Participants:
Series Code: TDYFW
Program Code: TDYFW200010S
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:08 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:19 Removing pain 00:24 Lord, let my word 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:46 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:09 Hello, and welcome to another 01:10 3ABN Today Family Worship. 01:12 We're glad that you have joined us 01:13 this evening. 01:14 Happy Sabbath to you. 01:16 It seems like every week is a busy week, 01:18 it always has its distractions and good distractions can be 01:21 but did you know just busy in life 01:23 and what takes place on a day to day basis. 01:25 But what a blessing, 01:27 Jill and I always look forward to the Sabbath day 01:29 when we can spend time with our Lord, 01:30 our Creator God, 01:32 but it's a blessing too to spend time with you. 01:34 You are part of our family. 01:36 We're here on the set 01:38 a little bit different setting than we're normally are. 01:39 We're usually around 01:41 kind of like a dining room table, 01:43 but we're around our 3ABN, we call it our island. 01:44 We're practicing social distancing. 01:46 Yes. 01:47 Maybe Greg and I aren't because we're married 01:49 and we live together, but with the rest of the group. 01:51 I'm glad we live together. Me too. 01:53 And married. 01:55 But we're practicing social distancing. 01:56 That's why my hair is up too 01:58 because I can't go get a cut right now. 01:59 Yeah. That's true. No, that's a good point. 02:01 But we're, of course, alive and well 02:03 and we're just so thankful to the Lord 02:05 for His mercies every day. 02:07 We know that this time has been a difficult time 02:09 for many of you. 02:10 I've actually had family member myself 02:12 who has contracted the COVID-19 disease 02:16 and praise the Lord, 02:18 they made it through but some scary times, 02:19 I'm sure, you know someone, maybe very close to you, 02:22 maybe you yourself, 02:24 or someone that you know, has been through this. 02:26 It's been an interesting times that we're living in. 02:28 And our topic today is on endurance and patience. 02:33 You know, a lot of times when we go through trials 02:35 and difficulties in our life, it's easy to say, 02:38 God, where are you? 02:40 I don't know if I can hang on any longer. 02:43 But God asks us to endure to the end. 02:46 And I'm so thankful, sweetie, 02:47 that this earth is not our home. 02:49 Absolutely. 02:50 But that we're just passing through this earth, 02:53 but as we pass through this earth, 02:55 we want to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. 02:58 So even though this COVID-19 pandemic 03:01 is going on around us, there are still ways, 03:03 I've heard lots of people using social media 03:06 to minister and to witness, 03:08 to offer words of encouragement, 03:09 picking up the telephone, 03:11 I have my cell phone right here, 03:12 calling someone, emailing someone. 03:14 So, you know, we still have opportunities 03:15 even in times like this that are a trial. 03:17 We do, absolutely. 03:18 In the Lord, in the midst of trials 03:20 that we can endure in the midst of that, 03:23 and I love that because we never do it alone. 03:25 That's right. He is always by our side. 03:27 Amen. 03:29 And we can do it looking unto Jesus, 03:30 the author and finisher of our faith. 03:32 So we're going to be opening up the Word of God 03:34 and sharing with you, 03:35 our 3ABN family 03:36 and our 3ABN family here on the set. 03:39 We have Jason Bradley. Good to have you here, Jay. 03:41 Great to be here. 03:43 I feel like the middleman right now. 03:45 You are the middleman. 03:47 And in the middle. That's right. 03:49 You're the dividing line 03:50 between the salmon and the blue. 03:51 That's right. That's right. 03:53 I'm the mediator. Okay. 03:55 By salmon, you're talking the color, salmon. 03:57 The color, salmon. Thank you very much. 03:59 We have Pastor John Lomacang and Angela. 04:02 We're so glad you both could join us today. 04:04 Thanks for having us. Good to be here. 04:06 Great topic. 04:07 I think we're going to enjoy encouraging people 04:09 with this climate as you said, Greg about it. 04:12 It'd be great. 04:13 Amen. Amen. 04:15 Absolutely. Yeah, for sure. 04:16 And, of course, Pastor, you are the pastor 04:17 of our local Thompsonville Seventh-day Adventist Church. 04:19 I want to talk about that briefly before we get started 04:21 in our family worship. 04:22 Of course, Angie, you work at 3ABN Radio. 04:24 That's right. We call you Angie, but Angela. 04:26 Yeah, Angie is fine. Okay, that's fine. 04:28 And 3ABN Radio 04:30 and I know that radio 04:31 is still of course just like TVs and broadcasts 04:34 and even during this pandemic radio is just as strong. 04:36 It's still going on. 04:37 I have a lot of work to do in radio. 04:40 Yeah. 04:41 So, I enjoy being at radio, enjoy the atmosphere, 04:45 the climate we're in at radio, not the climate of the world. 04:49 The climate of radio, we're a family, 04:52 at 3ABN family as we all are. 04:55 And it's been an interesting time, Jason, 04:56 you know, because, you know, 04:57 a lot of people have been working 04:59 from home from 3ABN, 05:00 those that are able to are working from home. 05:01 So a lot of the employees of 3ABN 05:03 have been working from home. 05:04 You've been home editing. I've been editing. 05:06 I have lots of work to do. 05:07 And praise the Lord for technology that we have. 05:08 Yeah. Yeah. 05:10 Even last night, 10:30 I'm still, I was at, 05:12 I go and come in, I was editing my stuff. 05:14 So yeah, I have plenty of work to do. 05:17 Job security. 05:19 Exactly. That's true. 05:20 I told her that, I said, 05:22 how many do you have left to do? 05:23 Yeah. You have job security. 05:25 Which is truly a blessing 05:26 when you think about all the people 05:28 who have filed for unemployment and lost their jobs 05:30 and all of that stuff that we are able to still get 05:33 the gospel out and still come to work 05:35 and work from home. 05:37 Yeah. Yeah. 05:38 You know, I think what's a precious thing, Jason, 05:40 is you know, on a daily basis, 05:42 we here at 3ABN receive letters from you. 05:45 You're still supporting the ministry of 3ABN. 05:48 We're able to broadcast like we are tonight, 05:50 family worship, 05:51 Friday night spending this time with you and with God. 05:54 That's thanks to you. 05:55 So, you know, it just encourages me 05:56 that people still have not lost the vision. 05:59 I know the times are tough, but people are still donating, 06:02 sacrificing like you do. 06:04 Thank you for that. 06:06 I just want to say thank you, I know we mentioned it, 06:08 it may seem very regular like we say thank you 06:10 for your prayers and financial support, 06:12 but we really mean it. 06:13 Thank you so much for that. 06:15 Pastor, 06:16 you're the Thompsonville Seventh-day Adventist Church 06:17 pastor here 06:19 and I know that, of course, 06:20 that the church broadcasts live your sermon every Sabbath. 06:23 Without an audience. Without an audience. 06:26 Pastor, tell us what that's like. 06:27 I mean, that's interesting because tonight's Friday night 06:29 so tomorrow, you know, it'd be another message. 06:31 Well, that's an act of endurance. 06:33 Yeah. He is so busy. 06:35 You know, what has happened here 06:36 and it's part of being here at 3ABN 06:39 because we are behind the camera 06:41 most of the time, if not all the time, 06:44 except when we go visit churches 06:45 and be with our people. 06:47 But what drives me is the message. 06:49 Yes. That's right. 06:50 You know, when you think about the responsibility 06:53 connected to the message, you know, that they are, 06:55 you know, we know that you're watching 06:56 or you may be listening by radio, 06:59 but pretty much at our church. 07:02 If you go to TV, tvsdac.org, 07:06 that's tvsdac.org, 07:09 click on live broadcast, 07:10 you'll be able, 07:12 every Sabbath morning at 11 o'clock Central Time, 07:15 you can tune in for the sermon 07:16 and also at that very same page, 07:19 you can get all the prior sermons. 07:21 It has a tab called past sermons 07:23 and then also Bible studies. 07:25 So we've enjoyed it. 07:27 It's been a driving force, 07:28 this COVID environment 07:30 has allowed us to connect on a different level 07:33 and really our viewership has increased exponentially. 07:36 Oh, absolutely. Yes. 07:38 It's gone way up. 07:39 Jill and I were looking at your message here 07:41 just a couple of weeks ago and we're just watching, 07:43 you know, that those are viewing live 07:45 and praise the Lord for Mike Babb. 07:47 Yes. Mike is my right had guy. 07:50 He is a total blessing. To make that happen. 07:51 Yeah. 07:53 He's been right there in the trenches with me 07:54 and I appreciate him so much. 07:55 And then as church members too, 07:57 you know, we get emails from Pastor John saying, 07:59 you know, encourage you to stay in the Word of God, 08:02 encourage you, here's a scripture, 08:04 here's a thought from Sister White for today. 08:06 I mean, what a blessing 08:08 because we need that 08:09 since we can't fellowship together. 08:11 But yet we need to remain connected during this time 08:14 so we can endure. 08:15 So thank you for what you do. 08:16 Thank you for the way you put it in there, 08:18 because endurance is something that is most appropriate 08:20 when you don't have the support of each other. 08:23 You know, you think of an Olympian 08:24 and I know we didn't have prayer yet, 08:26 but this fits right here. 08:27 You think of an Olympian, 08:28 he has to endure in his own private training 08:31 when no one else is around to prepare for the great event 08:34 and we're preparing for a great event. 08:36 But how we train while we're by ourselves 08:39 while we're sequestered prepares us 08:41 for that great event ahead of us, 08:42 which is, you know, the trials of the world 08:43 that are coming upon us. 08:45 Yeah. 08:46 I think there's something precious about fellowship. 08:47 Oh. Well, you know. 08:49 I missed that. Yeah, sure. 08:50 I do. 08:52 So there's a sense of fellowship 08:53 because we're connecting, 08:54 you know, with you as the pastor 08:56 and all the members and others are joining in 08:57 but still, it's not the same as coming to church 08:58 and giving you, you know, handshake or a hug. 09:01 And potlucks. Yeah. 09:02 Fellowship food, right? 09:04 Got to get the fist there or air bump. 09:06 Air bump. 09:08 I know one day Tim and I were doing a... 09:10 We did a sermon on the set here at 3ABN and afterwards, 09:14 you know, we just kind of impulsively just, 09:17 great job and Tim said, wow, that feels great. 09:20 Let's go wash our hands. 09:23 Yeah, that human. We miss that touch. 09:24 Yes. 09:26 Really miss, but thank you for those of you 09:27 who continue to tune in. 09:29 We greatly appreciate it, 09:30 share it with other people 09:32 so that they can also be blessed. 09:33 Yeah. 09:34 So we're going to get ready to go to prayer. 09:36 But I just want to again mention this 09:37 since this is Friday night. 09:38 So tomorrow, you can watch Sabbath School Panel 09:40 in the morning to get all the church. 09:41 Then you can watch our 3ABN Worship Hour, 09:43 that's from 10 to 11, Central Time, 09:46 and then switch like pastor said, 09:48 and go to tvsdac.org and click on live broadcast. 09:54 And that's the Thompsonville Church. 09:55 That's right. 09:57 So you can also go to YouTube and just type in 09:58 Thompsonville Seventh-day Adventist Church 10:00 and you see the live broadcast link. 10:01 Amen. Amen. 10:02 Pastor, let's open in prayer, do you mind to do that for us? 10:04 Sure. 10:05 Loving Father in heaven, 10:06 we are in an environment that is teaching us 10:08 what endurance is all about. 10:09 And so we pray that as we open Your Word 10:11 and as You open our hearts 10:13 and pour into us Your Holy Spirit, 10:15 that those who are watching and listening to this program 10:17 could find endurance in their quietude, 10:20 in their silence, in their homes, 10:22 and even those who are enduring with this disease, 10:26 bring them through it, Lord, 10:27 and strengthen the hearts of families 10:29 who are being challenged tremendously. 10:32 We know that somebody watching this broadcast 10:34 has lost someone 10:36 and our hearts are saddened 10:37 to even know that one has been claimed. 10:39 But Father, give them hope to endure beyond the trial. 10:42 Know that one day 10:43 there's a greater reunion coming in. 10:45 And so speak to us that you may speak through us. 10:48 In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Amen. 10:51 Our topic tonight is endurance. 10:53 I want to encourage you to our opening scriptures 10:54 Hebrews Chapter 10. 10:56 So if you want to open up your Bibles 10:58 and you can share with us Hebrews Chapter 10. 11:01 You know, tonight we're going to look at 11:03 what does endurance produce in us as Christians. 11:06 So as we go through this process, 11:08 and as we endure, 11:10 what is it working in our own characters 11:13 and in our own walk with Jesus? 11:15 How are we to endure as we go through this process? 11:19 How are we to endure? 11:20 And even how do we build endurance? 11:21 So we're just going to look at endurance 11:23 for many different facets. 11:25 But first, let's look at Hebrews 10. 11:27 We'll do verses 35 through 37. 11:31 Angie, do you have that? 11:32 I do, 35 through 37, 11:36 "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, 11:41 which has great reward. 11:44 For you have need of endurance, 11:47 so that after you have done the will of God, 11:49 you may receive the promise: 'For yet a little while, 11:53 and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 11:58 Now the just shall live by faith, 12:00 but if anyone draws back, 12:02 My soul has no pleasure in him." 12:06 So in this passage, 12:07 what do you see 12:08 that the endurance is accomplishing? 12:10 It says you have need of endurance. 12:11 Why are we to endure or what will happen to us 12:15 if we do endure? 12:18 We will receive the promise. 12:20 Thank you. Promise. 12:21 And what's the promise? What's the promise? 12:23 Eternal life. That's right. 12:24 Eternal life. 12:26 And it's by faith. It's interesting, actually. 12:28 It says in verse 36, it says, 12:30 I like the version that you have there, Angie, 12:33 verse 36, don't mind if you read that again, 12:35 and it mentions about the will of God. 12:36 "For you have need of endurance, 12:39 so that after you have done the will of God, 12:42 you may receive the promise." 12:44 That's right. 12:46 Yeah. So it's the will of God. 12:47 It's the will of God. Yeah. 12:48 And it is, you know, the will of God. 12:50 If you think, 12:51 I go back to the illustration of the runner. 12:53 Yeah, and that's a great illustration. 12:54 They have that line and they say, well, 12:56 I know I've been working 12:58 and if I could just hang in there 13:00 as I've heard a coach once said, okay, 13:02 at this point in the race, you feel the burn. 13:05 You want to quit, you want to give up, 13:06 your lungs feel tired, you're aching, 13:09 but if you just hold on, 13:11 now, now you're around the last turn, 13:13 you see the finish line there, 13:14 put everything you have from your toes 13:16 to the top of your head, your arms, pick them up, 13:18 I know they're heavy, just keep going. 13:20 And you can see that runner just about to just cave in. 13:23 But they hear the voice of the coach 13:24 and this is what we train for. 13:26 This is what we've been working for that finish line is there. 13:29 I promise you, you will win if you just keep going, 13:33 receiving the promise. 13:34 And so, the Lord says to us, if you just keep going, 13:36 you know through all the things that you know, 13:39 resist your progress, 13:41 the promise is right ahead of you. 13:42 I can testify some of that. 13:46 I'm at home and I exercise, I have an elliptical, 13:51 keeps my arms going and I'm going uphill. 13:54 And it has a have a little trainer with it 13:56 and it says keep going, keep going 13:59 and I'm, climbs up and 10 is the highest, right? 14:03 Goes up and down. 14:04 And then it goes up to 10. 14:06 I am just like, Angie, you can do it, you can do it. 14:09 I'm going like this. 14:10 And I'm like, and it says keep going, 14:13 it talks to me, keep going, keep going. 14:15 And I keep going, I keep going, and I'm drenched. 14:18 But then I said, Lord, help me, I'm going to make it. 14:21 And at the end of my time, I'm like, 14:23 thank You, Jesus, I made it. 14:26 And that's how it is, I am drenched. 14:28 And I said, "Honey, you okay?" 14:30 She said, "I almost collapsed." 14:31 I said, "Well, why didn't you stop?" 14:33 She said, "But the machine told me keep going." 14:35 I said, "Well, who's in-charge here, 14:37 you or the machine? 14:38 He that endured to the end. 14:39 The machine said don't stop. Yes. 14:42 She said, I thought you're gonna come down 14:44 and said find me on the floor. 14:46 I did. I kept calling for over an hour. 14:47 I said, "Forget the machine, just stop." 14:49 It was supposed to stop at an hour, 14:50 but it kept going. 14:51 I'm like something's wrong. You did it for an hour? 14:53 Yeah, I was like something's wrong 14:54 with this machine. 14:56 No. 14:57 But she did do that. 15:00 I endured to the end. 15:02 Yeah, you know, what's interesting, though 15:03 is that you would not have been able to do that 15:05 the first day you got on the elliptical. 15:07 So required 15:08 in some type of a training, right? 15:10 It did. 15:11 It was 20 minutes, then 30 minutes, 15:13 then 40 then an hour. 15:15 I mean, what a powerful, 15:16 you know, illustration right there 15:17 because that is a great illustration 15:19 for as you know, 15:20 you got to the with the level 10 is that 15:21 the I don't have a elliptic, so that's the top. 15:23 Yeah, that's the top. Good for you, congratulations. 15:24 Climbing it and climbing it. Until you get to 10. 15:26 And then it stays at 10 for a long time. 15:28 And I'm just... 15:29 And you were staying there at that level. 15:30 Yes. 15:32 And you see this track and it shows you 15:33 where you are on the track, 15:35 it shows you the finish line is to keep going. 15:36 And you see, you see yourself and you see that finish line 15:37 you think I can't stop now. 15:39 I'm almost there. And then you know what... 15:40 It's like a spiritual journey. There's a spiritual... 15:42 See, if you don't have someone talking to you, 15:46 if you don't have someone encouraging you, 15:47 if you can't see the finish line ahead 15:51 and you can't realize, okay, 15:53 this is where I'm going and this is, 15:55 you know, if the machine didn't say keep going, 15:56 you're almost there. 15:58 Yes. Where would we be without that? 16:00 You know, it reminds me of Hebrews 12. 16:02 Okay. Can we look it? 16:04 Yes, go there. Hebrews 12:1, 2. 16:05 "Looking unto Jesus." I love this scripture. 16:07 You always say that. I like that. That's right. 16:10 Let's turn there, Hebrews Chapter 12, 16:12 just another chapter over. 16:14 The two verses, we just referenced, 16:17 that one there with Hebrews 10. 16:20 It says, you have need of endurance, 16:22 that word endurance in the Greek hypomone, 16:27 I'm not pronouncing it right. 16:28 But it comes from two Greek, two words, 16:31 one is under 16:32 and the other one is to remain or endure. 16:36 So literally it means to remain under. 16:40 Yes. 16:42 To have patient endurance. 16:44 So, no matter what the trial is, 16:46 no matter what we are going through 16:48 in the midst to remain under 16:50 because the finish line is coming 16:53 as we talked about that. 16:54 I love that. That's right. Amen. 16:56 You know, Jason, I'm thinking about you. 16:57 You know, you built a house this past year. 16:59 Yes. 17:00 You know, and so that requires some type of endurance too 17:02 because, you know, once you build the foundation, 17:04 it doesn't just go up in one day, 24 hours. 17:07 That's true. It's a process. 17:08 It is, it is. 17:09 And progress is a process, you know. 17:12 I was just, I was blown away, it took a lot of patience. 17:16 Especially since I didn't know what I was doing. 17:19 But pop knew what he was doing. 17:22 So I was following his instructions. 17:24 And so, as he was given those instructions, 17:26 I was implementing those and putting that into practice. 17:30 That's right. 17:31 And then out of that came the house, the reward. 17:35 It requires endurance, though, you know, 17:36 there's some evenings when you're after work here, 17:39 you're going there and working, painting or doing something, 17:41 you know, until the wee hours of the morning. 17:42 Absolutely. 17:43 You know, that's not the most comfortable fun, 17:45 enjoyable stuff. 17:46 No, it's not. 17:48 No, but you're looking ahead for that reward, 17:49 that finish line. 17:50 That's right. That's right. 17:52 And it's so worth it in the end. 17:53 Yeah. So worth it in the end. 17:54 Now you're able to relax. 17:56 Well, I wouldn't go to that part, 17:58 there's still stuff to do, yeah. 17:59 Yeah, patience and all that. 18:01 Yes, there is still stuff to do. 18:03 I looked up the definition of endurance. 18:05 Oh, good. 18:06 And it said the fact or power of enduring 18:09 an unpleasant or difficult process 18:11 or situation without giving way. 18:14 And so, I mean, 18:16 I think that really speaks to the Christian life 18:18 because we come in contact 18:20 with some very uncomfortable situations 18:22 or some resistance 18:24 or anytime you're trying to do the right thing, 18:27 somebody is trying to convince you to do the wrong thing 18:29 or different circumstances, 18:31 you know, present themselves like COVID-19 18:34 or maybe death in the family or sickness 18:39 or whatever the case may be, 18:41 you know, you're trying to spread the gospel 18:42 and then something comes trying to hinder that. 18:45 So, endurance is definitely required. 18:48 Good. Wow. 18:49 I know you were looking at Hebrews. 18:51 Yeah, that's a great passage. Yeah, he got it. 18:52 Sure. 18:54 It says, verse 1 and 2, it says, "Therefore we also, 18:57 since we are surrounded 19:00 by so greater cloud of witnesses, 19:02 let us lay aside every weight 19:05 and to sin which so easily ensnares us, 19:09 and let us run with endurance, 19:11 the race that is set before us." 19:12 Do I know. 19:14 And here's what, here's where we keep our focus. 19:15 Yes. 19:17 "Looking unto Jesus, 19:18 the author and finisher of our faith, 19:20 who for the joy that was set before him, 19:23 endured the cross, despising the shame, 19:26 and here's the reward, 19:28 and has sat down at the right hand 19:30 of the throne of God." 19:31 So He kept His eyes focused. 19:33 In other words, they're saying do what He did, 19:35 for the joy that was set before Him, 19:37 that same joy is now set before you. 19:39 He endured the cross, now you endure the cross. 19:43 The heavens watched His endurance, 19:47 they're watching you to a great cloud of witnesses. 19:50 And that's, that's very true sometimes 19:52 because we're in situations where people, 19:56 my wife, Angie and I have this saying that 19:58 we can't misbehave anywhere. 20:00 That's right. 20:02 Because we could be in the strangest places, 20:04 at a gas station in California 20:07 or in the airport in Germany or... 20:08 Yesterday at Walmart with your mask. 20:10 I had on my mask yesterday at Walmart, 20:12 just the guy that I still don't know 20:14 who he is 20:15 because his mask look, you still on, you still guys, 20:18 guys still going out there at 3ABN. 20:20 Good to see you. I still don't know who he is. 20:22 Wow. 20:23 You know, I said, yeah, he said, 20:25 I figured because this is television, 20:26 I said, yes, in a central service. 20:27 That's right. 20:29 But we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. 20:32 And so, the Lord is saying to us 20:34 endure what you face, 20:35 endure, endure a righteous life. 20:37 Yes. 20:38 You know, endure doing the right thing. 20:40 As the other text says, be not weary in doing well, 20:43 be not weary in doing well, 20:45 for in due time you will reap if you do not faint. 20:48 That's another passage of endurance. 20:50 So I'm saying man, do I, 20:52 do you have to be this way all the time? 20:54 Because somebody once said the Christian life is great. 20:57 But the one thing about is you can't turn it off. 20:59 That's right. No, you can't. 21:00 If you turn it off, it's not a Christian life, 21:03 it's just a blip on your radar 21:05 and we need to live a Christian life. 21:06 So it requires endurance. Absolutely. 21:09 You know, it's interesting to me in that verse 21:10 that joy is connected with endurance. 21:12 Oh, yeah. 21:13 I know. Isn't that interesting? 21:14 Because you would think so when I think of endurance, 21:16 the last thing I think of is joy. 21:18 Me too. 21:19 You think of trying to reach the finish line, 21:21 like you were on the elliptical or you think of a trial 21:24 or difficulty or even sadness or loss, but yet joy, 21:30 the joy that was set before Jesus. 21:34 Now it enabled Him to make it through the cross. 21:37 Yes. Why? 21:39 Because He saw you and I, 21:42 He saw the victory on the other side. 21:45 So, what do you think could be the joy 21:47 that we have as Christians now, 21:48 as we endure 21:50 whatever trial we're going through, 21:52 what is our joy or how do we even find that. 21:55 What if someone's saying tonight, I came to find joy, 21:58 but how do we look for that, to find that to help us endure? 22:02 I think we look, you know, 22:03 we look to Jesus where God was motivated 22:06 and is motivated by love. 22:08 Everything He did was motivated by love. 22:10 Like you just said He had us on His mind 22:13 when He was dying on the cross. 22:14 I mean, He went through a painful 22:16 and agonizing death. 22:18 For us, even for the very people 22:20 that put Him on the cross, He died for them as well. 22:24 So, I think that when we focus, 22:25 especially 22:27 on the closing scenes of Christ life, 22:29 I mean, that type of love to me that, 22:33 that brings joy to me 22:35 knowing that somebody loved me that much 22:38 that they would endure all of that. 22:41 And so that's, that's helpful for me. 22:42 That's good, Jason. 22:43 I was trying to hold the scripture off to the end, 22:45 but it fits right here. 22:47 It's in Hebrews 12 also, look at verse 11. 22:49 Because endurance require, it has a present challenge, 22:53 but a future reward. 22:55 And so, you think of the athlete, 22:57 you think of the person 22:58 that's going through trial right now. 22:59 Whatever that trial maybe, whether it's COVID related, 23:01 or whether it's just, I'm just tired of being alone. 23:03 We have people in our church who said, 23:05 I'm just tired of being alone, I just want to do something, 23:07 I want to get out, I want to go to the store, 23:09 I want to just touch. 23:11 You know, I just want to be involved. 23:13 But this we're chastening here is not only, 23:17 it's another word, 23:18 a better word in the Olympic sense 23:20 is discipline. 23:21 It's a discipline. 23:22 So I'm going to substitute, I'll say, 23:24 you know, it's a discipline, 23:26 it says now no chastening or discipline 23:30 seems to be joyful, get it for the present. 23:35 While you're on that ellipticals, 23:37 this is not what I'm just like, oh, it's hurting. 23:40 No joy. 23:41 You know, when you're in a hospital 23:43 thinking, I saw where a guy 23:44 was on a respirator for 32 days. 23:47 Oh, wow. He's a young man. 23:48 He was in his early 30s. 23:49 But after 32 days, he endured and he made it out. 23:53 And he said my heroes 23:55 are all those people that work with me 23:56 for 32 days to return me to my family. 24:00 And we have a friend, American Airlines pilot Nedley. 24:03 No, not pilot. 24:05 Not pilot, but flight attendant, sorry. 24:07 And she's enduring. She says, "Keep me in prayer. 24:09 I'm still on my respirator. 24:10 I got to go get my medication today." 24:12 On oxygen. On oxygen. 24:13 And so, it says, if you think about it, 24:15 no chastening seems to be joyful 24:17 for the present, but painful, nevertheless... 24:22 Nevertheless, thank God for nevertheless. 24:25 The two words nevertheless and the next word afterward, 24:28 it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. 24:31 And here's the key, 24:33 to those who have been trained by it. 24:36 Yeah. Training. 24:41 Certain... 24:42 Remember, I don't know if you're all old enough 24:44 but years ago, there was a show, 24:48 came weekly Karate Kid and Mr. Miyagi. 24:51 Wax on, wax off. 24:53 And he was teaching this young kid 24:55 who just had no training whatsoever, 24:57 he would just totally lose nothing in life 24:58 really had any definition. 25:01 And he was training him 25:02 and it was terrible he was going through hardship, 25:05 he said again, do it again, 25:06 do it again, do it again, do it again, 25:09 to thinking you're gonna kill me, 25:10 he said, do it again. 25:11 I don't want to hear you complain. 25:13 If you complain, leave, do it again. 25:15 The training, the training 25:16 for those who have been trained by it, 25:18 and you know what? 25:20 Pain trains us. Oh, yeah. 25:22 Trials train us. 25:24 But if we lose the focus of what's coming after this, 25:29 we could fall apart, we could give in. 25:32 If you forget that there's a finish line. 25:34 If you forget that even the worst storm, 25:37 tornadoes, hurricanes has an endurance point. 25:40 It started as an ending. 25:42 So everything has a beginning and ending, 25:43 that's what I think that being said 25:45 by the writer of Hebrews, 25:46 it's going to end but you got to hold on, 25:49 he who endures to the end, you got to hold on. 25:52 Yes. Yeah. 25:53 Amen. Trials aren't easy. 25:55 I was just, you made me think of a verse 25:56 and I was just trying to find the reference, 25:58 Psalms 119, I think it is, hopefully, let's look there. 26:03 It made me think of that 26:04 when you talked about the training of it. 26:06 Psalms 119. 26:08 The interesting thing with that training too, 26:10 is that, you know, 26:11 he didn't recognize 26:13 what he was being taught at the moment, 26:14 he was getting frustrated at the lessons, 26:17 that, you know, Mr. Miyagi was giving him 26:19 because he wanted to learn one thing, 26:22 but he was preparing him for what was to come. 26:25 And he couldn't see it, he couldn't see it. 26:29 And how many times do we go through things 26:31 where we don't see the lessons that are being taught 26:33 that's preparing us for what lies ahead. 26:36 It's like a parent raising a child. 26:37 Yes. 26:38 The parent's been there, 26:40 they're trying to tell their children don't go there, 26:41 I've been there before. 26:42 Yeah. 26:44 You know, and that's how I see that is. 26:45 I think training too is, 26:47 you're training yourself for an automatic response. 26:49 Yes. 26:50 Because I'm also thinking of Satan coming in. 26:51 Yes. 26:53 You know, you want your automatic response 26:54 to be one that's obviously in line 26:55 with what God wants. 26:57 I remember my dad and like these parking lots, 26:58 when it was snow, he'd had me work on the skids, 27:00 you know, how to get out of a skid in snow and ice, 27:03 and I'll be like seriously daddy. 27:05 He's like, yeah, let's do it again. 27:06 I'm like all right around and around and around. 27:07 And sure enough 27:09 one time I was actually in a snowy situation 27:11 and we got into a skid in a backwards skid, 27:13 we were going up a hill, lost traction, 27:16 start going backwards down the hill, 27:17 and we're gonna go off a cliff, 27:19 but it becomes automatic response 27:21 on how to get yourself out of skid, 27:23 there was no guardrail, either, by the way. 27:25 So yeah, so anyway, you know, 27:27 it's just interesting to know that training 27:29 it's supposed to, yeah, this is, sorry, 27:30 when I was actually my dad had been training me 27:32 and it was when I was a kid. 27:33 Yeah, before we were married. 27:34 Boy, you're old enough to have a license. 27:36 I was, yeah, that's right. Okay. 27:38 That's good. 27:40 You know, so you know, you want your training 27:41 to actually make it 27:42 so that you're an automatic response 27:44 to the situation that's taking place. 27:45 So yes, training gives us endurance, 27:47 but it also is part of an automatic response. 27:50 Muscle memory. Yeah, your muscle memory. 27:51 Yeah. Yeah, I'm riding with you. 27:53 Are you? 27:55 You are safe with him. Yeah. 27:56 You know, you can do all the training you can 27:58 but really, everything that we do comes from God. 27:59 You know, He's the one that provides the strength, 28:01 you know, and everything for us to build react and yeah, 28:04 so praise the Lord for your safety too. 28:06 But you think about it as a Christian 28:07 and the Christian walk what is our automatic response? 28:09 Like when a trial comes when something hits, 28:12 we should look first, okay, Jesus, 28:14 my attention looking unto Him, get in His Word. 28:18 Yes. Praise. 28:19 And that is foreign sometimes in the midst of a trial, 28:22 we don't want to praise, we don't want to give thanks. 28:25 We say it's the last thing we want to do, 28:27 but yet in the midst of that, if we choose praise, 28:31 it changes us. 28:32 That's right. 28:34 And it's how God works in the midst of difficulty 28:37 to transform my character, 28:39 and make me just a little bit more like Jesus. 28:42 Pastor John, I'm sorry, 28:43 you were going to say something. 28:45 Did you? Did you find that text? 28:46 I did. Oh, yes? 28:48 I was waiting for that one. Okay. 28:49 We got distracted. Psalm 119:67. 28:51 Okay. Sixty seven. 28:53 Before I was afflicted, I went astray. 28:56 But now I keep Your word. Wow. 28:59 That reminder of what happens to us 29:02 in the midst of that enduring process 29:04 in the midst of that, 29:06 that we come back to God and keep His word. 29:09 That's the text. That is good. 29:11 Wow. That's it. That's it. 29:13 That's when you print on a T shirt itself. 29:17 Because so many of us 29:19 have to learn through affliction. 29:20 Yeah. Why did you do that? 29:21 The Lord said, why did you do? 29:23 First of all, you afflicted yourself. 29:25 Did you realize I told you not to. 29:27 You went astray and now you see 29:28 what I was trying to say all along, 29:29 and you say, I got it. 29:31 Now, tell me whatever you want me to tell. 29:33 Tell me whatever you want me to do 29:34 and I'll do it. 29:36 Lesson learned. Because it says now. 29:37 I love that. But now I keep Your word. 29:40 I'll do what you tell me to do. 29:42 And it's true because, I know, I thank the Lord 29:46 that He gave us a lot of nice scriptures here. 29:48 But another one that comes to my mind 29:49 it says when you think about, 29:51 do not despise the chastening of the Father. 29:54 That's right. 29:55 See, so He deals with all, those who He loves, 29:58 He chastens. 30:00 And the word chasten there means He trains, 30:02 doesn't mean whip, it means He trains, 30:04 He means your disciplines, means He says, come on guy, 30:08 you know better. 30:09 And that's why this passage is a beautiful one. 30:11 We're, by the way, we're in the Book of Psalms. 30:13 Now up to Psalm 68 or 69, whatever. 30:15 Oh, that's great. 30:16 We're reading it through together. 30:18 And, you know, 67. Sixty eight. 30:20 Sixty eight. 30:22 So we're gonna get to this one. 30:23 And when we get to this one, 30:24 this is gonna be a definite orange highlight. 30:26 Orange highlight means very important. 30:28 Yeah. 30:29 Because sometimes we don't keep God's word 30:30 until after we got the bump and the bruise. 30:32 Yeah. It's like, you're okay. 30:34 Yeah, mom told me not to do it. 30:36 Yeah. 30:38 Eye swollen and shut. 30:39 Swollen. 30:41 I like that point that you're bringing out, 30:43 you know, as many as He loves, He rebukes and chastens. 30:45 Yeah. 30:46 You know, I think that society has come to a place 30:49 where love is seen as condoning the behavior 30:53 and accepting the behavior and embracing 30:55 and becoming an enabler 30:58 and that's, that's not what love is. 31:00 No. 31:01 No, you don't let somebody 31:02 just if they want to keep walking 31:04 in the wrong direction, 31:05 you don't just have them walk in the wrong direction 31:07 without saying something. 31:09 They're headed towards the cliff. 31:10 And you're just like, well, I love you, 31:12 I love you keep taking those steps. 31:14 Woohoo, yeah, you're gonna make it, 31:16 you're gonna go off the cliff. 31:17 You know, you don't, you don't just love somebody 31:20 to their demise. 31:21 You share the truth with them. 31:24 That's true love. 31:26 And you know, you can't wait for them to be open to it. 31:28 You can't say to them, well, now they're ready for it. 31:31 If you see somebody heading toward the cliff, 31:33 you're gonna wait till they like you to tell them 31:34 you headed toward the cliff. 31:36 Oh, no. Yeah. 31:37 You are heading toward the cliff. 31:38 Yeah, even if it's a stranger, you can be like, 31:40 hey, there's a drop off right ahead. 31:42 Yeah. 31:43 And the method in which you present the truth. 31:46 Thank you. Really, really matter. 31:48 And that's crucial, 31:50 the method in which you present it, 31:51 present it in a way of love. 31:52 I agree. Always. 31:54 Wow. Look at Proverbs 1:30. 31:56 This is important for us 31:57 because I'm looking at some words here, 32:01 despise Proverbs 1:30, you have that, Jill? 32:05 I do. Look at that. 32:06 It may be verse 29, may lead into it. 32:08 I don't know if it does, but just... 32:10 "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose 32:13 the fear of the Lord, 32:14 they would have none of my counsel 32:17 and despise my every rebuke." 32:20 Wow. 32:21 So that is... That's heavy. 32:22 Isn't that heavy? 32:24 God is saying I've been trying with you, 32:25 I've been, I've been working with you, 32:28 but what you wouldn't listen to what I'm saying. 32:30 And that came to me when you showed us 32:32 that passage in 119: 67 of Psalm. 32:35 So we can't despise the Lord's rebuke and say, 32:38 this is just not what I want to do, 32:39 because we are not seeing the finish line 32:43 where He already is. 32:44 Excuse me. 32:46 He's already at the finish line. 32:47 He's getting ready to welcome us 32:49 to put us on the podium. 32:50 And you know what, no matter how hard the race is, 32:53 it just feels so good to stand on the podium. 32:56 And that's what He wants us to do. 32:57 That's right. 32:59 He says, that's why Paul says, I fought a good fight. 33:02 I finished my course, I kept the faith, therefore, 33:06 there's a crown of righteousness 33:09 laid up for me. 33:10 And not for me only, 33:12 for all those who endure, I'm putting that. 33:13 Oh, yeah. 33:15 I just love it to hear, but all those who endure, 33:16 there's a crown waiting for you. 33:18 So, endure the difficulty of this life 33:20 or the situation you're in right now. 33:22 Because afterwards you're going to see 33:23 if I didn't hold on, I couldn't be here now. 33:27 Maya Angelou once told Oprah Winfrey, 33:29 Oprah Winfrey said, "Maya, 33:30 what do you do when trials come your way? 33:32 Because I know you had." 33:33 She said, "I've had many of." She said, "What do you do?" 33:36 She says, "I've come to discover that 33:38 whatever on the other, 33:39 whatsoever on the other side of the trial 33:41 is better than what I have now. 33:44 Because the Lord wouldn't let it come 33:45 if what was on the other side 33:47 is not better than what I have right now. 33:48 So I endure it." 33:50 You always learn a lesson in trials too. 33:53 Absolutely. 33:54 Think about what Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50. 33:56 Oh, yes. What Satan intended for evil. 34:00 He said, God turned for good. 34:03 And that's sometimes the trials we bring on ourselves. 34:06 Because I think I brought a few on myself. 34:08 Sometimes the trials is just a result 34:11 of the world of sin we live in. 34:13 Like the man in John 9, the disciples said, 34:15 who said this man or his parents. 34:17 Yeah. 34:18 And Jesus said, neither, is that God can be glorified. 34:21 That's right. 34:22 And so sometimes the trial 34:23 really has nothing to do with you 34:25 and everything to do with someone else's salvation 34:28 looking at you through that. 34:30 But in the midst of it, no matter what the trial is. 34:33 Say that again, that's powerful. 34:35 Sometimes it has nothing to do with you 34:36 but people looking at you... 34:38 People looking at you, 34:39 and it has to do with their salvation 34:41 because can they see Jesus in the midst 34:43 of how you endure under that trial? 34:48 So sometimes, yes, 34:49 I think every time we go through a trial, 34:51 we need to evaluate, right? 34:52 The Word of God says, examine your own hearts, we say, God, 34:55 what do you want me to learn in the midst of this, 34:57 but it's not always something that we brought on ourselves. 35:00 Sometimes it's something else, 35:01 you know, but in the midst of that, 35:04 what does God want us to learn? 35:06 And how can we grow? 35:07 And how can we glorify Him through that enduring process? 35:13 You know, that reminds me of Job. 35:14 You have something, Pastor. Oh, no, no, no. 35:15 Okay. Yeah. 35:17 But I think of Job, you know, to, you know, 35:19 he went through a tremendous trial 35:21 and here he is a righteous man. 35:23 I know. Isn't that amazing? 35:25 But what he went through 35:26 in that enduring process for him 35:29 when he lost so much his possessions, his children, 35:32 which is his family, and his friends around him 35:35 are not that supportive. 35:36 And then, of course, yeah, just everything that happened. 35:40 His wife, yeah. 35:41 I mean, that's really close, you know, to him. 35:42 And you know, what Job went through, 35:44 and I know 35:45 that's one of our scriptures here. 35:46 That's in James 5. 35:48 But do you want to go to Romans first 35:49 or do you want to? 35:50 Oh, yeah. Makes no difference. 35:52 Okay. 35:53 But what does endurance produce in us as Christians, 35:55 Romans 5, I think that's a great text. 35:56 Romans 5, yeah. 35:57 That's a great text. I love Romans 5. 35:59 Yeah. 36:00 And hopefully we get to the story of Job. 36:01 Yeah. 36:03 Jay, you have that? Yes. 36:05 Romans 5 we're looking at, is it 1 through 5? 36:08 Yeah, let's start with one. Okay. 36:11 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, 36:14 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 36:18 through whom also we have access by faith 36:21 into this grace in which we stand and rejoice 36:24 in hope of the glory of God. 36:26 And not only that, 36:27 but we also glory in tribulations, 36:30 knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, 36:33 and perseverance character, and character hope. 36:37 Now hope does not disappoint, 36:39 because the love of God 36:40 has been poured out in our hearts 36:43 by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." 36:45 You know... 36:47 What a powerful passage. 36:48 Some Christians say, oh, well, if I'm a Christian, 36:51 why am I going through this trial? 36:53 But to me, verse 1 says, 36:55 having been justified by faith 36:57 so that means these people are already have chosen Jesus. 36:59 That's right. 37:01 Right, they're already justified. 37:03 They're already in the Christian walk, 37:05 and here comes sanctification. 37:07 That's right. That whole process. 37:10 You know, you, that's a good point 37:11 because people think that when you get on the team 37:13 and I've been locking in this Olympic mode today 37:16 for whatever reason, 37:17 but the moment you enter the team, 37:19 the trainer says, or the coach says, 37:22 now we're just about to start this season. 37:24 And I heard a coach once said, I don't want a good player. 37:27 I want a player that I could train. 37:29 Michael Jordan. 37:30 You know, Michael Jordan, one of his coaches said, 37:32 what I liked about Michael Jordan, 37:34 he allowed me to train him. 37:36 Some people are good, but they never progress, 37:39 because they're not trainable. 37:40 Some Christians feel good. 37:43 But I remember one guy said to me, 37:45 the enemy of good is the enemy of best. 37:51 See, you might have a good walk with Christ, 37:54 but it could be better 37:55 or it could be the best walk with Christ. 37:56 Yeah. 37:58 So, the question I asked people is enigma question. 38:00 When is, 38:02 when is a good decision a bad decision 38:03 and a bad decision a good decision? 38:05 They said, "What?" 38:07 How could a good decision be a bad decision 38:08 and a bad decision can be a good decision? 38:10 Well, that's... 38:11 A good decision make a bad decision, 38:13 because a good decision is two steps away 38:15 from a best decision. 38:17 A bad decision is a good decision 38:20 because it's two steps away from the worst decision. 38:25 Wow. 38:26 And I must give Dr. Pseudopandit 38:28 credit for that. 38:29 Man, I admire greatly. 38:31 So, you made a bad decision, 38:32 but it's two steps away from the worst decision. 38:36 So it's a good decision. 38:38 I like that. That is good. 38:39 You may have made a good decision. 38:41 I'm going to watch this on 3ABN's YouTube channel 38:42 to rewind that one. 38:43 Okay. 38:45 So maybe a good decision, 38:46 but it's two steps away from the best decision. 38:47 So I don't want to be a good Christian. 38:50 I want to be the best that the Father can make me. 38:53 I don't want to make, 38:54 I don't want to make the worst choice. 38:56 So I have gotten away by making a bad choice. 38:59 And God has been good. 39:01 I persevere through a bad choice, 39:02 but the worst choice could have taken my life. 39:04 Yeah. 39:05 And sometimes the lesser evil, 39:07 God allows to prevent the greater evil. 39:10 And then you think about it, 39:12 when is the true character of a man tested? 39:14 You know, in adversity, it's like customer service too, 39:18 you know, you look at customer service, 39:20 you see, 39:23 company at its best in response to a messed up situation, 39:27 you have this angry customer, 39:29 what are you going to do to resolve it? 39:30 How are you going to handle yourself? 39:32 You know, in that moment, 39:34 are you going to get mad with them? 39:35 Are you going to get upset with them? 39:36 Are you going to write them off as a customer 39:38 as they've probably written you off as a company? 39:41 Or are you going to respond in a very loving look, 39:44 I'm sorry, are you going to own it? 39:46 Are you going to own your mistake? 39:47 They already know you messed up. 39:48 And that's just like God, 39:50 He already knows that we messed up. 39:51 So, are we going to own our mistakes? 39:53 Are we going to take them to God? 39:55 How are we going to respond in the eyes of trials 39:59 and stuff like that. 40:00 Yeah, I think, Angie, 40:02 if you see there in verse 3 of chapter, of Romans 5:3. 40:06 You want to read that? 40:08 And not only that, 40:09 but we also glory in tribulation. 40:11 Glory in tribulations. 40:14 No. It's like how do you glory. 40:16 No. Help me through. 40:17 I'm not there yet. You say just like that. 40:22 I'm sorry, I'm not there yet. 40:23 And then it says knowing that... 40:25 Tribulation produces perseverance. 40:28 It's different steps, isn't it? 40:30 Perseverance. 40:31 How do you... 40:33 So, these hard times, glory, am I right? 40:36 And it's like be it's producing something in us. 40:39 But it does. Yeah. 40:40 And that's God doing that work in us. 40:42 Yes. 40:43 Me and my elliptical stretching myself, doing. 40:47 It's painful. It's painful. 40:49 And you're sore sometimes at least I'm after I exercise 40:50 and push yourself, yeah. 40:52 Yes, yes. 40:53 But I feel so much better during throughout the day. 40:56 You have to endure but how do you find joy 41:00 or glory in tribulations. 41:03 Like James 1, you know... 41:05 Yes. Back to the four. 41:07 You got that one, Jill? 41:09 That's interesting, James 1:2-4. 41:11 This is the one, honey, that's I'm not there yet. 41:13 The one. 41:14 She told me this last night, she said, 41:15 "Look, I'm not there yet." James 1:2-4. 41:19 "My brethren count it all, joy. 41:25 I'm just going to stop there. 41:26 My brethren, count it all, joy." 41:28 Joy. 41:30 I know. Count it, joy. 41:32 And that word in Greek means pure, unmixed joy. 41:35 So this isn't some sort of joy like, okay, 41:38 it's modified or it's a temporary joy 41:40 or, no, counted all joy. 41:43 When you fall into various trials, 41:46 knowing that the testing 41:48 of your faith produces patience. 41:52 Wow. It's doing a work in us. 41:53 It is. 41:55 But let patience have its perfect work, 41:57 that you may be perfect and complete or entire, 42:00 lacking nothing. 42:04 You got to focus on that end result. 42:06 Yeah, that's what you told me last night. 42:08 Got to focus on the end result. 42:09 And this is, nobody sends out 42:11 a postcard when a trial comes, okay? 42:12 That's right. 42:14 Let's be candid about, nobody texts us smiley face. 42:15 Hey, you know, right now I'm in emergency. 42:18 You don't send a text, no I just had a car accident. 42:21 Could you, you know, 42:22 we're gonna have a party this weekend 42:23 to celebrate my car accident. 42:25 You don't, that's not a human response. 42:27 But the Lord is saying to us, 42:29 how many times have you been here? 42:30 How many times have you gone through a trial? 42:32 Do you remember the other side of it? 42:34 Yes, Lord. 42:35 He said, if you remember 42:37 that we have been here before. 42:40 What has happened as a result 42:41 of going through this difficulty? 42:43 Are you stronger now? Yes. 42:45 So don't think about the trial. 42:46 Think about the muscle, 42:48 the sin that you're going to develop. 42:49 Think about the weight. 42:51 You know, some people like to lift weights, 42:54 I have weights, 42:55 but they don't work just laying on the floor. 42:59 Sometimes I wish they did. 43:02 I have a perfectly great gym in our basement. 43:04 Yeah. 43:05 But it's not working without me on it. 43:07 And Angie, often said to me, 43:10 come on, get on the elliptical with me. 43:11 I said, no, that's okay. 43:14 You walk with me though. Yeah, I walk with her. 43:16 You know... That's good. 43:17 I need to just... 43:19 Get on that elliptical. 43:20 I couldn't get out of this situation. 43:21 The trial, no. 43:23 But there's a joy that comes with it, 43:25 not in where you are, the present. 43:28 But in what you know is going to come after that, 43:30 like breaking into a mountain that's filled with coal 43:33 and you find a diamond. 43:35 Like, wow, now I'm glad I broke into the mountain. 43:39 So that's what life is like. Yes. 43:40 But we don't, you know, honestly, 43:43 James is not saying throw a party when trials come. 43:45 Not at all. 43:46 He's saying think about what's going to happen 43:48 on the other side of it. 43:49 I think to me, joy is not happiness, right? 43:52 Because happiness is dependent on circumstance. 43:54 That's right. Joy is what comes in Jesus. 43:58 Joy is pull in silence, 44:00 singing 44:01 in the middle of the night in prison 44:03 now that's not happiness, 44:04 but it's choosing to praise because when we praise God, 44:09 He shows up. 44:11 And He delivers us 44:12 and He redeems us and He changes us. 44:15 What a difference praise makes. Yeah, it does. 44:18 Amen. What? 44:19 You know, Jill just something, when we praise, God shows up. 44:22 Yes. You know what? 44:24 I think can I modify that a little bit 44:25 in all due respect. 44:27 When we praise, we recognize He never left. 44:30 Good. Thank you. It's good. 44:32 He's always there. 44:33 He's always been there. 44:35 When we praise, we realize, He never left. 44:37 Yeah. Right. 44:39 I'll never leave you nor forsake you 44:40 but you can't see me. 44:42 You know, having eyes, He said that to the Pharisees, 44:44 because you say you have no sin 44:46 and it remains I can't do anything for you. 44:48 So when we praise Him, we recognize He never left us. 44:51 And that's the thing about, 44:53 He wants to train our eyes to see in the trial. 44:56 I took a camera to the school once, 44:58 school here and I took pictures 44:59 and then I put on the screen and said, 45:01 now identify this stuff. 45:02 And the kids are saying, where's that. 45:04 And they couldn't identify, I said, you know, 45:06 that's the corner in the kitchen. 45:08 I took a picture behind the stove, 45:09 the big industrial stove in the corner of the kitchen, 45:11 they said, 45:13 why would you take a picture of that? 45:14 I said, well look at the next picture. 45:15 This is a little tiny flower in front of the school 45:17 coming through a rock they say, wow. 45:19 I say, now here's the thing. 45:21 Is there something wrong with my camera? 45:22 No, it's what I focus on. 45:24 And we focus on the wrong thing sometimes, 45:26 the Lord is saying, 45:28 I want you to focus on something. 45:29 I didn't, I didn't leave, I'm here. 45:31 But in the trials, 45:32 you're looking in the wrong direction. 45:34 We can take a camera 45:35 and take the most awful pictures. 45:37 Or we can take a camera and capture 45:39 the most beautiful sunset. 45:40 It's what we're focusing on 45:42 that lets us know God never left. 45:44 Yeah. Yeah. Amen. 45:46 Should we skip down to, 45:47 we're looking at what does endurance 45:48 produce in us as Christians, 45:50 but then we can go down to how we're enduring, 45:52 enduring, which we're talking about already, 45:54 but I do like the story of Job. 45:55 Yes. Okay. 45:57 That's course the story of Job is in Job, 45:59 but I like the passage that you have here, 46:01 that's James 5, referring it to Job. 46:04 James Chapter 5. 46:07 Jason, do you have that? I do. 46:09 James 5:11. Verse 11. 46:11 "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. 46:14 You have heard of the perseverance of Job 46:16 and seen the end intended by the Lord, 46:19 that the Lord is very compassionate 46:21 and merciful." 46:22 Oh, yes, He is. 46:25 Very compassionate. 46:26 He went through a huge struggle. 46:28 Huge. Yeah. 46:29 Yeah. 46:31 Yeah. He lost everything. 46:32 Honey, you're gonna say something about that passage? 46:33 I know you are. 46:35 Last night, I did, that's why. 46:38 What did you find in that passage, Angie, 46:40 because it is a powerful passage? 46:41 Yeah, it is. 46:43 Because I said last night I said, 46:45 "Honey, Lord is full of compassion." 46:49 But he says, "He's very compassionate." 46:51 That's right 46:52 That's huge, 46:54 not just compassionate and merciful. 46:55 He's very, He's acquainted with our weaknesses. 46:59 He knows, He lived the human life. 47:02 He knows what we've gone through. 47:04 And so, I love that compassionate. 47:07 Yeah, compassionate. 47:08 Very compassionate and merciful. 47:10 And that's what we ought to exemplify that. 47:14 I know does anybody ever get on your, 47:17 almost last nerve? 47:20 You go like... 47:23 And you question your response. 47:24 How am I, in our response could either mean 47:27 they forget about the Jesus in us, 47:30 or the Jesus in us becomes more obvious. 47:33 So that's what's going on here. 47:35 Because Job, you know, 47:37 the story we read through the Job 47:39 and we got so many highlights in story of Job. 47:40 Yeah, it's powerful story. 47:42 But sometimes people don't understand, 47:43 like his friends 47:45 didn't understand what he was going through. 47:46 No. 47:47 But here's the thing 47:49 that really caught my attention here. 47:50 This is perseverance of Job and seeing the end, 47:55 the next word intended. 47:57 Yeah. What does God intend? 47:59 Why does God allow, He intends something to happen. 48:02 And that's a powerful word. 48:04 I never preached a sermon called intentional. 48:06 Yeah. That's a good sermon title. 48:07 But everything was restored to him, 48:09 he had double, double honor. 48:11 But this is intentional. But I see what... 48:13 It's not intentional. Oh, yeah. 48:14 It wasn't. It wasn't incidental. 48:17 No, it was not. No, that is true. 48:18 For I know, the plans I have for you, says the Lord. 48:21 Plans to prosper you 48:22 and not to harm you to give you a future and hope. 48:24 And that is just God's plan for each one of us. 48:28 You know, I just want to encourage you 48:30 tonight right now, 48:31 you might be going through something 48:33 and you're enduring, 48:34 you're going through a trial or a hardship 48:37 or loss of a loved one, I can't even fathom that. 48:41 And yet in the midst of that, 48:44 the Lord Jesus is right by your side. 48:48 And He says, I have loved you with an everlasting love. 48:52 And I want you to fix your eyes on me 48:56 because when we look at Jesus, 48:57 He enables us to endure through. 49:02 So just know that your 3ABN family here 49:04 that we are praying for you in the midst of your battle 49:09 that the Lord would see you through 49:10 and make you victorious. 49:12 Amen. Amen. 49:14 You know, we saw a new story 49:15 that was so touching of a young family. 49:17 Last night, yeah. 49:18 The father was 32 years old, he contracted COVID and... 49:23 Mother has two children. 49:25 They have two children. Small children. 49:27 Small children. A baby and a son about three. 49:30 Yeah, and he loves his children. 49:32 They showed all the pictures of him with his children. 49:34 And to get to the story shortly. 49:36 He lost the battle with COVID-19. 49:40 But in the hospital 49:41 when he was going through his final moments, 49:43 he was able to write on his phone 49:47 a message for his wife 49:50 that she said normally 49:51 I don't look at my husband's phone. 49:53 We don't have any reason to suspect him. 49:56 But he left it so that he knew... 49:59 She would find out. I would find it. 50:00 He left a lengthy note. 50:02 And it was heart wrenching, I mean, the news cast, 50:05 I kept seeing her swallow. 50:07 Yeah. Bowed her head, swallowing. 50:10 Very emotional. Yeah. 50:11 It brought tears to her eyes, it kind of, 50:12 we leaned on each other 50:14 and just tears will come out of her eyes. 50:15 I just hugged him as a wife losing her husband. 50:18 And he had two children. 50:20 And then so the news program said, well, 50:22 we started a GoFundMe for you. 50:24 And $777,000 came in right now. 50:28 And she said, well, I'm gonna stay at home, mom. 50:30 She said, what will you do with the money? 50:32 She said, you know, what? Yeah. 50:34 Should I give back every penny to have my husband back. 50:37 Wow. Every penny. 50:40 Almost. She said, I don't need it. 50:41 I will be glad to give back every penny 50:44 just to have him back. 50:45 But you know, those are those moments 50:47 where you don't excuse us 50:48 for getting a little bit emotional. 50:49 But, you know, when you love your spouse the way I do. 50:52 Of course. 50:53 And the way my wife loves me, you think, what would I get, 50:57 you know, what would I give 50:59 to make it through a difficult moment. 51:00 I'd give everything. Everything. 51:02 When you think about Job, he lost everything. 51:04 He lost his children, he lost his livestock, 51:07 he lost his possessions. 51:08 And... 51:10 He had his God. Say it again. 51:12 He had his God. 51:15 Most important. 51:16 And so, through it all, 51:18 there are some of you that are watching this program. 51:20 We want you to know here, just like Job, you didn't lose, 51:23 you may have lost everything, but you didn't lose God. 51:26 Never will. 51:28 He never left you, He never, He never left your side. 51:30 And so, you have to endure because what it says here, 51:33 perseverance of Job 51:35 and seeing the intended end of the Lord, 51:39 the end intended by the Lord. 51:41 He saw, well, I know, 51:42 I understand why I'm going through this now. 51:44 And we're not saying that God intends 51:46 for you to lose a spouse. 51:47 No, of course not. 51:48 That's an unfortunate thing that happens in this life. 51:50 Everybody dies at some point. 51:52 But you have to know, don't forget the last part, 51:55 the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 51:57 And He will be with you through this difficult time. 51:59 You know, I like this, pastor, in my version here it says, 52:02 "And the Lord is very pitiful." Oh, beautiful. 52:04 In other words, He's very compassionate. 52:05 Yes. Merciful. 52:07 So, you know, His heart goes out 52:09 into the suffering 52:10 but I think then that's the promise 52:11 that we've been referring to. 52:13 Yeah. 52:14 That's why He endured on the cross. 52:16 Because He knew this wasn't it. 52:17 You know, there's something better, 52:18 He's saving us from this world of sin. 52:20 Yes, it's not the end of the story. 52:21 No, it's not, exactly, say that again. 52:23 It's not the end of the story. It's right. 52:25 We have, as the Bible says, what we have a better, 52:29 a better land. 52:30 So, this is not it to those who loved the Lord. 52:34 So let's endure. Endure. 52:36 Amen. All right. 52:38 Let's end in some prayers. Pastor, do we start with you? 52:40 We'll go around the circle. Sure. 52:41 Thank you. 52:43 Loving Father in heaven, 52:44 thank You for Your patience with us, 52:46 Your merciful grace to us. 52:48 There's somebody watching right now 52:50 is in a place where they don't know 52:52 whether to hold on to let go. 52:54 Father, take their hand and hold on for them. 52:58 Put Your arms around them 53:00 that they won't fall out of the ride 53:01 that they're riding in right now. 53:03 The turns are tough, the dips are difficult 53:05 and they just can't see the end of it. 53:07 Hold them in the cradle of Your arms 53:10 that they won't let go. 53:11 And when they can't pray, Father, 53:13 just take the meditations of their hearts. 53:16 Has sufficient and bring them through it, 53:19 I ask in Your precious name. 53:22 Amen. 53:23 And, Father, we come to You again in prayer. 53:27 We are so thankful for Jesus. 53:29 Where would we be without Jesus? 53:32 Lord, we thank You for Your promises. 53:35 Through Ye, it's just so true. 53:38 Thank You, Lord, 53:39 we know that as my husband mentioned 53:41 many are going through trials. 53:44 We pray for endurance 53:46 that they will endure till the end. 53:48 There's a blessing at the end, 53:51 even in the trial, there is a blessing. 53:54 So help them to hold on 53:55 and not let go of the hand of Jesus. 53:58 There won't be long. 54:00 We will be home very, very soon. 54:02 And I just ask that You will just encourage 54:05 and comfort each person 54:07 and help us all to be faithful on to the end. 54:10 Amen. 54:12 Dear Heavenly Father, 54:14 I just want to thank You so much for walking with us 54:18 in the midst of our trials and being with us 54:20 through the storm. 54:22 Father, I ask that You would please help us 54:25 and everyone to endure what comes our way. 54:30 Those situations may seem like it's the end. 54:35 We ask that You would just help us 54:37 to get through that, 54:39 help us to take away lessons 54:41 that are preparing us for Your soon return. 54:45 Help us not to have our own agenda 54:47 but to seek Your will to be done. 54:49 In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. 54:52 Holy Father, we're grateful for the gift of Jesus. 54:57 We're thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit 55:00 who comforts us in our time of need. 55:04 We're thankful for Your Word and the promises in Your Word 55:07 which are yes and amen in Christ Jesus. 55:11 And how Father, 55:12 we can trust You through it all. 55:15 And, Lord, I'm just praying 55:17 for my brothers and sisters right now. 55:19 Maybe they're not sure if they can trust. 55:23 God, would You strengthen their faith 55:26 and when they cannot even come to You, 55:30 we are carrying them, 55:32 like the friends of the paralytic 55:34 to You right now. 55:36 Would you touch them? 55:43 Father in heaven, Lord, 55:44 we're grateful that You are the author 55:47 and the finisher of our faith. 55:50 I pray for that person right now 55:51 that is either listening or watching 55:53 that they feel as though they're drowning. 55:56 They're going down, coming up and gasping 55:58 for another breath of air it seems 56:00 and then going back down with maybe loss of a job. 56:04 Their world around them 56:05 that seems to be just crashing in on them. 56:09 And they don't know that they're, 56:10 what they seem to be hanging on 56:12 to maybe just seem like a tiny little thread. 56:14 But, Father, You will never ever let us go. 56:17 As pastor is mentioning, You've been there all along. 56:21 You're just right there. 56:22 And, Lord, as we are reaching our hands out to You, 56:24 we know that You will grasp them 56:26 and pull us up 56:27 from what seems like an impossible situation. 56:30 Father, I just pray that You'd help us all 56:32 to endure to the very end. 56:34 In Jesus' name we pray. 56:36 Amen. 56:37 Amen. Amen. 56:40 What a joy to share family worship 56:41 with each one of you. 56:42 We just have a few moments. 56:44 I don't know if you, 56:45 any one of you have a closing thoughts, 56:47 something that you'd like to share 56:48 on the topic? 56:49 If you want to or you don't want to whatever. 56:51 Real quick, tough times don't last 56:53 but tough people do. 56:55 That's good. That's right. 56:57 That's when you have the Lord with you. 56:58 That's right, when you have the Lord. 56:59 Without Him you can't do it. 57:01 We can't make it without the Lord. 57:02 Yeah. No. 57:04 Just hang on. 57:05 I said, just hang on, 57:06 claim the promises in God's Word. 57:09 Amen. Absolutely. 57:10 Thank you all for being part of the family. 57:12 Amen. 57:13 We love working with you 57:15 and so appreciate your walk with God 57:16 and sharing that with our 3ABN family. 57:19 It's a joy to have family worship together. 57:20 It is, you know, yeah, to be thanking the Lord 57:22 for a wonderful week. 57:23 We know that He will carry us through. 57:25 We don't know what next week has in store, 57:26 He does. 57:28 We just need to trust Him. 57:29 We encourage you to hang on to God and His promises, 57:32 study His Word on a daily basis. 57:34 And God bless you. We'll see you next time. 57:36 Amen. |
Revised 2020-05-29