WEBVTT NOTE Podcast: Acts 29 Vancouver Episode: Prevailing Church : The Mystery in a nutshell Publishing Date: 2018-08-12T06:00:44-07:00 Podcast URL: https://acts29.ca Episode URL: https://acts29.ca/prevailing-church-the-mystery-in-a-nutshell/ 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.800 Guys, again, continue with the prevailing church and the mystery in a nutshell. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:26.360 As in, at the end of the day, why is God saying become a prevailing church? 00:00:26.360 --> 00:00:27.360 That's what we'll talk about. 00:00:28.360 --> 00:00:38.360 And that's actually a phrase I took from the message version of either Colossians 1.27 or Ephesians 3. 00:00:38.360 --> 00:00:43.360 I'm not too sure, but it's in the message, the mystery in a nutshell. 00:00:43.360 --> 00:00:46.360 So let's define church. We haven't defined church for a while. 00:00:46.360 --> 00:00:47.360 How do you define church? 00:00:47.360 --> 00:00:51.360 I didn't read up on the definition so that I struggle as much as you do. 00:00:51.360 --> 00:00:53.360 So how do you define church? 00:00:53.360 --> 00:00:55.360 Remember we talked about this. 00:00:55.360 --> 00:00:58.360 Churches of people. Go ahead, Jiwan. 00:00:58.360 --> 00:01:01.360 Redeemed by the finished work of Christ. 00:01:05.360 --> 00:01:07.360 Called out to the world. 00:01:12.360 --> 00:01:14.360 And His Spirit. 00:01:15.360 --> 00:01:17.360 Sent back into the world. 00:01:19.360 --> 00:01:22.360 To demonstrate and proclaim the Gospel openly. 00:01:26.360 --> 00:01:29.360 And to make disciples of all nations. 00:01:30.360 --> 00:01:31.360 Baptizing them. 00:01:31.360 --> 00:01:34.360 You guys are just brilliant. I mean, what is it with you guys? 00:01:34.360 --> 00:01:37.360 Such intelligent, good-looking boys. 00:01:40.360 --> 00:01:47.360 Great. So the rest of you, I hope, knew it and were giving them a chance to show off. 00:01:49.360 --> 00:01:53.360 Yeah. So that's how church is defined. What's the mission of the church? 00:01:55.360 --> 00:01:57.360 Mission of the church. 00:02:01.360 --> 00:02:03.360 Sorry, Diana, I couldn't hear you. What did you say? 00:02:03.360 --> 00:02:05.360 The mission of the church. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:14.360 Okay. That's one way of saying it. Go ahead, Derek. 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:22.360 We have been set aside by Christ to assist Him in setting others apart. 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:27.360 We have been set apart by Christ to assist Him in setting others apart. 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:34.360 And like Diana was saying, we have been sent to make disciples. 00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:38.360 Teaching them to observe everything that He has taught. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:48.360 And we are sent to build communities of Christ through whom proclamation, penetration, and 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:51.360 progression of the Gospel takes place. 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.360 The mission of the church must not be forgotten. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:56.360 You've got to have all the three things together, guys. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:00.360 You miss out on any one of them and something falls apart. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:06.360 One, you have been set aside by Christ to set, to assist Him in setting others aside. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:07.360 That's the first part. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:13.360 The second part is to make disciples, not just evangelize and help people, 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:21.360 not just evangelize and help people receive Christ, but then to make disciples of all nations, 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:23.360 teaching them to observe everything I've taught you. 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:29.360 And the third thing is once you make disciples, you have to now begin to include them in a body. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:34.360 And one of the things we are supposed to do is build communities of Christ, 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:42.360 or build communities that reflect Christ, so that this community can go out and proclaim the Gospel, 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:46.360 take the Gospel and penetrate places that haven't yet seen the Gospel, 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:51.360 and then cause the Gospel to progress, which again is the idea of making more disciples. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:57.360 These three things must not be forgotten because the church has amnesia every three months. 00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:00.360 And they forget the reason for existence. 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:02.360 Keep remembering this. 00:04:02.360 --> 00:04:05.360 I didn't look at the notes either because I wanted to remember it. 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:08.360 So keep that in mind. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:11.360 So here's another word I want to define today before we go on. 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:12.360 Community. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:17.360 When it says, oh, we need to take the Gospel to our community, 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:24.360 there are different ways that you can define it, but I'd like to kind of keep this definition in mind. 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:31.360 Because we don't necessarily work where we live or buy bread, where we live or bank, where we live, 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:34.360 or even go to school where we live. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:38.360 Today, your community may be defined as your sphere of influence, 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:44.360 and I know we've said this before, but let us be a common kind of understanding. 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:46.360 Sphere of influence. 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:50.360 Segment of society. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.360 Street you live and work in. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:01.360 Streets that you live and work in. 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:03.360 Streets include your building. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:05.360 And the stage of life that you are in. 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:14.360 These four things influence who you most usually rub shoulders with. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:19.360 So that, in a sense, becomes the people that you relate to. 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:22.360 And that's important because that's where God wants to use you most. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:27.360 Because he's, I mean, like it says in Acts chapter 17, 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:30.360 God has appointed certain boundaries and places for me to live 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:34.360 so that at this present time, there is a sphere of influence I have. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:38.360 There is a segment of society I presently occupy. 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:44.360 There are streets that I live and work in, and then there is a stage of life I am in. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:53.360 These then begin to define, begin to kind of put a boundary around the people that I usually relate to. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:55.360 God can send me on errands outside. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:57.360 Any questions about that? 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:00.360 I'm not saying this is the way you define community. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:04.360 I'm saying this is what it means when I would perhaps say that, 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:09.360 hey, make sure that you reach out to your community. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:11.360 Because it's not the place you live anymore. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:13.360 Just because you have your house somewhere. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:18.360 Man, most of us return to our homes at 7pm in the evening and disappear at 6 in the morning. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.360 So your neighborhood is much larger than the place you live. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:30.360 You can add to this. 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:34.360 This is not a hard and fast definition, but just thought I'd let you know. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:37.360 Guys, revival comes, and I don't like the word revival. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:41.360 I've avoided it all my life, but I'm beginning to use the word again. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:47.360 Revival comes when the wall between the church and your community is brought down. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:55.360 Revival comes when the wall between your church, meaning you and the people that you belong to, 00:06:55.360 --> 00:07:01.360 and the community, if I were to define it that way, when the wall between that collapses. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:02.360 That's when revival comes. 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:07.360 Because most of the time, revival in church has been revival inside the church. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:14.360 I believe that the kind of revival that God is looking for at this present time is now that I've reformed the church, 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:15.360 I want to revive things. 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:21.360 And how I revive things is by collapsing the wall that keeps you as a people inside a building 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:26.360 or a people that are introspective, but not introspective, that are very inclusive. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:29.360 No, that are very exclusive. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:32.360 And so here's how revival will come. 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:37.360 Revival will come when the wall between the church and your community is brought down. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:39.360 And who brings down that wall? 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:41.360 We bring down that wall. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:43.360 We bring down that wall. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:45.360 How? 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:50.360 Through an openly lived life and through relationships. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:52.360 Who set the example for this? 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:53.360 Jesus. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:54.360 Who else? 00:07:54.360 --> 00:08:00.360 The Holy Spirit talks about it in Ephesians 2, verse 14 to 16. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:07.360 He says, And Jesus Christ has broken down the wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:09.360 that he has become our peace. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:16.360 And now it's the turn of the church to say, I am no longer going to confine myself to this thing called the church. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:19.360 I am a part of a people of God. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:24.360 And the wall between the people of God and the Gentiles, if you want to call it that, 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:28.360 or the wall between the people of God and the rest of the world, I'm going to collapse. 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:31.360 I'm going to live an open life, an open Christ life. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:34.360 I'm going to live it so that people can see what he looks like. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:39.360 And I'm going to build relationships so that it can permeate into their lives, 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:42.360 so that osmosis happens by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:46.360 No longer will the church be a secluded something. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:48.360 This is how the wall is broken. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:51.360 The wall is broken by you, not by the God. 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:54.360 The wall is broken by you. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:09:00.360 When the wall is broken by you, the Spirit of God begins to move in through relationships. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.360 The wall is broken by you. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:03.360 He is our peace. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:05.360 He has broken down every wall. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.360 Now it's the turn of the body of Christ. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.360 We are Shalom. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.360 We have broken down every wall. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:14.360 Making one man out of Jew and Gentile Jesus did it. 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:16.360 We do the same thing now. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:19.360 We make one man, including more and more and more, 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:22.360 into the body of Christ by breaking down the wall. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.360 How do you break down the wall? 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:26.360 Only through relationships. 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:31.360 People listen better when you relate. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:36.360 When I moved into this new place, they have this fob thingy. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:38.360 So you've got to put the fob against this thingy, 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:41.360 and the elevator goes up and the elevator goes down. 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:43.360 So I'm putting my fob against this thingy, 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:48.360 only it turns out to be the speaker. 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:53.360 So you're supposed to put it on the glass panel next to it. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:56.360 So I kept putting it down on this round thing 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:59.360 that was supposed to tell you that the elevator isn't working, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.360 and so I'm pressing. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:04.360 So finally a guy comes in and he looks at me strangely as I keep doing that. 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:06.360 And finally he gently says, 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:09.360 perhaps you could put it on that thing. 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:11.360 I felt so foolish, man. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.360 But I've been meeting him three, four times, 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:18.360 and every time I meet him I quickly pull out my phone and I start looking at it. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:20.360 So on Saturday I saw him again. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:24.360 This time I decided my asshole face the giant. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:28.360 So I said, hi, you were the first guy I met in the elevator, 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:32.360 and you were the one who told me that that isn't the thing you put your fob on. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:37.360 But then we started talking and he told me his name. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.360 I told him my name. 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:41.360 He said his roommate, his roomie has the same name. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:47.360 And suddenly a conversation has begun, and now begins the rest of the story. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.360 Things happen better through relationship. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.360 It doesn't matter. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:53.360 I mean, Derek was telling me a story of how... 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:55.360 You want to tell it? 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.360 I think this was last month. 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:06.360 We had a sycamore tree meeting, 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:10.360 and I was supposed to come set up the audio and video stuff 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:13.360 and then go back to UBC to play soccer. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:18.360 So Sheldon and Jane dropped me off next door, 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:20.360 and then I did all the setup. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:23.360 I didn't have the car to drive back to Marlboro, 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:25.360 so I decided to take a cab. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:27.360 That morning when I was talking with God, 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:30.360 I had a sense that I'd meet someone in the neighborhood. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.360 And then the cab comes. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.360 I get into the cab, 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:35.360 and I start texting Jacob saying that, 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:37.360 hey, I've set everything up and stuff. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:40.360 And then immediately this cab driver starts talking with me. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:45.360 And then I had a sense that I should explore this more, 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:47.360 and then he asked me where I am from, what my name is. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.360 I say, it's Derek. 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:50.360 He said, that's not an Indian name. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.360 I say, well, that's my name. 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:56.360 And he said, my name is Rana, and I don't like my name. 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:59.360 So he's an Indian too. 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:01.360 I said, okay, that's great. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:04.360 And he asked me one question, which part of India are you from? 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.360 And I say, I'm from Kerala. 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:08.360 And he asked me, why is Kerala so different? 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:11.360 So I explained to him, and I put in the word Christianity there. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:14.360 So I said, that's a big reason why Kerala is different 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.360 from other parts of India. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:22.360 And then we start talking, and he says, hey, you know what? 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.360 My wife just got baptized. 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:30.360 My wife just got baptized last week, and now I am wondering more about God, 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:35.360 but it's strange that you guys always pray for other people. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:38.360 For the last X number of years, I'd go to Gurudwaras, 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:40.360 and then I'd always pray for my needs. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:44.360 And then just two weeks ago, I went to this church with my wife, 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:46.360 and my son is disabled. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:49.360 The entire church came over and prayed for him. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:52.360 And for that very first time, I realized that, yeah, 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:54.360 you can actually pray to God for other people too. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:57.360 And I was blessed by what they did. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:13:00.360 And then I started talking to him about God, and he said, 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:01.360 this is my number. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:03.360 Don't text me for the next two months, 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:06.360 because I'm going to be busy with weddings and stuff. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.360 But after that, we should catch up. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:11.360 And I talked to him about the house church that happens in Richmond and stuff. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:14.360 And it's amazing how God does this, because that very morning, 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:16.360 I had a sense that I would be meeting someone. 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:20.360 And I mentioned this at house church too, in that sometimes... 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:22.360 I'll stop you one minute. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.360 Sometimes then... 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:29.360 I'm not saying this is the equation, 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:32.360 but sometimes when there is an interruption in your life, 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:36.360 and something's different, you're supposed to take your car, 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:39.360 drive it back, but hey, there is something different. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.360 Be very aware that God might have something for you. 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:44.360 It's not an equation, but at least in my life, 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:48.360 I'm seeing over and over again that sometimes God interrupts things 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:51.360 so that his agendas will come into play. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:53.360 Nice. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:59.360 Guys, revival comes when the wall between the church and your community is brought down. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:02.360 We bring down that wall through an openly lived life and relationship, 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:04.360 just as Jesus did. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.360 Engage in it. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:07.360 I'm telling you, the more I hear your stories, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:10.360 the more I'm convinced that this teaching is doing us some good. 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:13.360 Because it's making us aware. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:16.360 I'm so constantly aware of what I teach. 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:19.360 And I keep telling the Lord Father, I better practice it, I better practice it, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:21.360 I better practice it. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:25.360 Because otherwise I disqualify myself from speaking it. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.360 So what are we up against? 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:30.360 We are up against 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 3. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:34.360 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 3 to 6. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:38.360 This is what you're against, what you're up against. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:43.360 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 3 to 6. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:45.360 So it's not something simple that you're up against. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.360 It is fierce. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.360 Here's what it says. 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:54.360 And even if our gospel is availed, it is availed to those who are perishing. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:59.360 The God of this age, so there's an actual force, an actual personal force. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:02.360 This is not some impersonal spooky thing. 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:09.360 And the God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:15.360 so that they cannot see the light of the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:18.360 and the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:23.360 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ is Lord 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:26.360 and ourselves as your servant for Jesus' sake. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:31.360 For God who said, let light shine out of darkness, 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:37.360 made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.360 in the face of Christ. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:46.360 Meaning, at the end of the day, Jacob, in this unadorned clay pot called Jacob, 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:52.360 30 years ago I said, let there be light. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:59.360 You received it, you were born again, and now my son Christ lives in you. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:05.360 And out there in the world there is a God called the devil with a small G. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:10.360 And his intent is to keep blinding the eyes of people 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:16.360 so that even if you tell them about Jesus, they do not see the light. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:22.360 Therefore, get into relationship with them just as someone got into relationship with you, Jacob. 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:27.360 And keep chipping away, keep chipping away, keep chipping away, so that the blindness is removed. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:31.360 As you tell them about Jesus, the veil is lifted. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:36.360 And they will see me and they will be saved. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:46.360 Folks, there is no life after death if you do not have Jesus Christ as the master of your life. 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:49.360 There is no life after death. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:53.360 There is just eternal damnation. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:58.360 Therefore, build relationship. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:04.360 Because when he said, let there be light, now that light dwells in you and shows forth. 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:10.360 And even though you are an unadorned clay pot, it gets, it shines through. 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:16.360 Even if your story was lousy, your testimony was this small, 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:21.360 you look miserable, it still shines through. 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:25.360 Because this light has nothing to do with you. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:28.360 And yet you become it. 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:34.360 All day he says, I am the light of the world, and then he says, you are the light of the world. 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:39.360 And then he says, you are the light of the world. 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:46.360 Spiritual warfare then is Act 29 fulfilling its responsibility of making Jesus' work on the cross 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:50.360 known in the time that we live in, in the city that we live in, in the places we are sent to. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:54.360 Don't worry, you will never have spiritual warfare if you keep quiet. 00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:58.360 We can talk about spiritual warfare, we can pull down demons, we can cast out demons, 00:17:58.360 --> 00:18:02.360 and all of them will say, as long as these guys throw us around, we can do it. 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:04.360 We can do it. 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:07.360 We can pull down demons, we can cast out demons, and all of them will say, 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:11.360 as long as these guys throw us around, we can keep moving from one place to the other. 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:17.360 But as long as they don't indulge in the one thing that Jesus calls us to do, it's all good. 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:23.360 Internal deliverance ministry, the demons begin to enjoy after a while. 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:30.360 Cast out nine demons, and if the guy doesn't change, we'll come back with 63. 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:34.360 And then we can waste the pastor's time because he'll cast out 63, 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:37.360 and then he won't know how to multiply 63 into seven. 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:40.360 And it just goes on and on and on. 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:49.360 So real spiritual warfare happens when a people begin to announce the work of Christ on the cross. 00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:54.360 That is when real spiritual warfare happens, because that is when the stakes are high. 00:18:54.360 --> 00:19:00.360 A guy who is saved may live a difficult life here on earth with bondages and demons, 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:05.360 but he's going to heaven. 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:10.360 I'm not diminishing the terribleness of bondage. 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:13.360 I'm just saying there is a spiritual warfare. 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:18.360 Acts 29 is just beginning to enter into because of where we are going. 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:25.360 And it will be great because you will see a God you and I have not seen yet. 00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:31.360 He ain't rolled up his sleeves even up to his elbow. 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:34.360 Wait till he rolls it above his elbow. 00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:36.360 Those muscles bulge, man. 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:43.360 And then you will see, oh, shucks, this is God. 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:54.360 The spiritual warfare that most churches and us have been playing around with is like small stuff. 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:57.360 I'm so looking forward to it. 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:59.360 So looking forward to it. Why? 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:03.360 Because I'll see a God I have not seen. 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:12.360 I will see a God I have not seen yet. 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:15.360 Ephesians 3.10 puts it this way. 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:22.360 Through Christians like you, this is from the message, through Christians like yourselves gathered in churches, 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:30.360 this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and is declared to the archaic and the exosia, 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:33.360 or the powers and the rulers in heavenly places. 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:38.360 Meaning once you go down this track, just know Acts 29, 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:45.360 that through you, through the gathered church, even rulers and powers in the heavenly realms, 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:49.360 besides God's angels, the rulers and powers in the heavenly realm, 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:55.360 the same term Paul uses for the four or five different forms of demonic spirits, 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:59.360 they will begin to hear your declaration too. 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:02.360 Because that's the highest stake we fight for, guys. 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:05.360 The salvation of souls. 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:08.360 Anything less is to play with the king of Sodom. 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:11.360 When the king of Salem is standing there saying, listen, what are you bringing to me? 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:14.360 And the king of Sodom is, look at what the king of Sodom says. 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:19.360 He says, you can take all the money but give me the souls. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:22.360 That's what the king of Sodom says to Abraham. 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:26.360 Take all the money, take all the good things, take everything that you have fought for, 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:31.360 take it, take it, take it church, but give me the souls. 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:39.360 And Abraham had the buddhi, knowledge, wisdom. 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:48.360 Abraham had the wisdom to say that I will not take a strap, I will not take anything from you. 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:54.360 Instead, he goes to the king of Salem and he says, unto you I raise my hands, 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:58.360 because I regard you as LLE, the mighty possessor of the universe. 00:21:58.360 --> 00:22:01.360 Guys, all the benefits of God are great. 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:04.360 We talked about the divine benefit package last week. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:08.360 But we will not let go of the souls. 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:11.360 Abraham's children will not let go of the souls. 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:18.360 We are in this for the people, not for the property and the benefits. 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:25.360 That comes, that is added onto you, man. 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:29.360 Any questions before we go on? 00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:30.360 Any questions? 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:34.360 Jacob, did you say that Christians who have kept Christ may be claimed by demons 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:37.360 and have a horrible life, they still live in heaven? 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.360 Yeah. 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.360 Did you? 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.360 Yeah. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:45.360 I know believers who are in terrible bondage and who have demonic problems. 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:48.360 But if they die tonight, they still go to heaven. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:51.360 But why not try and deal with the demons? 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:53.360 Yep, absolutely. 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:58.360 But I'm saying, if you didn't deal with that, they would still go to heaven. 00:22:58.360 --> 00:23:00.360 Is there a reason why you didn't? 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:02.360 No, I was making a comparison. 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:07.360 I was saying that real spiritual warfare begins when you go after the souls of men 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:11.360 that aren't redeemed. 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:17.360 While it is good to set people free, and I so enjoy seeing someone set free 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:20.360 when people pray for them, 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:25.360 there is another place that we need to go to where real opposition starts. 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:30.360 Real opposition begins then. 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:34.360 Because remember, if you have received Christ into your life, 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:38.360 your body can be attacked, your emotions and mind can be attacked, 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:49.360 your spirit can't be touched. 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:51.360 I'm not saying one or the other. 00:23:51.360 --> 00:24:00.360 I'm saying real spiritual warfare happens when we take on the high stakes. 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:06.360 Any thoughts, any questions? 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:09.360 I'm not saying bring on the demons or anything. 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.360 Bring it on. 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:16.360 No, I'm just saying there's a whole new place to enter into. 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:18.360 Okay. 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:23.360 Our mandate is very simple, Acts 26, 17-19. 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:25.360 Read it from the message. 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:26.360 It is so clear. 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:28.360 Acts 26, 17-19. 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:30.360 Here's what it says. 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:35.360 I am sending you off to open the eyes of outsiders through your life and words. 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:36.360 I put that in. 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:39.360 I am sending you off to open the eyes of outsiders. 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:40.360 Why? 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:44.360 So that they can see the difference between dark and light and choose light. 00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:48.360 So that they can see the difference between Satan and God and choose God. 00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:55.360 I am sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven and a place in the family, 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:59.360 inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me. 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:02.360 Acts 26, 17-19 from the message. 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:06.360 I am sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders. 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:08.360 How do we do that? 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.360 Through our life and through our words. 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:11.360 Let me start again. 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:15.360 I am sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:19.360 So they can see the difference between dark and light and choose light. 00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:23.360 So they can see the difference between Satan and God and choose God. 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:30.360 I am sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, a place in the family, 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:36.360 inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me. 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:45.360 And then we need to say with Paul that how can we be disobedient to this heavenly vision? 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:47.360 Guys, they should consume you. 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:49.360 It shouldn't be when opportunity comes. 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:56.360 When things begin to consume you, opportunities come. 00:25:56.360 --> 00:26:06.360 I am fascinated at how anything I am passionate about, I find. 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:10.360 We are at a stage in our lives where we have come far enough, 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:16.360 but we wait for the opportunity to come and when it comes we do what is good. 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:21.360 I am saying what about I have been touched by a fire, 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:27.360 so let the world come and watch me burn. 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:37.360 Shout it from the rooftops, shout it till everyone has heard, Jesus has changed my life. 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:40.360 That's different. That's when you've been caught by the fire. 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:43.360 You can't shake it off. You've got to burn. 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:49.360 I want that. I don't want, oh, when the opportunities come, Lord, I will speak your will. 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:53.360 That was good, but we're beyond that now, or should we be beyond that, 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:58.360 where we're consumed with Acts 26, 17 to 19. 00:26:58.360 --> 00:27:09.360 I am sending you off, says the Lord, to open the eyes of outsiders, not of insiders. 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:13.360 I'm sending you off when? When Sue goes to Sri Lanka, when Jacob goes to India? 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:18.360 No, no, no, no. I'm sending you off immediately after the service. 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:23.360 When the service ends, the ministry begins. 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:28.360 I'm sending you off right after this service to do what? To open the eyes of outsiders. 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:33.360 Why, oh God, so that they can see the difference between light and dark, 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:41.360 and they may choose light. And what else, Father, so that they can see the difference between God and Satan, 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:47.360 and choose God. Why, oh God, why so desperate about all these things? 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:52.360 For the same reason that I was desperate about you, so that they may have their sins forgiven, Jacob, 00:27:52.360 --> 00:28:05.360 like your sins are forgiven, that they may have a place in my family, like you have a place in my family. 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:08.360 So that they may begin real living by believing in me. 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:14.360 And our response is, we cannot be disobedient to this heavenly vision. 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:17.360 We cannot be disobedient to this heavenly vision. 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:21.360 Hey guys, I know you've heard this before. 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:30.360 But if it had impacted me as much as it is beginning to impact me now, I'd have been doing this ages ago. 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:41.360 The only reason we are still where we are is because it ain't done nothing inside yet, but it is beginning. 00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:47.360 So this isn't old, this is new for us. 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:54.360 Just don't let your ears or your mind say to you, I know all this. 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:57.360 Yeah. 00:28:57.360 --> 00:29:06.360 Yeah. Praise God. 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:31.360 Praise God. 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:50.360 Go on. 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:54.360 Awesome. Awesome. 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:57.360 Yeah. Build relationships. 00:29:57.360 --> 00:30:00.360 Remember we talked about this. 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:02.360 What was the first thing? Build relationships. 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:05.360 No, the first was something else. 00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:08.360 No, that was after build relationships. 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:12.360 Seek out. Seek out, build relationships, open your home. 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:24.360 Derek, I mean, I think today you're associate pastor and Jeevan's been... 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:27.360 Yeah. So seek out. First thing is seek out. 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:29.360 Second thing is build relationships. 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:31.360 Seek out, build relationships. Seek out, build relationships. 00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:34.360 Jesus was very good at this. 00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:36.360 Seek out, build relationships. 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:38.360 And let it take time guys. Don't be in a hurry. 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:40.360 Who wants to seal a deal? 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:42.360 These are not seal a deal thingies. 00:30:42.360 --> 00:30:46.360 Jesus is not seal a deal. 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:50.360 I mean, what blows my mind is when Jesus turns to a scribe and says, 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:53.360 You are almost in the kingdom of God. 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:57.360 And then he walks away. Who does that? 00:30:57.360 --> 00:31:02.360 He says, you're at the door of the kingdom. 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:05.360 Well, Jesus, then push him through. 00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:09.360 He says, your response shows me that you're almost at the kingdom of God. 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:21.360 And then Jesus goes away. 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:29.360 Ephesians 3, 9, My task is to bring out into the open and make plain what has been hidden for ages in God who created all things. 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:38.360 My task is to bring out into the open and make plain what has been hidden in God since the beginning, but is now being revealed. 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:42.360 And what is this thing that had been hidden in God? Jesus. 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:45.360 But it's been made known now for the last 2000 years. 00:31:45.360 --> 00:32:01.360 And I happen to occupy this time in life, in the history of the world, perfectly placed and poised by God, positioned by God to do what I'm supposed to do. 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:04.360 Coworkers with Christ, they think about it for a second. 00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:09.360 Tomorrow morning when I wake up, he is thinking, finally, my co-laborer has woken up. 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:12.360 My coworker has woken up. I got to go. 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:17.360 Like Diana was saying, I hope he gets up and does the things that I am doing. 00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:21.360 What is he doing? He is building his church. 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:24.360 And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:26.360 That is what he is doing. 00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:29.360 And finally, the co-laborer or coworker has woken up. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:33.360 Let's go and do what I do. 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:46.360 I pray God that the Holy Spirit puts such a grip on my heart with regard to this that I'll have to shut him out before I can lose it. 00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:49.360 Colossians 1.27. 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:53.360 The mystery in a nutshell is this. 00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:57.360 Christ in you the hope of glory. 00:32:57.360 --> 00:33:00.360 The mystery in a nutshell is just this. 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:03.360 The mystery in a nutshell is just this. 00:33:03.360 --> 00:33:06.360 Christ in you the hope of glory. 00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:08.360 Christ in you. 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:15.360 Christ in you the hope of glory. 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:42.360 Which then means that if Jacob, my son, Jesus, lives not just with, for, or upon you, but in you, 00:33:42.360 --> 00:34:07.360 then in all things show the world that you have an expectation 00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:19.360 of his power, presence, goodness, and joy. 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:29.360 And once the world sees that this is what real living is like, they'll hunger for what you have. 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:33.360 I delight myself at your table, O God, for you do all things well. 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:36.360 Let them look at my life. 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:39.360 So just see what it says. 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:41.360 Christ, the mystery in a nutshell is this. 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:44.360 Christ in you the hope of glory. 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:45.360 And what does that mean? 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:56.360 It means if Jacob, my son, Jesus, lives not just with you, not just for you, not just upon you, but he lives in you, 00:34:56.360 --> 00:35:10.360 then in all things, dear, dear Jacob, show the world that you have a constant expectation of his power, his presence, his goodness, and his joy. 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:16.360 Exhibit it, son. 00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:24.360 Let them see. 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:30.360 This is basically the essence of what she was singing. 00:35:30.360 --> 00:35:31.360 I will sing, I will shout. 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.360 How can I not sing? 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:34.360 How can I not shout? 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:46.360 Because in everything, just when the waters begin to rise to my nose, again I'll surface because this comes to mind. 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:56.360 Questions, thoughts, comments? 00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:59.360 You're slightly excited about this, right? 00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:01.360 Okay. 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:13.360 Occasionally, I forget that you're playing poker. 00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:16.360 My God, I go over this every week, man. 00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:19.360 Every week I remind myself, Jacob, you must have an expectancy. 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:25.360 You must have an expectation of his power, his presence, his goodness, his joy, and laughter in your life. 00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:26.360 You must have that expectation. 00:36:26.360 --> 00:36:28.360 You lose that expectation. 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:30.360 Christ in you ain't seen. 00:36:30.360 --> 00:36:33.360 Because Christ in you is a hope, the expectation of glory. 00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:42.360 And I'm saying the word glory, kabodoksa, whatever you want to call it, is at the end of the day the presence of Jesus Christ, 00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:49.360 the power of Jesus Christ, the goodness of Jesus Christ, and the joy of Christ, all put together into one. 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:51.360 And you must have this expectation. 00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:52.360 Why? 00:36:52.360 --> 00:37:04.360 Not because he's out there and you're reaching out for it, but because he's in here and he is already all this in you. 00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:07.360 That's a strange thing about this religion of ours called Christianity. 00:37:07.360 --> 00:37:11.360 When external presses in, we don't go out to get something. 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:16.360 When the external presses in, we go in to let him come out. 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:31.360 When this is exhibited in difficult situations, it doesn't matter how difficult the situation is, guys. 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:33.360 It doesn't matter how difficult the situation is. 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:35.360 Learn this. 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:42.360 It doesn't matter how difficult the situation is. 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:47.360 Is it your children? Is it your relative? Is it your friend? Is it your life? 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:52.360 Is it your body? Is it your soul? Is it your spirit? Is it your emotions? Is it your finances? 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:54.360 It doesn't matter how difficult it is. 00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:57.360 There is Jesus. 00:37:57.360 --> 00:38:00.360 There is Jesus. 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:03.360 I have overcome the world. 00:38:05.360 --> 00:38:10.360 Do not battle it as a Christian. 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:18.360 Battle it. Let Christ show you how to see a situation before you can even deal with it. 00:38:18.360 --> 00:38:23.360 Do not go to pet verses. Do not go and read the verses on your mirror. 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:27.360 Don't go to a promise for the day book. 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:31.360 Let Christ show you how he sees it. 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:36.360 If you see how Christ sees it, you are safe. 00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:46.360 This morning I was telling the Lord, Father, I'm really sorry for times when my relationship with you is so smelly. 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:53.360 What I mean by smelly is there are times when I get scared or I'm afraid or I want something in a hurry, 00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:57.360 where I'll go and start asking him like a guy who is scared. 00:38:57.360 --> 00:39:01.360 I'll say, Father, please, Father, I don't know where this is. Please do this for me, Father. 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:05.360 It sounds so beggarish. 00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:09.360 And it bothers me to no extent when I'm beggarish before God, 00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:14.360 because it takes away from who he is and makes me something I am not. 00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:17.360 I hate being an orphan with a good, good father. 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:21.360 And I find myself that there are still times when something happens. 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:28.360 And my reaction is that of a devotee who is begging a God for his indulgence. 00:39:28.360 --> 00:39:33.360 My God, that is not Christianity. 00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:40.360 We don't appease him. We don't go to him and beg. 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:50.360 We are jolly beggars, like C.S. Lewis says, who don't have anything but are happy beggars because we are sons. 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:57.360 Just this morning I was telling him, and then there were two things that I needed to talk to him about. 00:39:57.360 --> 00:40:02.360 So I said, from now on, if I come to you with a beggarly attitude, 00:40:02.360 --> 00:40:06.360 immediately point it out and I'll just leave it alone and you'll have to work it out, 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:08.360 because I ain't going to pray that way anymore. 00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:11.360 I ain't going to pray to you that way anymore. 00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:18.360 I would rather be scared and stew in my fear than pray to you in fear from the place of a beggar, 00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:22.360 because I am a son and I cannot act like a beggar with you, 00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:26.360 because it puts dirty marks over your face, oh God. 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:38.360 Do you see why sometimes the world doesn't see the church as an alternative, 00:40:38.360 --> 00:40:43.360 but just a nicer version of some other religion? 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:52.360 No other religion gives its people the privilege of being sons. 00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:59.360 If that is the greatest gift given to us, then that is the greatest gift that must be shown. 00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:05.360 Right off in John chapter 1, it starts off with what? 00:41:05.360 --> 00:41:13.360 And to them that received him, he gave them the right to be called sons, the children of God. 00:41:13.360 --> 00:41:22.360 No other religion, no other faith, no other ism gives its people the right to be called sons and daughters. 00:41:22.360 --> 00:41:33.360 And if that is your distinguishing mark, then you must let the world see that before it sees anything else, 00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:38.360 because we were sons before we became orphans through sin. 00:41:38.360 --> 00:41:43.360 But how can we show them we are sons if we don't behave like sons? 00:41:43.360 --> 00:41:51.360 Therefore I must remove from my life words and phrases and approaches that diminish him as a father. 00:41:51.360 --> 00:41:59.360 Seek to know his glory, guys. Seek to know his power, presence, goodness, joy. 00:41:59.360 --> 00:42:07.360 Seek to know it so that you can make it known all over the earth as the waters cover the seas. 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:12.360 Seek to know that you can make it known to the world. 00:42:13.360 --> 00:42:21.360 Seek to know it so that you can make it known all over the earth as the waters cover the seas. 00:42:21.360 --> 00:42:30.360 Seek to know it. Seek to know his goodness, seek to know his power, seek to know his presence. 00:42:30.360 --> 00:42:35.360 Seek to know it so that you may make it known. 00:42:36.360 --> 00:42:43.360 You know who brings this power, presence, goodness and joy to you? 00:42:43.360 --> 00:42:48.360 The Holy Spirit. In 1 Peter 4, 14, He's called the Spirit of Glory. 00:42:48.360 --> 00:42:55.360 Can you believe that? He is called the Spirit of Glory in 1 Peter 4, 14. 00:42:55.360 --> 00:43:05.360 Seek and find, seek and find every morning and then abandon yourself and receive the Spirit of Glory. 00:43:05.360 --> 00:43:10.360 Just receive Him every morning. 00:43:10.360 --> 00:43:15.360 He yearns jealously over me. He yearns jealously over me. 00:43:15.360 --> 00:43:21.360 He yearns jealously over me. My God, He doesn't push me. 00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:26.360 But give Him even an inch and He'll fill it. 00:43:26.360 --> 00:43:30.360 He'll fill it. 00:43:30.360 --> 00:43:32.360 And there's never an end to it. 00:43:32.360 --> 00:43:42.360 Moses would observe the glory of God every day in the pillar of cloud and at night when he'd wake up, 00:43:42.360 --> 00:43:47.360 he would again see the glory of God in the pillar of fire. 00:43:47.360 --> 00:43:52.360 He would go into the tent of meeting and he would again see the glory of God. 00:43:52.360 --> 00:43:57.360 And you would think that for a man who walked in the Old Testament that was sufficient. 00:43:57.360 --> 00:44:05.360 But then he goes up the mountain with 72 others and they eat and drink with God and they see the glory of God. 00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:09.360 And you would think that would be enough for a man in the Old Covenant. 00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:13.360 But no, he goes up Mount Sinai and he insists that, 00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:17.360 And he insists that, Oh God, show me your glory. 00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:19.360 And God says, I'll show you more. 00:44:19.360 --> 00:44:30.360 And he hides them in the cleft of the rock behind his hand and he shows him more of who God is. 00:44:30.360 --> 00:44:37.360 Thirst for Him, as in thirst for the Spirit of glory saying, Oh God, I seek you. 00:44:37.360 --> 00:44:40.360 I heard that you yearn for me jealously. 00:44:40.360 --> 00:44:43.360 Holy Spirit, I want to yearn for you jealously. 00:44:43.360 --> 00:44:48.360 And then after I find you every morning, because you will be there, 00:44:48.360 --> 00:44:54.360 I will abandon myself to you so that I can receive more of you as I give you inch by inch 00:44:54.360 --> 00:44:58.360 that you will not have to fight for because I give it willingly. 00:44:58.360 --> 00:45:03.360 Because what else can I keep it for? 00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:16.360 And then what the power and the goodness and the presence and the laughter of God can do through you, for others. 00:45:16.360 --> 00:45:25.360 First He will do it for you and then once it is for you, it will be through you for the sake of others. 00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:28.360 There's never an end to this. That's the best part. 00:45:28.360 --> 00:45:35.360 I can never come to Acts 29 service and say, We finally touched it. 00:45:35.360 --> 00:45:38.360 Next Sunday it's going to be different. 00:45:38.360 --> 00:45:43.360 I can never say after a great day with God, My God, I've never been here. 00:45:43.360 --> 00:45:48.360 Sure, you've never been here, but you haven't seen what is just around the bend. 00:45:48.360 --> 00:45:53.360 And then when you actually get to see it every day, it's a little further, little further, little further. 00:45:53.360 --> 00:45:55.360 Never going to be an end to this. 00:45:55.360 --> 00:46:04.360 This is why He is satisfying and so unsatisfying, which is not putting a black mark on him. 00:46:04.360 --> 00:46:09.360 I'm just saying every time you think you're satisfied, it's just a facet that you saw that you enjoyed. 00:46:09.360 --> 00:46:18.360 And there is more because He's infinite. 00:46:18.360 --> 00:46:24.360 We'll sing that song before we go. Holy Spirit, you're welcome here. 00:46:24.360 --> 00:46:30.360 Because who is He who transforms you to Christ's likeness with increasing glory? 00:46:30.360 --> 00:46:36.360 Second Corinthians 3.18 says, It's the Spirit of God. 00:46:36.360 --> 00:46:43.360 It's the Spirit of God. 00:46:43.360 --> 00:46:51.360 It is the Holy Spirit. 00:46:51.360 --> 00:46:59.360 I think as he hears us talking about Him right now, as he sees what you're thinking, I think he's thrilled. 00:46:59.360 --> 00:47:03.360 To become aware of Him is to become aware of the Son. 00:47:03.360 --> 00:47:06.360 And to know the Son is to know the Father. 00:47:06.360 --> 00:47:15.360 He just thrills when we become aware of Him. 00:47:15.360 --> 00:47:20.360 He's willing, eh? Because He yearns jealously over you. 00:47:20.360 --> 00:47:23.360 Have you ever yearned jealously over somebody? 00:47:23.360 --> 00:47:28.360 You want to do something for them desperately. You want to love them. You want to do something for them. 00:47:28.360 --> 00:47:35.360 You yearn jealously over them. And yet you can't if they don't say please or yes or nod. 00:47:35.360 --> 00:47:40.360 And then suddenly you're just waiting, you're bursting at the seams to do something for them. 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:44.360 And then they say yes. And you just overwhelm them. 00:47:44.360 --> 00:47:52.360 That's the sense of it. I yearn jealously over you, Jacob. 00:47:52.360 --> 00:48:07.360 And the strange thing is you have capacity for me. 00:48:07.360 --> 00:48:12.360 Seek to behold, seek to be undone, seek to be remade. 00:48:12.360 --> 00:48:16.360 Seek to behold, seek to be undone, seek to be remade. 00:48:16.360 --> 00:48:20.360 This is what happened with Isaiah. 00:48:20.360 --> 00:48:23.360 Woe, I am undone, but then he is remade. 00:48:23.360 --> 00:48:26.360 Seek to behold, oh but I have seen the glory of the King. 00:48:26.360 --> 00:48:30.360 Woe, I am undone, but then the cold touches your lips and you're remade. 00:48:30.360 --> 00:48:35.360 Seek to behold, seek to be undone, seek to be remade. 00:48:35.360 --> 00:48:38.360 What do you think happened at the Mount of Transfiguration? 00:48:38.360 --> 00:48:41.360 They beheld, they were undone, they hid. 00:48:41.360 --> 00:48:44.360 Then they decided to make shelters. 00:48:44.360 --> 00:48:46.360 And then they were remade. 00:48:46.360 --> 00:48:48.360 Seek to behold. How do we know that? 00:48:48.360 --> 00:48:51.360 Because in 2 Peter, chapter 2, Peter talks about it. 00:48:51.360 --> 00:48:57.360 We beheld his majesty. 00:48:57.360 --> 00:49:01.360 A part of the way we do that is through worship. 00:49:01.360 --> 00:49:04.360 Engage in your times of worship. It doesn't have to be a song. 00:49:04.360 --> 00:49:06.360 But engage in your times of worship. 00:49:06.360 --> 00:49:08.360 Because worship brings him into focus. 00:49:08.360 --> 00:49:10.360 It's not that he gets bigger, you see him bigger. 00:49:10.360 --> 00:49:12.360 Behold him so that you are undone. 00:49:12.360 --> 00:49:15.360 I was undone today at a time of worship. 00:49:15.360 --> 00:49:20.360 For I seem as a far greater word sometimes during worship than I would normally. 00:49:20.360 --> 00:49:23.360 Behold him, be undone. 00:49:23.360 --> 00:49:24.360 And then be remade. 00:49:24.360 --> 00:49:26.360 Something happens to your spirit. 00:49:26.360 --> 00:49:28.360 And your heart and your flesh cry out for the living God. 00:49:28.360 --> 00:49:31.360 Something happens guys. 00:49:31.360 --> 00:49:37.360 We can't do it once every week, right? 00:49:37.360 --> 00:49:39.360 Sing. 00:49:39.360 --> 00:49:41.360 One name. 00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:44.360 Sing it in your own time. 00:49:44.360 --> 00:49:47.360 Don't know the verse's goal. 00:49:47.360 --> 00:49:50.360 It will still work. 00:49:50.360 --> 00:49:55.360 You'll catch the end of something and it will be enough. 00:49:55.360 --> 00:49:59.360 Worship him. Have deep expectation and yearning for the Holy Spirit. 00:49:59.360 --> 00:50:03.360 Worship him. Worship God. Have deep expectation and yearning for the Holy Spirit. 00:50:03.360 --> 00:50:05.360 Then exert faith to receive him. 00:50:05.360 --> 00:50:07.360 Then step out man. Let him. 00:50:07.360 --> 00:50:09.360 Be foolish to allow him to create opportunities. 00:50:09.360 --> 00:50:11.360 If I am foolish, he creates opportunities. 00:50:11.360 --> 00:50:16.360 Allow him by being foolish so that he can create opportunities that you can walk in. 00:50:16.360 --> 00:50:23.360 Allow him by being foolish so that he can create opportunities for you to walk in. 00:50:23.360 --> 00:50:27.360 I'm going to utrakan to deal with something I've never dealt with that is far bigger than me. 00:50:27.360 --> 00:50:31.360 And I'm being really foolish. 00:50:31.360 --> 00:50:35.360 But I'm so looking forward to it. 00:50:35.360 --> 00:50:38.360 Yeah. 00:50:38.360 --> 00:50:42.360 Remember these three things guys. 00:50:42.360 --> 00:50:44.360 A new way of thinking. 00:50:44.360 --> 00:50:51.360 Think like God. 00:50:51.360 --> 00:50:52.360 Think like God. 00:50:52.360 --> 00:51:02.360 Because you live in a culture that is so full of ungodly worldviews that 00:51:02.360 --> 00:51:03.360 think with the mind of Christ. 00:51:03.360 --> 00:51:04.360 Think like God. 00:51:04.360 --> 00:51:07.360 And a new way of being. 00:51:07.360 --> 00:51:10.360 Not ashamed of your father in a hostile culture. 00:51:10.360 --> 00:51:11.360 Just keep that in mind. 00:51:11.360 --> 00:51:14.360 Not ashamed of your father in a hostile culture. 00:51:14.360 --> 00:51:17.360 Not ashamed of your father in a hostile culture. 00:51:17.360 --> 00:51:22.360 Father, I won't be ashamed of you in a hostile, intimidating culture. 00:51:22.360 --> 00:51:24.360 I'll think like you, oh God. 00:51:24.360 --> 00:51:27.360 There are many worldviews that intimidate me. 00:51:27.360 --> 00:51:31.360 But I will think like you, oh God, in the midst of an ungodly worldview. 00:51:31.360 --> 00:51:34.360 And I'll be a good responsible servant. 00:51:34.360 --> 00:51:37.360 I'll multiply what you trust me with. 00:51:37.360 --> 00:51:39.360 I'll own nothing, oh God. 00:51:39.360 --> 00:51:41.360 You ask me to give it away, I will. 00:51:41.360 --> 00:51:48.360 But treasure, time, life, work, calling, vision, commission, I'll multiply for your sake and for the sake of others. 00:51:48.360 --> 00:51:49.360 I'll grow in this, oh God. 00:51:49.360 --> 00:51:51.360 Holy Spirit, so help me. 00:51:51.360 --> 00:51:52.360 Yeah. 00:51:52.360 --> 00:51:53.360 Let's sing that song. 00:51:53.360 --> 00:51:57.360 And as you do, just remember, worship him. 00:51:57.360 --> 00:51:59.360 Have deep expectation and yearning. 00:51:59.360 --> 00:52:01.360 He yearns over you jealously. 00:52:01.360 --> 00:52:04.360 He's the only one who can make you into Christ's likeness. 00:52:04.360 --> 00:52:07.360 He brings to you God's increasing glory. 00:52:07.360 --> 00:52:09.360 His power, His presence is goodness. 00:52:09.360 --> 00:52:12.360 Seek Him, find Him, abandon yourself to Him. 00:52:12.360 --> 00:52:14.360 There'll never be enough. 00:52:14.360 --> 00:52:16.360 There'll always be more for tomorrow. 00:52:16.360 --> 00:52:17.360 So don't wait for tomorrow. 00:52:17.360 --> 00:52:21.360 Get everything you can eat today off this banqueting table. 00:52:21.360 --> 00:52:23.360 Because tomorrow it is set again. 00:52:23.360 --> 00:52:26.360 You can sit on your father's lap and eat again. 00:52:26.360 --> 00:52:30.360 This is the breakfast of champions.