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Touching Lives with James Merritt

James Merritt - Over And Above

December 29, 2024 | S

James Merritt - Over And Above
Touching Lives is the international broadcast ministry of Dr. James Merritt.
#Faith #LoveofGod #Disciples #Religion #WordofGod #Burden #Family #inActive #Earth #Death #Accountability #KingdomofGod #TouchingLiveswithJamesMerritt #JamesMerritt

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Touching Lives with James Merritt | James Merritt - Over And Above | December 29, 2024
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: welcome to the international broadcast ministry
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  • Of "touching lives with dr. james merritt."
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  • Here at touching lives, our mission is to touch the lives of
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  • The lost and enrich the faith of the found.
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  • And now, here is pastor, author, and speaker, dr. james merritt.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • James merritt: all over this country, and you probably work
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  • With some of these people and you may not know it, but all
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  • Over this country there are people who they moved here from
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  • Other parts of the world to work here.
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  • They're not citizens, they keep their citizenship with their
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  • Home country, but the reason they get to stay here and the
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  • Reason they get to work here is because they carry this card
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  • That's called a green card.
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  • It's known as a permanent resident card.
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  • Now, that card gives them the right to live here.
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  • It gives them the right to die here.
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  • It gives them the right to work here, but they are not
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  • Citizens here.
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  • What's that got to do with you?
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  • What's that got to do with me?
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  • If you are a follower of jesus, now, if you're not i'm not
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  • Talking to you, but if you are a follower of jesus, you carry
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  • A spiritual green card.
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  • You work here, you live here, you're probably gonna die here,
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  • But you're really not a citizen here.
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  • We're citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
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  • We're not american citizens, primarily, we're citizens of
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  • The king.
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  • As a matter of fact, the apostle paul put it this way, he said
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  • Here's the difference between an earthly citizen and
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  • A heavenly citizen.
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  • He said, "their mind is on earthly things.
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  • But our citizenship is in heaven."
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  • Now, if you're a guest of ours today, we've been in a series on
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  • The sermon on the mount that we've been calling "get used
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  • To different."
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  • It is the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest
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  • Preacher who ever lived, and if you don't know about the sermon
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  • Is about, let me tell you what it's about.
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  • Everything we've been talking about and everything jesus says
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  • In this sermon is not for unbelievers.
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  • He's not talking to unbelievers, he's talking to believers.
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  • He's talking to people who are a part of god's kingdom, people
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  • Who are part of god's family, people who want to follow god
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  • And know god and love god and serve god.
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  • And if you've been with me for a while, you already know what i'm
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  • About to tell you.
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  • He doesn't mince words, he doesn't pull punches, he doesn't
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  • Bait and switch.
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  • It's not smoke and mirrors.
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  • He tells you unequivocally if you're going to live the way you
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  • Ought to live and do what you ought to do and be what you
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  • Ought to be and treat people the way they ought to be treated no
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  • Matter how they treat you, then you better get used to
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  • Different, because you've got to go over and above the way the
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  • World does it and what the world considers normal.
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  • Now, i want to just kind of prepare you for what is about to
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  • Come today.
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  • I think of all the things that jesus says in the sermon on the
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  • Mount, this is gonna be the toughest to listen to.
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  • This is gonna be the hardest to swallow.
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  • As a matter of fact, i would go so far as to say if you're not
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  • A follower of jesus, it wouldn't surprise me when this sermon is
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  • Over that you would say, "yeah, i don't want to sign up
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  • For that.
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  • I don't think that's what i wanna do.
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  • I don't think that's the way i want to live."
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  • As a matter of fact, i'm pretty sure i can't prove this, it's
  • 00:03:50.146 --> 00:03:53.516
  • Not in the text, but i'm pretty sure that if you had been there
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  • That day, the people that heard jesus say what i'm about to show
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  • You that he said, i guarantee you there were a lot of people
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  • There that probably got up and left.
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  • They probably tuned him out.
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  • They probably said, "yeah, that's a hard pass for me.
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  • Yeah, i don't think that's what i wanna do with my life."
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  • Because i'm telling you, it is very, very tough.
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  • You say, "well, gosh, what did he say?"
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  • Well, basically you can sum it all up in four words, go the
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  • Second mile.
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  • So, buckle up, take a deep breath, here we go.
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  • It's gonna be a bumpy ride.
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  • "you've heard that it was said, 'eye for eye and tooth
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  • For tooth.'"
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  • We got some police officers here, one of my buddies back
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  • There, anderson is back there, he's a police officer.
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  • Sounds logical, you hit me, i hit you.
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  • You take an eye, i take your eye.
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  • You, you know, take a tooth, i take it, sounds right.
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  • Sounds about right.
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  • When jesus says, "but i tell you," you better cover
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  • Your eyes.
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  • "but i tell you, do not resist an evil person.
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  • If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other
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  • Cheek also.
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  • And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over
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  • Your coat as well.
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  • If anyone forces you to go one mile, you go with them
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  • Two miles.
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  • Give to the one who asks you, do not turn away from the one who
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  • Wants to borrow from you."
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  • Now again, i love jesus, i love him, i love the way he does
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  • Business, gets right to the point.
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  • So, you wanna follow me?
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  • Yeah, i wanna follow you.
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  • So, you wanna be like me?
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  • I wanna be like you.
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  • You want to be one of mine?
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  • I want to be one of yours.
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  • Then you're gonna have to live a second-mile life.
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  • You're gonna have to go the second mile.
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  • Now, before you say, "oh, yeah, i'll do that," hold on.
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  • If you decide to go the second mile, you will be in
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  • The minority.
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  • The second mile will tax you, it will test you, it will try you
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  • Like no other mile you will ever walk, but here's what i will
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  • Promise you.
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  • If you do walk this mile, which is over and above what everybody
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  • Else walks, it will lead you to the greatest joy, it will give
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  • You the most fulfilling achievements, you'll earn the
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  • Finest rewards, you'll have the approval of your
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  • Heavenly father.
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  • However, let me just warn you, it is a higher road, it is
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  • A steeper road, it is a tougher road, it is a bumpier road, but
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  • It is the better road, but you got to be above the norm.
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  • You gotta go beyond average.
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  • You can't be like your next door neighbor.
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  • You can't be like the run of the mill persons walking down the
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  • Street, but here's what jesus said, you ready?
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  • "when i give more than what is demanded, i will get more than
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  • I deserve."
  • 00:07:11.214 --> 00:07:12.548
  • "when i give more than what is demanded, i will get more than
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  • I deserve."
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  • So, if you would say with me, and i hope you will before this
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  • Message is over, i wanna be an over-and-above person, i wanna
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  • Be an over-and-above follower of jesus, i wanna be a second-mile
  • 00:07:26.596 --> 00:07:32.201
  • Christian, first of all you have to go farther than you're
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  • Required to go.
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  • If you're gonna do this, you've gotta go farther than you're
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  • Required to go.
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  • By the way, if you brought your booklet, matthew 5, we're on
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  • Page 34.
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  • So, let's begin with this central statement in
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  • This passage.
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  • Here's what jesus says.
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  • "if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles."
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  • And you've all heard that saying about, oh, he went the
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  • Second mile.
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  • Well, that's where we get this phrase.
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  • Now, what's he talking about?
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  • Two-thousand years ago, you're jewish, you live in israel, but
  • 00:08:05.368 --> 00:08:11.641
  • It's really not your land, it's occupied territory and you're
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  • The one that's occupying.
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  • That land belongs to the roman empire and they are in
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  • Complete control.
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  • Well, there was a roman law, if a roman soldier was walking down
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  • The road and he saw you or your wife or your son or your
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  • Daughter, it doesn't matter what you were doing, if he saw you,
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  • By the law he could compel you to drop whatever you were doing,
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  • Pick up his weapons, pick up his shield, pick up his knapsack,
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  • Pick up any other burden that he had, and you had to take it
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  • One mile.
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  • Didn't matter what you were doing, didn't matter how busy
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  • You might be, he had the right to draft you on the spot and you
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  • Had to become his personal slave for one mile.
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  • Now, just imagine how degrading that would have been, how
  • 00:09:03.626 --> 00:09:08.230
  • Humiliating that would have been.
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  • The roman soldier that you despise anyways, public enemy
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  • Number one, you can't stand him, he can't stand you, but he had
  • 00:09:13.803 --> 00:09:17.473
  • The right to say, "hey, pick it up, here we go.
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  • You belong to me for one solid mile."
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  • Let me tell you how much the jews hated this.
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  • Every jewish father would teach his kids how to measure off in
  • 00:09:27.750 --> 00:09:33.389
  • Their heart, in their head, one mile to the foot, and here's
  • 00:09:33.389 --> 00:09:38.227
  • What they were taught.
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  • If a roman soldier ever asked you to pick up that sword, if he
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  • Ever asked you to pick up that shield, if he ever asked you to
  • 00:09:42.565 --> 00:09:45.234
  • Pick up that knapsack, if he ever picks--asks you to pick up
  • 00:09:45.234 --> 00:09:48.204
  • That knapsack, that whatever burden he's carrying, don't say
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  • A word, pick it up, but in your mind you start counting, one,
  • 00:09:52.041 --> 00:09:56.312
  • Two, three, four, and when you get to 5,280, drop it and walk
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  • Away because they despised it.
  • 00:10:04.353 --> 00:10:07.189
  • It was so humiliating.
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  • Just do--here's what they taught, you just do what you are
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  • Required to do.
  • 00:10:13.429 --> 00:10:16.666
  • You say, "what's wrong with that?"
  • 00:10:16.666 --> 00:10:18.401
  • Well, here's the problem.
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  • That's what the average person does in this life.
  • 00:10:21.203 --> 00:10:25.107
  • The average person just does what they're required to do,
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  • No more, no less, just what the normal person does,
  • 00:10:30.713 --> 00:10:36.786
  • The average person.
  • 00:10:36.786 --> 00:10:38.154
  • And listen, i've seen tens of thousands of them.
  • 00:10:38.154 --> 00:10:42.925
  • I just want to get by.
  • 00:10:42.925 --> 00:10:44.860
  • I just wanna do the minimum.
  • 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:47.129
  • Let me give you an example.
  • 00:10:47.129 --> 00:10:48.464
  • We'll prove this from school.
  • 00:10:48.464 --> 00:10:50.399
  • You know, in school you get the five letter grades, right?
  • 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.002
  • A, b, c, d, f, right?
  • 00:10:53.002 --> 00:10:56.639
  • Okay, so a and b was considered good grades, d and f are
  • 00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:02.078
  • Considered failing grades.
  • 00:11:02.078 --> 00:11:04.780
  • What is c considered?
  • 00:11:04.780 --> 00:11:06.148
  • Can somebody tell me?
  • 00:11:06.148 --> 00:11:07.717
  • It's average.
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  • My first day of class as a first grader, my first day at school,
  • 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:15.858
  • My dad was such an encourager.
  • 00:11:15.858 --> 00:11:17.460
  • My dad had the gift of encouragement.
  • 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:19.995
  • He sat me down, he said, son, he says, i just want to tell you
  • 00:11:19.995 --> 00:11:22.965
  • Two things.
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  • I said, yes, sir.
  • 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:25.668
  • He said if you get a whopping at school,
  • 00:11:25.668 --> 00:11:27.103
  • You'll get one at home.
  • 00:11:27.103 --> 00:11:28.471
  • Yes, sir, he said number two, if you get a c, you're gonna get
  • 00:11:28.471 --> 00:11:31.006
  • A whooping.
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  • I said, what?
  • 00:11:32.374 --> 00:11:33.709
  • You get a c, you gonna get a whopping.
  • 00:11:33.709 --> 00:11:35.077
  • I said why am i gonna get a whooping if i get a c?
  • 00:11:35.077 --> 00:11:36.946
  • He said that's average, we're not average, you're better than
  • 00:11:36.946 --> 00:11:39.248
  • Average, okay?
  • 00:11:39.248 --> 00:11:40.783
  • That's why it's called average.
  • 00:11:40.783 --> 00:11:42.151
  • Now, let me tell you the problem with that.
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  • The average person lives an average life.
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  • The average person lives on what i call the c level.
  • 00:11:46.388 --> 00:11:50.159
  • Not the a level, not the b level, just the c level.
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  • Okay, i gotta dot the i, i'm just gonna dot the i.
  • 00:11:54.263 --> 00:11:57.733
  • Okay, i gotta cross the t, i'm just gonna cross the t.
  • 00:11:57.733 --> 00:12:00.970
  • All right, i'm gonna punch in at eight, i'm gonna punch
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  • Out at five.
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  • That's what most people do.
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  • There are gonna be millions of people in atlanta, georgia
  • 00:12:05.775 --> 00:12:07.843
  • Tomorrow, they're gonna get up, go to work, punch in, eat their
  • 00:12:07.843 --> 00:12:12.214
  • Lunch, just do what they're required, 5 o'clock punch
  • 00:12:12.214 --> 00:12:15.384
  • Out, come back home and do the same thing all over again.
  • 00:12:15.384 --> 00:12:19.955
  • They don't want to be pushed too hard and they don't want to push
  • 00:12:19.955 --> 00:12:23.025
  • Too hard.
  • 00:12:23.025 --> 00:12:24.927
  • There was a mother who sat down trying to--she was trying to
  • 00:12:24.927 --> 00:12:28.531
  • Help her little boys learn how to eat vegetables, and so she's
  • 00:12:28.531 --> 00:12:31.934
  • Trying to teach them to, you know, to eat the right way.
  • 00:12:31.934 --> 00:12:33.869
  • And so, this was kind of her first shot at it and she's says
  • 00:12:33.869 --> 00:12:36.906
  • Okay, now, johnny, i want you to eat a little bit of spinach, and
  • 00:12:36.906 --> 00:12:41.143
  • That little boy said, well, how little can i get by with?
  • 00:12:41.143 --> 00:12:44.446
  • Now, that's the way jewish people viewed this law.
  • 00:12:44.446 --> 00:12:48.617
  • Just get by with as little as possible.
  • 00:12:48.617 --> 00:12:51.620
  • So, when it came to carrying a burden, something that roman
  • 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:55.124
  • Soldier had, here was the attitude, just give it
  • 00:12:55.124 --> 00:12:59.428
  • A c-level effort.
  • 00:12:59.428 --> 00:13:00.763
  • Just do the minimum.
  • 00:13:00.763 --> 00:13:02.264
  • Go 5,280 feet, not 1 foot more.
  • 00:13:02.264 --> 00:13:08.971
  • Don't you do any more than what you're required to do.
  • 00:13:08.971 --> 00:13:12.675
  • Now, again, that made sense.
  • 00:13:12.675 --> 00:13:16.478
  • You're doing what you're supposed to do.
  • 00:13:16.478 --> 00:13:21.517
  • And then jesus drops the bombshell, "if anyone forces you
  • 00:13:21.517 --> 00:13:26.555
  • To go one mile, go with him two miles."
  • 00:13:26.555 --> 00:13:33.395
  • I wanna tell you, heads must have jerked so fast there was
  • 00:13:33.395 --> 00:13:36.098
  • An epidemic of whiplash throughout that whole crowd,
  • 00:13:36.098 --> 00:13:40.502
  • Because here's what jesus said.
  • 00:13:40.502 --> 00:13:42.605
  • I want you to go over and above that first mile.
  • 00:13:42.605 --> 00:13:47.042
  • I don't want you to do your duty, i want you to do
  • 00:13:47.042 --> 00:13:50.145
  • Double duty.
  • 00:13:50.145 --> 00:13:51.480
  • I want you to do more and i want you to give more than you're
  • 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:54.650
  • Required to do and you're required to give.
  • 00:13:54.650 --> 00:13:57.453
  • Now, let me just stop and ask a question, why did jesus
  • 00:13:57.453 --> 00:14:00.022
  • Emphasize the second mile?
  • 00:14:00.022 --> 00:14:02.391
  • What's such a big deal about the second mile?
  • 00:14:02.391 --> 00:14:05.761
  • What is so important about the second mile?
  • 00:14:05.761 --> 00:14:08.297
  • Now, pay attention, here's the difference, you ready?
  • 00:14:08.297 --> 00:14:12.368
  • The first mile, that is the duty-fulfilling mile.
  • 00:14:12.368 --> 00:14:18.707
  • The second mile, that's the difference-making mile.
  • 00:14:18.707 --> 00:14:23.045
  • By the way, athletes know that.
  • 00:14:23.045 --> 00:14:26.348
  • You know what separates the average athlete from the
  • 00:14:26.348 --> 00:14:28.884
  • World-class athlete?
  • 00:14:28.884 --> 00:14:30.252
  • You know what the difference is?
  • 00:14:30.252 --> 00:14:31.587
  • One of them goes the second mile.
  • 00:14:31.587 --> 00:14:33.923
  • I'll give you a great illustration.
  • 00:14:33.923 --> 00:14:35.291
  • I'm a golfer, i love to play golf, and one of the things that
  • 00:14:35.291 --> 00:14:38.694
  • I wish i could do and maybe i'll get to do in the next life if
  • 00:14:38.694 --> 00:14:41.330
  • There's golf, i'm hoping there's going to be golf in heaven, but
  • 00:14:41.330 --> 00:14:44.233
  • One of the things i would love to do just one time, i'd love to
  • 00:14:44.233 --> 00:14:46.535
  • Play golf like tiger woods plays golf.
  • 00:14:46.535 --> 00:14:48.437
  • Just once, just once i like to be able to hit a ball like tiger
  • 00:14:48.437 --> 00:14:52.107
  • Woods hits the ball.
  • 00:14:52.107 --> 00:14:55.210
  • But what you don't know is why tiger woods was able to hit the
  • 00:14:55.210 --> 00:14:58.414
  • Ball the way tiger woods hits the ball.
  • 00:14:58.414 --> 00:15:01.250
  • So, obviously one of the two greatest golfers that ever
  • 00:15:01.250 --> 00:15:04.320
  • Lived, let me tell you what tiger woods's routine has
  • 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:08.057
  • Always been.
  • 00:15:08.057 --> 00:15:09.425
  • At his peak, this was his daily routine.
  • 00:15:09.425 --> 00:15:12.494
  • He started his day at 6 o'clock in the morning with the
  • 00:15:12.494 --> 00:15:15.931
  • First of two daily workouts.
  • 00:15:15.931 --> 00:15:18.367
  • At 9 o'clock, he and his coach would hit the range for
  • 00:15:18.367 --> 00:15:21.036
  • A two-hour session.
  • 00:15:21.036 --> 00:15:22.371
  • They'd do everything from drive the ball to putting.
  • 00:15:22.371 --> 00:15:25.040
  • At 11 o'clock they'd play nine holes of golf.
  • 00:15:25.040 --> 00:15:28.010
  • They'd ride a golf cart almost 30 miles an hour so they could
  • 00:15:28.010 --> 00:15:31.447
  • Get done in time to have lunch.
  • 00:15:31.447 --> 00:15:33.349
  • After lunch, they'd go spend two more hours on the range, they'd
  • 00:15:33.349 --> 00:15:36.552
  • Play another nine holes of golf, then they'd finish the day.
  • 00:15:36.552 --> 00:15:39.755
  • He would spend one hour doing nothing but putting the ball.
  • 00:15:39.755 --> 00:15:44.493
  • If he got through with that, he'd go back home at 6
  • 00:15:44.493 --> 00:15:47.529
  • O'clock, he'd do another workout, he would eat dinner at
  • 00:15:47.529 --> 00:15:51.433
  • 7:30 and go to bed and get up and do the same thing all
  • 00:15:51.433 --> 00:15:56.472
  • Over again.
  • 00:15:56.472 --> 00:15:58.707
  • See, what you saw at augusta, what you saw at the
  • 00:15:58.707 --> 00:16:02.611
  • Championships, he won.
  • 00:16:02.611 --> 00:16:03.979
  • What you saw was the first mile.
  • 00:16:03.979 --> 00:16:08.017
  • What you didn't see was the second mile.
  • 00:16:08.017 --> 00:16:13.022
  • He went over and above what every other golfer was willing
  • 00:16:13.022 --> 00:16:15.791
  • To do.
  • 00:16:15.791 --> 00:16:17.159
  • He went beyond the norm.
  • 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.794
  • You see, the first mile, that's where the burden is, the second
  • 00:16:18.794 --> 00:16:21.663
  • Mile, that's where the blessing is.
  • 00:16:21.663 --> 00:16:23.465
  • The first mile, that's where the requirement is met, the second
  • 00:16:23.465 --> 00:16:26.435
  • Mile, that's where the reward is received.
  • 00:16:26.435 --> 00:16:27.970
  • By the way, let me tell you something.
  • 00:16:27.970 --> 00:16:29.571
  • People don't notice when you walk the first mile because
  • 00:16:29.571 --> 00:16:32.241
  • Everybody walks the first mile.
  • 00:16:32.241 --> 00:16:34.643
  • It's when you walk the second mile that you get
  • 00:16:34.643 --> 00:16:37.646
  • Everybody's attention.
  • 00:16:37.646 --> 00:16:39.615
  • So, let's get practical, because so far it's been kind
  • 00:16:39.615 --> 00:16:42.818
  • Of theoretical.
  • 00:16:42.818 --> 00:16:44.453
  • So, you say, "well, pastor, what would it look like, what
  • 00:16:44.453 --> 00:16:46.889
  • Does it mean?
  • 00:16:46.889 --> 00:16:48.223
  • Can you give me some practical examples of going the
  • 00:16:48.223 --> 00:16:51.693
  • Second mile?"
  • 00:16:51.693 --> 00:16:53.829
  • Yeah, i can.
  • 00:16:53.829 --> 00:16:57.132
  • You're not going to like them, but why not?
  • 00:16:57.132 --> 00:17:03.672
  • So, for some of you, everybody ready for this?
  • 00:17:03.672 --> 00:17:11.713
  • Maybe for some of you, going the second mile would be coming to
  • 00:17:11.713 --> 00:17:19.188
  • The worship service five minutes early, not 15 minutes late.
  • 00:17:19.188 --> 00:17:25.994
  • If that makes you mad, you apologize, i'll forgive you.
  • 00:17:25.994 --> 00:17:32.468
  • Maybe for some of you, going the second mile would be instead of
  • 00:17:32.468 --> 00:17:40.242
  • Telling a guest where the preschool area is, you walk them
  • 00:17:40.242 --> 00:17:43.412
  • Down there.
  • 00:17:43.412 --> 00:17:45.914
  • Maybe going the second mile for some of us would be when you see
  • 00:17:45.914 --> 00:17:48.717
  • Someone walk into the building that you don't know, you walk up
  • 00:17:48.717 --> 00:17:52.588
  • To them, introduce yourself, ask them if they're a guest, ask
  • 00:17:52.588 --> 00:17:55.858
  • Them if there's anything you can do for them, tell them to come
  • 00:17:55.858 --> 00:17:58.160
  • Sit with you, tell them how glad you are that they came.
  • 00:17:58.160 --> 00:18:03.832
  • Maybe for some of you, going the second mile would be not just
  • 00:18:03.832 --> 00:18:08.704
  • Giving a tithe but giving an offering.
  • 00:18:08.704 --> 00:18:14.243
  • Maybe for some of you, going the second mile wouldn't be just
  • 00:18:14.243 --> 00:18:20.048
  • Attending the church or giving to the church, but serving
  • 00:18:20.048 --> 00:18:26.388
  • The church.
  • 00:18:26.388 --> 00:18:28.390
  • So, jesus said if you wanna be a second-male christian, you've
  • 00:18:28.390 --> 00:18:32.261
  • Got to go farther then you're required to go.
  • 00:18:32.261 --> 00:18:38.734
  • Now, if you're still with me and you hadn't walked out on me, at
  • 00:18:38.734 --> 00:18:41.103
  • Least mentally, you hadn't turned me off yet, jesus says,
  • 00:18:41.103 --> 00:18:44.873
  • Okay, let's tighten it up a little bit.
  • 00:18:44.873 --> 00:18:47.976
  • You really wanna follow me, you really wanna live a life that i
  • 00:18:47.976 --> 00:18:52.314
  • Want you to live, do you really wanna live the most rewarding
  • 00:18:52.314 --> 00:18:54.950
  • Life you possibly could?
  • 00:18:54.950 --> 00:18:56.318
  • Then not only must you go farther than it's required to
  • 00:18:56.318 --> 00:19:00.589
  • Go, you gotta give more than it's reasonable to give.
  • 00:19:00.589 --> 00:19:07.663
  • Now, jesus applies this over and above second-mile mentality in a
  • 00:19:07.663 --> 00:19:11.300
  • Practical way that i promise you would be even more challenging
  • 00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:15.504
  • And far more different than anybody could have imagined.
  • 00:19:15.504 --> 00:19:18.507
  • Let's go back to see what he said.
  • 00:19:18.507 --> 00:19:19.975
  • "you've heard that it was said, 'eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'
  • 00:19:19.975 --> 00:19:22.344
  • I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
  • 00:19:22.344 --> 00:19:25.447
  • If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other
  • 00:19:25.447 --> 00:19:29.184
  • Cheek also."
  • 00:19:29.184 --> 00:19:30.552
  • We serve a second-mile savior.
  • 00:19:30.552 --> 00:19:33.522
  • We serve a savior who went beyond what he was required to
  • 00:19:33.522 --> 00:19:36.959
  • Go, who gave more that it was reasonable to give, and that's
  • 00:19:36.959 --> 00:19:40.896
  • All jesus wants us to do.
  • 00:19:40.896 --> 00:19:44.766
  • So, we'll close with this story.
  • 00:19:44.766 --> 00:19:47.836
  • It's 1962, it's at the southern christian leadership conference
  • 00:19:47.836 --> 00:19:53.575
  • In birmingham, alabama.
  • 00:19:53.575 --> 00:19:57.112
  • Martin luther king junior is standing before an integrated
  • 00:19:57.112 --> 00:20:01.216
  • Large crowd and he's giving the closing address.
  • 00:20:01.216 --> 00:20:04.720
  • Right in the middle of his sermon, a white man by the name
  • 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:09.358
  • Of roy jones jumps up on the platform and began to savagely
  • 00:20:09.358 --> 00:20:15.397
  • Beat him.
  • 00:20:15.397 --> 00:20:17.432
  • The first time he hit martin luther king, he hit him so hard
  • 00:20:17.432 --> 00:20:21.570
  • It spun him around in a 360-degree circle.
  • 00:20:21.570 --> 00:20:27.476
  • The next time he jacked him on the jaw and he knocked him
  • 00:20:27.476 --> 00:20:30.279
  • Completely to the ground, and then he jumped on him again and
  • 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:34.449
  • Just wailed away, and they said later you could hear the sound
  • 00:20:34.449 --> 00:20:37.319
  • Of his fist hitting his face.
  • 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:40.489
  • Everybody was stunned, and then they watched dr. king go to his
  • 00:20:40.489 --> 00:20:47.562
  • Knees, and instead of doing this, he did this and he let
  • 00:20:47.562 --> 00:20:57.506
  • The man hit him.
  • 00:20:57.506 --> 00:21:00.108
  • He literally turned the other cheek.
  • 00:21:00.108 --> 00:21:02.878
  • When dr. king did that, it so stunned his attacker that he
  • 00:21:02.878 --> 00:21:06.915
  • Kind of stopped and it gave somebody long enough to jump
  • 00:21:06.915 --> 00:21:09.818
  • Between them.
  • 00:21:09.818 --> 00:21:11.153
  • Everybody was angry, everybody wanted to take vengeance,
  • 00:21:11.153 --> 00:21:15.490
  • Everybody wanted to beat the daylights out of this guy, but
  • 00:21:15.490 --> 00:21:17.893
  • Dr. king shouted, "don't touch him, we're going to pray
  • 00:21:17.893 --> 00:21:24.099
  • For him."
  • 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.934
  • As that crowd began to pray and they began to sing, king knelt
  • 00:21:25.934 --> 00:21:30.105
  • Down and begin to speak kindly to this man and gave him
  • 00:21:30.105 --> 00:21:35.310
  • A promise, "even at my own life, nobody's going to hurt you and
  • 00:21:35.310 --> 00:21:38.814
  • Nobody's going to touch you."
  • 00:21:38.814 --> 00:21:40.782
  • This is the picture of it right here.
  • 00:21:40.782 --> 00:21:43.752
  • He's talking to this man.
  • 00:21:43.752 --> 00:21:47.022
  • He leads him out to a private office where they talked, he
  • 00:21:47.022 --> 00:21:52.361
  • Forgave this man for what he did, he told the police to
  • 00:21:52.361 --> 00:21:56.365
  • Let him alone.
  • 00:21:56.365 --> 00:21:57.733
  • He did not press charges.
  • 00:21:57.733 --> 00:22:01.036
  • The man apologized.
  • 00:22:01.036 --> 00:22:04.139
  • Dr. king took two aspirin that was given to him by a lady named
  • 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:08.477
  • Rosa parks, he walked out on to that platform with an ice pack
  • 00:22:08.477 --> 00:22:13.682
  • Held to his face, and he finished his sermon.
  • 00:22:13.682 --> 00:22:19.154
  • Now, whatever else you may think about dr. martin luther king,
  • 00:22:19.154 --> 00:22:21.656
  • Just understand this, in that moment, and in that minute, and
  • 00:22:21.656 --> 00:22:28.497
  • In his ministry, he went over and above what anybody else
  • 00:22:28.497 --> 00:22:33.535
  • Would have done, and that's what a follower of jesus does.
  • 00:22:33.535 --> 00:22:39.808
  • You say, "well, boy, that's different?"
  • 00:22:39.808 --> 00:22:45.614
  • Get used to different.
  • 00:22:45.614 --> 00:22:48.383
  • If you're gonna follow jesus, you're going to walk the second
  • 00:22:48.383 --> 00:22:52.220
  • Mile, but here's what i'll promise you.
  • 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:56.158
  • If you will, and if you do, you will be glad that you did and
  • 00:22:56.158 --> 00:23:02.497
  • Your heavenly father will be glorified when you do.
  • 00:23:02.497 --> 00:23:07.702
  • But here's the problem, see, some of you can't walk the
  • 00:23:07.702 --> 00:23:11.540
  • Second mile because you've never even taken the first mile.
  • 00:23:11.540 --> 00:23:13.675
  • You say, "what do you mean?"
  • 00:23:13.675 --> 00:23:15.410
  • Well, the first mile is giving your life to christ.
  • 00:23:15.410 --> 00:23:18.513
  • The first mile is surrendering your life to jesus.
  • 00:23:18.513 --> 00:23:22.083
  • I don't expect lost people to act like saved people.
  • 00:23:22.083 --> 00:23:24.653
  • That's where we church people get all fouled up.
  • 00:23:24.653 --> 00:23:27.222
  • We get so angry at lost people for acting like lost people.
  • 00:23:27.222 --> 00:23:30.459
  • Why would you be angry at a blind man because he can't see?
  • 00:23:30.459 --> 00:23:34.129
  • Why do you get angry at a deaf man because he can't hear?
  • 00:23:34.129 --> 00:23:38.467
  • We shouldn't be upset that lost people act like lost people.
  • 00:23:38.467 --> 00:23:43.438
  • We ought to be upset that saved people act like lost people.
  • 00:23:43.438 --> 00:23:49.511
  • So, i wonder how many of you today, you've never given your
  • 00:23:49.511 --> 00:23:53.081
  • Life to this jesus, this jesus, this second-mile jesus.
  • 00:23:53.081 --> 00:23:57.452
  • I wonder how many of you watching right now, you don't
  • 00:23:57.452 --> 00:23:59.354
  • Know this jesus.
  • 00:23:59.354 --> 00:24:01.356
  • You've never really come to experience this jesus.
  • 00:24:01.356 --> 00:24:04.559
  • And if you have never ever made the decision to follow this
  • 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:07.429
  • Jesus, why don't you make that decision right now?
  • 00:24:07.429 --> 00:24:11.399
  • Why don't you just say something like this in your heart?
  • 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:14.035
  • Lord jesus, i know it's gonna be tough and i know it's going to
  • 00:24:14.035 --> 00:24:19.241
  • Be hard and i know the devil wants me to walk the road that
  • 00:24:19.241 --> 00:24:23.445
  • Everybody else is going to walk.
  • 00:24:23.445 --> 00:24:25.146
  • I'm not going to do that.
  • 00:24:25.146 --> 00:24:27.549
  • I want to be a second-mile believer.
  • 00:24:27.549 --> 00:24:30.719
  • So, i wanna begin today by giving you my life, by giving
  • 00:24:30.719 --> 00:24:33.622
  • You my heart.
  • 00:24:33.622 --> 00:24:35.724
  • I'm telling you i'm a sinner and i need a savior.
  • 00:24:35.724 --> 00:24:38.126
  • You're that savior.
  • 00:24:38.126 --> 00:24:40.462
  • Would you, right now, lord jesus, take control of my life?
  • 00:24:40.462 --> 00:24:43.465
  • I give everything i am to everything that you are.
  • 00:24:43.465 --> 00:24:46.701
  • Please, lord jesus, save me.
  • 00:24:46.701 --> 00:24:48.970
  • Please, take over my life.
  • 00:24:48.970 --> 00:24:50.672
  • And lord, i don't care how many miles i have to walk, i don't
  • 00:24:50.672 --> 00:24:54.609
  • Care how much i have to give, i know i'll get more than that
  • 00:24:54.609 --> 00:24:59.881
  • Back than i could ever imagine just by following you.
  • 00:24:59.881 --> 00:25:05.587
  • Announcer: to watch an extended version of today's message from
  • 00:25:05.587 --> 00:25:08.323
  • Dr. james merritt, go to touchinglives.org.
  • 00:25:08.323 --> 00:25:11.860
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:16.264
  • James: if you've been paying attention to the news this year,
  • 00:25:16.264 --> 00:25:18.500
  • You know that preaching the word of god and proclaiming the
  • 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:21.136
  • Gospel of god has never been more urgent.
  • 00:25:21.136 --> 00:25:24.239
  • Everywhere you look, there are natural disasters, economic
  • 00:25:24.239 --> 00:25:27.876
  • Uncertainty, political turmoil, wars, rumors of wars.
  • 00:25:27.876 --> 00:25:33.014
  • Bible-believing christians like us know that god has a message
  • 00:25:33.014 --> 00:25:36.217
  • For us in dark times like these, but broadcasting this message to
  • 00:25:36.217 --> 00:25:40.388
  • The ends of the earth requires the generous support of people
  • 00:25:40.388 --> 00:25:43.892
  • Like you.
  • 00:25:43.892 --> 00:25:45.260
  • For decades i have been honored to teach god's word and proclaim
  • 00:25:45.260 --> 00:25:49.197
  • The gospel through "touching lives," but our work has
  • 00:25:49.197 --> 00:25:52.200
  • Just started.
  • 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.535
  • God has given me a bold vision for expanding our reach
  • 00:25:53.535 --> 00:25:56.605
  • Dramatically over the next ten years, and i need you to realize
  • 00:25:56.605 --> 00:26:01.276
  • This vision.
  • 00:26:01.276 --> 00:26:02.978
  • If you're thinking about giving a tax-deductible gift to
  • 00:26:02.978 --> 00:26:05.413
  • "touching lives" before the end of the year, we would be so
  • 00:26:05.413 --> 00:26:08.450
  • Grateful and we'll use your donation to help in spreading
  • 00:26:08.450 --> 00:26:11.353
  • The message of the gospel across the globe.
  • 00:26:11.353 --> 00:26:14.456
  • And as a sign of our gratitude, we're giving a free copy of our
  • 00:26:14.456 --> 00:26:18.193
  • New through the bible in a year journal to anyone who gives
  • 00:26:18.193 --> 00:26:21.796
  • A gift of any size this month.
  • 00:26:21.796 --> 00:26:24.766
  • As my wife teresa and i prepare for the christmas season, my
  • 00:26:24.766 --> 00:26:28.203
  • Heart is drawn to the impact of a little baby born in a quiet,
  • 00:26:28.203 --> 00:26:33.308
  • Tucked-away place, jesus.
  • 00:26:33.308 --> 00:26:35.910
  • His story reminds us of god's ultimate love for us and how
  • 00:26:35.910 --> 00:26:39.080
  • Even in the most unpredictable times, he is our guide
  • 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:44.119
  • And our protector.
  • 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.453
  • I invite you to prayerfully consider making your best gift
  • 00:26:45.453 --> 00:26:48.890
  • This christmas season to help us achieve our bold vision of
  • 00:26:48.890 --> 00:26:52.360
  • Taking the gospel of jesus to the ends of the earth.
  • 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:56.031
  • Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry, which is more
  • 00:26:56.031 --> 00:26:59.434
  • Important than ever before.
  • 00:26:59.434 --> 00:27:01.770
  • Teresa and i love you, and we're praying favor on your life in
  • 00:27:01.770 --> 00:27:05.707
  • The coming year.
  • 00:27:05.707 --> 00:27:07.208
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:07.208 --> 00:27:16.651
  • Announcer: touching the lives of the lost and enriching the faith
  • 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:21.956
  • Of the found, this is "touching lives with dr. james merritt."
  • 00:27:21.956 --> 00:27:28.029