1 00:00:30,579 --> 00:00:33,864 I'm thankful to have Brother Cox as our senior Saints pastor. 2 00:00:34,324 --> 00:00:41,092 He's now our longest tendered staff member and has been with us 3 00:00:41,148 --> 00:00:41,820 a long time. 4 00:00:41,892 --> 00:00:43,304 A long time. 5 00:00:44,084 --> 00:00:49,140 I also want to recognize that he served in the Marines and we thankful 6 00:00:49,172 --> 00:00:51,996 for the service that he gave to our country. 7 00:00:52,100 --> 00:00:54,452 And so I'm so thankful he's come to preach for us this morning. 8 00:00:54,508 --> 00:00:55,362 Come on, Brother Coates. 9 00:00:55,468 --> 00:00:57,194 Thank you, Pastor, appreciate that. 10 00:00:57,894 --> 00:00:58,822 Take your Bibles. 11 00:00:58,878 --> 00:01:01,030 Second Corinthians, chapter two. 12 00:01:01,222 --> 00:01:03,874 Second Corinthians, chapter two, if you would please. 13 00:01:06,374 --> 00:01:13,926 Yesterday afternoon I went to see Brother Adolph Word he did not 14 00:01:13,950 --> 00:01:15,422 know what I was coming there for. 15 00:01:15,478 --> 00:01:19,990 And I asked if it was possible that he could be here today for our 16 00:01:20,062 --> 00:01:21,914 Veterans Appreciation Day. 17 00:01:22,624 --> 00:01:27,264 I said, now I understand if you cannot make it, cannot do it, 18 00:01:27,384 --> 00:01:31,964 but certainly be a blessing to recognize our oldest church member 19 00:01:32,424 --> 00:01:34,444 and our oldest veteran. 20 00:01:34,744 --> 00:01:37,564 And I said, now don't push it. 21 00:01:37,864 --> 00:01:40,684 He told me, I want to push it. 22 00:01:42,344 --> 00:01:43,684 So here he is. 23 00:01:44,064 --> 00:01:48,484 I tell you what, he's kind of a very much of delight. 24 00:01:49,364 --> 00:01:54,636 After he had moved out of his daughter's home, son in law's home 25 00:01:54,780 --> 00:01:56,784 and was put into a facility. 26 00:01:57,204 --> 00:02:00,956 It wasn't long that he called his daughter back and said, you need 27 00:02:00,980 --> 00:02:02,004 to move me. 28 00:02:02,164 --> 00:02:03,464 And she said, why? 29 00:02:03,844 --> 00:02:08,908 Because I can't find anyone any competition to play cards with 30 00:02:08,956 --> 00:02:10,620 or dominoes with. 31 00:02:10,812 --> 00:02:12,652 At 90 some years of age. 32 00:02:12,708 --> 00:02:14,744 He was outsmarting them all. 33 00:02:16,314 --> 00:02:20,714 And then I promised him something that I was reminded of, 34 00:02:20,874 --> 00:02:23,654 got a phone call on his 100th birthday. 35 00:02:24,154 --> 00:02:29,734 Brother Cox, you promised him a ride in your red Mustang, over. 36 00:02:30,834 --> 00:02:36,154 So I was able to dress up in a Hawaiian shirt, a ride in the red 37 00:02:36,194 --> 00:02:39,114 Mustang and reroll down the windows. 38 00:02:39,154 --> 00:02:41,934 And he looked like a teenager all throughout. 39 00:02:42,394 --> 00:02:44,490 Had a great time, a great ball. 40 00:02:44,602 --> 00:02:46,898 He's a wonderful, delightful individual. 41 00:02:46,946 --> 00:02:52,834 I hope you get the second Corinthians, chapter two says this 42 00:02:52,874 --> 00:02:59,378 verse 11:10 to get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant 43 00:02:59,546 --> 00:03:00,394 of his device. 44 00:03:00,434 --> 00:03:01,574 We're not ignorant. 45 00:03:02,234 --> 00:03:03,134 Warriors. 46 00:03:03,594 --> 00:03:08,954 Warriors going into battle, they can't about the enemy before 47 00:03:08,994 --> 00:03:10,134 they go into fight. 48 00:03:10,594 --> 00:03:12,898 It's called military intel. 49 00:03:12,986 --> 00:03:14,914 That's an oxymoron, right? 50 00:03:15,074 --> 00:03:20,770 Yeah, but we need to know the number of tanks, aircraft, ships, 51 00:03:20,882 --> 00:03:23,234 strengths and weaknesses of the enemy. 52 00:03:23,354 --> 00:03:25,994 We cannot go into battle being ignorant. 53 00:03:26,114 --> 00:03:31,322 Today I'm afraid too many Christians have gone into the spiritual 54 00:03:31,378 --> 00:03:36,068 battle, sometimes willingly, so they don't want to know. 55 00:03:36,236 --> 00:03:40,116 Sometimes they don't even want to care and just let life happen 56 00:03:40,300 --> 00:03:44,460 without the worries of having to fight their enemy. 57 00:03:44,652 --> 00:03:45,756 Who does care? 58 00:03:45,900 --> 00:03:49,332 We know somebody, the commander in chief who cares about 59 00:03:49,388 --> 00:03:52,636 each and every one of us about that today. 60 00:03:52,700 --> 00:03:53,188 Let's pray. 61 00:03:53,236 --> 00:03:57,252 Father, thank you for each and every one of our veterans, so grateful 62 00:03:57,308 --> 00:04:02,260 that they have come to serve our nation, serve our country, their 63 00:04:02,332 --> 00:04:06,876 families who have made to be left behind by them and not know 64 00:04:06,940 --> 00:04:08,692 what's going to happen to them. 65 00:04:08,828 --> 00:04:12,212 We thank you very for your great love and grace and mercy. 66 00:04:12,308 --> 00:04:15,676 But we thank you for bringing these veterans that we've honored 67 00:04:15,740 --> 00:04:17,388 today home safe. 68 00:04:17,556 --> 00:04:19,468 Thank you so much for it all. 69 00:04:19,556 --> 00:04:21,356 For it's in Jesus precious name. 70 00:04:21,460 --> 00:04:22,892 Amen to time. 71 00:04:22,948 --> 00:04:27,396 We have to be reminded that we are in a spiritual battle. 72 00:04:27,500 --> 00:04:30,852 One of the things that we should have is just that we are in 73 00:04:30,908 --> 00:04:32,196 a spiritual battle. 74 00:04:32,300 --> 00:04:36,532 We are in a spiritual war because we get too involved with 75 00:04:36,588 --> 00:04:37,068 life. 76 00:04:37,196 --> 00:04:39,436 We get too involved with making a living. 77 00:04:39,620 --> 00:04:45,180 We get too involved with things they demand our time and take 78 00:04:45,212 --> 00:04:46,460 our attention away. 79 00:04:46,612 --> 00:04:48,364 That you don't want spiritual battle. 80 00:04:48,444 --> 00:04:49,972 We're in a spiritual war. 81 00:04:50,108 --> 00:04:52,268 2 Timothy 2, 4 says this. 82 00:04:52,396 --> 00:04:56,028 No man that warreth tangleth himself with the affairs of this 83 00:04:56,076 --> 00:05:01,470 life that he may please he whom to be a soldier. 84 00:05:01,622 --> 00:05:05,678 Sometimes we are ignorant of the spiritual war that is before 85 00:05:05,726 --> 00:05:06,102 us. 86 00:05:06,198 --> 00:05:10,486 Some forget that what's happening is not something of man, 87 00:05:10,630 --> 00:05:12,310 but of a spiritual nature. 88 00:05:12,382 --> 00:05:16,222 And people like for example this election, you can get mad and 89 00:05:16,238 --> 00:05:17,774 you get upset at individuals. 90 00:05:17,814 --> 00:05:24,002 So please understand that uses politicians to promote blindly the 91 00:05:24,018 --> 00:05:26,466 moral issues that we're today. 92 00:05:26,650 --> 00:05:29,026 We should not be ignorant that we are in a battle. 93 00:05:29,170 --> 00:05:32,858 But I do see too many Christians who are not the enemy 94 00:05:32,946 --> 00:05:33,498 at all. 95 00:05:33,586 --> 00:05:37,290 In fact, some Christians willingly give up, raise their hands 96 00:05:37,322 --> 00:05:38,090 as I give up. 97 00:05:38,122 --> 00:05:39,162 I don't want to fight. 98 00:05:39,298 --> 00:05:40,690 I don't want to fight. 99 00:05:40,882 --> 00:05:43,170 That is very sad when that takes place. 100 00:05:43,322 --> 00:05:47,946 Whether or not you Christian, you and I are in a spiritual battle. 101 00:05:48,090 --> 00:05:49,722 We are in a spiritual war. 102 00:05:49,858 --> 00:05:51,996 And please let it cripple you up. 103 00:05:52,170 --> 00:05:54,464 Please understand the enemy wants to harm you. 104 00:05:54,584 --> 00:05:56,912 Please understand the enemy wants to do damage. 105 00:05:57,008 --> 00:06:00,760 But we have a commander in chief that's not going to let that 106 00:06:00,832 --> 00:06:01,824 happen to you. 107 00:06:01,944 --> 00:06:04,808 We have a commander in chief who takes care of you and is able 108 00:06:04,856 --> 00:06:07,364 to overcome our enemy Satan. 109 00:06:07,784 --> 00:06:11,824 Secondly, our enemy Satan, we're not ignorant of him. 110 00:06:11,944 --> 00:06:13,536 He is our archenemy. 111 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,964 Yes, and all that God created. 112 00:06:17,304 --> 00:06:21,000 Since we identify as children of God, made by him and created by 113 00:06:21,032 --> 00:06:21,518 him. 114 00:06:21,656 --> 00:06:25,178 Satan has us in his crosshair. 115 00:06:25,226 --> 00:06:26,586 We are targets. 116 00:06:26,770 --> 00:06:29,154 He sets out ambushes for us. 117 00:06:29,314 --> 00:06:30,962 He will take sniper shots. 118 00:06:31,018 --> 00:06:34,194 He has landmines to cripple us spiritually. 119 00:06:34,314 --> 00:06:36,626 And that where we lose our test. 120 00:06:36,690 --> 00:06:41,330 Jesus Christ, from the very beginning of creation Satan wanted 121 00:06:41,362 --> 00:06:43,138 his own world domain. 122 00:06:43,306 --> 00:06:48,154 If you look at Isaiah chapter 14 we have the five I wills of the 123 00:06:48,194 --> 00:06:52,880 and he told this to God I will be like the Most High, I will exalt 124 00:06:52,912 --> 00:06:57,004 myself above the I will go to heaven, I will have my own kingdom. 125 00:06:57,504 --> 00:07:01,684 Who else boldly tells but the devil himself. 126 00:07:02,464 --> 00:07:07,560 So anyone who names the name of Christ the devil's enemy but we're 127 00:07:07,592 --> 00:07:11,696 not ignorant of that enemy because Satan doesn't care and we're 128 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,336 not ignorant of that enemy that he does not want us to succeed 129 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:16,618 in the Christian life. 130 00:07:16,736 --> 00:07:19,910 Things we need not to be ignorant about. 131 00:07:20,102 --> 00:07:23,830 We are in a war and you have an end does not want the best for 132 00:07:23,862 --> 00:07:25,034 you in your life. 133 00:07:25,454 --> 00:07:31,590 Thirdly, we're not ignorant devices he has devices there as we're 134 00:07:31,622 --> 00:07:36,006 told in second Corinthians lesson each of us for we're not ignorant 135 00:07:36,070 --> 00:07:37,594 of his devices. 136 00:07:37,934 --> 00:07:43,502 Sometimes Satan appears on deep desires things that we really 137 00:07:43,598 --> 00:07:47,810 really want to do down deep look good and act good as a Christian. 138 00:07:47,962 --> 00:07:53,106 But sometimes we have down deep desires we side to us and it's 139 00:07:53,130 --> 00:07:59,130 in those times Satan appeals to that verse 16 for that is all 140 00:07:59,162 --> 00:08:00,178 that is in the world. 141 00:08:00,266 --> 00:08:04,814 The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, not of the Father 142 00:08:06,234 --> 00:08:06,954 world. 143 00:08:07,114 --> 00:08:08,866 He appeals to our liars. 144 00:08:08,970 --> 00:08:13,674 He appeals from that underground authority by which we 145 00:08:13,754 --> 00:08:16,678 deterior than God and have more authority over God. 146 00:08:16,786 --> 00:08:21,822 We don't want him sometimes to rule over do what we want to do and 147 00:08:21,838 --> 00:08:23,838 we live our way that way. 148 00:08:24,006 --> 00:08:28,414 So we have to make that what are we going to do and whom are we 149 00:08:28,454 --> 00:08:29,434 going to serve? 150 00:08:29,734 --> 00:08:35,074 Satan knows missions work and operate emotionally. 151 00:08:35,534 --> 00:08:36,942 We don't operate spiritually. 152 00:08:36,998 --> 00:08:39,598 The word of God we have it here before us. 153 00:08:39,686 --> 00:08:43,956 It's our spiritual life, our spiritual guide but have needed jerk 154 00:08:44,020 --> 00:08:44,860 reactions. 155 00:08:45,012 --> 00:08:50,344 We act and react emotionally when things that's why his devices 156 00:08:50,684 --> 00:08:52,532 are emotionally we are fearful. 157 00:08:52,588 --> 00:08:56,708 When we shouldn't be, we're doubtful when we shouldn't be we're 158 00:08:56,756 --> 00:08:58,308 or when we really should be. 159 00:08:58,356 --> 00:09:01,484 We're not believing in the word of God when we really should 160 00:09:01,524 --> 00:09:05,508 be emotionally and not spiritually Christian. 161 00:09:05,676 --> 00:09:08,668 You and I are to operate on Fs of life. 162 00:09:08,761 --> 00:09:09,642 Three Fs. 163 00:09:09,748 --> 00:09:13,902 First of all, base your Christian life first the facts of 164 00:09:13,918 --> 00:09:14,854 the Word of God. 165 00:09:14,974 --> 00:09:17,822 There are people who say well, I just don't feel saved. 166 00:09:17,878 --> 00:09:20,686 I just don't feel like being a Christian today. 167 00:09:20,790 --> 00:09:22,862 It doesn't matter what you feel like. 168 00:09:22,998 --> 00:09:24,446 What does the Bible say? 169 00:09:24,550 --> 00:09:28,510 What's Jesus Christ done on the cross for you and your salvation? 170 00:09:28,622 --> 00:09:30,526 Whether or not you feel like it. 171 00:09:30,590 --> 00:09:37,096 It's a Fact secondly is your put your faith to the facts, live 172 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:37,944 by faith. 173 00:09:38,064 --> 00:09:42,592 We Christians and not by sight walk by faith and not by sight. 174 00:09:42,728 --> 00:09:45,584 That is our spiritual life, how we spiritually live. 175 00:09:45,704 --> 00:09:49,240 And then thirdly the last F is your feelings. 176 00:09:49,312 --> 00:09:51,816 Your feelings follow suit. 177 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:56,504 Let your feelings be the caboose for this generation over 178 00:09:56,544 --> 00:10:01,912 here who's never seen a caboose are at the end of the train 179 00:10:02,048 --> 00:10:04,696 usually read that follows the train. 180 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:08,026 That that's what's called the caboose generation. 181 00:10:08,130 --> 00:10:08,778 Yeah. 182 00:10:08,906 --> 00:10:09,654 Anyway. 183 00:10:10,074 --> 00:10:10,894 Yeah. 184 00:10:13,714 --> 00:10:15,442 So we are not ignorant. 185 00:10:15,538 --> 00:10:16,106 He is. 186 00:10:16,170 --> 00:10:18,374 And we're not ignorant of his devices. 187 00:10:18,754 --> 00:10:23,234 He knows that we reactionally not spiritually. 188 00:10:23,394 --> 00:10:29,202 So we need to understand sometimes his depression, disillusionment, 189 00:10:29,378 --> 00:10:34,854 anger, bitterness, things that are unfair happenings in our lives 190 00:10:35,014 --> 00:10:38,154 that go against us and hurt us in our lives. 191 00:10:38,894 --> 00:10:43,662 If I might use an illustration from an admiral retired. 192 00:10:43,838 --> 00:10:45,748 His name is William McRaven. 193 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:50,470 William McRaven, commander of what's called special operational 194 00:10:50,582 --> 00:10:51,110 Command. 195 00:10:51,222 --> 00:10:57,142 That means all Navy's, all Rangers, all Marines, all Air force 196 00:10:57,198 --> 00:10:57,726 special. 197 00:10:57,870 --> 00:11:01,954 And McRaven made this comment going to seal school. 198 00:11:02,094 --> 00:11:06,506 He says some demands and commands were made of us that were 199 00:11:06,570 --> 00:11:08,010 impossible for us to. 200 00:11:08,042 --> 00:11:11,898 They were given to us on purpose knowing they could never 201 00:11:11,946 --> 00:11:12,754 be done. 202 00:11:12,914 --> 00:11:17,866 They was never going to be in the cards that it would ever happen. 203 00:11:18,010 --> 00:11:22,146 And yet if through in our attempt we would get punished for 204 00:11:22,170 --> 00:11:22,546 it. 205 00:11:22,650 --> 00:11:27,114 We would have physical fold of that and if one man, that's all one 206 00:11:27,154 --> 00:11:31,064 person just fouled up and what training we all paid for it. 207 00:11:31,184 --> 00:11:33,432 Everybody had to do physical training. 208 00:11:33,528 --> 00:11:37,520 Extra set of, extra set of pull ups and extra set of runs. 209 00:11:37,712 --> 00:11:39,232 Now that wasn't fair. 210 00:11:39,408 --> 00:11:41,084 Part of the SEAL training. 211 00:11:41,464 --> 00:11:44,312 Christian, you're going to go through things in your life that 212 00:11:44,328 --> 00:11:44,848 are not fair. 213 00:11:44,896 --> 00:11:47,472 This world is not going to be fair to you. 214 00:11:47,648 --> 00:11:50,072 This world's not going to applaud you for. 215 00:11:50,168 --> 00:11:52,944 This world's not going to acknowledge that you're doing this 216 00:11:52,984 --> 00:11:53,536 for God. 217 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:55,974 So they're ignorant of your struggles. 218 00:11:56,434 --> 00:11:59,498 We are not ignorant of your struggles. 219 00:11:59,666 --> 00:12:04,386 Now I realize I'm going to make a surprise statement, a surprise 220 00:12:04,450 --> 00:12:05,490 to many of you. 221 00:12:05,602 --> 00:12:09,854 So hold on, wait for it, wait for it. 222 00:12:10,554 --> 00:12:11,574 Here it is. 223 00:12:12,234 --> 00:12:16,614 We of the church staff are not ignorant. 224 00:12:19,194 --> 00:12:24,640 You may think we are, but we're not ignorant that many of you 225 00:12:24,672 --> 00:12:26,484 in church today struggle. 226 00:12:26,944 --> 00:12:30,352 We're not ignorant of the fact many of you in church today have 227 00:12:30,408 --> 00:12:36,352 pains, aches, illnesses, problems, issues that you're struggling 228 00:12:36,408 --> 00:12:38,208 with each and every day. 229 00:12:38,376 --> 00:12:43,552 Emotionally, physically, financial, marriage, bad habits, 230 00:12:43,688 --> 00:12:45,288 struggles, even of your faith. 231 00:12:45,376 --> 00:12:47,734 We're not ignorant of that. 232 00:12:47,904 --> 00:12:49,498 That's why we pray for you. 233 00:12:49,626 --> 00:12:53,410 That's why you're mentioned in our staff meeting where we pray for 234 00:12:53,442 --> 00:12:56,146 each and every one of you in the midst of your struggles. 235 00:12:56,210 --> 00:12:59,534 We are aware, we're not ignorant of these things. 236 00:12:59,914 --> 00:13:03,522 We're not ignorant that you're vulnerable to the enemy during this 237 00:13:03,578 --> 00:13:04,106 time. 238 00:13:04,250 --> 00:13:08,266 We know that emotionally when you're strung out, this is when the 239 00:13:08,290 --> 00:13:09,754 enemy can attack you. 240 00:13:09,914 --> 00:13:12,666 This is where you're at the most weakest in your life. 241 00:13:12,770 --> 00:13:14,216 We're not ignorant of that. 242 00:13:14,330 --> 00:13:16,264 We're certainly well aware. 243 00:13:16,684 --> 00:13:19,836 And because of that, we're not ignorant that if, for an example, 244 00:13:19,940 --> 00:13:21,504 you focus on U.S. 245 00:13:22,204 --> 00:13:28,140 staff or any Christian that try to make you spiritual, then you 246 00:13:28,172 --> 00:13:30,020 are struggling in your faith. 247 00:13:30,132 --> 00:13:36,532 Because understand this, nobody, nobody, nobody can be spiritual 248 00:13:36,588 --> 00:13:37,492 for you. 249 00:13:37,668 --> 00:13:39,372 That is on you. 250 00:13:39,548 --> 00:13:41,152 That is on you. 251 00:13:41,308 --> 00:13:45,480 You have to will, you have to decide, you have to choose. 252 00:13:45,632 --> 00:13:49,368 Am I or am I not going to follow the Lord? 253 00:13:49,536 --> 00:13:50,964 That is on you. 254 00:13:51,264 --> 00:13:55,048 If you're wondering if God really cares for you during your 255 00:13:55,096 --> 00:14:00,352 trials and tribulations and your doubts, and you doubt the sincerity 256 00:14:00,448 --> 00:14:03,824 of his care like many of the disciples did. 257 00:14:03,944 --> 00:14:08,810 Care us not, Lord, that we perish, the Bible teaches us that. 258 00:14:08,882 --> 00:14:12,194 Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 259 00:14:12,314 --> 00:14:16,714 If you doubt that Jesus Christ cared for you even though he died 260 00:14:16,754 --> 00:14:22,774 on the cross for you, then you are struggling in your faith. 261 00:14:23,754 --> 00:14:30,258 If you're wondering if coming to church and doing all the Christian 262 00:14:30,306 --> 00:14:34,036 things really matter, if it really works, I mean, I've heard 263 00:14:34,060 --> 00:14:38,308 it over and over again to read your Bible and pray and be active 264 00:14:38,356 --> 00:14:39,340 and be faithful. 265 00:14:39,452 --> 00:14:43,024 But what if I've done all of those things and nothing works? 266 00:14:44,284 --> 00:14:49,956 Then you are struggling in your faith, my friends. 267 00:14:50,060 --> 00:14:51,124 It does work. 268 00:14:51,284 --> 00:14:52,500 It does work. 269 00:14:52,692 --> 00:14:57,934 Let me borrow something again from William McRaven in his SEAL 270 00:14:58,076 --> 00:15:07,142 school started out 150 men that boiled down to 45 left in combat. 271 00:15:07,284 --> 00:15:10,102 Navy SEALs are to do this. 272 00:15:10,278 --> 00:15:15,942 They are to swim two miles underwater at night in the dark to 273 00:15:15,958 --> 00:15:20,006 be able to go to shore, to be able to destroy their target. 274 00:15:20,190 --> 00:15:22,054 Sometimes I have to hide out. 275 00:15:22,214 --> 00:15:26,034 One of the areas of hiding out is what's called the mud flats. 276 00:15:26,384 --> 00:15:30,564 SEAL training in between San Diego and Tijuana. 277 00:15:30,864 --> 00:15:34,564 There were an area off the coast called the mudflats. 278 00:15:35,144 --> 00:15:38,952 And there the trainees would swim to the coast and there in the 279 00:15:38,968 --> 00:15:42,792 mudflats, they would cover themselves up in concealment. 280 00:15:42,968 --> 00:15:46,964 There they would remain covered for hours. 281 00:15:47,464 --> 00:15:52,444 In the middle of the night, it would be cold, it would be chilling, 282 00:15:52,844 --> 00:15:54,684 it would be very unpleasant. 283 00:15:54,804 --> 00:15:59,132 The only thing showing of them would be their heads above water, 284 00:15:59,188 --> 00:16:00,228 above the mud. 285 00:16:00,396 --> 00:16:03,824 But their whole bodies were wrapped in the mud. 286 00:16:04,804 --> 00:16:09,436 Before long, you would have the shivering, the chattering of 287 00:16:09,460 --> 00:16:13,716 the teeth, and people were shaking all over in the mud flat. 288 00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:18,080 And then suddenly the instructors would say, okay, gentlemen, 289 00:16:18,212 --> 00:16:23,120 if five men, if just five of you will quit, we'll get out of here. 290 00:16:23,232 --> 00:16:27,160 If just five of you would give up, you can go back to the barracks 291 00:16:27,192 --> 00:16:27,968 where it's warm. 292 00:16:28,056 --> 00:16:29,056 Just five of you. 293 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:29,976 That's all you gotta do. 294 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:31,640 Just five, you gotta quit. 295 00:16:31,792 --> 00:16:34,288 Hey, we can do this all night long, gentlemen. 296 00:16:34,416 --> 00:16:35,080 We're warm. 297 00:16:35,112 --> 00:16:36,824 We are dressed in warm clothes. 298 00:16:36,904 --> 00:16:37,752 You're not. 299 00:16:37,888 --> 00:16:40,312 You have eight hours until sunrise. 300 00:16:40,408 --> 00:16:41,568 Just five of you. 301 00:16:41,656 --> 00:16:43,164 All you gotta do is quit. 302 00:16:45,474 --> 00:16:50,954 Suddenly, somewhere in the mudflats came some small voice started 303 00:16:50,994 --> 00:16:54,458 to sing a song that was terribly, terribly off key. 304 00:16:54,626 --> 00:16:56,106 And then another one sang. 305 00:16:56,210 --> 00:16:59,894 And then 2, then 4, then 7, then 10, then 15. 306 00:17:00,274 --> 00:17:02,574 Suddenly they started singing all over. 307 00:17:03,514 --> 00:17:08,194 Christian, if you find yourself deep in the mud of this 308 00:17:08,234 --> 00:17:12,788 world, if you find yourself deep and covered up and you're overwhelmed, 309 00:17:12,946 --> 00:17:15,084 do like these seals sing. 310 00:17:15,584 --> 00:17:17,288 Sing, Christians. 311 00:17:17,376 --> 00:17:22,024 Sing like Paul and Silas at the midnight in the Philippian jail. 312 00:17:22,144 --> 00:17:22,808 Sing. 313 00:17:22,976 --> 00:17:24,624 Sing of the praises of God. 314 00:17:24,704 --> 00:17:26,304 Sing unto the glory of God. 315 00:17:26,384 --> 00:17:28,120 Sing what God has done for you. 316 00:17:28,232 --> 00:17:30,128 Sing, get rid of the devil. 317 00:17:30,216 --> 00:17:30,844 Sing. 318 00:17:31,464 --> 00:17:33,244 That's what you've got to do. 319 00:17:35,224 --> 00:17:39,604 And you'll feel warmer and you'll feel less covered by the mud. 320 00:17:40,434 --> 00:17:41,266 Indeed. 321 00:17:41,410 --> 00:17:43,854 Sing for the glory of the Lord. 322 00:17:44,354 --> 00:17:50,442 And then, finally, we are not ignorant of who our commander is. 323 00:17:50,618 --> 00:17:54,530 Our commander is identified for us in Psalm 24. 324 00:17:54,722 --> 00:17:57,274 Who is this king of glory? 325 00:17:57,394 --> 00:18:00,106 He's the Lord, strong and mighty. 326 00:18:00,250 --> 00:18:02,066 The Lord mighty in battle. 327 00:18:02,170 --> 00:18:03,922 Lift up your heads, O ye gates. 328 00:18:04,018 --> 00:18:08,620 Lift them up and everlasting doors, the King of glory shall come 329 00:18:08,652 --> 00:18:09,012 in. 330 00:18:09,108 --> 00:18:10,668 Who is this king of glory? 331 00:18:10,756 --> 00:18:13,580 He's the Lord of hosts and the king of glory. 332 00:18:13,732 --> 00:18:17,276 Our commander in chief, the Lord Jesus Christ. 333 00:18:17,420 --> 00:18:19,092 He's the one in charge. 334 00:18:19,188 --> 00:18:22,108 He's the one who knows how to fight against the devil. 335 00:18:22,196 --> 00:18:25,644 He's the one who can give you peace and strength during the battle. 336 00:18:25,724 --> 00:18:29,340 He's the one that will be willing to fight the battle for you. 337 00:18:29,492 --> 00:18:31,168 He's a seasoned warrior. 338 00:18:31,316 --> 00:18:35,152 He's fought Satan for over 6,000 years. 339 00:18:35,328 --> 00:18:36,808 He knows what to do. 340 00:18:36,936 --> 00:18:39,528 He knows how to lay him flat on his back. 341 00:18:39,656 --> 00:18:41,744 He is our warrior king. 342 00:18:41,864 --> 00:18:46,244 He willingly, willingly lay aside his crown. 343 00:18:46,864 --> 00:18:49,524 In place of that crown, he took a cross. 344 00:18:49,824 --> 00:18:53,328 He took that cross with him to Calvary and died for that. 345 00:18:53,416 --> 00:18:54,512 Who does that? 346 00:18:54,608 --> 00:18:56,574 Who is willing to do that? 347 00:18:56,744 --> 00:19:02,050 Only one who loves you and cares for you so very, very Much 348 00:19:02,202 --> 00:19:07,210 to defeat Satan and to win us, he had to die on the cross to forgive 349 00:19:07,242 --> 00:19:08,346 us of our sins. 350 00:19:08,490 --> 00:19:11,466 And then really to make sure Satan was defeated. 351 00:19:11,650 --> 00:19:15,378 Oh, he rose again gloriously, the third day. 352 00:19:15,546 --> 00:19:17,774 So he's done everything possible. 353 00:19:18,114 --> 00:19:22,434 If you're here today, you've never, ever trusted Jesus as your 354 00:19:22,474 --> 00:19:22,938 savior. 355 00:19:23,026 --> 00:19:24,114 You don't know him. 356 00:19:24,194 --> 00:19:26,162 You don't know for sure that you're saved. 357 00:19:26,258 --> 00:19:28,730 You don't know that you're on your way to heaven. 358 00:19:28,842 --> 00:19:32,274 Please understand, there's a warrior who fought for you. 359 00:19:32,354 --> 00:19:35,282 There's a warrior who willingly gave himself up. 360 00:19:35,338 --> 00:19:39,658 There's a warrior like these men who willingly showed himself 361 00:19:39,746 --> 00:19:41,854 strong on your behalf. 362 00:19:42,474 --> 00:19:44,138 Jesus is our warrior. 363 00:19:44,306 --> 00:19:46,714 He fought for us from the cross. 364 00:19:46,754 --> 00:19:48,722 When he says it is finished. 365 00:19:48,898 --> 00:19:51,046 His work of salvation was complete. 366 00:19:51,210 --> 00:19:58,086 Our sins were paid in full, judicially, fully served, fully served. 367 00:19:58,190 --> 00:20:02,918 And militarily, the battle is won, the victory is yours. 368 00:20:03,086 --> 00:20:07,394 By dying on the cross, the victory is yours. 369 00:20:08,694 --> 00:20:13,518 As we wrap it up, dear lost friend, please understand, Jesus 370 00:20:13,566 --> 00:20:15,194 loves you very, very much. 371 00:20:15,774 --> 00:20:19,270 In full obedience to his heavenly father, he willingly did 372 00:20:19,302 --> 00:20:19,938 this. 373 00:20:20,126 --> 00:20:21,058 Understand this. 374 00:20:21,146 --> 00:20:22,898 He never, never. 375 00:20:23,026 --> 00:20:29,442 Like those seals and the mud flies, he never ever considered giving 376 00:20:29,498 --> 00:20:29,930 up. 377 00:20:30,042 --> 00:20:33,922 He never ever considered coming down from that cross. 378 00:20:34,018 --> 00:20:38,162 He never ever considered disobeying his heavenly father. 379 00:20:38,298 --> 00:20:39,974 He did it all for us. 380 00:20:40,634 --> 00:20:43,014 Jesus Christ, our warrior. 381 00:20:44,874 --> 00:20:48,074 He was obedient to the cross, the Bible says, even to the death 382 00:20:48,114 --> 00:20:49,112 of the cross. 383 00:20:49,298 --> 00:20:55,664 So at the invitation before you receive Christ, you must be aware 384 00:20:56,484 --> 00:20:59,700 that you have sins that Jesus died for. 385 00:20:59,852 --> 00:21:05,140 You must be aware you need to confess them and ask God's forgiveness. 386 00:21:05,292 --> 00:21:09,556 Repent of your sins and understand he will save you. 387 00:21:09,700 --> 00:21:14,932 Remember at the cross, God turned his back on his own son. 388 00:21:14,988 --> 00:21:20,152 Because of our sins, you today at this altar can turn your back 389 00:21:20,288 --> 00:21:24,920 on your own sins and say, I'm sorry, Father, forgive me. 390 00:21:24,992 --> 00:21:28,644 I receive your son into my life Christian. 391 00:21:29,744 --> 00:21:32,336 Consider the warrior chief Jesus. 392 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:37,768 He has given everything we need to live the victorious Christian 393 00:21:37,816 --> 00:21:38,312 life. 394 00:21:38,448 --> 00:21:42,164 In the Christian life, just come and believe and trust him. 395 00:21:42,464 --> 00:21:43,804 One more illustration. 396 00:21:44,944 --> 00:21:47,364 Admiral McRaven mentioned this. 397 00:21:47,664 --> 00:21:52,924 In the middle of the SEAL compound is a big brass bell. 398 00:21:53,344 --> 00:21:59,336 And he tells all of the SEAL recruits if the training is too tough, 399 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:03,192 if everything gets terrible for you and you can't take it anymore, 400 00:22:03,288 --> 00:22:05,208 you don't want to go back to the mud flats. 401 00:22:05,296 --> 00:22:08,476 You don't want to swim two miles underwater at night. 402 00:22:08,580 --> 00:22:11,500 If you don't want to do any of this, just come up and ring that 403 00:22:11,532 --> 00:22:12,500 bell three times. 404 00:22:12,612 --> 00:22:13,956 Just ring that bell. 405 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:16,196 No one's going to try to talk you out of it. 406 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:18,604 No one's going to say anything to you. 407 00:22:18,724 --> 00:22:19,772 No questions asked. 408 00:22:19,828 --> 00:22:23,104 You just ring that bell, Christian. 409 00:22:23,644 --> 00:22:24,824 Understand this. 410 00:22:25,284 --> 00:22:30,544 The Christian life is not lived by chance. 411 00:22:30,924 --> 00:22:32,744 It's lived by choice. 412 00:22:33,044 --> 00:22:34,184 You choose. 413 00:22:34,364 --> 00:22:37,184 You choose whether or not you wanna ring that bell. 414 00:22:37,304 --> 00:22:39,496 You choose whether or not you wanna quit. 415 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,832 You choose whether or not you wanna get out of the Christian life. 416 00:22:42,928 --> 00:22:47,072 You choose whether or not you wanna serve your savior who died 417 00:22:47,128 --> 00:22:48,400 on the cross for you. 418 00:22:48,512 --> 00:22:49,224 You choose. 419 00:22:49,304 --> 00:22:50,764 You make that decision. 420 00:22:51,104 --> 00:22:52,944 Don't ring that bell. 421 00:22:53,104 --> 00:22:54,704 Don't ring that bell. 422 00:22:54,824 --> 00:22:57,320 Jesus Christ never quit on you. 423 00:22:57,432 --> 00:23:01,764 Jesus Christ never rang a bell to get out of the cross for you. 424 00:23:02,144 --> 00:23:06,632 He died that we might have eternal life. 425 00:23:06,808 --> 00:23:09,724 Every head bowed, every eye closed. 426 00:23:13,544 --> 00:23:14,072 Understand? 427 00:23:14,168 --> 00:23:19,604 We have a wonderful warrior who fights for us against the devil. 428 00:23:19,904 --> 00:23:25,664 A wonderful warrior who did everything possible, taking our sins 429 00:23:25,824 --> 00:23:30,164 on himself, that we might have eternal life. 430 00:23:30,664 --> 00:23:31,524 If you're here today.