WEBVTT - Skip Heitzig - Oct 23 - 7:30 am

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<v Speaker 1>This is Connect with Skip Heitzig. Thanks for joining us today.

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<v Speaker 1>the list today. That's connectwithskip.com. Now, let's dive into today's

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<v Speaker 1>teaching from Pastor Skip Heitzig.

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<v Speaker 2>He says, of this salvation, Peter writes, of this salvation,

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<v Speaker 2>the prophets have inquired and searched carefully who prophesied of

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<v Speaker 2>the grace that would come to you. Searching what or

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<v Speaker 2>what manner of time the Spirit of Christ was in

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<v Speaker 2>them was indicating when he testified beforehand of the sufferings

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<v Speaker 2>of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them

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<v Speaker 2>it was revealed that not to themselves, but to us,

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<v Speaker 2>they were ministering the things which now have been reported

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<v Speaker 2>to you through those who have preached the gospel to

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<v Speaker 2>you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things which angels...

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<v Speaker 2>desire to look into. The church, this new society, the

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<v Speaker 2>salvation offered to anybody by faith in Jesus Christ is

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<v Speaker 2>a graduate course in salvation for angelic beings. Angels don't

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<v Speaker 2>know about the grace of God. There was a whole

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<v Speaker 2>group of angels who sinned and they were cast out

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<v Speaker 2>of heaven and will never be given a second chance.

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<v Speaker 2>So they were there for that. They saw that. But

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<v Speaker 2>the idea that God would grant salvation, would grant fellowship,

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<v Speaker 2>would grant intimacy, would grant relationship with human beings, and

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<v Speaker 2>God continually pours out his grace to us, the angels

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<v Speaker 2>sit back and go, wow. And one of the things

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<v Speaker 2>they go wow about is they probably look at some

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<v Speaker 2>of you and go, I don't get these people. Here

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<v Speaker 2>God has given so much to them, done so much

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<v Speaker 2>for them, made so much available on their behalf, and

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<v Speaker 2>they don't use it. God says, pray and I'll answer you.

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<v Speaker 2>They don't even pray. They worry and they kvetch and

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<v Speaker 2>they call their friends and they look up on social

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<v Speaker 2>media what to do, but they never talk to God.

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<v Speaker 2>And yet God loves them still and forgives them still

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<v Speaker 2>and is patient with them still. And it's... It's a

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<v Speaker 2>graduate course on salvation by grace to the angelic beings.

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<v Speaker 2>He's showing, in the classroom of the universe, God is

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<v Speaker 2>the teacher, the angels are the audience, the illustration is

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<v Speaker 2>the church. The subject is salvation by grace. So he

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<v Speaker 2>mentions that in Ephesians. To the principalities and powers in

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<v Speaker 2>heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose, which he accomplished

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<v Speaker 2>in Christ Jesus our Lord. In whom, that is in him,

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<v Speaker 2>in Christ, we have boldness with confidence through faith in him.

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<v Speaker 2>Do you remember what the writer of Hebrews says about

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<v Speaker 2>how we should come before God? Seeing then that we

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<v Speaker 2>have a great high priest, Hebrews chapter 4, who has

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<v Speaker 2>passed through the heavens. Then also in Hebrews chapter 10. Therefore, brethren,

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<v Speaker 2>having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

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<v Speaker 2>Why do we come so timidly into his presence? Why

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<v Speaker 2>don't we come boldly? Well, what right do we have

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<v Speaker 2>to come boldly? Because he said, come. He said, ask.

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<v Speaker 2>And we're told how? By the blood of Jesus Christ.

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<v Speaker 2>If Jesus on the cross said, it's finished. And God said,

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<v Speaker 2>that's enough. Why do we think it's not enough? We

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<v Speaker 2>should be able to come boldly. Well, I don't deserve it.

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<v Speaker 2>That's irrelevant. It's irrelevant. He made you worthy. He justified you,

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<v Speaker 2>so we should come boldly. So in whom, verse 12,

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<v Speaker 2>we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him. Therefore,

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<v Speaker 2>I ask that you do not lose heart at my

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<v Speaker 2>tribulations for you, which is your glory. Remember I said

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<v Speaker 2>that it would seem that some of these Ephesians were

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<v Speaker 2>a little bit embarrassed maybe, if not let down, if

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<v Speaker 2>not just feeling sorry for Paul that he had to

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<v Speaker 2>go through imprisonment. And Paul says, don't feel bad for me, man.

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<v Speaker 2>He tells the Philippians, this is by the will of God.

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<v Speaker 2>This is for the furtherance of the gospel. Therefore, I

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<v Speaker 2>ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for you,

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<v Speaker 2>which is your glory. There's something else before we finish

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<v Speaker 2>out this letter, and by God's grace, we will finish

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<v Speaker 2>chapter 3 tonight. I say by God's grace. But notice

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<v Speaker 2>something in verse 11. It says, according to the, what

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<v Speaker 2>are the two words? Eternal purpose, which he accomplished in

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<v Speaker 2>Christ Jesus our Lord. Do you realize that God's purpose,

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<v Speaker 2>will never be thwarted. It'll never be thwarted. It will

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<v Speaker 2>never be pushed aside. God will do what he said

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<v Speaker 2>he would do. The question is, like Paul, will you

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<v Speaker 2>allow yourself to be an instrument through which God moves?

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<v Speaker 2>God's going to fulfill his purpose with you or without

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<v Speaker 2>you because he can do it and he will do it.

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<v Speaker 2>But the glorious assignment we have is to say, here

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<v Speaker 2>am I. Send me. Remember your Old Testament. Remember the

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<v Speaker 2>story when there was in the Persian court of Ahasuerus,

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<v Speaker 2>there was a man, an evil man by the name

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<v Speaker 2>of Haman, who signed a decree that all of the

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<v Speaker 2>Jews in the empire should be killed on one day.

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<v Speaker 2>And the reason he gave that order was And the

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<v Speaker 2>king said it was okay to give that order. The

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<v Speaker 2>reason he gave that order is because there was a

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<v Speaker 2>man by the name of Mordecai who worked in the

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<v Speaker 2>temple complex of Ahasuerus who refused to pay homage and

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<v Speaker 2>bow to Haman when he would go into work in

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<v Speaker 2>the morning. Mordecai just stood there. I'm not going to

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<v Speaker 2>bow down to you. So Haman didn't like that and

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<v Speaker 2>he realized Mordecai was a Jew and he said, let's

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<v Speaker 2>kill all the Jews in the empire. So Mordecai talks

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<v Speaker 2>to Esther, his relative, and says, you got to do something.

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<v Speaker 2>You got to go into the king and approach the

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<v Speaker 2>king and put an end to this. And Esther says, man, uncle,

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<v Speaker 2>you don't understand protocol here. I can't just go into

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<v Speaker 2>the king's chambers anytime. I have to be invited. If

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<v Speaker 2>I'm not invited, my head will come off or could

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<v Speaker 2>come off. So you don't understand how things work here

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<v Speaker 2>in Washington. You know, I can't just go in. And

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<v Speaker 2>so Mordecai writes back to her and said, listen, who

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<v Speaker 2>knows that you haven't come to the kingdom for such

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<v Speaker 2>a time as this. But if you don't step up

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<v Speaker 2>and say something, deliverance will come from another quarter. God

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<v Speaker 2>is going to deliver his people because he's made promise

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<v Speaker 2>to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It's going to happen. The

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<v Speaker 2>Jews aren't going to be slaughtered. God will bring deliverance

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<v Speaker 2>from another quarter, but you have the opportunity, Esther, to

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<v Speaker 2>be used. Will you do it? Will you say, here

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<v Speaker 2>am I, Lord, send me? So she finally wrote back

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<v Speaker 2>and said, okay, pray for me. I'm going in. And

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<v Speaker 2>God used her to do it. So according to his

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<v Speaker 2>eternal purpose, he's going to accomplish it. You and I

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<v Speaker 2>have the great honor of being instruments through which he works.

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<v Speaker 2>When Saul of Tarsus was on the Damascus road, first

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<v Speaker 2>question he said is, Lord, who are you? Jesus said,

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<v Speaker 2>I'm Jesus whom you are persecuting. Second question, what do

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<v Speaker 2>you want me to do? Every Christian asks and gets

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<v Speaker 2>answered the first question. Who are you, Lord? They understand

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<v Speaker 2>who Jesus is. They give their lives to him. But

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<v Speaker 2>not every Christian gets around to asking, Lord, what do

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<v Speaker 2>you want from my life? And when you do, man,

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<v Speaker 2>that's when the fun begins. That's when the adventure begins.

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<v Speaker 2>That's when you ride the wave, and it's an awesome

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<v Speaker 2>wave to ride. So, get into the flow. Ask him.

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<v Speaker 2>Now he's back to the reason that he began chapter 3. with,

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<v Speaker 2>for this reason, I bow my knees to the Father

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<v Speaker 2>of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family

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<v Speaker 2>in heaven and earth is named. Now you'll notice that

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<v Speaker 2>Paul begins a prayer here. Which is interesting because he's

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<v Speaker 2>already prayed like he does in a lot of his letters.

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<v Speaker 2>He prays sort of at the beginning. He lets them

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<v Speaker 2>know what he's prayed for about them. He does it again.

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<v Speaker 2>He says, for this reason I bow my knees to

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<v Speaker 2>the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, if he

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<v Speaker 2>really meant this literally, it would have been a fun

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<v Speaker 2>sight to see Paul chained to a Roman guard saying,

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<v Speaker 2>excuse me just a minute. And he has to stand

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<v Speaker 2>up and then get down on his knees and start

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<v Speaker 2>his prayer. But we do know that many of those

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<v Speaker 2>soldiers chained to Paul did receive Christ, according to the

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<v Speaker 2>book of Philippians in chapter 1 and chapter 4. He

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<v Speaker 2>mentions that. So, maybe Paul meant this figuratively. Maybe Paul

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<v Speaker 2>meant this literally, to get down on my knees and pray.

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<v Speaker 2>Which brings up a question. What is the proper posture

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<v Speaker 2>for prayer? Well, It's a fair question. In Genesis chapter 18,

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<v Speaker 2>Abraham stood before the Lord as he prayed. In 2

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<v Speaker 2>Chronicles chapter 20, King Jehoshaphat bowed before the Lord. In

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<v Speaker 2>the book of Samuel chapter 7, David sat before the Lord. Daniel,

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<v Speaker 2>in chapter 6 of Daniel, three times knelt and bowed

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<v Speaker 2>before the Lord or knelt down before the Lord. So

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<v Speaker 2>all of those are proper positions. You can kneel, you

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<v Speaker 2>can stand, you can sit, you can bow. The position

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<v Speaker 2>of the body doesn't matter. The position of the heart matters.

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<v Speaker 1>You're listening to Connect with Skip Heitzig. Every day, the

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<v Speaker 1>generosity of friends like you helps make clear, verse-by-verse Bible

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<v Speaker 1>teaching available to people searching for truth, purpose, and hope.

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<v Speaker 1>And this month, we want to thank you with a

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<v Speaker 1>pair of powerful resources to help you understand your identity

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<v Speaker 1>in Christ and God's design for your life and relationships.

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<v Speaker 1>When you give, you'll receive the Expound Ephesians 9-CD series

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<v Speaker 1>with digital download, along with Pastor Skip's book, Beyond the

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<v Speaker 1>Summer of Love. Together, these resources explore the richness of

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<v Speaker 1>the gospel, reveal your place in God's family, and show

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<v Speaker 1>how biblical truth brings strength, restoration, and lasting hope to

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<v Speaker 1>your relationships. We'll send both resources as our thanks when

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<v Speaker 1>you give $ 50 or more to support Connect with Skip Heitzig.

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<v Speaker 1>Call 800-922-1888 or visit connectwithskip.com slash offer. Now, let's return

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<v Speaker 1>to today's teaching.

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<v Speaker 2>I like to walk and pray. I like to take

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<v Speaker 2>my mornings and walk. And while I walk, pray, go

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<v Speaker 2>through the little prayer app that's on my phone for

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<v Speaker 2>the Calvary requests that come through. Pray for the individuals

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<v Speaker 2>that ask for prayer. Pray for my family. I like

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<v Speaker 2>to do it when I walk. I like to do

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<v Speaker 2>it when I drive. Sometimes the way people drive, I

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<v Speaker 2>really do need to pray. Sometimes the way I drive,

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<v Speaker 2>I need to pray. And I probably... prompt the prayer

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<v Speaker 2>of others as I drive. You could lay down and pray.

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<v Speaker 2>I wouldn't recommend it because you'll be falling asleep probably

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<v Speaker 2>if you do that, but I bow my knees to

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<v Speaker 2>the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the

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<v Speaker 2>whole family in heaven and earth is named. I wish

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<v Speaker 2>I had time to get into that. I don't think

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<v Speaker 2>I really have much time except, remember it says in Philippians,

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<v Speaker 2>That God has given him a name, the name which

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<v Speaker 2>is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ. Every

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<v Speaker 2>knee will bow, every tongue will confess. So it's all,

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<v Speaker 2>all of creation will be subsumed eventually under the lordship, rulership,

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<v Speaker 2>and the name of Christ. Until then, we are part

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<v Speaker 2>of the family that go by that name. And that

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<v Speaker 2>name first crops up in the book of Acts, chapter 11,

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<v Speaker 2>when Barnabas took Paul, brought him to Antioch, where they

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<v Speaker 2>taught the people for a whole year. And it says,

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<v Speaker 2>and they were first, believers were first called Christians at Antioch.

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<v Speaker 2>Followers of Christ, little Christs. But one day, all of creation,

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<v Speaker 2>because In the beginning was the Word, the Word was

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<v Speaker 2>with God, the Word was God. All things were created

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<v Speaker 2>by him, that is, by Christ. Then we get to

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<v Speaker 2>Colossians chapter 1, and it says that in him all

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<v Speaker 2>things that were made were created by him, and for

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<v Speaker 2>him he is before all things, and in him all

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<v Speaker 2>things consist. So one day all of creation will be

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<v Speaker 2>subsumed under that name. Until then, we bear that name.

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<v Speaker 2>So here's his request. Number one, that he would grant

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<v Speaker 2>you according to the riches of his glory, which are endless,

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<v Speaker 2>to be strengthened with might through his spirit in the

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<v Speaker 2>inner man. He prays that God will give them a

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<v Speaker 2>strong spiritual life. The inner man is the inner you.

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<v Speaker 2>It's the real you. It's the heart of you. You

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<v Speaker 2>and I have two natures, old nature, new nature. Before Christ,

0:15:58.230 --> 0:16:02.229
<v Speaker 2>you were controlled, dominated by the flesh. Now that's your

0:16:02.410 --> 0:16:06.040
<v Speaker 2>old nature. You've come to Christ. You are, we are,

0:16:06.180 --> 0:16:09.920
<v Speaker 2>we should be dominated by the Spirit. There's a war

0:16:10.000 --> 0:16:12.900
<v Speaker 2>against the flesh and the Spirit. He's praying that you

0:16:12.920 --> 0:16:19.500
<v Speaker 2>would be strengthened, dominated by spiritual impulses and the Spirit

0:16:19.540 --> 0:16:23.620
<v Speaker 2>of God. You know, the analogy is often used, and

0:16:23.680 --> 0:16:27.230
<v Speaker 2>I've used it, that Your new nature is like a

0:16:28.110 --> 0:16:33.460
<v Speaker 2>garden with fine plantings, fine flowers, all the things you like.

0:16:34.520 --> 0:16:38.280
<v Speaker 2>The old nature are all the weeds that grow in

0:16:38.320 --> 0:16:42.340
<v Speaker 2>the garden. I don't know if your experience is like mine,

0:16:42.360 --> 0:16:46.070
<v Speaker 2>but this rain that we've had, there are more weeds

0:16:46.130 --> 0:16:50.610
<v Speaker 2>in my garden this year that every day I have

0:16:50.990 --> 0:16:54.710
<v Speaker 2>off that I can, I'm pulling up these crazy weeds.

0:16:55.970 --> 0:16:59.770
<v Speaker 2>I didn't plant those weeds. I didn't ask for them

0:16:59.830 --> 0:17:04.429
<v Speaker 2>to be there. But I planted some other plantings, and

0:17:04.590 --> 0:17:08.330
<v Speaker 2>I find that those only grow by me nourishing them,

0:17:08.530 --> 0:17:11.429
<v Speaker 2>nurturing them, and caring for them. I don't have to

0:17:11.490 --> 0:17:14.030
<v Speaker 2>do anything to the weeds. They just grow up naturally.

0:17:15.390 --> 0:17:18.350
<v Speaker 2>I have to actually pull them out and deprive them

0:17:18.430 --> 0:17:21.770
<v Speaker 2>of life. That's how my old nature is. I have

0:17:21.810 --> 0:17:28.149
<v Speaker 2>to weed out certain activities, certain impulses, deprive it of oxygen,

0:17:28.190 --> 0:17:33.440
<v Speaker 2>deprive it of life, and nurture the inner man. Paul's prayer,

0:17:34.340 --> 0:17:37.200
<v Speaker 2>that you would be strengthened with might through his spirit

0:17:37.520 --> 0:17:41.700
<v Speaker 2>in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your

0:17:41.859 --> 0:17:48.070
<v Speaker 2>hearts through faith. that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

0:17:48.130 --> 0:17:51.260
<v Speaker 2>may be able to comprehend with all the saints what

0:17:51.320 --> 0:17:58.560
<v Speaker 2>is the width and length and depth and height. Here's

0:17:58.600 --> 0:18:01.540
<v Speaker 2>a quick question. You'll notice we're nearing the end of

0:18:01.580 --> 0:18:03.460
<v Speaker 2>the chapter and we're almost out of time, so I

0:18:03.500 --> 0:18:04.879
<v Speaker 2>think we're going to make it, but let me ask

0:18:04.920 --> 0:18:12.889
<v Speaker 2>you this question. He prays for believers in Ephesus... In

0:18:12.910 --> 0:18:16.510
<v Speaker 2>verse 17, that Christ may dwell in your hearts. Why

0:18:16.530 --> 0:18:20.389
<v Speaker 2>would he pray that? Does not Christ already dwell in

0:18:20.430 --> 0:18:24.550
<v Speaker 2>their hearts by faith? If they're believers, is he in

0:18:24.590 --> 0:18:29.260
<v Speaker 2>their hearts, yes or no? Yes. Yet, Paul prays that

0:18:30.080 --> 0:18:33.980
<v Speaker 2>he would dwell in their hearts by faith. Why? The

0:18:34.080 --> 0:18:38.960
<v Speaker 2>word that he uses for dwell is a compound word

0:18:40.000 --> 0:18:45.699
<v Speaker 2>that means to dwell. dwell down. And it would be

0:18:45.770 --> 0:18:50.409
<v Speaker 2>translated in English, settle down and make himself at home.

0:18:52.330 --> 0:18:55.450
<v Speaker 2>So he's praying for those who have received Christ. They're

0:18:56.330 --> 0:18:59.350
<v Speaker 2>formally baptized into the body of Christ. They're believers. Jesus

0:18:59.410 --> 0:19:01.370
<v Speaker 2>lives in them. But he says, I pray that Jesus

0:19:01.410 --> 0:19:04.570
<v Speaker 2>wouldn't just live in you, but he'd feel at home

0:19:04.609 --> 0:19:08.380
<v Speaker 2>in your heart. He'd settle down and make himself at home.

0:19:08.770 --> 0:19:11.550
<v Speaker 2>That's a question for you. Yes, he's in your heart,

0:19:11.609 --> 0:19:14.250
<v Speaker 2>but does he, do you make him feel at home?

0:19:15.530 --> 0:19:17.690
<v Speaker 2>Do you think with some of the things you see

0:19:17.790 --> 0:19:20.290
<v Speaker 2>or do or say that he might, if he were

0:19:20.350 --> 0:19:24.429
<v Speaker 2>with you, and he is, say, you know, you're not

0:19:24.470 --> 0:19:27.710
<v Speaker 2>making me feel the love here. I don't really feel

0:19:27.750 --> 0:19:32.220
<v Speaker 2>at home with what you're doing. There's a great little booklet.

0:19:32.240 --> 0:19:34.040
<v Speaker 2>I'll recommend it to you and then I'll move on,

0:19:34.080 --> 0:19:38.840
<v Speaker 2>finish this chapter. It's a little booklet. Every Christian should

0:19:38.859 --> 0:19:40.480
<v Speaker 2>have it and read it. It's an old one called

0:19:40.660 --> 0:19:46.900
<v Speaker 2>My Heart, Christ's Home. You can get it online. You

0:19:46.940 --> 0:19:50.940
<v Speaker 2>can download it on Kindle or Google. your iPad or

0:19:50.980 --> 0:19:55.450
<v Speaker 2>your iPhone. My Heart, Christ's Home. The author is Munger.

0:19:55.510 --> 0:20:00.159
<v Speaker 2>I think it's Robert Munger, M-U-N-G-E-R. Read that little booklet.

0:20:00.200 --> 0:20:03.629
<v Speaker 2>It's all about this concept, how Jesus comes into a

0:20:03.660 --> 0:20:06.810
<v Speaker 2>person's life. It's like inviting him into your house. He

0:20:06.850 --> 0:20:09.330
<v Speaker 2>goes to the living room, the kitchen, the bedrooms, the

0:20:09.390 --> 0:20:12.490
<v Speaker 2>dining room, sees what you're eating, what you're watching. And

0:20:12.550 --> 0:20:17.449
<v Speaker 2>it's a fascinating little short booklet, like a tract almost,

0:20:18.090 --> 0:20:19.859
<v Speaker 2>worth the read. My heart cries to him that he

0:20:19.880 --> 0:20:24.590
<v Speaker 2>would settle down and make himself at home. that you

0:20:24.609 --> 0:20:27.970
<v Speaker 2>being rooted and grounded, your roots will go down in love,

0:20:28.390 --> 0:20:30.609
<v Speaker 2>that you may be able to comprehend with all the

0:20:30.670 --> 0:20:33.670
<v Speaker 2>saints the width, length, depth, and height. Now watch this.

0:20:33.890 --> 0:20:40.420
<v Speaker 2>And to know the love of God which passes knowledge. Well,

0:20:40.480 --> 0:20:44.820
<v Speaker 2>how is that possible? Why would Paul say, I pray

0:20:44.840 --> 0:20:48.939
<v Speaker 2>that you would know what is unknowable? The love of

0:20:48.980 --> 0:20:53.109
<v Speaker 2>God passes knowledge. I pray that you'd know that. I

0:20:53.170 --> 0:20:56.650
<v Speaker 2>pray that you would fathom the unfathomable, discern the undiscernible,

0:20:57.450 --> 0:21:03.420
<v Speaker 2>comprehend the incomprehensible, to know the love of Christ which

0:21:03.520 --> 0:21:08.870
<v Speaker 2>passes knowledge. Here's how. You may not know it intellectually.

0:21:09.869 --> 0:21:15.470
<v Speaker 2>You and I cannot grasp. I cannot fathom knowledge. I

0:21:15.510 --> 0:21:19.859
<v Speaker 2>blow a fuse when I start realizing that eternal God

0:21:20.020 --> 0:21:22.240
<v Speaker 2>thinks about me and loves me, and I'm part of

0:21:22.280 --> 0:21:28.040
<v Speaker 2>his great plan. It's like, does not compute. But the

0:21:28.100 --> 0:21:32.750
<v Speaker 2>word know here, used here, means not to know intellectually,

0:21:32.810 --> 0:21:37.909
<v Speaker 2>but to know by experience. And when will you fully

0:21:37.990 --> 0:21:42.160
<v Speaker 2>know by experience the fullness of the love of God?

0:21:43.420 --> 0:21:45.850
<v Speaker 2>You're starting to get a little hint of it now,

0:21:45.930 --> 0:21:52.530
<v Speaker 2>but you'll eventually realize it in glory. It'll be your

0:21:52.770 --> 0:21:56.389
<v Speaker 2>ultimate experience. You're getting a taste, a foretaste. You'll have

0:21:56.430 --> 0:22:02.040
<v Speaker 2>the ultimate experience. 1 John 3, behold what manner of

0:22:02.160 --> 0:22:04.700
<v Speaker 2>love the Father has bestowed on us that we should

0:22:04.720 --> 0:22:08.219
<v Speaker 2>be called the children of God. Therefore, the world does

0:22:08.260 --> 0:22:10.520
<v Speaker 2>not know us. It does not appear what we shall be,

0:22:10.580 --> 0:22:14.680
<v Speaker 2>but we know that when he shall appear, we shall

0:22:14.760 --> 0:22:17.659
<v Speaker 2>be like him, for we will see him as he is.

0:22:18.580 --> 0:22:22.570
<v Speaker 2>There's coming a day when our limited knowledge and understanding

0:22:22.619 --> 0:22:27.750
<v Speaker 2>will be filled in. In fact, speaking of that, that

0:22:27.770 --> 0:22:29.950
<v Speaker 2>you would know the love of Christ which passes knowledge,

0:22:29.990 --> 0:22:34.380
<v Speaker 2>that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

0:22:35.320 --> 0:22:39.859
<v Speaker 2>Now he closes with a benediction. Now to him who

0:22:39.960 --> 0:22:44.500
<v Speaker 2>is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask

0:22:44.580 --> 0:22:47.780
<v Speaker 2>or think according to the power that works in us,

0:22:48.420 --> 0:22:53.169
<v Speaker 2>to him be the glory in the church by Christ

0:22:53.250 --> 0:22:57.030
<v Speaker 2>Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

0:22:57.960 --> 0:22:58.340
<v Speaker 1>Amen.

0:22:59.859 --> 0:23:02.960
<v Speaker 2>That ends the first part of the book. Second part

0:23:03.020 --> 0:23:05.980
<v Speaker 2>is coming up, the walk of the believer. He's told

0:23:06.040 --> 0:23:09.040
<v Speaker 2>us who we are and what we have. We're sitting

0:23:09.240 --> 0:23:11.300
<v Speaker 2>in heavenly places. Now he's going to tell us, get

0:23:11.359 --> 0:23:15.560
<v Speaker 2>up and walk. That'll be chapter four. But he closes

0:23:15.640 --> 0:23:19.040
<v Speaker 2>this chapter with a doxology. It's just like Paul starts

0:23:19.520 --> 0:23:24.959
<v Speaker 2>thinking about it, going, man, God's love is awesome. It's staggering.

0:23:25.760 --> 0:23:28.300
<v Speaker 2>And so he ends with this, Now to him, and

0:23:28.320 --> 0:23:30.939
<v Speaker 2>I'm going to put it up in triangle form. We're

0:23:30.960 --> 0:23:32.500
<v Speaker 2>going to close with this. Kind of look at it

0:23:32.540 --> 0:23:36.899
<v Speaker 2>this way. I did it in stages. To him who

0:23:36.960 --> 0:23:40.050
<v Speaker 2>is able to do, he is able to do all

0:23:40.090 --> 0:23:43.690
<v Speaker 2>we ask or think. He is able to do above

0:23:44.250 --> 0:23:47.169
<v Speaker 2>all we ask or think. He is able to do

0:23:47.270 --> 0:23:51.010
<v Speaker 2>abundantly above all we ask or think. He is able

0:23:51.070 --> 0:23:55.830
<v Speaker 2>to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

0:23:56.850 --> 0:24:00.290
<v Speaker 2>Anything too hard for God? No, God can do it.

0:24:00.350 --> 0:24:02.310
<v Speaker 2>God can do it more than that. God can do

0:24:02.350 --> 0:24:04.570
<v Speaker 2>it more than that. God can do it exceedingly abundantly

0:24:04.630 --> 0:24:10.950
<v Speaker 2>above all we ask or think. Not just accordingly, but

0:24:11.010 --> 0:24:15.359
<v Speaker 2>above it. So God's power is unlimited, and all of

0:24:15.430 --> 0:24:19.220
<v Speaker 2>this is based on that. The God who created everything,

0:24:19.440 --> 0:24:23.180
<v Speaker 2>the God who created new life in you, is going

0:24:23.220 --> 0:24:27.169
<v Speaker 2>to walk you through this life all the way into glory.

0:24:28.410 --> 0:24:32.470
<v Speaker 2>And you'll know what you don't fully grasp right now.

0:24:33.510 --> 0:24:35.850
<v Speaker 2>You're getting a taste of it. So am I. But

0:24:36.070 --> 0:24:39.730
<v Speaker 2>we're all growing. We're all moving. And one day, we'll

0:24:39.750 --> 0:24:40.370
<v Speaker 2>get the fullness.

0:24:42.430 --> 0:24:45.389
<v Speaker 1>Thanks for joining us today on Connect with Skip Heitzig.

0:24:46.170 --> 0:24:50.340
<v Speaker 1>Before we go, remember, your generosity helps share God's Word

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<v Speaker 1>with people around the world, offering truth, hope, and encouragement

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<v Speaker 1>where it's needed most. And this month, we'd love to

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<v Speaker 1>along with Pastor Skip's book, Beyond the Summer of Love.

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<v Speaker 1>These resources will help you understand your identity in Christ

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<v Speaker 1>and see how God's design brings strength and restoration to

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<v Speaker 1>your relationships. Give today at connectwithskip.com slash offer or call 800-922-1888.

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<v Speaker 1>See you next time on Connect with Skip Heitzig.

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<v Speaker 2>Make a connection.

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<v Speaker 1>Connect with Skip Heitzig is a presentation of Connection Communications,

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<v Speaker 1>connecting you to God's never-changing truth in ever-changing times.