Your Mountain Can Move | 11:00 am | Dr. Bruce Frank

Hey, good morning church family. Matthew Hey, good morning church family. Matthew here. We just wrapped up a great week at here. We just wrapped up a great week at here. We just wrapped up a great week at Creek Camp. We saw God do so many Creek Camp. We saw God do so many Creek Camp. We saw God do so many incredible things in the lives of our incredible things in the lives of our incredible things in the lives of our students. So, thank you for serving and students. So, thank you for serving and students. So, thank you for serving and thank you for praying. And God is doing thank you for praying. And God is doing thank you for praying. And God is doing incredible things here in our middle incredible things here in our middle incredible things here in our middle school ministry. I hope you have a great school ministry. I hope you have a great school ministry. I hope you have a great week and we're thankful for what God is week and we're thankful for what God is week and we're thankful for what God is doing. Good Morning [music] church family.

Good Morning [music] church family. Welcome to Greenacres Baptist Church. Welcome to Greenacres Baptist Church. Welcome to Greenacres Baptist Church. Would you stand to your feet? Galatians Would you stand to your feet? Galatians Would you stand to your feet? Galatians 5 says, "For freedom, we have been set 5 says, "For freedom, we have been set 5 says, "For freedom, we have been set free this morning. The weight of our sin free this morning. The weight of our sin free this morning. The weight of our sin is no more in the name of Jesus. He died is no more in the name of Jesus. He died is no more in the name of Jesus. He died for us. He rose from the grave and we for us. He rose from the grave and we for us. He rose from the grave and we have been set free from our bondage have been set free from our bondage have been set free from our bondage today." Amen. We have the joy of the today." Amen. We have the joy of the today." Amen. We have the joy of the Lord. Come on, we sing [music] it Lord. Come on, we sing [music] it Lord. Come on, we sing [music] it together. I got the joy of the Lord [music] deep I got the joy of the Lord [music] deep down inside of my soul and I can't hide down inside of my soul and I can't hide down inside of my soul and I can't hide it no more. I got to praise him. I got it no more. I got to praise him. I got it no more. I got to praise him. I got the joy of the [music] Lord deep down the joy of the [music] Lord deep down the joy of the [music] Lord deep down inside of my soul and I can't hide it no inside of my soul and I can't hide it no inside of my soul and I can't hide it no more. I got to praise the one who broke more. I got to praise the one who broke more. I got to praise the one who broke my chains [music] and bought my freom. my chains [music] and bought my freom. my chains [music] and bought my freom. What else [music] can I come on church What else [music] can I come on church What else [music] can I come on church family? We sing it loud today. Cuz family? We sing it loud today. Cuz family? We sing it loud today. Cuz you're just that good, just that you're just that good, just that you're just that good, just that faithful, and you're just that [music] faithful, and you're just that [music] faithful, and you're just that [music] kind. I'm so grateful that you save my kind. I'm so grateful that you save my kind. I'm so grateful that you save my life like you said you would. We worship life like you said you would. We worship life like you said you would. We worship you, Lord. So with my [music] hands up you, Lord. So with my [music] hands up you, Lord. So with my [music] hands up high, heart abandoned, and a faith gone high, heart abandoned, and a faith gone high, heart abandoned, and a faith gone by, [music] singing and dancing cuz you by, [music] singing and dancing cuz you by, [music] singing and dancing cuz you save my life like you said you would.

save my life like you said you would. save my life like you said you would. Cuz you just >> [music] >> [music] >> We sing. >> We sing. >> We sing. You put a song in my heart. I sing with You put a song in my heart. I sing with You put a song in my heart. I sing with all that I've got. And tell the world all that I've got. And tell the world all that I've got. And tell the world who you are. [music] I'm going to praise who you are. [music] I'm going to praise who you are. [music] I'm going to praise you. You put a song in my heart. I sing you. You put a song in my heart. I sing you. You put a song in my heart. I sing with all that I got. [music] And tell with all that I got. [music] And tell with all that I got. [music] And tell the world who you are. I'm going to the world who you are. I'm going to the world who you are. I'm going to praise the one who broke my chains praise the one who broke my chains praise the one who broke my chains [music] [music] [music] and bought my [singing] freedom. and bought my [singing] freedom. and bought my [singing] freedom. What else can I [music] say but thank What else can I [music] say but thank What else can I [music] say but thank you Jesus that good? Cuz you're just you Jesus that good? Cuz you're just you Jesus that good? Cuz you're just that good. [music] Just that faithful that good. [music] Just that faithful that good. [music] Just that faithful and you're just that kind. I'm so and you're just that kind. I'm so and you're just that kind. I'm so grateful that you saved my life like you grateful that you saved my life like you grateful that you saved my life like you [music] said you would. We lift our so [music] said you would. We lift our so [music] said you would. We lift our so with my hands up high abandoned and with my hands up high abandoned and with my hands up high abandoned and faith [music] on fire. sing cuz you save faith [music] on fire. sing cuz you save faith [music] on fire. sing cuz you save my life [music] like you said you would.

my life [music] like you said you would. my life [music] like you said you would. Cuz you're just cuz you're just that Cuz you're just cuz you're just that Cuz you're just cuz you're just that good. [music] [music] You're just that good. You're just that good. You're just that good. We've been set free today. Come on. We've been set free today. Come on. We've been set free today. Come on. The [music] one who broke my chains and The [music] one who broke my chains and The [music] one who broke my chains and bought my freedom. bought my freedom. bought my freedom. What else can I [music] say but thank What else can I [music] say but thank What else can I [music] say but thank you, Jesus. Oh, you're the one who broke you, Jesus. Oh, you're the one who broke you, Jesus. Oh, you're the one who broke [music] my chains and bought my freom. [music] my chains and bought my freom. [music] my chains and bought my freom. What else can I say? [music] What else can I say? [music] What else can I say? [music] But thank you, sweet. But thank you, sweet. But thank you, sweet. Cuz you're just [music] that good, just Cuz you're just [music] that good, just Cuz you're just [music] that good, just that faithful, and you're just that that faithful, and you're just that that faithful, and you're just that kind. I'm so grateful that you save my kind. I'm so grateful that you save my kind. I'm so grateful that you save my life [music] like you said. life [music] like you said. life [music] like you said. >> We sing to the Lord. So with my hands >> We sing to the Lord. So with my hands >> We sing to the Lord. So with my hands [music] up high, heart and a faith on [music] up high, heart and a faith on [music] up high, heart and a faith on fire. [music] Singing, dancing, cuz you fire. [music] Singing, dancing, cuz you fire. [music] Singing, dancing, cuz you save my life like you said you would.

save my life like you said you would. save my life like you said you would. Cuz you're just cuz you're just that Cuz you're just cuz you're just that Cuz you're just cuz you're just that kind. Oh, we [music] believe that you're just Oh, we [music] believe that you're just that good. Has he been good to us, that good. Has he been good to us, that good. Has he been good to us, church? church? church? Amen. He has been so good to us. Go Amen. He has been so good to us. Go Amen. He has been so good to us. Go ahead and have a seat. We have baptisms ahead and have a seat. We have baptisms ahead and have a seat. We have baptisms to celebrate today. to celebrate today. to celebrate today. Perfect. Well, good morning, Green Perfect. Well, good morning, Green Perfect. Well, good morning, Green Acres. Hey, what an exciting Sunday it Acres. Hey, what an exciting Sunday it Acres. Hey, what an exciting Sunday it is as we get to celebrate life is as we get to celebrate life is as we get to celebrate life transformation. Um, well, my name is transformation. Um, well, my name is transformation. Um, well, my name is Colton and I get the privilege of being Colton and I get the privilege of being Colton and I get the privilege of being next to Miss Adeline and her father. Um, next to Miss Adeline and her father. Um, next to Miss Adeline and her father. Um, if you're a family or friend, please if you're a family or friend, please if you're a family or friend, please feel free to stand as we celebrate what feel free to stand as we celebrate what feel free to stand as we celebrate what God is doing um, in her life. Um, what's God is doing um, in her life. Um, what's God is doing um, in her life. Um, what's cool about Adeline is that just a few cool about Adeline is that just a few cool about Adeline is that just a few weeks ago at our vacation Bible school, weeks ago at our vacation Bible school, weeks ago at our vacation Bible school, um, she received Jesus for the very um, she received Jesus for the very um, she received Jesus for the very first time on that Wednesday. We praise first time on that Wednesday. We praise first time on that Wednesday. We praise God that she received Jesus into her God that she received Jesus into her God that she received Jesus into her heart that Wednesday for the very first heart that Wednesday for the very first heart that Wednesday for the very first time. And then after that, she went to time. And then after that, she went to time. And then after that, she went to kids camp where she learned more about kids camp where she learned more about kids camp where she learned more about Jesus and started making a decision that Jesus and started making a decision that Jesus and started making a decision that she wanted to follow Jesus for the rest she wanted to follow Jesus for the rest she wanted to follow Jesus for the rest of her life. And then she met with our of her life. And then she met with our of her life. And then she met with our kids team, Pastor Dustin and Caleb, and kids team, Pastor Dustin and Caleb, and kids team, Pastor Dustin and Caleb, and that's when she told them that she that's when she told them that she that's when she told them that she wanted to be a part of what God is doing wanted to be a part of what God is doing wanted to be a part of what God is doing here at Greenacres. And so, we love what here at Greenacres. And so, we love what here at Greenacres. And so, we love what God is doing in your life. And so, God is doing in your life. And so, God is doing in your life. And so, Adeline, are you coming today? Because Adeline, are you coming today? Because Adeline, are you coming today? Because Jesus is the Lord of your life. Well, Jesus is the Lord of your life. Well, Jesus is the Lord of your life. Well, because of that public profession of because of that public profession of because of that public profession of faith, your dad [music] gets to baptize faith, your dad [music] gets to baptize faith, your dad [music] gets to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, you in the name of the Father, the Son, you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You're buried with and the Holy Spirit. You're buried with and the Holy Spirit. You're buried with Christ in baptism and you're raised to

Christ in baptism and you're raised to Christ in baptism and you're raised to walk a new life. [music] All right, church. Good morning. We're All right, church. Good morning. We're not done yet. Uh we have have one more not done yet. Uh we have have one more not done yet. Uh we have have one more coming uh today. And if you're a friend coming uh today. And if you're a friend coming uh today. And if you're a friend or a family member of Caitlyn, I invite or a family member of Caitlyn, I invite or a family member of Caitlyn, I invite you to stand in support of her decision you to stand in support of her decision you to stand in support of her decision this morning. But this is Caitlyn Neely. this morning. But this is Caitlyn Neely. this morning. But this is Caitlyn Neely. Caitlyn's going into her sophomore year Caitlyn's going into her sophomore year Caitlyn's going into her sophomore year at White House High School. And uh God at White House High School. And uh God at White House High School. And uh God actually in a similar way vacation Bible actually in a similar way vacation Bible actually in a similar way vacation Bible school, her fifth grade year going into school, her fifth grade year going into school, her fifth grade year going into sixth grade, uh through the the gospel sixth grade, uh through the the gospel sixth grade, uh through the the gospel presentation that morning, she presentation that morning, she presentation that morning, she understood who Jesus was, what salvation understood who Jesus was, what salvation understood who Jesus was, what salvation was, and made the decision to follow was, and made the decision to follow was, and made the decision to follow Christ. But it was just a few weeks ago Christ. But it was just a few weeks ago Christ. But it was just a few weeks ago at beach camp that God really started at beach camp that God really started at beach camp that God really started working on her heart about baptism and working on her heart about baptism and working on her heart about baptism and the need to follow in Jesus's likeness. the need to follow in Jesus's likeness. the need to follow in Jesus's likeness. And so, Caitlyn, are you coming today to And so, Caitlyn, are you coming today to And so, Caitlyn, are you coming today to be baptized because Jesus is the Lord of be baptized because Jesus is the Lord of be baptized because Jesus is the Lord of your life? your life? your life? Caitlyn, because of that public Caitlyn, because of that public Caitlyn, because of that public profession of faith in Jesus, your dad profession of faith in Jesus, your dad profession of faith in Jesus, your dad gets to baptize you in the name of the gets to baptize you in the name of the gets to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Buried with Christ in baptism Buried with Christ in baptism Buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in a new life, and raised to walk in a new life, and raised to walk in a new life, [music] man, that is the best. That is the best. man, that is the best. That is the best. Uh, hey, welcome to Greenacres, Uh, hey, welcome to Greenacres, Uh, hey, welcome to Greenacres, everybody. Glad you're here. Happy everybody. Glad you're here. Happy everybody. Glad you're here. Happy Fourth of July weekend Fourth of July weekend Fourth of July weekend or something. Um, hey balcony, you're up or something. Um, hey balcony, you're up or something. Um, hey balcony, you're up there, right? Good. Happy 4th of July, there, right? Good. Happy 4th of July, there, right? Good. Happy 4th of July, Balcony. Balcony. Balcony. >> Okay, we'll work on it. It's fine. >> Okay, we'll work on it. It's fine. >> Okay, we'll work on it. It's fine. There's there's time to make that up. So There's there's time to make that up. So There's there's time to make that up. So glad that you're with us. Listen, uh, if glad that you're with us. Listen, uh, if glad that you're with us. Listen, uh, if you're part of the Green Acres family, you're part of the Green Acres family, you're part of the Green Acres family, then you know, uh, how good it is and then you know, uh, how good it is and then you know, uh, how good it is and how special it is to be together. Um, if how special it is to be together. Um, if how special it is to be together. Um, if you're just kind of kicking the tires you're just kind of kicking the tires you're just kind of kicking the tires and checking us out, let me encourage and checking us out, let me encourage and checking us out, let me encourage you to do something. is take your phone, you to do something. is take your phone, you to do something. is take your phone, text the word connect [music] to text the word connect [music] to text the word connect [music] to 903-5251100 903-5251100 903-5251100 and uh just follow the prompts and we and uh just follow the prompts and we and uh just follow the prompts and we just want to get to know you as you're just want to get to know you as you're just want to get to know you as you're getting to know us. You can use that as getting to know us. You can use that as getting to know us. You can use that as well to do something else that's very well to do something else that's very well to do something else that's very important. You text the word pray. important. You text the word pray. important. You text the word pray. And if you've got a big burden, if And if you've got a big burden, if And if you've got a big burden, if you've got something that you'd like a you've got something that you'd like a you've got something that you'd like a group of people to pray for you group of people to pray for you group of people to pray for you confidentially, confidentially, confidentially, you text the word pray and then just you text the word pray and then just you text the word pray and then just follow the prompts and we've got a group follow the prompts and we've got a group follow the prompts and we've got a group of people that will pray specifically of people that will pray specifically of people that will pray specifically for you and you can just [music] know for you and you can just [music] know for you and you can just [music] know that for that week we will be praying that for that week we will be praying that for that week we will be praying for you. That same number can be used to for you. That same number can be used to for you. That same number can be used to text the word give, follow the prompts.

text the word give, follow the prompts. text the word give, follow the prompts. Many of you have been so very generous Many of you have been so very generous Many of you have been so very generous to maintain [music] and help us keep all to maintain [music] and help us keep all to maintain [music] and help us keep all these ministries going. One of the these ministries going. One of the these ministries going. One of the things that has gone on this summer, one things that has gone on this summer, one things that has gone on this summer, one of the ministries is our ministry to 18 of the ministries is our ministry to 18 of the ministries is our ministry to 18 and under crowd and we do it through our and under crowd and we do it through our and under crowd and we do it through our camps and uh our middle school students camps and uh our middle school students camps and uh our middle school students just got back from Creek Camp. There you just got back from Creek Camp. There you just got back from Creek Camp. There you go. go. go. And uh and it was there you go. Look on And uh and it was there you go. Look on And uh and it was there you go. Look on the screens. It was remarkable. Uh the screens. It was remarkable. Uh the screens. It was remarkable. Uh talked to uh Pastor Kurt this morning talked to uh Pastor Kurt this morning talked to uh Pastor Kurt this morning and just said there's so many great and just said there's so many great and just said there's so many great things. Several students made decisions things. Several students made decisions things. Several students made decisions for Christ throughout this summer with for Christ throughout this summer with for Christ throughout this summer with kids camp and with high school camp, kids camp and with high school camp, kids camp and with high school camp, middle school camp. Um there's been 48 middle school camp. Um there's been 48 middle school camp. Um there's been 48 students [music] that have made faith students [music] that have made faith students [music] that have made faith decisions. That's right. We can we can decisions. That's right. We can we can decisions. That's right. We can we can applaud that. And we remember that when we're And we remember that when we're applauding for 48, the number 48, applauding for 48, the number 48, applauding for 48, the number 48, [music] each one of those students [music] each one of those students [music] each one of those students uh is part of a family. And if God would uh is part of a family. And if God would uh is part of a family. And if God would use that student perhaps like he did in use that student perhaps like he did in use that student perhaps like he did in my home with our oldest brother, gave my home with our oldest brother, gave my home with our oldest brother, gave his life to Christ, and then God just his life to Christ, and then God just his life to Christ, and then God just invaded our home, changed an entire invaded our home, changed an entire invaded our home, changed an entire generation. So our prayer as we follow generation. So our prayer as we follow generation. So our prayer as we follow up with students, whether they're in up with students, whether they're in up with students, whether they're in middle school or even children or high middle school or even children or high middle school or even children or high school, is that perhaps God might use a school, is that perhaps God might use a school, is that perhaps God might use a student to change an entire family, the student to change an entire family, the student to change an entire family, the trajectory of a generation. It's trajectory of a generation. It's trajectory of a generation. It's remarkable. [music] So, thank you so remarkable. [music] So, thank you so remarkable. [music] So, thank you so much for your prayers. Wednesday night, much for your prayers. Wednesday night, much for your prayers. Wednesday night, we've been praying our knees off for our

we've been praying our knees off for our we've been praying our knees off for our students and kids [music] and and God students and kids [music] and and God students and kids [music] and and God has been faithful to move. Uh hey, has been faithful to move. Uh hey, has been faithful to move. Uh hey, listen, today is special. It's just a listen, today is special. It's just a listen, today is special. It's just a normal middle of summer, Fourth of July. normal middle of summer, Fourth of July. normal middle of summer, Fourth of July. It's kind of a holiday weekend, right? It's kind of a holiday weekend, right? It's kind of a holiday weekend, right? [music] But to me, it's very special um [music] But to me, it's very special um [music] But to me, it's very special um because I have a family member here, Dr. because I have a family member here, Dr. because I have a family member here, Dr. Bruce Frank. I feel like I have family Bruce Frank. I feel like I have family Bruce Frank. I feel like I have family that I get to share with my family and that I get to share with my family and that I get to share with my family and uh he is the lead pastor of Builtmore uh he is the lead pastor of Builtmore uh he is the lead pastor of Builtmore Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Church in Asheville, North Carolina. About 10,000 folks show up on Sundays About 10,000 folks show up on Sundays About 10,000 folks show up on Sundays there. They have seven campuses. Pretty there. They have seven campuses. Pretty there. They have seven campuses. Pretty remarkable. God has used him since 2008 remarkable. God has used him since 2008 remarkable. God has used him since 2008 uh to uh just lead that church. But he uh to uh just lead that church. But he uh to uh just lead that church. But he would be the first to tell you that a would be the first to tell you that a would be the first to tell you that a pastor's resume is not what God looks pastor's resume is not what God looks pastor's resume is not what God looks at. It's a pastor's faithfulness. And at. It's a pastor's faithfulness. And at. It's a pastor's faithfulness. And [music] so, you know, what a resume [music] so, you know, what a resume [music] so, you know, what a resume tells you is not what family knows. What tells you is not what family knows. What tells you is not what family knows. What family knows is the faithfulness. I was family knows is the faithfulness. I was family knows is the faithfulness. I was there and remember when Bruce gave his there and remember when Bruce gave his there and remember when Bruce gave his life to Jesus in high school. I remember life to Jesus in high school. I remember life to Jesus in high school. I remember when he was called to ministry. I when he was called to ministry. I when he was called to ministry. I remember him marrying his wife and remember him marrying his wife and remember him marrying his wife and raising his kids now grandkids.

raising his kids now grandkids. raising his kids now grandkids. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I remember how much he loves his church >> I remember how much he loves his church >> I remember how much he loves his church and how he spends his time pouring in and how he spends his time pouring in and how he spends his time pouring in and discipling and growing and teaching and discipling and growing and teaching and discipling and growing and teaching his church. And God is looking not for his church. And God is looking not for his church. And God is looking not for not for resumes, but for faithfulness. not for resumes, but for faithfulness. not for resumes, but for faithfulness. And I just want you to know as someone And I just want you to know as someone And I just want you to know as someone who knows him very well, what you'll who knows him very well, what you'll who knows him very well, what you'll hear this morning uh when we uh after we hear this morning uh when we uh after we hear this morning uh when we uh after we worship and Pastor Bruce comes, um it's worship and Pastor Bruce comes, um it's worship and Pastor Bruce comes, um it's not just preaching, not just preaching, not just preaching, it's living. and is backed up by a life it's living. and is backed up by a life it's living. and is backed up by a life lived in pursuit of Christ. And so my lived in pursuit of Christ. And so my lived in pursuit of Christ. And so my invitation this morning is simply we're invitation this morning is simply we're invitation this morning is simply we're going to worship again in just a moment. going to worship again in just a moment. going to worship again in just a moment. I'll pray, we'll worship and just lean I'll pray, we'll worship and just lean I'll pray, we'll worship and just lean into the worship. Hey, if you're not into the worship. Hey, if you're not into the worship. Hey, if you're not typical singer, you sing. If you don't typical singer, you sing. If you don't typical singer, you sing. If you don't raise your hands, try it out. Um if raise your hands, try it out. Um if raise your hands, try it out. Um if you're not leaning in, just do it this you're not leaning in, just do it this you're not leaning in, just do it this morning on a normal Sunday in the morning on a normal Sunday in the morning on a normal Sunday in the summer. But then when Pastor Bruce summer. But then when Pastor Bruce summer. But then when Pastor Bruce comes, if you would just listen, be open comes, if you would just listen, be open comes, if you would just listen, be open to what he shares. first service. It was to what he shares. first service. It was to what he shares. first service. It was remarkable. remarkable. remarkable. Um, and uh, it's not by clever words.

Um, and uh, it's not by clever words. Um, and uh, it's not by clever words. It's simply by God's spirit and his It's simply by God's spirit and his It's simply by God's spirit and his word. And so, uh, let me pray for us. word. And so, uh, let me pray for us. word. And so, uh, let me pray for us. Y'all bow your heads. Let me pray for us Y'all bow your heads. Let me pray for us Y'all bow your heads. Let me pray for us as our ushers come and we'll take up as our ushers come and we'll take up as our ushers come and we'll take up today's offering. Father, you're good to today's offering. Father, you're good to today's offering. Father, you're good to us. I praise you. Father, I praise you us. I praise you. Father, I praise you us. I praise you. Father, I praise you so much for what you're doing in the so much for what you're doing in the so much for what you're doing in the life of our students from children on life of our students from children on life of our students from children on up. I praise you. Praise you for a up. I praise you. Praise you for a up. I praise you. Praise you for a faithful uh staff and volunteers, faithful uh staff and volunteers, faithful uh staff and volunteers, hundreds of volunteers who've poured hundreds of volunteers who've poured hundreds of volunteers who've poured their lives into the lives of others. their lives into the lives of others. their lives into the lives of others. And so, Father, this morning, would you And so, Father, this morning, would you And so, Father, this morning, would you allow our worship to be sweet? Will we allow our worship to be sweet? Will we allow our worship to be sweet? Will we do it from a a pure heart? Let us do it from a a pure heart? Let us do it from a a pure heart? Let us worship in spirit and in truth. Father, worship in spirit and in truth. Father, worship in spirit and in truth. Father, would you take these gifts, [music] would you take these gifts, [music] would you take these gifts, [music] these tithes, these offerings, use them these tithes, these offerings, use them these tithes, these offerings, use them to your glory and to your honor. And we to your glory and to your honor. And we to your glory and to your honor. And we pray those things in Jesus name. [music] pray those things in Jesus name. [music] pray those things in Jesus name. [music] And everybody said, "Amen." And everybody said, "Amen." And everybody said, "Amen." >> Praise God this morning because he looks >> Praise God this morning because he looks >> Praise God this morning because he looks at us not from what we have done, but at us not from what we have done, but at us not from what we have done, but from what he has done. The atoning work from what he has done. The atoning work from what he has done. The atoning work of Jesus [music] Christ gives us his of Jesus [music] Christ gives us his of Jesus [music] Christ gives us his very merit before our father this very merit before our father this very merit before our father this morning. What a praiseworthy thing, morning. What a praiseworthy thing, morning. What a praiseworthy thing, church. Let's sing [music] it together.

All [singing] sufficient All [singing] sufficient merit merit merit shining like the sun. shining like the sun. shining like the sun. A [music] fortune [singing] A [music] fortune [singing] A [music] fortune [singing] I inherit. I inherit. I inherit. By [music] no [singing] work I have By [music] no [singing] work I have By [music] no [singing] work I have done. done. done. My rightousness [music and singing] My rightousness [music and singing] My rightousness [music and singing] I forfeited I forfeited I forfeited at my Savior's cross. at my Savior's cross. at my Savior's cross. We're [music] all sufficient We're [music] all sufficient We're [music] all sufficient merit merit merit did what [music and singing] I could did what [music and singing] I could did what [music and singing] I could not. not. not. >> Well, stand to your feet [music] if you >> Well, stand to your feet [music] if you >> Well, stand to your feet [music] if you haven't already. We're going to sing haven't already. We're going to sing haven't already. We're going to sing this together. this together. this together. In love [singing] In love [singing] In love [singing] he condescended he condescended he condescended keeps her all down in time. keeps her all down in time. keeps her all down in time. A life [music and singing] A life [music and singing] A life [music and singing] without a bleish. without a bleish. without a bleish. The [music] maker made to die.

The [music] maker made to die. The [music] maker made to die. The law [singing] could never [music] The law [singing] could never [music] The law [singing] could never [music] save us. Our lawlessness save us. Our lawlessness save us. Our lawlessness had won [music] had won [music] had won [music] until the pure and [singing] soft until the pure and [singing] soft until the pure and [singing] soft [music] had finally come. It [music] is done. [singing] It [music] is done. [singing] It is finished. It is finished. It is finished. No [music and singing] more debt I own. No [music and singing] more debt I own. No [music and singing] more debt I own. paid in full. paid in full. paid in full. All sufficient All sufficient All sufficient bear and now my own. I [music] lay down my garments, I [music] lay down my garments, any [music] any [music] any [music] empty bones. empty bones. empty bones. Good works [music] now all corrupted Good works [music] now all corrupted Good works [music] now all corrupted by the [singing] sinful home.

by the [singing] sinful home. by the [singing] sinful home. I'm trust [music] in my [singing] Lord I'm trust [music] in my [singing] Lord I'm trust [music] in my [singing] Lord Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. A crimson robe made white. A crimson robe made white. A crimson robe made white. [music and singing] No more fear of judgement. No more fear of judgement. [music] His [singing] righteousness [music] His [singing] righteousness [music] His [singing] righteousness is mine. is mine. is mine. It is done. [music] It is done. [music] It is done. [music] It is finished. It is finished. It is finished. No more that I am [music] No more that I am [music] No more that I am [music] paid for. paid for. paid for. All submission All submission All submission bear and now my own. [music and singing] bear and now my own. [music and singing] bear and now my own. [music and singing] It is done. It is done. It is done. It is finished. [music] No more debt [singing] I owe. No more debt [singing] I owe. Paying for [music] Paying for [music] Paying for [music] all sufficient all sufficient all sufficient bearing down my own.

all sufficient all sufficient merit [music and singing] merit [music and singing] merit [music and singing] firm in life and death. firm in life and death. firm in life and death. The joy [singing] of my salvation The joy [singing] of my salvation The joy [singing] of my salvation shall be [music and singing] my final shall be [music and singing] my final shall be [music and singing] my final breath. breath. breath. When [music and singing] I stand When [music and singing] I stand When [music and singing] I stand accepted accepted accepted before the [singing] throne of God, before the [singing] throne of God, before the [singing] throne of God, I'll [music] gaze upon my Jesus I'll [music] gaze upon my Jesus I'll [music] gaze upon my Jesus [music and singing] and thank him for [music and singing] and thank him for [music and singing] and thank him for the cross. the cross. the cross. Yes, I'll thank him [singing] for the Yes, I'll thank him [singing] for the Yes, I'll thank him [singing] for the cross. It [music] is done. It [music] is done. It is finished. It is finished. It is finished. No more debt I owe. No more debt I owe. No more debt I owe. Paid it in full. [music] Paid it in full. [music] Paid it in full. [music] All submission. There There my my my It is done. [music and singing] It is done. [music and singing] It is done. [music and singing] It is finished.

It is finished. It is finished. No more debt I owe. No more debt I owe. No more debt I owe. Paid [music] Paid [music] Paid [music] for for for all sufficient all sufficient all sufficient merry now my own. [music] merry now my own. [music] merry now my own. [music] Oh [singing] your merry now my own. Oh [singing] your merry now my own. Oh [singing] your merry now my own. [music] [music] [music] Oh you're Mary now my [singing] own. Oh you're Mary now my [singing] own. Oh you're Mary now my [singing] own. Hallelujah church. Come on. grateful for Hallelujah church. Come on. grateful for Hallelujah church. Come on. grateful for the righteousness of our savior, King the righteousness of our savior, King the righteousness of our savior, King Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Man, that is so good. This morning, we Man, that is so good. This morning, we Man, that is so good. This morning, we have a new song to sing together and have a new song to sing together and have a new song to sing together and we're singing about that same name, the we're singing about that same name, the we're singing about that same name, the same name that is above every other same name that is above every other same name that is above every other name. Are you Aren't you so grateful name. Are you Aren't you so grateful name. Are you Aren't you so grateful that we belong to a church that stands that we belong to a church that stands that we belong to a church that stands firmly on the word of Almighty God this firmly on the word of Almighty God this firmly on the word of Almighty God this morning? Aren't you grateful for that morning? Aren't you grateful for that morning? Aren't you grateful for that truth that we acknowledge that God has truth that we acknowledge that God has truth that we acknowledge that God has is the creator of the universe and he is the creator of the universe and he is the creator of the universe and he [music] has also spoken to us by his [music] has also spoken to us by his [music] has also spoken to us by his word and in that word it says in word and in that word it says in word and in that word it says in Philippians [music] chapter 2 about our Philippians [music] chapter 2 about our Philippians [music] chapter 2 about our savior adopt the same attitude as that savior adopt the same attitude as that savior adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus who existing in the form of Christ Jesus who existing in the form of Christ Jesus who existing in the form of God did not consider equality with of God did not consider equality with of God did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.

God as something to be exploited. God as something to be exploited. Instead, [music] he emptied himself Instead, [music] he emptied himself Instead, [music] he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, by assuming the form of a servant, by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. taking on the likeness of humanity. taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he And when he had come as a man, he And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient humbled himself by becoming obedient humbled himself by becoming obedient [music] [music] [music] to the point of death, even to death on to the point of death, even to death on to the point of death, even to death on a cross. a cross. a cross. Verse N. For this reason, Verse N. For this reason, Verse N. For this reason, God highly exalted him and gave him the God highly exalted him and gave him the God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name. name that is above every name. name that is above every name. So that listen to this. At the name of So that listen to this. At the name of So that listen to this. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every on earth and under the earth and every on earth and under the earth and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [music] to the glory of God the Lord [music] to the glory of God the Lord [music] to the glory of God the Father. Father. Father. There is only one name that is worthy of There is only one name that is worthy of There is only one name that is worthy of worship. Amen. There is only one name worship. Amen. There is only one name worship. Amen. There is only one name that is worthy of our gathering together that is worthy of our gathering together that is worthy of our gathering together every single week of our of the every single week of our of the every single week of our of the salvations we've seen through our camps.

salvations we've seen through our camps. salvations we've seen through our camps. There is only one name to look at that There is only one name to look at that There is only one name to look at that is the source of life itself. It is the is the source of life itself. It is the is the source of life itself. It is the Savior, Jesus Christ. So this morning we Savior, Jesus Christ. So this morning we Savior, Jesus Christ. So this morning we have a we have a new song to sing have a we have a new song to sing have a we have a new song to sing [music] that magnifies that name. It's [music] that magnifies that name. It's [music] that magnifies that name. It's what a worthy name. So Father, thank you what a worthy name. So Father, thank you what a worthy name. So Father, thank you for that truth today that we exalt the for that truth today that we exalt the for that truth today that we exalt the name of Jesus just as you have given him name of Jesus just as you have given him name of Jesus just as you have given him the name that is above every name. Lord, the name that is above every name. Lord, the name that is above every name. Lord, in our hearts this morning through our in our hearts this morning through our in our hearts this morning through our singing and giving and sitting under the singing and giving and sitting under the singing and giving and sitting under the instruction of your word, be worshiped instruction of your word, be worshiped instruction of your word, be worshiped and be glorified in us, Lord. Jesus, and be glorified in us, Lord. Jesus, and be glorified in us, Lord. Jesus, your name is greater than every other your name is greater than every other your name is greater than every other name. Let that be true in every part of name. Let that be true in every part of name. Let that be true in every part of our being this morning. Lord, we worship our being this morning. Lord, we worship our being this morning. Lord, we worship you in spirit and in truth. you in spirit and in truth. you in spirit and in truth. Jesus name we pray. Amen. Let's sing. Jesus name we pray. Amen. Let's sing. Jesus name we pray. Amen. Let's sing. You chose to grace the world [music] You chose to grace the world [music] You chose to grace the world [music] that you so love. The hands [music] that turn the universe The hands [music] that turn the universe surrender to the cross. [music] surrender to the cross. [music] surrender to the cross. [music] Despite the sin that separated Despite the sin that separated Despite the sin that separated us.

You took the [music] fall once and for You took the [music] fall once and for all. Salvation's in your blood. What a worthy [music] name, What a worthy [music] name, Jesus, son of [singing] God, Jesus, son of [singing] God, Jesus, son of [singing] God, high and lifted up. [music] high and lifted up. [music] high and lifted up. [music] You deserve the praise. What a worthy You deserve the praise. What a worthy You deserve the praise. What a worthy name. name. name. Jesus, son of [music] God. Jesus, son of [music] God. Jesus, son of [music] God. High and lifted up. High and lifted up. High and lifted up. You [music] deserve the praise. >> [music] >> [music] >> When hope had grown too cold to >> When hope had grown too cold to >> When hope had grown too cold to resurrect, you beat the [music] grave as you you beat the [music] grave as you [singing] were raised the firstborn from [singing] were raised the firstborn from [singing] were raised the firstborn from the dead. the dead. the dead. In everything you have preeise, [music] the first, the last, the great. I am the the first, the last, the great. I am the beginning and the end.

beginning and the end. beginning and the end. [music] [music] [music] What a worthy name. What a worthy name. What a worthy name. Jesus, [music and singing] son of God. Jesus, [music and singing] son of God. Jesus, [music and singing] son of God. High and lifted up. High and lifted up. High and lifted up. You [music] You [music] You [music] deserve the praise. What a worthy name, deserve the praise. What a worthy name, deserve the praise. What a worthy name, Jesus, [music] son of God. Jesus, [music] son of God. Jesus, [music] son of God. High and lifted [music] up. High and lifted [music] up. High and lifted [music] up. You deserve the praise. on [music] your head. The victor's on [music] your head. The victor's crown. [singing] Hell retreats and crown. [singing] Hell retreats and crown. [singing] Hell retreats and heaven [music] shouts at the name. heaven [music] shouts at the name. heaven [music] shouts at the name. The name of [music] Jesus, The name of [music] Jesus, The name of [music] Jesus, risen king of righteousness. [music] risen king of righteousness. [music] risen king of righteousness. [music] [singing] Knees will bow and tongues [singing] Knees will bow and tongues [singing] Knees will bow and tongues confess at the name confess at the name confess at the name the name of [music] Jesus.

the name of [music] Jesus. the name of [music] Jesus. On this rock the church will stand. On this rock the church will stand. On this rock the church will stand. [music] [music] [music] Songs of joy will rise again. And Songs of joy will rise again. And Songs of joy will rise again. And [music] the name [music] the name [music] the name the name of Jesus the name of Jesus the name of Jesus Christ will reign forever [music] Christ will reign forever [music] Christ will reign forever [music] more. All the saints and angels roar at more. All the saints and angels roar at more. All the saints and angels roar at [music] the name [music] the name [music] the name the name of Jesus. the name of Jesus. the name of Jesus. [music] What a worthy name. [music] What a worthy name. [music] What a worthy name. Jesus, [music and singing] son of God, Jesus, [music and singing] son of God, Jesus, [music and singing] son of God, high and lifted up. [music] You deserve high and lifted up. [music] You deserve high and lifted up. [music] You deserve the praise. What a worthy name. the praise. What a worthy name. the praise. What a worthy name. [music] [music] [music] Jesus, son of God, Jesus, son of God, Jesus, son of God, high and lifted up. high and lifted up. high and lifted up. You deserve on your head the victor You deserve on your head the victor You deserve on your head the victor [music] crown. Hell retreats and heaven [music] crown. Hell retreats and heaven [music] crown. Hell retreats and heaven shouts at [music] the name shouts at [music] the name shouts at [music] the name the name of Jesus.

the name of Jesus. the name of Jesus. Risen King of righteousness. Risen King of righteousness. Risen King of righteousness. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> knees will bow and tongs confess at the >> knees will bow and tongs confess at the >> knees will bow and tongs confess at the name name name the name of [music] Jesus. the name of [music] Jesus. the name of [music] Jesus. On this rock the church will stand. On this rock the church will stand. On this rock the church will stand. Songs of [music] joy will rise again. Songs of [music] joy will rise again. Songs of [music] joy will rise again. The name of Jesus. The name of Jesus. The name of Jesus. Christ will reign forever. All the Christ will reign forever. All the Christ will reign forever. All the saints [music] and angels roar at the saints [music] and angels roar at the saints [music] and angels roar at the name, name, name, the name of Jesus. [music] the name of Jesus. [music] the name of Jesus. [music] At the name, At the name, At the name, the name of Jesus. [music] the name of Jesus. [music] the name of Jesus. [music] At the name, At the name, At the name, the name of [singing] Jesus. the name of [singing] Jesus. the name of [singing] Jesus. [music] >> Come on, lift up praise to his name. >> Come on, lift up praise to his name. The only [music] name that is above The only [music] name that is above The only [music] name that is above every other name.

Oh Jesus, you are worthy, worthy, worthy Oh Jesus, you are worthy, worthy, worthy are ye, Lord, are ye, Lord, are ye, Lord, to receive blessing and honor and power to receive blessing and honor and power to receive blessing and honor and power and dominion and strength. There is no and dominion and strength. There is no and dominion and strength. There is no other name by which we are saved. No other name by which we are saved. No other name by which we are saved. No other one worthy of that name that the other one worthy of that name that the other one worthy of that name that the father has given you. father has given you. father has given you. Father, thank you for this gathering Father, thank you for this gathering Father, thank you for this gathering this morning in that very name that we this morning in that very name that we this morning in that very name that we are united in. And Lord, we know that are united in. And Lord, we know that are united in. And Lord, we know that you are a God that has spoken to us. you are a God that has spoken to us. you are a God that has spoken to us. We're about to read from this word We're about to read from this word We're about to read from this word itself. itself. itself. So Lord, as we do that, as we sit under So Lord, as we do that, as we sit under So Lord, as we do that, as we sit under Pastor Bruce this morning, Lord, I pray Pastor Bruce this morning, Lord, I pray Pastor Bruce this morning, Lord, I pray that you would do that in our hearts and that you would do that in our hearts and that you would do that in our hearts and our minds. our minds. our minds. Lord, transform us into the likeness of Lord, transform us into the likeness of Lord, transform us into the likeness of Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Holy Spirit, we desperately need you Holy Spirit, we desperately need you Holy Spirit, we desperately need you this morning. We cannot approach you on this morning. We cannot approach you on this morning. We cannot approach you on our own. We cannot sanctify ourselves our own. We cannot sanctify ourselves our own. We cannot sanctify ourselves only through the power of the spirit by only through the power of the spirit by only through the power of the spirit by the blood of Jesus to the glory of the the blood of Jesus to the glory of the the blood of Jesus to the glory of the father. father. father. We love you Lord. Be honored and We love you Lord. Be honored and We love you Lord. Be honored and glorified in our gathering this morning.

glorified in our gathering this morning. glorified in our gathering this morning. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. You may be In Jesus name we pray. Amen. You may be In Jesus name we pray. Amen. You may be seated. Hey, good morning, Green Acres. Uh, take Hey, good morning, Green Acres. Uh, take your Bible or your Bible app and be your Bible or your Bible app and be your Bible or your Bible app and be finding Matthew chapter 17. Matthew finding Matthew chapter 17. Matthew finding Matthew chapter 17. Matthew chapter 17. We'll be in there in a few chapter 17. We'll be in there in a few chapter 17. We'll be in there in a few minutes. Let me make a couple of, uh, minutes. Let me make a couple of, uh, minutes. Let me make a couple of, uh, introductory remarks. Uh, first of all, introductory remarks. Uh, first of all, introductory remarks. Uh, first of all, it's great to be back in Texas. Um, uh, it's great to be back in Texas. Um, uh, it's great to be back in Texas. Um, uh, we lived here for a long time till we lived here for a long time till we lived here for a long time till abandoning ship and going to North abandoning ship and going to North abandoning ship and going to North Carolina about 18 years ago. But man, Carolina about 18 years ago. But man, Carolina about 18 years ago. But man, it's good to be back in the land of good it's good to be back in the land of good it's good to be back in the land of good Texmex food and real barbecue. All Texmex food and real barbecue. All Texmex food and real barbecue. All right, because uh man, it's good to eat right, because uh man, it's good to eat right, because uh man, it's good to eat cow again instead of pig and that's all cow again instead of pig and that's all cow again instead of pig and that's all they have. That's all we have up there. they have. That's all we have up there. they have. That's all we have up there. But again, great uh great to be back. But again, great uh great to be back. But again, great uh great to be back. Great to be with Green Acres. Uh couple Great to be with Green Acres. Uh couple Great to be with Green Acres. Uh couple things. First of all, um I'm a big fan things. First of all, um I'm a big fan things. First of all, um I'm a big fan of uh of Michael Gosset, your pastor. Uh of uh of Michael Gosset, your pastor. Uh of uh of Michael Gosset, your pastor. Uh he is um he's kind of like a little he is um he's kind of like a little he is um he's kind of like a little brother. I think the world of him. I've brother. I think the world of him. I've brother. I think the world of him. I've known him for a number of years now. uh known him for a number of years now. uh known him for a number of years now. uh he is one of uh he's super gifted. He's he is one of uh he's super gifted. He's he is one of uh he's super gifted. He's a great preacher. He's a great leader.

a great preacher. He's a great leader. a great preacher. He's a great leader. He's a great pastor. Uh just so you He's a great pastor. Uh just so you He's a great pastor. Uh just so you know, he is respected around the country know, he is respected around the country know, he is respected around the country as well. So take good care of him. All as well. So take good care of him. All as well. So take good care of him. All right. Um and good job on you for giving right. Um and good job on you for giving right. Um and good job on you for giving his sabbatical. Um I know that he a lot his sabbatical. Um I know that he a lot his sabbatical. Um I know that he a lot of stuff has happened at Green Acres and of stuff has happened at Green Acres and of stuff has happened at Green Acres and it's it's God's doing some awesome it's it's God's doing some awesome it's it's God's doing some awesome stuff, but it takes a lot out of the stuff, but it takes a lot out of the stuff, but it takes a lot out of the lead pastor. So great great job. Pray lead pastor. So great great job. Pray lead pastor. So great great job. Pray for him uh while he's gone. Uh while he for him uh while he's gone. Uh while he for him uh while he's gone. Uh while he and Katie and the and the kids are gone. and Katie and the and the kids are gone. and Katie and the and the kids are gone. I think what you'll find is when he I think what you'll find is when he I think what you'll find is when he comes back, uh there'll be fresh vision, comes back, uh there'll be fresh vision, comes back, uh there'll be fresh vision, refreshment, rejuvenation. So again, uh refreshment, rejuvenation. So again, uh refreshment, rejuvenation. So again, uh good job on taking care of him. You will good job on taking care of him. You will good job on taking care of him. You will be the beneficiary uh of these uh be the beneficiary uh of these uh be the beneficiary uh of these uh several weeks that he's gone. Uh I know several weeks that he's gone. Uh I know several weeks that he's gone. Uh I know that anytime I've come back from a that anytime I've come back from a that anytime I've come back from a sbatical, my church is like, man, you're sbatical, my church is like, man, you're sbatical, my church is like, man, you're like a new person. I was like, was I like a new person. I was like, was I like a new person. I was like, was I that was I that tired before I left or that was I that tired before I left or that was I that tired before I left or something? But anyway, you guys will be something? But anyway, you guys will be something? But anyway, you guys will be blessed by it. But u again, you got a blessed by it. But u again, you got a blessed by it. But u again, you got a great pastor. Hope you know that. So great pastor. Hope you know that. So great pastor. Hope you know that. So take good care of him. All right. Good take good care of him. All right. Good take good care of him. All right. Good job on that. job on that. job on that. Hey, you also you also got a pretty good Hey, you also you also got a pretty good Hey, you also you also got a pretty good associate pastor. Uh I've I've known him associate pastor. Uh I've I've known him associate pastor. Uh I've I've known him I have I have known him all of his life.

I have I have known him all of his life. I have I have known him all of his life. All right. I've known him all of his All right. I've known him all of his All right. I've known him all of his life. And in all seriousness, uh I do I life. And in all seriousness, uh I do I life. And in all seriousness, uh I do I I I respect him as much as anybody in I I respect him as much as anybody in I I respect him as much as anybody in the world. Um he and Margie are the real the world. Um he and Margie are the real the world. Um he and Margie are the real deal. They're authentic. Um high high deal. They're authentic. Um high high deal. They're authentic. Um high high integrity. Um obviously super gifted, integrity. Um obviously super gifted, integrity. Um obviously super gifted, but take care of him as well. All right. but take care of him as well. All right. but take care of him as well. All right. Take care of him good. But he loves you. Take care of him good. But he loves you. Take care of him good. But he loves you. He loves Jesus. He loves the church. And He loves Jesus. He loves the church. And He loves Jesus. He loves the church. And so, yeah, one more round of applause as so, yeah, one more round of applause as so, yeah, one more round of applause as well for that. So, um, one of the things about moving So, um, one of the things about moving to North Carolina that, uh, you know, to North Carolina that, uh, you know, to North Carolina that, uh, you know, growing up in Texas, um, going to school growing up in Texas, um, going to school growing up in Texas, um, going to school in Lockach and Fort Worth, etc., etc., in Lockach and Fort Worth, etc., etc., in Lockach and Fort Worth, etc., etc., is um when when we moved to western is um when when we moved to western is um when when we moved to western North Carolina, which is like Blue Ridge North Carolina, which is like Blue Ridge North Carolina, which is like Blue Ridge Mountains and and Appalachia and all Mountains and and Appalachia and all Mountains and and Appalachia and all that stuff, is there mountains that are that stuff, is there mountains that are that stuff, is there mountains that are there? I know we got a few little baby there? I know we got a few little baby there? I know we got a few little baby ones here in Texas, but man, there's ones here in Texas, but man, there's ones here in Texas, but man, there's some mountain mountains in in western some mountain mountains in in western some mountain mountains in in western North Carolina. They're not rocky North Carolina. They're not rocky North Carolina. They're not rocky mountains, so they're not the mountains, so they're not the mountains, so they're not the intimidating kind. They're kind of the intimidating kind. They're kind of the intimidating kind. They're kind of the hammock rocky to sleep mountains, but if hammock rocky to sleep mountains, but if hammock rocky to sleep mountains, but if you try to hike one, you're going to you try to hike one, you're going to you try to hike one, you're going to find out they're a lot bigger than they find out they're a lot bigger than they find out they're a lot bigger than they than they actually look. Uh, one of them than they actually look. Uh, one of them than they actually look. Uh, one of them called Mount Mitchell is the tallest called Mount Mitchell is the tallest called Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain uh, east in the eastern part of mountain uh, east in the eastern part of mountain uh, east in the eastern part of the US. It's like 6,800 feet tall. All the US. It's like 6,800 feet tall. All the US. It's like 6,800 feet tall. All right, we've done some hiking there and right, we've done some hiking there and right, we've done some hiking there and I can promise you that once you kind of I can promise you that once you kind of I can promise you that once you kind of get in that thing and you try to hike get in that thing and you try to hike get in that thing and you try to hike it, that thing is uh is very, very it, that thing is uh is very, very it, that thing is uh is very, very intimidating. So here's what I want to intimidating. So here's what I want to intimidating. So here's what I want to say is in our text today, what you're say is in our text today, what you're say is in our text today, what you're going to see is mountains are oftenimes

going to see is mountains are oftenimes going to see is mountains are oftenimes a metaphor in the Bible and in our lives a metaphor in the Bible and in our lives a metaphor in the Bible and in our lives for things that seem immovable, for things that seem immovable, for things that seem immovable, things that have been there for a long things that have been there for a long things that have been there for a long time, time, time, things that you might have given up hope things that you might have given up hope things that you might have given up hope that things can ever be different or that things can ever be different or that things can ever be different or changed. changed. changed. oftenimes when we when we look at those, oftenimes when we when we look at those, oftenimes when we when we look at those, it's that area of greatest need, that it's that area of greatest need, that it's that area of greatest need, that area of greatest desperation that we area of greatest desperation that we area of greatest desperation that we have uh in our lives. have uh in our lives. have uh in our lives. Now, at church this morning, I'm quite Now, at church this morning, I'm quite Now, at church this morning, I'm quite certain that those types of mountains certain that those types of mountains certain that those types of mountains run the gamut. Uh for some of you, it's run the gamut. Uh for some of you, it's run the gamut. Uh for some of you, it's that kind of that secret destructive that kind of that secret destructive that kind of that secret destructive habit that you've tried to get victory habit that you've tried to get victory habit that you've tried to get victory over. You've tried and you've tried and over. You've tried and you've tried and over. You've tried and you've tried and you tried and you've ceased to get you tried and you've ceased to get you tried and you've ceased to get victory over and it seems immovable. It victory over and it seems immovable. It victory over and it seems immovable. It seems imposing. It's been there for a seems imposing. It's been there for a seems imposing. It's been there for a long time and it's easier to give up. long time and it's easier to give up. long time and it's easier to give up. For some of you, it's a prodigal. You For some of you, it's a prodigal. You For some of you, it's a prodigal. You got a son or a daughter or a grandson or got a son or a daughter or a grandson or got a son or a daughter or a grandson or a granddaughter and you prayed your so a granddaughter and you prayed your so a granddaughter and you prayed your so you you tears have come out your you you tears have come out your you you tears have come out your face and you're so you just like when is face and you're so you just like when is face and you're so you just like when is it ever going to be different? Some of it ever going to be different? Some of it ever going to be different? Some of you it's marital.

you it's marital. you it's marital. You started off in your marriage is a You started off in your marriage is a You started off in your marriage is a lot of wow and now it's a lot of woe and lot of wow and now it's a lot of woe and lot of wow and now it's a lot of woe and you're not sure how things can be you're not sure how things can be you're not sure how things can be different. You've prayed for your different. You've prayed for your different. You've prayed for your husband to maybe get interested in husband to maybe get interested in husband to maybe get interested in church or get interested in Jesus and church or get interested in Jesus and church or get interested in Jesus and the more you pray the more resistance the more you pray the more resistance the more you pray the more resistance there seems to be. Others of you, your there seems to be. Others of you, your there seems to be. Others of you, your marriage is going great. You're kind of marriage is going great. You're kind of marriage is going great. You're kind of somewhat newly married and yet you somewhat newly married and yet you somewhat newly married and yet you praying for a a baby. You want to be praying for a a baby. You want to be praying for a a baby. You want to be good Christian parents. you want to good Christian parents. you want to good Christian parents. you want to raise a little son or a little daughter raise a little son or a little daughter raise a little son or a little daughter in the Lord and it seems like man all in the Lord and it seems like man all in the Lord and it seems like man all these other people are having all these these other people are having all these these other people are having all these babies and you just you're not having babies and you just you're not having babies and you just you're not having one. Others of you and I talked to some one. Others of you and I talked to some one. Others of you and I talked to some people even after the first service that people even after the first service that people even after the first service that you know three months ago everything was you know three months ago everything was you know three months ago everything was going awesome. You went for a routine going awesome. You went for a routine going awesome. You went for a routine checkup and then they called you back checkup and then they called you back checkup and then they called you back with the news you never want to hear. with the news you never want to hear. with the news you never want to hear. The news that happens to everybody else The news that happens to everybody else The news that happens to everybody else and it's like hey on the biopsy we took and it's like hey on the biopsy we took and it's like hey on the biopsy we took you know you've got cancer. I've had you know you've got cancer. I've had you know you've got cancer. I've had that phone call to me before and it's that phone call to me before and it's that phone call to me before and it's always it's jarring because you think always it's jarring because you think always it's jarring because you think and that's not talking other people get and that's not talking other people get and that's not talking other people get that stuff. I don't get that stuff. For that stuff. I don't get that stuff. For that stuff. I don't get that stuff. For others of you, it's relationships that others of you, it's relationships that others of you, it's relationships that are been broken with whether it be your are been broken with whether it be your are been broken with whether it be your parents or your kids or whatever. And parents or your kids or whatever. And parents or your kids or whatever. And the question is like, you know, how is the question is like, you know, how is the question is like, you know, how is it how is it ever going to be different?

it how is it ever going to be different? it how is it ever going to be different? How long is it going to be like this? How long is it going to be like this? How long is it going to be like this? You know, the Bible says hope deferred You know, the Bible says hope deferred You know, the Bible says hope deferred makes the heart sick. I think I'd rather makes the heart sick. I think I'd rather makes the heart sick. I think I'd rather have a I think I'd rather have a uh a have a I think I'd rather have a uh a have a I think I'd rather have a uh a sick body than a sick heart. And what sick body than a sick heart. And what sick body than a sick heart. And what easy what's easy to happen is you go easy what's easy to happen is you go easy what's easy to happen is you go from hoping that things can be different from hoping that things can be different from hoping that things can be different to coping with the disappointment and to coping with the disappointment and to coping with the disappointment and discouragement and defeat. And what I discouragement and defeat. And what I discouragement and defeat. And what I prayed for you and I prayed for you this prayed for you and I prayed for you this prayed for you and I prayed for you this week is that you would come back to week is that you would come back to week is that you would come back to hoping this morning that God would do hoping this morning that God would do hoping this morning that God would do for you. what will you see the man what for you. what will you see the man what for you. what will you see the man what God does for a man in the sermon text God does for a man in the sermon text God does for a man in the sermon text today and that how his mountain got today and that how his mountain got today and that how his mountain got moved the question is can can that moved the question is can can that moved the question is can can that happen for you happen for you happen for you and so in Matthew chapter 17 I'm going and so in Matthew chapter 17 I'm going and so in Matthew chapter 17 I'm going to start reading in verse 14 and when it to start reading in verse 14 and when it to start reading in verse 14 and when it comes to your mountain whether it be comes to your mountain whether it be comes to your mountain whether it be marital financial relational physical marital financial relational physical marital financial relational physical whatever it is it's going to start it's whatever it is it's going to start it's whatever it is it's going to start it's going to start it's going to begin with going to start it's going to begin with going to start it's going to begin with your desperation.

your desperation. your desperation. Verse 14 says, "And when they came to Verse 14 says, "And when they came to Verse 14 says, "And when they came to the crowd, they is Jesus, Peter, James, the crowd, they is Jesus, Peter, James, the crowd, they is Jesus, Peter, James, and John." I'll come to that in a and John." I'll come to that in a and John." I'll come to that in a second. And when they came to the crowd, second. And when they came to the crowd, second. And when they came to the crowd, a man a man a man came up to him, that's Jesus, and came up to him, that's Jesus, and came up to him, that's Jesus, and kneeling before him kneeling before him kneeling before him said, "Lord, said, "Lord, said, "Lord, have mercy have mercy have mercy on my son, on my son, on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers for he has seizures and he suffers for he has seizures and he suffers terribly, terribly, terribly, for often he falls into the fire and for often he falls into the fire and for often he falls into the fire and often into the water. and I brought him often into the water. and I brought him often into the water. and I brought him to your disciples and they could not to your disciples and they could not to your disciples and they could not heal him. So church, the context is heal him. So church, the context is heal him. So church, the context is this. Jesus has been up on the mount of this. Jesus has been up on the mount of this. Jesus has been up on the mount of transfiguration with his inner circle transfiguration with his inner circle transfiguration with his inner circle and they saw some amazing things up on and they saw some amazing things up on and they saw some amazing things up on the mountain. They saw the glorified the mountain. They saw the glorified the mountain. They saw the glorified Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. They saw the fact that it was about They saw the fact that it was about They saw the fact that it was about Jesus and they you saw Moses and you saw Jesus and they you saw Moses and you saw Jesus and they you saw Moses and you saw Elijah which were pictures of the law Elijah which were pictures of the law Elijah which were pictures of the law and the prophets and the old covenant and the prophets and the old covenant and the prophets and the old covenant and then all of a sudden it was just and then all of a sudden it was just and then all of a sudden it was just Jesus and it was this mountaintop Jesus and it was this mountaintop Jesus and it was this mountaintop literal experience and then as soon as literal experience and then as soon as literal experience and then as soon as they come down from the mountain they go they come down from the mountain they go they come down from the mountain they go into the valley into the mess into the valley into the mess into the valley into the mess and just so you know that's what the and just so you know that's what the and just so you know that's what the Christian life is about. They're going Christian life is about. They're going Christian life is about. They're going to be times, mountaintop experiences to be times, mountaintop experiences to be times, mountaintop experiences when you're at middle school camp and when you're at middle school camp and when you're at middle school camp and amazing things happen and worship amazing things happen and worship amazing things happen and worship happens and then you come home to a happens and then you come home to a happens and then you come home to a dysfunctional family or to parents who dysfunctional family or to parents who dysfunctional family or to parents who don't like each other or you have this don't like each other or you have this don't like each other or you have this awesome church experience and then you awesome church experience and then you awesome church experience and then you go home or something happens or you get go home or something happens or you get go home or something happens or you get the phone call that you never want to

the phone call that you never want to the phone call that you never want to get. And so realize that for some of get. And so realize that for some of get. And so realize that for some of you, you are on the mountaintop. It's a you, you are on the mountaintop. It's a you, you are on the mountaintop. It's a blue sky day and that's awesome. Enjoy blue sky day and that's awesome. Enjoy blue sky day and that's awesome. Enjoy that. Thank the Lord for it. But just that. Thank the Lord for it. But just that. Thank the Lord for it. But just realize for all of us, you don't get to realize for all of us, you don't get to realize for all of us, you don't get to audit the valley. audit the valley. audit the valley. You don't get to clip out of the valley You don't get to clip out of the valley You don't get to clip out of the valley and say, "I don't want to do that." It's and say, "I don't want to do that." It's and say, "I don't want to do that." It's going to happen. But for many of you, going to happen. But for many of you, going to happen. But for many of you, that valley is right now. And so, they that valley is right now. And so, they that valley is right now. And so, they come down from this and it says a man come down from this and it says a man come down from this and it says a man came up to him and then he was kneeling came up to him and then he was kneeling came up to him and then he was kneeling and he said some things and he cried out and he said some things and he cried out and he said some things and he cried out to God. to God. to God. This particular event, I don't want to This particular event, I don't want to This particular event, I don't want to call it a story because it's an event. A call it a story because it's an event. A call it a story because it's an event. A story sounds like once upon a time. This story sounds like once upon a time. This story sounds like once upon a time. This was like an event that happened was like an event that happened was like an event that happened and it's recorded not just in Matthew's and it's recorded not just in Matthew's and it's recorded not just in Matthew's gospel but in Mark's and Luke's. Those gospel but in Mark's and Luke's. Those gospel but in Mark's and Luke's. Those are together. Those three are called the are together. Those three are called the are together. Those three are called the synoptic gospels. They often time have synoptic gospels. They often time have synoptic gospels. They often time have some overlapping material. And it's sort some overlapping material. And it's sort some overlapping material. And it's sort of like this. If you're kind of new to of like this. If you're kind of new to of like this. If you're kind of new to Bible study, think about it like this. Bible study, think about it like this. Bible study, think about it like this. If you were to watch like a if you were If you were to watch like a if you were If you were to watch like a if you were to miss, let's say you missed the Cowboy to miss, let's say you missed the Cowboy to miss, let's say you missed the Cowboy game and yet you wanted to catch the game and yet you wanted to catch the game and yet you wanted to catch the highlights, it'd be the same game, but highlights, it'd be the same game, but highlights, it'd be the same game, but if you saw you would see a different if you saw you would see a different if you saw you would see a different package of highlights like on ESPN package of highlights like on ESPN package of highlights like on ESPN and then Fox Sports and then maybe the and then Fox Sports and then maybe the and then Fox Sports and then maybe the local Tyler station, it's the same game, local Tyler station, it's the same game, local Tyler station, it's the same game, but those particular broadcast have but those particular broadcast have but those particular broadcast have chosen to highlight different parts of chosen to highlight different parts of chosen to highlight different parts of the game. And that's the way it is under the game. And that's the way it is under the game. And that's the way it is under the inspiration of the spirit of God.

the inspiration of the spirit of God. the inspiration of the spirit of God. It's like same event, but I'm going to It's like same event, but I'm going to It's like same event, but I'm going to have the different writers emphasize have the different writers emphasize have the different writers emphasize different points. So when you hear me different points. So when you hear me different points. So when you hear me talk about Mark or Luke says this about talk about Mark or Luke says this about talk about Mark or Luke says this about it, that's what I'm talking about today. it, that's what I'm talking about today. it, that's what I'm talking about today. And here it says Mark said the crowd, And here it says Mark said the crowd, And here it says Mark said the crowd, the crowd actually was a crowd. It was the crowd actually was a crowd. It was the crowd actually was a crowd. It was the people just looking for a fight. the people just looking for a fight. the people just looking for a fight. Kind of like in middle school when you Kind of like in middle school when you Kind of like in middle school when you hear fight, fight, fight and everybody hear fight, fight, fight and everybody hear fight, fight, fight and everybody guys are crowd. But the main people in guys are crowd. But the main people in guys are crowd. But the main people in that were Jesus's disciples and the that were Jesus's disciples and the that were Jesus's disciples and the religious leaders. And they were religious leaders. And they were religious leaders. And they were arguing. They were going back and forth arguing. They were going back and forth arguing. They were going back and forth like Christians are kind of want to do. like Christians are kind of want to do. like Christians are kind of want to do. But then Luke actually says that the man But then Luke actually says that the man But then Luke actually says that the man comes up and he's he has a desperate comes up and he's he has a desperate comes up and he's he has a desperate cry. He's like, "I beg you, Jesus. I cry. He's like, "I beg you, Jesus. I cry. He's like, "I beg you, Jesus. I cried." He cries out to Jesus. But the cried." He cries out to Jesus. But the cried." He cries out to Jesus. But the main person I want you to recognize in main person I want you to recognize in main person I want you to recognize in this event is the man. Now, we don't get this event is the man. Now, we don't get this event is the man. Now, we don't get his name, but we know he has a name. He his name, but we know he has a name. He his name, but we know he has a name. He has a name. He has an address. He has a has a name. He has an address. He has a has a name. He has an address. He has a job. He has a family. He has dreams. He job. He has a family. He has dreams. He job. He has a family. He has dreams. He has a future. He has goals. He has all has a future. He has goals. He has all has a future. He has goals. He has all of those things. But he finds himself in of those things. But he finds himself in of those things. But he finds himself in a place of desperation a place of desperation a place of desperation because his son is sick.

because his son is sick. because his son is sick. If you're a parent or a grandparent, you If you're a parent or a grandparent, you If you're a parent or a grandparent, you know the truth of the fact there is no know the truth of the fact there is no know the truth of the fact there is no pain like kid pain. pain like kid pain. pain like kid pain. When your kid is hurting, when your kid When your kid is hurting, when your kid When your kid is hurting, when your kid is sideways, when your kid is in a bad is sideways, when your kid is in a bad is sideways, when your kid is in a bad spot, there is no pain like kid pain. spot, there is no pain like kid pain. spot, there is no pain like kid pain. If you're a grandparent even and you see If you're a grandparent even and you see If you're a grandparent even and you see your grandchild, your granddaughter your grandchild, your granddaughter your grandchild, your granddaughter going in the wrong direction, there's no going in the wrong direction, there's no going in the wrong direction, there's no pain like that. pain like that. pain like that. The other two gospel writers, they let The other two gospel writers, they let The other two gospel writers, they let us also know that this was not this was us also know that this was not this was us also know that this was not this was their only child. their only child. their only child. And he said he had been this way. It's And he said he had been this way. It's And he said he had been this way. It's Mark says since childhood. Now that's a Mark says since childhood. Now that's a Mark says since childhood. Now that's a very particular word childhood. It very particular word childhood. It very particular word childhood. It doesn't mean from birth. It means from doesn't mean from birth. It means from doesn't mean from birth. It means from childhood like two years old, three childhood like two years old, three childhood like two years old, three years old, four years old. Which means years old, four years old. Which means years old, four years old. Which means that mom and dad and this man there were that mom and dad and this man there were that mom and dad and this man there were a couple of good years that I mean they a couple of good years that I mean they a couple of good years that I mean they had that joyful time when they're in the had that joyful time when they're in the had that joyful time when they're in the hospital and like it's A BOY IT'S A BOY hospital and like it's A BOY IT'S A BOY hospital and like it's A BOY IT'S A BOY AND the dad is so happy. I mean if AND the dad is so happy. I mean if AND the dad is so happy. I mean if you're a parent remember that I remember you're a parent remember that I remember you're a parent remember that I remember when our first boy was born. I mean when our first boy was born. I mean when our first boy was born. I mean there's there's no joy like that. It's there's there's no joy like that. It's there's there's no joy like that. It's like man that's like and they they give like man that's like and they they give like man that's like and they they give them to you and you're like I don't know them to you and you're like I don't know them to you and you're like I don't know what I'm supposed to do. How do we I what I'm supposed to do. How do we I what I'm supposed to do. How do we I don't even know how to put a car seat don't even know how to put a car seat don't even know how to put a car seat in. How are you how do you even do that?

in. How are you how do you even do that? in. How are you how do you even do that? you you see them and they're taking such you you see them and they're taking such you you see them and they're taking such good care of them and they put them in good care of them and they put them in good care of them and they put them in that little warmer thing that looks like that little warmer thing that looks like that little warmer thing that looks like the like the French fry deal at the like the French fry deal at the like the French fry deal at McDonald's. It's like put them in there McDonald's. It's like put them in there McDonald's. It's like put them in there to kind of keep him warm and you don't to kind of keep him warm and you don't to kind of keep him warm and you don't know what you're doing but there's so know what you're doing but there's so know what you're doing but there's so much joy and that's what these parents much joy and that's what these parents much joy and that's what these parents had and they would take pictures of them had and they would take pictures of them had and they would take pictures of them and put them on Instagram and talk about and put them on Instagram and talk about and put them on Instagram and talk about hey look at this little junior. It's so hey look at this little junior. It's so hey look at this little junior. It's so awesome. It's a great great time. Dad awesome. It's a great great time. Dad awesome. It's a great great time. Dad would go to work and he's thinking about would go to work and he's thinking about would go to work and he's thinking about his boy and coming home and there's his boy and coming home and there's his boy and coming home and there's going to be a day where they play catch going to be a day where they play catch going to be a day where they play catch together out in the front yard. together out in the front yard. together out in the front yard. Everything is great for a short period Everything is great for a short period Everything is great for a short period of time and then one day mom calls. mom calls. He's like, "Honey, you need to get home He's like, "Honey, you need to get home He's like, "Honey, you need to get home now." now." now." Whether it was her maternal instincts Whether it was her maternal instincts Whether it was her maternal instincts and she saw something, whether he had and she saw something, whether he had and she saw something, whether he had his first seizure, something was going his first seizure, something was going his first seizure, something was going on. Dad comes in, sees what mom had on. Dad comes in, sees what mom had on. Dad comes in, sees what mom had seen. And it says here, by the way, it says And it says here, by the way, it says that he when he threw himself in the that he when he threw himself in the that he when he threw himself in the fire and the water, you and I don't fire and the water, you and I don't fire and the water, you and I don't think much about that, but they cooked think much about that, but they cooked think much about that, but they cooked outdoors, so there were fires outdoors, so there were fires outdoors, so there were fires everywhere. The episode is by the Sea of everywhere. The episode is by the Sea of everywhere. The episode is by the Sea of Galilee, so there's water everywhere.

Galilee, so there's water everywhere. Galilee, so there's water everywhere. So this dad comes home and you know that So this dad comes home and you know that So this dad comes home and you know that he does all that he can do. I mean, he does all that he can do. I mean, he does all that he can do. I mean, wouldn't you, if that was your little wouldn't you, if that was your little wouldn't you, if that was your little boy, wouldn't you do everything you knew boy, wouldn't you do everything you knew boy, wouldn't you do everything you knew how to do? You get your connect group to how to do? You get your connect group to how to do? You get your connect group to pray and please pray. Something's wrong pray and please pray. Something's wrong pray and please pray. Something's wrong with Johnny. Something's wrong with him. with Johnny. Something's wrong with him. with Johnny. Something's wrong with him. He liquidated, I'm sure, everything he He liquidated, I'm sure, everything he He liquidated, I'm sure, everything he could. House, car, everything. Gets the could. House, car, everything. Gets the could. House, car, everything. Gets the best doctors that he possibly could. He best doctors that he possibly could. He best doctors that he possibly could. He probably slept at the foot of his son's probably slept at the foot of his son's probably slept at the foot of his son's bed. At the chance that if he has a bed. At the chance that if he has a bed. At the chance that if he has a seizure during the night, maybe he can seizure during the night, maybe he can seizure during the night, maybe he can hold him. Maybe he can comfort him. hold him. Maybe he can comfort him. hold him. Maybe he can comfort him. Maybe he can do something. But the Maybe he can do something. But the Maybe he can do something. But the months turn into years. And the years go months turn into years. And the years go months turn into years. And the years go on and eventually he's like, "How long on and eventually he's like, "How long on and eventually he's like, "How long is this going to go on? When will this is this going to go on? When will this is this going to go on? When will this ever change? Will our family ever be ever change? Will our family ever be ever change? Will our family ever be okay again?" okay again?" okay again?" which Green Acres that's a reminder which Green Acres that's a reminder which Green Acres that's a reminder about about about the most difficult part of these kind of the most difficult part of these kind of the most difficult part of these kind of experiences. experiences. experiences. It's not the it's not the depth or the It's not the it's not the depth or the It's not the it's not the depth or the darkness of a trial. darkness of a trial. darkness of a trial. It's not because if if you know that It's not because if if you know that It's not because if if you know that this trial is only going to last three this trial is only going to last three this trial is only going to last three days or four days or six days, you can days or four days or six days, you can days or four days or six days, you can you can like toughen up. You can pull you can like toughen up. You can pull you can like toughen up. You can pull yourself up and like we're going to get yourself up and like we're going to get yourself up and like we're going to get through it. But if you don't know the through it. But if you don't know the through it. But if you don't know the end, end, end, that's where it gets almost impossible.

that's where it gets almost impossible. that's where it gets almost impossible. Again, it's not the depth of the trial. Again, it's not the depth of the trial. Again, it's not the depth of the trial. It is the duration of the trial that is It is the duration of the trial that is It is the duration of the trial that is the hardest. And this goes on over and the hardest. And this goes on over and the hardest. And this goes on over and over and over and over again. And at over and over and over again. And at over and over and over again. And at some point, again, he loses hope. And some point, again, he loses hope. And some point, again, he loses hope. And I'll tell you what, to be honest, here's I'll tell you what, to be honest, here's I'll tell you what, to be honest, here's here's the deal about hope. I know I here's the deal about hope. I know I here's the deal about hope. I know I know church isn't really a place to be know church isn't really a place to be know church isn't really a place to be honest, but to be honest, it's a hassle. honest, but to be honest, it's a hassle. honest, but to be honest, it's a hassle. It's a hassle to hope, isn't it? I mean, It's a hassle to hope, isn't it? I mean, It's a hassle to hope, isn't it? I mean, it's a hassle to keep hope alive in it's a hassle to keep hope alive in it's a hassle to keep hope alive in these situations. these situations. these situations. There's a point where you're like, I There's a point where you're like, I There's a point where you're like, I don't think God is going to change this. don't think God is going to change this. don't think God is going to change this. I mean, I thought he was initially, but I mean, I thought he was initially, but I mean, I thought he was initially, but I don't think God is going to change I don't think God is going to change I don't think God is going to change this. And again, it can be a hundred this. And again, it can be a hundred this. And again, it can be a hundred different things. You've been praying different things. You've been praying different things. You've been praying for your dad to come to Christ for 20 for your dad to come to Christ for 20 for your dad to come to Christ for 20 years and no interest. years and no interest. years and no interest. Like, I don't think dad I don't think Like, I don't think dad I don't think Like, I don't think dad I don't think God's going to save dad. It could be God's going to save dad. It could be God's going to save dad. It could be that prodigal and I know what I know that prodigal and I know what I know that prodigal and I know what I know what it's like. I know what it's like what it's like. I know what it's like what it's like. I know what it's like because if you're a prodigal, if you because if you're a prodigal, if you because if you're a prodigal, if you have a prodigal, you had to wrestle have a prodigal, you had to wrestle have a prodigal, you had to wrestle initially with the whispers. The initially with the whispers. The initially with the whispers. The whispers are like, you were a bad parent whispers are like, you were a bad parent whispers are like, you were a bad parent and you caused this. You made this and you caused this. You made this and you caused this. You made this happen.

happen. happen. And you look back and by the way, you And you look back and by the way, you And you look back and by the way, you did the best you could with what you did the best you could with what you did the best you could with what you knew at the time. But what and you're knew at the time. But what and you're knew at the time. But what and you're like, I took him to the vacation Bible like, I took him to the vacation Bible like, I took him to the vacation Bible schools. He went to middle school camp. schools. He went to middle school camp. schools. He went to middle school camp. He made some profession of faith. Heck, He made some profession of faith. Heck, He made some profession of faith. Heck, I BAPTIZED HIM IN THE BAPTISTRY. I BAPTIZED HIM IN THE BAPTISTRY. I BAPTIZED HIM IN THE BAPTISTRY. Yet now, no interest in the things of Yet now, no interest in the things of Yet now, no interest in the things of God. No interest in God. No interest in God. No interest in no interest in listen to Pastor Michael, no interest in listen to Pastor Michael, no interest in listen to Pastor Michael, no interest in anything about the Lord no interest in anything about the Lord no interest in anything about the Lord at all. And you're like, when is it at all. And you're like, when is it at all. And you're like, when is it going to ever be changed? Or again, you going to ever be changed? Or again, you going to ever be changed? Or again, you go for a routine exam. Next thing you go for a routine exam. Next thing you go for a routine exam. Next thing you know, you're doing chemo or you got a know, you're doing chemo or you got a know, you're doing chemo or you got a marriage and you're like, you know what? marriage and you're like, you know what? marriage and you're like, you know what? I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and just nothing has happened and I I just just nothing has happened and I I just just nothing has happened and I I just don't think she's ever going to love me don't think she's ever going to love me don't think she's ever going to love me again. I don't think she's ever going to again. I don't think she's ever going to again. I don't think she's ever going to come back around. Now, I'm not saying come back around. Now, I'm not saying come back around. Now, I'm not saying you don't want to believe. You do want you don't want to believe. You do want you don't want to believe. You do want to believe. You really, really, really to believe. You really, really, really to believe. You really, really, really want to believe that God's going to move want to believe that God's going to move want to believe that God's going to move because you sing the songs and you see because you sing the songs and you see because you sing the songs and you see the video testimonies about other people the video testimonies about other people the video testimonies about other people where God moved and the prodigal came where God moved and the prodigal came where God moved and the prodigal came home and the marriage got restored and home and the marriage got restored and home and the marriage got restored and the addiction got broken, but somehow the addiction got broken, but somehow the addiction got broken, but somehow what you see on the screen does not what you see on the screen does not what you see on the screen does not translate into your life. And you're translate into your life. And you're translate into your life. And you're like, "Is it ever going to happen? Is it like, "Is it ever going to happen? Is it like, "Is it ever going to happen? Is it ever going to happen to me?" And it it ever going to happen to me?" And it it ever going to happen to me?" And it it is a hassle to hope. And it's a hassle is a hassle to hope. And it's a hassle is a hassle to hope. And it's a hassle to hope and it hurts to hope because to hope and it hurts to hope because to hope and it hurts to hope because what hope says hope says I need what hope says hope says I need what hope says hope says I need something and I don't have it. I really something and I don't have it. I really something and I don't have it. I really need this to happen and I'm searching need this to happen and I'm searching need this to happen and I'm searching for it and I need it and I just don't I for it and I need it and I just don't I for it and I need it and I just don't I just don't have it. And what happens is just don't have it. And what happens is just don't have it. And what happens is time goes by and the heart gets hard and time goes by and the heart gets hard and time goes by and the heart gets hard and the tears dry up and pretty soon again

the tears dry up and pretty soon again the tears dry up and pretty soon again hope deferred is making the heart it's hope deferred is making the heart it's hope deferred is making the heart it's making the heart the heart sick. And making the heart the heart sick. And making the heart the heart sick. And what happens very easily is you go from what happens very easily is you go from what happens very easily is you go from hoping to coping. You just cope with the hoping to coping. You just cope with the hoping to coping. You just cope with the disappointment. You cope with the disappointment. You cope with the disappointment. You cope with the discouragement. You cope with the discouragement. You cope with the discouragement. You cope with the disbelief disbelief disbelief because you've lost so many battles. You because you've lost so many battles. You because you've lost so many battles. You don't think it can be different. We can don't think it can be different. We can don't think it can be different. We can become kind of like that elephant that become kind of like that elephant that become kind of like that elephant that the old proverb that talks about the the old proverb that talks about the the old proverb that talks about the elephant that you know when he's a elephant that you know when he's a elephant that you know when he's a little baby elephant they put a little little baby elephant they put a little little baby elephant they put a little handcuff around him and stake him to the handcuff around him and stake him to the handcuff around him and stake him to the ground and at the time he does not have ground and at the time he does not have ground and at the time he does not have the strength to pull that stake out. So the strength to pull that stake out. So the strength to pull that stake out. So he tries and he tries and he tries, but he tries and he tries and he tries, but he tries and he tries and he tries, but he loses. And after a while, he gets he loses. And after a while, he gets he loses. And after a while, he gets sick and tired of being defeated. And so sick and tired of being defeated. And so sick and tired of being defeated. And so he stops trying. And even when he's a he stops trying. And even when he's a he stops trying. And even when he's a big elephant, he can pull that steak out big elephant, he can pull that steak out big elephant, he can pull that steak out of the ground with no problem at all. He of the ground with no problem at all. He of the ground with no problem at all. He doesn't even try because he got used to doesn't even try because he got used to doesn't even try because he got used to he got used to just coping with his he got used to just coping with his he got used to just coping with his situation. And loved one, here's what situation. And loved one, here's what situation. And loved one, here's what I'm going to say is God wants you to I'm going to say is God wants you to I'm going to say is God wants you to come back to hoping today. He does. He come back to hoping today. He does. He come back to hoping today. He does. He wants you to come back to biblical hope.

wants you to come back to biblical hope. wants you to come back to biblical hope. Now, biblical hope is different than the Now, biblical hope is different than the Now, biblical hope is different than the way we use hope. Sometime we use hope way we use hope. Sometime we use hope way we use hope. Sometime we use hope like I hope so. Like, I hope the Red like I hope so. Like, I hope the Red like I hope so. Like, I hope the Red Raiders are good this year. I mean, I Raiders are good this year. I mean, I Raiders are good this year. I mean, I hope it happens. I hope this is the year hope it happens. I hope this is the year hope it happens. I hope this is the year it turns around. Hope this is awesome. it turns around. Hope this is awesome. it turns around. Hope this is awesome. That's not it. Biblical hope is the That's not it. Biblical hope is the That's not it. Biblical hope is the confident expectation that God is at confident expectation that God is at confident expectation that God is at work in my situation for his glory and work in my situation for his glory and work in my situation for his glory and for my good. Let me say it again. It is for my good. Let me say it again. It is for my good. Let me say it again. It is the confident expectation that God is at the confident expectation that God is at the confident expectation that God is at work, that he still has the whole world work, that he still has the whole world work, that he still has the whole world in his hands. The confident expectation in his hands. The confident expectation in his hands. The confident expectation that God is at work in my situation for that God is at work in my situation for that God is at work in my situation for his glory and for my good. That's his glory and for my good. That's his glory and for my good. That's biblical hope. That's the way David biblical hope. That's the way David biblical hope. That's the way David would say in Proverbs 27:13 when he would say in Proverbs 27:13 when he would say in Proverbs 27:13 when he said, "I would have despared. I would said, "I would have despared. I would said, "I would have despared. I would have despared." Some of you need to have have despared." Some of you need to have have despared." Some of you need to have this as a memory verse. I would have this as a memory verse. I would have this as a memory verse. I would have despared if I did not believe that I despared if I did not believe that I despared if I did not believe that I would see the goodness of God in the would see the goodness of God in the would see the goodness of God in the land of the living. He said, 'I would land of the living. He said, 'I would land of the living. He said, 'I would have despared if I didn't believe that I have despared if I didn't believe that I have despared if I didn't believe that I would see the goodness of God, not just would see the goodness of God, not just would see the goodness of God, not just in heaven, but I would see the goodness in heaven, but I would see the goodness in heaven, but I would see the goodness of God right down here on planet Earth of God right down here on planet Earth of God right down here on planet Earth in the land of the living. That there is in the land of the living. That there is in the land of the living. That there is going to be a day where I'm going to see going to be a day where I'm going to see going to be a day where I'm going to see God. I'm going to be ABLE TO WRITE GOD'S God. I'm going to be ABLE TO WRITE GOD'S God. I'm going to be ABLE TO WRITE GOD'S goodness on this cancer, on this goodness on this cancer, on this goodness on this cancer, on this marriage, on this prodigal, I will be marriage, on this prodigal, I will be marriage, on this prodigal, I will be able to put it on there or I would have able to put it on there or I would have able to put it on there or I would have despared.

despared. despared. And so in the event this the father And so in the event this the father And so in the event this the father hears this miracle worker doesn't appear hears this miracle worker doesn't appear hears this miracle worker doesn't appear to know much about Jesus, but there to know much about Jesus, but there to know much about Jesus, but there rumors that are floating around. It's rumors that are floating around. It's rumors that are floating around. It's not a real big geographical area. So, not a real big geographical area. So, not a real big geographical area. So, stories get told, rumors get passed on, stories get told, rumors get passed on, stories get told, rumors get passed on, and this rumors have been passed on and this rumors have been passed on and this rumors have been passed on that, man, he fed 5,000 people with just that, man, he fed 5,000 people with just that, man, he fed 5,000 people with just a few loaves and fish. Hey, he raised a few loaves and fish. Hey, he raised a few loaves and fish. Hey, he raised this little girl from the dead. Hey, his this little girl from the dead. Hey, his this little girl from the dead. Hey, his disciples said they were out in the disciples said they were out in the disciples said they were out in the middle of a storm and he just like spoke middle of a storm and he just like spoke middle of a storm and he just like spoke a word and all the wind and the waves, a word and all the wind and the waves, a word and all the wind and the waves, they obeyed him. And so, this stuff had they obeyed him. And so, this stuff had they obeyed him. And so, this stuff had happened and he's like, "Maybe, just happened and he's like, "Maybe, just happened and he's like, "Maybe, just maybe this Jesus can make a difference maybe this Jesus can make a difference maybe this Jesus can make a difference in my family. Maybe maybe he can make a in my family. Maybe maybe he can make a in my family. Maybe maybe he can make a difference in my little boy's life." And difference in my little boy's life." And difference in my little boy's life." And so while he goes to the disciples and so while he goes to the disciples and so while he goes to the disciples and they can't do anything, he goes to the they can't do anything, he goes to the they can't do anything, he goes to the Lord Lord Lord and Matthew says, "Have," he says, "Have and Matthew says, "Have," he says, "Have and Matthew says, "Have," he says, "Have mercy on my son. mercy on my son. mercy on my son. Have mercy on my son." I would challenge Have mercy on my son." I would challenge Have mercy on my son." I would challenge you to find a place in the scriptures you to find a place in the scriptures you to find a place in the scriptures where somebody cries out for mercy where where somebody cries out for mercy where where somebody cries out for mercy where Jesus does not give mercy. Jesus does not give mercy. Jesus does not give mercy. He says, "Have mercy on my son." The way He says, "Have mercy on my son." The way He says, "Have mercy on my son." The way Luke puts it, he's like, "I beg you, Luke puts it, he's like, "I beg you, Luke puts it, he's like, "I beg you, look at my son."

look at my son." look at my son." Mark is the one that records the fact Mark is the one that records the fact Mark is the one that records the fact that he says, "If you can do anything, that he says, "If you can do anything, that he says, "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." have compassion on us and help us." have compassion on us and help us." You [clears throat] imagine he tells You [clears throat] imagine he tells You [clears throat] imagine he tells Jesus, "Hey, if you can do something, Jesus, "Hey, if you can do something, Jesus, "Hey, if you can do something, would you have compassion on us?" Now, would you have compassion on us?" Now, would you have compassion on us?" Now, you can't really read tone into the you can't really read tone into the you can't really read tone into the scriptures that well. It's hard to tell scriptures that well. It's hard to tell scriptures that well. It's hard to tell the tone, but that's when Jesus says, the tone, but that's when Jesus says, the tone, but that's when Jesus says, "If I can." If I can. If I can. "If I can." If I can. If I can. "If I can." If I can. If I can. And that's when maybe a mild rebuke. He And that's when maybe a mild rebuke. He And that's when maybe a mild rebuke. He says, "If I can." And he says, "All says, "If I can." And he says, "All says, "If I can." And he says, "All things are possible for the one who things are possible for the one who things are possible for the one who believes." And this is where the father believes." And this is where the father believes." And this is where the father cries out possibly the most honest cries out possibly the most honest cries out possibly the most honest prayer in the Bible when he says, "I do prayer in the Bible when he says, "I do prayer in the Bible when he says, "I do believe. Help my unbelief. believe. Help my unbelief. believe. Help my unbelief. I do believe. Help my unbelief." You I do believe. Help my unbelief." You I do believe. Help my unbelief." You ever been there? You ever been there? ever been there? You ever been there? ever been there? You ever been there? God, I do believe. I do believe. I know God, I do believe. I do believe. I know God, I do believe. I do believe. I know you came up out of the tomb. I know you you came up out of the tomb. I know you you came up out of the tomb. I know you did that. I believe you saved me. I do did that. I believe you saved me. I do did that. I believe you saved me. I do believe that. But I'm having a hard time believe that. But I'm having a hard time believe that. But I'm having a hard time in this one area of my life to actually in this one area of my life to actually in this one area of my life to actually believe that you're going to do what I'm believe that you're going to do what I'm believe that you're going to do what I'm praying that you would actually do.

praying that you would actually do. praying that you would actually do. And so when that guy prays that prayer, And so when that guy prays that prayer, And so when that guy prays that prayer, he's like, I do believe. Help my he's like, I do believe. Help my he's like, I do believe. Help my unbelief. I mean, what's Jesus respond? unbelief. I mean, what's Jesus respond? unbelief. I mean, what's Jesus respond? I mean, if Jesus was actually angry, I mean, if Jesus was actually angry, I mean, if Jesus was actually angry, he's like, flick you into eternity. But he's like, flick you into eternity. But he's like, flick you into eternity. But he doesn't do that. He meets him right he doesn't do that. He meets him right he doesn't do that. He meets him right where he is. He meets him right where he where he is. He meets him right where he where he is. He meets him right where he is. And what you see here is especially is. And what you see here is especially is. And what you see here is especially as men, as men, as men, we hate being desperate and dependent. we hate being desperate and dependent. we hate being desperate and dependent. We hate that. Now men, I would say this. We hate that. Now men, I would say this. We hate that. Now men, I would say this. I know you guys had a great men's I know you guys had a great men's I know you guys had a great men's conference just a month or two ago, one conference just a month or two ago, one conference just a month or two ago, one of my buddies and then some quarterback of my buddies and then some quarterback of my buddies and then some quarterback from Texas. Uh but um I would say this from Texas. Uh but um I would say this from Texas. Uh but um I would say this um we hate that. We hate being dependent um we hate that. We hate being dependent um we hate that. We hate being dependent and desperate. And as a man, part of and desperate. And as a man, part of and desperate. And as a man, part of that is the imo day in you. You are that is the imo day in you. You are that is the imo day in you. You are supposed to be a provider and a supposed to be a provider and a supposed to be a provider and a protector. And part of that is there. protector. And part of that is there. protector. And part of that is there. But what is your strength can also be But what is your strength can also be But what is your strength can also be your weakness. What is your greatest your weakness. What is your greatest your weakness. What is your greatest strength can also be the place where the strength can also be the place where the strength can also be the place where the enemy gets in there. And while you and I enemy gets in there. And while you and I enemy gets in there. And while you and I hate to be dependent, I'm I think just hate to be dependent, I'm I think just hate to be dependent, I'm I think just probably everybody, men and women do. We probably everybody, men and women do. We probably everybody, men and women do. We hate to be dependent. We do it yourself. hate to be dependent. We do it yourself. hate to be dependent. We do it yourself. It's America. I mean, it's Fourth of It's America. I mean, it's Fourth of It's America. I mean, it's Fourth of July weekend. We don't like to be July weekend. We don't like to be July weekend. We don't like to be dependent. We don't like to be dependent. We don't like to be dependent. We don't like to be desperate. Can I submit to you today desperate. Can I submit to you today desperate. Can I submit to you today though that God loves it when you're though that God loves it when you're though that God loves it when you're desperate? God loves to be dependent on.

desperate? God loves to be dependent on. desperate? God loves to be dependent on. If you don't see that in the scripture If you don't see that in the scripture If you don't see that in the scripture over and over and over, God loves to be over and over and over, God loves to be over and over and over, God loves to be depended on. Matter of fact, my my buddy depended on. Matter of fact, my my buddy depended on. Matter of fact, my my buddy that was here at your men's conference, that was here at your men's conference, that was here at your men's conference, one of his favorite sayings is, you know one of his favorite sayings is, you know one of his favorite sayings is, you know what? Three most dangerous words that a what? Three most dangerous words that a what? Three most dangerous words that a man can say is, "I got this. I got man can say is, "I got this. I got man can say is, "I got this. I got this." Conversely, though, some of the this." Conversely, though, some of the this." Conversely, though, some of the best words he can say is, "God, I don't best words he can say is, "God, I don't best words he can say is, "God, I don't I don't got this. I can't do this. I I I don't got this. I can't do this. I I I don't got this. I can't do this. I I don't have this. I'm desperate for you don't have this. I'm desperate for you don't have this. I'm desperate for you to move in my situation." to move in my situation." to move in my situation." So if your mountain's going to get So if your mountain's going to get So if your mountain's going to get moved, it's going to start with your moved, it's going to start with your moved, it's going to start with your desperation, desperation, desperation, but it's going to work through your but it's going to work through your but it's going to work through your biblical faith. Here are the last three biblical faith. Here are the last three biblical faith. Here are the last three three or four verses. And Jesus three or four verses. And Jesus three or four verses. And Jesus answered, "Oh, you're going to see faith answered, "Oh, you're going to see faith answered, "Oh, you're going to see faith throughout this these four verses. throughout this these four verses. throughout this these four verses. Oh faithless and twisted generation, Oh faithless and twisted generation, Oh faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long how long am I to be with you? How long how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? am I to bear with you? am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." Now don't miss Bring him here to me." Now don't miss Bring him here to me." Now don't miss that part. I'm going to come back to it, that part. I'm going to come back to it, that part. I'm going to come back to it, but he says,"I want you to go get your but he says,"I want you to go get your but he says,"I want you to go get your son and I want you to bring him here son and I want you to bring him here son and I want you to bring him here with me." So, Greenacres, I know you with me." So, Greenacres, I know you with me." So, Greenacres, I know you guys are like great Bible scholars, but guys are like great Bible scholars, but guys are like great Bible scholars, but here's the question.

here's the question. here's the question. Did Jesus have to have somebody in Did Jesus have to have somebody in Did Jesus have to have somebody in proximity to himself to heal them? Yes proximity to himself to heal them? Yes proximity to himself to heal them? Yes or no? No, he didn't. Numerous times in or no? No, he didn't. Numerous times in or no? No, he didn't. Numerous times in the scripture, he heals from a distance. the scripture, he heals from a distance. the scripture, he heals from a distance. So, keep that in your mind. He He makes So, keep that in your mind. He He makes So, keep that in your mind. He He makes the man take a step of faith that God the man take a step of faith that God the man take a step of faith that God then uses to perform the miracle. He then uses to perform the miracle. He then uses to perform the miracle. He says, "Go get your bring him here to says, "Go get your bring him here to says, "Go get your bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked the demon. Going me." And Jesus rebuked the demon. Going me." And Jesus rebuked the demon. Going to come back to that. I know that's a to come back to that. I know that's a to come back to that. I know that's a caution flag for some of you. Jesus caution flag for some of you. Jesus caution flag for some of you. Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him rebuked the demon and it came out of him rebuked the demon and it came out of him and the boy was healed instantly. I love and the boy was healed instantly. I love and the boy was healed instantly. I love that sometime he does heal instantly, that sometime he does heal instantly, that sometime he does heal instantly, sometime it takes time, but he heals him sometime it takes time, but he heals him sometime it takes time, but he heals him instantly. Then the disciples came to instantly. Then the disciples came to instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately Jesus privately Jesus privately like, "Boss, why why could we not cast like, "Boss, why why could we not cast like, "Boss, why why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "Because it out?" And he said to them, "Because it out?" And he said to them, "Because of your little faith," there it is of your little faith," there it is of your little faith," there it is again. "For truly I say to you, if you again. "For truly I say to you, if you again. "For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, have faith like a grain of mustard seed, have faith like a grain of mustard seed, really small seed, you will say to this really small seed, you will say to this really small seed, you will say to this mountain, this immovable, intimidating mountain, this immovable, intimidating mountain, this immovable, intimidating object that you don't think can change, object that you don't think can change, object that you don't think can change, you will say to this mountain, move from you will say to this mountain, move from you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and here to there, and it will move, and here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." All nothing will be impossible for you." All nothing will be impossible for you." All right, couple of couple of quick rabbit right, couple of couple of quick rabbit right, couple of couple of quick rabbit chases here.

chases here. chases here. probably won't say it, but there's some probably won't say it, but there's some probably won't say it, but there's some of you that are like, "Demon?" I mean, of you that are like, "Demon?" I mean, of you that are like, "Demon?" I mean, really, 2026 with AI and really, 2026 with AI and really, 2026 with AI and all this stuff going on, you believe in all this stuff going on, you believe in all this stuff going on, you believe in demons? I mean, that kind of sounds kind demons? I mean, that kind of sounds kind demons? I mean, that kind of sounds kind of sounds a little bit naive to me, of sounds a little bit naive to me, of sounds a little bit naive to me, preacher. Well, I would submit back to preacher. Well, I would submit back to preacher. Well, I would submit back to you. I would kind of say back to you. you. I would kind of say back to you. you. I would kind of say back to you. Let's say uh let's say you struggle with Let's say uh let's say you struggle with Let's say uh let's say you struggle with an addiction or you know somebody that an addiction or you know somebody that an addiction or you know somebody that struggles with an addiction. struggles with an addiction. struggles with an addiction. You think all that's going on there, it You think all that's going on there, it You think all that's going on there, it doesn't matter whether it's whether it's doesn't matter whether it's whether it's doesn't matter whether it's whether it's pills or porn or booze or whatever it pills or porn or booze or whatever it pills or porn or booze or whatever it is. Do you think that all that's going is. Do you think that all that's going is. Do you think that all that's going on there is just some kind of chemical on there is just some kind of chemical on there is just some kind of chemical need? need? need? I mean, they try and they try and they I mean, they try and they try and they I mean, they try and they try and they try and they hate when they do it and try and they hate when they do it and try and they hate when they do it and yet they go right back to it. yet they go right back to it. yet they go right back to it. You think all that's going on there is You think all that's going on there is You think all that's going on there is just some kind of chemicals that got just some kind of chemicals that got just some kind of chemicals that got messed up and some dopamine that hits at messed up and some dopamine that hits at messed up and some dopamine that hits at the wrong time? I would say you're the wrong time? I would say you're the wrong time? I would say you're naive. You think the only issue, you naive. You think the only issue, you naive. You think the only issue, you think all that's going on in your think all that's going on in your think all that's going on in your marriage is just communication problems marriage is just communication problems marriage is just communication problems and all if you just got a few tips and and all if you just got a few tips and and all if you just got a few tips and tricks. If you just got, hey, give me tricks. If you just got, hey, give me tricks. If you just got, hey, give me three tricks on how to have better three tricks on how to have better three tricks on how to have better communication with my wife, all things, communication with my wife, all things, communication with my wife, all things, IT WOULD ALL GO GREAT AGAIN. I would say IT WOULD ALL GO GREAT AGAIN. I would say IT WOULD ALL GO GREAT AGAIN. I would say you're naive.

you're naive. you're naive. You think that all that is going on with You think that all that is going on with You think that all that is going on with your prodigal daughter your prodigal daughter your prodigal daughter is the fact that she just doesn't have a is the fact that she just doesn't have a is the fact that she just doesn't have a the right set of friends or she just the right set of friends or she just the right set of friends or she just made some unwise decisions. You think made some unwise decisions. You think made some unwise decisions. You think that's all that's going on? that's all that's going on? that's all that's going on? I'd say you're naive. I'd say you're naive. I'd say you're naive. If you struggle with a lot of shame and If you struggle with a lot of shame and If you struggle with a lot of shame and a lot of condemnation from your past, a lot of condemnation from your past, a lot of condemnation from your past, right? whether it be an affair, an right? whether it be an affair, an right? whether it be an affair, an abortion, or something else, and you abortion, or something else, and you abortion, or something else, and you come to Jesus, and you still every time come to Jesus, and you still every time come to Jesus, and you still every time God wants to like move forward in your God wants to like move forward in your God wants to like move forward in your life, every time you have a call on your life, every time you have a call on your life, every time you have a call on your life to to do something else, the life to to do something else, the life to to do something else, the whispers of the enemy just start getting whispers of the enemy just start getting whispers of the enemy just start getting louder and louder and louder, and you louder and louder and louder, and you louder and louder and louder, and you can't get over the shame and the can't get over the shame and the can't get over the shame and the condemnation of your past for God to do condemnation of your past for God to do condemnation of your past for God to do something, I would say, you're naive. something, I would say, you're naive. something, I would say, you're naive. You're saying you believe in a guy with You're saying you believe in a guy with You're saying you believe in a guy with like a pitchfork and a red suit and a like a pitchfork and a red suit and a like a pitchfork and a red suit and a No, I don't believe in that. That's not No, I don't believe in that. That's not No, I don't believe in that. That's not in the Bible anywhere. What the Bible in the Bible anywhere. What the Bible in the Bible anywhere. What the Bible does say is you have an enemy. As a does say is you have an enemy. As a does say is you have an enemy. As a matter of fact, John 10:10 says this, matter of fact, John 10:10 says this, matter of fact, John 10:10 says this, "The enemy comes only to kill, steal, "The enemy comes only to kill, steal, "The enemy comes only to kill, steal, and destroy." All right. I got I missed and destroy." All right. I got I missed and destroy." All right. I got I missed the word only through seven years of the word only through seven years of the word only through seven years of theological education. I never saw it. I theological education. I never saw it. I theological education. I never saw it. I quoted it, but I never realized that's quoted it, but I never realized that's quoted it, but I never realized that's his only agenda for your life. And he's his only agenda for your life. And he's his only agenda for your life. And he's not out there to make buds or to have a not out there to make buds or to have a not out there to make buds or to have a beer with you. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? HE beer with you. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? HE beer with you. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? HE WANTS to kill, steal, and destroy WANTS to kill, steal, and destroy WANTS to kill, steal, and destroy everything that is good and precious in everything that is good and precious in everything that is good and precious in your life. Everything. They can't take your life. Everything. They can't take your life. Everything. They can't take your salvation, but he can kill your your salvation, but he can kill your your salvation, but he can kill your testimony. He can destroy your family.

testimony. He can destroy your family. testimony. He can destroy your family. He can do a lot of stuff. He can do a lot of stuff. He can do a lot of stuff. And so, when it says And so, when it says And so, when it says he cast out that demon, here's a little he cast out that demon, here's a little he cast out that demon, here's a little put this a little sidebar. Do you put this a little sidebar. Do you put this a little sidebar. Do you realize that the demons in the gospels, realize that the demons in the gospels, realize that the demons in the gospels, they recognize Jesus for who he is they recognize Jesus for who he is they recognize Jesus for who he is before the people do? before the people do? before the people do? Do you recognize they're like, "That's Do you recognize they're like, "That's Do you recognize they're like, "That's the son of God. That's the son of God." the son of God. That's the son of God." the son of God. That's the son of God." And and the people in the religious And and the people in the religious And and the people in the religious leaders, they don't. They're like, "Oh, leaders, they don't. They're like, "Oh, leaders, they don't. They're like, "Oh, that's that's not true." Anyway, sidebar that's that's not true." Anyway, sidebar that's that's not true." Anyway, sidebar in this text, what you see is faith is in this text, what you see is faith is in this text, what you see is faith is huge. Faith is huge. In this passage, he huge. Faith is huge. In this passage, he huge. Faith is huge. In this passage, he says, "Faithless, little faith, mustard says, "Faithless, little faith, mustard says, "Faithless, little faith, mustard seed faith." Again, faith is huge in the seed faith." Again, faith is huge in the seed faith." Again, faith is huge in the Bible. Bible. Bible. Let me give you a macro picture about Let me give you a macro picture about Let me give you a macro picture about faith. Macro picture about faith in the faith. Macro picture about faith in the faith. Macro picture about faith in the Bible. The foundational truth of the Bible. The foundational truth of the Bible. The foundational truth of the Bible is the glory of God. That is the Bible is the glory of God. That is the Bible is the glory of God. That is the foundational truth of the Bible. It is foundational truth of the Bible. It is foundational truth of the Bible. It is the glory of God. You were created by the glory of God. You were created by the glory of God. You were created by him and you were created for him. This him and you were created for him. This him and you were created for him. This Bible is not about you. It is for you, Bible is not about you. It is for you, Bible is not about you. It is for you, but it's not about you. The whole thing, but it's not about you. The whole thing, but it's not about you. The whole thing, it's not about you. He loves you and it's not about you. He loves you and it's not about you. He loves you and he's for you. You don't die for somebody he's for you. You don't die for somebody he's for you. You don't die for somebody you're not for. But this whole thing, you're not for. But this whole thing, you're not for. But this whole thing, this is it's not about you. It's about this is it's not about you. It's about this is it's not about you. It's about the glory of God. That is the whole the glory of God. That is the whole the glory of God. That is the whole foundational truth truth of the foundational truth truth of the foundational truth truth of the universe.

universe. universe. Now, the central theme that brings God Now, the central theme that brings God Now, the central theme that brings God the most glory is the redemptive plan the most glory is the redemptive plan the most glory is the redemptive plan that you see executed by the person and that you see executed by the person and that you see executed by the person and work of Jesus Christ. That he lived the work of Jesus Christ. That he lived the work of Jesus Christ. That he lived the life you and I were supposed to live. life you and I were supposed to live. life you and I were supposed to live. Then he died to death in our place. And Then he died to death in our place. And Then he died to death in our place. And then he rose victoriously from the then he rose victoriously from the then he rose victoriously from the grave. I mean, the whole thing, the grave. I mean, the whole thing, the grave. I mean, the whole thing, the whole thing, the whole Bible. And I know whole thing, the whole Bible. And I know whole thing, the whole Bible. And I know Pastor Michael's taught you this before, Pastor Michael's taught you this before, Pastor Michael's taught you this before, but the whole Bible is about Jesus. The but the whole Bible is about Jesus. The but the whole Bible is about Jesus. The whole thing. It's like a little Jesus whole thing. It's like a little Jesus whole thing. It's like a little Jesus storybook Bible. It says every story storybook Bible. It says every story storybook Bible. It says every story whispers his name. Every single thing, whispers his name. Every single thing, whispers his name. Every single thing, Old Testament and New Testament. I mean, Old Testament and New Testament. I mean, Old Testament and New Testament. I mean, the Old Testament, third chapter of the the Old Testament, third chapter of the the Old Testament, third chapter of the Bible, third chapter of the Bible says, Bible, third chapter of the Bible says, Bible, third chapter of the Bible says, listen, it's called the protoeangelism. listen, it's called the protoeangelism. listen, it's called the protoeangelism. It's the first good news. He says, I'm It's the first good news. He says, I'm It's the first good news. He says, I'm going to send a serpent crusher. I'm going to send a serpent crusher. I'm going to send a serpent crusher. I'm going to send a serpent crusher, and going to send a serpent crusher, and going to send a serpent crusher, and he's going to like smash the head of the he's going to like smash the head of the he's going to like smash the head of the serpent. And then you get to like the serpent. And then you get to like the serpent. And then you get to like the second book of the Bible, the book of second book of the Bible, the book of second book of the Bible, the book of Exodus. In the book of Exodus, like the Exodus. In the book of Exodus, like the Exodus. In the book of Exodus, like the whole Passover thing, the Passover lamb, whole Passover thing, the Passover lamb, whole Passover thing, the Passover lamb, that's why the New Testament says Jesus that's why the New Testament says Jesus that's why the New Testament says Jesus is our Passover lamb. And then you go is our Passover lamb. And then you go is our Passover lamb. And then you go throughout the whole Bible and into throughout the whole Bible and into throughout the whole Bible and into shadow, whether it be a festival, shadow, whether it be a festival, shadow, whether it be a festival, whether it be a sacrifice, anything.

whether it be a sacrifice, anything. whether it be a sacrifice, anything. It's all pointing to Jesus. It's like a It's all pointing to Jesus. It's like a It's all pointing to Jesus. It's like a it's like a sonogram that you get when it's like a sonogram that you get when it's like a sonogram that you get when you're pregnant. And it's like a picture you're pregnant. And it's like a picture you're pregnant. And it's like a picture and it's awesome, BUT IT'S NOT AS and it's awesome, BUT IT'S NOT AS and it's awesome, BUT IT'S NOT AS AWESOME AS WHEN THE BABY IS ACTUALLY AWESOME AS WHEN THE BABY IS ACTUALLY AWESOME AS WHEN THE BABY IS ACTUALLY delivered and you're like, "Yeah, this delivered and you're like, "Yeah, this delivered and you're like, "Yeah, this is amazing." Shadow and picture is is amazing." Shadow and picture is is amazing." Shadow and picture is awesome. And you see that you go to awesome. And you see that you go to awesome. And you see that you go to Psalm 22. Psalm 22 is like a verse by Psalm 22. Psalm 22 is like a verse by Psalm 22. Psalm 22 is like a verse by verse, blowby-blow verse, blowby-blow verse, blowby-blow picture of the crucifixion picture of the crucifixion picture of the crucifixion hundreds of years before crucifixion was hundreds of years before crucifixion was hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented. And it starts off, it even invented. And it starts off, it even invented. And it starts off, it says, "My God, my God, why have you says, "My God, my God, why have you says, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" So way before Jesus says forsaken me?" So way before Jesus says forsaken me?" So way before Jesus says it on a cross, David says it in Psalm it on a cross, David says it in Psalm it on a cross, David says it in Psalm 22. You get to place like Isaiah 53. You 22. You get to place like Isaiah 53. You 22. You get to place like Isaiah 53. You get to the last book of the Bible, the get to the last book of the Bible, the get to the last book of the Bible, the book of Malachi, and he says, "Listen, book of Malachi, and he says, "Listen, book of Malachi, and he says, "Listen, the son of righteousness will come with the son of righteousness will come with the son of righteousness will come with healing in his wings, and then you go healing in his wings, and then you go healing in his wings, and then you go quiet for 400 years, and then John the quiet for 400 years, and then John the quiet for 400 years, and then John the Baptist pops out and he's like, "Behold Baptist pops out and he's like, "Behold Baptist pops out and he's like, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin the lamb of God who takes away the sin the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Not a lamb of God, the of the world." Not a lamb of God, the of the world." Not a lamb of God, the lamb of God. The whole thing has been lamb of God. The whole thing has been lamb of God. The whole thing has been talking about him. But here's the deal. talking about him. But here's the deal. talking about him. But here's the deal. The overarching foundation of the Bible The overarching foundation of the Bible The overarching foundation of the Bible is the glory of God. The way that that is the glory of God. The way that that is the glory of God. The way that that is shown is the redemptive plan of God is shown is the redemptive plan of God is shown is the redemptive plan of God through the person and work of Jesus.

through the person and work of Jesus. through the person and work of Jesus. But the way you and I actually access But the way you and I actually access But the way you and I actually access the benefits of that is what the Bible the benefits of that is what the Bible the benefits of that is what the Bible calls biblical faith. calls biblical faith. calls biblical faith. I'll give you a little answer or I'll I'll give you a little answer or I'll I'll give you a little answer or I'll give you I know a couple of you are give you I know a couple of you are give you I know a couple of you are concerned about it. Let me give you a concerned about it. Let me give you a concerned about it. Let me give you a quick flyby just the last couple quick flyby just the last couple quick flyby just the last couple chapters of Matthew. Matthew 8. chapters of Matthew. Matthew 8. chapters of Matthew. Matthew 8. He said to them, "Why are you afraid, oh He said to them, "Why are you afraid, oh He said to them, "Why are you afraid, oh you of little faith?" And then he rose you of little faith?" And then he rose you of little faith?" And then he rose and he rebuked the winds. Matthew nine, and he rebuked the winds. Matthew nine, and he rebuked the winds. Matthew nine, "Take heart, daughter. Your faith has "Take heart, daughter. Your faith has "Take heart, daughter. Your faith has made you well. Matthew 13. And he, this made you well. Matthew 13. And he, this made you well. Matthew 13. And he, this is the part that you got to make sure is the part that you got to make sure is the part that you got to make sure never happens at Green Acres. Never never happens at Green Acres. Never never happens at Green Acres. Never happens in your family. And he [snorts] happens in your family. And he [snorts] happens in your family. And he [snorts] did not do many mighty works there did not do many mighty works there did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief for you. And I because of their unbelief for you. And I because of their unbelief for you. And I would say because of their lack of would say because of their lack of would say because of their lack of faith. faith. faith. Now again, biblical faith is confidence Now again, biblical faith is confidence Now again, biblical faith is confidence in the person and the promises of in the person and the promises of in the person and the promises of Christ. It's like an internal confidence Christ. It's like an internal confidence Christ. It's like an internal confidence that shows in an external action that that shows in an external action that that shows in an external action that you know what, I believe what God says you know what, I believe what God says you know what, I believe what God says and I'm going to act on what God says and I'm going to act on what God says and I'm going to act on what God says regardless of how I feel. One way you regardless of how I feel. One way you regardless of how I feel. One way you could put it is everything about your could put it is everything about your could put it is everything about your Christian life is about faith. Now faith Christian life is about faith. Now faith Christian life is about faith. Now faith is not checking your mental capacities is not checking your mental capacities is not checking your mental capacities at the door. You and I are supposed to at the door. You and I are supposed to at the door. You and I are supposed to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and love God with our heart, soul, mind, and love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength as well. But the way you came strength as well. But the way you came strength as well. But the way you came to Christ, the way you got saved was to Christ, the way you got saved was to Christ, the way you got saved was through faith, right? I mean, there was through faith, right? I mean, there was through faith, right? I mean, there was a point in time when Jesus convicted you a point in time when Jesus convicted you a point in time when Jesus convicted you and you like, you know what? I'm turning and you like, you know what? I'm turning and you like, you know what? I'm turning from my way of doing things. That's from my way of doing things. That's from my way of doing things. That's called repentance. I'm turning around called repentance. I'm turning around called repentance. I'm turning around and I'm going towards you. That I and I'm going towards you. That I and I'm going towards you. That I believe that what you did on the cross believe that what you did on the cross believe that what you did on the cross somehow counted for me.

somehow counted for me. somehow counted for me. But even your Christian life is lived. But even your Christian life is lived. But even your Christian life is lived. The Bible says the righteous shall live The Bible says the righteous shall live The Bible says the righteous shall live by by by the righteous. Those in right standing the righteous. Those in right standing the righteous. Those in right standing with God, they're also going to walk and with God, they're also going to walk and with God, they're also going to walk and live by faith. So, how do you deal with live by faith. So, how do you deal with live by faith. So, how do you deal with your shame? How do you deal with your shame? How do you deal with your shame? How do you deal with temptation? You do that by faith in temptation? You do that by faith in temptation? You do that by faith in God's promises as well. I mean, so for God's promises as well. I mean, so for God's promises as well. I mean, so for example, you better have some of these example, you better have some of these example, you better have some of these bullets that you can actually shoot when bullets that you can actually shoot when bullets that you can actually shoot when the whispers or the temptation come. So, the whispers or the temptation come. So, the whispers or the temptation come. So, for example, if you can't get over your for example, if you can't get over your for example, if you can't get over your shame of what happened, whether it be shame of what happened, whether it be shame of what happened, whether it be last night or last year, and you're in last night or last year, and you're in last night or last year, and you're in Christ, at some point, you better have Christ, at some point, you better have Christ, at some point, you better have like a Romans 8:1 handy that there is no like a Romans 8:1 handy that there is no like a Romans 8:1 handy that there is no condemnation for those that are in condemnation for those that are in condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. When temptation comes, you Christ Jesus. When temptation comes, you Christ Jesus. When temptation comes, you better have a couple of verses there. better have a couple of verses there. better have a couple of verses there. You might need to have like 1 You might need to have like 1 You might need to have like 1 Corinthians 10:13. There is no Corinthians 10:13. There is no Corinthians 10:13. There is no temptation that has overtaken you, but temptation that has overtaken you, but temptation that has overtaken you, but that which is common to man. And God is that which is common to man. And God is that which is common to man. And God is faithful who will not allow you to be faithful who will not allow you to be faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you were able, but tempted beyond what you were able, but tempted beyond what you were able, but with the temptation will provide a means with the temptation will provide a means with the temptation will provide a means of escape. of escape. of escape. And so that's that's simply biblical And so that's that's simply biblical And so that's that's simply biblical faith. John says that's the victory.

faith. John says that's the victory. faith. John says that's the victory. What's the victory that has overcome the What's the victory that has overcome the What's the victory that has overcome the world? Our faith. Now, quick little note world? Our faith. Now, quick little note world? Our faith. Now, quick little note before we get to our response. before we get to our response. before we get to our response. I understand. I mean, you guys have a I understand. I mean, you guys have a I understand. I mean, you guys have a strong doctrinal history and uh my strong doctrinal history and uh my strong doctrinal history and uh my conviction would be this is we often let conviction would be this is we often let conviction would be this is we often let the faith teachers and their extreme the faith teachers and their extreme the faith teachers and their extreme unbiblical prosperity teaching cheat us unbiblical prosperity teaching cheat us unbiblical prosperity teaching cheat us out of the power of biblical out of the power of biblical out of the power of biblical mountainoving faith. We're so scared to mountainoving faith. We're so scared to mountainoving faith. We're so scared to abuse biblical faith because we've seen abuse biblical faith because we've seen abuse biblical faith because we've seen it abused, we don't even actually it abused, we don't even actually it abused, we don't even actually utilize the gift of faith that God has utilize the gift of faith that God has utilize the gift of faith that God has given us. Which, by the way, the main given us. Which, by the way, the main given us. Which, by the way, the main problem with the prosperity gospel is, problem with the prosperity gospel is, problem with the prosperity gospel is, you know what, you are preeminent, not you know what, you are preeminent, not you know what, you are preeminent, not Jesus. You are first, not Jesus. It's Jesus. You are first, not Jesus. It's Jesus. You are first, not Jesus. It's about you, not Jesus. That's the whole, about you, not Jesus. That's the whole, about you, not Jesus. That's the whole, that's the biggest issue of it. It's that's the biggest issue of it. It's that's the biggest issue of it. It's like, I figured out a formula that I can like, I figured out a formula that I can like, I figured out a formula that I can put God in debt to me to give me cotton put God in debt to me to give me cotton put God in debt to me to give me cotton candy and Cadillacs. And it's like, candy and Cadillacs. And it's like, candy and Cadillacs. And it's like, that's not the way it works. That's not that's not the way it works. That's not that's not the way it works. That's not the way it works. So, when you look at the way it works. So, when you look at the way it works. So, when you look at this, it's not about your size of your this, it's not about your size of your this, it's not about your size of your faith or even the sincerity of your faith or even the sincerity of your faith or even the sincerity of your faith. It's about the object of your faith. It's about the object of your faith. It's about the object of your faith. You put your little tiny little faith. You put your little tiny little faith. You put your little tiny little bit of faith in a resurrected Christ.

bit of faith in a resurrected Christ. bit of faith in a resurrected Christ. That is where the power comes. That's That is where the power comes. That's That is where the power comes. That's where the stuff starts to flow. And so, where the stuff starts to flow. And so, where the stuff starts to flow. And so, in this text, you see a few different in this text, you see a few different in this text, you see a few different kinds of faith. kinds of faith. kinds of faith. You see a dead faith, that's the You see a dead faith, that's the You see a dead faith, that's the religious leaders. That's the religious religious leaders. That's the religious religious leaders. That's the religious leaders. leaders. leaders. And I, again, I've been doing this a And I, again, I've been doing this a And I, again, I've been doing this a long time, so hopefully you all know long time, so hopefully you all know long time, so hopefully you all know there's a difference between the gospel there's a difference between the gospel there's a difference between the gospel and religion, right? There's a and religion, right? There's a and religion, right? There's a difference. It's a huge difference. difference. It's a huge difference. difference. It's a huge difference. Religion is how I'm going to work my way Religion is how I'm going to work my way Religion is how I'm going to work my way back up to God by doing all these back up to God by doing all these back up to God by doing all these things, you know? All right. I'm going things, you know? All right. I'm going things, you know? All right. I'm going to align the chakra. I'm going to obey to align the chakra. I'm going to obey to align the chakra. I'm going to obey the ten commandments. I'm going to do the ten commandments. I'm going to do the ten commandments. I'm going to do all that stuff. And maybe God at some all that stuff. And maybe God at some all that stuff. And maybe God at some point will be impressed with what I did. point will be impressed with what I did. point will be impressed with what I did. That is called dead religion. The gospel That is called dead religion. The gospel That is called dead religion. The gospel is I got nothing to bring to this is I got nothing to bring to this is I got nothing to bring to this equation except my sin and I need you to equation except my sin and I need you to equation except my sin and I need you to rescue me and I need you to save me. rescue me and I need you to save me. rescue me and I need you to save me. That's the gospel. So you got these That's the gospel. So you got these That's the gospel. So you got these religious leaders. They knew 322 religious leaders. They knew 322 religious leaders. They knew 322 specific prophecies about the coming specific prophecies about the coming specific prophecies about the coming rescuer had memorized them. Memorized rescuer had memorized them. Memorized rescuer had memorized them. Memorized them. And yet they're standing like five them. And yet they're standing like five them. And yet they're standing like five feet away from him. They can smell the feet away from him. They can smell the feet away from him. They can smell the breath of the savior and they don't breath of the savior and they don't breath of the savior and they don't recognize him. That's a dead faith.

recognize him. That's a dead faith. recognize him. That's a dead faith. The scary part The scary part The scary part is the disciples. They had a deficient is the disciples. They had a deficient is the disciples. They had a deficient faith. faith. faith. They tried to mimic the ministry of They tried to mimic the ministry of They tried to mimic the ministry of Jesus. And they'd actually done some of Jesus. And they'd actually done some of Jesus. And they'd actually done some of this stuff before. They tried to mimic this stuff before. They tried to mimic this stuff before. They tried to mimic the power of Jesus without actually the power of Jesus without actually the power of Jesus without actually being connected to the power. And you're being connected to the power. And you're being connected to the power. And you're going to see the power is connected to going to see the power is connected to going to see the power is connected to the prayer. But what the man is, the man the prayer. But what the man is, the man the prayer. But what the man is, the man has a desperate faith. has a desperate faith. has a desperate faith. He has this faith that is like, "Give me He has this faith that is like, "Give me He has this faith that is like, "Give me back my son. Give me back my give me back my son. Give me back my give me back my son. Give me back my give me back my son." It's dependent. It is back my son." It's dependent. It is back my son." It's dependent. It is desperate, but he brings it to Jesus and desperate, but he brings it to Jesus and desperate, but he brings it to Jesus and he cries out for help. I'm going to ask he cries out for help. I'm going to ask he cries out for help. I'm going to ask you to do that here in about five you to do that here in about five you to do that here in about five minutes. For some of you, it's like this minutes. For some of you, it's like this minutes. For some of you, it's like this is the this is you didn't think, but is the this is you didn't think, but is the this is you didn't think, but this is the day. This is like the this this is the day. This is like the this this is the day. This is like the this is a demarcation point that am I going is a demarcation point that am I going is a demarcation point that am I going to place my faith and realize that you to place my faith and realize that you to place my faith and realize that you know what Jesus can change this? But two know what Jesus can change this? But two know what Jesus can change this? But two things you got to do. Number one, you things you got to do. Number one, you things you got to do. Number one, you see in here, you got to do what he tells see in here, you got to do what he tells see in here, you got to do what he tells you to do. Do what he tells you to do.

you to do. Do what he tells you to do. you to do. Do what he tells you to do. The question is, have you done what he The question is, have you done what he The question is, have you done what he has already told you to do? has already told you to do? has already told you to do? Don't underestimate human initiative in Don't underestimate human initiative in Don't underestimate human initiative in gaining the miracle that God wants to gaining the miracle that God wants to gaining the miracle that God wants to give you. Don't underestimate that. He give you. Don't underestimate that. He give you. Don't underestimate that. He says, "Bring him to me." That's a says, "Bring him to me." That's a says, "Bring him to me." That's a physical act. As we established earlier, physical act. As we established earlier, physical act. As we established earlier, he didn't have to do that. He could have he didn't have to do that. He could have he didn't have to do that. He could have done any way he wanted to. He's like, done any way he wanted to. He's like, done any way he wanted to. He's like, "All right, boom. Your son's healed. Go "All right, boom. Your son's healed. Go "All right, boom. Your son's healed. Go home and enjoy him. Go play catch in the home and enjoy him. Go play catch in the home and enjoy him. Go play catch in the front yard like you've dreamed of." He front yard like you've dreamed of." He front yard like you've dreamed of." He didn't. He said, he said, "Bring him to didn't. He said, he said, "Bring him to didn't. He said, he said, "Bring him to me. I want you as a dad to take a step me. I want you as a dad to take a step me. I want you as a dad to take a step of faith. You're somewhere in this of faith. You're somewhere in this of faith. You're somewhere in this equation. So he says, "Go get your boy." equation. So he says, "Go get your boy." equation. So he says, "Go get your boy." You see this over and over and over and You see this over and over and over and You see this over and over and over and over and over again feeding the 5,000. over and over again feeding the 5,000. over and over again feeding the 5,000. Question. Did he need to actually have Question. Did he need to actually have Question. Did he need to actually have the loaves and the fishes to feed the the loaves and the fishes to feed the the loaves and the fishes to feed the 5,000? Did he? Did he? No. No, he did 5,000? Did he? Did he? No. No, he did 5,000? Did he? Did he? No. No, he did not. HE COULD HAVE POPPED a Chick-fil-A not. HE COULD HAVE POPPED a Chick-fil-A not. HE COULD HAVE POPPED a Chick-fil-A up and had it open on Sundays if he had up and had it open on Sundays if he had up and had it open on Sundays if he had wanted to, but he didn't. He didn't. wanted to, but he didn't. He didn't. wanted to, but he didn't. He didn't. He's like, "Give me the loaves. What do He's like, "Give me the loaves. What do He's like, "Give me the loaves. What do you He said He said, "What do you have?" you He said He said, "What do you have?" you He said He said, "What do you have?" What do you have? Got these loaves and What do you have? Got these loaves and What do you have? Got these loaves and fishes. Bingo. That's what I'm going to fishes. Bingo. That's what I'm going to fishes. Bingo. That's what I'm going to use right there. But he didn't have to use right there. But he didn't have to use right there. But he didn't have to do it. You see it in the like the do it. You see it in the like the do it. You see it in the like the lepers. Remember the lepers he cleanses.

lepers. Remember the lepers he cleanses. lepers. Remember the lepers he cleanses. This is a pattern. The lepers that he This is a pattern. The lepers that he This is a pattern. The lepers that he cleanses, he says, "Go and show yourself cleanses, he says, "Go and show yourself cleanses, he says, "Go and show yourself to the priest." And it says, it says on to the priest." And it says, it says on to the priest." And it says, it says on their way they were healed. So you got their way they were healed. So you got their way they were healed. So you got to ask the question, if they hadn't done to ask the question, if they hadn't done to ask the question, if they hadn't done what Jesus told them to do, would the what Jesus told them to do, would the what Jesus told them to do, would the miracle have actually been performed? Or miracle have actually been performed? Or miracle have actually been performed? Or here's one first miracle Jesus ever here's one first miracle Jesus ever here's one first miracle Jesus ever performed. The wedding, John chapter 2. performed. The wedding, John chapter 2. performed. The wedding, John chapter 2. Remember that one? I know Baptists we Remember that one? I know Baptists we Remember that one? I know Baptists we get kind of nervous because about the get kind of nervous because about the get kind of nervous because about the whole wine thing, but he changes water whole wine thing, but he changes water whole wine thing, but he changes water into wine. Changes water into wine, into wine. Changes water into wine, into wine. Changes water into wine, right? Or grape juice, whatever you want right? Or grape juice, whatever you want right? Or grape juice, whatever you want to say. Water into water into wine is to say. Water into water into wine is to say. Water into water into wine is what he does. But you remember what he what he does. But you remember what he what he does. But you remember what he did to start it? Mama comes up to Jesus did to start it? Mama comes up to Jesus did to start it? Mama comes up to Jesus and like, "Hey, we're out of wine." and like, "Hey, we're out of wine." and like, "Hey, we're out of wine." Implication, do something. He says, Implication, do something. He says, Implication, do something. He says, "Woman, what does this have to do with "Woman, what does this have to do with "Woman, what does this have to do with me?" Not a great It's not as me?" Not a great It's not as me?" Not a great It's not as disrespectful as it sound. It's so guys, disrespectful as it sound. It's so guys, disrespectful as it sound. It's so guys, I would not encourage you to say that if I would not encourage you to say that if I would not encourage you to say that if your wife asked you to do something. I'm your wife asked you to do something. I'm your wife asked you to do something. I'm just saying. He says,"Woman, what does just saying. He says,"Woman, what does just saying. He says,"Woman, what does this have to do with me?" But he does do this have to do with me?" But he does do this have to do with me?" But he does do it somewhere. Somewhere in there, he it somewhere. Somewhere in there, he it somewhere. Somewhere in there, he knows it is because do you remember what knows it is because do you remember what knows it is because do you remember what she tells the servants to do? This is she tells the servants to do? This is she tells the servants to do? This is the best advice you can ever give the best advice you can ever give the best advice you can ever give anybody.

anybody. anybody. Do what he tells you to do. Just do Do what he tells you to do. Just do Do what he tells you to do. Just do whatever he says. And that's good whatever he says. And that's good whatever he says. And that's good [laughter] advice. Just do what he says. [laughter] advice. Just do what he says. [laughter] advice. Just do what he says. And he tells them to do something. He's And he tells them to do something. He's And he tells them to do something. He's like, "Go get the jars, put some water like, "Go get the jars, put some water like, "Go get the jars, put some water in them, get a ladle, in them, get a ladle, in them, get a ladle, take it to the master ceremonies." I take it to the master ceremonies." I take it to the master ceremonies." I mean, all those things were like, "That mean, all those things were like, "That mean, all those things were like, "That doesn't make sense. That doesn't make doesn't make sense. That doesn't make doesn't make sense. That doesn't make sense, but they did it and they sense, but they did it and they sense, but they did it and they performed in a crazy miracle. So, here's performed in a crazy miracle. So, here's performed in a crazy miracle. So, here's just Have you done what you're supposed just Have you done what you're supposed just Have you done what you're supposed to do? I mean, just simple stuff like if to do? I mean, just simple stuff like if to do? I mean, just simple stuff like if your marriage is in trouble, have you your marriage is in trouble, have you your marriage is in trouble, have you humbled yourself and gone to a biblical humbled yourself and gone to a biblical humbled yourself and gone to a biblical counselor? Get some coaching. Get some counselor? Get some coaching. Get some counselor? Get some coaching. Get some help. help. help. Have you You're like, I'm not sure. My Have you You're like, I'm not sure. My Have you You're like, I'm not sure. My teen's hanging around the wrong one. Are teen's hanging around the wrong one. Are teen's hanging around the wrong one. Are they in your student ministry? Are they they in your student ministry? Are they they in your student ministry? Are they in student ministry? You're like, I just in student ministry? You're like, I just in student ministry? You're like, I just moved to Tyler and I'm and I'm watching moved to Tyler and I'm and I'm watching moved to Tyler and I'm and I'm watching online and uh I don't know anybody. Plug online and uh I don't know anybody. Plug online and uh I don't know anybody. Plug into a group. All right. come to this into a group. All right. come to this into a group. All right. come to this church, you'll meet some I met my wife church, you'll meet some I met my wife church, you'll meet some I met my wife in church. It's awesome. All right. in church. It's awesome. All right. in church. It's awesome. All right. Awesome. Not the only reason to go to Awesome. Not the only reason to go to Awesome. Not the only reason to go to church, but it's a pretty awesome side church, but it's a pretty awesome side church, but it's a pretty awesome side benefit. Um, uh, health, your doctor, benefit. Um, uh, health, your doctor, benefit. Um, uh, health, your doctor, you have, you know, put up filter on you have, you know, put up filter on you have, you know, put up filter on your phone, whatever it is. Have you your phone, whatever it is. Have you your phone, whatever it is. Have you done what God told you to do? But here's done what God told you to do? But here's done what God told you to do? But here's the part that I'm going to ask you to the part that I'm going to ask you to the part that I'm going to ask you to respond respond respond is, is, is, you see here, he cries out to God for you see here, he cries out to God for you see here, he cries out to God for help.

help. help. He doesn't care what people think. He He doesn't care what people think. He He doesn't care what people think. He doesn't care what the crowd thinks. He doesn't care what the crowd thinks. He doesn't care what the crowd thinks. He doesn't even care what the disciples doesn't even care what the disciples doesn't even care what the disciples think. think. think. But he's super honest. He's like, "I do But he's super honest. He's like, "I do But he's super honest. He's like, "I do believe. Would you please help my believe. Would you please help my believe. Would you please help my unbelief? I believe in you, Jesus. I've unbelief? I believe in you, Jesus. I've unbelief? I believe in you, Jesus. I've seen a lot right now, but I'm having a seen a lot right now, but I'm having a seen a lot right now, but I'm having a hard time believing that you will hard time believing that you will hard time believing that you will actually heal my son." And so, the faith actually heal my son." And so, the faith actually heal my son." And so, the faith is somehow connected with him actually is somehow connected with him actually is somehow connected with him actually crying out to God. Like, I don't even crying out to God. Like, I don't even crying out to God. Like, I don't even know how to do that. I've been praying, know how to do that. I've been praying, know how to do that. I've been praying, but I'm tired of praying. Here's a let but I'm tired of praying. Here's a let but I'm tired of praying. Here's a let me give you two examples. Example number me give you two examples. Example number me give you two examples. Example number one is you remember those the three one is you remember those the three one is you remember those the three Hebrew boys in the Old Testament, they Hebrew boys in the Old Testament, they Hebrew boys in the Old Testament, they got thrown in the fire by got thrown in the fire by got thrown in the fire by Nebuchadnezzar. They get thrown in the Nebuchadnezzar. They get thrown in the Nebuchadnezzar. They get thrown in the fire and they essentially say this. fire and they essentially say this. fire and they essentially say this. Their prayer is this. God, I I know that Their prayer is this. God, I I know that Their prayer is this. God, I I know that you can. I know that you can rescue us. you can. I know that you can rescue us. you can. I know that you can rescue us. I know you can rescue us. I know you I know you can rescue us. I know you I know you can rescue us. I know you can. I believe you will. But even if you can. I believe you will. But even if you can. I believe you will. But even if you don't, we're not going to bow down to don't, we're not going to bow down to don't, we're not going to bow down to some stupid idol. We're not going to bow some stupid idol. We're not going to bow some stupid idol. We're not going to bow down to the idol of fear. I know you can down to the idol of fear. I know you can down to the idol of fear. I know you can and I believe you will. But even if you and I believe you will. But even if you and I believe you will. But even if you don't, I'm not going to bow down to some don't, I'm not going to bow down to some don't, I'm not going to bow down to some idol of fear. And so what I'm asking you idol of fear. And so what I'm asking you idol of fear. And so what I'm asking you is listen, take that mountain that you is listen, take that mountain that you is listen, take that mountain that you have ceased to hope, that marriage, that have ceased to hope, that marriage, that have ceased to hope, that marriage, that infertility, that infertility, that infertility, that lost relative lost relative lost relative that you love so much, that lost friend that you love so much, that lost friend that you love so much, that lost friend in the student group, whatever that is, in the student group, whatever that is, in the student group, whatever that is, and say, "God, I'm bringing this. I've and say, "God, I'm bringing this. I've and say, "God, I'm bringing this. I've ceased to I'm going to I want to have ceased to I'm going to I want to have ceased to I'm going to I want to have faith to believe that you will do for me faith to believe that you will do for me faith to believe that you will do for me what you did for that family what you did for that family what you did for that family in that in that event."

in that in that event." in that in that event." Now, sometimes you almost need an Now, sometimes you almost need an Now, sometimes you almost need an example of somebody believing for you example of somebody believing for you example of somebody believing for you almost. I'll give you one example and almost. I'll give you one example and almost. I'll give you one example and then we'll respond. So, Hixon and I grew then we'll respond. So, Hixon and I grew then we'll respond. So, Hixon and I grew up in a very moral home. Uh, good up in a very moral home. Uh, good up in a very moral home. Uh, good upstanding citizens and all that kind of upstanding citizens and all that kind of upstanding citizens and all that kind of jazz. Dad died when um I guess I was 16. jazz. Dad died when um I guess I was 16. jazz. Dad died when um I guess I was 16. Hixon would have been 13. Hixon would have been 13. Hixon would have been 13. And so, and then mom got remarried a And so, and then mom got remarried a And so, and then mom got remarried a couple of years later. Uh, we didn't go couple of years later. Uh, we didn't go couple of years later. Uh, we didn't go to church growing up. Easter Christmas to church growing up. Easter Christmas to church growing up. Easter Christmas maybe. All right. So, we were kind of C maybe. All right. So, we were kind of C maybe. All right. So, we were kind of C and E Christians barely. So, we would go and E Christians barely. So, we would go and E Christians barely. So, we would go periodically but really nothing in our periodically but really nothing in our periodically but really nothing in our background. background. background. So, as Hixon said earlier, we come you So, as Hixon said earlier, we come you So, as Hixon said earlier, we come you older brother gets saved, rest of us get older brother gets saved, rest of us get older brother gets saved, rest of us get saved. Mom had not come to Christ. She saved. Mom had not come to Christ. She saved. Mom had not come to Christ. She remaries praying for it. Can you imagine remaries praying for it. Can you imagine remaries praying for it. Can you imagine the tension with four newbelving the tension with four newbelving the tension with four newbelving zealous without knowledge boys? So, we zealous without knowledge boys? So, we zealous without knowledge boys? So, we shared the gospel. We prayed. We prayed. shared the gospel. We prayed. We prayed. shared the gospel. We prayed. We prayed. We prayed. We did. We did all that We prayed. We did. We did all that We prayed. We did. We did all that stuff. We shared it so many times. We We stuff. We shared it so many times. We We stuff. We shared it so many times. We We prayed. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

prayed. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. prayed. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing at all. I move off to Nothing. Nothing at all. I move off to Nothing. Nothing at all. I move off to North Carolina. Probably for about the North Carolina. Probably for about the North Carolina. Probably for about the previous 15 years before moving, I would previous 15 years before moving, I would previous 15 years before moving, I would pray for my mom every day. Tears of pray for my mom every day. Tears of pray for my mom every day. Tears of desperation. I mean, I would cry out to desperation. I mean, I would cry out to desperation. I mean, I would cry out to God, "Please save my mom. Please save my God, "Please save my mom. Please save my God, "Please save my mom. Please save my mom." Nothing. Nothing. So, we go out to mom." Nothing. Nothing. So, we go out to mom." Nothing. Nothing. So, we go out to uh uh uh North Carolina, and one of the things North Carolina, and one of the things North Carolina, and one of the things that uh that uh that uh back I'm not quite I'm not quite done. back I'm not quite I'm not quite done. back I'm not quite I'm not quite done. Back that down just a little bit, if you Back that down just a little bit, if you Back that down just a little bit, if you would. would. would. Okay. All right. So, it's the 11 o'clock Okay. All right. So, it's the 11 o'clock Okay. All right. So, it's the 11 o'clock service. It doesn't matter. So, here's service. It doesn't matter. So, here's service. It doesn't matter. So, here's the here's the deal. the here's the deal. the here's the deal. So, here's here's the deal. So, we got So, here's here's the deal. So, we got So, here's here's the deal. So, we got So, we go off to North Carolina. One of So, we go off to North Carolina. One of So, we go off to North Carolina. One of the first things that happens is uh a the first things that happens is uh a the first things that happens is uh a church member of mine was the chief of church member of mine was the chief of church member of mine was the chief of staff of Billy Graham. And he's like, staff of Billy Graham. And he's like, staff of Billy Graham. And he's like, "Hey, do you want to go meet Billy "Hey, do you want to go meet Billy "Hey, do you want to go meet Billy Graham?" It's like, "Is the Pope Graham?" It's like, "Is the Pope Graham?" It's like, "Is the Pope Catholic?" "Yeah, yes, I want to go meet Catholic?" "Yeah, yes, I want to go meet Catholic?" "Yeah, yes, I want to go meet Billy Graham." It's like every Billy Graham." It's like every Billy Graham." It's like every preacher's hero is Billy Graham. Which preacher's hero is Billy Graham. Which preacher's hero is Billy Graham. Which by the way, when you meet your hero, by the way, when you meet your hero, by the way, when you meet your hero, sometime you're disappointed. Not the sometime you're disappointed. Not the sometime you're disappointed. Not the case here. Winome, gracious, all that case here. Winome, gracious, all that case here. Winome, gracious, all that stuff was awesome. Okay. And so, um, we stuff was awesome. Okay. And so, um, we stuff was awesome. Okay. And so, um, we go up there and he lives up, he lived up go up there and he lives up, he lived up go up there and he lives up, he lived up on a hill in, uh, on a hill in, uh, on a hill in, uh, uh, Black Mountain area. So, we drive up uh, Black Mountain area. So, we drive up uh, Black Mountain area. So, we drive up there. I took my boys. Uh, Lori couldn't there. I took my boys. Uh, Lori couldn't there. I took my boys. Uh, Lori couldn't go. She was show you my wife's go. She was show you my wife's go. She was show you my wife's commitment. She was discipling some commitment. She was discipling some commitment. She was discipling some girls. She's like, I can't let these girls. She's like, I can't let these girls. She's like, I can't let these girls. I'm like, it's Billy Graham. Meet girls. I'm like, it's Billy Graham. Meet girls. I'm like, it's Billy Graham. Meet Billy Graham. So, anyway, so I got the Billy Graham. So, anyway, so I got the Billy Graham. So, anyway, so I got the boys up there. We talked for a while. My boys up there. We talked for a while. My boys up there. We talked for a while. My boys eventually have to leave to go to I boys eventually have to leave to go to I boys eventually have to leave to go to I think driver's ed. And so, it's just Mr.

think driver's ed. And so, it's just Mr. think driver's ed. And so, it's just Mr. Graham and I. and we're talking and he's Graham and I. and we're talking and he's Graham and I. and we're talking and he's I remembered when we sat down in his I remembered when we sat down in his I remembered when we sat down in his living room, he sat down in this chair living room, he sat down in this chair living room, he sat down in this chair and behind him was this picture of Ruth, and behind him was this picture of Ruth, and behind him was this picture of Ruth, his wife. his wife. his wife. And so we talked for a good while and And so we talked for a good while and And so we talked for a good while and then toward what I thought was the end, then toward what I thought was the end, then toward what I thought was the end, the guy that set up the meeting, u he the guy that set up the meeting, u he the guy that set up the meeting, u he said, "Pastor, meaning me, why don't you said, "Pastor, meaning me, why don't you said, "Pastor, meaning me, why don't you pray for Mr. Graham?" I was like, "Okay, pray for Mr. Graham?" I was like, "Okay, pray for Mr. Graham?" I was like, "Okay, you know, don't do something now. Lay me you know, don't do something now. Lay me you know, don't do something now. Lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul." down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul." down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul." I mean, anybody do a good prayer. It's I mean, anybody do a good prayer. It's I mean, anybody do a good prayer. It's Billy Graham. So, I'm praying my best Billy Graham. So, I'm praying my best Billy Graham. So, I'm praying my best prayer. I mean, I really am praying my prayer. I mean, I really am praying my prayer. I mean, I really am praying my best prayer. Like, you know, I'm wheel best prayer. Like, you know, I'm wheel best prayer. Like, you know, I'm wheel within a wheel. I'm just bringing out within a wheel. I'm just bringing out within a wheel. I'm just bringing out everything I got. I'm praying. I'm everything I got. I'm praying. I'm everything I got. I'm praying. I'm praying. And then I start thanking God praying. And then I start thanking God praying. And then I start thanking God for heaven and the resurrection and the for heaven and the resurrection and the for heaven and the resurrection and the fact that we'll see our loved ones in fact that we'll see our loved ones in fact that we'll see our loved ones in heaven. heaven. heaven. I hear a noise and I cheat and I kind of I hear a noise and I cheat and I kind of I hear a noise and I cheat and I kind of peek up and Billy Graham, Billy Graham peek up and Billy Graham, Billy Graham peek up and Billy Graham, Billy Graham is crying right across from me. And my is crying right across from me. And my is crying right across from me. And my first thought was, Ro, you're going to first thought was, Ro, you're going to first thought was, Ro, you're going to hell. I mean, you just you're making hell. I mean, you just you're making hell. I mean, you just you're making Billy Graham cry. And I got flustered, a Billy Graham cry. And I got flustered, a Billy Graham cry. And I got flustered, a little flustered. So I was like, uh, um, little flustered. So I was like, uh, um, little flustered. So I was like, uh, um, God, thank you for the food that we God, thank you for the food that we God, thank you for the food that we partake of and dogs that walk the earth partake of and dogs that walk the earth partake of and dogs that walk the earth in Jesus name. Amen. Because I was I in Jesus name. Amen. Because I was I in Jesus name. Amen. Because I was I didn't know what to do. And I thought it didn't know what to do. And I thought it didn't know what to do. And I thought it was the end. And I get up and thank you was the end. And I get up and thank you was the end. And I get up and thank you for your time. Da da da da. And he's for your time. Da da da da. And he's for your time. Da da da da. And he's like, "Sit down. Sit down. Sit an Tell like, "Sit down. Sit down. Sit an Tell like, "Sit down. Sit down. Sit an Tell me about your mom again." I told him me about your mom again." I told him me about your mom again." I told him about my mom, about my mom, about my mom, Green Acres. He's 91 at the time. 91 Green Acres. He's 91 at the time. 91 Green Acres. He's 91 at the time. 91 years old, frail, not the guy you see in years old, frail, not the guy you see in years old, frail, not the guy you see in the videos, but for five minutes, number the videos, but for five minutes, number the videos, but for five minutes, number one, he sounded his I mean, I can

one, he sounded his I mean, I can one, he sounded his I mean, I can remember distinctly. It's like his voice remember distinctly. It's like his voice remember distinctly. It's like his voice almost changed. It was like a almost changed. It was like a almost changed. It was like a 50-year-old again. And he prayed the 50-year-old again. And he prayed the 50-year-old again. And he prayed the most theologically accurate, passionate, most theologically accurate, passionate, most theologically accurate, passionate, desperate prayer for my mom to come to desperate prayer for my mom to come to desperate prayer for my mom to come to Christ that I have ever heard in my Christ that I have ever heard in my Christ that I have ever heard in my life. For like five minutes, he poured life. For like five minutes, he poured life. For like five minutes, he poured his heart out praying for God to save my his heart out praying for God to save my his heart out praying for God to save my mom. When he said, "Amen." Man, I was mom. When he said, "Amen." Man, I was mom. When he said, "Amen." Man, I was like strug I didn't know what to do. I like strug I didn't know what to do. I like strug I didn't know what to do. I was like, "Thank you." And I left. was like, "Thank you." And I left. was like, "Thank you." And I left. Driving down the mountain, calling the Driving down the mountain, calling the Driving down the mountain, calling the brothers like, "Man, MOM AIN'T GOT A brothers like, "Man, MOM AIN'T GOT A brothers like, "Man, MOM AIN'T GOT A CHANCE. BILLY GRAHAM JUST PRAYED FOR CHANCE. BILLY GRAHAM JUST PRAYED FOR CHANCE. BILLY GRAHAM JUST PRAYED FOR HER. SHE KNOW she got a chance." HER. SHE KNOW she got a chance." HER. SHE KNOW she got a chance." Six months later, Six months later, Six months later, her mom gets saved. her mom gets saved. her mom gets saved. And what I'm saying is this, sometime And what I'm saying is this, sometime And what I'm saying is this, sometime some of you all, some of you have given some of you all, some of you have given some of you all, some of you have given up. You've given up. You've given up. up. You've given up. You've given up. up. You've given up. You've given up. You've ceased to hope. And I'm asking You've ceased to hope. And I'm asking You've ceased to hope. And I'm asking you, please come back to hoping today. you, please come back to hoping today. you, please come back to hoping today. So, what we're going to do, the way So, what we're going to do, the way So, what we're going to do, the way we're going to respond, it might be out we're going to respond, it might be out we're going to respond, it might be out of your comfort zone. I'm going to of your comfort zone. I'm going to of your comfort zone. I'm going to challenge you because there's a you can challenge you because there's a you can challenge you because there's a you can pray where you are. You can pray up in pray where you are. You can pray up in pray where you are. You can pray up in the balcony. You can do all that stuff.

the balcony. You can do all that stuff. the balcony. You can do all that stuff. There's something though when you hit There's something though when you hit There's something though when you hit your knees before God there. It's very your knees before God there. It's very your knees before God there. It's very hard to be cocky when you're sitting on hard to be cocky when you're sitting on hard to be cocky when you're sitting on your knees. Very hard to not feel your knees. Very hard to not feel your knees. Very hard to not feel desperate on your knees because, you desperate on your knees because, you desperate on your knees because, you know, I'm in I'm in front of a superior. know, I'm in I'm in front of a superior. know, I'm in I'm in front of a superior. I'm in front of an authority. I'm in I'm in front of an authority. I'm in I'm in front of an authority. I'm in front of a somebody who can actually do front of a somebody who can actually do front of a somebody who can actually do something. So I'm actually asking you something. So I'm actually asking you something. So I'm actually asking you for that prodigal, for that marriage, for that prodigal, for that marriage, for that prodigal, for that marriage, for that lost one, for that whatever for that lost one, for that whatever for that lost one, for that whatever that for many of you to come down and that for many of you to come down and that for many of you to come down and hit your knees and pray and pray the hit your knees and pray and pray the hit your knees and pray and pray the prayer the man pray God I do believe. prayer the man pray God I do believe. prayer the man pray God I do believe. Help my unbelief. You're like, what's Help my unbelief. You're like, what's Help my unbelief. You're like, what's God going to respond? It's God's God going to respond? It's God's God going to respond? It's God's invitation. invitation. invitation. Matthew 11 says, "Come to me. Come to me Matthew 11 says, "Come to me. Come to me Matthew 11 says, "Come to me. Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I all who are weary and heavy laden and I all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls." will give you rest for your souls." will give you rest for your souls." Peter says, "CAST ALL YOUR anxiety upon Peter says, "CAST ALL YOUR anxiety upon Peter says, "CAST ALL YOUR anxiety upon me because I because I care for you." me because I because I care for you." me because I because I care for you." The psalmist says, "Call upon me in the The psalmist says, "Call upon me in the The psalmist says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and day of trouble. I will deliver you and day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will glorify me." you will glorify me." you will glorify me." And so, I'm going to ask you to stand to And so, I'm going to ask you to stand to And so, I'm going to ask you to stand to your feet and go ahead and stand to your your feet and go ahead and stand to your your feet and go ahead and stand to your feet.

And students, you might have some of the And students, you might have some of the same thing. Sometimes the students same thing. Sometimes the students same thing. Sometimes the students actually lead the adults in how to cry actually lead the adults in how to cry actually lead the adults in how to cry out to God. Sometimes students lead the out to God. Sometimes students lead the out to God. Sometimes students lead the adults in how to pray and in how to adults in how to pray and in how to adults in how to pray and in how to worship and how to be desperate for God. worship and how to be desperate for God. worship and how to be desperate for God. I guarantee you've got some classmates I guarantee you've got some classmates I guarantee you've got some classmates and some teammates and some people that and some teammates and some people that and some teammates and some people that you love that you need to just like, you love that you need to just like, you love that you need to just like, God, please save my pal. Please save my God, please save my pal. Please save my God, please save my pal. Please save my buddy. Please save my quarterback. buddy. Please save my quarterback. buddy. Please save my quarterback. Please save whatever. And so I'm going Please save whatever. And so I'm going Please save whatever. And so I'm going to pray and then we're going to respond. to pray and then we're going to respond. to pray and then we're going to respond. And uh I would ask him whether it be one And uh I would ask him whether it be one And uh I would ask him whether it be one person or be a hundred people or person or be a hundred people or person or be a hundred people or whatever is let's cry out to God and say whatever is let's cry out to God and say whatever is let's cry out to God and say God I need you to do what I cannot do God I need you to do what I cannot do God I need you to do what I cannot do for myself. And so father that's our for myself. And so father that's our for myself. And so father that's our prayer for the next three or four prayer for the next three or four prayer for the next three or four minutes. That's our prayer minutes. That's our prayer minutes. That's our prayer that you'd be looking down from heavens that you'd be looking down from heavens that you'd be looking down from heavens in Tyler, Texas at Greenacres Baptist in Tyler, Texas at Greenacres Baptist in Tyler, Texas at Greenacres Baptist Church. And you would hear your sons and Church. And you would hear your sons and Church. And you would hear your sons and daughters in great dependence and in daughters in great dependence and in daughters in great dependence and in great desperation crying out to you just great desperation crying out to you just great desperation crying out to you just like that man did 2,000 years ago. And like that man did 2,000 years ago. And like that man did 2,000 years ago. And God, I pray so much that even even in God, I pray so much that even even in God, I pray so much that even even in the short term, that they would be able the short term, that they would be able the short term, that they would be able to see, even if it's just a glimpse to to see, even if it's just a glimpse to to see, even if it's just a glimpse to restore hope, even if it's just a kind restore hope, even if it's just a kind restore hope, even if it's just a kind word in their marriage, even if it's word in their marriage, even if it's word in their marriage, even if it's just a question of interest from the just a question of interest from the just a question of interest from the person they want to have come to Christ, person they want to have come to Christ, person they want to have come to Christ, even if it's just a some small like a even if it's just a some small like a even if it's just a some small like a cloud the size of a man's hand like like cloud the size of a man's hand like like cloud the size of a man's hand like like Elijah saw, just something small. God, I Elijah saw, just something small. God, I Elijah saw, just something small. God, I pray that these cries of desperation by pray that these cries of desperation by pray that these cries of desperation by parents and grandparents and students parents and grandparents and students parents and grandparents and students for the glory of God and for the good of for the glory of God and for the good of for the glory of God and for the good of your people that there would be things your people that there would be things your people that there would be things happen that is not explainable any other happen that is not explainable any other happen that is not explainable any other way than look what God did. Look what way than look what God did. Look what way than look what God did. Look what God did at that church. Look what God

God did at that church. Look what God God did at that church. Look what God did to those people. I want to pray it did to those people. I want to pray it did to those people. I want to pray it in Jesus name. Amen. in Jesus name. Amen. in Jesus name. Amen. All right. So church again, lead outs. I All right. So church again, lead outs. I All right. So church again, lead outs. I know we got some prayer warriors in know we got some prayer warriors in know we got some prayer warriors in here. Why don't you guys lead us out and here. Why don't you guys lead us out and here. Why don't you guys lead us out and you come be an example. Come pray. Some you come be an example. Come pray. Some you come be an example. Come pray. Some of you on Wednesday night, you come of you on Wednesday night, you come of you on Wednesday night, you come pray. Men, you got some things you need pray. Men, you got some things you need pray. Men, you got some things you need to pray for. Man, don't be scared. If to pray for. Man, don't be scared. If to pray for. Man, don't be scared. If this is the biggest step of faith, you this is the biggest step of faith, you this is the biggest step of faith, you come. You come down here and pray. If come. You come down here and pray. If come. You come down here and pray. If you're not praying, then worship your you're not praying, then worship your you're not praying, then worship your way through this desperate time. You're way through this desperate time. You're way through this desperate time. You're going to sing a song called Lord, I need going to sing a song called Lord, I need going to sing a song called Lord, I need you. Lord, I need you. That is the whole you. Lord, I need you. That is the whole you. Lord, I need you. That is the whole message. Lord, I need you. And then message. Lord, I need you. And then message. Lord, I need you. And then we'll close out in just a few minutes. I sing. I sing. Lord, I come. Lord, I come. Lord, I come. I confess. I confess. I confess. Bowing here. Bowing here. Bowing here. I find my rest.

I find my rest. I find my rest. Without you, Without you, Without you, I'd fall apart. I'd fall apart. I'd fall apart. And you're the one And you're the one And you're the one that guides [music] my heart. So Lord, I need [music] So Lord, I need [music] you. Oh, I need [music] you you. Oh, I need [music] you you. Oh, I need [music] you every hour. I need [music] every hour. I need [music] every hour. I need [music] you. My one defends my right. you. My one defends my right. you. My one defends my right. rightousness. rightousness. rightousness. [music] [music] [music] Oh God, how I need Oh God, how I need Oh God, how I need you. And where sin runs deep, And where sin runs deep, your grace [music] your grace [music] your grace [music] is more. is more. is more. where grace is [singing] found. Lord, where grace is [singing] found. Lord, where grace is [singing] found. Lord, that's [music] that's [music] that's [music] where you are.

where you are. where you are. And where you [singing] are, And where you [singing] are, And where you [singing] are, Lord, [music] I am free. Lord, [music] I am free. Lord, [music] I am free. Holiness [singing] Holiness [singing] Holiness [singing] [music] is Christ in me. [music] is Christ in me. [music] is Christ in me. Oh, we sing that we need you, Lord. Oh, we sing that we need you, Lord. Oh, we sing that we need you, Lord. Lord, [music and singing] I need you. Lord, [music and singing] I need you. Lord, [music and singing] I need you. Oh, I need Oh, I need Oh, I need you you you every [music] hour. I need every [music] hour. I need every [music] hour. I need you. My one defense you. My one defense you. My one defense my [music and singing] rightousness. my [music and singing] rightousness. my [music and singing] rightousness. Oh God, how I Oh Lord, we need you. Oh God, how I Oh Lord, we need you. Oh God, how I Oh Lord, we need you. Lord, we [music and singing] need you. Lord, we [music and singing] need you. Lord, we [music and singing] need you. Lord, I need you. Oh, I need Lord, I need you. Oh, I need Lord, I need you. Oh, I need you [music] you [music] you [music] every every every hour. I need hour. I need hour. I need you. You're my one defense, [music] you. You're my one defense, [music] you. You're my one defense, [music] my rightousness. [singing] my rightousness. [singing] my rightousness. [singing] Oh God, how I need Oh God, how I need Oh God, how I need you.

You heard [music] your children. Then You heard [music] your children. Then you hear your children. Now you are the you hear your children. Now you are the you hear your children. Now you are the same God. You are the same same God. You are the same same God. You are the same [music and singing] God. And you [music and singing] God. And you [music and singing] God. And you answered prayers back then. And you answered prayers back then. And you answered prayers back then. And you [music] will answer now. You are the [music] will answer now. You are the [music] will answer now. You are the same God. You are [music] the same. same God. You are [music] the same. same God. You are [music] the same. You were providing [singing] You were providing [singing] You were providing [singing] then you are providing [music] now. You then you are providing [music] now. You then you are providing [music] now. You are the same [singing] God. You [music] are the same [singing] God. You [music] are the same [singing] God. You [music] are the same God. You moved [singing] in are the same God. You moved [singing] in are the same God. You moved [singing] in power. Then God move in power. Now power. Then God move in power. Now power. Then God move in power. Now [music] [music] [music] you are the same [singing] God. You you are the same [singing] God. You you are the same [singing] God. You [music] were a healer. [music] were a healer. [music] were a healer. Oh, you were a heer. Then you Oh, you were a heer. Then you Oh, you were a heer. Then you [music and singing] are a healer. Now [music and singing] are a healer. Now [music and singing] are a healer. Now you are the same God.

you are the same God. you are the same God. You were [music] a savior. You were [music] a savior. You were [music] a savior. You were a savior. [singing] You were a savior. [singing] You were a savior. [singing] You [music] are a savior. You [music] are a savior. You [music] are a savior. You are the same [music] God. You, oh You are the same [music] God. You, oh You are the same [music] God. You, oh [singing] [singing] [singing] God, we need you. Oh God, my God, I need God, we need you. Oh God, my God, I need God, we need you. Oh God, my God, I need [music] you. Oh God, [singing] my God, I [music] you. Oh God, [singing] my God, I [music] you. Oh God, [singing] my God, I need you. need you. need you. >> How I need you. >> How I need you. >> How I need you. >> Oh, you're the rock [music] of ages. >> Oh, you're the rock [music] of ages. >> Oh, you're the rock [music] of ages. Oh rock, [singing] oh rock of ages. I'm Oh rock, [singing] oh rock of ages. I'm Oh rock, [singing] oh rock of ages. I'm standing [music] on your [singing] standing [music] on your [singing] standing [music] on your [singing] faithfulness. Father, [music] we trust you this Father, [music] we trust you this morning. morning. morning. >> We know that you are with us, Lord. We >> We know that you are with us, Lord. We >> We know that you are with us, Lord. We know that you bottle each [music] of our know that you bottle each [music] of our know that you bottle each [music] of our tears in a bottle. You care for us. You tears in a bottle. You care for us. You tears in a bottle. You care for us. You tell us to cast our cares upon you, tell us to cast our cares upon you, tell us to cast our cares upon you, Lord, because [music] you first cared Lord, because [music] you first cared Lord, because [music] you first cared for us.

We love that you have [music] taken away We love that you have [music] taken away the power of sin and the power of death. the power of sin and the power of death. the power of sin and the power of death. So Lord, we do trust in your mighty So Lord, we do trust in your mighty So Lord, we do trust in your mighty miraculous name today. miraculous name today. miraculous name today. will be with all of us and guide us and will be with all of us and guide us and will be with all of us and guide us and lead us as the good [music] shepherd we lead us as the good [music] shepherd we lead us as the good [music] shepherd we trust you with our whole life. It's in trust you with our whole life. It's in trust you with our whole life. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. [music] Church Jesus name we pray. Amen. [music] Church Jesus name we pray. Amen. [music] Church family, we love you. We have a family, we love you. We have a family, we love you. We have a connection suite that's available for connection suite that's available for connection suite that's available for you outside these doors to talk about you outside these doors to talk about you outside these doors to talk about church, Jesus, whatever you need. But church, Jesus, whatever you need. But church, Jesus, whatever you need. But you're dismissed. We love you, church you're dismissed. We love you, church you're dismissed. We love you, church family.