Love and Truth | A.R. Bernard

let's have a conversation and let's see let's have a conversation and let's see how much time do I how much time do I how much time do I have oh we got some time today y'all need to reset that clock boy today y'all need to reset that clock boy I'm going to take I'm going to take all I'm going to take I'm going to take all I'm going to take I'm going to take all this this this time can you give me 40 time can you give me 40 time can you give me 40 minutes yeah okay good well we'll be out minutes yeah okay good well we'll be out minutes yeah okay good well we'll be out before 12 all right before 12 all right before 12 all right so that works well like I was saying so that works well like I was saying so that works well like I was saying Jesus was fully Jesus was fully Jesus was fully and unashamedly and and unashamedly and and unashamedly and unapologetically unapologetically unapologetically identified with his identified with his identified with his Jewish Jewish Jewish culture he was entrenched in the C in culture he was entrenched in the C in culture he was entrenched in the C in the customs of his culture fully the customs of his culture fully the customs of his culture fully identified in the spir in the identified in the spir in the identified in the spir in the spirituality of his culture the text spirituality of his culture the text spirituality of his culture the text everything about it and too often we everything about it and too often we everything about it and too often we feel that we've got to detach ourselves feel that we've got to detach ourselves feel that we've got to detach ourselves from our cultural context and from our cultural context and from our cultural context and experiences and order to be Christian experiences and order to be Christian experiences and order to be Christian the only thing that we have to be the only thing that we have to be the only thing that we have to be mindful of is when there are elements mindful of is when there are elements mindful of is when there are elements within the culture that are in conflict within the culture that are in conflict within the culture that are in conflict with Biblical truth that's where we have with Biblical truth that's where we have with Biblical truth that's where we have to say okay here's where we have to have to say okay here's where we have to have to say okay here's where we have to have a distinction between the culture and a distinction between the culture and a distinction between the culture and ourselves otherwise it's beautiful it's ourselves otherwise it's beautiful it's ourselves otherwise it's beautiful it's beautiful to be identified and beautiful to be identified and beautiful to be identified and appreciate the cultural context that God appreciate the cultural context that God appreciate the cultural context that God put you in how many realize that God put you in how many realize that God put you in how many realize that God placed you there he already knew the placed you there he already knew the placed you there he already knew the time and place that you would enter

time and place that you would enter time and place that you would enter human history and The Human Experience human history and The Human Experience human history and The Human Experience and the conditions that were involved and the conditions that were involved and the conditions that were involved and he creatively reached you in heart and he creatively reached you in heart and he creatively reached you in heart and mind regardless of what the and mind regardless of what the and mind regardless of what the conditions were that you were born into conditions were that you were born into conditions were that you were born into amen so it's very very uh amen so it's very very uh amen so it's very very uh important that we understand this and important that we understand this and important that we understand this and appreciate this and not to try to appreciate this and not to try to appreciate this and not to try to suppress it or allow anyone else to suppress it or allow anyone else to suppress it or allow anyone else to suppress it and say you you can't be a suppress it and say you you can't be a suppress it and say you you can't be a Christian unless you act like this and Christian unless you act like this and Christian unless you act like this and usually the this is the imposition of usually the this is the imposition of usually the this is the imposition of their own cultural context on you how their own cultural context on you how their own cultural context on you how many understand you you better stay with many understand you you better stay with many understand you you better stay with me this morning we got we're going to go me this morning we got we're going to go me this morning we got we're going to go deep can you swim if you can't swim ask deep can you swim if you can't swim ask deep can you swim if you can't swim ask the person next to you if they can swim the person next to you if they can swim the person next to you if they can swim at least they can help you out when we at least they can help you out when we at least they can help you out when we when we get too deep you know we get when we get too deep you know we get when we get too deep you know we get deep water anything taken to the extreme water anything taken to the extreme becomes error even truth so in as much becomes error even truth so in as much becomes error even truth so in as much as I encourage you to identify with your as I encourage you to identify with your as I encourage you to identify with your cultural context and ethnicity don't cultural context and ethnicity don't cultural context and ethnicity don't become become become ethnocentric make sure that you're Jesus ethnocentric make sure that you're Jesus ethnocentric make sure that you're Jesus Centric and that he is the center and Centric and that he is the center and Centric and that he is the center and everything else adorns that centrality everything else adorns that centrality everything else adorns that centrality of Christ in your life amen I'm being of Christ in your life amen I'm being of Christ in your life amen I'm being pastoral and fatherly with you pastoral and fatherly with you pastoral and fatherly with you today so I shared with you today so I shared with you today so I shared with you uh several weeks

uh several weeks uh several weeks ago that God's response to a fallen ago that God's response to a fallen ago that God's response to a fallen Humanity was love and still is love Humanity was love and still is love Humanity was love and still is love right now my voice is just a little it's right now my voice is just a little it's right now my voice is just a little it's it's recovering from this past week so it's recovering from this past week so it's recovering from this past week so can you understand me we're good yes can you understand me we're good yes can you understand me we're good yes yeah it would have been better if I was yeah it would have been better if I was yeah it would have been better if I was preaching on Wednesday because that's preaching on Wednesday because that's preaching on Wednesday because that's when I was really horse and that's when when I was really horse and that's when when I was really horse and that's when I do the Barry White I do the Barry White I do the Barry White thing doesn't last long but when I do I thing doesn't last long but when I do I thing doesn't last long but when I do I talk to Pastor talk to Pastor talk to Pastor Karen anyway I'm sorry back back to Karen anyway I'm sorry back back to Karen anyway I'm sorry back back to reality here reality here reality here so where were we you see how you threw so where were we you see how you threw so where were we you see how you threw me me me off just threw me off right what were we off just threw me off right what were we off just threw me off right what were we talking about about what of course how can you divorce love what of course how can you divorce love what of course how can you divorce love from Barry White okay from Barry White okay from Barry White okay so um so um so um and for God so loved the world that he and for God so loved the world that he and for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son I can unpack gave his only begotten son I can unpack gave his only begotten son I can unpack that and talk about love being that and talk about love being that and talk about love being Redemptive sacrificial Redemptive sacrificial Redemptive sacrificial unconditional love desires to unconditional love desires to unconditional love desires to give lust desires to give lust desires to give lust desires to get love is interested in the object get love is interested in the object get love is interested in the object especially on personal relationships the especially on personal relationships the especially on personal relationships the individual that's being loved because

individual that's being loved because individual that's being loved because when you love someone you're committed when you love someone you're committed when you love someone you're committed to helping them become the best version to helping them become the best version to helping them become the best version of of of themselves you cannot separate Sacrifice themselves you cannot separate Sacrifice themselves you cannot separate Sacrifice from love commitment from love none of from love commitment from love none of from love commitment from love none of these things can you separate from these things can you separate from these things can you separate from love love for God so loved the world and love love for God so loved the world and love love for God so loved the world and it's astounding that when you examine it's astounding that when you examine it's astounding that when you examine the Fallen Human Condition the the the the Fallen Human Condition the the the the Fallen Human Condition the the the violence and aggression rooted in violence and aggression rooted in violence and aggression rooted in alienation from alienation from alienation from God you say how could that word that one God you say how could that word that one God you say how could that word that one idea be God's answer and of course it it idea be God's answer and of course it it idea be God's answer and of course it it it comes from God's nature because it comes from God's nature because it comes from God's nature because scripture reveals that God is love not scripture reveals that God is love not scripture reveals that God is love not that he has love he is love this is his that he has love he is love this is his that he has love he is love this is his nature this is who he is so Grace Flows nature this is who he is so Grace Flows nature this is who he is so Grace Flows from God's nature from God's nature from God's nature of love so of course if God is love then of love so of course if God is love then of love so of course if God is love then love is going to respond to the wounded love is going to respond to the wounded love is going to respond to the wounded broken Fallen Human broken Fallen Human broken Fallen Human Condition the other side of that is that Condition the other side of that is that Condition the other side of that is that we as human beings because we're we as human beings because we're we as human beings because we're Fallen we suffer as I said weeks ago Fallen we suffer as I said weeks ago Fallen we suffer as I said weeks ago from an inability to love and to be from an inability to love and to be from an inability to love and to be loved so we want love we desire to be loved so we want love we desire to be loved so we want love we desire to be loved and we desire and even need to

loved and we desire and even need to loved and we desire and even need to love so we need to be loved and we need love so we need to be loved and we need love so we need to be loved and we need to love we need to receive and we need to love we need to receive and we need to love we need to receive and we need to give this thing called love and yet to give this thing called love and yet to give this thing called love and yet we struggle because of our broken we struggle because of our broken we struggle because of our broken wounded condition as I reflect and think wounded condition as I reflect and think wounded condition as I reflect and think on these two things love and truth on these two things love and truth on these two things love and truth because they work together they work because they work together they work because they work together they work together this is why John opens his together this is why John opens his together this is why John opens his gospel in chapter 1 saying that that the gospel in chapter 1 saying that that the gospel in chapter 1 saying that that the law legalism command precept came by law legalism command precept came by law legalism command precept came by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ how many got to that passage of Christ how many got to that passage of Christ how many got to that passage of scripture in in the Gospel of John scripture in in the Gospel of John scripture in in the Gospel of John chapter 1 yeah so chapter 1 yeah so chapter 1 yeah so Moses presented a set Moses presented a set Moses presented a set of commands and Commandments that were of commands and Commandments that were of commands and Commandments that were designed designed designed to guide to guide to guide Behavior individual Behavior the Behavior individual Behavior the Behavior individual Behavior the collective behavior of the Hebrew collective behavior of the Hebrew collective behavior of the Hebrew society their relationship with God and society their relationship with God and society their relationship with God and their relationship with each other so he their relationship with each other so he their relationship with each other so he gave 6 613 gave 6 613 gave 6 613 Commandments to to guide behavior and Commandments to to guide behavior and Commandments to to guide behavior and human human human interaction Jesus when asked to to give interaction Jesus when asked to to give interaction Jesus when asked to to give the greatest commandment in other words the greatest commandment in other words the greatest commandment in other words to sum up those 613 precepts he

to sum up those 613 precepts he to sum up those 613 precepts he responded by saying that the entirety of responded by saying that the entirety of responded by saying that the entirety of the law of Moses all 613 Commandments the law of Moses all 613 Commandments the law of Moses all 613 Commandments are summed up in these two Commandments are summed up in these two Commandments are summed up in these two Commandments number one you shall love God with all number one you shall love God with all number one you shall love God with all your heart soul mind and strength in your heart soul mind and strength in your heart soul mind and strength in other words the totality of your being other words the totality of your being other words the totality of your being should be your love relationship with should be your love relationship with should be your love relationship with God that was on the vertical plane but God that was on the vertical plane but God that was on the vertical plane but then on the horizontal plane you shall then on the horizontal plane you shall then on the horizontal plane you shall love your love your love your neighbor as your self and that's the neighbor as your self and that's the neighbor as your self and that's the problem right there because if you don't problem right there because if you don't problem right there because if you don't have a healthy love relationship with have a healthy love relationship with have a healthy love relationship with yourself then that broken self love yourself then that broken self love yourself then that broken self love relationship is going to be projected on relationship is going to be projected on relationship is going to be projected on me me me when you try to love when you try to love when you try to love me so we have to heal and reconcile the me so we have to heal and reconcile the me so we have to heal and reconcile the relationship with God we also have to relationship with God we also have to relationship with God we also have to heal our relationship with heal our relationship with heal our relationship with ourselves I have met people who don't ourselves I have met people who don't ourselves I have met people who don't like like like themselves so it's difficult for them to themselves so it's difficult for them to themselves so it's difficult for them to love love love themselves and yet Jesus says those two themselves and yet Jesus says those two themselves and yet Jesus says those two Commandments everything is fulfilled Commandments everything is fulfilled Commandments everything is fulfilled when you can fulfill those two when you can fulfill those two when you can fulfill those two Commandments which means means all of Commandments which means means all of Commandments which means means all of the law the law the law policy everything if Guided by love all

policy everything if Guided by love all policy everything if Guided by love all right it will lead toward human right it will lead toward human right it will lead toward human flourishing which is the original intent flourishing which is the original intent flourishing which is the original intent in the mind of God for in the mind of God for in the mind of God for Humanity when Humanity when Humanity when I got saved when I came to Jesus Christ I got saved when I came to Jesus Christ I got saved when I came to Jesus Christ January January January 11th 2025 will make 50 years a half 11th 2025 will make 50 years a half 11th 2025 will make 50 years a half century of Walking With century of Walking With century of Walking With Jesus thank you the 20 people who Jesus thank you the 20 people who Jesus thank you the 20 people who understand that understand that understand that journey I celebrate that because there journey I celebrate that because there journey I celebrate that because there are two things that Jesus are two things that Jesus are two things that Jesus demands demands demands productivity and productivity and productivity and Fidelity Fidelity Fidelity occupy he wants us to be productive he occupy he wants us to be productive he occupy he wants us to be productive he said I want you to Bear much fruit and said I want you to Bear much fruit and said I want you to Bear much fruit and that your fruit should remain so not that your fruit should remain so not that your fruit should remain so not only should you be productive but your only should you be productive but your only should you be productive but your productivity should have productivity should have productivity should have longevity longevity longevity sustainability he doesn't want us to be sustainability he doesn't want us to be sustainability he doesn't want us to be a flash in the pan so he wants us to a flash in the pan so he wants us to a flash in the pan so he wants us to think long term to think think long term to think think long term to think Legacy and while we're in the process of Legacy and while we're in the process of Legacy and while we're in the process of being productive he wants us to be being productive he wants us to be being productive he wants us to be faithful to him and those are the two faithful to him and those are the two faithful to him and those are the two things productivity and things productivity and things productivity and Fidelity when I got saved January 11 Fidelity when I got saved January 11 Fidelity when I got saved January 11 1975 it was at a meeting with Nikki Cruz 1975 it was at a meeting with Nikki Cruz 1975 it was at a meeting with Nikki Cruz you've heard my story he's come and he

you've heard my story he's come and he you've heard my story he's come and he share his powerful share his powerful share his powerful Ministry and pay attention to the Ministry and pay attention to the Ministry and pay attention to the language that I'm using today because language that I'm using today because language that I'm using today because words are critical right words are critical right words are critical right words when I got words when I got words when I got saved I was directed to a particular saved I was directed to a particular saved I was directed to a particular church here in Brooklyn New York and I church here in Brooklyn New York and I church here in Brooklyn New York and I went to that church and it was a went to that church and it was a went to that church and it was a wonderful relationship that I developed wonderful relationship that I developed wonderful relationship that I developed with the Pastoral staff and and the with the Pastoral staff and and the with the Pastoral staff and and the congregation the congregation the congregation the community and it was my community and it was my community and it was my introduction to introduction to introduction to Christianity I went to the Catholic Christianity I went to the Catholic Christianity I went to the Catholic church because that was the custom of my church because that was the custom of my church because that was the custom of my family I went to the Baptist Church family I went to the Baptist Church family I went to the Baptist Church because they had a great Sunday school because they had a great Sunday school because they had a great Sunday school and they fed and they fed and they fed you across the street from that Baptist you across the street from that Baptist you across the street from that Baptist church that I attended I also attended church that I attended I also attended church that I attended I also attended the Lutheran Church especially with the Lutheran Church especially with the Lutheran Church especially with their vacation bible school because their vacation bible school because their vacation bible school because they'll take you on trips and feed they'll take you on trips and feed they'll take you on trips and feed you I joined the Methodist Church you I joined the Methodist Church you I joined the Methodist Church because that's the only play way I could because that's the only play way I could because that's the only play way I could play CYO basketball in the league you play CYO basketball in the league you play CYO basketball in the league you had to be affiliated with a church so I Affiliated so I had a very eclectic Affiliated so I had a very eclectic relationship with Christianity in the relationship with Christianity in the relationship with Christianity in the midst of that I would go to m pass on midst of that I would go to m pass on midst of that I would go to m pass on Sundays eclectic relationship in terms Sundays eclectic relationship in terms Sundays eclectic relationship in terms of the context of of the context of of the context of Christianity but I I I I didn't get to

Christianity but I I I I didn't get to Christianity but I I I I didn't get to know know know Jesus um the seeds were sown I was Jesus um the seeds were sown I was Jesus um the seeds were sown I was searching I was hungry I somehow knew searching I was hungry I somehow knew searching I was hungry I somehow knew that that that truth God and reality were synonymous truth God and reality were synonymous truth God and reality were synonymous and if I found one the other two had to and if I found one the other two had to and if I found one the other two had to be present but the social time the be present but the social time the be present but the social time the social context of the 1960s that shaped social context of the 1960s that shaped social context of the 1960s that shaped and formed and fashioned me as an and formed and fashioned me as an and formed and fashioned me as an individual and and shaped and informed individual and and shaped and informed individual and and shaped and informed my social mind my social my social mind my social my social mind my social Consciousness led me into social Consciousness led me into social Consciousness led me into social activism in the context of the Nation of activism in the context of the Nation of activism in the context of the Nation of Islam the black Muslim movement but Islam the black Muslim movement but Islam the black Muslim movement but within that 5year period of commitment within that 5year period of commitment within that 5year period of commitment to it my heart was still open there were to it my heart was still open there were to it my heart was still open there were certain things I couldn't buy into in certain things I couldn't buy into in certain things I couldn't buy into in that that that context and my heart was still open my context and my heart was still open my context and my heart was still open my mind still searching and Jesus revealed mind still searching and Jesus revealed mind still searching and Jesus revealed himself intellectually and himself intellectually and himself intellectually and supernaturally throughout that process supernaturally throughout that process supernaturally throughout that process that brought me to the point where I was that brought me to the point where I was that brought me to the point where I was open and I received Jesus as my Lord and open and I received Jesus as my Lord and open and I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and he sold some seeds that Savior and he sold some seeds that Savior and he sold some seeds that time but I I was guided into a time but I I was guided into a time but I I was guided into a church and I knew in church and I knew in church and I knew in Jesus I found the source Jesus I found the source Jesus I found the source of of of Love and Truth do you hear what I just Love and Truth do you hear what I just Love and Truth do you hear what I just said I found said I found said I found the source that's

the source that's the source that's important and there's a difference important and there's a difference important and there's a difference between Finding Love and Truth as opposed to finding the source Truth as opposed to finding the source of of of it and here's why because now I can it and here's why because now I can it and here's why because now I can reflect and look back at my journey reflect and look back at my journey reflect and look back at my journey psychologically sociolog sociologically psychologically sociolog sociologically psychologically sociolog sociologically spiritually um and I realize that even spiritually um and I realize that even spiritually um and I realize that even in the context in which I found myself in the context in which I found myself in the context in which I found myself Love and Truth was Love and Truth was Love and Truth was overlaid overlaid overlaid by the humanity of the context that I by the humanity of the context that I by the humanity of the context that I was was was in it was overlaid by in it was overlaid by in it was overlaid by people's social people's social people's social constructs by people constructs by people constructs by people interpretation of things by people's interpretation of things by people's interpretation of things by people's experiences experiences experiences by certain by certain by certain fears desires fears desires fears desires Ambitions and I and I discuss I I I Ambitions and I and I discuss I I I Ambitions and I and I discuss I I I discovered that that is the discovered that that is the discovered that that is the reality of these two things things so love and truth are so love and truth are so love and truth are simple and yet we have such a struggle simple and yet we have such a struggle simple and yet we have such a struggle with those two with those two with those two things and I realize that that every things and I realize that that every things and I realize that that every complexity has its origin and complexity has its origin and complexity has its origin and simplicity so when you find something

simplicity so when you find something simplicity so when you find something complex what do you try to do find the complex what do you try to do find the complex what do you try to do find the simple simple simple core before it became core before it became core before it became complicated when Jesus said I am the complicated when Jesus said I am the complicated when Jesus said I am the truth I am the way the the truth not a truth I am the way the the truth not a truth I am the way the the truth not a truth but the truth truth I am the way truth but the truth truth I am the way truth but the truth truth I am the way the truth and the life he was saying the truth and the life he was saying the truth and the life he was saying that I am foundational truth I am Ultimate Reality I am the truth I am Ultimate Reality I am the truth by which all other truth are to be truth by which all other truth are to be truth by which all other truth are to be measured all other truth claims are to measured all other truth claims are to measured all other truth claims are to be be be measured he said it in a very simple and measured he said it in a very simple and measured he said it in a very simple and foundational way but the reality is it's foundational way but the reality is it's foundational way but the reality is it's not so simple it's not so simple even not so simple it's not so simple even not so simple it's not so simple even though foundational it's not so though foundational it's not so though foundational it's not so simple how many of you ever had to go simple how many of you ever had to go simple how many of you ever had to go through a process in order to get to the through a process in order to get to the through a process in order to get to the truth well if it was so simple why did truth well if it was so simple why did truth well if it was so simple why did you have to go through a you have to go through a you have to go through a process because truth can be layered and process because truth can be layered and process because truth can be layered and usually is layered by Human Experience so when you to have a Experience so when you to have a truthful conversation with someone truthful conversation with someone truthful conversation with someone sometimes you got to peel back some of sometimes you got to peel back some of sometimes you got to peel back some of the layers the layers the layers in order to get to the in order to get to the in order to get to the truth the simple truth the simple truth the simple Foundation you have to peel back Foundation you have to peel back Foundation you have to peel back layers we have a court of law not a it's

layers we have a court of law not a it's layers we have a court of law not a it's not a call a court of justice or a court not a call a court of justice or a court not a call a court of justice or a court of truth because some folks truth because some folks lied beat the lied beat the lied beat the system and went free system and went free system and went free everybody oh okay we gonna say something about OJ but okay we gonna say something about OJ but anyway so we we we we we have a anyway so we we we we we have a anyway so we we we we we have a system in the court system we have a system in the court system we have a system in the court system we have a trial where we do what we peel back the trial where we do what we peel back the trial where we do what we peel back the layers in order to get to the layers in order to get to the layers in order to get to the truth what is true about truth is also truth what is true about truth is also truth what is true about truth is also true about love often more often than not when love often more often than not when we're in a relationship of we're in a relationship of we're in a relationship of love we have to peel back a lot of the love we have to peel back a lot of the love we have to peel back a lot of the layers that have been placed over the layers that have been placed over the layers that have been placed over the simple simple simple Foundation of love Jesus said it so Foundation of love Jesus said it so Foundation of love Jesus said it so simply you know what I mean yet it's yet simply you know what I mean yet it's yet simply you know what I mean yet it's yet it's complicated he said love your it's complicated he said love your it's complicated he said love your neighbor that sounds so simple doesn't neighbor that sounds so simple doesn't neighbor that sounds so simple doesn't it but when you step back and look at it but when you step back and look at it but when you step back and look at what is layered what is layered what is layered over that simple truth it challenges you over that simple truth it challenges you over that simple truth it challenges you he says love your he says love your he says love your enemies wait

what simple what simple simple simple simple foundational and yet foundational and yet foundational and yet overlaid and and I as I look back in the overlaid and and I as I look back in the overlaid and and I as I look back in the 50 years of walking with the Lord and 50 years of walking with the Lord and 50 years of walking with the Lord and studying scripture and understanding how studying scripture and understanding how studying scripture and understanding how scripture plays out in human society by scripture plays out in human society by scripture plays out in human society by those who are against Jesus and those those who are against Jesus and those those who are against Jesus and those who are for who are for who are for Jesus I Jesus I Jesus I encountered all of these encountered all of these encountered all of these layers of humanity placed upon the layers of humanity placed upon the layers of humanity placed upon the truth truth truth scripture that's why we we have scripture that's why we we have scripture that's why we we have conflicts and tensions with conflicts and tensions with conflicts and tensions with interpretation because one person may interpretation because one person may interpretation because one person may interpret text one way another person interpret text one way another person interpret text one way another person may interpret the same text a different may interpret the same text a different may interpret the same text a different way and then we argue over our interpretations we've got to peel it interpretations we've got to peel it back tell your neighbor say neighbor you back tell your neighbor say neighbor you back tell your neighbor say neighbor you got to walk with him through this walk got to walk with him through this walk got to walk with him through this walk with him through this so I found in with him through this so I found in with him through this so I found in Jesus the foundational truths upon Jesus the foundational truths upon Jesus the foundational truths upon which God reveals himself upon which upon which we build and understand life and the we build and understand life and the we build and understand life and the universe in which we universe in which we universe in which we live but it was live but it was live but it was overlaid and overlaid and overlaid and Complicated by human Complicated by human Complicated by human experiences emotions and even societal

experiences emotions and even societal experiences emotions and even societal constructs they say that the 11:00 hour constructs they say that the 11:00 hour constructs they say that the 11:00 hour on Sunday is still the most segregated on Sunday is still the most segregated on Sunday is still the most segregated hour hour hour in the in the in the country how many have heard that Dr country how many have heard that Dr country how many have heard that Dr Martin Luther King really ran that Martin Luther King really ran that Martin Luther King really ran that message home and why is that because we message home and why is that because we message home and why is that because we have Christians of all Races and have Christians of all Races and have Christians of all Races and ethnicities here in our country but ethnicities here in our country but ethnicities here in our country but there are certain social there are certain social there are certain social constructs that have overlaid the constructs that have overlaid the constructs that have overlaid the Simplicity of our shared Humanity human Simplicity of our shared Humanity human Simplicity of our shared Humanity human dignity human worth that we all bleed dignity human worth that we all bleed dignity human worth that we all bleed red that we're all created in the image red that we're all created in the image red that we're all created in the image of God and have an equality as human of God and have an equality as human of God and have an equality as human beings bearing that image but it's been beings bearing that image but it's been beings bearing that image but it's been lay it lay it lay it over by history by experiences by fears over by history by experiences by fears over by history by experiences by fears and Ambitions and and and social and Ambitions and and and social and Ambitions and and and social constructs how many understand what I'm constructs how many understand what I'm constructs how many understand what I'm talking about here yeah we're going to talking about here yeah we're going to talking about here yeah we're going to dig down dig down dig down to your level where where you are to your level where where you are to your level where where you are interacting with other human beings interacting with other human beings interacting with other human beings around around these two things because around around these two things because around around these two things because they work together they support each they work together they support each they work together they support each other the human heart desires two other the human heart desires two other the human heart desires two things things things love and truth because when you love someone you truth because when you love someone you want them to tell you the want them to tell you the want them to tell you the truth because truth makes

truth because truth makes truth because truth makes love possible I'm going slow I'm going slow here because I want you to grasp this here because I want you to grasp this here because I want you to grasp this I'm making you I'm making you I'm making you think getting smoky in think getting smoky in think getting smoky in here so our Humanity tends to add here so our Humanity tends to add here so our Humanity tends to add layers because of our fallen Human layers because of our fallen Human layers because of our fallen Human Condition let me give you an example of Condition let me give you an example of Condition let me give you an example of what I'm talking about let's go to the what I'm talking about let's go to the what I'm talking about let's go to the gospel of Matthew chapter gospel of Matthew chapter gospel of Matthew chapter 19 Gospel of Matthew chapter 19 Gospel of Matthew chapter 19 Gospel of Matthew chapter 19 I'm reading from the English Standard 19 I'm reading from the English Standard 19 I'm reading from the English Standard Version ESV Pastor I didn't come to church to ESV Pastor I didn't come to church to think I came to worship think I came to worship think I came to worship god well let's try worshiping him with god well let's try worshiping him with god well let's try worshiping him with your mind for a your mind for a your mind for a moment somebody needed that not you but moment somebody needed that not you but moment somebody needed that not you but someone probably watching someone probably watching someone probably watching on internet so truth is all often most often so truth is all often most often typically layered over with Humanity typically layered over with Humanity typically layered over with Humanity Fallen Fallen Fallen Humanity so verse Chapter 19 Verse one Humanity so verse Chapter 19 Verse one Humanity so verse Chapter 19 Verse one 191 now when Jesus had finished these 191 now when Jesus had finished these 191 now when Jesus had finished these sayings He Went Away From Galilee and sayings He Went Away From Galilee and sayings He Went Away From Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the

entered the region of Judea beyond the entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan and large crowds followed him and Jordan and large crowds followed him and Jordan and large crowds followed him and he healed them he healed them he healed them there Judea of course this is jewry this there Judea of course this is jewry this there Judea of course this is jewry this is where the concentration of the is where the concentration of the is where the concentration of the population were population were population were Jews and Pharisees these are the Jews and Pharisees these are the Jews and Pharisees these are the theological Scholars of the day scholars theological Scholars of the day scholars theological Scholars of the day scholars in the law came up to in the law came up to in the law came up to him and him and him and what what were they what what were they what what were they doing it's it's in the text doing it's it's in the text doing it's it's in the text what were they what were they what were they doing yeah what was their doing yeah what was their doing yeah what was their motivation to test him yeah it's not motivation to test him yeah it's not motivation to test him yeah it's not magic it's it's it's is it on the screen magic it's it's it's is it on the screen magic it's it's it's is it on the screen no okay so it should be on your no okay so it should be on your no okay so it should be on your device on the pages of device on the pages of device on the pages of your older technology they came up to him and technology they came up to him and tested him it's important that you tested him it's important that you tested him it's important that you understand the motivation of a person understand the motivation of a person understand the motivation of a person when they come to you because it'll help when they come to you because it'll help when they come to you because it'll help you understand their intellectual and you understand their intellectual and you understand their intellectual and emotional disposition in the emotional disposition in the emotional disposition in the conversation got it so they wanted to conversation got it so they wanted to conversation got it so they wanted to trap him trap him trap him essentially they asked the question is essentially they asked the question is essentially they asked the question is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any it lawful to divorce one's wife for any it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause now they would only test him

cause now they would only test him cause now they would only test him publicly cuz this was public crowds were publicly cuz this was public crowds were publicly cuz this was public crowds were they would only do that with a hot they would only do that with a hot they would only do that with a hot button issue how many know we have hot button issue how many know we have hot button issue how many know we have hot button issues in our society issues that button issues in our society issues that button issues in our society issues that are always on the news we're arguing are always on the news we're arguing are always on the news we're arguing about so evidently and historically it's about so evidently and historically it's about so evidently and historically it's true there was a high rate of divorce true there was a high rate of divorce true there was a high rate of divorce amongst the Jewish people the Jewish amongst the Jewish people the Jewish amongst the Jewish people the Jewish Community especially because of the Community especially because of the Community especially because of the place of women in Jewish place of women in Jewish place of women in Jewish Society women were not treated with Society women were not treated with Society women were not treated with dignity and dignity and dignity and respect women were subservient to respect women were subservient to respect women were subservient to men they were not allowed to men they were not allowed to men they were not allowed to participate in society in any participate in society in any participate in society in any significant significant significant way it was quite way it was quite way it was quite patriarchal men patriarchal men patriarchal men dominated got dominated got dominated got it so the issue of divorce was big and it so the issue of divorce was big and it so the issue of divorce was big and there was a lot of divorcees going on at there was a lot of divorcees going on at there was a lot of divorcees going on at that that that time so they raised the issue time so they raised the issue time so they raised the issue because they wanted him to say something because they wanted him to say something because they wanted him to say something that would trap him publicly this is a that would trap him publicly this is a that would trap him publicly this is a public conversation that's going on with public conversation that's going on with public conversation that's going on with these Scholars who are respected within these Scholars who are respected within these Scholars who are respected within the society who supposedly know what the society who supposedly know what the society who supposedly know what they're talking about are challenging they're talking about are challenging they're talking about are challenging Jesus is it lawful to divorce one's wife Jesus is it lawful to divorce one's wife Jesus is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause so it meant that men were for any cause so it meant that men were for any cause so it meant that men were divorcing them why and and I love the divorcing them why and and I love the divorcing them why and and I love the King James language it says not divorce

King James language it says not divorce King James language it says not divorce it says to put away his wife wife love the wife love the language was it is it lawful for a man language was it is it lawful for a man language was it is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for any reason they to put away his wife for any reason they to put away his wife for any reason they were divorcing for some of the minutest were divorcing for some of the minutest were divorcing for some of the minutest infractions that they could infractions that they could infractions that they could conct in order to move on to a new a new conct in order to move on to a new a new conct in order to move on to a new a new woman so women were a woman so women were a woman so women were a commodity and unprotected commodity to a commodity and unprotected commodity to a commodity and unprotected commodity to a great degree not because the law of great degree not because the law of great degree not because the law of Moses didn't protect her but because of Moses didn't protect her but because of Moses didn't protect her but because of the the the social Consciousness because the the the social Consciousness because the the the social Consciousness because of the culture because of things that of the culture because of things that of the culture because of things that were being were being were being allowed got it so they raised this issue allowed got it so they raised this issue allowed got it so they raised this issue question this hot button issue to Jesus question this hot button issue to Jesus question this hot button issue to Jesus is it is it is it lawful is it lawful is it lawful is it okay to get a divorce for the dumbest okay to get a divorce for the dumbest okay to get a divorce for the dumbest reason I didn't like the the way she reason I didn't like the the way she reason I didn't like the the way she made breakfast you're out of here this is what women were subject here this is what women were subject to ladies would just just say thank God to ladies would just just say thank God to ladies would just just say thank God for Jesus thank God for for Jesus thank God for for Jesus thank God for [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Jesus he brought a level of respect Jesus he brought a level of respect Jesus he brought a level of respect affirmation to affirmation to affirmation to women that's why when he when he had the women that's why when he when he had the women that's why when he when he had the conversation with the woman at the well conversation with the woman at the well conversation with the woman at the well he had to send his disciples away to get he had to send his disciples away to get he had to send his disciples away to get lunch cuz they couldn't handle the

lunch cuz they couldn't handle the lunch cuz they couldn't handle the conversation that he was about to have conversation that he was about to have conversation that he was about to have this encounter with this woman this encounter with this woman this encounter with this woman especially this woman and if you know especially this woman and if you know especially this woman and if you know the story you know why I said say what I say notice his say notice his answer he goes back answer he goes back answer he goes back to the foundational to the foundational to the foundational truth what's he going back to truth what's he going back to truth what's he going back to foundu and foundational truth is quite foundu and foundational truth is quite foundu and foundational truth is quite simple not simple not simple not complicated so he goes back to complicated so he goes back to complicated so he goes back to foundational truth and many times and foundational truth and many times and foundational truth and many times and Jesus is having conversation he goes Jesus is having conversation he goes Jesus is having conversation he goes back to the foundational truth he points back to the foundational truth he points back to the foundational truth he points to the to the to the beginning he answered have you not read beginning he answered have you not read beginning he answered have you not read now that's a slap in the face because now that's a slap in the face because now that's a slap in the face because they're scholars in the law which which he's telling them you law which which he's telling them you read it but you're not reading read it but you're not reading read it but you're not reading it have you not read that he who it have you not read that he who it have you not read that he who created them speaking of those who are created them speaking of those who are created them speaking of those who are in the marriage context he who created in the marriage context he who created in the marriage context he who created them from the beginning foundational made them what foundational made them what male and female Simple Truth simple male and female Simple Truth simple male and female Simple Truth simple truth about identity in a truth about identity in a truth about identity in a society with an ideology society with an ideology society with an ideology of identity being fluid the fluidity of

of identity being fluid the fluidity of of identity being fluid the fluidity of identity I was talking to one teacher oh identity I was talking to one teacher oh identity I was talking to one teacher oh no gosh we were we were in the context no gosh we were we were in the context no gosh we were we were in the context of a meeting with cultur L Academy and of a meeting with cultur L Academy and of a meeting with cultur L Academy and principal magette was sharing with me a principal magette was sharing with me a principal magette was sharing with me a situation of a young child situation of a young child situation of a young child who who who parent raised him as a parent raised him as a parent raised him as a dog and the child would come to school dog and the child would come to school dog and the child would come to school barking and taking on the barking and taking on the barking and taking on the characteristics of a characteristics of a characteristics of a dog the fluidity of identity is not just dog the fluidity of identity is not just dog the fluidity of identity is not just gender all right but it's the totality gender all right but it's the totality gender all right but it's the totality of identity and because our fallen Human of identity and because our fallen Human of identity and because our fallen Human Condition separated from God alienated Condition separated from God alienated Condition separated from God alienated from God we all begin life with the from God we all begin life with the from God we all begin life with the identity identity identity crisis and we don't all resolve it crisis and we don't all resolve it crisis and we don't all resolve it before we before we before we die so here a young child thank God that die so here a young child thank God that die so here a young child thank God that the child got beyond that got into a the child got beyond that got into a the child got beyond that got into a proper context all of that was changed proper context all of that was changed proper context all of that was changed and now doing incredibly well out in and now doing incredibly well out in and now doing incredibly well out in society but the fluidity of identity you society but the fluidity of identity you society but the fluidity of identity you can be whoever you want to be whatever can be whoever you want to be whatever can be whoever you want to be whatever you want to be it doesn't matter there you want to be it doesn't matter there you want to be it doesn't matter there are no boundaries there no guidelines are no boundaries there no guidelines are no boundaries there no guidelines there's no framework that's a there's no framework that's a there's no framework that's a problem so Jesus goes back to the problem so Jesus goes back to the problem so Jesus goes back to the Simplicity of it all and he said look Simplicity of it all and he said look Simplicity of it all and he said look from the beginning God made created he from the beginning God made created he from the beginning God made created he who created him which means he's who created him which means he's who created him which means he's expressing God's Authority expressing God's Authority expressing God's Authority over identity and Order that's another over identity and Order that's another over identity and Order that's another challenge with our society because it's

challenge with our society because it's challenge with our society because it's a question of authority your God can't tell me what to authority your God can't tell me what to do if I don't believe in do if I don't believe in do if I don't believe in him and the Bible says your belief or him and the Bible says your belief or him and the Bible says your belief or unbelief doesn't change who God simple the Apostle Paul said if some simple the Apostle Paul said if some don't don't don't believe does it affect our faith believe does it affect our faith believe does it affect our faith absolutely not I I will not impose my absolutely not I I will not impose my absolutely not I I will not impose my faith system on you I'll make it faith system on you I'll make it faith system on you I'll make it available to you I'll reason with you as available to you I'll reason with you as available to you I'll reason with you as to why our idea of order and identity to why our idea of order and identity to why our idea of order and identity works so well within Human Society all works so well within Human Society all works so well within Human Society all right but you still have a right to right but you still have a right to right but you still have a right to choose where you want to go with your choose where you want to go with your choose where you want to go with your life and who you believe yourself to be life and who you believe yourself to be life and who you believe yourself to be and I will also and I will also and I will also support to support to support to protect your right to participate fully protect your right to participate fully protect your right to participate fully in the social and political life of our in the social and political life of our in the social and political life of our society without threat of society without threat of society without threat of marginalization or or marginalization or or marginalization or or disenfranchisement or harm or disenfranchisement or harm or disenfranchisement or harm or discrimination I I'll let you you know discrimination I I'll let you you know discrimination I I'll let you you know look you be there see sometimes we look you be there see sometimes we look you be there see sometimes we forget that God said choose and we Christians come across like no and we Christians come across like no God told us to choose for you and you

God told us to choose for you and you God told us to choose for you and you better do this no no and that's why better do this no no and that's why better do this no no and that's why people run away from people run away from people run away from us no you see there's a different us no you see there's a different us no you see there's a different reaction that you get from people when reaction that you get from people when reaction that you get from people when you ask them a question that leads them you ask them a question that leads them you ask them a question that leads them that puts them on a path of Discovery as that puts them on a path of Discovery as that puts them on a path of Discovery as opposed to giving them a definitive opposed to giving them a definitive opposed to giving them a definitive Commandment that puts them in defense Commandment that puts them in defense Commandment that puts them in defense mode no sit down let me tell you why mode no sit down let me tell you why mode no sit down let me tell you why you're wrong and I'm right forget about you're wrong and I'm right forget about you're wrong and I'm right forget about it conversation's it conversation's it conversation's over but when you say well let's let's over but when you say well let's let's over but when you say well let's let's talk about what you think and how you talk about what you think and how you talk about what you think and how you think and where that leads to what it think and where that leads to what it think and where that leads to what it leads to what's the outcome of that leads to what's the outcome of that leads to what's the outcome of that let's let's talk about that when you do let's let's talk about that when you do let's let's talk about that when you do that you allow the power of conscience that you allow the power of conscience that you allow the power of conscience that God has put in every human being that God has put in every human being that God has put in every human being and you give the Holy Spirit something and you give the Holy Spirit something and you give the Holy Spirit something to work with within that conscience in to work with within that conscience in to work with within that conscience in order to carry them on a pathway that order to carry them on a pathway that order to carry them on a pathway that could just leave to God's order and God's leave to God's order and God's Authority times have changed folks we Authority times have changed folks we Authority times have changed folks we have to think differently about our have to think differently about our have to think differently about our relationship with society and how we relationship with society and how we relationship with society and how we share Jesus with share Jesus with share Jesus with Society have you not read that he Society have you not read that he Society have you not read that he created from the beginning man created from the beginning man created from the beginning man made the male and female and said made the male and female and said made the male and female and said therefore a man shall leave his father therefore a man shall leave his father therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife and his mother and hold fast to his wife and his mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become what one flesh

and the two shall become what one flesh and the two shall become what one flesh not one Spirit but one flesh so they are not one Spirit but one flesh so they are not one Spirit but one flesh so they are no longer two but one flesh what no longer two but one flesh what no longer two but one flesh what therefore God has joined together let no therefore God has joined together let no therefore God has joined together let no man what separate they said to him they man what separate they said to him they man what separate they said to him they said to him now this is their response said to him now this is their response said to him now this is their response notice it he takes them to the notice it he takes them to the notice it he takes them to the foundational truth right now now what do foundational truth right now now what do foundational truth right now now what do they do they engage in the conversation they do they engage in the conversation they do they engage in the conversation the the the overlay they said to him well why then overlay they said to him well why then overlay they said to him well why then did did did Moses command one to give a certificate Moses command one to give a certificate Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away or to of divorce and to send her away or to of divorce and to send her away or to put her put her put her away that's the overlay their fallen away that's the overlay their fallen away that's the overlay their fallen Human Condition responds to the Human Condition responds to the Human Condition responds to the foundational truth of a long-term foundational truth of a long-term foundational truth of a long-term commitment right in the context of a commitment right in the context of a commitment right in the context of a sacred Bond and sacred Union called sacred Bond and sacred Union called sacred Bond and sacred Union called marriage and they're going to say well marriage and they're going to say well marriage and they're going to say well suppose we get tired of each other suppose we get tired of each other suppose we get tired of each other suppose this suppose that and they want suppose this suppose that and they want suppose this suppose that and they want to lay that over so can you imagine to lay that over so can you imagine to lay that over so can you imagine layer and layer and layer layer and layer and layer and layer layer and layer and layer and layer layer and layer but Jesus went right to the layer but Jesus went right to the layer but Jesus went right to the foundational truth this is how God foundational truth this is how God foundational truth this is how God designed it he said to them why because designed it he said to them why because designed it he said to them why because of your Hardness of of your Hardness of of your Hardness of Heart Moses allowed not God the concession was made by Moses because the concession was made by Moses because of the state of the of the state of the of the state of the people Moses allowed you to divorce your

people Moses allowed you to divorce your people Moses allowed you to divorce your wives but from the beginning it was not wives but from the beginning it was not wives but from the beginning it was not so it gets rough here you ready and I so it gets rough here you ready and I so it gets rough here you ready and I say to you whoever divorces his wife say to you whoever divorces his wife say to you whoever divorces his wife except for sexual IMM morality and except for sexual IMM morality and except for sexual IMM morality and marries another commits adultery no marries another commits adultery no marries another commits adultery no notice their response the disciples said notice their response the disciples said notice their response the disciples said to him if such is the to him if such is the to him if such is the case between a man and his wife it is case between a man and his wife it is case between a man and his wife it is better not to better not to better not to marry marry marry look is that foreign guess what people look is that foreign guess what people look is that foreign guess what people are saying today if this is what's going to be today if this is what's going to be required of me let's just you know you required of me let's just you know you required of me let's just you know you know what it's called shacking up now let me say this if you experience a now let me say this if you experience a divorce don't feel condemned God divorce don't feel condemned God divorce don't feel condemned God forgives you it's not the unpardonable forgives you it's not the unpardonable forgives you it's not the unpardonable sin like some would have you believe you sin like some would have you believe you sin like some would have you believe you can rebuild your life and learn not to can rebuild your life and learn not to can rebuild your life and learn not to make the same mistakes how many make the same mistakes how many make the same mistakes how many understand what I'm talking about all understand what I'm talking about all understand what I'm talking about all right in in some places in some church right in in some places in some church right in in some places in some church context it gets context it gets context it gets crazy because you know you have people crazy because you know you have people crazy because you know you have people saying the only way you can move forward saying the only way you can move forward saying the only way you can move forward you know you go got to go back and this you know you go got to go back and this you know you go got to go back and this if everybody's moved on you got to go if everybody's moved on you got to go if everybody's moved on you got to go back and disrupt the existing that you back and disrupt the existing that you back and disrupt the existing that you know families that were created out of know families that were created out of know families that were created out of the divorce situation so what happens if the divorce situation so what happens if the divorce situation so what happens if someone gets saved after they've been someone gets saved after they've been someone gets saved after they've been divorced three times they get they get divorced three times they get they get divorced three times they get they get saved Born Again encounter Jesus they're

saved Born Again encounter Jesus they're saved Born Again encounter Jesus they're single now they want to get married uh single now they want to get married uh single now they want to get married uh do they spend the rest of their life do they spend the rest of their life do they spend the rest of their life like that or in order to get married do like that or in order to get married do like that or in order to get married do they go back to the first they go back to the first they go back to the first husband who's gotten married and started husband who's gotten married and started husband who's gotten married and started a family disrupt that a family disrupt that a family disrupt that [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] how many understand it gets complicated so today in our society our complicated so today in our society our young people you know our Our Generation young people you know our Our Generation young people you know our Our Generation we tended to get married in our we tended to get married in our we tended to get married in our 20s tell them a little 20s tell them a little 20s tell them a little earlier I could understand back in 1900s earlier I could understand back in 1900s earlier I could understand back in 1900s cuz because the average lifespan was 45 cuz because the average lifespan was 45 cuz because the average lifespan was 45 years if that's all you had to deal with years if that's all you had to deal with years if that's all you had to deal with before you die you better do it saying people get married at 16 starting saying people get married at 16 starting families we don't have much time families we don't have much time families we don't have much time here but now you got to think carefully here but now you got to think carefully here but now you got to think carefully because the average lifespan now is in because the average lifespan now is in because the average lifespan now is in our 80s soon to be in our 90s so if you our 80s soon to be in our 90s so if you our 80s soon to be in our 90s so if you get married when you're 19 you got a get married when you're 19 you got a get married when you're 19 you got a good 75 years to good 75 years to good 75 years to go you better to think about go you better to think about go you better to think about [Applause] it tell your neighbor say neigh but it tell your neighbor say neigh but that's good preaching so some folks are saying well preaching so some folks are saying well I'm you know I'm going to wait so a lot

I'm you know I'm going to wait so a lot I'm you know I'm going to wait so a lot of the the the the Gen Z I'm sorry the of the the the the Gen Z I'm sorry the of the the the the Gen Z I'm sorry the Gen X especially millennial generation Gen X especially millennial generation Gen X especially millennial generation they're getting married if they get they're getting married if they get they're getting married if they get married in their married in their married in their 30s and starting families so exactly what was said 2,000 years ago so exactly what was said 2,000 years ago in the context of of of cultural in the context of of of cultural in the context of of of cultural experience they're saying it today well experience they're saying it today well experience they're saying it today well if that's the case I don't want to get married so people will live married so people will live together they'll shack together they'll shack together they'll shack up and that's why certain laws had to up and that's why certain laws had to up and that's why certain laws had to put be put in place to hold a man put be put in place to hold a man put be put in place to hold a man responsible for what's created while responsible for what's created while responsible for what's created while they're shacking they're shacking they're shacking [Applause] look I don't care what you tell me all look I don't care what you tell me all shacking is [Applause] [Applause] [Music] shacking tell your neighbor say neighbor shacking tell your neighbor say neighbor this is even better preaching this is even better preaching this is even better preaching [Applause] so the same conclusions that were were so the same conclusions that were were being reached 2,000 years ago were being being reached 2,000 years ago were being being reached 2,000 years ago were being reached are being reached today it's reached are being reached today it's reached are being reached today it's better not to marry I'm not going to get better not to marry I'm not going to get better not to marry I'm not going to get married but is marriage the

married but is marriage the married but is marriage the problem problem problem o that sounded overwhelmingly female in o that sounded overwhelmingly female in o that sounded overwhelmingly female in response response response [Applause] now you can read the rest of the text now you can read the rest of the text when you want to but you get the idea of when you want to but you get the idea of when you want to but you get the idea of the conversation here foundational Truth the conversation here foundational Truth the conversation here foundational Truth versus the humanity that has laid over versus the humanity that has laid over versus the humanity that has laid over that foundational truth over time that foundational truth over time that foundational truth over time because of our fallen broken wounded because of our fallen broken wounded because of our fallen broken wounded Human Condition and what are the Human Condition and what are the Human Condition and what are the foundational truths within the text that foundational truths within the text that foundational truths within the text that we just read I'm glad you asked number we just read I'm glad you asked number we just read I'm glad you asked number one gender identity according to our one gender identity according to our one gender identity according to our faith tradition what did I just faith tradition what did I just faith tradition what did I just say what did I just say according to our say what did I just say according to our say what did I just say according to our Christian faith tradition gender Christian faith tradition gender Christian faith tradition gender identity is simple not identity is simple not identity is simple not fluid now what you choose that's on fluid now what you choose that's on fluid now what you choose that's on you all right but in our faith tradition you all right but in our faith tradition you all right but in our faith tradition biblically speaking and you can't twist biblically speaking and you can't twist biblically speaking and you can't twist the Bible to make it say what you want the Bible to make it say what you want the Bible to make it say what you want it to say that's a violation that's it to say that's a violation that's it to say that's a violation that's illegal gender is not fluid identity period is gender is not fluid identity period is not not not fluid all right but you can choose what fluid all right but you can choose what fluid all right but you can choose what you you you want number two foundational truth want number two foundational truth want number two foundational truth that's in the text that we just read in that's in the text that we just read in that's in the text that we just read in our Christian tradition tradition our Christian tradition tradition our Christian tradition tradition marriage is a sacred

marriage is a sacred marriage is a sacred bond this a sacred bond this a sacred bond this a sacred Bond and Jesus was simply elevating the Bond and Jesus was simply elevating the Bond and Jesus was simply elevating the standard of that Bond to a society that standard of that Bond to a society that standard of that Bond to a society that had lowered the standard that's why the had lowered the standard that's why the had lowered the standard that's why the words divorce for any reason any reason words divorce for any reason any reason words divorce for any reason any reason lowers the lowers the lowers the standard got standard got standard got it but what was the foundational problem it but what was the foundational problem it but what was the foundational problem here you keep asking the right questions here you keep asking the right questions here you keep asking the right questions thank you wait a minute I lose to that clock every time minute I lose to that clock every time whether it's in whether it's in whether it's in Asia in out that was better that was much better out that was better that was much better that was much that was much that was much better if you got to go to work I stand better if you got to go to work I stand better if you got to go to work I stand and we'll let you if you have to leave and we'll let you if you have to leave and we'll let you if you have to leave we understand that work not [Applause] [Applause] lunch foundational foundational truth lunch foundational foundational truth lunch foundational foundational truth here within the text they weren't really here within the text they weren't really here within the text they weren't really concerned about concerned about concerned about divorce they were

divorce they were divorce they were overwhelmed by the high standard that overwhelmed by the high standard that overwhelmed by the high standard that Jesus set for marriage and the serious Jesus set for marriage and the serious Jesus set for marriage and the serious commitment that marriage requires so the commitment that marriage requires so the commitment that marriage requires so the problem for them was commitment commitment longterm commitment how many know longterm commitment how many know longterm commitment how many know commitment scares commitment scares commitment scares [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] people especially people especially people especially long term now if there's any of you sitting term now if there's any of you sitting here who are planning to get married here who are planning to get married here who are planning to get married don't let this scare don't let this scare don't let this scare you let it terrify you let it terrify you let it terrify [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] you because when you go in you want to you because when you go in you want to you because when you go in you want to do everything you can't you everything do everything you can't you everything do everything you can't you everything you can I'm sorry to be prepared for a you can I'm sorry to be prepared for a you can I'm sorry to be prepared for a long-term commitment there's a long-term commitment there's a long-term commitment there's a difference between a 50 yard dash and across and across country marriage is across country in FL country marriage is across country in FL country marriage is across country in FL in fact across in fact across in fact across [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] planets it should force you to think planets it should force you to think planets it should force you to think seriously that it's more than just seriously that it's more than just seriously that it's more than just romantic love it's a sacred Bond a romantic love it's a sacred Bond a romantic love it's a sacred Bond a covenant that you enter before

covenant that you enter before covenant that you enter before God and it's called for longevity it's societal and generational in effect it's societal and generational in effect and that's why there are laws in our and that's why there are laws in our and that's why there are laws in our society that govern the marriage Union society that govern the marriage Union society that govern the marriage Union because it has public consequence commitment was the issue but consequence commitment was the issue but if you don't peel if you don't peel if you don't peel back you get stuck on the back you get stuck on the back you get stuck on the overlay and miss the foundational overlay and miss the foundational overlay and miss the foundational truth divorce was lay layered over truth divorce was lay layered over truth divorce was lay layered over foundational truth because of Fallen foundational truth because of Fallen foundational truth because of Fallen Humanity now this is Humanity now this is Humanity now this is why let's go to the Gospel of John why let's go to the Gospel of John why let's go to the Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 12 and 13 Gospel of chapter 16 verse 12 and 13 Gospel of chapter 16 verse 12 and 13 Gospel of John chapter John chapter John chapter 16 vers 13 verse 13 where we start now 13 verse 13 where we start now understand the Gospel of John from understand the Gospel of John from understand the Gospel of John from chapter 13 to 18 Jesus is in the upper chapter 13 to 18 Jesus is in the upper chapter 13 to 18 Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples having a very room with his disciples having a very room with his disciples having a very intimate conversation having the intimate conversation having the intimate conversation having the Passover uh supper but preparing them Passover uh supper but preparing them Passover uh supper but preparing them spiritually intellectually for what's spiritually intellectually for what's spiritually intellectually for what's ahead of ahead of ahead of them it's a very intense mentoring them it's a very intense mentoring them it's a very intense mentoring period so when you read those chapters period so when you read those chapters period so when you read those chapters understand what's going on he's me he's understand what's going on he's me he's understand what's going on he's me he's preparing these individuals who are preparing these individuals who are preparing these individuals who are going to represent him out into the going to represent him out into the going to represent him out into the future for at least 2,000 years not only

future for at least 2,000 years not only future for at least 2,000 years not only them but all those who would believe on them but all those who would believe on them but all those who would believe on him through their message in chapter 16 we read these message in chapter 16 we read these words in verse 13 ready when the spirit words in verse 13 ready when the spirit words in verse 13 ready when the spirit of truth comes that's the Holy Spirit of truth comes that's the Holy Spirit of truth comes that's the Holy Spirit right he will right he will right he will what he will what he will what he will what into what into what into what exactly truth is simple what exactly truth is simple what exactly truth is simple foundational but because truth has been foundational but because truth has been foundational but because truth has been layered over by so much stuff from our layered over by so much stuff from our layered over by so much stuff from our Human Experience and fears Etc the Holy Human Experience and fears Etc the Holy Human Experience and fears Etc the Holy Spirit has to Spirit has to Spirit has to what lead you and guide you in order to what lead you and guide you in order to what lead you and guide you in order to get to the get to the get to the truth so it's not like you can open your truth so it's not like you can open your truth so it's not like you can open your Bible read it you'll get the story but Bible read it you'll get the story but Bible read it you'll get the story but the foundational truths that are there the foundational truths that are there the foundational truths that are there the goal to be mind you have to go the goal to be mind you have to go the goal to be mind you have to go through a process because guess what you through a process because guess what you through a process because guess what you come to the Bible you come to Jesus with come to the Bible you come to Jesus with come to the Bible you come to Jesus with a layer layer and layer of a layer layer and layer of a layer layer and layer of stuff in your own life in your own mind stuff in your own life in your own mind stuff in your own life in your own mind in your own emotions that you bring in your own emotions that you bring in your own emotions that you bring right to that Bible and then you go into right to that Bible and then you go into right to that Bible and then you go into a context of a a context of a a context of a church that is also church that is also church that is also layered where the truth is layered by layered where the truth is layered by layered where the truth is layered by social constructs and specific social constructs and specific social constructs and specific experiences that's real experiences that's real experiences that's real folks because if you go to a church in folks because if you go to a church in folks because if you go to a church in another part of the country that's another part of the country that's another part of the country that's predominantly one particular grouping of

predominantly one particular grouping of predominantly one particular grouping of people all right that cultural context people all right that cultural context people all right that cultural context shapes their interaction with the Bible shapes their interaction with the Bible shapes their interaction with the Bible and that's how the Bible could be and that's how the Bible could be and that's how the Bible could be misused to oppress one group of people misused to oppress one group of people misused to oppress one group of people and Elevate another group of and Elevate another group of and Elevate another group of people those are the layers the human people those are the layers the human people those are the layers the human layers that are placed over layers that are placed over layers that are placed over it so the Holy Spirit comes and let's it so the Holy Spirit comes and let's it so the Holy Spirit comes and let's back up to verse 12 this is beautiful back up to verse 12 this is beautiful back up to verse 12 this is beautiful verse 12 I still Jesus says I still have verse 12 I still Jesus says I still have verse 12 I still Jesus says I still have what many things to say to you but you what many things to say to you but you what many things to say to you but you cannot bear them now why because there's cannot bear them now why because there's cannot bear them now why because there's so much stuff on you listen those guys so much stuff on you listen those guys so much stuff on you listen those guys spent three years with him and still spent three years with him and still spent three years with him and still didn't get didn't get didn't get it and you'll find in encounters with it and you'll find in encounters with it and you'll find in encounters with where he said to them you still don't where he said to them you still don't where he said to them you still don't understand in one conversation in in in understand in one conversation in in in understand in one conversation in in in John chapter 14 one of the disciples John chapter 14 one of the disciples John chapter 14 one of the disciples says Lord show us the father and it'll says Lord show us the father and it'll says Lord show us the father and it'll satisfy us and Jesus says have I been so satisfy us and Jesus says have I been so satisfy us and Jesus says have I been so long with you you don't know me if you long with you you don't know me if you long with you you don't know me if you seen me didn't get me didn't get it they didn't get it they didn't get it they didn't get it like a person who's been loving you it like a person who's been loving you it like a person who's been loving you for so long but you're just so blind for so long but you're just so blind for so long but you're just so blind because of all the stuff that layers because of all the stuff that layers because of all the stuff that layers over that relationship that you can't over that relationship that you can't over that relationship that you can't even identify love when it's been

even identify love when it's been even identify love when it's been carrying you for years we have to be guided truth is years we have to be guided truth is simple but it becomes layered by our simple but it becomes layered by our simple but it becomes layered by our Humanity our fears our Ambitions Etc Humanity our fears our Ambitions Etc Humanity our fears our Ambitions Etc simple simple simple truth but Truth and Love work together love love is about connection together love love is about connection and Care truth makes Care truth makes love love love possible in relationships the tension possible in relationships the tension possible in relationships the tension can be so high and one person is saying can be so high and one person is saying can be so high and one person is saying to the other person just tell me the to the other person just tell me the to the other person just tell me the truth and Jesus said the truth will set truth and Jesus said the truth will set truth and Jesus said the truth will set you you you free it doesn't say the truth will make free it doesn't say the truth will make free it doesn't say the truth will make you feel good how many have ever been hurt by good how many have ever been hurt by truth truth can hurt truth truth can hurt truth truth can hurt sometimes sometimes sometimes especially if it ambushes especially if it ambushes especially if it ambushes us if it takes us by surprise and we're us if it takes us by surprise and we're us if it takes us by surprise and we're not ready for it this is why he said to not ready for it this is why he said to not ready for it this is why he said to them he said I I have a lot to share them he said I I have a lot to share them he said I I have a lot to share with you but you can't handle with you but you can't handle with you but you can't handle it the word it the word it the word bear is is is is is the Greek meaning to bear is is is is is the Greek meaning to bear is is is is is the Greek meaning to to support the weight of responsibility to support the weight of responsibility to support the weight of responsibility that goes with what I want to share with

that goes with what I want to share with that goes with what I want to share with you you're not ready for it and that's you you're not ready for it and that's you you're not ready for it and that's why you know I Pastor Karen will testify why you know I Pastor Karen will testify why you know I Pastor Karen will testify to this because that be careful what I to this because that be careful what I to this because that be careful what I quote quote quote her or even make reference this is [Applause] [Applause] reference especially since she's reference especially since she's reference especially since she's watching right now but we laughed about it she said she but we laughed about it she said she saidou know I was saidou know I was saidou know I was liberated when the Lord told me to be liberated when the Lord told me to be liberated when the Lord told me to be truthful but the part I left off was truthful but the part I left off was truthful but the part I left off was speaking the truth in speaking the truth in speaking the truth in love she leans toward the love she leans toward the love she leans toward the prophetic I lean toward a pastoral and prophetic I lean toward a pastoral and prophetic I lean toward a pastoral and that's why we compliment each other so that's why we compliment each other so that's why we compliment each other so well the prophet calls people out calls well the prophet calls people out calls well the prophet calls people out calls sin out levels the truth like the sin out levels the truth like the sin out levels the truth like the prophet Isaiah the prophet cries loud prophet Isaiah the prophet cries loud prophet Isaiah the prophet cries loud and Spares no one while the pastor says well wait a one while the pastor says well wait a minute you know people have feelings minute you know people have feelings minute you know people have feelings let's see how we let's see how we let's see how we can Truth and Love work can Truth and Love work can Truth and Love work together and when we come back again together and when we come back again together and when we come back again we're going to unpack this in your we're going to unpack this in your we're going to unpack this in your personal personal personal relationship how you can understand this relationship how you can understand this relationship how you can understand this and let you out and let you out and let you out for by your applause I'm I'm I'm getting

for by your applause I'm I'm I'm getting for by your applause I'm I'm I'm getting the feeling that this blessed the feeling that this blessed the feeling that this blessed you come on let's all stand never forget famous line in the stand never forget famous line in the movie you can't handle the movie you can't handle the movie you can't handle the [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] truth was it Jack Nicholson truth was it Jack Nicholson truth was it Jack Nicholson [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] right remember first time I saw that right remember first time I saw that right remember first time I saw that movie and and those words words I said movie and and those words words I said movie and and those words words I said wow is that true boy that's true some wow is that true boy that's true some wow is that true boy that's true some folks are not ready and if you try to folks are not ready and if you try to folks are not ready and if you try to give it to them when they're not ready give it to them when they're not ready give it to them when they're not ready it's going to it's going to it's going to backfire you wound them and lose a relationship now if the truth that you relationship now if the truth that you share is between you and a camera and share is between you and a camera and share is between you and a camera and you don't get to see the millions of you don't get to see the millions of you don't get to see the millions of people who are watching and people who are watching and people who are watching and listening that's an interesting thing in listening that's an interesting thing in listening that's an interesting thing in and of itself and of itself and of itself but not void of but not void of but not void of responsibility not void of responsibility not void of responsibility not void of responsibility so I'm aware whenever I'm responsibility so I'm aware whenever I'm responsibility so I'm aware whenever I'm doing interviews or whatever I'm aware doing interviews or whatever I'm aware doing interviews or whatever I'm aware that truth needs to be spoken but in a that truth needs to be spoken but in a that truth needs to be spoken but in a way that's going to heal that's going to way that's going to heal that's going to way that's going to heal that's going to cause an aha moment so the truth must be cause an aha moment so the truth must be cause an aha moment so the truth must be spoken in love according to the spoken in love according to the spoken in love according to the scripture if you got something out of scripture if you got something out of scripture if you got something out of this today slap high five with three this today slap high five with three this today slap high five with three people tell them I got that word today [Music]

[Music] I love the word of I love the word of I love the word of God it challenges me it intrigues me and God it challenges me it intrigues me and God it challenges me it intrigues me and I love to share it with I love to share it with I love to share it with you and this you get out of the Overflow you and this you get out of the Overflow you and this you get out of the Overflow of my own devotional time my own study time pray for our ministry we have a time pray for our ministry we have a unique brand unique brand unique brand identity Pastor Jamal has worked hard identity Pastor Jamal has worked hard identity Pastor Jamal has worked hard over the last several years to to really over the last several years to to really over the last several years to to really take our worship experience to another take our worship experience to another take our worship experience to another level our reputation with the word has level our reputation with the word has level our reputation with the word has already been established with already been established with already been established with longevity and now we're sharing that longevity and now we're sharing that longevity and now we're sharing that brand in other cities and other contexts brand in other cities and other contexts brand in other cities and other contexts and other places I know keep us in your and other places I know keep us in your and other places I know keep us in your prayer keep me and my family in your prayer keep me and my family in your prayer keep me and my family in your prayers keep the relationship between prayers keep the relationship between prayers keep the relationship between Pastor Jamal and I in your prayers Pastor Jamal and I in your prayers Pastor Jamal and I in your prayers because what we're modeling the devil because what we're modeling the devil because what we're modeling the devil would love to undermine to would love to undermine to would love to undermine to [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] disrupt don't take it lightly it's the disrupt don't take it lightly it's the disrupt don't take it lightly it's the prophet don't take this pastor Karen prophet don't take this pastor Karen prophet don't take this pastor Karen talking to you y'all better pray for him this is serious business especially him this is serious business especially since we're bringing the truth to the since we're bringing the truth to the since we're bringing the truth to the culture I love you here's our culture I love you here's our culture I love you here's our Minister Marissa who's going to Minister Marissa who's going to Minister Marissa who's going to come and close us out come on give God a

come and close us out come on give God a come and close us out come on give God a good hand clap good hand clap good hand clap offering thank you for those of you who offering thank you for those of you who offering thank you for those of you who tuned in online much love to you thank you Lord hallelujah every you thank you Lord hallelujah every everybody praying this is a very sacred everybody praying this is a very sacred everybody praying this is a very sacred moment right now I know some of you are moment right now I know some of you are moment right now I know some of you are running to catch the bus or to get your running to catch the bus or to get your running to catch the bus or to get your car out of uh the the way of traffic car out of uh the the way of traffic car out of uh the the way of traffic that's going to accumulate really soon that's going to accumulate really soon that's going to accumulate really soon but I want you to remember the moment but I want you to remember the moment but I want you to remember the moment when God knocked on the door of your when God knocked on the door of your when God knocked on the door of your heart and to know that somebody in this heart and to know that somebody in this heart and to know that somebody in this room online right now their lives are room online right now their lives are room online right now their lives are hanging in the balance so if you could hanging in the balance so if you could hanging in the balance so if you could just be still for just a moment one of just be still for just a moment one of just be still for just a moment one of the questions that Pastor Jamal asked he the questions that Pastor Jamal asked he the questions that Pastor Jamal asked he said how does growth look in the hearts said how does growth look in the hearts said how does growth look in the hearts of each individual the process of growth is individual the process of growth is sometimes uncomfortable how many of you sometimes uncomfortable how many of you sometimes uncomfortable how many of you could attest to that but we've learned could attest to that but we've learned could attest to that but we've learned that when change is necessary not to that when change is necessary not to that when change is necessary not to change is change is change is destructive and as a family we would destructive and as a family we would destructive and as a family we would like to take this moment to pray for like to take this moment to pray for like to take this moment to pray for anyone that's in the room or anyone that's in the room or anyone that's in the room or online and you know that God is calling online and you know that God is calling online and you know that God is calling you to a path of change because you're you to a path of change because you're you to a path of change because you're going down the wrong going down the wrong going down the wrong direction and even somebody in this room direction and even somebody in this room direction and even somebody in this room and online you may have started out with and online you may have started out with and online you may have started out with Jesus and life may have been lifing a

Jesus and life may have been lifing a Jesus and life may have been lifing a little bit too much but you didn't little bit too much but you didn't little bit too much but you didn't realize that God is always realize that God is always realize that God is always goding he's everywhere at the same time goding he's everywhere at the same time goding he's everywhere at the same time and at the beginning of the service I and at the beginning of the service I and at the beginning of the service I mentioned the the the the name of God mentioned the the the the name of God mentioned the the the the name of God which is lroy everybody say which is lroy everybody say which is lroy everybody say lyy r o i l Roy which is the god who lyy r o i l Roy which is the god who lyy r o i l Roy which is the god who sees he sees everything he sees your sees he sees everything he sees your sees he sees everything he sees your heart he sees how much you've been heart he sees how much you've been heart he sees how much you've been trying and trying and trying and fighting and he also sees those who have fighting and he also sees those who have fighting and he also sees those who have been been been hiding so the Lord is knocking at the hiding so the Lord is knocking at the hiding so the Lord is knocking at the door of your heart and as Pastor has door of your heart and as Pastor has door of your heart and as Pastor has taught us today and he expounded on love taught us today and he expounded on love taught us today and he expounded on love and truth I have a question for you will and truth I have a question for you will and truth I have a question for you will you respond to the truth of God's word you respond to the truth of God's word you respond to the truth of God's word this morning and respond to his love in this morning and respond to his love in this morning and respond to his love in John 3:16 he said it best I hope you're John 3:16 he said it best I hope you're John 3:16 he said it best I hope you're praying I know you're listening but I praying I know you're listening but I praying I know you're listening but I hope that you're praying Hallelujah John hope that you're praying Hallelujah John hope that you're praying Hallelujah John 3:16 Says for 3:16 Says for 3:16 Says for God so God so God so loved the world he didn't just love the loved the world he didn't just love the loved the world he didn't just love the people that you like people that you like people that you like [Music] [Music] [Music] or your or your or your family but he loved the whole family but he loved the whole family but he loved the whole world and he extended an invitation he world and he extended an invitation he world and he extended an invitation he said and whosoever believes in Him said and whosoever believes in Him said and whosoever believes in Him should not perish that's the longterm should not perish that's the longterm should not perish that's the longterm goal how many of you are in it for the

goal how many of you are in it for the goal how many of you are in it for the longterm hallelujah it's not easy and longterm hallelujah it's not easy and longterm hallelujah it's not easy and there may be days when you when you're there may be days when you when you're there may be days when you when you're questioning God and you're say hey all questioning God and you're say hey all questioning God and you're say hey all right sir where are you in this he right sir where are you in this he right sir where are you in this he promised remember the promises he said I promised remember the promises he said I promised remember the promises he said I would never leave you would never leave you would never leave you nor see leaving and forsaking are two nor see leaving and forsaking are two nor see leaving and forsaking are two different things I won't teach on it but different things I won't teach on it but different things I won't teach on it but I'm telling you it's different but God I'm telling you it's different but God I'm telling you it's different but God in his good self said that he won't do in his good self said that he won't do in his good self said that he won't do either of them he said I'm with you to either of them he said I'm with you to either of them he said I'm with you to the very end whatever that end looks the very end whatever that end looks the very end whatever that end looks like hallelujah how many of you are like hallelujah how many of you are like hallelujah how many of you are claiming the claiming the claiming the victory you can't claim the victory if victory you can't claim the victory if victory you can't claim the victory if you don't have Jesus so the altar is all you don't have Jesus so the altar is all you don't have Jesus so the altar is all open for open for open for you come on you're praying you're you come on you're praying you're you come on you're praying you're praying you're praying come to the altar praying you're praying come to the altar praying you're praying come to the altar come and make the exchange lay down your come and make the exchange lay down your come and make the exchange lay down your burdens you've tried it your way how burdens you've tried it your way how burdens you've tried it your way how many of you realize that after a while many of you realize that after a while many of you realize that after a while you realize that your your way is not you realize that your your way is not you realize that your your way is not working Hallelujah With God all things working Hallelujah With God all things working Hallelujah With God all things are possible but without him there's no rest for the weary him there's no rest for the weary come on and make the exchange you're come on and make the exchange you're come on and make the exchange you're still praying you're still still praying you're still still praying you're still praying I hear the song I surrender all praying I hear the song I surrender all praying I hear the song I surrender all it takes courage to surrender it takes it takes courage to surrender it takes it takes courage to surrender it takes courage to make that exchange so if you courage to make that exchange so if you courage to make that exchange so if you are courageous enough to walk with God are courageous enough to walk with God are courageous enough to walk with God up until the up to the up until the up to the up until the up to the altar thank you they're

altar thank you they're altar thank you they're coming they're coming they're coming they're coming let's encourage them as they're coming let's encourage them as they're coming let's encourage them as they're coming [Music] [Music] you see Heaven rejoices if there is but you see Heaven rejoices if there is but you see Heaven rejoices if there is but one Jesus declared in his word that he one Jesus declared in his word that he one Jesus declared in his word that he would leave the 99 just for one just for would leave the 99 just for one just for would leave the 99 just for one just for one Hallelujah we have children here one Hallelujah we have children here one Hallelujah we have children here come on celebrate praise the Lord bless come on celebrate praise the Lord bless come on celebrate praise the Lord bless his name we have Elders that are coming his name we have Elders that are coming his name we have Elders that are coming hallelujah hallelujah we learn here at hallelujah hallelujah we learn here at hallelujah hallelujah we learn here at Christian cultural center that Christian cultural center that Christian cultural center that change is not an event it's a process change is not an event it's a process change is not an event it's a process sometimes we want things to change sometimes we want things to change sometimes we want things to change instantaneously and we get frustrated instantaneously and we get frustrated instantaneously and we get frustrated and we feel like hey um maybe God didn't and we feel like hey um maybe God didn't and we feel like hey um maybe God didn't come into my heart or maybe God is not come into my heart or maybe God is not come into my heart or maybe God is not helping me because we expect him to move helping me because we expect him to move helping me because we expect him to move in our time but how many of you in our time but how many of you in our time but how many of you know that God doesn't make a know that God doesn't make a know that God doesn't make a mistake that he's loving you in a very mistake that he's loving you in a very mistake that he's loving you in a very profound way right now profound way right now profound way right now he's been knocking at the door of your he's been knocking at the door of your he's been knocking at the door of your heart and and and I also feel that there heart and and and I also feel that there heart and and and I also feel that there are people who started out with are people who started out with are people who started out with God and you've been angry with God God and you've been angry with God God and you've been angry with God you've been looking around and wondering you've been looking around and wondering you've been looking around and wondering hey God what about me what's happening hey God what about me what's happening hey God what about me what's happening with my story and why hasn't my story with my story and why hasn't my story with my story and why hasn't my story changed in the direction that I believe changed in the direction that I believe changed in the direction that I believe that it should have changed in the altar

that it should have changed in the altar that it should have changed in the altar is open for you too [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] hallelujah thank you hallelujah thank you hallelujah thank you Jesus thank you Jesus thank you Jesus thank you Jesus thank you Jesus they're still Jesus thank you Jesus they're still Jesus thank you Jesus they're still coming and while they're coming I want coming and while they're coming I want coming and while they're coming I want to just acknowledge you and I just want to just acknowledge you and I just want to just acknowledge you and I just want to say thank you for taking courage to to say thank you for taking courage to to say thank you for taking courage to come to the altar not to be embarrassed come to the altar not to be embarrassed come to the altar not to be embarrassed or to be put on the spot but to or to be put on the spot but to or to be put on the spot but to acknowledge the fact that you heard God acknowledge the fact that you heard God acknowledge the fact that you heard God this morning and you're responding and this morning and you're responding and this morning and you're responding and you're saying you know what I want that you're saying you know what I want that you're saying you know what I want that we started out with worship that was we started out with worship that was we started out with worship that was tenderizing your hearts to let you know tenderizing your hearts to let you know tenderizing your hearts to let you know that God's love will meet you at the that God's love will meet you at the that God's love will meet you at the point of your point of your point of your need there's no place that you can go need there's no place that you can go need there's no place that you can go that you could even run from his that you could even run from his that you could even run from his presence in spirit the script scripture presence in spirit the script scripture presence in spirit the script scripture says where can I go from your presence where can I go from your spirit presence where can I go from your spirit where could I flee from your presence where could I flee from your presence where could I flee from your presence there's no place that you could go and there's no place that you could go and there's no place that you could go and that God can't meet you there that God can't meet you there that God can't meet you there we just want to pray with you right now we just want to pray with you right now we just want to pray with you right now and if you could repeat after me say and if you could repeat after me say and if you could repeat after me say thank you Jesus for dying on the cross thank you Jesus for dying on the cross thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for my for my for my sins thank you Lord God for loving sins thank you Lord God for loving sins thank you Lord God for loving me I ask that you forgive me of my me I ask that you forgive me of my me I ask that you forgive me of my sins and come into my sins and come into my sins and come into my heart and love me through this heart and love me through this heart and love me through this journey I have

journey I have journey I have questions but I know that the answers questions but I know that the answers questions but I know that the answers are found in are found in are found in you so help me today you so help me today you so help me today and for the days to and for the days to and for the days to come and I will choose you every day I come and I will choose you every day I come and I will choose you every day I will choose you as you have chosen will choose you as you have chosen will choose you as you have chosen me these things we pray and ask in me these things we pray and ask in me these things we pray and ask in jesus' jesus' jesus' name amen and amen come on give the Lord name amen and amen come on give the Lord name amen and amen come on give the Lord a a a praise and if you are not a part of a praise and if you are not a part of a praise and if you are not a part of a church where the word of God is spoken church where the word of God is spoken church where the word of God is spoken and taught we welcome you we have room and taught we welcome you we have room and taught we welcome you we have room we have room up in the balcony we have we have room up in the balcony we have we have room up in the balcony we have room all around you are welcome to come room all around you are welcome to come room all around you are welcome to come in here because your invitation is open in here because your invitation is open in here because your invitation is open and endless and we would love to partner and endless and we would love to partner and endless and we would love to partner with you on your journey Hallelujah with with you on your journey Hallelujah with with you on your journey Hallelujah with Jesus amen amen and for those of you Jesus amen amen and for those of you Jesus amen amen and for those of you that were uh texting on on that are that were uh texting on on that are that were uh texting on on that are online you can text saved to 631 250 online you can text saved to 631 250 online you can text saved to 631 250 2688 and type the word saved there's a 2688 and type the word saved there's a 2688 and type the word saved there's a party going on in heaven and there's a party going on in heaven and there's a party going on in heaven and there's a party going on in the lobby too amen so party going on in the lobby too amen so party going on in the lobby too amen so you return to your seats thank you so you return to your seats thank you so you return to your seats thank you so much and God bless you amen amen as you return to your you amen amen as you return to your seats uh if you wondering where should seats uh if you wondering where should seats uh if you wondering where should you start reading the Bible start at the you start reading the Bible start at the you start reading the Bible start at the Book of John when ELD John wrote that Book of John when ELD John wrote that Book of John when ELD John wrote that book he did a masterful job introducing book he did a masterful job introducing book he did a masterful job introducing this individual called Jesus Christ and this individual called Jesus Christ and this individual called Jesus Christ and if you want to understand that the

if you want to understand that the if you want to understand that the relationship between Jesus Christ God relationship between Jesus Christ God relationship between Jesus Christ God and the church John is the best book to and the church John is the best book to and the church John is the best book to start amen amen uh father God thank you start amen amen uh father God thank you start amen amen uh father God thank you for who you are what you are you're for who you are what you are you're for who you are what you are you're blessing a blessed God and thank you for blessing a blessed God and thank you for blessing a blessed God and thank you for a blessing guest today we can be a a blessing guest today we can be a a blessing guest today we can be a blessing we pray for your travel and blessing we pray for your travel and blessing we pray for your travel and mercies as we leave this place whenever mercies as we leave this place whenever mercies as we leave this place whenever your presence we pray for you to guide your presence we pray for you to guide your presence we pray for you to guide God and govern our path in Jesus name God and govern our path in Jesus name God and govern our path in Jesus name amen and amen as we leave this place we amen and amen as we leave this place we amen and amen as we leave this place we never God's presence Jesus is Lord never God's presence Jesus is Lord never God's presence Jesus is Lord period we believe it we Proclaim it and period we believe it we Proclaim it and period we believe it we Proclaim it and we're seeing to come to pass God bless we're seeing to come to pass God bless we're seeing to come to pass God bless you enjoy the rest of your week and you enjoy the rest of your week and you enjoy the rest of your week and remember I'll see you in the lobby remember I'll see you in the lobby remember I'll see you in the lobby family thank you so much for watching family thank you so much for watching family thank you so much for watching ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what you just experienced impacted your life you just experienced impacted your life you just experienced impacted your life in any way we encourage you to like in any way we encourage you to like in any way we encourage you to like subscribe and share this video with subscribe and share this video with subscribe and share this video with others so we can fulfill our mission in others so we can fulfill our mission in others so we can fulfill our mission in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world we welcome you to check out the world we welcome you to check out the world we welcome you to check out some of our other videos also make sure some of our other videos also make sure some of our other videos also make sure to click the notification Bell so you to click the notification Bell so you to click the notification Bell so you are the first to know when we post a new are the first to know when we post a new are the first to know when we post a new one our praise and worship team brings one our praise and worship team brings one our praise and worship team brings us a powerful and dynamic live worship us a powerful and dynamic live worship us a powerful and dynamic live worship experience every every Sunday and trust experience every every Sunday and trust experience every every Sunday and trust me and Cameron when I say you do not me and Cameron when I say you do not me and Cameron when I say you do not want to miss it streaming times are in want to miss it streaming times are in want to miss it streaming times are in the description box below and if you are the description box below and if you are the description box below and if you are looking for any other information about looking for any other information about looking for any other information about what's happening here at CCC visit www what's happening here at CCC visit www what's happening here at CCC visit www cccinfo.org we hope to see you next cccinfo.org we hope to see you next cccinfo.org we hope to see you next Sunday but for now continue to have a Sunday but for now continue to have a Sunday but for now continue to have a blessed week in the Lord