WEBVTT 08:57.400 --> 09:00.400 Alright, good morning everybody. Welcome to Sure Foundation Baptist Church. 09:00.400 --> 09:04.400 We are going to begin with the solid rock on page 125. 09:04.400 --> 09:07.400 Page 125 in your hymnal. 09:07.400 --> 09:11.400 My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 09:16.400 --> 09:25.240 My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 09:25.240 --> 09:34.600 I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. 09:35.100 --> 09:39.600 On Christ the solid rock I stand, 09:39.600 --> 09:44.600 All other ground is sinking sand. 09:45.100 --> 09:49.600 All other ground is sinking sand. 09:50.400 --> 09:59.600 When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. 09:59.600 --> 10:09.100 In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. 10:09.400 --> 10:13.960 On Christ the solid rock I stand 10:13.960 --> 10:19.000 All other ground is sinking sand 10:19.000 --> 10:24.680 All other ground is sinking sand 10:24.900 --> 10:34.300 His oath, his covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood. 10:34.300 --> 10:43.900 When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. 10:44.400 --> 10:48.960 On Christ the solid rock I stand 10:48.960 --> 10:54.080 All other ground is sinking sand 10:54.080 --> 10:59.600 All other ground is sinking sand 11:00.000 --> 11:09.300 When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found, 11:09.300 --> 11:19.100 Dressed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. 11:19.500 --> 11:24.060 On Christ the solid rock I stand 11:24.060 --> 11:29.220 All other ground is sinking sand 11:29.500 --> 11:34.500 All other ground is sinking sand. 11:34.500 --> 11:35.500 Amen. 11:35.500 --> 11:36.500 Good beginning there. 11:36.500 --> 11:39.500 Heavenly Father, we just thank you for this day, Lord. 11:39.500 --> 11:43.500 Please bless our service here at Shur Foundation Baptist Church 11:43.500 --> 11:45.500 and bless the soul winning and preaching Lord. 11:45.500 --> 11:48.500 We love and praise you in Jesus' name we pray, amen. 11:48.500 --> 11:51.500 Let's turn to page 110. 11:53.400 --> 11:57.960 All the way my savior leads me, page 110 in your hymnal. 12:07.000 --> 12:16.360 All the way my Savior leads me, What have I to ask beside? 12:16.360 --> 12:25.800 Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide? 12:25.800 --> 12:34.600 Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in him to dwell. 12:34.900 --> 12:53.380 For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. 12:53.380 --> 13:02.180 All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread. 13:02.500 --> 13:11.800 Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread. 13:11.800 --> 13:21.100 Through my weary steps may falter, and my soul a thirst may be. 13:21.100 --> 13:30.000 Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see. 13:30.500 --> 13:39.800 Gushing from the rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see. 13:39.800 --> 13:48.900 All the way my Savior leads me, O, the fullness of His love. 13:48.900 --> 13:57.800 Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above. 13:58.200 --> 14:07.400 When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day. 14:07.400 --> 14:16.520 This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way. 14:16.520 --> 14:25.560 This my song of endless ages, Jesus led me all the way. 14:26.600 --> 14:28.300 Now time for some announcements. 14:31.600 --> 14:37.080 Good morning to show foundation Baptist Church if you need a bulletin, please raise your hand and I shall will bring one to you 14:37.080 --> 14:41.600 I hope you enjoy the cooler weather save some electricity in the AC. Amen 14:41.600 --> 14:46.320 So let's look at the verse the week Ecclesiastes chapter 5 verse 2 the Bible says 14:46.560 --> 14:52.360 Be now be not rash with my mouth and let out let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God 14:52.360 --> 14:56.680 For God is in heaven and thou upon earth therefore let thy words be few 14:56.680 --> 14:59.320 It's a great principle of you know, talk less 14:59.600 --> 15:04.740 think before you speak and don't make foolish commitment and promise to other people even 15:04.740 --> 15:05.740 before God. 15:05.740 --> 15:06.980 Let's look at the inside page. 15:06.980 --> 15:09.660 Give us a follow on our social media platforms. 15:09.660 --> 15:13.420 We have Sunday morning service at 11, Sunday afternoon service at 4, and Wednesday night 15:13.420 --> 15:15.500 Bible study at 7 p.m. 15:15.500 --> 15:21.440 And this Wednesday we'll be going through the first portion of Acts chapter 17. 15:21.440 --> 15:25.740 And we have Sunday morning this afternoon at 1.30 p.m. and Saturday morning Sunday morning 15:25.740 --> 15:27.580 at 1030 A.M. 15:28.400 --> 15:35.680 Upcoming events next Saturday is our annual fall picnic, fall fellowship at the local park. 15:35.680 --> 15:40.880 And dinner will be around 5, 6 o'clock, but you can show up early, you know, 4 o'clock, 15:40.880 --> 15:45.040 because there will be volleyball, basketball, pickleball. 15:45.040 --> 15:48.620 You can bring your own board games if you so choose. 15:48.620 --> 15:54.360 And there's a chance of rain, so if there's a lightning and thunder heavy rain, we might 15:54.360 --> 15:55.360 have to postpone it. 15:55.360 --> 15:56.360 So just so you know. 15:56.400 --> 15:59.400 Pay attention to the sewage group. 15:59.400 --> 16:01.400 I will keep you posted. 16:02.400 --> 16:06.400 If it's just mild rain, since we are under a tan shed 16:06.400 --> 16:08.400 type of thing, so we should be fine. 16:08.400 --> 16:12.400 But if it's tornadoes, we'll have to cancel it. 16:12.400 --> 16:15.400 And then the pie and pray service will take place 16:15.400 --> 16:19.400 on Sunday during the afternoon service on November 22nd. 16:19.400 --> 16:21.400 And please bring a pie to share. 16:21.400 --> 16:23.400 It'll be a special service. 16:23.400 --> 16:24.400 And you know... 16:24.400 --> 16:27.120 If you've been with us for the last two years, 16:27.120 --> 16:28.440 you know what's up. 16:28.440 --> 16:32.160 Also, the Christmas service will take place on December 20th. 16:32.160 --> 16:35.160 And I said there may be a Pollock after the service. 16:35.160 --> 16:36.460 Do you guys still want to do a Pollock? 16:36.460 --> 16:38.760 Because I don't know if you guys feel too crowded 16:38.760 --> 16:40.680 to do things like that. 16:40.680 --> 16:43.000 That's kind of up to you guys, because we 16:43.000 --> 16:46.240 have to stack up the chairs, pulling up the tables. 16:46.240 --> 16:48.600 Do you guys still want to do the Pollock for Christmas? 16:48.900 --> 16:50.780 If you want to do the pollack, raise your hand. 16:50.780 --> 16:52.240 If you don't, don't say anything. 16:52.240 --> 16:54.540 All right, we'll be doing the pollack. 16:54.540 --> 16:56.140 This is the only vote of the year, right? 16:56.140 --> 16:56.660 I'm kidding. 16:56.660 --> 16:59.580 You know, I'm just concerned about people 16:59.580 --> 17:01.900 may feel too crowded and congested. 17:01.900 --> 17:04.460 But if you guys want to do it, I'm all for it, 17:04.460 --> 17:05.340 because I love food. 17:05.340 --> 17:05.840 Amen. 17:05.840 --> 17:06.400 So. 17:06.600 --> 17:12.760 Yeah, you know just the location stuff just the room that we have we'll just make the best out of it 17:12.760 --> 17:17.840 And then the soul winning marathons October 10th is our Pittsburgh soul winning marathon 17:17.840 --> 17:22.480 That's in, Pennsylvania that detail is on God resource comm so please RSVP 17:22.480 --> 17:25.200 And then October 31st happened to be Halloween 17:25.200 --> 17:28.020 But we'll be going to Evansville to go soul winning there 17:28.020 --> 17:34.560 And we'll have a Gary soul winning on November 28th, and they finished the year up with the winter wonderland. So we 17:34.600 --> 17:36.600 Marathon on December 26th. 17:37.000 --> 17:43.400 And if you want to know how to be saved or needs to be baptized, please see an usher or myself after the service. 17:43.400 --> 17:46.600 And please stay faithful in your tithe and offerings. 17:46.600 --> 17:51.640 On the back you can see the birthdays and the anniversary for the month of October. 17:51.640 --> 17:54.600 And I know I missed Henry's birthday on it, you know, I'm going to add it to it. 17:54.600 --> 18:00.040 But if your special days are not under, please let me know by writing it on the back of the communication card 18:00.040 --> 18:02.600 and drop it when the offering play goes by. 18:02.600 --> 18:04.840 And with that being said, let's sing one more song. 18:05.000 --> 18:06.200 take out the offering. 18:11.200 --> 18:13.680 Okay, let's turn to page 325 in your hymnal. 18:13.680 --> 18:15.520 Trust and obey. 18:15.520 --> 18:17.280 Trust and obey. 18:17.280 --> 18:18.120 325. 18:25.900 --> 18:34.900 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, 18:34.900 --> 18:41.900 What a glory He sheds on our way. 18:42.900 --> 18:50.900 While we do His good will, He abides with us still. 18:51.900 --> 18:58.900 And with all who will trust and obey 18:58.900 --> 19:02.900 Trust and obey 19:02.900 --> 19:06.900 For there's no other way 19:06.900 --> 19:12.900 To be happy in Jesus 19:12.900 --> 19:16.900 But to trust and obey 19:17.400 --> 19:26.400 Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, 19:26.400 --> 19:33.400 but his smile quickly drives it away. 19:33.400 --> 19:42.400 Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh nor a tear. 19:43.000 --> 19:49.520 Can abide while we trust and obey 19:50.520 --> 19:53.840 Trust and obey 19:54.280 --> 19:58.320 For there's no other way 19:58.760 --> 20:04.320 To be happy in Jesus 20:04.800 --> 20:08.920 But to trust and obey 20:09.300 --> 20:18.300 Not a burden we bear, nor a sorrow we share, 20:18.300 --> 20:25.300 But our toil he doth richly repay. 20:25.300 --> 20:35.100 Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross. 20:35.400 --> 20:42.000 But is blessed if we trust and obey 20:42.800 --> 20:46.200 Trust and obey 20:46.800 --> 20:50.800 For there's no other way 20:51.200 --> 20:56.600 To be happy in Jesus 20:56.900 --> 21:01.200 But to trust and obey 21:01.700 --> 21:10.580 But we never can prove the delights of his love 21:10.580 --> 21:17.860 Until all on the altar we lay 21:17.860 --> 21:26.580 For the favor he shows and the joy he bestows 21:26.900 --> 21:33.900 are for them who will trust and obey. 21:33.900 --> 21:37.900 Trust and obey, 21:37.900 --> 21:41.900 for there's no other way 21:41.900 --> 21:47.900 to be happy in Jesus, 21:47.900 --> 21:51.900 but to trust and obey. 21:52.600 --> 22:01.600 When in fellowship sweet, we will sit at his feet, 22:01.600 --> 22:08.600 Or we'll walk by his side in the way. 22:08.600 --> 22:17.600 What he says we will do, where he sends we will go. 22:18.400 --> 22:25.520 Never fear, only trust and obey. 22:25.520 --> 22:33.840 Trust and obey, for there's no other way 22:33.840 --> 22:44.240 To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 22:45.300 --> 22:47.300 At this time we'll take the offering. 22:48.300 --> 22:50.300 Hey Brother Steven, would you pray for us? 23:43.300 --> 23:51.220 Howdy. Please turn in your Bibles to Psalm 15. Psalm 15. If you need a Bible, please 23:51.220 --> 23:55.860 raise your hand and Usher will give you one. Psalm chapter 15. 24:03.300 --> 24:08.500 The Bible reads, Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? 24:08.500 --> 24:11.060 Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 24:11.060 --> 24:16.020 He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 24:16.020 --> 24:21.580 He that backbideth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up 24:21.580 --> 24:30.060 or reproach against his neighbor, in whose eyes a vile person is contempted. 24:30.800 --> 24:33.440 But he honored them that fear the Lord 24:33.900 --> 24:40.300 He that swears to his own heart hurts and changes not he that put it not out his money 24:40.820 --> 24:48.320 Put it put it he that put it not out his money to usury nor taketh reward against the innocent 24:48.380 --> 24:51.460 He that doeth these things shall never be moved 24:52.180 --> 24:54.100 Brother Stephen we pray this in his service 25:07.700 --> 25:08.340 Amen. 25:08.340 --> 25:13.100 Now Psalm 15 describes the character of a godly man. 25:13.100 --> 25:14.340 Let's look at verse number one. 25:14.340 --> 25:16.660 Psalm 15, verse one says this, Lord, 25:16.660 --> 25:18.700 who shall abide in thy tabernacle, 25:18.700 --> 25:21.100 who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 25:21.100 --> 25:23.900 Obviously, we don't have a physical tabernacle today, 25:23.900 --> 25:27.020 but you can compare that to the local New Testament church. 25:27.020 --> 25:29.980 We are dwelling in the temple, just like a New Testament 25:29.980 --> 25:32.540 version of the congregation. 25:32.540 --> 25:35.460 The church is the place that we come to worship God. 25:35.700 --> 25:38.100 So how can you stay in church? 25:38.100 --> 25:41.060 How can you abide in the Church of God? 25:41.060 --> 25:45.300 How can you survive just the Christian life in general? 25:45.300 --> 25:46.460 Look at verse number two. 25:46.460 --> 25:49.620 He that walketh uprightly and walketh righteousness 25:49.620 --> 25:52.460 and speaketh truth in his heart. 25:52.460 --> 25:55.020 So the people that's not last long in their Christian life 25:55.020 --> 25:57.460 that will last at church is those people who 25:57.460 --> 26:00.980 just do the right things, work righteousness and don't lie, 26:00.980 --> 26:03.060 speaketh the truth in his heart. 26:03.060 --> 26:03.700 Version number three. 26:03.700 --> 26:06.360 He that backbited not with his tongue, 26:06.360 --> 26:11.020 nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach 26:11.020 --> 26:12.660 against his neighbor." 26:12.660 --> 26:15.460 So a righteous man, a righteous person, 26:15.460 --> 26:18.860 knows how to use his tongue. 26:18.860 --> 26:20.580 Don't talk behind someone's back. 26:20.580 --> 26:22.380 Don't backbite people. 26:22.380 --> 26:26.700 And don't make false accusation, speaking 26:26.700 --> 26:28.940 harmful speech against your neighbor. 26:28.940 --> 26:31.620 And also, don't receive and carry along 26:31.700 --> 26:35.580 an accusation or slander about someone else, right? 26:35.580 --> 26:39.100 Don't take up a reproach or a slander, 26:39.100 --> 26:41.340 a false accusation against your neighbor. 26:41.340 --> 26:42.400 Verse number four. 26:42.600 --> 26:49.720 in whose eyes a vile person is condemned, but he honoueth them that fear the Lord." 26:49.720 --> 26:55.800 A righteous person also disdains and despises vile people, right? 26:55.800 --> 27:00.200 But a righteous person also honoueth those that fear the Lord and keep his commandments. 27:00.760 --> 27:02.280 But then he said this, 27:02.280 --> 27:06.440 He that sweareth through his own hurt, and changeth not. 27:06.440 --> 27:09.080 A godly person also keeps his words. 27:09.400 --> 27:13.400 The Bible doesn't say that he keeps his word when it's convenient. 27:13.400 --> 27:17.720 The Bible doesn't say that he keeps his word when he still feels like doing it. 27:17.720 --> 27:26.520 It says that after he has given his word, you know, even if he discovered that keeping the word may cost him and may hurt him, 27:26.520 --> 27:30.120 and he still doesn't change. That is integrity, right? 27:30.120 --> 27:31.720 Look at verse number five. 27:31.720 --> 27:35.640 He that puteth not out his money to usury, you know, don't be a Jew, right? 27:35.640 --> 27:37.280 nor take it for a word. 27:37.400 --> 27:39.640 against the innocent, he that do these things 27:39.640 --> 27:41.480 shall never be moved." 27:41.480 --> 27:44.240 So a righteous person also doesn't charge interest. 27:44.240 --> 27:47.280 When you lend money to someone, just don't charge an interest, 27:47.280 --> 27:50.520 and don't defraud people, and don't rip people off. 27:51.000 --> 27:55.680 And if you do those things, if you do the above things, ye shall not be moved. 27:55.680 --> 27:57.600 You will last long in your Christian life. 27:57.600 --> 27:58.440 You will stay in church. 27:58.440 --> 27:59.240 Amen. 27:59.240 --> 28:02.800 But the attribute I want to focus on is found in verse number four. 28:02.800 --> 28:07.800 The Bible says, he that sweared to his own hurt and changeth not. 28:07.800 --> 28:13.600 So the title of my sermon this morning is, swear to your own hurt. 28:13.600 --> 28:15.800 Swear to your own hurt. 28:15.800 --> 28:17.160 Go to Numbers, chapter 30. 28:17.160 --> 28:18.600 Numbers, chapter 30. 28:19.500 --> 28:24.060 Now last year I preached a sermon called Swear Not at All. 28:24.060 --> 28:29.340 I'm not going to, you know, reprise that sermon, but let me just briefly reveal the main points 28:29.340 --> 28:36.340 because in the Old Testament, swearing and oath was permissible and sometimes commanded. 28:36.340 --> 28:39.520 Let me read to you Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 13, 28:39.520 --> 28:45.460 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 28:45.460 --> 28:46.460 Look at verse number one. 28:46.460 --> 28:47.460 Verse number one says, 28:47.500 --> 28:48.200 whole situation like this. 28:48.700 --> 28:51.540 And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes 28:51.540 --> 28:53.140 concerning the children of Israel, 28:53.140 --> 28:55.820 saying, this is the thing which the Lord had commanded. 28:55.820 --> 28:58.220 If a man bowed a vow unto the Lord, 28:58.220 --> 29:01.860 or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, 29:01.860 --> 29:04.260 he shall not break his word, and he 29:04.260 --> 29:07.540 shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 29:07.540 --> 29:10.300 So in the Old Testament, swearing was permissible, 29:10.300 --> 29:14.020 and sometimes is even commanded by God. 29:14.020 --> 29:15.820 Now go to Matthew chapter 5. 29:15.820 --> 29:16.700 Matthew chapter 5. 29:16.700 --> 29:23.700 However, in the New Testament, we are told to not to swear at all. 29:23.700 --> 29:25.700 Matthew chapter 5, look at verse 33. 29:25.700 --> 29:28.700 Matthew 5, 33. 29:28.700 --> 29:31.600 The Bible says this, Matthew 5, 33. 29:32.300 --> 29:39.460 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto Lord thine oath. 29:39.460 --> 29:46.980 But I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, 29:46.980 --> 29:55.260 neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King, neither shall thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black, 29:55.260 --> 30:00.180 but let your communication be yea-yea-nay-nay, for whatsoever is more than 30:00.180 --> 30:00.300 and I'll see you next time. 30:00.300 --> 30:02.460 these cometh of evil. 30:02.460 --> 30:04.540 So in the New Testament, Jesus Christ 30:04.540 --> 30:07.740 is very clear that we're not supposed to swear at all. 30:07.740 --> 30:09.260 All swearing is wrong. 30:09.260 --> 30:11.580 Now I talk about this in my sermon 30:11.580 --> 30:15.300 last year that Jesus was not giving us a higher standard. 30:15.400 --> 30:17.020 in the New Testament, OK? 30:17.020 --> 30:20.200 He was explaining the spirit of the law 30:20.200 --> 30:22.800 just because back in the Old Testament, 30:22.800 --> 30:25.200 if people didn't swear by God's name, 30:25.200 --> 30:26.740 but if they committed to do something, 30:26.740 --> 30:29.640 they still should do it, right? 30:29.640 --> 30:32.720 It's not only binding if it's an oath, right? 30:32.720 --> 30:35.680 Let your communication be yay, yay, nay, nay. 30:35.680 --> 30:39.880 The principle is you don't have to swear because your yes, 30:39.880 --> 30:42.120 your no should carry some weight. 30:42.120 --> 30:42.300 Amen. 30:43.000 --> 30:47.360 Go to Matthew chapter 12. 30:47.360 --> 30:49.600 The Bible says in James chapter 5, verse number 12, 30:49.600 --> 30:53.240 but above all things, sounds like pretty serious, right? 30:53.240 --> 30:55.360 But above all things, my brethren, 30:55.360 --> 30:58.240 swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, 30:58.240 --> 31:00.560 neither by any other oath, but let your yea be yea, 31:00.560 --> 31:04.440 and your nay nay, lest ye fall into condemnation. 31:04.440 --> 31:06.880 So above all things, don't swear. 31:06.880 --> 31:07.760 Don't swear an oath. 31:07.760 --> 31:09.680 Don't invoke anything, OK? 31:10.100 --> 31:15.660 So even though swearing is disallowed in the New Testament, 31:15.660 --> 31:20.300 the principle of honesty as well as integrity have not changed. 31:20.300 --> 31:24.260 The principle of swearing to your own hurt has not changed. 31:24.260 --> 31:24.980 OK? 31:24.980 --> 31:28.580 You should not need an oath to make your word trustworthy. 31:28.580 --> 31:29.940 Right. 31:29.940 --> 31:31.900 Your yay should mean yay. 31:32.300 --> 31:37.700 When a Christian says, I will do it, people ought to be able to depend upon him. 31:37.700 --> 31:38.700 Amen? 31:38.700 --> 31:45.340 Now, I want to preach on this because many people, including Christians, are not trustworthy. 31:45.340 --> 31:48.140 We cannot really take what they say seriously, right? 31:48.140 --> 31:55.700 And to me, it honestly makes me sick because people just now say things without thinking. 31:55.700 --> 31:59.300 They make different commitments without keeping them or even remembering them. 31:59.500 --> 32:04.420 They act like their words have no effect on other people's life. 32:04.420 --> 32:06.300 Matthew chapter 12, look at verse 36. 32:06.300 --> 32:09.100 Matthew 12, 36 says this. 32:10.600 --> 32:14.840 But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, 32:14.840 --> 32:17.120 they shall give a counter of in the day of judgment. 32:17.120 --> 32:19.440 For by thy words thou shall be justified, 32:19.440 --> 32:22.320 and by thy words thou shall be condemned." 32:22.320 --> 32:25.160 Sounds like God is pretty serious about what we say. 32:25.160 --> 32:27.880 Obviously, we can apply that to salvation, 32:27.880 --> 32:30.440 calling upon the name of the Lord. 32:30.440 --> 32:33.720 But every word that we speak, God will judge us. 32:33.720 --> 32:37.160 Every single word, every idle word, 32:37.160 --> 32:38.600 God might take away the rewards you. 32:38.600 --> 32:44.000 You know, God might, you know, give you a reward if you're trustworthy because God will judge you based on your word. 32:44.400 --> 32:50.260 Go to Proverbs 29, Proverbs 29. So swear to your own heart. Point number one, this morning, 32:50.840 --> 32:52.840 think before you speak. 32:52.880 --> 32:56.200 Think before you speak. Proverbs 29, look at verse 20. 32:57.040 --> 32:59.040 Proverbs 29, verse number 20. 33:02.100 --> 33:05.120 The Bible says this, Proverbs 29, verse number 20, 33:05.120 --> 33:08.880 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? 33:08.880 --> 33:12.340 There is more hope of a fool than of him. 33:12.340 --> 33:14.520 So the Bible says if you are quick to speak, 33:14.520 --> 33:18.060 or speak without thinking, you are worse than fools. 33:18.060 --> 33:21.460 Sounds like God is pretty serious about what we say. 33:21.460 --> 33:25.260 Many people speak according to how they feel, right now. 33:25.400 --> 33:27.000 You know, I'll be there. 33:27.000 --> 33:28.160 I will call you tonight. 33:28.160 --> 33:29.680 I will help you this Saturday. 33:29.680 --> 33:31.680 I will get that done tomorrow. 33:31.680 --> 33:33.240 I will come to church this week. 33:33.240 --> 33:34.720 I will pay you back next week. 33:34.720 --> 33:36.840 They say these things without even thinking about it. 33:36.840 --> 33:38.720 And then later, they start thinking about what 33:38.720 --> 33:41.360 they actually agree to. 33:41.360 --> 33:43.720 So the principle is we should think before we speak, 33:43.720 --> 33:46.720 and we should count the costs before you agree to anything. 33:46.720 --> 33:47.100 thing. 33:47.400 --> 33:50.580 Let me just read to you Luke 14 verse 28. 33:50.580 --> 33:53.740 For which of you intending to build a tower 33:53.740 --> 33:56.880 siteth not down first and counteth the cost, 33:56.880 --> 33:59.160 whether he have sufficient to finish it? 33:59.160 --> 34:01.580 So if you only build a building, 34:01.580 --> 34:03.860 if you only accomplish any project, 34:03.860 --> 34:06.800 you're gonna sit down first, you're gonna think about it. 34:07.000 --> 34:08.400 You're going to think about the cost 34:08.400 --> 34:11.560 before you start the project. 34:11.560 --> 34:14.120 You will have to look at your calendar, 34:14.120 --> 34:17.800 figure out the equipment plan, figure out the manpower, 34:17.800 --> 34:19.960 figure out the budget. 34:19.960 --> 34:22.480 You're going to sit yourself down and count the cost. 34:22.480 --> 34:22.900 Of course. 34:23.100 --> 34:25.620 Luke 14, 29 says this, let's happily, 34:25.620 --> 34:29.140 after he had laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, 34:29.140 --> 34:32.060 all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, 34:32.060 --> 34:35.260 this man began to build and was not able to finish. 34:35.260 --> 34:38.660 If you don't count the cost before you commit to something, 34:38.660 --> 34:40.660 and then if you don't finish what you say, 34:40.660 --> 34:42.060 people are going to mock you. 34:42.060 --> 34:44.500 People are going to mock Christianity, right? 34:44.500 --> 34:47.300 Go to Proverbs 20, Proverbs chapter number 20. 34:49.300 --> 34:53.600 Before saying, I will be there at six, ask yourself, 34:53.600 --> 34:55.980 can I actually be there at six? 34:55.980 --> 34:57.340 Very simple, right? 34:57.340 --> 34:59.380 Think before you speak. 34:59.380 --> 35:02.060 Before telling people, I will call you at nine, 35:02.060 --> 35:05.060 do you actually have nine o'clock available? 35:05.060 --> 35:06.340 I mean, it sounds really simple, 35:06.340 --> 35:08.500 but people don't think like that. 35:08.500 --> 35:10.620 Before promising somebody your help, 35:10.620 --> 35:12.940 are you actually willing to rearrange your schedule 35:12.940 --> 35:13.780 to help out? 35:14.300 --> 35:16.300 Before saying, I will pray for you, 35:16.300 --> 35:18.620 are you actually going to pray? 35:18.620 --> 35:22.100 Maybe pray right there instead of using it 35:22.100 --> 35:25.580 as a general Christian expression. 35:25.580 --> 35:27.540 Before saying, I will come to this event, 35:27.540 --> 35:31.580 I will come to that event, do you actually intend to attend? 35:31.580 --> 35:34.900 Or are you saying yes because saying no feels awkward? 35:36.200 --> 35:39.320 Sometimes we just need to say, hey, let me check on this. 35:39.320 --> 35:43.640 Let me look at my schedule and let me get back to you. 35:43.640 --> 35:45.400 Proverbs chapter 20, look at verse 25. 35:45.400 --> 35:49.560 Proverbs 20, verse 25 says this. 35:49.560 --> 35:53.480 It is a snare to the man who devoured that which is holy 35:53.480 --> 35:58.280 and after vows to make inquiry. 35:58.280 --> 36:02.040 The Bible says if you investigate 36:02.040 --> 36:04.100 whether you can fulfill the commitment, 36:04.200 --> 36:08.360 After you make the commitment, it's a scenario to you. 36:08.360 --> 36:10.100 The time to investigate whether you 36:10.100 --> 36:13.080 can fulfill the commitment is before you make it, 36:13.080 --> 36:14.760 and not afterwards. 36:14.760 --> 36:17.240 Before you give your word, count the cost. 36:17.240 --> 36:19.800 After you give your word, pay the cost. 36:19.800 --> 36:20.320 Amen? 36:20.320 --> 36:22.920 Proverbs 25, Proverbs 25. 36:22.920 --> 36:26.000 Also, don't make a commitment based upon the best case 36:26.000 --> 36:26.500 scenario. 36:27.100 --> 36:30.060 Don't make a commitment based on the best case scenario. 36:30.060 --> 36:32.860 Proverbs 25, look at verse 14. 36:32.860 --> 36:35.460 Proverbs 25, verse 14 says this. 36:35.460 --> 36:38.140 Whoso boasts of himself of a false gift 36:38.140 --> 36:42.160 is like clouds and wind without rain. 36:42.160 --> 36:44.340 So cloud and wind without rain is, you know. 36:44.340 --> 36:44.500 you 36:44.600 --> 36:46.840 symbolize being empty, right? 36:46.840 --> 36:48.480 So the Bible is telling us that, hey, 36:48.480 --> 36:50.440 don't be the person who is always promising 36:50.440 --> 36:51.880 and never delivering. 36:51.880 --> 36:54.120 You are like the cloud and wind without rain. 36:54.120 --> 36:56.320 You are boasting about how much you can do, 36:56.320 --> 36:57.840 but it's all empty. 36:57.840 --> 37:00.440 Go to James chapter four, James chapter number four. 37:01.840 --> 37:05.080 Sometimes the honest answer is, I don't know yet. 37:05.080 --> 37:07.280 Hey, probably, but I can commit. 37:07.280 --> 37:09.960 I will try, Lord willing, right? 37:10.300 --> 37:11.540 Just be honest. 37:11.540 --> 37:13.860 James chapter 4, look at verse 13. 37:13.860 --> 37:15.180 James 4.13. 37:17.800 --> 37:20.600 The Bible says this in James chapter 4 verse 13, 37:20.600 --> 37:23.640 go to now, either I say today or tomorrow 37:23.640 --> 37:26.440 we will go into such a city and continue there a year 37:26.440 --> 37:29.320 and buy and sell and get gain. 37:29.320 --> 37:32.240 Whereas ye know not what shall be on tomorrow 37:32.240 --> 37:34.080 for what is your life. 37:34.080 --> 37:35.720 It is even a vapor. 37:36.200 --> 37:39.600 that appeared for a little time and then vanished away. 37:39.600 --> 37:42.320 So that was giving us this scenario 37:42.320 --> 37:46.480 that it's fine to have planned to go here and there, 37:46.480 --> 37:49.900 but also realize that we don't know what tomorrow holds. 37:49.900 --> 37:51.880 Your life is like a vapor because we 37:51.880 --> 37:55.320 don't know what kind of accidents or whatever 37:55.320 --> 37:56.240 that's going to happen. 37:56.240 --> 37:57.200 Look at verse 15. 37:57.200 --> 38:00.160 For that you ought to say, if the Lord will, 38:00.160 --> 38:03.140 we shall live and do this or that. 38:03.140 --> 38:04.200 That's why sometimes. 38:04.200 --> 38:10.160 it's better to say, Lord willing, I will do this and that. 38:10.160 --> 38:15.240 Some people think that saying yes makes them a nice person. 38:15.240 --> 38:17.320 That's not really the case. 38:17.320 --> 38:19.240 If you're probably not going to do it, 38:19.240 --> 38:22.680 saying yes makes you unreliable. 38:22.680 --> 38:25.640 Saying yes makes you a liar, making false promises. 38:25.640 --> 38:26.140 OK? 38:26.500 --> 38:32.500 I'd rather somebody tell me I can't make it, then absolutely I will be there. 38:32.500 --> 38:38.220 And then cancel 30 minutes beforehand. 38:38.220 --> 38:42.800 The Bible says in Ecclesiastes chapter 5 verse number 2, be not rash with thy mouth and let 38:42.800 --> 38:47.300 not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in heaven and thou 38:47.300 --> 38:50.060 upon earth, therefore let thy words be filled. 38:50.060 --> 38:51.060 So talk less. 38:51.060 --> 38:52.060 Okay? 38:52.060 --> 38:52.600 No. 38:52.700 --> 38:56.860 A lot of the many conflicts and just all the fights 38:58.100 --> 39:00.940 can be reduced if people just talk less 39:00.940 --> 39:03.820 or think before you speak. 39:03.820 --> 39:06.020 And you can apply this principle to things 39:06.020 --> 39:08.100 other than making a commitment, right? 39:08.100 --> 39:10.900 When you say things to others or post things online 39:10.900 --> 39:13.300 or call someone having a conversation, 39:13.300 --> 39:15.420 think about the ramifications, right? 39:15.420 --> 39:16.420 Ask yourself, 39:16.500 --> 39:21.300 is what I'm posting or saying or texting balanced, right? 39:21.300 --> 39:24.780 Ask yourself, hey, who are my audiences? 39:24.780 --> 39:28.020 Is what I'm saying actually true? 39:28.020 --> 39:29.680 Do I know this for a fact, or am I 39:29.680 --> 39:32.700 repeating what someone else told me? 39:32.700 --> 39:35.580 Am I leaving out important context that would change 39:35.580 --> 39:38.140 how people understand this? 39:38.140 --> 39:40.900 Would I say the same way if the person I'm talking about 39:40.900 --> 39:42.180 were standing right here? 39:43.200 --> 39:47.760 Would I be comfortable with this being screen-shotted and shown 39:47.760 --> 39:49.360 to someone else? 39:49.360 --> 39:51.100 We have to consider that, because now we 39:51.100 --> 39:54.440 have bad people, moles, infiltrators. 39:54.440 --> 39:56.200 They would just screen-shot what you say. 39:56.200 --> 39:59.120 So think about that, OK? 39:59.120 --> 40:01.760 Could somebody reasonably understand what I'm saying? 40:01.760 --> 40:03.800 Obviously, people can twist whatever they want, 40:03.800 --> 40:06.760 but you want to make sure people reasonably can comprehend 40:06.760 --> 40:07.960 what you're saying. 40:07.960 --> 40:10.500 People can reasonably comprehend what you're communicating. 40:10.700 --> 40:13.180 Am I saying this because it needs to be said, 40:13.180 --> 40:19.540 or because I want the satisfaction of saying it? 40:19.540 --> 40:23.860 Is this something that needs to be said publicly or privately? 40:23.860 --> 40:27.700 Am I involving people who have no reason to be involved? 40:27.700 --> 40:31.900 Am I attacking the argument or the person? 40:31.900 --> 40:34.460 Does this need to be addressed at all? 40:34.460 --> 40:35.940 So just think about these things. 40:35.940 --> 40:36.860 Think before you speak. 40:37.200 --> 40:39.640 Think first, speak second. 40:39.640 --> 40:41.400 The Bible says we should be quick to hear, 40:41.400 --> 40:44.160 and slow to speak, and slow to rap. 40:44.160 --> 40:45.080 Go to James chapter 3. 40:45.080 --> 40:47.280 James chapter 3, look at verse 5. 40:47.280 --> 40:50.160 James 3, 5 says this. 40:50.160 --> 40:51.520 James 3, 5 says this. 40:51.520 --> 40:54.480 Even so, the tongue is a little member. 40:54.480 --> 40:56.240 Your tongue is a small body part. 40:56.240 --> 40:56.500 situation with speed during 41:00.800 --> 40:56.500 speed during Eu mite pressure 41:01.200 --> 40:56.500 hit by Mon thief or 41:04.440 --> 40:56.500 refuses to subscribe in 40:56.800 --> 40:59.560 Although I do like eating cow tongue, OK? 40:59.560 --> 41:01.840 Cow tongue taco, taco de lengua, 41:01.840 --> 41:03.320 is my favorite taco. 41:03.320 --> 41:06.400 But even so, the tongue is a little member 41:06.400 --> 41:08.600 and boasts great things. 41:08.600 --> 41:11.880 Behold, how great a matter a little foul can doeth. 41:11.880 --> 41:14.880 The vows says even though your tongue is a little small body 41:14.880 --> 41:18.960 part, but it can accomplish great things, 41:18.960 --> 41:21.320 it can burn people as well, like a fire. 41:21.800 --> 41:22.880 OK, verse number six. 41:22.880 --> 41:26.040 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. 41:26.040 --> 41:28.780 So is the tongue among our members, 41:28.780 --> 41:31.160 that it defiled the whole body and set it 41:31.160 --> 41:32.960 on fire the course of nature. 41:32.960 --> 41:36.560 And it is set on fire of hell. 41:36.560 --> 41:38.640 Now here, hell, the Bible is using 41:38.640 --> 41:41.960 a symbolic attributes of hell, meaning destruction, right? 41:41.960 --> 41:46.440 Your tongue can literally set on fire of destruction on people. 41:46.440 --> 41:48.040 Your tongue can destroy people. 41:49.300 --> 41:51.260 Even little tongue is a small body part, 41:51.260 --> 41:53.180 but if you're not careful what you're saying, 41:53.180 --> 41:54.460 you can actually damage people. 41:54.460 --> 41:56.100 You can destroy people. 41:56.100 --> 41:58.140 Go to Matthew chapter 7. 41:58.140 --> 42:00.460 Matthew chapter 7. 42:00.460 --> 42:03.100 So I said point number one, think before you speak. 42:03.100 --> 42:04.780 Actually think about it. 42:04.780 --> 42:08.740 Not that hard, but people are so used to just talk 42:08.740 --> 42:10.420 without thinking about anything. 42:13.000 --> 42:16.240 Point number two, your commitment 42:16.240 --> 42:18.200 affects other people. 42:18.200 --> 42:20.400 Your commitments affect other people. 42:20.400 --> 42:22.240 If you can understand this, maybe you 42:22.240 --> 42:23.560 will actually talk less. 42:23.560 --> 42:26.360 Because maybe you don't realize that what you say 42:26.360 --> 42:28.520 affect other people. 42:28.520 --> 42:30.280 Matthew 7, OK, verse 12. 42:30.280 --> 42:31.720 Matthew 7, 12 says this. 42:31.720 --> 42:31.900 Thanks for watching! 42:32.000 --> 42:38.720 Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that man should do to you, do you even so 42:38.720 --> 42:41.440 to them, for this is the law and prophets." 42:41.440 --> 42:45.280 This is the most famous golden rule, right? 42:45.280 --> 42:47.640 Everyone wants to be treated well. 42:47.640 --> 42:53.040 So let me give you some examples of how your commitment can affect other people. 42:53.500 --> 43:00.780 Because you may think I'm just changing my schedule or I'm just postponing that for 10 minutes, but it is a big deal 43:02.540 --> 43:06.060 Because the other person planned his schedule around what you said 43:07.060 --> 43:14.180 If someone tells me I will call you at 9 p.m. I'm I am expecting that call at 9 p.m 43:14.900 --> 43:17.940 Maybe I have things I need to get done beforehand. 43:17.940 --> 43:20.540 Maybe I hurry through some of my other tasks 43:20.540 --> 43:23.260 so I can be available for you at nine. 43:23.260 --> 43:26.020 Maybe I don't start something that will take an hour 43:26.020 --> 43:27.700 so I can be there at nine for you. 43:27.700 --> 43:29.220 Maybe I move something around 43:29.220 --> 43:31.300 just so that I can be available at nine. 43:31.300 --> 43:33.660 Why? Because I took your work seriously. 43:33.660 --> 43:36.340 So when you text me at 8.50 p.m. saying, 43:36.340 --> 43:37.980 actually I can call you, 43:37.980 --> 43:39.660 you did not just change your schedule, 43:39.660 --> 43:40.820 you changed mine too. 43:41.700 --> 43:44.780 Your commitments affect other people. 43:44.780 --> 43:48.060 Suppose someone says, hey, we'll be at your house at 6 PM, 43:48.060 --> 43:49.300 OK? 43:49.300 --> 43:51.860 Now my family has to plan around to make 43:51.860 --> 43:54.860 sure the 6 PM is available. 43:54.860 --> 43:56.660 Maybe dinner get moved. 43:56.660 --> 43:58.660 Maybe tasks get rescheduled. 43:58.660 --> 44:01.100 But then you say, never mind. 44:01.100 --> 44:03.220 We're not coming. 44:03.220 --> 44:05.260 But I just move everything around just 44:05.260 --> 44:06.700 to be ready for you at 6. 44:07.300 --> 44:09.100 People say, what's the big deal? 44:09.100 --> 44:13.420 The big deal is other people believe you. 44:13.420 --> 44:15.340 Go to Ephesians chapter 5. 44:15.340 --> 44:18.340 Ephesians chapter 5. 44:18.340 --> 44:23.540 Suppose someone says, I will pick you up at 7. 44:23.540 --> 44:26.660 So that person doesn't arrange another ride 44:26.660 --> 44:29.820 because he promised to pick him up. 44:29.820 --> 44:31.980 He gets dressed and get ready. 44:31.980 --> 44:34.380 He may even turn down someone else offering a ride to him. 44:34.900 --> 44:39.740 But then at 655, you say, Ashley, I can't pick you up. 44:39.740 --> 44:42.940 Now he's scrambling for another ride, 44:42.940 --> 44:44.900 not because of their poor planning, 44:44.900 --> 44:49.540 but because they plan based on your word. 44:49.540 --> 44:52.180 The Bible says in Philippians chapter 2, verse 4, 44:52.180 --> 44:54.980 look not every man on his own things, 44:54.980 --> 44:57.500 but every man also on the things of others. 44:58.000 --> 45:05.280 See, keeping your commitment is not just an honesty issue, it's considering others. 45:05.280 --> 45:07.840 Would you want somebody else to waste your time? 45:07.840 --> 45:12.000 Would you want somebody rearranging your schedule at the last minute? 45:12.000 --> 45:15.120 If not, then respect other people's time. 45:15.120 --> 45:18.520 If in chapter 5, look at verse 16. 45:18.520 --> 45:22.840 In vision 516 says this, redeeming the time 45:22.840 --> 45:25.700 because the days are evil. 45:26.000 --> 45:30.680 Now, we often think of stealing somebody's money as serious, 45:30.680 --> 45:31.360 right? 45:31.360 --> 45:34.520 But we should also understand that another person's time 45:34.520 --> 45:36.800 has value as well. 45:36.800 --> 45:39.960 You cannot give them yesterday back. 45:39.960 --> 45:41.760 So don't casually waste people's time, 45:41.760 --> 45:43.440 because you couldn't be bothered to think 45:43.440 --> 45:44.880 before you commit to anything. 45:46.200 --> 45:48.640 Because you may say, you know, I'm just postponing that 45:48.640 --> 45:50.000 for 10 minutes. 45:50.000 --> 45:52.560 I'm just rescheduling it to tomorrow. 45:52.560 --> 45:54.760 But to me, that's a huge deal. 45:54.760 --> 45:58.360 Because it tells me that you are not trustworthy if you have 45:58.360 --> 46:01.320 done it over and over again. 46:01.320 --> 46:04.400 This brings me to my third point, point number three. 46:04.400 --> 46:07.120 Keep your word even when it hurts. 46:07.120 --> 46:09.040 Keep your word even when it hurts. 46:09.040 --> 46:10.500 Go to Joshua chapter 9. 46:10.500 --> 46:12.000 Joshua chapter 9. 46:15.400 --> 46:18.080 Psalm 15, verse 4, again says this, 46:18.080 --> 46:22.520 he that sweared to his own hurt and changeth not. 46:22.520 --> 46:25.320 So here's a test of integrity. 46:25.320 --> 46:30.800 What happens when keeping a word becomes inconvenient? 46:30.800 --> 46:33.160 That's the test of your integrity. 46:33.160 --> 46:36.000 Anybody can keep a commitment when it's easy. 46:36.000 --> 46:39.480 Anyone can keep their words when there's nothing to lose. 46:39.800 --> 46:44.800 The test comes when you realize maybe this is going to cost me something. 46:44.800 --> 46:49.800 Maybe money, maybe sleep, maybe convenience, maybe embarrassment, maybe time. 46:49.800 --> 46:53.800 But I said I would do it, so I'm going to do it anyway. 46:53.800 --> 46:57.800 Right? He that swears to his own heart and changeth not. 46:57.800 --> 47:01.800 Joshua 9, look at verse 3. Joshua chapter 9, verse 3 says this. 47:03.400 --> 47:30.600 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, they did work willily, means deceptively, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took all sex upon their asses, and wine bottles old and rent and bound up, and all shoes and clodded upon their feet, and all garments upon them, and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy, and they went to Joshua upon a camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, 47:31.400 --> 47:35.600 and sit and, where am I at? 47:35.600 --> 47:37.520 Sorry, I just, and said unto him, 47:37.520 --> 47:40.520 and to the men of Israel, we become from a far country, 47:40.520 --> 47:43.040 now therefore make ye a league with us. 47:43.040 --> 47:44.200 So the context is. 47:44.500 --> 47:48.500 The men in Gibeon deceived Israel. 47:48.500 --> 47:53.500 They lied about, you know, they claimed they came from a far country while they were 47:53.500 --> 47:55.500 assailing their neighbors, okay? 47:55.500 --> 48:01.500 They saw Israel fighting all the surrounding countries, 48:01.500 --> 48:04.500 so they lied to make peace with Israel. 48:04.500 --> 48:07.500 So that's the context. Verse 14. 48:08.500 --> 48:12.220 And the man, that's the man of Israel, took of their victuals, 48:12.220 --> 48:15.540 and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. 48:15.540 --> 48:19.060 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, 48:19.060 --> 48:20.460 to let them live. 48:20.460 --> 48:24.460 And the princes of the congregation swear unto them." 48:24.460 --> 48:27.620 So instead of asking counsel of the Lord, 48:27.620 --> 48:30.340 they believe their lie, and they swear unto them 48:30.340 --> 48:32.140 that they will make peace with them. 48:32.140 --> 48:34.620 Right? 48:34.620 --> 48:35.300 So. 48:35.500 --> 48:40.300 The way they made the promise was wrong because they didn't ask God but they still made that promise. 48:40.300 --> 48:42.060 They still made that vow. Look at verse number 16. 48:43.580 --> 48:48.460 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them 48:48.460 --> 48:53.260 that they heard that they were their neighbors and that they dwelt among them. 48:53.600 --> 48:57.280 So after three days they realized that they had been deceived by them. 48:57.280 --> 49:02.880 Verse 17, and the children of Israel journeyed and came into their cities on the third day. 49:02.880 --> 49:07.760 Now their cities were Gibeon and Jephyrah and Beiroth and Kedoshirion. 49:07.760 --> 49:12.080 And the children of Israel smote them not because the princess of the congregation 49:12.080 --> 49:18.560 had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel, and all the congregation murmured against the princess. 49:18.560 --> 49:21.360 To me this story is Psalm 15 verse 4 in 49:21.600 --> 49:23.640 It was a bad deal. 49:23.640 --> 49:26.440 They had indeed been deceived, but they 49:26.440 --> 49:30.000 had given them their reward. 49:30.000 --> 49:33.480 And keep replacing Joshua chapter 9, go to Deuteronomy chapter 20. 49:33.480 --> 49:37.800 Go to Deuteronomy chapter 20. 49:37.800 --> 49:42.280 But here's an interesting thing. 49:42.280 --> 49:46.680 God has commanded them to wipe out the given nights. 49:46.680 --> 49:48.500 Deuteronomy chapter 20, look at verse number 16. 49:49.200 --> 49:53.160 Deuteronomy chapter 20 verse 16. 49:53.160 --> 49:56.880 The Bible says this, but of the cities of those people 49:56.880 --> 49:59.760 which the Lord thy God doth give them for inheritance, 49:59.760 --> 50:02.480 thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth, 50:02.480 --> 50:05.220 but thou shalt utterly destroy them, namely, 50:05.220 --> 50:08.720 the Hittites and the Amorites, the Kittinites and the Parasites 50:08.720 --> 50:11.320 and the Hivites and the Jebusites, 50:11.320 --> 50:13.720 as the Lord thy God had commanded thee. 50:13.720 --> 50:14.680 Now, you might wonder. 50:15.900 --> 50:17.740 You couldn't find Gibeonites. 50:17.740 --> 50:21.180 But that's meant to you that the Hivites are the Gibeonites. 50:21.180 --> 50:23.700 Because go to Joshua chapter 9 again. 50:23.700 --> 50:26.380 Go back to Joshua chapter 9. 50:26.380 --> 50:27.940 Look at verse number 6. 50:27.940 --> 50:29.900 Joshua 9, verse number 6. 50:32.600 --> 50:37.440 The Bible says this, and they went to Joshua upon the camp at Gilgal and said unto him, 50:37.440 --> 50:41.680 and to the man of Israel, We have come from a far country, now therefore make you a league 50:41.680 --> 50:42.680 with us. 50:42.680 --> 50:46.120 Verse 7, and the man of Israel said unto the, what? 50:46.900 --> 50:49.580 Hivites, perventure ye dwell among us, 50:49.580 --> 50:52.060 and how shall we make a league with you? 50:52.060 --> 50:56.060 So God had commanded them to wipe out the givenites, 50:56.060 --> 50:58.300 also known as the Hivites, Hivites, however 50:58.300 --> 50:59.780 you pronounce that. 50:59.780 --> 51:02.620 Now we'll do Joshua chapter 9, verse 19. 51:02.620 --> 51:04.620 Joshua 9, verse 19. 51:04.620 --> 51:05.380 The Bible says this. 51:06.300 --> 51:09.100 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, 51:09.100 --> 51:11.940 We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. 51:11.940 --> 51:14.060 Now therefore we may not touch them. 51:14.060 --> 51:15.700 This we will do to them. 51:15.700 --> 51:19.920 We will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, 51:19.920 --> 51:23.220 because of the oath which we swear unto them." 51:23.220 --> 51:25.020 Notice the dynamic here. 51:25.300 --> 51:27.380 Because this might bring you some confusion, 51:27.380 --> 51:30.340 but I will try my best to answer that throughout my sermon. 51:30.340 --> 51:33.020 God indeed commanded Israel to destroy 51:33.020 --> 51:34.700 the inhabitants of the land. 51:34.700 --> 51:37.260 And then Israel foolishly made an oath 51:37.260 --> 51:39.980 to spare the Gibeonites, an oath that 51:39.980 --> 51:41.820 should have never been made. 51:41.820 --> 51:46.180 But once they gave their word, God 51:46.180 --> 51:48.460 expected them to honor their oath. 51:48.900 --> 51:55.900 In fact, hundreds of years later, when Saul violated that oath, God judged Israel for it. 51:55.900 --> 52:00.900 They couldn't go back afterward and say, 52:00.900 --> 52:03.900 those who have never promised this in the first place. 52:03.900 --> 52:06.900 That's true. They should have never sworn that oath, 52:06.900 --> 52:10.900 but that didn't give them the right to break their word. 52:10.900 --> 52:13.600 Actually, turn the Bible to... 52:14.500 --> 52:15.940 Second Samuel chapter 21. 52:15.940 --> 52:17.600 Second Samuel 21. 52:20.000 --> 52:23.520 Now, you might say, but I shouldn't have agreed to that. 52:23.520 --> 52:25.240 Maybe you shouldn't have. 52:25.240 --> 52:27.560 That's why you ought to think before you speak. 52:27.560 --> 52:31.040 That's why you should count the cost before you give your word. 52:31.040 --> 52:34.400 But realizing afterward that you made a bad deal 52:34.400 --> 52:37.240 doesn't give you the right to break your word. 52:37.240 --> 52:40.880 The Bible praises the man who swears to his own hurt 52:40.880 --> 52:43.000 and changes not. 52:43.000 --> 52:45.280 Let's actually look at the case in 2 Samuel. 52:45.280 --> 52:46.160 Look at verse 21. 52:46.800 --> 52:49.560 2 Samuel 21, look at verse 1. 52:49.560 --> 52:52.800 2 Samuel 21, verse 1 says this. 52:52.800 --> 52:55.800 Then there was a famine in the day of David three years. 52:56.000 --> 52:58.640 Year by year, and David inquired of the Lord, 52:58.640 --> 53:02.560 and the Lord answered, it is for Saul and for his bloody house. 53:02.560 --> 53:05.840 Don't miss the reason, because it slew the Gibeonites. 53:05.840 --> 53:08.160 Verse number 2, and the king called the Gibeonites 53:08.160 --> 53:10.680 and said unto them, now the Gibeonites were not 53:10.680 --> 53:13.520 of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites. 53:13.520 --> 53:15.880 And the children of Israel had sworn unto them, 53:15.880 --> 53:18.080 and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal 53:18.080 --> 53:20.360 to the children of Israel and Judah. 53:20.360 --> 53:24.000 So Saul violated this oath that is 53:24.000 --> 53:28.960 Israel made generations earlier, and God still took it seriously. 53:28.960 --> 53:34.640 This tells me about how seriously God views our world. 53:34.640 --> 53:36.840 Now, the lesson, again, let me be clear, 53:36.840 --> 53:41.000 that the lesson is not that their oath canceled God's commandment 53:41.000 --> 53:41.960 to wipe them out. 53:42.300 --> 53:44.820 The lesson is that their foolishness put them 53:44.820 --> 53:48.660 in this situation that they should have never been in. 53:48.660 --> 53:52.060 They made a promise that should have never been made, 53:52.060 --> 53:57.540 but that didn't make breaking their promise righteous. 53:57.540 --> 54:00.100 Now, this brings me to the story of Jephthah. 54:00.100 --> 54:01.380 Go to Judges, chapter 11. 54:01.380 --> 54:03.540 Judges, chapter 11. 54:03.540 --> 54:05.380 Because I think you can see some parallel, 54:05.380 --> 54:07.100 although there's some difference to that. 54:09.000 --> 54:10.760 Enjoy just chapter number 11. 54:15.100 --> 54:17.100 Look at verse 30. 54:17.100 --> 54:20.100 In Judges 11, verse 30. 54:22.400 --> 54:23.500 The Bible says this, 54:23.500 --> 54:27.400 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, 54:27.400 --> 54:31.600 and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, 54:31.600 --> 54:37.160 then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of my doors of my house to meet me, 54:37.160 --> 54:40.000 when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, 54:40.000 --> 54:44.000 shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. 54:45.000 --> 54:54.600 I think it's pretty safe to think that Jephthah has never thought that his daughter will come out to meet him after God gave him the victory. 54:54.900 --> 54:59.900 So Jephthah made this vow that if God gives me this victory, 54:59.900 --> 55:05.900 I will sacrifice whatever comes to me at my house to meet me as a burnt offering. 55:05.900 --> 55:11.900 And naturally, I think it's safe to assume that he would never think that his daughter would be coming out first. 55:11.900 --> 55:13.900 Look at verse 34. 55:13.900 --> 55:15.900 Judges 11 verse 34. 55:15.900 --> 55:19.660 And Jephthah came to Mishpah upon his, onto his house, 55:19.660 --> 55:22.900 and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with Tim. 55:22.900 --> 55:25.740 girls and with dances, and she was his only child. 55:25.740 --> 55:28.820 Beside her he had neither son nor daughter. 55:28.820 --> 55:32.220 And it came to pass when he saw her that he ran his clothes 55:32.220 --> 55:35.580 and said, alas, my daughter, thou hast brought me very low, 55:35.580 --> 55:37.780 and thou art one of them that troubled me. 55:37.780 --> 55:40.300 For I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, 55:40.300 --> 55:41.860 and I can now go back. 55:43.400 --> 55:45.020 So again, the lesson is the same. 55:45.020 --> 55:47.340 Be careful what comes out of your mouth, 55:47.340 --> 55:50.500 because you may have to live with it 55:50.500 --> 55:51.860 for the rest of your life. 55:51.860 --> 55:52.600 Right? 55:52.900 --> 55:55.380 Now here, Jaffa has two choices. 55:55.380 --> 55:58.100 I'm going to give you my opinion. 55:58.100 --> 56:01.300 If you disagree, I don't really care, 56:01.300 --> 56:03.540 because I see both sides. 56:03.540 --> 56:07.140 So if you disagree, I just drop that. 56:07.140 --> 56:09.020 But let me just give you my thoughts. 56:09.020 --> 56:11.500 Jaffa had two choices. 56:11.500 --> 56:14.460 Killing his daughter, make her a burnt sacrifice, 56:14.460 --> 56:15.940 or going back on his vow. 56:16.500 --> 56:19.620 Both, you know, he has two choices, OK? 56:19.620 --> 56:21.740 Although let me say this, neither choice is perfect. 56:21.740 --> 56:23.940 Neither choice is right, OK? 56:23.940 --> 56:28.700 Because he put himself into this evil situation. 56:28.700 --> 56:33.740 Now, I believe he that swear to his own her and changes not 56:33.740 --> 56:36.700 does not mean that if you make a promise 56:36.700 --> 56:40.780 to do something sinful, you have to go ahead and commit that sin. 56:40.780 --> 56:43.740 If I say, I promise to murder you, 56:43.740 --> 56:44.000 Thanks for watching! 56:44.300 --> 56:48.900 To me, like, yeah, I should never make that promise, 56:48.900 --> 56:50.980 but murder is clearly a wrong, right? 56:50.980 --> 56:54.340 That's why I'm trying to give you some perspective on it. 56:54.340 --> 57:00.380 That's why I see white people will lean on both sides. 57:00.380 --> 57:03.100 OK, white people can lean on either side. 57:03.100 --> 57:04.980 Because I don't think if you make a promise 57:04.980 --> 57:06.180 to do something clearly and simple, 57:06.180 --> 57:08.020 that you have to go ahead and commit that sin. 57:08.300 --> 57:12.200 And a foolish vow does not make something God has forbidden 57:12.200 --> 57:14.560 suddenly right. 57:14.560 --> 57:17.760 If you promise to do something sinful, 57:17.760 --> 57:19.360 I think you should just stop sinning, 57:19.360 --> 57:23.000 or God will punish you for making that promise. 57:23.000 --> 57:26.360 But if the only reason you want to back out 57:26.360 --> 57:28.960 of your commitment is because that is difficult, 57:28.960 --> 57:32.760 inconvenient, expensive, or you simply agree to it, 57:32.760 --> 57:34.440 that is completely different. 57:35.400 --> 57:41.280 So I'm going to address this subtle distinction, 57:41.280 --> 57:45.240 because you may argue that when Israel sworn an oath 57:45.240 --> 57:47.720 to spare the Gibeonites, they actually 57:47.720 --> 57:50.920 broke God's commandment to utterly destroy them. 57:50.920 --> 57:55.400 So by that logic, they should just know that oath. 57:55.400 --> 58:00.600 But let's allow the scripture to tell us what was right, OK? 58:00.600 --> 58:02.440 Because you might think in your head, 58:02.700 --> 58:05.100 By making the oath to spare their lives, 58:05.100 --> 58:07.140 they were actually sinning against God's commandment 58:07.140 --> 58:08.400 to wipe them out, right? 58:08.600 --> 58:13.600 Now, God clearly punished Israel when Saul violated that oath. 58:13.600 --> 58:16.040 So God did take that oath seriously. 58:16.040 --> 58:19.840 Because Israel's oath to the Gibeonites 58:19.840 --> 58:24.280 was not itself a promise to commit a sinful act. 58:24.280 --> 58:26.520 Although the oath of ramification 58:26.520 --> 58:28.960 is against God's commandment, but the oath itself 58:28.960 --> 58:31.280 of sparing people's life is not a sinful act. 58:31.500 --> 58:32.700 OK? 58:32.700 --> 58:36.220 So they sinned for making a league with them, 58:36.220 --> 58:39.820 and Israel sinned again for breaking that oath. 58:39.820 --> 58:41.740 So they sinned twice, right? 58:41.740 --> 58:44.300 Because God promised to command them to wife. 58:44.300 --> 58:46.620 Now they sin for making their oath, 58:46.620 --> 58:48.980 and they sinned again for breaking their oath. 58:48.980 --> 58:49.620 OK? 58:49.620 --> 58:51.340 Hopefully I'm making myself clear. 58:51.340 --> 58:55.260 Now this is different from making an oath clearly 58:55.260 --> 58:56.620 to commit a sin. 58:57.000 --> 59:03.160 Suppose someone says, I promise I will help you rob that bank tomorrow. 59:03.160 --> 59:08.200 I don't think he can use Psalm 15 verse 4 the next morning and say, well, I have to 59:08.200 --> 59:10.520 swear to my own hurt. 59:10.520 --> 59:17.680 The thing promised is inherently sinful because let me just read you Acts 23 verse number 59:17.680 --> 59:18.300 12. 59:18.300 --> 59:24.060 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, 59:24.060 --> 59:29.980 saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 59:30.620 --> 59:35.260 Now their oath does not suddenly make murdering Paul righteous. 59:35.800 --> 59:39.200 Although God will judge him for that oath itself. 59:39.200 --> 59:43.840 In Matthew 14, verse number 6, Herod make a foolish oath 59:43.840 --> 59:48.480 that Herod will give whatsoever that his daughter asked. 59:48.480 --> 59:52.280 And his daughter asked for John the Baptist's head. 59:52.280 --> 59:56.080 And Herod, for the oath's sake, killed John the Baptist 59:56.080 --> 59:58.040 and gave her the head. 59:58.800 --> 01:00:04.220 Now, Herod's concern for his oath resulted in John the Baptist's murder. 01:00:04.220 --> 01:00:07.680 So the oath did not make the murder righteous. 01:00:07.680 --> 01:00:08.680 Okay? 01:00:08.680 --> 01:00:14.360 So, back to Joshua chapter 9, they swore an oath that they should have never been down. 01:00:14.600 --> 01:00:19.020 But fulfilling the oath itself, again, to spare their life 01:00:19.020 --> 01:00:20.900 itself was not sinful. 01:00:20.900 --> 01:00:23.380 That is different from, I promise to kill someone 01:00:23.380 --> 01:00:25.420 or rob a bank. 01:00:25.420 --> 01:00:30.060 Not only does 2 Samuel prove that God honored their oath, 01:00:30.060 --> 01:00:34.660 but God also assisted Joshua in defending the Gibeonites. 01:00:34.660 --> 01:00:36.980 Go to Joshua chapter 10. 01:00:36.980 --> 01:00:38.660 Joshua chapter 10, look at verse number 6. 01:00:41.100 --> 01:00:42.700 Joshua chapter 10 verse 6. 01:00:45.600 --> 01:00:48.240 The Bible says this, Joshua 10 verse number 6, 01:00:49.200 --> 01:00:53.200 And a man of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, 01:00:53.200 --> 01:00:58.200 Slack not thy hand from thy servants, come unto us quickly and save us, 01:00:58.200 --> 01:01:03.200 and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. 01:01:03.200 --> 01:01:13.200 So here people are coming up to fight the man of Gibeon, so the man of Gibeon asks Israel for help. 01:01:13.200 --> 01:01:14.200 Look at verse number 7. 01:01:14.200 --> 01:01:17.200 So Joshua ascended from Gilgothi and... 01:01:17.200 --> 01:01:23.120 all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor, and the Lord said unto Joshua, 01:01:23.120 --> 01:01:29.520 Fear them not, for I have delivered them into thy hand, and there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 01:01:29.520 --> 01:01:34.720 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night." 01:01:34.720 --> 01:01:39.920 So Gibeon asked them for help, and God assisted Joshua in defending the Gibeonites. 01:01:39.920 --> 01:01:44.700 So God clearly honored that oath that is sworn unto them. 01:01:46.100 --> 01:01:54.100 So, I believe God can hold a person to an obligation that he voluntarily made, 01:01:54.100 --> 01:02:00.100 even when he never should have made that obligation in the very first place. 01:02:00.100 --> 01:02:05.100 Otherwise, somebody can just always escape their oath by saying, 01:02:05.100 --> 01:02:09.100 well, now I have to think about it. I should have agreed to that. 01:02:09.100 --> 01:02:12.000 Joshua couldn't. Israel couldn't. 01:02:12.300 --> 01:02:15.740 Israel shouldn't have sworn their oath, but once they did, 01:02:15.740 --> 01:02:18.980 God expected them to bear the consequences 01:02:18.980 --> 01:02:20.780 of their own word. 01:02:20.780 --> 01:02:23.420 The Bible says in Ecclesiastes chapter 5, verse number 6, 01:02:23.420 --> 01:02:25.940 suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, 01:02:25.940 --> 01:02:30.660 neither say thou before the angel that it was an error. 01:02:30.660 --> 01:02:35.300 So don't tell yourself, hey, but I made a mistake. 01:02:35.300 --> 01:02:37.180 Don't tell God it was an error. 01:02:37.800 --> 01:02:40.980 Yes, maybe you did make a mistake. 01:02:40.980 --> 01:02:44.140 Maybe you shouldn't have agreed to it. 01:02:44.140 --> 01:02:47.860 But that's why we should think before we speak. 01:02:47.860 --> 01:02:49.300 The question really becomes, hey, 01:02:49.300 --> 01:02:54.540 would fulfilling the promise now require me to sin? 01:02:54.540 --> 01:02:57.820 So back to Jeff's choice. 01:02:58.900 --> 01:03:04.800 If you take Judges 11 to mean that he literally offered his daughter as a burnt offering, 01:03:04.800 --> 01:03:08.260 which is pretty clear, he did offer his daughter as a burnt offering. 01:03:08.900 --> 01:03:13.660 Then, I believe human sacrifice was clearly contrary to God's 01:03:13.660 --> 01:03:14.700 law, right? 01:03:14.700 --> 01:03:18.180 So I believe that's why people think 01:03:18.180 --> 01:03:21.580 that Joshua should just know that vow 01:03:21.580 --> 01:03:23.700 and not go through with the human sacrifice, 01:03:23.700 --> 01:03:25.860 although Joshua should have never opened his mouth 01:03:25.860 --> 01:03:27.660 and made that vow in the first place. 01:03:27.660 --> 01:03:27.900 Thanks for watching! 01:03:28.100 --> 01:03:32.500 Although the other side also makes sense because just what Jeff does should cap his 01:03:32.980 --> 01:03:39.280 Should have kept the oath because it because that's an oath unto God although neither choice is perfect 01:03:39.600 --> 01:03:42.780 You know neither, you know neither choice is perfect 01:03:42.780 --> 01:03:47.060 You know doesn't matter which side you lean on is still wicked because that all comes from 01:03:47.780 --> 01:03:49.900 Josh Jeff done made a foolish oath 01:03:50.800 --> 01:03:55.760 Okay, so you can argue that human sacrifice is always wrong, that he should have never 01:03:55.760 --> 01:04:01.920 go ahead with the oath, but also he made an oath to God, so it doesn't matter which side, 01:04:01.920 --> 01:04:06.960 which choice that he chose is still wrong and God will judge him for it. 01:04:06.960 --> 01:04:11.760 And Jephthah ended up keeping his vow and sacrificed his daughter. 01:04:11.760 --> 01:04:13.280 Okay, now again. 01:04:13.700 --> 01:04:15.500 I'm not saying he did the right thing, 01:04:15.500 --> 01:04:17.660 because neither choice is right. 01:04:17.660 --> 01:04:21.060 There's more reason to think before you speak. 01:04:21.060 --> 01:04:25.700 For example, you tell someone, I will drive you to the airport. 01:04:25.700 --> 01:04:32.460 And then you discover that their flight leaves at 4 AM. 01:04:32.460 --> 01:04:35.460 Well, you should have asked what time the flight was 01:04:35.460 --> 01:04:36.620 before you agreed to it. 01:04:36.620 --> 01:04:39.140 But since you have committed to that, you set the alarm, 01:04:39.140 --> 01:04:40.500 and you make it happen. 01:04:40.500 --> 01:04:41.000 Right? 01:04:41.600 --> 01:04:45.840 What about you tell a child, what if you tell a child, 01:04:45.840 --> 01:04:49.560 if you finish this, I will take you out for ice cream? 01:04:49.560 --> 01:04:53.080 They do their part, but you are tired, 01:04:53.080 --> 01:04:56.200 and you don't feel like taking them out and leaving the house. 01:04:56.200 --> 01:04:57.720 But since you make that commitment, 01:04:57.720 --> 01:05:01.280 you get your shoes on, because your children 01:05:01.280 --> 01:05:03.680 should learn that they're moms, and that's 01:05:03.680 --> 01:05:05.640 what means something. 01:05:05.640 --> 01:05:06.140 OK? 01:05:06.800 --> 01:05:11.680 What if you tell someone, hey, I will have this finished by Friday? 01:05:11.680 --> 01:05:15.160 But then Thursday night comes, and you are tired. 01:05:15.160 --> 01:05:18.120 And you could go to bed early and tell them tomorrow, hey, sorry, 01:05:18.120 --> 01:05:19.560 I didn't get to it. 01:05:19.560 --> 01:05:22.600 Or you stay up and finish what you said you will finish, 01:05:22.600 --> 01:05:25.360 because the Bible says, he that swears to his own hurt 01:05:25.360 --> 01:05:27.560 and changeth not. 01:05:27.560 --> 01:05:29.400 Because God takes what you say seriously. 01:05:29.800 --> 01:05:33.440 And God honors the vow that you make. 01:05:33.440 --> 01:05:36.840 God honors the commitment that you make. 01:05:36.840 --> 01:05:39.960 So I said point number one, think before you speak. 01:05:39.960 --> 01:05:42.000 Point number two, your commitments 01:05:42.000 --> 01:05:42.960 affect other people. 01:05:42.960 --> 01:05:47.120 Point number three, keep your word even when it hurts. 01:05:47.120 --> 01:05:53.840 Point number four, understand that emergencies can happen. 01:05:53.840 --> 01:05:57.120 Understand that emergencies can happen. 01:05:57.800 --> 01:05:59.920 Although before I get to that, people 01:05:59.920 --> 01:06:02.880 are amazing lawyers when they want to escape something 01:06:02.880 --> 01:06:05.880 they promised. 01:06:05.880 --> 01:06:10.920 They will say things like, well, I technically didn't say this. 01:06:10.920 --> 01:06:17.760 I know I said 6 o'clock, but I never said exactly at 6. 01:06:17.760 --> 01:06:20.480 But nobody hearing, I'll be there at 6, 01:06:20.480 --> 01:06:22.480 thinks you mean 6 45. 01:06:22.480 --> 01:06:23.200 Nobody does. 01:06:24.200 --> 01:06:26.960 And don't retroactively rewrite your words 01:06:26.960 --> 01:06:29.160 because keeping them becomes inconvenient. 01:06:29.160 --> 01:06:34.200 The law says bilateral commitment be yay, yay, nay, nay. 01:06:34.200 --> 01:06:38.240 For example, if I say I will pay you back on Friday, 01:06:38.240 --> 01:06:41.880 people are trying to get out that by saying, 01:06:41.880 --> 01:06:43.400 I never said which Friday. 01:06:43.600 --> 01:06:47.600 Nobody understood that you meant some Friday, 01:06:47.600 --> 01:06:49.600 three months from now. 01:06:49.600 --> 01:06:51.600 Stop looking for loopholes, okay? 01:06:51.600 --> 01:06:54.600 Start taking your words seriously. 01:06:54.600 --> 01:06:57.600 Now, maybe I'm a little bit overboard on this, 01:06:57.600 --> 01:06:59.600 although I don't think I am. 01:06:59.600 --> 01:07:02.600 If I tell my family we are leaving at 10, 01:07:02.600 --> 01:07:08.600 in my mind, that means translate to the JZ English, okay? 01:07:09.200 --> 01:07:15.240 If I tell my family we will leave at 10, what I meant is at 10 o'clock the vehicle is moving. 01:07:15.240 --> 01:07:17.240 That's right. 01:07:17.240 --> 01:07:25.240 Not at 9.53 people start looking for shoes, not at 9.55 someone has to use the bathroom, 01:07:25.240 --> 01:07:30.240 and not at 9.59 someone remembers to grab something from the living room, 01:07:30.240 --> 01:07:34.200 and not at 10.05 we are finally leaving. That's not what I meant. 01:07:34.500 --> 01:07:39.020 If I meant 10.05, I would have said 10.05, OK? 01:07:39.020 --> 01:07:40.260 You might think I'm a little bit overboard, 01:07:40.260 --> 01:07:43.580 but I don't think it is, because words have definition, right? 01:07:43.580 --> 01:07:45.060 Time means something. 01:07:45.060 --> 01:07:47.140 Commitments mean something. 01:07:47.140 --> 01:07:49.660 But with that being said, we have 01:07:49.660 --> 01:07:53.940 to understand that sometimes emergencies do happen, OK? 01:07:54.600 --> 01:07:57.260 Car accidents happen. 01:07:57.260 --> 01:07:58.860 People get sick. 01:07:58.860 --> 01:08:00.260 Children get hurt. 01:08:00.260 --> 01:08:01.800 Flights get canceled. 01:08:01.800 --> 01:08:03.400 Cars break down. 01:08:03.400 --> 01:08:04.860 So we have to understand that. 01:08:04.860 --> 01:08:07.900 There is a difference between I changed my mind 01:08:07.900 --> 01:08:11.620 because something better came up versus something 01:08:11.620 --> 01:08:13.940 outside my control made this impossible. 01:08:16.000 --> 01:08:20.240 When I got into my car accident on my way to Notre Dame 01:08:20.240 --> 01:08:23.800 two weeks ago, I obviously wasn't going there anymore 01:08:23.800 --> 01:08:25.720 because I had a wrecked vehicle. 01:08:25.720 --> 01:08:28.920 I had an accident to deal with. 01:08:28.920 --> 01:08:30.840 But do you know the very first thing 01:08:30.840 --> 01:08:35.000 I did within the minute of the accident? 01:08:35.000 --> 01:08:37.040 The very first thing I did within the minute 01:08:37.040 --> 01:08:37.720 of the accident. 01:08:38.400 --> 01:08:41.840 I text brother Jared telling him I couldn't make it. 01:08:41.840 --> 01:08:44.800 I mean, I didn't even check on myself or the other driver. 01:08:44.800 --> 01:08:45.300 Why? 01:08:45.300 --> 01:08:47.280 Because somebody was expecting me. 01:08:47.280 --> 01:08:51.000 Because I told brother Jared I would be there. 01:08:51.000 --> 01:08:53.320 To me, that's basic human decency. 01:08:53.320 --> 01:08:55.360 And that's just who I am. 01:08:55.360 --> 01:08:58.360 And if you have been dealing with me, 01:08:58.360 --> 01:09:01.400 you'll probably know that if you told me that you would send me 01:09:01.400 --> 01:09:02.480 something at 6 PM. 01:09:03.400 --> 01:09:06.240 Sometimes I will text you at 6 or 1. 01:09:06.240 --> 01:09:08.040 Where is the stuff? 01:09:08.040 --> 01:09:10.120 Because that's just how I operate. 01:09:10.120 --> 01:09:12.160 If you tell me to send me something at 6, 01:09:12.160 --> 01:09:15.880 I will text you at 6 or 1 if you don't send me the thing. 01:09:15.880 --> 01:09:18.160 But now people know to give me a general time frame. 01:09:18.160 --> 01:09:21.000 Hey, maybe before the end of the day. 01:09:21.000 --> 01:09:23.400 But then I have to clarify, which time zone 01:09:23.400 --> 01:09:24.320 are you talking about? 01:09:24.320 --> 01:09:25.640 Because I may follow up with you. 01:09:25.640 --> 01:09:26.140 So. 01:09:26.140 --> 01:09:26.700 No. 01:09:26.800 --> 01:09:30.480 That is who I am, OK? 01:09:30.480 --> 01:09:33.600 Because words mean something, right? 01:09:33.600 --> 01:09:34.680 Here's my point. 01:09:34.680 --> 01:09:38.560 Sometimes emergencies happen, but make sure you communicate 01:09:38.560 --> 01:09:40.540 that immediately. 01:09:40.540 --> 01:09:44.440 If you're supposed to show up at 10, but your kids are sick, 01:09:44.440 --> 01:09:47.040 don't wait till 12 and then tell the person 01:09:47.040 --> 01:09:48.320 that is expecting you. 01:09:48.320 --> 01:09:50.480 Tell them right away. 01:09:50.480 --> 01:09:51.000 I get it. 01:09:51.000 --> 01:09:53.400 Emergency happened, but communicate right away, OK? 01:09:54.000 --> 01:09:57.960 For example, what if you say I'm going to call you at 9, 01:09:57.960 --> 01:10:02.920 but something unavoidable comes up at 8.15. 01:10:02.920 --> 01:10:07.560 Don't wait till 9.05 to say you cannot call. 01:10:07.560 --> 01:10:08.480 You already know. 01:10:08.480 --> 01:10:12.040 Tell them at 8.15 so that they can use that time 01:10:12.040 --> 01:10:13.800 for something else. 01:10:13.800 --> 01:10:16.320 Don't make the other person chase you down 01:10:16.320 --> 01:10:17.640 for an explanation. 01:10:18.500 --> 01:10:21.620 If you are the person who cannot fulfill a certain commitment, 01:10:21.620 --> 01:10:24.700 the burden of communication is on you. 01:10:24.700 --> 01:10:26.020 OK? 01:10:26.020 --> 01:10:27.720 Although I did check on the other driver 01:10:27.720 --> 01:10:29.420 after I text about Jerry, so don't worry. 01:10:29.420 --> 01:10:30.420 OK? 01:10:30.420 --> 01:10:31.620 We were both fine. 01:10:31.620 --> 01:10:32.900 But that's the first thing I did, 01:10:32.900 --> 01:10:36.180 just waiting the minute of the accident. 01:10:36.180 --> 01:10:41.820 But also, don't let this to be the excuse for constantly 01:10:41.820 --> 01:10:43.000 breaking your commitment. 01:10:43.400 --> 01:10:46.280 Because I understand that emergencies happen, OK? 01:10:46.280 --> 01:10:48.880 But if you're always five minutes late for work, 01:10:48.880 --> 01:10:51.320 you are the problem. 01:10:51.320 --> 01:10:56.080 If you oversleep once because your alarm malfunction, 01:10:56.080 --> 01:10:58.480 yeah, things happen, right? 01:10:58.480 --> 01:11:00.920 But if you're constantly oversleeping, 01:11:00.920 --> 01:11:05.280 just go to bed earlier and buy a better alarm. 01:11:05.280 --> 01:11:08.080 If you're always late because your sleep through alarm, 01:11:08.080 --> 01:11:10.920 buy the loudest alarm clock you can find. 01:11:11.400 --> 01:11:16.400 Get one that sounds like an air siren and shakes your mattress. 01:11:16.400 --> 01:11:18.560 I should look it up. 01:11:18.560 --> 01:11:21.280 These alarms do exist. 01:11:21.280 --> 01:11:22.780 Because you have to fix your problem. 01:11:22.780 --> 01:11:26.240 If you're always oversleeping, you are the problem. 01:11:26.240 --> 01:11:28.040 That's what being responsible means. 01:11:28.040 --> 01:11:28.500 Thanks for watching. 01:11:29.000 --> 01:11:35.240 You identify the things that repeatedly cause you to break your word and you make adjustments 01:11:35.540 --> 01:11:41.240 Don't make everybody else suffer because you refuse to fix the problem that you already know that you have okay 01:11:41.240 --> 01:11:46.820 I get it. You know traffic can be pretty bad, but if you're always five minutes late 01:11:46.820 --> 01:11:50.240 That's your problem. You know take off earlier, okay? 01:11:52.440 --> 01:11:56.380 Because I have people telling me you know I will be at church this Sunday 01:11:57.200 --> 01:11:59.360 But then Sunday comes, they're like, 01:11:59.360 --> 01:12:01.360 sorry, something came up. 01:12:01.360 --> 01:12:03.160 I will come next Sunday. 01:12:03.160 --> 01:12:05.960 But then next Sunday comes, they're like, 01:12:05.960 --> 01:12:07.280 I have to deal with something. 01:12:07.280 --> 01:12:10.120 I will for sure come next Sunday. 01:12:10.120 --> 01:12:13.000 I'm thinking, OK, I will believe you when I see you. 01:12:13.000 --> 01:12:14.200 reaction and answer them in te shape of your об辦 . 01:12:15.700 --> 01:12:22.940 And that's what happens when you repeatedly don't do what you're saying that you're going to do. 01:12:22.940 --> 01:12:25.620 Eventually people stop taking what you say seriously. 01:12:25.620 --> 01:12:26.620 Okay? 01:12:26.620 --> 01:12:31.620 You know, I have people promising me many things in the past three years. 01:12:31.620 --> 01:12:37.420 You know, I just don't get how people just casually make promises and never keeping them. 01:12:37.420 --> 01:12:42.820 You know, it's really a bad testimony to Christianity in general, right? 01:12:43.600 --> 01:12:46.160 Because when a Christian gives you his word, 01:12:46.160 --> 01:12:48.160 that ought to mean something. 01:12:48.160 --> 01:12:50.840 Because this is not just about your reputation. 01:12:50.840 --> 01:12:53.680 You are representing the Lord Jesus Christ. 01:12:53.680 --> 01:12:55.280 And God always keeps his promises. 01:12:55.280 --> 01:12:58.200 So why can't you keep your word? 01:12:58.200 --> 01:12:59.800 And if you're constantly telling people 01:12:59.800 --> 01:13:02.000 about the truth of the word of God, 01:13:02.000 --> 01:13:05.760 but people can't trust your word, that is a problem. 01:13:05.760 --> 01:13:06.260 OK? 01:13:06.260 --> 01:13:06.300 you 01:13:06.700 --> 01:13:09.060 Although I do want you to make a commitment 01:13:09.060 --> 01:13:13.060 to come to church, to serve God, to pray, to go somewhere 01:13:13.060 --> 01:13:15.740 even though you are tired. 01:13:15.740 --> 01:13:17.700 Even though you may not feel like it, 01:13:17.700 --> 01:13:24.340 still serve God and try your best to keep your word. 01:13:24.340 --> 01:13:27.900 Because like I said again, God always keeps his promises 01:13:27.900 --> 01:13:29.700 and God never fails. 01:13:29.700 --> 01:13:32.620 And we are representing, we are the ambassadors of Christ. 01:13:33.200 --> 01:13:35.960 So I said point number one, think before you speak. 01:13:35.960 --> 01:13:37.640 Point number two, your commitment 01:13:37.640 --> 01:13:38.680 affects other people. 01:13:38.680 --> 01:13:41.760 Point number three, keep your word, even when it hurts. 01:13:41.760 --> 01:13:43.320 And point number four, understand 01:13:43.320 --> 01:13:47.080 that emergencies can happen. 01:13:47.080 --> 01:13:51.520 So to sum up the sermon, just ask yourself, 01:13:51.520 --> 01:13:54.620 what is your word worth? 01:13:54.620 --> 01:13:59.740 If you say, I will be there, will you actually be there? 01:13:59.740 --> 01:14:01.100 If you say, I will call you. 01:14:01.300 --> 01:14:03.540 will you actually call? 01:14:03.540 --> 01:14:05.060 If you borrow people money and say, 01:14:05.060 --> 01:14:07.500 I will pay you back on Friday, will you actually 01:14:07.500 --> 01:14:10.060 pay them back on Friday? 01:14:10.060 --> 01:14:13.500 If you tell your boss, I will be at work at 8, 01:14:13.500 --> 01:14:17.320 are you walking through the door at 8 or 7? 01:14:17.320 --> 01:14:20.860 If you volunteer at church and say, I will take care of it, 01:14:20.860 --> 01:14:22.460 do I have to chase you down for it? 01:14:23.300 --> 01:14:26.740 If you tell your spouse, I will do it, 01:14:26.740 --> 01:14:30.860 does your spouse actually believe you? 01:14:30.860 --> 01:14:33.540 Obviously, we don't swear oath today. 01:14:33.540 --> 01:14:35.540 In fact, we are commanded not to, 01:14:35.540 --> 01:14:40.140 but our yay ought to carry the same integrity. 01:14:40.140 --> 01:14:43.380 And sometimes keeping your word is going to hurt. 01:14:43.380 --> 01:14:46.180 Sometimes it is going to cost money. 01:14:46.180 --> 01:14:48.620 Sometimes it is going to cost your time. 01:14:49.000 --> 01:14:52.740 Sometimes it's going to cause you your sleep. 01:14:52.740 --> 01:14:54.600 Sometimes you're going to miss something 01:14:54.600 --> 01:14:57.300 that you would rather do. 01:14:57.300 --> 01:15:00.940 But that's exactly what Psalm 15-4 matters, right? 01:15:00.940 --> 01:15:05.260 Anybody can be a man of his word when his word cost him 01:15:05.260 --> 01:15:06.340 nothing. 01:15:06.340 --> 01:15:09.380 But the godly man is the man who can say, hey, 01:15:09.380 --> 01:15:10.940 I gave my word. 01:15:10.940 --> 01:15:13.540 It's going to hurt me, but I'm not going to change. 01:15:14.700 --> 01:15:15.340 Let's pray. 01:15:15.340 --> 01:15:16.500 Thank you all for your work. 01:15:16.500 --> 01:15:18.340 And thank you for just the great principle 01:15:18.340 --> 01:15:20.660 that we can learn from the Bible. 01:15:20.660 --> 01:15:22.380 Well, I pray that the people at this church 01:15:22.380 --> 01:15:26.300 will be people of integrity, that they will keep the word 01:15:26.300 --> 01:15:29.420 even when it hurts, even when it inconveniences them. 01:15:29.420 --> 01:15:31.580 Well, I pray that we'll represent the Lord Jesus 01:15:31.580 --> 01:15:33.660 Christ even better in our daily life. 01:15:33.660 --> 01:15:34.900 And I pray this in Jesus' name. 01:15:34.900 --> 01:15:35.400 Amen. 01:15:45.800 --> 01:15:52.040 Okay, we will finish with Great is Thy Faithfulness, page 441. 01:16:04.400 --> 01:16:06.400 Right, nice and loud. 01:16:07.680 --> 01:16:12.560 Great is thy faithfulness, 01:16:12.560 --> 01:16:17.200 O God, my Father. 01:16:17.200 --> 01:16:25.200 There is no shadow of turning with thee. 01:16:26.500 --> 01:16:36.100 Thou changest not thy compassions, they fail not. 01:16:36.100 --> 01:16:45.700 As thou hast been, thou forever will be. 01:16:45.700 --> 01:16:50.100 Great is thy faithfulness. 01:16:50.400 --> 01:16:54.140 Great is thy faithfulness 01:16:56.000 --> 01:16:58.000 Morning by morning 01:16:59.080 --> 01:17:00.640 new 01:17:00.640 --> 01:17:02.640 mercies I see 01:17:04.600 --> 01:17:07.640 All I have needed 01:17:08.840 --> 01:17:11.800 Thy hand have provided 01:17:14.600 --> 01:17:17.440 Great is thy faith 01:17:19.600 --> 01:17:21.600 Lord, don't you 01:17:24.500 --> 01:17:33.780 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest 01:17:33.780 --> 01:17:43.540 Sun, moon and stars in their courses above 01:17:43.540 --> 01:17:45.300 Join with me 01:17:47.400 --> 01:17:48.400 Cherry 01:17:55.100 --> 01:18:02.100 Great faithfulness, mercy, and love. 01:18:03.100 --> 01:18:07.100 Great is thy faithfulness. 01:18:08.100 --> 01:18:12.100 Great is thy faithfulness. 01:18:13.100 --> 01:18:21.100 All thy downing new mercies I see. 01:18:22.500 --> 01:18:32.340 All I have needed thy hand hath provided. 01:18:32.340 --> 01:18:39.740 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. 01:18:42.200 --> 01:18:51.960 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, 01:18:51.960 --> 01:19:01.320 Thy own dear presence to cheer then to guide, 01:19:01.320 --> 01:19:10.120 Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. 01:19:10.900 --> 01:19:20.420 blessings all mine with ten thousand beads the eye 01:19:20.420 --> 01:19:30.180 great is thy faithfulness great is thy faithfulness 01:19:30.180 --> 01:19:38.800 morning by morning new mercies i see 01:19:39.800 --> 01:19:49.640 All I have needed thy hand hath provided. 01:19:49.640 --> 01:19:55.560 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord. 01:19:59.800 --> 01:20:02.600 Brother Ilya, would you close us out and word of prayer, please? 01:20:02.600 --> 01:20:04.400 Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, Lord. 01:20:08.500 --> 01:20:13.500 Please bless soul winning, be with us Lord, protect us Lord, and give us that zeal for soul winning. 01:20:13.500 --> 01:20:16.500 Lord thank you, ask all these things in Christ's name I pray, amen. 01:20:16.500 --> 01:20:17.400 Amen.