Thoughts About Time, Part 4

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We\ find\ ourselves\ in\ Ecclesiastes\ chapter\ 3,\ verses\ 1\ to\ 15,\ one\ more\ time\ at\ least\ as\ we\ begin\ to\ understand\ thoughts\ about\ time\.\ It\ really\ is\ thoughts\ about\ God's\ time,\ because\ He\ is\ the\ architect,\ He\ is\ the\ originator\ of\ time,\ He's\ the\ creator\ of\ time\.\ And\ it's\ all\ about\ understanding\ God's\ thoughts\ about\ timing\ in\ everything\ that\ happens\ in\ our\ lives\.\ Verses\ 1\ to\ 15\ are\ an\ exceptional\ set\ of\ verses\ to\ help\ us\ understand\ how\ God\ orchestrates\ everything\ according\ to\ His\ will\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ in\ Galatians\ chapter\ 4,\ verse\ number\ 4,\ that\ in\ the\ fullness\ of\ time,\ God\ sent\ forth\ His\ Son,\ born\ of\ a\ woman,\ born\ under\ the\ law,\ that\ He\ might\ redeem\ those\ who\ are\ under\ the\ law\.

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God\ had\ an\ appointed\ time\ by\ which\ to\ send\ His\ Son\.\ It\ was\ a\ specific\ time\.\ It\ was\ the\ right\ time\.\ And\ everything\ leading\ up\ to\ that\ specific\ time\ was\ a\ series\ of\ events\ that\ God\ had\ planned\ and\ determined\ in\ the\ eternity\ past,\ how\ they\ would\ all\ come\ together,\ so\ that\ when\ Christ\ was\ born\ in\ Bethlehem,\ it\ was\ the\ exact\ time\.\ And\ so\ we\ rejoice\ at\ that\.\ And\ the\ Bible\ is\ filled\ with\ all\ kinds\ of\ illustrations\ about\ God's\ perfect\ timing\.\ Over\ in\ Acts\ chapter\ 7,\ let\ me\ read\ to\ you\ what\ Stephen\ said\.

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Before\ he\ was\ stoned,\ he\ would\ be\ stoned\ because\ of\ the\ sermon\ he\ preached,\ but\ this\ is\ what\ he\ says\ in\ verse\ number\ 17\ of\ Acts\ 7\.\ But\ as\ the\ time\ of\ promise\ was\ approaching,\ now\ Stephen\ is\ rehearsing\ Israel's\ history\.\ And\ as\ he\ rehearses\ Israel's\ history,\ he\ talks\ about\ the\ time\ of\ the\ promise\.\ Well,\ what\ promise\ is\ that\?\ It's\ the\ time\ that\ God\ would\ fulfill\ His\ promise\ to\ Abraham\.\ He\ would\ refer\ to\ it\ earlier\ in\ Acts\ chapter\ 7,\ verse\ number\ 5\.\ But\ all\ the\ events\ surrounding\ Israel\ were\ leading\ to\ a\ specific\ time\ of\ promise\.

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And\ so\ he\ says,\ that\ they\ would\ expose\ their\ infants\ and\ they\ would\ not\ survive\.\ It\ was\ at\ this\ time\ that\ Moses\ was\ born\.\ You\ see,\ God\ was\ orchestrating\ everything\.\ Those\ 400\ plus\ years\ in\ captivity\ were\ all\ designed\ to\ be\ specifically\ for\ Israel,\ until\ the\ time\ that\ Moses\ would\ be\ born\.\ Because\ God\ was\ going\ to\ birth\ a\ deliverer\ for\ the\ nation\ of\ Israel\.\ And\ so\ everything\ was\ running\ on\ a\ specific\ timetable\ according\ to\ the\ predetermined\ plan\ of\ Almighty\ God\.\ We\ need\ to\ understand\ this\.\ We\ need\ to\ realize,\ that's\ why\ I\ tell\ you\ that\ these,\ they\ were\ two,\ now\ they're\ four\ sermons,\ are\ the\ most\ important\ sermons\ you're\ ever\ going\ to\ hear,\ and\ you\ need\ to\ understand\ because\ it\ deals\ with\ everything\ in\ your\ life\ concerning\ time\.

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And\ that\ reveals\ everything\ in\ our\ lives\.\ You\ need\ to\ understand\ how\ God\ is\ orchestrating\ every\ event\ in\ your\ life\ to\ bring\ about\ his\ purposes\.\ You\ need\ to\ be\ able\ to\ look\ at\ everything\ from\ a\ biblical\ perspective\ and\ not\ from\ a\ natural\ perspective,\ to\ see\ how\ God\ is\ actually\ working\ in\ the\ lives,\ your\ lives\ particularly,\ every\ single\ day\.

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That's\ why\ these\ first\ 15\ verses\ are\ important\.\ That's\ why\ he\ gives\ this\ simple\ summation,\ when\ he\ says\ in\ verse\ number\ one,\ there\ is\ an\ appointed\ time\ for\ everything\ under\ heaven\.

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That's\ his\ summation\.\ And\ then\ he\ gives\ that\ strong\ affirmation\ in\ verse\ number\ 11,\ when\ he\ says\ that\ everything\ that\ happens\ according\ to\ God's\ timetable\ is\ beautiful\ in\ its\ time\.\ That's\ his\ strong\ affirmation\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ understand\ that\ in\ the\ time\ that\ God\ is\ operating,\ it\ is\ a\ beautiful\ time\.\ And\ although\ you\ might\ not\ see\ the\ beauty\ in\ it\ right\ away,\ God\ is\ working\ everything\ according\ to\ his\ own\ purposes\ for\ his\ own\ glory\.\ And\ that's\ why\ we're\ looking\ at\ the\ significant\ application\ in\ verses\ 1\ to\ 15,\ to\ look\ at\ six\ principles\ that\ will\ help\ you\ understand\ what\ you're\ learning\ about\ time\ as\ it\ is\ according\ to\ the\ will\ of\ God\.

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So\ important\.\ We've\ learned\ that,\ number\ one,\ in\ terms\ of\ the\ application,\ that\ you\ need\ to\ learn\ how\ to\ acknowledge\ his\ sovereignty\ over\ time\.

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That's\ in\ verses\ 1\ to\ 8\.\ We\ need\ to\ learn\ to\ acknowledge\ his\ sovereignty\ over\ time\.\ Number\ two,\ we\ learned\ this\ last\ week,\ we\ need\ to\ learn\ to\ appreciate\ his\ beauty\ in\ that\ time\.

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That's\ verse\ 11\.\ And\ then\ we\ need\ to\ anticipate\ his\ glory\ in\ eternity,\ and\ every\ opportunity\ we\ have\ to\ trust\ him\ throughout\ the\ day\.\ Those\ are\ the\ first\ three\ points\ that\ we've\ covered\ with\ you\.

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So\ let\ me\ illustrate\ those\ three\ principles\ by\ giving\ you\ an\ illustration\ from\ my\ life\ to\ help\ you\ understand\ how\ God\ has\ driven\ those\ three\ principles\ home\ in\ my\ life\ over\ the\ last,\ well,\ I'm\ 66,\ so\ a\ lot\ of\ years\.

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But\ he's\ driven\ those\ principles\ home\.\ You\ need\ to\ understand\ that\ when\ I\ was\ saved\ at\ 14\ years\ of\ age,\ my\ mother\ used\ to\ always\ tell\ me,\ God\ has\ called\ you\ to\ preach\.\ And\ I\ used\ to\ say,\ no,\ no\ he\ hasn't\.\ God's\ called\ me\ to\ be\ an\ athlete\.\ She\ says,\ no,\ God's\ called\ you\ to\ preach\.\ And\ I'm\ praying\ that\ you\ will\ recognize\ that\ God's\ called\ you\ to\ preach\.\ I\ graduated\ from\ high\ school\ and\ received\ a\ football\ scholarship\ and\ thought\ that\ that's\ the\ direction\ I\ would\ go\ because\ I\ had\ all\ expenses\ paid\.\ My\ father\ said\ to\ me\ at\ that\ time,\ son,\ you\ can\ take\ your\ scholarship\ after\ you\ go\ to\ Bible\ college\ for\ one\ year\.

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Your\ scholarship\ will\ always\ be\ there\.\ If\ they\ want\ you\ bad\ enough,\ it'll\ be\ there\.\ But\ you've\ got\ to\ go\ to\ Bible\ college\ for\ one\ year\.\ I\ honored\ my\ mother\ and\ father\ and\ went\ to\ Bible\ college\ for\ one\ year\.\ And\ in\ February\ of\ 1977,\ I\ graduated\ in\ 76\.\ That's\ 19,\ not\ 18,\ 76\.\ And\ during\ a\ month\ of\ sermons,\ not\ a\ month,\ a\ week\ of\ sermons,\ during\ the\ month\ of\ February,\ a\ man\ came\ by\ the\ name\ of\ Donald\ Baker\.\ He\ would\ preach\.\ And\ as\ he\ was\ preaching,\ he\ did\ what\ no\ other\ preacher\ did\.\ He\ didn't\ stand\ behind\ the\ pulpit\.

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He\ walked\ around\ and\ preached\.\ And\ he\ would\ go\ down\ like\ I\ do\ today\ and\ talk\ to\ the\ students,\ see\ the\ whites\ of\ their\ eyes,\ and\ speak\ to\ them\.\ You\ want\ to\ know\ why\ I\ do\ what\ I\ do\ today\?\ It's\ because\ of\ what\ happened\ in\ 1977\ with\ Dr\.\ Donald\ Baker\ and\ how\ he\ preached\ the\ truth\.\ That's\ why\ I\ don't\ use\ the\ pulpit,\ because\ I\ learned\ from\ him\.\ He\ made\ a\ significant\ impact\ in\ my\ life\.\ At\ the\ end\ of\ that\ week\ of\ chapel\ services,\ he\ gave\ an\ invitation\ to\ us\ as\ students\ to\ realize,\ if\ you\ believe\ that\ God\ is\ going\ to\ use\ you\ in\ the\ ministry\ some\ way,\ somehow,\ we\ want\ you\ to\ come\ forth\ and\ we're\ going\ to\ pray\ with\ you\.

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And\ I\ felt\ the\ tug\ of\ the\ Spirit\ of\ God\ in\ my\ life,\ and\ so\ I\ went\ down\ and\ they\ prayed\ with\ me\.\ And\ I\ realized\ that\ somehow\ God\ was\ going\ to\ use\ me\ in\ the\ ministry\.\ I\ just\ didn't\ know\ how\.\ I\ still\ wanted\ to\ coach\.\ I\ still\ wanted\ to\ play\ sports\.\ I\ still\ wanted\ to\ do\ those\ kind\ of\ things\.\ But\ I\ knew\ that\ God\ was\ tugging\ on\ my\ heart\ to\ use\ me\ in\ ministry\.\ And\ that\ was\ the\ beginning\ of\ how\ everything\ began\ to\ roll\.\ Of\ course,\ my\ college\ sweetheart\ was\ Sandy,\ and\ I\ married\ her\.\ And\ you\ know\ the\ story\.

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I\ told\ you\ a\ couple\ of\ weeks\ ago\ we\ got\ married,\ and\ two\ years\ into\ our\ marriage\ or\ three\ years\ into\ our\ marriage,\ she\ got\ cancer,\ and\ she\ died\ a\ year\ later,\ four\ years\ after\ we\ remarried,\ went\ on\ to\ be\ with\ the\ Lord\.\ And\ how\ God\ was\ using\ all\ that\ in\ my\ life\.\ But\ I\ told\ you\ that\ I\ had\ lost\ my\ job\.\ Two\ weeks\ later,\ she\ got\ cancer\.\ Two\ weeks\ later,\ she\ was\ operated\ on\.\ Fifteen\ months\ later,\ she\ died\.\ And\ God\ was\ doing\ all\ those\ things\ in\ my\ life\ to\ move\ me\ to\ a\ deeper\ understanding\ of\ his\ sovereignty\.

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Learning\ to\ acknowledge\ his\ sovereignty\ over\ everything\ and\ learning\ to\ appreciate\ his\ beauty\ in\ the\ timing\ of\ everything\ so\ that\ I\ could\ anticipate\ his\ eternal\ glory\ and\ look\ at\ every\ opportunity\ on\ a\ daily\ basis\ to\ be\ used\ by\ him\.

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And\ so\ God\ was\ using\ every\ event\.\ So\ after\ Sandy\ had\ gotten\ cancer,\ you\ know\ the\ story\ about\ how\ I\ sent\ out\ 72\ resumes\ and\ only\ one\ college\ responded,\ that\ was\ the\ King's\ College\ in\ New\ York\.\ Because\ God\ wanted\ to\ make\ sure\ I\ went\ to\ the\ right\ place\.\ He\ didn't\ give\ me\ three\ or\ four\ opportunities\.\ He\ just\ gave\ me\ one\.\ Because\ he\ knew\ that\ if\ I\ went\ to\ the\ King's\ College,\ there\ would\ be\ a\ young\ girl\ there\ that\ I\ would\ meet\ after\ Sandy\ died\.\ Her\ name\ was\ Lori\.\ So\ he\ knew\ that\.\ She\ was\ going\ to\ go\ to\ Wheaton\ College\ on\ a\ full\ scholarship\ but\ decided\ to\ stay\ close\ to\ home\ and\ went\ to\ the\ King's\ College\ at\ the\ last\ minute\.

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Well,\ why\ did\ she\ do\ that\?\ Because\ God\ was\ working\ in\ her\ life\ as\ well\.\ And\ so\ I\ met\ her\ after\ Sandy\ died\.\ We\ got\ married\.\ And\ as\ a\ college\ pastor,\ I\ was\ involved\ in\ scheduling\ all\ the\ chapels\ for\ the\ King's\ College\.\ We\ had\ 150\ chapels\ a\ year\.\ A\ chapel\ Monday\ through\ Friday\.\ And\ as\ a\ college\ pastor,\ I\ scheduled\ all\ the\ speakers\.\ And\ I\ wanted\ to\ really\ challenge\ the\ students\ each\ and\ every\ week\ with\ the\ best\ speakers\ possible\.\ And\ we\ had\ a\ huge\ budget\ by\ which\ to\ fly\ these\ individuals\ in\ and\ put\ them\ up\ overnight\ or\ for\ a\ week\ and\ to\ challenge\ our\ students\.

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But\ in\ order\ to\ get\ those\ people\ to\ the\ campus,\ I\ had\ to\ schedule\ them\ a\ year\ to\ 18\ months\ to\ 2\ or\ 2\ 1\u20442\ years\ in\ advance\ to\ get\ them\.\ So\ in\ the\ fall\ of\ 86,\ I\ scheduled\ Dr\.\ David\ Hawking\ to\ come\ and\ preach\ at\ the\ King's\ College\.\ He\ could\ not\ come\ until\ the\ fall\ of\ 88\.\ And\ so\ for\ 2\ years,\ we\ waited\ for\ him\ to\ come\.\ It\ was\ that\ way\ for\ most\ of\ the\ speakers\ that\ we\ got\ because\ they\ were\ well\-known\ preachers\ in\ our\ country,\ and\ it\ took\ us\ time\ to\ get\ them\.\ Of\ course,\ in\ the\ meantime,\ Sandy\ would\ die,\ and\ I\ would\ meet\ Lori,\ right\?

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And\ David\ would\ come\ to\ the\ King's\ College\.\ Upon\ his\ arrival,\ he\ said\ to\ me,\ after\ three\ days\ of\ ministry,\ I\ want\ you\ to\ come\ and\ minister\ with\ me\ at\ Calvary\ Church\ in\ Santa\ Ana\ in\ Orange\ County\.\ And\ I\ thought\ to\ myself,\ this\ is\ great\.\ This\ is\ a\ great\ opportunity\.\ The\ church\ was\ about\ 10,000\ people\.\ I'd\ be\ the\ associate\ pastor\ of\ discipleship\ and\ evangelism,\ have\ the\ opportunity\ to\ preach\ with\ him\ on\ Sundays\ because\ there\ were\ three\ services\.\ He\ only\ preached\ two,\ so\ someone\ else\ had\ to\ preach\ the\ other\ one\.

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That\ would\ be\ me,\ okay\?\ So\ he\ would\ have\ me\ come\ and\ be\ involved\ in\ working\ with\ another\ individual\ to\ preach\ that\ third\ service\.

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I\ thought\ this\ was\ a\ great\ opportunity\.\ So\ Lori\ and\ I\ prayed\ about\ it,\ and\ in\ December\ of\ 1988,\ we\ moved\ to\ Southern\ California\.\ And\ we\ were\ there\ at\ that\ church\ for\ five\ years\.\ And\ then\ I\ got\ a\ phone\ call\ from\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door\ to\ be\ their\ pastor\.\ And\ I\ said\ no\.\ I\ got\ another\ phone\ call\.\ I\ got\ a\ series\ of\ phone\ calls\ about\ coming\ to\ interview\ for\ them\ to\ be\ their\ pastor\ at\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door\.\ Now\ everybody\ knows\ about\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door\.\ The\ historic\ church\ downtown\ L\.A\.\ started\ by\ R\.A\.

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Torrey,\ pastored\ by\ Louis\ Talbot,\ J\.\ Vernon\ McGee\.\ Everybody\ knows\ about\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door\.\ And\ their\ pastor\ had\ disqualified\ himself\ two\ years\ earlier,\ and\ they\ were\ looking\ for\ a\ new\ pastor\.\ And\ they'd\ gone\ through\ 250\ different\ resumes\ and\ interviews\.\ And\ finally\ they\ just\ called\ me\ and\ said,\ would\ you\ consider\ this\?

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And\ I\ said\ no\.\ I'm\ not\ interested\.\ I\ love\ where\ I'm\ at,\ okay\?\ And\ so\ they\ kept\ calling\.\ So\ finally\ I\ acquiesced\ and\ went\ for\ the\ interview,\ and\ they\ wanted\ me\ to\ come\ and\ be\ their\ pastor\.

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So\ through\ a\ series\ of\ events,\ as\ Lori\ and\ I\ began\ to\ pray\ about\ it,\ we\ realized\ that\ God\ was\ calling\ me\ to\ be\ a\ senior\ pastor\.\ At\ which\ my\ mother\ said\ to\ me,\ I\ told\ you\ so\.\ As\ only\ my\ mother\ could\ do\ that,\ okay\?\ And\ so\ we\ went\ to\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door\.\ Okay,\ now\ there's\ a\ method\ to\ my\ madness\ here\.\ Let\ me\ explain\ to\ you\ what's\ going\ on\ here\.

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So\ we\ go\ to\ the\ church,\ and\ we're\ all\ excited,\ and\ I\ preach\ on\ 1\ Corinthians\ 16,\ verse\ number\ 9\.\ There's\ a\ wide\ and\ effective\ open\ door\ for\ me\.\ Yet\ there\ are\ many\ adversaries\.\ That\ was\ my\ sermon\ on\ the\ very\ first\ Sunday\.

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I\ had\ no\ idea\ the\ adversaries\ that\ would\ await\ me\.\ Within\ the\ first\ two\ weeks\ of\ my\ time\ there,\ I\ realized\ that\ one\ of\ the\ men\ on\ the\ elder\ board\ had\ an\ unbiblical\ divorce\.

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So\ I\ had\ to\ confront\ him\ on\ that\.\ Then\ I\ realized\ within\ the\ next\ several\ months\ that\ there\ was\ one\ of\ the\ elders\ who\ was\ in\ charge\ of\ youth\ ministry\ who\ was\ an\ alcoholic\.\ One\ of\ the\ elders\ in\ charge\ of\ young\ families\ ministry\ was\ having\ an\ affair\ with\ one\ of\ the\ women\ in\ young\ families\.\ So\ I\ decided\ to\ confront\ all\ these\ things\.\ God\ had\ brought\ me\ there\ to\ confront\ these\ issues,\ so\ I\ did\.\ As\ I\ began\ to\ confront\ them,\ there\ became\ an\ adversarial\ relationship\ between\ me\ and\ the\ elder\ board\.\ And\ I\ said,\ look,\ I\ can't\ continue\ to\ minister\ here\ knowing\ these\ things\ are\ happening,\ because\ like\ priests,\ like\ people\.

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And\ so\ you\ men\ need\ to\ resign\.\ You\ need\ to\ step\ aside\.\ Of\ course,\ their\ response\ was\ that\ we\ can't\ do\ that\ because\ we\ have\ to\ be\ voted\ out\ by\ the\ Constitution\.\ I\ said,\ I\ don't\ care\ what\ the\ Constitution\ says\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ you're\ disqualified\.

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You've\ got\ to\ step\ out\.\ And\ so\ God\ was\ giving\ me\ the\ strength\ and\ the\ fortitude\ to\ confront\ these\ men\ on\ the\ issues\.\ Well,\ they\ became\ more\ and\ more\ adversarial\ toward\ me\.\ And\ then\ accused\ me\ of\ preaching\ a\ workspace\ doctrine,\ because\ I\ preached\ that\ you\ need\ to\ repent\ in\ order\ to\ be\ saved\.\ They\ didn't\ believe\ that,\ OK\?\ They\ were\ hyper\-dispensationalists,\ and\ they\ did\ not\ believe\ that\ you\ needed\ to\ repent\ to\ be\ saved\.\ And\ so\ we\ went\ through\ this\ whole\ situation\.\ So\ for\ 14\ months,\ I\ was\ their\ pastor\.

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And\ finally,\ I\ came\ to\ a\ point\ where,\ you\ know,\ look,\ guys,\ we\ can't\ keep\ this\ relationship\ going\.\ So\ somebody's\ got\ to\ go\.\ Either\ I've\ got\ to\ go\ or\ you\ guys\ got\ to\ go\.\ And\ so\ these\ four\ men\ who\ were\ against\ me\ and\ were\ involved\ in\ situations\ that\ were\ unbiblical\ and\ immoral,\ they\ had\ to\ go\ before\ the\ church\.\ If\ they\ got\ 51%\ of\ the\ vote,\ they\ would\ stay\.\ If\ they\ got\ 51%\ of\ the\ vote,\ if\ one\ of\ them\ got\ 51%\ of\ the\ vote,\ I\ would\ leave\.\ And\ only\ one\ got\ 51%,\ and\ when\ his\ name\ was\ called,\ I\ knew\ it\ was\ time\ to\ leave\.

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So\ Lori,\ at\ the\ time,\ was\ pregnant\ with\ Anna\.\ And\ so\ I\ took\ her\ by\ the\ hand,\ and\ we\ got\ up\ in\ front\ of\ the\ church,\ and\ I\ thanked\ the\ church\ for\ 14\ months\ of\ ministry\ and\ the\ opportunity\ God\ gave\ me\ because\ it\ was\ the\ greatest\ 14\ months\ of\ ministry\ I\ could\ ever\ imagine,\ and\ it\ was\.\ It\ was\ very\ adversarial,\ but\ it\ was\ a\ great\ ministry\ because\ God\ taught\ me\ so\ much\.\ And\ so\ Lori\ and\ I\ said\ to\ the\ congregation,\ Hey,\ please\ stand\ with\ me,\ and\ we'll\ sing\ the\ doxology\.\ And\ Lori\ and\ I\ walked\ out,\ having\ resigned\ that\ night\ with\ no\ severance\ pay,\ no\ job\ future,\ and\ just\ had\ to\ trust\ the\ Lord\.

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Because\ way\ back\ when\ we\ got\ married\ in\ August\ of\ 86,\ Lori\ and\ I\ stood\ together\ in\ front\ of\ the\ church\ and\ said,\ We\ have\ a\ verse\ that\ is\ our\ verse,\ and\ that's\ Psalm\ 20,\ verse\ number\ 7\.\ And\ it\ goes\ like\ this,\ Some\ trust\ in\ chariots\ and\ some\ in\ horses,\ but\ we\ will\ trust\ in\ the\ name\ of\ the\ Lord\ our\ God\.\ They\ shall\ be\ brought\ down\ and\ fall,\ but\ we\ shall\ rise\ up\ and\ stand\ firm\.\ This\ is\ our\ verse\ that\ we've\ committed\ for\ our\ marriage\.\ And\ so\ when\ we\ left\ that\ night,\ I\ told\ Lori,\ because\ we\ got\ in\ the\ car,\ She\ goes,\ What\ are\ you\ going\ to\ do\?

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I\ said,\ I\ don't\ know\.\ I\ have\ no\ idea\.\ We're\ just\ going\ to\ trust\ the\ Lord\ to\ open\ doors\.\ So\ Monday\ came,\ I\ had\ to\ go\ back\ east\ because\ I'd\ already\ made\ arrangements\ to\ go\ back\ east\ because\ my\ mother\ was\ having\ a\ surgical\ procedure\ done\.\ And\ so\ I\ made\ the\ commitment\ a\ couple\ of\ weeks\ earlier\ to\ go\ back\ east\.\ And\ so\ Monday\ morning,\ I\ got\ on\ a\ flight\ plane\ and\ flew\ back\ east\ to\ Delaware\ and\ left\ Lori\ at\ home\ with\ the\ children,\ pregnant\ with\ Anna\.\ I\ told\ her,\ God\ will\ take\ care\ of\ us\.\ God\ will\ watch\ over\ us\.

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Don't\ worry\ about\ it\.\ On\ Wednesday,\ I\ got\ a\ call\ from\ one\ person\ of\ a\ group\ of\ 17\ that\ had\ gotten\ together\ and\ said,\ We\ want\ to\ start\ a\ church\.\ Would\ you\ come\ and\ speak\ on\ Sunday\?\ You\ don't\ have\ to\ be\ a\ pastor,\ just\ come\ and\ speak\.\ And\ I\ said,\ Well,\ I\ have\ no\ place\ else\ to\ speak\.\ So\ sure,\ I'll\ be\ back\ on\ Friday\.\ I'll\ speak\ on\ Sunday\.\ And\ so\ on\ October\ the\ 30th,\ 1994,\ I\ spoke\ at\ Fink\ Binder\ Park\ to\ the\ people\ that\ had\ decided\ to\ leave\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door\ and\ be\ a\ part\ of\ another\ ministry\.\ Why\ do\ I\ tell\ you\ that\?

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I\ tell\ you\ that\ because\ 30\ years\ later,\ 30\ years\ later,\ you\ are\ here\ because\ how\ God\ orchestrated\ a\ series\ of\ events\ that\ would\ lead\ me,\ who\ wanted\ to\ be\ an\ athlete,\ thought\ for\ sure\ that\ God\ had\ called\ me\ to\ be\ that,\ that\ you\ are\ here\ today\ because\ of\ how\ God,\ in\ His\ timing,\ brought\ everything\ to\ fruition\ to\ put\ everything\ in\ order\ to\ bring\ me\ here,\ and\ you\ are\ here\ because\ of\ God's\ sovereignty\ in\ bringing\ you\ to\ this\ place\.\ God\ has\ a\ sense\ of\ humor\.\ The\ last\ four\ sermons\ I\ preached\ at\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door,\ we\ were\ in\ the\ book\ of\ Mark,\ Mark\ 6,\ verses\ 1\ to\ 13,\ was\ how\ to\ minister\ amidst\ rejection\.

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Very\ fitting\ for\ the\ time\.\ Then\ was\ Mark\ 6,\ verses\ 14\ to\ 32,\ which\ was\ the\ murder\ of\ a\ minister,\ the\ beheading\ of\ John\ the\ Baptist\.\ I'm\ preaching\ these\ sermons\ as\ we\ are\ going\ through\ all\ these\ conflicts\ at\ the\ church\ with\ the\ elder\ boy\.\ The\ next\ sermon\ was\ Mark\ 6,\ verses\ 30\ to\ 44,\ trusting\ God\ for\ daily\ provisions\.\ The\ next\ sermon\ was\ trusting\ God,\ Mark\ 6,\ 45\ to\ 52,\ amidst\ difficult\ situations\.\ Now,\ you\ know\ that\ I\ prepare\ all\ my\ sermons\ at\ least\ six\ months\ in\ advance,\ usually\ a\ year\ in\ advance\.

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So\ all\ those\ sermons\ were\ prepared\ earlier,\ knowing\ that\ this\ is\ what\ I'd\ be\ going\ through\ at\ that\ time\ because\ God\ is\ sovereign,\ and\ the\ timing\ was\ excellent\.\ The\ timing\ was\ perfect\ because\ God\ was\ orchestrating\ all\ the\ events\ to\ bring\ about\ His\ perfect\ will\.\ You\ see,\ God\ wanted\ Christ's\ community\ church,\ and\ God\ says\ that\ He\ will\ build\ His\ church,\ and\ the\ gates\ of\ hell\ should\ not\ prevail\ against\ it\.

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And\ so\ because\ God\ wanted\ Christ's\ community\ church,\ how\ did\ He\ get\ us\ here\?\ He\ led\ me\ from\ the\ King's\ College\ to\ Calvary\ Church\ of\ Santa\ Ana,\ being\ there\ for\ five\ years,\ being\ a\ part\ of\ that\ mega\ staff\ and\ being\ a\ part\ of\ the\ opportunity\ to\ learn\ and\ to\ preach,\ to\ lead\ me\ to\ a\ church\ that\ opened\ a\ door\ so\ that\ He\ would\ lead\ me\ to\ Christ's\ community\ church\.\ Because\ God\ was\ orchestrating\ all\ the\ events\ to\ bring\ about\ His\ perfect\ purposes\.\ This\ is\ what\ God\ was\ doing\.\ And\ I\ look\ back\ on\ all\ the\ things\ that\ God\ did\ and\ how\ there\ were\ so\ many\ things\ that\ took\ place\ that\ I\ had\ no\ idea\ what\ was\ going\ to\ happen\ next,\ but\ I\ didn't\ need\ to\ know\.

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I\ just\ had\ to\ trust\ the\ God\ who\ knew\ it\ all\.\ And\ He\ would\ open\ doors\.\ He\ would\ close\ doors\.\ He\ would\ take\ care\ of\ His\ own,\ because\ that's\ what\ God\ does\.\ And\ so\ I\ had\ to\ learn\ to\ acknowledge\ His\ sovereignty\ over\ time\.\ And\ I\ did\ that\.\ Whether\ it\ was\ Sandy's\ cancer\ and\ death,\ whether\ it\ was\ Mary\ and\ Laurie\ moving\ to\ California,\ whether\ it\ was\ going\ to\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door,\ leaving\ that\ church,\ no\ matter\ what\ was\ happening,\ God\ was\ orchestrating\ all\ the\ events\ because\ He\ was\ bringing\ about\ Christ's\ community\ church\.

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That's\ why\ I\ said\ when\ I\ came\ 30\ years\ ago,\ I'm\ here\ to\ die\.\ I'm\ not\ going\ anywhere\ else\.\ I\ don't\ want\ to\ go\ anywhere\ else\.\ I'm\ not\ looking\ for\ another\ church\.\ I'm\ not\ looking\ for\ another\ location\.\ I'm\ not\ looking\ for\ a\ better\ church\.\ I'm\ here\ to\ die\.\ I've\ been\ here\ for\ 30\ years\.\ I\ probably\ won't\ be\ here\ another\ 30,\ because\ that\ would\ make\ me\ 96,\ and\ I\ don't\ plan\ to\ live\ to\ be\ 96\ years\ of\ age,\ unless\ the\ Lord\ has\ that,\ but\ who\ knows\.\ But\ I\ recognize\ the\ fact\ that\ God\ has\ brought\ me\ to\ this\ place\.

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And\ now\ you\ are\ here\ and\ are\ the\ recipients\ and\ the\ beneficiaries\ of\ this\ ministry\ because\ God\ had\ orchestrated\ all\ the\ events\ to\ bring\ about\ Christ's\ community\ church\.\ And\ God\ was\ doing\ all\ of\ that\.\ And\ so\ even\ from\ the\ fact\ that\ how\ I\ preach\ and\ the\ style\ by\ which\ I\ preach\ and\ how\ God\ used\ Dr\.\ Donald\ Baker\ in\ my\ life\ to\ move\ me\ in\ this\ direction\ to\ show\ me\ this\ is\ the\ best\ way\ for\ you\ to\ be\ able\ to\ communicate\ to\ people\ the\ truth\ of\ the\ Word\ of\ God,\ not\ stand\ behind\ a\ pulpit,\ but\ get\ there,\ see\ the\ whites\ of\ their\ eyes,\ understand\ them\.

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They\ can\ see\ your\ face\.\ You\ can\ spit\ on\ them\ if\ you\ want\ to,\ because\ that's\ what\ I\ do\ when\ I\ preach\.\ I\ spit\ a\ lot\.\ And\ so\ you\ just\ get\ to\ see\ people\ face\ to\ face\ and\ see\ all\ that\ God\ has\ done\.\ And\ I\ look\ around\ the\ auditorium\ and\ I\ see\ people\ that\ were\ with\ us\ from\ day\ one\.\ And\ I\ see\ what\ God\ did\ in\ their\ lives,\ how\ God\ brought\ them\ to\ this\ place\.\ I\ think\ of\ Dina\ Bond\ and\ her\ husband,\ Gary,\ and\ their\ son,\ Greg,\ and\ how\ her\ mother\ and\ father,\ her\ father\ was\ on\ the\ elder\ board\ there\ with\ me\.\ He\ would\ meet\ with\ me\ for\ prayer\ every\ Tuesday\ morning\.

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He'd\ meet\ with\ me\.\ He\ and\ Dan\ Bissell,\ Faith's\ brother,\ Faith\ Bissell's\ brother\.\ And\ they\ met\ with\ me\ for\ prayer\.\ And\ they\ prayed\ me\ through\ the\ whole\ process\.\ And\ those\ two\ elders\ would\ stay\ with\ me\ and\ we'd\ pray\ together\ and\ we'd\ trust\ the\ Lord\ together\.\ And\ we\ would\ just\ wait\ to\ see\ what\ God\ was\ going\ to\ do\ next\.\ But\ to\ realize\ that\ when\ Della\ and\ Bob\ Grundahl\ left\ Church\ of\ the\ Open\ Door,\ a\ church\ they\ had\ been\ a\ part\ of\ for\ over\ 50\ years,\ right,\ and\ came\ to\ Christ\ Community\ Church\ and\ became\ a\ part\ of\ this\ ministry,\ it\ was\ a\ powerful\ testimony\.

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And\ both\ of\ them\ now\ have\ gone\ home\ to\ be\ with\ the\ Lord\.\ And\ Gary\ and\ Dina\ and\ Greg\ are\ still\ here\.\ And\ you'll\ hear\ from\ them\ next\ week\ along\ with\ Greg\ because\ he\ was\ six\ when\ he\ came\ to\ the\ church\.\ And\ so\ you\ begin\ to\ realize\ that\ God\ is\ working\.\ All\ that\ to\ say\ is\ that\ as\ I\ learned\ to\ acknowledge\ God's\ sovereignty\ over\ time,\ I\ learned\ to\ appreciate\ God's\ beauty\ in\ that\ time\.\ That's\ why\ these\ sermons\ are\ so\ important\ because\ you\ need\ to\ understand\ that\ in\ a\ time\ of\ hardship,\ tragedy,\ destruction,\ adversity,\ there\ is\ beauty\ in\ those\ times\.

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Because\ if\ everything\ is\ appointed\ by\ God\ in\ His\ own\ time,\ God\ is\ doing\ a\ great\ and\ mighty\ work\.\ That's\ why\ we\ say\ you\ can't\ focus\ on\ the\ misery\ in\ the\ moment\ but\ focus\ on\ the\ master\ of\ the\ moment\.\ And\ when\ you\ do\ that,\ when\ you\ do\ that,\ you're\ able\ to\ see\ the\ beauty\ behind\ the\ timing\ of\ God\.\ You\ know,\ God\ is\ never,\ ever\ late,\ is\ He\?\ There's\ something\ unique\ about\ time\.\ Time\ is\ inescapable\.\ Is\ it\ not\?\ Time\ is\ inescapable\.\ Oh,\ by\ the\ way,\ time\ is\ irretrievable\.\ You\ can't\ get\ a\ moment\ back\ again,\ right\?

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You\ can't\ get\ what\ I\ just\ said\ back\ again\.\ It's\ gone,\ right\?\ It's\ irretrievable\.\ That's\ what's\ so\ unique\ about\ time\.\ Time\ is\ inevitable\.\ And\ time\ also\ is\ invaluable\.\ It's\ invaluable\.\ Why\?\ Because\ God\ is\ the\ creator\ of\ time\.\ And\ so\ in\ the\ fullness\ of\ time,\ God\ would\ send\ forth\ His\ Son\.\ God\ is\ sovereign\ over\ time\.\ And\ we\ live\ in\ the\ realm\ of\ time\.\ Therefore,\ God\ is\ sovereign\ over\ you\ and\ me\ in\ the\ realm\ of\ that\ time\.\ And\ we\ need\ to\ understand\ that\ and\ get\ a\ hold\ of\ that\ and\ trust\ God\ in\ the\ midst\ of\ it\ because\ as\ you\ do,\ you\ can\ anticipate\ His\ glory\ in\ eternity\ and\ you\ can\ begin\ to\ live\ daily\ trusting\ God\ for\ everything\.

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That's\ why\ I\ love\ what\ Peter\ says\ over\ in\ 1\ Peter\ 5\.\ 1\ Peter\ 5,\ verse\ number\ 6\.\ He\ says\ these\ words\.\ 1\ Peter\ 5,\ verse\ number\ 6\.\ Therefore,\ humble\ yourselves\ under\ the\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God\.\ What\ a\ statement\.\ The\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God\ is\ an\ Old\ Testament\ phrase\.\ It's\ a\ phrase\ used\ in\ context\ of\ Israel's\ deliverance\ and\ Israel's\ discipline\ in\ the\ Old\ Testament\.\ It's\ the\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God,\ the\ mighty\ arm\ of\ God\.\ So\ Peter\ says,\ humble\ yourself\ under\ God's\ mighty\ hand\ of\ destiny\.\ It\ could\ be\ the\ destiny\ of\ discipline\.

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It\ could\ be\ the\ destiny\ of\ deliverance\.\ It\ could\ be\ the\ destiny\ of\ anything,\ any\ direction\ that\ God\ gives\ for\ you\.\ But\ humble\ yourself\ under\ that\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God\.\ Learn\ to\ acquiesce\.\ Learn\ to\ capitulate\ yourself\ under\ God's\ sovereign\ hand\.\ He\ says\ this,\ that\ He\ may\ exalt\ you\ at\ the\ proper\ time\.\ God\ wants\ to\ exalt\ you,\ but\ He's\ going\ to\ do\ it\ at\ the\ proper\ time,\ in\ His\ time\.\ That's\ why\ when\ you\ subject\ yourself\ to\ the\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God's\ destiny,\ what\ you're\ saying\ is\ that,\ Lord,\ You're\ sovereign\ over\ time\.

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You're\ sovereign\ over\ my\ life\.\ And\ because\ You\ are,\ that\ time\ is\ a\ beautiful\ time\ because\ You\ would\ exalt\ me\ at\ the\ proper\ time\.\ And\ remember,\ Peter's\ writing\ people\ who\ were\ suffering\ under\ the\ direction\ of\ Nero,\ who\ was\ killing\ all\ the\ Christians\.\ And\ so\ Peter's\ telling\ them,\ God's\ sovereign\ over\ this\ as\ well\.\ God\ knows\ what\ He's\ doing\.\ So\ submit\ yourself\ to\ the\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God\.\ Humble\ yourself\ under\ the\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God\ that\ He\ may\ exalt\ you\ at\ the\ proper\ time,\ casting\ all\ your\ anxiety\ on\ Him\ because\ He\ cares\ for\ you\.

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You\ got\ anxiety\?\ You\ got\ anxiety\ under\ the\ mighty\ hand\ of\ God\?\ You\ got\ anxiety\?\ You're\ anxious\ about\ what's\ going\ to\ happen\ next\?\ Cast\ it\ all\ upon\ the\ Lord\.\ Why\?\ Because\ He's\ sovereign\.\ He\ rules\ over\ all\.\ He's\ in\ absolute\ charge\ of\ everything\.\ All\ you\ have\ to\ do\ is\ trust\ Him\.\ Believe\ in\ Him\.\ And\ follow\ Him\.\ That's\ what\ the\ first\ three\ points\ were\ all\ about\.

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And\ I\ sit\ back\ and\ look\ at\ my\ life\ and\ realize\ God\ has\ been\ so\ good\ to\ me\.\ He's\ been\ so\ good\ to\ me\.\ Have\ I\ had\ hardships\?\ Yeah\.\ Have\ I\ had\ tragedies\?\ Yes\.\ But\ you\ know\ what\?\ It\ was\ bringing\ me\ to\ this\ place\.\ It\ was\ bringing\ me\ to\ this\ point\.\ It\ was\ bringing\ me\ to\ this\ place\ for\ the\ last\ 30\ years\.\ God\ was\ using\ everything\ in\ my\ life\ to\ move\ me\ to\ this\ place\.\ And\ never\ once\ in\ 30\ years\ have\ I\ ever\ had\ a\ regret\.\ Never\ once\ in\ 30\ years\ have\ I\ ever\ said,\ Boy,\ I\ wish\ I\ wouldn't\ have\ come\ here\.\ Or\ I\ wish\ I\ could\ leave\ here\.

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Or\ I\ wish\ God\ would\ give\ us\ different\ people\ than\ the\ ones\ that\ are\ here\.\ Never\ said\ that\.\ I\ love\ being\ here\.\ I\ love\ what\ God\ has\ done\ because\ God\ has\ orchestrated\ everything\ to\ be\ where\ we\ are\ today\.\ And\ so\ I\ want\ you\ to\ understand\ that\ from\ the\ depth\ of\ my\ heart,\ I\ want\ you\ to\ humble\ yourself\ under\ God's\ mighty\ hand\ of\ destiny\.\ And\ trust\ Him\.\ Because\ that\ leads\ us\ to\ our\ fourth\ point\ in\ our\ outline\.\ Yes,\ we\ will\ finish\ these\ 15\ verses\ this\ evening\.\ Verse\ number\ 12\.\ Listen\ to\ what\ Solomon\ says\.\ I\ know\ that\ there\ is\ nothing\ better\ for\ them\ than\ to\ rejoice\ and\ to\ do\ good\ in\ one's\ lifetime\.

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Moreover,\ that\ every\ man\ who\ eats\ and\ drinks\ sees\ good\ in\ all\ his\ labor\.\ It\ is\ the\ gift\ of\ God\.\ Here's\ your\ fourth\ point\.\ Affirm\ the\ generosity\ of\ God\ in\ your\ time\.\ God\ is\ very\ generous\ to\ us\ to\ give\ us\ time\.\ To\ give\ us\ our\ job\ in\ His\ time\.\ So\ Solomon\ is\ going\ to\ say,\ I\ know,\ I\ know,\ there's\ nothing\ better\ for\ them\ to\ rejoice\ than\ to\ do\ good\ in\ one's\ lifetime\.\ Why\?\ Because\ the\ life\ that\ you\ have\ is\ a\ gift\ from\ God\.\ And\ Solomon\ recognizes\ that\ God\ has\ granted\ him\ the\ gift\ of\ life,\ and\ the\ gift\ of\ time\ to\ live\ that\ life\.

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And\ so\ you\ need\ to\ affirm,\ I\ need\ to\ affirm\ the\ generosity\ of\ God\ when\ it\ comes\ to\ His\ time\ for\ me\ to\ live\ and\ to\ work\ and\ to\ do\ what\ He\ has\ asked\ me\ to\ do\.\ This\ is\ so\ important\.\ Why\?\ Because\ the\ life\ that\ you're\ living\ is\ a\ gift\ from\ God\ to\ you\.\ Sometimes\ you\ look\ at\ our\ life\ and\ think,\ wow,\ I\ just\ wish\ it\ was\ better\.

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I\ wish\ it\ was\ different\.\ I\ wish\ I\ had\ married\ somebody\ else\.\ I\ wish\ I\ had\ a\ better\ job\.\ I\ wish\ this\ or\ I\ wish\ that\.\ Instead\ of\ recognizing\ that,\ the\ job\ you\ have,\ the\ marriage\ you\ have,\ the\ kids\ you\ have,\ the\ place\ you\ live,\ all\ of\ it\ is\ a\ gift\ from\ God\.\ And\ the\ time\ in\ which\ He\ grants\ you\ to\ live\ is\ a\ gift\ from\ Him\ as\ well\.\ He's\ a\ generous\ God\.\ You\ need\ to\ affirm\ that\ and\ realize\ when\ you\ get\ up\ in\ the\ morning,\ thank\ you,\ Lord,\ for\ a\ new\ day\.\ Be\ disappointed\ that\ He\ didn't\ come\ to\ take\ you\ home\.

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But\ be\ excited,\ be\ excited\ about\ the\ opportunity\ to\ live\ a\ new\ day\.\ Why\?\ Because\ God\ wants\ you\ to\ rejoice\ in\ that\ day\.\ He's\ granted\ you\ life\.\ He's\ granted\ you\ all\ that\ you\ have\.\ And\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ rejoice\ in\ what\ He\ has\ done\.\ It's\ affirming\ the\ fact\ that\ God\ is\ generous\ enough\ to\ you\ to\ allow\ you\ to\ breathe\ and\ to\ exist\ and\ to\ live\ and\ to\ work\ and\ to\ play\ and\ to\ be\ a\ part\ of\ this\ life\.\ We\ tend\ to\ always\ look\ at\ life\ negatively\ instead\ of\ looking\ at\ it\ from\ God's\ perspective,\ that\ God\ has\ granted\ it\ to\ us\.

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Number\ five\ is\ this\.\ Verse\ 14,\ I\ know\ that\ everything\ God\ does\ will\ remain\ forever\.\ There\ is\ nothing\ to\ add\ to\ it\ and\ there\ is\ nothing\ to\ take\ from\ it,\ for\ God\ has\ so\ worked\ that\ men\ should\ fear\ Him\.\ Here's\ your\ fifth\ point,\ and\ that\ is\ this\.\ You\ need\ and\ I\ need\ to\ learn\ to\ announce\ God's\ intentionality\ for\ everything\ that\ happens\ in\ time\.\ God's\ intentionality\ is\ that\ men\ would\ fear\ Him\.\ Solomon\ says,\ I\ know\ I\ can't\ change\ anything\ that\ God\ does\.\ It's\ concrete\.\ It's\ set\ in\ stone\.\ That's\ what\ Isaiah\ says\ when\ the\ Lord\ says\ in\ Isaiah\ chapter\ 46,\ verse\ number\ 8,\ Remember\ this\ and\ be\ assured\.

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Recall\ it\ to\ mind,\ you\ transgressors\.\ Remember\ the\ former\ things\ long\ past\.\ For\ I\ am\ God\ and\ there\ is\ no\ other\.\ I\ am\ God\ and\ there\ is\ no\ one\ like\ me,\ declaring\ the\ end\ from\ the\ beginning\.\ And\ from\ ancient\ times\ things\ which\ have\ not\ been\ done,\ saying\ my\ purpose\ will\ be\ established\ and\ I\ will\ accomplish\ all\ my\ good\ pleasure,\ calling\ a\ bird\ of\ prey\ from\ the\ east,\ the\ man\ of\ my\ purpose\ from\ a\ far\ country\.\ Truly\ I\ have\ spoken\.\ Truly\ I\ will\ bring\ it\ to\ pass\.\ I\ have\ planned\ it\.\ Surely\ I\ will\ do\ it\.\ It's\ all\ been\ planned\.

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God's\ going\ to\ do\ it\.\ I'm\ going\ to\ bring\ forth\ a\ man\ from\ my\ purpose\.\ I'll\ call\ a\ bird\ of\ prey\ from\ wherever\ I\ want\ to\ call\ him\ from\.\ And\ he'll\ come\ because\ everything\ is\ under\ my\ direction,\ under\ my\ sovereign\ control\.\ Someone\ says,\ I\ know\ that\ everything\ God\ does\ is\ complete\.\ Can't\ add\ to\ it\.\ Can't\ take\ away\ from\ it\.\ Can't\ make\ it\ any\ better\ than\ it\ is\.\ We\ think\ that\ if\ this\ went\ this\ way\ or\ that\ went\ this\ way,\ things\ would\ be\ better\ than\ they\ are\.\ No,\ you\ can't\.\ You\ can't\ change\ it\.\ That's\ what\ Christ\ says\ in\ Matthew\ chapter\ 6\.

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You\ can't\ add\ one\ cubit\ to\ your\ life\ as\ if\ to\ make\ it\ last\ longer\.\ You're\ going\ to\ live\ an\ appointed\ amount\ of\ time\.\ And\ you're\ going\ to\ die\ on\ time\.\ Nobody\ dies\ by\ accident\.\ Everybody\ dies\ by\ divine\ appointment\.\ Because\ it's\ appointed\ that\ a\ man\ wants\ to\ die\.\ After\ that\ comes\ the\ judgment\.\ So\ God's\ in\ charge\ of\ all\ those\ things\.\ He\ rules\ and\ reigns\ over\ everything\.\ And\ so\ our\ job\ is\ to\ announce\ God's\ intentionality\ in\ everything\ that\ happens\ in\ the\ realm\ of\ time\.\ He\ does\ it\ so\ men\ will\ fear\ him\.

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He\ wants\ men\ to\ fear\ him\.\ Remember\ Genesis\ chapter\ 22\?\ When\ God\ told\ Abraham\ to\ take\ his\ son,\ his\ only\ son,\ the\ son\ that\ he\ loved,\ to\ a\ place\ that\ he\ would\ show\ him\.\ He\ showed\ him\ Mount\ Moriah\.\ He\ said,\ take\ now\ your\ son,\ take\ him\ up\ on\ the\ hill\ and\ kill\ him\.\ So\ Abraham\ did\ what\ God\ said\.\ He\ followed\ God's\ direction\.\ He\ didn't\ know\ what\ was\ going\ to\ happen\.\ But\ he\ tells\ his\ servants\ to\ stay\ here\ and\ I\ and\ the\ land\ will\ go\ up\ and\ we\ will\ worship\ the\ Lord\ and\ we\ will\ return\ to\ you\.\ Now\ he\ didn't\ know\ what\ was\ going\ to\ happen,\ but\ he\ believed\ that\ God\ could\ resurrect\ his\ son\.

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This\ was\ the\ son\ of\ promise\.\ This\ was\ the\ son\ that\ he\ loved\.\ This\ was\ the\ son\ of\ the\ promised\ seed\.\ Everything\ was\ coming\ through\ Isaac\.\ And\ God\ said,\ I\ want\ you\ to\ kill\ him\.\ So\ he\ takes\ him\ up\ into\ the\ mountain\.\ You\ know\ the\ story\.\ He\ ties\ him\ down\.\ He\ gets\ ready\ to\ slay\ him\.\ And\ the\ angel\ of\ the\ Lord\ stops\ him\.\ And\ listen\ very\ carefully\ to\ what\ the\ angel\ of\ the\ Lord\ says,\ the\ pre\-incarnate\ Christ\.\ He\ says\ these\ words,\ do\ not\ stretch\ out\ your\ hand\ against\ the\ lad\ and\ do\ nothing\ to\ him\.\ For\ now\ I\ know\ that\ you\ fear\ me\.

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Did\ God\ not\ know\ that\?\ Oh\ no,\ God\ knew\.\ But\ Abraham\ needed\ to\ know\.\ See,\ Abraham\ needed\ to\ know\ that\ he\ feared\ God,\ that\ he\ would\ fear\ God\ more\ than\ anything\ else,\ that\ he\ would\ do\ exactly\ what\ God\ said,\ even\ though\ he\ didn't\ understand\ it,\ even\ though\ he\ could\ not\ wrap\ his\ mind\ around\ it,\ even\ though\ he\ wondered\ why\ am\ I\ going\ to\ kill\ my\ beloved\ son\?\ Why\ would\ God\ ask\ me\ to\ do\ this\?\ But\ he\ obeyed\.\ Why\?\ Because\ he\ feared\ the\ Lord\.\ God\ does\ what\ he\ does\ so\ that\ men\ will\ fear\ him\.\ Remember\ Israel,\ Deuteronomy\ chapter\ 8\?

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God\ says,\ all\ the\ commandments\ that\ I\ am\ commanding\ you\ today,\ you\ shall\ be\ careful\ to\ do,\ that\ you\ may\ live\ and\ multiply\ and\ go\ in\ and\ possess\ the\ land,\ which\ the\ Lord\ swore\ to\ give\ to\ your\ forefathers\.

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You\ should\ remember\ all\ the\ way\ in\ which\ the\ Lord,\ your\ God\ has\ led\ you\ in\ the\ wilderness,\ these\ 40\ years\ that\ he\ might\ humble\ you,\ testing\ you\ to\ know\ what\ was\ in\ your\ heart,\ whether\ you\ would\ keep\ his\ commandments\ or\ not\.\ He\ humbled\ you\ and\ let\ you\ be\ hungry\ and\ fed\ you\ with\ manna,\ which\ you\ did\ not\ know\.\ Nor\ did\ your\ fathers\ know\ that\ he\ might\ make\ you\ understand\ that\ man\ does\ not\ live\ by\ bread\ alone,\ but\ man\ lives\ by\ everything\ that\ proceeds\ out\ of\ the\ mouth\ of\ the\ Lord\.\ Your\ clothing\ did\ not\ wear\ out\ on\ you,\ nor\ did\ your\ foot\ swell\ these\ 40\ years\.

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Thus\ you\ are\ to\ know\ in\ your\ heart\ that\ the\ Lord,\ your\ God\ was\ disciplining\ you\ just\ as\ a\ man\ disciplines\ his\ son\.\ Therefore\ you\ shall\ keep\ the\ commandments\ of\ the\ Lord,\ your\ God\ to\ walk\ in\ his\ ways\ that\ you\ may\ fear\ him\.\ Why\ did\ God\ lead\ Israel\ through\ the\ wilderness\ for\ 40\ years\?\ Why\ did\ God\ take\ care\ of\ them\?\ Why\ did\ God\ allow\ them\ to\ grumble\ and\ to\ be\ tested\ all\ those\ years\?\ They\ might\ learn\ to\ fear\ God\.\ You\ know,\ when\ you're\ going\ through\ a\ difficult\ time,\ you've\ got\ to\ ask\ yourself\ this\ question\.

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Do\ I\ really\ truly\ fear\ the\ Lord\?\ Because\ that's\ God's\ intention\.\ He's\ moving\ you\ in\ that\ direction\.\ That's\ what\ he\ wants\ you\ to\ do\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ honor\ him\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ worship\ him\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ reverence\ him\.\ Why\?\ Because\ the\ Romans\ 3\ says\ the\ unbeliever\ has\ no\ fear\ of\ God\ before\ his\ eyes\.\ None\.\ Turn\ with\ me\ in\ your\ Bible\ to\ Luke\ chapter\ 7\.

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Luke\ chapter\ 7\.\ Luke\ 7\ is\ a\ story\ that\ only\ Luke\ records\.\ It\ takes\ place\ in\ a\ city\ called\ Nain\.\ Six\ miles\ southeast\ of\ Nazareth,\ 20\ miles\ from\ Capernaum\.\ Very\ few\ people\ ever\ go\ to\ Nain\.\ There's\ about\ 200\ people\ that\ live\ there\ today\.\ I've\ been\ to\ Nain\ on\ several\ occasions\ on\ our\ trips\ to\ Israel\ simply\ because\ I\ think\ it's\ a\ very\ important\ place\ to\ be\.\ It's\ the\ very\ first\ resurrection\.

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It's\ all\ about\ God's\ timing\.\ It's\ all\ about\ God's\ sovereignty\ over\ time\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ in\ verse\ number\ 11,\ soon\ afterwards\ he\ went\ to\ a\ city\ called\ Nain\.

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Soon\ after\ what\?\ Well,\ earlier,\ the\ verses,\ he\ heals\ a\ son\ that\ almost\ dies\.\ Now\ he's\ going\ to\ raise\ a\ son\ that\ did\ die\.\ Now\ he\ could\ have\ gotten\ there\ earlier\ and\ spared\ this\ mother\ the\ heartache\ and\ the\ pain\.\ But\ he\ didn't\.\ So\ it\ says,\ soon\ afterwards\ he\ went\ to\ a\ city\ called\ Nain\ and\ his\ disciples\ were\ going\ along\ with\ him,\ accompanied\ by\ a\ large\ crowd\.\ Now\ as\ he\ approached\ the\ gate\ of\ the\ city,\ a\ dead\ man\ was\ being\ carried\ out,\ the\ only\ son\ of\ his\ mother,\ and\ she\ was\ a\ widow\.\ And\ a\ sizable\ crowd\ from\ the\ city\ was\ with\ her\.

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Now\ think\ about\ this\.\ You\ have\ a\ sizable\ crowd\ from\ the\ city\ walking\ outside\ the\ city\ gate\.\ You\ have\ another\ crowd\ coming\ to\ the\ city\ that\ meets\ them\ at\ the\ gate\.\ The\ crowd\ leaving\ the\ city\ is\ lamenting\.\ The\ crowd\ coming\ to\ the\ city\ is\ rejoicing\.\ Right\?\ The\ crowd\ leaving\ the\ city\ is\ going\ to\ the\ cemetery\ outside\ the\ city\.\ And\ the\ crowd\ outside\ the\ gate\ is\ coming\ to\ the\ city\ of\ Nain\.\ So\ you\ have\ the\ direct\ opposites\.\ Whole\ crowd\ of\ people\ with\ Jesus\ going\ to\ a\ place\ called\ Nain\.\ And\ this\ woman\ was\ a\ widow\.

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She\ had\ no\ husband\.\ He\ had\ died\.\ And\ her\ son\ would\ take\ care\ of\ her\.\ Her\ son\ would\ provide\ for\ her\.\ Her\ son\ would\ watch\ out\ for\ her\.\ But\ now\ he\ died\.\ So\ now\ she\ has\ nothing\.\ She\ has\ no\ one\ to\ care\ for\ her,\ no\ one\ to\ protect\ her,\ no\ one\ to\ provide\ for\ her\.\ Why\?\ Because\ she's\ a\ widow\ and\ now\ her\ only\ son,\ her\ only\ son\ is\ dead\.\ Imagine\ the\ devastation\ of\ her\ life\.\ Imagine\ what\ she\ was\ thinking\ as\ she\ was\ about\ to\ bury\ her\ son\.\ And\ yet\ only\ in\ the\ sovereignty\ of\ God\ in\ His\ perfect\ timing\ would\ He\ show\ up\ at\ the\ city\.

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It\ was\ the\ perfect\ time\.\ And\ so\ the\ story\ says\ this\.\ When\ the\ Lord\ saw\ her,\ He\ felt\ compassion\ for\ her\ and\ said\ to\ her,\ Do\ not\ weep\.\ Stop\ weeping\.\ Now\ as\ far\ as\ we\ know,\ she\ doesn't\ know\ who\ Jesus\ is\.\ As\ far\ as\ we\ know,\ this\ guy's\ coming\ with\ a\ whole\ crowd\ of\ people,\ but\ we\ don't\ know\ that\ she\ knows\ who\ Jesus\ is\.\ And\ the\ text\ records\ no\ conversation\ from\ her\ to\ Jesus\.\ She\ doesn't\ come\ up\ to\ Him\ and\ bow\ before\ Him\.\ She\ doesn't\ come\ to\ Him\ and\ say,\ Lord\ Jesus,\ would\ you\ please\ raise\ my\ son\?\ Lord,\ where\ were\ you\?

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Why\ weren't\ you\ here\ to\ heal\?\ Nothing\.\ Nothing\ changed\.\ No\ conversation\ from\ her\ at\ all\ to\ the\ Lord\.\ The\ Lord\ sees\ her,\ has\ compassion\ upon\ her,\ and\ says,\ Do\ not\ weep\.\ And\ He\ came\ up\ and\ touched\ the\ coffin,\ and\ the\ bearers\ came\ to\ a\ halt\.\ Can't\ touch\ that\ which\ is\ defiled\.\ Unless\ you're,\ of\ course,\ you're\ God\ who\ cleanses\ everything\.\ Right\?\ And\ He\ said,\ Young\ man,\ I\ say\ to\ you,\ arise\.\ The\ dead\ man\ sat\ up\ and\ began\ to\ speak\.\ And\ Jesus\ gave\ him\ back\ to\ his\ mother\.\ Now,\ you\ can\ imagine\ the\ scene\.\ You\ can\ imagine\ the\ emotion\ surrounding\ the\ scene\.

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You\ can\ imagine\ the\ joy\ in\ the\ heart\ of\ the\ mother\.\ The\ bewilderment\ in\ the\ life\ of\ the\ son,\ who\ was\ dead\ and\ now\ is\ alive\.\ And\ the\ crowd\.\ Listen\ to\ what\ it\ says\.\ Fear\ gripped\ them\ all\.\ The\ intentionality\ of\ God\ is\ to\ move\ man\ to\ one\ place\ that\ he\ might\ fear\ God\.\ So\ fear\ gripped\ them\ all\.\ Not\ because\ of\ the\ person,\ but\ because\ of\ the\ power\.\ That's\ very\ important\ to\ the\ story\.\ For\ it\ says\ this\.\ Fear\ gripped\ them\ all,\ and\ they\ began\ glorifying\ God,\ saying,\ A\ great\ prophet\ has\ arisen\ among\ us\.\ And\ God\ has\ visited\ His\ people\.

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This\ report\ concerning\ Him\ went\ out\ all\ over\ Judea\ and\ in\ all\ the\ surrounding\ district\.\ Fear\ gripped\ them\ all\.\ The\ fear\ of\ God's\ power,\ not\ the\ fear\ of\ the\ person\ of\ God\ Himself\.\ Because\ they\ thought\ that\ a\ great\ prophet\ had\ arisen\ among\ them\.\ Not\ that\ He\ was\ the\ prophet\ of\ Deuteronomy\ 18,\ verses\ 15\ to\ 17,\ where\ Moses\ said,\ There\ will\ be\ a\ greater\ prophet\ that\ will\ come\ from\ among\ you,\ and\ you\ shall\ listen\ to\ Him\.\ He\ is\ the\ seer\.\ He\ is\ the\ prophet\.\ That's\ why\ when\ Jesus\ said,\ Who\ do\ men\ say\ that\ I\ am\?

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They\ say,\ well,\ some\ say\ you're\ Jeremiah\.\ Some\ say\ you're\ Elijah\.\ Some\ say\ you're\ a\ prophet\.\ You're\ what\?\ You're\ great\.\ But\ no\ one's\ saying\ you're\ God\.\ Everybody\ thinks\ you're\ great,\ Jesus,\ but\ no\ one's\ saying\ that\ you're\ God\.\ Everybody\ here\ is\ saying\ that\ what\ happened\ was\ great,\ but\ nobody\ said\ Jesus\ is\ God\.\ Fear\ gripped\ them\ because\ of\ the\ power\ that\ was\ displayed,\ not\ because\ of\ the\ person\ Himself\ who\ displayed\ the\ power\.\ Because\ they\ did\ not\ recognize\ that\ Jesus\ was\ God\ in\ the\ flesh\.\ Very\ important\.

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Solomon\ says\ that\ God\ does\ what\ He\ does\.\ Everything\ happens\ for\ a\ reason,\ for\ a\ purpose\.\ He's\ in\ charge\ of\ everything\.\ You\ can't\ change\ it\.\ You\ can't\ add\ to\ it\.\ You\ can't\ subtract\ from\ it\.\ You\ can't\ make\ it\ any\ better\ than\ it\ is\ because\ it's\ the\ perfect\ plan\ A\.\ It\ runs\ right\ on\ course\ according\ to\ God's\ perfect\ timing,\ and\ you\ can't\ change\ it\ because\ God's\ in\ charge\.\ And\ the\ reason\ He\ does\ what\ He\ does\ is\ because\ He\ wants\ men\ to\ fear\ Him\.\ There\ is\ forgiveness\ with\ thee\ that\ thou\ mayest\ be\ feared\.

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He\ wants\ men\ to\ come\ to\ grips\ with\ the\ fact\ that\ He\ needs\ to\ stand\ in\ awe\ of\ the\ true\ and\ living\ God,\ fall\ before\ Him\ in\ humble\ adoration,\ and\ fear\ the\ true\ and\ living\ God\.\ That's\ what\ He\ wants\.\ That's\ what\ He\ demands,\ that\ men\ fear\ Him\.\ That's\ why\ in\ Revelation\ 14,\ when\ the\ angel\ flies\ around\ in\ midheaven\ during\ the\ tribulation\ period,\ what's\ the\ gospel\ He\ preaches\?\ Fear\ God\ and\ give\ Him\ glory\.\ That's\ the\ salvation\ message\ because\ in\ the\ midst\ of\ all\ that's\ happening\ up\ on\ the\ planet,\ with\ all\ the\ seal\ judgments\ and\ bowl\ judgments\ and\ trumpet\ judgments\ that\ are\ about\ to\ take\ place,\ the\ bowl\ judgments\ are\ about\ to\ take\ place,\ but\ in\ the\ midst\ of\ the\ seal\ and\ trumpet\ judgments\ and\ all\ the\ horrific\ things\ that\ are\ happening\ on\ the\ planet,\ the\ intention\ of\ God\ is\ that\ men\ would\ fear\ Him\.

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So\ the\ angel\ flies\ around\ in\ midheaven\ and\ says,\ fear\ God,\ give\ Him\ glory\.\ Don't\ just\ fear\ the\ fact\ that\ you're\ going\ to\ die\.\ Fear\ the\ God\ who\ appointed\ a\ time\ for\ you\ to\ die\.\ It's\ interesting\ that\ if\ you\ read\ Revelation\ chapter\ nine,\ that\ when\ people\ are\ being\ stung\ by\ scorpions,\ they\ want\ to\ die,\ but\ they\ can't\ die\ because\ God\ won't\ let\ them\ die\.\ Can\ you\ imagine\ that\?\ Wanting\ to\ die\ is\ so\ bad,\ but\ you\ can't\ die\.\ Revelation\ 6,\ they\ want\ the\ rocks\ to\ follow\ them\ because\ they\ know\ that\ the\ wrath\ of\ the\ Lamb\ has\ come\.

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So\ they'd\ rather\ die\ than\ fear\ God\ and\ give\ Him\ glory\.\ Not\ recognizing\ that\ once\ they\ die,\ they\ meet\ the\ God\ of\ glory\.\ They\ don't\ understand\ that\ because\ they're\ unbelievers\.\ So\ Solomon\ says,\ we\ are\ responsible\ to\ announce\ to\ people\ the\ intentions\ of\ God,\ that\ you\ might\ come\ to\ fear\ the\ true\ and\ living\ God\.\ Bow\ before\ Him\ in\ the\ humble\ submission\.\ Recognize\ Him\ as\ the\ King\ of\ all\ kings,\ the\ Lord\ of\ all\ lords,\ and\ worship\ Him\.\ That's\ why\ he\ speaks\ throughout\ Ecclesiastes\ about\ fearing\ God\.\ And\ then\ he\ comes\ to\ that\ ultimate\ conclusion\ at\ the\ very\ end\ of\ the\ book,\ Ecclesiastes\ chapter\ 12\.

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He\ says,\ the\ end\ of\ all\ man\ is\ just\ to\ fear\ God\ and\ keep\ His\ commandments\.\ Because\ that's\ where\ everything's\ going\.\ That's\ what\ it's\ all\ about\.\ That's\ what\ life's\ all\ about\.\ And\ then\ the\ last\ point,\ point\ number\ six,\ point\ number\ six,\ verse\ 15\.\ That\ which\ is\ has\ been\ already\.\ And\ that\ which\ will\ be\ has\ already\ been\.\ For\ God\ seeks\ what\ has\ passed\ by\.\ Or\ literally,\ God\ requires\ an\ account\ for\ what\ has\ already\ passed\.\ So\ the\ last\ point\ simply\ is\ to\ accept\ your\ accountability\ for\ everything\ that\ happens\ in\ the\ realm\ of\ time\.

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Because\ God\ requires\ an\ accounting\.\ Solomon\ wants\ you\ to\ know\ that\ God\ is\ sovereign\.\ He\ rules\ over\ all\.\ God\ makes\ sure\ that\ everything\ happens\ is\ beautiful\ in\ His\ time\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ know\ that\ eternity\ is\ set\ in\ the\ heart\ of\ man,\ but\ you\ live\ daily\ trusting\ in\ Him\ alone\ for\ everything\.\ In\ that\ you\ need\ to\ affirm\ the\ fact\ that\ God\ in\ His\ generosity\ has\ given\ you\ life\ because\ it's\ a\ gift\ from\ God\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ fear\ Him\.\ But\ He\ says,\ know\ this,\ every\ man\ will\ give\ an\ accounting\ to\ God\.\ Sometimes\ we\ forget\ that\.

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The\ Bible\ speaks\ a\ lot\ about\ accountability\ to\ God\.\ Pick\ up\ verse\ 16\.\ Next\ time\.\ It's\ all\ about\ the\ day\ of\ judgment\ that's\ coming\.\ So\ Solomon\ will\ expound\ upon\ this\ because\ of\ its\ importance\.\ In\ fact,\ he\ says\ over\ in\ chapter\ 11,\ Rejoice,\ O\ young\ man,\ in\ your\ youth,\ and\ let\ your\ heart\ cheer\ you\ in\ the\ days\ of\ your\ youth\.\ Walk\ in\ the\ ways\ of\ your\ heart,\ in\ the\ sight\ of\ your\ eyes,\ but\ know\ this,\ for\ all\ these\ God\ will\ bring\ you\ in\ to\ judgment\.\ There\ is\ an\ accounting\.\ For\ we\ must\ all\ appear\ before\ the\ judgment\ seat\ of\ Christ,\ 2\ Corinthians\ 5\.10,\ that\ we\ might\ receive\ that\ which\ is\ done\ on\ our\ body,\ whether\ it\ be\ good\ or\ whether\ it\ be\ bad\.

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But\ there\ will\ be\ an\ accounting\.\ Christ\ said\ in\ Matthew\ chapter\ 12,\ these\ words,\ He\ said,\ every\ careless\ word\ that\ people\ speak,\ they\ will\ give\ an\ accounting\ for\ in\ the\ day\ of\ judgment\.\ By\ your\ words,\ He\ says,\ you\ shall\ be\ justified\.\ And\ by\ your\ words,\ you\ shall\ be\ condemned\.\ There's\ coming\ an\ accounting\ for\ all\ men\.\ That's\ why\ it's\ so\ imperative\ that\ we\ redeem\ the\ time\.\ Buy\ back\ every\ moment\ for\ the\ sake\ of\ eternity\.\ The\ invaluability\ of\ time,\ the\ inescapability\ of\ time,\ the\ irreversibility\ of\ time,\ should\ make\ us\ want\ to\ redeem\ the\ time\.

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So\ back\ in\ the\ book\ of\ Ephesians,\ Paul\ says,\ therefore\ be\ careful\ how\ you\ walk,\ not\ as\ unwise\ men,\ but\ as\ wise,\ making\ the\ most\ of\ your\ time\ because\ of\ days\ of\ evil\.\ Or\ redeem\ the\ time\ because\ the\ days\ are\ evil\.\ Buy\ every\ moment\ back\ for\ the\ sake\ of\ eternity\ because\ there's\ an\ accounting\ that's\ coming\ for\ every\ man,\ for\ every\ woman\.\ No\ condemnation\ for\ those\ who\ are\ in\ Christ\ Jesus\.\ Of\ course\ not\.\ Our\ sins\ were\ judged\ at\ Calvary's\ cross\.\ But,\ Paul\ says,\ make\ sure\ you\ buy\ back\ every\ moment\ because\ every\ moment\ is\ a\ gift\ from\ God\.

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Time\ is\ a\ gift\.\ Are\ you\ redeeming\ the\ time\?\ The\ time\ of\ your\ day\?\ So\ many\ of\ us\ waste\ time\.\ Instead\ of\ buying\ moments\ back,\ we\ blow\ off\ moments\ as\ if\ they're\ irrelevant\.\ But\ they're\ not\.\ There\ is\ no\ moment\ of\ time\ in\ your\ life\ that\ is\ irrelevant\.\ And\ because\ there's\ going\ to\ be\ an\ accounting\ one\ day,\ we\ need\ to\ buy\ it\ back\ for\ the\ sake\ of\ eternity\.\ How\ do\ you\ do\ that\?\ Well,\ one,\ you've\ got\ to\ commit\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\.\ 2\ Corinthians\ 6\ verse\ number\ 2\ which\ says,\ now\ is\ the\ acceptable\ time\.\ Now\ is\.

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Have\ you\ let\ time\ pass\ without\ giving\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\?\ Have\ you\ let\ moments\ go\ by,\ days\ go\ by,\ weeks,\ months,\ years\ without\ committing\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\?\ Paul\ says,\ now\ is\ the\ acceptable\ time\.\ You\ have\ no\ guarantee\ of\ tomorrow\.\ Now\ is\ the\ time\.\ In\ every\ moment\ that\ you\ let\ pass,\ you\ can't\ get\ back\ again\.\ You\ can't\.\ And\ that's\ why\ when\ the\ rich\ man\ in\ Luke\ chapter\ 16\ said\ to\ Abraham,\ send\ somebody\ back\.\ I\ missed\ the\ opportunity\.\ I\ missed\ the\ time\.\ That's\ why\ the\ Bible\ talks\ about\ weeping\ and\ gnashing\ of\ teeth\ in\ hell\.

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Why\?\ Because\ in\ hell,\ you\ remember\ everything\ that\ happens\ on\ earth\.\ In\ heaven,\ you\ remember\ nothing\ that\ happened\ on\ earth\.\ But\ in\ hell,\ you\ remember\ everything\.\ Why\?\ Every\ opportunity\ you\ had\ to\ come\ to\ Christ,\ every\ opportunity\ that\ someone\ shared\ with\ you\ the\ gospel,\ every\ opportunity\ you\ had\ to\ commit\ your\ life\ to\ Christ,\ that's\ why\ there's\ weeping\ and\ gnashing\ of\ teeth\.\ Because\ you\ missed\ the\ opportunity\.\ And\ it's\ for\ all\ eternity\.\ It's\ forever\.\ It's\ forever\.\ Not\ for\ just\ a\ week\ or\ two\ or\ three\.

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It's\ forever\.\ And\ you\ just\ live\ eternity\ with\ regret\.\ Commit\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\ for\ now\ is\ the\ acceptable\ time\.\ Now\ is\ the\ acceptable\ time\.\ You\ want\ to\ redeem\ your\ time\?\ Not\ just\ commit\ your\ life\ to\ Christ,\ but\ consider\ your\ life\ as\ nothing\.\ Consider\ your\ life\ as\ nothing\.\ And\ you'll\ buy\ back\ every\ moment\ for\ the\ sake\ of\ the\ kingdom\.\ Paul\ was\ that\ way\.\ Remember\ the\ book\ of\ Acts\?\ Acts\ chapter\ 20,\ verse\ number\ 22\.\ Paul\ says,\ And\ now,\ behold,\ bound\ by\ the\ Spirit,\ I\ am\ on\ my\ way\ to\ Jerusalem,\ not\ knowing\ what\ will\ happen\ to\ me\ there,\ except\ the\ Holy\ Spirit\ solemnly\ testifies\ to\ me\ in\ every\ city,\ saying,\ Bonds\ and\ afflictions\ await\ me,\ but\ I\ do\ not\ consider\ my\ life\ of\ any\ account\ as\ dear\ to\ myself\.

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There's\ the\ phrase\.\ That's\ the\ one\ you\ circle\.\ That's\ the\ one\ you\ put\ on\ your\ wall\.\ That's\ the\ one\ you\ memorize\.\ That's\ the\ one\ you\ live\ by\.\ My\ life\ means\ nothing\.\ I\ consider\ my\ life\ as\ nothing\ except\ what\?\ To\ testify\ solemnly\ of\ the\ gospel\ of\ Jesus\ Christ\.\ The\ moment\ you\ consider\ your\ life\ as\ something,\ you\ will\ not\ redeem\ the\ time\.\ You'll\ use\ that\ time\ for\ your\ own\ self\-glory\ instead\ of\ God's\ glory\.\ Commit\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\.\ Consider\ your\ life\ as\ nothing\.\ Number\ three,\ consecrate\ your\ entire\ life\ to\ the\ Lord\.

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Paul\ says\ this\ in\ Romans\ chapter\ 13,\ verse\ 11\.\ Do\ this,\ he\ says,\ knowing\ the\ time\ that\ it\ is\ already\ the\ hour\ for\ you\ to\ awaken\ from\ sleep\.\ For\ now\ salvation\ is\ nearer\ to\ us\ than\ when\ we\ believed\.\ The\ night\ is\ almost\ gone\ and\ the\ day\ is\ near\.\ Therefore\ let\ us\ lay\ aside\ the\ deeds\ of\ darkness\ and\ put\ on\ the\ armor\ of\ light\.\ Let\ us\ behave\ properly\ as\ in\ the\ day,\ not\ in\ carousing\ and\ drunkenness,\ not\ in\ sexual\ promiscuity\ and\ sensuality,\ not\ in\ strife\ and\ jealousy,\ but\ put\ on\ the\ Lord\ Jesus\ Christ\.\ Make\ no\ provision\ for\ the\ flesh\ in\ regard\ to\ its\ lust\.

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Paul\ says,\ know\ the\ time\.\ This\ is\ the\ time\.\ Consecrate\ your\ life\ to\ the\ Lord\.\ You\ want\ to\ buy\ back\ a\ moment\?\ Want\ to\ buy\ back\ time\?\ Want\ to\ redeem\ the\ time\?\ Consecrate\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\.\ Don't\ get\ engaged\ in\ fleshy\ things\ like\ sensuality\ and\ sexual\ immorality\ and\ drunkenness\ and\ carousing,\ all\ those\ things\ that\ really\ add\ up\ to\ nothing\.\ Just\ ask\ Solomon\.\ He'll\ tell\ you\ that\.\ He's\ already\ experienced\ all\ that\ and\ it\ means\ nothing\.\ Commit\ your\ life\ to\ Christ\.\ Consider\ your\ life\ as\ nothing\.\ Consecrate\ your\ life\ to\ the\ Lord\.

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Clothe\ yourself\ in\ the\ armor\ of\ God\.\ Paul\ says\ in\ Ephesians\ 6,\ verse\ number\ 13,\ Therefore\ take\ up\ the\ full\ armor\ of\ God\ so\ that\ you\ will\ be\ able\ to\ resist\ in\ the\ evil\ day,\ in\ the\ evil\ time\.\ That's\ why\ Paul\ says\ earlier\ in\ chapter\ 5,\ Walk\ as\ wise\ men,\ not\ unwise,\ redeeming\ the\ time\ because\ the\ days\ are\ evil\.\ So\ now\ he\ says,\ in\ that\ evil\ time,\ put\ on\ the\ armor\ of\ God\.\ Clothe\ yourself\ in\ the\ armor\ of\ God\ that\ you\ might\ be\ able\ to\ resist\ the\ devil\ and\ resist\ temptation\ and\ live\ for\ the\ honor\ of\ his\ name\.

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Number\ five,\ conduct\ your\ life\ every\ day\ in\ the\ fear\ of\ God\.\ Peter\ says\ it\ this\ way,\ 1\ Peter\ 1,\ verse\ number\ 17,\ If\ you\ address\ as\ father\ the\ one\ who\ impartially\ judges\ according\ to\ each\ one's\ work,\ conduct\ yourself\ in\ fear\ during\ the\ time\ of\ your\ stay\ on\ earth\.\ Isn't\ that\ good\?\ And\ during\ your\ time\ on\ earth,\ conduct\ your\ life\ in\ fear,\ in\ the\ fear\ of\ the\ living\ God\.\ Why\?\ That's\ why\ God\ forgave\ you\ that\ you\ might\ fear\ him,\ adore\ him,\ and\ worship\ him\.\ How\ about\ this\ one,\ number\ six,\ communicate,\ communicate\ with\ grace\.

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It\ says\ in\ Colossians\ 4,\ verse\ number\ six,\ number\ five,\ says,\ conduct\ yourself\ with\ wisdom\ toward\ outsiders,\ making\ the\ most\ of\ the\ opportunity\.\ Another\ way\ of\ saying,\ redeem\ the\ time\.\ Buy\ it\ back\.\ How\?\ Let\ your\ speech\ always\ be\ with\ grace\ as\ though\ season\ was\ salt,\ so\ you\ will\ know\ how\ you\ should\ respond\ to\ each\ person\.\ How\ do\ you\ redeem\ the\ time\?\ Communicate\ with\ grace\.\ Season\ was\ salt\.\ Because\ in\ that\ moment,\ you\ have\ the\ opportunity\ to\ impact\ another\ individual\.\ conversation\ should\ always\ be\ with\ grace,\ but\ always\ season\ was\ salt\.

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What\ does\ salt\ do\?\ Salt\ stings\ and\ burns\ in\ open\ wounds\.\ It\ does\ that\.\ And\ yet,\ you\ can\ do\ it\ with\ grace\ so\ it\ brings\ forth\ healing\ to\ the\ one\ who\ hears\ the\ words\ you\ speak\.\ And\ then\ lastly,\ if\ you\ want\ to\ redeem\ the\ time,\ comfort\ others\ with\ the\ scripture\.\ A\ psalmist\ said\ it\ this\ way,\ in\ Psalm\ 119,\ 76,\ or\ verse\ 75,\ I\ know,\ O\ Lord,\ that\ your\ judgments\ are\ righteous\ and\ that\ in\ faithfulness\ you\ have\ afflicted\ me\.\ Can\ you\ say\ that\?\ The\ next\ time\ you're\ afflicted,\ physically,\ emotionally,\ mentally,\ can\ you\ say,\ Lord,\ I\ know\ that\ in\ your\ faithfulness\ you\ have\ afflicted\ me\.

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O\ may\ your\ loving\ kindness\ comfort\ me\ according\ to\ your\ word\ to\ your\ servant\.\ He\ knew\ that\ the\ only\ comfort\ would\ come\ through\ the\ scriptures\.\ Verse\ 92,\ If\ your\ law\ had\ not\ been\ my\ delight,\ then\ I\ would\ have\ perished\ in\ my\ affliction\.\ I\ will\ never\ forget\ your\ precepts\ for\ by\ them\ you\ have\ revived\ me\.\ If\ your\ word\ had\ not\ been\ my\ comfort,\ I\ would\ have\ perished\ in\ my\ affliction\.\ How\ do\ you\ redeem\ the\ time\?\ You\ comfort\ others\ with\ the\ scripture,\ because\ the\ scripture\ God\ uses\ to\ comfort\ you,\ he\ wants\ to\ comfort\ others\ with\.

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Thoughts\ about\ God's\ timing\ are\ huge\.\ We've\ spent\ four\ weeks\ on\ 15\ verses,\ looking\ at\ a\ variety\ of\ illustrations\ in\ the\ scriptures\ about\ time,\ and\ God\ doing\ what\ he\ does\ under\ his\ sovereign\ control\.\ This\ affects\ every\ one\ of\ us\ in\ the\ room\.\ I\ don't\ know\ about\ your\ time\ tonight,\ and\ none\ of\ us\ knows\ about\ our\ time\ tomorrow\.\ None\ of\ us\ knows\ how\ much\ time\ we\ have\ left\.\ We\ just\ don't\ know\.\ Life\ is\ brief\.\ It's\ a\ vapor\.\ Comes\ one\ minute,\ gone\ the\ next\.\ These\ thoughts\ about\ God's\ timing\ are\ so\ crucial\ for\ us\.

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Why\?\ Because\ once\ you\ learn\ the\ lessons,\ then\ you\ need\ to\ be\ able\ to\ teach\ others\ the\ lessons\.\ That\ they\ might\ understand\ what\ God\ is\ doing\ in\ their\ life,\ in\ their\ family,\ in\ their\ church,\ at\ their\ workplace\.\ What\ is\ God\ doing\?\ God's\ doing\ something\ fabulous\.\ Because\ in\ this\ time,\ all\ things\ are\ beautiful\.\ Let's\ pray\.\ Father,\ we\ thank\ you,\ Lord,\ for\ this\ day\.\ The\ opportunity\ you've\ given\ us\ to\ study\ your\ word\.\ We\ thank\ you\ that,\ Lord,\ we\ can\ trust\ you\.\ I\ pray,\ Lord,\ for\ everyone\ in\ this\ room,\ or\ those\ who\ one\ day\ might\ be\ listening\ by\ some\ capacity\.

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We\ just\ ask\ that,\ Lord,\ if\ there's\ someone\ here\ who\ is\ not\ born\ again,\ who's\ never\ given\ their\ life\ to\ Christ,\ that\ tonight\ will\ be\ that\ night\.\ They\ would\ not\ wait\ for\ another\ time\.\ This\ is\ the\ acceptable\ time\.\ This\ is\ the\ day\ of\ salvation\.\ And\ pray,\ Lord,\ that\ every\ one\ of\ us,\ knowing\ that\ we\ are\ to\ redeem\ every\ moment\ of\ our\ lives,\ may\ we\ be\ ever\ aware\ that,\ Lord,\ you\ are\ with\ us\.\ That\ your\ plan\ supersedes\ all\ of\ our\ thoughts,\ all\ of\ our\ ideas\.\ But\ everything\ is\ running\ on\ course,\ just\ as\ you\ planned\ it\ from\ the\ very\ beginning\.

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And,\ Lord,\ we\ need\ to\ trust\ you\ for\ what\ you're\ going\ to\ do\ and\ are\ doing\ in\ all\ of\ our\ lives\.\ So\ take\ these\ words\ from\ your\ text\ and\ embed\ them\ deeply\ in\ our\ hearts\ that\ we\ might\ be\ the\ kind\ of\ people\ you\ want\ us\ to\ be\ until\ you\ come\ again\ as\ you\ most\ surely\ will\.\ In\ Jesus'\ name,\ amen\.

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