Marcus Mecum

Marcus Mecum - See The Bad To See The Better

March 30, 2025 | S25:E13

Leaving an eternal legacy through the wisdom and life-changing truths from God’s Word.

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Marcus Mecum | Marcus Mecum - See The Bad To See The Better | March 30, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> in 1 samuel 10 we begin
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>> in 1 samuel 10 we begin to catch a glimpse
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To catch a glimpse of why vision
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Of why vision matters so much,
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Matters so much, the importance of it.
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The importance of it. and the truth is there's
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And the truth is there's a consequence to not
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A consequence to not having vision,
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Having vision, and the consequence
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And the consequence is a grave one.
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Is a grave one. and so, sometimes we get
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And so, sometimes we get uncomfortable with vision,
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Uncomfortable with vision, and the cost of vision,
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And the cost of vision, the price of vision.
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The price of vision. but there's a higher price
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But there's a higher price to be paid when
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To be paid when you're visionless
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You're visionless and this old testament
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And this old testament story says it so well.
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Story says it so well. let's look at it together.
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Let's look at it together. verse 26, it says,
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"saul also went
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"saul also went to his home in gibeah,
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Accompanied by valiant men
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Whose hearts god has touched."
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I love that verse.
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Just let god touch your heart.
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"but some scoundrel said,
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'how can this fellow save us?'
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They despised him and brought
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They despised him and brought him no gifts.
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Him no gifts. but saul kept silent.
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But saul kept silent. so, nahash, the ammonites,"
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So, nahash, the ammonites," so, these are
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So, these are archrivals of israel.
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Archrivals of israel. they saw the vulnerability,
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They saw the vulnerability, the weakness in
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The weakness in a divided nation,
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A divided nation, "and he besieged,"
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"and he besieged," so he set up a siege against
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So he set up a siege against "jabesh gilea.
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And all the men of jabesh,"
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This is an area in israel.
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"he said,
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'make a treaty with us
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And we will be subject to you.'
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But nahash the ammonite replied,
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'i will make a treaty
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'i will make a treaty with you on one condition,
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With you on one condition, that i gouge out your right eye
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That i gouge out your right eye and every one of you so
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And every one of you so to bring a disgrace on israel.'
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To bring a disgrace on israel.' the elders of jabesh said,
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The elders of jabesh said, 'give us seven days,
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'give us seven days, we're gonna --
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We're gonna -- we're gonna consider
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We're gonna consider this option.'"
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[laughter]
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"so, the messengers went
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"so, the messengers went out into gibeah
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Out into gibeah and saul reported --
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Of saul and reported
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The terms to the people,
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And so all the people
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Are weeping.
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And saul was returning
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From the fields."
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I want you to notice that.
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Everybody, say, "fields."
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>> congregation: fields.
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>> "behind is oxen."
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Everybody, say, "oxen."
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>> remember that, don't forget.
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"and he asked,
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"and he asked, 'what's wrong with everyone?
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'what's wrong with everyone? why are you weeping?
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Why are you weeping? why are you so sad?'
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Why are you so sad?' and they repeated what nahash,
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And they repeated what nahash, this king, had said.
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This king, had said. and when saul heard their words,
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And when saul heard their words, the spirit of god came
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The spirit of god came powerfully upon him,
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Powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.
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He took a pair of the oxen,
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Cut them into pieces
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And sent the pieces
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By messengers throughout
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All of israel proclaiming,
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'this is what will be done
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To the oxen of anyone
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Who does not follow saul
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And samuel.'
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And the terror of the lord
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And the terror of the lord fell on the people
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Fell on the people and they came out
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And they came out together as one.
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Together as one. they came out together as one."
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They came out together as one." i'mma say it one more time,
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I'mma say it one more time, "they came out together as one."
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They ended up annihilating
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They ended up annihilating the ammonites after that moment.
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The ammonites after that moment. i wanna talk to you about,
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I wanna talk to you about, "see the bad to see better."
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"see the bad to see better." see the bad to see better.
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See the bad to see better. it's important that you
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It's important that you know it can get worse.
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Know it can get worse. no matter how bad you think
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No matter how bad you think it is,
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It is, it can get worse.
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It can get worse. when i was growing up,
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When i was growing up, they had a commercial where
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They had a commercial where they would hold up an egg
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They would hold up an egg and they would say,
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And they would say, "this is your brain."
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[laughter]
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They would crack the egg,
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They would crack the egg, put it in a frying pan
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Put it in a frying pan and say,
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And say, "this is your brain on.
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"this is your brain on. >> congregation: drugs."
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>> congregation: drugs." >> so, when you were a kid,
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>> so, when you were a kid, if you saw someone rolling
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If you saw someone rolling up a joint,
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Up a joint, you would imagine this
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You would imagine this is your brain on drugs.
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Is your brain on drugs. see the bad to see better.
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See the bad to see better. god does not shrink
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God does not shrink back from that idea,
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Back from that idea, it can get worse.
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It can get worse. the gospel does not avoid
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The gospel does not avoid painting a picture
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Painting a picture of how bad it can get.
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Of how bad it can get. if you read the bible,
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If you read the bible, sometimes it can be overwhelming
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Sometimes it can be overwhelming when you read about
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When you read about the judgments,
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The judgments, and the wrath, and the --
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And the wrath, and the -- how god is displeased,
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How god is displeased, and how he's grieved at times,
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And how he's grieved at times, and how the devil roams
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And how the devil roams like a roaring lion
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Like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
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Seeking whom he may devour. he's come to steal, kill,
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He's come to steal, kill, and destroy.
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And destroy. the whole thing starts out
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The whole thing starts out in the beauty of the garden
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In the beauty of the garden of eden where god said,
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Of eden where god said, "hey, be careful.
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"hey, be careful. this is good but
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This is good but the good can go bad."
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The good can go bad." and, of course,
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And, of course, we see the serpent.
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We see the serpent. we see sin.
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We see sin. we see the fall.
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We see the fall. it ultimately finds its way
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It ultimately finds its way to a cross where there jesus
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To a cross where there jesus is hanging, and bleeding,
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Is hanging, and bleeding, and dying.
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And dying. and that's one thing
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And that's one thing to see him suffering,
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To see him suffering, the next thing is when
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The next thing is when you get a picture
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You get a picture of it's your sin.
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Of it's your sin. "he was wounded
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"he was wounded for your transgressions.
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For your transgressions. he was bruised
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He was bruised for your iniquities.
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For your iniquities. the chastisement
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The chastisement of his peace," --
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Of his peace," -- we've got the peace,
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We've got the peace, but the chastisement
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But the chastisement was put on --
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Was put on -- the correction.
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The correction. what's the correction?
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What's the correction? the anger, the wrath,
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The anger, the wrath, the judgement,
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The judgement, the correction that you
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The correction that you deserved was poured out on him.
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Deserved was poured out on him. he didn't deserve it.
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He didn't deserve it. it was your sin that god judged
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It was your sin that god judged when he hung there on the cross.
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When he hung there on the cross. and when you get
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And when you get a picture of it, it's bad.
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A picture of it, it's bad. that's what my sin looks like.
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That's what my sin looks like. that's what your --
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That's what your -- "well, i just made a mistake.
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"well, i just made a mistake. i just missed it.
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I just missed it. you know, well,
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You know, well, i just kind of fibbed here,
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I just kind of fibbed here, fibbed there.
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Fibbed there. i just slipped up there,
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I just slipped up there, slipped up here."
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Slipped up here." that's not how god tells
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That's not how god tells us about our sin.
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Us about our sin. he says, "look at calvary.
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He says, "look at calvary. look at that man hanging,
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Look at that man hanging, bleeding, and dying."
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Bleeding, and dying." that is what sin looks like.
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That is what sin looks like. see the bad
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See the bad so you can see better.
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So you can see better. hell, eternal separation
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Hell, eternal separation from god, it can get worse.
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From god, it can get worse. this is how we read the story
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This is how we read the story of saul who's just become king,
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Of saul who's just become king, first day on the job.
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First day on the job. there are those who god
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There are those who god has touched their hearts,
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Has touched their hearts, and they're with him.
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And they're with him. everywhere he goes,
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Everywhere he goes, they're there with him.
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They're there with him. but then, there were others,
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But then, there were others, the bible says,
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The bible says, that wanted nothing
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That wanted nothing to do with saul.
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To do with saul. so, he's king,
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So, he's king, but the nation is divided.
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But the nation is divided. and the moment that
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And the moment that the enemy sees this division,
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The enemy sees this division, like a magnet,
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Like a magnet, he's attracted
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He's attracted to that situation.
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To that situation. and nahash,
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And nahash, the king of the ammonites,
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The king of the ammonites, sees this nation divided.
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Sees this nation divided. he shows up.
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He shows up. they set up a siege.
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They set up a siege. the siege meant,
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The siege meant, "listen, you're done.
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"listen, you're done. it's over.
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It's over. it's finished.
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It's finished. we're going to ransack
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We're going to ransack your villages.
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Your villages. we're going to kidnap
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We're going to kidnap your children and your wives.
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Your children and your wives. we're going to plunder
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We're going to plunder all of your goods.
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All of your goods. the battle is coming,
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The battle is coming, it's inevitable.
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It's inevitable. we're here and we're here
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We're here and we're here to fight,
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To fight, and we've got you surrounded."
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And we've got you surrounded." but then he comes up
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But then he comes up with an option.
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With an option. he says to israel,
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He says to israel, "all you have to do is let
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"all you have to do is let us cut out your right eye."
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Us cut out your right eye." the right eye is
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The right eye is the fighting eye,
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The fighting eye, according to commentaries.
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According to commentaries. "let us have your fighting eye
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"let us have your fighting eye and you can live.
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And you can live. we'll leave you alone."
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We'll leave you alone." so, saul's first battle
00:08:31.784 --> 00:08:34.420
So, saul's first battle as king has to do with vision.
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As king has to do with vision. how important is vision?
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How important is vision? how important is it that we keep
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How important is it that we keep our fighting eye?
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Our fighting eye? because the enemy just said,
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Because the enemy just said, "if you let us gouge out
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"if you let us gouge out your fighting eye,
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Your fighting eye, we'll leave you alone."
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We'll leave you alone." the right eye is connected
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The right eye is connected to the right hand,
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To the right hand, which was the sword
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Which was the sword wielding hand,
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Wielding hand, the spear wielding hand.
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The spear wielding hand. the left hand is connected --
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The left hand is connected -- the left eye is connected
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The left eye is connected to the left hand,
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To the left hand, which is where
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Which is where the shield was carried.
00:09:07.153 --> 00:09:08.788
The shield was carried. in other words, he said,
00:09:08.855 --> 00:09:10.423
In other words, he said, "we want your right eye.
00:09:10.490 --> 00:09:12.525
"we want your right eye. you can keep your left eye.
00:09:12.592 --> 00:09:15.194
You can keep your left eye. just stay focused
00:09:15.261 --> 00:09:16.029
Just stay focused on self-preservation.
00:09:16.095 --> 00:09:18.498
On self-preservation. just hide behind that shield.
00:09:18.565 --> 00:09:21.434
Just hide behind that shield. stay focused on whatever
00:09:21.501 --> 00:09:23.736
Stay focused on whatever you have to,
00:09:23.803 --> 00:09:25.905
You have to, but remember if you keep
00:09:25.972 --> 00:09:27.607
But remember if you keep your right eye,
00:09:27.674 --> 00:09:28.675
Your right eye, there's a high price
00:09:28.741 --> 00:09:30.009
There's a high price to keeping that vision.
00:09:30.076 --> 00:09:32.111
To keeping that vision. the price is there's going
00:09:32.178 --> 00:09:33.146
The price is there's going to be battles,
00:09:33.212 --> 00:09:34.080
To be battles, there's going to be enemies,
00:09:34.147 --> 00:09:35.315
There's going to be enemies, there's going to be risk,
00:09:35.381 --> 00:09:36.382
There's going to be risk, and threats, and fears,
00:09:36.449 --> 00:09:38.017
And threats, and fears, all kinds of possible losses,
00:09:38.084 --> 00:09:40.186
All kinds of possible losses, the attack that you're going
00:09:40.253 --> 00:09:41.621
The attack that you're going to be under,
00:09:41.688 --> 00:09:42.755
To be under, the wounds that you will suffer,
00:09:42.822 --> 00:09:44.557
The wounds that you will suffer, the possible casualties
00:09:44.624 --> 00:09:46.159
The possible casualties that are going
00:09:46.225 --> 00:09:47.527
That are going to happen are major.
00:09:47.594 --> 00:09:50.296
To happen are major. all you have to do to avoid
00:09:50.363 --> 00:09:51.798
All you have to do to avoid all of that,
00:09:51.864 --> 00:09:52.799
All of that, give up your fighting eye
00:09:52.865 --> 00:09:54.601
Give up your fighting eye and you can keep that left eye.
00:09:54.667 --> 00:09:57.203
And you can keep that left eye. you can keep the comfort.
00:09:57.270 --> 00:09:58.571
You can keep the comfort. you can keep the ease.
00:09:58.638 --> 00:09:59.772
You can keep the ease. you can relax."
00:09:59.839 --> 00:10:01.908
You can relax." so, the temptation that
00:10:01.975 --> 00:10:03.343
So, the temptation that the nation is facing is this,
00:10:03.409 --> 00:10:06.846
The nation is facing is this, the price of vision
00:10:06.913 --> 00:10:08.681
The price of vision is possibly too high.
00:10:08.748 --> 00:10:11.618
Is possibly too high. who wants to pay the price that
00:10:11.684 --> 00:10:14.320
Who wants to pay the price that they're going to have to pay
00:10:14.387 --> 00:10:15.989
They're going to have to pay to keep their
00:10:16.055 --> 00:10:17.223
To keep their fighting eye strong?
00:10:17.290 --> 00:10:19.525
Fighting eye strong? this is a big moment
00:10:19.592 --> 00:10:20.393
This is a big moment for the new king.
00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:22.061
For the new king. if he gets this right,
00:10:22.128 --> 00:10:23.463
If he gets this right, he brings the nation together.
00:10:23.529 --> 00:10:25.398
He brings the nation together. if he gets it wrong,
00:10:25.465 --> 00:10:26.566
If he gets it wrong, the nation is further divided.
00:10:26.633 --> 00:10:29.369
The nation is further divided. and the bible says,
00:10:29.435 --> 00:10:30.103
And the bible says, "the spirit of the lord
00:10:30.169 --> 00:10:31.604
"the spirit of the lord comes powerfully upon saul,"
00:10:31.671 --> 00:10:33.606
Comes powerfully upon saul," which is the first
00:10:33.673 --> 00:10:34.941
Which is the first stage of vision,
00:10:35.008 --> 00:10:37.176
Stage of vision, is god by his spirit
00:10:37.243 --> 00:10:39.545
Is god by his spirit comes powerfully upon us.
00:10:39.612 --> 00:10:42.448
Comes powerfully upon us. this is how we see him moving
00:10:42.515 --> 00:10:44.984
This is how we see him moving all throughout the scripture.
00:10:45.051 --> 00:10:46.886
All throughout the scripture. the prophet ezekiel,
00:10:46.953 --> 00:10:48.821
The prophet ezekiel, "the hand of the lord,"
00:10:48.888 --> 00:10:50.423
"the hand of the lord," ezekiel 37:1 says,
00:10:50.490 --> 00:10:52.625
Ezekiel 37:1 says, "came upon him.
00:10:52.692 --> 00:10:53.660
"came upon him. the spirit of god lifted him up,
00:10:53.726 --> 00:10:55.561
The spirit of god lifted him up, took him to the valley
00:10:55.628 --> 00:10:57.030
Took him to the valley of dry bones and said
00:10:57.096 --> 00:10:58.398
Of dry bones and said to prophesy over it."
00:10:58.464 --> 00:11:00.066
To prophesy over it." the first step before
00:11:00.133 --> 00:11:01.634
The first step before he saw the valley,
00:11:01.701 --> 00:11:03.002
He saw the valley, before he prophesied
00:11:03.069 --> 00:11:04.437
Before he prophesied the mighty army,
00:11:04.504 --> 00:11:05.605
The mighty army, was the spirit of the lord,
00:11:05.672 --> 00:11:07.774
Was the spirit of the lord, the hand of god,
00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.975
The hand of god, came upon him.
00:11:09.042 --> 00:11:10.043
Came upon him. in the book of revelation,
00:11:10.109 --> 00:11:11.310
In the book of revelation, john is on the island of patmos.
00:11:11.377 --> 00:11:13.680
John is on the island of patmos. and on the lord's day,
00:11:13.746 --> 00:11:15.782
And on the lord's day, he was taken up by the spirit
00:11:15.848 --> 00:11:18.117
He was taken up by the spirit and then he begin to write
00:11:18.184 --> 00:11:19.986
And then he begin to write about the things he saw.
00:11:20.053 --> 00:11:21.387
About the things he saw. but god, by his spirit,
00:11:21.454 --> 00:11:23.289
But god, by his spirit, came upon john before
00:11:23.356 --> 00:11:24.891
Came upon john before he saw one thing that
00:11:24.957 --> 00:11:26.526
He saw one thing that we read about in
00:11:26.592 --> 00:11:27.593
We read about in the book of revelation.
00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:29.128
The book of revelation. god said,
00:11:29.195 --> 00:11:29.862
God said, "hey, i want you to go gather
00:11:29.929 --> 00:11:31.898
"hey, i want you to go gather in that upper room
00:11:31.964 --> 00:11:32.899
In that upper room in jerusalem,
00:11:32.965 --> 00:11:33.766
In jerusalem, and i want you to stay there."
00:11:33.833 --> 00:11:35.301
And i want you to stay there." and the mighty rushing
00:11:35.368 --> 00:11:36.335
And the mighty rushing wind filled the room,
00:11:36.402 --> 00:11:37.537
Wind filled the room, and tongues of fire
00:11:37.603 --> 00:11:38.805
And tongues of fire set on each one of them.
00:11:38.871 --> 00:11:40.239
Set on each one of them. then they left,
00:11:40.306 --> 00:11:41.574
Then they left, then the early
00:11:41.641 --> 00:11:42.775
Then the early church was born.
00:11:42.842 --> 00:11:43.609
Church was born. but the first stage is god,
00:11:43.676 --> 00:11:45.812
But the first stage is god, by his spirit,
00:11:45.878 --> 00:11:47.113
By his spirit, must come powerfully
00:11:47.180 --> 00:11:49.015
Must come powerfully upon us as his people.
00:11:49.082 --> 00:11:51.150
[applause]
00:11:51.651 --> 00:11:55.321
And so, with the anointing
00:11:55.755 --> 00:11:57.890
And so, with the anointing on this young king,
00:11:57.957 --> 00:11:59.726
On this young king, he looks out at a field.
00:11:59.792 --> 00:12:02.762
He looks out at a field. he sees a pair of oxen
00:12:02.829 --> 00:12:05.531
He sees a pair of oxen pulling the plough,
00:12:05.598 --> 00:12:08.234
Pulling the plough, preparing for the harvest.
00:12:08.301 --> 00:12:11.370
Preparing for the harvest. and he goes out with a machete,
00:12:11.437 --> 00:12:13.873
And he goes out with a machete, and he starts cutting
00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:15.241
And he starts cutting those oxen into pieces.
00:12:15.308 --> 00:12:18.377
Those oxen into pieces. he takes the body parts
00:12:18.444 --> 00:12:19.812
He takes the body parts of those oxen and ships
00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:21.981
Of those oxen and ships them in boxes all over
00:12:22.048 --> 00:12:23.616
Them in boxes all over the nation of israel.
00:12:23.683 --> 00:12:25.885
The nation of israel. people, for the first time,
00:12:25.952 --> 00:12:27.186
People, for the first time, are getting a gift
00:12:27.253 --> 00:12:28.721
Are getting a gift from the new king.
00:12:28.788 --> 00:12:29.956
From the new king. and as they open the boxes,
00:12:30.022 --> 00:12:31.724
And as they open the boxes, they're opening the boxes
00:12:31.791 --> 00:12:33.326
They're opening the boxes with ox heads, and torsos,
00:12:33.392 --> 00:12:35.695
With ox heads, and torsos, and blood, and guts,
00:12:35.762 --> 00:12:37.263
And blood, and guts, and the stench,
00:12:37.330 --> 00:12:38.164
And the stench, and the smell of death,
00:12:38.231 --> 00:12:39.766
And the smell of death, and decay,
00:12:39.832 --> 00:12:40.800
And decay, and attached is a message that,
00:12:40.867 --> 00:12:42.969
And attached is a message that, "this is what will happen
00:12:43.035 --> 00:12:44.771
"this is what will happen to the oxen of those
00:12:44.837 --> 00:12:47.640
To the oxen of those who give up their fighting eye.
00:12:47.707 --> 00:12:54.080
Who give up their fighting eye. i want you to look at the gore.
00:12:54.147 --> 00:12:56.716
I want you to look at the gore. i want you to smell the stench,
00:12:56.783 --> 00:12:59.352
I want you to smell the stench, because there's a price
00:12:59.418 --> 00:13:00.953
Because there's a price to keeping your fighting eye.
00:13:01.020 --> 00:13:03.422
To keeping your fighting eye. there's a price
00:13:03.489 --> 00:13:05.191
There's a price to maintaining a strong,
00:13:05.258 --> 00:13:07.226
To maintaining a strong, healthy vision for the future.
00:13:07.293 --> 00:13:10.563
Healthy vision for the future. but there's a greater price
00:13:10.630 --> 00:13:12.165
But there's a greater price to be paid,
00:13:12.231 --> 00:13:12.899
To be paid, look at the gore in the box.
00:13:12.965 --> 00:13:15.401
Look at the gore in the box. there's a greater price
00:13:15.468 --> 00:13:16.836
There's a greater price to be paid
00:13:16.903 --> 00:13:18.104
To be paid if you're visionless."
00:13:18.171 --> 00:13:20.740
If you're visionless." proverbs says it like this,
00:13:20.807 --> 00:13:22.775
Proverbs says it like this, "without a vision my
00:13:22.842 --> 00:13:24.911
"without a vision my people perish."
00:13:24.977 --> 00:13:27.914
People perish." the instruction is look
00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.981
The instruction is look at the gory boxes,
00:13:29.048 --> 00:13:30.049
At the gory boxes, see the bad to see better.
00:13:30.116 --> 00:13:34.253
See the bad to see better. you have to see the bad.
00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:36.689
You have to see the bad. think about your life,
00:13:36.756 --> 00:13:38.558
Think about your life, think about who you are.
00:13:38.624 --> 00:13:40.793
Think about who you are. now imagine that no one
00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:43.329
Now imagine that no one had a fighting eye for you,
00:13:43.396 --> 00:13:45.798
Had a fighting eye for you, no one had a vision for you,
00:13:45.865 --> 00:13:48.301
No one had a vision for you, no one built a church,
00:13:48.367 --> 00:13:50.036
No one built a church, no one made sure
00:13:50.102 --> 00:13:50.837
No one made sure that there were bibles,
00:13:50.903 --> 00:13:51.838
That there were bibles, no one made sure that
00:13:51.904 --> 00:13:53.206
No one made sure that the gospel was being advanced,
00:13:53.272 --> 00:13:55.341
The gospel was being advanced, no one made sure that you knew
00:13:55.408 --> 00:13:57.710
No one made sure that you knew the love and the mercy of god,
00:13:57.777 --> 00:13:59.545
The love and the mercy of god, and you now are in that box.
00:13:59.612 --> 00:14:02.782
And you now are in that box. look at the bad.
00:14:02.849 --> 00:14:03.749
Look at the bad. why?
00:14:03.816 --> 00:14:04.217
Why? so you can see the better.
00:14:04.283 --> 00:14:06.519
So you can see the better. someone said,
00:14:06.586 --> 00:14:07.186
Someone said, "i'm not going to give up
00:14:07.253 --> 00:14:08.221
"i'm not going to give up my fighting eye,"
00:14:08.287 --> 00:14:09.322
My fighting eye," because they had you in mind.
00:14:09.388 --> 00:14:12.692
Because they had you in mind. and now,
00:14:12.758 --> 00:14:13.492
And now, you have to make a decision,
00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.894
You have to make a decision, "on the other side
00:14:14.961 --> 00:14:16.362
"on the other side of me giving up my fighting eye
00:14:16.429 --> 00:14:18.564
Of me giving up my fighting eye is a generation in
00:14:18.631 --> 00:14:20.166
Is a generation in that gory box.
00:14:20.233 --> 00:14:23.102
That gory box. a generation that will never
00:14:23.169 --> 00:14:24.570
A generation that will never know the love,
00:14:24.637 --> 00:14:25.972
Know the love, and the compassion,
00:14:26.038 --> 00:14:26.939
And the compassion, and the grace,
00:14:27.006 --> 00:14:27.907
And the grace, and the forgiveness,
00:14:27.974 --> 00:14:28.875
And the forgiveness, and the freedom,
00:14:28.941 --> 00:14:29.642
And the freedom, and the purpose,
00:14:29.709 --> 00:14:30.643
And the purpose, that you and i have
00:14:30.710 --> 00:14:31.844
That you and i have so freely been given."
00:14:31.911 --> 00:14:33.479
[applause]
00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:38.551
So, you have to see the bad.
00:14:38.951 --> 00:14:40.953
So, you have to see the bad. there's a price that will be
00:14:41.020 --> 00:14:42.054
There's a price that will be paid if you don't have vision.
00:14:42.121 --> 00:14:45.258
Paid if you don't have vision. i'm talking to the church.
00:14:45.324 --> 00:14:46.492
I'm talking to the church. church, there is a price
00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:48.494
Church, there is a price to be paid
00:14:48.561 --> 00:14:49.629
To be paid without having vision.
00:14:49.695 --> 00:14:54.000
Without having vision. spirit of god comes on him
00:14:54.066 --> 00:14:54.934
Spirit of god comes on him and he looks out
00:14:55.001 --> 00:14:55.768
And he looks out and he sees the oxes,
00:14:55.835 --> 00:14:56.869
And he sees the oxes, where are they at?
00:14:56.936 --> 00:14:59.038
Where are they at? in a field.
00:14:59.105 --> 00:15:03.075
In a field. they're out in the field
00:15:03.142 --> 00:15:04.310
They're out in the field gathering the harvest.
00:15:04.377 --> 00:15:06.846
Gathering the harvest. they're pulling the plough.
00:15:06.913 --> 00:15:08.881
They're pulling the plough. he goes and he kills the oxes
00:15:08.948 --> 00:15:11.550
He goes and he kills the oxes that are gathering
00:15:11.617 --> 00:15:12.718
That are gathering the harvest in the field,
00:15:12.785 --> 00:15:14.620
The harvest in the field, and he says to the nation,
00:15:14.687 --> 00:15:17.056
And he says to the nation, "this is what will happen
00:15:17.123 --> 00:15:19.191
"this is what will happen if you give up
00:15:19.258 --> 00:15:20.726
If you give up your fighting eye.
00:15:20.793 --> 00:15:22.228
Your fighting eye. what happens to this ox
00:15:22.295 --> 00:15:24.797
What happens to this ox is going to happen to your ox.
00:15:24.864 --> 00:15:26.966
Is going to happen to your ox. no vision,
00:15:27.033 --> 00:15:28.701
No vision, no fighting eye,
00:15:28.768 --> 00:15:30.269
No fighting eye, no ox, no harvest."
00:15:30.336 --> 00:15:34.073
No ox, no harvest." did you catch it?
00:15:34.140 --> 00:15:37.109
Did you catch it? the harvest is the souls
00:15:37.176 --> 00:15:39.845
The harvest is the souls that are waiting for what?
00:15:39.912 --> 00:15:42.148
That are waiting for what? they're white,
00:15:42.214 --> 00:15:43.382
They're white, waiting for the laborer to come.
00:15:43.449 --> 00:15:45.351
Waiting for the laborer to come. the ox represents that which has
00:15:45.418 --> 00:15:47.620
The ox represents that which has the strength to go gather
00:15:47.687 --> 00:15:49.155
The strength to go gather the harvest.
00:15:49.221 --> 00:15:49.855
The harvest. the ox is soul winning churches.
00:15:49.922 --> 00:15:53.626
The ox is soul winning churches. that's what the ox is.
00:15:53.693 --> 00:15:56.028
That's what the ox is. and he said,
00:15:56.095 --> 00:15:56.629
And he said, "listen, this is what's going
00:15:56.696 --> 00:15:57.964
"listen, this is what's going to happen if
00:15:58.030 --> 00:15:59.065
To happen if we lose our vision,
00:15:59.131 --> 00:16:00.800
We lose our vision, is we'll lose the oxes,
00:16:00.866 --> 00:16:03.002
Is we'll lose the oxes, we're going to lose
00:16:03.069 --> 00:16:04.203
We're going to lose the strength,
00:16:04.270 --> 00:16:05.171
The strength, and the vibrancy of soul
00:16:05.237 --> 00:16:06.939
And the vibrancy of soul winning churches.
00:16:07.006 --> 00:16:08.307
Winning churches. and as a result,
00:16:08.374 --> 00:16:09.508
And as a result, we will lose the harvest."
00:16:09.575 --> 00:16:14.213
We will lose the harvest." the bible says that
00:16:14.280 --> 00:16:15.982
The bible says that you don't muzzle the ox
00:16:16.048 --> 00:16:17.416
You don't muzzle the ox that treads out the grain,
00:16:17.483 --> 00:16:19.151
That treads out the grain, speaking of soul winning.
00:16:19.218 --> 00:16:21.420
Speaking of soul winning. the bible says,
00:16:21.487 --> 00:16:22.021
The bible says, "where the oxen are,
00:16:22.088 --> 00:16:23.489
"where the oxen are, the stalls are dirty."
00:16:23.556 --> 00:16:24.957
The stalls are dirty." it just talks about,
00:16:25.024 --> 00:16:25.958
It just talks about, "hey, listen, when you have ox,
00:16:26.025 --> 00:16:28.260
"hey, listen, when you have ox, when you have soul winning,
00:16:28.327 --> 00:16:29.628
When you have soul winning, when you have harvest season,
00:16:29.695 --> 00:16:31.364
When you have harvest season, when you're winning souls,
00:16:31.430 --> 00:16:32.798
When you're winning souls, and you're reaching the lost,
00:16:32.865 --> 00:16:33.899
And you're reaching the lost, guess what?
00:16:33.966 --> 00:16:34.433
Guess what? it can be dirty,
00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.534
It can be dirty, it can be work.
00:16:35.601 --> 00:16:36.635
It can be work. there's effort to it,
00:16:36.702 --> 00:16:37.903
There's effort to it, but don't overestimate
00:16:37.970 --> 00:16:40.272
But don't overestimate the price that you're paying
00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.774
The price that you're paying for some dirty stalls,
00:16:41.841 --> 00:16:43.309
For some dirty stalls, and you lose sight of what
00:16:43.376 --> 00:16:45.845
And you lose sight of what happens with some clean stalls.
00:16:45.911 --> 00:16:47.646
[applause]
00:16:48.047 --> 00:16:49.315
Drive by some churches
00:16:49.749 --> 00:16:50.516
Drive by some churches on the way home,
00:16:50.583 --> 00:16:51.751
On the way home, parking lots empty,
00:16:51.817 --> 00:16:53.285
Parking lots empty, everything's clean,
00:16:53.352 --> 00:16:54.754
Everything's clean, everything's in order.
00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:56.322
Everything's in order. no oxen are in that place.
00:16:56.389 --> 00:16:57.990
No oxen are in that place. no strength is in that place.
00:16:58.057 --> 00:16:59.592
No strength is in that place. no one's out saying,
00:16:59.658 --> 00:17:00.793
No one's out saying, "we must win more souls."
00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:04.163
"we must win more souls." and what happens?
00:17:04.230 --> 00:17:07.166
And what happens? slowly but surely,
00:17:07.233 --> 00:17:10.102
Slowly but surely, the doors begin to close.
00:17:10.169 --> 00:17:13.005
The doors begin to close. you have to see
00:17:13.072 --> 00:17:14.306
You have to see the bad,
00:17:14.373 --> 00:17:15.474
The bad, for what?
00:17:15.541 --> 00:17:15.975
For what? to see better.
00:17:16.042 --> 00:17:18.778
To see better. your eye is the most complicated
00:17:18.844 --> 00:17:20.846
Your eye is the most complicated organ in your body
00:17:20.913 --> 00:17:22.048
Organ in your body after the brain.
00:17:22.114 --> 00:17:23.816
After the brain. 65% of your brain power
00:17:23.883 --> 00:17:27.319
65% of your brain power is used by your eyes.
00:17:27.386 --> 00:17:29.488
Is used by your eyes. one eye has 7 million
00:17:29.555 --> 00:17:31.357
One eye has 7 million photo receptors,
00:17:31.424 --> 00:17:32.191
Photo receptors, 7 million light sensitive cells.
00:17:32.258 --> 00:17:35.694
7 million light sensitive cells. you see an estimated
00:17:35.761 --> 00:17:37.163
You see an estimated 10 million colors.
00:17:37.229 --> 00:17:40.299
10 million colors. 70% of all your sensory
00:17:40.366 --> 00:17:43.202
70% of all your sensory receptors of the entire body
00:17:43.269 --> 00:17:45.638
Receptors of the entire body are in your eye,
00:17:45.704 --> 00:17:47.673
Are in your eye, the other 30% is
00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.808
The other 30% is your touch, taste, smell,
00:17:48.874 --> 00:17:50.176
Your touch, taste, smell, and hearing combined.
00:17:50.242 --> 00:17:52.812
And hearing combined. 80% of what you learn
00:17:52.878 --> 00:17:54.413
80% of what you learn is from what you see.
00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.281
Is from what you see. 80% of your memories
00:17:55.347 --> 00:17:56.849
80% of your memories are based on what you see.
00:17:56.916 --> 00:17:58.217
Are based on what you see. i love this part of it.
00:17:58.284 --> 00:17:59.652
I love this part of it. this was my favorite part.
00:17:59.718 --> 00:18:02.121
This was my favorite part. the pupil of the eye expands 45%
00:18:02.188 --> 00:18:05.458
The pupil of the eye expands 45% when you see someone you love.
00:18:05.524 --> 00:18:09.528
When you see someone you love. when the bible says
00:18:09.595 --> 00:18:10.162
When the bible says we are the apple of god's eye,
00:18:10.229 --> 00:18:14.033
We are the apple of god's eye, what's it saying?
00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:17.603
What's it saying? his pupil, his love for us,
00:18:17.670 --> 00:18:20.005
His pupil, his love for us, his eyes, his vision, expands.
00:18:20.072 --> 00:18:23.142
His eyes, his vision, expands. doesn't shrink when he sees us,
00:18:23.209 --> 00:18:25.177
Doesn't shrink when he sees us, gets bigger.
00:18:25.244 --> 00:18:27.580
Gets bigger. it's how important vision is.
00:18:27.646 --> 00:18:30.583
It's how important vision is. as it is in the natural,
00:18:30.649 --> 00:18:31.717
As it is in the natural, so it is in the spirit.
00:18:31.784 --> 00:18:34.086
So it is in the spirit. vision is to expand because
00:18:34.153 --> 00:18:37.256
Vision is to expand because there's people that god's called
00:18:37.323 --> 00:18:39.024
There's people that god's called us to love that are still lost.
00:18:39.091 --> 00:18:43.329
Us to love that are still lost. and that's what today is about,
00:18:43.395 --> 00:18:44.797
And that's what today is about, that's what vision
00:18:44.864 --> 00:18:45.464
That's what vision sunday is about.
00:18:45.531 --> 00:18:47.133
Sunday is about. it's about god loving us enough
00:18:47.199 --> 00:18:50.669
It's about god loving us enough that he gave people
00:18:50.736 --> 00:18:51.637
That he gave people some big eyes,
00:18:51.704 --> 00:18:53.706
Some big eyes, some big vision.
00:18:53.772 --> 00:18:55.441
Some big vision. he gave people a fighting
00:18:55.508 --> 00:18:56.609
He gave people a fighting eye with us in mind.
00:18:56.675 --> 00:18:59.245
Eye with us in mind. is anybody thankful for that?
00:18:59.311 --> 00:19:00.412
[applause]
00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:07.019
King saul has all
00:19:08.020 --> 00:19:11.657
King saul has all these people opening up
00:19:11.724 --> 00:19:12.858
These people opening up these gory packages.
00:19:12.925 --> 00:19:15.294
These gory packages. this is the picture,
00:19:15.361 --> 00:19:18.764
This is the picture, "it can get worse.
00:19:18.831 --> 00:19:22.268
"it can get worse. if we don't step up,
00:19:22.334 --> 00:19:24.203
If we don't step up, things can get worse."
00:19:24.270 --> 00:19:27.206
Things can get worse." see the bad to see better.
00:19:27.273 --> 00:19:31.777
See the bad to see better. the bible says they see the bad.
00:19:31.844 --> 00:19:36.882
The bible says they see the bad. so, what they do is they get up,
00:19:36.949 --> 00:19:39.552
So, what they do is they get up, they come together as one.
00:19:39.618 --> 00:19:41.086
They come together as one. can you believe it?
00:19:41.153 --> 00:19:42.788
Can you believe it? a nation that was divided,
00:19:42.855 --> 00:19:44.223
A nation that was divided, a nation that had been
00:19:44.290 --> 00:19:45.424
A nation that had been pulling apart,
00:19:45.491 --> 00:19:46.325
Pulling apart, a nation that was considering
00:19:46.392 --> 00:19:48.627
A nation that was considering just hiding out
00:19:48.694 --> 00:19:49.862
Just hiding out behind their shields,
00:19:49.929 --> 00:19:52.765
Behind their shields, all of a sudden,
00:19:52.831 --> 00:19:54.366
All of a sudden, now they come together as one.
00:19:54.433 --> 00:19:56.735
Now they come together as one. they step up and they go fight,
00:19:56.802 --> 00:19:59.138
They step up and they go fight, and they win a great victory
00:19:59.205 --> 00:20:01.173
And they win a great victory because there is no victory
00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.242
Because there is no victory if you give up
00:20:03.309 --> 00:20:03.943
If you give up your fighting eye.
00:20:04.009 --> 00:20:05.177
Your fighting eye. there is no victory
00:20:05.244 --> 00:20:06.445
There is no victory without vision.
00:20:06.512 --> 00:20:10.549
Without vision. general patton,
00:20:10.616 --> 00:20:11.283
General patton, after the victory of normandy,
00:20:11.350 --> 00:20:12.885
After the victory of normandy, was asked,
00:20:12.952 --> 00:20:13.485
Was asked, "why did you fight like that?"
00:20:13.552 --> 00:20:14.954
"why did you fight like that?" and he said,
00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:15.454
And he said, "all i had to do was
00:20:15.521 --> 00:20:16.622
"all i had to do was have a vision of my family
00:20:16.689 --> 00:20:18.424
Have a vision of my family under hitler's control."
00:20:18.490 --> 00:20:20.893
Under hitler's control." see the bad to see better.
00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:26.131
See the bad to see better. when we talk about our fighting
00:20:26.198 --> 00:20:27.299
When we talk about our fighting eye and we talk about vision,
00:20:27.366 --> 00:20:28.767
Eye and we talk about vision, you know what happens?
00:20:28.834 --> 00:20:30.970
You know what happens? it's scary,
00:20:31.036 --> 00:20:32.972
It's scary, it's risky,
00:20:33.038 --> 00:20:34.473
It's risky, it's overwhelming.
00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:36.775
It's overwhelming. first reaction is
00:20:36.842 --> 00:20:37.610
First reaction is to think about the cost,
00:20:37.676 --> 00:20:39.445
To think about the cost, the expense of it.
00:20:39.511 --> 00:20:40.746
The expense of it. my first thought is,
00:20:40.813 --> 00:20:41.480
My first thought is, "i don't wanna fight
00:20:41.547 --> 00:20:42.114
"i don't wanna fight that kind of battle.
00:20:42.181 --> 00:20:44.149
That kind of battle. i wanna hide out.
00:20:44.216 --> 00:20:45.684
I wanna hide out. i wanna play it safe.
00:20:45.751 --> 00:20:47.753
I wanna play it safe. i don't need no more stress.
00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:49.455
I don't need no more stress. i don't need no more struggle."
00:20:49.521 --> 00:20:55.194
I don't need no more struggle." but i have to open up the gory
00:20:55.261 --> 00:20:56.862
But i have to open up the gory box and look at it and say,
00:20:56.929 --> 00:21:04.737
Box and look at it and say, "i don't want to see another
00:21:04.803 --> 00:21:06.705
"i don't want to see another soul-winning church slaughtered
00:21:06.772 --> 00:21:11.143
Soul-winning church slaughtered because we don't understand
00:21:11.210 --> 00:21:12.878
Because we don't understand we gotta keep our fighting eye."
00:21:12.945 --> 00:21:19.852
We gotta keep our fighting eye." seeing the bad
00:21:19.918 --> 00:21:20.986
Seeing the bad isn't the main point.
00:21:21.053 --> 00:21:23.589
Isn't the main point. the main point
00:21:23.656 --> 00:21:24.657
The main point is see the better.
00:21:24.723 --> 00:21:27.226
Is see the better. the main point isn't
00:21:27.293 --> 00:21:28.193
The main point isn't hell in the bible,
00:21:28.260 --> 00:21:29.628
Hell in the bible, the main point is heaven.
00:21:29.695 --> 00:21:32.064
The main point is heaven. but you have to see the bad
00:21:32.131 --> 00:21:33.399
But you have to see the bad to understand the glory,
00:21:33.465 --> 00:21:34.800
To understand the glory, and the majesty,
00:21:34.867 --> 00:21:35.768
And the majesty, and the beauty of the place
00:21:35.834 --> 00:21:37.870
And the beauty of the place he's prepared
00:21:37.936 --> 00:21:38.604
He's prepared for us called heaven.
00:21:38.671 --> 00:21:40.839
[applause]
00:21:41.307 --> 00:21:43.075
Sometimes you have
00:21:43.442 --> 00:21:44.009
Sometimes you have to experience loneliness
00:21:44.076 --> 00:21:45.911
To experience loneliness to understand what it means
00:21:45.978 --> 00:21:47.680
To understand what it means that he'll never leave you
00:21:47.746 --> 00:21:49.381
That he'll never leave you or forsake you.
00:21:49.448 --> 00:21:51.317
Or forsake you. sometimes you have to see that
00:21:51.383 --> 00:21:52.885
Sometimes you have to see that bloody cross to realize we were
00:21:52.951 --> 00:21:54.720
Bloody cross to realize we were baptized into his death,
00:21:54.787 --> 00:21:56.255
Baptized into his death, but the bible promises
00:21:56.322 --> 00:21:57.790
But the bible promises as he got up,
00:21:57.856 --> 00:21:58.857
As he got up, as he was raised up,
00:21:58.924 --> 00:21:59.992
As he was raised up, we'll also be baptized
00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.794
We'll also be baptized in his resurrection.
00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:03.028
[applause]
00:22:03.462 --> 00:22:06.198
So, one of the things that
00:22:08.267 --> 00:22:09.301
So, one of the things that you've heard all throughout
00:22:09.368 --> 00:22:10.169
You've heard all throughout this service is our new mission
00:22:10.235 --> 00:22:16.008
This service is our new mission statement which is,
00:22:16.075 --> 00:22:17.142
Statement which is, "expanding heaven
00:22:17.209 --> 00:22:19.478
"expanding heaven one person at a time."
00:22:19.545 --> 00:22:20.913
One person at a time." and the reason i love
00:22:20.979 --> 00:22:21.613
And the reason i love that mission statement
00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.448
That mission statement is several reasons.
00:22:22.514 --> 00:22:23.248
Is several reasons. but the first one is, years ago,
00:22:23.315 --> 00:22:26.518
But the first one is, years ago, in this church,
00:22:26.585 --> 00:22:27.553
In this church, i can remember more people
00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.687
I can remember more people were leaving than were coming,
00:22:28.754 --> 00:22:30.823
Were leaving than were coming, and i felt the lord say,
00:22:30.889 --> 00:22:31.990
And i felt the lord say, "you build that church
00:22:32.057 --> 00:22:33.058
"you build that church one altar call at a time,
00:22:33.125 --> 00:22:35.894
One altar call at a time, one soul at a time."
00:22:35.961 --> 00:22:38.097
One soul at a time." the other reason i love
00:22:38.163 --> 00:22:39.164
The other reason i love that mission statement
00:22:39.231 --> 00:22:40.666
That mission statement is because everyone
00:22:40.733 --> 00:22:42.067
Is because everyone in this room can do it.
00:22:42.134 --> 00:22:45.404
In this room can do it. didn't say,
00:22:45.471 --> 00:22:45.904
Didn't say, "gather a crowd."
00:22:45.971 --> 00:22:46.772
"gather a crowd." didn't say,
00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.239
Didn't say, "build a big church."
00:22:47.306 --> 00:22:48.107
"build a big church." didn't say any of that.
00:22:48.173 --> 00:22:49.241
Didn't say any of that. "expand heaven one person
00:22:49.308 --> 00:22:51.744
"expand heaven one person at a time."
00:22:51.810 --> 00:22:53.612
At a time." let your vision expand,
00:22:53.679 --> 00:22:57.850
Let your vision expand, because there's people you love
00:22:57.916 --> 00:23:00.753
Because there's people you love that are still outside
00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.854
That are still outside the kingdom of god
00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.822
The kingdom of god and you can do
00:23:03.889 --> 00:23:04.590
And you can do something about it.
00:23:04.656 --> 00:23:05.691
Something about it. at your work, in your school,
00:23:05.758 --> 00:23:08.227
At your work, in your school, in your family,
00:23:08.293 --> 00:23:09.661
In your family, god can use every single person
00:23:09.728 --> 00:23:12.564
God can use every single person in this room to be an ox
00:23:12.631 --> 00:23:14.900
In this room to be an ox in the field and win souls.
00:23:14.967 --> 00:23:17.569
In the field and win souls. don't let the enemy
00:23:17.636 --> 00:23:19.238
Don't let the enemy have your fighting eye.
00:23:19.304 --> 00:23:21.173
Have your fighting eye. keep your eye open
00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.241
Keep your eye open on that family member.
00:23:22.307 --> 00:23:23.308
On that family member. keep your eye open on souls.
00:23:23.375 --> 00:23:25.411
Keep your eye open on souls. let's keep our eye open
00:23:25.477 --> 00:23:26.645
Let's keep our eye open and lift it up.
00:23:26.712 --> 00:23:27.646
And lift it up. the harvest is white and ready.
00:23:27.713 --> 00:23:31.417
The harvest is white and ready. god's just looking for people
00:23:31.483 --> 00:23:32.918
God's just looking for people to have the fighting eye.
00:23:32.985 --> 00:23:34.119
♪ ♪
00:23:34.753 --> 00:23:35.721
>> thank you so much
00:23:36.088 --> 00:23:36.622
>> thank you so much for spending some time
00:23:36.688 --> 00:23:37.322
For spending some time with us today.
00:23:37.389 --> 00:23:38.424
With us today. we're trusting that god's word,
00:23:38.490 --> 00:23:40.025
We're trusting that god's word, as it does,
00:23:40.092 --> 00:23:40.993
As it does, made a difference
00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.127
Made a difference in your life today.
00:23:42.194 --> 00:23:43.595
In your life today. and we're just here
00:23:43.662 --> 00:23:44.696
And we're just here to be a blessing to you.
00:23:44.763 --> 00:23:45.731
To be a blessing to you. we're here to serve
00:23:45.798 --> 00:23:46.365
We're here to serve however we can.
00:23:46.432 --> 00:23:47.633
However we can. if we can pray with you,
00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.801
If we can pray with you, they'll communicate that.
00:23:48.867 --> 00:23:50.068
They'll communicate that. if you wanna share
00:23:50.135 --> 00:23:51.036
If you wanna share with us your story.
00:23:51.103 --> 00:23:53.038
With us your story. it always means so much
00:23:53.105 --> 00:23:54.339
It always means so much when we get the letters,
00:23:54.406 --> 00:23:55.474
When we get the letters, when we hear about what god's
00:23:55.541 --> 00:23:57.075
When we hear about what god's doing in your life
00:23:57.142 --> 00:23:58.610
Doing in your life so we can begin to think
00:23:58.677 --> 00:23:59.745
So we can begin to think about you and pray with you,
00:23:59.812 --> 00:24:01.280
About you and pray with you, more specifically.
00:24:01.346 --> 00:24:02.714
More specifically. and so, please,
00:24:02.781 --> 00:24:03.248
And so, please, call us if you need
00:24:03.315 --> 00:24:04.383
Call us if you need prayer today,
00:24:04.450 --> 00:24:05.350
Prayer today, and know that you
00:24:05.417 --> 00:24:06.618
And know that you are very important to us.
00:24:06.685 --> 00:24:08.187
Are very important to us. more importantly,
00:24:08.253 --> 00:24:09.154
More importantly, you matter to god.
00:24:09.221 --> 00:24:10.322
You matter to god. we'll see you next time.
00:24:10.389 --> 00:24:11.156
I just wonder if god
00:24:11.857 --> 00:24:12.624
I just wonder if god can take us back to this,
00:24:12.691 --> 00:24:15.427
Can take us back to this, you know, i mean, to this.
00:24:15.494 --> 00:24:16.462
You know, i mean, to this. 'cause you can, you know,
00:24:16.528 --> 00:24:17.496
'cause you can, you know, you can get all
00:24:17.563 --> 00:24:18.297
You can get all this stuff and --
00:24:18.363 --> 00:24:20.332
This stuff and -- but it really is empty.
00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:22.201
But it really is empty. >> oh.
00:24:22.267 --> 00:24:22.901
>> oh. >> you know,
00:24:22.968 --> 00:24:23.368
>> you know, it really is without him there,
00:24:23.435 --> 00:24:26.805
It really is without him there, david said,
00:24:26.872 --> 00:24:28.140
David said, "restore to me the joy
00:24:28.207 --> 00:24:29.041
"restore to me the joy of my salvation."
00:24:29.107 --> 00:24:31.076
Of my salvation." it wasn't, you know,
00:24:31.143 --> 00:24:32.311
It wasn't, you know, "restore to me,"
00:24:32.377 --> 00:24:33.345
"restore to me," you know,
00:24:33.412 --> 00:24:34.313
You know, "the feeling of the moment
00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:35.447
"the feeling of the moment that i held goliath's head
00:24:35.514 --> 00:24:37.516
That i held goliath's head in my hand."
00:24:37.583 --> 00:24:38.150
In my hand." you know,
00:24:38.217 --> 00:24:38.517
You know, "restore to me the moment
00:24:38.584 --> 00:24:39.551
"restore to me the moment that i heard
00:24:39.618 --> 00:24:40.652
That i heard the people shouting,"
00:24:40.719 --> 00:24:41.420
The people shouting," you know, "saul had
00:24:41.487 --> 00:24:42.254
You know, "saul had his thousands.
00:24:42.321 --> 00:24:42.754
His thousands. david --"
00:24:42.821 --> 00:24:43.856
David --" he -- because even
00:24:43.922 --> 00:24:46.692
He -- because even in those shouts
00:24:46.758 --> 00:24:47.459
In those shouts or even in those victories,
00:24:47.526 --> 00:24:50.729
Or even in those victories, if you don't have that joy
00:24:50.796 --> 00:24:53.298
If you don't have that joy of when i first got saved,
00:24:53.365 --> 00:24:55.567
Of when i first got saved, i first came to know him,
00:24:55.634 --> 00:24:57.269
I first came to know him, i first realized,
00:24:57.336 --> 00:25:00.472
I first realized, you know,
00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:00.839
You know, that he loved me,
00:25:00.906 --> 00:25:01.940
That he loved me, and that he had a plan for me,
00:25:02.007 --> 00:25:03.408
And that he had a plan for me, and a purpose for me,
00:25:03.475 --> 00:25:04.476
And a purpose for me, even though nothing else
00:25:04.543 --> 00:25:05.577
Even though nothing else in the world said i should,
00:25:05.644 --> 00:25:07.579
In the world said i should, but he did, and he affirmed.
00:25:07.646 --> 00:25:09.548
But he did, and he affirmed. and the purity of it, the.
00:25:09.615 --> 00:25:12.150
And the purity of it, the. >> that's right.
00:25:12.217 --> 00:25:12.584
>> that's right. >> you know,
00:25:12.651 --> 00:25:13.051
>> you know, i talked about this week
00:25:13.118 --> 00:25:14.119
I talked about this week about how jesus said that
00:25:14.186 --> 00:25:16.555
About how jesus said that the first shall be last
00:25:16.622 --> 00:25:17.523
The first shall be last and the last shall be first.
00:25:17.589 --> 00:25:18.924
And the last shall be first. and to me,
00:25:18.991 --> 00:25:19.992
And to me, when i read it,
00:25:20.058 --> 00:25:20.659
When i read it, it was just the image
00:25:20.726 --> 00:25:21.426
It was just the image of we're always --
00:25:21.493 --> 00:25:22.928
Of we're always -- if you're reaching
00:25:22.995 --> 00:25:23.795
If you're reaching for something,
00:25:23.862 --> 00:25:24.696
For something, the world's saying,
00:25:24.763 --> 00:25:25.397
The world's saying, "reach for first."
00:25:25.464 --> 00:25:27.699
"reach for first." and jesus said,
00:25:27.766 --> 00:25:28.267
And jesus said, "hey, stop.
00:25:28.333 --> 00:25:29.902
"hey, stop. reach for last.
00:25:29.968 --> 00:25:30.836
Reach for last. just keep going back
00:25:30.903 --> 00:25:31.737
Just keep going back to being a servant,
00:25:31.803 --> 00:25:32.671
To being a servant, keep going back
00:25:32.738 --> 00:25:33.405
Keep going back to these type of things.
00:25:33.472 --> 00:25:36.074
To these type of things. just praying,
00:25:36.141 --> 00:25:36.675
Just praying, seeking god, loving god."
00:25:36.742 --> 00:25:38.544
Seeking god, loving god." >> that last part
00:25:38.610 --> 00:25:39.478
>> that last part of the prayer of jabez says,
00:25:39.545 --> 00:25:41.413
Of the prayer of jabez says, "and keep me from evil."
00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:44.550
"and keep me from evil." that one,
00:25:44.616 --> 00:25:45.817
That one, that one is so strong, too.
00:25:45.884 --> 00:25:48.420
That one is so strong, too. "bless me indeed,
00:25:48.487 --> 00:25:49.555
"bless me indeed, enlarge my territory,
00:25:49.621 --> 00:25:51.089
Enlarge my territory, let your hand be upon me."
00:25:51.156 --> 00:25:53.392
Let your hand be upon me." and so -- and then he said,
00:25:53.458 --> 00:25:55.594
And so -- and then he said, "keep me from evil."
00:25:55.661 --> 00:25:57.062
"keep me from evil." and god granted him his request.
00:25:57.129 --> 00:25:59.698
And god granted him his request. god didn't say,
00:25:59.765 --> 00:26:00.265
God didn't say, "you selfish thing.
00:26:00.332 --> 00:26:02.634
"you selfish thing. i can't believe you asked me
00:26:02.701 --> 00:26:03.669
I can't believe you asked me for larger --
00:26:03.735 --> 00:26:04.937
For larger -- enlarge your territory.
00:26:05.003 --> 00:26:06.171
Enlarge your territory. i can't believe you ask
00:26:06.238 --> 00:26:07.339
I can't believe you ask me for the indeed blessing.
00:26:07.406 --> 00:26:10.008
Me for the indeed blessing. not just the normal blessing
00:26:10.075 --> 00:26:12.010
Not just the normal blessing but the big blessing.
00:26:12.077 --> 00:26:13.879
But the big blessing. i can't believe you
00:26:13.946 --> 00:26:14.880
I can't believe you had the audacity to ask
00:26:14.947 --> 00:26:17.316
Had the audacity to ask that my hand would be upon you,
00:26:17.382 --> 00:26:19.251
That my hand would be upon you, and there would be a --
00:26:19.318 --> 00:26:21.086
And there would be a -- it would even be noted by me
00:26:21.153 --> 00:26:24.523
It would even be noted by me that you've been with the lord,"
00:26:24.590 --> 00:26:25.958
That you've been with the lord," you know?
00:26:26.024 --> 00:26:27.025
You know? but --
00:26:27.092 --> 00:26:28.894
But -- >> in the greatness of things
00:26:28.961 --> 00:26:30.495
>> in the greatness of things that god would keep
00:26:30.562 --> 00:26:31.163
That god would keep you from that,
00:26:31.229 --> 00:26:31.930
You from that, the wrong things that
00:26:31.997 --> 00:26:32.898
The wrong things that can come along with it.
00:26:32.965 --> 00:26:34.533
Can come along with it. that's so powerful.
00:26:34.600 --> 00:26:35.167
That's so powerful. >> really is putting
00:26:35.233 --> 00:26:35.767
>> really is putting the hedge up.
00:26:35.834 --> 00:26:36.802
The hedge up. it's saying,
00:26:36.868 --> 00:26:37.903
It's saying, "i don't even trust me."
00:26:37.970 --> 00:26:40.539
"i don't even trust me." you know?
00:26:40.606 --> 00:26:41.073
You know? keep me.
00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:42.007
Keep me. keep me from that.
00:26:42.074 --> 00:26:42.741
Keep me from that. >> and that's what
00:26:42.808 --> 00:26:43.275
>> and that's what jesus did too.
00:26:43.342 --> 00:26:43.875
Jesus did too. it was --
00:26:43.942 --> 00:26:44.576
It was -- it was,
00:26:44.643 --> 00:26:45.644
It was, "forgive us our trespass
00:26:45.711 --> 00:26:46.812
"forgive us our trespass and we forgive those
00:26:46.878 --> 00:26:47.412
And we forgive those who tres --
00:26:47.479 --> 00:26:48.747
Who tres -- lead us not into temptation."
00:26:48.814 --> 00:26:50.649
Lead us not into temptation." so, all the temptation
00:26:50.716 --> 00:26:52.517
So, all the temptation where you're saying,
00:26:52.584 --> 00:26:53.118
Where you're saying, "hey, give me the door
00:26:53.185 --> 00:26:54.219
"hey, give me the door of escape,
00:26:54.286 --> 00:26:54.853
Of escape, it's gonna all be around me.
00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:56.488
It's gonna all be around me. lead me through it,
00:26:56.555 --> 00:26:57.522
Lead me through it, give me the door of escape."
00:26:57.589 --> 00:26:58.523
Give me the door of escape." and then he said,
00:26:58.590 --> 00:26:59.257
And then he said, "deliver me from evil."
00:26:59.324 --> 00:27:01.059
"deliver me from evil." same thing is
00:27:01.126 --> 00:27:01.960
Same thing is in the lord's prayer.
00:27:02.027 --> 00:27:02.561
♪ all i am is yours ♪
00:27:03.195 --> 00:27:06.965
♪ all i have is yours ♪
00:27:07.032 --> 00:27:11.470
♪ every breath i'm breathing ♪
00:27:11.536 --> 00:27:16.008
♪ jesus is yours ♪
00:27:16.074 --> 00:27:20.479
♪ you're in every part ♪
00:27:20.545 --> 00:27:24.916
♪ that's just who you are ♪
00:27:24.983 --> 00:27:28.186

Marcus Mecum - See The Bad To See The Better

March 30, 2025 | S25:E13

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