But when barriers are broken down so that there's a straight path, 305 00:19:02,639 --> 00:19:05,199 and it says, make straight in the desert. 306 00:19:07,199 --> 00:19:13,359 A desert is dry and parched, brown, no vegetation, no beauty. 307 00:19:15,839 --> 00:19:19,519 By the way, that kind of describes the life of a backslider. 308 00:19:20,199 --> 00:19:21,639 You know what a backslider is? 309 00:19:22,599 --> 00:19:26,279 You can't be unsaved, but you can slide backwards away from God 310 00:19:27,159 --> 00:19:31,879 and become dry and parched and brown and no fruit in your life and 311 00:19:31,879 --> 00:19:32,519 no beauty. 312 00:19:33,399 --> 00:19:36,519 And people start looking and saying, I don't want to be like that. 313 00:19:36,519 --> 00:19:38,879 I'm not a Christian, but I don't want to be like that, if that's 314 00:19:38,879 --> 00:19:39,479 a Christian. 315 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:45,159 It's an interesting little passage that I every once in a while 316 00:19:45,159 --> 00:19:48,769 will visit in Proverbs, chapter 24. 317 00:19:50,609 --> 00:19:54,649 It's kind of a picture that I look at every once in a while. 318 00:19:54,649 --> 00:19:55,609 Chapter 24. 319 00:19:55,609 --> 00:20:01,449 And I think it's in verse 30, it says, I went by the field of the 320 00:20:01,449 --> 00:20:04,849 slothful and by the vineyard of the man, void of understanding. 321 00:20:05,089 --> 00:20:09,449 And lo, it was all grown over with thorns and nettles that covered 322 00:20:09,449 --> 00:20:14,099 the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 323 00:20:14,099 --> 00:20:16,019 Then I saw and considered it. 324 00:20:16,019 --> 00:20:20,179 Well, I looked upon it and received instruction. 325 00:20:21,619 --> 00:20:23,299 It wasn't a pretty sight. 326 00:20:24,419 --> 00:20:29,059 You remember in the Song of Solomon, the Shulamite woman said, 327 00:20:29,459 --> 00:20:32,939 I've been taking care of other vineyards, but my own vineyard I've 328 00:20:32,939 --> 00:20:33,619 neglected. 329 00:20:35,299 --> 00:20:36,499 That can happen to us. 330 00:20:36,499 --> 00:20:41,189 We can get so wrapped up on other people that we don't take care 331 00:20:41,189 --> 00:20:42,189 of our own vineyard. 332 00:20:42,669 --> 00:20:44,429 Are you bearing fruit in your life? 333 00:20:44,829 --> 00:20:46,509 Is there flowers in your life? 334 00:20:47,069 --> 00:20:50,189 When you're out among people, do people see the beauty of Christ 335 00:20:50,269 --> 00:20:50,829 in you? 336 00:20:52,989 --> 00:20:54,989 Do they see a desert or a garden? 337 00:20:56,669 --> 00:20:57,629 Make straight. 338 00:20:58,669 --> 00:21:02,269 In the Bible, the word straight means righteous. 339 00:21:03,229 --> 00:21:04,109 That's what it means. 340 00:21:06,279 --> 00:21:10,719 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for 341 00:21:10,719 --> 00:21:11,879 they shall be filled. 342 00:21:16,199 --> 00:21:20,039 I remember as a kid growing up and my father was not a Christian 343 00:21:20,039 --> 00:21:20,919 at that time. 344 00:21:22,599 --> 00:21:25,319 And I would ask him, can we go somewhere or do this? 345 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:32,759 And he'd say, well, when I get things straightened out, we will. 346 00:21:33,389 --> 00:21:37,429 Well, it took me a long time to figure that mean no, because he 347 00:21:37,429 --> 00:21:39,069 never could get things straightened out. 348 00:21:40,189 --> 00:21:42,349 He didn't have the Lord, he didn't know the Lord. 349 00:21:43,949 --> 00:21:46,989 And a lot of people say, you know, as soon as things get straightened 350 00:21:46,989 --> 00:21:50,109 out in my life, things will be different. 351 00:21:50,109 --> 00:21:52,869 And I'm going to have revival in my heart and life and I'm going 352 00:21:52,869 --> 00:21:54,749 to really let God take over my life. 353 00:21:58,029 --> 00:22:00,029 Do you like the GPS on your car? 354 00:22:01,039 --> 00:22:07,479 You say yeah and no, because I followed that GPS and they've taken 355 00:22:07,479 --> 00:22:09,359 me out in the middle of nowhere. 356 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:12,959 The scenic route, they called it. 357 00:22:14,479 --> 00:22:15,759 I'd get so angry. 358 00:22:16,398 --> 00:22:19,879 But there's other times the GPS would tell me right where to 359 00:22:19,879 --> 00:22:20,159 go. 360 00:22:21,039 --> 00:22:25,519 I heard of a GPS they have for seniors now, senior citizens. 361 00:22:26,089 --> 00:22:28,889 They not only tell you how to get there, but they tell you why 362 00:22:28,889 --> 00:22:31,449 you were going there, in case you forgot. 363 00:22:33,049 --> 00:22:33,689 Amen. 364 00:22:36,649 --> 00:22:41,129 And then it says, secondly in preparing, it says, every valley 365 00:22:41,129 --> 00:22:43,129 shall be exalted. 366 00:22:43,849 --> 00:22:44,969 No potholes. 367 00:22:45,529 --> 00:22:47,849 Potholes come from wear and neglect. 368 00:22:47,929 --> 00:22:49,529 And they get bigger and bigger. 369 00:22:50,489 --> 00:22:53,369 And if they're not fixed, the road has to be closed. 370 00:22:54,849 --> 00:22:56,529 Any low places in your life. 371 00:22:58,049 --> 00:23:01,969 Revival is desiring and allowing God to bring you up to where 372 00:23:01,969 --> 00:23:03,329 you used to be. 373 00:23:06,769 --> 00:23:10,489 Most people have to go back a few years to remember when they used 374 00:23:10,489 --> 00:23:14,649 to witness more, they used to pray more, they used to have the 375 00:23:14,649 --> 00:23:17,489 joy of the Lord, they used to have this and that. 376 00:23:17,569 --> 00:23:19,329 But now it's a low place. 377 00:23:20,259 --> 00:23:25,139 Revival is bringing that low place up to where you used to be. 378 00:23:29,379 --> 00:23:33,819 The Bible says, he brought me out of an horrible pit and set my 379 00:23:33,819 --> 00:23:36,739 feet upon a rock and established my goings. 380 00:23:38,019 --> 00:23:42,979 I like the song, Lord, lead me on to higher ground again. 381 00:23:42,979 --> 00:23:44,259 Back to those carriers. 382 00:23:44,259 --> 00:23:45,139 Ancient times. 383 00:23:45,459 --> 00:23:50,449 They're carrying the king or a queen, and everybody's very careful 384 00:23:51,649 --> 00:23:53,009 because they have a fear. 385 00:23:55,329 --> 00:24:02,289 And imagine a carrier steps into a pothole and the passengers 386 00:24:02,289 --> 00:24:07,209 dumped out the side of the door because they stumbled into a 387 00:24:07,209 --> 00:24:08,049 pothole. 388 00:24:10,929 --> 00:24:14,539 And then it says, every hill shall be made low. 389 00:24:15,499 --> 00:24:19,979 I think most of you probably know in the Bible when it speaks 390 00:24:19,979 --> 00:24:25,739 of the high places, most of the time it's speaking about pride. 391 00:24:28,379 --> 00:24:34,539 High, every hill shall be made low. 392 00:24:34,779 --> 00:24:38,459 We're talking about preparing for a revival, not just showing up 393 00:24:38,459 --> 00:24:39,579 and see what happens. 394 00:24:40,739 --> 00:24:41,739 It means doing something. 395 00:24:41,739 --> 00:24:46,179 You got six days between now and the beginning of the revival. 396 00:24:48,819 --> 00:24:50,779 High places always speak of pride. 397 00:24:50,779 --> 00:24:52,579 And we know God hates pride. 398 00:24:54,019 --> 00:24:55,739 These six things doth the Lord hate? 399 00:24:55,739 --> 00:24:57,939 Yea, seven are an abomination unto him. 400 00:24:59,059 --> 00:25:00,659 Number one, he says, is a proud. 401 00:25:00,659 --> 00:25:04,579 Look, why did he pick that one to be the first one on the list? 402 00:25:06,189 --> 00:25:09,949 Because pride keeps us from admitting when we're wrong. 403 00:25:14,269 --> 00:25:19,229 Pride keeps us from making up and getting right with other people. 404 00:25:21,389 --> 00:25:24,589 Pride sometimes can devastate a marriage. 405 00:25:24,829 --> 00:25:29,669 I'm a believer that most marriages probably could have been 406 00:25:29,669 --> 00:25:31,389 saved had it not been for Pride. 407 00:25:32,779 --> 00:25:35,499 Not everyone, but a great deal of them. 408 00:25:36,299 --> 00:25:38,139 Because neither one wants to give in. 409 00:25:38,539 --> 00:25:39,179 I'm right. 410 00:25:39,579 --> 00:25:40,459 No, I'm right. 411 00:25:40,939 --> 00:25:42,059 No, I'm right. 412 00:25:42,139 --> 00:25:43,659 No, I am. 413 00:25:46,859 --> 00:25:49,499 And then pride keeps us from turning around. 414 00:25:51,099 --> 00:25:54,619 That's what repentance means, a change of mind that causes us to 415 00:25:54,619 --> 00:25:54,939 turn. 416 00:25:57,429 --> 00:25:57,909 Turn around. 417 00:25:58,549 --> 00:26:00,789 Well, I'm not going to turn around because then everybody will 418 00:26:00,789 --> 00:26:02,229 know I was going the wrong way. 419 00:26:04,229 --> 00:26:06,949 Pride causes us to look down on other people. 420 00:26:08,149 --> 00:26:13,429 Pride causes us to pretend to be something that we're not. 421 00:26:14,709 --> 00:26:16,069 We need to get lower. 422 00:26:18,869 --> 00:26:20,149 I couldn't remember the place. 423 00:26:20,149 --> 00:26:22,469 Shelley and I, when we went to Jerusalem, there was. 424 00:26:22,469 --> 00:26:26,359 Some of you may know that I couldn't remember been several years, 425 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:36,079 but there was a large church there, building, and the door was 426 00:26:36,159 --> 00:26:37,199 very, very low. 427 00:26:37,679 --> 00:26:39,199 You couldn't walk through the door. 428 00:26:39,199 --> 00:26:40,399 You had to stoop. 429 00:26:41,279 --> 00:26:43,559 You had to get, well, almost down on your knees. 430 00:26:43,559 --> 00:26:45,399 And then when you got in, you could stand up. 431 00:26:45,399 --> 00:26:49,999 And it was all a big cathedral, beautiful and just amazing 432 00:26:49,999 --> 00:26:51,599 and high, high ceiling. 433 00:26:51,859 --> 00:26:55,939 But you couldn't get in unless you stooped. 434 00:26:58,339 --> 00:27:00,899 Doesn't the Bible kind of teach us something about that? 435 00:27:03,779 --> 00:27:08,819 God resisteth the proud, but he giveth grace to the humble. 436 00:27:16,579 --> 00:27:22,749 As a boy, I remember some family friends, excuse me, they weren't 437 00:27:22,749 --> 00:27:23,629 family, they were friends. 438 00:27:24,669 --> 00:27:26,349 And their last name was Day. 439 00:27:26,749 --> 00:27:28,029 Any day's around here. 440 00:27:30,269 --> 00:27:35,669 And we'd go see them every once in a while and I would literally. 441 00:27:35,669 --> 00:27:36,029 This is. 442 00:27:36,029 --> 00:27:37,229 No, I'm not exaggerating. 443 00:27:37,469 --> 00:27:41,549 I was the oldest of four kids and I begged my daddy, please, please 444 00:27:41,549 --> 00:27:42,509 just don't go there. 445 00:27:42,509 --> 00:27:44,509 Please, dad, please. 446 00:27:44,909 --> 00:27:48,789 You know why, this is going to sound silly to you, but it wasn't 447 00:27:48,789 --> 00:27:49,229 to me. 448 00:27:50,429 --> 00:27:54,429 To get to their house, you didn't go up this way, you went up 449 00:27:54,429 --> 00:27:55,949 this way, driving. 450 00:27:56,589 --> 00:27:59,149 And on both sides there was no barriers. 451 00:28:00,189 --> 00:28:02,029 People looked like ants down there. 452 00:28:02,829 --> 00:28:07,829 And it was such an incline that I thought for sure we were going 453 00:28:07,829 --> 00:28:11,749 to just go backwards, the car and everything, and just go rolling 454 00:28:11,749 --> 00:28:13,429 down the hill and we'd all be Killed. 455 00:28:14,469 --> 00:28:14,989 I know. 456 00:28:14,989 --> 00:28:19,229 I was a little boy, and I'd get down behind the driver's seat 457 00:28:19,229 --> 00:28:20,629 down there on the floorboard. 458 00:28:21,909 --> 00:28:24,229 And I didn't dare want to look out the window. 459 00:28:24,949 --> 00:28:25,749 I didn't want it. 460 00:28:25,749 --> 00:28:26,629 I didn't want to go. 461 00:28:26,789 --> 00:28:28,309 It scared me to death. 462 00:28:30,389 --> 00:28:36,319 Pride is like getting so high, high, higher. 463 00:28:37,119 --> 00:28:41,919 The most dangerous thing in life is pride. 464 00:28:43,679 --> 00:28:45,279 And the most deceptive thing. 465 00:28:47,439 --> 00:28:50,239 And then it says, the crooked shall be made straight. 466 00:28:53,199 --> 00:28:54,959 Why do we call somebody a crook? 467 00:28:56,639 --> 00:28:58,719 Usually most of the time, he's a crook. 468 00:28:59,359 --> 00:29:01,759 You know why we use it most of the time? 469 00:29:02,509 --> 00:29:03,309 Because they're a crook. 470 00:29:05,389 --> 00:29:07,869 No, usually a crook is someone who steals. 471 00:29:10,189 --> 00:29:11,789 Now fasten your seat belt. 472 00:29:14,749 --> 00:29:16,349 God said, you've robbed me. 473 00:29:17,069 --> 00:29:19,469 And they said, what are you talking about? 474 00:29:19,469 --> 00:29:20,869 Lord, wherein have we robbed thee? 475 00:29:20,869 --> 00:29:22,269 Said, in tithes and offerings. 476 00:29:26,429 --> 00:29:28,669 And you can take most any church in America. 477 00:29:30,369 --> 00:29:33,809 This church would be probably a little bit above the average. 478 00:29:33,809 --> 00:29:35,089 Cause of the way you've been taught. 479 00:29:35,969 --> 00:29:40,529 But a church full of over half of the people many times are crooks. 480 00:29:41,329 --> 00:29:42,129 They're thieves. 481 00:29:43,249 --> 00:29:47,729 They're robbing God of tithes and offerings. 482 00:29:48,929 --> 00:29:50,649 You say, well, we're not under law. 483 00:29:50,649 --> 00:29:51,449 That was the law. 484 00:29:51,449 --> 00:29:52,449 We're under grace. 485 00:29:53,569 --> 00:29:55,929 Well, under grace, you do more than the law. 486 00:29:55,929 --> 00:29:57,969 If you don't, it's a disgrace to grace. 487 00:29:59,769 --> 00:30:03,929 And by the way, in Matthew 23:23, Jesus himself said, you ought 488 00:30:03,929 --> 00:30:04,649 to tithe. 489 00:30:04,649 --> 00:30:06,089 Did you know that's in the Bible? 490 00:30:06,969 --> 00:30:08,169 A lot of people say, no. 491 00:30:08,169 --> 00:30:09,409 Jesus never tithed. 492 00:30:09,409 --> 00:30:10,569 Oh, yes, he did. 493 00:30:11,049 --> 00:30:18,809 And he was talking to the Pharisees because they would take 494 00:30:18,809 --> 00:30:24,409 10% of their mint and 10% of all their vegetables and all the 495 00:30:24,409 --> 00:30:25,769 little things that they would grow. 496 00:30:25,849 --> 00:30:29,199 And I mean, they would just get it right down almost exactly 497 00:30:29,199 --> 00:30:30,039 to 10%. 498 00:30:30,039 --> 00:30:32,999 And they'd brag about how much they love God. 499 00:30:35,319 --> 00:30:37,319 And Jesus said, well, you ought to do that. 500 00:30:38,439 --> 00:30:44,879 But he said, but you're omitting the weightier matters of 501 00:30:44,879 --> 00:30:48,199 love, things that are important. 502 00:30:50,519 --> 00:30:54,439 God would never tell us to do something that we couldn't do. 503 00:30:57,079 --> 00:31:00,799 If every member of this church just tithed, just simply right down 504 00:31:00,799 --> 00:31:03,239 to the penny, 10%. 505 00:31:03,239 --> 00:31:05,719 This church would never have financial problems. 506 00:31:07,399 --> 00:31:08,279 It never would. 507 00:31:09,159 --> 00:31:11,799 By the way, this might be a good time to mention this. 508 00:31:12,519 --> 00:31:17,119 A lot of families that have left this church were good givers 509 00:31:17,119 --> 00:31:17,959 and tithers. 510 00:31:18,039 --> 00:31:19,079 That money's gone. 511 00:31:20,469 --> 00:31:24,829 If you ever thought about maybe one day increasing your offering, 512 00:31:24,829 --> 00:31:25,989 this would be a good time. 513 00:31:27,989 --> 00:31:30,509 If you ever said, God, if you'll give, I don't have any. 514 00:31:30,509 --> 00:31:32,669 But if you said, lord, if you would give me Something, I'll give 515 00:31:32,669 --> 00:31:32,949 it. 516 00:31:33,669 --> 00:31:35,308 I'm just throwing that out there, really. 517 00:31:35,308 --> 00:31:43,549 Not in my sermon, but maybe you could have a partner. 518 00:31:43,549 --> 00:31:45,269 Maybe you could help, Maybe you could do more. 519 00:31:47,309 --> 00:31:48,429 Are you doing the minimum? 520 00:31:52,989 --> 00:31:55,149 And then he said, I'll get off that subject. 521 00:31:56,109 --> 00:31:58,509 The rough places shall be made plain. 522 00:31:59,869 --> 00:32:03,189 We just read that the rough places prepare the way of the Lord. 523 00:32:03,189 --> 00:32:07,709 If there's any rough places, debris, trash in your life. 524 00:32:08,749 --> 00:32:10,589 Rough language or rough temper. 525 00:32:11,879 --> 00:32:15,319 You know, I heard somebody, a lady that had a real bad temper, 526 00:32:15,559 --> 00:32:16,919 and she was really proud. 527 00:32:16,919 --> 00:32:19,639 She said, well, here's the way it is. 528 00:32:20,119 --> 00:32:26,039 She said, I hold it in a long time, but when I lose my temper, 529 00:32:26,039 --> 00:32:27,799 I just blow up and it's over. 530 00:32:29,479 --> 00:32:30,839 She was kind of proud of that. 531 00:32:31,559 --> 00:32:34,359 Preacher said, well, a shotgun, same thing. 532 00:32:35,239 --> 00:32:38,039 It's over pretty fast, but it does a lot of damage. 533 00:32:39,809 --> 00:32:40,729 Maybe you say, well, that's. 534 00:32:40,729 --> 00:32:43,089 I don't ever have any problem with a bad temper. 535 00:32:44,129 --> 00:32:45,729 Well, that's good. 536 00:32:45,729 --> 00:32:49,329 God bless you, but some people do. 537 00:32:50,609 --> 00:32:55,009 I'm talking about tonight, simply preparing and challenging 538 00:32:55,009 --> 00:32:59,089 you to spend some time this week and say, lord, I want to prepare 539 00:33:00,129 --> 00:33:01,409 for this revival. 540 00:33:04,379 --> 00:33:06,059 Let me show you something in closing. 541 00:33:06,859 --> 00:33:08,779 We're still in the book of Isaiah. 542 00:33:09,179 --> 00:33:10,299 Go to chapter 11. 543 00:33:11,739 --> 00:33:12,539 Isaiah. 544 00:33:12,539 --> 00:33:13,499 I'm almost through. 545 00:33:16,139 --> 00:33:20,659 I really enjoy reading this every once in a while and makes me 546 00:33:20,659 --> 00:33:23,099 smile, especially in light of what I'm talking about. 547 00:33:24,299 --> 00:33:27,339 Chapter 11 of Isaiah, verse number 16. 548 00:33:28,539 --> 00:33:35,459 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which 549 00:33:35,459 --> 00:33:41,339 shall be left from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day 550 00:33:41,339 --> 00:33:44,899 that he came up out of the land of Egypt. 551 00:33:46,499 --> 00:33:50,419 Turn over to verse 35, chapter 35. 552 00:33:50,499 --> 00:33:51,219 Excuse me. 553 00:33:51,299 --> 00:33:53,699 Isaiah, two pages over chapter 35. 554 00:33:53,699 --> 00:33:54,659 Look in verse eight. 555 00:33:55,299 --> 00:33:58,659 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called 556 00:33:58,659 --> 00:33:59,699 the way of holiness. 557 00:34:00,909 --> 00:34:05,469 The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those, 558 00:34:06,189 --> 00:34:10,349 the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 559 00:34:11,149 --> 00:34:11,829 Watch this. 560 00:34:11,829 --> 00:34:13,389 No lion shall be there. 561 00:34:13,709 --> 00:34:14,269 Hmm. 562 00:34:15,789 --> 00:34:17,469 Nor any ravenous beast. 563 00:34:17,949 --> 00:34:19,949 The devil's called a lion, isn't he? 564 00:34:21,709 --> 00:34:23,949 Any ravenous beast shall go up thereon. 565 00:34:24,269 --> 00:34:25,709 It shall not be found there. 566 00:34:25,709 --> 00:34:27,949 But the redeemed shall walk there. 567 00:34:28,919 --> 00:34:33,359 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with 568 00:34:33,359 --> 00:34:35,639 songs and everlasting joy. 569 00:34:35,639 --> 00:34:36,679 Upon their heads. 570 00:34:36,679 --> 00:34:41,839 They shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall 571 00:34:41,839 --> 00:34:42,919 flee away. 572 00:34:44,679 --> 00:34:46,279 Sound like revival to me. 573 00:34:52,439 --> 00:34:53,959 Prepare ye the way of the Lord. 574 00:34:56,209 --> 00:35:00,369 During the wars, all the wars, even to this time, even in Iran, 575 00:35:01,329 --> 00:35:06,209 one of the priorities of pilots in the strategy of war was 576 00:35:06,289 --> 00:35:12,529 to destroy the runways, the airports, so that the enemy could 577 00:35:12,529 --> 00:35:13,729 not land their planes. 578 00:35:13,809 --> 00:35:14,209 Right. 579 00:35:15,489 --> 00:35:16,529 That's what they did. 580 00:35:19,819 --> 00:35:21,499 God's looking for a place to land. 581 00:35:23,979 --> 00:35:30,979 I want to see him land right here at Heritage next week, maybe 582 00:35:30,979 --> 00:35:38,739 even before, where God could say, I want to come down and show 583 00:35:38,739 --> 00:35:40,779 myself strong on behalf of the people. 584 00:35:41,899 --> 00:35:44,379 Because some of us have wondered, lord, where are you? 585 00:35:45,669 --> 00:35:46,389 What's going on? 586 00:35:46,709 --> 00:35:47,669 What's happened? 587 00:35:47,909 --> 00:35:48,949 How did we get here? 588 00:35:51,029 --> 00:35:54,349 I think God wants to show you that he's not dead. 589 00:35:54,349 --> 00:35:55,829 In fact, he's not even sick. 590 00:35:56,789 --> 00:36:01,669 He's alive and well, and God may be ready. 591 00:36:02,389 --> 00:36:04,069 The question is, are we ready? 592 00:36:05,349 --> 00:36:06,949 And do you want to see God? 593 00:36:06,949 --> 00:36:12,219 Do something in Numbers, chapter 20, verse 17. 594 00:36:12,379 --> 00:36:16,939 Let us pass, I pray thee, through the country. 595 00:36:18,139 --> 00:36:21,059 We will not pass through the fields or through the vineyards. 596 00:36:21,059 --> 00:36:24,059 Neither will we drink of the water of the wells. 597 00:36:24,219 --> 00:36:26,619 We shall go by the King's highway. 598 00:36:27,339 --> 00:36:32,539 We will not turn to the right hand, nor to the left, until we have 599 00:36:32,539 --> 00:36:36,859 passed the borders, the King's Highway. 600 00:36:37,619 --> 00:36:42,139 When you prepare a place for God to come down and show himself 601 00:36:42,139 --> 00:36:47,339 strong in your heart and in your home and in your church, you'll 602 00:36:47,339 --> 00:36:52,859 find out that when you prepare a place, God will say, I want you 603 00:36:52,859 --> 00:36:55,379 to enjoy the road, too. 604 00:36:58,099 --> 00:37:02,259 God wants you to enjoy the road, the trip, you know, we're going 605 00:37:02,259 --> 00:37:04,099 to have tribulation until Jesus comes. 606 00:37:04,099 --> 00:37:05,939 But Jesus said, hey, be of good cheer. 607 00:37:05,939 --> 00:37:06,979 I've overcome the world. 608 00:37:08,379 --> 00:37:09,739 My grace is sufficient. 609 00:37:09,819 --> 00:37:11,179 I'm never going to leave you. 610 00:37:12,059 --> 00:37:15,419 I know where your enemy is, and I may allow him to do some things, 611 00:37:15,419 --> 00:37:18,939 but he can't do anything without my permission, according 612 00:37:18,939 --> 00:37:20,059 to the word of God. 613 00:37:21,739 --> 00:37:24,939 We get tired, we get discouraged, we get depressed. 614 00:37:25,899 --> 00:37:27,899 We get a little panicky now and then. 615 00:37:29,579 --> 00:37:32,139 And God says, I'm not through yet. 616 00:37:32,789 --> 00:37:33,189 Amen. 617 00:37:35,589 --> 00:37:39,269 Prepare me a place and I'll come down. 618 00:37:40,229 --> 00:37:42,909 Would you stand with your heads bowed and eyes closed for just 619 00:37:42,909 --> 00:37:43,309 a moment? 620 00:37:43,309 --> 00:37:49,389 Everyone standing, most everybody in the church is not going 621 00:37:49,389 --> 00:37:51,789 to get involved in preparing. 622 00:37:51,789 --> 00:37:53,749 But maybe you would. 623 00:37:55,509 --> 00:37:58,789 Maybe you would say, lord, let it start with me. 624 00:38:01,319 --> 00:38:03,959 I want to prepare a place in my heart so you don't. 625 00:38:03,959 --> 00:38:07,079 You can't come down in a dirty life and a dirty heart. 626 00:38:08,919 --> 00:38:12,519 You can't come down and show yourself in my life when there's 627 00:38:12,519 --> 00:38:14,599 things that are not right. 628 00:38:16,279 --> 00:38:20,759 Maybe you would come tonight in this short invitation and say, 629 00:38:20,759 --> 00:38:22,519 lord, start revival in my life. 630 00:38:23,799 --> 00:38:25,319 I want to prepare for it. 631 00:38:25,399 --> 00:38:26,599 I don't want to hinder it. 632 00:38:29,059 --> 00:38:30,419 Maybe that would be your prayer. 633 00:38:31,859 --> 00:38:33,579 Maybe you need revival in your heart. 634 00:38:33,579 --> 00:38:38,899 Maybe in your home, maybe in your everyday life. 635 00:38:40,339 --> 00:38:43,899 I think God is groaning in his spirit. 636 00:38:43,899 --> 00:38:46,179 Oh, I wish they'd let me have my way. 637 00:38:47,059 --> 00:38:48,019 I really believe that. 638 00:38:48,019 --> 00:38:48,819 I believe God. 639 00:38:48,819 --> 00:38:55,549 Groans the Holy Spirit groans Jesus groaned cause he wants to do 640 00:38:55,549 --> 00:38:57,389 so much more than we let him do. 641 00:38:58,429 --> 00:39:00,189 And he remembers that we're dust. 642 00:39:00,189 --> 00:39:01,949 He knows we have limitations. 643 00:39:03,629 --> 00:39:05,389 That God says, put me first. 644 00:39:06,589 --> 00:39:09,429 We're gonna sing a verse of invitation and give you an opportunity 645 00:39:09,429 --> 00:39:11,149 to respond if you'd like to come. 646 00:39:12,189 --> 00:39:14,829 Maybe you'd like to pray about something that's not even mentioned, 647 00:39:14,829 --> 00:39:16,829 had nothing to do with the message tonight. 648 00:39:17,469 --> 00:39:20,189 Just something that's going on in your life and you'd like to come 649 00:39:20,189 --> 00:39:21,469 and talk to God about it. 650 00:39:23,819 --> 00:39:24,779 You have a burden. 651 00:39:24,859 --> 00:39:26,459 He can bear that burden. 652 00:39:27,979 --> 00:39:28,859 You have a problem. 653 00:39:30,939 --> 00:39:31,899 You're just tired. 654 00:39:31,899 --> 00:39:35,499 Jesus said, come unto me all you that are tired and heavy laden 655 00:39:36,379 --> 00:39:37,659 and I will give you rest.