Colossians 2:8-15 | Living in the Fullness of Christ

This is City Post Church. We're about three things.

Build equipped and send all under the.

Lordship of Jesus Christ, a small church plant in Fort

Worth, TX. Who decided to do things a

little differently? Adoramos ayesu cristo I love

city post because of the people. It's where I belong.

We truly preach the word. I love City Post because of the

community we've been able to build.

To do ministry like Jesus. For light to push back.

Darkness. This is City Post podcast.

In Jesus name you pray, Amen. Praise God.

Praise God. When I think of the moms here.

At City Post Church, there's a few words.

That come to mind. I think of strong.

Our moms are smart. They're faithful and an an

extremely loving So if if you need an example of a mom.

We have. Plenty here at this church and

moms, I just want to thank you. Guys because I am the.

Product of a. Praying mom and a mom and and a

mom that never gave up on me and it's.

Because of her is why. I'm where I am today.

So all. Right, so Colossians 2.

Oh man, so there were these three members.

There was a Catholic priest. A Protestant pastor and a Jewish

rabbi and they all. Came together and they started

hanging out and talking. And they all decided.

That you know. What we got to see?

Who has the best religion? So what they came up?

With was. We're all going to go out into

the woods. And you are going to evangelize

to a bear. And then based on that outcome,

we're going to. See who has the best practice.

So they decided to go out into the woods and look for bears.

Evangelize. To him and then they're going to

come back in three. Days and they're going to share.

The outcome? So they all come back.

Together after the three days. And then the priest comes back,

says, man, it was awesome. I found this bear deep into the

woods and I had to do like a lot to get to him and man, I

sprinkled some water on his forehead.

I got him in. Catechism and And now he's

doing. Great, like he.

He's reciting. Prayers and he wants to confess

now. Things are great.

Then the pastor was like, well I found a bear as well.

By this river. And I started.

Preaching to him and now he wants to be in Sunday school and

and then do. Stuff like VBS.

And now, and he's talking about baptism.

So things are going well. And then they looked at the

rabbi and the rabbi. Is beat up bloodied all?

Bandaged up and they're like, man, what happened to you and

the rabbi? Said maybe.

I should have not started with circumcision.

Happy Mother's Day. All right, so.

And you know when. We talk about.

Sharing our faith. Maybe it's not the best idea to

lead with traditions. And what, Paul?

Is going to address in the verses 8 through 23 he's.

Going to go after these. Specific belief systems.

And he's going to go after them specifically and.

He's really going to dive. Deep into them and we've been

talking about the isms that have.

Infiltrated the church in Colossae.

And there's so much in there, we're going to divide it up.

So we're only going to go through verse 15 today, and then

next week we're going to go to 23.

We're going to finish it up. And.

What Paul's going to. Address here is that there is a

specific philosophy that is has infiltrated the the church and

colossae and. People are buying into it and

this philosophy. This hollow belief system that

they're. Trying to feed into the.

Church. Is based off of 2.

Things, and one of those things is traditions.

So when we share Christ, don't miss Jesus.

Because you're so focused. On the traditions of.

Where you're at, anybody can miss Christ if we don't present

the. Gospel properly, so let's go.

Ahead and look into it. Look at we're going to.

Start with verse 8:00 and 9:00 and then we're.

Just going to walk through. This and then we'll be done and

then your mom's can get the goodies for you and you can eat

in the car. Right, so, so look at verse 8

and this is the apostle. Paul.

Speaking, you go see. To it.

That no one takes you. Captive through hollow and

deceptive philosophy which depends on.

Human tradition and the elemental.

Spiritual forces of this. World rather than on Christ.

For in. Christ, all the fullness of the

deity, lives in. Bodily.

Bodily. Form and in Christ.

You have been brought to fullness.

He is. The head over every.

Power and authority. So remember last.

Week. Paul began to address what was.

Infiltrating the church and the first thing he points out?

Here is this philosophy now. Remember Gnosticism came from

the Greeks and the Greeks would go around and they would be

saying how there is a specific enlightenment, a specific.

Knowledge that they attained that everybody else has not

attained. So they would go around and say

things like, I know that you guys know God's word, but God

gave me a. Specific word that nobody else.

Will know. And that's why Paul says, hold

on a second. Because.

That mystery that you guys think that we don't know the mystery.

Is Christ. It is Christ in you, which is

the hope of glory. So let's walk through this verse

because verse 8 is so powerful. Man, as I was studying the text,

I was like man verse. 8 is. So relevant to our culture.

Today. So the first thing, Paul?

Says he's like, don't like. Take note, make sure nobody.

Takes you captive. Remember the word?

Captive. We talked a little bit about

this last week. Captive is like.

To kidnap you spiritually. To deceive you, to hustle you

right so. How are they taking you captive

and they're. Using hollow and deceptive

philosophy. Now when I see the word

philosophy, I think of like, you know.

Education, you know, going to. College, going to school, a lot

of us. Could get majors in.

Philosophy. But here what the?

Apostle Paul's talking. About because of the Greek word

philosophia. Is.

That this is not just. An academic discipline.

Now some guy like man Ricky, why you was talking about Greek

words and words? And all that stuff because.

They matter. Though, especially the way that

Paul writes every word, period, every.

Number Everything is important in the Bible.

So you got to pay. Attention to it.

So what he's saying? Is like this is not just some

academic. Discipline of guys just.

Sitting around, you know, like smoking pipes and talking about

the. Future.

What he's? Saying is what the philosophy

describes is a theory about God, the world.

And the meaning of life. Everybody has a philosophy on.

Stuff. You might have a philosophy.

On how you. Choose to date.

You might have a philosophy. On how you.

Parent your kids. You might have a philosophy on

life. And the crazy thing is?

Is that anybody? Can make any.

Type of saying in philosophy sound really nice.

It could sound important. It could sound like like man,

like they must really know what they're talking about when it

comes to philosophy. Even if you look at.

Artists, if you ask Drake what the philosophy of life is.

He will say you only. Live once, sing a song.

If you ask Celia Cruz, what's the What's your philosophy on

life? She's like, it's a carnival if

you ask Marc Anthony, if you ask.

Him. What his?

Philosophy on life. Is he's like.

Vivi MI Vida. La La La La I.

Mean like we all. Have we could all sound.

Good. Here let me give you guys some

other thoughts. Or some other sayings that might

sound pretty nice. Everybody has a plan until they

get punched in the mouth. Mike Tyson Every every Sinner

has a. Future and every St.

Has a past. That's Oscar.

Wilde don't let school. Get in the way of your

education. That's Mark Twain, yes.

True, though. Knowledge speaks, but wisdom

listens. Jimi Hendrix.

You're like who? Don't worry about it, all right?

Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers.

And the lakes that you're. Used to shut up TLC.

And this one's my favorite. If at first you don't.

Succeed. Don't try skydiving you.

See guys, what I did was I just. Pretty much quoted these these

sentences, these statements and you're like every killer lyrics.

No, but they came from somebody's philosophy on how

they view things. And it's.

Interesting that as I'll say. People like.

Yeah, that's good. And guys, anybody could do that?

You know, it made me think last year when we went to India.

We went to the second. Largest Hindu temple in the

world. And we took a.

Tour and our tour. Guide.

Was taking us around and he's telling us.

About all these idols. And statues and we're.

There just like. Biting our tongues, we're like.

But as he was. Talking to us.

And I can notice he was evangelizing us and he was

telling us of how marvelous. These these fake.

Gods are and. He's like, oh, if you go to.

Krishna like pray to her and and if you give and they will, they

will. Make sure that you're.

Taken care of in your family. And I'm here thinking in my

mind, I'm like, how? Crazy is this but then.

I'm looking around this whole entire.

Place. And there are hundreds and

thousands of. People praying to these statues.

And I could even. See somebody who was hurting,

somebody who's confused, somebody who's.

Looking for meaning and purpose. In life, listen to this.

Guy speak with heart and. Love and care and just.

Sucking people in to this. False belief.

System and this imagery and guys that was happening is that these

false teachers, these Gnostics were infiltrating the church and

they started throwing this. These little philosophies, these

little jabs of like. Yeah, I know you.

Followed Jesus, but you know. What if you want to know more

about him? You have to come and talk to us

and they started throwing these. Philosophies and it was really

easy. Especially like the newer

believers. Who were just trying to figure

it out, and they were. Coming and pulling them away

from the faith and Paul standing here and he's like, man, don't

be kidnapped. Spiritually, because the

philosophy. That they're teaching, number

one, it's hollow. That means that there is no

substance to it and number. Two, it's deceptive.

Deceptive means it's a fraud. It's a.

Trick deceitful. If I buy a Gucci.

Shirt and it says. Fruit of the Loom in the back.

I've been deceived. I've been hustled.

I've been played, that's not. The real.

Thing, but they made it sound. Great.

They showed it to me. They were like.

I got a good. Price on it, but you didn't see

the label on the back and what they were doing here.

They were infiltrating the church.

And they're showing the church. All this theology.

But the people missed the label on the.

Back and Paul is. Saying, How do we know?

Because it's hollow. And it's deceitful.

Now, how does this philosophy? Where does this type of

philosophy? Come from, it says.

It in the text look what it keeps saying in verse 8 it.

Depends on there's two things that Paul.

'S going to say it. Depends on human tradition, and

it depends on the elemental. Spiritual Forces 1 is on.

The Game of. Telephone and the other one is

on demonic forces. How do I know something is

deceitful? Because it's been passed down

over and over and it didn't come from anywhere with substance.

It didn't come from the word. Of God.

It came from human traditions, and I'm going to say some that

might make. People upset just because.

People have believed something and it's been handed down

throughout the years. Does not make it true.

Just because abuela. Healed you with an egg, doesn't

make it true. And I say.

That being a little. Facetious.

But what's wild is that we. Tend to follow along these lines

when it comes to things that are passed down in our family and

our traditions. That are anti biblical and we

don't. Want to stray away from our

traditions because it might hurt somebody's feelings?

But the truth is, is that tradition usually serves to

perpetrate error. It pushes it.

It's a. Tradition for me and my uncle to

go grab a drink when I turn 16. It's a tradition.

For us to. Turn up on Christmas night.

It is a. Tradition for the.

Family to all get together. It's a.

Tradition. It's a tradition.

And we use that word. And we throw that word around.

And what the Bible says is I don't care.

About your traditions, it's the. Truth that we need to follow

it's not about the. Traditions, and I'm saying this

lovingly. Because if your.

Traditions don't follow. The word of God.

If your traditions. Don't follow Christ.

And they're being detrimental to.

The health of your. Family then it needs to stop now

follow suit why is? Tradition.

Why is this? Word so important.

The Greek word for tradition is paradozis means.

Given from one to another. It was given to somebody.

It was given to somebody. It was given to somebody.

But where was the genesis of it? Where did it come from?

Oh man, is that we we. Started.

This because in the 1800 no. Where did that come from?

Where's the? Genesis of what was created.

And a lot of people don't know. We just do it.

Because that's what we've always.

Done so they. Follow and what, Paul?

'S saying is that these empty. Hollow, deceptive philosophies

that they're. Teaching in this this church

that's infiltrating the gospel is coming from human tradition.

But also remember. That there were there were these

Jewish sects of philosophy. And if you.

Study Josephus, who's a historical.

He's a Jewish historian. He says there, there, there,

there's three sects, there is Pharisees, Sadducees.

And then the third one is the Assenians, and the Assenians

followed the disciplines of the Jews.

Very, very severely. And what a lot.

Of commentators saying Is that the Assyrians?

Are the ones. That have been infiltrating the

church and and really just kind of honing in on it but also

remember what the. Pharisees, did we see?

Some mark 7. Where the Pharisees?

Would add their own traditions and their own man made.

Rules to the law of God. So whenever they would go to

Jesus and say how? Hold on.

How come you heal somebody on the Sabbath?

You're not supposed to do that. And Jesus pretty much tells him

not. Like you guys added to God.

'S law. That's not.

What my father's word? Says.

And it came to the point where it became really.

Difficult to distinguish God's. Word and God's truth from the

traditions of man, they were adding it to it.

That's why it's so. Important, so it says.

Listen. Be careful with human tradition.

Make sure it's rooted in something and that something

cannot be hollow and it cannot be deceptive.

But also. The elemental spiritual forces

listen and I'm going to say. This with love.

Anything that does not point to Christ is demonic.

Any teaching that says? That you need anything except.

Jesus. Or anything to add to?

Jesus is a demonic teaching. The Bible is very clear that

Jesus is Lord of all. He's the.

King he doesn't need. Help from anybody, any person.

He's. Good.

And anything that will. Drive you away.

From the supremacy of Christ. Is demonic.

Ever since Jesus started. His ministry Satan's whole plan

was to get him from not going to the cross.

Everything tried to stop Jesus. From getting to that cross.

And. Listen, it's the same thing.

Everything in this world is trying to stop.

You from getting to that. Cross.

You don't need to. Do that, Rick, It's OK.

Man, just do it yourself. Man, you could just.

Serve. Well, you could.

You could do all. These great.

Things and God will. Forgive you and the Bible is

very clear that. Forgiveness only comes through

Christ, man. Eric and the guys just sang it.

By the blood applied. It's all through him.

So what Paul is? Saying is that man these?

These. Empty.

Philosophies that are trying to pull you away.

They're either traditionalism. Or.

It's demonic. It's a system.

Built that's. Pulling you away from the.

Truth. Which is Jesus is the only way.

To salvation, Jesus is all we need.

It's Jesus Plus nothing is everything.

And that's what he's pointing us to.

And. What these guys are doing is

that they're trying to say Jesus plus works Jesus plus knowledge,

Jesus. Plus whatever equals.

Salvation and it's wrong. And guys that that needs to be.

Our hope in our heart that anything plus Christ is wrong.

And then look at verse 9 for in Christ all the fullness.

Of the deity lives. In bodily.

Form. Why does Paul keep?

Bringing this up, remember we. Talked about this a few weeks

ago that that Greek word is. Plamora the Fullness.

Of God. Remember what the Gnostics

believed? Is that anything matter?

Anything. Material is evil.

And anything spiritual is good. So if that's.

What they believed in and we also see.

This in first John. If that's what the Greeks, if

that's what all this philosophy is about, then for God to take.

On bodily form is unfathomable to them.

That's impossible. How can God?

Take on something that's material.

If he's the spirit. Makes no sense.

So what? Paul does here is that Paul puts

all his chips. In to the deity of.

Christ, which is. God in the flesh.

He was 100%. God.

He was 100% man and he came together in bodily form.

So that way he could serve. Us and be on this.

Earth and. Become the perfect sacrifice

for. You and I and our sin, and in.

Christ, you have been brought to fullness, and because.

Of the fullness. Of God lives in him.

And because of what he did on the cross, now it also.

Lives in you as well. Now here's an awesome.

Verse right here this is one they.

Should underline right down. This is.

One of the most encouraging. Verses in verse 10.

He is the head. Over every power and authority.

Do you get? That remember.

Like Jesus, the head of the church.

That means that everything about.

The church is about Christ. Jesus is.

Not just the head. Of the Church, he's the head of

every authority and every power. That means that he's so supreme

that even the demons have to bow their knee to him.

Even St. has to. Ask him for permission to do.

Something to his kids. Everybody must bow.

He's the head of it. All Jesus runs the show.

I love John 114 the word became flesh and made his dwelling

amongst. Us, we have seen his.

Glory, The glory of the. One and only son who came from

the. Father, full of grace and truth.

There's that word again. Fullness of grace.

And truth so Jesus full spirit, but he's also human so that the

Gnostics that rock their world, they're like, how can that be?

How can God be and and? Paul is correcting them now.

We're going to get into more of the.

Legalistic matters now, so. Paul dealt with the

philosophical. He dealt with the Gnosticism.

He dealt with the whole. Like higher meaning higher

learning all knowledgeable like. You guys are separated.

From us. And he's like, Nope, that's not

true. Your philosophy's trash.

It doesn't work here. And now he's going to dive in.

In verse 11 he goes In him you were also circumcised with a

circumcision not performed by human hands.

Your whole self, ruled by the flesh, was put off when you

were. Circumcised by Christ, having

been buried with him in baptism in.

Which you were also raised with him.

Through your faith. In the working of God.

Who? Raised him from the dead.

So what circumcision was in the Old Covenant?

Was that it was a. Symbol of a cleansing

circumcision. Was symbolized in man's.

Need for cleansing of the. Heart.

It was an outward. Sign for the.

People of God to show that there was a.

Cleansing that came from faith in God.

So salvation for believers had to undergo this this

circumcision and now that's old covenant.

And what? Paul is saying because what let?

Me. Let me.

Backtrack a little bit. What the Jewish leaders were.

Saying. Is that yes, it's Jesus?

And law. Follow Jesus.

But it's not completed until you become circumcised.

Until you. Follow the diet correctly.

Until you learn the Torah, until you do all these things.

We'll look at that next. Week, but he's.

Addressing it right here, he's like, no, no, no, it's it's not

about. The physical, it's about the

heart, it's about the spiritual. It's not about actually showing

it you. Show it by your heart.

So what Paul's saying? Listen, the circumcision that is

happening is not performed by human hands.

That, that. That's the old.

Covenant. That's what you used.

To do back in the. Day, but it's actually.

Christ who circumcises the heart.

So it's through the heart that you show the.

Forgiveness of sins and that's what Jesus leading to in verse

12. We see some other imagery here

because in verse. 12 he saw also talks about how.

You have been buried with. Him in baptism, so it's not just

circumcision of the heart. That.

Shows the forgives of sin. And the purity.

Of the heart, but it's also. Baptism, how we've been.

Baptized in baptism does not give you salvation.

Baptism is a symbol of what salvation looks like, so.

I am dead in my sins, I've been buried with Christ, and now

because I've been made alive. In Christ, I've been

resurrected. I've been made alive.

In Christ. And I am a new creation.

So what Paul is saying is that, listen, it's not.

Just the of the. Heart, but it's also.

Baptism I've been raised with him through.

Our. Faith in the working of.

God, don't miss that. That is key right here.

Our faith through the. Working of God, that means that

your salvation, your heart, circumcision only happens.

Through faith By who? By the working.

Of God it doesn't say. The working of you.

So it's not anything that we can do, It's not anything that

you've. Done.

It's all through Jesus, so it is the work.

That He did on the cross for us, being the payment that we're

able to attain faith in Him, and it is God who works in you.

Because it is. God is the one who raised him up

from the dead, so it's nothing you can do.

And Paul? Is showing this imagery to.

Of these guys. Who are saying Jesus plus?

Works. And then look at 13.

For when you were dead in your sins and the.

Uncircumcision of your flesh. God made you alive.

With Christ he forgave. Us of all our sins.

How did he do that? He canceled.

He having canceled the. Charge of our.

Legal indebtedness which stood against us and condemned us.

He has taken it away. Nailing it to the cross.

Man, what a beautiful verse. So much packed in here.

Guys, this is the gospel. Right here, we've been made

alive in Christ. How?

Through the forgiveness of sins. You see guys, it's not about.

Works. It's not about anything you can

do to earn God's forgiveness. It's not about a penance.

About feeling bad or guilty. No, no, no, like Jesus forgave

you on the cross. All you have to do is accept it

to. Gift beautiful and he's saying

all you have. To do is accept it there was a.

Debt that needed to be. Paid for God's wrath through.

Sin you had a debt. I had a debt we.

Owed something to God and that indebtedness.

We carry that thing around. I don't know how many of you.

Guys have experienced this. But have has anybody ever been

in credit card debt? Nobody wants to raise their

hand. We've all been, I mean.

I've been there. And listen, there is a.

Heaviness of life. When you are such.

Indebted with credit cards that you're thinking about, like how

am I going to make the next payment?

It's going to Jack up my credit. Score.

If something happens to my family, how am I going to get

credit line? How am I going to do all these

things? What?

What? What's happening there?

Is a little bit of a pressure. There's a.

Weight on your. Shoulders because there's a

debt. With interest, that's hard.

For you to pay off and if you. Did it right.

It's going to take you years and years and years to pay that

thing off and it's going to impact.

You the rest. Of your life, if you.

Don't. Do it.

It's a weight. And guys, it's the same thing

with us. When you walk around Unforgiven,

you walk around with this weight on your shoulders, trying to.

Figure out how do I. Become right with my creator and

with my maker, and there's a weightiness to.

Your life and you start. Trying to do things and you

start trying to perform. Better, but it doesn't take that

weight away. So what has to?

Happen in order for you to eliminate the debt.

Because the debt stood. Against us and it condemned us

and we all know what that feeling.

Looks like especially us who will have real life debt but.

God has taken it. Away.

Praise God. You see, when Jesus came.

He took our. Debt.

There was nothing that we had to pay to him.

He didn't care about your interest.

Rate and he saw your. Sin he.

Saw your debt and he. Took it from you that way you

owe nothing. And when you owe nothing?

There is a. Freedom.

There is a pimp in your step. You're just.

Excited about everything. You're like, oh man, I don't

know man. My credit line bro, my score.

I get that in that low interest. You go through life.

Within a a different type. Of.

Assurance when there's no debt and it's the same thing when

there's sin in your. Life.

You go through life. Trying to trying to do.

Something about it. But when Christ comes and

removes that sin, there should be freedom you.

Serve the Lord. You go through life with joy.

You go through. Life knowing that God will.

Forgive you and you have. Been forgiven and he continues

to forgive you even. If you.

Fall, He will forgive you. Nailing it to the.

Cross we talk about imagery. And what that looks like.

I thought it was interesting that Paul said that nailing.

It to the cross. Why would he mention nailing it

to? The cross you see in the.

Crucifixion when they would put somebody on a cross on top.

Of the head of of. The person that would nail a

sign and that sign would. Talk about the.

Crime that they committed. So if somebody is being

crucified or punished, it. Would either say like they?

Stole. They murdered.

Whatever it was. That they were being.

Crucified for but. Jesus when he was crucified.

All they put at the top was king of the Jews because.

They didn't nail the sin to the cross.

They nailed God, nailed our sins on Christ.

The Bible. Says that he became sin who knew

no sin on our behalf, so that. Means that Jesus.

Being nailed to the cross. God.

Took all of our sins, past, present, future and nailed it on

Christ and then in. Isaiah 53 it says that.

It pleased him to crush his son so that way you and I could

experience the forgiveness of our sins.

So that means that Christ. Took on our.

Sins and we. Took on his righteousness.

There was an exchange. There's the indebtedness.

So I gave my debt and in return I get freedom.

And that's exactly. What Paul's saying?

The reason why we have been cleared?

Is by faith. Because he nailed.

It to the cross so Jesus took all of our.

Sin away and we don't need anything else.

You don't need to do anything. 15 man this these verses I'm

telling you y'all like I need to tattoo this one on my rib cage.

All right, here we go. Verse. 15 and having disarmed

the powers and authorities. Did you all catch that?

So Paul says Jesus is the head of the.

Powers and authorities, but no because of the cross it says he

disarmed. Them he made.

A public spectacle of them. Triumphant, triumphanting over

them by the cross. He.

Disarmed them? How awesome is that?

You know what that means. When you disarm somebody, that

means that the weapon that they have cannot be used against you

anymore. Feel like there's a Bible?

Verse for that. Whenever somebody gets pulled

aside, what law enforcement? Does the first.

Thing they do is make sure that they're disarmed so they can't

hurt nobody. And what he's saying is Jesus

has disarmed all powers and authorities.

That means it can't come at you if you're in.

Christ he has. Disarmed them.

He has and then This is so crazy.

He made a. Public spectacle out of it.

Man, I love how awesome God is here.

God is man. Jesus, like you know what?

Because I disarmed you and because you can't do anything,

what I'm going to do is I'm going to.

Take what? You meant for evil and I'm going

to turn it and make it for. Good.

And you know what? And I'm going to do it in a way

that my name receives the most. Glory and the whole world.

'S going to see it guys, that's how.

Our God works. And it was the same thing that

happened to Christ on the cross. Caiaphas thought he won.

The Romans thought they got. Them.

The people that y'all crucified, they thought it was all good.

All the hell is celebrating. On Friday, but three days.

Later, Christ rises. From the dead and God.

Makes a public spectacle. Out of them because what the

enemy? Thought they would use the.

Cross for which is to kill the Savior.

Jesus takes that cross and he uses it, and he flips it, and he

uses a. Symbol of repentance and freedom

and forgiveness. So.

What was meant for death is actually now being used for.

Life. Isn't it interesting?

He says in order. For you to be resurrected.

With Christ you must. Die to yourself.

Guys, there's a there's a new way of seeing things, so 5

quick. Things about this text that.

I want us to understand when it comes to us being made alive in

Christ #1 is. Just that right there you.

Are alive in Christ. Understand that guys, Jesus plus

nothing is everything, which means that you have been made

alive in. Christ because of what he?

Did on the cross number. 2 Is that your sins?

Are. Forgiven.

I need you to comprehend that you have been forgiven and #3

not just forgiven, but you've been forgiven.

Forever, that means. That there is no expiration date

on your. Salvation there is no.

Do over on your forgiveness, no matter how bad things get, no

matter how far you run from the Lord.

Because you are. Found in him, you could always

come. Back and he will always receive.

You as a son and. Daughter of you are.

Always forgiven. Grace is always going to be put

on top. Of you because of.

What he did on the cross and I love #4 #4 is Satan has been

disarmed. We need to start, stop.

We need to stop saying it, man. Saying this, you give.

The devil too much credit. Because the scripture.

Says that he's been disarmed. The scripture says that Christ

is the head over all of that. So when I am being.

Attacked. When I am being tempted, when I

am being like, when I'm falling into my sin.

Because I have the holy. Spirit and because of what

Christ did, I'm able. To look at.

The situation and say no, you have been disarmed.

That means that I. Have the power to decide to

walk. Away I am no longer.

Controlled by this. That's what being disarmed

means. It means that it doesn't have a

grip on your life anymore. So yes, let's.

Just be real like man I struggle with.

Stuff we all. Struggle with things there's.

Addictions in our lives. That we wrestle with.

But listen, it doesn't have. To take hold of you because

Christ has. Disarmed the enemy.

So you're able to quote scripture, you're able to get

out of that, you have that. Option.

You have that choice and then #5 News flash, Jesus wins, guys.

Jesus wins. Jesus one.

No matter what the enemy does to you, no matter what comes your

way. No matter.

What life looks like. Man, you could rest your.

Head on the fact. That Jesus won, he took.

It on the cross he rose from the grave.

He is in. Glory reigning and ruling and

the enemy. He uses that as a.

Footstool because he's the head over.

All of that and I love the whole idea that God makes.

A spectacle out of it. The reason why?

Because he wants to show the world.

His glory and His power. He triumphs over it, and with.

This all all close. Man, I had an opportunity and I

asked my brother. If I could share this.

Story My my my boy Daniel. Back there we were talking.

I went to go visit him at his house.

Like he was just kind of like in that Robocopicop move.

But we were talking. I got to know.

Him and I got to. We're just sharing our life.

We're sharing stories and and I asked him about where he grew up

and he grew up in the South Texas town.

Called alisa Elsa, Texas and. He was like, man, it's a small

town. I was like, dude.

How'd you grow? Up I was raised by my

grandparents. All this.

Stuff and then I'm going to show you go and put.

That first picture up, So what he was.

Telling me was. Because he was raised.

By his grandfather, his grandfather would take him and

and this was actually the building he would take him to.

So even as a kid. He would rock with.

Granddad and they would go hang out at a bar small town was a.

Bar a pool hall. And he said and this.

Bar that's kind of where he. Learned some habits that follow

them through life. So he learned how.

You know, the whole drinking thing and then how women were

treated and then like the. Hustle of a pool.

Shark and. And all these things he learned

in this building. And I was looking, I was like,

man, that's wild in your hometown.

You were a little kid. And he took.

You and you got to experience all that as a little kid.

And I was like, he's like, yeah. But I want you to see something.

Go to the next picture, take a. Closer look at the building.

It's a church now, the same bar. That he was brought to.

As a kid, somebody in his family.

Years later. Came to know the Lord and it

became. A place of worship and where?

People used to go and drown their sorrows and fall.

Into alcoholism and have a. Place of debauchery.

And disrespect is now filled. With the Spirit of God, it's a

place of worship. It's no longer addictions

anymore. He's filled with God's Spirit.

And it's not about the addiction now it's.

Adoration. For Christ if you look.

At the next picture where there used to be.

Bar stools and where? Where used to be.

All this stuff, now it's a. Place of worship and.

There's a SO. Far in there so you know they

throw down and that's what God. Does y'all God takes a place?

That the enemy uses and he makes a.

Spectacle out of it. But he doesn't just.

Do it with places, he does it with people and.

I was thinking about Mother's Day as well.

So many stories and I know many of you guys have heard me say.

This but I. Remember growing up, my mom, a

woman of faith, my brother was been banned in middle school,

played the trumpet. The band director called my

house and said, hey, there's a massive parade and we need him

there in the horn section, but it's on a Sunday.

My mom said no, he's not going on Sunday.

He's not missing church for a parade.

And the band director there was a little.

Exchange and all. I saw her.

Was hanging up the phone. And she?

Goes and tells my brother, hey, you're not in band no more.

That's eighth grade. But what that band director did

not know was that 1998 my brother was going to be on a

mission trip in Houston, TX. And he was going to pick up a

guitar and. He was going to start playing

MXPX and Goldie Hauck and all these punk bands and now he

leads. Worship at a church and.

You know what? He plays guitar, bass guitar.

Piano, drums, Name it he. Plays it.

So what God did was God. Said no.

No like what? You meant to pull them away.

I'm going to honor your faith. I'm going to make a.

Spectacle out of it. And now he.

Leads worship at a church. And all over the place because

my mom honored it. And even myself, my mom's middle

child. In college I would go.

Around and I'll do philanthropies and fundraisers

and and go to places and gather. People, I would use tequilas off

a university. I'd go to all these places to

raise. Money and to bring people.

Together and because. My mom was a mom, a woman of

faith, and she never stopped praying.

God made a spectacle out of that kids life.

And now he gathers people. And he preaches the word.

And he does. It for the glory of God.

God will make a spectacle out of anything.

That tries to rob his. Glory and.

Mom, what I want to do is encourage you today.

Don't stop praying and believing.

Don't stop having. Faith pray over your kids.

Even though they're. They might be hurting even

though they. It looks like.

They're on their way to hell right now in a handbasket.

Pray for them, pray for them. Pray for them, love them.

Show them Christ be an example of what it looks like in their

life and you're going to see. God.

Take something and make a. Spectacle out of their life.

And he's going to say listen. What it used to be is not being

used. For my glory, I'm glad that you

had a good time at that bar. I'm shutting that thing down and

I'm making it a church and the. Brother that used to go.

There is now sitting. In the back, praising Jesus.

At this church and his. Family is on a new.

Trajectory his. Family is on the.

Way to knowing Christ. He's having an impact in this

world. He's just a good friend.

So for mother. 'S day, don't give up.

Don't quit, keep praying for your kids, keep praying for your

family, keep loving your husband, and you're going to see

God do some amazing things and some amazing works.

And we pray for us.