Living In Alignment

In my prayers this week as I was leading towards this service and was working on the direction for today, and even this morning in my time of prayer which was a really good time of prayer with the Lord this morning I felt felt the word. It really was two words one of them is in the title of my sermon today I want to speak to the church on what I feel like God's laid in my heart, and living in alignment living in alignment. But I got a second word that I feel like goes into what we're going to talk about today that came as we begin to turn ourselves over in worship, and praise today and that word is restoration. Now, I obviously as pastor of this church I'm aware of some some personal situations that are in the room that are there there real needs that God is God has needed in those to help that, and I feel like part of this message is for that, but I feel.

Stronger that there's something I'm not even aware about in this moment that is here God knows God's not surprised by anybody that's here you may be surprised that you're here today you didn't know it now you're here welcome. But God's not surprised that you're here he knows he knows where we are he knows. What we're dealing with and I just feel in my spirit somebody's going to be restored today I don't know. What that means I don't know what restoration means that may it may be a relationship in your life it might be a job situation or a financial need I don't know I'm not grasping for straws I'm simply telling you I feel very strong in my spirit. That God's going to do a restoration in this place so if you have something in your life that applies to I'm appealing to your faith right.

Now, because I know I'm not by myself in feeling that God wants to do something special all right. But I don't know where you are I don't know what you're going through, but here here here's. What I do know I'm a human being like you are and sometimes things just. Doesn't go the way I want them to go right and if that's you today you got something you're dealing with and it's not. What you want whatever it is it could be your health it could be your finances it could be your relationship it could be again it could be a job situation it could be I don't know I don't know you fill in the blank. But I'm grabbing a hold for myself today and I wish somebody else would grab a hold of something and let's.

Just see what our big God yall believe in praying big prayers to a big God that can do big things anybody bold enough to stand out with me I'm on the edge right. Now, saying God I believe that you can do all things that's what your word says so I'm going to be bold enough in my faith today to say I'm trusting in you to do a big thing. Because you're a big God that does Big Stuff hallelujah hallelujah when I was growing up my many of you know my father owned his own business, and he had a shop that he ran he sold sporting goods. And more of the outdoor stuff hunting and fishing and he had a shop in the back where we worked on boats, and ATVs and Ponting boats out it was just I didn't realize. How blessed I was growing up it was just work you I had to go in and work with my dad.

But I learned a lot of things we had this old shop truck it was a if memory serves me correctly it was like a 1985 Ford F250 it was blue it wasn't originally blue it was white. But the guy that we bought it from had painted it like a royal blue it was a diesel, and it and for those of you know those 80 model diesels they just. Didn't have a lot of zip to them you know they smoked a lot they made a lot of noise they were kind of like a grumpy old man you know. But eventually it would get the job done the one thing that really always stuck out to me about this old we just call the shop truck one thing that stuck out to me about the shop truck is that if you were driving the shop. Truck you could not take your hand off the steering wheel you couldn't you would die.

Because it being being being that you know older model it had a lot of play in the steering wheel anybody ever drove a car had a lot of play like you're doing this. But the truck's Moving Straight you're just but here's one thing that was a reality. If you let go of the steering wheel you immediately went 90° right which was better than going 90° left in oncoming traffic I was thankful for that, but I remember asking my dad I'm like. What in the world's up with a shop truck he's like what do you mean I was like dad you can't like you can't take your hand off, and it was one of those base model trucks it didn't have the tilt wheel. So it wasn't like you could tilt it down and use your knee and don't judge me because don't act like you've never done that you know some of you use both knees and you eat a taco.

And answer an email going down the road and you're not in a Tesla yeah. But this one it was it was a fixed steering wheel and it was made for big belly boys. So there was there was no way you could get your knee you'd have to put your foot up there to try to hold it so now he told me he said well son it it's out of alignment. And I didn't really understand what I mean I knew what the word alignment meant. But I wasn't processing what he was so he was begin to explain to me that the vehicle the truck itself was out of alignment it was it was a few weeks after that I got a real good lesson in alignment as I was washing. My Nissan 240 that's a beautiful car now I grew up before there was digital photography we actually used film do you remember the little you remember the little things they had in like parking lots at Kmart where there was a person in there.

And it looked like a roll of film and you went in you dropped your camera off, and you come back at another predetermined time to pick up photos and you had no idea. If your pictures were good yeah half the time you didn't even know what the pictures were anybody remember that you just had rols of film, and then you went development like oh I forgot we took pictures of that was when we went on vacation. So reason I'm bringing it up is I have often been very frustrated that I didn't take a picture of all the cars I've own in my life. Because nobody I lived in the moment I'm still terrible about not taking pictures now. But other people Snap photos because they like to see themselves all the time and thankfully I'm in the background of a few of those I got another story about that at funeral one time it's really funny I'll tell you another point.

But I was cleaning this 240 and as I was washing the car and if you know those Nissan they're really low to the ground, and I remember cleaning back by the back bumper I remember looking underneath the car. And the inside of both of my back tires were bald so I remember like. What in the world is going on there and feeling it like I could feel the cords you know you know. What a cord like the metal that's in the tire I'm looking in there and I went remember asking my dad like Dad what's up with my tires on my car like they look good on the one side. But if you look underneath you see that and he said well son it's the same thing that's going on with the truck it's out of alignment oh in life we can find ourselves getting out of alignment with where God wants us to be we see.

Many examples of this in the scriptures as we read through it often where we read in the Old Testament especially where the children of God his people that God's having a conversation with them, and in simple layman terms he's saying. Look, you're out of alignment I've given you some really clearcut some clear-cut instructions for how I would prefer you to live your life. But you're choosing to follow your own path and your own way and anybody besides me ever found it that it can be easy to get off track with God yeah it can it can be easy to be pulled in directions. And even the best of us and I and I really mean that because I feel like this message is for all of us today in this room even the best of us doing the best things with the best intentions can find oursel drifting off.

Track if we're not intentionally making sure that we are paying attention to what God wants us to pay attention to and when this happens. When this alignment is off when we begin to drift over what happens is we can begin to Value the things of the world, and the things that the world says are important instead of the things that God says they important. And we see this a lot there's a lot of tension in our world today you guys feel that it just seems like a lot of people are just angry a lot of people are really frustrated. And it's bothersome because I if I really think about it I really do honestly feel at the core of every human being is goodness. Amen at the core there's goodness now what happens is we can get out of alignment, and we can become self-focused and we can become self-centered and because of that and then and then often times the actions of people that are outside of us it can end.

Up affecting everything we do especially how we look at things and I'm speaking to those. Who have maybe come through some abusive situations you have to raise your hand acknowledge that I got my hands up. If you've ever been through an abusive situation especially to someone who is supposed to have loved you, and it can cause you to have a different View and it can cause you to be out of alignment it's SC I'm going to give you a truth. At the very beginning of this message your alignment determines your focus maybe a better way to say that is this your alignment will dictate your values your alignment will shape your ideologies your alignment will form your character. So it's important that if we believe there is a God and I feel like for the majority of the people in the room today you believe there's a God or you have the capacity to believe that there's a God.

And if there is a God I know there's there's a lot of differing opinions in this post-christian world we live in especially in North America today I can't. Just make assumptions that everybody who shows up at church believes there's a God, but there's there's a reason. Why you're here today and what I hope to convey in this message is that there is a God, and that he loves you and that he has a purpose and a plan for your life. See, by staying in tune to our god it's the way that I can be on the path he's laid out out before me because God does not make mistakes I'm going to say that again it's really important for you to get this God does not. Make mistakes I make mistakes I make a lot of mistakes I want you to look at your neighbor right.

Now, and I want you to do this all right I want you to do it with kindness, and the and the word of God says speak the truth and love okay. So turn to your neighbor and say this say you make mistakes too yeah now some of you are like easy easy. Now, I didn't I didn't say keep going some of y'all talking way too much I did not say get into a list of all the wrongs, and some of you were waiting like Pastor said it now got your phone out. And got your Note Tab open you're going through no no no don't do that all right here's here's the reality we're all human, and none of us none of us are perfect there was one perfect one his name was Jesus he died for us he died. For you and I outside that the rest of us are just flawed Humanity now I do my best to get up every day, and to try to tune in to where God is leading me and to be obedient to his word.

And I found that by doing that I have an opportunity to live an overcoming life I'm not perfect I make mistakes I try my best to own every one of them, but what I want for us today is this understanding that if we get. Out of alignment and it's easier than we think it it'll it will cause you to drift. So fast that by being out of alignment we end up frustrating ourselves and those that are closest to us, and there's a God who's constantly trying to come back in the most loving way to get us back in alignment where we need to be so I want. To know are we all okay if we if we go in for a little bit of will alignment today yeah you okay, and then by Will alignment I mean w i l l not w l all right you may need to get your car.

I mean check it afterwards but not now, but today we're going to do a little will now here's the deal to do a little bit of will alignment it may hurt for a minute. Amen it may hurt it may hurt when we when we don't always like having things pointed out to you ever noticed that how many of you along with me have gotten mad at your doctor. When your doctor said in doctor terms you're fat thank you me too yeah and you want to look at him and say. Well, I know I'm fat you didn't have to point it out well I told him I'm fat yeah I'm fat I go in there it happens all right he does it, but you get mad about it why do you why do you like CU. People don't like having their faults pointed out so here's what here's what I want us to do, and I'm setting this up and I promise this is not be a long message today I know I've taken a long way to ramp up the runway.

But we're going to get it in the air, but here's what here's what I believe there's a restoration going to take place at the end of the service today okay there's a restoration. If we will if we will all of us every one of us have the mindset like this word is for me would anybody would anybody jump on that with me that this word today is for me it's for me too I'm saying this is for me this. Is for me and let's see what God's going to do Isaiah chapter 30 now I want I'm going to I'm going to go ahead and tell you right. Now, that this scripture is going to be hard to hear now what I mean by that is what we have is the prophet of God is being moved on to speak to his people about the problem that they're having.

And why they're not doing the things that they're doing so what you're going to pick up on this. Isn't this isn't going to be flowery speech this is going to be pretty pretty pointed straight for stuff. So Isaiah 30: number 9 says that this is a rebellious people not a great way to start the letter is it lying children children. Who will not hear the law of the Lord who say to the seers do not. See, and to the prophets do not prophesy to us right things speak to us smooth things prophesy deceits get out of the way turn aside from the path cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us therefore thus says the Holy One. Of Israel because you despise this word and Truth is oppression and perversity and rely on them therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall a bulge in a high wall whose breaking comes suddenly.

And in an instant and he shall break it like the breaking of The Potter's vessel which is broken into pieces he shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments A Shard to take fire from The Hearth or to take water from a sister, and this chapter goes on and on and on as the prophet begins to tell them how upset God is at their lack. Of concern to be obedient to his desire so life without God is a life that you can choose to live. But I will tell you this there will be good times and there will be bad. Because that's life to all men but I promise you will B yourself being extremely dissatisfied and extremely frustrated. When you're out of alignment with what God desires for you what I feel like is so many people I'm going to be even more specific.

When I say so many people there are a lot of people underneath the umbrella of Christianity underneath the umbrella of people. Who who go to church who are living for God in an escape hell mindset, and what I mean by that is their relationship and the reason they show up at church and the reason that they read the word of God. And the reason that they find themselves in trying to be compliant with his desires for their life has everything to do with they don't want to go to hell they just. Don't want to go to hell they don't want they want to be a part of that now. Don't get me wrong I don't want to go to hell I don't think anybody. If they understand hell wants to go there, but if you're only living for God as an escape hell method you are missing out on all the good stuff in living for God.

Because there is so much more to living for God than escaping hell sir so much more. So much more depth so much more richness so much more joy so much more completeness. When you understand that God loved you so much that he made you have you ever thought about that he made you uniquely you that nobody else has your fingerprints that nobody else has your voice prints that nobody else has your eyeballs that all these. Things are so and so many more things we can go in that are uniquely you nobody else that has ever been has those things not only that when he was forming you, and shaping you and making you in your mother's womb he was designing. You with things very specific that he desired to bring out of you as a part of his kingdom he wanted to use you in a unique way that nobody else would be used.

Just for you that's why he created you when you understand that you have a purpose, and you have a plan it brings. So much more richness and depth in your relationship ship with God you're not an accident your mom, and dad may not have planned you, but God had always intended for you to be here you belong to him so I want to challenge us today. I want to I want to challenge this church I want to challenge Centerpoint to do what Jeremiah did, and what he spoke about another prophet in Jeremiah 6:1 16. When he says thus says the Lord stand in the ways and see and ask for the old path where the good way is, and walk in it then you will find rest for your souls. But they said we will not walk in it there's something about understanding there is a way that God has always laid out that he desired for us to live, and more often than not it goes contrary to how we feel.

But in our world today feelings Trump facts all the time, but just because you don't feel it does not negate the truth that is there as I've used this silly example before I can say that I don't believe gravity is real. But all I have to do is take too many steps going in this direction, and I'll discover that gravity is a real thing. Because it will come into play whether or not I believe it or not and you can choose to say I don't know that the things that are in the scripture are still applicable for me today you can you can do that, but I promise. You the word of God is true it is stood this long all by itself it doesn't need me to defend it I don't have to I'm a Believer in the word of God you might say.

Well, pastor Kevin it's your it's your vocation it's your profession that you're a part of those are true statements. But if you took all that away from me if you strip those things away from me I would still believe the word of God is true I've seen too many instances in my life. And too many things come to pass that go hand inand with what the word of God has told me was going to happen. Now, you may say well pastor Kevin that's your life that's how you see those things. But I'm going to tell you right now my life is not that way and there's been times I've tried my best to cry out to God, and he's left me he's abandoned me he didn't show up in my time of need. When I asked for him there and he didn't show up he didn't deliver me in my time of need.

What do you have to say about that Pastor now I got everybody's attention everybody's waiting to see. What Pastor is going to say here's what I know about God there are some things that I can't explain. But just because I can't explain it doesn't negate that there's a God who loves he said well that's easy easy answer for you to say that he loves. But I don't feel like he loves me here's what I know the world we live in is broken it wasn't broken by God it was broken by Humanity I'm going to say that again it wasn't broken by God it was broken by Humanity here's. Another thing I know and I go back to that hell people talk about going wanting to escape hell, and what happens here you know the hell was never created for mankind it was never created for man hell was created for the devil.

And his followers that's what it was created for, but yet we see that in order to understand. What good is and this is where we struggle okay are y'all all right everybody okay this is where we struggle often times is the only way we know that there is good is because there's a bad. And the only way we know there's bad is because there's a good otherwise there would be no use for the words it wouldn't make any sense are you guys okay I know it was deep in theological right there like. And you're like wow he just blew my mind I didn't blow your mind if you did it was really small the only way you know that the good is there is because there's bad you contrasting between the two you understand there there Jesus in the life. That he lived he came to seek and to save that which was lost what was lost the relationship with mankind was lost to give you a brief Bible History lesson, and God created all things that are if you go to Genesis one.

And one it says in the beginning God created the heavens and earth and then it goes on the rest of chapter one going through the creation process, and then he also created man which was his chief creation. Because everything else he spoke into existence but with man he Stoops down from the dust of the earth, and he forms man from the ground and then he does something that's even extra special is he breathes into man the breath of life. And Man became a living Soul all right now I don't mean to blow anybody's bubble here and just pop it real quick. But he didn't breathe a living Soul into Fifi and Fufu and Trixie and your little animals or your pet birds or I'm not going to say the other thing I normally talk about because y'all send hateful emails to me, but you know he sure.

Didn't breathe life into them things but with man he breathed life man was different we became a living Soul his desire to seek, and to save that which was lost often times we misunderstand it was the relationship that was lost he set them up. In the Garden of Eden they got this perfect environment which they were there and everything they had need of was provided for them, but even in the midst of all that Perfection and many debate this. But I hope I can do some justice today he had he had basically one rule. Don't eat from the Tree of the knowledge and good and evil here's what I've noticed about God here's. What I've noticed from my time studying the word of God he has always had something that was set aside that belonged to him always there's always been something that belonged to him always something that he said look that's mine.

Don't touch it belongs to me don't touch it again when God created you and I the greatest gift he gave outside of Salvation to you, and I is the freedom to choose and the best way I know to explain that is this is how. Do you know that someone really loves you now I can say I love you I do love you her I love you too I love her more yeah yeah qualify that I can say I love. But words are cheap actions speak louder than words so I got to show that my love. How how can I show that see God knew that he wanted someone to love him in return. But he knows that the only way that love is really have shown is When Love is given freely not forced yeah you know I can I can want Cooper to love me I could try Cooper's like man.

Now, he's picking on me I shouldn't have S the front row I want Haley to love me brother to a sister right there I could want that I could desire that I could maybe Tred to use my position as pastor of this church to trying. To force that but is that really love if I force you to do it no no it's not it's not it's really love. When love is given so God knew that he took a chance he created Mankind, and he gave us the freedom to choose and in that freedom to choose he knew the only way I can really ever be loved in return is they have to have the option. To not love and see this is where it gets dangerous and the only way you can choose whether or not that's really going to happen is he had to put something out there to show here's the deal of all the trees in the Garden.

Of Eden you can eat of all of it, but here's here's what I want here's my desire. If you really love me then this tree right here this one don't touch it I want to see your Devotion to me I want to see your trust. So it wasn't that God didn't want them to have knowledge because that's what that tree represented it represented knowledge that's where the enemy comes in, and said did God say and he took the words of God. And twisted them a little bit but it wasn't that God didn't want them to have knowledge. If you think through this logically they had access to him they could ask him anything they wanted anytime they wanted to they had the ability to walk right up, and say hey tell me about this explain this to me and the God of all. Creation could have explained everything to but it was a demonstration of devotion it was an example of love.

When he said look I give you everything here everything's free for you to eat everything's free for to enjoy. But of this tree I don't want you to eat it I don't want you to do that I want you to leave that alone I want I want to see. If you truly love and respect and honor me of course what did the enemy do right off the bat he went, and attacked the very thing right he caused them to call and question the very thing that God said I want to see. If you love me I want to see your devotion and the enemy comes in, and says I want to test you at the level of devotion and see more often than not we come into this. And with a focus on self we say that I don't feel like that's necessary. What I don't pick up on when I read through the word of God is that he ever stops, and says I want you to do this does that make you feel okay I don't want you to partake of the fruit of that tree I hope.

That doesn't hurt your feelings because it wasn't about their feelings he was looking for their devotion he said I have everything here that you need I have provided for every circumstance and situation. And what I desire from you is to see if you can be obedient if you can stay in alignment with what I'm asking you to do I love you, and what you see in the Bible. And I don't have near enough time today to go through this is this beautiful love story of how people continue to fall out of alignment with God, and God's constantly trying to come back. And bring him back into alignment where he proves time and time again I will get you out of your circumstances, and situations I want to establish myself with you I want to prove. How much I want to be your God, but I want you to be my people I don't want this to just to be oneway Street where I'm doing all the giving.

Because if that's the case you'll grow to not appreciate me and the moment I don't meet your expectations. Then your love and devotion is gone some of you know what that kind of a relationship is like. When you're in a relationship where all you do is give and the person always takes do you feel loved in that no you clamor after that you long to just be loved you long for someone to just to return. And acknowledge that so than through that lens it doesn't make sense that we can live any way we want to live as long as I feel okay about it and God should. Just love me because God is love yes God is love, but what he's looking for is an established relationship with you, and I he came to seek and to save that which was lost the relationship was lost.

And then you interject man into the middle of all of it you think the devil's bad. Look, what mankind has done look what man has done to our world you know the devil sits around sucking his thumb saying they blame me for everything I'm G to tell you right. Now, your worst enemy is not the devil your worst enemy is you it's you it's you that's what's wrong in our world today you know what's wrong us we've messed it up that's why there's. So much Brokenness that's why there's so much hatred that's why there's so much pain that's why there's. So much hurt God never intended those things that's why I said God is good. Don't be mad at God for what's going on all he's ever done is tried to love us all he's ever done is tried to take care of us all he's ever done is tried to establish a right relationship with us and all we've ever.

Done is found ourself misaligned with our purpose I'm being obedient I'm following following the spirit right. Now, I'm way out of my notes but I feel like this is this is on point with what God is wanting to do right. Now, in this place what I have discovered is that there are things that happen in the natural, and the spiritual that correlate you can connect the two things together it was a couple of years ago Jeff. And I were on a on a on a bike Rod a pedal bike ride, and we were we were just getting into Road biking a little bit and we decided to do a Jeff. How old were you two years ago 30 we were doing a 33 mile ride. So we went out to the county line down 96 rode all the way out to the county line, and then we're coming back and somewhere on the way back in I don't know where.

But it was it was probably eight or nine miles from here coming back this way I had a bike accident it was it happened quick it happened fast. Thank God and I didn't get run over, but it was it like busted my helmet open I slid across the way the worst thing about it is lost my airpods. Just made me mad I shouldn't say that wasn't the worst thing that happened because the worst thing that happened is ended up with a pinch nerve. So and it was miserable and it wasn't what was crazy is it didn't happen in that moment it happened over the course of the next couple of days I woke up, and my left arm was so it was it was one of the most. Intense pains I've ever had in my life and there was absolutely nothing I could do to get comfortable, and there was no overthe counter stuff no Advil no leave or any of that stuff that would even touch it and I ended up going to a chiropractor.

And they did some X-rays and come to find out he asked me had I ever had any any bad accidents in my life early on several years ago, and I said man you going to have to I've lived a misspent youth you're going to have to maybe. Narrow that focus a little bit I've had a lot of ATV accidents I've jumped out of buildings into piles of gravel I just I was really dumb I'm barely smarter than that now. But I learned some really valuable lessons in life gravel doesn't give no matter how fluffy it looks from three stories up I've learned. How to not removed fence post I've learned a lot of things how you don't do it, but he came in, and he said what you got is we got this deal. So they put me on I don't I don't know the technical term in there he put me on a neck stretcher, and what I mean by that is they SLA me on the table.

And they strapped me down and he put put he put ratchet straps around my head, and he they stretched my neck some of you know you've had that decompression therapy before maybe you can explain it better. But in Good Old Wilson County Country Bo boy they put ratchet straps around my neck, and they cranked me up and down and what they were doing is they were trying to realign my neck. Now, what was crazy about that is through this process and many of you have experienced something in a similar fashion. Because my body was hurt and I was holding myself in a in a certain way for a while all of a sudden other parts of my body got out of whack. Now, some of y'all just call that old age I'm only 48 and some of you like that's you get up every day, and you discover a new thing that doesn't work you you're like.

Well, look at there that just dangles now I guess that doesn't work anymore like I don't want to go down that road. So when things don't work I'm like why is this not working now and come to find out as I went back to the chiropractor, and was working with him and he was helping me he was saying that we got to really work on this. Problem because what's going on is your body is trying to get you back in alignment, and because of that it's shifting I didn't know this. But we all have inside of us we want to be level like we want. Now, you may see somebody that they're they're they Something's Happened to them and they're crooked or you know. But it's it by default their body is trying to align them back up because it's built in you listen to me it's built in you to be in a line to be level.

And your body's constantly trying to do that now again things that correlate in the natural also correlate into the spiritual is what it happened is because my arm, and my neck hurt me so bad I wasn't using it I was I was doing using. My body in a different way all of a sudden I had aches and pains on my right side all of a sudden my hips hurt me, and my knees hurt me a little bit. Because I'm walking funny and walking different I'm not me to made to do that, and I got pains elsewhere and there are some of you I'm speaking to right. Now, that because you're not in alignment with God the way you need to be it's manifesting in other areas in your life you're you're starting to find frustrations in other places all of a sudden relationships that have always been strong are now struggling.

And in circumstances in your life that have always been very dependable all of a sudden have been taken away from you, and I really feel strongly the spirit moving on me to tell you that you're out of alignment. And that your spiritual body your spirit is trying to get itself back in tune. Because it wants to go back to where it has been sent from I got Bible for this and it's a deep Bible study. But much deeper than I'm going to get into into today, but if you can trust me at all to be to be a pastor in this moment. Then trust this that the spirit that God filled you with that God has blessed you your soul your living soul that he breathed into you is wanting to return to Cinder. Look, over here at me he's wanting to return to Cinder okay all right let's not get distracted in a minute God's moving right.

Now, I'm speaking someone strongly what you're fighting against is the very thing that was set in motion. When you drew your first breath your soul wants to return back to him now once you fight is your spirit your spirit, and your soul are constantly War Paul talked about this the thing I know to do that I want to do that is good. And right I don't end up doing when I know to do right I don't do right, and when I don't want to do wrong I end up doing the wrong thing. Now, many of you identify with that there's been days you set out and had the best of intentions, and by the day set up right anybody anybody ever got up that morning say you know. What I'm eating good today today I'm eating good two milkshakes and a BLT later and it's 10 a.m.

And you're like boy I've just and then then then you're like well I've already blew it I might as well enjoy the day yeah that's the most y'all have identified with me since I started this message. So we're fighting this thing that's constantly inside of us, but what we discover when we want to get oursel into alignment with God is that often times we find oursel having a hard time accepting the hard truths that are there this is not new. This is even something that Jesus dealt with himself in John chapter 6 we see this transpire verse 54 whoever eats, and this is Jesus speaking read in other words whoever eats my flesh. And drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up also on the last day for my flesh is food indeed, and my body is drink indeed he who eats my flesh.

And drinks my blood abides in me and I in him as the living father sent me I have because of the father. So he who feeds on me will live because of me this is the bread which came down from heaven not as your fathers and the Mana are dead. But he who eats this bread will live forever now you may be thinking well pastor Kevin that's that's kind of weird that that's those are weird verses am I the only one that thinks that he talking about eating like him eat his flesh his blood. Well, I want you to know that if you feel like that's weird so did the people. Who heard it originally now if you studied out the scripture this is what you know is he was speaking about what was to come that he had to go die on the cross.

And that you had to receive that he was going to be the sacrifice and you had to apply that in your life. But what you go if you read the rest of that chapter you'll see that even his disciples there's people that got up, and said this is a hard saying and they left him that day. And then there's a little bit more dialogue and as you get to the end of the chapter he basically turns to his disciples, and says will you leave me too. Because because just because it was hard to hear didn't negate the truth that was there you see here's here's where we are is I could I could get up, and I could take the word of God. And I could always make you feel so good about yourself I could preach sermons and just make you feel. So good about yourself and that God loves you and he loves you and I could take the word of God, and I could select certain pieces of it and by doing that could justify the life that you choose to live that's all about you that he loves.

You no matter what and he does but you got to be careful with how you receive that because you remember in the garden it was about devotion, and we can misinterpret often times the fact that he has remained silent on some issues as if that silence. Is consent now I'm okay with you being quiet right now, but think with me for a minute. Just because you're doing something that you know at your core is not right and God hasn't struck you down with lightning that God's okay with that is that the extreme you're looking for is that is that where we're going is that God. If you don't want me to do this then you'll just take this thing away, and then when God takes things away we're like. Why why did you take that away from me I know it's a hard message. Just know this is going to be a hard message from Get Go remember I'm telling you God's going to do a restorative work today I stand on that too many people here want the protection of God.

But they don't want the relationship this is nothing new as Solomon said there's nothing new Under the Sun that what the attitude we're dealing with in our world today the attitude we're dealing with in the church today is nothing new Under The Sun It's been before Isaiah. Going back to the prophet chapter 4 verse number one he identifies the story as he's speaking to the people, and listen to these words he says this and in that day seven women shall take a hold of one man saying we will eat our own. Food and wear our own apparel only let us be called by your name to take away our reproach do you see that list. Listen, just let that sit there for just a minute see to be unmarried to be an unmarried woman it was a shame. So they wanted to have the name they wanted to have the marriage name they wanted to take on the name of a spouse.

Because they didn't want to be embarrassed about the fact that they were not by the name. But did you notice they're qualifiers we're going to do our own thing we're going to eat our own food we're going to we're going to dress our own way. But we just want your name to take away the approach and what I have seen transpire in our lives today in the church world today is that verse being lived out is that we want to be Jesus people. But we want to eat our own food and we want to dress our own way we just. Don't want their approach we want to be in the church we want to identify with the church. But I want to be able to do my own thing, but here's the deal.

When you have a king the king likes to have his way you ever noticed that about Kings they tend to like their way. Now, now how many of you like to be the king of your Castle this is a trick question all right I mean some of you like she's sitting beside me yeah yeah. How many you like being the king of your Castle how you like being the queen of your Castle yeah yeah yeah we do right it we our fault setting is self-preservation right, and it's interesting I heard it said in an event I was at not. Too long ago when I have something going on I can always justify why I want it, but if it has to be your way you're just stupid. Isn't that interesting how especially like if we make a mistake right I can justify. Why it was look that was my bad, but let me tell you why it happened.

But if somebody else does it you're like well no that's just wrong you should have never done that ever got be careful. How we justify these things you know if in our in our qualifying where we are in fact I'm tired of fighting this I'm gonna. Just I'm not doing any more scripture we have to get to a point in our life all of us all of us have to reach a point to where we have to decide. And settle who's going to be Lord of your life who's going to be Lord are you going to let him be the Lord of your life or are you going to be the Lord of your life. Now, and in thinking through this question let me ask you let me ask you how good a job have you done it so far. How many how many are willing to go on record today and say man I've done an amazing job in my life.

Now, see here here's the deal and I'm making this appeal this way I got to address two things. So number one to those of you who have never really allowed him to be Lord of your life maybe you struggle with the capacity to understand. If that's even possible with you I want to appeal to you if you've never tried it what do what do you have to lose. Now, as someone who has been raised in church, but did not always live for God I didn't always live for God there's I'm sad to say I'm sad to say that there were some years I drifted away from God. And I was very self-focused and I did I did whatever I wanted to do, and I would love to tell you that I did an amazing job during that time. But that would be a very big lie because I did a terrible job I did a terrible job, and I hurt myself and I hurt people that were around me I hurt myself.

And hurt people that were around me and then by his grace I came back into a relationship with him, and he forgave me now there were still things in my life that I had to deal with because of decisions I made. And there were there there was there was a number of years there where I struggled with some stuff. Because the decisions I made but he was good and he helped me along the way to get me where I am, and I would love to tell you that if I look back on my 48 years of life. If you subtract the years that I was away from God he has been good to me he has blessed me abundantly more than I could even sit down and try to describe. How good he's been in everyday situations let me think well good for you Pastor Kevin I'm happy for you get a gold star.

But that's not been my life and I'm sorry that hasn't been your life I wish I could stand up here as a representation of ministry as a representation of God I wish I could stand up here. And I could I could apologize for all of the broken things that have happened, and all the hurts and pains that You' experienced I wish I could wish I could stand up here. And by me doing that it would remove the hurts and the pains and take the scars away from you, but the reality is that just. Doesn't happen I am sorry I'm sorry for what whatever has caused you hurt and pain in your life I am genuinely sorry a lot of things you experienced in your life I can identify with there I'm quite sure there are things in this room. That I wouldn't even I couldn't even get my head around what you've experienced I don't diminish anybody's pain anybody's hurt anybody's sorrow.

But I know this it wasn't brought on by God it was brought on by man it was brought on by man God. Didn't do it man's broken sin broken it broke it broke the world we're living in today God God made a way where we can rise above that we don't have to live Bound by sin I don't have to live caught up in those things. And not only that he will give me the ability to restore back things that have been taken from me because of the Brokenness of sin. Now, here's the deal God in his wisdom will not force anybody to do anything he won't he won't Force you have to freely choose, and here's the deal the only thing that you can really give him back is your life it's all you can give. You can't you can't give him anything else you just give him your life and here's the deal that's all he's ever asked for is your life.

But before he asked for your life he gave his that's the one one of the most amazing things about God is whatever he will ask of you he will do it first he will do it first. Now, I I'm feeling really strong in my spirit today to bring this to a close. Because he wants to do something there needs to be an alignment change so here here's my appeal today this is what. If I'm being honest and transparent in front of you guys which I do most of the time even sometimes to my own detriment. But I don't have us to be anything, but me if I was ranking this sermon on sermons I've preached this one would be at the very bottom I don't feel very comfortable in the way I've ministered today. Because I'm usually a very polished and presented I just feel good about myself, but if you notice I have very rarely been in my notes.

Because I felt so strongly that I had to follow what God wanted to do today. But by me doing that I have Supreme confidence that he's going to do a restoration in this place I feel it I feel it so here's. What here's what I do is to bring this to an end to those of you who have been in church you've been around Church you're familiar with the stories you're familiar with the scriptures. But you've you've drifted you're you know I don't have to convince you of this you know right. Now, you know you're out of a line whatever the reason I'm not here for you to for you to give me a justification for it I don't need any of those things this. Isn't between me and you right now this is between you and God I'm ending this the musicians can come.

If you know you're out of align this is alignment this is out of alignment. If you know you're out of align and because of that there's some things that are not right in your life there's some wrong thoughts there's some wrong relationships there's some wrong situations and circumstances I don't know. Why I keep feeling this so strongly something that has been very consistent has all of a sudden become inconsistent I don't know. Why I keep going back to that I don't know who I'm speaking to with that, but somebody needs to latch a hold of that's God speaking to you through me something that has been consistent is now inconsistent there's there's an alignment issue that you need. To address and here in just a minute I I'm GNA give you an opportunity to try to fix that, and for those of you who who maybe this God thing new this church thing is new maybe maybe you're here.

Because of whatever you wanted to you were invited by a friend or family member. Who wanted you to be here today with them I'm thankful they invited you, but God God knew you were going to be here. Amen he knew you were going to be here he knew what I was going to say today, and I feel confident that he's reaching for you too to say there's some things out of a line that he wants to help you get back in line. Because when you can live in alignment and I'm speaking of someone who who feels like my life has been in a line not perfect not perfect I'm not perfect I still ask for forgiveness every day I need his mercy. And I need his grace in my life, but someone who has tried to tried with hard intention every day to live in alignment with his purpose, and plan with what his words I can tell you that even my worst days he's there he's there.

He's there it would be my desire that everybody would do some reflection right now on where you are if you're comfortable. Just close your eyes feel like I'm reaching for somebody right now you're sitting right on the edge he's a God. Who sees he's a God who hears and he's pulling for you today what you've experienced that frustration he got that fear that you see gripping you right. Now, that that's an indication that something is out of alignment, but the God of all is here today to do a restoration this altar is open he's he's looking for you to be bold today be bold be bold take a step of faith today. Take step of faith today meet him and let him align you back with the purpose, and plan that he has for you take all I have in these hands and multiply God all that I am and find my heart on the altar Hey Hey.

Listen, listen I just I don't want you to miss this I don't want you to miss this I just I feel this. So strong don't get lost don't get lost don't sit there don't miss this chance he is doing a restorative work in this place I wouldn't miss this chance I don't know. How many chances we get but I wouldn't miss today don't get lost they're going to sing, and it'll be easy to stay in that seat and yes I know God can meet you anywhere. But he's looking for you to exercise your faith today so I'm I want I want to do this I want us to close our eyes right. Now, everybody if you don't mind if you're okay with it just please close your eyes I'm going to pray and during this prayer. When I wrap up they're going to start singing again, but in this prayer you be obedient to what God tells you to do right.

Now, Jesus God have delivering my heart today to your church been obedient to what you asked me to do God you gave me your word you're going to do a restoration today I pray Lord someone would step out in faith that they would signal. That they want a change in their life oh God honor their faith today God do what you do take the Brokenness of our life, and bring it back into alignment into your perfect plan. And your perfect will in Jesus name.