Transcription
And then he put his life in his spirit in all that we believe through his name. And here's what believing is. It's not praying in case you died tonight. It's realizing I've been living a lie. I've been making it all about me. Even my relationships cater to me. Even my friendships serve me. I've been living a lie. I was never created to survive. I was created to shine. I was never created to be self-willed. I was created to follow the will of God. Wow. I've been out of the box. I've been in the world and of it. And it's time to come out of the world and into His marvelous light. I want to get born again. We've made it a beneficiary life insurance prayer instead of heaven coming back into you. Come on. Yeah. This preaching changed my life twenty-one years ago. You can see it's time-tested. And I, at least, I believe it. You say you're out of your mind. I might be out of yours. Ah, yeah. Yay.
The eye is the lamp of the body. What you see is revealed through how you live. What you believe is revealed through how you carry your life. What you express through your life is the evidence of what you see and believe. Your life lived reveals what you put your faith in. Men are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. So that's why we do these services and gather together. Let's get to knowledge and stop destruction. And let's put everybody either in the camp of believer or don't believe. When incorporating into your life in hopes of a better life, or you want Him to become your life so you can shine.
Did you ever notice the light's greater than darkness? Like these lights. If I back up here, they're really bright. Nobody ever walked into a real bright room and said, "Dude, would you turn up the darkness? It's too bright." If the room gets darker or dimmer, what happened? Someone turned down the light. Why? Simple. Light is greater than darkness. So I guess the problem is never the issue. I guess it's always the answer. So I guess it's not about what this world's coming to. I guess it's about who Jesus is in us. So let your light so shine before. It did say, "Make sure you go to a church that preaches the word. Stay faithful. Serve in a ministry and give your tithes." Please go somewhere and stay connected so you stay focused. But that isn't what Christianity is. Making sure you're part of a local church. Christianity is walking in the light as He's in the light. Christianity is Christlikeness.
Look what we do to our children and don't even realize we're doing it. We're not evil. We're not hypocrites. We're not wicked in this. We don't even know we're doing it. We, we take our kids to church because it's so important. Well, my children are growing up in church. Boom. They're in church, baby, all the way through. But at home, there's a lot of things that aren't like Christ. So then we teach our children without saying it that church attendance is Christianity, not Christ's likeness. Because we all have our issues. And then we wonder why when they're 15, they don't want to pay attention and don't want to go. Because it's not real. Because there's too much bickering and fighting and animosity and gimme gimme an E and I and you ticked me off and get to your room and I've had enough. Holy, holy. Come on. I'm just here to provoke you. I'm getting on a plane. You can stow me before I get there. But watch this. I'm not going to die. So it really doesn't matter. And I'm serious. There's zero fear of death in me. I've been given the opportunity, faced it two different times, and didn't even budge. Yeah. Yeah. His wonder if He breaks the fear of the bondage of death. And that's the thing that's rude. Men since Adam ate the tree. Wonder if the only reason you pray is because you're afraid, not faith. Wonder if you only pray because of the sentiment and empathy. Wonder if you only pray because you're afraid. Wonder why we don't get a lot of responses a lot of times. I wonder if we, where we pray from, is wrong. I wonder if we don't understand. I wonder if we're innocently being deceived. I wonder if we only pray 'cause with fear of death instead of the promise of life. I wonder if only pray them because they have children and grandchildren we don't want in. And sentiment, it's just human. And it just makes sense. But has nothing to do with the kingdom, longevity, and legacy. I wonder if we're really not seeking the kingdom first, just our well-being. And all of a sudden, we reduce this amazing book that introduces you into relationship, covenant, and intimacy. Wonder if we reduce this to principles we're applying, hoping to get help. Don't get mad at me. Well, you can if you want. It'll just locate you. Then the whole sermon's for you. So I guess that would be easy. Because here's the deal. I am NOT here to offend you. And you're not going to offend me. Because I didn't wake up to need you this morning. I woke up to love you because I found myself through Jesus. So I don't need you to find me. It's so good. Because twenty-one years in, I probably had enough time to find out different. If there was different, I bet you I experienced life just like you did for the last 21 years. I bet you not everybody dear to my immediate heart and family has made the right choices. I bet not everybody's treated me fair. I probably have gone through the same things my brothers all over the world have gone through. So don't think it's strange. But see, you're looking for identity. You're still looking for yourself. And other things. All of a sudden, you make so much of what you're going through now. It's your language for three weeks. It's the new saga. It gives you something to talk about. Why? Because we're not doing the thing we're created to do. We're being distracted without realizing it. And all of a sudden, it's all about what I'm going through instead. All about what He went through to make me something new. That's why we always say, "But you don't know what I'm going through." What about what He went through? Maybe that's higher. Maybe you become changed through that. And your perspective changes. The, I remember the eye, lamp of the body. If the eye is single, healthy, looking through truth, the whole body's flooded with light. It doesn't say, "Unless, of course, you're faced with many challenges and issues." Think about Jesus. Did He have any challenges and issues? Like, He didn't personally embrace issues. But did He have the opportunity to? Could He have? Could He have turned His back on man, and people would have understood? Was He done wrong? Be honest. Let's just talk plain. Was Jesus done wrong? Let me be frank with you. The greatest injustice that ever will be, because no one was ever more pure and ever more right, is that it is a true statement. He didn't have a twist to His motives. He didn't have a catch or a string attached. There was never one more pure than Him. And He got treated for everything but what He was. What do you call that? Discouragement? Unfairness? A talk show? Yeah. And then the audience is the judge. Now you got a victim. Oh, and they stay the same because all that doesn't change you. It empowers you to stay there. And now you got a villain. Never changed because you'll never see them for what they're called to be. And they'll believe they're a villain. And the tree will stay the same. Victim, villain. Nobody wins. Everybody loses. I don't care if you got 20 people cuddling the victim and 40 people shunning the villain. Everybody loses. Even the people that are doing that. Because your eyes skewed. You're not even thinking like Jesus. When a spouse cheats on a spouse, you know what we do? "Oh, I can't believe they did that to you." We don't even care. We're mad at the person that cheated. Because how could they do that? And there, I can't believe. And we don't even realize that person is desperately in trouble. They are blind and deceived and walking into destruction. And nobody seems to care. We just seem to say, "I can't believe they did that to you." And then this person gets stereotyped for what they did. And the action of one person starts deciding another life. Well, that should be Jesus. So if I go home from this trip and my wife is caught in a situation like, you know what I'm talking about, why would I be so broke and I need you to hold me? How am I any less anointed? Any less in tune with God? Any less filled with the Spirit of God? Am I a Christian for me or for His glory? Why would I cry for me if she's in that much trouble? Something's wrong. Something. When something's wrong, why would I live for the moment and not have a bigger vision? And for the joy set before me, pass through. Oh, I'm preaching to you. As Christianity. It's funny how it sounds foreign because we've catered to ourselves in our preaching in so many ways. We give to get breakthrough, blessing, favor. We sing the songs and everybody gets excited when we talk about favor poured on us and blessing. When I give, you have so much favor and blessing, it's ridiculous. God will never see you for where you've been or what you've done. Through the blood of Jesus, if you're humble and sincere, He'll only see you for what you're called to and created. And He's willing to empower that truth if you'll pursue it. I have total access to God today, like unlimited. I didn't have as much of Him as I'd desire. Or I can let something else matter more. Or I could say, "Well, she looked at me funny." "Well, he was rude." Now you tell two more people. Now you got a screen on your eyes. And now other people rude. Next thing you know, my church isn't even loving. And then you leave it scraps all the time. And I'm thinking, it's not about your church being loving. It's about you being loving. You say, "Well, I went there, it wasn't loving." It should have been you. You were there. Get out of your chair and love somebody. Make a friend. Show yourself friendly. Ask if somebody needs prayer. Bless somebody. Well, I'm introverted. No, no. You're in Christ. Well, I'm a type, whatever personality. Stop it. Heaven's in you. You're studying Adam and taking on his identity. Proclaiming Jesus. Oh, I'm on it. A little psychologist would crucify me for this. Because you have such a training in psychology. And all psychology is is human behavior and what makes us tick. But you're studying a fallen man. So if you study a fallen man in psychology, you ought to be able to implement the strong truth that takes them out of your diagnosis. Not just talk to them for a year about why they're where they're at. Yeah, I'm not mad at psychologists. If years ago, don't get offended. What I'm saying is, it's more than diagnosing what makes humans think the way they do. It's not rocket science to say, "Wow, they were treated this way when they were five. While their dad left when they were 11. Wow, you're going through." Yeah, but what about the answer? So do we leave them an unfortunate child that was forsaken and all that stuff? Or we tell them, "Listen, sorry they treated you that way. They didn't have a revelation of who God is. But God knows you and loves you. Don't reflect this on God." It's the biggest lie on the earth. The deal is, dry cups were in your life. No wonder you're thirsty. Come over here and take a drink. One drink, you'll never thirst again. Now you can have mercy on your parents instead of unforgiveness. And you can realize if they saw what you're beginning to see, they wouldn't be what they were. So we really don't have a problem. Look at me. Look at me. You say you're crazy. Look at me. Can you tell my dad was an alcoholic my whole life and never said I love you and actually cursed me and told me I'd never be nothing? Do you see that? Can you see that my mother was sick for 40 years and I put her to bed and changed her diapers and she died? Can you see that in me? You can't see that in me. Can you see my wife was in a coma on life support with severe brain damage? Can you see that in me? Can you see that my son was on drugs for six years and left home and didn't want to talk to me because he was deceived? And my daughter made a bad decision for a long time. Do you see any of that in me? Yeah, that's right. You don't. Because what you see in me has nothing to do with none of that. It has to do with the honor of who He is and why I'm on the planet. I am NOT on the planet to survive. I am on the planet to shine. And if I miss that point, I've missed the whole point. Even if I went to church for 50 years, going to church doesn't transform your life. Surrendering to Him does. The truth will make you free. Are we okay? I'm not too over the top, right? You jerked me off here. If you need to faster, I'm just here to bless you. I want to cheer you on. I want to challenge some of these lies that have hindered us. Even though our hearts are good, I've seen too many good people held back by wrong things. Too many people, if they understood, they do something with it. Too many people believe in little foxes that are spoiling the precious fruit that wants to come in their life. And that's why I talk this way with passion. My son is great, by the way. My daughter is awesome. And my wife is healed and fine with no brain damage. But it's a pretty sad day if the only revelation I have is, "God, why are you letting us go through all this? What did I do wrong as a parent? How come my boy doesn't love me? I feel so hurt and alone. I mean, he's my son and I care for him. I raised him. And why can't he call me?" Get over this stuff. Get a bigger vision than now. See, I can talk that raw because I know what I'm talking about. If I never had a challenge, you could probably get offended at me. But I know what it's like to not have your son talk to you for a couple years because of what he was believing. Can I tell you what he was believing? He's believing, "Man, I can't believe I'm in this family and he's my dad." Because of who he is, now I have to do Jesus. He had seen Jesus through his life. He had watched people get healed. He was praying in tongues when he was 5. He's laid on the floor under the Spirit of God many times. And yet, at a teenage year, with peer pressure and people and lies and relentless strategies, one day he turned it into works. And I got to do Jesus because of who my dad is. Started resenting his dad because he felt like it was controlling his life. When a thousand times over, I told him, "You don't have to be like me. You don't have to follow what I do. You don't have to be a pastor. Just be the best you, buddy. Just keep growing in the Lord and shining and being the best you. You can't disappoint us. Our expectation isn't in you. It's in the Lord. We didn't birth you to live your life for you. So go be the best you can be, buddy." His sell-out was, "Well, I'm ticked. I'm gonna get high." Okay, that settles a lot, huh? Hadn't talked to him for several years. People, I'm inside the house. Can tomatoes. I'm a, I'm a farmer. I got the little pressure canner. But I got the worship going. I'm out there. Jesus. I'm skinning. I'm loading jars. My wife's out of town. I got the kitchen all to myself because she's funny when I'm in there. He's out there looking. She's wiping. Help. And I see such a help. I'm like, "Honey, go read a book. It's all right. Just go be with Jesus. I'll be fine." She's like, she just wants to help. Like she's not being teaches the servants. He's amazing. I'm not making fun of her. But my doorknob. And I thought, who's at my door? Couldn't see nobody. I opened the door because I knew I heard it. Not. And he's pressed against the wall, skin and bones, shaking. And they're amazing. He came to the house. Didn't talk to me for years. But he came to the house. He knew Mom was out of town. He knew I was the only one there. I looked out the door. Isn't this fun? Hey, buddy. Oh, my goodness. It's so good to see you, man. You're not doing okay, are you? Oh, my goodness. Cannot commit. Come on, boy. That sure beats wearing a blanket. You been? What are you trying to pull? Do you have any idea what you've done to the heart of your mother? Now you just want to show up on the porch unannounced after all these years and just cry? What do you need? Your back against the wall. What do you need? Money? Forget it, pal. Get a grip. Come on. Church. I pastored for years and I've seen that kind of attitude in countless parents who feel betrayed. You did not have your kids to serve you and live your dreams. You had them to multiply the image of Christ. Your kids can't fail you unless you put all your hope in them. It's supposed to be in the Lord. Oh, I'm on you this morning. We okay? Boy, it sure feels good to have him. Oh, I mean nothing and mean it. And not have to try to put on the sermon that I preached last on this topic. Oh my god. It's my son. Okay. Supposed to be loving. So she might as fall game. Subscribe. No, you're too late. If you're trying to put it on. No, you become the word. You're wise. You hear. You become. And when the storms come, BAM, the gospel responds. If you're trying to apply a sermon in the moment, you're a step behind. Thank God you're at least trying to get a hold of your heart. But you're a step behind. Because then you have to get plastic and go, "Hey, hi." And you're all kinds of other things. But wonder if you can just go, "Hey, buddy." He says, "Dad, I don't even know where to start." He said, "Can I hug you?" I said, "Give me." He responds. He's a hundred and twenty-three pounds. Wasn't good. He said, "It's only good where to start." I said, "How about if I start?" He's looked. I said, "Once you know, I'm not mad at you. I'm not even disappointed. My heart hurts for you, buddy. If I cry, it's not because of you. It's for you. You, my friend, are so much more than what you're living. And I know it. And buddy, I'm not mad at you because you don't owe me a thing. You haven't failed us as a family. You're slipping on your own destiny, your own calling, your own purpose. If you're failing anything, it's what you're created to be. You don't owe me a thing, son. And I'm not one bit mad at you." Are you kidding me? All I have for you is love. It's a dad. I can't understand how you can't be mad. Because I'm not my own. Christ is in me. And I know who you are. And it's time to rise up and live that thing, boy. It's like, "Now, how many of us are actually angry, disappointed, disgraced, my name tainted because my boy?" Will my kids reflect? No, I reflect me. My kids can reflect me. But it doesn't mean if you want to see a parent, look at their kids. Are you kidding me? Some kids are deceived, hurt, in rebellion. What kind of preaching is that? I heard a pastor say once, "If you want to see a real man of God, look to the countenance of his wife." Wonder if his wife doesn't want anything to do with God? Wonder if his wife's insecure and believing lies? Now you're going to put it on the man of God that he's not a man of God because his wife's not smiling? It's so unfair. I'm gonna be wrong. It's ridiculous. Preaching the Bible doesn't say, "If you want to see Christ in me, look to somebody else." It says, "Look to me. You'll know them by their fruits." We put so much pressure on each other. We say, "Well, it's always about the fathers." You fathers, we put a lot of pressure on you guys. I'm sure some fathers could spruce up. I agree. But that stop putting the whole move of the kingdom on men. God said to me, "Stan, am I the best father ever?" He said, "I don't want you preaching that father stuff." I said, "I wasn't thinking about it, Lord." He said, "Let me ask you a question." He talked to me in sentences. "Am I the best father ever?" I said, "Yep." He said, "Do I need a parenting program?" Simple. He said, "Not everybody's running to my lap. Is it a reflection of the father or a lack of sonship and belonging?" I said, "Wow." We make it all about the father when He's the greatest. But not everybody's running to Him. Do you see how important it is to have a clear view of God? And do you see now why His name is so skewed on the earth? Because the enemy is set out to misrepresent the truth. Some men don't run to it and find freedom. The more you see Him for who He is, the more you'll honor Him. And when you honor Him, it brings out the best in you. When you see His first love, you love Him. What's the earth to indict Him? Blame Him? Crucify Him? The only reason you can be mad at God is 'cause Adam ate the tree. And you live separate from God your whole life. Well, I don't know why God let it happen. We had to sit by and let it happen. Well, God allowed it. Well, why did God? Well, if God loved me, then how come? That is the fall of man. Do not boast in that deception. That is lies. See, every time they asked Jesus, do you ever notice this, pastor? Every time they asked Jesus a question in the Bible from the wrong heart, He answered them with a question. Pay attention to your Bible and see if that's not true. Every time they asked Jesus a question from the wrong place, He responded with a question. So we say, "Well, if God's so good, then how come?" I'll say, "Let me ask you a question. If God wasn't good, then why'd He send His Son while we were all yet sinners?" Maybe we ask the wrong questions because we live from the wrong foundations of perspective. And maybe we've really made this all about us instead of all about Him. And maybe we're just trying to pray to catch a break, get a new hand, and survive instead of be transformed and shine.
This young boy in Alabama stood up on preaching like this. He said, "Brother, this is affecting me. I'm getting a revelation while you're preaching." Right in the service, he just raised his hand. Over the side. I said, "Stand up and tell me what you're hearing." Because I figured we'll adjust it if it's slanted, if it's not clear. I'll just help him and I won't embarrass him. He looked me right in the eye. He said, "If I'm hearing you clear, sir, there is no such thing as a bad day anymore in Christ. Just opportunities to shine." I said, "That's what I'm preaching." You guys good? Do you believe we can live this way? The just live by not feelings? Not feelings? Yeah, I'm messing with you a little. We've become so accustomed to living by feelings that, you know what we do in the church? And good attention. We spend countless hours ministering to feelings, emotions, flacks, pacts, memories. And this faith and truth that makes you free. What's the matter if you're not feeling good today about yourself? You ought to look to the gospel and feel good in a moment. What's it matter if you don't believe and feel or feel like, "Well, I don't feel like God loves me"? He has to. He put His Son on the cross. Ah, He has to love you. He put Jesus on the cross and said, "If any man." Why would you be deceived to talk yourself out of any? It's just feelings. It's emotions. It's degenerate stuff. Well, I feel afraid. Lift your hands and thank God there's courage in you and life in you. And there's nothing to ever fear again because He's for you and not against you. And it's His good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And you're a sheep in the pasture of God. Yeah. Well, yeah, but I was driving in my car and I remember this terrible thing I did a year ago and it made me feel so dirty. Well, you don't need prayers. Stop believing that stuff. It bothered you, didn't it? Well, then it isn't you. You want to get excited. So when you see the vision, why aren't you driving going, "Wow, God, I think You've changed my life forever, man. There wasn't a long time ago I was in a bad place, but You've got my feet on solid ground. You purified my heart. Changed me. Watch me. I feel so clean driving to work. It's awesome." And that little imp that's going yak-yak-yak is going, "What? Come on, man. What's your name? What is it?" So Josh, you're Christian, right? If you're not, we can do some about that. You Christian? All right. I could. Oh, yeah. You are awesome. Now listen, seriously, guys. Listen. Here's Josh. He's growing in God. He's encouraged, man. He's growing in the spirit and growing in faith. Been saved for a while. All of a sudden, this thing comes on his shoulder. He says, "Oh yeah, because he hears what happens behind the scene." Satan's over here. He says, "Hey, see Josh, you know how you messed with the moon when you were a kid and stuff? Look, I need you to go back here." Familiar to his life. Here, familiar spirit. You know, Josh, you know some things about him. You know how you know what worked in the past, right? Yeah. Hah. Yeah. Hah. Yeah. Well, listen, he's getting some momentum and he's going after God. And I don't like him. And I feel like he's heading somewhere and he's gonna lay ahold of something that it's gonna mess with us here. Here's what I want you to do. Oh, boss yourself. Oh, hey Josh, really think you're encouraged to? I mean, what's your life really matter? What difference is it really making? I mean, come on. What's the big deal about you being saved? How's things different, man? How's things going any better, really? I mean, come on. Isn't this thing a little overbuilt? Josh, he's got two options right now. That's his first option. Or second. Here's his other one. He's driving. "Nothing, Father. I just thank You for the encouragement that's in my heart. God, I just so appreciate Your amazing, unstoppable love for me. God, I thank You. You're going to continue to give me visions and dreams and purpose. And God, I believe that my life, without even realizing it, in so many ways, have sowed seeds into the hearts of people. And Your kingdom is working through me. And You are making a difference through my one life. And God, I thank You. Together, we make up the whole of who You are. I am so excited to be a part of what You're doing." Yeah. And this little imp's gone. Boss. Remember, Josh, you simius. Yeah. How'd it go, boss? You ain't gonna believe this, but I told him, boss. I promised. I told him everything you told me to say. Yeah. Yeah. And but you, you boss. She started to worship God. You fool. He couldn't worship God when you talk like that. The Christians, they get depressed and ask for prayer. Not this Christian. He, he, he, he acted like he believes something. It was scary, boss. I don't even want to go see him again. 'Cause when he talked to you, God came in the car. Come on. And you think you have a problem? You have an answer. You are people with a whole bunch of problems. You got an amazing answer. You keep your eyes on truth. You continue in the truth. And the truth will make you free. Transform your feelings into understanding and revelation. And you won't be a pushover. Your feet will be on solid ground. Yeah. Come on. Stop believing lies. Stop believing just because you thought it, 'cause you felt it, it's somehow in you. It's trying to get back in. It lost its home. You keep it out here by keeping your eyes on Him. I promise you, you don't need to call somebody for prayer every time you feel funny. It's not ministry that shall make you free. We are a ministry-driven, crazed people. Everybody pray for this. Can you pray for me? I just need prayer. I just don't feel good. Just pray. I just don't feel. I just feel. I just don't. I'm not making fun of people. It's real. I travel everywhere. Everybody wants prayer for every feeling. This is not a magic wand. It is an invitation into an everlasting covenant that shall never be broken. Where God is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you. And all that is His is yours. Yeah. Um, I feel done. You don't believe that, probably. But it's Sunday morning. And I'm good. Boy, on Sunday morning, I'm good. Boy, I got a little halo on. You go to little moti, little smiley face with the.