Sunday August 11th Service_transcript.txt

[0.00 --> 4.10]  What a wonderful day.
[4.42 --> 8.14]  And even as the sun is coming up, we get to celebrate, as James prayed,
[8.80 --> 14.28]  that we get to celebrate this beauty of inviting and welcoming new members of our church,
[14.50 --> 17.54]  grafted into this family that we get to grow together in faith.
[17.98 --> 23.74]  So it is a privilege for me to come and witness to God's word.
[24.34 --> 25.84]  And right now, during the summer months,
[25.84 --> 29.08]  we are preaching through a series called The Hard Sayings of Jesus.
[29.08 --> 34.04]  And so we're picking difficult, maybe more difficult passages that we wrestle with.
[34.64 --> 40.06]  And today, I get the light and fluffy topic of casting out demons, aka exorcism.
[40.64 --> 44.52]  And with that in mind, I think before we go anywhere,
[44.82 --> 51.28]  it is very crucial to start with the mindset that we have to look at each passage
[51.28 --> 55.76]  and the grand narrative of the Bible in its context.
[55.76 --> 61.00]  We can't just pick and choose passages that we like or avoid the ones that we don't like.
[61.80 --> 65.98]  And so with that in mind, even last week, Pastor Sid, I know we were away from the church camp out,
[66.06 --> 67.38]  but I listened to Pastor Sid's sermon.
[67.98 --> 75.32]  And it was so good that he provided us with the overall context of how Jesus sends out the 72,
[75.32 --> 79.60]  the missionaries to spread the gospel, the good message of salvation.
[79.60 --> 82.40]  And that was the downfall of Satan.
[82.82 --> 87.44]  And the important part of that passage, along the same lines as today's passage,
[87.78 --> 93.34]  is that we need to keep our focus and our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
[93.94 --> 96.54]  That's how Satan falls.
[96.68 --> 97.70]  That's what it means.
[97.70 --> 106.66]  And so like this, like last week, today's passage provides for us a sign of victory over the enemy.
[107.08 --> 113.30]  And it gives us a specific picture of Christ's identity and authority over the enemy.
[113.92 --> 116.70]  And so again, the key, the focus is Jesus.
[117.22 --> 120.86]  Surprise, surprise, everything's about Jesus in the Bible.
[120.86 --> 124.76]  And so if you have your Bible or follow along with me on the screen,
[124.92 --> 127.82]  we are going to read Luke chapter 11.
[128.14 --> 132.20]  We're back in Luke and we read chapter 11, verse 14.
[134.34 --> 137.86]  Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute.
[138.50 --> 142.36]  When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke and the crowd was amazed.
[143.06 --> 147.14]  But some of them said, by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.
[147.14 --> 150.96]  Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.
[152.10 --> 154.16]  Now Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,
[154.56 --> 157.18]  Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,
[157.40 --> 159.86]  and a house divided against itself will fall.
[160.64 --> 164.08]  If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?
[164.90 --> 168.48]  I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.
[168.88 --> 171.52]  Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,
[171.66 --> 174.68]  by whom do your followers drive them out?
[175.28 --> 176.86]  So then they will be your judges.
[177.92 --> 181.08]  But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,
[181.20 --> 183.84]  then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
[184.68 --> 187.80]  When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house,
[188.02 --> 189.30]  his possessions are safe.
[189.92 --> 193.22]  But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him,
[193.42 --> 197.50]  he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.
[198.28 --> 201.42]  So whoever is not with me is against me,
[201.42 --> 204.90]  and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
[205.24 --> 206.90]  And this is the word of the Lord.
[207.14 --> 214.26]  On initial reading of this passage that we just read, how does it sit with you?
[215.88 --> 219.14]  Do you wrestle with the question that I've wrestled this past week with,
[219.56 --> 221.30]  of what is demon possession?
[221.30 --> 228.36]  What does it mean when this seeming demon possesses this person to cause them to be mute?
[229.66 --> 234.04]  This question, specifically this question about demon possession and spirituality,
[234.04 --> 238.48]  can really pull our attention away from the focus of the text, can't it?
[238.48 --> 244.70]  We'll touch on that question of what it means to be demon possessed.
[245.24 --> 247.68]  But before getting any further into it,
[247.88 --> 252.06]  I think and I suggest that the most important question to even start with here,
[252.26 --> 254.32]  as we read God's word again,
[254.70 --> 255.72]  is this question.
[256.04 --> 259.82]  What does this particular miracle of exorcism in this case,
[259.82 --> 263.64]  what does this miracle show us about who Jesus is,
[263.96 --> 267.24]  and what does it tell us about the good news of God's kingdom?
[268.44 --> 273.70]  And my hope is that that foundation is where we start with,
[273.78 --> 278.36]  and where it guides us as we receive this maybe more difficult text.
[278.36 --> 284.56]  So, thinking about exorcism and this battle between Jesus and Satan,
[284.94 --> 287.40]  has anybody seen this picture that's going to be on the screen?
[288.08 --> 289.68]  This is Jesus arm-wrestling Satan.
[290.00 --> 291.06]  Has anybody seen this before?
[291.50 --> 293.42]  If you Google like Jesus versus Satan,
[293.52 --> 296.06]  this is sort of one of the pictures that come up first.
[296.66 --> 297.96]  And in my youth days,
[298.22 --> 300.16]  many youth pastors, unfortunately,
[300.56 --> 304.12]  use this image a lot to teach us about spiritual warfare.
[305.30 --> 306.86]  And when I was young, I had no thoughts.
[306.86 --> 308.62]  I was like, okay, Jesus versus Satan, I get it.
[309.16 --> 310.88]  But then, as I grew in my faith,
[310.96 --> 312.52]  and then as I did some more studies,
[312.70 --> 314.92]  I have so many issues with this picture.
[315.80 --> 318.04]  Starting with, I'll start with a sillier one.
[318.12 --> 321.44]  The sillier issue that I have is that Satan is so ugly here.
[322.62 --> 324.02]  Now, my understanding,
[324.32 --> 325.72]  and what I would suggest is,
[325.94 --> 328.62]  Satan, if I were to ever draw a picture of Satan,
[328.86 --> 329.92]  would not be this ugly.
[330.54 --> 331.58]  Now, I'm a terrible drawer,
[331.66 --> 333.90]  so I couldn't express it in an image.
[334.36 --> 336.14]  But to describe it,
[336.14 --> 340.22]  it would be, Satan would be some sort of beautifully deceptive figure.
[340.82 --> 341.84]  Good to the eye,
[342.64 --> 344.70]  but in reality, deceptive.
[344.88 --> 347.66]  Pulling us away from shalom and righteousness.
[348.92 --> 350.14]  And so that's his mission.
[350.80 --> 351.56]  But in any case,
[351.70 --> 354.84]  I don't think a portrayal, an image would be as ugly.
[355.06 --> 356.38]  You can disagree with me,
[356.58 --> 357.70]  but that's my pet peeve.
[358.46 --> 360.32]  Now, along more serious lines,
[360.84 --> 364.24]  like in light of our passage that we read this morning,
[364.78 --> 367.26]  the more serious reflection I have from this picture,
[367.32 --> 368.36]  and why I don't like it is,
[368.62 --> 371.80]  because it portrays Jesus and Satan
[371.80 --> 373.94]  as if they're in some sort of equal fight.
[373.94 --> 377.98]  Like, it can give us a sense that
[377.98 --> 379.54]  if we're struggling in life, maybe,
[379.92 --> 381.80]  and we're struggling through our journeys of faith,
[382.08 --> 383.42]  it might give us a mindset of,
[383.86 --> 385.18]  oh man, I'm struggling so much.
[385.28 --> 387.52]  I guess Jesus' arm must be getting tired or something.
[388.30 --> 390.02]  As if this is an equal fight.
[391.08 --> 391.48]  Right?
[391.54 --> 393.44]  The good news from the passage that we read
[393.44 --> 395.90]  simply is that Jesus is Lord,
[396.06 --> 398.30]  and he's already victorious over the enemy.
[399.22 --> 400.82]  This is not a fair fight.
[401.76 --> 403.66]  And so that's why I have issues with this picture.
[403.90 --> 404.54]  You can take it down.
[404.60 --> 405.62]  It's not a pretty picture there.
[406.56 --> 407.34]  Thank you, Trevor.
[407.54 --> 407.98]  Or Lydia.
[409.64 --> 410.64]  And I must say,
[410.90 --> 412.94]  so wrestling with this more difficult passage,
[413.18 --> 414.84]  and especially this past week,
[415.62 --> 419.04]  this past week for me seemed to be full of spiritual insights
[419.04 --> 420.56]  and sensitivity for some reason.
[422.10 --> 423.68]  Relatively speaking to other weeks,
[423.96 --> 427.04]  I've had more conversations about spiritual realities,
[427.18 --> 428.04]  and it wasn't intentional.
[428.90 --> 430.08]  Believe me, it wasn't intentional.
[430.14 --> 431.70]  I didn't bring it up on purpose.
[432.08 --> 435.24]  But it came relatively more often
[435.24 --> 437.82]  that I talked about spiritual realities with Pastor Dave,
[438.00 --> 439.12]  and even with my dad,
[439.18 --> 441.30]  and his past experiences with exorcisms,
[441.62 --> 442.70]  and spiritual battles.
[443.36 --> 444.14]  And then,
[444.34 --> 447.40]  I've been dreaming too much for my own liking,
[447.76 --> 449.28]  and I'm remembering too much detail.
[449.78 --> 451.58]  And it's actually stressed me out.
[451.86 --> 453.22]  And I'm talking this past week.
[453.22 --> 455.64]  At times,
[456.14 --> 457.12]  it felt overwhelming,
[457.56 --> 458.36]  and even frightening,
[458.74 --> 460.76]  to think about Satan and evil.
[462.82 --> 463.60]  But then,
[463.70 --> 465.60]  as I'm driving past this little church
[465.60 --> 466.94]  by the Langley Events Center,
[467.26 --> 468.88]  there's a Canadian Reformed church there,
[469.14 --> 471.84]  and they have one of those old traditional church billboards,
[472.10 --> 472.28]  right?
[472.32 --> 473.16]  You know what I'm talking about?
[473.56 --> 474.78]  And they had this up there.
[475.10 --> 475.50]  It said,
[475.60 --> 476.18]  word for word,
[476.18 --> 477.02]  it says,
[477.46 --> 480.42]  the Spirit empowers us in our battle with evil.
[481.22 --> 481.82]  That's all it said.
[481.92 --> 484.26]  I guess they're doing some sort of spiritual warfare series too.
[485.68 --> 486.98]  But it occurred to me,
[487.04 --> 487.82]  and this, again,
[488.22 --> 489.66]  was all this past week,
[489.72 --> 491.52]  after we got back from our church camp out.
[492.60 --> 493.84]  And after reading that sign,
[493.92 --> 494.78]  it occurred to me
[494.78 --> 497.32]  that that's the simple gospel message
[497.32 --> 500.04]  from our maybe more difficult text for us.
[501.18 --> 502.48]  Jesus is Lord,
[502.48 --> 506.38]  and He's the one who holds all authority and power
[506.38 --> 507.48]  over the enemy.
[508.04 --> 508.86]  Do you believe this?
[510.52 --> 512.22]  His power and authority
[512.22 --> 514.80]  is expressed throughout the gospels,
[514.92 --> 517.08]  as we see in His healings and His ministries,
[517.38 --> 518.94]  showing us a glimpse
[518.94 --> 520.66]  of what the kingdom of God is like.
[520.98 --> 522.70]  And specifically from our passage,
[523.16 --> 526.28]  it shows us that He has power over Satan
[526.28 --> 527.54]  and all evil,
[527.54 --> 530.80]  and that there is no place for evil
[530.80 --> 531.82]  in God's kingdom.
[532.48 --> 536.84]  And so this miracle of exorcism
[536.84 --> 539.66]  is a sort of window that shows us
[539.66 --> 541.54]  Jesus is already victorious
[541.54 --> 544.72]  and just as important now for us.
[545.84 --> 548.40]  This same power is given to us
[548.40 --> 549.62]  through the Holy Spirit.
[551.12 --> 553.28]  Hence, the arm wrestling between Jesus and Satan
[553.28 --> 554.98]  is not an accurate portrayal.
[555.42 --> 556.56]  It's not a fair fight.
[556.56 --> 559.08]  And Jesus has already won victory
[559.08 --> 560.34]  through the cross,
[560.64 --> 561.34]  through His death,
[561.34 --> 563.42]  and then resurrection power
[563.42 --> 564.70]  that Pastor Dave mentioned
[564.70 --> 566.28]  as we celebrated baptism.
[567.14 --> 568.50]  There is power in His name
[568.50 --> 570.36]  because He has defeated death
[570.36 --> 571.88]  once and for all through the cross.
[573.46 --> 575.00]  And so keep that in mind.
[575.34 --> 576.04]  That is my hope.
[576.28 --> 578.50]  That is the foundation for a whole passage.
[578.50 --> 584.46]  So, now, what do we do with this demon issue?
[585.18 --> 587.96]  What does it mean when this person was mute
[587.96 --> 590.26]  because they were possessed by a demon
[590.26 --> 592.22]  that caused this condition?
[592.22 --> 597.32]  Do we interpret this as spiritual possession,
[597.32 --> 598.72]  spiritual attack,
[598.72 --> 601.38]  or, because we live in the 21st century,
[601.70 --> 604.06]  do we only view this and interpret this
[604.06 --> 605.98]  as some sort of childhood trauma,
[606.46 --> 607.40]  mental health issues,
[607.40 --> 608.50]  or whatever medical term
[608.50 --> 610.16]  that we want to label this as?
[611.16 --> 612.14]  So what is it?
[612.52 --> 613.96]  Spiritual or medical?
[613.96 --> 619.94]  Isn't it silly how I even distinguish those two things?
[620.62 --> 622.48]  And that's my suggestion this morning.
[622.56 --> 624.76]  Without simplifying this sort of debate too much,
[625.18 --> 627.08]  I suggest that this is both,
[627.24 --> 628.08]  this demon possession.
[628.76 --> 630.40]  It's not just spirituality.
[630.86 --> 633.78]  It's not just medical and modern medicine,
[633.90 --> 634.96]  however we define it.
[634.96 --> 639.20]  If you take one extreme over the other,
[639.46 --> 640.38]  you're missing the mark.
[641.14 --> 641.44]  Why?
[642.26 --> 645.12]  Because the Bible presents it to us in this way.
[645.56 --> 647.40]  It is the reality that the Bible,
[647.54 --> 648.54]  biblical writers tell us
[648.54 --> 649.84]  that this person was demon possessed.
[650.34 --> 651.44]  That's how they viewed it.
[651.44 --> 654.16]  And also, at the beginning, in Genesis,
[654.44 --> 656.18]  the way God created us,
[657.10 --> 658.42]  in our faith,
[658.54 --> 660.64]  we know that we were created
[660.64 --> 663.78]  as physical, biological, emotional,
[663.96 --> 665.46]  intelligent beings, yes,
[665.72 --> 667.94]  but we were also created in God's image
[667.94 --> 669.40]  as spiritual beings as well.
[669.72 --> 672.66]  That's what it means to be holistically human,
[673.02 --> 674.38]  the way God created us.
[674.60 --> 676.52]  And so to separate these things
[676.52 --> 679.16]  and put them in little neat boxes and say,
[679.16 --> 680.68]  oh, that's all spiritual,
[680.86 --> 682.04]  or this is all medical,
[682.50 --> 683.54]  is to miss the mark.
[686.02 --> 688.34]  And specifically in our cultural moment,
[688.44 --> 690.16]  again, thinking about the 21st century
[690.16 --> 690.98]  that we live in today,
[691.34 --> 693.26]  I think Satan loves it
[693.26 --> 695.06]  when we just box everything
[695.06 --> 696.26]  into simple categories.
[697.32 --> 698.56]  Like if we try to say
[698.56 --> 700.34]  that all illness and brokenness
[700.34 --> 702.28]  is just simply a spiritual issue,
[702.40 --> 703.94]  and then we just pray over it
[703.94 --> 705.48]  because the power of Jesus
[705.48 --> 707.28]  has power over the enemy,
[708.22 --> 709.72]  what happens when that demon
[709.72 --> 711.20]  is not cast out?
[712.54 --> 714.34]  And then flip it to the other side
[714.34 --> 716.34]  if we say that there's no such thing
[716.34 --> 717.42]  as spiritual attacks.
[717.74 --> 718.68]  See, it didn't work,
[718.68 --> 720.38]  so we have to go to the hospital.
[720.70 --> 722.46]  And all of our human ingenuity
[722.46 --> 724.08]  and all of our modern medicine
[724.08 --> 725.78]  has the capability of solving
[725.78 --> 726.74]  all of our issues
[726.74 --> 728.16]  and sicknesses and brokenness.
[728.86 --> 730.96]  That would be lying to ourselves as well.
[731.68 --> 734.22]  Because it is truth
[734.22 --> 736.04]  that we have not figured everything out.
[736.46 --> 738.28]  There is no way our modern medicine
[738.28 --> 740.80]  has all the answers for life's problems.
[741.00 --> 741.72]  If it were,
[742.36 --> 744.74]  why is our mental health crisis
[744.74 --> 745.64]  is getting worse,
[746.04 --> 746.64]  not better,
[746.86 --> 748.26]  in the 21st century?
[751.70 --> 752.94]  It would be as silly
[752.94 --> 753.98]  as telling somebody
[753.98 --> 755.30]  to not even pray
[755.30 --> 757.24]  because it's either a spiritual issue
[757.24 --> 758.80]  or to only pray
[758.80 --> 759.70]  not go to the hospital
[759.70 --> 762.26]  because it's only a modern medical issue.
[762.26 --> 766.52]  I know for a fact
[766.52 --> 767.88]  that even after a recent
[767.88 --> 769.66]  spiritual warfare series,
[769.84 --> 771.00]  what we call the Good Fight,
[771.38 --> 772.94]  we had many people
[772.94 --> 774.34]  come and share their stories
[774.34 --> 775.12]  and experiences
[775.12 --> 776.60]  of spiritual warfare.
[777.34 --> 779.38]  And I know that at our church,
[779.88 --> 781.20]  we are not ignorant
[781.20 --> 782.60]  of these spiritual realities
[782.60 --> 783.64]  and battles that we face.
[783.82 --> 785.12]  And the leaders of our church
[785.12 --> 788.00]  and those who are spiritually gifted
[788.00 --> 789.70]  are more than willing
[789.70 --> 792.14]  to serve and bless our community
[792.14 --> 793.82]  with their spiritual gifts.
[795.54 --> 796.88]  We do pray,
[796.98 --> 798.60]  and I want to put that very clearly,
[799.00 --> 800.14]  we do pray
[800.14 --> 801.98]  in the powerful name of Jesus
[801.98 --> 803.50]  against all enemies.
[804.32 --> 805.40]  But like last week,
[805.60 --> 807.70]  the point is not to use
[807.70 --> 809.72]  this power that we get
[809.72 --> 811.54]  for our own personal needs.
[812.50 --> 813.44]  The point
[813.44 --> 815.48]  and the focus of the passage
[815.48 --> 818.26]  is that we are called
[818.26 --> 819.96]  to trust in Jesus
[819.96 --> 821.44]  who is Lord over all
[821.44 --> 823.76]  and that Jesus is able,
[824.74 --> 826.20]  that Jesus is Lord.
[828.16 --> 829.70]  And so however we define
[829.70 --> 830.60]  this demon possession
[830.60 --> 831.82]  in our passage,
[832.56 --> 833.76]  the key and focus
[833.76 --> 834.90]  is that we trust
[834.90 --> 836.44]  and depend on Jesus Christ,
[836.52 --> 836.94]  our Lord,
[837.12 --> 838.38]  who has power
[838.38 --> 839.94]  over any brokenness,
[840.44 --> 841.50]  physical, spiritual,
[841.68 --> 842.42]  emotional, mental,
[842.42 --> 843.14]  or otherwise.
[843.42 --> 845.40]  Just like the prophet Jeremiah
[845.40 --> 847.76]  confessed in the Old Testament too.
[848.12 --> 848.64]  He says,
[849.24 --> 850.00]  Sovereign Lord,
[850.16 --> 851.26]  you have made the heavens
[851.26 --> 851.82]  and the earth
[851.82 --> 853.08]  by your great power
[853.08 --> 854.56]  and outstretched arm.
[855.00 --> 856.70]  Nothing is too hard for you.
[857.70 --> 858.82]  And then echoing this,
[858.96 --> 859.84]  describing Jesus,
[860.18 --> 861.36]  Paul says in Colossians,
[861.90 --> 862.76]  For in him,
[862.98 --> 863.72]  in Jesus,
[863.96 --> 865.30]  all things were created,
[865.62 --> 866.32]  things in heaven
[866.32 --> 867.02]  and on earth,
[867.40 --> 869.08]  visible and invisible,
[869.42 --> 870.32]  whether thrones
[870.32 --> 871.00]  or powers
[871.00 --> 871.50]  or rulers
[871.50 --> 872.24]  or authorities.
[872.24 --> 874.14]  all things have been
[874.14 --> 875.54]  created through him
[875.54 --> 876.92]  and for him.
[877.34 --> 878.02]  In other words,
[878.26 --> 880.46]  everything is in his hands.
[880.98 --> 881.94]  He is sovereign
[881.94 --> 883.88]  and he is Lord over all.
[886.76 --> 888.00]  So for us,
[888.58 --> 889.70]  that is the good news
[889.70 --> 891.18]  because whatever battles
[891.18 --> 891.70]  we face,
[891.84 --> 893.14]  spiritual or physical
[893.14 --> 893.78]  or otherwise,
[894.02 --> 895.10]  through all the valleys
[895.10 --> 896.34]  and hardships of life,
[896.66 --> 897.68]  we trust,
[897.92 --> 898.92]  we can trust
[898.92 --> 900.64]  that Jesus is able
[900.64 --> 902.00]  and that he will lead us
[902.00 --> 902.96]  to green pastures
[902.96 --> 904.02]  and quiet waters,
[904.08 --> 905.02]  as the psalmist says.
[906.38 --> 907.84]  That's the ultimate hope
[907.84 --> 908.66]  that we live with.
[908.96 --> 909.76]  And that's why,
[910.48 --> 911.08]  up to now,
[911.14 --> 911.80]  my whole sermon
[911.80 --> 913.12]  has been based on
[913.12 --> 914.00]  these two verses
[914.00 --> 914.74]  at the beginning.
[915.26 --> 916.42]  That's all we're given,
[916.98 --> 918.12]  that our ultimate hope
[918.12 --> 918.78]  is in Jesus,
[918.92 --> 919.78]  who has power
[919.78 --> 920.46]  over the enemy.
[920.80 --> 921.26]  That's it.
[921.66 --> 922.54]  No other explanations.
[922.94 --> 923.40]  We don't know
[923.40 --> 924.54]  how Jesus drove out
[924.54 --> 924.90]  the demon,
[925.20 --> 925.90]  what words,
[926.00 --> 927.20]  what actions he did.
[927.20 --> 928.08]  We just know
[928.08 --> 929.28]  that Jesus is able
[929.28 --> 930.48]  and he drove out
[930.48 --> 930.90]  the demon.
[931.22 --> 932.28]  And then the scene
[932.28 --> 933.46]  shifts straight
[933.46 --> 934.78]  to the reaction
[934.78 --> 935.42]  of the crowd,
[935.50 --> 936.26]  which is interesting.
[937.46 --> 938.52]  The first group
[938.52 --> 939.02]  of people
[939.02 --> 940.40]  challenge Jesus
[940.40 --> 942.16]  and they attribute
[942.16 --> 944.40]  Jesus' power
[944.40 --> 945.32]  to Beelzebul,
[946.16 --> 946.76]  saying that
[946.76 --> 947.52]  by the power
[947.52 --> 948.34]  of the prince of demons
[948.34 --> 948.96]  you drove out
[948.96 --> 949.42]  that demon.
[950.08 --> 950.56]  Logically,
[950.66 --> 951.40]  that's kind of stupid
[951.40 --> 952.28]  and Jesus says so.
[953.46 --> 954.74]  And then the other group
[954.74 --> 955.10]  says,
[955.26 --> 956.16]  okay, fine,
[956.16 --> 957.26]  if you're doing it
[957.26 --> 958.32]  by the power of God,
[958.44 --> 959.90]  then give us other signs.
[960.22 --> 960.78]  And they're trying
[960.78 --> 961.50]  to test him.
[962.20 --> 962.84]  And this word
[962.84 --> 963.76]  for test in the Greek
[963.76 --> 964.70]  is the same word
[964.70 --> 965.86]  that when Satan
[965.86 --> 967.10]  tests and tempts
[967.10 --> 967.92]  Jesus in the wilderness
[967.92 --> 969.06]  is exactly what
[969.06 --> 970.00]  this crowd is doing
[970.00 --> 970.40]  as well.
[971.24 --> 972.14]  And so what is significant
[972.14 --> 973.06]  is that both
[973.06 --> 973.74]  these groups,
[974.56 --> 975.74]  they're casting doubt
[975.74 --> 976.90]  on the authority
[976.90 --> 977.80]  and the identity
[977.80 --> 978.70]  of Jesus.
[982.74 --> 983.84]  Their questioning
[983.84 --> 984.42]  of Jesus,
[984.56 --> 985.16]  in other words,
[985.16 --> 986.80]  is what prevents them
[986.80 --> 987.44]  from making
[987.44 --> 988.06]  a commitment
[988.06 --> 988.80]  to Jesus.
[989.78 --> 990.94]  Notice the significance
[990.94 --> 991.34]  here.
[991.80 --> 992.70]  They are the crowd.
[993.32 --> 994.44]  They are not described
[994.44 --> 995.16]  in the Gospels
[995.16 --> 996.38]  as the disciples.
[997.80 --> 998.66]  They're the crowd
[998.66 --> 999.26]  that continues
[999.26 --> 999.84]  to doubt
[999.84 --> 1001.26]  and sit on the fringes,
[1001.48 --> 1002.42]  far from Jesus,
[1002.76 --> 1003.66]  far from committing
[1003.66 --> 1004.14]  to Him
[1004.14 --> 1004.90]  and becoming
[1004.90 --> 1006.10]  His actual disciples.
[1007.80 --> 1009.06]  So Jesus knew
[1009.06 --> 1009.74]  their thoughts
[1009.74 --> 1010.98]  and expands
[1010.98 --> 1011.76]  on what this miracle
[1011.76 --> 1013.12]  of exorcism means.
[1013.12 --> 1014.82]  He starts
[1014.82 --> 1016.52]  by pointing out
[1016.52 --> 1017.50]  the false logic
[1017.50 --> 1018.16]  in their argument.
[1019.44 --> 1020.36]  Why would Satan
[1020.36 --> 1021.30]  himself try
[1021.30 --> 1021.98]  to disrupt
[1021.98 --> 1022.58]  his own work
[1022.58 --> 1023.12]  by trying
[1023.12 --> 1023.88]  to tear down,
[1024.44 --> 1024.98]  which is
[1024.98 --> 1026.82]  to try and tear down
[1026.82 --> 1027.80]  and break apart
[1027.80 --> 1028.36]  relationships
[1028.36 --> 1029.48]  and break the beauty
[1029.48 --> 1030.40]  and goodness of God?
[1030.50 --> 1031.26]  Why would Satan
[1031.26 --> 1032.52]  go against his own mission
[1032.52 --> 1033.64]  of breaking that down?
[1035.64 --> 1036.20]  Notice,
[1036.48 --> 1037.36]  because all throughout
[1037.36 --> 1038.02]  the Gospels,
[1038.40 --> 1039.34]  Jesus' ministry
[1039.34 --> 1040.22]  is all about
[1040.22 --> 1040.84]  rebuilding,
[1041.26 --> 1041.96]  giving life,
[1041.96 --> 1043.78]  restoration of God's
[1043.78 --> 1044.72]  original design
[1044.72 --> 1045.30]  for humanity
[1045.30 --> 1046.52]  and all of creation.
[1047.68 --> 1048.92]  So for Satan,
[1049.12 --> 1049.70]  whose mission
[1049.70 --> 1051.28]  is the exact opposite,
[1051.84 --> 1052.92]  why would Satan
[1052.92 --> 1053.90]  restore what is
[1053.90 --> 1054.66]  already broken?
[1055.10 --> 1055.88]  It just doesn't
[1055.88 --> 1056.52]  make sense.
[1058.26 --> 1058.92]  And so,
[1059.04 --> 1059.80]  with that in mind,
[1059.92 --> 1061.00]  if it really is
[1061.00 --> 1062.36]  by the finger of God,
[1062.42 --> 1063.00]  Jesus says,
[1063.10 --> 1064.50]  that I do this miracle,
[1065.38 --> 1066.24]  then what does that mean?
[1066.24 --> 1067.68]  It means
[1067.68 --> 1068.54]  the kingdom
[1068.54 --> 1069.30]  of God
[1069.30 --> 1069.82]  is here.
[1069.82 --> 1071.96]  this would have been
[1071.96 --> 1072.96]  so impactful
[1072.96 --> 1073.94]  for the people listening.
[1074.72 --> 1075.64]  The finger of God
[1075.64 --> 1076.16]  expression
[1076.16 --> 1076.86]  is actually
[1076.86 --> 1077.36]  a reference
[1077.36 --> 1078.20]  to the Old Testament
[1078.20 --> 1079.00]  in Exodus,
[1079.40 --> 1080.24]  where it references
[1080.24 --> 1081.40]  God's action,
[1081.72 --> 1082.98]  God's divine action
[1082.98 --> 1083.78]  for his people.
[1084.32 --> 1084.56]  And so,
[1084.64 --> 1085.60]  for the Jews listening,
[1086.32 --> 1087.14]  they would know
[1087.14 --> 1087.62]  that Jesus
[1087.62 --> 1088.56]  is being clear
[1088.56 --> 1089.78]  about his divine identity.
[1090.14 --> 1091.14]  By the finger of God,
[1091.18 --> 1091.94]  if I do this
[1091.94 --> 1092.88]  by the finger of God,
[1093.04 --> 1093.70]  then the kingdom
[1093.70 --> 1094.54]  of God is here.
[1095.12 --> 1096.62]  Just like his other messages
[1096.62 --> 1097.80]  all throughout the Gospels,
[1097.80 --> 1099.28]  what does he say
[1099.28 --> 1100.46]  as he begins his ministry?
[1101.48 --> 1102.06]  Repent,
[1102.30 --> 1103.22]  for the kingdom
[1103.22 --> 1103.90]  of God
[1103.90 --> 1104.58]  is here.
[1105.90 --> 1106.88]  Same message,
[1107.74 --> 1108.64]  same victory
[1108.64 --> 1109.54]  that he proclaims
[1109.54 --> 1110.10]  over the enemy,
[1110.26 --> 1110.88]  that the kingdom
[1110.88 --> 1111.32]  of God
[1111.32 --> 1111.76]  is here.
[1115.98 --> 1116.54]  Jesus
[1116.54 --> 1117.52]  is exhibiting
[1117.52 --> 1117.98]  authority
[1117.98 --> 1118.64]  over Satan.
[1119.36 --> 1120.28]  He's establishing
[1120.28 --> 1120.90]  earth
[1120.90 --> 1122.02]  as a place
[1122.02 --> 1123.10]  where righteousness
[1123.10 --> 1124.62]  can and does
[1124.62 --> 1125.16]  triumph
[1125.16 --> 1126.24]  over destruction.
[1126.68 --> 1127.46]  That's the kingdom.
[1127.80 --> 1128.72]  And that's why
[1128.72 --> 1129.60]  he teaches us
[1129.60 --> 1130.02]  to pray.
[1130.36 --> 1131.18]  And that's the first song
[1131.18 --> 1132.08]  that we sang together
[1132.08 --> 1132.88]  today this morning.
[1134.42 --> 1134.94]  Father,
[1135.16 --> 1135.82]  let your kingdom
[1135.82 --> 1136.86]  come on earth
[1136.86 --> 1138.04]  as it is in heaven.
[1138.78 --> 1139.30]  And so,
[1139.64 --> 1140.20]  lead us
[1140.20 --> 1141.72]  from the enemy.
[1142.92 --> 1143.34]  Lead us
[1143.34 --> 1144.62]  from the evil one.
[1145.22 --> 1145.96]  He teaches us
[1145.96 --> 1146.34]  to pray.
[1149.66 --> 1151.02]  What's interesting here
[1151.02 --> 1151.98]  is that Jesus
[1151.98 --> 1152.84]  now takes this
[1152.84 --> 1154.02]  one step further
[1154.02 --> 1155.08]  and gives us
[1155.08 --> 1155.70]  an illustration
[1155.70 --> 1157.04]  of what this victory
[1157.04 --> 1157.56]  over Satan
[1157.56 --> 1158.18]  looks like.
[1158.80 --> 1160.14]  We read in verse 21
[1160.14 --> 1160.52]  again.
[1160.98 --> 1162.90]  He explains this image.
[1163.20 --> 1163.52]  He says,
[1163.64 --> 1164.58]  when a strong man,
[1164.84 --> 1165.54]  fully armed,
[1165.96 --> 1166.90]  guards his own house,
[1167.20 --> 1167.90]  his possessions
[1167.90 --> 1168.52]  are safe.
[1169.36 --> 1169.56]  Now,
[1169.60 --> 1170.00]  I've wondered
[1170.00 --> 1170.66]  for a long time
[1170.66 --> 1171.36]  what that means.
[1172.14 --> 1172.82]  The commentator
[1172.82 --> 1173.74]  explained it very well
[1173.74 --> 1174.08]  for me.
[1174.34 --> 1174.96]  This is Satan,
[1175.04 --> 1175.40]  by the way.
[1176.54 --> 1177.34]  The strong man
[1177.34 --> 1177.78]  is Satan.
[1178.72 --> 1179.58]  But when someone
[1179.58 --> 1180.54]  stronger attacks
[1180.54 --> 1181.70]  and overpowers him,
[1181.96 --> 1182.74]  he takes away
[1182.74 --> 1183.18]  the armor
[1183.18 --> 1183.82]  in which the man
[1183.82 --> 1184.22]  trusted
[1184.22 --> 1185.34]  and divides up
[1185.34 --> 1185.86]  his plunder.
[1186.26 --> 1187.34]  This is victory
[1187.34 --> 1188.38]  over the enemy.
[1189.10 --> 1189.62]  And Jesus is
[1189.62 --> 1191.28]  using a familiar
[1191.28 --> 1192.98]  Jewish illustration
[1192.98 --> 1194.30]  to prove his point,
[1194.84 --> 1195.90]  to express his point.
[1196.42 --> 1196.82]  So,
[1196.90 --> 1197.66]  it might not be
[1197.66 --> 1198.50]  very applicable
[1198.50 --> 1199.10]  for us.
[1199.26 --> 1200.14]  We don't get
[1200.14 --> 1200.94]  the same impact.
[1201.10 --> 1201.82]  But for the Jews
[1201.82 --> 1202.32]  listening,
[1202.32 --> 1203.08]  they would have been
[1203.08 --> 1203.72]  very familiar.
[1204.26 --> 1205.12]  Because in other
[1205.12 --> 1206.12]  Jewish texts,
[1206.60 --> 1207.42]  there are similar
[1207.42 --> 1208.10]  illustrations
[1208.10 --> 1210.30]  of a Satanic being.
[1210.42 --> 1211.26]  They use different names
[1211.26 --> 1211.92]  like Beliar.
[1212.44 --> 1213.00]  And today,
[1213.16 --> 1214.26]  we know the name
[1214.26 --> 1214.52]  of,
[1214.92 --> 1216.60]  what's the name?
[1216.72 --> 1217.28]  Beelzebul.
[1218.32 --> 1219.24]  But whatever the name
[1219.24 --> 1219.64]  may be,
[1219.72 --> 1220.80]  a Satanic figure
[1220.80 --> 1221.88]  is overcome
[1221.88 --> 1223.62]  and the power
[1223.62 --> 1224.18]  to tread
[1224.18 --> 1225.02]  over evil
[1225.02 --> 1226.02]  is gifted
[1226.02 --> 1226.96]  to the children
[1226.96 --> 1228.80]  of the great priest.
[1229.96 --> 1230.78]  Sound familiar?
[1232.16 --> 1232.84]  And so,
[1232.96 --> 1233.34]  for the Jews
[1233.34 --> 1233.72]  listening,
[1233.94 --> 1234.66]  they're thinking,
[1235.00 --> 1235.56]  okay, Jesus,
[1236.08 --> 1236.72]  are you saying
[1236.72 --> 1237.34]  then you're
[1237.34 --> 1238.20]  the great priest?
[1238.20 --> 1240.40]  Yes, exactly.
[1241.40 --> 1242.72]  Jesus is the Messiah,
[1243.08 --> 1244.52]  the great high priest,
[1244.62 --> 1245.42]  it says in Hebrews,
[1245.62 --> 1246.38]  that has come
[1246.38 --> 1247.44]  to defeat the enemy
[1247.44 --> 1248.40]  once and for all.
[1250.08 --> 1251.26]  That's the illustration.
[1251.60 --> 1252.48]  And it's the same point
[1252.48 --> 1253.42]  that he's driving in.
[1254.22 --> 1254.64]  But then,
[1255.44 --> 1257.16]  this is the challenging part,
[1257.26 --> 1258.34]  the second challenging part
[1258.34 --> 1259.16]  from our passage.
[1260.18 --> 1261.40]  With Jesus making
[1261.40 --> 1262.50]  his divine identity
[1262.50 --> 1264.02]  clear to his Jewish audience
[1264.02 --> 1264.90]  and now to us,
[1265.86 --> 1266.64]  his challenge
[1266.64 --> 1267.68]  to the crowd
[1267.68 --> 1270.20]  is for us
[1270.20 --> 1270.96]  to become
[1270.96 --> 1272.24]  his real disciples.
[1273.16 --> 1273.74]  Verse 23,
[1273.80 --> 1274.44]  our last verse,
[1274.74 --> 1275.30]  it says,
[1276.14 --> 1277.48]  if you are not
[1277.48 --> 1278.20]  for me,
[1279.20 --> 1280.86]  you are against me.
[1282.04 --> 1283.14]  There is no
[1283.14 --> 1284.62]  neutral middle ground here.
[1284.72 --> 1285.28]  Notice that.
[1286.60 --> 1288.06]  He does not offer
[1288.06 --> 1289.26]  us to just sit
[1289.26 --> 1289.80]  on the fringes
[1289.80 --> 1290.48]  and call ourselves
[1290.48 --> 1290.92]  Christians.
[1291.32 --> 1291.90]  He says,
[1292.24 --> 1292.86]  if you are not
[1292.86 --> 1293.42]  for me,
[1293.52 --> 1294.52]  you are actually
[1294.52 --> 1295.62]  against me.
[1296.10 --> 1297.28]  This is the crowd
[1297.28 --> 1299.14]  versus being a disciple,
[1299.52 --> 1300.70]  an actual follower
[1300.70 --> 1301.24]  of Christ.
[1301.50 --> 1302.20]  He's asking,
[1302.34 --> 1302.86]  are you willing
[1302.86 --> 1303.80]  to be with me,
[1303.90 --> 1304.86]  to be like me,
[1304.90 --> 1305.84]  and do the things
[1305.84 --> 1306.46]  that I did
[1306.46 --> 1309.72]  to be my disciple,
[1310.76 --> 1311.72]  real disciples?
[1312.24 --> 1312.76]  Or,
[1312.96 --> 1314.24]  are you just okay
[1314.24 --> 1315.54]  with being part
[1315.54 --> 1316.14]  of the crowd,
[1316.94 --> 1318.02]  continuing to doubt,
[1318.92 --> 1319.54]  and continuing
[1319.54 --> 1320.14]  to test
[1320.14 --> 1321.12]  if this Jesus guy
[1321.12 --> 1322.20]  is for real or not?
[1322.20 --> 1325.52]  And so for us,
[1325.72 --> 1326.52]  this serves
[1326.52 --> 1327.30]  as a reminder
[1327.30 --> 1328.22]  of our calling,
[1328.32 --> 1329.30]  just like the baptism
[1329.30 --> 1329.66]  did.
[1330.36 --> 1330.84]  Or,
[1330.98 --> 1331.70]  for some of us
[1331.70 --> 1332.72]  who are new
[1332.72 --> 1333.62]  to this Christian faith,
[1333.74 --> 1334.80]  this is an invitation.
[1336.10 --> 1336.96]  An invitation
[1336.96 --> 1337.50]  to what?
[1338.26 --> 1340.12]  To fully trust
[1340.12 --> 1341.06]  and follow
[1341.06 --> 1341.66]  in Jesus
[1341.66 --> 1342.44]  who is Lord
[1342.44 --> 1343.06]  over all.
[1345.88 --> 1346.88]  Our hope
[1346.88 --> 1347.68]  and foundation
[1347.68 --> 1348.84]  is in the gospel
[1348.84 --> 1349.96]  truth that everything
[1349.96 --> 1351.50]  is in His hands
[1351.50 --> 1352.88]  and that He
[1352.88 --> 1353.56]  is sovereign
[1353.56 --> 1354.18]  over all.
[1354.26 --> 1354.78]  Just like the
[1354.78 --> 1355.72]  Colossians passage,
[1356.10 --> 1357.74]  everything is in His hands
[1357.74 --> 1360.20]  and we can trust
[1360.20 --> 1361.26]  in that good news.
[1364.18 --> 1365.34]  And the same
[1365.34 --> 1366.62]  resurrection power,
[1367.58 --> 1368.82]  this same power
[1368.82 --> 1370.26]  is now gifted
[1370.26 --> 1371.52]  to His people,
[1371.66 --> 1372.16]  the church.
[1373.16 --> 1374.02]  And I want to say
[1374.02 --> 1374.72]  this as boldly
[1374.72 --> 1375.24]  as I can
[1375.24 --> 1375.88]  because Jesus
[1375.88 --> 1376.82]  says it boldly.
[1377.50 --> 1378.12]  He says,
[1379.20 --> 1379.90]  and He expresses
[1379.90 --> 1381.24]  that as we receive
[1381.24 --> 1381.74]  the power
[1381.74 --> 1382.60]  from the Holy Spirit,
[1382.70 --> 1383.60]  the same power
[1383.60 --> 1385.96]  that is more than able
[1385.96 --> 1387.20]  to defeat the enemy,
[1387.46 --> 1388.20]  this same power
[1388.20 --> 1389.38]  is now gifted to us.
[1389.68 --> 1390.20]  And now,
[1390.40 --> 1391.30]  as His people,
[1391.60 --> 1392.40]  there are nothing,
[1392.52 --> 1393.38]  there is nothing,
[1393.58 --> 1394.74]  there are no obstacles
[1394.74 --> 1395.46]  that can get
[1395.46 --> 1396.18]  in our way
[1396.18 --> 1397.26]  as we seek
[1397.26 --> 1398.86]  to build God's kingdom
[1398.86 --> 1399.70]  here and now.
[1400.76 --> 1401.70]  Nothing can get
[1401.70 --> 1402.30]  in our way.
[1402.30 --> 1408.76]  But what happens
[1408.76 --> 1409.84]  when we do
[1409.84 --> 1410.88]  run into failures?
[1412.28 --> 1413.28]  You can be all
[1413.28 --> 1413.98]  high and mighty
[1413.98 --> 1414.82]  on the pulpit here
[1414.82 --> 1415.88]  and preach the gospel,
[1416.04 --> 1416.30]  yes,
[1416.46 --> 1418.06]  but what happens
[1418.06 --> 1419.30]  when we run into failures?
[1419.64 --> 1420.50]  What happens
[1420.50 --> 1421.58]  when we feel like
[1421.58 --> 1422.58]  that power
[1422.58 --> 1423.28]  is draining?
[1423.84 --> 1424.62]  What happens
[1424.62 --> 1425.82]  when we actually think
[1425.82 --> 1427.14]  that Jesus' arm
[1427.14 --> 1428.22]  is getting tired
[1428.22 --> 1429.10]  and we doubt
[1429.10 --> 1429.96]  His powerful
[1429.96 --> 1430.96]  sovereign lordship?
[1430.96 --> 1433.48]  What do we do then?
[1434.40 --> 1435.24]  What are we called
[1435.24 --> 1435.70]  to do?
[1436.16 --> 1436.68]  Are we called
[1436.68 --> 1437.46]  to strengthen
[1437.46 --> 1438.90]  and tighten our grasp
[1438.90 --> 1439.96]  and become
[1439.96 --> 1440.80]  a little stronger,
[1440.98 --> 1442.16]  to pray a little bit more,
[1442.28 --> 1443.50]  to read the Bible more,
[1444.50 --> 1445.22]  and it'll solve
[1445.22 --> 1446.04]  all of our problems?
[1447.56 --> 1448.36]  No, yes,
[1448.46 --> 1449.28]  we are called
[1449.28 --> 1449.92]  to pray more
[1449.92 --> 1450.84]  and read the Bible more
[1450.84 --> 1452.32]  as Jesus calls us
[1452.32 --> 1454.00]  to be His real disciples.
[1454.30 --> 1454.86]  But again,
[1455.02 --> 1456.20]  it's not to use
[1456.20 --> 1457.46]  this power somehow
[1457.46 --> 1459.28]  and energize ourselves
[1459.28 --> 1460.34]  and recharge our battery
[1460.34 --> 1461.68]  and then defeat the enemy.
[1463.82 --> 1465.36]  The call that Jesus
[1465.36 --> 1466.62]  extends to us
[1466.62 --> 1468.72]  is to remain in Him,
[1469.36 --> 1470.22]  not to become,
[1470.46 --> 1471.32]  not to put the label
[1471.32 --> 1471.76]  of Christianity
[1471.76 --> 1472.60]  on ourselves
[1472.60 --> 1472.96]  and say,
[1473.26 --> 1473.92]  now I can do
[1473.92 --> 1474.60]  whatever I can,
[1474.78 --> 1476.22]  whatever I want.
[1479.00 --> 1480.08]  This commentator
[1480.08 --> 1481.30]  says it much better
[1481.30 --> 1481.88]  than I do,
[1482.08 --> 1483.04]  and it'll be on the screen
[1483.04 --> 1483.48]  for you.
[1483.82 --> 1484.38]  He says that
[1484.38 --> 1485.90]  if failure occurs,
[1485.90 --> 1487.72]  it is not because
[1487.72 --> 1488.42]  enablement
[1488.42 --> 1489.56]  or empowerment
[1489.56 --> 1490.98]  has not been provided,
[1491.42 --> 1492.44]  but it's because
[1492.44 --> 1493.74]  we fail to make use
[1493.74 --> 1494.42]  of the victory
[1494.42 --> 1495.48]  Jesus provides.
[1496.28 --> 1497.26]  In other words,
[1497.74 --> 1498.54]  this passage
[1498.54 --> 1499.34]  that we read today
[1499.34 --> 1500.00]  in Luke 11
[1500.00 --> 1501.58]  becomes the basis,
[1501.92 --> 1502.74]  and I love this,
[1503.14 --> 1504.18]  it becomes the basis
[1504.18 --> 1504.84]  of Jesus'
[1505.24 --> 1507.30]  declaration of dependence.
[1507.30 --> 1510.20]  You get the reference,
[1510.76 --> 1512.06]  declaration of dependence.
[1512.78 --> 1513.76]  Unlike some nations
[1513.76 --> 1514.42]  and people
[1514.42 --> 1515.52]  who pride themselves
[1515.52 --> 1517.00]  on being totally free
[1517.00 --> 1517.88]  and independent,
[1518.78 --> 1519.80]  Jesus' community,
[1520.44 --> 1521.10]  the church,
[1521.86 --> 1522.96]  sees its identity
[1522.96 --> 1524.14]  in having been rescued
[1524.14 --> 1524.74]  by Him
[1524.74 --> 1526.44]  and thus permanently
[1526.44 --> 1528.08]  aligned to Him.
[1528.58 --> 1530.00]  We are His disciples.
[1531.64 --> 1533.00]  Total dependence,
[1533.56 --> 1535.16]  commitment to following Jesus
[1535.16 --> 1536.32]  and being His disciple.
[1537.34 --> 1539.46]  And so receive this invitation
[1539.46 --> 1540.44]  from Jesus again.
[1541.00 --> 1542.14]  He says in John 15,
[1542.50 --> 1543.44]  Remain in me
[1543.44 --> 1544.64]  as I remain in you,
[1544.88 --> 1546.04]  because no branch
[1546.04 --> 1547.84]  can bear fruit by itself.
[1548.14 --> 1549.50]  It must remain
[1549.50 --> 1550.44]  in the vine.
[1551.00 --> 1553.10]  You cannot bear fruit.
[1553.34 --> 1554.50]  You cannot overcome
[1554.50 --> 1556.50]  the enemy on your own.
[1556.60 --> 1557.76]  No matter how much
[1557.76 --> 1558.32]  you exercise,
[1558.72 --> 1559.72]  no matter how strong
[1559.72 --> 1560.48]  you think you are,
[1560.74 --> 1562.30]  you must let go
[1562.30 --> 1563.62]  and you must remain
[1563.62 --> 1566.12]  in the sovereign Lord
[1566.12 --> 1566.70]  and Savior,
[1566.90 --> 1567.68]  Jesus Christ.
[1568.42 --> 1570.06]  That's what it means
[1570.06 --> 1571.68]  to become His disciple.
[1572.94 --> 1574.08]  That is our encouragement
[1574.08 --> 1575.44]  and invitation this morning.
[1576.84 --> 1577.92]  So follow Jesus
[1577.92 --> 1579.62]  and trust in Him
[1579.62 --> 1580.88]  who is more powerful
[1580.88 --> 1582.78]  than anything we face.
[1583.30 --> 1583.50]  Amen?
[1584.16 --> 1584.86]  Amen.
[1585.90 --> 1587.30]  Will you join me in prayer?
[1587.30 --> 1587.42]  Amen.
[1587.42 --> 1587.84]  Amen.
[1587.84 --> 1587.92]  Amen.
[1587.92 --> 1588.04]  Amen.
[1588.04 --> 1588.42]  Amen.
[1588.42 --> 1588.48]  Amen.
[1588.48 --> 1588.58]  Amen.
[1588.58 --> 1588.84]  Amen.
[1588.84 --> 1589.40]  Amen.
[1589.40 --> 1589.46]  Amen.
[1589.46 --> 1589.50]  Amen.
[1589.50 --> 1589.52]  Amen.
[1593.62 --> 1594.26]  Amen.
[1594.26 --> 1594.62]  Amen.
[1594.62 --> 1595.30]  Amen.
[1595.30 --> 1595.54]  Amen.
[1595.66 --> 1595.82]  Amen.
[1595.82 --> 1596.66]  Amen.
[1596.66 --> 1597.08]  Amen.
[1597.66 --> 1597.80]  Amen.
[1597.80 --> 1597.92]  Amen.
[1598.62 --> 1598.82]  Amen.
[1598.82 --> 1598.92]  Amen.
[1598.92 --> 1599.20]  Amen.
[1599.20 --> 1599.58]  Amen.
[1599.94 --> 1600.26]  Amen.
[1600.26 --> 1601.26]  Amen.
[1601.26 --> 1601.50]  Amen.
[1601.50 --> 1602.40]  Amen.
[1602.40 --> 1603.26]  Amen.
[1603.26 --> 1604.14]  Amen.
[1613.42 --> 1613.92]  Amen.
[1613.92 --> 1615.52]  Amen.
[1615.52 --> 1615.90]  Amen.
[1615.90 --> 1617.44]  Amen.
[1617.44 --> 1617.92]  Amen.
[1617.92 --> 1618.48]  Amen.
[1618.48 --> 1619.40]  Amen.
[1619.40 --> 1619.46]  Amen.
[1619.46 --> 1620.42]  Amen.
[1620.42 --> 1621.44]  Amen.
[1621.46 --> 1621.56]  Amen.
[1621.56 --> 1622.48]  Amen.
[1622.48 --> 1622.60]  Amen.
[1622.60 --> 1623.44]  Amen.
[1623.44 --> 1623.60]  Amen.
[1623.60 --> 1627.84]  may we learn to trust in you, Lord.
[1628.84 --> 1631.08]  May we be humble enough
[1631.08 --> 1635.62]  to not try and solve all of our problems on our own,
[1636.28 --> 1638.74]  but to be your disciple,
[1639.26 --> 1642.30]  to be real followers with our whole lives,
[1643.14 --> 1644.26]  whatever we may face.
[1645.50 --> 1647.86]  So will you bless our church?
[1648.26 --> 1650.48]  Will you bless us so that we may be a light
[1650.48 --> 1652.34]  and a blessing to others
[1652.34 --> 1654.66]  who are going through spiritual battles,
[1654.66 --> 1658.82]  who are going through hardships of all kinds.
[1659.40 --> 1662.98]  May we be powerful lights in your name
[1662.98 --> 1668.32]  to be a blessing to overcome as you allow us to.
[1669.70 --> 1672.80]  So with this, we give you all the glory, Lord,
[1673.20 --> 1675.30]  and we praise your name for overcoming.
[1676.72 --> 1678.82]  In Jesus' name we pray, amen.