1 00:00:33,480 --> 00:00:38,040 Good morning everybody, great day to be in the House of God. 2 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:43,440 It real pretty outside 4 announcements. 3 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,800 I don't have anything really for next week except for I'm going 4 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:52,640 to let Brother Brad make an announcement after I finished 5 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:57,040 this, but Nancy and Charles wanted me to read this thank you 6 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:03,400 note to the church it's addressed to, Utica Christian 7 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:06,920 Church. Thank you so much for allowing 8 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:10,920 us to use your beautiful church for our 59th class reunion. 9 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:15,440 Everything was perfect and the right size for us. 10 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:20,480 Please accept our donation and we hope to have another one in 11 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:24,560 the future. God bless you class of 1967. 12 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,160 Thank you, Nancy. Thank you, Joel. 13 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:33,360 So anybody got anything they need to add in the congregation? 14 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:38,440 Any announcements from anybody? If not, I'll let Brother Brad 15 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:39,680 speak. Yeah. 16 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:44,360 Just wanted to remind you that Friday morning at 11 AM we have 17 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:50,320 memorial service for Mr. Sam Weeks Curry and we'll have 18 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:52,640 visitation will be from 10:50 in. 19 00:01:52,640 --> 00:02:00,120 The service will start at 11 here in the sanctuary and Miss 20 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:07,640 Patricia is hopefully today moving to Methodist Rehab has 21 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,480 been in the hospital off and on for the last two, two weeks or 22 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:13,400 so. But it's hopefully moving to 23 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:17,280 Methodist and and going to start regaining some some strength. 24 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,040 So we're just be in prayer for her. 25 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:25,920 That's all happening. Wouldn't continue with our 26 00:02:25,920 --> 00:05:01,840 service ladies. Please stand turn in your 27 00:05:01,840 --> 00:05:05,200 Worship hymnals to number 641, America the Beautiful. 28 00:05:05,680 --> 00:09:06,620 We will sing all four verses. for Call to Worship today. 29 00:09:08,860 --> 00:09:12,260 Went with the theme Illumination. 30 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:18,400 It's in a lot of scriptures and Bible verses but I just I picked 31 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,800 this one out. It's from John chapter 8 verse 32 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,760 12. It says when Jesus spoke again 33 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:28,840 to the people he said I am the light of the world. 34 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:33,760 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have 35 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:39,040 the light of life. What did Jesus mean I am the 36 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:43,400 light of the world? Jesus is saying He brings truth, 37 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:47,720 hope and direction to everyone, not just one group. 38 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,720 What does he mean whoever follows me? 39 00:09:52,680 --> 00:09:58,120 Anyone, child, team, adult who chooses to trust and obey Him? 40 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:02,480 What about we'll never walk in darkness? 41 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:09,680 Darkness represents confusion, sin, fear and separation from 42 00:10:09,680 --> 00:10:14,400 God. What about we'll have the light 43 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:17,680 of life? Jesus gives us guidance, 44 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:28,360 purpose, peace and eternal life, what God wants us to learn. 45 00:10:29,560 --> 00:10:36,800 Without him we can get lost in wrong choices, confusion, fear. 46 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:42,480 God is reminding us we cannot navigate life alone. 47 00:10:47,560 --> 00:10:55,200 Many things promise happiness, money, popularity, success, but 48 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:58,360 only Jesus gives us lasting peace and truth. 49 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:03,400 God wants us to put Him first, not temporary things. 50 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:10,360 It's not just knowing about Him, it's listening to Him, trusting 51 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:14,920 Him, leaving his way. Light up. 52 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,160 Light only helps if we walk in it. 53 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:25,320 How we apply this today. Tell the truth even when it's 54 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,760 hard. Be kind to others. 55 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,840 Pray when you feel scared. Walking in Jesus. 56 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:36,080 Jesus's light means making good choices. 57 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:40,440 Choose friends and influences wisely. 58 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:45,680 Stand firm in your faith. Don't follow the crowd into the 59 00:11:45,680 --> 00:11:50,400 wrong behavior. Light means courage to do the 60 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:55,560 right what's right. Make decisions guided by prayer 61 00:11:55,560 --> 00:11:59,400 and scripture. Show integrity at work and at 62 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,480 home. Be a source of encouragement to 63 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:06,360 others. Light means living with purpose 64 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:11,360 and example. You may want to ask yourself, is 65 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:15,560 this leading me closer to God or in in or Into Darkness? 66 00:12:17,560 --> 00:12:20,840 Today, many people feel overwhelmed by bad news, 67 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:26,280 conflict in communities, uncertainty about the future. 68 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,320 It can feel like the world is getting darker. 69 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:35,200 Jesus reminds us that darkness never wins over light. 70 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:42,160 Even when the world feels unstable, truth still exists. 71 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:47,680 Hope still exists. God is still in control. 72 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:51,800 Instead of spreading fear, spread hope. 73 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:57,080 Instead of reaching in anger, respond with love. 74 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:02,200 Instead of feeling lost, seek God's guidance. 75 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:07,160 You become a reflection of Christ's light in dark 76 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:12,080 situations. You may ask yourself again, 77 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,360 where do I see darkness in my life right now? 78 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:20,200 Am I truly following Jesus or just knowing about Him? 79 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:25,440 How can I bring His light into my home, school, or workplace? 80 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:28,920 Who needs to see God's light through me? 81 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:34,480 Light doesn't shout, it simply shines. 82 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:40,720 When we follow Jesus, our lives quietly show others the way. 83 00:13:41,560 --> 00:13:47,360 Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we we thank you 84 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:49,480 for being the light of of the world. 85 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:54,600 Help us to follow you every day so we don't walk in darkness. 86 00:13:55,400 --> 00:14:00,880 Teach us to shine your light in our words, actions, and choices. 87 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:06,920 Use us to bring hope to others in a world that needs you, as 88 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:12,680 you taught us to say, praying. Our Father, who art in heaven, 89 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:18,200 hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done 90 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:23,960 on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day Our Daily 91 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:30,080 Bread, and give us our debts as we give our debtors, and lead us 92 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:33,560 not into temptation. But there are some evil. 93 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:38,520 But thou is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. 94 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:54,940 Amen. Please stand. 95 00:14:55,140 --> 00:14:58,740 Turn to number 646, My country tis of thee. 96 00:14:59,020 --> 00:15:01,940 We'll do the first, second, and fourth verse. 97 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:03,600 Amen. You may be seated before we go 98 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,280 in the morning prayer. I do want to say thank you to 99 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:12,560 everyone who was involved with VBS, with providing food, with 100 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:16,760 cooking, with those who helped with the decorations. 101 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:22,000 Young people did a fantastic job, not only with the 102 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,680 decorating, but also with helping with crafts, with games, 103 00:17:26,599 --> 00:17:30,280 getting them to class and staying in class. 104 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:36,760 Emilyn is not here to Emilyn had a a child that latched on to her 105 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:42,520 like she was the greatest thing ever and, and she went with her 106 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:45,040 everywhere. And I just, I do appreciate 107 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:48,440 Emilyn for that. And then when Brooklyn was here, 108 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,760 she had Brooklyn and this other, this little girl's name was 109 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:56,320 Emmy, but they were with her each side wherever they went. 110 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,920 Claire Camille, y'all did a fantastic job. 111 00:17:59,960 --> 00:18:04,720 Macy, thank you very much. It you know, it was just an 112 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:08,640 encouraging thing for me because honestly, I didn't have to do 113 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:13,200 anything and I loved it. They did it all Martha, Katie, 114 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:15,880 Grace talk. Macy led the music. 115 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:19,160 So we just had we had a great time. 116 00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:23,520 We averaged about 18 to 20 each evening. 117 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:30,320 And I will say I've got next week we're picking up 4 young 118 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:34,280 where's Chuck where'd Chuck go Chuck is going to pick up four 119 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:40,920 children for us next week. So we are encouraged by that had 120 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:43,720 a great time. And as you do know, we our our 121 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:48,120 focus was Jesus is the light of the world, which I know that you 122 00:18:48,120 --> 00:18:53,040 remember my sermon from last week and how enlightening it was 123 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:54,560 to you, right. OK. 124 00:18:55,920 --> 00:19:00,320 As we go Lord in prayer today, do want to say this continue to 125 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:06,640 remember Miss Patricia, continue to remember Mr. Dan, remember 126 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:10,920 the Curry family as we will have the memorial service this week. 127 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:15,440 And I do want to just say it is so good to have y'all here this 128 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,720 morning and you don't have a Walker, Mr. Tony. 129 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:21,720 And you are making wonderful progress from the knee 130 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:23,640 replacement. Awesome. 131 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:30,840 Glad y'all here. Look, yes, also Brian Caraway is 132 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:35,160 in the hospital, but hopefully going home today if everything 133 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,400 not going home today. OK, OK. 134 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:45,760 Got bit by a spider think it was a brown recluse and had a has 135 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:49,280 had a very difficult time had a lot of had to get a lot of 136 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,520 antibiotics and still getting those. 137 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:57,520 But they think no, no permanent damage to that arm. 138 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,920 So continue to remember him and be careful. 139 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,840 And when you get bit, go ahead and go to the doctor. 140 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:07,040 He he waited. What really not even 20. 141 00:20:17,930 --> 00:20:25,960 Gotcha. Yeah. 142 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:30,040 So we are thankful that he is doing much better. 143 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:32,600 Anyone else got any prayer requests? 144 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:35,040 All right. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 145 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,200 Heavenly Father, it is good to be in your house this morning. 146 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:42,000 Lord, we do give thanks for an opportunity to celebrate our 147 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:45,200 nation. Lord, we give thanks to you for 148 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:49,200 how you have blessed us and how you continue to bless us. 149 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:53,760 We just lift up our our nation. We lift up our leaders, we lift 150 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:56,920 up our military. Lord, just pray for their 151 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,920 safety. Lord, pray for our leaders that 152 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:03,320 as they make decisions, Lord, that they do seek counsel from 153 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:07,800 you, Lord, and they make wise decisions that will not only 154 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,880 benefit the United States, but will benefit the world at large. 155 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,600 Lord, we ask now that as we look into your word this morning, 156 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,480 Lord, that our hearts would be receptive and, and we would 157 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,920 allow the Holy Spirit to move within us and, and to convict 158 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:26,000 us, Lord, to change us, whatever it may be. 159 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:29,880 It just to encourage us, but Lord that we allow the Spirit to 160 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,120 move. We also pray, Lord, for these 161 00:21:32,120 --> 00:21:34,200 children that we've had over this past week. 162 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:37,400 We thank you for each of them. We thank you for those who are 163 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:43,120 in our in our town are in the outline areas that that we have 164 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:46,720 an opportunity to hopefully to come continue to minister to 165 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:50,080 during the future. Lord, just pray that as we reach 166 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:53,160 out that they will be receptive and then parents will allow them 167 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:55,960 to be a part. We pray you'll bless the 168 00:21:56,360 --> 00:21:59,280 remainder of our service Lord, and it's in Jesus name I pray. 169 00:21:59,640 --> 00:26:59,680 Amen. Our Communion hymn is number 170 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:02,280 631. Fill my cup, Lord. 171 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:04,000 Of course, first and second verse. 172 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:38,360 Christ invites to this table all who profess the Christian faith 173 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:42,840 and who seek the mercy of God. This is the table of the Lord. 174 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:47,040 Come not because you are strong, but because you are weak. 175 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,960 Come not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to 176 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:54,160 come, but because you need mercy and help. 177 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:58,080 Come because you love the Lord a little and you'd like to love 178 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:00,840 Him more. Come because the Lord loves you 179 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:05,680 and gives himself for you. Let this bread and wine be for 180 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:09,000 you, the token and pledge of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 181 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:11,960 the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, 182 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:15,280 all meant for you if you will receive them in humble faith. 183 00:30:15,960 --> 00:30:18,880 O taste and see that the Lord is good. 184 00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:24,920 Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to come and 185 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:31,040 gather around this your table. As we break this bread, let 186 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:36,200 remind us of the body of your Son that paid the ultimate price 187 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:39,600 on that cross so that we could have eternal life. 188 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:44,080 Now we take this animal. May we do so in a matter of 189 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:48,080 pleasing unto you. Father, thank you for the many 190 00:30:48,080 --> 00:30:50,320 blessings you've given us. Thank you for the opportunity we 191 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:51,720 have to come together to worship. 192 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:55,480 Praise you today. Especially we thank you for this 193 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:58,360 table and the invitation we have to come and partake of its 194 00:30:58,360 --> 00:30:59,400 emblems. Now. 195 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:02,560 As we partake of this cup, we're reminded of Jesus's blood that 196 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:05,640 was poured out on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. 197 00:31:06,120 --> 00:31:08,040 Pray that we may partake in a manner that shall please. 198 00:31:08,040 --> 00:34:27,840 Amen to you Christ name, I pray. The Lord of Jesus, on the night 199 00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:31,080 he was betrayed, took bread and he had given thanks. 200 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:34,080 He broke it and said, this is my body given for you. 201 00:34:34,639 --> 00:34:42,880 Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he 202 00:34:42,880 --> 00:34:46,760 took the cup, saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 203 00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:50,639 Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. 204 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:15,680 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim 205 00:35:15,680 --> 00:35:45,650 the Lord's death until he comes this morning. 206 00:35:45,650 --> 00:35:48,130 If you have your Bible with you, you can turn to Romans chapter 207 00:35:48,130 --> 00:35:53,690 12 and verse one, Romans chapter 12 and verse one. 208 00:35:54,890 --> 00:36:00,080 As you're turning there, I want to give you a little bit, just a 209 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:04,400 little bit about Romans. So that the 1st 11 chapters of 210 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:10,440 this book of, of Romans deals with what we are to believe, 211 00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:19,440 what we are to believe, what, what sin is, what God has done 212 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:24,280 through his Son Jesus Christ to pay the price for that sin. 213 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:32,960 He gives us a glimpse as to who God is and, and, and, and the 214 00:36:32,960 --> 00:36:37,160 power that he has and, and he has shown that power through the 215 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:40,560 giving of his one and only son. And then we move and he and he 216 00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:43,280 ends with the at the end of Romans Chapter 11. 217 00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:45,040 I'm going to read this beginning in verse 33. 218 00:36:45,040 --> 00:36:48,120 It says all the depth of the riches of the wisdom and 219 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:52,320 knowledge of God, how unsearchable His judgments and 220 00:36:52,320 --> 00:36:56,800 his past beyond tracing out who has known the mind of the Lord 221 00:36:57,160 --> 00:37:01,600 or who has been his counselor, Who has ever given to God that 222 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:05,880 God should repay them? For from him and through him and 223 00:37:05,880 --> 00:37:09,760 for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. 224 00:37:10,320 --> 00:37:13,040 Amen. Now He closes out that first 225 00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:16,840 section with those words to remind us once again who God is 226 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:19,160 and that there is no one like him. 227 00:37:19,160 --> 00:37:21,080 We have no one to compare Him to. 228 00:37:21,400 --> 00:37:23,520 There is no one that even comes close. 229 00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:26,480 And then he begins in chapter 12. 230 00:37:26,840 --> 00:37:31,920 He gives us it from here to the end on how we are to behave, how 231 00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:35,120 we are to live out this Christian life. 232 00:37:35,120 --> 00:37:39,680 The responsibility that we have asked Christians to live in a 233 00:37:39,680 --> 00:37:44,080 way that is pleasing and in accordance with God's will. 234 00:37:44,080 --> 00:37:46,280 So he starts out in chapter 12, verse one. 235 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:50,240 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's 236 00:37:50,240 --> 00:37:54,120 mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and 237 00:37:54,120 --> 00:37:57,160 pleasing to God. This is your true and proper 238 00:37:57,160 --> 00:38:00,440 worship. Do not conform to the pattern of 239 00:38:00,440 --> 00:38:03,480 this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 240 00:38:04,120 --> 00:38:07,200 Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is 241 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:10,400 His good, pleasing and perfect will. 242 00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:14,720 This morning I know that I have preached on this at least three 243 00:38:14,720 --> 00:38:18,680 times, maybe more since I have been here. 244 00:38:18,680 --> 00:38:22,280 But I I want us to come back to this again because God continues 245 00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:29,240 to bring to me in this passage the fact of are we living a life 246 00:38:31,360 --> 00:38:35,560 that is pleasing to God? Are we living a life that is in 247 00:38:35,560 --> 00:38:39,760 accordance with His will? Are we living a life that is 248 00:38:39,760 --> 00:38:44,800 actually that we are living a life of sacrifice in view of 249 00:38:44,800 --> 00:38:48,920 what God has done for us because of our sin, because of what we 250 00:38:48,920 --> 00:38:53,120 deserved, because of him giving His one and only Son Jesus 251 00:38:53,120 --> 00:38:55,560 Christ to come and to pay the price for that sin? 252 00:38:56,600 --> 00:39:00,480 Are we living a life in response to that? 253 00:39:01,800 --> 00:39:10,960 Or do we have this mindset of almost that we deserved Christ 254 00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:15,480 to come The world that we live in today, and we talked about 255 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:17,480 this in, in our Sunday school class this morning. 256 00:39:17,480 --> 00:39:21,400 The, the world that we live in today has has taken on this, 257 00:39:21,400 --> 00:39:31,000 this idea that everyone is good. Let me give you a four example. 258 00:39:32,280 --> 00:39:37,480 You play on a a sports team, let's just say a baseball team, 259 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:41,440 and you get to the end of the year and your team has not won a 260 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:47,560 game, not one game, but there will be a trophy presentation. 261 00:39:47,560 --> 00:39:51,480 And your team, even though you lost, you lost every single 262 00:39:51,480 --> 00:39:56,840 game, you will receive a trophy. You didn't, you didn't deserve a 263 00:39:56,840 --> 00:39:59,400 trophy. You lost every single game. 264 00:40:00,040 --> 00:40:02,000 And what I want you to understand this morning is I'm 265 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:06,240 not saying that children don't need a participation trophy, but 266 00:40:06,240 --> 00:40:10,280 that is what I'm saying. What I'm trying to say is we 267 00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:12,640 are. We are supposed to teach our 268 00:40:12,640 --> 00:40:17,400 children through sports what it what it is to win and what it is 269 00:40:17,400 --> 00:40:19,560 to lose. And that life is going to be 270 00:40:19,560 --> 00:40:23,240 full of things that we are going to have some success and we're 271 00:40:23,240 --> 00:40:26,680 going to have a lot of failures. And we have to learn to live 272 00:40:26,680 --> 00:40:28,360 with that. We have to learn to deal with 273 00:40:28,360 --> 00:40:30,480 that. But the world we live in, in 274 00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:33,360 today, they say we don't want you to feel any pain. 275 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:35,800 We don't want you to feel uncomfortable. 276 00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:39,640 We don't want you to feel like you're out of place. 277 00:40:40,640 --> 00:40:44,440 Everybody gets a trophy. God's word says to you and me, 278 00:40:44,440 --> 00:40:48,760 we missed the mark. We committed sin. 279 00:40:48,760 --> 00:40:54,720 He desired perfection from us, and we totally missed the mark, 280 00:40:55,680 --> 00:41:00,000 each and every one of us. We failed and we can't fix it on 281 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:02,800 our own. So he sent his one and only Son, 282 00:41:02,840 --> 00:41:05,520 Jesus Christ, who lived that perfect life, who was that 283 00:41:05,520 --> 00:41:10,160 perfect sacrifice, so that you and I can receive forgiveness 284 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:14,080 for that sin. So in response to that, I ask 285 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:18,200 you today, in view of God's mercy, he didn't have to do it. 286 00:41:19,720 --> 00:41:21,640 He did it out of His love for us. 287 00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:30,520 Are we living a life of sacrifice? 288 00:41:33,040 --> 00:41:40,640 Is are we placing Him first and foremost in our lives or does he 289 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:46,480 take 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, however far down we have to go 290 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:48,040 to? If we're honest with ourselves? 291 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:53,040 Do we place our relationship with God above anything and 292 00:41:53,040 --> 00:41:57,280 everything else? Let me give it to you like this. 293 00:41:57,280 --> 00:42:03,680 I want to ask you this over this past week, how much time have 294 00:42:03,680 --> 00:42:09,240 you spent in God's Word? How much time have you spent 295 00:42:09,240 --> 00:42:13,720 been have you spent in prayer? How much time have you spent 296 00:42:13,720 --> 00:42:19,880 living your life the way that Christ did, which was a daily, 297 00:42:20,600 --> 00:42:24,440 daily sacrificial life for the Father? 298 00:42:25,560 --> 00:42:27,960 He tells us when he came, he said I have come to do my 299 00:42:27,960 --> 00:42:29,760 Father's will. That's the only reason that I 300 00:42:29,760 --> 00:42:33,360 came. I came to do exactly what he 301 00:42:33,360 --> 00:42:37,680 desires for me to do, and it doesn't matter what I'm going to 302 00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:42,400 face, what I'm going to suffer. I know what's coming, but I will 303 00:42:42,400 --> 00:42:45,680 live for him because that is what he has called me to do. 304 00:42:47,200 --> 00:42:50,760 Paul says to us here that in view of God's mercy and all that 305 00:42:50,760 --> 00:42:54,560 he has done for us, that we are to offer our bodies as a living 306 00:42:54,840 --> 00:42:59,200 sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. 307 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:03,840 Not long ago we we spent some time on on, on the idea of what 308 00:43:03,840 --> 00:43:07,320 it is for us to be holy, what it is for us to be set apart. 309 00:43:07,320 --> 00:43:09,880 That we live differently than the world. 310 00:43:10,200 --> 00:43:14,960 That they see something in us that they do not see in the rest 311 00:43:14,960 --> 00:43:17,240 of the world. We are set apart. 312 00:43:17,240 --> 00:43:22,920 We are different, we respond differently when things happen. 313 00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:30,800 We we live a life of joy in the midst of pain because we 314 00:43:30,800 --> 00:43:33,000 realized that this is not the end. 315 00:43:34,480 --> 00:43:38,680 We are looking towards what God has prepared for us in heaven 316 00:43:38,680 --> 00:43:43,160 and we live a different life. And he finishes that that 317 00:43:43,160 --> 00:43:46,440 thought with this is your true and proper worship. 318 00:43:46,520 --> 00:43:49,920 Basically he's saying this is how you should live your life. 319 00:43:49,920 --> 00:43:53,080 This is your response to what God has done for you. 320 00:43:53,080 --> 00:43:56,720 You live a life of sacrifice. Jesus said to us. 321 00:43:56,720 --> 00:44:00,120 What? Take up your cross and follow me 322 00:44:00,640 --> 00:44:03,880 daily. It's not just on Sundays that we 323 00:44:03,880 --> 00:44:08,320 come to church. It's not just that we give a 324 00:44:08,320 --> 00:44:10,880 part of what He has blessed us with. 325 00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:14,840 It's not just that we pray for those who are sick. 326 00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:20,160 It is a daily sacrificial life that we live. 327 00:44:22,440 --> 00:44:25,600 Are we doing that? Then it says this in verse 2, do 328 00:44:25,600 --> 00:44:28,320 not conform to the pattern of this world. 329 00:44:30,080 --> 00:44:31,360 And I'm just going to stop right there. 330 00:44:31,360 --> 00:44:39,280 Now I, I want to ask you are are we as a nation, as a state, as a 331 00:44:39,320 --> 00:44:45,440 town, as a church, as an individual, are we conforming to 332 00:44:45,440 --> 00:44:50,000 the ways of the world? Are are we standing firm in what 333 00:44:50,000 --> 00:44:56,160 we know what is right, what is true, what is proper according 334 00:44:56,160 --> 00:44:59,000 to God's Word? Do we stand on God's Word? 335 00:44:59,000 --> 00:45:06,640 Do we live out God's Word? Or have we conformed to society? 336 00:45:13,660 --> 00:45:19,060 Unfortunately, if we're honest with ourselves and with one 337 00:45:19,060 --> 00:45:22,620 another, there's been a lot of conforming. 338 00:45:24,660 --> 00:45:31,880 We do not live in accordance with the way that God desires 339 00:45:31,880 --> 00:45:35,600 for us to. We do not live a life of 340 00:45:35,600 --> 00:45:38,080 sacrifice. We do not take up our cross 341 00:45:38,080 --> 00:45:41,920 daily. We do not love God first and 342 00:45:41,920 --> 00:45:44,040 foremost. We do not love our neighbor as 343 00:45:44,040 --> 00:45:50,000 our self. Self comes in often. 344 00:45:54,440 --> 00:45:59,480 I go back to the sports team and everyone receiving a trophy. 345 00:46:04,160 --> 00:46:08,080 Do you remember at the end of games when you would go out and, 346 00:46:08,080 --> 00:46:11,960 and you would shake hands and whether you won or whether you 347 00:46:11,960 --> 00:46:14,760 lost, you went out and you shook hands and, and, and you did it 348 00:46:15,600 --> 00:46:19,000 respectfully. I, I can remember when I, when I 349 00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:24,560 was playing baseball in Little League and I had pitched that, 350 00:46:24,560 --> 00:46:31,480 that game and, and we had lost and I had pitched well and I was 351 00:46:31,480 --> 00:46:36,320 angry, number one, that we had lost that, that we had some 352 00:46:36,320 --> 00:46:38,840 errors in the field that I didn't think we should have had, 353 00:46:38,840 --> 00:46:40,920 that we didn't hit the ball as we should. 354 00:46:41,040 --> 00:46:43,520 And understand, I was very young, but all of these things I 355 00:46:43,520 --> 00:46:50,360 felt I was thinking and I went out there and, and I, I was not 356 00:46:50,360 --> 00:46:51,600 happy. I, I did not want to 357 00:46:51,600 --> 00:47:00,480 congratulate them. And I did it in a very 358 00:47:00,480 --> 00:47:02,600 unsportsmanlike way. When I got back to the dugout, 359 00:47:02,600 --> 00:47:07,320 my coach said to me, you will not ever do that again. 360 00:47:08,280 --> 00:47:10,080 You will not walk out there like that. 361 00:47:10,080 --> 00:47:13,200 When you walk out and you shake hands, you do it in the way that 362 00:47:13,200 --> 00:47:15,040 you're supposed to and that you know is right. 363 00:47:18,200 --> 00:47:22,000 The world says to us today, hey, if you don't feel like it, you 364 00:47:22,000 --> 00:47:31,760 don't have to Take God's word. You live your truth, not his 365 00:47:31,760 --> 00:47:34,720 truth. You, you find your truth and you 366 00:47:34,720 --> 00:47:40,760 live it. We should be teaching our 367 00:47:40,760 --> 00:47:46,880 children that that this is truth, that we live in 368 00:47:46,880 --> 00:47:53,080 accordance to God's Word, that we don't conform to the world, 369 00:47:54,440 --> 00:47:56,000 that we live according to His Word. 370 00:47:57,280 --> 00:48:02,640 It says, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 371 00:48:02,640 --> 00:48:07,120 How do we renew our mind? The only way that we can do it 372 00:48:07,120 --> 00:48:09,920 is through spending time in God's Word, through spending 373 00:48:09,920 --> 00:48:12,560 time with Him in prayer, through communing with Him to allowing 374 00:48:12,560 --> 00:48:19,120 Him to speak to us and we can be transformed out of this world 375 00:48:20,560 --> 00:48:23,800 that we can live a life that is pleasing to him. 376 00:48:27,960 --> 00:48:31,280 But for us to do that, we we have to set ourselves apart from 377 00:48:31,280 --> 00:48:33,560 the world. We cannot conform. 378 00:48:33,560 --> 00:48:37,960 We cannot be in walk in step with the world. 379 00:48:39,560 --> 00:48:43,240 If people do not see something different about us as 380 00:48:43,240 --> 00:48:47,280 Christians, we're failing. Hear me, hear me again. 381 00:48:49,120 --> 00:48:53,360 If people do not see something different about us as 382 00:48:53,360 --> 00:48:56,400 Christians, we are failing. We are failing to live in 383 00:48:56,400 --> 00:48:58,600 accordance to the way God desires for us to do. 384 00:48:59,120 --> 00:49:03,680 A life of sacrifice is not what the world teaches. 385 00:49:04,760 --> 00:49:09,000 The world teaches us that. You get all that you can and you 386 00:49:09,000 --> 00:49:12,080 deserve a trophy, and you're going to get a trophy. 387 00:49:13,160 --> 00:49:16,960 God says to you and to me, if you don't accept Jesus Christ as 388 00:49:16,960 --> 00:49:18,720 Lord and Savior, what's going to happen to you? 389 00:49:18,720 --> 00:49:21,800 You're going to face the consequences for your sin. 390 00:49:23,360 --> 00:49:29,600 That is on you as a person. It's not on anyone else. 391 00:49:29,600 --> 00:49:31,800 It's not on your parents, it's on you. 392 00:49:33,240 --> 00:49:36,320 It's not on your upbringing. We talked about this morning how 393 00:49:36,320 --> 00:49:44,040 we have a lot of a lot of talk going on about the environment 394 00:49:44,040 --> 00:49:47,600 that we live in gives us an excuse. 395 00:49:47,720 --> 00:49:54,680 It does not. Just because you grew up with a 396 00:49:54,840 --> 00:49:59,120 family who did not live in accordance with God's word does 397 00:49:59,120 --> 00:50:01,960 not mean that you you don't have a responsibility to do it. 398 00:50:04,760 --> 00:50:08,440 Of those of us who have been brought up in a Christian home, 399 00:50:08,880 --> 00:50:11,600 was it a blessing? Was it maybe an advantage to us? 400 00:50:11,600 --> 00:50:15,400 Maybe it was. But according to Romans, what 401 00:50:15,400 --> 00:50:20,040 does it say in Romans chapter 1? Every single one of us are 402 00:50:20,040 --> 00:50:24,840 without excuse. There is no excuse. 403 00:50:25,920 --> 00:50:29,600 You will never get to stand before God and say my upbringing 404 00:50:29,600 --> 00:50:33,760 was not really that good. I don't deserve what you're 405 00:50:33,760 --> 00:50:35,920 saying. It's not going to happen. 406 00:50:36,800 --> 00:50:41,440 You're without excuse. Each of us has an opportunity to 407 00:50:41,440 --> 00:50:45,600 receive Christ as Savior. If we choose to not do that, we 408 00:50:45,600 --> 00:50:48,400 will face the consequences of our actions. 409 00:50:48,520 --> 00:50:51,120 We missed the mark we send. We did it on our own. 410 00:50:52,760 --> 00:50:54,880 We talked about before from a very early age. 411 00:50:54,880 --> 00:50:59,040 You had, excuse me, you have a child and there is a light 412 00:50:59,040 --> 00:51:02,520 socket and they want to put their hand in that light socket 413 00:51:02,520 --> 00:51:05,280 and you tell them no. When you tell them no, and 414 00:51:05,280 --> 00:51:08,200 finally the third time they go to reach for that light socket 415 00:51:08,200 --> 00:51:12,000 and you have to pop that hand. They have to be reprimanded. 416 00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:14,400 They have to understand you do not do this. 417 00:51:16,320 --> 00:51:21,080 But the world we live in today says, well, if you want to go 418 00:51:21,080 --> 00:51:31,160 ahead, the consequences for sin do not change. 419 00:51:32,440 --> 00:51:38,240 They are set. If we're going to be 420 00:51:38,240 --> 00:51:41,400 transformed, if we are going to renew our minds and be who God 421 00:51:41,400 --> 00:51:44,400 desires for us to be, we've got to be in His Word. 422 00:51:45,240 --> 00:51:47,240 We've got to live according to His Word. 423 00:51:48,400 --> 00:51:54,120 We have to spend time daily allowing Him to transform us, to 424 00:51:54,120 --> 00:51:57,360 take us from who we are into what He desires for us to be, 425 00:51:57,360 --> 00:52:04,320 not what we desire to be. When that happens, it says then 426 00:52:04,320 --> 00:52:08,200 you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His 427 00:52:08,200 --> 00:52:12,600 good, pleasing and perfect will. And I want to close with this. 428 00:52:16,480 --> 00:52:21,680 This past week we had Bible school and as I told you, these 429 00:52:21,680 --> 00:52:24,800 young people were, they were great. 430 00:52:25,760 --> 00:52:29,160 They, they truly were. They didn't complain. 431 00:52:30,080 --> 00:52:32,280 They didn't say it's hot outside, I don't want to take 432 00:52:32,280 --> 00:52:34,360 the children outside. They didn't say I don't want to 433 00:52:34,360 --> 00:52:37,800 walk to class with them. I don't know this child, but 434 00:52:37,800 --> 00:52:41,000 she's clinging on to me. They didn't complain, they did 435 00:52:41,000 --> 00:52:44,280 it. They did exactly what I needed 436 00:52:44,280 --> 00:52:48,680 them to do for them to be effective with those children. 437 00:52:48,680 --> 00:52:51,880 And it was good and it was pleasing to me. 438 00:52:52,480 --> 00:52:57,320 Imagine what it is for our Heavenly Father when we're 439 00:52:57,320 --> 00:53:02,240 walking as He desires for us to walk as I'm proud as I am of 440 00:53:02,240 --> 00:53:05,320 those children for what they did during Bible school. 441 00:53:06,120 --> 00:53:11,400 Imagine how proud God is of us when we are walking in step with 442 00:53:11,400 --> 00:53:16,200 Him, when we are following His commands, when we are loving as 443 00:53:16,200 --> 00:53:20,320 He loved, when we are willing to sacrifice ourself for others. 444 00:53:21,320 --> 00:53:25,520 That is what God's good, pleasing and perfect will for us 445 00:53:25,520 --> 00:53:34,120 is, to live a life of sacrifice. Now the world, I can promise 446 00:53:34,120 --> 00:53:38,640 you, is going to say to you and to me, that is so backwards it's 447 00:53:38,640 --> 00:53:41,720 ridiculous. That makes no sense. 448 00:53:42,960 --> 00:53:45,360 If you don't take care of yourself, no one else will. 449 00:53:46,400 --> 00:53:49,240 You have to get yours, am I right? 450 00:53:49,240 --> 00:53:50,480 Is that what was that? What is? 451 00:53:50,480 --> 00:53:58,040 Is that what it's taught? God says to you and to me, What 452 00:53:59,760 --> 00:54:07,040 do for others, Give till it hurts, sacrifice for someone 453 00:54:07,040 --> 00:54:11,400 else. It goes against everything that 454 00:54:11,400 --> 00:54:14,960 the world teaches, but it's what God teaches. 455 00:54:15,400 --> 00:54:18,080 It's what God desires. It's actually what God commands. 456 00:54:19,840 --> 00:54:25,640 This morning I simply ask you and I ask myself, are we living 457 00:54:25,640 --> 00:54:33,720 a life of sacrifice? Are we rejecting the idea of 458 00:54:33,720 --> 00:54:36,480 conforming to where the world is going? 459 00:54:39,320 --> 00:54:42,320 Are we willing to stand up and stand on the principles of God's 460 00:54:42,320 --> 00:54:47,280 word? Are we living a life that is 461 00:54:47,280 --> 00:54:51,160 pleasing to God? Are we pleasing self? 462 00:54:51,600 --> 00:54:54,520 Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I do Thank you, 463 00:54:54,520 --> 00:54:59,200 Lord, for your love and your grace and your mercy that you 464 00:54:59,200 --> 00:55:01,040 bestow upon us each and every day. 465 00:55:02,320 --> 00:55:07,000 We hadn't deserved it, we didn't earn it, but you loved us 466 00:55:07,000 --> 00:55:10,320 anyway, and we thank you for that. 467 00:55:12,240 --> 00:55:18,840 And Lord, we simply pray that as your children that we will take 468 00:55:18,840 --> 00:55:23,760 Your word and we will apply it to our lives, that we will honor 469 00:55:23,760 --> 00:55:31,640 Your word because these words are your words says to us that 470 00:55:31,640 --> 00:55:35,920 all Scripture is God breathed. This is your desire for us. 471 00:55:35,920 --> 00:55:39,080 This is how you have revealed yourself to us. 472 00:55:42,720 --> 00:55:45,960 Well, we pray today that if we have been conforming to the 473 00:55:45,960 --> 00:55:54,720 world that we would stop, that we would be transformed by our 474 00:55:54,720 --> 00:56:01,400 relationship with You, by your word, by our time together with 475 00:56:01,800 --> 00:56:08,240 fellow believers, that we stand together because of who you are 476 00:56:08,240 --> 00:56:10,160 and what you did on the cross. For each of us. 477 00:56:11,360 --> 00:56:15,760 Lord, we also simply pray that we will be a a church who who 478 00:56:15,760 --> 00:56:23,800 loves, who has patience, who forgives, who goes the extra 479 00:56:23,800 --> 00:56:30,520 mile when everybody else says it's not worth it, you say it is 480 00:56:31,680 --> 00:56:36,160 we were worth it. And those people that are 481 00:56:36,160 --> 00:56:40,680 outside who do not know Jesus Christ, we have an opportunity 482 00:56:40,680 --> 00:56:43,080 to show them the love of Christ. I pray that we will. 483 00:56:43,160 --> 00:56:45,000 So in Jesus name I pray. Amen. 484 00:56:52,120 --> 00:56:55,520 Please stand, turn to #433 I surrender all. 485 00:56:55,720 --> 00:59:49,090 We'll do all three verses. here this morning. 486 00:59:49,090 --> 00:59:53,200 I want to remind you that the people the following, we will 487 00:59:53,200 --> 00:59:57,720 have a fellowship in the fellowship hall and burgers, ice 488 00:59:57,720 --> 00:59:59,600 cream, baked beans, potato salad. 489 00:59:59,600 --> 01:00:02,280 I don't know what all else there is, but there's a lot. 490 01:00:02,280 --> 01:00:05,920 And I hope that you will stay and enjoy the time of fellowship 491 01:00:05,920 --> 01:00:08,800 and the time of food. And we have an opportunity to 492 01:00:08,800 --> 01:00:10,960 give thanks for how the Lord has blessed us at the church. 493 01:00:11,000 --> 01:00:14,240 So let's pray, Heavenly Father, we do give thanks, Lord, for 494 01:00:14,240 --> 01:00:17,240 this day, for this opportunity that we've had to worship the 495 01:00:17,240 --> 01:00:21,440 one true and living God. Lord and we do pray that as we 496 01:00:21,440 --> 01:00:25,520 leave this place or that we will not conform, but that we will be 497 01:00:25,520 --> 01:00:28,240 transformed and that we you desire for us to be. 498 01:00:28,240 --> 01:00:32,040 We pray that we never blessed to lose the nurse for our bodies, 499 01:00:32,040 --> 01:00:34,680 our bodies and your service and Jesus and my pray, Amen.