This Is the Gospel – Sermon – Matt Chandler – 8/23/26

Hey guys, Pastor Matt here. Um, one of Hey guys, Pastor Matt here. Um, one of our visions at the Village Church is we our visions at the Village Church is we our visions at the Village Church is we want to be a place that resources want to be a place that resources want to be a place that resources liberally the big C church of Jesus liberally the big C church of Jesus liberally the big C church of Jesus Christ. And if by his grace we might Christ. And if by his grace we might Christ. And if by his grace we might leave a kingdom legacy with those leave a kingdom legacy with those leave a kingdom legacy with those resources, we want to be all about that. resources, we want to be all about that. resources, we want to be all about that. And so, thanks for watching this sermon And so, thanks for watching this sermon And so, thanks for watching this sermon or preparing to watch this sermon. I I'm or preparing to watch this sermon. I I'm or preparing to watch this sermon. I I'm praying that you're watching this in praying that you're watching this in praying that you're watching this in community in conjunction with your community in conjunction with your community in conjunction with your ongoing disciplehip at a local church. A ongoing disciplehip at a local church. A ongoing disciplehip at a local church. A and if by the grace of God, this becomes and if by the grace of God, this becomes and if by the grace of God, this becomes one of those things that continues to one of those things that continues to one of those things that continues to build up your faith, encourage your build up your faith, encourage your build up your faith, encourage your walk, fuel your love for Jesus, would walk, fuel your love for Jesus, would walk, fuel your love for Jesus, would you consider giving to the ministries of you consider giving to the ministries of you consider giving to the ministries of the Village Church? It's actually really the Village Church? It's actually really the Village Church? It's actually really simple. You could either do it in the simple. You could either do it in the simple. You could either do it in the app or you can go to the villageurch.net app or you can go to the villageurch.net app or you can go to the villageurch.net net back/g net back/g net back/g and do it there. I hope that the next and do it there. I hope that the next and do it there. I hope that the next chunk of time as you watch this sermon, chunk of time as you watch this sermon, chunk of time as you watch this sermon, you find your affections for Jesus you find your affections for Jesus you find your affections for Jesus soaring. You find courage flood back soaring. You find courage flood back soaring. You find courage flood back into your bones, and you fall more into your bones, and you fall more into your bones, and you fall more deeply in love with Jesus than you are deeply in love with Jesus than you are deeply in love with Jesus than you are at this moment. God bless you.

Today, we'll be reading from 1 Today, we'll be reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-5. Corinthians 15:1-5. Corinthians 15:1-5. Now I want to make clear for you Now I want to make clear for you Now I want to make clear for you brothers and sisters the gospel I brothers and sisters the gospel I brothers and sisters the gospel I preached to you which you received on preached to you which you received on preached to you which you received on which you have taken your stand and by which you have taken your stand and by which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved. If you hold which you are being saved. If you hold which you are being saved. If you hold to the message I preached to you unless to the message I preached to you unless to the message I preached to you unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you believed in vain. For I passed on to you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also you as most important what I also you as most important what I also received that Christ died for our sins received that Christ died for our sins received that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures that he was according to the scriptures that he was according to the scriptures that he was buried that he was raised on the third buried that he was raised on the third buried that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures and that day according to the scriptures and that day according to the scriptures and that he appeared to Sephus then to the 12. he appeared to Sephus then to the 12. he appeared to Sephus then to the 12. This is the word of the Lord. This is the word of the Lord. This is the word of the Lord. You can be seated. You can be seated. You can be seated. Good morning. For those of you who know Good morning. For those of you who know Good morning. For those of you who know me, those of you who don't, my name is me, those of you who don't, my name is me, those of you who don't, my name is Audrey Chandler, and I am so excited to Audrey Chandler, and I am so excited to Audrey Chandler, and I am so excited to be here and share a bit of my testimony be here and share a bit of my testimony be here and share a bit of my testimony with y'all today. And I don't know what with y'all today. And I don't know what with y'all today. And I don't know what to do with my hands yet. So, uh, we're to do with my hands yet. So, uh, we're to do with my hands yet. So, uh, we're going to figure that out together. going to figure that out together. going to figure that out together. Sharing the ways the Lord has been Sharing the ways the Lord has been Sharing the ways the Lord has been working in my life over this past six working in my life over this past six working in my life over this past six months brings me so much joy. I grew up months brings me so much joy. I grew up months brings me so much joy. I grew up here running through the halls and going here running through the halls and going here running through the halls and going to Bible studies. knowing the answers, to Bible studies. knowing the answers, to Bible studies. knowing the answers, knowing the scripture. Um, but I never knowing the scripture. Um, but I never knowing the scripture. Um, but I never really had any relationship with the really had any relationship with the really had any relationship with the Lord. I felt a lot of pressure and being Lord. I felt a lot of pressure and being Lord. I felt a lot of pressure and being a pastor's kid was really weird to a pastor's kid was really weird to a pastor's kid was really weird to navigate growing up. Um, I tended to navigate growing up. Um, I tended to navigate growing up. Um, I tended to bend inward and not want to open up and bend inward and not want to open up and bend inward and not want to open up and tell people how I was really feeling.

tell people how I was really feeling. tell people how I was really feeling. Um, I dealt a lot with my identity and Um, I dealt a lot with my identity and Um, I dealt a lot with my identity and not knowing what to put that in. I not knowing what to put that in. I not knowing what to put that in. I didn't want to be known as Matt's kid. I didn't want to be known as Matt's kid. I didn't want to be known as Matt's kid. I wanted to be known as Audrey, but I had wanted to be known as Audrey, but I had wanted to be known as Audrey, but I had no identity in the Lord's. So, I turned no identity in the Lord's. So, I turned no identity in the Lord's. So, I turned to worldly things. I partied, did drugs, to worldly things. I partied, did drugs, to worldly things. I partied, did drugs, the whole nine yards. Um, as I got the whole nine yards. Um, as I got the whole nine yards. Um, as I got older, I just ran with circles that I older, I just ran with circles that I older, I just ran with circles that I probably shouldn't have been in. I was probably shouldn't have been in. I was probably shouldn't have been in. I was so empty and lost that I tried anything so empty and lost that I tried anything so empty and lost that I tried anything I could that would fill that void. The I could that would fill that void. The I could that would fill that void. The enemy had his grip on me, and I believed enemy had his grip on me, and I believed enemy had his grip on me, and I believed the lies he whispered. I thought they the lies he whispered. I thought they the lies he whispered. I thought they were my own. This led to depression, were my own. This led to depression, were my own. This led to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and anxiety, eating disorders, and anxiety, eating disorders, and relationships that were not God-honoring relationships that were not God-honoring relationships that were not God-honoring in the slightest. I got married at 20 in the slightest. I got married at 20 in the slightest. I got married at 20 years old for all the wrong reasons. It years old for all the wrong reasons. It years old for all the wrong reasons. It was fruitless and I was more alone than was fruitless and I was more alone than was fruitless and I was more alone than I'd ever felt. It wasn't until I hit I'd ever felt. It wasn't until I hit I'd ever felt. It wasn't until I hit rock bottom, filed for divorce, and rock bottom, filed for divorce, and rock bottom, filed for divorce, and moved back in with my parents that I moved back in with my parents that I moved back in with my parents that I decided to give the Lord another chance. decided to give the Lord another chance. decided to give the Lord another chance. I figured I tried everything with no I figured I tried everything with no I figured I tried everything with no luck. So, why not give this Jesus stuff luck. So, why not give this Jesus stuff luck. So, why not give this Jesus stuff a shot?

a shot? a shot? I started attending church again, not at I started attending church again, not at I started attending church again, not at TBC, because I was struggling a lot with TBC, because I was struggling a lot with TBC, because I was struggling a lot with shame and guilt and what people would shame and guilt and what people would shame and guilt and what people would think of me. think of me. think of me. questions that ran through my mind questions that ran through my mind questions that ran through my mind constantly were, "What were people going constantly were, "What were people going constantly were, "What were people going to say? What were they going to assume? to say? What were they going to assume? to say? What were they going to assume? How is this going to follow me?" It it How is this going to follow me?" It it How is this going to follow me?" It it really just ate away at my soul. I really just ate away at my soul. I really just ate away at my soul. I carried so much shame and guilt and carried so much shame and guilt and carried so much shame and guilt and regret for the way I'd been living my regret for the way I'd been living my regret for the way I'd been living my life over the last 10 years. That was life over the last 10 years. That was life over the last 10 years. That was until the Lord started removing those until the Lord started removing those until the Lord started removing those shackles of guilt and lifting the shackles of guilt and lifting the shackles of guilt and lifting the baggage that I'd been carrying for so baggage that I'd been carrying for so baggage that I'd been carrying for so long. Despite this, I still struggled long. Despite this, I still struggled long. Despite this, I still struggled with accepting that Jesus really loved with accepting that Jesus really loved with accepting that Jesus really loved and had forgiven me. I didn't know what and had forgiven me. I didn't know what and had forgiven me. I didn't know what to do with these feelings. So, I decided to do with these feelings. So, I decided to do with these feelings. So, I decided to take them to the Lord. I would be out to take them to the Lord. I would be out to take them to the Lord. I would be out feeding my horses and plead with God to feeding my horses and plead with God to feeding my horses and plead with God to remove these feelings and continue to remove these feelings and continue to remove these feelings and continue to bend and shape my heart towards him. I bend and shape my heart towards him. I bend and shape my heart towards him. I prayed that the old Audrey would be put prayed that the old Audrey would be put prayed that the old Audrey would be put to death and that he would make me to death and that he would make me to death and that he would make me completely new. I remember listening to completely new. I remember listening to completely new. I remember listening to a podcast and becoming completely a podcast and becoming completely a podcast and becoming completely undone. Realizing the Lord had done a undone. Realizing the Lord had done a undone. Realizing the Lord had done a complete 180 in my life, I called my complete 180 in my life, I called my complete 180 in my life, I called my parents sobbing, saying, "Jesus really parents sobbing, saying, "Jesus really parents sobbing, saying, "Jesus really forgives me and loves me, and I've done forgives me and loves me, and I've done forgives me and loves me, and I've done nothing to deserve it."

nothing to deserve it." nothing to deserve it." I stopped trying to white knuckle my I stopped trying to white knuckle my I stopped trying to white knuckle my life into what I thought it should look life into what I thought it should look life into what I thought it should look like, and fully surrender to what Jesus like, and fully surrender to what Jesus like, and fully surrender to what Jesus has for me. He exceeds every has for me. He exceeds every has for me. He exceeds every expectation, has made my life more expectation, has made my life more expectation, has made my life more fruitful and full of love than I could fruitful and full of love than I could fruitful and full of love than I could have ever imagined or done on my own. He have ever imagined or done on my own. He have ever imagined or done on my own. He has lifted me out of the miry bog, out has lifted me out of the miry bog, out has lifted me out of the miry bog, out of the mud and mire and set my feet on a of the mud and mire and set my feet on a of the mud and mire and set my feet on a rock, giving me a firm place to stand. rock, giving me a firm place to stand. rock, giving me a firm place to stand. He has given me the strength to stand He has given me the strength to stand He has given me the strength to stand here today and share some of the darkest here today and share some of the darkest here today and share some of the darkest moments of my life because the blood of moments of my life because the blood of moments of my life because the blood of Jesus has cleansed me, redeemed me, and Jesus has cleansed me, redeemed me, and Jesus has cleansed me, redeemed me, and made me completely new. Through these moments, I have seen that Through these moments, I have seen that our loving father truly does leave the our loving father truly does leave the our loving father truly does leave the 99 for the one. Revelation 12:11 says, 99 for the one. Revelation 12:11 says, 99 for the one. Revelation 12:11 says, "They have conquered him by the blood of "They have conquered him by the blood of "They have conquered him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their the lamb and by the word of their the lamb and by the word of their testimony." I believe there is so much testimony." I believe there is so much testimony." I believe there is so much power in being willing to share the power in being willing to share the power in being willing to share the parts of our lives that are dark, nasty, parts of our lives that are dark, nasty, parts of our lives that are dark, nasty, and cringe-worthy at times because those and cringe-worthy at times because those and cringe-worthy at times because those are often the places where the blood of are often the places where the blood of are often the places where the blood of Jesus washes us and shines the Jesus washes us and shines the Jesus washes us and shines the brightest. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians brightest. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians brightest. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 have become so true in my own life.

12:9 have become so true in my own life. 12:9 have become so true in my own life. I will boast all the more gladly of my I will boast all the more gladly of my I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ weaknesses so that the power of Christ weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I want others to see may rest upon me. I want others to see may rest upon me. I want others to see where I've been and know that you cannot where I've been and know that you cannot where I've been and know that you cannot outstand the love Jesus has for you. He outstand the love Jesus has for you. He outstand the love Jesus has for you. He exceeds every expectation. He goes above exceeds every expectation. He goes above exceeds every expectation. He goes above and beyond for his children and my cup and beyond for his children and my cup and beyond for his children and my cup overflows with his love for me. He's overflows with his love for me. He's overflows with his love for me. He's restored my joy, my hope, and completely restored my joy, my hope, and completely restored my joy, my hope, and completely intercepted my life from the path of sin intercepted my life from the path of sin intercepted my life from the path of sin and destruction I had been walking. and destruction I had been walking. and destruction I had been walking. Thank you guys so much. hard to explain what's all caught up in hard to explain what's all caught up in that. that. that. I I ask God to share today. This is like I I ask God to share today. This is like I I ask God to share today. This is like just a gospel primer weekend. We do this just a gospel primer weekend. We do this just a gospel primer weekend. We do this every fall. uh where I want us to kick every fall. uh where I want us to kick every fall. uh where I want us to kick off the fall remembering the power of the gospel.

of the gospel. Uh and I think Audrey's story is so good Uh and I think Audrey's story is so good Uh and I think Audrey's story is so good for us today. Um because if I had to bet for us today. Um because if I had to bet for us today. Um because if I had to bet and I might lose, she grew up knowing and I might lose, she grew up knowing and I might lose, she grew up knowing the Bible better than most in this room. the Bible better than most in this room. the Bible better than most in this room. Like she worked our systems over like we Like she worked our systems over like we Like she worked our systems over like we thought we had a great grid for making thought we had a great grid for making thought we had a great grid for making sure a kid understands. And I think she sure a kid understands. And I think she sure a kid understands. And I think she doctrally knew more than the grown adult doctrally knew more than the grown adult doctrally knew more than the grown adult that interviewed her at our little that interviewed her at our little that interviewed her at our little baptism class. So she knew facts about baptism class. So she knew facts about baptism class. So she knew facts about Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. She didn't know him. She didn't know him. She didn't know him. Then and I think what happens to a lot Then and I think what happens to a lot Then and I think what happens to a lot of us is we get those two things of us is we get those two things of us is we get those two things like we get them wrong. Like we think like we get them wrong. Like we think like we get them wrong. Like we think because we know the facts, we know him. because we know the facts, we know him. because we know the facts, we know him. But you can know all kinds of facts But you can know all kinds of facts But you can know all kinds of facts about all kinds of people and not know about all kinds of people and not know about all kinds of people and not know them. them. them. And and so what's been apparent in my And and so what's been apparent in my And and so what's been apparent in my daughter's life over the last daughter's life over the last daughter's life over the last six, seven months six, seven months six, seven months is a match fell from heaven and caught is a match fell from heaven and caught is a match fell from heaven and caught all that head knowledge on fire. And all that head knowledge on fire. And all that head knowledge on fire. And until then, she she could up until that until then, she she could up until that until then, she she could up until that point, she could she believed in God.

point, she could she believed in God. point, she could she believed in God. She I remember one time She I remember one time She I remember one time we were in my truck on one of our date we were in my truck on one of our date we were in my truck on one of our date nights and I just said, "Hey, I need you nights and I just said, "Hey, I need you nights and I just said, "Hey, I need you to know if you never love Jesus, if you to know if you never love Jesus, if you to know if you never love Jesus, if you never follow the life your mom and I never follow the life your mom and I never follow the life your mom and I have chosen, I will love you the rest of my life." I will love you the rest of my life." and she said,"I love Jesus, Dad." and she said,"I love Jesus, Dad." and she said,"I love Jesus, Dad." And I just remember thinking, "Wait, And I just remember thinking, "Wait, And I just remember thinking, "Wait, what?" Like, I can't I'm having a hard what?" Like, I can't I'm having a hard what?" Like, I can't I'm having a hard time squaring that with with the life time squaring that with with the life time squaring that with with the life you're you're you're living. But I feel like so many living. But I feel like so many living. But I feel like so many evangelicals I run into are in that same evangelicals I run into are in that same evangelicals I run into are in that same category. Like, I believe in God and category. Like, I believe in God and category. Like, I believe in God and they know some facts about Jesus, but they know some facts about Jesus, but they know some facts about Jesus, but but but they don't know him. And and so but but they don't know him. And and so but but they don't know him. And and so I thought that was a beautiful framework I thought that was a beautiful framework I thought that was a beautiful framework for the sermon today. Um I love 1 for the sermon today. Um I love 1 for the sermon today. Um I love 1 Corinthians 15. Here's what I'm going to Corinthians 15. Here's what I'm going to Corinthians 15. Here's what I'm going to get. I'm going to give you 30 seconds get. I'm going to give you 30 seconds get. I'm going to give you 30 seconds mainly because I need to emotionally mainly because I need to emotionally mainly because I need to emotionally regulate. regulate. regulate. Um Um Um I don't have a cold plunge or someone to I don't have a cold plunge or someone to I don't have a cold plunge or someone to fight even though I see Chris Klein was fight even though I see Chris Klein was fight even though I see Chris Klein was in here somewhere and I Yeah. Um, in here somewhere and I Yeah. Um, in here somewhere and I Yeah. Um, I I want to give you 30 seconds to ask I I want to give you 30 seconds to ask I I want to give you 30 seconds to ask the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, do I know him or do I know about him?

do I know him or do I know about him? do I know him or do I know about him? And be brave enough to ask the Holy And be brave enough to ask the Holy And be brave enough to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal that to you over the Spirit to reveal that to you over the Spirit to reveal that to you over the next 32, 33, 35 minutes. And give you 30 next 32, 33, 35 minutes. And give you 30 next 32, 33, 35 minutes. And give you 30 seconds. Father, I thank you that there are no Father, I thank you that there are no secrets in this room. secrets in this room. secrets in this room. You know, every backstory that walked You know, every backstory that walked You know, every backstory that walked through these doors, every through these doors, every through these doors, every disappointment, every heartbreak, disappointment, every heartbreak, disappointment, every heartbreak, every wrangle, every wrangle, every wrangle, you we are not unknown to you. We are you we are not unknown to you. We are you we are not unknown to you. We are known.

And there's something terrifying about And there's something terrifying about that and something beautiful about that. that and something beautiful about that. that and something beautiful about that. Holy Spirit, would you work to your good Holy Spirit, would you work to your good Holy Spirit, would you work to your good pleasure and for the glory of Christ? pleasure and for the glory of Christ? pleasure and for the glory of Christ? Clarity for our souls. We want to be men Clarity for our souls. We want to be men Clarity for our souls. We want to be men and women that know you, not just know and women that know you, not just know and women that know you, not just know about you, whose lives are being formed about you, whose lives are being formed about you, whose lives are being formed by the word of God and the presence of by the word of God and the presence of by the word of God and the presence of your spirit in us. We don't want to, at your spirit in us. We don't want to, at your spirit in us. We don't want to, at least I think we don't want to just be least I think we don't want to just be least I think we don't want to just be churchgoers with fire insurance and not churchgoers with fire insurance and not churchgoers with fire insurance and not living that life more abundant than you living that life more abundant than you living that life more abundant than you promised. And so help us. you you know promised. And so help us. you you know promised. And so help us. you you know were fragile and foolish and prone to were fragile and foolish and prone to were fragile and foolish and prone to idiocy and that's what you bought on the idiocy and that's what you bought on the idiocy and that's what you bought on the cross and so I thank you for that cross and so I thank you for that cross and so I thank you for that reality and it's for your beautiful name reality and it's for your beautiful name reality and it's for your beautiful name I pray. Amen. I pray. Amen. I pray. Amen. Uh I think I have preached this passage Uh I think I have preached this passage Uh I think I have preached this passage maybe more than any other passage in the maybe more than any other passage in the maybe more than any other passage in the Bible except maybe Romans 8. Uh but it's Bible except maybe Romans 8. Uh but it's Bible except maybe Romans 8. Uh but it's one that has transformed me or the one that has transformed me or the one that has transformed me or the spirit has used to transform me more spirit has used to transform me more spirit has used to transform me more than any other. There are things that than any other. There are things that than any other. There are things that are plain as day in this text that are plain as day in this text that are plain as day in this text that weren't plain as day to me early on. And weren't plain as day to me early on. And weren't plain as day to me early on. And so I want to dive into these first two so I want to dive into these first two so I want to dive into these first two verses first. I'll put all five on the verses first. I'll put all five on the verses first. I'll put all five on the screen, but I'm just going to screen, but I'm just going to screen, but I'm just going to concentrate on the first two uh at the concentrate on the first two uh at the concentrate on the first two uh at the beginning of the sermon, then I'll wrap beginning of the sermon, then I'll wrap beginning of the sermon, then I'll wrap it up with the last three. Now, I want it up with the last three. Now, I want it up with the last three. Now, I want to make it clear for you, brothers and to make it clear for you, brothers and to make it clear for you, brothers and sisters. And that's interesting. The sisters. And that's interesting. The sisters. And that's interesting. The gospel I preached to you which you gospel I preached to you which you gospel I preached to you which you received on which you have taken your received on which you have taken your received on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved

stand and by which you are being saved stand and by which you are being saved if you hold to the message I preached to if you hold to the message I preached to if you hold to the message I preached to you unless you believed in vain. Now th you unless you believed in vain. Now th you unless you believed in vain. Now th this is already I think this slams into this is already I think this slams into this is already I think this slams into most modern articulations of the gospel. most modern articulations of the gospel. most modern articulations of the gospel. Most evangelicals, most Christian, most Most evangelicals, most Christian, most Most evangelicals, most Christian, most most church people think about the most church people think about the most church people think about the gospel as simply a past tense message gospel as simply a past tense message gospel as simply a past tense message that they heard and they responded to that they heard and they responded to that they heard and they responded to and they became Christians. And then and they became Christians. And then and they became Christians. And then what ends up happening after that is we what ends up happening after that is we what ends up happening after that is we have that moment of encounter with have that moment of encounter with have that moment of encounter with Jesus. We say yes. We get baptized and Jesus. We say yes. We get baptized and Jesus. We say yes. We get baptized and then we get to work being busied and then we get to work being busied and then we get to work being busied and trying to earn the thing that he already trying to earn the thing that he already trying to earn the thing that he already gave us. gave us. gave us. And and this passage says the gospel is And and this passage says the gospel is And and this passage says the gospel is not the front door you walk into. It's not the front door you walk into. It's not the front door you walk into. It's the whole house. Like it's the whole the whole house. Like it's the whole the whole house. Like it's the whole point. Like you and I don't move past point. Like you and I don't move past point. Like you and I don't move past the gospel into deeper realities. You the gospel into deeper realities. You the gospel into deeper realities. You and I move into the gospel, stay in the and I move into the gospel, stay in the and I move into the gospel, stay in the gospel and are held fast by the gospel gospel and are held fast by the gospel gospel and are held fast by the gospel all the way home. So the gospel message all the way home. So the gospel message all the way home. So the gospel message is not like Christianity 101. The gospel is not like Christianity 101. The gospel is not like Christianity 101. The gospel message is the entire path and you will message is the entire path and you will message is the entire path and you will never need anything more than you never need anything more than you never need anything more than you actually need to believe the gospel more actually need to believe the gospel more actually need to believe the gospel more deeply in our lives. And so I just want deeply in our lives. And so I just want deeply in our lives. And so I just want to take what Paul's done here and I just to take what Paul's done here and I just to take what Paul's done here and I just want to break it down for us. And so he want to break it down for us. And so he want to break it down for us. And so he starts by saying now I would like to starts by saying now I would like to starts by saying now I would like to remind you brothers and sisters remind you brothers and sisters remind you brothers and sisters of the gospel that I preached to you of the gospel that I preached to you of the gospel that I preached to you which you received. That's past tense.

which you received. That's past tense. which you received. That's past tense. So, the gospel is something if you're a So, the gospel is something if you're a So, the gospel is something if you're a Christian that grabbed you somewhere Christian that grabbed you somewhere Christian that grabbed you somewhere back there in your past. There's two back there in your past. There's two back there in your past. There's two ways to talk about the gospel. Uh, ways to talk about the gospel. Uh, ways to talk about the gospel. Uh, historically, I've called it the gospel historically, I've called it the gospel historically, I've called it the gospel in the air and the gospel on the ground. in the air and the gospel on the ground. in the air and the gospel on the ground. The gospel on the air I is that cosmic The gospel on the air I is that cosmic The gospel on the air I is that cosmic reality of Christ's victory over all reality of Christ's victory over all reality of Christ's victory over all things. The gospel on the ground I is things. The gospel on the ground I is things. The gospel on the ground I is the gospel story I heard as an the gospel story I heard as an the gospel story I heard as an individual man that transformed my life individual man that transformed my life individual man that transformed my life and made me new. all sorts of language and made me new. all sorts of language and made me new. all sorts of language biblically about this. That I was dead biblically about this. That I was dead biblically about this. That I was dead in my trespasses and sins and he made me in my trespasses and sins and he made me in my trespasses and sins and he made me alive. That I was in the domain of alive. That I was in the domain of alive. That I was in the domain of darkness and he transferred me into the darkness and he transferred me into the darkness and he transferred me into the kingdom of his beloved son. That I was kingdom of his beloved son. That I was kingdom of his beloved son. That I was blind but now I see. That's all the blind but now I see. That's all the blind but now I see. That's all the imagery of what happens to us as men and imagery of what happens to us as men and imagery of what happens to us as men and women when we encounter the gospel and women when we encounter the gospel and women when we encounter the gospel and respond to it. And so I want to do respond to it. And so I want to do respond to it. And so I want to do gospel on the ground talking about you gospel on the ground talking about you gospel on the ground talking about you as an individual man or woman. I've got as an individual man or woman. I've got as an individual man or woman. I've got four words that I'll unpack. God, man, four words that I'll unpack. God, man, four words that I'll unpack. God, man, Christ response. There's the gospel on Christ response. There's the gospel on Christ response. There's the gospel on the ground. Let's start with God. And the ground. Let's start with God. And the ground. Let's start with God. And it's not good news.

it's not good news. it's not good news. First Samuel 2:2 says this. There is no First Samuel 2:2 says this. There is no First Samuel 2:2 says this. There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one one holy like the Lord. There is no one one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides you and there is no rock like besides you and there is no rock like besides you and there is no rock like our God. Now, the dominant adage given our God. Now, the dominant adage given our God. Now, the dominant adage given to God in our day is that God is love. to God in our day is that God is love. to God in our day is that God is love. That's not wrong. It's actually right in That's not wrong. It's actually right in That's not wrong. It's actually right in two in two different places in the same two in two different places in the same two in two different places in the same passage, we see God is love. It's not passage, we see God is love. It's not passage, we see God is love. It's not something he has. It's what he is. All something he has. It's what he is. All something he has. It's what he is. All that he does is born of love. But that he does is born of love. But that he does is born of love. But there's another adjective used to there's another adjective used to there's another adjective used to describe him in the Bible 400 times. And describe him in the Bible 400 times. And describe him in the Bible 400 times. And that word is holy. that word is holy. that word is holy. Like those, if you know your Bible, Like those, if you know your Bible, Like those, if you know your Bible, those little creatures floating around those little creatures floating around those little creatures floating around the throne room in the book of the throne room in the book of the throne room in the book of Revelation, they're not saying love, Revelation, they're not saying love, Revelation, they're not saying love, love, love is the Lord God Almighty who love, love is the Lord God Almighty who love, love is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. Grace, grace, was and is and is to come. Grace, grace, was and is and is to come. Grace, grace, grace is the Lord God Almighty who was grace is the Lord God Almighty who was grace is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come like like and is and is to come like like and is and is to come like like tinkle Tinkerbell sprinkling happy dust tinkle Tinkerbell sprinkling happy dust tinkle Tinkerbell sprinkling happy dust uh over and over again is the Lord God.

uh over and over again is the Lord God. uh over and over again is the Lord God. No, no, no. It says, "Holy, holy, holy No, no, no. It says, "Holy, holy, holy No, no, no. It says, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." And this is a throwback and is to come." And this is a throwback and is to come." And this is a throwback to God introducing himself personally to to God introducing himself personally to to God introducing himself personally to Israel in Exodus. And he says, "I am who Israel in Exodus. And he says, "I am who Israel in Exodus. And he says, "I am who I am." And you've heard me teach on this I am." And you've heard me teach on this I am." And you've heard me teach on this a bunch. A better translation would be, a bunch. A better translation would be, a bunch. A better translation would be, "I be who I be." Bad English, but "I be who I be." Bad English, but "I be who I be." Bad English, but carries the weight of the text. Like, I carries the weight of the text. Like, I carries the weight of the text. Like, I I'm so different than you. I don't know I'm so different than you. I don't know I'm so different than you. I don't know how to describe myself. I am what I am. how to describe myself. I am what I am. how to describe myself. I am what I am. I be what I be. I've always been. I will I be what I be. I've always been. I will I be what I be. I've always been. I will always be. I I am everywhere in my always be. I I am everywhere in my always be. I I am everywhere in my fullness at once. And if I could define fullness at once. And if I could define fullness at once. And if I could define holiness for you, I would define it like holiness for you, I would define it like holiness for you, I would define it like this. Wholeness, entireness, this. Wholeness, entireness, this. Wholeness, entireness, perfection in a moral sense. That's only perfection in a moral sense. That's only perfection in a moral sense. That's only God. It's not you. It's not me. It's no God. It's not you. It's not me. It's no God. It's not you. It's not me. It's no one you know. It's only God. He is holy. one you know. It's only God. He is holy. one you know. It's only God. He is holy. And therefore, his love is a holy love. And therefore, his love is a holy love. And therefore, his love is a holy love. You can't define God's love like we You can't define God's love like we You can't define God's love like we define human love. It's more like human define human love. It's more like human define human love. It's more like human love is real sentimental and emotive. love is real sentimental and emotive. love is real sentimental and emotive. God's love is holy love. It's different God's love is holy love. It's different God's love is holy love. It's different than that. It's morally perfect. It's than that. It's morally perfect. It's than that. It's morally perfect. It's whole. It's entire. And this is the God whole. It's entire. And this is the God whole. It's entire. And this is the God of the Bible. And his holiness is so of the Bible. And his holiness is so of the Bible. And his holiness is so pure that it obliterates anything that pure that it obliterates anything that pure that it obliterates anything that is unclean. See, this is people get the is unclean. See, this is people get the is unclean. See, this is people get the wrath of God wrong. The wrath of God is wrath of God wrong. The wrath of God is wrath of God wrong. The wrath of God is not rage. It's priestly fire. it it's not rage. It's priestly fire. it it's not rage. It's priestly fire. it it's that it obliterates everything that is that it obliterates everything that is that it obliterates everything that is unclean in front of it. That's not great unclean in front of it. That's not great unclean in front of it. That's not great news for us. It's not good news for us.

news for us. It's not good news for us. news for us. It's not good news for us. And then you throw us into the mix. So And then you throw us into the mix. So And then you throw us into the mix. So you've got God who is love desires you've got God who is love desires you've got God who is love desires relationship with us. Yet if he draws relationship with us. Yet if he draws relationship with us. Yet if he draws near in his holiness, he he'll just melt near in his holiness, he he'll just melt near in his holiness, he he'll just melt all our faces off. Think Indiana Jones all our faces off. Think Indiana Jones all our faces off. Think Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom when they opened in the Temple of Doom when they opened in the Temple of Doom when they opened up the Ark of the Covenant. Like up the Ark of the Covenant. Like up the Ark of the Covenant. Like literally melt us right there where we literally melt us right there where we literally melt us right there where we stand. So, we've got ourselves a problem stand. So, we've got ourselves a problem stand. So, we've got ourselves a problem because the Bible says this about us. because the Bible says this about us. because the Bible says this about us. For all have sinned and fall short of For all have sinned and fall short of For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That for all there, if the glory of God. That for all there, if the glory of God. That for all there, if we can make it Texan, is all y'all and we can make it Texan, is all y'all and we can make it Texan, is all y'all and me too. For all have sinned. Listen, the me too. For all have sinned. Listen, the me too. For all have sinned. Listen, the the sin sickness of the human heart is the sin sickness of the human heart is the sin sickness of the human heart is universal. universal. universal. It does not matter if you were born in It does not matter if you were born in It does not matter if you were born in church and with parents who loved you church and with parents who loved you church and with parents who loved you and they read the Bible to you and and they read the Bible to you and and they read the Bible to you and prayed with you and you did it, man. You prayed with you and you did it, man. You prayed with you and you did it, man. You you've made it all the way this far. You you've made it all the way this far. You you've made it all the way this far. You you never been drunk in your life. You you never been drunk in your life. You you never been drunk in your life. You wouldn't know what to do with drugs that wouldn't know what to do with drugs that wouldn't know what to do with drugs that that aren't the pharmaceutical kind that that aren't the pharmaceutical kind that that aren't the pharmaceutical kind that your doctor gives you. uh you you you your doctor gives you. uh you you you your doctor gives you. uh you you you you just like you protected your purity you just like you protected your purity you just like you protected your purity until marriage or you grew up in a rough until marriage or you grew up in a rough until marriage or you grew up in a rough house, gave yourself over to lenses and house, gave yourself over to lenses and house, gave yourself over to lenses and you know exactly what to do with all the you know exactly what to do with all the you know exactly what to do with all the drugs and your body counts in the triple drugs and your body counts in the triple drugs and your body counts in the triple digits. The Bible would say both of you digits. The Bible would say both of you digits. The Bible would say both of you have sinned and fallen short of the have sinned and fallen short of the have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The foot, the ground in glory of God. The foot, the ground in glory of God. The foot, the ground in front of the cross is even. It is level.

front of the cross is even. It is level. front of the cross is even. It is level. Nobody stands there and boasts. Nobody stands there and boasts. Nobody stands there and boasts. Everybody stands there in need. The text Everybody stands there in need. The text Everybody stands there in need. The text said, "For all all y'all, I'm in that said, "For all all y'all, I'm in that said, "For all all y'all, I'm in that circle have sinned and fallen short of circle have sinned and fallen short of circle have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." And then Romans 6:23 the glory of God." And then Romans 6:23 the glory of God." And then Romans 6:23 says this, "For the wages of sin is says this, "For the wages of sin is says this, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal death, but the gift of God is eternal death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So, um, life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So, um, life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So, um, the death that's being spoken of here in the death that's being spoken of here in the death that's being spoken of here in this passage isn't if you sin, you drop this passage isn't if you sin, you drop this passage isn't if you sin, you drop dead immediately or this would be a very dead immediately or this would be a very dead immediately or this would be a very empty room in a very empty state in a empty room in a very empty state in a empty room in a very empty state in a very empty planet. No, no. This is more very empty planet. No, no. This is more very empty planet. No, no. This is more like uh heart rot works in trees. That's like uh heart rot works in trees. That's like uh heart rot works in trees. That's a real thing. Um trees when they're a real thing. Um trees when they're a real thing. Um trees when they're saplings, they can get nicked by saplings, they can get nicked by saplings, they can get nicked by something and then disease gets into the something and then disease gets into the something and then disease gets into the guts of the tree. Won't stop the tree guts of the tree. Won't stop the tree guts of the tree. Won't stop the tree from growing. Uh I mean they they'll from growing. Uh I mean they they'll from growing. Uh I mean they they'll still look like giant oaks that they'll still look like giant oaks that they'll still look like giant oaks that they'll look like, if you're from East Texas, look like, if you're from East Texas, look like, if you're from East Texas, giant pine trees. There will be no sign giant pine trees. There will be no sign giant pine trees. There will be no sign of weakness in the tree at all, but it's of weakness in the tree at all, but it's of weakness in the tree at all, but it's rotting from the inside out and under rotting from the inside out and under rotting from the inside out and under its own weight, it'll collapse upon its own weight, it'll collapse upon its own weight, it'll collapse upon itself and fall. That's how the wages of itself and fall. That's how the wages of itself and fall. That's how the wages of sin is death plays out in our lives.

sin is death plays out in our lives. sin is death plays out in our lives. Like you can look strong, you can look Like you can look strong, you can look Like you can look strong, you can look like you have it all together. You you like you have it all together. You you like you have it all together. You you heard a little bit of that in Andre's heard a little bit of that in Andre's heard a little bit of that in Andre's testimony, how she was feeling bent testimony, how she was feeling bent testimony, how she was feeling bent inward and rotted from the inside. inward and rotted from the inside. inward and rotted from the inside. That's what sin does. it and it's That's what sin does. it and it's That's what sin does. it and it's pervasive for all have sinned and fallen pervasive for all have sinned and fallen pervasive for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So you've got short of the glory of God. So you've got short of the glory of God. So you've got the holiness of God and the sinfulness the holiness of God and the sinfulness the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. of man. of man. You you try to bring this into this You you try to bring this into this You you try to bring this into this complete obliteration complete obliteration complete obliteration which brings us to Christ. John 3:16 and which brings us to Christ. John 3:16 and which brings us to Christ. John 3:16 and 17. Most of you will know these 17. Most of you will know these 17. Most of you will know these passages. passages. passages. For God loved so there's his motive the For God loved so there's his motive the For God loved so there's his motive the world in this way. So you want to world in this way. So you want to world in this way. So you want to understand the love of God. You you understand the love of God. You you understand the love of God. You you doubt he loves you. He's giving you doubt he loves you. He's giving you doubt he loves you. He's giving you objective evidence that his love's not objective evidence that his love's not objective evidence that his love's not emotive. emotive. emotive. For God loved the world in this way. He For God loved the world in this way. He For God loved the world in this way. He gave his one and only son that everyone gave his one and only son that everyone gave his one and only son that everyone who believes in him will not perish but who believes in him will not perish but who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send have eternal life. For God did not send have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the his son into the world to condemn the his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.

world but to save the world through him. world but to save the world through him. So God's love made manifest in Christ. So God's love made manifest in Christ. So God's love made manifest in Christ. That's the picture of love that God in That's the picture of love that God in That's the picture of love that God in his holiness wanting to be near us sends his holiness wanting to be near us sends his holiness wanting to be near us sends his son that second person of the his son that second person of the his son that second person of the trinity co-eternal with the father the trinity co-eternal with the father the trinity co-eternal with the father the active agent in creation condescended active agent in creation condescended active agent in creation condescended put on flesh and blood to dwell among us put on flesh and blood to dwell among us put on flesh and blood to dwell among us for what reason to seek and save the for what reason to seek and save the for what reason to seek and save the lost for what reason not to condemn the lost for what reason not to condemn the lost for what reason not to condemn the world but to save the world from their world but to save the world from their world but to save the world from their preexisting condemnation preexisting condemnation preexisting condemnation so that Christ has made the way where so that Christ has made the way where so that Christ has made the way where where we weak as we are in the flesh where we weak as we are in the flesh where we weak as we are in the flesh could not and that then demands a could not and that then demands a could not and that then demands a response. Romans 10 9-10 says it this response. Romans 10 9-10 says it this response. Romans 10 9-10 says it this way. If you confess with your mouth way. If you confess with your mouth way. If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and you believe where? Jesus is Lord and you believe where? Jesus is Lord and you believe where? >> Huh? >> Huh? >> Huh? >> In your heart. in your heart >> In your heart. in your heart >> In your heart. in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you that God raised him from the dead, you that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. And then he explains it.

will be saved. And then he explains it. will be saved. And then he explains it. One believes with the heart resulting in One believes with the heart resulting in One believes with the heart resulting in righteousness and one confesses with the righteousness and one confesses with the righteousness and one confesses with the mouth resulting in salvation. So he's mouth resulting in salvation. So he's mouth resulting in salvation. So he's got this dance here of objective got this dance here of objective got this dance here of objective evidence of conversion, right? That the evidence of conversion, right? That the evidence of conversion, right? That the first part, the first step in this first part, the first step in this first part, the first step in this two-step dance is a confession with the two-step dance is a confession with the two-step dance is a confession with the mouth. Now, I think because of the mouth. Now, I think because of the mouth. Now, I think because of the second step, what's in view here is second step, what's in view here is second step, what's in view here is people talk about what they love, they people talk about what they love, they people talk about what they love, they can't help but talk about what they can't help but talk about what they can't help but talk about what they love. And so, if you hunt, you talk love. And so, if you hunt, you talk love. And so, if you hunt, you talk about hunting. If you fish, you talk about hunting. If you fish, you talk about hunting. If you fish, you talk about fishing. If you do jiu-jitsu, about fishing. If you do jiu-jitsu, about fishing. If you do jiu-jitsu, people are going to think you joined a people are going to think you joined a people are going to think you joined a cult, right? You do CrossFit, you're in cult, right? You do CrossFit, you're in cult, right? You do CrossFit, you're in the gym, you're into fitness, you talk the gym, you're into fitness, you talk the gym, you're into fitness, you talk about what you love. You You just do. about what you love. You You just do. about what you love. You You just do. This is a human experience globally. All This is a human experience globally. All This is a human experience globally. All human beings talk about what they love. human beings talk about what they love. human beings talk about what they love. So he goes, you confess with your mouth. So he goes, you confess with your mouth. So he goes, you confess with your mouth. It's probably because you believe in It's probably because you believe in It's probably because you believe in your heart that that's not I know facts your heart that that's not I know facts your heart that that's not I know facts about that. That's I I believe in my about that. That's I I believe in my about that. That's I I believe in my guts. Like I've had an experience of the guts. Like I've had an experience of the guts. Like I've had an experience of the grace of God that Christ's blood has grace of God that Christ's blood has grace of God that Christ's blood has covered my unrighteousness. I I I've had covered my unrighteousness. I I I've had covered my unrighteousness. I I I've had that moment where the spirit has opened that moment where the spirit has opened that moment where the spirit has opened my heart to believe my heart to believe my heart to believe that that he sees all, knows all, and is that that he sees all, knows all, and is that that he sees all, knows all, and is holy and has lifted me out of the muck holy and has lifted me out of the muck holy and has lifted me out of the muck and the mer. That's what she was and the mer. That's what she was and the mer. That's what she was quoting. She was quoting Psalm 40. That quoting. She was quoting Psalm 40. That quoting. She was quoting Psalm 40. That God saw my helpless estate as the old

God saw my helpless estate as the old God saw my helpless estate as the old hymn goes. And he reached his hands into hymn goes. And he reached his hands into hymn goes. And he reached his hands into the mug and he pulled me out of it. And the mug and he pulled me out of it. And the mug and he pulled me out of it. And then he washed me off that I am beloved then he washed me off that I am beloved then he washed me off that I am beloved by the father because of the blood of by the father because of the blood of by the father because of the blood of Jesus. That I am seen as perfect and Jesus. That I am seen as perfect and Jesus. That I am seen as perfect and spotless and blameless in his sight even spotless and blameless in his sight even spotless and blameless in his sight even though I know I'm not. That I am though I know I'm not. That I am though I know I'm not. That I am welcomed in his presence and the demand. welcomed in his presence and the demand. welcomed in his presence and the demand. It's not that I go clean myself up and It's not that I go clean myself up and It's not that I go clean myself up and come in, but I bring my full self in and come in, but I bring my full self in and come in, but I bring my full self in and I'm cleansed. Are you tracking with me? I'm cleansed. Are you tracking with me? I'm cleansed. Are you tracking with me? And so Paul's saying if you're a And so Paul's saying if you're a And so Paul's saying if you're a Christian, somewhere back here, somebody Christian, somewhere back here, somebody Christian, somewhere back here, somebody told you that. A parent, a friend, a told you that. A parent, a friend, a told you that. A parent, a friend, a co-orker, a neighbor, somebody you met co-orker, a neighbor, somebody you met co-orker, a neighbor, somebody you met at a coffee shop. I don't know. at a coffee shop. I don't know. at a coffee shop. I don't know. Somewhere back here, someone told you Somewhere back here, someone told you Somewhere back here, someone told you the spirit opened your heart to believe. the spirit opened your heart to believe. the spirit opened your heart to believe. You surrendered to Christ You surrendered to Christ You surrendered to Christ in which you believed. But then he moves in which you believed. But then he moves in which you believed. But then he moves into the present. And here's where I into the present. And here's where I into the present. And here's where I think people get get all jacked up when think people get get all jacked up when think people get get all jacked up when it comes to the gospel. This is why I it comes to the gospel. This is why I it comes to the gospel. This is why I think there's not as much rest and zeal think there's not as much rest and zeal think there's not as much rest and zeal for the things of God in our lives. He for the things of God in our lives. He for the things of God in our lives. He he said uh in which you believed and and he said uh in which you believed and and he said uh in which you believed and and now in which you stand. So there's this now in which you stand. So there's this now in which you stand. So there's this present reality of the gospel that's present reality of the gospel that's present reality of the gospel that's going to need to hold me that the gospel going to need to hold me that the gospel going to need to hold me that the gospel saved me. And apparently the gospel saved me. And apparently the gospel saved me. And apparently the gospel keeps saving me by working more and more keeps saving me by working more and more keeps saving me by working more and more deeply into the um the the layers of my deeply into the um the the layers of my deeply into the um the the layers of my heart and soul and mind. And so this is heart and soul and mind. And so this is heart and soul and mind. And so this is what I'm going to give you. Three things

what I'm going to give you. Three things what I'm going to give you. Three things that I think are present when you're that I think are present when you're that I think are present when you're standing in the gospel. Here would be standing in the gospel. Here would be standing in the gospel. Here would be the first one. Um consistent gospel the first one. Um consistent gospel the first one. Um consistent gospel meditation creates wholeheartedness. meditation creates wholeheartedness. meditation creates wholeheartedness. Consistent gospel meditation creates Consistent gospel meditation creates Consistent gospel meditation creates wholeheartedness. wholeheartedness. wholeheartedness. Um, I am an achiever. Um, I am an achiever. Um, I am an achiever. Um, here's what I mean by that. Um, my Um, here's what I mean by that. Um, my Um, here's what I mean by that. Um, my family of origin story and other things family of origin story and other things family of origin story and other things that were in the rue had me believing that were in the rue had me believing that were in the rue had me believing very early on before I even knew it was very early on before I even knew it was very early on before I even knew it was a belief that I am useful but not a belief that I am useful but not a belief that I am useful but not necessarily lovable. What that produces necessarily lovable. What that produces necessarily lovable. What that produces is a willingness to kill myself to win is a willingness to kill myself to win is a willingness to kill myself to win and and a desire to build, grow, and and a desire to build, grow, and and a desire to build, grow, conquer, project, conquer, project, conquer, project, outwork, outsuffer out everyone else outwork, outsuffer out everyone else outwork, outsuffer out everyone else around me. And I became a Christian, around me. And I became a Christian, around me. And I became a Christian, received the love of Christ, and it's received the love of Christ, and it's received the love of Christ, and it's taken a long time for the gospel to get taken a long time for the gospel to get taken a long time for the gospel to get that out of me. Um, something weird's that out of me. Um, something weird's that out of me. Um, something weird's happened in my life the last couple of happened in my life the last couple of happened in my life the last couple of years. more and more and more I am being years. more and more and more I am being years. more and more and more I am being invited into the business world to hang invited into the business world to hang invited into the business world to hang out with a bunch of other men who are out with a bunch of other men who are out with a bunch of other men who are high achievers, right? Frenetic, you high achievers, right? Frenetic, you high achievers, right? Frenetic, you know, sold their first company for $300 know, sold their first company for $300 know, sold their first company for $300 million kind of guys. And here's what million kind of guys. And here's what million kind of guys. And here's what what I've learned about achievers mostly what I've learned about achievers mostly what I've learned about achievers mostly is this. They're guys that got thrown is this. They're guys that got thrown is this. They're guys that got thrown into the deep end of the pool uh young into the deep end of the pool uh young into the deep end of the pool uh young and they just survived it. They just and they just survived it. They just and they just survived it. They just didn't die. And then what ends up didn't die. And then what ends up didn't die. And then what ends up happening in order to survive it, you happening in order to survive it, you happening in order to survive it, you detach your head from your heart.

detach your head from your heart. detach your head from your heart. So like their men, they they will know So like their men, they they will know So like their men, they they will know this is sad, but they don't feel sad. this is sad, but they don't feel sad. this is sad, but they don't feel sad. They'll know this is great, but they They'll know this is great, but they They'll know this is great, but they don't feel happy. They just know this is don't feel happy. They just know this is don't feel happy. They just know this is a happy thing. They don't feel it. So a happy thing. They don't feel it. So a happy thing. They don't feel it. So stunted and thin in their inner man that stunted and thin in their inner man that stunted and thin in their inner man that they really don't have anything to give they really don't have anything to give they really don't have anything to give anyone except to continue to build, anyone except to continue to build, anyone except to continue to build, except to continue to make, except except to continue to make, except except to continue to make, except continue to check the scoreboard and continue to check the scoreboard and continue to check the scoreboard and make sure they're out playing everyone make sure they're out playing everyone make sure they're out playing everyone else. Well, this is hard rot. this is else. Well, this is hard rot. this is else. Well, this is hard rot. this is going to turn in and destroy. And I going to turn in and destroy. And I going to turn in and destroy. And I don't I don't know about women, but men, don't I don't know about women, but men, don't I don't know about women, but men, the men that I run with, almost all of the men that I run with, almost all of the men that I run with, almost all of them are high achievers. And this is in them are high achievers. And this is in them are high achievers. And this is in all of us. And so, what do we need that all of us. And so, what do we need that all of us. And so, what do we need that heals this? You need the gospel. I need heals this? You need the gospel. I need heals this? You need the gospel. I need the gospel to reattach me to my heart. I the gospel to reattach me to my heart. I the gospel to reattach me to my heart. I need the gospel to remind me I don't need the gospel to remind me I don't need the gospel to remind me I don't have to strive in the Lord. I can rest have to strive in the Lord. I can rest have to strive in the Lord. I can rest and be still and let God be God. I need and be still and let God be God. I need and be still and let God be God. I need to bring my heart to my wife and kids to bring my heart to my wife and kids to bring my heart to my wife and kids and friends and you. You don't need my and friends and you. You don't need my and friends and you. You don't need my head. You You need my heart.

head. You You need my heart. head. You You need my heart. So does my wife. So do my children. So So does my wife. So do my children. So So does my wife. So do my children. So do my friends. They don't need my do my friends. They don't need my do my friends. They don't need my achieving. They need me to be an achieving. They need me to be an achieving. They need me to be an integrated man. Well, the gospel has to integrated man. Well, the gospel has to integrated man. Well, the gospel has to produce that in me. How? By reminding produce that in me. How? By reminding produce that in me. How? By reminding myself. myself. myself. By reminding myself of what's true. By reminding myself of what's true. By reminding myself of what's true. Like, do you know how terrible of a Like, do you know how terrible of a Like, do you know how terrible of a pastor I would be if I care what you pastor I would be if I care what you pastor I would be if I care what you thought? No, I'm being straight with thought? No, I'm being straight with thought? No, I'm being straight with you. I'm not being arrogant. Like, if I you. I'm not being arrogant. Like, if I you. I'm not being arrogant. Like, if I was like, I got to win your approval was like, I got to win your approval was like, I got to win your approval today. I need us to grow this year. today. I need us to grow this year. today. I need us to grow this year. Like, I would sell out so fast. Like, Like, I would sell out so fast. Like, Like, I would sell out so fast. Like, you you look around, you watch a guy you you look around, you watch a guy you you look around, you watch a guy selling out. This is what's happening in selling out. This is what's happening in selling out. This is what's happening in him. He's got to achieve. He's got to him. He's got to achieve. He's got to him. He's got to achieve. He's got to he's going to say not the thing that he's going to say not the thing that he's going to say not the thing that offends. He's going to say the thing offends. He's going to say the thing offends. He's going to say the thing that everybody can kind of kind of agree that everybody can kind of kind of agree that everybody can kind of kind of agree on. on. on. Well, how how much would I hate you and Well, how how much would I hate you and Well, how how much would I hate you and me if I gave into that? No, I have to me if I gave into that? No, I have to me if I gave into that? No, I have to gospel myself all the time. I need to be gospel myself all the time. I need to be gospel myself all the time. I need to be free of you and free of other people's free of you and free of other people's free of you and free of other people's opinions. I'm not talking about opinions. I'm not talking about opinions. I'm not talking about accountability. I'm talking about accountability. I'm talking about accountability. I'm talking about becoming a slave. becoming a slave. becoming a slave. No, no, no. I I need to gospel myself so No, no, no. I I need to gospel myself so No, no, no. I I need to gospel myself so I can give you my heart. I can give my I can give you my heart. I can give my I can give you my heart. I can give my wife my heart. I can give my kids my wife my heart. I can give my kids my wife my heart. I can give my kids my heart. Give my friends my heart. And heart. Give my friends my heart. And heart. Give my friends my heart. And consistent gospel meditation reattaches consistent gospel meditation reattaches consistent gospel meditation reattaches us. So I can be sad.

So I can be glad So I can be glad that so I can know this is absolutely that so I can know this is absolutely that so I can know this is absolutely incredible and feel it on the inside and incredible and feel it on the inside and incredible and feel it on the inside and not just know that it is. Are you not just know that it is. Are you not just know that it is. Are you tracking? Is that resonating? Is that tracking? Is that resonating? Is that tracking? Is that resonating? Is that landing? Okay, you're looking at me landing? Okay, you're looking at me landing? Okay, you're looking at me weird and so it's fine. I I can do it. weird and so it's fine. I I can do it. weird and so it's fine. I I can do it. Now second thing. So what we're talking Now second thing. So what we're talking Now second thing. So what we're talking about is what does it look like to stand about is what does it look like to stand about is what does it look like to stand in the gospel? continual gospel in the gospel? continual gospel in the gospel? continual gospel meditation for wholeheartedness. Number meditation for wholeheartedness. Number meditation for wholeheartedness. Number two, believe and I mean really believe two, believe and I mean really believe two, believe and I mean really believe that I've been set free from my sinful that I've been set free from my sinful that I've been set free from my sinful nature. I we are in a difficult day like nature. I we are in a difficult day like nature. I we are in a difficult day like 20 26 this whole last decade plus has 20 26 this whole last decade plus has 20 26 this whole last decade plus has not been great. Uh because sin is like not been great. Uh because sin is like not been great. Uh because sin is like taken out of the sin category and put taken out of the sin category and put taken out of the sin category and put into the struggle category. I don't sin, into the struggle category. I don't sin, into the struggle category. I don't sin, I just have a struggle. And then you I just have a struggle. And then you I just have a struggle. And then you layer on that therapeutic victimhood layer on that therapeutic victimhood layer on that therapeutic victimhood thing that's so prevalent. Then I don't thing that's so prevalent. Then I don't thing that's so prevalent. Then I don't even have to own this. I just have to even have to own this. I just have to even have to own this. I just have to look back at somebody and find the look back at somebody and find the look back at somebody and find the reason I'm this way with no reason I'm this way with no reason I'm this way with no accountability for my own actions. No accountability for my own actions. No accountability for my own actions. No owning my own brokenness. Let me find owning my own brokenness. Let me find owning my own brokenness. Let me find the reason that I'm this way. And God the reason that I'm this way. And God the reason that I'm this way. And God help our parents. Most of the time it's help our parents. Most of the time it's help our parents. Most of the time it's them.

I'll be curious if you throw that blade I'll be curious if you throw that blade back on yourself in 40 years whether back on yourself in 40 years whether back on yourself in 40 years whether you'll maybe grow past that. They did you'll maybe grow past that. They did you'll maybe grow past that. They did the best they could with where they the best they could with where they the best they could with where they were. You can look back to understand were. You can look back to understand were. You can look back to understand why you are the way you are, but you're why you are the way you are, but you're why you are the way you are, but you're grown. >> I'm glad one of you is with me. >> I'm glad one of you is with me. It's about like I how I thought it would It's about like I how I thought it would It's about like I how I thought it would go. No. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a grown man. go. No. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a grown man. go. No. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a grown man. Like, I have to own those broken bits. Like, I have to own those broken bits. Like, I have to own those broken bits. It doesn't matter how it was broken. It doesn't matter how it was broken. It doesn't matter how it was broken. It's me now. So, I have to own that. And It's me now. So, I have to own that. And It's me now. So, I have to own that. And if I put it into somebody else's fault, if I put it into somebody else's fault, if I put it into somebody else's fault, somebody else did this to me, it won't somebody else did this to me, it won't somebody else did this to me, it won't take any accountability and I can't take any accountability and I can't take any accountability and I can't heal. The gospel would bid me to heal by heal. The gospel would bid me to heal by heal. The gospel would bid me to heal by reminding me I have been set free from reminding me I have been set free from reminding me I have been set free from my sinful nature. It's not that I'm not my sinful nature. It's not that I'm not my sinful nature. It's not that I'm not going to struggle here. Look at me. I I going to struggle here. Look at me. I I going to struggle here. Look at me. I I want to make this so clear. Um all of want to make this so clear. Um all of want to make this so clear. Um all of Christian life is the struggle and Christian life is the struggle and Christian life is the struggle and stumble with the presence of Jesus.

stumble with the presence of Jesus. stumble with the presence of Jesus. I'm 33 years in. I'm still stumbling I'm 33 years in. I'm still stumbling I'm 33 years in. I'm still stumbling about. I I think that's the whole about. I I think that's the whole about. I I think that's the whole journey is stumbling to glory. And journey is stumbling to glory. And journey is stumbling to glory. And that's what Jesus bought on the cross, that's what Jesus bought on the cross, that's what Jesus bought on the cross, right? Okay. So, I'm 33 years in. right? Okay. So, I'm 33 years in. right? Okay. So, I'm 33 years in. Anybody else longer than me and going, Anybody else longer than me and going, Anybody else longer than me and going, "Yeah, it's it keeps going like that. "Yeah, it's it keeps going like that. "Yeah, it's it keeps going like that. Anybody else want to tell I'm too old Anybody else want to tell I'm too old Anybody else want to tell I'm too old now?" Okay. I got a couple of you. It's now?" Okay. I got a couple of you. It's now?" Okay. I got a couple of you. It's getting closer. I can't ask that getting closer. I can't ask that getting closer. I can't ask that question as much anymore as 52. back in question as much anymore as 52. back in question as much anymore as 52. back in my 30-year-old, there was a bunch of you my 30-year-old, there was a bunch of you my 30-year-old, there was a bunch of you in here and now it's just like six, in here and now it's just like six, in here and now it's just like six, which so I'm I'm trending to the higher which so I'm I'm trending to the higher which so I'm I'm trending to the higher end of Papa Chandler up here now. And end of Papa Chandler up here now. And end of Papa Chandler up here now. And like here, HERE'S BUT I WANT YOU TO like here, HERE'S BUT I WANT YOU TO like here, HERE'S BUT I WANT YOU TO NOTICE THIS. HOW MANY OF YOU have been NOTICE THIS. HOW MANY OF YOU have been NOTICE THIS. HOW MANY OF YOU have been following Jesus for a while and you're following Jesus for a while and you're following Jesus for a while and you're still kind of surprised at the stumbles? still kind of surprised at the stumbles? still kind of surprised at the stumbles? Okay, keep your hands up. Look around Okay, keep your hands up. Look around Okay, keep your hands up. Look around and be encouraged. THIS IS NORMAL and be encouraged. THIS IS NORMAL and be encouraged. THIS IS NORMAL CHRISTIAN FAITH. CHRISTIAN FAITH. CHRISTIAN FAITH. THIS IS WHY PAUL'S SAYING YOU BETTER THIS IS WHY PAUL'S SAYING YOU BETTER THIS IS WHY PAUL'S SAYING YOU BETTER stand in the gospel because perfection stand in the gospel because perfection stand in the gospel because perfection is given to you and the whole rest of is given to you and the whole rest of is given to you and the whole rest of your life is going to be stumbling into your life is going to be stumbling into your life is going to be stumbling into maturation into that perfection. But maturation into that perfection. But maturation into that perfection. But what happens? What happens when you what happens? What happens when you what happens? What happens when you think perfection is the demand on you, think perfection is the demand on you, think perfection is the demand on you, not the gift given to you, it is what I not the gift given to you, it is what I not the gift given to you, it is what I like to call double or maybe even triple like to call double or maybe even triple like to call double or maybe even triple shame that will bend you inward and make shame that will bend you inward and make shame that will bend you inward and make you withdraw from God and others. You you withdraw from God and others. You you withdraw from God and others. You heard a little bit of it in my heard a little bit of it in my heard a little bit of it in my daughter's story. So, let me give you my daughter's story. So, let me give you my daughter's story. So, let me give you my story. She shared hers. Uh, radically story. She shared hers. Uh, radically story. She shared hers. Uh, radically saved right before my senior year of saved right before my senior year of saved right before my senior year of high school. Uh, I mean, came back to high school. Uh, I mean, came back to high school. Uh, I mean, came back to school my senior year. I heart Jesus school my senior year. I heart Jesus school my senior year. I heart Jesus carrying my Bible. And my friends carrying my Bible. And my friends carrying my Bible. And my friends thought I'd joined a cult. I mean, in thought I'd joined a cult. I mean, in thought I'd joined a cult. I mean, in May, I was one of the better parters and

May, I was one of the better parters and May, I was one of the better parters and one of the quickest to throw a hand and one of the quickest to throw a hand and one of the quickest to throw a hand and came back wearing an iHeart Jesus shirt. came back wearing an iHeart Jesus shirt. came back wearing an iHeart Jesus shirt. And I still I so wanted my friends to And I still I so wanted my friends to And I still I so wanted my friends to come to know Jesus. I so wanted them come to know Jesus. I so wanted them come to know Jesus. I so wanted them that I was talking to them about Jesus that I was talking to them about Jesus that I was talking to them about Jesus all the time. I was giving them tracks. all the time. I was giving them tracks. all the time. I was giving them tracks. cuz I didn't know enough to articulate cuz I didn't know enough to articulate cuz I didn't know enough to articulate much other than, you know, the the much other than, you know, the the much other than, you know, the the gospel story and they would ask gospel story and they would ask gospel story and they would ask questions. I'd have no idea. And um and questions. I'd have no idea. And um and questions. I'd have no idea. And um and then because I wanted to stay near them, then because I wanted to stay near them, then because I wanted to stay near them, uh I just was going to be their uh I just was going to be their uh I just was going to be their designated driver, right? So I'd still designated driver, right? So I'd still designated driver, right? So I'd still go to the parties, but I would just go to the parties, but I would just go to the parties, but I would just drive them there and they would they drive them there and they would they drive them there and they would they would go hard and uh I I would try to would go hard and uh I I would try to would go hard and uh I I would try to help things not escalate when it looked help things not escalate when it looked help things not escalate when it looked like we were, you know, they everybody like we were, you know, they everybody like we were, you know, they everybody they were going to beat everybody up they were going to beat everybody up they were going to beat everybody up again and then I'd drive them home and again and then I'd drive them home and again and then I'd drive them home and then uh I did well. I was, you know, I then uh I did well. I was, you know, I then uh I did well. I was, you know, I was doing well and I'd share the gospel was doing well and I'd share the gospel was doing well and I'd share the gospel with, you know, sharing the gospel with with, you know, sharing the gospel with with, you know, sharing the gospel with drunk people is a whole another uh like drunk people is a whole another uh like drunk people is a whole another uh like a whole another, you know, just some guy a whole another, you know, just some guy a whole another, you know, just some guy slurring in the back, what about the slurring in the back, what about the slurring in the back, what about the dinosaurs? And I'm like, we're not even dinosaurs? And I'm like, we're not even dinosaurs? And I'm like, we're not even talking about the dinosaurs. And and talking about the dinosaurs. And and talking about the dinosaurs. And and then, you know, after a while, then I then, you know, after a while, then I then, you know, after a while, then I would go, I mean, I can have a beer.

would go, I mean, I can have a beer. would go, I mean, I can have a beer. I can have a beer. And I'd have one and I can have a beer. And I'd have one and I can have a beer. And I'd have one and I could justify it in my head. You know, I could justify it in my head. You know, I could justify it in my head. You know, in Germany, you can drink beer when in Germany, you can drink beer when in Germany, you can drink beer when you're 16. You know, I was just an idiot you're 16. You know, I was just an idiot you're 16. You know, I was just an idiot kid. And and then man, there was a night kid. And and then man, there was a night kid. And and then man, there was a night where that one beer turned into way more where that one beer turned into way more where that one beer turned into way more beers. And then I couldn't be the one beers. And then I couldn't be the one beers. And then I couldn't be the one that drove us home. And here's what that drove us home. And here's what that drove us home. And here's what happened. I felt the shame of my old happened. I felt the shame of my old happened. I felt the shame of my old life, the double shame of betraying life, the double shame of betraying life, the double shame of betraying Christ and his love for me, and the Christ and his love for me, and the Christ and his love for me, and the triple shame of giving my friends triple shame of giving my friends triple shame of giving my friends amongst the gospel. I I thought single shame was hard. I I thought single shame was hard. Triple shame will crush you. Triple shame will crush you. Triple shame will crush you. And I was saved into a church where no And I was saved into a church where no And I was saved into a church where no one ever struggled ever in the history one ever struggled ever in the history one ever struggled ever in the history of the church. of the church. of the church. Like I was I I was not that you you know Like I was I I was not that you you know Like I was I I was not that you you know if you want to know why I like this if you want to know why I like this if you want to know why I like this place a little grimy, it's because of place a little grimy, it's because of place a little grimy, it's because of that experience. that experience. that experience. Nobody had a difficult marriage. There Nobody had a difficult marriage. There Nobody had a difficult marriage. There was no addiction there. Nobody had a was no addiction there. Nobody had a was no addiction there. Nobody had a past that was haunting them. Everybody past that was haunting them. Everybody past that was haunting them. Everybody just smiled and wore their best clothes.

just smiled and wore their best clothes. just smiled and wore their best clothes. >> So then I'm like, okay, something's >> So then I'm like, okay, something's >> So then I'm like, okay, something's wrong with me. Maybe I'm not a wrong with me. Maybe I'm not a wrong with me. Maybe I'm not a Christian. Maybe I'm not saved. Maybe Christian. Maybe I'm not saved. Maybe Christian. Maybe I'm not saved. Maybe there was no normaly to struggle. No, no there was no normaly to struggle. No, no there was no normaly to struggle. No, no normaly to pain. It was just always like normaly to pain. It was just always like normaly to pain. It was just always like a pep rally of a team that was going to a pep rally of a team that was going to a pep rally of a team that was going to get slaughtered on the field that Friday get slaughtered on the field that Friday get slaughtered on the field that Friday night, but they were all acting like it night, but they were all acting like it night, but they were all acting like it wasn't coming, you know, and and and so wasn't coming, you know, and and and so wasn't coming, you know, and and and so it it made me feel stuck. And that's when I fell in love with And that's when I fell in love with Galatians 2:20. For I've been crucified Galatians 2:20. For I've been crucified Galatians 2:20. For I've been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, with Christ. It is no longer I who live, with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life but Christ who lives in me. And the life but Christ who lives in me. And the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in I live in the flesh, I live by faith in I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God who loves me and gave the son of God who loves me and gave the son of God who loves me and gave himself up for me. That's all the himself up for me. That's all the himself up for me. That's all the ammunition I need against the enemy. ammunition I need against the enemy. ammunition I need against the enemy. Because that verse says that Matt Because that verse says that Matt Because that verse says that Matt Chandler's dead, Chandler's dead, Chandler's dead, right? That stupidity went to on the right? That stupidity went to on the right? That stupidity went to on the cross with Jesus. This No, no, no. This cross with Jesus. This No, no, no. This cross with Jesus. This No, no, no. This is by faith in the son of God who loves is by faith in the son of God who loves is by faith in the son of God who loves me and gave himself up for me. That's me and gave himself up for me. That's me and gave himself up for me. That's the gospel. And so I desperately needed the gospel. And so I desperately needed the gospel. And so I desperately needed to be reminded that I don't have to give to be reminded that I don't have to give to be reminded that I don't have to give in to my sin anymore. I am going to in to my sin anymore. I am going to in to my sin anymore. I am going to stumble and there's grace for that.

stumble and there's grace for that. stumble and there's grace for that. Jesus knew the kind of idiot he was Jesus knew the kind of idiot he was Jesus knew the kind of idiot he was buying on the cross, an idiot like me. buying on the cross, an idiot like me. buying on the cross, an idiot like me. And I needed to be reminded of that. I And I needed to be reminded of that. I And I needed to be reminded of that. I needed to be reminded that I've been set needed to be reminded that I've been set needed to be reminded that I've been set free to not own my struggle. My identity free to not own my struggle. My identity free to not own my struggle. My identity is not addict. Your identity is not is not addict. Your identity is not is not addict. Your identity is not addict. Your identity is not your sexual addict. Your identity is not your sexual addict. Your identity is not your sexual orientation. Your identity is not any of orientation. Your identity is not any of orientation. Your identity is not any of your struggles. Stop identifying with your struggles. Stop identifying with your struggles. Stop identifying with those things. No, you are a child of those things. No, you are a child of those things. No, you are a child of God, bloodbought by the father. What it God, bloodbought by the father. What it God, bloodbought by the father. What it means to stand in the gospel is to means to stand in the gospel is to means to stand in the gospel is to believe it, which means I'm always believe it, which means I'm always believe it, which means I'm always shrinking the distance between me and shrinking the distance between me and shrinking the distance between me and God. And let me get you to the how. God. And let me get you to the how. God. And let me get you to the how. Here's the right hook to the face of the Here's the right hook to the face of the Here's the right hook to the face of the enemy. enemy. enemy. How do you do this? Well, how do you How do you do this? Well, how do you How do you do this? Well, how do you stand in the gospel? Well, it has stand in the gospel? Well, it has stand in the gospel? Well, it has everything to do with the ongoing ethics everything to do with the ongoing ethics everything to do with the ongoing ethics of confession and repentance. of confession and repentance. of confession and repentance. 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous." It's is faithful and righteous." It's is faithful and righteous." It's twofold. To forgive us our sins and twofold. To forgive us our sins and twofold. To forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do you hear that? So, what happens when we you hear that? So, what happens when we you hear that? So, what happens when we are in shame or in double shame or in are in shame or in double shame or in are in shame or in double shame or in triple shame is the fastest way out of triple shame is the fastest way out of triple shame is the fastest way out of that lie from the enemy, which bends us that lie from the enemy, which bends us that lie from the enemy, which bends us inward and says stuff like this.

inward and says stuff like this. inward and says stuff like this. You should be more mature than this by You should be more mature than this by You should be more mature than this by then. you you should have victory over then. you you should have victory over then. you you should have victory over this by this point. You should be this by this point. You should be this by this point. You should be further along than you are. You should further along than you are. You should further along than you are. You should be stronger than you are. You should be stronger than you are. You should be stronger than you are. You should know better than this. Anybody hear know better than this. Anybody hear know better than this. Anybody hear those things in their heads frequently? those things in their heads frequently? those things in their heads frequently? Yeah. Well, you're welcome. Those are Yeah. Well, you're welcome. Those are Yeah. Well, you're welcome. Those are lies from the enemy because here's the lies from the enemy because here's the lies from the enemy because here's the thing. You're not. thing. You're not. thing. You're not. And Jesus knows. And Jesus knows. And Jesus knows. And he bought you by his blood. See how And he bought you by his blood. See how And he bought you by his blood. See how you regot? So the surefire way to kill you regot? So the surefire way to kill you regot? So the surefire way to kill that lie. I mean, you want to fight back that lie. I mean, you want to fight back that lie. I mean, you want to fight back against me, just be fast to repent and against me, just be fast to repent and against me, just be fast to repent and confess, fast to get it into the light. confess, fast to get it into the light. confess, fast to get it into the light. The darkness will cover it. It will hide The darkness will cover it. It will hide The darkness will cover it. It will hide it. The devil's whole game is accusation it. The devil's whole game is accusation it. The devil's whole game is accusation and isolation. So, you beat him at his and isolation. So, you beat him at his and isolation. So, you beat him at his game by refusing to surrender to the game by refusing to surrender to the game by refusing to surrender to the accusation and never let him isolate accusation and never let him isolate accusation and never let him isolate you. So, the faster you can repent and you. So, the faster you can repent and you. So, the faster you can repent and confess, the stronger you're going to confess, the stronger you're going to confess, the stronger you're going to walk in the power of the gospel in the walk in the power of the gospel in the walk in the power of the gospel in the present. It's an ongoing ethic. It will present. It's an ongoing ethic. It will present. It's an ongoing ethic. It will never be over. If you live to be 90, never be over. If you live to be 90, never be over. If you live to be 90, you'll still be doing it. And so, I've you'll still be doing it. And so, I've you'll still be doing it. And so, I've said this to you a lot. I'm going to say said this to you a lot. I'm going to say said this to you a lot. I'm going to say it to you again.

it to you again. it to you again. To be 99% known is to be completely To be 99% known is to be completely To be 99% known is to be completely unknown. And that little 1% unknown. And that little 1% unknown. And that little 1% will cost you your soul level capacity will cost you your soul level capacity will cost you your soul level capacity to receive love from God or anyone else. to receive love from God or anyone else. to receive love from God or anyone else. Here's the way it works. Here's the way it works. Here's the way it works. You will not be able to receive the love You will not be able to receive the love You will not be able to receive the love from God because you're convinced that from God because you're convinced that from God because you're convinced that that thing that nobody knows about. that thing that nobody knows about. that thing that nobody knows about. Maybe it's a besetting sin. Maybe it's Maybe it's a besetting sin. Maybe it's Maybe it's a besetting sin. Maybe it's just some sort of besetting sin in your just some sort of besetting sin in your just some sort of besetting sin in your life. Some sort of struggle that nobody life. Some sort of struggle that nobody life. Some sort of struggle that nobody knows about except maybe your spouse or knows about except maybe your spouse or knows about except maybe your spouse or something like that. It's like this something like that. It's like this something like that. It's like this secret that's guarded because you know secret that's guarded because you know secret that's guarded because you know if anyone were to find out about that if anyone were to find out about that if anyone were to find out about that secret, they probably would think about secret, they probably would think about secret, they probably would think about you in a different way than they do. you in a different way than they do. you in a different way than they do. They might reject you. You might be cut They might reject you. You might be cut They might reject you. You might be cut loose. You know you all your greatest loose. You know you all your greatest loose. You know you all your greatest fears which are all in your head. Soon fears which are all in your head. Soon fears which are all in your head. Soon as people know that, they're going to as people know that, they're going to as people know that, they're going to create a lot of distance from you. And create a lot of distance from you. And create a lot of distance from you. And so that that ends up being the lie. So so that that ends up being the lie. So so that that ends up being the lie. So you shrink back and you hide. And then you shrink back and you hide. And then you shrink back and you hide. And then when you hear a sermon like this, like when you hear a sermon like this, like when you hear a sermon like this, like this is happening in somebody's head this is happening in somebody's head this is happening in somebody's head right now, you're going to be arguing right now, you're going to be arguing right now, you're going to be arguing about how this can't be true about you.

about how this can't be true about you. about how this can't be true about you. Can be true about everybody else, but it Can be true about everybody else, but it Can be true about everybody else, but it can't be true about you because of that can't be true about you because of that can't be true about you because of that abortion when you were in college, abortion when you were in college, abortion when you were in college, because of the amount of drugs you've because of the amount of drugs you've because of the amount of drugs you've done, because you've got something back done, because you've got something back done, because you've got something back there that when you think about it, even there that when you think about it, even there that when you think about it, even now, it makes you sick to your stomach. now, it makes you sick to your stomach. now, it makes you sick to your stomach. It it could be some unethical practice It it could be some unethical practice It it could be some unethical practice at work. It can be it's just this 1% I at work. It can be it's just this 1% I at work. It can be it's just this 1% I call it the devil's playground. You're call it the devil's playground. You're call it the devil's playground. You're just not going to be able to hear what just not going to be able to hear what just not going to be able to hear what I'm saying. You're not going to be able I'm saying. You're not going to be able I'm saying. You're not going to be able to receive the good news of the gospel to receive the good news of the gospel to receive the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ because that 1%'s bent of Jesus Christ because that 1%'s bent of Jesus Christ because that 1%'s bent you inward. You heard it in Audrey's you inward. You heard it in Audrey's you inward. You heard it in Audrey's testimony. I'm telling you pastorally testimony. I'm telling you pastorally testimony. I'm telling you pastorally experience. And then as a Christian who experience. And then as a Christian who experience. And then as a Christian who who had to navigate that space, it bends who had to navigate that space, it bends who had to navigate that space, it bends you inward and you isolate. You move you inward and you isolate. You move you inward and you isolate. You move from God. Then you move away from from God. Then you move away from from God. Then you move away from Christian brothers and sisters who would Christian brothers and sisters who would Christian brothers and sisters who would gladly hear that confession and become a gladly hear that confession and become a gladly hear that confession and become a physical representation of the grace of physical representation of the grace of physical representation of the grace of God and hug you and cry with you and God and hug you and cry with you and God and hug you and cry with you and then try to hold you accountable u to to then try to hold you accountable u to to then try to hold you accountable u to to more godly living. And so the best way to make all that And so the best way to make all that lose its power lose its power lose its power is just say it. Think of it as a form of is just say it. Think of it as a form of is just say it. Think of it as a form of combat.

combat. combat. Like so I like when that stuff starts Like so I like when that stuff starts Like so I like when that stuff starts happening to me, I feel provoked like in happening to me, I feel provoked like in happening to me, I feel provoked like in my spirit. I guess that's just how I'm my spirit. I guess that's just how I'm my spirit. I guess that's just how I'm like, "Oh, okay. You want some today? like, "Oh, okay. You want some today? like, "Oh, okay. You want some today? I'm gonna go tell my crew that you're I'm gonna go tell my crew that you're I'm gonna go tell my crew that you're even putting, you know, that you're even putting, you know, that you're even putting, you know, that you're making this accusation against me." It's making this accusation against me." It's making this accusation against me." It's amazing how it lifts. Like I don't want amazing how it lifts. Like I don't want amazing how it lifts. Like I don't want any secrets. Like my guys and two of any secrets. Like my guys and two of any secrets. Like my guys and two of them have been in here all they get my them have been in here all they get my them have been in here all they get my tax returns. Man, I'm I'm I'm telling tax returns. Man, I'm I'm I'm telling tax returns. Man, I'm I'm I'm telling you, I don't want any. I don't I no gap you, I don't want any. I don't I no gap you, I don't want any. I don't I no gap between what you see up here and what's between what you see up here and what's between what you see up here and what's in my life. And if you see it, I expect in my life. And if you see it, I expect in my life. And if you see it, I expect you to say something to me like, well, you to say something to me like, well, you to say something to me like, well, what kind of freedom might you walk in what kind of freedom might you walk in what kind of freedom might you walk in if you said, I won't let the 1% rob me if you said, I won't let the 1% rob me if you said, I won't let the 1% rob me of what Christ has given me, and then of what Christ has given me, and then of what Christ has given me, and then how I might experience the relationships how I might experience the relationships how I might experience the relationships around me by not worrying about that 1% around me by not worrying about that 1% around me by not worrying about that 1% just to be fully known. It's the ongoing just to be fully known. It's the ongoing just to be fully known. It's the ongoing ethic of confession and repentance. ethic of confession and repentance. ethic of confession and repentance. That's what it looks like to stand in That's what it looks like to stand in That's what it looks like to stand in the gospel. Now, the last is the future the gospel. Now, the last is the future the gospel. Now, the last is the future tense. This is really fast. tense. This is really fast. tense. This is really fast. by which you are being saved if you hold by which you are being saved if you hold by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you fast to the word I preached to you fast to the word I preached to you unless you believed in vain. So that if unless you believed in vain. So that if unless you believed in vain. So that if word there can scare people like it you word there can scare people like it you word there can scare people like it you you will be saved if you're like uhoh I you will be saved if you're like uhoh I you will be saved if you're like uhoh I could lose my salvation. Well here's his could lose my salvation. Well here's his could lose my salvation. Well here's his argument that the way you you stay in argument that the way you you stay in argument that the way you you stay in the grace of God is to believe what you the grace of God is to believe what you the grace of God is to believe what you believed at first. Do you see they believed at first. Do you see they believed at first. Do you see they didn't add anything to the gospel? He's didn't add anything to the gospel? He's didn't add anything to the gospel? He's like you want your future to be secure like you want your future to be secure like you want your future to be secure keep believing what you've believed all keep believing what you've believed all keep believing what you've believed all along. It's not that we move past the along. It's not that we move past the along. It's not that we move past the gospel and we finally have this future gospel and we finally have this future gospel and we finally have this future where we don't need it. It's that we've where we don't need it. It's that we've where we don't need it. It's that we've been trained by the gospel to not fear

been trained by the gospel to not fear been trained by the gospel to not fear the future because the gospel's held. the future because the gospel's held. the future because the gospel's held. I thought I'd get an amen from that. I thought I'd get an amen from that. I thought I'd get an amen from that. Don't give it to me now. No, don't do Don't give it to me now. No, don't do Don't give it to me now. No, don't do it. Church discipline if you do it. No. it. Church discipline if you do it. No. it. Church discipline if you do it. No. Like this is like, man, I'm 33 years in Like this is like, man, I'm 33 years in Like this is like, man, I'm 33 years in the I don't know what's coming for me. I the I don't know what's coming for me. I the I don't know what's coming for me. I know there's more heartbreak. I know I'm know there's more heartbreak. I know I'm know there's more heartbreak. I know I'm not going to finish my run without not going to finish my run without not going to finish my run without getting my heart crushed again. Uh I I getting my heart crushed again. Uh I I getting my heart crushed again. Uh I I know I can look at the world and worry know I can look at the world and worry know I can look at the world and worry what kind of world my kids and grandkids what kind of world my kids and grandkids what kind of world my kids and grandkids are going to have to navigate. I can are going to have to navigate. I can are going to have to navigate. I can look to all those, but not in a way look to all those, but not in a way look to all those, but not in a way that's desparing. that's desparing. that's desparing. Why? Because Christ has won. Why? Because Christ has won. Why? Because Christ has won. >> And and he has held. He held in seven >> And and he has held. He held in seven >> And and he has held. He held in seven years of a terrible marriage. He held in years of a terrible marriage. He held in years of a terrible marriage. He held in brain cancer. He he held with a weward brain cancer. He he held with a weward brain cancer. He he held with a weward daughter. There's few things that'll daughter. There's few things that'll daughter. There's few things that'll crush you like a kid. He He held in slander. He has held in He He held in slander. He has held in betrayal. He has held what's coming for betrayal. He has held what's coming for betrayal. He has held what's coming for me that that he won't hold me true in me that that he won't hold me true in me that that he won't hold me true in the gospel. So I I can look at the the gospel. So I I can look at the the gospel. So I I can look at the future and be concerned, but I have a future and be concerned, but I have a future and be concerned, but I have a place to take those concerns. Let him place to take those concerns. Let him place to take those concerns. Let him live into and in your victory, King live into and in your victory, King live into and in your victory, King Jesus. Don't let him get swallowed up by Jesus. Don't let him get swallowed up by Jesus. Don't let him get swallowed up by the madness.

the madness. the madness. And I'm I'm anchored again. I'm anchored And I'm I'm anchored again. I'm anchored And I'm I'm anchored again. I'm anchored again. again. again. And so I want to read these last couple And so I want to read these last couple And so I want to read these last couple of verses to you because they're the of verses to you because they're the of verses to you because they're the reason all this is possible. And then reason all this is possible. And then reason all this is possible. And then I'm going to have you bow your heads. I'm going to have you bow your heads. I'm going to have you bow your heads. I'm just going to ask you a couple I'm just going to ask you a couple I'm just going to ask you a couple questions. Here's verses 3 through 5. questions. Here's verses 3 through 5. questions. Here's verses 3 through 5. For I passed on to you as most For I passed on to you as most For I passed on to you as most important. Now that's huge for Paul to important. Now that's huge for Paul to important. Now that's huge for Paul to say because Paul talks a lot. And what's say because Paul talks a lot. And what's say because Paul talks a lot. And what's interesting about Pauline epistles is interesting about Pauline epistles is interesting about Pauline epistles is that even the Bible says Paul's that even the Bible says Paul's that even the Bible says Paul's confusing. I don't know if you remember confusing. I don't know if you remember confusing. I don't know if you remember that passage in First Peter, but Peter's that passage in First Peter, but Peter's that passage in First Peter, but Peter's like, "I know you've been trying to read like, "I know you've been trying to read like, "I know you've been trying to read Paul. Paul. Paul. He's a lot." I mean, even the Bible's He's a lot." I mean, even the Bible's He's a lot." I mean, even the Bible's like, "Paul talks a lot, but he's saying like, "Paul talks a lot, but he's saying like, "Paul talks a lot, but he's saying of all I've said, here's what's of first of all I've said, here's what's of first of all I've said, here's what's of first importance. Everything else you need to importance. Everything else you need to importance. Everything else you need to know, but this is what you better know. know, but this is what you better know. know, but this is what you better know. What I also received that Christ died What I also received that Christ died What I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the for our sins according to the for our sins according to the scriptures. That he was buried. that he scriptures. That he was buried. that he scriptures. That he was buried. that he was raised on the third day according to was raised on the third day according to was raised on the third day according to the scriptures and that he appeared to the scriptures and that he appeared to the scriptures and that he appeared to Cphus and to the 12. So, so all of that Cphus and to the 12. So, so all of that Cphus and to the 12. So, so all of that past, present, and future was purchased past, present, and future was purchased past, present, and future was purchased by what? The life, death, and by what? The life, death, and by what? The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The good news of resurrection of Jesus. The good news of resurrection of Jesus. The good news of the gospel that I am not perfect. I've the gospel that I am not perfect. I've the gospel that I am not perfect. I've been given perfection. That that I am been given perfection. That that I am been given perfection. That that I am not whole. I am made whole over time not whole. I am made whole over time not whole. I am made whole over time through deep work in community. slowly through deep work in community. slowly through deep work in community. slowly being patient with you and you being being patient with you and you being being patient with you and you being patient with me formed into the image of patient with me formed into the image of patient with me formed into the image of his son which is going to be our whole his son which is going to be our whole his son which is going to be our whole fall series here in a couple of weeks.

fall series here in a couple of weeks. fall series here in a couple of weeks. This is the good news of the gospel This is the good news of the gospel This is the good news of the gospel past, present, future, a single thing past, present, future, a single thing past, present, future, a single thing holds us. holds us. holds us. can't move on from it or we move back can't move on from it or we move back can't move on from it or we move back into that heart rot situation where our into that heart rot situation where our into that heart rot situation where our effort, our hard work, our striving effort, our hard work, our striving effort, our hard work, our striving becomes the thing that defines our becomes the thing that defines our becomes the thing that defines our lives. It's an empty, exhausting game lives. It's an empty, exhausting game lives. It's an empty, exhausting game and I'm trying to plead with you to come and I'm trying to plead with you to come and I'm trying to plead with you to come out of it. So, would you do me a favor? out of it. So, would you do me a favor? out of it. So, would you do me a favor? Would you just bow your heads and close Would you just bow your heads and close Would you just bow your heads and close your eyes? Couple of questions here. If you've not yet at this point in your If you've not yet at this point in your life, you you've not yet received life, you you've not yet received life, you you've not yet received this free gift of grace and mercy that this free gift of grace and mercy that this free gift of grace and mercy that God is offering. And for some reason God is offering. And for some reason God is offering. And for some reason this morning, you feel the Holy Spirit this morning, you feel the Holy Spirit this morning, you feel the Holy Spirit kind of prevailing on your heart. kind of prevailing on your heart. kind of prevailing on your heart. And and this would be a day you'd say, And and this would be a day you'd say, And and this would be a day you'd say, "Man, I I think I'd really like to lay "Man, I I think I'd really like to lay "Man, I I think I'd really like to lay my yes down towards Jesus."

my yes down towards Jesus." my yes down towards Jesus." If you're telling me he knows all of it, If you're telling me he knows all of it, If you're telling me he knows all of it, like all of it, Matt, not not just the like all of it, Matt, not not just the like all of it, Matt, not not just the stuff that some people know, but like stuff that some people know, but like stuff that some people know, but like all of it. The thoughts of my heart, the all of it. The thoughts of my heart, the all of it. The thoughts of my heart, the compulsions of my heart, my behavior in compulsions of my heart, my behavior in compulsions of my heart, my behavior in college, my behavior last weekend, he college, my behavior last weekend, he college, my behavior last weekend, he knows all of it. And this is still knows all of it. And this is still knows all of it. And this is still available to me. available to me. available to me. I I want that. If that's you and you're I I want that. If that's you and you're I I want that. If that's you and you're here this morning, you're like, I I want here this morning, you're like, I I want here this morning, you're like, I I want this gospel in my heart. I want to this gospel in my heart. I want to this gospel in my heart. I want to believe it in my heart. If that's you, believe it in my heart. If that's you, believe it in my heart. If that's you, would you just raise your hand where you would you just raise your hand where you would you just raise your hand where you are in the room, just raise, I need I are in the room, just raise, I need I are in the room, just raise, I need I need this gospel, man, maybe a good need this gospel, man, maybe a good need this gospel, man, maybe a good church person or but but I I want that I church person or but but I I want that I church person or but but I I want that I want that thing I want to know about. I want that thing I want to know about. I want that thing I want to know about. I want to know him. All right, several of want to know him. All right, several of want to know him. All right, several of you. Okay, go ahead and put your heads you. Okay, go ahead and put your heads you. Okay, go ahead and put your heads down. Um he here would be my second down. Um he here would be my second down. Um he here would be my second thing to consider. Maybe you're a thing to consider. Maybe you're a thing to consider. Maybe you're a Christian in here and you can look back Christian in here and you can look back Christian in here and you can look back and you're like, "No, no, no. I I know I and you're like, "No, no, no. I I know I and you're like, "No, no, no. I I know I I believed and I've been transformed. I believed and I've been transformed. I believed and I've been transformed. And maybe you're in a season where And maybe you're in a season where And maybe you're in a season where you're just not really standing in the you're just not really standing in the you're just not really standing in the gospel. Maybe maybe you're like me and gospel. Maybe maybe you're like me and gospel. Maybe maybe you're like me and you're just like such an achiever that you're just like such an achiever that you're just like such an achiever that you you can't feel much anymore you you can't feel much anymore you you can't feel much anymore that that you've so given yourself over that that you've so given yourself over that that you've so given yourself over to winning the scoreboard to winning the scoreboard to winning the scoreboard that you can know, hey, this is sad, but that you can know, hey, this is sad, but that you can know, hey, this is sad, but you don't feel anything. You can know, you don't feel anything. You can know, you don't feel anything. You can know, oh, this is awesome, but you don't feel oh, this is awesome, but you don't feel oh, this is awesome, but you don't feel happy. You just feel stunted and thin.

And today the invitation is to consider And today the invitation is to consider the gospel a new the gospel a new the gospel a new uh to consider that that Christ and his uh to consider that that Christ and his uh to consider that that Christ and his finished work that the God of heaven and finished work that the God of heaven and finished work that the God of heaven and earth sees you as lovely earth sees you as lovely earth sees you as lovely and and pure a and worthy of love. And and and pure a and worthy of love. And and and pure a and worthy of love. And um today I would encourage you to move um today I would encourage you to move um today I would encourage you to move towards that gospel. Maybe you just need towards that gospel. Maybe you just need towards that gospel. Maybe you just need to come say it to somebody. to come say it to somebody. to come say it to somebody. Maybe you can just grab one of the hands Maybe you can just grab one of the hands Maybe you can just grab one of the hands of our prayer team people and like man I of our prayer team people and like man I of our prayer team people and like man I am a half-hearted man or woman and I am a half-hearted man or woman and I am a half-hearted man or woman and I need the spirit to open up my heart to need the spirit to open up my heart to need the spirit to open up my heart to believe the gospel more deeply. Or or believe the gospel more deeply. Or or believe the gospel more deeply. Or or maybe in here you've got a what's called maybe in here you've got a what's called maybe in here you've got a what's called a besetting sin. It's just this sin you a besetting sin. It's just this sin you a besetting sin. It's just this sin you can't seem to get victory over. But but can't seem to get victory over. But but can't seem to get victory over. But but rather than coming into the light in a rather than coming into the light in a rather than coming into the light in a way that's costly, you've stayed in the way that's costly, you've stayed in the way that's costly, you've stayed in the dark and allowed it to grow in power. dark and allowed it to grow in power. dark and allowed it to grow in power. Maybe today's the day like you want to Maybe today's the day like you want to Maybe today's the day like you want to deal violently with that sin for the deal violently with that sin for the deal violently with that sin for the first time. You want to actually put it first time. You want to actually put it first time. You want to actually put it to death. So you're not going to pretend to death. So you're not going to pretend to death. So you're not going to pretend that you're more than you are, that that you're more than you are, that that you're more than you are, that you're stronger than you are, that you're stronger than you are, that you're stronger than you are, that you're further along than you are.

you're further along than you are. you're further along than you are. You're going to rest in where you are, You're going to rest in where you are, You're going to rest in where you are, which is the version of you that Jesus which is the version of you that Jesus which is the version of you that Jesus loves and died for. loves and died for. loves and died for. And and so if you're in here today and And and so if you're in here today and And and so if you're in here today and you're like, man, I'm I'm somewhere in you're like, man, I'm I'm somewhere in you're like, man, I'm I'm somewhere in one of those two. I'm half-hearted or one of those two. I'm half-hearted or one of those two. I'm half-hearted or I've got some besetting sins that are a I've got some besetting sins that are a I've got some besetting sins that are a real kind of secret shameful thing just real kind of secret shameful thing just real kind of secret shameful thing just in my heart or in my marriage or in my in my heart or in my marriage or in my in my heart or in my marriage or in my and and I want to step into the light in and and I want to step into the light in and and I want to step into the light in those things today. If that's you, would those things today. If that's you, would those things today. If that's you, would you just lift your hands up? Yeah. This you just lift your hands up? Yeah. This you just lift your hands up? Yeah. This is what I would expect in a room this is what I would expect in a room this is what I would expect in a room this size. size. size. Okay. Here's what I want to do. I'm Okay. Here's what I want to do. I'm Okay. Here's what I want to do. I'm going to pray for us and while I pray, going to pray for us and while I pray, going to pray for us and while I pray, men and women from our prayer team are men and women from our prayer team are men and women from our prayer team are going to come up here and be up front. going to come up here and be up front. going to come up here and be up front. I'm gonna say amen. We're gonna sing I'm gonna say amen. We're gonna sing I'm gonna say amen. We're gonna sing about the majesty of Christ together as about the majesty of Christ together as about the majesty of Christ together as a community. And I want to give you the a community. And I want to give you the a community. And I want to give you the opportunity to move toward the one who opportunity to move toward the one who opportunity to move toward the one who has moved towards you in gospel grace in has moved towards you in gospel grace in has moved towards you in gospel grace in the good news of Christ's life, death, the good news of Christ's life, death, the good news of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. And so, I know you're and resurrection. And so, I know you're and resurrection. And so, I know you're going to argue in your head. Maybe going to argue in your head. Maybe going to argue in your head. Maybe you've already been doing that. Uh I've you've already been doing that. Uh I've you've already been doing that. Uh I've been praying for you all week that the been praying for you all week that the been praying for you all week that the Holy Spirit would prevail over you. that Holy Spirit would prevail over you. that Holy Spirit would prevail over you. that you would not think you're the one you would not think you're the one you would not think you're the one person who's outside this, that you person who's outside this, that you person who's outside this, that you would not think that your sin is the one would not think that your sin is the one would not think that your sin is the one sin that's so gross that you can't get sin that's so gross that you can't get sin that's so gross that you can't get freedom in. I want to invite you into freedom in. I want to invite you into freedom in. I want to invite you into the life of Christ this morning. So, the life of Christ this morning. So, the life of Christ this morning. So, Father, I bless these men and women in Father, I bless these men and women in Father, I bless these men and women in the name of Jesus. I thank you for your the name of Jesus. I thank you for your the name of Jesus. I thank you for your grace and your kindness, your mercy. I grace and your kindness, your mercy. I grace and your kindness, your mercy. I thank you for how many in this room that thank you for how many in this room that thank you for how many in this room that I know personally have the kinds of I know personally have the kinds of I know personally have the kinds of backstories that I've been describing.

backstories that I've been describing. backstories that I've been describing. Heck, I'm one of them standing on stage Heck, I'm one of them standing on stage Heck, I'm one of them standing on stage proclaiming the excellencies of your proclaiming the excellencies of your proclaiming the excellencies of your gospel. And so I ask freedom, life, gospel. And so I ask freedom, life, gospel. And so I ask freedom, life, wholeheartedness wholeheartedness wholeheartedness for my brothers and sisters this for my brothers and sisters this for my brothers and sisters this morning. I pray salvation for the two or morning. I pray salvation for the two or morning. I pray salvation for the two or three that raised their hand and just three that raised their hand and just three that raised their hand and just said, "I I need to actually receive said, "I I need to actually receive said, "I I need to actually receive this. I need to believe in my heart." this. I need to believe in my heart." this. I need to believe in my heart." And so, Spirit, will you do those things And so, Spirit, will you do those things And so, Spirit, will you do those things that only you can do? We need you. We're that only you can do? We need you. We're that only you can do? We need you. We're so desperate for you. And it's for your so desperate for you. And it's for your so desperate for you. And it's for your beautiful name I pray. Amen. Would you beautiful name I pray. Amen. Would you beautiful name I pray. Amen. Would you stand with me as we respond to the Lord?