This generation does not know,
does not know the three critical, crucial, vital things to knowing
God. They just don't. They do not
know. They know the God of their preacher. I'm positive that you would say,
well, our preacher preaches grace. I think you'd say that. You hear
it enough. I think you would say that. But do you know God
for yourself? The Apostle Paul, after 30 years
of preaching in the book of Philippians, said, Oh, that I might know Him.
You know, there's not a day that passes except I say that to the
Lord. I want to know you deeper. Stronger, more intimately, I
want to know you, the God of their traditions, you know the
Catholic tradition, the God of their mothers, the God of their
customs, but they don't know the God of the Bible, the eternal,
awesome, almighty, sovereign, omnipotent, unapproachable, incomprehensible,
invisible God that dwells in light, that no man can approach. Religious people are on a familiar
plane with their God. And you can tell by the way they
conduct their talk, their walk, they do not know the eternal
God. They just don't. This religious
crowd knows nothing of sin. They don't smoke, they don't
chew and don't run with girls that do. They're just some of
you. Base your whole religion on things
you don't do. And it's all a lie because you've
done it in thought, word or deed. It really is. I think about what
a liar I have been for so many years in religion. Acting like
I wasn't like all of us are. You ever think about that? You
ever think about yourself in this light? What a big phony
I am. I act like I am so right, but
you're not. You're just like the rest of
us. I'm looking at people in here have had and are having,
still living in and with the most horrendous thoughts. And
you're looking at a man just like you. But there is a difference because
I'm a new man. There is a new man too here.
You may not see a lot of Him, but really, I'm alright with
God. I mean, God and I are alright
is what I'm saying. There is no sin for me. There
is no condemnation. There is no judgment for me.
Think about the condemnation most of us live with. You know
why? Because we don't understand this so great salvation. Yeah,
you are a stinking no good for nothing, never better in your
flesh. But on the other hand, God has
born you again and you are a new creature and that new you never
sins. And that old you and that new
you don't like each other at all. The devil loves your flesh.
He's always accusing you. What an awesome thing it is to
say, you know on the cross Jesus prayed for me? He prayed that
I would be forgiven. So I know I am because his prayer
was truly answered. I have a mediator. I have a lawyer
at the right hand of God. I have an intercessor. You think
about this Christ, who in his earthly ministry, he said to
Simon Peter, who was a lousy Christian, I don't know how he
could be the first pope. I mean, I wouldn't claim Simon
Peter to be my pope. He was cursing like a sailor. when they arrested Jesus. Blank,
blank, blank, I never knew the man. And Jesus had told him,
Peter, I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. And
you know what? Peter, before that rooster crows,
you will deny me three times. Don't you know when that rooster
crowed? That was a poor rooster. A cock-a-doodle-doo. But you
know when that rooster crowed, do you know that rooster really
brought a great message? Don't you know Simon Peter's
heart sunk? The man God had played for, the
one that Christ had died for? I prayed for you, Peter, that
your faith fail not.