WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.595 --> 00:00:01.605 Will you stand to your 2 00:00:01.605 --> 00:00:02.605 Feet? 3 00:00:03.755 --> 00:00:06.845 It's A good get good day to give God praise today. 4 00:00:06.845 --> 00:00:10.125 And every day, Psalm 34 says, 5 00:00:10.325 --> 00:00:12.085 I will bless the Lord at all times. 6 00:00:12.985 --> 00:00:15.045 He said, I will bless the Lord at all times. 7 00:00:15.665 --> 00:00:18.005 His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 8 00:00:18.585 --> 00:00:20.605 My soul makes its boast in the Lord. 9 00:00:21.465 --> 00:00:23.525 Let the humble hear and be glad. 10 00:00:24.225 --> 00:00:25.845 Oh, magnify the Lord with me 11 00:00:25.905 --> 00:00:27.645 and let us exalt his name together. 12 00:00:27.665 --> 00:00:29.125 Church. That's what we're here to do, 13 00:00:29.505 --> 00:00:30.885 to exalt the name of Jesus. 14 00:00:31.465 --> 00:00:33.085 So put your hands together and don't 15 00:00:33.085 --> 00:00:34.085 Hold back tonight. 16 00:00:35.585 --> 00:00:36.365 Praise his name. 17 00:00:46.805 --> 00:00:51.085 A song 18 00:00:54.305 --> 00:00:58.885 day, the elder 19 00:01:03.115 --> 00:01:05.685 creatures the lamb. 20 00:01:06.715 --> 00:01:11.485 There's a sound of rising to the king. 21 00:01:15.525 --> 00:01:20.085 Resound your children. 22 00:01:42.365 --> 00:01:43.035 Hallelujah, 23 00:01:52.565 --> 00:01:53.635 Won't hold back. 24 00:02:03.185 --> 00:02:04.185 Magnifi 25 00:02:16.375 --> 00:02:20.275 All magnifi, 26 00:02:35.015 --> 00:02:35.235 all 27 00:02:38.215 --> 00:02:39.715 Is the lamb. 28 00:02:39.895 --> 00:02:42.795 Who the alpha omega 29 00:02:47.295 --> 00:02:50.875 and on now forever. 30 00:02:51.915 --> 00:02:52.435 Sing what we. 31 00:03:13.255 --> 00:03:15.875 Praise. Praise. 32 00:04:13.885 --> 00:04:15.395 We're honored. You're here today. 33 00:04:15.895 --> 00:04:17.195 Go ahead and take a minute and say 34 00:04:17.195 --> 00:04:18.275 hi to somebody around you. 35 00:04:46.035 --> 00:04:47.235 I love you, Lord. 36 00:04:50.985 --> 00:04:53.875 Your mercy never fails me. 37 00:04:56.015 --> 00:05:00.955 All my days I've been inhale in your hands. 38 00:05:03.025 --> 00:05:06.715 From the moment that I wake up to, 39 00:05:07.115 --> 00:05:10.875 I lay my head oh 40 00:05:13.375 --> 00:05:15.715 of the goodness of 41 00:05:28.175 --> 00:05:29.435 in all my life. 42 00:05:29.895 --> 00:05:32.715 You have been so, so 43 00:05:33.305 --> 00:05:37.115 Good With every breath 44 00:05:43.615 --> 00:05:46.435 of the goodness of God. 45 00:05:53.615 --> 00:05:54.035 You have 46 00:06:06.365 --> 00:06:10.445 I known you, I've known 47 00:06:16.305 --> 00:06:18.725 in the goodness of 48 00:06:54.435 --> 00:06:56.955 Goodness is after, It's 49 00:06:56.955 --> 00:06:57.955 Running after 50 00:06:58.775 --> 00:07:02.215 me. Your goodness 51 00:07:02.395 --> 00:07:06.455 Is After, it's running after me 52 00:07:08.365 --> 00:07:12.095 Laid Surrender, I 53 00:07:16.525 --> 00:07:18.175 Your Goodness is running. 54 00:07:19.525 --> 00:07:21.895 It's running after me. Come 55 00:07:27.905 --> 00:07:29.335 after me, 56 00:07:33.785 --> 00:07:37.015 after it's running after me, 57 00:07:38.395 --> 00:07:40.895 My Surrender 58 00:07:48.705 --> 00:07:51.335 after it, after 59 00:08:01.115 --> 00:08:02.115 My life. 60 00:08:02.155 --> 00:08:05.935 You have, do you believe that? 61 00:08:08.075 --> 00:08:12.695 And all my life, you have been so, so 62 00:08:13.165 --> 00:08:17.175 Good With every breath 63 00:08:17.405 --> 00:08:18.535 that I'm, 64 00:08:21.235 --> 00:08:22.535 Oh, I'm gonna sing 65 00:08:23.595 --> 00:08:26.615 of the goodness of God. 66 00:08:46.755 --> 00:08:46.975 So, 67 00:10:31.835 --> 00:10:32.835 Oh, come on. Lift your voice 68 00:10:32.835 --> 00:10:35.775 in Christ ing 69 00:10:36.075 --> 00:10:39.255 Oh Christ, be magnified. 70 00:10:40.915 --> 00:10:45.775 Let Christ be magnified. 71 00:10:47.155 --> 00:10:48.155 Oh, come on singing. 72 00:10:49.435 --> 00:10:52.495 Oh Christ, be magnified. 73 00:11:15.825 --> 00:11:16.825 Human 74 00:11:34.425 --> 00:11:35.425 Be magnifi. 75 00:11:54.205 --> 00:11:54.325 C 76 00:12:00.655 --> 00:12:01.005 cries 77 00:12:10.435 --> 00:12:11.435 Jesus. 78 00:12:11.435 --> 00:12:12.865 Jesus, Jesus. 79 00:12:36.205 --> 00:12:36.425 And 80 00:12:50.365 --> 00:12:55.305 is true cross of 81 00:12:56.975 --> 00:13:00.545 with you is the 82 00:13:02.665 --> 00:13:05.225 Resurrection And I 83 00:13:07.335 --> 00:13:10.945 Suffering join you when you rise. 84 00:13:11.685 --> 00:13:15.385 And when you return in glory with all 85 00:13:18.795 --> 00:13:19.145 heart, 86 00:13:28.005 --> 00:13:29.265 be magnified. 87 00:13:31.005 --> 00:13:31.225 Let 88 00:13:51.385 --> 00:13:51.505 sing. 89 00:14:03.085 --> 00:14:04.345 Oh, come on your prayer, 90 00:14:08.615 --> 00:14:10.745 magnified the 91 00:14:28.155 --> 00:14:29.155 The name of Jesus. 92 00:14:30.515 --> 00:14:31.515 Be lifted, 93 00:14:38.155 --> 00:14:39.155 Be lifted. 94 00:14:43.635 --> 00:14:46.695 You paid the ultimate sacrifice for me 95 00:14:51.465 --> 00:14:53.125 so I could be free. 96 00:15:04.105 --> 00:15:05.725 How could I not sing you praise? 97 00:15:08.145 --> 00:15:09.645 How could I not sing 98 00:15:18.665 --> 00:15:19.445 so thankful? 99 00:15:28.265 --> 00:15:31.125 Praise the one who me free 100 00:15:34.975 --> 00:15:37.645 death has lost its grip on me. 101 00:15:38.425 --> 00:15:42.645 You have broken salvation. 102 00:15:44.895 --> 00:15:48.085 Jesus Christ, my living 103 00:15:49.355 --> 00:15:54.125 Home Who be magnified 104 00:15:54.535 --> 00:15:57.885 Jesus, you're living 105 00:15:58.195 --> 00:15:58.485 Home 106 00:16:13.315 --> 00:16:13.605 Grip 107 00:16:18.965 --> 00:16:22.765 salvation, Jesus Christ. 108 00:16:37.665 --> 00:16:38.525 And then came 109 00:16:49.065 --> 00:16:49.285 to 110 00:16:58.075 --> 00:17:02.765 declare has no on me. 111 00:17:04.285 --> 00:17:06.985 Oh, come on. That's good news. Oh, come on. 112 00:17:06.985 --> 00:17:07.985 That's good news. 113 00:17:22.165 --> 00:17:22.385 The 114 00:17:50.755 --> 00:17:51.045 free 115 00:17:58.345 --> 00:17:58.565 you 116 00:18:34.595 --> 00:18:35.595 King Jesus. 117 00:18:40.705 --> 00:18:42.525 Father, we thank you for your presence 118 00:18:45.265 --> 00:18:47.325 and we thank you that we get to enter into that. 119 00:18:49.265 --> 00:18:50.765 And God, I pray that we wouldn't leave 120 00:18:50.765 --> 00:18:52.125 that without being changed. 121 00:18:53.945 --> 00:18:56.525 God, as your word is open, as it's spoken of our lives 122 00:18:57.545 --> 00:18:59.485 change our hearts as we leave this place. 123 00:19:01.825 --> 00:19:03.645 We love you. It's our joy 124 00:19:03.665 --> 00:19:08.405 and honor to worship you in your whole and we pray, amen. 125 00:19:08.785 --> 00:19:10.245 Church, you can go ahead and grab a seat. 126 00:19:16.715 --> 00:19:20.445 Amen. Hallelujah. 127 00:19:20.445 --> 00:19:24.045 To the king of kings, Jesus Christ, 128 00:19:24.105 --> 00:19:25.885 who is seated at the right hand 129 00:19:25.885 --> 00:19:27.765 with the Father right now, and he is alive. 130 00:19:28.435 --> 00:19:32.285 Amen man. What a great time of worship together. 131 00:19:36.265 --> 00:19:37.845 My name is Jean 132 00:19:37.945 --> 00:19:40.965 and I'm the Northwest Kerry campus Pastor, it's an honor 133 00:19:40.965 --> 00:19:44.605 to be here with you, uh, today, and I wanna welcome you. 134 00:19:44.665 --> 00:19:46.405 And for those of you who are new, 135 00:19:46.565 --> 00:19:48.245 I wanna extend a special welcome to you 136 00:19:48.245 --> 00:19:49.685 and say thank you for being here. 137 00:19:50.065 --> 00:19:51.845 If you're in the room, we have an area 138 00:19:51.845 --> 00:19:53.605 outside these doors called next steps. 139 00:19:53.825 --> 00:19:55.045 We would love to meet you there. 140 00:19:55.425 --> 00:19:57.885 If you're online, there's a a button that will pop up 141 00:19:57.885 --> 00:20:00.005 and you can click on that and someone will reach 142 00:20:00.005 --> 00:20:01.325 out and say hello to you. 143 00:20:02.215 --> 00:20:06.405 Today we have, uh, our very own Dwayne Calvin, uh, 144 00:20:06.805 --> 00:20:08.005 bringing the word preaching. 145 00:20:08.595 --> 00:20:13.485 Yeah. And, uh, he is gonna be walking us 146 00:20:13.485 --> 00:20:16.845 through what it looks like, uh, to walk in the spirit. 147 00:20:52.945 --> 00:20:55.725 How we doing? Hope. Great. 148 00:20:56.355 --> 00:20:58.965 Well, it is good to see you all. My name's Dwayne. 149 00:20:59.225 --> 00:21:00.565 Uh, I'm one of the pastors here. 150 00:21:00.625 --> 00:21:02.805 I'm excited to spend this time together today. 151 00:21:03.425 --> 00:21:06.565 Uh, now if you are new to hope, I do want to say welcome. 152 00:21:06.895 --> 00:21:08.165 We're glad that you're here today. 153 00:21:08.495 --> 00:21:10.685 We're glad that the Lord led you to this place. 154 00:21:11.065 --> 00:21:12.285 And today, uh, 155 00:21:12.345 --> 00:21:15.005 you are stepping into the final message in 156 00:21:15.005 --> 00:21:16.085 our series that we've been calling. 157 00:21:16.465 --> 00:21:19.005 Now what? And man, it's been a good series, 158 00:21:19.105 --> 00:21:20.725 can I get some amens around the room? 159 00:21:20.795 --> 00:21:22.205 It's been a good series, praise God. 160 00:21:23.505 --> 00:21:26.845 And for the past few weeks, uh, ever since Easter time, 161 00:21:27.545 --> 00:21:30.525 we have been talking about the resurrection of Jesus 162 00:21:30.705 --> 00:21:31.965 and what it means for us. 163 00:21:32.665 --> 00:21:34.645 And we have been talking about like, man, 164 00:21:34.775 --> 00:21:36.605 every time we talk about the resurrection, 165 00:21:36.605 --> 00:21:38.285 there is something that comes with that. 166 00:21:38.755 --> 00:21:40.725 It's the question, now what, 167 00:21:40.725 --> 00:21:43.885 because of the resurrection now, what 168 00:21:44.465 --> 00:21:46.325 should we be living our lives differently 169 00:21:46.345 --> 00:21:47.685 as a result of the resurrection? 170 00:21:47.865 --> 00:21:50.325 Now, what, uh, should we know certain truths 171 00:21:50.335 --> 00:21:51.445 about how we live? 172 00:21:51.905 --> 00:21:56.005 Now what I mean, that question is a big question 173 00:21:56.865 --> 00:21:58.885 now that Jesus has risen from the grave. 174 00:21:59.115 --> 00:22:01.365 What is the actual difference that it makes in 175 00:22:01.365 --> 00:22:04.405 how I live my every day life? 176 00:22:04.905 --> 00:22:06.285 And we've been talking about a lot 177 00:22:06.285 --> 00:22:08.245 of things when it comes down to the now what? 178 00:22:08.245 --> 00:22:10.045 Because there are a lot of things associated 179 00:22:10.235 --> 00:22:11.445 with that very question. 180 00:22:11.935 --> 00:22:14.565 We've talked about how Jesus meets us in the 181 00:22:14.565 --> 00:22:15.685 middle of our disappointment. 182 00:22:15.785 --> 00:22:18.485 So if you have ever been disappointed, the now what 183 00:22:18.485 --> 00:22:21.045 of the resurrection is that Jesus meets us there 184 00:22:21.145 --> 00:22:24.165 and gives us new hope, right? 185 00:22:24.375 --> 00:22:26.245 We've been talking about how now, uh, 186 00:22:26.245 --> 00:22:28.605 because of the resurrection, we have a new purpose 187 00:22:28.905 --> 00:22:30.885 and a new mission in how we live our lives. 188 00:22:31.335 --> 00:22:33.245 We've talked about the fact that now what, 189 00:22:33.245 --> 00:22:34.925 since the resurrection has happened, 190 00:22:35.015 --> 00:22:36.365 since it actually occurred, 191 00:22:36.365 --> 00:22:40.045 and Jesus is alive, we are never, ever, ever alone. 192 00:22:41.195 --> 00:22:44.445 Because Jesus has said in his word in Matthew chapter 28, 193 00:22:44.555 --> 00:22:47.125 that he will walk with us. 194 00:22:48.225 --> 00:22:50.725 We have the presence of the living God with us. 195 00:22:51.625 --> 00:22:55.245 And not just that we have a Christian community called the 196 00:22:55.245 --> 00:22:57.805 church that walks alongside of us. 197 00:22:59.065 --> 00:23:03.205 And today we learn on a question that every single follower 198 00:23:03.205 --> 00:23:05.525 of Jesus has probably asked in their lives, 199 00:23:06.385 --> 00:23:08.205 and it's associated with the now what. 200 00:23:08.345 --> 00:23:10.565 And sometimes we ask the question quietly, 201 00:23:10.785 --> 00:23:14.365 but sometimes we ask it desperately when we are in need, 202 00:23:14.365 --> 00:23:15.965 when we are walking on the journey 203 00:23:16.185 --> 00:23:17.565 and we don't know what to do. 204 00:23:17.565 --> 00:23:20.885 And here's the question, how do I live in a way 205 00:23:21.275 --> 00:23:23.565 that actually pleases God? 206 00:23:25.075 --> 00:23:28.445 It's a tough question. Uh, like as far as questions go, 207 00:23:28.475 --> 00:23:31.205 this is like an enigma wrapped in a riddle, uh, 208 00:23:31.205 --> 00:23:34.125 because it's nested in a whole host of other questions. 209 00:23:34.465 --> 00:23:36.405 Uh, like for instance, if I look at the question, 210 00:23:36.665 --> 00:23:39.405 how do I live in a way that pleases God? 211 00:23:39.465 --> 00:23:41.725 The first question I probably has to ask is, 212 00:23:41.725 --> 00:23:44.965 do I actually want a life where God is pleased? 213 00:23:45.915 --> 00:23:47.925 Like, do I actually care to live that way? 214 00:23:48.185 --> 00:23:51.765 Uh, this is the question of my will versus the will of God. 215 00:23:52.085 --> 00:23:54.725 I mean, you ever just feel like in your life you wanna rebel 216 00:23:54.725 --> 00:23:58.125 against God because man, you don't even know if you want 217 00:23:58.125 --> 00:24:01.165 to actually live a life that is pleasing to him or not. 218 00:24:02.985 --> 00:24:05.365 And then there's this second question like, 219 00:24:06.065 --> 00:24:10.325 can I even please God, can I actually do it? 220 00:24:10.865 --> 00:24:13.245 Uh, this is the feeling of not being able to get there. 221 00:24:13.465 --> 00:24:15.565 Uh, it often just kind of causes us to quit, 222 00:24:15.705 --> 00:24:17.365 to throw in the towel and go, you know what? 223 00:24:17.395 --> 00:24:19.365 This is too hard. I can't do it. 224 00:24:20.955 --> 00:24:23.055 And then there's this other question, 225 00:24:25.005 --> 00:24:26.375 what happens if I try? 226 00:24:28.215 --> 00:24:29.465 What happens if I try 227 00:24:30.525 --> 00:24:33.945 and I fail again? 228 00:24:35.895 --> 00:24:39.335 What then? And this is the feeling of being defeated, 229 00:24:41.275 --> 00:24:44.175 and I think that these are like really tough 230 00:24:44.495 --> 00:24:45.775 questions, right? 231 00:24:46.075 --> 00:24:49.255 And this, this might be a Sunday kind of environment, 232 00:24:49.275 --> 00:24:50.695 but if we're honest, if we're honest, 233 00:24:50.945 --> 00:24:52.855 these are like Monday kind of questions 234 00:24:52.855 --> 00:24:55.215 because they hit us exactly where we live. 235 00:24:55.465 --> 00:24:57.735 These are questions that we feel at the head level, 236 00:24:57.995 --> 00:25:00.095 but they quickly penetrate to the heart level 237 00:25:01.265 --> 00:25:03.835 because trying to please God is something that most 238 00:25:03.835 --> 00:25:05.595 of us have at least tried to do 239 00:25:06.855 --> 00:25:08.235 at different points in our lives. 240 00:25:08.415 --> 00:25:09.515 We try to live that way. 241 00:25:09.695 --> 00:25:10.955 And when we've tried, most 242 00:25:10.955 --> 00:25:13.635 of the time we've tried in our own power, and we've tried 243 00:25:13.655 --> 00:25:14.795 and we've tried and we've tried 244 00:25:14.795 --> 00:25:16.355 and we've realized like, man, 245 00:25:16.355 --> 00:25:18.155 this seems like an impossible task. 246 00:25:19.435 --> 00:25:21.795 I mean, if you've tried to please God in your own power, 247 00:25:21.935 --> 00:25:23.595 you know that it's a trap. 248 00:25:24.655 --> 00:25:27.315 And the trap leads us down these two roads. 249 00:25:28.055 --> 00:25:29.235 And the first one is the road 250 00:25:29.235 --> 00:25:31.235 that I call the perfection trap. 251 00:25:31.895 --> 00:25:34.315 And man, we try in the perfection trap really, 252 00:25:34.315 --> 00:25:35.835 really hard to please God. 253 00:25:36.055 --> 00:25:37.155 And we try to be perfect. 254 00:25:37.295 --> 00:25:40.275 And so we hide our real issues from God. 255 00:25:40.455 --> 00:25:43.075 And even oftentimes we hide our real issues from ourselves, 256 00:25:43.295 --> 00:25:44.915 but we certainly hide our real issues 257 00:25:44.915 --> 00:25:45.955 from everybody around us. 258 00:25:47.455 --> 00:25:51.475 And we try to look perfect. I I got it all together. 259 00:25:51.475 --> 00:25:53.795 Everything's going great, so I'm just gonna try 260 00:25:53.795 --> 00:25:55.675 to be perfect and everything will be fine 261 00:25:55.695 --> 00:25:57.875 and God will be pleased with my life when he sees 262 00:25:57.875 --> 00:25:59.075 how perfect everything is. 263 00:26:00.335 --> 00:26:02.395 And then there's this other trap that we fall into 264 00:26:02.395 --> 00:26:04.155 that I call the performance trap. 265 00:26:04.815 --> 00:26:07.115 And that's where we try to do a number of tasks. 266 00:26:07.535 --> 00:26:09.435 We go about trying to do everything. 267 00:26:09.615 --> 00:26:11.755 And what it actually ends up being is a whole lot 268 00:26:11.815 --> 00:26:15.825 of nothing at the end of it. 269 00:26:16.895 --> 00:26:18.345 It's a bunch of empty activity, 270 00:26:19.695 --> 00:26:21.905 even if it's empty Christian activity, 271 00:26:23.235 --> 00:26:27.245 because we try to perform or we try to live perfect. 272 00:26:28.065 --> 00:26:29.925 And ultimately what it leads to is a life 273 00:26:29.925 --> 00:26:32.525 where we're fuzzy at best about whether God is actually 274 00:26:32.525 --> 00:26:34.005 pleased with our lives. 275 00:26:35.025 --> 00:26:38.405 And it's this existence of exhaustion where we are trying 276 00:26:38.405 --> 00:26:39.885 to keep our heads above water. 277 00:26:40.175 --> 00:26:42.005 We're trying to keep up the facade 278 00:26:42.065 --> 00:26:43.685 of performance or perfection. 279 00:26:44.065 --> 00:26:45.565 And, and here's what we end up doing. 280 00:26:45.625 --> 00:26:47.885 We just run ourselves to a place of fatigue. 281 00:26:48.975 --> 00:26:52.405 We're really tired and really confused, 282 00:26:54.375 --> 00:26:55.995 and we still have the same question. 283 00:26:58.365 --> 00:27:02.425 How do we please God? Now, fortunately for us, the word 284 00:27:02.425 --> 00:27:04.585 of God has a lot to say about a life 285 00:27:04.815 --> 00:27:06.105 that is pleasing to God. 286 00:27:06.405 --> 00:27:08.705 And one of the greatest implications of the resurrection 287 00:27:08.705 --> 00:27:11.905 of Jesus Christ is that we can indeed live lives 288 00:27:12.135 --> 00:27:13.225 that please God. 289 00:27:13.605 --> 00:27:17.505 Now, here's the spoiler alert, though we can't do it 290 00:27:18.355 --> 00:27:20.385 apart from God's spirit. 291 00:27:21.765 --> 00:27:23.985 Oh, oh, yeah. It's the spirit that gives us the power 292 00:27:24.245 --> 00:27:26.385 to actually live a life that is pleasing to God. 293 00:27:26.485 --> 00:27:28.785 And that's exactly what we're gonna talk about today. 294 00:27:29.165 --> 00:27:31.305 Uh, a life that's pleasing to God is possible, 295 00:27:31.445 --> 00:27:33.505 but man, you can't do it without God's spirit. 296 00:27:33.685 --> 00:27:35.985 And so when we want to know how to do that well, how 297 00:27:35.985 --> 00:27:37.625 to actually live by God's spirit, 298 00:27:37.925 --> 00:27:39.985 the best place we can go is to the word of God. 299 00:27:41.285 --> 00:27:43.745 So if you have your Bibles, I'd love for you to open them 300 00:27:43.745 --> 00:27:46.985 with me and we're gonna find some answers to the questions 301 00:27:47.845 --> 00:27:49.585 of pleasing God with our lives. 302 00:27:49.925 --> 00:27:52.545 And today we're gonna be looking at Romans chapter eight. 303 00:27:52.805 --> 00:27:56.665 And now Romans chapter eight is a strong, strong text. 304 00:27:56.845 --> 00:27:59.065 It is so strong that a few months back, 305 00:27:59.125 --> 00:28:02.905 we did a whole series on the chapter, uh, of Romans eight. 306 00:28:03.585 --> 00:28:06.865 I mean, it's like 25 sermons in one passage. 307 00:28:07.805 --> 00:28:10.225 But today we're gonna look at just a small part of it. 308 00:28:10.285 --> 00:28:12.425 Uh, Romans chapter eight, verses one through 11. 309 00:28:12.425 --> 00:28:13.425 Again, if you have your Bibles, 310 00:28:13.605 --> 00:28:14.785 go ahead and turn over there. 311 00:28:15.175 --> 00:28:16.705 It's a strong text. 312 00:28:17.645 --> 00:28:20.025 Romans has actually been called by some commentators, 313 00:28:20.365 --> 00:28:22.105 the Mount Everest of the Bible. 314 00:28:22.455 --> 00:28:24.505 Some have said that it is the strongest 315 00:28:24.505 --> 00:28:25.745 chapter in the Bible. 316 00:28:26.135 --> 00:28:27.825 It's Paul's strongest letter. 317 00:28:28.045 --> 00:28:30.865 And man, it gives this summary of Paul's theology 318 00:28:31.175 --> 00:28:32.385 that is strong. 319 00:28:33.685 --> 00:28:35.905 So today, that's the passage we're gonna look at. 320 00:28:36.605 --> 00:28:37.825 And this message is simple, 321 00:28:38.445 --> 00:28:40.665 but this message is actually contrary to much 322 00:28:40.665 --> 00:28:42.425 of our own humanly thoughts about God. 323 00:28:42.525 --> 00:28:44.545 Now, let me give you again another spoiler alert. 324 00:28:44.765 --> 00:28:46.385 Romans chapter eight declares this, 325 00:28:46.415 --> 00:28:48.945 that if you are in Christ, if you're in Christ, 326 00:28:49.125 --> 00:28:50.345 you are not condemned. 327 00:28:50.725 --> 00:28:53.585 It declares that if you are in Christ, you are not alone. 328 00:28:53.965 --> 00:28:56.625 It also declares that if you are in Christ 329 00:28:57.015 --> 00:29:01.125 that you are not powerless, but you have great power 330 00:29:02.195 --> 00:29:04.005 because you've been given God's spirit. 331 00:29:04.905 --> 00:29:06.845 And these three truths reframe 332 00:29:06.945 --> 00:29:08.445 how we think about pleasing God 333 00:29:08.445 --> 00:29:10.405 because no longer is it about our power, 334 00:29:10.475 --> 00:29:11.925 it's about God's power. 335 00:29:12.105 --> 00:29:14.925 And when you read Romans eight, you quickly realize 336 00:29:15.995 --> 00:29:17.405 that it's not performance, 337 00:29:18.545 --> 00:29:21.005 and it's not perfection that pleases God. 338 00:29:22.295 --> 00:29:26.145 It's the pursuit of living life by his spirit. 339 00:29:27.505 --> 00:29:29.685 So let's look at Romans eight and let's read together. 340 00:29:29.985 --> 00:29:32.685 Uh, Romans chapter eight, verse one says this, that there is 341 00:29:32.685 --> 00:29:37.485 therefore now no condemnation for those who are 342 00:29:38.105 --> 00:29:39.765 in Christ Jesus. 343 00:29:41.025 --> 00:29:42.205 For the law of the spirit 344 00:29:42.205 --> 00:29:46.205 of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law 345 00:29:46.265 --> 00:29:48.165 of sin and death. 346 00:29:48.855 --> 00:29:52.365 Verse three, for God has done what the law weakened 347 00:29:52.365 --> 00:29:53.765 by the flesh could not do 348 00:29:54.145 --> 00:29:57.285 by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh. 349 00:29:57.625 --> 00:30:01.325 And for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh in order 350 00:30:01.325 --> 00:30:02.805 that the righteous requirement 351 00:30:02.805 --> 00:30:07.405 of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according 352 00:30:07.545 --> 00:30:10.765 to the flesh, but according to the spirit. 353 00:30:11.745 --> 00:30:13.325 For those who live according to the flesh, 354 00:30:13.585 --> 00:30:15.325 set their minds on the things of the flesh. 355 00:30:15.865 --> 00:30:17.685 But those who live according to the spirit, 356 00:30:18.025 --> 00:30:20.325 set their minds on the things of the spirit. 357 00:30:20.785 --> 00:30:22.725 For to set the mind on the flesh is death. 358 00:30:23.545 --> 00:30:25.925 But to set the mind on the spirit is life 359 00:30:26.855 --> 00:30:30.555 and peace for the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile 360 00:30:30.735 --> 00:30:33.035 to God, for it does not submit to God's law. 361 00:30:33.055 --> 00:30:37.115 It indeed it cannot, for those who are in the flesh 362 00:30:37.975 --> 00:30:39.355 cannot please God. 363 00:30:40.565 --> 00:30:43.305 You, however, are not in the flesh, 364 00:30:44.685 --> 00:30:47.465 but in the Spirit, if in fact the spirit 365 00:30:47.465 --> 00:30:51.225 of God dwells in you, anyone who does not have the spirit 366 00:30:51.225 --> 00:30:53.145 of Christ, does not belong to him. 367 00:30:53.285 --> 00:30:57.325 But if Christ is in you, if he is in you, 368 00:30:58.165 --> 00:31:01.045 although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit of life 369 00:31:01.045 --> 00:31:04.655 because of righteousness is in you. 370 00:31:05.075 --> 00:31:07.055 And if the spirit of God who him 371 00:31:07.075 --> 00:31:09.895 who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he 372 00:31:09.895 --> 00:31:12.815 who raise Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life 373 00:31:12.815 --> 00:31:16.135 to your mortal bodies through his spirit 374 00:31:17.195 --> 00:31:19.255 dwells in you. 375 00:31:19.535 --> 00:31:21.335 I told you it was a powerful text. 376 00:31:23.395 --> 00:31:26.055 You know, when you look at this text, man, it is 377 00:31:26.555 --> 00:31:28.055 so much richness in it. 378 00:31:28.355 --> 00:31:29.575 It is so full. 379 00:31:29.845 --> 00:31:32.335 Like again, you could preach 400 sermons from 380 00:31:32.335 --> 00:31:33.655 this, just this very passage. 381 00:31:34.075 --> 00:31:37.335 And I want to kind of start at the end with the end in mind 382 00:31:37.335 --> 00:31:40.335 because I believe the end sets the foundation for us 383 00:31:40.355 --> 00:31:42.775 to completely, fully understand the text. 384 00:31:42.795 --> 00:31:45.775 So let's look at verse 11. Here's what verse 11 says. 385 00:31:45.795 --> 00:31:47.375 It says that if the spirit of him 386 00:31:47.375 --> 00:31:50.295 who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, 387 00:31:50.555 --> 00:31:53.655 he will also give life to your mortal bodies 388 00:31:53.655 --> 00:31:56.095 through his spirit who dwells in you. 389 00:31:56.235 --> 00:31:57.975 Now, let's just pause right here for a moment 390 00:31:57.975 --> 00:32:01.775 because I wanna acknowledge something like this, this just, 391 00:32:01.775 --> 00:32:04.495 this passage by itself, all the rest of is good. 392 00:32:04.635 --> 00:32:07.535 But listen, church, this is good news. 393 00:32:09.615 --> 00:32:11.775 I mean, like, this is really good news. 394 00:32:11.875 --> 00:32:14.575 Uh, this just gets, I read this a lot as I was preparing 395 00:32:14.575 --> 00:32:16.735 for this message, and this just gets gooder 396 00:32:16.955 --> 00:32:18.375 and gooder all the time. 397 00:32:19.965 --> 00:32:22.535 Like, like this is like, I had a lot of news this week, 398 00:32:22.635 --> 00:32:25.255 but this is the goodest news I had all week long. 399 00:32:26.765 --> 00:32:30.335 Like, this is good. And I can read good too. 400 00:32:30.335 --> 00:32:32.375 My mother says I'm getting gooder at it all the time. 401 00:32:34.195 --> 00:32:36.935 But this is good news because, 402 00:32:36.935 --> 00:32:40.565 because here's what Paul is declaring Declar, he's declaring 403 00:32:40.675 --> 00:32:43.805 that if you me, if anyone is in Christ, 404 00:32:44.065 --> 00:32:46.565 if we trusted in the death and the burial 405 00:32:46.625 --> 00:32:48.685 and the resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness 406 00:32:48.785 --> 00:32:52.205 of our sins, then the same spirit, listen, the same spirit 407 00:32:52.205 --> 00:32:55.725 that raised Jesus from the dead is living in us. 408 00:32:59.045 --> 00:33:01.185 And I feel like I need to make a distinction here 409 00:33:01.965 --> 00:33:05.335 because the Holy Spirit is not just with us. 410 00:33:06.475 --> 00:33:08.615 The Holy Spirit is not just available 411 00:33:08.715 --> 00:33:10.415 to us even though those things are true. 412 00:33:10.915 --> 00:33:12.895 No, what Paul is declaring here is 413 00:33:12.895 --> 00:33:15.855 that the Holy Spirit listen is in us. 414 00:33:18.225 --> 00:33:21.285 And that's good news because that means 415 00:33:21.285 --> 00:33:22.285 that we are not alone. 416 00:33:23.305 --> 00:33:26.285 And more than that, it it means that we're not powerless. 417 00:33:26.305 --> 00:33:28.725 But instead we are powerful above anything 418 00:33:28.725 --> 00:33:29.845 that we could ever imagine. 419 00:33:30.065 --> 00:33:34.415 And because it's not our own power, it's God's power, man, 420 00:33:34.415 --> 00:33:36.015 we are powerful beyond, beyond measure. 421 00:33:37.185 --> 00:33:39.125 And God's power is different than our power 422 00:33:39.595 --> 00:33:41.725 because God's power is not concerned 423 00:33:41.725 --> 00:33:43.365 with street feats of strength. 424 00:33:43.625 --> 00:33:46.365 Uh, God's power is not power just to demonstrate power. 425 00:33:46.625 --> 00:33:48.845 His power is to show us how to live in a way 426 00:33:48.915 --> 00:33:51.525 that is Christlike and ultimately pleasing to God. 427 00:33:52.985 --> 00:33:54.885 You know, I love the way that David Gar 428 00:33:54.885 --> 00:33:57.205 and the great commentator talks about God's power 429 00:33:57.545 --> 00:33:59.605 and God's spirit and how when it comes into our 430 00:33:59.605 --> 00:34:01.125 lives, it changes things. 431 00:34:01.225 --> 00:34:04.325 He says these words that the Spirit puts an end to the works 432 00:34:04.345 --> 00:34:06.565 of the flesh and empowers believers 433 00:34:06.745 --> 00:34:09.165 to manifest Christlike qualities. 434 00:34:10.325 --> 00:34:13.505 And if we want to grow in christlikeness, which is the goal 435 00:34:13.525 --> 00:34:14.665 of every Christian, 436 00:34:15.935 --> 00:34:18.315 and the only way we can do it is by God's spirit. 437 00:34:20.255 --> 00:34:23.915 So it's not performance, it's not perfection, 438 00:34:25.165 --> 00:34:27.575 it's the pursuit of God's spirit. 439 00:34:29.155 --> 00:34:33.055 It is not just doing better that gets us there. 440 00:34:33.685 --> 00:34:35.175 It's not just behaving better. 441 00:34:35.715 --> 00:34:38.495 No, it's not behavior modification that gets us there. 442 00:34:38.675 --> 00:34:41.255 It is spiritual transformation that gets us there. 443 00:34:41.475 --> 00:34:44.695 And this power doesn't come from grit. It comes from grace. 444 00:34:45.045 --> 00:34:48.495 Amen. It's not something that we earned. 445 00:34:49.325 --> 00:34:50.815 It's not something that we deserve. 446 00:34:51.005 --> 00:34:55.015 It's something that we receive because of his resurrection. 447 00:34:56.155 --> 00:34:59.455 And it's a power that reminds us that if you are in Christ, 448 00:35:00.915 --> 00:35:02.815 you don't have to perform or be perfect 449 00:35:04.065 --> 00:35:06.795 because you've been given the ultimate helper that dwells 450 00:35:07.375 --> 00:35:08.395 in you. 451 00:35:09.735 --> 00:35:14.275 And that's good news. That power gives us great potential, 452 00:35:14.775 --> 00:35:17.635 and it's the potential that allows us to please God. 453 00:35:18.095 --> 00:35:21.395 It stops us from trying to please God under our own power, 454 00:35:21.495 --> 00:35:24.435 but instead to to move by the spirit, not 455 00:35:24.435 --> 00:35:25.715 by the flesh, but by the spirit. 456 00:35:25.845 --> 00:35:28.715 Lemme show you what I mean. If you keep reading in verse 457 00:35:28.715 --> 00:35:31.395 five, the apostle Paul continues by saying these words. 458 00:35:31.615 --> 00:35:34.315 He says, those who live according to the flesh, 459 00:35:34.775 --> 00:35:37.685 set their minds on things of the flesh. 460 00:35:38.025 --> 00:35:39.125 But those who live according 461 00:35:39.145 --> 00:35:42.565 to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit. 462 00:35:42.785 --> 00:35:44.965 And so he takes this just a step further. 463 00:35:45.705 --> 00:35:47.525 And when you look at verse eight, he kind 464 00:35:47.525 --> 00:35:48.645 of concludes this idea. 465 00:35:48.905 --> 00:35:53.245 He says, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 466 00:35:55.005 --> 00:35:59.055 That if you live in the flesh, you can't do it. 467 00:36:00.285 --> 00:36:01.375 This is really important 468 00:36:02.445 --> 00:36:05.295 because Paul draws a clear contrast here. 469 00:36:06.195 --> 00:36:09.455 And he's drawing a contrast between two mindsets, 470 00:36:10.075 --> 00:36:11.895 two different ways of living. 471 00:36:12.365 --> 00:36:15.415 He's talking about two different avenues that all 472 00:36:15.415 --> 00:36:16.535 of us choose to pursue. 473 00:36:16.715 --> 00:36:18.135 And it's not something that you just make 474 00:36:18.175 --> 00:36:19.295 a decision on one time. 475 00:36:19.635 --> 00:36:21.615 It, it's the way that we live every day, 476 00:36:21.785 --> 00:36:24.375 every day we are all involved in a battle. 477 00:36:24.475 --> 00:36:27.415 And the battle is between flesh and spirit. 478 00:36:29.465 --> 00:36:32.205 And oftentimes we choose flesh. 479 00:36:33.945 --> 00:36:36.885 And the difference between those isn't just our behavior. 480 00:36:37.065 --> 00:36:39.605 The flesh is our self-centered mindset. 481 00:36:40.275 --> 00:36:42.565 It's a sin dominated nature that we have. 482 00:36:42.745 --> 00:36:45.685 And the flesh always seeks to gratify itself. 483 00:36:45.945 --> 00:36:49.125 It is always trying to scratch the itch in our lives. 484 00:36:49.225 --> 00:36:52.045 You name the itch, our flesh is trying to scratch it. 485 00:36:53.425 --> 00:36:56.245 You ever see a kid go to bed without getting dinner? 486 00:36:58.545 --> 00:37:01.085 You can watch that flesh just well up. 487 00:37:03.355 --> 00:37:05.125 They start crying. They get upset 488 00:37:05.355 --> 00:37:08.085 because the flesh wants that itch to be scratched it. 489 00:37:08.085 --> 00:37:10.685 So the flesh is something that we always want. 490 00:37:10.715 --> 00:37:13.325 It's always our thing. It's always our desire. 491 00:37:13.355 --> 00:37:15.725 It's always, always what we want to fulfill. 492 00:37:16.625 --> 00:37:18.925 But then the spirit is the opposite of that. 493 00:37:20.015 --> 00:37:24.795 You see, the spirit is God centered, not us centered. 494 00:37:26.055 --> 00:37:29.105 And it reflects Christ 495 00:37:30.765 --> 00:37:33.915 even in the midst of difficult times, 496 00:37:35.345 --> 00:37:38.035 even in the midst of our wilderness moments. 497 00:37:39.455 --> 00:37:40.755 You know, those hard times. 498 00:37:42.255 --> 00:37:43.715 The spirit is of God, 499 00:37:44.375 --> 00:37:46.555 and it demonstrates a relationship with God. 500 00:37:47.495 --> 00:37:50.075 And again, the difference between those two things is not 501 00:37:50.145 --> 00:37:52.075 just our behavior, it it's our mindset. 502 00:37:52.295 --> 00:37:53.635 It it's our heart posture. 503 00:37:54.185 --> 00:37:56.235 It's about what captures our imagination, 504 00:37:56.385 --> 00:37:58.995 what captures our attention, what captures our desires. 505 00:37:59.375 --> 00:38:02.195 It is the things that we set our minds and our hearts on. 506 00:38:02.255 --> 00:38:03.715 And our minds are a tricky thing 507 00:38:03.715 --> 00:38:05.795 because they can get set on something pretty quickly. 508 00:38:07.175 --> 00:38:09.315 You know, I love the way the great author 509 00:38:09.375 --> 00:38:10.435 Tim Keller says it. 510 00:38:10.775 --> 00:38:15.035 He says that to set the mind means to focus intently, to be 511 00:38:15.585 --> 00:38:18.875 preoccupied, to have our imagination 512 00:38:19.435 --> 00:38:20.915 captured by something. 513 00:38:21.975 --> 00:38:26.045 Church, can I just ask right now, 514 00:38:27.435 --> 00:38:31.845 as you look at your life, what has your imagination, 515 00:38:34.515 --> 00:38:35.605 what do you think about? 516 00:38:37.585 --> 00:38:38.675 What do you spend most 517 00:38:38.695 --> 00:38:43.695 of your time thinking 518 00:38:45.645 --> 00:38:49.255 What has your imagination, uh, what are you living by? 519 00:38:49.315 --> 00:38:51.975 Are are you living by things that are eternal, 520 00:38:52.005 --> 00:38:53.055 that are Christ-centered? 521 00:38:53.055 --> 00:38:54.815 Because those are the things that the spirit 522 00:38:55.155 --> 00:38:56.495 or are you, uh, seeking 523 00:38:56.555 --> 00:38:58.735 to scratch whatever the next itch is? 524 00:38:59.245 --> 00:39:03.415 Because those are the things that are of our flesh. 525 00:39:04.915 --> 00:39:07.725 There's a lot of things that capture our imagination. 526 00:39:07.825 --> 00:39:08.925 Uh, let me just give you a few, 527 00:39:08.985 --> 00:39:10.885 and what I'm talking about, maybe these will sound familiar 528 00:39:10.905 --> 00:39:14.085 in your life, is your mind captured by success? 529 00:39:15.065 --> 00:39:16.925 Has success really become the thing 530 00:39:16.925 --> 00:39:18.685 that you pursue at all costs? 531 00:39:18.705 --> 00:39:20.685 And it doesn't matter who gets in your way, 532 00:39:20.685 --> 00:39:23.605 you're gonna move 'em out because success has become the 533 00:39:23.605 --> 00:39:25.325 most important thing to you. 534 00:39:26.385 --> 00:39:29.005 Uh, that's the flesh. Uh, is it security? 535 00:39:29.265 --> 00:39:32.165 Uh, do you seek to have security at all costs? 536 00:39:32.465 --> 00:39:35.525 So you try to control every situation in your life, 537 00:39:35.525 --> 00:39:37.805 because if you can do that, then everything will be safe 538 00:39:37.825 --> 00:39:39.405 and secure and it'll be great. 539 00:39:41.675 --> 00:39:44.895 That's the flesh. Is it comfort? 540 00:39:45.235 --> 00:39:47.935 Uh, do you seek to live a perpetual state of vacation? 541 00:39:51.405 --> 00:39:53.905 That's Comfort. That's the flesh too. 542 00:39:55.485 --> 00:40:00.185 Is your mind and your imagination set on control? 543 00:40:01.845 --> 00:40:06.545 And so you try to control everything in everybody 544 00:40:07.685 --> 00:40:08.685 In Your life? 545 00:40:11.665 --> 00:40:16.145 Or is it Christ? Is your mind set on Christ? 546 00:40:17.845 --> 00:40:19.345 Is it set on pleasing God? 547 00:40:19.925 --> 00:40:21.385 Uh, because what I know is that one 548 00:40:21.385 --> 00:40:22.905 of these things is not like the other. 549 00:40:23.205 --> 00:40:25.265 Uh, as a matter of fact, Colossians chapter three, 550 00:40:25.265 --> 00:40:27.905 verse two tells us that if you set your mind on the things 551 00:40:27.905 --> 00:40:30.985 that are above, then you won't set your mind on 552 00:40:30.985 --> 00:40:32.145 the things that are on earth. 553 00:40:32.175 --> 00:40:34.665 Because our minds are always in drive. 554 00:40:35.015 --> 00:40:36.305 They never go into neutral. 555 00:40:36.305 --> 00:40:38.505 And either we are pursuing the things of the flesh, 556 00:40:38.995 --> 00:40:40.785 we're pursuing the things of the spirit. 557 00:40:42.385 --> 00:40:45.015 There is no InBetween. 558 00:40:47.245 --> 00:40:49.895 It's a hundred percent, a hundred percent. 559 00:40:51.195 --> 00:40:53.335 You know how you know the difference on whether you're 560 00:40:53.455 --> 00:40:55.055 pursuing flesh or spirit? 561 00:40:55.515 --> 00:40:59.615 Uh, it is because the things of the spirit reflect the fruit 562 00:40:59.675 --> 00:41:03.095 of the spirit, and they bear spirit fruit. 563 00:41:03.365 --> 00:41:05.855 Like, like if you look at Galatians chapter five, verse 22 564 00:41:05.855 --> 00:41:08.415 and 23, the Apostle Paul writes these words 565 00:41:08.465 --> 00:41:09.695 about the fruit of the spirit. 566 00:41:09.955 --> 00:41:14.655 He says that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, 567 00:41:14.885 --> 00:41:19.215 forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 568 00:41:19.385 --> 00:41:21.535 gentleness and self-control. 569 00:41:22.715 --> 00:41:26.895 And self-control and self-control. 570 00:41:30.965 --> 00:41:33.805 You are living by the spirit. 571 00:41:35.425 --> 00:41:36.605 Or are you living by the flesh? 572 00:41:39.015 --> 00:41:43.675 You know, when you live life, when you live like this, 573 00:41:44.335 --> 00:41:46.395 you start to truly please God. 574 00:41:47.505 --> 00:41:49.035 When you live and the fruits 575 00:41:49.035 --> 00:41:50.995 of the spirit are evident in your lives, you start 576 00:41:51.095 --> 00:41:52.475 to really please God. 577 00:41:52.495 --> 00:41:55.195 And, and ultimately that's the life that we wanna pursue. 578 00:41:55.655 --> 00:41:58.755 And we start to understand that, that when we live that kind 579 00:41:58.755 --> 00:42:01.475 of life, we are no longer limited by our past. 580 00:42:01.885 --> 00:42:03.835 We're no longer stuck in our old habits, 581 00:42:04.175 --> 00:42:07.595 but instead we are full of God's presence and God's power. 582 00:42:07.775 --> 00:42:10.715 And that power brings a sense of real freedom 583 00:42:11.215 --> 00:42:13.115 and knowing that we are now living lives 584 00:42:13.115 --> 00:42:14.475 that pre please God. 585 00:42:14.815 --> 00:42:17.315 And it's a different kind of freedom that happens with that. 586 00:42:17.665 --> 00:42:19.395 It's not this silent kind of freedom. 587 00:42:19.665 --> 00:42:21.435 It's a freedom that screams out loud. 588 00:42:21.535 --> 00:42:23.955 You know, I love the movie Braveheart, this kind of freedom. 589 00:42:24.065 --> 00:42:26.595 This is a William Wallace Braveheart kind of freedom 590 00:42:26.625 --> 00:42:27.995 that just makes you wanna scream 591 00:42:27.995 --> 00:42:29.475 because it's freedom in Christ 592 00:42:29.475 --> 00:42:31.155 and you just wanna be like freedom. 593 00:42:35.605 --> 00:42:36.755 Y'all know what I'm saying? Right? 594 00:42:38.815 --> 00:42:40.195 That's a different kind of freedom. 595 00:42:43.335 --> 00:42:44.625 It's spirit feel freedom. 596 00:42:45.975 --> 00:42:49.075 It is a freedom that makes you wanna proclaim out loud. 597 00:42:49.985 --> 00:42:52.595 It's the freedom that isn't performative. 598 00:42:53.455 --> 00:42:55.435 It is a freedom that isn't perfect. 599 00:42:56.055 --> 00:42:57.635 Uh, let's look at verses one and two 600 00:42:57.635 --> 00:42:59.755 because it talks about this kind of freedom. 601 00:43:00.045 --> 00:43:02.355 Verse one says this, it says, there is 602 00:43:02.355 --> 00:43:05.035 therefore now no condemnation for those 603 00:43:05.035 --> 00:43:06.235 who are in Christ Jesus. 604 00:43:06.535 --> 00:43:10.795 For the law of the spirit of life has set you free. 605 00:43:12.255 --> 00:43:13.315 You've been set free. 606 00:43:15.355 --> 00:43:17.255 You are no longer condemned. 607 00:43:18.355 --> 00:43:20.695 You know, when I started looking this word up, the idea 608 00:43:20.835 --> 00:43:22.255 of condemnation, uh, 609 00:43:22.255 --> 00:43:24.335 in our culture is most closely associated 610 00:43:24.335 --> 00:43:25.775 with like buildings, right? 611 00:43:25.955 --> 00:43:28.535 So when you hear the word, it's been condemned. 612 00:43:28.725 --> 00:43:30.455 It's usually talking about construction 613 00:43:30.555 --> 00:43:32.055 or some kind of building site. 614 00:43:32.555 --> 00:43:35.455 And that typically happens when a property has some sort 615 00:43:35.455 --> 00:43:38.615 of a defect or a problem, and they condemn it 616 00:43:38.615 --> 00:43:40.455 because they say nothing can touch it, 617 00:43:40.455 --> 00:43:41.575 nothing can go near it. 618 00:43:41.755 --> 00:43:45.415 It no longer has any use. 619 00:43:47.285 --> 00:43:48.775 It's a building that's dead. 620 00:43:50.085 --> 00:43:53.775 Well, likewise, when we talk about being condemned 621 00:43:53.805 --> 00:43:56.255 spiritually, it's the same kind of mindset. 622 00:43:56.845 --> 00:43:59.855 It's the idea of being completely separated from God. 623 00:44:00.085 --> 00:44:02.135 It's the final verdict, it's the penalty. 624 00:44:02.395 --> 00:44:04.855 In other words, when we get to that kind of place 625 00:44:04.855 --> 00:44:06.095 where we are condemned 626 00:44:07.275 --> 00:44:10.415 and we are separated from God for all of eternity, 627 00:44:11.695 --> 00:44:13.795 the Greek word for that kama, 628 00:44:15.365 --> 00:44:17.305 it means finality. 629 00:44:19.055 --> 00:44:20.515 It means the end. 630 00:44:22.395 --> 00:44:25.535 It means no longer used for any good. 631 00:44:27.555 --> 00:44:29.055 And I don't think we need to dwell 632 00:44:29.995 --> 00:44:31.565 in the meaning here for too long. 633 00:44:32.315 --> 00:44:34.925 Because what Paul is saying here, listen, 634 00:44:36.955 --> 00:44:39.815 Is That you are not condemned. 635 00:44:40.775 --> 00:44:45.395 If you are in Christ, you are not condemned. 636 00:44:46.335 --> 00:44:47.875 And I need you to listen. Like, like, 637 00:44:47.905 --> 00:44:50.035 like if you weren't paying attention, pay attention. 638 00:44:50.095 --> 00:44:52.155 Now listen, if you're in the back of the room 639 00:44:52.175 --> 00:44:53.395 or if you're in the front of the room, 640 00:44:53.535 --> 00:44:54.835 or if you're on the left of the room 641 00:44:54.855 --> 00:44:57.475 or the right of the room, or if you are watching at Get Hope 642 00:44:57.775 --> 00:45:01.195 tv or if somebody sent this to you as an Instagram reel, 643 00:45:01.395 --> 00:45:02.715 I need you to pay attention right now. 644 00:45:02.715 --> 00:45:06.795 Listen, if you are in Christ, hear this clearly, you are not 645 00:45:07.505 --> 00:45:11.085 condemned because 646 00:45:11.145 --> 00:45:12.925 of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 647 00:45:13.465 --> 00:45:16.165 You are not condemned, not on your worst day, 648 00:45:16.425 --> 00:45:18.525 not on your best day, not when you fail, 649 00:45:18.825 --> 00:45:20.005 not when you fall short. 650 00:45:20.425 --> 00:45:23.765 You have been set free by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 651 00:45:23.765 --> 00:45:26.325 Come on church, right now would be a good time to say amen. 652 00:45:31.305 --> 00:45:34.445 You are free, you're free. 653 00:45:35.955 --> 00:45:38.965 Paul says that there is a new law at work. 654 00:45:39.705 --> 00:45:41.605 Uh, there is a new principle at work. 655 00:45:41.785 --> 00:45:44.845 Uh, the law could expose sin, but the law couldn't save us. 656 00:45:45.105 --> 00:45:47.165 But Jesus did what the law couldn't do. 657 00:45:47.505 --> 00:45:48.845 He broke sins grip, 658 00:45:49.065 --> 00:45:51.485 and he did that through his death, burial and resurrection. 659 00:45:51.625 --> 00:45:54.685 And you are now free, not just free from something, 660 00:45:54.785 --> 00:45:56.885 but you have been set free for something. 661 00:45:58.425 --> 00:46:02.605 You've been set free to live a life that is pleasing to God. 662 00:46:04.865 --> 00:46:06.605 And I want to draw a distinction here 663 00:46:07.315 --> 00:46:09.725 because I think when we throw around the word freedom, 664 00:46:09.905 --> 00:46:12.205 we need to draw some boundaries on what the idea 665 00:46:12.205 --> 00:46:13.565 of freedom is supposed to be about. 666 00:46:13.985 --> 00:46:16.325 And why? Because our current, our current culture, 667 00:46:16.835 --> 00:46:19.365 when we talk about freedom, it is usually in the vein 668 00:46:19.425 --> 00:46:22.285 of being able to do whatever I want. 669 00:46:24.225 --> 00:46:26.925 So when we say culturally that somebody is free, 670 00:46:27.705 --> 00:46:29.885 we are talking about being able to have this life. 671 00:46:30.025 --> 00:46:31.685 We do whatever we feel like. 672 00:46:32.065 --> 00:46:33.885 But when the Bible talks about freedom, 673 00:46:33.995 --> 00:46:35.885 it's not talking about that kind of freedom. 674 00:46:36.195 --> 00:46:39.885 What it's talking about is freedom from sin, 675 00:46:40.465 --> 00:46:42.445 not freedom to sin. 676 00:46:43.065 --> 00:46:45.005 It is always freedom from something, 677 00:46:45.265 --> 00:46:46.685 not freedom to something. 678 00:46:46.825 --> 00:46:49.645 So we've not been given freedom to do whatever we want. 679 00:46:51.155 --> 00:46:52.885 It's not freedom. It's for freedom's sake. 680 00:46:53.155 --> 00:46:55.285 It's freedom to live a spirit-filled life 681 00:46:55.675 --> 00:46:57.085 empowered by God's spirit. 682 00:46:58.175 --> 00:46:59.405 Lemme show you what I mean by that. 683 00:47:00.005 --> 00:47:03.085 A few years back, I watched, uh, a Disney reboot 684 00:47:03.105 --> 00:47:06.325 of the movie Pinocchio, uh, and it was starring Tom Hanks. 685 00:47:06.325 --> 00:47:07.685 If you don't know Tom Hanks, it's the dude 686 00:47:07.685 --> 00:47:08.925 that did movie with the volleyball. 687 00:47:09.265 --> 00:47:10.925 Um, that dude, right? 688 00:47:11.425 --> 00:47:12.445 So there was this movie 689 00:47:12.515 --> 00:47:15.245 that was a live action version of Pinocchio. 690 00:47:15.245 --> 00:47:18.125 And can I just say like, I think we're all done 691 00:47:18.125 --> 00:47:19.605 with live action movies, amen. 692 00:47:19.755 --> 00:47:22.445 Like, I think we've had, it's okay. It's okay. 693 00:47:22.865 --> 00:47:25.045 But this was a good one. This was actually a good one. 694 00:47:25.515 --> 00:47:28.445 Like, uh, it was pretty good. And so I watched it. 695 00:47:28.725 --> 00:47:30.165 I was was like, let me just check it out. 696 00:47:30.905 --> 00:47:33.965 And then when you start looking at the story of Pinocchio, 697 00:47:34.425 --> 00:47:38.245 you see this story of a boy who was a wooden puppet. 698 00:47:38.625 --> 00:47:40.205 He was made by his maker. 699 00:47:40.635 --> 00:47:42.405 Jato Jato was the character 700 00:47:42.405 --> 00:47:43.605 that Tom Hanks played in the movie. 701 00:47:43.945 --> 00:47:45.125 And so he makes this little puppet. 702 00:47:45.155 --> 00:47:47.285 This puppet wants to be a real boy. 703 00:47:47.585 --> 00:47:49.165 And he wanted it so badly 704 00:47:49.675 --> 00:47:53.405 that he cut his strings from his maker. 705 00:47:53.785 --> 00:47:57.005 He separated himself from his maker, 706 00:47:57.225 --> 00:47:58.405 and they sing a song about it. 707 00:47:58.575 --> 00:48:02.685 Ain't no strings on me, I'm free. 708 00:48:04.405 --> 00:48:08.145 He cuts his strings, he rejects all of the lessons 709 00:48:08.215 --> 00:48:09.505 that his maker gives him. 710 00:48:09.565 --> 00:48:12.505 He says, I'm good. I'm gonna kind of do my own thing. 711 00:48:12.725 --> 00:48:15.185 And then he chases his own version of freedom. 712 00:48:15.445 --> 00:48:17.225 And, and y'all know what it's like to do that. 713 00:48:17.365 --> 00:48:19.545 He lures himself, he gets lured over 714 00:48:19.545 --> 00:48:21.025 to this place called Pleasure Island. 715 00:48:21.365 --> 00:48:23.345 Now everybody has a different pleasure island, 716 00:48:23.405 --> 00:48:24.825 but you know it when you see it. 717 00:48:24.935 --> 00:48:26.265 Some of y'all was at Pleasure Island 718 00:48:26.265 --> 00:48:29.665 yesterday, you know what I'm talking about? 719 00:48:31.005 --> 00:48:32.545 And he's lured over the pleasure island 720 00:48:32.925 --> 00:48:34.385 and everybody knows what it looks like 721 00:48:34.385 --> 00:48:36.345 because here's what pleasure island has in common. 722 00:48:36.645 --> 00:48:39.305 Uh, there's no rules, there's no responsibility, 723 00:48:39.335 --> 00:48:41.025 there's no accountability. 724 00:48:41.365 --> 00:48:43.825 And by your own standards, you get to do whatever you want. 725 00:48:46.125 --> 00:48:50.865 So he goes over to Pleasure Island and he does his own thing 726 00:48:52.005 --> 00:48:53.265 and he believes it's freedom. 727 00:48:54.695 --> 00:48:59.435 And pretty soon he finds himself and enslaved 728 00:49:01.065 --> 00:49:02.365 and turned into a donkey. 729 00:49:04.645 --> 00:49:07.595 And so what he thought was freedom 730 00:49:09.025 --> 00:49:11.875 quickly becomes bondage. 731 00:49:14.015 --> 00:49:17.435 And I think matter of fact, I know 732 00:49:18.515 --> 00:49:20.295 that's exactly what happens to us 733 00:49:21.645 --> 00:49:23.935 when we pursue freedom apart from God, 734 00:49:25.025 --> 00:49:27.195 when we pursue freedom apart from his spirit. 735 00:49:27.415 --> 00:49:29.875 Uh, the freedom that comes from the spirit is a freedom. 736 00:49:30.555 --> 00:49:32.355 Remember, it's always from sin 737 00:49:32.355 --> 00:49:35.035 and death, not a freedom to do whatever we want. 738 00:49:35.375 --> 00:49:38.395 And I love that story Pinocchio because man, he goes 739 00:49:38.405 --> 00:49:40.115 after this thing and he finds out 740 00:49:40.115 --> 00:49:41.635 that there's no freedom at all. 741 00:49:41.855 --> 00:49:43.195 But right in the middle of that, 742 00:49:43.495 --> 00:49:44.955 he calls out for his father. 743 00:49:45.215 --> 00:49:47.595 He needs help. He needs help, he needs a change. 744 00:49:47.615 --> 00:49:49.115 And so he calls out for his father 745 00:49:49.455 --> 00:49:51.595 and his father rescues him. 746 00:49:53.615 --> 00:49:58.405 He comes to get him. He risked everything to find him. 747 00:49:59.445 --> 00:50:04.265 Listen, church, God did that for us. 748 00:50:06.365 --> 00:50:08.105 The resurrection is the story of 749 00:50:08.125 --> 00:50:09.985 how he rescued us through Jesus. 750 00:50:10.325 --> 00:50:13.465 He, he sent Jesus on our behalf and he didn't stop there. 751 00:50:13.645 --> 00:50:16.145 As a matter of fact, he brought us home in the same way 752 00:50:16.145 --> 00:50:17.505 that Pinocchio was brought home, 753 00:50:17.685 --> 00:50:19.585 and he made us home in the same way 754 00:50:19.585 --> 00:50:20.905 that Pinocchio was made whole. 755 00:50:22.765 --> 00:50:27.645 And he gave us a new, a new nature, 756 00:50:28.925 --> 00:50:31.205 a new mission, a new hope. 757 00:50:32.705 --> 00:50:34.045 And it gave us his spirit. 758 00:50:35.545 --> 00:50:38.645 And his spirit lives in us, 759 00:50:40.205 --> 00:50:41.885 a church who the sun sets free, 760 00:50:43.675 --> 00:50:44.815 His Free indeed. 761 00:50:46.575 --> 00:50:48.575 I love how second Corinthians in verse chapter, 762 00:50:48.575 --> 00:50:50.935 chapter three, verse 17 says that where the spirit 763 00:50:50.935 --> 00:50:53.975 of the Lord is there is freedom 764 00:50:55.525 --> 00:50:56.935 because it's real freedom. 765 00:50:58.445 --> 00:51:00.135 It's not the freedom to do whatever we want. 766 00:51:01.565 --> 00:51:03.255 It's the freedom to live in a way 767 00:51:03.275 --> 00:51:06.665 by God's spirit that pleases 768 00:51:07.125 --> 00:51:08.125 Him. 769 00:51:09.085 --> 00:51:12.785 Now, here's what I know, Even as I've had all 770 00:51:12.785 --> 00:51:15.025 of this conversation about how we can live a life 771 00:51:15.025 --> 00:51:17.385 that's pleasing to God, uh, what I know is 772 00:51:17.385 --> 00:51:18.985 that our week is coming and, 773 00:51:19.045 --> 00:51:20.665 and typically when we get to Monday morning 774 00:51:20.685 --> 00:51:22.705 and we begin to calculate all of the things 775 00:51:22.705 --> 00:51:24.705 that have happened in our lives, uh, 776 00:51:24.705 --> 00:51:26.625 this still might feel like a hard sale. 777 00:51:27.125 --> 00:51:30.185 Why do I even want to try to please God? 778 00:51:30.415 --> 00:51:32.345 Like why would I even want to do it? 779 00:51:32.345 --> 00:51:36.105 Where Romans chapter 15, verse two says this, that let each 780 00:51:36.105 --> 00:51:38.745 of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up 781 00:51:38.805 --> 00:51:41.745 for Christ did not please him self. 782 00:51:41.885 --> 00:51:43.385 Listen, here's why. 783 00:51:44.775 --> 00:51:47.425 Because Jesus lived not to please himself. 784 00:51:49.165 --> 00:51:52.865 He pleased he lived to rescue us. 785 00:51:54.345 --> 00:51:55.965 And in rescuing us through the cross, 786 00:51:56.145 --> 00:51:58.405 and through that resurrection moment of that kind 787 00:51:58.405 --> 00:52:00.685 of love sent a message to all of us. 788 00:52:01.025 --> 00:52:02.925 It it should give us great gratitude. 789 00:52:03.065 --> 00:52:06.805 And gratitude leads to obedience on obedience left to a life 790 00:52:07.025 --> 00:52:08.845 of following Jesus. 791 00:52:11.175 --> 00:52:14.985 When we followed Jesus, his spirit 792 00:52:16.445 --> 00:52:21.265 Is In us, we begin 793 00:52:21.265 --> 00:52:24.705 to understand that we are filled by his spirit. 794 00:52:25.445 --> 00:52:28.585 Uh, we understand that we are no longer condemned, right, 795 00:52:28.725 --> 00:52:30.305 and that we have new life in Christ. 796 00:52:30.485 --> 00:52:32.465 We begin to realize that we have freedom 797 00:52:32.925 --> 00:52:34.705 of freedom from sin, 798 00:52:34.725 --> 00:52:37.065 and that we also have hope to live for Christ. 799 00:52:37.405 --> 00:52:39.945 And that a life that's pleasing to God is possible, 800 00:52:40.325 --> 00:52:42.985 not in our own mic, not in our own strength, 801 00:52:43.245 --> 00:52:46.145 but only by His spirit. 802 00:52:49.915 --> 00:52:53.935 So What do we do with that? Well, let me leave you 803 00:52:53.935 --> 00:52:58.265 with a few questions to carry into this questions that 804 00:52:58.465 --> 00:52:59.465 You have. 805 00:53:00.365 --> 00:53:04.545 And the first one is this, right now, 806 00:53:06.045 --> 00:53:08.305 are you trying to please God in your own strength? 807 00:53:11.825 --> 00:53:15.085 Or are you living by the power of his spirit? 808 00:53:16.905 --> 00:53:20.285 You know, a good indication that you have been trying 809 00:53:20.285 --> 00:53:21.645 to please God by the flesh 810 00:53:21.705 --> 00:53:24.365 and not by the Spirit is 811 00:53:24.365 --> 00:53:28.195 as you look at your life right now, you're exhausted. 812 00:53:32.615 --> 00:53:34.555 Are you trying to please God in your own strength 813 00:53:36.335 --> 00:53:37.835 by the power of His spirit? 814 00:53:39.115 --> 00:53:40.375 Uh, question number two. Uh, 815 00:53:40.405 --> 00:53:43.815 what right now is actually shaping your mind? 816 00:53:45.685 --> 00:53:47.775 What do you think about more often than not? 817 00:53:47.805 --> 00:53:49.655 Like, like, what's consuming your mind? 818 00:53:49.955 --> 00:53:52.655 Is it flesh that seeks to gratify itself 819 00:53:53.755 --> 00:53:56.775 or is it spirit that seeks 820 00:53:56.775 --> 00:53:58.255 to live a life that's pleasing to God? 821 00:53:59.865 --> 00:54:02.275 It's like the table of life and the table of death. 822 00:54:04.145 --> 00:54:07.075 When we live by the flesh, we eat from the table of death. 823 00:54:07.175 --> 00:54:09.675 But when we live by the spirit, we eat from the table 824 00:54:09.675 --> 00:54:11.155 that brings new life in Christ, 825 00:54:14.915 --> 00:54:15.935 we ask another question. 826 00:54:18.755 --> 00:54:23.055 Are you living in freedom or are you living in guilt? 827 00:54:25.625 --> 00:54:29.635 Because freedom says that there's no condemnation for those 828 00:54:29.695 --> 00:54:30.875 who earn Christ Jesus. 829 00:54:32.665 --> 00:54:34.995 Nothing you've ever done is too big for God. 830 00:54:37.335 --> 00:54:40.875 And what I know is that the sins that you have committed, 831 00:54:40.875 --> 00:54:42.675 the sins that you're committing right now, 832 00:54:43.135 --> 00:54:46.755 and the sins that will be committed, and if your faith 833 00:54:46.815 --> 00:54:48.715 and trust and hope is in Jesus Christ 834 00:54:49.665 --> 00:54:51.475 that he has washed you clean, 835 00:54:56.185 --> 00:54:59.565 are you ready to stop performing? 836 00:55:01.585 --> 00:55:03.525 Are you ready to stop trying to be perfect? 837 00:55:05.905 --> 00:55:09.605 Are you ready to pursue the 838 00:55:09.605 --> 00:55:11.285 spirit of the living God? 839 00:55:12.675 --> 00:55:16.165 Because the resurrection has given us 840 00:55:17.195 --> 00:55:20.595 good news that there is no 841 00:55:20.595 --> 00:55:22.235 condemnation in Jesus Christ. 842 00:55:25.055 --> 00:55:29.115 He rose so that we could live into our now what? 843 00:55:31.535 --> 00:55:32.875 And he rose so that we wouldn't 844 00:55:32.875 --> 00:55:34.035 walk in fear, but in freedom. 845 00:55:34.655 --> 00:55:36.755 And if we place our trust in Jesus today, 846 00:55:37.335 --> 00:55:40.995 you're not only forgiven, but you're filled with his spirit 847 00:55:42.255 --> 00:55:43.755 and you're free from condemnation. 848 00:55:45.215 --> 00:55:49.395 And we are all empowered to live a life 849 00:55:51.025 --> 00:55:52.075 that pleases God. 850 00:55:54.235 --> 00:55:56.495 Church, if you haven't placed your trust in Christ, 851 00:55:58.835 --> 00:56:00.665 don't leave here today without doing so. 852 00:56:02.775 --> 00:56:04.465 He's not asking you for perfection, 853 00:56:06.765 --> 00:56:08.505 and he's not asking you for performance. 854 00:56:10.755 --> 00:56:13.165 He's asking for you to pursue him with your whole heart, 855 00:56:14.905 --> 00:56:19.885 to allow his spirit to transform you from the inside out. 856 00:56:21.875 --> 00:56:23.760 How do we live a life that's pleasing to God? 857 00:56:25.675 --> 00:56:29.925 Well, it's not by my might, it's never by my power. 858 00:56:31.835 --> 00:56:36.785 It's only By his spirit. Come on, let's pray together. 859 00:56:36.785 --> 00:56:37.945 Father, we thank you for the day. 860 00:56:39.445 --> 00:56:41.385 Father, we thank you for your grace and mercy. 861 00:56:41.485 --> 00:56:45.745 We thank you for your spirit that lives in us 862 00:56:47.485 --> 00:56:49.545 and that teaches us how to live a life 863 00:56:49.545 --> 00:56:51.865 that is pleasing to you. 864 00:56:54.365 --> 00:56:56.465 Father, would you keep us near you? 865 00:56:58.755 --> 00:57:01.465 Would you help us when we're wrestling with the decision 866 00:57:01.465 --> 00:57:04.785 between gratifying the flesh or living by the Spirit? 867 00:57:07.005 --> 00:57:08.785 And there may be some of us who are here today 868 00:57:08.925 --> 00:57:11.345 who have never placed their trust in you. 869 00:57:13.155 --> 00:57:17.165 Would you help us today to trust you as Lord 870 00:57:17.265 --> 00:57:18.845 and Savior over our lives? 871 00:57:21.035 --> 00:57:22.085 Because it's then 872 00:57:22.105 --> 00:57:25.205 and only then that we step into freedom in Christ 873 00:57:26.635 --> 00:57:29.415 and that we're enabled to live by the indwelling 874 00:57:29.415 --> 00:57:30.655 of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 875 00:57:31.875 --> 00:57:35.415 And as that spirit grows, we grow into more 876 00:57:35.415 --> 00:57:38.935 and more the image that you have for us, an image 877 00:57:38.935 --> 00:57:41.935 that reflects you and that ultimately pleases you. 878 00:57:42.205 --> 00:57:44.135 It's the only way that we can do it. 879 00:57:46.235 --> 00:57:50.815 Father, we pray for that kind of conviction 880 00:57:50.815 --> 00:57:52.015 to settle into our hearts 881 00:57:54.195 --> 00:57:58.095 and for response that leads to worship 882 00:58:00.355 --> 00:58:01.355 In you. 883 00:58:02.315 --> 00:58:06.855 In Jesus' name, Amen. Amen. God bless you. 884 00:58:13.365 --> 00:58:17.175 Amen. What a word. Praise God. Thank you, Dwayne. 885 00:58:19.315 --> 00:58:23.295 You know this, uh, this weekend we are, uh, 886 00:58:23.295 --> 00:58:25.095 celebrating baptisms again. 887 00:58:25.755 --> 00:58:28.055 And, um, you know, we have a couple of baptisms. 888 00:58:28.055 --> 00:58:29.495 This, this week at Northwest Kerry. 889 00:58:29.495 --> 00:58:30.615 It's always you, this, 890 00:58:30.615 --> 00:58:33.975 this super exciting time when people decide to step out 891 00:58:34.155 --> 00:58:35.535 and, uh, in obedience 892 00:58:35.715 --> 00:58:39.295 and, uh, step into new life, um, publicly in this way. 893 00:58:39.295 --> 00:58:41.215 And this is actually something that Jesus, uh, 894 00:58:41.485 --> 00:58:42.575 asks us to do. 895 00:58:43.005 --> 00:58:44.535 It's a part of our walk with him. 896 00:58:44.555 --> 00:58:46.415 So if, if you have accepted Jesus 897 00:58:46.995 --> 00:58:49.375 and you have not been baptized, uh, I want 898 00:58:49.375 --> 00:58:51.175 to encourage you, uh, to do that. 899 00:58:51.555 --> 00:58:54.495 Uh, you can go to get hope.net/baptism. 900 00:58:54.795 --> 00:58:57.735 Um, you can also talk to myself or Dwayne 901 00:58:57.735 --> 00:58:58.855 or any of the pastors here. 902 00:58:59.075 --> 00:59:01.175 You can also go to next steps and talk to somebody. 903 00:59:01.395 --> 00:59:04.255 Um, but I just want to encourage you, uh, to take that step 904 00:59:04.595 --> 00:59:06.455 of faith and to be baptized. 905 00:59:07.035 --> 00:59:10.375 Uh, next week we are starting a new series, uh, 906 00:59:10.435 --> 00:59:12.335 and we're gonna be going through the book of Titus. 907 00:59:12.845 --> 00:59:14.535 It's called, uh, field Notes. 908 00:59:15.075 --> 00:59:17.575 And you know, the book of Titus is in, in the New Testament. 909 00:59:17.575 --> 00:59:19.855 And it's just a small little book, few chapters, 910 00:59:20.035 --> 00:59:24.685 but it is power packed, it's jam packed, um, with truth 911 00:59:24.905 --> 00:59:26.685 and what it looks like to walk 912 00:59:26.985 --> 00:59:29.685 and follow Jesus in lots of practical ways. 913 00:59:29.685 --> 00:59:30.885 So I'm super excited for that. 914 00:59:30.925 --> 00:59:33.925 I would love to see you guys here for that, uh, next week. 915 00:59:34.385 --> 00:59:36.765 And, um, before we go, I just wanna take a moment, um, 916 00:59:36.785 --> 00:59:39.445 on Monday, um, is is Memorial Day. 917 00:59:40.385 --> 00:59:43.525 And, um, we wanted to take a moment today to, uh, 918 00:59:43.525 --> 00:59:45.445 thank those who, um, 919 00:59:46.365 --> 00:59:48.045 sacrificed their life, uh, for our freedom. 920 00:59:48.545 --> 00:59:50.605 And I know for some of you, uh, 921 00:59:50.755 --> 00:59:53.285 that may carry a weight, uh, and a loss. 922 00:59:53.585 --> 00:59:54.965 And so I just wanted to take a moment 923 00:59:55.465 --> 00:59:59.325 and pray together, um, as a church, can we bow our heads? 924 01:00:00.745 --> 01:00:03.765 Uh, father, thank you for, uh, freedom 925 01:00:04.065 --> 01:00:08.245 and thank you for those who have, um, sacrificed their lives 926 01:00:08.245 --> 01:00:11.005 and given their lives, um, for that freedom. 927 01:00:11.605 --> 01:00:15.125 I pray for, uh, the families, um, that have lost. 928 01:00:15.345 --> 01:00:17.165 And I pray that you would just be with them 929 01:00:17.225 --> 01:00:19.965 and that they would, uh, seek your peace 930 01:00:20.025 --> 01:00:21.405 and your comfort, uh, 931 01:00:21.405 --> 01:00:22.965 and that you would continue, uh, 932 01:00:22.985 --> 01:00:24.525 to work in and through them. 933 01:00:25.025 --> 01:00:26.965 We are so thankful for who you are. 934 01:00:27.585 --> 01:00:30.605 Uh, we pray all these things in the powerful name of Jesus. 935 01:00:31.595 --> 01:00:35.725 Amen. Church, it's been great worshiping 936 01:00:35.725 --> 01:00:37.285 with you, so thankful for you all. 937 01:00:37.305 --> 01:00:39.485 We love you and we will see you next week.