Mike Novotny - What If I Don't Understand the Bible?

August 27, 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.

#inActive #Bible #Study #SpiritualGrowth #Culture #SeekGod

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - What If I Don't Understand the Bible? | August 27, 2025

♪ ♪
00:00:07.397 --> 00:00:20.610
>> i found this great quote
00:00:21.077 --> 00:00:22.078
>> i found this great quote the other day that i wanted
00:00:22.145 --> 00:00:22.912
The other day that i wanted to share with you.
00:00:22.979 --> 00:00:23.847
To share with you. i'll put it up on the screen.
00:00:23.913 --> 00:00:24.781
The quote was this.
00:00:24.881 --> 00:00:25.815
The quote was this. quote, "the bible is easy
00:00:25.882 --> 00:00:27.750
Quote, "the bible is easy to understand."
00:00:27.817 --> 00:00:29.285
To understand." unquote.
00:00:29.352 --> 00:00:31.688
Unquote. do you know who said that?
00:00:31.754 --> 00:00:33.957
Do you know who said that? i'll show you.
00:00:34.023 --> 00:00:35.391
I'll show you. no one ever.
00:00:35.458 --> 00:00:36.392
[laughter]
00:00:36.659 --> 00:00:38.628
I should say, firstly,
00:00:38.962 --> 00:00:40.697
I should say, firstly, i love the bible.
00:00:40.763 --> 00:00:41.598
As a church, we are infatuated
00:00:41.698 --> 00:00:42.932
As a church, we are infatuated with the bible.
00:00:42.999 --> 00:00:44.100
With the bible. i've been reading the bible
00:00:44.167 --> 00:00:44.901
I've been reading the bible almost every day
00:00:44.968 --> 00:00:45.735
Almost every day for the past quarter century.
00:00:45.802 --> 00:00:48.505
For the past quarter century. but i have to admit,
00:00:48.571 --> 00:00:49.472
But i have to admit, what a lot of you
00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:50.240
Have experienced,
00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:51.107
Have experienced, is that the bible
00:00:51.174 --> 00:00:51.975
Might be the good book
00:00:52.075 --> 00:00:53.910
Might be the good book but it's a hard book.
00:00:53.977 --> 00:00:56.246
But it's a hard book. it's a long book,
00:00:56.312 --> 00:00:57.814
It's a long book, it's an old book.
00:00:57.881 --> 00:00:59.749
It's an old book. there's weird words in it,
00:00:59.816 --> 00:01:01.551
Names in it.
00:01:01.651 --> 00:01:02.452
Names in it. there's a habakkuk
00:01:02.519 --> 00:01:03.319
There's a habakkuk and a nebuchadnezzar.
00:01:03.386 --> 00:01:05.255
And a nebuchadnezzar. there's old testament and new.
00:01:05.321 --> 00:01:06.422
There's old testament and new. there's apostles and prophets.
00:01:06.489 --> 00:01:08.458
There's apostles and prophets. and if you're, kind of,
00:01:08.525 --> 00:01:09.459
And if you're, kind of, new to it.
00:01:09.526 --> 00:01:10.193
New to it. if you've never
00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:10.994
If you've never deeply studied it,
00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:12.295
Deeply studied it, it might be this
00:01:12.362 --> 00:01:13.096
It might be this life-changing book,
00:01:13.163 --> 00:01:15.064
Life-changing book, but not every time you read it.
00:01:15.131 --> 00:01:18.034
But not every time you read it. i mean, the bible's so powerful,
00:01:18.101 --> 00:01:19.235
I mean, the bible's so powerful, it can get straight
00:01:19.302 --> 00:01:20.203
It can get straight to your heart
00:01:20.270 --> 00:01:20.837
To your heart and change your life,
00:01:20.904 --> 00:01:23.173
And change your life, or it can go straight
00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:24.741
Or it can go straight over your head and make
00:01:24.807 --> 00:01:26.609
Over your head and make zero changes in your life.
00:01:26.676 --> 00:01:29.479
Zero changes in your life. there's been pages of the bible
00:01:29.546 --> 00:01:30.480
There's been pages of the bible and parts of it that i've read,
00:01:30.547 --> 00:01:31.814
And parts of it that i've read, and it's just hit me,
00:01:31.881 --> 00:01:32.682
And it's just hit me, and i've said, "huh."
00:01:32.749 --> 00:01:35.418
And i've said, "huh." and there's been other parts
00:01:35.485 --> 00:01:36.286
And there's been other parts of it that i've read
00:01:36.352 --> 00:01:37.320
Of it that i've read where i said, "huh?"
00:01:37.387 --> 00:01:41.691
Where i said, "huh?" the bible can be so good,
00:01:41.758 --> 00:01:42.892
The bible can be so good, it can make you want to read it
00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:43.927
It can make you want to read it every single day
00:01:43.993 --> 00:01:45.061
Every single day or it can be so baffling
00:01:45.128 --> 00:01:46.729
Or it can be so baffling and seemingly useless
00:01:46.796 --> 00:01:48.498
And seemingly useless that you stop reading it
00:01:48.565 --> 00:01:50.533
That you stop reading it day after day.
00:01:50.600 --> 00:01:52.302
Day after day. alright?
00:01:52.368 --> 00:01:53.036
Alright? the bible's this thing
00:01:53.102 --> 00:01:53.903
The bible's this thing that we treasure at our church
00:01:53.970 --> 00:01:54.737
That we treasure at our church but let's not give
00:01:54.804 --> 00:01:55.872
But let's not give the impression that it's
00:01:55.939 --> 00:01:56.739
The impression that it's a simple thing to do.
00:01:56.806 --> 00:01:57.941
A simple thing to do. in church, pastors like me
00:01:58.007 --> 00:01:59.475
In church, pastors like me say, "the bible,
00:01:59.542 --> 00:02:00.176
Say, "the bible, the bible, the bible.
00:02:00.243 --> 00:02:01.311
The bible, the bible. you should read the bible.
00:02:01.377 --> 00:02:02.212
You should read the bible. if you're dating someone,
00:02:02.278 --> 00:02:02.946
If you're dating someone, you should read
00:02:03.012 --> 00:02:03.680
You should read the bible together.
00:02:03.746 --> 00:02:04.380
The bible together. if you have kids,
00:02:04.447 --> 00:02:05.181
If you have kids, you should read the bible
00:02:05.248 --> 00:02:05.915
You should read the bible to them when you get up in
00:02:05.982 --> 00:02:06.783
To them when you get up in the morning, before you go
00:02:06.849 --> 00:02:07.550
The morning, before you go to bed at night.
00:02:07.617 --> 00:02:08.218
To bed at night. come to church, read the bible.
00:02:08.284 --> 00:02:09.052
Come to church, read the bible. go to a bible class."
00:02:09.118 --> 00:02:10.086
Go to a bible class." and then, some of you actually
00:02:10.153 --> 00:02:10.920
And then, some of you actually take that step
00:02:10.987 --> 00:02:12.088
Take that step and the first time you actually
00:02:12.155 --> 00:02:12.889
And the first time you actually try to do it,
00:02:12.956 --> 00:02:16.159
Try to do it, it is not an amazing experience.
00:02:16.226 --> 00:02:19.362
It is not an amazing experience. you have more questions
00:02:19.429 --> 00:02:20.196
You have more questions than answers.
00:02:20.263 --> 00:02:20.964
Than answers. more things confuse you
00:02:21.030 --> 00:02:22.131
More things confuse you than help you.
00:02:22.198 --> 00:02:25.101
Than help you. actually, that's exactly
00:02:25.168 --> 00:02:25.902
Actually, that's exactly what happened to me.
00:02:25.969 --> 00:02:28.037
What happened to me. when i was in high school,
00:02:28.104 --> 00:02:28.871
When i was in high school, i think maybe a freshman,
00:02:28.938 --> 00:02:29.872
I think maybe a freshman, 14, 15 years old.
00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:30.873
14, 15 years old. i decide i was going to read
00:02:30.940 --> 00:02:31.841
I decide i was going to read the bible from cover to cover.
00:02:31.908 --> 00:02:34.544
The bible from cover to cover. i actually had a notebook where,
00:02:34.611 --> 00:02:35.745
I actually had a notebook where, i remember writing,
00:02:35.812 --> 00:02:36.512
I remember writing, like, little boxes
00:02:36.579 --> 00:02:37.347
Like, little boxes for all the chapters.
00:02:37.413 --> 00:02:38.414
For all the chapters. and i did it.
00:02:38.481 --> 00:02:39.983
And i did it. i read a chapter,
00:02:40.049 --> 00:02:41.150
I read a chapter, i checked the box
00:02:41.217 --> 00:02:41.818
I checked the box which made me very happy.
00:02:41.884 --> 00:02:45.054
Which made me very happy. but just because i read it,
00:02:45.121 --> 00:02:46.489
But just because i read it, didn't mean i understood it.
00:02:46.556 --> 00:02:49.826
Didn't mean i understood it. in fact, there were huge things
00:02:49.892 --> 00:02:51.227
In fact, there were huge things on the very first pages that,
00:02:51.294 --> 00:02:52.528
On the very first pages that, as a teenager,
00:02:52.595 --> 00:02:53.463
As a teenager, completely baffled me.
00:02:53.529 --> 00:02:56.232
Completely baffled me. i thought to myself,
00:02:56.299 --> 00:02:57.533
I thought to myself, like, on page three.
00:02:57.600 --> 00:02:58.901
Like, on page three. "if god knows everything
00:02:58.968 --> 00:03:00.336
"if god knows everything and if god loves everyone,
00:03:00.403 --> 00:03:01.371
And if god loves everyone, why in the world would he
00:03:01.437 --> 00:03:02.739
Why in the world would he put this tree in the middle
00:03:02.805 --> 00:03:04.107
Put this tree in the middle of the garden for adam and eve
00:03:04.173 --> 00:03:05.842
Of the garden for adam and eve to eat the fruit
00:03:05.908 --> 00:03:07.010
To eat the fruit and mess up --
00:03:07.076 --> 00:03:07.777
And mess up -- i mean, he had to know
00:03:07.844 --> 00:03:08.711
I mean, he had to know that was going to happen.
00:03:08.778 --> 00:03:09.479
That was going to happen. so, why did he do it?"
00:03:09.545 --> 00:03:11.547
So, why did he do it?" that confused me.
00:03:11.614 --> 00:03:13.916
That confused me. and then i got to all
00:03:13.983 --> 00:03:14.784
And then i got to all the stories of all the good
00:03:14.851 --> 00:03:16.386
The stories of all the good guys, the heroes,
00:03:16.452 --> 00:03:18.388
Guys, the heroes, god's chosen people who were
00:03:18.454 --> 00:03:19.622
God's chosen people who were sleeping with multiple women
00:03:19.689 --> 00:03:21.591
Sleeping with multiple women at the same time and --
00:03:21.658 --> 00:03:24.460
At the same time and -- you know,
00:03:24.527 --> 00:03:25.194
You know, i was a public-school kid,
00:03:25.261 --> 00:03:25.895
I was a public-school kid, but i thought,
00:03:25.962 --> 00:03:27.497
But i thought, "god's not for that, is he?
00:03:27.563 --> 00:03:29.098
"god's not for that, is he? like, multiple baby daddies
00:03:29.165 --> 00:03:30.767
Like, multiple baby daddies sleeping with this girl
00:03:30.833 --> 00:03:31.668
Sleeping with this girl and her sister
00:03:31.734 --> 00:03:32.468
And her sister and both of their maid servants.
00:03:32.535 --> 00:03:33.469
And both of their maid servants. what?"
00:03:33.536 --> 00:03:35.071
What?" i didn't know
00:03:35.138 --> 00:03:35.805
I didn't know what to make of that.
00:03:35.872 --> 00:03:36.506
What to make of that. and then i got
00:03:36.572 --> 00:03:37.307
And then i got to the stories of moses,
00:03:37.373 --> 00:03:38.141
To the stories of moses, and joshua,
00:03:38.207 --> 00:03:38.941
And joshua, and the promised land,
00:03:39.008 --> 00:03:39.676
And the promised land, and the walls of jericho,
00:03:39.742 --> 00:03:40.877
And the walls of jericho, and you know,
00:03:40.943 --> 00:03:41.444
And you know, it's nice when you're a kid,
00:03:41.511 --> 00:03:42.278
It's nice when you're a kid, but then you think about it.
00:03:42.345 --> 00:03:43.146
But then you think about it. "wait, god's people, like,
00:03:43.212 --> 00:03:44.614
"wait, god's people, like, rolled up to ancient israel
00:03:44.681 --> 00:03:46.649
Rolled up to ancient israel and they wiped out
00:03:46.716 --> 00:03:47.617
And they wiped out all the native inhabitants?
00:03:47.684 --> 00:03:48.685
All the native inhabitants? isn't that wrong?
00:03:48.751 --> 00:03:54.057
Isn't that wrong? genocide is bad."
00:03:54.123 --> 00:03:57.960
Genocide is bad." and i had question
00:03:58.027 --> 00:03:58.861
And i had question after question after question.
00:03:58.928 --> 00:04:00.863
After question after question. it wasn't just the weird names
00:04:00.930 --> 00:04:02.699
It wasn't just the weird names and bible facts i had to learn.
00:04:02.765 --> 00:04:04.133
And bible facts i had to learn. it was, like, huge concepts
00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:06.135
It was, like, huge concepts about the good book.
00:04:06.202 --> 00:04:07.236
About the good book. it didn't seem all that great
00:04:07.303 --> 00:04:08.938
It didn't seem all that great the first time i read it.
00:04:09.005 --> 00:04:11.741
The first time i read it. and maybe the same thing
00:04:11.808 --> 00:04:12.542
And maybe the same thing has happened to you.
00:04:12.608 --> 00:04:14.477
Has happened to you. now, i'm just curious.
00:04:14.544 --> 00:04:15.345
Now, i'm just curious. how many of you have ever,
00:04:15.411 --> 00:04:16.245
How many of you have ever, like, opened up a bible
00:04:16.312 --> 00:04:17.213
Like, opened up a bible and tried to read at least
00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:18.314
And tried to read at least a page or two of it?
00:04:18.381 --> 00:04:19.916
A page or two of it? any of you?
00:04:19.982 --> 00:04:20.883
Any of you? yeah, whole bunch of you.
00:04:20.950 --> 00:04:21.584
Yeah, whole bunch of you. i won't make you raise
00:04:21.651 --> 00:04:22.418
I won't make you raise your hand to ask
00:04:22.485 --> 00:04:23.519
Your hand to ask if you finished.
00:04:23.586 --> 00:04:25.888
If you finished. you know, for a lot of people,
00:04:25.955 --> 00:04:26.756
You know, for a lot of people, they get to
00:04:26.823 --> 00:04:27.457
They get to the book of leviticus,
00:04:27.523 --> 00:04:28.224
The book of leviticus, and then, like, boom.
00:04:28.291 --> 00:04:29.092
And then, like, boom. their bible reading plan
00:04:29.158 --> 00:04:30.560
Their bible reading plan is over.
00:04:30.626 --> 00:04:31.260
Is over. there's challenging parts
00:04:31.327 --> 00:04:32.695
There's challenging parts of the bible that i can
00:04:32.762 --> 00:04:33.529
Of the bible that i can almost guarantee you're not
00:04:33.596 --> 00:04:34.630
Almost guarantee you're not going to get it the first time
00:04:34.697 --> 00:04:35.798
Going to get it the first time you read it.
00:04:35.865 --> 00:04:39.635
You read it. and that could be a problem.
00:04:39.702 --> 00:04:43.806
And that could be a problem. it doesn't have to be a problem.
00:04:43.873 --> 00:04:46.809
It doesn't have to be a problem. i mean, honestly,
00:04:46.876 --> 00:04:47.777
I mean, honestly, if there's something that
00:04:47.844 --> 00:04:48.845
If there's something that would say in our church
00:04:48.911 --> 00:04:49.712
Would say in our church service today that completely
00:04:49.779 --> 00:04:50.613
Service today that completely goes over your head,
00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:51.614
Goes over your head, as soon as church is done,
00:04:51.681 --> 00:04:52.415
As soon as church is done, you can turn to the
00:04:52.482 --> 00:04:53.182
You can turn to the person next to you and say,
00:04:53.249 --> 00:04:54.183
Person next to you and say, "hey, can you explain to me
00:04:54.250 --> 00:04:55.017
"hey, can you explain to me what that was about?"
00:04:55.084 --> 00:04:57.320
What that was about?" problem solved.
00:04:57.387 --> 00:04:59.255
Problem solved. you could read your bible
00:04:59.322 --> 00:05:00.223
You could read your bible and send an email
00:05:00.289 --> 00:05:00.957
And send an email to the pastor.
00:05:01.023 --> 00:05:01.758
To the pastor. you could reach out
00:05:01.824 --> 00:05:02.492
You could reach out to a christian relative
00:05:02.558 --> 00:05:03.226
To a christian relative or friend.
00:05:03.292 --> 00:05:03.960
Or friend. you can take that little
00:05:04.026 --> 00:05:04.727
You can take that little white card in your bulletin,
00:05:04.794 --> 00:05:05.528
White card in your bulletin, write down your question.
00:05:05.595 --> 00:05:06.763
Write down your question. one of our pastors would love
00:05:06.829 --> 00:05:07.597
One of our pastors would love to answer it
00:05:07.663 --> 00:05:08.297
To answer it in the days to come.
00:05:08.364 --> 00:05:09.332
In the days to come. i mean, honestly,
00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:10.199
I mean, honestly, if you don't get it,
00:05:10.266 --> 00:05:11.501
If you don't get it, if you would just admit it,
00:05:11.567 --> 00:05:13.469
If you would just admit it, problem solved.
00:05:13.536 --> 00:05:18.408
Problem solved. but it's not quite
00:05:18.474 --> 00:05:19.142
But it's not quite that easy, is it?
00:05:19.208 --> 00:05:21.978
That easy, is it? see, there's something
00:05:22.044 --> 00:05:22.712
See, there's something that happens when you
00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:24.847
That happens when you don't get it up here,
00:05:24.914 --> 00:05:27.717
Don't get it up here, that starts to simmer down here.
00:05:27.784 --> 00:05:30.753
That starts to simmer down here. when you kind of look around
00:05:30.820 --> 00:05:31.687
When you kind of look around and everyone is praising jesus
00:05:31.754 --> 00:05:33.523
And everyone is praising jesus or you're at a bible study
00:05:33.589 --> 00:05:34.457
Or you're at a bible study and everyone is, like,
00:05:34.524 --> 00:05:35.224
And everyone is, like, chiming in what they got out
00:05:35.291 --> 00:05:36.058
Chiming in what they got out of the reading
00:05:36.125 --> 00:05:36.793
Of the reading and you just have no clue,
00:05:36.859 --> 00:05:38.795
And you just have no clue, there's something
00:05:38.861 --> 00:05:39.796
There's something actually very powerful
00:05:39.862 --> 00:05:40.696
Actually very powerful and emotional that
00:05:40.763 --> 00:05:41.531
And emotional that happens in here.
00:05:41.597 --> 00:05:43.065
Happens in here. it's going to sound silly
00:05:43.132 --> 00:05:44.100
It's going to sound silly when i say it, but it is
00:05:44.167 --> 00:05:46.102
When i say it, but it is an immense emotion that
00:05:46.169 --> 00:05:47.136
An immense emotion that can mess with your faith.
00:05:47.203 --> 00:05:48.204
Can mess with your faith. you feel dumb.
00:05:48.271 --> 00:05:54.076
You feel dumb. you feel behind.
00:05:54.143 --> 00:05:57.013
You feel behind. you feel like you must not
00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:57.814
You feel like you must not be a church person
00:05:57.880 --> 00:05:58.648
Be a church person or a bible person because
00:05:58.714 --> 00:05:59.916
Or a bible person because these people apparently love
00:05:59.982 --> 00:06:00.850
These people apparently love the book, but you don't.
00:06:00.917 --> 00:06:02.919
The book, but you don't. here's why i say that.
00:06:02.985 --> 00:06:04.720
Here's why i say that. have you ever been in a place
00:06:04.787 --> 00:06:05.721
Have you ever been in a place where someone kind of raised
00:06:05.788 --> 00:06:06.956
Where someone kind of raised a shaking, timid hand?
00:06:07.023 --> 00:06:08.791
A shaking, timid hand? and how do they --
00:06:08.858 --> 00:06:09.759
And how do they -- before they ask their question,
00:06:09.826 --> 00:06:10.726
Before they ask their question, what do they say?
00:06:10.793 --> 00:06:12.562
What do they say? "this is probably
00:06:12.628 --> 00:06:14.397
"this is probably a dumb question."
00:06:14.464 --> 00:06:17.133
A dumb question." and i have to ask you,
00:06:17.200 --> 00:06:18.000
And i have to ask you, why would we say that?
00:06:18.067 --> 00:06:21.037
Why would we say that? if you don't know something
00:06:21.103 --> 00:06:22.171
If you don't know something and if no one's
00:06:22.238 --> 00:06:22.972
And if no one's taught you something,
00:06:23.039 --> 00:06:23.773
Taught you something, why would that make it dumb?
00:06:23.840 --> 00:06:27.276
Why would that make it dumb? why would we have to ask
00:06:27.343 --> 00:06:28.377
Why would we have to ask like we're idiots or we're
00:06:28.444 --> 00:06:29.579
Like we're idiots or we're interrupting, or we're annoying,
00:06:29.645 --> 00:06:31.280
Interrupting, or we're annoying, or less than intelligent
00:06:31.347 --> 00:06:32.482
Or less than intelligent just because no one
00:06:32.548 --> 00:06:33.716
Just because no one has answered this really
00:06:33.783 --> 00:06:34.784
Has answered this really valid questions
00:06:34.851 --> 00:06:35.952
Valid questions about the bible or about god?
00:06:36.018 --> 00:06:39.222
About the bible or about god? i think that intro to our
00:06:39.288 --> 00:06:40.089
I think that intro to our question is actually proof
00:06:40.156 --> 00:06:41.324
Question is actually proof that we feel --
00:06:41.390 --> 00:06:42.325
That we feel -- when we don't get the bible,
00:06:42.391 --> 00:06:43.092
When we don't get the bible, we feel dumb.
00:06:43.159 --> 00:06:45.895
We feel dumb. and so, when we take that plunge
00:06:45.962 --> 00:06:47.196
And so, when we take that plunge and we join a group,
00:06:47.263 --> 00:06:48.297
And we join a group, or we sign up for
00:06:48.364 --> 00:06:49.131
Or we sign up for that church study,
00:06:49.198 --> 00:06:49.999
That church study, we join starting point
00:06:50.066 --> 00:06:50.900
We join starting point or a church reading plan.
00:06:50.967 --> 00:06:51.968
Or a church reading plan. as soon as it happens that
00:06:52.034 --> 00:06:52.869
As soon as it happens that we don't get it,
00:06:52.935 --> 00:06:55.004
We don't get it, there's something that actually
00:06:55.071 --> 00:06:55.805
There's something that actually pulls down our hand.
00:06:55.872 --> 00:06:57.406
Pulls down our hand. so, we don't ask our questions.
00:06:57.473 --> 00:07:00.042
So, we don't ask our questions. and even though there's people
00:07:00.109 --> 00:07:00.877
And even though there's people right around us who could
00:07:00.943 --> 00:07:01.711
Right around us who could probably provide some
00:07:01.777 --> 00:07:02.478
Probably provide some pretty decent answers,
00:07:02.545 --> 00:07:03.513
Pretty decent answers, we're scared to ask
00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:04.380
We're scared to ask because we're afraid
00:07:04.447 --> 00:07:05.381
Because we're afraid that they're going to
00:07:05.448 --> 00:07:06.182
That they're going to think we're dumb,
00:07:06.249 --> 00:07:07.450
Think we're dumb, we're interrupting,
00:07:07.517 --> 00:07:08.885
We're interrupting, we're idiots.
00:07:08.951 --> 00:07:09.685
We're idiots. and so, we just stuff it
00:07:09.752 --> 00:07:13.389
And so, we just stuff it and that's the problem.
00:07:13.456 --> 00:07:16.826
And that's the problem. write this down if you're
00:07:16.893 --> 00:07:17.560
Write this down if you're taking notes.
00:07:17.627 --> 00:07:18.561
I think the primary problem
00:07:18.661 --> 00:07:19.695
I think the primary problem we have is not
00:07:19.762 --> 00:07:20.463
We have is not with the bible itself,
00:07:20.530 --> 00:07:22.098
With the bible itself, but it's this statement.
00:07:22.164 --> 00:07:22.899
But it's this statement. "when we don't get it,
00:07:22.965 --> 00:07:25.902
"when we don't get it, we don't admit it."
00:07:25.968 --> 00:07:31.974
We don't admit it." and when you do that,
00:07:32.041 --> 00:07:33.109
And when you do that, and if you do that,
00:07:33.175 --> 00:07:34.243
And if you do that, i can almost guarantee,
00:07:34.310 --> 00:07:35.478
I can almost guarantee, here's what's going to happen.
00:07:35.545 --> 00:07:38.080
You'll give the bible a chance,
00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.315
You'll give the bible a chance, or you'll start
00:07:39.382 --> 00:07:40.016
Or you'll start coming to church,
00:07:40.082 --> 00:07:42.418
Coming to church, you'll miss most of it
00:07:42.485 --> 00:07:44.987
You'll miss most of it and eventually, if you're not
00:07:45.054 --> 00:07:45.821
And eventually, if you're not getting anything out of it,
00:07:45.888 --> 00:07:48.291
Getting anything out of it, you'll give up on it.
00:07:48.357 --> 00:07:51.460
You'll give up on it. right, you don't got enough time
00:07:51.527 --> 00:07:52.862
Right, you don't got enough time to just waste an hour
00:07:52.929 --> 00:07:53.729
To just waste an hour or two going to a place
00:07:53.796 --> 00:07:55.097
Or two going to a place when you don't get it,
00:07:55.164 --> 00:07:56.098
When you don't get it, you don't get anything
00:07:56.165 --> 00:07:56.866
You don't get anything out of it.
00:07:56.933 --> 00:07:58.467
Out of it. and so, you'll give up on it.
00:07:58.534 --> 00:07:59.502
And so, you'll give up on it. you might join the first week
00:07:59.569 --> 00:08:00.603
You might join the first week or two of the bible study
00:08:00.670 --> 00:08:01.837
Or two of the bible study but then everyone's so far ahead
00:08:01.904 --> 00:08:04.173
But then everyone's so far ahead you'll slowly quit.
00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:06.175
You'll slowly quit. you might come to church
00:08:06.242 --> 00:08:06.976
You might come to church with your roommates,
00:08:07.043 --> 00:08:07.710
With your roommates, or your coworker,
00:08:07.777 --> 00:08:08.578
Or your coworker, or your teammate,
00:08:08.644 --> 00:08:09.312
Or your teammate, or your girlfriend,
00:08:09.378 --> 00:08:10.446
Or your girlfriend, but if you're like,
00:08:10.513 --> 00:08:11.213
But if you're like, "i -- just not my thing."
00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:14.584
"i -- just not my thing." you'll give up on it.
00:08:14.650 --> 00:08:17.320
You'll give up on it. if you don't get it
00:08:17.386 --> 00:08:18.621
If you don't get it and you don't admit it,
00:08:18.688 --> 00:08:19.755
And you don't admit it, you'll eventually give up
00:08:19.822 --> 00:08:21.057
You'll eventually give up on it all together.
00:08:21.123 --> 00:08:22.892
So, if you have a bible
00:08:22.992 --> 00:08:23.659
With you, on your phone,
00:08:23.726 --> 00:08:24.694
In your hands, or you just
00:08:24.760 --> 00:08:25.628
Want to follow along
00:08:25.695 --> 00:08:26.395
On the screen, we're going
00:08:26.462 --> 00:08:27.229
To be in acts 8 today.
00:08:27.296 --> 00:08:28.965
"now an angel of the lord
00:08:29.031 --> 00:08:30.066
Said to philip," --
00:08:30.132 --> 00:08:31.500
This was a first
00:08:31.567 --> 00:08:32.335
Century christian.
00:08:32.401 --> 00:08:34.170
"go south to the road--
00:08:34.236 --> 00:08:35.571
The desert road that goes down
00:08:35.638 --> 00:08:36.872
From jerusalem to gaza.
00:08:36.939 --> 00:08:39.542
So he, philip, started out,
00:08:39.609 --> 00:08:40.910
And on his way he met
00:08:40.977 --> 00:08:43.012
An ethiopian eunuch.
00:08:43.079 --> 00:08:45.147
An important official in
00:08:45.214 --> 00:08:46.315
Charge of all the treasury
00:08:46.382 --> 00:08:48.017
Of the kandake,
00:08:48.084 --> 00:08:49.352
(which means "queen
00:08:49.418 --> 00:08:50.152
Of the ethiopians").
00:08:50.219 --> 00:08:51.621
This man, the ethiopian had gone
00:08:51.687 --> 00:08:53.222
To jerusalem to worship,
00:08:53.289 --> 00:08:55.424
And on his way home was sitting
00:08:55.491 --> 00:08:56.626
In his chariot,
00:08:56.692 --> 00:08:57.526
Reading the book of isaiah
00:08:57.593 --> 00:08:59.028
The prophet."
00:08:59.095 --> 00:09:00.196
So, he is like the secretary
00:09:00.296 --> 00:09:01.964
So, he is like the secretary of the treasury for
00:09:02.031 --> 00:09:03.132
Of the treasury for the queen of ancient ethiopia.
00:09:03.199 --> 00:09:07.103
The queen of ancient ethiopia. and my assumption is that means
00:09:07.169 --> 00:09:07.970
And my assumption is that means he's a very intelligent man.
00:09:08.037 --> 00:09:10.539
He's a very intelligent man. alright?
00:09:10.606 --> 00:09:11.140
Alright? you don't end up a secretary
00:09:11.207 --> 00:09:11.874
You don't end up a secretary of the treasury
00:09:11.941 --> 00:09:12.441
Of the treasury if you flunked math class.
00:09:12.508 --> 00:09:13.843
If you flunked math class. so, he is smart,
00:09:13.909 --> 00:09:16.045
So, he is smart, he's accomplished,
00:09:16.112 --> 00:09:16.979
He's accomplished, he's professional.
00:09:17.046 --> 00:09:19.248
He's professional. i mean, he's driving
00:09:19.315 --> 00:09:20.016
I mean, he's driving in a chariot.
00:09:20.082 --> 00:09:20.916
In a chariot. like, the company chariot.
00:09:20.983 --> 00:09:22.018
Like, the company chariot. the queen probably gave him.
00:09:22.084 --> 00:09:23.452
The queen probably gave him. and, get this, he has his
00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:25.054
And, get this, he has his own copy of the book of isaiah.
00:09:25.121 --> 00:09:29.191
Own copy of the book of isaiah. now, you and i might not
00:09:29.258 --> 00:09:29.992
Now, you and i might not think much of that.
00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:31.027
Think much of that. everyone's got a bible
00:09:31.093 --> 00:09:31.994
Everyone's got a bible these days.
00:09:32.061 --> 00:09:32.662
These days. you can get one for free
00:09:32.728 --> 00:09:33.496
You can get one for free in the church lobby.
00:09:33.562 --> 00:09:34.230
In the church lobby. but imagine,
00:09:34.296 --> 00:09:34.997
But imagine, it's the first century.
00:09:35.064 --> 00:09:35.765
It's the first century. this is pre-printing press.
00:09:35.831 --> 00:09:37.099
This is pre-printing press. how many people would've
00:09:37.166 --> 00:09:38.034
How many people would've owned any bible?
00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:41.971
Owned any bible? like, almost all of the scrolls
00:09:42.038 --> 00:09:43.472
Like, almost all of the scrolls have been stored at like,
00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.774
Have been stored at like, ancient jewish synagogues.
00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:45.941
Ancient jewish synagogues. the fact that this man has
00:09:46.008 --> 00:09:47.076
The fact that this man has his own copy tells you
00:09:47.143 --> 00:09:48.844
His own copy tells you that he is rich, he is powerful,
00:09:48.911 --> 00:09:51.147
That he is rich, he is powerful, he is a man of means
00:09:51.213 --> 00:09:52.481
He is a man of means and he is very serious
00:09:52.548 --> 00:09:54.083
And he is very serious about his faith.
00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:56.719
About his faith. not only did he travel
00:09:56.786 --> 00:09:58.020
Not only did he travel 1,000 miles to worship
00:09:58.087 --> 00:09:59.789
1,000 miles to worship in jerusalem,
00:09:59.855 --> 00:10:01.490
In jerusalem, no air conditioning,
00:10:01.557 --> 00:10:02.558
No air conditioning, no shocks on the chariots.
00:10:02.625 --> 00:10:04.493
No shocks on the chariots. no coach bus, right?
00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:05.561
No coach bus, right? no flight.
00:10:05.628 --> 00:10:06.562
No flight. a thousand miles to worship.
00:10:06.629 --> 00:10:08.064
A thousand miles to worship. on the way home, he's not just
00:10:08.130 --> 00:10:09.198
On the way home, he's not just checking the church box,
00:10:09.265 --> 00:10:10.266
Checking the church box, he's studying the bible
00:10:10.332 --> 00:10:11.701
He's studying the bible because he wants to get it.
00:10:11.767 --> 00:10:15.504
Because he wants to get it. but here's the problem.
00:10:15.571 --> 00:10:17.907
But here's the problem. just because you got a bible
00:10:17.973 --> 00:10:20.242
Just because you got a bible doesn't mean you get the bible.
00:10:20.309 --> 00:10:24.046
"the spirit told philip,
00:10:24.146 --> 00:10:26.048
"go to that chariot
00:10:26.115 --> 00:10:27.049
And stay near it.
00:10:27.116 --> 00:10:29.185
Then philip ran up
00:10:29.251 --> 00:10:30.152
To the chariot and heard the man
00:10:30.219 --> 00:10:31.620
Reading isaiah the prophet.
00:10:31.687 --> 00:10:34.290
'do you understand what
00:10:34.356 --> 00:10:35.057
You are reading' philip asked."
00:10:35.124 --> 00:10:37.560
Now, maybe it's just me,
00:10:37.626 --> 00:10:38.694
But i think --
00:10:38.794 --> 00:10:39.261
But i think -- try to picture what's happening
00:10:39.328 --> 00:10:40.196
Try to picture what's happening in this moment.
00:10:40.262 --> 00:10:40.896
In this moment. the holy spirit says to philip,
00:10:40.963 --> 00:10:42.231
The holy spirit says to philip, "hey, go talk to that guy."
00:10:42.298 --> 00:10:43.766
"hey, go talk to that guy." and it says, "so, philip
00:10:43.833 --> 00:10:45.301
And it says, "so, philip ran up to the chariot."
00:10:45.367 --> 00:10:47.369
Ran up to the chariot." which is in m --
00:10:47.436 --> 00:10:48.137
Which is in m -- i think this is the first ever
00:10:48.204 --> 00:10:49.138
I think this is the first ever example of 5k evangelism.
00:10:49.205 --> 00:10:50.973
Example of 5k evangelism. alright?
00:10:51.040 --> 00:10:51.707
Alright? so, philip rolls up,
00:10:51.774 --> 00:10:52.541
So, philip rolls up, i think the chariot's
00:10:52.608 --> 00:10:53.242
I think the chariot's still rolling.
00:10:53.309 --> 00:10:53.909
Still rolling. the guy kind of looks at him
00:10:53.976 --> 00:10:54.810
The guy kind of looks at him funny while he's reading
00:10:54.877 --> 00:10:55.544
Funny while he's reading and philip says, "hey," --
00:10:55.611 --> 00:10:56.378
And philip says, "hey," -- i'm not going to do this
00:10:56.445 --> 00:10:57.113
I'm not going to do this all service.
00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:57.813
All service. [chuckles]
00:10:57.880 --> 00:10:58.447
[chuckles] so, philip says,
00:10:58.514 --> 00:10:59.215
So, philip says, "hey, do you understand
00:10:59.281 --> 00:10:59.882
"hey, do you understand what you're reading?"
00:10:59.949 --> 00:11:01.217
What you're reading?" it's actually very interesting.
00:11:01.283 --> 00:11:02.184
It's actually very interesting. in the greek language that
00:11:02.251 --> 00:11:03.252
In the greek language that the book of acts was written in,
00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:05.287
The book of acts was written in, philip asked the question
00:11:05.354 --> 00:11:06.222
Philip asked the question in a way that expects
00:11:06.288 --> 00:11:07.823
In a way that expects a negative answer.
00:11:07.890 --> 00:11:10.092
A negative answer. probably a better
00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.760
Probably a better translation would be,
00:11:10.826 --> 00:11:12.394
Translation would be, "you don't understand what
00:11:12.461 --> 00:11:13.195
"you don't understand what you're reading, do you?"
00:11:13.262 --> 00:11:18.100
You're reading, do you?" and i want you to take the time
00:11:18.167 --> 00:11:19.368
And i want you to take the time out for just one second
00:11:19.435 --> 00:11:20.402
Out for just one second and imagine you're
00:11:20.469 --> 00:11:21.937
And imagine you're the ethiopian.
00:11:22.004 --> 00:11:24.540
The ethiopian. you're powerful,
00:11:24.607 --> 00:11:26.208
You're powerful, you're accomplished,
00:11:26.275 --> 00:11:28.010
You're accomplished, you're polished.
00:11:28.077 --> 00:11:28.844
You're polished. you're used to making
00:11:28.911 --> 00:11:29.612
You're used to making a good impression.
00:11:29.678 --> 00:11:30.379
A good impression. and then, suddenly,
00:11:30.446 --> 00:11:31.313
And then, suddenly, out of nowhere,
00:11:31.380 --> 00:11:32.014
Out of nowhere, this random stranger,
00:11:32.081 --> 00:11:32.782
This random stranger, you have no clue who he is.
00:11:32.848 --> 00:11:33.816
You have no clue who he is. he rolls up,
00:11:33.883 --> 00:11:34.650
He rolls up, maybe he's a little bit sweaty.
00:11:34.717 --> 00:11:35.985
Maybe he's a little bit sweaty. and instead of, like asking
00:11:36.051 --> 00:11:36.952
And instead of, like asking your name or saying his name,
00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.921
Your name or saying his name, or making small talk
00:11:38.988 --> 00:11:39.855
Or making small talk about the road, or the weather,
00:11:39.922 --> 00:11:40.756
About the road, or the weather, or whatever.
00:11:40.823 --> 00:11:41.891
Or whatever. his very first line
00:11:41.957 --> 00:11:43.125
His very first line is this direct, exposing,
00:11:43.192 --> 00:11:46.962
Is this direct, exposing, kind of offensive
00:11:47.029 --> 00:11:48.030
Kind of offensive and potentially
00:11:48.097 --> 00:11:48.764
And potentially embarrassing question.
00:11:48.831 --> 00:11:49.498
Embarrassing question. you don't understand
00:11:49.565 --> 00:11:51.333
You don't understand the bible, do you?"
00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:56.138
The bible, do you?" if you're the ethiopian,
00:11:56.205 --> 00:11:58.240
If you're the ethiopian, what would you have said?
00:11:58.307 --> 00:12:01.544
What would you have said? "dude, i'm good.
00:12:01.610 --> 00:12:04.046
"dude, i'm good. yeah, thanks."
00:12:04.113 --> 00:12:05.281
Yeah, thanks." yeah, hit the horse.
00:12:05.347 --> 00:12:06.949
Yeah, hit the horse. you go faster and outrun
00:12:07.016 --> 00:12:07.917
You go faster and outrun this man philip.
00:12:07.983 --> 00:12:09.585
This man philip. it was such
00:12:09.652 --> 00:12:11.387
It was such an exposing question.
00:12:11.453 --> 00:12:13.022
An exposing question. he must have felt like,
00:12:13.088 --> 00:12:14.056
He must have felt like, "so, who are you
00:12:14.123 --> 00:12:15.191
"so, who are you to call me out?"
00:12:15.257 --> 00:12:16.725
To call me out?" he had every opportunity
00:12:16.792 --> 00:12:18.427
He had every opportunity to blow philip off,
00:12:18.494 --> 00:12:19.428
To blow philip off, but instead, he didn't.
00:12:19.495 --> 00:12:21.363
But instead, he didn't. instead, what he says
00:12:21.430 --> 00:12:23.332
Instead, what he says is so, so good.
00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:24.900
Is so, so good. and here's where the drum roll
00:12:24.967 --> 00:12:25.668
And here's where the drum roll comes in, are you ready for it?
00:12:25.734 --> 00:12:26.969
Comes in, are you ready for it? alright, i need you to get
00:12:27.036 --> 00:12:27.770
Alright, i need you to get out both hands,
00:12:27.837 --> 00:12:28.437
Out both hands, put down your pens,
00:12:28.504 --> 00:12:29.104
Put down your pens, your coffees.
00:12:29.171 --> 00:12:30.039
Your coffees. i need you to keep going,
00:12:30.105 --> 00:12:30.806
I need you to keep going, because i'm about to read
00:12:30.873 --> 00:12:31.640
Because i'm about to read to you acts 8:31.
00:12:31.707 --> 00:12:34.076
To you acts 8:31. this is a verse that could
00:12:34.143 --> 00:12:34.944
This is a verse that could change some of your lives.
00:12:35.010 --> 00:12:35.778
Change some of your lives. are you ready for it?
00:12:35.845 --> 00:12:36.545
Are you ready for it? because here's what it says.
00:12:36.612 --> 00:12:38.180
"'how can i?'
00:12:38.280 --> 00:12:39.682
The ethiopian said,
00:12:39.748 --> 00:12:40.716
'unless someone
00:12:40.783 --> 00:12:42.785
Explains it to me?
00:12:42.852 --> 00:12:48.457
How can i understand it unless
00:12:48.557 --> 00:12:49.491
How can i understand it unless someone explains it to me?
00:12:49.558 --> 00:12:51.827
Someone explains it to me? i'm rich.
00:12:51.894 --> 00:12:52.995
I'm rich. i've done a lot in my career
00:12:53.062 --> 00:12:54.697
I've done a lot in my career but that doesn't mean
00:12:54.763 --> 00:12:55.397
But that doesn't mean i know a lot about god.
00:12:55.464 --> 00:12:56.232
I know a lot about god. how can i, unless someone
00:12:56.298 --> 00:12:57.833
How can i, unless someone explains it to me?
00:12:57.900 --> 00:12:58.868
Explains it to me? you sir, seem like you get it,
00:12:58.934 --> 00:13:00.736
You sir, seem like you get it, so, why don't you get up here
00:13:00.803 --> 00:13:02.071
And help me get it?"
00:13:02.171 --> 00:13:03.873
And help me get it?" so, the ethiopian invited
00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:04.974
So, the ethiopian invited philip to come up
00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:07.142
Philip to come up and sit with him."
00:13:07.209 --> 00:13:09.745
And sit with him." this is like a fork in the road
00:13:09.812 --> 00:13:12.882
Moment for his faith.
00:13:12.982 --> 00:13:14.984
Moment for his faith. right?
00:13:15.050 --> 00:13:15.751
Right? he could have faked it.
00:13:15.818 --> 00:13:17.653
He could have faked it. he could've tried to
00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.287
He could've tried to impress this stranger.
00:13:18.354 --> 00:13:19.521
Impress this stranger. "do you understand what
00:13:19.588 --> 00:13:20.089
"do you understand what you're reading?"
00:13:20.155 --> 00:13:20.656
You're reading?" "yeah.
00:13:20.723 --> 00:13:21.323
"yeah. yeah, i got it.
00:13:21.390 --> 00:13:21.957
Yeah, i got it. thanks. i'm good."
00:13:22.024 --> 00:13:23.893
Thanks. i'm good." he didn't.
00:13:23.959 --> 00:13:25.327
He didn't. he risked the embarrassment.
00:13:25.394 --> 00:13:26.829
He risked the embarrassment. he risked being exposed as a man
00:13:26.896 --> 00:13:28.397
He risked being exposed as a man who is not as put together
00:13:28.464 --> 00:13:29.498
Who is not as put together as he seemed.
00:13:29.565 --> 00:13:30.432
As he seemed. he was humble and brave
00:13:30.499 --> 00:13:31.500
He was humble and brave enough to say,
00:13:31.567 --> 00:13:32.801
Enough to say, "i'm never going
00:13:32.868 --> 00:13:33.702
"i'm never going to understand this,
00:13:33.769 --> 00:13:34.403
To understand this, as hard as i try,
00:13:34.470 --> 00:13:35.371
As hard as i try, unless someone like you helps."
00:13:35.437 --> 00:13:39.375
Unless someone like you helps." and man, was god ready
00:13:39.441 --> 00:13:41.210
And man, was god ready to bless him.
00:13:41.277 --> 00:13:41.911
Verse 32, "this is the passage
00:13:42.011 --> 00:13:44.780
Of scripture
00:13:44.847 --> 00:13:45.581
The eunuch was reading.
00:13:45.648 --> 00:13:48.150
'he was led like a sheep
00:13:48.217 --> 00:13:50.519
To the slaughter,
00:13:50.586 --> 00:13:52.888
And as a lamb before
00:13:52.955 --> 00:13:53.656
Its shearer is silent,
00:13:53.722 --> 00:13:55.424
So he did not open his mouth.
00:13:55.491 --> 00:13:59.929
In his humiliation,
00:13:59.995 --> 00:14:00.896
He was deprived of justice.
00:14:00.963 --> 00:14:02.631
Who can speak
00:14:02.698 --> 00:14:03.465
Of his descendants?
00:14:03.532 --> 00:14:04.633
For his life was taken
00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.802
From the earth.'
00:14:06.869 --> 00:14:09.438
The eunuch asked philip,
00:14:09.505 --> 00:14:11.473
"tell me, please.
00:14:11.540 --> 00:14:12.541
Who's the prophet talking about
00:14:12.608 --> 00:14:13.742
Himself or someone else?'
00:14:13.809 --> 00:14:17.780
Then philip began with
00:14:17.846 --> 00:14:18.847
That very passage of scripture
00:14:18.914 --> 00:14:21.550
And told him
00:14:21.617 --> 00:14:22.217
The good news about jesus."
00:14:22.284 --> 00:14:26.288
If you don't know,
00:14:26.388 --> 00:14:26.855
If you don't know, this is isaiah 53.
00:14:26.922 --> 00:14:28.257
This is isaiah 53. some people think it's the most
00:14:28.324 --> 00:14:29.258
Some people think it's the most beautiful description
00:14:29.325 --> 00:14:30.926
Beautiful description of the death and resurrection
00:14:30.993 --> 00:14:31.894
Of the death and resurrection of jesus in the entire
00:14:31.961 --> 00:14:32.828
Of jesus in the entire old testament.
00:14:32.895 --> 00:14:33.696
Old testament. it was predicted 700 years
00:14:33.762 --> 00:14:35.497
It was predicted 700 years before it happened but because
00:14:35.564 --> 00:14:37.132
Before it happened but because there wasn't a name,
00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:39.368
There wasn't a name, the ethiopian didn't
00:14:39.435 --> 00:14:40.202
The ethiopian didn't know what to make of it.
00:14:40.269 --> 00:14:43.472
Know what to make of it. he was reading, and he knew it
00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.540
He was reading, and he knew it was important, --
00:14:44.606 --> 00:14:45.274
Was important, -- wait, "he.
00:14:45.341 --> 00:14:47.009
Wait, "he. who's he?
00:14:47.076 --> 00:14:49.712
Who's he? he's going to take my sins?
00:14:49.778 --> 00:14:50.913
He's going to take my sins? he's going to be slaughtered
00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.047
He's going to be slaughtered like a sacrificial lamb?
00:14:52.114 --> 00:14:53.082
Like a sacrificial lamb? he's not going to call his
00:14:53.148 --> 00:14:53.916
He's not going to call his lawyer or demand justice?
00:14:53.983 --> 00:14:55.617
Lawyer or demand justice? he's just going to take
00:14:55.684 --> 00:14:56.752
He's just going to take the punishment in my place
00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:58.654
The punishment in my place to give me peace?
00:14:58.721 --> 00:14:59.455
To give me peace? please, tell me.
00:14:59.521 --> 00:15:00.990
Please, tell me. is this isaiah?
00:15:01.056 --> 00:15:01.890
Is this isaiah? who's the he?"
00:15:01.957 --> 00:15:04.793
Who's the he?" and philip must have
00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.494
And philip must have smiled pretty big.
00:15:05.561 --> 00:15:07.596
Smiled pretty big. he is jesus.
00:15:07.663 --> 00:15:12.634
He is jesus. yeah, man.
00:15:12.701 --> 00:15:13.302
Yeah, man. this was written 700 years ago,
00:15:13.369 --> 00:15:14.670
This was written 700 years ago, but do you know what happened
00:15:14.737 --> 00:15:15.971
But do you know what happened just a few years ago
00:15:16.038 --> 00:15:17.006
Just a few years ago in the city you were just in?
00:15:17.072 --> 00:15:18.173
In the city you were just in? the city of jerusalem.
00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.608
The city of jerusalem. this actually came true.
00:15:19.675 --> 00:15:21.877
This actually came true. he walked among us.
00:15:21.944 --> 00:15:22.978
He walked among us. jesus of nazareth,
00:15:23.045 --> 00:15:24.113
Jesus of nazareth, the lamb of god who takes away
00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:25.881
The lamb of god who takes away the sins of the world.
00:15:25.948 --> 00:15:27.549
The sins of the world. and they're side by side
00:15:27.616 --> 00:15:28.684
And they're side by side on this dusty road leading
00:15:28.751 --> 00:15:30.719
On this dusty road leading back to africa.
00:15:30.786 --> 00:15:33.389
Back to africa. philip shared what he knew.
00:15:33.455 --> 00:15:36.025
Philip shared what he knew. the ethiopian learned
00:15:36.091 --> 00:15:36.825
The ethiopian learned things he didn't.
00:15:36.892 --> 00:15:39.128
Things he didn't. and by the end of the story,
00:15:39.194 --> 00:15:39.995
And by the end of the story, the man is baptized, rejoicing,
00:15:40.062 --> 00:15:43.165
The man is baptized, rejoicing, and happier than he's ever
00:15:43.232 --> 00:15:44.266
And happier than he's ever been in his life about
00:15:44.333 --> 00:15:45.634
Been in his life about his relationship with god.
00:15:45.701 --> 00:15:50.272
His relationship with god. so, what do we learn
00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:51.040
So, what do we learn from this story?
00:15:51.106 --> 00:15:52.474
From this story? grab your pen
00:15:52.541 --> 00:15:53.175
Grab your pen and write this down.
00:15:53.242 --> 00:15:54.843
And write this down. we learned this simple fact,
00:15:54.910 --> 00:15:56.712
We learned this simple fact, if you don't get it,
00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:59.581
If you don't get it, just admit it.
00:15:59.648 --> 00:16:03.218
Just admit it. alright?
00:16:03.285 --> 00:16:03.852
Alright? the next time you're
00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.553
The next time you're reading your bible,
00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.387
Reading your bible, you're sitting in church,
00:16:05.454 --> 00:16:06.588
You're sitting in church, you're at a group,
00:16:06.655 --> 00:16:07.823
You're at a group, you're at a class,
00:16:07.890 --> 00:16:08.891
You're at a class, whenever you don't get it,
00:16:08.957 --> 00:16:12.194
Whenever you don't get it, have the courage to admit it.
00:16:12.261 --> 00:16:14.863
Have the courage to admit it. don't try to impress the pastor.
00:16:14.930 --> 00:16:16.632
Don't try to impress the pastor. don't try to seem like
00:16:16.698 --> 00:16:17.566
Don't try to seem like you're all put together.
00:16:17.633 --> 00:16:19.034
You're all put together. that's not the purpose of people
00:16:19.101 --> 00:16:20.035
That's not the purpose of people studying the bible together.
00:16:20.102 --> 00:16:21.203
Studying the bible together. you might feel dumb,
00:16:21.270 --> 00:16:22.738
You might feel dumb, or embarrassed, or ashamed.
00:16:22.805 --> 00:16:24.106
Or embarrassed, or ashamed. that feeling does not
00:16:24.173 --> 00:16:25.107
That feeling does not come from god.
00:16:25.174 --> 00:16:26.108
Come from god. when you don't get it,
00:16:26.175 --> 00:16:27.976
When you don't get it, just admit it.
00:16:28.043 --> 00:16:30.412
Just admit it. because if you admit it,
00:16:30.479 --> 00:16:31.180
Because if you admit it, you'll get it.
00:16:31.246 --> 00:16:31.980
You'll get it. and if you get it,
00:16:32.047 --> 00:16:32.681
And if you get it, you get jesus.
00:16:32.748 --> 00:16:33.549
You get jesus. and if you get jesus,
00:16:33.615 --> 00:16:35.818
And if you get jesus, you get the joy of knowing
00:16:35.884 --> 00:16:36.685
You get the joy of knowing you're forgiven
00:16:36.752 --> 00:16:37.419
You're forgiven and loved by god.
00:16:37.486 --> 00:16:40.322
And loved by god. now, let's do a quick
00:16:40.389 --> 00:16:41.890
Now, let's do a quick stand-up sit-down quiz.
00:16:41.957 --> 00:16:43.559
Stand-up sit-down quiz. you ready for it?
00:16:43.625 --> 00:16:44.726
You ready for it? i would like you to stand up
00:16:44.793 --> 00:16:45.794
I would like you to stand up if you've been going to church,
00:16:45.861 --> 00:16:46.995
If you've been going to church, pretty much most sundays,
00:16:47.062 --> 00:16:48.363
Pretty much most sundays, for at least five years.
00:16:48.430 --> 00:16:49.631
For at least five years. if that's you,
00:16:49.698 --> 00:16:50.899
If that's you, would you stand up?
00:16:50.966 --> 00:16:51.533
Would you stand up? five years of
00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.000
Five years of church attendance.
00:16:52.067 --> 00:16:59.842
Church attendance. i love it.
00:16:59.908 --> 00:17:00.309
I love it. thank you very much,
00:17:00.375 --> 00:17:00.976
Thank you very much, you can sit down.
00:17:01.043 --> 00:17:02.277
You can sit down. would you stand up if you
00:17:02.344 --> 00:17:04.012
Would you stand up if you have read -- you're getting
00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.481
Have read -- you're getting a work out today, some of you.
00:17:05.547 --> 00:17:06.548
[laughing]
00:17:06.815 --> 00:17:07.015
If you have read
00:17:07.516 --> 00:17:08.650
If you have read about the life of jesus
00:17:08.717 --> 00:17:10.018
About the life of jesus in the gospel of matthew,
00:17:10.085 --> 00:17:10.953
In the gospel of matthew, mark, luke, john.
00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.720
Mark, luke, john. if you've read all four gospels,
00:17:11.787 --> 00:17:12.955
If you've read all four gospels, would you stand up right now?
00:17:13.021 --> 00:17:19.728
Would you stand up right now? amazing.
00:17:19.795 --> 00:17:20.729
Amazing. alright, sit down.
00:17:20.796 --> 00:17:21.997
Alright, sit down. question number three.
00:17:22.064 --> 00:17:23.065
Question number three. if you've actually read
00:17:23.132 --> 00:17:23.932
If you've actually read the entire new testament,
00:17:23.999 --> 00:17:25.300
The entire new testament, matthew, mark, luke, john,
00:17:25.367 --> 00:17:26.068
Matthew, mark, luke, john, acts, romans,
00:17:26.135 --> 00:17:26.468
Acts, romans, 1st and 2nd corinthians,
00:17:26.535 --> 00:17:27.102
1st and 2nd corinthians, all the way through
00:17:27.169 --> 00:17:27.669
All the way through the book of revelation.
00:17:27.736 --> 00:17:28.537
The book of revelation. if you've read the entire
00:17:28.604 --> 00:17:29.705
If you've read the entire new testament,
00:17:29.771 --> 00:17:30.339
New testament, the last third of the bible,
00:17:30.405 --> 00:17:31.740
The last third of the bible, would you stand up right now?
00:17:31.807 --> 00:17:33.208
Got to be at least 40 of you
00:17:39.348 --> 00:17:40.883
Got to be at least 40 of you in one church service.
00:17:40.949 --> 00:17:41.617
In one church service. alright, sit down.
00:17:41.683 --> 00:17:42.518
Alright, sit down. last, big question.
00:17:42.584 --> 00:17:43.218
Last, big question. alright, i'm curious
00:17:43.285 --> 00:17:43.952
Alright, i'm curious about this one.
00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.686
About this one. how many of you have ever
00:17:44.753 --> 00:17:45.587
How many of you have ever read, cover to cover,
00:17:45.654 --> 00:17:46.855
Read, cover to cover, genesis to revelation?
00:17:46.922 --> 00:17:48.390
Genesis to revelation? everything that the holy
00:17:48.457 --> 00:17:49.458
Everything that the holy spirit inspired?
00:17:49.525 --> 00:17:50.292
Spirit inspired? if you've read the entire bible,
00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.760
If you've read the entire bible, would you just please
00:17:51.827 --> 00:17:52.561
Would you just please stand right now.
00:17:52.628 --> 00:17:59.234
Stand right now. [applause]
00:17:59.301 --> 00:18:01.270
[applause] [counting softly]
00:18:01.336 --> 00:18:02.905
[counting softly] thirty-two, thirty-four,
00:18:02.971 --> 00:18:03.939
Thirty-two, thirty-four, thirty-six.
00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:05.374
Thirty-six. i'm counting.
00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.041
I'm counting. forty-two, forty-five,
00:18:06.108 --> 00:18:06.975
Forty-two, forty-five, forty-eight...
00:18:07.042 --> 00:18:08.210
Forty-eight... [counting softly]
00:18:08.277 --> 00:18:09.111
[counting softly] fifty me --
00:18:09.178 --> 00:18:10.312
Fifty me -- fifty-eight people.
00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.580
Fifty-eight people. you can sit down.
00:18:11.647 --> 00:18:12.214
You can sit down. thank you very much.
00:18:12.281 --> 00:18:13.048
Thank you very much. fifty-eight people
00:18:13.115 --> 00:18:13.916
Fifty-eight people in one church service.
00:18:13.982 --> 00:18:17.352
In one church service. fifty-eight people who've gone
00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:18.754
Fifty-eight people who've gone from cover to cover.
00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:20.088
From cover to cover. who've read the same passage.
00:18:20.155 --> 00:18:21.823
Who've read the same passage. probably had the same question,
00:18:21.890 --> 00:18:23.392
Probably had the same question, searched for answers,
00:18:23.458 --> 00:18:24.426
Searched for answers, and i bet, i bet you
00:18:24.493 --> 00:18:26.361
And i bet, i bet you a cup of coffee
00:18:26.428 --> 00:18:27.462
A cup of coffee and my favorite bible,
00:18:27.529 --> 00:18:28.363
And my favorite bible, if you asked one of those people
00:18:28.430 --> 00:18:29.965
If you asked one of those people after church the thing
00:18:30.032 --> 00:18:31.033
After church the thing you've been wondering about god,
00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:33.168
You've been wondering about god, they would not shame you.
00:18:33.235 --> 00:18:35.871
They would not shame you. and they would not mock you,
00:18:35.938 --> 00:18:37.039
And they would not mock you, and they would not
00:18:37.105 --> 00:18:37.673
And they would not be annoyed with you.
00:18:37.739 --> 00:18:38.840
Be annoyed with you. christians who have understood
00:18:38.907 --> 00:18:40.442
Christians who have understood things about god
00:18:40.509 --> 00:18:41.310
Things about god love to share them with people
00:18:41.376 --> 00:18:42.811
Love to share them with people who don't understand
00:18:42.878 --> 00:18:43.812
Who don't understand things about god.
00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.047
Things about god. it is so simple.
00:18:45.113 --> 00:18:46.582
It is so simple. the answer is right here.
00:18:46.648 --> 00:18:47.983
The answer is right here. if you don't get it,
00:18:48.050 --> 00:18:50.786
If you don't get it, just admit it.
00:18:50.852 --> 00:18:54.356
Just admit it. let me make this really
00:18:54.423 --> 00:18:55.190
Let me make this really practical for you,
00:18:55.257 --> 00:18:55.924
Practical for you, if you're brand new to church,
00:18:55.991 --> 00:18:56.758
If you're brand new to church, if you've never ever read
00:18:56.825 --> 00:18:57.593
If you've never ever read much of the bible before,
00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:58.460
Much of the bible before, what do you do?
00:18:58.527 --> 00:18:59.394
What do you do? number one, get a bible.
00:18:59.461 --> 00:19:02.698
Number one, get a bible. unfortunately, i --
00:19:02.764 --> 00:19:03.532
Unfortunately, i -- i should have planned
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.199
I should have planned this better.
00:19:04.266 --> 00:19:04.900
This better. i think we have six paper copies
00:19:04.967 --> 00:19:05.968
I think we have six paper copies for free in the lobby.
00:19:06.034 --> 00:19:06.935
For free in the lobby. if you want to, like,
00:19:07.002 --> 00:19:07.836
If you want to, like, black friday at walmart
00:19:07.903 --> 00:19:08.770
Black friday at walmart [chuckles]
00:19:08.837 --> 00:19:09.738
[chuckles] get one of those afterwards.
00:19:09.805 --> 00:19:10.906
Get one of those afterwards. don't hurt each other.
00:19:10.973 --> 00:19:11.640
Don't hurt each other. you can grab one of those.
00:19:11.707 --> 00:19:12.407
You can grab one of those. otherwise, there's always
00:19:12.474 --> 00:19:13.308
Otherwise, there's always the bible app.
00:19:13.375 --> 00:19:14.176
The bible app. the "youversion bible app."
00:19:14.243 --> 00:19:15.744
The "youversion bible app." y-o-u.
00:19:15.811 --> 00:19:16.979
Y-o-u. that's what a lot of people
00:19:17.045 --> 00:19:17.813
That's what a lot of people use to read the bible
00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.447
Use to read the bible around here.
00:19:18.513 --> 00:19:19.081
Around here. that's for free.
00:19:19.147 --> 00:19:19.781
That's for free. that you can download.
00:19:19.848 --> 00:19:21.350
That you can download. alright?
00:19:21.416 --> 00:19:22.017
Alright? paper bible, digital bible.
00:19:22.084 --> 00:19:23.118
Paper bible, digital bible. church reading plan,
00:19:23.185 --> 00:19:23.986
Church reading plan, your own plan.
00:19:24.052 --> 00:19:24.653
Your own plan. whatever you do,
00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.487
Whatever you do, please make me this promise.
00:19:25.554 --> 00:19:30.993
Please make me this promise. when you don't get it,
00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:33.495
When you don't get it, don't just keep going,
00:19:33.562 --> 00:19:37.499
Don't just keep going, write it down, keep a notebook,
00:19:37.566 --> 00:19:40.769
Write it down, keep a notebook, a note in your phone,
00:19:40.836 --> 00:19:42.604
A note in your phone, and then reach out to a friend,
00:19:42.671 --> 00:19:44.039
And then reach out to a friend, ask your small --
00:19:44.106 --> 00:19:45.340
Ask your small -- your relative
00:19:45.407 --> 00:19:46.341
Your relative who is so religious.
00:19:46.408 --> 00:19:47.142
Who is so religious. ask them.
00:19:47.209 --> 00:19:48.377
Ask them. ask me.
00:19:48.443 --> 00:19:49.278
Ask me. write it down.
00:19:49.344 --> 00:19:50.145
Write it down. put it on the card.
00:19:50.212 --> 00:19:51.246
Put it on the card. send us an email.
00:19:51.313 --> 00:19:52.247
Send us an email. because listen, the reason
00:19:52.314 --> 00:19:53.515
Because listen, the reason we are here as christians,
00:19:53.582 --> 00:19:55.284
We are here as christians, the reason god has gathered us
00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:56.385
The reason god has gathered us in the same place
00:19:56.451 --> 00:19:57.452
In the same place is not to compete
00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.654
Is not to compete with each other.
00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.022
Okay?
00:20:02.190 --> 00:20:02.858
Okay? this is not, like, jeopardy,
00:20:02.924 --> 00:20:05.060
This is not, like, jeopardy, church edition,
00:20:05.127 --> 00:20:06.194
Church edition, and a bunch of you are going
00:20:06.261 --> 00:20:07.162
And a bunch of you are going to be losers who are going home
00:20:07.229 --> 00:20:08.030
To be losers who are going home and one of us will be
00:20:08.096 --> 00:20:08.830
And one of us will be the smartest bible reader ever.
00:20:08.897 --> 00:20:10.799
The smartest bible reader ever. like, no.
00:20:10.866 --> 00:20:11.967
Like, no. literally the reason god
00:20:12.034 --> 00:20:13.168
Literally the reason god brought you here and the reason
00:20:13.235 --> 00:20:14.369
Brought you here and the reason he brought them here
00:20:14.436 --> 00:20:16.538
He brought them here was so that if they're up here,
00:20:16.605 --> 00:20:17.906
Was so that if they're up here, they can get you here.
00:20:17.973 --> 00:20:20.942
They can get you here. so, if you don't know
00:20:21.009 --> 00:20:21.777
So, if you don't know the beauty of the word
00:20:21.843 --> 00:20:22.811
The beauty of the word "justification" or "redemption,"
00:20:22.878 --> 00:20:26.048
"justification" or "redemption," or "atonement."
00:20:26.114 --> 00:20:27.082
Or "atonement." these are foreign
00:20:27.149 --> 00:20:27.849
These are foreign concepts to you.
00:20:27.916 --> 00:20:29.651
Concepts to you. like, don't run because you
00:20:29.718 --> 00:20:31.453
Like, don't run because you sense the gap, that's the gift.
00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:35.157
Sense the gap, that's the gift. alright, the gap is god's
00:20:35.223 --> 00:20:36.358
Alright, the gap is god's gift to you.
00:20:36.425 --> 00:20:37.159
Gift to you. it means there are people
00:20:37.225 --> 00:20:38.560
It means there are people right next to you who can
00:20:38.627 --> 00:20:39.628
Right next to you who can help you grow in faith
00:20:39.695 --> 00:20:41.363
Help you grow in faith and knowledge of jesus.
00:20:41.430 --> 00:20:45.867
And knowledge of jesus. because at the end of the day,
00:20:45.934 --> 00:20:48.503
Because at the end of the day, we want you to know about jesus.
00:20:48.570 --> 00:20:52.441
We want you to know about jesus. and the ethiopian,
00:20:52.507 --> 00:20:53.608
And the ethiopian, that day was reading isaiah 53,
00:20:53.675 --> 00:20:55.177
That day was reading isaiah 53, which means he would've
00:20:55.243 --> 00:20:56.011
Which means he would've read these very words.
00:20:56.078 --> 00:20:56.712
"but he was pierced
00:21:00.482 --> 00:21:01.583
For our transgressions,
00:21:01.650 --> 00:21:04.186
He was crushed
00:21:04.252 --> 00:21:05.153
For our iniquities;
00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.254
The punishment that brought
00:21:06.321 --> 00:21:07.222
Us peace was on him,
00:21:07.289 --> 00:21:09.591
And by his wounds
00:21:09.658 --> 00:21:12.194
We are healed."
00:21:12.260 --> 00:21:15.831
Did you get that?
00:21:15.931 --> 00:21:19.568
Did you get that? now, my heart is so happy
00:21:19.634 --> 00:21:20.602
Now, my heart is so happy that i know exactly
00:21:20.669 --> 00:21:21.570
That i know exactly what that means.
00:21:21.636 --> 00:21:22.304
What that means. i know who he is, jesus.
00:21:22.371 --> 00:21:25.440
I know who he is, jesus. i know who the us is, us.
00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:28.777
I know who the us is, us. pierced, crushed,
00:21:28.844 --> 00:21:30.445
Pierced, crushed, punished, wounded.
00:21:30.512 --> 00:21:33.415
Punished, wounded. i know what that means.
00:21:33.482 --> 00:21:36.218
I know what that means. and i know the gift that's
00:21:36.284 --> 00:21:37.652
And i know the gift that's offered to me,
00:21:37.719 --> 00:21:38.653
Offered to me, to you through jesus.
00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.288
To you through jesus. the punishment that brought us
00:21:40.355 --> 00:21:41.390
The punishment that brought us peace was on him
00:21:41.456 --> 00:21:43.191
Peace was on him and by his wounds we are healed.
00:21:43.258 --> 00:21:46.361
And by his wounds we are healed. if there's one thing i want you
00:21:46.428 --> 00:21:47.396
If there's one thing i want you to get out of the bible,
00:21:47.462 --> 00:21:48.930
To get out of the bible, it's not memorizing
00:21:48.997 --> 00:21:49.664
It's not memorizing the books in order,
00:21:49.731 --> 00:21:50.532
The books in order, i want you to get that
00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.767
I want you to get that by the wounds of jesus,
00:21:51.833 --> 00:21:52.901
By the wounds of jesus, you've been healed.
00:21:52.968 --> 00:21:56.972
You've been healed. that you and god,
00:21:57.038 --> 00:21:58.373
That you and god, because of jesus,
00:21:58.440 --> 00:22:00.275
Because of jesus, are like this, not this.
00:22:00.342 --> 00:22:03.812
Are like this, not this. not this, but this.
00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:09.618
Not this, but this. and your body might be
00:22:09.684 --> 00:22:10.385
And your body might be falling apart,
00:22:10.452 --> 00:22:11.887
Falling apart, but it is well with your soul
00:22:11.953 --> 00:22:14.055
But it is well with your soul because by his wounds,
00:22:14.122 --> 00:22:14.856
Because by his wounds, you are healed.
00:22:14.923 --> 00:22:15.690
You are healed. you might be on the shakiest
00:22:15.757 --> 00:22:16.758
You might be on the shakiest ground right now
00:22:16.825 --> 00:22:17.526
Ground right now in your relationship,
00:22:17.592 --> 00:22:18.427
In your relationship, or your marriage,
00:22:18.493 --> 00:22:19.561
Or your marriage, or your fertility story,
00:22:19.628 --> 00:22:20.595
Or your fertility story, or your career.
00:22:20.662 --> 00:22:21.496
Or your career. everything could fall apart,
00:22:21.563 --> 00:22:22.864
Everything could fall apart, but if you know my relationship
00:22:22.931 --> 00:22:24.800
But if you know my relationship with god is not
00:22:24.866 --> 00:22:25.534
With god is not damaged or broken.
00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:27.102
Damaged or broken. by his wounds, i am healed.
00:22:27.169 --> 00:22:28.637
By his wounds, i am healed. if at the end of every night,
00:22:28.703 --> 00:22:30.038
If at the end of every night, you don't have to rehearse
00:22:30.105 --> 00:22:30.972
You don't have to rehearse the things you messed up,
00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.340
The things you messed up, the sins you've committed,
00:22:32.407 --> 00:22:33.742
The sins you've committed, the shame you carry,
00:22:33.809 --> 00:22:34.609
The shame you carry, you could just leave it
00:22:34.676 --> 00:22:35.310
You could just leave it at the cross and say,
00:22:35.377 --> 00:22:36.011
"no, by his wounds i am healed.
00:22:36.111 --> 00:22:38.113
If there's one thing in
00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.481
The universe god wants you
00:22:39.548 --> 00:22:40.549
To know, it's that if you
00:22:40.615 --> 00:22:42.651
Get jesus, you get forgiveness.
00:22:42.717 --> 00:22:45.353
If you have jesus,
00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.321
You have salvation.
00:22:46.388 --> 00:22:48.790
And so, if these words
00:22:48.857 --> 00:22:49.558
Go over your head, please,
00:22:49.624 --> 00:22:50.759
Please, please, i'm begging you,
00:22:50.826 --> 00:22:51.860
Just admit it.
00:22:51.927 --> 00:22:54.529
Because just like philip,
00:22:54.596 --> 00:22:55.831
We christians would love
00:22:55.897 --> 00:22:56.665
To get in the chariot
00:22:56.731 --> 00:22:58.600
And share with you
00:22:58.667 --> 00:22:59.234
The greatest news
00:22:59.301 --> 00:23:00.268
In the whole world.
00:23:00.335 --> 00:23:05.006
A couple months ago i met
00:23:05.106 --> 00:23:06.274
A couple months ago i met a young woman who just
00:23:06.341 --> 00:23:07.108
A young woman who just became a christian.
00:23:07.175 --> 00:23:09.110
Became a christian. she shared her journey
00:23:09.177 --> 00:23:10.045
She shared her journey of faith with me.
00:23:10.111 --> 00:23:10.946
Of faith with me. the million questions she
00:23:11.012 --> 00:23:11.813
The million questions she had when she first started
00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.914
Had when she first started reading the bible.
00:23:12.981 --> 00:23:13.849
Reading the bible. and then, she's telling me
00:23:13.915 --> 00:23:15.150
And then, she's telling me about this illustrated
00:23:15.217 --> 00:23:16.318
About this illustrated book that she loved.
00:23:16.384 --> 00:23:18.520
Book that she loved. it was a book about a mole,
00:23:18.587 --> 00:23:19.588
It was a book about a mole, a fox, a boy, and a horse
00:23:19.654 --> 00:23:21.556
A fox, a boy, and a horse who teach each other
00:23:21.623 --> 00:23:22.457
Who teach each other the lessons of life.
00:23:22.524 --> 00:23:24.726
The lessons of life. and i bought the book
00:23:24.793 --> 00:23:25.527
And i bought the book after she recommended it
00:23:25.594 --> 00:23:26.428
After she recommended it because she said there's
00:23:26.495 --> 00:23:27.295
Because she said there's this one page that was so
00:23:27.362 --> 00:23:28.797
This one page that was so powerful for her.
00:23:28.864 --> 00:23:29.731
Powerful for her. it's when the boy turns
00:23:29.798 --> 00:23:30.699
It's when the boy turns to this big strong horse
00:23:30.765 --> 00:23:32.701
To this big strong horse and asks the horse,
00:23:32.767 --> 00:23:34.903
And asks the horse, "what's the bravest thing
00:23:34.970 --> 00:23:35.837
"what's the bravest thing you've ever said?"
00:23:35.904 --> 00:23:39.875
You've ever said?" and the big, strong horse
00:23:39.941 --> 00:23:40.642
And the big, strong horse answers with just one word.
00:23:40.709 --> 00:23:44.312
Answers with just one word. "help."
00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:48.817
"help." that is the bravest,
00:23:48.884 --> 00:23:51.820
That is the bravest, most powerful,
00:23:51.887 --> 00:23:52.654
Most powerful, spiritual word you will
00:23:52.721 --> 00:23:53.822
Spiritual word you will ever speak is help.
00:23:53.889 --> 00:23:58.894
Ever speak is help. help me get it.
00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:01.129
Help me get it. if you don't get it,
00:24:01.196 --> 00:24:02.531
If you don't get it, just admit it because that's
00:24:02.597 --> 00:24:04.332
Just admit it because that's how you get it.
00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:06.868
How you get it. that's how you bible.
00:24:06.935 --> 00:24:10.171
That's how you bible. let's pray.
00:24:10.238 --> 00:24:11.940
Let's pray. oh god, we are so grateful
00:24:12.007 --> 00:24:12.807
Oh god, we are so grateful for this book.
00:24:12.874 --> 00:24:15.477
For this book. now, how would we know that
00:24:15.544 --> 00:24:16.444
Now, how would we know that you love us?
00:24:16.511 --> 00:24:17.512
You love us? that you listen to us?
00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.547
That you listen to us? that you have plans for us
00:24:18.613 --> 00:24:19.548
That you have plans for us if it wasn't for the book?
00:24:19.614 --> 00:24:20.382
If it wasn't for the book? we'd have to guess what god,
00:24:20.448 --> 00:24:22.751
We'd have to guess what god, or the gods were like,
00:24:22.817 --> 00:24:23.885
Or the gods were like, but we don't.
00:24:23.952 --> 00:24:25.921
But we don't. you revealed in 66 books
00:24:25.987 --> 00:24:27.656
You revealed in 66 books written over 1,500 years
00:24:27.722 --> 00:24:29.891
Written over 1,500 years by dozens of different authors
00:24:29.958 --> 00:24:31.459
By dozens of different authors who had this unified message
00:24:31.526 --> 00:24:32.627
Who had this unified message that you loved
00:24:32.694 --> 00:24:33.728
That you loved the world so much,
00:24:33.795 --> 00:24:34.596
The world so much, you sent your son,
00:24:34.663 --> 00:24:36.231
You sent your son, who was pierced
00:24:36.298 --> 00:24:37.132
Who was pierced for our transgressions.
00:24:37.198 --> 00:24:38.800
For our transgressions. who was punished so that
00:24:38.867 --> 00:24:39.701
Who was punished so that we could have peace with you.
00:24:39.768 --> 00:24:42.704
We could have peace with you. i thank you, father,
00:24:42.771 --> 00:24:43.438
I thank you, father, for this revealed knowledge.
00:24:43.505 --> 00:24:45.006
For this revealed knowledge. this book is not easy,
00:24:45.073 --> 00:24:45.974
This book is not easy, but it is profound.
00:24:46.041 --> 00:24:48.343
But it is profound. it is not shallow,
00:24:48.410 --> 00:24:49.444
It is not shallow, it is so deep that we can
00:24:49.511 --> 00:24:50.312
It is so deep that we can explore it like the ocean
00:24:50.378 --> 00:24:51.713
Explore it like the ocean until the day that we die.
00:24:51.780 --> 00:24:53.882
Until the day that we die. so, i'm grateful today god,
00:24:53.949 --> 00:24:54.683
So, i'm grateful today god, for the gift of the bible,
00:24:54.749 --> 00:24:56.885
For the gift of the bible, and i'm so grateful
00:24:56.952 --> 00:24:57.686
And i'm so grateful for the people that you
00:24:57.752 --> 00:24:58.653
For the people that you brought here on this very day.
00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:01.289
Brought here on this very day. it's no accident
00:25:01.356 --> 00:25:01.957
It's no accident that we're here.
00:25:02.023 --> 00:25:02.757
Just open some eyes that
00:25:02.857 --> 00:25:04.059
People would realize,
00:25:04.125 --> 00:25:05.160
"oh, there are answers and
00:25:05.226 --> 00:25:06.895
They're not far away."
00:25:06.962 --> 00:25:07.796
You don't have to google it.
00:25:07.862 --> 00:25:09.164
Just have to ask the guy
00:25:09.230 --> 00:25:09.931
Next to you.
00:25:09.998 --> 00:25:11.766
And so, i pray god for courage.
00:25:11.833 --> 00:25:13.702
May everyone who's listening
00:25:13.768 --> 00:25:14.469
Today overcome
00:25:14.536 --> 00:25:15.270
That spirit of fear,
00:25:15.337 --> 00:25:16.705
Embarrassment, and hesitation.
00:25:16.771 --> 00:25:18.440
May they just admit it
00:25:18.506 --> 00:25:20.241
That all of us can grow
00:25:20.308 --> 00:25:21.076
In jesus together.
00:25:21.142 --> 00:25:23.078
That's what you want.
00:25:23.144 --> 00:25:24.212
That's what we want.
00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.647
And so, we're praying
00:25:25.714 --> 00:25:26.381
For that today god.
00:25:26.448 --> 00:25:27.582
May it be done for your glory
00:25:27.649 --> 00:25:28.683
And the good of your people.
00:25:28.750 --> 00:25:30.218
And we pray this all,
00:25:30.285 --> 00:25:30.852
In jesus' name.
00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:32.621
Amen.
00:25:32.687 --> 00:25:33.254
>> what an encouraging message
00:25:33.555 --> 00:25:34.689
>> what an encouraging message from pastor mike today
00:25:34.756 --> 00:25:35.957
From pastor mike today reminding us to ask for
00:25:36.024 --> 00:25:36.758
Reminding us to ask for help and clarification
00:25:36.825 --> 00:25:38.159
Help and clarification if we're struggling
00:25:38.226 --> 00:25:39.260
If we're struggling to understand the bible.
00:25:39.327 --> 00:25:40.495
To understand the bible. thanks to some generous
00:25:40.562 --> 00:25:41.696
Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry,
00:25:41.763 --> 00:25:42.464
Friends of the ministry, we have a $125,000
00:25:42.530 --> 00:25:44.666
We have a $125,000 challenge grant for this
00:25:44.733 --> 00:25:45.667
Challenge grant for this month of august.
00:25:45.734 --> 00:25:46.935
Month of august. that means your gift
00:25:47.002 --> 00:25:47.869
That means your gift will go twice as far
00:25:47.936 --> 00:25:49.037
Will go twice as far in helping us to speak
00:25:49.104 --> 00:25:50.171
In helping us to speak openly and biblically
00:25:50.238 --> 00:25:51.573
Openly and biblically and with grace and truth
00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:53.074
And with grace and truth about real life topics
00:25:53.141 --> 00:25:54.442
About real life topics that many people avoid.
00:25:54.509 --> 00:25:55.977
That many people avoid. and when you give,
00:25:56.044 --> 00:25:56.745
And when you give, we want to send you
00:25:56.811 --> 00:25:57.445
We want to send you this new book.
00:25:57.512 --> 00:25:58.313
This new book. here's a little more about it.
00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.481
>> ever felt trapped
00:26:00.181 --> 00:26:01.182
By a secret you want
00:26:01.282 --> 00:26:02.784
To confess or confront,
00:26:02.884 --> 00:26:07.155
But fear and shame
00:26:07.255 --> 00:26:08.223
Keep you silent?
00:26:08.323 --> 00:26:10.291
You're not alone.
00:26:10.392 --> 00:26:11.559
Pastor mike novotny's new book,
00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:14.396
"how to talk taboo,"
00:26:14.496 --> 00:26:15.597
Gives you the courage
00:26:15.697 --> 00:26:16.731
To break free.
00:26:16.831 --> 00:26:17.966
It's a practical guide
00:26:18.066 --> 00:26:19.034
To honest confession
00:26:19.134 --> 00:26:20.268
And brave confrontation
00:26:20.368 --> 00:26:21.970
And the skills that build
00:26:22.070 --> 00:26:23.071
Real christian community
00:26:23.171 --> 00:26:24.572
And help you and others
00:26:24.673 --> 00:26:25.807
Break free from shame.
00:26:25.907 --> 00:26:29.711
"how to talk taboo"
00:26:29.811 --> 00:26:30.645
Is our way of thanking
00:26:30.745 --> 00:26:31.379
You for helping us
00:26:31.479 --> 00:26:32.247
Show more people how
00:26:32.347 --> 00:26:33.381
Honesty leads to lasting
00:26:33.481 --> 00:26:34.315
Hope and healing.
00:26:34.416 --> 00:26:35.950
Request yours today
00:26:36.051 --> 00:26:36.885
By calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:36.985 --> 00:26:40.321
Visiting timeofgrace.org
00:26:40.422 --> 00:26:41.790
Or writing us at p.o. box 301
00:26:41.890 --> 00:26:44.225
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:26:44.325 --> 00:26:47.028
>> time of grace
00:26:52.534 --> 00:26:53.301
Doesn't end here.
00:26:53.401 --> 00:26:55.103
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:55.203 --> 00:26:56.905
And explore
00:26:57.005 --> 00:26:57.439
Encouraging resources
00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.907
Or sign up for our daily email
00:26:59.007 --> 00:27:00.375
And have everything delivered
00:27:00.475 --> 00:27:01.242
Right to your inbox, like our
00:27:01.342 --> 00:27:03.111
Grace moments devotions,
00:27:03.211 --> 00:27:04.913
Grace talks devotional videos,
00:27:05.013 --> 00:27:06.781
Blog, and podcasts.
00:27:06.881 --> 00:27:08.416
Follow us on social media
00:27:08.516 --> 00:27:09.751
Where you'll find a supportive
00:27:09.851 --> 00:27:11.052
Christian community.
00:27:11.152 --> 00:27:11.853
Do you need prayer?
00:27:11.953 --> 00:27:12.887
Contact us and let us know
00:27:12.987 --> 00:27:14.222
What's on your heart.
00:27:14.322 --> 00:27:15.090
Thank you so much
00:27:15.190 --> 00:27:16.024
For your support.
00:27:16.124 --> 00:27:16.725
>> see you next week
00:27:17.692 --> 00:27:18.393
On time of grace.
00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.227

Mike Novotny - What If I Don't Understand the Bible?

August 27, 2025 | 29:4

Closed captions

Share