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Series Code: BOLS
Program Code: BOLS000075S
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00:05 Sermon #S039 - That Wasn't Part Of The Agenda - (Part 2)
00:19 Welcome to the Breath of Life Television Ministries broadcast with Pastor Debleaire Snell! 00:24 In today's episode, Pastor Snell will continue part two of the powerful Message entitled: 00:31 “That Wasn't on The Agenda.” Now, let's go deeper into the word of God! 00:36 Pastor Snell: See friends, our flesh is so powerful. It is so strong. 00:40 It is so desensitized that it cannot be trained just by choice and good intention. 00:47 Sometimes it is the burden that trains the flesh. It is the burden that disrupts the flesh. 00:54 It is the burden that God lays upon us that moves us 00:57 into a posture of prayerfulness that we would not seek outside of that burden. 01:02 Are you hearing me today? And see, I need us to know that every now 01:05 and then God has to kind of draw you as the prophet says, "outside of yourself." 01:11 So that you can become intensely interested in the salvation of others, 01:15 because in a life where you don't have to lift something for somebody else 01:19 and you don't have to carry something for somebody else and you don't have to bear something for somebody else. 01:25 What happens is we live a self-centered life that leaves us estranged from the most high. 01:34 [Congregation: Affirming] 01:35 And let me just share with you a quick quote here, Desire of Ages, page 781. 01:39 Hopefully, this will come up here in just a second. 01:42 Desire of Ages, 771, 01:44 because I want you to see what a difference the burden actually makes in the life of the believer. 01:50 Are you with me today, Friends? Listen, Desire of Ages, excuse me, page 742. She literally says, "At this time, 01:56 a stranger Simon, 01:58 a Cyrenian, coming from the country meets the throng. He hears the taunts of ribaldry to the crowd 02:04 and he hears the words contemptuously repeated, 'Make way for the King of the Jews!' 02:09 He stops in astonishment at the scene and he expresses his compassion as they seize him 02:14 and place a cross upon his wide shoulders. 02:19 Simon had heard of Jesus. His sons were believers in the Savior but he himself was not a what? 02:26 [Congregation: [disciple]] 02:27 Bearing the cross to Calvary... 02:31 [Congregation: Wow.] 02:32 ...was a blessing to Simon. He was ever after grateful for this providence, 02:40 it led him to take upon himself the cross of Christ from choice and ever cheerfully stand beneath its burden. 02:52 [Congregation: Cheering] 02:54 In other words, it was carrying the cross that made him choose the cross. 03:02 [Congregation: Yeah!] 03:04 Are you all hearing me today, friends? And see, now, as I'm looking at this thing, I'm trying to figure out, okay? 03:07 How does my man Simon decide by carrying the cross to become a lifelong disciple? 03:14 Can I just talk for a quick moment and I'm done? 03:17 See, one of the things I like about Simon, friends, is he meets Jesus at the cross, not in a crisis. 03:25 [Congregation: Affirming] 03:29 So, let's meet your boy Simon in a time when most 03:32 people did not travel more than 20 miles outside of where they lived. 03:36 We know that Simon was a person of some means 03:39 because he's literally traveling from one country to the next that he has some means to be able to move about. 03:47 And see, the reason I need you to know is that it is a crisis for Jesus, but it is not a crisis for Simon. 03:54 In other words, he got some money in the bank, he got kids and grandkids. He's got some things going for him 04:00 but he meets him at the cross, not a crisis. 04:05 Now, the question is, have you ever wondered why certain people in the Bible are named by name 04:13 and some are only known by their condition? 04:16 [Congregation: Oh...] 04:18 Now again, I don't have an exact answer but the reason certain names we know, we know Lazarus, and we know Mary, 04:25 and we know Martha, and we know Nicodemus 04:29 and we know Simon when they didn't really do anything all that extraordinary, 04:34 but guess what? We never know the name of the woman with the issue of blood. 04:38 We don't know the name of the man with the withered hand. 04:41 We don't know the name of the 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus. 04:45 And again, I don't want to state this as a doctrine 04:48 but one scholar begins to suggest the reason that some are known only by condition is 04:55 because as soon as their condition was reversed, they stopped following the Lord. 05:02 But those whose names are known were recorded because they continue to abide in a relationship with the Lord. 05:11 [Congregation: Affirming] 05:13 In other words, see, the problem, when you meet Jesus in a crisis, is that as soon as the crisis is averted, 05:20 then guess what? 05:22 Your need for the Savior dissipates. And let me suggest that a crisis can lead you to Jesus, 05:29 but it's the cross that fastens you to the Lord. 05:32 [Congregation: Affirming 05:34 In other words, what makes the difference for Simon is that he, like Nicodemus, like Mary, 05:39 who was there on the resurrection. 05:42 What may have compelled them to become lifelong followers of Jesus is that they had an experience that was beyond an 05:50 uncomfortable circumstance. They had an experience that had its genesis or its roots in the foundation of the cross. 06:00 Are you hearing me today, friends? 06:02 [Congregation: Affirming] 06:03 In other words, friends, it didn't begin with a need. It began with a cross. 06:08 See, I need us to get that miracle Saints will shout for a season, but crucified Saints shout for a lifetime. 06:19 See the question then begs, why say it gently? Why are we so inconsistent? 06:31 Why is our spiritual life fluctuating so much? 06:34 Why is there so much vacillation in our walk with God? Why is it one step forward on Sabbath 06:39 and 6 steps backward on Sunday? 06:42 Like why is there so much back and forth and hot and cold? 06:45 Like why is there no consistent incline in the walk of most people's walk with Jesus? 06:51 And the reason is that some of us have met Jesus in a crisis. 06:56 Some have met Jesus just threw a religious cultural upbringing. 07:01 But the reason sometimes it never sticks is because we've never met Jesus at the foot of the cross. 07:08 [Congregation: Affirming] 07:10 See for most of us, religion is about what Jesus can do, but real religion is about what He already did. 07:20 [Congregation: Affirming] 07:23 See, for most of us, our praise is on hold because we're waiting to see what He's going to do next. 07:30 But I got a reason to praise Him every day of my life. 07:34 [Congregation: Cheering] 07:37 Because of what he's already done. And see, within all of the miasmas of religion friends, 07:44 you cannot let the cross get lost in it. 07:49 So, there are some of us that read the book of Revelation, 07:51 we know the signs and we know the plagues and we know the 144,000 07:57 and we know The Beast but we don't know The Lamb. 08:00 [Congregation: Affirming] 08:02 We got some Vault man that understands the sanctuary, and its intricacies. We know the veil. 08:06 We know how tall it was and how wide it was but we ain't never been to the altar. 08:11 Do you realize that for most folk the cross is an accessory? 08:18 [Congregation: Affirming] 08:21 Not just in style, but also in theology. For most folk, 08:25 the cross is just something I put around my neck or tattooed on my arm or a plug in my ears, 08:33 but until the cross becomes the object of your constant meditation, 08:40 [Congregation: Cheering] 08:41 it will have no transforming effect upon your life. 08:45 Even when you look at most contemporary gospel music, it says stuff about everything but the cross. 08:51 Most contemporary music is about my blessing and my harvest and my breakthrough and me reaching out and getting mine. 08:58 Where are the songs that sing about the old rugged cross? 09:03 [Congregation: Cheering] 09:05 Are you all hearing me today friends? So, the question then 09:08 becomes friends is how then do I know if I'm experiencing genuine conversion? 09:14 See, I need you to know that if you're being converted, guess what? It doesn't begin with a need or a deficit. 09:19 It doesn't begin with a bill or a disease or even if it starts that way, 09:23 it's completed when you experience crucifixion. 09:28 [Congregation: Affirming] 09:30 So, let me ask you this, friends, is our practice more to be crucified or to be exalted? 09:37 Can we go to the Bible for a moment? I'm almost done. Can we go to the Bible? 09:41 Let's go into the good book. Galatians 2:20. There are some things I need you to know 09:48 because we need to change the theme of our religious meditation. In fact, I'm looking at some, 09:53 don't wait for it to come up on the screen. Open your Bibles. Galatians 2:20. Are you all with the pastor today? 10:02 [Congregation: Affirming] 10:04 I'm talking about what your ambitions ought to be in Christ. Galatians 2:20. 10:10 When you get it, let me hear you say, amen. 10:12 [Congregation: Amen] 10:14 The Bible says I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, 10:21 but it is Christ that lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, 10:27 I now live by faith in the Son of God, 10:29 who loved me and gave himself for me, are you all hearing me today, friends? 10:33 [Congregation: Affirming] 10:35 See, I need you to know that you hadn't been converted if after you met Christ, all you did was amend your life. 10:42 If all you did was adjust your life, know that old life had to be crucified and I get a new start 10:51 and the life that I live in this body, it is the spirit of God that resides in me and I'm a new person in him. 11:00 Are you all hearing me today? 11:01 [Congregation: Affirming] 11:03 In other words, it's my goal to glorify myself or to crucify the flesh. Let's go over to Galatians 6:14. 11:11 When you get there, let me hear you say, amen. 11:13 [Congregation: Amen.] 11:15 Galatians 6:14, in other words, for a believer, not about my empire. It's not about my name. 11:21 It's not about my reputation. If I'm in Christ, I got one brag in my spirit. 11:27 [Congregation: Cheering] 11:29 Galatians 6:14. Look at this. But God forbid that I should boast. Are you all hearing me today? 11:38 [Congregation: Affirming] 11:39 He says, God forbid if I boast except in the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ, 11:48 by whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. I don't know if you're all hearing the pastor today. 11:54 Do you realize that you want to have one brag in your spirit? 11:57 And your brag ought to not be about what you drive, your brag ought not to be about what you wear, 12:03 your brag ought not to be about how many letters are behind your name, 12:06 I've got one boast and it is in the work that Jesus did at the cross. Are you hearing me today? 12:14 [Congregation: Cheering] 12:15 All right, can we go a little bit further? 12:17 See, one of the ways you know you're being converted is that you use the right metrics to establish whether 12:24 or not you're saved, right? Can we go to the book? Go with me, if you don't mind, over here to Titus 3:3 and 7. 12:38 Are you all hearing the pastor today? 12:39 [Congregation: Affirming] 12:40 When you get there, let me hear you say amen. 12:42 [Congregation: Amen.] 12:44 I'm going to tell you why it is that I'm having you read this verse 12:46 because most of us when I ask you, "Are you saved?" 12:49 the first thing you do is start thinking about how good you've been. 12:55 [Congregation: Oh.] 12:57 When I asked you, "Are you saved?" you immediately begin to start weighing your good versus your bad. 13:02 But do you realize, that is a faulty metric to measure how saved you actually are? 13:11 [Congregation: Amen.] 13:13 Because guess what, man, it is not by our deeds that we are saved. When I'm trying to figure out how saved I am, 13:20 I don't look at how good I've been. I look at how good He is. 13:27 [Congregation: Affirming] 13:29 Okay. You all don't believe it. Titus 3:3. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, 13:35 serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 13:43 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, anybody thankful that it appeared today, 13:50 not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to His mercy, 13:57 He has saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 14:06 whom He has poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that having been justified by His grace, 14:18 we should become heirs according to the promise of hope of eternal life. Are you all hearing me today, friends? 14:25 [Congregation: Affirming] 14:27 In other words, friends, I need us to understand the reason we don't have the joy of salvation is 14:31 because we don't have no assurance in salvation. See the problem is, when you ain't got no assurance of salvation, 14:37 what happens is you go from being saved to lost 7 times in the same day based upon how good or bad you have been. 14:45 But how many of us know that if you have the Son, then guess what? You have life. 14:50 [Congregation: Affirming] 14:51 The Bible says, "For God so loved the world," ain't this good news? 14:55 Stop frowning up your faces. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, 15:02 that whosoever believes shall not perish but have everlasting life." Are you all hearing the word today friends? 15:09 [Congregation: Cheering] 15:11 Last thing, Revelation 5:11. Go over there to the last book of the Bible. Everybody will be able to find this one, 15:19 When you get there, let me hear you say amen. 15:21 [Congregation: Affirming] 15:23 In other words, when you want to know if you're being converted first, 15:26 you got to look at the metrics of your salvation. You've got to look at whether or not you're trying to be glorified 15:32 or crucified but one of the things that is the truest measure is you find out by actually seeing what is the cause of 15:39 praise in your life. Revelation 5:11. This is a scene in heaven and we see what calls for the worship in glory. 15:48 In Revelation 5:11, when you get there, let me hear you say amen. 15:51 [Congregation: Amen] 15:53 "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 15:57 And the number of them was 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands of thousands saying with a...? 16:03 [Congregation: Loud voice.] 16:05 Loud voice. Can I just say something real quick? That heaven is a loud place. 16:12 [Congregation: Cheering] 16:14 And if you don't like a loud church, it might be hot where you're going. Oh, you're not hearing what I'm saying. 16:21 [Congregation: Cheering] 16:22 It's going to be mighty quiet down there. And they said with a loud voice, 16:29 worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, 16:39 and strength, and glory and blessing. Did you all hear the pastor today? 16:44 [Congregation: Affirming] 16:46 In other words, the reason for worship in heaven is not just that the Lamb provided. 16:51 It's not that he protected. It is not that he supplied but it was that the Lamb was slain. 17:00 [Congregation: Cheering] 17:02 Is there anybody that can just take a moment to say I'm not just going to wait until he provides? 17:07 I'm not just going to wait until I get a man. I'm not just going to wait till I get some more money. 17:13 I'm not just going to wait till I get a promotion. I've got a different reason to praise him. 17:19 [Congregation: Clapping] 17:22 See, some wait till the choir starts singing good. Some wait until the preaching gets good, but guess what? 17:27 When you know the Lamb has been slain, you don't start worship when the church starts. 17:34 You continue worship that started while you were still at home because glory is called forth 17:43 because the Lamb was slain. 17:45 [Congregation: Clapping] 17:47 Are you all hearing me today, friends? So your boy, Simon? He didn't ask for this. 17:55 I'm going over my time, but pray for me for a second. He didn't ask for this. 18:02 They see Him sympathizing and they say, "All right since you're going to be down with him? You carry it." 18:07 [Congregation: Laughing] 18:09 So that's what happens I need you to see something happen literally in the physical picture 18:12 or image that Jesus is in front of Simon in chains. And Simon is carrying the cross behind him. 18:22 So, every time Jesus turns, Simon turns because the weight of the cross is so heavy, 18:30 he can't even really hold his head up. All he can do is look and step in the footprints of Jesus Christ. 18:38 [Congregation: Cheering] 18:41 In this story, you see both justifications, he is crucified, 18:46 then you see sanctification as he follows in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. 18:53 So, when Jesus turns, he turns, when Jesus moves, he moves. He can't look up and figure his own way. 19:01 All he can do is follow in the bloody footsteps of Jesus Christ. 19:06 [Congregation: Cheering] 19:08 One of his first spiritual lessons is not to follow the crowd but to follow Jesus. 19:16 [Congregation: Cheering] 19:18 Why is that important? Because after Jesus is resurrected, and he goes back to glory, 19:22 because he started following Jesus, he's going to keep on following Jesus. 19:27 See, I need you to know, friends, that in your sanctification journey, 19:30 you've got to follow Jesus more than you follow the people. 19:34 [Congregation: Affirming] 19:37 Because if you don't follow Jesus, you'll get offended by people and leave. 19:43 [Congregation: Cheering] 19:45 See Simon didn't start out following Peter, because when he found out Peter was a bigoted, racist, good for nothing, 19:54 he would have walked out of the church, but he didn't come into the church after Peter. 19:59 He came in following Jesus. 20:01 [Congregation: Cheering] 20:03 And you've got to follow Jesus, even when the crowd doesn't follow Him no more. 20:08 And watch this, friends. So again, Jesus is in front of him. 20:13 Now, you've got to remember, Jesus has been beaten and flogged all night with the cat-o'-nine-tails so that, 20:19 guess what it means, Jesus has wounds and scars by all of his major arteries and blood vessels inside of his body. 20:25 And because Jesus is fatigued... You know, friends, most people would actually live on the cross for days. 20:32 [Congregation: Murmuring] 20:33 But one of the reasons that Jesus only lasted on the cross is a few hours is 20:36 because he's been bleeding all night long. And you know, that when, am I telling the truth, Doc? 20:43 That when your heart is pumping because of movement, more blood begins to gush from your body. 20:51 So, we just talked about a bloody cross, but Jesus has created a bloody path. 20:58 [Congregation: Affirming] 21:00 So, he's not just walking in His footsteps but his feet 21:05 or his sandals are getting covered from toe to heel in the blood of Jesus Christ. 21:17 [Congregation: Affirming] 21:18 Why is that important? So, his whole foot, his entire sandal has blood all over it, Doc. 21:26 And it's crazy because when he goes home later that day and he gets to his son's house, guess what? 21:32 The servant is going to meet him at the door and get ready to wash his feet. 21:37 [Congregation: Yeah.] 21:39 And I learned that ancient servants then and even now where they still do it, 21:42 they are so skilled at their job that they can actually tell where you've been by looking at what kind of dirt is 21:51 on your feet. 21:53 [Congregation: Yeah.] 21:56 So that if he had come through Egypt, he would have dark soil all over his feet. 22:02 If he had come by the Dead Sea, he would have orange soil over his feet because the saline count is so high. 22:09 If he had come through Damascus, he would have bright red soil all over his feet. If he had come by Jericho, 22:16 he would have powdery white soil all over his feet. But when he sits down to get the dirt washed off of his feet, 22:24 the servant is getting ready to guess where he's come from by seeing what kind of dirt he has but guess what? 22:33 The servant can't see no dirt. 22:35 [Congregation: Cheering] 22:37 The servant can't find no dirt. He can't tell where he's come from because it's all covered in the blood of Jesus. 22:46 [Congregation: Clapping] 22:49 Hey, anybody thankful when they tried to unearth your dirt, they tried to inspect your past, 22:59 they want to know where you came from, they want to know what to did wrong, they want to know what you used to be? 23:07 They can't find out because your past has been washed, covered, and enveloped in the blood of Jesus. 23:20 [Congregation: Cheering] 23:22 What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? 23:31 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. There was a fountain and it's filled with blood and it flows from Emmanuel's veins 23:41 and sinners plunge beneath that flood and they lose all their guilty stains. 23:54 [Congregation: Affirming] 23:57 So, when you get converted to Christ, there's always somebody that wants to say, "I knew you back when. 24:04 Well, you got to them church folk fooled but I knew you right back then." 24:08 And it's going to be always somebody having a conversation about your past. 24:13 But guess what? Where it counts, it ain't being discussed. Because it's covered completely, drowned, erased, 24:29 immersed in the blood, if you're thankful for the blood, somebody shout hallelujah today. 24:33 [Congregation: Hallelujah.] 24:34 You ever dreaded the start of a new week? Has the start of a new week ever felt too big for you? 24:41 I want to help you out with that Breath Of Llife presents. Fresh Start Sundays. 24:46 It's a series of programs designed to help you face the New Week with a reset, a kick start to just begin with a 24:56 whole new energy. Every first and third Sunday. I invite you to join me in the Scripture lab. 25:02 When I'm in the lab, we're going to be testing, breaking down and applying the word of God. 25:08 It's going to be a space where we answer your questions, settle disputes, 25:12 and help you come to conclusions about doctrine and larger social issues. 25:17 Every second Sunday, I invite you to join Gianna and myself as we begin a series of conversations around dating 25:25 and relationships entitled Points of View. We're going to be sharing from our own experience 25:31 and we're going to be joined by an array of experts and panelists designed to help build us up 25:38 and be strengthened in the areas of dating and marriage. 25:42 And every fourth Sunday is what we're calling Vision Sunday. 25:46 Plus the news you and I are going to be reaching out to pastors, ministry leaders, entrepreneurs, CEOs, writers, 25:55 inventors to make sure that those visions don't get stuck in your head, 25:59 but that they might be able to be implemented in your daily experience. 26:04 Friends, we're done featuring the New Week. We're done dreading what's to come. 26:09 We're going to start the week with hope, beginning the day with encouragement and clarity, 26:15 because the best way to have a great finish is to have a fresh start. 26:19 Join us starting in the month of July, every Sunday at 10 a.m.. I look forward to seeing you for a Fresh Start. 26:41 Calling all young adults. This is Pastor Debleaire Snell, inviting you to our second annual young adult rally. 26:49 Last year we went down to South Florida, where we did it big. But this year we're coming right here to the Windy City, 26:56 Chicago, Illinois. Labor Day weekend. This year's theme is "Strengthening Your Core" 27:03 We're going to be giving our young adults all the tools to prosper in their inner man or inner woman 27:08 so that they might be able to thrive in every other way. 27:12 We're going to be partnering with the leadership of the Lake Region Conference. 27:16 And I want you to know that whether you're here in Lake Region or on the West Coast, 27:20 East Coast or in the south, this is for you. That Friday night, there's going to be a vesper service 27:26 and a feature live stage play that Sabbath morning. 27:30 Join me at the New Life Worship Center for our morning core groups. 27:35 We're going to have breakfast and then during our divine worship service, 27:39 I'm going to be partnered with the Music Ministry of Koryn Hawthorne for that afternoon. 27:44 We're going to go into our core classes. There's going to be panel discussions. 27:48 A close out concert and then Sunday morning before you head back will conclude with a young adult fellowship. 27:55 It's going to be a great time of inspiration. Instruction. Fellowship. 28:01 You're going to leave better then you came and your core is going to be terrific. 28:07 Join us at our website at www breathoflife.tv where you can get link to our registration and find more details. 28:15 I look forward to seeing you labor Day weekend right here in the Windy City. 28:21 (Breath of Life Theme Music) 28:36 [END] |
Revised 2023-06-28