This Working Love

100:00:00.250 --> 00:00:03.750Real Life presents the Jack Hibbs Podcast, with200:00:03.750 --> 00:00:07.130intention and boldness to proclaim truth, equip the300:00:07.130 --> 00:00:09.010saints, and impact our culture.400:00:09.390 --> 00:00:11.710He's saying, fall in love with me, and500:00:11.710 --> 00:00:13.930I will impart things to your thinking and600:00:13.930 --> 00:00:17.250to your heart, to your desires that please700:00:17.250 --> 00:00:18.970me and please you.800:00:19.970 --> 00:00:21.950Well, I'm going to be a Christian, and900:00:21.950 --> 00:00:24.670I'm going to follow Jesus, and it's going1000:00:24.670 --> 00:00:26.130to be a real bummer, but you know,1100:00:26.170 --> 00:00:27.410I'm bearing my cross.1200:00:27.490 --> 00:00:29.310It's really a drag to be a Christian,1300:00:29.310 --> 00:00:32.310but I am one, and here we go,1400:00:32.510 --> 00:00:35.950and come and follow me, and no thanks.1500:00:37.450 --> 00:00:38.430No, that's okay.1600:00:39.070 --> 00:00:40.470Listen, that's not what he gave us.1700:00:40.870 --> 00:00:43.090If you delight yourself in God, he will1800:00:43.090 --> 00:00:45.610put desires in you that you want that1900:00:45.610 --> 00:00:46.130are from him.2000:00:50.290 --> 00:00:52.670You can get the outlines of this podcast2100:00:52.670 --> 00:00:56.650by going to Jackhibbs.com slash podcast.2200:00:56.650 --> 00:00:59.950Today, if this podcast lifts you up and2300:00:59.950 --> 00:01:02.210encourages you to live a more fulfilled life2400:01:02.210 --> 00:01:04.310in Christ, then make sure you leave us2500:01:04.310 --> 00:01:05.870one of those five-star ratings.2600:01:06.490 --> 00:01:09.550To us, that's like saying amen or yes,2700:01:09.750 --> 00:01:12.250then that rating will encourage others to listen.2800:01:12.970 --> 00:01:15.030Now, open your hearts to what God's word2900:01:15.030 --> 00:01:16.010has to say to you.3000:01:16.470 --> 00:01:17.890Here is Jack Hibbs.3100:01:18.710 --> 00:01:20.870We're diving in now to this working love3200:01:20.870 --> 00:01:21.850for our first argument.3300:01:21.990 --> 00:01:23.590In verse 14, we learn that it's having3400:01:23.590 --> 00:01:24.970a clean conscience.3500:01:25.470 --> 00:01:28.110Your conscience is one of the most precious3600:01:28.110 --> 00:01:29.150things that you possess.3700:01:30.810 --> 00:01:31.630It's not your money.3800:01:31.810 --> 00:01:32.850It's not your youth.3900:01:32.930 --> 00:01:34.070It's not your strength.4000:01:34.510 --> 00:01:35.230Your conscience.4100:01:35.650 --> 00:01:38.650Listen, if your conscience is plagued, you could4200:01:38.650 --> 00:01:39.350go insane.4300:01:39.430 --> 00:01:40.110Did you know that, everybody?4400:01:40.610 --> 00:01:41.430I'm not a doctor.4500:01:41.650 --> 00:01:42.850I'm not a psychologist.4600:01:43.070 --> 00:01:45.710I'm an observer, and the facts are what4700:01:45.710 --> 00:01:46.110they are.4800:01:46.330 --> 00:01:50.930People with consciences that are wearied down, burdened,4900:01:51.010 --> 00:01:54.790and grieved by a life that they've lived5000:01:54.790 --> 00:01:57.470in a questionable way or whatever, and their5100:01:57.470 --> 00:02:00.910conscience is clouded, it leads to all kinds5200:02:00.910 --> 00:02:03.230of other types of phobias and issues of5300:02:03.230 --> 00:02:03.570life.5400:02:04.850 --> 00:02:07.930Yet, it's only Christianity, it's Christ, that offers5500:02:07.930 --> 00:02:09.570a clear conscience.5600:02:10.930 --> 00:02:12.210I want you to think about that for5700:02:12.210 --> 00:02:12.490a moment.5800:02:12.930 --> 00:02:15.490That's why doing all of the religious things5900:02:15.490 --> 00:02:19.050that religion demands of you doesn't fix a6000:02:19.050 --> 00:02:20.190thing on the inside of you.6100:02:20.310 --> 00:02:21.370It doesn't fix you.6200:02:22.250 --> 00:02:25.270Only Christ can fix you on the inside,6300:02:26.430 --> 00:02:29.690and he clears your conscience of all the6400:02:29.690 --> 00:02:30.590things of the past.6500:02:30.970 --> 00:02:31.670Isn't that good news?6600:02:31.690 --> 00:02:33.430That you can be washed of all the6700:02:33.430 --> 00:02:35.370memories maybe people don't know.6800:02:35.470 --> 00:02:39.190Now look, everybody knows something about each of6900:02:39.190 --> 00:02:40.210us to some degree.7000:02:40.870 --> 00:02:43.270You might say, I've pretty much hidden my7100:02:43.270 --> 00:02:43.710life down.7200:02:43.790 --> 00:02:44.810No, no, somebody knows something.7300:02:44.910 --> 00:02:45.590Your mom knows.7400:02:45.850 --> 00:02:50.310Listen, mom knows things because everyone knows that7500:02:50.310 --> 00:02:52.190once a woman becomes a mother, she grows7600:02:52.190 --> 00:02:53.670eyes in the back of her head.7700:02:54.910 --> 00:02:57.270How did our moms know what we were7800:02:57.270 --> 00:02:57.730doing?7900:02:58.790 --> 00:03:00.190Did you ever make a face at your8000:03:00.190 --> 00:03:01.390mom when she was walking away?8100:03:01.590 --> 00:03:03.050Would she upset you?8200:03:03.510 --> 00:03:04.890Like, go to your room, she turned around8300:03:04.890 --> 00:03:07.610and walked away, and you went, and she8400:03:07.610 --> 00:03:08.810said, I see that face.8500:03:10.210 --> 00:03:12.410Listen, if moms can see stuff like that,8600:03:12.530 --> 00:03:13.390God can see it.8700:03:15.440 --> 00:03:18.620But when we come to him with repentance8800:03:18.620 --> 00:03:20.960and we say, Lord, I'm sorry for the8900:03:20.960 --> 00:03:22.400life that I've lived, for the things that9000:03:22.400 --> 00:03:22.900I've done.9100:03:24.500 --> 00:03:26.740God's message to us is that he came9200:03:26.740 --> 00:03:29.260to relieve us of all the guilt and9300:03:29.260 --> 00:03:32.200the shame and the penalty of death and9400:03:32.200 --> 00:03:32.520hell.9500:03:33.780 --> 00:03:38.080That's all the benefits of coming to Christ9600:03:38.080 --> 00:03:38.920and so much more.9700:03:39.000 --> 00:03:40.880And one of those glorious things is a9800:03:40.880 --> 00:03:42.040conscience being cleared.9900:03:42.780 --> 00:03:44.820And having a clean conscience, you cannot buy10000:03:44.820 --> 00:03:48.220it, you cannot earn it, you receive it10100:03:48.220 --> 00:03:48.720from the Lord.10200:03:48.820 --> 00:03:50.700And verse 14 tells us beautifully, look at10300:03:50.700 --> 00:03:52.840this Paul says, and I love it, he10400:03:52.840 --> 00:03:57.040says, I know and I'm convinced, that's a10500:03:57.040 --> 00:03:57.920strong statement, right?10600:03:58.940 --> 00:04:01.880By the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing10700:04:01.880 --> 00:04:03.100unclean of itself.10800:04:03.340 --> 00:04:04.040So what does that mean?10900:04:04.140 --> 00:04:05.980That means Paul must have eaten pork from11000:04:05.980 --> 00:04:07.580time to time, that's what it must mean.11100:04:08.120 --> 00:04:10.300This is Paul the Jew, this is the11200:04:10.300 --> 00:04:13.880Jew, the top shelf Jew, now born again.11300:04:14.160 --> 00:04:16.440He says right here, I know and I'm11400:04:16.440 --> 00:04:18.019convinced, Paul, what is it?11500:04:18.620 --> 00:04:20.420That nothing is unclean of itself.11600:04:20.579 --> 00:04:23.180We're talking not about sin, that is unclean.11700:04:23.240 --> 00:04:27.040We're talking about things like eating, drinking, foods,11800:04:28.620 --> 00:04:29.740conduct in that way.11900:04:29.920 --> 00:04:31.120Paul says, I'm convinced.12000:04:32.160 --> 00:04:33.940It's not bad to have a pork sandwich12100:04:33.940 --> 00:04:34.820from time to time.12200:04:35.680 --> 00:04:36.540Kahlua pork?12300:04:39.640 --> 00:04:41.960You say, Jack, I think that's very offensive.12400:04:42.200 --> 00:04:42.440Why?12500:04:42.500 --> 00:04:43.540Why do you think it's offensive?12600:04:43.920 --> 00:04:44.640Look what he says.12700:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.080He says that nothing is unclean of itself,12800:04:47.120 --> 00:04:49.380but to him who considers anything to be12900:04:49.380 --> 00:04:50.600unclean, to him it is unclean.13000:04:50.980 --> 00:04:54.040If you, listen, Paul is saying, look, God13100:04:54.040 --> 00:04:56.140made it all, I'll eat it.13200:04:56.600 --> 00:04:57.840If I'm hungry, I'll eat it.13300:04:58.180 --> 00:04:59.180You say, Paul, but you're a Jew.13400:04:59.440 --> 00:05:01.020Yes, I am a Jew, and I'm a13500:05:01.020 --> 00:05:01.800real Jew now.13600:05:03.020 --> 00:05:05.300I met Jesus as Messiah, that makes me13700:05:05.300 --> 00:05:06.160super Jew.13800:05:09.780 --> 00:05:12.920I know who he is, and God has13900:05:12.920 --> 00:05:13.500made everything.14000:05:13.780 --> 00:05:16.580Now look, he, this is, you have to14100:05:16.580 --> 00:05:17.540admit, this is amazing.14200:05:17.680 --> 00:05:20.020You might say, oh, that's pretty, that's pretty14300:05:20.020 --> 00:05:20.720much like me.14400:05:20.840 --> 00:05:21.380Really it is.14500:05:21.540 --> 00:05:24.100I have not matured to that level because14600:05:24.100 --> 00:05:25.880I have actually seen some of you.14700:05:26.060 --> 00:05:29.580We've gone out to dinner, and you, right14800:05:29.580 --> 00:05:32.380in front of me, ordered calamari.14900:05:35.820 --> 00:05:36.520Do you know what that is?15000:05:38.850 --> 00:05:41.030Listen, when they bring something to the plate,15100:05:41.830 --> 00:05:43.310to the table on a plate, and it15200:05:43.310 --> 00:05:48.250has suction pad cups on it, and people15300:05:48.250 --> 00:05:49.630eat, they go, oh, it's so good, you15400:05:49.630 --> 00:05:50.330ought to try it.15500:05:50.470 --> 00:05:57.170They're chewing this thing like it's rubber.15600:06:00.150 --> 00:06:02.250Are you saying, Jack, are you offended by15700:06:02.250 --> 00:06:02.450that?15800:06:02.830 --> 00:06:03.970I'm just sickened by it.15900:06:04.450 --> 00:06:05.450It may not be offended.16000:06:05.970 --> 00:06:08.230If you want to eat it, if you've16100:06:08.230 --> 00:06:10.170got clearance between you and God to eat16200:06:10.170 --> 00:06:11.690that thing, that's your business.16300:06:11.870 --> 00:06:13.110I'm not judging you, brother.16400:06:13.650 --> 00:06:14.850I'm just saying this.16500:06:15.050 --> 00:06:15.450Why?16600:06:16.730 --> 00:06:18.590God put it at the bottom of the16700:06:18.590 --> 00:06:20.350ocean so you wouldn't get to it.16800:06:20.730 --> 00:06:23.390You swim down to get it, and you16900:06:23.390 --> 00:06:25.190bring it up and it looks like it's17000:06:25.190 --> 00:06:28.270from outer space, and somebody says, let's eat17100:06:28.270 --> 00:06:28.570it.17200:06:29.390 --> 00:06:30.350That's wrong.17300:06:31.510 --> 00:06:33.330But I'm a babe in Christ.17400:06:34.010 --> 00:06:37.210You'll have to handle with my weakness where,17500:06:37.450 --> 00:06:39.010why don't you just eat stuff that God17600:06:39.010 --> 00:06:42.450puts, that walks around on earth?17700:06:43.810 --> 00:06:46.410But of course, I'm kidding with you, sort17800:06:46.410 --> 00:06:46.590of.17900:06:46.930 --> 00:06:49.350Paul says it's not unclean.18000:06:49.850 --> 00:06:51.290God gave it.18100:06:51.450 --> 00:06:52.190You can eat that.18200:06:52.330 --> 00:06:53.170You can have that.18300:06:53.550 --> 00:06:55.490But the point is your conscience.18400:06:55.770 --> 00:06:58.710Are you cleared in your conscience in this18500:06:58.710 --> 00:06:59.070area?18600:06:59.790 --> 00:07:02.550And if he's just talking about food things,18700:07:03.230 --> 00:07:05.070what about other things that we're not going18800:07:05.070 --> 00:07:06.510to bring up in this room right now18900:07:06.510 --> 00:07:09.190that somebody would require you to violate your19000:07:09.190 --> 00:07:09.810conscience?19100:07:10.330 --> 00:07:14.970Question, are they a Christian that's requesting you19200:07:14.970 --> 00:07:16.190to violate your conscience?19300:07:16.350 --> 00:07:17.790It ought not to happen.19400:07:18.830 --> 00:07:21.750Christians do not cause other Christians to violate19500:07:21.750 --> 00:07:23.950their conscience for this very truth.19600:07:25.250 --> 00:07:26.990And the second thing is, as I mentioned19700:07:26.990 --> 00:07:30.270last week, even in the world around us,19800:07:30.350 --> 00:07:33.130the world itself can say you must do19900:07:33.130 --> 00:07:33.850this thing.20000:07:33.910 --> 00:07:37.150And according to the Bible, if it's against20100:07:37.150 --> 00:07:38.770your conscience, you're not to do it.20200:07:39.850 --> 00:07:40.630Think of that.20300:07:41.490 --> 00:07:43.590Your conscience is so precious.20400:07:44.430 --> 00:07:45.450And I want to read to you something20500:07:45.450 --> 00:07:46.850by the great Albert Barnes.20600:07:46.990 --> 00:07:47.650I love this guy.20700:07:47.790 --> 00:07:49.230I read a lot of Albert Barnes.20800:07:49.750 --> 00:07:50.870And by the way, you know what is20900:07:50.870 --> 00:07:51.670wonderful to read?21000:07:51.950 --> 00:07:53.950He was an American pastor, by the way,21100:07:54.050 --> 00:07:57.090who was absolutely committed to abolishing slavery.21200:07:57.710 --> 00:07:58.170Isn't that great?21300:07:58.210 --> 00:07:58.890I love that.21400:07:59.690 --> 00:08:00.950And you know what's great also about reading21500:08:00.950 --> 00:08:02.110old guys that are dead?21600:08:03.370 --> 00:08:04.610They can't change their mind.21700:08:05.390 --> 00:08:06.690So they're safe to read.21800:08:07.730 --> 00:08:10.050He says, a clear conscience is often understood21900:08:10.050 --> 00:08:11.990as the inner sense of right and wrong,22000:08:13.030 --> 00:08:15.770aligning one's behavior and intentions with moral and22100:08:15.770 --> 00:08:16.710divine standards.22200:08:17.410 --> 00:08:20.010There is a consistent thread throughout scripture that22300:08:20.010 --> 00:08:22.890shows conscience is a God-given faculty.22400:08:23.850 --> 00:08:24.890This is very smart.22500:08:25.050 --> 00:08:26.270This is very, very insightful.22600:08:26.930 --> 00:08:29.810This observable reality of man's struggle with what22700:08:29.810 --> 00:08:31.390is right and wrong is one of the22800:08:31.390 --> 00:08:34.370most powerful evidences of man having been created22900:08:34.370 --> 00:08:38.289by the ultimate morality, which is God himself.23000:08:39.549 --> 00:08:40.610Can you say amen to that?23100:08:40.990 --> 00:08:42.350That's an awesome statement.23200:08:42.610 --> 00:08:43.610You can use that today.23300:08:44.310 --> 00:08:45.530And he said it's so long ago.23400:08:45.610 --> 00:08:45.750Why?23500:08:45.850 --> 00:08:47.070Because it's eternal truth.23600:08:47.550 --> 00:08:49.790And every one of us has a conscience.23700:08:50.150 --> 00:08:52.030And God wants your conscience to be cleared.23800:08:52.290 --> 00:08:54.150I want to remind you, the Bible wants23900:08:54.150 --> 00:08:57.710you free from a dark conscience.24000:08:58.230 --> 00:09:00.210Is the God of the Bible good or24100:09:00.210 --> 00:09:00.650what?24200:09:01.810 --> 00:09:03.830He wants you to be set free from24300:09:03.830 --> 00:09:04.630all of that.24400:09:05.070 --> 00:09:07.030The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 12,24500:09:07.110 --> 00:09:09.830verse 4, for as we have many members,24600:09:09.950 --> 00:09:11.810look in this room right now, every single24700:09:11.810 --> 00:09:14.350one of you is a member of one24800:09:14.350 --> 00:09:16.470body, this gathering together.24900:09:16.570 --> 00:09:19.270Let's just call second service church.25000:09:21.550 --> 00:09:24.370Singular church made up of all of you,25100:09:24.490 --> 00:09:25.410these people right here.25200:09:26.030 --> 00:09:27.590And it says, but all the members do25300:09:27.590 --> 00:09:28.810not have the same function.25400:09:29.230 --> 00:09:32.110Verse 5, so we being many are one25500:09:32.110 --> 00:09:33.110body in Christ.25600:09:33.350 --> 00:09:33.830Isn't that beautiful?25700:09:34.030 --> 00:09:36.510And individually members of one another.25800:09:36.990 --> 00:09:38.230What a tremendous thing.25900:09:38.530 --> 00:09:38.890Watch me.26000:09:39.230 --> 00:09:39.850Watch my body.26100:09:40.050 --> 00:09:40.790Look, I'm moving.26200:09:40.910 --> 00:09:41.990Look, I'm walking sideways.26300:09:43.250 --> 00:09:44.250Watch my hands.26400:09:44.870 --> 00:09:46.230I'm going to move over here now.26500:09:46.910 --> 00:09:48.450You want to know how that just happened?26600:09:49.410 --> 00:09:50.150Think of it.26700:09:50.770 --> 00:09:52.490A lot of stuff went on just now26800:09:52.490 --> 00:09:53.350for me to do this.26900:09:54.590 --> 00:09:57.150My brain was moving and thinking stuff.27000:09:57.370 --> 00:10:00.570My brain was sending signals to my nervous27100:10:00.570 --> 00:10:04.610system, my neurological system, speaking to the muscles27200:10:04.610 --> 00:10:06.810and the sinew of my body, the bones,27300:10:07.250 --> 00:10:09.610all of this moving the apparatus from one27400:10:09.610 --> 00:10:13.750side to the other side, this bio machine27500:10:13.750 --> 00:10:14.970that God has given us.27600:10:15.430 --> 00:10:19.510And it all happens literally at the origin27700:10:19.510 --> 00:10:20.730of something that is invisible.27800:10:20.730 --> 00:10:22.970My soul, my spirit, my conscience.27900:10:23.630 --> 00:10:24.390Think about that.28000:10:24.790 --> 00:10:27.110What you think and what you do and28100:10:27.110 --> 00:10:30.030how you live is not pre-programmed.28200:10:30.710 --> 00:10:32.470It's the decision that you make.28300:10:33.050 --> 00:10:34.530It's the choices that you make.28400:10:36.010 --> 00:10:38.510And our body, our bodies will move based28500:10:38.510 --> 00:10:41.430upon how it's being led.28600:10:41.710 --> 00:10:42.530And how about this?28700:10:42.690 --> 00:10:45.290The body of Christ in this room should28800:10:45.290 --> 00:10:47.450be led by the mind of Christ right28900:10:47.450 --> 00:10:50.930now so that you and I live out29000:10:50.930 --> 00:10:53.590as members, individual members of one body.29100:10:54.270 --> 00:10:55.370So I've got an elbow.29200:10:55.730 --> 00:10:57.030I have fingers.29300:10:57.690 --> 00:10:58.830We're like that.29400:10:59.750 --> 00:11:01.430We are all different parts.29500:11:01.650 --> 00:11:03.490Can I say this without having you freak29600:11:03.490 --> 00:11:03.790out?29700:11:05.810 --> 00:11:08.330If we are to be members of one29800:11:08.330 --> 00:11:11.050body and that we are to be the29900:11:11.050 --> 00:11:14.430church, all of a sudden it doesn't matter30000:11:14.430 --> 00:11:15.930if you belong to a church of 1030100:11:15.930 --> 00:11:18.270people or a church of 10,000 people.30200:11:18.450 --> 00:11:20.050The truth is still the same and it30300:11:20.050 --> 00:11:20.610is this.30400:11:21.010 --> 00:11:23.270If you're a member of the body of30500:11:23.270 --> 00:11:25.290Christ, not a member of this church, forget30600:11:25.290 --> 00:11:25.830that.30700:11:26.390 --> 00:11:27.210That's irrelevant.30800:11:28.310 --> 00:11:29.950If you're a member of the body of30900:11:29.950 --> 00:11:31.450Christ, it means that you're a child of31000:11:31.450 --> 00:11:31.710God.31100:11:31.790 --> 00:11:33.430And if you're a child of God, it31200:11:33.430 --> 00:11:34.550means that you have a function.31300:11:36.190 --> 00:11:37.450My question to you, don't answer.31400:11:37.710 --> 00:11:39.130My question to you is if you're saying,31500:11:39.270 --> 00:11:41.230yes, I am a child of God, then31600:11:41.230 --> 00:11:43.490my next question to you is the proof31700:11:43.490 --> 00:11:45.230of that will be your function.31800:11:47.430 --> 00:11:49.250Who are you and what are you in31900:11:49.250 --> 00:11:49.950the body of Christ?32000:11:50.030 --> 00:11:50.670Does that make sense?32100:11:50.770 --> 00:11:51.510Look, do you have an elbow?32200:11:52.090 --> 00:11:53.030You know what it does.32300:11:53.370 --> 00:11:53.730Do you have knees?32400:11:54.310 --> 00:11:54.990Do you have ankles?32500:11:55.790 --> 00:11:56.470Do you have eyes?32600:11:57.050 --> 00:11:57.930They all have a function.32700:11:58.870 --> 00:12:00.470So the Lord would say to us or32800:12:00.470 --> 00:12:03.270challenge us individually, what's your function?32900:12:03.710 --> 00:12:04.510So how do I know?33000:12:05.270 --> 00:12:06.050Here's the test.33100:12:06.770 --> 00:12:10.590If you can not go to church for33200:12:10.590 --> 00:12:14.940a month and nobody misses you, you don't33300:12:14.940 --> 00:12:15.520have a function.33400:12:17.930 --> 00:12:19.510You say, well, that kind of stings.33500:12:19.990 --> 00:12:21.070I know it stings.33600:12:21.730 --> 00:12:22.590It's the point.33700:12:24.870 --> 00:12:25.650I'll give you an example.33800:12:26.250 --> 00:12:28.870Don't you love these parking lot servants that33900:12:28.870 --> 00:12:29.370are out there?34000:12:29.590 --> 00:12:31.990These ministers of parking.34100:12:33.310 --> 00:12:33.650Yeah.34200:12:34.210 --> 00:12:35.830You know how dangerous it is to be34300:12:35.830 --> 00:12:37.770those guys out there, those guys and gals.34400:12:38.290 --> 00:12:39.670And you should hear the things they hear34500:12:39.670 --> 00:12:41.510because not everybody who comes here is a34600:12:41.510 --> 00:12:43.670Christian, if you know what I mean.34700:12:46.610 --> 00:12:48.790But I have over the years come to34800:12:48.790 --> 00:12:50.050trust these guys out there.34900:12:51.050 --> 00:12:53.010So for example, for me to go home,35000:12:53.410 --> 00:12:55.630I've got to go out this West exit35100:12:55.630 --> 00:12:58.150over by LA Fitness.35200:13:00.430 --> 00:13:01.890And that's a busy street.35300:13:02.170 --> 00:13:04.010And I don't even look at the traffic35400:13:04.010 --> 00:13:04.370anymore.35500:13:04.470 --> 00:13:06.870I just look at the guy and the35600:13:06.870 --> 00:13:07.710guy's going like this.35700:13:07.810 --> 00:13:09.510And I mean, he's like, like the New35800:13:09.510 --> 00:13:09.790York.35900:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.880And I'm just looking at him because if36000:13:14.880 --> 00:13:17.620you don't, if you don't obey him, because36100:13:17.620 --> 00:13:19.500there's two lanes and he'll, he'll look at36200:13:19.500 --> 00:13:21.180you and he'll put down his finger like36300:13:21.180 --> 00:13:25.460this, meaning you in this lane and translation36400:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.640stay in this lane.36500:13:26.800 --> 00:13:28.060If you go on the other lane, it's36600:13:28.060 --> 00:13:28.840not going to be good for you.36700:13:29.600 --> 00:13:31.660So he's going like this and he goes36800:13:31.660 --> 00:13:32.100like this.36900:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.480And I go like that.37000:13:34.980 --> 00:13:37.200And I don't even look, I trust him.37100:13:37.260 --> 00:13:38.480I don't even look to see I'm just37200:13:38.480 --> 00:13:42.770watching him and he points and I go,37300:13:43.250 --> 00:13:46.770think of the power that he has or37400:13:46.770 --> 00:13:47.630that she has.37500:13:49.110 --> 00:13:51.570And they're guiding and they're, they're serving.37600:13:52.710 --> 00:13:54.290And then listen, you might say, well, I37700:13:54.290 --> 00:13:55.670don't know what my function is because all37800:13:55.670 --> 00:13:56.830I do is pray for the church.37900:13:56.890 --> 00:13:58.630That's all I can do is pray you38000:13:58.630 --> 00:13:59.790to the front of the line.38100:13:59.950 --> 00:14:02.050If you are praying for this church and38200:14:02.050 --> 00:14:04.090for this work and what God is doing,38300:14:04.190 --> 00:14:05.290you go to the front of the line38400:14:05.290 --> 00:14:07.850because we can't breathe without you praying.38500:14:07.990 --> 00:14:08.910We cannot breathe.38600:14:09.010 --> 00:14:11.890We can't function without you serving, but you38700:14:11.890 --> 00:14:15.210must ask yourself, whatever church you attend, maybe38800:14:15.210 --> 00:14:17.690you're visiting wherever you're going to go back38900:14:17.690 --> 00:14:18.170home to.39000:14:18.270 --> 00:14:20.230You got to ask yourself, what is my39100:14:20.230 --> 00:14:22.410function in the church that I go to?39200:14:23.130 --> 00:14:24.290Do they need me?39300:14:24.810 --> 00:14:25.930Because guess what?39400:14:26.270 --> 00:14:28.270We need each other.39500:14:29.170 --> 00:14:30.490And that's not a theory.39600:14:31.630 --> 00:14:32.670Where's your kids right now?39700:14:33.390 --> 00:14:34.430People, where's your kids?39800:14:35.730 --> 00:14:37.150Are they in children's ministry?39900:14:38.010 --> 00:14:39.070You know why they're over there?40000:14:39.370 --> 00:14:40.770It's not because you're tired of them.40100:14:42.250 --> 00:14:44.310That's not the reason it's possible, but that's40200:14:44.310 --> 00:14:44.910not the reason.40300:14:47.260 --> 00:14:49.500The reason that they're over there is because40400:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.020they're with people.40500:14:52.100 --> 00:14:54.000Because, you know, if our people decided to40600:14:54.000 --> 00:14:57.120leave, your kid would find you when they40700:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.680got hungry enough, they would find you.40800:14:59.960 --> 00:15:03.960But your children are being served by people40900:15:03.960 --> 00:15:07.260who have opened themselves up to serving.41000:15:08.040 --> 00:15:09.920And that's the whole body of Christ Jesus,41100:15:10.140 --> 00:15:12.380is that we minister and love one another.41200:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.940And the more that we do that in41300:15:14.940 --> 00:15:16.440the name of Jesus, for the glory of41400:15:16.440 --> 00:15:19.480Jesus, listen, we decrease.41500:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.700And I like to think of it this41600:15:20.700 --> 00:15:20.860way.41700:15:20.920 --> 00:15:23.920Our problems and our centrality decreases and we41800:15:23.920 --> 00:15:26.520become happier people, while you, on the other41900:15:26.520 --> 00:15:29.380hand, we increase you because you are the42000:15:29.380 --> 00:15:31.160object of our love for Jesus.42100:15:31.380 --> 00:15:33.440How are we going to wash Jesus' feet42200:15:33.440 --> 00:15:33.860today?42300:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.360By loving on you.42400:15:37.430 --> 00:15:38.230It's that simple.42500:15:39.670 --> 00:15:41.110But we need to make sure that that42600:15:41.110 --> 00:15:41.450happens.42700:15:41.590 --> 00:15:43.130And the beautiful thing about that is it42800:15:43.130 --> 00:15:45.150brings about the second point, and that is42900:15:45.150 --> 00:15:46.610having the right priority.43000:15:47.150 --> 00:15:49.490The right priority in church life is in43100:15:49.490 --> 00:15:50.130verse 15.43200:15:50.430 --> 00:15:52.490For if your brother is grieved because of43300:15:52.490 --> 00:15:55.190your food, that is, you insist that it43400:15:55.190 --> 00:15:57.370has to be your way, you are no43500:15:57.370 --> 00:15:59.330longer walking in love.43600:15:59.590 --> 00:16:01.970Do not destroy with your food the one43700:16:01.970 --> 00:16:03.910whom Christ died.43800:16:04.430 --> 00:16:06.410For this person, Christ died.43900:16:07.150 --> 00:16:08.890And so this is a whole thing about44000:16:08.890 --> 00:16:10.970us growing up into the area of being44100:16:10.970 --> 00:16:16.050one of priority, that our brother and sister44200:16:16.050 --> 00:16:20.230matters more in our lives than we matter44300:16:20.230 --> 00:16:20.890in our lives.44400:16:21.010 --> 00:16:22.170You see, Jack, how can you say that?44500:16:22.170 --> 00:16:24.970Because we're programmed to love ourselves.44600:16:25.090 --> 00:16:25.590It is true.44700:16:25.670 --> 00:16:27.030We are programmed to love ourselves.44800:16:29.190 --> 00:16:30.690The Bible says this.44900:16:30.870 --> 00:16:32.890Paul writes to the church at Ephesus and45000:16:32.890 --> 00:16:34.210he says, Husbands, love your wives.45100:16:34.650 --> 00:16:36.110Treat your wife good.45200:16:36.470 --> 00:16:39.530If you love yourself, love your wife.45300:16:39.930 --> 00:16:41.310Isn't that a true statement?45400:16:41.390 --> 00:16:42.030Think about that.45500:16:43.350 --> 00:16:44.750If you really think, you know, if you45600:16:44.750 --> 00:16:47.950want to take care of yourself, love your45700:16:47.950 --> 00:16:48.350wife.45800:16:50.350 --> 00:16:52.190Women, you should have said amen right then.45900:16:52.410 --> 00:16:52.970That was your moment.46000:16:53.750 --> 00:16:58.470Husbands, be really good to your wives and46100:16:58.470 --> 00:16:59.750it'd be good for you.46200:17:00.790 --> 00:17:01.330Yes.46300:17:01.590 --> 00:17:05.900Oh, priority.46400:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.000Others first.46500:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.660And that's one of the great indicators.46600:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.900Are we really Christians?46700:17:12.640 --> 00:17:14.900Do we love others, even a stranger?46800:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.960How is that possible?46900:17:17.520 --> 00:17:20.119Listen, before you meet Jesus, when you hear47000:17:20.119 --> 00:17:22.680him say, love strangers, love your enemies, it's47100:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.700like cuckoo.47200:17:24.400 --> 00:17:27.300Let's be honest, that's crazy talk until you47300:17:27.300 --> 00:17:28.060become a Christian.47400:17:28.520 --> 00:17:31.140And then somehow God gives you compassion for47500:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.960that person who has ruined your life.47600:17:33.680 --> 00:17:36.180That person who is just disgusting to you.47700:17:36.820 --> 00:17:38.860Every Monday you have to show up and47800:17:38.860 --> 00:17:41.760work with them all week long and they're47900:17:41.760 --> 00:17:42.720driving you crazy.48000:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.400And then you become a Christian on Sunday.48100:17:45.700 --> 00:17:47.400And then you go back to that person48200:17:47.400 --> 00:17:50.320on Monday and you have this supernatural thing48300:17:50.320 --> 00:17:52.960in your heart going on where, why do48400:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.240I care about that guy now?48500:17:54.280 --> 00:17:55.520He used to drive me nuts.48600:17:56.600 --> 00:17:58.020And now I care about him.48700:17:58.560 --> 00:18:00.140Folks, I'm telling you, that's one of the48800:18:00.140 --> 00:18:02.020evidences of God's presence in your life.48900:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.660It's amazing.49000:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.760And I love when God does that kind49100:18:05.760 --> 00:18:07.440of stuff because we're the ones most shocked.49200:18:08.640 --> 00:18:11.460He's remarkable, but it's all about priority and49300:18:11.460 --> 00:18:13.280the right priority at that.49400:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.960I made this comment in my notes.49500:18:16.080 --> 00:18:17.780If you do have the notes downloaded on49600:18:17.780 --> 00:18:19.360your device on page three, it says we49700:18:19.360 --> 00:18:21.580live in the most perfected age of carnality.49800:18:22.200 --> 00:18:24.860We have modernized sin and rebellion against God.49900:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.120Have we not in this world that we're50000:18:26.120 --> 00:18:26.600in right now?50100:18:27.100 --> 00:18:29.440We have perfected carnality.50200:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.580We've perfected sin.50300:18:31.760 --> 00:18:33.440And sometimes we say things like this.50400:18:33.520 --> 00:18:34.180Well, you know what?50500:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.740I'm going to do this if my brother's50600:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.640offended or not.50700:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.920I've got liberty in Christ to do it.50800:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.260Friend, you're being carnal.50900:18:42.450 --> 00:18:44.890You're not to exploit your liberties in Christ51000:18:44.890 --> 00:18:46.810at the expense of your brother's conscience.51100:18:47.450 --> 00:18:49.070The priority is your brother.51200:18:50.330 --> 00:18:51.910The priority is your sister.51300:18:53.370 --> 00:18:55.090And we must remember that this is a51400:18:55.090 --> 00:18:57.670very powerful thing that you and I as51500:18:57.670 --> 00:18:59.750believers, and I'm going to warn you up51600:18:59.750 --> 00:19:00.850front, this is where it gets a little51700:19:00.850 --> 00:19:04.190strong here right now, because if we fix51800:19:04.190 --> 00:19:06.850our eyes and affection upon Jesus, we'll quickly51900:19:06.850 --> 00:19:09.650see him elevated to his right place of52000:19:09.650 --> 00:19:10.950honor in the church.52100:19:11.570 --> 00:19:12.530I'm convinced of that.52200:19:12.530 --> 00:19:15.010The book of Colossians tells us that he52300:19:15.010 --> 00:19:17.150is the head of the church.52400:19:17.890 --> 00:19:20.270You got to wonder how many headless churches52500:19:20.270 --> 00:19:23.650are there in America today, where Christ is52600:19:23.650 --> 00:19:25.970not glorified, he's not obeyed, he's not honored.52700:19:27.050 --> 00:19:30.350God wants us to dwell together in unity.52800:19:31.130 --> 00:19:34.150He says how precious, how beautiful it is52900:19:34.150 --> 00:19:36.410for the brethren to dwell together in unity.53000:19:36.770 --> 00:19:37.710You guys are smart.53100:19:38.250 --> 00:19:40.190The qualifier is brethren.53200:19:41.930 --> 00:19:44.730God does not and is not committed to53300:19:44.730 --> 00:19:45.050unity.53400:19:46.350 --> 00:19:48.730It's a byproduct of truth.53500:19:50.990 --> 00:19:54.190To be unified around the truth is how53600:19:54.190 --> 00:19:57.610God executes the ministry.53700:19:58.310 --> 00:20:00.830He doesn't have people come together in unity53800:20:00.830 --> 00:20:01.970for unity's sake.53900:20:02.070 --> 00:20:02.730That's insanity.54000:20:03.670 --> 00:20:04.810That's impossible.54100:20:05.150 --> 00:20:06.990But when we are gathered together in the54200:20:06.990 --> 00:20:08.670same truth, then there's unity.54300:20:13.020 --> 00:20:15.760This Jack Hibbs podcast, as well as all54400:20:15.760 --> 00:20:18.780the broadcast outreach opportunities, are listener supported.54500:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.660Will you consider partnering with us through a54600:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.340special gift?54700:20:23.020 --> 00:20:26.760Go to Jackhibbs.com to learn more and54800:20:26.760 --> 00:20:27.640stay connected.