1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:04,320 Greg: You know, this was my cue to come out after that song, but 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:08,150 I came out too early and I stood up here while my wife talked. 3 00:00:08,750 --> 00:00:10,769 Nothing theological about that. 4 00:00:11,180 --> 00:00:15,790 It just rose my, uh, probably nervousness to talk to you this morning. 5 00:00:16,100 --> 00:00:19,510 And so, uh, but I didn't want to leave once I figured out 6 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:20,750 I shouldn't have been here. 7 00:00:21,149 --> 00:00:25,430 So, uh, I wanted to show my respect to her and listen to her. 8 00:00:25,559 --> 00:00:30,289 And, you know, it all works out though because she's so pretty and 9 00:00:30,549 --> 00:00:32,389 she's a good introduction to me. 10 00:00:32,389 --> 00:00:35,599 If you like her, then maybe you can like me. 11 00:00:35,699 --> 00:00:36,109 Amen? 12 00:00:37,399 --> 00:00:39,899 And so that's the way it's been most of our life. 13 00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:45,050 Uh, I am, uh, but I was a little embarrassed, so I wanted to get 14 00:00:45,060 --> 00:00:46,630 that out to start with, alright? 15 00:00:49,210 --> 00:00:52,920 I, you know, if I were more of a model, I wouldn't have minded. 16 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,300 I would have posed, but, uh, it's not really me. 17 00:00:56,339 --> 00:00:57,060 Not really me. 18 00:00:57,199 --> 00:01:01,629 But I did do something that I learned at a preaching retreat a couple weeks ago. 19 00:01:02,059 --> 00:01:05,760 They said, when you speak, you need to make eye contact. 20 00:01:06,390 --> 00:01:10,010 And so while I was up here, yes, I was looking at you. 21 00:01:10,935 --> 00:01:13,735 And I was looking at you straight in the eye. 22 00:01:13,945 --> 00:01:16,185 So you would look back at me. 23 00:01:16,335 --> 00:01:18,295 And I'm looking even to the back. 24 00:01:18,295 --> 00:01:19,435 I looked in the back. 25 00:01:19,435 --> 00:01:20,845 I saw you up there. 26 00:01:21,075 --> 00:01:22,245 I see you. 27 00:01:22,574 --> 00:01:22,974 Alright? 28 00:01:22,975 --> 00:01:26,075 I got cataract surgery so I can finally see you. 29 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:28,144 Alright? 30 00:01:28,215 --> 00:01:30,765 You got an OG in the OC this morning. 31 00:01:30,845 --> 00:01:31,475 Amen? 32 00:01:32,275 --> 00:01:32,795 Alright. 33 00:01:32,835 --> 00:01:35,445 And, here's the way I preach, guys. 34 00:01:35,965 --> 00:01:37,435 I do good. 35 00:01:37,625 --> 00:01:39,485 If you do good. 36 00:01:40,255 --> 00:01:43,535 It's an intersection between the leader and the follower. 37 00:01:43,535 --> 00:01:45,704 That's what I believe preaching is. 38 00:01:45,894 --> 00:01:51,185 And so, the more you encourage me, the more I can encourage you. 39 00:01:51,470 --> 00:01:53,530 So, it's symbiotic. 40 00:01:53,570 --> 00:01:54,970 We're working together. 41 00:01:55,130 --> 00:01:57,899 And I really like you guys have a great lapel mic. 42 00:01:57,900 --> 00:02:03,070 So I can wander around, get my steps in, get a little exercise going. 43 00:02:03,630 --> 00:02:04,990 It's awesome, you know. 44 00:02:05,490 --> 00:02:09,509 Uh, you, you guys laugh, but when you get to my age, you're gonna 45 00:02:09,519 --> 00:02:11,560 be remembering that, alright? 46 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:14,380 Anything to get those steps in. 47 00:02:15,010 --> 00:02:19,290 This morning, I'm gonna talk about gospel grace. 48 00:02:22,005 --> 00:02:27,005 All right, gospel grace, and I'm writing a book. 49 00:02:27,415 --> 00:02:33,314 I've got it about halfway done, and it's about the encounters of Jesus with people. 50 00:02:33,605 --> 00:02:37,665 Everybody that he encountered, how he gave grace to people. 51 00:02:38,275 --> 00:02:41,395 And I believe this is one of the greatest needs in our movement. 52 00:02:42,215 --> 00:02:44,695 For us to balance our theology. 53 00:02:44,695 --> 00:02:50,214 We have great theology about lordship, about discipleship, about the 54 00:02:50,215 --> 00:02:52,925 crucifixion of self, denying self. 55 00:02:53,285 --> 00:02:56,155 You know, we have great conviction about the Bible and God's 56 00:02:56,204 --> 00:02:58,175 covenant for us and his promises. 57 00:02:58,700 --> 00:03:04,720 But we need to have a great theology and be able to embody, be able to just 58 00:03:05,170 --> 00:03:10,740 feel, experience the mercy and the goodness and the grace of God, amen? 59 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:16,829 And I, I've known about it, I understood it intellectually, but to be able to 60 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:21,020 get it from the head to the heart, that's sometimes the greatest distance 61 00:03:21,020 --> 00:03:23,400 you can travel in any endeavor. 62 00:03:23,875 --> 00:03:25,085 From the head to the heart. 63 00:03:25,365 --> 00:03:28,845 And so this morning, I invite you not just to listen to a 64 00:03:28,845 --> 00:03:30,635 story I know you've heard before. 65 00:03:31,285 --> 00:03:31,685 Alright? 66 00:03:31,875 --> 00:03:33,815 I know you're familiar with this story. 67 00:03:34,535 --> 00:03:37,255 But I want you to listen to it with your heart. 68 00:03:37,985 --> 00:03:42,764 Jesus said in the parables, he's told parables because they see with their 69 00:03:42,764 --> 00:03:44,934 eyes, they hear with their ears. 70 00:03:45,364 --> 00:03:48,125 But they need to understand with their hearts. 71 00:03:49,105 --> 00:03:52,744 And so open up your heart this morning to the Lord. 72 00:03:53,265 --> 00:03:54,685 To the spirit of the Lord. 73 00:03:54,915 --> 00:03:55,954 Cause he's here with us. 74 00:03:55,954 --> 00:03:57,975 Where two or three are gathered in his name. 75 00:03:58,165 --> 00:03:59,265 He's with us. 76 00:03:59,625 --> 00:04:01,935 And the word of God is living and active. 77 00:04:01,995 --> 00:04:04,085 So all I gotta do is read the word. 78 00:04:04,205 --> 00:04:06,104 And it's gonna be living and active. 79 00:04:06,355 --> 00:04:07,404 It's gonna affect you. 80 00:04:07,404 --> 00:04:08,425 It's gonna affect me. 81 00:04:08,425 --> 00:04:12,015 We need to commune and fellowship with one another. 82 00:04:12,064 --> 00:04:14,103 But most of all with God this morning. 83 00:04:14,103 --> 00:04:16,235 I don't believe in Greg's philosophy. 84 00:04:17,214 --> 00:04:18,714 You didn't come this morning. 85 00:04:19,154 --> 00:04:20,664 To listen to Greg's philosophy. 86 00:04:21,329 --> 00:04:25,919 My dear daughter has been hearing sermons from me for years. 87 00:04:25,929 --> 00:04:29,619 She didn't come this morning just to hear another one of Dad's sermons. 88 00:04:30,459 --> 00:04:33,558 She came to be with God and his people. 89 00:04:34,079 --> 00:04:35,549 And that's why you and I are here. 90 00:04:35,549 --> 00:04:35,999 Amen? 91 00:04:37,049 --> 00:04:39,319 And you never know when it's going to touch you. 92 00:04:40,280 --> 00:04:42,019 Sometimes it's a song, right? 93 00:04:43,009 --> 00:04:45,229 Some of us are very musically inclined. 94 00:04:45,329 --> 00:04:47,289 Sometimes just a word and a song. 95 00:04:47,549 --> 00:04:47,989 Ooh. 96 00:04:49,308 --> 00:04:50,409 Oh, that's talking to me. 97 00:04:51,630 --> 00:04:55,359 You know, sometimes it's a scripture. 98 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,030 Sometimes it's a sister's voice. 99 00:04:59,009 --> 00:05:02,099 You can listen to the radio and the men's voice. 100 00:05:02,159 --> 00:05:06,409 You sort of sing along as long as nobody else is in the car. 101 00:05:08,469 --> 00:05:12,369 But if one of those women come on, sometimes that high voice 102 00:05:12,820 --> 00:05:14,229 just goes straight to the heart. 103 00:05:15,219 --> 00:05:16,190 It's like, ooh. 104 00:05:17,405 --> 00:05:17,855 Wow. 105 00:05:19,135 --> 00:05:22,405 So I don't know what's going to hit you this morning, but 106 00:05:22,594 --> 00:05:24,565 I pray that you're blessed. 107 00:05:24,625 --> 00:05:25,125 Amen. 108 00:05:26,715 --> 00:05:27,484 Three words. 109 00:05:29,644 --> 00:05:33,064 Three words made all the difference to the crucified crook. 110 00:05:34,375 --> 00:05:37,645 The tale of the crucified crook is what we're going to talk about today. 111 00:05:38,865 --> 00:05:41,065 Three words can change your life. 112 00:05:42,475 --> 00:05:44,305 Three words can make all the difference. 113 00:05:45,914 --> 00:05:47,435 Help us turn corners. 114 00:05:47,900 --> 00:05:53,240 As a professional counselor, it's amazing how people have aha moments 115 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:55,340 with just the simplest of thoughts. 116 00:05:57,020 --> 00:06:00,860 And it changes them, helps them get over a challenge in their 117 00:06:00,860 --> 00:06:03,050 life, helps them stop being stuck. 118 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:05,110 How about these three words? 119 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:07,100 I love you. 120 00:06:07,810 --> 00:06:12,830 Some of us longed to hear that from that special somebody, didn't we? 121 00:06:13,750 --> 00:06:16,580 And once we heard it, pitter pat, pitter pat, pitter pat. 122 00:06:17,795 --> 00:06:19,205 I mean, it's changed everything. 123 00:06:20,145 --> 00:06:20,695 I love you. 124 00:06:21,645 --> 00:06:24,155 Kathy and I met at 13 years old. 125 00:06:25,385 --> 00:06:26,195 7th grade. 126 00:06:27,095 --> 00:06:28,784 I sat on the front row. 127 00:06:30,615 --> 00:06:31,795 Because I was a good student. 128 00:06:34,555 --> 00:06:36,545 No, really, because I couldn't see very well. 129 00:06:38,485 --> 00:06:40,175 And she walked past me. 130 00:06:40,750 --> 00:06:45,280 And went to the end of the aisle behind me, because that was the only open seat. 131 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:47,219 It was foreign language class. 132 00:06:48,150 --> 00:06:50,020 And boy, did I go Peter Pan. 133 00:06:50,510 --> 00:06:53,070 Didn't talk to her for a couple years, but, oh, you 134 00:06:53,070 --> 00:06:54,400 know, I noticed her right off. 135 00:06:55,820 --> 00:06:57,979 We were head boy and head girl together. 136 00:06:58,820 --> 00:07:01,719 And then, you know, I was such a thug, she ran away. 137 00:07:02,909 --> 00:07:06,120 She went off to Texas to college, I went to Colorado. 138 00:07:06,590 --> 00:07:08,370 But then, I became a Christian. 139 00:07:08,925 --> 00:07:09,995 And it made all the difference. 140 00:07:11,475 --> 00:07:12,875 And I started calling her. 141 00:07:12,875 --> 00:07:14,725 We didn't have cell phones back then. 142 00:07:15,045 --> 00:07:18,534 And Sunday night was the cheapest time to make a long distance call. 143 00:07:18,784 --> 00:07:21,474 And so I'd call her, and we'd study the Bible. 144 00:07:21,474 --> 00:07:24,685 And her stepmother was a stewardess for American Airlines. 145 00:07:24,685 --> 00:07:27,975 So she'd fly up to Colorado, stay with the sisters in the dorm, 146 00:07:27,975 --> 00:07:29,225 study the Bible, go to church. 147 00:07:29,495 --> 00:07:31,125 Eventually she became a Christian. 148 00:07:31,465 --> 00:07:32,875 And the rest is history. 149 00:07:32,875 --> 00:07:34,085 She came to Boulder. 150 00:07:34,335 --> 00:07:35,675 We graduated together. 151 00:07:35,683 --> 00:07:36,625 We got married. 152 00:07:37,125 --> 00:07:38,965 And live happily ever after. 153 00:07:41,335 --> 00:07:42,735 That's my side of the story. 154 00:07:43,195 --> 00:07:43,865 And I'm sticking to it. 155 00:07:44,935 --> 00:07:45,375 Alright? 156 00:07:46,295 --> 00:07:46,924 I love you. 157 00:07:48,625 --> 00:07:51,015 You gotta get good at saying I'm sorry. 158 00:07:52,805 --> 00:07:53,854 Especially us men. 159 00:07:55,234 --> 00:07:56,685 Oh, come on, man. 160 00:07:56,884 --> 00:07:58,865 There's a couple amens right here. 161 00:08:01,385 --> 00:08:02,655 Especially us men. 162 00:08:03,625 --> 00:08:04,395 Yeah. 163 00:08:04,465 --> 00:08:05,165 There you go. 164 00:08:05,725 --> 00:08:07,605 Get that deep voice going on. 165 00:08:08,245 --> 00:08:11,195 You know, you brothers that want to preach someday, sing bass. 166 00:08:12,055 --> 00:08:13,085 It'll lower your voice. 167 00:08:13,085 --> 00:08:14,725 You'll get a voice like Marcel. 168 00:08:15,225 --> 00:08:15,865 Alright? 169 00:08:16,224 --> 00:08:18,264 I mean, I wish I had a voice like Marcel. 170 00:08:18,264 --> 00:08:21,395 I, I can get there if I think about it, but then that's a little weird, isn't it? 171 00:08:23,974 --> 00:08:24,945 I was wrong. 172 00:08:25,835 --> 00:08:27,695 If you're a parent, you gotta get good at that. 173 00:08:29,135 --> 00:08:29,895 You gotta tell them. 174 00:08:29,895 --> 00:08:33,345 I had to tell my little grandbaby last night, I was wrong and I'm sorry. 175 00:08:34,575 --> 00:08:38,485 She, she said, Papa, you need to go give me a chocolate shake. 176 00:08:39,963 --> 00:08:42,725 I said, I'm not getting you a chocolate shake. 177 00:08:42,725 --> 00:08:43,755 It's time for bed. 178 00:08:43,755 --> 00:08:45,275 You can't have a chocolate shake. 179 00:08:45,935 --> 00:08:47,785 And she's, she started crying. 180 00:08:48,265 --> 00:08:53,834 My mommy and daddy let me have a chocolate shake, take it and take it to bed. 181 00:08:54,015 --> 00:08:54,985 She goes, yes. 182 00:08:56,084 --> 00:08:58,405 And I said, I'm not going to go get you. 183 00:08:58,594 --> 00:09:02,265 I'll get you a chocolate shake tomorrow, but I'm not getting you a chocolate shake. 184 00:09:02,724 --> 00:09:04,454 Well, it's an energy drink. 185 00:09:06,074 --> 00:09:08,035 And yes, mom and dad let her. 186 00:09:08,035 --> 00:09:09,675 Kathy corrected me. 187 00:09:09,775 --> 00:09:13,574 So I had to go down and get the shake and bring it up and apologize to her. 188 00:09:13,924 --> 00:09:16,305 She goes, I told you my mommy and daddy let me have a check. 189 00:09:19,954 --> 00:09:21,625 And I said, honey, you're right. 190 00:09:21,855 --> 00:09:22,814 Papa was wrong. 191 00:09:23,305 --> 00:09:24,284 Papa was wrong. 192 00:09:25,285 --> 00:09:26,074 I need help. 193 00:09:27,475 --> 00:09:28,485 I forgive you. 194 00:09:29,855 --> 00:09:31,025 I will change. 195 00:09:32,214 --> 00:09:33,385 Please forgive me. 196 00:09:34,474 --> 00:09:38,024 What are the three words that I want us to focus in on this morning? 197 00:09:39,864 --> 00:09:42,714 Jesus, remember me. 198 00:09:45,215 --> 00:09:46,155 Remember me. 199 00:09:49,165 --> 00:09:54,264 Then the crucified crook said, Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom. 200 00:09:55,024 --> 00:09:56,135 Jesus answered him. 201 00:09:56,145 --> 00:10:01,465 Truly, I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise. 202 00:10:02,365 --> 00:10:03,335 Just three words. 203 00:10:04,335 --> 00:10:05,054 Remember me. 204 00:10:05,325 --> 00:10:10,035 I want to start with a poem entitled The Gift. 205 00:10:10,035 --> 00:10:11,215 It's a famous poem. 206 00:10:14,465 --> 00:10:20,775 And because I can see so well in the back, I can't see so well up front anymore. 207 00:10:22,205 --> 00:10:25,984 I told my, my optometrist, you know, I appreciate the cataract 208 00:10:25,985 --> 00:10:30,075 surgery, so I can pass my driving test, but I can't read as well. 209 00:10:30,115 --> 00:10:31,495 Oh, just buy readers. 210 00:10:32,525 --> 00:10:36,325 That was not a good answer for me. 211 00:10:37,270 --> 00:10:44,290 To pull the metal splinter from my palm, my father recited a story in a low voice. 212 00:10:45,330 --> 00:10:47,270 I watched his lovely face 213 00:10:49,750 --> 00:10:50,789 and not the blade. 214 00:10:51,579 --> 00:10:56,100 Before the story ended, he'd removed the iron sliver I thought I'd die from. 215 00:10:56,799 --> 00:11:01,000 I can't remember the tale, but I hear his voice still. 216 00:11:01,110 --> 00:11:04,470 A well of dark water, a prayer. 217 00:11:05,214 --> 00:11:11,515 And I recall his hands, two measures of tenderness he laid against my face. 218 00:11:12,225 --> 00:11:15,534 The flames of discipline he raised above my head. 219 00:11:16,544 --> 00:11:19,795 Had you entered that afternoon, you would have thought you saw a man 220 00:11:19,805 --> 00:11:22,064 planting something in a boy's palm. 221 00:11:22,854 --> 00:11:25,344 A silver tear, a tiny flame. 222 00:11:25,984 --> 00:11:30,025 Had you followed that boy, you would have arrived here, where I 223 00:11:30,055 --> 00:11:32,964 bend over my wife's right hand. 224 00:11:34,180 --> 00:11:38,969 Look how I shave her thumbnail down, so carefully she feels no pain. 225 00:11:40,180 --> 00:11:42,229 Watch as I lift the splinter out. 226 00:11:43,109 --> 00:11:46,130 I was seven when my father took my hand like this. 227 00:11:46,790 --> 00:11:51,699 I did not hold that shard between my fingers and think, metal that will 228 00:11:51,729 --> 00:11:55,900 bury me, christen it little assassin. 229 00:11:56,839 --> 00:11:59,420 Or, going deep for my heart. 230 00:12:00,385 --> 00:12:04,405 And I did not lift up my wound and cry, death visited me. 231 00:12:04,834 --> 00:12:06,515 You know how children are dramatic. 232 00:12:07,795 --> 00:12:09,385 I did what a child does. 233 00:12:10,125 --> 00:12:16,194 When he's given something to keep forever, I kissed my dad. 234 00:12:18,494 --> 00:12:20,385 What did this father give to this son? 235 00:12:20,564 --> 00:12:21,344 A memory. 236 00:12:21,345 --> 00:12:22,625 A memory. 237 00:12:24,465 --> 00:12:27,595 Precious, tender gift. 238 00:12:29,105 --> 00:12:30,895 He remembers his father's hand. 239 00:12:31,670 --> 00:12:34,840 He doesn't even remember the story that distracted him. 240 00:12:35,970 --> 00:12:41,159 He just remembers his father relieving him of pain. 241 00:12:42,839 --> 00:12:44,810 Brothers and sisters, that's what our Father in Heaven 242 00:12:45,070 --> 00:12:47,160 wants to do for us every day. 243 00:12:47,860 --> 00:12:49,199 Relieve us of our pain. 244 00:12:49,919 --> 00:12:53,470 You know, for years in the ministry I thought, everything's good. 245 00:12:54,370 --> 00:12:56,930 Most people don't have any problems, a few people do. 246 00:12:57,210 --> 00:12:59,230 But, it's just good. 247 00:13:00,265 --> 00:13:04,175 And now it seems like now that I'm older, everybody has problems. 248 00:13:05,495 --> 00:13:09,885 And a few people have it like it's good and not a problem right now. 249 00:13:09,885 --> 00:13:13,555 But we all know that isn't going to last, that everybody has problems, right? 250 00:13:14,965 --> 00:13:22,134 And so we need this foundation of God's tender touch, tender care. 251 00:13:22,584 --> 00:13:24,314 Let's read our text this morning. 252 00:13:25,079 --> 00:13:26,069 You can look along. 253 00:13:26,090 --> 00:13:28,880 You can look in your, your, uh, phone. 254 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:30,290 You can look in your Bible. 255 00:13:30,709 --> 00:13:33,290 It's just a short passage and you know the story. 256 00:13:33,329 --> 00:13:34,919 But listen to the Word of God. 257 00:13:35,189 --> 00:13:37,350 The sacred, holy Word of God. 258 00:13:38,199 --> 00:13:43,319 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him. 259 00:13:44,310 --> 00:13:47,670 Just threw things at Jesus while he's dying on the cross. 260 00:13:47,670 --> 00:13:49,090 That sounds a little cruel to me. 261 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:51,750 Aren't you the Messiah? 262 00:13:53,305 --> 00:13:55,225 Save yourself and us. 263 00:13:56,485 --> 00:13:58,375 But the other criminal rebuked him. 264 00:13:59,185 --> 00:14:01,255 Don't you fear God, he said. 265 00:14:02,434 --> 00:14:06,285 Since you are under the same sentence. 266 00:14:08,054 --> 00:14:09,974 We are punished justly. 267 00:14:10,544 --> 00:14:14,235 For we are getting what our deeds deserve. 268 00:14:15,954 --> 00:14:22,035 But this man has done nothing, nothing wrong. 269 00:14:26,955 --> 00:14:32,635 Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom. 270 00:14:32,785 --> 00:14:33,775 Jesus answered. 271 00:14:34,304 --> 00:14:37,255 Truly, I tell you today you will be with me in paradise. 272 00:14:37,964 --> 00:14:40,955 We need to parse this story because we can learn so much. 273 00:14:41,525 --> 00:14:44,854 One of the criminals who hung their hurled insults. 274 00:14:45,475 --> 00:14:46,535 But what did he say? 275 00:14:47,245 --> 00:14:48,385 Prove yourself, God. 276 00:14:49,715 --> 00:14:50,805 Answer this prayer. 277 00:14:51,865 --> 00:14:53,275 Show me yourself. 278 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:55,470 Do a miracle for me. 279 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:56,790 Bless me. 280 00:14:58,050 --> 00:15:02,609 I'm not going to believe unless you come more my direction. 281 00:15:02,930 --> 00:15:05,290 He's come a lot towards us. 282 00:15:06,689 --> 00:15:10,719 But it seems like instead of taking the step of faith, we 283 00:15:10,719 --> 00:15:12,689 want God to take that other step. 284 00:15:13,509 --> 00:15:14,659 And prove himself. 285 00:15:14,719 --> 00:15:16,249 Prove that you're the Messiah. 286 00:15:16,799 --> 00:15:20,869 Prove to me personally that I should follow you. 287 00:15:21,635 --> 00:15:24,595 That I should love you, that I should confess you. 288 00:15:26,265 --> 00:15:28,425 This is the voice of the world, folks. 289 00:15:29,974 --> 00:15:31,814 SAVE US! 290 00:15:32,094 --> 00:15:33,515 Oh, and save yourself, too. 291 00:15:35,045 --> 00:15:36,194 This is not a good heart. 292 00:15:36,194 --> 00:15:37,354 This is not a prayer. 293 00:15:38,604 --> 00:15:40,005 This is not humility. 294 00:15:40,444 --> 00:15:41,635 This is pride. 295 00:15:42,214 --> 00:15:43,495 Poking at Jesus. 296 00:15:44,454 --> 00:15:45,735 Insulting Jesus. 297 00:15:45,745 --> 00:15:46,735 Mocking Jesus. 298 00:15:48,139 --> 00:15:50,629 This is what the crowds were doing to Jesus. 299 00:15:50,670 --> 00:15:51,560 Crucify Him. 300 00:15:51,810 --> 00:15:52,780 Crucify Him. 301 00:15:54,449 --> 00:15:56,280 Save yourself and us. 302 00:15:56,349 --> 00:15:57,829 Prove you're the Messiah. 303 00:15:59,819 --> 00:16:02,189 I don't know about you, I need to be honest though. 304 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:07,929 There's times when after I prayed something for a while, maybe months, 305 00:16:09,119 --> 00:16:10,899 I start getting a little impatient. 306 00:16:12,589 --> 00:16:14,459 I start getting a little demanding. 307 00:16:14,459 --> 00:16:15,089 I'm sorry. 308 00:16:15,349 --> 00:16:16,250 I'll just confess. 309 00:16:18,079 --> 00:16:21,310 You know, I've been praying a prayer for four years. 310 00:16:22,980 --> 00:16:24,079 Hasn't been answered yet. 311 00:16:24,650 --> 00:16:25,680 Oh, it's been answered. 312 00:16:26,569 --> 00:16:27,110 Later. 313 00:16:30,270 --> 00:16:31,599 God can say yes. 314 00:16:31,679 --> 00:16:32,799 God can say no. 315 00:16:34,030 --> 00:16:36,279 Or he can say later. 316 00:16:37,729 --> 00:16:41,770 Just like when your husband asks you to do something, your wife asks you 317 00:16:41,770 --> 00:16:43,339 to do something, you can say yes. 318 00:16:44,035 --> 00:16:47,135 You can say no, or can we negotiate? 319 00:16:47,895 --> 00:16:48,255 Right? 320 00:16:48,255 --> 00:16:51,525 Got a little marriage counseling there for you, alright? 321 00:16:55,745 --> 00:16:57,794 Let's not demand of the Lord. 322 00:16:57,805 --> 00:16:59,215 The Lord doesn't make deals. 323 00:17:00,344 --> 00:17:01,485 He doesn't make deals. 324 00:17:06,234 --> 00:17:07,074 The next part. 325 00:17:07,544 --> 00:17:08,694 Oh, this is good. 326 00:17:09,354 --> 00:17:10,134 This is good. 327 00:17:11,284 --> 00:17:13,973 But the other criminal, this is the crucified crook. 328 00:17:15,015 --> 00:17:17,055 The first was the unrepentant thief. 329 00:17:17,055 --> 00:17:18,555 This is the repentant thief. 330 00:17:19,244 --> 00:17:21,855 Rebuked him the unrepentant thief. 331 00:17:22,545 --> 00:17:24,015 Don't you fear God? 332 00:17:24,345 --> 00:17:28,785 You don't say that unless you're having some sense of fear of God in your heart. 333 00:17:30,195 --> 00:17:36,885 See, hard times crucifixion taking up your cross can soften you or harden you. 334 00:17:37,605 --> 00:17:39,495 One thief was hardened. 335 00:17:39,495 --> 00:17:41,205 One thief was softened. 336 00:17:41,630 --> 00:17:46,050 There was all these contrasts, always, the right picture, the wrong picture, 337 00:17:46,050 --> 00:17:48,240 Jesus always paints a picture for us. 338 00:17:48,710 --> 00:17:52,190 The pictures stay in our minds, the words leave us, but we have these 339 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,939 word pictures that we never forget. 340 00:17:56,119 --> 00:18:00,860 And we need to embrace that crucified crook, the one that rebuked the other one. 341 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:05,520 Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? 342 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:09,520 I mean, we're up here because we deserve it, the man's saying. 343 00:18:10,905 --> 00:18:12,835 But this other man doesn't deserve it. 344 00:18:13,375 --> 00:18:15,075 We're punished justly. 345 00:18:16,555 --> 00:18:19,214 For we are getting what our deeds deserve. 346 00:18:19,525 --> 00:18:23,615 You know, usually, if you stole in the ancient world, you got your hand cut off. 347 00:18:24,725 --> 00:18:26,915 You stole again, you got the other hand cut off. 348 00:18:27,875 --> 00:18:31,105 I guess after you steal three times, you get put to death. 349 00:18:31,935 --> 00:18:34,625 I mean, in the old west, if you stole a horse, it was over 350 00:18:34,625 --> 00:18:35,605 right then, they hung you. 351 00:18:35,895 --> 00:18:36,245 Alright? 352 00:18:36,705 --> 00:18:37,655 You stole cattle. 353 00:18:38,930 --> 00:18:42,160 Certain things just, you know, lines you don't cross. 354 00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:48,240 They had done so much that they had been sentenced to death. 355 00:18:49,170 --> 00:18:51,939 This was the extreme punishment of these men. 356 00:18:53,230 --> 00:18:58,390 We are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong. 357 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,960 You know, if you think about this, this is the only person 358 00:19:02,970 --> 00:19:05,010 that stood up for Jesus that day. 359 00:19:06,299 --> 00:19:07,030 The only one. 360 00:19:08,530 --> 00:19:10,430 I'm going to take off my glasses so I can see you. 361 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,130 See, if I see you, it's a conversation. 362 00:19:15,710 --> 00:19:20,190 If we can't see each other, then it's a speech and you drove off 363 00:19:20,190 --> 00:19:22,069 and your mind goes other places. 364 00:19:22,660 --> 00:19:25,299 But now you're all paying attention because you're like, he's going to look 365 00:19:25,300 --> 00:19:26,860 at me and I need to be looking back. 366 00:19:28,230 --> 00:19:28,740 Yeah. 367 00:19:29,120 --> 00:19:29,720 Yeah. 368 00:19:30,460 --> 00:19:31,330 Good face. 369 00:19:31,420 --> 00:19:32,440 I like that smile. 370 00:19:32,660 --> 00:19:33,100 Yeah. 371 00:19:33,870 --> 00:19:37,780 Yeah, and I used to, when I preach, only look at the smiling faces. 372 00:19:37,850 --> 00:19:39,950 Now I look at the, all the faces. 373 00:19:40,910 --> 00:19:44,709 Because I have one of those faces that I wouldn't look at 374 00:19:44,710 --> 00:19:46,160 if someone was preaching to me. 375 00:19:47,620 --> 00:19:49,270 So now I look at everybody. 376 00:19:51,970 --> 00:19:53,280 We're punished justly. 377 00:19:55,399 --> 00:19:58,429 He said, this man has done nothing wrong. 378 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:01,390 You know, the disciples were thinking that. 379 00:20:01,570 --> 00:20:04,070 Pilate even knew it, but he didn't say it. 380 00:20:04,570 --> 00:20:07,520 Nobody said it, but the crucified crook. 381 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:11,330 The disciples stood there silent. 382 00:20:12,810 --> 00:20:13,899 Some of them weeping. 383 00:20:14,090 --> 00:20:17,039 The women were weeping, but nobody said, This is wrong! 384 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:19,699 This is shouldn't be! 385 00:20:21,419 --> 00:20:23,089 This is ungodly! 386 00:20:24,189 --> 00:20:24,819 This is unjust! 387 00:20:28,129 --> 00:20:30,430 But this one man said, this isn't just, 388 00:20:32,850 --> 00:20:38,059 we're getting what we justly deserve, but not Jesus, not Jesus. 389 00:20:40,899 --> 00:20:48,560 And so when then he asked in the next frame, Jesus, remember me? 390 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:51,660 Jesus just met him. 391 00:20:52,550 --> 00:20:53,610 What's he going to remember? 392 00:20:55,430 --> 00:20:58,090 Those few words, those few sentences. 393 00:21:00,439 --> 00:21:02,540 This man has done nothing wrong. 394 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:05,529 We are punished justly. 395 00:21:07,139 --> 00:21:12,789 Jesus remembered his confession of his sin and his confession of faith. 396 00:21:15,579 --> 00:21:21,530 And because of those two confessions, Jesus said, today, 397 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:24,940 you, yeah, good looking you. 398 00:21:26,439 --> 00:21:27,469 Yeah, you sister. 399 00:21:28,149 --> 00:21:28,659 Yes, you. 400 00:21:29,095 --> 00:21:30,025 smiling at me. 401 00:21:30,775 --> 00:21:31,625 Praise God for you. 402 00:21:31,645 --> 00:21:32,415 God bless you. 403 00:21:33,995 --> 00:21:36,165 You back there who I met as I came in. 404 00:21:36,255 --> 00:21:36,745 Amen. 405 00:21:38,975 --> 00:21:42,185 Today, you will be with me in paradise. 406 00:21:42,984 --> 00:21:47,244 You know, I first read this in the eighties. 407 00:21:48,084 --> 00:21:54,055 I came up to a lectureship at Pepperdine University before 408 00:21:54,055 --> 00:21:55,545 I ever went to school there. 409 00:21:56,805 --> 00:21:58,445 Went to school there a long time. 410 00:21:59,365 --> 00:22:05,055 But a friend of mine that I had met at a conference in Manaus, Brazil, was doing 411 00:22:05,055 --> 00:22:07,075 morning devotionals in the amphitheater. 412 00:22:07,694 --> 00:22:08,875 Max Flocato. 413 00:22:10,524 --> 00:22:11,955 I met him years ago. 414 00:22:13,894 --> 00:22:18,195 I probably shouldn't say this, but he and his wife were having a few bumps. 415 00:22:18,225 --> 00:22:21,455 They lived right acr they were in the room right across from us. 416 00:22:22,035 --> 00:22:26,014 So they asked the elder that I was rooming with from San Diego, George 417 00:22:26,015 --> 00:22:30,450 Havens, if He would get with them and so they told me to take a hike and 418 00:22:30,780 --> 00:22:35,430 they had a little marriage counseling and so we developed a friendship. 419 00:22:36,009 --> 00:22:38,460 And so I heard he was speaking early in the morning. 420 00:22:38,460 --> 00:22:41,149 I didn't get excited about getting up that early and 421 00:22:41,150 --> 00:22:42,779 missing my breakfast, but I went. 422 00:22:43,930 --> 00:22:45,130 And I heard this. 423 00:22:45,879 --> 00:22:51,610 The only thing more outlandish than the request was that it was granted. 424 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:55,330 Just trying to picture the scene is enough. 425 00:22:55,685 --> 00:22:59,675 To short circuit the grandest of imaginations. 426 00:23:01,504 --> 00:23:07,244 A flat nosed ex con asking God, Son, for eternal life. 427 00:23:08,254 --> 00:23:11,355 But try to imagine the appeal being honored. 428 00:23:12,104 --> 00:23:16,445 Well that moves us even beyond the realm of reality into absurdity. 429 00:23:16,995 --> 00:23:22,415 But as absurd as it may appear, that is exactly what happened. 430 00:23:22,524 --> 00:23:24,985 He who deserved hell, got heaven. 431 00:23:25,810 --> 00:23:28,010 And we are left with a puzzling riddle. 432 00:23:28,610 --> 00:23:31,380 What, for goodness sake, was Jesus trying to teach us? 433 00:23:31,770 --> 00:23:36,650 What was he trying to prove by pardoning this thug, who, in all probability, had 434 00:23:36,650 --> 00:23:40,340 never said grace, much less deserved it? 435 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:46,100 This is the beginning of a chapter in No Wonder They Call Him the Savior. 436 00:23:47,470 --> 00:23:51,150 It's one of my very favorite books of all the hundreds and 437 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:52,619 hundreds of books I've read. 438 00:23:54,055 --> 00:23:55,165 I love this book. 439 00:23:55,245 --> 00:23:57,815 It's Jesus statements from the cross. 440 00:23:58,294 --> 00:24:00,415 It's about the grace and love of God. 441 00:24:00,855 --> 00:24:05,294 And the title of the chapter is The Tale of the Crucified Crook. 442 00:24:05,684 --> 00:24:10,175 And for some reason, that morning devotional touched me. 443 00:24:10,935 --> 00:24:14,774 For some reason, I identified with that crucified crook. 444 00:24:16,475 --> 00:24:19,835 I have genes of 445 00:24:23,015 --> 00:24:24,455 convicts in me. 446 00:24:25,530 --> 00:24:29,360 If you've ever done a genogram, what you do is your mom's side of 447 00:24:29,370 --> 00:24:34,320 the family, you, you build out all the relationships on that side. 448 00:24:34,710 --> 00:24:38,159 And then you build out all the relationships on your father's side. 449 00:24:38,649 --> 00:24:42,119 And when I was in graduate school, they made me do a genogram of my family. 450 00:24:42,449 --> 00:24:45,890 And on my mom's side, in every generation, there's a lawyer. 451 00:24:47,620 --> 00:24:49,480 And on my dad's side, guess. 452 00:24:50,939 --> 00:24:52,940 There's a convict that went to prison. 453 00:24:54,460 --> 00:24:56,000 Opposites attract. 454 00:24:57,950 --> 00:24:58,400 Right? 455 00:24:58,660 --> 00:24:59,670 Beauty and the Beast. 456 00:24:59,900 --> 00:25:01,900 Kathy, the Beauty, the Beast. 457 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:03,060 Alright? 458 00:25:04,009 --> 00:25:05,149 Opposites attract. 459 00:25:05,460 --> 00:25:08,410 I mean, I looked at this and I never realized that. 460 00:25:08,410 --> 00:25:09,550 I have an Uncle Buck. 461 00:25:09,850 --> 00:25:11,859 If you don't have an Uncle Buck, I'm sorry. 462 00:25:11,890 --> 00:25:13,260 I have an Uncle Buck. 463 00:25:13,260 --> 00:25:15,860 And he went to prison. 464 00:25:16,730 --> 00:25:17,820 For cattle wrestling. 465 00:25:19,020 --> 00:25:22,710 Now he says Grandpa made him do it, but he still did it, alright? 466 00:25:25,310 --> 00:25:26,570 So I have that gene. 467 00:25:26,580 --> 00:25:28,580 I don't know why it touched me that morning. 468 00:25:30,310 --> 00:25:32,640 But I felt like I'm that crook. 469 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,490 I'm that guy that doesn't deserve grace. 470 00:25:38,539 --> 00:25:40,990 I'm that guy that's not naturally spiritual. 471 00:25:43,190 --> 00:25:45,260 I have a lot of anger in me. 472 00:25:46,030 --> 00:25:48,409 I got a lot of bad thoughts. 473 00:25:48,919 --> 00:25:49,600 Mean thoughts. 474 00:25:50,914 --> 00:25:54,434 I was the youngest of four boys and my older brothers picked on 475 00:25:54,434 --> 00:25:57,624 me until I was 18 and I went away to college and I never moved home. 476 00:25:58,644 --> 00:26:02,414 They still, all three, lived in the same town until one of them died. 477 00:26:03,794 --> 00:26:04,874 But I had to get away. 478 00:26:05,994 --> 00:26:07,104 I was like Charlie Brown. 479 00:26:07,394 --> 00:26:09,554 Why is everybody always picking on me? 480 00:26:11,004 --> 00:26:11,904 Some of you are laughing. 481 00:26:11,904 --> 00:26:12,924 You remember the song. 482 00:26:13,004 --> 00:26:14,934 The rest of you are looking up on YouTube. 483 00:26:18,894 --> 00:26:20,824 But I, I stuffed all that. 484 00:26:22,775 --> 00:26:25,785 And I knew inside I had a darkness. 485 00:26:25,785 --> 00:26:27,695 I had one minister that worked with me. 486 00:26:28,355 --> 00:26:30,425 He said, Greg, you scare me. 487 00:26:32,355 --> 00:26:34,414 You have a cold part of your heart. 488 00:26:37,374 --> 00:26:39,485 Don't let anybody tell you things like that. 489 00:26:41,115 --> 00:26:42,135 Because they're not true. 490 00:26:42,174 --> 00:26:43,754 Because I'm made in the image of God. 491 00:26:45,514 --> 00:26:48,024 And I don't have any more coldness than he does. 492 00:26:48,345 --> 00:26:48,735 Alright? 493 00:26:49,014 --> 00:26:50,845 We all got sinful nature, right? 494 00:26:51,659 --> 00:26:53,830 Until we get to heaven, we all got struggles. 495 00:26:53,830 --> 00:26:55,019 We all got issues. 496 00:26:55,759 --> 00:26:59,039 And if you're faking it this morning that you're perfect, we 497 00:26:59,039 --> 00:27:00,459 know you're not Jesus Christ. 498 00:27:02,079 --> 00:27:02,679 We know. 499 00:27:03,389 --> 00:27:03,899 We know. 500 00:27:05,049 --> 00:27:06,089 So don't fake it. 501 00:27:07,939 --> 00:27:12,519 But Jesus says today, you and me 502 00:27:14,909 --> 00:27:16,000 will be together in paradise. 503 00:27:16,870 --> 00:27:18,379 I'm looking forward to my paradise. 504 00:27:18,580 --> 00:27:20,159 I like Psalms 23. 505 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:26,390 I've attended 500 deaths, over 500 deaths as a chaplain for 8 years. 506 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:29,529 At least once a week I had to attend a death. 507 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:31,849 So in 8 years, over 500 deaths. 508 00:27:31,849 --> 00:27:33,490 So I've seen a lot of people die. 509 00:27:34,559 --> 00:27:36,719 And I've seen good death and I've seen bad death. 510 00:27:36,849 --> 00:27:40,820 I've seen peaceful death and I've seen anxious, anxious death. 511 00:27:43,120 --> 00:27:44,320 I'm gonna have a good death. 512 00:27:45,225 --> 00:27:48,504 Because I'm going to sit there in that bed until Jesus comes and 513 00:27:48,504 --> 00:27:52,205 takes my hand and walks me through the valley of the shadow of death. 514 00:27:52,405 --> 00:27:53,905 And so I'm going to fear no evil. 515 00:27:54,465 --> 00:27:56,215 I'm going to be so excited. 516 00:27:57,664 --> 00:27:59,334 I'm not going to be a burden on my family. 517 00:27:59,354 --> 00:28:03,374 I pray that I don't get sick in this long, prolonged death. 518 00:28:03,374 --> 00:28:05,784 I just pray that at 85 I dropped it. 519 00:28:09,985 --> 00:28:12,085 And I've told my daughter, that's my DNR. 520 00:28:12,085 --> 00:28:14,475 I'm not, I mean, don't resuscitate me. 521 00:28:14,555 --> 00:28:15,264 Let me go. 522 00:28:16,305 --> 00:28:16,865 Let me go. 523 00:28:18,485 --> 00:28:18,865 Alright? 524 00:28:19,504 --> 00:28:20,754 Cause I know where I'm going. 525 00:28:22,185 --> 00:28:26,195 Cause the tale of the crucified crook is the tale of Greg. 526 00:28:27,104 --> 00:28:29,425 Now I really didn't have, don't have a problem with stealing. 527 00:28:30,635 --> 00:28:33,504 I will confess, I stole some cigarettes when I was young. 528 00:28:35,225 --> 00:28:38,205 You know, the little store by my house, they didn't lock the window. 529 00:28:39,925 --> 00:28:42,845 So you just slide open the window, you can reach in, the only thing you could 530 00:28:42,845 --> 00:28:47,115 get was cigarettes, so we'd reach in, then we'd get sick, so we quit doing that. 531 00:28:50,295 --> 00:28:53,045 That's personal, I probably shouldn't have said that. 532 00:28:55,664 --> 00:28:58,435 But when you preach, you just move on, so. 533 00:28:59,634 --> 00:29:02,195 Christ pardoned the thief for eternity. 534 00:29:02,745 --> 00:29:07,514 To confirm to everyone that grace, and here's my point, is a gift. 535 00:29:08,715 --> 00:29:12,455 The contrast between the bitter thief and the humble thief describes the 536 00:29:12,455 --> 00:29:14,975 choice between faith and unbelief. 537 00:29:15,445 --> 00:29:22,205 Salvation can be received on our deathbed even if our sincere faith is expressed. 538 00:29:22,865 --> 00:29:26,575 Real quickly to end this sermon, I want to go through a history of grace. 539 00:29:26,964 --> 00:29:33,065 Because I want to expand your thoughts and help you truly understand grace is a gift. 540 00:29:35,225 --> 00:29:35,724 You know, 541 00:29:37,945 --> 00:29:41,245 I've been, for some reason, what's been catching my attention 542 00:29:41,245 --> 00:29:43,844 is that commercial by Red Bull. 543 00:29:45,404 --> 00:29:46,714 Red Bull gives you wings. 544 00:29:48,514 --> 00:29:49,225 I don't believe that. 545 00:29:50,095 --> 00:29:51,264 I went and bought a Red Bull. 546 00:29:52,635 --> 00:29:53,304 I drank it. 547 00:29:54,285 --> 00:29:55,305 I didn't get wings. 548 00:29:56,685 --> 00:29:59,645 I like Red Bull Racing Formula One. 549 00:29:59,895 --> 00:30:01,955 My son in law introduced me. 550 00:30:02,205 --> 00:30:02,855 I love it. 551 00:30:02,885 --> 00:30:06,045 I'm glad they finally beat those Mercedes guys. 552 00:30:06,255 --> 00:30:09,315 You know, I, I, I really like Red Bull Racing. 553 00:30:09,525 --> 00:30:11,505 I don't really like Red Bull drinks. 554 00:30:11,605 --> 00:30:15,705 I drink water or, uh, Crystal Light these days. 555 00:30:16,335 --> 00:30:16,765 Alright? 556 00:30:17,155 --> 00:30:19,665 My wife scolded me for buying a Red Bull. 557 00:30:19,665 --> 00:30:21,615 She's gonna keep you up tonight. 558 00:30:22,995 --> 00:30:26,165 Scared me, so I took some Tylenol PM, so I didn't. 559 00:30:29,095 --> 00:30:30,955 But Red Bull doesn't give you wings. 560 00:30:30,955 --> 00:30:31,745 That's my point. 561 00:30:31,845 --> 00:30:33,625 Smart water doesn't make you smart. 562 00:30:35,525 --> 00:30:37,075 Jesus gives you wings. 563 00:30:38,715 --> 00:30:41,465 In the Old Testament, grace came through what? 564 00:30:41,545 --> 00:30:44,075 Obedience to the commands of God, right? 565 00:30:44,625 --> 00:30:50,705 During the patriarchal period, during the mosaical period, grace came through 566 00:30:50,725 --> 00:30:53,275 obeying the law and temple sacrifices. 567 00:30:53,480 --> 00:30:53,690 Jesus. 568 00:30:54,050 --> 00:30:54,550 All right. 569 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:59,710 And then in the New Testament, grace came through faith in the deity of Jesus. 570 00:31:00,250 --> 00:31:01,710 You read the gospel of John. 571 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:04,990 You believe that Jesus was the Christ, the son of God. 572 00:31:05,340 --> 00:31:06,550 Then you were saved. 573 00:31:07,180 --> 00:31:10,240 The sacrifice of Jesus during the church period. 574 00:31:10,615 --> 00:31:14,905 You could join the community if you embrace that Jesus died on 575 00:31:14,905 --> 00:31:18,585 the cross for you and you would confess that Jesus is Lord. 576 00:31:18,855 --> 00:31:24,525 And then unfortunately, during Catholic Christianity, the pendulum 577 00:31:24,525 --> 00:31:29,525 swung from being in the middle of balance between grace and truth. 578 00:31:29,845 --> 00:31:32,485 It went way over to the truth side. 579 00:31:32,945 --> 00:31:34,865 And the church controlled grace. 580 00:31:35,065 --> 00:31:38,709 The only way you could get grace was through the sacraments. 581 00:31:39,030 --> 00:31:43,220 Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, Confession 582 00:31:43,230 --> 00:31:48,370 and Penance, Holy Orders, Becoming a Nun or a Priest, or Holy Matrimony. 583 00:31:48,740 --> 00:31:52,110 And then, the pendulum swung all the way the other way during 584 00:31:52,110 --> 00:31:53,500 the Prostitute Revolution. 585 00:31:53,500 --> 00:32:00,040 During the Reformation, Lutherans said, especially Martin Luther, 586 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:02,560 because he was an agonized soul. 587 00:32:02,570 --> 00:32:05,050 He was so guilt ridden, always. 588 00:32:05,310 --> 00:32:07,130 If you read his autobiography. 589 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:11,000 That he was longing to feel God's grace. 590 00:32:11,050 --> 00:32:14,050 And so he said it was a gift, but then he still didn't feel it. 591 00:32:14,170 --> 00:32:17,120 So then he said that faith even was the gift. 592 00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:19,090 That everything's a gift. 593 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:21,700 And unfortunately that cheapened grace. 594 00:32:21,970 --> 00:32:26,240 And then Calvin took it a step further with the whole idea of tulip. 595 00:32:26,920 --> 00:32:28,650 Total depravity of man. 596 00:32:28,890 --> 00:32:31,390 Unmerited favor and election. 597 00:32:31,580 --> 00:32:32,760 Limited atonement. 598 00:32:32,870 --> 00:32:35,530 Irresistible grace and the perseverance of saints. 599 00:32:35,910 --> 00:32:38,335 All that just made Grace cheap. 600 00:32:39,365 --> 00:32:40,335 Made it cheap. 601 00:32:41,125 --> 00:32:45,545 And so a lot of us, Evangelical Protestant type people, we've 602 00:32:45,545 --> 00:32:47,815 been a little shy on grace. 603 00:32:48,225 --> 00:32:51,325 Because we didn't want grace to be a license for sin. 604 00:32:52,455 --> 00:32:57,145 And in our movement, I'm finally getting to us, so perk up! 605 00:32:58,135 --> 00:32:58,775 Perk up! 606 00:32:58,935 --> 00:33:00,155 We're almost done! 607 00:33:00,205 --> 00:33:01,915 But now I'm talking about us! 608 00:33:03,195 --> 00:33:04,225 We got grace. 609 00:33:04,705 --> 00:33:08,985 From the Restoration Heritage, from the Stone Campbell Movement, through 610 00:33:08,985 --> 00:33:10,855 conversion, the Great Awakenings. 611 00:33:11,345 --> 00:33:15,835 That people became alive again spiritually if they had an experience. 612 00:33:15,925 --> 00:33:17,775 And it was a conversion experience. 613 00:33:18,745 --> 00:33:21,625 First through repentance and then through baptisms. 614 00:33:22,085 --> 00:33:25,725 And so if we would hear and believe and confess and repent and be baptized, 615 00:33:25,755 --> 00:33:28,855 follow the formula, then we got grace. 616 00:33:29,085 --> 00:33:30,545 But then what do we do after that? 617 00:33:31,415 --> 00:33:35,395 Feels great to be converted, but then you got to live the whole Christian life 618 00:33:36,545 --> 00:33:41,345 Right, and we haven't done a whole lot of motivating each other through grace 619 00:33:41,345 --> 00:33:46,575 We we converted each other by grace, but then we haven't motivated each other 620 00:33:46,825 --> 00:33:50,575 completely by grace Grace is a gift. 621 00:33:51,085 --> 00:33:57,875 It's a gift and then discipleship Conversion we took it a little higher 622 00:33:57,905 --> 00:34:02,630 than the restoration movement You say you get You get grace through lordship 623 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:08,730 if Jesus is Lord of your life, and that's true, but that's not all there is That's 624 00:34:08,850 --> 00:34:14,120 sort of our part But he gives grace as a gift and so a lot of us haven't felt 625 00:34:14,130 --> 00:34:19,260 secure in our salvation I got you know I don't know if I deserve grace because 626 00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:25,639 the you know the Lord Wasn't totally Lord today Because I bought a Red Bull 627 00:34:29,420 --> 00:34:33,530 And I didn't get wings We are always looking, testing, aren't we? 628 00:34:35,320 --> 00:34:37,380 Am I good enough to have this prayer answered? 629 00:34:37,969 --> 00:34:39,010 Have I done enough? 630 00:34:39,050 --> 00:34:40,100 Have I shared enough? 631 00:34:40,100 --> 00:34:41,040 Have I read enough? 632 00:34:41,050 --> 00:34:42,130 Have I prayed enough? 633 00:34:42,159 --> 00:34:45,929 Have I And we never feel like it's enough, right? 634 00:34:47,429 --> 00:34:52,760 And so, this morning, let's just adjust our theology a little bit. 635 00:34:53,340 --> 00:34:58,980 Grace is a gift from the tender hands of that Father. 636 00:34:59,865 --> 00:35:00,885 It's a gift. 637 00:35:01,105 --> 00:35:05,115 And so all you need to do is kissing back. 638 00:35:06,705 --> 00:35:07,205 Kissing. 639 00:35:08,715 --> 00:35:10,525 Accept that gift, folks. 640 00:35:11,105 --> 00:35:16,775 Accept it with all your heart, because God is faithful, he's righteous, and 641 00:35:16,775 --> 00:35:21,755 he's merciful, he's so very good, and he wants to give you the gift. 642 00:35:22,085 --> 00:35:26,085 Today, you will be with me in paradise. 643 00:35:26,775 --> 00:35:28,954 I'm going to close with a kiss. 644 00:35:30,075 --> 00:35:30,525 A poem. 645 00:35:31,905 --> 00:35:36,365 But I want you to remember from this sermon, grace gives you wings. 646 00:35:38,275 --> 00:35:39,305 Grace gives you wings. 647 00:35:39,975 --> 00:35:45,905 So now, every time you hear that commercial, the truth comes to your mind. 648 00:35:46,765 --> 00:35:47,865 Grace gives you wings. 649 00:35:48,935 --> 00:35:50,855 The Greatest Gift by Sue Ellison. 650 00:35:52,105 --> 00:35:59,115 The greatest gift could be to believe, to understand, to accept all that you see. 651 00:35:59,905 --> 00:36:03,405 The greatest, it will surely decline if you don't use it. 652 00:36:03,855 --> 00:36:07,875 The greatest gift is to breathe and to flow and to share with the 653 00:36:07,875 --> 00:36:13,255 world your inspiring inner glow, which is the gift of the Holy 654 00:36:13,255 --> 00:36:15,485 Spirit when you became a Christian. 655 00:36:15,795 --> 00:36:17,775 And the church said, Amen. 656 00:36:17,975 --> 00:36:20,980 God bless you.