Mike Novotny - A Steady Foundation

February 18, 2026 | 27:29

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 - A Steady Foundation | February 18, 2026
  • ♪ ♪
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  • >> if you're watching
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  • At home right now,
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  • At home right now, just catching this message,
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  • Just catching this message, or listening on the radio,
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  • Or listening on the radio, you might not know that
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  • You might not know that for the first 20 minutes
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  • For the first 20 minutes of this church service,
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  • Of this church service, we did -- we did a little bit
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  • We did -- we did a little bit of the stuff that god
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  • Of the stuff that god specifically told us to do,
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  • But we did a lot of bit of stuff
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  • But we did a lot of bit of stuff that god said nothing about
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  • That god said nothing about that we just came up
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  • That we just came up with as a church.
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  • With as a church. did you know that?
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  • Did you know that? for example, we started
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  • For example, we started the service at a certain time,
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  • The service at a certain time, right on time,
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  • Which is our church's tradition.
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  • Which is our church's tradition. and instead of starting that
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  • And instead of starting that service with announcements
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  • Service with announcements or with a reading,
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  • Or with a reading, we started it with music,
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  • We started it with music, which is our tradition.
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  • Which is our tradition. we had you stand
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  • We had you stand up for our songs,
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  • Up for our songs, which is our tradition,
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  • Which is our tradition, and we sang two songs.
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  • And we sang two songs. not one song or three songs,
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  • Not one song or three songs, but two songs because
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  • But two songs because that's our tradition.
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  • That's our tradition. at the end of those
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  • At the end of those two songs you clapped,
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  • Two songs you clapped, which is our
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  • Which is our church's tradition.
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  • Church's tradition. then you sat down,
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  • Then you sat down, which is also
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  • Which is also a church tradition.
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  • A church tradition. soon after,
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  • Soon after, we prayed,
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  • We prayed, and i hope this isn't creepy,
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  • And i hope this isn't creepy, but i was watching
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  • But i was watching some of you pray and i noticed
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  • Some of you pray and i noticed you did this and you did this,
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  • You did this and you did this, and you did this.
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  • And you did this. which, if you don't know,
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  • Which, if you don't know, the bible says nothing about.
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  • The bible says nothing about. this is a tradition,
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  • This is a tradition, this is a tradition,
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  • This is a tradition, and this is also a tradition.
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  • And this is also a tradition. you prayed in a very human
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  • You prayed in a very human traditional way.
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  • Traditional way. and i'm up here preaching,
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  • And i'm up here preaching, and if you've been
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  • And if you've been around here before,
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  • Around here before, you could probably guess
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  • You could probably guess what's about to happen,
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  • What's about to happen, in general.
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  • In general. there's going to be
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  • There's going to be a traditional length
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  • A traditional length of this sermon.
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  • Of this sermon. at some point i'm going to say,
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  • At some point i'm going to say, "grab a pen and write
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  • "grab a pen and write this down,"
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  • This down," because that the tradition
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  • Because that the tradition of our church.
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  • Of our church. at the end i'm going to pray,
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  • At the end i'm going to pray, because that's our tradition.
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  • Because that's our tradition. at the end of that prayer
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  • At the end of that prayer i'm going to say,
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  • I'm going to say, "and all god's people said,"
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  • "and all god's people said," and you're going to say,
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  • And you're going to say, "amen," because you've
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  • "amen," because you've heard this tradition before.
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  • Heard this tradition before. like, none of this, like,
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  • Like, none of this, like, a chapter or a verse,
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  • A chapter or a verse, a specific teaching of jesus,
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  • A specific teaching of jesus, it's just the way
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  • It's just the way that we do church.
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  • That we do church. and it's not commanded by god,
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  • And it's not commanded by god, it's just the preference
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  • It's just the preference and the tradition
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  • And the tradition of this local church.
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  • Of this local church. i want to talk to you about
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  • I want to talk to you about traditions in church today.
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  • Traditions in church today. traditions aren't a bad thing.
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  • Traditions aren't a bad thing. in fact, unless somehow you
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  • In fact, unless somehow you do something differently every
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  • Do something differently every single time in your church
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  • Single time in your church or in your family,
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  • Or in your family, or at your home,
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  • Or at your home, you're going to have
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  • You're going to have your own traditions
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  • Your own traditions for birthdays and for holidays,
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  • For birthdays and for holidays, and for funerals and weddings,
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  • And for funerals and weddings, and church services.
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  • And church services. traditions can be predictable,
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  • Traditions can be predictable, which can make them helpful,
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  • Which can make them helpful, it can make them
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  • It can make them very meaningful.
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  • Very meaningful. tradition can be
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  • Tradition can be a really great thing.
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  • A really great thing. and tradition can be a super
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  • And tradition can be a super dangerous thing for christians.
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  • Dangerous thing for christians. traditions can actually trick
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  • Traditions can actually trick churches into being the kind
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  • Churches into being the kind of churches that jesus
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  • Of churches that jesus really does not like.
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  • Really does not like. do you know that?
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  • Do you know that? because, there are three ways
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  • Because, there are three ways that you can approach
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  • That you can approach a tradition,
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  • A tradition, one of which can be really good
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  • One of which can be really good and two of which are very,
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  • And two of which are very, very bad.
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  • Very bad. would you grab
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  • Would you grab a pen real quick...
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  • [laughter]
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  • According to our tradition,
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  • According to our tradition, and write this down?
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  • And write this down? here's the three ways
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  • Here's the three ways that churches can
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  • That churches can approach traditions.
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  • Approach traditions. the first way i think
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  • The first way i think is a really good way,
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  • Is a really good way, is when a tradition points
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  • Is when a tradition points you to a truth from god.
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  • You to a truth from god. the church in
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  • The church in itself is optional,
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  • Itself is optional, but we came up with it
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  • But we came up with it because it reminds us,
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  • Because it reminds us, it triggers our brains
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  • It triggers our brains into thinking about
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  • Into thinking about something that is biblically
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  • Something that is biblically true about god.
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  • True about god. for example, i grew up in
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  • For example, i grew up in a church where every time
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  • A church where every time we read from the gospels:
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  • We read from the gospels: matthew, mark, luke,
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  • Matthew, mark, luke, or john, the pastor would
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  • Or john, the pastor would have everyone stand up.
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  • Have everyone stand up. that was our tradition.
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  • That was our tradition. and the reason was because what
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  • And the reason was because what jesus said and what jesus did is
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  • Jesus said and what jesus did is the very heart of christianity.
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  • The very heart of christianity. so let's make sure we stand up,
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  • So let's make sure we stand up, give it our full attention
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  • Give it our full attention because this is,
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  • Because this is, at the very essence
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  • At the very essence and core of the
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  • And core of the christian faith.
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  • Christian faith. the first church that
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  • The first church that i served as a pastor,
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  • I served as a pastor, for about seven years,
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  • For about seven years, i would wear a robe
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  • I would wear a robe when i would preach.
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  • When i would preach. and that tradition was meant
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  • And that tradition was meant to point us to a truth that,
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  • To point us to a truth that, you know,
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  • You know, i'm not just some
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  • I'm not just some jesus ted talker for hire.
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  • Jesus ted talker for hire. that i have this calling
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  • That i have this calling from god.
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  • From god. that it's not about me.
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  • That it's not about me. we try to cover up how a pastor
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  • We try to cover up how a pastor is dressed because we're trying
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  • Is dressed because we're trying to focus on what jesus did
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  • To focus on what jesus did and the word
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  • And the word that's being preached.
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  • That's being preached. that was the tradition.
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  • That was the tradition. some people have a tradition
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  • Some people have a tradition of raising their hands
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  • Of raising their hands when they're singing to god.
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  • When they're singing to god. because we tend to raise
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  • Because we tend to raise our hands when we're excited
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  • Our hands when we're excited about something,
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  • About something, and if you
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  • And if you do this during
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  • Do this during march madness you'd go,
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  • March madness you'd go, yelling at the tv,
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  • Yelling at the tv, you're getting excited about it.
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  • You're getting excited about it. but man,
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  • But man, if god is more exciting,
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  • If god is more exciting, if these songs of salvation
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  • If these songs of salvation are more exciting,
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  • Are more exciting, it makes sense
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  • It makes sense to raise our hands.
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  • To raise our hands. it makes sense the tradition
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  • It makes sense the tradition to fold your hands and close
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  • To fold your hands and close your eyes when you pray.
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  • Your eyes when you pray. when we pray,
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  • When we pray, we're not multitasking
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  • We're not multitasking with god,
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  • With god, we're trying to focus on who
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  • We're trying to focus on who he is in this conversation,
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  • He is in this conversation, so that can be a really
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  • So that can be a really beautiful tradition.
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  • Beautiful tradition. i'm going to give god my full
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  • I'm going to give god my full attention without working
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  • Attention without working on things or looking
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  • On things or looking at other things.
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  • At other things. but these are all different
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  • But these are all different things that a church can do,
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  • Things that a church can do, you stand up or sit down,
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  • You stand up or sit down, or kneel alongside our bed
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  • Or kneel alongside our bed as we're humbly approaching
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  • As we're humbly approaching god in our evening prayers.
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  • God in our evening prayers. tradition can be beautiful
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  • Tradition can be beautiful when it points to the truth.
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  • When it points to the truth. but, number two,
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  • But, number two, write this down,
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  • Write this down, traditions can trick churches
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  • Traditions can trick churches when we elevate them
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  • When we elevate them and equate them with truth.
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  • And equate them with truth. sometimes you've been doing
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  • Sometimes you've been doing something for so long,
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  • Something for so long, especially when it comes
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  • Especially when it comes to religious practices,
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  • To religious practices, that you forget that this
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  • That you forget that this wasn't god's idea
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  • Wasn't god's idea or commandment,
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  • Or commandment, that this is a human idea.
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  • That this is a human idea. when we forget that
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  • When we forget that and we elevate our things
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  • And we elevate our things like they're god things.
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  • Like they're god things. when what should be seen
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  • When what should be seen as optional becomes
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  • As optional becomes an obligation,
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  • An obligation, when we cling to it so tightly
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  • When we cling to it so tightly that we start to judge other
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  • That we start to judge other people, other christians,
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  • People, other christians, even other churches,
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  • Even other churches, for not doing the things
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  • For not doing the things that we do,
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  • That we do, which we've assumed
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  • Which we've assumed is the way that god
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  • Is the way that god wants us to,
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  • Wants us to, that is a huge problem.
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  • That is a huge problem. when a "could" becomes
  • 00:05:21.911 --> 00:05:24.480
  • When a "could" becomes a "should,"
  • 00:05:24.547 --> 00:05:26.983
  • A "should," the tradition has tricked you.
  • 00:05:27.049 --> 00:05:30.753
  • The tradition has tricked you. for example,
  • 00:05:30.820 --> 00:05:32.655
  • For example, could you dress up in your
  • 00:05:32.722 --> 00:05:33.523
  • Could you dress up in your sunday best when you
  • 00:05:33.589 --> 00:05:34.557
  • Sunday best when you come to church?
  • 00:05:34.624 --> 00:05:37.593
  • Come to church? you absolutely could.
  • 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:39.462
  • You absolutely could. some people would reason,
  • 00:05:39.529 --> 00:05:40.897
  • Some people would reason, i dress up when i go
  • 00:05:40.963 --> 00:05:41.764
  • I dress up when i go to important occasions.
  • 00:05:41.831 --> 00:05:43.166
  • To important occasions. i didn't show up to my brother's
  • 00:05:43.232 --> 00:05:44.200
  • I didn't show up to my brother's wedding in crocs and sweatpants.
  • 00:05:44.267 --> 00:05:46.969
  • Wedding in crocs and sweatpants. that was a big deal.
  • 00:05:47.036 --> 00:05:48.538
  • That was a big deal. worshipping god,
  • 00:05:48.604 --> 00:05:50.106
  • Worshipping god, with the people of god,
  • 00:05:50.173 --> 00:05:51.307
  • With the people of god, submitting to the --
  • 00:05:51.374 --> 00:05:52.041
  • Submitting to the -- that's a big --
  • 00:05:52.108 --> 00:05:53.042
  • That's a big -- i wouldn't show up to a job
  • 00:05:53.109 --> 00:05:53.976
  • I wouldn't show up to a job interview in my crocs.
  • 00:05:54.043 --> 00:05:55.178
  • Interview in my crocs. i wouldn't show up to,
  • 00:05:55.244 --> 00:05:56.679
  • I wouldn't show up to, like, this is a big --
  • 00:05:56.746 --> 00:05:57.480
  • Like, this is a big -- could you dress up
  • 00:05:57.547 --> 00:05:58.347
  • Could you dress up to recognize that truth
  • 00:05:58.414 --> 00:05:59.582
  • To recognize that truth that god is a big deal?
  • 00:05:59.649 --> 00:06:00.316
  • That god is a big deal? you could.
  • 00:06:00.383 --> 00:06:02.285
  • You could. should you?
  • 00:06:02.351 --> 00:06:05.388
  • Should you? should i judge you if
  • 00:06:05.455 --> 00:06:06.155
  • Should i judge you if you're wearing denim today?
  • 00:06:06.222 --> 00:06:08.791
  • You're wearing denim today? that is very tempting to think,
  • 00:06:08.858 --> 00:06:10.426
  • That is very tempting to think, "what, don't you
  • 00:06:10.493 --> 00:06:10.993
  • "what, don't you take god seriously?"
  • 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:12.261
  • Take god seriously?" but that's when a could
  • 00:06:12.328 --> 00:06:13.296
  • But that's when a could becomes a should,
  • 00:06:13.362 --> 00:06:14.163
  • Becomes a should, when we've elevated
  • 00:06:14.230 --> 00:06:14.730
  • When we've elevated a tradition to truth.
  • 00:06:14.797 --> 00:06:18.234
  • A tradition to truth. you could raise your hands
  • 00:06:18.301 --> 00:06:19.001
  • You could raise your hands in praise to god.
  • 00:06:19.068 --> 00:06:19.836
  • In praise to god. if you kept your hands in your
  • 00:06:19.902 --> 00:06:20.970
  • If you kept your hands in your pockets during the last song,
  • 00:06:21.037 --> 00:06:21.737
  • Pockets during the last song, should i judge you
  • 00:06:21.804 --> 00:06:22.939
  • Should i judge you for not being into god?
  • 00:06:23.005 --> 00:06:24.841
  • For not being into god? you get more excited about
  • 00:06:24.907 --> 00:06:25.608
  • You get more excited about a game than you do about
  • 00:06:25.675 --> 00:06:26.776
  • A game than you do about the god of the universe?
  • 00:06:26.843 --> 00:06:30.046
  • The god of the universe? be very, very careful
  • 00:06:30.112 --> 00:06:30.813
  • Be very, very careful when a could becomes a should,
  • 00:06:30.880 --> 00:06:32.748
  • When a could becomes a should, when a manmade idea becomes
  • 00:06:32.815 --> 00:06:34.050
  • When a manmade idea becomes a standard by which
  • 00:06:34.116 --> 00:06:34.951
  • A standard by which i judge other people.
  • 00:06:35.017 --> 00:06:37.086
  • I judge other people. have to remember the difference
  • 00:06:37.153 --> 00:06:37.920
  • Have to remember the difference between god's ideas
  • 00:06:37.987 --> 00:06:38.654
  • Between god's ideas and our ideas, and not
  • 00:06:38.721 --> 00:06:39.622
  • And our ideas, and not equate tradition with truth.
  • 00:06:39.689 --> 00:06:43.025
  • Equate tradition with truth. but even worse,
  • 00:06:43.092 --> 00:06:43.993
  • But even worse, number three,
  • 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:46.128
  • Number three, it's not just when tradition
  • 00:06:46.195 --> 00:06:47.163
  • It's not just when tradition equates with truth but tradition
  • 00:06:47.230 --> 00:06:50.233
  • Equates with truth but tradition takes the place of truth.
  • 00:06:50.299 --> 00:06:54.036
  • Takes the place of truth. it's when you're so focused
  • 00:06:54.103 --> 00:06:56.873
  • It's when you're so focused on your preferences
  • 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.307
  • On your preferences and your likes,
  • 00:06:58.374 --> 00:06:59.509
  • And your likes, and your traditions that in
  • 00:06:59.575 --> 00:07:00.643
  • And your traditions that in the process,
  • 00:07:00.710 --> 00:07:01.277
  • The process, you actually let go
  • 00:07:01.344 --> 00:07:02.445
  • You actually let go of the things that
  • 00:07:02.512 --> 00:07:03.212
  • Of the things that god does command.
  • 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:05.548
  • God does command. very often his command to love,
  • 00:07:05.615 --> 00:07:07.717
  • Very often his command to love, to be humble, to be kind,
  • 00:07:07.783 --> 00:07:09.886
  • To be humble, to be kind, to be gentle, to be hospitable.
  • 00:07:09.952 --> 00:07:13.489
  • To be gentle, to be hospitable. any of you grew up in a family
  • 00:07:13.556 --> 00:07:15.491
  • Any of you grew up in a family where if you wore a baseball cap
  • 00:07:15.558 --> 00:07:17.760
  • Where if you wore a baseball cap while you prayed,
  • 00:07:17.827 --> 00:07:19.295
  • While you prayed, your grandpa
  • 00:07:19.362 --> 00:07:19.862
  • Your grandpa would cuff you one
  • 00:07:19.929 --> 00:07:20.396
  • Would cuff you one to the back of the head?
  • 00:07:20.463 --> 00:07:23.099
  • To the back of the head? like, grandpa literally has
  • 00:07:23.165 --> 00:07:25.434
  • Like, grandpa literally has turned to impatience
  • 00:07:25.501 --> 00:07:26.269
  • Turned to impatience and unkindness and violence
  • 00:07:26.335 --> 00:07:27.703
  • And unkindness and violence because you didn't
  • 00:07:27.770 --> 00:07:28.304
  • Because you didn't keep his tradition.
  • 00:07:28.371 --> 00:07:29.405
  • Keep his tradition. he clung to a manmade thing
  • 00:07:29.472 --> 00:07:30.740
  • He clung to a manmade thing and he let go of a god thing.
  • 00:07:30.806 --> 00:07:34.544
  • And he let go of a god thing. traditions are so tricky
  • 00:07:34.610 --> 00:07:36.979
  • Traditions are so tricky for churches,
  • 00:07:37.046 --> 00:07:37.947
  • For churches, especially if you're passionate
  • 00:07:38.014 --> 00:07:39.248
  • Especially if you're passionate about the truth of god's word,
  • 00:07:39.315 --> 00:07:41.183
  • About the truth of god's word, and especially if there
  • 00:07:41.250 --> 00:07:42.385
  • And especially if there are long-standing traditions
  • 00:07:42.451 --> 00:07:43.719
  • Are long-standing traditions that that have come up
  • 00:07:43.786 --> 00:07:44.620
  • That that have come up with to point to god's word.
  • 00:07:44.687 --> 00:07:45.655
  • With to point to god's word. it's so easy to let category
  • 00:07:45.721 --> 00:07:48.491
  • It's so easy to let category like one idea slip
  • 00:07:48.558 --> 00:07:50.026
  • Like one idea slip into category two,
  • 00:07:50.092 --> 00:07:51.594
  • Into category two, and even category three.
  • 00:07:51.661 --> 00:07:53.362
  • And even category three. that's why today i really need
  • 00:07:53.429 --> 00:07:54.530
  • That's why today i really need to talk to you for
  • 00:07:54.597 --> 00:07:55.264
  • To talk to you for the well-being of our church
  • 00:07:55.331 --> 00:07:57.300
  • The well-being of our church and for all the churches
  • 00:07:57.366 --> 00:07:58.067
  • And for all the churches represented there at home
  • 00:07:58.134 --> 00:07:59.669
  • Represented there at home about the great distinction
  • 00:07:59.735 --> 00:08:01.337
  • About the great distinction that jesus made between
  • 00:08:01.404 --> 00:08:02.338
  • That jesus made between truth and tradition.
  • 00:08:02.405 --> 00:08:06.375
  • Truth and tradition. now, i want to warn you
  • 00:08:06.442 --> 00:08:07.109
  • Now, i want to warn you up front,
  • 00:08:07.176 --> 00:08:08.110
  • Up front, what we're going to look
  • 00:08:08.177 --> 00:08:08.744
  • What we're going to look at today in the gospel of mark
  • 00:08:08.811 --> 00:08:10.613
  • At today in the gospel of mark is jesus at his fieriest.
  • 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:14.383
  • Is jesus at his fieriest. it's not a laughy,
  • 00:08:14.450 --> 00:08:15.318
  • It's not a laughy, laugh, laughing,
  • 00:08:15.384 --> 00:08:16.752
  • Laugh, laughing, clappy, happy,
  • 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:18.387
  • Clappy, happy, smiley, jokey jesus today.
  • 00:08:18.454 --> 00:08:20.957
  • Smiley, jokey jesus today. he's on blast.
  • 00:08:21.023 --> 00:08:21.991
  • He's on blast. he's going to call
  • 00:08:22.058 --> 00:08:22.825
  • He's going to call his enemies hypocrites,
  • 00:08:22.892 --> 00:08:23.960
  • His enemies hypocrites, he's going to call
  • 00:08:24.026 --> 00:08:24.727
  • He's going to call his own friends dull.
  • 00:08:24.794 --> 00:08:26.395
  • His own friends dull. jesus is fired up.
  • 00:08:26.462 --> 00:08:29.398
  • Jesus is fired up. but the reason he's
  • 00:08:29.465 --> 00:08:30.833
  • But the reason he's so passionate today
  • 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:31.834
  • So passionate today is because he loves,
  • 00:08:31.901 --> 00:08:33.869
  • Is because he loves, loves, loves the local church.
  • 00:08:33.936 --> 00:08:39.342
  • Loves, loves the local church. do you believe this,
  • 00:08:39.408 --> 00:08:40.910
  • Do you believe this, that jesus,
  • 00:08:40.977 --> 00:08:41.611
  • That jesus, the very son of god,
  • 00:08:41.677 --> 00:08:43.546
  • The very son of god, loves this church?
  • 00:08:43.613 --> 00:08:45.881
  • Loves this church? i believe that.
  • 00:08:45.948 --> 00:08:48.417
  • I believe that. when i pray about this church
  • 00:08:48.484 --> 00:08:49.518
  • When i pray about this church jesus isn't like,
  • 00:08:49.585 --> 00:08:50.186
  • Jesus isn't like, "wait, who are you again?"
  • 00:08:50.252 --> 00:08:52.188
  • "wait, who are you again?" no, he knows us
  • 00:08:52.254 --> 00:08:53.923
  • No, he knows us and he cares deeply about --
  • 00:08:53.990 --> 00:08:55.358
  • And he cares deeply about -- he cares so much of what
  • 00:08:55.424 --> 00:08:56.626
  • He cares so much of what happens here
  • 00:08:56.692 --> 00:08:57.259
  • Happens here sunday after sunday.
  • 00:08:57.326 --> 00:08:58.227
  • Sunday after sunday. jesus wants us to be
  • 00:08:58.294 --> 00:08:59.095
  • Jesus wants us to be the healthiest,
  • 00:08:59.161 --> 00:09:00.196
  • The healthiest, best, most biblical,
  • 00:09:00.262 --> 00:09:02.531
  • Best, most biblical, courageous, loving, hospitable,
  • 00:09:02.598 --> 00:09:04.767
  • Courageous, loving, hospitable, clinging to the bible,
  • 00:09:04.834 --> 00:09:06.769
  • Clinging to the bible, being humble with manmade --
  • 00:09:06.836 --> 00:09:08.004
  • Being humble with manmade -- jesus cares so much about that.
  • 00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:11.340
  • Jesus cares so much about that. and so out of his passion for
  • 00:09:11.407 --> 00:09:13.142
  • And so out of his passion for healthy christian churches,
  • 00:09:13.209 --> 00:09:14.210
  • Healthy christian churches, jesus is going to be blunt
  • 00:09:14.276 --> 00:09:15.878
  • Jesus is going to be blunt and biblical today.
  • 00:09:15.945 --> 00:09:18.147
  • So let's make sure our church
  • 00:09:18.247 --> 00:09:20.082
  • So let's make sure our church and that we as people don't get
  • 00:09:20.149 --> 00:09:21.050
  • And that we as people don't get tricked by tradition as we
  • 00:09:21.117 --> 00:09:21.917
  • Tricked by tradition as we listen to jesus today in mark 7.
  • 00:09:21.984 --> 00:09:25.054
  • Listen to jesus today in mark 7. "the pharisees and some
  • 00:09:25.121 --> 00:09:26.522
  • "the pharisees and some of the teachers of the law
  • 00:09:26.589 --> 00:09:27.556
  • Of the teachers of the law who had come from jerusalem
  • 00:09:27.623 --> 00:09:28.758
  • Who had come from jerusalem gathered around jesus
  • 00:09:28.824 --> 00:09:30.092
  • Gathered around jesus and saw some of his disciples
  • 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:31.327
  • And saw some of his disciples eating food with hands
  • 00:09:31.394 --> 00:09:32.595
  • Eating food with hands that were defiled,
  • 00:09:32.662 --> 00:09:34.463
  • That were defiled, that is unwashed."
  • 00:09:34.530 --> 00:09:38.768
  • That is unwashed." (the pharisees
  • 00:09:38.834 --> 00:09:39.468
  • (the pharisees and all the jews
  • 00:09:39.535 --> 00:09:40.136
  • And all the jews do not eat unless they give
  • 00:09:40.202 --> 00:09:41.237
  • Do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing
  • 00:09:41.303 --> 00:09:42.972
  • Their hands a ceremonial washing holding to the..."
  • 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.073
  • Holding to the..." what's the word?
  • 00:09:44.140 --> 00:09:45.241
  • What's the word? "the tradition of the elders.
  • 00:09:45.307 --> 00:09:47.243
  • "the tradition of the elders. when they come
  • 00:09:47.309 --> 00:09:47.810
  • When they come from the marketplace
  • 00:09:47.877 --> 00:09:48.377
  • From the marketplace they do not eat
  • 00:09:48.444 --> 00:09:49.612
  • They do not eat unless they wash.
  • 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:51.213
  • Unless they wash. and they observe many other,"
  • 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:53.182
  • And they observe many other," what's the word?
  • 00:09:53.249 --> 00:09:54.016
  • What's the word? "traditions, such as
  • 00:09:54.083 --> 00:09:54.984
  • "traditions, such as the washing of cups,
  • 00:09:55.051 --> 00:09:55.651
  • The washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)
  • 00:09:55.718 --> 00:09:56.986
  • Pitchers and kettles.) so the pharisees and teachers
  • 00:09:57.053 --> 00:09:58.020
  • So the pharisees and teachers of the law asked jesus,
  • 00:09:58.087 --> 00:09:59.288
  • Of the law asked jesus, 'why don't your disciples
  • 00:09:59.355 --> 00:10:00.222
  • 'why don't your disciples live according to the tradition
  • 00:10:00.289 --> 00:10:02.692
  • Live according to the tradition of the elders instead
  • 00:10:02.758 --> 00:10:03.693
  • Of the elders instead of eating their food
  • 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:05.161
  • Of eating their food with defiled hands?"
  • 00:10:05.227 --> 00:10:06.529
  • They reason that god is holy.
  • 00:10:06.629 --> 00:10:09.165
  • They reason that god is holy. is that true?
  • 00:10:09.231 --> 00:10:10.700
  • Is that true? that god is pure.
  • 00:10:10.766 --> 00:10:11.434
  • That god is pure. you agree with that?
  • 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.435
  • You agree with that? that god is perfect.
  • 00:10:12.501 --> 00:10:13.769
  • That god is perfect. okay, we got that down.
  • 00:10:13.836 --> 00:10:15.237
  • Okay, we got that down. and they also recognize
  • 00:10:15.304 --> 00:10:16.472
  • And they also recognize that the world that they
  • 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.773
  • That the world that they lived in was not like god.
  • 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.208
  • Lived in was not like god. it was not holy,
  • 00:10:19.275 --> 00:10:20.309
  • It was not holy, it was not perfect,
  • 00:10:20.376 --> 00:10:21.577
  • It was not perfect, and it was not pure.
  • 00:10:21.644 --> 00:10:22.344
  • And it was not pure. would you agree with that, too?
  • 00:10:22.411 --> 00:10:23.646
  • Would you agree with that, too? yeah, i would.
  • 00:10:23.713 --> 00:10:24.246
  • Yeah, i would. and so they came up
  • 00:10:24.313 --> 00:10:24.880
  • And so they came up with this tradition,
  • 00:10:24.947 --> 00:10:25.514
  • With this tradition, they said when you go
  • 00:10:25.581 --> 00:10:26.148
  • They said when you go out into the world,
  • 00:10:26.215 --> 00:10:26.816
  • Out into the world, when you're in the marketplace
  • 00:10:26.882 --> 00:10:27.817
  • When you're in the marketplace and you're breathing
  • 00:10:27.883 --> 00:10:29.218
  • And you're breathing the culture's air
  • 00:10:29.285 --> 00:10:31.320
  • The culture's air and you're touching things that
  • 00:10:31.387 --> 00:10:32.688
  • And you're touching things that unbelieving hands have touched,
  • 00:10:32.755 --> 00:10:35.391
  • Unbelieving hands have touched, you won't want to take that
  • 00:10:35.458 --> 00:10:36.258
  • You won't want to take that stuff and literally put
  • 00:10:36.325 --> 00:10:37.526
  • Stuff and literally put it within you, would you?
  • 00:10:37.593 --> 00:10:40.896
  • It within you, would you? you don't want to act
  • 00:10:40.963 --> 00:10:41.630
  • You don't want to act like the world is just fine,
  • 00:10:41.697 --> 00:10:43.566
  • Like the world is just fine, "okay i'm going to eat this
  • 00:10:43.632 --> 00:10:44.500
  • "okay i'm going to eat this and just get it deep inside
  • 00:10:44.567 --> 00:10:45.768
  • And just get it deep inside of me into my very heart."
  • 00:10:45.835 --> 00:10:48.104
  • Of me into my very heart." and so they came up
  • 00:10:48.170 --> 00:10:48.704
  • And so they came up with this tradition,
  • 00:10:48.771 --> 00:10:49.672
  • With this tradition, when you come back
  • 00:10:49.739 --> 00:10:50.306
  • When you come back from the marketplace,
  • 00:10:50.372 --> 00:10:50.940
  • From the marketplace, you don't eat,
  • 00:10:51.006 --> 00:10:51.574
  • You don't eat, you don't put something
  • 00:10:51.640 --> 00:10:52.174
  • You don't put something in you until you have washed.
  • 00:10:52.241 --> 00:10:54.777
  • In you until you have washed. it's a way of recognizing
  • 00:10:54.844 --> 00:10:55.578
  • It's a way of recognizing that god is holy and perfect
  • 00:10:55.644 --> 00:10:57.279
  • That god is holy and perfect and pure and that this
  • 00:10:57.346 --> 00:10:58.347
  • And pure and that this world is not.
  • 00:10:58.414 --> 00:11:00.516
  • World is not. and so based on that thinking,
  • 00:11:00.583 --> 00:11:01.617
  • And so based on that thinking, when these men see jesus'
  • 00:11:01.684 --> 00:11:03.119
  • When these men see jesus' friends eating without washing,
  • 00:11:03.185 --> 00:11:06.188
  • Friends eating without washing, they pounce.
  • 00:11:06.255 --> 00:11:09.225
  • They pounce. "why are they doing that?"
  • 00:11:09.291 --> 00:11:11.560
  • "why are they doing that?" they bark at jesus.
  • 00:11:11.627 --> 00:11:13.763
  • They bark at jesus. "wait, jesus,
  • 00:11:13.829 --> 00:11:14.764
  • "wait, jesus, have you not taught your
  • 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:15.531
  • Have you not taught your friends that god is holy?
  • 00:11:15.598 --> 00:11:17.066
  • Friends that god is holy? do you not believe that?
  • 00:11:17.133 --> 00:11:19.268
  • Do you not believe that? or do you think that sin isn't
  • 00:11:19.335 --> 00:11:20.236
  • Or do you think that sin isn't serious that you can just go out
  • 00:11:20.302 --> 00:11:21.337
  • Serious that you can just go out into the world and do whatever
  • 00:11:21.403 --> 00:11:22.605
  • Into the world and do whatever and it's cool with god?
  • 00:11:22.671 --> 00:11:24.306
  • And it's cool with god? why do your disciples eat
  • 00:11:24.373 --> 00:11:25.574
  • Why do your disciples eat with unwashed hands?"
  • 00:11:25.641 --> 00:11:26.609
  • With unwashed hands?" they thought they had,
  • 00:11:26.675 --> 00:11:27.676
  • They thought they had, like, cornered jesus,
  • 00:11:27.743 --> 00:11:30.646
  • Like, cornered jesus, but jesus came out swinging.
  • 00:11:30.713 --> 00:11:33.382
  • But jesus came out swinging. look what he says next, verse 6.
  • 00:11:33.449 --> 00:11:35.151
  • "jesus replied,
  • 00:11:35.251 --> 00:11:36.619
  • "jesus replied, 'isaiah was right when he
  • 00:11:36.685 --> 00:11:37.753
  • 'isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites;
  • 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:40.923
  • Prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
  • 00:11:40.990 --> 00:11:41.490
  • As it is written: 'these people honor me
  • 00:11:41.557 --> 00:11:42.458
  • 'these people honor me with their lips,
  • 00:11:42.525 --> 00:11:44.193
  • With their lips, but their hearts
  • 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:45.728
  • But their hearts are far from me.
  • 00:11:45.795 --> 00:11:47.663
  • Are far from me. they worship me in vain.
  • 00:11:47.730 --> 00:11:49.098
  • They worship me in vain. their teachings are
  • 00:11:49.165 --> 00:11:49.765
  • Their teachings are merely human rules.'
  • 00:11:49.832 --> 00:11:53.602
  • Merely human rules.' you have let go of the commands
  • 00:11:53.669 --> 00:11:54.670
  • You have let go of the commands of god and are holding
  • 00:11:54.737 --> 00:11:56.739
  • Of god and are holding on to human traditions."
  • 00:11:56.806 --> 00:12:00.409
  • On to human traditions." and jesus continued,
  • 00:12:00.476 --> 00:12:02.378
  • And jesus continued, "you have a fine way
  • 00:12:02.444 --> 00:12:03.312
  • "you have a fine way of setting aside the commands
  • 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.513
  • Of setting aside the commands of god in order to observe
  • 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.048
  • Of god in order to observe your own traditions.
  • 00:12:06.115 --> 00:12:08.317
  • Your own traditions. for moses said,
  • 00:12:08.384 --> 00:12:08.951
  • For moses said, 'honor your father and mother,
  • 00:12:09.018 --> 00:12:10.920
  • 'honor your father and mother, and anyone who curses
  • 00:12:10.986 --> 00:12:12.221
  • And anyone who curses their father or mother
  • 00:12:12.288 --> 00:12:13.122
  • Their father or mother is to be put to death.'
  • 00:12:13.189 --> 00:12:14.323
  • Is to be put to death.' but you say that if anyone
  • 00:12:14.390 --> 00:12:16.358
  • But you say that if anyone declares what might have been
  • 00:12:16.425 --> 00:12:17.526
  • Declares what might have been used to help their father
  • 00:12:17.593 --> 00:12:18.561
  • Used to help their father and mother is corban
  • 00:12:18.627 --> 00:12:20.429
  • And mother is corban (that is, devoted to god)
  • 00:12:20.496 --> 00:12:22.565
  • (that is, devoted to god) then you no longer
  • 00:12:22.631 --> 00:12:23.232
  • Then you no longer let them do anything
  • 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.133
  • Let them do anything for their father or mother.
  • 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.367
  • For their father or mother. thus you nullify the word of god
  • 00:12:25.434 --> 00:12:27.102
  • Thus you nullify the word of god by your tradition that
  • 00:12:27.169 --> 00:12:28.137
  • By your tradition that you have handed down,
  • 00:12:28.204 --> 00:12:29.505
  • You have handed down, and you do many
  • 00:12:29.572 --> 00:12:31.440
  • And you do many things like that."
  • 00:12:31.507 --> 00:12:36.111
  • We have these communication
  • 00:12:36.212 --> 00:12:37.413
  • We have these communication cards at our church that we put
  • 00:12:37.479 --> 00:12:38.380
  • Cards at our church that we put in the bulletins every sunday.
  • 00:12:38.447 --> 00:12:39.582
  • In the bulletins every sunday. on the back
  • 00:12:39.648 --> 00:12:40.616
  • On the back there's space for people
  • 00:12:40.683 --> 00:12:41.350
  • There's space for people to write prayer requests
  • 00:12:41.417 --> 00:12:42.351
  • To write prayer requests or questions about god
  • 00:12:42.418 --> 00:12:43.586
  • Or questions about god or faith or a comment
  • 00:12:43.652 --> 00:12:44.520
  • Or faith or a comment they have about the service.
  • 00:12:44.587 --> 00:12:48.123
  • They have about the service. every couple of months
  • 00:12:48.190 --> 00:12:49.491
  • Every couple of months i get one of these cards
  • 00:12:49.558 --> 00:12:50.926
  • I get one of these cards and if i'm being totally real
  • 00:12:50.993 --> 00:12:53.662
  • And if i'm being totally real with you it makes me so mad.
  • 00:12:53.729 --> 00:12:59.802
  • With you it makes me so mad. it's when someone visits our
  • 00:12:59.869 --> 00:13:00.636
  • It's when someone visits our church from another church,
  • 00:13:00.703 --> 00:13:01.871
  • Church from another church, a church that has a different
  • 00:13:01.937 --> 00:13:02.671
  • A church that has a different style and tradition,
  • 00:13:02.738 --> 00:13:03.906
  • Style and tradition, and after experiencing
  • 00:13:03.973 --> 00:13:05.474
  • And after experiencing the worship of jesus
  • 00:13:05.541 --> 00:13:07.509
  • The worship of jesus for 60 to 70 minutes,
  • 00:13:07.576 --> 00:13:08.644
  • For 60 to 70 minutes, all they do is blast me
  • 00:13:08.711 --> 00:13:11.413
  • All they do is blast me and us from not including
  • 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:13.582
  • And us from not including their favorite human tradition.
  • 00:13:13.649 --> 00:13:17.586
  • Their favorite human tradition. "a little disappointed that
  • 00:13:17.653 --> 00:13:18.654
  • "a little disappointed that the service didn't have..."
  • 00:13:18.721 --> 00:13:20.656
  • The service didn't have..." fill in the blank.
  • 00:13:20.723 --> 00:13:23.993
  • Fill in the blank. and i read that
  • 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:24.560
  • And i read that and i get so mad.
  • 00:13:24.627 --> 00:13:25.361
  • And i get so mad. i think, "come on.
  • 00:13:25.427 --> 00:13:28.497
  • I think, "come on. come on.
  • 00:13:28.564 --> 00:13:30.332
  • Come on. you were surrounded by hundreds
  • 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.201
  • You were surrounded by hundreds of people loving, listening
  • 00:13:32.268 --> 00:13:35.037
  • Of people loving, listening to sound doctrine.
  • 00:13:35.104 --> 00:13:36.705
  • To sound doctrine. there wasn't anything bad
  • 00:13:36.772 --> 00:13:37.973
  • There wasn't anything bad or unbiblical.
  • 00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:38.841
  • Or unbiblical. we just didn't have
  • 00:13:38.908 --> 00:13:39.675
  • We just didn't have the thing that you liked?
  • 00:13:39.742 --> 00:13:42.511
  • The thing that you liked? you're literally sitting next
  • 00:13:42.578 --> 00:13:43.312
  • You're literally sitting next to someone who got
  • 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:43.979
  • To someone who got saved in this place.
  • 00:13:44.046 --> 00:13:46.181
  • Saved in this place. you're sitting in front
  • 00:13:46.248 --> 00:13:46.849
  • You're sitting in front of someone who got sober
  • 00:13:46.916 --> 00:13:47.783
  • Of someone who got sober at this place.
  • 00:13:47.850 --> 00:13:48.484
  • At this place. you're sitting behind someone
  • 00:13:48.550 --> 00:13:49.618
  • You're sitting behind someone whose soul is being sanctified
  • 00:13:49.685 --> 00:13:51.287
  • Whose soul is being sanctified in this place and all you have
  • 00:13:51.353 --> 00:13:52.154
  • In this place and all you have to say is why
  • 00:13:52.221 --> 00:13:53.122
  • To say is why didn't we include
  • 00:13:53.188 --> 00:13:53.856
  • Didn't we include your favorite church tradition?
  • 00:13:53.923 --> 00:13:57.426
  • Your favorite church tradition? come on."
  • 00:13:57.493 --> 00:13:58.794
  • Come on." how many people work their
  • 00:13:58.861 --> 00:14:00.596
  • How many people work their tails off to proclaim
  • 00:14:00.663 --> 00:14:01.830
  • Tails off to proclaim the name of jesus?
  • 00:14:01.897 --> 00:14:02.731
  • The name of jesus? how many times have we
  • 00:14:02.798 --> 00:14:03.732
  • How many times have we courageously stood where
  • 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.900
  • Courageously stood where the bible stands?
  • 00:14:04.967 --> 00:14:06.201
  • The bible stands? and the only thing you're
  • 00:14:06.268 --> 00:14:07.703
  • And the only thing you're going to say about
  • 00:14:07.770 --> 00:14:08.203
  • Going to say about the whole experience was,
  • 00:14:08.270 --> 00:14:09.004
  • The whole experience was, "why don't you
  • 00:14:09.071 --> 00:14:09.638
  • "why don't you do the thing i liked?"
  • 00:14:09.705 --> 00:14:11.974
  • Do the thing i liked?" it's stupid,
  • 00:14:12.041 --> 00:14:12.641
  • It's stupid, it's wrong,
  • 00:14:12.708 --> 00:14:14.343
  • It's wrong, it's pharisaical,
  • 00:14:14.410 --> 00:14:15.644
  • It's pharisaical, and it's so hypocritical
  • 00:14:15.711 --> 00:14:16.779
  • And it's so hypocritical and is so common in the church.
  • 00:14:16.845 --> 00:14:20.416
  • And is so common in the church. now god is doing something,
  • 00:14:20.482 --> 00:14:21.750
  • Now god is doing something, god is moving
  • 00:14:21.817 --> 00:14:22.551
  • God is moving in people's hearts,
  • 00:14:22.618 --> 00:14:23.252
  • In people's hearts, and religious people step back
  • 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:24.820
  • And religious people step back and just judge
  • 00:14:24.887 --> 00:14:25.821
  • And just judge and criticize each other,
  • 00:14:25.888 --> 00:14:26.722
  • And criticize each other, not for doctrine
  • 00:14:26.789 --> 00:14:27.957
  • Not for doctrine but for preference.
  • 00:14:28.023 --> 00:14:29.191
  • But for preference. not for the things of god,
  • 00:14:29.258 --> 00:14:30.893
  • Not for the things of god, but the things of men.
  • 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:34.830
  • But the things of men. makes me so mad when we,
  • 00:14:34.897 --> 00:14:37.232
  • Makes me so mad when we, like pharisees,
  • 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:37.967
  • Like pharisees, look down our noses
  • 00:14:38.033 --> 00:14:38.867
  • Look down our noses at each other and think
  • 00:14:38.934 --> 00:14:39.501
  • At each other and think that we're the right ones
  • 00:14:39.568 --> 00:14:40.703
  • That we're the right ones and you're the wrong ones.
  • 00:14:40.769 --> 00:14:42.237
  • And you're the wrong ones. angels in heaven applaud when
  • 00:14:42.304 --> 00:14:44.406
  • Angels in heaven applaud when souls are saved and sanctified.
  • 00:14:44.473 --> 00:14:46.575
  • Souls are saved and sanctified. and so if you're scowling when
  • 00:14:46.642 --> 00:14:47.977
  • And so if you're scowling when god and angels are smiling,
  • 00:14:48.043 --> 00:14:49.511
  • God and angels are smiling, something's wrong with you.
  • 00:14:49.578 --> 00:14:55.084
  • Something's wrong with you. and you know who's
  • 00:14:55.150 --> 00:14:55.684
  • And you know who's the worst at this?
  • 00:14:55.751 --> 00:14:58.253
  • The worst at this? i'll tell you.
  • 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:05.260
  • I'll tell you. i am.
  • 00:15:05.327 --> 00:15:10.432
  • I am. oh god, i hate this about my own
  • 00:15:10.499 --> 00:15:13.302
  • Oh god, i hate this about my own heart that i will go to another
  • 00:15:13.369 --> 00:15:14.903
  • Heart that i will go to another church with another tradition,
  • 00:15:14.970 --> 00:15:17.606
  • Church with another tradition, and there's nothing unbiblical,
  • 00:15:17.673 --> 00:15:19.475
  • And there's nothing unbiblical, a faithful preacher
  • 00:15:19.541 --> 00:15:21.176
  • A faithful preacher gives me jesus,
  • 00:15:21.243 --> 00:15:22.444
  • Gives me jesus, a faithful
  • 00:15:22.511 --> 00:15:24.380
  • A faithful church family pro --
  • 00:15:24.446 --> 00:15:25.447
  • Church family pro -- and it's not my style.
  • 00:15:25.514 --> 00:15:27.016
  • And it's not my style. and i sit there biting my lip
  • 00:15:27.082 --> 00:15:29.785
  • And i sit there biting my lip like a critic for
  • 00:15:29.852 --> 00:15:32.955
  • Like a critic for 60 straight minutes.
  • 00:15:33.022 --> 00:15:35.557
  • 60 straight minutes. "oh, i wouldn't have preached
  • 00:15:35.624 --> 00:15:36.258
  • "oh, i wouldn't have preached the sermon that way.
  • 00:15:36.325 --> 00:15:38.160
  • The sermon that way. listen to the organ.
  • 00:15:38.227 --> 00:15:38.727
  • Listen to the organ. what is this?
  • 00:15:38.794 --> 00:15:39.228
  • What is this? a funeral?
  • 00:15:39.294 --> 00:15:39.762
  • A funeral? no wonder there are no young
  • 00:15:39.828 --> 00:15:40.562
  • No wonder there are no young people around here."
  • 00:15:40.629 --> 00:15:44.133
  • People around here." it's stupid.
  • 00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:45.434
  • It's stupid. there are billions of people who
  • 00:15:45.501 --> 00:15:47.002
  • There are billions of people who do not proclaim the gospel,
  • 00:15:47.069 --> 00:15:48.270
  • Do not proclaim the gospel, and here's a man who does,
  • 00:15:48.337 --> 00:15:49.238
  • And here's a man who does, and i sit there
  • 00:15:49.304 --> 00:15:49.972
  • And i sit there and judge him for it.
  • 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.640
  • And judge him for it. it's wrong.
  • 00:15:51.707 --> 00:15:54.910
  • It's wrong. the faithful hymns over
  • 00:15:54.977 --> 00:15:56.045
  • The faithful hymns over the centuries that have
  • 00:15:56.111 --> 00:15:57.246
  • The centuries that have sustained saints who shed
  • 00:15:57.312 --> 00:15:58.981
  • Sustained saints who shed their blood for jesus,
  • 00:15:59.048 --> 00:15:59.948
  • Their blood for jesus, and i'm judging it because
  • 00:16:00.015 --> 00:16:01.116
  • And i'm judging it because it's not modern or that
  • 00:16:01.183 --> 00:16:02.351
  • It's not modern or that that's -- that is so wrong.
  • 00:16:02.418 --> 00:16:07.089
  • That's -- that is so wrong. and jesus would say,
  • 00:16:07.156 --> 00:16:08.857
  • And jesus would say, "man, you think
  • 00:16:08.924 --> 00:16:09.792
  • "man, you think you're the better one."
  • 00:16:09.858 --> 00:16:12.127
  • You're the better one." and we are addicted
  • 00:16:12.194 --> 00:16:14.930
  • And we are addicted to our way of doing things.
  • 00:16:14.997 --> 00:16:15.898
  • To our way of doing things. "me" is like meth
  • 00:16:15.964 --> 00:16:19.301
  • "me" is like meth for the human heart.
  • 00:16:19.368 --> 00:16:21.203
  • For the human heart. we get so caught in it
  • 00:16:21.270 --> 00:16:22.304
  • We get so caught in it and it's so hard to let it go.
  • 00:16:22.371 --> 00:16:23.472
  • And it's so hard to let it go. and like jesus said,
  • 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.840
  • And like jesus said, we do many things like this.
  • 00:16:24.907 --> 00:16:28.477
  • We do many things like this. we're so caught up on our ideas
  • 00:16:28.544 --> 00:16:30.646
  • We're so caught up on our ideas because they're the right ideas,
  • 00:16:30.712 --> 00:16:32.047
  • Because they're the right ideas, and we let go of things
  • 00:16:32.114 --> 00:16:32.781
  • And we let go of things that matter to god.
  • 00:16:32.848 --> 00:16:33.782
  • That matter to god. gratitude, humility,
  • 00:16:33.849 --> 00:16:35.584
  • Gratitude, humility, kindness and love.
  • 00:16:35.651 --> 00:16:40.255
  • Kindness and love. it's like the woman who goes
  • 00:16:40.322 --> 00:16:41.490
  • It's like the woman who goes to the midweek lenten service,
  • 00:16:41.557 --> 00:16:44.026
  • To the midweek lenten service, a human tradition built
  • 00:16:44.093 --> 00:16:46.028
  • A human tradition built on a human tradition,
  • 00:16:46.095 --> 00:16:48.497
  • On a human tradition, but when she gets there,
  • 00:16:48.564 --> 00:16:49.231
  • But when she gets there, she gossips and judges
  • 00:16:49.298 --> 00:16:50.566
  • She gossips and judges and lacks kindness
  • 00:16:50.632 --> 00:16:52.101
  • And lacks kindness for her fellow worshipper.
  • 00:16:52.167 --> 00:16:55.304
  • For her fellow worshipper. it's like the guy who
  • 00:16:55.370 --> 00:16:56.105
  • It's like the guy who gets super fired up,
  • 00:16:56.171 --> 00:16:57.139
  • Gets super fired up, "everyone's got to stand
  • 00:16:57.206 --> 00:16:58.107
  • "everyone's got to stand up for the national anthem,"
  • 00:16:58.173 --> 00:17:00.542
  • Up for the national anthem," but he comes home from work
  • 00:17:00.609 --> 00:17:01.443
  • But he comes home from work and he doesn't stand
  • 00:17:01.510 --> 00:17:02.277
  • And he doesn't stand up and serve his wife,
  • 00:17:02.344 --> 00:17:03.312
  • Up and serve his wife, but he sits down on the couch
  • 00:17:03.378 --> 00:17:04.546
  • But he sits down on the couch like a lazy oaf and thinks
  • 00:17:04.613 --> 00:17:05.814
  • Like a lazy oaf and thinks he's a good patriot.
  • 00:17:05.881 --> 00:17:08.617
  • He's a good patriot. dude, come on.
  • 00:17:08.684 --> 00:17:10.786
  • Dude, come on. it's like the couple
  • 00:17:10.853 --> 00:17:11.520
  • It's like the couple who holds hands and they count
  • 00:17:11.587 --> 00:17:12.888
  • Who holds hands and they count their macros and they do their
  • 00:17:12.955 --> 00:17:14.389
  • Their macros and they do their journaling before every night
  • 00:17:14.456 --> 00:17:16.325
  • Journaling before every night and they go and sail --
  • 00:17:16.391 --> 00:17:17.793
  • And they go and sail -- share the same bed,
  • 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.760
  • Share the same bed, even though they haven't
  • 00:17:18.827 --> 00:17:19.294
  • Even though they haven't made the covenant of marriage.
  • 00:17:19.361 --> 00:17:20.662
  • Made the covenant of marriage. we hold on to human things.
  • 00:17:20.729 --> 00:17:24.133
  • We hold on to human things. and we let go of the very
  • 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:25.134
  • And we let go of the very obvious commands of god.
  • 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:28.971
  • Obvious commands of god. i'll tell you why we do it,
  • 00:17:29.037 --> 00:17:32.574
  • I'll tell you why we do it, because it's easier.
  • 00:17:32.641 --> 00:17:36.812
  • Because it's easier. it's easier to judge
  • 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.946
  • It's easier to judge than be like jesus.
  • 00:17:38.013 --> 00:17:40.883
  • Than be like jesus. it's easier to wash my hands
  • 00:17:40.949 --> 00:17:42.351
  • It's easier to wash my hands than to have a clean heart.
  • 00:17:42.417 --> 00:17:44.253
  • Than to have a clean heart. it's easier to say grace before
  • 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.188
  • It's easier to say grace before dinner after you take
  • 00:17:46.255 --> 00:17:47.256
  • Dinner after you take off your hat than to leave
  • 00:17:47.322 --> 00:17:49.324
  • Off your hat than to leave your hat on and be gracious
  • 00:17:49.391 --> 00:17:50.425
  • Your hat on and be gracious after the dinner prayer is done.
  • 00:17:50.492 --> 00:17:53.228
  • After the dinner prayer is done. traditions are like a shortcut
  • 00:17:53.295 --> 00:17:54.530
  • Traditions are like a shortcut that make us feel like we're so
  • 00:17:54.596 --> 00:17:56.165
  • That make us feel like we're so close to god, but they trick us.
  • 00:17:56.231 --> 00:18:02.004
  • Close to god, but they trick us. and jesus wants to change us.
  • 00:18:02.070 --> 00:18:04.206
  • Verse 14,
  • 00:18:04.306 --> 00:18:04.840
  • Verse 14, "again jesus called
  • 00:18:04.907 --> 00:18:05.674
  • "again jesus called the crowd to him and said,
  • 00:18:05.741 --> 00:18:06.441
  • The crowd to him and said, 'listen to me, everyone,
  • 00:18:06.508 --> 00:18:09.711
  • 'listen to me, everyone, and understand this,
  • 00:18:09.778 --> 00:18:12.648
  • And understand this, nothing outside a person
  • 00:18:12.714 --> 00:18:13.782
  • Nothing outside a person can defile them
  • 00:18:13.849 --> 00:18:14.616
  • Can defile them by going into them.
  • 00:18:14.683 --> 00:18:16.585
  • By going into them. rather it's what comes out
  • 00:18:16.652 --> 00:18:17.419
  • Rather it's what comes out of a person that defiles them.
  • 00:18:17.486 --> 00:18:20.722
  • Of a person that defiles them. after he had left
  • 00:18:20.789 --> 00:18:21.323
  • After he had left the crowd and entered the house,
  • 00:18:21.390 --> 00:18:22.257
  • The crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him
  • 00:18:22.324 --> 00:18:23.158
  • His disciples asked him about this parable.
  • 00:18:23.225 --> 00:18:24.326
  • About this parable. 'are you so dull?'
  • 00:18:24.393 --> 00:18:25.727
  • 'are you so dull?' jesus asked.
  • 00:18:25.794 --> 00:18:27.496
  • Jesus asked. 'don't you see that nothing that
  • 00:18:27.563 --> 00:18:29.398
  • 'don't you see that nothing that enters a person
  • 00:18:29.464 --> 00:18:30.399
  • Enters a person from the outside
  • 00:18:30.465 --> 00:18:31.133
  • From the outside can defile them?
  • 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.833
  • Can defile them? for it doesn't go
  • 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.434
  • For it doesn't go into the heart,
  • 00:18:32.501 --> 00:18:33.101
  • Into the heart, but into the stomach
  • 00:18:33.168 --> 00:18:33.902
  • But into the stomach and then out of the body.'
  • 00:18:33.969 --> 00:18:35.771
  • And then out of the body.' (in declaring this,
  • 00:18:35.837 --> 00:18:36.405
  • (in declaring this, jesus declared all foods clean.)
  • 00:18:36.471 --> 00:18:39.541
  • Jesus declared all foods clean.) he went on.
  • 00:18:39.608 --> 00:18:40.776
  • He went on. what comes out of a person
  • 00:18:40.842 --> 00:18:41.710
  • What comes out of a person is what defiles them.
  • 00:18:41.777 --> 00:18:43.745
  • Is what defiles them. for it is from within,
  • 00:18:43.812 --> 00:18:44.913
  • For it is from within, out of a person's heart
  • 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.582
  • Out of a person's heart that evil thoughts come -
  • 00:18:46.648 --> 00:18:48.984
  • That evil thoughts come - sexual immorality,
  • 00:18:49.051 --> 00:18:50.085
  • Sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
  • 00:18:50.152 --> 00:18:52.688
  • Theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
  • 00:18:52.754 --> 00:18:54.990
  • Greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander,
  • 00:18:55.057 --> 00:18:56.358
  • Lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.
  • 00:18:56.425 --> 00:18:57.359
  • Arrogance, and folly. all these evils come
  • 00:18:57.426 --> 00:18:58.193
  • All these evils come from inside
  • 00:18:58.260 --> 00:19:00.562
  • From inside and defile a person.'"
  • 00:19:00.629 --> 00:19:03.332
  • Years ago,
  • 00:19:03.432 --> 00:19:03.932
  • Years ago, christian author max lucado
  • 00:19:03.999 --> 00:19:05.400
  • Christian author max lucado had to have a heart
  • 00:19:05.467 --> 00:19:06.101
  • Had to have a heart surgery for some,
  • 00:19:06.168 --> 00:19:08.237
  • Surgery for some, what a surgeon called
  • 00:19:08.303 --> 00:19:08.937
  • What a surgeon called misbehaving cells within him.
  • 00:19:09.004 --> 00:19:12.107
  • Misbehaving cells within him. apparently they're going
  • 00:19:12.174 --> 00:19:12.841
  • Apparently they're going to go in and cauterize
  • 00:19:12.908 --> 00:19:13.942
  • To go in and cauterize or fix something.
  • 00:19:14.009 --> 00:19:15.210
  • Or fix something. and as they were
  • 00:19:15.277 --> 00:19:15.744
  • And as they were wheeling max in,
  • 00:19:15.811 --> 00:19:16.645
  • Wheeling max in, he asked the medical team
  • 00:19:16.712 --> 00:19:19.314
  • He asked the medical team this question,
  • 00:19:19.381 --> 00:19:21.016
  • This question, "you're going to burn
  • 00:19:21.083 --> 00:19:22.851
  • "you're going to burn the interior of my heart,
  • 00:19:22.918 --> 00:19:25.387
  • The interior of my heart, is that right?"
  • 00:19:25.454 --> 00:19:27.489
  • Is that right?" "that's correct, sir,"
  • 00:19:27.556 --> 00:19:28.257
  • "that's correct, sir," they said.
  • 00:19:28.323 --> 00:19:29.891
  • They said. "so you're saying that you
  • 00:19:29.958 --> 00:19:30.692
  • "so you're saying that you intend to kill the misbehaving
  • 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.561
  • Intend to kill the misbehaving cells in my heart,
  • 00:19:32.628 --> 00:19:34.363
  • Cells in my heart, is that right?"
  • 00:19:34.429 --> 00:19:36.231
  • Is that right?" "yes sir, that's the plan."
  • 00:19:36.298 --> 00:19:39.001
  • "yes sir, that's the plan." and max smiled and he said,
  • 00:19:39.067 --> 00:19:40.335
  • And max smiled and he said, "hey, as long as
  • 00:19:40.402 --> 00:19:41.003
  • "hey, as long as you're in there,
  • 00:19:41.069 --> 00:19:41.737
  • You're in there, could you take your
  • 00:19:41.803 --> 00:19:42.404
  • Could you take your little blowtorch
  • 00:19:42.471 --> 00:19:43.305
  • Little blowtorch to my selfishness,
  • 00:19:43.372 --> 00:19:46.174
  • To my selfishness, my superiority,
  • 00:19:46.241 --> 00:19:47.843
  • My superiority, and my guilt?"
  • 00:19:47.909 --> 00:19:51.613
  • And my guilt?" to which the smart surgeon said,
  • 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:53.015
  • To which the smart surgeon said, "sir, that is out
  • 00:19:53.081 --> 00:19:55.350
  • "sir, that is out of my pay grade."
  • 00:19:55.417 --> 00:19:56.251
  • [laughter]
  • 00:19:56.852 --> 00:19:59.821
  • But not jesus's.
  • 00:20:00.689 --> 00:20:04.259
  • But not jesus's. today jesus takes the scalpel
  • 00:20:04.326 --> 00:20:07.162
  • Today jesus takes the scalpel of truth and he cuts us open.
  • 00:20:07.229 --> 00:20:10.332
  • Of truth and he cuts us open. maybe you feel like
  • 00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:10.866
  • Maybe you feel like you're bleeding out right now,
  • 00:20:10.932 --> 00:20:13.669
  • You're bleeding out right now, but he doesn't leave us there.
  • 00:20:13.735 --> 00:20:14.803
  • But he doesn't leave us there. he exposes the worst parts
  • 00:20:14.870 --> 00:20:16.705
  • He exposes the worst parts of us,
  • 00:20:16.772 --> 00:20:17.272
  • Of us, not because he hates us
  • 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.774
  • Not because he hates us or wants to scold us,
  • 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.841
  • Or wants to scold us, but because he wants
  • 00:20:19.908 --> 00:20:20.509
  • But because he wants to cure and heal us.
  • 00:20:20.575 --> 00:20:24.413
  • To cure and heal us. that's why the apostle john,
  • 00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:25.480
  • That's why the apostle john, who heard jesus's teaching
  • 00:20:25.547 --> 00:20:26.715
  • Who heard jesus's teaching that day,
  • 00:20:26.782 --> 00:20:27.316
  • That day, later wrote these words.
  • 00:20:27.382 --> 00:20:29.217
  • If we claim to be without sin,
  • 00:20:29.318 --> 00:20:32.020
  • If we claim to be without sin, if you think the problem is
  • 00:20:32.087 --> 00:20:32.821
  • If you think the problem is those people in the marketplace,
  • 00:20:32.888 --> 00:20:33.889
  • Those people in the marketplace, we deceive ourselves
  • 00:20:33.955 --> 00:20:34.756
  • We deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
  • 00:20:34.823 --> 00:20:36.858
  • And the truth is not in us. if we confess our sins,
  • 00:20:36.925 --> 00:20:38.260
  • If we confess our sins, god is faithful and just,
  • 00:20:38.327 --> 00:20:40.462
  • God is faithful and just, and he will forgive us
  • 00:20:40.529 --> 00:20:41.596
  • And he will forgive us our sins and purify us
  • 00:20:41.663 --> 00:20:43.632
  • Our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
  • 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:47.202
  • From all unrighteousness. do me a favor,
  • 00:20:47.269 --> 00:20:48.437
  • Take your right hand,
  • 00:20:48.537 --> 00:20:50.405
  • Take your right hand, that's this side if you
  • 00:20:50.472 --> 00:20:51.006
  • That's this side if you need some help,
  • 00:20:51.073 --> 00:20:51.773
  • Need some help, make the tightest fist you can.
  • 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:54.109
  • Make the tightest fist you can. i want you to raise
  • 00:20:54.176 --> 00:20:54.743
  • I want you to raise it as high as you can.
  • 00:20:54.810 --> 00:20:55.677
  • It as high as you can. stretch it out.
  • 00:20:55.744 --> 00:20:57.145
  • Stretch it out. all right, i'll leave this
  • 00:20:57.212 --> 00:20:57.746
  • All right, i'll leave this hand up here.
  • 00:20:57.813 --> 00:20:58.313
  • Hand up here. take your other hand,
  • 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:58.980
  • Take your other hand, open it up like this,
  • 00:20:59.047 --> 00:21:00.282
  • Open it up like this, and once you get it
  • 00:21:00.349 --> 00:21:00.916
  • And once you get it as low as you can.
  • 00:21:00.982 --> 00:21:02.818
  • As low as you can. if you're older,
  • 00:21:02.884 --> 00:21:03.418
  • If you're older, things are going
  • 00:21:03.485 --> 00:21:03.885
  • Things are going to crack right now.
  • 00:21:03.952 --> 00:21:05.354
  • To crack right now. all right, hold it just
  • 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:05.954
  • All right, hold it just one second.
  • 00:21:06.021 --> 00:21:06.455
  • One second. look up at this.
  • 00:21:06.521 --> 00:21:08.523
  • Look up at this. look down at this.
  • 00:21:08.590 --> 00:21:11.059
  • Look down at this. the exalted like truth of what
  • 00:21:11.126 --> 00:21:13.628
  • The exalted like truth of what god did to us makes all these
  • 00:21:13.695 --> 00:21:15.664
  • God did to us makes all these human traditions seem small.
  • 00:21:15.731 --> 00:21:16.932
  • Human traditions seem small. okay, you can put
  • 00:21:16.998 --> 00:21:17.599
  • Okay, you can put your hands down.
  • 00:21:17.666 --> 00:21:18.667
  • Your hands down. it's why we cling to the bible,
  • 00:21:18.734 --> 00:21:20.535
  • It's why we cling to the bible, it's why we let go
  • 00:21:20.602 --> 00:21:21.203
  • It's why we let go of our traditions.
  • 00:21:21.269 --> 00:21:21.903
  • Of our traditions. we're going to have them.
  • 00:21:21.970 --> 00:21:22.838
  • We're going to have them. it's okay, there's no problem,
  • 00:21:22.904 --> 00:21:24.239
  • It's okay, there's no problem, but we can change them.
  • 00:21:24.306 --> 00:21:25.374
  • But we can change them. you can like them or not.
  • 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.808
  • You can like them or not. it's just our stuff.
  • 00:21:26.875 --> 00:21:27.743
  • It's just our stuff. but god's stuff,
  • 00:21:27.809 --> 00:21:29.077
  • But god's stuff, cross stuff, forgiveness stuff,
  • 00:21:29.144 --> 00:21:30.812
  • Cross stuff, forgiveness stuff, salvation stuff,
  • 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.713
  • Salvation stuff, we will cling to for dear life.
  • 00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:33.749
  • We will cling to for dear life. we will fight for faith
  • 00:21:33.815 --> 00:21:35.617
  • We will fight for faith and truth,
  • 00:21:35.684 --> 00:21:36.218
  • And truth, and sound doctrine,
  • 00:21:36.284 --> 00:21:37.219
  • And sound doctrine, and kindness and love,
  • 00:21:37.285 --> 00:21:38.253
  • And kindness and love, and gentleness and the fruit
  • 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.755
  • And gentleness and the fruit of the spirit.
  • 00:21:39.821 --> 00:21:40.589
  • Of the spirit. take it or leave it,
  • 00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:41.757
  • Take it or leave it, but this is what
  • 00:21:41.823 --> 00:21:42.691
  • But this is what i'm going to hold on to.
  • 00:21:42.758 --> 00:21:44.726
  • I'm going to hold on to. so if you come to our church
  • 00:21:44.793 --> 00:21:45.827
  • So if you come to our church and you want to raise your hands
  • 00:21:45.894 --> 00:21:46.762
  • And you want to raise your hands or keep them in your pockets,
  • 00:21:46.828 --> 00:21:49.064
  • Or keep them in your pockets, i don't care.
  • 00:21:49.131 --> 00:21:50.132
  • I don't care. i don't care because
  • 00:21:50.198 --> 00:21:51.166
  • I don't care because god doesn't care.
  • 00:21:51.233 --> 00:21:52.033
  • God doesn't care. but if you sing from a heart
  • 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.135
  • But if you sing from a heart that's been moved
  • 00:21:53.201 --> 00:21:53.902
  • That's been moved by the forgiveness,
  • 00:21:53.969 --> 00:21:54.970
  • By the forgiveness, i care about that.
  • 00:21:55.036 --> 00:21:58.140
  • I care about that. and if we wear
  • 00:21:58.206 --> 00:21:59.708
  • And if we wear a robe or not, whatever.
  • 00:21:59.775 --> 00:22:03.311
  • A robe or not, whatever. angels aren't pacing
  • 00:22:03.378 --> 00:22:04.045
  • Angels aren't pacing the hallways of heaven trying
  • 00:22:04.112 --> 00:22:05.414
  • The hallways of heaven trying to figure out what we're
  • 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.114
  • To figure out what we're going to do with that.
  • 00:22:06.181 --> 00:22:07.149
  • Going to do with that. in the past,
  • 00:22:07.215 --> 00:22:07.716
  • In the past, i've disparagingly spoke
  • 00:22:07.783 --> 00:22:08.850
  • I've disparagingly spoke of the robe as the man dress.
  • 00:22:08.917 --> 00:22:10.786
  • Of the robe as the man dress. i will do that no longer,
  • 00:22:10.852 --> 00:22:11.920
  • I will do that no longer, i promise you.
  • 00:22:11.987 --> 00:22:12.621
  • I promise you. kids used to say,
  • 00:22:12.687 --> 00:22:13.221
  • Kids used to say, "pastor, why are
  • 00:22:13.288 --> 00:22:13.622
  • "pastor, why are you wearing a dress?"
  • 00:22:13.688 --> 00:22:14.456
  • You wearing a dress?" like, i don't know,
  • 00:22:14.523 --> 00:22:15.123
  • Like, i don't know, this is just our tradition.
  • 00:22:15.190 --> 00:22:16.558
  • This is just our tradition. we'll be kinder and gentler
  • 00:22:16.625 --> 00:22:17.993
  • We'll be kinder and gentler and more compassionate.
  • 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.227
  • And more compassionate. and when you come to this church
  • 00:22:19.294 --> 00:22:20.762
  • And when you come to this church or you visit another church,
  • 00:22:20.829 --> 00:22:21.863
  • Or you visit another church, promise me, promise me
  • 00:22:21.930 --> 00:22:22.964
  • Promise me, promise me that you'll do this.
  • 00:22:23.031 --> 00:22:25.300
  • That you'll do this. that if the traditions
  • 00:22:25.367 --> 00:22:25.934
  • That if the traditions are different, you'll hold them
  • 00:22:26.001 --> 00:22:26.568
  • Are different, you'll hold them in an open hand
  • 00:22:26.635 --> 00:22:27.102
  • In an open hand as optional, as human.
  • 00:22:27.169 --> 00:22:28.970
  • As optional, as human. but the things that
  • 00:22:29.037 --> 00:22:29.638
  • But the things that god cares about,
  • 00:22:29.704 --> 00:22:30.338
  • God cares about, the truth of his word,
  • 00:22:30.405 --> 00:22:31.373
  • The truth of his word, the proclamation of the cross,
  • 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:33.108
  • The proclamation of the cross, you will cling to for your
  • 00:22:33.175 --> 00:22:34.242
  • You will cling to for your dear life.
  • 00:22:34.309 --> 00:22:34.843
  • Dear life. if you can do this,
  • 00:22:34.910 --> 00:22:36.678
  • If you can do this, the traditions won't trick us,
  • 00:22:36.745 --> 00:22:38.780
  • The traditions won't trick us, instead they will be a blessing
  • 00:22:38.847 --> 00:22:39.648
  • Instead they will be a blessing as they point us toward
  • 00:22:39.714 --> 00:22:40.415
  • As they point us toward a greater truth.
  • 00:22:40.482 --> 00:22:46.254
  • A greater truth. it's like that seminary
  • 00:22:46.321 --> 00:22:46.922
  • It's like that seminary professor once taught.
  • 00:22:46.988 --> 00:22:50.392
  • Professor once taught. one day, a respected and honored
  • 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:52.961
  • One day, a respected and honored seminary professor had two
  • 00:22:53.028 --> 00:22:54.029
  • Seminary professor had two students over to his home
  • 00:22:54.095 --> 00:22:55.764
  • Students over to his home for dinner.
  • 00:22:55.831 --> 00:22:58.133
  • For dinner. and the nervous young men,
  • 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.067
  • And the nervous young men, future pastors,
  • 00:22:59.134 --> 00:22:59.901
  • Future pastors, they stepped in and they
  • 00:22:59.968 --> 00:23:00.969
  • They stepped in and they sat down at the table,
  • 00:23:01.036 --> 00:23:01.770
  • Sat down at the table, the food looks amazing.
  • 00:23:01.837 --> 00:23:02.704
  • The food looks amazing. they folded their hands
  • 00:23:02.771 --> 00:23:03.705
  • They folded their hands and they waited for the pastor
  • 00:23:03.772 --> 00:23:04.539
  • And they waited for the pastor to pray.
  • 00:23:04.606 --> 00:23:04.973
  • To pray. but the professor
  • 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:06.975
  • But the professor instead of holding his hands,
  • 00:23:07.042 --> 00:23:09.344
  • Instead of holding his hands, grabbed his fork
  • 00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:10.078
  • Grabbed his fork and grabbed his knife.
  • 00:23:10.145 --> 00:23:16.685
  • And grabbed his knife. the boys were confused.
  • 00:23:16.751 --> 00:23:17.752
  • The boys were confused. they looked at each other,
  • 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.687
  • They looked at each other, "we're not going to pray?"
  • 00:23:18.753 --> 00:23:20.856
  • "we're not going to pray?" and the pastor just kept eating,
  • 00:23:20.922 --> 00:23:22.591
  • And the pastor just kept eating, smiling, chewing, swallowing,
  • 00:23:22.657 --> 00:23:26.695
  • Smiling, chewing, swallowing, because he knew exactly
  • 00:23:26.761 --> 00:23:27.462
  • Because he knew exactly what he was doing.
  • 00:23:27.529 --> 00:23:30.165
  • What he was doing. that a tradition,
  • 00:23:30.232 --> 00:23:32.334
  • That a tradition, like saying grace,
  • 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.169
  • Like saying grace, as noble and as helpful
  • 00:23:34.236 --> 00:23:35.270
  • As noble and as helpful as it might be,
  • 00:23:35.337 --> 00:23:36.037
  • As it might be, is always tradition.
  • 00:23:36.104 --> 00:23:39.407
  • Is always tradition. and the only thing a pastor
  • 00:23:39.474 --> 00:23:41.643
  • And the only thing a pastor and a christian and a faithful
  • 00:23:41.710 --> 00:23:42.711
  • And a christian and a faithful church must cling to and never
  • 00:23:42.777 --> 00:23:44.312
  • Church must cling to and never compromise is not tradition,
  • 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:47.249
  • Compromise is not tradition, but is the truth of god's word.
  • 00:23:47.315 --> 00:23:49.985
  • But is the truth of god's word. i pray that that is exactly
  • 00:23:50.051 --> 00:23:51.019
  • I pray that that is exactly what will happen in my heart,
  • 00:23:51.086 --> 00:23:52.053
  • What will happen in my heart, in yours,
  • 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.622
  • In yours, and here at this church.
  • 00:23:53.688 --> 00:23:56.858
  • And here at this church. let's pray.
  • 00:23:56.925 --> 00:23:59.728
  • Let's pray. jesus, you know
  • 00:23:59.794 --> 00:24:03.665
  • Jesus, you know how shockingly judgmental
  • 00:24:03.732 --> 00:24:08.169
  • How shockingly judgmental church people can be.
  • 00:24:08.236 --> 00:24:11.606
  • Church people can be. and not because they judge
  • 00:24:11.673 --> 00:24:12.374
  • And not because they judge rightly based on your truth
  • 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.909
  • Rightly based on your truth and on good doctrine,
  • 00:24:13.975 --> 00:24:14.776
  • And on good doctrine, but because we judge
  • 00:24:14.843 --> 00:24:15.677
  • But because we judge each other all the time
  • 00:24:15.744 --> 00:24:16.611
  • Each other all the time by our own ideas.
  • 00:24:16.678 --> 00:24:20.048
  • By our own ideas. we confess to you today, god,
  • 00:24:20.115 --> 00:24:21.349
  • We confess to you today, god, that that is foolishness
  • 00:24:21.416 --> 00:24:22.617
  • That that is foolishness and it's arrogance
  • 00:24:22.684 --> 00:24:23.585
  • And it's arrogance and it's wrong.
  • 00:24:23.652 --> 00:24:26.154
  • And it's wrong. we ask you by your mercy
  • 00:24:26.221 --> 00:24:27.088
  • We ask you by your mercy and in your grace
  • 00:24:27.155 --> 00:24:27.789
  • And in your grace to forgive us for those sins
  • 00:24:27.856 --> 00:24:29.024
  • To forgive us for those sins where we caused conflict,
  • 00:24:29.090 --> 00:24:30.492
  • Where we caused conflict, where we lacked gratitude,
  • 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:32.227
  • Where we lacked gratitude, where the church and our
  • 00:24:32.294 --> 00:24:33.495
  • Where the church and our relationships were something
  • 00:24:33.562 --> 00:24:34.696
  • Relationships were something less than they could have been
  • 00:24:34.763 --> 00:24:35.630
  • Less than they could have been and should have been because
  • 00:24:35.697 --> 00:24:36.865
  • And should have been because we were so stuck on us.
  • 00:24:36.932 --> 00:24:39.701
  • We were so stuck on us. forgive us for that pride, god,
  • 00:24:39.768 --> 00:24:42.370
  • Forgive us for that pride, god, and we believe today
  • 00:24:42.437 --> 00:24:43.171
  • And we believe today that you do.
  • 00:24:43.238 --> 00:24:44.005
  • That you do. if we confess our sins,
  • 00:24:44.072 --> 00:24:44.773
  • If we confess our sins, you promised,
  • 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.440
  • You promised, you are faithful to forgive
  • 00:24:45.507 --> 00:24:47.208
  • And purify us
  • 00:24:47.309 --> 00:24:48.076
  • From all unrighteousness.
  • 00:24:48.143 --> 00:24:50.946
  • Oh god, we want to be
  • 00:24:51.012 --> 00:24:51.713
  • A good church,
  • 00:24:51.780 --> 00:24:52.380
  • We want this to be
  • 00:24:52.447 --> 00:24:53.014
  • A biblical experience.
  • 00:24:53.081 --> 00:24:55.417
  • We'll have our traditions, god,
  • 00:24:55.483 --> 00:24:56.418
  • But help us to hold them lightly
  • 00:24:56.484 --> 00:24:58.420
  • And loosely and rightly.
  • 00:24:58.486 --> 00:25:02.190
  • I pray, god, that the only thing
  • 00:25:02.257 --> 00:25:03.592
  • We would judge one another on
  • 00:25:03.658 --> 00:25:04.759
  • Is what you call good or bad,
  • 00:25:04.826 --> 00:25:06.127
  • Right or wrong,
  • 00:25:06.194 --> 00:25:06.795
  • Truth and lies.
  • 00:25:06.861 --> 00:25:08.096
  • That won't be easy for us,
  • 00:25:08.163 --> 00:25:08.897
  • It never is,
  • 00:25:08.964 --> 00:25:10.265
  • So help us to do it well.
  • 00:25:10.332 --> 00:25:12.567
  • Make us people like the bereans
  • 00:25:12.634 --> 00:25:13.802
  • Who are of noble character as we
  • 00:25:13.868 --> 00:25:16.338
  • Examine the scriptures and not
  • 00:25:16.404 --> 00:25:17.872
  • The past traditions of our
  • 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:19.174
  • Church to make sure that
  • 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.141
  • These things are true.
  • 00:25:20.208 --> 00:25:22.978
  • God, i pray today that we would
  • 00:25:23.044 --> 00:25:24.045
  • Never give in to the peer
  • 00:25:24.112 --> 00:25:24.879
  • Pressure of dead people
  • 00:25:24.946 --> 00:25:28.249
  • And think that's somehow we
  • 00:25:28.316 --> 00:25:29.050
  • Have to because they did.
  • 00:25:29.117 --> 00:25:31.219
  • Instead, help us
  • 00:25:31.286 --> 00:25:31.853
  • To open your word,
  • 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.021
  • To believe what it says,
  • 00:25:33.088 --> 00:25:34.089
  • To never compromise a single
  • 00:25:34.155 --> 00:25:35.056
  • Chapter or verse as we try
  • 00:25:35.123 --> 00:25:37.192
  • To be the kind of church
  • 00:25:37.258 --> 00:25:38.226
  • That you have called us to be.
  • 00:25:38.293 --> 00:25:40.061
  • God, there's too many good
  • 00:25:40.128 --> 00:25:40.795
  • Things about this place
  • 00:25:40.862 --> 00:25:41.796
  • And about the season
  • 00:25:41.863 --> 00:25:43.131
  • For tradition to tamper
  • 00:25:43.198 --> 00:25:44.299
  • And meddle.
  • 00:25:44.366 --> 00:25:45.533
  • So lead us not into temptation,
  • 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.968
  • Deliver us from that common evil
  • 00:25:47.035 --> 00:25:48.803
  • That we could glorify you,
  • 00:25:48.870 --> 00:25:49.704
  • Your name,
  • 00:25:49.771 --> 00:25:50.538
  • And your kingdom until
  • 00:25:50.605 --> 00:25:51.706
  • Jesus returns.
  • 00:25:51.773 --> 00:25:54.142
  • We pray this all confidently
  • 00:25:54.209 --> 00:25:55.543
  • Because we're forgiven in
  • 00:25:55.610 --> 00:25:56.311
  • The beautiful name of jesus.
  • 00:25:56.378 --> 00:25:58.313
  • That's why all
  • 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.880
  • Of god's people said, "amen."
  • 00:25:58.947 --> 00:26:00.915
  • >> violence, betrayal,
  • 00:26:02.984 --> 00:26:04.886
  • Deception, exploitation.
  • 00:26:04.986 --> 00:26:08.089
  • The same darkness that fills
  • 00:26:08.189 --> 00:26:09.591
  • Today's headlines first appeared
  • 00:26:09.691 --> 00:26:11.726
  • At the pages of scripture.
  • 00:26:11.826 --> 00:26:13.228
  • But unlike the world's
  • 00:26:13.328 --> 00:26:14.229
  • True crime stories,
  • 00:26:14.329 --> 00:26:15.664
  • These aren't tales of despair.
  • 00:26:15.764 --> 00:26:18.033
  • "true crimes of the bible 2"
  • 00:26:18.133 --> 00:26:19.367
  • Takes you inside some
  • 00:26:19.467 --> 00:26:20.568
  • Of the most shocking accounts
  • 00:26:20.669 --> 00:26:21.903
  • In scripture.
  • 00:26:22.003 --> 00:26:22.804
  • Yet even in
  • 00:26:22.904 --> 00:26:23.772
  • The worst moments of sin,
  • 00:26:23.872 --> 00:26:24.906
  • You'll see a god who never
  • 00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:26.307
  • Walks away.
  • 00:26:26.408 --> 00:26:27.409
  • Because the most shocking truth
  • 00:26:27.509 --> 00:26:29.277
  • Is what god's grace can do
  • 00:26:29.377 --> 00:26:31.479
  • In the aftermath.
  • 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.181
  • "true crimes of the bible 2"
  • 00:26:33.281 --> 00:26:34.215
  • Is our way of thanking you for
  • 00:26:34.315 --> 00:26:35.417
  • Your financial support.
  • 00:26:35.517 --> 00:26:37.152
  • Request yours today
  • 00:26:37.252 --> 00:26:38.420
  • By calling 800-661-3311,
  • 00:26:38.520 --> 00:26:41.890
  • Visiting timeofgrace.org,
  • 00:26:41.990 --> 00:26:44.259
  • Or writing us at p.o. box 301,
  • 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:46.861
  • Milwaukee, wi 53201.
  • 00:26:46.961 --> 00:26:49.731
  • >> time of grace
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  • Doesn't end here.
  • 00:26:54.569 --> 00:26:56.104
  • Visit timeofgrace.org
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  • For your support.
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  • >> see you next week
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  • On time of grace.
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