Pastor Lawson Perdue from the Charis Christian Center outreach speaks to viewers across the globe about the practical message of Jesus Christ
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Grace for Today with Lawson Perdue | Lawson Perdue - The Grace Advantage (Part 1) | August 25, 2025
- (bright music)
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- - praise the lord, friends,
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- And welcome to the broadcast.
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- You don't want to miss this teaching.
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- I am sharing something
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- That i have never really taught at length about
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- From the scripture in over 35 years
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- Of full-time pastoral ministry.
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- We are gonna be talking about what jesus meant
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- When he said, "my grace is sufficient for you,
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- For my strength is made perfect in weakness."
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- (bright music)
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- I want you to open your bibles to 2 corinthians 12,
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- And we're gonna start reading in verse seven.
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- Paul says, "and lest i should be exalted above measure
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- Through the abundance of the revelation,
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- There was given to me, a thorn in the flesh,
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- The messenger of satan to buffet me,
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- Lest i would be exalted above measure.
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- For this thing, i besought the lord three times
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- That it might depart from me.
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- And he said unto me,
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- 'my grace is sufficient for you,
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- For my strength is made perfect in weakness.'
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- Most gladly therefore,
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- I will rather glory in my infirmities
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- That the power of christ may rest upon me.
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- Therefore, i take pleasure in infirmities,
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- In reproaches, in necessities,
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- In persecutions, in distresses for christ's sake.
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- For when i am weak, then i am strong."
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- I wanna talk just a little bit about dealing
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- With difficulties in life through the grace of god.
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- And paul makes a statement and he says,
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- "lest i would be exalted above measure,
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- I was given a thorn in the flesh."
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- And he tells us exactly
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- What the thorn in the flesh was.
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- He says, "the thorn in the flesh
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- Was a messenger of satan to buffet me."
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- So whatever challenge, whatever difficulty this was,
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- More than likely, it had to do with persecutions
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- And afflictions for the gospel's sake.
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- Because when you read the chapter before,
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- Paul's talking about some of those difficulties
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- That he faced while he was going about
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- To accomplish the purpose and the plan of god in life.
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- He said, "when this thing came,
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- I asked the lord three times
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- For it to depart from me."
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- How many of you have ever asked for god for something
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- And did not receive an immediate answer?
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- (congregation speaking faintly)
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- Pastor lawson, right?
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- I'm just saying my name
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- Because this has happened to me plenty of times.
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- And so he asked,
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- And he did not receive an immediate answer.
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- What do we do when we ask god to answer a prayer
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- And we don't receive an immediate answer?
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- Jesus gave him an answer,
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- And i want you to see what jesus' answer was.
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- First of all, i want you to understand what it was not.
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- Jesus did not say, "paul, suffer with it."
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- Religion has interpreted this verse to say,
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- Jesus was just saying, "paul suffer with it,"
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- That's not what he said.
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- What jesus did say was,
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- "my grace is sufficient for you,
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- For my strength is made perfect in weakness."
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- In other words, to me, what jesus was saying to paul was,
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- "learn how to rely on my grace.
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- Learn how to rest in my grace."
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- And then paul goes on and says this,
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- "most gladly therefore,
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- I will glory or rejoice in my infirmities,"
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- That's weaknesses, any type of weakness you might face,
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- "that the power of christ may rest upon me."
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- He says, "the reason i rejoice
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- In difficulties or problems or weaknesses
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- Is because i'm relying on the power of god,
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- Because i know that if i have a weakness,
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- I'm gonna have opportunity to overcome
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- Through the power of christ."
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- He says, "therefore, i take pleasure
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- In challenges, in infirmities, in reproaches,
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- In necessities, in persecutions,
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- In distress for christ's sake,
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- For when i'm weak, then i'm strong."
- 00:05:26.101 --> 00:05:27.736
- In other words,
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- When i learn how to rely on the grace of god
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- In my challenges, in my difficulties,
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- Even though i may not have an immediate answer,
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- I am gonna have an answer.
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- Now, when we talk about this thorn in the flesh,
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- I wanna jump back for a minute
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- And look over in 2 corinthians 11
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- And read verse 23 through verse 28,
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- Where paul talks about some of the problems
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- And difficulties that he faced
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- While he was preaching the gospel,
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- While he was accomplishing the purpose,
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- The plan, and the will of god for his life.
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- He says, "are they ministers of christ?
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- I speak as a fool, i am more:
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- In labors more abundant,
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- In stripes above measure,
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- In prisons more frequent
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- In deaths often.
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- Of the jews five times, i received 40 stripes save one.
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- Three times i was beaten with rods.
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- Once i was stoned.
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- Three times, i suffered shipwreck.
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- A night and a day, i've been in the deep.
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- In journeys often, in perils of waters,
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- In perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen,
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- In perils by the heathen,
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- In perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness,
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- In perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren,
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- In weariness, painfulness, in watchings often,
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- In hunger and thirst in fastings often,
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- Cold and nakedness.
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- Besides those things on the outside
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- That which comes on me daily,
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- The care of all the churches."
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- You know, sometimes you see a religious picture
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- Of paul, and they'll show paul
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- As like this kind of weak, sickly guy.
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- Listen, that is not true.
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- When you read what paul went through
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- As he was going about,
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- Paul went on three extended missionary journeys.
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- Paul faced many difficulties.
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- He was beaten with rods,
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- He says three times.
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- Five times he received 39 stripes.
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- He was whipped with a roman cat o' nine tail.
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- I mean, once he was stoned.
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- In acts 14, the religious persecution got so bad
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- That they stoned him and left him for dead,
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- And the disciples gathered around him
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- And raised him from the dead.
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- He was a day and night in the deep.
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- Have you ever spent 24 hours treading water,
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- Let alone in the ocean?
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- Paul wasn't some little weak, sick person, right?
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- And more than likely,
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- His thorn in the flesh was not a physical sickness.
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- More than likely,
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- His thorn in the flesh was persecution
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- And affliction that came to him
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- For preaching the gospel.
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- But my question today is,
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- What do we do between the time that we pray
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- And the time that we receive
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- The manifestation of what we prayed for,
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- What we're believing god for,
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- However long that that is?
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- Sometimes i've prayed
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- And i've had immediate answers.
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- Other times, i've prayed and it's taken several years.
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- So what do we do in between "amen" and "so be it"?
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- What do we do?
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- Well, i believe one of the first things
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- That we need to do is we need to keep thanking god.
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- Paul talks in philippians where he is in jail
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- For preaching the gospel,
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- And he says this in philippians 4:4,
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- "rejoice in the lord always,
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- And again, i say, rejoice."
- 00:09:51.833 --> 00:09:55.137
- How many of you, if you were in jail
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- For doing what jesus told you to do,
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- Would be rejoicing about it?
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- He says, "rejoice in the lord always."
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- He says, "let your moderation be known to all men,
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- The day of the lord's at hand."
- 00:10:09.184 --> 00:10:11.019
- But this is where i really wanted to get in this scripture.
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- Notice what he says in philippians 4:6.
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- He says, "don't worry about anything.
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- Be careful for nothing.
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- But in everything by prayer and supplication,
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- Pray about it, ask god."
- 00:10:28.537 --> 00:10:32.507
- But then he says this, "with thanksgiving,
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- Let your requests be made known to god."
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- I find that our prayers are answered
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- So much better when we put our asks,
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- Our requests, our supplications
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- In between thanksgiving.
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- He says, "when you pray, thank god for the answer."
- 00:10:50.092 --> 00:10:54.429
- What do we do between when we ask god
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- For something and receive it?
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- How long that...
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- Number one, we need to keep thanking god.
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- I love what paul says in 1 thessalonians 5:16,
- 00:11:04.372 --> 00:11:07.676
- "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing,"
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- He says in the next verse,
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- "in everything, give thanks,
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- For this is the will of god
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- In christ jesus concerning you."
- 00:11:17.185 --> 00:11:20.589
- Don't worry about anything,
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- But contrary wise, pray,
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- Ask god about it, and thank god for it.
- 00:11:24.025 --> 00:11:26.962
- Then he goes on to say this in verse seven,
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- He says, "and the peace of god,
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- Which passes all understanding
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- Shall keep your hearts and minds
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- Through christ jesus.
- 00:11:37.105 --> 00:11:39.674
- I love isaiah 26:3, it says,
- 00:11:39.674 --> 00:11:42.144
- "you will keep him in perfect peace,
- 00:11:42.144 --> 00:11:44.112
- In complete peace, whose mind has stayed upon you
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- Because he trusts in you."
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- Amen? - amen.
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- - don't worry about it, thank god,
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- Ask god about it, amen?
- 00:11:56.825 --> 00:11:59.194
- And the peace of god,
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- Which passes all human understanding,
- 00:12:01.196 --> 00:12:03.064
- Will keep your hearts and minds in christ jesus.
- 00:12:03.064 --> 00:12:07.202
- Then he says in verse eight, he says:
- 00:12:07.202 --> 00:12:10.238
- Finally, he says:
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- I want you to look, right, focus,
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- If there's any virtue, if there's any praise,
- 00:12:17.813 --> 00:12:19.581
- If there's any good thing,
- 00:12:19.581 --> 00:12:20.816
- Keep your mind fixed on what's good,
- 00:12:20.816 --> 00:12:23.819
- Keep your mind fixed on what's right,
- 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:26.822
- Keep your mind fixed on what you can thank god for.
- 00:12:26.822 --> 00:12:30.392
- I've come to a brand new place in my personal life lately,
- 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:34.796
- And it's not like we never face any challenges.
- 00:12:34.796 --> 00:12:37.032
- Some people think pastor lawson
- 00:12:37.032 --> 00:12:38.900
- Never has any challenges
- 00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:40.202
- Because i always tell you about the challenge
- 00:12:40.202 --> 00:12:44.039
- After it's- - a testimony.
- 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:46.341
- - a testimony. - amen!
- 00:12:46.341 --> 00:12:48.109
- - most of the time while i'm going through the test, amen,
- 00:12:49.277 --> 00:12:52.581
- I don't tell you the challenge, amen?
- 00:12:52.581 --> 00:12:55.050
- Some people think that every time i invest,
- 00:12:55.050 --> 00:12:57.452
- I make money, that's not the case, amen?
- 00:12:57.452 --> 00:13:01.122
- Now, i win a lot more than i lose,
- 00:13:01.122 --> 00:13:02.958
- But in between time sometimes.
- 00:13:02.958 --> 00:13:06.428
- But i've chosen to focus on the good, right?
- 00:13:07.329 --> 00:13:11.633
- Sometimes people think
- 00:13:11.633 --> 00:13:12.634
- Because you're in the ministry,
- 00:13:12.634 --> 00:13:13.668
- You never face any problems.
- 00:13:13.668 --> 00:13:15.070
- Well, if you believe what paul said right here,
- 00:13:15.070 --> 00:13:17.639
- You see that paul faced a lot of problems.
- 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:21.109
- If you read about jesus,
- 00:13:21.109 --> 00:13:22.277
- Jesus faced a lot of difficulty,
- 00:13:22.277 --> 00:13:25.113
- Persecutions and afflictions
- 00:13:25.113 --> 00:13:26.581
- From religious people primarily.
- 00:13:26.581 --> 00:13:29.818
- But we need to keep believing god,
- 00:13:30.585 --> 00:13:32.020
- And we need to stay focused on the good.
- 00:13:32.020 --> 00:13:34.756
- Always, always be thanking god
- 00:13:34.756 --> 00:13:38.426
- For whatever good that you can see.
- 00:13:38.426 --> 00:13:41.796
- Hi friends, i certainly hope
- 00:13:42.397 --> 00:13:44.366
- That you're enjoying the broadcast today,
- 00:13:44.366 --> 00:13:47.736
- And we have these teachings
- 00:13:47.736 --> 00:13:49.671
- On "grace advantage" available on our website,
- 00:13:49.671 --> 00:13:54.142
- Downloadable audio, downloadable video,
- 00:13:54.142 --> 00:13:57.479
- Free of charge.
- 00:13:57.479 --> 00:13:59.114
- Don't forget to tell your friends about these teachings,
- 00:13:59.114 --> 00:14:03.251
- And share them with your friends.
- 00:14:03.251 --> 00:14:05.253
- I believe this may be one of my greatest teachings,
- 00:14:05.253 --> 00:14:08.189
- So take advantage of this resource.
- 00:14:08.189 --> 00:14:11.493
- The second thing that we need to do
- 00:14:11.493 --> 00:14:14.195
- Between the time that we pray
- 00:14:14.195 --> 00:14:16.564
- And we receive the manifestation
- 00:14:16.564 --> 00:14:19.567
- Of what we're praying for,
- 00:14:19.567 --> 00:14:20.835
- Is we need to cease from our own works.
- 00:14:20.835 --> 00:14:25.907
- I want you to turn with me to hebrews 4.
- 00:14:26.775 --> 00:14:30.478
- Hebrews 4 is talking actually
- 00:14:30.478 --> 00:14:34.149
- About resting in grace.
- 00:14:34.649 --> 00:14:36.151
- I believe hebrews 4 is talking
- 00:14:36.151 --> 00:14:38.620
- About what jesus was actually telling paul
- 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:41.790
- In 2 corinthians 12.
- 00:14:41.790 --> 00:14:43.825
- I wanna read the first three verses,
- 00:14:43.825 --> 00:14:46.528
- And then i wanna read verse 10.
- 00:14:46.528 --> 00:14:49.397
- "let us therefore fear lest a promise
- 00:14:50.198 --> 00:14:52.634
- Being left of us entering into his rest,
- 00:14:52.634 --> 00:14:55.537
- Any of you should seem to come short of it."
- 00:14:55.537 --> 00:14:58.740
- In other words, god wants us to walk in all the promises.
- 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:03.545
- "for unto us was the gospel preached
- 00:15:04.312 --> 00:15:06.614
- As well as unto them,"
- 00:15:06.614 --> 00:15:08.450
- He's talking about those in the old testament
- 00:15:08.450 --> 00:15:10.885
- That were coming out of egypt into the promised land.
- 00:15:10.885 --> 00:15:15.056
- "but the word preached did not profit them
- 00:15:15.056 --> 00:15:18.960
- Not being mixed with faith in those who heard it."
- 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:24.466
- "for we who have believed do enter into rest,
- 00:15:25.433 --> 00:15:29.804
- As he said, 'as i swore in my wrath,
- 00:15:29.804 --> 00:15:33.608
- If they will enter into my rest,'
- 00:15:33.608 --> 00:15:37.746
- Although the works were finished
- 00:15:37.746 --> 00:15:42.083
- From the foundation of the world."
- 00:15:42.083 --> 00:15:46.788
- When you read that, "the works were finished
- 00:15:46.788 --> 00:15:48.723
- From the foundation of the world,"
- 00:15:48.723 --> 00:15:50.258
- What's the writer here talking about?
- 00:15:50.258 --> 00:15:53.661
- Revelation 13:8 says that "jesus was the lamb slain
- 00:15:54.729 --> 00:15:59.401
- From the foundation of the world."
- 00:15:59.401 --> 00:16:04.272
- I believe he's talking about, amen, the cross.
- 00:16:04.272 --> 00:16:09.010
- When jesus died on the cross,
- 00:16:09.010 --> 00:16:10.445
- He said these three beautiful words in john 19:30.
- 00:16:10.445 --> 00:16:14.015
- He said, "it is finished." - finished!
- 00:16:14.015 --> 00:16:18.086
- - when you begin to understand
- 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:20.155
- What that scripture means,
- 00:16:20.155 --> 00:16:21.356
- It really means all of our sins
- 00:16:21.356 --> 00:16:23.291
- Have already been paid for.
- 00:16:23.291 --> 00:16:25.293
- It means that jesus has already paid the price
- 00:16:26.194 --> 00:16:29.064
- For all of the promises to be working in our life,
- 00:16:29.064 --> 00:16:32.901
- He's already paid for our healing.
- 00:16:32.901 --> 00:16:35.603
- He's already paid for our physical
- 00:16:35.603 --> 00:16:37.639
- And financial provision.
- 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.674
- He's already paid for every promise.
- 00:16:40.442 --> 00:16:42.444
- He said "it is finished."
- 00:16:42.444 --> 00:16:46.848
- Praise god.
- 00:16:46.848 --> 00:16:48.249
- Then we go to verse 10, notice what he says,
- 00:16:48.249 --> 00:16:51.352
- "for he who has entered into his rest,
- 00:16:51.352 --> 00:16:54.722
- He has ceased from his own works
- 00:16:54.722 --> 00:16:58.526
- As god did from his."
- 00:16:58.526 --> 00:17:01.963
- In other words, when we enter into the rest of faith
- 00:17:03.031 --> 00:17:06.768
- Or when we enter to the grace of god
- 00:17:06.768 --> 00:17:09.537
- And we're resting in the grace of god,
- 00:17:09.537 --> 00:17:12.740
- We cease from our own works.
- 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.476
- In other words, it's not about all the things
- 00:17:14.476 --> 00:17:16.544
- That we are doing.
- 00:17:16.544 --> 00:17:18.847
- It's about what he's done.
- 00:17:19.414 --> 00:17:21.850
- And if there's a problem in churches like this
- 00:17:22.784 --> 00:17:25.587
- Where we boldly proclaim the promises,
- 00:17:25.587 --> 00:17:28.256
- One of the major problems that i see
- 00:17:28.256 --> 00:17:30.358
- Is when people hear these promises, they go,
- 00:17:30.358 --> 00:17:33.194
- And if they're not watchful,
- 00:17:33.194 --> 00:17:36.030
- They try to accomplish god's promise
- 00:17:36.030 --> 00:17:39.300
- In their own strength, in their own ability,
- 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:42.137
- And they become frustrated.
- 00:17:42.137 --> 00:17:44.839
- You don't wanna become frustrated
- 00:17:45.573 --> 00:17:47.809
- Trying to receive what jesus already did for you.
- 00:17:48.810 --> 00:17:52.447
- Amen, i was preaching on the scripture one time
- 00:17:53.381 --> 00:17:55.216
- And i said, the lord actually had spoke to me,
- 00:17:55.216 --> 00:17:57.118
- He said, "pastor lawson, take a vacation."
- 00:17:57.118 --> 00:18:00.021
- (congregation laughs)
- 00:18:00.021 --> 00:18:03.625
- I've only ever did this one time in my whole ministry.
- 00:18:04.726 --> 00:18:07.762
- And i sat in a rocking chair on the stage
- 00:18:08.630 --> 00:18:11.733
- And preached the whole message while i was sitting,
- 00:18:11.733 --> 00:18:15.937
- And some of you're laughing,
- 00:18:15.937 --> 00:18:17.539
- 'cause you know me,
- 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.973
- In the rocking chair talking about resting
- 00:18:18.973 --> 00:18:22.076
- In the grace of god.
- 00:18:22.076 --> 00:18:26.881
- So number one, keep rejoicing, amen?
- 00:18:27.649 --> 00:18:30.585
- Keep thanking god for the good that we see.
- 00:18:30.585 --> 00:18:34.489
- But number two, cease from our own works.
- 00:18:34.489 --> 00:18:37.058
- Realize, amen, that if this is gonna get done,
- 00:18:37.058 --> 00:18:42.330
- It's gonna be by the grace of god,
- 00:18:43.097 --> 00:18:45.433
- Not by my strength, not by my ability,
- 00:18:45.433 --> 00:18:47.602
- Not by something that i've done in addition to that,
- 00:18:47.602 --> 00:18:51.306
- But by resting in his grace.
- 00:18:51.306 --> 00:18:55.510
- I believe the third thing that we need to do
- 00:18:56.411 --> 00:18:57.946
- Between the time that we pray
- 00:18:57.946 --> 00:19:00.381
- And the time that we receive the answer to our prayer,
- 00:19:00.381 --> 00:19:02.984
- Number one, keep thanking god.
- 00:19:02.984 --> 00:19:04.953
- Number two, cease from our own works.
- 00:19:05.753 --> 00:19:08.122
- Make a decision that i'm gonna rest in the grace of god.
- 00:19:08.122 --> 00:19:12.093
- I'm gonna totally trust jesus in this situation.
- 00:19:13.061 --> 00:19:16.831
- But number three, we need to keep being
- 00:19:16.831 --> 00:19:18.833
- Who god made us to be.
- 00:19:18.833 --> 00:19:22.904
- In john 15,
- 00:19:23.238 --> 00:19:25.740
- There's a beautiful parable, we might call it,
- 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:31.012
- Where jesus talks about the vine and the branches.
- 00:19:32.046 --> 00:19:34.949
- And i want you to turn with me to john 15,
- 00:19:34.949 --> 00:19:37.218
- And i wanna read actually three verses to begin with.
- 00:19:37.218 --> 00:19:44.325
- But in john 15::5, jesus says this,
- 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:49.564
- "i'm the vine and you're the branches.
- 00:19:49.564 --> 00:19:53.268
- He who abides in me and i in him,
- 00:19:53.935 --> 00:19:56.871
- The same brings forth much fruit.
- 00:19:56.871 --> 00:20:01.909
- For without me, you can do nothing.
- 00:20:02.710 --> 00:20:06.080
- If a man abide not in me,
- 00:20:06.648 --> 00:20:08.283
- He is cast forth as a branch and is withered."
- 00:20:08.283 --> 00:20:11.686
- "and men," notice that it doesn't say god,
- 00:20:11.686 --> 00:20:15.323
- It says "men gather them
- 00:20:15.323 --> 00:20:17.992
- And cast them into the fire and they are burned.
- 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:23.631
- In other words, jesus said,
- 00:20:24.232 --> 00:20:25.366
- "if you don't stay connected to me,
- 00:20:25.366 --> 00:20:27.935
- You're gonna wither up, you're gonna dry up.
- 00:20:28.836 --> 00:20:32.974
- You're gonna become unfruitful in this life,
- 00:20:32.974 --> 00:20:36.311
- And really, unfruitful in the world
- 00:20:36.311 --> 00:20:39.747
- To the point that not god,
- 00:20:39.747 --> 00:20:42.383
- But men will gather you up
- 00:20:42.383 --> 00:20:43.818
- And throw you in the fire.
- 00:20:43.818 --> 00:20:46.087
- You're not gonna make a lot of change,
- 00:20:46.087 --> 00:20:47.622
- You're not gonna make a lot of difference in this world,
- 00:20:47.622 --> 00:20:49.557
- You gotta stay you connected to jesus."
- 00:20:49.557 --> 00:20:52.627
- But then he goes on to say this in verse seven,
- 00:20:53.561 --> 00:20:55.663
- "if you abide in me and my words abide in you,
- 00:20:55.663 --> 00:21:00.468
- You shall ask what you will
- 00:21:01.069 --> 00:21:03.771
- And it shall be done to you."
- 00:21:03.771 --> 00:21:06.674
- In other words, jesus says,
- 00:21:07.275 --> 00:21:08.176
- "take up residence in me."
- 00:21:08.176 --> 00:21:11.012
- If you abide in him
- 00:21:11.479 --> 00:21:13.681
- And his word is abiding in you, guess what?
- 00:21:13.681 --> 00:21:17.652
- When you ask what you will,
- 00:21:18.252 --> 00:21:19.854
- Your will's gonna be congruent with his will.
- 00:21:19.854 --> 00:21:23.791
- You shall ask what you will
- 00:21:24.392 --> 00:21:26.794
- And it shall be done to you.
- 00:21:26.794 --> 00:21:30.565
- Then he goes in verse eight, and he says this,
- 00:21:30.565 --> 00:21:35.436
- "herein is my father glorified
- 00:21:36.070 --> 00:21:38.039
- That you bear much fruit,
- 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:39.607
- So shall you be my disciples."
- 00:21:40.241 --> 00:21:43.778
- You know, it's fruit bearing
- 00:21:43.778 --> 00:21:45.146
- And not failure that glorifies god.
- 00:21:45.146 --> 00:21:47.849
- And how do we bear fruit?
- 00:21:47.849 --> 00:21:50.151
- We bear fruit by abiding in christ
- 00:21:50.151 --> 00:21:52.887
- And allowing his life to flow through us.
- 00:21:52.887 --> 00:21:56.491
- We bear fruit through being who god called us to be
- 00:21:56.491 --> 00:22:00.595
- And what god called us to be, amen?
- 00:22:00.595 --> 00:22:03.831
- - amen! - amen!
- 00:22:03.831 --> 00:22:04.932
- - so i believe in between the time
- 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:07.402
- That we pray and we receive our answer,
- 00:22:07.402 --> 00:22:09.203
- We need to keep just being who god made us to be.
- 00:22:09.203 --> 00:22:12.673
- Don't try to be somebody else.
- 00:22:12.673 --> 00:22:14.509
- Don't try to get it just the way somebody else did.
- 00:22:14.509 --> 00:22:17.078
- Just be who god made you to be.
- 00:22:17.078 --> 00:22:18.980
- - [congregation] amen.
- 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.148
- - and just let the spirit of jesus christ flow through you.
- 00:22:21.315 --> 00:22:24.419
- And as you stay connected to him,
- 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:26.354
- His spirit, his life produces fruit in your life.
- 00:22:26.354 --> 00:22:31.426
- Keep being who god made you to be,
- 00:22:32.193 --> 00:22:34.495
- And you're gonna become
- 00:22:34.495 --> 00:22:36.030
- A beautiful fruit-bearing member of the body of christ.
- 00:22:36.030 --> 00:22:39.467
- Have any of you ever seen an apple tree out there
- 00:22:39.467 --> 00:22:41.903
- Granting to produce apples?
- 00:22:41.903 --> 00:22:43.538
- (congregation laughs)
- 00:22:43.538 --> 00:22:47.375
- Have you? - no!
- 00:22:47.375 --> 00:22:48.543
- - what's it does, it just produces, right?
- 00:22:49.444 --> 00:22:51.846
- - amen! - it's just part of who it is.
- 00:22:51.846 --> 00:22:54.615
- And when you get connected to jesus
- 00:22:54.615 --> 00:22:56.184
- And you allow jesus life to flow through you,
- 00:22:56.184 --> 00:22:58.519
- When you stay connected to him,
- 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:00.121
- "if you abide in me and my word abide in you,"
- 00:23:00.121 --> 00:23:03.124
- You let his word abide in you,
- 00:23:03.124 --> 00:23:04.826
- You just stay connected, and guess what?
- 00:23:04.826 --> 00:23:07.562
- You stay dependent on jesus.
- 00:23:07.562 --> 00:23:09.597
- - [congregation] amen.
- 00:23:09.597 --> 00:23:12.200
- - you are gonna bring forth much fruit.
- 00:23:13.067 --> 00:23:14.535
- "without me," jesus said, "you can do nothing."
- 00:23:14.535 --> 00:23:17.638
- Another thing is we need to stay dependent on jesus,
- 00:23:17.638 --> 00:23:22.343
- Because it's not in our strength,
- 00:23:22.343 --> 00:23:24.078
- It's not in our power, it's not in our ability,
- 00:23:24.078 --> 00:23:26.714
- But it's his life and it's his nature flowing through us.
- 00:23:26.714 --> 00:23:31.118
- So what do we do between the time
- 00:23:31.118 --> 00:23:32.987
- That we ask and the time that we receive,
- 00:23:32.987 --> 00:23:36.624
- Especially if it's an extended period of time?
- 00:23:36.624 --> 00:23:42.563
- Number one, keep thanking god.
- 00:23:43.197 --> 00:23:45.533
- Number two, cease from your own works.
- 00:23:46.334 --> 00:23:49.504
- So many people try to help god out.
- 00:23:49.504 --> 00:23:52.840
- You know, there's times god will tell you
- 00:23:53.708 --> 00:23:54.842
- To do something, right,
- 00:23:54.842 --> 00:23:57.645
- Maybe, you know, just something simple.
- 00:23:57.645 --> 00:24:00.815
- But there's other times people
- 00:24:00.815 --> 00:24:02.216
- Are just trying to do all these different things
- 00:24:02.216 --> 00:24:03.818
- 'cause they're trying to make it happen.
- 00:24:03.818 --> 00:24:07.255
- It's kinda like being on a treadmill
- 00:24:08.055 --> 00:24:09.457
- And trying to get somewhere, it's going nowhere.
- 00:24:09.457 --> 00:24:12.760
- The harder you work,
- 00:24:12.760 --> 00:24:14.428
- The more tired you get, right? (laughs)
- 00:24:14.428 --> 00:24:18.499
- So just rest in jesus, amen?
- 00:24:18.499 --> 00:24:21.435
- Cease from your own works.
- 00:24:21.435 --> 00:24:23.371
- Be who god made you to be.
- 00:24:23.371 --> 00:24:25.773
- But the last one is this,
- 00:24:25.773 --> 00:24:27.842
- Keep believing in the goodness of god.
- 00:24:27.842 --> 00:24:32.413
- David actually makes this statement in psalm 27:13.
- 00:24:33.481 --> 00:24:38.219
- He said, "i would've fainted
- 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:40.021
- Unless i believed to see
- 00:24:40.021 --> 00:24:43.057
- The goodness of the lord in the land of a living."
- 00:24:43.057 --> 00:24:46.227
- Keep believing to see the goodness of the lord
- 00:24:46.227 --> 00:24:50.731
- In the land of the living, amen?
- 00:24:50.731 --> 00:24:56.003
- Friends, thank you so much
- 00:24:56.571 --> 00:24:57.939
- For being with us today.
- 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:59.440
- We've been talking about resting
- 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:02.209
- In the grace of god.
- 00:25:02.209 --> 00:25:05.112
- And when jesus said,
- 00:25:05.112 --> 00:25:06.981
- "my grace is sufficient for you,
- 00:25:06.981 --> 00:25:09.483
- For my strength is made perfect in weakness,"
- 00:25:09.483 --> 00:25:12.787
- Jesus was not saying,
- 00:25:12.787 --> 00:25:14.889
- "paul, suffer with this problem."
- 00:25:14.889 --> 00:25:18.025
- Do you know what?
- 00:25:18.025 --> 00:25:19.226
- When people teach things like that,
- 00:25:19.226 --> 00:25:21.329
- They are getting people to a place
- 00:25:21.329 --> 00:25:24.799
- Where they want to accept their problem.
- 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:28.202
- I am here to tell you that jesus is the answer.
- 00:25:28.202 --> 00:25:32.406
- God's promise is the answer.
- 00:25:32.406 --> 00:25:34.942
- And when you rest in the grace of god,
- 00:25:34.942 --> 00:25:37.812
- You can move into the victory
- 00:25:37.812 --> 00:25:40.781
- That jesus already won for us
- 00:25:40.781 --> 00:25:43.150
- In his death, burial, and resurrection.
- 00:25:43.150 --> 00:25:46.153
- And if you need prayer today
- 00:25:46.153 --> 00:25:48.089
- To walk in that victory, call us,
- 00:25:48.089 --> 00:25:50.558
- We have trained prayer ministers
- 00:25:50.558 --> 00:25:52.360
- Waiting to receive your call. (bright music)
- 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:56.130
- - [announcer] thanks that jesus' death,
- 00:25:56.130 --> 00:25:57.331
- Burial, and resurrection,
- 00:25:57.331 --> 00:25:58.833
- You can rest in his grace
- 00:25:58.833 --> 00:26:00.668
- And walk out his new covenant promises
- 00:26:00.668 --> 00:26:03.037
- To fulfill god's plan for you.
- 00:26:03.037 --> 00:26:05.206
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