Participants:
Series Code: WHO
Program Code: WHO200006S
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00:26 Hello, friends, and welcome to 3ABN Worship Hour.
00:29 I'm Jill Morikone and we're so glad 00:31 that you've taken time to join us today, 00:33 as we open up God's Word and study together. 00:36 Before we dive into our topic, "Lockdown," 00:40 want to encourage you to open up your heart 00:42 to worship with Tim Parton. 00:53 Jesus, name above all names 00:59 Beautiful Savior 01:03 Glorious Lord 01:08 Emmanuel 01:11 God is with us 01:15 Blessed Redeemer 01:20 Living Word 01:23 Oh, Jesus 01:27 Name above all names 01:31 Beautiful Savior 01:35 Glorious Lord 01:40 Emmanuel 01:44 God is with us 01:47 Blessed Redeemer 01:52 Living Word 02:00 He is worthy of all praise. 02:04 So let's take a moment to praise Him 02:08 and to seek His face. 02:10 We are a needy people 02:15 and we receive a lot of prayer requests. 02:22 People need the Lord. 02:24 We need His hand moving in our lives. 02:29 So let's pray. 02:33 Father, we know that there are people 02:38 who all over this world 02:41 need a touch from You. 02:45 God, we all need a touch. 02:48 A viewer has called in 02:49 whose wife has started experiencing 02:53 headaches and dizziness, 02:56 she's lost her voice as they are in this, 03:01 in the middle of a project working for you. 03:05 Lord, I pray that You will touch them. 03:10 For the viewer whose sister-in-law in Colombia 03:13 is suffering with the fever. 03:15 Lord, I lift her up to You. 03:20 Father, several of our viewers 03:23 have requested salvation for family 03:27 that God would bring them safely home to You, 03:32 that they may see the goodness of Your hand, Lord and repent. 03:38 Lord, Your Word says, it's Your goodness 03:40 that draws us to repentance, 03:45 Your kindness, Lord. 03:47 Thank You for loving us. 03:51 Father, there's a viewer 03:53 who has a friend with a mild brain bleed 03:58 and it's a stroke is possible. 04:04 Father, we have friends who are sick. 04:09 We all have friends who are unbelievers. 04:13 Dear God, I pray 04:14 that You would heal 04:18 the physical 04:21 and save our souls, oh, God. 04:27 Lord, there's a mother-in-law 04:29 that is requesting prayer for her son-in-law 04:34 who has issues with his swallowing reflex, 04:37 difficulty swallowing food. 04:41 Lord, I pray that You will grant him healing 04:44 and restoration, Lord. 04:51 Father, for the dear lady who lost her mother to cancer 04:54 some time ago 04:57 who is now having a double mastectomy. 05:02 Lord, the fear in her. 05:07 Father, we know that You are able to, 05:11 to break generational curses. 05:13 And so, Father, we're asking God 05:15 that You would do that. 05:17 Those who are watching. 05:21 Lord, we know that You are greater 05:23 than heredity. 05:26 We know that nothing is impossible 05:29 for You to overcome. 05:32 Nothing is impossible, God. 05:38 Lord, for the man who asks 05:42 that You would fill him with compassion and empathy, 05:45 mercy and forgiveness. 05:52 Father, Lord, 05:55 make that all of our prayer. 05:58 Lord, we all need more compassion 06:00 in today's world, 06:04 and empathy and mercy 06:06 and forgiveness for one another. 06:09 God, 06:14 a friend whose daughter is exhibiting the symptoms 06:17 of COVID-19 06:20 went to the emergency room and couldn't get a test. 06:24 Oh, God, 06:26 hear of this kind of stories a lot these days. 06:31 Again, I just ask that You would please have Your way 06:36 and take away fear. 06:40 Lord, we need Your wisdom, we need Your healing. 06:53 Father, a pastor calls in who says 06:57 that one of his elders has the Coronavirus. 07:06 Lord, we, we just seek Your healing hand. 07:16 And, Father, for the dear couple 07:17 who has lost their 9-year-old suddenly, Lord. 07:25 Father, comfort them. 07:32 Lord, we know that 07:34 life is so fragile 07:39 and we can't make it without You, God. 07:42 We don't want to make it without You. 07:46 Lord, thank You for holding our hand 07:50 during the trials. 07:53 And even when times are good, we thank You, 07:58 especially when times are good, we are grateful. 08:05 Lord, Your Word promises in Psalm 31:19, 08:09 "How abundant are the good things 08:12 that You have stored up for those who fear You." 08:17 So, Father, 08:20 I pray that those who are watching 08:26 will develop that healthy fear of You, 08:31 that they can lay claim to the good things 08:35 that You have stored up for us. 08:41 And, Lord, Your Word says in Jeremiah 17: 7, 8, 08:46 "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord 08:48 and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 08:53 They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots 08:56 that reach deep into the water, 08:58 such trees are not bothered by the heat 09:01 or worried by long months of drought, 09:04 their leaves stay green 09:06 and they never stop producing fruit." 09:09 Father, because I trust in You, I am blessed. 09:16 Father, You are my hope and my confidence 09:18 and I am blessed 09:19 because I am like a tree on the riverbank. 09:25 In You my thirsty roots are continually refreshed, 09:29 I stay cool in the summer heat 09:32 and I am able to stay productive 09:35 doing all that You have called me to do. 09:39 And I praise You, Lord. 09:43 Thank you so much, Tim. 09:46 Lockdown, 09:47 Coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China 09:50 in December of 2019. 09:53 January 11, the Chinese state media 09:55 reported the first known death from an illness 09:57 caused by the virus. 09:59 At the same time the virus was confirmed to have spread 10:02 outside of China to Japan, South Korea, 10:05 Thailand and the United States. 10:08 January 23, a lockdown was issued in Wuhan 10:12 and cities in that province. 10:14 They canceled planes and trains that were leaving the city, 10:17 suspended buses, subways and ferries. 10:20 On January 30th, the World Health Organization 10:24 declared a global health emergency. 10:27 February 2nd, the first Coronavirus death 10:30 was reported outside of China 10:32 that was a 44-year-old man from the Philippines. 10:35 February 14, France announced the first COVID-19 death 10:39 in Europe. 10:40 February 23, Italy saw a major surge in COVID-19 10:45 and they began to lock down various towns within Italy. 10:49 February 26, 10:51 Latin America reports its first Coronavirus case. 10:54 February 28, 10:55 Sub-Saharan Africa reported its first infection. 10:59 February 29, the United States recorded its first death 11:03 and announced travel restrictions. 11:07 March 15, the CDC advised citizens 11:10 to not have any gatherings of more than 50 people 11:13 in the United States. 11:14 The very next day, President Trump said, 11:17 "We're going to limit that to no more than 10 people." 11:21 February 17, there was a lockdown, 11:23 a nationwide lockdown of the country of France. 11:26 And then in February, March 19, sorry March 19, 11:32 the first state in the United States 11:35 issued its stay at home order, 11:38 that was the state of California 11:40 and many states followed suit after that. 11:43 March 21, Illinois issued a stay at home 11:46 and so did New Jersey. 11:47 March 22, New York issued a stay at home. 11:51 March 23, many states followed suit, 11:53 we have Connecticut, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, 11:55 Rhode Island, Washington. 11:57 And there was a lockdown 11:59 of the country of Great Britain. 12:01 March 24, Massachusetts, Delaware, Michigan, Indiana, 12:04 New Mexico and West Virginia, 12:07 all issued some measure of stay at home. 12:10 And the country of India issued a three-week lockdown 12:13 for its citizens, 12:15 1.3 billion people in that country of India. 12:19 March 25, Idaho, Hawaii, Vermont and Wisconsin 12:24 all issued stay at home or shelter in place. 12:27 March 26, Colorado and Kentucky and on that date 12:30 the United States began to lead the world 12:32 in confirmed COVID-19 cases. 12:36 March 27, Minnesota 12:37 and New Hampshire issued a shelter in place. 12:40 March 28, Alaska and Montana. 12:42 March 30, North Carolina, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia. 12:45 March 31, Arizona. 12:47 April 1st, Nevada. 12:48 April 2nd, Maine. 12:50 April 3rd, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi. 12:52 April 4th, Alabama. 12:54 April 6, Missouri and the list goes on. 12:58 As we saw a lockdown not just of the world 13:01 and countries in the world 13:02 but here in the United States of America as well. 13:06 Let's pray. 13:07 Father, this is Your time 13:09 and right now we ask for the anointing 13:12 of Your Holy Spirit. 13:14 Would You open up our minds and our hearts 13:17 to receive what You have in Your Word. 13:20 In Jesus' name, amen. 13:23 Just last week, an email crossed my desk 13:26 or popped into my inbox and it was from an inmate. 13:31 He had written something about the lockdown experience, 13:35 not due to COVID-19 13:36 but the lockdown experience in prison. 13:39 And I want to read a portion of that to you now. 13:41 It says, "I now live in a special neighborhood 13:44 reserved for individuals of a specific class. 13:47 Allow me to explain what it means, 13:49 what makes it so luxurious. 13:52 First, it's a gated community. 13:54 The entire neighborhood is enclosed to ensure 13:56 that the bad guys stay on their side of the fence. 13:59 But to doubly ensure our safety, 14:02 we have an armed guard response. 14:04 Pretty elite, huh? 14:06 Another major benefit of this community 14:08 is the fact that we have no bills, 14:10 there's a restaurant within walking distance 14:13 that opens around 4:00 a.m. 14:15 and closes around 6:30 p.m. 14:17 every day and it's free, 14:20 not only is the food free but I have no electric bill, 14:22 no water bill, no rent, 14:25 my wardrobe is provided at no charge 14:27 and I receive freshly laundered clothes 14:30 on a daily basis. 14:32 We have both indoor and outdoor basketball courts, 14:34 a volleyball court, walking, running tracks, 14:37 weights and a free personal trainer. 14:40 There's a mini-mart within walking distance 14:42 as well as the schoolhouse 14:43 which provides everything from a high school equivalency 14:47 to a full-fledged master's degree. 14:50 Oh, and the library, 14:52 our local library is reserved 14:53 only for members of this community 14:56 and it has an extensive collection of books. 14:59 In order to prevent loneliness everybody has a roommate, 15:02 countless hours are spent socializing, joking 15:04 and yes, sometimes arguing. 15:07 Random moves occur on a somewhat regular basis 15:10 which helps to keep things exciting. 15:12 However, I won't be able to stay here forever. 15:15 At some point, they're gonna change my social class 15:18 and I like you were no longer qualified 15:21 to live in this neighborhood. 15:23 Until then I plan on taking full advantage 15:26 of the amenities offered here." 15:30 Now when you read that, when I read it, 15:33 it sounds like a very interesting perception 15:37 of the lockdown that he is experiencing 15:40 and he closes it this way. 15:42 "Stone walls do not a prison make 15:46 nor iron bars a cage, 15:49 you don't have to change your address 15:51 to change where you live, 15:52 just change your mind 15:55 in how you perceive." 15:59 As we look at lockdown here today, 16:01 I want to discuss three characteristics of a lockdown. 16:05 Now we will look at various types of lockdowns, 16:07 there's many phases, many facets to lockdown, 16:11 but all the way throughout the message today 16:12 we will be looking 16:14 at the three characteristics of a lockdown. 16:16 So get out your pen and paper, they are number one, force, 16:20 number two, separation. 16:23 Now this can be separation, 16:24 that's a physical separation 16:25 or it could be an emotional separation. 16:28 Number three, we have a loss of freedom. 16:32 So what was number one, 16:33 the characteristics of a lockdown? 16:35 We have force, 16:36 then we have separation which is physical 16:38 or emotional separation 16:41 and finally we have that loss of freedom. 16:44 Now lockdowns take many phases, many facets. 16:48 We have the lockdown by a physical government 16:50 that we already began addressing 16:52 that we see in many countries throughout the world. 16:55 And we also see here 16:56 in the United States of America. 17:00 Sometimes those lockdowns are mandatory, quarantines. 17:05 Sometimes there are non-mandatory recommendations 17:08 to simply stay at home. 17:11 And we see that today with curfews, 17:13 we see that with travel bans, 17:15 we see that with some of these restrictions 17:17 being imposed by the civil government, 17:20 we are definitely today seen lockdowns of various types 17:25 throughout the world today due to COVID-19. 17:29 Now do we see force in this lockdown? 17:34 Some countries you might see some more force than others. 17:38 I was just talking with someone in Australia 17:40 and they said they have drones that fly over the beaches 17:44 to ensure that no more than two people are walking together 17:48 at the same time. 17:50 They have some sort of checkpoints between areas 17:53 so when you travel, 17:55 you're not allowed to travel from one area to the next. 17:57 And they actually have the police 17:58 and there's a $50,000 fine 18:02 if you violate that restriction. 18:05 Of course, we know 18:06 the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, he warned 18:10 and you probably read this in the news. 18:12 He ordered his country's police and military 18:16 to shoot dead anyone 18:18 who caused trouble during a month-long lockdown 18:22 of the island of Luzon. 18:24 In Kenya, the police there gave their sincere condolences 18:29 to the family of a 13-year-old boy 18:31 who was on his balcony and he was shot by the police 18:35 for violating a Coronavirus curfew. 18:40 And then, of course, in India maybe you watch footage of that 18:43 they say up to 5,000 people were sprayed, 18:46 these were migrant workers, 18:48 they were sprayed with a chemical agent, 18:51 a bleach agent 18:52 that would cause damage to your skin, 18:54 damage to your eyes, to your lungs, 18:57 this was part of that force 19:00 that enforcement of a lockdown. 19:04 Have we seen separation in this lockdown today? 19:07 We've definitely seen separation. 19:08 I was just talking to one of our 3ABN employees 19:12 and he said, 19:13 "Jill, I've been at home on a self-quarantine." 19:17 He has more of the risk factors, 19:18 so he's been working from home. 19:20 And he said for three weeks, 19:22 now he's not married 19:24 and he said there's no one at home, 19:26 I don't come into work, I don't interact with people. 19:30 Now we talk on the phone 19:31 and of course he interacts with other employees 19:33 on the phone or through email or computer. 19:35 But it is different 19:37 when you have a physical separation 19:40 from someone else. 19:42 You can't just reach out 19:44 and give someone a hug or shake their hand. 19:47 There is an emotional distance, 19:49 an emotional separation 19:50 that occurs as well with this social distancing 19:54 that we're practicing today. 19:56 One study done actually in 2015 19:58 found that chronic social isolation 20:01 increases the risk of mortality by 29%. 20:07 So we definitely see in this lockdown today 20:10 throughout the world due to COVID-19, 20:12 we see force in certain measures 20:15 being displayed. 20:17 Some countries, of course, stronger than others, 20:19 we definitely see a separation 20:21 of physical and an emotional separation. 20:24 And clearly there's loss of freedom. 20:26 People can't go to work, 20:28 some people can't go to the grocery store 20:30 when they want to 20:31 because they change the hours for that. 20:33 Or maybe you can't go to the mall 20:34 or can't go out to eat or can't go to a concert 20:36 or a sporting event 20:38 because all of those are canceled. 20:40 What about a lockdown in a prison system? 20:42 We started reading that letter from the prisoner. 20:46 I remember for five years 20:47 I had the privilege of ministering 20:49 in our local jail with the woman there. 20:51 What an incredible blessing. 20:53 The woman there experienced extreme lockdown. 20:57 They had all the characteristics 20:59 of lockdown, there was definitely force. 21:01 When you walk into the jail, 21:02 there's a first door and then there's a second door, 21:05 there's barbed wire at the top, 21:08 there were armed guards. 21:09 People keeping them in the jail. 21:13 There's definitely force. 21:14 There was a separation from their loved ones, 21:19 from their families 21:20 because they were there in lockdown 21:23 as it were in the county jail. 21:25 In fact, I remember one woman she was beautiful, long hair, 21:30 probably to her waist. 21:32 She didn't look a day over 19 and she had three kids. 21:37 And I still remember it as if it were yesterday, 21:40 I'm sitting there leading the Bible study, 21:43 she's on the other side of the room, 21:45 tears streaming down her face. 21:47 Jill, I'm not with my kids. 21:50 Jill, I'm separated from my kids. 21:53 When I get out, I'm not getting out, 21:56 I'm going to prison, 21:57 it's gonna be years before I see my kids. 22:00 Jill, would you adopt my kids? 22:05 That was one of those heartbreaking moments 22:07 where she felt the anguish 22:09 of separation. 22:13 They definitely have lost the freedom in the jail. 22:17 You can't sleep in your own room. 22:19 You can't decide when you want to go outside. 22:21 You can't use the bathroom in privacy. 22:23 You can't go for a drive or visit people when you want 22:26 or pick up something at the store. 22:29 There's definitely a lockdown in the prison 22:31 or the jail system. 22:32 Sometimes we have a lockdown from our friends 22:37 and maybe the force is not the same, 22:39 it's not with an armed guard or a barbed wire, 22:41 maybe they ridicule, 22:43 maybe they refuse to speak. 22:46 I remember a woman who called into 3ABN 22:48 and she said, "Jill, my family doesn't talk to me." 22:51 That is a measure or a form of lockdown 22:54 of that emotional separation. 22:57 But what we want to spend our time on today 22:59 is the lockdown that is caused by sin. 23:03 Now remember the three characteristics of lockdown, 23:06 it was force, remember number one. 23:07 Number two is separation, that's physical and emotional. 23:11 Number three was a loss of freedom. 23:14 Now you might say is there even force there 23:18 with a lockdown in regards to sin. 23:20 Because the first thing that comes to my mind 23:21 is separation. 23:23 Remember Adam and Eve walking in the cool of the garden 23:26 and they would meet with God. 23:27 And then after Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, 23:31 and then she gave it to Adam and he ate and they sinned. 23:34 The Bible says they realized they were naked, 23:36 they were ashamed 23:38 and they hid themselves from God. 23:40 We see instantly when sin entered the earth, 23:43 there was a separation from God. 23:47 But let's look first 23:49 at the first characteristic of lockdown that was force. 23:53 So we're in Genesis 3, 23:56 and I've always known that sin caused the separation, 24:00 not always but for years 24:01 we know we teach that sin causes the separation 24:04 between us and God, 24:05 but you know there's also force involved with that. 24:09 So let's look at Genesis Chapter 3, we are in verse 24, 24:12 Genesis 3:24. 24:14 "So He," that's the Lord God, 24:17 "drove out of the man and placed cherubim 24:21 at the east of the Garden of Eden 24:23 and a flaming sword which turned every way 24:27 to guard the way to the tree of life." 24:30 So God literally drove out 24:33 the man and the woman from the garden. 24:36 That word drove in Hebrew, 24:38 I have it written in the margin of my Bible. 24:40 He means to drive out, to cast out, to expel, 24:44 to thrust out. 24:46 So here we see force being used 24:50 to separate you and I from a holy God. 24:54 Force was used. 24:56 Now if you look at the next chapter Genesis 4, 25:00 we know that Adam and Eve had a couple kids, 25:02 Cain and Abel, they grew up and what happened? 25:05 Cain killed his brother in a fit of rage. 25:10 And we're in Genesis 4, 25:12 God pronounces a punishment upon Cain 25:15 and he's to be a vagabond and a fugitive. 25:18 We're in Genesis 4:13, 14. 25:20 "And Cain said to the Lord, 25:21 'My punishment is greater than I can bear. 25:24 Surely, You have driven me out this day 25:28 from the face of the ground, 25:30 I shall be hidden from Your face, 25:31 I should be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth 25:34 and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.'" 25:37 Now you see that word, surely, 25:38 you have driven me out this day from your face. 25:42 That word driven is the same word 25:45 that was used when the Lord God drove out Adam and Eve 25:50 from the Garden of Eden. 25:52 The same Hebrew word. 25:53 We're gonna see that word again in Genesis 21. 25:56 Let's jump down to Genesis 21. 25:57 Remember the story of Abraham and Sarah. 26:00 Remember that God had promised 26:02 that Abraham would be the father of a great nation 26:06 and through him the Messiah would come. 26:09 Now remember that they became impatient 26:11 and they waited years for the promised one, 26:14 the promised child. 26:15 And Sarah didn't get pregnant and she didn't get pregnant 26:18 and she didn't get pregnant 26:19 and then she decided she's gonna help God 26:21 and she offered her handmaid to her husband. 26:24 Note to self, don't try that at home, okay, 26:26 I never understood that part of the story. 26:29 Anyways, it did not work out the way Sarah had anticipated. 26:33 And, of course, we know Hagar had a son Ishmael 26:36 but that was not what God had promised. 26:39 And so, years later Sarah gave birth to Isaac. 26:43 And then when Isaac was weaned, they had a big party, 26:45 we're in Genesis 21 and what happens? 26:48 Sarah begins to get upset 26:50 and say we need to get rid of Ishmael and this bondwoman. 26:54 So we're in Genesis 21:10, 26:57 "Therefore she," that would be Sarah, 27:00 "said to Abraham, 27:01 'Cast out this bondwoman and her son, 27:03 for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, 27:06 namely with Isaac.'" 27:08 Now the word cast is the same word, 27:10 the same Hebrew word which means to drive out, 27:15 to cast out, to expel, to thrust out, 27:18 it's the same word we saw in Genesis 3 27:21 when God forced them out of the Garden of Eden. 27:24 The same word with Cain 27:25 when he was forced to be a fugitive. 27:28 Now we see Hagar and her son Ishmael 27:30 being forced to leave their home 27:34 and to basically wander or go out into the wilderness. 27:39 Why does sin force us from God? 27:44 Why does sin force us from God? 27:46 Isaiah 59:1, 2 is probably two of the saddest verses to me 27:51 in the Word of God. 27:53 It says, "Behold, 27:54 the Lord's hand is not shortened, 27:56 that it cannot save, 27:58 nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear, 28:02 but your iniquities 28:04 have separated you from your God. 28:06 And your sins have hidden His face from you 28:10 that He will not hear." 28:11 Now I just want to say right now 28:13 you might be watching and saying, 28:14 okay, well then clearly I'm done for 28:17 because I know I have sinned in my life 28:19 and if God is going to separate himself from me, 28:21 if He is going to force me from His presence 28:25 then I'm done for. 28:26 But I want you to know 28:27 that the story does not end there 28:29 and we are going to talk about the antidotes 28:32 for lockdown. 28:33 For these three characteristics of lockdown, 28:35 we are getting there, so hold on. 28:38 But we see that sin separates us from God. 28:42 Force is used to separate us from a holy God. 28:46 We see that physical separation, 28:48 we already talked about Adam and Eve 28:51 in the Garden of Eden hiding themselves from God. 28:55 You see sin brings fear, sin brings condemnation, 29:00 sin brings guilt and that separation from God 29:05 because sin cannot stand in the presence of a holy God. 29:09 We saw the separation in Genesis 3, 29:12 we see it again in Revelation, 29:15 turn to the last book of the Bible. 29:18 Revelation Chapter 6, 29:20 now this is the seals 29:21 and we won't even discuss that 29:22 but the sixth seal, 29:25 seal number six takes place 29:27 just before the second coming of Christ. 29:30 And we see this in verse 15, we are in Revelation 6:15, 29:36 "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, 29:39 the commanders, the mighty men, 29:40 every slave and every free man hid themselves in the caves 29:44 and in the rocks of the mountains 29:46 and said to the mountains and rocks, 29:47 fall on us and hide us from the face of Him 29:51 who sits on the throne 29:54 and from the wrath of the lamb, 29:56 for the great day of His wrath has come 29:59 and who is able to stand." 30:02 So these are people at the end of time 30:06 who have sin in their lives. 30:09 And when they see the presence of Jesus, 30:14 they recognize their sinfulness and they say we want to hide, 30:18 we want rocks fall on us, we don't, 30:20 we cannot stand in the presence of God. 30:23 We cannot be in His presence 30:25 because sin cannot be in the presence of God, 30:28 but there is a people who will be able to stand. 30:33 Revelation 7 is like an interlude 30:35 before we get to the actual last seal. 30:38 And that interlude talks 30:40 about the sealing of God's people. 30:42 And you might wonder 30:44 what in the world does that mean? 30:45 What it means is that God loves you 30:47 and I so much 30:49 that He wants to put the Father's name 30:51 in our foreheads. 30:53 He wants us to spend eternity with Him. 30:56 He wants the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from that sin 31:01 so that we stand before the Father 31:04 as if we have never sinned. 31:07 Psalm 24:3, 4, 31:09 "Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord, 31:10 who shall stand in His holy place. 31:13 He who has clean hands and a pure heart. 31:17 Who has not lifted up his soul 31:20 to an idol nor sworn deceitfully." 31:23 So we see that sin brings force, 31:26 that force separates us from God. 31:30 We see sin brings separation from God, 31:32 a physical separation 31:33 and clearly an emotional separation 31:36 with that sense of shame and guilt and condemnation. 31:40 Sin also brings a loss of freedom. 31:45 Remember in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, 31:48 remember when Eve was at the tree of knowledge 31:50 of good and evil 31:51 and remember what the serpent said to her, 31:53 he said, 31:54 you will become like God's 31:57 knowing good and evil. 32:00 Did they really? 32:02 Instead they experienced loss of freedom, did they not? 32:04 They were barred from eating of the tree of life. 32:08 They were banned from the Garden of Eden. 32:10 They were subject to sin, to attacks from the enemy, 32:14 to death and they had never seen death before. 32:18 They lost eternal life, 32:21 they lost freedom from temptation and sin. 32:25 Sin leads to a great loss of freedom. 32:27 But I'm so glad that the Word of God 32:29 doesn't just show us what's in our heart 32:32 and then leave us in depression or leave us to worry 32:37 or to wonder. 32:38 Well, clearly, nobody can be saved 32:39 so I might as well not even worry about it. 32:42 Know there are keys to breaking free from this lockdown 32:47 that is caused by sin. 32:49 And I call them the antidotes. 32:52 Now stay with me here, 32:54 remember we talked about the three characteristics 32:56 of lockdown. 32:57 What were they? 32:58 They were force, separation, 33:00 that's a physical and emotional separation 33:03 and finally number three was a loss of freedom. 33:07 Let's look at force. 33:09 I believe that love is the antidote for force. 33:14 Now where did I get that from? 33:16 Now this is kind of one of those 33:17 little mathematical equations 33:18 and I was never very good in math, 33:21 so hopefully I don't lose myself 33:23 and I don't lose you either. 33:25 So let's start over here, 33:26 force causes fear. 33:31 Fear is cast out by love. 33:36 Okay, so we start over here, 33:37 force causes fear but fear is cast out by love. 33:43 Therefore, if I have love, I will not have fear. 33:47 And by extension, 33:48 it's the antidote for the force over here. 33:51 Remember in World War II 33:53 the Jewish people were threatened, 33:56 they were pushed into cattle cars, 33:58 they were gassed, 33:59 they were annihilated, they were killed. 34:03 As many objects of forces, 34:07 you can imagine were used against those people. 34:12 Now I'm sure there was a lot of fear 34:14 in those concentration camps 34:16 because force causes fear 34:19 but yet fear is cast out by love. 34:23 I love 1 John 4:18, 34:24 "There is no fear in love 34:27 because perfect love casts out fear." 34:31 You see Satan uses force but God uses love. 34:36 John 10:10, 34:37 "Satan came to steal, kill and destroy 34:40 but Jesus said, 'I have come that they would have life 34:44 and have it more abundantly.'" 34:46 Think of 2 Peter 3:9, 34:48 "God is not willing that any should perish 34:50 but that all should come to repentance. 34:54 Hosea 11, Hosea is not a book that I read a great deal 34:59 but every time I do, I'm really blessed by it. 35:01 And I was very blessed by this passage. 35:03 Hosea 11:3, 4, 35:08 God speaking, He says, 35:09 "I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms." 35:15 I want to stop right there. 35:16 I don't know if you're a parent 35:18 and if you've ever seen a little kid begin to walk. 35:20 Now Greg and I don't have kids but our niece and nephews, 35:25 they all began to walk the same way, 35:26 you know, how they kind of pull themselves 35:28 up on the couch 35:29 and they use a hand to steady themselves. 35:31 And then you grab their little fingers 35:33 and you kind of walk behind them, why? 35:34 You hold up their arms 35:36 so that they don't lose their balance, 35:38 so that they can still walk. 35:41 And I imagine this picture of God, 35:44 our Father holding up our arms 35:48 teaching us how to walk. 35:51 It says, "I taught Ephraim to walk 35:53 taking them by their arms, 35:54 but they did not know that I healed them." 35:58 Verse 4, 35:59 "I drew them with the gentle courts, 36:02 with bands of love and I was to them 36:05 as those who take the yoke from their neck. 36:08 I stooped and fed them." 36:12 Psalm 18:35, 36:13 "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, 36:16 Your right hand has held me up, 36:20 Your gentleness has made me great." 36:24 I'm so glad for the love of Jesus 36:27 and God the Father 36:29 that is the antidote for that force 36:32 in my own prison house, my lockdown caused by sin. 36:36 What was the second characteristic of a lockdown? 36:38 Remember, we had force here, what was the second one? 36:41 It was separation. 36:43 That's a physical or an emotional separation. 36:46 Now remember sin separated us from God 36:49 because sin cannot live in the presence of a holy God. 36:54 I'm so thankful that the blood of Jesus 36:58 cleanses us from all sin, 37:00 that Jesus' blood is the antidote 37:04 for the sin problem 37:05 and it's the antidote for the separation problem. 37:08 Because of Jesus' blood, 37:10 you and I can be reconciled again, 37:12 brought back into right relationship 37:16 with the Father. 37:17 Romans 5, Romans 5:9, 10, 37:21 much more than having now been justified by His blood. 37:23 So it's clear that the blood of Jesus justifies us. 37:26 Now that's a big word 37:27 but all it means is that we are brought back 37:30 into right standing with God. 37:33 So we have sinned God's over here 37:35 and we cannot stand in His presence 37:37 because of that sin, 37:39 but the blood of Jesus covers us, forgives us, 37:43 cleanses us and justifies us, 37:46 brings us back into a right relationship 37:49 with God. 37:51 We have been justified by His blood, 37:52 we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 37:56 Now that wrath is simply 37:57 because sin cannot stand in the presence of a holy God. 38:01 Verse 10, "For if when we were enemies 38:04 we were reconciled to God through the death of His son. 38:09 Much more, having been reconciled, 38:11 we shall be saved by His life." 38:14 And not only that, 38:15 "But we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ 38:18 through whom we have now received the reconciliation." 38:22 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, 38:24 He's faithful and just to forgive us our sins 38:27 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 38:31 So the blood of Jesus restores that separation 38:35 that we have with the Father. 38:37 Remember Ephesians 2:14, He Himself, 38:40 that's the Lord Jesus Christ is our peace 38:43 who has made both one 38:45 and has broken down the middle wall of separation. 38:48 There again, 38:50 Jesus reconciling us to the Father 38:53 and not only that, 38:54 not only do we have this physical reunion 38:58 but it's emotional as well 'cause Romans 5:1 says, 39:01 "Therefore having been justified by faith," 39:03 that means we're brought back again 39:06 into right relationship with Jesus, 39:08 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 39:14 Love is the antidote for force. 39:16 Jesus' blood is the antidote for the separation 39:20 that has been caused by sin. 39:22 And finally, Jesus Christ Himself 39:24 is the antidote for this loss of freedom 39:27 that we experience. 39:29 You know, the Lord Jesus came to restore 39:33 all that Satan has taken. 39:36 Joel 2:25 is probably one of my favorite verses, 39:40 it says, "I will restore to you the years 39:43 that the locust has eaten." 39:45 Have you felt like in your own life 39:48 that Satan has eaten a big chunk 39:50 that the locust has eaten something 39:53 that was in your heart and in your life, 39:55 maybe years of your life were squandered, 39:58 being separated from God, 40:00 living that life apart from Him, 40:02 feeling the characteristics 40:04 and the consequences of that lockdown 40:07 caused by sin, feeling that force, 40:10 feeling the separation from God, 40:12 feeling a loss of freedom. 40:15 And yet Jesus says He can restore the years 40:19 that the locust has eaten. 40:21 Genesis 50:20, what Satan intended for evil, 40:26 God can turn around for good 40:29 in your life and in mine. 40:32 You know, true freedom really starts with a proposal. 40:35 Now you might say what in the world 40:36 are you talking about? 40:38 In the Word of God, a woman is represented by a church. 40:42 Now a pure woman is represented by the pure church, 40:44 the bride of Christ. 40:47 And, of course, a not so pure woman 40:48 would be represented by a not so pure church. 40:52 But I want to look at the pure church, 40:53 Christ and His bride. 40:55 Jeremiah 6:2, the Word of God says, 40:57 "I've likened the daughter of Zion 40:59 to a lovely and delicate woman, to a pure woman." 41:04 Revelation 19:7, 41:06 this is the marriage supper of the Lamb, 41:08 and of course we know that is Jesus. 41:10 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, 41:15 for the marriage of the lamb has come 41:17 and his wife has made herself ready." 41:21 So, Jesus, this is the marriage supper 41:25 where He marries us, that is His people, 41:27 that is His church. 41:29 We are as it were the bride of Christ. 41:33 Now in Jewish tradition when a couple became engaged, 41:36 they called it betrothed. 41:38 The groom paid the dowry 41:40 and from that moment they were considered married 41:43 even though they didn't live together. 41:45 Then the groom went to prepare a place for them to live 41:50 and while the groom was preparing the place, 41:52 the bride over here was making herself ready. 41:57 Now you know if we are betrothed to Christ, 41:59 that means on the cross Christ paid the dowry 42:03 for you and for me, 42:05 but yet we can't live together yet 42:07 even though we are currently married to Him. 42:10 The groom that's the Lord Jesus has gone to prepare a place 42:14 for you and I to live in. 42:17 John 14:1-3, 42:19 remember what He told the disciples. 42:20 Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, 42:23 believe also in Me. 42:25 In my Father's house are many mansions, 42:28 if it were not so I would have told you. 42:30 I go to prepare a place for you 42:32 and if I go and prepare a place for you, 42:34 I will come again to receive you where I am. 42:39 So right now, Jesus the groom 42:42 is preparing a place for us. 42:46 And what is our job at this time? 42:48 The bride's part is to make herself ready. 42:53 Revelation 19:8, 42:54 this is the very next verse we were in Revelation 19:7, 42:57 Revelation 19:8. 42:59 And to her that's the bride, that's us, the church. 43:03 "It was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, 43:06 clean and bright. 43:09 For the fine linen 43:10 is the righteous acts of the saints." 43:13 Now it says arrayed in fine linen, 43:16 clean and bright, 43:17 the word clean in Greek means clean, 43:20 pure, unstained, 43:24 guiltless, innocent, upright. 43:29 Now that garment, I don't know about you 43:33 but sometimes my garment doesn't look like that at all. 43:35 There are actually I believe three garments 43:39 mentioned in the scripture. 43:40 Now you might say there's only two, 43:41 but allow me to show you why I think 43:44 there are three garments in the scripture. 43:46 The first garment is my own self-righteousness. 43:50 The Word of God says Isaiah 64:6 43:52 that all our righteousness 43:55 is as filthy rags. 43:59 Anything I could do or hope to do 44:02 or want to do falls way short 44:06 of the perfect standard of Christ's law. 44:09 In fact, Philippians 3:9 says, 44:11 "And being found in Him not having my own righteousness 44:15 which we clearly know is filthy rags 44:17 which is from the law 44:19 but that which is through faith in Christ, 44:21 the righteousness which is from God by faith." 44:26 So the first garment 44:27 is the self-righteousness of man. 44:30 To be honest that is worth nothing. 44:33 The second garment 44:35 is the imputed righteousness of Christ. 44:39 Now this is that justification we talked about earlier. 44:42 That is as we call it our title for heaven. 44:46 Romans 4:3, Paul is quoting from Genesis 44:50 and he says Abraham believed God 44:52 and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 44:56 Now in Romans Chapter 4 there is this whole discussion 44:59 on whether Abraham was considered righteous, 45:02 whether Abraham was justified 45:05 before he's circumcised or after he's circumcised. 45:09 You see if he was accounted righteous 45:12 before God after a circumcision 45:14 that would mean that you and I have to play 45:17 some sort of part in our salvation, 45:22 that would mean that we believe in righteousness plus works 45:26 in order to be saved. 45:27 But that discussion in Romans 4 if you read it, 45:30 Paul is very clear that Abraham was accounted righteous, 45:35 he was justified before God before he was circumcised. 45:40 That quote, of course, is from Genesis 15:6. 45:44 It reminds me of Zechariah Chapter 3, 45:47 remember that Joshua stood before the Lord 45:50 and he was clothed in filthy garments, 45:53 now that's our righteousness, it's worth nothing. 45:56 And yet the angel of the Lord came 45:59 and clothed him with a pure white garment. 46:02 That's the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin. 46:06 That is Christ perfect righteousness. 46:09 In fact, in 2 Corinthians 5:21 46:12 we see this double imputation 46:15 I call it, it says this, "For He made Him," 46:18 that's God made Jesus, 46:21 "who knew no sin to become sin for us 46:26 that we might become 46:28 the righteousness of God in Him." 46:30 Did you catch that? 46:31 My sin was transferred to Jesus when He was on the cross. 46:36 And when I accept Him and I say yes, 46:39 I want You to come into my heart and into my life, 46:43 what happens? 46:44 His righteousness is imputed to me. 46:49 So, we have the self-righteousness of man 46:51 which is nothing. 46:53 We have the imputed righteousness 46:54 and that happens the moment I say yes, Lord, 46:58 I accept You in my heart. 46:59 Yes, I want to follow You. 47:01 Yes, would you forgive me of my sins? 47:04 At that moment, I am covered with this righteous white robe. 47:09 But there is a third garment talked about in scriptures. 47:14 This is not the imputed righteousness of Christ, 47:17 it is the imparted righteousness of Christ. 47:22 This is what we call sanctification. 47:25 Revelation 19:8, 47:26 we read it already, let's read it again, 47:28 it says, "To her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, 47:32 clean and bright. 47:34 For the fine linen 47:36 is the righteous acts of the saints." 47:38 Now that word righteous in Greek ends in ma 47:42 which means it is the result of some sort of action. 47:47 The word refers to a living concrete expression 47:51 of righteousness. 47:52 Now you might say wait a minute, Jill, 47:54 how can any of my actions be righteous 47:55 because you just told me that all your righteousness, 47:58 all our righteousness is filthy rags 48:00 and that is true. 48:01 This is what happens 48:03 when the Lord Jesus takes up residence 48:06 in our hearts and in our lives. 48:08 It's Colossians 1:27, 48:11 "To whom God would make known 48:12 what is the riches of the glory of this mystery 48:14 among the gentiles which is Christ in you, 48:17 the hope of glory." 48:19 It is clearly John 15:5, 48:23 "I am the vine," Jesus says, "and you are the branches." 48:26 Meaning without Him, without His grace, 48:30 without His power, 48:31 without Him abiding in my heart and in my life, 48:36 I die spiritually. 48:38 You know, we have a peach tree in the backyard 48:41 and I went out and I plucked a peach blossom, 48:43 I love them, they're so beautiful. 48:47 And I took it home and I was really excited 48:49 and you know how long it took before that peach blossom 48:52 which was perfect and beautiful, before it died. 48:56 It didn't take a long time. 48:58 That is because the moment the blossom was disconnected 49:03 from the tree, it began to die. 49:05 And likewise, the moment you and I 49:08 cease to have Jesus inside, 49:12 it turns back to all my own righteousness 49:14 which is nothing but filthy rags. 49:17 You know, there's an interesting comparison 49:19 in the Bible, 49:20 this is in Romans 7 versus Galatians 2. 49:22 In Romans 7, it says, Romans 7:17, it says, 49:27 "It is no longer, I who do it," 49:29 Paul's talking about this life of sin, 49:31 "It is no longer I who do it but sin who dwells in me." 49:36 Now did you catch it? 49:37 It's not me actually engaging in the sin, 49:39 it is sin because it has taken up residence 49:42 in my heart. 49:44 Now Galatians 2:20 on this side says, 49:46 I've been crucified with Christ 49:47 but it is not I who live but what? 49:50 Christ who lives in me. 49:53 So on this side it's not me doing the wrong, 49:55 it is sin that is dwelling in me. 49:58 And over here it's not me doing anything good 50:00 or holy or righteous, 50:02 it is Christ who is dwelling in me. 50:06 That is what is meant 50:07 by that imparted righteousness of Christ. 50:10 It is me day by day being connected to Him 50:13 so that His life-giving power can flow through my life. 50:18 Because of His imputed and imparted righteousness 50:22 there's no fear of judgment 50:23 and no fear of the second coming. 50:25 Remember what we read about the sixth seal, 50:28 Revelation Chapter 6 50:29 and the people cried fall on us to the rocks and the mountains, 50:32 please hide me from God's face 50:35 because when we have sin in our heart, 50:37 we cannot stand in the presence of a holy God. 50:41 And yet 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, 50:45 "May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. 50:49 And may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete 50:54 without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 50:59 You know, the difference, 51:00 the difference it makes is that Christ is living 51:03 in our heart and in our life. 51:06 Remember I started with that story 51:09 or example from the prisoner who changed his perspective 51:14 on how he lived in lockdown there in prison. 51:18 I've altered that just a bit and see if you recognize this. 51:22 I now live in a special neighborhood 51:24 reserved for individuals of a specific class. 51:28 Allow me to explain what makes it so luxurious. 51:31 First off, it's a gated community, 51:33 only certain individuals are allowed to live inside. 51:38 To doubly ensure our safety, 51:39 we have a host of angels 51:42 who walk beside us through life in a camp about us 51:45 when in trouble. 51:46 Another major benefit of this community 51:49 is that we have no bills. 51:51 In fact, everything has already been paid for 51:54 by the landlord. 51:55 There's a private restaurant in each home 51:57 that features the bread of life and the water of the Word. 52:02 Not only is the food free 52:03 but my wardrobe is provided at no charge 52:06 and I receive a freshly laundered white garment 52:10 to wear every moment of every day. 52:13 It's a good thing too 52:14 because my clothes are often filthy rags. 52:18 We have lots of exercise, including running, 52:20 walking traits and track, 52:23 weights and a free personal trainer. 52:27 He's traveled the path of life before me 52:30 and knows every pitfall, 52:31 every turn in the road 52:33 and just what hills and weights will help me grow. 52:38 There's a schoolhouse 52:40 which provides everything from a high school equivalency 52:42 to a full-fledged master's degree. 52:45 The longer I study this word the more I understand, 52:49 I don't know anything, 52:50 I'm grateful that a tutor is provided free of charge 52:54 because every day early in the morning 52:57 he meets me and helps me as I study. 53:01 In order to prevent loneliness, everybody has a roommate. 53:04 He's the best companion I've ever found, 53:07 countless hours every day 53:10 are just spent talking with Him. 53:12 He listens and offers the best advice. 53:15 I find such joy, just sitting in His presence. 53:20 However, I won't be able to stay here forever. 53:23 You see my roommate is preparing a place for me 53:26 that is even more gated and more exclusive 53:29 than where I live now. 53:31 I think there's a mansion involved 53:33 and I hear there will be no night there. 53:36 You see you don't have to change your address 53:39 to change where you live, 53:40 just change your mind and how you perceive. 53:45 I don't know in your life, 53:49 are you in the lockdown of sin? 53:51 Has Satan caused a separation in your heart and life 53:57 between you and Jesus? 53:58 Do you feel bound and addiction, 54:01 bound where there is a loss of freedom in your life 54:04 and you want to break free and you want to get out? 54:07 And you say, but I don't know how to change. 54:11 Just yesterday an email popped into my inbox from a man, 54:17 we'll call him Sam, it's only seven words. 54:24 He said, "Hello, how can I get to heaven?" 54:29 That's it. 54:30 Hello, how can I get to heaven? 54:34 The way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ. 54:39 The Savior is waiting to enter your heart. 54:44 Why don't you let Him come in? 54:56 The Savior is waiting 55:00 To enter your heart 55:05 Why don't you let Him come in? 55:14 There's nothing in this world 55:19 To keep you apart 55:24 What is your answer to Him? 55:34 Time after time 55:38 He has waited before 55:44 Now He is waiting again 55:53 To see if you're willing 55:57 To open the door 56:03 Oh, how He wants to come in 56:14 Oh 56:17 How He wants to 56:21 Come in 56:25 I love 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Word of God says, 56:29 "If anyone is in Christ, he's a new creation, 56:33 old things have passed away, 56:36 behold all things have become new." 56:40 Do you want a new life? 56:41 Do you want a life that is free from a lockdown 56:44 caused by sin? 56:46 Do you want to be set free? 56:48 Open up your heart, yes, Jesus, I ask You in. 56:54 He's waiting, He's longing to be Lord of your life. 56:58 Let's pray. 56:59 Holy Father, we come as Your children, 57:03 grateful for the gift of Jesus. 57:07 Grateful for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin. 57:11 Grateful that in You, we can become new creatures. 57:15 And right now, we let You in. 57:19 We open up our hearts and say would You come in. 57:22 Would you change us? 57:23 Would you set us free? 57:26 Thank You, thank You for what You've done 57:30 and what you're going to do. 57:32 Amen. |
Revised 2020-05-14