WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:45.680 --> 00:00:46.500 Good morning. 00:00:47.680 --> 00:00:48.980 Glad that y'all are with us. 00:00:49.040 --> 00:00:52.600 If you've got your Bibles, going up to Luke chapter 5. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:58.880 As you turn there, I know we're multitasking, but for those of us who are here on campus, 00:00:59.220 --> 00:01:03.880 you'll see there's some cards set out on the seats around you, and that is the Stottman 00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:04.320 family. 00:01:04.440 --> 00:01:06.740 I want to kind of introduce you a little bit more to them. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:13.160 We are going to be working or partnering with them as they seek to plant Hope Valley Utah 00:01:13.160 --> 00:01:20.560 Church in the area of West Jordan, Utah, which is right outside of Salt Lake. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:23.520 And so I want to encourage you, grab one of these cards. 00:01:23.660 --> 00:01:25.800 I would love to see all of the cards gone. 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:30.900 I see we got some families or individuals sitting together in rows, which is fine. 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:33.660 So if you don't have one, there's only one per section. 00:01:33.880 --> 00:01:37.260 There's others around you, or you can grab more as you leave. 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:38.380 I want to encourage you. 00:01:38.440 --> 00:01:40.500 We're going to be partnering with them as a church. 00:01:40.600 --> 00:01:43.240 Here's what this kind of looks like briefly before we jump into our message. 00:01:43.520 --> 00:01:47.120 We're going to be having these available so that we as a church can pray for them. 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:51.280 As we're made aware of prayer requests, we're going to be sending those out so we can pray 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:52.380 together as a church. 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:54.960 We're going to be partnering with them financially. 00:01:55.240 --> 00:02:00.780 We're going to start giving to them as a church monthly as they seek to plant their church this 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:01.500 coming September. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:03.460 So financially, we're going to come alongside. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:07.200 And then we're also, I talked to Dustin this past week. 00:02:07.300 --> 00:02:12.920 We're going to be sending a missions team out there to serve this summer of mainly high 00:02:12.920 --> 00:02:17.620 schoolers and adults that are going to go and help them with park ministry sometime in 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:21.880 July so that they can really get the word out about their church because they will be 00:02:21.880 --> 00:02:24.960 planning around the 1st of September. 00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:27.880 So we're going to be able to come alongside them and do that. 00:02:27.980 --> 00:02:30.800 So as a church collectively, that's how we're going to do that. 00:02:30.880 --> 00:02:33.920 I want to encourage you as a great reminder of what these cards are for. 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:35.100 I want to challenge you. 00:02:35.200 --> 00:02:40.080 You know, the first message back this year, we talked about how we as individuals can take 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.160 a next step in missions and do that. 00:02:43.380 --> 00:02:44.360 So you could have this card. 00:02:44.440 --> 00:02:47.940 You put it on your refrigerator, put it in your Bible, put it in your devotional, be reminded 00:02:47.940 --> 00:02:51.300 it daily to pray for this church and the work that God's going to do. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:52.500 Maybe that's what you decide. 00:02:52.600 --> 00:02:57.560 Maybe you decide above what you give here as we financially give to them collectively as 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:57.980 a church. 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:02.420 Maybe you'd like to be one of their monthly partners as well or a one-time gift to them. 00:03:02.420 --> 00:03:06.440 You can find that through their website, hopevalleyutah.com. 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:11.140 Or maybe you are going to be called to go and to serve and to be a part of that. 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:15.820 Right now, we definitely know of one trip that is going to be planned, but we're looking 00:03:15.820 --> 00:03:20.800 at definitely over the next two years in a commitment with them to help come alongside 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:25.800 them and provide some of the work that needs to be done to help them plant. 00:03:25.960 --> 00:03:28.040 And so I want to encourage you, please take these. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:30.720 I don't want to see them here when you guys leave, all right? 00:03:30.940 --> 00:03:33.040 Make sure you grab those and take those. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:37.900 Also, before we jump into the message, I do want to tell you on behalf of our family, 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:45.140 it's been a chaotic couple of weeks for us with Grayson's surgery, but then also with 00:03:45.140 --> 00:03:46.240 the passing of my grandmother. 00:03:46.580 --> 00:03:49.960 And we've gotten a lot of texts and emails and phone calls. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:54.700 We had her service yesterday, and it was a wonderful, wonderful time. 00:03:54.700 --> 00:03:59.660 But we appreciate all that you guys have done for us during this time. 00:04:00.540 --> 00:04:04.500 You know, it's one of those things where, as I officiated the service yesterday, you're 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:09.420 kind of working through your selfish grieving that I know that I'm going through, but at 00:04:09.420 --> 00:04:14.460 the same time celebrating because she's with her Savior and her faith has been made her 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:14.820 sight. 00:04:14.820 --> 00:04:20.680 And so we're excited that my grandmother is with the Lord for all of eternity. 00:04:21.280 --> 00:04:26.500 And as I shared in a post, around my high school, senior year of high school, I stopped, I grew 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:27.280 up calling her Mamaw. 00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:29.180 I don't know where that came from, but that's what I called her. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:33.460 And around my senior year of high school, being the only grandson, I got away with a lot more 00:04:33.460 --> 00:04:34.320 probably than I should have. 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:36.640 But I started calling her Margaret, which is her first name. 00:04:37.400 --> 00:04:40.300 And so every time I left, I would say, see you later, Margaret. 00:04:40.460 --> 00:04:41.820 And she'd say, see you later, Bo. 00:04:42.200 --> 00:04:48.620 And so it is a good reminder for me that as she's passed from here, that it is not a goodbye, 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:49.760 but it's a see you later. 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:50.980 And so I look forward to that. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:52.780 So thank you guys for your prayers. 00:04:53.280 --> 00:05:01.660 As we're continuing on in Luke chapter 5, we're looking and seeing this morning some miracles 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:03.520 that Jesus is going to perform. 00:05:03.520 --> 00:05:09.320 Now, it's interesting when you look at the span in history in which God gave for us or appointed 00:05:09.320 --> 00:05:14.060 for us to live, you know, miracles are kind of foreign for us. 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:15.260 And here's what I mean. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:19.560 It's not that miracles don't take place in the way that we see miracles happening. 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:23.780 I believe that God is working and doing a lot of things through healing of people overcoming 00:05:23.780 --> 00:05:24.320 addiction. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.300 We see this in diseases. 00:05:26.760 --> 00:05:29.980 We hear things through visions and dreams of what God does. 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:35.020 So I don't want to say that God's not working in miracles at all, but like, I don't know 00:05:35.020 --> 00:05:38.360 about you, but I've never seen a sea part, right? 00:05:39.200 --> 00:05:42.480 I've never experienced manna fall from heaven. 00:05:43.400 --> 00:05:47.680 I've never seen with some mud and spit, right? 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:48.600 It's what Jesus did. 00:05:48.880 --> 00:05:50.900 A blind man be given sight. 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:57.600 I've never seen what happens even in the book of Acts is the apostles are given the power 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:01.660 through the Holy Spirit to perform wonders and signs so that people could come to know Jesus, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:02.140 right? 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:06.360 Like we live in a, in a different age and a different time than what's there. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:14.980 And so it's quick for us to say, well, God doesn't do miracles anymore or that God doesn't 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:17.060 do miracles like that anymore. 00:06:17.840 --> 00:06:22.440 And so as we read through Luke chapter five, there's, there's going to be three miracles 00:06:22.440 --> 00:06:24.660 that we're going to look at that we're going to see. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:30.360 And in studying it this, this week, what I would argue is that on the surface, you are 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:31.900 all correct and I am correct. 00:06:32.200 --> 00:06:34.720 God does not do miracles like that anymore. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:38.200 But as we dive in and truly understand, right? 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:41.780 Like what is the miracle that Jesus is performing, right? 00:06:41.780 --> 00:06:44.260 What we see is no, he actually, he does. 00:06:45.200 --> 00:06:49.340 He's still doing these exact same miracles. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:52.680 And if you're a follower of Christ, here's what's remarkable. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:57.100 He's done them in your life and he's done them in my life. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:07:02.100 And if you're not, like I want to, we're going to point to and kind of look at some, some aspects 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:05.840 of hope that you can gain if your life is found in him. 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:07.680 If Jesus is your Lord and savior. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:14.120 So in, in, in Luke five, it opens up and, and Jesus is, is preaching by a lake. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:16.700 All right, now people are getting closer to him. 00:07:17.020 --> 00:07:21.640 And so if you've ever been in a crowd and there's someone on the other side of the crowd 00:07:21.640 --> 00:07:25.700 and you want to communicate to them, even if they're quiet, you know that it's difficult, 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:25.980 right? 00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:28.420 Because bodies stop noise, right? 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:30.060 Mass stops it. 00:07:30.280 --> 00:07:33.020 And so this crowd has been hearing about Jesus. 00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:37.760 They're not necessarily followers of Jesus yet for some of them, but they're, they're approaching 00:07:37.760 --> 00:07:41.140 and they're, they're getting closer and Jesus is out by a lake. 00:07:41.140 --> 00:07:45.560 And so there's some fishermen who were there, uh, one of them is, is named Simon. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:47.620 He's also referred to as Simon Peter. 00:07:47.760 --> 00:07:50.720 Then you will come to know him later in scripture as, as Peter. 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:56.340 So a little, real quickly for me, if I say Simon, if I say Simon Peter, or if I say Peter, 00:07:56.340 --> 00:07:58.680 I'm talking about the same person in this story. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:07:59.000 All right. 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:01.020 So, so I'm, I struggle with names sometimes. 00:08:01.020 --> 00:08:02.900 So, so just stick with me on that. 00:08:02.900 --> 00:08:07.540 But, but he says to Simon Peter who, who'd been out fishing all night and was, was cleaning 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:08.120 his nets. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:10.640 He's like, Hey, can I get out into your boat? 00:08:10.840 --> 00:08:14.380 So that everyone can hear me, which, which just a little sidebars, a really cool thing. 00:08:14.380 --> 00:08:18.860 Like what Jesus does here before the world fully knew about what we know with acoustics 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:23.420 is Jesus says, Hey, let me use the calmness of the lake water to reflect my voice. 00:08:23.460 --> 00:08:25.000 Now, how did Jesus know that? 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:25.220 Right. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:26.460 Because he created it. 00:08:26.460 --> 00:08:26.700 Right. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:29.680 So that's a little, just a little cool part of what we see here. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:32.760 And so he, he, Simon Peter does this for him. 00:08:32.760 --> 00:08:36.060 And so Jesus teaches the crowds is what scripture tells us. 00:08:36.060 --> 00:08:39.960 And we don't know for how long we don't know if Jesus got long winded and this is for 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:40.820 hours, right? 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:44.980 Like, like you feel like I can do sometimes or if it's really brief, but there's a time 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:47.620 period and Jesus is there and he is teaching. 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:50.940 And so let's look at starting at verse four and read from scripture. 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:56.840 It says, when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, remember he's already in his 00:08:56.840 --> 00:09:03.460 boat, put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. 00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:12.240 And Simon answered, master, we toiled all night and took nothing, but at your word, I will let 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:13.180 down the nets. 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:19.500 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish and their nets were breaking. 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:24.000 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to, to come and help them. 00:09:24.380 --> 00:09:28.900 And they came and filled both boats so that they began to sink. 00:09:28.900 --> 00:09:36.620 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus's knees saying, depart from me for I'm 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:38.020 a sinful man, O Lord. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:45.220 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken. 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:52.140 And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:58.140 And Jesus said to Simon, do not be afraid from now on, you will be catching men. 00:09:58.660 --> 00:10:03.780 And when they had brought their boats to the land, they left everything and followed him. 00:10:04.400 --> 00:10:05.580 So this is the first miracle. 00:10:06.260 --> 00:10:09.920 So as you look at scriptures, we've read through, like, like what's the miracle? 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:13.840 Well, on paper, like what we see when we first read that story, right? 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:17.620 It's the miracle of catching fish, right? 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:21.620 These guys aren't like part-time hobby fishermen. 00:10:22.260 --> 00:10:27.320 They're not out there in their bass boat trying to see who can catch the biggest fish and so 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:29.120 that they can have their picture taken with it, right? 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:30.720 This is their job. 00:10:31.260 --> 00:10:32.960 This is what they do for a living. 00:10:33.520 --> 00:10:39.160 And so when we see them at the very beginning of the story that Jesus is there and he's teaching, 00:10:39.400 --> 00:10:39.580 right? 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:44.920 And the crowds are there, so he hops in the boat and they're nice and gracious to him. 00:10:45.160 --> 00:10:47.960 And so they push out so that Jesus can teach. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:51.220 But then Jesus says to them, no, let's go even farther out. 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:53.080 And they end up catching fish. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.580 That's not the miracle. 00:10:55.460 --> 00:11:00.200 The miracle that we see is the miracle of discipleship. 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:02.380 It's the miracle of discipleship. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:03.480 Now, here's something interesting. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:08.960 Simon Peter and Jesus, they knew each other before this encounter, okay? 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:12.900 They weren't strangers that happened to bump into each other on the lake. 00:11:13.400 --> 00:11:19.300 Scripture tells us that Jesus had been in his house and that Jesus had healed his mother-in-law. 00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:26.180 And even in this encounter, Peter refers to him as master, which is not something you would 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:28.060 have done to someone who you didn't know. 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:31.280 So there's a relationship that is already there. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:35.740 So Jesus knows Simon Peter and Simon Peter knows Jesus. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.780 And so, yeah, it's common. 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:39.840 Like, all right, my friend needs this help. 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:41.160 Let me help him. 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:45.460 But then there's a time where Jesus says, no, no, now I'm going to help you. 00:11:46.400 --> 00:11:51.460 And so he says, let's push out into the deep water so that we can catch a fish. 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:56.300 Now, here's a carpenter telling a fisherman how to fish. 00:11:58.280 --> 00:11:59.320 He's frustrated. 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:03.140 He's been out there all night and he hasn't caught anything. 00:12:04.280 --> 00:12:08.480 Which means that his family isn't going to be provided for. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:11.200 There's nothing to take to the market. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:17.060 His empty nets are a symbol of hopelessness. 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.600 He's frustrated. 00:12:20.380 --> 00:12:21.480 He's concerned. 00:12:22.640 --> 00:12:28.640 During this time of year, the prime time to catch fish with nets is in the night. 00:12:29.280 --> 00:12:30.460 So he's tired. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:34.660 And he's come in after a long, hard night. 00:12:35.520 --> 00:12:40.780 And he started mending his nets and patching and repairing and cleaning so that they won't 00:12:40.780 --> 00:12:45.680 become dry rotted and break if he ever is able to go back out and catch more fish. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:48.160 But here's what I think is remarkable. 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:56.640 In spite of Peter being frustrated, in spite of Peter being tired, what else is Peter? 00:12:57.420 --> 00:12:58.160 He's obedient. 00:12:59.220 --> 00:12:59.980 He's obedient. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.580 All right, Jesus. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.060 All right, master. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.800 You say this. 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.500 So I'm going to obey. 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:08.000 And he goes back out in the deep water. 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:10.200 And you know this because we just read it in the scripture. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:12.240 They catch fish. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:19.500 Now, they catch so many fish that as they're pulling them in, their nets begin to break. 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:22.700 And so as they're noticing this, now remember there was two boats. 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:24.900 And so there's another boat on the shore. 00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:28.760 So Simon Peter calls out, hey, bring your boat out here. 00:13:28.880 --> 00:13:30.240 And they bring that boat. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:37.040 And they fill them with so many fish that both boats begin to sink. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:40.120 Now, I'm looking out and we've got some fishermen in here. 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:42.400 We've got some people who have fished before. 00:13:42.640 --> 00:13:48.100 I would be willing to bet if you're out on Lake Murray and your boat starts to sink, it's 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.800 not because there's so many fish in it, right? 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:53.620 It's because a good day just got bad real quick, all right? 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:56.760 But that's not what happened here, right? 00:13:56.900 --> 00:14:03.580 So many fish flowing out the sides and the boat begins to sink. 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.560 Now, let's say you're Peter. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:08.080 What's your response here? 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.920 I mean, like, this is a once in a lifetime. 00:14:11.380 --> 00:14:13.180 This has never happened before, right? 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:16.380 He's probably thinking, man, I can pay for the new addition on our house. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:17.460 This is our college fund. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:23.480 Like, all of this, as it's pouring in right here, there has to be an amazement of the wealth 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.560 that is happening. 00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:31.300 But his response isn't high-fiving because a payday's taking place. 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:40.540 His response, look at verse 8, but when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus's knees 00:14:40.540 --> 00:14:45.380 saying, depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 00:14:46.520 --> 00:14:48.760 The miracle hasn't even happened yet. 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.840 The miracle's never been the fish. 00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:54.040 It's never been about the fish. 00:14:54.680 --> 00:15:00.060 It's been about the heart of Simon Peter and the miracle of what God is going to do. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.820 Here's the miracle. 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:08.540 Here's the miracle that in that moment, in that time as Simon Peter is seeing something 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:10.780 that he has never seen before. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:14.060 He sees the holiness of God. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:21.480 And his response to that is to acknowledge his own sinfulness. 00:15:22.640 --> 00:15:28.820 I just want to tell you, like, what we see in Scripture, what we see, Old Testament, it happened 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:31.280 in Isaiah, New Testament, it happens here. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:39.100 That when men and women come before God and his holiness is made real to them, their response 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:41.540 is not, look how good I am. 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:50.060 Their response is, look how wicked I am in response to your holiness. 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.780 It's what we see in Isaiah 6. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.680 It's what we see at the first of Revelation with John. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.860 And it's what we see here with Simon Peter. 00:15:59.060 --> 00:16:04.440 And so here's where the miracle takes place. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:09.000 Jesus' response, he says, I'm a sinful man. 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.700 Depart from me. 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:13.100 And does Jesus depart from Peter? 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:13.920 No. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:17.260 Does Jesus ridicule him for his sin? 00:16:18.020 --> 00:16:21.900 Does he say, you're right, you've done this, and you've done this, and you've done this. 00:16:22.020 --> 00:16:22.720 You're evil. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.400 No. 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:32.220 Does Jesus give him a list of things to undo the wrongs that he's done, to repay, and to 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.360 make up for his sins? 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:37.520 Does he say, you know, you're right, go get a sacrifice and take it to the temple? 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.380 No. 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:45.160 Jesus looks at him, and the miracle happens. 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:53.380 He says, do not be afraid, for now on you will be catching men. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.660 The heart of the disciple. 00:16:56.580 --> 00:17:01.920 The heart of the miracle of the discipleship of what God is doing, of men and women who understand 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:08.520 who they are in light of who God is, and in spite of all that is taking place, and all that 00:17:08.520 --> 00:17:13.680 is swarming around, that our life wants to be consumed with who he is, with knowing him 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:17.400 more, and obeying him with all that we have. 00:17:17.520 --> 00:17:19.620 This is what we see happen in the life of Peter. 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.460 It's not about the fish. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.420 It's never been about the fish. 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:30.280 The miracle that takes place is the miracle that God does in the heart of Peter, and it's 00:17:30.280 --> 00:17:32.980 the miracle of what God does still today. 00:17:33.780 --> 00:17:40.720 When God, in spite of all that we have done, in spite of all that we are, is that God chooses 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:48.380 to use us, and to grow us, and to say, I get it, that when you're in light of my holiness, 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:54.180 all the darkness of your heart is revealed to you, but the grace and the goodness of God 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:59.240 says, come with me, and I'm going to do work through you. 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:05.660 It's so remarkable to us, but it's the miracle of discipleship. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.740 You see, he's still working. 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.820 He's still moving. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.640 Let's look at the second miracle. 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:14.420 Look down at verse 12. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:21.760 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy, and when he saw Jesus, 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:26.840 he fell on his face and begged him, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:34.460 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, I will be clean. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:42.480 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he charged him to tell no one but go and show 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:47.940 yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.100 a proof to them. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:56.700 But now, even more, the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:59.180 and to be healed of their infirmities. 00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:01.480 So what is the miracle here? 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:08.600 Well, you say, well, Beau, it's pretty evident there's a guy who had leprosy, and God healed 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:08.800 him. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.440 That's got to be the miracle, right? 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.380 No, that's not the miracle. 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.100 That's a part. 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:16.200 That's what God uses. 00:19:16.300 --> 00:19:17.160 That's what God does. 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:21.760 But the miracle of what we see is the miracle of relationship. 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:23.900 It's the miracle of a relationship. 00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:31.440 So to have leprosy during the time of Christ was both a death sentence and a sentence of 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.100 isolation. 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:34.360 It was going to kill you. 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:37.020 You weren't going to outlive it. 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.040 You weren't going to get better. 00:19:40.040 --> 00:19:42.420 Doctors weren't going to figure it out for you. 00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:44.100 It was going to kill you. 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:46.040 It was only a matter of time. 00:19:46.040 --> 00:19:47.500 But here's the other part. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:51.860 Until it killed you, you've got to go and live out in the wilderness. 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:59.100 You have to be away from people because lepers lived outside the city in isolation because 00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:00.860 they were considered unclean. 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:06.320 They were physically unclean, but also very important, they were spiritually unclean, which 00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:10.140 means that they couldn't enter into the temple, and they couldn't worship, and they couldn't 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:17.500 provide a sacrifice so in every single area of their life, they were considered physically 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:19.480 dirty, spiritually dirty. 00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:24.600 If you were a leper and you were living outside, and let's say you were traveling and you were 00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:28.680 hoping to be able to beg on the side of the road so that people could give you, literally 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:32.100 it says that lepers beg for the crumbs, right? 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.580 So it's like, are you done with that sandwich? 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:36.340 Like, can I have the crust, right? 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:39.020 This is the depth of begging of what they're doing. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:45.960 That as people would approach them, they would have to yell as they approached, I'm a leper, 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.960 I'm unclean. 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:50.020 I'm a leper, I'm unclean. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:56.840 So that in their identity of who they were considered, they were marked by leprosy. 00:20:57.600 --> 00:21:02.660 Let's say you're traveling on the road and you hear that, and out of kindness and compassion, 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:08.500 you choose, in spite of what it'll cost you, to bring them into your home where they can 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:11.960 have a meal and a place to stay before you send them on their way. 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:12.980 And so they do that. 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.500 Guess what? 00:21:14.020 --> 00:21:15.180 Now you're unclean. 00:21:16.520 --> 00:21:21.700 And let's say the next day after they've left, someone comes by your house who didn't know 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:25.840 what you did, and they come into your house, guess what? 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:27.800 They too are unclean. 00:21:28.520 --> 00:21:35.760 And you see what begins to pass down from person to person, is they're all considered 00:21:35.760 --> 00:21:37.820 as leprosy begins to affect all. 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:45.040 Luke 5 tells us that this man was full of leprosy, so probably it was very advanced in 00:21:45.040 --> 00:21:47.780 the last stages, and he was nearing death. 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.480 And so he's desperate. 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.500 He wants to be healed. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.960 He doesn't want to experience this. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:56.780 He hasn't given up the pursuit of life. 00:21:57.520 --> 00:21:59.680 And so he comes to Jesus with a plea. 00:22:00.280 --> 00:22:02.220 And I want us to look at his plea. 00:22:02.540 --> 00:22:08.500 He says to Jesus, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.520 Now this is really interesting. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:17.140 He isn't uncertain if Jesus can heal him. 00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:21.140 He says, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.540 He doesn't say, Jesus, can you? 00:22:23.780 --> 00:22:25.100 Jesus, do you have the ability? 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.980 Jesus, are you powerful enough? 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:29.420 He comes with a statement of fact. 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:32.800 He is certain that Jesus can heal him. 00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:38.540 What he is uncertain about is that if he will heal him, he feels unworthy. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:43.160 His whole life, he's been pushed to the side. 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:45.680 His whole life, he's been rejected. 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:50.600 And so why would Jesus be any different than anyone else? 00:22:50.760 --> 00:22:53.620 But he's heard of what this man can do. 00:22:54.780 --> 00:22:56.380 And so he has a little bit of hope. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:23:03.180 And so he's uncertain if Jesus will, even if Jesus can. 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:06.420 And so in verse 13, Jesus heals him. 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.040 Jesus heals him. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:11.420 Now, in Scripture, Jesus heals many different ways. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:15.980 Sometimes he actually takes physical things and uses them to heal people. 00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:20.180 Sometimes he tells them to go wash off, and they're healed within that. 00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:24.140 Other times, Jesus touches people, and they're healed. 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:29.680 But sometimes, Jesus just speaks the words, doesn't touch them, 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:32.780 and sometimes isn't even in the presence of the individual. 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:38.680 And through the power of his word, people are healed, even brought back to life, right? 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:41.680 That's the power of the authority of the words of Christ, 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:43.900 that he doesn't even have to be there with you. 00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:46.580 He can speak it, and dead people, right? 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:48.460 Their hearts don't beat anymore. 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:52.040 They've been dead for days, and they come back to life. 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:55.100 But he does something different. 00:23:56.100 --> 00:24:00.240 He reaches out, and he touches him. 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:07.480 Yesterday, at my grandmother's service, it was really cold. 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.500 Y'all know that, right? 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.660 It was cold yesterday. 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.100 If you went outside, you felt that. 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:15.980 Where we were in North Augusta, there weren't any trees. 00:24:16.760 --> 00:24:21.640 And we were under a shaded tent, which was really not good for a cold day in January. 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:24.080 And the wind was whipping through. 00:24:25.300 --> 00:24:29.300 And so, because it was cold, because of COVID, right? 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:34.200 Like, everyone almost had a hat on, and they had their masks on. 00:24:34.800 --> 00:24:37.440 So, as I'm doing the service, it was complicated, 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:40.100 because I could only, like, really see, like, people's eyes. 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.400 So, it's hard to tell. 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:43.620 Like, for the most part, I can tell if you're tracking with me, 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.580 because I can see you. 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.940 I can see the expressions on your face. 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:48.740 I say something that I maybe think is funny, and you respond, right? 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:51.040 So, we can have some social interaction. 00:24:51.260 --> 00:24:56.420 So, yesterday was kind of hard, because you can't get that from people as you're doing this. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:25:02.080 But then, after it was over with, it was the time for people who were there to come and speak to the family. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:05.220 And, right, like, I call it, like, the COVID dance that we do now, right? 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:08.360 People you haven't seen in a while, they're like, 00:25:08.780 --> 00:25:12.780 can I hug, like, what are we doing here, right? 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.620 And you kind of got to figure that out. 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:20.020 And scientists have said that one of the most difficult things, actually, during COVID, 00:25:20.780 --> 00:25:23.920 is that people don't touch other people anymore, 00:25:24.760 --> 00:25:28.760 and that physically, to be healthy, we need to touch each other. 00:25:29.300 --> 00:25:31.560 Like, there's something that happens within you, 00:25:31.560 --> 00:25:35.320 where if you haven't been touched, that a hug, right, 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:39.280 can mentally make someone feel better, 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:42.020 which can relate to your physical health. 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:44.560 And that's one of the hard parts during this, 00:25:44.600 --> 00:25:48.300 is we're socially distanced, that we can't have those moments, right? 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:51.680 Now, I'm not saying leave from here and go and hug everybody, right? 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:53.940 But it's been tough during this season. 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.560 Imagine your whole life, 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:59.500 you've never been touched. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:04.720 Imagine every memory that you've ever had 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:08.080 involves people keeping you at a distance. 00:26:10.020 --> 00:26:12.620 Imagine in every single thing that happens, 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:18.100 you've forgotten what anyone else's skin feels like. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:21.620 In fact, you've probably even forgotten what yours feels like 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:23.100 as you're covered with bandages. 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:28.720 And so Jesus doesn't speak his healing into existence. 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:38.460 Jesus reaches down in the most kind and compassionate thing 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:40.380 that he could do in this moment. 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.860 And he touched him. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:44.340 And then he says to him, 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:47.640 go to the priest, right? 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.940 In Leviticus, it tells what needs to be done 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:51.640 to make someone clean. 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:54.180 He says, go and follow the law. 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.320 Go to the priest 00:26:55.320 --> 00:26:57.840 and declare yourself clean. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:59.200 And then he's gonna have to go through a process. 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.960 Here's what Jesus is doing. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.480 I've cleaned you, 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.420 but when you go 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:07.280 and you profess 00:27:07.280 --> 00:27:09.460 that you've been made clean, 00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:12.180 you'll be welcomed back in the community. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:15.140 You'll be welcomed back in worship with God. 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:18.000 You'll be restored 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:20.420 of what is happening 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:22.760 and what is taking place. 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:24.000 Here's what Jesus has done. 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.900 In his earthly life, 00:27:26.040 --> 00:27:27.800 Jesus has restored this man 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:29.480 in relationship with people. 00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:31.740 But in the very moment, 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:33.920 the miracle that he performs 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:35.440 is he restores him 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.840 in relationship with God. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.780 You see, because before Jesus cleaned 00:27:39.780 --> 00:27:41.440 any one of us 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:44.140 through the blood that was spilled 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.560 on Calvary, 00:27:46.060 --> 00:27:47.300 we were unclean. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.060 We were dirty. 00:27:49.800 --> 00:27:53.020 We suffered from spiritual leprosy. 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:56.280 But because of the miracle 00:27:56.280 --> 00:27:58.000 of relationship 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.840 through the blood 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:01.160 that makes us clean, 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.060 you and I 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:04.940 are now brought into 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.640 relationship with God. 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:09.680 So the miracle of discipleship, 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:12.480 the miracle of relationship. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.780 And let's look at the third miracle. 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.940 Jump down to verse 18. 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:19.020 And behold, 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.240 some men were bringing 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.920 on a bed 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.940 a man who was paralyzed. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.900 And they were seeking 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.820 to bring him in 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:27.140 and lay him before Jesus. 00:28:28.060 --> 00:28:29.040 But finding no way 00:28:29.040 --> 00:28:29.980 to bring him in 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.000 because of the crowd, 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.320 they went up on the roof 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:33.460 and let him down 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.380 with his bed 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.220 through the tiles 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.020 into the midst 00:28:36.020 --> 00:28:36.920 before Jesus. 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:39.060 And when he saw their faith, 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.680 he said, 00:28:40.260 --> 00:28:41.300 man, your sins 00:28:41.300 --> 00:28:42.820 are forgiven you. 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.380 And the scribes 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.540 and the Pharisees 00:28:45.540 --> 00:28:46.540 began to question, 00:28:46.760 --> 00:28:47.060 saying, 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.160 who is this 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.500 who speaks blasphemies? 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:51.160 Who can forgive sins 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:51.980 but God alone? 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:54.000 And when Jesus perceived 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.960 their thoughts, 00:28:55.020 --> 00:28:55.920 he answered them. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.160 Why do you question 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.960 in your hearts 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.040 which is easier 00:28:59.040 --> 00:29:00.620 to say your sins 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.200 are forgiven 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.960 or to say rise and walk? 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.860 But that you know 00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:05.740 that the Son of God 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.480 has authority 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.280 on earth 00:29:07.280 --> 00:29:08.300 to forgive sins. 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.960 But he said 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.820 to the man 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.720 who was paralyzed, 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.100 I say to you, 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.900 rise, 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:15.080 pick up your bed 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:16.040 and go home. 00:29:16.800 --> 00:29:17.540 And immediately 00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:18.840 he rose up 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.680 before them 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.600 and picked up 00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.820 what he'd been lying on 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:23.020 and went home 00:29:23.020 --> 00:29:24.340 glorifying God. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.460 And amazement 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.480 sees them all 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.980 and they glorified God 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.780 and were filled 00:29:28.780 --> 00:29:29.340 with awe 00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:29.880 saying, 00:29:30.280 --> 00:29:31.080 we have seen 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:31.960 extraordinary 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.460 things today. 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.520 So here, 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.660 what is the miracle? 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.620 It's a story 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.080 many of us 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.580 have heard 00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:38.580 many times. 00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:39.540 Obviously, 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.800 it's the healing 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.840 of the man 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.860 who was paralyzed, 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.400 right? 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.440 It's the man 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.720 who could not walk 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.400 and we don't know 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.380 from birth 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.640 or where it brought him 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.480 to this position 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.920 but this is what we find 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.120 and Jesus says, 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:52.820 get up, 00:29:53.040 --> 00:29:54.260 take your mat with you 00:29:54.260 --> 00:29:55.320 and go home, 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:55.560 right? 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.220 But this is an easy one. 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.080 But it's not about walking. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.280 It's not the miracle 00:30:01.280 --> 00:30:02.380 that we see. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.140 It's not the miracle 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.920 that some 2,000 years later 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:07.180 God continues to work 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.660 and do in the hearts 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.960 of people. 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.880 It's the miracle 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.860 of forgiveness. 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.160 It's the miracle 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.660 of forgiveness. 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.460 Four men 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.200 bring their buddy 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.860 to Jesus 00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:21.120 and they get to a house 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:23.220 and this house 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.840 wasn't big. 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.120 Most houses 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:26.780 during this time, 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.160 we don't know 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:28.380 exactly how big 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:29.440 this house was 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:31.180 but most of these houses 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.700 would have been 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.860 like a 12 by 12, 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:34.840 right? 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.020 It's a little small, 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.000 a little confined 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.660 and Jesus is in there 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.660 and again, 00:30:39.760 --> 00:30:40.340 the crowds 00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:41.600 are pressing in 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.680 and so they go up 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.280 on the roof 00:30:43.280 --> 00:30:44.720 and they literally 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:47.060 destroy the roof 00:30:47.060 --> 00:30:49.260 and as they do so, 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:50.000 can you imagine 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.880 what is happening 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.800 and taking place? 00:30:52.060 --> 00:30:53.440 They begin to lower him down. 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.220 Now, here's what 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.780 I want you to do. 00:30:55.020 --> 00:30:55.960 Let's pause for a minute 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.980 and if you're here, 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.320 right, 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:57.840 you can't participate 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.540 with this at home 00:30:58.540 --> 00:30:59.460 but if you're here, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.800 I want everybody 00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:00.440 to look up right here 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:00.800 above me. 00:31:02.260 --> 00:31:02.440 All right, 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.200 nothing's going to happen, 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:03.600 okay? 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.480 But like, 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.580 what if the roof 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.160 opened up, 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.440 right? 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.820 And we see four guys 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:10.340 lowering their buddy down. 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:11.600 Like, 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.220 that would have been like, 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.760 whoa. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.600 That would have thrown off 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.440 for a moment. 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.520 We have to figure out 00:31:16.520 --> 00:31:18.080 what exactly is taking place. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.780 The exact same thing 00:31:19.780 --> 00:31:20.580 with Jesus. 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:23.020 But look at Jesus' response. 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:25.220 And when he saw their faith, 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.900 he said, 00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:28.280 man, 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.440 your sins are forgiven. 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:30.720 Now, 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:32.060 obviously, 00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:33.160 Jesus would have known 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:34.320 what's going on. 00:31:35.280 --> 00:31:35.960 But he saw 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.160 the faith 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.260 of the men 00:31:38.260 --> 00:31:40.560 and his response 00:31:40.560 --> 00:31:42.180 to their faith 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.200 is to perform 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.980 the miracle 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.260 that was needed 00:31:45.260 --> 00:31:46.900 is to forgive. 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:47.500 So, 00:31:47.760 --> 00:31:48.320 what in the world 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:49.020 is Jesus doing 00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:49.660 in this moment? 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.440 Well, 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:50.980 the scribes 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.660 and the Pharisees 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:51.940 are going to play 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.680 an important part. 00:31:52.780 --> 00:31:53.800 Look at what they say. 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.440 They began to question. 00:31:56.280 --> 00:31:57.900 As Jesus forgives sin, 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.840 as Jesus forgives them, 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.080 they asked two questions. 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.140 It says they asked it 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.740 to themselves 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.980 and Jesus perceiving 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.540 their thoughts 00:32:05.540 --> 00:32:06.420 knew what they were saying. 00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:07.660 And they said, 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.960 who is this 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.780 who speaks blasphemies? 00:32:11.540 --> 00:32:13.240 Who can forgive sin 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.720 but God alone? 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.240 Here's the thing. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.760 They're right. 00:32:18.760 --> 00:32:19.800 They're not incorrect. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.360 They're right. 00:32:22.020 --> 00:32:23.820 There's only one 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.880 who can forgive sins. 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:26.640 I can't forgive sin. 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.340 You can't forgive sin. 00:32:28.760 --> 00:32:29.900 We can try our best 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.980 to forgive offense 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.140 and move past 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.880 when we've done 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:33.640 something to other. 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.260 But eternally speaking, 00:32:35.520 --> 00:32:36.640 there's only one 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:38.180 who can forgive sins 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.440 and it's God 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.740 and God alone. 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.120 So, 00:32:41.280 --> 00:32:42.240 here's what this kind of 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.120 brings us to. 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.820 If they are correct, 00:32:45.320 --> 00:32:45.460 right, 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.580 this is going to bring us 00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.480 to a decision 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.900 that we have to make 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:49.720 about Jesus. 00:32:51.280 --> 00:32:52.660 Historically speaking, 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.520 you cannot, 00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:56.320 and I know that in here 00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:57.100 we have some of us 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:58.240 who are followers of Christ 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.400 and in here 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.620 we maybe have some of us 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:02.200 who have questions. 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.560 And we're just trying 00:33:04.560 --> 00:33:05.520 to ask ourselves, 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:05.760 well, 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:07.380 maybe Jesus is just 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:07.980 a good dude. 00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:09.220 Right? 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.740 Maybe he's just a kind, 00:33:11.020 --> 00:33:12.180 compassionate guy 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:13.120 who was able 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:14.740 to do some things 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:16.440 that help people 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:18.260 and that help the world. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.460 In fact, 00:33:19.540 --> 00:33:20.720 most world religions 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.400 teach that. 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:22.680 They teach that he was 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.580 a great prophet, 00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.840 that he's a great teacher, 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:26.040 that he's a great man. 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:28.740 But based off of Jesus' words 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:31.100 and based off of Jesus' actions, 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.460 Jesus can only be 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:35.080 one of two things. 00:33:35.800 --> 00:33:37.180 Either he is God 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:39.280 or he's a liar. 00:33:40.520 --> 00:33:41.180 That's it. 00:33:42.040 --> 00:33:43.000 That's the decision 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.940 we make today. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.580 Either he is God 00:33:46.580 --> 00:33:47.520 who deserves 00:33:47.520 --> 00:33:48.900 all of our worship 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.520 and all of our surrender, 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:52.060 who can forgive sins 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:53.780 and forgive sins alone 00:33:53.780 --> 00:33:55.960 or he's a loony liar. 00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:58.520 And it's the decision 00:33:58.520 --> 00:33:59.400 we've got to come to. 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.840 So Jesus says, 00:34:03.020 --> 00:34:03.780 what's easier? 00:34:05.040 --> 00:34:05.640 What's easier? 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:08.640 To forgive sins 00:34:08.640 --> 00:34:10.220 or to say, 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.240 get up your mat, 00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:12.900 take it up 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:14.500 and go home. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.420 But the Son of Man 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.240 came to forgive. 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.060 And then he looks 00:34:19.060 --> 00:34:19.420 at the man 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.940 who's paralyzed. 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.580 And he says, 00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:22.080 get up. 00:34:23.160 --> 00:34:24.940 Take your bed with you 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:26.600 and go home. 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.640 Jesus in that moment 00:34:29.640 --> 00:34:30.920 says, 00:34:31.040 --> 00:34:31.940 if you're going to believe me, 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.660 here's who I am. 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:37.560 I am God. 00:34:39.580 --> 00:34:41.160 When Jesus tells the man, 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:42.920 take up your mat 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.820 and go home. 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.780 Like we've seen pictures. 00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:46.600 I remember going back 00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:47.960 to like VBS days 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.700 when I was a little kid 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.480 or Sunday school days, 00:34:49.560 --> 00:34:49.740 right? 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:51.020 And the beautiful work 00:34:51.020 --> 00:34:52.180 of the flannel boards, 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.420 right? 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:54.000 And you see this picture 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.860 and you see these guys 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:56.160 lowering their buddy down 00:34:56.160 --> 00:34:57.420 and it looks like 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.080 an old, 00:34:58.140 --> 00:34:59.440 like a cot 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.360 or like you'd see 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.000 like medics 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:02.340 in war movies 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:02.960 carrying around 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.580 to get the wounded 00:35:03.580 --> 00:35:04.940 off of the street. 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.860 That's not really 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.800 what this man was on. 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:08.920 He was on a mat 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.800 that was designed 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.820 for him, 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.580 for him to have, 00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.380 for him to lay on. 00:35:13.040 --> 00:35:14.000 And in order for this man 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.880 to be provided for, 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:16.320 to be taken care of, 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:17.220 every single day 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.420 he had to have people 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:20.380 come by wherever he was 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:21.800 and pick him up 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.840 and carry him 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:24.480 out to the city streets 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.240 where again, 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:26.040 like the leper, 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:27.040 he would have to beg 00:35:27.040 --> 00:35:27.900 for food 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.620 and for money. 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.780 And so this would cause him, 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.840 this map 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:33.380 was that picture of that. 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.920 And here's what Jesus 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.900 wanted everyone 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.960 to be able to see. 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:38.580 Jesus wanted everyone 00:35:38.580 --> 00:35:39.280 to know 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:40.980 who that guy was 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.980 and to know 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.900 who he is now. 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.000 Have you ever 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:45.160 bumped into someone 00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:46.400 like out of context 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.320 from where you normally 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.020 know them 00:35:48.020 --> 00:35:48.880 and all of a sudden 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:49.780 you don't know them 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.460 because they're not 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:51.420 where they should be, 00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:51.820 right? 00:35:52.020 --> 00:35:52.460 Like I remember 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.860 one time I was traveling 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:54.740 to Mexico 00:35:54.740 --> 00:35:56.520 and we had a layover 00:35:56.520 --> 00:35:58.280 in Dallas, Texas 00:35:58.280 --> 00:36:00.440 and I'm walking through 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:02.660 the Dallas, Texas airport 00:36:02.660 --> 00:36:03.900 and I'm passing 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:05.000 a group of people 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.080 and I hear, 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.100 hey Bo, 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.500 now that should not 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.640 be an uncommon thing 00:36:09.640 --> 00:36:10.460 in Dallas, Texas 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.340 that people use 00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:12.240 that phrase, right? 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.600 But it caught my attention 00:36:13.600 --> 00:36:14.940 and I turned around 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:17.560 and I had just walked past 00:36:17.560 --> 00:36:18.400 and in fact 00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.520 made eye contact 00:36:19.520 --> 00:36:20.700 with someone 00:36:20.700 --> 00:36:22.000 that I had known 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:23.220 at that point in time 00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:24.060 for basically 00:36:24.060 --> 00:36:25.200 my entire life. 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:26.860 Like we grew up together 00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:28.120 and he was traveling 00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:30.060 from North Augusta 00:36:30.060 --> 00:36:31.340 and so was I 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:32.600 but on separate planes 00:36:32.600 --> 00:36:33.260 and heading 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:34.400 in separate directions 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.860 but when we passed 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.620 each other 00:36:36.620 --> 00:36:37.420 because it was 00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:38.440 out of context 00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:39.560 I had no clue 00:36:39.560 --> 00:36:40.600 who he was 00:36:40.600 --> 00:36:42.760 until he said my name 00:36:42.760 --> 00:36:43.740 and we were able 00:36:43.740 --> 00:36:44.580 to engage. 00:36:45.020 --> 00:36:45.580 What does this have 00:36:45.580 --> 00:36:46.160 to do with anything? 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:48.060 When Jesus says 00:36:48.060 --> 00:36:49.320 take up your mat 00:36:49.320 --> 00:36:50.540 and go from here 00:36:50.540 --> 00:36:51.740 if that man 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.500 would have been 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.760 walking out 00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:55.100 without of his mat 00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:55.960 there would have been 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.760 people who would have 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.520 seen him 00:36:57.520 --> 00:36:58.960 but they wouldn't 00:36:58.960 --> 00:36:59.440 have associated 00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.340 with who he was 00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:01.960 they wouldn't have 00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:02.440 associated with 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:03.180 what had happened 00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:03.720 why? 00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:04.780 Because paralyzed 00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.780 people don't walk 00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:09.320 so Jesus says 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:09.520 hey 00:37:09.520 --> 00:37:11.900 people need to know 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:13.880 the miracle of God 00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:14.800 that's happened to you 00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:16.760 so pick up that thing 00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.780 that's going to remind you 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:18.700 who you were 00:37:18.700 --> 00:37:20.540 and take it 00:37:20.540 --> 00:37:21.800 but here's the thing 00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:23.540 who you were 00:37:23.540 --> 00:37:24.140 no longer 00:37:24.140 --> 00:37:25.020 defines you 00:37:25.020 --> 00:37:26.840 because I've forgiven you 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:28.360 and I've healed you 00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:30.340 you see the wonderful 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:32.180 miracle of forgiveness 00:37:32.180 --> 00:37:34.640 if you go downtown 00:37:34.640 --> 00:37:35.540 to Columbia today 00:37:35.540 --> 00:37:37.380 you're going to see 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:38.040 people laying out 00:37:38.040 --> 00:37:38.580 on the streets 00:37:38.580 --> 00:37:40.360 you're going to see 00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.040 people filled 00:37:41.040 --> 00:37:42.240 with afflictions 00:37:42.240 --> 00:37:42.920 and with struggles 00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:43.840 and with pain 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.380 and suffering 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:46.380 and chances are 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.760 they're not going to 00:37:47.760 --> 00:37:48.260 get up out of their 00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:48.540 wheelchair 00:37:48.540 --> 00:37:49.380 and just start to walk 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:50.960 they're not going to 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.780 get up off of the ground 00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:52.500 and just begin to 00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.600 work and move 00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.860 in their life 00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:55.380 like things 00:37:55.380 --> 00:37:56.300 haven't done before 00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:57.900 you're not going to 00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:58.780 go out onto a boat 00:37:58.780 --> 00:38:00.440 and see a miraculous 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.220 catch a fish 00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.780 we're not going to 00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:03.760 go out to the ocean 00:38:03.760 --> 00:38:06.440 and see the seas part 00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:07.680 we're not going to 00:38:07.680 --> 00:38:08.600 walk out in the wilderness 00:38:08.600 --> 00:38:10.060 and experience manna 00:38:10.060 --> 00:38:10.980 falling from heaven 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:12.300 but you and I 00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:13.660 we cannot be blind 00:38:13.660 --> 00:38:14.440 to the miracles 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:15.660 of what God 00:38:15.660 --> 00:38:16.360 is performing 00:38:16.360 --> 00:38:17.240 because God 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:18.200 performed those miracles 00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:19.440 then and God 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.060 is performing 00:38:20.060 --> 00:38:20.800 those miracles 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.340 today 00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:22.860 discipleship 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:23.620 is a miracle 00:38:23.620 --> 00:38:25.100 of what God 00:38:25.100 --> 00:38:25.560 does 00:38:25.560 --> 00:38:26.980 as he calls us 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.980 and as he uses 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.860 us 00:38:28.860 --> 00:38:30.360 relationship 00:38:30.360 --> 00:38:31.400 with God 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:32.800 is a miracle 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:34.020 it was broken 00:38:34.020 --> 00:38:34.940 and only 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.920 through the blood 00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.840 of Jesus Christ 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.580 is it restored 00:38:37.580 --> 00:38:39.260 in no other way 00:38:39.260 --> 00:38:40.380 none of your works 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.000 is going to fix 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.700 your past 00:38:41.700 --> 00:38:43.120 only God can 00:38:43.120 --> 00:38:45.820 and forgiveness 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:48.360 only Jesus 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.020 can look at 00:38:49.020 --> 00:38:50.000 all of the offense 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:52.160 that you and I 00:38:52.160 --> 00:38:53.360 have poured 00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:54.420 out of our lives 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:55.900 and that we will 00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:57.660 pour out of our lives 00:38:57.660 --> 00:38:59.480 and with his words 00:38:59.480 --> 00:39:00.980 heal it 00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:04.680 have you experienced 00:39:04.680 --> 00:39:06.300 these miracles 00:39:06.300 --> 00:39:08.580 have you experienced 00:39:08.580 --> 00:39:09.820 that call 00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:11.580 on your life 00:39:11.580 --> 00:39:13.080 do you know 00:39:13.080 --> 00:39:14.500 who Jesus is 00:39:14.500 --> 00:39:15.480 and you kneel 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.520 at his holiness 00:39:16.520 --> 00:39:18.540 do you respond 00:39:18.540 --> 00:39:19.020 by saying 00:39:19.020 --> 00:39:19.360 Jesus 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:20.660 only you 00:39:20.660 --> 00:39:21.700 can heal me 00:39:21.700 --> 00:39:23.300 and restore me 00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:25.680 have you respond 00:39:25.680 --> 00:39:26.280 to the miracle 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:27.180 of forgiveness 00:39:27.180 --> 00:39:28.780 that says 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:30.080 I take up who I was 00:39:30.080 --> 00:39:31.260 and I go to where 00:39:31.260 --> 00:39:32.160 you're calling me 00:39:32.160 --> 00:39:33.300 all for the goodness 00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:34.000 and for the glory 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.420 of God 00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:36.060 let's pray 00:39:36.060 --> 00:39:39.440 God 00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:39.980 we come to you 00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:40.580 this morning 00:39:40.580 --> 00:39:42.980 thanking you 00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:43.620 for the work 00:39:43.620 --> 00:39:44.680 that you've done 00:39:44.680 --> 00:39:46.480 Lord 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:46.920 and the work 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.600 that you're doing 00:39:47.600 --> 00:39:50.020 Lord 00:39:50.020 --> 00:39:50.400 I pray 00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:51.500 that in our hearts 00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:53.320 this morning 00:39:53.320 --> 00:39:55.580 we would respond 00:39:55.580 --> 00:39:56.400 to the miracles 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:57.240 that you're performing 00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:58.040 Lord 00:39:58.040 --> 00:39:59.360 forgive us 00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:01.600 where we are 00:40:01.600 --> 00:40:02.240 blinded 00:40:02.240 --> 00:40:02.820 by seeking 00:40:02.820 --> 00:40:04.240 for supernatural 00:40:04.240 --> 00:40:05.400 acts 00:40:05.400 --> 00:40:08.340 and in doing so 00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:10.400 we miss the miracle 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:11.080 of life 00:40:11.080 --> 00:40:11.900 of what you're doing 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:13.260 Lord 00:40:13.260 --> 00:40:14.300 we haven't praised you 00:40:14.300 --> 00:40:14.840 for the miracle 00:40:14.840 --> 00:40:15.360 that you've done 00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:16.300 inside of us 00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:18.200 and done in others 00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:19.820 Lord 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:20.240 I pray 00:40:20.240 --> 00:40:21.400 for us 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:22.300 that are gathered here 00:40:22.300 --> 00:40:23.460 we're gathered at home 00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:24.700 Lord 00:40:24.700 --> 00:40:24.980 I pray 00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:25.720 for the miracle 00:40:25.720 --> 00:40:27.000 of discipleship 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:28.600 to ring 00:40:28.600 --> 00:40:29.360 in our hearts 00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:31.420 that God 00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.380 that we'll respond 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:32.920 to you 00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:33.960 as you choose 00:40:33.960 --> 00:40:34.980 to use us 00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:36.340 and grow us 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:37.600 so that others 00:40:37.600 --> 00:40:38.680 may come to know you 00:40:38.680 --> 00:40:39.760 God 00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:40.140 I pray 00:40:40.140 --> 00:40:40.920 for the miracle 00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:42.000 of relationship 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:42.940 Lord 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:43.340 where you're 00:40:43.340 --> 00:40:44.380 restoring 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:45.120 those that are 00:40:45.120 --> 00:40:45.880 unclean 00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:48.580 and making us 00:40:48.580 --> 00:40:48.980 clean 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.700 so that we can 00:40:49.700 --> 00:40:50.520 know God 00:40:50.520 --> 00:40:52.500 that we can be 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.620 found in relationship 00:40:53.620 --> 00:40:54.260 with him 00:40:54.260 --> 00:40:56.700 so that we can 00:40:56.700 --> 00:40:57.680 take our lives 00:40:57.680 --> 00:40:58.460 which were once 00:40:58.460 --> 00:41:00.800 spiritual lepers 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:03.180 and be made 00:41:03.180 --> 00:41:03.580 new 00:41:03.580 --> 00:41:05.240 by the touch 00:41:05.240 --> 00:41:05.860 of Christ 00:41:05.860 --> 00:41:09.200 Lord 00:41:09.200 --> 00:41:09.660 I thank you 00:41:09.660 --> 00:41:10.360 for the miracle 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:11.400 of forgiveness 00:41:11.400 --> 00:41:15.560 eternal forgiveness 00:41:15.560 --> 00:41:18.640 that cannot be 00:41:18.640 --> 00:41:20.460 passed down 00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:22.220 from a priest 00:41:22.220 --> 00:41:23.040 to a person 00:41:23.040 --> 00:41:26.760 that cannot be earned 00:41:26.760 --> 00:41:29.640 by our good works 00:41:29.640 --> 00:41:30.300 or by the sweat 00:41:30.300 --> 00:41:30.920 of our brow 00:41:30.920 --> 00:41:33.920 but I thank you 00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:34.520 for forgiveness 00:41:34.520 --> 00:41:37.660 that comes from you 00:41:37.660 --> 00:41:40.180 and you alone 00:41:40.180 --> 00:41:45.340 only the son of man 00:41:45.340 --> 00:41:47.360 has authority 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:48.020 to forgive 00:41:48.020 --> 00:41:50.160 Jesus and you do 00:41:50.160 --> 00:41:52.680 Lord 00:41:52.680 --> 00:41:53.740 as we respond 00:41:53.740 --> 00:41:54.300 to you 00:41:54.300 --> 00:41:55.060 in song 00:41:55.060 --> 00:41:57.840 Lord I pray 00:41:57.840 --> 00:41:58.160 that 00:41:58.160 --> 00:41:59.540 through the power 00:41:59.540 --> 00:42:00.280 of your spirit 00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:02.120 you'll search 00:42:02.120 --> 00:42:02.760 our hearts 00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:04.980 you'll reveal 00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:05.700 to us 00:42:05.700 --> 00:42:07.040 our sin 00:42:07.040 --> 00:42:07.480 in light 00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:08.200 of your holiness 00:42:08.200 --> 00:42:11.160 and that in that 00:42:11.160 --> 00:42:13.080 we'll experience 00:42:13.080 --> 00:42:13.680 your kindness 00:42:13.680 --> 00:42:16.020 Lord I pray 00:42:16.020 --> 00:42:16.560 if there's anyone 00:42:16.560 --> 00:42:17.260 here today 00:42:17.260 --> 00:42:18.840 and they're trying 00:42:18.840 --> 00:42:19.440 to decide 00:42:19.440 --> 00:42:19.900 Jesus 00:42:19.900 --> 00:42:22.280 are you a Lord 00:42:22.280 --> 00:42:23.980 are you Lord 00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:25.460 or are you a liar 00:42:25.460 --> 00:42:28.020 not today 00:42:28.020 --> 00:42:28.840 that they would know 00:42:28.840 --> 00:42:30.680 without a shadow 00:42:30.680 --> 00:42:31.240 of a doubt 00:42:31.240 --> 00:42:33.300 you 00:42:33.300 --> 00:42:34.560 are 00:42:34.560 --> 00:42:35.720 God 00:42:35.720 --> 00:42:38.280 Jesus 00:42:38.280 --> 00:42:38.900 draw us 00:42:38.900 --> 00:42:39.440 to you 00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:41.160 so that we may 00:42:41.160 --> 00:42:41.900 worship you 00:42:41.900 --> 00:42:43.440 it's in Jesus 00:42:43.440 --> 00:42:43.980 that we pray 00:42:43.980 --> 00:42:44.880 amen 00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:46.400 would you stand 00:42:46.400 --> 00:42:47.720 as we respond 00:42:47.720 --> 00:42:48.080 to him 00:42:48.080 --> 00:43:09.520 thanks again 00:43:09.520 --> 00:43:10.020 for listening 00:43:10.020 --> 00:43:11.160 to the Willow Ridge Church 00:43:11.160 --> 00:43:11.960 weekly podcast 00:43:11.960 --> 00:43:13.480 we hope that you enjoyed 00:43:13.480 --> 00:43:14.760 listening to this week's message 00:43:14.760 --> 00:43:16.320 if you'd like to learn more 00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:17.160 about who we are 00:43:17.160 --> 00:43:18.800 or explore additional resources 00:43:18.800 --> 00:43:20.260 visit us online 00:43:20.260 --> 00:43:23.820 at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:43:23.820 --> 00:43:25.040 or by searching 00:43:25.040 --> 00:43:26.040 for Willow Ridge Church 00:43:26.040 --> 00:43:26.680 on Facebook 00:43:26.680 --> 00:43:27.400 and Instagram