Are you a single person,
00:00:01.98\00:00:02.95
and desire to surrender to God?
00:00:02.96\00:00:04.57
Stay with us,
we'll be right back.
00:00:04.58\00:00:06.52
Welcome to Issues and Answers.
00:00:32.13\00:00:33.88
My name is J.D. Quinn.
00:00:33.89\00:00:36.05
We're gonna take
our scripture today
00:00:36.06\00:00:37.37
from Colossians 2, 8 through 10.
00:00:37.38\00:00:39.86
"Beware lest anyone
cheat you through philosophy
00:00:40.94\00:00:44.17
and empty deceit according
to the tradition of men,
00:00:44.18\00:00:47.34
according to the basic
principles of the world
00:00:47.35\00:00:50.01
and not according to Christ.
00:00:50.02\00:00:52.40
For in Him Christ dwells
00:00:52.41\00:00:55.04
all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily,
00:00:55.05\00:00:57.91
and you are complete in Him,
00:00:57.92\00:01:00.19
who is the head of all
principality and power."
00:01:00.20\00:01:03.38
As I mentioned earlier
we're gonna be talking about
00:01:03.39\00:01:05.76
the single person
and surrendering to God.
00:01:05.77\00:01:09.19
Our expert guest today
is Pastor Greg Jackson.
00:01:09.20\00:01:14.27
Welcome to "Issues and Answers."
00:01:14.28\00:01:15.61
Thank you, good to be here.
00:01:15.62\00:01:17.38
Tell our audience a little bit
00:01:17.39\00:01:18.84
about yourself, Pastor Greg.
00:01:18.85\00:01:20.97
I have been in the
ministry for 31 years.
00:01:20.98\00:01:24.30
I'm Adventist educated,
00:01:24.31\00:01:27.10
graduated from
Oklahoma College in 1978.
00:01:27.11\00:01:30.12
I'm married to
Marilyn Jackson for 14 years.
00:01:30.13\00:01:33.52
We have five
children, five grand children.
00:01:33.53\00:01:36.87
I'm now pastoring the Bethel
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:01:36.88\00:01:39.89
in the
Allegheny West Conference.
00:01:39.90\00:01:42.85
And I think that
pretty much covers it.
00:01:42.86\00:01:44.91
Amen, amen.
00:01:44.92\00:01:47.00
Do you know that
you're a busy man,
00:01:47.01\00:01:48.36
because not only do
you have your church
00:01:48.37\00:01:50.32
that you pastor, but
you're also put on retreats,
00:01:50.33\00:01:54.22
seminars, camp
meetings and et cetera.
00:01:54.23\00:01:56.64
Yes. So busy, busy, busy.
00:01:56.65\00:01:58.39
And you have found time to read,
00:01:58.40\00:02:00.55
to write a couple of books.
00:02:00.56\00:02:02.31
One of the books
that you have written is
00:02:02.32\00:02:03.74
"How surrender
makes marriage happier,
00:02:03.75\00:02:06.08
divorce a blessing, the
single life fulfilling."
00:02:06.09\00:02:09.59
And I've read most of these book
00:02:09.60\00:02:10.95
and I did really enjoy it.
00:02:10.96\00:02:13.71
Now according to your
book and one of these chapters,
00:02:13.72\00:02:16.21
you talk about is, you talk
about the hope and the comfort
00:02:16.22\00:02:20.14
that the people
that are single can have.
00:02:20.15\00:02:24.30
Can you go more into that?
00:02:24.31\00:02:26.12
Well, the hope and the
comfort basically comes from,
00:02:26.13\00:02:28.96
what-- you know
what I see it in the text
00:02:28.97\00:02:31.06
that you read in
Colossians 2:8 through 10,
00:02:31.07\00:02:34.50
where it says, you
know, don't be spoiled,
00:02:34.51\00:02:37.10
or fooled by the philosophy
of this world traditions
00:02:37.11\00:02:41.37
and the rudiments of this world,
00:02:41.38\00:02:43.51
the teachings in the
way even the way we feel.
00:02:43.52\00:02:46.46
As if we can find fulfillment
00:02:46.47\00:02:49.09
and anything other than Christ.
00:02:49.10\00:02:51.31
For in Him dwells all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily.
00:02:51.32\00:02:54.57
And in Him we are complete,
00:02:54.58\00:02:55.67
and basically we have
been spoiled or fooled
00:02:55.68\00:02:58.14
or duped by the
traditions of this world
00:02:58.15\00:03:01.18
and by our nature, human nature.
00:03:01.19\00:03:05.66
That, you know,
it's we're always looking
00:03:06.82\00:03:12.55
for fulfillment in
someone or some human being
00:03:12.56\00:03:18.23
or some activity or
some material thing.
00:03:18.24\00:03:22.41
And the fulfillment
that we're looking for,
00:03:22.42\00:03:25.50
the completeness that
we're looking for is in Jesus.
00:03:25.51\00:03:27.73
And we're even
told, even sometimes
00:03:27.74\00:03:30.06
a church backs it
up-- if not directly
00:03:30.07\00:03:35.25
in the way we imply,
that unless you're married
00:03:35.26\00:03:39.96
or in a relationship
with some other person
00:03:39.97\00:03:44.25
you're really not complete.
00:03:44.26\00:03:45.63
You really can't
be complete that way.
00:03:45.64\00:03:48.64
And even though that's
the way we feel naturally,
00:03:48.65\00:03:55.05
it's not the truth and
when we step out of faith
00:03:55.06\00:03:58.22
we can really
find that in Christ
00:03:58.23\00:04:01.41
and in Him
alone, Him alone. Amen.
00:04:01.42\00:04:04.77
Can we find the
fullness of all our needs
00:04:04.78\00:04:09.19
and desires met, that
we can be complete in Him,
00:04:09.20\00:04:12.07
is this hard for us
as humans to grasp that?
00:04:12.08\00:04:16.05
Yes. So a person can be single
00:04:16.06\00:04:19.84
as Paul was. Yes.
00:04:19.85\00:04:22.41
You know, a person can be single
00:04:22.42\00:04:24.18
and if Jesus is the
sinner of their life,
00:04:24.19\00:04:26.64
the focal point of their life,
00:04:26.65\00:04:29.04
then there can be
completeness there.
00:04:29.05\00:04:31.36
That's right.
00:04:31.37\00:04:32.36
Or during your
walk on this earth,
00:04:32.37\00:04:35.82
you find someone
that their priorities
00:04:35.83\00:04:38.19
and your priorities are
the same through Jesus Christ.
00:04:38.20\00:04:41.35
Then you could be happy there.
00:04:41.36\00:04:43.35
The key is, is that
you're in God's will.
00:04:43.36\00:04:45.86
And God, that is not
to say God doesn't want
00:04:48.53\00:04:50.98
all of us to have a
mate, because God is the one
00:04:50.99\00:04:52.66
that came up with
the concept of marriage
00:04:52.67\00:04:55.39
and the institution of marriage.
00:04:55.40\00:04:56.88
But because of sin everybody's
not gonna get married.
00:04:56.89\00:04:59.57
And what makes marriage happy?
00:05:00.71\00:05:03.81
That's why I say in my book,
00:05:03.82\00:05:05.28
what really what
gives the married couple
00:05:05.29\00:05:09.03
the ultimate happiness is
they're being in Christ will
00:05:09.04\00:05:13.33
and the Christ in them,
00:05:13.34\00:05:16.39
and they share
that one with another.
00:05:16.40\00:05:17.96
That's the same
thing that it's true
00:05:17.97\00:05:20.12
for the single person.
00:05:20.13\00:05:22.05
The key to my
happiness and my wife knows
00:05:22.06\00:05:25.17
this and it doesn't take offense
00:05:25.18\00:05:26.43
and the key to her happiness.
00:05:26.44\00:05:27.76
My wife found her
happiness in the Lord
00:05:27.77\00:05:31.17
before she knew me. Amen.
00:05:31.18\00:05:33.03
I found my happiness in the
Lord before I knew her. Amen.
00:05:33.04\00:05:36.00
And it was the Lord's
will that we come together
00:05:36.01\00:05:37.91
and because we're in that will,
00:05:37.92\00:05:39.76
we're enjoying
each other's company.
00:05:39.77\00:05:42.18
If we were not in the will,
00:05:42.19\00:05:45.46
I'll come in
together wouldn't be happy
00:05:45.47\00:05:47.08
even as many
marriages testify to
00:05:47.09\00:05:51.24
the majority of
marriages end in failure
00:05:51.25\00:05:53.25
and those that are together
00:05:53.26\00:05:55.17
most of them are very unhappy.
00:05:55.18\00:05:57.60
So marriage is not
the key to our happiness
00:05:57.61\00:06:00.88
and our
fulfillment, Jesus Christ is.
00:06:00.89\00:06:04.37
And when we have that,
then marriage is beautiful
00:06:04.38\00:06:08.41
just as well as
any other existence,
00:06:08.42\00:06:10.72
as Paul says, "I've learned
00:06:10.73\00:06:12.74
how to be
content in whatever state
00:06:12.75\00:06:14.29
I found myself for in Christ,
00:06:14.30\00:06:16.11
I can do all
things." Amen, amen.
00:06:16.12\00:06:19.22
I know that in
your book you talk about
00:06:19.23\00:06:22.49
that it's hard for us
humans to accept the truth
00:06:22.50\00:06:28.62
about being
single and about being
00:06:28.63\00:06:31.94
what the Lord is saying here
00:06:31.95\00:06:33.32
that we're complete in Him.
00:06:33.33\00:06:36.06
So can you go
into that a little bit?
00:06:36.07\00:06:38.62
Yes, because I tried to be
as practically as possible,
00:06:38.63\00:06:42.07
because there is
one thing to say,
00:06:42.08\00:06:44.12
you know, we can
be complete in Christ.
00:06:44.13\00:06:47.03
And, you know, I've had
to deal with that myself,
00:06:47.04\00:06:50.91
having gone through a divorce
00:06:50.92\00:06:53.20
and having been
singled before being married.
00:06:53.21\00:06:57.34
And being single
during the marriage
00:06:57.35\00:07:00.04
and maybe we can get
into that to some degree
00:07:00.05\00:07:02.39
because, you know, that's
the worst way to be single,
00:07:02.40\00:07:05.36
while you're still married.
00:07:05.37\00:07:06.65
And then I've been
single after divorce.
00:07:08.12\00:07:11.03
So I know how that
single, that single loneliness
00:07:11.04\00:07:16.61
and other issues
of singleness can be.
00:07:16.62\00:07:18.86
And I've also
found that in Christ,
00:07:18.87\00:07:22.11
truly we can be complete.
00:07:22.12\00:07:23.69
And that's
something that's hard because
00:07:23.70\00:07:28.42
we are not born
connected to Jesus Christ.
00:07:28.43\00:07:33.87
We're born disconnected,
that's what sin is.
00:07:33.88\00:07:38.42
And so those needs
that Jesus only can meet,
00:07:38.43\00:07:44.18
we don't realize that because
00:07:44.19\00:07:47.20
we've never
experienced it like that.
00:07:47.21\00:07:49.45
All we've ever experienced is
00:07:49.46\00:07:51.76
a human being
meeting those needs.S
00:07:51.77\00:07:53.51
When we came to this world,
00:07:53.52\00:07:54.65
our mother was the first one,
00:07:54.66\00:07:56.27
you know, most times
00:07:56.28\00:07:57.77
that we receive
that nurturing form,
00:07:57.78\00:08:00.23
but if we look back on it,
00:08:00.24\00:08:02.48
the more the mother
was in contact with God,
00:08:02.49\00:08:04.89
the better the nurture. Amen.
00:08:04.90\00:08:06.67
So the nurture
that really was God
00:08:06.68\00:08:09.00
nurturing us
through our parents.
00:08:09.01\00:08:12.37
And we receive the love of God.
00:08:12.38\00:08:15.43
And the goodness
of God through people,
00:08:15.44\00:08:19.18
and I put it like here's
one of the sayings that I have.
00:08:20.92\00:08:24.02
"Everybody
enjoys the love of God,
00:08:25.34\00:08:30.02
whether they know God or not.
00:08:30.03\00:08:32.51
They enjoy and are
benefited by the love of God.
00:08:32.52\00:08:37.56
Because the things
we enjoy through people
00:08:37.57\00:08:41.26
are really the image of
God on married in people.
00:08:41.27\00:08:44.92
What I enjoy about
my wife is the love
00:08:44.93\00:08:49.78
that is pure from God that's--
00:08:49.79\00:08:54.06
and what you enjoy for
me is that kind of love.
00:08:54.07\00:08:55.80
When myself interest love
00:08:55.81\00:08:57.28
comes in me, that hurts here.
00:08:57.29\00:08:59.00
You know, 'cause I'm
getting what I can out of it.
00:08:59.01\00:09:02.54
What really blesses
her is that image of God
00:09:02.55\00:09:07.15
that is still
there that ministry,
00:09:07.16\00:09:09.98
and more that image's restored,
00:09:09.99\00:09:14.49
the more she is
blessed and vice versa.
00:09:14.50\00:09:18.19
So what we really enjoy
is God's love through people
00:09:18.20\00:09:22.86
even when we enjoy
them is really God's love.
00:09:22.87\00:09:25.79
And what I've come to find
00:09:25.80\00:09:28.16
that if I can
enjoy the love of God
00:09:28.17\00:09:31.49
through faulty vessels.
00:09:32.75\00:09:35.33
How much more can
I enjoy God as love?
00:09:35.34\00:09:39.39
That means, go
straight to the source
00:09:39.40\00:09:42.02
and receive it untainted.
00:09:42.03\00:09:44.90
And that's the
learning process was because
00:09:44.91\00:09:47.40
we're not born with that.
00:09:47.41\00:09:49.13
And we don't know
that, that's the step
00:09:49.14\00:09:50.85
and a leap of faith really.
00:09:50.86\00:09:52.65
And so when we first
hear that kind of thing,
00:09:54.16\00:09:58.88
it's hard for us to relate to,
00:09:58.89\00:10:01.25
hard for us to accept
because we don't feel it,
00:10:01.26\00:10:05.48
it is not natural for us.
00:10:05.49\00:10:07.27
We've never experienced
it, we haven't seen it,
00:10:07.28\00:10:09.43
I have not seen,
you have not heard
00:10:09.44\00:10:12.09
neither has it
entered into our mind.
00:10:12.10\00:10:14.58
What God can do for us
00:10:14.59\00:10:16.46
and what He has prepared for us?
00:10:16.47\00:10:17.91
But if, and that's the quote
00:10:17.92\00:10:19.54
from First
Corinthians 2 Chapter,
00:10:19.55\00:10:23.53
but it says in verse 9,
but in verse 10 it says,
00:10:23.54\00:10:28.37
"But He reveals it
through His Spirit."
00:10:28.38\00:10:30.91
And so what I deal with is
the things that will help us
00:10:30.92\00:10:37.95
begin to relates spiritually
00:10:37.96\00:10:39.50
because the Bible says,
00:10:39.51\00:10:40.82
"Spiritual things are
spiritually discerned."
00:10:40.83\00:10:43.30
To the natural
man it's foolishness.
00:10:43.31\00:10:45.40
You know, that sounds good,
00:10:46.63\00:10:49.56
but that's not real, you know,
00:10:49.57\00:10:52.15
and I'm a
realist, that's, you know,
00:10:52.16\00:10:54.47
and that's natural, that's true
00:10:54.48\00:10:55.70
when you're natural.
00:10:55.71\00:10:56.89
It is only as you
deal with the spirit
00:10:56.90\00:10:59.54
that you can experience it.
00:10:59.55\00:11:01.55
So I deal those practical things
00:11:01.56\00:11:03.39
that help us to get spiritual,
00:11:03.40\00:11:06.82
that help us grow in the spirit
00:11:06.83\00:11:09.31
and so I have four things that,
00:11:09.32\00:11:12.28
I say we must do
00:11:12.29\00:11:13.28
and I talk about
in that chapter 2,
00:11:13.29\00:11:14.95
really began to
experience that the four--
00:11:14.96\00:11:17.68
And what are those four things?
00:11:17.69\00:11:19.52
The four things are,
first of all accept the truth.
00:11:19.53\00:11:22.53
Then the second thing is
fight the fight of faith.
00:11:24.20\00:11:26.74
The third thing is be patient.
00:11:28.45\00:11:30.41
And the fourth thing
is put first things first.
00:11:32.17\00:11:34.87
And I'll go
through each one of those,
00:11:35.97\00:11:37.75
you know, and that
is accept the truth,
00:11:37.76\00:11:40.97
that's the first thing.
00:11:40.98\00:11:43.06
The Bible tells
us in Hebrews 11:6,
00:11:43.07\00:11:47.31
"Without faith it's
impossible to please God."
00:11:47.32\00:11:49.93
And then it
defines what faith is,
00:11:49.94\00:11:51.94
it says, for He
that come as a God
00:11:51.95\00:11:53.49
must believe that He is.
00:11:53.50\00:11:56.68
And very seldom do we
really break that down.
00:11:56.69\00:11:59.02
Believe that He
is, so we often times
00:11:59.03\00:12:02.37
believe that this
person is, the situation is,
00:12:02.38\00:12:07.03
I am, I know what's best for me
00:12:07.04\00:12:10.23
and if I can
just get this, Lord,
00:12:10.24\00:12:12.63
you know we
believe we know what's best
00:12:12.64\00:12:14.29
and we believe
that somebody else has,
00:12:14.30\00:12:16.66
but we must believe that He is.
00:12:16.67\00:12:19.63
He's the source.
00:12:19.64\00:12:20.81
He knows what it is
if we just get to Him.
00:12:20.82\00:12:24.10
If we can just get in
00:12:24.11\00:12:25.81
connection with
Him, we'll find it.
00:12:25.82\00:12:28.27
When we believe that we seek Him
00:12:28.28\00:12:29.78
with all our heart,
mind, body, and soul, is not.
00:12:29.79\00:12:34.64
You see when I
believe that only in Jesus
00:12:34.65\00:12:37.37
I'm gonna find
what I'm looking for,
00:12:37.38\00:12:38.97
then I seek Him with intensity.
00:12:38.98\00:12:40.97
When I think I can find
that in any other source,
00:12:40.98\00:12:43.26
that's what I seek out.
00:12:43.27\00:12:44.59
I may pray to God,
but I'm not praying to God
00:12:44.60\00:12:46.74
to get close to Him.
00:12:46.75\00:12:47.95
I'm not praying to
God to get His will.
00:12:47.96\00:12:49.90
I'm praying for God to
use His power to do my will.
00:12:49.91\00:12:54.16
And we call that faith.
00:12:54.17\00:12:56.19
And we call that surrender,
but it really isn't that.
00:12:56.20\00:12:59.00
It is only when we
believe that He is,
00:12:59.01\00:13:03.00
and that He is
a rewarder of them
00:13:03.01\00:13:06.03
that diligently seek
what they think they need. No.
00:13:06.04\00:13:10.15
That diligently
think what they think
00:13:11.20\00:13:12.93
that the promise
in the Bible said,
00:13:12.94\00:13:15.41
well, that's
almost here, but no,
00:13:15.42\00:13:17.34
because often
times we misinterpret.
00:13:17.35\00:13:19.08
But diligently seek Him because
00:13:20.61\00:13:22.40
we're convinced that He knows me
00:13:22.41\00:13:24.81
better than I know myself.
00:13:24.82\00:13:26.60
He knows not only best from me,
00:13:26.61\00:13:28.90
but He knows how to
satisfy the desires of my heart.
00:13:28.91\00:13:31.53
And if I just seek His will
00:13:31.54\00:13:33.22
and get in His
will, I'm gonna find
00:13:33.23\00:13:35.94
the desires of my heart satisfy
00:13:35.95\00:13:37.81
that's what He promise us.
00:13:37.82\00:13:39.66
And if we believe that,
00:13:39.67\00:13:41.10
then we seek Him like that
and that's when we find Him.
00:13:41.11\00:13:45.25
You know, and
truth is different things
00:13:45.26\00:13:47.71
for different people.
00:13:47.72\00:13:49.94
You know what I mean,
00:13:49.95\00:13:51.31
to some people
truth is not centered on,
00:13:51.32\00:13:55.48
focused on Jesus. Yes.
00:13:55.49\00:13:57.27
How would you,
in 25 words or less,
00:13:57.28\00:13:59.92
tell someone that was not
satisfied with their life?
00:13:59.93\00:14:06.64
But there is
another truth in them.
00:14:06.65\00:14:09.06
You know, in the name of Jesus,
00:14:09.07\00:14:11.12
and do they get
on to their knees,
00:14:11.13\00:14:12.28
do they ask Him to
come into their life,
00:14:12.29\00:14:13.96
what do they do?
00:14:13.97\00:14:15.44
I'm not quite
sure if I understand
00:14:15.45\00:14:16.82
that question,
but I tell you this.
00:14:16.83\00:14:18.73
If a person
doesn't believe in Jesus,
00:14:18.74\00:14:23.65
there's not too many
things you can tell Him,
00:14:23.66\00:14:25.70
because you don't
have a common base.
00:14:25.71\00:14:27.14
I don't try to convince people
00:14:27.15\00:14:28.17
who don't believe in Jesus,
00:14:28.18\00:14:29.39
the best thing I can
do for them is live it.
00:14:29.40\00:14:32.38
When they see my
life, and they see you see,
00:14:32.39\00:14:35.84
you can argue with facts.
00:14:35.85\00:14:39.25
I make a difference
between facts and truth.
00:14:39.26\00:14:41.89
Fact is the
Seventh-Day of the Sabbath.
00:14:41.90\00:14:43.75
The truth is
that you can only find
00:14:43.76\00:14:45.52
rest in Jesus Christ,
00:14:45.53\00:14:46.60
that that day is a
symbol of and a sign of.
00:14:46.61\00:14:49.40
But, you know,
00:14:49.41\00:14:50.38
that's another
whole issue right there.
00:14:50.39\00:14:52.20
Many people have facts,
but they don't know truth.
00:14:52.21\00:14:55.40
People can argue with facts,
00:14:55.41\00:14:57.14
but they don't want
to argue with a lie.
00:14:57.15\00:14:59.47
And if your life
shows the goodness of God.
00:14:59.48\00:15:02.42
They can't refute that,
and most times don't want to.
00:15:04.17\00:15:07.49
When they see that, that
breaks down every barrier,
00:15:07.50\00:15:09.62
then they begin to
open up and ask you.
00:15:09.63\00:15:12.17
And then they hear him because
00:15:12.18\00:15:13.25
they've already seen it.
00:15:13.26\00:15:15.46
And that's it, so I
don't try to convince people.
00:15:15.47\00:15:18.21
I just live it. Amen.
00:15:18.22\00:15:20.37
Number two is
fight. The fight of faith.
00:15:20.38\00:15:24.76
First of all let me just
go back to accept the truth.
00:15:24.77\00:15:27.40
You know, that seems
like a elementary thing,
00:15:29.69\00:15:31.14
but most time we don't
wanna accept the truth.
00:15:31.15\00:15:33.71
To accept the truth that I can
00:15:33.72\00:15:35.41
find my full
completeness in Jesus Christ
00:15:35.42\00:15:37.69
is not a truth that we
really by nature want to accept.
00:15:37.70\00:15:41.44
I remember when God
first put that to me
00:15:41.45\00:15:43.26
when I was going
through my process of divorce,
00:15:43.27\00:15:46.45
when I was still in the marriage
00:15:46.46\00:15:47.56
and I felt that this is wrong
00:15:47.57\00:15:49.20
and this person never
is gonna make me happy,
00:15:49.21\00:15:52.02
I need to get out of this
00:15:52.03\00:15:53.49
if I'm gonna find happiness,
00:15:53.50\00:15:54.77
but I can't get out of it
00:15:54.78\00:15:55.80
'cause that does
not please the Lord.
00:15:55.81\00:15:57.45
And, you know, I was
just in a cycle of misery.
00:15:57.46\00:16:00.89
And when, and I asked the Lord
00:16:00.90\00:16:03.71
is there any out of this.
00:16:03.72\00:16:05.42
And He say,
"Yes," and I say what?
00:16:05.43\00:16:08.14
I mean, now I said He said,
00:16:08.15\00:16:09.60
I mean not like it,
He's the thoughts in my mind.
00:16:09.61\00:16:11.39
And so how do know that's God?
00:16:11.40\00:16:12.39
Because I don't think like this.
00:16:12.40\00:16:14.70
My mind says, get
out and get out now.
00:16:14.71\00:16:17.12
You know, but
the Lord was saying,
00:16:17.13\00:16:19.69
you know, I'm the way out.
00:16:19.70\00:16:21.49
I said, well,
Lord now, you know,
00:16:21.50\00:16:22.75
I know you, I
serve you, I love you,
00:16:22.76\00:16:25.23
I'm ready to be
a minister, I know,
00:16:25.24\00:16:27.12
but I'm still hurting.
00:16:27.13\00:16:28.72
So it's got to
be more than that.
00:16:28.73\00:16:30.61
And that's why I wrote
this book on surrender,
00:16:32.24\00:16:34.42
because he let me know.
00:16:34.43\00:16:35.96
No, Greg, not to the depth
00:16:35.97\00:16:37.74
that I'm talking about.
00:16:37.75\00:16:38.98
You really have
been depending on me,
00:16:40.19\00:16:42.19
you've been depending on her.
00:16:42.20\00:16:44.47
And, you know, he had to turn
00:16:44.48\00:16:45.64
that and so-- I don't have time,
00:16:45.65\00:16:47.17
I meet, or we'll have time
00:16:47.18\00:16:48.60
to get in that another time.
00:16:48.61\00:16:49.61
But basically,
bottomline I had to
00:16:49.62\00:16:51.68
come to the point
where I accept it,
00:16:51.69\00:16:52.81
because first I
didn't want to accept it?
00:16:52.82\00:16:54.15
I said, no, I
don't want it like that.
00:16:54.16\00:16:56.30
I don't want it from you,
00:16:56.31\00:16:57.28
I want it from
another human being.
00:16:57.29\00:16:59.31
Because, you
know, I said it to Lord,
00:16:59.32\00:17:01.20
I don't want you to be my woman.
00:17:01.21\00:17:03.57
I don't want that,
I want a real woman.
00:17:03.58\00:17:06.17
And I can understand
that and I can't explain
00:17:06.18\00:17:09.30
how God can be that to you
00:17:09.31\00:17:10.56
because and God didn't
try to explain it to me.
00:17:10.57\00:17:12.09
All I had to be is
wiling to accept it.
00:17:12.10\00:17:15.16
And so that was
a big hurdle for me
00:17:15.17\00:17:17.54
and I had to pray, Lord,
I believe, help my unbelief.
00:17:17.55\00:17:21.57
Help me because
I don't believe it
00:17:21.58\00:17:24.25
and I don't want to believe it,
00:17:24.26\00:17:26.16
because I could see
myself being by myself
00:17:26.17\00:17:28.43
for the rest of my life,
00:17:28.44\00:17:29.42
we get all these connotations.
00:17:29.43\00:17:30.94
But I came to
realize, you know what,
00:17:30.95\00:17:32.82
as I found living Christ,
00:17:32.83\00:17:34.04
He really wouldn't have matter.
00:17:34.05\00:17:35.53
But God is good God,
00:17:35.54\00:17:37.02
He's a prodigal
Father and He says,
00:17:37.03\00:17:38.26
Greg, the whole
reason I won't do it
00:17:38.27\00:17:39.65
is because I can't find anybody
00:17:39.66\00:17:41.09
that's really gonna
make you, give to you,
00:17:41.10\00:17:44.47
but if I can find
that, we're gonna hook it up
00:17:44.48\00:17:46.54
because that's
my desire for you.
00:17:46.55\00:17:48.35
So you don't have
to be afraid of that,
00:17:48.36\00:17:50.32
but what he does is
empower you to find happiness
00:17:50.33\00:17:52.81
in whatever state until
and unless you can do that.
00:17:52.82\00:17:55.51
So I don't have to be miserable
00:17:55.52\00:17:57.61
wanting for more
while he's working it out.
00:17:57.62\00:18:01.05
I can satisfied and if
it never happens so what?
00:18:01.06\00:18:04.00
But if it does, beautiful.
00:18:04.01\00:18:05.96
And he has and
so I'm enjoying it,
00:18:05.97\00:18:08.23
but I got to the
place where I say, Lord,
00:18:08.24\00:18:10.34
I can do this till
you come, I'm good.
00:18:10.35\00:18:13.02
Matter of fact
he had to talk to me
00:18:13.03\00:18:14.10
and convince me after I get out,
00:18:14.11\00:18:15.38
when we brought that message in
00:18:15.39\00:18:17.68
that I needed to do it again.
00:18:17.69\00:18:19.28
And I say, well,
Lord, I'm pretty,
00:18:19.29\00:18:20.70
I don't want to, you know,
00:18:20.71\00:18:21.68
if-- well, the Lord said okay,
00:18:21.69\00:18:23.22
we can work with
this and you know.
00:18:23.23\00:18:24.65
So we worked that,
sort of accepting that,
00:18:24.66\00:18:26.40
then fighting the fight of faith
00:18:26.41\00:18:27.81
because your human
nature everyday, says, "No,"
00:18:27.82\00:18:31.00
and you have to fight that.
00:18:31.01\00:18:32.53
And fight it with prayer,
00:18:32.54\00:18:33.56
the fight of faith
to continue to believe
00:18:33.57\00:18:35.35
and so you keep
going back to the Lord.
00:18:35.36\00:18:36.41
Every time that
feeling comes back,
00:18:36.42\00:18:37.98
because I don't care
00:18:37.99\00:18:39.31
if you're in a
good relationship,
00:18:39.32\00:18:40.67
you're gonna feel
unloved sometimes.
00:18:40.68\00:18:43.36
You're going to
feel unhappy sometimes.
00:18:43.37\00:18:46.56
I don't care how well you--
00:18:46.57\00:18:47.75
how good your
marriage is, you're gonna feel
00:18:47.76\00:18:49.42
that because
that's our human flesh.
00:18:49.43\00:18:52.37
So you have to do
that whether you're married
00:18:52.38\00:18:53.96
or whether you're
single, it doesn't matter.
00:18:53.97\00:18:56.03
So when that
feeling comes, it's a lie.
00:18:56.04\00:18:58.59
And I have to fight the fight,
00:18:58.60\00:18:59.76
so I'll go with, I'll
fight it through prayer.
00:18:59.77\00:19:01.01
Lord, you know how I'm feeling,
00:19:01.02\00:19:02.70
work with me, Lord, I
believe, help my unbelief.
00:19:02.71\00:19:05.86
Be patient is the next thing.
00:19:05.87\00:19:07.88
Because it tells in Galatians 6,
00:19:07.89\00:19:09.87
"Be not
deceived, God is not mock"
00:19:12.43\00:19:15.37
you know, if you've
been sowing to the flesh,
00:19:15.38\00:19:17.05
you reap of the flesh,
00:19:17.06\00:19:18.78
so of speech
reap everlasting life.
00:19:18.79\00:19:20.43
Now all these years
have been sow into the flesh,
00:19:20.44\00:19:21.92
because I've been
depending on flesh to satisfy.
00:19:21.93\00:19:24.73
I've been believing
that for years and years
00:19:24.74\00:19:26.95
and so I was deep
in, within my pores,
00:19:26.96\00:19:30.39
it's in my nature.
00:19:30.40\00:19:31.77
So I start sowing
to the spirit by faith
00:19:31.78\00:19:35.13
believing that He can do it.
00:19:35.14\00:19:36.70
Well, you know,
what happens is God says,
00:19:36.71\00:19:38.97
"Okay, you keep on sowing,"
00:19:38.98\00:19:40.76
and the process
works much faster going to,
00:19:40.77\00:19:44.38
but it doesn't, it's not like
00:19:44.39\00:19:47.20
Dorothy's shoes in the Oz,
00:19:47.21\00:19:48.74
when she click them together
00:19:48.75\00:19:50.34
now you're in Kansas, you know,
00:19:50.35\00:19:51.94
everything is beautiful.
00:19:51.95\00:19:53.24
When you start, it
gets better immediately,
00:19:53.25\00:19:55.76
but it's still, you know,
00:19:55.77\00:19:56.79
you've been sowing
to that fresh for years.
00:19:56.80\00:19:58.82
So you know I
started off praying away
00:19:58.83\00:20:01.18
and I had peace
but it will leave,
00:20:01.19\00:20:04.13
it wouldn't last as long
00:20:04.14\00:20:05.64
and I had to pray a
little longer again.
00:20:05.65\00:20:07.15
But the more I did it.
00:20:07.16\00:20:09.18
I had to pray less long
and my peace lasted longer,
00:20:09.19\00:20:12.45
you know. And I like I say
00:20:12.46\00:20:14.40
even when you're--
even when you are marriage,
00:20:14.41\00:20:18.29
you're gonna have to do
this even in your marriage.
00:20:18.30\00:20:20.64
That's why unless and until
00:20:20.65\00:20:22.67
you deal with
surrender you're really not,
00:20:22.68\00:20:24.93
you're really not really ready
00:20:24.94\00:20:26.57
to be the kind of
meet that person needs.
00:20:26.58\00:20:29.03
And that God wants you to be.
00:20:29.04\00:20:30.61
So, so, so as I
did that more and more,
00:20:30.62\00:20:34.37
I found God's peace more,
00:20:34.38\00:20:35.70
I grew more and
more in the spirit
00:20:35.71\00:20:37.74
and after awhile, to God I said,
00:20:37.75\00:20:39.10
you know what, Lord,
if you want me to stay
00:20:39.11\00:20:41.14
in this marriage for
the rest, I can do this.
00:20:41.15\00:20:44.33
If not, you know, and He saw
00:20:44.34\00:20:46.24
fit to end it in
His time, His way.
00:20:46.25\00:20:49.05
But I was good
whatever way he wanted to go.
00:20:49.06\00:20:51.99
And that's one
thing I would like to say
00:20:52.00\00:20:53.93
to people who are in
the throws of divorce
00:20:53.94\00:20:58.40
and the process of divorce
00:20:58.41\00:20:59.69
something I dealt
with in another setting
00:20:59.70\00:21:02.26
we had previously.
00:21:02.27\00:21:03.67
I would like to
let them know that,
00:21:05.20\00:21:07.27
really the
answer God may work it,
00:21:07.28\00:21:10.18
but don't think the
solution is divorce.
00:21:10.19\00:21:13.63
Because even if that works out,
00:21:13.64\00:21:15.67
if you haven't
really dealt with the Lord,
00:21:15.68\00:21:17.46
you're still in
problem, you're still in pain.
00:21:17.47\00:21:19.59
And you're just
going to be in pain
00:21:19.60\00:21:21.47
and take that to
the next relationship,
00:21:21.48\00:21:23.12
that's gonna to
be more problems.
00:21:23.13\00:21:24.19
Just take that
baggage to the next level.
00:21:24.20\00:21:25.57
You have to, that's right.
00:21:25.58\00:21:26.55
So you need to deal
with that regardless.
00:21:26.56\00:21:30.68
And so you know, what
I encourage people do,
00:21:30.69\00:21:33.31
is deal with
that before you make
00:21:33.32\00:21:34.53
a decision on divorce.
00:21:34.54\00:21:35.69
Because you're
getting ready to make
00:21:35.70\00:21:36.79
one of the important decisions
00:21:36.80\00:21:38.32
that will impact your
life in such a powerful way.
00:21:38.33\00:21:41.51
You're gonna make that decision
00:21:41.52\00:21:42.57
while you're hurting.
00:21:42.58\00:21:43.90
You need some healing, you know.
00:21:43.91\00:21:45.71
And you're gonna
have to do this anyway.
00:21:45.72\00:21:46.86
So do it before and
if you feel like that,
00:21:47.86\00:21:49.76
you know as you
beginning every year,
00:21:49.77\00:21:51.16
and as you're going
along, you feel like.
00:21:51.17\00:21:52.36
Then didn't make it, you know,
00:21:52.37\00:21:53.57
that's between you and the Lord.
00:21:53.58\00:21:55.40
But do this and, and because
00:21:55.41\00:21:58.42
that is really what you need.
00:21:58.43\00:21:59.61
We think, if I'm just
get out of this divorce,
00:21:59.62\00:22:03.06
my pain, I get
out of the misery,
00:22:03.07\00:22:04.87
no you can't, no you won't.
00:22:04.88\00:22:06.97
You'll create a new set of pain,
00:22:06.98\00:22:08.74
a new set of
miseries that you're going to
00:22:08.75\00:22:10.98
have to go to the
Lord to dissolve anyway.
00:22:10.99\00:22:14.78
And God may-- you may not
have to even deal with that
00:22:14.79\00:22:18.42
if you go to Him now.
00:22:18.43\00:22:20.01
And then even if you do,
00:22:20.02\00:22:21.84
if you go to Him now
you'll be ready for what.
00:22:21.85\00:22:24.42
And you know, of course
00:22:24.43\00:22:25.72
when the Lord
ended my first marriage,
00:22:25.73\00:22:27.81
or allowed it to come to an end,
00:22:27.82\00:22:28.89
I was at peace
to the whole process
00:22:30.48\00:22:32.16
and that's what I
shared in the book.
00:22:32.17\00:22:33.52
I was at peace, because I had
00:22:33.53\00:22:34.99
surrendered to the
Lord and I said, Lord,
00:22:35.00\00:22:37.09
I will stay in
this thing until--
00:22:37.10\00:22:38.99
and I even and for
me that was a huge step,
00:22:39.00\00:22:41.83
I even grew to the place
where I worked to save it.
00:22:41.84\00:22:47.97
And I have to
even, I was the first one
00:22:47.98\00:22:49.41
to want it out, and help
get my wife to where she was.
00:22:49.42\00:22:53.78
Because of
where and I, you know,
00:22:53.79\00:22:55.91
like I say,
hopefully we'll be able to
00:22:55.92\00:22:59.15
get to my testimony on that.
00:22:59.16\00:23:01.28
But the key was I had to
00:23:01.29\00:23:05.25
fight the fight of
faith and I had to be patient
00:23:05.26\00:23:07.36
and I saw it going.
00:23:07.37\00:23:08.36
And then last thing,
put first thing first.
00:23:08.37\00:23:10.81
The Lord says, "Seek
first the kingdom of God
00:23:13.12\00:23:15.38
and His righteousness."
00:23:15.39\00:23:16.66
And all these other things
00:23:16.67\00:23:17.64
you're worried
about I add them to you.
00:23:17.65\00:23:19.21
As I got busy just
doing the Lord's will,
00:23:20.85\00:23:23.81
focusing on being what
he really wanted me be--
00:23:23.82\00:23:27.02
instead of focusing
on trying to be happy,
00:23:27.03\00:23:29.72
trying to be fulfilled.
00:23:31.56\00:23:33.88
I focused on just
Lord, what is it you want,
00:23:33.89\00:23:36.72
and I want it today,
I wanna do your will.
00:23:36.73\00:23:39.19
God makes us happy,
God makes us fulfilled.
00:23:39.20\00:23:43.20
And the Bible says,
00:23:44.29\00:23:45.26
and this is the
conundrum that we face.
00:23:45.27\00:23:48.00
And this is one of the
spiritual things and so.
00:23:48.01\00:23:49.45
Because they're
just the opposite
00:23:49.46\00:23:51.26
from what we are naturally,
00:23:51.27\00:23:52.64
because we're sinful
naturally, He's spiritual.
00:23:52.65\00:23:55.46
And spiritual
things are foolish,
00:23:55.47\00:23:57.41
because they're
totally different.
00:23:57.42\00:23:59.48
Sin has reversed everything.
00:23:59.49\00:24:02.57
To us, righteousness is reversed
00:24:02.58\00:24:05.17
but it's true, it's the truth.
00:24:05.18\00:24:06.82
We're the ones that are whack.
00:24:06.83\00:24:09.87
And it tells us that he that
seeks happiness shall lose it.
00:24:09.88\00:24:16.69
But he that lose it
for my sake shall find it.
00:24:16.70\00:24:19.33
When I try and my focus is,
00:24:19.34\00:24:21.44
I want to be
happy and I seek that,
00:24:21.45\00:24:24.34
because self is in the way,
00:24:26.42\00:24:28.36
flesh is in the
lead, the way I feel,
00:24:28.37\00:24:31.14
the way I see
things, the way I understand
00:24:31.15\00:24:33.54
and the way, you
know, all of that is leading
00:24:33.55\00:24:35.99
and I pray and we
think that's spiritual.
00:24:36.00\00:24:37.89
We think, well I've
been praying about it.
00:24:37.90\00:24:39.70
I ask the Lord, this sinner,
00:24:39.71\00:24:41.46
I asked the Lord to guide me
00:24:41.47\00:24:43.12
but did you surrender to that.
00:24:43.13\00:24:45.41
Did you say Lord,
look I want your will,
00:24:45.42\00:24:49.11
now I true, I want the mate,
00:24:49.12\00:24:52.07
but if that's not
in your will for me,
00:24:52.08\00:24:54.36
I'm going to, help me to accept
00:24:54.37\00:24:55.81
whatever your will is.
00:24:55.82\00:24:57.21
It's true I wanted
it at a certain time.
00:24:57.22\00:24:59.42
But if not, as Jesus said.
00:24:59.43\00:25:02.64
If you even take
the cup, you just say,
00:25:02.65\00:25:03.87
this is the way
I feel, but if not.
00:25:03.88\00:25:06.88
The prayer is not to convince
or fit God into our will.
00:25:06.89\00:25:11.75
The prayer is to
ask God to work with us
00:25:11.76\00:25:15.14
so that we can fit in His will.
00:25:15.15\00:25:17.13
So we have to, we have to,
00:25:17.14\00:25:18.64
we have to accept the truth,
00:25:18.65\00:25:19.76
we have fight
the fight of faith,
00:25:19.77\00:25:21.22
we have to be
patient and we have to put
00:25:21.23\00:25:23.57
first things first, and
when we stop putting God first,
00:25:23.58\00:25:26.29
His work first, the Lord says,
00:25:26.30\00:25:28.21
"I'll take care for all that,
00:25:28.22\00:25:29.54
all you do is be
an ambassador for me,
00:25:29.55\00:25:32.40
I will take care of all
that you're concerned about."
00:25:32.41\00:25:35.13
And I find that the Lord
00:25:35.14\00:25:36.44
can take care, better care of me
00:25:36.45\00:25:37.82
than I can ever
take care of myself.
00:25:37.83\00:25:39.27
And truly I'm
finding that he knows
00:25:39.28\00:25:41.23
how to satisfy the
desires of my heart.
00:25:41.24\00:25:42.94
I've just had to
learn to trust Him.
00:25:42.95\00:25:44.61
And depend on and
surrender this flesh to Him,
00:25:44.62\00:25:47.30
because this flesh
does not trust God.
00:25:47.31\00:25:49.88
This flesh does not believe,
00:25:49.89\00:25:50.86
I don't care how
many sermons I hear,
00:25:50.87\00:25:52.61
I don't care how
many sermons I preach,
00:25:52.62\00:25:53.96
I don't care how
many songs I've sung,
00:25:53.97\00:25:55.25
I don't care believe how
many Bible studies I gave.
00:25:55.26\00:25:56.68
This flesh is the flesh
it will always be the flesh,
00:25:56.69\00:25:59.52
that which is born
of the flesh is flesh.
00:25:59.53\00:26:01.66
It has to be
crucified, it has to die.
00:26:01.67\00:26:04.74
And only Jesus can crucify it,
00:26:04.75\00:26:06.45
so I have to go to
Him on a daily basis,
00:26:06.46\00:26:08.72
that's what surrender is about.
00:26:08.73\00:26:09.81
It's not, it's not
self, it's not suicide.
00:26:09.82\00:26:13.18
It's going to
Jesus and surrendering.
00:26:13.19\00:26:15.78
As you know we
say, that's a bad word
00:26:15.79\00:26:18.63
and that's a-- to us
that's a bad connotation.
00:26:18.64\00:26:21.16
Again we're all screwed around.
00:26:21.17\00:26:23.41
The very thing
that will bless us,
00:26:23.42\00:26:24.82
we're afraid of,
it sounds negative.
00:26:24.83\00:26:26.72
But we surrender to
people all the time.
00:26:26.73\00:26:29.88
We surrender to the
boss and they mistreat us.
00:26:29.89\00:26:32.00
We surrender to the so and so
00:26:32.01\00:26:33.30
and we're miserable because
00:26:33.31\00:26:35.44
we're surrendering to
these people and these things.
00:26:35.45\00:26:37.93
We're human and faulty
like us and they misuse that.
00:26:37.94\00:26:40.57
The one person
we need to surrender
00:26:41.70\00:26:43.29
to is the one
we're afraid to do it.
00:26:43.30\00:26:45.46
And if we just
learn to trust Him,
00:26:45.47\00:26:47.58
we'll find that
all that we're seeking,
00:26:47.59\00:26:49.94
we'll find stop
trying to finding,
00:26:49.95\00:26:52.12
because the flesh
will seek it the wrong way.
00:26:52.13\00:26:54.50
Trust God and go to Him,
00:26:54.51\00:26:57.33
for He that believe that He is.
00:26:57.34\00:26:59.82
And He's gonna want of
them that diligently seek him.
00:26:59.83\00:27:02.86
And without that faith,
00:27:02.87\00:27:04.23
it's impossible to please God
00:27:04.24\00:27:06.03
and if it's
impossible to please God,
00:27:06.04\00:27:08.01
it's impossible to
find the joy of the Lord.
00:27:08.02\00:27:10.59
And that's what we really want
00:27:10.60\00:27:11.98
and that's what we truly desire.
00:27:11.99\00:27:13.57
And that's what
we're really looking for
00:27:13.58\00:27:15.02
and only God can give it.
00:27:15.03\00:27:16.51
Exactly, you know.
00:27:16.52\00:27:18.90
And so in five words or less,
00:27:18.91\00:27:22.09
a single person
can also be a nurturer.
00:27:22.10\00:27:24.07
Is that right? That's correct.
00:27:24.08\00:27:25.85
I'm glad you did it,
00:27:25.86\00:27:26.83
because I can't do it
in five words or less.
00:27:26.84\00:27:28.88
Well, you know, I just know that
00:27:28.89\00:27:33.18
whenever the Lord becomes
the focal point of your life.
00:27:33.19\00:27:35.75
Yes. Everything changes. Yes.
00:27:35.76\00:27:38.17
Because a whole
different love comes out it,
00:27:38.18\00:27:41.31
a love for your fellow man
00:27:41.32\00:27:43.48
and people are
attracted to that.
00:27:43.49\00:27:46.58
I, you know, sometimes
people think that I think--
00:27:46.59\00:27:49.30
after saying these
things that I've arrived
00:27:49.31\00:27:51.76
or I think I've arrived,
and the fact is I haven't,
00:27:51.77\00:27:54.61
I realize I haven't, I
have a long ways to go.
00:27:54.62\00:27:56.90
But God is good
and He's be what I am,
00:27:56.91\00:27:59.66
I thank Him, I love it. Amen.
00:27:59.67\00:28:01.90
I wanna thank you for being
with us today, Pastor Greg.
00:28:01.91\00:28:05.36
I wanna thank each one of you
00:28:05.37\00:28:06.75
for sharing your time with us.
00:28:06.76\00:28:08.27
We love you here at
3ABN. God bless you.
00:28:08.28\00:28:11.48