Mike Novotny - More Than Just "Spiritual"

December 18, 2025 | 29:4

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - More Than Just "Spiritual" | December 18, 2025

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>> you know, it strikes me
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>> you know, it strikes me that you and i live in a very,
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Very, very spiritual age.
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Very, very spiritual age. you might think with organized
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You might think with organized religion on the decline,
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Religion on the decline, with churches closing,
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With churches closing, with fewer people
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With fewer people identifying as christian,
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That we've been just scientific
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That we've been just scientific and less spiritual.
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And less spiritual. but that simply would not be
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But that simply would not be true because there are people
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True because there are people with unique and actually
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With unique and actually passionate beliefs
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Passionate beliefs all around us.
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Now, i'm curious about you
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Now, i'm curious about you or your parents
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Or your parents or your best friend
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Or your best friend or the person you are dating,
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Or the person you are dating, what kind of things do you
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What kind of things do you and they believe?
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And they believe? we're very spiritual people,
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We're very spiritual people, incredibly spiritual people.
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Incredibly spiritual people. and i wish i could sit down with
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And i wish i could sit down with you and just list all the boxes
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You and just list all the boxes of a thing that a person might
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Of a thing that a person might believe and see which ones you
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Believe and see which ones you would check and which ones
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Would check and which ones you would skip.
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You would skip. and i wish you had
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And i wish you had enough time to sit down with
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Enough time to sit down with your closest friends
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Your closest friends and just ask them
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And just ask them what they believe
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What they believe and what they don't,
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And what they don't, why they believe it
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Why they believe it and why they don't.
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And why they don't. we live in an incredibly
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We live in an incredibly spiritual culture.
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Spiritual culture. now, despite the wide variety
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Now, despite the wide variety of options that you
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Of options that you or your friends
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Or your friends might believe in,
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Might believe in, i think that there's actually
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I think that there's actually a norm right now
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A norm right now in american culture.
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In american culture. you might think it's totally
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You might think it's totally scattered and independent,
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Scattered and independent, but i think what so many
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But i think what so many of these systems of faith
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Of these systems of faith or belief have
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Or belief have in common is this if --
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In common is this if -- if you're taking notes,
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If you're taking notes, i'd love for you
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I'd love for you to write this down
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To write this down that what's become the number
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That what's become the number one american religion
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One american religion is what i'm going to call
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Is what i'm going to call basically "me" spirituality.
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Basically "me" spirituality. but today, as common
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But today, as common as that might be,
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As that might be, as much as that might
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As much as that might make sense in some ways,
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Make sense in some ways, i'm going to try to persuade you
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I'm going to try to persuade you to follow a different path,
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To follow a different path, the path of true christianity.
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The path of true christianity. now, i'll be honest
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Now, i'll be honest with you up-front.
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With you up-front. this is what jesus himself
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This is what jesus himself said is a narrow road
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Said is a narrow road that few people desire
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That few people desire to travel.
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To travel. this is a challenging path
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This is a challenging path and most people say
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And most people say thanks jesus, but no thanks.
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Thanks jesus, but no thanks. but i want to try
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But i want to try to convince you today
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To convince you today with an open bible,
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With an open bible, that true christianity,
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That true christianity, if you're taking notes,
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If you're taking notes, i'd put it this way,
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I'd put it this way, is "better than me."
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Is "better than me." now, you could
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Now, you could believe what you want.
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Believe what you want. you could take a little scoop
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You could take a little scoop of jesus and skip these
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Of jesus and skip these other parts of jesus.
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Other parts of jesus. but i actually think
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But i actually think there's something much
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There's something much better than that.
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Better than that. that's what i'm going
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That's what i'm going to share with you today.
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To share with you today. today, i'm going to open
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Today, i'm going to open my bible to an ancient song
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My bible to an ancient song that we call psalm 16,
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That we call psalm 16, where an old testament believer
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Where an old testament believer in god named david
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In god named david is going to give us
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Is going to give us four reasons why
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Four reasons why true christianity
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True christianity is so much better than
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Is so much better than basically me spirituality.
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Basically me spirituality. so, if you have
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So, if you have a bible app on your phone,
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A bible app on your phone, if you have the book
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If you have the book in your hand or just want
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In your hand or just want to follow along on the screen,
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To follow along on the screen, we're going to be in psalm 16
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We're going to be in psalm 16 all day today,
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All day today, where david begins
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With these words,
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With these words, "keep me safe, my god,
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"keep me safe, my god, for in you i take refuge.
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For in you i take refuge. i say to the lord,
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I say to the lord, you are my lord,
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You are my lord, and apart from you
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And apart from you i have no good thing."
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You notice in just
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You notice in just two verses david uses three
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Two verses david uses three different titles to describe
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Different titles to describe the being that he believes in.
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The being that he believes in. he calls him in verse 1,
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He calls him in verse 1, "my god,"
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"my god," and he says in verse 2,
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And he says in verse 2, "the lord",
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"the lord", in all capital letters.
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In all capital letters. and then, later in verse 2,
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And then, later in verse 2, my lord, in all three of these
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My lord, in all three of these titles in the original hebrew
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Titles in the original hebrew that david wrote in imply
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That david wrote in imply that this being that he believes
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That this being that he believes in is not his equal,
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In is not his equal, but his great superior.
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But his great superior. so, for example,
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So, for example, the hebrew word for god
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The hebrew word for god is the word elohim
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Is the word elohim it comes from a word that
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It comes from a word that means power, like so much power.
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Means power, like so much power. not just this, you know,
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Not just this, you know, beefy dude at the gym
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Beefy dude at the gym who can put up a lot
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Who can put up a lot on the bench,
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On the bench, but someone infinitely
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But someone infinitely more powerful,
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More powerful, not david's equal,
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Not david's equal, but his superior.
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But his superior. the word lord
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The word lord in all capital letters
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In all capital letters is the sacred hebrew name
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Is the sacred hebrew name yahweh or jehovah,
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Yahweh or jehovah, and people think
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And people think it simply means i am.
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It simply means i am. god's saying i am.
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God's saying i am. not i was or i will be or i'm --
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Not i was or i will be or i'm -- no, i always exist,
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No, i always exist, a god who is not stuck inside
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A god who is not stuck inside of time like you and i are.
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Of time like you and i are. but he's so much better,
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But he's so much better, so much superior to that.
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So much superior to that. and the last lord
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And the last lord is the hebrew word adonai,
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Is the hebrew word adonai, which implies a lord,
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Which implies a lord, a master of a boss,
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A master of a boss, someone who has
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Someone who has authority over you,
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Authority over you, that you're supposed
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That you're supposed to submit you.
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To submit you. by combining all three of those
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By combining all three of those elohim, yahweh, and adonai,
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Elohim, yahweh, and adonai, in just two verses,
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In just two verses, david is trying to say
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David is trying to say the god that i believe in
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The god that i believe in is not like a counselor that
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Is not like a counselor that makes some suggestions.
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Makes some suggestions. he is so much above me that
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He is so much above me that i bend the knee and i submit
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I bend the knee and i submit to his ultimate authority.
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To his ultimate authority. if you're taking notes,
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If you're taking notes, here's how i would describe
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Here's how i would describe true christianity.
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True christianity. it is based on god's divine
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It is based on god's divine and ultimate authority.
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And ultimate authority. in true christianity,
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In true christianity, we value your feelings,
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We value your feelings, but we don't follow them.
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But we don't follow them. we're interested in what
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We're interested in what what's happening in your heart,
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What's happening in your heart, but we don't
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But we don't ultimately trust it.
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Ultimately trust it. we use the word
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We use the word truth all the time,
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Truth all the time, but we never put the word
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But we never put the word my or your or his or her
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My or your or his or her in front of it because that
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In front of it because that standard belongs to god himself.
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Standard belongs to god himself. and in christianity,
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And in christianity, we yield to god,
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We yield to god, we submit to his will.
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We submit to his will. we pray things like,
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We pray things like, "our father in heaven,
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"our father in heaven, your will be done."
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Your will be done." we give up control
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We give up control and we surrender everything,
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And we surrender everything, our money, our time,
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Our money, our time, our bodies, our days,
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Our bodies, our days, our friends, our enemies,
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Our friends, our enemies, our relationships,
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Our relationships, our children to
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Our children to the ultimate word of god.
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The ultimate word of god. you're not smiling.
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You're not smiling. you might be thinking,
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You might be thinking, "oh, wait, pastor mike.
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"oh, wait, pastor mike. you're trying to persuade us
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You're trying to persuade us that this is better than me
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That this is better than me submitting, yielding,
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Submitting, yielding, resisting, denying,
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Resisting, denying, questioning what i feel,
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Questioning what i feel, not trusting my gut...
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Not trusting my gut... i don't know if that's better
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I don't know if that's better than where it was before,
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Than where it was before, but think about it for a second.
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But think about it for a second. how -- is your heart anything
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How -- is your heart anything like mine that sometimes
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Like mine that sometimes what you feel lines up
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What you feel lines up with the truth and sometimes
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With the truth and sometimes what you feel is just
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What you feel is just so wrong?
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So wrong? if you ever
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If you ever struggle with anxiety,
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Struggle with anxiety, whether it's big and clinical
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Whether it's big and clinical or just those daily things
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Or just those daily things that get our attention,
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That get our attention, do you ever like worry about
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Do you ever like worry about things you shouldn't worry about
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Things you shouldn't worry about because what you feel and what
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Because what you feel and what you think isn't right?
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You think isn't right? it strikes me that so much
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It strikes me that so much of our fear and worry comes
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Of our fear and worry comes from because we've taught
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From because we've taught ourselves to look into
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Ourselves to look into the mirror or looking inside
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The mirror or looking inside instead of looking up.
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Instead of looking up. how much better is it to have
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How much better is it to have a god who just tells us
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A god who just tells us the way things are,
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The way things are, whose truth isn't based on
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Whose truth isn't based on how i feel in any given moment?
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How i feel in any given moment? this is what the bible says
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This is what the bible says is the difference between
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Is the difference between shifting sand
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Shifting sand and the rock solid truth
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And the rock solid truth that god gives us in his word.
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That god gives us in his word. what a beautiful thing when
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What a beautiful thing when every day the truth doesn't
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Every day the truth doesn't change based on how i feel,
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Change based on how i feel, but because god has spoken
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But because god has spoken and his word cannot be broken.
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And his word cannot be broken. it is so good for the peace
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It is so good for the peace of your heart to actually
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Of your heart to actually believe that you are not god
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Believe that you are not god to try to play lord,
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To try to play lord, which by the way,
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Which by the way, you and i are not very good at,
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You and i are not very good at, is sabotaging our own peace.
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Is sabotaging our own peace. it puts a weight on
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It puts a weight on our shoulders that you and i
00:07:16.626 --> 00:07:17.693
Our shoulders that you and i as humans were simply not
00:07:17.760 --> 00:07:19.095
As humans were simply not made to bear.
00:07:19.161 --> 00:07:21.330
Made to bear. and so david,
00:07:21.397 --> 00:07:23.466
And so david, he's not grumbling,
00:07:23.533 --> 00:07:24.300
He's not grumbling, he's not mad.
00:07:24.367 --> 00:07:25.134
He's not mad. he calls this lord,
00:07:25.201 --> 00:07:25.935
He calls this lord, my god, my lord, the lord,
00:07:26.002 --> 00:07:28.971
My god, my lord, the lord, and he yields to all
00:07:29.038 --> 00:07:30.406
And he yields to all of his truth.
00:07:30.473 --> 00:07:33.976
Of his truth. in fact, you can tell the tone
00:07:34.043 --> 00:07:35.478
In fact, you can tell the tone in david's voice that
00:07:35.545 --> 00:07:37.179
In david's voice that he's not mad about god being
00:07:37.246 --> 00:07:39.015
He's not mad about god being his ultimate authority
00:07:39.081 --> 00:07:39.882
His ultimate authority because this god has not
00:07:39.949 --> 00:07:41.050
Because this god has not just spoken with authority,
00:07:41.117 --> 00:07:43.019
Just spoken with authority, write this down too,
00:07:43.085 --> 00:07:43.686
Write this down too, he's also promised david safety.
00:07:43.753 --> 00:07:48.658
He's also promised david safety. if you caught that in verse one,
00:07:48.724 --> 00:07:49.725
If you caught that in verse one, "keep me safe, my god,
00:07:49.792 --> 00:07:51.961
"keep me safe, my god, for in you i take refuge."
00:07:52.028 --> 00:07:56.332
For in you i take refuge." this god is the one
00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.033
This god is the one who gave david every good
00:07:57.099 --> 00:07:58.768
Who gave david every good thing in his life,
00:07:58.834 --> 00:07:59.268
Thing in his life, and even best in those --
00:07:59.335 --> 00:08:00.903
And even best in those -- better than those
00:08:00.970 --> 00:08:01.504
Better than those temporary good things was
00:08:01.571 --> 00:08:02.471
Temporary good things was the safety that david found for
00:08:02.538 --> 00:08:03.806
The safety that david found for his soul in the presence of god.
00:08:03.873 --> 00:08:07.510
His soul in the presence of god. a few years ago, a homeless man
00:08:07.577 --> 00:08:09.512
A few years ago, a homeless man from our community stepped
00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:10.513
From our community stepped through the doors of our church
00:08:10.580 --> 00:08:11.447
Through the doors of our church and asked me for help.
00:08:11.514 --> 00:08:14.917
And asked me for help. if you've ever been homeless,
00:08:14.984 --> 00:08:16.752
If you've ever been homeless, if you ever seen someone
00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:17.520
If you ever seen someone who's homeless,
00:08:17.587 --> 00:08:18.187
Who's homeless, if one of your friends
00:08:18.254 --> 00:08:18.821
If one of your friends has ever struggled with
00:08:18.888 --> 00:08:19.655
Has ever struggled with their housing situation,
00:08:19.722 --> 00:08:20.923
Their housing situation, you know that being
00:08:20.990 --> 00:08:21.424
You know that being homeless is not a very
00:08:21.490 --> 00:08:22.291
Homeless is not a very safe way to live.
00:08:22.358 --> 00:08:24.026
Safe way to live. there's the wind,
00:08:24.093 --> 00:08:26.829
There's the wind, there's the rain,
00:08:26.896 --> 00:08:27.330
There's the rain, especially in wisconsin.
00:08:27.396 --> 00:08:28.064
Especially in wisconsin. there's the bitter cold.
00:08:28.130 --> 00:08:30.533
There's the bitter cold. and even worse, when there's no
00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:31.400
And even worse, when there's no roof over your head,
00:08:31.467 --> 00:08:32.368
Roof over your head, no walls around you,
00:08:32.435 --> 00:08:33.736
No walls around you, no door that you can
00:08:33.803 --> 00:08:34.637
No door that you can sleep behind,
00:08:34.704 --> 00:08:35.605
Sleep behind, you're in a very vulnerable,
00:08:35.671 --> 00:08:36.839
You're in a very vulnerable, dangerous and unsafe situation.
00:08:36.906 --> 00:08:38.941
Dangerous and unsafe situation. so, this guy comes
00:08:39.008 --> 00:08:39.942
So, this guy comes asking for help.
00:08:40.009 --> 00:08:40.776
Asking for help. and the first thing i did,
00:08:40.843 --> 00:08:41.744
And the first thing i did, which i always do
00:08:41.811 --> 00:08:42.478
Which i always do in these situations,
00:08:42.545 --> 00:08:43.112
In these situations, is to tell them about
00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.614
Is to tell them about the amazing homeless shelter
00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:45.514
The amazing homeless shelter in our community that
00:08:45.581 --> 00:08:46.415
In our community that our church supports in
00:08:46.482 --> 00:08:47.650
Our church supports in so many different ways that
00:08:47.717 --> 00:08:48.284
So many different ways that my family personally
00:08:48.351 --> 00:08:49.018
My family personally donates to.
00:08:49.085 --> 00:08:51.587
Donates to. and as i'm talking,
00:08:51.654 --> 00:08:52.722
And as i'm talking, here's what the guy says,
00:08:52.788 --> 00:08:55.091
Here's what the guy says, "nah, been there,
00:08:55.157 --> 00:08:58.594
"nah, been there, too many rules."
00:08:58.661 --> 00:09:03.199
Too many rules." end of conversation.
00:09:03.265 --> 00:09:05.668
End of conversation. and as this guy walked away with
00:09:05.735 --> 00:09:07.036
And as this guy walked away with his own authority intact,
00:09:07.103 --> 00:09:09.705
His own authority intact, i did not envy him
00:09:09.772 --> 00:09:10.539
I did not envy him for one second.
00:09:10.606 --> 00:09:11.741
For one second. if god has been so good to me,
00:09:11.807 --> 00:09:14.043
If god has been so good to me, and even more if his mercy
00:09:14.110 --> 00:09:16.445
And even more if his mercy and grace is the roof
00:09:16.512 --> 00:09:17.847
And grace is the roof over my head when the rain
00:09:17.913 --> 00:09:18.848
Over my head when the rain of shame starts to fall,
00:09:18.914 --> 00:09:21.951
Of shame starts to fall, why would i not submit
00:09:22.018 --> 00:09:22.752
Why would i not submit to this god?
00:09:22.818 --> 00:09:24.620
To this god? why would i not yield
00:09:24.687 --> 00:09:25.321
Why would i not yield the authority to him?
00:09:25.388 --> 00:09:29.291
The authority to him? friends, god has not only been
00:09:29.358 --> 00:09:30.259
Friends, god has not only been incredibly generous with you,
00:09:30.326 --> 00:09:33.062
Incredibly generous with you, he has stepped up with
00:09:33.129 --> 00:09:34.030
He has stepped up with his strength when your past
00:09:34.096 --> 00:09:37.233
His strength when your past has tried to invade
00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:37.967
Has tried to invade your present.
00:09:38.034 --> 00:09:41.537
Your present. i don't know if this
00:09:41.604 --> 00:09:42.138
I don't know if this happens to you as much
00:09:42.204 --> 00:09:42.805
Happens to you as much as it happens to me,
00:09:42.872 --> 00:09:43.406
As it happens to me, but there are just random times
00:09:43.472 --> 00:09:44.340
But there are just random times i think about dumb things
00:09:44.407 --> 00:09:45.141
I think about dumb things i've said,
00:09:45.207 --> 00:09:47.209
I've said, stupid choices i've made.
00:09:47.276 --> 00:09:49.078
Stupid choices i've made. and every time,
00:09:49.145 --> 00:09:50.713
And every time, like the remembrance of my sin
00:09:50.780 --> 00:09:52.715
Like the remembrance of my sin threatens to just rob me
00:09:52.782 --> 00:09:53.716
Threatens to just rob me of all the goodness of today,
00:09:53.783 --> 00:09:55.151
Of all the goodness of today, jesus steps up.
00:09:55.217 --> 00:09:58.554
Jesus steps up. and he's not some,
00:09:58.621 --> 00:10:00.456
And he's not some, you know, 6 foot 2,
00:10:00.523 --> 00:10:01.924
You know, 6 foot 2, 187 pound dude like me.
00:10:01.991 --> 00:10:03.426
187 pound dude like me. he's god, he's elohim
00:10:03.492 --> 00:10:08.130
He's god, he's elohim and adonai and yahweh.
00:10:08.197 --> 00:10:09.865
And adonai and yahweh. and he stands in front
00:10:09.932 --> 00:10:11.233
And he stands in front of my past and says nope.
00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:14.070
Of my past and says nope. he crosses his merciful arms.
00:10:14.136 --> 00:10:15.371
He crosses his merciful arms. and says, "no, no, no,
00:10:15.438 --> 00:10:16.338
And says, "no, no, no, this is my, my son.
00:10:16.405 --> 00:10:18.941
This is my, my son. this is the one
00:10:19.008 --> 00:10:19.642
This is the one i have forgiven."
00:10:19.709 --> 00:10:20.409
I have forgiven." and he does the same for you.
00:10:20.476 --> 00:10:21.777
And he does the same for you. keep me safe, god,
00:10:21.844 --> 00:10:22.845
Keep me safe, god, for in you i take refuge.
00:10:22.912 --> 00:10:24.213
For in you i take refuge. i hide behind your strength,
00:10:24.280 --> 00:10:25.981
I hide behind your strength, god, what you used when you died
00:10:26.048 --> 00:10:27.717
God, what you used when you died on the cross to forgive me
00:10:27.783 --> 00:10:28.651
On the cross to forgive me of my sins.
00:10:28.718 --> 00:10:31.387
Of my sins. so i guess, i guess you could
00:10:31.454 --> 00:10:33.155
So i guess, i guess you could say to god too many rules,
00:10:33.222 --> 00:10:36.092
Say to god too many rules, but i think there's a better way
00:10:36.158 --> 00:10:36.959
But i think there's a better way to live, is surrendering
00:10:37.026 --> 00:10:39.562
To live, is surrendering and submitting my whole life
00:10:39.628 --> 00:10:40.796
And submitting my whole life to god because it's the god
00:10:40.863 --> 00:10:42.298
To god because it's the god who wants what's good for me,
00:10:42.364 --> 00:10:43.132
Who wants what's good for me, in fact, what's eternally
00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:44.300
In fact, what's eternally best for me.
00:10:44.366 --> 00:10:45.835
Best for me. true christianity is about
00:10:45.901 --> 00:10:46.802
True christianity is about authority and safety,
00:10:46.869 --> 00:10:53.309
Authority and safety, and it's about
00:10:53.375 --> 00:10:53.743
And it's about even more than that.
00:10:53.809 --> 00:10:55.745
Even more than that. let's keep reading the words
00:10:55.811 --> 00:10:56.612
Of king david here in verse 3,
00:10:56.712 --> 00:11:00.282
Of king david here in verse 3, where he says,
00:11:00.349 --> 00:11:00.783
Where he says, "i say of the holy people
00:11:00.850 --> 00:11:02.485
"i say of the holy people who are in the land,
00:11:02.551 --> 00:11:04.453
Who are in the land, 'they are the noble ones
00:11:04.520 --> 00:11:05.588
'they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.'
00:11:05.654 --> 00:11:08.157
In whom is all my delight.' those who run after other gods
00:11:08.224 --> 00:11:09.792
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more."
00:11:09.859 --> 00:11:14.130
You might think david with
00:11:14.230 --> 00:11:15.931
You might think david with his amazing connection to god,
00:11:15.998 --> 00:11:16.999
His amazing connection to god, with all these psalms
00:11:17.066 --> 00:11:18.033
With all these psalms and scriptures that he wrote,
00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.702
And scriptures that he wrote, with his fervent prayer life,
00:11:19.769 --> 00:11:20.669
With his fervent prayer life, you might have thought
00:11:20.736 --> 00:11:21.303
You might have thought that he could be like
00:11:21.370 --> 00:11:21.971
That he could be like a spiritual lone wolf
00:11:22.037 --> 00:11:24.507
A spiritual lone wolf but he doesn't say that.
00:11:24.573 --> 00:11:27.176
But he doesn't say that. instead, david is speaking
00:11:27.243 --> 00:11:27.777
Instead, david is speaking of the holy people,
00:11:27.843 --> 00:11:29.211
Of the holy people, the noble ones,
00:11:29.278 --> 00:11:31.280
The noble ones, his fellow believers.
00:11:31.347 --> 00:11:32.114
His fellow believers. and look at how
00:11:32.181 --> 00:11:33.082
And look at how he describes them,
00:11:33.149 --> 00:11:33.616
He describes them, "they're the noble ones
00:11:33.682 --> 00:11:34.550
"they're the noble ones in whom is all my delight."
00:11:34.617 --> 00:11:37.887
In whom is all my delight." he loved having other
00:11:37.953 --> 00:11:41.490
He loved having other spiritual bible believing
00:11:41.557 --> 00:11:43.125
Spiritual bible believing people in his life.
00:11:43.192 --> 00:11:46.328
People in his life. we might call it fellowship.
00:11:46.395 --> 00:11:47.229
We might call it fellowship. we might call it
00:11:47.296 --> 00:11:48.264
We might call it a church family.
00:11:48.330 --> 00:11:48.798
A church family. we might call it
00:11:48.864 --> 00:11:49.331
We might call it christian friends.
00:11:49.398 --> 00:11:50.966
Christian friends. if you're taking notes,
00:11:51.033 --> 00:11:51.600
If you're taking notes, write this down.
00:11:51.667 --> 00:11:52.134
Write this down. true christianity
00:11:52.201 --> 00:11:53.302
True christianity has always been, is,
00:11:53.369 --> 00:11:54.770
Has always been, is, and always will be built
00:11:54.837 --> 00:11:56.172
And always will be built on biblical community.
00:11:56.238 --> 00:12:01.076
On biblical community. some of you might know the story
00:12:01.143 --> 00:12:01.977
Some of you might know the story of the prophet nathan,
00:12:02.044 --> 00:12:04.947
Of the prophet nathan, a holy man from
00:12:05.014 --> 00:12:05.815
A holy man from david's day who had to get
00:12:05.881 --> 00:12:06.649
David's day who had to get in king david's face
00:12:06.715 --> 00:12:08.384
In king david's face when the king was doing
00:12:08.450 --> 00:12:09.018
When the king was doing what he wanted instead
00:12:09.084 --> 00:12:09.652
What he wanted instead of what god wanted.
00:12:09.718 --> 00:12:12.121
Of what god wanted. the man who,
00:12:12.188 --> 00:12:12.688
The man who, after david repented,
00:12:12.755 --> 00:12:13.422
After david repented, didn't just scold him
00:12:13.489 --> 00:12:14.456
Didn't just scold him and lecture him,
00:12:14.523 --> 00:12:15.424
And lecture him, but brought him back
00:12:15.491 --> 00:12:16.025
But brought him back to the forgiveness of god.
00:12:16.091 --> 00:12:17.092
To the forgiveness of god. what a what a beautiful thing
00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.561
What a what a beautiful thing it is when you have
00:12:18.627 --> 00:12:19.395
It is when you have the kind of people
00:12:19.461 --> 00:12:19.962
The kind of people in your life who love
00:12:20.029 --> 00:12:20.729
In your life who love the same god and get you back
00:12:20.796 --> 00:12:22.264
The same god and get you back to the authority and safety
00:12:22.331 --> 00:12:25.167
To the authority and safety that god offers.
00:12:25.234 --> 00:12:26.035
That god offers. all of us, i'm going
00:12:26.101 --> 00:12:26.936
All of us, i'm going to put it this way,
00:12:27.002 --> 00:12:27.570
To put it this way, need fellow christians
00:12:27.636 --> 00:12:28.804
Need fellow christians to pat us on the back
00:12:28.871 --> 00:12:31.006
To pat us on the back and kick us in the pants.
00:12:31.073 --> 00:12:32.608
And kick us in the pants. this is what god wants for you.
00:12:32.675 --> 00:12:35.911
This is what god wants for you. he doesn't just want you
00:12:35.978 --> 00:12:37.012
He doesn't just want you to come to church as much
00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:38.113
To come to church as much as this matters.
00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.048
As this matters. he just doesn't want you
00:12:39.114 --> 00:12:40.015
He just doesn't want you to podcast sermons or listen
00:12:40.082 --> 00:12:41.183
To podcast sermons or listen to worship music
00:12:41.250 --> 00:12:42.218
To worship music on your latest playlist.
00:12:42.284 --> 00:12:43.018
On your latest playlist. he wants you to have like
00:12:43.085 --> 00:12:44.053
He wants you to have like true life with other people
00:12:44.119 --> 00:12:45.855
True life with other people here in this place.
00:12:45.921 --> 00:12:49.291
Here in this place. and i know, i know,
00:12:49.358 --> 00:12:50.292
And i know, i know, i know people are messy.
00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:53.762
I know people are messy. you might join a life group
00:12:53.829 --> 00:12:54.496
You might join a life group and there's a guy like me
00:12:54.563 --> 00:12:55.231
And there's a guy like me in there who talks too much
00:12:55.297 --> 00:12:56.932
In there who talks too much and after everyone leaves, says,
00:12:56.999 --> 00:12:59.401
And after everyone leaves, says, why did i talk too much again?
00:12:59.468 --> 00:13:01.203
Why did i talk too much again? you're going to find people
00:13:01.270 --> 00:13:01.871
You're going to find people that don't talk enough.
00:13:01.937 --> 00:13:03.172
That don't talk enough. there will be as many sinners
00:13:03.239 --> 00:13:04.240
There will be as many sinners as attenders in that group.
00:13:04.306 --> 00:13:08.110
As attenders in that group. but here's what i know,
00:13:08.177 --> 00:13:09.979
But here's what i know, when life hits,
00:13:10.045 --> 00:13:12.548
When life hits, most christians forget.
00:13:12.615 --> 00:13:16.919
Most christians forget. like when we get sick,
00:13:16.986 --> 00:13:18.721
Like when we get sick, when we're anxious,
00:13:18.787 --> 00:13:20.789
When we're anxious, when something happens at work,
00:13:20.856 --> 00:13:22.091
When something happens at work, when we don't know what
00:13:22.157 --> 00:13:22.758
When we don't know what to do with our kids.
00:13:22.825 --> 00:13:23.392
To do with our kids. when life hits,
00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.593
When life hits, we so often forget almost
00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:26.195
We so often forget almost everything in this book.
00:13:26.262 --> 00:13:28.530
Everything in this book. but god's people
00:13:28.597 --> 00:13:29.231
But god's people will remember for us,
00:13:29.298 --> 00:13:31.433
Will remember for us, and they will remind us
00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.334
And they will remind us of the things that we forgot.
00:13:32.401 --> 00:13:35.437
Of the things that we forgot. they will put an arm
00:13:35.504 --> 00:13:36.071
They will put an arm around our shoulders,
00:13:36.138 --> 00:13:36.839
Around our shoulders, they'll kick us in the backside.
00:13:36.906 --> 00:13:38.140
They'll kick us in the backside. they will listen to you,
00:13:38.207 --> 00:13:39.475
They will listen to you, love you, tell you
00:13:39.541 --> 00:13:40.843
Love you, tell you to get over yourself,
00:13:40.910 --> 00:13:41.610
To get over yourself, tell you to get back
00:13:41.677 --> 00:13:42.611
Tell you to get back to jesus.
00:13:42.678 --> 00:13:43.679
To jesus. they will speak to you
00:13:43.746 --> 00:13:44.313
They will speak to you words of truth and love
00:13:44.380 --> 00:13:45.447
Words of truth and love and help you remember these
00:13:45.514 --> 00:13:46.482
And help you remember these amazing things about god.
00:13:46.548 --> 00:13:48.384
Amazing things about god. i suppose you
00:13:48.450 --> 00:13:49.652
I suppose you could do life alone,
00:13:49.718 --> 00:13:51.887
Could do life alone, just you and jesus,
00:13:51.954 --> 00:13:52.922
Just you and jesus, ride or die.
00:13:52.988 --> 00:13:55.124
Ride or die. but i've discovered,
00:13:55.190 --> 00:13:55.958
But i've discovered, and i hope you will too,
00:13:56.025 --> 00:13:56.725
And i hope you will too, that there's something
00:13:56.792 --> 00:13:57.393
That there's something so much better,
00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:59.461
So much better, and it's to do life together.
00:13:59.528 --> 00:14:02.998
And it's to do life together. true christianity
00:14:03.065 --> 00:14:03.799
True christianity is god's authority, his safety,
00:14:03.866 --> 00:14:06.001
Is god's authority, his safety, the gift of community.
00:14:06.068 --> 00:14:09.605
The gift of community. and then, one last thing i want
00:14:09.672 --> 00:14:10.572
And then, one last thing i want to share with you today.
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:13.575
To share with you today. let's jump away to the end
00:14:13.642 --> 00:14:14.476
Let's jump away to the end of david's words in psalm 16,
00:14:14.543 --> 00:14:16.045
Of david's words in psalm 16, my favorite part where
00:14:16.111 --> 00:14:16.912
He says this,
00:14:17.012 --> 00:14:20.282
He says this, "therefore, my heart is glad
00:14:20.349 --> 00:14:22.318
"therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.
00:14:22.384 --> 00:14:23.385
And my tongue rejoices. my body also will rest secure,
00:14:23.452 --> 00:14:26.622
My body also will rest secure, because you, god,
00:14:26.689 --> 00:14:27.656
Because you, god, will not abandon me
00:14:27.723 --> 00:14:28.757
Will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
00:14:28.824 --> 00:14:29.692
To the realm of the dead, nor will you let your
00:14:29.758 --> 00:14:30.893
Nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:33.729
Faithful one see decay. you make known to me
00:14:33.796 --> 00:14:34.363
You make known to me the path of life.
00:14:34.430 --> 00:14:34.997
The path of life. you will fill me with
00:14:35.064 --> 00:14:35.664
You will fill me with joy in your presence,
00:14:35.731 --> 00:14:36.699
Joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures
00:14:36.765 --> 00:14:38.300
With eternal pleasures at your right hand."
00:14:38.367 --> 00:14:43.305
Write this down.
00:14:43.405 --> 00:14:44.039
Write this down. the best blessing
00:14:44.106 --> 00:14:44.807
The best blessing of christianity is the eternity.
00:14:44.873 --> 00:14:48.844
Of christianity is the eternity. it's the eternally happy,
00:14:48.911 --> 00:14:50.245
It's the eternally happy, joyful, safe, exciting,
00:14:50.312 --> 00:14:52.648
Joyful, safe, exciting, glorious life that god has
00:14:52.715 --> 00:14:54.116
Glorious life that god has promised to all who believe.
00:14:54.183 --> 00:14:58.120
So, friends, what would
00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:58.921
So, friends, what would happen if this year became
00:14:58.988 --> 00:15:01.590
Happen if this year became the most christian year
00:15:01.657 --> 00:15:04.460
The most christian year of your whole life?
00:15:04.526 --> 00:15:07.629
Of your whole life? what would happen
00:15:07.696 --> 00:15:08.230
To your spirituality
00:15:08.330 --> 00:15:10.232
To your spirituality if you just leaned into
00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:11.100
If you just leaned into this relationship
00:15:11.166 --> 00:15:12.067
This relationship with jesus like you
00:15:12.134 --> 00:15:12.701
With jesus like you never have before?
00:15:12.768 --> 00:15:13.635
Never have before? we're not going to fix
00:15:13.702 --> 00:15:14.303
We're not going to fix everything in a year.
00:15:14.370 --> 00:15:16.171
Everything in a year. that's a resolution
00:15:16.238 --> 00:15:16.872
That's a resolution that's never quite kept
00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:17.673
That's never quite kept this side of heaven.
00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.607
This side of heaven. but what would it take if you
00:15:18.674 --> 00:15:20.676
But what would it take if you were like all in for jesus
00:15:20.743 --> 00:15:22.144
Were like all in for jesus for the next 12 months?
00:15:22.211 --> 00:15:25.848
For the next 12 months? before i say amen,
00:15:25.914 --> 00:15:26.582
Before i say amen, i want to give you
00:15:26.648 --> 00:15:27.249
I want to give you three steps that you
00:15:27.316 --> 00:15:27.983
Three steps that you might consider taking.
00:15:28.050 --> 00:15:28.684
Might consider taking. maybe just one, maybe all three
00:15:28.751 --> 00:15:30.052
Maybe just one, maybe all three today, grab a pen
00:15:30.119 --> 00:15:31.120
Today, grab a pen and write these down.
00:15:31.186 --> 00:15:32.454
And write these down. what would happen if this year
00:15:32.521 --> 00:15:33.422
What would happen if this year was the year where you gathered
00:15:33.489 --> 00:15:35.624
Was the year where you gathered most in a place like this?
00:15:35.691 --> 00:15:38.360
Most in a place like this? what would happen if church
00:15:38.427 --> 00:15:39.895
What would happen if church became a given in your life,
00:15:39.962 --> 00:15:43.132
Became a given in your life, if you didn't wait and see
00:15:43.198 --> 00:15:44.233
If you didn't wait and see if you're tired or busy,
00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.567
If you're tired or busy, but this was just a priority
00:15:45.634 --> 00:15:47.002
But this was just a priority in your spiritual habits?
00:15:47.069 --> 00:15:49.271
In your spiritual habits? what happened if you
00:15:49.338 --> 00:15:50.039
What happened if you would push yourself like we do
00:15:50.105 --> 00:15:50.906
Would push yourself like we do with the gym or eating right
00:15:50.973 --> 00:15:52.608
With the gym or eating right or connecting with a person
00:15:52.674 --> 00:15:53.842
Or connecting with a person we love with these gatherings
00:15:53.909 --> 00:15:55.277
We love with these gatherings in the presence of god?
00:15:55.344 --> 00:15:58.047
In the presence of god? no, some of you say,
00:15:58.113 --> 00:15:58.947
No, some of you say, well, of course,
00:15:59.014 --> 00:16:00.549
Well, of course, you're going to say that.
00:16:00.616 --> 00:16:01.183
You're going to say that. you're the pastor.
00:16:01.250 --> 00:16:02.251
You're the pastor. come to church.
00:16:02.317 --> 00:16:02.851
Come to church. whoa, what a surprise.
00:16:02.918 --> 00:16:03.585
Whoa, what a surprise. the pastor wants us
00:16:03.652 --> 00:16:04.286
The pastor wants us to come to church.
00:16:04.353 --> 00:16:04.887
To come to church. why would i do that?
00:16:04.953 --> 00:16:07.222
Why would i do that? man, i can give a big answer.
00:16:07.289 --> 00:16:08.090
Man, i can give a big answer. here's my short answers
00:16:08.157 --> 00:16:09.358
Here's my short answers to the question,
00:16:09.425 --> 00:16:09.825
To the question, why should you come
00:16:09.892 --> 00:16:10.592
Why should you come to church every single week?
00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:14.029
To church every single week? because this is the place where
00:16:14.096 --> 00:16:14.797
Because this is the place where you don't get to set the agenda.
00:16:14.863 --> 00:16:19.234
You don't get to set the agenda. you know you can read
00:16:19.301 --> 00:16:20.235
You know you can read the bible at home,
00:16:20.302 --> 00:16:21.403
The bible at home, but when it's just
00:16:21.470 --> 00:16:21.904
But when it's just you in the bible,
00:16:21.970 --> 00:16:22.538
You in the bible, do you know what you can do?
00:16:22.604 --> 00:16:27.676
Do you know what you can do? when you're singing
00:16:27.743 --> 00:16:28.577
When you're singing the worship songs
00:16:28.644 --> 00:16:29.278
The worship songs that you picked,
00:16:29.344 --> 00:16:29.812
That you picked, do you know what you get to do?
00:16:29.878 --> 00:16:30.913
Do you know what you get to do? skip, play, repeat.
00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:34.149
Skip, play, repeat. do you know what does not
00:16:34.216 --> 00:16:35.117
Do you know what does not happen when you come to church?
00:16:35.184 --> 00:16:37.286
Happen when you come to church? the pastors don't wait
00:16:37.352 --> 00:16:38.020
The pastors don't wait at the front door
00:16:38.087 --> 00:16:39.755
At the front door with clipboards to say,
00:16:39.822 --> 00:16:40.856
With clipboards to say, what should we preach
00:16:40.923 --> 00:16:41.623
What should we preach about today?
00:16:41.690 --> 00:16:43.959
About today? no, it's not about you.
00:16:44.026 --> 00:16:44.726
No, it's not about you. instead, it's about what
00:16:44.793 --> 00:16:46.762
Instead, it's about what we have prepared in the name
00:16:46.829 --> 00:16:48.397
We have prepared in the name of jesus to give you.
00:16:48.464 --> 00:16:50.866
Of jesus to give you. and maybe jesus wanted to kick
00:16:50.933 --> 00:16:52.201
And maybe jesus wanted to kick you in the pants that day.
00:16:52.267 --> 00:16:53.502
You in the pants that day. maybe he wanted to slap up
00:16:53.569 --> 00:16:54.336
Maybe he wanted to slap up your soul a little bit
00:16:54.403 --> 00:16:55.104
Your soul a little bit and wake you up to your sin.
00:16:55.170 --> 00:16:56.171
And wake you up to your sin. or maybe he wanted to wrap
00:16:56.238 --> 00:16:57.106
Or maybe he wanted to wrap his merciful arms around you
00:16:57.172 --> 00:16:58.407
His merciful arms around you and say i love you
00:16:58.474 --> 00:16:59.808
And say i love you and i forgive you.
00:16:59.875 --> 00:17:01.510
And i forgive you. you don't set the agenda
00:17:01.577 --> 00:17:02.211
You don't set the agenda when you come to church and god
00:17:02.277 --> 00:17:03.846
When you come to church and god gets this opportunity just
00:17:03.912 --> 00:17:05.013
Gets this opportunity just to confront you and comfort you,
00:17:05.080 --> 00:17:06.715
To confront you and comfort you, to shape you,
00:17:06.782 --> 00:17:07.983
To shape you, and help you become the person
00:17:08.050 --> 00:17:09.418
And help you become the person that jesus wants you to be.
00:17:09.485 --> 00:17:11.753
That jesus wants you to be. who here uses snapchat?
00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:13.255
Who here uses snapchat? anyone?
00:17:13.322 --> 00:17:13.755
Anyone? hands nice and high.
00:17:13.822 --> 00:17:14.523
Hands nice and high. yes.
00:17:14.590 --> 00:17:15.424
Yes. do and of you know
00:17:15.491 --> 00:17:16.125
Do and of you know about snapchat streaks?
00:17:16.191 --> 00:17:18.393
About snapchat streaks? my teenage daughters
00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.161
My teenage daughters have snapchat.
00:17:19.228 --> 00:17:19.895
Have snapchat. i've learned that
00:17:19.962 --> 00:17:20.662
I've learned that it's very important
00:17:20.729 --> 00:17:21.296
It's very important to keep a snapchat streak
00:17:21.363 --> 00:17:22.164
To keep a snapchat streak going even if you have
00:17:22.231 --> 00:17:23.332
Going even if you have to take like a picture
00:17:23.398 --> 00:17:24.133
To take like a picture of the ceiling or like
00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:25.501
Of the ceiling or like a third of your face.
00:17:25.567 --> 00:17:26.869
A third of your face. this is very important.
00:17:26.935 --> 00:17:27.603
This is very important. what would happen if you had
00:17:27.669 --> 00:17:28.537
What would happen if you had that same teenage passion except
00:17:28.604 --> 00:17:30.572
That same teenage passion except for your church streak?
00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:33.308
For your church streak? how many sundays this year
00:17:33.375 --> 00:17:34.209
How many sundays this year do you think you can
00:17:34.276 --> 00:17:34.910
Do you think you can make it in a row?
00:17:34.977 --> 00:17:35.978
Make it in a row? and if you can't make it
00:17:36.044 --> 00:17:36.712
And if you can't make it to watch at home
00:17:36.778 --> 00:17:38.780
To watch at home if the streak ends,
00:17:38.847 --> 00:17:39.548
If the streak ends, how quickly could you
00:17:39.615 --> 00:17:40.282
How quickly could you get back on that horse
00:17:40.349 --> 00:17:41.783
Get back on that horse so that you can hear
00:17:41.850 --> 00:17:42.784
So that you can hear the holy word of god?
00:17:42.851 --> 00:17:44.553
The holy word of god? what would happen,
00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:45.254
What would happen, do you think to your heart
00:17:45.320 --> 00:17:46.021
Do you think to your heart if this became your
00:17:46.088 --> 00:17:46.788
If this became your most churched year ever?
00:17:46.855 --> 00:17:52.094
Most churched year ever? number two, i'm going
00:17:52.161 --> 00:17:54.596
Number two, i'm going to encourage you this year
00:17:54.663 --> 00:17:55.864
To encourage you this year to lean into group.
00:17:55.931 --> 00:18:00.102
To lean into group. i've learned in my own walk
00:18:00.169 --> 00:18:01.904
I've learned in my own walk with jesus that most
00:18:01.970 --> 00:18:03.605
With jesus that most of the breakthroughs
00:18:03.672 --> 00:18:05.073
Of the breakthroughs in my life happen
00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.975
In my life happen with god's holy people.
00:18:07.042 --> 00:18:10.646
With god's holy people. there are things
00:18:10.712 --> 00:18:11.280
There are things i want to change about me,
00:18:11.346 --> 00:18:13.282
I want to change about me, things that are awkward
00:18:13.348 --> 00:18:14.016
Things that are awkward and embarrassing.
00:18:14.082 --> 00:18:14.883
And embarrassing. and every time i've tried
00:18:14.950 --> 00:18:15.784
And every time i've tried to like go around honest
00:18:15.851 --> 00:18:17.786
To like go around honest confession with other people,
00:18:17.853 --> 00:18:20.522
Confession with other people, just me and jesus
00:18:20.589 --> 00:18:21.256
Just me and jesus couple of prayers
00:18:21.323 --> 00:18:21.757
Couple of prayers and passages it,
00:18:21.823 --> 00:18:24.193
And passages it, it doesn't work.
00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.827
It doesn't work. now, the bible says
00:18:25.894 --> 00:18:26.395
Now, the bible says that iron sharpens iron,
00:18:26.461 --> 00:18:28.330
That iron sharpens iron, that two are better than one,
00:18:28.397 --> 00:18:29.965
That two are better than one, and we confess our sins
00:18:30.032 --> 00:18:30.899
And we confess our sins to one another.
00:18:30.966 --> 00:18:32.201
To one another. there's healing that happens
00:18:32.267 --> 00:18:33.936
There's healing that happens that would not otherwise
00:18:34.002 --> 00:18:35.437
That would not otherwise have happened.
00:18:35.504 --> 00:18:36.805
Have happened. here's my challenge
00:18:36.872 --> 00:18:37.272
Here's my challenge to you today,
00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.840
To you today, what if this year became
00:18:38.907 --> 00:18:40.742
What if this year became your most honest year
00:18:40.809 --> 00:18:42.044
Your most honest year of your life?
00:18:42.110 --> 00:18:44.146
Of your life? maybe just have a couple
00:18:44.213 --> 00:18:44.846
Maybe just have a couple of christian friends
00:18:44.913 --> 00:18:45.514
Of christian friends that you connect with.
00:18:45.581 --> 00:18:46.248
That you connect with. what would happen if this
00:18:46.315 --> 00:18:47.349
What would happen if this was the year that
00:18:47.416 --> 00:18:48.250
Was the year that you didn't filter it,
00:18:48.317 --> 00:18:50.452
You didn't filter it, you didn't fake it,
00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:52.588
You didn't fake it, you didn't edit it,
00:18:52.654 --> 00:18:55.357
You didn't edit it, you didn't have some
00:18:55.424 --> 00:18:56.425
You didn't have some social media version of you
00:18:56.491 --> 00:18:58.427
Social media version of you that takes --
00:18:58.493 --> 00:18:59.094
That takes -- what would happen if you
00:18:59.161 --> 00:19:00.062
What would happen if you would just talk to the people
00:19:00.128 --> 00:19:01.063
Would just talk to the people of god about the highest highs
00:19:01.129 --> 00:19:03.232
Of god about the highest highs and the lowest lows,
00:19:03.298 --> 00:19:04.266
And the lowest lows, the inspiring things you said
00:19:04.333 --> 00:19:05.634
The inspiring things you said and the embarrassing things
00:19:05.701 --> 00:19:06.735
And the embarrassing things that you have done?
00:19:06.802 --> 00:19:10.239
That you have done? what would happen if you would
00:19:10.305 --> 00:19:11.139
What would happen if you would choose the path of jesus,
00:19:11.206 --> 00:19:12.207
Choose the path of jesus, the path of radical
00:19:12.274 --> 00:19:13.442
The path of radical and absolute honesty?
00:19:13.508 --> 00:19:15.777
And absolute honesty? no hiding, no secrets,
00:19:15.844 --> 00:19:19.648
No hiding, no secrets, just showing up with
00:19:19.715 --> 00:19:20.682
Just showing up with all of you in the room
00:19:20.749 --> 00:19:23.118
All of you in the room with that friend as you
00:19:23.185 --> 00:19:24.119
With that friend as you pursue jesus together?
00:19:24.186 --> 00:19:27.623
Pursue jesus together? i'm no botanist,
00:19:27.689 --> 00:19:30.392
I'm no botanist, but i believe that plants
00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.193
But i believe that plants grow best in the light.
00:19:31.260 --> 00:19:35.230
Grow best in the light. i'm a pastor and i know that
00:19:35.297 --> 00:19:36.465
I'm a pastor and i know that people absolutely do too.
00:19:36.531 --> 00:19:43.472
People absolutely do too. finally, what if this was
00:19:43.538 --> 00:19:45.607
Finally, what if this was the year when you would
00:19:45.674 --> 00:19:46.875
The year when you would grow in your faith?
00:19:46.942 --> 00:19:49.878
Grow in your faith? recently, they conducted a study
00:19:49.945 --> 00:19:51.580
Recently, they conducted a study of 400,000 christians about
00:19:51.647 --> 00:19:53.782
Of 400,000 christians about their habits with the bible,
00:19:53.849 --> 00:19:54.983
Their habits with the bible, and here's what they discovered.
00:19:55.050 --> 00:19:56.318
And here's what they discovered. that for christians who were
00:19:56.385 --> 00:19:57.753
That for christians who were in the bible the majority
00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:59.121
In the bible the majority of the days of the week,
00:19:59.187 --> 00:20:00.255
Of the days of the week, four or more days each week,
00:20:00.322 --> 00:20:02.691
Four or more days each week, they noticed substantial
00:20:02.758 --> 00:20:04.393
They noticed substantial and significant life change
00:20:04.459 --> 00:20:06.295
And significant life change that happened.
00:20:06.361 --> 00:20:08.196
That happened. in fact, the title
00:20:08.263 --> 00:20:08.930
In fact, the title of this report was called
00:20:08.997 --> 00:20:10.465
Of this report was called the power of four.
00:20:10.532 --> 00:20:13.702
The power of four. they said the people who,
00:20:13.769 --> 00:20:14.469
They said the people who, you know, open the bible
00:20:14.536 --> 00:20:15.137
You know, open the bible maybe just one day a week,
00:20:15.203 --> 00:20:16.138
Maybe just one day a week, they didn't see a lot
00:20:16.204 --> 00:20:16.772
They didn't see a lot of actual change
00:20:16.838 --> 00:20:17.739
Of actual change in their life.
00:20:17.806 --> 00:20:18.407
In their life. but for those who opened
00:20:18.473 --> 00:20:19.541
But for those who opened the book 4 or more times,
00:20:19.608 --> 00:20:20.709
The book 4 or more times, here's what they found.
00:20:20.776 --> 00:20:22.744
Here's what they found. the feelings of loneliness
00:20:22.811 --> 00:20:23.679
The feelings of loneliness dropped by 30%, struggles with
00:20:23.745 --> 00:20:26.415
Dropped by 30%, struggles with alcohol dropped by 57%,
00:20:26.481 --> 00:20:29.017
Alcohol dropped by 57%, relational issues,
00:20:29.084 --> 00:20:30.085
Relational issues, especially in marriage
00:20:30.152 --> 00:20:30.952
Especially in marriage dropped by 40%,
00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.987
Dropped by 40%, pornography use dropped by 62%,
00:20:32.054 --> 00:20:33.789
Pornography use dropped by 62%, and feeling spiritually stagnant
00:20:33.855 --> 00:20:35.624
And feeling spiritually stagnant dropped by 60%.
00:20:35.691 --> 00:20:39.027
Dropped by 60%. making church
00:20:39.094 --> 00:20:39.961
Making church an every sunday habit.
00:20:40.028 --> 00:20:42.164
An every sunday habit. be more honest with
00:20:42.230 --> 00:20:42.831
Be more honest with fellow christians than
00:20:42.898 --> 00:20:43.899
Fellow christians than you ever have before.
00:20:43.965 --> 00:20:45.233
You ever have before. having a definite plan
00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:45.967
Having a definite plan to get into the word that you
00:20:46.034 --> 00:20:47.069
To get into the word that you can share with someone else.
00:20:47.135 --> 00:20:48.837
Can share with someone else. you can't do everything,
00:20:48.904 --> 00:20:49.805
You can't do everything, but what if you did
00:20:49.871 --> 00:20:50.572
But what if you did just one thing?
00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:53.241
Just one thing? i hope you do because you
00:20:53.308 --> 00:20:54.876
I hope you do because you might just end up with
00:20:54.943 --> 00:20:55.744
Might just end up with the best faith that's there,
00:20:55.811 --> 00:20:59.047
The best faith that's there, true christianity.
00:20:59.114 --> 00:21:03.385
True christianity. let me leave you
00:21:03.452 --> 00:21:03.919
Let me leave you with this today.
00:21:03.985 --> 00:21:04.786
With this today. two hundred years ago,
00:21:04.853 --> 00:21:05.754
Two hundred years ago, thomas jefferson was
00:21:05.821 --> 00:21:07.656
Thomas jefferson was a very spiritual man.
00:21:07.723 --> 00:21:11.059
A very spiritual man. before he got famous
00:21:11.126 --> 00:21:12.794
Before he got famous from the musical hamilton,
00:21:12.861 --> 00:21:15.297
From the musical hamilton, he was one of the
00:21:15.364 --> 00:21:15.964
He was one of the founding fathers
00:21:16.031 --> 00:21:16.698
Founding fathers of this country and he actually
00:21:16.765 --> 00:21:17.666
Of this country and he actually had a very personalized version
00:21:17.733 --> 00:21:19.634
Had a very personalized version of spirituality.
00:21:19.701 --> 00:21:20.502
Of spirituality. have you heard the story?
00:21:20.569 --> 00:21:21.803
Have you heard the story? in the year 1820,
00:21:21.870 --> 00:21:23.105
In the year 1820, thomas jefferson went
00:21:23.171 --> 00:21:23.572
Thomas jefferson went through the teachings
00:21:23.638 --> 00:21:24.973
Through the teachings of jesus in the bible,
00:21:25.040 --> 00:21:25.841
Of jesus in the bible, which he greatly respected
00:21:25.907 --> 00:21:27.042
Which he greatly respected and decided to keep the ones
00:21:27.109 --> 00:21:28.510
And decided to keep the ones he liked and reject
00:21:28.577 --> 00:21:30.579
He liked and reject the ones he didn't.
00:21:30.645 --> 00:21:33.749
The ones he didn't. in fact, you should google this.
00:21:33.815 --> 00:21:35.717
In fact, you should google this. he actually went through
00:21:35.784 --> 00:21:36.318
He actually went through with like an exacto knife
00:21:36.385 --> 00:21:37.519
With like an exacto knife and all like the miracles
00:21:37.586 --> 00:21:38.887
And all like the miracles and supernatural stuff
00:21:38.954 --> 00:21:39.921
And supernatural stuff that he just couldn't
00:21:39.988 --> 00:21:40.589
That he just couldn't get himself to believe,
00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:41.590
Get himself to believe, he literally cut out
00:21:41.656 --> 00:21:42.791
He literally cut out of the bible,
00:21:42.858 --> 00:21:45.193
Of the bible, and the end result
00:21:45.260 --> 00:21:46.328
And the end result was a jesus made in
00:21:46.395 --> 00:21:47.863
Was a jesus made in thomas jefferson's image.
00:21:47.929 --> 00:21:49.398
Thomas jefferson's image. he actually published
00:21:49.464 --> 00:21:50.499
He actually published a book in 1820.
00:21:50.565 --> 00:21:51.299
I'll show you a picture of it.
00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.367
I'll show you a picture of it. it was called
00:21:52.434 --> 00:21:53.835
It was called the life and morals
00:21:53.902 --> 00:21:55.137
The life and morals of jesus of nazareth,
00:21:55.203 --> 00:21:55.971
Of jesus of nazareth, extracted textually from
00:21:56.037 --> 00:21:57.739
Extracted textually from the gospels in greek,
00:21:57.806 --> 00:21:58.607
The gospels in greek, latin, french and english.
00:21:58.673 --> 00:22:02.177
Latin, french and english. when a christian friend said,
00:22:02.244 --> 00:22:03.345
"i'm not sure, thomas,
00:22:03.445 --> 00:22:04.112
"i'm not sure, thomas, if you should do that,"
00:22:04.179 --> 00:22:04.946
If you should do that," here was his response.
00:22:05.013 --> 00:22:06.481
Here was his response. he said, "as far as i know,
00:22:06.548 --> 00:22:07.516
He said, "as far as i know, i am a sect, a denomination
00:22:07.582 --> 00:22:11.386
I am a sect, a denomination all by myself."
00:22:11.453 --> 00:22:15.824
All by myself." basically, me.
00:22:15.891 --> 00:22:21.763
Basically, me. and no disrespect to tj,
00:22:21.830 --> 00:22:24.533
And no disrespect to tj, but i'm choosing all of jc.
00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:28.503
But i'm choosing all of jc. let him confront me,
00:22:28.570 --> 00:22:29.337
Let him confront me, let him challenge me,
00:22:29.404 --> 00:22:30.505
Let him challenge me, let him change me because
00:22:30.572 --> 00:22:31.740
Let him change me because this is the jesus
00:22:31.807 --> 00:22:32.574
This is the jesus who saved me.
00:22:32.641 --> 00:22:34.042
Who saved me. don't just give me
00:22:34.109 --> 00:22:35.143
Don't just give me the teachings of jesus that mike
00:22:35.210 --> 00:22:36.378
The teachings of jesus that mike should be better
00:22:36.445 --> 00:22:37.279
Should be better to his neighbor.
00:22:37.345 --> 00:22:37.946
To his neighbor. give me the jesus
00:22:38.013 --> 00:22:38.713
Give me the jesus who supernaturally stretched out
00:22:38.780 --> 00:22:40.348
Who supernaturally stretched out his divine arms and shed
00:22:40.415 --> 00:22:41.850
His divine arms and shed his precious blood
00:22:41.917 --> 00:22:42.784
His precious blood to wash away my sin.
00:22:42.851 --> 00:22:44.152
Don't give me a jesus
00:22:44.252 --> 00:22:45.187
Who's decaying in a grave.
00:22:45.253 --> 00:22:46.488
Give me a faithful one
00:22:46.555 --> 00:22:47.522
Who conquered death,
00:22:47.589 --> 00:22:48.290
So whether it's cancer
00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:49.424
Or some tragedy,
00:22:49.491 --> 00:22:50.492
I don't have to be afraid
00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.660
For a single second.
00:22:51.726 --> 00:22:52.727
Give me the bigness of a god,
00:22:52.794 --> 00:22:54.062
A lord, an elohim, an adonai,
00:22:54.129 --> 00:22:56.364
And a yahweh who loves me
00:22:56.431 --> 00:22:58.033
With a divine kind of love,
00:22:58.099 --> 00:23:01.002
Who loves me when
00:23:01.102 --> 00:23:01.736
Who loves me when i'm at the bottom
00:23:01.803 --> 00:23:02.504
I'm at the bottom and loves you the same.
00:23:02.571 --> 00:23:03.972
And loves you the same. today's median spirituality
00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.607
Today's median spirituality is in thomas jefferson's image,
00:23:05.674 --> 00:23:06.942
Is in thomas jefferson's image, and it's mediocre.
00:23:07.008 --> 00:23:09.077
And it's mediocre. today your god offers you
00:23:09.144 --> 00:23:10.245
Today your god offers you something eternally better,
00:23:10.312 --> 00:23:12.013
Something eternally better, true christianity, authority,
00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:15.217
True christianity, authority, safety, community and eternity
00:23:15.283 --> 00:23:16.785
Safety, community and eternity in the mighty name of jesus.
00:23:16.852 --> 00:23:19.421
In the mighty name of jesus. you can believe anything,
00:23:19.488 --> 00:23:21.990
You can believe anything, but today let go of the spoon.
00:23:22.057 --> 00:23:24.259
But today let go of the spoon. let jesus run your life
00:23:24.326 --> 00:23:26.595
Let jesus run your life and one day very soon,
00:23:26.661 --> 00:23:27.229
And one day very soon, when you experience
00:23:27.295 --> 00:23:28.029
When you experience eternal pleasure
00:23:28.096 --> 00:23:29.331
Eternal pleasure that does not end,
00:23:29.397 --> 00:23:29.998
That does not end, you will be so glad you did.
00:23:30.065 --> 00:23:34.769
You will be so glad you did. let's pray.
00:23:34.836 --> 00:23:35.604
Let's pray. oh jesus, i can't lie
00:23:35.670 --> 00:23:40.008
Oh jesus, i can't lie some of the things
00:23:40.075 --> 00:23:40.609
Some of the things you say are so hard to do.
00:23:40.675 --> 00:23:44.646
You say are so hard to do. i mean, it's so hard to love
00:23:44.713 --> 00:23:46.648
I mean, it's so hard to love people constantly and not pick
00:23:46.715 --> 00:23:48.250
People constantly and not pick and choose which people to love.
00:23:48.316 --> 00:23:50.886
And choose which people to love. it is so hard to forgive once.
00:23:50.952 --> 00:23:53.955
It is so hard to forgive once. it feels almost impossible
00:23:54.022 --> 00:23:54.723
It feels almost impossible to forgive twice.
00:23:54.789 --> 00:23:55.457
To forgive twice. but to forgive
00:23:55.524 --> 00:23:56.291
But to forgive 77 times feels absurd.
00:23:56.358 --> 00:23:59.394
77 times feels absurd. to follow my heart
00:23:59.461 --> 00:24:00.195
To follow my heart is comfortable, god.
00:24:00.262 --> 00:24:01.596
Is comfortable, god. to deny myself and take up
00:24:01.663 --> 00:24:02.597
To deny myself and take up my cross is such a challenge.
00:24:02.664 --> 00:24:06.201
My cross is such a challenge. so, i need you today, god.
00:24:06.268 --> 00:24:07.102
So, i need you today, god. we need you to open the eyes
00:24:07.168 --> 00:24:08.303
We need you to open the eyes of our heart to believe that
00:24:08.370 --> 00:24:09.638
Of our heart to believe that you are worthy and worth it.
00:24:09.704 --> 00:24:13.141
You are worthy and worth it. help us not to be formed
00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:13.875
Help us not to be formed by our feelings,
00:24:13.942 --> 00:24:14.976
By our feelings, but instead to hold fast
00:24:15.043 --> 00:24:15.877
But instead to hold fast to what you say is true.
00:24:15.944 --> 00:24:18.380
To what you say is true. even if we have to go
00:24:18.446 --> 00:24:19.114
Even if we have to go through the fire, god,
00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.015
Through the fire, god, even if it feels like
00:24:20.081 --> 00:24:20.982
Even if it feels like we're being crucified,
00:24:21.049 --> 00:24:21.683
We're being crucified, god, you can,
00:24:21.750 --> 00:24:22.884
God, you can, you can hang us right there
00:24:22.951 --> 00:24:24.619
You can hang us right there because we want to be
00:24:24.686 --> 00:24:25.287
Because we want to be connected to jesus.
00:24:25.353 --> 00:24:26.021
Connected to jesus. we believe that he is worth it.
00:24:26.087 --> 00:24:28.123
We believe that he is worth it. so, open our eyes.
00:24:28.189 --> 00:24:28.657
So, open our eyes. give the holy spirit
00:24:28.723 --> 00:24:29.691
Give the holy spirit that we would see that
00:24:29.758 --> 00:24:30.692
That we would see that if you love us like that,
00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.726
If you love us like that, if you've forgiven us
00:24:31.793 --> 00:24:32.594
If you've forgiven us all of that,
00:24:32.661 --> 00:24:33.929
All of that, you're a god that
00:24:33.995 --> 00:24:34.529
You're a god that can be followed, trusted
00:24:34.596 --> 00:24:35.363
Can be followed, trusted and worshipped today,
00:24:35.430 --> 00:24:36.464
And worshipped today, tomorrow and for
00:24:36.531 --> 00:24:37.332
Tomorrow and for the rest of our life.
00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:39.434
The rest of our life. god, i pray that you would
00:24:39.501 --> 00:24:40.435
God, i pray that you would protect this church.
00:24:40.502 --> 00:24:43.371
Protect this church. it is so tempting in this big,
00:24:43.438 --> 00:24:45.307
It is so tempting in this big, challenging book to pick
00:24:45.373 --> 00:24:46.408
And choose as the man
00:24:46.508 --> 00:24:49.678
Who gets to craft
00:24:49.744 --> 00:24:50.345
The sermon series.
00:24:50.412 --> 00:24:53.548
God, there's always the fear
00:24:53.615 --> 00:24:54.716
Of saying something that will
00:24:54.783 --> 00:24:56.084
Make people walk out the door.
00:24:56.151 --> 00:24:58.520
Save us from that spirit
00:24:58.587 --> 00:24:59.454
Of pleasing people.
00:24:59.521 --> 00:25:00.355
Instead, help everything
00:25:00.422 --> 00:25:01.323
We do just be pleasing to you,
00:25:01.389 --> 00:25:04.225
Whether people love us
00:25:04.292 --> 00:25:04.960
Or hate us,
00:25:05.026 --> 00:25:06.461
Whether they applaud us
00:25:06.528 --> 00:25:07.162
Or ignore us,
00:25:07.228 --> 00:25:08.330
Whether the church grows
00:25:08.396 --> 00:25:09.197
Or shrinks or stays the same
00:25:09.264 --> 00:25:10.498
For the next ten years,
00:25:10.565 --> 00:25:11.466
God, we just want to be faithful
00:25:11.533 --> 00:25:12.634
To you because you're faithful
00:25:12.701 --> 00:25:14.669
One did not see decay.
00:25:14.736 --> 00:25:16.705
Fill us with the joy
00:25:16.771 --> 00:25:17.339
Of true christianity that
00:25:17.405 --> 00:25:18.640
We could be glad like david.
00:25:18.707 --> 00:25:20.141
Trust in you, like david,
00:25:20.208 --> 00:25:21.543
And rejoice in your presence
00:25:21.610 --> 00:25:22.944
As he did so many years ago.
00:25:23.011 --> 00:25:25.380
Bless us, god, as we lean into
00:25:25.447 --> 00:25:26.715
Jesus more than we ever
00:25:26.781 --> 00:25:27.616
Have before.
00:25:27.682 --> 00:25:29.250
In his name we pray.
00:25:29.317 --> 00:25:30.251
And all god's people said, amen.
00:25:30.318 --> 00:25:32.954
>> thank you, pastor mike,
00:25:34.623 --> 00:25:35.357
>> thank you, pastor mike, for reminding us that
00:25:35.423 --> 00:25:36.157
For reminding us that true christianity is yielding
00:25:36.224 --> 00:25:38.259
True christianity is yielding to god and his will
00:25:38.326 --> 00:25:39.027
To god and his will for our lives and gathering
00:25:39.094 --> 00:25:40.195
For our lives and gathering and growing with
00:25:40.261 --> 00:25:41.062
And growing with fellow christians.
00:25:41.129 --> 00:25:42.130
Fellow christians. this month we are offering
00:25:42.197 --> 00:25:43.498
This month we are offering beyond burnout, how to find rest
00:25:43.565 --> 00:25:45.100
Beyond burnout, how to find rest in a restless world
00:25:45.166 --> 00:25:46.401
In a restless world by pastor mike with
00:25:46.468 --> 00:25:47.369
By pastor mike with a bonus bible study by
00:25:47.435 --> 00:25:48.870
A bonus bible study by doctor bruce becker.
00:25:48.937 --> 00:25:50.171
Doctor bruce becker. this book helps us evaluate
00:25:50.238 --> 00:25:51.840
This book helps us evaluate our life and change our habits,
00:25:51.906 --> 00:25:53.341
Our life and change our habits, so we don't succumb to burnout,
00:25:53.408 --> 00:25:55.110
So we don't succumb to burnout, allowing us to align our habits
00:25:55.176 --> 00:25:56.878
Allowing us to align our habits with our creator's intent.
00:25:56.945 --> 00:25:58.346
With our creator's intent. request your copy
00:25:58.413 --> 00:25:59.514
Request your copy with your financial gift
00:25:59.581 --> 00:26:00.649
With your financial gift to time of grace.
00:26:00.715 --> 00:26:01.416
A culture perfectly designed
00:26:03.485 --> 00:26:04.486
To burn you out.
00:26:04.586 --> 00:26:05.687
Always online,
00:26:05.787 --> 00:26:06.554
Always on call,
00:26:06.655 --> 00:26:07.856
Always racing, always working.
00:26:07.956 --> 00:26:09.958
Christians often burn out
00:26:10.058 --> 00:26:11.092
The quickest.
00:26:11.192 --> 00:26:11.793
Always serving,
00:26:11.893 --> 00:26:12.761
Always striving,
00:26:12.861 --> 00:26:13.828
Always saying yes.
00:26:13.928 --> 00:26:15.397
Where's the rest
00:26:15.497 --> 00:26:15.964
Jesus promised?
00:26:16.064 --> 00:26:17.265
God designed you for
00:26:17.365 --> 00:26:18.500
A different rhythm of life.
00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:20.702
Beyond burnout:
00:26:20.802 --> 00:26:21.569
How to find rest
00:26:21.670 --> 00:26:22.337
In a restless world
00:26:22.437 --> 00:26:23.338
By mike novotny
00:26:23.438 --> 00:26:24.072
And bruce becker offers
00:26:24.172 --> 00:26:25.440
In-depth study questions
00:26:25.540 --> 00:26:26.875
And biblical guidance
00:26:26.975 --> 00:26:27.742
To help you find the rhythm
00:26:27.842 --> 00:26:29.110
That leads to deeper rest,
00:26:29.210 --> 00:26:30.879
More resilient peace,
00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:32.547
And yes, greater impact
00:26:32.647 --> 00:26:34.249
For god's kingdom.
00:26:34.349 --> 00:26:35.483
Beyond burnout is our way
00:26:35.583 --> 00:26:36.584
Of thanking you for your
00:26:36.685 --> 00:26:37.619
Financial support.
00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:38.687
Request yours today
00:26:38.787 --> 00:26:39.721
By calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:39.821 --> 00:26:42.123
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:42.223 --> 00:26:44.993
Or writing us at po box 301,
00:26:45.093 --> 00:26:47.696
Milwaukee, wi 53201.
00:26:47.796 --> 00:26:50.331
>> time of grace
00:26:53.735 --> 00:26:54.569
Doesn't end here.
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Visit timeofgrace.org
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And explore
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Contact us and let us know
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00:27:15.590 --> 00:27:16.725
Thank you so much
00:27:16.825 --> 00:27:17.559
For your support.
00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.193
>> see you next week
00:27:19.260 --> 00:27:19.861
On time of grace.
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Mike Novotny - More Than Just "Spiritual"

December 18, 2025 | 29:4

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