1 00:00:29,939 --> 00:00:34,419 John chapter 15, John 15. 2 00:00:42,019 --> 00:00:47,539 I don't think there's anyone in the room that wouldn't desire 3 00:00:47,619 --> 00:00:50,739 to experience a joyful life. 4 00:00:52,179 --> 00:00:55,379 Not just to experience it, but to live a joyful life. 5 00:00:58,159 --> 00:00:59,919 That word joy is an interesting word. 6 00:00:59,919 --> 00:01:01,199 It's more than happiness. 7 00:01:01,199 --> 00:01:04,959 Happiness is based upon happenstance and what happens to 8 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:05,279 us. 9 00:01:06,479 --> 00:01:10,719 And joy is a divinely given contentment. 10 00:01:11,279 --> 00:01:15,719 In other words, true joy is given to us by the Lord, and it's 11 00:01:15,719 --> 00:01:18,479 by his grace that he gives that to us. 12 00:01:19,279 --> 00:01:23,509 This divinely given contentment is an inward serenity 13 00:01:24,469 --> 00:01:28,909 that exists in spite of difficult circumstances that may 14 00:01:28,909 --> 00:01:29,749 come into our life. 15 00:01:31,589 --> 00:01:36,789 It's an amazing thing that we can experience joy in spite of the 16 00:01:36,789 --> 00:01:38,469 circumstances that we may experience. 17 00:01:40,229 --> 00:01:43,349 I think about Nehemiah who said, the joy of the Lord is my strength 18 00:01:44,229 --> 00:01:48,629 and the joy that we can have even as we face difficult circumstances. 19 00:01:49,329 --> 00:01:52,849 In John chapter 15, just we're going to read verses 11 through 15, 20 00:01:54,049 --> 00:01:54,889 so look there with me. 21 00:01:54,889 --> 00:01:55,929 Verse 11 through 15. 22 00:01:55,929 --> 00:01:57,889 And these things have I spoken unto you. 23 00:01:57,969 --> 00:01:59,649 By the way, these are the words of Jesus. 24 00:02:00,529 --> 00:02:01,969 So we're quoting Jesus. 25 00:02:03,249 --> 00:02:07,489 He says, these things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might 26 00:02:07,489 --> 00:02:11,089 remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 27 00:02:11,489 --> 00:02:14,729 And this is my commandment that you love one another as I have 28 00:02:14,729 --> 00:02:15,249 loved you. 29 00:02:15,779 --> 00:02:18,939 And greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his 30 00:02:18,939 --> 00:02:19,859 life for his friends. 31 00:02:20,259 --> 00:02:23,379 And ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. 32 00:02:23,939 --> 00:02:28,299 Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth 33 00:02:28,299 --> 00:02:29,699 not what his Lord doeth. 34 00:02:29,939 --> 00:02:33,699 But I have called you friends for all things that I have heard 35 00:02:33,939 --> 00:02:37,059 of my Father I have made known unto you. 36 00:02:37,059 --> 00:02:37,659 Let's pray. 37 00:02:37,659 --> 00:02:39,379 Heavenly Father, we love you. 38 00:02:39,379 --> 00:02:41,619 And we thank you this morning for the opportunity we have to open 39 00:02:41,619 --> 00:02:43,299 the word of God and hear from you. 40 00:02:43,939 --> 00:02:46,779 And I pray, Lord, as we preach this morning, that you would again 41 00:02:46,779 --> 00:02:49,139 enable me to say exactly what you'd have said. 42 00:02:49,939 --> 00:02:53,619 I pray this morning that we would see the opportunity we have 43 00:02:54,099 --> 00:02:56,499 to experience joy in our everyday life. 44 00:02:57,299 --> 00:03:00,419 And God, may we follow in the footsteps of your dear son Jesus. 45 00:03:00,419 --> 00:03:02,979 We thank you in Jesus name, Amen. 46 00:03:03,619 --> 00:03:06,419 One of my favorite books is the Book of Philippians, as our church 47 00:03:06,419 --> 00:03:07,219 family knows. 48 00:03:07,779 --> 00:03:11,149 And if you go to any commentary on the book of Philippians, 49 00:03:11,149 --> 00:03:14,909 you'll find that the theme of the book of Philippians is joy. 50 00:03:15,869 --> 00:03:16,749 And that is true. 51 00:03:16,749 --> 00:03:19,269 I believe that is the theme of the book of Philippians. 52 00:03:19,269 --> 00:03:23,509 It's again joy, but joy that's produced by something. 53 00:03:23,509 --> 00:03:26,709 And if you read throughout the book of Philippians, you find that 54 00:03:26,709 --> 00:03:30,029 Paul is In prison as he's writing the book of Philippians. 55 00:03:30,029 --> 00:03:31,429 And he doesn't complain. 56 00:03:31,429 --> 00:03:34,469 He never talks about himself and the problems that he's experiencing 57 00:03:34,469 --> 00:03:35,629 and all those things. 58 00:03:35,629 --> 00:03:36,589 No, he talks about others. 59 00:03:36,589 --> 00:03:37,069 And he. 60 00:03:37,269 --> 00:03:39,909 He's concerned that others would come to the saving knowledge 61 00:03:39,909 --> 00:03:40,589 of Jesus Christ. 62 00:03:40,589 --> 00:03:44,109 He's concerned that other Christians would look on the needs 63 00:03:44,109 --> 00:03:44,589 of others. 64 00:03:44,589 --> 00:03:48,829 And he gives examples of not only Jesus Christ, but Epaphroditus 65 00:03:48,829 --> 00:03:53,829 and many others who were serving others, doing for others. 66 00:03:53,909 --> 00:03:56,909 And he goes on to say we should press toward the mark, that 67 00:03:56,909 --> 00:04:02,149 our goal should be to know Jesus Christ and to walk in his steps, 68 00:04:02,149 --> 00:04:05,149 to know him and to be conformed to the image of his Son. 69 00:04:05,149 --> 00:04:10,429 In other words, our goal as Christians is to be Christians, which 70 00:04:10,429 --> 00:04:14,429 means imitators of Christ, followers of Jesus Christ. 71 00:04:14,429 --> 00:04:17,189 They were called Christians first at Antioch. 72 00:04:17,189 --> 00:04:17,549 Why? 73 00:04:17,869 --> 00:04:19,629 Because they were followers of Jesus. 74 00:04:19,629 --> 00:04:24,589 They were followers of Jesus and his doctrine, his teachings and 75 00:04:24,589 --> 00:04:25,149 the faith. 76 00:04:25,149 --> 00:04:28,709 And so again, as we think about that, and then it says, well, 77 00:04:28,709 --> 00:04:31,629 how do we experience again, the selflessness? 78 00:04:31,629 --> 00:04:35,389 How do we live a life that is pleasing to Jesus? 79 00:04:35,469 --> 00:04:37,389 How do we live out the Christian life? 80 00:04:37,389 --> 00:04:39,469 How do we follow in Jesus steps? 81 00:04:39,469 --> 00:04:43,789 How do we live for others when we know we are selfish by nature? 82 00:04:44,429 --> 00:04:51,029 It's not natural for us to, you know, to put others as number 83 00:04:51,029 --> 00:04:51,389 one. 84 00:04:52,829 --> 00:04:56,909 It's not natural for us to put others in front of ourselves. 85 00:04:57,709 --> 00:05:00,149 And there are some things to be said about our kids and some other 86 00:05:00,149 --> 00:05:02,029 things, but again, it's just not natural. 87 00:05:02,029 --> 00:05:03,469 We are selfish by nature. 88 00:05:04,259 --> 00:05:09,779 That's what sin is, by the way, sin is being selfish, not treating 89 00:05:09,779 --> 00:05:12,259 others as you would want to be treated. 90 00:05:12,739 --> 00:05:16,379 Jesus said, whatsoever you do unto men, you would have men unto 91 00:05:16,379 --> 00:05:16,539 you. 92 00:05:16,539 --> 00:05:17,659 Do even also to them. 93 00:05:17,659 --> 00:05:19,099 For this is all the law and the prophets. 94 00:05:19,099 --> 00:05:20,419 In other words, it's the golden rule. 95 00:05:20,819 --> 00:05:23,139 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 96 00:05:23,779 --> 00:05:29,859 When we don't do that, when we don't live selflessly, then we sin. 97 00:05:29,859 --> 00:05:31,139 Sin is breaking the law. 98 00:05:32,139 --> 00:05:33,659 Sin is trespassing the law. 99 00:05:33,739 --> 00:05:37,819 Sin is crossing over the fence, the barbed wire fence, and 100 00:05:38,059 --> 00:05:39,059 playing in the pasture. 101 00:05:39,059 --> 00:05:40,059 I'm not supposed to be in. 102 00:05:41,019 --> 00:05:44,539 Never done that before with a BB gun. 103 00:05:49,419 --> 00:05:55,499 No joy is found in serving Jesus Christ. 104 00:05:55,979 --> 00:05:58,219 I'm giving you the conclusion before we even start. 105 00:05:58,869 --> 00:06:03,149 Joy is found in serving others and doing for others. 106 00:06:03,149 --> 00:06:05,029 And that's what Philippians teaches us. 107 00:06:05,989 --> 00:06:07,269 And how are we to do that? 108 00:06:07,269 --> 00:06:11,309 Well, he says it in chapter four, I can do all things through 109 00:06:11,309 --> 00:06:12,789 Christ which strengtheneth me. 110 00:06:13,749 --> 00:06:17,549 And see that little phrase there in Philippians 4:13 is not 111 00:06:17,549 --> 00:06:20,229 so you can be a better, you know, a better athlete? 112 00:06:22,309 --> 00:06:23,029 No, no, no. 113 00:06:23,109 --> 00:06:26,329 It's so you can be a better Christian, so that you can live for 114 00:06:26,329 --> 00:06:31,809 Jesus, that you can have that and experience a joyful life. 115 00:06:31,809 --> 00:06:36,049 Because again, the joyful life is produced by walking in the steps 116 00:06:36,049 --> 00:06:36,569 of Jesus. 117 00:06:36,569 --> 00:06:38,369 It's produced by being selfless. 118 00:06:38,849 --> 00:06:41,809 This joy, is that again divinely given? 119 00:06:42,129 --> 00:06:43,569 It's given to us by God. 120 00:06:44,849 --> 00:06:45,649 How in the world? 121 00:06:45,729 --> 00:06:49,049 First Thessalonians, Paul said this in chapter one, verses five 122 00:06:49,049 --> 00:06:49,649 through seven. 123 00:06:49,729 --> 00:06:54,079 He said, in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost. 124 00:06:55,119 --> 00:06:56,799 Those two don't go together, do they? 125 00:06:57,359 --> 00:07:01,839 In much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost. 126 00:07:02,399 --> 00:07:06,239 The Bible says Jesus with joy endured the cross. 127 00:07:08,159 --> 00:07:14,559 It's amazing, isn't it, that divinely given joy is and can be 128 00:07:14,559 --> 00:07:16,519 experienced in spite of the circumstances? 129 00:07:16,519 --> 00:07:18,479 Nehemiah 8, that I quoted a while ago. 130 00:07:18,719 --> 00:07:21,119 Nehemiah says, the joy of the Lord is our strength. 131 00:07:22,049 --> 00:07:23,809 You want strength for everyday living? 132 00:07:24,769 --> 00:07:27,569 We find that in Jesus Christ and the joy that he gives us. 133 00:07:28,769 --> 00:07:31,809 Again, what is joy divinely given? 134 00:07:33,409 --> 00:07:34,289 Contentment. 135 00:07:35,889 --> 00:07:40,129 Contentment and peace, Sister Words. 136 00:07:41,489 --> 00:07:42,769 Who doesn't want peace? 137 00:07:45,009 --> 00:07:46,849 The world is looking for contentment. 138 00:07:47,919 --> 00:07:50,639 Maybe you're here today and you're looking for something. 139 00:07:51,599 --> 00:07:53,119 You have a void in your life. 140 00:07:54,479 --> 00:07:56,159 There's an empty spot there. 141 00:07:58,079 --> 00:07:59,759 There is no peace in your life. 142 00:08:00,639 --> 00:08:01,479 I'm so thankful. 143 00:08:01,479 --> 00:08:02,079 I can tell you. 144 00:08:02,079 --> 00:08:03,518 Jesus Christ gives peace. 145 00:08:05,199 --> 00:08:06,639 He gives peace to us. 146 00:08:07,519 --> 00:08:09,039 He is our strength. 147 00:08:09,519 --> 00:08:11,839 He is the oil of our life. 148 00:08:12,239 --> 00:08:15,559 He's the one that takes the weariness, weariness, weariness out 149 00:08:15,559 --> 00:08:15,999 of life. 150 00:08:16,879 --> 00:08:20,479 He's the one who takes the weariness and that everyday grind 151 00:08:22,159 --> 00:08:23,279 and gives us joy. 152 00:08:24,959 --> 00:08:26,199 How do we have that joy? 153 00:08:26,199 --> 00:08:28,159 How are we to experience that joy? 154 00:08:28,559 --> 00:08:32,119 We find that here in the Scriptures, and we preached this 155 00:08:32,119 --> 00:08:35,519 on Friend Day many times, and this year we're kind of concentrating 156 00:08:35,519 --> 00:08:36,879 on verse 11. 157 00:08:38,479 --> 00:08:39,359 Let's read it again. 158 00:08:39,839 --> 00:08:43,929 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain 159 00:08:43,929 --> 00:08:47,209 in you and that your joy might be full. 160 00:08:47,209 --> 00:08:47,889 What are these things? 161 00:08:47,889 --> 00:08:48,729 He's spoken unto them? 162 00:08:48,729 --> 00:08:51,609 Well, he's reminded them that they are to abide in him. 163 00:08:52,169 --> 00:08:53,209 Abide in the vine. 164 00:08:53,209 --> 00:08:54,209 You are the branches. 165 00:08:54,209 --> 00:08:56,169 He says, we think of that. 166 00:08:56,169 --> 00:09:00,649 We think of, you know, a plant and we think of illustration here 167 00:09:00,649 --> 00:09:03,729 is of, you know, grape vines, when you have the vine and you have 168 00:09:03,729 --> 00:09:07,769 the branches, and those branches must be in the vine if they're 169 00:09:07,769 --> 00:09:08,409 going to have life. 170 00:09:10,918 --> 00:09:14,278 The branch must be in the vine if they're going to sustain life. 171 00:09:14,838 --> 00:09:15,478 Amen. 172 00:09:15,478 --> 00:09:16,758 Everybody wake up. 173 00:09:18,598 --> 00:09:21,558 We got to be in the vine if we're going to survive. 174 00:09:22,198 --> 00:09:24,438 Got to be in the vine if you're going to produce grapes. 175 00:09:24,518 --> 00:09:27,318 Got to be in the vine if you're going to sustain life. 176 00:09:28,358 --> 00:09:29,798 He says, abide in me. 177 00:09:30,198 --> 00:09:32,078 Abide in me and you shall bring forth fruit. 178 00:09:32,078 --> 00:09:37,119 And he goes on to say more fruit and much fruit abiding in the 179 00:09:37,119 --> 00:09:41,559 Lord being grafted into the vine. 180 00:09:42,199 --> 00:09:42,999 When does this happen? 181 00:09:42,999 --> 00:09:44,199 It happens at salvation. 182 00:09:45,319 --> 00:09:47,159 I hope this morning you know you're saved. 183 00:09:49,159 --> 00:09:49,799 Salvation. 184 00:09:50,359 --> 00:09:53,879 Being rescued from the penalty of sin. 185 00:09:54,839 --> 00:09:56,959 Being rescued from the wages of sin. 186 00:09:56,959 --> 00:09:59,479 The wages of sin, the Bible says in Romans is death. 187 00:10:00,359 --> 00:10:03,959 Revelation tells us that that death is not talking necessarily 188 00:10:03,959 --> 00:10:06,599 about the physical death, though we know we are all appointed 189 00:10:07,619 --> 00:10:09,219 time in which that will come. 190 00:10:09,219 --> 00:10:10,179 It's inevitable. 191 00:10:10,899 --> 00:10:11,779 It's inevitable. 192 00:10:12,179 --> 00:10:14,739 It's appointed unto man once to die. 193 00:10:14,899 --> 00:10:16,179 And after this the judgment. 194 00:10:16,179 --> 00:10:19,819 We don't know that day, that appointment day, but we know it is 195 00:10:19,819 --> 00:10:20,739 set by the Lord. 196 00:10:21,859 --> 00:10:25,139 But when Romans there in chapter three and six are talking 197 00:10:25,139 --> 00:10:28,059 about the wages of sin, it's speaking about the death. 198 00:10:28,059 --> 00:10:32,019 It's speaking of is Revelation tells us that that is separation 199 00:10:32,019 --> 00:10:32,659 from God. 200 00:10:33,709 --> 00:10:37,469 The penalty for being selfish by nature, the penalty for being 201 00:10:37,469 --> 00:10:38,509 sinners. 202 00:10:40,509 --> 00:10:44,669 And we still say that at our church because the Bible says it. 203 00:10:45,469 --> 00:10:47,229 And by the way, I'm a sinner. 204 00:10:48,189 --> 00:10:49,629 I'm selfish by nature. 205 00:10:49,629 --> 00:10:52,669 My wife reminds me many times, right. 206 00:10:52,749 --> 00:10:54,829 But all of us are selfish by nature. 207 00:10:56,269 --> 00:10:58,829 And because of that, the Bible says the penalty of that is death. 208 00:10:58,829 --> 00:11:02,649 And Revelation tells us in chapter 20 that death and hell were 209 00:11:02,649 --> 00:11:03,809 cast in the lake of fire. 210 00:11:04,049 --> 00:11:05,409 This is the second death. 211 00:11:05,409 --> 00:11:06,369 There's a first death. 212 00:11:06,689 --> 00:11:09,089 That's the physical death, but there's also a spiritual death. 213 00:11:09,889 --> 00:11:11,729 And I'm thankful there's a heaven, aren't you? 214 00:11:12,289 --> 00:11:15,289 I'm so thankful that Jesus said, I came to give us life. 215 00:11:15,289 --> 00:11:18,329 He said, I came to give you life and give us more abundant. 216 00:11:18,329 --> 00:11:20,609 He said, I am the resurrection and the life. 217 00:11:21,809 --> 00:11:23,169 He gives us eternal life. 218 00:11:26,059 --> 00:11:29,739 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son 219 00:11:29,979 --> 00:11:34,539 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have what 220 00:11:35,019 --> 00:11:36,699 everlasting life. 221 00:11:39,899 --> 00:11:42,059 The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with 222 00:11:42,059 --> 00:11:42,539 the Lord. 223 00:11:43,419 --> 00:11:45,659 The Bible says the soul and spirit never die. 224 00:11:47,899 --> 00:11:49,259 This life is not the. 225 00:11:49,339 --> 00:11:50,779 This is not the end, folks. 226 00:11:53,299 --> 00:11:54,339 This is not the end. 227 00:11:55,139 --> 00:11:57,939 There is an eternity ahead of us. 228 00:11:58,659 --> 00:12:00,979 And listen, you spend it in one place or the other. 229 00:12:01,459 --> 00:12:05,459 You either spend eternity in heaven or you spend eternity in hell. 230 00:12:05,859 --> 00:12:07,939 And all of that is based upon your decision. 231 00:12:08,499 --> 00:12:15,139 Your Choice to be rescued from the penalty of sin, to be rescued 232 00:12:15,219 --> 00:12:17,619 from the wrath of God placed upon sin. 233 00:12:18,699 --> 00:12:22,539 But I'm so thankful that Jesus Christ came to this world, that whosoever 234 00:12:22,539 --> 00:12:24,939 believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 235 00:12:26,139 --> 00:12:26,779 Amen. 236 00:12:27,579 --> 00:12:31,659 He, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died in our place. 237 00:12:32,219 --> 00:12:33,499 He was the substitute. 238 00:12:34,219 --> 00:12:35,339 He died on the cross. 239 00:12:35,339 --> 00:12:38,219 He died the death that Eric Crawford should have died. 240 00:12:38,779 --> 00:12:40,459 I should have been on that cross. 241 00:12:41,339 --> 00:12:43,179 I should have paid for my sins. 242 00:12:46,819 --> 00:12:50,579 The righteous judge, God the Father is a. 243 00:12:51,699 --> 00:12:54,659 He is a God of a just God. 244 00:12:55,619 --> 00:12:57,299 Sin has to be paid for. 245 00:12:57,859 --> 00:13:01,219 God could not just overlook sin like some of these liberal judges 246 00:13:01,219 --> 00:13:02,099 do in America. 247 00:13:02,099 --> 00:13:03,699 God could not just overlook. 248 00:13:05,939 --> 00:13:08,819 No, no, he didn't overlook it. 249 00:13:10,349 --> 00:13:14,429 Instead, his son died for my sin. 250 00:13:15,549 --> 00:13:19,949 He died for my sinful record. 251 00:13:20,989 --> 00:13:22,749 He died for my rap sheet. 252 00:13:23,789 --> 00:13:27,669 Instead of me paying for it, instead of me dying for it, instead 253 00:13:27,669 --> 00:13:28,989 of me going to hell for it. 254 00:13:29,149 --> 00:13:32,109 Jesus Christ went to the cross. 255 00:13:33,389 --> 00:13:38,109 The Bible says, he who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might 256 00:13:38,109 --> 00:13:40,269 be made the righteousness of God in him. 257 00:13:41,289 --> 00:13:42,649 He had no sins of his own. 258 00:13:43,049 --> 00:13:44,329 He was God in the flesh. 259 00:13:45,369 --> 00:13:46,489 God can't sin. 260 00:13:47,529 --> 00:13:50,329 He lived a sinless life for 33 and a half years. 261 00:13:50,409 --> 00:13:52,329 He didn't go to the cross for his sins. 262 00:13:52,329 --> 00:13:54,529 He didn't go to the cross for crimes he committed. 263 00:13:54,529 --> 00:13:55,409 No, no, no. 264 00:13:55,409 --> 00:13:57,049 He went to the cross for me. 265 00:13:58,969 --> 00:14:01,009 He died for your sins. 266 00:14:01,009 --> 00:14:02,649 He died for my sins. 267 00:14:04,969 --> 00:14:11,949 He was surely the example of love that we find here. 268 00:14:13,229 --> 00:14:17,149 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life 269 00:14:17,149 --> 00:14:17,869 for his friends. 270 00:14:18,829 --> 00:14:19,589 What does it say? 271 00:14:19,589 --> 00:14:21,389 This is Jesus words, verse 14. 272 00:14:22,029 --> 00:14:26,229 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you henceforth 273 00:14:26,229 --> 00:14:29,149 I call you not for the servants. 274 00:14:29,549 --> 00:14:33,069 Knoweth not what his Lord doeth, but I have called you friends. 275 00:14:34,789 --> 00:14:37,509 Jesus Christ died for his friends. 276 00:14:38,789 --> 00:14:45,109 The ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate expression of love. 277 00:14:47,989 --> 00:14:50,189 I hope you know Jesus as your savior. 278 00:14:50,189 --> 00:14:53,269 You say, well, what's the conclusion of the matter? 279 00:14:53,269 --> 00:14:56,789 The conclusion of the matter is in order that you might escape 280 00:14:56,789 --> 00:14:58,309 hell and have a home in heaven. 281 00:14:58,549 --> 00:15:01,109 In order that you might not be condemned by your sins. 282 00:15:04,749 --> 00:15:06,029 The only way to be justified. 283 00:15:06,269 --> 00:15:08,589 Justified means just as if I'd never sinned. 284 00:15:08,669 --> 00:15:14,909 The only way to have my sinful record erased is through faith in 285 00:15:14,909 --> 00:15:18,829 Jesus Christ, believing and trusting in him and him alone. 286 00:15:18,989 --> 00:15:22,029 His life, his death, his resurrection. 287 00:15:22,269 --> 00:15:23,469 Do you believe he lived? 288 00:15:24,029 --> 00:15:25,069 Do you believe he died? 289 00:15:25,469 --> 00:15:27,709 Do you believe he rose again from the dead the third day? 290 00:15:28,229 --> 00:15:34,349 By the way, you believing that a man rose from the dead, that takes 291 00:15:34,349 --> 00:15:34,789 Faith. 292 00:15:37,349 --> 00:15:40,629 And only the Holy Spirit will give you that faith. 293 00:15:41,909 --> 00:15:44,629 The Bible says if we believe that thou shalt be saved. 294 00:15:45,269 --> 00:15:47,549 For with the heart, man believeth in the righteous with the 295 00:15:47,549 --> 00:15:49,349 mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 296 00:15:49,509 --> 00:15:52,709 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek. 297 00:15:53,269 --> 00:15:54,029 I'm thankful. 298 00:15:54,029 --> 00:15:55,909 God is no respecter of persons. 299 00:15:56,719 --> 00:15:57,199 Doesn't matter. 300 00:15:57,199 --> 00:15:59,079 Your social standing doesn't matter. 301 00:15:59,079 --> 00:16:00,719 Your ethnicity doesn't matter. 302 00:16:01,199 --> 00:16:02,879 Whether you're pretty or ugly. 303 00:16:03,999 --> 00:16:05,279 No, none of that matters. 304 00:16:05,599 --> 00:16:06,679 God is no respecter. 305 00:16:06,679 --> 00:16:09,199 He says there's no difference between the Jew and the Greek. 306 00:16:09,279 --> 00:16:16,159 For the same Lord over all is rich, unto all that call upon him. 307 00:16:16,799 --> 00:16:21,999 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved 308 00:16:22,079 --> 00:16:22,329 from. 309 00:16:22,639 --> 00:16:28,479 Rescued from the penalty of sin, rescued from the wages of sin, 310 00:16:30,319 --> 00:16:30,799 saved. 311 00:16:33,279 --> 00:16:37,679 So thankful for the salvation that we have in Jesus and being put 312 00:16:37,679 --> 00:16:40,079 in the vine, being given life. 313 00:16:40,959 --> 00:16:44,439 Romans 5 says, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace 314 00:16:44,439 --> 00:16:46,079 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 315 00:16:46,879 --> 00:16:49,919 And I love this, it says, but we also joy in God. 316 00:16:50,569 --> 00:16:50,969 Notice this. 317 00:16:50,969 --> 00:16:52,729 Now this is Romans 5:11. 318 00:16:53,769 --> 00:16:59,689 But we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we 319 00:16:59,689 --> 00:17:02,249 have atonement. 320 00:17:03,849 --> 00:17:05,849 We joy through what? 321 00:17:05,849 --> 00:17:10,129 Through Jesus Christ, because of his atoning death on the cross 322 00:17:10,129 --> 00:17:10,809 of Calvary. 323 00:17:12,249 --> 00:17:13,289 What a savior. 324 00:17:14,729 --> 00:17:15,529 What a God. 325 00:17:20,979 --> 00:17:23,539 The joy the world has to offer is external. 326 00:17:25,379 --> 00:17:27,619 The world offers, you know, joy by way. 327 00:17:27,779 --> 00:17:31,019 Well, if there's a good economy or, you know, if I have job 328 00:17:31,019 --> 00:17:34,819 security or you know, a raise or promotion or hobbies or good health 329 00:17:34,819 --> 00:17:42,259 or a car or houses, maybe good relationships, I can experience joy. 330 00:17:43,439 --> 00:17:45,279 But what happens when all those things go dark? 331 00:17:45,999 --> 00:17:49,279 What happens when all those things go wrong and you find. 332 00:17:51,679 --> 00:17:52,879 You find no joy? 333 00:17:54,399 --> 00:17:57,279 No, no joy is inward contentment that only can be found 334 00:17:57,279 --> 00:17:58,239 in Jesus Christ. 335 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:00,159 How are we to find that? 336 00:18:00,159 --> 00:18:02,319 How are we to have that inward contentment? 337 00:18:02,319 --> 00:18:04,879 Well, number one, it's by accepting Christ as Savior. 338 00:18:04,879 --> 00:18:07,759 Because true joy can only be found true joy. 339 00:18:07,759 --> 00:18:11,519 Notice how I said that can only be found in Jesus Christ. 340 00:18:14,079 --> 00:18:22,039 Only in Jesus abiding in the vine Christian because he is the 341 00:18:22,039 --> 00:18:23,359 source and sustainer of life. 342 00:18:23,439 --> 00:18:25,359 It's our daily walk with the Lord. 343 00:18:25,839 --> 00:18:27,959 It's having a relationship with Jesus Christ. 344 00:18:27,959 --> 00:18:31,599 It's growing in our knowledge of Jesus Christ that brings about 345 00:18:31,599 --> 00:18:35,769 understanding of who Jesus is and allows us to follow in his steps. 346 00:18:35,769 --> 00:18:37,529 How's us to walk in his steps? 347 00:18:37,529 --> 00:18:42,929 And it empowers us by his grace and by the Holy Spirit of God 348 00:18:43,169 --> 00:18:49,569 to live a selfless life that produces in us joy as we live selflessly, 349 00:18:51,088 --> 00:18:54,449 as our motives are selfless, instead of Selfish. 350 00:18:54,529 --> 00:18:58,409 Sometimes we do things for other people not because we really 351 00:18:58,409 --> 00:19:01,449 want to, but we do things for other people because of what we can 352 00:19:01,449 --> 00:19:02,129 get out of it. 353 00:19:03,539 --> 00:19:05,139 That's not going to produce joy in your life. 354 00:19:06,179 --> 00:19:06,739 No, no. 355 00:19:06,739 --> 00:19:08,979 It's giving without expecting anything in return. 356 00:19:09,459 --> 00:19:10,059 It's love. 357 00:19:10,059 --> 00:19:16,819 It's when you love someone and you love like Jesus loved, that it 358 00:19:16,819 --> 00:19:21,539 produces joy in your life and joy again grows as we understand 359 00:19:21,619 --> 00:19:23,219 and know more about Jesus Christ. 360 00:19:24,179 --> 00:19:27,139 There's lots of examples of this in our everyday life. 361 00:19:28,829 --> 00:19:32,869 I enjoyed and got opportunity to work for a cabinet maker when 362 00:19:32,869 --> 00:19:33,869 I was a teenager. 363 00:19:34,989 --> 00:19:39,429 I started even before I had a license and began to work for this 364 00:19:39,429 --> 00:19:40,109 cabinet maker. 365 00:19:40,109 --> 00:19:43,309 And I enjoyed working for him, but at first I didn't because there 366 00:19:43,309 --> 00:19:44,589 was a lot of yelling going on. 367 00:19:45,869 --> 00:19:47,229 He really didn't yell at me. 368 00:19:48,109 --> 00:19:51,229 He was a very good Christian man, but he would. 369 00:19:51,309 --> 00:19:54,029 You know, you could see the red in his face from time to time 370 00:19:54,479 --> 00:19:56,919 as I made wrong cuts or I did this wrong. 371 00:19:56,919 --> 00:20:03,919 And one time I cut up about, I don't know, $700 worth of ash plywood. 372 00:20:03,919 --> 00:20:05,359 That was all wrong. 373 00:20:05,599 --> 00:20:09,319 He came back into the cabinet shop and he looked at that and he 374 00:20:09,319 --> 00:20:11,519 said, everything you just cut is wrong. 375 00:20:13,039 --> 00:20:14,119 And he didn't say a word. 376 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:15,839 He just told me to put it over there. 377 00:20:17,039 --> 00:20:18,199 But it took a while. 378 00:20:18,199 --> 00:20:21,239 But once I got to the place where I understood and once I got 379 00:20:21,239 --> 00:20:24,079 to the place where I watched him and how he. 380 00:20:24,639 --> 00:20:26,719 Man, I enjoyed my job. 381 00:20:27,599 --> 00:20:29,679 I'm thankful I got the job that I could actually. 382 00:20:29,839 --> 00:20:30,959 I actually liked. 383 00:20:31,599 --> 00:20:33,839 Not everybody gets to do that, especially in high school. 384 00:20:35,199 --> 00:20:39,719 Learned a lot, but I learned a lot and experienced that gratification 385 00:20:39,719 --> 00:20:44,479 and that joy and that fun by working through the pain first. 386 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,519 It's kind of like snow skiing. 387 00:20:48,159 --> 00:20:50,729 Anybody ever been skiing in the snow? 388 00:20:52,409 --> 00:20:53,089 Oh, yeah. 389 00:20:53,089 --> 00:20:54,089 It's not fun at first. 390 00:20:55,129 --> 00:20:56,209 I don't care who you are. 391 00:20:56,209 --> 00:20:58,249 Even teenagers, though, they pick it up really quick. 392 00:20:58,569 --> 00:21:01,169 These little kids, too, about 4 years old, all of a sudden they 393 00:21:01,169 --> 00:21:01,449 just. 394 00:21:01,529 --> 00:21:02,409 And they're gone. 395 00:21:03,049 --> 00:21:03,689 Here I am. 396 00:21:03,689 --> 00:21:06,409 I didn't learn as a kid, so I'm an adult and I'm trying to learn 397 00:21:06,409 --> 00:21:06,969 how to ski. 398 00:21:06,969 --> 00:21:11,449 And it is frustrating, but, man, once you get it, it's a lot 399 00:21:11,449 --> 00:21:11,849 of fun. 400 00:21:12,489 --> 00:21:13,369 It's joyful. 401 00:21:13,449 --> 00:21:14,249 It really is. 402 00:21:17,219 --> 00:21:20,259 Think about your marriage and your relationship with your kids. 403 00:21:20,259 --> 00:21:21,459 This is probably a better. 404 00:21:21,619 --> 00:21:22,219 Absolutely. 405 00:21:22,219 --> 00:21:23,139 A better example. 406 00:21:24,579 --> 00:21:27,619 As you get to know your wife, as you get to know your husband and 407 00:21:27,859 --> 00:21:30,499 you are developing that relationship with them. 408 00:21:30,819 --> 00:21:36,019 That marriage, let me just put it this way, should get better. 409 00:21:36,179 --> 00:21:40,099 Not Worse, the Bible says to deal wisely, a husband should deal 410 00:21:40,099 --> 00:21:41,539 wisely with his wife. 411 00:21:42,249 --> 00:21:46,089 And as we do so, we learn about her, we deal wisely with her, 412 00:21:46,249 --> 00:21:52,129 vice versa, as the wife does so with her husband, as again, the 413 00:21:52,129 --> 00:21:54,609 husband loves his wife, as Christ loved the church and gave 414 00:21:54,609 --> 00:22:00,889 himself for it, and as the wife honors the husband and life. 415 00:22:02,249 --> 00:22:08,619 And that relationship, as it grows, becomes more joyful, it becomes 416 00:22:08,619 --> 00:22:10,579 more joyful raising kids. 417 00:22:10,579 --> 00:22:13,579 As you get to know your kids, you spend time with your kids, you 418 00:22:13,579 --> 00:22:16,539 learn their personality, and you learn this one's this way and 419 00:22:16,539 --> 00:22:18,339 this one's this way, and this one's this way. 420 00:22:18,739 --> 00:22:22,019 And so you deal with each one of them a little differently. 421 00:22:24,259 --> 00:22:24,659 Right? 422 00:22:25,619 --> 00:22:29,939 Isn't it amazing how small they can be and how you can see the 423 00:22:30,019 --> 00:22:31,139 different personalities? 424 00:22:31,139 --> 00:22:33,939 And you go, man, this one's so much different than this one. 425 00:22:35,469 --> 00:22:36,189 It's amazing. 426 00:22:38,669 --> 00:22:40,789 And then you develop that relationship with your child. 427 00:22:40,789 --> 00:22:43,469 And as they grow older, it should get better and better. 428 00:22:44,029 --> 00:22:45,789 If it's not, you're not doing something right. 429 00:22:46,669 --> 00:22:48,509 I'm just telling you, you're not doing something right. 430 00:22:49,069 --> 00:22:52,029 If you'll do it the Bible way, if you raise your children up in 431 00:22:52,029 --> 00:22:54,589 the nurture and admonition of the Lord, if you'll train them up, 432 00:22:55,469 --> 00:22:57,269 man, kids were not meant to be endured. 433 00:22:57,269 --> 00:22:58,589 They were meant to be enjoyed. 434 00:22:59,959 --> 00:23:01,879 You do it the Bible way, you'll enjoy your kids. 435 00:23:03,399 --> 00:23:06,119 Your kids become teenagers, you'll enjoy them. 436 00:23:07,079 --> 00:23:10,279 By the way, you're supposed to be enjoying your marriage as well. 437 00:23:10,679 --> 00:23:12,159 Your marriage is not meant to be endured. 438 00:23:12,159 --> 00:23:13,239 It's meant to be enjoyed. 439 00:23:14,839 --> 00:23:16,759 Listen, life with Jesus is awesome. 440 00:23:17,879 --> 00:23:21,479 The relationship with Jesus and living a life that's pleasing 441 00:23:21,479 --> 00:23:25,319 to him and obeying him and in obedience to him, as he was obedient 442 00:23:25,319 --> 00:23:29,039 to His Father, it says there in our text, and as he was obedient 443 00:23:29,039 --> 00:23:33,409 and we're obedient to him, and the joy that it produces in our life, 444 00:23:35,089 --> 00:23:38,609 the peace that it produces in our life, the contentment that we 445 00:23:38,849 --> 00:23:42,609 get to realize in our life, it's beyond words. 446 00:23:48,689 --> 00:23:55,569 Knowing Jesus verses 9 through 15 and his love that we are to continue 447 00:23:55,569 --> 00:24:01,489 in his love, that we are to be Christlike as we know him more. 448 00:24:01,489 --> 00:24:07,249 And Christlikeness as He transforms us, not just transforms 449 00:24:07,249 --> 00:24:11,489 our outward, but transforms our hearts, as I said before, motives 450 00:24:11,489 --> 00:24:11,849 matter. 451 00:24:12,648 --> 00:24:13,449 Why are you? 452 00:24:13,769 --> 00:24:15,969 You can say, well, I am selfless, preacher. 453 00:24:15,969 --> 00:24:16,409 I am. 454 00:24:16,489 --> 00:24:20,009 I do for everybody else and nobody does for me. 455 00:24:21,849 --> 00:24:23,849 Well, then your motives are not right. 456 00:24:25,989 --> 00:24:26,469 Amen. 457 00:24:27,589 --> 00:24:28,349 No, no, no. 458 00:24:28,349 --> 00:24:30,309 I'm going to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 459 00:24:31,189 --> 00:24:32,029 He loved Everyone. 460 00:24:32,029 --> 00:24:33,269 And they rejected him. 461 00:24:34,309 --> 00:24:34,989 Many did. 462 00:24:34,989 --> 00:24:35,669 Most did. 463 00:24:37,429 --> 00:24:42,669 Listen this morning, we need to have a heart of love, a heart 464 00:24:42,669 --> 00:24:43,429 like Jesus. 465 00:24:44,709 --> 00:24:48,109 And this is proven by the actions of the Lord, as he gave his 466 00:24:48,109 --> 00:24:51,919 life for us, as a friend would lay down his life for a friend. 467 00:24:54,319 --> 00:24:58,559 How are we as Christians to experience this joy? 468 00:25:00,479 --> 00:25:01,759 Number one, abide in him. 469 00:25:02,719 --> 00:25:03,999 Are you saved this morning? 470 00:25:05,119 --> 00:25:09,399 Do you know Jesus as your savior, Christian? 471 00:25:09,399 --> 00:25:11,119 Are you living for him? 472 00:25:12,319 --> 00:25:18,169 He said, as I obey the Father, you obey me because you love me. 473 00:25:18,889 --> 00:25:22,449 Jesus says, if you love me, you'll keep my commandments that 474 00:25:22,449 --> 00:25:23,849 we follow in his steps. 475 00:25:24,489 --> 00:25:25,369 Psalm 1. 476 00:25:25,369 --> 00:25:28,809 And I quoted this last week, Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3. 477 00:25:29,289 --> 00:25:32,529 The Psalmist says, blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel 478 00:25:32,529 --> 00:25:36,089 of the ungodly, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, nor standeth 479 00:25:36,089 --> 00:25:37,129 in way of sinners or sinneth. 480 00:25:37,129 --> 00:25:38,969 But his delight is in the law of the Lord. 481 00:25:39,609 --> 00:25:41,689 And his law doth he meditate day and night. 482 00:25:42,279 --> 00:25:44,439 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. 483 00:25:44,519 --> 00:25:47,119 And I won't quote the whole thing, but blessed. 484 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:48,759 What does blessed mean, by the way? 485 00:25:48,759 --> 00:25:49,839 The New Testament gets that right. 486 00:25:49,839 --> 00:25:51,079 Blessed are the poor in spirit. 487 00:25:51,879 --> 00:25:53,319 That word is not happy. 488 00:25:54,599 --> 00:25:57,479 That's not what the new translations get it wrong. 489 00:25:59,959 --> 00:26:02,039 It's closer or related to joy. 490 00:26:02,519 --> 00:26:04,359 It's inward contentment. 491 00:26:05,319 --> 00:26:05,959 Blessed. 492 00:26:07,729 --> 00:26:09,889 Blessed is the man that does what. 493 00:26:12,049 --> 00:26:16,369 Blessed is the man, woman, child, who saturates themselves, 494 00:26:17,649 --> 00:26:21,649 who lives in the Word of God. 495 00:26:23,009 --> 00:26:23,849 It's amazing. 496 00:26:23,849 --> 00:26:27,809 How about every fourth or fifth sermon comes back to that? 497 00:26:29,169 --> 00:26:30,529 How's your Bible reading? 498 00:26:31,329 --> 00:26:32,689 How's your walk with the Lord? 499 00:26:33,979 --> 00:26:34,859 Stay in the Word. 500 00:26:34,859 --> 00:26:36,299 You want to experience joy? 501 00:26:36,619 --> 00:26:38,179 Get in the Word of God, you say. 502 00:26:38,179 --> 00:26:39,619 Well, I'm a new Christian. 503 00:26:39,619 --> 00:26:40,419 I haven't done well. 504 00:26:40,419 --> 00:26:41,259 Get in the Word of God. 505 00:26:41,259 --> 00:26:41,899 Start reading. 506 00:26:43,419 --> 00:26:45,819 Well, I'm not. 507 00:26:46,059 --> 00:26:47,139 Get in the Word of God. 508 00:26:47,139 --> 00:26:47,899 Start reading. 509 00:26:48,459 --> 00:26:50,699 The Word of God is a miraculous book. 510 00:26:51,339 --> 00:26:53,099 It's sharper than any treasured sword. 511 00:26:53,979 --> 00:26:55,979 It's a dynamite book. 512 00:26:55,979 --> 00:26:56,859 It's powerful. 513 00:26:58,549 --> 00:26:59,749 It'll transform your life. 514 00:27:01,749 --> 00:27:02,669 Stay in the Word. 515 00:27:02,669 --> 00:27:03,269 Number two. 516 00:27:03,909 --> 00:27:05,829 Deny the flesh and walk in the Spirit. 517 00:27:06,469 --> 00:27:08,509 You can look at this later, but Galatians, chapter 5. 518 00:27:08,509 --> 00:27:10,789 Most of you who've been a Christian very long know the verses 519 00:27:11,829 --> 00:27:14,789 says, but the fruit of the Spirit is love and joy. 520 00:27:15,109 --> 00:27:15,589 Peace. 521 00:27:15,829 --> 00:27:20,309 Now, when it talks about in Galatians 5:22, the fruit singular 522 00:27:20,469 --> 00:27:22,389 of the Spirit is love. 523 00:27:22,629 --> 00:27:25,429 What it's saying is, the fruit of the Spirit is love. 524 00:27:26,259 --> 00:27:32,179 That produces joy, that produces peace, that produces long 525 00:27:32,179 --> 00:27:32,739 suffering. 526 00:27:32,899 --> 00:27:37,939 In other words, this will be the evidence that you are walking 527 00:27:37,939 --> 00:27:40,979 with Jesus, that you're following the footsteps of Jesus, 528 00:27:41,139 --> 00:27:42,899 will be the fruit of the spirit. 529 00:27:43,619 --> 00:27:46,059 Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 530 00:27:46,059 --> 00:27:46,899 meekness, faith. 531 00:27:47,939 --> 00:27:49,219 You want to experience joy? 532 00:27:50,259 --> 00:27:51,139 Walk in the spirit. 533 00:27:54,109 --> 00:27:56,189 Walk in the spirit and not the flesh. 534 00:27:59,629 --> 00:28:01,869 Grow in your understanding of Jesus Christ. 535 00:28:02,109 --> 00:28:03,069 How do you do that? 536 00:28:04,109 --> 00:28:05,229 By reading your Bible? 537 00:28:06,829 --> 00:28:09,709 By listening to some good preaching, some good teaching. 538 00:28:10,189 --> 00:28:11,509 Be careful what you're listening to. 539 00:28:11,509 --> 00:28:13,309 By the way, I tell our church that all the time. 540 00:28:13,629 --> 00:28:17,229 Be careful what your podcasting or those things. 541 00:28:17,229 --> 00:28:21,229 There's so many out there now in wolves and sheep's clothing. 542 00:28:21,869 --> 00:28:25,389 Make sure what you're listening to lines up with the scripture. 543 00:28:25,629 --> 00:28:27,949 But man, listening to scripture, listening to good music, 544 00:28:27,949 --> 00:28:28,829 Christian music. 545 00:28:29,469 --> 00:28:34,069 I was reminded again this week how I was preaching this week in 546 00:28:34,069 --> 00:28:36,389 a couple places and I was preaching to a group of preachers. 547 00:28:36,389 --> 00:28:39,829 And I said, you know, I'm so thankful my dad, my dad and mom got 548 00:28:39,829 --> 00:28:41,389 into church when I was 2 years old. 549 00:28:42,429 --> 00:28:46,269 And it didn't take long a few years later that my mom and dad got 550 00:28:46,269 --> 00:28:46,669 saved. 551 00:28:47,319 --> 00:28:51,879 It didn't take long after that that my mom and dad got rid of the 552 00:28:52,999 --> 00:28:57,239 wrong music and instituted good music in our home. 553 00:28:57,959 --> 00:29:01,959 And from the time I was 6 or 7, I don't ever remember hearing 554 00:29:02,039 --> 00:29:07,879 anything other than Christian music in our home or in our cars. 555 00:29:08,599 --> 00:29:10,319 My dad was just relentless about it. 556 00:29:10,319 --> 00:29:14,679 He would just surround us with godly things and things that would 557 00:29:15,479 --> 00:29:20,389 influence us for Jesus and that we would again immerse ourself 558 00:29:21,509 --> 00:29:24,069 in order that we might learn more and more about Jesus. 559 00:29:25,429 --> 00:29:26,629 Grow in the Lord, how? 560 00:29:26,709 --> 00:29:31,189 Reading your Bible, being in church, I always tell people, church 561 00:29:31,189 --> 00:29:33,189 doesn't cure everything, but boy, it sure helps. 562 00:29:33,669 --> 00:29:36,389 By the way, the Bible says that we should not forsake the assembly 563 00:29:36,389 --> 00:29:39,149 of ourselves together as a matter of some is, but so much more 564 00:29:39,149 --> 00:29:42,949 as we see the day approaching, it is a command that we ought to 565 00:29:42,949 --> 00:29:45,909 be a part of a church, that we ought to be in connection with a 566 00:29:45,909 --> 00:29:46,189 church. 567 00:29:46,189 --> 00:29:52,009 And by the way, Jesus said he died for the church, how are we to 568 00:29:52,009 --> 00:29:54,449 grow again? 569 00:29:54,449 --> 00:29:59,009 Reading our Bible, immersing ourselves, saturating ourselves in 570 00:29:59,329 --> 00:30:03,329 godly things, how are we to grow in Jesus? 571 00:30:03,329 --> 00:30:08,769 And as we grow in Jesus Christ, and we develop that heart 572 00:30:08,769 --> 00:30:13,249 of Jesus Christ, that selfless heart, it'll produce joy in our life. 573 00:30:14,059 --> 00:30:15,259 Preacher, that sounds really hard. 574 00:30:15,659 --> 00:30:20,219 No, it takes that long because it's divinely given. 575 00:30:22,699 --> 00:30:23,739 I don't earn it. 576 00:30:25,099 --> 00:30:27,899 I'm going to put myself in a position to experience joy. 577 00:30:28,859 --> 00:30:32,979 I'm going to put myself in a position to be spiritual. 578 00:30:32,979 --> 00:30:36,899 In other words, I'm going to do the things and not do things in 579 00:30:36,899 --> 00:30:41,929 order that I might put myself in a position for the Lord to make 580 00:30:41,929 --> 00:30:42,689 me spiritual. 581 00:30:43,889 --> 00:30:45,569 Because I can't make myself spiritual. 582 00:30:45,569 --> 00:30:50,049 I can memorize the whole Bible and still be a Pharisee and a Sadducee. 583 00:30:50,849 --> 00:30:52,129 I could be a hypocrite. 584 00:30:52,689 --> 00:30:53,969 It's not necessarily. 585 00:30:54,129 --> 00:30:58,449 It's not necessarily what we do, but how we do it. 586 00:30:59,169 --> 00:31:01,489 It's our motives, it's our heart. 587 00:31:01,969 --> 00:31:03,969 And it's only the Lord who could change our heart. 588 00:31:04,929 --> 00:31:07,569 And whether you need to be saved this morning or as a Christian, 589 00:31:07,649 --> 00:31:10,729 you need to rededicate your life to the Lord and just say, I 590 00:31:10,729 --> 00:31:11,649 want to get back to it. 591 00:31:11,649 --> 00:31:15,829 I want to come back to J. I know my life has not been what it 592 00:31:15,829 --> 00:31:16,429 could be. 593 00:31:16,509 --> 00:31:18,949 Jesus said, I came to give life and give it more abundant. 594 00:31:18,949 --> 00:31:21,989 And you're not living that joyful life that God intended for 595 00:31:21,989 --> 00:31:22,509 you to live. 596 00:31:26,589 --> 00:31:27,509 Come back to Jesus. 597 00:31:27,509 --> 00:31:29,069 Seek ye first the kingdom of God. 598 00:31:29,389 --> 00:31:31,309 Set your affections on things above. 599 00:31:32,029 --> 00:31:34,589 Make the Lord the priority in your life. 600 00:31:35,389 --> 00:31:37,229 Follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 601 00:31:37,389 --> 00:31:38,349 It really isn't. 602 00:31:38,819 --> 00:31:40,139 Christianity is not a religion. 603 00:31:40,139 --> 00:31:41,219 It's not a set of rules. 604 00:31:42,179 --> 00:31:45,579 And sometimes, especially us Baptists, we get the knock that, 605 00:31:45,579 --> 00:31:47,579 oh, y' all are just all about the do's and the don'ts. 606 00:31:47,579 --> 00:31:48,139 All the don'ts. 607 00:31:48,139 --> 00:31:48,739 All the don'ts. 608 00:31:48,739 --> 00:31:49,379 You can't do that. 609 00:31:49,379 --> 00:31:49,939 Can't do that. 610 00:31:49,939 --> 00:31:50,499 Can't do that. 611 00:31:50,499 --> 00:31:51,059 No, no. 612 00:31:51,059 --> 00:31:53,459 I'm telling you right now, it's about following the footsteps 613 00:31:53,459 --> 00:31:54,019 of Jesus. 614 00:31:56,019 --> 00:32:05,029 It's about what would Jesus do, how would Jesus do it, what would 615 00:32:05,029 --> 00:32:08,829 Jesus listen to, what would Jesus read? 616 00:32:09,469 --> 00:32:14,269 And as we follow in his steps, we'll experience that joyful heart 617 00:32:15,309 --> 00:32:18,669 because our heart be where it's supposed to be. 618 00:32:20,349 --> 00:32:21,549 Sounds simple, doesn't it? 619 00:32:22,109 --> 00:32:26,829 But oh, so hard to do the Lord's good. 620 00:32:26,829 --> 00:32:27,309 Amen. 621 00:32:27,869 --> 00:32:28,669 Let's all stand.