1 00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:05,240 Hello and welcome to the Arise Church Podcast. 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:08,360 We are so glad you're here and want to thank you for joining us 3 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:11,400 today for the audio version of our Sunday morning message. 4 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:14,840 We want to invite you to join us in person at our Sunday morning 5 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:17,200 celebration every Sunday at 10 AM. 6 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:20,920 We are located on Old Jenks Rd. in Apex, NC. 7 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:25,600 Thank you Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. 8 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:26,960 Lord, we thank you for your word. 9 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:30,120 Thank your word. Thank you for your word that is 10 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:31,440 sharper. Than any 2 edged. 11 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:33,520 Sword and it pierces. Even to the division. 12 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:36,840 Of soul and spirit. And joint of marrow, we invite 13 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:38,920 your. Word to do that today to us. 14 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:42,360 Do your work. Lord in Jesus name, Amen. 15 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:47,840 I'm going to start Acts chapter. Eight verse. 9 and I'm going to 16 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:49,680 read a pretty length length lengthy. 17 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:52,560 Passage to start. Here, and it may be. 18 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:54,680 A peculiar. Passage to some, but I'm going 19 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,560 somewhere with it. Because I feel like the Lord is. 20 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,800 Wanting to hem us in in the. Days ahead and just to. 21 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:04,319 Make a declaration that we are not for sale. 22 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,600 That's the title. Of the message not for sale 23 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:12,960 'cause I'm just feeling a certain kind of way. 24 00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:16,600 Today, praise the Lord. But we are not for sale. 25 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:20,000 I am not for sale. The gifts of God. 26 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,800 Are not for sale and let's read about it in Acts chapter 8 verse 27 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:26,160 9. But there was a certain man 28 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,640 named Simon. Who previously practiced sorcery 29 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,160 in the city. And astonished the people of 30 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:33,920 Samaria, claiming that he was someone. 31 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:36,360 Great to whom? They all gave heed from the 32 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:37,640 least. To the greatest saying. 33 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,320 This man is the. Great power of God. 34 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:43,400 And they heeded him because he had astonished them. 35 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,800 With his sorceries. For a long time, but when they 36 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:48,440 believed. Philip as he preached. 37 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:51,560 The things concerning the Kingdom of God, and they in the 38 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,720 name of Jesus, both men and women were baptized, then Simon 39 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:56,960 himself. Also believed when he was. 40 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,840 Baptized, he continued with Philip, and was amazed seeing 41 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,880 the miracles and signs which were done. 42 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,880 Verse 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that 43 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,120 Samaria had. Received the word of God they 44 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,280 sent. Peter and John to them, who, 45 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:14,080 when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive 46 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:16,240 the holy. Spirit for as yet. 47 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:19,440 He had not fallen upon. He had fallen upon none of them. 48 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:21,840 They had only been baptized in the name. 49 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,640 Of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, 50 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:26,280 and they. Received the Holy. 51 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:29,720 Spirit and when Simon. The Sorcerer. 52 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,440 The one who had. Profited off of. 53 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:34,880 Demonic signs and wonders when he. 54 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,960 Saw that through the. Laying on of the apostles hands, 55 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,800 the Holy Spirit was given. He offered them money. 56 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:44,640 Saying give me this power also that. 57 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:47,120 Anyone on whom I lay my hands may. 58 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,360 Receive the Holy Spirit but Peter. 59 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:54,800 Said to him, Your money perish. With you because you thought 60 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:57,600 that the gift of God could be purchased with. 61 00:02:57,600 --> 00:02:59,760 Money. You have neither. 62 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:01,920 Part nor. Portion in this matter. 63 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:04,680 For your heart. Is not right in the sight of. 64 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:08,120 God repent therefore of this your. 65 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:11,880 Wickedness and pray. God, if perhaps the thought of 66 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:13,640 your heart. May be forgiven you. 67 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:17,360 For I see that you are. Poisoned by bitterness and bound 68 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,880 by iniquity. Then Simon answered and said. 69 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:22,760 Pray to the Lord. For me, that none of these 70 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:25,440 things which you have spoken may come upon me and so when they 71 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,480 had testified and preached the. Word of the Lord. 72 00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:30,200 They returned from Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many. 73 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,360 Villages of the. Samaritans and we never hear 74 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:39,440 about Simon again. Simon tried to purchase 75 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:45,600 something that was not for. Sale and he was interrupted by a 76 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:52,920 preacher who refused to sell it, but I feel like. 77 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:55,280 We're in a day and. Age where there are. 78 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,200 Plenty of people willing to sell. 79 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:04,520 The things of God. We're in a culture that doesn't 80 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:10,440 say no. We're in a time where we want 81 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:13,760 easy things, the easy way, and we want to. 82 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:20,279 Buy it to take a shortcut. And I just feel the. 83 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,120 Words of Peter where he said your. 84 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:25,800 Heart is not right in the sight of. 85 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:29,200 God, your heart. Is not right in the sight of 86 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,840 God. Now I'm not saying this to maybe 87 00:04:31,840 --> 00:04:34,040 you personally, I only God knows your. 88 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,360 Heart and where you are, but let's just. 89 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:41,640 Learn from this interaction that this man who wanted to continue 90 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,640 a profitable business. Thought well, I'll just. 91 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,320 Switch businesses. I used to get my money one way, 92 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:50,440 I need to make money a different way. 93 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:52,000 But you know that's not how this. 94 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,960 Kingdom works. I said that's not how this. 95 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:56,000 Kingdom. Works. 96 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,040 This isn't a money making business. 97 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,720 This isn't meant to be convenient where it's like, 98 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,560 well. I'll just quit the way I used to 99 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,920 live. But I'll just bring that way of 100 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,200 living over here and just. Figure out a way to succeed or 101 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,280 be profitable over here in this. Kingdom as. 102 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:17,480 If they're equitable. They're not equitable, it's not 103 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,000 the same. And so Simon. 104 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,240 Learned very quickly you. Cannot buy the gifts of God. 105 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,400 You cannot buy the gifts of God. You can't come in here in the 106 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,640 church and be like, hey, you know, just lay hands on me 107 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,520 because I want what you got. Just just like. 108 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,960 That no, there's a price that. Is to be. 109 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:40,600 Paid, but it's not what you think. 110 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:45,160 He wanted to pay a dollar amount and the way of the. 111 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,880 Lord has basically take up your cross and. 112 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:53,680 Follow me if if, if, if you want to pay that price, fine, but 113 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:58,120 it's not going to be here's 10 bucks and just, you know, do 114 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,200 that whole laying of your hands on me thing so that I can. 115 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:01,880 Get the Holy Spirit. So that I can go. 116 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:06,120 Profit off of it. It's gross, I said. 117 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:06,960 It's. Gross. 118 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,080 You know I grew up in. Church. 119 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,280 Literally, my mom went into labor when they were working at 120 00:06:16,280 --> 00:06:20,120 church camp. So I've just been in the House 121 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,400 of the Lord my whole life. But I've been in all kinds of 122 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:26,560 scenarios. I've been around all kinds of 123 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:30,560 people and I'm not going to name names and you're not going to 124 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:33,120 know who I'm talking about, but I do feel like I needed to give 125 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:35,160 a few scenarios to know this. Is real. 126 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,160 This is. Still happening I I I remember 127 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,800 one time having a friend and I just. 128 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:41,920 Watched his He was. He was on fire. 129 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,000 For the Lord, He was doing all the right things, but somewhere 130 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,160 along the line. He got tweaked. 131 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:50,320 And I remember him telling me one time and he was really 132 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:51,920 asking me, what do you think about this? 133 00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:53,640 And he? Started taking. 134 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:58,160 Invitations to speak and. What I really should say to 135 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,720 preach the gospel based. On how much the people would pay 136 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:05,520 him to come. Do you know how prominent that 137 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:11,720 is now? Speaker fees, speaker fees, 138 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:19,560 speaker fees pay me to bring the gospel that Jesus gave his blood 139 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:24,960 for and I need 10. Grand to give it. 140 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:28,960 To you it. Makes me want to throw up. 141 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,640 Just saying it. No, but you know, you get in the 142 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:35,000 culture and you're like the frog in the kettle. 143 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:37,400 And have you ever heard of that? Like where you're in this 144 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:40,080 culture and you're like this frog that's in a pot of water 145 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,160 and that. Just goes up a degree by degree 146 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,560 by degree and. The frog never jumps out. 147 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,560 And yet he boils to death because he didn't. 148 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:51,320 Realize it was getting hot. Didn't realize you're in an 149 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,880 environment that just keeps tweaking, tweaking, tweaking, 150 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:55,440 tweaking, tweaking and then you're dead. 151 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,680 I feel like we've all got to take a lot of the scriptures to 152 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:00,680 keep us. In. 153 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,440 Check. Keep us corrected. 154 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,600 Keep making sure that you're not coming under. 155 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:09,800 The sway of this world's way of. Doing things. 156 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:11,960 That's why I get moved by people who come. 157 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:13,280 Who? Have laid their lives. 158 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:17,760 Down for the gospel and they've gone to the ends of the earth, 159 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,280 and that's been where the Bible. Says how beautiful are the feet 160 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,760 of those who bring good. News because I know they're not 161 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,800 the ones sending the speaker fees well, I'll. 162 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,800 Come if you pay. Me a certain amount. 163 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:32,919 If I have if. I can if it will balance on the 164 00:08:32,919 --> 00:08:34,200 budget. That's that's. 165 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:38,360 So anti what Jesus did I just don't know how you get. 166 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:42,280 There except by degree degree, degree, degree degree degree 167 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:46,000 degree, Peter said your. Heart is not. 168 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,520 Right your heart. Is not right. 169 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:52,800 I want to look at Matthew chapter 26. 170 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,920 Matthew chapter 26. I mean this is probably one of 171 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:01,360 the more famous instances of someone being paid off, but 172 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:04,360 Matthew 26 verse 14 it says then one of the 12. 173 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,520 Called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priest and said. 174 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,800 What are you willing to give me if I deliver him Jesus? 175 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,920 To you they. Counted out to him 30. 176 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,680 Pieces of. Silver so from that time he saw 177 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:23,240 opportunity to portray him. You know, you can keep that 178 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:31,560 scripture up if you don't mind. For me, especially verse 15, you 179 00:09:31,560 --> 00:09:35,440 know when looking at a. Character like Judas Iscariot, 180 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,720 it's easy to just like kind of isolate. 181 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:44,880 Him as as some sort. Of just nefarious character. 182 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:49,480 That no one wants to relate to, but you know this is fairly 183 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,960 prominent. Like what? 184 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:59,400 What? Is the price for you to fall 185 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:04,520 away to give up? God's call and assignment. 186 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:09,960 On you What's the cost at work that becomes too great for you 187 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:16,120 to still say I follow Jesus, you know this. 188 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:18,760 Is written not just to save. Shame, shame, shame on. 189 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:21,640 Judas Iscariot. And it's not just. 190 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,480 Written to say that prophecies was fulfilled, Which it was. 191 00:10:24,680 --> 00:10:30,920 It was fulfilled, it was shown, but this was also written 192 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:33,720 because. We needed to be challenged to 193 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:35,680 make sure that we don't follow suit. 194 00:10:37,560 --> 00:10:40,320 We don't follow. Suit Matthew chapter 16, verse 195 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:42,560 26 for. What profit is it? 196 00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:46,400 To a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own. 197 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:52,040 Soul or what? Will a man give in exchange for 198 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:54,640 his soul? That's Judas. 199 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:57,200 What will you? Give me. 200 00:10:57,560 --> 00:11:01,200 If I give him to you. And they counted. 30 pieces of 201 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:07,920 silver and that was his. Price, I don't think it would 202 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:09,400 have been any different if he would. 203 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,640 Have asked for. 100 pieces of. Gold. 204 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,480 Because the point wasn't. That there was a right. 205 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:16,680 Price. The point was that his heart was 206 00:11:16,680 --> 00:11:21,440 compromised where there was any price at all, something that was 207 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:25,200 priceless. He was trying to negotiate what 208 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:27,520 kind of price. Could I get for it? 209 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:31,840 And. Jesus himself said what? 210 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:34,560 Will a man give in exchange for his own soul? 211 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:40,120 His own soul? One of the more prominent 212 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:42,920 examples of the Old Testament. So that's the New Testament. 213 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,200 Let's go to the Old Testament. And just look here in. 214 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:49,600 Genesis chapter 25. Genesis Chapter 25 is 215 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:54,360 fascinating. It's it's kind of a dark comedy. 216 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,280 Because it's it's. It's a little funny that this 217 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,680 man. Who was set to inherit? 218 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:04,840 A tremendous amount of wealth and blessing. 219 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:09,440 From his dad basically sold it for very cheap. 220 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:13,160 Let's read about it. This is Jacob and Esau and their 221 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,080 father Isaac. Verse 29 now. 222 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:18,640 Jacob cooked a Stew. Everybody say soup. 223 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:21,200 All right, we're going to come back to that. 224 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:26,560 He was cooking soup and esau. Came in from the field and he 225 00:12:26,560 --> 00:12:27,440 was. Weary. 226 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:29,560 And Esau. Said to Jacob. 227 00:12:29,560 --> 00:12:31,280 Please feed me with some of that red. 228 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:35,520 Stew for I am. Weary, Therefore his name was 229 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:39,320 also called Edom. But Jacob said, sell me your 230 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:41,920 birthright. As of this day, that's Jacob. 231 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,560 Jacob's looking for a deal. He's like, all right, you like 232 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:46,920 this soup, give me your birthright. 233 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:51,000 And Esau said, look. I'm about to die. 234 00:12:51,680 --> 00:12:53,960 So what is this? Birthright to me. 235 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:58,320 All right, already you could tell this is just stupid. 236 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,040 This whole conversation is. Stupid. 237 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,600 But it happened. Don't. 238 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:05,200 You think like this is just dumb. 239 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:08,000 Like I don't know where y'all came from but this is dumb. 240 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:10,160 Jacob was. Being I mean. 241 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:11,920 Jacob, how did? He know to be. 242 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:13,080 Like you want. Some soup. 243 00:13:13,560 --> 00:13:14,440 Give me your. Birthright. 244 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:15,360 I mean that. Like. 245 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,160 Wouldn't have crossed my mind, but somehow Jacob had it in 246 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:20,720 mind. Like I'm after the birthright 247 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:22,320 and I think his Mama put it there. 248 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:23,680 Which? We talked about her a few weeks 249 00:13:23,680 --> 00:13:27,080 ago, Esau said. Look, I'm about to die, So what 250 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:29,040 is this birthright to mean then? Jacob said. 251 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:30,120 Swear. To me as of. 252 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:31,920 This day, so he. Swore to him and. 253 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:38,400 Sold his birthright to Jacob, and Jacob gave Esau bread and. 254 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,480 Stew of lentils. Then he ate and drank, arose and 255 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:47,640 went his way. Thus Esau despised his 256 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:51,280 birthright. Now. 257 00:13:52,680 --> 00:13:57,480 This is a interesting. Because, you know, I I came from 258 00:13:58,120 --> 00:13:59,960 a household of. Faith I've talked about. 259 00:13:59,960 --> 00:14:02,480 That in recent months. I was blessed to. 260 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:04,280 Come up in a Christian household. 261 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:06,960 Blessed to come up in a ministry household. 262 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:08,880 And I've watched. Over the years. 263 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:12,080 How different ministry families react to their families. 264 00:14:12,680 --> 00:14:14,840 Heritage. You know, the Versalinos got all 265 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:19,320 their children here today and then this in one spouse, but got 266 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:21,680 their representatives. Everybody's represented here, 267 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,440 you know, and they all grow up in a ministry family. 268 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,120 And one of the things that Lily and I. 269 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,000 Love about particularly JJ is she champions to say it? 270 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,480 Is a blessing to. Be in. 271 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:36,600 Born into a ministry family to be born into. 272 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:41,400 A pastor's house. But you know how many times I've 273 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,080 seen pastors children despise their. 274 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:47,640 Birthright. And now the devil. 275 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:49,640 Will feed you excuses of why you should. 276 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:51,480 All day long. And I'm not even saying some 277 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:54,680 things weren't valid in certain families for why there's certain 278 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:56,040 pain and what blah blah blah blah. 279 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,560 Blah, but the devil will. Partner with a fence all day 280 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,160 long because he wants. You to sell your birthright. 281 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,000 Give it up, give it up. Because of pain or? 282 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:10,840 They, they, whatever it may be. But you get into this scenario. 283 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,040 Where you get desperate. Enough and you'll do. 284 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:17,760 Stupid stuff, and you'll give away what God rightfully gave. 285 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:20,400 You now that's just ministry families, but that's so many of 286 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:24,600 us God's put in your hand. As a follower of Jesus Christ, a 287 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:26,240 birthright. He's giving you inheritance. 288 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,920 He's giving you what we call promises, the promises of God. 289 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:33,400 And you know how often we get in situations in our life where 290 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:35,240 things. Start to feel desperate. 291 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,080 And you get in the flesh and all of a sudden you start 292 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,480 negotiating. You start. 293 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:43,000 Give me some of that and I'll give. 294 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:46,440 You this. Now in Jacob and Esau's. 295 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:49,120 Instance it was a bowl of soup. But you know how many times 296 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,080 I've. Seen different people make. 297 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:57,040 Life decisions. Life decisions based on money, 298 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:02,120 not the call of God, not the assignment that God has on their 299 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:05,600 household, not the promises. That he's made to them, but they 300 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,320 start to negotiate with what God's will is going to be for. 301 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:11,720 Their life and what's going to, you know, what they're supposed 302 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:13,720 to engage with and the will of God. 303 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,480 But they don't do it because it doesn't fit the. 304 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:21,520 Convenience, you know, that's where sometimes I see ministry 305 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:23,080 families. They don't do it because they 306 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:24,880 don't want to live like their. Parents live because their 307 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:30,880 parents had to live by faith. And faith sometimes means that 308 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:35,240 you may not have certain things that other people seemingly 309 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:39,600 have, but you don't. Realize what really is valuable 310 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:41,360 is your. Birthright, not your bank 311 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:45,360 account. And if you'll lean into your 312 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:48,960 birthright, you'll keep your birthright, and the bank account 313 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,360 will come, and the blessing of the Lord will come, and the 314 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:54,080 favor of God will come. But. 315 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:57,440 Once you sell your. Birthright for a bank account? 316 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:02,600 You're messed up. I didn't want to say you're. 317 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:04,720 Screwed because that's I'm in the House of God and I don't 318 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:06,079 want to say it. But you are. 319 00:17:06,079 --> 00:17:10,720 Messed up. That's not the new King James 320 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:12,200 version, that's a different version. 321 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:15,240 But I just. Feel like we got to make some of 322 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,520 these things plain. And I, and I feel, you know, 323 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:20,240 I've been with the young adults lately, so maybe that's where my 324 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:23,480 language came from. But the, the, but I want to make 325 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,000 sure it's plain. I want to make sure it's plain 326 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:29,840 because if you're not careful, you know, we live in a day where 327 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:31,960 when Lily and I, we lived in Maryland. 328 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:34,160 Before we came here and we bought. 329 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:40,680 A house in Maryland. We had a. 282.875 mortgage 330 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:47,080 which. Now seems free, you know, like 331 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:50,920 it just seems like wow, you know, I mean, it was our first. 332 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:54,480 House like 2.875. Percent mortgage. 333 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:57,600 Wow. But you know what? 334 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,200 It never came up when God. Called us here. 335 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:07,120 And our mortgage was 6675. Never in our mind did we 336 00:18:07,120 --> 00:18:09,200 consider, you know what? We want to stay put. 337 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:10,800 Because we have such a good mortgage rate. 338 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:14,520 But you know how many people I've heard make make decisions 339 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:15,520 on whether they're going to follow? 340 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,440 The will of God because of a mortgage rate. 341 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:22,040 Are you kidding? That's your bowl of soup. 342 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,560 That's your bowl of soup. And if you could see eternity, 343 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:29,320 if you could see God's. Will and plan. 344 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,120 If you could see the the the the. 345 00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:38,680 Scale of how insignificant? That is, you would laugh at it 346 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:43,800 like we laugh at Esau, who despised his birthright. 347 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,920 Despised what? It meant to follow. 348 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:51,800 God, is it OK that I'm. Preaching real this morning You 349 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:55,960 know how many people will oftentimes not follow the will 350 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:58,160 of. God, because their job is. 351 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,680 Pays them real good, the benefits are just so. 352 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,600 Good. Oh, that health insurance. 353 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:08,960 It's just oh, oh, OK, so we don't follow the will of God. 354 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,680 We. Follow health insurance you get 355 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,560 in a $2000 month. Package that's real. 356 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:17,960 Fancy when the. God of the Universe. 357 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:20,800 Who owns a cattle on 1000 Hill? Who? 358 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:24,360 Is. Our great physician, who is the 359 00:19:24,360 --> 00:19:27,200 one who heals us to begin with, Who is the one who? 360 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:30,280 Says he would provide all of our needs according to his riches of 361 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,800 glory, but Christ by Christ Jesus so. 362 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,560 You're willing to give him up? For a 2000. 363 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:41,320 Dollar a month health package. Are we seeing this? 364 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:45,800 Oh, I'm going to preach it till it gets very real in here. 365 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:47,240 It's getting thick, I can feel it. 366 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:50,360 I can just feel. The it's just creeping up on 367 00:19:50,360 --> 00:19:52,880 some of y'all right in your gizzard, right in there, right 368 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,440 in the good part. You know your gizzard. 369 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:57,400 It's like right there. That's a Southern thing. 370 00:19:57,400 --> 00:20:00,680 It's like, right? Southern folks eat the gizzard, 371 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:05,720 so let's. Just now, this is important. 372 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:08,920 This is this is important. Because I feel like. 373 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:12,280 We're in times where the temptation is rising. 374 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:15,840 That's what I've. That's my sense. 375 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:16,760 That's why I'm preaching it today. 376 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:20,960 I'm not preaching it to condemn. I'm preaching it to warn, to 377 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:25,040 warn you, to warn you. There's nothing, nothing, 378 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:27,400 nothing on this planet. Worth your birthright with 379 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:31,000 Christ Worth. Worth the will of. 380 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:34,160 God in your life. I would I would leave everything 381 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:37,080 to stay in the will of God. I've had different people ask 382 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:40,160 me, you love North Carolina, do you like being North Carolina? 383 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:41,920 And I intentionally respond like this. 384 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,160 Though I love North Carolina, I intentionally respond like this. 385 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,240 I say I love the will of God, so the will of. 386 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:50,960 God has a smack dab in the middle of North Carolina. 387 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:53,920 But I love the will of God. I love it. 388 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:58,760 More than the location. I love it more than the people I 389 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:00,720 love it. More than my family who lives 390 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:03,800 here. I love the will of God. 391 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:06,840 Because in the middle. Of the will of God is. 392 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:10,080 Favor, provision, healing, it's all that I need. 393 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,280 It's protection. It's it, it, it, it, it. 394 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,640 It hems me in. I have confidence. 395 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:18,960 I have Peace of Mind. My mind could be right. 396 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:20,920 I can do. What God calls me to. 397 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:24,320 Do without fear. I can do what God calls me to 398 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:26,920 do, knowing that He's given his angels charge around me to keep 399 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,200 me in all my. Ways and so that. 400 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:33,680 Put a price on that. Put a price on that. 401 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:38,520 What health benefit? Can outweigh that there isn't 1. 402 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:44,360 Nothing could pull me out of the will of God, but you know where? 403 00:21:44,360 --> 00:21:45,840 You decided. You decided. 404 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:47,960 Now, before the temptation comes. 405 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:52,640 You make a stance. Now before. 406 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:57,240 The package is offered to you. These things are subtle. 407 00:21:57,640 --> 00:21:59,840 They. Come on A afternoon when you 408 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:02,320 come in from the from the. Field like Esau. 409 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:04,280 And he's tired. And he's weary. 410 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:06,720 It comes at the end of a long season. 411 00:22:08,120 --> 00:22:12,960 Hard season at work, hard season of ministry, hard family season. 412 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:16,280 It comes at the end of a hard season and all the sudden you 413 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:19,720 smell something and it's like, oh, that looks real good, you 414 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:21,480 know? My soul wanders from time to 415 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:23,800 time too, you know. Where I go Zillow. 416 00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:26,760 You ever done that? Or you just start to look and 417 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:30,360 say, you know, there's some cheap houses in Mexico. 418 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:34,920 You know what? I'm saying it's OK that I'm real 419 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:35,520 this. Morning. 420 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:36,840 OK, so every. Once in a while. 421 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:39,360 I don't do it as much as I used to, but there was a time and a 422 00:22:39,360 --> 00:22:41,400 season. Where to be like, let's just. 423 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:45,040 Look and see what's going on down and you know, different 424 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:48,200 places and you just zooming in and you're saying, oh, that 425 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:51,200 house looks nice and you know, that's cheaper over there. 426 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:54,360 And you know, you, you generally do that when your soul is 427 00:22:54,360 --> 00:22:58,440 feeling a little weird, when your soul is feeling a little 428 00:22:58,440 --> 00:22:59,800 weird. And you know what? 429 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:01,440 That's just priming the pump for the. 430 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:05,200 For that, for that waft. Of soup to come by and somebody. 431 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:06,600 Calls you. Up and then all of a sudden 432 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:08,560 you're like. It's the Lord my friend called 433 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:12,120 me from Florida. And they've got 0% tax rate and 434 00:23:12,120 --> 00:23:13,400 that must. Be God. 435 00:23:15,120 --> 00:23:17,320 OK, so. Now all of a sudden we're. 436 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:19,640 Led by the Lord based on the tax. 437 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:22,640 Bracket. No Sir. 438 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:27,840 No, ma'am. No, ma'am, no, Sir. 439 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:30,720 Look at. Hebrews chapter 12. 440 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:34,320 I should crack a couple jokes just to keep it light in. 441 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:38,400 Here because it's feeling heavy. Hebrews, chapter 12. 442 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:43,160 Verse 14 Pursue. Peace with all people. 443 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:46,200 And holiness, without which no one will. 444 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:50,440 See the Lord. Looking carefully lest anyone 445 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:52,320 fall. Short of the grace of God. 446 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:56,160 Lest any root of bitterness bringing up cause trouble and by 447 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:59,240 this many become defiled, look at the context here. 448 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:02,680 Lest there be any. Fornicator or profane person 449 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:11,280 like Esau, who for one morsel. Of food sold his birthright for 450 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:12,960 you. Know that afterward, when he 451 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:15,080 wanted to inherit the blessing, he was. 452 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:18,200 Rejected. For he found no place for 453 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,040 repentance, though he sought it diligently with. 454 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:25,120 Tears. Look at that, the writer of 455 00:24:25,120 --> 00:24:28,640 Hebrews is putting Esau. In the same place of saying hey. 456 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:34,840 Pursue peace with people. Don't let any root of bitterness 457 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:37,880 grow up. Because that'll defile you. 458 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:40,520 And once you're defiled, you may become like. 459 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,760 Esau to where you're. Willing to do stupid. 460 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,560 Stuff. And then before your knowing, 461 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:49,600 before you know it, you're begging. 462 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:51,720 To get it back. And it's too late. 463 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:55,160 Are y'all reading? This the same as me right? 464 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,160 This is a New Testament, so for everyone, she's like we're. 465 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:00,560 Under the blood of Jesus? Well, I think the book of 466 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:05,200 Hebrews was. Too, But he's warning, saying 467 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:08,200 don't do that, don't be like that make. 468 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:10,280 Sure that you pursue peace with all people. 469 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:12,000 Make sure you keep your heart right. 470 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:16,400 Make sure that you don't let any fornicator A profane person. 471 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:23,000 Like Esau creep up inside of you so that you don't sell your 472 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:25,400 birthright for. Morsel of bread. 473 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:30,120 You know, one of the things that was important to me when we were 474 00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:33,120 looking at and really believe in God for. 475 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:35,720 A while to pay off the mortgage is I. 476 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:39,760 And I kept saying I feel like this is for a time to come, lest 477 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:41,920 anyone be tempted. Not just myself, but. 478 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:46,080 Whoever pastors here after. Me and after our tenure may be 479 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:50,600 done in the years to come where it's like, you know, financial 480 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:53,680 pressures come and they start to change the message. 481 00:25:54,440 --> 00:26:00,960 Of the gospel to pay the bills. And so I just felt from the Lord 482 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:02,600 like we need to not have a mortgage. 483 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:06,040 So that that pressure at least. That's not a pressure, not 484 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:08,000 saying that. People are flawless or. 485 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:12,640 You know, don't have any potential temptation outside of 486 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:15,920 that, but I felt from the Lord like I don't I'm, I want to set 487 00:26:15,920 --> 00:26:17,880 my faith to pay that $1,000,000 mortgage. 488 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:21,000 Off so that. When we come up. 489 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:23,720 To the future this this property. 490 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,840 Is not compromised based on the message and that we can preach 491 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:31,000 the unadulterated. Gospel of Jesus Christ. 492 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:34,400 Even when it's inconvenient. Even when people. 493 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,040 Walk out. Of the room when I'm talking 494 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:41,000 about abortion, which happened this morning, it doesn't matter 495 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:42,400 to me. I'm like go and. 496 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:44,720 Take your tithe dollars because this property is paid for. 497 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:46,960 And I'm going to. Keep preaching this gospel until 498 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:51,320 Jesus returns. And that's that it's going to 499 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:53,880 happen and I love everybody and I. 500 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:57,240 I pray that they get over it, but I. 501 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:02,040 Cannot be under the. Pressure to sell the gospel of 502 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:04,080 Jesus Christ. Because I'm worried about. 503 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:07,640 Bills. Can't. 504 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:09,840 We cannot do it. And this isn't just for me, I. 505 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:12,640 I prayed this for. Any minister or pastor? 506 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:14,680 That watches this. I prayed this for all of our 507 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:17,280 house churches. Don't you compromise the gospel 508 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:20,480 of? Jesus Christ to pay bills for. 509 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:23,480 Money. I remember one time we were 510 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:27,200 still ministering in California and the person came up to me and 511 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,120 they were working for the state Department of Corrections and 512 00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:32,680 they were a nurse in the in the corrections department and they 513 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:34,360 came up to me and they felt conflicted. 514 00:27:34,360 --> 00:27:37,200 Because they were being forced to. 515 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:42,320 Administer transition surgeries for gender Gender transition 516 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:46,360 surgeries for inmates. Which the state paid for. 517 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:50,120 And they were conflicted because they knew that's wicked. 518 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:54,120 They knew that's wicked. They knew that's not right. 519 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,400 And so they were. Asking my opinion, what do I do? 520 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:00,520 You know, I'll probably lose my job if I don't do it, I said. 521 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:01,520 Well, you're going to have to be led. 522 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:02,960 By the Lord, but the Bible's clear. 523 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:06,600 And I let them. Decide they came back a few 524 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:08,960 weeks later they stood their. Ground They lost their job. 525 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:10,760 But they got a. Better job somewhere else. 526 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:14,880 And they kept their birthright. Hello. 527 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,360 So this is real. This isn't pine the. 528 00:28:18,360 --> 00:28:22,120 Sky like just religious speak. This is stuff you're going to 529 00:28:22,120 --> 00:28:24,360 have to decide. Maybe sometimes on a. 530 00:28:24,360 --> 00:28:27,200 Regular basis where do you? Stand. 531 00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:29,520 Where are you going? To where? 532 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:33,840 Where will you land on this? I remember there's one passage 533 00:28:33,840 --> 00:28:36,160 here I skipped over in my notes, but y'all can pull it up in 534 00:28:36,160 --> 00:28:41,240 Numbers chapter 24 and it says and, and Tim, if you'll come and 535 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:43,040 the team can come. This is what it says in Numbers 536 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:44,680 chapter 24. It wasn't even a good guy. 537 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:49,880 His name was Balaam. Balaam was, I mean, he was 538 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:52,880 trying, he was getting hired out and this guy named Balaic, he 539 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:55,000 was trying with all his might if you just come. 540 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,920 Curse Israel, please, I'll. Pay you, I'll give you whatever 541 00:28:57,920 --> 00:28:59,640 you want. I'll make you honorable. 542 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:05,240 All these things but God. Interrupted all these plans, I 543 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:08,440 mean in a in a significant way, you may know the story from the 544 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:12,720 guy who got interrupted and his donkey came up on the Angel of 545 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:14,520 the Lord and the donkey wouldn't move. 546 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,400 So Balaam is like hitting the donkey, telling him to go and 547 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:19,240 all of a. Sudden, the donkey talks out 548 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:25,480 loud. The donkey learned Hebrew and 549 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:28,920 the donkey's talking out loud and basically saying, Why are 550 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:30,720 you hitting me? I've been. 551 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:32,680 Carrying you pretty good all these years. 552 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:37,240 And then the Angel of. Lord appeared to Balaam. 553 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:38,520 And all of a sudden, he realized. 554 00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:39,320 Wow. This. 555 00:29:39,480 --> 00:29:43,480 Donkey saved my life because that Angel had his sword drawn. 556 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:46,760 But this is what? Balaam ended up having to tell 557 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,320 Balak when he refused. To say what he wanted him to 558 00:29:50,320 --> 00:29:51,880 say, he said. Did I not also? 559 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:55,200 Speak to your messengers. Whom you sent to me saying, if 560 00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:58,560 Balak were to give me. His house full of silver and 561 00:29:58,560 --> 00:30:00,720 gold, I. Could not go beyond the. 562 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,360 Word of the Lord to do good or bad. 563 00:30:03,360 --> 00:30:05,760 Of my own will. What the Lord says. 564 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:12,240 That I must speak and if an unrighteous person can come to 565 00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:16,200 that conclusion because they were confronted with the Angel. 566 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:20,080 Of the Lord, and really. Became overwhelmed with the. 567 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:23,800 Fear of the Lord, I feel like. Ought not we have that same 568 00:30:23,800 --> 00:30:27,960 position that says I could not go beyond the? 569 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:32,000 Word of the Lord to do good or bad what the Lord says. 570 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:36,560 That I must speak. That I must speak and I'm just 571 00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:40,400 praying. For each of you, for churches 572 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:43,840 across this country. In our own denomination. 573 00:30:43,840 --> 00:30:46,880 May we become people who it's like I don't get to choose what 574 00:30:46,880 --> 00:30:49,640 I speak. Yeah, I have to say what he. 575 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:51,920 Tells me to say. I have to say. 576 00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:53,840 Even if it's uncomfortable, I have to say it. 577 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:56,640 Even if it's unpopular. I have to say even if. 578 00:30:56,640 --> 00:30:59,760 Laws in the land begin to be written against it. 579 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:03,480 I cannot sell myself. For a bowl of. 580 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:06,800 Soup. I cannot do it. 581 00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:09,800 I cannot do it. I cannot do it. 582 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:14,000 We have pastors being arrested in Canada, in the United 583 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:19,720 Kingdom, just for saying things. That I said today, they're being 584 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:24,800 arrested all the way. And I don't know. 585 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:26,480 All about those particular. People. 586 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:29,280 All I know is that, come what may. 587 00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:34,080 I will preach this gospel. I will say what the Bible says 588 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:36,680 and if. Laws are written for me, or if 589 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:40,280 laws are written against me, my message hasn't changed because 590 00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:42,440 the Bible hasn't changed and I just. 591 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:44,440 Feel like it's better be a position. 592 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:48,200 Where you stand in today where you just make a stance and you 593 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:54,680 say that's me too if I lose my job because it gets inconvenient 594 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:56,040 for them. To have a. 595 00:31:56,040 --> 00:32:03,240 Christian at work. So be it if God calls me. 596 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:05,880 Somewhere else to live somewhere else and I lose my. 597 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:10,120 Mortgage rate, so be it. The blessing of the Lord's a lot 598 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:14,080 better than a. Mortgage rate, that's right. 599 00:32:14,080 --> 00:32:17,320 Don't you agree? This morning, I hope you feel, I 600 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,440 feel, I feel courage. Rising. 601 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:22,760 I feel strength, rising. I feel like my back is getting 602 00:32:22,760 --> 00:32:25,000 stronger. I feel like I'm going to stand 603 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:26,760 up straight more and I hope you will. 604 00:32:26,760 --> 00:32:28,560 Too, in fact. Let's all stand this morning. 605 00:32:31,280 --> 00:32:33,800 We want to thank you again for joining us for the Arise Church 606 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:35,920 podcast. We hope you were encouraged by 607 00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:37,720 what you heard today. You can find 608 00:32:37,720 --> 00:32:42,480 us.online@arisechurchn-c.com and on Instagram at Arise Church NC. 609 00:32:42,760 --> 00:32:45,920 If you need prayer or support or are interested in learning more 610 00:32:45,920 --> 00:32:49,600 about Arise Church, we encourage you to connect with us online or 611 00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:51,640 in person at our Sunday morning service. 612 00:32:51,880 --> 00:32:53,200 Thank you and God bless.