WEBVTT
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Bless you all.
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It is joy to be with you.
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My wife, Amy Joe.
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Amy Joe, wave at everybody.
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That's the best woman in the whole world right there.
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And the mother of my kids and grandmother of my grandkids.
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And we love being grandparents.
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It is just a great phase of life.
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We love this church.
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You know, long, long history.
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Some of you I have known, oh, you probably don't want me to tell how long.
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A long time.
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And your uh pastor, Pastor uh uh Gary and Arlene, I've known them for years.
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In fact, Gary actually was at Turning Point, was the first church of the open Bible back then.
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And so we grew up together.
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He went to Bible school with my brother Dan and uh his uh son Isaac and Katie.
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Uh I have the chance to spend time with them and hang out every now and then and just see how they're doing.
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And it's just a joy.
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I just I love this season of life, and I am so grateful that the Lord has given Gary more time with us.
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So thank you, Jesus.
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Thank you, Lord.
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And God is good.
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If you'd like to follow along in your Bible with me, my main scripture is Psalm chapter 90.
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And you can turn that open in your Bible or look on whatever, it will be on the screen.
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But that's where we're gonna start today.
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This passage is especially significant to me right now for several reasons, and I'll be sharing that with you later on.
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But it starts off at the very beginning by telling us this is a prayer of Moses, the man of God.
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This is the only psalm attributed to Moses.
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So it's interesting.
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We don't think of Moses as being writer of the Psalms, but this one chapter he is.
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And I personally, my personal thought is that Moses was one of the most impressive human beings who has ever walked the face of this earth.
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I mean, he lived an incredible life.
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He had a brilliant mind.
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He had this intense personal relationship with God, face to face with God.
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The Bible tells us that he lived to be 120 years old, and he came in three distinct periods of time.
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The first 40 years, he was raised and educated as a prince of Egypt and Pharaoh's household.
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The second 40 years, he was in exile in Midian, where he lived as a shepherd, married, and had children.
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And the last 40 years, he led Israel out of slavery into Egypt and through the wilderness to the edge of the promised land.
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And what it's what he does in those last 40 years that causes me personally to consider Moses to be the best example of a great pastor.
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Because as you look at his relationship with Israel and leading them through all they went through, that is the journey of a pastor and congregation, like nothing else I see in the Bible.
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Here in Psalms 90, Moses is going to talk about the brevity of life.
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Turn to somebody and say, life is brief.
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Tell them that right now.
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Some Bible scholars think that Moses was reflecting specifically on the period of his life that's recorded in Numbers chapter 20.
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This is after the death of his sister Miriam.
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Moses had been rebuked by God for his disobedience when he struck the rock in the wilderness instead of speaking to it, resulting in God telling him, okay, now you don't get to personally go into the promised land.
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It was a harsh consequence.
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And also after the death of his brother Aaron, who, by the way, was more than a brother, it was his co-leader.
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And I'm telling you, recently I experienced the death of one of my staff members, Paul Didier, who I loved so dearly.
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We worked together for many years, and uh last November he found out that he had a glioblastoma brain tumor, and by January he was gone.
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And uh I'm still kind of dealing with that.
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You know, and it takes time with people that you have shared life with in that kind of a way.
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And all these things were percolating in his mind when he writes this chapter.
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So Psalm 90 is Moses sharing the perspective of a mature man who's experienced a whole lot of life.
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And he's seen for himself the awesome power and holiness of God.
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He was part of Israel's miraculous deliverance out of Egypt.
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He saw for himself with his own eyes the parting of the Red Sea, God's provision of manna and water from a rock in the wilderness.
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He had personally been given by God the Ten Commandments.
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He witnessed God's righteous judgment of Israel's sin and rebellion.
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And he also had experienced personal loss at the death of his loved ones, and been humbled for his own human failure.
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He knows at this season that his life will soon be coming to an end.
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And it's out of all that life experience that he writes this chapter.
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So follow along with me as I read the first 12 verses of Roman, or excuse me, Psalms 90.
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Lord, through all generations, you have been our home.
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Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from the beginning to end, you are God.
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You turn people back to dust, saying, Return to dust, you mortals.
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For you a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.
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You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
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They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
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In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
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We wither beyond beneath your anger.
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We are overwhelmed by your fury.
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You spread out your sins, our sins before you, our secret sins, and you see them all.
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We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan.
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Seventy years are given to us.
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Some even live to eighty.
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But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble.
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Soon they disappear and we fly away.
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Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
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Your wrath is awesome as the fear you deserve.
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Teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom.
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Wow.
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Moses isn't pulling any punches.
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He calls it like he sees it.
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He's lived a lot of life.
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Some of you understand this.
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You've seen a lot, you've experienced a lot.
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You know that life can be tough.
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Moses knows that God is eternal, but man's life on earth is temporary.
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Life on earth is dangerous.
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And you're lucky if you live to 70.
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And you may get another decade or so if you really take care of yourself.
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But as humans, we all have sinned.
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And we all have an appointment with death.
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It's not being particularly, you know, uh negative, it's just reality.
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And we come to the point where we understand this.
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God may not pay at the end of every day, but in the end, he pays.
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Both for good and for evil.
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So Moses encourages us to number our days that we might grow in wisdom.
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I know a lot of you have a great deal of wisdom in your life, and I pray that as we spend time contemplating this today, that that wisdom would grow even more.
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This whole idea of measuring our days is hitting me a little bit harder right now because I just this last few days turned three score and ten.
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Which is how the King James Version says 70.
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Just turn 70.
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And it's not at all that I'm afraid of dying.
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I am so grateful for every day that God has given me.
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I'm just not real excited about being old.
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Anyone else relate to that?
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I've watched the process.
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But the truth is, every one of our lives is a series of transitions, right?
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Successful life often comes down to how well you handle all those transitions.
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For example, you know, when I when I was in grade school, it was great.
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My teachers loved me.
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I was the star of all the school plays.
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And captain of the safety patrol.
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It was great.
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And then I got to junior high.
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And all the rules changed.
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It was no longer about impressing the teachers.
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All of a sudden, it's all about how you get along with your peers.
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And no one had prepared me for that.
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Well, the truth is this life is full of transitions, right?
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Where we find ourselves in unknown territory and we have to find our way and find our tribe and build strong alliances and vote the right people off the island.
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Well, maybe that's survivor.
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But you know what I mean?
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Life's kind of like that.
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Dealing with change is the essence of life, and you can't waste your time fighting all those changing tides.
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You have to learn how to ride the waves through the changing seasons of life.
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I am so grateful for the Word of God.
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It has been my guide through all those transitions of life.
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And I just continue to find new application in these ancient stories and truths, principles that keep me on course.
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And help me not to freak out every time there is some kind of new change.
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Because, listen, we're not dead yet.
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Turn to somebody and say, You're not dead yet.
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Tell them that.
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You know what that means?
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What that means is God still has a purpose for you here on earth.
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And it's important for us to remember that.
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Numbering our days teaches us many things.
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I'm going to share three important principles that I have learned in my 70 years.
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Number one, influence is more effective than control.
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Influence is more effective than control.
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For those of us who are older, it can be disconcerting to realize that you're no longer in the most desirable demographic, which I believe is 18 to 35.
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Been a while, huh?
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You know?
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That's what the advertisers are focused on.
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That's what everybody really cares about because they're going to be around for a while, right?
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And you're at the point where you are no longer calling the shots like you used to.
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And everyone looks at you and goes, yeah, well, you're getting closer to your expiration date.
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You know, in the Bible, the apostle Peter was a natural leader.
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He was charismatic.
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He had this big personality.
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He was outspoken and not afraid to give his opinion.
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People naturally looked to him for leadership, both the disciples and the early church.
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But after his resurrection, Jesus gave Peter, this powerful man, some important insight about his later years.
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He says this to him in John 21, verse 18.
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I tell you the truth, Peter.
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When you were young, you were able to do as you liked.
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You dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go.
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In the last five years of his life, he got Alzheimer's.
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My dad did well with people in general, but you know, he got to that place where he'd start to repeat things.
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It was hard for me as his son to watch people kind of go, oh you know.
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And I could feel them discounting him.
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Something in me wanted to run up and say, no, you don't know.
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You don't know who this man really is.
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You don't know his godly nature.
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You don't know how he stood for his family, how he pastored a church with integrity.
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But it was the season of his life.
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The next verse tells us that Jesus was preparing Peter for the way that he was gonna die.
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Even though really Peter lived a pretty long life.
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But I think Jesus wanted Peter to know listen, Peter, life is gonna change for you.
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Especially as you get older.
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You're used to being large and in charge.
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You've always leaned on those strengths.
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Your greatest strength isn't what you think it is.
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A lot of us are figuring out what real strength in life is as we go through these transitions.
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This is an important lesson for all of us.
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We have to make peace with the fact that we're not always going to be in control the way we'd like to be.
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The truth is you were never really in control as much as you thought you were.
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But there's something even better than control.
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Influence.
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Listen, control only works when you're present.
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You know what I'm saying?
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Those of you raising kids still, I know you just you just want to keep them on the straight and narrow, and parents can get so about control.
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But the minute you're not with them, what happens?
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Influence can last long after you're dead and gone.
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Godly people like Moses and Peter and other great men and women in the scriptures have more influence today, centuries after they were alive and have passed away.
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So in this season of our life, Amy Joe and I have a new appreciation for the power of influence.
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You know, we love being grandparents.
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And very every minute that we get to love on our grandkids, talk to them about Jesus, show them by our example what it means to be godly.
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I love that I have the opportunity to mentor and speak to young pastors and missionaries like the Morgans.
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And just share with them and encourage them.
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And pray that somehow I'll be able to influence them in a way that's going to help them to be all that God intends for them to be.
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Listen, we certainly won't have the same amount of control as grandparents that we had as parents.
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Or for myself, I don't have the same kind of control I had as a senior pastor over the course of turning point.
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But we have clearly seen the power of influence, and it's great.
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Realizing that we can't control things once we're dead and gone, but our influence can last for generations.
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Moses had a hard time controlling the Israelites and sometimes even himself during his lifetime.
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But his influence still affects billions of people living today.
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One of the great joys of my life is spending time with young pastors and missionaries and counseling, and I'm telling you, it's not about telling people what to do as much as it's just loving and listening.
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And if they ask, I will share with them some of my experiences and insights.
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Speak the truth.
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But everyone needs to know that somebody cares about them.
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Who has God putting your life to share with them that you love them?
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That you care about them.
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And maybe nudge them in the right direction.
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But to have any influence with others, you must remember this.
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People don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care.
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It's knowing that you care that opens their hearts to hear what you have to say.
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Having godly influence on other people is truly a lot like grandparenting.
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You show up for the special moments, right?
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You cheer them on.
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We were at soccer games yesterday.
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It's taking time to listen.
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It's helping them to always see the bigger picture.
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I imagine it was especially hard for the Apostle Peter as he got older because he couldn't do all the things he used to do.
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Realizing he was past his prime physically, and I get that.
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Worried about the direction that the world is going, I get that.
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Wondering whether the next generation would stay strong in their faith, and I get that too.
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But Peter's influence is even more powerful today than it was 2,000 years ago.
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And his stories about Jesus and the letters that he wrote are still speaking to people's lives today.
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And there are churches around the world that are named after Saint Peter, including St.
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Peter's Basilica in Rome, home of the Vatican.
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Still today, billions of Christians whose lives have been influenced by Peter can attest to the fact that man changed my life.
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So remember this.
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Whether or not you have the physical strength, the income, the position, or authority that some other people might still have, if you're willing to love, to listen, and share honestly, you have something much more powerful.
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Godly influence.
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Can you say amen?
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Here's the second principle: there is great value in your life story.
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Don't share it too quickly.
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But there's great value in it.
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And truly, what is more valuable is what people see than what you tell them.
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They need to see it in your life.
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The legacy of the Apostle Paul was as much about his personal life and testimony as it was about those wonderful books about theology.
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Good theology is so vitally important, but people need to see how theology plays out in real life.
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And Paul wasn't afraid to share the good and the bad and the ugly of his own spiritual journey.
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He was authentic, he was transparent, and that makes his life and story so relatable.
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It says this in 2 Corinthians chapter 4.
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Paul writes, we are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
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We are perplexed but not driven to despair.
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We are hunted down but never abandoned by God.
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We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:55.359
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.759
Paul is saying, listen, yes, life can be really tough.
00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:04.880
But this isn't our first rodeo.
00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:09.039
I've done tough times before.
00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:13.039
And God has proven himself to be faithful.
00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:22.319
God does great stuff through tough times.
00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.720
So why would I doubt him now?
00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:36.319
That is also the testimony of my life.
00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:41.680
We've been through some really tough times.
00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:45.519
Losing our son at seventeen.
00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:50.960
Dealing with aging, ailing parents.
00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:56.480
Pastoring a church, which is great.
00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.720
But it can be tough.
00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:05.519
And going through different experiences, I'm telling you.
00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:13.039
The greatest sermon I've ever preached.
00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:29.440
My life spoke more loudly than my words.
00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:39.200
Friends, I want to tell you, you will never in this lifetime be immune from pain and suffering.
00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.880
It still hurts.
00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:48.960
But your life experience helps you to see there's a bigger picture.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.839
It's bigger than me.
00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:55.920
It's bigger than the pain I'm feeling in this moment.
00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:59.839
It also gives you empathy for others.
00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:07.920
You know, I've always felt like I've been an empathetic person, and I especially cared about people who are dealing with chronic pain.
00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:10.559
I hate that for anybody.
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:26.319
But my empathy reached an entirely new level after I was hit by a car riding my bike, broke all the bones and the side of my body, and I had a bad concussion, and then I had a brain bleed and a pulmonary embolism in my lung.
00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:29.920
And you know, the recovery was painful and long.
00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:40.480
But when I see somebody and I see them moving in that way, my heart just instantly goes out to them.
00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:47.359
And God has used it to make me a more compassionate man.
00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:55.680
That life experience also helps you to not freak out every time something goes wrong.
00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.759
And something's always gonna go wrong, right?
00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.839
You live long enough to figure that out?
00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.599
How many remember Y2K?
00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.039
Remember that?
00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:08.640
Oh my goodness, the world was gonna come to an end, right?
00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:19.759
You know, we thought on January 1st, 2000, the computers were all gonna lock up and the whole world was gonna be a mess, and we were scared to death.
00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:26.000
So people were hoarding food and fuel and cash, preparing for the worst.
00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:28.160
Turned out to be what?
00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:30.400
No big deal.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:32.000
Thankfully.
00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:36.079
But it felt like a real threat at the time.
00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.000
It would have been foolish to ignore.
00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:45.680
I remember I was pastoring, and so my godly board, you know, we sat down, we said, okay, you know, here's the threat.
00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.000
What's reasonable?
00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.720
We're people of faith.
00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:57.519
What would be reasonable for us to do just to help our church family if there's some kind of problem?
00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.839
And that's what we did.
00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.920
Don't regret it.
00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:09.200
This world always seems to be dancing on the edge of some new catastrophe, right?
00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:13.920
Could this conflict end in another great world war?
00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:17.759
How is this economy gonna affect my 401k?
00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.519
Anybody else worry about that?
00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:24.079
How does this all fit into Bible prophecy?
00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:26.720
Everybody's on edge.
00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:32.160
But stop, remember, listen, this isn't our first rodeo, folks.
00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:40.720
The family of God, the church throughout history has faced all this and more before.
00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:45.519
Paul's life experience prompted him to encourage the Roman believers with these words.
00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:48.319
Romans chapter 8, beginning with verse 38.
00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:57.759
And I am convinced, through life experience, I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:10.880
Neither death nor life nor angels or demons, neither our fears for today or our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.
00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:14.640
No power in the sky above or in the earth below.
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:25.359
Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.880
Can you say amen?
00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:32.400
Never lose sight of God's love and God's faithfulness.
00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:35.759
Never forget the lessons that God has taught you.
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:44.559
Whether it was through a success or a failure in your past, use those lessons and encourage your faith.
00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:48.000
Here's the third and last principle I want to talk about today.
00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:53.440
Number three, be careful how you plan your future.
00:27:54.559 --> 00:28:00.799
Whether you're 20 years old or whether you're 80 years old, be careful how you plan your future.
00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.680
Because God already has a plan.
00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:15.920
He created us, and he offers us the opportunity to be part of his redemptive purpose.
00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:28.799
Naturally, during our short time on earth, we all make our own plans for our career, for our relationships and our families, for our money, for achieving happiness.
00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:31.920
Listen, there's nothing wrong with having plans, right?
00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.319
Say amen if you believe it.
00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:37.440
Nothing wrong with making plans.
00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:45.920
But ultimately, lasting success is about a whole lot more than our plans.
00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:56.799
It's about how we further God's plans, how we become part of serving his redemptive purpose in this world.
00:28:57.039 --> 00:29:00.799
That's what makes for success in eternity.
00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:06.559
I'm so deeply impressed every time I read through the stories of the Old Testament prophets.
00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.720
These guys were crazy.
00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:12.480
I mean, they were willing to do so much for God.
00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.319
They endured so much.
00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.759
They were incredible.
00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:20.240
They faithfully spoke the word of God at great personal cost.
00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:21.440
They were ignored.
00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.720
They were ridiculed.
00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:24.079
They were persecuted.
00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:26.559
And many of them were martyred.
00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:31.119
Prophet Isaiah had a long prophetic ministry.
00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:36.400
Isaiah was honest with the Lord about his feelings in Isaiah 49, verse 4.
00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:39.440
He tells God, but my work seems so useless.
00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:42.319
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:45.119
Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hands.
00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:48.000
I will trust God for my reward.
00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:50.000
Those are powerful words.
00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:53.359
Those are powerful words.
00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:58.480
He's saying, it doesn't feel like I'm even making a difference right now.
00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:02.960
I preach and I preach, but I'm not seeing change.
00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:08.400
People hate me because I'm not saying what they want to hear.
00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:14.319
But Lord, you're the one that measures true success.
00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:21.519
And regardless of how things feel in the moment, it's your approval that really matters.
00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:26.720
You know what helps me personally to remember what really matters in life?
00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:32.400
Funerals! I go to a lot of them.
00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:34.880
I preach a lot of them.
00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:38.400
And here's what you realize at funerals.
00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:40.640
We all want to be liked.
00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:44.559
We all want people to remember us kindly.
00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:50.160
We all want to feel like our life was successful.
00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:59.680
But they also remind us that most of the stuff we focus on in life isn't what really matters.
00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:03.680
That's why I encourage you to go to funerals.
00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:08.079
It's nice for the family, but it's good for you.
00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:10.799
Paul gives us some great insight.
00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:14.240
1 Corinthians chapter 3, verses 13 to 15.
00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:19.279
But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.
00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:21.039
Each one of us is a builder.
00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:23.599
Our life is building something.
00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:27.119
The fire will show if a person's work has any value.
00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:30.079
If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.
00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:34.000
But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss.
00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:38.799
The builder will be saved, but like somebody barely escaping through a wall of flames.
00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:42.559
Listen, God loves you.
00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:46.160
He really does.
00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:50.240
It may not feel like it at every moment.
00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:55.039
But he loves you and he cares about every aspect of your lives.
00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:57.519
Listen to me, friends.
00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:06.319
What really matters for eternity isn't how well we achieved all of our plans.
00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:13.759
What really matters for eternity is how well we served God's plans.
00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:18.079
That's the only thing that truly lasts.
00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:19.920
Here's my conclusion.
00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:25.680
Getting older and being more aware of our own mortality is a gift.
00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:29.119
Hear the words of this 70-year-old?
00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:35.920
Getting older, becoming more aware of my mortality, it's a gift.
00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:42.319
Because it helps me to focus on what really matters.
00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:54.799
And here's the best news God takes everything that we invest in his kingdom and he multiplies it with compound interest.
00:32:56.480 --> 00:33:00.880
It's like the boy in the Bible who gave his loaves and fishes to Jesus.
00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:08.400
It wasn't much, but it is amazing how he multiplied it when he gave it to him.
00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:16.640
True success isn't about how much you achieve in this life, it's about how much you put into the hands of Jesus.
00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:20.000
That's something you can do at any age.
00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:28.559
As long as you're still breathing, you have an opportunity today to invest in eternity.
00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:34.000
So listen again to the powerful prayer of Pastor Moses, whom I love.
00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:43.839
He says, teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom.
00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:46.000
Bow your head with me, will you?
00:33:49.680 --> 00:34:06.319
God, I pray that you would help every person in this room to realize that you could not love them any more than you love them right in this moment.
00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:16.639
Lord, despite their doubts, despite whatever sin they might be harboring in their heart.
00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:40.719
For anyone here today who has felt far from you and felt like maybe you just wanted to beat them over the head, I pray, Lord, today, but a vision of their mind of Jesus dying on that cross, stretching out his arms and saying, I love you this much.
00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:48.000
Remind them right now that you died on that cross for them.
00:34:51.519 --> 00:35:00.000
And Lord, I pray that wherever they are in their life right now, let every one of us run closer to you.
00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:12.159
Lord, if we need forgiveness, Lord, may that repentant heart wash by what you did with your blood, wash us clean.
00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:14.559
Give us a fresh start.
00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:23.599
Lord, I pray for anyone who might be struggling, Lord, as life has marched on and they're dealing with a specific challenge right now.
00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:34.320
Lord, whether it's in a relationship, whether it's with their health, whether it's with fears and anxiety, Lord Jesus, I pray, touch them.
00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:37.199
Let them feel your presence.
00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:43.119
Father, may we always remember that this is the short life.
00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:46.079
It's the next one that's the long one.
00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:52.000
And Lord, make us willing to be ready for it with every fiber of our being.
00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:57.760
Teach us the brevity of life and draw us close to yourself.
00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.760
In Jesus' name we pray.
00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:02.400
And everyone said, Amen.
00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:06.960
This morning you made a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ.
00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.480
Would you do me a favor?
00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.679
It's great.
00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:11.119
A lot of times we need to do that.
00:36:11.440 --> 00:36:15.280
Maybe every Sunday we come to church, we need to make a fresh commitment to Jesus.
00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:21.840
But if you made a fresh commitment to Christ today in any way, would you just make sure that you confess it with your mouth to somebody?
00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:22.800
Say, you know what?
00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:24.880
The Lord spoke to me today.
00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:32.480
You can give them as much details as you want to, but confess with your mouth what the Lord has spoken to you.
00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:33.920
Stand to your feet, will you?
00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:37.599
Would you give about 10 people a hug and tell them you love them?
00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:41.360
And I am praying that you have the best week ever.
00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.400
God bless you.
00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.440
Enjoy the great weather.
00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:01.040
Bless you all.
00:00:01.199 --> 00:00:02.879
It is joy to be with you.
00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.080
My wife, Amy Joe.
00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:06.000
Amy Joe, wave at everybody.
00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:08.880
That's the best woman in the whole world right there.
00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:13.359
And the mother of my kids and grandmother of my grandkids.
00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:16.960
And we love being grandparents.
00:00:17.519 --> 00:00:20.719
It is just a great phase of life.
00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:22.160
We love this church.
00:00:22.239 --> 00:00:23.839
You know, long, long history.
00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.399
Some of you I have known, oh, you probably don't want me to tell how long.
00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:29.600
A long time.
00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:36.560
And your uh pastor, Pastor uh uh Gary and Arlene, I've known them for years.
00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:40.960
In fact, Gary actually was at Turning Point, was the first church of the open Bible back then.
00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:42.719
And so we grew up together.
00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:49.600
He went to Bible school with my brother Dan and uh his uh son Isaac and Katie.
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:55.119
Uh I have the chance to spend time with them and hang out every now and then and just see how they're doing.
00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:56.719
And it's just a joy.
00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:04.799
I just I love this season of life, and I am so grateful that the Lord has given Gary more time with us.
00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:06.959
So thank you, Jesus.
00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:08.159
Thank you, Lord.
00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:10.640
And God is good.
00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:18.079
If you'd like to follow along in your Bible with me, my main scripture is Psalm chapter 90.
00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:22.799
And you can turn that open in your Bible or look on whatever, it will be on the screen.
00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:25.200
But that's where we're gonna start today.
00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:32.719
This passage is especially significant to me right now for several reasons, and I'll be sharing that with you later on.
00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:39.680
But it starts off at the very beginning by telling us this is a prayer of Moses, the man of God.
00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:44.400
This is the only psalm attributed to Moses.
00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:45.599
So it's interesting.
00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:51.120
We don't think of Moses as being writer of the Psalms, but this one chapter he is.
00:01:51.680 --> 00:02:01.599
And I personally, my personal thought is that Moses was one of the most impressive human beings who has ever walked the face of this earth.
00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:06.640
I mean, he lived an incredible life.
00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:09.120
He had a brilliant mind.
00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:15.919
He had this intense personal relationship with God, face to face with God.
00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:23.360
The Bible tells us that he lived to be 120 years old, and he came in three distinct periods of time.
00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:30.240
The first 40 years, he was raised and educated as a prince of Egypt and Pharaoh's household.
00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:38.159
The second 40 years, he was in exile in Midian, where he lived as a shepherd, married, and had children.
00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:46.080
And the last 40 years, he led Israel out of slavery into Egypt and through the wilderness to the edge of the promised land.
00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:59.199
And what it's what he does in those last 40 years that causes me personally to consider Moses to be the best example of a great pastor.
00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:11.840
Because as you look at his relationship with Israel and leading them through all they went through, that is the journey of a pastor and congregation, like nothing else I see in the Bible.
00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:17.120
Here in Psalms 90, Moses is going to talk about the brevity of life.
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:19.439
Turn to somebody and say, life is brief.
00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:20.400
Tell them that right now.
00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:31.680
Some Bible scholars think that Moses was reflecting specifically on the period of his life that's recorded in Numbers chapter 20.
00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.639
This is after the death of his sister Miriam.
00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:49.439
Moses had been rebuked by God for his disobedience when he struck the rock in the wilderness instead of speaking to it, resulting in God telling him, okay, now you don't get to personally go into the promised land.
00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:51.840
It was a harsh consequence.
00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:59.520
And also after the death of his brother Aaron, who, by the way, was more than a brother, it was his co-leader.
00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:10.000
And I'm telling you, recently I experienced the death of one of my staff members, Paul Didier, who I loved so dearly.
00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:20.639
We worked together for many years, and uh last November he found out that he had a glioblastoma brain tumor, and by January he was gone.
00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:25.040
And uh I'm still kind of dealing with that.
00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:33.360
You know, and it takes time with people that you have shared life with in that kind of a way.
00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:38.720
And all these things were percolating in his mind when he writes this chapter.
00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:49.360
So Psalm 90 is Moses sharing the perspective of a mature man who's experienced a whole lot of life.
00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:55.759
And he's seen for himself the awesome power and holiness of God.
00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:00.399
He was part of Israel's miraculous deliverance out of Egypt.
00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:10.000
He saw for himself with his own eyes the parting of the Red Sea, God's provision of manna and water from a rock in the wilderness.
00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:14.560
He had personally been given by God the Ten Commandments.
00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:19.839
He witnessed God's righteous judgment of Israel's sin and rebellion.
00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:31.040
And he also had experienced personal loss at the death of his loved ones, and been humbled for his own human failure.
00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:37.279
He knows at this season that his life will soon be coming to an end.
00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:43.839
And it's out of all that life experience that he writes this chapter.
00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:50.480
So follow along with me as I read the first 12 verses of Roman, or excuse me, Psalms 90.
00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:54.399
Lord, through all generations, you have been our home.
00:05:54.800 --> 00:06:02.639
Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from the beginning to end, you are God.
00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:08.319
You turn people back to dust, saying, Return to dust, you mortals.
00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:15.120
For you a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.
00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:18.480
You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:21.439
They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:27.040
In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:29.279
We wither beyond beneath your anger.
00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:31.600
We are overwhelmed by your fury.
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:38.000
You spread out your sins, our sins before you, our secret sins, and you see them all.
00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:42.720
We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan.
00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.600
Seventy years are given to us.
00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.839
Some even live to eighty.
00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:52.079
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble.
00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:55.279
Soon they disappear and we fly away.
00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:59.439
Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:03.279
Your wrath is awesome as the fear you deserve.
00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:14.879
Teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom.
00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:16.959
Wow.
00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:20.639
Moses isn't pulling any punches.
00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:23.040
He calls it like he sees it.
00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.959
He's lived a lot of life.
00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:27.439
Some of you understand this.
00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:31.360
You've seen a lot, you've experienced a lot.
00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:34.560
You know that life can be tough.
00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:41.680
Moses knows that God is eternal, but man's life on earth is temporary.
00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:44.879
Life on earth is dangerous.
00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:48.240
And you're lucky if you live to 70.
00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:54.480
And you may get another decade or so if you really take care of yourself.
00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:59.759
But as humans, we all have sinned.
00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:02.000
And we all have an appointment with death.
00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:07.439
It's not being particularly, you know, uh negative, it's just reality.
00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:12.480
And we come to the point where we understand this.
00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:19.519
God may not pay at the end of every day, but in the end, he pays.
00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:23.519
Both for good and for evil.
00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:29.839
So Moses encourages us to number our days that we might grow in wisdom.
00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:41.279
I know a lot of you have a great deal of wisdom in your life, and I pray that as we spend time contemplating this today, that that wisdom would grow even more.
00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:53.440
This whole idea of measuring our days is hitting me a little bit harder right now because I just this last few days turned three score and ten.
00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:58.080
Which is how the King James Version says 70.
00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:00.000
Just turn 70.
00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:04.720
And it's not at all that I'm afraid of dying.
00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:09.360
I am so grateful for every day that God has given me.
00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:12.240
I'm just not real excited about being old.
00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:14.080
Anyone else relate to that?
00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:16.960
I've watched the process.
00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:25.840
But the truth is, every one of our lives is a series of transitions, right?
00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:33.039
Successful life often comes down to how well you handle all those transitions.
00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:38.000
For example, you know, when I when I was in grade school, it was great.
00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:40.960
My teachers loved me.
00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:46.240
I was the star of all the school plays.
00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:49.440
And captain of the safety patrol.
00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:51.519
It was great.
00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:54.080
And then I got to junior high.
00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:58.080
And all the rules changed.
00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:02.399
It was no longer about impressing the teachers.
00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:07.360
All of a sudden, it's all about how you get along with your peers.
00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:10.559
And no one had prepared me for that.
00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:15.919
Well, the truth is this life is full of transitions, right?
00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:27.120
Where we find ourselves in unknown territory and we have to find our way and find our tribe and build strong alliances and vote the right people off the island.
00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:28.879
Well, maybe that's survivor.
00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:31.039
But you know what I mean?
00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.519
Life's kind of like that.
00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:42.159
Dealing with change is the essence of life, and you can't waste your time fighting all those changing tides.
00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:47.039
You have to learn how to ride the waves through the changing seasons of life.
00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:49.440
I am so grateful for the Word of God.
00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:54.159
It has been my guide through all those transitions of life.
00:10:54.399 --> 00:11:02.799
And I just continue to find new application in these ancient stories and truths, principles that keep me on course.
00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:08.240
And help me not to freak out every time there is some kind of new change.
00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:11.200
Because, listen, we're not dead yet.
00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:14.240
Turn to somebody and say, You're not dead yet.
00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.360
Tell them that.
00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.759
You know what that means?
00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:25.279
What that means is God still has a purpose for you here on earth.
00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:29.840
And it's important for us to remember that.
00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.639
Numbering our days teaches us many things.
00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:36.960
I'm going to share three important principles that I have learned in my 70 years.
00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:42.000
Number one, influence is more effective than control.
00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.240
Influence is more effective than control.
00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:56.720
For those of us who are older, it can be disconcerting to realize that you're no longer in the most desirable demographic, which I believe is 18 to 35.
00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:59.360
Been a while, huh?
00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:00.000
You know?
00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:03.039
That's what the advertisers are focused on.
00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:08.639
That's what everybody really cares about because they're going to be around for a while, right?
00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:15.919
And you're at the point where you are no longer calling the shots like you used to.
00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:23.919
And everyone looks at you and goes, yeah, well, you're getting closer to your expiration date.
00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:33.519
You know, in the Bible, the apostle Peter was a natural leader.
00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:35.679
He was charismatic.
00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:37.919
He had this big personality.
00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:41.600
He was outspoken and not afraid to give his opinion.
00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:48.879
People naturally looked to him for leadership, both the disciples and the early church.
00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:56.799
But after his resurrection, Jesus gave Peter, this powerful man, some important insight about his later years.
00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:00.000
He says this to him in John 21, verse 18.
00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:02.320
I tell you the truth, Peter.
00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:05.200
When you were young, you were able to do as you liked.
00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:15.360
You dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go.
00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:38.320
In the last five years of his life, he got Alzheimer's.
00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:47.919
My dad did well with people in general, but you know, he got to that place where he'd start to repeat things.
00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:53.519
It was hard for me as his son to watch people kind of go, oh you know.
00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:58.399
And I could feel them discounting him.
00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:04.320
Something in me wanted to run up and say, no, you don't know.
00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:06.559
You don't know who this man really is.
00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.679
You don't know his godly nature.
00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:14.960
You don't know how he stood for his family, how he pastored a church with integrity.
00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:21.679
But it was the season of his life.
00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:33.440
The next verse tells us that Jesus was preparing Peter for the way that he was gonna die.
00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:37.200
Even though really Peter lived a pretty long life.
00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:44.960
But I think Jesus wanted Peter to know listen, Peter, life is gonna change for you.
00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:47.679
Especially as you get older.
00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:51.679
You're used to being large and in charge.
00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:56.000
You've always leaned on those strengths.
00:14:57.759 --> 00:15:00.799
Your greatest strength isn't what you think it is.
00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:10.879
A lot of us are figuring out what real strength in life is as we go through these transitions.
00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:14.159
This is an important lesson for all of us.
00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:20.320
We have to make peace with the fact that we're not always going to be in control the way we'd like to be.
00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:27.200
The truth is you were never really in control as much as you thought you were.
00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.639
But there's something even better than control.
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.399
Influence.
00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:37.919
Listen, control only works when you're present.
00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:38.879
You know what I'm saying?
00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:47.759
Those of you raising kids still, I know you just you just want to keep them on the straight and narrow, and parents can get so about control.
00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.799
But the minute you're not with them, what happens?
00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:59.200
Influence can last long after you're dead and gone.
00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:14.480
Godly people like Moses and Peter and other great men and women in the scriptures have more influence today, centuries after they were alive and have passed away.
00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:20.720
So in this season of our life, Amy Joe and I have a new appreciation for the power of influence.
00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:23.200
You know, we love being grandparents.
00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:35.039
And very every minute that we get to love on our grandkids, talk to them about Jesus, show them by our example what it means to be godly.
00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:44.159
I love that I have the opportunity to mentor and speak to young pastors and missionaries like the Morgans.
00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.919
And just share with them and encourage them.
00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:57.919
And pray that somehow I'll be able to influence them in a way that's going to help them to be all that God intends for them to be.
00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:06.720
Listen, we certainly won't have the same amount of control as grandparents that we had as parents.
00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:15.680
Or for myself, I don't have the same kind of control I had as a senior pastor over the course of turning point.
00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:22.720
But we have clearly seen the power of influence, and it's great.
00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:29.119
Realizing that we can't control things once we're dead and gone, but our influence can last for generations.
00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:35.039
Moses had a hard time controlling the Israelites and sometimes even himself during his lifetime.
00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:40.160
But his influence still affects billions of people living today.
00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:56.160
One of the great joys of my life is spending time with young pastors and missionaries and counseling, and I'm telling you, it's not about telling people what to do as much as it's just loving and listening.
00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:01.839
And if they ask, I will share with them some of my experiences and insights.
00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:08.160
Speak the truth.
00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:13.680
But everyone needs to know that somebody cares about them.
00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:22.799
Who has God putting your life to share with them that you love them?
00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.599
That you care about them.
00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:29.680
And maybe nudge them in the right direction.
00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:34.240
But to have any influence with others, you must remember this.
00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:38.799
People don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care.
00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:47.200
It's knowing that you care that opens their hearts to hear what you have to say.
00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:56.160
Having godly influence on other people is truly a lot like grandparenting.
00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:59.680
You show up for the special moments, right?
00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.680
You cheer them on.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:04.000
We were at soccer games yesterday.
00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:07.279
It's taking time to listen.
00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:13.920
It's helping them to always see the bigger picture.
00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:20.960
I imagine it was especially hard for the Apostle Peter as he got older because he couldn't do all the things he used to do.
00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:25.599
Realizing he was past his prime physically, and I get that.
00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:30.319
Worried about the direction that the world is going, I get that.
00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:37.039
Wondering whether the next generation would stay strong in their faith, and I get that too.
00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:42.799
But Peter's influence is even more powerful today than it was 2,000 years ago.
00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:50.799
And his stories about Jesus and the letters that he wrote are still speaking to people's lives today.
00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:55.920
And there are churches around the world that are named after Saint Peter, including St.
00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:59.680
Peter's Basilica in Rome, home of the Vatican.
00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:10.880
Still today, billions of Christians whose lives have been influenced by Peter can attest to the fact that man changed my life.
00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.319
So remember this.
00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:28.240
Whether or not you have the physical strength, the income, the position, or authority that some other people might still have, if you're willing to love, to listen, and share honestly, you have something much more powerful.
00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.519
Godly influence.
00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.640
Can you say amen?
00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:39.599
Here's the second principle: there is great value in your life story.
00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:43.680
Don't share it too quickly.
00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:47.759
But there's great value in it.
00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:53.920
And truly, what is more valuable is what people see than what you tell them.
00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:56.319
They need to see it in your life.
00:20:56.720 --> 00:21:05.759
The legacy of the Apostle Paul was as much about his personal life and testimony as it was about those wonderful books about theology.
00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:16.640
Good theology is so vitally important, but people need to see how theology plays out in real life.
00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:24.960
And Paul wasn't afraid to share the good and the bad and the ugly of his own spiritual journey.
00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:31.440
He was authentic, he was transparent, and that makes his life and story so relatable.
00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:33.680
It says this in 2 Corinthians chapter 4.
00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:38.640
Paul writes, we are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:41.359
We are perplexed but not driven to despair.
00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:44.319
We are hunted down but never abandoned by God.
00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:47.039
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:55.359
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.759
Paul is saying, listen, yes, life can be really tough.
00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:04.880
But this isn't our first rodeo.
00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:09.039
I've done tough times before.
00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:13.039
And God has proven himself to be faithful.
00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:22.319
God does great stuff through tough times.
00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.720
So why would I doubt him now?
00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:36.319
That is also the testimony of my life.
00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:41.680
We've been through some really tough times.
00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:45.519
Losing our son at seventeen.
00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:50.960
Dealing with aging, ailing parents.
00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:56.480
Pastoring a church, which is great.
00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.720
But it can be tough.
00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:05.519
And going through different experiences, I'm telling you.
00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:13.039
The greatest sermon I've ever preached.
00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:29.440
My life spoke more loudly than my words.
00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:39.200
Friends, I want to tell you, you will never in this lifetime be immune from pain and suffering.
00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.880
It still hurts.
00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:48.960
But your life experience helps you to see there's a bigger picture.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.839
It's bigger than me.
00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:55.920
It's bigger than the pain I'm feeling in this moment.
00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:59.839
It also gives you empathy for others.
00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:07.920
You know, I've always felt like I've been an empathetic person, and I especially cared about people who are dealing with chronic pain.
00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:10.559
I hate that for anybody.
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:26.319
But my empathy reached an entirely new level after I was hit by a car riding my bike, broke all the bones and the side of my body, and I had a bad concussion, and then I had a brain bleed and a pulmonary embolism in my lung.
00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:29.920
And you know, the recovery was painful and long.
00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:40.480
But when I see somebody and I see them moving in that way, my heart just instantly goes out to them.
00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:47.359
And God has used it to make me a more compassionate man.
00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:55.680
That life experience also helps you to not freak out every time something goes wrong.
00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.759
And something's always gonna go wrong, right?
00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.839
You live long enough to figure that out?
00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.599
How many remember Y2K?
00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.039
Remember that?
00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:08.640
Oh my goodness, the world was gonna come to an end, right?
00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:19.759
You know, we thought on January 1st, 2000, the computers were all gonna lock up and the whole world was gonna be a mess, and we were scared to death.
00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:26.000
So people were hoarding food and fuel and cash, preparing for the worst.
00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:28.160
Turned out to be what?
00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:30.400
No big deal.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:32.000
Thankfully.
00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:36.079
But it felt like a real threat at the time.
00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.000
It would have been foolish to ignore.
00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:45.680
I remember I was pastoring, and so my godly board, you know, we sat down, we said, okay, you know, here's the threat.
00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.000
What's reasonable?
00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.720
We're people of faith.
00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:57.519
What would be reasonable for us to do just to help our church family if there's some kind of problem?
00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.839
And that's what we did.
00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.920
Don't regret it.
00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:09.200
This world always seems to be dancing on the edge of some new catastrophe, right?
00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:13.920
Could this conflict end in another great world war?
00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:17.759
How is this economy gonna affect my 401k?
00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.519
Anybody else worry about that?
00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:24.079
How does this all fit into Bible prophecy?
00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:26.720
Everybody's on edge.
00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:32.160
But stop, remember, listen, this isn't our first rodeo, folks.
00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:40.720
The family of God, the church throughout history has faced all this and more before.
00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:45.519
Paul's life experience prompted him to encourage the Roman believers with these words.
00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:48.319
Romans chapter 8, beginning with verse 38.
00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:57.759
And I am convinced, through life experience, I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:10.880
Neither death nor life nor angels or demons, neither our fears for today or our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.
00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:14.640
No power in the sky above or in the earth below.
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:25.359
Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.880
Can you say amen?
00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:32.400
Never lose sight of God's love and God's faithfulness.
00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:35.759
Never forget the lessons that God has taught you.
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:44.559
Whether it was through a success or a failure in your past, use those lessons and encourage your faith.
00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:48.000
Here's the third and last principle I want to talk about today.
00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:53.440
Number three, be careful how you plan your future.
00:27:54.559 --> 00:28:00.799
Whether you're 20 years old or whether you're 80 years old, be careful how you plan your future.
00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.680
Because God already has a plan.
00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:15.920
He created us, and he offers us the opportunity to be part of his redemptive purpose.
00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:28.799
Naturally, during our short time on earth, we all make our own plans for our career, for our relationships and our families, for our money, for achieving happiness.
00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:31.920
Listen, there's nothing wrong with having plans, right?
00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.319
Say amen if you believe it.
00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:37.440
Nothing wrong with making plans.
00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:45.920
But ultimately, lasting success is about a whole lot more than our plans.
00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:56.799
It's about how we further God's plans, how we become part of serving his redemptive purpose in this world.
00:28:57.039 --> 00:29:00.799
That's what makes for success in eternity.
00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:06.559
I'm so deeply impressed every time I read through the stories of the Old Testament prophets.
00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.720
These guys were crazy.
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I mean, they were willing to do so much for God.
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They endured so much.
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They were incredible.
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They faithfully spoke the word of God at great personal cost.
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They were ignored.
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They were ridiculed.
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They were persecuted.
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And many of them were martyred.
00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:31.119
Prophet Isaiah had a long prophetic ministry.
00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:36.400
Isaiah was honest with the Lord about his feelings in Isaiah 49, verse 4.
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He tells God, but my work seems so useless.
00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:42.319
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
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Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hands.
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I will trust God for my reward.
00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:50.000
Those are powerful words.
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Those are powerful words.
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He's saying, it doesn't feel like I'm even making a difference right now.
00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:02.960
I preach and I preach, but I'm not seeing change.
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People hate me because I'm not saying what they want to hear.
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But Lord, you're the one that measures true success.
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And regardless of how things feel in the moment, it's your approval that really matters.
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You know what helps me personally to remember what really matters in life?
00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:32.400
Funerals! I go to a lot of them.
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I preach a lot of them.
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And here's what you realize at funerals.
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We all want to be liked.
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We all want people to remember us kindly.
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We all want to feel like our life was successful.
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But they also remind us that most of the stuff we focus on in life isn't what really matters.
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That's why I encourage you to go to funerals.
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It's nice for the family, but it's good for you.
00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:10.799
Paul gives us some great insight.
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1 Corinthians chapter 3, verses 13 to 15.
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But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.
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Each one of us is a builder.
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Our life is building something.
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The fire will show if a person's work has any value.
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If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.
00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:34.000
But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss.
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The builder will be saved, but like somebody barely escaping through a wall of flames.
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Listen, God loves you.
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He really does.
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It may not feel like it at every moment.
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But he loves you and he cares about every aspect of your lives.
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Listen to me, friends.
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What really matters for eternity isn't how well we achieved all of our plans.
00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:13.759
What really matters for eternity is how well we served God's plans.
00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:18.079
That's the only thing that truly lasts.
00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:19.920
Here's my conclusion.
00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:25.680
Getting older and being more aware of our own mortality is a gift.
00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:29.119
Hear the words of this 70-year-old?
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Getting older, becoming more aware of my mortality, it's a gift.
00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:42.319
Because it helps me to focus on what really matters.
00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:54.799
And here's the best news God takes everything that we invest in his kingdom and he multiplies it with compound interest.
00:32:56.480 --> 00:33:00.880
It's like the boy in the Bible who gave his loaves and fishes to Jesus.
00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:08.400
It wasn't much, but it is amazing how he multiplied it when he gave it to him.
00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:16.640
True success isn't about how much you achieve in this life, it's about how much you put into the hands of Jesus.
00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:20.000
That's something you can do at any age.
00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:28.559
As long as you're still breathing, you have an opportunity today to invest in eternity.
00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:34.000
So listen again to the powerful prayer of Pastor Moses, whom I love.
00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:43.839
He says, teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom.
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Bow your head with me, will you?
00:33:49.680 --> 00:34:06.319
God, I pray that you would help every person in this room to realize that you could not love them any more than you love them right in this moment.
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Lord, despite their doubts, despite whatever sin they might be harboring in their heart.
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For anyone here today who has felt far from you and felt like maybe you just wanted to beat them over the head, I pray, Lord, today, but a vision of their mind of Jesus dying on that cross, stretching out his arms and saying, I love you this much.
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Remind them right now that you died on that cross for them.
00:34:51.519 --> 00:35:00.000
And Lord, I pray that wherever they are in their life right now, let every one of us run closer to you.
00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:12.159
Lord, if we need forgiveness, Lord, may that repentant heart wash by what you did with your blood, wash us clean.
00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:14.559
Give us a fresh start.
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Lord, I pray for anyone who might be struggling, Lord, as life has marched on and they're dealing with a specific challenge right now.
00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:34.320
Lord, whether it's in a relationship, whether it's with their health, whether it's with fears and anxiety, Lord Jesus, I pray, touch them.
00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:37.199
Let them feel your presence.
00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:43.119
Father, may we always remember that this is the short life.
00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:46.079
It's the next one that's the long one.
00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:52.000
And Lord, make us willing to be ready for it with every fiber of our being.
00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:57.760
Teach us the brevity of life and draw us close to yourself.
00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.760
In Jesus' name we pray.
00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:02.400
And everyone said, Amen.
00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:06.960
This morning you made a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ.
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Would you do me a favor?
00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.679
It's great.
00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:11.119
A lot of times we need to do that.
00:36:11.440 --> 00:36:15.280
Maybe every Sunday we come to church, we need to make a fresh commitment to Jesus.
00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:21.840
But if you made a fresh commitment to Christ today in any way, would you just make sure that you confess it with your mouth to somebody?
00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:22.800
Say, you know what?
00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:24.880
The Lord spoke to me today.
00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:32.480
You can give them as much details as you want to, but confess with your mouth what the Lord has spoken to you.
00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:33.920
Stand to your feet, will you?
00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:37.599
Would you give about 10 people a hug and tell them you love them?
00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:41.360
And I am praying that you have the best week ever.
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God bless you.
00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.440
Enjoy the great weather.
