Mike Novotny - Tackling Tough Topics (Part 3)

December 18, 2025 | 29:4

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

#Bible #Culture #SeekGod #SpiritualGrowth #Humility #Faith #GlorifyGod #Honor #MikeNovotny

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - Tackling Tough Topics (Part 3) | December 18, 2025

♪ ♪
00:00:06.963 --> 00:00:18.741
>> jonathan, is it time for us
00:00:20.410 --> 00:00:21.177
>> jonathan, is it time for us to pray and get at it?
00:00:21.244 --> 00:00:22.512
To pray and get at it? >> it is.
00:00:22.579 --> 00:00:23.379
>> it is. >> all right.
00:00:23.446 --> 00:00:23.813
>> all right. >> let's get after it.
00:00:23.880 --> 00:00:24.781
>> let's get after it. >> let's do it.
00:00:24.848 --> 00:00:25.415
>> let's do it. all right, let's pray.
00:00:25.482 --> 00:00:27.016
All right, let's pray. dear god, i know i have
00:00:27.083 --> 00:00:28.418
Dear god, i know i have had so many questions about
00:00:28.485 --> 00:00:31.588
Had so many questions about the bible, about jesus,
00:00:31.654 --> 00:00:32.889
About the christian faith.
00:00:32.989 --> 00:00:35.925
About the christian faith. as i've gotten older
00:00:35.992 --> 00:00:36.493
As i've gotten older and met more people with
00:00:36.559 --> 00:00:37.494
And met more people with different backgrounds
00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:38.828
Different backgrounds and beliefs and values,
00:00:38.895 --> 00:00:40.697
And beliefs and values, those questions have sometimes
00:00:40.763 --> 00:00:41.331
Those questions have sometimes increased instead of decreased.
00:00:41.397 --> 00:00:45.068
Increased instead of decreased. and i have a hunch
00:00:45.135 --> 00:00:45.668
And i have a hunch that all of us are kind
00:00:45.735 --> 00:00:46.469
That all of us are kind of in that same boat,
00:00:46.536 --> 00:00:47.237
Of in that same boat, we've always wondered why this
00:00:47.303 --> 00:00:49.172
We've always wondered why this or what about that.
00:00:49.239 --> 00:00:51.141
Or what about that. and so, i pray that you
00:00:51.207 --> 00:00:51.875
And so, i pray that you would lead us to some
00:00:51.941 --> 00:00:52.575
Would lead us to some really good answers today.
00:00:52.642 --> 00:00:55.211
Really good answers today. help our hearts come
00:00:55.278 --> 00:00:55.912
Help our hearts come to that conclusion that
00:00:55.979 --> 00:00:56.679
To that conclusion that your word is truth,
00:00:56.746 --> 00:00:57.981
Your word is truth, that your word is good,
00:00:58.047 --> 00:01:00.016
That your word is good, and if your word leads us
00:01:00.083 --> 00:01:00.750
And if your word leads us to jesus, it's always
00:01:00.817 --> 00:01:01.818
To jesus, it's always what is best for us.
00:01:01.885 --> 00:01:03.953
What is best for us. please god, i'm praying
00:01:04.020 --> 00:01:05.188
Please god, i'm praying for a sharp mind,
00:01:05.255 --> 00:01:05.822
For a sharp mind, that i wouldn't
00:01:05.889 --> 00:01:06.422
That i wouldn't forget that things that
00:01:06.489 --> 00:01:07.157
Forget that things that i've learned from your word,
00:01:07.223 --> 00:01:08.925
I've learned from your word, and i'm praying for all of us
00:01:08.992 --> 00:01:09.792
And i'm praying for all of us that you would give us
00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:10.593
That you would give us humble hearts to receive
00:01:10.660 --> 00:01:11.461
Humble hearts to receive the things that jesus had
00:01:11.528 --> 00:01:12.495
The things that jesus had to say as good and true
00:01:12.562 --> 00:01:14.664
To say as good and true and worthy of our trust.
00:01:14.731 --> 00:01:16.633
And worthy of our trust. we pray all these things and ask
00:01:16.699 --> 00:01:17.667
We pray all these things and ask for you to glorify this service
00:01:17.734 --> 00:01:19.636
For you to glorify this service and ask them in jesus' name,
00:01:19.702 --> 00:01:21.371
And ask them in jesus' name, and everyone said, amen.
00:01:21.437 --> 00:01:24.274
And everyone said, amen. >> alright, how can i biblically
00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:28.678
>> alright, how can i biblically honor my father who abused me
00:01:28.745 --> 00:01:31.748
Honor my father who abused me physically, sexually,
00:01:31.814 --> 00:01:32.849
Physically, sexually, emotionally, especially
00:01:32.916 --> 00:01:34.784
Emotionally, especially while trying to remain safe?
00:01:34.851 --> 00:01:37.053
While trying to remain safe? what does honoring an abusive
00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:38.555
What does honoring an abusive parent look like?
00:01:38.621 --> 00:01:45.695
Parent look like? >> oh man.
00:01:45.762 --> 00:01:50.567
>> oh man. man, i hate that
00:01:50.633 --> 00:01:52.101
Man, i hate that this stuff happens.
00:01:52.168 --> 00:01:54.137
This stuff happens. god -- god created fathers
00:01:54.204 --> 00:01:59.108
God -- god created fathers to be a glimpse of what god
00:01:59.175 --> 00:02:01.411
To be a glimpse of what god is like as a heavenly father.
00:02:01.477 --> 00:02:04.080
Is like as a heavenly father. god is so strong, and he's safe,
00:02:04.147 --> 00:02:06.816
God is so strong, and he's safe, and you can rest
00:02:06.883 --> 00:02:07.684
And you can rest in his presence,
00:02:07.750 --> 00:02:08.551
In his presence, and he's good,
00:02:08.618 --> 00:02:09.619
And he's good, and he's forgiving, and when --
00:02:09.686 --> 00:02:11.487
And he's forgiving, and when -- when human dads don't
00:02:11.554 --> 00:02:12.422
When human dads don't just fall short of that,
00:02:12.488 --> 00:02:13.556
Just fall short of that, but they twist that
00:02:13.623 --> 00:02:14.324
But they twist that in the worst way,
00:02:14.390 --> 00:02:15.124
In the worst way, it's just like
00:02:15.191 --> 00:02:15.758
It's just like the most blasphemous thing
00:02:15.825 --> 00:02:17.961
The most blasphemous thing that a dad could do,
00:02:18.027 --> 00:02:20.396
That a dad could do, and it could mess
00:02:20.463 --> 00:02:20.897
And it could mess people up spiritually.
00:02:20.964 --> 00:02:23.266
People up spiritually. i'm so grateful that
00:02:23.333 --> 00:02:24.634
I'm so grateful that whichever one of you this is,
00:02:24.701 --> 00:02:26.603
Whichever one of you this is, like, you're still here.
00:02:26.669 --> 00:02:27.704
Like, you're still here. there's a lot of people who are
00:02:27.770 --> 00:02:28.638
There's a lot of people who are abused by their fathers
00:02:28.705 --> 00:02:29.806
Abused by their fathers who assume that god,
00:02:29.872 --> 00:02:31.641
Who assume that god, the heavenly father,
00:02:31.708 --> 00:02:32.275
The heavenly father, must be the same way,
00:02:32.342 --> 00:02:33.409
Must be the same way, so i thank god for
00:02:33.476 --> 00:02:34.877
So i thank god for the grace that kept you
00:02:34.944 --> 00:02:36.646
The grace that kept you connected to jesus.
00:02:36.713 --> 00:02:37.914
Connected to jesus. and asking a question
00:02:37.981 --> 00:02:38.815
And asking a question like this it's miraculous,
00:02:38.881 --> 00:02:39.849
Like this it's miraculous, it doesn't always happen.
00:02:39.916 --> 00:02:42.185
It doesn't always happen. i work with a guy,
00:02:42.252 --> 00:02:43.186
I work with a guy, i know personally,
00:02:43.253 --> 00:02:43.953
I know personally, who's kind of a leading,
00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:45.788
Who's kind of a leading, like, protecting children
00:02:45.855 --> 00:02:46.823
Like, protecting children from child abuse and he
00:02:46.889 --> 00:02:48.191
From child abuse and he tells me so many stories of,
00:02:48.258 --> 00:02:50.260
Tells me so many stories of, like, people just run the other
00:02:50.326 --> 00:02:52.028
Like, people just run the other way in moments like this.
00:02:52.095 --> 00:02:53.296
Way in moments like this. so, i want to answer
00:02:53.363 --> 00:02:54.497
So, i want to answer this question,
00:02:54.564 --> 00:02:54.831
This question, but i just want to honor,
00:02:54.897 --> 00:02:55.598
But i just want to honor, like, thank you for
00:02:55.665 --> 00:02:57.600
Like, thank you for being here and not letting
00:02:57.667 --> 00:02:58.401
Being here and not letting the devil win twice.
00:02:58.468 --> 00:03:00.270
The devil win twice. like, he won with your dad
00:03:00.336 --> 00:03:01.771
Like, he won with your dad when he led him into such sins,
00:03:01.838 --> 00:03:03.339
When he led him into such sins, and he wanted to lead you away
00:03:03.406 --> 00:03:04.874
And he wanted to lead you away from your heavenly dad.
00:03:04.941 --> 00:03:06.175
From your heavenly dad. so, i praise god
00:03:06.242 --> 00:03:07.076
So, i praise god that you're here.
00:03:07.143 --> 00:03:09.178
That you're here. how do you honor him?
00:03:09.245 --> 00:03:12.615
How do you honor him? man, i think the question
00:03:12.682 --> 00:03:13.416
Man, i think the question got to most of it.
00:03:13.483 --> 00:03:14.284
Got to most of it. the bible says that
00:03:14.350 --> 00:03:15.151
The bible says that we should forgive everyone
00:03:15.218 --> 00:03:17.987
We should forgive everyone whether they're sorry or not,
00:03:18.054 --> 00:03:19.489
Whether they're sorry or not, which essentially means
00:03:19.555 --> 00:03:20.156
Which essentially means i don't have the right
00:03:20.223 --> 00:03:22.358
I don't have the right to get revenge.
00:03:22.425 --> 00:03:24.661
To get revenge. so, one of the ways
00:03:24.727 --> 00:03:25.295
So, one of the ways you could honor god in
00:03:25.361 --> 00:03:26.195
You could honor god in the situation if you're
00:03:26.262 --> 00:03:27.063
The situation if you're an abuse victim is not to,
00:03:27.130 --> 00:03:28.298
An abuse victim is not to, like, hold on to what
00:03:28.364 --> 00:03:29.766
Like, hold on to what happened and think,
00:03:29.832 --> 00:03:30.533
Happened and think, "well, because he did
00:03:30.600 --> 00:03:31.334
"well, because he did that i can do this
00:03:31.401 --> 00:03:32.635
That i can do this and because she said that
00:03:32.702 --> 00:03:33.403
And because she said that i can say this."
00:03:33.469 --> 00:03:34.804
I can say this." like, we're supposed to leave
00:03:34.871 --> 00:03:35.972
Like, we're supposed to leave the justice to god and not
00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:37.974
The justice to god and not take personal vengeance.
00:03:38.041 --> 00:03:40.076
Take personal vengeance. so, one way you honor god
00:03:40.143 --> 00:03:41.944
So, one way you honor god as an abuse victim
00:03:42.011 --> 00:03:42.945
As an abuse victim is to let that go.
00:03:43.012 --> 00:03:44.514
Is to let that go. it's what we pray
00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:45.048
It's what we pray in the lord's prayer,
00:03:45.114 --> 00:03:45.748
In the lord's prayer, "forgive us our sins
00:03:45.815 --> 00:03:46.382
"forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin
00:03:46.449 --> 00:03:48.318
As we forgive those who sin against us."
00:03:48.384 --> 00:03:50.520
Against us." but then keeping distance.
00:03:50.586 --> 00:03:51.321
But then keeping distance. the proverbs talk about
00:03:51.387 --> 00:03:52.822
The proverbs talk about all the time.
00:03:52.889 --> 00:03:53.523
All the time. like, sometimes christians
00:03:53.589 --> 00:03:54.457
Like, sometimes christians get this impression,
00:03:54.524 --> 00:03:55.325
Get this impression, well we're supposed to be
00:03:55.391 --> 00:03:56.159
Well we're supposed to be so loving and forgiving
00:03:56.225 --> 00:03:56.726
So loving and forgiving that we can just be
00:03:56.793 --> 00:03:57.460
That we can just be door mats and people can do
00:03:57.527 --> 00:03:58.528
Door mats and people can do whatever and we're supposed to
00:03:58.594 --> 00:03:59.462
Whatever and we're supposed to just love them unconditionally,
00:03:59.529 --> 00:04:00.797
Just love them unconditionally, but that's not biblically true,
00:04:00.863 --> 00:04:02.432
But that's not biblically true, that's like half of it.
00:04:02.498 --> 00:04:03.099
That's like half of it. and the bible also says
00:04:03.166 --> 00:04:04.867
And the bible also says that a companion
00:04:04.934 --> 00:04:05.668
That a companion of fools suffers harm,
00:04:05.735 --> 00:04:08.805
Of fools suffers harm, and abusive people are
00:04:08.871 --> 00:04:09.572
And abusive people are the biggest kind of fools,
00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:12.675
The biggest kind of fools, you know, thinking they can
00:04:12.742 --> 00:04:13.309
You know, thinking they can use fear and force
00:04:13.376 --> 00:04:14.944
Use fear and force to maintain power and control.
00:04:15.011 --> 00:04:16.546
To maintain power and control. and so, keeping your distance,
00:04:16.612 --> 00:04:18.281
And so, keeping your distance, forgiving from a distance.
00:04:18.348 --> 00:04:19.749
Forgiving from a distance. if there's some big change
00:04:19.816 --> 00:04:20.717
If there's some big change in your father's heart
00:04:20.783 --> 00:04:21.651
In your father's heart and he comes back begging
00:04:21.718 --> 00:04:22.752
And he comes back begging for mercy with real evidence
00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:24.520
For mercy with real evidence of life change, them i'm --
00:04:24.587 --> 00:04:26.055
Of life change, them i'm -- maybe, maybe i'd explore
00:04:26.122 --> 00:04:27.857
Maybe, maybe i'd explore a relationship but until then,
00:04:27.924 --> 00:04:29.492
A relationship but until then, please, don't let yourself
00:04:29.559 --> 00:04:31.527
Please, don't let yourself get hurt again.
00:04:31.594 --> 00:04:33.730
Get hurt again. "keep your distance from fools
00:04:33.796 --> 00:04:34.564
"keep your distance from fools because a companion of fools
00:04:34.630 --> 00:04:36.466
Because a companion of fools will suffer harm."
00:04:36.532 --> 00:04:38.468
Will suffer harm." >> alright.
00:04:38.534 --> 00:04:39.702
>> alright. is it wrong for christians
00:04:39.769 --> 00:04:41.971
Is it wrong for christians to use cannabis or alcohol
00:04:42.038 --> 00:04:44.140
To use cannabis or alcohol either for relief
00:04:44.207 --> 00:04:45.274
Either for relief or recreational purposes?
00:04:45.341 --> 00:04:47.477
Or recreational purposes? >> oh.
00:04:47.543 --> 00:04:50.713
>> oh. there's this time that james
00:04:50.780 --> 00:04:51.447
There's this time that james and john were smoking weed up
00:04:51.514 --> 00:04:53.015
And john were smoking weed up in gal -- no --
00:04:53.082 --> 00:04:54.183
[laughter]
00:04:54.617 --> 00:04:55.918
>> and jesus caught them
00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:58.154
>> and jesus caught them and tattled on them.
00:04:58.221 --> 00:04:58.921
[laughing]
00:04:59.222 --> 00:05:01.924
>> yeah so, let's take
00:05:03.593 --> 00:05:06.662
>> yeah so, let's take the alcohol question first.
00:05:06.729 --> 00:05:09.065
The alcohol question first. the bible in many passages,
00:05:09.132 --> 00:05:10.433
The bible in many passages, and this is sometimes
00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:11.100
And this is sometimes debated among christians,
00:05:11.167 --> 00:05:12.602
Debated among christians, the bible says that
00:05:12.668 --> 00:05:14.871
The bible says that drinking alcohol is okay,
00:05:14.937 --> 00:05:16.672
Drinking alcohol is okay, but that drunkenness is not.
00:05:16.739 --> 00:05:20.810
But that drunkenness is not. there's a passage,
00:05:20.877 --> 00:05:21.744
There's a passage, let me find it real quick,
00:05:21.811 --> 00:05:22.478
Let me find it real quick, in the book of ephesians
00:05:22.545 --> 00:05:23.513
In the book of ephesians that says, "do not get
00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:25.548
That says, "do not get drunk on wine --"
00:05:25.615 --> 00:05:26.949
Drunk on wine --" find it real fast,
00:05:27.016 --> 00:05:27.617
Find it real fast, so i can quote it.
00:05:27.683 --> 00:05:28.551
So i can quote it. "do not get drunk on wine
00:05:28.618 --> 00:05:29.652
"do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery."
00:05:29.719 --> 00:05:31.754
Which leads to debauchery." there it is, ephesians 5:18,
00:05:31.821 --> 00:05:34.223
There it is, ephesians 5:18, "instead be filled with
00:05:34.290 --> 00:05:35.224
"instead be filled with the spirit."
00:05:35.291 --> 00:05:36.893
The spirit." so, god's concern is that
00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:37.827
So, god's concern is that when we drink too much
00:05:37.894 --> 00:05:39.629
When we drink too much it leads to other things
00:05:39.695 --> 00:05:40.496
It leads to other things that are not so good.
00:05:40.563 --> 00:05:42.131
That are not so good. sometimes we say things,
00:05:42.198 --> 00:05:43.099
Sometimes we say things, sometimes we do things.
00:05:43.166 --> 00:05:44.500
Sometimes we do things. how many acts of violence,
00:05:44.567 --> 00:05:46.302
How many acts of violence, or abuse, or sexual immorality,
00:05:46.369 --> 00:05:47.637
Or abuse, or sexual immorality, or gossip happen because
00:05:47.703 --> 00:05:49.705
Or gossip happen because people have lost, like,
00:05:49.772 --> 00:05:50.673
People have lost, like, the brakes of their
00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:51.574
The brakes of their conscience because they've
00:05:51.641 --> 00:05:52.542
Conscience because they've been drinking too much?
00:05:52.608 --> 00:05:53.576
Been drinking too much? or, as we talked about
00:05:53.643 --> 00:05:54.577
Or, as we talked about recently in a gluttony sermon,
00:05:54.644 --> 00:05:55.912
Recently in a gluttony sermon, you might not do anything
00:05:55.978 --> 00:05:56.813
You might not do anything crazy when you're drunk
00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:57.847
Crazy when you're drunk but because your body
00:05:57.914 --> 00:05:59.182
But because your body was not made for drunkenness
00:05:59.248 --> 00:05:59.916
Was not made for drunkenness after it's over you will
00:05:59.982 --> 00:06:02.418
After it's over you will not be running at, like,
00:06:02.485 --> 00:06:03.286
Not be running at, like, 100% of your ability
00:06:03.352 --> 00:06:04.387
100% of your ability to love other people.
00:06:04.454 --> 00:06:06.756
To love other people. so, if you're sluggish
00:06:06.823 --> 00:06:07.457
So, if you're sluggish the morning after having
00:06:07.523 --> 00:06:08.257
The morning after having too many beers
00:06:08.324 --> 00:06:08.958
Too many beers and your kid wants to play
00:06:09.025 --> 00:06:09.892
And your kid wants to play catch and you're like,
00:06:09.959 --> 00:06:10.426
Catch and you're like, "no, no, just let me sleep."
00:06:10.493 --> 00:06:12.328
"no, no, just let me sleep." like, it's not what
00:06:12.395 --> 00:06:13.996
Like, it's not what you necessarily did
00:06:14.063 --> 00:06:14.697
You necessarily did when you were drunk,
00:06:14.764 --> 00:06:15.331
When you were drunk, it's what you didn't do
00:06:15.398 --> 00:06:16.098
It's what you didn't do because you got drunk.
00:06:16.165 --> 00:06:17.767
Because you got drunk. and so, the bible wants us
00:06:17.834 --> 00:06:18.534
And so, the bible wants us to be sharp minded.
00:06:18.601 --> 00:06:19.902
To be sharp minded. if the devil is real,
00:06:19.969 --> 00:06:20.703
If the devil is real, if temptation is real,
00:06:20.770 --> 00:06:21.571
If temptation is real, we need all
00:06:21.637 --> 00:06:22.271
We need all of our thinking power.
00:06:22.338 --> 00:06:23.840
Of our thinking power. on the cannabis side of things,
00:06:23.906 --> 00:06:24.841
On the cannabis side of things, i've never had weed before.
00:06:24.907 --> 00:06:28.144
I've never had weed before. i've asked people, like,
00:06:28.211 --> 00:06:28.878
I've asked people, like, "what do you think?
00:06:28.945 --> 00:06:29.745
"what do you think? do you think.
00:06:29.812 --> 00:06:30.480
Do you think. like, christians can use weed?"
00:06:30.546 --> 00:06:31.714
Like, christians can use weed?" and sometimes they'll go back
00:06:31.781 --> 00:06:32.582
And sometimes they'll go back and forth and then i say,
00:06:32.648 --> 00:06:33.316
And forth and then i say, "would it bother you
00:06:33.382 --> 00:06:34.484
"would it bother you if you knew your pastor
00:06:34.550 --> 00:06:35.251
If you knew your pastor smoked weed?"
00:06:35.318 --> 00:06:38.588
Smoked weed?" and then they always be
00:06:38.654 --> 00:06:39.255
And then they always be quiet really quickly.
00:06:39.322 --> 00:06:40.289
[laughter]
00:06:40.590 --> 00:06:41.457
So i -- i think
00:06:41.724 --> 00:06:44.393
So i -- i think if god's goal for us is to,
00:06:44.460 --> 00:06:45.995
If god's goal for us is to, like, maximum love him
00:06:46.062 --> 00:06:47.597
Like, maximum love him and other people and if
00:06:47.663 --> 00:06:48.764
And other people and if that gets in the way,
00:06:48.831 --> 00:06:49.632
That gets in the way, if it leads me into laziness
00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:51.801
If it leads me into laziness instead of being full powered
00:06:51.868 --> 00:06:52.668
Instead of being full powered up to love people,
00:06:52.735 --> 00:06:54.303
Up to love people, then i think god would
00:06:54.370 --> 00:06:55.271
Then i think god would have a problem with it.
00:06:55.338 --> 00:06:56.305
Have a problem with it. so, be sharp minded,
00:06:56.372 --> 00:06:57.907
So, be sharp minded, this comes up in
00:06:57.974 --> 00:06:58.441
This comes up in a lot of paul's teachings,
00:06:58.508 --> 00:07:00.142
A lot of paul's teachings, "be alert and keep on praying
00:07:00.209 --> 00:07:01.744
"be alert and keep on praying for all the lord's people."
00:07:01.811 --> 00:07:02.912
For all the lord's people." that's ephesians 6:18.
00:07:02.979 --> 00:07:05.648
That's ephesians 6:18. so, i can say okay to alcohol,
00:07:05.715 --> 00:07:08.551
So, i can say okay to alcohol, no to drunkenness,
00:07:08.618 --> 00:07:10.052
No to drunkenness, and really no to any substance
00:07:10.119 --> 00:07:11.621
And really no to any substance that would mess with
00:07:11.687 --> 00:07:12.288
That would mess with your sharpness to be able
00:07:12.355 --> 00:07:13.222
Your sharpness to be able to follow jesus and love
00:07:13.289 --> 00:07:14.557
To follow jesus and love people well.
00:07:14.624 --> 00:07:16.492
>> i've never thought
00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:17.693
>> i've never thought about how would i feel
00:07:17.760 --> 00:07:18.528
About how would i feel if my pastor was...
00:07:18.594 --> 00:07:21.497
If my pastor was... that's an interesting way
00:07:21.564 --> 00:07:22.131
That's an interesting way to think about it.
00:07:22.198 --> 00:07:24.133
To think about it. >> indeed.
00:07:24.200 --> 00:07:24.967
>> indeed. >> indeed.
00:07:25.034 --> 00:07:25.568
>> indeed. wow.
00:07:25.635 --> 00:07:27.403
Wow. alright, the question is:
00:07:27.470 --> 00:07:28.838
Alright, the question is: is it normal to have
00:07:28.905 --> 00:07:30.172
Is it normal to have doubts about god,
00:07:30.239 --> 00:07:31.974
Doubts about god, doubts about your faith,
00:07:32.041 --> 00:07:33.509
Doubts about your faith, and even doubts about heaven?
00:07:33.576 --> 00:07:35.745
And even doubts about heaven? and i think a related question
00:07:35.811 --> 00:07:38.147
And i think a related question may be a separate question but,
00:07:38.214 --> 00:07:39.248
May be a separate question but, if i'm afraid to die,
00:07:39.315 --> 00:07:41.317
If i'm afraid to die, does that mean i'm not
00:07:41.384 --> 00:07:42.051
Does that mean i'm not going to heaven?
00:07:42.118 --> 00:07:43.252
Going to heaven? if i have that fear?
00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:48.858
If i have that fear? >> doubt is totally normal,
00:07:48.925 --> 00:07:53.262
>> doubt is totally normal, especially in
00:07:53.329 --> 00:07:54.063
Especially in certain circumstances.
00:07:54.130 --> 00:07:57.266
Certain circumstances. when you're going
00:07:57.333 --> 00:07:57.700
When you're going through incredible pain
00:07:57.767 --> 00:07:59.635
Through incredible pain and it's so visceral,
00:07:59.702 --> 00:08:00.603
And it's so visceral, like you've been struggling for
00:08:00.670 --> 00:08:01.704
Like you've been struggling for something for so long, like,
00:08:01.771 --> 00:08:03.606
Something for so long, like, "god, why won't you help my kid.
00:08:03.673 --> 00:08:05.675
"god, why won't you help my kid. god, why is this chronic pain?
00:08:05.741 --> 00:08:07.209
God, why is this chronic pain? why won't you let me
00:08:07.276 --> 00:08:07.810
Why won't you let me get pregnant?"
00:08:07.877 --> 00:08:08.945
Get pregnant?" i think doubt
00:08:09.011 --> 00:08:09.712
I think doubt is a very human reaction.
00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:10.947
Is a very human reaction. i also think that the bible
00:08:11.013 --> 00:08:12.582
I also think that the bible says the gospel of jesus
00:08:12.648 --> 00:08:14.417
Says the gospel of jesus is called a mystery,
00:08:14.483 --> 00:08:16.118
Is called a mystery, which means it's such
00:08:16.185 --> 00:08:18.220
Which means it's such good news that
00:08:18.287 --> 00:08:19.088
Good news that it's almost unbelievable.
00:08:19.155 --> 00:08:20.222
It's almost unbelievable. "like, god would
00:08:20.289 --> 00:08:20.957
"like, god would just forgive me,
00:08:21.023 --> 00:08:22.158
Just forgive me, single handedly save me
00:08:22.224 --> 00:08:24.527
Single handedly save me for all of it?
00:08:24.594 --> 00:08:25.962
For all of it? like, wow, like how?
00:08:26.028 --> 00:08:28.664
Like, wow, like how? no way."
00:08:28.731 --> 00:08:31.233
No way." now, what we do
00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:31.801
Now, what we do with the doubt,
00:08:31.867 --> 00:08:33.002
With the doubt, i'm not going to say
00:08:33.069 --> 00:08:33.603
I'm not going to say that's right or wrong,
00:08:33.669 --> 00:08:34.103
That's right or wrong, i say what you do with
00:08:34.170 --> 00:08:34.937
I say what you do with the doubt really,
00:08:35.004 --> 00:08:35.471
The doubt really, really matters.
00:08:35.538 --> 00:08:36.439
Really matters. so, asking questions like
00:08:36.505 --> 00:08:37.340
So, asking questions like we're trying to do today
00:08:37.406 --> 00:08:38.474
We're trying to do today is a great way
00:08:38.541 --> 00:08:39.008
Is a great way to deal with doubt.
00:08:39.075 --> 00:08:39.742
To deal with doubt. reaching out to people who
00:08:39.809 --> 00:08:40.710
Reaching out to people who are strong in their faith
00:08:40.776 --> 00:08:41.544
Are strong in their faith and close to jesus is
00:08:41.611 --> 00:08:42.712
And close to jesus is an awesome way to deal with --
00:08:42.778 --> 00:08:43.646
An awesome way to deal with -- grabbing god's word
00:08:43.713 --> 00:08:44.447
Grabbing god's word and finding his answer is a
00:08:44.513 --> 00:08:45.548
And finding his answer is a great way to deal with doubt.
00:08:45.615 --> 00:08:47.249
Great way to deal with doubt. if god says something really
00:08:47.316 --> 00:08:48.751
If god says something really clearly and then we doubt it,
00:08:48.818 --> 00:08:51.087
Clearly and then we doubt it, that's when it's moving from,
00:08:51.153 --> 00:08:51.787
That's when it's moving from, like, doubt into disbelief.
00:08:51.854 --> 00:08:54.123
Like, doubt into disbelief. like, "thanks for the advice,
00:08:54.190 --> 00:08:55.157
Like, "thanks for the advice, god but obviously that
00:08:55.224 --> 00:08:55.992
God but obviously that can't be right."
00:08:56.058 --> 00:08:57.627
Can't be right." so, i think doubt
00:08:57.693 --> 00:08:58.661
So, i think doubt in itself is amoral,
00:08:58.728 --> 00:09:00.029
In itself is amoral, it's not right or wrong
00:09:00.096 --> 00:09:01.063
It's not right or wrong but what you do with it
00:09:01.130 --> 00:09:02.264
But what you do with it can either be beautiful
00:09:02.331 --> 00:09:03.499
Can either be beautiful for your faith or really
00:09:03.566 --> 00:09:05.368
For your faith or really tragic for your faith.
00:09:05.434 --> 00:09:07.970
Tragic for your faith. now, the question is,
00:09:08.037 --> 00:09:08.971
Now, the question is, if i'm scared to die,
00:09:09.038 --> 00:09:11.207
If i'm scared to die, like what happens then?
00:09:11.273 --> 00:09:12.875
Like what happens then? if you have
00:09:12.942 --> 00:09:13.943
If you have a connection to jesus,
00:09:14.010 --> 00:09:14.844
A connection to jesus, whether it's an amazingly
00:09:14.910 --> 00:09:16.379
Whether it's an amazingly strong faith where,
00:09:16.445 --> 00:09:17.380
Strong faith where, "i can't wait to die,
00:09:17.446 --> 00:09:18.047
"i can't wait to die, i'm going to see
00:09:18.114 --> 00:09:18.614
I'm going to see the face of god,"
00:09:18.681 --> 00:09:19.515
The face of god," or it's kind
00:09:19.582 --> 00:09:20.383
Or it's kind of a so-so faith like,
00:09:20.449 --> 00:09:21.050
Of a so-so faith like, "oh, i have
00:09:21.117 --> 00:09:21.784
"oh, i have some fears about this,
00:09:21.851 --> 00:09:22.318
Some fears about this, but i know he saves me."
00:09:22.385 --> 00:09:23.252
But i know he saves me." or a little faith like,
00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:24.186
Or a little faith like, "oh god, i'm so
00:09:24.253 --> 00:09:24.687
"oh god, i'm so terrified of this."
00:09:24.754 --> 00:09:26.856
Terrified of this." we say it's not the strength
00:09:26.922 --> 00:09:27.657
We say it's not the strength of your faith that saves,
00:09:27.723 --> 00:09:29.592
Of your faith that saves, it's the object
00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.259
It's the object of your faith that saves.
00:09:30.326 --> 00:09:32.395
Of your faith that saves. so, what gets you
00:09:32.461 --> 00:09:33.663
So, what gets you to heaven is not,
00:09:33.729 --> 00:09:34.597
To heaven is not, "woah, you're
00:09:34.664 --> 00:09:35.231
"woah, you're the perfect believer."
00:09:35.297 --> 00:09:35.731
The perfect believer." when you take
00:09:35.798 --> 00:09:36.232
When you take your last breath,
00:09:36.298 --> 00:09:37.133
Your last breath, it's that your faith,
00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:38.367
It's that your faith, whether it's as small
00:09:38.434 --> 00:09:38.868
Whether it's as small as a mustard seed
00:09:38.934 --> 00:09:39.735
As a mustard seed or as big as a mountain,
00:09:39.802 --> 00:09:40.903
Or as big as a mountain, is in the one who saves,
00:09:40.970 --> 00:09:42.138
Is in the one who saves, in jesus.
00:09:42.204 --> 00:09:43.673
In jesus. >> okay, another great question.
00:09:43.739 --> 00:09:45.908
>> okay, another great question. i think this is a question
00:09:45.975 --> 00:09:46.676
I think this is a question that kind of has come up
00:09:46.742 --> 00:09:47.643
That kind of has come up in past q and a's,
00:09:47.710 --> 00:09:48.577
In past q and a's, but it's such an important one.
00:09:48.644 --> 00:09:50.312
But it's such an important one. i think it's good for us
00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.047
I think it's good for us to bring it back
00:09:51.113 --> 00:09:52.314
To bring it back and talk about it again.
00:09:52.381 --> 00:09:53.783
And talk about it again. is it a sin to live together
00:09:53.849 --> 00:09:55.685
Is it a sin to live together before marriage even if you are
00:09:55.751 --> 00:09:58.054
Before marriage even if you are practicing abstinence?
00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:00.723
Practicing abstinence? >> great question.
00:10:00.790 --> 00:10:02.558
>> great question. so, i want to be careful that
00:10:02.625 --> 00:10:03.426
So, i want to be careful that i don't make a new law that
00:10:03.492 --> 00:10:04.827
I don't make a new law that says you absolutely can't.
00:10:04.894 --> 00:10:07.463
Says you absolutely can't. i think the two dangers,
00:10:07.530 --> 00:10:08.064
I think the two dangers, one are for you personally
00:10:08.130 --> 00:10:09.331
One are for you personally and the second is
00:10:09.398 --> 00:10:10.533
And the second is for those around you.
00:10:10.599 --> 00:10:12.334
For those around you. it says in hebrews 13:4,
00:10:12.401 --> 00:10:13.869
It says in hebrews 13:4, "marriage should be honored
00:10:13.936 --> 00:10:16.038
"marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed
00:10:16.105 --> 00:10:18.307
By all and the marriage bed kept pure for god will judge
00:10:18.374 --> 00:10:21.977
Kept pure for god will judge the adulterer and all
00:10:22.044 --> 00:10:23.379
The adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
00:10:23.446 --> 00:10:26.782
The sexually immoral." so, i think my fear
00:10:26.849 --> 00:10:28.117
So, i think my fear of cohabitation is that
00:10:28.184 --> 00:10:29.385
Of cohabitation is that it's really,
00:10:29.452 --> 00:10:30.019
It's really, really hard to keep
00:10:30.086 --> 00:10:31.187
Really hard to keep the marriage bed pure.
00:10:31.253 --> 00:10:34.790
The marriage bed pure. this person says they're
00:10:34.857 --> 00:10:35.524
This person says they're striving for abstinence.
00:10:35.591 --> 00:10:36.659
Striving for abstinence. often, you should know this,
00:10:36.726 --> 00:10:38.494
Often, you should know this, pastors when we sit down with
00:10:38.561 --> 00:10:39.895
Pastors when we sit down with people we'll say to a couple,
00:10:39.962 --> 00:10:41.063
People we'll say to a couple, like, "look me in the eye
00:10:41.130 --> 00:10:43.699
Like, "look me in the eye and just tell me you are
00:10:43.766 --> 00:10:44.533
And just tell me you are honoring god sexually
00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:45.501
Honoring god sexually in your relationship."
00:10:45.568 --> 00:10:50.506
In your relationship." there are very few people
00:10:50.573 --> 00:10:51.307
There are very few people who survive that test.
00:10:51.373 --> 00:10:53.576
Who survive that test. so, what seems like on paper,
00:10:53.642 --> 00:10:55.010
So, what seems like on paper, hey, we're going to honor god
00:10:55.077 --> 00:10:56.045
Hey, we're going to honor god and we're going to save money
00:10:56.112 --> 00:10:56.779
And we're going to save money on rent and i won't have
00:10:56.846 --> 00:10:57.913
On rent and i won't have to travel to your place
00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:58.881
To travel to your place and we're going to just see
00:10:58.948 --> 00:10:59.749
And we're going to just see if we're compatible to live
00:10:59.815 --> 00:11:00.616
If we're compatible to live together very often.
00:11:00.683 --> 00:11:02.351
Together very often. because you like each other.
00:11:02.418 --> 00:11:03.986
Because you like each other. it's a good thing because
00:11:04.053 --> 00:11:04.687
It's a good thing because you're attracted to each other,
00:11:04.754 --> 00:11:05.488
You're attracted to each other, which is an amazing thing.
00:11:05.554 --> 00:11:07.423
Which is an amazing thing. i mean, my goodness,
00:11:07.490 --> 00:11:08.991
I mean, my goodness, kim and i didn't
00:11:09.058 --> 00:11:09.592
Kim and i didn't live together before
00:11:09.658 --> 00:11:10.059
Live together before we were married,
00:11:10.126 --> 00:11:11.093
We were married, but it was so hard
00:11:11.160 --> 00:11:12.194
But it was so hard to wait until the wedding day
00:11:12.261 --> 00:11:14.897
To wait until the wedding day and i can't imagine
00:11:14.964 --> 00:11:16.165
And i can't imagine if we were sharing the same
00:11:16.232 --> 00:11:16.966
If we were sharing the same bed every night for months
00:11:17.032 --> 00:11:18.400
Bed every night for months or a year plus or had the same
00:11:18.467 --> 00:11:20.369
Or a year plus or had the same shower change it like there
00:11:20.436 --> 00:11:21.937
Shower change it like there were there were been
00:11:22.004 --> 00:11:22.772
Were there were been so much temptation.
00:11:22.838 --> 00:11:23.706
So much temptation. and so, i think you have to be
00:11:23.773 --> 00:11:25.241
And so, i think you have to be really honest with yourself
00:11:25.307 --> 00:11:26.208
Really honest with yourself and not say, well, hey,
00:11:26.275 --> 00:11:27.810
And not say, well, hey, you know, no one makes it
00:11:27.877 --> 00:11:28.577
You know, no one makes it to the wedding night.
00:11:28.644 --> 00:11:30.312
To the wedding night. we could also explore too,
00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.413
We could also explore too, like every study that's done on,
00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:33.749
Like every study that's done on, does this helps your happiness
00:11:33.816 --> 00:11:35.084
Does this helps your happiness in a relationship or not?
00:11:35.151 --> 00:11:37.253
In a relationship or not? it's really surprising that
00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.888
It's really surprising that it actually backfires on you.
00:11:38.954 --> 00:11:41.390
It actually backfires on you. you start treating
00:11:41.457 --> 00:11:42.691
You start treating a relationship as this,
00:11:42.758 --> 00:11:43.459
A relationship as this, like, contract of like,
00:11:43.526 --> 00:11:44.593
Like, contract of like, are we compatible?
00:11:44.660 --> 00:11:45.227
Are we compatible? do i like you or not?
00:11:45.294 --> 00:11:45.995
Do i like you or not? instead of the covenant
00:11:46.061 --> 00:11:46.829
Instead of the covenant of i'm here to serve you
00:11:46.896 --> 00:11:47.863
Of i'm here to serve you and love you and put you first.
00:11:47.930 --> 00:11:50.266
And love you and put you first. so, leave the bible out of it,
00:11:50.332 --> 00:11:53.169
So, leave the bible out of it, most secular people would say
00:11:53.235 --> 00:11:53.936
Most secular people would say if you want the best possible
00:11:54.003 --> 00:11:55.538
If you want the best possible long term relationship
00:11:55.604 --> 00:11:56.205
Long term relationship don't live together.
00:11:56.272 --> 00:11:57.740
Don't live together. and bring the bible into it,
00:11:57.807 --> 00:11:58.741
And bring the bible into it, a passage like hebrews 13:4,
00:11:58.808 --> 00:12:00.342
A passage like hebrews 13:4, and i think you have some
00:12:00.409 --> 00:12:01.076
And i think you have some pretty compelling reasons
00:12:01.143 --> 00:12:02.077
Pretty compelling reasons to say this isn't a good idea
00:12:02.144 --> 00:12:04.413
To say this isn't a good idea for you and those around you
00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.215
For you and those around you that you care about.
00:12:06.282 --> 00:12:08.217
That you care about. now, i should say, i'm guessing
00:12:08.284 --> 00:12:10.753
Now, i should say, i'm guessing in a room this big,
00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:11.620
In a room this big, for you watching at home,
00:12:11.687 --> 00:12:13.255
For you watching at home, there's --
00:12:13.322 --> 00:12:14.857
There's -- there's probably
00:12:14.924 --> 00:12:15.391
There's probably triple digit people,
00:12:15.457 --> 00:12:16.091
Triple digit people, who are here who've been
00:12:16.158 --> 00:12:17.693
Who are here who've been in that boat or are
00:12:17.760 --> 00:12:18.527
In that boat or are in that boat and --
00:12:18.594 --> 00:12:21.397
In that boat and -- now, i just want you
00:12:21.463 --> 00:12:22.064
Now, i just want you to know god is so good
00:12:22.131 --> 00:12:22.898
To know god is so good to sexual sinners who come
00:12:22.965 --> 00:12:24.133
To sexual sinners who come to him in repentance.
00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:26.735
To him in repentance. so, if this is your situation
00:12:26.802 --> 00:12:27.903
So, if this is your situation right now it's, like,
00:12:27.970 --> 00:12:29.038
Right now it's, like, not too late for you.
00:12:29.104 --> 00:12:30.739
Not too late for you. jesus saw all kinds of people
00:12:30.806 --> 00:12:31.740
Jesus saw all kinds of people that he loved and forgave
00:12:31.807 --> 00:12:33.209
That he loved and forgave and saved so that they won't be
00:12:33.275 --> 00:12:34.343
And saved so that they won't be judged by the god who will judge
00:12:34.410 --> 00:12:36.512
Judged by the god who will judge the sexually immoral.
00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.246
The sexually immoral. so, you're not the first one,
00:12:37.313 --> 00:12:38.881
So, you're not the first one, you probably won't be
00:12:38.948 --> 00:12:39.481
You probably won't be the last one,
00:12:39.548 --> 00:12:40.549
The last one, but you're one who can
00:12:40.616 --> 00:12:41.383
But you're one who can come back to jesus today,
00:12:41.450 --> 00:12:42.384
Come back to jesus today, find forgiveness,
00:12:42.451 --> 00:12:43.152
Find forgiveness, and make a good choice
00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:43.919
And make a good choice that honors god in all
00:12:43.986 --> 00:12:45.421
That honors god in all that you do.
00:12:45.487 --> 00:12:48.691
That you do. >> we're going to stay
00:12:48.757 --> 00:12:49.391
>> we're going to stay in the realm of relationships,
00:12:49.458 --> 00:12:51.026
In the realm of relationships, but we got a very heavy
00:12:51.093 --> 00:12:53.262
But we got a very heavy question i think
00:12:53.329 --> 00:12:54.029
Question i think a very important question.
00:12:54.096 --> 00:12:54.930
A very important question. one if i know if this was me,
00:12:54.997 --> 00:12:56.398
One if i know if this was me, i'd be coming to your office
00:12:56.465 --> 00:12:57.366
I'd be coming to your office to talk about this situation.
00:12:57.433 --> 00:12:59.835
To talk about this situation. how do i honor my mom
00:12:59.902 --> 00:13:01.437
How do i honor my mom who is actively living
00:13:01.503 --> 00:13:02.805
Who is actively living a lesbian lifestyle and is now
00:13:02.872 --> 00:13:05.608
A lesbian lifestyle and is now married to a female?
00:13:05.674 --> 00:13:07.476
Married to a female? i'm having a hard time
00:13:07.543 --> 00:13:08.510
I'm having a hard time between loving her,
00:13:08.577 --> 00:13:10.012
Between loving her, but also not making it seem like
00:13:10.079 --> 00:13:11.947
But also not making it seem like i approve of her choices.
00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:15.117
I approve of her choices. >> jonathan, to be honest
00:13:15.184 --> 00:13:15.751
>> jonathan, to be honest with you i ha --
00:13:15.818 --> 00:13:17.286
With you i ha -- i shouldn't use the word
00:13:17.353 --> 00:13:17.953
I shouldn't use the word hate but part of me hates
00:13:18.020 --> 00:13:20.322
Hate but part of me hates trying to give, like, a
00:13:20.389 --> 00:13:21.290
Trying to give, like, a four minute answer to something
00:13:21.357 --> 00:13:24.293
Four minute answer to something that is so important
00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.127
That is so important to someone's life.
00:13:25.194 --> 00:13:26.295
To someone's life. i'm -- some of you are thinking,
00:13:26.362 --> 00:13:28.097
I'm -- some of you are thinking, "well, what's wrong
00:13:28.163 --> 00:13:28.631
"well, what's wrong with being lesbian?"
00:13:28.697 --> 00:13:29.732
With being lesbian?" and some of you are thinking,
00:13:29.798 --> 00:13:30.466
And some of you are thinking, "well, being lesbian is wrong
00:13:30.532 --> 00:13:31.267
"well, being lesbian is wrong because the bible says."
00:13:31.333 --> 00:13:32.268
Because the bible says." and some of you are saying,
00:13:32.334 --> 00:13:33.035
And some of you are saying, "but we're not supposed
00:13:33.102 --> 00:13:33.669
"but we're not supposed to judge other people.
00:13:33.736 --> 00:13:34.336
To judge other people. didn't jesus say that?"
00:13:34.403 --> 00:13:35.337
Didn't jesus say that?" and others of you say,
00:13:35.404 --> 00:13:35.971
And others of you say, "well, you're not supposed to
00:13:36.038 --> 00:13:36.639
"well, you're not supposed to judge between right or wrong,"
00:13:36.705 --> 00:13:37.806
Judge between right or wrong," or "no one's perfect.
00:13:37.873 --> 00:13:38.540
Or "no one's perfect. why would i judge a relationship
00:13:38.607 --> 00:13:39.775
Why would i judge a relationship when my relationship
00:13:39.842 --> 00:13:40.609
When my relationship isn't perfect?
00:13:40.676 --> 00:13:41.043
Isn't perfect? so this --
00:13:41.110 --> 00:13:41.710
So this -- there's so many really
00:13:41.777 --> 00:13:42.511
There's so many really good questions that we've
00:13:42.578 --> 00:13:43.612
Good questions that we've tried to answer so i'm going
00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:45.214
Tried to answer so i'm going to try to answer this briefly.
00:13:45.281 --> 00:13:46.982
To try to answer this briefly. but, i would just say,
00:13:47.049 --> 00:13:47.850
But, i would just say, like, i --
00:13:47.917 --> 00:13:49.919
Like, i -- my answer is not going to be
00:13:49.985 --> 00:13:50.853
My answer is not going to be emotionally satisfying,
00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:51.787
Emotionally satisfying, so i would encourage you
00:13:51.854 --> 00:13:52.488
So i would encourage you to find a book like
00:13:52.554 --> 00:13:54.356
To find a book like "gay and god"
00:13:54.423 --> 00:13:55.057
"gay and god" which we published through
00:13:55.124 --> 00:13:56.058
Which we published through time of grace,
00:13:56.125 --> 00:13:56.659
Time of grace, or my book, "taboo"
00:13:56.725 --> 00:13:57.426
Or my book, "taboo" has four chapters,
00:13:57.493 --> 00:13:58.460
Has four chapters, the four sermons from
00:13:58.527 --> 00:13:59.795
The four sermons from that sermon series.
00:13:59.862 --> 00:14:02.231
That sermon series. this matters.
00:14:02.298 --> 00:14:03.332
This matters. and especially if this
00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.233
And especially if this is your mom, if this is you,
00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:06.735
Is your mom, if this is you, if this is your best friend
00:14:06.802 --> 00:14:07.970
If this is your best friend or your brother, like,
00:14:08.037 --> 00:14:10.272
Or your brother, like, how we approach someone's
00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.707
How we approach someone's sexual orientation in
00:14:11.774 --> 00:14:12.641
Sexual orientation in relationships is so crucial.
00:14:12.708 --> 00:14:15.344
Relationships is so crucial. so crucial and so difficult.
00:14:15.411 --> 00:14:18.147
So crucial and so difficult. how do you approach it?
00:14:18.213 --> 00:14:19.648
How do you approach it? the bible says in john 1:14
00:14:19.715 --> 00:14:21.450
The bible says in john 1:14 that jesus was full
00:14:21.517 --> 00:14:22.718
That jesus was full of grace and truth.
00:14:22.785 --> 00:14:25.521
Of grace and truth. that means jesus never
00:14:25.587 --> 00:14:26.355
That means jesus never watered down, like,
00:14:26.422 --> 00:14:27.289
Watered down, like, his unconditional love
00:14:27.356 --> 00:14:28.257
His unconditional love for people, even people
00:14:28.324 --> 00:14:30.192
For people, even people who weren't always doing
00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:30.859
Who weren't always doing the right thing.
00:14:30.926 --> 00:14:31.694
The right thing. but jesus never, ever,
00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:32.394
But jesus never, ever, ever compromised the truth
00:14:32.461 --> 00:14:33.796
Ever compromised the truth of what his father said.
00:14:33.862 --> 00:14:36.031
Of what his father said. and i think if i'm approaching
00:14:36.098 --> 00:14:36.799
And i think if i'm approaching the situation, if this was
00:14:36.865 --> 00:14:37.599
The situation, if this was my mom, what would i do?
00:14:37.666 --> 00:14:40.536
My mom, what would i do? i'd try to hold that tension
00:14:40.602 --> 00:14:42.438
I'd try to hold that tension and trusted if i am i'm doing
00:14:42.504 --> 00:14:44.573
And trusted if i am i'm doing the best thing that god
00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:46.041
The best thing that god wants me to do.
00:14:46.108 --> 00:14:48.711
Wants me to do. to me it's helpful
00:14:48.777 --> 00:14:49.378
To me it's helpful to remember --
00:14:49.445 --> 00:14:52.114
To remember -- i don't think
00:14:52.181 --> 00:14:53.582
I don't think of the non-christians
00:14:53.649 --> 00:14:54.416
Of the non-christians in my life like i'm shocked that
00:14:54.483 --> 00:14:56.852
In my life like i'm shocked that they're not being christian.
00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:59.688
They're not being christian. i don't feel like my friends
00:14:59.755 --> 00:15:02.725
I don't feel like my friends who don't claim to foll --
00:15:02.791 --> 00:15:03.692
Who don't claim to foll -- like, i'm going to be shocked
00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.693
Like, i'm going to be shocked every time they drop jesus'
00:15:04.760 --> 00:15:06.195
Every time they drop jesus' name on the soccer field.
00:15:06.261 --> 00:15:08.130
Name on the soccer field. they're --
00:15:08.197 --> 00:15:09.331
They're -- they don't love jesus with
00:15:09.398 --> 00:15:11.900
They don't love jesus with their whole heart why would
00:15:11.967 --> 00:15:12.568
Their whole heart why would they submit their whole
00:15:12.634 --> 00:15:13.068
They submit their whole lives to jesus?
00:15:13.135 --> 00:15:13.569
Lives to jesus? and so, if this was
00:15:13.635 --> 00:15:14.470
And so, if this was your mom who was --
00:15:14.536 --> 00:15:15.170
Your mom who was -- i wouldn't feel like i have
00:15:15.237 --> 00:15:15.904
I wouldn't feel like i have to make some stand or some
00:15:15.971 --> 00:15:17.639
To make some stand or some statement every time i see her,
00:15:17.706 --> 00:15:18.640
Statement every time i see her, i'm just --
00:15:18.707 --> 00:15:19.808
I'm just -- she's not claiming
00:15:19.875 --> 00:15:20.609
She's not claiming to follow jesus so she's doing
00:15:20.676 --> 00:15:21.744
To follow jesus so she's doing what she wants with her
00:15:21.810 --> 00:15:22.711
What she wants with her relationship instead
00:15:22.778 --> 00:15:23.379
Relationship instead of what god wants.
00:15:23.445 --> 00:15:27.716
Of what god wants. i don't feel like having a cup
00:15:27.783 --> 00:15:29.351
I don't feel like having a cup of coffee with a friend
00:15:29.418 --> 00:15:30.185
Of coffee with a friend who's not a christian
00:15:30.252 --> 00:15:31.020
Who's not a christian means i have to make
00:15:31.086 --> 00:15:31.687
Means i have to make some statement like,
00:15:31.754 --> 00:15:32.421
Some statement like, "just so you know,
00:15:32.488 --> 00:15:33.355
"just so you know, i don't approve of your --"
00:15:33.422 --> 00:15:35.124
I don't approve of your --" like, no, he's not
00:15:35.190 --> 00:15:35.657
Like, no, he's not claiming to be.
00:15:35.724 --> 00:15:36.992
Claiming to be. so, sometimes, i think
00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:38.360
So, sometimes, i think we overthink this.
00:15:38.427 --> 00:15:40.129
We overthink this. we -- if someone doesn't
00:15:40.195 --> 00:15:41.230
We -- if someone doesn't claim to be a christian,
00:15:41.296 --> 00:15:42.531
Claim to be a christian, let's not expect them
00:15:42.598 --> 00:15:43.098
Let's not expect them to do christian things.
00:15:43.165 --> 00:15:46.101
To do christian things. there might be some times in
00:15:46.168 --> 00:15:47.102
There might be some times in a relationship where you know,
00:15:47.169 --> 00:15:48.037
A relationship where you know, everyone's applauding isn't
00:15:48.103 --> 00:15:48.971
Everyone's applauding isn't this great and you're not
00:15:49.038 --> 00:15:49.705
This great and you're not going to be able to
00:15:49.772 --> 00:15:50.939
Going to be able to because you applaud for
00:15:51.006 --> 00:15:52.007
Because you applaud for the things that jesus applauds,
00:15:52.074 --> 00:15:53.642
The things that jesus applauds, and you don't for what
00:15:53.709 --> 00:15:54.610
And you don't for what he doesn't.
00:15:54.676 --> 00:15:56.145
He doesn't. but i'm trying to think
00:15:56.211 --> 00:15:58.714
But i'm trying to think what i wouldn't do with
00:15:58.781 --> 00:15:59.715
What i wouldn't do with my non-christian friends,
00:15:59.782 --> 00:16:00.716
My non-christian friends, whether they're gay or straight.
00:16:00.783 --> 00:16:02.384
Whether they're gay or straight. and by the way,
00:16:02.451 --> 00:16:03.485
And by the way, let's just make sure
00:16:03.552 --> 00:16:04.186
Let's just make sure we have the same emotional
00:16:04.253 --> 00:16:04.920
We have the same emotional reaction to a friend
00:16:04.987 --> 00:16:07.389
Reaction to a friend who's having an affair,
00:16:07.456 --> 00:16:08.223
Who's having an affair, a friend who
00:16:08.290 --> 00:16:08.757
A friend who watches pornography,
00:16:08.824 --> 00:16:10.692
Watches pornography, a boyfriend and girlfriend
00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.293
A boyfriend and girlfriend who are having sex
00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.561
Who are having sex before marriage.
00:16:12.628 --> 00:16:13.495
Before marriage. like, let's make sure
00:16:13.562 --> 00:16:14.396
Like, let's make sure we judge all six commandment
00:16:14.463 --> 00:16:15.564
We judge all six commandment sins in the same way that
00:16:15.631 --> 00:16:17.066
Sins in the same way that we're tackling this one.
00:16:17.132 --> 00:16:19.568
We're tackling this one. read to me the exact ending
00:16:19.635 --> 00:16:21.170
Read to me the exact ending of the question again.
00:16:21.236 --> 00:16:24.473
Of the question again. >> i'm having a hard time
00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:25.874
>> i'm having a hard time between loving her...
00:16:25.941 --> 00:16:27.009
Between loving her... >> yeah.
00:16:27.076 --> 00:16:27.609
>> yeah. >> but also,
00:16:27.676 --> 00:16:28.110
>> but also, not making it seem like
00:16:28.177 --> 00:16:29.478
Not making it seem like i approve of her choices.
00:16:29.545 --> 00:16:30.779
I approve of her choices. >> sure.
00:16:30.846 --> 00:16:31.346
>> sure. >> so yeah, distinguishing
00:16:31.413 --> 00:16:32.781
>> so yeah, distinguishing how to do that.
00:16:32.848 --> 00:16:34.783
How to do that. >> being kind to her
00:16:34.850 --> 00:16:35.484
>> being kind to her is the goal.
00:16:35.551 --> 00:16:37.920
Is the goal. being kind to her wife
00:16:37.986 --> 00:16:39.955
Being kind to her wife is the goal.
00:16:40.022 --> 00:16:41.757
Is the goal. like, i don't think
00:16:41.824 --> 00:16:43.592
Like, i don't think i give the impression
00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.426
I give the impression that i'm unchristian by
00:16:44.493 --> 00:16:45.360
That i'm unchristian by being nice to non-christians.
00:16:45.427 --> 00:16:48.030
Being nice to non-christians. so, the only line
00:16:48.097 --> 00:16:48.664
So, the only line i couldn't cross is where
00:16:48.730 --> 00:16:49.631
I couldn't cross is where everyone says like,
00:16:49.698 --> 00:16:50.399
Everyone says like, "isn't this great?"
00:16:50.466 --> 00:16:51.433
"isn't this great?" and i say, "actually i love
00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.401
And i say, "actually i love jesus so no, i don't think
00:16:52.468 --> 00:16:53.602
Jesus so no, i don't think it's great."
00:16:53.669 --> 00:16:54.369
It's great." but i would imagine
00:16:54.436 --> 00:16:55.671
But i would imagine that that doesn't come up
00:16:55.737 --> 00:16:56.438
That that doesn't come up most times in,
00:16:56.505 --> 00:16:58.307
Most times in, "do you want to come
00:16:58.373 --> 00:16:59.174
"do you want to come over for dinner,"
00:16:59.241 --> 00:17:00.876
Over for dinner," or something like that so.
00:17:00.943 --> 00:17:03.645
Or something like that so. jesus had this phrase,
00:17:03.712 --> 00:17:04.513
Jesus had this phrase, i think it's in john 17,
00:17:04.580 --> 00:17:05.948
I think it's in john 17, where he said we should
00:17:06.014 --> 00:17:06.548
Where he said we should be in the world
00:17:06.615 --> 00:17:07.382
Be in the world but not of the world.
00:17:07.449 --> 00:17:08.584
But not of the world. which means you don't
00:17:08.650 --> 00:17:09.418
Which means you don't have to separate ourselves
00:17:09.485 --> 00:17:10.252
Have to separate ourselves from everyone who's not
00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.053
From everyone who's not following him with
00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:12.187
Following him with their whole heart,
00:17:12.254 --> 00:17:13.055
Their whole heart, but want to make sure
00:17:13.122 --> 00:17:13.889
But want to make sure we like, we don't
00:17:13.956 --> 00:17:14.523
We like, we don't compromise and can --
00:17:14.590 --> 00:17:15.390
Compromise and can -- the christian faith deluded.
00:17:15.457 --> 00:17:17.926
The christian faith deluded. so, maybe the best spot to go
00:17:17.993 --> 00:17:18.894
So, maybe the best spot to go if you want to study some
00:17:18.961 --> 00:17:19.628
If you want to study some of these things romans 1
00:17:19.695 --> 00:17:20.796
Of these things romans 1 is probably
00:17:20.863 --> 00:17:21.263
Is probably the longest section
00:17:21.330 --> 00:17:22.498
The longest section on biblical sexuality,
00:17:22.564 --> 00:17:24.433
On biblical sexuality, 1 corinthians 6
00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.534
1 corinthians 6 tackles it as well,
00:17:25.601 --> 00:17:26.902
Tackles it as well, and the institution of marriage
00:17:26.969 --> 00:17:28.003
And the institution of marriage in genesis 2.
00:17:28.070 --> 00:17:32.641
In genesis 2. yeah, complicated.
00:17:32.708 --> 00:17:33.542
Yeah, complicated. i'm going to --
00:17:33.609 --> 00:17:34.276
I'm going to -- i'm going to cut
00:17:34.343 --> 00:17:34.943
I'm going to cut my answer off there but.
00:17:35.010 --> 00:17:36.044
My answer off there but. >> yeah, we had a similar
00:17:36.111 --> 00:17:37.246
>> yeah, we had a similar situation in our family too,
00:17:37.312 --> 00:17:38.614
Situation in our family too, but we invited them over
00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.948
But we invited them over to christmas and loved them
00:17:40.015 --> 00:17:42.451
To christmas and loved them and really had
00:17:42.518 --> 00:17:43.485
And really had a great time with them.
00:17:43.552 --> 00:17:44.153
A great time with them. so, tried to show them that
00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:45.754
So, tried to show them that we love them.
00:17:45.821 --> 00:17:46.955
We love them. >> absolutely.
00:17:47.022 --> 00:17:47.656
>> absolutely. >> so.
00:17:47.723 --> 00:17:48.257
>> so. here's a little bit more
00:17:48.323 --> 00:17:49.658
Here's a little bit more of a serious question
00:17:49.725 --> 00:17:51.860
Of a serious question i think that many of us
00:17:51.927 --> 00:17:53.295
I think that many of us have probably heard
00:17:53.362 --> 00:17:54.496
Have probably heard or know people who are
00:17:54.563 --> 00:17:55.764
Or know people who are in this place.
00:17:55.831 --> 00:17:57.166
In this place. but how do you get over
00:17:57.232 --> 00:17:59.368
But how do you get over church trauma or church hurt?
00:17:59.434 --> 00:18:01.503
Church trauma or church hurt? someone who's been hurt
00:18:01.570 --> 00:18:02.371
Someone who's been hurt by the church.
00:18:02.437 --> 00:18:03.172
By the church. >> yeah.
00:18:03.238 --> 00:18:03.639
>> yeah. >> what do you say to a person
00:18:03.705 --> 00:18:04.640
>> what do you say to a person like that to help them
00:18:04.706 --> 00:18:06.475
Like that to help them get past that?
00:18:06.542 --> 00:18:07.376
Get past that? >> yeah.
00:18:07.442 --> 00:18:10.946
>> yeah. oh, man.
00:18:11.013 --> 00:18:11.513
Oh, man. how many of you are someone
00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.314
How many of you are someone or know someone who's kind
00:18:12.381 --> 00:18:13.115
Or know someone who's kind of kept their distance
00:18:13.182 --> 00:18:14.116
Of kept their distance from church for a bit
00:18:14.183 --> 00:18:14.716
From church for a bit because of something
00:18:14.783 --> 00:18:15.584
Because of something they went through?
00:18:15.651 --> 00:18:17.686
They went through? yeah, lots and lots of you.
00:18:17.753 --> 00:18:20.189
Yeah, lots and lots of you. you know, some of it's from
00:18:20.255 --> 00:18:20.923
You know, some of it's from the most extreme.
00:18:20.989 --> 00:18:22.357
The most extreme. we think about child abuse
00:18:22.424 --> 00:18:23.025
We think about child abuse and terrible stuff,
00:18:23.091 --> 00:18:24.426
And terrible stuff, some is just hypocrisy
00:18:24.493 --> 00:18:26.128
Some is just hypocrisy and just not the love
00:18:26.195 --> 00:18:27.429
And just not the love and kindness of jesus that
00:18:27.496 --> 00:18:29.031
And kindness of jesus that you experience in the church.
00:18:29.097 --> 00:18:32.834
You experience in the church. i think you have to do a couple
00:18:32.901 --> 00:18:33.802
I think you have to do a couple of things to get past that.
00:18:33.869 --> 00:18:34.937
Of things to get past that. number one is to recognize
00:18:35.003 --> 00:18:36.371
Number one is to recognize that jesus is fully aware
00:18:36.438 --> 00:18:38.941
That jesus is fully aware of what that's like.
00:18:39.007 --> 00:18:41.376
Of what that's like. you ever thought about
00:18:41.443 --> 00:18:42.211
You ever thought about the church world when
00:18:42.277 --> 00:18:42.978
The church world when jesus was around?
00:18:43.045 --> 00:18:44.947
Jesus was around? like, the pastors of the church,
00:18:45.013 --> 00:18:46.281
Like, the pastors of the church, like the pharisees were
00:18:46.348 --> 00:18:47.249
Like the pharisees were just holier than thou
00:18:47.316 --> 00:18:48.984
Just holier than thou judgmental jerks.
00:18:49.051 --> 00:18:51.119
Judgmental jerks. so, jesus starts
00:18:51.186 --> 00:18:51.820
So, jesus starts this new kind of church,
00:18:51.887 --> 00:18:52.654
This new kind of church, these people who are following
00:18:52.721 --> 00:18:53.755
These people who are following him and one of the 12,
00:18:53.822 --> 00:18:55.624
Him and one of the 12, judas is a money loving fake
00:18:55.691 --> 00:18:59.127
Judas is a money loving fake who stabs him in the back
00:18:59.194 --> 00:18:59.995
Who stabs him in the back and betrays him.
00:19:00.062 --> 00:19:01.597
And betrays him. peter's running his mouth like
00:19:01.663 --> 00:19:02.664
Peter's running his mouth like an idiot half the time,
00:19:02.731 --> 00:19:03.632
An idiot half the time, james and john are fi --
00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:04.733
James and john are fi -- "who's the gre --"
00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.467
"who's the gre --" like, it was
00:19:05.534 --> 00:19:06.168
Like, it was a dysfunctional church.
00:19:06.235 --> 00:19:07.202
A dysfunctional church. you know what jesus did not say
00:19:07.269 --> 00:19:08.503
You know what jesus did not say though at the end of that?
00:19:08.570 --> 00:19:09.771
Though at the end of that? "okay, plan b.
00:19:09.838 --> 00:19:12.274
"okay, plan b. y'all just have a personal
00:19:12.341 --> 00:19:13.208
Y'all just have a personal relationship with god because
00:19:13.275 --> 00:19:14.243
Relationship with god because this is too messy."
00:19:14.309 --> 00:19:15.043
This is too messy." so, jesus who knew just how
00:19:15.110 --> 00:19:18.113
So, jesus who knew just how sin would happen within
00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.414
Sin would happen within the church he didn't give up
00:19:19.481 --> 00:19:21.450
The church he didn't give up on the idea of church.
00:19:21.516 --> 00:19:22.651
On the idea of church. this is why the bible says
00:19:22.718 --> 00:19:23.619
This is why the bible says in hebrews 10 i think
00:19:23.685 --> 00:19:25.787
In hebrews 10 i think verses 24 and 25,
00:19:25.854 --> 00:19:27.256
Verses 24 and 25, "let us not give up meeting
00:19:27.322 --> 00:19:28.223
"let us not give up meeting together as some people are
00:19:28.290 --> 00:19:30.192
Together as some people are in the habit of doing."
00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:32.561
In the habit of doing." so, it's so tempting to just,
00:19:32.628 --> 00:19:34.363
So, it's so tempting to just, "okay, i'm just going
00:19:34.429 --> 00:19:35.297
"okay, i'm just going to pray to god,
00:19:35.364 --> 00:19:36.164
To pray to god, but i'm not going to have
00:19:36.231 --> 00:19:36.932
But i'm not going to have this community of faith,
00:19:36.999 --> 00:19:37.699
This community of faith, i'm not going to
00:19:37.766 --> 00:19:38.233
I'm not going to have a pastor."
00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:38.867
Have a pastor." like no, the bible never
00:19:38.934 --> 00:19:39.968
Like no, the bible never goes there.
00:19:40.035 --> 00:19:40.669
Goes there. and so, if you've been
00:19:40.736 --> 00:19:41.937
And so, if you've been there like god would,
00:19:42.004 --> 00:19:43.839
There like god would, he would sympathize
00:19:43.905 --> 00:19:44.406
He would sympathize with the hurt,
00:19:44.473 --> 00:19:44.973
With the hurt, he hates sins that are
00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:46.842
He hates sins that are covered up within the church,
00:19:46.908 --> 00:19:47.809
Covered up within the church, and he would urge you
00:19:47.876 --> 00:19:48.677
And he would urge you to find a church community that
00:19:48.744 --> 00:19:49.611
To find a church community that takes love and truth seriously.
00:19:49.678 --> 00:19:53.882
Takes love and truth seriously. you might have a bad
00:19:53.949 --> 00:19:54.650
You might have a bad experience at a restaurant,
00:19:54.716 --> 00:19:55.684
Experience at a restaurant, it doesn't mean
00:19:55.751 --> 00:19:56.485
It doesn't mean you give up on food.
00:19:56.551 --> 00:19:58.520
You give up on food. you might have a bad
00:19:58.587 --> 00:19:59.187
You might have a bad experience with a teacher,
00:19:59.254 --> 00:19:59.988
Experience with a teacher, it doesn't mean you
00:20:00.055 --> 00:20:00.489
It doesn't mean you give up on education.
00:20:00.555 --> 00:20:02.691
Give up on education. so, let's not take the one thing
00:20:02.758 --> 00:20:04.493
So, let's not take the one thing that happened with that pastor
00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.527
That happened with that pastor or that christian at that
00:20:05.594 --> 00:20:07.129
Or that christian at that church and just give up
00:20:07.195 --> 00:20:08.263
Church and just give up on this whole --
00:20:08.330 --> 00:20:08.997
On this whole -- that's throwing the baby
00:20:09.064 --> 00:20:09.698
That's throwing the baby out with the bath water?
00:20:09.765 --> 00:20:10.966
Out with the bath water? it's a phrase we sometimes use.
00:20:11.033 --> 00:20:13.402
It's a phrase we sometimes use. so yeah, meditate on not
00:20:13.468 --> 00:20:14.903
So yeah, meditate on not just the life of jesus,
00:20:14.970 --> 00:20:15.837
Just the life of jesus, but i think hebrews 10:24 and 25
00:20:15.904 --> 00:20:19.007
But i think hebrews 10:24 and 25 and let god convince you
00:20:19.074 --> 00:20:19.908
And let god convince you of the real beauty of being
00:20:19.975 --> 00:20:21.677
Of the real beauty of being part of a church community.
00:20:21.743 --> 00:20:24.513
>> so, my follow up to that
00:20:26.181 --> 00:20:27.015
>> so, my follow up to that is we can see you,
00:20:27.082 --> 00:20:30.652
Is we can see you, you can flip to a bible passage
00:20:30.719 --> 00:20:31.620
You can flip to a bible passage pretty quickly.
00:20:31.687 --> 00:20:32.321
Pretty quickly. >> yeah.
00:20:32.387 --> 00:20:33.055
>> yeah. >> i'm really good at there's
00:20:33.121 --> 00:20:33.822
>> i'm really good at there's a passage in the bible that
00:20:33.889 --> 00:20:36.625
A passage in the bible that says something like this,
00:20:36.692 --> 00:20:38.427
Says something like this, amen.
00:20:38.493 --> 00:20:40.062
Amen. you know, how do you --
00:20:40.128 --> 00:20:40.929
You know, how do you -- do you have any tips
00:20:40.996 --> 00:20:41.697
Do you have any tips for like getting those
00:20:41.763 --> 00:20:42.864
For like getting those passages just locked
00:20:42.931 --> 00:20:43.965
Passages just locked into our heads,
00:20:44.032 --> 00:20:44.833
Into our heads, remembering where those are
00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:46.001
Remembering where those are so we can open up?
00:20:46.068 --> 00:20:47.803
So we can open up? is it just constant study?
00:20:47.869 --> 00:20:49.438
Is it just constant study? is it revisiting?
00:20:49.504 --> 00:20:51.273
Is it revisiting? >> yeah.
00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:51.807
>> yeah. >> how do you --
00:20:51.873 --> 00:20:52.407
>> how do you -- how do you do that?
00:20:52.474 --> 00:20:53.275
How do you do that? >> oh, man.
00:20:53.342 --> 00:20:58.046
>> oh, man. let me say
00:20:58.113 --> 00:20:58.647
Let me say three things real quick.
00:20:58.714 --> 00:21:01.350
Three things real quick. number one, i think it is
00:21:01.416 --> 00:21:03.452
Number one, i think it is so wise when we're young
00:21:03.518 --> 00:21:09.358
So wise when we're young to force ourselves and be forced
00:21:09.424 --> 00:21:11.827
To force ourselves and be forced to memorize the word of god.
00:21:11.893 --> 00:21:15.330
To memorize the word of god. i'm really sad about that.
00:21:15.397 --> 00:21:16.231
I'm really sad about that. culture has changed,
00:21:16.298 --> 00:21:17.132
Culture has changed, not everyone's a good memorizer.
00:21:17.199 --> 00:21:18.300
Not everyone's a good memorizer. and i think sometimes
00:21:18.367 --> 00:21:19.067
And i think sometimes because some kids can't,
00:21:19.134 --> 00:21:20.769
Because some kids can't, we've bailed on
00:21:20.836 --> 00:21:21.603
We've bailed on the whole system of, like,
00:21:21.670 --> 00:21:22.704
The whole system of, like, shaping kids with the word of --
00:21:22.771 --> 00:21:23.739
Shaping kids with the word of -- most of the passages that
00:21:23.805 --> 00:21:24.740
Most of the passages that i know and quote you i did not
00:21:24.806 --> 00:21:26.341
I know and quote you i did not learn as a pastor,
00:21:26.408 --> 00:21:27.642
Learn as a pastor, i learned as a 13 year old,
00:21:27.709 --> 00:21:30.245
I learned as a 13 year old, and i was forced to do it
00:21:30.312 --> 00:21:31.113
And i was forced to do it as memory work.
00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:32.681
As memory work. and it was work.
00:21:32.748 --> 00:21:36.251
And it was work. parents --
00:21:36.318 --> 00:21:37.319
Parents -- man, kids listen
00:21:37.386 --> 00:21:38.453
Man, kids listen to song lyrics.
00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:39.287
To song lyrics. kids can memorize
00:21:39.354 --> 00:21:40.021
Kids can memorize stuff like mad.
00:21:40.088 --> 00:21:41.523
Stuff like mad. so, i just want
00:21:41.590 --> 00:21:42.157
So, i just want to encourage you,
00:21:42.224 --> 00:21:42.791
To encourage you, i know this is complicated,
00:21:42.858 --> 00:21:43.492
I know this is complicated, everyone has different
00:21:43.558 --> 00:21:44.359
Everyone has different abilities to memorize.
00:21:44.426 --> 00:21:45.160
Abilities to memorize. but let's not give up
00:21:45.227 --> 00:21:46.061
But let's not give up that system that we can.
00:21:46.128 --> 00:21:47.629
That system that we can. number two, if you would
00:21:47.696 --> 00:21:50.465
Number two, if you would just memorize one
00:21:50.532 --> 00:21:51.299
Just memorize one bible passage a month,
00:21:51.366 --> 00:21:53.668
Bible passage a month, by the end of this year,
00:21:53.735 --> 00:21:54.403
By the end of this year, you could have 12 amazing truths
00:21:54.469 --> 00:21:56.938
You could have 12 amazing truths locked up in your heart.
00:21:57.005 --> 00:21:58.774
Locked up in your heart. you might put them
00:21:58.840 --> 00:21:59.408
You might put them on your phone,
00:21:59.474 --> 00:21:59.775
On your phone, you might put them on
00:21:59.841 --> 00:22:00.409
You might put them on a note card and just stick it
00:22:00.475 --> 00:22:01.276
A note card and just stick it in your cup holder when
00:22:01.343 --> 00:22:02.277
In your cup holder when you drive for work.
00:22:02.344 --> 00:22:03.945
You drive for work. it's incredible that
00:22:04.012 --> 00:22:04.679
It's incredible that windshield time,
00:22:04.746 --> 00:22:05.714
Windshield time, how much we can memorize
00:22:05.781 --> 00:22:06.515
How much we can memorize so i think you can do
00:22:06.581 --> 00:22:07.249
So i think you can do this if you're older.
00:22:07.315 --> 00:22:10.285
This if you're older. and what was the third thing
00:22:10.352 --> 00:22:11.052
And what was the third thing i was going to say?
00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:13.522
I was going to say? >> jesus.
00:22:13.588 --> 00:22:14.356
>> jesus. >> jes -- oh, jesus
00:22:14.423 --> 00:22:17.426
>> jes -- oh, jesus is the answer to everything.
00:22:17.492 --> 00:22:18.593
Is the answer to everything. shoot, it's going to come to me,
00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.461
Shoot, it's going to come to me, give me a second.
00:22:19.528 --> 00:22:20.595
Give me a second. the internet, that's what
00:22:20.662 --> 00:22:21.530
The internet, that's what i was going to say.
00:22:21.596 --> 00:22:22.230
I was going to say. >> ah, close.
00:22:22.297 --> 00:22:23.565
>> ah, close. >> google is amazing at that.
00:22:23.632 --> 00:22:24.866
>> google is amazing at that. in fact, if any of you
00:22:24.933 --> 00:22:25.867
In fact, if any of you use like ai, it is --
00:22:25.934 --> 00:22:28.036
Use like ai, it is -- i'm -- i've been
00:22:28.103 --> 00:22:28.703
I'm -- i've been really impressed.
00:22:28.770 --> 00:22:29.371
Really impressed. i know there's some dangers
00:22:29.438 --> 00:22:30.338
I know there's some dangers and like what's going
00:22:30.405 --> 00:22:30.972
And like what's going to happen with all this?
00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.606
To happen with all this? but there's some
00:22:31.673 --> 00:22:32.674
But there's some sermon research and stuff
00:22:32.741 --> 00:22:33.575
Sermon research and stuff that i do like,
00:22:33.642 --> 00:22:34.309
That i do like, "give me the top seven
00:22:34.376 --> 00:22:35.243
"give me the top seven passages on depression
00:22:35.310 --> 00:22:36.344
Passages on depression in the bible."
00:22:36.411 --> 00:22:38.280
In the bible." and it's right there.
00:22:38.346 --> 00:22:39.314
And it's right there. where it's worth the work
00:22:39.381 --> 00:22:40.081
Where it's worth the work is where you're in the midst
00:22:40.148 --> 00:22:41.082
Is where you're in the midst of a situation and you
00:22:41.149 --> 00:22:41.950
Of a situation and you just need like, like --
00:22:42.017 --> 00:22:43.919
Just need like, like -- like, if kim and i get
00:22:43.985 --> 00:22:44.653
Like, if kim and i get into an argument,
00:22:44.719 --> 00:22:48.790
Into an argument, man, i can -- i don't know,
00:22:48.857 --> 00:22:50.592
Man, i can -- i don't know, over spiritualize this.
00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:52.227
Over spiritualize this. i feel like the holy spirit
00:22:52.294 --> 00:22:53.261
I feel like the holy spirit just like barrages me
00:22:53.328 --> 00:22:54.763
Just like barrages me with bible passages
00:22:54.830 --> 00:22:55.597
With bible passages i've memorized
00:22:55.664 --> 00:22:56.531
I've memorized so i don't sabotage
00:22:56.598 --> 00:22:57.332
So i don't sabotage my own relationship.
00:22:57.399 --> 00:23:00.335
My own relationship. like it's hard for me to argue
00:23:00.402 --> 00:23:01.236
Like it's hard for me to argue with kim because the holy spirit
00:23:01.303 --> 00:23:02.170
With kim because the holy spirit always messes with my points.
00:23:02.237 --> 00:23:04.372
Always messes with my points. "love is patient," pokes me.
00:23:04.439 --> 00:23:06.208
"love is patient," pokes me. "husbands, love your wives
00:23:06.274 --> 00:23:07.275
"husbands, love your wives as christ loved the church.
00:23:07.342 --> 00:23:08.043
As christ loved the church. those who humble themselves
00:23:08.109 --> 00:23:08.977
Those who humble themselves will be exalted.
00:23:09.044 --> 00:23:10.612
Will be exalted. bear with one another in love."
00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:11.646
Bear with one another in love." like, it's so beautiful,
00:23:11.713 --> 00:23:13.715
Like, it's so beautiful, where in the midst of something
00:23:13.782 --> 00:23:14.683
Where in the midst of something and it just, like,
00:23:14.749 --> 00:23:15.484
And it just, like, you can't sin for very long
00:23:15.550 --> 00:23:16.518
You can't sin for very long until the holy spirit's like...
00:23:16.585 --> 00:23:18.553
Until the holy spirit's like... he's not going to wait
00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:19.221
He's not going to wait until you google it,
00:23:19.287 --> 00:23:20.121
Until you google it, he's just going to guide you
00:23:20.188 --> 00:23:21.056
He's just going to guide you for what you need in life.
00:23:21.122 --> 00:23:21.790
For what you need in life. so, it's some work.
00:23:21.857 --> 00:23:23.892
So, it's some work. i would challenge you if
00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:24.559
I would challenge you if i looked at your screen time,
00:23:24.626 --> 00:23:25.427
I looked at your screen time, i looked at your
00:23:25.494 --> 00:23:26.495
I looked at your windshield time,
00:23:26.561 --> 00:23:27.462
Windshield time, i looked at your
00:23:27.529 --> 00:23:28.029
I looked at your video game time.
00:23:28.096 --> 00:23:28.530
Video game time. you probably have
00:23:28.597 --> 00:23:29.097
You probably have a little bit of time
00:23:29.164 --> 00:23:29.998
A little bit of time to do this work
00:23:30.065 --> 00:23:30.665
To do this work and it's really worthy
00:23:30.732 --> 00:23:31.266
And it's really worthy and it's good and it leads
00:23:31.333 --> 00:23:32.300
And it's good and it leads to some beautiful places.
00:23:32.367 --> 00:23:35.136
To some beautiful places. i'm going to leave with this
00:23:35.203 --> 00:23:35.871
I'm going to leave with this passage as we wrap things up
00:23:35.937 --> 00:23:36.905
Passage as we wrap things up with the word of god.
00:23:36.972 --> 00:23:37.539
With the word of god. 2 timothy 3:16, passage
00:23:37.606 --> 00:23:40.575
2 timothy 3:16, passage of what the bible says,
00:23:40.642 --> 00:23:41.376
Of what the bible says, "all scripture,"
00:23:41.443 --> 00:23:42.143
"all scripture," what we're talking about,
00:23:42.210 --> 00:23:43.311
What we're talking about, "is god breathed,"
00:23:43.378 --> 00:23:45.547
"is god breathed," that means it came out
00:23:45.614 --> 00:23:46.147
That means it came out of god's heart.
00:23:46.214 --> 00:23:46.748
Of god's heart. "all scripture is god breathed,
00:23:46.815 --> 00:23:47.582
"all scripture is god breathed, and it's useful for teaching,
00:23:47.649 --> 00:23:49.384
And it's useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting,
00:23:49.451 --> 00:23:51.419
Rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness
00:23:51.486 --> 00:23:52.020
And training in righteousness so that the servant of god
00:23:52.087 --> 00:23:52.754
So that the servant of god may be thoroughly equipped
00:23:52.821 --> 00:23:54.489
May be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
00:23:54.556 --> 00:23:56.958
For every good work." so, god wants to equip you
00:23:57.025 --> 00:23:57.926
So, god wants to equip you for every good thing
00:23:57.993 --> 00:23:58.593
For every good thing you have to do in life.
00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.694
You have to do in life. and that's why the holy spirit
00:23:59.761 --> 00:24:00.462
And that's why the holy spirit breathed out the scripture,
00:24:00.529 --> 00:24:02.230
Breathed out the scripture, this book that we love,
00:24:02.297 --> 00:24:03.231
This book that we love, the bible.
00:24:03.298 --> 00:24:05.834
The bible. jonathan, it's time
00:24:05.901 --> 00:24:06.501
Jonathan, it's time to land this plane.
00:24:06.568 --> 00:24:08.003
To land this plane. >> excellent.
00:24:08.069 --> 00:24:09.070
>> excellent. >> alright.
00:24:09.137 --> 00:24:09.504
>> alright. thank you everyone
00:24:09.571 --> 00:24:10.205
Thank you everyone for asking some really,
00:24:10.272 --> 00:24:10.872
For asking some really, really great questions.
00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:12.807
Really great questions. why don't we join in a prayer,
00:24:12.874 --> 00:24:15.877
Why don't we join in a prayer, as we ask god to help this
00:24:15.944 --> 00:24:17.479
As we ask god to help this settle into our hearts?
00:24:17.546 --> 00:24:19.347
Settle into our hearts? oh god, what a --
00:24:19.414 --> 00:24:20.415
Oh god, what a -- what a great morning.
00:24:20.482 --> 00:24:22.817
What a great morning. i thank you so much
00:24:22.884 --> 00:24:23.485
I thank you so much for the honesty
00:24:23.552 --> 00:24:24.152
For the honesty of all of these people,
00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:25.353
Of all of these people, for asking good questions
00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.989
For asking good questions and real questions,
00:24:28.056 --> 00:24:29.057
And real questions, and hard questions.
00:24:29.124 --> 00:24:30.926
And hard questions. i pray that you'll give us
00:24:30.992 --> 00:24:32.027
I pray that you'll give us the humility to believe,
00:24:32.093 --> 00:24:33.828
The humility to believe, not the things that i said,
00:24:33.895 --> 00:24:34.663
Not the things that i said, but the things that
00:24:34.729 --> 00:24:35.196
But the things that your word has said,
00:24:35.263 --> 00:24:36.264
Your word has said, the things that
00:24:36.331 --> 00:24:36.798
The things that you've said to us.
00:24:36.865 --> 00:24:39.000
You've said to us. and god, i pray that
00:24:39.067 --> 00:24:40.569
And god, i pray that we can keep this going.
00:24:40.635 --> 00:24:41.670
We can keep this going. i see so many people who get
00:24:41.736 --> 00:24:42.737
I see so many people who get stuck because they don't
00:24:42.804 --> 00:24:43.838
Stuck because they don't ask their questions.
00:24:43.905 --> 00:24:46.308
Ask their questions. and i see so many people who get
00:24:46.374 --> 00:24:47.309
And i see so many people who get closer to jesus when they do.
00:24:47.375 --> 00:24:49.544
Closer to jesus when they do. so, i pray among
00:24:49.611 --> 00:24:50.445
So, i pray among our groups of friends,
00:24:50.512 --> 00:24:52.147
Our groups of friends, in our life groups,
00:24:52.213 --> 00:24:54.215
In our life groups, before and after church services
00:24:54.282 --> 00:24:55.150
Before and after church services and starting point.
00:24:55.216 --> 00:24:57.385
And starting point. i pray in our families,
00:24:57.452 --> 00:24:58.086
I pray in our families, with our siblings.
00:24:58.153 --> 00:24:59.988
With our siblings. i pray that we could be
00:25:00.055 --> 00:25:00.722
I pray that we could be the kind of culture
00:25:00.789 --> 00:25:01.823
The kind of culture where questions are
00:25:01.890 --> 00:25:02.724
Where questions are permitted and answers are
00:25:02.791 --> 00:25:04.726
Permitted and answers are sought with an open bible.
00:25:04.793 --> 00:25:07.495
Sought with an open bible. it's not easy to do, god,
00:25:07.562 --> 00:25:08.496
It's not easy to do, god, sometimes it's scary to ask,
00:25:08.563 --> 00:25:10.065
Sometimes it's scary to ask, sometimes it's intimidating
00:25:10.131 --> 00:25:11.266
Sometimes it's intimidating to hear questions that we don't
00:25:11.333 --> 00:25:13.101
To hear questions that we don't want to hear people asking,
00:25:13.168 --> 00:25:14.536
Want to hear people asking, but i know that when we do,
00:25:14.603 --> 00:25:15.403
But i know that when we do, we find good answers
00:25:15.470 --> 00:25:16.504
We find good answers in the teachings of jesus.
00:25:16.571 --> 00:25:17.706
In the teachings of jesus. so, thank you for today.
00:25:17.772 --> 00:25:19.274
So, thank you for today. let this be a year
00:25:19.341 --> 00:25:20.041
Let this be a year that's full of questions
00:25:20.108 --> 00:25:20.775
That's full of questions and good answers from your word.
00:25:20.842 --> 00:25:23.111
And good answers from your word. we pray all these things,
00:25:23.178 --> 00:25:24.179
We pray all these things, jesus, and thank you for today
00:25:24.245 --> 00:25:25.580
Jesus, and thank you for today in your saving name.
00:25:25.647 --> 00:25:27.148
In your saving name. amen.
00:25:27.215 --> 00:25:27.749
♪ ♪
00:25:28.183 --> 00:25:29.484
>> when i'm here in church,
00:25:30.285 --> 00:25:31.152
>> when i'm here in church, i get to talk about jesus,
00:25:31.219 --> 00:25:33.888
I get to talk about jesus, the one who matters more than
00:25:33.955 --> 00:25:34.656
The one who matters more than anything in the world,
00:25:34.723 --> 00:25:36.057
Anything in the world, the savior who
00:25:36.124 --> 00:25:36.758
The savior who forgives our sins,
00:25:36.825 --> 00:25:38.226
Forgives our sins, the one who fills that
00:25:38.293 --> 00:25:39.961
The one who fills that void in our hearts
00:25:40.028 --> 00:25:41.663
Void in our hearts and provides the kind of joy
00:25:41.730 --> 00:25:42.597
And provides the kind of joy and peace that nothing in this
00:25:42.664 --> 00:25:43.698
And peace that nothing in this world can even match.
00:25:43.765 --> 00:25:46.301
World can even match. but because of your support,
00:25:46.368 --> 00:25:47.068
But because of your support, jesus doesn't stay here
00:25:47.135 --> 00:25:48.536
Jesus doesn't stay here in churches, he moves.
00:25:48.603 --> 00:25:51.039
He gets into our community.
00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:52.474
He gets into our living rooms
00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:53.642
And into our workplaces,
00:25:53.708 --> 00:25:55.644
Coffee shops,
00:25:55.710 --> 00:25:56.378
Onto the streets of these cities
00:25:56.444 --> 00:25:58.113
That we love so much.
00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.748
Recently, some amazing friends
00:25:59.814 --> 00:26:00.682
Of time of grace have offered
00:26:00.749 --> 00:26:02.217
A $375,000 challenge grant
00:26:02.283 --> 00:26:05.520
That more and more people
00:26:05.587 --> 00:26:06.554
Can hear about the savior
00:26:06.621 --> 00:26:07.756
That you and i love so dearly.
00:26:07.822 --> 00:26:10.025
They're challenging me and you
00:26:10.091 --> 00:26:11.192
And all of our partners to reach
00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.694
That number by december 31st.
00:26:12.761 --> 00:26:15.397
As a thank you for your support,
00:26:15.463 --> 00:26:16.264
I want to send you a copy
00:26:16.331 --> 00:26:17.132
Of the book soul care
00:26:17.198 --> 00:26:18.566
By my friend
00:26:18.633 --> 00:26:19.100
Amber albee swenson.
00:26:19.167 --> 00:26:20.802
With your support,
00:26:20.869 --> 00:26:21.469
We can point people to jesus,
00:26:21.536 --> 00:26:23.238
The one who matters most
00:26:23.304 --> 00:26:23.972
In this life
00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.939
And in the life to come.
00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:26.074
>> with your support,
00:26:26.574 --> 00:26:27.375
You remind people that
00:26:27.475 --> 00:26:28.610
Those who have jesus have
00:26:28.710 --> 00:26:30.245
What matters most.
00:26:30.345 --> 00:26:31.713
Give today by
00:26:31.813 --> 00:26:32.580
Calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:32.681 --> 00:26:37.018
Visiting timeofgrace.org,
00:26:37.118 --> 00:26:38.887
Or writing us at p.o. box 301,
00:26:38.987 --> 00:26:41.690
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:26:41.790 --> 00:26:44.459
>> time of grace
00:26:51.466 --> 00:26:52.400
Doesn't end here.
00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.968
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:54.069 --> 00:26:55.770
And explore
00:26:55.870 --> 00:26:56.438
Encouraging resources,
00:26:56.538 --> 00:26:57.906
Or sign up for our daily email
00:26:58.006 --> 00:26:59.274
And have everything delivered
00:26:59.374 --> 00:27:00.208
Right to your inbox, like our
00:27:00.308 --> 00:27:01.743
Grace moments devotions,
00:27:01.843 --> 00:27:04.345
Blog, and podcasts.
00:27:04.446 --> 00:27:06.881
Follow us on social media
00:27:06.981 --> 00:27:08.650
Where you'll find a supportive
00:27:08.750 --> 00:27:09.684
Christian community.
00:27:09.784 --> 00:27:10.952
Do you need prayer?
00:27:11.052 --> 00:27:12.020
Contact us and let us know
00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.354
What's on your heart.
00:27:13.455 --> 00:27:14.456
Thank you so much
00:27:14.556 --> 00:27:15.123
For your support.
00:27:15.223 --> 00:27:15.657
>> see you next week
00:27:16.791 --> 00:27:17.492
On time of grace.
00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.393

Mike Novotny - Tackling Tough Topics (Part 3)

December 18, 2025 | 29:4

Closed captions

Share