WEBVTT 00:00:04.010 --> 00:00:05.146 My name is Nick Adams. 00:00:05.146 --> 00:00:07.156 I get to be one of the pastors here. 00:00:07.156 --> 00:00:09.170 If you don't know who I am, 00:00:09.170 --> 00:00:10.400 that's my name. 00:00:12.370 --> 00:00:14.010 We've been in the book of Hebrews, 00:00:14.010 --> 00:00:19.040 right? Made it chapter two all the way to chapter two. 00:00:19.650 --> 00:00:27.362 Hebrews is so in some of the commentaries on who they thought wrote 00:00:27.426 --> 00:00:30.386 Hebrews and kind of the setting and the background, 00:00:30.386 --> 00:00:33.026 some people think it's not just a letter, 00:00:33.042 --> 00:00:34.692 that it was a sermon. 00:00:34.738 --> 00:00:36.546 And so it's so thick. 00:00:36.578 --> 00:00:38.332 It's got so much good stuff in there. 00:00:38.332 --> 00:00:41.630 That's why we've only made it chapter two thus far. 00:00:41.630 --> 00:00:44.270 We're going to go through three verses today. 00:00:44.350 --> 00:00:48.380 And when you really think about them, 00:00:51.170 --> 00:00:54.910 these three verses are part of, 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:55.572 I think, 00:00:55.572 --> 00:00:56.638 everybody's story. 00:00:56.804 --> 00:00:58.618 If you know Jesus, 00:00:58.714 --> 00:01:00.410 if you've heard about Jesus, 00:01:00.570 --> 00:01:02.862 and I'm excited about it. 00:01:02.916 --> 00:01:06.722 But before I get too far into the word, 00:01:06.776 --> 00:01:08.984 I want to ask you how many, 00:01:08.984 --> 00:01:10.376 like I asked the kids, 00:01:10.376 --> 00:01:11.442 everybody's got family, 00:01:11.496 --> 00:01:14.386 right? You like your family, 00:01:14.568 --> 00:01:16.020 might not like them. 00:01:16.650 --> 00:01:18.418 You might not like your mom and your daddy, 00:01:18.418 --> 00:01:19.000 right? 00:01:19.930 --> 00:01:21.160 But like, 00:01:22.490 --> 00:01:23.618 it might have been maverick, 00:01:23.618 --> 00:01:24.348 I don't know. 00:01:24.348 --> 00:01:28.722 He said he liked his little cousin and she was crazy, 00:01:28.796 --> 00:01:29.420 right? 00:01:32.430 --> 00:01:36.490 Everybody, I think's got somebody that they like, 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:40.048 right? Or that maybe they can count on or maybe they go to. 00:01:40.048 --> 00:01:42.458 It might not necessarily be your mama or your daddy. 00:01:42.458 --> 00:01:43.778 It might not be, 00:01:44.450 --> 00:01:46.782 but everybody's got family of some sort, 00:01:46.916 --> 00:01:47.600 right? 00:01:49.970 --> 00:01:52.280 I titled the message we are Family. 00:01:54.790 --> 00:01:57.890 And I wasn't born until 1990. 00:01:57.960 --> 00:01:59.170 So this song, 00:01:59.830 --> 00:02:00.472 I think, 00:02:00.472 --> 00:02:01.986 came out in 1979. 00:02:02.088 --> 00:02:04.206 But Sister Sledge, 00:02:04.238 --> 00:02:05.102 you ever heard that song, 00:02:05.102 --> 00:02:06.680 we are family? 00:02:08.650 --> 00:02:11.000 I got all my sisters and me, 00:02:11.690 --> 00:02:13.452 right? So I don't know why, 00:02:13.452 --> 00:02:16.070 but I thought about that song. 00:02:17.210 --> 00:02:19.648 I want to say God just put it on my mind. 00:02:19.648 --> 00:02:21.958 But at the end of the chorus, 00:02:23.070 --> 00:02:24.272 they say every time, 00:02:24.272 --> 00:02:24.688 get up, 00:02:24.688 --> 00:02:25.900 everybody, and sing. 00:02:26.270 --> 00:02:31.994 And when you realize what family you can be a part of or what family you 00:02:32.032 --> 00:02:34.160 are a part of because of Christ, 00:02:34.160 --> 00:02:35.476 it makes me want to sing. 00:02:35.476 --> 00:02:38.826 It makes me want to declare his glory and his praises, 00:02:38.826 --> 00:02:40.362 and it is overwhelming. 00:02:40.506 --> 00:02:44.132 And I bet you I'm going to get overwhelmed today trying to tell you about 00:02:44.132 --> 00:02:44.462 it. 00:02:44.436 --> 00:02:47.866 But now every time I hear that song, 00:02:47.978 --> 00:02:50.824 it's going to be a hymn instead of whatever it was meant to be. 00:02:50.824 --> 00:02:53.736 And God is more than capable of doing that. 00:02:53.736 --> 00:02:58.686 He can take things that weren't even meant for him and turn them for him. 00:03:00.570 --> 00:03:02.280 Hebrews, chapter two. 00:03:03.930 --> 00:03:05.196 I think about my family, 00:03:05.196 --> 00:03:06.652 and half of my family's here today, 00:03:06.652 --> 00:03:08.988 and I can't even talk about them because if I get to talking about them. 00:03:08.988 --> 00:03:09.846 We get overwhelmed. 00:03:09.846 --> 00:03:17.546 Because there's people in your family that never give up on you, 00:03:17.568 --> 00:03:18.300 do they? 00:03:21.330 --> 00:03:27.422 And I wouldn't be standing up here if it wasn't for some of these people 00:03:27.476 --> 00:03:28.116 in my family. 00:03:28.116 --> 00:03:29.498 It wasn't for some of y'all. 00:03:29.498 --> 00:03:35.666 And I wouldn't have the courage to try to get up here and tell you some 00:03:35.688 --> 00:03:38.834 of these things if it wasn't for my family. 00:03:38.952 --> 00:03:39.954 And guess what? 00:03:40.072 --> 00:03:42.382 If you are a believer in Christ, 00:03:42.488 --> 00:03:45.128 all of you are part of my family. 00:03:46.810 --> 00:03:48.520 Hebrews, chapter two. 00:03:51.690 --> 00:03:54.840 If you've come any this year, 00:03:56.490 --> 00:03:58.140 we have been in Hebrews. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:03:59.552 In Hebrews chapter one, 00:03:59.552 --> 00:04:05.130 God talks about Christ being God's son and being greater than angels. 00:04:05.550 --> 00:04:07.072 In the beginning of chapter two, 00:04:07.072 --> 00:04:08.062 he talks about. 00:04:08.112 --> 00:04:10.320 He warns us about not drifting away, 00:04:10.320 --> 00:04:14.388 right? Because we know that when we get caught up in the world and that 00:04:14.388 --> 00:04:18.548 when we get caught up in our circumstances and our persecution and our 00:04:18.548 --> 00:04:19.642 trials and our suffering, 00:04:19.642 --> 00:04:20.910 we get distracted. 00:04:21.410 --> 00:04:26.020 Same thing was happening to the Hebrews then. 00:04:28.070 --> 00:04:30.478 They were thinking about going back to Judaism, 00:04:30.478 --> 00:04:31.798 back to the law, 00:04:32.070 --> 00:04:36.770 because they were under such harsh circumstances. 00:04:37.270 --> 00:04:40.006 And so whoever the writer of Hebrews is, 00:04:40.028 --> 00:04:45.414 is reminding them we must listen very carefully to the truth we have 00:04:45.452 --> 00:04:48.092 heard, or we will drift away from it. 00:04:49.070 --> 00:04:50.890 So listen very carefully. 00:04:52.350 --> 00:04:57.046 He goes on to talk about Jesus and humanity, 00:04:57.158 --> 00:04:59.020 right? Jesus the man, 00:04:59.710 --> 00:05:05.550 how Christ has this close connection between Jesus and us, 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:07.060 between Jesus and his people, 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:07.680 right? 00:05:08.450 --> 00:05:15.362 Do you know any other religion or God that came down and beared the same 00:05:15.416 --> 00:05:16.580 things you did? 00:05:18.070 --> 00:05:20.380 You can't say that about anybody else. 00:05:21.990 --> 00:05:26.718 So, starting with verse ten in chapter two, 00:05:26.904 --> 00:05:29.214 now that we know all these things, 00:05:30.170 --> 00:05:31.160 he says, 00:05:31.530 --> 00:05:35.734 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, 00:05:35.852 --> 00:05:38.542 chose to bring many children into glory. 00:05:38.706 --> 00:06:06.130 And it was only right that he should make. 00:06:06.200 --> 00:06:07.650 It was only Fitting. 00:06:08.470 --> 00:06:13.918 Some translations say he chose to bring many children into glory. 00:06:14.014 --> 00:06:15.038 You've been brought. 00:06:15.134 --> 00:06:17.298 He chose to bring you into glory. 00:06:17.298 --> 00:06:18.948 You understand what that means? 00:06:19.530 --> 00:06:20.850 What did you bring? 00:06:21.930 --> 00:06:23.580 You ever thought about that? 00:06:23.930 --> 00:06:25.910 What do I bring to God? 00:06:28.270 --> 00:06:34.140 Nothing. I don't have anything that he doesn't already have. 00:06:35.070 --> 00:06:37.380 I didn't bring nothing to this party, 00:06:37.430 --> 00:06:38.460 to this family. 00:06:40.510 --> 00:06:42.160 I got nothing to offer. 00:06:43.390 --> 00:06:44.938 That makes you feel kind of ashamed, 00:06:44.938 --> 00:06:45.268 don't it? 00:06:45.268 --> 00:06:47.806 Or guilty or some kind of way. 00:06:47.988 --> 00:06:49.230 Keep listening. 00:06:49.730 --> 00:06:51.306 It was only fitting. 00:06:51.338 --> 00:06:57.282 It was only right that he should make Jesus his one and only son through 00:06:57.336 --> 00:06:58.414 his suffering, 00:06:58.542 --> 00:07:00.290 a perfect leader, 00:07:02.150 --> 00:07:04.622 fit to bring them into their salvation. 00:07:04.766 --> 00:07:14.064 So Jesus'suffering was the only thing that was right, 00:07:14.182 --> 00:07:19.440 that was fitting to bring us into God's glory. 00:07:20.580 --> 00:07:25.200 Which is the only reason we can say we are part of his family. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:27.402 And so if you are a part of his family, 00:07:27.402 --> 00:07:28.560 if you are a believer, 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:29.322 you know that, 00:07:29.322 --> 00:07:35.096 right? But you need to be reminded all the time because the world will 00:07:35.278 --> 00:07:36.456 swallow you up, 00:07:36.558 --> 00:07:37.838 spit you back out, 00:07:37.838 --> 00:07:40.440 and you get lost and you forget, 00:07:41.580 --> 00:07:42.584 we are family. 00:07:42.702 --> 00:07:44.558 You are a child of God. 00:07:44.558 --> 00:07:49.178 He has chosen you and brought you into glory because he loves you that 00:07:49.202 --> 00:07:52.080 much that he gave up his one and only son, 00:07:52.080 --> 00:07:54.390 just like the first song they sang. 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:58.326 For God so loved the world that he gave us. 00:07:58.326 --> 00:08:00.112 He gave it to us. 00:08:00.166 --> 00:08:02.450 He brought us into it. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:06.924 Jesus. And why Jesus? 00:08:06.972 --> 00:08:08.764 Why is Jesus a perfect leader? 00:08:08.764 --> 00:08:10.744 Why is Jesus a perfect leader? 00:08:11.080 --> 00:08:12.730 You call him a pioneer. 00:08:12.768 --> 00:08:16.180 You call him trailblazer. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:20.176 Why? Like I said earlier, 00:08:20.208 --> 00:08:27.784 do you know anybody else that did that for you that came down to take on 00:08:27.822 --> 00:08:28.650 your stuff? 00:08:36.770 --> 00:08:43.330 Jesus. God uses the tool of suffering to accomplish a greater purpose. 00:08:44.070 --> 00:08:45.646 And so we see that with Jesus. 00:08:45.646 --> 00:08:46.734 Jesus accomplished. 00:08:46.782 --> 00:08:50.290 Look at the purpose Jesus accomplished. 00:08:50.890 --> 00:08:53.922 He brought us into his family because of his suffering, 00:08:53.922 --> 00:08:56.386 right? But we don't like suffering, 00:08:56.418 --> 00:08:56.812 do we? 00:08:56.812 --> 00:08:58.462 We want to be comfortable, 00:08:58.890 --> 00:09:00.470 right? And lazy. 00:09:02.250 --> 00:09:03.228 And guess what? 00:09:03.068 --> 00:09:04.236 If it don't cost you anything, 00:09:04.236 --> 00:09:06.216 it don't mean nothing to you. 00:09:06.270 --> 00:09:09.520 And so why do you think Jesus says some of the things he says? 00:09:09.520 --> 00:09:11.170 Because it cost him everything. 00:09:14.410 --> 00:09:16.466 And so when I read this next verse, 00:09:16.466 --> 00:09:20.502 you'll begin to understand why God is not ashamed, 00:09:20.566 --> 00:09:25.322 why Jesus is not ashamed to call you brothers and sisters because it cost 00:09:25.376 --> 00:09:26.140 them everything. 00:09:27.630 --> 00:09:30.650 And so how many of you have suffered? 00:09:31.710 --> 00:09:33.268 How many of you are suffering right now? 00:09:33.268 --> 00:09:35.248 You're going through something right now. 00:09:37.170 --> 00:09:38.160 Well, guess what? 00:09:37.908 --> 00:09:38.606 That's life. 00:09:38.708 --> 00:09:42.998 And you're going to suffer whether you got God or whether you don't. 00:09:44.950 --> 00:09:51.774 But God can use something that was meant for harm, 00:09:51.822 --> 00:09:52.606 for destruction, 00:09:52.638 --> 00:09:54.288 and turn it for good. 00:09:55.610 --> 00:10:04.294 And so if you are constantly trying to avoid suffering or numb it or get 00:10:04.332 --> 00:10:05.366 around it, 00:10:05.548 --> 00:10:09.366 you are missing what God can do with that. 00:10:09.468 --> 00:10:13.428 If God can take his only son and save the entire world, 00:10:13.630 --> 00:10:15.280 if they would just believe, 00:10:15.550 --> 00:10:19.840 imagine what he can do with your suffering if you would let him. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:24.472 So apart from God, 00:10:24.526 --> 00:10:24.878 guess what? 00:10:24.878 --> 00:10:25.908 Your suffering is wasted. 00:10:25.908 --> 00:10:28.654 So you know you're going to suffer with or without God. 00:10:28.654 --> 00:10:29.524 Life's tough, 00:10:29.572 --> 00:10:39.868 right? I would much rather go through life with God by my side and using 00:10:39.954 --> 00:10:45.980 my suffering for something greater than to go through it alone. 00:10:49.140 --> 00:10:52.732 What does he promise over and over and over throughout the Old Testament 00:10:52.732 --> 00:10:54.560 and Jesus throughout the new, 00:10:54.710 --> 00:10:55.686 what does he say? 00:10:55.686 --> 00:10:57.336 Over and over and over? 00:10:57.940 --> 00:10:59.212 He says it to Moses, 00:10:59.212 --> 00:11:00.352 he says it to Joshua, 00:11:00.352 --> 00:11:01.312 he says it to David, 00:11:01.312 --> 00:11:05.860 he says it over and over and over I will be with you. 00:11:05.930 --> 00:11:07.830 I will not forsake you. 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:11.270 I will never leave you. 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.510 But what do we want? 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:19.352 We want a Christianity that benefits us, 00:11:19.406 --> 00:11:21.770 right? What can you do for me? 00:11:24.640 --> 00:11:27.610 I come to church because I want the blessings, 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:32.620 right. And you don't realize you're missing. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:39.424 And the reason Jesus is the perfect leader is because he went first to 00:11:39.462 --> 00:11:44.320 show us how to use our suffering for a greater purpose. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:51.516 That's why he's a perfect leader and not perfect in that something was 00:11:51.558 --> 00:11:55.812 imperfect. But if you look up the greek word for perfect, 00:11:55.866 --> 00:11:58.762 I don't remember what it says or how to pronounce it. 00:11:58.442 --> 00:12:02.552 But that greek word for perfect is explaining not that something was 00:12:02.606 --> 00:12:07.492 imperfect, but that Jesus completes, 00:12:07.636 --> 00:12:09.370 finishes, makes whole. 00:12:10.140 --> 00:12:13.552 He is the author and finisher of our salvation. 00:12:13.636 --> 00:12:14.952 And not only your salvation, 00:12:14.952 --> 00:12:15.938 but your life. 00:12:15.938 --> 00:12:18.402 And so when you don't have Jesus a part of your life, 00:12:18.402 --> 00:12:19.496 you are incomplete, 00:12:19.528 --> 00:12:20.408 you are unholy, 00:12:20.408 --> 00:12:21.420 you are broken. 00:12:28.230 --> 00:12:29.838 But as a believer, 00:12:30.014 --> 00:12:31.060 guess what? 00:12:32.150 --> 00:12:34.974 The suffering in this life is the worst. 00:12:35.022 --> 00:12:36.152 You're going to have it. 00:12:36.152 --> 00:12:39.452 This is as bad as it's ever going to be. 00:12:41.030 --> 00:12:42.456 That's the hope we have, 00:12:42.456 --> 00:12:45.254 right? But if you don't have that hope, 00:12:45.292 --> 00:12:46.402 if you don't have Jesus, 00:12:46.402 --> 00:12:47.222 guess what? 00:12:47.356 --> 00:12:49.772 This life is the best it's ever going to be. 00:12:49.772 --> 00:12:52.742 This is the best you're ever going to get. 00:12:54.170 --> 00:12:55.510 Can you imagine? 00:13:03.490 --> 00:13:05.140 That was just verse ten? 00:13:08.170 --> 00:13:22.234 A perfect leader fit to bring them into their salvation is the last half 00:13:22.272 --> 00:13:24.540 of that sentence in verse ten. 00:13:25.710 --> 00:13:29.478 And I just want to say one last thing about it before we go to verse 00:13:29.478 --> 00:13:37.146 eleven. That is why Jesus being the completion, 00:13:37.338 --> 00:13:39.710 the perfect sacrifice. 00:13:41.570 --> 00:13:45.988 That's why he says before he breathes his last breath and he pushes up on 00:13:45.988 --> 00:13:47.688 his nail pierced feet and he says, 00:13:47.688 --> 00:13:48.770 it is finished. 00:13:49.350 --> 00:13:52.194 I have completed what God, 00:13:52.312 --> 00:13:54.622 my father has asked me to do. 00:13:54.744 --> 00:14:06.440 I suffered and paved the way for me and you to be a part of a family. 00:14:09.850 --> 00:14:11.254 So now verse eleven. 00:14:11.302 --> 00:14:15.592 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same father. 00:14:16.190 --> 00:14:20.810 That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 00:14:26.930 --> 00:14:29.570 How could Jesus not be ashamed of us? 00:14:31.170 --> 00:14:34.470 It's a question I ask because when I read that, 00:14:34.610 --> 00:14:36.260 do you feel that way? 00:14:39.910 --> 00:14:41.944 And for those of you that do feel that way, 00:14:41.944 --> 00:14:44.056 you've probably had an experience with God, 00:14:44.056 --> 00:14:48.980 right? And he's told you and showed you. 00:14:50.490 --> 00:14:52.470 And until you have that experience, 00:14:54.490 --> 00:14:56.444 I wish I could put it in a bottle and give it to you, 00:14:56.444 --> 00:14:57.434 but I can't. 00:15:00.890 --> 00:15:03.530 How can Jesus not be ashamed of us? 00:15:05.870 --> 00:15:08.128 Verse ten just told us because he's perfect. 00:15:08.128 --> 00:15:09.574 He's the perfect leader. 00:15:09.702 --> 00:15:10.758 He's the trailblazer. 00:15:10.774 --> 00:15:11.930 He's the pioneer. 00:15:15.130 --> 00:15:17.320 Isaiah 43. 00:15:19.690 --> 00:15:23.050 I can tell you a whole story about this verse. 00:15:23.790 --> 00:15:25.110 I don't have time. 00:15:25.870 --> 00:15:31.440 But when I was at one of the lowest points of my life, 00:15:33.570 --> 00:15:34.762 it wasn't this bible, 00:15:34.762 --> 00:15:36.388 but it was one very similar to it. 00:15:36.388 --> 00:15:38.038 It sat on my nightstand, 00:15:38.290 --> 00:15:39.690 and it was a decoration. 00:15:39.690 --> 00:15:41.340 I've told this story before, 00:15:41.384 --> 00:15:43.048 and it had dust on it. 00:15:42.856 --> 00:15:44.176 It was an ornament, 00:15:44.790 --> 00:15:46.110 I believe it was. 00:15:47.910 --> 00:15:49.464 I put my drink on it. 00:15:49.464 --> 00:15:50.784 It was a coaster. 00:15:52.950 --> 00:15:56.828 But God finally kept getting my attention over and over and over. 00:15:56.828 --> 00:16:01.762 And I flipped open my bible and landed about halfway. 00:16:01.826 --> 00:16:03.806 And guess what it landed on. 00:16:03.852 --> 00:16:05.894 Isaiah, Chapter 43, 00:16:06.092 --> 00:16:07.612 very top of the page. 00:16:07.612 --> 00:16:08.704 And this is what it reads. 00:16:08.598 --> 00:16:09.918 And I'm asking God, 00:16:11.310 --> 00:16:15.626 how do I quit doing what I know is bad for me? 00:16:15.648 --> 00:16:16.816 What I know harms me? 00:16:16.816 --> 00:16:21.062 Why do I keep going back to that sin that I know isn't going to satisfy 00:16:21.062 --> 00:16:22.884 me, does not make me whole and complete? 00:16:22.884 --> 00:16:23.796 What do I do, 00:16:23.796 --> 00:16:26.458 God? And so I flip open the Bible, 00:16:26.554 --> 00:16:27.818 and I read this verse, 00:16:27.818 --> 00:16:28.292 and it says, 00:16:28.292 --> 00:16:30.318 but now listen. 00:16:30.404 --> 00:16:32.320 The Lord who created you, 00:16:32.710 --> 00:16:33.694 o Israel, 00:16:33.742 --> 00:16:35.256 the one who formed you, 00:16:35.256 --> 00:16:36.702 says, do not be afraid, 00:16:36.702 --> 00:16:38.420 for I have ransomed you. 00:16:38.790 --> 00:16:40.392 I have called you by my name, 00:16:40.392 --> 00:16:41.712 and you are mine. 00:16:42.230 --> 00:16:44.014 And when you go through deep waters, 00:16:44.014 --> 00:16:44.808 I will be with you. 00:16:44.808 --> 00:16:46.398 When you go through rivers of difficulty, 00:16:46.398 --> 00:16:47.718 you will not drown. 00:16:47.910 --> 00:16:49.874 And when you walk through the fire of oppression, 00:16:49.874 --> 00:16:51.148 you will not be burned up. 00:16:50.972 --> 00:16:52.572 The flames will not consume you. 00:16:52.572 --> 00:16:53.698 For I am the Lord, 00:16:53.698 --> 00:16:54.470 your God, 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:56.214 the holy one of Israel, 00:16:56.214 --> 00:16:57.290 your savior. 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:03.716 Jesus is not ashamed of you because God, 00:17:03.898 --> 00:17:05.008 from the beginning, 00:17:05.104 --> 00:17:05.972 says what? 00:17:06.026 --> 00:17:07.300 You are mine. 00:17:07.800 --> 00:17:08.884 I created you. 00:17:08.922 --> 00:17:09.722 I formed you. 00:17:09.722 --> 00:17:13.022 I knew you before you were in your mother's womb. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:15.370 What psalm 139 says, 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:19.820 and Jesus isn't ashamed of you because why? 00:17:19.870 --> 00:17:22.456 He came to do the will of his father, 00:17:22.456 --> 00:17:26.670 and he gave up his right for us. 00:17:33.610 --> 00:17:36.446 John 1513. 00:17:36.578 --> 00:17:41.198 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friend. 00:17:42.750 --> 00:17:44.288 It's exactly what Jesus did. 00:17:44.288 --> 00:17:45.938 For there's no greater love. 00:17:59.250 --> 00:18:02.220 I think there's a bunch of mamas in here, 00:18:02.310 --> 00:18:03.480 but when you child, 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.824 you ever had a child, 00:18:04.824 --> 00:18:06.500 you got older kids, 00:18:07.430 --> 00:18:09.352 or maybe you got teenagers right now, 00:18:09.352 --> 00:18:11.460 and they don't listen, 00:18:12.310 --> 00:18:15.266 and they've gone astray. 00:18:15.378 --> 00:18:16.360 They've left, 00:18:17.130 --> 00:18:18.642 and they're wayward, 00:18:18.706 --> 00:18:19.320 right? 00:18:21.530 --> 00:18:22.780 When you have a child, 00:18:22.780 --> 00:18:23.800 something changes. 00:18:24.730 --> 00:18:26.694 And God says, 00:18:26.732 --> 00:18:28.402 children are a blessing unto the Lord. 00:18:28.402 --> 00:18:29.708 Until I had a child, 00:18:29.708 --> 00:18:32.086 I didn't really ever understand what that verse meant. 00:18:32.086 --> 00:18:34.496 But when you have that baby and you're holding them in your hand, 00:18:34.496 --> 00:18:41.002 you get just a piece of that wholeness of how much God loves you. 00:18:41.136 --> 00:18:43.796 And no matter where you go and what you do, 00:18:43.796 --> 00:18:45.646 God doesn't stop loving you. 00:18:45.668 --> 00:18:50.468 And so when your kids get older and they rebel and they leave and they 00:18:50.468 --> 00:18:51.840 don't listen to you, 00:18:53.750 --> 00:18:55.460 do you stop loving them? 00:18:57.910 --> 00:19:00.232 No matter how much dumb stuff I did, 00:19:00.232 --> 00:19:02.920 no matter how far I got away from God, 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:06.358 I could always call my family. 00:19:06.444 --> 00:19:08.300 I could always call my mom. 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:10.710 I could always call my brother, 00:19:13.930 --> 00:19:18.440 and they would remind me who I am. 00:19:21.230 --> 00:19:24.860 And there ain't no better family to be a part of. 00:19:24.910 --> 00:19:27.606 And maybe you don't have a mom or a dad or a brother. 00:19:27.606 --> 00:19:28.480 But guess what? 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.790 When you're a part of God's family, 00:19:31.410 --> 00:19:34.414 there will be people there that will remind you. 00:19:34.452 --> 00:19:36.432 No matter how far you go, 00:19:36.612 --> 00:19:39.600 God love for you does not change. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:46.402 And that he will get your attention in ways nobody else can. 00:19:46.402 --> 00:19:51.192 And that if you would just surrender and die like our perfect pioneer 00:19:51.256 --> 00:19:53.404 trailblazer leader that Jesus was, 00:19:53.442 --> 00:19:55.752 if you would just follow his example, 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:58.310 your whole life will change. 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:03.088 And then last part. 00:20:03.174 --> 00:20:04.240 Last verse. 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.870 This is what will happen, 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.532 verse twelve says, 00:20:14.586 --> 00:20:16.186 for he said to God, 00:20:16.186 --> 00:20:18.848 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. 00:20:18.848 --> 00:20:21.198 I will praise you among your assembled people. 00:20:21.198 --> 00:20:22.824 He's quoting psalm 22: 00:20:22.862 --> 00:20:24.056 22. 00:20:24.078 --> 00:20:25.240 And that's David. 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:31.752 So if you go read that psalm right before that. 00:20:31.806 --> 00:20:33.850 Right before psalm 22 22, 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:36.450 this is what David says. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.164 And David's on the run, 00:20:39.362 --> 00:20:40.312 running from Saul. 00:20:40.312 --> 00:20:41.586 Saul's trying to kill him. 00:20:41.586 --> 00:20:45.970 David's writing these prayers and just crying out to God, 00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:48.560 rescue me from a violent death. 00:20:48.556 --> 00:20:51.836 Spare my precious life from these dogs. 00:20:51.868 --> 00:20:57.404 Snatch me from the lion's jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen. 00:20:57.452 --> 00:20:58.614 Then this is verse 22, 00:20:58.614 --> 00:21:00.264 what the hebrew writer quotes. 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:04.768 Then I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters, 00:21:04.768 --> 00:21:07.990 and I will praise you among all your people. 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:11.460 Y'all remember when you got saved. 00:21:11.552 --> 00:21:13.532 You remember when you got baptized? 00:21:13.572 --> 00:21:18.824 You remember how it made you feel because you were close to God and you 00:21:18.862 --> 00:21:19.806 wanted to tell people, 00:21:19.806 --> 00:21:22.264 right? You wanted to praise him. 00:21:22.302 --> 00:21:24.300 You wanted to declare, 00:21:25.040 --> 00:21:30.990 I can't help but tell people because God redeemed me. 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.764 He ransomed me. 00:21:32.802 --> 00:21:33.950 He bought me. 00:21:41.780 --> 00:21:42.880 Verse 13. 00:21:46.260 --> 00:21:47.712 He also said, 00:21:47.766 --> 00:21:50.040 I will put my trust in him. 00:21:50.040 --> 00:21:55.350 That is why I and the children God has given me. 00:21:56.280 --> 00:21:59.370 That is I and the children God has given me. 00:21:59.370 --> 00:22:00.788 So then he quotes Isaiah, 00:22:00.788 --> 00:22:01.770 chapter eight. 00:22:04.060 --> 00:22:12.840 And this is how Isaiah says it in verse 17. 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:17.884 I will wait for the Lord to help us. 00:22:18.082 --> 00:22:20.062 My only hope is in him. 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:23.010 I and the children. 00:22:23.010 --> 00:22:24.466 The Lord has given me. 00:22:24.162 --> 00:22:25.180 Have names. 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:28.770 Guess what Isaiah means. 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:38.064 The Lord will save the whole old testament. 00:22:38.112 --> 00:22:39.140 All those people. 00:22:39.290 --> 00:22:40.992 David, Isaiah, 00:22:41.056 --> 00:22:42.592 Jeremiah, Moses. 00:22:42.736 --> 00:22:46.820 All those people were a picture. 00:22:48.040 --> 00:22:49.056 What is a picture? 00:22:49.056 --> 00:22:49.882 Picture is a sign. 00:22:49.882 --> 00:22:51.370 What does a sign do? 00:22:51.370 --> 00:22:52.366 Points you to something, 00:22:52.366 --> 00:22:53.064 right? 00:22:53.262 --> 00:22:55.320 They're all pointing Jesus. 00:22:58.620 --> 00:23:01.260 I will wait for the Lord to help. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:03.470 My only hope is in him. 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:11.084 So my question to you, 00:23:11.202 --> 00:23:12.510 challenge to you. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.642 He has given me. 00:23:14.642 --> 00:23:18.620 Right? That was what the hebrew writer says in verse 13. 00:23:18.780 --> 00:23:20.100 I and the children. 00:23:20.054 --> 00:23:21.238 He has given me. 00:23:21.238 --> 00:23:23.890 God has given you what? 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.662 He's given you an opportunity, 00:23:26.662 --> 00:23:28.416 right? He's given you Jesus. 00:23:28.528 --> 00:23:31.002 What are you going to do with it? 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.882 What are you doing with. 00:23:31.882 --> 00:23:40.760 It's been a couple months. 00:23:40.910 --> 00:23:41.758 Last thing I'll say, 00:23:41.758 --> 00:23:44.872 it's been a couple months now. 00:23:44.926 --> 00:23:49.448 But Miss Maryanne Lane died a couple months ago. 00:23:49.614 --> 00:23:53.580 And she wanted a hymn played. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:58.440 And the title of the hymn is "What Will You Do With 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:02.732 And Jesus?".ever since then, 00:24:02.866 --> 00:24:04.846 and I'm not big on hymns, 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:08.354 but I can't forget it. 00:24:08.354 --> 00:24:09.560 I can't forget. 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:12.360 What are you going to do with Jesus? 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.824 Ask yourself that. 00:24:13.862 --> 00:24:15.078 And if you've done something with him, 00:24:15.078 --> 00:24:16.278 let's say you've been saved. 00:24:16.108 --> 00:24:16.828 You are a believer. 00:24:16.828 --> 00:24:18.808 You are part of this family. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:27.332 Are you declaring his name and singing his praises because you are so 00:24:27.386 --> 00:24:31.832 close to him that you can't help it? 00:24:31.966 --> 00:24:33.370 You can't help it. 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.810 And if you're not, 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:38.564 be reminded. 00:24:38.612 --> 00:24:41.326 And remember that Jesus is not ashamed of you. 00:24:41.326 --> 00:24:43.966 And calls you a brother and a sister. 00:24:47.270 --> 00:24:48.920 You're a child of God. 00:24:49.350 --> 00:24:51.096 I have called you by my name. 00:24:51.096 --> 00:24:52.210 You are mine. 00:24:53.430 --> 00:24:59.400 Do you know anybody else that does that, 00:25:00.730 --> 00:25:02.454 that loves you that way? 00:25:02.652 --> 00:25:05.400 Maybe you haven't felt it or experienced it. 00:25:08.410 --> 00:25:11.930 You can for the believer, 00:25:12.510 --> 00:25:13.494 be encouraged. 00:25:13.542 --> 00:25:17.172 Remember, this is as bad as it's ever going to be. 00:25:18.750 --> 00:25:19.942 If you don't know Jesus, 00:25:19.942 --> 00:25:20.816 or you don't believe, 00:25:20.816 --> 00:25:22.330 or you're not following. 00:25:24.130 --> 00:25:27.430 This is as good as it's ever going to be. 00:25:27.490 --> 00:25:34.558 And there's nothing more depressing than realizing that. 00:25:34.724 --> 00:25:40.014 Than knowing Jesus was the captain. 00:25:40.062 --> 00:25:44.050 I think King James version uses captain of our faith. 00:25:44.470 --> 00:25:46.686 Is Jesus the captain of your salvation? 00:25:46.686 --> 00:25:48.700 Is he the captain of your life? 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:51.590 Or are you trying to be captain Salvation? 00:26:00.050 --> 00:26:01.600 He has given me. 00:26:04.150 --> 00:26:06.790 What are you going to do with it? 00:26:07.910 --> 00:26:09.010 Let's pray. 00:26:13.270 --> 00:26:18.054 God, thank you for letting me be a part of your family. 00:26:18.172 --> 00:26:25.334 Thank you for Jesus and him not only paving the way, 00:26:25.372 --> 00:26:26.230 dear Lord, 00:26:26.970 --> 00:26:30.294 providing the way for paying for me, 00:26:30.332 --> 00:26:31.190 dear Lord, 00:26:34.410 --> 00:26:37.734 for saving God. 00:26:37.932 --> 00:26:40.440 I can't wrap my mind around it. 00:26:40.770 --> 00:26:44.414 But I love being able to try, 00:26:44.452 --> 00:26:44.874 Dear Lord, 00:26:44.874 --> 00:26:47.730 and to see just how much you love us. 00:26:46.532 --> 00:26:48.298 And, dear Lord, 00:26:48.314 --> 00:26:51.012 I pray if there's anybody in this room that hasn't experienced that love, 00:26:51.012 --> 00:26:52.662 that they will just ask. 00:26:54.770 --> 00:26:57.822 And for those of us that have and need to be reminded, 00:26:57.822 --> 00:26:58.398 dear Lord, 00:26:58.398 --> 00:26:59.902 help us to step out in faith, 00:26:59.902 --> 00:27:00.702 dear Lord, 00:27:00.846 --> 00:27:03.358 and do something about it and put it into action. 00:27:03.358 --> 00:27:04.290 Dear Lord. 00:27:05.030 --> 00:27:08.440 And to know that because we are your children, 00:27:08.970 --> 00:27:10.620 you will meet us there. 00:27:13.450 --> 00:27:14.146 Dear Lord, 00:27:14.178 --> 00:27:18.390 I just pray that as we sing this last song, 00:27:19.530 --> 00:27:20.114 dear Lord, 00:27:20.114 --> 00:27:21.764 that you would soften hearts, 00:27:24.010 --> 00:27:29.014 that you would provoke people to come to you because you have called them 00:27:29.052 --> 00:27:31.790 by their name and they are yours. 00:27:32.370 --> 00:27:34.350 And thank you for that promise. 00:27:34.850 --> 00:27:36.000 I love you. 00:27:36.850 --> 00:27:37.790 Amen.