WEBVTT 00:00:02.580 --> 00:00:07.720 - Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons Podcast. 00:00:07.720 --> 00:00:09.240 This is where you can find audio 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:11.480 from Sunday morning messages and more. 00:00:11.480 --> 00:00:12.760 Make sure you're subscribed 00:00:12.760 --> 00:00:14.680 so that you don't miss future episodes 00:00:14.680 --> 00:00:15.920 and thanks for listening. 00:00:15.920 --> 00:00:22.480 - Well, good morning. 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:23.460 - Good morning. 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:25.200 - If you have your Bibles and I hope you do, 00:00:25.200 --> 00:00:29.080 I wanna invite you to join me in Matthew chapter 13. 00:00:30.080 --> 00:00:31.920 It's where we will be. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:37.960 As you turn there, I wanna share a couple things with you. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:40.760 This summer, I was listening to a book 00:00:40.760 --> 00:00:42.240 when we were out at the beach 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:45.560 and the pastor who wrote the book, 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:48.380 he referenced in his quiet time, 00:00:48.380 --> 00:00:52.040 he had spent some time in Titus. 00:00:52.040 --> 00:00:54.340 And I thought, you know, that's a book 00:00:54.340 --> 00:00:57.480 that I haven't spent a lot of quiet time in. 00:00:57.480 --> 00:01:00.440 So I came back from the beach with the determination 00:01:00.440 --> 00:01:03.440 that I'm gonna spend time in Titus. 00:01:03.440 --> 00:01:05.220 And so over the next several weeks, 00:01:05.220 --> 00:01:08.800 I worked through Titus one and Titus two 00:01:08.800 --> 00:01:13.800 and as a pastor, there's some great affirming things 00:01:13.800 --> 00:01:17.220 in there and there's some wonderful challenges 00:01:17.220 --> 00:01:20.480 and it was wonderful to listen to the Holy Spirit 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:23.080 in areas of my life. 00:01:23.080 --> 00:01:25.040 And then I came to Titus chapter three 00:01:26.080 --> 00:01:28.880 and honestly had underlined, 00:01:28.880 --> 00:01:31.000 this is the Bible set that I worked through 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:33.700 for my quiet time and had underlined 00:01:33.700 --> 00:01:38.680 close to late October, early November 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:43.120 to spend some time in Titus three with you guys. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:46.880 And then yesterday happened. 00:01:47.600 --> 00:01:49.600 (sighs) 00:01:49.600 --> 00:02:00.560 As we saw an attempted assassination 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:06.280 on a former president currently running for office. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:12.440 Now, if you know me, you know that I guard 00:02:13.660 --> 00:02:18.660 what we do and what we say as teaching from God's word 00:02:18.660 --> 00:02:23.260 and hold that to the highest level 00:02:23.260 --> 00:02:24.780 of accountability in my life. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:31.140 That the pulpit, no matter how big or small a church is, 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:35.780 is not a place for politics. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:38.340 We preach God's truth. 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:44.300 I challenge you and myself to allow our faith 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:52.220 to influence our politics and not allow our politics 00:02:52.220 --> 00:02:53.660 to influence our faith. 00:02:53.660 --> 00:03:01.220 Yesterday happened. 00:03:01.220 --> 00:03:07.420 Tim Stewart and I were talking out in the lobby 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:11.300 and we were kind of going through a historical recap 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:14.260 and this isn't the first time that something like this 00:03:14.260 --> 00:03:15.700 has happened in our country. 00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:23.980 I don't know where you went when you saw that. 00:03:23.980 --> 00:03:32.220 Unfortunately, a lot of people went numb. 00:03:32.220 --> 00:03:37.220 When I looked at the surrounding events, 00:03:37.220 --> 00:03:51.740 my concern definitely for all of the people who were there, 00:03:51.740 --> 00:03:55.060 all of the things that are unfolding. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:59.740 I thank the Lord that we have men and women 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:04.740 like our Secret Service agents, like our military, 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:08.900 like our police force, like our firefighters 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:14.940 who apart from political affiliations do their job 00:04:14.940 --> 00:04:18.620 putting their own life on the line 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:22.900 regardless if they voted for or even care for 00:04:22.900 --> 00:04:26.260 the individual whose life they are protecting. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:30.460 I didn't sleep a lot last night 00:04:30.460 --> 00:04:38.900 because my concern is in all that's going on 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:44.780 that we as the church, those that are called 00:04:44.780 --> 00:04:48.220 to be salt and light, those that are called 00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:51.340 to be messengers of hope, those who are called 00:04:51.340 --> 00:04:55.860 to put our hope in a savior, those who look forward 00:04:55.860 --> 00:05:00.180 to the king who rules in our lives, to rule in this world, 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:05.540 to become focused on the things that the world wants to use 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:10.100 to divide us, to create division, to create arguments, 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:13.580 to create debates and move from that, 00:05:13.580 --> 00:05:18.300 move away from the mission of what God has for us. 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:25.300 And so as I'm sure a lot of pastors are, 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:28.140 discussing what happened last night, 00:05:28.140 --> 00:05:32.340 I couldn't help but just pause for a moment. 00:05:32.340 --> 00:05:35.540 And in a moment we're gonna pray. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:39.980 We're gonna pray for all those involved. 00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:48.540 We're gonna pray for the families of those 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:49.900 who lost their life. 00:05:52.460 --> 00:05:56.780 We're gonna pray against the work of Satan 00:05:56.780 --> 00:05:58.140 and what he would wanna do. 00:05:58.140 --> 00:06:04.740 But as we do that, as we go into this season, 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:09.180 listen, if you love politics, that's great. 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:13.300 If you wanna discuss politics with me, 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:17.180 I welcome the opportunity to sit down and do that. 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:21.020 I'll share my thoughts, you can share your thoughts. 00:06:21.020 --> 00:06:23.140 My hope is at the end of that we can walk away, 00:06:23.140 --> 00:06:24.860 brothers and sisters, in Christ, 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:28.980 embracing the godly friendship that he called us to. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:35.020 But I came to Titus three, and I just feel as we head 00:06:35.020 --> 00:06:38.340 into this season in the life of our country, 00:06:38.340 --> 00:06:44.500 that's going to invade conversations, family dinners, 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:49.540 conversations between husband and wives, 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:52.820 conversations between neighbors in their front yard, 00:06:52.820 --> 00:06:55.980 conversations between people at work, 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:59.540 conversation between students on campuses, 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:04.300 that as believers, as believers, we come back 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:05.140 to God's word. 00:07:05.140 --> 00:07:11.180 So I'm gonna read Titus three, verses one through seven. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:19.300 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:24.620 to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:30.820 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, 00:07:30.820 --> 00:07:37.300 to be gentle, to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:44.620 For we were once, for we ourselves were once fools 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:50.620 disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:58.100 and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, 00:07:58.100 --> 00:08:03.380 hated by others and hating one another. 00:08:03.380 --> 00:08:10.020 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God, 00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:15.020 our Savior appeared, he saved us. 00:08:15.020 --> 00:08:27.540 Not because of works done by us in righteousness, 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:30.620 but according to his own mercy, 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:36.300 by the washing of regeneration and renewal 00:08:36.300 --> 00:08:41.300 of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly 00:08:41.300 --> 00:08:44.380 through Jesus Christ, our Savior, 00:08:44.380 --> 00:08:48.380 so that being justified by his grace, 00:08:48.380 --> 00:08:52.900 we might become heirs according to the hope 00:08:52.900 --> 00:08:54.100 of eternal life. 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:56.380 Would you pray with me? 00:08:56.380 --> 00:09:03.900 God, yesterday felt like a heavy day, a heavy moment. 00:09:04.900 --> 00:09:09.900 In the history of our country, 00:09:09.900 --> 00:09:17.180 and Lord, is left with a feeling for many 00:09:17.180 --> 00:09:25.180 of uncertainty in the state of which we find ourselves 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:26.100 of where we live. 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:32.900 God, I pray for all of those physically injured 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:38.500 or to pray for those emotionally traumatized 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:42.180 by what they experienced. 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:49.260 Would I pray for those who lost someone yesterday 00:09:49.260 --> 00:09:50.300 whom they loved? 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:53.860 Lord, remind us. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:59.820 Remind us of the evil that is in this world. 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:05.820 Remind us that your word tells us 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:10.820 that at one point in time, the evil reigned in us, 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:15.220 and it's what we pursued, and it's what we loved. 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:20.460 But you and your kindness, you and your goodness, 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:25.460 you and your mercy, you and your love saved us. 00:10:28.060 --> 00:10:33.060 God, I pray that we as men and women 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:38.900 living in a land where you have placed us 00:10:38.900 --> 00:10:40.980 in a time in which you have determined 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:44.660 would live for boldness. 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:49.700 That we ultimately are not known 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:52.620 by our political affiliation, 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:55.620 that we are not known by our gender, 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:58.300 that we are not known by our race, 00:10:58.300 --> 00:11:01.380 that we are known ultimately in who we are 00:11:01.380 --> 00:11:03.500 as sons and daughters of the living God, 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:07.100 and what that looks like and what that means, 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:12.180 and that your love crosses all boundaries. 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:14.740 May we live for boldness for our faith 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:18.820 and who we are made in the image and likeness of God. 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:23.580 May we be bold to share our faith. 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:28.620 May we be bold to call others to repentance. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:32.460 May we be bold to share the good news 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:35.460 and the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:41.380 And Lord, ultimately, would you remind us, 00:11:41.380 --> 00:11:47.700 Lord, would you remind me that in spite 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:53.460 of the craziness of this world, you were in control. 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:59.220 That presidents and governors 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:06.140 and kings and rulers will come and go. 00:12:06.140 --> 00:12:12.820 That your reign, your kingdom is for all of eternity. 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:17.980 And I send Jesus in me pray, amen, amen. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:20.260 Thank you for that. 00:12:20.260 --> 00:12:23.620 Well, if you're curious, 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:28.020 and I saw some of you give me the funny eye 00:12:28.020 --> 00:12:29.740 when I walked in holding this, 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:35.860 I'm holding a box that is decorated with different shells. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:41.500 I wanna tell you a story about this box. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:44.500 See, on the bottom of this box is still a price sticker. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:48.460 $9.99. 00:12:49.540 --> 00:12:52.860 About nine years ago, let me pause really quickly 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:54.060 and give a disclaimer. 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:57.900 I did receive permission from my daughter 00:12:57.900 --> 00:12:59.020 to share this story. 00:12:59.020 --> 00:13:05.860 Years ago, when Em and Grace were in elementary school, 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:07.540 we went down on vacation and my parents 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.940 were on vacation with us. 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:10.060 And where we went for vacation, 00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:12.340 there's only this like one souvenir shop 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:13.900 that's near where we stay. 00:13:13.900 --> 00:13:15.940 And we were going over there to do something. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:17.140 I forget what we were going to do. 00:13:17.140 --> 00:13:18.660 We were going out. 00:13:18.660 --> 00:13:21.940 And my dad said to Emma and Grayson, 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:26.220 here's $10, go buy yourself something. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:32.580 We walked in, instantly, instantly Grayson saw something 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:35.780 that he had to have. 00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:40.580 And what he bought was one of those like shell necklaces, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:43.340 like Kenny Chesney style, right? 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.060 Y'all know what I'm talking about. 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:51.340 With the biggest shark's tooth ever hanging off of it. 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:56.820 And for that week, man, he was the coolest guy at the beach. 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:59.620 Like I didn't get permission to say all of this from him. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:01.700 [audience laughing] 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:05.940 Just walked around, all 32 pounds of him, right? 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:10.820 Well, Emma, if you've ever been shopping with Emma, 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:14.260 it's an experience. 00:14:14.260 --> 00:14:18.500 Still to this day, that I've got to run in quick 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:21.740 and grab something, that ain't happening. 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:26.740 She's going to touch everything in the store. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:29.700 And she works her way through whatever store 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:31.540 we find ourselves at. 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:34.420 It's become Black Friday shopping is not for she and I 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:36.740 to go out and find all the deals for everyone. 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:39.180 Black Friday is those opportunities where we can go out 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.340 and she can go and she can look 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:41.820 and I know what it is going into it. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:44.180 What I didn't understand about first grade, second grade, 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:48.420 Emma, what I know now about rising junior Emma 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.980 in high school. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:52.780 We go into the shop and she has $10. 00:14:52.780 --> 00:14:55.860 So she's limited on what she can buy. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:15:00.260 But as you know, at one of those typical beach stores, 00:15:00.260 --> 00:15:05.260 there's like at the eye level of kids, a million things. 00:15:05.260 --> 00:15:08.940 For an hour. 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:15.580 We walked around the same 80 square feet of her looking. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:22.220 She cried, I cried. 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:24.600 It was a bad day, it's a bad moment. 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:28.500 And then she came walking up with this. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:31.780 She said, "I want to buy this." 00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:33.560 I said, "Okay." 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:37.220 I didn't ask why, I just said, "Okay." 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.560 Relief, freedom. 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:43.080 We can go back to the condo. 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:48.400 We load up in the truck and I hear this noise 00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:49.700 coming from the back seat. 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:55.880 Instant buyer's remorse. 00:15:55.880 --> 00:15:59.680 And I got to make a decision. 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:06.440 Do we keep going or do we go back? 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:09.200 Well, you weren't getting me back in that store, right? 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:12.520 Like I've moved out of the occupied territory 00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:13.920 and I now see my freedom. 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:17.680 But I've got a decision to make. 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:20.840 What am I going to do for my daughter? 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:24.520 Because if not, I can tell you what the next several hours 00:16:24.520 --> 00:16:25.920 are going to be. 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:28.240 They're going to be instant buyer's remorse 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:31.720 because her money that she had, 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:35.520 her valuable $10 that she had been given, 00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:40.520 it was wasted on a box with some shells. 00:16:40.520 --> 00:16:47.240 I'm not saying this is my most proud moment, 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.640 but I was pretty quick. 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:52.080 I said, "Well, do you understand about this box 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.320 "what this is?" 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:55.600 No. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:58.640 I said, "Well, that's a treasure box." 00:16:58.640 --> 00:17:01.600 Treasure box? 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.000 I said, "Yeah, it's a treasure box." 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:08.360 I said, "And I will guarantee you that every morning 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:13.200 "when you wake up, what you will find in that box 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:15.080 "is a treasure." 00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:18.400 Now, Grayson's like, "I don't want my sharks tooth 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.240 "anymore, right? 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:22.560 "I want a treasure box." 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:27.560 I promised her I got to fulfill. 00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:31.480 So every day out at the beach, 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:36.120 sand dollars, seashells, different things that I can find. 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:38.080 I didn't tell her how it got there. 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:40.200 I didn't mislead her. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:43.640 I just promised that a treasure would be in it. 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:46.520 And she left it by the end table where she slept, 00:17:46.520 --> 00:17:48.160 and I'd go in there, and I'd open it up, 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:50.320 and I'd set it down there, and by the end of the week, 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:52.400 I got tired, and it was like, "Here's a dollar." 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.400 You know what I mean? 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:57.160 [audience laughing] 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:58.200 Treasure box. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:04.360 We laugh about that often with us as a family. 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:09.360 Emma keeps this, and she's begin to put inside of it 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:13.640 things that are treasures for her. 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:20.000 Memories, words, notes, pieces that she can have, 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:25.560 and she places in here, and even though this doesn't fit 00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:30.200 with the vibe of her room, it's there. 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:32.880 And as friends walk in, I'm sure they wonder, 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:35.040 "Why do you have this?" 00:18:35.040 --> 00:18:37.600 But every time that I walk in, I'm reminded 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:41.760 about my daughter and her treasures. 00:18:41.760 --> 00:18:46.360 This morning, as we look at parables, 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:50.120 we're gonna look at two parables back to back 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:54.200 that Jesus tells, and the theme of these 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:59.200 is going to be those things of great value or treasures. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:03.800 So look at Matthew 13, verse 44. 00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:05.280 We'll read the first parable, talk about it, 00:19:05.280 --> 00:19:07.080 and then we'll look at the second one. 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:16.120 He says, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:21.360 "hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:28.160 "Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has, 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:32.280 "and he buys that field." 00:19:32.280 --> 00:19:34.200 Let's pause here for just a moment, 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.440 understand a little bit what Jesus is talking about. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:39.160 Remember, all of Jesus' parables make sense in the culture 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:41.960 what Jesus is telling them, even though sometimes 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:44.160 they're hard for us in there. 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:47.680 During the time of Christ, it was common for someone 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:52.680 to bury their treasures or to bury their valuables 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:58.680 They didn't exactly have security the way that we do 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:02.640 with banks and with safes and with different things 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:05.560 that we have, so they would find these things 00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:09.440 of great value, they would go out into the land, 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:12.200 they would find a place that was secure, 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:15.560 they would dig a hole, and they would bury those things 00:20:15.560 --> 00:20:18.400 there and cover them up where only they 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:20.440 would know where they were. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:25.880 Sometimes war would come to their area, 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:29.880 and so those who oftentimes were preparing to fight, 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:33.040 they would take more things out of their home, 00:20:33.040 --> 00:20:36.760 things that were precious to them, of their valuables, 00:20:36.760 --> 00:20:38.960 and they would go out into a field, 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:41.520 and they would even bury those things, 00:20:41.520 --> 00:20:43.520 because the concern of what would happen 00:20:43.520 --> 00:20:46.960 if an invading army overtook that before they could 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:50.000 retake their city, before they could retake their land, 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:52.920 they would pillage all of the things that were theirs, 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:57.000 so this was done in a practice that people would use 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:59.240 to protect what is theirs. 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:03.440 Now, it's a risk that they're taking, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:06.160 but it's a risk that was worth it, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:10.600 for their valuables and what they would have. 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:14.120 You know, some people don't make it back from the war. 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:17.840 Some people have things buried in the field, 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:21.480 and then they pass, and their passing was unexpected, 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:24.560 and they didn't communicate it with loved ones. 00:21:24.560 --> 00:21:28.280 So while finding buried treasure may be stories 00:21:28.280 --> 00:21:33.000 that we tell of the days of pirates, 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.920 but not realistic for us, 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:38.720 the story of finding buried treasure, 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:42.580 while not an everyday occurrence during the time of Christ, 00:21:42.580 --> 00:21:43.520 was a common thing. 00:21:43.520 --> 00:21:46.200 And if you found this treasure, 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:48.600 here's what the law stated. 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:52.480 If you found the treasure that was in the land, 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:54.880 that treasure was not yours. 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:59.760 That treasure belonged to the land owner. 00:21:59.760 --> 00:22:04.240 And you, as being the person who found the treasure, 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:08.560 were not obligated to inform, legally speaking, 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:11.080 the land owner, or even in their times, 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:15.320 ethically, of what you had found in their property. 00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:18.720 Instead, all you had to do was go up 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.960 and purchase the land from them, 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:25.280 and then anything that you'd find on the land was yours. 00:22:25.280 --> 00:22:29.520 So Jesus says that there's a man, 00:22:29.520 --> 00:22:32.220 and he comes across a treasure. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:36.840 And this treasure is so great. 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:41.360 Specifically, Jesus says, from his joy. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:47.200 From his joy, from his source, from his logic, 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:50.600 from his reasoning, with all that he is, 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:54.820 he sells all that he has, everything, 00:22:54.820 --> 00:22:57.240 and he buys the field. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:23:03.400 And Jesus tells the second one, look at verses 45 and 46. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:10.560 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:15.320 in search of fine pearls, 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:19.760 who on finding one pearl of great value 00:23:19.760 --> 00:23:23.760 went and sold all that he had and bought it. 00:23:23.760 --> 00:23:28.040 So previously, Jesus spoke about a man 00:23:28.040 --> 00:23:31.680 that we know nothing about, who finds a treasure, 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:35.320 but this man, Jesus gives us some details. 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:39.040 It says that he is a merchant, he's a businessman. 00:23:39.040 --> 00:23:42.320 He is out with a purpose and for a reason 00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:46.560 to go and find something, investments, 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:49.280 so that he can grow his business, 00:23:49.280 --> 00:23:52.600 so that he can expand his portfolio, 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:55.400 and so that he can make a profit. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:57.320 That's his agenda. 00:23:57.320 --> 00:24:02.320 His agenda is, I have some, I want more. 00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:06.160 And very specifically, this man is a merchant, 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:09.560 and he's searching for fine pearls. 00:24:09.560 --> 00:24:12.760 Now, I'm not a pearl expert, 00:24:12.760 --> 00:24:16.880 but I know that you can go and you can buy pearls, 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:19.720 and you can buy things that look like pearls. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:22.440 All the guys were like, we wanna buy things 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:24.340 that look like pearls and hope that they believe 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.720 that they're pearls, right? 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.280 'Cause they're expensive. 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:30.400 They're expensive because they're rare. 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:32.760 Well, during the time of Jesus, 00:24:32.760 --> 00:24:36.020 you didn't have things that looked like pearls. 00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:40.080 You either had real pearls or you had nothing. 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:45.040 So this man is searching, what Scripture says, 00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:50.040 for not just what is rare, but the rarest of rare. 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:54.020 And he finds something. 00:24:54.020 --> 00:24:57.360 The Bible says that he finds, 00:24:57.360 --> 00:25:00.200 and I think this is important, he finds a pearl. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:02.680 A pearl. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:07.580 Not a bunch of them, not several that are together, 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:10.900 not a piece of jewelry that has them on there, 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:13.600 but he finds a pearl. 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:19.280 And this pearl is more valuable than any other. 00:25:19.280 --> 00:25:25.220 So he too, he goes and he sells all that he had. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:29.260 He sells his house, he sells his livestock, 00:25:29.260 --> 00:25:32.880 he sells his business, he sells his other pearls. 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:38.940 Just so that he can buy this one pearl. 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:41.920 And he does. 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:46.720 And Jesus tells us these two parables 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:50.320 as he's painting a picture for us again. 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:55.080 Jesus says at the beginning of both of these, 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:59.300 the kingdom of heaven is like. 00:25:59.300 --> 00:26:01.000 We discussed this a few weeks ago 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:04.440 in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:07.240 And a reminder, the kingdom of heaven, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:10.120 we said that we could discuss this for weeks and weeks, 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:11.760 but the sake of our time here, 00:26:11.760 --> 00:26:14.040 I wanted to find the kingdom of heaven 00:26:14.040 --> 00:26:15.780 or the kingdom of God as this. 00:26:15.780 --> 00:26:18.400 The kingdom of heaven is the rule 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:22.520 of an eternal, sovereign God over all the universe. 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:25.040 But more narrowly, the kingdom of heaven 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:28.280 is a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives 00:26:28.280 --> 00:26:32.900 of those who willingly submit to God's authority. 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:36.120 So in the parable of the unforgiving servant, 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:40.360 what we see is a call to forgiveness, 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:44.580 but very specifically, it's a call to forgiveness 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:47.040 because we have been forgiven. 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:50.240 It's as participants in, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:53.560 it's as those whose subjects who were in 00:26:53.560 --> 00:26:58.560 the kingdom of heaven to have this be that that marks us. 00:26:58.560 --> 00:27:04.040 And so Jesus talks about this kingdom of heaven, 00:27:04.040 --> 00:27:06.720 this finding treasures. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:13.060 It's like someone who gave up all that they had 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:19.880 because the treasure that they found was so great. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:25.720 I wanna ask you, if you are a follower of Jesus, 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:28.840 if Jesus Christ has saved you, 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:30.760 if that's what you believe, 00:27:30.760 --> 00:27:32.560 if that's what you cling to, 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:34.460 then you are a part of this kingdom. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:40.480 And then Jesus though describes the individuals 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:45.480 in this kingdom, and he does so by saying, 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:49.160 this is what they value, the kingdom, 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:54.160 the treasure, and they've got these parts 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:59.560 about who they are when they discover 00:27:59.560 --> 00:28:03.720 the priceless nature of the kingdom. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:07.360 The first thing that we see from these two men, 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:10.180 regardless of the treasure that they found, 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:12.280 the means in which they came by it, 00:28:12.280 --> 00:28:15.980 we see passionate joy, we see passionate joy. 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:22.340 What I see so many times in the lives of men and women 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:27.420 is not passionate joy, but circumstantial happiness. 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:33.580 But we are called as recipients, as subjects of the kingdom 00:28:33.580 --> 00:28:36.640 to be that of passionate joy. 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:40.320 Both of the men understood that the treasure 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:44.020 in front of them was a source of joy 00:28:44.020 --> 00:28:48.300 and a production of joy in their lives. 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:51.400 And they longed for what was different 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:54.860 than what they had to live in the joy 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:57.620 of the kingdom of the treasure that's there. 00:28:57.620 --> 00:29:03.940 Joy can be defined as the settling of the spirit 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:06.580 that is dependent on who Jesus is 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:10.420 rather than who we are or what is happening. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:16.680 Joy is not an absence of struggle or suffering or pain, 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:21.240 but is instead confidence in the one who holds you, 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:25.020 who cares for you, and who sustains you during that pain. 00:29:25.020 --> 00:29:30.440 Passionate joy is seeing God as he truly is 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:34.800 and finding our deepest sense of satisfaction 00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:36.840 in him and in him alone. 00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:42.840 You see, circumstantial happiness says that I'm only happy 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:46.560 as long as the things that I've determined 00:29:46.560 --> 00:29:49.600 that need to be play out that way around me. 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:55.840 But passionate joy of those who are called 00:29:55.840 --> 00:29:59.860 and saved in a part of the kingdom of God 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:02.780 find their joy in who he is 00:30:02.780 --> 00:30:07.320 and what he has done in his cares for us. 00:30:08.120 --> 00:30:11.520 I wanna read a verse to you 00:30:11.520 --> 00:30:14.640 that I believe is a command that comes with a promise. 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:19.680 Psalm 37 four says this, 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:22.880 delight yourself in the Lord. 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:25.960 Delight yourself in the Lord 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:30.980 and he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:36.880 You see, there's a command, delight yourself in God. 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:41.440 Let God be your source. 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:43.760 Let your joy come from him. 00:30:43.760 --> 00:30:46.680 Let your confidence come from him. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:51.680 Dive into, recklessly abandon all else that's there. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:55.200 Hold him as king of kings and Lord of lords 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:58.400 and then he will give you the desires of your heart 00:30:58.400 --> 00:31:01.480 as he molds you, as he changes you, 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:04.560 as he works in your life of what he's going to do. 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:07.240 It's why we can see the apostles in the New Testament 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:09.560 beaten and imprisoned and chained 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:11.600 and their lives taken from them 00:31:11.600 --> 00:31:13.120 but yet through that process, 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:17.240 they're given praise and hope and adoration to God 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:19.400 and witnessing to those who are around them. 00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:20.240 Why? 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.460 Because of their circumstances. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:24.760 No, no, their circumstances are not what they long for. 00:31:24.760 --> 00:31:27.040 Their circumstances are not what they would ask for 00:31:27.040 --> 00:31:28.920 but what they see in this moment 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:32.400 is that the God who saves me is bigger than this 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:34.720 and I delight myself in him 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:39.360 and so what God will do is use me for his name's sake. 00:31:39.360 --> 00:31:42.000 Delight yourself in the Lord 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:44.320 and he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:45.920 You see, in our sin and our flesh, 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:47.360 we wanna flip that verse. 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:49.880 We wanna flip that verse. 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:53.920 We wanna turn God into the genie 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:56.040 and we wanna read it, 00:31:56.040 --> 00:31:58.960 God, if you will give me the desire of my heart, 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.680 then I will delight myself in you. 00:32:02.320 --> 00:32:04.400 God said that's not how this works. 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:07.200 That's not what it's about to be a part of the kingdom. 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:10.160 That's not what the kingdom of heaven is like. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:12.960 So I ask you these questions. 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:19.320 What or who, if you're being honest with yourself, 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:21.880 with the listening of the Holy Spirit, 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:24.600 what or who do you delight in? 00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:27.200 What does your heart desire? 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:32.160 What brings you happiness? 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:34.880 What do you think brings you joy? 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:40.520 If it's anything other than Christ, 00:32:40.520 --> 00:32:44.000 it will fail, it will fail. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:47.040 The second thing that we see from these men 00:32:47.040 --> 00:32:51.000 is their costly sacrifice, their costly sacrifice. 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:56.320 Both of these men sell all they have, 00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:58.120 all that they have, 00:32:58.120 --> 00:33:01.160 so that they can obtain this treasure. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:06.960 All right, first, Jesus is not saying 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:11.960 that you purchase or earn your entrance into the kingdom. 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.200 That is not what he's saying. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.440 That's not the lesson, 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:16.520 that's not the point of what we can draw from here. 00:33:16.520 --> 00:33:21.520 It's grace, it's by grace through faith in Christ. 00:33:21.520 --> 00:33:25.600 It's his work, it's what he's done. 00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:27.400 We're the recipients of that. 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.920 That's not what he's saying. 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:31.840 But what he does say is this, 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:37.200 the kingdom is costly, the kingdom is costly. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:40.800 The kingdom is valuable and the kingdom is costly. 00:33:40.800 --> 00:33:42.480 To the disciples, two different times, 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:44.200 he says, what, take up your cross. 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:47.840 To the disciples, he says, count the cost. 00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:50.440 You're gonna follow me, you're gonna come to my disciple. 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.920 It's a little bit tougher, 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:57.040 it's a little bit more than a casual relationship. 00:33:57.040 --> 00:34:00.800 Take up your cross, count the cost. 00:34:00.800 --> 00:34:04.320 To the rich young ruler who came to Christ, 00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:07.040 who would have had everything 00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:10.120 that a movement could have been built on, 00:34:10.120 --> 00:34:14.180 he had influence, he had money, he had power, he had youth. 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:18.080 For all the things that he offered, 00:34:18.080 --> 00:34:21.400 Jesus looked at him and said, hey, go and sell it all. 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:24.080 Go and sell it all. 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:29.240 And he walked away sad because he knew that he couldn't. 00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:37.040 It involves costly sacrifice. 00:34:37.040 --> 00:34:40.360 What do you need to walk away from? 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:42.520 What do you need to hand over? 00:34:42.520 --> 00:34:44.960 What do you need to give up so that God can do the work 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:47.080 that God wants to do in you? 00:34:47.080 --> 00:34:48.800 You know, the beautiful work of the Holy Spirit 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:52.120 of what he does in our life is he takes who we were 00:34:52.120 --> 00:34:54.940 and he transforms us to who we are now. 00:34:55.860 --> 00:35:00.740 He moves us from we were lost in our trespasses and sins, 00:35:00.740 --> 00:35:05.340 we were dead, and he saves us and makes us alive again. 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:09.020 The work of God and the work of cross, what happens in us? 00:35:09.020 --> 00:35:11.740 We see this work happen of who we were 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:13.540 to now becoming who we are, 00:35:13.540 --> 00:35:15.540 sons and daughters of the living God. 00:35:15.540 --> 00:35:18.540 But God doesn't stop there. 00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:24.860 So many times we think, I'm saved, I'm good. 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:28.500 I'm saved, that's all I need to be. 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:30.980 My story is done, it is written. 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:33.020 And while the work of the Spirit in us, 00:35:33.020 --> 00:35:35.860 while the work of God in us is who we were 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:38.700 to now who we are, the continuing work of God 00:35:38.700 --> 00:35:42.060 that we see in our lives is who we are now 00:35:42.060 --> 00:35:45.020 and what we're recognizing our areas of needed growth 00:35:45.020 --> 00:35:47.420 to who we are called to be more like him. 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:50.420 So every day is another moment for me 00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:51.820 and the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:54.780 the work of God inside of me to find those areas 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:56.980 in my life to give up, to walk away from, 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:59.020 to lay down at the altar, to surrender, 00:35:59.020 --> 00:36:01.620 to confess, to repent, so that in that, 00:36:01.620 --> 00:36:04.100 I'm taking another step of faithfulness, 00:36:04.100 --> 00:36:06.620 not in my own righteousness, not in my own power, 00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:08.700 not in my own ability, but in the power 00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:10.140 and the righteousness of God. 00:36:10.140 --> 00:36:13.060 And there's a commitment of what God is calling me to 00:36:13.060 --> 00:36:15.300 in the sacrifice to give it up, to walk away, 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:17.820 to go because of who he is and what he's done. 00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:20.940 And it's not so that I can prove it. 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:22.420 It's not so that I can earn it. 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:26.540 It's because of who he is and who he is in me. 00:36:26.540 --> 00:36:29.040 I'm not perfect. 00:36:29.040 --> 00:36:36.340 We serve a perfect God who calls us 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:40.220 into a life of brokenness and repentance 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:45.120 for him to do the work in us that he is going to do. 00:36:45.120 --> 00:36:47.860 Paul says in Romans 12, one, 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:49.300 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, 00:36:49.300 --> 00:36:52.140 by the mercy of God, to present your bodies 00:36:52.140 --> 00:36:56.380 as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, 00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:59.780 which is your spiritual worship. 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:03.860 Sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. 00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:06.340 What do we call the sacrifice? 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:08.220 Our old self, Romans 8, 13 says, 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:12.860 put to death the deeds of the flesh, the body. 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:14.740 What Paul writes to believers. 00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:19.500 Put it to death, put it to death, put it to death. 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:21.260 What do we call the sacrifice? 00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:23.100 We call it to sacrifice our time. 00:37:23.100 --> 00:37:25.180 Give it up, it's not yours. 00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:27.260 We're called to sacrifice our talents, 00:37:27.260 --> 00:37:29.020 what God has given us so that we can use them 00:37:29.020 --> 00:37:31.460 for his kingdom and for his name. 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:33.160 We're called to give up our resources, 00:37:33.160 --> 00:37:35.580 our money, our homes, our belongings, 00:37:35.580 --> 00:37:37.940 all that we have and all that we are. 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:40.020 We're called to give it up, to turn it over, 00:37:40.020 --> 00:37:41.780 to surrender it, and we do this daily. 00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:43.660 And we don't just give it over to a group. 00:37:43.660 --> 00:37:44.860 We give it over to the king of kings 00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:47.660 and the lord of lords to lead us. 00:37:49.020 --> 00:37:52.940 But we're called to be people of sacrifice. 00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:55.420 So what do you sacrifice? 00:37:55.420 --> 00:37:58.020 What do you sacrifice? 00:37:58.020 --> 00:38:00.900 What have you given up? 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:03.460 What is God saying to you? 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:06.580 Hey, this isn't yours anymore. 00:38:06.580 --> 00:38:09.580 Lay it down, lay it down. 00:38:09.580 --> 00:38:12.980 The last one, and we'll close with this. 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:15.820 Not only do we see the sacrifice, 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:18.420 not only do we see the joy, 00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:22.180 but we see an unwavering commitment, 00:38:22.180 --> 00:38:25.900 an unwavering commitment. 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:31.260 When these men sold all they had, 00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:34.820 they didn't diversify. 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:37.240 They went all in. 00:38:37.240 --> 00:38:39.460 They went all in. 00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:44.140 There was no margin for anything else. 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:49.580 My heart for you is this. 00:38:49.580 --> 00:38:55.940 For 20 years, for 20 years, 00:38:55.940 --> 00:39:00.660 I've tried to do the dance 00:39:00.660 --> 00:39:04.780 of one foot in and one foot out Christianity. 00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:10.900 I tried to be committed to the Lord 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:13.420 and committed to myself. 00:39:14.740 --> 00:39:19.740 I tried to keep this balancing act of what's there. 00:39:19.740 --> 00:39:25.860 And what I found time and time again, 00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:30.740 that if this is me and this is God, 00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:33.740 while I was lying to myself, 00:39:33.740 --> 00:39:36.380 I was standing over here, 00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:39.740 firmly rooted in the foundation 00:39:39.740 --> 00:39:41.740 and who I was in my flesh. 00:39:43.140 --> 00:39:46.460 And on that day, on that day, 00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:50.860 the truth of God's word spoke to me clearly. 00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:57.060 And it was, God, what do I need to do? 00:39:57.060 --> 00:40:02.780 Who do I need to be to be committed to you? 00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:08.840 And in that moment, the answer was, 00:40:10.220 --> 00:40:12.700 "Bo, I want it all. 00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:14.020 "I want it all. 00:40:14.020 --> 00:40:16.980 "I want all of you. 00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:19.780 "I want all that you are, 00:40:19.780 --> 00:40:22.420 "all that you think, all that you desire." 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:26.740 And in that day, Jesus saved me. 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:28.700 Not because I was good enough, 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:29.700 not because I'd figured out, 00:40:29.700 --> 00:40:31.100 not because I had all these things, 00:40:31.100 --> 00:40:33.980 not because I was some wonderful addition to the team, 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:37.500 but because of who he is 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:39.700 and the work that he would do 00:40:39.700 --> 00:40:42.660 and the work, praise the Lord, 00:40:42.660 --> 00:40:46.980 that he is still doing to this day. 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:51.460 It's why Paul writes in Philippians 38 through 11, 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:55.980 "Indeed, I count everything as loss." 00:40:55.980 --> 00:41:00.480 Paul says, "I count everything as worthless and pointless 00:41:00.480 --> 00:41:03.060 "because of the surpassing worth 00:41:03.060 --> 00:41:06.660 "of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." 00:41:06.660 --> 00:41:09.540 Paul says, "None of it matters anymore 00:41:09.540 --> 00:41:12.180 "because I have Jesus. 00:41:12.180 --> 00:41:16.300 "For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things 00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:18.180 "and count them as rubbish 00:41:18.180 --> 00:41:21.220 "in order that I might gain Christ." 00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:24.580 What Paul is saying here of what he has lost 00:41:24.580 --> 00:41:27.220 and what he has suffered through is worth it. 00:41:27.220 --> 00:41:31.140 It's worth it because in every moment of gain or loss, 00:41:31.140 --> 00:41:33.340 what he has is Jesus. 00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:36.220 And in that, what he has is Jesus. 00:41:36.220 --> 00:41:39.160 It's an intimate relationship with him 00:41:39.160 --> 00:41:42.260 that is changing him and molding Paul 00:41:42.260 --> 00:41:44.980 more to be like Christ as well. 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:46.220 And he says in verse nine, 00:41:46.220 --> 00:41:47.620 "And be found in him, 00:41:47.620 --> 00:41:50.020 "not having a righteousness of my own 00:41:50.020 --> 00:41:51.380 "that comes from the law, 00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:53.800 "but that which comes through faith in Christ, 00:41:53.800 --> 00:41:56.900 "the righteousness from God that depends on faith." 00:41:56.900 --> 00:41:57.740 And I love this. 00:41:57.740 --> 00:41:59.900 And all this, "That I may know him, 00:41:59.900 --> 00:42:01.940 "that I may know him." 00:42:01.940 --> 00:42:04.180 But what Paul, does Paul know Jesus? 00:42:04.180 --> 00:42:05.940 Yes, but what Paul is saying, 00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:07.780 but I get to know him more. 00:42:07.780 --> 00:42:09.220 I get to know him more. 00:42:09.220 --> 00:42:12.140 Every single day is another love letter. 00:42:12.140 --> 00:42:14.820 Every single day is another moment with him. 00:42:14.820 --> 00:42:17.660 Every single day is another glimpse into his beauty 00:42:17.660 --> 00:42:19.660 and his majesty and who he is. 00:42:19.660 --> 00:42:21.100 Every single day, Paul says, 00:42:21.100 --> 00:42:26.100 "I count it all as rubbish because I get more of Jesus." 00:42:26.100 --> 00:42:30.500 And then in that, in that, 00:42:30.500 --> 00:42:34.620 it's something that I find hard oftentimes to fathom 00:42:34.620 --> 00:42:36.900 and that may share, Paul writes this, 00:42:36.900 --> 00:42:39.260 "And I may share in his suffering." 00:42:39.260 --> 00:42:46.300 Because Paul says, "In this, the sacrifice is worth it." 00:42:46.300 --> 00:42:47.300 It's worth it. 00:42:47.300 --> 00:42:49.740 Would've been worth it in the jail 00:42:49.740 --> 00:42:51.780 when he was chained to the wall, 00:42:51.780 --> 00:42:55.420 surrounded by the sewage that would've filled around him, 00:42:55.420 --> 00:43:00.420 waiting what he had to know to be was impending death, 00:43:00.420 --> 00:43:03.620 but yet he sang psalms 00:43:04.580 --> 00:43:07.580 and he praised and shared the gospel, 00:43:07.580 --> 00:43:13.000 becoming like him in his death. 00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:18.660 Paul says, "Becoming like him in his death, 00:43:18.660 --> 00:43:22.240 "obedience to the Father, 00:43:22.240 --> 00:43:24.820 "that by any means possible, 00:43:24.820 --> 00:43:29.400 "I may attain the resurrection from the dead." 00:43:30.700 --> 00:43:35.700 Paul says, "Look, when you find the treasure," 00:43:35.700 --> 00:43:41.940 Jesus says, "When you find the treasure, 00:43:41.940 --> 00:43:45.820 "it's beyond worth it. 00:43:45.820 --> 00:43:49.500 "It's priceless. 00:43:49.500 --> 00:43:52.680 "It's filled with joy. 00:43:52.680 --> 00:43:55.640 "It calls for your sacrifice. 00:43:55.640 --> 00:43:58.060 "It calls for your commitment, 00:43:58.060 --> 00:44:01.820 "but the fruit of it is beyond 00:44:01.820 --> 00:44:07.620 "a little girl's treasure box." 00:44:07.620 --> 00:44:12.420 That it's beyond a treasure 00:44:12.420 --> 00:44:16.700 that a man finds buried in the dirt. 00:44:16.700 --> 00:44:22.940 That it's beyond the most priceless pearl 00:44:22.940 --> 00:44:24.380 that you could ever imagine. 00:44:24.380 --> 00:44:27.600 Because it's Jesus. 00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:29.480 It's Jesus. 00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:33.680 So I wanna ask you these three questions as we close. 00:44:33.680 --> 00:44:37.880 In fact, I don't do this often. 00:44:37.880 --> 00:44:40.380 I want you to bow your heads and close your eyes. 00:44:40.380 --> 00:44:52.320 In my prayer for you, 00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:54.600 a prayer for me, 00:44:56.000 --> 00:45:00.520 that you would not listen to those around you, 00:45:00.520 --> 00:45:03.320 but that you would listen to the Holy Spirit. 00:45:03.320 --> 00:45:06.120 Who knows you? 00:45:06.120 --> 00:45:09.500 And who will reveal to you? 00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:15.160 Number one, what do you ultimately delight in? 00:45:15.160 --> 00:45:19.320 What brings you great joy? 00:45:19.320 --> 00:45:25.620 Is it your accomplishments? 00:45:26.620 --> 00:45:28.900 Is it your finances? 00:45:28.900 --> 00:45:32.160 Is it your kids? 00:45:32.160 --> 00:45:35.620 Is it your spouse? 00:45:35.620 --> 00:45:39.100 Is it your possessions? 00:45:39.100 --> 00:45:45.620 Ultimately, above all, above everything else, 00:45:45.620 --> 00:45:50.340 right now between you and the Holy Spirit, 00:45:50.340 --> 00:45:52.260 what do you delight in? 00:45:52.260 --> 00:45:53.420 What do you delight in? 00:45:54.580 --> 00:45:59.580 Number two, what do you ultimately sacrifice for? 00:45:59.580 --> 00:46:08.100 What's the one ultimate non-negotiable in your life? 00:46:08.100 --> 00:46:17.280 What would you give up everything for? 00:46:17.280 --> 00:46:24.380 What is that that you prize greater than anything else? 00:46:25.380 --> 00:46:26.620 Than everything else? 00:46:26.620 --> 00:46:33.060 Third question, 00:46:33.060 --> 00:46:37.820 what are you committed to? 00:46:37.820 --> 00:46:42.440 What holds precedence? 00:46:42.440 --> 00:46:45.420 What holds authority? 00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:50.320 What rules in your life? 00:46:50.320 --> 00:46:55.320 With every head bowed, every eye closed, 00:46:55.320 --> 00:47:02.740 I want you to take whatever those are, 00:47:02.740 --> 00:47:05.840 put it at the front of your mind. 00:47:05.840 --> 00:47:11.480 Friends, that's your treasure. 00:47:15.640 --> 00:47:20.640 And anything, and anything other than Jesus, 00:47:20.640 --> 00:47:24.600 anything other than him, 00:47:24.600 --> 00:47:31.160 demands your and my repentance before him. 00:47:31.160 --> 00:47:38.560 And today, would you ask Jesus to give you 00:47:38.560 --> 00:47:43.000 and to restore the joy of your salvation? 00:47:44.380 --> 00:47:49.380 Today, would you ask Jesus to give you 00:47:49.380 --> 00:47:55.040 the spirit of sacrifice, to give it all to him 00:47:55.040 --> 00:48:00.120 for whatever he asks, for the good, the bad, the ugly? 00:48:00.120 --> 00:48:05.120 Today, would you say to him, Lord, you are the king, 00:48:05.120 --> 00:48:10.980 you are my Lord, and my commitment is unwavering 00:48:10.980 --> 00:48:13.060 and it's to you? 00:48:13.060 --> 00:48:18.060 God, I thank you. 00:48:18.060 --> 00:48:25.320 Word for who you are, Lord, and what you've done. 00:48:25.320 --> 00:48:30.940 Lord, as we prepare to go into our time of response, 00:48:30.940 --> 00:48:34.480 God, I pray that your Holy Spirit 00:48:34.480 --> 00:48:36.780 will continue to speak to us. 00:48:36.780 --> 00:48:41.460 Lord, help us find those idols in our life 00:48:41.460 --> 00:48:45.080 that we reach out for, that we long for, that we cling to. 00:48:45.080 --> 00:48:47.580 Lord, have us surrender them to you. 00:48:47.580 --> 00:48:52.140 Lord, may we see the kingdom as what the kingdom is. 00:48:52.140 --> 00:48:56.160 Lord, may we hold the priceless nature of the kingdom, 00:48:56.160 --> 00:48:57.960 Lord, in who you've called us to be. 00:48:57.960 --> 00:49:00.920 Lord, may we be people of joy, people of sacrifice, 00:49:00.920 --> 00:49:02.240 people of commitment. 00:49:02.240 --> 00:49:05.880 Lord, may we, because you, Jesus, are worth it. 00:49:05.880 --> 00:49:10.200 God, I pray if there's anyone here 00:49:11.180 --> 00:49:12.780 and they don't know you, 00:49:12.780 --> 00:49:19.060 Lord, I pray that today would be the day of their salvation. 00:49:19.060 --> 00:49:23.480 I pray that today would be the day that they count the cost. 00:49:23.480 --> 00:49:26.140 Lord, I pray that today would be the day 00:49:26.140 --> 00:49:29.520 that they take up their cross and they follow you. 00:49:29.520 --> 00:49:36.180 Jesus, as you only can work and move, 00:49:36.180 --> 00:49:39.420 would you work and move? 00:49:40.420 --> 00:49:42.620 In the lives of us here today. 00:49:42.620 --> 00:49:51.360 We send Jesus and we pray, amen. 00:49:53.940 --> 00:49:56.560 Thanks again for listening, 00:49:56.560 --> 00:49:59.680 and be sure to check back next week for another episode. 00:49:59.680 --> 00:50:03.440 In the meantime, you can visit us at willowridgechurch.org 00:50:03.440 --> 00:50:05.360 or by searching for Willow Ridge Church 00:50:05.360 --> 00:50:07.560 on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.