Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen - Remove The Grave Clothes

July 22, 2025 | 30:0

Joel and Victoria Osteen's message of unconditional love and unending hope reaches everyone across the world.

#Peopleinyourlife #Grace #Goodness #LoveofGod #LoveyourNeighbor #Mercy #Blessing #Calling #God'sWill #Purpose

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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - Remove The Grave Clothes | July 22, 2025

[music]
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[music] well, god bless you.
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Well, god bless you. it's a joy to come into your
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It's a joy to come into your homes, and if you're ever
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Homes, and if you're ever in our area, please stop by
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In our area, please stop by and be a part of one
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And be a part of one of our services.
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Of our services. i promise you, we'll make you
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I promise you, we'll make you feel right at home.
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Feel right at home. i like to start with
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I like to start with something funny, and i heard
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Something funny, and i heard about these three people,
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About these three people, a russian, an american,
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A russian, an american, and a blonde.
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And a blonde. they were talking together,
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They were talking together, and the russian said proudly,
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And the russian said proudly, "we were the first ones
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"we were the first ones in space."
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In space." the american said,
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The american said, "well, we were the first ones
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"well, we were the first ones on the moon."
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On the moon." the blonde said, "that's
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The blonde said, "that's nothing, we're going to be
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Nothing, we're going to be the first ones on the sun."
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The first ones on the sun." the american, the russian,
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The american, the russian, they laughed, "you can't go
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They laughed, "you can't go to the sun.
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To the sun. it's too hot.
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It's too hot. you'd be burned up."
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You'd be burned up." the blonde said, "we know
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The blonde said, "we know that, we're not that dumb.
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That, we're not that dumb. we're going to go at night."
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We're going to go at night." say it like you mean it.
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Say it like you mean it. this is my bible.
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This is my bible. i am what it says i am.
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I am what it says i am. i have what it says i have.
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I have what it says i have. i can do what it says
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I can do what it says i can do.
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I can do. today, i will be taught
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Today, i will be taught the word of god.
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The word of god. i boldly confess my mind is
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I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive.
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Alert, my heart is receptive. i will never be the same.
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I will never be the same. in jesus' name,
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In jesus' name, god bless you.
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God bless you. i want to talk to you today
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I want to talk to you today about, "remove
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About, "remove the graveclothes."
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The graveclothes." there are people god has put
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There are people god has put in our lives on purpose
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In our lives on purpose so we can help restore them.
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So we can help restore them. they're off course.
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They're off course. they're addicted.
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They're addicted. they're broken.
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They're broken. it's easy to judge and think
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It's easy to judge and think they should make
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They should make better decisions.
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Better decisions. it's their own fault.
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It's their own fault. but if it was not for
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But if it was not for the grace of god,
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The grace of god, that could be us.
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That could be us. we didn't get to where we are
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We didn't get to where we are because we're so talented,
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Because we're so talented, so disciplined, so obedient.
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So disciplined, so obedient. that may be true on the
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That may be true on the surface, but where did you
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Surface, but where did you get the talent?
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Get the talent? where did you get
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Where did you get the discipline?
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The discipline? it came from your heavenly
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It came from your heavenly father.
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Father. it wasn't anything we chose.
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It wasn't anything we chose. it's simply the goodness
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It's simply the goodness of god.
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Of god. but too often, we look at
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But too often, we look at others and think, "why are
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Others and think, "why are they still making poor
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They still making poor choices?
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Choices? why are they still addicted?
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Why are they still addicted? why do they get in bad
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Why do they get in bad relationships again and
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Relationships again and again?
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Again? i wouldn't do that."
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I wouldn't do that." it's because god has given
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It's because god has given you grace in that area.
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You grace in that area. without his grace, you would
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Without his grace, you would be where they are.
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Be where they are. instead of looking down on
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Instead of looking down on them, pointing the finger,
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Them, pointing the finger, "you should know better,"
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"you should know better," they don't need more
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They don't need more condemnation.
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Condemnation. god didn't put them there so
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God didn't put them there so you could judge them, he put
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You could judge them, he put them there so you could love
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Them there so you could love them.
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Them. love heals.
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Love heals. love restores.
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Love restores. love lifts up.
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Love lifts up. all around you are hurting
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All around you are hurting people, broken people, people
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People, broken people, people that may not have had the
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That may not have had the advantages that you had.
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Advantages that you had. they weren't raised by
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They weren't raised by parents that invested in
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Parents that invested in them.
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Them. they've never felt the love,
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They've never felt the love, the approval that you felt.
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The approval that you felt. it's easy to criticize, but
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It's easy to criticize, but you don't know where
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You don't know where you would be if you had
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You would be if you had walked in their shoes.
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Walked in their shoes. the longer i live, the less
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The longer i live, the less judgmental i am.
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Judgmental i am. i realize everyone didn't get
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I realize everyone didn't get what i got.
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What i got. it's easy for me to feel
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It's easy for me to feel secure, valuable, confident,
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Secure, valuable, confident, believe big.
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Believe big. i had parents that guided me,
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I had parents that guided me, family that supported me.
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Family that supported me. i was born in a great country
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I was born in a great country with opportunity and
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With opportunity and resources.
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Resources. life is not a level playing
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Life is not a level playing field.
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Field. when you're tempted to be
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When you're tempted to be judgmental, you need to
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Judgmental, you need to remind yourself, most likely,
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Remind yourself, most likely, they didn't get everything
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They didn't get everything you got.
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You got. if it was not for the mercy
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If it was not for the mercy of god, you would be making
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Of god, you would be making the same decisions that
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The same decisions that they're making.
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They're making. god has freely given you
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God has freely given you mercy.
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Mercy. here's my challenge, freely
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Here's my challenge, freely give it to others.
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Give it to others. don't be stingy with your
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Don't be stingy with your mercy.
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Mercy. god is counting on us to lift
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God is counting on us to lift the fallen, to restore the
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The fallen, to restore the broken, to heal the hurting.
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Broken, to heal the hurting. there's enough judgment in
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There's enough judgment in our world.
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Our world. there's enough fault-finding,
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There's enough fault-finding, criticism.
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Criticism. where are the healers?
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Where are the healers? where are the restorers?
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Where are the restorers? where are the people that,
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Where are the people that, instead of running away from
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Instead of running away from the hurting, they run to the
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The hurting, they run to the hurting?
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Hurting? instead of condemning the
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Instead of condemning the broken, they help heal the
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Broken, they help heal the broken.
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Broken. john chapter 11, lazarus was
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John chapter 11, lazarus was very sick.
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Very sick. his two sisters sent word to
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His two sisters sent word to jesus to come pray for him,
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Jesus to come pray for him, but jesus didn't arrive in
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But jesus didn't arrive in time.
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Time. lazarus died.
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Lazarus died. jesus showed up four days
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Jesus showed up four days later.
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Later. he spoke to lazarus.
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He spoke to lazarus. he said, "lazarus, come
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He said, "lazarus, come forth."
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Forth." instantly, he woke up.
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Instantly, he woke up. he was raised from the dead,
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He was raised from the dead, a great miracle.
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A great miracle. the problem was lazarus was
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The problem was lazarus was wrapped with graveclothes.
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Wrapped with graveclothes. in those days, when someone
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In those days, when someone died, very often, they would
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Died, very often, they would wrap them up like a mummy.
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Wrap them up like a mummy. verse 44 says, "lazarus came
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Verse 44 says, "lazarus came out bound in graveclothes."
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Out bound in graveclothes." jesus said to them, "unwrap
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Jesus said to them, "unwrap him and let him go."
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Him and let him go." even though lazarus was
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Even though lazarus was alive, even though god had
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Alive, even though god had done something amazing on the
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Done something amazing on the inside, he was still bound on
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Inside, he was still bound on the outside.
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The outside. somebody had to remove his
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Somebody had to remove his graveclothes or he would've
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Graveclothes or he would've never experienced the
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Never experienced the fullness of what god had
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Fullness of what god had done.
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Done. you can imagine, when they
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You can imagine, when they went to take off the
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Went to take off the graveclothes, after being
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Graveclothes, after being dead for four days, the smell
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Dead for four days, the smell was almost unbearable.
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Was almost unbearable. every layer they unwrapped,
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Every layer they unwrapped, the stench got worse.
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The stench got worse. it was dirty, messy, smelly.
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It was dirty, messy, smelly. they had to be incredibly
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They had to be incredibly dedicated.
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Dedicated. they must have loved lazarus
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They must have loved lazarus a whole lot to have been
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A whole lot to have been willing to endure all it took
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Willing to endure all it took to remove his graveclothes.
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To remove his graveclothes. this is what god has called
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This is what god has called us to do.
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Us to do. there are people around us
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There are people around us wearing graveclothes.
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Wearing graveclothes. god has done something on the
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God has done something on the inside, he's breathed life
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Inside, he's breathed life into them, given them
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Into them, given them purpose, but they're still
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Purpose, but they're still bound on the outside.
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Bound on the outside. they have addictions.
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They have addictions. they struggle with their
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They struggle with their temper.
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Temper. they're loose in their
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They're loose in their morals.
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Morals. the problem is, it's messy.
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The problem is, it's messy. it's tempting to think, "when
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It's tempting to think, "when they clean themselves up,
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They clean themselves up, then i'll help them.
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Then i'll help them. when they get back on course.
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When they get back on course. joel, when it's not so messy.
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Joel, when it's not so messy. when they come back to
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When they come back to church, then i'll encourage
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Church, then i'll encourage them."
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Them." how can they get free if
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How can they get free if someone doesn't step up to
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Someone doesn't step up to remove their graveclothes?
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Remove their graveclothes? where are the people that are
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Where are the people that are willing to get dirty to help
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Willing to get dirty to help someone else, to go out on a
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Someone else, to go out on a limb to befriend someone that
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Limb to befriend someone that others think are too far
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Others think are too far down, to reach out to that
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Down, to reach out to that relative that's struggling
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Relative that's struggling with an addiction that others
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With an addiction that others have written off?
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Have written off? it would be easy to remove
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It would be easy to remove graveclothes if they were
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Graveclothes if they were nice and tidy, if people were
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Nice and tidy, if people were making good decisions, on the
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Making good decisions, on the high road.
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High road. that's not reality.
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That's not reality. graveclothes are dirty.
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Graveclothes are dirty. graveclothes are messy.
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Graveclothes are messy. graveclothes stink.
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Graveclothes stink. we think when someone still
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We think when someone still has issues, they still have
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Has issues, they still have addiction, they're
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Addiction, they're compromised, they're bitter,
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Compromised, they're bitter, they're jealous, they have a
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They're jealous, they have a long way to go.
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Long way to go. but just because they're
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But just because they're wearing graveclothes, just
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Wearing graveclothes, just because they're still dirty
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Because they're still dirty doesn't mean they're not
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Doesn't mean they're not clean on the inside.
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Clean on the inside. jesus spoke life to lazarus.
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Jesus spoke life to lazarus. he was free on the inside,
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He was free on the inside, but still bound on the
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But still bound on the outside.
00:07:17.059 --> 00:07:18.060
Outside. what am i saying?
00:07:18.127 --> 00:07:19.095
What am i saying? don't judge by appearance.
00:07:19.161 --> 00:07:21.163
Don't judge by appearance. the graveclothes may stink.
00:07:21.230 --> 00:07:23.332
The graveclothes may stink. they may be dirty, but on the
00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.134
They may be dirty, but on the inside, there's a free
00:07:25.201 --> 00:07:26.669
Inside, there's a free person, there's a clean
00:07:26.736 --> 00:07:28.271
Person, there's a clean person, there's a forgiven
00:07:28.337 --> 00:07:29.939
Person, there's a forgiven person, there's a victorious
00:07:30.006 --> 00:07:31.641
Person, there's a victorious person.
00:07:31.707 --> 00:07:33.242
Person. they're just waiting for
00:07:33.309 --> 00:07:34.477
They're just waiting for someone that won't be put off
00:07:34.544 --> 00:07:36.546
Someone that won't be put off by the outside, someone that
00:07:36.612 --> 00:07:38.748
By the outside, someone that will step up to help remove
00:07:38.814 --> 00:07:40.716
Will step up to help remove the graveclothes.
00:07:40.783 --> 00:07:42.552
The graveclothes. for years, my mom prayed for
00:07:42.618 --> 00:07:44.186
For years, my mom prayed for a man by the name of bill
00:07:44.253 --> 00:07:45.621
A man by the name of bill nash.
00:07:45.688 --> 00:07:46.722
Nash. she would see his name on
00:07:46.789 --> 00:07:48.190
She would see his name on marquees around town.
00:07:48.257 --> 00:07:50.493
Marquees around town. bill was a popular
00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.527
Bill was a popular entertainer, country western
00:07:51.594 --> 00:07:53.262
Entertainer, country western singer.
00:07:53.329 --> 00:07:54.330
Singer. he grew up singing in church
00:07:54.397 --> 00:07:56.165
He grew up singing in church as a little boy.
00:07:56.232 --> 00:07:57.600
As a little boy. his parents were
00:07:57.667 --> 00:07:58.301
His parents were missionaries.
00:07:58.367 --> 00:07:59.168
Missionaries. he was raised in a strong
00:07:59.235 --> 00:08:00.970
He was raised in a strong family of faith.
00:08:01.037 --> 00:08:02.805
Family of faith. but as a teenager, bill got
00:08:02.872 --> 00:08:04.440
But as a teenager, bill got off course, and started
00:08:04.507 --> 00:08:05.841
Off course, and started running with the wrong crowd,
00:08:05.908 --> 00:08:07.109
Running with the wrong crowd, and not making good
00:08:07.176 --> 00:08:08.477
And not making good decisions.
00:08:08.544 --> 00:08:09.745
Decisions. instead of singing in
00:08:09.812 --> 00:08:10.713
Instead of singing in churches, now he was singing
00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.348
Churches, now he was singing in bars and clubs.
00:08:12.415 --> 00:08:13.983
In bars and clubs. but the scripture says god's
00:08:14.050 --> 00:08:16.252
But the scripture says god's calling on your life is
00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:18.287
Calling on your life is irrevocable.
00:08:18.354 --> 00:08:19.855
Irrevocable. that means you may run away
00:08:19.922 --> 00:08:21.457
That means you may run away from god, but god won't run
00:08:21.524 --> 00:08:23.326
From god, but god won't run away from you.
00:08:23.392 --> 00:08:24.627
Away from you. his grace will come looking
00:08:24.694 --> 00:08:26.295
His grace will come looking for you.
00:08:26.362 --> 00:08:27.897
For you. paul wrote about the grace in
00:08:27.964 --> 00:08:29.966
Paul wrote about the grace in romans that god freely gives
00:08:30.032 --> 00:08:32.335
Romans that god freely gives us.
00:08:32.401 --> 00:08:33.402
Us. one translation of the word
00:08:33.469 --> 00:08:35.004
One translation of the word "freely" is promiscuous.
00:08:35.071 --> 00:08:37.907
"freely" is promiscuous. when someone is promiscuous,
00:08:37.974 --> 00:08:39.909
When someone is promiscuous, they're loose.
00:08:39.976 --> 00:08:41.110
They're loose. they're unrestrained.
00:08:41.177 --> 00:08:42.511
They're unrestrained. they'll be with anyone.
00:08:42.578 --> 00:08:43.913
They'll be with anyone. that's the way god's grace
00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.414
That's the way god's grace is.
00:08:45.481 --> 00:08:46.349
Is. you can be in a bar and grace
00:08:46.415 --> 00:08:48.584
You can be in a bar and grace will come looking for you.
00:08:48.651 --> 00:08:50.453
Will come looking for you. you can be high on drugs and
00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:52.321
You can be high on drugs and grace will come knocking at
00:08:52.388 --> 00:08:53.522
Grace will come knocking at your door.
00:08:53.589 --> 00:08:54.724
Your door. you can be in the wrong
00:08:54.790 --> 00:08:55.758
You can be in the wrong places, doing the wrong thing
00:08:55.825 --> 00:08:58.194
Places, doing the wrong thing with the wrong people, and
00:08:58.260 --> 00:08:59.929
With the wrong people, and when you least expect it, out
00:08:59.996 --> 00:09:01.797
When you least expect it, out of nowhere, you'll hear that
00:09:01.864 --> 00:09:03.432
Of nowhere, you'll hear that still small voice saying,
00:09:03.499 --> 00:09:05.368
Still small voice saying, "come back home.
00:09:05.434 --> 00:09:06.636
"come back home. i love you.
00:09:06.702 --> 00:09:07.470
I love you. i have something better."
00:09:07.536 --> 00:09:09.839
I have something better." god doesn't say, "if you
00:09:09.905 --> 00:09:11.974
God doesn't say, "if you clean yourself up, i'll show
00:09:12.041 --> 00:09:13.509
Clean yourself up, i'll show you mercy.
00:09:13.576 --> 00:09:14.143
You mercy. if you get back on course,
00:09:14.210 --> 00:09:15.945
If you get back on course, i'll think about being good
00:09:16.012 --> 00:09:17.113
I'll think about being good to you."
00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:17.813
To you." god's grace is promiscuous.
00:09:17.880 --> 00:09:20.249
God's grace is promiscuous. it goes to unlikely places.
00:09:20.316 --> 00:09:23.252
It goes to unlikely places. every time my mom saw bill's
00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:25.087
Every time my mom saw bill's name, under her breath,
00:09:25.154 --> 00:09:26.756
Name, under her breath, "lord, thank you for bringing
00:09:26.822 --> 00:09:27.890
"lord, thank you for bringing bill back home.
00:09:27.957 --> 00:09:29.125
Bill back home. thank you that he'll fulfill
00:09:29.191 --> 00:09:30.259
Thank you that he'll fulfill his destiny."
00:09:30.326 --> 00:09:31.594
His destiny." she had never met him, had no
00:09:31.661 --> 00:09:33.529
She had never met him, had no connections, but year after
00:09:33.596 --> 00:09:35.531
Connections, but year after year, she kept praying for
00:09:35.598 --> 00:09:36.999
Year, she kept praying for him.
00:09:37.066 --> 00:09:37.833
Him. didn't look like anything was
00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:39.168
Didn't look like anything was happening, but you don't know
00:09:39.235 --> 00:09:41.337
Happening, but you don't know what god is doing behind the
00:09:41.404 --> 00:09:43.105
What god is doing behind the scenes.
00:09:43.172 --> 00:09:44.340
Scenes. one day, that grace convinced
00:09:44.407 --> 00:09:46.909
One day, that grace convinced bill to turn his life around.
00:09:46.976 --> 00:09:49.378
Bill to turn his life around. he wanted to go to church,
00:09:49.445 --> 00:09:50.646
He wanted to go to church, but he thought, "nobody would
00:09:50.713 --> 00:09:52.281
But he thought, "nobody would want somebody like me.
00:09:52.348 --> 00:09:53.816
Want somebody like me. i've made a lot of mistakes,
00:09:53.883 --> 00:09:55.518
I've made a lot of mistakes, lived a rough life.
00:09:55.584 --> 00:09:56.819
Lived a rough life. i'm known as a partier."
00:09:56.886 --> 00:09:58.854
I'm known as a partier." he turned on the television
00:09:58.921 --> 00:10:00.690
He turned on the television and saw my father talking
00:10:00.756 --> 00:10:02.625
And saw my father talking about the goodness of god.
00:10:02.692 --> 00:10:04.960
About the goodness of god. that sunday, he walked in
00:10:05.027 --> 00:10:06.862
That sunday, he walked in lakewood, first time since he
00:10:06.929 --> 00:10:08.964
Lakewood, first time since he was a teenager.
00:10:09.031 --> 00:10:09.765
Was a teenager. he sat way in the back.
00:10:09.832 --> 00:10:12.234
He sat way in the back. someone recognized him and
00:10:12.301 --> 00:10:13.669
Someone recognized him and brought him down to see my
00:10:13.736 --> 00:10:14.737
Brought him down to see my mom, and she told how she had
00:10:14.804 --> 00:10:16.906
Mom, and she told how she had been praying for him and how
00:10:16.972 --> 00:10:18.340
Been praying for him and how that was a dream come true.
00:10:18.407 --> 00:10:20.476
That was a dream come true. that day was a turning point
00:10:20.543 --> 00:10:22.578
That day was a turning point in bill's life.
00:10:22.645 --> 00:10:24.013
In bill's life. a few months later, he gave
00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:25.681
A few months later, he gave his first christian concert
00:10:25.748 --> 00:10:27.983
His first christian concert at lakewood and he's been
00:10:28.050 --> 00:10:29.518
At lakewood and he's been using his talents for the
00:10:29.585 --> 00:10:30.686
Using his talents for the lord ever since.
00:10:30.753 --> 00:10:33.155
Lord ever since. like lazarus, bill needed
00:10:33.222 --> 00:10:35.291
Like lazarus, bill needed someone to help remove the
00:10:35.357 --> 00:10:37.393
Someone to help remove the graveclothes.
00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:38.728
Graveclothes. that's what my mother did.
00:10:38.794 --> 00:10:40.396
That's what my mother did. she recognized, underneath
00:10:40.463 --> 00:10:42.098
She recognized, underneath the mess, the partying, the
00:10:42.164 --> 00:10:44.300
The mess, the partying, the compromising, there was a
00:10:44.366 --> 00:10:46.035
Compromising, there was a free man, a man destined to
00:10:46.102 --> 00:10:48.504
Free man, a man destined to do great things.
00:10:48.571 --> 00:10:50.306
Do great things. there are a lot of bills out
00:10:50.372 --> 00:10:52.141
There are a lot of bills out there, people that are bound
00:10:52.208 --> 00:10:54.176
There, people that are bound on the outside, but they have
00:10:54.243 --> 00:10:56.245
On the outside, but they have greatness on the inside.
00:10:56.312 --> 00:10:58.714
Greatness on the inside. they just need someone that
00:10:58.781 --> 00:11:00.716
They just need someone that won't be afraid to get dirty,
00:11:00.783 --> 00:11:03.119
Won't be afraid to get dirty, someone that won't be
00:11:03.185 --> 00:11:04.086
Someone that won't be judgmental and say, "he used
00:11:04.153 --> 00:11:06.122
Judgmental and say, "he used to be in church.
00:11:06.188 --> 00:11:06.922
To be in church. he's in the bars.
00:11:06.989 --> 00:11:07.723
He's in the bars. what's wrong with him?"
00:11:07.790 --> 00:11:09.191
What's wrong with him?" no, instead of judging them,
00:11:09.258 --> 00:11:11.627
No, instead of judging them, why don't you take that same
00:11:11.694 --> 00:11:12.962
Why don't you take that same time to pray for them, to
00:11:13.028 --> 00:11:15.331
Time to pray for them, to reach out to them, to let
00:11:15.397 --> 00:11:17.133
Reach out to them, to let them know that you believe in
00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:18.501
Them know that you believe in them.
00:11:18.567 --> 00:11:20.102
Them. john chapter 8, these
00:11:20.169 --> 00:11:21.871
John chapter 8, these religious leaders brought a
00:11:21.937 --> 00:11:23.339
Religious leaders brought a woman to jesus, threw her
00:11:23.405 --> 00:11:25.141
Woman to jesus, threw her down at his feet.
00:11:25.207 --> 00:11:26.542
Down at his feet. she was caught in the act of
00:11:26.609 --> 00:11:28.477
She was caught in the act of adultery.
00:11:28.544 --> 00:11:29.678
Adultery. they said, "jesus, the law
00:11:29.745 --> 00:11:31.514
They said, "jesus, the law says stone her.
00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:33.082
Says stone her. what do you say we should
00:11:33.149 --> 00:11:34.083
What do you say we should do?"
00:11:34.150 --> 00:11:34.717
Do?" it seems obvious.
00:11:34.784 --> 00:11:36.352
It seems obvious. the law was clear.
00:11:36.418 --> 00:11:37.520
The law was clear. the lady was guilty.
00:11:37.586 --> 00:11:39.555
The lady was guilty. one thing i love about jesus
00:11:39.622 --> 00:11:41.791
One thing i love about jesus is he broke religious rules
00:11:41.857 --> 00:11:44.293
Is he broke religious rules in order to be good to
00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:46.128
In order to be good to people.
00:11:46.195 --> 00:11:46.829
People. in the old testament, god
00:11:46.896 --> 00:11:48.464
In the old testament, god gave them ten commandments,
00:11:48.531 --> 00:11:50.399
Gave them ten commandments, but the people turned them
00:11:50.466 --> 00:11:51.934
But the people turned them into over 2,000 laws.
00:11:52.001 --> 00:11:54.603
Into over 2,000 laws. when jesus came, he said, in
00:11:54.670 --> 00:11:56.472
When jesus came, he said, in effect, "i'm getting rid of
00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:58.207
Effect, "i'm getting rid of all these religious rules,
00:11:58.274 --> 00:12:00.476
All these religious rules, all these heavy demands you
00:12:00.543 --> 00:12:02.111
All these heavy demands you put on people that only make
00:12:02.178 --> 00:12:04.079
Put on people that only make them guilty and condemned.
00:12:04.146 --> 00:12:05.981
Them guilty and condemned. instead, i'm going to
00:12:06.048 --> 00:12:07.283
Instead, i'm going to condense them down into two
00:12:07.349 --> 00:12:08.918
Condense them down into two commandments: love the lord
00:12:08.984 --> 00:12:11.086
Your god with all your heart
00:12:11.253 --> 00:12:13.255
Your god with all your heart and love your neighbor as you
00:12:13.322 --> 00:12:15.157
And love your neighbor as you love yourself."
00:12:15.224 --> 00:12:17.059
He was saying people are more
00:12:17.293 --> 00:12:19.628
He was saying people are more important than religious
00:12:19.695 --> 00:12:21.130
Important than religious rules.
00:12:21.197 --> 00:12:22.298
Rules. everything is not going to
00:12:22.364 --> 00:12:23.566
Everything is not going to fit perfectly into our
00:12:23.632 --> 00:12:25.134
Fit perfectly into our theology.
00:12:25.201 --> 00:12:26.235
Theology. they have to do this, they
00:12:26.302 --> 00:12:27.603
They have to do this, they have to do that, they can't
00:12:27.670 --> 00:12:29.104
Have to do that, they can't do that, they can't go there.
00:12:29.171 --> 00:12:31.640
Do that, they can't go there. if you convince people to
00:12:31.707 --> 00:12:33.108
If you convince people to follow all your religious
00:12:33.175 --> 00:12:34.677
Follow all your religious rules but you don't have
00:12:34.743 --> 00:12:36.579
Rules but you don't have love, the scripture says
00:12:36.645 --> 00:12:38.681
Love, the scripture says we're like a loud, clanging
00:12:38.747 --> 00:12:40.416
We're like a loud, clanging cymbal.
00:12:40.482 --> 00:12:41.784
Cymbal. i don't want to be known for
00:12:41.851 --> 00:12:43.719
I don't want to be known for what i'm against, i want to
00:12:43.786 --> 00:12:45.688
What i'm against, i want to be known for what i'm for.
00:12:45.754 --> 00:12:47.656
Be known for what i'm for. i'm for people.
00:12:47.723 --> 00:12:49.058
I'm for people. i'm for second chances.
00:12:49.124 --> 00:12:50.659
I'm for second chances. i'm for mercy.
00:12:50.726 --> 00:12:51.894
I'm for mercy. i'm not in the condemning
00:12:51.961 --> 00:12:53.128
I'm not in the condemning business, i'm in the loving
00:12:53.195 --> 00:12:54.496
Business, i'm in the loving business, i'm in the healing
00:12:54.563 --> 00:12:56.098
Business, i'm in the healing business, i'm in the lifting
00:12:56.165 --> 00:12:57.833
Business, i'm in the lifting business.
00:12:57.900 --> 00:12:58.734
Business. i want to be known as a
00:12:58.801 --> 00:13:00.569
I want to be known as a graveclothes remover, as
00:13:00.636 --> 00:13:03.105
Graveclothes remover, as someone that saw the best in
00:13:03.172 --> 00:13:04.673
Someone that saw the best in people, that helped pushed
00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.275
People, that helped pushed them into their destiny, as
00:13:06.342 --> 00:13:08.244
Them into their destiny, as someone that was willing to
00:13:08.310 --> 00:13:09.912
Someone that was willing to get dirty, to go after messy
00:13:09.979 --> 00:13:12.548
Get dirty, to go after messy people, broken people, people
00:13:12.615 --> 00:13:14.783
People, broken people, people that society has written off.
00:13:14.850 --> 00:13:16.619
That society has written off. but let me warn you, when you
00:13:16.685 --> 00:13:18.554
But let me warn you, when you love people who are messy,
00:13:18.621 --> 00:13:20.589
Love people who are messy, you may be criticized, you
00:13:20.656 --> 00:13:22.291
You may be criticized, you may be talked about.
00:13:22.358 --> 00:13:24.026
May be talked about. one time, jesus was walking
00:13:24.093 --> 00:13:25.494
One time, jesus was walking through a crowded town,
00:13:25.561 --> 00:13:27.663
Through a crowded town, thousands of people around.
00:13:27.730 --> 00:13:29.331
Thousands of people around. he looked up and saw
00:13:29.398 --> 00:13:30.666
He looked up and saw zacchaeus, the chief tax
00:13:30.733 --> 00:13:33.035
Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector.
00:13:33.102 --> 00:13:34.036
Collector. he was known as one of the
00:13:34.103 --> 00:13:35.638
He was known as one of the most dishonest people.
00:13:35.704 --> 00:13:37.473
Most dishonest people. he lied, he cheated, he
00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:39.141
He lied, he cheated, he didn't keep his word.
00:13:39.208 --> 00:13:40.576
Didn't keep his word. yet jesus said, "i want to go
00:13:40.643 --> 00:13:42.711
Yet jesus said, "i want to go to dinner with you today."
00:13:42.778 --> 00:13:45.614
To dinner with you today." of all the people there that
00:13:45.681 --> 00:13:47.383
Of all the people there that day, there were priests,
00:13:47.449 --> 00:13:49.018
Day, there were priests, rabbis, elders in the
00:13:49.084 --> 00:13:50.920
Rabbis, elders in the synagogue, but grace goes to
00:13:50.986 --> 00:13:53.856
Synagogue, but grace goes to unlikely places.
00:13:53.923 --> 00:13:55.958
Unlikely places. jesus didn't see just what
00:13:56.025 --> 00:13:58.727
Jesus didn't see just what zacchaeus was, he saw what he
00:13:58.794 --> 00:14:01.563
Zacchaeus was, he saw what he could become.
00:14:01.630 --> 00:14:03.365
Could become. he was bound on the outside
00:14:03.432 --> 00:14:05.234
He was bound on the outside by graveclothes, but he knew
00:14:05.301 --> 00:14:07.236
By graveclothes, but he knew on the inside was a man of
00:14:07.303 --> 00:14:09.438
On the inside was a man of integrity, a man of honor.
00:14:09.505 --> 00:14:12.241
Integrity, a man of honor. jesus went to dinner with
00:14:12.308 --> 00:14:13.876
Jesus went to dinner with zacchaeus, someone that
00:14:13.943 --> 00:14:15.544
Zacchaeus, someone that people considered dirty,
00:14:15.611 --> 00:14:17.913
People considered dirty, messy, broken.
00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:19.415
Messy, broken. in fact, the scripture says
00:14:19.481 --> 00:14:20.849
In fact, the scripture says the religious leaders
00:14:20.916 --> 00:14:21.850
The religious leaders complained that he went to
00:14:21.917 --> 00:14:23.652
Complained that he went to dinner with a notorious
00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:25.487
Dinner with a notorious sinner.
00:14:25.554 --> 00:14:26.555
Sinner. when you go after the broken,
00:14:26.622 --> 00:14:28.490
When you go after the broken, the hurting, the addicted,
00:14:28.557 --> 00:14:30.492
The hurting, the addicted, people may criticize, they
00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.994
People may criticize, they may talk about you, but
00:14:32.061 --> 00:14:33.562
May talk about you, but you're in good company.
00:14:33.629 --> 00:14:35.230
You're in good company. you are never more like god
00:14:35.297 --> 00:14:37.499
You are never more like god than when you go after messy
00:14:37.566 --> 00:14:39.301
Than when you go after messy people.
00:14:39.368 --> 00:14:41.870
People. this lady was on the ground
00:14:41.937 --> 00:14:43.872
This lady was on the ground in front of jesus, surrounded
00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:45.941
In front of jesus, surrounded by all these men.
00:14:46.008 --> 00:14:47.710
By all these men. she was afraid, embarrassed,
00:14:47.776 --> 00:14:50.446
She was afraid, embarrassed, expecting the worst.
00:14:50.512 --> 00:14:52.381
Expecting the worst. jesus knelt down and wrote in
00:14:52.448 --> 00:14:54.049
Jesus knelt down and wrote in the ground.
00:14:54.116 --> 00:14:55.250
The ground. he said to them, "whoever is
00:14:55.317 --> 00:14:57.252
He said to them, "whoever is without sin, throw the first
00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:59.355
Without sin, throw the first stone."
00:14:59.421 --> 00:15:00.522
Stone." they all put their heads
00:15:00.589 --> 00:15:01.523
They all put their heads down.
00:15:01.590 --> 00:15:02.191
Down. they were convicted.
00:15:02.257 --> 00:15:03.993
They were convicted. when you're tempted to be
00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:05.060
When you're tempted to be judgmental, ask yourself,
00:15:05.127 --> 00:15:07.062
Judgmental, ask yourself, "have i ever done wrong?
00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:08.864
"have i ever done wrong? am i qualified to throw the
00:15:08.931 --> 00:15:10.366
Am i qualified to throw the first stone?"
00:15:10.432 --> 00:15:11.066
First stone?" none of us are.
00:15:11.133 --> 00:15:12.835
None of us are. the men walked out from the
00:15:12.901 --> 00:15:14.103
The men walked out from the oldest to the youngest.
00:15:14.169 --> 00:15:15.904
Oldest to the youngest. he said to her, "where are
00:15:15.971 --> 00:15:17.606
He said to her, "where are your accusers?
00:15:17.673 --> 00:15:19.141
Your accusers? hasn't anyone condemned
00:15:19.208 --> 00:15:20.409
Hasn't anyone condemned you?"
00:15:20.476 --> 00:15:21.110
You?" she said, "no man, lord."
00:15:21.176 --> 00:15:22.811
She said, "no man, lord." he said, "neither do i.
00:15:22.878 --> 00:15:24.780
He said, "neither do i. now go and sin no more."
00:15:24.847 --> 00:15:27.483
Now go and sin no more." our religious minds go tilt,
00:15:27.549 --> 00:15:29.618
Our religious minds go tilt, tilt, tilt.
00:15:29.685 --> 00:15:30.719
Tilt, tilt. grace for somebody that
00:15:30.786 --> 00:15:32.321
Grace for somebody that committed adultery?
00:15:32.388 --> 00:15:34.089
Committed adultery? grace for a man that's known
00:15:34.156 --> 00:15:35.791
Grace for a man that's known for being dishonest?
00:15:35.858 --> 00:15:37.326
For being dishonest? grace for a guy that's
00:15:37.393 --> 00:15:38.560
Grace for a guy that's singing in clubs?
00:15:38.627 --> 00:15:39.862
Singing in clubs? god's grace is promiscuous.
00:15:39.928 --> 00:15:42.564
God's grace is promiscuous. why don't you go after
00:15:42.631 --> 00:15:43.665
Why don't you go after someone that doesn't deserve
00:15:43.732 --> 00:15:45.501
Someone that doesn't deserve it, someone that's made
00:15:45.567 --> 00:15:47.069
It, someone that's made mistakes, someone that's
00:15:47.136 --> 00:15:48.704
Mistakes, someone that's hurting?
00:15:48.771 --> 00:15:49.605
Hurting? you can be the one that helps
00:15:49.671 --> 00:15:51.573
You can be the one that helps put them back on their feet.
00:15:51.640 --> 00:15:53.809
Put them back on their feet. nobody's too far gone.
00:15:53.876 --> 00:15:55.844
Nobody's too far gone. nobody's made too many
00:15:55.911 --> 00:15:56.945
Nobody's made too many mistakes.
00:15:57.012 --> 00:15:58.047
Mistakes. all some people need is one
00:15:58.113 --> 00:16:00.682
All some people need is one person to believe in them,
00:16:00.749 --> 00:16:02.684
Person to believe in them, one person to say, "hey, i'm
00:16:02.751 --> 00:16:04.153
One person to say, "hey, i'm praying for you," one person
00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:05.988
Praying for you," one person to breathe new life back into
00:16:06.055 --> 00:16:07.723
To breathe new life back into their spirit.
00:16:07.790 --> 00:16:09.224
Their spirit. years ago, there was a
00:16:09.291 --> 00:16:10.392
Years ago, there was a minister that was touching
00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:11.960
Minister that was touching the world, doing great
00:16:12.027 --> 00:16:13.595
The world, doing great things, but someone accused
00:16:13.662 --> 00:16:15.597
Things, but someone accused him of having a lack of
00:16:15.664 --> 00:16:17.132
Him of having a lack of integrity.
00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:18.567
Integrity. rumors started to spread.
00:16:18.634 --> 00:16:20.536
Rumors started to spread. they took on a life of their
00:16:20.602 --> 00:16:21.737
They took on a life of their own.
00:16:21.804 --> 00:16:22.404
Own. he had mistakes, but it was
00:16:22.471 --> 00:16:24.206
He had mistakes, but it was blown way out of proportion.
00:16:24.273 --> 00:16:26.575
Blown way out of proportion. he was so devastated, he got
00:16:26.642 --> 00:16:28.644
He was so devastated, he got out of the ministry.
00:16:28.710 --> 00:16:30.012
Out of the ministry. for months, you didn't hear
00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:31.046
For months, you didn't hear anything from him.
00:16:31.113 --> 00:16:32.748
Anything from him. i didn't know him well.
00:16:32.815 --> 00:16:33.982
I didn't know him well. he's much older than i am,
00:16:34.049 --> 00:16:35.751
He's much older than i am, but i felt like i was
00:16:35.818 --> 00:16:37.119
But i felt like i was supposed to reach out to him.
00:16:37.186 --> 00:16:39.321
Supposed to reach out to him. my mind came up with all
00:16:39.388 --> 00:16:40.789
My mind came up with all these excuses.
00:16:40.856 --> 00:16:42.191
These excuses. "joel, he's not going to
00:16:42.257 --> 00:16:42.991
"joel, he's not going to listen to you.
00:16:43.058 --> 00:16:44.359
Listen to you. if people find out you're
00:16:44.426 --> 00:16:45.661
If people find out you're talking, you're going to be
00:16:45.727 --> 00:16:46.728
Talking, you're going to be drug into this mess.
00:16:46.795 --> 00:16:48.897
Drug into this mess. you better leave him alone.
00:16:48.964 --> 00:16:50.866
You better leave him alone. he doesn't have a good
00:16:50.933 --> 00:16:51.733
He doesn't have a good reputation.
00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.668
Reputation. he's tainted.
00:16:52.734 --> 00:16:53.836
He's tainted. he's messy."
00:16:53.902 --> 00:16:55.437
He's messy." but i found god loves messy
00:16:55.504 --> 00:16:57.739
But i found god loves messy people.
00:16:57.806 --> 00:16:58.807
People. god loves broken people.
00:16:58.874 --> 00:17:00.876
God loves broken people. he loves people that are at a
00:17:00.943 --> 00:17:02.511
He loves people that are at a disadvantage.
00:17:02.578 --> 00:17:04.346
Disadvantage. not just people that have had
00:17:04.413 --> 00:17:06.281
Not just people that have had bad breaks, but he even loves
00:17:06.348 --> 00:17:08.217
Bad breaks, but he even loves people that have brought the
00:17:08.283 --> 00:17:09.952
People that have brought the trouble on themselves.
00:17:10.018 --> 00:17:12.321
Trouble on themselves. this is where human nature
00:17:12.387 --> 00:17:13.622
This is where human nature says, "they're getting what
00:17:13.689 --> 00:17:15.224
Says, "they're getting what they deserve.
00:17:15.290 --> 00:17:16.425
They deserve. let them deal with it.
00:17:16.492 --> 00:17:17.459
Let them deal with it. they're guilty," but only the
00:17:17.526 --> 00:17:19.695
They're guilty," but only the guilty need mercy.
00:17:19.761 --> 00:17:21.897
Guilty need mercy. where are the healers?
00:17:21.964 --> 00:17:23.599
Where are the healers? where are the restorers, the
00:17:23.665 --> 00:17:25.300
Where are the restorers, the people that are not too
00:17:25.367 --> 00:17:26.502
People that are not too self-righteous to get down
00:17:26.568 --> 00:17:28.937
Self-righteous to get down where someone is hurting,
00:17:29.004 --> 00:17:30.405
Where someone is hurting, with the broken to help heal
00:17:30.472 --> 00:17:32.241
With the broken to help heal the wounds?
00:17:32.307 --> 00:17:33.675
The wounds? when you go after the
00:17:33.742 --> 00:17:34.676
When you go after the hurting, the broken, the
00:17:34.743 --> 00:17:36.745
Hurting, the broken, the discouraged, the anointing on
00:17:36.812 --> 00:17:39.114
Discouraged, the anointing on your life will break yokes
00:17:39.181 --> 00:17:41.350
Your life will break yokes that are holding them back.
00:17:41.416 --> 00:17:43.152
That are holding them back. you may not feel it, they may
00:17:43.218 --> 00:17:45.487
You may not feel it, they may not respond right away, but
00:17:45.554 --> 00:17:47.589
Not respond right away, but when you speak faith, chains
00:17:47.656 --> 00:17:50.025
When you speak faith, chains are breaking.
00:17:50.092 --> 00:17:51.593
Are breaking. there was a young prophet in
00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.928
There was a young prophet in the old testament named
00:17:52.995 --> 00:17:54.196
The old testament named hosea.
00:17:54.263 --> 00:17:55.497
Hosea. he lived at a time when the
00:17:55.564 --> 00:17:56.932
He lived at a time when the israelites were worshiping
00:17:56.999 --> 00:17:58.534
Israelites were worshiping idols and not honoring god.
00:17:58.600 --> 00:18:01.003
Idols and not honoring god. hosea was well respected.
00:18:01.069 --> 00:18:03.639
Hosea was well respected. people came from all over to
00:18:03.705 --> 00:18:05.274
People came from all over to get his advice.
00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.742
Get his advice. he was a single man and
00:18:06.808 --> 00:18:08.510
He was a single man and looked forward to the day he
00:18:08.577 --> 00:18:10.078
Looked forward to the day he would get married.
00:18:10.145 --> 00:18:11.246
Would get married. he knew god would bring him a
00:18:11.313 --> 00:18:12.781
He knew god would bring him a wife, but it wasn't what he
00:18:12.848 --> 00:18:14.917
Wife, but it wasn't what he thought.
00:18:14.983 --> 00:18:16.051
Thought. god told him to marry a lady
00:18:16.118 --> 00:18:18.187
God told him to marry a lady named gomer.
00:18:18.253 --> 00:18:19.821
Named gomer. gomer was a former
00:18:19.888 --> 00:18:21.523
Gomer was a former prostitute.
00:18:21.590 --> 00:18:23.125
Prostitute. she didn't have a good
00:18:23.192 --> 00:18:24.259
She didn't have a good reputation.
00:18:24.326 --> 00:18:24.960
Reputation. i can imagine hosea thought,
00:18:25.027 --> 00:18:27.129
I can imagine hosea thought, "god, do you know who this
00:18:27.196 --> 00:18:28.997
"god, do you know who this lady is?
00:18:29.064 --> 00:18:30.098
Lady is? i'm a prophet.
00:18:30.165 --> 00:18:31.166
I'm a prophet. i'm a man of god.
00:18:31.233 --> 00:18:32.234
I'm a man of god. what are people going to
00:18:32.301 --> 00:18:33.068
What are people going to think?"
00:18:33.135 --> 00:18:33.769
Think?" he could've talked himself
00:18:33.835 --> 00:18:35.237
He could've talked himself out of it, but he knew to
00:18:35.304 --> 00:18:36.772
Out of it, but he knew to obey.
00:18:36.838 --> 00:18:37.906
Obey. things started off good.
00:18:37.973 --> 00:18:39.675
Things started off good. they were in love.
00:18:39.741 --> 00:18:40.776
They were in love. they had a son.
00:18:40.842 --> 00:18:42.177
They had a son. but then things went
00:18:42.244 --> 00:18:43.478
But then things went downhill.
00:18:43.545 --> 00:18:44.880
Downhill. hosea would go out to
00:18:44.947 --> 00:18:46.215
Hosea would go out to minister, but gomer didn't
00:18:46.281 --> 00:18:48.584
Minister, but gomer didn't understand the calling on his
00:18:48.650 --> 00:18:50.052
Understand the calling on his life.
00:18:50.118 --> 00:18:50.819
Life. she had two more sons, but
00:18:50.886 --> 00:18:53.088
She had two more sons, but not by hosea.
00:18:53.155 --> 00:18:54.890
Not by hosea. she slipped back into her old
00:18:54.957 --> 00:18:56.758
She slipped back into her old ways.
00:18:56.825 --> 00:18:57.659
Ways. hosea was heartbroken.
00:18:57.726 --> 00:18:59.628
Hosea was heartbroken. he knew she was being
00:18:59.695 --> 00:19:00.729
He knew she was being unfaithful, but he loved his
00:19:00.796 --> 00:19:02.764
Unfaithful, but he loved his wife.
00:19:02.831 --> 00:19:03.799
Wife. he pleaded with her again and
00:19:03.865 --> 00:19:05.367
He pleaded with her again and again to change, and it would
00:19:05.434 --> 00:19:07.002
Again to change, and it would last for a little while, then
00:19:07.069 --> 00:19:08.670
Last for a little while, then she'd go right back.
00:19:08.737 --> 00:19:10.439
She'd go right back. to make matters worse,
00:19:10.505 --> 00:19:11.907
To make matters worse, everyone knew about gomer's
00:19:11.974 --> 00:19:13.942
Everyone knew about gomer's affairs.
00:19:14.009 --> 00:19:14.810
Affairs. she was the talk of the town.
00:19:14.876 --> 00:19:16.912
She was the talk of the town. one morning, hosea woke up
00:19:16.979 --> 00:19:19.281
One morning, hosea woke up and gomer was gone.
00:19:19.348 --> 00:19:21.016
And gomer was gone. she'd abandoned him and the
00:19:21.083 --> 00:19:22.851
She'd abandoned him and the three children.
00:19:22.918 --> 00:19:24.486
Three children. maybe she left a note saying,
00:19:24.553 --> 00:19:26.321
Maybe she left a note saying, "i'm sorry, but i'm done.
00:19:26.388 --> 00:19:28.390
"i'm sorry, but i'm done. i've found another man to
00:19:28.457 --> 00:19:29.558
I've found another man to love.
00:19:29.625 --> 00:19:30.259
Love. go on with your life."
00:19:30.325 --> 00:19:31.693
Go on with your life." i can hear hosea's friends
00:19:31.760 --> 00:19:33.362
I can hear hosea's friends saying, "it's about time.
00:19:33.428 --> 00:19:35.330
Saying, "it's about time. that lady has brought you
00:19:35.397 --> 00:19:36.431
That lady has brought you nothing but heartache and
00:19:36.498 --> 00:19:37.766
Nothing but heartache and pain.
00:19:37.833 --> 00:19:38.367
Pain. you deserve much better."
00:19:38.433 --> 00:19:39.835
You deserve much better." that sounded good on the
00:19:39.901 --> 00:19:41.069
That sounded good on the outside, but hosea still
00:19:41.136 --> 00:19:44.072
Outside, but hosea still loved gomer.
00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:45.307
Loved gomer. he grieved greatly over this
00:19:45.374 --> 00:19:47.042
He grieved greatly over this loss.
00:19:47.109 --> 00:19:48.377
Loss. years later, he overheard
00:19:48.443 --> 00:19:50.512
Years later, he overheard from the town gossip that
00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.047
From the town gossip that gomer was still alive.
00:19:52.114 --> 00:19:54.116
Gomer was still alive. she'd been deserted by all
00:19:54.182 --> 00:19:55.651
She'd been deserted by all the men that said they loved
00:19:55.717 --> 00:19:57.019
The men that said they loved her.
00:19:57.085 --> 00:19:57.686
Her. now she had hit rock bottom.
00:19:57.753 --> 00:19:59.521
Now she had hit rock bottom. she was about to be sold as a
00:19:59.588 --> 00:20:01.390
She was about to be sold as a slave.
00:20:01.456 --> 00:20:02.724
Slave. the scripture says the lord
00:20:02.791 --> 00:20:04.559
The scripture says the lord said to hosea, "go get your
00:20:04.626 --> 00:20:06.962
Said to hosea, "go get your wife again and bring her back
00:20:07.029 --> 00:20:09.031
Wife again and bring her back home."
00:20:09.097 --> 00:20:10.299
Home." after all the pain she had
00:20:10.365 --> 00:20:11.800
After all the pain she had caused, after all the
00:20:11.867 --> 00:20:13.268
Caused, after all the rejection, abandonment, you
00:20:13.335 --> 00:20:15.704
Rejection, abandonment, you would think hosea would say,
00:20:15.771 --> 00:20:17.472
Would think hosea would say, "i am done with this lady.
00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.740
"i am done with this lady. i am over with her," but
00:20:18.807 --> 00:20:21.176
I am over with her," but hosea had this undying love.
00:20:21.243 --> 00:20:24.579
Hosea had this undying love. he went back to the city and
00:20:24.646 --> 00:20:26.248
He went back to the city and found her in the red light
00:20:26.315 --> 00:20:28.083
Found her in the red light district, on the auction
00:20:28.150 --> 00:20:29.885
District, on the auction block, about to be sold.
00:20:29.951 --> 00:20:32.154
Block, about to be sold. she was beaten down, dirty,
00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.823
She was beaten down, dirty, hair disheveled, clothes
00:20:34.890 --> 00:20:36.625
Hair disheveled, clothes torn, her head down in shame.
00:20:36.692 --> 00:20:39.628
Torn, her head down in shame. he got up close and
00:20:39.695 --> 00:20:40.629
He got up close and whispered, "gomer."
00:20:40.696 --> 00:20:42.531
Whispered, "gomer." she looked up and couldn't
00:20:42.597 --> 00:20:43.732
She looked up and couldn't believe it.
00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.833
Believe it. he smiled and said, "don't
00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:46.034
He smiled and said, "don't worry, i'm going to get you
00:20:46.101 --> 00:20:47.569
Worry, i'm going to get you out of here."
00:20:47.636 --> 00:20:48.804
Out of here." what was that?
00:20:48.870 --> 00:20:49.905
What was that? promiscuous grace.
00:20:49.971 --> 00:20:51.707
Promiscuous grace. it goes to unusual places.
00:20:51.773 --> 00:20:54.609
It goes to unusual places. he went to the man in charge
00:20:54.676 --> 00:20:55.944
He went to the man in charge and said, "that's my wife,
00:20:56.011 --> 00:20:58.046
And said, "that's my wife, i'm taking her with me."
00:20:58.113 --> 00:20:59.815
I'm taking her with me." he said, "you're not taking
00:20:59.881 --> 00:21:00.849
He said, "you're not taking her anywhere.
00:21:00.916 --> 00:21:01.950
Her anywhere. she belongs to me.
00:21:02.017 --> 00:21:03.585
She belongs to me. she's for sale.
00:21:03.652 --> 00:21:04.753
She's for sale. you'll have to buy her."
00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.722
You'll have to buy her." he took out his wallet and
00:21:06.788 --> 00:21:08.390
He took out his wallet and paid 15 shekels and 5 barley
00:21:08.457 --> 00:21:11.426
Paid 15 shekels and 5 barley loaves.
00:21:11.493 --> 00:21:12.227
Loaves. he bought back what should've
00:21:12.294 --> 00:21:14.129
He bought back what should've been already his.
00:21:14.196 --> 00:21:16.698
Been already his. hosea is a picture of god.
00:21:16.765 --> 00:21:19.634
Hosea is a picture of god. gomer represents you and me.
00:21:19.701 --> 00:21:22.437
Gomer represents you and me. we've all been unfaithful.
00:21:22.504 --> 00:21:24.406
We've all been unfaithful. we went our own way, did our
00:21:24.473 --> 00:21:26.108
We went our own way, did our own thing.
00:21:26.174 --> 00:21:27.175
Own thing. but god who is rich in mercy,
00:21:27.242 --> 00:21:30.045
But god who is rich in mercy, when we turned our back on
00:21:30.112 --> 00:21:31.513
When we turned our back on him, he had every right to
00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:33.515
Him, he had every right to walk away, but he didn't turn
00:21:33.582 --> 00:21:35.717
Walk away, but he didn't turn his back on us.
00:21:35.784 --> 00:21:37.552
His back on us. he came down to the messy
00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:39.321
He came down to the messy places, to where we failed,
00:21:39.388 --> 00:21:41.823
Places, to where we failed, to where we should've been
00:21:41.890 --> 00:21:42.824
To where we should've been finished, and he bought us
00:21:42.891 --> 00:21:44.459
Finished, and he bought us back, not with 15 shekels,
00:21:44.526 --> 00:21:46.962
Back, not with 15 shekels, but with the blood of his own
00:21:47.028 --> 00:21:48.697
But with the blood of his own son.
00:21:48.764 --> 00:21:50.932
Son. since god has rescued us,
00:21:50.999 --> 00:21:53.769
Since god has rescued us, since he has bought us back,
00:21:53.835 --> 00:21:55.837
Since he has bought us back, will you be a hosea and buy
00:21:55.904 --> 00:21:58.140
Will you be a hosea and buy somebody else back?
00:21:58.206 --> 00:21:59.674
Somebody else back? will you rescue them?
00:21:59.741 --> 00:22:01.610
Will you rescue them? there are hurting people all
00:22:01.676 --> 00:22:02.944
There are hurting people all around you, broken people
00:22:03.011 --> 00:22:05.080
Around you, broken people that don't think anyone
00:22:05.147 --> 00:22:06.448
That don't think anyone cares.
00:22:06.515 --> 00:22:07.149
Cares. they're in messy places.
00:22:07.215 --> 00:22:09.284
They're in messy places. they don't deserve your
00:22:09.351 --> 00:22:10.152
They don't deserve your kindness.
00:22:10.218 --> 00:22:11.319
Kindness. you could walk away.
00:22:11.386 --> 00:22:12.254
You could walk away. nobody would fault you.
00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:14.055
Nobody would fault you. but god rescued you, he's
00:22:14.122 --> 00:22:16.458
But god rescued you, he's counting on you to rescue
00:22:16.525 --> 00:22:18.326
Counting on you to rescue them.
00:22:18.393 --> 00:22:19.027
Them. they're not in your path by
00:22:19.094 --> 00:22:20.729
They're not in your path by accident.
00:22:20.796 --> 00:22:21.997
Accident. god put them there because he
00:22:22.063 --> 00:22:24.132
God put them there because he can trust you.
00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:24.933
Can trust you. you can help love them back
00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:27.369
You can help love them back into wholeness.
00:22:27.436 --> 00:22:28.837
Into wholeness. other people may not see it,
00:22:28.904 --> 00:22:30.639
Other people may not see it, but underneath the mess, the
00:22:30.705 --> 00:22:32.474
But underneath the mess, the addictions, the bad habits,
00:22:32.541 --> 00:22:34.910
Addictions, the bad habits, there's a son, there's a
00:22:34.976 --> 00:22:36.511
There's a son, there's a daughter of the most high
00:22:36.578 --> 00:22:38.046
Daughter of the most high god.
00:22:38.113 --> 00:22:39.147
God. they may be bound on the
00:22:39.214 --> 00:22:40.515
They may be bound on the outside, but like lazarus,
00:22:40.582 --> 00:22:43.118
Outside, but like lazarus, they're royalty on the
00:22:43.185 --> 00:22:44.252
They're royalty on the inside.
00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.220
Inside. they have seeds of greatness.
00:22:45.287 --> 00:22:47.656
They have seeds of greatness. will you be a hosea and go
00:22:47.722 --> 00:22:49.591
Will you be a hosea and go after the hurting, go after
00:22:49.658 --> 00:22:51.293
After the hurting, go after the broken, those that are
00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.561
The broken, those that are addicted, those that have
00:22:52.627 --> 00:22:53.962
Addicted, those that have been written off by society?
00:22:54.029 --> 00:22:56.198
Been written off by society? not with your finger pointed
00:22:56.264 --> 00:22:57.766
Not with your finger pointed in judgment, telling them
00:22:57.833 --> 00:22:59.401
In judgment, telling them what they're doing wrong, go
00:22:59.468 --> 00:23:01.036
What they're doing wrong, go after them with something
00:23:01.102 --> 00:23:02.204
After them with something more powerful, with love,
00:23:02.270 --> 00:23:04.639
More powerful, with love, with mercy, with the goodness
00:23:04.706 --> 00:23:06.274
With mercy, with the goodness of god.
00:23:06.341 --> 00:23:07.342
Of god. they don't deserve it,
00:23:07.409 --> 00:23:08.510
They don't deserve it, neither did we.
00:23:08.577 --> 00:23:09.911
Neither did we. while we were yet sinners,
00:23:09.978 --> 00:23:11.346
While we were yet sinners, christ died for us.
00:23:11.413 --> 00:23:13.415
Christ died for us. you've been shown incredible
00:23:13.482 --> 00:23:14.916
You've been shown incredible mercy.
00:23:14.983 --> 00:23:15.684
Mercy. i'm asking you, show that
00:23:15.750 --> 00:23:17.652
I'm asking you, show that mercy to others.
00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:19.020
Mercy to others. be a hosea.
00:23:19.087 --> 00:23:20.355
Be a hosea. if you'll do this, i believe
00:23:20.422 --> 00:23:22.257
If you'll do this, i believe and declare, as you lift
00:23:22.324 --> 00:23:24.092
And declare, as you lift others up, god is going to
00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:25.861
Others up, god is going to lift you up.
00:23:25.927 --> 00:23:27.062
Lift you up. as you rescue somebody else,
00:23:27.128 --> 00:23:28.964
As you rescue somebody else, god will always have somebody
00:23:29.030 --> 00:23:31.166
God will always have somebody to rescue you and your
00:23:31.233 --> 00:23:32.801
To rescue you and your children.
00:23:32.868 --> 00:23:33.668
Children. the seed you sow will come
00:23:33.735 --> 00:23:35.637
The seed you sow will come back to you, in jesus's name,
00:23:35.704 --> 00:23:38.106
Back to you, in jesus's name, and if you receive it, can
00:23:38.173 --> 00:23:39.341
And if you receive it, can you say amen today?
00:23:39.407 --> 00:23:40.308
You say amen today? i'd like to give you an
00:23:40.375 --> 00:23:43.078
I'd like to give you an opportunity to make jesus the
00:23:43.144 --> 00:23:45.180
Opportunity to make jesus the lord of your life.
00:23:45.247 --> 00:23:46.615
Lord of your life. would you pray with me?
00:23:46.681 --> 00:23:48.149
Would you pray with me? just say, "lord jesus, i
00:23:48.216 --> 00:23:50.986
Just say, "lord jesus, i repent of my sins.
00:23:51.052 --> 00:23:53.522
Repent of my sins. come into my heart.
00:23:53.588 --> 00:23:55.524
Come into my heart. i make you my lord and
00:23:55.590 --> 00:23:56.925
I make you my lord and savior."
00:23:56.992 --> 00:23:58.894
Savior." if you prayed that simple
00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.928
If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got
00:23:59.995 --> 00:24:01.730
Prayer, we believe you got born again.
00:24:01.796 --> 00:24:02.797
Born again. get in a good, bible-based
00:24:02.864 --> 00:24:04.065
Get in a good, bible-based church.
00:24:04.132 --> 00:24:04.766
Church. keep god first place.
00:24:04.833 --> 00:24:06.234
Keep god first place. victoria and i will be right
00:24:06.301 --> 00:24:07.702
Victoria and i will be right back to speak
00:24:07.769 --> 00:24:08.603
Back to speak a blessing over you.
00:24:08.670 --> 00:24:10.005
Sometimes in life,
00:24:10.372 --> 00:24:11.439
Sometimes in life, people don't choose us.
00:24:11.506 --> 00:24:13.141
People don't choose us. we've all felt overlooked
00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:14.643
We've all felt overlooked and like we're not good enough.
00:24:14.709 --> 00:24:16.478
And like we're not good enough. it's easy to live inferior,
00:24:16.545 --> 00:24:18.046
It's easy to live inferior, thinking we don't measure up.
00:24:18.113 --> 00:24:20.048
Thinking we don't measure up. people may have left you out.
00:24:20.115 --> 00:24:21.583
People may have left you out. the good news is
00:24:21.650 --> 00:24:22.684
The good news is god has chosen you.
00:24:22.751 --> 00:24:24.352
God has chosen you. he's the one that matters.
00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:26.054
And in my new book, chosen:
00:24:26.154 --> 00:24:27.923
And in my new book, chosen: your life is marked
00:24:27.989 --> 00:24:29.024
Your life is marked for distinction,
00:24:29.090 --> 00:24:30.292
For distinction, you'll discover,
00:24:30.358 --> 00:24:31.192
You'll discover, before you were born,
00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.794
Before you were born, god not only knew you,
00:24:32.861 --> 00:24:34.195
God not only knew you, but he handpicked you
00:24:34.262 --> 00:24:35.730
But he handpicked you and placed
00:24:35.797 --> 00:24:36.331
And placed a calling on your life.
00:24:36.398 --> 00:24:38.099
A calling on your life. you are equipped and empowered
00:24:38.166 --> 00:24:39.901
You are equipped and empowered to fulfill your destiny.
00:24:39.968 --> 00:24:41.970
To fulfill your destiny. when you understand
00:24:42.037 --> 00:24:43.004
When you understand that you're chosen,
00:24:43.071 --> 00:24:44.172
That you're chosen, fear and doubt can't stay,
00:24:44.239 --> 00:24:46.274
Fear and doubt can't stay, you'll live
00:24:46.341 --> 00:24:46.641
You'll live with the boldness
00:24:46.708 --> 00:24:47.442
With the boldness to step into the greatness
00:24:47.509 --> 00:24:49.044
To step into the greatness god put in you.
00:24:49.110 --> 00:24:50.445
God put in you. i'd love to send you
00:24:50.512 --> 00:24:51.146
I'd love to send you my new book, chosen,
00:24:51.212 --> 00:24:52.581
My new book, chosen, plus the chosen t-shirt
00:24:52.647 --> 00:24:54.215
Plus the chosen t-shirt from our friends at copper fit.
00:24:54.282 --> 00:24:56.685
From our friends at copper fit. as our way of saying thank you
00:24:56.751 --> 00:24:58.386
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount
00:24:58.453 --> 00:24:59.955
For your gift of any amount this month,
00:25:00.021 --> 00:25:00.722
This month, we would like to send you
00:25:00.789 --> 00:25:01.957
We would like to send you a copy of joel's book,
00:25:02.023 --> 00:25:03.758
A copy of joel's book, chosen:
00:25:03.825 --> 00:25:04.626
Chosen: your life is marked
00:25:04.693 --> 00:25:06.061
Your life is marked for distinction.
00:25:06.127 --> 00:25:07.329
For distinction. in the scriptures,
00:25:07.395 --> 00:25:08.330
In the scriptures, jesus encouraged us by saying,
00:25:08.396 --> 00:25:10.599
Jesus encouraged us by saying, "you didn't choose me.
00:25:10.665 --> 00:25:12.300
"you didn't choose me. i chose you."
00:25:12.367 --> 00:25:13.935
I chose you." this powerful guide
00:25:14.002 --> 00:25:15.270
This powerful guide will help
00:25:15.337 --> 00:25:15.737
Will help you discover the abundant life
00:25:15.804 --> 00:25:17.539
You discover the abundant life you were designed to live.
00:25:17.606 --> 00:25:19.541
You were designed to live. as a child of god,
00:25:19.608 --> 00:25:21.009
As a child of god, you have a calling,
00:25:21.076 --> 00:25:22.410
You have a calling, a purpose,
00:25:22.477 --> 00:25:23.445
A purpose, a destiny still
00:25:23.511 --> 00:25:24.613
A destiny still to be fulfilled.
00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:25.814
To be fulfilled. when you request your copy,
00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.582
When you request your copy, we also want to send you
00:25:27.649 --> 00:25:29.084
We also want to send you our exclusive chosen t-shirt
00:25:29.150 --> 00:25:31.086
Our exclusive chosen t-shirt from copper fit
00:25:31.152 --> 00:25:32.053
From copper fit that will remind you
00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.254
That will remind you that you've been chosen
00:25:33.321 --> 00:25:34.589
That you've been chosen by almighty god
00:25:34.656 --> 00:25:36.057
By almighty god every time you wear it.
00:25:36.124 --> 00:25:38.159
Every time you wear it. please request these gifts today
00:25:38.226 --> 00:25:40.128
Please request these gifts today and discover
00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:40.862
And discover that god is moving
00:25:40.929 --> 00:25:42.097
That god is moving on your behalf.
00:25:42.163 --> 00:25:43.298
On your behalf. your next days
00:25:43.365 --> 00:25:44.532
Your next days are going to be your best days.
00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:47.135
Are going to be your best days. you're not average.
00:25:47.202 --> 00:25:48.103
You're not average. you're not ordinary.
00:25:48.169 --> 00:25:49.170
You're not ordinary. you've been chosen
00:25:49.237 --> 00:25:50.171
You've been chosen by almighty god.
00:25:50.238 --> 00:25:51.873
By almighty god. victoria and i want you to know
00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.174
Victoria and i want you to know how much we love you.
00:25:53.241 --> 00:25:54.509
How much we love you. we pray for
00:25:54.576 --> 00:25:55.310
We pray for you and your family every day.
00:25:55.377 --> 00:25:57.112
You and your family every day. and thanks so much
00:25:57.178 --> 00:25:58.213
And thanks so much for your prayer and support.
00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:00.081
For your prayer and support. your generosity
00:26:00.148 --> 00:26:01.116
Your generosity is helping people
00:26:01.182 --> 00:26:01.950
Is helping people all over the world.
00:26:02.017 --> 00:26:03.518
All over the world. and a special thank you
00:26:03.585 --> 00:26:04.686
And a special thank you to our champion
00:26:04.753 --> 00:26:05.353
To our champion of hope partners
00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.287
Of hope partners for your monthly gifts.
00:26:06.354 --> 00:26:07.989
For your monthly gifts. if you're not a partner,
00:26:08.056 --> 00:26:08.957
If you're not a partner, i hope you'll consider
00:26:09.024 --> 00:26:09.891
I hope you'll consider becoming one.
00:26:09.958 --> 00:26:11.292
Becoming one. remember,
00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:11.826
Remember, you can watch the services
00:26:11.893 --> 00:26:13.128
You can watch the services online live
00:26:13.194 --> 00:26:14.562
Online live every sunday morning,
00:26:14.629 --> 00:26:16.064
Every sunday morning, download our daily podcast,
00:26:16.131 --> 00:26:18.066
Download our daily podcast, watch on youtube,
00:26:18.133 --> 00:26:19.334
Watch on youtube, the new joel osteen network,
00:26:19.401 --> 00:26:20.935
The new joel osteen network, social media,
00:26:21.002 --> 00:26:21.936
Social media, listen on sirius xm.
00:26:22.003 --> 00:26:23.905
Listen on sirius xm. we'll keep you
00:26:23.972 --> 00:26:24.439
We'll keep you encouraged and inspired.
00:26:24.506 --> 00:26:26.441
Encouraged and inspired. until we see you next time,
00:26:26.508 --> 00:26:27.876
Until we see you next time, may the lord bless you
00:26:27.942 --> 00:26:29.144
May the lord bless you and keep you.
00:26:29.210 --> 00:26:30.745
And keep you. be sure to request
00:26:30.812 --> 00:26:31.846
Be sure to request your copy of chosen:
00:26:31.913 --> 00:26:33.481
Your copy of chosen: your life is marked
00:26:33.548 --> 00:26:34.749
Your life is marked for distinction,
00:26:34.816 --> 00:26:35.817
For distinction, plus our exclusive
00:26:35.884 --> 00:26:37.118
Plus our exclusive chosen t-shirt from copper fit.
00:26:37.185 --> 00:26:39.421
Chosen t-shirt from copper fit. visit joelosteen.com
00:26:39.487 --> 00:26:41.456
Visit joelosteen.com or call 888-567-joel.
00:26:41.523 --> 00:26:45.193
Or call 888-567-joel. for an additional donation
00:26:45.260 --> 00:26:46.628
For an additional donation this month,
00:26:46.695 --> 00:26:47.228
This month, we are also offering
00:26:47.295 --> 00:26:48.463
We are also offering the nlt large
00:26:48.530 --> 00:26:49.998
The nlt large print thin line
00:26:50.065 --> 00:26:50.865
Print thin line reference bible.
00:26:50.932 --> 00:26:52.067
Reference bible. this bible also enables you
00:26:52.133 --> 00:26:54.102
This bible also enables you to connect
00:26:54.169 --> 00:26:54.769
To connect through your smartphone
00:26:54.836 --> 00:26:55.737
Through your smartphone or tablet
00:26:55.804 --> 00:26:56.571
Or tablet to a vast, power-packed
00:26:56.638 --> 00:26:58.273
To a vast, power-packed array of study notes,
00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.541
Array of study notes, devotionals, interactive maps,
00:26:59.607 --> 00:27:01.776
Devotionals, interactive maps, videos, and worship music.
00:27:01.843 --> 00:27:04.079
Videos, and worship music. you can request
00:27:04.145 --> 00:27:04.979
You can request these inspiring resources
00:27:05.046 --> 00:27:06.648
These inspiring resources by calling 888-567-joel
00:27:06.715 --> 00:27:10.452
By calling 888-567-joel or logging on to
00:27:10.518 --> 00:27:11.453
Or logging on to joelosteen.com today.
00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:14.022
Joelosteen.com today. call or click anytime,
00:27:14.089 --> 00:27:15.824
Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
00:27:15.890 --> 00:27:17.592
24 hours a day. yes, god has chosen you
00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:19.728
Yes, god has chosen you for a reason, for a purpose.
00:27:19.794 --> 00:27:22.163
For a reason, for a purpose. request your copies today.
00:27:22.230 --> 00:27:24.566

Joel Osteen - Remove The Grave Clothes

July 22, 2025 | 30:0

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