Truths That Transform presented by Coral Ridge Ministries featuring Dr. Robert J. Pacienza, with sermon commentary from Dr. D. James Kennedy and Dr. Pacienza. Each program provides a compelling analysis of current moral and cultural controversies all from a biblical perspective.
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Truths That Transform | D. James Kennedy;Rob Pacienza - A New Confidence | December 16, 2024
- Hi, i'm pastor rob pacienza.
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- Before we begin today's program,
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- I want to take a minute to share something important with you.
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- In just a couple of weeks,
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- 2024 will be over and we'll be entering 2025.
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- That is going to be a pivotal year in our nation.
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- We just had a major national election,
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- And for those of us who believe in biblical priorities,
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- There was a lot to celebrate.
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- But it's only a first step.
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- We also saw that there is much work to be done.
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- Pro-abortion laws expanded in seven states
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- Even in states that voted for conservative candidates.
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- A new administration and congress will need
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- To be encouraged and even exhorted at times
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- To prioritize and support the right things.
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- I want to ask you to help us do that.
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- The nation needs to hear
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- What god has to say about such pressing matters,
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- Because the word of god is living and active and
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- Sharper than any two-edged sword.
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- Coral ridge ministries is
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- But we're going to need your help in order to make
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- A decisive difference in the coming year.
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- Friends of this ministry have established
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- Which will essentially double your impact
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- By matching your donation, dollar for dollar.
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- Coral ridge ministries has made a difference.
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- We led the charge early on the transgender attack on teens,
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- Which became a key election issue.
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- We've trumpeted the importance of conservative justices
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- On the supreme court for decades
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- And we've now seen roe overturned.
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- Our center for christian statesmanship on capitol hill
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- Is discipling members of congress
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- And their staffs on a biblical worldview,
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- So we can see righteousness in our laws again.
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- We broadcast the gospel and a biblical worldview
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- To a nation that desperately needs it.
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- And we will expand our reach and our effectiveness
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- At this crucial time with your help.
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- So please, give your most generous year-end,
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- Tax-deductible donation now
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- As we push to finish the year on solid financial ground
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- And charge into the challenges of 2025.
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- Thank you for your support, and thank you for joining us
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- Today for truths that transform.
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- In the midst of a joyous christmas season,
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- It's vitally important to remember what
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- All the celebrations are ultimately about.
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- Many people don't know where they stand with god
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- Or what would happen to them if they were to die.
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- But on today's program, i'll share with you how christmas
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- Can give you the greatest possible confidence before god.
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- And it's a confidence not only about
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- Your ultimate destination after this life,
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- But a confidence of god's transforming power
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- In this life as well.
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- This program is entitled “truths that transform”
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- Because the word of god really does radically change us.
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- One dramatic example is casey diaz,
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- The former leader of a violent gang.
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- Some of my early memories as a child are pretty normal,
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- Pretty much involves sports, very innocent, being kids
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- But what was happening inside the home that was a problem.
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- Both casey and his mother endured regular beatings
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- At the hands of his alcoholic father.
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- Casey's mom, bearing the full
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- Financial burden of the household,
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- Worked several odd jobs to provide some level of stability.
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- As a kid i really actually liked school,
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- Elementary was a happy place for me,
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- And i remember having a pen pal
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- And then came the time where we got to go and meet our pen pal,
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- So that was exciting and
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- I remember seeing instructions of getting
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- Your parents to buy a kite for you for this trip,
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- And i knew that we weren't in a position to purchase a kite,
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- I didn't want to bother my mom,
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- I think growing up in los angeles,
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- You knew when you were broke,
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- My pen pal, he asked me, well where's your kite
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- And i said something you know, i forgot it,
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- And he said well okay well we'll build mine,
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- And so the kite's built and the teacher counts to three,
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- And all the kids run and i don't know what happened to me,
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- But i just froze.
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- I was raised in the rampart district of los angeles,
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- At that time in the 80's is where gangs started
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- To really take hold of communities.
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- Hip-hop culture hit the mainstream,
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- And gangs were constantly making national headlines,
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- While in l.a.'s marginalized communities, wide-eyed kids
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- Like casey were oftentimes caught in the crossfire.
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- I was dangling my legs from the fire escape, that was,
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- That was kind of like my place
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- Where i went to get away from things and
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- The guy gets out of the car and he guns down three people
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- And i'm watching this whole thing and he just drove off.
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- After witnessing the murder of these three young men
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- The emotions start to turn off, you start to become calloused.
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- The safety of home was of little comfort to casey,
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- Since his mom was busy trying to provide
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- And his father was far from being a role model.
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- I still remember my father taking me into the kitchen,
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- In fact, i can almost still smell the liquor in his mouth,
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- He pulled up a chair and grabbed me by my shoulders
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- Telling me at around seven or eight years old,
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- Don't call me dad you know and shaking me,
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- As a kid that really changes something inside of you,
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- It was easy for me to destroy things after that.
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- At the age of 11, casey met a popular teenager
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- Who enticed him into the gang culture of los angeles,
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- Promising the one thing he had been yearning for as a child.
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- He says it's like family, it's like family,
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- And for some reason that just kind of like hit me
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- Because i didn't have that.
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- Casey gradually became involved in robberies, car thefts,
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- Stabbings and was getting expelled
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- From one middle school after another,
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- A trend which continued into his high school years.
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- I enjoyed the adrenaline, i enjoyed the violence.
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- I think what fueled my violence
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- Was just watching the violence that took place in my home,
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- In our apartment and it mixed with
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- The violence that i saw on the streets.
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- On every one my victims, i put the face of my father
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- And that made it so much easier.
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- Casey's victims were invariably rival gang members
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- And because of his fearsome reputation
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- He quickly began to rise in hierarchy
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- Amongst the street gang members.
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- He became known as a “shot caller”,
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- A gang leader able to call the shots
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- Even while locked up in jail.
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- Barely 19 years of age,
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- Casey landed in new folsom state prison known for housing
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- The most hardened criminals in the state of california
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- Where he was immediately sent to solitary confinement.
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- If i were to describe an 8 x 10 cell,
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- If you look at a parking spot.
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- You had a mat that was about 2 inches thick
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- And a concrete slab to sleep in
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- You have toilet and sink that was attached and
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- That's it your housed there for 23 hours out of the day,
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- There are no windows inside the cells at all.
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- After almost a year in solitary confinement,
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- A perfect stranger who was very active in prison ministry
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- Said she would be praying for him.
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- She said, well,i'm going to put you on my prayer hit list,
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- Jesus loves you and he's going to use you,
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- It had no effect on me at that moment.
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- I kind of just thought this lady is crazy, man,
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- Does she even know where she's at?
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- Casey credits that stranger's prayer and intercession,
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- Over a year and a half,
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- For paving the way so he would have
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- An encounter with christ while in solitary confinement.
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- I don't know if it was day or night but against my wall
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- I start to see a movie projecting on the wall
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- And hearing the sound
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- That distinctive sound that “th-th-th-th”
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- It was very clear and it was just my story
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- And i start to see actual crimes that i've committed
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- From people that i, that i had hurt and
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- I saw this man again carrying his cross
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- And it gets to the point where
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- The nails are driven through his hands, his feet
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- And the cross was lifted up and
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- I still didn't understand any of this.
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- Virtually no one knew casey's real name,
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- Since that was a nickname he had given himself as a child.
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- And he says, he says darwin i did this for you.
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- Nobody had ever told me how to pray
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- But i got in the center of that cell
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- And i wept and i got so raw with god
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- And i remember telling god i'm sorry.
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- I knew that something had just changed inside of me.
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- That peace and that freedom that i got to experience
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- In an 8x10 cell when i turned my life over to christ.
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- It had everything to do that with
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- Sin no longer having a hold of me.
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- The bible says that he leads us into all truth
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- He's our teacher
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- And my eyes just started to really open
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- And my heart started to understand that this,
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- This is god's word.
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- I'm reading this bible every time i'm awake.
- 00:11:14.944 --> 00:11:19.048
- Before coming to christ, casey was known as a “shot caller”
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- Who could put a hit on someone by simply passing out
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- A small, rolled up note called a “kite” to another inmate.
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- I knew that the other inmates couldn't talk to me anymore and
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- I used that very same system and i wrote kites
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- But these kites were different.
- 00:11:37.967 --> 00:11:40.236
- I would write out bible scriptures on the little notes
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- About how jesus can change their lives.
- 00:11:45.608 --> 00:11:49.445
- Although casey endured many beatings for leaving the gang,
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- And was often left unconscious, he never stopped
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- Passing out kites to other inmates sharing the gospel.
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- There was a revival, men started coming to christ
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- Through these kites one by one
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- And the next thing you know there was one, two, three,
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- Four, eight and on and on it went within a two year period
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- There was over 200 inmates
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- That would come to christ through these kites.
- 00:12:22.311 --> 00:12:28.918
- Much to his surprise, casey was released from prison
- 00:12:28.918 --> 00:12:32.354
- 6 years before his sentence was completed,
- 00:12:32.354 --> 00:12:35.124
- Reunited with his mother
- 00:12:35.124 --> 00:12:36.625
- And started working and earning an honest living in l.a.
- 00:12:36.625 --> 00:12:40.529
- My uncle gave me my first job and i remember because
- 00:12:40.529 --> 00:12:45.901
- I never had earned an honest dollar up to that point
- 00:12:45.901 --> 00:12:48.904
- So i was working with him
- 00:12:48.904 --> 00:12:52.208
- Doing hardwood floors and my check was $321,
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- First check which i had honestly earned
- 00:12:59.849 --> 00:13:04.453
- It was just the best feeling ever
- 00:13:04.453 --> 00:13:07.189
- And so i went to a hobby store in los angeles
- 00:13:07.189 --> 00:13:11.861
- And i bought myself a kite
- 00:13:11.861 --> 00:13:15.464
- His autobiography, the shot caller
- 00:13:15.464 --> 00:13:18.300
- Has recently been picked up by a hollywood director
- 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:20.669
- On casey's condition that jesus christ
- 00:13:20.669 --> 00:13:22.938
- Is clearly credited for his transformation.
- 00:13:22.938 --> 00:13:25.941
- Casey is now married, is the proud father of 3 children,
- 00:13:25.941 --> 00:13:30.279
- And is a business owner.
- 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.847
- He teaches at his church and speaks across the nation
- 00:13:31.847 --> 00:13:35.117
- Sharing his remarkable testimony.
- 00:13:35.117 --> 00:13:37.820
- What if jesus had never been born?
- 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:41.724
- I would be serving a life sentence
- 00:13:41.724 --> 00:13:43.692
- Or i would have been dead
- 00:13:43.692 --> 00:13:48.964
- And there would have been no hope for me,
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- Or for the many, many men that have
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- Come to christ through what god has done in my life
- 00:13:55.170 --> 00:14:02.678
- The radical transformation of casey diaz is just one example
- 00:14:03.979 --> 00:14:07.383
- Of the power of jesus christ to transform people.
- 00:14:07.383 --> 00:14:10.552
- And it's happened countless other times,
- 00:14:10.552 --> 00:14:13.022
- From the apostle paul who was once helping
- 00:14:13.022 --> 00:14:15.224
- To murder christians before jesus changed him,
- 00:14:15.224 --> 00:14:18.093
- To chuck colson, who was president nixon's
- 00:14:18.093 --> 00:14:20.629
- So-called “hatchet man” until jesus came to him
- 00:14:20.629 --> 00:14:23.732
- Just as colson was headed for prison.
- 00:14:23.732 --> 00:14:26.068
- All of them discovered that their former confidence
- 00:14:26.068 --> 00:14:28.871
- In themselves was sorely misplaced.
- 00:14:28.871 --> 00:14:31.707
- Instead, they found a new confidence
- 00:14:31.707 --> 00:14:34.143
- A true confidence outside of themselves,
- 00:14:34.143 --> 00:14:36.912
- As i shared with our congregation
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- Here at coral ridge.
- 00:14:39.014 --> 00:14:42.117
- This morning we're going to be looking at
- 00:14:43.018 --> 00:14:44.453
- Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14-16
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- As we look at the implications of jesus
- 00:14:49.525 --> 00:14:53.729
- Who gives us a new confidence, our greatest struggle,
- 00:14:53.729 --> 00:14:58.767
- Whether we realize it or not,
- 00:14:58.767 --> 00:15:00.235
- Is finding our confidence in ourselves.
- 00:15:00.235 --> 00:15:03.939
- And i'm here today to say that there are ugly consequences
- 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:08.811
- For those that find their confidence in anyone
- 00:15:08.811 --> 00:15:12.715
- Or anything or other than jesus christ.
- 00:15:12.715 --> 00:15:16.885
- Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14- 16.
- 00:15:16.885 --> 00:15:56.925
- And may we confidently draw near as we read god's word,
- 00:15:58.093 --> 00:16:03.699
- The grass withers and the flower fades,
- 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:06.135
- But the word of our lord, it stands forever.
- 00:16:06.135 --> 00:16:09.438
- Amen. you may be seated.
- 00:16:09.438 --> 00:16:15.044
- Can we really have confidence in anything?
- 00:16:16.045 --> 00:16:20.949
- I'm sure that's what some of you are thinking.
- 00:16:20.949 --> 00:16:24.119
- We can't have confidence in the market,
- 00:16:24.119 --> 00:16:27.222
- Can't have confidence in politicians,
- 00:16:27.222 --> 00:16:30.125
- Certainly can't have confidence in the weather,
- 00:16:30.125 --> 00:16:32.728
- Can't have confidence in our health,
- 00:16:32.728 --> 00:16:35.330
- Can't have confidence in our spouses
- 00:16:35.330 --> 00:16:38.100
- And our children and sometimes even our friends.
- 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:42.371
- So what gives us the right and the basis to say
- 00:16:42.371 --> 00:16:47.509
- That we can have confidence in jesus christ,
- 00:16:47.509 --> 00:16:52.314
- A new confidence that he alone provides.
- 00:16:52.314 --> 00:16:57.052
- What the author of hebrews is doing
- 00:16:57.052 --> 00:16:59.288
- Is he is presenting a vision for the church,
- 00:16:59.288 --> 00:17:03.826
- The church in the first century and
- 00:17:03.826 --> 00:17:06.628
- The church in the 21st century of jesus christ,
- 00:17:06.628 --> 00:17:11.433
- The one who gives you an absolute rock solid,
- 00:17:11.433 --> 00:17:16.738
- Take it to the bank, unwavering confidence.
- 00:17:16.738 --> 00:17:22.277
- To have this type of confidence seems too good to be true.
- 00:17:22.277 --> 00:17:27.683
- So, the question is, why can we actually have
- 00:17:27.683 --> 00:17:30.652
- This type of confidence in jesus christ?
- 00:17:30.652 --> 00:17:35.757
- The author of hebrews tells us first that the reason we can
- 00:17:35.757 --> 00:17:39.595
- Have this confidence is because jesus is our great high priest.
- 00:17:39.595 --> 00:17:44.633
- Now what's interesting, if you're familiar with
- 00:17:44.633 --> 00:17:47.102
- The levitical priesthood in the old testament,
- 00:17:47.102 --> 00:17:50.739
- To be the high priest means you were the greatest.
- 00:17:50.739 --> 00:17:55.244
- So the author of hebrews is in a way being redundant,
- 00:17:55.244 --> 00:17:59.181
- But it's almost as if he doesn't know how else to describe
- 00:17:59.181 --> 00:18:03.352
- The superiority and the excellence of jesus christ.
- 00:18:03.352 --> 00:18:07.222
- We can have our confidence in him
- 00:18:07.222 --> 00:18:09.725
- Because he is the great high priest who once and for all
- 00:18:09.725 --> 00:18:13.495
- Made the great sacrifice for the children of god.
- 00:18:13.495 --> 00:18:16.565
- But secondly, we see that we can have our confidence in him alone
- 00:18:16.565 --> 00:18:21.003
- Because verse 15 tells us that
- 00:18:21.003 --> 00:18:23.405
- He is able to sympathize with our weakness.
- 00:18:23.405 --> 00:18:26.875
- It says it right there in verse 15.
- 00:18:26.875 --> 00:18:28.944
- He is a great high priest,
- 00:18:28.944 --> 00:18:31.480
- Not a high priest that's unable to sympathize with our weakness,
- 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:35.717
- But one who in every respect experienced temptation
- 00:18:35.717 --> 00:18:40.155
- Just like you and me, but without sin.
- 00:18:40.155 --> 00:18:42.624
- This is what christmas is all about.
- 00:18:42.624 --> 00:18:45.127
- That emmanuel has come to be with us,
- 00:18:45.127 --> 00:18:48.230
- That he comes into our broken world and into our broken lives,
- 00:18:48.230 --> 00:18:52.834
- And the incarnation of jesus christ declares that
- 00:18:52.834 --> 00:18:55.537
- He is for us because he becomes like us.
- 00:18:55.537 --> 00:19:00.609
- He never grows weary because he sympathizes
- 00:19:00.609 --> 00:19:05.948
- With everything that you experience.
- 00:19:05.948 --> 00:19:09.551
- His sympathy and his mercy and his gentleness is endless.
- 00:19:09.551 --> 00:19:15.090
- And as he ascends into heaven, he exists in bodily form
- 00:19:15.090 --> 00:19:21.330
- As our great high priest.
- 00:19:21.330 --> 00:19:24.266
- If you have placed firmly your trust and
- 00:19:24.266 --> 00:19:28.837
- Your faith in jesus and him alone,
- 00:19:28.837 --> 00:19:32.341
- You can live and exist with the good news and
- 00:19:32.341 --> 00:19:36.144
- The hope that you have access to a throne of grace,
- 00:19:36.144 --> 00:19:40.515
- Both now and forever more.
- 00:19:40.515 --> 00:19:46.021
- Hi, i'm jennifer kennedy cassidy.
- 00:19:46.788 --> 00:19:49.591
- What a great reminder from pastor rob pacienza
- 00:19:49.591 --> 00:19:52.694
- That jesus came to this earth to be our great high priest,
- 00:19:52.694 --> 00:19:56.231
- Our sympathizer, and our sacrifice.
- 00:19:56.231 --> 00:19:59.134
- The arrival of jesus into that manger in bethlehem
- 00:19:59.134 --> 00:20:02.404
- Over 2000 years ago completely changed the world.
- 00:20:02.404 --> 00:20:06.541
- It has been a tumultuous year in america,
- 00:20:06.541 --> 00:20:09.111
- And 2025 will certainly be filled with new challenges.
- 00:20:09.111 --> 00:20:12.948
- That's why these truths- the good news of the gospel and
- 00:20:12.948 --> 00:20:16.318
- The solid foundation of a biblical worldview
- 00:20:16.318 --> 00:20:18.987
- Need to once again fill our nation.
- 00:20:18.987 --> 00:20:21.823
- That's what coral ridge ministries exists to do
- 00:20:21.823 --> 00:20:28.463
- We do it through television, radio, podcasts,
- 00:20:29.464 --> 00:20:32.401
- And ministry initiatives like the providence forum,
- 00:20:32.401 --> 00:20:35.470
- Which defends america's christian heritage,
- 00:20:35.470 --> 00:20:38.340
- As well as the center for christian statesmanship,
- 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:40.976
- Which is an active presence on capitol hill,
- 00:20:40.976 --> 00:20:43.845
- Spreading the gospel and discipling leaders
- 00:20:43.845 --> 00:20:46.481
- In the corridors of power.
- 00:20:46.481 --> 00:20:48.216
- There is hope for our nation,
- 00:20:48.216 --> 00:20:50.052
- And it's found in the word of god.
- 00:20:50.052 --> 00:20:52.354
- Help us share that word, and apply it
- 00:20:52.354 --> 00:20:54.856
- To today's most pressing cultural issues,
- 00:20:54.856 --> 00:20:57.426
- By giving a generous donation today.
- 00:20:57.426 --> 00:20:59.828
- We'll thank you by sending you dr. rob pacienza's new book,
- 00:20:59.828 --> 00:21:03.665
- True, good, and beautiful:
- 00:21:03.665 --> 00:21:05.901
- God's design for a flourishing world.
- 00:21:05.901 --> 00:21:08.470
- In this vital book, pastor rob
- 00:21:08.470 --> 00:21:10.772
- Lays out the foundations of a fully biblical worldview
- 00:21:10.772 --> 00:21:14.843
- Something that's sadly lacking in america today.
- 00:21:14.843 --> 00:21:17.946
- He helps you to understand god's design for creation,
- 00:21:17.946 --> 00:21:21.283
- Marriage, gender, work, government, and more.
- 00:21:21.283 --> 00:21:25.087
- Most of our problems today come from
- 00:21:25.087 --> 00:21:27.656
- Ignoring god's design in these key areas,
- 00:21:27.656 --> 00:21:30.492
- But this book will put you on solid, biblical ground.
- 00:21:30.492 --> 00:21:34.096
- And if you're able to give a generous gift of $100 or more,
- 00:21:34.096 --> 00:21:37.566
- We'll send you the book, true, good, and beautiful,
- 00:21:37.566 --> 00:21:40.535
- As well as the eight-message series its drawn from,
- 00:21:40.535 --> 00:21:43.572
- Plus a study guide and video resources
- 00:21:43.572 --> 00:21:46.375
- You can use for a sunday school class,
- 00:21:46.375 --> 00:21:48.543
- Small group, or your own personal study.
- 00:21:48.543 --> 00:21:51.213
- These resources are exactly what's needed to help our
- 00:21:51.213 --> 00:21:54.783
- Children and grandchildren live god's truth in a world of lies.
- 00:21:54.783 --> 00:21:59.087
- And when you give, your donation is helping us to face
- 00:21:59.087 --> 00:22:02.491
- The challenges of 2025 on a strong footing.
- 00:22:02.491 --> 00:22:05.994
- You're helping us to produce and air programs like this,
- 00:22:05.994 --> 00:22:09.631
- To engage pastors in addressing cultural issues,
- 00:22:09.631 --> 00:22:12.934
- Equipping our center for christian statesmanship
- 00:22:12.934 --> 00:22:15.470
- In washington d.c. to tutor members of congress
- 00:22:15.470 --> 00:22:18.607
- And staff on a biblical worldview, and so much more.
- 00:22:18.607 --> 00:22:22.544
- And some generous friends of this ministry have established
- 00:22:22.544 --> 00:22:29.751
- Which means that until the end of the year,
- 00:22:30.752 --> 00:22:33.155
- Your tax-deductible gift will be matched, dollar for dollar,
- 00:22:33.155 --> 00:22:37.192
- Up to a quarter-million dollars,
- 00:22:37.192 --> 00:22:39.261
- Essentially doubling your impact.
- 00:22:39.261 --> 00:22:41.997
- Simply write to us at coral ridge ministries:
- 00:22:41.997 --> 00:22:49.471
- Or call toll free:
- 00:22:50.005 --> 00:22:55.243
- Or go online to:
- 00:22:55.710 --> 00:23:01.483
- December is a remarkable month,
- 00:23:02.250 --> 00:23:04.252
- In which virtually the entire western world pauses
- 00:23:04.252 --> 00:23:07.489
- What it's doing to observe the christmas season.
- 00:23:07.489 --> 00:23:10.192
- But much of this world has forgotten
- 00:23:10.192 --> 00:23:12.461
- What christmas is actually all about,
- 00:23:12.461 --> 00:23:14.496
- Even as the celebrations continue.
- 00:23:14.496 --> 00:23:16.998
- Hallmark runs christmas movies nearly year-round now.
- 00:23:16.998 --> 00:23:20.268
- And to watch those,
- 00:23:20.268 --> 00:23:21.603
- You might think the main point of christmas
- 00:23:21.603 --> 00:23:23.738
- Is returning to your hometown,
- 00:23:23.738 --> 00:23:25.273
- Or finding romantic love.
- 00:23:25.273 --> 00:23:27.175
- The christmas episodes of many popular tv shows communicate
- 00:23:27.175 --> 00:23:31.480
- The idea that the true meaning of christmas
- 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:33.715
- Is found in family and friends,
- 00:23:33.715 --> 00:23:35.250
- And in being kind to one another.
- 00:23:35.250 --> 00:23:37.252
- Of course, those are all wonderful things
- 00:23:37.252 --> 00:23:40.055
- In their proper place.
- 00:23:40.055 --> 00:23:41.389
- But they have nothing to do with the true meaning of christmas.
- 00:23:41.389 --> 00:23:44.759
- The true meaning of christmas is jesus christ
- 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:47.496
- Specifically his arrival into the world
- 00:23:47.496 --> 00:23:50.398
- In human flesh in the manger in bethlehem 2000 years ago.
- 00:23:50.398 --> 00:23:54.369
- The son of god taking on flesh, taking on a human nature,
- 00:23:54.369 --> 00:23:58.139
- Is what makes our redemption possible.
- 00:23:58.139 --> 00:24:00.842
- You see, you and i come into this world as enemies of god.
- 00:24:00.842 --> 00:24:04.579
- We are born sinful, with sin natures
- 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:07.716
- That naturally draw us away from god.
- 00:24:07.716 --> 00:24:09.985
- As scripture says,
- 00:24:09.985 --> 00:24:19.694
- When you commit sin, any sin at all you are
- 00:24:20.695 --> 00:24:23.932
- Offending the law of a perfectly righteous and just god.
- 00:24:23.932 --> 00:24:27.202
- God would be right to simply
- 00:24:27.202 --> 00:24:29.337
- Condemn you to eternal punishment.
- 00:24:29.337 --> 00:24:31.373
- But god is also love,
- 00:24:31.373 --> 00:24:33.141
- And at christmas we celebrate the fact that
- 00:24:33.141 --> 00:24:43.552
- Jesus came to be your substitute
- 00:24:44.286 --> 00:24:46.488
- Living the perfectly obedient life
- 00:24:46.488 --> 00:24:48.757
- That you have failed to live.
- 00:24:48.757 --> 00:24:50.458
- And taking on the punishment that you deserve for your sins.
- 00:24:50.458 --> 00:24:53.628
- He died on the cross in the flesh to pay that punishment,
- 00:24:53.628 --> 00:24:57.566
- And he rose again from the dead on the third day
- 00:24:57.566 --> 00:25:00.602
- To defeat death itself for you.
- 00:25:00.602 --> 00:25:03.204
- So have you received him?
- 00:25:03.204 --> 00:25:04.773
- This salvation only comes to those who have turned away
- 00:25:04.773 --> 00:25:08.610
- From their sins and put their trust in jesus christ.
- 00:25:08.610 --> 00:25:11.846
- Have you done that?
- 00:25:11.846 --> 00:25:13.315
- If you haven't, you can do it right now,
- 00:25:13.315 --> 00:25:15.917
- And make this christmas season that greatest of your life.
- 00:25:15.917 --> 00:25:20.055
- Pray with me, from your heart right now.
- 00:25:20.055 --> 00:25:22.591
- “father, i am a sinner who deserves your punishment.
- 00:25:22.591 --> 00:25:25.627
- But i believe that jesus came into the world
- 00:25:25.627 --> 00:25:28.463
- To live righteously on my behalf.
- 00:25:28.463 --> 00:25:31.366
- And i believe that he died on the cross - for me.
- 00:25:31.366 --> 00:25:35.270
- Lord, i want to receive the free gift of salvation,
- 00:25:35.270 --> 00:25:38.907
- And invite jesus into my life and my heart right now.
- 00:25:38.907 --> 00:25:44.379
- Help me to live for you now, with jesus as my lord.
- 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:48.116
- I pray in his name, amen.”
- 00:25:48.116 --> 00:25:51.219
- If you sincerely prayed that prayer with me just now,
- 00:25:51.219 --> 00:25:54.489
- It's important for you to let someone know.
- 00:25:54.489 --> 00:25:56.891
- Why not contact us right away
- 00:25:56.891 --> 00:25:58.860
- To tell us about your decision?
- 00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:01.029
- We want to encourage you and send you a free gift.
- 00:26:01.029 --> 00:26:03.898
- It's beginning again, dr. kennedy's book
- 00:26:03.898 --> 00:26:06.601
- For new believers to help you get started
- 00:26:06.601 --> 00:26:09.037
- In your relationship with christ.
- 00:26:09.037 --> 00:26:11.006
- Contact us to receive your copy today.
- 00:26:11.006 --> 00:26:13.541
- And may god richly bless you.
- 00:26:13.541 --> 00:26:15.944
- Coral ridge ministries is contending for the faith,
- 00:26:15.944 --> 00:26:18.880
- And proclaiming hope to the nation.
- 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.882
- Please join with us and stand with us
- 00:26:20.882 --> 00:26:23.351
- As we carry out that work.
- 00:26:23.351 --> 00:26:25.353
- I want to thank you for joining us today.
- 00:26:25.353 --> 00:26:27.088
- We'd love to have you come visit us for worship
- 00:26:27.088 --> 00:26:29.858
- Here at coral ridge presbyterian church
- 00:26:29.858 --> 00:26:32.060
- The next time you're in fort lauderdale.
- 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:33.662
- Or you can join us via livestream at:
- 00:26:33.662 --> 00:26:36.898
- And make sure to get connected with us on social media at:
- 00:26:38.166 --> 00:26:42.804
- And finally, make sure to check out all the rest of our
- 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:47.108
- Programs, documentary specials, podcasts, and more, at:
- 00:26:47.108 --> 00:26:52.414
- And now, here's a look at the next truths that transform.
- 00:26:53.682 --> 00:26:57.285
- Every book of the bible
- 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:59.020
- Basically kept pointing to jesus.
- 00:26:59.020 --> 00:27:00.955
- He's coming, he's coming, he's coming.
- 00:27:00.955 --> 00:27:03.792
- That's next week
- 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:08.096
- This has been a production of coral ridge ministries
- 00:27:09.264 --> 00:27:09.264
