Latest / Calvary Church with Ed Taylor Podcast / #20230409 - Amazing Benefits of the Resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

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#20230409 - Amazing Benefits of the Resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 · Calvary Church with Ed Taylor Podcast

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Welcome to the study of God's word with pastor and author.
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Ed, Taylor recorded live at Calvary Church in Aurora,
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Colorado to learn more about the many resources available,
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through abounding Grace Media or to tune into our live stream
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Services. Visit us online at Calvary, Co
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dot church or download our free Calvary Church app.
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Now, here's Pastor Ed to take us into our study.
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Amen. Amen.
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Take your Bibles and open them to First Corinthians, chapter
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15. If you need a Bible, there are
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Bibles in that middle section there on tables.
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You can certainly use a Bible app on your phone or your
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tablet, but we're going to look at an important passage of
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scripture in 1st Corinthians chapter 15, one of the most
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important passages in the Bible about the Resurrection.
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The Resurrection is the teaching in the truth that Jesus Christ.
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Risen from the dead and he is alive.
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Today, inviting you into a relationship with him, through
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the blood that he shed on your behalf.
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I mean, imagine that you can have your sins forgiven today
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and all the guilt and shame in your life removed, because of
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the sacrifice, that Jesus Christ made on your behalf.
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Notice what it says here in verse 12 of 1st Corinthians
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chapter 15. It says, now if Christ is
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preached that he has been raised from the dead, How does some
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among you say? There is no resurrection of the
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dead. But if there is no resurrection
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of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
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And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain and
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your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are found false
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Witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised
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up Christ whom he did not raise up.
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If in fact the dead do not rise verse 16.
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For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
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And if Christ is not risen, your faith is empty and you are still
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in your sins, which is a miserable condition.
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By the way, then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ
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have perished. If in this life only we have
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hope in Christ. We are of all men, the most
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pitiable but now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the
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firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
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And that's worth repeating, isn't it?
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But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the
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firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
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Our Salvation depends upon the truth that Jesus Christ is the
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sinless. Son of God.
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God whose death paid for our sins and whom God Vindicated by
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raising him from the grave without this we have no sinless
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savior. We have no high priest who
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always lives to intercede for us.
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We have no forgiveness and we have no hope of being raised
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from the dead ourselves. And again, we agree with the
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writer here, Paul, when he says Christ is risen from the dead.
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It was a difficult day, the day of the crucifixion We Gather on
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Fridays. It's called Good Friday.
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So each year We Gather on the Friday before Easter to
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commemorate and to talk about what could be called the worst
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day in the life of Jesus. I mean this is the day he was
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betrayed, this was the day that he was arrested.
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This was the day that he was beaten.
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This was the day that he was hung on a Roman cross.
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The day that he Died, a torturous death.
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You could say that that was the worst day of his life.
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But, you know, the Bible, when it records, these two stories
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for us, it's very important when you reading the Bible, to
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remember this fact. And that is the people that
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you're reading about. Did not know what was next in
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their life. They are living their lives in
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real time. Just like you, and I live our
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lives in real time. They did not know what the
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future held just like today. You don't know what the future
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holds for you. And some of the situations that
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you face, so it becomes very ironic, does it, not that on the
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worst day? That you experience that God
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could come in and take the worst day and actually make from it,
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the best, it's a very ironic thing.
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I mean, I would even say I would go far to say that for some of
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you, it's an impossible, it's impossible for you even believe
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that. It's so hard for you.
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It's like, what are you talking about it?
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Do you even know, pain? Do you even know difficulty, do
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you even know suffering you're telling me that the worst day of
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my life or the worst week of my life or the worst month or year?
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For many years of my life, you're telling me that God could
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take the worst and bring the best.
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Well, you know, the resurrection truthful.
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The truthful account of the Resurrection is God doing just
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that But it's not just the Resurrection, the Bible is
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filled with the true stories of men and women where we get a
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glimpse of the worst day of their life.
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But also we get to see how it ends and we see how God took the
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worst and he brought out the best I think of someone like
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Joseph. Now, some of you are unfamiliar
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with the Bible but there's a guy in the Bible is name is Joseph.
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And the bottom falls out of his life.
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It starts in his family as a Young Man sibling rivalry anger.
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But to the To the worst degree. They put him in a pit, they dig
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a pit. They throw him in a pit and
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leave them to die and then one of the brothers go, you know
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what? Let's not leave them to die and
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instead they sell them into slavery and being sold into
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slavery. He finds himself in a home where
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he's very effective as he's a home Steward.
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But then, the wife of the guy he's working for it.
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Accuses him of a sexual crime. He didn't commit and he's
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arrested thrown into prison falsely accused.
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He's in prison hoping that God will remember him, but he's
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forgotten and Prison for many years until finally, he is
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released and he ascends the Throne of Egypt and God uses him
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to bring about the savior of the world through his faithfulness.
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You know, would have been impossible for him to tell you
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for you to tell Joseph they look bro, I know it's hard right now
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but you're going to be on the throne, one day, one day, God's
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going to use this and you're like, I don't know, man.
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Not today. You may not be so familiar with
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Joseph but I bet you you're familiar with job job is a
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well-known man that we read of in the scriptures and this
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brother, he loses everything rapid fire.
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He loses all his possessions, his children died.
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He skits say loses his health. He has the worst of the worst
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condition. His friends come to encourage
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them but her even a greater discouragement.
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It's like not what he needed. His marriage is in shambles, as
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wife is hurting. I mean it's a mess.
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It would have been really hard to tell job.
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Hey bro, you know what, it's really hard right now but not
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only will God restore all these things to you but your story,
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your true story will be used to help encourage.
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Has upon thousands upon millions of people for the rest of
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Eternity. Yeah, the worst turn into the
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best. Let's fast-forward a little
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closer to the life of Jesus, and a very close follower of his, by
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the name of Peter. Peter was the kind of guy who
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was all and, you know, anybody like that just all n.
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Like there's no halfway for him. So when he decides he's in but
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then of course, a person like that tends to make a few
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mistakes along the way might become a little impetuous and
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that's Peter, he was unstable in many ways.
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He was growing and And, and he came to a place where Jesus
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himself looked him in the eye and warned him.
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You're going to deny me, but he's so caught up in his
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commitment and perhaps a little pride that he says, oh no, not
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me, and he looks at all those guys around him, he goes
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everyone else will deny you, but not me.
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And what happens with Peter he denies Jesus wants Twice, three
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times. I mean, this is a man.
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You have to understand in following Jesus in the first
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century is little different than how you.
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And I experience it today. Those that follow Jesus.
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In that first group, they left everything.
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They lost everything, they sold everything.
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I think the closest equivalent that we may see today is a
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missionary that says I want to go to another and they just sell
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their house, sell their possessions and they invest
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their life and reaching a people where that's that's what it was
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like there. So Ford for Peter to blow it and
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throw it all away in one moment, you know, he's dealing with the
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same thing you and I deal with when we blow it and that's guilt
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and shame and regret, it's All throughout the Bible.
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I mean, how much of a worse place?
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Can you be than to be in the pit of Shame and regret?
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And and your psyche. What did I do?
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And what kind of person am I? And, and you cut, could you have
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told Peter in the worst part of his life?
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Hey, you know what, it's going to get so much better for you,
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Peter, because Jesus going to find you.
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He's going to re-enlist you and Minister.
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You're going to become so powerful, your game and write a
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couple books in the Bible. It's a, it's okay, it's going to
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be. This is a bad time now, but
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there's things better up ahead. But it's true.
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It's true for every single person listening to me right now
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that has born again and has a real relationship with Jesus.
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What you're facing right now is not the worst.
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God can take even the worst. Well, the Bible says, he can
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work all things together and he can and he will and he is But I
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have to say, for those of you for those of you Among Us that
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would say to me and I'm not really into this, you know, I'm
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not really, I'm entry like, I'm kind of interested a because
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they forced me to, you know, I'm here but I really don't want to
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be here. Well, I'm glad you're here and
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if they promise to you lunch, make sure you get your lunch
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today. You know, if there was anything,
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they said you come and I'll do make sure you get it.
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But for the moments that we're here together, I'm glad you're
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here and it's okay if you don't want to be here, it's okay if
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you want to be somewhere else. It's fine because God will use
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the time that you said you kept your word or you came as an
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invitation. I want you to know that God will
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use it at the very least to tell you like I am right now that he
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loves you and that he loves you so much that he sent his only
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begotten son to die in your behalf.
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An exchange perfect for imperfect.
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In Bible words righteous for unrighteous Elmore Bible word,
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send less for the sinful. And any time you walk into the
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walls of a church building, it's important that you recognize
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that sin is a big problem. And it's not just a big problem.
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Generally, it's a big problem for every single person.
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What will you do with the reality of your separation from
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God? And it may be that the worst day
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in your life or the worst week in your life or the worst year
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in your life has now gone, your attention and you're beginning
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to ask the important questions about life questions like, well,
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will I spend eternity? Where is my help on Earth?
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Where is my Hope on Earth? And we're reminded this Easter
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weekend of the power of the resurrection and when we're
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reminded of the Resurrection, we're not so focused on the
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event as we are the person On the resurrection is amazing, so
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important theologically and practically for our lives, but
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we can't lose sight talking about the resurrection.
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We can't lose sight of Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, who
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resurrected who came and lived for you and died for you.
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I mean, that's a historical fact, there's really no debate.
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I mean, some people like to argue, but for the people for
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most people, there's really no debate that Jesus lived.
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And that he loved and that he taught that he was crucified and
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even buried. Truly, there's no debate even
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though some might want to excuse it away, but even trying to make
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an excuse for the resurrection, admits that it happens.
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But there are those that would, I mean, it's not even Up For
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Debate that Jesus Christ rose again from the dead and ascended
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into heaven. There were Witnesses.
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Were when we read in First Corinthians, if we kept reading,
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there's an episode where 500 people saw him at one time,
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that's a powerful witness. And we'll get to that a little
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bit later. But you think the worst day of
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my life could be turned into something good is so hard to
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believe. I acknowledge I get it but you
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see the greatest tragedy of all history and time proves to us
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that God can take something really bad and bring something
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really good. You know, when you think of the
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life of Jesus, the life of Jesus is a very divisive.
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I don't know if you've ever noticed that the life of Jesus,
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the death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus is very
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divisive, Jesus himself, when he's teaching us, told us as
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much. I don't know if you knew this is
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in the Bible, but listen to what Jesus says, this is in Matthew
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chapter 10, listen to what he says.
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He says, don't think that I came to bring peace on the earth.
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I did not come to bring peace, but A sword.
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I've come to set a man against his father, a daughter against
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her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
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A Man's enemies will be those of his own household.
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He who loves father or mother, more than me is not worthy of
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me. And he who loves son, or
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daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and he who does
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not take his cross. And follow after me, is not
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worthy of me, and he who finds his life will lose it and he who
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loses his life. For my sake will find it.
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His love is Life is teaching very divisive.
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Why? Because it brings us all to a
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point of decision. Everyone has to make a decision
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was what they know about Christ and everyone listening to me
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right now, knows the fullness of the Gospel is it's already been
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shared with you. The good news that through the
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death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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Your sins can be forgiven, you have to decide Now, of course,
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most of our audience today, most of those listening in have
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already made that decision. You're born again.
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But I wonder how many of you haven't really been living for
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God the way you know, you should It's not enough just to have
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some point in time, back, 20 years ago, when you receive the
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Lord Jesus Christ and started to serve him a little bit.
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And and there you are in a home where.
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Yes, you're very moral and yes, you're very good and yes, you're
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very law-abiding. But are you saved?
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That's the question. Now, if you are good and you are
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law-abiding and you are a moral man, or a more woman.
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Thank you. We need more of you.
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We need those of you. Ooh, to good that are good to be
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gooder. And yes, Pastor made up a reward
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for you pastors. Do that from time to time but I
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want you to remember it. It's wonderful that you're good
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that you've chosen to live a moral life.
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It's wonderful that you want to make a difference in this world
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and have a have the world. If Jesus doesn't return, have
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the world be a little bit better for the next generation and it
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was for you. That's wonderful.
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But what have you done with Jesus?
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That's the question, the resurrection makes us that it
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forces us to To think about these things.
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And I know over time, especially in our culture, but really
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around the world Easter's become about something that it's not
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about at all. You know, you have the eggs and
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you have the, the bunnies, and you have the candy not opposed
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to Candy, but all the candy that's available, but you don't
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want. That's not Easter.
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Be wonderful things to enjoy family and do some things
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outside. That's great but that's not
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Easter Easter, brings you face-to-face with the life of
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Jesus but also the death of Jesus.
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You know, the death of Jesus was a pretty divisive to it.
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Can you imagine being on the earth and only doing good, and
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only serving and only caring? And that, there were people on
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the Earth that wanted him dead. I mean, that was why they wanted
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him dead. A lot of people didn't want him
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dead, but some did and they were singing some of them that wanted
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him. Dead were Are successful.
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At influencing the Roman government to give him the death
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of the worst of the worst criminal this innocent man and
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it was divisive, some people said oh yes he's in the Tomb.
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We can get back to our regular Regis life and don't have to
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worry about the implications of hearing his teaching and seeing
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him face to face, but others they cried they were broken
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hearted and like the disciples. You know, one of the reasons why
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it was the worst day in their lives.
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The death of Jesus is because they Abandon him and his
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greatest time of need. I mean, there's so much emotion
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going on during this time, That we appreciate because so much of
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our life is filled with emotion. Challenges, regrets.
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You know, not only the life and death but also the resurrection
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of Jesus brings division. It brings about a decision and
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you use some of you listen to earlier with Jesus, I can't
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believe Jesus would want chaos to happen in my family.
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He doesn't, he's just stating a fact, some will believe in some
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won't and it will bring great pain into families.
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Those that reject Christ part of the consequence of that is great
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difficulty and hardship and Challenge.
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And when it comes to the Resurrection, the life that
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Jesus was buried in three days later he rose again from the
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dead instead of uniting the world instead of bringing people
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together under the banner of King Jesus, the wrecks, it, the
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resurrection sealed, all of eternity for choices to be made,
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where the percentages. Our most people reject Jesus
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even sometimes they'll start out well.
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And then over time the world and the things of this world and
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just live, she's like I don't want anything to do with Jesus
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but that is a choice and you will live with the consequences
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of that choice. And by the way, that's not God's
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heart for you. For you to turn your back on
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him. It's hard for you to come back.
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You know, before the crucifixion, Jesus was very
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popular. But after the resurrection, I
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mean, he has his popularity went through the roof.
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Everybody was talking about Jesus.
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You couldn't help it. There are people that agree.
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Don't agree. The buzz on the street was About
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That Man From Galilee. I mean, if the disciples had
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social media, you know, Twitter Instagram Tick-Tock, hey, check
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it out, Jesus, he's right there, right there.
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I mean if they had the technology we have today, it
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would just be around the world in seconds indisputable, but in
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their day, it was indisputable. Witness after witness after
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witness after witness and you know the difficulty of course is
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that we can't talk to those 500 people or literally thousands.
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Like Jesus literally, if they had phones back then we stopped
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pictures and everything. I'd be, you know, everything on
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the internet is permanent, it would be permanently there.
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We'd be able to look it up and say there it is.
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There it is, there he is, but they didn't have that them.
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Instead, they had eyewitnesses and 500 at a time is pretty
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significant. You know, if you got, let's say
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a two at a time, he got, you know, guys, you know, you're not
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credible, okay? 20 at a time.
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Yeah, you know, you can make it up. 20, okay. 100 at a time
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while you know, you're pressing it 500 people, I saw him.
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I touched him. I hugged him.
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I watched him. I followed him over over and
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over again. But the problem is we don't get
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to talk to them. But I suggest you today,
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although we can't talk to the 500.
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That saw Jesus. Personally, if we went through
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this room and we asked people about the power of the
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Resurrection in their lives and the testimony of God's work and
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their life. You know what you find in this
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room, witness witness witness witness witness witness witness
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of the power and presence of God.
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Even to this day, I would be since I have the microphone.
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First, I would be the Chief witness of the power of God and
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transforming a life and you go. Well, that's not true.
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That's just you. You just nah man.
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No no you weren't there. I was there, I live that life.
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I have that testimony and you can argue all you want with me
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but I was there. That's an eyewitness.
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Testimony people that see it? And again, those testimonies all
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there's Witnesses all throughout this room, you see the life of
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Jesus. It draws out, it's important to
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realize that it draws out a decision.
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There's only two decisions. I mean, Jesus said starting new
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things all the time. You know, Jesus said that one
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time he said, I am the way, the truth and the life.
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No one comes to the father, except through me, that's a
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pretty exclusive statement. You know, how the world, you
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know, maybe you've said this before, maybe you believe this
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but sigh God don't worry about it.
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Posture Christianity Buddhism everything, all roads lead to
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God, all roads lead to God. So I'm just going to check, you
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know, I'm just going to choose one of the roads and were all
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end up there. Well, you may be surprised but
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there's part of what you said. I agree with you.
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I agree with you choose whatever Road you want.
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It's going to lead. You face-to-face with God, for
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sure. Absolutely.
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One day, you will meet your maker one day and you will, you
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must give account for your life, all roads lead to God, but don't
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confuse all roads leading to God.
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Don't confuse that with all roads, lead to life.
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That's a whole different topic. All roads do not lead to life.
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Jesus said there's only one way to the father just one way.
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It's not too, it's not three, it's not five, it's only him.
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It's not through a particular church or through a particular
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denomination or some pastors word or whatever.
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Has been substituted for a personal vibrant surrendered,
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sacrificial, life that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit
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following Jesus. That's the only way to life.
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There is no other alternative Jesus said, Thing that you
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either believe him. Or you think he's delusional?
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You think well, you know, that's just what that's just what you
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believe their password. Do we need to call another
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Witness? It's the truth.
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And what's important in a culture like ours today in a
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very challenging generation is to remember this.
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The truth is the truth, no matter what you think about it,
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there isn't your truth and your truth and you live your own
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truth and you do your own thing. You that that is that is popular
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and it's comfortable. It's just going to lead you to
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disaster. Nobody drives that way.
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Nobody like, if you look at everything in life, he was like,
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well, I'm going to do my own truth and I think I can drive on
24:03
this side of the yellow lines. You're going to kill somebody.
24:08
Or yourself or both. Why?
24:11
Because there's a truth when it comes to driving, there's a
24:15
truth. When it comes to relationships,
24:17
there's a truth. That's not an open for
24:21
interpretation and Jesus says the same thing.
24:23
He calls you and invites you to follow him personally.
24:29
The bottom line is that no one, no, one in the first century
24:33
could have avoided or sidestepped making a decision
24:36
about Jesus. And, you know, not much has
24:38
changed today. Easter's, always a neat time for
24:41
pastors, you know, because if you ask any Pastor around town,
24:44
they'll tell you. It's one of the most favorite
24:46
times of the year. You know why?
24:47
Because churches are filled during Easter.
24:50
I mean, even here we had to make all we had to add all kinds of
24:52
services to be ready for the capacity of all the you that are
24:55
here that maybe you haven't been here for a while, you're
24:58
visiting from out of town and we're just like, yes, yes, we
25:01
will make room for you. We are so excited Easter.
25:04
When those of that study, such things will tell you that Easter
25:07
is typically the most Well, attended day of churches around
25:13
the country. Do you know what?
25:15
The least attended day is the week after Easter?
25:19
Because I think God just like, okay pastor.
25:21
Pop your head and get back to reality that you just serving
25:24
one person at a time. That's in front of you because
25:26
I'm not about attendance, it's about life, it's about
25:29
ministering to people. One at a time, pastors need to
25:32
learn that God always has his ways to teach us, pastors are
25:36
excited because they're preaching the gospel more
25:38
people, their Ministry, more people.
25:39
Exciting. It's so wonderful because lives
25:42
are changed lives are changed and men and women are brought to
25:47
decision just like you are today in a few moments.
25:51
I'll give you the invitation to respond to that.
25:53
But before we get there, I want to confess.
25:56
I want you to consider a few things about the resurrection
25:58
that will encourage you and really stir you up.
26:01
For those of you that are born again, these are yours already.
26:04
You don't need to work for them, you don't need to earn them, you
26:07
don't need to buy them, they're not in some.
26:09
Bye. I'll study series or in a book,
26:11
these are yours by default, as a son or a daughter, you have
26:15
inherited these, you receive them as a gift.
26:19
However, if you are apart from Christ today, these are not
26:22
yours yet. So it's almost like you're
26:26
looking on, you're coming in from the outside kind of looking
26:29
in. Which, by the way last night,
26:31
after one of the services, I was talking to a gentleman.
26:34
And he was telling me about man, Pastor, that was that you
26:37
describe my life, man. I was like looking, I've been
26:39
looking from the outside, I've been outside, kind of looking in
26:42
on everything, and I just need Jesus in my life and that could
26:45
be you today. So, the things that I'm about to
26:48
share with you, in relationship to the benefits of the
26:51
Resurrection are belonged to every True Believer.
26:54
Number one, number one. Listen, the resurrection assures
26:58
me that I'm accepted by God. That's a pretty powerful gift
27:03
that I can. I can know that I'm accepted by
27:05
God. The Bible says this, he was
27:08
handed over to die because of our sins and he was raised from
27:12
the dead to make us. Right with God, I want you to
27:17
tie this together and if we had all day, I develop it for you,
27:21
but I want you to tie this together.
27:22
Okay? This is so important, especially
27:24
way we're living right now acceptance with God leads to
27:29
understanding your true identity.
27:32
Your true identity. Isn't that the big wrestling in
27:36
trouble today? There are so many people
27:40
wrestling with their identity. Wondering who they are.
27:45
Trying to answer that question. The popular wrestling with
27:49
identity today is sexual identity wondering who I am and
27:53
how am I to present myself and how did I?
27:55
And it's, it's so confusing. And that's the case, isn't it?
28:00
Those of you struggling with your sexual identity.
28:02
That's the case. Nobody knows, but you how
28:04
confused you are And how hard it is, because, you know, God is
28:09
already settled your identity for you.
28:12
He created you in His image. You don't need to worry about
28:16
everybody's definition of who you are or who you're supposed
28:19
to be, or how you're supposed to present yourself because God has
28:22
done that for you. But you know, when you when you,
28:25
when you have God out of your life, then you become very
28:28
confused of who you are and who you're supposed to be.
28:31
And then all these loud voices seems like the people that are
28:34
screaming and yelling the loudest.
28:36
Get your attention. And then you become part of a
28:38
little group that seems to be so popular, but they're not as big
28:41
as you think, and they're just a small little group and you go,
28:43
oh, I feel like I belong here. But only for a time, you see the
28:47
way the world accepts as you're accepted until you're not
28:52
anybody experience on your Accepted till you're not.
28:56
Not so with God. The resurrection assures me that
28:58
I'm accepted by God, they takes me as I am.
29:03
It begins to work in my life on the inside.
29:05
Number two, the resurrection assures me that Jesus is for me
29:10
and not against me. That's a pretty powerful truth
29:13
to think about it in Romans chapter 8, the Bible says, what
29:17
can we say about such wonderful things as these, if God is for
29:23
us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his
29:28
own son, but gave him up for us. All won't God, who gave us
29:31
Christ? Also give us Anything else?
29:34
This is another place of confusion because those that
29:38
might take up position of, you know, I'm a moral and upright
29:41
person, you wonder why there's so much friction why there's so
29:44
much unsettling about your life because you're really trying to
29:48
live a good life. But you failed to ask the most
29:52
important question and that is this how good is good?
29:58
How good is good? You go past.
30:00
Are you talking about? Well, if you are created in the
30:02
image of God, then how good do you need to be?
30:07
I mean, how is it? Is it a on a scale of 1 to 10?
30:09
Can you just be a five? Is that fine?
30:12
Is it okay to be a seven? Do you need to be a 10?
30:15
And if you have to be attending to be attend every day because
30:17
you know, as well as I do you are not attend every day.
30:22
I mean, even this morning, you were kind of crabby when you
30:24
woke up. Like it's it's the way life is
30:27
so we know we can't hit 10 but I'll tell you what God says is
30:30
that what I require of you is a 10 God says I require Perfection
30:37
and to which we say but I can't give that to which God says,
30:41
well, I will give my son on your behalf.
30:46
Perfect for imperfect. The Great Exchange God's not
30:52
against me, he's not working against me.
30:55
I don't have to be mad at him. I don't have to fight him
31:00
anymore. I can trust him with my life,
31:05
even the worst days of my life. Because he's not at war with me
31:09
anymore. He's my friend, Jesus said,
31:12
which is a unbelievable. Number three, the resurrection
31:16
assures. Me that my sins are forgiven,
31:18
which is our biggest problem. That's our biggest problem.
31:22
Even if walking in, whatever, we're facing today, we might
31:24
think. Oh no, Ed.
31:25
This is my biggest problem. No, it's not.
31:27
Your biggest problem is what have you done with sin?
31:31
What have I done with my son? You know, I know it's hard to
31:36
hear that word. I've used it a few times, but
31:39
you need to hear it. Maybe you haven't really
31:42
addressed. The issue of sin so much in your
31:44
life, but I do know this. If I ask the question, how many
31:48
of you? Well, let me ask it this way.
31:49
You can just say out loud. Are there any are there?
31:52
If you can say yes to this, if you do, someone did first serve
31:55
as, but we'll, we'll get all over you.
31:57
If you answer. Yes, but that's fine if you want
31:59
to. All right, you ready?
32:01
Is there anyone in the house that is perfect.
32:05
Okay. No, that's good.
32:05
That's good. Because we had a brother of
32:07
here. Yes.
32:07
I'm like, whoa, we need to talk to you after service, bro.
32:13
How about this question? You can say, yes, if it's for
32:15
you, is there anyone in the house that has made mistakes?
32:19
Oh, really? It's a true made mistakes.
32:24
You know how easy it is for us to admit that.
32:27
It's pretty normal. Like yeah, I make mistakes all
32:31
the time, stumble and fall. I say the wrong things and such
32:35
and you agree. So quickly about making
32:37
mistakes. But here's the reality, if you
32:39
took that word mistake as we're talking about it now and you
32:42
apply it to God, God would call that a sin and it's much deeper
32:46
than some little mistake, you know, taking somebody's lane or
32:49
thinking some random thought like this is sin would be
32:52
defined as an offense. To a righteous.
32:59
Perfect God. And it's unforgivable apart from
33:05
the blood of Jesus Christ. That is the only way.
33:08
Forgiveness comes through the blood of Christ.
33:11
You won't be able to take your life and erase the mistake.
33:15
It's already been done, you can't change the past so because
33:20
you can't change the past. God says, then what will you do
33:23
with your future? And on the cross, on the cross
33:27
where Jesus died, he died for all the wrong things I've ever
33:30
done, all the wrong places, I've ever gone, all the wrong
33:35
thoughts, I've ever had all the wrong words.
33:37
I've ever said Jesus became sin for us.
33:41
In order that we might become the righteousness of God in him,
33:45
righteousness, for unrighteousness.
33:49
The great substitute fourthly, the resurrection.
33:52
Assures me that I have all the power I need to live the
33:55
Christian Life. That's a very important because
33:59
contrary to public opinion, the Christian life is not easy.
34:04
In many ways, it's more difficult to live a life for God
34:08
in a world, that's increasingly hated hating hating God, like in
34:12
a world that hates God. It makes living for Christ a
34:15
much harder, much more challenging now.
34:19
Not only do you live in this world but you also live in your
34:21
body and your body, craves send whether you like it or not.
34:26
I mean so it's so bad at times it's so bad that Paul would
34:30
write in the Bible. He'd say the things that I want
34:32
to do I don't do And the things that I do, I don't want to do
34:38
and he's like, who's gonna deliver me from this body of
34:41
death, and they says, I thank Christ Jesus, he's the
34:44
deliverer, but we live in this body.
34:46
So like we're tempted all the time, it's not easy.
34:51
But, you know, God has given you the power to live a life that
34:55
pleases him what he requires. He empowers, I think of, in the
35:01
world of addiction, you know, because addiction can really,
35:04
really, and, you know, just take someone in and envelop them in
35:08
darkness, because especially when you're wanting to come out
35:11
of it, and you re finally come to the realization.
35:13
I can't live this way anymore. I don't want to live this way
35:15
anymore, and here's what happens.
35:17
You're like, I, I don't want to do it, but I do it.
35:21
I'm doing it but I really don't want to do it.
35:23
I get I get a few days sober and I go right back.
35:27
I avoid that on the internet, but not come my back and it's
35:30
just so overwhelming. The world, the system
35:34
understands that there's no power in this world.
35:36
There's none. So what do they do with?
35:38
When it comes to alcohol and substance abuse and addictions?
35:41
Whether they do you come and say, I've been sober for a year
35:43
and what do they say? Well, you know what, you're in
35:45
recovery, you're in recovery, like you're never going to end,
35:49
it's never going to end. I'm telling you right now, if
35:51
you're born again, in Jesus Christ, the moment you are born
35:54
again. You are re covered in that
35:58
moment, you are set free. You don't have to live fearful
36:04
of sin, you don't have to live. Well, you know, maybe one day
36:06
I'll stumble and one know your delivered.
36:08
You want to live that way. Go for it.
36:10
Live the delivered life. It's not a lifestyle of forever.
36:15
You're going to have to look over your shoulder because sin
36:17
is chasing you down. You're free in Christ.
36:20
And the resurrection reminds me that even Temptation comes.
36:24
And even if bad days are returned, I have the power to
36:28
live in a way that pleases God, every born-again believer has
36:32
The same thing. Finally the resurrection assures
36:35
me, this is so good. It's going to be so encouraging
36:38
to many of you. The resurrection of Shores, me
36:40
that after I die, I'll live forever in heaven, I have
36:44
eternal life waiting for me, but not only that if that wasn't
36:47
enough check, if that wasn't enough for some of you it's very
36:49
special and he's like, how can you be more special in?
36:53
Jesus, will God gives you just a little bit part of your heart
36:55
that says not only will you live forever in heaven with Jesus but
36:59
you also be reunited. With those that you love that
37:04
died before you in Christ. So there's going to be a
37:07
Heavenly reunions. It's just such a, it's such a
37:11
beautiful gift from God for every man woman and child that
37:14
have decided to receive the Forgiveness of their sins.
37:18
This is no small thing. The resurrection And it's no
37:22
small thing Easter, it gaps, all of our attention for the moment
37:26
and Jesus invites us to follow him.
37:30
For some of you it's going to be for the very first time.
37:32
But others of you, God is saying, what are you doing?
37:36
Turning your back on me, why are you doing that?
37:38
What are you getting out of it? What will house our even in some
37:42
ways? How is it working for you?
37:44
What has replaced the intimacy in the closeness and the care
37:48
and concern of God? What are you have?
37:50
What have you exchanged God's? Great love for you, the
37:54
temporary pleasures of this world, the, the uncertainties
37:59
and Lt's and and and again, what will you do?
38:02
You're taking, you know sometimes at this at this moment
38:05
in the study in a weather we're having a regular service or
38:07
whatever. Like, they'll be people that
38:09
it's like, you know, in their hearts, they won't say it out
38:11
loud. But in their hearts, they say
38:13
I'll just take my chances, I'll take my chances.
38:15
Pastor, finish up, finish up, finish up.
38:18
That's not my watch. Finish up vintage up.
38:21
See the time you're about done, there's no service.
38:24
After this, I can go all day. So we lock the doors.
38:28
You're not going anywhere. It's like, but it's like, you
38:32
know what's that? I'll just take my chances, you
38:33
know? Nah, don't don't?
38:36
No, no, no, it reminded me, it came to my mind last night, you
38:39
know, my dad raised my three kid.
38:41
Mike three kids into adulthood and and if you like a dad
38:45
saying, you know what, son, you know what daughter don't do
38:48
this, I've already gone down that road, I already know how
38:51
bad it is. I already know what's going to
38:54
like and for you, it could be even worse but don't do this.
38:57
And your kid coming back. Well, you know what, Dad?
38:59
I'll take my chances. What's a good dog going to say?
39:01
No no, don't take your chances, man.
39:05
Trust me. There's a not where you're going
39:07
to lean on. Trust me, I've been there before
39:10
you. I've already gone ahead, I've
39:14
already lived that life, trust me, you're kind of banking on
39:19
the reality of just trust. What?
39:21
I already know. So how much more it would God
39:25
come to you today and say, trust me?
39:29
Trust me. God, my my creator of the one
39:33
who died for me like he's like I've already gone that, I
39:36
already know how that ends trust me.
39:39
And so to those of you that might be thinking, I don't know,
39:41
maybe there's a new phrase these days but you're like I'll take
39:44
my chances, I'm telling you please that is not the decision
39:48
that will lead you to life. You, you know, the fragility of
39:53
life, you know. Nobody knows.
39:56
Do you know, the Bible describes life.
39:57
Even if we live a full life time like vapor It just like here
40:02
today, gone tomorrow. And life is so fragile.
40:08
That none of us know. None of us know we want to live
40:13
today while we're alive now for the things of God.
40:17
You know those of you that live the work in the medical
40:19
community, those of you that work for police and fire, you
40:22
know that says is this This is your life stepping in to save
40:29
lives to protect life so please don't take chances.
40:33
Come to know Jesus today. Surrender your life and remember
40:37
the Resurrection, the power of God to change your life.
40:41
So father, I pray as we turn our attentions toward the rest.
40:46
Of our day. Lord, you know we're going to be
40:48
just like the disciples are going to live life and they're
40:51
going to have life. There's there's a normal life to
40:53
be lived but The question is, how will we live this life?
40:59
You've given us this gift? And I'm grateful Lord, as I'm
41:03
just reminded all all day yesterday.
41:05
And today, the power of your Resurrection reminded of the
41:09
power you brought into my life and the life transformation
41:13
testimony and all throughout this room of your life giving
41:16
work among us. And for that, we're grateful, We
41:19
sing about it, clap about it, we laugh about it, we experience
41:24
joy and we're so grateful, God. if you're here today and you
41:30
never given your life to Jesus, I want to invite you to do just
41:32
that Choose. There's only two choices, right?
41:41
You're for him or against him. You're living in surrender to
41:46
him or in Rebellion to him. But I know some of you God has
41:50
really been speaking to you through this time in his word
41:53
and saying that's you, that's you.
41:55
And so if that is you I'm going to ask you where you are.
41:57
Would you just stand to your feet?
41:59
I want to pray with you and I want to help you for the very
42:02
first time receive the Forgiveness of your sins.
42:05
So right here in this room if that's you.
42:08
Respond. Let today be the day that
42:12
forever changes your life. Join the family of God.
42:18
And know that, you know, where you're going to spend eternity?
42:23
And like really have purpose in life.
42:26
And so if you here today, that's you just stand your feet.
42:28
So weak and I'm going to I'm calling you publicly because
42:32
that's what Jesus did like everywhere.
42:33
He went says, you want to follow me, come on.
42:35
And you had to be like there was a, there was a real obvious turn
42:40
in their lives. God bless you guys.
42:42
Who else would say that's me. Today's the day.
42:47
The work of God in your life. It's unbelievable.
42:51
What's in store? Bless you in the back.
42:53
And I mean that as a pastor rice, not just church talk.
42:56
I truly mean God's blessings upon your life.
43:00
That you will leave here a different woman and a different
43:03
man. And you know, sometimes these
43:07
these moments they get to be like an argument with the pastor
43:10
like well you know pastor and you know like don't it's not
43:13
about me. Even if I delivered it in a way
43:17
like this, I could have done better, that's fine.
43:19
But you still know that God loves you but it's not about me.
43:23
It's not arguing with me. It's God's work in your life.
43:27
Bless you guys in the back. Over here on the side.
43:32
Yes. And it's a good time.
43:36
If you guys are down in the Overflow rooms, we have pastors
43:40
and down there to take care of you as well, out on the radio.
43:44
I mean, imagine that driving through Colorado.
43:47
And today's the day that God reaches you through radio or
43:53
flipping through YouTube, amazing how God works today, so
43:57
pastors come on up and connect. You guys that responded
44:01
publicly. You're going to have a pastor or
44:03
one of the men are School Ministry.
44:04
Come. And stand next to you so that,
44:09
you know that you're not alone in this church.
44:13
That one of the core values of this of this church, but I think
44:16
the Church of Jesus is community and you're not alone.
44:21
And I want you to have that tangible understanding of God's
44:25
love for you with a pastor standing next to you.
44:31
Knowing that they're also be the one that will follow up with you
44:34
and connect with you and help you.
44:38
So I want to help you fulfill part of the Bible.
44:41
The Bible says, if we confess with our mouth, the Lord Jesus.
44:43
And we believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead,
44:46
you will be saved. For, with the heart, One
44:50
Believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is
44:54
made to Salvation. So I want to help you with that
44:56
by talking to God, which really, just means prayer, that's if you
44:59
ever heard the word prayer, all that word means is talking to
45:02
God. And so, you can say something
45:04
like this. You could say, God, I admit that
45:07
I've sinned against you. And I ask you to forgive me of
45:12
all of my sin. I believe that you sent Jesus
45:16
Christ to live for me. To die for me.
45:28
And to rise again from the dead to save my soul.
45:35
And I'm choosing to turn my life away from sin.
45:42
And to follow you. And God, I know it's such a high
45:47
and holy moment. Lives.
45:51
Transformed in front of us. We aren't even sure what the
45:55
future will hold and how you will use them and what your plan
45:59
is in their lives, how you want to redeem, and how you want to
46:03
rescue, how you want to save, and how you want to add and how
46:08
you want to subtract. But we are eager to find out So
46:14
bless those that turn to you today.
46:16
God may it be real and genuine and transformative.
46:23
We pray that in Jesus name. Amen.
46:27
And amen. Bless you guys.
46:29
We pray that you've been encouraged by this Bible.
46:31
Study delivered live from the sanctuary of Calvary Church for
46:35
prayer. Call us at 877, 30 Grace.
46:40
That's eight 77304, 703 to listen to this message in its
46:46
entirety or to join us for our lives dream Services.
46:50
Visit us online at Calvary Co dot Church.
46:53
Or download our free Calvary Church app be blessed as you
46:57
worship Jesus this week.