Discipline – Sermon – Matt Chandler – 8/16/26

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 discipleship at a local church. ongoing discipleship at a local church. ongoing discipleship at a local church. And and if by the grace of God this And and if by the grace of God this And and if by the grace of God this becomes one of those things that becomes one of those things that becomes one of those things that continues to build up your faith, continues to build up your faith, continues to build up your faith, encourage your walk, fuel your love for encourage your walk, fuel your love for encourage your walk, fuel your love for Jesus, would you consider giving to the Jesus, would you consider giving to the Jesus, would you consider giving to the ministries of The Village Church? It's ministries of The Village Church? It's ministries of The Village Church? It's actually really simple. You can either actually really simple. You can either actually really simple. You can either do it in the app or you can go to the do it in the app or you can go to the do it in the app or you can go to the villagechurch.net/give villagechurch.net/give villagechurch.net/give and and do it there. I hope that the and and do it there. I hope that the and and do it there. I hope that the next chunk of time as you watch this next chunk of time as you watch this next chunk of time as you watch this sermon, you find your affections for sermon, you find your affections for sermon, you find your affections for Jesus soaring, you find courage flood Jesus soaring, you find courage flood Jesus soaring, you find courage flood back into your bones, and you fall more back into your bones, and you fall more back 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 this moment. God bless you.

>> Hello. My name is Lauren Wheeler, and I >> Hello. My name is Lauren Wheeler, and I get the joy and privilege of being a get the joy and privilege of being a get the joy and privilege of being a part of the residency program this year part of the residency program this year part of the residency program this year at TVC in the student [music] ministry. There was a time in my life when I was There was a time in my life when I was filled with insecurity and shame. But filled with insecurity and shame. But filled with insecurity and shame. But because of Jesus, I now experience because of Jesus, I now experience because of Jesus, I now experience freedom knowing that I am a new creation freedom knowing that I am a new creation freedom knowing that I am a new creation by the blood of Jesus. by the blood of Jesus. by the blood of Jesus. And I have a [music] secure identity And I have a [music] secure identity And I have a [music] secure identity because I'm chosen by God, and and because I'm chosen by God, and and because I'm chosen by God, and and there's nothing that can separate me there's nothing that can separate me there's nothing that can separate me from His love. from His love. from His love. The scripture we'll be looking at this The scripture we'll be looking at this The scripture we'll be looking at this morning is from Hebrews 5:11-14. morning is from Hebrews 5:11-14. morning is from Hebrews 5:11-14. We have a great deal to say about this, We have a great deal to say about this, We have a great deal to say about this, [music] and it is difficult to explain [music] and it is difficult to explain [music] and it is difficult to explain since you have become too lazy to since you have become too lazy to since you have become too lazy to understand. Although by this time you understand. Although by this time you understand. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone ought to be teachers, you need someone ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of to teach you the basic principles of to teach you the basic principles of God's revelation again. God's revelation again. God's revelation again. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You need milk, not solid food. >> You need milk, not solid food. >> You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is Now everyone who lives on milk is Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced [music] with a message inexperienced [music] with a message inexperienced [music] with a message about righteousness because he's an about righteousness because he's an about righteousness because he's an infant. infant. infant. But solid food is for the mature, for But solid food is for the mature, for But solid food is for the mature, for those whose senses have been trained to those whose senses have been trained to those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

distinguish between good and evil. distinguish between good and evil. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> This is the word of the Lord. >> Well, good morning. It's good to see if >> Well, good morning. It's good to see if you have your Bibles, that's where we're you have your Bibles, that's where we're you have your Bibles, that's where we're going to be. Hebrews chapter 12. If you going to be. Hebrews chapter 12. If you going to be. Hebrews chapter 12. If you don't have a Bible, there should be a don't have a Bible, there should be a don't have a Bible, there should be a hardback black one somewhere around you. hardback black one somewhere around you. hardback black one somewhere around you. You can grab that and I'd love for you You can grab that and I'd love for you You can grab that and I'd love for you to see that I'm not making any of this to see that I'm not making any of this to see that I'm not making any of this up. This weekend's kind of a up. This weekend's kind of a up. This weekend's kind of a continuation of last weekend. And so continuation of last weekend. And so continuation of last weekend. And so last weekend, my good friend PJ shared last weekend, my good friend PJ shared last weekend, my good friend PJ shared his testimony. To me it's one of the his testimony. To me it's one of the his testimony. To me it's one of the more fascinating testimonies I've heard more fascinating testimonies I've heard more fascinating testimonies I've heard and it kind of shook me. and it kind of shook me. and it kind of shook me. And so PJ grew up in church his whole And so PJ grew up in church his whole And so PJ grew up in church his whole life, like never a day he wasn't in life, like never a day he wasn't in life, like never a day he wasn't in church. I'm guessing he wasn't going to church. I'm guessing he wasn't going to church. I'm guessing he wasn't going to church when he was in Iraq. church when he was in Iraq. church when he was in Iraq. But but when he got home, first thing he But but when he got home, first thing he But but when he got home, first thing he did when he got home, him and his wife, did when he got home, him and his wife, did when he got home, him and his wife, back in the game and they worked with back in the game and they worked with back in the game and they worked with students and I think his family students and I think his family students and I think his family literally took care of the lawn and the literally took care of the lawn and the literally took care of the lawn and the area of their church. So they were like area of their church. So they were like area of their church. So they were like as involved activity wise as you can as involved activity wise as you can as involved activity wise as you can get. And then they they felt like, okay, get. And then they they felt like, okay, get. And then they they felt like, okay, we need a change. We're not sure why we we need a change. We're not sure why we we need a change. We're not sure why we need a change and they came over to the need a change and they came over to the need a change and they came over to the village and I just happened to bump into village and I just happened to bump into village and I just happened to bump into him one day. He works security here with him one day. He works security here with him one day. He works security here with his background. You want guys like him his background. You want guys like him his background. You want guys like him working security. And bumped into him working security. And bumped into him working security. And bumped into him and it was just a brief conversation but and it was just a brief conversation but and it was just a brief conversation but I felt so compelled by the Holy Spirit I felt so compelled by the Holy Spirit I felt so compelled by the Holy Spirit to invite him into this group of men I to invite him into this group of men I to invite him into this group of men I was meeting with on Thursday nights. And was meeting with on Thursday nights. And was meeting with on Thursday nights. And so PJ came over and I always do story so PJ came over and I always do story so PJ came over and I always do story work with guys when they come. Like how work with guys when they come. Like how work with guys when they come. Like how did you get here? And so he was sharing did you get here? And so he was sharing did you get here? And so he was sharing his story and then at some point in his his story and then at some point in his his story and then at some point in his story he just said, story he just said, story he just said, I'm just kind of on the fence about all I'm just kind of on the fence about all I'm just kind of on the fence about all this. So another man in the group says

this. So another man in the group says this. So another man in the group says like, "What what do you mean about all like, "What what do you mean about all like, "What what do you mean about all this?" And he was like, "You know, Jesus this?" And he was like, "You know, Jesus this?" And he was like, "You know, Jesus and church and all that, just kind of on and church and all that, just kind of on and church and all that, just kind of on the fence." And then he asked this the fence." And then he asked this the fence." And then he asked this question that started to haunt me. He he question that started to haunt me. He he question that started to haunt me. He he said like, "Is this it?" said like, "Is this it?" said like, "Is this it?" Like, is this it? And and what he was Like, is this it? And and what he was Like, is this it? And and what he was referencing is what last week I called referencing is what last week I called referencing is what last week I called Christian adjacent. It doesn't make you Christian adjacent. It doesn't make you Christian adjacent. It doesn't make you a Christian, it's just some stuff that a Christian, it's just some stuff that a Christian, it's just some stuff that Christians do. And so, in PJ's mind and Christians do. And so, in PJ's mind and Christians do. And so, in PJ's mind and as as a pastor fearful of how many as as a pastor fearful of how many as as a pastor fearful of how many hundreds of others might be in the room hundreds of others might be in the room hundreds of others might be in the room with the same story where like you go to with the same story where like you go to with the same story where like you go to church, you sing the songs, you kind of church, you sing the songs, you kind of church, you sing the songs, you kind of know some things that are true, and you know some things that are true, and you know some things that are true, and you try to be a good person. Well well, try to be a good person. Well well, try to be a good person. Well well, that's just Christian adjacent. None of that's just Christian adjacent. None of that's just Christian adjacent. None of those things make you a Christian. Now, those things make you a Christian. Now, those things make you a Christian. Now, do Christians kind of move in that do Christians kind of move in that do Christians kind of move in that direction? Absolutely. But those things direction? Absolutely. But those things direction? Absolutely. But those things aren't what make you a Christian. And aren't what make you a Christian. And aren't what make you a Christian. And so, I started asking questions over the so, I started asking questions over the so, I started asking questions over the last year or so about how many people last year or so about how many people last year or so about how many people are actually stuck in this. I mean, are actually stuck in this. I mean, are actually stuck in this. I mean, yeah, is this is this it? And I was kind yeah, is this is this it? And I was kind yeah, is this is this it? And I was kind of low-key shocked at how many people of low-key shocked at how many people of low-key shocked at how many people have just kind of a low-grade have just kind of a low-grade have just kind of a low-grade is this it. And so, I wanted to just is this it. And so, I wanted to just is this it. And so, I wanted to just dive into it with the thing that PJ got dive into it with the thing that PJ got dive into it with the thing that PJ got wrong and a lot of people get wrong is wrong and a lot of people get wrong is wrong and a lot of people get wrong is they mistake they mistake they mistake relationship and discipline. Are you relationship and discipline. Are you relationship and discipline. Are you tracking with me?

tracking with me? tracking with me? And and so, a great deal of people think And and so, a great deal of people think And and so, a great deal of people think the Christian life is one of discipline the Christian life is one of discipline the Christian life is one of discipline and not relationship when in reality and not relationship when in reality and not relationship when in reality it's relationship leading to discipline it's relationship leading to discipline it's relationship leading to discipline caused by love. And all the married caused by love. And all the married caused by love. And all the married people said? people said? people said? Okay. So, the the way the Christian life Okay. So, the the way the Christian life Okay. So, the the way the Christian life to be a Christian is to be reconciled to to be a Christian is to be reconciled to to be a Christian is to be reconciled to God through Christ and in an experience God through Christ and in an experience God through Christ and in an experience of His love and grace be formed by that of His love and grace be formed by that of His love and grace be formed by that love through some discipline. But the love through some discipline. But the love through some discipline. But the good news is the discipline rarely feels good news is the discipline rarely feels good news is the discipline rarely feels like you're trying to be disciplined like you're trying to be disciplined like you're trying to be disciplined when you're in love. when you're in love. when you're in love. Now, when you're not in love, it's just Now, when you're not in love, it's just Now, when you're not in love, it's just discipline. But, if you've cultivated a discipline. But, if you've cultivated a discipline. But, if you've cultivated a love relationship with creator God of love relationship with creator God of love relationship with creator God of the universe through Christ, then then the universe through Christ, then then the universe through Christ, then then discipline doesn't feel like a heavy discipline doesn't feel like a heavy discipline doesn't feel like a heavy lift. Like, when I got married to lift. Like, when I got married to lift. Like, when I got married to Lauren, there were times early in and I Lauren, there were times early in and I Lauren, there were times early in and I loved her, but there were early in our loved her, but there were early in our loved her, but there were early in our marriage time because there was a marriage time because there was a marriage time because there was a collision of two different worlds, collision of two different worlds, collision of two different worlds, collision of two different values, collision of two different values, collision of two different values, collision of two different how you load collision of two different how you load collision of two different how you load the dishwasher, what what you do with the dishwasher, what what you do with the dishwasher, what what you do with the bed when you get out of it, where the bed when you get out of it, where the bed when you get out of it, where you put the towel when you get off And you put the towel when you get off And you put the towel when you get off And we had competing worldviews.

we had competing worldviews. we had competing worldviews. And early on, it was a great deal of And early on, it was a great deal of And early on, it was a great deal of discipline. I guess you could say I was discipline. I guess you could say I was discipline. I guess you could say I was being trained and all the husband said, being trained and all the husband said, being trained and all the husband said, and you know, I would do things and you know, I would do things and you know, I would do things because I knew if I didn't I was going because I knew if I didn't I was going because I knew if I didn't I was going to be in a fight and I didn't want to be to be in a fight and I didn't want to be to be in a fight and I didn't want to be in a fight. But, as the Lord healed our in a fight. But, as the Lord healed our in a fight. But, as the Lord healed our marriage, seven years really rough run, marriage, seven years really rough run, marriage, seven years really rough run, as he began to heal our marriage, I I as he began to heal our marriage, I I as he began to heal our marriage, I I thought, man, I'm not even thinking thought, man, I'm not even thinking thought, man, I'm not even thinking about this stuff anymore. I'm just doing about this stuff anymore. I'm just doing about this stuff anymore. I'm just doing it because she likes it and I love her. it because she likes it and I love her. it because she likes it and I love her. And so, what felt like discipline early And so, what felt like discipline early And so, what felt like discipline early on as the relationship grew more on as the relationship grew more on as the relationship grew more intimate became just I want to do this. intimate became just I want to do this. intimate became just I want to do this. Like, I want to I want to do this. And Like, I want to I want to do this. And Like, I want to I want to do this. And And so, that's the big mistake. Let me And so, that's the big mistake. Let me And so, that's the big mistake. Let me kind of discipline my moral life so that kind of discipline my moral life so that kind of discipline my moral life so that God will love me is not the gospel. God will love me is not the gospel. God will love me is not the gospel. It's not the gospel and it's I I just It's not the gospel and it's I I just It's not the gospel and it's I I just think I I bet Christianity is boring to think I I bet Christianity is boring to think I I bet Christianity is boring to you you you if that's all it is. I totally get why if that's all it is. I totally get why if that's all it is. I totally get why you would be bored, why you would think you would be bored, why you would think you would be bored, why you would think is this it? But, what happens when we is this it? But, what happens when we is this it? But, what happens when we receive the grace of God, move towards receive the grace of God, move towards receive the grace of God, move towards God through Christ by the Holy Spirit in God through Christ by the Holy Spirit in God through Christ by the Holy Spirit in deeper [clears throat] relationship, deeper [clears throat] relationship, deeper [clears throat] relationship, experiences love and his forgiveness, experiences love and his forgiveness, experiences love and his forgiveness, receive his patience, then all of a receive his patience, then all of a receive his patience, then all of a sudden discipline sudden discipline sudden discipline starts to just feel like what you want starts to just feel like what you want starts to just feel like what you want to do because you love him. And so, last to do because you love him. And so, last to do because you love him. And so, last week we covered the the the idea that week we covered the the the idea that week we covered the the the idea that maybe, just maybe, that question, is maybe, just maybe, that question, is maybe, just maybe, that question, is this it, is here because you've mistaken

this it, is here because you've mistaken this it, is here because you've mistaken that Christianity looks like a guy like that Christianity looks like a guy like that Christianity looks like a guy like me instead of like a person like you. me instead of like a person like you. me instead of like a person like you. Uh this is what Paul's kind of driving Uh this is what Paul's kind of driving Uh this is what Paul's kind of driving at in our passage last week when he was at in our passage last week when he was at in our passage last week when he was talking about how the Spirit has given talking about how the Spirit has given talking about how the Spirit has given some to be apostles and some to be some to be apostles and some to be some to be apostles and some to be pastors and teachers and preachers. And pastors and teachers and preachers. And pastors and teachers and preachers. And those are the guys they get all the kind those are the guys they get all the kind those are the guys they get all the kind of limelight. They get the Instagram of limelight. They get the Instagram of limelight. They get the Instagram following and the podcast. Maybe they following and the podcast. Maybe they following and the podcast. Maybe they write books, they preach. But their job, write books, they preach. But their job, write books, they preach. But their job, according to the text, it is so that you according to the text, it is so that you according to the text, it is so that you might do the work of ministry. So that might do the work of ministry. So that might do the work of ministry. So that the gift the Holy Spirit brought into my the gift the Holy Spirit brought into my the gift the Holy Spirit brought into my soul and my conversion, which isn't soul and my conversion, which isn't soul and my conversion, which isn't personality, it's not skill acquisition, personality, it's not skill acquisition, personality, it's not skill acquisition, it was a gift brought by the Holy it was a gift brought by the Holy it was a gift brought by the Holy Spirit, has been given to me so that I Spirit, has been given to me so that I Spirit, has been given to me so that I can encourage you and build into you to can encourage you and build into you to can encourage you and build into you to take the gift the Holy Spirit gave you take the gift the Holy Spirit gave you take the gift the Holy Spirit gave you and bring that to bear according to the and bring that to bear according to the and bring that to bear according to the scriptures for the common good and the scriptures for the common good and the scriptures for the common good and the building up of the body unto unity in building up of the body unto unity in building up of the body unto unity in Christ and the fullness thereof. And so Christ and the fullness thereof. And so Christ and the fullness thereof. And so I tried to press pretty hard last week. I tried to press pretty hard last week. I tried to press pretty hard last week. I don't have special access to God that I don't have special access to God that I don't have special access to God that you don't have.

you don't have. you don't have. He does He is not answering my prayers He does He is not answering my prayers He does He is not answering my prayers at a higher clip than he's answering at a higher clip than he's answering at a higher clip than he's answering other people's prayers. I don't have a other people's prayers. I don't have a other people's prayers. I don't have a magic Bible. I just have a Bible. magic Bible. I just have a Bible. magic Bible. I just have a Bible. Right? And so like you're the ones Right? And so like you're the ones Right? And so like you're the ones called to the work of ministry. I am not called to the work of ministry. I am not called to the work of ministry. I am not the only one called to ministry. And so the only one called to ministry. And so the only one called to ministry. And so if at your conversion the Holy Spirit if at your conversion the Holy Spirit if at your conversion the Holy Spirit didn't come into your soul empty-handed, didn't come into your soul empty-handed, didn't come into your soul empty-handed, but but with a gift, a manifestation of but but with a gift, a manifestation of but but with a gift, a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good, for the the Spirit for the common good, for the the Spirit for the common good, for the building up of the body unto unity and building up of the body unto unity and building up of the body unto unity and the fullness of Christ therein, then I the fullness of Christ therein, then I the fullness of Christ therein, then I can understand why you might be bored can understand why you might be bored can understand why you might be bored and why you might be thinking, is this and why you might be thinking, is this and why you might be thinking, is this it, if you're just sitting there like it, if you're just sitting there like it, if you're just sitting there like Christianity is a spectator sport and Christianity is a spectator sport and Christianity is a spectator sport and God's calling on life is to try to be God's calling on life is to try to be God's calling on life is to try to be good good good and sing some songs and come to church and sing some songs and come to church and sing some songs and come to church once a month or however you however it once a month or however you however it once a month or however you however it works yourself out. And so, I wanted to works yourself out. And so, I wanted to works yourself out. And so, I wanted to lean in to that. I think it's a big lean in to that. I think it's a big lean in to that. I think it's a big problem. I think a lot of people are problem. I think a lot of people are problem. I think a lot of people are sitting around wondering, "Is this it?" sitting around wondering, "Is this it?" sitting around wondering, "Is this it?" when you haven't even tapped into the when you haven't even tapped into the when you haven't even tapped into the very thing Christ put in you to be very thing Christ put in you to be very thing Christ put in you to be poured out of your life for your own joy poured out of your life for your own joy poured out of your life for your own joy and the building up of his body, his and the building up of his body, his and the building up of his body, his kingdom on this earth. And so, now I kingdom on this earth. And so, now I kingdom on this earth. And so, now I want to want to cover the second thing.

want to want to cover the second thing. want to want to cover the second thing. Um and sometimes Um and sometimes Um and sometimes we think, "Is this it?" because we've we think, "Is this it?" because we've we think, "Is this it?" because we've made that Bible Belt mistake of thinking made that Bible Belt mistake of thinking made that Bible Belt mistake of thinking that Jesus can be our savior and not our that Jesus can be our savior and not our that Jesus can be our savior and not our Lord. Lord. Lord. Like we've just teased these things out Like we've just teased these things out Like we've just teased these things out to where, "Yeah, yeah. No, Jesus save to where, "Yeah, yeah. No, Jesus save to where, "Yeah, yeah. No, Jesus save me. I want his grace and his mercy. I me. I want his grace and his mercy. I me. I want his grace and his mercy. I want to be healed. I want the fullness want to be healed. I want the fullness want to be healed. I want the fullness of life that he promised. I just would of life that he promised. I just would of life that he promised. I just would rather be my own God." rather be my own God." rather be my own God." Just want to keep doing what I do and Just want to keep doing what I do and Just want to keep doing what I do and going where I want to go and living the going where I want to go and living the going where I want to go and living the life that I want to live. And And when life that I want to live. And And when life that I want to live. And And when you do that, well, you get into the text you do that, well, you get into the text you do that, well, you get into the text that we're in today. But to set up the that we're in today. But to set up the that we're in today. But to set up the text, let me just read one proverb. Uh text, let me just read one proverb. Uh text, let me just read one proverb. Uh Proverb 27:5 says this, "Better an open Proverb 27:5 says this, "Better an open Proverb 27:5 says this, "Better an open reprimand than concealed love." This is reprimand than concealed love." This is reprimand than concealed love." This is the value of being rebuked. Like it's a the value of being rebuked. Like it's a the value of being rebuked. Like it's a good thing to be rebuked if it's true, good thing to be rebuked if it's true, good thing to be rebuked if it's true, right? Now, if it's not true, like like right? Now, if it's not true, like like right? Now, if it's not true, like like rebukes are tough. And I'll be honest rebukes are tough. And I'll be honest rebukes are tough. And I'll be honest with you, rebukes are in my experience with you, rebukes are in my experience with you, rebukes are in my experience always tough. always tough. always tough. I don't I am so good at justifying and I don't I am so good at justifying and I don't I am so good at justifying and seeing other people's weaknesses.

seeing other people's weaknesses. seeing other people's weaknesses. Anybody else? Anybody else? Anybody else? So, like when they're trying to rebuke So, like when they're trying to rebuke So, like when they're trying to rebuke me, I was like, "Oh, okay. Is that kind me, I was like, "Oh, okay. Is that kind me, I was like, "Oh, okay. Is that kind of mean? Well, I've got a file here with of mean? Well, I've got a file here with of mean? Well, I've got a file here with your name on it. I'd like to read some your name on it. I'd like to read some your name on it. I'd like to read some things that I've noticed as you were things that I've noticed as you were things that I've noticed as you were noticing." It starts with, "I think noticing." It starts with, "I think noticing." It starts with, "I think you've got a giant log sticking out of you've got a giant log sticking out of you've got a giant log sticking out of your face. You probably should leave my your face. You probably should leave my your face. You probably should leave my splinter alone." That's what the book splinter alone." That's what the book splinter alone." That's what the book says. Like I can just find that in me. says. Like I can just find that in me. says. Like I can just find that in me. But because the Lord loves me, he'll But because the Lord loves me, he'll But because the Lord loves me, he'll haunt me. haunt me. haunt me. Uh you know, I'll try to go to sleep and Uh you know, I'll try to go to sleep and Uh you know, I'll try to go to sleep and and he'll be like, "Hey, she was right, and he'll be like, "Hey, she was right, and he'll be like, "Hey, she was right, bro. She was right." or he was right. bro. She was right." or he was right. bro. She was right." or he was right. And then I'll have to repent and thank And then I'll have to repent and thank And then I'll have to repent and thank them and and hopefully grow into what he them and and hopefully grow into what he them and and hopefully grow into what he wanted to accomplish through the root. wanted to accomplish through the root. wanted to accomplish through the root. Someone loving me enough to actually Someone loving me enough to actually Someone loving me enough to actually rebuke me, right? I love that he puts rebuke me, right? I love that he puts rebuke me, right? I love that he puts concealed love with reprimand. He's concealed love with reprimand. He's concealed love with reprimand. He's like, "Hey, you want to know if somebody like, "Hey, you want to know if somebody like, "Hey, you want to know if somebody loves you, they'll be willing to say the loves you, they'll be willing to say the loves you, they'll be willing to say the hard thing to you." hard thing to you." hard thing to you." If you want to know somebody who doesn't If you want to know somebody who doesn't If you want to know somebody who doesn't love you, they'll just hope it works out love you, they'll just hope it works out love you, they'll just hope it works out for you. for you. for you. Right? Right? Right? >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Like that's crazy. Man, that could make >> Like that's crazy. Man, that could make >> Like that's crazy. Man, that could make a mess of his life. I hope that works a mess of his life. I hope that works a mess of his life. I hope that works out. Just going to trust the sovereignty out. Just going to trust the sovereignty out. Just going to trust the sovereignty of God here. of God here. of God here. No, no, no, we wound in the front, No, no, no, we wound in the front, No, no, no, we wound in the front, right? We wound in the front. And and so right? We wound in the front. And and so right? We wound in the front. And and so this passage is a rebuke. And because this passage is a rebuke. And because this passage is a rebuke. And because it's in the Bible, it's a rebuke it's in the Bible, it's a rebuke it's in the Bible, it's a rebuke for all of us.

for all of us. for all of us. Right? Because this is a tendency that Right? Because this is a tendency that Right? Because this is a tendency that you and I have to call Jesus savior with you and I have to call Jesus savior with you and I have to call Jesus savior with no intent of him being Lord. And so no intent of him being Lord. And so no intent of him being Lord. And so let's look at the [snorts] passage let's look at the [snorts] passage let's look at the [snorts] passage together. together. together. We have a great deal to say about this, We have a great deal to say about this, We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain since you and it's difficult to explain since you and it's difficult to explain since you have become too lazy to understand. have become too lazy to understand. have become too lazy to understand. Although by this time you ought to be Although by this time you ought to be Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you teachers, you need someone to teach you teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God's revelation the basic principles of God's revelation the basic principles of God's revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. again. You need milk, not solid food. again. You need milk, not solid food. Now, everyone who lives on milk is Now, everyone who lives on milk is Now, everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about inexperienced with the message about inexperienced with the message about righteousness because he is an infant. righteousness because he is an infant. righteousness because he is an infant. Now, um what what's happening in Hebrews Now, um what what's happening in Hebrews Now, um what what's happening in Hebrews here is the author of Hebrews is talking here is the author of Hebrews is talking here is the author of Hebrews is talking about So the great theme of the book of about So the great theme of the book of about So the great theme of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is the better Hebrews is that Jesus is the better Hebrews is that Jesus is the better than. He is the greater than. Like Jesus than. He is the greater than. Like Jesus than. He is the greater than. Like Jesus is greater than the angels. He's greater is greater than the angels. He's greater is greater than the angels. He's greater than the law. He's greater like he just than the law. He's greater like he just than the law. He's greater like he just runs through the Jewish grid and shows runs through the Jewish grid and shows runs through the Jewish grid and shows that Jesus is actually the better thing, that Jesus is actually the better thing, that Jesus is actually the better thing, and the old thing was just a shadow of and the old thing was just a shadow of and the old thing was just a shadow of what was to come. And now he he just what was to come. And now he he just what was to come. And now he he just kind of mentioned Melchizedek, which is kind of mentioned Melchizedek, which is kind of mentioned Melchizedek, which is a whole 'nother sermon. He's talking a whole 'nother sermon. He's talking a whole 'nother sermon. He's talking about how Jesus is the greater high about how Jesus is the greater high about how Jesus is the greater high priest. And the high priest in the Old priest. And the high priest in the Old priest. And the high priest in the Old Testament, he served two functions in Testament, he served two functions in Testament, he served two functions in his mediation between God and man. The his mediation between God and man. The his mediation between God and man. The first is he would receive the animal first is he would receive the animal first is he would receive the animal sacrifices from the people and then on sacrifices from the people and then on sacrifices from the people and then on the day of atonement he would go into the day of atonement he would go into the day of atonement he would go into the presence of God, which was the presence of God, which was the presence of God, which was nerve-racking thing.

nerve-racking thing. nerve-racking thing. I mean there's a whole thing you had to I mean there's a whole thing you had to I mean there's a whole thing you had to do to get into the Holy of Holies. He do to get into the Holy of Holies. He do to get into the Holy of Holies. He would go in there, he'd make sacrifice, would go in there, he'd make sacrifice, would go in there, he'd make sacrifice, he'd splatter the blood and he's he'd splatter the blood and he's he'd splatter the blood and he's communicating to the people, "Your sins communicating to the people, "Your sins communicating to the people, "Your sins have been forgiven." And then he would have been forgiven." And then he would have been forgiven." And then he would come out and and it was like the biggest come out and and it was like the biggest come out and and it was like the biggest barbecue you could ever imagine. They barbecue you could ever imagine. They barbecue you could ever imagine. They would share the peace offerings in this would share the peace offerings in this would share the peace offerings in this big feast together as a nation. You big feast together as a nation. You big feast together as a nation. You weren't allowed to work, you had to come weren't allowed to work, you had to come weren't allowed to work, you had to come to the feast and then just for days they to the feast and then just for days they to the feast and then just for days they would just feast it up and this was would just feast it up and this was would just feast it up and this was communicating the presence of God among communicating the presence of God among communicating the presence of God among them. So that the high priest function them. So that the high priest function them. So that the high priest function was to show, "Hey, your sins are was to show, "Hey, your sins are was to show, "Hey, your sins are forgiven and God is dwelling among you. forgiven and God is dwelling among you. forgiven and God is dwelling among you. God wants a relationship with you." And God wants a relationship with you." And God wants a relationship with you." And this is what he's communicating. The this is what he's communicating. The this is what he's communicating. The author of Hebrews is arguing, "Jesus is author of Hebrews is arguing, "Jesus is author of Hebrews is arguing, "Jesus is the greater high priest because he died the greater high priest because he died the greater high priest because he died once and for all for those who are once and for all for those who are once and for all for those who are perishing." So the day of atonement perishing." So the day of atonement perishing." So the day of atonement before Christ, you make it and then if before Christ, you make it and then if before Christ, you make it and then if it's like it was now, and I think it is, it's like it was now, and I think it is, it's like it was now, and I think it is, by the time you got back to the journey by the time you got back to the journey by the time you got back to the journey home, you've probably already sinned home, you've probably already sinned home, you've probably already sinned again.

again. again. And so dadgummit, now we've got to go And so dadgummit, now we've got to go And so dadgummit, now we've got to go back and do the day of atonement again. back and do the day of atonement again. back and do the day of atonement again. And then we don't even make it home, you And then we don't even make it home, you And then we don't even make it home, you know, somebody riding their cart in the know, somebody riding their cart in the know, somebody riding their cart in the left lane going slower than they needed left lane going slower than they needed left lane going slower than they needed to and we say things that are in our to and we say things that are in our to and we say things that are in our heart and head that probably shouldn't heart and head that probably shouldn't heart and head that probably shouldn't be said or you know, just things happen be said or you know, just things happen be said or you know, just things happen on the journey and it was just this on the journey and it was just this on the journey and it was just this perpetual cycle of sacrificing for the perpetual cycle of sacrificing for the perpetual cycle of sacrificing for the atonement of sin and the fellowship of atonement of sin and the fellowship of atonement of sin and the fellowship of God and his people. And the writer of God and his people. And the writer of God and his people. And the writer of Hebrews is going, "No, no, no, no, Hebrews is going, "No, no, no, no, Hebrews is going, "No, no, no, no, Christ died once and for all for those Christ died once and for all for those Christ died once and for all for those who are perishing. There was one who are perishing. There was one who are perishing. There was one sacrifice that paid the bill in full. sacrifice that paid the bill in full. sacrifice that paid the bill in full. This is where I get that phrase that I This is where I get that phrase that I This is where I get that phrase that I use every week and that all of our sins, use every week and that all of our sins, use every week and that all of our sins, past, present, and future have been past, present, and future have been past, present, and future have been fully, freely, and forever forgiven in fully, freely, and forever forgiven in fully, freely, and forever forgiven in Christ. We saw it last week when we Christ. We saw it last week when we Christ. We saw it last week when we looked at that Mike Job moment where looked at that Mike Job moment where looked at that Mike Job moment where Jesus atoned for sins and he sat down Jesus atoned for sins and he sat down Jesus atoned for sins and he sat down and you're not so bad as to make him and you're not so bad as to make him and you're not so bad as to make him have to stand back up. have to stand back up. have to stand back up. Right? This is what he and he wants to Right? This is what he and he wants to Right? This is what he and he wants to teach them more about this. Like he teach them more about this. Like he teach them more about this. Like he wants them to understand it more deeply.

wants them to understand it more deeply. wants them to understand it more deeply. He wants them to get it in a way that He wants them to get it in a way that He wants them to get it in a way that shapes and forms their life more than it shapes and forms their life more than it shapes and forms their life more than it has and he's like, "Ah, there's more. has and he's like, "Ah, there's more. has and he's like, "Ah, there's more. Gosh, there's more for you. But you've Gosh, there's more for you. But you've Gosh, there's more for you. But you've become so lazy. Like you've become so become so lazy. Like you've become so become so lazy. Like you've become so lazy that I it's a waste of time to say lazy that I it's a waste of time to say lazy that I it's a waste of time to say anything else to you because you're anything else to you because you're anything else to you because you're you're not hearing what I'm saying and you're not hearing what I'm saying and you're not hearing what I'm saying and you've almost forgotten what you first you've almost forgotten what you first you've almost forgotten what you first heard." heard." heard." And if I could kind of just put a And if I could kind of just put a And if I could kind of just put a statement on what's happening here and statement on what's happening here and statement on what's happening here and lay it across us, here's what it would lay it across us, here's what it would lay it across us, here's what it would be. be. be. The issue The issue The issue is men and women who heard and received is men and women who heard and received is men and women who heard and received the gospel but don't want to be the gospel but don't want to be the gospel but don't want to be inconvenienced with suffering or costly inconvenienced with suffering or costly inconvenienced with suffering or costly discipleship. It's resistance to discipleship. It's resistance to discipleship. It's resistance to obedience. And so what what happened obedience. And so what what happened obedience. And so what what happened here is the the ones that had heard this here is the the ones that had heard this here is the the ones that had heard this letter would gladly receive the good letter would gladly receive the good letter would gladly receive the good news of the gospel. Wait, I can be news of the gospel. Wait, I can be news of the gospel. Wait, I can be forgiven of my sin? I can be indwelt by forgiven of my sin? I can be indwelt by forgiven of my sin? I can be indwelt by the spirit? I can come near to God and I the spirit? I can come near to God and I the spirit? I can come near to God and I don't have to keep making sacrifices for don't have to keep making sacrifices for don't have to keep making sacrifices for sins? I want that. I want to be made sins? I want that. I want to be made sins? I want that. I want to be made alive. So I I'll take Jesus as my savior alive. So I I'll take Jesus as my savior alive. So I I'll take Jesus as my savior and they do it and they switched up and they do it and they switched up and they do it and they switched up their link in with Philippians 4:13 their link in with Philippians 4:13 their link in with Philippians 4:13 and they started kind of, you know, and they started kind of, you know, and they started kind of, you know, doing the Christian thing, you know, doing the Christian thing, you know, doing the Christian thing, you know, going to, you know, church or temple or going to, you know, church or temple or going to, you know, church or temple or whatever, you know, going and then whatever, you know, going and then whatever, you know, going and then it was hard to follow Jesus.

it was hard to follow Jesus. it was hard to follow Jesus. Because it can be hard to follow Jesus. Because it can be hard to follow Jesus. Because it can be hard to follow Jesus. It's costly. It's costly. It's costly. And they were like, "Uh, And they were like, "Uh, And they were like, "Uh, is there any way that he can just save is there any way that he can just save is there any way that he can just save me from hell and bless my life without me from hell and bless my life without me from hell and bless my life without me having to be me having to be me having to be obedient to anything? Can I just live obedient to anything? Can I just live obedient to anything? Can I just live the life I want and won't he just bless the life I want and won't he just bless the life I want and won't he just bless that?" that?" that?" And And this is the issue And And this is the issue And And this is the issue that the writer of Hebrews is trying to that the writer of Hebrews is trying to that the writer of Hebrews is trying to address, and it is dang sure an issue in address, and it is dang sure an issue in address, and it is dang sure an issue in evangelical culture, and it's definitely evangelical culture, and it's definitely evangelical culture, and it's definitely an issue in this church. an issue in this church. an issue in this church. The book of Hebrews puts a ton of weight The book of Hebrews puts a ton of weight The book of Hebrews puts a ton of weight on people who would hear from the Lord on people who would hear from the Lord on people who would hear from the Lord and not listen. Let me show you two of and not listen. Let me show you two of and not listen. Let me show you two of those. those. those. This is Hebrews 2:1-4. This is Hebrews 2:1-4. This is Hebrews 2:1-4. For this reason, we must pay attention For this reason, we must pay attention For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so all the more to what we have heard, so all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. Terrifying that we will not drift away. Terrifying that we will not drift away. Terrifying idea. We will not drift away. For if the idea. We will not drift away. For if the idea. We will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was message spoken through angels was message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression legally binding and every transgression legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just and disobedience received a just and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we punishment, how will we escape if we punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This neglect such a great salvation? This neglect such a great salvation? This salvation has had its beginning when it salvation has had its beginning when it salvation has had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was was spoken of by the Lord, and it was was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us of by those who heard confirmed to us of by those who heard confirmed to us of by those who heard him, and at the same time God also him, and at the same time God also him, and at the same time God also testified by signs and wonders and testified by signs and wonders and testified by signs and wonders and various miracles and the distribution of various miracles and the distribution of various miracles and the distribution of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to gifts from the Holy Spirit according to gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will. This is one of three places in his will. This is one of three places in his will. This is one of three places in Hebrews where he's saying, Hebrews where he's saying, Hebrews where he's saying, "How will you neglect so great a

"How will you neglect so great a "How will you neglect so great a salvation?" salvation?" salvation?" Like the law of God, the moral law of Like the law of God, the moral law of Like the law of God, the moral law of God was given as the creator God was given as the creator God was given as the creator communicating to his creation his good communicating to his creation his good communicating to his creation his good design for human flourishing design for human flourishing design for human flourishing and the glory of his name and the joy of and the glory of his name and the joy of and the glory of his name and the joy of his people. And he's like, "Look, if if his people. And he's like, "Look, if if his people. And he's like, "Look, if if angels showed up and the word of angels angels showed up and the word of angels angels showed up and the word of angels brought about the right justice of God brought about the right justice of God brought about the right justice of God against rebellion, why, how do you think against rebellion, why, how do you think against rebellion, why, how do you think neglecting the salvation that you've neglecting the salvation that you've neglecting the salvation that you've been given it is going to end in your been given it is going to end in your been given it is going to end in your good. And then one of my favorites is good. And then one of my favorites is good. And then one of my favorites is actually my favorite cuz it scares me. actually my favorite cuz it scares me. actually my favorite cuz it scares me. Hebrews 3:7-11 Hebrews 3:7-11 Hebrews 3:7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not "Today, if you hear his voice, do not "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion harden your hearts as in the rebellion harden your hearts as in the rebellion on the day of testing in the wilderness on the day of testing in the wilderness on the day of testing in the wilderness where your ancestors tested me, tried where your ancestors tested me, tried where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works for 40 years.

me, and saw my works for 40 years. me, and saw my works for 40 years. Therefore, I was provoked to anger with Therefore, I was provoked to anger with Therefore, I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, 'They always that generation and said, 'They always that generation and said, 'They always go astray in their hearts, and they have go astray in their hearts, and they have go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my way. So, I swore in my not known my way. So, I swore in my not known my way. So, I swore in my anger'" Listen to the promise. "They anger'" Listen to the promise. "They anger'" Listen to the promise. "They will not enter my rest.'" will not enter my rest.'" will not enter my rest.'" Do you hear the same question we're Do you hear the same question we're Do you hear the same question we're trying to answer? Is this it? trying to answer? Is this it? trying to answer? Is this it? They will not enter my rest. They will not enter my rest. They will not enter my rest. So, today, if we hear his voice, so So, today, if we hear his voice, so So, today, if we hear his voice, so think the sweetness of conviction. think the sweetness of conviction. think the sweetness of conviction. All conviction is invitational. All conviction is invitational. All conviction is invitational. That That's how you can spot conviction That That's how you can spot conviction That That's how you can spot conviction versus shame. Shame wants to condemn and versus shame. Shame wants to condemn and versus shame. Shame wants to condemn and bend you inward. Conviction is an bend you inward. Conviction is an bend you inward. Conviction is an invitation to greater intimacy and invitation to greater intimacy and invitation to greater intimacy and obedience to God. obedience to God. obedience to God. A- And so, he's like, "If you hear his A- And so, he's like, "If you hear his A- And so, he's like, "If you hear his voice, don't harden your heart. I- If voice, don't harden your heart. I- If voice, don't harden your heart. I- If he's calling you to obedience, don't do he's calling you to obedience, don't do he's calling you to obedience, don't do that thing where you're like, 'On my that thing where you're like, 'On my that thing where you're like, 'On my terms or no.'" terms or no.'" terms or no.'" M- Because then you won't enter his M- Because then you won't enter his M- Because then you won't enter his rest. And I would argue y- your life is rest. And I would argue y- your life is rest. And I would argue y- your life is boring. boring. boring. It's just boring. There's no faith in It's just boring. There's no faith in It's just boring. There's no faith in it. There's no risk in it. There's no it. There's no risk in it. There's no it. There's no risk in it. There's no understanding of greater realities. Y- understanding of greater realities. Y- understanding of greater realities. Y- You're just giving yourself over to You're just giving yourself over to You're just giving yourself over to boredom and the haunting reality that boredom and the haunting reality that boredom and the haunting reality that you're Christian-adjacent.

you're Christian-adjacent. you're Christian-adjacent. You're Christian-adjacent. You have no You're Christian-adjacent. You have no You're Christian-adjacent. You have no real relationship with Christ, no real real relationship with Christ, no real real relationship with Christ, no real trust in his reign. You You're like trust in his reign. You You're like trust in his reign. You You're like trying to use him for heaven, but heaven trying to use him for heaven, but heaven trying to use him for heaven, but heaven isn't a place for people who are afraid isn't a place for people who are afraid isn't a place for people who are afraid of hell. It's a place for those who love of hell. It's a place for those who love of hell. It's a place for those who love God. If all you want is not to go to God. If all you want is not to go to God. If all you want is not to go to hell, like like the the people who are hell, like like the the people who are hell, like like the the people who are going to love heaven the most are those going to love heaven the most are those going to love heaven the most are those who are who have gotten to know and love who are who have gotten to know and love who are who have gotten to know and love Jesus here and then all the kind of veil Jesus here and then all the kind of veil Jesus here and then all the kind of veil torn away face-to-face ever-expanding torn away face-to-face ever-expanding torn away face-to-face ever-expanding joy in his presence. joy in his presence. joy in his presence. And so he's saying, "Look, it don't And so he's saying, "Look, it don't And so he's saying, "Look, it don't harden your heart. You won't enter his harden your heart. You won't enter his harden your heart. You won't enter his rest if you harden your heart." And the rest if you harden your heart." And the rest if you harden your heart." And the accusation against the people in that accusation against the people in that accusation against the people in that have received this letter and the have received this letter and the have received this letter and the accusation that will lay on some of us accusation that will lay on some of us accusation that will lay on some of us today today today is that we're babies. We're infants. And is that we're babies. We're infants. And is that we're babies. We're infants. And and here's what's in view. Um and here's what's in view. Um and here's what's in view. Um infants are incapable infants are incapable infants are incapable of not living a self-absorbed, of not living a self-absorbed, of not living a self-absorbed, self-serving life. self-serving life. self-serving life. We've had three of them. None came into We've had three of them. None came into We've had three of them. None came into our family and brought anything to bear our family and brought anything to bear our family and brought anything to bear on our family that would make life on our family that would make life on our family that would make life easier or more fun.

easier or more fun. easier or more fun. Right? This just didn't happen. Like Right? This just didn't happen. Like Right? This just didn't happen. Like when Audrey came out was me me me me me when Audrey came out was me me me me me when Audrey came out was me me me me me feed me change me figure it out. That feed me change me figure it out. That feed me change me figure it out. That was my favorite cry. Just I'm going to was my favorite cry. Just I'm going to was my favorite cry. Just I'm going to I'm just going to rip this thing off for I'm just going to rip this thing off for I'm just going to rip this thing off for the next 7 hours. Good luck. the next 7 hours. Good luck. the next 7 hours. Good luck. Right? You just see it's it's all and Right? You just see it's it's all and Right? You just see it's it's all and he's saying you you're like you're like he's saying you you're like you're like he's saying you you're like you're like that. that. that. It's incapable for you to not be It's incapable for you to not be It's incapable for you to not be self-absorbed. It's incapable for you to self-absorbed. It's incapable for you to self-absorbed. It's incapable for you to humble yourself before you you're just humble yourself before you you're just humble yourself before you you're just like a baby. like a baby. like a baby. You you're like an infant. By now you You you're like an infant. By now you You you're like an infant. By now you you should be on ribeye. you should be on ribeye. you should be on ribeye. And instead you're still sucking on a And instead you're still sucking on a And instead you're still sucking on a bottle. He He's pressing them. He's bottle. He He's pressing them. He's bottle. He He's pressing them. He's like, "You know how dumb you look? like, "You know how dumb you look? like, "You know how dumb you look? Like at dinner time? Like sucking on a Like at dinner time? Like sucking on a Like at dinner time? Like sucking on a bottle as a grown man? bottle as a grown man? bottle as a grown man? As a grown woman?" It's this the the one As a grown woman?" It's this the the one As a grown woman?" It's this the the one who hears and refuses to do. who hears and refuses to do. who hears and refuses to do. The the one that knows The the one that knows The the one that knows but but has not grown. Like something's but but has not grown. Like something's but but has not grown. Like something's wrong. It's wrong in the physical and wrong. It's wrong in the physical and wrong. It's wrong in the physical and it's wrong in the spiritual. And then I it's wrong in the spiritual. And then I it's wrong in the spiritual. And then I want to address this idea of being want to address this idea of being want to address this idea of being teachers because I think some of you teachers because I think some of you teachers because I think some of you might try to use it as an out.

might try to use it as an out. might try to use it as an out. Um this letter was read to the whole Um this letter was read to the whole Um this letter was read to the whole church. There's no evidence anywhere church. There's no evidence anywhere church. There's no evidence anywhere that he just gathered the people with uh that he just gathered the people with uh that he just gathered the people with uh who had maybe a teaching gift that who had maybe a teaching gift that who had maybe a teaching gift that hadn't been developed and this was a hadn't been developed and this was a hadn't been developed and this was a rebuke that that they needed to get reps rebuke that that they needed to get reps rebuke that that they needed to get reps at didactic teaching behind the lectern at didactic teaching behind the lectern at didactic teaching behind the lectern or a pulpit or whatever. No, no, this is or a pulpit or whatever. No, no, this is or a pulpit or whatever. No, no, this is given to all. Like all should be given to all. Like all should be given to all. Like all should be teachers. And again, what's in view here teachers. And again, what's in view here teachers. And again, what's in view here is that you understand and know grace is that you understand and know grace is that you understand and know grace and the righteousness of God in such a and the righteousness of God in such a and the righteousness of God in such a way that you could explain it. And maybe way that you could explain it. And maybe way that you could explain it. And maybe you can't explain it as eloquently as you can't explain it as eloquently as you can't explain it as eloquently as others, but you at least have some sense others, but you at least have some sense others, but you at least have some sense of what the gospel message is. Like you of what the gospel message is. Like you of what the gospel message is. Like you know, disciples Jesus is not interested know, disciples Jesus is not interested know, disciples Jesus is not interested in making converts. He's after in making converts. He's after in making converts. He's after disciples. If he wanted just converts, disciples. If he wanted just converts, disciples. If he wanted just converts, in John chapter 4, when the woman at the in John chapter 4, when the woman at the in John chapter 4, when the woman at the well says, "Sir, give me some of this well says, "Sir, give me some of this well says, "Sir, give me some of this living water so I can stop coming to living water so I can stop coming to living water so I can stop coming to this well." He wouldn't have said, this well." He wouldn't have said, this well." He wouldn't have said, "Go get your husband." "Go get your husband." "Go get your husband." Because she was like, "I don't have a Because she was like, "I don't have a Because she was like, "I don't have a husband." And she he was like, "You're husband." And she he was like, "You're husband." And she he was like, "You're right. You've had five and the man right. You've had five and the man right. You've had five and the man you're sleeping with right now ain't you're sleeping with right now ain't you're sleeping with right now ain't even your man." Like why would he do even your man." Like why would he do even your man." Like why would he do that? Well, because he wanted her heart.

that? Well, because he wanted her heart. that? Well, because he wanted her heart. He he wasn't after a convert. He could He he wasn't after a convert. He could He he wasn't after a convert. He could have got a scalp right there. We had our have got a scalp right there. We had our have got a scalp right there. We had our first Samaritan woman baptism, place first Samaritan woman baptism, place first Samaritan woman baptism, place would have gone nuts, screw a light bulb would have gone nuts, screw a light bulb would have gone nuts, screw a light bulb in somewhere, or back in light a candle. in somewhere, or back in light a candle. in somewhere, or back in light a candle. But but that's not that's not what he But but that's not that's not what he But but that's not that's not what he did. He went right after her heart. He did. He went right after her heart. He did. He went right after her heart. He wasn't after converts. He's after wasn't after converts. He's after wasn't after converts. He's after disciples. disciples. disciples. Disciples follow after him. They don't Disciples follow after him. They don't Disciples follow after him. They don't just believe in him, they follow him. just believe in him, they follow him. just believe in him, they follow him. And then the way God's designed it, we And then the way God's designed it, we And then the way God's designed it, we see this from the commands of scripture, see this from the commands of scripture, see this from the commands of scripture, like part of the discipleship process is like part of the discipleship process is like part of the discipleship process is I'm fixed eyes on Jesus following him, I'm fixed eyes on Jesus following him, I'm fixed eyes on Jesus following him, but he's put people in my life that are but he's put people in my life that are but he's put people in my life that are just a little bit ahead of me. And and just a little bit ahead of me. And and just a little bit ahead of me. And and I'm going to learn by absorbing and I'm going to learn by absorbing and I'm going to learn by absorbing and seeing how they live their life. And seeing how they live their life. And seeing how they live their life. And then other people are going to be around then other people are going to be around then other people are going to be around me. Like some of you stuck not using me. Like some of you stuck not using me. Like some of you stuck not using your giftedness cuz you've convinced your giftedness cuz you've convinced your giftedness cuz you've convinced yourself there's some level of knowledge yourself there's some level of knowledge yourself there's some level of knowledge or spiritual maturity that has to be or spiritual maturity that has to be or spiritual maturity that has to be there before you can disciple anybody. there before you can disciple anybody. there before you can disciple anybody. Again, I think this sews into the Again, I think this sews into the Again, I think this sews into the boredom of evangelicals. boredom of evangelicals. boredom of evangelicals. No, no, no. We we're discipling others. No, no, no. We we're discipling others. No, no, no. We we're discipling others. Why? Well, I don't know enough. I'm Why? Well, I don't know enough. I'm Why? Well, I don't know enough. I'm still struggling. LOOK, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE still struggling. LOOK, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE still struggling. LOOK, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE LIKE WE LIKE WE LIKE WE THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS STUMBLING THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS STUMBLING THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS STUMBLING forward under the grace of God. If forward under the grace of God. If forward under the grace of God. If you're waiting till the stumbles vanish, you're waiting till the stumbles vanish, you're waiting till the stumbles vanish, you're stuck.

you're stuck. you're stuck. And I'm telling you I get to hang out And I'm telling you I get to hang out And I'm telling you I get to hang out with some 70-year-old lady. We honored a with some 70-year-old lady. We honored a with some 70-year-old lady. We honored a church mother last night who was turning church mother last night who was turning church mother last night who was turning 89. 89. 89. And I'm even not She's still working And I'm even not She's still working And I'm even not She's still working things out. She still stumbles around. things out. She still stumbles around. things out. She still stumbles around. Stumbling is a gift. Stumbling is a gift. Stumbling is a gift. It reveals. It shows. If you repent It reveals. It shows. If you repent It reveals. It shows. If you repent quickly, they're beautiful things. quickly, they're beautiful things. quickly, they're beautiful things. And Christ made provision for that And Christ made provision for that And Christ made provision for that stumbling. stumbling. stumbling. Christ made He He's He is our perfection Christ made He He's He is our perfection Christ made He He's He is our perfection knowing that we will never be We are knowing that we will never be We are knowing that we will never be We are made perfect. We don't become. Are you made perfect. We don't become. Are you made perfect. We don't become. Are you tracking with me on that? And it's just tracking with me on that? And it's just tracking with me on that? And it's just so paralyzing to people. I get you're so paralyzing to people. I get you're so paralyzing to people. I get you're bored. You're not even in the game. bored. You're not even in the game. bored. You're not even in the game. It's a fun thing to have somebody who's It's a fun thing to have somebody who's It's a fun thing to have somebody who's just a little bit ahead of you. And then just a little bit ahead of you. And then just a little bit ahead of you. And then maybe you You're like, "I don't want maybe you You're like, "I don't want maybe you You're like, "I don't want little man. I want like I want somebody little man. I want like I want somebody little man. I want like I want somebody 10 years ahead of me." Great. That might 10 years ahead of me." Great. That might 10 years ahead of me." Great. That might feel a little overwhelming to you, but feel a little overwhelming to you, but feel a little overwhelming to you, but great. Go get it. great. Go get it. great. Go get it. But somebody just a little bit behind But somebody just a little bit behind But somebody just a little bit behind you. There's a Like discipleship is more you. There's a Like discipleship is more you. There's a Like discipleship is more relational than it is just relational than it is just relational than it is just content-based. God help the church. We content-based. God help the church. We content-based. God help the church. We are in a day where we think content are in a day where we think content are in a day where we think content solves everything.

solves everything. solves everything. And without relational connection, And without relational connection, And without relational connection, without belonging and committing to one without belonging and committing to one without belonging and committing to one another for these purposes, we'll never another for these purposes, we'll never another for these purposes, we'll never become all that God is asking and wants become all that God is asking and wants become all that God is asking and wants us to be. us to be. us to be. And so this is in view not that you And so this is in view not that you And so this is in view not that you would somehow stand like everybody in would somehow stand like everybody in would somehow stand like everybody in the church is supposed to eventually be the church is supposed to eventually be the church is supposed to eventually be able to stand behind a pulpit or a able to stand behind a pulpit or a able to stand behind a pulpit or a lectern or in front of a group of people lectern or in front of a group of people lectern or in front of a group of people and explain everything. It's not what's and explain everything. It's not what's and explain everything. It's not what's in view. in view. in view. But just like you know enough about the But just like you know enough about the But just like you know enough about the grace of God and righteousness that grace of God and righteousness that grace of God and righteousness that you're stumbling forward and you've got you're stumbling forward and you've got you're stumbling forward and you've got people you're bringing along with you people you're bringing along with you people you're bringing along with you while you're following after some people while you're following after some people while you're following after some people who are a little bit ahead of you. You who are a little bit ahead of you. You who are a little bit ahead of you. You good? We We good on that? Okay. Now, good? We We good on that? Okay. Now, good? We We good on that? Okay. Now, the solution to this mess is found in the solution to this mess is found in the solution to this mess is found in verse 14. But solid food is for the verse 14. But solid food is for the verse 14. But solid food is for the mature, mature, mature, For those whose senses have been trained For those whose senses have been trained For those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. to distinguish between good and evil. to distinguish between good and evil. Now, I I love the idea in this passage. Now, I I love the idea in this passage. Now, I I love the idea in this passage. It It It's talking about developing It It It's talking about developing It It It's talking about developing discernment through repeated practice. discernment through repeated practice. discernment through repeated practice. And so, if you've been in the military And so, if you've been in the military And so, if you've been in the military or you do a combat sport, this is just or you do a combat sport, this is just or you do a combat sport, this is just what you do. You wrap it and wrap it and what you do. You wrap it and wrap it and what you do. You wrap it and wrap it and wrap it and wrap it and wrap it until wrap it and wrap it and wrap it until wrap it and wrap it and wrap it until you're not even thinking about it you're not even thinking about it you're not even thinking about it anymore. It's just what you do. And so, anymore. It's just what you do. And so, anymore. It's just what you do. And so, he's talking about one of the ways to he's talking about one of the ways to he's talking about one of the ways to move from In fact, the way to move from move from In fact, the way to move from move from In fact, the way to move from milk bottle to the ribeye is repetition.

milk bottle to the ribeye is repetition. milk bottle to the ribeye is repetition. Training the senses Training the senses Training the senses in righteousness. in righteousness. in righteousness. And And here's what's great about the And And here's what's great about the And And here's what's great about the grace of God. grace of God. grace of God. Um Um Um you don't go from milk to ribeye. Nobody you don't go from milk to ribeye. Nobody you don't go from milk to ribeye. Nobody ever has. ever has. ever has. It's just like, what do you think the It's just like, what do you think the It's just like, what do you think the physical is for? It's the shadow of physical is for? It's the shadow of physical is for? It's the shadow of spiritual realities. Like you go from spiritual realities. Like you go from spiritual realities. Like you go from milk to mashed up bananas. milk to mashed up bananas. milk to mashed up bananas. And God loves watching his little And God loves watching his little And God loves watching his little toddlers eat mashed bananas. And then he toddlers eat mashed bananas. And then he toddlers eat mashed bananas. And then he You get those You know those little You get those You know those little You get those You know those little cracker things, different shapes, and I cracker things, different shapes, and I cracker things, different shapes, and I know we're flour masters, so they're know we're flour masters, so they're know we're flour masters, so they're organic and just plucked them straight organic and just plucked them straight organic and just plucked them straight off the cracker tree. Otherwise, we're off the cracker tree. Otherwise, we're off the cracker tree. Otherwise, we're terrible moms. And you spring And then terrible moms. And you spring And then terrible moms. And you spring And then they use that little pincher grasp or they use that little pincher grasp or they use that little pincher grasp or that biscuit thing that they just gnaw that biscuit thing that they just gnaw that biscuit thing that they just gnaw on and get gross all over Maybe you guys on and get gross all over Maybe you guys on and get gross all over Maybe you guys are past that. It's been a long time are past that. It's been a long time are past that. It's been a long time since I've had a baby in my house. But since I've had a baby in my house. But since I've had a baby in my house. But Yeah, that That's all delighting for the Yeah, that That's all delighting for the Yeah, that That's all delighting for the Lord. No Nobody goes milk to meat. You Lord. No Nobody goes milk to meat. You Lord. No Nobody goes milk to meat. You You go milk to smashed food to cut up You go milk to smashed food to cut up You go milk to smashed food to cut up really small grown food to until you cut really small grown food to until you cut really small grown food to until you cut into that medium rare ribeye.

into that medium rare ribeye. into that medium rare ribeye. And if you don't like it cooked that And if you don't like it cooked that And if you don't like it cooked that way, order chicken. way, order chicken. way, order chicken. You go over that. Stop it. What a waste You go over that. Stop it. What a waste You go over that. Stop it. What a waste of good beef. Just get the salmon and of good beef. Just get the salmon and of good beef. Just get the salmon and leave the steak alone. That cow gave his leave the steak alone. That cow gave his leave the steak alone. That cow gave his life life life so that he might be enjoyed so that he might be enjoyed so that he might be enjoyed Just put that sauce away. Just put that sauce away. Just put that sauce away. All right? You put that ketchup away and All right? You put that ketchup away and All right? You put that ketchup away and just order you some chicken. Plenty of just order you some chicken. Plenty of just order you some chicken. Plenty of protein in that. And so, what he's protein in that. And so, what he's protein in that. And so, what he's saying now is if I'm going to be on that saying now is if I'm going to be on that saying now is if I'm going to be on that maturation process, then I have to train maturation process, then I have to train maturation process, then I have to train my senses through repeated repetition. my senses through repeated repetition. my senses through repeated repetition. And I think that plays out in two ways And I think that plays out in two ways And I think that plays out in two ways that are deeply connected. One is the that are deeply connected. One is the that are deeply connected. One is the mind and one is the body. And so, here's mind and one is the body. And so, here's mind and one is the body. And so, here's what we read in 2 Corinthians 10:5, the what we read in 2 Corinthians 10:5, the what we read in 2 Corinthians 10:5, the second half of the verse. And we take second half of the verse. And we take second half of the verse. And we take every thought captive to obey Christ. every thought captive to obey Christ. every thought captive to obey Christ. And so, here here's here's the And so, here here's here's the And so, here here's here's the repetition that you and I get into until repetition that you and I get into until repetition that you and I get into until we don't even know we're doing it we don't even know we're doing it we don't even know we're doing it anymore. Most of the time when we become anymore. Most of the time when we become anymore. Most of the time when we become Christians, there are these pretty wide Christians, there are these pretty wide Christians, there are these pretty wide cut pathways in our neurobiology.

cut pathways in our neurobiology. cut pathways in our neurobiology. All right? Like like that's what if All right? Like like that's what if All right? Like like that's what if we've given ourselves over to we've given ourselves over to we've given ourselves over to pornography or fantasy or anger or you pornography or fantasy or anger or you pornography or fantasy or anger or you name it. That you've got these well-worn name it. That you've got these well-worn name it. That you've got these well-worn trails in your brain. It's where your trails in your brain. It's where your trails in your brain. It's where your brain's going to go when you put your brain's going to go when you put your brain's going to go when you put your head on the pillow at night. It's where head on the pillow at night. It's where head on the pillow at night. It's where your brain's going to go when everything your brain's going to go when everything your brain's going to go when everything gets quiet. Fantasies, lust, gets quiet. Fantasies, lust, gets quiet. Fantasies, lust, um greed. I mean, it could be a hundred um greed. I mean, it could be a hundred um greed. I mean, it could be a hundred or a thousand different things. And and or a thousand different things. And and or a thousand different things. And and and Paul's saying, we take every thought and Paul's saying, we take every thought and Paul's saying, we take every thought captive. captive. captive. That that means where I find my mind, That that means where I find my mind, That that means where I find my mind, and here's how you get rid of those and here's how you get rid of those and here's how you get rid of those trails in all honesty. When I find my trails in all honesty. When I find my trails in all honesty. When I find my mind drifting to those places mind drifting to those places mind drifting to those places that are displeasing to the Lord, I take that are displeasing to the Lord, I take that are displeasing to the Lord, I take that thought captive. that thought captive. that thought captive. Unto who? Unto Christ. And so, that that Unto who? Unto Christ. And so, that that Unto who? Unto Christ. And so, that that involves great repetition. And so, we involves great repetition. And so, we involves great repetition. And so, we spot it, we grab it. I'm not going to spot it, we grab it. I'm not going to spot it, we grab it. I'm not going to dwell on that. Not going to give my mind dwell on that. Not going to give my mind dwell on that. Not going to give my mind over to that. And then we turn it to over to that. And then we turn it to over to that. And then we turn it to Philippians 4:8. Finally, brothers and Philippians 4:8. Finally, brothers and Philippians 4:8. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is sisters, whatever is true, whatever is sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any moral commendable, if there is any moral commendable, if there is any moral excellence, if there is anything excellence, if there is anything excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, dwell on these things. So, praiseworthy, dwell on these things. So, praiseworthy, dwell on these things. So, here, let me give you like real time, here, let me give you like real time, here, let me give you like real time, this is a testimony from somebody that this is a testimony from somebody that this is a testimony from somebody that was in the last service. Really was in the last service. Really was in the last service. Really licentious life before he came to licentious life before he came to licentious life before he came to Christ. And now he's married, he's given Christ. And now he's married, he's given Christ. And now he's married, he's given his life to Christ, he's living unto the his life to Christ, he's living unto the his life to Christ, he's living unto the glory of God, but he had such a perverse glory of God, but he had such a perverse glory of God, but he had such a perverse past both with hooking up with women and past both with hooking up with women and past both with hooking up with women and pornography that his brain was always pornography that his brain was always pornography that his brain was always trying to bend that way on him. And so

trying to bend that way on him. And so trying to bend that way on him. And so what he would do is when one of those what he would do is when one of those what he would do is when one of those images, one of those memories popped up, images, one of those memories popped up, images, one of those memories popped up, he he would grab it he he would grab it he he would grab it and he would preach the word of God to and he would preach the word of God to and he would preach the word of God to it, and then he began to dream about and it, and then he began to dream about and it, and then he began to dream about and think about being faithful to his wife think about being faithful to his wife think about being faithful to his wife all the way through grandchildren. all the way through grandchildren. all the way through grandchildren. You see how it works? And then here's You see how it works? And then here's You see how it works? And then here's what happened, this is his testimony. what happened, this is his testimony. what happened, this is his testimony. Those paths Those paths Those paths started to overgrow. started to overgrow. started to overgrow. And and within 2 years, those thoughts And and within 2 years, those thoughts And and within 2 years, those thoughts were almost gone. were almost gone. were almost gone. And every once in a while something And every once in a while something And every once in a while something would trigger it, but he he so much would trigger it, but he he so much would trigger it, but he he so much repeated Do you see what I mean by repeated Do you see what I mean by repeated Do you see what I mean by repetition trains the senses? Boom, now repetition trains the senses? Boom, now repetition trains the senses? Boom, now now this. now this. now this. Not this, this. Not this, this. Not Not this, this. Not this, this. Not Not this, this. Not this, this. Not this, this. And you do it so frequently, this, this. And you do it so frequently, this, this. And you do it so frequently, you start doing it, you don't even know you start doing it, you don't even know you start doing it, you don't even know you're doing it anymore. you're doing it anymore. you're doing it anymore. You even know that you've trained your You even know that you've trained your You even know that you've trained your senses senses senses in righteousness between good and evil. in righteousness between good and evil. in righteousness between good and evil. Love Psalm 27. Love Psalm 27. Love Psalm 27. Where where he talks about gazing upon Where where he talks about gazing upon Where where he talks about gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. the beauty of the Lord. the beauty of the Lord. And so so much of the battle is in our And so so much of the battle is in our And so so much of the battle is in our minds. Like what do you what are you minds. Like what do you what are you minds. Like what do you what are you prone to fantasize about?

prone to fantasize about? prone to fantasize about? I I can't answer the question for you, I I can't answer the question for you, I I can't answer the question for you, but what are you prone to fantasize but what are you prone to fantasize but what are you prone to fantasize about? Now how much does that align with about? Now how much does that align with about? Now how much does that align with the truth? Well, if it doesn't align the truth? Well, if it doesn't align the truth? Well, if it doesn't align with the truth, then you're in a bit of with the truth, then you're in a bit of with the truth, then you're in a bit of a fight. a fight. a fight. And so I would encourage you to fight And so I would encourage you to fight And so I would encourage you to fight well well well for those pathways in your brain. Uh for those pathways in your brain. Uh for those pathways in your brain. Uh your body tends to follow your mind. your body tends to follow your mind. your body tends to follow your mind. Your body tends to follow your mind, Your body tends to follow your mind, Your body tends to follow your mind, which leads me to the second point. It's which leads me to the second point. It's which leads me to the second point. It's not just repetition in our mind, it's not just repetition in our mind, it's not just repetition in our mind, it's repetition in our body. Let me give you repetition in our body. Let me give you repetition in our body. Let me give you two passages. two passages. two passages. First Samuel 15:22. First Samuel 15:22. First Samuel 15:22. Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in offerings and sacrifices as much as in offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look, to obey is obeying the Lord? Look, to obey is obeying the Lord? Look, to obey is better than sacrifice. To pay attention better than sacrifice. To pay attention better than sacrifice. To pay attention is better than the fat of rams. And one is better than the fat of rams. And one is better than the fat of rams. And one other passage, James 1:22. Be doers of other passage, James 1:22. Be doers of other passage, James 1:22. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving the word and not hearers only, deceiving the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. yourselves. yourselves. So, the mind is orienting itself around So, the mind is orienting itself around So, the mind is orienting itself around Christ, taking every thought captive Christ, taking every thought captive Christ, taking every thought captive unto the Lord, turning our attention on unto the Lord, turning our attention on unto the Lord, turning our attention on whatever is beautiful and right and whatever is beautiful and right and whatever is beautiful and right and morally excellent and praiseworthy, morally excellent and praiseworthy, morally excellent and praiseworthy, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and then the perfecter of our faith, and then the perfecter of our faith, and then the body follows with obedience.

body follows with obedience. body follows with obedience. The body follows with obedience, which The body follows with obedience, which The body follows with obedience, which is when the clear teaching of scripture is when the clear teaching of scripture is when the clear teaching of scripture or the conviction of the Holy Spirit or the conviction of the Holy Spirit or the conviction of the Holy Spirit means we move now. means we move now. means we move now. We We move now. We don't do that thing We We move now. We don't do that thing We We move now. We don't do that thing where we barter with God. where we barter with God. where we barter with God. Where obedience is commanded in the Where obedience is commanded in the Where obedience is commanded in the scripture, the spirit brings about scripture, the spirit brings about scripture, the spirit brings about conviction, and then we begin to go, conviction, and then we begin to go, conviction, and then we begin to go, "Ah, I I uh uh uh if I do that, if I do that, if I do that, then this, this, and this." So, now we then this, this, and this." So, now we then this, this, and this." So, now we have a lack of trust, a lack of faith, have a lack of trust, a lack of faith, have a lack of trust, a lack of faith, and I would argue a lack of adventure in and I would argue a lack of adventure in and I would argue a lack of adventure in our lives. our lives. our lives. Which kind of makes us bored, lame Which kind of makes us bored, lame Which kind of makes us bored, lame people. people. people. But the life of faith, the life of But the life of faith, the life of But the life of faith, the life of obedience, the the life of taking every obedience, the the life of taking every obedience, the the life of taking every thought captive, I've dwelled upon the thought captive, I've dwelled upon the thought captive, I've dwelled upon the beauty of the Lord, I've I've thought beauty of the Lord, I've I've thought beauty of the Lord, I've I've thought about what's praiseworthy and beautiful about what's praiseworthy and beautiful about what's praiseworthy and beautiful and excellent and and and now what I and excellent and and and now what I and excellent and and and now what I want to do is when the clear commands of want to do is when the clear commands of want to do is when the clear commands of scripture bear their weight on me, I scripture bear their weight on me, I scripture bear their weight on me, I want to I want to get to yes fast. want to I want to get to yes fast. want to I want to get to yes fast. Uh and what's wild about getting to yes Uh and what's wild about getting to yes Uh and what's wild about getting to yes fast is the Lord will prove himself to fast is the Lord will prove himself to fast is the Lord will prove himself to you over and over and over again. So you over and over and over again. So you over and over and over again. So that when he circles back around and that when he circles back around and that when he circles back around and asks another hard thing, you're like, asks another hard thing, you're like, asks another hard thing, you're like, Oh man, he's been so good. Look at how Oh man, he's been so good. Look at how Oh man, he's been so good. Look at how he's come through so many times. I'm he's come through so many times. I'm he's come through so many times. I'm going to trust him again.

going to trust him again. going to trust him again. But every time you say no, or you do But every time you say no, or you do But every time you say no, or you do what some people would call delayed what some people would call delayed what some people would call delayed obedience is where you make a deal that obedience is where you make a deal that obedience is where you make a deal that one day you will, one day you will, one day you will, which by the way, that's just which by the way, that's just which by the way, that's just disobedience dressed in a pretty color. disobedience dressed in a pretty color. disobedience dressed in a pretty color. Huh? Tell me which one of you let your Huh? Tell me which one of you let your Huh? Tell me which one of you let your kids be like, "Hey, I want you to do kids be like, "Hey, I want you to do kids be like, "Hey, I want you to do this." "When I get ready." this." "When I get ready." this." "When I get ready." I appreciate that, Dad. When I get I appreciate that, Dad. When I get I appreciate that, Dad. When I get ready. Well, it is a different ready. Well, it is a different ready. Well, it is a different generation. Maybe you do say that back generation. Maybe you do say that back generation. Maybe you do say that back and they're like, "Got strong feelings, and they're like, "Got strong feelings, and they're like, "Got strong feelings, so I'm just going to let you do this." so I'm just going to let you do this." so I'm just going to let you do this." And maybe that's how you're parenting And maybe that's how you're parenting And maybe that's how you're parenting these days. I don't know. It's a these days. I don't know. It's a these days. I don't know. It's a terrible way to parent. But if terrible way to parent. But if terrible way to parent. But if um, if if your kid says to you, "I'll um, if if your kid says to you, "I'll um, if if your kid says to you, "I'll get to that when I want." get to that when I want." get to that when I want." My guess is your response as a parent My guess is your response as a parent My guess is your response as a parent isn't, "Okay, bud. Thank you. Let me isn't, "Okay, bud. Thank you. Let me isn't, "Okay, bud. Thank you. Let me know when you get to it." No, you're know when you get to it." No, you're know when you get to it." No, you're like, "No, go go do it now." Now, I'm like, "No, go go do it now." Now, I'm like, "No, go go do it now." Now, I'm not talking about being crazy. not talking about being crazy. not talking about being crazy. I'm not talking about being crazy. I'm I'm not talking about being crazy. I'm I'm not talking about being crazy. I'm just saying like delayed obedience just saying like delayed obedience just saying like delayed obedience isn't actually obedience at all. It's isn't actually obedience at all. It's isn't actually obedience at all. It's disobedience. It's revealing that you disobedience. It's revealing that you disobedience. It's revealing that you think you're smarter and you know more think you're smarter and you know more think you're smarter and you know more than God. And I don't think you'd ever than God. And I don't think you'd ever than God. And I don't think you'd ever maybe say that with your mouth, but in maybe say that with your mouth, but in maybe say that with your mouth, but in these interactions with God, where he's these interactions with God, where he's these interactions with God, where he's calling us to obedience, especially if calling us to obedience, especially if calling us to obedience, especially if it's costly obedience, it's costly obedience, it's costly obedience, I'm not talking about the easy stuff.

I'm not talking about the easy stuff. I'm not talking about the easy stuff. I'm talking about that one that really I'm talking about that one that really I'm talking about that one that really quickly a no jumps up in your heart and quickly a no jumps up in your heart and quickly a no jumps up in your heart and you got to gospel yourself. you got to gospel yourself. you got to gospel yourself. Like the quicker we say yes to that, Like the quicker we say yes to that, Like the quicker we say yes to that, that's getting the body aligned with the that's getting the body aligned with the that's getting the body aligned with the mind into the beauty of a life mind into the beauty of a life mind into the beauty of a life surrendered to Jesus. surrendered to Jesus. surrendered to Jesus. And this is the call. Okay, let me And this is the call. Okay, let me And this is the call. Okay, let me let me wrap this up like this. let me wrap this up like this. let me wrap this up like this. Uh, Jesus, second person of the Trinity, Uh, Jesus, second person of the Trinity, Uh, Jesus, second person of the Trinity, co-eternal with the Father, Son of God, co-eternal with the Father, Son of God, co-eternal with the Father, Son of God, condescends. If you were here a couple condescends. If you were here a couple condescends. If you were here a couple of weeks ago, Shane said, "Came on a of weeks ago, Shane said, "Came on a of weeks ago, Shane said, "Came on a mission trip to seek and save the lost." mission trip to seek and save the lost." mission trip to seek and save the lost." And he puts on flesh and blood. It's And he puts on flesh and blood. It's And he puts on flesh and blood. It's scandalous. scandalous. scandalous. Right? The creator of all things puts on Right? The creator of all things puts on Right? The creator of all things puts on his own creation. That's wild. He lays his own creation. That's wild. He lays his own creation. That's wild. He lays aside that deity being fully God and aside that deity being fully God and aside that deity being fully God and fully man in the flesh. Jesus lives. And fully man in the flesh. Jesus lives. And fully man in the flesh. Jesus lives. And his very The very first sentence we have his very The very first sentence we have his very The very first sentence we have recorded from Jesus was this, "Repent recorded from Jesus was this, "Repent recorded from Jesus was this, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." So, for the kingdom of God is at hand." So, for the kingdom of God is at hand." So, repent. Turn to me. Turn away from the repent. Turn to me. Turn away from the repent. Turn to me. Turn away from the world and back to me because the kingdom world and back to me because the kingdom world and back to me because the kingdom of God, the reign and rule of God has of God, the reign and rule of God has of God, the reign and rule of God has just slammed into the cosmos. So, just slammed into the cosmos. So, just slammed into the cosmos. So, repent. And we see that in his authority repent. And we see that in his authority repent. And we see that in his authority as he lives. You don't see a lot of as he lives. You don't see a lot of as he lives. You don't see a lot of demons before Jesus shows up. And now demons before Jesus shows up. And now demons before Jesus shows up. And now they're everywhere.

they're everywhere. they're everywhere. And nobody argues long with Jesus. In And nobody argues long with Jesus. In And nobody argues long with Jesus. In fact, nobody argues at all. They try to fact, nobody argues at all. They try to fact, nobody argues at all. They try to broker deals. But, it's a lot of "Have broker deals. But, it's a lot of "Have broker deals. But, it's a lot of "Have you come to destroy us before the you come to destroy us before the you come to destroy us before the appointed time? We know who you are, the appointed time? We know who you are, the appointed time? We know who you are, the holy one of God." And Jesus like, "Hey, holy one of God." And Jesus like, "Hey, holy one of God." And Jesus like, "Hey, shut up. That's not I ain't ready for shut up. That's not I ain't ready for shut up. That's not I ain't ready for people to know that yet. Just go to the people to know that yet. Just go to the people to know that yet. Just go to the pigs." pigs." pigs." And that's what you see Jesus doing. You And that's what you see Jesus doing. You And that's what you see Jesus doing. You see the power of God driving out evil as see the power of God driving out evil as see the power of God driving out evil as Christ has come. And then, all we know Christ has come. And then, all we know Christ has come. And then, all we know in Matthew 4 is that Jesus is traveling in Matthew 4 is that Jesus is traveling in Matthew 4 is that Jesus is traveling around preaching the gospel of the around preaching the gospel of the around preaching the gospel of the kingdom. What gospel? That the reign and kingdom. What gospel? That the reign and kingdom. What gospel? That the reign and rule of God is at hand. Turn to God. His rule of God is at hand. Turn to God. His rule of God is at hand. Turn to God. His reign and rule has come. His reign and rule has come. His reign and rule has come. His deliverance, his victory over sin and deliverance, his victory over sin and deliverance, his victory over sin and death has come into the world. Repent death has come into the world. Repent death has come into the world. Repent and turn to him. And then, Matthew 5, and turn to him. And then, Matthew 5, and turn to him. And then, Matthew 5, you get the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew you get the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew you get the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5 through 8, the magnum opus of kingdom 5 through 8, the magnum opus of kingdom 5 through 8, the magnum opus of kingdom living. God's design and hope for his living. God's design and hope for his living. God's design and hope for his people to be formed over time into the people to be formed over time into the people to be formed over time into the kinds of people that he's making us by kinds of people that he's making us by kinds of people that he's making us by his spirit through his grace. But, he his spirit through his grace. But, he his spirit through his grace. But, he ends that sermon with a pretty cool ends that sermon with a pretty cool ends that sermon with a pretty cool illustration. He talks about illustration. He talks about illustration. He talks about two people building houses.

two people building houses. two people building houses. He said there was this man and he built He said there was this man and he built He said there was this man and he built a house, beautiful house, you know, a house, beautiful house, you know, a house, beautiful house, you know, gated community almost. gated community almost. gated community almost. And and he built that house on sand. And and he built that house on sand. And and he built that house on sand. And the Bible says, and the winds picked And the Bible says, and the winds picked And the Bible says, and the winds picked up and the rain came up and the rain came up and the rain came and it was completely wiped out. and it was completely wiped out. and it was completely wiped out. And then there's another man who built And then there's another man who built And then there's another man who built his house on rock. And and I've always his house on rock. And and I've always his house on rock. And and I've always tried to highlight this because of yeah, tried to highlight this because of yeah, tried to highlight this because of yeah, bad teaching and propaganda. The Bible bad teaching and propaganda. The Bible bad teaching and propaganda. The Bible then says uses the same exact words, the then says uses the same exact words, the then says uses the same exact words, the wind came, the rain poured. wind came, the rain poured. wind came, the rain poured. But the house held. But the house held. But the house held. And and so one of a couple of them one And and so one of a couple of them one And and so one of a couple of them one of the things I always like to highlight of the things I always like to highlight of the things I always like to highlight is just because you build on the rock of is just because you build on the rock of is just because you build on the rock of Jesus Christ doesn't mean your life's Jesus Christ doesn't mean your life's Jesus Christ doesn't mean your life's going to be rainbows and unicorns. going to be rainbows and unicorns. going to be rainbows and unicorns. God never promises a life of ease, he's God never promises a life of ease, he's God never promises a life of ease, he's promised a life of presence. promised a life of presence. promised a life of presence. That I will be with you. That I will be with you. That I will be with you. And so when you're just trying to use And so when you're just trying to use And so when you're just trying to use Jesus for a life of ease, Jesus for a life of ease, Jesus for a life of ease, I get why you think there's got to be I get why you think there's got to be I get why you think there's got to be more than this. That's not the promise. more than this. That's not the promise. more than this. That's not the promise. In fact, he was pretty explicit, [music] In fact, he was pretty explicit, [music] In fact, he was pretty explicit, [music] in this world you will have trouble, but in this world you will have trouble, but in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world take heart, I have overcome the world take heart, I have overcome the world and I will be with you always even to and I will be with you always even to and I will be with you always even to the end the end the end >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> of the age. This is David's celebration >> of the age. This is David's celebration >> of the age. This is David's celebration in the 23rd Psalm, I will fear no evil in the 23rd Psalm, I will fear no evil in the 23rd Psalm, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.

for thou art with me. for thou art with me. And then when he's he's explaining the And then when he's he's explaining the And then when he's he's explaining the story that he's giving, he says those story that he's giving, he says those story that he's giving, he says those who hear my words, who hear my words, who hear my words, teaching on the kingdom of God, those teaching on the kingdom of God, those teaching on the kingdom of God, those who hear my words who hear my words who hear my words and don't put them into practice and don't put them into practice and don't put them into practice are like people who build on the sand. are like people who build on the sand. are like people who build on the sand. When the wind [music] comes and the rain When the wind [music] comes and the rain When the wind [music] comes and the rain comes and look at me, they're coming. comes and look at me, they're coming. comes and look at me, they're coming. Nobody makes it through this thing Nobody makes it through this thing Nobody makes it through this thing unscathed. [music] unscathed. [music] unscathed. [music] They're coming. They're coming. They're coming. When they get that house was just When they get that house was just When they get that house was just completely washed away, was just like completely washed away, was just like completely washed away, was just like gone. No evidence it was ever there. gone. No evidence it was ever there. gone. No evidence it was ever there. But then the one who built on the rock But then the one who built on the rock But then the one who built on the rock is the one who heard these words of mine is the one who heard these words of mine is the one who heard these words of mine >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> and put them into practice. And when the >> and put them into practice. And when the >> and put them into practice. And when the same wind and the same rain slammed same wind and the same rain slammed same wind and the same rain slammed against that house, that life, against that house, that life, against that house, that life, it stood. [music] And and so I've got just one question as And and so I've got just one question as I wrapped it up, my divine imagination I wrapped it up, my divine imagination I wrapped it up, my divine imagination was playing with me all week. Um was playing with me all week. Um was playing with me all week. Um because God celebrates bottle mashed because God celebrates bottle mashed because God celebrates bottle mashed bananas, bananas, bananas, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> tiny cut up little food, crackers, and >> tiny cut up little food, crackers, and >> tiny cut up little food, crackers, and those little chewy biscuit things all those little chewy biscuit things all those little chewy biscuit things all the way up to cutting into that ribeye.

the way up to cutting into that ribeye. the way up to cutting into that ribeye. What would happen What would happen What would happen if [music] the 5,000 of us that are here if [music] the 5,000 of us that are here if [music] the 5,000 of us that are here this weekend this weekend this weekend would just take that step of obedience would just take that step of obedience would just take that step of obedience that the spirit [music] and the that the spirit [music] and the that the spirit [music] and the scriptures have been prompting us over scriptures have been prompting us over scriptures have been prompting us over the last couple of weeks, days, months, the last couple of weeks, days, months, the last couple of weeks, days, months, some of you years. [snorts] some of you years. [snorts] some of you years. [snorts] And I don't I don't pretend to know what And I don't I don't pretend to know what And I don't I don't pretend to know what it is. Maybe it's confession. May maybe it is. Maybe it's confession. May maybe it is. Maybe it's confession. May maybe like every time you try to get close to like every time you try to get close to like every time you try to get close to God, he he pulls into your prefrontal God, he he pulls into your prefrontal God, he he pulls into your prefrontal cortex this thing cortex this thing cortex this thing that that kind of derails you moving that that kind of derails you moving that that kind of derails you moving towards him. One that would probably be towards him. One that would probably be towards him. One that would probably be shame, the bad kind of shame. shame, the bad kind of shame. shame, the bad kind of shame. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> And and two, he might probably be >> And and two, he might probably be >> And and two, he might probably be prompting you to confess it both to God prompting you to confess it both to God prompting you to confess it both to God and to someone else because nothing and to someone else because nothing and to someone else because nothing kills dark spiritual power like light. kills dark spiritual power like light. kills dark spiritual power like light. And so as long as you have that secret, And so as long as you have that secret, And so as long as you have that secret, it's going to be really hard for you to it's going to be really hard for you to it's going to be really hard for you to receive God's love or other people's receive God's love or other people's receive God's love or other people's love. He Here's why. Because the enemy love. He Here's why. Because the enemy love. He Here's why. Because the enemy will be in that way historically say will be in that way historically say will be in that way historically say this is to be 99% [music] known is to be this is to be 99% [music] known is to be this is to be 99% [music] known is to be completely unknown. completely unknown. completely unknown. And that 1% kind of becomes the devil's And that 1% kind of becomes the devil's And that 1% kind of becomes the devil's playground.

playground. playground. Right? Because every time you're hungry Right? Because every time you're hungry Right? Because every time you're hungry to be known, to be loved, to be accepted to be known, to be loved, to be accepted to be known, to be loved, to be accepted for who you actually are, not that for who you actually are, not that for who you actually are, not that image, the enemy will be there to image, the enemy will be there to image, the enemy will be there to whisper to you. [music] whisper to you. [music] whisper to you. [music] You're the only one that's ever You're the only one that's ever You're the only one that's ever struggled with this. If anyone were ever struggled with this. If anyone were ever struggled with this. If anyone were ever know that you did this. You would be know that you did this. You would be know that you did this. You would be rejected and hated and despised. And so rejected and hated and despised. And so rejected and hated and despised. And so then we back [music] off. then we back [music] off. then we back [music] off. And that means when people try to love And that means when people try to love And that means when people try to love us, our spouses try to love us, our we us, our spouses try to love us, our we us, our spouses try to love us, our we we can't get to our hearts. we can't get to our hearts. we can't get to our hearts. Because we know, man, if they were to Because we know, man, if they were to Because we know, man, if they were to ever know this, this would be over ever know this, this would be over ever know this, this would be over forever. forever. forever. And and that maybe it's confession, I And and that maybe it's confession, I And and that maybe it's confession, I don't know. I mean, maybe it's don't know. I mean, maybe it's don't know. I mean, maybe it's confession, maybe it's it has to do with confession, maybe it's it has to do with confession, maybe it's it has to do with I would just think about the things you I would just think about the things you I would just think about the things you keep putting off that you know the keep putting off that you know the keep putting off that you know the scriptures teach or that you felt the scriptures teach or that you felt the scriptures teach or that you felt the spirit inviting you into. For some of spirit inviting you into. For some of spirit inviting you into. For some of you it's just greater connection to the you it's just greater connection to the you it's just greater connection to the body. For others of you it's generosity. body. For others of you it's generosity. body. For others of you it's generosity. For others of you still, it's to finally For others of you still, it's to finally For others of you still, it's to finally get some help that you really need. To get some help that you really need. To get some help that you really need. To finally let somebody know we're not finally let somebody know we're not finally let somebody know we're not okay. Maybe it's to finally just admit you're Maybe it's to finally just admit you're not as strong as you thought you were not as strong as you thought you were not as strong as you thought you were and you're not as far along as you and you're not as far along as you and you're not as far along as you thought you were. Maybe you present thought you were. Maybe you present thought you were. Maybe you present yourself as a ribeye guy, but you're yourself as a ribeye guy, but you're yourself as a ribeye guy, but you're actually a actually a actually a mashed banana guy and that's okay.

mashed banana guy and that's okay. mashed banana guy and that's okay. You're on you're on the Jesus loves the You're on you're on the Jesus loves the You're on you're on the Jesus loves the whole spectrum. whole spectrum. whole spectrum. But what you can't be But what you can't be But what you can't be is 20 years in still sucking on a is 20 years in still sucking on a is 20 years in still sucking on a bottle. bottle. bottle. Can't be that. So what would happen? Can't be that. So what would happen? Can't be that. So what would happen? Here is my sanctified imagination. Here is my sanctified imagination. Here is my sanctified imagination. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> What would happen if 5,000 of us >> What would happen if 5,000 of us >> What would happen if 5,000 of us just took that next step? We just took just took that next step? We just took just took that next step? We just took that [music] next step of obedience. I that [music] next step of obedience. I that [music] next step of obedience. I don't have anything for you that's don't have anything for you that's don't have anything for you that's fixing everything today and that's fixing everything today and that's fixing everything today and that's that's way too short-term of a thought that's way too short-term of a thought that's way too short-term of a thought process for the Christian life. process for the Christian life. process for the Christian life. What's the next step What's the next step What's the next step that the grace of God would bid me into that the grace of God would bid me into that the grace of God would bid me into and that the grace of God would cover and that the grace of God would cover and that the grace of God would cover and that his spirit would empower in my and that his spirit would empower in my and that his spirit would empower in my life. life. life. So I want to give you literally 30 or 40 So I want to give you literally 30 or 40 So I want to give you literally 30 or 40 seconds. Maybe you already know what it seconds. Maybe you already know what it seconds. Maybe you already know what it is, but [music] I would just pray that is, but [music] I would just pray that is, but [music] I would just pray that prayer of David, "Search me and know me, prayer of David, "Search me and know me, prayer of David, "Search me and know me, oh God." Would you ask the Holy Spirit oh God." Would you ask the Holy Spirit oh God." Would you ask the Holy Spirit to just show you what that step is? If to just show you what that step is? If to just show you what that step is? If you don't know it, maybe you already you don't know it, maybe you already you don't know it, maybe you already know it. know it. know it. Just ask the Holy Spirit, "What's my Just ask the Holy Spirit, "What's my Just ask the Holy Spirit, "What's my step of obedience that you're calling me step of obedience that you're calling me step of obedience that you're calling me into? Where can I shrink the gap between into? Where can I shrink the gap between into? Where can I shrink the gap between hearing and doing.

I'm going to pray for us now, and then I'm going to pray for us now, and then as I pray, some of our prayer team men as I pray, some of our prayer team men as I pray, some of our prayer team men and women are going to come up here and and women are going to come up here and and women are going to come up here and they'll be along the front [music] and they'll be along the front [music] and they'll be along the front [music] and um um um I I just want you to I I just want you to I I just want you to like between you and the Lord before we like between you and the Lord before we like between you and the Lord before we stand up and sing about abiding stand up and sing about abiding stand up and sing about abiding with [music] the Lord with [music] the Lord with [music] the Lord to make it your intent to share what to make it your intent to share what to make it your intent to share what that step of obedience is with someone that step of obedience is with someone that step of obedience is with someone and [music] and then to make it. I I and [music] and then to make it. I I and [music] and then to make it. I I think the sharing it with someone kind think the sharing it with someone kind think the sharing it with someone kind of creates the kind of connection and of creates the kind of connection and of creates the kind of connection and belonging we want and gives us some belonging we want and gives us some belonging we want and gives us some accountability to actually do [music] accountability to actually do [music] accountability to actually do [music] it. it. it. And then if you need somebody, like you And then if you need somebody, like you And then if you need somebody, like you you need to confess, you don't even know you need to confess, you don't even know you need to confess, you don't even know how to confess because there might be how to confess because there might be how to confess because there might be significant consequences for that significant consequences for that significant consequences for that confession, or if you just want somebody confession, or if you just want somebody confession, or if you just want somebody to pray for you, or you're confused by to pray for you, or you're confused by to pray for you, or you're confused by maybe something I said and want some maybe something I said and want some maybe something I said and want some clarity, our our men and women are up clarity, our our men and women are up clarity, our our men and women are up here. They would love to pray for you here. They would love to pray for you here. They would love to pray for you and encourage you and counsel you a and encourage you and counsel you a and encourage you and counsel you a little, and it doesn't matter what's little, and it doesn't matter what's little, and it doesn't matter what's going on in your life. You're not going going on in your life. You're not going going on in your life. You're not going to make any of them gasp or freak out or to make any of them gasp or freak out or to make any of them gasp or freak out or not know what to do. not know what to do. not know what to do. So, let me pray for us. Father, I bless So, let me pray for us. Father, I bless So, let me pray for us. Father, I bless these men and women in the name of these men and women in the name of these men and women in the name of Jesus.

Jesus. Jesus. I thank you for your goodness and your I thank you for your goodness and your I thank you for your goodness and your grace, your kindness. grace, your kindness. grace, your kindness. I thank you that whether we're fresh on I thank you that whether we're fresh on I thank you that whether we're fresh on the bottle like so many have been the bottle like so many have been the bottle like so many have been baptized in the last year, or or whether baptized in the last year, or or whether baptized in the last year, or or whether we're just still [music] chewing up we're just still [music] chewing up we're just still [music] chewing up mashed bananas, that that we're moving mashed bananas, that that we're moving mashed bananas, that that we're moving and that pleases your heart. and that pleases your heart. and that pleases your heart. And so, would you now, Spirit of the And so, would you now, Spirit of the And so, would you now, Spirit of the living God, bring the sweetness of living God, bring the sweetness of living God, bring the sweetness of conviction over delayed obedience, over conviction over delayed obedience, over conviction over delayed obedience, over outright disobedience? I pray outright disobedience? I pray outright disobedience? I pray specifically for men and women who have specifically for men and women who have specifically for men and women who have made some crazy covenant with themselves made some crazy covenant with themselves made some crazy covenant with themselves that they're taking something to the that they're taking something to the that they're taking something to the grave. grave. grave. Pray that they be able to walk in the Pray that they be able to walk in the Pray that they be able to walk in the freedom that belongs to the children of freedom that belongs to the children of freedom that belongs to the children of God knowing that where sin abounds grace God knowing that where sin abounds grace God knowing that where sin abounds grace abounds all the more and they might walk abounds all the more and they might walk abounds all the more and they might walk in the freedom that belongs to the in the freedom that belongs to the in the freedom that belongs to the children of God. children of God. children of God. Then it's for [music] your beautiful Then it's for [music] your beautiful Then it's for [music] your beautiful name I pray. Amen. Would you stand with name I pray. Amen. Would you stand with name I pray. Amen. Would you stand with me as we sing rightly to the Lord?