1 00:00:01,520 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: Hey, this is Stephen Ferdick. 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:05,800 Speaker 2: I'm the pastor of Elevation Church and this is our podcast. 3 00:00:05,880 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 2: I wanted to thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: Hope this inspires you. Hope it builds your faith. 5 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 2: Hope it gives you perspective to see God is moving 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 2: in your life. 7 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: Enjoy the message. 8 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 2: When I was praying about how to start the year 9 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 2: and the theme we should start the year with, I 10 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 2: was led to Second Samuel nineteen, a scripture that originally 11 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 2: I was attracted to from a leadership perspective, but I 12 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 2: think it has implications for our church. As I set 13 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 2: this image before you, I invite your attention to Second Samuel, 14 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 2: chapter eighteen. Let's go eighteen, verse thirty three and get 15 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: the context and read down to chapter nineteen, verse eight 16 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 2: And so I know we were done with David because 17 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 2: we preached a whole series about him last year called 18 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 2: Bars and Battles. But last him when he come over 19 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,280 Speaker 2: to twenty eighteen and help us start the year, and 20 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 2: so he said that he would. But there's going to 21 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: be a real dramatic difference between the David we saw 22 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 2: in First Sammuel nineteen and the David we see in 23 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 2: Second Samuel nineteen, because when we saw him in First 24 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 2: Samuel nineteen, he was on the come up and God 25 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 2: was really blessing him, and he had a lot of courage. 26 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:11,960 Speaker 2: But now we're going to see him at a place 27 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 2: that is very unfamiliar to someone of his caliber, and 28 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 2: David's confidence is shaken. And so this would be a 29 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 2: very strange thing if you just picked up the Bible 30 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: and you heard about David from Sunday School and he 31 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:30,680 Speaker 2: was killing Goliath and ripping off the heads of Philistines 32 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 2: and driving back the enemies of Israel. But now the 33 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,839 Speaker 2: scripture says in Tewod Samuel eighteen thirty three, the king 34 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 2: was shook. I put it in a little bit of 35 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 2: a modernized translation. He was shook, and he went up 36 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 2: to the room over the gateway, and wept as he went. 37 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: He said, Oh, my son, Absalom, Oh my son, my son, Absalom. 38 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: If only I had died instead of you, Oh, Absalom, 39 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 2: my son, my son. Way to pick out an inspirational 40 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 2: scripture to start the year with Verdick, Chapter nineteen, verse one, 41 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 2: Joebb was told the king is weeping and mourning for 42 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 2: Absolom for the whole army. The victory that day was 43 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,839 Speaker 2: turned into mourning, which is exactly the opposite of what 44 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 2: God does. God turns a day of mourning into a 45 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 2: day of victory. 46 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: Don't believe me, Just. 47 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 2: Ask those disciples who were gathered together in sorrow and 48 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 2: shame one Sunday, only to get the news that what 49 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:39,640 Speaker 2: looked like Hell's final defeat of Heaven was actually the 50 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 2: starting point of salvation. God specializes in turning your day 51 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 2: of mourning into a day of victory. The enemy, however, 52 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: with desire to turn your day of victory, or your 53 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 2: position of strength into weakness and sorrow, and that's exactly 54 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 2: what has happened here. The whole army is experiencing mourning 55 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:00,639 Speaker 2: in a time of victory. You know that you can 56 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 2: experience mourning in a time of victory. 57 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: You can experience. 58 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 2: Depression in a place of provision. You can experience what 59 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 2: feels like failure in a season of success. So much 60 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 2: of life is determined not by the event, but by 61 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 2: our ability to process the event on the correct level 62 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 2: as to be blind to our own blessings. We have 63 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 2: many instances, but here David has lost so much in 64 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: the course of the battle that he cannot celebrate the victory. 65 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 2: He lost his own son, and we'll see how that 66 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 2: affects him. Now. The troops had heard it, said the 67 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 2: king is grieving for his son. And so the men 68 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 2: stole into the city that day as men steal in, 69 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 2: who are ashamed when they flee from battle. They actually 70 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 2: had defeated the enemy, but their heads were hung in shame. 71 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 2: There would be no parade this day for the king. 72 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 2: Verse four covered his face and cried aloud, Oh, my son, absalom, 73 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 2: oh absalom, my son, my son. 74 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: His focus is so narrowed. 75 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 2: To what he has lost that he is about to 76 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 2: lose what he has left. He cannot get over what's gone, 77 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 2: and he is about to step right over what is 78 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: and miss it because waiting for his support are all 79 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:34,040 Speaker 2: of the troops and the resources for him to reclaim 80 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 2: his throne and get back where he belongs. But he's 81 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: not ready yet. He's weeping in isolation over the gate. 82 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 2: And then verse five says that Joe ab his general, 83 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 2: had the guts to go into the house and say 84 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 2: something to the king that nobody else had the guts 85 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 2: to say. Sometimes you need to thank God for the 86 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 2: people in your life. Who say stuff that you don't 87 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:02,039 Speaker 2: like to hear. Those are the ones who often really 88 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 2: love you. Sometimes I see every parent in this room 89 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:10,679 Speaker 2: looking at their teenager. I caught you look at somebody 90 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 2: and say, tell me the truth. You are not my 91 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 2: friend if you don't tell me the truth. God uses 92 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 2: Joe Ab to give David. Watch this the gift of confrontation. 93 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:24,920 Speaker 2: You see how nobody said amen. If I would have 94 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 2: said the gift of comfort, you would have gotten it. 95 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 2: But sometimes the gift of confrontation is greater than the 96 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: gift of comfort. And Joe Ab challenges David, who goes 97 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 2: in a house the king, and says, today you have 98 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 2: humiliated all your men who have just saved your life, 99 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 2: and the lives of your sons and daughters, and the 100 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 2: lives of your. 101 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: Wives and concubines. 102 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:56,480 Speaker 2: You love those who hate you, and hate those who 103 00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 2: love you. 104 00:05:58,120 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 1: Why do you keep. 105 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 2: Attaching yourself the stuff that is doing you no good? 106 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 2: Why do you keep running back to things that hurt you? 107 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 2: You love those who hate you and hate those who 108 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 2: love you. Why do you keep chasing that which is 109 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 2: trying to walk away at the expense of that which 110 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 2: God has given you? Or as David asked Samuel about saw, 111 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 2: how long will you mourn over what God has rejected? 112 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 2: You made it clear today that the commanders and their 113 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: men mean nothing to you. I see that you would 114 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 2: be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of 115 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 2: us were dead. 116 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by 117 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: the Lord. 118 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 2: If you don't go out, not a man will be 119 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 2: loved with you by nightfall. 120 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: This would be worse for you than all the calamities 121 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: that have come on you, from your you to mouth. 122 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 2: So the king got up and took his seat in 123 00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 2: the gateway. The king gotta and took his seat in 124 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 2: the gateway. That's our theme as we begin the year. 125 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 2: So look at your neighbor and say neighbor, and force 126 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 2: them to make eye contact with you before you go 127 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 2: any further. Tell him get back in the gate. Get 128 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 2: back in the gate. If they're looking at you crazy, 129 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 2: it was the wrong neighbor. Turned to the other one 130 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 2: and say get back in the gate. Get back in 131 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 2: the gate. And so we could understand why David is shook, 132 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 2: because we are seeing here the inextricable connection between character 133 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 2: and confidence. It is impossible to sustain your confidence. With 134 00:07:53,160 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 2: a faulty character, you can hype yourself up, just bump 135 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 2: yourself in the mirror. You can even get abs and 136 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 2: feel good about those. But without the deep seated core 137 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 2: of character to sustain you in life, it is impossible 138 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 2: to maintain a sense of real confidence. 139 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: He shook. 140 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 2: He's allowed some things into his life that are now 141 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 2: overpowering him. He lets some things in little by little, 142 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 2: and now it's been years and years of dysfunction. It 143 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: wasn't so much the dysfunction that brought trouble to David. 144 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: It was the way he dealt with the dysfunction. 145 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 2: God knew he was dysfunctional when he picked him out, 146 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 2: and he knew that he had father issues when he 147 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 2: picked him out, and he knew that he was quite 148 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 2: lustful when he picked him out. None of those things 149 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 2: stopped God from choosing him, and so they couldn't stop 150 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 2: God from using him. It is never your dysfunction that 151 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 2: stops God from using you. It is how you choose 152 00:08:55,160 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 2: to deal with the dysfunction. When David fought Goliath, he 153 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 2: fought him from a distance, which was a strategic thing 154 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 2: because if he came close to him, he would die 155 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 2: by his sword. Goliath was skilled in hand to hand combat, 156 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 2: but David was a slinger. That was the way he 157 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,559 Speaker 2: fought Goliath, and it was the way that he had 158 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 2: tried to live his life, and in certain situations it 159 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: worked for him until it came to the point when 160 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 2: you may remember this story. It's not told in vacation 161 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 2: Bible school because because it's rated in a it's more 162 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 2: like a Game of Thrones episode really than a Bible story. 163 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 2: When David should have been a war and he wasn't, 164 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 2: and it wasn't where he was. It was where he 165 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 2: wasn't that got him in trouble. It wasn't what he did, 166 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 2: It was what he didn't do that brought him to 167 00:09:52,280 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 2: a place. Until he had enough freedom of capacity to 168 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 2: entertain thoughts. 169 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 1: He wouldn't have thought if. 170 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 2: He'd been doing what he should have done, wouldn't have 171 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:01,439 Speaker 2: been tempted to do what he did. 172 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: But since he did what he did and. 173 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 2: Ended up sleeping with a lady who has taken a 174 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:13,560 Speaker 2: bath named Bathsheba, the Bible was full of these happy coincidences. 175 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 2: Where he messed up wasn't necessarily his sin which was wrong, 176 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 2: but it was the way that he compounded his sin 177 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 2: because he responded to his shame rather than receiving God's grace, 178 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 2: and so rather than deal with the dysfunction and the 179 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 2: decision of his disobedience, he piled several layers of shame 180 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 2: on top of his sin and ended up having her 181 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 2: husband killed. Well. When Nathan the Prophet came to David, 182 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 2: he said, because of the way you've acted, because of 183 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 2: the decisions that you've made, God is going to forgive you, 184 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 2: but you're going to. 185 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 1: Experience some consequences. 186 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 2: Please write this down if you're under the age of eighteen. 187 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:58,719 Speaker 2: You can pick your decisions, but you can't pick your consequences. 188 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 2: And he received grace, but it left a residue, and 189 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 2: the aftermath of david Sinn would play out through the 190 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 2: course of his family line. When his son Amnen raped 191 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 2: his half sister Tamar, and you thought your family was dysfunctional, 192 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 2: you could write a parenting book compared to David. I mean, 193 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 2: David's son raped one of David's daughters from another wife. 194 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 1: Are you following this? Do you feel like you left church. 195 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 2: And went to Jerry Springer nineteen ninety two. 196 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 1: Hello and Absalom had. 197 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 2: To do what David wouldn't do because David wanted to 198 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:42,839 Speaker 2: deal with it from a distance rather than confront the dysfunction. 199 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 2: He kept it out here. But you can only keep 200 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 2: it out here so long, just like he did with Bathsheba. 201 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 2: He kept it out here, but only for so long. 202 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 2: It's just a matter of time before the dysfunction shows 203 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,559 Speaker 2: up on your doorstep once you let it through the gate. 204 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 2: And so now it's working his way through his family. 205 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 2: And because David will not stand in his place and 206 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 2: make a decision on how to deal with it, even 207 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 2: if it's the wrong one, he makes the greatest mistake 208 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 2: to become passive. The greatest trouble in David's life came 209 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:24,080 Speaker 2: when he became passive, or you might say disengaged disengaged. 210 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 2: I have an Instagram account, and every month our social 211 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 2: media team brings me reports for the engagement on our Facebook, 212 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 2: the engagement on Twitter. The engagement on social media is 213 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 2: how we measure effectiveness. 214 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: How many people. 215 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 2: Are commenting and liking and looking and sharing Engagement. Even 216 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 2: our evam online what's up epam? Maybe you got here 217 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 2: because somebody shared the link with you is called engagement. 218 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:51,680 Speaker 2: I don't think there's ever been a time in the 219 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 2: world where we've been more engaged on the surface and 220 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 2: more disengaged in our souls because we got all these 221 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 2: fake can and fake friendships and fake sexuality and fake 222 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 2: relationships and stuff that won't do you any real good 223 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 2: when the devil fights you in your life because you 224 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 2: are not engaged. Now, Absolom has taken matters into his 225 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 2: own hands. Years ago he killed him and on himself. 226 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 2: He went running, he wanted to come back. David wouldn't 227 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 2: see him. He kept him at a distance. And now 228 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,960 Speaker 2: the battle has arrived on his doorstep because he would 229 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 2: not deal with it at the gate. He would not 230 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 2: deal with it when it showed up. So now it 231 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 2: has gained power, and Absolom has actually tried to overturn 232 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 2: his own father as king. 233 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 1: Absolom was pretty smart. 234 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:42,959 Speaker 2: Bible says he was real good looking, had a lot 235 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 2: in common with Rick Parker except one thing. He had 236 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 2: so much hair. The Bible said his hair was so long. 237 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 2: When he would cut it off every spring, it would 238 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 2: weigh two pounds. So he would stand by the gate 239 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:02,080 Speaker 2: with his luxurious locks, and when people would come to 240 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 2: see David, he'd say, oh, Dad's busy. 241 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: If I were king, I'd help you out. 242 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 2: I would hear your matter if I were king, but 243 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 2: I'm not. With four years of that, and he won 244 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 2: their hearts. Be very careful who you let stand at 245 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 2: the gates. You got to be real careful who you 246 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 2: let represent you. And over the course of time, the 247 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 2: Bible says that the hearts of the people were with Absolom. 248 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 2: It ended in a bloody result in the woods of Ephraim, 249 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 2: where Absolom was riding through the forest with his militia 250 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 2: trying to overtake David's men. Now David has crossed the 251 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 2: Kidrin Valley, he has left the throne. He is on 252 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 2: the run, just to survive. Absolom's men catch up with him. 253 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 2: There's only one problem. Absalom's hair gets caught in a tree, 254 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 2: snatches him right off of his horse. Why because the 255 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 2: thing that makes you great outwardly makes vulnerable inwardly. He 256 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 2: gets caught up in the thing that made him so attractive. 257 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 2: And as he is hanging there, Joe ab decides to 258 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 2: end his life. Three knives in him, calls ten men 259 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 2: to slice him up. They send the nudes to David 260 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 2: and he is shaken. He's shaken like any father would 261 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 2: be who lost a son, but perhaps even more deeply 262 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 2: because he feels responsible for it. I kind of wish 263 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:31,560 Speaker 2: sometimes I could talk to my dad just one more conversation. 264 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 2: And I know he's probably listening to this sermon on Heaven. 265 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 2: I know he's part of the Epham Eternal fam But 266 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 2: I wish I could sit down with him for real, 267 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 2: and I would only tell him one thing. This would 268 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 2: be the whole conversation. I thought about a lot because 269 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 2: now I'm raising my own kids, and there are ways 270 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 2: that I judged him when he was raising me that 271 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 2: I would love to go back and say to him 272 00:15:59,280 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 2: one thing. 273 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 1: This is what I would say. 274 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 2: The title of our talk would be, I get it now, 275 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 2: because when I became a teenager, my dad went from 276 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 2: coaching my teams to going out drinking, and I didn't 277 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 2: see him much over those years, and I really thought 278 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 2: he was, to be honest with you, a pretty poor 279 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 2: father during those years. 280 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: Right. 281 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 2: It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the fact that he 282 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 2: did not have a dad to show him how to 283 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 2: do it. His father committed suicide, and so on his 284 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 2: ninth birthday, he found his father dead. So without any 285 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 2: frame of reference. He stayed around to raise me. But 286 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 2: what I would tell him now is I get it now. 287 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 2: Because even as much as I love my wife, which 288 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 2: is more than you can possibly imagine, and I love 289 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 2: my kids and I am grateful for them, and we 290 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 2: enjoy some wonderful times together, but there have been times 291 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 2: that I have pulled into my garage, gotten out of 292 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:09,399 Speaker 2: my Nissan Maxima, walked into my house, and fantasized about 293 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,919 Speaker 2: getting back into my Nissan Maxima and going back to 294 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 2: work so I could get some rest. 295 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: I get it now. 296 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:23,720 Speaker 2: There are times when the challenge of responsibility will make 297 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 2: you walk away from something that you actually love, and 298 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:30,360 Speaker 2: people will judge you in that moment, and they will 299 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 2: think you're walking away because you're lazy. But you're not 300 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:37,640 Speaker 2: walking away because you're lazy. You're walking away because deep 301 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:41,640 Speaker 2: down inside, I don't know if I have what it takes. 302 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,359 Speaker 2: And this is the danger of disengagement. 303 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 1: It is when you find. 304 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 2: Yourself in a state of shame or fear, or trauma 305 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 2: or exhaustion and you walk away from what God gave 306 00:17:55,359 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 2: you because you don't know how to manage it. It 307 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 2: is the danger of this engagement. It is the danger 308 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 2: of showing up in body and not in mind. I've 309 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 2: learned that there's a big difference between coming to church 310 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 2: and being in church. I've learned that there is a 311 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 2: big difference between coming home and being home. Y'all ain't 312 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:27,719 Speaker 2: gonna say nothing to me all year? Is that how 313 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:29,680 Speaker 2: it's gonna be. You're gonna look at me crazy all year? 314 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:36,199 Speaker 2: Like that? There is a big difference between having a 315 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:43,880 Speaker 2: child and being a mom. And sometimes the temptation is 316 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 2: not to exactly run away, but to just disengage. 317 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 1: I'm disengaged, not. 318 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 2: Because I don't care, but just because I'm afraid. 319 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: I don't know if I have what it takes. David, 320 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 1: with shaking, the. 321 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 2: Death of Absalom represented. 322 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: His own failure. If only did you hear him? 323 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 2: If only I had died instead of. 324 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: You, It's my fault. I didn't give you what. 325 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 2: You needed, And it's my fault you're dead. And now 326 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 2: it's caught up with him, and he's shaken, and he's disengaged. 327 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 2: He's not defeated, he's disengaged. He has the victory, but 328 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:31,880 Speaker 2: he's not acting like it. He's the king, but he's 329 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 2: not where the king is supposed to be. See he's 330 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:41,640 Speaker 2: lost his sense of passion because he's moved from his position. 331 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 2: In ancient times, the cities were well guarded by gates. 332 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:50,159 Speaker 2: Now David is in Mahanaim, which is not Jerusalem, the 333 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 2: capital city, Absolom is there, and he's going to drive 334 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:56,080 Speaker 2: him out, but not yet. The first thing he has 335 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:59,959 Speaker 2: to do is relocate himself around the city. Are two gates, 336 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 2: everybody say, two gates. Our theme for the new year 337 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:05,160 Speaker 2: is gates. I want you to pay great attention right now. 338 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 2: This is very important. In each city there would be 339 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 2: an outer gate that everybody saw. We all have one 340 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 2: of those. We all have the outer gate that people see. 341 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:19,160 Speaker 2: It's our personality that we project into the world, so 342 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:23,440 Speaker 2: people won't judge us, so we will appear successful. Then 343 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 2: there is the inner gate. It's the second line of defense. 344 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 2: We all have one of those two. It's our actions. 345 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 3: Two gates, two gates, two gates, two dates, two gates, and. 346 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 2: The action happens. Watch this between the gates. The Bible 347 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 2: does not say, put my verse up again, it's my 348 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 2: theme verse that David took his seat. As verse eight 349 00:20:56,280 --> 00:21:00,520 Speaker 2: at the gate, it says that he got up and 350 00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:07,639 Speaker 2: took his seat what where now. Up until this point, 351 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 2: he's been near the gate, but he wasn't in it. 352 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,920 Speaker 1: He was in isolation. 353 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 2: Above the gate, like a lot of us live our lives, 354 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:22,160 Speaker 2: watching events unfold, but not taking responsibility for our outcomes. 355 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 1: When we live online in an. 356 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 2: Ecosystem of pretension and narcissism and opinions, but don't really 357 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 2: make a commitment to make a difference in the world, 358 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:36,880 Speaker 2: and we show up in the places that are most 359 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 2: convenient to our ego, but refuse to confront the issues 360 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 2: that sabotage our soul. 361 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 1: The action happened between the gates. 362 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 2: Not outside and not inside, but often between the gates, 363 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 2: transactions would be made. It was like a marketplace of 364 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 2: the day. Between the gates of the city. There would 365 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:07,120 Speaker 2: be buying and selling, a negotiation between the gates. Profits 366 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:12,400 Speaker 2: like Amos would prophesy to maintain justice in the gates. 367 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 1: In the gates when Ruth, if you remember the Old Testament. 368 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 2: Story was claimed by Boass her kinsman redeemer, he did 369 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 2: the deal in the presence of ten witnesses in the gate. 370 00:22:25,320 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 2: When Abraham bought the burial ground for Sarah and the 371 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:30,560 Speaker 2: Old Testament, he bought it in the presence of witnesses 372 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 2: in the gate. It's where the witnesses were, It's where 373 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 2: the judges would sit, It's where negotiations happened. It's where 374 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 2: the conscience of the nation was developed. It's where Absalom 375 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 2: would stand at the gate and before people could go through. 376 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: Turn them back. 377 00:22:48,359 --> 00:22:53,959 Speaker 2: After he had promoted his own agenda, and everything changed 378 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 2: for David when he did something so simple. The Bible 379 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:01,639 Speaker 2: says that after all he had lost, and after all 380 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:05,160 Speaker 2: the tears he had cried, and after all the mistakes 381 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:10,400 Speaker 2: he had made, he did something so simple and so profound, 382 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 2: the king got up, left his chamber. 383 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:29,440 Speaker 1: And took his seat in the gate. 384 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 2: In other words, I hear David saying, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, 385 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 2: I'm back. My heart is broken, but i'm back. I 386 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 2: made some mistakes, but i'm back. I wish I could 387 00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:59,200 Speaker 2: go back and change some things, but I can't. 388 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:01,520 Speaker 1: But I'm back. 389 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 2: I'm devastated about what happened, but I'm back. I'm uncertain 390 00:24:10,080 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 2: about the future. 391 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 1: I don't know where it's going to go from here. 392 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: I'm a long way from home, but i'm back. Now. 393 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 2: What I picture in my mind is today, thousands of 394 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:29,919 Speaker 2: people who have gathered to hear this message online or 395 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:34,479 Speaker 2: in person at every location. And I see you getting 396 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:39,040 Speaker 2: up from the failure and the shame and the regret 397 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:44,960 Speaker 2: that has kept you paralyzed, and taking your stand in 398 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 2: the gate of praise and entering His caates with thanksgiving. 399 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:55,919 Speaker 2: I wish seventy people would sup up on your feet 400 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:59,280 Speaker 2: right now and shout at the top of your lungs, 401 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 2: I'm back. 402 00:25:03,240 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 1: I'm back. Let the devil know I'm back. Let condemnation no, 403 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 1: I'm back. Let my past know I'm back. I'm not perfect, 404 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,320 Speaker 1: but i'm back. I don't have a plan down again, 405 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: but I'm back. 406 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 2: I don't know what tomorrow's gonna bring, but I'm back. 407 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 1: I'm fine. Everybody you can reach. Hell, I'm bad. I'm 408 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:34,240 Speaker 1: back in it. I'm back in it. 409 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,560 Speaker 2: Not gonna stand over my life blaming people for the 410 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 2: next twenty. 411 00:25:42,280 --> 00:25:46,680 Speaker 1: Years because of the last twenty. Get they behind me, Satan, 412 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:48,480 Speaker 1: I'm bad. 413 00:25:55,720 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 2: And with the enemy comes, with his accusation and his excuses. 414 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:04,280 Speaker 1: I want you to look. 415 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 2: Him square in the eye before the year even gets started, 416 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:13,479 Speaker 2: good and tell him, Tell them this seat is taken. 417 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 2: I set this seat is taken. No room for you 418 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:26,640 Speaker 2: to run my life because I am seated in heavenly 419 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 2: places with Christ. 420 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 1: Ap back. I'm back in position, I'm back in purpose. 421 00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:49,920 Speaker 4: Get back in the gate. Get back in the gate. 422 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:56,880 Speaker 4: You cannot change what you tolerate. Get back in the gate. 423 00:26:56,960 --> 00:27:02,679 Speaker 4: You cannot change what you won't fail. Get back in 424 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:06,119 Speaker 4: the gate. You can't change it by complaining. You can't 425 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:09,880 Speaker 4: change it by if only, but now, if you will 426 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:12,800 Speaker 4: take your seat. God has prepared. 427 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:16,360 Speaker 1: A place for you in the presence of your enemies. 428 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 2: He might not rid you of your problems, but he 429 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 2: has given you his fresness. 430 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:35,200 Speaker 1: Get that. So I'm back. I'm back. 431 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:47,040 Speaker 2: I'm back, and I'm broken, and I'm better because I 432 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:58,600 Speaker 2: was broken, because I learned how to fight. The battle 433 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:06,720 Speaker 2: in between is not what happens to you, is not 434 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:10,120 Speaker 2: what they say about you. It is what happens between 435 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 2: the gates. That's what I want to study with you 436 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 2: for the next four weeks. I want you to invite 437 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 2: every jacked up person that you know, because we're going 438 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:24,400 Speaker 2: to get our gates back. We have been too flooded 439 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:29,919 Speaker 2: with images and points of view that to do not 440 00:28:30,359 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 2: promote peace in our lives, and we are practicing the 441 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 2: habits of worry, and we are living in the state 442 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 2: of anxiety. The place of power is when you take 443 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:48,200 Speaker 2: your seat. Watch this. David got up, took his seat 444 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 2: in the gate. He wasn't healed yet, but he's here. 445 00:28:55,760 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 2: I'm hurting, but I'm here. It's going to be hard, 446 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,920 Speaker 2: but I'm here. You know what's cool. You already got 447 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:16,800 Speaker 2: perfect attendance for the year in church. Celebrate yourself and 448 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:19,040 Speaker 2: to get everything he needed. All he had to do 449 00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:20,960 Speaker 2: is what Kendrick said. All he had to do. 450 00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:28,719 Speaker 1: Was sit down. When he sat down, all of his 451 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:30,960 Speaker 1: men came to him. 452 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:37,320 Speaker 2: Your weapons are waiting for you to take your place. 453 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:43,760 Speaker 2: Your weapons. You're waiting for your weapons to come. Your 454 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 2: weapons will not come until you take your place. This 455 00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:50,080 Speaker 2: is the place of responsibility. This is the place of 456 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:54,760 Speaker 2: owning your story. This is the place of dealing with 457 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:56,800 Speaker 2: your dysfunctions, not from a distance. 458 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:00,920 Speaker 1: This is the place of power. 459 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:03,920 Speaker 2: We fight the enemy in the wrong place, and we 460 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 2: wait for things to appear that are waiting for us 461 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:10,400 Speaker 2: in our assignment. And I feel the spirit of God 462 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 2: on me this year to teach this message on the 463 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:16,480 Speaker 2: gates of change. 464 00:30:17,760 --> 00:30:20,320 Speaker 1: Each of us is standing at a gate of change. 465 00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:22,840 Speaker 2: And there are four gates that I want to teach 466 00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 2: you about over the next four weeks. 467 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:25,200 Speaker 1: Here's the key. 468 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:30,520 Speaker 2: This gate only opens from the inside. It only opens 469 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:35,640 Speaker 2: from the inside. This battle has to be fought at 470 00:30:35,680 --> 00:30:38,920 Speaker 2: the gate. Keep that camera shot on me real quick. 471 00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:40,520 Speaker 2: I want to show them. Just keep that tight shot. Ryah, 472 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 2: the tight shot right there. Do not move that camera, 473 00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:43,760 Speaker 2: no matter what I do, or no matter what you 474 00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:46,000 Speaker 2: are trained to do. I am overriding your training right now. 475 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 1: Do not move that camera. 476 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:48,440 Speaker 2: Not. 477 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:55,680 Speaker 1: The only way. 478 00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:56,800 Speaker 2: For us to get the back of his head off 479 00:30:56,840 --> 00:31:01,760 Speaker 2: the bottom of that screen is for me to get back. 480 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,520 Speaker 1: Where I belong. Watch this. 481 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:12,320 Speaker 2: The camera is not broke. I'm just out of place. 482 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:20,560 Speaker 2: Oh no, let's get a new camera. No, you need 483 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:23,360 Speaker 2: to get a new attitude. You don't need a new wife. 484 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 2: You need a new mindset. You need to get back 485 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:28,720 Speaker 2: in the gate. You got a good wife, that's why 486 00:31:28,760 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 2: you married her. If you would get in the game, maybe. 487 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:36,560 Speaker 1: I don't want to run them off. Week one. They 488 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:49,480 Speaker 1: just got back. Somebody sat up back. 489 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:53,600 Speaker 2: And when he got back in the gate, everything he 490 00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:55,320 Speaker 2: needed came to him. 491 00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:59,600 Speaker 1: You don't have to chase it. Goodness and mercy will follow. 492 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:07,680 Speaker 2: Get back, get back, get back, get back. 493 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:11,200 Speaker 1: You don't have to be perfect, just be present. 494 00:32:14,360 --> 00:32:17,400 Speaker 2: And Isaiah said, I want us to think about this, 495 00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:20,120 Speaker 2: and I'll start here next week. You're coming next week. 496 00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:24,800 Speaker 2: Tell somebody get back, get back, get back, get back, 497 00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:28,000 Speaker 2: do what you gotta do to get back. You should 498 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,320 Speaker 2: cancel some stuff just to let the devil know this 499 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:31,400 Speaker 2: year that God is your priority. 500 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 1: And be in church. Set six alarms if you have to, 501 00:32:36,520 --> 00:32:41,480 Speaker 1: and be here because the word you need might be here. 502 00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 2: Hold the camera shot tight, hold the camera shot tight, 503 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:48,200 Speaker 2: and if you're over here, you will miss the word 504 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 2: that was waiting for you. So I got to be 505 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:56,840 Speaker 2: here because Isaiah says, stand I'm closing. I'm closing. I'm closing. 506 00:32:57,680 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 2: Isaiah said that God will be Oh, I got so 507 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:05,280 Speaker 2: much to teach you. I can't wait. This is just 508 00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:09,840 Speaker 2: a syllabus. Now, this isn't even the class. Tell somebody, 509 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:14,320 Speaker 2: I'm coming back. I'm coming back. I'm coming back. He 510 00:33:14,400 --> 00:33:17,960 Speaker 2: will be Listen to what the Lord Almighty is Isaiah, 511 00:33:17,960 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 2: who prophesied so eloquently of Jesus Christ. He will be 512 00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:26,520 Speaker 2: a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment. 513 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,880 Speaker 2: He gives justice when you are in the seat of judgment, 514 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:38,160 Speaker 2: and he will be a source of strength to those 515 00:33:38,240 --> 00:33:48,440 Speaker 2: who turn back the battle at the gate. A lot 516 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 2: of the defeats that you have been suffering have been 517 00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:57,000 Speaker 2: because you've been fighting them on the wrong level. You've 518 00:33:57,040 --> 00:34:02,800 Speaker 2: been fighting them in the wrong place. But this is 519 00:34:02,840 --> 00:34:06,760 Speaker 2: our year to stop it. At the source. He will 520 00:34:06,800 --> 00:34:10,239 Speaker 2: be a source of strength. Starts with God, not with me. 521 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:15,840 Speaker 2: This is not self help. This is the overflowing, abundant 522 00:34:15,880 --> 00:34:19,760 Speaker 2: spirit of God that empowers believers, the spirit of justice, 523 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:23,240 Speaker 2: the holy spirit of God. He will be a source 524 00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:32,120 Speaker 2: of strength to him who sits in judgment and turns 525 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:39,440 Speaker 2: back the battle at the gate. If David had dealt 526 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:42,759 Speaker 2: with Absalom at the gate, Absolom wouldn't have had to 527 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:48,600 Speaker 2: die in the forest. And sometimes we let the devil 528 00:34:48,640 --> 00:34:52,200 Speaker 2: come all the way in, and then we pray to 529 00:34:52,239 --> 00:34:53,760 Speaker 2: God to get him off of our backs. 530 00:34:54,960 --> 00:34:58,759 Speaker 1: But the time to turn the devil back is at 531 00:34:58,760 --> 00:34:59,160 Speaker 1: the gate. 532 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:06,600 Speaker 2: The time to turn depression back. 533 00:35:08,239 --> 00:35:08,879 Speaker 1: Is at the gate. 534 00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:11,200 Speaker 2: And there is a word from God that will push 535 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:11,640 Speaker 2: back the. 536 00:35:11,680 --> 00:35:17,359 Speaker 1: Darkness, but it has to happen at the gate. 537 00:35:19,560 --> 00:35:22,200 Speaker 2: We're gonna learn about these gates for the next four weeks, 538 00:35:22,200 --> 00:35:25,719 Speaker 2: But it begins with the decision for you to take 539 00:35:26,120 --> 00:35:32,040 Speaker 2: your place in the gate, and we're gonna start getting 540 00:35:32,080 --> 00:35:37,560 Speaker 2: intentional about our thoughts so that we win the battle between. 541 00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:39,400 Speaker 1: The gates. 542 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:45,680 Speaker 2: We're gonna put Christ back on the throne, and then 543 00:35:45,719 --> 00:35:48,400 Speaker 2: we're gonna sit right there by him and guard our gates. 544 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:53,120 Speaker 2: I am seeded in heavenly places. If you're hearing this 545 00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 2: word right now, rejoice where you are. 546 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:57,360 Speaker 1: Rejoice in your kitchen. 547 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:00,640 Speaker 2: Come on, when you enter his gates with pray, you 548 00:36:00,920 --> 00:36:03,760 Speaker 2: drive back the devil before he ever gets a chance 549 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:06,080 Speaker 2: to sit down at your kitchen table. 550 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:10,680 Speaker 1: We're gonna turn back the devil, and we're. 551 00:36:10,520 --> 00:36:14,520 Speaker 2: Gonna make some decisions early this year. We're gonna set 552 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:16,160 Speaker 2: up some areas of our life where we're not gonna 553 00:36:16,200 --> 00:36:24,600 Speaker 2: negotiate anymore. We're getting back in the gate. And the 554 00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:29,000 Speaker 2: promise of God is this, that the gates of hell 555 00:36:29,080 --> 00:36:34,040 Speaker 2: will not prevail against it. There is so much revelation 556 00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:37,080 Speaker 2: that God wants to release, But this gate of change 557 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:40,080 Speaker 2: opens from the inside. So I want you to lift 558 00:36:40,080 --> 00:36:41,960 Speaker 2: your hands now. If you feel comfortable, stand to your feet. 559 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:47,319 Speaker 2: Some people think that lifting your hands is some sort 560 00:36:47,360 --> 00:36:51,920 Speaker 2: of denominational thing for exuberant emotional people, but really is 561 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:53,480 Speaker 2: just for people who know they need God. 562 00:36:55,120 --> 00:36:56,120 Speaker 1: I get it now, Dad. 563 00:36:57,640 --> 00:37:00,319 Speaker 2: Sometimes it's easier to run than to take responsibility. And 564 00:37:00,360 --> 00:37:03,600 Speaker 2: sometimes you don't run because you don't care. 565 00:37:05,520 --> 00:37:06,720 Speaker 1: You run because you're scared. 566 00:37:08,239 --> 00:37:11,719 Speaker 2: You run because you're a shamed You run because you've 567 00:37:11,760 --> 00:37:13,839 Speaker 2: tried to change before. And so you live your life 568 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:17,680 Speaker 2: in a chamber of isolation. But God is calling you 569 00:37:17,719 --> 00:37:20,400 Speaker 2: back in the gate. And I know you've been embarrassed 570 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 2: about some things, and I know you don't really believe 571 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:26,040 Speaker 2: in yourself anymore, and you haven't kept some promises to yourself, 572 00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:27,920 Speaker 2: so you don't feel like making anymore. And I know 573 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:31,480 Speaker 2: some people around you have kind of boxed you in. 574 00:37:31,560 --> 00:37:32,960 Speaker 2: They think they know how you are and you're not 575 00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:38,799 Speaker 2: going to be any different. But Jesus said, I am 576 00:37:38,800 --> 00:37:44,799 Speaker 2: the gate, not what people did, not even what you 577 00:37:44,840 --> 00:37:50,359 Speaker 2: think of yourself. I am the gate. Well, we come 578 00:37:50,360 --> 00:37:53,320 Speaker 2: before you this year, some of us with heavy hearts, 579 00:37:54,320 --> 00:37:55,680 Speaker 2: but all of us with expectation. 580 00:37:57,320 --> 00:37:58,800 Speaker 1: You didn't leave us here for nothing. 581 00:38:00,200 --> 00:38:03,520 Speaker 2: You didn't bring us into twenty eighteen just to drop 582 00:38:03,640 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 2: us at the gate. 583 00:38:05,960 --> 00:38:06,799 Speaker 1: So we're going in. 584 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:13,320 Speaker 2: We're going in, We're going to enter in your gates 585 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:21,000 Speaker 2: with thanksgiving and your courts with praise God. We're also 586 00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:24,640 Speaker 2: bringing some baggage. We're bringing some pain, and we're bringing 587 00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:31,840 Speaker 2: some questions. We're bringing some anxieties. We're bringing some ith onlies. 588 00:38:31,960 --> 00:38:33,759 Speaker 2: We're dropping them off at the gate, and we are 589 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:37,640 Speaker 2: entering into your joy. Thank you, Lord for the revelation 590 00:38:37,719 --> 00:38:39,600 Speaker 2: that you've given us today. It has been so sweet 591 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:40,280 Speaker 2: and meaningful. 592 00:38:42,239 --> 00:38:42,640 Speaker 1: I thank you. 593 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:44,680 Speaker 2: The change have fallen now because of the sound of 594 00:38:44,719 --> 00:38:46,840 Speaker 2: your word echoing forth from the portals of heaven and 595 00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:48,840 Speaker 2: doing what only you can do in the hearts of people. 596 00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:53,160 Speaker 2: I believe this is just the beginning, and so I 597 00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:55,600 Speaker 2: pray that this series would be unlike any that we've 598 00:38:55,600 --> 00:39:02,120 Speaker 2: ever known. The gates of change open from the inside. 599 00:39:02,719 --> 00:39:06,680 Speaker 2: You're a mighty God, and as we praise you today, 600 00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:11,120 Speaker 2: we expect the best of Heaven to empower us in 601 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:17,200 Speaker 2: broken places. Have your way, God, thank you for joining us. 602 00:39:17,480 --> 00:39:19,960 Speaker 2: Special thanks to those of you who give generously to 603 00:39:20,040 --> 00:39:23,520 Speaker 2: this ministry. Is because of you that this ministry is possible. 604 00:39:23,960 --> 00:39:26,520 Speaker 2: You can click the link in the description to give now, 605 00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:30,920 Speaker 2: or visit Elevationchurch dot org slash podcast for more information 606 00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:34,600 Speaker 2: and if you enjoyed the podcast, you can subscribe. You 607 00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:36,680 Speaker 2: can share it with your friends. You can click the 608 00:39:36,680 --> 00:39:39,000 Speaker 2: share button, take a screenshot and share it on your 609 00:39:39,000 --> 00:39:42,000 Speaker 2: social stories and tag us at Elevation Church. Thanks again 610 00:39:42,000 --> 00:39:48,080 Speaker 2: for listening. God bless you.