Mike Novotny - World Gone Mad: Stand Firm in Faith; Don't Conform

May 27, 2025 | S25:E22

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.

#Faith #TrustGod #SeekGod #Culture #SpiritualGrowth #Perseverance #inActive #Temptation #MikeNovotny

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - World Gone Mad: Stand Firm in Faith; Don't Conform | May 27, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> if you ever need proof of
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The power of peer pressure,
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The power of peer pressure, just grab an
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Just grab an old school yearbook.
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Old school yearbook. you ever look back
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You ever look back at the old yearbooks,
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Maybe your dad's yearbook
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Maybe your dad's yearbook or your old yearbook
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Or your old yearbook from years ago
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From years ago or your older brother's
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Or your older brother's and you just marveled
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And you just marveled at the way people used to
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At the way people used to dress or do their hair?
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Dress or do their hair? the kind of prom dresses
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The kind of prom dresses and shoes they use to wear.
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And shoes they use to wear. my brother graduated in 1993
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My brother graduated in 1993 and when i opened up
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And when i opened up his old yearbook
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His old yearbook from green bay, wisconsin,
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From green bay, wisconsin, i am shocked
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I am shocked at the amount of bangs
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At the amount of bangs that women used to have
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That women used to have in the early 90s.
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In the early 90s. have we seen these?
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Have we seen these? like, they barely fit
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Like, they barely fit inside the little picture.
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Inside the little picture. there's a woman
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There's a woman from our church told me
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From our church told me that when she was that age,
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That when she was that age, she used to call those
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She used to call those "man-rakes"
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"man-rakes" 'cause they would
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'cause they would rake in the men.
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[laughter]
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No -- now, you're like,
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No -- now, you're like, "no, no."
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"no, no." it's really hard to find
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It's really hard to find a woman who has that hairstyle
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A woman who has that hairstyle but back then all the girls
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But back then all the girls who were anyone at school
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Who were anyone at school at that same hairstyle.
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At that same hairstyle. in my generation,
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In my generation, i graduated 1999,
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I graduated 1999, there was more than one,
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There was more than one, i would say more than 50%
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I would say more than 50% of the guys who were frosting
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Of the guys who were frosting the tips of their dark hair.
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The tips of their dark hair. why?
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Why? because that's what
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Because that's what justin timberlake did in nsync
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Justin timberlake did in nsync and all the other boy bands.
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And all the other boy bands. there's one time in history
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There's one time in history where mullets were
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Where mullets were all the rage for guys
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All the rage for guys and that went away
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And that went away for a long time,
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For a long time, now they're back,
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Now they're back, have you noticed mullets?
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Have you noticed mullets? back in the day,
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Back in the day, women would perm their hair.
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Women would perm their hair. now, have you heard many
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Now, have you heard many teenage boys do the same thing
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Teenage boys do the same thing to get the perfect amount
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To get the perfect amount of poof right in the front?
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Of poof right in the front? the beards come and they go.
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The beards come and they go. it used to be the beehives,
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It used to be the beehives, the farrah fawcett
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The farrah fawcett feathered look,
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Feathered look, the rachel,
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The rachel, any of you ladies
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Any of you ladies remember that?
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Remember that? popular from friends,
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Popular from friends, the swooping bangs,
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The swooping bangs, the perfect little bob.
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The perfect little bob. or think about jeans,
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Or think about jeans, i wonder if i could
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I wonder if i could pick your age by when
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Pick your age by when you raise your hand
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You raise your hand for this next question?
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For this next question? raise your hand
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Raise your hand if you have ever worn or owned
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If you have ever worn or owned a pair of bell bottom jeans.
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A pair of bell bottom jeans. oh, for sure.
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Oh, for sure. how about the acid wash
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How about the acid wash jeans of the 1980s?
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Jeans of the 1980s? yes?
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Yes? how about the --
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How about the -- anyone remember the jnco jeans,
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Anyone remember the jnco jeans, the 90s as wide
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The 90s as wide as those legs could get?
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As those legs could get? anyone have slim jeans like
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Anyone have slim jeans like i'm wearing right now?
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I'm wearing right now? you know, it's amazing just how
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You know, it's amazing just how like the hairstyles
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Like the hairstyles and like facial hair,
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And like facial hair, and jeans, and outfits,
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And jeans, and outfits, and prom dresses
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And prom dresses and homecoming.
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And homecoming. we like to think of ourself
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We like to think of ourself as independent people
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As independent people but the fact is,
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But the fact is, we're very much pressured
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We're very much pressured to conform to the example
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To conform to the example of our peers.
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Of our peers. now, when it comes to fashion,
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Now, when it comes to fashion, that's not the worst thing.
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That's not the worst thing. but it becomes a very
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But it becomes a very complicated thing
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Complicated thing when it comes to
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When it comes to the christian faith.
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The christian faith. according to jesus himself
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According to jesus himself one of the bigger challenges
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One of the bigger challenges of being a christian
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Of being a christian is what he called
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Is what he called being in the world,
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Being in the world, but not being of the world.
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But not being of the world. and what he meant by that
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And what he meant by that was that jesus never wanted
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Was that jesus never wanted christians to hide, you know,
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Christians to hide, you know, just in christian places.
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Just in christian places. let's not stay away
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Let's not stay away from the big, bad world.
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From the big, bad world. no, jesus sent us
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No, jesus sent us into the world to love
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Into the world to love as we've first been loved,
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As we've first been loved, to forgive
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To forgive as we've been forgiven.
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As we've been forgiven. to let our light shine
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To let our light shine in really dark places.
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In really dark places. he wanted us to go
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He wanted us to go to all the nations, places,
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To all the nations, places, cultures and peoples,
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Cultures and peoples, no matter how backwards
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No matter how backwards they might seem and share
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They might seem and share the truth of his word
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The truth of his word and the forgiveness
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And the forgiveness of the cross.
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Of the cross. he wanted us to be
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He wanted us to be in the world,
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In the world, but jesus also knew
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But jesus also knew that it would be so,
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That it would be so, so difficult to not
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So difficult to not become of the world.
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Become of the world. because as soon as you step
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Because as soon as you step into a workplace, or a family,
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Into a workplace, or a family, or a circle of friends,
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Or a circle of friends, or a culture,
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Or a culture, where you feel outnumbered
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Where you feel outnumbered when it comes to your beliefs,
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When it comes to your beliefs, one of the hardest things
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One of the hardest things in the world is to stay
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In the world is to stay in that situation without
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In that situation without becoming like that situation.
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Becoming like that situation. if you're taking notes,
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If you're taking notes, here's what i wanted to
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Here's what i wanted to talk to you about today.
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Talk to you about today. one of the biggest temptations
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One of the biggest temptations that followers of jesus face
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That followers of jesus face is the temptation to assimilate,
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Is the temptation to assimilate, which is the fancy way of saying
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Which is the fancy way of saying to be similar to
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To be similar to the world around us.
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The world around us. that's why jesus the night
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That's why jesus the night before he died, prayed
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Before he died, prayed to his heavenly father,
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To his heavenly father, "father, sanctify them."
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"father, sanctify them." which means set them apart
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Which means set them apart from this world by the truth,
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From this world by the truth, your word is truth.
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Your word is truth. jesus knew the great
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Jesus knew the great question would always be,
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Question would always be, "will you and i be similar
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"will you and i be similar or we'll be sanctified?"
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Or we'll be sanctified?" now, that's a big question
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Now, that's a big question because no matter who you are,
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Because no matter who you are, no matter what family
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No matter what family you come from,
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You come from, when you leave church
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When you leave church on a sunday,
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On a sunday, you will always walk back
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You will always walk back into a kind of mini culture
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Into a kind of mini culture that wants you to
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That wants you to conform to its values.
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Conform to its values. like, you have
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Like, you have a circle of friends
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A circle of friends who have certain values,
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Who have certain values, certain ways of behaving,
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Certain ways of behaving, certain things
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Certain things that they believe,
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That they believe, might be great,
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Might be really not great.
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You come from a family of origin
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That probably taught you
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A lot of great life skills
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And maybe there were some
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Dysfunctional parts
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About your family.
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You might go to a workplace
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That has really high
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Ethical values
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Or it might be a place
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Where people gossip
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At the water cooler
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And cut corners.
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And cut corners. we all walk into different
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We all walk into different kinds of cultures,
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Kinds of cultures, even a church culture
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Even a church culture that's a mixture of
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That's a mixture of a lot of good things
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A lot of good things and a lot of bad things.
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And a lot of bad things. but the fact is,
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But the fact is, because no one in those
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Because no one in those circles wants to feel judged,
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Circles wants to feel judged, like what our behaviors
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Like what our behaviors aren't good enough for you?
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Aren't good enough for you? and because all of us
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And because all of us kind of like to be liked,
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Kind of like to be liked, there's always
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There's always that peer pressure
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That peer pressure no matter what your age,
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No matter what your age, to conform and behave
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To conform and behave according to how the people
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According to how the people in that circle conform
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In that circle conform and behave.
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And behave. i guess what i'm saying
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I guess what i'm saying is that your church,
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Is that your church, your family, your friends,
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Your family, your friends, your coworkers
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Your coworkers and your classmates
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And your classmates all have a certain way
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All have a certain way of thinking about everything,
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Of thinking about everything, about sex, about money,
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About sex, about money, about white people,
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About white people, black people,
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Black people, about the president,
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About the president, about immigrants.
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About immigrants. they have a certain way
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They have a certain way that they view
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That they view alcohol and sexuality,
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Alcohol and sexuality, and pride month
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And pride month and everything else.
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And everything else. and the question is,
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And the question is, when you're like the one person
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When you're like the one person maybe who follows jesus
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Maybe who follows jesus in that circle,
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In that circle, what will you do?
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What will you do? will you stand up
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Will you stand up and stand apart
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And stand apart even if you're standing
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Even if you're standing alone with jesus?
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Alone with jesus? or will you step back
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Or will you step back so that you can blend in
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So that you can blend in and belong with the majority
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And belong with the majority of the people in the room?
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Of the people in the room? jesus knew that that
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Jesus knew that that would actually be so
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Would actually be so spiritually difficult for us
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Spiritually difficult for us to face that kind of moral
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To face that kind of moral and ethical peer pressure
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And ethical peer pressure that it was one of
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That it was one of the top things he prayed for
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The top things he prayed for before he gave
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Before he gave his life on the cross.
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His life on the cross. he wanted you to be his follower
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Full of his truth and his love.
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Not avoiding the world
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But stepping into it
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Just like jesus himself did.
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So, what will you do
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The next time that moment comes?
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As we think about that question,
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As we think about that question, i'm so glad that today
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I'm so glad that today we're kicking off a study
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We're kicking off a study of the book of daniel.
00:06:59.008 --> 00:07:01.711
Of the book of daniel. because if you've never read it
00:07:01.777 --> 00:07:02.612
Because if you've never read it before the old testament
00:07:02.678 --> 00:07:03.446
Before the old testament book of daniel
00:07:03.513 --> 00:07:04.146
Book of daniel actually begins with the story,
00:07:04.213 --> 00:07:05.715
Actually begins with the story, we think, of four teenage boys
00:07:05.781 --> 00:07:09.418
We think, of four teenage boys who faced more peer pressure
00:07:09.485 --> 00:07:10.753
Who faced more peer pressure than most of us
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Than most of us can ever imagine,
00:07:11.521 --> 00:07:14.357
Can ever imagine, yet who stood apart
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Yet who stood apart and stood up for the god
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And stood up for the god who loved them and saved them.
00:07:17.627 --> 00:07:21.764
Who loved them and saved them. today, we're going to see
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Today, we're going to see an amazing example of how
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An amazing example of how to resolve to live out
00:07:23.833 --> 00:07:25.635
To resolve to live out our faith in the world,
00:07:25.701 --> 00:07:28.070
Our faith in the world, and we're also going to see
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And we're also going to see a powerful god
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A powerful god who's going to help us
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Who's going to help us do that very thing.
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Do that very thing. so, if you have
00:07:32.742 --> 00:07:33.175
So, if you have a bible with you today
00:07:33.242 --> 00:07:33.910
A bible with you today or if you just want to follow
00:07:33.976 --> 00:07:34.877
Or if you just want to follow along on the screen,
00:07:34.944 --> 00:07:35.578
Along on the screen, let's jump into
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Let's jump into the book of daniel 1:1,
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Begins like this,
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Begins like this, "in the third year of the reign
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"in the third year of the reign of jehoiakim king of judah,
00:07:43.853 --> 00:07:46.322
Of jehoiakim king of judah, nebuchadnezzar king of babylon
00:07:46.389 --> 00:07:47.657
Nebuchadnezzar king of babylon came to jerusalem
00:07:47.723 --> 00:07:48.591
Came to jerusalem and besieged it.
00:07:48.658 --> 00:07:51.027
And besieged it. and the lord delivered
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And the lord delivered jehoiakim king of judah
00:07:51.961 --> 00:07:52.962
Jehoiakim king of judah into his hand, along with
00:07:53.029 --> 00:07:54.297
Into his hand, along with some of the articles
00:07:54.363 --> 00:07:55.131
Some of the articles from the temple of god.
00:07:55.197 --> 00:07:56.799
From the temple of god. these nebuchadnezzar
00:07:56.866 --> 00:07:57.867
These nebuchadnezzar carried off to the temple
00:07:57.934 --> 00:07:58.868
Carried off to the temple of his god in babylonia
00:07:58.935 --> 00:08:00.570
Of his god in babylonia and put in the treasure
00:08:00.636 --> 00:08:01.671
And put in the treasure house of his god."
00:08:01.737 --> 00:08:03.806
House of his god." do you all remember
00:08:03.873 --> 00:08:04.574
The third year of the reign
00:08:04.674 --> 00:08:05.775
The third year of the reign of jehoiakim king of judah?
00:08:05.841 --> 00:08:09.412
Of jehoiakim king of judah? no.
00:08:09.478 --> 00:08:09.612
No. yeah.
00:08:09.679 --> 00:08:10.580
Yeah. so, there's a part
00:08:10.646 --> 00:08:11.681
So, there's a part of biblical history
00:08:11.747 --> 00:08:13.182
Of biblical history that actually gets a lot
00:08:13.249 --> 00:08:13.783
That actually gets a lot of pages in the bible,
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Of pages in the bible, but a lot of people
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But a lot of people don't know much about it.
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Don't know much about it. so, let me give you like
00:08:16.686 --> 00:08:17.853
So, let me give you like a two-minute super-fast tangent
00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:20.122
A two-minute super-fast tangent to teach you the whole
00:08:20.189 --> 00:08:21.057
To teach you the whole old testament,
00:08:21.123 --> 00:08:21.657
Old testament, you ready for it?
00:08:21.724 --> 00:08:23.225
You ready for it? alright, here it is.
00:08:23.292 --> 00:08:23.993
Alright, here it is. someone taught me years ago
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Someone taught me years ago on this next slide,
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That you can really understand
00:08:25.995 --> 00:08:26.796
That you can really understand most of the old testament
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Most of the old testament in 500-year increments.
00:08:27.897 --> 00:08:31.233
In 500-year increments. very early in the bible
00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:31.934
Very early in the bible in the book of genesis,
00:08:32.001 --> 00:08:32.535
In the book of genesis, we meet a man named abraham
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We meet a man named abraham that god chooses to become
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That god chooses to become the father of all
00:08:35.671 --> 00:08:36.472
The father of all the jewish people.
00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:38.441
So, everyone who's
00:08:38.541 --> 00:08:38.908
So, everyone who's ethnically jewish
00:08:38.975 --> 00:08:39.609
Ethnically jewish comes from this guy
00:08:39.675 --> 00:08:40.242
Comes from this guy that god chose named
00:08:40.309 --> 00:08:40.843
That god chose named abraham 2000 b.c.
00:08:40.910 --> 00:08:43.613
Abraham 2000 b.c. five hundred years after that,
00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:44.513
Five hundred years after that, abraham's family has grown.
00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.948
Abraham's family has grown. they're now in egypt,
00:08:46.015 --> 00:08:47.316
They're now in egypt, except they have become slaves
00:08:47.383 --> 00:08:48.451
Except they have become slaves to a very cruel pharaoh,
00:08:48.517 --> 00:08:49.919
To a very cruel pharaoh, and that's where god raises up
00:08:49.986 --> 00:08:50.786
And that's where god raises up a man named moses.
00:08:50.853 --> 00:08:54.023
A man named moses. and moses leads the people
00:08:54.090 --> 00:08:55.291
And moses leads the people out of their slavery
00:08:55.358 --> 00:08:55.925
Out of their slavery in egypt towards
00:08:55.992 --> 00:08:56.692
In egypt towards the promised land.
00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:57.460
The promised land. he himself touches
00:08:57.526 --> 00:08:58.060
He himself touches the first edition
00:08:58.127 --> 00:08:59.595
The first edition of the ten commandments.
00:08:59.662 --> 00:09:02.498
Of the ten commandments. jump ahead 500 years
00:09:02.565 --> 00:09:03.599
Jump ahead 500 years and we get to king david,
00:09:03.666 --> 00:09:06.168
And we get to king david, that shepherd boy
00:09:06.235 --> 00:09:06.869
That shepherd boy who wrote the famous psalm
00:09:06.936 --> 00:09:08.004
Who wrote the famous psalm that we read at funerals.
00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:09.338
That we read at funerals. he fought the giant
00:09:09.405 --> 00:09:09.905
He fought the giant named goliath;
00:09:09.972 --> 00:09:10.573
Named goliath; he became the second
00:09:10.640 --> 00:09:11.273
He became the second king of israel.
00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:12.475
King of israel. he expanded the rule of
00:09:12.541 --> 00:09:13.676
He expanded the rule of the nation of israel
00:09:13.743 --> 00:09:15.211
The nation of israel almost to its greatest extent,
00:09:15.277 --> 00:09:16.312
Almost to its greatest extent, about 1000 b.c.
00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:18.648
About 1000 b.c. but this is the point
00:09:18.714 --> 00:09:19.382
But this is the point for a lot of people that
00:09:19.448 --> 00:09:20.116
For a lot of people that the rest of the old testament
00:09:20.182 --> 00:09:21.117
The rest of the old testament gets super fuzzy
00:09:21.183 --> 00:09:22.585
Gets super fuzzy if not completely new.
00:09:22.652 --> 00:09:25.388
If not completely new. and this is actually where
00:09:25.454 --> 00:09:26.022
And this is actually where the book of daniel takes place.
00:09:26.088 --> 00:09:28.057
The book of daniel takes place. so, after king david
00:09:28.124 --> 00:09:28.991
So, after king david came his son named solomon
00:09:29.058 --> 00:09:30.126
Came his son named solomon who built the temple
00:09:30.192 --> 00:09:30.826
Who built the temple in jerusalem,
00:09:30.893 --> 00:09:31.861
In jerusalem, and after solomon
00:09:31.927 --> 00:09:32.662
And after solomon there was a civil war
00:09:32.728 --> 00:09:33.863
There was a civil war that ripped israel
00:09:33.929 --> 00:09:34.930
That ripped israel into two separate nations.
00:09:34.997 --> 00:09:37.633
Into two separate nations. the northern nation
00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:38.467
The northern nation kept the name israel,
00:09:38.534 --> 00:09:39.135
Kept the name israel, the southern nation
00:09:39.201 --> 00:09:39.669
The southern nation was called...
00:09:39.735 --> 00:09:41.570
Was called... judah.
00:09:41.637 --> 00:09:42.772
Judah. it's what we hear
00:09:42.838 --> 00:09:43.272
It's what we hear about in daniel 1.
00:09:43.339 --> 00:09:45.408
About in daniel 1. unfortunately,
00:09:45.474 --> 00:09:45.941
Unfortunately, in both the north
00:09:46.008 --> 00:09:46.442
In both the north and the south,
00:09:46.509 --> 00:09:47.176
And the south, they were very few
00:09:47.243 --> 00:09:48.177
They were very few if any kings who followed
00:09:48.244 --> 00:09:50.513
If any kings who followed the ways of god
00:09:50.579 --> 00:09:52.415
The ways of god and god patiently,
00:09:52.481 --> 00:09:53.249
And god patiently, patiently reached out
00:09:53.315 --> 00:09:54.083
Patiently reached out through prophet after prophet
00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:55.351
Through prophet after prophet after prophet.
00:09:55.418 --> 00:09:56.385
After prophet. that's why most of the bible
00:09:56.452 --> 00:09:57.119
That's why most of the bible is written about
00:09:57.186 --> 00:09:57.953
Is written about this period in history.
00:09:58.020 --> 00:09:58.554
This period in history. all these books in
00:09:58.621 --> 00:09:59.689
All these books in the old testament
00:09:59.755 --> 00:10:00.322
The old testament like isaiah and jeremiah
00:10:00.389 --> 00:10:01.957
Like isaiah and jeremiah and ezekiel, daniel,
00:10:02.024 --> 00:10:03.359
And ezekiel, daniel, hosea, amos, obadiah,
00:10:03.426 --> 00:10:04.760
Hosea, amos, obadiah, they're all written
00:10:04.827 --> 00:10:05.294
They're all written during this time as god is
00:10:05.361 --> 00:10:06.462
During this time as god is trying to invite his people
00:10:06.529 --> 00:10:07.596
Trying to invite his people to repent of their sins
00:10:07.663 --> 00:10:09.031
To repent of their sins and come back to his truth,
00:10:09.098 --> 00:10:11.233
And come back to his truth, but unfortunately, they don't.
00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:13.803
But unfortunately, they don't. and so, after 200 years
00:10:13.869 --> 00:10:14.637
And so, after 200 years of begging and pleasing
00:10:14.704 --> 00:10:15.571
Of begging and pleasing on his knees, god allows
00:10:15.638 --> 00:10:17.039
On his knees, god allows the northern part of israel
00:10:17.106 --> 00:10:18.474
The northern part of israel to be taken into captivity,
00:10:18.541 --> 00:10:20.009
To be taken into captivity, into exile.
00:10:20.076 --> 00:10:22.144
Into exile. and about 100 years later
00:10:22.211 --> 00:10:23.045
And about 100 years later the same thing happens
00:10:23.112 --> 00:10:24.680
The same thing happens when the babylonians
00:10:24.747 --> 00:10:25.481
When the babylonians come to judah.
00:10:25.548 --> 00:10:27.383
Come to judah. and right there is where
00:10:27.450 --> 00:10:28.017
And right there is where the book of daniel takes place.
00:10:28.084 --> 00:10:29.985
The book of daniel takes place. in the year 605 b.c.
00:10:30.052 --> 00:10:31.921
In the year 605 b.c. nebuchadnezzar shows up
00:10:31.987 --> 00:10:32.955
Nebuchadnezzar shows up during the third year of
00:10:33.022 --> 00:10:33.889
During the third year of king jehoiakim of judah,
00:10:33.956 --> 00:10:35.658
King jehoiakim of judah, and he takes daniel
00:10:35.725 --> 00:10:36.358
And he takes daniel and a whole bunch of others
00:10:36.425 --> 00:10:37.326
And a whole bunch of others as captives and exiles,
00:10:37.393 --> 00:10:39.261
As captives and exiles, he deports them back to his
00:10:39.328 --> 00:10:41.564
He deports them back to his capital city called babylon.
00:10:41.630 --> 00:10:44.967
Capital city called babylon. he would actually come back,
00:10:45.034 --> 00:10:46.702
He would actually come back, i think, he'd come back
00:10:46.769 --> 00:10:49.905
I think, he'd come back 19 years later to jerusalem,
00:10:49.972 --> 00:10:51.774
19 years later to jerusalem, destroy the temple,
00:10:51.841 --> 00:10:53.542
Destroy the temple, burn it to the ground
00:10:53.609 --> 00:10:55.311
Burn it to the ground and the year around 500 b.c.
00:10:55.377 --> 00:10:57.446
And the year around 500 b.c. is when ezra came back
00:10:57.513 --> 00:10:58.547
Is when ezra came back to rebuild the temple.
00:10:58.614 --> 00:10:59.348
To rebuild the temple. so, that's this big chunk
00:10:59.415 --> 00:11:00.182
So, that's this big chunk of the old testament,
00:11:00.249 --> 00:11:00.916
Of the old testament, that's where daniel lives.
00:11:00.983 --> 00:11:03.385
That's where daniel lives. and here's what happened
00:11:03.452 --> 00:11:04.987
And here's what happened when daniel was in babylon,
00:11:05.054 --> 00:11:06.589
When daniel was in babylon, you might think that
00:11:06.655 --> 00:11:07.456
You might think that king nebuchadnezzar took
00:11:07.523 --> 00:11:08.390
King nebuchadnezzar took all of these captives to make
00:11:08.457 --> 00:11:09.692
All of these captives to make them slaves in some dirty
00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.993
Them slaves in some dirty coal mines to fuel his empire,
00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:13.162
Coal mines to fuel his empire, but he didn't.
00:11:13.229 --> 00:11:15.664
But he didn't. he actually took many of them
00:11:15.731 --> 00:11:16.432
He actually took many of them captive not to enslave them,
00:11:16.499 --> 00:11:19.168
Captive not to enslave them, but to assimilate them.
00:11:19.235 --> 00:11:22.738
Here's what it says in verse 3,
00:11:22.838 --> 00:11:26.075
Here's what it says in verse 3, "then the king ordered ashpenaz,
00:11:26.142 --> 00:11:28.744
"then the king ordered ashpenaz, chief of his court officials,
00:11:28.811 --> 00:11:30.146
Chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service
00:11:30.212 --> 00:11:31.380
To bring into the king's service some of the israelites
00:11:31.447 --> 00:11:32.414
Some of the israelites from the royal family
00:11:32.481 --> 00:11:33.415
From the royal family and the nobility-young men
00:11:33.482 --> 00:11:35.651
And the nobility-young men without any physical defect,
00:11:35.718 --> 00:11:37.787
Without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude
00:11:37.853 --> 00:11:39.555
Handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning,
00:11:39.622 --> 00:11:40.489
For every kind of learning, well informed,
00:11:40.556 --> 00:11:41.257
Well informed, quick to understand,
00:11:41.323 --> 00:11:42.858
Quick to understand, and qualified to serve
00:11:42.925 --> 00:11:43.826
And qualified to serve in the king's palace.
00:11:43.893 --> 00:11:46.228
In the king's palace. he was to teach them
00:11:46.295 --> 00:11:46.962
He was to teach them the language and literature
00:11:47.029 --> 00:11:48.397
The language and literature of the babylonians.
00:11:48.464 --> 00:11:50.099
Of the babylonians. the king assigned them
00:11:50.166 --> 00:11:50.599
The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine
00:11:50.666 --> 00:11:51.867
A daily amount of food and wine from the king's table,
00:11:51.934 --> 00:11:53.869
From the king's table, and they were trained -
00:11:53.936 --> 00:11:54.637
And they were trained - they were to be trained
00:11:54.703 --> 00:11:55.404
They were to be trained for three years,
00:11:55.471 --> 00:11:57.239
For three years, and after that to enter
00:11:57.306 --> 00:11:58.107
And after that to enter the king's service."
00:11:58.174 --> 00:12:00.276
The king's service." among those who were chosen
00:12:00.342 --> 00:12:01.177
Among those who were chosen were some from judah:
00:12:01.243 --> 00:12:02.745
Were some from judah: daniel, hananiah,
00:12:02.812 --> 00:12:04.146
Daniel, hananiah, mishael and azariah.
00:12:04.213 --> 00:12:06.448
Mishael and azariah. the chief official
00:12:06.515 --> 00:12:06.882
The chief official gave them new names:
00:12:06.949 --> 00:12:07.750
Gave them new names: to daniel,
00:12:07.817 --> 00:12:08.384
To daniel, the name belteshazzar;
00:12:08.450 --> 00:12:10.753
The name belteshazzar; to hananiah, shadrach;
00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:12.721
To hananiah, shadrach; to mishael, meshach;
00:12:12.788 --> 00:12:14.523
To mishael, meshach; and to azariah, abednego."
00:12:14.590 --> 00:12:18.260
Now, just pause for a second
00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.528
Now, just pause for a second and put yourself in
00:12:19.595 --> 00:12:20.262
And put yourself in daniel's sandals.
00:12:20.329 --> 00:12:21.297
Daniel's sandals. can you imagine being,
00:12:21.363 --> 00:12:22.298
Can you imagine being, let's say, 14, 15 years old,
00:12:22.364 --> 00:12:27.469
Let's say, 14, 15 years old, you've been dragged away
00:12:27.536 --> 00:12:28.404
You've been dragged away from your conquered nation,
00:12:28.470 --> 00:12:29.705
From your conquered nation, you probably saw family
00:12:29.772 --> 00:12:30.739
You probably saw family and friends butchered
00:12:30.806 --> 00:12:32.741
And friends butchered by babylon's army,
00:12:32.808 --> 00:12:33.776
By babylon's army, you're dragged off in chains
00:12:33.843 --> 00:12:35.077
You're dragged off in chains and your mind is thinking,
00:12:35.144 --> 00:12:36.378
And your mind is thinking, "well, will they kill me?
00:12:36.445 --> 00:12:37.713
"well, will they kill me? torture me?
00:12:37.780 --> 00:12:38.747
Torture me? enslave me?
00:12:38.814 --> 00:12:39.615
Enslave me? will i work like a slave
00:12:39.682 --> 00:12:40.850
Will i work like a slave till my last breath?"
00:12:40.916 --> 00:12:42.084
Till my last breath?" you finally step into
00:12:42.151 --> 00:12:43.018
You finally step into the mighty city of babylon.
00:12:43.085 --> 00:12:44.353
The mighty city of babylon. you see its massive blue gates.
00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:46.689
You see its massive blue gates. it's like a wonder
00:12:46.755 --> 00:12:48.090
It's like a wonder of the ancient world,
00:12:48.157 --> 00:12:49.024
Of the ancient world, an ancient superpower.
00:12:49.091 --> 00:12:51.126
An ancient superpower. and when you step in,
00:12:51.193 --> 00:12:52.027
And when you step in, what happens?
00:12:52.094 --> 00:12:52.695
What happens? instead of condemning
00:12:52.761 --> 00:12:53.996
Instead of condemning you to be a slave,
00:12:54.063 --> 00:12:55.531
You to be a slave, the most powerful man
00:12:55.598 --> 00:12:56.398
The most powerful man on the planet sees potential.
00:12:56.465 --> 00:13:01.837
On the planet sees potential. he notices that you're smart,
00:13:01.904 --> 00:13:04.006
He notices that you're smart, and that you might have
00:13:04.073 --> 00:13:04.607
And that you might have a bright future.
00:13:04.673 --> 00:13:07.343
A bright future. and if you just
00:13:07.409 --> 00:13:07.843
And if you just keep your head down
00:13:07.910 --> 00:13:08.844
Keep your head down and if you follow the plan,
00:13:08.911 --> 00:13:10.412
And if you follow the plan, if you do everything that
00:13:10.479 --> 00:13:11.914
If you do everything that babylon you asks you to do.
00:13:11.981 --> 00:13:14.116
Babylon you asks you to do. instead of being a slave,
00:13:14.183 --> 00:13:15.050
Instead of being a slave, instead of being
00:13:15.117 --> 00:13:15.417
Instead of being tortured or murdered,
00:13:15.484 --> 00:13:16.652
Tortured or murdered, you could have
00:13:16.719 --> 00:13:17.953
You could have a future brighter than
00:13:18.020 --> 00:13:18.821
A future brighter than you can ever imagine.
00:13:18.888 --> 00:13:22.024
Can you imagine being 14
00:13:23.025 --> 00:13:26.262
Can you imagine being 14 and just when you're
00:13:26.328 --> 00:13:26.929
And just when you're fearing the worst,
00:13:26.996 --> 00:13:28.063
Fearing the worst, the most powerful man
00:13:28.130 --> 00:13:29.331
The most powerful man on the planet
00:13:29.398 --> 00:13:29.765
On the planet offers you the best?
00:13:29.832 --> 00:13:30.599
Offers you the best? what would you do?
00:13:30.666 --> 00:13:35.471
What would you do? but there's just one little
00:13:35.537 --> 00:13:36.071
But there's just one little problem for daniel and the boys,
00:13:36.138 --> 00:13:40.676
Problem for daniel and the boys, el, yah, the god of their
00:13:40.743 --> 00:13:46.515
El, yah, the god of their ancestors of abraham
00:13:46.582 --> 00:13:48.884
Ancestors of abraham and moses and david.
00:13:48.951 --> 00:13:53.589
And moses and david. i'm not sure how much you know
00:13:53.656 --> 00:13:54.456
I'm not sure how much you know about the old testament,
00:13:54.523 --> 00:13:55.724
About the old testament, but god had his own opinions
00:13:55.791 --> 00:13:57.459
But god had his own opinions about having other gods,
00:13:57.526 --> 00:13:59.595
About having other gods, namely, don't.
00:13:59.662 --> 00:14:03.565
Namely, don't. and so, that's one thing
00:14:03.632 --> 00:14:04.166
And so, that's one thing that daniel could not do
00:14:04.233 --> 00:14:05.367
That daniel could not do without compromising
00:14:05.434 --> 00:14:06.168
Without compromising his biblical faith
00:14:06.235 --> 00:14:07.469
His biblical faith to worship and praise,
00:14:07.536 --> 00:14:08.704
To worship and praise, take the name and the values
00:14:08.771 --> 00:14:09.772
Take the name and the values of all these other gods.
00:14:09.838 --> 00:14:11.573
Of all these other gods. and if that weren't enough,
00:14:11.640 --> 00:14:12.541
And if that weren't enough, the old testament also
00:14:12.608 --> 00:14:13.275
The old testament also had specific rules about
00:14:13.342 --> 00:14:14.376
Had specific rules about what jewish people
00:14:14.443 --> 00:14:15.077
What jewish people could and couldn't eat.
00:14:15.144 --> 00:14:16.445
Could and couldn't eat. have you ever heard of
00:14:16.512 --> 00:14:17.046
Have you ever heard of a kosher diet before?
00:14:17.112 --> 00:14:19.148
A kosher diet before? clean and unclean foods
00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:20.082
Clean and unclean foods you read about in
00:14:20.149 --> 00:14:20.616
You read about in the book of leviticus.
00:14:20.683 --> 00:14:23.018
The book of leviticus. so, the food might have
00:14:23.085 --> 00:14:23.886
So, the food might have been good that came from
00:14:23.953 --> 00:14:24.787
Been good that came from nebuchadnezzar's table,
00:14:24.853 --> 00:14:25.921
Nebuchadnezzar's table, but could daniel
00:14:25.988 --> 00:14:26.588
But could daniel and his friends eat it
00:14:26.655 --> 00:14:27.823
And his friends eat it and still follow the commands
00:14:27.890 --> 00:14:29.158
And still follow the commands of their god of the bible?
00:14:29.224 --> 00:14:30.592
Of their god of the bible? you see, there was no way
00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:32.661
You see, there was no way that daniel could please
00:14:32.728 --> 00:14:34.129
That daniel could please the god of this book
00:14:34.196 --> 00:14:36.565
The god of this book and the king of babylon
00:14:36.632 --> 00:14:37.366
And the king of babylon at the same time.
00:14:37.433 --> 00:14:40.135
At the same time. he had to choose
00:14:40.202 --> 00:14:41.136
He had to choose whether to be sanctified
00:14:41.203 --> 00:14:42.504
Whether to be sanctified to his god or to be
00:14:42.571 --> 00:14:44.673
To his god or to be similar to his king.
00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:48.544
Similar to his king. and the more i think
00:14:48.610 --> 00:14:49.178
And the more i think of this true story,
00:14:49.244 --> 00:14:50.646
Of this true story, that this was a kid
00:14:50.713 --> 00:14:52.948
That this was a kid the age of my kids,
00:14:53.015 --> 00:14:55.784
The age of my kids, who was probably
00:14:55.851 --> 00:14:56.418
Who was probably traumatized in ways
00:14:56.485 --> 00:14:57.820
Traumatized in ways i will never understand.
00:14:57.886 --> 00:14:59.455
I will never understand. he's standing before
00:14:59.521 --> 00:15:00.622
He's standing before a king who did not flinch
00:15:00.689 --> 00:15:02.324
A king who did not flinch to throw human beings
00:15:02.391 --> 00:15:03.625
To throw human beings into fiery furnaces
00:15:03.692 --> 00:15:04.994
Into fiery furnaces or feed them to lions,
00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:08.330
Or feed them to lions, what would he do?
00:15:08.397 --> 00:15:13.102
What would he do? well, verse 8 tells us
00:15:13.168 --> 00:15:13.936
Exactly what daniel did.
00:15:14.036 --> 00:15:16.772
Exactly what daniel did. "but daniel resolved not to
00:15:16.839 --> 00:15:20.809
"but daniel resolved not to defile himself with
00:15:20.876 --> 00:15:21.877
Defile himself with the royal food and wine,
00:15:21.944 --> 00:15:23.979
The royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official
00:15:24.046 --> 00:15:25.381
And he asked the chief official for permission not to defile
00:15:25.447 --> 00:15:27.182
For permission not to defile himself in this way."
00:15:27.249 --> 00:15:28.384
Himself in this way." daniel resolved.
00:15:28.450 --> 00:15:31.620
"i'm not going to
00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.287
"i'm not going to cross that line.
00:15:32.354 --> 00:15:33.055
Cross that line. i'm going to be sanctified,
00:15:33.122 --> 00:15:34.656
I'm going to be sanctified, i'm going to stand with him
00:15:34.723 --> 00:15:35.657
I'm going to stand with him because he's god,
00:15:35.724 --> 00:15:36.925
Because he's god, he's el, the powerful
00:15:36.992 --> 00:15:39.061
He's el, the powerful god who made me.
00:15:39.128 --> 00:15:39.762
God who made me. he's yah, the god
00:15:39.828 --> 00:15:41.063
He's yah, the god of the covenant
00:15:41.130 --> 00:15:41.663
Of the covenant who forgave and saved me."
00:15:41.730 --> 00:15:43.699
Who forgave and saved me." before that moment of great
00:15:43.766 --> 00:15:44.967
Before that moment of great temptation even arrived,
00:15:45.034 --> 00:15:46.468
Temptation even arrived, daniel resolved
00:15:46.535 --> 00:15:50.506
Daniel resolved with such respect.
00:15:50.572 --> 00:15:53.942
With such respect. please don't miss
00:15:54.009 --> 00:15:54.376
Please don't miss this little detail,
00:15:54.443 --> 00:15:55.711
This little detail, "daniel resolved not
00:15:55.778 --> 00:15:56.979
"daniel resolved not to defile himself
00:15:57.046 --> 00:15:57.980
To defile himself and he asked the chief
00:15:58.047 --> 00:15:59.915
And he asked the chief official for permission."
00:15:59.982 --> 00:16:04.286
Official for permission." now, what a good word
00:16:04.353 --> 00:16:04.887
Now, what a good word for christians today.
00:16:04.953 --> 00:16:06.555
For christians today. daniel did not just
00:16:06.622 --> 00:16:07.890
Daniel did not just go out into the world
00:16:07.956 --> 00:16:08.791
Go out into the world and drop bombs on
00:16:08.857 --> 00:16:09.925
And drop bombs on his pagan culture.
00:16:09.992 --> 00:16:11.126
His pagan culture. he didn't slap
00:16:11.193 --> 00:16:12.227
He didn't slap nebuchadnezzar and his men
00:16:12.294 --> 00:16:14.196
Nebuchadnezzar and his men with chapters and verses.
00:16:14.263 --> 00:16:16.365
With chapters and verses. he resolved to be
00:16:16.432 --> 00:16:17.099
He resolved to be obedient to his god,
00:16:17.166 --> 00:16:19.501
Obedient to his god, but he did it
00:16:19.568 --> 00:16:20.069
But he did it in such a humble
00:16:20.135 --> 00:16:21.070
In such a humble and such a respectful way
00:16:21.136 --> 00:16:23.038
And such a respectful way that it won over even
00:16:23.105 --> 00:16:24.206
That it won over even the people who didn't
00:16:24.273 --> 00:16:24.873
The people who didn't share his beliefs
00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.809
Share his beliefs or embrace his behaviors.
00:16:26.875 --> 00:16:30.045
Or embrace his behaviors. daniel, as we sometimes say
00:16:30.112 --> 00:16:31.046
Daniel, as we sometimes say at our church, was 200 proof.
00:16:31.113 --> 00:16:34.249
At our church, was 200 proof. meaning he didn't
00:16:34.316 --> 00:16:34.683
Meaning he didn't for a second water down
00:16:34.750 --> 00:16:36.452
For a second water down god's grace or god's truth.
00:16:36.518 --> 00:16:40.522
God's grace or god's truth. he resolved to do what's true,
00:16:40.589 --> 00:16:42.624
He resolved to do what's true, and he resolved to do it
00:16:42.691 --> 00:16:43.392
And he resolved to do it in the most humble
00:16:43.459 --> 00:16:45.260
In the most humble and respectful way,
00:16:45.327 --> 00:16:49.064
And respectful way, and it worked.
00:16:49.131 --> 00:16:51.834
And it worked. here's the ending
00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:52.267
Of the story for today.
00:16:52.367 --> 00:16:54.570
Of the story for today. verse 9 says, "now god
00:16:54.636 --> 00:16:55.871
Verse 9 says, "now god had caused the official
00:16:55.938 --> 00:16:57.005
Had caused the official to show favor and compassion
00:16:57.072 --> 00:16:58.874
To show favor and compassion to daniel."
00:16:58.941 --> 00:16:59.808
To daniel." did you know that god
00:16:59.875 --> 00:17:00.542
Did you know that god is so powerful
00:17:00.609 --> 00:17:01.243
Is so powerful he can change someone's
00:17:01.310 --> 00:17:02.711
He can change someone's emotions towards you?
00:17:02.778 --> 00:17:04.213
Emotions towards you? "but the official told daniel,
00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.081
"but the official told daniel, 'i am afraid of my lord
00:17:06.148 --> 00:17:07.149
'i am afraid of my lord the king,' nebuchadnezzar,
00:17:07.216 --> 00:17:08.517
The king,' nebuchadnezzar, 'who has assigned
00:17:08.584 --> 00:17:08.984
'who has assigned your food and drink.
00:17:09.051 --> 00:17:09.518
Your food and drink. why should he see you
00:17:09.585 --> 00:17:11.186
Why should he see you looking worse than
00:17:11.253 --> 00:17:11.920
Looking worse than the other young men your age?
00:17:11.987 --> 00:17:13.822
The other young men your age? the king would then have
00:17:13.889 --> 00:17:14.690
The king would then have my head because of you.'
00:17:14.756 --> 00:17:16.325
My head because of you.' daniel then said to the guard
00:17:16.391 --> 00:17:17.392
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official
00:17:17.459 --> 00:17:18.026
Whom the chief official had appointed over
00:17:18.093 --> 00:17:19.094
Had appointed over daniel, hananiah,
00:17:19.161 --> 00:17:19.795
Daniel, hananiah, mishael and azariah,
00:17:19.862 --> 00:17:21.029
Mishael and azariah, 'please test your
00:17:21.096 --> 00:17:23.165
'please test your servants for ten days,'
00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:25.300
Servants for ten days,' a respectful compromise.
00:17:25.367 --> 00:17:27.102
A respectful compromise. 'give us nothing but
00:17:27.169 --> 00:17:27.703
'give us nothing but vegetables to eat
00:17:27.769 --> 00:17:29.104
Vegetables to eat and water to drink.
00:17:29.171 --> 00:17:31.740
And water to drink. then compare our appearance
00:17:31.807 --> 00:17:32.975
Then compare our appearance with that of the young men
00:17:33.041 --> 00:17:33.809
With that of the young men who eat the royal food
00:17:33.876 --> 00:17:34.710
Who eat the royal food and treat your servants
00:17:34.776 --> 00:17:35.544
And treat your servants in accordance
00:17:35.611 --> 00:17:36.111
In accordance with what you see.'"
00:17:36.178 --> 00:17:37.212
With what you see.'" how respectful of a proposal.
00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:39.681
How respectful of a proposal. "so he agreed to this
00:17:39.748 --> 00:17:40.482
"so he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
00:17:40.549 --> 00:17:43.252
And tested them for ten days. at the end of the ten days,
00:17:43.318 --> 00:17:44.153
At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier
00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:45.854
They looked healthier and better nourished than
00:17:45.921 --> 00:17:47.523
And better nourished than any of the young men
00:17:47.589 --> 00:17:48.423
Any of the young men who ate the royal food.
00:17:48.490 --> 00:17:50.292
Who ate the royal food. so the guard took away
00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:50.926
So the guard took away their choice food and the wine
00:17:50.993 --> 00:17:51.660
Their choice food and the wine they were to drink
00:17:51.727 --> 00:17:53.195
They were to drink and gave them
00:17:53.262 --> 00:17:54.429
And gave them vegetables instead."
00:17:54.496 --> 00:17:57.166
How do you get fatter
00:17:57.266 --> 00:17:58.400
How do you get fatter on broccoli and water?
00:17:58.467 --> 00:18:02.204
On broccoli and water? i don't know, but it worked.
00:18:02.271 --> 00:18:03.205
I don't know, but it worked. god somehow did what
00:18:03.272 --> 00:18:05.174
God somehow did what no one would predict.
00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:07.209
No one would predict. he used his mighty hand as el,
00:18:07.276 --> 00:18:08.544
He used his mighty hand as el, the god of power
00:18:08.610 --> 00:18:09.545
The god of power and used his character as yah,
00:18:09.611 --> 00:18:11.313
And used his character as yah, the god of love and he worked
00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:13.182
The god of love and he worked all things out for
00:18:13.248 --> 00:18:13.916
All things out for the good of his people.
00:18:13.982 --> 00:18:17.319
The good of his people. if you're taking notes,
00:18:17.386 --> 00:18:18.187
If you're taking notes, write this down.
00:18:18.253 --> 00:18:19.521
Write this down. the great temptation is
00:18:19.588 --> 00:18:20.789
The great temptation is to assimilate to the world,
00:18:20.856 --> 00:18:23.525
To assimilate to the world, so here's the great solution
00:18:23.592 --> 00:18:24.693
So here's the great solution is to respectfully resolve.
00:18:24.760 --> 00:18:30.165
Is to respectfully resolve. it's to pre-decide
00:18:30.232 --> 00:18:30.966
It's to pre-decide in your heart,
00:18:31.033 --> 00:18:31.433
In your heart, to make a decision before
00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.734
To make a decision before the temptation even arrives,
00:18:32.801 --> 00:18:34.536
The temptation even arrives, to know exactly
00:18:34.603 --> 00:18:35.270
To know exactly what you're going to do.
00:18:35.337 --> 00:18:36.572
What you're going to do. to stand up for god
00:18:36.638 --> 00:18:38.640
To stand up for god with the utmost gentleness,
00:18:38.707 --> 00:18:40.409
With the utmost gentleness, love and respect.
00:18:40.475 --> 00:18:44.813
Love and respect. so, let's talk about you.
00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:48.717
So, let's talk about you. obviously, you're not
00:18:48.784 --> 00:18:49.618
Obviously, you're not a 14-year-old boy
00:18:49.685 --> 00:18:50.519
A 14-year-old boy in old testament babylon
00:18:50.586 --> 00:18:52.221
In old testament babylon living under cruel,
00:18:52.287 --> 00:18:53.288
Living under cruel, pagan king nebuchadnezzar.
00:18:53.355 --> 00:18:56.725
Pagan king nebuchadnezzar. but you might know that
00:18:56.792 --> 00:18:57.993
But you might know that famous passage from 1 peter 2,
00:18:58.060 --> 00:19:00.329
Where jesus' friend said this,
00:19:00.429 --> 00:19:02.097
Where jesus' friend said this, "dear friends, i urge you,
00:19:02.164 --> 00:19:04.032
"dear friends, i urge you, as foreigners and exiles,
00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:08.604
As foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires,
00:19:08.670 --> 00:19:10.172
To abstain from sinful desires, which wage war
00:19:10.239 --> 00:19:11.306
Which wage war against your soul."
00:19:11.373 --> 00:19:13.675
Against your soul." when we have to choose
00:19:13.742 --> 00:19:14.943
Who we're going to obey,
00:19:15.043 --> 00:19:16.545
Who we're going to obey, the voices of this world
00:19:16.612 --> 00:19:17.813
The voices of this world and our friends
00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.513
And our friends or the voices of god,
00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:19.948
Or the voices of god, the question is michael,
00:19:20.015 --> 00:19:22.684
The question is michael, who's like god?
00:19:22.751 --> 00:19:25.120
Who's like god? who has ever loved you like god?
00:19:25.187 --> 00:19:28.323
Who has ever loved you like god? who has ever forgiven
00:19:28.390 --> 00:19:29.291
Who has ever forgiven you as much as god?
00:19:29.358 --> 00:19:30.759
You as much as god? who has ever stuck with you
00:19:30.826 --> 00:19:31.560
Who has ever stuck with you through your darkest
00:19:31.627 --> 00:19:32.261
Through your darkest moments like god?
00:19:32.327 --> 00:19:33.428
Moments like god? who has always answered
00:19:33.495 --> 00:19:34.529
Who has always answered the phone when you
00:19:34.596 --> 00:19:35.297
The phone when you called like god?
00:19:35.364 --> 00:19:36.431
Called like god? who has ever heard
00:19:36.498 --> 00:19:37.633
Who has ever heard every anxiety,
00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:38.767
Every anxiety, every anxious thought
00:19:38.834 --> 00:19:39.868
Every anxious thought of your heart?
00:19:39.935 --> 00:19:41.003
Of your heart? who is like god?
00:19:41.069 --> 00:19:42.304
Who is like god? there is no one
00:19:42.371 --> 00:19:43.438
There is no one who has resolved himself
00:19:43.505 --> 00:19:45.073
Who has resolved himself to love you and walk with you
00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.642
To love you and walk with you through all of it like god does.
00:19:46.708 --> 00:19:50.812
Through all of it like god does. there's one more passage
00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:51.346
There's one more passage i want to share with you
00:19:51.413 --> 00:19:52.114
I want to share with you today from the gospels.
00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.215
Here's a verse about jesus,
00:19:53.315 --> 00:19:54.449
Here's a verse about jesus, it says in luke 9,
00:19:54.516 --> 00:19:55.584
It says in luke 9, "as the time approached for him
00:19:55.651 --> 00:19:57.286
"as the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,
00:19:57.352 --> 00:19:58.287
To be taken up to heaven, jesus," say this word with me,
00:19:58.353 --> 00:20:01.390
Jesus," say this word with me, "resolutely set
00:20:01.456 --> 00:20:02.991
"resolutely set out for jerusalem."
00:20:03.058 --> 00:20:05.460
Out for jerusalem." jesus was so committed
00:20:05.527 --> 00:20:07.095
To your forgiveness,
00:20:07.195 --> 00:20:08.630
To your forgiveness, your salvation, to reconciling
00:20:08.697 --> 00:20:10.332
Your salvation, to reconciling you to a perfect god
00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:12.000
You to a perfect god that he resolutely
00:20:12.067 --> 00:20:13.535
Set out for that cross.
00:20:13.635 --> 00:20:16.171
The original greek
00:20:16.238 --> 00:20:16.838
Of the new testament says,
00:20:16.905 --> 00:20:17.572
"he fixed his face."
00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:20.876
He must have been so tempted
00:20:20.942 --> 00:20:21.677
To avoid the pain of the cross,
00:20:21.743 --> 00:20:23.845
To run in the other direction,
00:20:23.912 --> 00:20:24.780
But instead jesus
00:20:24.846 --> 00:20:25.814
Decided in his heart,
00:20:25.881 --> 00:20:27.015
He fixed his face on a place
00:20:27.082 --> 00:20:28.950
Where you would be forgiven
00:20:29.017 --> 00:20:29.785
For every time you compromised,
00:20:29.851 --> 00:20:32.487
Every time you crossed a line,
00:20:32.554 --> 00:20:33.889
Every regret that you have,
00:20:33.955 --> 00:20:35.424
Every shameful moment
00:20:35.490 --> 00:20:36.425
From your past,
00:20:36.491 --> 00:20:38.527
Every drink you
00:20:38.593 --> 00:20:39.294
Shouldn't have drunk,
00:20:39.361 --> 00:20:40.495
Every thought
00:20:40.562 --> 00:20:41.863
You shouldn't have thought,
00:20:41.930 --> 00:20:42.531
Everything wrong.
00:20:42.597 --> 00:20:43.699
Jesus was so committed
00:20:43.765 --> 00:20:44.633
To your salvation,
00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.534
He resolutely set out
00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:48.103
For the cross.
00:20:48.170 --> 00:20:48.537
And when we think of him,
00:20:48.603 --> 00:20:50.339
We say, "michael,
00:20:50.405 --> 00:20:54.543
Who is like god?"
00:20:54.609 --> 00:20:57.012
I wish i could make
00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.813
Everyone happy all the time.
00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.381
Sometimes in this world,
00:20:59.448 --> 00:20:59.881
We can't.
00:20:59.948 --> 00:21:01.183
So, if i have to choose
00:21:01.283 --> 00:21:01.950
So, if i have to choose between the world
00:21:02.017 --> 00:21:03.552
Between the world or the word,
00:21:03.618 --> 00:21:05.654
Or the word, who is like my god?
00:21:05.721 --> 00:21:06.621
Who is like my god? who has loved you like god?
00:21:06.688 --> 00:21:08.290
Who has loved you like god? no one.
00:21:08.357 --> 00:21:09.691
No one. who can save you like god?
00:21:09.758 --> 00:21:12.094
Who can save you like god? no one.
00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.627
No one. so, when the time comes,
00:21:12.694 --> 00:21:14.262
So, when the time comes, don't step back,
00:21:14.329 --> 00:21:16.465
Don't step back, but stand up for jesus.
00:21:16.531 --> 00:21:22.571
But stand up for jesus. i guess i'm asking you today
00:21:22.637 --> 00:21:23.405
I guess i'm asking you today to be like tank man.
00:21:23.472 --> 00:21:29.211
To be like tank man. due to copyright reasons,
00:21:29.277 --> 00:21:29.878
Due to copyright reasons, i can't show you his picture,
00:21:29.945 --> 00:21:31.713
I can't show you his picture, but you should look it up
00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:33.181
But you should look it up after this sermon is done.
00:21:33.248 --> 00:21:35.650
After this sermon is done. do you remember june 4th, 1989,
00:21:35.717 --> 00:21:38.887
Do you remember june 4th, 1989, beijing, china,
00:21:38.954 --> 00:21:39.621
Beijing, china, in tiananmen square
00:21:39.688 --> 00:21:41.022
In tiananmen square thousands of student protestors
00:21:41.089 --> 00:21:42.724
Thousands of student protestors had gathered against
00:21:42.791 --> 00:21:43.592
Had gathered against the chinese government
00:21:43.658 --> 00:21:46.027
The chinese government and they responded with force.
00:21:46.094 --> 00:21:48.530
And they responded with force. with machine guns and tanks
00:21:48.597 --> 00:21:49.698
With machine guns and tanks they mowed down hundreds
00:21:49.765 --> 00:21:50.932
They mowed down hundreds if not thousands of students.
00:21:50.999 --> 00:21:52.834
If not thousands of students. they ran them over
00:21:52.901 --> 00:21:54.469
They ran them over with their machines of war.
00:21:54.536 --> 00:21:57.606
With their machines of war. and the next day came june 5th,
00:21:57.672 --> 00:22:00.275
And the next day came june 5th, and the ten-lane street
00:22:00.342 --> 00:22:01.376
And the ten-lane street that ran through beijing was
00:22:01.443 --> 00:22:02.978
That ran through beijing was absolutely empty of protestors.
00:22:03.044 --> 00:22:04.846
Absolutely empty of protestors. a line of 18 tanks rolled
00:22:04.913 --> 00:22:07.482
A line of 18 tanks rolled slowly down the street,
00:22:07.549 --> 00:22:09.851
Slowly down the street, a physical and visible show
00:22:09.918 --> 00:22:11.686
A physical and visible show of the force of
00:22:11.753 --> 00:22:12.554
Of the force of the chinese government.
00:22:12.621 --> 00:22:16.291
The chinese government. but that's when tank man
00:22:16.358 --> 00:22:17.225
But that's when tank man stepped into the road.
00:22:17.292 --> 00:22:20.262
Stepped into the road. it's now become one of the most
00:22:20.328 --> 00:22:21.163
It's now become one of the most iconic photographs ever taken.
00:22:21.229 --> 00:22:22.798
Iconic photographs ever taken. there's a man
00:22:22.864 --> 00:22:23.665
There's a man and no one to this day
00:22:23.732 --> 00:22:24.733
And no one to this day knows his name or who he was.
00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:27.002
Knows his name or who he was. he's holding plastic
00:22:27.068 --> 00:22:28.203
He's holding plastic shopping bags in his hands
00:22:28.270 --> 00:22:29.438
Shopping bags in his hands as if he had just gone
00:22:29.504 --> 00:22:30.172
As if he had just gone to the market and saw
00:22:30.238 --> 00:22:31.706
To the market and saw what was happening.
00:22:31.773 --> 00:22:32.240
What was happening. he steps into the middle
00:22:32.307 --> 00:22:33.341
He steps into the middle of this ten-lane highway
00:22:33.408 --> 00:22:34.743
Of this ten-lane highway and stands right in front of
00:22:34.810 --> 00:22:36.711
And stands right in front of the barrel of the first tank,
00:22:36.778 --> 00:22:40.582
The barrel of the first tank, and it stops.
00:22:40.649 --> 00:22:42.417
And it stops. the very machines
00:22:42.484 --> 00:22:42.984
The very machines that had run over
00:22:43.051 --> 00:22:44.152
That had run over his neighbors, he stood
00:22:44.219 --> 00:22:44.753
His neighbors, he stood in front of it, with respect
00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:47.756
In front of it, with respect he resolved not to move.
00:22:47.823 --> 00:22:50.826
He resolved not to move. the other 17 tanks
00:22:50.892 --> 00:22:51.593
The other 17 tanks stopped behind him.
00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:54.196
Stopped behind him. confused, the first driver
00:22:54.262 --> 00:22:55.130
Confused, the first driver tried to swerve around tank man,
00:22:55.197 --> 00:22:57.065
Tried to swerve around tank man, but tank man swerved with him.
00:22:57.132 --> 00:23:00.769
But tank man swerved with him. and that picture became iconic
00:23:00.836 --> 00:23:02.003
And that picture became iconic because it has become
00:23:02.070 --> 00:23:02.971
Because it has become a symbol of standing up
00:23:03.038 --> 00:23:05.073
A symbol of standing up for what's right even if
00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.942
For what's right even if you're standing all alone.
00:23:07.008 --> 00:23:11.480
You're standing all alone. i pray today that you
00:23:11.546 --> 00:23:12.547
I pray today that you have that kind of courage.
00:23:12.614 --> 00:23:15.083
Have that kind of courage. i pray today that as you fix
00:23:15.150 --> 00:23:16.117
I pray today that as you fix your eyes on the cross,
00:23:16.184 --> 00:23:18.787
Your eyes on the cross, the very cross that
00:23:18.854 --> 00:23:19.287
Jesus fixed his face
00:23:19.387 --> 00:23:21.356
To die upon for you,
00:23:21.423 --> 00:23:23.492
That you would always
00:23:23.558 --> 00:23:25.160
Stand up, stand with
00:23:25.260 --> 00:23:28.497
Stand up, stand with and stand for yah and el,
00:23:28.563 --> 00:23:32.801
And stand for yah and el, the lord god who saved
00:23:32.868 --> 00:23:33.401
The lord god who saved you from your sins.
00:23:33.468 --> 00:23:36.571
You from your sins. god, may it be so.
00:23:36.638 --> 00:23:39.608
God, may it be so. let's pray.
00:23:39.674 --> 00:23:43.178
Let's pray. oh god, i'm so hopeful
00:23:43.245 --> 00:23:48.583
Oh god, i'm so hopeful that your word is going to work.
00:23:48.650 --> 00:23:52.621
That your word is going to work. i'm so hopeful that people
00:23:52.687 --> 00:23:54.489
I'm so hopeful that people who know that their friends
00:23:54.556 --> 00:23:55.190
Who know that their friends drink too much are going
00:23:55.257 --> 00:23:56.324
Drink too much are going to make a decision right now
00:23:56.391 --> 00:23:57.893
To make a decision right now to honor you
00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:58.326
To honor you with their sobriety.
00:23:58.393 --> 00:24:01.263
With their sobriety. i'm so hopeful that those of us
00:24:01.329 --> 00:24:02.464
I'm so hopeful that those of us who have friends that talk
00:24:02.531 --> 00:24:03.965
Who have friends that talk about people instead of
00:24:04.032 --> 00:24:04.900
About people instead of to people that you're going
00:24:04.966 --> 00:24:05.767
To people that you're going to give us the courage
00:24:05.834 --> 00:24:07.469
To give us the courage to either walk out of
00:24:07.536 --> 00:24:08.169
To either walk out of the room or say something
00:24:08.236 --> 00:24:10.038
The room or say something with gentleness,
00:24:10.105 --> 00:24:11.473
With gentleness, courage and respect.
00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:14.242
Courage and respect. i'm so hopeful that
00:24:14.309 --> 00:24:15.010
I'm so hopeful that when we walk into
00:24:15.076 --> 00:24:15.710
When we walk into those same workplaces,
00:24:15.777 --> 00:24:16.578
Those same workplaces, we're going to work
00:24:16.645 --> 00:24:17.445
We're going to work to the best of our ability
00:24:17.512 --> 00:24:18.613
To the best of our ability instead of scrolling
00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.848
Instead of scrolling on our phones when
00:24:19.915 --> 00:24:20.482
On our phones when the boss isn't looking.
00:24:20.549 --> 00:24:21.750
The boss isn't looking. i'm so hopeful that families
00:24:21.816 --> 00:24:23.618
I'm so hopeful that families are going to walk back
00:24:23.685 --> 00:24:24.519
Are going to walk back into their home and not
00:24:24.586 --> 00:24:25.353
Into their home and not return insults with insult
00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.022
Return insults with insult or criticism for criticism,
00:24:27.088 --> 00:24:28.223
Or criticism for criticism, but with love, with respect.
00:24:28.290 --> 00:24:30.158
But with love, with respect. if they could get back to
00:24:30.225 --> 00:24:30.892
If they could get back to the vows they made so long ago.
00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:33.628
The vows they made so long ago. i'm so hopeful, god, that
00:24:33.695 --> 00:24:34.429
I'm so hopeful, god, that we could become the church
00:24:34.496 --> 00:24:35.664
We could become the church that's more and more like jesus,
00:24:35.730 --> 00:24:37.265
That's more and more like jesus, sanctified as he was sanctified.
00:24:37.332 --> 00:24:41.670
Sanctified as he was sanctified. god, your son prayed
00:24:41.736 --> 00:24:43.171
God, your son prayed 2,000 years ago,
00:24:43.238 --> 00:24:44.339
2,000 years ago, 'father, sanctify them
00:24:44.406 --> 00:24:45.240
'father, sanctify them by the truth,'
00:24:45.307 --> 00:24:46.975
By the truth,' and you've given us your truth
00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:47.909
And you've given us your truth and i'm praying today that
00:24:47.976 --> 00:24:48.577
And i'm praying today that it would sanctify all of us.
00:24:48.643 --> 00:24:51.379
It would sanctify all of us. thank you for the forgiveness
00:24:51.446 --> 00:24:52.247
Thank you for the forgiveness of those times when were
00:24:52.314 --> 00:24:53.248
Too similar to this world.
00:24:53.348 --> 00:24:55.984
Thank you for the sure
00:24:56.051 --> 00:24:57.285
And certain hope of salvation
00:24:57.352 --> 00:24:58.620
That we have
00:24:58.687 --> 00:24:59.054
At the cross of jesus.
00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:01.289
And i pray, god, with
00:25:01.356 --> 00:25:02.490
Confidence and eagerness
00:25:02.557 --> 00:25:03.525
That you would empower us
00:25:03.592 --> 00:25:04.392
By your holy spirit
00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.827
To live all in for jesus,
00:25:05.894 --> 00:25:07.862
To not hide from this world,
00:25:07.929 --> 00:25:08.897
But to step into it,
00:25:08.964 --> 00:25:09.731
To let our light shine
00:25:09.798 --> 00:25:11.399
That even though people
00:25:11.466 --> 00:25:11.933
Might not agree with the bible,
00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.602
They cannot deny the way
00:25:13.668 --> 00:25:14.603
That we love people,
00:25:14.669 --> 00:25:16.805
Even those who don't
00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:17.305
Share our values.
00:25:17.372 --> 00:25:19.274
God bless us today
00:25:19.341 --> 00:25:20.075
And in many days, to come
00:25:20.141 --> 00:25:21.109
With respectful resolve.
00:25:21.176 --> 00:25:23.845
We pray it all
00:25:23.912 --> 00:25:24.412
In the name of the savior
00:25:24.479 --> 00:25:25.513
Who resolved to redeem us
00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:26.114
From our sins,
00:25:26.181 --> 00:25:28.750
In jesus' name we pray
00:25:28.817 --> 00:25:30.485
And everyone said, amen."
00:25:30.552 --> 00:25:32.454
>> such a great teaching
00:25:34.022 --> 00:25:34.923
>> such a great teaching from pastor mike,
00:25:34.990 --> 00:25:36.191
From pastor mike, to plan ahead for temptations,
00:25:36.257 --> 00:25:37.792
To plan ahead for temptations, to resolve to do
00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.526
To resolve to do the right thing before
00:25:38.593 --> 00:25:39.427
The right thing before we actually have to do it,
00:25:39.494 --> 00:25:41.029
We actually have to do it, and to stand firm with jesus by
00:25:41.096 --> 00:25:42.697
And to stand firm with jesus by not conforming to his world.
00:25:42.764 --> 00:25:44.299
Not conforming to his world. i'm excited to share
00:25:44.366 --> 00:25:45.433
I'm excited to share that we have a new book
00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.735
That we have a new book by pastor jeremy mattek.
00:25:46.801 --> 00:25:48.236
By pastor jeremy mattek. it's called, "god understands:
00:25:48.303 --> 00:25:50.005
It's called, "god understands: encouragement from
00:25:50.071 --> 00:25:50.805
Encouragement from the book of daniel."
00:25:50.872 --> 00:25:52.140
The book of daniel." this 22-day study
00:25:52.207 --> 00:25:53.408
This 22-day study of daniel reveals how god
00:25:53.475 --> 00:25:54.976
Of daniel reveals how god compassionately cares for you,
00:25:55.043 --> 00:25:56.811
Compassionately cares for you, even when you can't see
00:25:56.878 --> 00:25:58.013
Even when you can't see his hand at work.
00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.080
His hand at work. request your copy with
00:25:59.147 --> 00:26:00.515
Request your copy with your financial gift
00:26:00.582 --> 00:26:01.449
Your financial gift to time of grace.
00:26:01.516 --> 00:26:02.117
>> life can be
00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.619
Uncomfortable and overwhelming,
00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:06.621
With moments that don't
00:26:06.721 --> 00:26:07.489
Always make sense.
00:26:07.589 --> 00:26:08.590
They can feel
00:26:08.690 --> 00:26:09.157
Scary and intimidating.
00:26:09.257 --> 00:26:11.226
Daniel lived most
00:26:11.326 --> 00:26:12.227
Of his life surrounded
00:26:12.327 --> 00:26:13.395
By cultural pressure
00:26:13.495 --> 00:26:14.562
And persecution,
00:26:14.663 --> 00:26:15.864
Yet he knew
00:26:15.964 --> 00:26:16.564
That god understands,
00:26:16.665 --> 00:26:18.166
God cares and god
00:26:18.266 --> 00:26:19.467
Is in control.
00:26:19.567 --> 00:26:20.802
In jeremy mattek's new book,
00:26:20.902 --> 00:26:22.404
"god understand:
00:26:22.504 --> 00:26:23.338
Encouragement from
00:26:23.438 --> 00:26:24.239
The book of daniel,"
00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.407
You'll find the courage
00:26:25.507 --> 00:26:26.341
To trust god, live for him
00:26:26.441 --> 00:26:28.543
And find hope in his promises.
00:26:28.643 --> 00:26:32.013
"god understands,"
00:26:32.113 --> 00:26:32.714
Is our way of thanking you
00:26:32.814 --> 00:26:33.648
For helping us show others
00:26:33.748 --> 00:26:34.983
That they too can trust
00:26:35.083 --> 00:26:36.184
God to keep his promises.
00:26:36.284 --> 00:26:38.586
Request yours today
00:26:38.687 --> 00:26:39.521
By calling 800-661-3311
00:26:39.621 --> 00:26:42.957
Visiting timeofgrace.org
00:26:43.058 --> 00:26:44.693
Or writing us at p.o. box 301
00:26:44.793 --> 00:26:47.228
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:26:47.328 --> 00:26:49.764
>> time of grace
00:26:53.568 --> 00:26:54.169
Doesn't end here.
00:26:54.269 --> 00:26:56.071
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:56.171 --> 00:26:58.173
And explore
00:26:58.273 --> 00:26:58.573
Encouraging resources
00:26:58.673 --> 00:26:59.974
Or sign up for our daily email
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Do you need prayer?
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Contact us and let us know
00:27:14.222 --> 00:27:15.457
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00:27:15.557 --> 00:27:16.424
Thank you so much
00:27:16.524 --> 00:27:17.192
For your support.
00:27:17.292 --> 00:27:17.792
>> see you next week
00:27:19.027 --> 00:27:19.627
On time of grace.
00:27:19.694 --> 00:27:20.395

Mike Novotny - World Gone Mad: Stand Firm in Faith; Don't Conform

May 27, 2025 | S25:E22

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