The service centered on resisting the 'gospel of convenience' through biblical conviction, using Jesus' temptation in Luke 4 as the primary text. The preacher emphasized dedication over cultural ease and the necessity of living by Scripture, framed within worship and prayer.
Read the full sermon transcript
first uh morning service for this week. first uh morning service for this week. It's going to be a good one. Followed by It's going to be a good one. Followed by It's going to be a good one. Followed by a second one. It's going to be even a second one. It's going to be even a second one. It's going to be even better. And then tonight, even better better. And then tonight, even better better. And then tonight, even better and even better and even better and even and even better and even better and even and even better and even better and even better. By the time we get to Friday better. By the time we get to Friday better. By the time we get to Friday night's service, we're going to be on night's service, we're going to be on night's service, we're going to be on top of the roof. top of the roof. top of the roof. I pray there'll be fire up there and the I pray there'll be fire up there and the I pray there'll be fire up there and the the fire department will be called and the fire department will be called and the fire department will be called and they'll come running in with the fire they'll come running in with the fire they'll come running in with the fire equipment on looking for a fire and equipment on looking for a fire and equipment on looking for a fire and conviction to strike them and they'll conviction to strike them and they'll conviction to strike them and they'll fall in the order and get saved. I felt fall in the order and get saved. I felt fall in the order and get saved. I felt the Holy Ghost when I said that. Some of the Holy Ghost when I said that. Some of the Holy Ghost when I said that. Some of you didn't feel that, but I felt the you didn't feel that, but I felt the you didn't feel that, but I felt the Holy Ghost when I said that. God is a Holy Ghost when I said that. God is a Holy Ghost when I said that. God is a miracle working God. Heavenly Father, we miracle working God. Heavenly Father, we miracle working God. Heavenly Father, we thank you this morning for your loving thank you this morning for your loving thank you this morning for your loving mercy. God, we ask you, Lord, to pour mercy. God, we ask you, Lord, to pour mercy. God, we ask you, Lord, to pour out your spirit upon this service and out your spirit upon this service and out your spirit upon this service and let us worship you, God, in the manner let us worship you, God, in the manner let us worship you, God, in the manner in which you would have us to do so in which you would have us to do so in which you would have us to do so today. Touch us throughout this day and today. Touch us throughout this day and today. Touch us throughout this day and throughout the remainder of this camp throughout the remainder of this camp throughout the remainder of this camp meeting, God. God, we'll set now for meeting, God. God, we'll set now for meeting, God. God, we'll set now for three services a day throughout Friday. three services a day throughout Friday. three services a day throughout Friday. And we're believing God for the move of And we're believing God for the move of And we're believing God for the move of God to take place in every service. And God to take place in every service. And God to take place in every service. And that God, to you be the glory and the that God, to you be the glory and the that God, to you be the glory and the honor and the praise for all that's honor and the praise for all that's honor and the praise for all that's going to take place in Jesus's wonderful going to take place in Jesus's wonderful going to take place in Jesus's wonderful and holy name. Amen. I'm [singing] rejoicing night and day as I'm [singing] rejoicing night and day as I walk the pilgrim [music] way for the I walk the pilgrim [music] way for the I walk the pilgrim [music] way for the hands of God. In [singing] all my life I hands of God. In [singing] all my life I hands of God. In [singing] all my life I sing sing sing and the reason of my [singing] bliss. and the reason of my [singing] bliss. and the reason of my [singing] bliss. Yes, the secret [music] all is this that Yes, the secret [music] all is this that Yes, the secret [music] all is this that the [singing] comforter abides with me. the [singing] comforter abides with me. the [singing] comforter abides with me. [music] He abides. He abides. He [singing] abides. He [singing] abides. He [singing] abides. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. I'm rejoicing [singing] I'm rejoicing [singing] I'm rejoicing [singing] [music] night and day as I walk the [music] night and day as I walk the [music] night and day as I walk the narrow way. For the comforter abides narrow way. For the comforter abides narrow way. For the comforter abides with me. with me. with me. Once my [music] heart was full [singing] Once my [music] heart was full [singing] Once my [music] heart was full [singing] of sin. Once I had no peace with thee, of sin. Once I had no peace with thee, of sin. Once I had no peace with thee, till I heard how Jesus died upon the till I heard how Jesus died upon the till I heard how Jesus died upon the tree. tree. tree. And then I fell down at his feet. And And then I fell down at his feet. And And then I fell down at his feet. And there came a peace so there came a peace so there came a peace so [music and singing] sweet. Now the [music and singing] sweet. Now the [music and singing] sweet. Now the comforter of God with me. comforter of God with me. comforter of God with me. He offers. He offers. He offers. He abides. He abides. He abides. Hallelujah. [singing] Hallelujah. [singing] Hallelujah. [singing] He abides with me. He abides with me. He abides with me. I'm [music] rejoicing night [singing] I'm [music] rejoicing night [singing] I'm [music] rejoicing night [singing] and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For the comforter [singing] abides with the comforter [singing] abides with the comforter [singing] abides with [music] me. [music] me. [music] me. Oh, he abides. Oh, he abides. Oh, he abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. I'm [singing and music] rejoicing night I'm [singing and music] rejoicing night I'm [singing and music] rejoicing night and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For the comforter [singing] abides with me. the comforter [singing] abides with me. the comforter [singing] abides with me. [music] [music] [music] There's no thirsting [singing] There's no thirsting [singing] There's no thirsting [singing] for the things of the world they've for the things of the world they've for the things of the world they've taken. We long [singing] ago I [music] taken. We long [singing] ago I [music] taken. We long [singing] ago I [music] gave them up and instantly gave them up and instantly gave them up and instantly all my knot was turned today. All my all my knot was turned today. All my all my knot was turned today. All my burdens [music and singing] rolled away. burdens [music and singing] rolled away. burdens [music and singing] rolled away. Now the comforter abides with me. Now the comforter abides with me. Now the comforter abides with me. He abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. Hallelujah. He abides with me. [music] Hallelujah. He abides with me. [music] Hallelujah. He abides with me. [music] I'm rejoicing [singing] night and day as I'm rejoicing [singing] night and day as I'm rejoicing [singing] night and day as I walk the narrow [music] way. For the I walk the narrow [music] way. For the I walk the narrow [music] way. For the comforter abides with me. comforter abides with me. comforter abides with me. He is with me [singing] everywhere and He is with me [singing] everywhere and He is with me [singing] everywhere and he [music] knows my every care. I'm as he [music] knows my every care. I'm as he [music] knows my every care. I'm as happy as a burden, [music and singing] happy as a burden, [music and singing] happy as a burden, [music and singing] just as free. just as free. just as free. For the spirit has control. Jesus For the spirit has control. Jesus For the spirit has control. Jesus [singing] satisfies my soul. Since the [singing] satisfies my soul. Since the [singing] satisfies my soul. Since the comforter abides with me, comforter abides with me, comforter abides with me, he abides. he abides. he abides. He abides. [screaming] He abides. [screaming] He abides. [screaming] Oh, hallelujah. He abides with me. Oh, hallelujah. He abides with me. Oh, hallelujah. He abides with me. I'm rejoicing night and day as I walk I'm rejoicing night and day as I walk I'm rejoicing night and day as I walk this narrow way. For the comforter this narrow way. For the comforter this narrow way. For the comforter abides with me. [music] abides with me. [music] abides with me. [music] Oh, he abides. Oh, he abides. Oh, he abides. He abides. [screaming] He abides. [screaming] He abides. [screaming] Yes. Hallelujah. Yes. Hallelujah. Yes. Hallelujah. He abides with me. He abides with me. He abides with me. I'm rejoicing night [music and singing] I'm rejoicing night [music and singing] I'm rejoicing night [music and singing] and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For the comforter abides with me. the comforter abides with me. the comforter abides with me. He is with me everywhere and he knows my He is with me everywhere and he knows my He is with me everywhere and he knows my every care. I'm as happy [singing] as a every care. I'm as happy [singing] as a every care. I'm as happy [singing] as a burden, just as free. burden, just as free. burden, just as free. For the spirit has control. Jesus For the spirit has control. Jesus For the spirit has control. Jesus satisfies my soul. Since the comforter satisfies my soul. Since the comforter satisfies my soul. Since the comforter to abidise with me, hallelujah, he to abidise with me, hallelujah, he to abidise with me, hallelujah, he abides. abides. abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. I'm rejoicing [music] I'm rejoicing [music] I'm rejoicing [music] night and day as I walk the narrow night and day as I walk the narrow night and day as I walk the narrow [singing] way. For the comforter abides [singing] way. For the comforter abides [singing] way. For the comforter abides with me. with me. with me. Oh, he abides. Oh, he abides. Oh, he abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. Yes. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Yes. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Yes. Hallelujah. He abides with me. I'm rejoicing [music] night [singing] I'm rejoicing [music] night [singing] I'm rejoicing [music] night [singing] and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For and day as I walk the narrow way. For thy comforter [music] thy comforter [music] thy comforter [music] abides with me. Oh, he abides. abides with me. Oh, he abides. abides with me. Oh, he abides. He abides. He abides. He abides. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. Hallelujah. He abides with me. I'm rejoicing night [singing] and day as I'm rejoicing night [singing] and day as I'm rejoicing night [singing] and day as I walk the narrow way. For the comforter I walk the narrow way. For the comforter I walk the narrow way. For the comforter [music] [music] [music] abides with me. [singing] abides with me. [singing] abides with me. [singing] [music] [music] [music] Hallelujah. I'm with you. Amen. We're so delighted I'm with you. Amen. We're so delighted to have you for this first service this to have you for this first service this to have you for this first service this morning. We'll be having a break around morning. We'll be having a break around morning. We'll be having a break around 10:30 and uh there'll be some 10:30 and uh there'll be some 10:30 and uh there'll be some refreshments in the fellowship hall for refreshments in the fellowship hall for refreshments in the fellowship hall for you to grab if between the services and you to grab if between the services and you to grab if between the services and uh I'm looking forward to what God's uh I'm looking forward to what God's uh I'm looking forward to what God's going to help us to do here today. going to help us to do here today. going to help us to do here today. Attent colonel just walked in the house. Attent colonel just walked in the house. Attent colonel just walked in the house. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] I love brother Eddie. He's my friend. I love brother Eddie. He's my friend. I love brother Eddie. He's my friend. Amen. And and uh brother be over here. Amen. And and uh brother be over here. Amen. And and uh brother be over here. He's he's a faithful faithful He's he's a faithful faithful He's he's a faithful faithful I mean he's been attending this camp I mean he's been attending this camp I mean he's been attending this camp meeting for 17 years in the mornings. meeting for 17 years in the mornings. meeting for 17 years in the mornings. He's getting older like I am. I'm 70 and He's getting older like I am. I'm 70 and He's getting older like I am. I'm 70 and I ain't going to ask him what his age I ain't going to ask him what his age I ain't going to ask him what his age is. I know he's more than 70 because is. I know he's more than 70 because is. I know he's more than 70 because he's older than I am. But we got a 91 he's older than I am. But we got a 91 he's older than I am. But we got a 91 almost 92 year old man back there and almost 92 year old man back there and almost 92 year old man back there and he's up there close close to there he's up there close close to there he's up there close close to there somewhere I imagine as well. But thank somewhere I imagine as well. But thank somewhere I imagine as well. But thank God for these older folk. God for these older folk. God for these older folk. Amen. Thank God for them still being in Amen. Thank God for them still being in Amen. Thank God for them still being in here. We are glad to have brother Josh here. We are glad to have brother Josh here. We are glad to have brother Josh Carowway with us today. We want him to Carowway with us today. We want him to Carowway with us today. We want him to come. I want you to pray for him and uh come. I want you to pray for him and uh come. I want you to pray for him and uh ask God to anoint him and let's get in ask God to anoint him and let's get in ask God to anoint him and let's get in here worship with him. And I know that I here worship with him. And I know that I here worship with him. And I know that I know he can preach, but he can preach a know he can preach, but he can preach a know he can preach, but he can preach a whole lot better when we get behind him whole lot better when we get behind him whole lot better when we get behind him and sick him and say, "Preach, preacher, and sick him and say, "Preach, preacher, and sick him and say, "Preach, preacher, preach. preach. preach. Praise the Lord." Amen. It's good to be Praise the Lord." Amen. It's good to be Praise the Lord." Amen. It's good to be here on a Tuesday morning. Amen. Enjoyed here on a Tuesday morning. Amen. Enjoyed here on a Tuesday morning. Amen. Enjoyed last night's message. What an inspiring last night's message. What an inspiring last night's message. What an inspiring I told my wife on the way up here we I told my wife on the way up here we I told my wife on the way up here we were speaking. Amen. We've come to be were speaking. Amen. We've come to be were speaking. Amen. We've come to be refreshed this week. Amen. and we begin refreshed this week. Amen. and we begin refreshed this week. Amen. and we begin our meeting next week and we just come our meeting next week and we just come our meeting next week and we just come to be poured into as well as pour out. to be poured into as well as pour out. to be poured into as well as pour out. Amen. And I appreciate uh these Amen. And I appreciate uh these Amen. And I appreciate uh these preachers that uh are uh part of this preachers that uh are uh part of this preachers that uh are uh part of this meeting. I've been knowing brother meeting. I've been knowing brother meeting. I've been knowing brother Teague a long time and sister Teague. Teague a long time and sister Teague. Teague a long time and sister Teague. We're good friends. Uh it's he says the We're good friends. Uh it's he says the We're good friends. Uh it's he says the same thing. I'll say it like he says it. same thing. I'll say it like he says it. same thing. I'll say it like he says it. We don't see each other very often, but We don't see each other very often, but We don't see each other very often, but when we do see each other, we just pick when we do see each other, we just pick when we do see each other, we just pick up where we left off the last time. And up where we left off the last time. And up where we left off the last time. And uh so uh it's great friendship there. uh so uh it's great friendship there. uh so uh it's great friendship there. And uh brother Per and his family have And uh brother Per and his family have And uh brother Per and his family have been knowing brother Jeremy for many been knowing brother Jeremy for many been knowing brother Jeremy for many many years. Uh matter of fact he was he many years. Uh matter of fact he was he many years. Uh matter of fact he was he was real little uh and he was uh an was real little uh and he was uh an was real little uh and he was uh an aggravating hornet back then. But uh we aggravating hornet back then. But uh we aggravating hornet back then. But uh we was in a meeting and up in the choir and was in a meeting and up in the choir and was in a meeting and up in the choir and he just wouldn't leave me alone. And I he just wouldn't leave me alone. And I he just wouldn't leave me alone. And I just pushed his head down and his head just pushed his head down and his head just pushed his head down and his head hit the tambourine, made some noise. He hit the tambourine, made some noise. He hit the tambourine, made some noise. He started crying. I said, "Listen, I'll started crying. I said, "Listen, I'll started crying. I said, "Listen, I'll give you five bucks if you'll stop give you five bucks if you'll stop give you five bucks if you'll stop crying right now." crying right now." crying right now." And uh but no, I'm thankful for the man And uh but no, I'm thankful for the man And uh but no, I'm thankful for the man of God that he's become. Amen. The man of God that he's become. Amen. The man of God that he's become. Amen. The man of God, the husband, the father. I of God, the husband, the father. I of God, the husband, the father. I appreciate him and his family. Me and appreciate him and his family. Me and appreciate him and his family. Me and his father was dear friends. We fished his father was dear friends. We fished his father was dear friends. We fished together. We did a lot of things together. We did a lot of things together. We did a lot of things together throughout the years. and uh I together throughout the years. and uh I together throughout the years. and uh I appreciate their family. Thank you, appreciate their family. Thank you, appreciate their family. Thank you, Pastor Hunt, for the opportunity to be Pastor Hunt, for the opportunity to be Pastor Hunt, for the opportunity to be here. Thank you for the friendship as here. Thank you for the friendship as here. Thank you for the friendship as well. May I not take up time this well. May I not take up time this well. May I not take up time this morning. Uh we want to go ahead and get morning. Uh we want to go ahead and get morning. Uh we want to go ahead and get in the word of the Lord. If you have in the word of the Lord. If you have in the word of the Lord. If you have your Bibles, the book of St. Luke's your Bibles, the book of St. Luke's your Bibles, the book of St. Luke's Gospel, chapter number four, Luke's Gospel, chapter number four, Luke's Gospel, chapter number four, Luke's Gospel, chapter 4. Looking forward to Gospel, chapter 4. Looking forward to Gospel, chapter 4. Looking forward to what God's going to do throughout this what God's going to do throughout this what God's going to do throughout this meeting. Amen. And I pray that you'll meeting. Amen. And I pray that you'll meeting. Amen. And I pray that you'll just come with an open heart, with a just come with an open heart, with a just come with an open heart, with a great expectation. And as my dear uh great expectation. And as my dear uh great expectation. And as my dear uh black friends down in West Palm, they black friends down in West Palm, they black friends down in West Palm, they said, we're going higher and higher. said, we're going higher and higher. said, we're going higher and higher. Well, that's what we intend to do this Well, that's what we intend to do this Well, that's what we intend to do this week is go higher and higher. Amen. In week is go higher and higher. Amen. In week is go higher and higher. Amen. In the Lord. Praise God. uh Luke chapter 4 the Lord. Praise God. uh Luke chapter 4 the Lord. Praise God. uh Luke chapter 4 beginning in verse number one. The beginning in verse number one. The beginning in verse number one. The writer here begins, "And Jesus being writer here begins, "And Jesus being writer here begins, "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from full of the Holy Ghost returned from full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into Jordan and was led by the Spirit into Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness being 40 days tempted of the wilderness being 40 days tempted of the wilderness being 40 days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat the devil. And in those days he did eat the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing. And when they were ended, he nothing. And when they were ended, he nothing. And when they were ended, he afterward hungered. The devil said unto afterward hungered. The devil said unto afterward hungered. The devil said unto him, "If thou be the son of God, command him, "If thou be the son of God, command him, "If thou be the son of God, command this stone that it be made bread." And this stone that it be made bread." And this stone that it be made bread." And Jesus answered him, saying, "It is Jesus answered him, saying, "It is Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written that man shall not live by bread written that man shall not live by bread written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." And alone, but by every word of God." And alone, but by every word of God." And the devil taking him up into a high the devil taking him up into a high the devil taking him up into a high mountain, shoot him unto him all the mountain, shoot him unto him all the mountain, shoot him unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of kingdoms of the world in a moment of kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, "All time. And the devil said unto him, "All time. And the devil said unto him, "All this power will I give thee, and the this power will I give thee, and the this power will I give thee, and the glory of them, for that it is delivered glory of them, for that it is delivered glory of them, for that it is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will, I unto me, and to whomsoever I will, I unto me, and to whomsoever I will, I give it, if thou therefore wilt worship give it, if thou therefore wilt worship give it, if thou therefore wilt worship me, and shall be thine." And Jesus me, and shall be thine." And Jesus me, and shall be thine." And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Get thee answered and said unto him, "Get thee answered and said unto him, "Get thee behind me, Satan." Have you ever had to behind me, Satan." Have you ever had to behind me, Satan." Have you ever had to say that before? Get thee behind me, say that before? Get thee behind me, say that before? Get thee behind me, Satan. Hallelujah. That devil thought he Satan. Hallelujah. That devil thought he Satan. Hallelujah. That devil thought he had something. But Jesus said, "Where had something. But Jesus said, "Where had something. But Jesus said, "Where you belong is behind me." Amen. And uh I you belong is behind me." Amen. And uh I you belong is behind me." Amen. And uh I want us to notice here verse number six. want us to notice here verse number six. want us to notice here verse number six. The devil said unto him, "All this power The devil said unto him, "All this power The devil said unto him, "All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them, will I give thee, and the glory of them, will I give thee, and the glory of them, for that is delivered unto me, and to for that is delivered unto me, and to for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever will I give it." He has no whomsoever will I give it." He has no whomsoever will I give it." He has no power today. I want you to realize that. power today. I want you to realize that. power today. I want you to realize that. Amen. And anything he ever tells you, Amen. And anything he ever tells you, Amen. And anything he ever tells you, believe the opposite. Jesus said, "Get believe the opposite. Jesus said, "Get believe the opposite. Jesus said, "Get behind me, Satan." Verse 8, for it is behind me, Satan." Verse 8, for it is behind me, Satan." Verse 8, for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And God, and him only shalt thou serve. And God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle, the temple, and said unto on a pinnacle, the temple, and said unto on a pinnacle, the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the son of God, cast him, If thou be the son of God, cast him, If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down from hence. For it is thyself down from hence. For it is thyself down from hence. For it is written, He shall give his angels charge written, He shall give his angels charge written, He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee, and in their over thee to keep thee, and in their over thee to keep thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at hands they shall bear thee up, lest at hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against the any time thou dash thy foot against the any time thou dash thy foot against the stone. And Jesus answering said unto stone. And Jesus answering said unto stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, "It is said, thou shalt not tempt him, "It is said, thou shalt not tempt him, "It is said, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had the Lord thy God. And when the devil had the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed ended all the temptation, he departed ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." Amen. Let us from him for a season." Amen. Let us from him for a season." Amen. Let us pray. Father in heaven, we thank you pray. Father in heaven, we thank you pray. Father in heaven, we thank you today for this opportunity you've given today for this opportunity you've given today for this opportunity you've given us. Thank you for this camp meeting this us. Thank you for this camp meeting this us. Thank you for this camp meeting this morning, God. We ask you, Lord, to pour morning, God. We ask you, Lord, to pour morning, God. We ask you, Lord, to pour out of your spirit, God, in this out of your spirit, God, in this out of your spirit, God, in this service. And God, I pray you anoint the service. And God, I pray you anoint the service. And God, I pray you anoint the efforts that's given today, God. And let efforts that's given today, God. And let efforts that's given today, God. And let the power of the Holy Ghost rest upon the power of the Holy Ghost rest upon the power of the Holy Ghost rest upon each ear today uh and upon every heart each ear today uh and upon every heart each ear today uh and upon every heart this morning, God. Uh oh God, encourage this morning, God. Uh oh God, encourage this morning, God. Uh oh God, encourage the church. Uh build us up today. And the church. Uh build us up today. And the church. Uh build us up today. And you, Lord, help us to edify the body. Uh you, Lord, help us to edify the body. Uh you, Lord, help us to edify the body. Uh I believe you God for strength this I believe you God for strength this I believe you God for strength this morning. Uh I believe you God for morning. Uh I believe you God for morning. Uh I believe you God for turnarounds. I believe you Lord God that turnarounds. I believe you Lord God that turnarounds. I believe you Lord God that you'll save somebody in this meeting. you'll save somebody in this meeting. you'll save somebody in this meeting. Oh God, bring deliverance and we'll give Oh God, bring deliverance and we'll give Oh God, bring deliverance and we'll give you glory, honor, and praise in the name you glory, honor, and praise in the name you glory, honor, and praise in the name of Jesus. We do pray. Amen. And amen. of Jesus. We do pray. Amen. And amen. of Jesus. We do pray. Amen. And amen. The Lord bless you as you're being The Lord bless you as you're being The Lord bless you as you're being seated. I believe that we're we're seated. I believe that we're we're seated. I believe that we're we're living in an hour and and if I could living in an hour and and if I could living in an hour and and if I could title this, and I'm not much on titles, title this, and I'm not much on titles, title this, and I'm not much on titles, but uh that we can go beyond convenience but uh that we can go beyond convenience but uh that we can go beyond convenience or going beyond convenience. Uh, you or going beyond convenience. Uh, you or going beyond convenience. Uh, you know, we live in a world this morning know, we live in a world this morning know, we live in a world this morning that is, uh, all about convenience. Uh, that is, uh, all about convenience. Uh, that is, uh, all about convenience. Uh, you know, they, uh, you know, you drive you know, they, uh, you know, you drive you know, they, uh, you know, you drive up to a drive-thru and AI will take your up to a drive-thru and AI will take your up to a drive-thru and AI will take your order. You know, you can have your order. You know, you can have your order. You know, you can have your groceries delivered to you at your groceries delivered to you at your groceries delivered to you at your doorstep. Amen. You know, college doorstep. Amen. You know, college doorstep. Amen. You know, college students do their term exams with Chat students do their term exams with Chat students do their term exams with Chat GPT. Uh, you know, just on and on in GPT. Uh, you know, just on and on in GPT. Uh, you know, just on and on in this hour of convenience. Now, you know, this hour of convenience. Now, you know, this hour of convenience. Now, you know, I'm thankful for some of the I'm thankful for some of the I'm thankful for some of the conveniences because if we lived in the conveniences because if we lived in the conveniences because if we lived in the day of horse and buggy, I wouldn't made day of horse and buggy, I wouldn't made day of horse and buggy, I wouldn't made it here yet. I'd still be on my way. Uh, it here yet. I'd still be on my way. Uh, it here yet. I'd still be on my way. Uh, amen. [clears throat] You know, there's amen. [clears throat] You know, there's amen. [clears throat] You know, there's things in this world that we're things in this world that we're things in this world that we're appreciative of, uh, you know, because appreciative of, uh, you know, because appreciative of, uh, you know, because of the convenience that, uh, it gives of the convenience that, uh, it gives of the convenience that, uh, it gives [clears throat] us, our present culture, [clears throat] us, our present culture, [clears throat] us, our present culture, uh, you know, values, convenience, uh, uh, you know, values, convenience, uh, uh, you know, values, convenience, uh, uh, you know, all these things. that I uh, you know, all these things. that I uh, you know, all these things. that I I'm glad for uh uh but we are accustomed I'm glad for uh uh but we are accustomed I'm glad for uh uh but we are accustomed to uh these conveniences. An article to uh these conveniences. An article to uh these conveniences. An article that was put out uh uh recently by the that was put out uh uh recently by the that was put out uh uh recently by the uh uh University of California, Irvin uh uh University of California, Irvin uh uh University of California, Irvin stated that convenience has become the stated that convenience has become the stated that convenience has become the top priority of the 21st century uh top priority of the 21st century uh top priority of the 21st century uh American and said convenience has taught American and said convenience has taught American and said convenience has taught human connection. It taught patience. human connection. It taught patience. human connection. It taught patience. Amen. And we know convenience has Amen. And we know convenience has Amen. And we know convenience has certainly increased efficiency and certainly increased efficiency and certainly increased efficiency and productivity. productivity. productivity. Amen. It also lead us to a a lack of Amen. It also lead us to a a lack of Amen. It also lead us to a a lack of motivation. It can lead us to dependency motivation. It can lead us to dependency motivation. It can lead us to dependency on other things. Uh and because on other things. Uh and because on other things. Uh and because convenience is so valued as in a culture convenience is so valued as in a culture convenience is so valued as in a culture often accept the negative things that often accept the negative things that often accept the negative things that come along with it. Amen. It's not come along with it. Amen. It's not come along with it. Amen. It's not inherently evil. Amen. But listen, it is inherently evil. Amen. But listen, it is inherently evil. Amen. But listen, it is a tool uh of human progress. Uh I want a tool uh of human progress. Uh I want a tool uh of human progress. Uh I want you to know this morning, there is a you to know this morning, there is a you to know this morning, there is a danger uh that when it comes to our danger uh that when it comes to our danger uh that when it comes to our faith, it is a danger. Amen. That it faith, it is a danger. Amen. That it faith, it is a danger. Amen. That it makes it easy to convenience an idol makes it easy to convenience an idol makes it easy to convenience an idol that competes with God for our worship. that competes with God for our worship. that competes with God for our worship. Amen. You see that finding out things Amen. You see that finding out things Amen. You see that finding out things like social media validation. like social media validation. like social media validation. Amen. material wealth security. It Amen. material wealth security. It Amen. material wealth security. It hijacks the affection. Amen. It hijacks hijacks the affection. Amen. It hijacks hijacks the affection. Amen. It hijacks it and makes the cross of Christ of none it and makes the cross of Christ of none it and makes the cross of Christ of none effect in this hour. Amen. Scripture effect in this hour. Amen. Scripture effect in this hour. Amen. Scripture warns, what does a man profit if he gain warns, what does a man profit if he gain warns, what does a man profit if he gain the whole world and lose his soul? Amen. the whole world and lose his soul? Amen. the whole world and lose his soul? Amen. Warns us it's easy to train or to trade Warns us it's easy to train or to trade Warns us it's easy to train or to trade spiritual truth. Amen. in for whatever spiritual truth. Amen. in for whatever spiritual truth. Amen. in for whatever is convenient. We risk a huge spiritual is convenient. We risk a huge spiritual is convenient. We risk a huge spiritual and eternal loss. But in our text this and eternal loss. But in our text this and eternal loss. But in our text this morning, Satan approaches Christ. Amen. morning, Satan approaches Christ. Amen. morning, Satan approaches Christ. Amen. Actually proclaims to him, amen, what we Actually proclaims to him, amen, what we Actually proclaims to him, amen, what we might call the gospel of convenience. might call the gospel of convenience. might call the gospel of convenience. Amen. He comes to Christ, amen, with Amen. He comes to Christ, amen, with Amen. He comes to Christ, amen, with these temptations. these temptations. these temptations. Amen. as [clears throat] he has come to Amen. as [clears throat] he has come to Amen. as [clears throat] he has come to the church uh in the 21st century uh and the church uh in the 21st century uh and the church uh in the 21st century uh and tempted us uh amen to pull back, turn tempted us uh amen to pull back, turn tempted us uh amen to pull back, turn away and walk away from the truth that away and walk away from the truth that away and walk away from the truth that we have stood faithful for over the many we have stood faithful for over the many we have stood faithful for over the many years. Amen. The things that the man of years. Amen. The things that the man of years. Amen. The things that the man of God brought before the pullpit last God brought before the pullpit last God brought before the pullpit last night is still a great concern of mine night is still a great concern of mine night is still a great concern of mine as well. Amen. Because my hair is as well. Amen. Because my hair is as well. Amen. Because my hair is turning white. Amen. I'm getting older turning white. Amen. I'm getting older turning white. Amen. I'm getting older than I what I used to be. But those than I what I used to be. But those than I what I used to be. But those older than me are passing away and the older than me are passing away and the older than me are passing away and the mantle has been landed down. And what mantle has been landed down. And what mantle has been landed down. And what are we going to do with it in this hour are we going to do with it in this hour are we going to do with it in this hour when times of temptation come to you and when times of temptation come to you and when times of temptation come to you and I? Amen. The Bible said and Jesus being I? Amen. The Bible said and Jesus being I? Amen. The Bible said and Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Before the full of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Before the full of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Before the temptation came, Amen. he was full of temptation came, Amen. he was full of temptation came, Amen. he was full of the Holy Ghost. He might have been weak the Holy Ghost. He might have been weak the Holy Ghost. He might have been weak in mind. He might have been weak in in mind. He might have been weak in in mind. He might have been weak in body, but being full of the power of body, but being full of the power of body, but being full of the power of almighty God is still what the church is almighty God is still what the church is almighty God is still what the church is in need of today. Amen. If we're going in need of today. Amen. If we're going in need of today. Amen. If we're going to make it today, if we're going to to make it today, if we're going to to make it today, if we're going to overcome, amen, if we're going to make overcome, amen, if we're going to make overcome, amen, if we're going to make it, amen, through the gospel of it, amen, through the gospel of it, amen, through the gospel of convenience. Amen. As we are full of convenience. Amen. As we are full of convenience. Amen. As we are full of [screaming] the power of God and full of [screaming] the power of God and full of [screaming] the power of God and full of the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. [laughter] the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. [laughter] the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. [laughter] Oh yes. Amen. When we find Satan coming Oh yes. Amen. When we find Satan coming Oh yes. Amen. When we find Satan coming to him. Amen. Oh yes. Ah. The gospel of to him. Amen. Oh yes. Ah. The gospel of to him. Amen. Oh yes. Ah. The gospel of convenience leads away from committed convenience leads away from committed convenience leads away from committed service of God. [gasps] Amen. Oh, we're service of God. [gasps] Amen. Oh, we're service of God. [gasps] Amen. Oh, we're living in a day. Amen. There is a lack living in a day. Amen. There is a lack living in a day. Amen. There is a lack of commitment, a lack of dedication. of commitment, a lack of dedication. of commitment, a lack of dedication. Amen. But oh, God is seeking for a Amen. But oh, God is seeking for a Amen. But oh, God is seeking for a church. Amen. That will pursue a life of church. Amen. That will pursue a life of church. Amen. That will pursue a life of dedication. dedication. dedication. Amen. the enemy in his cleverness and Amen. the enemy in his cleverness and Amen. the enemy in his cleverness and his cunning whispers. The devil's gospel his cunning whispers. The devil's gospel his cunning whispers. The devil's gospel is always a gospel of convenience. The is always a gospel of convenience. The is always a gospel of convenience. The strategy that he uses sometimes strategy that he uses sometimes strategy that he uses sometimes [laughter] is not always direct [laughter] is not always direct [laughter] is not always direct opposition rather than a subtle opposition rather than a subtle opposition rather than a subtle enticement. enticement. enticement. Amen. [clears throat] Coming just subtly Amen. [clears throat] Coming just subtly Amen. [clears throat] Coming just subtly like it did unto Eve. Amen. I'm telling like it did unto Eve. Amen. I'm telling like it did unto Eve. Amen. I'm telling you. Amen. Sometimes, Amen. We're you. Amen. Sometimes, Amen. We're you. Amen. Sometimes, Amen. We're expecting a great opposition. But other expecting a great opposition. But other expecting a great opposition. But other times, he just whispers into your heart, times, he just whispers into your heart, times, he just whispers into your heart, into your mind, and he tries to get you into your mind, and he tries to get you into your mind, and he tries to get you to believe, amen, things such as is to believe, amen, things such as is to believe, amen, things such as is convenient for us. Amen. Most of us, convenient for us. Amen. Most of us, convenient for us. Amen. Most of us, amen, calculate [laughter] amen, calculate [laughter] amen, calculate [laughter] in this hour have come to find out that in this hour have come to find out that in this hour have come to find out that many calculate their significance many calculate their significance many calculate their significance by Facebook friend counts by newest by Facebook friend counts by newest by Facebook friend counts by newest technologies. technologies. technologies. Amen. The enemy has for the most part Amen. The enemy has for the most part Amen. The enemy has for the most part recruited the desires of our own hearts recruited the desires of our own hearts recruited the desires of our own hearts simply to fight against us. The desire simply to fight against us. The desire simply to fight against us. The desire that's put in ush. Amen. The problem that's put in ush. Amen. The problem that's put in ush. Amen. The problem lies [screaming] not with convenience lies [screaming] not with convenience lies [screaming] not with convenience but what our heart makes of it. Amen. Oh but what our heart makes of it. Amen. Oh but what our heart makes of it. Amen. Oh God, we've got to wake up, church, and God, we've got to wake up, church, and God, we've got to wake up, church, and we got to realize. Amen. The devil, it we got to realize. Amen. The devil, it we got to realize. Amen. The devil, it ain't just playing a game. I'm telling ain't just playing a game. I'm telling ain't just playing a game. I'm telling you, it's reality. Amen. He wants the you, it's reality. Amen. He wants the you, it's reality. Amen. He wants the church off kilter and he wants the church off kilter and he wants the church off kilter and he wants the church off guard. We got to be a church church off guard. We got to be a church church off guard. We got to be a church full of the Holy Ghost. full of the Holy Ghost. full of the Holy Ghost. Oh yes. Amen. The dark appeal of Satan's Oh yes. Amen. The dark appeal of Satan's Oh yes. Amen. The dark appeal of Satan's temptation has always been to twist temptation has always been to twist temptation has always been to twist things into idols. Amen. Do you hear me? things into idols. Amen. Do you hear me? things into idols. Amen. Do you hear me? If we stand in front of God, Amen. He'll If we stand in front of God, Amen. He'll If we stand in front of God, Amen. He'll steal our worship from God. We'll put steal our worship from God. We'll put steal our worship from God. We'll put that worship towards something else. that worship towards something else. that worship towards something else. Amen. Oh, he'll hijack our holy desires Amen. Oh, he'll hijack our holy desires Amen. Oh, he'll hijack our holy desires and our affections. He'll come in a way. and our affections. He'll come in a way. and our affections. He'll come in a way. Amen. It's so easy to allow. And how Amen. It's so easy to allow. And how Amen. It's so easy to allow. And how many's found out it's easy to allow many's found out it's easy to allow many's found out it's easy to allow cheap knockoffs [laughter] of cheap knockoffs [laughter] of cheap knockoffs [laughter] of fulfillment to obscure the true beauty fulfillment to obscure the true beauty fulfillment to obscure the true beauty and value of the nail pierce Christ the and value of the nail pierce Christ the and value of the nail pierce Christ the savior. I'm telling you, we've come to a savior. I'm telling you, we've come to a savior. I'm telling you, we've come to a time our culture now finds itself time our culture now finds itself time our culture now finds itself searching for time tested truths in searching for time tested truths in searching for time tested truths in little 15sec tick tocks. Amen. trying to little 15sec tick tocks. Amen. trying to little 15sec tick tocks. Amen. trying to find something. It's time the church find something. It's time the church find something. It's time the church offers them the truth that they're offers them the truth that they're offers them the truth that they're looking for. I'm telling you, it's time looking for. I'm telling you, it's time looking for. I'm telling you, it's time the church. Somebody walk in that door the church. Somebody walk in that door the church. Somebody walk in that door and say, "I need truth. I need somebody and say, "I need truth. I need somebody and say, "I need truth. I need somebody to tell me the [screaming] truth." to tell me the [screaming] truth." to tell me the [screaming] truth." Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. We've got to tell them. We got to tell We've got to tell them. We got to tell We've got to tell them. We got to tell them. Hallelujah. them. Hallelujah. them. Hallelujah. Oh, yeah. Study show each Sunday Oh, yeah. Study show each Sunday Oh, yeah. Study show each Sunday morning. Amen. When the pastor hits, morning. Amen. When the pastor hits, morning. Amen. When the pastor hits, it's the poop pit. Amen. That within 15 it's the poop pit. Amen. That within 15 it's the poop pit. Amen. That within 15 second Tik Toks, amen, a young person second Tik Toks, amen, a young person second Tik Toks, amen, a young person can stroll their phone, by the time that can stroll their phone, by the time that can stroll their phone, by the time that preacher begins and ends, they have preacher begins and ends, they have preacher begins and ends, they have 149, 149, 149, amen, [clears throat] hits within the amen, [clears throat] hits within the amen, [clears throat] hits within the time that he started preaching to the time that he started preaching to the time that he started preaching to the time he ended. Scroll through Tik Tok. time he ended. Scroll through Tik Tok. time he ended. Scroll through Tik Tok. Amen. [laughter] You hear me? Amen. This Amen. [laughter] You hear me? Amen. This Amen. [laughter] You hear me? Amen. This part of the church and ministry is under part of the church and ministry is under part of the church and ministry is under attack. And that's what we compete with attack. And that's what we compete with attack. And that's what we compete with each and every week. I'm telling you, each and every week. I'm telling you, each and every week. I'm telling you, there's still power in the word. There's there's still power in the word. There's there's still power in the word. There's still power in the blood. And a world still power in the blood. And a world still power in the blood. And a world needs to know. It ain't a needs to know. It ain't a needs to know. It ain't a self-fululfillment off on Tik Tok. It's self-fululfillment off on Tik Tok. It's self-fululfillment off on Tik Tok. It's the word of God that'll be delivered. the word of God that'll be delivered. the word of God that'll be delivered. It's the word of God. Amen. They're It's the word of God. Amen. They're It's the word of God. Amen. They're designed. Amen. We're competing with the designed. Amen. We're competing with the designed. Amen. We're competing with the distractions of this present age. distractions of this present age. distractions of this present age. All right. Amen. Oh yes. All right. Amen. Oh yes. All right. Amen. Oh yes. Studies reveal Tik Tok has now Studies reveal Tik Tok has now Studies reveal Tik Tok has now fundamentally rewired an entire fundamentally rewired an entire fundamentally rewired an entire generation. generation. generation. How we process information. Studies show How we process information. Studies show How we process information. Studies show that the average generation Z adult that the average generation Z adult that the average generation Z adult switches between media platforms every switches between media platforms every switches between media platforms every 19 seconds. 19 seconds. 19 seconds. Meanwhile, true spiritual formation has Meanwhile, true spiritual formation has Meanwhile, true spiritual formation has always been a steady function. Amen. I always been a steady function. Amen. I always been a steady function. Amen. I didn't grow in this overnight. Amen. But didn't grow in this overnight. Amen. But didn't grow in this overnight. Amen. But I continued in the faith. Amen. I grew I continued in the faith. Amen. I grew I continued in the faith. Amen. I grew in the grace and the knowledge of the in the grace and the knowledge of the in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. It didn't come Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. It didn't come Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. It didn't come overnight, but over time, amen, we get overnight, but over time, amen, we get overnight, but over time, amen, we get strong and stronger over [screaming] strong and stronger over [screaming] strong and stronger over [screaming] time. Amen. We become not a refurbished time. Amen. We become not a refurbished time. Amen. We become not a refurbished creation but I am a new creature in creation but I am a new creature in creation but I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. He didn't rebuild me but Christ Jesus. He didn't rebuild me but Christ Jesus. He didn't rebuild me but he made me new. He made me re and fresh he made me new. He made me re and fresh he made me new. He made me re and fresh for this hour. Hallelujah. for this hour. Hallelujah. for this hour. Hallelujah. Oh yes. Character development can't be Oh yes. Character development can't be Oh yes. Character development can't be compressed to a 15-second video. compressed to a 15-second video. compressed to a 15-second video. No sir, [snorts] for the sake of No sir, [snorts] for the sake of No sir, [snorts] for the sake of convenience and the pressure is real, convenience and the pressure is real, convenience and the pressure is real, biblical teaching often gets reduced to biblical teaching often gets reduced to biblical teaching often gets reduced to sound bites and truth gets tailored to sound bites and truth gets tailored to sound bites and truth gets tailored to whatever the agorithm calls it. For whatever the agorithm calls it. For whatever the agorithm calls it. For here's what we must remember. The true here's what we must remember. The true here's what we must remember. The true gospel of Christ doesn't need to be gospel of Christ doesn't need to be gospel of Christ doesn't need to be memorialable and made it already memorialable and made it already memorialable and made it already memorialable. The true gospel doesn't memorialable. The true gospel doesn't memorialable. The true gospel doesn't need to be made powerful. It's already need to be made powerful. It's already need to be made powerful. It's already powerful. Amen. Christ doesn't need to powerful. Amen. Christ doesn't need to powerful. Amen. Christ doesn't need to be made memorialable. [groaning] He is. be made memorialable. [groaning] He is. be made memorialable. [groaning] He is. Amen. The truth. It don't need to be Amen. The truth. It don't need to be Amen. The truth. It don't need to be trending. It's transformative. trending. It's transformative. trending. It's transformative. Oh yes. And the Apostle Paul's ministry Oh yes. And the Apostle Paul's ministry Oh yes. And the Apostle Paul's ministry often strikes contest to our convenient often strikes contest to our convenient often strikes contest to our convenient tick- tock culture. For when he said 1 tick- tock culture. For when he said 1 tick- tock culture. For when he said 1 Corinthians 2 and4, my preaching was not Corinthians 2 and4, my preaching was not Corinthians 2 and4, my preaching was not with enticing words of men's wisdom, but with enticing words of men's wisdom, but with enticing words of men's wisdom, but in power and demonstration of the in power and demonstration of the in power and demonstration of the spirit. Oh God, send power. [screaming] spirit. Oh God, send power. [screaming] spirit. Oh God, send power. [screaming] Oh God, send manifestation. Oh God, send manifestation. Oh God, send manifestation. Oh God, let us not be turned to Oh God, let us not be turned to Oh God, let us not be turned to entertainment but desire the word of entertainment but desire the word of entertainment but desire the word of [screaming] God again. [screaming] God again. [screaming] God again. Oh yes. Amen. Paul wasn't trying to go Oh yes. Amen. Paul wasn't trying to go Oh yes. Amen. Paul wasn't trying to go viral. Oh no. He was consistent. He was viral. Oh no. He was consistent. He was viral. Oh no. He was consistent. He was faithful. He was absolute confident that faithful. He was absolute confident that faithful. He was absolute confident that this word right here would accomplish this word right here would accomplish this word right here would accomplish what God intended for it to accomplish. what God intended for it to accomplish. what God intended for it to accomplish. Uh this culture desperately needs the Uh this culture desperately needs the Uh this culture desperately needs the whole council of God. It desperately whole council of God. It desperately whole council of God. It desperately needs Amen. Oh yes. I'm telling you, not needs Amen. Oh yes. I'm telling you, not needs Amen. Oh yes. I'm telling you, not just the popular parts of it, but dear just the popular parts of it, but dear just the popular parts of it, but dear God, they need the whole gospel rightly God, they need the whole gospel rightly God, they need the whole gospel rightly divided. They need the word of truth. If divided. They need the word of truth. If divided. They need the word of truth. If there's ever been a day, amen, they need there's ever been a day, amen, they need there's ever been a day, amen, they need to know, amen, that sin is called sin. to know, amen, that sin is called sin. to know, amen, that sin is called sin. And when a culture tries to redefine it, And when a culture tries to redefine it, And when a culture tries to redefine it, they need to be pointed to Christ. They they need to be pointed to Christ. They they need to be pointed to Christ. They need to be pointed, Amen. Thank God. Not need to be pointed, Amen. Thank God. Not need to be pointed, Amen. Thank God. Not just trending topics, but the just trending topics, but the just trending topics, but the [screaming] whole word of God. [screaming] whole word of God. [screaming] whole word of God. Amen. Amen. Amen. That just moves us and fits our fancy. That just moves us and fits our fancy. That just moves us and fits our fancy. They need truth that transforms. They need truth that transforms. They need truth that transforms. Amen. That's right. A young little girl, Amen. That's right. A young little girl, Amen. That's right. A young little girl, four years old, told her Grammy in our four years old, told her Grammy in our four years old, told her Grammy in our church said she was invited, her family church said she was invited, her family church said she was invited, her family was invited to another church. And they was invited to another church. And they was invited to another church. And they went there and she said, "Amen." She went there and she said, "Amen." She went there and she said, "Amen." She didn't like that church at four years didn't like that church at four years didn't like that church at four years old. She said, "Why don't" and she said, old. She said, "Why don't" and she said, old. She said, "Why don't" and she said, "They don't preach Jesus the way pastor "They don't preach Jesus the way pastor "They don't preach Jesus the way pastor does." Amen. Four years old. She said, does." Amen. Four years old. She said, does." Amen. Four years old. She said, "He never mentioned Jesus one time in "He never mentioned Jesus one time in "He never mentioned Jesus one time in his preaching." Four years old, a child, his preaching." Four years old, a child, his preaching." Four years old, a child, amen, said to that preacher, "Amen. You amen, said to that preacher, "Amen. You amen, said to that preacher, "Amen. You didn't mention Jesus today. When you didn't mention Jesus today. When you didn't mention Jesus today. When you preach, I'm telling you, we need a preach, I'm telling you, we need a preach, I'm telling you, we need a preacher and we need men and women of preacher and we need men and women of preacher and we need men and women of God. And we're proclaiming this how it's God. And we're proclaiming this how it's God. And we're proclaiming this how it's still Christ and Christ [screaming] still Christ and Christ [screaming] still Christ and Christ [screaming] alone is what's going to save this alone is what's going to save this alone is what's going to save this world. world. world. Oh yes. Oh, the cross becomes so foreign Oh yes. Oh, the cross becomes so foreign Oh yes. Oh, the cross becomes so foreign to so many. We only oh you know now and to so many. We only oh you know now and to so many. We only oh you know now and our only refuge is in the comfort of our only refuge is in the comfort of our only refuge is in the comfort of secular convenience. secular convenience. secular convenience. Amen. We'll be kept hidden the snooze Amen. We'll be kept hidden the snooze Amen. We'll be kept hidden the snooze button on Christ. Amen. Don't hear me. button on Christ. Amen. Don't hear me. button on Christ. Amen. Don't hear me. Amen. That command that he said take up Amen. That command that he said take up Amen. That command that he said take up your cross and follow me. Many are keep your cross and follow me. Many are keep your cross and follow me. Many are keep hitting this snooze button on it. Amen. hitting this snooze button on it. Amen. hitting this snooze button on it. Amen. because of the convenience that this because of the convenience that this because of the convenience that this world gives. [gasps] Amen. The text we world gives. [gasps] Amen. The text we world gives. [gasps] Amen. The text we read, Jesus himself read, Jesus himself read, Jesus himself shows us how to confront the idol of shows us how to confront the idol of shows us how to confront the idol of convenience. convenience. convenience. Amen. As we look over the 40 days with Amen. As we look over the 40 days with Amen. As we look over the 40 days with hunger, thirst, and isolation hunger, thirst, and isolation hunger, thirst, and isolation comes a spiritual enemy. Satan himself comes a spiritual enemy. Satan himself comes a spiritual enemy. Satan himself meets Christ in the wilderness. He meets Christ in the wilderness. He meets Christ in the wilderness. He twists the good things of God into twists the good things of God into twists the good things of God into opportunities opportunities opportunities for disobedience. for disobedience. for disobedience. He entices the exhausted Messiah with a He entices the exhausted Messiah with a He entices the exhausted Messiah with a gospel of convenience. And in four and gospel of convenience. And in four and gospel of convenience. And in four and three, he says, "If you are the son of three, he says, "If you are the son of three, he says, "If you are the son of God, if you are who you say you are, God, if you are who you say you are, God, if you are who you say you are, just simply reduce your hunger by just simply reduce your hunger by just simply reduce your hunger by commanding the stones to be turned to commanding the stones to be turned to commanding the stones to be turned to bread." Amen. in Luke 4 and5. If you bread." Amen. in Luke 4 and5. If you bread." Amen. in Luke 4 and5. If you want a kingdom, let me give it to you. want a kingdom, let me give it to you. want a kingdom, let me give it to you. All you have to do is bow down, worship All you have to do is bow down, worship All you have to do is bow down, worship me and my world become yours. If you are me and my world become yours. If you are me and my world become yours. If you are the son of God, prove it now on the son of God, prove it now on the son of God, prove it now on [screaming] your own terms. [screaming] your own terms. [screaming] your own terms. That's right. Your coming kingdom will That's right. Your coming kingdom will That's right. Your coming kingdom will arrive much easier. Amen. [snorts] If arrive much easier. Amen. [snorts] If arrive much easier. Amen. [snorts] If you'll do it away, amen. If you'll wait, you'll do it away, amen. If you'll wait, you'll do it away, amen. If you'll wait, then wait on your father. Why go through then wait on your father. Why go through then wait on your father. Why go through the hardships? Amen. that you're going the hardships? Amen. that you're going the hardships? Amen. that you're going to be for you. In Luke 4:9 and 11, Satan to be for you. In Luke 4:9 and 11, Satan to be for you. In Luke 4:9 and 11, Satan says, "Just throw yourself down from the says, "Just throw yourself down from the says, "Just throw yourself down from the top of this temple and let the world see top of this temple and let the world see top of this temple and let the world see how your father protects you." But how your father protects you." But how your father protects you." But Christ did not give in to the masterful. Christ did not give in to the masterful. Christ did not give in to the masterful. Amen. Lie of convenience. Instead, he Amen. Lie of convenience. Instead, he Amen. Lie of convenience. Instead, he cling on to the promises of God. Amen. cling on to the promises of God. Amen. cling on to the promises of God. Amen. Oh, yes. He introduced a a better Oh, yes. He introduced a a better Oh, yes. He introduced a a better kingdom. But in God's time, Christ kingdom. But in God's time, Christ kingdom. But in God's time, Christ confirmed and affirmed what he came to confirmed and affirmed what he came to confirmed and affirmed what he came to do was his father's will. Convenience will always detour you from Convenience will always detour you from the will of God. the will of God. the will of God. It'll cause you to get off course uh It'll cause you to get off course uh It'll cause you to get off course uh from fulfilling the will of God. from fulfilling the will of God. from fulfilling the will of God. Convenience. Amen. Whether it be I'm Convenience. Amen. Whether it be I'm Convenience. Amen. Whether it be I'm telling you, serving God has never been telling you, serving God has never been telling you, serving God has never been of convenience to this flesh. Amen. of convenience to this flesh. Amen. of convenience to this flesh. Amen. Doing and fulfilling the call of God has Doing and fulfilling the call of God has Doing and fulfilling the call of God has never been about me and about my family never been about me and about my family never been about me and about my family and about what I want. Matter of fact, and about what I want. Matter of fact, and about what I want. Matter of fact, it's always put me in distance from my it's always put me in distance from my it's always put me in distance from my family, hours from them. If it was about family, hours from them. If it was about family, hours from them. If it was about my convenience, I'd have never moved 8 my convenience, I'd have never moved 8 my convenience, I'd have never moved 8 hours. The first church we took, I'd hours. The first church we took, I'd hours. The first church we took, I'd have never done what we did. I'm telling have never done what we did. I'm telling have never done what we did. I'm telling you, it ain't about convenience. It's you, it ain't about convenience. It's you, it ain't about convenience. It's about walking in the will of God. It's about walking in the will of God. It's about walking in the will of God. It's about fulfilling and doing [screaming] about fulfilling and doing [screaming] about fulfilling and doing [screaming] the mind of God. Time's running out and the mind of God. Time's running out and the mind of God. Time's running out and we can't get caught up in our we can't get caught up in our we can't get caught up in our convenience. convenience. convenience. It's not about what's what we want. It's not about what's what we want. It's not about what's what we want. Christ affirm that he came to do his Christ affirm that he came to do his Christ affirm that he came to do his father's will, not Satan's and not his father's will, not Satan's and not his father's will, not Satan's and not his own. own. own. He said, "Not as I will. Nevertheless, He said, "Not as I will. Nevertheless, He said, "Not as I will. Nevertheless, not as I will, but that as thou will, not as I will, but that as thou will, not as I will, but that as thou will, I'll drink this cup. I'll go to the I'll drink this cup. I'll go to the I'll drink this cup. I'll go to the cross, I'll do it." Praise God. He came cross, I'll do it." Praise God. He came cross, I'll do it." Praise God. He came to give us life a ransom. And nothing, to give us life a ransom. And nothing, to give us life a ransom. And nothing, not even the convenience of earthly not even the convenience of earthly not even the convenience of earthly provision, fame, and undeniable provision, fame, and undeniable provision, fame, and undeniable self-determined supernatural ministry self-determined supernatural ministry self-determined supernatural ministry could keep the son of God from the could keep the son of God from the could keep the son of God from the father's mission. father's mission. father's mission. What's keeping you today? What's keeping you today? What's keeping you today? What's keeping us today? He came to give What's keeping us today? He came to give What's keeping us today? He came to give his life a ransom. So it should be. his life a ransom. So it should be. his life a ransom. So it should be. Amen. And I want you to understand Amen. And I want you to understand Amen. And I want you to understand [laughter] today, Christ has already [laughter] today, Christ has already [laughter] today, Christ has already done the much better [clears throat] done the much better [clears throat] done the much better [clears throat] than what we I'm telling you, understand than what we I'm telling you, understand than what we I'm telling you, understand we are to be transformed into the we are to be transformed into the we are to be transformed into the likeness by commitment and by conviction likeness by commitment and by conviction likeness by commitment and by conviction to live and embrace Christ. [laughter] to live and embrace Christ. [laughter] to live and embrace Christ. [laughter] Amen. That I can be, Amen. transformed Amen. That I can be, Amen. transformed Amen. That I can be, Amen. transformed into the image of [screaming] Christ. into the image of [screaming] Christ. into the image of [screaming] Christ. That's right. I'm determined. I'm not That's right. I'm determined. I'm not That's right. I'm determined. I'm not going to be transformed into an image going to be transformed into an image going to be transformed into an image that somebody wants me to be, but I want that somebody wants me to be, but I want that somebody wants me to be, but I want to be putting on Christ every morning. I to be putting on Christ every morning. I to be putting on Christ every morning. I want to put on Christ every day. I want want to put on Christ every day. I want want to put on Christ every day. I want to walk in Christ. Amen. I'm not here to to walk in Christ. Amen. I'm not here to to walk in Christ. Amen. I'm not here to please men. I'm here to please God. How please men. I'm here to please God. How please men. I'm here to please God. How about you? Amen. I want to live like about you? Amen. I want to live like about you? Amen. I want to live like Christ lived. Christ lived. Christ lived. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh yes. Scripture uses active verbs to Oh yes. Scripture uses active verbs to Oh yes. Scripture uses active verbs to describe the Christian walk. Amen. He describe the Christian walk. Amen. He describe the Christian walk. Amen. He describes it. Amen. Like draw near. describes it. Amen. Like draw near. describes it. Amen. Like draw near. Amen. Persevere. Fight the good fight of Amen. Persevere. Fight the good fight of Amen. Persevere. Fight the good fight of faith. Strive. Walk worthy. Encourage faith. Strive. Walk worthy. Encourage faith. Strive. Walk worthy. Encourage one another. Stand firm. Hold fast. one another. Stand firm. Hold fast. one another. Stand firm. Hold fast. Amen. He used his Amen. Action words all Amen. He used his Amen. Action words all Amen. He used his Amen. Action words all through the book right here. Amen. like through the book right here. Amen. like through the book right here. Amen. like work, mortify, adore, and serve, labor. work, mortify, adore, and serve, labor. work, mortify, adore, and serve, labor. The Holy Ghost uses those action words The Holy Ghost uses those action words The Holy Ghost uses those action words to propel the believer and the church to propel the believer and the church to propel the believer and the church from convenience [laughter] into from convenience [laughter] into from convenience [laughter] into conviction. Hallelujah. And have there conviction. Hallelujah. And have there conviction. Hallelujah. And have there ever been a day, amen, we need to go ever been a day, amen, we need to go ever been a day, amen, we need to go beyond convenience and start living beyond convenience and start living beyond convenience and start living conviction again. And [screaming] let conviction again. And [screaming] let conviction again. And [screaming] let the power of God, Amen, transform us. the power of God, Amen, transform us. the power of God, Amen, transform us. These directives [laughter] are intended These directives [laughter] are intended These directives [laughter] are intended to help us become what? to help us become what? to help us become what? Papa no Christlike. Papa no Christlike. Papa no Christlike. Every day I crucify this flesh that I Every day I crucify this flesh that I Every day I crucify this flesh that I might win Christ put on Christ every might win Christ put on Christ every might win Christ put on Christ every day. Amen. The directors are intending day. Amen. The directors are intending day. Amen. The directors are intending us toward Christlike that mission. The us toward Christlike that mission. The us toward Christlike that mission. The New Testament disciples, Amen. How many New Testament disciples, Amen. How many New Testament disciples, Amen. How many know? Amen. Were referred to as athletes know? Amen. Were referred to as athletes know? Amen. Were referred to as athletes or soldiers. They were been referred to or soldiers. They were been referred to or soldiers. They were been referred to as men fighting or running a race. We as men fighting or running a race. We as men fighting or running a race. We too are fighting and running a race too are fighting and running a race too are fighting and running a race today. And I intend to win. I intend to today. And I intend to win. I intend to today. And I intend to win. I intend to make it all the [screaming] way. make it all the [screaming] way. make it all the [screaming] way. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh yes. spiritual athletes, Oh yes. spiritual athletes, Oh yes. spiritual athletes, crucified, crucified, crucified, new creations. new creations. new creations. Amen. As modern day disciples, we run Amen. As modern day disciples, we run Amen. As modern day disciples, we run and we fight. and we fight. and we fight. And Lord, the fight's been taken out of And Lord, the fight's been taken out of And Lord, the fight's been taken out of a lot of us. But I'm saying, I intend to a lot of us. But I'm saying, I intend to a lot of us. But I'm saying, I intend to fight. fight. fight. I intend to give it all I've got. I intend to give it all I've got. I intend to give it all I've got. Hallelujah. There are times this body Hallelujah. There are times this body Hallelujah. There are times this body don't feel like fighting. But I fight don't feel like fighting. But I fight don't feel like fighting. But I fight anyhow. I fought to get to this meeting. anyhow. I fought to get to this meeting. anyhow. I fought to get to this meeting. I've been fighting since I've been here I've been fighting since I've been here I've been fighting since I've been here in this body, but I intend to fight. in this body, but I intend to fight. in this body, but I intend to fight. Hallelujah. I intend to give it Hallelujah. I intend to give it Hallelujah. I intend to give it everything I got until I die. everything I got until I die. everything I got until I die. Hallelujah. I've come to tell somebody Hallelujah. I've come to tell somebody Hallelujah. I've come to tell somebody this morning, amen, there comes a time, this morning, amen, there comes a time, this morning, amen, there comes a time, amen, that convenience good enough. amen, that convenience good enough. amen, that convenience good enough. Amen. and I must fight and I must Amen. and I must fight and I must Amen. and I must fight and I must continue to accomplish the purpose that continue to accomplish the purpose that continue to accomplish the purpose that God has placed in my life. Hallelujah. God has placed in my life. Hallelujah. God has placed in my life. Hallelujah. We run. We fight. We take up the whole We run. We fight. We take up the whole We run. We fight. We take up the whole armor of God. Why? So we can finish armor of God. Why? So we can finish armor of God. Why? So we can finish well. well. well. We can finish well. Anybody want to We can finish well. Anybody want to We can finish well. Anybody want to finish well? I want to finish well. I finish well? I want to finish well. I finish well? I want to finish well. I want to run on. Hallelujah. Yet the want to run on. Hallelujah. Yet the want to run on. Hallelujah. Yet the temptation. How many knows the temptation. How many knows the temptation. How many knows the temptation of convenience remains? temptation of convenience remains? temptation of convenience remains? Looking for convenience. Looking for convenience. Looking for convenience. Jesus Christ and his disciples. Amen. He Jesus Christ and his disciples. Amen. He Jesus Christ and his disciples. Amen. He said, "I want you to disconnect from said, "I want you to disconnect from said, "I want you to disconnect from your world." He looked to the tax your world." He looked to the tax your world." He looked to the tax collector and said, "Leave that tax collector and said, "Leave that tax collector and said, "Leave that tax booth and follow me." He looked at booth and follow me." He looked at booth and follow me." He looked at fisherman and said, "Lay down your nets fisherman and said, "Lay down your nets fisherman and said, "Lay down your nets and follow me." Amen. I'm telling you, and follow me." Amen. I'm telling you, and follow me." Amen. I'm telling you, it's a life of following. It's a life of it's a life of following. It's a life of it's a life of following. It's a life of dedication, dedication, dedication, disconnecting from that world, the disconnecting from that world, the disconnecting from that world, the ambitions. Amen. What did he do when he ambitions. Amen. What did he do when he ambitions. Amen. What did he do when he called his disciples? I'm telling you, called his disciples? I'm telling you, called his disciples? I'm telling you, every one of them, come follow me. Leave every one of them, come follow me. Leave every one of them, come follow me. Leave it. Leave your convenience behind. it. Leave your convenience behind. it. Leave your convenience behind. Hallelujah. [laughter] Hallelujah. [laughter] Hallelujah. [laughter] Anybody remember the young rich ruler Anybody remember the young rich ruler Anybody remember the young rich ruler had walked away sorrowful and was not had walked away sorrowful and was not had walked away sorrowful and was not willing to leave his life of willing to leave his life of willing to leave his life of convenience? convenience? convenience? See where that got him? He returned to See where that got him? He returned to See where that got him? He returned to that convenient lifestyle that convenient lifestyle that convenient lifestyle and said, "I want to take up my cross, and said, "I want to take up my cross, and said, "I want to take up my cross, follow him, and wherever he may lead." follow him, and wherever he may lead." follow him, and wherever he may lead." Christ doesn't leave the eternal Christ doesn't leave the eternal Christ doesn't leave the eternal convenience of heaven for the fleeting convenience of heaven for the fleeting convenience of heaven for the fleeting convenience of the world. He came to convenience of the world. He came to convenience of the world. He came to destroy the idols of convenience. Amen. destroy the idols of convenience. Amen. destroy the idols of convenience. Amen. That we might have him [laughter] as our That we might have him [laughter] as our That we might have him [laughter] as our Lord. And following Christ leads us Lord. And following Christ leads us Lord. And following Christ leads us something better than a world of something better than a world of something better than a world of temporary things. There's an eternity. temporary things. There's an eternity. temporary things. There's an eternity. Amen. He's prepared for you [screaming] Amen. He's prepared for you [screaming] Amen. He's prepared for you [screaming] and I if we make it. Hallelujah. and I if we make it. Hallelujah. and I if we make it. Hallelujah. Oh yes. Christ guarantees an eternal Oh yes. Christ guarantees an eternal Oh yes. Christ guarantees an eternal reward. reward. reward. Amen. There's been times that rewards Amen. There's been times that rewards Amen. There's been times that rewards are the reasons of pushing why people are the reasons of pushing why people are the reasons of pushing why people try so hard. [snorts] Amen. The try so hard. [snorts] Amen. The try so hard. [snorts] Amen. The Olympics. Those Amen. Olympic athletes Olympics. Those Amen. Olympic athletes Olympics. Those Amen. Olympic athletes trained for one reason, to get a medal. trained for one reason, to get a medal. trained for one reason, to get a medal. [gasps] Amen. For one reason. When I [gasps] Amen. For one reason. When I [gasps] Amen. For one reason. When I cross that line, I'm not wanting it and cross that line, I'm not wanting it and cross that line, I'm not wanting it and I'm not happy with just a silver. I want I'm not happy with just a silver. I want I'm not happy with just a silver. I want the gold. I'm here to tell you, when I the gold. I'm here to tell you, when I the gold. I'm here to tell you, when I gave my life to Christ years ago, Amen. gave my life to Christ years ago, Amen. gave my life to Christ years ago, Amen. wasn't just because of what he could do wasn't just because of what he could do wasn't just because of what he could do for me. I'm telling you, it's what he's for me. I'm telling you, it's what he's for me. I'm telling you, it's what he's done for me. Amen. What he did on done for me. Amen. What he did on done for me. Amen. What he did on Calvary for me. Amen. And what he's Calvary for me. Amen. And what he's Calvary for me. Amen. And what he's doing throughout eternity. Praise God. doing throughout eternity. Praise God. doing throughout eternity. Praise God. Amen. I intended to start this to win. Amen. I intended to start this to win. Amen. I intended to start this to win. The call of Christ is urgent. It's The call of Christ is urgent. It's The call of Christ is urgent. It's personal. Amen. He called a church, but personal. Amen. He called a church, but personal. Amen. He called a church, but he also called us personally to fulfill he also called us personally to fulfill he also called us personally to fulfill the commission. What God has placed in the commission. What God has placed in the commission. What God has placed in us. No one has ever conveniently just us. No one has ever conveniently just us. No one has ever conveniently just served God. Everyone who has sought served God. Everyone who has sought served God. Everyone who has sought convenience always found them on the convenience always found them on the convenience always found them on the opposite of God. Amen. His side opposite of God. Amen. His side opposite of God. Amen. His side convenience and serve the Lord should convenience and serve the Lord should convenience and serve the Lord should never even be in the same sentence. never even be in the same sentence. never even be in the same sentence. Amen. But I've come to tell you today, Amen. But I've come to tell you today, Amen. But I've come to tell you today, Amen. The Bible said, Amen, that Herod, Amen. The Bible said, Amen, that Herod, Amen. The Bible said, Amen, that Herod, Amen, had John the Baptist beheaded at a Amen, had John the Baptist beheaded at a Amen, had John the Baptist beheaded at a convenient time. Judas's Scar betrayed convenient time. Judas's Scar betrayed convenient time. Judas's Scar betrayed the Lord. The Jewish ruler Felix looked the Lord. The Jewish ruler Felix looked the Lord. The Jewish ruler Felix looked for a convenient season and what the for a convenient season and what the for a convenient season and what the scripture calls it. Amen. Oh my. I'm scripture calls it. Amen. Oh my. I'm scripture calls it. Amen. Oh my. I'm here to tell you he died without the here to tell you he died without the here to tell you he died without the convenient season ever coming. Spiritual convenient season ever coming. Spiritual convenient season ever coming. Spiritual convenience is always going to put us on convenience is always going to put us on convenience is always going to put us on the wrong side of scripture. I want you the wrong side of scripture. I want you the wrong side of scripture. I want you to know today. Amen. Oh God. Amen. to know today. Amen. Oh God. Amen. to know today. Amen. Oh God. Amen. there. And it's never convenient to be there. And it's never convenient to be there. And it's never convenient to be faithful to doing anything for God. faithful to doing anything for God. faithful to doing anything for God. It's not convenient for me, preacher, It's not convenient for me, preacher, It's not convenient for me, preacher, amen, to go to prayer meet. It's not amen, to go to prayer meet. It's not amen, to go to prayer meet. It's not convenient to me to show up on work day. convenient to me to show up on work day. convenient to me to show up on work day. It's not convenient for me. It is never It's not convenient for me. It is never It's not convenient for me. It is never convenient convenient convenient when it comes for the things of God. Let when it comes for the things of God. Let when it comes for the things of God. Let me tell you something. You got to make me tell you something. You got to make me tell you something. You got to make it. Amen. Your priority it. Amen. Your priority it. Amen. Your priority is I don't serve God out of convenience. is I don't serve God out of convenience. is I don't serve God out of convenience. never convenient to be faithful. We've never convenient to be faithful. We've never convenient to be faithful. We've focused, I'm telling you, many times on focused, I'm telling you, many times on focused, I'm telling you, many times on what it does to benefit us. It ain't what it does to benefit us. It ain't what it does to benefit us. It ain't about benefiting me. It's about exalting about benefiting me. It's about exalting about benefiting me. It's about exalting Christ. It's about walking in Christ. Christ. It's about walking in Christ. Christ. It's about walking in Christ. And the most convenient time you'll ever And the most convenient time you'll ever And the most convenient time you'll ever have to accept Christ as your savior is have to accept Christ as your savior is have to accept Christ as your savior is right now. Hallelujah. right now. Hallelujah. right now. Hallelujah. I put it off for later. Amen. Why? God I put it off for later. Amen. Why? God I put it off for later. Amen. Why? God is speaking to a heart. That's when that is speaking to a heart. That's when that is speaking to a heart. That's when that heart must surrender. Amen. Oh yes. heart must surrender. Amen. Oh yes. heart must surrender. Amen. Oh yes. We've got to way down deep. We got to We've got to way down deep. We got to We've got to way down deep. We got to have the reality of living in and by have the reality of living in and by have the reality of living in and by conviction. Amen. Oh yes. There conviction. Amen. Oh yes. There conviction. Amen. Oh yes. There struggles in this Christian walk. struggles in this Christian walk. struggles in this Christian walk. Every day we face struggles. Every day Every day we face struggles. Every day Every day we face struggles. Every day we walk. Amen. Not after the flesh but we walk. Amen. Not after the flesh but we walk. Amen. Not after the flesh but after the spirit. And we struggle after the spirit. And we struggle after the spirit. And we struggle because that flesh is very much alive. because that flesh is very much alive. because that flesh is very much alive. Amen. But I'm telling you, when that Amen. But I'm telling you, when that Amen. But I'm telling you, when that flesh is crucified, that flesh is put flesh is crucified, that flesh is put flesh is crucified, that flesh is put under. Amen. We learn the difference under. Amen. We learn the difference under. Amen. We learn the difference between conviction and convenience. between conviction and convenience. between conviction and convenience. Amen. We learn that convenience is Amen. We learn that convenience is Amen. We learn that convenience is comfortable and easy. But conviction is comfortable and easy. But conviction is comfortable and easy. But conviction is risky and difficult. But I choose risky and difficult. But I choose risky and difficult. But I choose conviction over that any day. Praise conviction over that any day. Praise conviction over that any day. Praise God. And I'm willing to die for it. God. And I'm willing to die for it. God. And I'm willing to die for it. Amen. Amen. Amen. That's right. They learned that That's right. They learned that That's right. They learned that conviction loves what always done. But conviction loves what always done. But conviction loves what always done. But conviction, amen, takes the less road conviction, amen, takes the less road conviction, amen, takes the less road traveled. Folks have learned that traveled. Folks have learned that traveled. Folks have learned that convenience is saying, "Oh, I'm a convenience is saying, "Oh, I'm a convenience is saying, "Oh, I'm a Christian." But conviction is actually Christian." But conviction is actually Christian." But conviction is actually living like Christ. Amen. How many you living like Christ. Amen. How many you living like Christ. Amen. How many you ever met that somebody said, "I'm a ever met that somebody said, "I'm a ever met that somebody said, "I'm a Christian." But their life did not Christian." But their life did not Christian." But their life did not [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] line up to scripture. I'm It's easy to line up to scripture. I'm It's easy to line up to scripture. I'm It's easy to say that. But when I start walking like say that. But when I start walking like say that. But when I start walking like Christ and I put on Christ, I'll tell Christ and I put on Christ, I'll tell Christ and I put on Christ, I'll tell you in the darkness there'll be a light you in the darkness there'll be a light you in the darkness there'll be a light shine. In the darkness, amen, it'll be shine. In the darkness, amen, it'll be shine. In the darkness, amen, it'll be salt and light. Amen. When you and I salt and light. Amen. When you and I salt and light. Amen. When you and I learn, amen. Oh, hallelujah. Amen. That learn, amen. Oh, hallelujah. Amen. That learn, amen. Oh, hallelujah. Amen. That convenience follows desires, but convenience follows desires, but convenience follows desires, but conviction follows the purpose and will conviction follows the purpose and will conviction follows the purpose and will of God. of God. of God. Amen. Learned that convenience is casual Amen. Learned that convenience is casual Amen. Learned that convenience is casual but conviction is powerful. but conviction is powerful. but conviction is powerful. Learning that convenience causes one to Learning that convenience causes one to Learning that convenience causes one to please people but conviction causes one please people but conviction causes one please people but conviction causes one to please God. Learn to convince to please God. Learn to convince to please God. Learn to convince gives when money is plentiful but gives when money is plentiful but gives when money is plentiful but conviction gives regardless. It was conviction gives regardless. It was conviction gives regardless. It was conviction rather the convenience that conviction rather the convenience that conviction rather the convenience that enabled Daniel the book of Daniel to say enabled Daniel the book of Daniel to say enabled Daniel the book of Daniel to say I refuse to eat the king's meat. I I refuse to eat the king's meat. I I refuse to eat the king's meat. I refuse to bow down. I refuse [screaming] refuse to bow down. I refuse [screaming] refuse to bow down. I refuse [screaming] amen to give in. Hallelujah. amen to give in. Hallelujah. amen to give in. Hallelujah. Conviction. I'll die for it. [gasps] I Conviction. I'll die for it. [gasps] I Conviction. I'll die for it. [gasps] I heard a lawyer years ago. Amen. Taught heard a lawyer years ago. Amen. Taught heard a lawyer years ago. Amen. Taught him and he taught on conviction versus him and he taught on conviction versus him and he taught on conviction versus preferences. preferences. preferences. A preference is something that you'll A preference is something that you'll A preference is something that you'll just throw down and walk away. But a just throw down and walk away. But a just throw down and walk away. But a conviction will be if somebody puts you conviction will be if somebody puts you conviction will be if somebody puts you a gun to your head and say curse God or a gun to your head and say curse God or a gun to your head and say curse God or die, you'll take a bullet for your die, you'll take a bullet for your die, you'll take a bullet for your conviction. I've come to remind somebody conviction. I've come to remind somebody conviction. I've come to remind somebody today, we've got to go beyond today, we've got to go beyond today, we've got to go beyond convenience and the delights of the convenience and the delights of the convenience and the delights of the king. We're living in a a modernday king. We're living in a a modernday king. We're living in a a modernday Babylon. And I refuse to be the king's Babylon. And I refuse to be the king's Babylon. And I refuse to be the king's me. house stay with conviction. He was willing to publicly declare his He was willing to publicly declare his opposition. He got him noticed by the opposition. He got him noticed by the opposition. He got him noticed by the authorities in all the wrong places. authorities in all the wrong places. authorities in all the wrong places. Oh, Martin Luther. Amen. He didn't Oh, Martin Luther. Amen. He didn't Oh, Martin Luther. Amen. He didn't intend to break away from the Roman intend to break away from the Roman intend to break away from the Roman Catholic Church and start the Protestant Catholic Church and start the Protestant Catholic Church and start the Protestant Reformation. He simply wanted to debate Reformation. He simply wanted to debate Reformation. He simply wanted to debate a monk named Tessel who sold Amen. a monk named Tessel who sold Amen. a monk named Tessel who sold Amen. indulgences and Luther considered that indulgences and Luther considered that indulgences and Luther considered that practice unbiblical and one thing led to practice unbiblical and one thing led to practice unbiblical and one thing led to another. Soon Luther, amen, found another. Soon Luther, amen, found another. Soon Luther, amen, found himself facing down the pope and the himself facing down the pope and the himself facing down the pope and the authority of the Roman church when he authority of the Roman church when he authority of the Roman church when he was asked to recount his writings and was asked to recount his writings and was asked to recount his writings and his teachings or get get excommunicated. his teachings or get get excommunicated. his teachings or get get excommunicated. He took his standing on the truth of the He took his standing on the truth of the He took his standing on the truth of the word of God. He said, "I choose word of God. He said, "I choose word of God. He said, "I choose conviction over convenience." God's conviction over convenience." God's conviction over convenience." God's looking for a people that'll say, "I looking for a people that'll say, "I looking for a people that'll say, "I choose." Amen. Conviction over choose." Amen. Conviction over choose." Amen. Conviction over convenience. Hallelujah. convenience. Hallelujah. convenience. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh, yes. Amen. Daniel stood his ground. Oh, yes. Amen. Daniel stood his ground. Oh, yes. Amen. Daniel stood his ground. Why? Because he knew God had promised Why? Because he knew God had promised Why? Because he knew God had promised and what he had promised the Hebrew and what he had promised the Hebrew and what he had promised the Hebrew people. And what God has promised us, people. And what God has promised us, people. And what God has promised us, his promises are still Yeah. And amen. his promises are still Yeah. And amen. his promises are still Yeah. And amen. If we're going to have conviction over If we're going to have conviction over If we're going to have conviction over convenience, amen, the Bible is still convenience, amen, the Bible is still convenience, amen, the Bible is still the book for me. The Bible is still the the book for me. The Bible is still the the book for me. The Bible is still the book. Amen. [screaming] I hide in my book. Amen. [screaming] I hide in my book. Amen. [screaming] I hide in my height. The word of God is still right. height. The word of God is still right. height. The word of God is still right. Praise God. Praise God. Praise God. Amen. [snorts] Amen. [snorts] Amen. [snorts] Oh yes. Amen. I choose conviction over Oh yes. Amen. I choose conviction over Oh yes. Amen. I choose conviction over convenience. I've got to hurry. Amen. Oh convenience. I've got to hurry. Amen. Oh convenience. I've got to hurry. Amen. Oh yes. Anybody yes. Anybody yes. Anybody remember that little small book in the remember that little small book in the remember that little small book in the Old Testament? [snorts] Ruth. Amen. Ruth Old Testament? [snorts] Ruth. Amen. Ruth Old Testament? [snorts] Ruth. Amen. Ruth lost a husband, a brother-in-law, a lost a husband, a brother-in-law, a lost a husband, a brother-in-law, a father-in-law, but she had some father-in-law, but she had some father-in-law, but she had some conviction that got in her heart and conviction that got in her heart and conviction that got in her heart and said, "I refuse to go back to the gods said, "I refuse to go back to the gods said, "I refuse to go back to the gods of the Moabites. of the Moabites. of the Moabites. But Naomi, wherever you go, I'm going to But Naomi, wherever you go, I'm going to But Naomi, wherever you go, I'm going to go. And whatever God you serve, I'm go. And whatever God you serve, I'm go. And whatever God you serve, I'm going to serve. Her heart, Amen, turned going to serve. Her heart, Amen, turned going to serve. Her heart, Amen, turned to Jehovah. Her heart turned to God. to Jehovah. Her heart turned to God. to Jehovah. Her heart turned to God. Amen. She chose conviction. Hallelujah. Amen. She chose conviction. Hallelujah. Amen. She chose conviction. Hallelujah. Oh, go back to Bethlehem. Oh, go back to Bethlehem. Oh, go back to Bethlehem. Oh, [screaming] you don't understand. Oh, [screaming] you don't understand. Oh, [screaming] you don't understand. Amen. All that you had in Moab, she was Amen. All that you had in Moab, she was Amen. All that you had in Moab, she was willing to walk away from it because God willing to walk away from it because God willing to walk away from it because God had so much more in Bethlehem. I tell had so much more in Bethlehem. I tell had so much more in Bethlehem. I tell somebody, God's got so much more than somebody, God's got so much more than somebody, God's got so much more than what's out in that world today. what's out in that world today. what's out in that world today. Oh yes. Oh, she chose conviction. Oh yes. Oh, she chose conviction. Oh yes. Oh, she chose conviction. And because of that, Mary's Boaz becomes And because of that, Mary's Boaz becomes And because of that, Mary's Boaz becomes the great grandmother of King David. the great grandmother of King David. the great grandmother of King David. I choose conviction over convenience. I choose conviction over convenience. I choose conviction over convenience. Hallelujah. Amen. I choose conviction. Hallelujah. Amen. I choose conviction. Hallelujah. Amen. I choose conviction. Amen. I choose commitment. I choose Amen. I choose commitment. I choose Amen. I choose commitment. I choose surrenderance to God. I choose surrenderance to God. I choose surrenderance to God. I choose Hallelujah. I'm telling you. Amen. You Hallelujah. I'm telling you. Amen. You Hallelujah. I'm telling you. Amen. You hear me this morning. You might get hear me this morning. You might get hear me this morning. You might get ridiculed. You might be mocked. But I ridiculed. You might be mocked. But I ridiculed. You might be mocked. But I choose conviction. I choose God. Give us choose conviction. I choose God. Give us choose conviction. I choose God. Give us a backbone in this hour. Hallelujah. To a backbone in this hour. Hallelujah. To a backbone in this hour. Hallelujah. To stand for what's right. Amen. Oh God, stand for what's right. Amen. Oh God, stand for what's right. Amen. Oh God, [screaming] [screaming] [screaming] touch our parents. Touch our forefathers touch our parents. Touch our forefathers touch our parents. Touch our forefathers that are still living. Oh God, raise us that are still living. Oh God, raise us that are still living. Oh God, raise us up a young generation. up a young generation. up a young generation. Oh God, help us to know today. Amen. Oh God, help us to know today. Amen. Oh God, help us to know today. Amen. It's still worth it. Choose conviction It's still worth it. Choose conviction It's still worth it. Choose conviction over your conveniences. It's just convenient. Amen. For me not It's just convenient. Amen. For me not to pray. My daddy ever taught me anything. He My daddy ever taught me anything. He says, "Son, better get you a prayer life says, "Son, better get you a prayer life says, "Son, better get you a prayer life and keep it." and keep it." and keep it." No matter how good you can preach, no No matter how good you can preach, no No matter how good you can preach, no matter how good you can play on a music matter how good you can play on a music matter how good you can play on a music instrument, doesn't how you can move a instrument, doesn't how you can move a instrument, doesn't how you can move a crowd, you better be in that altar and crowd, you better be in that altar and crowd, you better be in that altar and you better seek God. You better have a you better seek God. You better have a you better seek God. You better have a prayer life. I'm telling you, it's not prayer life. I'm telling you, it's not prayer life. I'm telling you, it's not convenient to get yourself up out of convenient to get yourself up out of convenient to get yourself up out of bed, amen, early in the morning and go bed, amen, early in the morning and go bed, amen, early in the morning and go to God in prayer. It's not convenient. to God in prayer. It's not convenient. to God in prayer. It's not convenient. Amen. Or you get in the word of God and Amen. Or you get in the word of God and Amen. Or you get in the word of God and study it out. It's not convenient. I'm study it out. It's not convenient. I'm study it out. It's not convenient. I'm telling you, there's a conviction in my telling you, there's a conviction in my telling you, there's a conviction in my heart. If I don't do it, oh God, I'm heart. If I don't do it, oh God, I'm heart. If I don't do it, oh God, I'm telling you this day. Amen. As people of telling you this day. Amen. As people of telling you this day. Amen. As people of God, we got to come back to the God, we got to come back to the God, we got to come back to the conviction. Amen. Oh, we got to come conviction. Amen. Oh, we got to come conviction. Amen. Oh, we got to come back. Amen. To do it. Amen. More than back. Amen. To do it. Amen. More than back. Amen. To do it. Amen. More than just what's convenient. Just doing so many people's just doing Just doing so many people's just doing so much. just enough to sue their so much. just enough to sue their so much. just enough to sue their conscience to make them feel good. conscience to make them feel good. conscience to make them feel good. Riding the line between the church or Riding the line between the church or Riding the line between the church or God in the world. I'm tell you God in the world. I'm tell you God in the world. I'm tell you something. I don't want to straddle no something. I don't want to straddle no something. I don't want to straddle no offense. offense. offense. Amen. It's dangerous when you start Amen. It's dangerous when you start Amen. It's dangerous when you start straddling. straddling. straddling. Amen. I grew up on a farm. I grew up my Amen. I grew up on a farm. I grew up my Amen. I grew up on a farm. I grew up my grandfather. Amen. Was a rancher. Amen. grandfather. Amen. Was a rancher. Amen. grandfather. Amen. Was a rancher. Amen. and and and cattle and and and orange and and and cattle and and and orange and and and cattle and and and orange groves. Amen. I learned, you know, early groves. Amen. I learned, you know, early groves. Amen. I learned, you know, early [laughter] on. Amen. Don't you get on a [laughter] on. Amen. Don't you get on a [laughter] on. Amen. Don't you get on a bobwire fence and try to tight white bobwire fence and try to tight white bobwire fence and try to tight white tight walk the tight rope. Amen. But tight walk the tight rope. Amen. But tight walk the tight rope. Amen. But don't you go trying to straddle the don't you go trying to straddle the don't you go trying to straddle the fence. It's very painful when you fall fence. It's very painful when you fall fence. It's very painful when you fall on the fence. I'm here to tell you on the fence. I'm here to tell you on the fence. I'm here to tell you something. It's going to be very something. It's going to be very something. It's going to be very painful. There's so many walking so painful. There's so many walking so painful. There's so many walking so close. Amen. Because it's convenient. close. Amen. Because it's convenient. close. Amen. Because it's convenient. Amen. I'm just in just enough. I'm Amen. I'm just in just enough. I'm Amen. I'm just in just enough. I'm telling you, you better get all the way telling you, you better get all the way telling you, you better get all the way in. Amen. You better sell all the way in. Amen. You better sell all the way in. Amen. You better sell all the way out. You better surrender everything to out. You better surrender everything to out. You better surrender everything to Christ. Ain't no [screaming] time. Amen. Christ. Ain't no [screaming] time. Amen. Christ. Ain't no [screaming] time. Amen. [clears throat] To live by convenience. [clears throat] To live by convenience. [clears throat] To live by convenience. Oh yes, there is no time. Amen. But oh Oh yes, there is no time. Amen. But oh Oh yes, there is no time. Amen. But oh God, what we must know today, Amen. We God, what we must know today, Amen. We God, what we must know today, Amen. We must have a life of conviction, must have a life of conviction, must have a life of conviction, not a life of convenience. not a life of convenience. not a life of convenience. It's not convenient. It's not convenient. It's not convenient. Amen. To have a camp meeting, but it's Amen. To have a camp meeting, but it's Amen. To have a camp meeting, but it's worth it. worth it. worth it. Folks take their vacations to go to camp Folks take their vacations to go to camp Folks take their vacations to go to camp meeting. Folks take their time off at meeting. Folks take their time off at meeting. Folks take their time off at times, amen, to come to camp meeting times, amen, to come to camp meeting times, amen, to come to camp meeting because something down inside them says because something down inside them says because something down inside them says it's more than convenience for me. it's more than convenience for me. it's more than convenience for me. [snorts] you're here this morning. But I [snorts] you're here this morning. But I [snorts] you're here this morning. But I want to encourage you, amen, don't let want to encourage you, amen, don't let want to encourage you, amen, don't let the conveniences of our culture, [gasps] the conveniences of our culture, [gasps] the conveniences of our culture, [gasps] amen, detour you from the convictions amen, detour you from the convictions amen, detour you from the convictions that God has placed in your heart just that God has placed in your heart just that God has placed in your heart just because it seems easier and simpler. No because it seems easier and simpler. No because it seems easier and simpler. No sir, I want to stand. Amen. As that song sir, I want to stand. Amen. As that song sir, I want to stand. Amen. As that song said, who will stand for Jesus in our said, who will stand for Jesus in our said, who will stand for Jesus in our day? Amen. [screaming] I may be amen day? Amen. [screaming] I may be amen day? Amen. [screaming] I may be amen right in between. Amen. I'm just shy of right in between. Amen. I'm just shy of right in between. Amen. I'm just shy of being 50 years old. Amen. I've been in being 50 years old. Amen. I've been in being 50 years old. Amen. I've been in this thing all my life and I've never this thing all my life and I've never this thing all my life and I've never seen the church uh in the shape that seen the church uh in the shape that seen the church uh in the shape that it's in today. I've never seen the the it's in today. I've never seen the the it's in today. I've never seen the the shape of preachers, amen, that are shape of preachers, amen, that are shape of preachers, amen, that are turning away from the truth of this book turning away from the truth of this book turning away from the truth of this book and living something different. Amen. and living something different. Amen. and living something different. Amen. I'm telling you, we're in a sad I'm telling you, we're in a sad I'm telling you, we're in a sad condition. But if we be a church today condition. But if we be a church today condition. But if we be a church today that said, "I'll live in conviction. that said, "I'll live in conviction. that said, "I'll live in conviction. I'll not live by convenience. I'll walk I'll not live by convenience. I'll walk I'll not live by convenience. I'll walk in conviction. I'm telling you, though in conviction. I'm telling you, though in conviction. I'm telling you, though the devil may come and tempt you in the devil may come and tempt you in the devil may come and tempt you in everything, you have the power to say, everything, you have the power to say, everything, you have the power to say, "Get behind me." It is written, "Get "Get behind me." It is written, "Get "Get behind me." It is written, "Get behind me. I'll stand and live on behind me. I'll stand and live on behind me. I'll stand and live on conviction." Hallelujah. My wife to come to piano this morning if My wife to come to piano this morning if she can. Hallelujah. she can. Hallelujah. she can. Hallelujah. Amen. I don't want a life of Amen. I don't want a life of Amen. I don't want a life of convenience. Convenience Convenience puts you in a position just for a puts you in a position just for a puts you in a position just for a salary. salary. salary. But conviction But conviction But conviction puts you in a place, amen, of obedience puts you in a place, amen, of obedience puts you in a place, amen, of obedience and the will of God regardless, Amen. and the will of God regardless, Amen. and the will of God regardless, Amen. what comes in that week. what comes in that week. what comes in that week. Hallelujah. How can you say that? Hallelujah. How can you say that? Hallelujah. How can you say that? Because I've been there. Hallelujah. I Because I've been there. Hallelujah. I Because I've been there. Hallelujah. I know what it's like to be there. [music] know what it's like to be there. [music] know what it's like to be there. [music] But I'm telling you, if you'll stand But I'm telling you, if you'll stand But I'm telling you, if you'll stand true to conviction true to conviction true to conviction over convenience, over convenience, over convenience, the world is full of conveniences. the world is full of conveniences. the world is full of conveniences. The sad [music] thing gets crept into The sad [music] thing gets crept into The sad [music] thing gets crept into the house of God. I'll go to church when the house of God. I'll go to church when the house of God. I'll go to church when it's convenient. I'll worship when it's it's convenient. I'll worship when it's it's convenient. I'll worship when it's convenient. I'll go to the altar when convenient. I'll go to the altar when convenient. I'll go to the altar when it's convenient. I'll do this when it's it's convenient. I'll do this when it's it's convenient. I'll do this when it's convenient for me. convenient for me. convenient for me. Crucify your flesh. Crucify you as you Crucify your flesh. Crucify you as you Crucify your flesh. Crucify you as you stand with me this morning. Hallelujah. stand with me this morning. Hallelujah. stand with me this morning. Hallelujah. Father in heaven on this Tuesday Father in heaven on this Tuesday Father in heaven on this Tuesday morning, God. morning, God. morning, God. God, I sought your face. God, I sought your face. God, I sought your face. I believe you God to speak to this I believe you God to speak to this I believe you God to speak to this church to help us oh God in these last church to help us oh God in these last church to help us oh God in these last days days days God to over go beyond God to over go beyond God to over go beyond the conveniences of our culture the conveniences of our culture the conveniences of our culture and live by the conviction and live by the conviction and live by the conviction by and through the word of God by and through the word of God by and through the word of God on this Tuesday morning God as we open on this Tuesday morning God as we open on this Tuesday morning God as we open this altar for whosoever desires to pray this altar for whosoever desires to pray this altar for whosoever desires to pray God God God that you'll deal with our hearts this that you'll deal with our hearts this that you'll deal with our hearts this morning
58 min
51 min
59 min
