Mike Novotny - Still Need To Admit You Don't Understand

August 19, 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 - Still Need To Admit You Don't Understand | August 19, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> about once every four weeks,
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>> about once every four weeks, i feel fairly ignorant.
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I feel fairly ignorant. a little over a year ago
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A little over a year ago my friend who used to cut
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My friend who used to cut my hair went into real estate
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So i had to find a new spot
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So i had to find a new spot to get my hair cut.
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To get my hair cut. and i found a local barber shop
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And i found a local barber shop just a block from our church
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Just a block from our church and when i walked
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And when i walked in that barber shop for
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In that barber shop for the first time i realized it
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The first time i realized it was a black barber shop.
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All the barbers, pretty much,
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All the barbers, pretty much, are black, the music playing
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Are black, the music playing over the speakers
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Over the speakers is african-american,
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Is african-american, the art on the walls is black,
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The art on the walls is black, most of the clientele
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Most of the clientele is black and brown.
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Is black and brown. and if you're new here at
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And if you're new here at the core you might not know this
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The core you might not know this but i am not black.
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[laughter]
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And so, every four weeks
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And so, every four weeks i sense my own ignorance.
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I sense my own ignorance. i love diversity so much,
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I love diversity so much, i mean, being in the room
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I mean, being in the room with all kinds of people from
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With all kinds of people from all kinds of places,
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All kinds of places, makes my heart so, so happy.
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Makes my heart so, so happy. but i've done a lot of my life
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But i've done a lot of my life in the hispanic community
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In the hispanic community playing soccer.
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Playing soccer. and i grew up in a community
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And i grew up in a community and went to schools that didn't
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And went to schools that didn't have a ton of african-american
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Have a ton of african-american diversity so i just don't know
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Diversity so i just don't know as much about the culture
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As much about the culture and the language, and the slang,
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And the language, and the slang, and the phrases as i do
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And the phrases as i do about other places.
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About other places. and so, inevitably,
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And so, inevitably, as the barbers are talking,
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As the barbers are talking, and as the buzzers
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And as the buzzers are going in my ear,
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Are going in my ear, i hear things that go
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I hear things that go over my head.
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Over my head. there're words i don't
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There're words i don't quite understand,
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Quite understand, there're jokes where
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There're jokes where everyone laughs and i think,
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"i don't know why that's funny."
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[laughing]
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They're just phrases,
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They're just phrases, cultural moments,
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Cultural moments, people's reactions
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People's reactions to political and social
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To political and social situations just distinct from
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Situations just distinct from the way that i was raised.
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The way that i was raised. everyone there is super cool,
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Everyone there is super cool, they've been nothing but nice
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They've been nothing but nice to me but i have to tell you,
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To me but i have to tell you, as i'm sitting under that cape
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As i'm sitting under that cape very often my palms start
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Very often my palms start to sweat and i'm rubbing them
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To sweat and i'm rubbing them on my jeans because
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On my jeans because i'm faced with
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I'm faced with one of two choices:
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One of two choices: i can either smile and nod
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I can either smile and nod and laugh like i get it,
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And laugh like i get it, or i can, with fear
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Or i can, with fear and trepidation,
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And trepidation, admit that i'm ignorant.
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Admit that i'm ignorant. literally that i don't know,
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Literally that i don't know, i don't get it.
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I don't get it. you know, i was thinking about
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You know, i was thinking about my barber shop moments,
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My barber shop moments, because i think something
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Because i think something like that happens all the time
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Like that happens all the time right here in our church.
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Right here in our church. there's something that i love,
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There's something that i love, love, love about our church
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Love, love about our church and i love about those of you
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And i love about those of you who are watching at home
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Who are watching at home on your tablets or your tvs.
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On your tablets or your tvs. in fact, this is so important,
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In fact, this is so important, these two things that i love,
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These two things that i love, i want you to grab a pen
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I want you to grab a pen and write these down.
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And write these down. i love the fact that some
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I love the fact that some of you here today know
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Of you here today know very, very much of the bible.
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Very, very much of the bible. you'll probably dismiss
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You'll probably dismiss that statement,
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That statement, "oh, there's so much
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"oh, there's so much i don't know.
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I don't know. i'm not a pastor, maybe i didn't
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I'm not a pastor, maybe i didn't go to bible college."
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Go to bible college." but there are some of you
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But there are some of you who have gone to church
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Who have gone to church almost every sunday, not for
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Almost every sunday, not for a few months or a few years,
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A few months or a few years, but a few decades.
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But a few decades. you know the difference
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You know the difference between old testament joseph
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Between old testament joseph and new testament joseph,
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And new testament joseph, between the king named saul
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Between the king named saul in the old testament
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In the old testament and the man named saul
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And the man named saul who became paul.
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Who became paul. you know the meaning
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You know the meaning of the cross,
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Of the cross, you know that jesus
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You know that jesus didn't stay dead.
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Didn't stay dead. you have more than just
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You have more than just a basic, childlike knowledge,
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A basic, childlike knowledge, you know so much of the bible
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You know so much of the bible and that is such a good thing.
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And that is such a good thing. right?
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Right? the way we find peace and joy
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The way we find peace and joy is knowing lots about god.
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Is knowing lots about god. we know his love,
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We know his love, we know his power,
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We know his power, we know what he's done,
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We know what he's done, we know what he's doing,
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We know what he's doing, we know what he's about to do.
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We know what he's about to do. when you know tons
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When you know tons about the bible,
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About the bible, you have, like,
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You have, like, the cheat code to peace, joy,
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The cheat code to peace, joy, and eternal life through jesus.
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And eternal life through jesus. there are lots of you in
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There are lots of you in the room who are just like that
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The room who are just like that and i'm so grateful for it.
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And i'm so grateful for it. and --
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And -- and i'm just as grateful,
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And i'm just as grateful, and if i'm being honest maybe
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And if i'm being honest maybe even a little more grateful,
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Even a little more grateful, for those of you who know
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For those of you who know none of the bible,
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None of the bible, or very little of the bible.
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Or very little of the bible. or who are clueless about
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Or who are clueless about the difference between
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The difference between the josephs or the sauls.
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The josephs or the sauls. you don't know what
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You don't know what a habakkuk is
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A habakkuk is or who habakkuk is.
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Or who habakkuk is. you know, maybe you walked into
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You know, maybe you walked into church today for the first time
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Church today for the first time or the first time
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Or the first time in a really long time.
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In a really long time. maybe you're watching at home
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Maybe you're watching at home and, you know, someone shared
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And, you know, someone shared a link or you stumbled
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A link or you stumbled upon this station,
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Upon this station, and the truth is,
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And the truth is, you don't know
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You don't know tons about the bible,
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Tons about the bible, maybe some of the very basics
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Maybe some of the very basics but not a lot.
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But not a lot. i love that so much,
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I love that so much, that brand new people walk into
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That brand new people walk into our church every single sunday.
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Our church every single sunday. i read a book years ago where
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I read a book years ago where the authors talked about the,
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The authors talked about the, they called it,
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They called it, "the curse of knowledge."
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"the curse of knowledge." and the curse of knowledge
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And the curse of knowledge is when you know so much
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Is when you know so much about something that
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About something that you're cursed by not being
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You're cursed by not being aware of how much you know.
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Aware of how much you know. but maybe even more difficult
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But maybe even more difficult than that are those of you
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Than that are those of you who are kind of new,
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Who are kind of new, who've never really read
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Who've never really read the bible cover to cover,
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The bible cover to cover, or maybe you grew up in
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Or maybe you grew up in a christian church but that was
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A christian church but that was a long time ago and you
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A long time ago and you didn't really get it
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Didn't really get it 'cause you were just a kid.
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'cause you were just a kid. you face the same thing that
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You face the same thing that i face at the barber shop,
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I face at the barber shop, where you feel like everyone
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Where you feel like everyone else in the conversation
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Else in the conversation gets it but you don't.
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Gets it but you don't. and you know that they could
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And you know that they could probably answer your questions,
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Probably answer your questions, but it feels like
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But it feels like a dumb question,
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A dumb question, or maybe you're a dumb person
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Or maybe you're a dumb person for not knowing.
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For not knowing. your palms start to sweat
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Your palms start to sweat and you're a little bit nervous
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And you're a little bit nervous and can't figure out
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And can't figure out if you should raise
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If you should raise your hand and admit,
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Your hand and admit, "hey, all nine of you get this,
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"hey, all nine of you get this, but maybe i'm the only one
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But maybe i'm the only one in the room who doesn't."
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In the room who doesn't." you see, we could keep
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You see, we could keep doing church and we could
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Doing church and we could keep joining
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Keep joining bible studies and groups,
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Bible studies and groups, and we could keep talking
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And we could keep talking in the lobby afterwards,
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In the lobby afterwards, but if some of us are cursed
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But if some of us are cursed with a lot of knowledge
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With a lot of knowledge and the rest of us are
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And the rest of us are scared because we have
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Scared because we have little knowledge,
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Little knowledge, we're going to miss
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We're going to miss one of the best blessings
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One of the best blessings that god wants to give
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That god wants to give to our spiritual family.
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To our spiritual family. and that's why today i want
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And that's why today i want to use the bible to give you a
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To use the bible to give you a two-handed shove to be more than
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Two-handed shove to be more than an almost honest christian.
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An almost honest christian. today, i want to tell you three
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Today, i want to tell you three separate stories, very quickly,
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Separate stories, very quickly, from the scriptures, to prove
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From the scriptures, to prove that god's goal for you
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That god's goal for you has never been just to go
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Has never been just to go to church or say a prayer,
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To church or say a prayer, or turn on christian radio,
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Or turn on christian radio, or join a bible study.
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Or join a bible study. grab a pen because this
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Grab a pen because this is god's ultimate goal
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Is god's ultimate goal for everything that we do.
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For everything that we do. his goal is for you to get it.
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His goal is for you to get it. not to do it,
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Not to do it, not to say it,
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Not to say it, not to repeat it,
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Not to repeat it, and not to pray it.
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And not to pray it. god's goal for
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God's goal for all of us in the room
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All of us in the room is that as many of us
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Is that as many of us as possible get it.
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As possible get it. let me show you
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What happens in nehemiah 8.
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What happens in nehemiah 8. "so on the first day
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"so on the first day of the 7th month,
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Of the 7th month, ezra the priest,"
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Ezra the priest," think that like their
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Think that like their worship leader or their pastor,
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Worship leader or their pastor, "he brought the law,"
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"he brought the law," that was slang for the bible,
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That was slang for the bible, "before the assembly,
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"before the assembly, which was made up
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Which was made up of men and women and all
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Of men and women and all who were able to,"
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Who were able to," say this word with me,
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Say this word with me, "understand.
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"understand. he," ezra, "read it," the bible,
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He," ezra, "read it," the bible, "aloud from daybreak
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"aloud from daybreak until noon."
00:07:04.046 --> 00:07:05.348
Until noon." you thought i talked
00:07:05.414 --> 00:07:06.115
You thought i talked for a long time.
00:07:06.182 --> 00:07:07.149
For a long time. "as he faced the square
00:07:07.216 --> 00:07:08.351
"as he faced the square before the water gate
00:07:08.417 --> 00:07:09.151
Before the water gate in the presence of the men,
00:07:09.218 --> 00:07:10.286
In the presence of the men, women and others who could,"
00:07:10.353 --> 00:07:11.687
Women and others who could," say this word with me,
00:07:11.754 --> 00:07:12.889
Say this word with me, "understand.
00:07:12.955 --> 00:07:13.723
"understand. and all the people
00:07:13.789 --> 00:07:14.757
And all the people listened attentively
00:07:14.824 --> 00:07:17.059
Listened attentively to the book of the law."
00:07:17.126 --> 00:07:20.263
So far so really,
00:07:20.363 --> 00:07:21.330
So far so really, really good, right?
00:07:21.397 --> 00:07:23.366
Really good, right? you have people who are
00:07:23.432 --> 00:07:24.700
You have people who are showing up not just for
00:07:24.767 --> 00:07:26.636
Showing up not just for like a little snippet
00:07:26.702 --> 00:07:28.371
Like a little snippet or a little minute,
00:07:28.437 --> 00:07:29.338
Or a little minute, but for hours and hours.
00:07:29.405 --> 00:07:30.673
But for hours and hours. they're listening
00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:31.474
They're listening to a bible expert open
00:07:31.541 --> 00:07:33.075
To a bible expert open the scriptures and read them.
00:07:33.142 --> 00:07:34.544
The scriptures and read them. in fact, it says here the people
00:07:34.610 --> 00:07:35.845
In fact, it says here the people listened attentively.
00:07:35.912 --> 00:07:37.146
Listened attentively. they were leaning in,
00:07:37.213 --> 00:07:38.014
They were leaning in, they had their pens,
00:07:38.080 --> 00:07:39.382
They had their pens, they were taking notes.
00:07:39.448 --> 00:07:40.116
They were taking notes. they wanted to grow in faith.
00:07:40.182 --> 00:07:42.451
They wanted to grow in faith. and as we heard two times,
00:07:42.518 --> 00:07:43.486
And as we heard two times, these are people who were
00:07:43.553 --> 00:07:44.320
These are people who were able to understand,
00:07:44.387 --> 00:07:46.422
Able to understand, they had the capacity
00:07:46.489 --> 00:07:47.823
They had the capacity to get it.
00:07:47.890 --> 00:07:50.960
To get it. but just because they could,
00:07:51.027 --> 00:07:53.963
But just because they could, didn't mean they did.
00:07:54.030 --> 00:07:57.400
Look what happens next.
00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:59.602
Look what happens next. "the levites,"
00:07:59.669 --> 00:08:01.270
"the levites," alright, say these with me.
00:08:01.337 --> 00:08:02.071
Alright, say these with me. ready?
00:08:02.138 --> 00:08:02.572
[laughing]
00:08:03.606 --> 00:08:04.540
Alright, i'll do
00:08:05.608 --> 00:08:06.208
Alright, i'll do the hebrew names,
00:08:06.275 --> 00:08:07.076
The hebrew names, "jeshua, bani,
00:08:07.143 --> 00:08:08.311
"jeshua, bani, sherebiah, jamin, akkub,
00:08:08.377 --> 00:08:09.812
Sherebiah, jamin, akkub, shabbethi, hodiah, maaseiah,
00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:11.547
Shabbethi, hodiah, maaseiah, kelita, azariah, jozabad,
00:08:11.614 --> 00:08:13.249
Kelita, azariah, jozabad, hanan and pelaiah."
00:08:13.316 --> 00:08:14.450
Hanan and pelaiah." did i say that right?
00:08:14.517 --> 00:08:15.184
Did i say that right? you don't know, neither do i.
00:08:15.251 --> 00:08:16.218
You don't know, neither do i. let's keep going.
00:08:16.285 --> 00:08:16.886
Let's keep going. alright.
00:08:16.953 --> 00:08:17.787
Alright. "they instructed the people
00:08:17.853 --> 00:08:19.388
"they instructed the people in the law while the people
00:08:19.455 --> 00:08:20.222
In the law while the people were standing there.
00:08:20.289 --> 00:08:20.923
Were standing there. they read from the book
00:08:20.990 --> 00:08:21.924
They read from the book of the law of god,
00:08:21.991 --> 00:08:22.892
Of the law of god, making it clear and giving
00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:24.360
Making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people,"
00:08:24.427 --> 00:08:26.295
The meaning so that the people," say this word with me,
00:08:26.362 --> 00:08:27.163
Say this word with me, "understood what was being read.
00:08:27.229 --> 00:08:30.466
"understood what was being read. then nehemiah the governor,
00:08:30.533 --> 00:08:31.400
Then nehemiah the governor, ezra the priest and teacher
00:08:31.467 --> 00:08:32.301
Ezra the priest and teacher of the law,
00:08:32.368 --> 00:08:33.336
Of the law, and the levites who
00:08:33.402 --> 00:08:34.203
And the levites who were instructing the people
00:08:34.270 --> 00:08:35.037
Were instructing the people said to them all,
00:08:35.104 --> 00:08:36.672
Said to them all, 'this day is holy
00:08:36.739 --> 00:08:37.640
'this day is holy to the lord your god.
00:08:37.707 --> 00:08:39.308
To the lord your god. do not mourn or weep.'
00:08:39.375 --> 00:08:41.744
Do not mourn or weep.' for all the people had been
00:08:41.811 --> 00:08:42.645
For all the people had been weeping as they listened
00:08:42.712 --> 00:08:44.280
Weeping as they listened to the words of the law.
00:08:44.347 --> 00:08:46.682
To the words of the law. the levites calmed
00:08:46.749 --> 00:08:47.717
The levites calmed all the people saying,
00:08:47.783 --> 00:08:49.085
All the people saying, 'be still, for this is
00:08:49.151 --> 00:08:50.820
'be still, for this is a holy day, do not grieve.'
00:08:50.886 --> 00:08:55.024
A holy day, do not grieve.' then all the people
00:08:55.091 --> 00:08:55.658
Then all the people went away to eat and drink,
00:08:55.725 --> 00:08:57.159
Went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food,
00:08:57.226 --> 00:08:58.561
To send portions of food, and to celebrate with great joy,
00:08:58.628 --> 00:09:00.329
And to celebrate with great joy, because they now,"
00:09:00.396 --> 00:09:01.864
Because they now," say the word with me,
00:09:01.931 --> 00:09:02.832
Say the word with me, "understood the words that had
00:09:02.898 --> 00:09:05.234
"understood the words that had been made known to them."
00:09:05.301 --> 00:09:07.003
Been made known to them." this -- this is so
00:09:07.069 --> 00:09:08.404
Fascinating to me
00:09:08.504 --> 00:09:10.272
Because in my experience,
00:09:10.373 --> 00:09:11.207
Because in my experience, this is exactly the pattern.
00:09:11.273 --> 00:09:16.112
This is exactly the pattern. track with me.
00:09:16.178 --> 00:09:17.747
Track with me. pastor gets up
00:09:17.813 --> 00:09:18.381
Pastor gets up and reads the bible.
00:09:18.447 --> 00:09:20.850
And reads the bible. someone then tries to explain
00:09:20.916 --> 00:09:22.485
Someone then tries to explain the bible and make it clear.
00:09:22.551 --> 00:09:26.722
The bible and make it clear. the people understand
00:09:26.789 --> 00:09:27.323
The people understand some of it,
00:09:27.390 --> 00:09:28.057
Some of it, but not all of it
00:09:28.124 --> 00:09:31.827
But not all of it and so the pastors
00:09:31.894 --> 00:09:32.662
And so the pastors and worship leaders
00:09:32.728 --> 00:09:33.262
And worship leaders follow up so people can get it.
00:09:33.329 --> 00:09:36.132
Follow up so people can get it. and then, they leave
00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:37.099
And then, they leave with great joy because
00:09:37.166 --> 00:09:38.934
With great joy because they understand it.
00:09:39.001 --> 00:09:41.337
They understand it. they celebrated with great joy
00:09:41.404 --> 00:09:42.471
They celebrated with great joy because they understood
00:09:42.538 --> 00:09:43.305
Because they understood both sin and salvation,
00:09:43.372 --> 00:09:45.074
Both sin and salvation, both god's justice and his love.
00:09:45.141 --> 00:09:47.076
Both god's justice and his love. and when they got all of it,
00:09:47.143 --> 00:09:49.045
And when they got all of it, when they understood god
00:09:49.111 --> 00:09:49.645
When they understood god in his entirety,
00:09:49.712 --> 00:09:51.480
In his entirety, i love how it ends,
00:09:51.547 --> 00:09:52.148
I love how it ends, "they went away to celebrate
00:09:52.214 --> 00:09:53.082
"they went away to celebrate with great joy because
00:09:53.149 --> 00:09:54.016
With great joy because they now understood."
00:09:54.083 --> 00:09:58.587
They now understood." so, what would it look like
00:09:58.654 --> 00:09:59.588
So, what would it look like if in your life you followed
00:09:59.655 --> 00:10:02.525
If in your life you followed that same pattern?
00:10:02.591 --> 00:10:05.494
That same pattern? step one, you put yourself
00:10:05.561 --> 00:10:08.064
Step one, you put yourself in an environment where
00:10:08.130 --> 00:10:08.698
In an environment where the bible is being opened.
00:10:08.764 --> 00:10:11.267
Instead of just listening to
00:10:11.367 --> 00:10:12.468
Instead of just listening to your buddies over a couple
00:10:12.535 --> 00:10:13.536
Your buddies over a couple of beers, you come to church,
00:10:13.602 --> 00:10:15.504
Of beers, you come to church, you go to a bible study,
00:10:15.571 --> 00:10:16.772
You go to a bible study, you start to read.
00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:18.607
You start to read. and in that environment,
00:10:18.674 --> 00:10:19.542
And in that environment, someone's trying to teach it
00:10:19.608 --> 00:10:20.309
Someone's trying to teach it and make it as clear
00:10:20.376 --> 00:10:21.143
And make it as clear as they can.
00:10:21.210 --> 00:10:22.945
As they can. bible can be difficult
00:10:23.012 --> 00:10:23.679
Bible can be difficult to understand
00:10:23.746 --> 00:10:24.313
To understand so you go to a place,
00:10:24.380 --> 00:10:25.748
So you go to a place, church like this maybe,
00:10:25.815 --> 00:10:27.216
Church like this maybe, or someone's trying
00:10:27.283 --> 00:10:27.983
Or someone's trying to explain it to you,
00:10:28.050 --> 00:10:28.584
To explain it to you, and some of it you get,
00:10:28.651 --> 00:10:29.452
And some of it you get, you know, some of it sticks,
00:10:29.518 --> 00:10:30.319
You know, some of it sticks, but there's still some points
00:10:30.386 --> 00:10:31.487
But there's still some points where you don't get it.
00:10:31.554 --> 00:10:35.191
Where you don't get it. the pastor's trying
00:10:35.257 --> 00:10:35.725
The pastor's trying to make it clear,
00:10:35.791 --> 00:10:36.225
To make it clear, but it's not super clear to you.
00:10:36.292 --> 00:10:37.526
But it's not super clear to you. in that moment,
00:10:37.593 --> 00:10:39.061
In that moment, this is so essential, ask.
00:10:39.128 --> 00:10:44.467
This is so essential, ask. like, if i could see you
00:10:44.533 --> 00:10:45.468
Like, if i could see you weeping and crying and grieving
00:10:45.534 --> 00:10:47.269
Weeping and crying and grieving that would probably be
00:10:47.336 --> 00:10:47.770
That would probably be a trigger for me to say,
00:10:47.837 --> 00:10:48.504
A trigger for me to say, "hey, are you okay?"
00:10:48.571 --> 00:10:50.439
"hey, are you okay?" but if you're one of those
00:10:50.506 --> 00:10:51.240
But if you're one of those people who just keeps it all
00:10:51.307 --> 00:10:52.074
People who just keeps it all inside and i have no clue
00:10:52.141 --> 00:10:53.042
Inside and i have no clue if you get it or not,
00:10:53.109 --> 00:10:54.076
If you get it or not, i'm not going to know
00:10:54.143 --> 00:10:55.311
I'm not going to know to follow up and to help
00:10:55.377 --> 00:10:57.246
To follow up and to help and to give it a second shot.
00:10:57.313 --> 00:10:59.315
And to give it a second shot. but if you're willing
00:10:59.381 --> 00:11:00.082
But if you're willing to actually admit,
00:11:00.149 --> 00:11:01.317
To actually admit, "i didn't get part two,"
00:11:01.383 --> 00:11:03.652
"i didn't get part two," you make it sound
00:11:03.719 --> 00:11:04.453
You make it sound like it's good news,
00:11:04.520 --> 00:11:04.954
Like it's good news, but it kind of seems like --
00:11:05.020 --> 00:11:07.256
But it kind of seems like -- if you're willing to ask that,
00:11:07.323 --> 00:11:08.424
If you're willing to ask that, to give us a chance to clarify,
00:11:08.491 --> 00:11:09.892
To give us a chance to clarify, maybe then, in the end,
00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:11.460
Maybe then, in the end, it can happen to you
00:11:11.527 --> 00:11:12.294
It can happen to you what happened to them,
00:11:12.361 --> 00:11:13.095
What happened to them, you celebrate with great joy.
00:11:13.162 --> 00:11:17.366
You celebrate with great joy. i truly do believe this.
00:11:17.433 --> 00:11:18.300
I truly do believe this. the most important piece
00:11:18.367 --> 00:11:19.135
The most important piece of paper in this space
00:11:19.201 --> 00:11:20.603
Of paper in this space right now is this,
00:11:20.669 --> 00:11:23.639
Right now is this, and the second most important
00:11:23.706 --> 00:11:24.573
And the second most important piece of paper is that little
00:11:24.640 --> 00:11:25.875
Piece of paper is that little card in your bulletin where
00:11:25.941 --> 00:11:29.578
Card in your bulletin where you can flip it over and say,
00:11:29.645 --> 00:11:32.047
You can flip it over and say, "what does this mean?"
00:11:32.114 --> 00:11:33.716
"what does this mean?" question mark.
00:11:33.783 --> 00:11:35.684
Question mark. and the people who are
00:11:35.751 --> 00:11:36.619
And the people who are trained in the bible, like me,
00:11:36.685 --> 00:11:37.987
Trained in the bible, like me, and the pastors, and the staff,
00:11:38.053 --> 00:11:39.388
And the pastors, and the staff, we can follow up and answer
00:11:39.455 --> 00:11:40.556
We can follow up and answer that question and clarify.
00:11:40.623 --> 00:11:42.792
That question and clarify. i just want to tell you
00:11:42.858 --> 00:11:43.626
I just want to tell you the reason god has brought us
00:11:43.692 --> 00:11:45.227
The reason god has brought us together is not just for me
00:11:45.294 --> 00:11:46.128
Together is not just for me to speak and for you
00:11:46.195 --> 00:11:47.329
To speak and for you to check a box,
00:11:47.396 --> 00:11:49.398
To check a box, the reason is for you
00:11:49.465 --> 00:11:50.099
The reason is for you to get it.
00:11:50.166 --> 00:11:52.301
To get it. god, and we, want you
00:11:52.368 --> 00:11:53.636
God, and we, want you to celebrate with great joy
00:11:53.702 --> 00:11:54.603
To celebrate with great joy because you now understand
00:11:54.670 --> 00:11:57.306
Because you now understand the words.
00:11:57.373 --> 00:11:59.441
The words. got it?
00:11:59.508 --> 00:12:02.178
Got it? alright, let's jump
00:12:02.244 --> 00:12:02.845
Alright, let's jump to text number two.
00:12:02.912 --> 00:12:05.514
To text number two. but, 500 years after this story
00:12:05.581 --> 00:12:08.083
But, 500 years after this story with the book of nehemiah
00:12:08.150 --> 00:12:10.519
With the book of nehemiah and jerusalem,
00:12:10.586 --> 00:12:11.020
And jerusalem, the apostle paul wrote
00:12:11.086 --> 00:12:12.288
The apostle paul wrote a letter to a really, really,
00:12:12.354 --> 00:12:14.290
A letter to a really, really, really, really messed up
00:12:14.356 --> 00:12:15.758
Really, really messed up church in the greek city
00:12:15.825 --> 00:12:17.092
Church in the greek city of corinth.
00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.961
Of corinth. if you think you've had
00:12:19.028 --> 00:12:19.562
If you think you've had a bad church experience,
00:12:19.628 --> 00:12:21.730
A bad church experience, check out corinth.
00:12:21.797 --> 00:12:23.065
Check out corinth. church members
00:12:23.132 --> 00:12:23.766
Church members are suing each other,
00:12:23.833 --> 00:12:24.567
Are suing each other, people are getting hammered
00:12:24.633 --> 00:12:25.634
People are getting hammered on the communion wine.
00:12:25.701 --> 00:12:27.303
On the communion wine. some people are denying
00:12:27.369 --> 00:12:28.137
Some people are denying that jesus rose from the dead.
00:12:28.204 --> 00:12:29.839
That jesus rose from the dead. people are visiting prostitutes
00:12:29.905 --> 00:12:30.773
People are visiting prostitutes and coming to church like
00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:31.674
And coming to church like it's not a big deal.
00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.742
It's not a big deal. bad stuff
00:12:33.809 --> 00:12:34.210
Bad stuff was happening but paul,
00:12:34.276 --> 00:12:35.477
Was happening but paul, when he writes this letter
00:12:35.544 --> 00:12:36.445
When he writes this letter to try to correct
00:12:36.512 --> 00:12:37.213
To try to correct all the problems,
00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:37.847
All the problems, he addresses actually
00:12:37.913 --> 00:12:39.148
He addresses actually at length a huge problem
00:12:39.215 --> 00:12:40.749
At length a huge problem that church had,
00:12:40.816 --> 00:12:42.918
That church had, and here's what it was.
00:12:42.985 --> 00:12:45.287
And here's what it was. apparently some people
00:12:45.354 --> 00:12:45.921
Apparently some people who thought they were
00:12:45.988 --> 00:12:46.589
Who thought they were very spiritual had this
00:12:46.655 --> 00:12:47.556
Very spiritual had this ability to speak in tongues.
00:12:47.623 --> 00:12:51.093
Ability to speak in tongues. there's a lot
00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:51.560
There's a lot of theological debate
00:12:51.627 --> 00:12:52.962
Of theological debate about what that meant:
00:12:53.028 --> 00:12:53.963
About what that meant: was it just another language
00:12:54.029 --> 00:12:54.797
Was it just another language like spanish or chinese?
00:12:54.864 --> 00:12:57.032
Like spanish or chinese? was it a special
00:12:57.099 --> 00:12:57.800
Was it a special spiritual language that
00:12:57.867 --> 00:12:59.134
Spiritual language that the angels could speak?
00:12:59.201 --> 00:13:00.870
The angels could speak? we're not exactly sure
00:13:00.936 --> 00:13:01.670
We're not exactly sure but we do know this,
00:13:01.737 --> 00:13:02.605
But we do know this, in the middle
00:13:02.671 --> 00:13:03.339
In the middle of the church service,
00:13:03.405 --> 00:13:03.939
Of the church service, people who had this gift,
00:13:04.006 --> 00:13:05.641
People who had this gift, they'd stand up and..
00:13:05.708 --> 00:13:08.811
They'd stand up and.. they'd go off.
00:13:08.878 --> 00:13:11.080
They'd go off. and it seemed very impressive,
00:13:11.146 --> 00:13:12.514
And it seemed very impressive, very special but unfortunately
00:13:12.581 --> 00:13:15.284
Very special but unfortunately everyone else in the church
00:13:15.351 --> 00:13:16.018
Everyone else in the church would kind of look around
00:13:16.085 --> 00:13:16.785
Would kind of look around at each other and say,
00:13:16.852 --> 00:13:18.787
At each other and say, "do you know what that means?"
00:13:18.854 --> 00:13:21.724
"do you know what that means?" and that was church.
00:13:21.790 --> 00:13:24.760
And that was church. and when paul heard
00:13:24.827 --> 00:13:26.028
And when paul heard that something was happening
00:13:26.095 --> 00:13:26.862
That something was happening in church that not
00:13:26.929 --> 00:13:27.763
In church that not everyone could get,
00:13:27.830 --> 00:13:30.900
Everyone could get, he had something to say.
00:13:30.966 --> 00:13:33.068
He had something to say. in the letter that
00:13:33.135 --> 00:13:33.702
In the letter that he wrote to this church,
00:13:33.769 --> 00:13:34.503
He wrote to this church, we call it the book
00:13:34.570 --> 00:13:35.271
We call it the book of 1 corinthians.
00:13:35.337 --> 00:13:36.071
Of 1 corinthians. in chapter 14, paul said
00:13:36.138 --> 00:13:38.574
These very clear words.
00:13:38.674 --> 00:13:42.845
These very clear words. he said, "unless you speak
00:13:42.912 --> 00:13:44.380
He said, "unless you speak intelligible words
00:13:44.446 --> 00:13:45.681
Intelligible words with your tongue,
00:13:45.748 --> 00:13:47.883
With your tongue, how will anyone know
00:13:47.950 --> 00:13:48.484
How will anyone know what you're saying?
00:13:48.550 --> 00:13:49.852
What you're saying? you will just be
00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:50.586
You will just be speaking into the air.
00:13:50.653 --> 00:13:52.888
Speaking into the air. undoubtedly there are all sorts
00:13:52.955 --> 00:13:53.889
Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world,
00:13:53.956 --> 00:13:55.124
Of languages in the world, yet none of them
00:13:55.190 --> 00:13:55.824
Yet none of them is without meaning.
00:13:55.891 --> 00:13:58.060
Is without meaning. if then i do not grasp
00:13:58.127 --> 00:13:58.827
If then i do not grasp the meaning of what
00:13:58.894 --> 00:13:59.762
The meaning of what someone is saying,
00:13:59.828 --> 00:14:00.529
Someone is saying, i'm a foreigner to the speaker
00:14:00.596 --> 00:14:02.831
I'm a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker is
00:14:02.898 --> 00:14:03.666
And the speaker is a foreigner to me.
00:14:03.732 --> 00:14:05.768
A foreigner to me. so it is with you.
00:14:05.834 --> 00:14:07.403
So it is with you. since you are eager
00:14:07.469 --> 00:14:08.337
Since you are eager for gifts of the spirit,
00:14:08.404 --> 00:14:09.571
For gifts of the spirit, try to excel in those gifts
00:14:09.638 --> 00:14:11.840
Try to excel in those gifts that build up the church."
00:14:11.907 --> 00:14:14.310
That build up the church." it's a huge line.
00:14:14.376 --> 00:14:15.010
It's a huge line. if you're going to do something,
00:14:15.077 --> 00:14:15.744
If you're going to do something, if it's going to be impressive
00:14:15.811 --> 00:14:16.812
If it's going to be impressive let it be something that
00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.446
Let it be something that builds people up.
00:14:17.513 --> 00:14:19.715
Builds people up. i love this line,
00:14:19.782 --> 00:14:20.282
I love this line, verse 18, paul says,
00:14:20.349 --> 00:14:21.383
Verse 18, paul says, "i thank god that i speak
00:14:21.450 --> 00:14:22.117
"i thank god that i speak in tongues more than all of you.
00:14:22.184 --> 00:14:24.687
In tongues more than all of you. but in the church,
00:14:24.753 --> 00:14:26.488
But in the church, i would rather speak
00:14:26.555 --> 00:14:27.356
I would rather speak five intelligible words
00:14:27.423 --> 00:14:29.091
Five intelligible words to instruct others than
00:14:29.158 --> 00:14:31.093
To instruct others than 10,000 words in a tongue."
00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:36.398
10,000 words in a tongue." now, this has some
00:14:36.465 --> 00:14:37.166
Pretty big implications
00:14:37.266 --> 00:14:38.067
Pretty big implications for a lot of things.
00:14:38.133 --> 00:14:40.469
For a lot of things. let me throw this one
00:14:40.536 --> 00:14:41.804
Let me throw this one out to you.
00:14:41.870 --> 00:14:42.204
Out to you. let's talk about
00:14:42.271 --> 00:14:43.572
Let's talk about christian music.
00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:46.475
Christian music. you know,
00:14:46.542 --> 00:14:46.775
You know, i love christian music,
00:14:46.842 --> 00:14:48.577
I love christian music, i listen to it all the time.
00:14:48.644 --> 00:14:49.511
I listen to it all the time. i listen to it at church,
00:14:49.578 --> 00:14:50.479
I listen to it at church, in the car, when i'm at home.
00:14:50.546 --> 00:14:53.382
In the car, when i'm at home. but music is very,
00:14:53.449 --> 00:14:54.149
But music is very, very dangerous, and it's very,
00:14:54.216 --> 00:14:57.119
Very dangerous, and it's very, very amazing and here's why.
00:14:57.186 --> 00:15:00.222
Very amazing and here's why. because, some people like music
00:15:00.289 --> 00:15:03.525
Because, some people like music even though they have no idea
00:15:03.592 --> 00:15:04.760
Even though they have no idea what the song is about.
00:15:04.827 --> 00:15:09.298
What the song is about. i know we have a bunch
00:15:09.365 --> 00:15:10.132
I know we have a bunch of musicians in the room
00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:10.833
Of musicians in the room who create music.
00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:13.335
Who create music. i mean, sometimes people say,
00:15:13.402 --> 00:15:14.169
I mean, sometimes people say, "i love that song!"
00:15:14.236 --> 00:15:15.337
"i love that song!" and, yes.
00:15:15.404 --> 00:15:15.738
And, yes. i'm --
00:15:15.804 --> 00:15:16.138
I'm -- well, what was
00:15:16.205 --> 00:15:16.672
Well, what was the meaning of the song?
00:15:16.739 --> 00:15:17.606
The meaning of the song? "i don't know, but i love it."
00:15:17.673 --> 00:15:18.640
[laughing]
00:15:18.974 --> 00:15:19.375
Right?
00:15:20.342 --> 00:15:20.776
Right? the hook, the chorus,
00:15:20.843 --> 00:15:23.645
The hook, the chorus, the beats, the harmony.
00:15:23.712 --> 00:15:24.880
The beats, the harmony. there's something about music
00:15:24.947 --> 00:15:25.714
There's something about music that's just aesthetically
00:15:25.781 --> 00:15:27.049
That's just aesthetically beautiful and it can move us
00:15:27.116 --> 00:15:29.351
Beautiful and it can move us in a very emotional way,
00:15:29.418 --> 00:15:30.619
In a very emotional way, but if you don't understand,
00:15:30.686 --> 00:15:31.754
But if you don't understand, like, what the songwriter was
00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:33.222
Like, what the songwriter was trying to communicate to you,
00:15:33.288 --> 00:15:34.323
Trying to communicate to you, you've missed probably
00:15:34.390 --> 00:15:35.624
You've missed probably the biggest reason
00:15:35.691 --> 00:15:36.458
The biggest reason that they wrote the song.
00:15:36.525 --> 00:15:38.427
That they wrote the song. that's just to give you
00:15:38.494 --> 00:15:39.128
That's just to give you something to bob your head to
00:15:39.194 --> 00:15:39.862
Something to bob your head to or bring a tear to your eye,
00:15:39.928 --> 00:15:40.996
Or bring a tear to your eye, but to communicate
00:15:41.063 --> 00:15:41.830
But to communicate a deep truth about life.
00:15:41.897 --> 00:15:46.101
A deep truth about life. you know, sometimes when we come
00:15:46.168 --> 00:15:46.835
You know, sometimes when we come to church the songs move us.
00:15:46.902 --> 00:15:48.804
To church the songs move us. the music is amazing,
00:15:48.871 --> 00:15:50.606
The music is amazing, but i would say to you
00:15:50.672 --> 00:15:52.408
But i would say to you that there is no --
00:15:52.474 --> 00:15:53.976
That there is no -- there is no bypass from
00:15:54.043 --> 00:15:55.277
There is no bypass from the emotions of the heart
00:15:55.344 --> 00:15:58.347
The emotions of the heart into the presence of god.
00:15:58.414 --> 00:16:01.116
Into the presence of god. there's only a road that runs
00:16:01.183 --> 00:16:02.384
There's only a road that runs through your intellect, right?
00:16:02.451 --> 00:16:06.155
Through your intellect, right? if you could sing a song,
00:16:06.221 --> 00:16:07.556
If you could sing a song, but you don't really know what
00:16:07.623 --> 00:16:08.290
But you don't really know what the words of that song mean,
00:16:08.357 --> 00:16:09.925
The words of that song mean, they could be amazing
00:16:09.992 --> 00:16:10.826
They could be amazing words about jesus,
00:16:10.893 --> 00:16:11.727
Words about jesus, but if you don't get it,
00:16:11.794 --> 00:16:13.662
But if you don't get it, that does not get you
00:16:13.729 --> 00:16:14.563
That does not get you a stronger faith.
00:16:14.630 --> 00:16:17.533
A stronger faith. and therefore, you and i
00:16:17.599 --> 00:16:18.400
And therefore, you and i have to do something
00:16:18.467 --> 00:16:19.068
Have to do something that's very difficult
00:16:19.134 --> 00:16:19.902
In those emotional moments,
00:16:20.002 --> 00:16:20.669
In those emotional moments, we have to ask ourselves
00:16:20.736 --> 00:16:22.104
We have to ask ourselves with every line, every stanza,
00:16:22.171 --> 00:16:24.306
With every line, every stanza, every hook and every chorus --
00:16:24.373 --> 00:16:26.141
Every hook and every chorus -- a question that martin luther
00:16:26.208 --> 00:16:27.409
A question that martin luther loved to ask 500 years ago,
00:16:27.476 --> 00:16:29.645
Loved to ask 500 years ago, the classic lutheran question,
00:16:29.711 --> 00:16:31.713
The classic lutheran question, what does this mean?
00:16:31.780 --> 00:16:35.017
What does this mean? "you have called me higher."
00:16:35.084 --> 00:16:36.852
"you have called me higher." what does that mean?
00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.419
What does that mean? "jesus, you've broken
00:16:37.486 --> 00:16:38.654
"jesus, you've broken every chain."
00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:40.722
Every chain." what does that mean?
00:16:40.789 --> 00:16:41.924
What does that mean? "amazing grace,
00:16:41.990 --> 00:16:43.258
"amazing grace, how sweet the sound."
00:16:43.325 --> 00:16:45.494
How sweet the sound." what does that mean?
00:16:45.561 --> 00:16:46.161
What does that mean? you can sing it,
00:16:46.228 --> 00:16:47.763
You can sing it, but if you don't get it,
00:16:47.830 --> 00:16:49.398
But if you don't get it, it doesn't get you
00:16:49.465 --> 00:16:50.132
It doesn't get you closer to god.
00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:52.935
Closer to god. and so, i would propose to you
00:16:53.001 --> 00:16:53.869
And so, i would propose to you that every worship service from
00:16:53.936 --> 00:16:55.304
That every worship service from lesson to sermon, to prayer,
00:16:55.370 --> 00:16:58.006
Lesson to sermon, to prayer, to music, to blessing,
00:16:58.073 --> 00:16:59.741
To music, to blessing, is an intellectual exercise.
00:16:59.808 --> 00:17:02.845
Is an intellectual exercise. paul says if i don't grasp
00:17:02.911 --> 00:17:03.612
Paul says if i don't grasp the meaning of what
00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.280
The meaning of what someone is saying,
00:17:05.347 --> 00:17:05.981
Someone is saying, i'm a foreigner to the speaker
00:17:06.048 --> 00:17:08.484
I'm a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker is
00:17:08.550 --> 00:17:09.351
And the speaker is a foreigner to me.
00:17:09.418 --> 00:17:10.786
A foreigner to me. so, i should've asked
00:17:10.853 --> 00:17:12.921
So, i should've asked our worship leaders
00:17:12.988 --> 00:17:13.689
Our worship leaders before preaching the sermon,
00:17:13.755 --> 00:17:15.090
Before preaching the sermon, but if you don't get it,
00:17:15.157 --> 00:17:17.092
But if you don't get it, ask them.
00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:19.795
Good.
00:17:19.895 --> 00:17:21.497
Good. alright, last text for today.
00:17:21.563 --> 00:17:23.966
Alright, last text for today. right about the same time
00:17:24.032 --> 00:17:25.334
Right about the same time in biblical history,
00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.236
In biblical history, we find in the book of acts
00:17:27.302 --> 00:17:28.737
We find in the book of acts an amazing story,
00:17:28.804 --> 00:17:29.705
An amazing story, i had a chance to preach on it
00:17:29.771 --> 00:17:30.739
I had a chance to preach on it just a few months ago,
00:17:30.806 --> 00:17:32.074
Just a few months ago, of two guys,
00:17:32.141 --> 00:17:34.476
Of two guys, both of them had a bible,
00:17:34.543 --> 00:17:36.745
Both of them had a bible, but only one of them
00:17:36.812 --> 00:17:37.412
But only one of them understood the bible.
00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:39.748
Understood the bible. apparently there was
00:17:39.815 --> 00:17:40.382
Apparently there was this man from ethiopia,
00:17:40.449 --> 00:17:41.250
This man from ethiopia, from ancient africa,
00:17:41.316 --> 00:17:42.484
From ancient africa, who had gone
00:17:42.551 --> 00:17:43.152
Who had gone to jerusalem to worship.
00:17:43.218 --> 00:17:44.253
To jerusalem to worship. he was rich, influential,
00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.621
He was rich, influential, powerful, intelligent,
00:17:45.687 --> 00:17:47.256
Powerful, intelligent, he had a bible that
00:17:47.322 --> 00:17:48.223
He had a bible that he was reading in
00:17:48.290 --> 00:17:48.957
He was reading in his ancient chariot but
00:17:49.024 --> 00:17:50.292
His ancient chariot but the truth is he didn't get it,
00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.661
The truth is he didn't get it, and that's why i love
00:17:52.728 --> 00:17:53.395
And that's why i love this story so much.
00:17:53.462 --> 00:17:54.863
Acts 8 says this, how
00:17:54.963 --> 00:17:57.399
Acts 8 says this, how "this man," the ethiopian,
00:17:57.466 --> 00:17:58.333
"this man," the ethiopian, "had gone to jerusalem
00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.301
"had gone to jerusalem to worship and on his way
00:17:59.368 --> 00:18:01.703
To worship and on his way home he was sitting
00:18:01.770 --> 00:18:02.838
Home he was sitting in his chariot reading
00:18:02.905 --> 00:18:03.639
In his chariot reading the book of isaiah,
00:18:03.705 --> 00:18:04.573
The book of isaiah, the prophet."
00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.774
The prophet." it's a part
00:18:05.841 --> 00:18:06.141
It's a part of the old testament.
00:18:06.208 --> 00:18:07.943
Of the old testament. "the spirit," the holy spirit,
00:18:08.010 --> 00:18:09.244
"the spirit," the holy spirit, "told philip,"
00:18:09.311 --> 00:18:10.312
"told philip," an early christian,
00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.480
An early christian, "'go to that chariot
00:18:11.547 --> 00:18:12.114
"'go to that chariot and stay near it.'
00:18:12.181 --> 00:18:14.383
And stay near it.' then philip ran up
00:18:14.449 --> 00:18:15.050
Then philip ran up to that chariot and heard
00:18:15.117 --> 00:18:16.151
To that chariot and heard the man reading
00:18:16.218 --> 00:18:17.452
The man reading isaiah the prophet.
00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:19.388
Isaiah the prophet. 'do you understand what
00:18:19.454 --> 00:18:20.255
'do you understand what you're reading?'
00:18:20.322 --> 00:18:22.057
You're reading?' philip asked.
00:18:22.124 --> 00:18:24.359
Philip asked. 'how can i,' the man said,
00:18:24.426 --> 00:18:27.729
'how can i,' the man said, 'unless someone explains it
00:18:27.796 --> 00:18:28.664
'unless someone explains it to me?'
00:18:28.730 --> 00:18:30.399
To me?' so, he invited philip
00:18:30.465 --> 00:18:31.266
So, he invited philip to come up and to sit with him."
00:18:31.333 --> 00:18:36.705
To come up and to sit with him." there're people,
00:18:36.772 --> 00:18:37.806
I could probably find
00:18:37.906 --> 00:18:38.941
I could probably find one sitting within 10 feet
00:18:39.007 --> 00:18:40.475
One sitting within 10 feet of you who know the answers
00:18:40.542 --> 00:18:41.543
Of you who know the answers to your questions.
00:18:41.610 --> 00:18:43.779
To your questions. they've asked them themselves
00:18:43.845 --> 00:18:45.214
They've asked them themselves years ago, decades ago.
00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:46.682
Years ago, decades ago. they found good answers
00:18:46.748 --> 00:18:47.516
They found good answers in this book.
00:18:47.583 --> 00:18:48.317
In this book. the reason god brought you here,
00:18:48.383 --> 00:18:50.552
The reason god brought you here, next to them,
00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.119
Next to them, is not to impress them,
00:18:51.186 --> 00:18:52.754
Is not to impress them, to make them think
00:18:52.821 --> 00:18:53.288
To make them think you're so smart with the bible,
00:18:53.355 --> 00:18:54.156
You're so smart with the bible, the reason god literally
00:18:54.223 --> 00:18:55.424
The reason god literally has you two in the same place
00:18:55.490 --> 00:18:56.858
Has you two in the same place at the same time
00:18:56.925 --> 00:18:58.026
At the same time is so that you can humbly ask
00:18:58.093 --> 00:19:00.462
Is so that you can humbly ask and they could give good,
00:19:00.529 --> 00:19:01.797
And they could give good, biblical answers.
00:19:01.863 --> 00:19:02.331
Biblical answers. this is how we grow.
00:19:02.397 --> 00:19:05.467
This is how we grow. and it's not just
00:19:05.534 --> 00:19:06.001
And it's not just for passing bible jeopardy,
00:19:06.068 --> 00:19:07.202
For passing bible jeopardy, it's for real joy
00:19:07.269 --> 00:19:09.104
It's for real joy in knowing jesus.
00:19:09.171 --> 00:19:13.542
In knowing jesus. this week i was sitting
00:19:13.609 --> 00:19:15.043
This week i was sitting in the living room
00:19:15.110 --> 00:19:15.844
In the living room of a woman who's dying.
00:19:15.911 --> 00:19:20.415
Of a woman who's dying. she spent almost all of her life
00:19:20.482 --> 00:19:21.850
She spent almost all of her life in some kind of church.
00:19:21.917 --> 00:19:24.853
In some kind of church. and so, i asked her
00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.487
And so, i asked her this huge question,
00:19:25.554 --> 00:19:26.388
This huge question, because we don't know
00:19:26.455 --> 00:19:27.389
Because we don't know how much time she has left,
00:19:27.456 --> 00:19:28.457
How much time she has left, "if today was the day,
00:19:28.523 --> 00:19:29.324
"if today was the day, or this was the year when
00:19:29.391 --> 00:19:30.592
Or this was the year when you took your last breath,
00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:34.062
You took your last breath, do you think god would
00:19:34.129 --> 00:19:34.830
Do you think god would let you into heaven?"
00:19:34.896 --> 00:19:38.834
Let you into heaven?" and her answer was actually
00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.901
And her answer was actually by far the most common answer
00:19:39.968 --> 00:19:41.970
By far the most common answer that people give me to that
00:19:42.037 --> 00:19:42.871
That people give me to that question, she said,
00:19:42.938 --> 00:19:45.040
Question, she said, "i hope so, because i've tried
00:19:45.107 --> 00:19:49.044
"i hope so, because i've tried to be a good person."
00:19:49.111 --> 00:19:53.849
To be a good person." and i realized,
00:19:53.915 --> 00:19:55.617
And i realized, what i realize
00:19:55.684 --> 00:19:56.518
What i realize every single week
00:19:56.585 --> 00:19:57.586
Every single week or month as a pastor,
00:19:57.653 --> 00:19:59.488
Or month as a pastor, that even though there are
00:19:59.554 --> 00:20:00.188
That even though there are so many churches in town,
00:20:00.255 --> 00:20:02.124
So many churches in town, even though so many of us have
00:20:02.190 --> 00:20:03.325
Even though so many of us have had religious experiences,
00:20:03.392 --> 00:20:05.427
Had religious experiences, the very basic message
00:20:05.494 --> 00:20:07.162
The very basic message that you get to heaven
00:20:07.229 --> 00:20:07.896
That you get to heaven not by being good or better
00:20:07.963 --> 00:20:09.798
Not by being good or better than the average person,
00:20:09.865 --> 00:20:10.766
Than the average person, you get to heaven only one way,
00:20:10.832 --> 00:20:13.602
You get to heaven only one way, through jesus.
00:20:13.669 --> 00:20:17.806
There's so many people
00:20:17.906 --> 00:20:19.341
Who we just can't assume because
00:20:19.408 --> 00:20:20.942
They have a cross tattoo
00:20:21.009 --> 00:20:22.110
Or a cross necklace,
00:20:22.177 --> 00:20:23.078
Or went to church as a kid
00:20:23.145 --> 00:20:24.313
Or go to churches now that
00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:25.814
They grasp the most important
00:20:25.881 --> 00:20:27.549
Thing in the world,
00:20:27.616 --> 00:20:28.517
The unconditional love of god
00:20:28.583 --> 00:20:30.319
That gets you to a better place.
00:20:30.385 --> 00:20:33.322
That jesus didn't just die
00:20:33.388 --> 00:20:34.389
As an example of sacrifice,
00:20:34.456 --> 00:20:35.857
Instead his death
00:20:35.924 --> 00:20:36.892
Was the sacrifice that paid
00:20:36.958 --> 00:20:38.126
For all of our sins.
00:20:38.193 --> 00:20:40.996
So, no matter who you are
00:20:41.063 --> 00:20:41.930
And where you're from
00:20:41.997 --> 00:20:43.632
If you're new i want you
00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.433
To hear this really clearly,
00:20:44.533 --> 00:20:45.767
To hear this really clearly, that whatever you did,
00:20:45.834 --> 00:20:46.501
That whatever you did, whatever you've done,
00:20:46.568 --> 00:20:47.736
Whatever you've done, whatever your struggling with,
00:20:47.803 --> 00:20:49.338
Whatever your struggling with, jesus single handedly took care
00:20:49.404 --> 00:20:52.541
Jesus single handedly took care of all of it on the cross.
00:20:52.607 --> 00:20:56.078
Of all of it on the cross. so, the african man found out,
00:20:56.144 --> 00:20:57.579
So, the african man found out, he was reading a famous chapter
00:20:57.646 --> 00:20:59.114
He was reading a famous chapter from the old testament about
00:20:59.181 --> 00:21:00.515
From the old testament about the sacrifice of jesus.
00:21:00.582 --> 00:21:01.817
The sacrifice of jesus. "'who is this?' he asked.
00:21:01.883 --> 00:21:05.320
"'who is this?' he asked. and philip began with that
00:21:05.387 --> 00:21:06.088
And philip began with that very passage of scripture
00:21:06.154 --> 00:21:07.055
Very passage of scripture and told him the good news
00:21:07.122 --> 00:21:09.491
And told him the good news about jesus."
00:21:09.558 --> 00:21:11.827
About jesus." i really don't care
00:21:11.893 --> 00:21:12.761
I really don't care if you can ace bible jeopardy.
00:21:12.828 --> 00:21:15.197
If you can ace bible jeopardy. i do care if you make it
00:21:15.263 --> 00:21:16.064
I do care if you make it to heaven.
00:21:16.131 --> 00:21:18.467
To heaven. i do care that you can
00:21:18.533 --> 00:21:19.601
I do care that you can go through hard things
00:21:19.668 --> 00:21:20.569
Go through hard things in life and suffer
00:21:20.635 --> 00:21:21.303
In life and suffer with joy because you know
00:21:21.370 --> 00:21:22.437
With joy because you know how big and loving god is.
00:21:22.504 --> 00:21:25.440
How big and loving god is. i do care when the doctor
00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:26.742
I do care when the doctor tells you it's cancer and you
00:21:26.808 --> 00:21:28.477
Tells you it's cancer and you don't have long left,
00:21:28.543 --> 00:21:29.444
Don't have long left, you're not afraid
00:21:29.511 --> 00:21:31.980
You're not afraid because you know after
00:21:32.047 --> 00:21:32.781
Because you know after that short time of suffering
00:21:32.848 --> 00:21:33.815
That short time of suffering is over you have forever to see
00:21:33.882 --> 00:21:35.517
Is over you have forever to see the shining face of god.
00:21:35.584 --> 00:21:37.953
The shining face of god. i want you to know that.
00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.855
I want you to know that. i want everyone that
00:21:39.921 --> 00:21:40.622
I want everyone that you know to know that.
00:21:40.689 --> 00:21:44.259
You know to know that. so, if you don't know that,
00:21:44.326 --> 00:21:46.595
So, if you don't know that, ask it.
00:21:46.661 --> 00:21:49.431
Ask it. those of us
00:21:49.498 --> 00:21:49.965
Those of us who know would love to be
00:21:50.031 --> 00:21:50.866
Who know would love to be like philip on that day,
00:21:50.932 --> 00:21:51.833
Like philip on that day, open a bible and tell you
00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.101
Open a bible and tell you the good news about
00:21:53.168 --> 00:21:54.469
The good news about the forgiveness of sins
00:21:54.536 --> 00:21:56.605
The forgiveness of sins through jesus.
00:21:56.671 --> 00:21:59.574
Through jesus. so, my friends,
00:21:59.641 --> 00:22:01.276
So, my friends, those of you who know
00:22:01.343 --> 00:22:01.877
Those of you who know this book and those of you
00:22:01.943 --> 00:22:02.611
This book and those of you who don't, it's coming.
00:22:02.677 --> 00:22:05.947
Who don't, it's coming. your barbershop moment,
00:22:06.014 --> 00:22:09.317
Your barbershop moment, the time when you think,
00:22:09.384 --> 00:22:09.918
The time when you think, "i don't get it.
00:22:09.985 --> 00:22:10.886
"i don't get it. these people
00:22:10.952 --> 00:22:11.753
These people are smarter than me."
00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:13.422
Are smarter than me." please, when it comes,
00:22:13.488 --> 00:22:14.423
Please, when it comes, don't be almost honest.
00:22:14.489 --> 00:22:16.691
Don't be almost honest. don't try to impress people.
00:22:16.758 --> 00:22:19.227
Don't try to impress people. they will grow if you
00:22:19.294 --> 00:22:20.028
They will grow if you let them teach you,
00:22:20.095 --> 00:22:22.164
Let them teach you, and you'll grow
00:22:22.230 --> 00:22:22.864
And you'll grow in the process too.
00:22:22.931 --> 00:22:27.669
In the process too. about two months ago,
00:22:27.736 --> 00:22:28.303
About two months ago, i was sitting
00:22:28.370 --> 00:22:29.070
I was sitting in a barbershop chair
00:22:29.137 --> 00:22:29.771
In a barbershop chair and i had that moment.
00:22:29.838 --> 00:22:32.808
And i had that moment. place was packed,
00:22:32.874 --> 00:22:33.408
Place was packed, it was a friday afternoon
00:22:33.475 --> 00:22:34.543
It was a friday afternoon apparently everyone wanted
00:22:34.609 --> 00:22:35.343
Apparently everyone wanted a fresh fade before the weekend.
00:22:35.410 --> 00:22:37.345
A fresh fade before the weekend. and i'm sitting there with
00:22:37.412 --> 00:22:38.346
And i'm sitting there with all the black barbers,
00:22:38.413 --> 00:22:39.214
All the black barbers, all the black clientele,
00:22:39.281 --> 00:22:40.415
All the black clientele, and i had a question
00:22:40.482 --> 00:22:43.051
And i had a question about black lingo.
00:22:43.118 --> 00:22:45.720
About black lingo. see, i mentor a bunch
00:22:45.787 --> 00:22:46.655
See, i mentor a bunch of middle school boys
00:22:46.721 --> 00:22:47.522
Of middle school boys in our community
00:22:47.589 --> 00:22:48.256
In our community and every single week they use
00:22:48.323 --> 00:22:50.058
And every single week they use a phrase that i never quite
00:22:50.125 --> 00:22:51.193
A phrase that i never quite understood what it meant.
00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.561
Understood what it meant. the phrase "fittin' to."
00:22:52.627 --> 00:22:56.731
The phrase "fittin' to." like at basketball, like,
00:22:56.798 --> 00:22:57.966
Like at basketball, like, "pastor mike, i'm fittin' to
00:22:58.033 --> 00:22:59.100
"pastor mike, i'm fittin' to take you to the hole."
00:22:59.167 --> 00:23:01.937
Take you to the hole." i could guess
00:23:02.003 --> 00:23:03.538
I could guess what that means but
00:23:03.605 --> 00:23:04.673
What that means but i don't know what that means.
00:23:04.739 --> 00:23:05.440
I don't know what that means. "oh, man, i'm fittin' to
00:23:05.507 --> 00:23:06.641
"oh, man, i'm fittin' to get some chicken tenders
00:23:06.708 --> 00:23:07.609
Get some chicken tenders after school today."
00:23:07.676 --> 00:23:08.743
After school today." i'm like, "well, what?
00:23:08.810 --> 00:23:09.444
I'm like, "well, what? what are they --"
00:23:09.511 --> 00:23:09.911
[laughing]
00:23:10.278 --> 00:23:10.612
So, sitting in the chair like,
00:23:11.046 --> 00:23:11.713
So, sitting in the chair like, "well, here's a bunch of black
00:23:11.780 --> 00:23:12.647
"well, here's a bunch of black people that could help."
00:23:12.714 --> 00:23:14.449
People that could help." and so, i took a deep breath,
00:23:14.516 --> 00:23:16.785
And so, i took a deep breath, i wiped my hands underneath
00:23:16.852 --> 00:23:18.220
I wiped my hands underneath the cape and i said,
00:23:18.286 --> 00:23:18.920
The cape and i said, "hey, can i ask an ignorant
00:23:18.987 --> 00:23:19.888
"hey, can i ask an ignorant white guy question?"
00:23:19.955 --> 00:23:22.924
White guy question?" and the barber shop,
00:23:22.991 --> 00:23:23.758
And the barber shop, which was filled with noise,
00:23:23.825 --> 00:23:25.360
Which was filled with noise, got really quiet really fast.
00:23:25.427 --> 00:23:26.294
[laughing]
00:23:26.595 --> 00:23:27.028
I'm like, oh, no,
00:23:27.262 --> 00:23:27.696
I'm like, oh, no, this was a bad idea.
00:23:27.762 --> 00:23:28.430
[laughing]
00:23:28.830 --> 00:23:29.164
And so, i asked,
00:23:29.831 --> 00:23:30.632
And so, i asked, "sorry, what does
00:23:30.699 --> 00:23:31.700
"sorry, what does 'fittin' to' mean?"
00:23:31.766 --> 00:23:34.469
'fittin' to' mean?" and the barber
00:23:34.536 --> 00:23:34.970
And the barber next to me laughed.
00:23:35.036 --> 00:23:36.438
Next to me laughed. he said, "we're going to teach
00:23:36.505 --> 00:23:37.772
He said, "we're going to teach the pastor some ebonics."
00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:39.140
[laughing]
00:23:39.541 --> 00:23:41.543
And then, without judging me
00:23:42.043 --> 00:23:42.944
And then, without judging me and without dissing me,
00:23:43.011 --> 00:23:43.912
And without dissing me, without looking down on me,
00:23:43.979 --> 00:23:44.746
Without looking down on me, they just explained to me,
00:23:44.813 --> 00:23:46.314
They just explained to me, "pastor, 'fittin' to'
00:23:46.381 --> 00:23:46.915
"pastor, 'fittin' to' means 'about to.'
00:23:46.982 --> 00:23:50.085
Means 'about to.' i'm fittin' to take you
00:23:50.151 --> 00:23:50.685
I'm fittin' to take you to the hole, i'm about
00:23:50.752 --> 00:23:51.286
To the hole, i'm about to take you to the hole.
00:23:51.353 --> 00:23:52.020
To take you to the hole. i'm fittin' to get
00:23:52.087 --> 00:23:52.721
I'm fittin' to get some chicken tenders,
00:23:52.787 --> 00:23:53.522
Some chicken tenders, i'm about to get some
00:23:53.588 --> 00:23:54.122
I'm about to get some chicken tenders."
00:23:54.189 --> 00:23:54.956
Chicken tenders." it's a simple phrase
00:23:55.023 --> 00:23:56.057
It's a simple phrase that i didn't know.
00:23:56.124 --> 00:23:56.658
That i didn't know. it didn't make me dumb,
00:23:56.725 --> 00:23:58.793
It didn't make me dumb, just meant that
00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.361
Just meant that i needed to ask.
00:23:59.427 --> 00:24:02.797
I needed to ask. how about you?
00:24:02.864 --> 00:24:05.367
How about you? if you'd have the courage
00:24:05.433 --> 00:24:06.701
If you'd have the courage in those moments to care
00:24:06.768 --> 00:24:07.602
In those moments to care very little about
00:24:07.669 --> 00:24:08.336
Very little about your reputation and image
00:24:08.403 --> 00:24:09.638
Your reputation and image and very much about
00:24:09.704 --> 00:24:10.839
And very much about your spiritual growth?
00:24:10.906 --> 00:24:12.607
Your spiritual growth? from those moments when
00:24:12.674 --> 00:24:13.174
From those moments when you don't get it,
00:24:13.241 --> 00:24:14.109
You don't get it, you could just admit it,
00:24:14.175 --> 00:24:15.677
You could just admit it, i can guarantee you this,
00:24:15.744 --> 00:24:18.046
I can guarantee you this, you're fittin' to have the best
00:24:18.113 --> 00:24:20.882
You're fittin' to have the best spiritual life ever.
00:24:20.949 --> 00:24:24.386
Spiritual life ever. let's pray.
00:24:24.452 --> 00:24:26.187
Let's pray. dear god, all of us
00:24:26.254 --> 00:24:28.423
Dear god, all of us want to grow.
00:24:28.490 --> 00:24:29.558
Want to grow. i don't think any of us
00:24:29.624 --> 00:24:30.292
I don't think any of us wants to remain ignorant about
00:24:30.358 --> 00:24:31.927
Wants to remain ignorant about jesus or about salvation.
00:24:31.993 --> 00:24:34.930
Jesus or about salvation. but in those moments, father,
00:24:34.996 --> 00:24:36.831
But in those moments, father, you know how emotional
00:24:36.898 --> 00:24:38.033
You know how emotional it is for us.
00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.901
It is for us. we hate feeling less than,
00:24:39.968 --> 00:24:41.169
We hate feeling less than, we hate the thought of people
00:24:41.236 --> 00:24:43.138
We hate the thought of people looking down on us,
00:24:43.204 --> 00:24:43.972
Looking down on us, we hate the idea
00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.773
We hate the idea of being judged,
00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.941
Of being judged, and that's how the devil
00:24:46.007 --> 00:24:47.142
And that's how the devil deceives us into silence.
00:24:47.208 --> 00:24:49.244
Deceives us into silence. father, no more.
00:24:49.311 --> 00:24:52.681
Father, no more. when we're teaching
00:24:52.747 --> 00:24:53.448
When we're teaching our kids, god,
00:24:53.515 --> 00:24:54.516
Our kids, god, give them the courage
00:24:54.583 --> 00:24:55.216
Give them the courage to ask if they don't
00:24:55.283 --> 00:24:56.151
To ask if they don't understand what it means.
00:24:56.217 --> 00:24:57.452
Understand what it means. when i'm preaching sermons,
00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.353
When i'm preaching sermons, give me that humility to think
00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.487
Give me that humility to think what it's like to hear this
00:24:59.554 --> 00:25:00.655
What it's like to hear this for the very first time.
00:25:00.722 --> 00:25:02.624
For the very first time. rid our church and our studies
00:25:02.691 --> 00:25:04.125
Rid our church and our studies of assumptions that go over
00:25:04.192 --> 00:25:05.961
Of assumptions that go over the heads of people who
00:25:06.027 --> 00:25:06.795
The heads of people who really want to grow
00:25:06.861 --> 00:25:08.229
Really want to grow in their faith in jesus.
00:25:08.296 --> 00:25:10.765
In their faith in jesus. oh lord, i know in this place,
00:25:10.832 --> 00:25:11.933
Oh lord, i know in this place, through time of grace,
00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.034
Through time of grace, you have gathered hundreds,
00:25:13.101 --> 00:25:14.035
You have gathered hundreds, thousands of people
00:25:14.102 --> 00:25:15.103
Thousands of people who are fairly new to the word,
00:25:15.170 --> 00:25:16.805
Who are fairly new to the word, give them courage today
00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:18.673
Give them courage today to speak the truth.
00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:20.709
To speak the truth. and those of us who hear
00:25:20.775 --> 00:25:21.543
And those of us who hear their honest questions,
00:25:21.610 --> 00:25:22.577
Their honest questions, may we respond in love
00:25:22.644 --> 00:25:24.412
May we respond in love just like you do to us
00:25:24.479 --> 00:25:25.146
Just like you do to us through your word.
00:25:25.213 --> 00:25:26.681
Through your word. we pray all these things
00:25:26.748 --> 00:25:27.315
We pray all these things because we need
00:25:27.382 --> 00:25:28.049
Because we need your help to do it well,
00:25:28.116 --> 00:25:29.517
Your help to do it well, and we know that you hear
00:25:29.584 --> 00:25:30.251
And we know that you hear this prayer and have
00:25:30.318 --> 00:25:30.952
This prayer and have promised to answer.
00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.420
Promised to answer. it's in jesus name that we pray,
00:25:32.487 --> 00:25:34.122
It's in jesus name that we pray, and all god's people said, amen.
00:25:34.189 --> 00:25:36.224
>> thanks pastor mike
00:25:37.025 --> 00:25:37.792
>> thanks pastor mike for reminding us it's okay
00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.194
For reminding us it's okay if we don't know
00:25:39.260 --> 00:25:39.995
If we don't know about god and the bible,
00:25:40.061 --> 00:25:41.396
About god and the bible, but to be courageous enough
00:25:41.463 --> 00:25:42.697
But to be courageous enough to ask for help so we continue
00:25:42.764 --> 00:25:44.399
To ask for help so we continue to grow in our faith.
00:25:44.466 --> 00:25:45.934
To grow in our faith. thanks to some generous friends
00:25:46.001 --> 00:25:47.302
Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry,
00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:47.969
Of the ministry, we have a $125,000
00:25:48.036 --> 00:25:50.105
We have a $125,000 challenge grant this month.
00:25:50.171 --> 00:25:51.573
Challenge grant this month. that means your gift
00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.474
That means your gift will go twice as far
00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:53.675
Will go twice as far in helping us speak
00:25:53.742 --> 00:25:54.676
In helping us speak with grace and truth
00:25:54.743 --> 00:25:55.710
With grace and truth about real life topics.
00:25:55.777 --> 00:25:57.646
About real life topics. and when you give,
00:25:57.712 --> 00:25:58.580
And when you give, we want to send you
00:25:58.647 --> 00:25:59.414
We want to send you this new book.
00:25:59.481 --> 00:26:00.482
This new book. here's a little more about it.
00:26:00.548 --> 00:26:01.449
>> ever felt trapped
00:26:02.917 --> 00:26:03.752
By a secret you want
00:26:03.852 --> 00:26:05.353
To confess or confront,
00:26:05.453 --> 00:26:09.591
But fear and shame
00:26:09.691 --> 00:26:10.659
Keep you silent?
00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.727
You're not alone.
00:26:12.827 --> 00:26:13.995
Pastor mike novotny's new book,
00:26:14.095 --> 00:26:16.831
"how to talk taboo,"
00:26:16.931 --> 00:26:18.033
Gives you the courage
00:26:18.133 --> 00:26:19.167
To break free.
00:26:19.267 --> 00:26:20.402
It's a practical guide
00:26:20.502 --> 00:26:21.469
To honest confession
00:26:21.569 --> 00:26:22.704
And brave confrontation
00:26:22.804 --> 00:26:24.406
And the skills that build
00:26:24.506 --> 00:26:25.507
Real christian community
00:26:25.607 --> 00:26:27.008
And help you and others
00:26:27.108 --> 00:26:28.243
Break free from shame.
00:26:28.343 --> 00:26:32.147
"how to talk taboo"
00:26:32.247 --> 00:26:33.081
Is our way of thanking
00:26:33.181 --> 00:26:33.815
You for helping us
00:26:33.915 --> 00:26:34.683
Show more people how
00:26:34.783 --> 00:26:35.817
Honesty leads to lasting
00:26:35.917 --> 00:26:36.751
Hope and healing.
00:26:36.851 --> 00:26:38.386
Request yours today
00:26:38.486 --> 00:26:39.320
By calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:39.421 --> 00:26:42.757
Visiting timeofgrace.org
00:26:42.857 --> 00:26:44.225
Or writing us at p.o. box 301
00:26:44.325 --> 00:26:46.928
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:26:47.028 --> 00:26:49.431
>> time of grace
00:26:52.467 --> 00:26:53.301
Doesn't end here.
00:26:53.401 --> 00:26:55.036
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:55.136 --> 00:26:56.905
And explore
00:26:57.005 --> 00:26:57.472
Encouraging resources
00:26:57.572 --> 00:26:58.973
Or sign up for our daily email
00:26:59.074 --> 00:27:00.308
And have everything delivered
00:27:00.408 --> 00:27:01.209
Right to your inbox, like our
00:27:01.309 --> 00:27:03.111
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00:27:05.513 --> 00:27:07.982
Follow us on social media
00:27:08.083 --> 00:27:09.718
Where you'll find a supportive
00:27:09.818 --> 00:27:10.752
Christian community.
00:27:10.852 --> 00:27:11.920
Do you need prayer?
00:27:12.020 --> 00:27:13.054
Contact us and let us know
00:27:13.154 --> 00:27:14.355
What's on your heart.
00:27:14.456 --> 00:27:15.490
Thank you so much
00:27:15.590 --> 00:27:16.224
For your support.
00:27:16.324 --> 00:27:16.825
>> see you next week
00:27:17.992 --> 00:27:18.626
On time of grace.
00:27:18.693 --> 00:27:19.627

Mike Novotny - Still Need To Admit You Don't Understand

August 19, 2025 | 29:4

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