Mike Novotny - Winning Battles You Can't See

October 9, 2025 | 29:5

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

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - Winning Battles You Can't See | October 9, 2025
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  • >> but the fact is,
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  • >> but the fact is, wherever you are,
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  • Wherever you are, even here in church today,
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  • Even here in church today, even watching at home,
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  • Even watching at home, if you are a follower
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  • If you are a follower of jesus, make no mistake,
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  • Of jesus, make no mistake, you are in the middle
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  • You are in the middle of a fight for this faith.
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  • Of a fight for this faith. in fact, if you're taking notes
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  • In fact, if you're taking notes let me have you write this down
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  • Let me have you write this down as we kick things off.
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  • As we kick things off. i've learned from the bible,
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  • I've learned from the bible, from jesus christ himself
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  • From jesus christ himself that wherever christians are
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  • That wherever christians are the war zone is.
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  • The war zone is. you might be in
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  • You might be in a christian church,
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  • A christian church, you might have a cross
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  • You might have a cross up in a christian home,
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  • Up in a christian home, you might be in your car,
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  • You might be in your car, you might be downtown
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  • You might be downtown at midnight on a friday night,
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  • At midnight on a friday night, but whatever
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  • But whatever a christian steps,
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  • A christian steps, wherever there's someone
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  • Wherever there's someone who is seeking god
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  • Who is seeking god who wants to believe
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  • Who wants to believe in his forgiveness
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  • In his forgiveness and love and reflect
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  • And love and reflect that love to other people.
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  • That love to other people. wherever christians are
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  • Wherever christians are the war zone is.
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  • The war zone is. today, we're kicking off
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  • Today, we're kicking off a study of probably
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  • A study of probably the bible's best section
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  • The bible's best section on what some people
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  • On what some people call spiritual warfare.
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  • Call spiritual warfare. and when you hear
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  • And when you hear spiritual warfare,
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  • Spiritual warfare, and the devil, and demons,
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  • And the devil, and demons, don't think like halloween,
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  • Don't think like halloween, or the exorcist,
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  • Or the exorcist, or girls with spinning heads.
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  • Or girls with spinning heads. think about an invisible battle
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  • Think about an invisible battle where you're either
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  • Where you're either getting closer to god
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  • Getting closer to god or you're drifting further away,
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  • Or you're drifting further away, where your life is either
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  • Where your life is either growing in your love for god
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  • Growing in your love for god and other people or slowly
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  • And other people or slowly getting more impatient,
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  • Getting more impatient, grouchy, and forgetful
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  • Grouchy, and forgetful of your blessings.
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  • Of your blessings. the apostle paul today
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  • The apostle paul today is going to give us
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  • Is going to give us a crash course on how to fight
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  • A crash course on how to fight our battles with faith.
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  • Our battles with faith. and so, starting today
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  • And so, starting today and for the next several weeks
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  • And for the next several weeks we're going to unpack
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  • We're going to unpack this famous section
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  • This famous section on the armor of god
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  • On the armor of god and we're going to learn
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  • And we're going to learn with the help of jesus
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  • With the help of jesus and in his name how to
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  • And in his name how to fight for our faith
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  • Fight for our faith unlike ever before.
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  • Unlike ever before. so today, we're going
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  • So today, we're going to kick things off
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  • To kick things off with just two verses,
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  • With just two verses, one of which i'm going
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  • One of which i'm going to focus on.
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  • To focus on. ephesians 6 beginning
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  • Ephesians 6 beginning with verse 10.
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  • We read this.
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  • We read this. "finally, be strong
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  • "finally, be strong in the lord
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  • In the lord and in his mighty power.
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  • And in his mighty power. put on the full armor of god,
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  • Put on the full armor of god, so that you can take your stand
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  • So that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
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  • Even if you're
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  • Even if you're a long time christian,
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  • A long time christian, man, your mind is going to be
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  • Man, your mind is going to be blown by what that actually
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  • Blown by what that actually means to put on
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  • Means to put on the full armor of god.
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  • The full armor of god. we'll get into all that
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  • We'll get into all that in the weeks to come,
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  • In the weeks to come, which is why i want
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  • Which is why i want to focus today's message
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  • To focus today's message just on verse 10,
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  • Just on verse 10, beautiful verse
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  • Beautiful verse where paul says,
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  • Where paul says, "finally, be strong
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  • "finally, be strong in the lord
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  • In the lord and in his mighty power."
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  • And in his mighty power." so, when you face temptations,
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  • So, when you face temptations, there are really two options
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  • There are really two options to choose from.
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  • To choose from. you're tempted to go
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  • You're tempted to go back to that bad habit.
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  • Back to that bad habit. when you want to make
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  • When you want to make a positive change in your life,
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  • A positive change in your life, when you want to believe
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  • When you want to believe that you and god are good,
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  • That you and god are good, there's two things
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  • There's two things that you can do.
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  • That you can do. i want you to write these down.
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  • I want you to write these down. you can either try
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  • You can either try to be strong.
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  • To be strong. period.
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  • Period. or you could try to be
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  • Or you could try to be strong in the lord.
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  • Strong in the lord. period.
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  • Period. there's a huge difference
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  • There's a huge difference between the two.
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  • Between the two. so, the first one,
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  • So, the first one, if you try to be strong,
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  • If you try to be strong, that's kind of when you
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  • That's kind of when you look in the mirror
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  • Look in the mirror or you look inside yourself
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  • Or you look inside yourself and say, "well, you know,
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  • And say, "well, you know, i'm strong enough
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  • I'm strong enough to make a change.
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  • To make a change. i'm a smart person,
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  • I'm a smart person, i'm enough, i can do this.
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  • I'm enough, i can do this. i got this."
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  • I got this." i see a lot of, like,
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  • I see a lot of, like, 12-year-old girls
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  • 12-year-old girls with little t-shirts
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  • With little t-shirts that say such things like,
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  • That say such things like, "i'm enough, and i'm strong,
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  • "i'm enough, and i'm strong, and i'm worthy,"
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  • And i'm worthy," kind of self-affirmation,
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  • Kind of self-affirmation, self-esteem, kind of approach.
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  • Self-esteem, kind of approach. and to be honest with you,
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  • And to be honest with you, there's a little
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  • There's a little something to that.
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  • Something to that. if you believe that you're not
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  • If you believe that you're not a totally worthless,
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  • A totally worthless, impotent person
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  • Impotent person who will always be this
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  • Who will always be this way and never change,
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  • Way and never change, you're probably going
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  • You're probably going to sit on the couch,
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  • To sit on the couch, binge netflix
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  • Binge netflix and waste your life.
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  • And waste your life. but if you believe
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  • But if you believe that you can change,
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  • That you can change, man, you're going to start
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  • Man, you're going to start fighting back the devil
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  • Fighting back the devil with a little bit of strength.
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  • With a little bit of strength. but can i tell you this,
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  • But can i tell you this, that you looking to yourself
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  • That you looking to yourself to fight these battles
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  • To fight these battles is a little strong,
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  • Is a little strong, but it's not very strong.
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  • But it's not very strong. and it's not because
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  • And it's not because you're like a terrible person
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  • You're like a terrible person or weaker than me spiritually.
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  • Or weaker than me spiritually. in fact, it's because
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  • In fact, it's because you're a lot like me,
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  • You're a lot like me, and i want to prove it to you
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  • And i want to prove it to you with this punching bag.
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  • With this punching bag. my friend, our drummer, mike,
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  • My friend, our drummer, mike, is going to help me out here.
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  • Is going to help me out here. were you wondering
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  • Were you wondering what's under --
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  • What's under -- i feel like whenever i preach
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  • I feel like whenever i preach and there's something
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  • And there's something underneath like a sheet,
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  • Underneath like a sheet, it's always mysterious.
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  • It's always mysterious. so, here's the mystery.
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  • So, here's the mystery. here's the bottom of
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  • Here's the bottom of a big old punching bag.
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  • A big old punching bag. our friend mike's going to
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  • Our friend mike's going to bring out the bag itself.
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  • Bring out the bag itself. did you know that the power
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  • Did you know that the power of a heavyweight boxer
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  • Of a heavyweight boxer does not actually come
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  • Does not actually come from those, like,
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  • From those, like, cannonball biceps
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  • Cannonball biceps that he has,
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  • That he has, or that rock solid core,
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  • Or that rock solid core, or those thick trunks
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  • Or those thick trunks he has for thighs?
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  • He has for thighs? do you know if you really
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  • Do you know if you really want to punch someone hard,
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  • Want to punch someone hard, it's not about
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  • It's not about how much you can curl,
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  • How much you can curl, or bench, or squat?
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  • Or bench, or squat? did you know that?
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  • Did you know that? are with baseball players?
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  • Are with baseball players? did you know that like
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  • Did you know that like the oomph of a home run swing,
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  • The oomph of a home run swing, like an aaron judge
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  • Like an aaron judge monster shot
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  • Monster shot or a shohei ohtani
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  • Or a shohei ohtani 454-foot blast,
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  • 454-foot blast, it actually doesn't come
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  • It actually doesn't come from the core that
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  • From the core that you could wash your abs
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  • You could wash your abs on or the strong legs
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  • On or the strong legs that he has?
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  • That he has? did you know if you're
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  • Did you know if you're a hockey player that
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  • A hockey player that a 100 mile an hour slap shot
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  • A 100 mile an hour slap shot doesn't really come from,
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  • Doesn't really come from, like, the shoulder muscles
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  • Like, the shoulder muscles or the training of
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  • Or the training of an nhl defenseman?
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  • An nhl defenseman? did you know that?
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  • Did you know that? where does the strength
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  • Where does the strength of a shot, a home run swing,
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  • Of a shot, a home run swing, or a knockout punch come from?
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  • Or a knockout punch come from? not here, not here, not here.
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  • Not here, not here, not here. it comes from the earth.
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  • It comes from the earth. the real strength
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  • The real strength of human beings
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  • Of human beings is not human beings.
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  • Is not human beings. it is the big monstrously
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  • It is the big monstrously strong thing outside of them.
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  • Strong thing outside of them. let me prove it to you
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  • Let me prove it to you with this punching bag.
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  • With this punching bag. do you know if i take my feet
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  • Do you know if i take my feet off of a strong contact
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  • Off of a strong contact with the earth,
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  • With the earth, if i go on one foot
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  • If i go on one foot and then try to go
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  • And then try to go on my tippy toes
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  • On my tippy toes and i try to punch
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  • And i try to punch this punching bag...
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  • I can hit it.
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  • I can hit it. but if skinny pastor mike
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  • But if skinny pastor mike puts his feet on the earth,
  • 00:06:13.396 --> 00:06:15.364
  • Puts his feet on the earth, and if i lean into this
  • 00:06:15.431 --> 00:06:16.299
  • And if i lean into this and burst with, like,
  • 00:06:16.365 --> 00:06:17.366
  • And burst with, like, kinetic energy from the ground,
  • 00:06:17.433 --> 00:06:19.135
  • Kinetic energy from the ground, through my legs,
  • 00:06:19.202 --> 00:06:19.635
  • Through my legs, through my core,
  • 00:06:19.702 --> 00:06:20.036
  • Through my core, you know what i can do
  • 00:06:20.102 --> 00:06:20.770
  • You know what i can do to this punching bag?
  • 00:06:20.837 --> 00:06:22.872
  • To this punching bag? i want to show you.
  • 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:23.973
  • [laughter]
  • 00:06:24.273 --> 00:06:24.974
  • Let's go.
  • 00:06:27.276 --> 00:06:27.777
  • Let's go. let's go.
  • 00:06:27.844 --> 00:06:28.044
  • [applause]
  • 00:06:28.377 --> 00:06:29.679
  • Let's go.
  • 00:06:30.012 --> 00:06:30.279
  • [laughing]
  • 00:06:30.546 --> 00:06:32.815
  • Ow, son of a gun.
  • 00:06:33.115 --> 00:06:34.183
  • Ow, son of a gun. no.
  • 00:06:34.250 --> 00:06:34.450
  • [laughter]
  • 00:06:34.684 --> 00:06:35.117
  • How did that happen?
  • 00:06:35.751 --> 00:06:37.320
  • How did that happen? i wasn't faking it
  • 00:06:37.386 --> 00:06:37.820
  • I wasn't faking it with the first punch,
  • 00:06:37.887 --> 00:06:38.421
  • With the first punch, by the way.
  • 00:06:38.488 --> 00:06:39.856
  • By the way. the difference was
  • 00:06:39.922 --> 00:06:40.289
  • The difference was the first punch
  • 00:06:40.356 --> 00:06:41.090
  • The first punch i relied on my strength.
  • 00:06:41.157 --> 00:06:43.526
  • I relied on my strength. the second punch,
  • 00:06:43.593 --> 00:06:44.060
  • The second punch, i relied on an outside
  • 00:06:44.126 --> 00:06:45.595
  • I relied on an outside source of strength.
  • 00:06:45.661 --> 00:06:47.530
  • Source of strength. now, you with me?
  • 00:06:47.597 --> 00:06:48.798
  • Now, you with me? yeah.
  • 00:06:48.865 --> 00:06:49.131
  • Yeah. so, when the apostle paul says
  • 00:06:49.198 --> 00:06:50.399
  • So, when the apostle paul says when you're fighting
  • 00:06:50.466 --> 00:06:51.667
  • When you're fighting like the devil himself,
  • 00:06:51.734 --> 00:06:53.336
  • Like the devil himself, not just a made up creature,
  • 00:06:53.402 --> 00:06:54.670
  • Not just a made up creature, but the father of lies
  • 00:06:54.737 --> 00:06:55.805
  • But the father of lies who's been studying
  • 00:06:55.872 --> 00:06:56.739
  • Who's been studying and tempting people like you
  • 00:06:56.806 --> 00:06:58.474
  • And tempting people like you for countless years,
  • 00:06:58.541 --> 00:06:59.675
  • For countless years, don't look in the mirror
  • 00:06:59.742 --> 00:07:00.943
  • Don't look in the mirror and say, "i'm strong.
  • 00:07:01.010 --> 00:07:02.378
  • And say, "i'm strong. i can do it."
  • 00:07:02.445 --> 00:07:03.279
  • I can do it." you're going to punch the devil
  • 00:07:03.346 --> 00:07:04.013
  • You're going to punch the devil and he's going to laugh
  • 00:07:04.080 --> 00:07:04.614
  • And he's going to laugh back at you.
  • 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:06.716
  • Back at you. but if you put your feet
  • 00:07:06.782 --> 00:07:07.984
  • But if you put your feet firmly in the lord
  • 00:07:08.050 --> 00:07:09.418
  • Firmly in the lord and punch back,
  • 00:07:09.485 --> 00:07:12.388
  • And punch back, he better keep his gloves up
  • 00:07:12.455 --> 00:07:15.825
  • He better keep his gloves up because paul says
  • 00:07:15.892 --> 00:07:16.425
  • Because paul says here in this verse,
  • 00:07:16.492 --> 00:07:17.026
  • Here in this verse, be strong in the lord
  • 00:07:17.093 --> 00:07:19.328
  • Be strong in the lord and in his mighty power.
  • 00:07:19.395 --> 00:07:26.102
  • And in his mighty power. i love that phrase.
  • 00:07:26.168 --> 00:07:26.769
  • I love that phrase. if you're taking notes,
  • 00:07:26.836 --> 00:07:28.938
  • If you're taking notes, get your pen back out.
  • 00:07:29.005 --> 00:07:29.605
  • Get your pen back out. i want to teach you
  • 00:07:29.672 --> 00:07:30.339
  • I want to teach you what paul means by
  • 00:07:30.406 --> 00:07:31.607
  • What paul means by that little phrase,
  • 00:07:31.674 --> 00:07:32.475
  • That little phrase, "mighty power."
  • 00:07:32.542 --> 00:07:32.875
  • "mighty power." he takes two words of strength
  • 00:07:32.942 --> 00:07:34.377
  • He takes two words of strength and kind of smashes
  • 00:07:34.443 --> 00:07:35.111
  • And kind of smashes them together.
  • 00:07:35.177 --> 00:07:35.778
  • Them together. the first word is
  • 00:07:35.845 --> 00:07:37.280
  • The first word is the greek word
  • 00:07:37.346 --> 00:07:38.514
  • The greek word kratos, for mighty.
  • 00:07:38.581 --> 00:07:41.183
  • Kratos, for mighty. it literally means to be
  • 00:07:41.250 --> 00:07:42.084
  • It literally means to be in total control of something.
  • 00:07:42.151 --> 00:07:46.088
  • In total control of something. if you have just the raw
  • 00:07:46.155 --> 00:07:47.490
  • If you have just the raw strength in your body
  • 00:07:47.557 --> 00:07:48.758
  • Strength in your body to physically dominate someone,
  • 00:07:48.824 --> 00:07:50.593
  • To physically dominate someone, that's what kratos is.
  • 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:52.328
  • That's what kratos is. so, if you could, like,
  • 00:07:52.395 --> 00:07:53.329
  • So, if you could, like, jump on top of an alligator
  • 00:07:53.396 --> 00:07:54.330
  • Jump on top of an alligator and hold his jaws shut,
  • 00:07:54.397 --> 00:07:56.599
  • And hold his jaws shut, you have kratos.
  • 00:07:56.666 --> 00:07:58.234
  • You have kratos. if you wrestled back
  • 00:07:58.301 --> 00:07:59.135
  • If you wrestled back in high school
  • 00:07:59.201 --> 00:07:59.602
  • In high school and you could like pin
  • 00:07:59.669 --> 00:08:00.202
  • And you could like pin someone to the mat
  • 00:08:00.269 --> 00:08:01.571
  • Someone to the mat and it was easy for you,
  • 00:08:01.637 --> 00:08:02.371
  • And it was easy for you, you had kratos.
  • 00:08:02.438 --> 00:08:03.906
  • You had kratos. if you were like hanging out
  • 00:08:03.973 --> 00:08:05.007
  • If you were like hanging out with your little brother
  • 00:08:05.074 --> 00:08:05.608
  • With your little brother and you'd pin him down,
  • 00:08:05.675 --> 00:08:06.542
  • And you'd pin him down, but -- no, don't do that.
  • 00:08:06.609 --> 00:08:08.344
  • But -- no, don't do that. don't do that.
  • 00:08:08.411 --> 00:08:08.711
  • Don't do that. you should love your brother.
  • 00:08:08.778 --> 00:08:09.812
  • You should love your brother. you should not fight
  • 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:10.313
  • You should not fight with your brother, right?
  • 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.581
  • With your brother, right? that is what kratos is.
  • 00:08:11.647 --> 00:08:13.082
  • That is what kratos is. yes, i was talking
  • 00:08:13.149 --> 00:08:13.583
  • Yes, i was talking to parents before.
  • 00:08:13.649 --> 00:08:14.717
  • To parents before. they said don't,
  • 00:08:14.784 --> 00:08:15.284
  • They said don't, "don't say that
  • 00:08:15.351 --> 00:08:15.651
  • "don't say that about my children."
  • 00:08:15.718 --> 00:08:16.152
  • [laughing]
  • 00:08:16.385 --> 00:08:16.886
  • Yeah.
  • 00:08:17.553 --> 00:08:17.954
  • Yeah. so that's brute strength.
  • 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.388
  • So that's brute strength. but then paul combines it with
  • 00:08:19.455 --> 00:08:20.590
  • But then paul combines it with the second amazing word,
  • 00:08:20.656 --> 00:08:22.592
  • The second amazing word, the greek word ischus,
  • 00:08:22.658 --> 00:08:25.628
  • The greek word ischus, which stands for
  • 00:08:25.695 --> 00:08:26.128
  • Which stands for absolute ability.
  • 00:08:26.195 --> 00:08:29.899
  • Absolute ability. other greek dictionaries will
  • 00:08:29.966 --> 00:08:30.833
  • Other greek dictionaries will call it a high capability
  • 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:34.203
  • Call it a high capability or efficiency.
  • 00:08:34.270 --> 00:08:35.471
  • Or efficiency. so, i sometimes think of,
  • 00:08:35.538 --> 00:08:36.672
  • So, i sometimes think of, you know, kratos
  • 00:08:36.739 --> 00:08:37.173
  • You know, kratos is the brute strength,
  • 00:08:37.239 --> 00:08:38.374
  • Is the brute strength, but i'm not just like
  • 00:08:38.441 --> 00:08:39.375
  • But i'm not just like randomly swinging.
  • 00:08:39.442 --> 00:08:40.376
  • Randomly swinging. i also have the ability,
  • 00:08:40.443 --> 00:08:41.577
  • I also have the ability, the knowledge to use
  • 00:08:41.644 --> 00:08:43.012
  • The knowledge to use that strength for
  • 00:08:43.079 --> 00:08:43.713
  • That strength for the best possible purpose.
  • 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.848
  • The best possible purpose. so, when paul puts this together
  • 00:08:45.915 --> 00:08:46.716
  • So, when paul puts this together and he's telling us to be strong
  • 00:08:46.782 --> 00:08:48.551
  • And he's telling us to be strong in god's mighty power,
  • 00:08:48.618 --> 00:08:50.586
  • In god's mighty power, he's telling us to,
  • 00:08:50.653 --> 00:08:51.220
  • He's telling us to, like, put our feet,
  • 00:08:51.287 --> 00:08:52.054
  • Like, put our feet, our faith, our minds,
  • 00:08:52.121 --> 00:08:54.156
  • Our faith, our minds, and our hearts on this idea
  • 00:08:54.223 --> 00:08:55.524
  • And our hearts on this idea that the god we worship
  • 00:08:55.591 --> 00:08:56.459
  • That the god we worship is an all-powerful god.
  • 00:08:56.525 --> 00:08:59.729
  • Is an all-powerful god. and he's also so capable,
  • 00:08:59.795 --> 00:09:01.197
  • And he's also so capable, in total control,
  • 00:09:01.263 --> 00:09:02.198
  • In total control, that he can work out
  • 00:09:02.264 --> 00:09:03.232
  • That he can work out any situation for
  • 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:04.066
  • Any situation for our spiritual good.
  • 00:09:04.133 --> 00:09:05.067
  • Our spiritual good. if we don't forget about god,
  • 00:09:05.134 --> 00:09:08.170
  • If we don't forget about god, this big, big strong thing
  • 00:09:08.237 --> 00:09:09.572
  • This big, big strong thing outside of us like the earth,
  • 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:11.974
  • Outside of us like the earth, then we can fight these
  • 00:09:12.041 --> 00:09:12.608
  • Then we can fight these battles like never before.
  • 00:09:12.675 --> 00:09:17.246
  • Battles like never before. so, what exactly does that mean?
  • 00:09:17.313 --> 00:09:19.915
  • So, what exactly does that mean? well, there are four words
  • 00:09:19.982 --> 00:09:20.750
  • Well, there are four words that i'm going to
  • 00:09:20.816 --> 00:09:21.250
  • That i'm going to come back to a ton
  • 00:09:21.317 --> 00:09:22.818
  • Come back to a ton before this series is over.
  • 00:09:22.885 --> 00:09:23.919
  • Before this series is over. i don't have a spot for you
  • 00:09:23.986 --> 00:09:24.787
  • I don't have a spot for you in your bulletins
  • 00:09:24.854 --> 00:09:25.221
  • In your bulletins to write this down,
  • 00:09:25.287 --> 00:09:25.755
  • To write this down, but i'd love for you to do so
  • 00:09:25.821 --> 00:09:27.056
  • But i'd love for you to do so even if you're watching at home.
  • 00:09:27.123 --> 00:09:29.025
  • Even if you're watching at home. i think what it means to be
  • 00:09:29.091 --> 00:09:30.192
  • I think what it means to be strong in the lord is as fast
  • 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:32.395
  • Strong in the lord is as fast as you can to think about
  • 00:09:32.461 --> 00:09:33.663
  • As you can to think about four things: passages,
  • 00:09:33.729 --> 00:09:37.833
  • Four things: passages, prayers, people, and a person.
  • 00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:46.108
  • Prayers, people, and a person. so, when you start your day,
  • 00:09:46.175 --> 00:09:47.243
  • So, when you start your day, if you want to prepare
  • 00:09:47.309 --> 00:09:47.843
  • If you want to prepare for spiritual warfare,
  • 00:09:47.910 --> 00:09:49.679
  • For spiritual warfare, or when you just feel
  • 00:09:49.745 --> 00:09:50.513
  • Or when you just feel that old temptation coming,
  • 00:09:50.579 --> 00:09:51.881
  • That old temptation coming, you're in the midst
  • 00:09:51.947 --> 00:09:52.415
  • You're in the midst of the argument
  • 00:09:52.481 --> 00:09:53.115
  • Of the argument and it could get much worse,
  • 00:09:53.182 --> 00:09:54.083
  • And it could get much worse, i think the best way
  • 00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:55.785
  • I think the best way to like get your feet
  • 00:09:55.851 --> 00:09:56.686
  • To like get your feet in a strong spiritual stance
  • 00:09:56.752 --> 00:09:58.888
  • In a strong spiritual stance is to do these four things:
  • 00:09:58.954 --> 00:09:59.822
  • Is to do these four things: passages, prayers,
  • 00:09:59.889 --> 00:10:01.657
  • Passages, prayers, people, and a person.
  • 00:10:01.724 --> 00:10:03.592
  • People, and a person. we're going to find
  • 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.093
  • We're going to find the bible passages that apply
  • 00:10:04.160 --> 00:10:05.361
  • The bible passages that apply to this situation, to marriage,
  • 00:10:05.428 --> 00:10:07.596
  • To this situation, to marriage, to forgiveness, to fear.
  • 00:10:07.663 --> 00:10:09.965
  • To forgiveness, to fear. we're going to pray.
  • 00:10:10.032 --> 00:10:12.468
  • We're going to pray. i don't --
  • 00:10:12.535 --> 00:10:12.868
  • I don't -- sometimes i pray like
  • 00:10:12.935 --> 00:10:13.936
  • Sometimes i pray like after the temptation is done,
  • 00:10:14.003 --> 00:10:15.171
  • After the temptation is done, instead of, like, inviting god
  • 00:10:15.237 --> 00:10:16.472
  • Instead of, like, inviting god in this moment to, to help me.
  • 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:18.541
  • In this moment to, to help me. we're going to invite people.
  • 00:10:18.607 --> 00:10:19.508
  • We're going to invite people. we're not going to fight
  • 00:10:19.575 --> 00:10:20.109
  • We're not going to fight this battle alone.
  • 00:10:20.176 --> 00:10:22.178
  • This battle alone. i know it sounds so brave,
  • 00:10:22.244 --> 00:10:22.978
  • I know it sounds so brave, an army of one.
  • 00:10:23.045 --> 00:10:24.580
  • An army of one. nope, armies of one become
  • 00:10:24.647 --> 00:10:27.149
  • Nope, armies of one become armies of none very quickly.
  • 00:10:27.216 --> 00:10:29.251
  • Armies of none very quickly. so, i'm going to invite in
  • 00:10:29.318 --> 00:10:29.985
  • So, i'm going to invite in people to pray for me,
  • 00:10:30.052 --> 00:10:30.886
  • People to pray for me, encourage me, help me,
  • 00:10:30.953 --> 00:10:31.854
  • Encourage me, help me, keep me accountable.
  • 00:10:31.921 --> 00:10:32.755
  • Keep me accountable. and finally, i'm going to
  • 00:10:32.822 --> 00:10:33.789
  • And finally, i'm going to remember the person,
  • 00:10:33.856 --> 00:10:36.025
  • Remember the person, who at the end of this battle,
  • 00:10:36.092 --> 00:10:37.626
  • Gives me the assurance
  • 00:10:37.727 --> 00:10:38.461
  • That the war has been won.
  • 00:10:38.527 --> 00:10:39.929
  • I'm going to think of jesus.
  • 00:10:39.995 --> 00:10:42.031
  • So, if you like hand motions,
  • 00:10:42.098 --> 00:10:43.132
  • I'll think of it this way.
  • 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:44.467
  • Passages, prayers,
  • 00:10:44.533 --> 00:10:46.569
  • People, and a person.
  • 00:10:46.669 --> 00:10:49.305
  • People, and a person. if you want to be strong
  • 00:10:49.371 --> 00:10:50.039
  • If you want to be strong in the lord and not
  • 00:10:50.106 --> 00:10:50.773
  • In the lord and not just in yourself, remember
  • 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:51.807
  • Just in yourself, remember the passages, the prayers,
  • 00:10:51.874 --> 00:10:54.343
  • The passages, the prayers, people and the person.
  • 00:10:54.410 --> 00:10:59.815
  • People and the person. so, let's make this
  • 00:10:59.882 --> 00:11:00.316
  • So, let's make this uber practical.
  • 00:11:00.382 --> 00:11:01.817
  • Uber practical. let's try to apply that idea,
  • 00:11:01.884 --> 00:11:03.219
  • Let's try to apply that idea, okay, i'm going to fight,
  • 00:11:03.285 --> 00:11:05.121
  • Okay, i'm going to fight, be strong in the lord,
  • 00:11:05.187 --> 00:11:06.255
  • Be strong in the lord, which means passages, prayers,
  • 00:11:06.322 --> 00:11:07.923
  • Which means passages, prayers, people, and a person.
  • 00:11:07.990 --> 00:11:09.024
  • People, and a person. let's talk about
  • 00:11:09.091 --> 00:11:09.959
  • Let's talk about money for a second.
  • 00:11:10.025 --> 00:11:12.061
  • Money for a second. don't worry,
  • 00:11:12.128 --> 00:11:12.394
  • Don't worry, we're not having, like,
  • 00:11:12.461 --> 00:11:12.928
  • We're not having, like, a second offering in church.
  • 00:11:12.995 --> 00:11:15.631
  • A second offering in church. let's say you're
  • 00:11:15.698 --> 00:11:16.098
  • Let's say you're one of those people,
  • 00:11:16.165 --> 00:11:16.766
  • One of those people, and there's lots of us
  • 00:11:16.832 --> 00:11:17.733
  • And there's lots of us in the room today,
  • 00:11:17.800 --> 00:11:19.101
  • In the room today, who worry about our finances.
  • 00:11:19.168 --> 00:11:23.072
  • Who worry about our finances. "so, i'm just a teenager
  • 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:24.073
  • "so, i'm just a teenager who makes like
  • 00:11:24.140 --> 00:11:25.474
  • Who makes like $10 bucks an hour,"
  • 00:11:25.541 --> 00:11:26.475
  • $10 bucks an hour," and they're worried about
  • 00:11:26.542 --> 00:11:28.210
  • And they're worried about getting enough or having
  • 00:11:28.277 --> 00:11:29.278
  • Getting enough or having money to go to college
  • 00:11:29.345 --> 00:11:30.079
  • Money to go to college and the crippling debt.
  • 00:11:30.146 --> 00:11:31.247
  • And the crippling debt. maybe you're the young
  • 00:11:31.313 --> 00:11:32.848
  • Maybe you're the young professional who wants
  • 00:11:32.915 --> 00:11:34.216
  • Professional who wants to settle in a house
  • 00:11:34.283 --> 00:11:35.618
  • To settle in a house but it's just crazy,
  • 00:11:35.684 --> 00:11:36.652
  • But it's just crazy, and where do you even start,
  • 00:11:36.719 --> 00:11:37.386
  • And where do you even start, and how do you pay off
  • 00:11:37.453 --> 00:11:38.120
  • And how do you pay off all your school loans?
  • 00:11:38.187 --> 00:11:39.188
  • All your school loans? maybe you're the couple
  • 00:11:39.255 --> 00:11:40.122
  • Maybe you're the couple who really wants to get married,
  • 00:11:40.189 --> 00:11:41.390
  • Who really wants to get married, but have you seen --
  • 00:11:41.457 --> 00:11:42.525
  • But have you seen -- oh, my goodness.
  • 00:11:42.591 --> 00:11:42.892
  • Oh, my goodness. have you seen prices
  • 00:11:42.958 --> 00:11:43.659
  • Have you seen prices of weddings these days?
  • 00:11:43.726 --> 00:11:44.627
  • Of weddings these days? and you're, "are we going to
  • 00:11:44.693 --> 00:11:45.761
  • And you're, "are we going to have enough to have
  • 00:11:45.828 --> 00:11:46.562
  • Have enough to have the big day that we want?"
  • 00:11:46.629 --> 00:11:48.030
  • The big day that we want?" maybe you're the parent
  • 00:11:48.097 --> 00:11:49.231
  • Maybe you're the parent who's worried about your kids
  • 00:11:49.298 --> 00:11:50.432
  • Who's worried about your kids or the inflation
  • 00:11:50.499 --> 00:11:51.500
  • Or the inflation or the economy.
  • 00:11:51.567 --> 00:11:52.735
  • Or the economy. when that happens,
  • 00:11:52.802 --> 00:11:53.135
  • When that happens, you can do one of two things
  • 00:11:53.202 --> 00:11:54.804
  • You can do one of two things when you're worried about money.
  • 00:11:54.870 --> 00:11:55.704
  • When you're worried about money. you could either try
  • 00:11:55.771 --> 00:11:56.205
  • You could either try to be strong,
  • 00:11:56.272 --> 00:11:59.575
  • To be strong, or you could be strong
  • 00:11:59.642 --> 00:12:00.176
  • Or you could be strong in the lord.
  • 00:12:00.242 --> 00:12:03.479
  • In the lord. so, you could try to pump
  • 00:12:03.546 --> 00:12:04.380
  • So, you could try to pump yourself up and say,
  • 00:12:04.446 --> 00:12:05.014
  • Yourself up and say, "well, it's going to be okay,
  • 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.882
  • "well, it's going to be okay, and i'm a hard worker,
  • 00:12:06.949 --> 00:12:08.818
  • And i'm a hard worker, and i'm going to have a budget,
  • 00:12:08.884 --> 00:12:10.119
  • And i'm going to have a budget, and i'm going to put
  • 00:12:10.186 --> 00:12:11.053
  • And i'm going to put in extra hours,
  • 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:11.754
  • In extra hours, and i'm going to
  • 00:12:11.821 --> 00:12:12.254
  • And i'm going to get this raise,
  • 00:12:12.321 --> 00:12:12.855
  • Get this raise, and maybe i'll get that
  • 00:12:12.922 --> 00:12:13.556
  • And maybe i'll get that promotion, then i'll have
  • 00:12:13.622 --> 00:12:14.256
  • Promotion, then i'll have enough money to feel good
  • 00:12:14.323 --> 00:12:15.457
  • Enough money to feel good about this," which is okay.
  • 00:12:15.524 --> 00:12:21.530
  • About this," which is okay. but the fact is
  • 00:12:21.597 --> 00:12:22.031
  • But the fact is you don't have kratos.
  • 00:12:22.097 --> 00:12:25.034
  • You don't have kratos. you can't control
  • 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.235
  • You can't control your financial situation.
  • 00:12:26.302 --> 00:12:27.703
  • Your financial situation. you don't know
  • 00:12:27.770 --> 00:12:28.804
  • You don't know if you'll get into an accident
  • 00:12:28.871 --> 00:12:30.206
  • If you'll get into an accident and end up on disability.
  • 00:12:30.272 --> 00:12:31.073
  • And end up on disability. you don't know what's going to
  • 00:12:31.140 --> 00:12:31.807
  • You don't know what's going to happen with the election,
  • 00:12:31.874 --> 00:12:33.108
  • Happen with the election, or inflation,
  • 00:12:33.175 --> 00:12:34.109
  • Or inflation, or the housing market.
  • 00:12:34.176 --> 00:12:35.644
  • Or the housing market. you can't, like, control
  • 00:12:35.711 --> 00:12:37.246
  • You can't, like, control whether they give you a raise
  • 00:12:37.313 --> 00:12:38.180
  • Whether they give you a raise or pass you by,
  • 00:12:38.247 --> 00:12:39.014
  • Or pass you by, whether they promote you
  • 00:12:39.081 --> 00:12:40.249
  • Whether they promote you or have to let you go.
  • 00:12:40.316 --> 00:12:41.183
  • Or have to let you go. there's so much in
  • 00:12:41.250 --> 00:12:42.518
  • There's so much in your financial picture
  • 00:12:42.585 --> 00:12:43.953
  • Your financial picture even if you try your best,
  • 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:44.687
  • Even if you try your best, that's out of your control.
  • 00:12:44.753 --> 00:12:46.121
  • That's out of your control. try to be strong in you,
  • 00:12:46.188 --> 00:12:47.389
  • Try to be strong in you, financially,
  • 00:12:47.456 --> 00:12:48.023
  • Financially, and there will always be
  • 00:12:48.090 --> 00:12:48.624
  • And there will always be something to worry about.
  • 00:12:48.691 --> 00:12:52.027
  • Something to worry about. but what would happen
  • 00:12:52.094 --> 00:12:52.761
  • But what would happen if instead of doing that,
  • 00:12:52.828 --> 00:12:53.729
  • If instead of doing that, you would try to be
  • 00:12:53.796 --> 00:12:54.363
  • You would try to be strong in the lord?
  • 00:12:54.430 --> 00:12:57.433
  • Strong in the lord? what if you think of
  • 00:12:57.499 --> 00:12:58.033
  • What if you think of a passage about finances
  • 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.135
  • A passage about finances like jesus in matthew 6?
  • 00:13:00.202 --> 00:13:03.138
  • Like jesus in matthew 6? "don't worry about tomorrow
  • 00:13:03.205 --> 00:13:05.140
  • "don't worry about tomorrow what you'll eat
  • 00:13:05.207 --> 00:13:05.774
  • What you'll eat or what you will wear.
  • 00:13:05.841 --> 00:13:06.508
  • Or what you will wear. your heavenly father knows
  • 00:13:06.575 --> 00:13:07.576
  • Your heavenly father knows exactly what you need."
  • 00:13:07.643 --> 00:13:10.379
  • Exactly what you need." oh yeah, god,
  • 00:13:10.446 --> 00:13:12.882
  • Oh yeah, god, i'm not just some,
  • 00:13:12.948 --> 00:13:13.382
  • I'm not just some, like, independent adult.
  • 00:13:13.449 --> 00:13:14.250
  • Like, independent adult. i'm a child of god.
  • 00:13:14.316 --> 00:13:15.885
  • I'm a child of god. and so, i start to pray,
  • 00:13:15.951 --> 00:13:16.619
  • And so, i start to pray, "god, you're a good father.
  • 00:13:16.685 --> 00:13:18.554
  • "god, you're a good father. you know what i need?
  • 00:13:18.621 --> 00:13:20.022
  • You know what i need? you know, i'm worried,
  • 00:13:20.089 --> 00:13:20.990
  • You know, i'm worried, but you have a way of providing.
  • 00:13:21.056 --> 00:13:21.991
  • But you have a way of providing. you might not have given me
  • 00:13:22.057 --> 00:13:23.025
  • You might not have given me everything i asked for,
  • 00:13:23.092 --> 00:13:23.926
  • Everything i asked for, but you're going to give me
  • 00:13:23.993 --> 00:13:24.660
  • But you're going to give me everything i need
  • 00:13:24.727 --> 00:13:25.694
  • Everything i need to be close to you."
  • 00:13:25.761 --> 00:13:26.328
  • To be close to you." and then you're going to
  • 00:13:26.395 --> 00:13:26.929
  • And then you're going to invite other people like,
  • 00:13:26.996 --> 00:13:27.963
  • Invite other people like, "hey, would you help me
  • 00:13:28.030 --> 00:13:28.597
  • "hey, would you help me make a budget?
  • 00:13:28.664 --> 00:13:29.365
  • Make a budget? and would you help me
  • 00:13:29.431 --> 00:13:29.965
  • And would you help me to remember that
  • 00:13:30.032 --> 00:13:30.499
  • To remember that at the end of the day,
  • 00:13:30.566 --> 00:13:31.767
  • At the end of the day, god's going to do
  • 00:13:31.834 --> 00:13:32.334
  • God's going to do what god's going to do?"
  • 00:13:32.401 --> 00:13:34.169
  • What god's going to do?" and can you look to jesus,
  • 00:13:34.236 --> 00:13:35.137
  • And can you look to jesus, the person and say,
  • 00:13:35.204 --> 00:13:36.171
  • The person and say, "jesus, if you died for me,
  • 00:13:36.238 --> 00:13:37.439
  • "jesus, if you died for me, if you did the big thing,
  • 00:13:37.506 --> 00:13:39.041
  • If you did the big thing, man, you're going to help me
  • 00:13:39.108 --> 00:13:39.775
  • Man, you're going to help me with the little thing.
  • 00:13:39.842 --> 00:13:41.677
  • With the little thing. if you loved me
  • 00:13:41.744 --> 00:13:42.511
  • If you loved me when i was just a sinner
  • 00:13:42.578 --> 00:13:43.345
  • When i was just a sinner and far from you,
  • 00:13:43.412 --> 00:13:44.647
  • And far from you, of course you love me
  • 00:13:44.713 --> 00:13:45.247
  • Of course you love me right now that i'm close to you
  • 00:13:45.314 --> 00:13:46.815
  • Because of faith."
  • 00:13:46.916 --> 00:13:49.551
  • Right?
  • 00:13:49.618 --> 00:13:49.818
  • You're taking
  • 00:13:49.885 --> 00:13:50.185
  • The same situation,
  • 00:13:50.252 --> 00:13:50.719
  • But instead of trying
  • 00:13:50.786 --> 00:13:51.453
  • To be strong in you,
  • 00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:53.255
  • You're going back
  • 00:13:53.322 --> 00:13:53.789
  • To the passages, prayers,
  • 00:13:53.856 --> 00:13:54.690
  • People and the person.
  • 00:13:54.757 --> 00:13:59.929
  • Or, how about this example?
  • 00:14:00.029 --> 00:14:01.130
  • Or, how about this example? what if there's something
  • 00:14:01.196 --> 00:14:01.864
  • What if there's something about you that you'd
  • 00:14:01.931 --> 00:14:03.165
  • About you that you'd really like to change?
  • 00:14:03.232 --> 00:14:06.735
  • Really like to change? you know, part of
  • 00:14:06.802 --> 00:14:07.236
  • You know, part of your personality, that,
  • 00:14:07.303 --> 00:14:09.204
  • Your personality, that, man, it's just been so long
  • 00:14:09.271 --> 00:14:10.906
  • Man, it's just been so long that you always react that way.
  • 00:14:10.973 --> 00:14:12.474
  • That you always react that way. you always do these things
  • 00:14:12.541 --> 00:14:14.043
  • You always do these things and it just,
  • 00:14:14.109 --> 00:14:16.011
  • And it just, it's causing problems,
  • 00:14:16.078 --> 00:14:16.845
  • It's causing problems, it's messing with relationships.
  • 00:14:16.912 --> 00:14:18.347
  • It's messing with relationships. you want to be sober,
  • 00:14:18.414 --> 00:14:19.848
  • You want to be sober, you want to be patient,
  • 00:14:19.915 --> 00:14:20.649
  • You want to be patient, you want to be so defensive.
  • 00:14:20.716 --> 00:14:23.585
  • You want to be so defensive. "and the older i get,
  • 00:14:23.652 --> 00:14:24.820
  • "and the older i get, the more i see, like,
  • 00:14:24.887 --> 00:14:26.722
  • The more i see, like, my strengths as a person
  • 00:14:26.789 --> 00:14:28.324
  • My strengths as a person and the more i see
  • 00:14:28.390 --> 00:14:28.958
  • And the more i see the dark side of how i'm wired
  • 00:14:29.024 --> 00:14:31.093
  • The dark side of how i'm wired and how instinctive it is for me
  • 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:33.429
  • And how instinctive it is for me to fall into the same old sins."
  • 00:14:33.495 --> 00:14:34.830
  • To fall into the same old sins." now, you and i could try
  • 00:14:34.897 --> 00:14:35.564
  • Now, you and i could try to change that just
  • 00:14:35.631 --> 00:14:36.398
  • To change that just by trying harder,
  • 00:14:36.465 --> 00:14:39.101
  • By trying harder, you know, white knuckle it,
  • 00:14:39.168 --> 00:14:40.502
  • You know, white knuckle it, behavior modification.
  • 00:14:40.569 --> 00:14:43.939
  • Behavior modification. but ask most addicts
  • 00:14:44.006 --> 00:14:45.341
  • But ask most addicts and they will tell you
  • 00:14:45.407 --> 00:14:46.141
  • And they will tell you that one out of thousand
  • 00:14:46.208 --> 00:14:47.676
  • That one out of thousand gets sober by themselves.
  • 00:14:47.743 --> 00:14:52.281
  • Gets sober by themselves. now, instead,
  • 00:14:52.348 --> 00:14:52.982
  • Now, instead, what would happen if
  • 00:14:53.048 --> 00:14:53.482
  • What would happen if we would try to be strong
  • 00:14:53.549 --> 00:14:54.516
  • We would try to be strong in the lord and go back to
  • 00:14:54.583 --> 00:14:56.151
  • In the lord and go back to the passages, the prayers,
  • 00:14:56.218 --> 00:14:58.087
  • The passages, the prayers, the people, and the person?
  • 00:14:58.153 --> 00:15:02.558
  • The people, and the person? and what would happen,
  • 00:15:02.624 --> 00:15:03.058
  • And what would happen, for example, if you get
  • 00:15:03.125 --> 00:15:03.759
  • For example, if you get really defensive
  • 00:15:03.826 --> 00:15:05.427
  • Really defensive when there's
  • 00:15:05.494 --> 00:15:05.861
  • When there's a tough conversation?
  • 00:15:05.928 --> 00:15:07.162
  • A tough conversation? or what if you would memorize
  • 00:15:07.229 --> 00:15:08.197
  • Or what if you would memorize the passage that says,
  • 00:15:08.263 --> 00:15:09.798
  • The passage that says, "pride comes before the fall,
  • 00:15:09.865 --> 00:15:12.868
  • "pride comes before the fall, but humility comes
  • 00:15:12.935 --> 00:15:13.702
  • But humility comes before honor?"
  • 00:15:13.769 --> 00:15:17.206
  • Before honor?" and man, if, i just proudly
  • 00:15:17.272 --> 00:15:18.307
  • And man, if, i just proudly defend myself, i'm in trouble.
  • 00:15:18.374 --> 00:15:21.744
  • Defend myself, i'm in trouble. "but god, if you can
  • 00:15:21.810 --> 00:15:22.378
  • "but god, if you can keep me humble today
  • 00:15:22.444 --> 00:15:23.312
  • Keep me humble today to be quick to listen
  • 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.146
  • To be quick to listen and slow to speak.
  • 00:15:24.213 --> 00:15:25.214
  • And slow to speak. if i can really try to
  • 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:26.582
  • If i can really try to understand the heart
  • 00:15:26.648 --> 00:15:28.083
  • Understand the heart of this conversation,
  • 00:15:28.150 --> 00:15:28.851
  • Of this conversation, even if she's not totally
  • 00:15:28.917 --> 00:15:29.752
  • Even if she's not totally right in what she is saying,
  • 00:15:29.818 --> 00:15:32.688
  • Right in what she is saying, and what if i would
  • 00:15:32.755 --> 00:15:33.288
  • And what if i would pray about it?
  • 00:15:33.355 --> 00:15:33.789
  • Pray about it? god, you know how
  • 00:15:33.856 --> 00:15:35.824
  • God, you know how hard it is for me.
  • 00:15:35.891 --> 00:15:37.426
  • Hard it is for me. i'm going to need your help."
  • 00:15:37.493 --> 00:15:39.228
  • I'm going to need your help." so, when we have that
  • 00:15:39.294 --> 00:15:39.862
  • So, when we have that same conversation
  • 00:15:39.928 --> 00:15:40.596
  • Same conversation again in our home,
  • 00:15:40.662 --> 00:15:42.064
  • Again in our home, "god, give me a humble spirit.
  • 00:15:42.131 --> 00:15:43.198
  • "god, give me a humble spirit. help me to remember your word.
  • 00:15:43.265 --> 00:15:45.134
  • Help me to remember your word. let your holy spirit produce
  • 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:46.201
  • Let your holy spirit produce gentleness, and patience,
  • 00:15:46.268 --> 00:15:48.303
  • Gentleness, and patience, and love within me."
  • 00:15:48.370 --> 00:15:51.507
  • And love within me." what if you'd invite people,
  • 00:15:51.573 --> 00:15:54.143
  • What if you'd invite people, like ask a person you trust,
  • 00:15:54.209 --> 00:15:55.911
  • Like ask a person you trust, "hey, would you keep me
  • 00:15:55.978 --> 00:15:57.546
  • "hey, would you keep me accountable with this?
  • 00:15:57.613 --> 00:15:58.580
  • Accountable with this? would you ask me how
  • 00:15:58.647 --> 00:15:59.281
  • Would you ask me how this is going?
  • 00:15:59.348 --> 00:16:01.116
  • This is going? i'm not going to hide
  • 00:16:01.183 --> 00:16:01.717
  • I'm not going to hide in a corner
  • 00:16:01.784 --> 00:16:02.084
  • In a corner and try to self-improve,
  • 00:16:02.151 --> 00:16:03.752
  • And try to self-improve, like we're going to fight
  • 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.686
  • Like we're going to fight together in this battle."
  • 00:16:04.753 --> 00:16:07.056
  • Together in this battle." and you're going to look
  • 00:16:07.122 --> 00:16:07.689
  • And you're going to look to jesus knowing that even if
  • 00:16:07.756 --> 00:16:09.825
  • To jesus knowing that even if you're not perfect
  • 00:16:09.892 --> 00:16:10.259
  • You're not perfect tomorrow or today,
  • 00:16:10.325 --> 00:16:12.461
  • Tomorrow or today, that his blood purifies us
  • 00:16:12.528 --> 00:16:13.962
  • That his blood purifies us from all sin?
  • 00:16:14.029 --> 00:16:14.663
  • From all sin? that at the end of the day,
  • 00:16:14.730 --> 00:16:16.298
  • That at the end of the day, you don't have to win this war
  • 00:16:16.365 --> 00:16:17.933
  • You don't have to win this war because it was won for you
  • 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.468
  • Because it was won for you when he died on the cross
  • 00:16:19.535 --> 00:16:20.335
  • When he died on the cross and conquered the grave,
  • 00:16:20.402 --> 00:16:21.737
  • And conquered the grave, what happened if we would
  • 00:16:21.804 --> 00:16:22.504
  • What happened if we would try to grow not in ourselves
  • 00:16:22.571 --> 00:16:24.506
  • Try to grow not in ourselves but in the spirit?
  • 00:16:24.573 --> 00:16:26.875
  • But in the spirit? but it's the spirit himself
  • 00:16:26.942 --> 00:16:27.843
  • But it's the spirit himself produces the fruit within us.
  • 00:16:27.910 --> 00:16:33.482
  • Produces the fruit within us. or how about this example?
  • 00:16:33.549 --> 00:16:34.116
  • Or how about this example? what if you want
  • 00:16:34.183 --> 00:16:34.616
  • What if you want a great marriage
  • 00:16:34.683 --> 00:16:36.251
  • A great marriage and it's not so great right now,
  • 00:16:36.318 --> 00:16:39.721
  • And it's not so great right now, and maybe after a couple years
  • 00:16:39.788 --> 00:16:40.622
  • And maybe after a couple years or a lot of years,
  • 00:16:40.689 --> 00:16:41.323
  • Or a lot of years, you kind of settled
  • 00:16:41.390 --> 00:16:42.091
  • You kind of settled into your old habits
  • 00:16:42.157 --> 00:16:43.525
  • Into your old habits and same arguments
  • 00:16:43.592 --> 00:16:44.960
  • And same arguments and things you don't even
  • 00:16:45.027 --> 00:16:46.728
  • And things you don't even talk about anymore
  • 00:16:46.795 --> 00:16:47.729
  • Talk about anymore because what's the point?
  • 00:16:47.796 --> 00:16:51.567
  • Because what's the point? what would happen if you brought
  • 00:16:51.633 --> 00:16:53.969
  • What would happen if you brought god into the middle of that?
  • 00:16:54.036 --> 00:16:56.405
  • God into the middle of that? if you reached out
  • 00:16:56.472 --> 00:16:57.005
  • If you reached out to your spouse,
  • 00:16:57.072 --> 00:16:57.973
  • To your spouse, but your feet were just
  • 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:59.575
  • But your feet were just firm on the strength of god,
  • 00:16:59.641 --> 00:17:03.312
  • Firm on the strength of god, what happened if you would
  • 00:17:03.378 --> 00:17:03.946
  • What happened if you would find those passages?
  • 00:17:04.012 --> 00:17:05.080
  • Find those passages? husbands,
  • 00:17:05.147 --> 00:17:05.781
  • Husbands, if you just memorize,
  • 00:17:05.848 --> 00:17:06.682
  • If you just memorize, today, ephesians 5,
  • 00:17:06.748 --> 00:17:10.085
  • Today, ephesians 5, really interesting,
  • 00:17:10.152 --> 00:17:10.786
  • Really interesting, the armor of god
  • 00:17:10.853 --> 00:17:11.320
  • The armor of god spiritual battles.
  • 00:17:11.386 --> 00:17:13.122
  • Spiritual battles. ephesians 6,
  • 00:17:13.188 --> 00:17:14.957
  • Ephesians 6, right before that chapter
  • 00:17:15.023 --> 00:17:15.791
  • Right before that chapter comes, marriage, respect,
  • 00:17:15.858 --> 00:17:18.994
  • Comes, marriage, respect, love, sacrifice, submission.
  • 00:17:19.061 --> 00:17:21.330
  • Love, sacrifice, submission. what if guys, you would
  • 00:17:21.396 --> 00:17:22.331
  • What if guys, you would just memorize that,
  • 00:17:22.397 --> 00:17:23.165
  • Just memorize that, "husbands love your wives
  • 00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:24.533
  • "husbands love your wives as christ loved the church
  • 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.734
  • As christ loved the church and gave himself up for her?"
  • 00:17:25.801 --> 00:17:27.336
  • And gave himself up for her?" what if you walked into those
  • 00:17:27.402 --> 00:17:28.303
  • What if you walked into those same conversations saying,
  • 00:17:28.370 --> 00:17:29.638
  • Same conversations saying, "my number one goal right now
  • 00:17:29.705 --> 00:17:31.073
  • "my number one goal right now is not to be right
  • 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:31.840
  • Is not to be right but to do what's right.
  • 00:17:31.907 --> 00:17:33.876
  • But to do what's right. so, i'm trying to get me first,
  • 00:17:33.942 --> 00:17:35.077
  • So, i'm trying to get me first, but to put you first."
  • 00:17:35.144 --> 00:17:36.145
  • But to put you first." that's what jesus did for me.
  • 00:17:36.211 --> 00:17:37.412
  • That's what jesus did for me. what would happen if, like,
  • 00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:38.780
  • What would happen if, like, the foundation of that
  • 00:17:38.847 --> 00:17:40.015
  • The foundation of that conversation was this calling
  • 00:17:40.082 --> 00:17:41.884
  • Conversation was this calling that god has given you
  • 00:17:41.950 --> 00:17:42.484
  • That god has given you as a husband?
  • 00:17:42.551 --> 00:17:45.087
  • As a husband? wives, you might do
  • 00:17:45.154 --> 00:17:45.587
  • Wives, you might do the same thing.
  • 00:17:45.654 --> 00:17:46.922
  • The same thing. "a wife must respect
  • 00:17:46.989 --> 00:17:47.689
  • "a wife must respect her husband,"
  • 00:17:47.756 --> 00:17:48.490
  • Her husband," ephesians 5:31.
  • 00:17:48.557 --> 00:17:49.391
  • Ephesians 5:31. what happen if that was
  • 00:17:49.458 --> 00:17:50.759
  • What happen if that was the passage you memorized,
  • 00:17:50.826 --> 00:17:51.994
  • The passage you memorized, wrote on a note card,
  • 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:53.028
  • Wrote on a note card, became the new foundation
  • 00:17:53.095 --> 00:17:54.363
  • Became the new foundation for a better relationship?
  • 00:17:54.429 --> 00:17:55.797
  • For a better relationship? what would happen if you
  • 00:17:55.864 --> 00:17:56.398
  • What would happen if you two prayed together,
  • 00:17:56.465 --> 00:17:57.199
  • Two prayed together, "god, things are great
  • 00:17:57.266 --> 00:17:58.567
  • "god, things are great right now, but we want
  • 00:17:58.634 --> 00:17:59.801
  • Right now, but we want to be close to you.
  • 00:17:59.868 --> 00:18:00.502
  • To be close to you. would you help us?
  • 00:18:00.569 --> 00:18:01.470
  • Would you help us? would you forgive me?"
  • 00:18:01.537 --> 00:18:05.140
  • Would you forgive me?" dudes, i'll tell you this.
  • 00:18:05.207 --> 00:18:05.774
  • Dudes, i'll tell you this. if you want a, like,
  • 00:18:05.841 --> 00:18:07.176
  • If you want a, like, a super shortcut to intimacy,
  • 00:18:07.242 --> 00:18:10.579
  • A super shortcut to intimacy, it's to pray out loud
  • 00:18:10.646 --> 00:18:12.014
  • It's to pray out loud about your own sin
  • 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:13.615
  • About your own sin in earshot of your wife.
  • 00:18:13.682 --> 00:18:18.420
  • In earshot of your wife. ladies, you tell me
  • 00:18:18.487 --> 00:18:18.921
  • Ladies, you tell me if i'm wrong about this
  • 00:18:18.987 --> 00:18:19.621
  • If i'm wrong about this in the lobby afterwards.
  • 00:18:19.688 --> 00:18:21.523
  • In the lobby afterwards. but i can tell you,
  • 00:18:21.590 --> 00:18:22.291
  • But i can tell you, a woman who hears a man praying,
  • 00:18:22.357 --> 00:18:24.159
  • A woman who hears a man praying, "dear god, i'm sorry
  • 00:18:24.226 --> 00:18:25.994
  • "dear god, i'm sorry i'm not a better husband
  • 00:18:26.061 --> 00:18:26.795
  • I'm not a better husband i want to be."
  • 00:18:26.862 --> 00:18:30.065
  • I want to be." like, you don't have to be
  • 00:18:30.132 --> 00:18:31.466
  • Like, you don't have to be the best to be really good
  • 00:18:31.533 --> 00:18:33.335
  • The best to be really good if she hears you pray
  • 00:18:33.402 --> 00:18:34.102
  • If she hears you pray that in faith.
  • 00:18:34.169 --> 00:18:36.271
  • That in faith. what would happen
  • 00:18:36.338 --> 00:18:36.705
  • What would happen if you would invite
  • 00:18:36.772 --> 00:18:37.239
  • If you would invite other people in,
  • 00:18:37.306 --> 00:18:38.874
  • Other people in, not just so i could vent
  • 00:18:38.941 --> 00:18:39.608
  • Not just so i could vent about my spouse, but so you
  • 00:18:39.675 --> 00:18:41.043
  • About my spouse, but so you keep me accountable, ask me,
  • 00:18:41.109 --> 00:18:43.378
  • Keep me accountable, ask me, "did you serve her today?
  • 00:18:43.445 --> 00:18:45.314
  • "did you serve her today? did you put her
  • 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.881
  • Did you put her first this week?"
  • 00:18:45.948 --> 00:18:47.783
  • First this week?" and what would happen
  • 00:18:47.849 --> 00:18:48.283
  • And what would happen if you and i will get back
  • 00:18:48.350 --> 00:18:49.184
  • If you and i will get back to jesus knowing that, man,
  • 00:18:49.251 --> 00:18:50.586
  • To jesus knowing that, man, marriage can expose
  • 00:18:50.652 --> 00:18:51.720
  • Marriage can expose a person fast,
  • 00:18:51.787 --> 00:18:53.589
  • A person fast, but the blood of jesus
  • 00:18:53.655 --> 00:18:54.323
  • But the blood of jesus covers over all of our sin
  • 00:18:54.389 --> 00:18:56.325
  • Covers over all of our sin that we're going to try
  • 00:18:56.391 --> 00:18:57.059
  • That we're going to try to make this relationship
  • 00:18:57.125 --> 00:18:57.960
  • To make this relationship as good as it can be.
  • 00:18:58.026 --> 00:18:59.361
  • As good as it can be. but jesus made our relationship
  • 00:18:59.428 --> 00:19:00.662
  • But jesus made our relationship with god as good as
  • 00:19:00.729 --> 00:19:01.330
  • With god as good as it could possibly be.
  • 00:19:01.396 --> 00:19:02.931
  • It could possibly be. what would happen
  • 00:19:02.998 --> 00:19:03.465
  • What would happen if we go back to marriage,
  • 00:19:03.532 --> 00:19:05.467
  • If we go back to marriage, not fighting in our strength,
  • 00:19:05.534 --> 00:19:06.668
  • Not fighting in our strength, but fighting in
  • 00:19:06.735 --> 00:19:07.236
  • But fighting in the strength of the lord.
  • 00:19:07.302 --> 00:19:10.872
  • The strength of the lord. you see, friends, i don't know
  • 00:19:10.939 --> 00:19:12.007
  • You see, friends, i don't know if it's your finances,
  • 00:19:12.074 --> 00:19:13.875
  • If it's your finances, if it's an addiction,
  • 00:19:13.942 --> 00:19:15.143
  • If it's an addiction, if it's a relationship,
  • 00:19:15.210 --> 00:19:17.012
  • If it's a relationship, if it's feeling good
  • 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.846
  • If it's feeling good about you and god,
  • 00:19:17.913 --> 00:19:20.082
  • About you and god, but i do know this.
  • 00:19:20.148 --> 00:19:20.682
  • But i do know this. you can only hit the devil
  • 00:19:20.749 --> 00:19:21.850
  • You can only hit the devil so hard in your own strength,
  • 00:19:21.917 --> 00:19:24.219
  • So hard in your own strength, but you can punch him
  • 00:19:24.286 --> 00:19:25.120
  • But you can punch him in the teeth if your strength
  • 00:19:25.187 --> 00:19:27.222
  • In the teeth if your strength is found in the lord.
  • 00:19:27.289 --> 00:19:30.058
  • Is found in the lord. so i have some homework for you.
  • 00:19:30.125 --> 00:19:32.060
  • So i have some homework for you. i want you to think
  • 00:19:32.127 --> 00:19:32.661
  • I want you to think this week about, like,
  • 00:19:32.728 --> 00:19:35.197
  • This week about, like, the devil's schemes for you.
  • 00:19:35.264 --> 00:19:38.233
  • The devil's schemes for you. i want you to think about
  • 00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:39.167
  • I want you to think about that one part of your life
  • 00:19:39.234 --> 00:19:40.135
  • That one part of your life that you want to be better.
  • 00:19:40.202 --> 00:19:41.203
  • That you want to be better. you want to win more battles
  • 00:19:41.270 --> 00:19:42.638
  • You want to win more battles this year than you did last.
  • 00:19:42.704 --> 00:19:44.339
  • This year than you did last. and i want you to
  • 00:19:44.406 --> 00:19:45.040
  • And i want you to brainstorm with a friend,
  • 00:19:45.107 --> 00:19:46.041
  • Brainstorm with a friend, if you can,
  • 00:19:46.108 --> 00:19:47.876
  • If you can, what would be the passages,
  • 00:19:47.943 --> 00:19:49.278
  • What would be the passages, and the prayers, and the people,
  • 00:19:49.344 --> 00:19:50.045
  • And the prayers, and the people, and the person that would
  • 00:19:50.112 --> 00:19:51.780
  • And the person that would apply to that fight.
  • 00:19:51.847 --> 00:19:54.116
  • Apply to that fight. what bible passage
  • 00:19:54.182 --> 00:19:55.050
  • What bible passage could help you get up
  • 00:19:55.117 --> 00:19:57.019
  • Could help you get up your shield of faith?
  • 00:19:57.085 --> 00:19:59.454
  • Your shield of faith? what kind of prayers
  • 00:19:59.521 --> 00:20:00.055
  • What kind of prayers would you pray
  • 00:20:00.122 --> 00:20:00.656
  • Would you pray if you really wanted to grow
  • 00:20:00.722 --> 00:20:01.590
  • If you really wanted to grow in that area of your faith life?
  • 00:20:01.657 --> 00:20:04.159
  • In that area of your faith life? what kind of people would you
  • 00:20:04.226 --> 00:20:05.093
  • What kind of people would you involve to encourage you,
  • 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.061
  • Involve to encourage you, pray for you,
  • 00:20:06.128 --> 00:20:07.162
  • Pray for you, keep you accountable,
  • 00:20:07.229 --> 00:20:07.829
  • Keep you accountable, forgive you when you fail?
  • 00:20:07.896 --> 00:20:09.231
  • Forgive you when you fail? and what would you
  • 00:20:09.298 --> 00:20:09.731
  • And what would you remember about jesus?
  • 00:20:09.798 --> 00:20:10.832
  • Remember about jesus? not just the good example,
  • 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:12.067
  • Not just the good example, but your savior,
  • 00:20:12.134 --> 00:20:12.834
  • But your savior, your redeemer,
  • 00:20:12.901 --> 00:20:14.369
  • Your redeemer, the one that forgives you
  • 00:20:14.436 --> 00:20:15.037
  • The one that forgives you for everything that you mess up?
  • 00:20:15.103 --> 00:20:16.538
  • For everything that you mess up? what would it look like
  • 00:20:16.605 --> 00:20:17.639
  • What would it look like if you would fight this week,
  • 00:20:17.706 --> 00:20:19.608
  • If you would fight this week, not trying to be strong.
  • 00:20:19.675 --> 00:20:20.475
  • Not trying to be strong. period.
  • 00:20:20.542 --> 00:20:22.177
  • Period. but you're trying to
  • 00:20:22.244 --> 00:20:22.811
  • But you're trying to be strong in the lord.
  • 00:20:22.878 --> 00:20:28.116
  • Be strong in the lord. man, i can't wait
  • 00:20:28.183 --> 00:20:28.650
  • Man, i can't wait in the weeks to come
  • 00:20:28.717 --> 00:20:29.451
  • In the weeks to come to keep reading this epic
  • 00:20:29.518 --> 00:20:31.153
  • To keep reading this epic section of scripture.
  • 00:20:31.219 --> 00:20:33.355
  • Section of scripture. here's a preview.
  • 00:20:33.422 --> 00:20:35.457
  • Here's a preview. next week we're going
  • 00:20:35.524 --> 00:20:36.758
  • Next week we're going to think about the devil,
  • 00:20:36.825 --> 00:20:38.960
  • To think about the devil, which sounds disturbing,
  • 00:20:39.027 --> 00:20:41.730
  • Which sounds disturbing, but it's actually very wise.
  • 00:20:41.797 --> 00:20:42.698
  • But it's actually very wise. in the art of war,
  • 00:20:42.764 --> 00:20:43.832
  • In the art of war, that ancient chinese book,
  • 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:46.802
  • That ancient chinese book, the author said that,
  • 00:20:46.868 --> 00:20:47.502
  • The author said that, "the person who knows
  • 00:20:47.569 --> 00:20:48.337
  • "the person who knows themselves and knows
  • 00:20:48.403 --> 00:20:49.438
  • Themselves and knows their enemy will win
  • 00:20:49.504 --> 00:20:50.605
  • Their enemy will win a million battles."
  • 00:20:50.672 --> 00:20:52.374
  • A million battles." so, we're going to talk
  • 00:20:52.441 --> 00:20:53.008
  • So, we're going to talk about our enemy,
  • 00:20:53.075 --> 00:20:53.909
  • About our enemy, like how does he try
  • 00:20:53.975 --> 00:20:54.676
  • Like how does he try to trip us up?
  • 00:20:54.743 --> 00:20:55.277
  • To trip us up? we're going to know him
  • 00:20:55.344 --> 00:20:56.078
  • We're going to know him and his strategies
  • 00:20:56.144 --> 00:20:56.845
  • And his strategies better than ever before.
  • 00:20:56.912 --> 00:20:57.679
  • Better than ever before. then two weeks from now,
  • 00:20:57.746 --> 00:20:58.613
  • Then two weeks from now, we're going to talk about
  • 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.314
  • We're going to talk about how do we take our stand?
  • 00:20:59.381 --> 00:21:00.382
  • How do we take our stand? we're going to really dig deep
  • 00:21:00.449 --> 00:21:01.583
  • We're going to really dig deep on this idea of passages,
  • 00:21:01.650 --> 00:21:03.819
  • On this idea of passages, prayers, people and a person.
  • 00:21:03.885 --> 00:21:07.422
  • Prayers, people and a person. then after that,
  • 00:21:07.489 --> 00:21:07.823
  • Then after that, we're going to learn about
  • 00:21:07.889 --> 00:21:08.423
  • We're going to learn about putting on the full
  • 00:21:08.490 --> 00:21:09.224
  • Putting on the full armor of god.
  • 00:21:09.291 --> 00:21:10.492
  • Armor of god. i cannot wait to preach
  • 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.460
  • I cannot wait to preach that sermon to you.
  • 00:21:11.526 --> 00:21:12.060
  • That sermon to you. it's already written.
  • 00:21:12.127 --> 00:21:12.894
  • It's already written. it's going to be really hard
  • 00:21:12.961 --> 00:21:13.662
  • It's going to be really hard to wait to preach it,
  • 00:21:13.729 --> 00:21:14.563
  • To wait to preach it, but i'm going to wait.
  • 00:21:14.629 --> 00:21:15.163
  • But i'm going to wait. i'm not going to
  • 00:21:15.230 --> 00:21:15.664
  • I'm not going to do it right now,
  • 00:21:15.731 --> 00:21:16.231
  • Do it right now, i'm tempted to.
  • 00:21:16.298 --> 00:21:16.732
  • I'm tempted to. then we're going to
  • 00:21:16.798 --> 00:21:17.265
  • Then we're going to talk about prayer,
  • 00:21:17.332 --> 00:21:18.500
  • Talk about prayer, not just praying,
  • 00:21:18.567 --> 00:21:19.568
  • Not just praying, but becoming
  • 00:21:19.634 --> 00:21:20.168
  • But becoming a quote, "prayer warrior."
  • 00:21:20.235 --> 00:21:22.738
  • A quote, "prayer warrior." i'm going to try to help you
  • 00:21:22.804 --> 00:21:23.805
  • I'm going to try to help you as much as god's trying
  • 00:21:23.872 --> 00:21:24.873
  • As much as god's trying to help me to become
  • 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.441
  • To help me to become a person who makes prayer
  • 00:21:26.508 --> 00:21:27.943
  • A person who makes prayer part of their lifestyle.
  • 00:21:28.009 --> 00:21:28.944
  • Part of their lifestyle. and then before
  • 00:21:29.010 --> 00:21:29.611
  • And then before we wrap up this series,
  • 00:21:29.678 --> 00:21:30.345
  • We wrap up this series, we're going to talk about
  • 00:21:30.412 --> 00:21:31.179
  • We're going to talk about fighting to rescue people
  • 00:21:31.246 --> 00:21:32.981
  • Fighting to rescue people who are held captive.
  • 00:21:33.048 --> 00:21:34.082
  • Who are held captive. this isn't just about
  • 00:21:34.149 --> 00:21:34.716
  • This isn't just about being better people.
  • 00:21:34.783 --> 00:21:35.684
  • Being better people. this is about your friends
  • 00:21:35.751 --> 00:21:36.985
  • This is about your friends and family who are caught
  • 00:21:37.052 --> 00:21:38.120
  • And family who are caught in darkness that they
  • 00:21:38.186 --> 00:21:39.421
  • In darkness that they don't know the love of jesus.
  • 00:21:39.488 --> 00:21:41.356
  • Don't know the love of jesus. and we live in a culture
  • 00:21:41.423 --> 00:21:42.224
  • And we live in a culture that tells us not to talk
  • 00:21:42.290 --> 00:21:43.225
  • That tells us not to talk about such things,
  • 00:21:43.291 --> 00:21:44.359
  • About such things, to keep our faith to ourselves.
  • 00:21:44.426 --> 00:21:45.560
  • To keep our faith to ourselves. but god has given us a sword,
  • 00:21:45.627 --> 00:21:46.962
  • But god has given us a sword, and we're swinging it
  • 00:21:47.028 --> 00:21:47.863
  • And we're swinging it at the devil's throat
  • 00:21:47.929 --> 00:21:49.131
  • At the devil's throat to try to share our faith
  • 00:21:49.197 --> 00:21:50.499
  • To try to share our faith that people can be
  • 00:21:50.565 --> 00:21:51.600
  • That people can be saved and released from
  • 00:21:51.666 --> 00:21:53.001
  • Saved and released from the captivity of the devil.
  • 00:21:53.068 --> 00:21:54.770
  • The captivity of the devil. you and i are going to learn
  • 00:21:54.836 --> 00:21:55.637
  • You and i are going to learn how to fight better
  • 00:21:55.704 --> 00:21:56.638
  • How to fight better than ever before so we can
  • 00:21:56.705 --> 00:21:57.806
  • Than ever before so we can take our stand in jesus' name.
  • 00:21:57.873 --> 00:22:02.477
  • Take our stand in jesus' name. about 500 years ago,
  • 00:22:02.544 --> 00:22:03.245
  • About 500 years ago, there was a 31-year-old man
  • 00:22:03.311 --> 00:22:05.614
  • There was a 31-year-old man named jerome who was not
  • 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:08.150
  • Named jerome who was not fighting very well.
  • 00:22:08.216 --> 00:22:10.986
  • Fighting very well. history hasn't told us exactly
  • 00:22:11.052 --> 00:22:12.187
  • History hasn't told us exactly what he was struggling with,
  • 00:22:12.254 --> 00:22:13.121
  • What he was struggling with, but we do know he was
  • 00:22:13.188 --> 00:22:13.855
  • But we do know he was feeling weak and helpless,
  • 00:22:13.922 --> 00:22:15.824
  • Feeling weak and helpless, like he was ashamed of his sin.
  • 00:22:15.891 --> 00:22:18.126
  • Like he was ashamed of his sin. he couldn't escape it.
  • 00:22:18.193 --> 00:22:19.327
  • He couldn't escape it. the devil was in his
  • 00:22:19.394 --> 00:22:20.829
  • The devil was in his ear telling him how weak
  • 00:22:20.896 --> 00:22:21.830
  • Ear telling him how weak and unworthy he was.
  • 00:22:21.897 --> 00:22:23.131
  • And unworthy he was. he was stuck on his back.
  • 00:22:23.198 --> 00:22:27.002
  • He was stuck on his back. but one of his friends,
  • 00:22:27.068 --> 00:22:27.669
  • But one of his friends, actually his old roommate named
  • 00:22:27.736 --> 00:22:28.970
  • Actually his old roommate named marty, wrote him a letter.
  • 00:22:29.037 --> 00:22:31.773
  • Marty, wrote him a letter. and in the letter,
  • 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.574
  • And in the letter, marty shared some tips like,
  • 00:22:32.641 --> 00:22:34.009
  • Marty shared some tips like, "oh, i think you could do this,
  • 00:22:34.075 --> 00:22:34.876
  • "oh, i think you could do this, or you could try that.
  • 00:22:34.943 --> 00:22:35.677
  • Or you could try that. here's how you
  • 00:22:35.744 --> 00:22:36.178
  • Here's how you could fight back."
  • 00:22:36.244 --> 00:22:36.812
  • Could fight back." but at the end of that letter,
  • 00:22:36.878 --> 00:22:38.046
  • But at the end of that letter, what marty said to his friend,
  • 00:22:38.113 --> 00:22:39.080
  • What marty said to his friend, jerome, is so beautiful.
  • 00:22:39.147 --> 00:22:41.349
  • Jerome, is so beautiful. i want to share
  • 00:22:41.416 --> 00:22:41.850
  • I want to share every word with you.
  • 00:22:41.917 --> 00:22:44.753
  • Here's what he said,
  • 00:22:44.853 --> 00:22:47.355
  • Here's what he said, "when the devil throws
  • 00:22:47.422 --> 00:22:49.558
  • "when the devil throws our sins up to us and declares
  • 00:22:49.624 --> 00:22:52.394
  • Our sins up to us and declares we deserve death and hell,
  • 00:22:52.461 --> 00:22:53.495
  • We deserve death and hell, we ought to say this,
  • 00:22:53.562 --> 00:22:55.630
  • We ought to say this, 'i admit that i deserve death
  • 00:22:55.697 --> 00:22:57.232
  • 'i admit that i deserve death and hell, what of it?
  • 00:22:57.299 --> 00:23:01.102
  • And hell, what of it? does this mean i shall be
  • 00:23:01.169 --> 00:23:01.970
  • Does this mean i shall be sentenced to eternal damnation,
  • 00:23:02.037 --> 00:23:03.538
  • Sentenced to eternal damnation, that i'm going to hell?
  • 00:23:03.605 --> 00:23:04.606
  • That i'm going to hell? by no means, for i know one
  • 00:23:04.673 --> 00:23:07.042
  • By no means, for i know one who suffered and made
  • 00:23:07.108 --> 00:23:08.677
  • Who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf.
  • 00:23:08.743 --> 00:23:10.445
  • Satisfaction on my behalf. his name is jesus christ,
  • 00:23:10.512 --> 00:23:12.514
  • His name is jesus christ, the son of god,
  • 00:23:12.581 --> 00:23:13.548
  • The son of god, and where he is,
  • 00:23:13.615 --> 00:23:14.916
  • And where he is, there i shall be also!'
  • 00:23:14.983 --> 00:23:17.719
  • There i shall be also!' yours, martin luther."
  • 00:23:17.786 --> 00:23:20.889
  • Yours, martin luther." oh friends,
  • 00:23:20.956 --> 00:23:21.289
  • Oh friends, that is how you fight.
  • 00:23:21.356 --> 00:23:22.324
  • The devil says,
  • 00:23:22.424 --> 00:23:23.525
  • The devil says, "you're weak
  • 00:23:23.592 --> 00:23:24.059
  • "you're weak and you will never change,
  • 00:23:24.125 --> 00:23:24.993
  • And you will never change, you are worthless,
  • 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:25.660
  • You are worthless, and you will never
  • 00:23:25.727 --> 00:23:26.228
  • And you will never make it to heaven."
  • 00:23:26.294 --> 00:23:27.162
  • Make it to heaven." but you punch him back
  • 00:23:27.229 --> 00:23:27.929
  • But you punch him back and say, "no.
  • 00:23:27.996 --> 00:23:28.763
  • And say, "no. i know someone who suffered
  • 00:23:28.830 --> 00:23:30.599
  • I know someone who suffered and made satisfaction
  • 00:23:30.665 --> 00:23:31.566
  • And made satisfaction on my behalf.
  • 00:23:31.633 --> 00:23:32.467
  • On my behalf. i know a jesus
  • 00:23:32.534 --> 00:23:33.568
  • I know a jesus who went to the cross.
  • 00:23:33.635 --> 00:23:34.503
  • Who went to the cross. i know one who loved me
  • 00:23:34.569 --> 00:23:35.871
  • I know one who loved me so much when i was a sinner.
  • 00:23:35.937 --> 00:23:37.506
  • So much when i was a sinner. i know someone who gave up
  • 00:23:37.572 --> 00:23:38.607
  • I know someone who gave up his life on the cross.
  • 00:23:38.673 --> 00:23:39.641
  • His life on the cross. i am saved by grace,
  • 00:23:39.708 --> 00:23:41.243
  • I am saved by grace, cleansed by the blood of jesus."
  • 00:23:41.309 --> 00:23:42.644
  • Cleansed by the blood of jesus." the devil will whisper
  • 00:23:42.711 --> 00:23:43.845
  • The devil will whisper in your ear or shout
  • 00:23:43.912 --> 00:23:45.080
  • In your ear or shout in the middle of the night,
  • 00:23:45.146 --> 00:23:45.947
  • In the middle of the night, but what you do is put
  • 00:23:46.014 --> 00:23:47.382
  • But what you do is put your feet in jesus' name
  • 00:23:47.449 --> 00:23:48.917
  • And you punch him in the face.
  • 00:23:49.751 --> 00:23:50.886
  • [cheering and applause]
  • 00:23:51.152 --> 00:23:58.393
  • It's time to fight.
  • 00:23:58.860 --> 00:24:00.595
  • It's time to fight. so, let's pray.
  • 00:24:00.662 --> 00:24:02.464
  • So, let's pray. dear god, it is --
  • 00:24:02.531 --> 00:24:03.298
  • Dear god, it is -- it's easy to throw
  • 00:24:03.365 --> 00:24:04.199
  • It's easy to throw a punch at a bag
  • 00:24:04.266 --> 00:24:05.433
  • A punch at a bag that doesn't punch back.
  • 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.836
  • That doesn't punch back. but this is a fierce enemy
  • 00:24:07.903 --> 00:24:08.770
  • But this is a fierce enemy and without your help,
  • 00:24:08.837 --> 00:24:10.171
  • And without your help, we're going to be
  • 00:24:10.238 --> 00:24:10.839
  • We're going to be the ones on the ground.
  • 00:24:10.906 --> 00:24:11.973
  • The ones on the ground. and so, we ask for your
  • 00:24:12.040 --> 00:24:13.141
  • And so, we ask for your mercy and your strength.
  • 00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:15.877
  • Mercy and your strength. i got it, we're going to
  • 00:24:15.944 --> 00:24:16.645
  • I got it, we're going to walk out of here today
  • 00:24:16.711 --> 00:24:17.445
  • Walk out of here today into a war zone
  • 00:24:17.512 --> 00:24:18.547
  • Into a war zone and it's going to be much harder
  • 00:24:18.613 --> 00:24:19.648
  • And it's going to be much harder when there's not hundreds
  • 00:24:19.714 --> 00:24:20.215
  • When there's not hundreds of people by our side to lift up
  • 00:24:20.282 --> 00:24:22.484
  • Of people by our side to lift up your praises and your name.
  • 00:24:22.551 --> 00:24:23.718
  • Your praises and your name. so, help us defend ourselves
  • 00:24:23.785 --> 00:24:25.887
  • So, help us defend ourselves against helplessness,
  • 00:24:25.954 --> 00:24:27.756
  • Against helplessness, hopelessness and forgetfulness.
  • 00:24:27.822 --> 00:24:31.192
  • Hopelessness and forgetfulness. in every beautiful moment,
  • 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.027
  • In every beautiful moment, help us to remember
  • 00:24:32.093 --> 00:24:32.594
  • Help us to remember that it came from you,
  • 00:24:32.661 --> 00:24:33.328
  • That it came from you, because every good
  • 00:24:33.395 --> 00:24:34.095
  • Because every good and perfect gift is from above.
  • 00:24:34.162 --> 00:24:36.197
  • And perfect gift is from above. in all those difficult moments,
  • 00:24:36.264 --> 00:24:37.432
  • In all those difficult moments, god, help us to remember that
  • 00:24:37.499 --> 00:24:38.567
  • God, help us to remember that you are the god who works
  • 00:24:38.633 --> 00:24:39.901
  • You are the god who works all things for the eternal
  • 00:24:39.968 --> 00:24:41.202
  • All things for the eternal good of your people.
  • 00:24:41.269 --> 00:24:43.004
  • Good of your people. today, god, we lift up
  • 00:24:43.071 --> 00:24:43.672
  • Today, god, we lift up the name of the greatest person,
  • 00:24:43.738 --> 00:24:44.673
  • The name of the greatest person, jesus, that he suffered
  • 00:24:44.739 --> 00:24:46.174
  • And died, that condemnation
  • 00:24:46.274 --> 00:24:47.509
  • Would have no claim over us.
  • 00:24:47.576 --> 00:24:50.645
  • So, for everyone here
  • 00:24:50.712 --> 00:24:51.379
  • Who feels weak and ashamed,
  • 00:24:51.446 --> 00:24:52.547
  • Unworthy of heaven,
  • 00:24:52.614 --> 00:24:53.481
  • Help them to remember
  • 00:24:53.548 --> 00:24:54.149
  • That because of jesus,
  • 00:24:54.215 --> 00:24:55.750
  • There is a place.
  • 00:24:55.817 --> 00:24:57.552
  • That the devil comes to steal
  • 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.820
  • And kill and destroy,
  • 00:24:58.887 --> 00:25:00.589
  • But there's one
  • 00:25:00.655 --> 00:25:01.022
  • Who fought on our behalf.
  • 00:25:01.089 --> 00:25:02.657
  • And so, in his name
  • 00:25:02.724 --> 00:25:03.391
  • We believe that we are safe,
  • 00:25:03.458 --> 00:25:04.626
  • And we are saved,
  • 00:25:04.693 --> 00:25:05.794
  • That we have hope
  • 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.795
  • And a future.
  • 00:25:06.861 --> 00:25:07.596
  • God, today, help us
  • 00:25:07.662 --> 00:25:08.463
  • To fight for the faith
  • 00:25:08.530 --> 00:25:09.197
  • That believes that
  • 00:25:09.264 --> 00:25:10.298
  • And help us to fight for
  • 00:25:10.365 --> 00:25:11.132
  • The love that reflects that.
  • 00:25:11.199 --> 00:25:13.001
  • We pray this in the mighty name
  • 00:25:13.068 --> 00:25:13.935
  • Of jesus christ.
  • 00:25:14.002 --> 00:25:15.370
  • And all of god's warrior
  • 00:25:15.437 --> 00:25:16.304
  • Sons and daughters
  • 00:25:16.371 --> 00:25:17.539
  • Lifted up their voices.
  • 00:25:17.606 --> 00:25:18.273
  • And they said...
  • 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:19.274
  • >> congregation: amen.
  • 00:25:19.341 --> 00:25:20.241
  • >> great tip from pastor mike
  • 00:25:21.142 --> 00:25:22.844
  • >> great tip from pastor mike to use passage, prayers,
  • 00:25:22.911 --> 00:25:25.080
  • To use passage, prayers, people and a person to win
  • 00:25:25.146 --> 00:25:27.415
  • People and a person to win the battle against the devil,
  • 00:25:27.482 --> 00:25:28.917
  • The battle against the devil, the world and our flesh.
  • 00:25:28.984 --> 00:25:30.518
  • The world and our flesh. since we're talking about
  • 00:25:30.585 --> 00:25:31.886
  • Since we're talking about battling the evil in this world,
  • 00:25:31.953 --> 00:25:33.388
  • Battling the evil in this world, i want to tell you about
  • 00:25:33.455 --> 00:25:34.189
  • I want to tell you about this month's new book,
  • 00:25:34.255 --> 00:25:35.557
  • This month's new book, "when the devil attacks:
  • 00:25:35.624 --> 00:25:36.858
  • "when the devil attacks: winning in the war zones,"
  • 00:25:36.925 --> 00:25:37.926
  • Winning in the war zones," by time of grace's own
  • 00:25:37.993 --> 00:25:39.327
  • By time of grace's own doctor bruce becker.
  • 00:25:39.394 --> 00:25:40.895
  • Doctor bruce becker. this new book helps you
  • 00:25:40.962 --> 00:25:42.030
  • This new book helps you discover how to put on
  • 00:25:42.097 --> 00:25:42.998
  • Discover how to put on the armor of god
  • 00:25:43.064 --> 00:25:44.099
  • The armor of god and overcome every attack with
  • 00:25:44.165 --> 00:25:46.368
  • And overcome every attack with the power of god's word.
  • 00:25:46.434 --> 00:25:47.869
  • The power of god's word. request your copy
  • 00:25:47.936 --> 00:25:48.903
  • Request your copy with your financial gift
  • 00:25:48.970 --> 00:25:49.971
  • With your financial gift to time of grace.
  • 00:25:50.038 --> 00:25:50.739
  • >> it's not
  • 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.107
  • If the devil attacks,
  • 00:25:52.207 --> 00:25:53.675
  • It's when.
  • 00:25:53.775 --> 00:25:54.643
  • He isn't a myth
  • 00:25:54.743 --> 00:25:55.577
  • Or a metaphor, he's real.
  • 00:25:55.677 --> 00:25:58.580
  • And while belief in him fades,
  • 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.048
  • His influence quietly grows
  • 00:26:00.148 --> 00:26:01.282
  • Catching most people unprepared.
  • 00:26:01.383 --> 00:26:03.385
  • From eden till now
  • 00:26:03.485 --> 00:26:04.653
  • His strategy is the same,
  • 00:26:04.753 --> 00:26:06.321
  • Deception, destruction, doubt.
  • 00:26:06.421 --> 00:26:10.225
  • But god hasn't
  • 00:26:10.325 --> 00:26:11.760
  • Left you defenseless.
  • 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:13.228
  • In "when the devil attacks:
  • 00:26:13.328 --> 00:26:15.163
  • Winning in the war zones"
  • 00:26:15.263 --> 00:26:17.065
  • Doctor bruce becker reveals
  • 00:26:17.165 --> 00:26:18.500
  • The enemy's tactics.
  • 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:20.001
  • "when the devil attacks"
  • 00:26:20.101 --> 00:26:21.169
  • Is our way of thanking you
  • 00:26:21.269 --> 00:26:22.470
  • Or helping us equip
  • 00:26:22.570 --> 00:26:23.505
  • More people to stand their
  • 00:26:23.605 --> 00:26:24.572
  • Ground against temptation.
  • 00:26:24.673 --> 00:26:26.508
  • Request yours today
  • 00:26:26.608 --> 00:26:27.409
  • By calling 800-661-3311,
  • 00:26:27.509 --> 00:26:32.247
  • Visiting timeofgrace.org
  • 00:26:32.347 --> 00:26:34.416
  • Or writing us at
  • 00:26:34.516 --> 00:26:35.517
  • P.o. box 301
  • 00:26:35.617 --> 00:26:37.152
  • Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
  • 00:26:37.252 --> 00:26:39.788
  • >> time of grace
  • 00:26:52.067 --> 00:26:52.934
  • Doesn't end here.
  • 00:26:53.034 --> 00:26:54.602
  • Visit timeofgrace.org
  • 00:26:54.703 --> 00:26:56.171
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  • Encouraging resources
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  • Right to your inbox, like our
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  • Where you'll find a supportive
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  • Do you need prayer?
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  • Contact us and let us know
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  • What's on your heart.
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  • Thank you so much
  • 00:27:15.023 --> 00:27:15.590
  • For your support.
  • 00:27:15.690 --> 00:27:16.558
  • >> see you next week
  • 00:27:17.325 --> 00:27:17.926
  • On time of grace.
  • 00:27:17.992 --> 00:27:18.993