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Amazing Facts

Doug Batchelor - Is My Christianity Real? (Part 1)

February 2, 2025 | S25:E15

Doug Batchelor - Is My Christianity Real? (Part 1)
Pastor Doug Batchelor is an energetic speaker of vision and deep spirituality.
#Faith #Lord #Humility #LoveofGod #Flesh #Religion #WordofGod #Perseverance #Patience #Pride #Testing #inActive #AmazingFacts #DougBatchelor #Illness #2Corinthians13:5

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Amazing Facts | Doug Batchelor - Is My Christianity Real? (Part 1) | February 2, 2025
  • Doug batchelor: at four feet tall, the emperor penguin is
  • 00:00:10.193 --> 00:00:12.729
  • The largest penguin species in the world.
  • 00:00:12.729 --> 00:00:15.565
  • Every spring, these majestic birds travel up to 75 miles
  • 00:00:15.565 --> 00:00:19.936
  • Inland on the arctic ice pack, walking and sliding on their
  • 00:00:19.936 --> 00:00:23.506
  • Bellies to arrive at one of the most desolate
  • 00:00:23.506 --> 00:00:26.176
  • And remote places on earth.
  • 00:00:26.176 --> 00:00:28.411
  • Once the female lays an egg, her male companion quickly rolls it
  • 00:00:28.411 --> 00:00:32.348
  • Onto his feet and covers it with a fold of his fat,
  • 00:00:32.348 --> 00:00:35.318
  • Feathery fur to keep it warm.
  • 00:00:35.318 --> 00:00:37.253
  • While the females leave to feed in the ocean for about two
  • 00:00:37.253 --> 00:00:39.956
  • Months, the males huddle together in clusters for
  • 00:00:39.956 --> 00:00:42.792
  • Protection from the frigid wind, incubating the eggs on their
  • 00:00:42.792 --> 00:00:46.663
  • Feet, while enduring the brutally cold, dark winter.
  • 00:00:46.663 --> 00:00:50.300
  • Emperor penguins demonstrate some of the most patient
  • 00:00:50.300 --> 00:00:52.969
  • Devotion and warm love for their young of any creatures.
  • 00:00:52.969 --> 00:00:56.706
  • And they do this in the coldest conditions on earth,
  • 00:00:56.706 --> 00:01:00.243
  • Where temperatures can drop to 85 below zero.
  • 00:01:00.243 --> 00:01:03.580
  • The bible says in the last days, because lawlessness will abound,
  • 00:01:03.580 --> 00:01:07.817
  • The love of many will grow cold.
  • 00:01:07.817 --> 00:01:10.186
  • But your love can stay warm even in a cold world.
  • 00:01:10.186 --> 00:01:14.190
  • As a christian, are you warming those around
  • 00:01:14.190 --> 00:01:16.960
  • You with god's love?
  • 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:18.761
  • At the heart of all of this is the question,
  • 00:01:18.761 --> 00:01:21.598
  • Is your christianity real?
  • 00:01:21.598 --> 00:01:23.633
  • Join me now, friends, as we look at what the bible has to say on
  • 00:01:23.633 --> 00:01:27.003
  • This very important topic.
  • 00:01:27.003 --> 00:01:29.072
  • Doug: i heard one time about this mission organization that
  • 00:01:33.109 --> 00:01:36.846
  • Was placing missionaries in different parts of the world.
  • 00:01:36.846 --> 00:01:39.115
  • They had a unique way of testing the missionaries.
  • 00:01:39.115 --> 00:01:41.818
  • The candidate was told to arrive at three in the morning for the
  • 00:01:41.818 --> 00:01:45.922
  • Exam, three in the morning.
  • 00:01:45.922 --> 00:01:48.658
  • And so, this one candidate, he came at three in the morning,
  • 00:01:48.658 --> 00:01:52.529
  • He went to the room where he was supposed to meet the examiner,
  • 00:01:52.529 --> 00:01:55.798
  • And he waited there until five in the morning, nobody there.
  • 00:01:55.798 --> 00:02:01.271
  • So, he waited a little longer until eight in the morning,
  • 00:02:01.271 --> 00:02:03.506
  • Finally the examiner came in at eight in the morning.
  • 00:02:03.506 --> 00:02:06.476
  • He said, "can you please spell the word 'baker' for me?"
  • 00:02:06.476 --> 00:02:14.217
  • He said, "baker, b-a-k-e-r."
  • 00:02:14.217 --> 00:02:17.387
  • He said, "very good."
  • 00:02:17.387 --> 00:02:19.022
  • Said, "now, can you please tell me how much is two times two?"
  • 00:02:19.022 --> 00:02:25.495
  • He said, "four."
  • 00:02:25.495 --> 00:02:28.064
  • He said, "very good."
  • 00:02:28.064 --> 00:02:29.699
  • He said, "i think that the mission board is going to
  • 00:02:29.699 --> 00:02:32.035
  • Accept you as a missionary."
  • 00:02:32.035 --> 00:02:34.604
  • And he got up and he left.
  • 00:02:34.604 --> 00:02:37.006
  • That afternoon, the examiner went and he met with the mission
  • 00:02:37.006 --> 00:02:39.509
  • Board, he said, "you know, that candidate that i had
  • 00:02:39.509 --> 00:02:41.177
  • An appointment with," he said, "i think he's going
  • 00:02:41.177 --> 00:02:42.545
  • To make a good missionary."
  • 00:02:42.545 --> 00:02:44.080
  • Said, "i tested him on self-denial.
  • 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:47.550
  • He got out of a warm bed on a cold night while i know he was
  • 00:02:47.550 --> 00:02:51.988
  • Still tired, and he came.
  • 00:02:51.988 --> 00:02:54.257
  • So, i tested him on patience.
  • 00:02:54.257 --> 00:02:56.659
  • I made him then wait from three in the morning until eight in
  • 00:02:56.659 --> 00:02:59.896
  • The morning before i showed up.
  • 00:02:59.896 --> 00:03:02.432
  • I then tested him on humility.
  • 00:03:02.432 --> 00:03:05.068
  • I asked him questions that any child would understand,
  • 00:03:05.068 --> 00:03:09.639
  • And he was not offended.
  • 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:11.507
  • Then i asked him a simple equation of addition,
  • 00:03:11.507 --> 00:03:14.978
  • And he answered it correctly and politely."
  • 00:03:14.978 --> 00:03:19.115
  • And he said, "he's got what it takes to be a missionary."
  • 00:03:19.115 --> 00:03:21.918
  • It's going to require self-denial,
  • 00:03:21.918 --> 00:03:24.354
  • Perseverance, patience, humility.
  • 00:03:24.354 --> 00:03:28.625
  • And so, they were tests.
  • 00:03:28.625 --> 00:03:30.760
  • Well, there are tests in the bible.
  • 00:03:30.760 --> 00:03:33.229
  • There--if you're saying, "doug, how do i know
  • 00:03:33.229 --> 00:03:35.331
  • If my christianity is real?
  • 00:03:35.331 --> 00:03:36.666
  • I want to know, can i know?"
  • 00:03:36.666 --> 00:03:38.067
  • Good news, there's a test.
  • 00:03:38.067 --> 00:03:41.337
  • The bible actually gives you several tests.
  • 00:03:41.337 --> 00:03:43.473
  • And so, we're going to ask that very important question today,
  • 00:03:43.473 --> 00:03:46.509
  • Is my christianity real?
  • 00:03:46.509 --> 00:03:49.078
  • And is there a way to know?
  • 00:03:49.078 --> 00:03:51.948
  • Well you know, the bible tells us that if we are going to do
  • 00:03:51.948 --> 00:03:54.317
  • Something about counterfeit christianity,
  • 00:03:54.317 --> 00:03:57.854
  • Or if our christianity isn't real,
  • 00:03:57.854 --> 00:03:59.622
  • First you've got to identify that, is that right?
  • 00:03:59.622 --> 00:04:02.592
  • And so, there's some preventative
  • 00:04:02.592 --> 00:04:05.461
  • Screening that happens.
  • 00:04:05.461 --> 00:04:07.864
  • Now, i don't know if you've been to the doctor for a regular
  • 00:04:07.864 --> 00:04:10.066
  • Checkup, but if you go for a checkup, you don't always want
  • 00:04:10.066 --> 00:04:12.869
  • To wait until you're sick and then go to the doctor.
  • 00:04:12.869 --> 00:04:15.004
  • As you get a little older, they say you ought to go do
  • 00:04:15.004 --> 00:04:16.973
  • Some preventative health screening.
  • 00:04:16.973 --> 00:04:19.776
  • Something simple like a blood pressure check,
  • 00:04:19.776 --> 00:04:23.846
  • You could prevent death by a simple test like that.
  • 00:04:23.913 --> 00:04:27.750
  • A blood test that could tell you about your blood sugar.
  • 00:04:27.750 --> 00:04:32.221
  • Diabetes can kill a person, you can slip into a coma.
  • 00:04:32.221 --> 00:04:37.226
  • It could tell you about your cholesterol levels,
  • 00:04:37.226 --> 00:04:38.995
  • That could help you prevent a heart attack.
  • 00:04:38.995 --> 00:04:42.065
  • A whole scope of different things can be
  • 00:04:42.065 --> 00:04:44.467
  • Determined by that, cancer.
  • 00:04:44.467 --> 00:04:47.270
  • And so, doing some preventative screening can save your life.
  • 00:04:47.270 --> 00:04:52.241
  • How many of you have known somebody and they came down with
  • 00:04:52.241 --> 00:04:55.778
  • Some terrible terminal disease, and then somebody will say,
  • 00:04:55.778 --> 00:04:59.148
  • "if they had only had that checked a little sooner,
  • 00:04:59.148 --> 00:05:03.619
  • They could have done something, but they waited too long."
  • 00:05:03.619 --> 00:05:07.423
  • You ever heard that?
  • 00:05:07.423 --> 00:05:08.958
  • They waited until it was too late.
  • 00:05:08.958 --> 00:05:11.461
  • Right now, praise the lord, if you're alive and hearing my
  • 00:05:11.461 --> 00:05:14.263
  • Voice, you probably have not grieved away the holy spirit and
  • 00:05:14.263 --> 00:05:17.667
  • It's not too late for you to ask those important and penetrating
  • 00:05:17.667 --> 00:05:21.170
  • Questions: is my christianity real?
  • 00:05:21.170 --> 00:05:25.842
  • Because there will come a time when it'll be too late.
  • 00:05:25.842 --> 00:05:30.613
  • So, now's the time to find out.
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  • How sad it will be on that day to find out that you are
  • 00:05:32.348 --> 00:05:35.084
  • Self-deceived, that you figured, well, this was the world's
  • 00:05:35.084 --> 00:05:38.988
  • Standard of christianity and i measured up to the world's
  • 00:05:38.988 --> 00:05:41.324
  • Standard, and so i thought i was going to make it.
  • 00:05:41.324 --> 00:05:43.559
  • But to hear the words from jesus say, "i'm sorry, i don't know
  • 00:05:43.559 --> 00:05:46.863
  • You," i can't think of anything more frightening than that.
  • 00:05:46.863 --> 00:05:50.133
  • And so, if you're going to know, don't you want to know?
  • 00:05:50.133 --> 00:05:53.803
  • And wouldn't you want to know soon enough
  • 00:05:53.803 --> 00:05:56.105
  • To make a difference?
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  • Now, some people get angry when i talk like this.
  • 00:05:57.440 --> 00:06:00.510
  • And they reproach me and they say,
  • 00:06:00.510 --> 00:06:02.512
  • "pastor doug, you are so works behavior-oriented.
  • 00:06:02.512 --> 00:06:06.382
  • We are not supposed to be looking at ourselves.
  • 00:06:06.382 --> 00:06:08.584
  • We're just supposed to be looking at jesus."
  • 00:06:08.584 --> 00:06:12.722
  • And it is true, a christian principally wants to
  • 00:06:12.722 --> 00:06:14.991
  • Fix their eyes on jesus.
  • 00:06:14.991 --> 00:06:16.626
  • But what i'm saying to you is biblical,
  • 00:06:16.626 --> 00:06:19.295
  • And we're a bible church.
  • 00:06:19.295 --> 00:06:20.630
  • Listen to what paul says.
  • 00:06:20.630 --> 00:06:21.998
  • 2 corinthians 13:5, "examine yourselves as
  • 00:06:21.998 --> 00:06:28.037
  • To whether you are in the faith.
  • 00:06:28.037 --> 00:06:30.740
  • Test yourselves."
  • 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:33.876
  • There is a time for us to scrutinize, to test, to examine.
  • 00:06:33.876 --> 00:06:38.848
  • I'm going to come back to this verse,
  • 00:06:38.848 --> 00:06:40.183
  • But i want to show you it's not the only one 'cause you need at
  • 00:06:40.183 --> 00:06:42.452
  • Least two or three witnesses here.
  • 00:06:42.452 --> 00:06:43.786
  • Lamentations 3:40, "let us search our and examine our ways,
  • 00:06:43.786 --> 00:06:48.324
  • And turn back to the lord."
  • 00:06:48.324 --> 00:06:50.359
  • It's talking about a search.
  • 00:06:50.359 --> 00:06:52.028
  • In the book of haggai chapter 1, verse 5,
  • 00:06:52.028 --> 00:06:54.697
  • "now therefore, thus says the lord of hosts,
  • 00:06:54.697 --> 00:06:57.366
  • 'consider your ways.'"
  • 00:06:57.366 --> 00:06:59.469
  • So, do i have your support that there is a time, the bible
  • 00:06:59.469 --> 00:07:03.372
  • Says that every now and then, we ought to do a little bit of
  • 00:07:03.372 --> 00:07:06.509
  • Introspection and then figure out if there needs
  • 00:07:06.509 --> 00:07:10.246
  • To be some changes?
  • 00:07:10.246 --> 00:07:11.681
  • Now, you don't want to be driving a car looking in the
  • 00:07:11.681 --> 00:07:16.552
  • Rearview mirror all the time.
  • 00:07:16.552 --> 00:07:18.087
  • The rearview mirror is there and it's very important,
  • 00:07:18.087 --> 00:07:21.591
  • But if you spend all your time looking in the rearview
  • 00:07:21.591 --> 00:07:23.526
  • Mirror, you're going to have an accident.
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  • You got to be looking where you're going.
  • 00:07:24.861 --> 00:07:26.395
  • So, principally a christian wants to be
  • 00:07:26.395 --> 00:07:28.831
  • Forward thinking, amen?
  • 00:07:28.831 --> 00:07:30.399
  • You want to look ahead, you want to keep your eyes on jesus.
  • 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.269
  • You want to keep your eyes on the goal.
  • 00:07:33.269 --> 00:07:35.471
  • But every now and then, you better check your mirrors.
  • 00:07:35.471 --> 00:07:37.807
  • You better take--situational awareness is what they call it.
  • 00:07:37.807 --> 00:07:42.278
  • And make sure that you're where you're supposed to be,
  • 00:07:42.278 --> 00:07:44.914
  • You're not drifting into the wrong lane or someone's not
  • 00:07:44.914 --> 00:07:47.650
  • Coming up behind you, going to plow into you.
  • 00:07:47.650 --> 00:07:49.886
  • And so, there needs to be a self test.
  • 00:07:49.886 --> 00:07:52.722
  • The heart needs to be changed.
  • 00:07:52.722 --> 00:07:55.091
  • We need to know that we're converted.
  • 00:07:55.091 --> 00:07:57.426
  • If our hearts are changed, if we are born again,
  • 00:07:57.426 --> 00:07:59.996
  • There'll be a difference.
  • 00:07:59.996 --> 00:08:01.430
  • So, how do you know if you're a real christian?
  • 00:08:01.430 --> 00:08:04.100
  • Number one, going to start right with the most important, love.
  • 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:09.672
  • Do you love the lord supremely?
  • 00:08:09.672 --> 00:08:11.374
  • What's the great commandment?
  • 00:08:11.374 --> 00:08:13.609
  • Love the lord with a little bit of your heart.
  • 00:08:13.676 --> 00:08:16.445
  • What percentage, eighty-five percent?
  • 00:08:16.445 --> 00:08:20.650
  • Isn't that greedy that god would want 100%?
  • 00:08:20.650 --> 00:08:23.653
  • Thou shalt love the lord with all of your heart,
  • 00:08:23.653 --> 00:08:26.289
  • All of your soul, all of your mind.
  • 00:08:26.289 --> 00:08:28.024
  • And this is a test.
  • 00:08:28.024 --> 00:08:29.992
  • Gospel of john chapter 14, verse 23, jesus said, "if anyone
  • 00:08:29.992 --> 00:08:34.564
  • Loves me, he will keep my word; and my father will love him, and
  • 00:08:34.564 --> 00:08:38.734
  • We will come and make our abode with him.
  • 00:08:38.734 --> 00:08:41.003
  • He that does not love me does not keep my word."
  • 00:08:41.003 --> 00:08:43.906
  • So, what's one of the criteria for loving the lord?
  • 00:08:43.906 --> 00:08:47.777
  • Keeping his word.
  • 00:08:47.777 --> 00:08:49.378
  • 1 john 2:15 and 16, "if anyone loves the world," meaning more
  • 00:08:49.378 --> 00:08:54.450
  • Than jesus, "the love of the father's not in him.
  • 00:08:54.450 --> 00:08:58.387
  • For all that's in the world, the desires of the flesh and the
  • 00:08:58.387 --> 00:09:01.457
  • Desires of the eyes and the pride of life,
  • 00:09:01.457 --> 00:09:03.926
  • It's not from the father, but it's from the world."
  • 00:09:03.926 --> 00:09:06.929
  • James 4:4, "do you not know that friendship with the
  • 00:09:06.929 --> 00:09:10.232
  • World is enmity with god?
  • 00:09:10.232 --> 00:09:11.867
  • Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes
  • 00:09:11.867 --> 00:09:14.203
  • Himself an enemy of god."
  • 00:09:14.203 --> 00:09:17.373
  • So, we're going to have a struggle going on, and one of
  • 00:09:17.373 --> 00:09:20.142
  • The principle tests is, do we love the lord?
  • 00:09:20.142 --> 00:09:22.812
  • Now, what if we find, lord, i don't
  • 00:09:22.812 --> 00:09:24.981
  • Love you as much as i should?
  • 00:09:24.981 --> 00:09:26.315
  • Or maybe some of you are thinking,
  • 00:09:26.315 --> 00:09:28.884
  • "you know, i love the lord, but i used to love him more.
  • 00:09:28.884 --> 00:09:31.587
  • When i first became a christian, i was ready to do anything,
  • 00:09:31.587 --> 00:09:34.824
  • Go anywhere jesus wanted me to go.
  • 00:09:34.824 --> 00:09:36.859
  • I was so grateful when i realized he died
  • 00:09:36.859 --> 00:09:38.394
  • For me on the cross."
  • 00:09:38.394 --> 00:09:40.229
  • Well, there's hope.
  • 00:09:40.229 --> 00:09:41.764
  • Jesus speaking to the church in ephesus,
  • 00:09:41.764 --> 00:09:43.532
  • He said in revelation 2:4, "nevertheless i have something
  • 00:09:43.532 --> 00:09:47.103
  • Against you in that you've left your first love."
  • 00:09:47.103 --> 00:09:50.640
  • He didn't say you don't love me anymore.
  • 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:52.274
  • You just don't love me the way you first did.
  • 00:09:52.274 --> 00:09:55.244
  • A lot of couples might say that too.
  • 00:09:55.244 --> 00:09:57.813
  • Remember therefore, so what's the solution?
  • 00:09:57.813 --> 00:10:00.549
  • "remember from where you have fallen.
  • 00:10:00.549 --> 00:10:02.551
  • Repent and do the first works, or else i'll come to you
  • 00:10:02.551 --> 00:10:06.455
  • Quickly and remove your candlestick from its place."
  • 00:10:06.455 --> 00:10:10.159
  • Now, i want you to notice something,
  • 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:11.861
  • That in the verse that's really the foundation for this whole
  • 00:10:11.861 --> 00:10:14.263
  • Sermon, 2 corinthians 13:5, he said,
  • 00:10:14.263 --> 00:10:17.767
  • "examine yourself to see if you're in the
  • 00:10:17.767 --> 00:10:20.469
  • Faith, whether you're in the faith."
  • 00:10:20.469 --> 00:10:21.804
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:10:21.804 --> 00:10:23.139
  • There's a possibility that you might think you are and you're
  • 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:25.775
  • Not, so how do you know?
  • 00:10:25.775 --> 00:10:27.877
  • Tests.
  • 00:10:27.877 --> 00:10:29.211
  • Now, there's two words he uses, examine and then he says test.
  • 00:10:29.211 --> 00:10:35.051
  • Doug: don't go anywhere, friends.
  • 00:10:35.117 --> 00:10:36.452
  • In just a moment, we'll return for the
  • 00:10:36.452 --> 00:10:38.054
  • Rest of today's presentation.
  • 00:10:38.054 --> 00:10:41.457
  • Did you know that aviation engineers have studied the
  • 00:10:41.457 --> 00:10:44.627
  • Bumblebee and determined, with their small wings and their fat,
  • 00:10:44.627 --> 00:10:48.764
  • Hairy bodies, it is aerodynamically
  • 00:10:48.764 --> 00:10:51.300
  • Impossible for them to fly.
  • 00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:54.570
  • But fortunately, the bumblebees have not read those reports yet,
  • 00:10:54.570 --> 00:10:57.940
  • So they keep on flying.
  • 00:10:57.940 --> 00:10:59.909
  • Sounds ridiculous, i know.
  • 00:10:59.909 --> 00:11:01.811
  • Yet, amazingly, many christians say the same thing
  • 00:11:01.811 --> 00:11:05.915
  • When it comes to obeying god.
  • 00:11:05.915 --> 00:11:07.950
  • They say it's impossible for christians
  • 00:11:07.950 --> 00:11:10.486
  • To really live a holy life.
  • 00:11:10.486 --> 00:11:12.655
  • But are they right?
  • 00:11:12.655 --> 00:11:14.023
  • To help get your answers, amazing facts would like to send
  • 00:11:14.023 --> 00:11:16.759
  • You a special book that's called,
  • 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:18.661
  • "is it possible to live without sinning?"
  • 00:11:18.661 --> 00:11:21.664
  • Don't be scared by the title.
  • 00:11:21.664 --> 00:11:23.466
  • This short, thought-provoking guide will highlight the
  • 00:11:23.466 --> 00:11:26.001
  • Biblical tools that god has provided you to help become a
  • 00:11:26.001 --> 00:11:29.371
  • New creature and live a joyful new life.
  • 00:11:29.371 --> 00:11:32.541
  • The practical steps to become an obedient christian will open the
  • 00:11:32.541 --> 00:11:35.778
  • Door for you to receive the amazing rewards god has
  • 00:11:35.778 --> 00:11:39.014
  • Promised his victorious children.
  • 00:11:39.014 --> 00:11:41.484
  • To get your free copy, call the number on your screen and ask
  • 00:11:41.550 --> 00:11:45.087
  • For offer number 187 or visit the web address.
  • 00:11:45.087 --> 00:11:49.091
  • And after you read this incredible resource,
  • 00:11:49.091 --> 00:11:51.527
  • Make sure and share it with a friend.
  • 00:11:51.527 --> 00:11:54.130
  • Well, now let's get back to the rest of today's presentation and
  • 00:11:54.130 --> 00:11:57.133
  • Learn some more amazing facts from the word of god.
  • 00:11:57.133 --> 00:12:01.370
  • Doug: so, when you're testing yourself,
  • 00:12:01.437 --> 00:12:03.672
  • The word is talking about really taking a serious,
  • 00:12:03.672 --> 00:12:08.944
  • Honest look in and around your heart and your life and find
  • 00:12:08.944 --> 00:12:13.916
  • Out, am i measuring up?
  • 00:12:13.916 --> 00:12:15.484
  • So, one thing is, do i really love the lord?
  • 00:12:15.484 --> 00:12:18.120
  • Another test is not only loving god, it's hating evil.
  • 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:22.291
  • How did you know job was a man of god?
  • 00:12:22.291 --> 00:12:25.027
  • Says there was a perfect and upright man,
  • 00:12:25.027 --> 00:12:26.695
  • So job's a good example, right?
  • 00:12:26.695 --> 00:12:28.130
  • Job's going to be in heaven.
  • 00:12:28.130 --> 00:12:30.099
  • Says he loved the lord, he hated evil.
  • 00:12:30.099 --> 00:12:32.735
  • It's not just loving the right things,
  • 00:12:32.735 --> 00:12:34.069
  • It's hating the wrong things.
  • 00:12:34.069 --> 00:12:36.105
  • And the longer you walk with the lord,
  • 00:12:36.105 --> 00:12:38.307
  • The more you will hate sin.
  • 00:12:38.307 --> 00:12:41.076
  • You've heard it said before the longer i live,
  • 00:12:41.076 --> 00:12:43.445
  • The more i know i don't know, right?
  • 00:12:43.445 --> 00:12:46.816
  • It's also true the longer you walk with the lord,
  • 00:12:46.816 --> 00:12:49.218
  • The more sinful sin will appear.
  • 00:12:49.218 --> 00:12:51.921
  • If you're drifting from god, the more you begin to
  • 00:12:51.921 --> 00:12:55.191
  • Accommodate and ignore sin.
  • 00:12:55.191 --> 00:12:58.294
  • So, does sin grieve you is one of the tests.
  • 00:12:58.294 --> 00:13:03.265
  • The great commandment, love the lord,
  • 00:13:03.265 --> 00:13:04.600
  • Love your neighbor, love yourself.
  • 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:06.268
  • Sin is the opposite of that.
  • 00:13:06.268 --> 00:13:07.603
  • Sin hurts god, it hurts others, and it hurts you.
  • 00:13:07.603 --> 00:13:12.241
  • And so, you've got to recognize sin as
  • 00:13:12.241 --> 00:13:14.810
  • An awful thing that it is.
  • 00:13:14.810 --> 00:13:16.579
  • Ezra, you ever read about this?
  • 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:18.614
  • In ezra chapter 9, verse 3, when ezra heard about the terrible
  • 00:13:18.614 --> 00:13:22.518
  • Things that some of the people were doing,
  • 00:13:22.518 --> 00:13:24.253
  • He said, "i tore my garment and my robe.
  • 00:13:24.253 --> 00:13:27.389
  • I plucked out some of my hair and sat down astonished."
  • 00:13:27.389 --> 00:13:32.261
  • He was so grieved, and it wasn't even his sin,
  • 00:13:32.261 --> 00:13:34.930
  • It was the sin of the people.
  • 00:13:34.930 --> 00:13:37.099
  • David, when he realized
  • 00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:38.701
  • About his sin, he said, "i have sinned."
  • 00:13:38.701 --> 00:13:40.035
  • It says therefore he pleaded with god.
  • 00:13:40.035 --> 00:13:42.037
  • He fasted, he laid on his face all night for
  • 00:13:42.037 --> 00:13:45.507
  • Seven days because of the sin.
  • 00:13:45.507 --> 00:13:49.278
  • Now, we live in a sin-saturated world.
  • 00:13:49.278 --> 00:13:53.315
  • And you can get used to it, and that's dangerous.
  • 00:13:53.315 --> 00:13:58.654
  • Romans 7:13, paul said, "sin, that it might appear sin,
  • 00:13:58.654 --> 00:14:04.426
  • Was producing death in me through what is good,
  • 00:14:04.426 --> 00:14:07.196
  • So that sin through the commandment
  • 00:14:07.196 --> 00:14:09.131
  • Might become exceedingly sinful."
  • 00:14:09.131 --> 00:14:11.834
  • We want to understand the--paul said,
  • 00:14:11.834 --> 00:14:13.669
  • "you know, before i was converted,
  • 00:14:13.669 --> 00:14:15.337
  • I thought i was a great pharisee.
  • 00:14:15.337 --> 00:14:16.839
  • And then sin revived and i died.
  • 00:14:16.839 --> 00:14:18.841
  • I saw myself for what i really am."
  • 00:14:18.841 --> 00:14:21.310
  • Sometimes, it's only in the light of the cross
  • 00:14:21.310 --> 00:14:23.012
  • We see how bad sin is.
  • 00:14:23.012 --> 00:14:24.480
  • And so, that, i think, is an accurate test.
  • 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:27.049
  • Another verse, isaiah 33:15, "he who walks righteously and speaks
  • 00:14:27.049 --> 00:14:32.388
  • Uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions,
  • 00:14:32.388 --> 00:14:35.324
  • Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
  • 00:14:35.324 --> 00:14:38.260
  • Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
  • 00:14:38.260 --> 00:14:41.096
  • He shuts his eyes from seeing evil."
  • 00:14:41.096 --> 00:14:44.066
  • Sounds like a fanatic, but listen to what isaiah says,
  • 00:14:44.066 --> 00:14:46.602
  • "he will dwell on high with the lord."
  • 00:14:46.602 --> 00:14:50.272
  • The person who is offended, plug their
  • 00:14:50.272 --> 00:14:52.408
  • Ears, hearing of violence.
  • 00:14:52.408 --> 00:14:54.910
  • They shake their hands when someone tries to bribe them.
  • 00:14:54.910 --> 00:14:57.780
  • They cover their eyes from seeing evil.
  • 00:14:57.780 --> 00:15:00.049
  • You know what that's called?
  • 00:15:00.049 --> 00:15:01.517
  • That's trying to be holy in a wicked world.
  • 00:15:01.517 --> 00:15:04.887
  • You'll have an attitude where you'll understand something
  • 00:15:04.887 --> 00:15:07.623
  • About the sinfulness of sin.
  • 00:15:07.623 --> 00:15:09.258
  • So, as you continue to walk closer with the lord,
  • 00:15:09.258 --> 00:15:11.827
  • You may spot more and more wrong with your life.
  • 00:15:11.827 --> 00:15:14.129
  • That doesn't mean you're not saved.
  • 00:15:14.129 --> 00:15:16.632
  • Really, it's a test, are you still sensitive about sin?
  • 00:15:16.632 --> 00:15:21.270
  • Or have you gotten where you're just not bothered by it anymore
  • 00:15:21.270 --> 00:15:25.207
  • Because too over-exposed, you become numb?
  • 00:15:25.207 --> 00:15:27.776
  • It's like a person who lives by the railroad track and they just
  • 00:15:27.776 --> 00:15:30.379
  • Don't hear the train anymore, right?
  • 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:33.015
  • Or you're in the flight path of an
  • 00:15:33.015 --> 00:15:35.217
  • Airport, you don't even notice.
  • 00:15:35.217 --> 00:15:36.552
  • Friends are visiting, the whole house is shaking as a jet comes
  • 00:15:36.552 --> 00:15:38.821
  • In for landing, and you go, "what noise?"
  • 00:15:38.821 --> 00:15:41.924
  • You just don't hear it.
  • 00:15:41.924 --> 00:15:43.258
  • Or a teenager who learns to sleep through the alarm clock.
  • 00:15:43.258 --> 00:15:45.194
  • It wakes up everybody in the house,
  • 00:15:45.194 --> 00:15:48.297
  • But it doesn't wake them up.
  • 00:15:48.297 --> 00:15:50.899
  • It's kind of frightening, that's where you get to the point where
  • 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.801
  • You're grieving away the holy spirit when
  • 00:15:52.801 --> 00:15:55.471
  • You're not convicted by sin.
  • 00:15:55.471 --> 00:15:58.574
  • It's a dangerous thing. so, that's one of the tests.
  • 00:15:58.574 --> 00:16:02.144
  • And so, that's test number two.
  • 00:16:02.144 --> 00:16:03.746
  • Number three, do i obey jesus as lord?
  • 00:16:03.746 --> 00:16:07.850
  • We often call him our savior, and some say lord and savior.
  • 00:16:07.850 --> 00:16:11.153
  • Well, what is a lord?
  • 00:16:11.153 --> 00:16:12.988
  • A lord is someone who gives commands and you obey no matter
  • 00:16:12.988 --> 00:16:16.625
  • How difficult those commands might be.
  • 00:16:16.625 --> 00:16:19.661
  • Now, this is a bible test.
  • 00:16:19.661 --> 00:16:22.431
  • 1 john 1:6, "if we say we have fellowship with him and we walk
  • 00:16:22.431 --> 00:16:26.268
  • In darkness, we lie and we do not practice the truth."
  • 00:16:26.268 --> 00:16:30.572
  • John 14:15, he said, "if you love me," you know that,
  • 00:16:30.572 --> 00:16:34.143
  • "keep my commandments," amen?
  • 00:16:34.143 --> 00:16:36.745
  • 1 john 2, verse 3 through 6, "now by this we know him,
  • 00:16:36.745 --> 00:16:42.017
  • If we keep his commandments, he who says,
  • 00:16:42.017 --> 00:16:44.119
  • 'i know him,' and does not keep his commandments is a liar,
  • 00:16:44.119 --> 00:16:46.422
  • And the truth is not in him.
  • 00:16:46.422 --> 00:16:48.123
  • But whoever keeps his word, truly the
  • 00:16:48.123 --> 00:16:50.292
  • Love of god is perfected in him."
  • 00:16:50.292 --> 00:16:52.661
  • Now, what's the reason for keeping it?
  • 00:16:52.661 --> 00:16:53.996
  • A love of god.
  • 00:16:53.996 --> 00:16:55.364
  • By this we know that we are in him.
  • 00:16:55.364 --> 00:16:58.600
  • Notice the wording here.
  • 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.469
  • Paul said, "let us examine ourselves whether we are in the
  • 00:17:00.469 --> 00:17:03.605
  • Faith, whether we are in christ.
  • 00:17:03.605 --> 00:17:06.508
  • John tells us here's a test.
  • 00:17:06.508 --> 00:17:08.277
  • By this we know if we are in him.
  • 00:17:08.277 --> 00:17:11.046
  • He that says he abides in him ought himself
  • 00:17:11.046 --> 00:17:14.550
  • To walk as he walked.
  • 00:17:14.550 --> 00:17:16.819
  • But what do you get when you do that?
  • 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.854
  • You get everything else.
  • 00:17:18.854 --> 00:17:20.622
  • Being a real christian means that you obey the lord.
  • 00:17:20.622 --> 00:17:24.860
  • You're not just a hearer of the word.
  • 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:26.395
  • James 1, chapter 1, verse 22, "but be doers of the word,
  • 00:17:26.395 --> 00:17:31.100
  • And not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
  • 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:33.268
  • That's what i don't want, friends.
  • 00:17:33.268 --> 00:17:35.938
  • I don't want to come and stand before the lord in that day,
  • 00:17:35.938 --> 00:17:38.073
  • What you think of me doesn't
  • 00:17:38.073 --> 00:17:39.408
  • Matter at all, do you know that?
  • 00:17:39.408 --> 00:17:40.742
  • I mean, there's days i care, but in the big
  • 00:17:40.742 --> 00:17:44.046
  • Picture, it doesn't matter.
  • 00:17:44.046 --> 00:17:45.714
  • What's really going to matter is what does he think.
  • 00:17:45.714 --> 00:17:49.985
  • Isn't that right?
  • 00:17:49.985 --> 00:17:51.420
  • What you promise me doesn't matter.
  • 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:53.822
  • What he promises me is what matters.
  • 00:17:53.822 --> 00:17:56.325
  • And if i stand before him and he says,
  • 00:17:56.325 --> 00:18:00.562
  • "i don't know you," because i've deceived myself--james says,
  • 00:18:00.562 --> 00:18:03.632
  • "here's one of the ways you could deceive yourself is
  • 00:18:03.632 --> 00:18:05.467
  • Thinking if i've got the words, i don't need the deeds."
  • 00:18:05.467 --> 00:18:10.172
  • He said, "if you're not a doer of the word and only a hearer,
  • 00:18:10.172 --> 00:18:13.308
  • You're deceiving yourself.
  • 00:18:13.308 --> 00:18:14.643
  • For anyone who is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
  • 00:18:14.643 --> 00:18:17.713
  • He's like a man who observes his face in a mirror;
  • 00:18:17.713 --> 00:18:20.249
  • He observes himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets
  • 00:18:20.249 --> 00:18:22.985
  • What kind of man he is.
  • 00:18:22.985 --> 00:18:24.653
  • But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty," meaning
  • 00:18:24.653 --> 00:18:28.157
  • The commandments, "and continues in it,
  • 00:18:28.157 --> 00:18:30.959
  • Not being a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
  • 00:18:30.959 --> 00:18:34.863
  • This one will be," cursed?
  • 00:18:34.863 --> 00:18:36.899
  • No, he'll be blessed.
  • 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:38.700
  • You want to be blessed?
  • 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:40.035
  • There's also blessings that come with the commandments.
  • 00:18:40.035 --> 00:18:42.571
  • Now, is god asking us to keep 80%?
  • 00:18:42.571 --> 00:18:48.710
  • Do we get a 10% discount and he just wants 90%?
  • 00:18:48.710 --> 00:18:51.413
  • Some churches think 90% is all you need.
  • 00:18:51.413 --> 00:18:54.783
  • Or does the lord say, deuteronomy chapter 5,
  • 00:18:54.783 --> 00:18:58.020
  • I think it's verse 29, "oh, that my people would fear me and
  • 00:18:58.020 --> 00:19:02.591
  • Keep all of my commandments always that
  • 00:19:02.591 --> 00:19:05.260
  • It might be well with them," that's a blessing,
  • 00:19:05.260 --> 00:19:07.796
  • "and their children forever."
  • 00:19:07.796 --> 00:19:10.699
  • He's calling us to obey all that we know.
  • 00:19:10.699 --> 00:19:14.403
  • And he promises you'll be blessed.
  • 00:19:14.403 --> 00:19:16.405
  • This is how you separate the genuine from the counterfeit.
  • 00:19:16.405 --> 00:19:19.975
  • Now, i'm not saying that you're not a real christian if you sin.
  • 00:19:19.975 --> 00:19:24.213
  • Is that clear?
  • 00:19:24.213 --> 00:19:26.081
  • The bible makes that clear.
  • 00:19:26.081 --> 00:19:27.516
  • You look at 1 john 1:8, the same guy who said you need to be a
  • 00:19:27.516 --> 00:19:30.619
  • Doer of the word and obey, he said,
  • 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:33.589
  • "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves."
  • 00:19:33.589 --> 00:19:36.825
  • Now, he's talking to the church there.
  • 00:19:36.825 --> 00:19:38.794
  • But what's the difference for the true christian?
  • 00:19:38.794 --> 00:19:41.997
  • What has dominion?
  • 00:19:41.997 --> 00:19:44.366
  • Paul says, "do not let sin reign."
  • 00:19:44.366 --> 00:19:46.969
  • Reign is on the throne.
  • 00:19:46.969 --> 00:19:48.303
  • Do not let sin have dominion over you.
  • 00:19:48.303 --> 00:19:50.539
  • Sin should not control your life.
  • 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:52.307
  • There should be no area of your life where the
  • 00:19:52.307 --> 00:19:54.142
  • Devil has a regular foothold.
  • 00:19:54.142 --> 00:19:56.845
  • It doesn't mean that we don't fall,
  • 00:19:56.845 --> 00:19:58.413
  • It doesn't mean we don't make mistakes.
  • 00:19:58.413 --> 00:20:01.250
  • You have to apply these tests and you'll understand.
  • 00:20:01.250 --> 00:20:04.086
  • There are fruits of sin.
  • 00:20:04.086 --> 00:20:07.055
  • It's adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
  • 00:20:07.055 --> 00:20:09.524
  • Lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
  • 00:20:09.524 --> 00:20:12.661
  • Contentions, jealousy, outbursts of wrath,
  • 00:20:12.661 --> 00:20:15.764
  • You have an anger problem, selfish ambitions,
  • 00:20:15.764 --> 00:20:18.900
  • Dissensions, heresies, evil, murders,
  • 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:21.136
  • Drunkenness, revelry, and the like.
  • 00:20:21.136 --> 00:20:24.239
  • Those are called the fruits of the flesh.
  • 00:20:24.239 --> 00:20:27.276
  • He says, "let all fornication and uncleanness or covetousness,
  • 00:20:27.276 --> 00:20:30.779
  • Let it not even be named once among you,
  • 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:33.348
  • As fitting for saints."
  • 00:20:33.348 --> 00:20:35.417
  • So, there ought to be a difference in
  • 00:20:35.417 --> 00:20:37.019
  • The life of the saints.
  • 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.353
  • "whoever says, 'i know him,' and does not keep his
  • 00:20:38.353 --> 00:20:41.189
  • Commandments," he says is a liar.
  • 00:20:41.189 --> 00:20:43.792
  • All right, test number four.
  • 00:20:43.792 --> 00:20:45.527
  • Talked about a loving god.
  • 00:20:45.527 --> 00:20:46.862
  • Who else are you supposed to love?
  • 00:20:46.862 --> 00:20:49.298
  • Your neighbor. do you love your neighbor?
  • 00:20:49.298 --> 00:20:52.801
  • Jesus said that his followers will be known by love.
  • 00:20:52.801 --> 00:20:55.304
  • "by this all people will know that we are his disciples,
  • 00:20:55.304 --> 00:20:57.939
  • By our love for one another."
  • 00:20:57.939 --> 00:21:00.642
  • 1 john 4:20, "if anyone says, 'i love god,' and he hates his
  • 00:21:00.642 --> 00:21:05.414
  • Brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother
  • 00:21:05.414 --> 00:21:09.785
  • Who he has seen, how can he love god who he has not seen?
  • 00:21:09.785 --> 00:21:13.488
  • And this is the commandment that we have of him.
  • 00:21:13.488 --> 00:21:15.857
  • Whoever loves god must also love his brother."
  • 00:21:15.857 --> 00:21:19.227
  • So, is that clear or is that ambiguous?
  • 00:21:19.227 --> 00:21:22.297
  • Or i should say unambiguous?
  • 00:21:22.297 --> 00:21:24.733
  • Again, jesus said, "everyone who is angry with his brother
  • 00:21:24.733 --> 00:21:28.136
  • Without cause is liable of judgment."
  • 00:21:28.136 --> 00:21:31.340
  • We're supposed to love our brothers.
  • 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:33.008
  • Matthew chapter 6, verse 14, "if you forgive men their
  • 00:21:33.008 --> 00:21:36.678
  • Trespasses, your heavenly father will forgive you.
  • 00:21:36.678 --> 00:21:39.614
  • But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
  • 00:21:39.614 --> 00:21:42.184
  • Neither will your father forgive your trespasses."
  • 00:21:42.184 --> 00:21:46.088
  • So, one of the tests is not only do you just love people,
  • 00:21:46.088 --> 00:21:50.092
  • Do you care about the needs of others?
  • 00:21:50.092 --> 00:21:51.960
  • Do you have sympathy and compassion
  • 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.729
  • In your heart for others?
  • 00:21:53.729 --> 00:21:55.464
  • Do the crying need of poverty and the problems in the world
  • 00:21:55.464 --> 00:22:00.502
  • When people don't know the gospel,
  • 00:22:00.502 --> 00:22:02.137
  • Do you feel concern for your fellow man?
  • 00:22:02.137 --> 00:22:04.139
  • But have you forgiven people?
  • 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:07.075
  • You know, jesus said that this is the benchmark.
  • 00:22:07.075 --> 00:22:09.511
  • He said if you're going to come to my altar and ask for mercy,
  • 00:22:09.511 --> 00:22:12.681
  • But you've got anger in your heart for someone
  • 00:22:12.681 --> 00:22:14.783
  • Else, jesus says what?
  • 00:22:14.783 --> 00:22:16.351
  • "leave your gift at the altar.
  • 00:22:16.351 --> 00:22:18.687
  • Go be reconciled with your brother, then bring your gift."
  • 00:22:18.687 --> 00:22:22.958
  • The bible says you should love your neighbor,
  • 00:22:22.958 --> 00:22:24.626
  • And the bible says you should love your enemy.
  • 00:22:24.626 --> 00:22:26.194
  • I think that it's interesting that he says love your neighbor,
  • 00:22:26.194 --> 00:22:29.431
  • Which is your nigh brother, and then he says love your enemy.
  • 00:22:29.431 --> 00:22:31.933
  • And it is possible that's because so often in the bible,
  • 00:22:31.933 --> 00:22:34.636
  • Your nigh brother becomes your enemy.
  • 00:22:34.636 --> 00:22:38.640
  • You notice the biggest problems in the bible
  • 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:40.409
  • Was with friendly fire.
  • 00:22:40.409 --> 00:22:43.712
  • Joseph's brothers sell him.
  • 00:22:43.712 --> 00:22:45.814
  • David's son hunts him.
  • 00:22:45.814 --> 00:22:47.482
  • David's king tries to kill him.
  • 00:22:47.482 --> 00:22:50.018
  • You often find the disciples are arguing among
  • 00:22:50.018 --> 00:22:52.421
  • Themselves which of them is the greatest.
  • 00:22:52.421 --> 00:22:53.755
  • Sometimes, it's those closest.
  • 00:22:53.755 --> 00:22:55.857
  • And there are people who are married for years to people that
  • 00:22:55.857 --> 00:22:59.761
  • They feel like they're enemies.
  • 00:22:59.761 --> 00:23:02.431
  • What could be closer than a spouse?
  • 00:23:02.431 --> 00:23:04.733
  • So, part of salvation is loving and forgiving
  • 00:23:04.733 --> 00:23:07.402
  • Those that are close to you.
  • 00:23:07.402 --> 00:23:10.071
  • That would be brothers and sisters in the church.
  • 00:23:10.071 --> 00:23:11.907
  • What's going to do the most for evangelism?
  • 00:23:11.907 --> 00:23:13.708
  • All men will know you are my disciples
  • 00:23:13.708 --> 00:23:16.011
  • By your love for one another.
  • 00:23:16.011 --> 00:23:18.213
  • In the early church, they would marvel,
  • 00:23:18.213 --> 00:23:19.848
  • They'd say, "see how they love each other."
  • 00:23:19.848 --> 00:23:22.617
  • And so, this is one of the criteria.
  • 00:23:22.617 --> 00:23:24.486
  • Do we have that primitive christian love?
  • 00:23:24.486 --> 00:23:27.122
  • Have we forgiven others?
  • 00:23:27.122 --> 00:23:29.357
  • You know, one of abraham lincoln's early political rivals
  • 00:23:29.357 --> 00:23:34.062
  • Was a man named edwin stanton.
  • 00:23:34.129 --> 00:23:37.098
  • And he was just absolutely vicious in his attacks
  • 00:23:37.098 --> 00:23:42.103
  • Of lincoln for his politics.
  • 00:23:42.103 --> 00:23:44.206
  • He called lincoln an ape, a gorilla.
  • 00:23:44.206 --> 00:23:47.375
  • He called him terrible things.
  • 00:23:47.375 --> 00:23:49.711
  • Well, when lincoln became president,
  • 00:23:49.711 --> 00:23:51.046
  • He said, "i want stanton to be the secretary of war."
  • 00:23:51.046 --> 00:23:52.714
  • And everyone said, "are you kidding?
  • 00:23:52.714 --> 00:23:54.049
  • He's your worst enemy."
  • 00:23:54.049 --> 00:23:55.383
  • He said, "yeah, but he's the best man for the job,
  • 00:23:55.383 --> 00:23:57.052
  • And i've forgiven him."
  • 00:23:57.052 --> 00:24:00.322
  • You know who spoke at lincoln's funeral?
  • 00:24:00.322 --> 00:24:03.225
  • Stanton.
  • 00:24:03.225 --> 00:24:04.693
  • And he said, "here lies the most perfect ruler of men the world
  • 00:24:04.693 --> 00:24:08.497
  • Has ever seen," because lincoln knew how to forgive.
  • 00:24:08.497 --> 00:24:13.068
  • And he knew that he put into practice the things
  • 00:24:13.068 --> 00:24:16.338
  • That he saw in the bible.
  • 00:24:16.338 --> 00:24:18.406
  • Another test.
  • 00:24:18.406 --> 00:24:20.208
  • This one you already knew, what are the fruits?
  • 00:24:20.208 --> 00:24:23.478
  • Jesus said you'll know them by the fruit.
  • 00:24:23.478 --> 00:24:24.846
  • What kind of fruit are you bearing in your life?
  • 00:24:24.846 --> 00:24:27.883
  • Galatians 5:22, "love, joy, peace,
  • 00:24:27.883 --> 00:24:32.454
  • Longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
  • 00:24:32.454 --> 00:24:35.023
  • Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
  • 00:24:35.023 --> 00:24:37.926
  • You're not saved by your works, but your fruit is going to tell
  • 00:24:37.926 --> 00:24:40.462
  • Whether or not you are saved.
  • 00:24:40.462 --> 00:24:42.564
  • Do you have the fruits of the spirit?
  • 00:24:42.564 --> 00:24:43.899
  • If the holy spirit is in your life, you're saved.
  • 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:46.735
  • If you're being led by the spirit, you're saved.
  • 00:24:46.735 --> 00:24:49.037
  • And what is the fruit of the holy spirit ruling in your life?
  • 00:24:49.037 --> 00:24:51.940
  • It's going to be all those good things.
  • 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.742
  • Galatians tells us that, then matthew chapter 7 said,
  • 00:24:53.742 --> 00:24:56.945
  • "do men gather figs from thistles?
  • 00:24:56.945 --> 00:25:00.282
  • Even so, every good tree will bear good fruit."
  • 00:25:00.282 --> 00:25:03.585
  • You want to know if you're real or not,
  • 00:25:03.585 --> 00:25:04.953
  • What kind of fruit?
  • 00:25:04.953 --> 00:25:06.288
  • "a bad tree has bad fruit.
  • 00:25:06.288 --> 00:25:08.723
  • A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
  • 00:25:08.723 --> 00:25:11.059
  • Nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
  • 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:13.428
  • By their fruits you'll know them."
  • 00:25:13.428 --> 00:25:15.330
  • You ever hear the expression if it swims like a duck,
  • 00:25:15.330 --> 00:25:20.335
  • And waddles like a duck, if it paddles like a duck,
  • 00:25:20.335 --> 00:25:24.105
  • If it flies like a duck, if it quacks like a duck,
  • 00:25:24.105 --> 00:25:27.642
  • What is it?
  • 00:25:27.642 --> 00:25:29.578
  • It's a duck, isn't that right?
  • 00:25:29.578 --> 00:25:32.547
  • And so you start applying some of these tests.
  • 00:25:32.547 --> 00:25:36.651
  • Does he talk like a christian?
  • 00:25:36.651 --> 00:25:39.120
  • Does he spend like a christian?
  • 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.522
  • Does he love like a christian?
  • 00:25:40.522 --> 00:25:41.923
  • Does he or she obey like a christian?
  • 00:25:41.923 --> 00:25:45.126
  • That's a christian.
  • 00:25:45.126 --> 00:25:47.495
  • Do you have the fruits?
  • 00:25:47.495 --> 00:25:48.830
  • You know what else, jesus doesn't just
  • 00:25:48.830 --> 00:25:50.298
  • Say you're supposed to have the right fruits, you're
  • 00:25:50.298 --> 00:25:51.666
  • Supposed to have lots of them.
  • 00:25:51.666 --> 00:25:54.169
  • Says every branch that abides in me will bear much fruit.
  • 00:25:54.169 --> 00:25:58.173
  • So, you might say, "well, i got a little love,
  • 00:25:58.173 --> 00:26:00.075
  • And i do make a little donation, and i do--"
  • 00:26:00.075 --> 00:26:02.978
  • I mean, you know, even the people in jail obey
  • 00:26:02.978 --> 00:26:05.880
  • God some of the time, so you're going to find a little
  • 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:08.116
  • Bit of good in everything.
  • 00:26:08.116 --> 00:26:09.484
  • But christians should have much fruit in their lives, amen?
  • 00:26:09.484 --> 00:26:13.421
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