The Christian's Daily Battles — Romans 13-14

0:00 Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. What a what a blessing to be part of, Westlake.

0:06 My wife and I, when we were deciding if we should move to Ohio or not, this was one of the main reasons we did move over here because of Westlake Bible Fellowship, and I'm so proud to be part of this local assembly and I praise god, for everyone of you. One thing that I've been practicing lately, I was telling, brother Will is that, I I got the the church directory and I'm going through everybody's name and I and I'm praying for you. So I'm not disciplined enough to where I'm praying for you every day of the week, but I'm like four or five days a week now. Everybody's getting prayed for. And so, I just want you to know that.

0:44 You're getting prayed for during the week, and, you're in my mind, and, we're we're God's people. Right? And and, what a blessing to be part of a family. And and oh by the way, a quick one on the on the marriage conference. We have about three so far three non believing couples that are coming and so we need to be in prayer for that.

1:09 Also, the the the the marriage conference is not always just about, I have a trouble with marriage or whatever, but it's sometimes it's just about fellowship. You know? You come and we hang out together, and we we hear the word of God together, and we fellowship just like to be together. That's part of the the Christian... The the point of being a part of the body of Christ.

1:30 Amen? Right? So it's not like, well, don't wanna go because it's about marriage. I don't have any... Or I don't wanna deal with it.

1:36 It's not just that. Right? But praise god that when we come, we get blessed because his word is being opened up and we're getting taught. Right? Amen?

1:45 Yes. Okay. So, by the way, keep inviting. You have till Thursday evening. So, keep on inviting.

1:52 So far, we have 30 couples coming, and we still have a few nonbelieving couples pending that might still come. So we're excited about that. So be in prayer and keep thinking about that. Okay. Open your Bibles to first Peter chapter two.

2:12 First Peter chapter two, the... Oh, by the way, I used to get really upset with the cold weather and and with this, you know, snow and all that, but I don't anymore. I don't anymore. It it used to really bother me. My bones would hurt, and that doesn't happen anymore.

2:31 But what what really changed my heart was I was reading to the Psalms and the Psalms says that the Lord brings the snow. And I was like, okay, Lord. If you bring the snow, I need to stop complaining about it. Right? And amen?

2:42 And so so I did. I I'm like, thank you, Lord. What a wonderful day. What a wonderful day. This the Lord, the day the Lord has made, right?

2:50 And we will rejoice in it. Alright. So everybody's kinda sluggish. It's winter. It's COVID tired of it.

2:57 But come on, let's rejoice in Jesus and let's see what he has for us in his word. Alright? So first Peter chapter two and verse 11, we're gonna go 11 through 17. Now, this is what I called the the Christian's daily battles, and we're gonna look at four different issues that we deal with. But let's read the text first, And and what I'm gonna do is when I get to one of the battles, I'm gonna say there's one because there's only four.

3:22 Alright? So verse 11. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshy lust which wage war against the soul. So there's your first one. Right?

3:36 We're supposed to abstain because we're in this war. Alright? That that's against our soul, against fleshly lust. That's number one. The second battle, number two, keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles.

3:49 Verse 12. So that in the thing which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit, there's the third one, submit yourself for the Lord's sake to every human institution. Whether to a king, as to one authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right, you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

4:40 So love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Alright? Father, for the glory of Jesus, Holy Spirit, guide us, we pray in your name.

4:51 Amen. Amen. Many years ago, in fact, twenty five years ago, Laura and I along with a member... A group of people from the Spanish assembly where I was commended in Houston, we went to Mexico to do mission trip. When we're in Mexico City, because of the the size of the city, on on certain days, everybody who has license plates with even numbers can drive into the city, and on the next day, people with odd numbers on their plates can go into the city.

5:24 Right? So what we did was in order to avoid an issue, we called the city. What is today's license plate? They said today's even number. We looked at the plate in our van, it and was even number.

5:35 So we said, okay. We're safe. We can go into town. So we commenced to go into town, and as soon as we get into town and and the police who are not honest saw that it said Texas on there. Forget even our odd numbers, they pulled us over.

5:50 Right? And so, yeah, even though everybody in that van, we were all Latins from Houston, we're... A lot of them were born in Mexico. Every one of us spoke Spanish and knew the language and the culture, but we were American citizens. Right?

6:05 So we get in there, and we're driving there, and they pulled us over, and they said, we're not gonna give you a van back unless you give us a $100 each. We're like we're like, how much? That's twenty five years ago, mind you. A $100 each? We're like, there's no way.

6:19 And we we start to go back and forth haggling with the police. And so an hour later, another police comes in, another one, and they're all ganging up on us. You got to give us a $100. We said, we're not doing it. We'll here all day if we need to.

6:32 So I said, here's what we're going do. They said, we're going take away your van. Like, wow. And so they did. We had a couple of babies in hand.

6:38 They didn't care. They left us right there in the street, they took our van. We're like, wow. And so, we were in a in a foreign country where we had no rights. They didn't care if you're an American citizen or not.

6:53 You understand what I'm saying? And so notice how the text start. The text starts very clearly, beloved, I urge you as alien and strangers. Oh, by the way, you know what I was thinking about? What is the name of that big famous movie with a guy with a long finger?

7:09 Remember? ET. That's right. Remember that? Yeah.

7:12 AB remembers ET, right, with a long finger? Alright. So what is the point if if if an alien were to come right now and land right here, and and he looked just like one of us and spoke just like us, we would say, well, that's not an alien. The whole point of an alien is that he looks what? Wow.

7:33 He looks different. Right? And so how do we know ET was an alien? Because he was weird looking, had a big old long finger and can, you know, it was different. Right?

7:41 Okay. So notice the appeal. This is the third time in first Peter that he appeals to the fact that we're aliens. Alright. So he's trying to push this point.

7:50 You're not from this earth. This earth is different. You're supposed to be different. And so, I'm I'm urging you as an alien and a stranger. Alright.

8:02 So what are we supposed to do? Number one, our first big huge battle. Alright? Is what? To abstain from fleshly lust.

8:11 Alright. Before we do that, there's a guy named Dignetus. I think I pronounced it right. It's d I o g n e t u s, and he lived in the second century and this guy was really one of the first apologists. What he did was he wrote a letter to the Roman government defending the Christians.

8:33 Alright? Now, this is what he said about Christians and so just listen to what he said. They dwell in their own countries, Christians, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country and every land of their birth as a land of strangers.

9:00 They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They are reviled and yet they bless. Wow. So, that's what he wrote to the governors of Rome to defend the Christians.

9:20 I was convicted just by hearing that like, wow. Is is that true of my life? Alright. So, so god said, I saved you and I send you to this Earth. So the Lord has us here now in this earth, as strangers.

9:35 You're always gonna feel weird and odd in this earth and sometimes lonely and marginalized. And if that's not true, then maybe you're not an alien or a stranger. Right? That's part of it. That's part of the package.

9:47 Now when he sends us to the earth, or or keeps us here that is doesn't take us away, but he leaves us here once he saves us. We become citizens of heaven. Then the very first thing he says is this, you're gonna abstain from what? Everybody say it from what? From fleshly lust.

10:04 Alright. So what defines our world? What defines this world? It's obvious, isn't it? Fleshly lust.

10:13 Everything they do everything they do is is about getting something. Right? Greed and and lusting and wanting more, and that's all that drives them. That the... That that is what they were...

10:25 If you were the the the driving point of anyone who doesn't know the Lord is just lust. What are you living for? Well, I want more. I want more money. I want more house.

10:35 I want a bigger car. I want better. More and more and more, and that's how they live for. That's what drives them. Right?

10:42 The the lust. Okay? And so notice what we're supposed to do. We're supposed to abstain from from this attitude. So let me make a quick note here.

10:51 It's not just sexual sin. It's overindulgence in food or drink. It's catering to the body. It's greed. It's hankering for worldly pleasures.

11:01 All of this stuff is implied in the text. Abstain from fleshly lust. Now now no no, please don't miss this and if I were you underlined it in in in your bible, highlight it. Alright? Notice what it says.

11:35 Alright? Now what it means is to carry out a long term military campaign, a relentless malicious aggression. And so this fleshly lust is is is is has declared war against you as a believer. How about that? So you're in a war whether you knew it or not.

11:59 The the fleshly lust is fighting against you. Listen to the way John MacArthur explains it. Fleshly lust are personified as if they are an army of rebels or guerrillas who incessantly search out and try to destroy the Christian's joy, peace, and usefulness. Wow. So it's guerrilla warfare.

12:19 That's what he's saying. This fleshly lust is waging a war against your soul. It's trying to destroy you. And so you know that the the guerrilla warfare is what helped The US beat the the British. Right?

12:29 So back then, warfare was they would march in their in their straight lines, and they would face the next... The enemy and go right at each other. And the Americans said, we're never gonna win that war. And so they learned from the Indians to do guerrilla warfare, and guess what? It worked.

12:46 It's very dangerous, and and it's hard to combat. That... That's that's why ISIS is so hard to defeat. That's what they're in, guerrilla warfare. And the Taliban and all of those terrorists, that's what they employ.

13:00 So we have to constantly beware of the enemy because he could attack at any moment. Right now, having said that, I want to take a little pause and go with me to Genesis real quick, chapter four and verse seven. Go to Genesis four seven, and I'm gonna try to draw out more of this idea of this battle that we're in. So it's guerrilla warfare and it's against our soul. This fleshly lust, this desire to make us lust and and pull away from god.

13:35 Look at Genesis four and verse seven. Now, you you know that Cain was really angry at god because god didn't accept his his offering And so when when you're not right with God, it shows up in your face. Do you know that? When somebody is rebellious, you can almost tell just by their their body posture, their facial expressions, their their lack of joy and excitement about God's things. And so he was angry.

14:04 In verse six, then the Lord said to king, why are you angry? And why has your continents, your your features, your face fallen? If you do well, will you not your continents be lifted up? So if you're right, isn't it shown? Isn't it expressed in your body language, in your face?

14:24 And if you do not do well... Now listen, sin is crouching at the door and its desires for you, but you must master it. Wow. What what what tremendous truth god reveals to us in this text. If you do if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door and its desire is for you, but you must master it.

14:48 Sin is ever present and always available. It's always inviting. It's wide open. It is an easy entrance. There's no charge, but the cost is devastating.

15:01 Noticing that says that sin is crouching. So it's like into the idea of a leopard when it crouches up and it creeps up to its prey unnoticed, then suddenly it catches the victim by surprise. The animal never saw the leopard coming or would have fled. Sin is sneaky. It's deceitful.

15:23 It's alluring. It's press... It presents itself in such a subtle way that by the time you realize it, you're caught. But notice that it says sin also desires you. Its goal is to draw you with a great illusion of pleasure, fulfill desires, unimaginable passion, power, and satisfaction.

15:45 However, God warned. What did he say? You must master it. You must subdue it. Conquer its relentless invitation.

15:54 The door of sin has terrible consequences. It promises the world and freedom and passion, yet it's really a prison. It produces bad habits and addictions and many sorrows. Don't walk through that door. I go back then to first Peter.

16:47 With with all of their defense and all of their carefulness, and that's the way it is in the Christian walk in this battle that we have, and notice it's against my soul. And it's a tremendous battle, and I've often failed. But the Lord says, get up and keep fighting. It was just a wound. Get up and keep going.

17:10 Amen? Alright. So secondly, he says, here's a second thing you have to be aware of. Not only are you... Is there a war against your soul, it's guerrilla warfare, but secondly, keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles.

17:25 Now you know that. Whenever you see this expression Gentiles, it's unbelievers, the non saved. Right? So that in the things in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good on your good deeds as they observe them, glorify god in the day of visitation. Now, you you know that your neighbors are are are looking at you.

17:50 Right? Soon as they know you're a Christian. Now, I'm pretty positive all of you already have gone to your neighbors and you gave them an invitation, right? To the marriage conference or or or or you gave them a track, right? Are you invited them to VBS?

18:05 Right? And so, all of sudden, they all know you're a Christian. Alright, so two of my neighbors were were talking right next to the the driveway next to me and and and when I came in in that park, they said, hey, Ray, come here. You're you're a Christian. Aren't you a preacher?

18:21 This guy wants to have some questions about the Muslim faith. Talk to him. You're the Christian? And I go, they... See, they know, and they observe.

18:31 And they're watching. I know that my neighbor across the street is always peeking. Every time I'm outside, he sees me and, like, I see you. I see you. So they're observing our behavior, but isn't it true at work as well?

18:44 Yeah. Yeah. I'm a Christian. Oh, yeah? They're gonna start watching.

18:48 The first thing... This one lady I I I I witnessed to, the first thing she says is, yeah. Yeah. All of... Everybody says that Chris is always such hypocrite.

18:56 They say one thing and they do another. And I'm like, oh my goodness. And guess what she's been doing ever since then? She's doing this number, watching everything I do. And like, oh, man.

19:08 I shouldn't have said anything. No. But but... So they slander, but they observe your behavior. Notice the text.

19:15 They observe your... So so your your personal witness has an impact. Now, check out the what the text says. So, and that was a slammed may account, may on account of your good deeds as they observe them, glorify god in the day of visitation. Now, this is an interesting expression here.

19:38 So, basically, what it, we could take it in two ways and I think this is the the best way to view this this expression, the day of visitation. Anytime the lord draws near either in grace or judgement. So, what does that mean? That means your neighbor is watching you, or or your workmate, or your parents, or whoever's not saved, they're checking you out, and then suddenly, they get saved. So what happened?

20:05 The Lord visited. It was a day of grace. The day of visitation suddenly is like, I see it now because I see what they've been telling me all these years. It's real. And they get saved.

20:15 They come to Christ. Have you ever witnessed that? I've had relatives get saved that way. As they kept watching, observing the behavior, the lord visited them in grace, and they were able to see Jesus Christ and, through through the testimony. But it's also true that the day of visitation is the day of judgment when someone dies without having turned to Christ, the Lord can say, I had my servant who was living before you the life of Christ, and you refused to believe.

20:46 And so that to them, the day of visitation is the day of judgement. And so both are true in this expression. It's a day of grace or the day of when god visits. When god visits and he does visit. Amen?

21:00 Yes, he does. He visits. And so notice what they're gonna do when they stand before God. On account of your good deeds, as they observe them, they're gonna glorify God. They're gonna glorify God.

21:17 They're gonna have to say, you know what, God? I glorify you. You're gonna judge me now eternally, but I can't... But glorify it because you had your people there, and I observed them, and I should have repented. Or I glorify you god because of their testimony.

21:33 You reached me out and grace you saved me and now I belong to you. And so either way, god gets glorified. Amen? Yes. So then we turn to the third one.

21:55 So I remember one time grandma came in, would you do this for me because I'm your grandmother? So this is not a grandma plea, or I'm gonna give you a cookie if you do it. Submit yourself for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. So we know by looking at other texts in the bible that God established government. And by the way, before you complain and protest and burn flags or do anything like that, go visit another country and then come back and and complain.

22:39 I'm telling you, you won't complain. Right? We we are so blessed to be in The US. Right? Now all my life when I was young, would always go to Mexico to visit my grandparents and my uncles, and we were in Mexico.

22:50 But I tell you what, after three weeks, I couldn't wait to get back. You know? Their food's better. Their highways are better. Their car...

22:57 Everything's better. And, like, I'm... We're so blessed to be part of The US. But here's the greatest thing is, when when my dad decided to come to US, in Houston, someone witnessed to him, and that's where he got saved. And so we just praise God for the fact that somehow he didn't wanna live in Mexico.

23:15 He wanted to come to US, and and he got saved there. And so we're so glad that he crossed the river. He got legal after that, by the way. Alright. So now he obeys the government.

23:26 Yes. He got he got all his papers correctly. Alright. So so by doing right, you silence the ignorance of the foolish. Alright.

23:34 Now, someone someone came and said to me, alright, since we're now citizens of heaven, Philippians three, and right here, it says we're we're strangers and all that. Do we have to pay taxes? I'm like, come on, are you for real? You know? Yes.

23:48 You have to pay taxes. Go read Romans 13. And so... But but but we're citizens of heaven. It's like, listen, that's the worst testimony you can have.

23:59 Is that you don't pay your taxes and and you're you're breaking fundamental rules of the government. That's a terrible testimony. And there's some ministries now that are in trouble with god. I mean, with god... No.

24:11 But with god too, but with the government because they haven't paid their taxes. And so everything they've accomplished, quote, quote, for god has gone down the drain because they're they're like $2,030,000 in, you know, in debt for not paying taxes. And they try to claim some... But we're citizens of heaven. Oh, come on, people.

24:30 You you know that's not a good way of looking at the bible. Looking at it correctly is we're responsible to to obey the government and to obey the laws to obey the laws. Right? So if you go and you speed and you get a ticket, you can start yelling and all that. If if you know you're speeding, go ahead and pay it.

24:49 Now you can try to get away with it if you can and you're right and do whatever. Right? And so... But but but at the end of the day, if you had to pay it, pay it. Right?

24:58 That's what god expects us to do. Alright? If you broke the rule, you broke it, go ahead and and do the right thing. Alright? So so government, the kings are they're established by god.

25:10 Whether you like em or not. Alright? Now you know all the terrible rulers during the time the bible is being written. Those guys were wicked. They were really bad.

25:21 And so we really should be, grateful for for the the government that we have and being under this democratic system. You... We're we're blessed people, we really are. But notice though, verse 15, such is the will of God that by doing right, you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Men are gonna always accuse you.

25:41 They're gonna say wrong things, but your behavior should be to the point where, go ahead and say that, but at the end of the day, you're gonna keep observing and you're gonna see that that there there's no basis to to your foolish accusations. And, again, the lord gets glorified, by our behavior. This is god's will that we do that, that we always do the right thing, that we always do the right thing. That doesn't mean... That means that if if some doctors is doing abortion as much as we hate it, we don't go and shoot them.

26:15 That's not the right thing to do. So you're gonna you're gonna do a... You're gonna commit one sin to justify another sin? You're murdering, so I'm gonna murder you? That...

26:27 That's that's doing the eye for an eye principle. That's not from God, people. So we don't do that. You're an abortionist. I'm gonna beat you.

26:34 Or or or you're living a lifestyle that... That's not correct, And so I'm gonna beat you. No. We don't we don't go there. That's not from God.

27:01 What what a powerful verse. Right? So you are free as a believer from sin and eternal condemnation. We are free in Christ. Amen?

27:10 Are you? Alright. So so what he's saying is, now, that that doesn't mean that you're free to keep... To do whatever you feel like doing. Let me quote Vernon McGee on this one.

27:23 We are not free to sin, but rather to say no to sin. We are free from its power and its control. That's a good way of looking at it. Galatians five thirteen puts it this way, you are called to freedom, brethren, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh. But through love, serve one another.

27:47 Through love, serve one another. And so we have freedom in Christ and we have freedom, but sometimes you have to realize that there's a lot of things I can do as a believer, but I don't think that doing that is going to bless anybody. In fact, they might stumble a Christian. Consequently, my freedom in Christ does not allow me to go there because I don't wanna be a stumbling block, but I wanna be a blessing. And so you...

28:19 Let let me... I'll I'll give you an example. Maybe I've given it before, but I'm gonna do it again. Where this guy gets saved, and he got saved from from a lifestyle of drinking. The Lord saved him.

28:29 So we got together at this guy that was Argentinian, and the Argentinians have Italian background, and so they... It's very customary for them to have wine with their food. No big deal. And they don't get drunk, they just have a little wine with their food. This guy...

28:45 We were meeting at his house for discipleship of a group of new believers. This guy came into the house, and he saw the wine, he started to shake. He goes, Ray Ray, you can't put that in front of me. I just got saved from that. I'm gonna go right back to it, please.

29:00 And so I told the the the brother, hey, listen. I know that it's your culture, and and it's no big deal, but in this case, for the sake of the brother, would you put that up? And he right away, he put it up, but he never saw it again. He had freedom to do it, but he knew that it was gonna cause this guy to stumble. And we never again showed it to him, and he's going up for the Lord right now.

29:22 Amen. Praise God. Right? Okay. So that's what this is saying.

29:26 Yes. You have freedom in Christ. You can do a lot of things, but is it gonna end up stumbling somebody? Don't use it as a covering for evil. And sometimes we just wanna do wrong.

29:38 And we're like, well, I got freedom, so so it's okay. So covering means of masking to veil something, right, to to to avail disobedience. Don't do that. But notice what it says, but use it as bond slaves of god. So, here's the approach if I understand this correctly that we should have.

29:59 God, I was lost in sin. I deserve eternal punishment. You save me by grace. It was just the gift of god. Now, you set me free from sin and and I'm free to live without being a slave to it anymore but now, I'm your bond slave.

30:16 Now, now, I submit myself as your slave and of course, god is not a slave driver. He doesn't make you a slave. He frees you and he gives you joy and peace. Amen? That's what god does.

30:29 So, but god and all the apostles noticed that they all refer to themselves as bond slaves of Jesus. Bond slaves of god. So, god, I voluntarily present myself as your bond slave to live your life that you want me to live. So again, MacArthur, their freedom has delivered them from bondage of serving sin into the privilege of being slaves to righteousness. Okay.

31:05 Number one, abstain from fleshly lust. We're in this tremendous battle, and it's against your soul. And it's gonna be a battle that's gonna be there until day we bury you. Alright? So whoever dies next amongst us, we're gonna say, man, the battle's over for them.

31:22 That's that's a blessed day. Amen? Aren't you tired of the battle? Well, keep fighting it because it's going to keep coming. It's going to keep coming.

31:31 In fact, I I thought this I I I tell you last week was guinea pigs. I practiced on the church I was preaching at last week over there. But but but a 78 year man, year old man came up to me and says, you know, Ray, I'm glad you taught that, but let me tell you something. Even at my age, the battle is more intense than when I was younger. I'm like, what?

31:49 You see? He was telling me. And I can't wait till lord call me home so this will end. But until then, I'm gonna fight because it's against my soul, and I'm gonna keep fighting. So believer, all of us are fighting it, and it's tough.

32:03 And you get sick of it, but you gotta keep fighting this fleshly lust. Abstain. Keep fighting. And and what... I'm gonna get to another point of that in a minute.

32:12 Secondly, keep your behavior excellent because we're being observed. Whether you know it or not, you're being watched. You're being watched everywhere. In fact, parents, your kids are watching you. Right?

32:24 And so that's good enough. The next, submit to the government. God established it. Alright. Maybe you can't stand who's there right now or whatever.

32:35 That's okay. You still have to submit. You still have to submit it. And and you still have to obey the laws, and and and, you can't come and say, oh, you know, pray pray that that God will free me from this. What did you do?

32:49 Well, I didn't pay my taxes for two years and I owe $2,020,000 of debt. You think the church could give me a loan? No. I don't think that's a wise use of God's money. People have done that.

33:00 People have done that. They did it in Houston. By the way, don't start looking around who did that. It was in Houston. Somebody came to us there and and said that.

33:08 Would the church give me a loan? We said, no. You need to submit to the government and pay on time. You did it wrong. How do you want the church to to save you from that?

33:18 It's not right. And then act as free to serve, to do great things for God. Alright. Now, as I looked at this myself, I'm man, Lord, I've blown it many times. I've blown it.

33:31 My kids will tell you I've blown it. Haven't always abstained from fleshly lust. I've lost this battle many times. I haven't always kept my behavior excellent, and I'm not proud of it. I have never had an issue submitting to government.

33:46 I've not always acted like a free man in Christ, but sometimes I've I've, I've used my freedom as an excuse to sin. What do you do? What do you do? Brethren, listen. We're we're serving a god of grace and of mercy, not a god of condemnation.

34:04 The Bible is very clear. You confess and forsake, and then you're gonna receive mercy. Proverbs twenty eight thirteen. So have you blown it like I have? Many times in many of these points is what Peter's asking us to do.

34:19 Yeah. You probably have. So have I. And so Lord, I confess, I come before you as that many times I've lost this battle against the fleshly lust. This war is so intense, and Lord, I thought I was doing good, and it's guerrilla warfare.

34:35 Next thing you know, was right there, and and I bit, and I did it and I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I did it. I confess it and I forsake. Thank you that I receive mercy now. And the Lord says, get up and serve again. Don't get stuck right there.

34:51 I'm full of grace and I'm full of mercy, and and and I understand that you're made of clay. So get up and keep fighting this battle. And and just make the corrections necessary. Keep your behavior excellent because they're gonna keep watching you. And you can even go to your neighbor and say, look neighbor, I I I blew it, and I admit it.

35:13 I didn't behave right. I shouldn't have yelled at you, but I did. I'm a believer and I should know better. You know what? That'll go a long way when you can admit to the neighbor that you blew it.

35:26 And then act as free to serve. You you know, how first Corinthians eight and Romans 14, it says, I I I would rather, never again eat steak if it's gonna stumble somebody. Everybody here has no issue with steak eating because I like to eat steaks. But you know what I mean? I won't go there if it's gonna be an issue.

35:51 And so we have... Sometimes we have to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of of the brethren. But Lord, help us to be free. So I want you to be encouraged. This is really an encouraging passage.

36:03 It's it's a real passage. It's reality. It's it's addressing issues of everyday life of Christianity of what what what you're living at home and at work. Right? This is not something churchy.

36:19 It's real. And and you've been able to... As we look at these four points, you've been able to say, man, that is real, and those... That is what's happening in my life. And thank you, God, that you're so gracious and so patient with us, and you lift us back up when we stumble and we keep going and living this life that you have for us.

36:41 Amen? Alright. May may god give us grace as we continue, to to serve him. Let... Let's pray.

37:18 We glorify you and we praise you for so great salvation, Now keep us safe as we go home and bless the Awana today, we pray. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen.