Mike Novotny - I - Idolatry

September 9, 2025 | 29:5

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - I - Idolatry | September 9, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> back in the year 51 a.d.
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>> back in the year 51 a.d. the christian missionary,
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The christian missionary, the apostle paul, walked into
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The apostle paul, walked into the famous city of athens.
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The famous city of athens. he looked on either side
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He looked on either side of the street and he came
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To this very, very obvious
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To this very, very obvious conclusion, he said,
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Conclusion, he said, "people of athens!
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"people of athens! i see that in every way you
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I see that in every way you are very religious."
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Recently, i was
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Recently, i was blessed and privileged
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Blessed and privileged to walk the same streets
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To walk the same streets the apostle paul walked,
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The apostle paul walked, and it was immediately
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And it was immediately evident that this man
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Evident that this man was not exaggerating about
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Was not exaggerating about the religion of that city.
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The religion of that city. i took a picture,
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I took a picture, that i'll show you
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That i'll show you of a famous building you
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Of a famous building you might recognize called,
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"the parthenon".
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"the parthenon". it's built after
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It's built after the goddess athena,
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The goddess athena, hundreds of years
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Hundreds of years before paul showed up.
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It sits not just as
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It sits not just as this towering building
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This towering building but on a towering rock
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But on a towering rock in the middle of the city.
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In the middle of the city. you can see how religious people
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You can see how religious people were from miles away.
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Were from miles away. but it wasn't
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But it wasn't the only temple in town,
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The only temple in town, just a half mile to the east
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Just a half mile to the east of the parthenon,
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Of the parthenon, i took this picture,
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Of the towering columns
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Of the towering columns of the ancient temple to zeus,
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Of the ancient temple to zeus, the father and lord
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Of all the gods.
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Of all the gods. its construction
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Its construction began before paul came,
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Began before paul came, its construction didn't end
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Its construction didn't end until long after paul was gone.
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Until long after paul was gone. this, at one time,
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This, at one time, was one of if not
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Was one of if not the biggest buildings
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The biggest buildings on planet earth.
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On planet earth. but that wasn't it.
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But that wasn't it. just a half mile to the west
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Just a half mile to the west of the parthenon was something
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Of the parthenon was something i took a quick video of,
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The best preserved temple
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The best preserved temple of ancient greece,
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Of ancient greece, temple to the god hephaestus,
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Temple to the god hephaestus, built centuries before
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Built centuries before paul showed up.
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Paul showed up. the god of metal working
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The god of metal working was honored by the greeks
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Was honored by the greeks with this temple.
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With this temple. paul saw this temple,
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Paul saw this temple, and he saw the parthenon,
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And he saw the parthenon, and he saw the columns
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To mighty zeus,
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To mighty zeus, and he saw so many more.
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And he saw so many more. and he came to this conclusion,
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And he came to this conclusion, which must have been from
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Which must have been from the department of the obvious,
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The department of the obvious, "i see people that you are
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"i see people that you are very religious."
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Very religious." and here today,
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And here today, 2,000 years later i look out
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2,000 years later i look out at all of you in modern america
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At all of you in modern america and i see that you are
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And i see that you are very religious too.
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Very religious too. like you, sir.
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Like you, sir. four rows back, second one in,
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Four rows back, second one in, yeah, i'm look at you.
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Yeah, i'm look at you. i can tell, in that button up,
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I can tell, in that button up, you are very religious.
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You are very religious. oh, and you over here,
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Oh, and you over here, this family, i see you
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This family, i see you in the darkness trying
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In the darkness trying to hide in the shadows
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To hide in the shadows in the back of church.
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In the back of church. oh, i can tell,
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Oh, i can tell, even from a distance,
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Even from a distance, my pastor spidey senses
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My pastor spidey senses are going off that you
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Are going off that you are incredibly religious.
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Are incredibly religious. and you who are
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And you who are watching at home,
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Watching at home, you who are watching
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You who are watching walking your dog outside
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Walking your dog outside listening to a podcast,
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Listening to a podcast, driving in your car
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Driving in your car listening to the radio,
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Listening to the radio, sitting on your couch
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Sitting on your couch as your kids run around
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As your kids run around watching this on tv,
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Watching this on tv, i can just tell that you
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I can just tell that you are incredibly religious.
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Are incredibly religious. in fact,
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In fact, if you're here today,
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If you're here today, would you turn to the person
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Would you turn to the person sitting next to you,
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Sitting next to you, just look them square in the eye
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Just look them square in the eye and say these words to them,
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And say these words to them, "you are very religious."
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"you are very religious." you're very, very, very,
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You're very, very, very, so incredibly religious.
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So incredibly religious. now, hold up, some of you hear
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Now, hold up, some of you hear that or some of you say
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That or some of you say that and you say,
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That and you say, "nah, pastor,
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"nah, pastor, thanks but no."
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[laughing]
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I mean, yeah, some people
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I mean, yeah, some people are very religious but isn't
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Are very religious but isn't it true that some people
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It true that some people are not very religious?
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Are not very religious? some of you are passionate
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Some of you are passionate attenders and members
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Attenders and members of our church family,
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Of our church family, some of you are
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Some of you are checking things out
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Checking things out for the first time,
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For the first time, you're not so sure
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You're not so sure about organized religion,
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About organized religion, or churches like this one.
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Or churches like this one. some of you at home,
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Some of you at home, the first thing you did when
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The first thing you did when you woke up was you prayed
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You woke up was you prayed or you grabbed your bible.
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Or you grabbed your bible. and some of you would say,
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And some of you would say, "i rarely, if i ever, do that."
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"i rarely, if i ever, do that." so, how can i --
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So, how can i -- how can i claim that you,
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How can i claim that you, and the person
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And the person sitting next to you,
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Sitting next to you, all of your family members,
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All of your family members, all of your friends
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All of your friends are incredibly religious?
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Are incredibly religious? well, the reason i can say that
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Well, the reason i can say that is because i know what the word
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Is because i know what the word religious means.
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Religious means. do you?
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Do you? grab a pen,
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Grab a pen, let me define some terms.
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Let me define some terms. this is important for today.
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This is important for today. the word religious,
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The word religious, if you look up in a dictionary,
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If you look up in a dictionary, simply means to be bound
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Simply means to be bound to a set of beliefs.
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To a set of beliefs. when in a person's heart you
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When in a person's heart you are bound to certain beliefs,
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Are bound to certain beliefs, or certain priorities,
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Or certain priorities, or certain values,
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Or certain values, that makes you
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That makes you a religious person.
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A religious person. now, we tend to think
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Now, we tend to think of christians as religious
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Of christians as religious people because they're bound
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People because they're bound to the beliefs of this book,
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To the beliefs of this book, the bible.
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The bible. but you could be bound
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But you could be bound to any number of beliefs
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To any number of beliefs like family first,
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Like family first, that's a religious person.
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That's a religious person. god and country.
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God and country. be true to yourself.
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Be true to yourself. love is love.
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Love is love. science is real.
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Science is real. all of us have
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All of us have these certain values,
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These certain values, these things that are in
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These things that are in our heart that we're bound to,
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Our heart that we're bound to, they help us make decisions
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They help us make decisions and figure out what we think
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And figure out what we think about people, and opinions,
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About people, and opinions, and sayings, and schedules,
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And sayings, and schedules, and our budgets.
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And our budgets. all of us, by that definition,
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All of us, by that definition, are some kind of religious.
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Are some kind of religious. but that definition also means
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But that definition also means that all of us worship.
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That all of us worship. you know, we tend
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You know, we tend to limit worship to what
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To limit worship to what happens on a sunday morning
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Happens on a sunday morning or maybe the parts where we
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Or maybe the parts where we sing on a sunday morning,
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Sing on a sunday morning, but that's not what
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But that's not what the word means.
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The word means. worship is what you do
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Worship is what you do for whatever is worth
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For whatever is worth the most to you.
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The most to you. it's the way you treat
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It's the way you treat the thing you want more
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The thing you want more than anything in the world.
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Than anything in the world. now, you might worship jesus
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Now, you might worship jesus but it's very possible that your
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But it's very possible that your heart is bound to worshipping
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Heart is bound to worshipping something else,
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Something else, and whatever that
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And whatever that something or someone is,
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Something or someone is, is what the bible would call
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Is what the bible would call an idol or a god.
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An idol or a god. it's whatever or whoever
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It's whatever or whoever you fear losing, love,
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You fear losing, love, and trust in above
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And trust in above all other things.
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All other things. so, when i say that you
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So, when i say that you and your best friend,
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And your best friend, and your father,
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And your father, and your next door neighbor,
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And your next door neighbor, the person sitting
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The person sitting to the right or left of you
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To the right or left of you is very religious,
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Is very religious, that statement is absolutely
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That statement is absolutely true because all of us
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True because all of us love something the most.
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Love something the most. all of us believe,
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All of us believe, at the end of the day,
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At the end of the day, that something will make
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That something will make us the happiest.
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Us the happiest. all of us make decisions
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All of us make decisions with our time, with our energy,
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With our time, with our energy, and with our money based on
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And with our money based on the thing that we are bound
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The thing that we are bound to deep in our hearts.
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To deep in our hearts. you know, years ago
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You know, years ago the american novelist,
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The american novelist, david foster wallace,
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David foster wallace, who was not a christian,
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Who was not a christian, by the way,
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By the way, gave an incredibly powerful
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Gave an incredibly powerful commencement speech about this
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Commencement speech about this very topic at kenyan college.
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Very topic at kenyan college. he's looking out at all
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He's looking out at all these 20-somethings about
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These 20-somethings about to launch in the world.
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To launch in the world. this man, who is not
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This man, who is not a fan of the bible,
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A fan of the bible, not a fan of jesus he said this,
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Not a fan of jesus he said this, "there is no such thing
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"there is no such thing as not worshipping.
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As not worshipping. everybody worships.
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Everybody worships. the only choice we get
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The only choice we get is what to worship."
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Is what to worship." right.
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Right. you might
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You might be one of those people
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Be one of those people who has little gold and silver
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Who has little gold and silver statues with a little shrine
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Statues with a little shrine or altar in your home.
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Or altar in your home. i know downtown there's actually
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I know downtown there's actually a retail store that sells
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A retail store that sells such things in our community.
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Such things in our community. maybe you've been in, perhaps,
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Maybe you've been in, perhaps, an ethnic restaurant where you
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An ethnic restaurant where you see little corner shrines with
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See little corner shrines with the statues and the offerings.
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The statues and the offerings. you might be
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You might be a person like that but,
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A person like that but, i have a hunch if you're
00:06:59.675 --> 00:07:00.543
I have a hunch if you're a modern american your issue
00:07:00.610 --> 00:07:02.378
A modern american your issue isn't with the idols
00:07:02.445 --> 00:07:03.813
Isn't with the idols out there but instead
00:07:03.880 --> 00:07:06.449
Out there but instead with the idols in here.
00:07:06.516 --> 00:07:10.419
With the idols in here. god talked about such things
00:07:10.486 --> 00:07:11.787
In ezekiel 14 where
00:07:11.888 --> 00:07:13.689
In ezekiel 14 where he said to the prophet,
00:07:13.756 --> 00:07:14.390
He said to the prophet, "son of man, these men,"
00:07:14.457 --> 00:07:16.559
"son of man, these men," these people in israel,
00:07:16.626 --> 00:07:17.760
These people in israel, "have set up idols
00:07:17.827 --> 00:07:20.129
"have set up idols in their hearts."
00:07:20.196 --> 00:07:21.831
In their hearts." the greeks had countless gods,
00:07:21.898 --> 00:07:24.200
The greeks had countless gods, the romans had countless gods,
00:07:24.267 --> 00:07:25.568
Modern hindu people have
00:07:25.668 --> 00:07:27.069
Modern hindu people have countless gods.
00:07:27.136 --> 00:07:27.670
Countless gods. why, you know, why do we get
00:07:27.737 --> 00:07:29.305
Why, you know, why do we get so serious in church?
00:07:29.372 --> 00:07:30.239
So serious in church? why is the bible so serious
00:07:30.306 --> 00:07:31.440
Why is the bible so serious about you having some
00:07:31.507 --> 00:07:32.909
About you having some other love besides god?
00:07:32.975 --> 00:07:36.379
Other love besides god? did you know why oprah walked
00:07:36.445 --> 00:07:38.514
Did you know why oprah walked away from the christian faith?
00:07:38.581 --> 00:07:42.718
Away from the christian faith? she's told the story
00:07:42.785 --> 00:07:43.286
She's told the story many times before.
00:07:43.352 --> 00:07:43.920
Many times before. she was raised
00:07:43.986 --> 00:07:44.654
She was raised in a christian church
00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:45.922
In a christian church but then as she got older
00:07:45.988 --> 00:07:46.656
But then as she got older she read a passage in the bible
00:07:46.722 --> 00:07:48.457
She read a passage in the bible and she quoted it well,
00:07:48.524 --> 00:07:50.159
And she quoted it well, where god said,
00:07:50.226 --> 00:07:50.726
Where god said, "i am a jealous god."
00:07:50.793 --> 00:07:55.665
"i am a jealous god." and oprah said, "i can't believe
00:07:55.731 --> 00:07:56.632
And oprah said, "i can't believe in a god like that."
00:07:56.699 --> 00:08:00.369
In a god like that." what's god's issue?
00:08:00.436 --> 00:08:02.572
What's god's issue? the word jealous in that context
00:08:02.638 --> 00:08:03.773
The word jealous in that context means fiercely protective.
00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:05.374
Means fiercely protective. it means he's not okay with you
00:08:05.441 --> 00:08:07.410
It means he's not okay with you dating or marrying your heart
00:08:07.476 --> 00:08:09.445
Dating or marrying your heart to anyone else.
00:08:09.512 --> 00:08:10.546
To anyone else. and we've got to ask,
00:08:10.613 --> 00:08:11.180
And we've got to ask, what's god's issue?
00:08:11.247 --> 00:08:12.148
What's god's issue? is he just insecure?
00:08:12.214 --> 00:08:13.583
Is he just insecure? is he weak, small,
00:08:13.649 --> 00:08:14.584
Is he weak, small, trying to hold on
00:08:14.650 --> 00:08:15.351
Trying to hold on to you for personal gain?
00:08:15.418 --> 00:08:18.220
To you for personal gain? the apostle paul would say,
00:08:18.287 --> 00:08:19.055
The apostle paul would say, "no, no, no."
00:08:19.121 --> 00:08:21.123
"no, no, no." in galatians 4, paul reveals
00:08:21.190 --> 00:08:23.125
The issue with idols.
00:08:23.225 --> 00:08:24.093
The issue with idols. he says this to some
00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:25.728
He says this to some first century christians,
00:08:25.795 --> 00:08:26.529
First century christians, "formerly when you
00:08:26.596 --> 00:08:28.197
"formerly when you did not know god,"
00:08:28.264 --> 00:08:28.998
Did not know god," with a capital g,
00:08:29.065 --> 00:08:30.333
With a capital g, the god of the bible,
00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:32.268
The god of the bible, "you were slaves to those
00:08:32.335 --> 00:08:35.071
"you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods."
00:08:35.137 --> 00:08:39.909
Who by nature are not gods." paul, on the one hand,
00:08:39.976 --> 00:08:41.277
Wants to make the case,
00:08:41.377 --> 00:08:42.078
Wants to make the case, these aren't real gods.
00:08:42.144 --> 00:08:44.180
These aren't real gods. beauty, power, sex,
00:08:44.246 --> 00:08:46.382
Beauty, power, sex, those are concepts.
00:08:46.449 --> 00:08:47.016
Those are concepts. those aren't personal beings
00:08:47.083 --> 00:08:48.517
Those aren't personal beings that listen when you pray
00:08:48.584 --> 00:08:50.252
That listen when you pray and reach down to help you
00:08:50.319 --> 00:08:51.621
And reach down to help you when you are in need.
00:08:51.687 --> 00:08:52.254
When you are in need. by nature, they are not gods
00:08:52.321 --> 00:08:53.356
By nature, they are not gods but here's what these gods
00:08:53.422 --> 00:08:55.458
But here's what these gods really do, they enslave you.
00:08:55.524 --> 00:09:00.096
Really do, they enslave you. you were slaves to those,
00:09:00.162 --> 00:09:02.131
You were slaves to those, who by nature are not gods.
00:09:02.198 --> 00:09:04.367
Who by nature are not gods. i want you to write this down,
00:09:04.433 --> 00:09:05.234
I want you to write this down, it is massively important
00:09:05.301 --> 00:09:06.068
It is massively important for your life,
00:09:06.135 --> 00:09:06.902
For your life, that idols enslave you.
00:09:06.969 --> 00:09:08.537
That idols enslave you. if you --
00:09:08.604 --> 00:09:09.672
If you -- if you love anything
00:09:09.739 --> 00:09:10.873
If you love anything besides the god
00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:11.674
Besides the god of the bible the most,
00:09:11.741 --> 00:09:13.542
Of the bible the most, that idol will not
00:09:13.609 --> 00:09:14.443
That idol will not be good to you.
00:09:14.510 --> 00:09:16.512
Be good to you. it will promise you so much
00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:17.880
It will promise you so much and it will break your heart.
00:09:17.947 --> 00:09:19.782
And it will break your heart. it will abuse you,
00:09:19.849 --> 00:09:21.283
It will abuse you, take advantage of you,
00:09:21.350 --> 00:09:22.218
Take advantage of you, take too much time,
00:09:22.284 --> 00:09:23.719
Take too much time, too much money, too much energy,
00:09:23.786 --> 00:09:25.621
Too much money, too much energy, and at the end leave
00:09:25.688 --> 00:09:26.355
And at the end leave you with nothing.
00:09:26.422 --> 00:09:29.792
You with nothing. david foster wallace,
00:09:29.859 --> 00:09:31.894
David foster wallace, the american writer i quoted
00:09:31.961 --> 00:09:32.828
The american writer i quoted in that commencement speech,
00:09:32.895 --> 00:09:33.796
In that commencement speech, here's what he said next.
00:09:33.863 --> 00:09:35.398
Here's what he said next. he said, "everyone worships."
00:09:35.464 --> 00:09:38.100
He said, "everyone worships." now, the compelling reason,
00:09:38.167 --> 00:09:40.102
Now, the compelling reason, this non-christian says,
00:09:40.169 --> 00:09:41.704
This non-christian says, for maybe choosing
00:09:41.771 --> 00:09:42.638
For maybe choosing some kind of god like
00:09:42.705 --> 00:09:43.339
Some kind of god like jesus is that pretty much
00:09:43.406 --> 00:09:46.475
Jesus is that pretty much anything else you worship
00:09:46.542 --> 00:09:47.543
Anything else you worship will eat you alive.
00:09:47.610 --> 00:09:50.746
Will eat you alive. "if you worship
00:09:50.813 --> 00:09:51.447
"if you worship money and possessions,
00:09:51.514 --> 00:09:53.716
Money and possessions, then you'll never have
00:09:53.783 --> 00:09:54.350
Then you'll never have enough or never feel
00:09:54.417 --> 00:09:55.551
Enough or never feel like you have enough.
00:09:55.618 --> 00:09:57.453
Like you have enough. worship your body and beauty
00:09:57.520 --> 00:09:58.821
Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure and you
00:09:58.888 --> 00:10:00.322
And sexual allure and you will always feel ugly.
00:10:00.389 --> 00:10:02.425
Will always feel ugly. and when time
00:10:02.491 --> 00:10:03.059
And when time and age start showing,
00:10:03.125 --> 00:10:04.827
And age start showing, you will die a million
00:10:04.894 --> 00:10:06.328
You will die a million deaths before people
00:10:06.395 --> 00:10:08.798
Deaths before people finally grieve you.
00:10:08.864 --> 00:10:09.932
Finally grieve you. worship power and you'll end up
00:10:09.999 --> 00:10:11.901
Worship power and you'll end up feeling weak and afraid
00:10:11.967 --> 00:10:12.968
Feeling weak and afraid and you'll need ever more power
00:10:13.035 --> 00:10:14.503
And you'll need ever more power over others to numb you
00:10:14.570 --> 00:10:15.905
Over others to numb you to your own fear.
00:10:15.971 --> 00:10:17.973
To your own fear. worship your intellect,
00:10:18.040 --> 00:10:19.075
Worship your intellect, being seen as smart,
00:10:19.141 --> 00:10:20.976
Being seen as smart, you'll end up feeling stupid,
00:10:21.043 --> 00:10:22.244
You'll end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge
00:10:22.311 --> 00:10:24.513
A fraud, always on the verge of being found out."
00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:25.715
Of being found out." what is this non-christian
00:10:25.781 --> 00:10:26.716
What is this non-christian trying to tell us?
00:10:26.782 --> 00:10:29.585
Trying to tell us? he's honest enough
00:10:29.652 --> 00:10:30.252
He's honest enough to know that if you pick
00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:32.254
To know that if you pick any of these other options,
00:10:32.321 --> 00:10:34.890
Any of these other options, they will not bless you
00:10:34.957 --> 00:10:35.725
They will not bless you but instead they will
00:10:35.791 --> 00:10:36.425
But instead they will enslave you.
00:10:36.492 --> 00:10:40.162
Enslave you. have you experienced this yet?
00:10:40.229 --> 00:10:44.233
Have you experienced this yet? you ever read those stories or
00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:45.935
You ever read those stories or are known a professional model
00:10:46.001 --> 00:10:47.937
Are known a professional model that you would think,
00:10:48.003 --> 00:10:50.306
That you would think, "these people are so beautiful,
00:10:50.372 --> 00:10:51.807
"these people are so beautiful, literally they get paid to have
00:10:51.874 --> 00:10:53.175
Literally they get paid to have their photograph taken,"
00:10:53.242 --> 00:10:54.076
Their photograph taken," but you ask them
00:10:54.143 --> 00:10:55.578
But you ask them where their hearts at?
00:10:55.644 --> 00:10:56.312
Where their hearts at? do they feel beautiful?
00:10:56.378 --> 00:10:58.981
Do they feel beautiful? no, the idol, beauty,
00:10:59.048 --> 00:11:00.750
No, the idol, beauty, spits them up
00:11:00.816 --> 00:11:01.984
Spits them up and chews them out.
00:11:02.051 --> 00:11:03.486
And chews them out. and you age like every other
00:11:03.552 --> 00:11:04.653
And you age like every other human being in history and soon
00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:06.055
Human being in history and soon you're old news and you've got
00:11:06.122 --> 00:11:08.324
You're old news and you've got to cover up the wrinkles
00:11:08.390 --> 00:11:09.024
To cover up the wrinkles and the grays.
00:11:09.091 --> 00:11:10.226
And the grays. you -- man, you give your heart,
00:11:10.292 --> 00:11:11.794
You -- man, you give your heart, you put your happiness into
00:11:11.861 --> 00:11:12.962
You put your happiness into looking good and very soon
00:11:13.028 --> 00:11:16.766
Looking good and very soon you will be used
00:11:16.832 --> 00:11:17.399
You will be used and kicked to the curb.
00:11:17.466 --> 00:11:20.236
And kicked to the curb. i think the idol of success --
00:11:20.302 --> 00:11:25.107
I think the idol of success -- you can tell me after church
00:11:25.174 --> 00:11:25.875
You can tell me after church if this sounds bad,
00:11:25.941 --> 00:11:26.542
If this sounds bad, but i never thought in
00:11:26.609 --> 00:11:29.245
But i never thought in my whole life when i decided
00:11:29.311 --> 00:11:30.746
My whole life when i decided to be a pastor i would
00:11:30.813 --> 00:11:31.547
To be a pastor i would be this successful.
00:11:31.614 --> 00:11:35.184
Be this successful. writing books with
00:11:35.251 --> 00:11:35.785
Writing books with my name on the cover,
00:11:35.851 --> 00:11:37.620
My name on the cover, a tv program, a podcast,
00:11:37.686 --> 00:11:39.155
A tv program, a podcast, i never thought
00:11:39.221 --> 00:11:39.955
I never thought that would happen.
00:11:40.022 --> 00:11:40.656
That would happen. but do you think at the end
00:11:40.723 --> 00:11:41.791
But do you think at the end of the day that just gives me
00:11:41.857 --> 00:11:42.925
Of the day that just gives me all the peace in the world?
00:11:42.992 --> 00:11:45.361
All the peace in the world? nope.
00:11:45.427 --> 00:11:48.130
Nope. you get thrown
00:11:48.197 --> 00:11:48.631
You get thrown into a bigger pond,
00:11:48.697 --> 00:11:50.266
Into a bigger pond, where you're the least
00:11:50.332 --> 00:11:51.133
Where you're the least listened to person.
00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:53.068
Listened to person. you notice that random
00:11:53.135 --> 00:11:54.036
You notice that random tiktok videos about
00:11:54.103 --> 00:11:55.204
Tiktok videos about the stupidest things
00:11:55.271 --> 00:11:56.839
The stupidest things will get a million times
00:11:56.906 --> 00:11:57.740
Will get a million times more views than anything
00:11:57.807 --> 00:11:58.641
More views than anything i've ever created.
00:11:58.707 --> 00:11:59.575
I've ever created. you, you don't --
00:11:59.642 --> 00:12:01.143
You, you don't -- you don't find peace
00:12:01.210 --> 00:12:01.944
You don't find peace and happiness and success.
00:12:02.011 --> 00:12:05.281
And happiness and success. what a wild thing
00:12:05.347 --> 00:12:06.382
What a wild thing to push god aside
00:12:06.448 --> 00:12:07.249
To push god aside to pursue something that
00:12:07.316 --> 00:12:08.017
To pursue something that could never satisfy the heart.
00:12:08.083 --> 00:12:11.086
Could never satisfy the heart. turn your kids into idols,
00:12:11.153 --> 00:12:14.824
Turn your kids into idols, let me speak to the moms
00:12:14.890 --> 00:12:15.558
Let me speak to the moms for a second, and you will
00:12:15.624 --> 00:12:18.761
For a second, and you will mess up your home.
00:12:18.828 --> 00:12:21.797
Mess up your home. pour all of your energy,
00:12:21.864 --> 00:12:23.499
Pour all of your energy, all of your attention into
00:12:23.566 --> 00:12:24.633
All of your attention into making these little kids happy.
00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:27.303
Making these little kids happy. ignore the one that you vowed
00:12:27.369 --> 00:12:28.604
Ignore the one that you vowed to love and respect.
00:12:28.671 --> 00:12:29.538
To love and respect. have nothing
00:12:29.605 --> 00:12:30.239
Have nothing left in the tank for him.
00:12:30.306 --> 00:12:31.807
Left in the tank for him. i'll tell you what will happen.
00:12:31.874 --> 00:12:33.342
I'll tell you what will happen. those little kids on the other
00:12:33.409 --> 00:12:34.143
Those little kids on the other side of the bedroom wall
00:12:34.210 --> 00:12:35.044
Side of the bedroom wall will hear you arguing with
00:12:35.110 --> 00:12:36.445
Will hear you arguing with a man who's been neglected
00:12:36.512 --> 00:12:37.880
A man who's been neglected for too long,
00:12:37.947 --> 00:12:39.982
For too long, and it'll mess them up.
00:12:40.049 --> 00:12:43.519
And it'll mess them up. that's what idols do.
00:12:43.586 --> 00:12:47.489
That's what idols do. or think about fathers
00:12:47.556 --> 00:12:48.424
Or think about fathers who idolize work.
00:12:48.490 --> 00:12:52.228
Who idolize work. man, you step back, it's so --
00:12:52.294 --> 00:12:54.129
Man, you step back, it's so -- it's so stupid, but it happens
00:12:54.196 --> 00:12:56.198
It's so stupid, but it happens all the time that we try to make
00:12:56.265 --> 00:12:57.766
All the time that we try to make clients happy who don't even
00:12:57.833 --> 00:12:59.635
Clients happy who don't even know our middle names,
00:12:59.702 --> 00:13:01.537
Know our middle names, who will not
00:13:01.604 --> 00:13:01.971
Who will not come to our funerals,
00:13:02.037 --> 00:13:03.539
Come to our funerals, and we ignore the kids who have
00:13:03.606 --> 00:13:05.074
And we ignore the kids who have our dna and our last name.
00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:08.510
Our dna and our last name. man, you finally get home
00:13:08.577 --> 00:13:10.145
Man, you finally get home to look someone in the eye
00:13:10.212 --> 00:13:11.046
To look someone in the eye and you pull your phone to be
00:13:11.113 --> 00:13:12.181
And you pull your phone to be a little bit better at work,
00:13:12.248 --> 00:13:13.282
A little bit better at work, a little bit more successful.
00:13:13.349 --> 00:13:14.250
A little bit more successful. how crazy is that?
00:13:14.316 --> 00:13:18.053
How crazy is that? how many men have pursued
00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.121
How many men have pursued the idol of success,
00:13:19.188 --> 00:13:20.556
The idol of success, gotten the sports car in
00:13:20.623 --> 00:13:21.457
Gotten the sports car in the promotion and had just
00:13:21.523 --> 00:13:23.058
The promotion and had just a miserable life at home?
00:13:23.125 --> 00:13:25.761
A miserable life at home? idols promise you the best life,
00:13:25.828 --> 00:13:27.096
Idols promise you the best life, heaven on earth, and then they
00:13:27.162 --> 00:13:29.498
Heaven on earth, and then they put you through hell.
00:13:29.565 --> 00:13:33.769
Put you through hell. i think of when you need to be
00:13:33.836 --> 00:13:34.737
I think of when you need to be right or control a situation.
00:13:34.803 --> 00:13:38.540
Right or control a situation. when, like, your god is your
00:13:38.607 --> 00:13:39.541
When, like, your god is your calendar and everything has
00:13:39.608 --> 00:13:41.810
Calendar and everything has to go according to plan,
00:13:41.877 --> 00:13:43.445
To go according to plan, it just enslaves you
00:13:43.512 --> 00:13:44.713
It just enslaves you to anxiety and changes,
00:13:44.780 --> 00:13:46.548
To anxiety and changes, and people aren't thinking
00:13:46.615 --> 00:13:48.150
And people aren't thinking the exact same thing
00:13:48.217 --> 00:13:49.318
The exact same thing that you're thinking.
00:13:49.385 --> 00:13:51.120
That you're thinking. it's so tempting.
00:13:51.186 --> 00:13:52.121
It's so tempting. we think all these things will
00:13:52.187 --> 00:13:53.455
We think all these things will make us happy and it kills us.
00:13:53.522 --> 00:13:56.025
Make us happy and it kills us. you worship being perfect,
00:13:56.091 --> 00:13:57.593
You worship being perfect, being excellent all the time,
00:13:57.660 --> 00:14:01.130
Being excellent all the time, and you'll never
00:14:01.196 --> 00:14:01.897
And you'll never escape the anxiety.
00:14:01.964 --> 00:14:05.634
Escape the anxiety. well, there'll always be
00:14:05.701 --> 00:14:06.468
Well, there'll always be another test, another tryout,
00:14:06.535 --> 00:14:08.037
Another test, another tryout, another game,
00:14:08.103 --> 00:14:08.737
Another game, another tournament,
00:14:08.804 --> 00:14:09.905
Another tournament, another project,
00:14:09.972 --> 00:14:10.606
Another project, another something,
00:14:10.673 --> 00:14:11.206
Another something, and you will stay up
00:14:11.273 --> 00:14:11.874
And you will stay up late at night worrying
00:14:11.941 --> 00:14:13.142
Late at night worrying about perfection.
00:14:13.208 --> 00:14:13.776
About perfection. you will kill --
00:14:13.842 --> 00:14:14.443
You will kill -- you will work so hard,
00:14:14.510 --> 00:14:16.111
You will work so hard, you will study so much
00:14:16.178 --> 00:14:17.680
You will study so much but that --
00:14:17.746 --> 00:14:18.647
But that -- but that perfect score,
00:14:18.714 --> 00:14:19.615
But that perfect score, that a+ will not fill the hole
00:14:19.682 --> 00:14:21.650
That a+ will not fill the hole that's in your heart.
00:14:21.717 --> 00:14:22.351
That's in your heart. it simply cannot.
00:14:22.418 --> 00:14:23.986
It simply cannot. idols allure us away from
00:14:24.053 --> 00:14:26.221
Idols allure us away from the god of the bible,
00:14:26.288 --> 00:14:27.356
The god of the bible, but in the end,
00:14:27.423 --> 00:14:27.890
But in the end, they don't bless us,
00:14:27.957 --> 00:14:28.524
They don't bless us, they enslave us
00:14:28.590 --> 00:14:29.325
They enslave us and they abuse us.
00:14:29.391 --> 00:14:31.460
And they abuse us. so, no disrespect,
00:14:31.527 --> 00:14:33.395
So, no disrespect, but oprah was dead wrong.
00:14:33.462 --> 00:14:36.165
But oprah was dead wrong. god is not bad or petty
00:14:36.231 --> 00:14:37.700
God is not bad or petty to be a jealous god.
00:14:37.766 --> 00:14:38.834
To be a jealous god. he's actually a good father.
00:14:38.901 --> 00:14:41.236
He's actually a good father. he cannot sit there and smile
00:14:41.303 --> 00:14:42.771
He cannot sit there and smile and give you a thumbs up.
00:14:42.838 --> 00:14:43.672
And give you a thumbs up. oh, you worship something that
00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:44.974
Oh, you worship something that will abuse and enslave you?
00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:46.241
Will abuse and enslave you? i wouldn't do that to my kids
00:14:46.308 --> 00:14:47.843
I wouldn't do that to my kids and god doesn't do that to you.
00:14:47.910 --> 00:14:49.311
And god doesn't do that to you. he can't sit in his three piece
00:14:49.378 --> 00:14:50.646
He can't sit in his three piece suit while you walk down
00:14:50.713 --> 00:14:52.081
Suit while you walk down the aisle and vow to fear,
00:14:52.147 --> 00:14:53.916
The aisle and vow to fear, love and trust in some
00:14:53.983 --> 00:14:55.718
Love and trust in some imaginary unseen thing
00:14:55.784 --> 00:14:57.619
Imaginary unseen thing that's going
00:14:57.686 --> 00:14:58.187
That's going to sabotage your life,
00:14:58.253 --> 00:14:58.954
To sabotage your life, he's too good for that.
00:14:59.021 --> 00:15:01.223
He's too good for that. this is why god
00:15:01.290 --> 00:15:01.991
This is why god has an issue with idols,
00:15:02.057 --> 00:15:02.925
Has an issue with idols, this is why he commands you.
00:15:02.992 --> 00:15:04.960
This is why he commands you. "you shall have no other gods."
00:15:05.027 --> 00:15:08.130
"you shall have no other gods." he's not a petty god,
00:15:08.197 --> 00:15:10.165
He's not a petty god, he wants to save you.
00:15:10.232 --> 00:15:17.306
He wants to save you. so, what's the answer?
00:15:17.373 --> 00:15:21.143
So, what's the answer? maybe the holy spirit, like,
00:15:21.210 --> 00:15:22.544
Maybe the holy spirit, like, just literally stabbed you
00:15:22.611 --> 00:15:23.545
Just literally stabbed you in the heart.
00:15:23.612 --> 00:15:23.946
In the heart. what do you do?
00:15:24.013 --> 00:15:27.516
What do you do? if we're worshipping
00:15:27.583 --> 00:15:28.283
If we're worshipping gold and silver statues,
00:15:28.350 --> 00:15:29.485
Gold and silver statues, it'd be pretty easy.
00:15:29.551 --> 00:15:32.187
It'd be pretty easy. in fact, deuteronomy 12 tells us
00:15:32.254 --> 00:15:33.589
Exactly what to do in that case.
00:15:33.689 --> 00:15:34.890
Exactly what to do in that case. god said,
00:15:34.957 --> 00:15:35.691
God said, "break down their altars,
00:15:35.758 --> 00:15:37.426
"break down their altars, smash their sacred stones,
00:15:37.493 --> 00:15:39.061
Smash their sacred stones, burn their asherah poles
00:15:39.128 --> 00:15:40.396
Burn their asherah poles in the fire."
00:15:40.462 --> 00:15:41.263
In the fire." objects of idolatry,
00:15:41.330 --> 00:15:42.865
Objects of idolatry, "cut down the idols
00:15:42.931 --> 00:15:43.665
"cut down the idols of their gods,
00:15:43.732 --> 00:15:44.233
Of their gods, wipe out their names
00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.167
Wipe out their names from those places.
00:15:45.234 --> 00:15:45.968
From those places. you must not worship
00:15:46.035 --> 00:15:47.836
You must not worship the lord your god that way."
00:15:47.903 --> 00:15:49.405
The lord your god that way." god is so graphic.
00:15:49.471 --> 00:15:51.340
God is so graphic. like, if we all had
00:15:51.407 --> 00:15:52.608
Little statues,
00:15:52.708 --> 00:15:53.275
Little statues, we'd start a bonfire
00:15:53.342 --> 00:15:54.910
We'd start a bonfire in the church parking lot
00:15:54.977 --> 00:15:55.911
In the church parking lot and we'd melt them down.
00:15:55.978 --> 00:15:57.679
And we'd melt them down. we'd get a chipper from
00:15:57.746 --> 00:15:59.214
We'd get a chipper from the local lawn care company,
00:15:59.281 --> 00:16:00.215
The local lawn care company, we'd toss those wooden idols
00:16:00.282 --> 00:16:02.351
We'd toss those wooden idols in there.
00:16:02.418 --> 00:16:02.751
In there. but, what do you do --
00:16:02.818 --> 00:16:03.752
But, what do you do -- what do you do when
00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.420
What do you do when the idols aren't statues,
00:16:04.486 --> 00:16:06.588
The idols aren't statues, but instead the idols
00:16:06.655 --> 00:16:07.222
But instead the idols are set up in your heart?
00:16:07.289 --> 00:16:12.127
Are set up in your heart? you do two things:
00:16:12.194 --> 00:16:15.731
You do two things: you turn away from
00:16:15.798 --> 00:16:18.367
You turn away from the one that will hurt you,
00:16:18.434 --> 00:16:21.070
The one that will hurt you, and you turn towards
00:16:21.136 --> 00:16:23.605
And you turn towards the god that will save you.
00:16:23.672 --> 00:16:27.076
The god that will save you. the bible has a name for this,
00:16:27.142 --> 00:16:27.943
The bible has a name for this, you know what it is?
00:16:28.010 --> 00:16:30.446
You know what it is? repentance.
00:16:30.512 --> 00:16:32.714
Repentance. the hebrew word for repent
00:16:32.781 --> 00:16:33.582
The hebrew word for repent is the word "shuv."
00:16:33.649 --> 00:16:34.850
Is the word "shuv." it literally means to do this.
00:16:34.917 --> 00:16:41.023
It literally means to do this. it's like i turned my back on
00:16:41.090 --> 00:16:42.024
It's like i turned my back on god trying to get this thing
00:16:42.091 --> 00:16:43.158
God trying to get this thing thinking it would make me happy.
00:16:43.225 --> 00:16:44.259
Thinking it would make me happy. but repentance is when god
00:16:44.326 --> 00:16:45.828
But repentance is when god opens your eyes to see, wait,
00:16:45.894 --> 00:16:48.297
Opens your eyes to see, wait, this won't make me happy.
00:16:48.363 --> 00:16:49.731
This won't make me happy. i could lose 10 pounds,
00:16:49.798 --> 00:16:50.666
I could lose 10 pounds, i could make 10 grand more,
00:16:50.732 --> 00:16:52.101
I could make 10 grand more, but people who have those things
00:16:52.167 --> 00:16:53.335
But people who have those things they're not eternally satisfied.
00:16:53.402 --> 00:16:55.471
They're not eternally satisfied. you expose the false god
00:16:55.537 --> 00:16:57.239
You expose the false god and instead you turn towards
00:16:57.306 --> 00:16:58.373
And instead you turn towards the true god who will do what
00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:00.843
The true god who will do what no one else will do for you,
00:17:00.909 --> 00:17:01.710
No one else will do for you, he will love you right
00:17:01.777 --> 00:17:03.879
He will love you right where you're at.
00:17:03.946 --> 00:17:07.249
Where you're at. you know, i just got back from
00:17:07.316 --> 00:17:08.117
You know, i just got back from this amazing trip to greece
00:17:08.183 --> 00:17:10.319
This amazing trip to greece and to prepare i studied
00:17:10.385 --> 00:17:11.220
And to prepare i studied more than i'd ever studied
00:17:11.286 --> 00:17:12.121
More than i'd ever studied in my life what ancient greek
00:17:12.187 --> 00:17:13.455
In my life what ancient greek religion was like.
00:17:13.522 --> 00:17:14.456
Religion was like. like, what would
00:17:14.523 --> 00:17:15.023
Like, what would the gospel have sounded like
00:17:15.090 --> 00:17:16.358
The gospel have sounded like to first century people?
00:17:16.425 --> 00:17:17.359
To first century people? i found, actually, a kids book
00:17:17.426 --> 00:17:19.394
I found, actually, a kids book that national geographic wrote,
00:17:19.461 --> 00:17:21.029
That national geographic wrote, they just kind of retold
00:17:21.096 --> 00:17:21.830
They just kind of retold the ancient myths of all
00:17:21.897 --> 00:17:22.931
The ancient myths of all the gods and goddesses.
00:17:22.998 --> 00:17:24.166
The gods and goddesses. and i gave it to my wife, kim,
00:17:24.233 --> 00:17:25.167
And i gave it to my wife, kim, to read and she finished it,
00:17:25.234 --> 00:17:28.003
To read and she finished it, and i'll never forget
00:17:28.070 --> 00:17:28.871
And i'll never forget what my wife said.
00:17:28.937 --> 00:17:30.973
What my wife said. she said, quote,
00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.341
She said, quote, "the gods are schmucks."
00:17:32.407 --> 00:17:39.681
"the gods are schmucks." they were.
00:17:39.748 --> 00:17:40.983
They were. it is wild to think
00:17:41.049 --> 00:17:41.917
It is wild to think about that there were
00:17:41.984 --> 00:17:42.885
About that there were very real human beings,
00:17:42.951 --> 00:17:44.953
Very real human beings, that this is the belief
00:17:45.020 --> 00:17:45.888
That this is the belief they were bound to.
00:17:45.954 --> 00:17:48.423
They were bound to. like, have you ever heard
00:17:48.490 --> 00:17:49.458
Like, have you ever heard the stories of zeus?
00:17:49.525 --> 00:17:52.027
The stories of zeus? zeus, father,
00:17:52.094 --> 00:17:52.661
Zeus, father, lord of all the gods,
00:17:52.728 --> 00:17:53.529
Lord of all the gods, lightning bolt in his hand,
00:17:53.595 --> 00:17:55.264
Lightning bolt in his hand, ultimate authority,
00:17:55.330 --> 00:17:56.064
Ultimate authority, determining what happens
00:17:56.131 --> 00:17:57.166
Determining what happens in your life?
00:17:57.232 --> 00:17:58.133
In your life? do any of you know that zeus,
00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.535
Do any of you know that zeus, according to the greek myths
00:17:59.601 --> 00:18:00.736
According to the greek myths themselves, was the worst
00:18:00.802 --> 00:18:03.205
Themselves, was the worst kind of baby daddy?
00:18:03.272 --> 00:18:06.675
Kind of baby daddy? zeus had so many children by
00:18:06.742 --> 00:18:10.045
Zeus had so many children by so many women and goddesses
00:18:10.112 --> 00:18:11.914
So many women and goddesses and nymphs that the myths
00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.148
And nymphs that the myths couldn't even keep count.
00:18:13.215 --> 00:18:15.083
Couldn't even keep count. zeus' wife was the most bitter,
00:18:15.150 --> 00:18:17.352
Zeus' wife was the most bitter, frustrated, vengeful woman
00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:18.887
Frustrated, vengeful woman because her husband rarely
00:18:18.954 --> 00:18:20.422
Because her husband rarely came back to their bed.
00:18:20.489 --> 00:18:21.123
Came back to their bed. in fact, do you know that
00:18:21.190 --> 00:18:23.058
In fact, do you know that on their very wedding day,
00:18:23.125 --> 00:18:24.092
On their very wedding day, when zeus married his wife,
00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:25.394
When zeus married his wife, hera, what zeus did?
00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:28.864
Hera, what zeus did? he cheated on his wife.
00:18:28.931 --> 00:18:31.900
He cheated on his wife. he vowed to love her
00:18:31.967 --> 00:18:32.668
He vowed to love her at a great ceremony.
00:18:32.734 --> 00:18:33.535
At a great ceremony. he was sipping back,
00:18:33.602 --> 00:18:34.703
He was sipping back, sipping the nectar of the gods,
00:18:34.770 --> 00:18:36.305
Sipping the nectar of the gods, when a little goddess
00:18:36.371 --> 00:18:37.172
When a little goddess caught his eye.
00:18:37.239 --> 00:18:39.875
Caught his eye. she tried to run
00:18:39.942 --> 00:18:40.442
She tried to run away from father zeus,
00:18:40.509 --> 00:18:41.176
Away from father zeus, but he's an all powerful god,
00:18:41.243 --> 00:18:42.911
But he's an all powerful god, so he used his power
00:18:42.978 --> 00:18:43.712
So he used his power to transform into an eagle
00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.613
To transform into an eagle and he flew after her.
00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.914
And he flew after her. into a bull and he
00:18:45.981 --> 00:18:46.782
Into a bull and he chased after her.
00:18:46.848 --> 00:18:47.449
Chased after her. she tried to hide
00:18:47.516 --> 00:18:48.083
She tried to hide behind some rocks.
00:18:48.150 --> 00:18:48.717
Behind some rocks. he turned himself into a snake,
00:18:48.784 --> 00:18:50.185
He turned himself into a snake, slithered between the rocks,
00:18:50.252 --> 00:18:51.787
Slithered between the rocks, coiled himself around her
00:18:51.853 --> 00:18:53.255
Coiled himself around her and had his way with her.
00:18:53.322 --> 00:18:55.757
And had his way with her. he made it back to the reception
00:18:55.824 --> 00:18:56.725
He made it back to the reception before his wife knew a thing.
00:18:56.792 --> 00:18:58.627
Before his wife knew a thing. can you imagine,
00:18:58.694 --> 00:18:59.728
Can you imagine, can you imagine,
00:18:59.795 --> 00:19:00.395
Can you imagine, if you actually believed
00:19:00.462 --> 00:19:01.496
If you actually believed in your heart that the god
00:19:01.563 --> 00:19:03.098
In your heart that the god who had your life in his
00:19:03.165 --> 00:19:04.466
Who had your life in his hands was like that?
00:19:04.533 --> 00:19:07.903
Hands was like that? zeus was a schmuck.
00:19:07.970 --> 00:19:10.272
Zeus was a schmuck. he was a fake, and he's a fraud,
00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.907
He was a fake, and he's a fraud, and if he had been real
00:19:11.974 --> 00:19:12.908
And if he had been real he would've been
00:19:12.975 --> 00:19:13.442
He would've been the worst kind of tyrant.
00:19:13.508 --> 00:19:15.744
The worst kind of tyrant. so, can you imagine when some
00:19:15.811 --> 00:19:17.512
So, can you imagine when some middle aged man named paul comes
00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.914
Middle aged man named paul comes walking down your street,
00:19:18.981 --> 00:19:20.716
Walking down your street, passes the towering pillars
00:19:20.782 --> 00:19:21.883
Passes the towering pillars of this ancient temple
00:19:21.950 --> 00:19:23.318
Of this ancient temple and he tells you about
00:19:23.385 --> 00:19:24.019
And he tells you about the god named jesus?
00:19:24.086 --> 00:19:26.355
The god named jesus? "oh, this jesus is powerful too.
00:19:26.421 --> 00:19:29.224
"oh, this jesus is powerful too. he can calm zeus' storms and he
00:19:29.291 --> 00:19:30.792
He can calm zeus' storms and he can walk on poseidon's water.
00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:32.527
Can walk on poseidon's water. he can raise people
00:19:32.594 --> 00:19:33.996
He can raise people from the dead,
00:19:34.062 --> 00:19:34.563
From the dead, hades has no hold
00:19:34.630 --> 00:19:36.064
Hades has no hold on king jesus."
00:19:36.131 --> 00:19:36.732
On king jesus." but do you know what
00:19:36.798 --> 00:19:37.366
But do you know what this jesus, this god,
00:19:37.432 --> 00:19:38.734
This jesus, this god, used his power for?
00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:41.503
Used his power for? let me read philippians 2
00:19:41.570 --> 00:19:42.504
To you.
00:19:42.604 --> 00:19:43.372
To you. it says,
00:19:43.438 --> 00:19:43.839
It says, "jesus, being in
00:19:43.905 --> 00:19:44.873
"jesus, being in very nature god,
00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.741
Very nature god, did not consider equality
00:19:45.807 --> 00:19:47.009
Did not consider equality with god something to be
00:19:47.075 --> 00:19:48.610
With god something to be used to his own advantage."
00:19:48.677 --> 00:19:51.413
Used to his own advantage." yeah, jesus was all powerful,
00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.514
Yeah, jesus was all powerful, but it wasn't for him.
00:19:52.581 --> 00:19:53.715
But it wasn't for him. rather, "jesus made himself
00:19:53.782 --> 00:19:56.018
Rather, "jesus made himself nothing by taking the very
00:19:56.084 --> 00:19:58.387
Nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made
00:19:58.453 --> 00:20:00.522
Nature of a servant being made in human likeness and being
00:20:00.589 --> 00:20:01.623
In human likeness and being found in appearance as a man.
00:20:01.690 --> 00:20:02.724
Found in appearance as a man. jesus humbled himself by
00:20:02.791 --> 00:20:05.661
Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to death,
00:20:05.727 --> 00:20:06.695
Becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."
00:20:06.762 --> 00:20:09.531
Even death on a cross." zeus would never.
00:20:09.598 --> 00:20:12.401
Zeus would never. there were no crosses
00:20:12.467 --> 00:20:13.702
There were no crosses in ancient greek temples because
00:20:13.769 --> 00:20:15.270
In ancient greek temples because you sacrificed to those gods,
00:20:15.337 --> 00:20:17.606
You sacrificed to those gods, but this is a god who
00:20:17.673 --> 00:20:18.373
But this is a god who would sacrifice for you.
00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:20.342
Would sacrifice for you. with all the power in the world
00:20:20.409 --> 00:20:21.643
With all the power in the world but instead of coming to this
00:20:21.710 --> 00:20:22.811
But instead of coming to this earth to judge you with it,
00:20:22.878 --> 00:20:25.047
Earth to judge you with it, he would restrain his power
00:20:25.113 --> 00:20:25.814
He would restrain his power to save you by it.
00:20:25.881 --> 00:20:28.984
To save you by it. why would you not fear,
00:20:29.051 --> 00:20:30.452
Why would you not fear, love and trust in a god who
00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.820
Love and trust in a god who could have done anything
00:20:31.887 --> 00:20:32.788
Could have done anything and what he chose to do was
00:20:32.854 --> 00:20:34.556
And what he chose to do was to sacrifice himself for you?
00:20:34.623 --> 00:20:37.659
To sacrifice himself for you? there's no one,
00:20:37.726 --> 00:20:38.860
There's no one, no one like jesus.
00:20:38.927 --> 00:20:40.095
No one like jesus. i pray that you and i
00:20:40.162 --> 00:20:41.463
Here in this church,
00:20:41.563 --> 00:20:42.364
Here in this church, watching at home,
00:20:42.431 --> 00:20:43.231
Watching at home, we never ever get used
00:20:43.298 --> 00:20:45.400
We never ever get used to the craziness of jesus.
00:20:45.467 --> 00:20:47.669
To the craziness of jesus. beauty will not bless you,
00:20:47.736 --> 00:20:48.970
Beauty will not bless you, neither will power.
00:20:49.037 --> 00:20:49.905
Neither will power. success cannot satisfy you,
00:20:49.971 --> 00:20:51.573
Success cannot satisfy you, but then jesus steps in,
00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:53.642
But then jesus steps in, and with insane love
00:20:53.709 --> 00:20:55.777
And with insane love he will love you.
00:20:55.844 --> 00:20:56.545
He will love you. write this down, please.
00:20:56.611 --> 00:20:57.479
Write this down, please. idols enslave you,
00:20:57.546 --> 00:20:59.247
Idols enslave you, they trick you and they use you,
00:20:59.314 --> 00:21:01.016
They trick you and they use you, but jesus saves you.
00:21:01.083 --> 00:21:03.919
The answer to these idols,
00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:05.654
The way that you fear,
00:21:05.721 --> 00:21:06.888
Love and trust in jesus
00:21:06.955 --> 00:21:07.889
Above all things is just
00:21:07.956 --> 00:21:09.157
Looking at the god who
00:21:09.224 --> 00:21:11.026
Used his power to save you.
00:21:11.093 --> 00:21:14.896
I hate to break this to you but
00:21:14.963 --> 00:21:15.864
A time is coming really soon
00:21:15.931 --> 00:21:16.865
Where you will see the weakness
00:21:16.932 --> 00:21:18.967
Of these false gods.
00:21:19.067 --> 00:21:21.870
Of these false gods. you're going to idolize that
00:21:21.937 --> 00:21:22.738
You're going to idolize that relationship and it's going
00:21:22.804 --> 00:21:24.639
Relationship and it's going to be strained by an argument.
00:21:24.706 --> 00:21:27.843
To be strained by an argument. but when your relationship
00:21:27.909 --> 00:21:28.643
But when your relationship with your significant other
00:21:28.710 --> 00:21:29.711
With your significant other is on the rocks,
00:21:29.778 --> 00:21:31.613
Is on the rocks, jesus will be your rock.
00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:34.616
Jesus will be your rock. he will love you whether
00:21:34.683 --> 00:21:35.584
He will love you whether you're single, dating,
00:21:35.650 --> 00:21:37.018
You're single, dating, happily married,
00:21:37.085 --> 00:21:38.253
Happily married, on the fence, stuck,
00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.921
On the fence, stuck, or divorced.
00:21:39.988 --> 00:21:40.589
Or divorced. he will reach down
00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:41.523
He will reach down in his incredible love
00:21:41.590 --> 00:21:43.625
In his incredible love and love you at the bottom.
00:21:43.692 --> 00:21:45.827
And love you at the bottom. and when you're not
00:21:45.894 --> 00:21:46.661
And when you're not so successful at work,
00:21:46.728 --> 00:21:47.496
So successful at work, when you're just
00:21:47.562 --> 00:21:48.230
When you're just another worker bee,
00:21:48.296 --> 00:21:50.031
Another worker bee, another gear in the system,
00:21:50.098 --> 00:21:52.901
Another gear in the system, jesus will not look past you.
00:21:52.968 --> 00:21:56.004
Jesus will not look past you. he will not save
00:21:56.071 --> 00:21:56.772
He will not save his attention for just
00:21:56.838 --> 00:21:57.572
His attention for just the best and the brightest.
00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:59.408
The best and the brightest. you might be unnoticed at work,
00:21:59.474 --> 00:22:00.842
You might be unnoticed at work, but jesus will notice you.
00:22:00.909 --> 00:22:03.178
But jesus will notice you. you might be one of those many
00:22:03.245 --> 00:22:04.079
You might be one of those many kids who will walk the halls
00:22:04.146 --> 00:22:05.614
Kids who will walk the halls of your school this week
00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:07.883
Of your school this week and you're not that musical,
00:22:07.949 --> 00:22:08.650
And you're not that musical, and you're not that beautiful,
00:22:08.717 --> 00:22:09.885
And you're not that beautiful, and you're not that athletic,
00:22:09.951 --> 00:22:11.153
And you're not that athletic, and you're not at all academic.
00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:12.654
And you're not at all academic. literally, hundreds of kids
00:22:12.721 --> 00:22:13.889
Literally, hundreds of kids would rather look at the drivel
00:22:13.955 --> 00:22:14.956
Would rather look at the drivel on their phones than
00:22:15.023 --> 00:22:16.057
On their phones than pay attention to you,
00:22:16.124 --> 00:22:17.125
Pay attention to you, but not jesus.
00:22:17.192 --> 00:22:19.161
But not jesus. man, jesus puts his phone
00:22:19.227 --> 00:22:19.995
Man, jesus puts his phone in his pocket and he looks you
00:22:20.061 --> 00:22:20.929
In his pocket and he looks you in the eye and he sees you
00:22:20.996 --> 00:22:21.797
In the eye and he sees you coming from a distance.
00:22:21.863 --> 00:22:24.866
Coming from a distance. or, sometimes you're going
00:22:24.933 --> 00:22:25.634
Or, sometimes you're going to have those moments
00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.234
To have those moments like i have,
00:22:26.301 --> 00:22:28.270
Like i have, where google and amazon
00:22:28.336 --> 00:22:31.139
Where google and amazon and apple bring me pictures
00:22:31.206 --> 00:22:32.207
And apple bring me pictures from 15 years ago and i say,
00:22:32.274 --> 00:22:33.708
From 15 years ago and i say, "oh, i used to look different."
00:22:33.775 --> 00:22:38.079
"oh, i used to look different." and age will happen real fast.
00:22:38.146 --> 00:22:42.083
And age will happen real fast. but even in those moments when
00:22:42.150 --> 00:22:43.018
But even in those moments when you're not what you used to be,
00:22:43.084 --> 00:22:45.287
You're not what you used to be, jesus, the bible says,
00:22:45.353 --> 00:22:46.688
Jesus, the bible says, will rejoice over you like
00:22:46.755 --> 00:22:48.290
Will rejoice over you like a groom rejoices in his bride.
00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:50.892
A groom rejoices in his bride. you see, when you fail,
00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:52.661
You see, when you fail, when you're not successful,
00:22:52.727 --> 00:22:53.428
When you're not successful, when you're not beautiful,
00:22:53.495 --> 00:22:54.296
When you're not beautiful, when the world moves past you,
00:22:54.362 --> 00:22:55.697
When the world moves past you, when these idols abuse you,
00:22:55.764 --> 00:22:56.932
When these idols abuse you, there is jesus with so much
00:22:56.998 --> 00:22:59.501
There is jesus with so much love and so much compassion.
00:22:59.568 --> 00:23:03.905
Love and so much compassion. why would you worship
00:23:03.972 --> 00:23:04.606
Why would you worship any other god?
00:23:04.673 --> 00:23:05.874
Any other god? he's not only the god
00:23:05.941 --> 00:23:06.942
He's not only the god who actually exists,
00:23:07.008 --> 00:23:07.642
Who actually exists, he's the god
00:23:07.709 --> 00:23:08.710
He's the god who actually loves you.
00:23:08.777 --> 00:23:10.512
Who actually loves you. my friends, you are
00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.146
My friends, you are very religious.
00:23:11.213 --> 00:23:13.148
Very religious. you will be bound
00:23:13.215 --> 00:23:14.049
You will be bound to something today.
00:23:14.115 --> 00:23:15.951
To something today. i pray that your heart
00:23:16.017 --> 00:23:16.885
I pray that your heart is bound to the only one
00:23:16.952 --> 00:23:17.853
Is bound to the only one who will bless you.
00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:19.688
Who will bless you. you will prioritize
00:23:19.754 --> 00:23:20.555
You will prioritize something in your budget today.
00:23:20.622 --> 00:23:22.624
Something in your budget today. i pray it's your faith in god,
00:23:22.691 --> 00:23:24.259
I pray it's your faith in god, the god who sent his son
00:23:24.326 --> 00:23:26.328
The god who sent his son to save you.
00:23:26.394 --> 00:23:26.895
To save you. you will give the first part
00:23:26.962 --> 00:23:27.729
You will give the first part of your energy and your time
00:23:27.796 --> 00:23:28.864
Of your energy and your time to something this week,
00:23:28.930 --> 00:23:29.798
To something this week, i pray it's to this book
00:23:29.865 --> 00:23:31.366
I pray it's to this book and it's to gatherings
00:23:31.433 --> 00:23:32.467
And it's to gatherings like this where you get
00:23:32.534 --> 00:23:33.668
Like this where you get to hear about the god whose
00:23:33.735 --> 00:23:35.003
To hear about the god whose love and mercy is unconditional.
00:23:35.070 --> 00:23:37.305
Love and mercy is unconditional. you will worship something,
00:23:37.372 --> 00:23:40.041
You will worship something, and i hope it's the someone
00:23:40.108 --> 00:23:40.842
And i hope it's the someone who's actually worth it.
00:23:40.909 --> 00:23:42.143
Who's actually worth it. you will fear, love and trust
00:23:42.210 --> 00:23:43.278
You will fear, love and trust in someone or something
00:23:43.345 --> 00:23:44.613
In someone or something above all other things,
00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:47.682
Above all other things, and i pray your answer
00:23:47.749 --> 00:23:48.450
And i pray your answer today, tomorrow,
00:23:48.517 --> 00:23:49.417
Today, tomorrow, and forever is jesus,
00:23:49.484 --> 00:23:50.952
And forever is jesus, the only god who actually saves.
00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:55.724
The only god who actually saves. we're all religious,
00:23:55.790 --> 00:23:57.792
We're all religious, i hope we can be religious
00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.427
I hope we can be religious in the right way.
00:23:59.494 --> 00:24:02.063
In the right way. let's pray.
00:24:02.130 --> 00:24:03.565
Let's pray. oh god, you are such
00:24:03.632 --> 00:24:04.399
Oh god, you are such a good, glorious god,
00:24:04.466 --> 00:24:06.668
A good, glorious god, but we can't see you.
00:24:06.735 --> 00:24:10.105
But we can't see you. man, this is the hard part, god.
00:24:10.171 --> 00:24:11.006
Man, this is the hard part, god. we can see people when they
00:24:11.072 --> 00:24:12.607
We can see people when they smile at us and we can see
00:24:12.674 --> 00:24:14.009
Smile at us and we can see the money when it's deposited
00:24:14.075 --> 00:24:16.211
The money when it's deposited into our account and we see
00:24:16.278 --> 00:24:17.479
Into our account and we see the likes and the comments.
00:24:17.546 --> 00:24:19.681
The likes and the comments. we're so drawn
00:24:19.748 --> 00:24:20.215
We're so drawn to things we can see.
00:24:20.282 --> 00:24:21.049
To things we can see. and so, we need
00:24:21.116 --> 00:24:21.783
And so, we need the kind of faith
00:24:21.850 --> 00:24:22.617
The kind of faith to believe in things we can't.
00:24:22.684 --> 00:24:25.120
To believe in things we can't. that you're a god
00:24:25.186 --> 00:24:25.921
That you're a god who's worthy of our praise.
00:24:25.987 --> 00:24:27.689
Who's worthy of our praise. you're worthy of our time.
00:24:27.756 --> 00:24:29.558
You're worthy of our time. that we're no fools but
00:24:29.624 --> 00:24:30.425
That we're no fools but the wisest people on earth
00:24:30.492 --> 00:24:31.393
The wisest people on earth if we seek first your kingdom
00:24:31.459 --> 00:24:32.761
If we seek first your kingdom and your righteousness.
00:24:32.827 --> 00:24:36.197
And your righteousness. but the smartest thing we could
00:24:36.264 --> 00:24:36.932
But the smartest thing we could do today is to pray our father,
00:24:36.998 --> 00:24:37.999
Do today is to pray our father, your will be done
00:24:38.066 --> 00:24:39.534
Your will be done and your kingdom come,
00:24:39.601 --> 00:24:41.436
And your kingdom come, that we would give
00:24:41.503 --> 00:24:42.037
That we would give the glory and the power
00:24:42.103 --> 00:24:42.971
The glory and the power and everything to you.
00:24:43.038 --> 00:24:44.039
And everything to you. you're worthy of it, god,
00:24:44.105 --> 00:24:45.040
You're worthy of our lives.
00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:48.076
And so, i pray today that
00:24:48.143 --> 00:24:48.843
We could repent and surrender,
00:24:48.910 --> 00:24:50.979
That we could let go and turn
00:24:51.046 --> 00:24:51.880
Away from any lesser thing.
00:24:51.947 --> 00:24:53.315
If a good thing has become
00:24:53.381 --> 00:24:54.816
A god thing in our heart,
00:24:54.883 --> 00:24:56.651
Lord, that's such a bad thing,
00:24:56.718 --> 00:24:58.286
So rid us of that thing.
00:24:58.353 --> 00:25:00.221
Help us to smash, to cut down,
00:25:00.288 --> 00:25:01.990
To rid ourselves of these
00:25:02.057 --> 00:25:03.525
False gods that we would
00:25:03.592 --> 00:25:04.826
Finally, finally, finally
00:25:04.893 --> 00:25:06.061
Be satisfied in you.
00:25:06.127 --> 00:25:07.996
A god of comfort and beauty,
00:25:08.063 --> 00:25:09.965
A god of acceptance
00:25:10.031 --> 00:25:11.366
And approval,
00:25:11.433 --> 00:25:12.634
A god who notices us
00:25:12.701 --> 00:25:13.468
And because of your son,
00:25:13.535 --> 00:25:14.336
Jesus, praises us in christ.
00:25:14.402 --> 00:25:17.272
Help us to see you,
00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.973
God, to savor you,
00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.674
And to be completely
00:25:19.741 --> 00:25:20.408
Satisfied in the love
00:25:20.475 --> 00:25:21.810
That we have in jesus.
00:25:21.876 --> 00:25:23.945
This will be a fight
00:25:24.012 --> 00:25:24.779
Every single day and our
00:25:24.846 --> 00:25:26.848
Hearts fight back.
00:25:26.915 --> 00:25:28.783
So, give us your spirit,
00:25:28.850 --> 00:25:29.417
Give us eyes to see
00:25:29.484 --> 00:25:30.485
The glory of jesus
00:25:30.552 --> 00:25:31.786
That we would worship him
00:25:31.853 --> 00:25:32.587
With everything in us today.
00:25:32.654 --> 00:25:35.357
We pray this all
00:25:35.423 --> 00:25:35.857
In his beautiful name,
00:25:35.924 --> 00:25:37.225
And all god's people said amen.
00:25:37.292 --> 00:25:40.128
>> thank you, pastor mike,
00:25:40.895 --> 00:25:41.796
>> thank you, pastor mike, for another profound message
00:25:41.863 --> 00:25:43.198
For another profound message asking us to reflect on
00:25:43.264 --> 00:25:44.633
Asking us to reflect on what may be pushing god
00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:45.867
What may be pushing god out of his rightful place
00:25:45.934 --> 00:25:47.235
Out of his rightful place in our heart.
00:25:47.302 --> 00:25:48.269
In our heart. we want to continue
00:25:48.336 --> 00:25:49.371
We want to continue encouraging you in your walk
00:25:49.437 --> 00:25:51.006
Encouraging you in your walk with god.
00:25:51.072 --> 00:25:51.706
With god. we're excited to offer you
00:25:51.773 --> 00:25:52.874
We're excited to offer you a leather-soft
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A leather-soft niv value thinline bible
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Niv value thinline bible this month.
00:25:55.577 --> 00:25:56.478
This month. this easy-to-read bible
00:25:56.544 --> 00:25:57.679
This easy-to-read bible is a great way to engage
00:25:57.746 --> 00:25:58.880
Is a great way to engage with god's word.
00:25:58.947 --> 00:26:00.048
With god's word. we also have a special
00:26:00.115 --> 00:26:01.116
We also have a special bookmark with bible study
00:26:01.182 --> 00:26:02.183
Bookmark with bible study tips from pastor mike.
00:26:02.250 --> 00:26:03.184
Tips from pastor mike. request a bible and bookmark
00:26:03.251 --> 00:26:05.186
Request a bible and bookmark with your gift to time of grace.
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>> every christian wants
00:26:07.022 --> 00:26:07.789
More joy, stronger faith,
00:26:07.889 --> 00:26:09.991
Deeper wisdom,
00:26:10.091 --> 00:26:11.092
Greater love.
00:26:11.192 --> 00:26:12.193
Often, the missing ingredient
00:26:12.293 --> 00:26:13.361
Is consistent, quality time
00:26:13.461 --> 00:26:15.730
Spent in god's word.
00:26:15.830 --> 00:26:17.365
God's word is your invitation
00:26:17.465 --> 00:26:18.867
To connect with the heart
00:26:18.967 --> 00:26:19.934
Of your creator.
00:26:20.035 --> 00:26:21.169
To know who he is,
00:26:21.269 --> 00:26:22.604
What he's like,
00:26:22.704 --> 00:26:23.405
And how you can apply
00:26:23.505 --> 00:26:24.372
His life-giving truth
00:26:24.472 --> 00:26:25.607
To your daily life.
00:26:25.707 --> 00:26:26.841
This slim, easy to read bible
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With a time of grace
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00:26:29.544 --> 00:26:30.545
Is a great way to engage
00:26:30.645 --> 00:26:31.579
With god's word
00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.480
Every single day
00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:33.682
And grow in your faith.
00:26:33.782 --> 00:26:35.050
This niv value thinline bible
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Is our way of thanking you
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Request yours today
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00:26:40.622 --> 00:26:43.758
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00:26:43.858 --> 00:26:45.560
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>> time of grace
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>> see you next week
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On time of grace.
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Mike Novotny - I - Idolatry

September 9, 2025 | 29:5

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