Lawson Perdue - The Grace Advantage (Part 1)

August 25, 2025 | 29:55

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."
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  • 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."
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  • 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."
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  • 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."
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  • 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."
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  • 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,
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  • "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."
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  • 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.
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  • I love isaiah 26:3, it says,
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  • "you will keep him in perfect peace,
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  • 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?
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  • And the peace of god,
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  • Which passes all human understanding,
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  • 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,
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  • If there's any good thing,
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  • Keep your mind fixed on what's good,
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  • Keep your mind fixed on what's right,
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  • Keep your mind fixed on what you can thank god for.
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  • I've come to a brand new place in my personal life lately,
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  • And it's not like we never face any challenges.
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  • Some people think pastor lawson
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  • Never has any challenges
  • 00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:40.202
  • Because i always tell you about the challenge
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  • After it's- - a testimony.
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  • - a testimony. - amen!
  • 00:12:46.341 --> 00:12:48.109
  • - most of the time while i'm going through the test, amen,
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  • 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,
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  • But in between time sometimes.
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  • But i've chosen to focus on the good, right?
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  • Sometimes people think
  • 00:13:11.633 --> 00:13:12.634
  • Because you're in the ministry,
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  • You never face any problems.
  • 00:13:13.668 --> 00:13:15.070
  • Well, if you believe what paul said right here,
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  • 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,
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  • Persecutions and afflictions
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  • From religious people primarily.
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  • But we need to keep believing god,
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  • And we need to stay focused on the good.
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  • Always, always be thanking god
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  • For whatever good that you can see.
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  • 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,
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  • Free of charge.
  • 00:13:57.479 --> 00:13:59.114
  • Don't forget to tell your friends about these teachings,
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
  • Life isn't fair
  • 00:26:05.206 --> 00:26:06.407
  • Because you have the advantage
  • 00:26:06.407 --> 00:26:08.309
  • With pastor lawson series,
  • 00:26:08.309 --> 00:26:09.877
  • "the grace advantage."
  • 00:26:09.877 --> 00:26:11.445
  • Valued at $20, you can enjoy
  • 00:26:11.445 --> 00:26:13.648
  • These downloadable teachings today for free,
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  • Thanks to our generous partners.
  • 00:26:16.851 --> 00:26:18.753
  • So grab your copy today
  • 00:26:18.753 --> 00:26:20.254
  • And get "your advantage"
  • 00:26:20.254 --> 00:26:21.922
  • At charischristiancenter.com. (upbeat music)
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  • We have heard from over 50 nations in the world.
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  • Receive these resources and be blessed.
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  • (bright music)
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  • - [announcer] thanks for watching "grace for today."
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  • This broadcast has been made possible
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  • Colorado springs, colorado, 80962.
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  • See you next time on "grace for today."
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