WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.860 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons Podcast. 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:10.760 This is where you can find audio from Sunday morning messages and more. 00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:15.460 Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss future episodes, and thanks for listening. 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:24.020 This week has been hard and good. 00:00:25.020 --> 00:00:29.180 I think I've cried more this week than I have in a long time. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.640 But God has been good, and God has been faithful. 00:00:33.300 --> 00:00:41.080 I want to thank you, church, through your generosity, through your willingness, through the opportunities that God has opened us. 00:00:41.080 --> 00:00:52.160 We've been able to minister to families, not just in Lexington, but in Gilbert, in Minetta, in Augusta, in Greenville, in Batesburg, 00:00:52.660 --> 00:00:57.140 and in other towns and other cities that I'm not even aware of as you've gone. 00:00:58.020 --> 00:01:08.260 This last week, last Sunday, Aaron and I went to Augusta, my hometown, to see my family. 00:01:13.660 --> 00:01:17.820 Some of them lost their whole home. 00:01:19.820 --> 00:01:23.180 And on the way back, I said, we've got to do something. 00:01:24.540 --> 00:01:29.700 So this week was your pastor's very unorganized attempt to do something. 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:34.120 And we want to move together as we go forward. 00:01:35.160 --> 00:01:45.980 So in the busyness of this week, we have together a somewhat organized plan so that we can continue to reach and to serve and to share the gospel with others. 00:01:46.100 --> 00:01:47.580 So I want to share that with you. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:56.500 Each Thursday, moving forward, as long as God continues to provide us opportunities, we're going to take Thursdays as an opportunity to mobilize our church. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:01.580 Each Sunday, I will announce what we will be doing that week. 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:05.640 This week, we have an elderly couple who lives in Lawrence County. 00:02:06.320 --> 00:02:16.520 And so we'll be making the roughly one hour, hour and 15 minute drive up to the Lawrence area to serve and to minister to that family with some chainsaw work. 00:02:17.320 --> 00:02:21.920 If you would like to be a part of that, you are welcome to join us. 00:02:22.540 --> 00:02:24.000 If you have a chainsaw, great. 00:02:24.600 --> 00:02:26.540 If you don't have a chainsaw, that's okay. 00:02:26.880 --> 00:02:29.940 We still need you when we need you to work with us. 00:02:30.440 --> 00:02:32.460 We'll be back in the back after the service. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:33.880 Please come back and let me know. 00:02:34.480 --> 00:02:38.160 I'm going to go old school and write your name down on a piece of paper and give you a call in the morning. 00:02:39.160 --> 00:02:47.360 We also have another opportunity this week here locally if we have enough people to divide and do two teams this Thursday. 00:02:48.380 --> 00:02:58.160 We will also each Monday email out, so if you're not able to be here, we will email out with more details the specific situation. 00:02:58.340 --> 00:03:06.040 And if you've already let me know through writing your name down, coming to the back, or sending me a text message, that's fine. 00:03:06.040 --> 00:03:11.220 But if you haven't, you can respond to me and to the email to go and do that. 00:03:11.600 --> 00:03:20.080 And the email will have, this is when we meet, and even more specifically, these are the tools that we're going to need as we go through this. 00:03:20.660 --> 00:03:28.440 If you are aware of, I want to be careful that we don't overpromise on things, but I want to make sure that we're serving you guys the best that we can, 00:03:28.600 --> 00:03:31.480 and we're serving the people that you're loving the best that we can. 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:37.140 If you know of, or as you are made aware of needs, please let us know. 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:38.540 Please let us know. 00:03:39.380 --> 00:03:49.360 I know that that takes, for some of us, it's a struggle to do that, but what we've seen and what we've watched as God's worked and moved this week has been phenomenal. 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:55.060 Had the opportunity to pray with a Muslim man this past week. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:00.100 So God's up to something. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:06.760 I know for some of you, Thursdays are difficult, and I understand. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:12.860 But strategically for us right now, that's what we've chosen. 00:04:13.940 --> 00:04:16.420 There will be some opportunities for Saturdays. 00:04:17.320 --> 00:04:22.780 Jamie Rogers, who many of you, if you've been around Willow Ridge Church for a while, you recognize Jamie's name. 00:04:24.900 --> 00:04:32.960 Jamie is originally from South Carolina, but Jamie went and planted a church in New York, and that church is still going, is still thriving. 00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:42.160 But Jamie is back here in South Carolina, and Jamie is serving as the associational director of the Columbia Metro Baptist Association. 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:45.060 That is not the association that we are a part of. 00:04:45.200 --> 00:04:51.140 We are part of the Lexington Baptist Association, but they're a part of our Southern Baptist Convention of Associations. 00:04:51.400 --> 00:04:57.260 This past week, I threw out just on Facebook because Jamie was mobilizing some teams out of Columbia Metro. 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:15.920 This Saturday, they will not have the opportunity to mobilize, but Jamie is hoping to put together at least several times a month on Saturdays to mobilize brothers and sisters in Christ from various churches around the Columbia area to go and to work in some of the hardest, most impacted areas, 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:21.400 not just in our cities, not just in our city, but other places in our state, and maybe even outside of our state. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:29.420 What I promise to do for you is Jamie's going to let us know that, and as we find those opportunities, we will make you aware of that. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:39.200 We had one of our church members this past Sunday that was able to hear about that, jump in that, had a wonderful time going to be able to serve and meet some fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches. 00:05:39.200 --> 00:05:50.640 We're going to make that aware for the Columbia Metro Baptist Association, so we'll do our best through social media and through email to make sure that we get those out to you as soon as we can. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:53.860 If you're more involved, Tim Rice is here. 00:05:53.940 --> 00:05:58.300 Tim, I'm going to put you on the spot, man, and maybe kind of ask you if you could be around at the back at the very end. 00:05:58.660 --> 00:06:13.740 If you want to be more involved, our South Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief is doing projects, and Tim works alongside in the Baptist Convention, and so we can answer some questions and see what we can do for that as well. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:18.480 But I think here's where my heart lands the most on this, okay? 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:21.460 And this is my challenge to you. 00:06:21.720 --> 00:06:23.580 This is my challenge to me. 00:06:23.780 --> 00:06:25.360 This is my challenge to my wife. 00:06:25.640 --> 00:06:28.800 This is my challenge to my son and my daughter, and I want to share it with you. 00:06:29.140 --> 00:06:31.620 There are so many people right now that have needs. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:36.920 If you see a need and you can meet that need, meet that need. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:38.520 Meet that need. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:44.000 It may be you running a chainsaw on someone's property. 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:47.120 It may be you making a meal. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:49.860 It may be you praying for someone. 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:55.460 It may be you going and picking up some gas and delivering it to somebody for their generator. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:58.640 If you see a need, meet a need. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:01.940 If you don't know where to go, trust God. 00:07:02.900 --> 00:07:03.580 Get in your car. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:05.600 Drive to Batesburg. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.240 Drive to Mineta. 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:09.280 Drive to Augusta. 00:07:10.200 --> 00:07:11.060 Drive to Greenville. 00:07:12.140 --> 00:07:13.140 Drive to Asheville. 00:07:14.080 --> 00:07:18.500 Heard instances all week of individuals in our congregation that did just that. 00:07:19.380 --> 00:07:21.940 And they never ran out of places that they could go help. 00:07:24.580 --> 00:07:29.340 Last Monday, I went and knocked on the door of a lady that I did not know, who did not know me. 00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:32.820 And she came to the door, and she looked at me like I was crazy. 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:34.900 And I said, I don't know you. 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.540 You've never met me. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.260 But I hear you've got some work that you need to be done. 00:07:40.200 --> 00:07:41.060 And she said, absolutely. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:46.300 And we're able to serve her and pray with her and care for her. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:52.520 This isn't a normal Sunday, so we'll do things that we don't typically do a lot. 00:07:52.520 --> 00:07:58.560 One of the families that we were able to help this past week is the Dennis family. 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:03.360 To know the Dennis family is to love the Dennis family. 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:12.040 It's also, I just want to say this, it's to laugh a lot with the Dennis family. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:19.560 They were one of the families that God had provided us the opportunity to go help. 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:24.440 In the booming metropolis known as Mineta, South Carolina. 00:08:25.440 --> 00:08:30.360 I told them I've driven by their house probably 300 times in my life, 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:35.340 never knowing that that was their house from long before when we lived in Aiken. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.580 They handed me this letter, and I want to read this to you. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:42.840 I'm giving honor to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:48.000 Pastor Bo and Pastor Dave, and the Willow Ridge Church family. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:51.740 We want to express sincere gratitude and thanks 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:54.620 for how you and Willow Ridge responded, 00:08:54.800 --> 00:08:57.620 assisting us during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 00:08:59.140 --> 00:09:02.260 Without delay, you came and cut down trees that had fallen, 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:04.940 removed tree limbs and debris from the property. 00:09:06.060 --> 00:09:08.080 Willow Ridge members of all ages stepped up 00:09:08.400 --> 00:09:11.540 and did what we have not been able to do. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:16.660 A generator with fuel, cooking equipment, 00:09:17.260 --> 00:09:18.820 was loaned to us, 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:21.820 and we were given contributions as well. 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:25.300 For all of your hard work, we are truly grateful. 00:09:26.900 --> 00:09:28.880 Each day, Pastor Bo ended with a prayer 00:09:28.880 --> 00:09:31.660 where he used the word family. 00:09:33.260 --> 00:09:37.880 We are thankful because we did not know that we meant that much to Willow Ridge Church. 00:09:38.520 --> 00:09:42.580 We love Willow Ridge and could not be part of a better church. 00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:49.180 Again, much love, appreciation, and gratitude to Willow Ridge 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:52.220 and to the angels that rescued us when we needed it most. 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:56.660 Our power has been restored. 00:09:56.660 --> 00:10:05.420 Love the Dennis family of Mineta. 00:10:07.300 --> 00:10:08.320 I love that. 00:10:09.260 --> 00:10:09.820 That's it. 00:10:14.400 --> 00:10:17.860 Genesis chapter 33, verse 8 says, 00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:37.020 Would you pray with me? 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:40.020 God, I thank you so much 00:10:40.020 --> 00:10:43.480 for how you work and how you move. 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:48.000 God, today, as we teach your word, 00:10:49.280 --> 00:10:50.860 may it be empowered with your spirit. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:56.480 May men and women and children be drawn to repentance. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.880 And may you be glorified. 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:02.260 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:03.660 Amen. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:08.300 As we continue on in our study in Genesis, 00:11:09.160 --> 00:11:11.740 we want to look at and establish some things. 00:11:12.760 --> 00:11:15.700 Number one, that God is a God of relationships. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.320 We've looked a lot at the dynamic of relationships, 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:22.340 both functional and dysfunctional relationships, 00:11:22.540 --> 00:11:25.200 both toxic and healthy relationships. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:28.000 But this comes out of the basis of the understanding 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.220 that God is a God of relationships. 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:32.900 We see this God is with you. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:35.120 God is with his church. 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:38.880 We see relationships of God calling us to one another, 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:40.660 and we see and we understand 00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:44.300 that God has called us into relationship with everyone else. 00:11:44.520 --> 00:11:46.560 So as he calls us into relationship with him, 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:48.760 he forms us into relationship with one another, 00:11:48.900 --> 00:11:50.720 and he sends us into relationship with them. 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:53.500 So there's not a person or being 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.960 that God is not engaging us with. 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.460 There are those that we are saved 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:58.940 and brought into right relationship with him 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.780 so that we can have proper fellowship 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:03.720 amongst brothers and sisters of Christ in faith 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:05.500 so that we can go and share the gospel 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.980 with those who do not know him. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:09.040 God is a God of relationships. 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:12.740 And if Satan is the exact opposite of God, 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.560 Satan hates relationships. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:18.000 Satan doesn't want a relationship with you. 00:12:19.140 --> 00:12:20.900 Satan's goal, Satan's desire, 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.760 what he wants, what he craves 00:12:22.760 --> 00:12:25.160 is in the destruction of your life 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:27.280 to destroy the relationships you have. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:30.000 So Satan hates your relationships. 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:32.340 He hates your relationship with God. 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:35.040 He hates your relationship with your spouse, 00:12:35.420 --> 00:12:36.900 with your kids, with your church, 00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:38.000 with your friends. 00:12:38.760 --> 00:12:39.500 He hates them. 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.620 He wants to destroy them. 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:42.960 Look at what he does in the garden with Adam and Eve. 00:12:43.020 --> 00:12:45.560 He attacks their relationship with God 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:47.560 and in doing so seeks to attack 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:50.160 their relationship with one another. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:53.600 But God's so desiring that relationship 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:56.880 that he works to establish relationship 00:12:56.880 --> 00:13:00.100 and God works to reconcile relationship. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:03.640 God takes what is broken and fixes it. 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:07.360 God takes what is dead and brings it to life. 00:13:08.420 --> 00:13:09.820 I told this story years ago. 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:11.340 It's my favorite example of this. 00:13:11.420 --> 00:13:13.600 God does what we cannot do. 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.180 We were living in Aiken. 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.800 I had a weed eater. 00:13:20.880 --> 00:13:21.800 It broke. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:26.500 I decided that I was capable 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:30.040 to take it apart and to fix it. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:33.480 I got my tool set. 00:13:34.540 --> 00:13:36.120 I laid out the weed eater. 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:39.120 I had a guy tell me this past week 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:41.600 that it's the most simple tool 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:43.820 to take apart and put back together again. 00:13:44.280 --> 00:13:45.940 I said, ha, ha, ha, I beg to differ. 00:13:47.380 --> 00:13:48.840 I was out there for hours. 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:51.380 Took it all apart. 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:55.540 Parts scattered all over the garage. 00:13:57.260 --> 00:13:58.560 Come walking inside. 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:00.940 Grease and dirt. 00:14:02.020 --> 00:14:03.120 Smelling like gas. 00:14:04.380 --> 00:14:05.060 Aaron said, well? 00:14:06.060 --> 00:14:08.140 I said, well, we're headed to Lowe's. 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:09.360 Right? 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:11.240 I couldn't fix it. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:16.340 God, God doesn't throw away. 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:22.560 God takes what is broken and reconciles. 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.860 God takes what is broken and fixes. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:29.460 God takes what is dead and makes it alive. 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:34.240 When we see in the dynamic of these relationships 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.980 and how they weave and interact through Scripture, 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:43.100 we see that Satan would have loved the dysfunction that exists. 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:46.740 We read about a family where we're lying. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:48.560 We read about a family with deceit. 00:14:48.660 --> 00:14:50.520 We read about a family where we're stealing. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:54.280 We read about a family where manipulation is the norm 00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:58.400 and it creates a playground for Satan. 00:15:00.140 --> 00:15:03.560 But what we're going to find as we journey into chapter 33, 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:07.760 what I've had to take some hard looks at myself and my life is this truth. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:11.120 Sometimes the greatest miracle that God does in your life and mine 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.900 is he brings us to a place where we say to him and we say to others, 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:14.740 I'm sorry. 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:17.080 I'm sorry. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:22.740 And as we get into Genesis chapter 33, 00:15:24.780 --> 00:15:28.680 this is where we find Jacob. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:32.920 A man once in rebellion, 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:36.260 now seeking to follow the Lord 00:15:36.260 --> 00:15:39.760 and has brought him to a point and place in his life 00:15:39.760 --> 00:15:43.480 in the relationship with his brother Esau 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:46.160 where he's been prepared, 00:15:46.400 --> 00:15:48.720 the heart work has been done 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:52.520 for him to come and say, 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.980 I'm sorry. 00:15:54.780 --> 00:15:57.020 So let's look at the first three verses, 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.720 Genesis 33 verses 1 through 3. 00:15:59.880 --> 00:16:02.040 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked 00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:04.100 and behold, 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:06.060 Esau was coming 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:09.080 and 400 men with him. 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:12.980 So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.640 and the two female servants. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:17.940 And he put the servants with their children in front 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:20.600 and then Leah with her children 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:23.060 and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:26.040 He himself went on before them, 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:29.600 bowing himself to the ground seven times 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:33.060 until he came near to his brother. 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:37.700 In the restoring and in the moving of this relationship, 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:41.180 what I want us to see and to grasp in our obedience to the Lord is this, 00:16:41.520 --> 00:16:43.460 is moving from fear to trust. 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.580 Is moving from fear to trust. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:50.660 Now Jacob was afraid and he should have been. 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:54.880 He was afraid and he should have been. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:58.080 His brother Esau, tough guy. 00:16:59.220 --> 00:16:59.880 He's the hunter. 00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.720 He's the bigger. 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:03.600 He's the muscular. 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:06.260 He's all of the things. 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:10.240 And he sees the tough guy. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.080 Esau coming. 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:15.120 And it's not just him by himself. 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:20.300 It's him with 400 men. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:24.520 I don't know if you've ever been in a situation where you realized, 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.660 I'm outmatched. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:29.980 But if the odds are ever 401 to 1, guess what? 00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:31.560 Right? 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:40.080 But Jacob in this moment chose not who he was before God, 00:17:40.540 --> 00:17:43.980 but he chose who he is in God. 00:17:45.280 --> 00:17:49.400 Before, he would have lied, he would have manipulated, he would have run. 00:17:49.580 --> 00:17:51.380 Why do we know that's what he would have done? 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.320 Because that's what he did. 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.060 He would have lied. 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.080 He was the deceiver. 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:57.200 He would have manipulated the emotions. 00:17:57.560 --> 00:17:58.220 He would run. 00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:58.940 He would flee. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.360 This is who he was before. 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:03.180 As he responded to the selfishness and the fear of his heart. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.680 But now, what does he do? 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.820 Now God says, I'm with you. 00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:08.260 Now God says, go. 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:12.300 And so Jacob in this, sees the reality of what is before him. 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:16.340 401 men waiting on him. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:22.020 And his choice is to obey, which means his choice is to trust. 00:18:22.780 --> 00:18:24.340 You see, those two are always connected. 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:26.560 When we obey God, we trust God. 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:28.420 When we trust God, we obey God. 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:31.400 Tim Scholl, thank you for your testimony this morning. 00:18:32.780 --> 00:18:35.680 In that, what God, what Tim was sharing with us this morning, 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:38.600 in what we see is this fine line of walking, 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.520 of the steps back and forth, 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.680 of the journey that we're on as we're growing, 00:18:42.820 --> 00:18:45.020 as we're obeying in our relationship with God. 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:47.060 It's trust and obedience, trust and obedience, 00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:49.220 trust and obedience, trust and obedience, 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.440 in sync with one another. 00:18:50.520 --> 00:18:52.840 And that's what we see here with Jacob. 00:18:54.840 --> 00:19:03.120 While fear manipulates us, trust in God motivates us. 00:19:03.760 --> 00:19:10.020 Fear will cripple us, but trust with God will move us. 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:13.160 Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy chapter 1. 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.540 It's one of my favorite books of the Bible. 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:21.200 Paul writes to his son in the faith, Timothy. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.120 Hear what he writes. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:25.140 For this reason, starting in verse 6, 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:29.620 for a reason I remind you to fan and to flame the gift of God, 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:32.820 which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:33.920 Verse 7. 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:45.140 I want to say that this verse has been a verse 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.880 that has been very popular in culture. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:52.200 And it's also a verse that oftentimes can be taken out of context. 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:56.840 Paul is writing to Timothy, his son in the faith, 00:19:58.100 --> 00:20:00.660 some of Paul's last words. 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:05.240 And he's reminding Timothy, all throughout it, 00:20:05.760 --> 00:20:11.160 this is who you are because this is who God is. 00:20:12.060 --> 00:20:14.640 Paul, who awaits his execution, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:19.140 Paul, who knows that this is what is happening within the church, 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.640 says to Timothy, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:23.680 but here's what fear is going to create. 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.220 Fear creates chaos. 00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:26.580 Fear creates lies. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.980 Fear creates destruction. 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:31.600 But we are not of that, 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.500 that God did not give us this spirit, 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:36.420 but God gave us a different spirit. 00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:39.580 God gives us the power of God, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.580 the love of God, 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:43.560 and the self-control that comes from God. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:46.900 And this is what we are seeing in the life of Jacob. 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:50.540 It's not that Jacob wakes up one morning 00:20:50.540 --> 00:20:52.440 and says, 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:53.460 it's time to be a man. 00:20:54.780 --> 00:20:56.120 It's time to figure this out. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.780 It's time to talk myself up. 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:01.580 It's time to get the pep talk of what I need to do. 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:05.100 But what he does is he responds, 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.920 not in his own courage, 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:08.220 but in the courage of God. 00:21:09.260 --> 00:21:09.480 You see, 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:13.480 Jacob's ability is not in what Jacob can create in himself. 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:18.520 Jacob's ability is not what Jacob can manipulate in himself. 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.860 This is the old Jacob. 00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:21.140 The new Jacob's like, 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.520 no, no, no. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.400 God's called. 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.300 I'm going to go. 00:21:23.540 --> 00:21:24.260 God's called, 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.280 and I'm going to walk. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.160 God's called, 00:21:26.300 --> 00:21:27.180 and I'm going to obey. 00:21:27.520 --> 00:21:29.560 And whatever the cost is, 00:21:29.760 --> 00:21:31.340 this is what I'm going to do. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.660 I want to ask you this right now. 00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:33.280 Right now, 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:36.560 what are you facing in life that brings you fear? 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:41.720 What are you facing in your life that within you, 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:45.760 what it causes and what it creates is the fear that is there? 00:21:46.280 --> 00:21:47.440 And in your life, 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.020 I want to ask you, 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:50.700 are you pursuing a fix? 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:53.740 Are you pursuing an answer? 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.680 Or are you pursuing God? 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.560 Are you pursuing God? 00:22:00.760 --> 00:22:02.200 I guarantee you, 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:05.220 if Jacob would have pulled his buddies aside, 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.240 it would have been like, 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:07.700 hey man, 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:09.760 I get it. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.920 I get it. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:13.680 It's really cool that you're spiritual now. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:17.360 I get it that it's really cool that you've got this faith. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.640 But bro, 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:20.720 401 to one? 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.540 I don't think so. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:26.420 But ahead of all of that, 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:29.000 ahead of all of that is his obedience. 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:32.880 So with what your fear is, 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.880 with where you are, 00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:35.840 with where you struggle, 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.720 and here's what I want to tell you, 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:39.000 that you have a God 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:41.300 who's calling you to obedience. 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.580 To obey him 00:22:43.580 --> 00:22:45.500 and to trust him. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.620 So verses 4 through 11. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.260 But Esau 00:22:51.260 --> 00:22:54.120 ran to meet him 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:56.620 and embraced him 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:59.280 and fell on his neck 00:22:59.280 --> 00:23:01.660 and kissed him 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.660 and they wept. 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:11.120 And when Esau 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:13.620 lifted up his eyes 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:16.600 and saw the women 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:18.320 and children, 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:19.860 he said, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.800 who are these with you? 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:21.440 Just remind, 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.840 he's been gone 20 years. 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:26.080 Who are these with you? 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.340 Jacob said, 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:29.740 the children 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.600 whom God 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.860 has graciously given 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.540 your servant. 00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:34.560 Then the servants 00:23:34.560 --> 00:23:35.280 drew near, 00:23:35.780 --> 00:23:37.500 they and their children 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.800 and bowed down. 00:23:40.020 --> 00:23:41.300 Leah likewise 00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.220 and her children 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.320 drew near 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.140 and bowed down. 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.720 And last, 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.840 Joseph and Rachel 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.580 drew near 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:49.100 and they bowed down. 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.120 Verse 8. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.300 Esau said, 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.900 what do you mean 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:56.020 by all this company 00:23:56.020 --> 00:23:56.820 that I met? 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.760 And Jacob answered, 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.760 to find favor 00:23:59.760 --> 00:24:01.460 in the sight of my Lord. 00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:03.600 But Esau said, 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.280 I have enough, 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:05.860 my brother. 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.780 Keep what you had offered. 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.400 Let's pause there. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:08.720 Remember, 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:10.040 Jacob has sent 00:24:10.040 --> 00:24:11.100 an offering 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.280 ahead of him. 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:13.560 He has sent 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:14.680 a sacrifice 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.720 ahead of him. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.060 Esau's like, 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.760 nah, brother. 00:24:18.300 --> 00:24:18.900 Keep that. 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.020 Keep that. 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.140 Jacob said, 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.820 no, please. 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.760 If I have found favor 00:24:23.760 --> 00:24:24.440 in your sight, 00:24:24.540 --> 00:24:25.120 then accept 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.960 my present 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.680 from my hand. 00:24:27.540 --> 00:24:28.380 For I have seen 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.920 your face, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.440 which is like 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.540 seeing the face of God, 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:33.020 and you have accepted me. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.940 Please accept 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.720 my blessing 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.200 that it is brought 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.720 to you 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:39.120 because God 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.940 has dealt 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:41.220 graciously 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.180 with me 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.420 and because 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.480 I have enough. 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.780 Thus he urged him 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:48.240 and he took it. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.360 Wherever we are 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:51.840 in life, 00:24:53.060 --> 00:24:54.900 wherever we are 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.560 in our journey, 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.140 wherever we are, 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.800 wherever we find 00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:00.700 ourselves this morning, 00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:02.880 what we need 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.340 is grace. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.620 What we need 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.640 is grace. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.580 I don't think 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.380 this is what 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.840 Jacob expected. 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:13.560 I definitely know 00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:14.200 this is not 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.480 what Jacob deserved, 00:25:16.020 --> 00:25:17.180 but this 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.740 is what 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:19.080 Jacob got. 00:25:20.060 --> 00:25:20.780 Look back 00:25:20.780 --> 00:25:21.400 at verse 8. 00:25:23.300 --> 00:25:23.600 He said, 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.420 what do you mean 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.480 by all this company 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.660 that I met? 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.260 Like, 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.100 brother, 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.140 what are you doing? 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:31.200 And Jacob answered, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.340 to find favor 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.880 in the sight 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.560 of my Lord. 00:25:36.520 --> 00:25:37.300 The word favor 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:38.440 in the Old Testament 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:40.180 is grace. 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:42.220 It's grace. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.940 is grace. 00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:44.960 Jacob says, 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.320 listen, 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:45.660 listen, 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.540 what I need 00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:49.800 is not what I deserve. 00:25:50.760 --> 00:25:51.460 And Esau, 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:53.880 you are the only one 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:55.160 who can give it to me. 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:57.320 The one that I've offended, 00:25:58.060 --> 00:25:59.600 the one that I've stolen from, 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.700 the one that I've abused 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.540 our relationship, 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.460 the one that I've brought 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.680 death and destruction to, 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.600 the one that I've violated 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.320 in this moment, 00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:10.320 you are the only person 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:11.720 who can give me 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.580 what I need, 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.080 and that's grace. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.660 And here's the beautiful picture 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.960 of what God's painting us. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.140 This is our position 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:23.100 when we come to God. 00:26:24.040 --> 00:26:25.300 This is our position 00:26:25.300 --> 00:26:26.740 when we come before Him. 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.600 We are the ones 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.220 who broke it. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.740 We are the ones 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.760 who violated it. 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:33.240 We are the ones 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.800 who destroy. 00:26:34.280 --> 00:26:35.280 We are the ones 00:26:35.280 --> 00:26:35.840 who kill. 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:37.300 We are the ones 00:26:37.300 --> 00:26:38.840 who live in a life 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.740 of sin, 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.240 and we come to God 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.960 not with what we can bring 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.520 to the table 00:26:43.520 --> 00:26:45.040 to make the relationship right, 00:26:45.260 --> 00:26:46.620 but we come to the God 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:48.000 in the desperate need 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.560 of grace. 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:51.580 Ephesians 4, 7 says, 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:55.260 but grace was given 00:26:55.260 --> 00:26:57.180 to each one of us 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.960 according to how good 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.820 we've been that week. 00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:02.040 All right, 00:27:02.060 --> 00:27:02.660 that's not on the screen, 00:27:02.760 --> 00:27:02.960 all right? 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.360 Nothing's on the screen. 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:08.400 But grace was given 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:10.020 to each one of us 00:27:10.020 --> 00:27:13.180 according to the measure 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:16.260 of Christ's gift. 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.700 Grace given. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:22.800 Not because of how good. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:26.700 Not because of how many works 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.680 you did this week. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:30.300 Not because of how many rules 00:27:30.300 --> 00:27:31.220 you've obeyed. 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:33.840 Not because of what you've done, 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.780 what you've contributed, 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.120 what you've brought to the table, 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.480 how talented you are, 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.380 how pretty you are, 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.400 how wealthy you are, 00:27:39.520 --> 00:27:40.880 how well-spoken you are. 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:45.400 But because of the measure 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.860 of Christ's gift. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:49.540 And so what God gives us, 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.860 what grace is, 00:27:51.020 --> 00:27:52.380 is God's favor 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:54.380 or God's benevolence 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:56.100 to the undeserving. 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.100 You're like, 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.220 Bo, that seems harsh 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.800 to really separate out 00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:00.680 and say people, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.080 or some people are deserving, 00:28:02.280 --> 00:28:03.680 and some people are undeserving. 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.500 Well, if you think 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.620 there's two groups of people, 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:06.720 those are the deserving 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:08.060 and those are undeserving, 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.380 then you don't understand people. 00:28:09.580 --> 00:28:10.620 So let me share something with you. 00:28:10.760 --> 00:28:12.560 We're all undeserving. 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:14.800 You, 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.060 me, 00:28:16.540 --> 00:28:17.240 everyone, 00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:18.840 we're undeserving, 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.620 but God gives us his grace. 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:22.100 God gives us his favor. 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.600 God gives us his blessing 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.900 found in Christ 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.860 and Christ alone. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:27.300 So the beauty of grace, 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.420 the reason why we sing 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.300 so much about grace, 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.520 the reason we talk about 00:28:30.520 --> 00:28:30.960 the goodness 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.240 and the grace of God 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.200 is because grace 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.360 is this wonderful gift 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.140 that you and I 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:35.820 do not deserve. 00:28:36.280 --> 00:28:37.720 But God gives it to us. 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.140 You see, 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.480 grace isn't a loan 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.320 that you and I 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.020 can pay back. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.900 Grace isn't a gift. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.600 So guess what? 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.100 You and I 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.080 can't go and buy it. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:45.760 Grace, 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.720 when we receive it, 00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:48.140 it is ours to keep. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:50.320 Grace comes from the heart 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:51.660 of the generosity 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.900 of God. 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:55.940 that God gives something up 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:58.820 so that we can have grace. 00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:01.480 Because grace, 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.740 while free, 00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:04.760 meaning you didn't pay for it 00:29:04.760 --> 00:29:06.000 and neither did I, 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.220 is costly. 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.760 Because it demanded 00:29:11.760 --> 00:29:12.780 the life of Jesus. 00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:15.720 It demanded his death 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.440 on the cross. 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:21.960 And grace is undeserved. 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.980 Not a one of us 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:27.820 deserved him 00:29:27.820 --> 00:29:31.880 to get on the cross. 00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:35.000 And the beauty of this 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:38.060 is this is what Jacob asked for. 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.600 And this is what Esau gives. 00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:43.460 And this is what you need. 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.860 And this is what God gives. 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:49.760 It's what Owen needed. 00:29:50.780 --> 00:29:51.880 And God gave it. 00:29:53.040 --> 00:29:54.340 It's what Caden needed. 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.260 And God gave it. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.260 It's what Ellie needed. 00:29:58.840 --> 00:29:59.920 And God gave it. 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.700 It's what Joe needed. 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.500 And God gave it. 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.640 Verses 12 through 20. 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.160 Then Esau said, 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:14.560 let us journey on our way 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:16.660 and I will go ahead of you. 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:19.540 But Jacob said to him, 00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:21.800 my Lord knows 00:30:21.800 --> 00:30:23.280 that the children are frail 00:30:23.280 --> 00:30:25.300 and that the nursing flocks 00:30:25.300 --> 00:30:26.080 and herds 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:27.860 are a care to me. 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:29.700 If they are driven hard 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.420 for one day, 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.860 all the flocks will die. 00:30:32.760 --> 00:30:34.140 Let my Lord pass on 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:35.080 ahead of his servant 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:37.520 and I will lead on slowly 00:30:37.520 --> 00:30:39.680 at the pace of the livestock 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.200 that are ahead of me 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:43.080 and at the pace of the children 00:30:43.080 --> 00:30:45.580 until I come to my Lord and sire. 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.320 So Esau said, 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.400 let me leave with you 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.780 some of the people 00:30:50.780 --> 00:30:51.920 who are with me. 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.600 But he said, 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:55.460 well, what need is there? 00:30:56.060 --> 00:30:57.220 Let me find favor 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.380 in the sight of my Lord. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.760 So Esau returned that day 00:31:00.760 --> 00:31:01.600 on his way to Sire. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:04.120 But Jacob sojourned to Succoth 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:06.260 and built himself a house 00:31:06.260 --> 00:31:07.700 and made booths 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.400 for his livestock. 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:10.740 Therefore, the name of the place 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.600 is called Succoth. 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.560 And Jacob came safely 00:31:13.560 --> 00:31:15.380 to the city of Shechem, 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:17.280 which is in the land of Canaan, 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:19.900 on his way from Padnam Aram, 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:22.100 and he camped before the city. 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.920 And from the sons of Hamor, 00:31:25.520 --> 00:31:26.300 Shechem's father, 00:31:27.040 --> 00:31:28.540 he bought for a hundred pieces 00:31:28.540 --> 00:31:29.540 of money 00:31:29.540 --> 00:31:30.840 the piece of land 00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:32.620 on which he had pitched his tent. 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:35.060 And there he erected an altar 00:31:35.060 --> 00:31:36.720 and called it 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:38.980 El Elohe Israel. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:41.560 So we go through 00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:43.640 the journey of life. 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.880 As we go through 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.860 the ups and downs, 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:48.860 as we go through 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:49.980 all that is happening, 00:31:50.520 --> 00:31:51.460 our challenge, 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:52.940 our call, 00:31:53.780 --> 00:31:54.540 is to remember 00:31:54.540 --> 00:31:56.200 God's faithfulness. 00:31:57.300 --> 00:31:58.080 Here we see 00:31:58.080 --> 00:31:59.640 relationship is restored. 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.720 Esau says, 00:32:01.800 --> 00:32:02.080 Jacob, 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.820 come with me. 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:04.900 And Jacob says, 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.600 it's great, 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:08.100 brother, 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.900 that we're here, 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:11.640 but I need to hang back. 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.740 And so Jacob stays back 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.400 and he prepares 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.540 to enter into the land 00:32:16.540 --> 00:32:17.200 that God promised. 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.140 And on his way, 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.860 he stops 00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:21.980 and he builds an altar. 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.820 Here at this altar, 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.560 this is common, 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.360 we've seen this 00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:27.740 throughout the Old Testament, 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.700 throughout Genesis so far, 00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:30.920 he worships, 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.880 he dedicates himself, 00:32:32.020 --> 00:32:32.940 he dedicates his family, 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.100 he dedicates his people 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.540 to God, 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.640 and he gives the altar 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.100 a name. 00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:38.620 And the name that he gives 00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:39.180 is God, 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.300 is the God of Israel. 00:32:41.800 --> 00:32:42.900 He is reminding 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:44.800 who this is 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:46.060 and what God 00:32:46.060 --> 00:32:47.180 has done. 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.180 And Jacob says, 00:32:49.280 --> 00:32:49.920 our relationship 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.640 with God 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:52.280 is what 00:32:52.280 --> 00:32:54.100 will define us. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:55.960 If you can, 00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.660 turn with me 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.000 in your Bibles 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:58.200 to Joshua chapter 24. 00:33:03.300 --> 00:33:04.260 Joshua 24. 00:33:05.760 --> 00:33:07.220 What we find 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.780 is a very similar 00:33:08.780 --> 00:33:10.300 situation. 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.020 Different, 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.800 there's some similarities. 00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:15.420 As Joshua, 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:17.260 who has been leading 00:33:17.260 --> 00:33:17.960 God's people, 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.380 has come to the end 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.040 of his life, 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.280 and he challenges 00:33:23.280 --> 00:33:24.940 the people of God 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:26.400 to be God's people 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.280 and to follow God. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.480 And start reading 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.380 in verse 14. 00:33:31.260 --> 00:33:32.620 Some of you may recognize 00:33:32.620 --> 00:33:33.640 some of these verses. 00:33:35.760 --> 00:33:36.580 Now therefore, 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.000 fear the Lord 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:40.360 and serve him 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:41.180 in sincerity 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:42.320 and in faithfulness. 00:33:43.540 --> 00:33:45.520 Put away the gods 00:33:45.520 --> 00:33:47.060 that your fathers 00:33:47.060 --> 00:33:49.020 served beyond the river 00:33:49.020 --> 00:33:50.320 and in Egypt 00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:51.300 and serve the Lord. 00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:51.920 So if you're not 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:54.060 familiar with the story 00:33:54.060 --> 00:33:55.220 of the Israelites, 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:57.100 the story of the Israelites 00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:57.900 is so much 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:59.460 the story of humanity 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:02.900 as they serve idols 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.960 in spite of 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.080 who God is. 00:34:05.760 --> 00:34:08.940 And so Joshua says, 00:34:09.120 --> 00:34:09.920 put away the gods 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:11.380 that your fathers served 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:12.840 beyond the river 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.520 and in Egypt 00:34:13.520 --> 00:34:14.600 and serve the Lord. 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:17.160 And if it is evil 00:34:17.160 --> 00:34:17.960 in your eyes 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.520 to serve the Lord, 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:22.060 choose this day 00:34:22.060 --> 00:34:24.120 whom you will serve. 00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:26.000 Whether the gods 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:27.260 your father served 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.040 in the region 00:34:28.040 --> 00:34:29.000 beyond the river 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:30.080 or the gods 00:34:30.080 --> 00:34:31.020 of the Amorites 00:34:31.020 --> 00:34:31.700 in whose land 00:34:31.700 --> 00:34:32.260 you dwell. 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.180 And then here's the verse. 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.080 Here's the one 00:34:34.080 --> 00:34:34.520 that we know. 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:35.600 But as for me 00:34:35.600 --> 00:34:36.800 and my house, 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:39.600 we will serve 00:34:39.600 --> 00:34:40.500 the Lord. 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:43.360 It's this stamp. 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:45.180 It's this commitment. 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.980 It's this decision 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:49.240 that when things 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.580 become difficult, 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.740 that on the mountaintop 00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.680 and in the valley 00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:54.720 and on the road 00:34:54.720 --> 00:34:55.400 in between, 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.640 that we'll look back 00:34:57.640 --> 00:34:58.280 and we're going to make 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:58.940 a choice. 00:34:59.600 --> 00:35:00.620 and the choice 00:35:00.620 --> 00:35:02.300 is an easy choice 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:03.440 because of who he is 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.960 but it may be difficult 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:06.400 in our circumstances 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.900 that we're not going 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.680 to revert back 00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:10.020 to who we were before 00:35:10.020 --> 00:35:11.440 but as for me 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.700 and my house, 00:35:13.140 --> 00:35:14.460 we will serve 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.240 the Lord. 00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:17.440 And then verse 16, 00:35:18.160 --> 00:35:19.360 then the people 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.480 answered, 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:23.080 far be it 00:35:23.080 --> 00:35:23.860 from us 00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:25.440 that we should 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.780 forsake the Lord 00:35:26.780 --> 00:35:28.460 to serve other gods 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:30.880 for it is the Lord 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.800 our God 00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:33.620 who brought us 00:35:33.620 --> 00:35:35.660 and our fathers 00:35:35.660 --> 00:35:37.160 up from the land 00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:37.860 of Egypt 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.660 out of the house 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.500 of slavery 00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.880 and who did 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:43.040 those great signs 00:35:43.040 --> 00:35:44.080 in our sight 00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:46.220 and preserved us 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:47.580 in all the way 00:35:47.580 --> 00:35:48.640 that we went 00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:50.500 and among all 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.560 the peoples 00:35:51.560 --> 00:35:52.600 through whom 00:35:52.600 --> 00:35:53.400 we passed 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.960 and the Lord 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.480 drove out 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.380 before us 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.640 all the peoples 00:35:58.640 --> 00:36:00.100 of the Amorites 00:36:00.100 --> 00:36:00.960 who lived 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.600 in the land. 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:03.000 Therefore, 00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:05.080 therefore, 00:36:06.020 --> 00:36:07.640 we also 00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:08.720 will serve 00:36:08.720 --> 00:36:09.340 the Lord 00:36:09.340 --> 00:36:10.920 for He 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:12.600 is 00:36:12.600 --> 00:36:14.000 our 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:15.540 God. 00:36:19.140 --> 00:36:19.860 Joshua 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:21.000 calls the people 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:23.460 to make a choice. 00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:26.340 Joshua 00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:27.020 calls 00:36:27.020 --> 00:36:28.120 the people 00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:29.820 to plant 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:30.580 their foundation, 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:32.780 to establish 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.600 their life 00:36:33.600 --> 00:36:36.520 and above 00:36:36.520 --> 00:36:37.100 all 00:36:37.100 --> 00:36:38.260 things 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:40.040 to serve 00:36:40.040 --> 00:36:40.500 the Lord. 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.780 And the people 00:36:42.780 --> 00:36:43.480 respond 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.720 positively 00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:47.100 because they 00:36:47.100 --> 00:36:48.000 say this, 00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:50.040 we remember, 00:36:51.100 --> 00:36:51.940 we remember, 00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:53.540 we remember. 00:36:54.520 --> 00:36:55.280 Some of those 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.140 beautiful passages 00:36:56.140 --> 00:36:56.580 of Scripture 00:36:56.580 --> 00:36:57.320 that we find 00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:57.800 in the first 00:36:57.800 --> 00:36:58.280 several books 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.780 of the Bible 00:36:58.780 --> 00:37:00.880 is God's people 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:03.120 as they're 00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:03.800 brought out 00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:04.500 of slavery 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:06.320 as they 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:07.200 wander in the 00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:07.600 wilderness, 00:37:08.640 --> 00:37:09.300 as they 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:10.380 journey into 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:10.940 the land 00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.440 that God 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.640 has for them. 00:37:13.680 --> 00:37:14.540 They look 00:37:14.540 --> 00:37:15.060 back. 00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:17.420 So many times 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.180 you and I 00:37:18.180 --> 00:37:18.840 get caught 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.720 in this pattern 00:37:19.720 --> 00:37:20.460 of looking forward, 00:37:20.560 --> 00:37:21.100 looking forward, 00:37:21.200 --> 00:37:21.720 looking forward, 00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:22.700 God's what's next, 00:37:23.020 --> 00:37:23.920 God what's next, 00:37:24.220 --> 00:37:25.140 God what's next, 00:37:25.540 --> 00:37:26.540 God what's next, 00:37:26.540 --> 00:37:27.420 but we don't 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.120 stop 00:37:28.120 --> 00:37:30.700 and look 00:37:30.700 --> 00:37:31.180 back 00:37:31.180 --> 00:37:33.300 and remember. 00:37:35.180 --> 00:37:36.120 Remember where 00:37:36.120 --> 00:37:37.000 we came from. 00:37:38.520 --> 00:37:39.400 Remember the cost 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:39.960 that was 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.060 paid. 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:42.860 We don't 00:37:42.860 --> 00:37:43.460 look back 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.240 and remember 00:37:44.240 --> 00:37:45.720 our Egypt, 00:37:46.720 --> 00:37:47.660 our slavery, 00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.220 our death, 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:50.920 so that we 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.700 can appreciate 00:37:51.700 --> 00:37:53.440 and understand 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:55.160 the life 00:37:55.160 --> 00:37:55.840 that we now 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:56.840 have 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:58.180 in Christ. 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:02.140 In a moment, 00:38:03.260 --> 00:38:04.940 the band's 00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:05.180 going to come 00:38:05.180 --> 00:38:05.920 up on stage 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:08.600 and we're 00:38:08.600 --> 00:38:09.780 going to 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.280 take the 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:10.580 Lord's 00:38:10.580 --> 00:38:10.720 Supper 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:11.140 together. 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.040 This act 00:38:15.040 --> 00:38:15.520 that we 00:38:15.520 --> 00:38:15.980 will do, 00:38:17.140 --> 00:38:17.940 this moment 00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.300 that we 00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:19.020 will have 00:38:19.020 --> 00:38:21.060 is not 00:38:21.060 --> 00:38:21.700 one that 00:38:21.700 --> 00:38:22.160 grants 00:38:22.160 --> 00:38:23.020 salvation, 00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:25.100 but it 00:38:25.100 --> 00:38:25.820 is one 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:26.740 that is 00:38:26.740 --> 00:38:27.160 done 00:38:27.160 --> 00:38:28.380 by those 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.020 who have 00:38:29.020 --> 00:38:29.420 been saved 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:30.000 by Christ. 00:38:31.140 --> 00:38:32.100 This act 00:38:32.100 --> 00:38:32.360 that we 00:38:32.360 --> 00:38:32.840 will do 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:33.300 is not 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:33.840 done 00:38:33.840 --> 00:38:35.460 because we 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:35.940 have been 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.380 faithful 00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.060 in all 00:38:37.060 --> 00:38:37.520 that we've 00:38:37.520 --> 00:38:37.840 done, 00:38:38.780 --> 00:38:39.640 but it's 00:38:39.640 --> 00:38:40.020 an act 00:38:40.020 --> 00:38:40.300 that we 00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:40.920 will do 00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.920 because 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:42.540 he is 00:38:42.540 --> 00:38:43.020 faithful 00:38:43.020 --> 00:38:44.580 and he's 00:38:44.580 --> 00:38:45.340 always been 00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:45.780 faithful. 00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:47.620 You see, 00:38:47.700 --> 00:38:48.300 the story 00:38:48.300 --> 00:38:50.220 of Jacob 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:52.060 is not 00:38:52.060 --> 00:38:52.520 to come 00:38:52.520 --> 00:38:52.880 to the 00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:53.280 end of 00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:53.440 it 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:55.120 and look 00:38:55.120 --> 00:38:55.640 back 00:38:55.640 --> 00:38:57.080 and say, 00:38:57.180 --> 00:38:57.440 Jacob, 00:38:57.580 --> 00:38:57.900 good for 00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.120 you, 00:38:58.200 --> 00:38:58.440 buddy. 00:38:59.380 --> 00:38:59.800 Look at 00:38:59.800 --> 00:39:00.360 what you've 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:00.700 done. 00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:01.760 Look at 00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:02.120 what you 00:39:02.120 --> 00:39:02.860 figured out. 00:39:04.020 --> 00:39:04.680 But it's 00:39:04.680 --> 00:39:05.640 a story 00:39:05.640 --> 00:39:07.280 of God's 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:07.920 faithfulness. 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:10.120 So in a 00:39:10.120 --> 00:39:10.340 moment, 00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:10.800 we'll have 00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.460 some time 00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:12.320 of response 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:14.340 where we'll 00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:14.860 examine 00:39:14.860 --> 00:39:16.420 through the 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:16.840 power of 00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:17.440 Holy Spirit 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:19.360 our lives 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:19.680 and our 00:39:19.680 --> 00:39:20.040 readiness 00:39:20.040 --> 00:39:20.820 to partake 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:21.060 in the 00:39:21.060 --> 00:39:21.840 Lord's 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.300 Supper. 00:39:23.740 --> 00:39:24.260 You'll 00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.880 remove in 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:25.360 a moment 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:27.260 a piece 00:39:27.260 --> 00:39:27.620 of bread 00:39:27.620 --> 00:39:28.000 from the 00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:29.320 top of 00:39:29.320 --> 00:39:29.680 the cup 00:39:29.680 --> 00:39:30.000 that's 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:30.260 there. 00:39:31.340 --> 00:39:31.880 And we'll 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:32.360 remember. 00:39:33.720 --> 00:39:34.200 We'll 00:39:34.200 --> 00:39:34.660 remember 00:39:34.660 --> 00:39:36.080 the body 00:39:36.080 --> 00:39:36.740 of Christ 00:39:36.740 --> 00:39:39.660 who was 00:39:39.660 --> 00:39:40.240 pierced 00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:41.720 for our 00:39:41.720 --> 00:39:42.500 transgressions. 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:44.440 We'll 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:44.840 remember 00:39:44.840 --> 00:39:46.100 the body 00:39:46.100 --> 00:39:46.820 of Christ 00:39:46.820 --> 00:39:48.980 who endured 00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:50.300 a punishment 00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:51.500 that we 00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:52.020 deserved. 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:54.420 We'll 00:39:54.420 --> 00:39:55.360 remember 00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.700 the body 00:39:56.700 --> 00:39:57.440 of Christ 00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:58.960 who took 00:39:58.960 --> 00:39:59.300 on a 00:39:59.300 --> 00:39:59.700 death 00:39:59.700 --> 00:40:02.000 that should 00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:02.240 have been 00:40:02.240 --> 00:40:02.580 ours. 00:40:06.720 --> 00:40:07.380 If we 00:40:07.380 --> 00:40:07.620 take the 00:40:07.620 --> 00:40:07.860 bread, 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.180 we'll take 00:40:08.180 --> 00:40:08.540 the cup. 00:40:10.160 --> 00:40:10.980 The cup 00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:11.840 that represents 00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:13.020 the blood 00:40:13.020 --> 00:40:13.560 of Christ 00:40:13.560 --> 00:40:13.840 of what 00:40:13.840 --> 00:40:14.140 God's 00:40:14.140 --> 00:40:14.380 word 00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:15.160 tells us 00:40:15.160 --> 00:40:15.680 the new 00:40:15.680 --> 00:40:16.020 covenant 00:40:16.020 --> 00:40:16.560 is in. 00:40:18.140 --> 00:40:18.620 And the 00:40:18.620 --> 00:40:19.360 gory, 00:40:20.060 --> 00:40:20.520 horrific 00:40:20.520 --> 00:40:21.780 picture 00:40:21.780 --> 00:40:22.920 that was 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:23.920 the crucifixion 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:24.520 of Christ. 00:40:25.800 --> 00:40:27.020 The blood 00:40:27.020 --> 00:40:27.960 that was 00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:28.460 shed 00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:30.300 is the 00:40:30.300 --> 00:40:30.580 blood 00:40:30.580 --> 00:40:30.920 where we 00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:31.520 found life. 00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:33.980 The blood 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:34.600 that took 00:40:34.600 --> 00:40:36.240 all that 00:40:36.240 --> 00:40:36.620 you and 00:40:36.620 --> 00:40:37.200 I were 00:40:37.200 --> 00:40:38.360 before. 00:40:39.660 --> 00:40:40.440 And it 00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:41.280 washed us. 00:40:42.260 --> 00:40:42.700 And it 00:40:42.700 --> 00:40:43.020 made us 00:40:43.020 --> 00:40:43.500 clean. 00:40:44.660 --> 00:40:45.260 And it 00:40:45.260 --> 00:40:45.520 made us 00:40:45.520 --> 00:40:45.920 white as 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.200 snow. 00:40:47.640 --> 00:40:48.520 So now 00:40:48.520 --> 00:40:50.120 that the 00:40:50.120 --> 00:40:50.740 Bible tells 00:40:50.740 --> 00:40:52.500 us that 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.320 when God 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:54.760 looks on 00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:55.360 us, 00:40:56.320 --> 00:40:56.920 washed 00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:58.260 and made 00:40:58.260 --> 00:40:58.560 new, 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:00.460 that what 00:41:00.460 --> 00:41:01.360 he sees 00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:03.960 is the 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:04.480 perfection 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:04.980 of the 00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:05.320 Son. 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:08.440 And that 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.040 our hope 00:41:09.040 --> 00:41:10.780 and our 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:11.260 purpose 00:41:11.260 --> 00:41:12.840 and our 00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:13.380 life 00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:14.860 and our 00:41:14.860 --> 00:41:15.220 meaning 00:41:15.220 --> 00:41:16.820 is found 00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:17.220 in him. 00:41:20.020 --> 00:41:20.660 And because 00:41:20.660 --> 00:41:20.960 of what he did 00:41:20.960 --> 00:41:21.640 on the cross 00:41:21.640 --> 00:41:23.800 and because 00:41:23.800 --> 00:41:24.280 three days 00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:24.840 later he 00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:25.640 overcame 00:41:25.640 --> 00:41:27.000 the grave 00:41:27.000 --> 00:41:28.320 and walked 00:41:28.320 --> 00:41:28.900 in life, 00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:30.640 when your 00:41:30.640 --> 00:41:31.720 hope and 00:41:31.720 --> 00:41:32.380 your trust 00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:33.160 has been 00:41:33.160 --> 00:41:33.500 put in 00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:33.760 him, 00:41:35.040 --> 00:41:35.720 what we 00:41:35.720 --> 00:41:36.280 have is 00:41:36.280 --> 00:41:36.660 hope for 00:41:36.660 --> 00:41:38.140 today and 00:41:38.140 --> 00:41:38.500 hope for 00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:40.140 tomorrow because 00:41:40.140 --> 00:41:40.560 it's found 00:41:40.560 --> 00:41:40.960 in him. 00:41:42.600 --> 00:41:43.220 And folks, 00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:45.040 that's 00:41:45.040 --> 00:41:45.460 grace. 00:41:46.600 --> 00:41:47.380 That we 00:41:47.380 --> 00:41:47.960 have found 00:41:47.960 --> 00:41:50.020 favor in 00:41:50.020 --> 00:41:50.420 God's 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:50.680 sight. 00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:52.780 Not because 00:41:52.780 --> 00:41:53.540 of who we 00:41:53.540 --> 00:41:53.840 are, 00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:55.320 but because 00:41:55.320 --> 00:41:55.960 he is. 00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:58.120 If you're 00:41:58.120 --> 00:41:58.680 here today 00:41:58.680 --> 00:42:00.600 and you're 00:42:00.600 --> 00:42:00.940 not a 00:42:00.940 --> 00:42:01.560 follower of 00:42:01.560 --> 00:42:01.860 Jesus, 00:42:02.820 --> 00:42:04.220 I want to 00:42:04.220 --> 00:42:04.580 say thank 00:42:04.580 --> 00:42:04.840 you for 00:42:04.840 --> 00:42:05.360 being here. 00:42:06.700 --> 00:42:06.840 Man, 00:42:06.860 --> 00:42:07.280 I'm so 00:42:07.280 --> 00:42:08.080 excited that 00:42:08.080 --> 00:42:08.740 you, 00:42:09.220 --> 00:42:09.620 you could 00:42:09.620 --> 00:42:09.760 have done 00:42:09.760 --> 00:42:10.180 a lot of 00:42:10.180 --> 00:42:10.760 things today 00:42:10.760 --> 00:42:11.780 and you 00:42:11.780 --> 00:42:12.220 chose to 00:42:12.220 --> 00:42:12.640 be here. 00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:14.280 And we're 00:42:14.280 --> 00:42:14.920 so grateful 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:15.480 for that. 00:42:18.100 --> 00:42:18.720 And you 00:42:18.720 --> 00:42:19.060 might be 00:42:19.060 --> 00:42:19.380 thinking, 00:42:20.580 --> 00:42:21.160 but Bo, 00:42:21.320 --> 00:42:21.560 like, 00:42:22.300 --> 00:42:22.740 I don't 00:42:22.740 --> 00:42:23.700 know enough. 00:42:24.760 --> 00:42:25.180 You might 00:42:25.180 --> 00:42:25.560 be thinking, 00:42:25.800 --> 00:42:26.200 but Bo, 00:42:26.260 --> 00:42:26.660 I've still 00:42:26.660 --> 00:42:27.180 got this 00:42:27.180 --> 00:42:27.740 stuff that's 00:42:27.740 --> 00:42:28.280 going on in 00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:28.820 my life. 00:42:30.040 --> 00:42:30.580 But Bo, 00:42:30.700 --> 00:42:31.440 you might 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:31.820 say, but 00:42:31.820 --> 00:42:32.600 you don't 00:42:32.600 --> 00:42:34.180 know the 00:42:34.180 --> 00:42:34.880 things that I 00:42:34.880 --> 00:42:35.580 struggle with. 00:42:37.340 --> 00:42:38.040 I say, you 00:42:38.040 --> 00:42:38.320 know what, 00:42:38.340 --> 00:42:38.780 you're right. 00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:40.580 I don't. 00:42:42.060 --> 00:42:42.780 But God 00:42:42.780 --> 00:42:43.160 does. 00:42:45.100 --> 00:42:45.700 And in 00:42:45.700 --> 00:42:46.460 knowing all 00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:46.800 of those 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.340 things about 00:42:47.340 --> 00:42:47.560 you, 00:42:48.560 --> 00:42:49.880 he sent 00:42:49.880 --> 00:42:50.660 Jesus to the 00:42:50.660 --> 00:42:51.320 cross to die 00:42:51.320 --> 00:42:51.840 for you. 00:42:52.920 --> 00:42:54.160 Because that's 00:42:54.160 --> 00:42:55.620 how much 00:42:55.620 --> 00:42:57.980 he desires 00:42:57.980 --> 00:42:59.580 relationship 00:42:59.580 --> 00:43:00.220 with you. 00:43:01.640 --> 00:43:01.980 And you 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:02.660 see, today 00:43:02.660 --> 00:43:04.220 is not 00:43:04.220 --> 00:43:04.800 about getting 00:43:04.800 --> 00:43:05.140 it all 00:43:05.140 --> 00:43:05.940 figured out. 00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:09.160 But today 00:43:09.160 --> 00:43:10.800 is about 00:43:10.800 --> 00:43:11.320 coming to 00:43:11.320 --> 00:43:11.860 Jesus 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:13.660 and saying, 00:43:13.840 --> 00:43:14.220 you have it 00:43:14.220 --> 00:43:14.640 all figured 00:43:14.640 --> 00:43:14.960 out. 00:43:16.440 --> 00:43:16.900 Would you 00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:17.200 pray with 00:43:17.200 --> 00:43:17.340 me? 00:43:22.340 --> 00:43:22.840 God, we 00:43:22.840 --> 00:43:23.100 come to 00:43:23.100 --> 00:43:23.380 you this 00:43:23.380 --> 00:43:23.700 morning. 00:43:25.440 --> 00:43:25.800 We're 00:43:25.800 --> 00:43:26.400 thanking you 00:43:26.400 --> 00:43:26.900 and praising 00:43:26.900 --> 00:43:27.520 you for who 00:43:27.520 --> 00:43:27.980 you are. 00:43:29.820 --> 00:43:30.320 God, I 00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:30.860 pray that if 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.340 there's anyone 00:43:31.340 --> 00:43:31.820 here, 00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:33.200 Lord, and 00:43:33.200 --> 00:43:33.540 they don't 00:43:33.540 --> 00:43:34.040 know you, 00:43:35.220 --> 00:43:35.440 they don't 00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:35.900 know Jesus 00:43:35.900 --> 00:43:36.520 Christ as 00:43:36.520 --> 00:43:36.920 their Lord 00:43:36.920 --> 00:43:37.360 and Savior, 00:43:38.700 --> 00:43:39.120 God, that 00:43:39.120 --> 00:43:39.620 today would 00:43:39.620 --> 00:43:40.160 be the day 00:43:40.160 --> 00:43:40.500 of their 00:43:40.500 --> 00:43:41.000 salvation. 00:43:43.440 --> 00:43:44.080 God, we 00:43:44.080 --> 00:43:45.260 are so 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:46.620 unworthy. 00:43:47.200 --> 00:43:51.820 God, you 00:43:51.820 --> 00:43:54.740 give us 00:43:54.740 --> 00:43:55.260 anyways. 00:44:00.080 --> 00:44:00.880 God, you 00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:01.360 forgive, 00:44:02.520 --> 00:44:03.480 you love, 00:44:04.840 --> 00:44:05.320 you bring 00:44:05.320 --> 00:44:05.820 dead to 00:44:05.820 --> 00:44:06.260 life. 00:44:10.020 --> 00:44:10.960 And God, I 00:44:10.960 --> 00:44:13.360 pray that we 00:44:13.360 --> 00:44:14.040 would walk 00:44:14.040 --> 00:44:15.900 in the 00:44:15.900 --> 00:44:16.460 goodness of 00:44:16.460 --> 00:44:16.820 who you 00:44:16.820 --> 00:44:17.080 are. 00:44:17.200 --> 00:44:19.020 God, if 00:44:19.020 --> 00:44:19.180 there's 00:44:19.180 --> 00:44:19.820 anyone here 00:44:19.820 --> 00:44:20.180 who does 00:44:20.180 --> 00:44:20.580 not know 00:44:20.580 --> 00:44:20.820 you, 00:44:20.960 --> 00:44:21.200 Lord, I 00:44:21.200 --> 00:44:21.600 pray that 00:44:21.600 --> 00:44:22.860 today would 00:44:22.860 --> 00:44:23.180 be the 00:44:23.180 --> 00:44:23.780 day of 00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:23.960 their 00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.440 salvation. 00:44:25.780 --> 00:44:26.220 God, I 00:44:26.220 --> 00:44:27.080 pray that 00:44:27.080 --> 00:44:27.360 there's 00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:27.960 anyone here 00:44:27.960 --> 00:44:28.480 who does 00:44:28.480 --> 00:44:29.100 know you, 00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:31.200 God, and 00:44:31.200 --> 00:44:31.600 what is in 00:44:31.600 --> 00:44:32.300 their heart 00:44:32.300 --> 00:44:34.120 and their 00:44:34.120 --> 00:44:36.160 desires of 00:44:36.160 --> 00:44:36.800 the bitterness 00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:39.620 between 00:44:39.620 --> 00:44:40.200 others, 00:44:41.040 --> 00:44:41.380 God, I 00:44:41.380 --> 00:44:41.720 pray that 00:44:41.720 --> 00:44:41.940 they would 00:44:41.940 --> 00:44:42.440 find it in 00:44:42.440 --> 00:44:42.900 their hearts 00:44:42.900 --> 00:44:43.460 to forgive 00:44:43.460 --> 00:44:44.060 as they 00:44:44.060 --> 00:44:44.420 have been 00:44:44.420 --> 00:44:44.800 forgiven. 00:44:46.300 --> 00:44:46.920 through the 00:44:46.920 --> 00:44:48.580 power of 00:44:48.580 --> 00:44:49.180 your spirit 00:44:49.180 --> 00:44:50.460 would you 00:44:50.460 --> 00:44:51.080 draw us 00:44:51.080 --> 00:44:51.600 to you 00:44:51.600 --> 00:44:53.180 both in 00:44:53.180 --> 00:44:53.760 repentance 00:44:53.760 --> 00:44:55.800 and confession 00:44:55.800 --> 00:44:57.720 and it's in 00:44:57.720 --> 00:44:58.100 Jesus' name 00:44:58.100 --> 00:44:58.500 we pray. 00:44:59.500 --> 00:44:59.760 Amen. 00:45:04.040 --> 00:45:05.020 Thanks again for 00:45:05.020 --> 00:45:05.980 listening and be 00:45:05.980 --> 00:45:06.800 sure to check back 00:45:06.800 --> 00:45:07.560 next week for 00:45:07.560 --> 00:45:08.280 another episode. 00:45:08.760 --> 00:45:09.440 In the meantime, 00:45:09.920 --> 00:45:10.680 you can visit us 00:45:10.680 --> 00:45:12.280 at willowridgechurch.org 00:45:12.280 --> 00:45:13.300 or by searching 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:14.000 for Willow Ridge 00:45:14.000 --> 00:45:14.620 Church on 00:45:14.620 --> 00:45:15.060 Facebook, 00:45:15.340 --> 00:45:15.740 Instagram, 00:45:15.980 --> 00:45:16.400 and Twitter.