1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,200 Speaker 1: Let us pray blessed be God, even the Father of 2 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:08,800 Speaker 1: our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the 3 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, 4 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: that we may be able to comfort them which are 5 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are 6 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: comforted of God. Second Corinthians one three to four. Heavenly Father, 7 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: I bless your holy name. You are the only one 8 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: worthy of praise and adoration. You are the father of 9 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: your only begotten son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 10 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 1: In your great mercy, you sent him into this world 11 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: to redeem me from my sins and grant me eternal 12 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:49,879 Speaker 1: life through his shed blood on the cross. You are 13 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: the father of all mercies, filled with compassion and ready 14 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: to forgive the sincere believer who turns to you. Your 15 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:01,279 Speaker 1: nature is to show mercy and give me comfort through 16 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: whatever trial or tribulation I face. As I receive your 17 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 1: comfort and experience your faithfulness and my affliction, I am 18 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 1: able to comfort others in the same affliction. Having received 19 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,040 Speaker 1: the victory over my circumstances, I now have the anointing 20 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: to encourage others and bring them through to their victory 21 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: by your grace. No one can speak to an alcoholic 22 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: like a recovered alcoholic. No one can speak to a 23 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 1: broken heart like some one who knows the pain and 24 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: experience of that grief. Everything that I overcome becomes part 25 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,320 Speaker 1: of my testimony of your goodness that I can share 26 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: with others to encourage and comfort them, as you comforted me. 27 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: That which the enemy means for evil, you turn it 28 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: for my good and the good of others. In Jesus name. Amen. 29 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to today's daily prayer. For more 30 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: inspiration and in credible message from our feature pastor, stay 31 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: tuned to pray dot COM's Sunday service. 32 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 2: Today we're going to continue. We're actually gonna start in 33 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 2: a brand new series called. 34 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 3: Yes So Glad your Bible's out real quick. Let's go 35 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 3: together to. 36 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 2: Tewo Corinthians, and I want to start here Teton Cristians. 37 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 3: Chapter one, and let me go from verse twelve. 38 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 2: It says we can say with confidence and a clear 39 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:36,519 Speaker 2: conscience that we have lived with a God given holiness 40 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 2: and sincerity. 41 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,079 Speaker 3: In all our dealings. 42 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 2: We have depended on God's grace, not on our own 43 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 2: human wisdom. 44 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 3: That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world 45 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 3: and especially toward you. 46 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: Now, let us have been straightforward and there is nothing 47 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 2: written between the lines and nothing you can't understand. I 48 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 2: hope someday you will fully understand us. Even if you 49 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 2: don't understand us now, then on the day the Lord 50 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 2: Jesus wat you will be proud of us in the 51 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: same way that we are proud of you. 52 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 3: Since I was so. 53 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 2: Sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give 54 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 2: you a double blessing by visiting you twice, first on 55 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 2: my way to Macedonia and again when I return from Macedonia. 56 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 3: Then you could send me on. 57 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,799 Speaker 2: My way to Judea. You may be asking why I 58 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 2: change my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? 59 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 2: Do you think I'm like the people of the world 60 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 2: who say yes when they really mean no. As surely 61 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 2: as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver. 62 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 3: Between yes and no. For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, 63 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 3: does not waver between yes and no. He is the one. 64 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 2: Who's silas Timothy and I preach to you, and as 65 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 2: God's ultimate yes, he always does what he says. For 66 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 2: all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with 67 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 2: a resounding yes and through Christ our amen, which means yes, 68 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 2: ascends to God for his glory. I want to spend 69 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 2: the next year weeks getting conference ready by deepening our 70 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 2: understanding of God's great permission when it comes to working 71 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 2: out his will. 72 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 3: And I want to kick us off today with a sermon. 73 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 3: I'm entitling. 74 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 2: Yes, what's next? Yes, what's next? Excited for the Word 75 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 2: of God? 76 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 3: You excited for this series? 77 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 2: I'm so excited. So why don't you do something that 78 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 2: you prepare for the Word of God. Salute someone, wink. 79 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 3: At them, give them a high five if you dare, 80 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 3: and then take your seat. Go for it, Go for it, 81 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 3: go for it, go for it. Amen, Amen Amen. 82 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:43,920 Speaker 2: So a little surprise announcement, this series is actually based 83 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 2: on my upcoming book that has the same title as 84 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: this series. 85 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 3: Pretty part. 86 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 2: You see, I wrote my first book a couple of 87 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 2: years ago now and it was called Foux Real and 88 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 2: I put my heart and soul into that book. 89 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 3: It was the first book. So it took me two 90 00:04:58,760 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 3: years to write this book. 91 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: And took two years because I literally labeled over every 92 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 2: single word, every single word. I wanted to have emphasis 93 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,360 Speaker 2: every single word. I wanted the whole meaning. I didn't 94 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 2: want to just use a word. I wanted to use 95 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 2: the word that would. 96 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 3: Articulate it correctly. 97 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 2: And so it was a painstaking process, revision after revision, 98 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 2: and hours every single Monday literally writing, writing, writing, and 99 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: we finally put the book out and it was such 100 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 2: an amazing moment to get the book out there, especially 101 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 2: even the title so Real, because I labor over words 102 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 2: when we're writing songs. I labor over lyrics because I 103 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 2: want lyrics to actually have the emphasis of what we're 104 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 2: singing and what we want to articulate, but we don't 105 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 2: know to articulate. The difference between songwriting a book writing 106 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 2: is you just get more words with the book. 107 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 3: But the title, when. 108 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:47,279 Speaker 2: We came up with a title, it's like it articulated 109 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 2: everything we wanted to say. So real because the book 110 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 2: about faith a book that illuminated the facade that fear 111 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 2: will present to you, holding you back, but what breaks 112 00:05:55,760 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 2: through that facade is faith, and it articulated so stinking well, 113 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,359 Speaker 2: and I love her. I feel like I captured the 114 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: concepts so well. Then one day I was at a 115 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,359 Speaker 2: conference and I had a guy come up to me 116 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 2: and he. 117 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 3: Said, Pastor ad him and I didn't know this guy. 118 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 2: I was excited to meet him. He knew me, so 119 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 2: I was very excited to have a conversation. And he said, 120 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 2: Pastor Adam, I just got done reading one. 121 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 3: Of your books. 122 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 2: And I thought that was cool because I didn't want to, 123 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 2: you know, pop the bubble, the elevated perspective he had 124 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 2: of me knowing only had one book. 125 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 3: So I literally responded, I said, oh, really, which one? 126 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 3: I promise I did. He didn't need to know an 127 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 3: the other way, you know, And I said, oh, funny 128 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 3: like which one? And my my moment was short lived 129 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:50,599 Speaker 3: because he quickly said, oh, yeah, fox real. 130 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: I said, you mean so real, and I swear to you. 131 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 2: He said, oh, is that how you pronounce it? I said, 132 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 2: hang on, what you're telling me. 133 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 3: You read fur real where I used the word fo three. 134 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 2: Hundred and fifty seven times in that book, and every 135 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 2: time you read it as fox. That day was the 136 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 2: day I decided the title of my new book would 137 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 2: be yes. 138 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 3: Yes, I love that word. Everyone can read it now. 139 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 2: While I absolutely love the simplicity of that word and 140 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 2: the fact that it's easy to read, the truth is 141 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 2: you will be hard pressed finding a word in the 142 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 2: English language that reveals more possibility and releases more authority 143 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 2: than yes. Is he as a word, yes is more 144 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 2: than merely approving or agreeing to something. At times, it 145 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 2: becomes the very verbal kiddy that unlocks potential and activates 146 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 2: promise of eighteen reveals this that there is life and 147 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 2: death in the tongue, which essentially means that words hold weight. 148 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 3: That's what that means. 149 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 2: When there's life and death in the tongue, that what 150 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 2: you speak, every word you use has weight to it. 151 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 2: There's weight to the words that we used. To be 152 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 2: careful about the words that you use. And I'm prepared 153 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 2: to spend the next few weeks convincing you that yes 154 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: is one of the most life giving words that you can. 155 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 3: Have at your disposal because, in the right. 156 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: Context and empowers and it gives permission. A yes is 157 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 2: required when entering into a contract or a covenant. A 158 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 2: yes confirms allegiance and it creates alignment. Militarily speaking, a 159 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 2: yes connected with sir is used to acknowledge commands to 160 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 2: mobilize units and deploy resources. Yes confirms and it also 161 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 2: affirms and then within the Kingdom of God. It is 162 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 2: the language of bold faith. 163 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 3: That's yes. If this were a leadership gathering, I would 164 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 3: present the notion. 165 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 2: That yes is the language of a high capacity leader 166 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 2: and is essentially what sets them apart from the crowd 167 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: in an organization you see bold leaders. Yes not only 168 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,679 Speaker 2: carries authority, but will communicate. 169 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 3: Conviction, and not even just conviction. 170 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: It will communicate conviction in the midst of intimidation, and 171 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 2: when it used correctly, it reveals a leader's decisive, direct, 172 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 2: and determined nature. 173 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,079 Speaker 3: However, let's just leave that for the hype. 174 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 2: Sessions for the moment at Amen conference and keep our 175 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 2: kingdom focus for this moment, Because throughout the Bible you 176 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 2: will find that Jesus is given many names. 177 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 3: His name is Jesus. It is the name above all names, but. 178 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 2: Jesus in reference to different attributes, different elements of his calling, 179 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 2: his purpose. There were names that were given to Jesus 180 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 2: to articulate Jesus. 181 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 3: So that we can know him better. 182 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 2: For instance, Jesus is referred to its savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Creator, 183 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 2: bread of Life, Lord, son of God, son of Man, 184 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 2: son of David, the only forgotten Son, beloved One, Holy, 185 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 2: one of Israel, wonderful counsel of Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 186 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:08,439 Speaker 2: Prince of Peace, King of Kings, or Mighty One, emmanual 187 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 2: Lamb of God, our Rock, our chief cornerstone, our great Shepherd, 188 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 2: the Word of God, the True Vine, the line of 189 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 2: the Tribe of jud To, the bright and morning Star, 190 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 2: the Lily of the Valley, the visible image of the 191 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 2: Invisible God, the Great I Am, the Way, the Truth, 192 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 2: the Light, the Anointed One and the Anointing, the Aimen 193 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 2: of Heaven, and God's Ultimate. 194 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 3: Yes, these are some of the names. 195 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 2: That are given to Jesus, and that second. 196 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 3: To last one, the Aimen of Heaven. I love that name. 197 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 3: That name was given to Jesus refers to. 198 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 2: Jesus's response to the redemptive plan of God in redemption 199 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 2: for humanity. 200 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 3: Then, as the Counsel of Heaven gathered together as God, 201 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 3: the Father, God, the Son God, the. 202 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit, as they agreed that in the fall and 203 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 2: sin entering into the world, that thee would redeem humanity. 204 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 2: Jesus yes, to be the sacrificial. 205 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,079 Speaker 3: Lamb, the purpose sacrifice. He awarded the name the Aimen 206 00:10:59,120 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 3: of Heaven. 207 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 2: You know, in the same way we also give an 208 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 2: opportunity to respond to the purpose of God, which is 209 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 2: known as his will for our life, as. 210 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 3: Known as his will. 211 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 2: God's will is God's plan. God's will is God's purpose 212 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 2: for each of you. Each of you have a purpose 213 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 2: from God. 214 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 3: I know that sounds simple and maybe something we. 215 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 2: Should be preaching the raw kids, and we are, but 216 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 2: a lot of you have a bad memory and a 217 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 2: good forgettory. So I need to remind you that you 218 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 2: have a purpose in God. You have a purpose that 219 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: is God's will. That's I love that it's called God 220 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 2: God's will and not God's won't because it's all about 221 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 2: what he will do. 222 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 3: In your life and what He wants to do in 223 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 3: your life. And the truth of the matter is God's 224 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:58,600 Speaker 3: will is active. God has a will that he wants 225 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 3: to do. And I. 226 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 2: Think it would be difficult for us to find any single. 227 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 3: Believer in here that doesn't want his will to be done. 228 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 3: I think we'd be hard pressed. I think most of 229 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 3: us here, I'm gonna go out in a limb and I'm. 230 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 2: Gonna say that all of us here would want God's 231 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 2: will to be done. It ain't like any of us 232 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:19,840 Speaker 2: don't want God's will to be done. It's not like 233 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 2: we're praying, Lord, let your will not be done in 234 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 2: my life. No, No, we're definitely praying God, let it 235 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 2: be done. I want your will done in my life. However, 236 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 2: God does not force his will, so for his will 237 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 2: to be done it requires our yes. It's like, what 238 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 2: if I was to propose to you today that seeing 239 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 2: God's will done in and through your life is completely hinged. 240 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 3: On your yes? Are you here? He's still here now? Now? 241 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 2: If that's the case, then what holds us back from 242 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 2: saying yes. 243 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 3: To God's will? Like like if I can go out. 244 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 2: In the limit say that everyone wants God's will to 245 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 2: be done, but we know that God doesn't force his will. 246 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 2: It requires our yes. What's holding us back? Well, could 247 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 2: possibly be preventing us from saying yes to God's will. 248 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 2: I wonder if the tension could possibly come from not 249 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:21,319 Speaker 2: actually being clear on what it is that God wants 250 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: or what God is asking of us. In other words, 251 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 2: I wonder if we hold back our yes because we 252 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,360 Speaker 2: don't actually know God's will or what it is I'm 253 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 2: saying yes to. 254 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 3: I wonder I wonder if we want to but we 255 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 3: don't know what to. 256 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 2: I wonder if we, like, I love the idea that 257 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:42,599 Speaker 2: God's got a will, that God's got a purpose, that 258 00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 2: God's got a plan, and I'm ready to say yes 259 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 2: if God would just reveal it, like like if God 260 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 2: would just show me, if God would just tell me, 261 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 2: I'm ready with it. 262 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,319 Speaker 3: Yes, I'm equipped, I'm ready, I'm locked onloaded. Let's give it. Yes, 263 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:54,079 Speaker 3: But I just would like. 264 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:55,839 Speaker 2: To know what it is, God that you're asking of 265 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 2: me to do in this list. 266 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 3: And I'm ready to say yes. But what is that? 267 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 2: Well, maybe we could actually take a moment on the 268 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 2: first and storm of this series to explore and understand 269 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 2: the will of God today, because it's actually what the 270 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 2: apostle Paul is trying to defend here with the Corinthians. 271 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 3: In this interesting passage of scripture. 272 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:18,320 Speaker 2: That we have in set Corinthians as an apostle, we 273 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 2: find him explaining his position because of a pivot that. 274 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 3: He made in his plans. 275 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 2: Now, now, I know, from the surface this may seem 276 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 2: a little stupid, because I. 277 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 3: Mean, plans change all the time. 278 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 2: How man, people know what I'm talking about, Like in 279 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 2: this modern era, plans anybody taken a flight lately and 280 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 2: anybody anybody has to fly for the careers or whatever, 281 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 2: like you know what I'm talking about. It is actually 282 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 2: more common for there to be a delay than there 283 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 2: is for a plane to be on time. So we 284 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 2: expect things to change. We expect change like the rare 285 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 2: occasion that a flight is on time, You're. 286 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 3: Like, oh wow, this is this is novel. One of 287 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 3: the most confusing things to me when you get. 288 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 2: On a flight and inevitably there's a delay, say it's 289 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 2: twenty minutes, thirty minutes. 290 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 3: You're sitting on the runway and then they find like. 291 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 2: Okay, we're just in traffic and we're gonna take off, 292 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 2: and the captain says, but don't worry, we're gonna make. 293 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 3: Up time in the air. I'm always like, well, why 294 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 3: didn't we just do that in the first place? Like 295 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 3: how is it that we can leave half an hour 296 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 3: later and still arrive at the same time. 297 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 2: Were you taking the scenic rout before? Like, were you 298 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 2: on the you know, the long way? Like why can't 299 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 2: we just go direct? 300 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 3: That's what I want to know. But we expect things 301 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 3: to change. 302 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 2: We have this expectation that because there's so many moving 303 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 2: parts in life, we expect things to change, So why 304 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 2: is it that they're so upset with the plan change 305 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 2: the church. To understand why Paul's change of plans were 306 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 2: so jolting to the early Church, you're actually you actually 307 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 2: need to understand their perspective because scripture reveals that God 308 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 2: is unchanging. 309 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 3: This is what we find in Hebrews, chapter thirteenth. 310 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 4: Verse eight that says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday 311 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 4: and today and forever. This is actually what produces so 312 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 4: much incredible sit security in the believer, especially in the 313 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 4: Early Church, from their perspective to know that God is 314 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 4: not like the Greek gods of those days, who are 315 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 4: emotional and easily manipulated by and they have like ups 316 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 4: and downs and highs and lows, and by determining what 317 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 4: you do or don't do, the sacrifices that you make 318 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 4: will determine whether there's a storm or calm seas or 319 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 4: all these kinds of things. 320 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 2: For them to know that our God is not fickle 321 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 2: like those gods, that our God is stable, that he 322 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 2: is steadfast, that he is unchanging, that his. 323 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 3: Promise still good despite our emotional change. God is steadfast, steadfast. 324 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 3: This is the perspective. 325 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 2: The God of Heaven promises to be steadfast throughout generations Deuteronomy. 326 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 3: Chapter seven, verse nine. Know therefore that the Lord your 327 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 3: God is God, the. 328 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 2: Faithful God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those 329 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 2: who love him, and keeps. 330 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 3: His commandments to a thousand generations. 331 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 2: However, the apostle was not only following his own plans. 332 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 2: He was also being directed by the Holy Spirit. You see, 333 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 2: this is what he was attempting to reveal to the church, 334 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 2: that as the people of God, we are in a 335 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 2: partnership with God. This is a very important understanding, that 336 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:18,080 Speaker 2: we are in a partnership. That there are two parts 337 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 2: to the purpose of God. That there is the plan 338 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 2: of God and then you have a part. It's called 339 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 2: a partnership. So in other words, we make plans. 340 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 3: We make plans, we make plans. 341 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 2: We devise our best strategies, we employ our creative ability 342 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,439 Speaker 2: with regards to the calling of God, while at the 343 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:43,199 Speaker 2: same time flowing with the leading of the Holy Spirit. 344 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 2: In fact, this is what Paul had worked out. 345 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 3: This is the way he worked He was we know 346 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 3: this from scripture. 347 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 2: He was called by God to take the Gospel to 348 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:56,720 Speaker 2: the gentiles, and to do that he designed these missionary 349 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 2: journeys that he would go on. 350 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,199 Speaker 3: There were his designing design. He's pretty clever about it too. 351 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 2: If you if you go back to the end of 352 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 2: your Bible, you get the maps, we're gonna see in 353 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:07,159 Speaker 2: the maps is you're gonna see Paul's missionary journeys. And 354 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 2: you actually wanna see this is clever event planning from 355 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 2: Paul is like, you know what, he goes from this 356 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,640 Speaker 2: city to that country, and in that country, he hits 357 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 2: a few cities in that. 358 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:18,160 Speaker 3: Country to go to another country. 359 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 2: He doesn't go from that country to this city in 360 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 2: another country and go back. 361 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,880 Speaker 3: He doesn't backtrack. He he does a circular motion. It's 362 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 3: kind of clever, good, good trip plan. And if I 363 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 3: was to suggest so, and that was Paul, that was 364 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:35,680 Speaker 3: all Paul. One. God was Paul. God called him Paul planned. 365 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 3: God called him Paul planned. 366 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:45,399 Speaker 2: However, at the same time, we see on several occasions, 367 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 2: while on these journeys, either. 368 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 3: By circumstance or by direct speaking. 369 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:53,400 Speaker 2: Of the Holy Spirit, Paul would have to pivot in 370 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 2: his plans. There was even this one time where he 371 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 2: planned to go to preach at Asia, but it was 372 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 2: prevented and he was directed midway by the Holy Spirit. 373 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 2: Check it out Acts Chapter sixteen, Verse six. It says, 374 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 2: next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Frasier 375 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,640 Speaker 2: and Galatia because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from 376 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:11,120 Speaker 2: preaching the Word in the province of. 377 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 3: Asia at that time verse seven. 378 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,920 Speaker 2: Then coming to the borders of Mejia, they headed north 379 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,679 Speaker 2: for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of 380 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 2: Jesus did not allow them to go there, so instead 381 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,119 Speaker 2: they went through Meja to the seaport of Troaz. 382 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:27,960 Speaker 3: That night, Paul had a. 383 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 2: Vision a man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, 384 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 2: pleading with him come over to Macedonia and help us. 385 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 3: So check this out. 386 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 2: We decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded 387 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 2: God was calling us to preach the good news there. 388 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 2: Did you see that several times Paul had made this plan, 389 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 2: He had a trippet or planned out, and Holy spirits 390 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:58,199 Speaker 2: hijacking it, literally hijacking the trippet and saying you're not 391 00:19:58,200 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 2: going to go there, so preventive. 392 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:00,920 Speaker 3: He didn't know why I sa like I can't go there. 393 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,360 Speaker 2: He and his planning tries to go another way, gets 394 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 2: prevented again. Then he's sleeping at night, he gets this 395 00:20:06,359 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 2: vision of this man from Macedonia, and this man from 396 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,680 Speaker 2: Macedonia in the vision is crying out to Paul saying, 397 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:14,920 Speaker 2: come and help us. So he has a little committee 398 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:16,920 Speaker 2: meeting with Silas and Timothy and. 399 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:17,560 Speaker 3: The three of them. 400 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 2: They said, having decided, we concluded the order is imperative. 401 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:30,200 Speaker 2: Having decided, we then concluded it wasn't concluded, then decided 402 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:35,240 Speaker 2: it was decided, then concluded having decided to go. 403 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 3: They concluded it was God. I thought it would be. 404 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 3: Having concluded it was God, we decided. 405 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 2: No was They decided, having concluded that there was a 406 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 2: there was a decision to start moving. There was a 407 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:57,000 Speaker 2: decision that I think this is God. I think this 408 00:20:57,080 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 2: is God. Wi the way God works in your life. 409 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 2: It's hard to see the will of. 410 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:02,640 Speaker 3: God in foresight. 411 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 2: It is really easy in hindsight, really clearing in the 412 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:11,919 Speaker 2: review mirror to see the way God works. 413 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,119 Speaker 3: And what we find here is that this articulation of 414 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 3: partnership is powerful. 415 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 2: That we decided, having concluded, hope that thought for a moment, 416 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 2: because similar with the with the Corinthians, what Paul had 417 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 2: originally planned was to come and stay with them for 418 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 2: the winter, but instead he pivoted on the plan. 419 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 3: To come in person, and instead he pens this letter. 420 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,640 Speaker 3: And the church is not happy about it. The church 421 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 3: is kind of mad. 422 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:39,560 Speaker 2: Church is kind of upset. It kind of like, hang on, 423 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 2: hang on, you're not coming. I feel as what the 424 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,120 Speaker 2: Romans the Italians would say if we went to we're 425 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 2: planning to go to Rome and then we said, oh, 426 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 2: by the way, we're not, but I'm sending you a letter. 427 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:59,920 Speaker 2: That they're mad, they're upset. Some were even accusing Paul 428 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:04,160 Speaker 2: being fickle, suggesting that he's yes really means no. Now 429 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:06,560 Speaker 2: I know what you're thinking, like, isn't this what you 430 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 2: want in an apostle that he listens to the Holy Spirit? 431 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 3: Like that's what I would think the qualification of an 432 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 3: apostle is that he's like, oh sorry. 433 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:19,000 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit said like, hunt, I gotta do this. You know, 434 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:24,440 Speaker 2: I understand, but they're mad. Well, what you're gonna understand 435 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 2: for the Corinthians is this. This posed the potential problem 436 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 2: because how is anyone possibly meant to know God's will 437 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 2: if it keeps changing. That's the problem that presented him 438 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 2: with how is anyone meant to really know God's will? 439 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:46,479 Speaker 2: If God's will keeps changing? And this is what they 440 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,919 Speaker 2: were questioning. This is what they were confronted with. And 441 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:51,679 Speaker 2: what we see is we think about it as a 442 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,639 Speaker 2: follower of Jesus, we're actually instructive throughout the Word of 443 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 2: God to know and understand his will. 444 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 3: For example, let me give you some scripture Colossians. 445 00:22:59,080 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 2: One nine that says, so from the day we heard, 446 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:04,439 Speaker 2: we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that 447 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:07,440 Speaker 2: you may be filled with the knowledge of His will 448 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:12,400 Speaker 2: in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Likewise, in Ephesians chapter five, 449 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:15,040 Speaker 2: verse seventeen, it says, therefore, do not be foolish. 450 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 3: But understand what the will of the Lord is. 451 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 2: Also Romans twelve two, don't copy the customs and the 452 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:23,360 Speaker 2: behavior of this world, but let God transform you into 453 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,120 Speaker 2: a new person by changing the way you think. Then 454 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 2: you will learn to know God's will for you, which 455 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 2: is good, pleasing, and perfect. 456 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:35,439 Speaker 3: So to the point of the Corinthians, how are we 457 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 3: meant to know. 458 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:40,400 Speaker 2: What God's will is if it's subject to change? 459 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 3: How are we meant to put faith in God's will? 460 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 2: If God will change his will? Last week, as I mentioned, 461 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 2: we got to be in our campus in Italy, both 462 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 2: the campuses, and I love it because one we're there 463 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 2: with the Italians, it's like you feel like an apostle. 464 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:07,040 Speaker 2: It's so fun because they're so excited to see you, 465 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:08,679 Speaker 2: and I love them so much, so deeply. 466 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:11,359 Speaker 3: Italians are expressive. Anybody know an Italian? Okay? 467 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:15,160 Speaker 2: Italians put their emotions right out there. Okay, they put 468 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 2: it like front and center. And so we always have 469 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:20,360 Speaker 2: this long line of people that are waiting to talk 470 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:22,439 Speaker 2: to us. The problem is they speak Italian and we 471 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:24,679 Speaker 2: speak English, and neither of us speak both, and so 472 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 2: it's kind of. 473 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 3: But it works. We figure it out. 474 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 2: There's a lot of hugs, like a thousand nothern kisses 475 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 2: on every cheek that you've got, and then ultimately we 476 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 2: end up just going out to the next person. Now 477 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:38,120 Speaker 2: at the same time, while I'm in Rome, I love 478 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 2: the hugs, I love the kisses, I love the food. 479 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,439 Speaker 2: But there's this particular run I like in Rome that 480 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,359 Speaker 2: I created for the run club. How many in the 481 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:46,439 Speaker 2: rug club, the three of us love you, Okay, So 482 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 2: in this runk club, we got this run called the 483 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:50,320 Speaker 2: Monument Run. 484 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 3: Check this out. It's this particular run around the city 485 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 3: of Rome that hits like the epic monuments. 486 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,040 Speaker 2: You've got the Colosseum, you've got the Roman Forum, you've 487 00:24:57,040 --> 00:25:00,200 Speaker 2: got the Treviy Fountain, you've got the Spanish Steps, all 488 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 2: these different. 489 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,960 Speaker 3: Monuments that you hit on this six mile run, and 490 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 3: it's epic. It's so fun. And I went out early, 491 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 3: like real early. It was hot in Rome, so. 492 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 2: I went out super early, like five point thirty in 493 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 2: the morning. The sun is barely coming up. And as 494 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 2: I'm out there, I get to the Trevy Fountain and 495 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:23,360 Speaker 2: to much surprise, there are all these influences there getting photos. 496 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:26,400 Speaker 2: Like I expected it to be desolate at five thirty 497 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 2: in the morning. 498 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 3: The sun isn't even up, but they're all there. 499 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: And this is crazy because you know, in the middle 500 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 2: of the day, there's like thousands of people there and 501 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 2: you can't get your like your isolated shot, like. 502 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:37,439 Speaker 3: You're the only one there. And so what they do 503 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 3: is they got five thirty in the. 504 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:43,639 Speaker 2: Morning and they set up their portable led lights like 505 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 2: a camera crew. You ever seen a camera crew on location, 506 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:47,639 Speaker 2: and they're like the lights on them and the reporter 507 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 2: take away the microphone. 508 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:49,440 Speaker 3: That's what they're doing. 509 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 2: They're literally just getting their posing like they're the only 510 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:52,320 Speaker 2: person there. 511 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 3: And it was actually spectacular because it looked like daylight. 512 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:57,200 Speaker 3: They had ripped these. 513 00:25:57,160 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 2: Lights in such a way that it literally looked like 514 00:25:59,240 --> 00:25:59,919 Speaker 2: daylight on them. 515 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:04,359 Speaker 3: They're fakers. I am following unfollowing every influencer. You're faker. 516 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:07,159 Speaker 3: If you're an influencer, here your faker. But they're faking 517 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 3: it and it was impressive. I stopped for a few minutes. 518 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:17,400 Speaker 2: Just watching like they're doing the poses like, and they 519 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:18,880 Speaker 2: did amazing stuff. 520 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:21,280 Speaker 3: Like they were just frollicking this like all these people. 521 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 2: But they angled the camera in such a way that 522 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 2: it looked like it was only them in the fountain, 523 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,560 Speaker 2: throwing points over their shoulder and. 524 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:34,879 Speaker 3: With the foot like yes, travel bloggers whatever. 525 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 2: They were clever, and I was laughing at them. But 526 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:44,960 Speaker 2: then I got thinking they're actually pretty clever because instead 527 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:49,199 Speaker 2: of waiting for sunset and getting crowded out, they simply 528 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 2: provided the light and got the shot. 529 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:55,880 Speaker 3: I was wondering if the will of God may work 530 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,159 Speaker 3: in a similar way. Stay with me. 531 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 2: I mean, we're off on waiting for God to reveal 532 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,639 Speaker 2: his will so that we can respond with a yes. 533 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:07,639 Speaker 3: That's how we approach God's will. God, if I just 534 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:10,439 Speaker 3: knew what your will is, I'd say yes. But what 535 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:11,840 Speaker 3: if it's less about waiting. 536 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:16,080 Speaker 2: On God's will and more about giving God something to 537 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 2: work his will through? 538 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 3: Can I say it again for this side? 539 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 2: What if it's less about waiting on God to reveal 540 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 2: his will and more about giving. 541 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 3: God something to work his will through. 542 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:34,000 Speaker 2: To stay with me, this may be the very thing 543 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:36,360 Speaker 2: that either breaks the Internet or gives you the revelation 544 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:38,479 Speaker 2: to walk out the will of God in your life, 545 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,640 Speaker 2: because ultimately, what you've been doing is you've been paused, 546 00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:44,040 Speaker 2: hung up waiting. If God would just show me what 547 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:45,640 Speaker 2: I'm meant to do, then I would do it. 548 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:48,760 Speaker 3: I'm a willing person, but I want to know what 549 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:49,160 Speaker 3: it is. 550 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,520 Speaker 2: What if it's less about waiting God for God to 551 00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:54,960 Speaker 2: reveal it and more about you giving him something? 552 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 3: For instance, what if instead of waiting. 553 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:00,480 Speaker 2: For the model marriage, I give God I've got for 554 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 2: him to reveal his will. 555 00:28:01,359 --> 00:28:04,520 Speaker 3: At work in me. What what if what if instead 556 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:05,760 Speaker 3: of waiting for the for. 557 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 2: The exact career that God has got for me, I 558 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:12,000 Speaker 2: just give him my current job and allow him. 559 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:13,240 Speaker 3: To work his generosity through that. 560 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:15,960 Speaker 2: Well, what if what if instead of waiting on everything 561 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 2: to be ideal, for him to reveal it, or from 562 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 2: start to finish to give him my yes? 563 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 3: What if instead I just say yes? Now? What What 564 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 3: if I just said yes? Now? 565 00:28:30,359 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 2: What what if instead of responding with yes, I lead 566 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:37,040 Speaker 2: with yes? Oh, say this is gonna help, This is 567 00:28:37,040 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 2: gonna help, stay with him, stay with him, this is 568 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,400 Speaker 2: gonna help so much. Because maybe the problem is the 569 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:43,760 Speaker 2: fact that I'm trying to work out what God wants 570 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 2: before I say yes. 571 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 3: But maybe I could instead give my yes. 572 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:52,959 Speaker 2: And now remember remember Paul's position in actual chapter sixteen. 573 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:56,920 Speaker 2: He says, so we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, 574 00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:00,360 Speaker 2: having concluded that God was calling us to reach the 575 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:06,120 Speaker 2: good news there. Having decided, we concluded, Well, I wonder 576 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 2: if deciding to pursue God's will. 577 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,240 Speaker 3: Is meant to know, it is meant to proceed knowing 578 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:12,720 Speaker 3: God's will. 579 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:24,760 Speaker 2: What if deciding to pursue God's will precedes knowing God's will. 580 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 2: Let me put it this way, what if God's plan 581 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:29,920 Speaker 2: is that you wouldn't know. 582 00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 3: His will? Stay with me. I'm meant to be producing faith, pastor, 583 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 3: And now you're putting fear in me. I understand, I understand. 584 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 2: But go with me because I want to propose to 585 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:52,440 Speaker 2: you that God's will is so magnificent, that God's will 586 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:55,840 Speaker 2: for you is so big that if you fully knew 587 00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:59,520 Speaker 2: knew his will, that you would probably have an aneurysm 588 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:03,040 Speaker 2: and die on the spot because you also know you 589 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:05,880 Speaker 2: and there is no way you being you could fulfeel 590 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:06,440 Speaker 2: what God. 591 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:06,760 Speaker 3: Has for you. 592 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 2: But you don't know that God has a plan for 593 00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:10,960 Speaker 2: you along the journey to prepare you for who He's 594 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:12,880 Speaker 2: called you to be and what he has for you. 595 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:15,560 Speaker 2: So maybe there is a mystery to his will to 596 00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 2: start with, so that instead of me knowing the will 597 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:20,520 Speaker 2: so I can say yes, I can actually say yes. Now, 598 00:30:20,560 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 2: what what if we know as we go? 599 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:29,760 Speaker 3: Let me say it the better way? What if we 600 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:34,800 Speaker 3: know as we grow? Oh help me preach church. I'm 601 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:35,240 Speaker 3: telling you. 602 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:37,880 Speaker 2: We're just starting at the series. What if it's not 603 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:39,840 Speaker 2: meant to know before I go? But what if I 604 00:30:39,880 --> 00:30:41,720 Speaker 2: know as I grow? Let me give you some Bible 605 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:43,959 Speaker 2: because I know you need some help. Colossian chapter one, 606 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:46,040 Speaker 2: verse nine. We read it before it told us that 607 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:47,560 Speaker 2: we need to know God's will. It says, so we 608 00:30:47,600 --> 00:30:50,040 Speaker 2: have stopped. We have not stopped praying for you since 609 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,760 Speaker 2: we first heard about you. We asked God to give 610 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:55,400 Speaker 2: you complete knowledge of his will and to give you 611 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:58,200 Speaker 2: spiritual wisdom and understanding. Well, that kind of seems to 612 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 2: contradict what past is preaching. That Paula's praying that we 613 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:05,760 Speaker 2: would have complete knowledge, that we would have complete understanding. 614 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 3: Of his will. That was the apostle's prayer. 615 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:10,880 Speaker 2: And don't worry, I believe that. But don't stop reading 616 00:31:10,880 --> 00:31:13,520 Speaker 2: on verse nine. Make sure you go to verse ten 617 00:31:13,840 --> 00:31:17,520 Speaker 2: because verse ten says, then the way you live will 618 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 2: always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will 619 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:23,680 Speaker 2: produce every kind of good food. 620 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:28,600 Speaker 3: Check this out. All the while you will grow as. 621 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:33,040 Speaker 2: You learn to know God better and better. That you 622 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 2: will grow as you learn to know. This is what 623 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:38,520 Speaker 2: paul is trying to put before the church. If you're 624 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 2: hesitating waiting for God to reveal the plan before you 625 00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:43,960 Speaker 2: say yes, what do you think you're. 626 00:31:43,880 --> 00:31:47,880 Speaker 3: Saying in the meantime? No? 627 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 2: The absence of yes is a no. So while you're 628 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 2: sitting there waiting God, if you just. 629 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:57,840 Speaker 3: Reveal your will so I can say yes, you're actually 630 00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 3: saying no. Until no one too, no one too. 631 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:09,360 Speaker 2: What's even worse is just saying I'll decide. Let me 632 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:13,000 Speaker 2: hear your will so I can say yes. 633 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:16,720 Speaker 3: But what if the will is something that you don't 634 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:17,120 Speaker 3: want to do? 635 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:22,520 Speaker 2: What if his will is that you would give up 636 00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:27,040 Speaker 2: everything and serve him? 637 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 3: What if? What if God's will. 638 00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:31,960 Speaker 2: Is that he would position you in a different posture 639 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 2: or a different career, or call you to step out 640 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:34,840 Speaker 2: by faith. 641 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:37,520 Speaker 3: That's do something that's on. Well, actually, let me let 642 00:32:37,560 --> 00:32:41,200 Speaker 3: me say this. What if it is not? What if 643 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:42,920 Speaker 3: it is his. 644 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:47,000 Speaker 2: Will to call you new uncomfortable things and you're gonna 645 00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:48,560 Speaker 2: wait for that uncomfortable thing and then. 646 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:54,000 Speaker 3: Say, oh, well, was gonna say yes? But what if 647 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:55,040 Speaker 3: God's looking for obedience? 648 00:32:56,800 --> 00:33:01,000 Speaker 2: What if God's looking for faith not feelings? What if 649 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:02,680 Speaker 2: God is looking for a people that will say yes? 650 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:04,880 Speaker 3: Now what? Yes? Now? What? 651 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 2: Having decided, we concluded, what if God's looking for those 652 00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:12,520 Speaker 2: who will decide? God, You've got my yes. Whatever comes next? 653 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:15,280 Speaker 2: Are already on God, You've got my yes whatever comes next? 654 00:33:15,440 --> 00:33:16,720 Speaker 2: I mean, God, You've got my yes. 655 00:33:16,800 --> 00:33:19,200 Speaker 3: Now? What what if God is looking for those who decide? 656 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:22,440 Speaker 2: Then, having concluded that God's in it, here's the way 657 00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:23,080 Speaker 2: God works, and. 658 00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:24,280 Speaker 3: I've got to illuminate it to you. 659 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:27,800 Speaker 2: It is so difficult to see the God's will going forward, 660 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:29,680 Speaker 2: but when you look back over your life, you can 661 00:33:29,760 --> 00:33:33,040 Speaker 2: acknowledge it so clearly. You can see that God's will 662 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:36,200 Speaker 2: was working through even the bad things. Was a God's 663 00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:44,600 Speaker 2: will for me to go through a hard season? Maybe actually. 664 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:51,000 Speaker 3: Quite possibly Actually you're like, that doesn't sound like a 665 00:33:51,040 --> 00:33:51,520 Speaker 3: loving God. 666 00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:55,080 Speaker 2: Well, maybe not in the midst of the deficit, not 667 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,720 Speaker 2: in the midst of the lack of funds when you're 668 00:33:57,720 --> 00:34:02,040 Speaker 2: trying to pay rent and you're trying to build a company, 669 00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:03,920 Speaker 2: you're trying to do something, not in the midst of 670 00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:08,960 Speaker 2: a feel loving But maybe a loving God could foresee 671 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:10,960 Speaker 2: the way that you were growing your confidence in your 672 00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:13,960 Speaker 2: own finances and not relying on him, that he could 673 00:34:13,960 --> 00:34:16,319 Speaker 2: see if you stayed going on that pathway, the chasm 674 00:34:16,400 --> 00:34:18,719 Speaker 2: between where your our security and him would. 675 00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:21,160 Speaker 3: Be so vast you would never make the jump. Maybe God, 676 00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:23,279 Speaker 3: in his kindness allows a desert season so that. 677 00:34:23,239 --> 00:34:25,240 Speaker 2: You would learn where it is to rely on Him, 678 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:28,719 Speaker 2: therefore building a more sure footing and a stronger foundation 679 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:30,840 Speaker 2: and a greater security that you would. 680 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:33,960 Speaker 3: Be thankful as you look back for that season of 681 00:34:34,400 --> 00:34:37,479 Speaker 3: financial difficulty. I'm so thankful for that because it taught 682 00:34:37,480 --> 00:34:38,719 Speaker 3: me how to be dependent on God. 683 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:41,560 Speaker 2: I'm so thankful for that season because in that season 684 00:34:41,719 --> 00:34:42,960 Speaker 2: I learned so much about me. 685 00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 3: I was putting stock in my ability, how people love me, 686 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:49,160 Speaker 3: how people talk about me. But in that season everything 687 00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:51,759 Speaker 3: was stripped away and all I had was God. But 688 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:54,080 Speaker 3: I was able to build upon the rock, and from 689 00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:57,080 Speaker 3: there forward, I didn't put stocking what people saw. I 690 00:34:57,200 --> 00:34:59,400 Speaker 3: put stocking what God called me to do. I'm thankful 691 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:01,280 Speaker 3: for it. It was his will. 692 00:35:16,360 --> 00:35:19,200 Speaker 5: The podcast The Bible in a Year with Jack Graham 693 00:35:19,440 --> 00:35:22,759 Speaker 5: is a moving and inspiring Biblical audio experience that will 694 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:25,880 Speaker 5: help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In 695 00:35:25,920 --> 00:35:30,000 Speaker 5: each episode, you'll learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. 696 00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:33,600 Speaker 2: Each cinematic episode is a journey through the Bible's most 697 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:37,080 Speaker 2: profound stories that will strengthen your appreciation of the Word 698 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:40,040 Speaker 2: and inspire you to keep learning. 699 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:42,840 Speaker 5: Listen to the Bible in a Year with Jack Graham 700 00:35:42,960 --> 00:35:53,400 Speaker 5: on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.