Unashamed with the Robertson Family - Ep 754 | Phil Gets a Visit from a Japanese Convert & Jase ALMOST Pays for a Tired Mama’s Groceries

Episode Date: September 18, 2023

Phil meets a lady from Japan who has been on a long journey seeking God and comes all the way to West Monroe to thank Phil for his books. Jase is convicted by his recent study of Jesus’ point of view about greed, which leads him to a valiant grocery store effort that ultimately didn’t pay off. The guys shift from studying the vice of greed to studying the virtue of watchfulness, willingness, and trust in God for all things, including financial and material burdens. Listen and subscribe to "The Blind Movie Podcast: The Robertson Family Story" now, and leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/theblind In this episode: Luke 12, verses 35–59 https://apple.co/theblind — The Blind Movie Podcast: The Robertson Family Story is here! For the first time, Phil, Kay, Si, Al, Lisa, Jase, Missy, Willie, Korie, Jep, Jessica, Phyllis, Zach, Jill, and Sadie come together on one podcast to tell stories you won't hear anywhere else. — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am unashamed. What about you? So welcome back to Unashame. Always a lot going on with our group. It is, as I could say, it's the Blind Movie podcast kicks off today. That's right. Yeah. Which is exciting. We talked about it before, but it's actually going to start.

It's kind of a limited run podcast series that we recorded after we all saw the movie. And just to get our reactions, Dad was very emotional on the podcast, I know, because I was there for part of that. But it's really important you guys listen to it, rate it, review it, especially on Apple. Because what happens is when you go and listen to it and review it, then that like drives it up so people can pay attention to it, hopefully find out about the movie. Yeah, we got Si there to lighten up the mood a little bit. Yes, Cy had quite the look at the premiere. He, I think he thought we were doing it in Nashville. Cowboy hat and Sequin.

He had like Sequin, like, Western wear. Western jacket, yeah. Yeah. He had quite the look. He's kind of a big deal, you know. Oh, he is. So what is this now? You are talking about a pot.

Y'all have a podcast about the movie. Well, you were on it, Jay's. Oh, I'm on it? Yeah. You were actually on the podcast. Well, Jason is so busy. really good feedback and yeah, I thought you did a great job one that you don't remember. Oh, yeah.

I'm not sure I did a podcast about the blind movie. I'm sitting here. You did. You did. I was sitting right next to you. That's our tagline. Don't be like Jason. Forget about the blind podcast.

Go watch it on Apple. A lot of power. You know you got a lot of irons in the fire when somebody starts promoting something and you're like, yeah, what was that? Jason, you were in the room. You were a big part of the conversation. I actually do not remember doing a podcast about the blind movie. Well, it's because you're thinking.

We were in a different setting. We did it in the, what do you call it, the duck, duck story pond room or whatever. Those couple days, y'all turned that into a podcast. That's a podcast. Oh, that's a fru-frou podcast. The set design was awesome and they were. It was really neat. People running around with cameras and they were all dressed in black.

you know and I thought boy I thought it was more I thought it was some kind of advertising for the movie I wasn't sure what we were doing now you know so how many podcasts are there that came over there probably got I think we got about six six yeah that's right wow we did well we did the one with you and the brothers the whole family is the first one we got well just go go check it out I can't even remember them all now you've got yeah be sure be sure and and rate it and review it. There's a lot of really good behind the scene stories, too. So one more thing I want to mention, I got a couple of appearances coming up. And then I got to hear about Jason's grocery store story. So Lisa and I are going to be at the Rotary Club prayer breakfast down here in Orange Beach, Alabama. That's on 927. You can go to the rotary gsob.org to find out about tickets. And also we're going to be up in Devons, Massachusetts. Massachusetts.

Massachusetts. Massachusetts, yeah, which I love going to Blue States to speak because there's so many great people that are kind of behind enemy lines. And so I love going there. So Friday 929 is the date. Firstconcern.org is where you go

for information. All right. So Jay, tell us about this grocery store because we were talking about it before we came on air. There's like a, there's a psychological thing with me in grocery stores. I love them. And I think it's, because I was so hungry when I was a teenager.

Yeah. Word gets around. I have an event coming up that I had forgotten that I agreed to because I haven't done events this year for the most part just because of my schedule. But I'm not going to tell you about it because it's sold out. So I guess that would be bad if I promoted it. But it's in Mississippi tomorrow night. So I'll tell you how it goes, though.

I mean, I'm excited. But it's right south of Memphis, Tennessee. It's right on the Mississippi, Tennessee line. But I had a guy who was coming. He was like, well, let's play golf. You know, when you come, I'm like, no, I'm literally going to show up 10 minutes before and leave five minutes before it's over. So, but anyway, I am excited about that.

But what I was going to say about the grocery store, I mean, it's really, this is what happens when you study the word intently. And so we're in Luke 12, and this issue came up over, you know, a guy hollers out from the crowd. Well, solve this argument over my inheritance. You know, he wanted his money. Right. And the next thing you know, Jesus gives this, he just gives a dissertation about how you should view money. You know, he starts talking about everybody's feeding the crows.

and I mean everybody as in the god the deity is taking care of the crows they don't have jobs look at the lilies of the field your very life may be demanded of you that night you know and here you are big a building bigger barns and so you know it affects you because here's what happens i'm in the grocery store yesterday because my wife is taking care of our grandkids in Nashville because my son and his wife, they're at like a parenting conference. So they asked Missy to, you know, watch the kids for two or three days. So then I then, you know, become the primary helper for me, our daughter, which we had her on a couple of podcasts.

She's doing better. I did have to take her to Dallas for another. procedure. I think it was the day after we did the podcast. She was like, feeling great, doing good. Next day, we're off to Dallas. But I'm also, you know, having to be the mom, too. So I'm going grocery shopping, which I like grocery shopping.

I've told you that before. So I'm in the grocery store. I got my buggy, you know, we're smiling, talking to the neighbors. Everything's going to is packed because I notice, because right after church, Everybody was getting ready for football season. You know, the NFL kicked off. I mean, there were people with football, Jersey. The place was packed.

And so I get to the checkout line. You can't put another thing in my buggy. And I'm like next in line. There's a woman with two small kids in front of me. Well, a guy comes up behind me that has two pork roast butts. That's it. He hasn't in his hand. It doesn't even have a buggy.

And so I'm like, well, why don't you go in front of me? Because I'm going to be a while. You know, I'm stacked. And he's like, man, I appreciate it. So then he was giving me his recipe and he was going to smoke the pork butts. Well, the more he was talking, the more I realized that we're not moving. There's a problem with the woman and the two kids. So I kind of look because he actually said something.

He's like, I'm not sure. I'm going to be able to get the kids. this on the smoker and let you know the way this is going so then i realized this woman is trying to pay for her groceries and her card is not working and so she's kind of red-faced and i'm like the woman keeps the checkout girl is like well run it again run it again after you know four or five times she's like look and it was evident she it wasn't like she didn't have the money you know how you just get the feeling that the way she's carrying herself, she has the money. The card just won't read on the little card thing, you know. And so even the checker is saying, yeah, we always have

problems with this card. Well, then it hit me, all this Bible study. So I fired out a question, which I should have thought about it. You know, hindsight's 2020. I said, well, how much is it? and so it was an awkward silence. In fact, it was like two rows over on both sides. Everybody stopped what they were doing. And it was all of a sudden, I started getting a little red face. And so the woman with the two kids says, well, that's not your concern.

And I said, well, I want to make it my concern. in a loving way for my fellow neighbor. And so the checkout girl said, it's $159.75. And so I said, oh. So I looked at my wallet and I said, you know what? I got it. And so I pulled out $160. Well, the woman with the two kids said, I can't let you do that.

I said, you obviously have the money. we obviously have a bad credit card machine. I want to do this for you. And she's like, I cannot let you do that. I mean, it's not going to happen. And I said, look, no offense, but this doesn't involve you at this point. I'm paying $160. Because then it's like I got backed into a corner.

Well, the checkout girl said, well, I'm not sure I can do that. She said, I'm not sure I can authorize that. I was like, well, I don't need your permission or your authorization. And I gave a little sermon there. I was like, it's Sunday. People are giving in collection plates. I'm paying for these groceries and I'm doing it right now. Words of Jesus had gotten to you.

Yeah, it got to inspire me. And I said, I'm paying the $160. Here it is. Let's move on. This guy's got two pork butts that he needs to burn a smoker. You got to get him on a smoker. So then the check. checkout girl said I got to get the manager.

Oh boy. We don't need the manager. That's kind of how it went for a couple of minutes. And then I looked up and the manager has arrived. And she said, what's the problem? And I was like, there is none. I paid for this woman's groceries. Take the money.

Let's move on. The card won't work. I said, now y'all need a new card reader. I'm not paying for that. I did say that. I sent a little message to them. Update the credit card machine. So wouldn't you know that the woman takes the woman's credit card, the manager,

and just sends it through one more time and it goes through? They handed me my $160 and said, no problem. And I was like, but I really wanted to do this. Yeah. So what hit me... Did you pay for the port butts? No. Well, I did say to him, I said, no, granted, my selfish ambition, I would have thought I wish his card wouldn't have worked because that probably would have been 30 bucks.

That's right. But it did the spiritual emphasis that hit me out of all that because I thought I really tried. And I, you know, I think it was a good thing. It didn't work. but it hit me that it's hard to receive grace because, you know, the woman with two children, she's like, I felt uncomfortable about you trying to do that. I appreciate it because she thanked me for trying to do that. She's like, but I wasn't going to allow you to do that.

I said, oh, I was going to do it. But it hit me in that moment that it's really hard for people to accept grace. It's almost impossible. And that's kind of what, you know, from what we've been studying. Some groups are quick to take your money if you offer it. Well, exactly. But she was not one of those people. Correct.

Our son said, nope. Because it makes you look like, oh, she didn't have the money or. And so for us, I think this is really the heart at what we're talking about here. You know, Jesus is talking to people. who are putting their confidence in their money and how they look to the world. And so, you know, when he gets to the application, which we'll get to at the end of the chapter, when he's like, well, God is gracious enough to give you his kingdom. You know, that is the motivation, but we like our own little kingdoms, you know,

we're like, look at what I've created. I've got the money to do this. And I look at the image, which is why he was giving. in the illustration. So it was actually a good personal sermon on receiving God's grace, despite us, you know, having things that we are tempted to put our confidence in, like money and image. So that was the story. We had a, we had a little Jesus moment in the grocery store on a transaction that never happened. So where did I go wrong with that, Al? Where was, where was the problem. Well, I mean, I don't see a problem. I probably wouldn't have, if it had been me,

I probably would have had the same instinct. I probably wouldn't have been quite as forceful as you were. But, you know, you'd have hated for her to walk away and not have her groceries. Yeah. I would say where you went wrong is when you said, how much is it? Because then what if the number would have came back and you'd be like, oh, never mind. That would have been awkward. How much is it? I was nervous that I didn't have $160 in cash on me, you know, because then I thought about it, I thought, well, if her car don't work, what did my?

Here's a guy who looked like he just, you know. I bet because it sounds like your buggy was more than $160,000. Oh, exactly. It was. Mine was like $195, but I thought, yeah, here's a guy who looked like he just. came off the street, you know, and he's using the money he got out of the can to pay for his groceries. And now my card doesn't work, but I had the money and I was going to pay for it. And like I said, what I noticed, though, is what really applied that scripture is I thought she had trouble doing that.

She was more embarrassed. It wasn't her fault. It was just, you know, she had the money, obviously. car to eventually work. There was money in it. And I'll recognize that because I think when you first hear it, it's like, oh, you're passing on kindness. What is this random acts of kindness that kind of went through our culture, which I love where people are paying it forward and and. Well, they've even got a new ad campaign. I think it's Honda. Honda motors or cars, whatever, where they basically go into a grocery store, a veterinarian, and they just pay for people that day and film it.

So it's kind of like a, but I mean, I guess it's real. But so to your point, Jay, it's even a, you know, marketing idea, you know, that, hey, we're going to pay for your groceries. We're going to pay for this, which is a good thing. There was a time at Chick-fil-A there. Everybody paid for the person behind them. But now, of course, you pay at the thing, so you can't do it anymore. But, yeah, there's, that's the idea of.

that grace, I think is, is that, that was, your point to that, I think is right. I think it's hard for any of us to accept that, especially in front of other people. You know, it's just like to be in that place of need and realize it, but it's, you know, it's embarrassing. It was embarrassing to her. Yeah, it was. But, you know, and part of the reason that I was moved to do it is because, you know, when you see a young mom with two toddlers hanging on her, you know, our knees and clawing and You're just like, I mean, she looked exhausted and it's like, you know, she needs a break here. The card won't work. She's been battling these toddlers throughout this grocery store, which was pretty well an epic battle,

which every day is when you have two toddlers. I felt like it was the right moment to do something nice in that moment. But, you know, you're right. What I came away thinking is I need to realize that. in my own life not to put security in the outside world. I mean, there's a, there's a humility that we all have to experience about what God has given us in accepting his grace that really is the fuel, should be the fuel for our grace giving. I mean, that is the fuel because my point is there's a temptation for me and going public with that,

you know, for to say, oh, look, I'm able to do this, you know, because I've, you know, worked hard or whatever I've come up with in my mind. But the bottom line is that would all be untrue. It was just a, it's a reflection on what God has given me. And ultimately, it's Jesus on a cross and has nothing to do with money. And, but to be able to see those opportunities. I'm saying if we hadn't have been studying late 12 in that moment, I don't think I would have recognized that.

I would have just thought, oh, well, that poor woman probably doesn't have the money. You know, I wouldn't have looked at it as closely as I did in the moment. So it's a good excuse on why you get into the word. Yeah, no, I agree. And this whole section started out was sort of a warning about that. And you used the word security, Jay. That was good. There was a verse I never read when we were talking about the earlier part of this text in Luke 12, 13 through 21.

and it was from Job 31, which I've told you all before, it's one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because Job is defending his character and its integrity. In other words, he was kind of giving a little speech about this is the kind of guy I tried to be. In Job 3124, he tells whoever he was talking to, one of his three friends, if I put my trust in gold and said to pure gold, you are my security, may these sins be judged because I am unfaithful to God. And it was interesting. This is coming from a guy who had lost everything.

But in the moment, he still realizes that faithfulness really is determining how he feel about God, not how he feel about your bank account or in his case, you know, what he had lowing in the background because he lost all of it. So it's the idea about security. Where is your true security where Jesus starts this thing? And as Jay's pointed out, it was for a guy that was wanting him to settle a dispute about it. inheritance is where it starts. But then he expands that from wealth and possessions and gets into the last time we talked about this in 22 through 34, even goes into what you're anxious about. So he starts

out with like money, possessions, where you don't want to push your security. And now he says, but why do you worry about anything? Because, you know, God is the ultimate provider. And he talked about the beauty of the flowers of the field and, you know, talks about the clothes. And, you know, talks about the clothes you wear, all those different things. They're just basics. And he says, why would you even worry about that or be anxious? So that's what we talked about the last time is what makes people have anxiety and anxiousness about what they worry about, what they fear, and even down to selfishness, as you mentioned earlier.

So I think that kind of catches us up to where we are today. Yeah, I had the same thought. And, you know, I thought how profound his illustration. were, you know, here's a guy building, he gives the parable about a guy building bigger barns and he's gloating, you know, he's, I'll say to myself, you know, look at the problems I have. I'm having to build bigger barns to hold all my stuff. Jesus rebukes, you know, he rebukes him. And then he's like, you should be storing up, you know, things towards God, being rich towards God, and we talked about that.

So then he told his disciples, you know, so don't worry about your life, what you eat. Life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Then he's like, consider the ravens, which I, you know, I say we call them crows. But Phil, how many times have we been, because we spent a lot of time in the outdoors. And when you look at how many crows there are, it is unbelievable. It's a lot of... I mean, in fact, you can...

There's open season on crows. There's no limit. I mean, there's a... You can do it 365 days a year. Because there are actually so many of them, the government will allow you to shoot as many as you want because they're destructive. And I thought, what an illustration.

when he says, well, who's feeding them? And I mean, there's literally tens of thousands of crows. And I mean, they don't have jobs. And they may, you know, it was really for an outdoors person when you think about that. Oh, yeah, there are literally millions of crows. I don't know how many there are. But there's got to be millions. And then every time you see, I remember one of the episodes we were filming not long ago.

I think we were in West Texas. but we were there when all the flowers of the fields were blooming, and we were literally going just, you know, West Texas is so vast, and we're traveling miles and miles, and there were just tens of thousands of acres of flowers, which the camera people were capturing that moment many times because it was aesthetically just unbelievably beautiful. But when you notice something like that,

You're like, huh. I mean, he's saying, look at, he used the creation itself where here's a guy claiming to be the son of God, Jesus, going to the creation, as in saying, I'm a part of this, you know, the John 1-1. And you're like, wow. Then it kind of hits you, why am I worried about my bank account? or do you not think that that you're not valued towards God? He's not going to let anything happen to you. So it's an incredible illustration. And so then he goes all the way down.

And the two verses I wanted to point out about this grace, kind of what hit me is in verse 31 and 32, where he says, Hang on, Jayes. Before you read that, let's take a break. So in 31 and 32, he says, don't worry. And then don't run after those things in verse 30. You know, putting your security in your image or your bank account or whatever. Don't run after it.

Don't worry about it. Don't run after it. So then in verse 31, but seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. So then he comes up with this radical teaching. You'll sell your possessions, provide purses that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted where no thief comes, no moth destroys.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. But when you think about what he's given us in the kingdom, what he was introducing, just think how profound that is. he's given you a kingdom that cannot be destroyed you go back to Daniel two you know Daniel seven his predictions it crushes eternity's riding on it eternity it crushes all other kingdoms there's no thieves there's no clocks I mean that's what you're a part of this is all uh of you know anything good holy true all the the noble things you know you know the noble things you think about the joy, the peace, the means to have relationships that are eternal.

I mean, it's just so beyond the material, you know, little things that we're involved at. And so, but it's done in a way that he's saying he's given that to you. Not because you deserved it, not because you're worthy of it. And so why are you worried? Why are you worried about these physical things? I mean, it's an incredible sermon. I mean, you're talking about moving and just radical, but just inspirational. And it leads you to trying to pay for somebody else's groceries in a grocery store is what I'm getting at.

That's what hit me in that moment. I'm like, well, we're worried about what, $160 worth of groceries? You know, I should have just offered to pay for it before she got up there, you know, because I thought what she had been through in this store was a nightmare compared to me coming in saying, oh, yeah, let me buy a few things, you know. Now, but you make a good point, Jay, is because it's about what you notice. And that's why I think he uses those kind of random things you see everyday illustrations in here that you're right, that you could drive right by and not notice how many, you know, crows or ravens there are,

how many, you know, flowers there are in the field. and yet the idea is that God is the ultimate sustainer. Dad, you were telling a story before we came on air about a woman who was from Japan that had made her way to the States and was searching for God. And I thought about it since you were telling me that story that, you know, Japan, I don't know what the religious makeup is there or whatever. But going way back all the way probably 100 years ago, it was, you don't think of it as a real godly society. It's much more driven by commerce and, you know, work and things like that.

And so this woman had no idea about who God was, but was searching and found him through your writings. Somehow got exposed to your books and then comes all the way to Westmanoe yesterday. And since there and cries through the whole time you were teaching in the service, because you helped her find God. And I just thought about just when Jason was just talking about, what better kingdom example is there for, someone to find true riches to leave a situation, leave a country, leave whatever you have to leave to find God. She said, they think in Japan, some people think they are God. She said, it kind of developed.

She said, when they bomb Pearl Harbor, she said, they had no reason to do that. But they just, they thought they were God. and they made a try at it. And she said it's a lot of grief come out of that. So she said what they, who they needed was Jesus. But unfortunately, they didn't find him. But she said, but I did. She's been on a search for Jesus.

So she read all the books I wrote and in the Bible itself. And she had to learn how to speak English. she learned, but she had been on a journey. I mean, a long journey. So I'll try to get her address and give her a few words. Yeah, I definitely want to follow up with her. And to me, Jay's, that story, what I was just talking about, is kind of the transition to this last section of text in here,

that Jesus takes it to another level because he's talking about where your heart is, your treasury. He brings it into a spiritual context of kingdom. And then this next section, he shifts into what's the most important. And that's this idea about being ready for when he comes back. You know, it's like this whole concept of kingdom living. And part of that thing, I think sort of the radical thing you were mentioned was a little bit of a kind of a nod to what they were going to be experiencing in a very short,

amount of time. They didn't realize it, but he knew when he left and went back to the right hand of the father, I mean, when the kingdom was fully realized by the disciples, it was a lot like what he's describing here. I mean, they kind of pool their resources. You know, they weren't really worried about money or taking care of each other. They were just getting the gospel out and watching people's lives change. So all that's about this. They're on the cusp of this whole situation. And so then he goes into this next phase was like, you got to be ready. You got to be ready for my return.

Yeah, well, it's crazy. It's like a prelude to the gospel on what we call the gospel. I mean, God's doing the given. He's brought the king who's bringing the kingdom, but he's doing it in love, and he's doing it in compassion. He's showing that everyone is valuable, you know, all the way here that he has the power to do this. He's healing diseases.

He's driving out demons. He's calming storms. And then he comes to just something so practical. I mean, I don't think I've ever heard a sermon that said, look, the next time you're anxious or you're worried about your money or your job, you know,

go count some crows, number one, and go pick some flowers. I mean, that's basically what he said. Who does this? And that's my point. I've heard a lesson not too long ago. I forgot who was talking, but I wrote this down.

But, you know, the difference in Jesus and all other religious leaders, or just leaders in general, when you look at people who are not Jesus, who are leaders, they either have great lives but not great claims. and, you know, we admire them. I mean, they're just people who do good work. We say, boy, that's good. But their claims are not as lofty as Jesus, because here's Jesus making claims like, you know, I'm from heaven. I am the resurrection and the life.

So when you think of his claims, they're just so amazing that it's hard to get your mind around them. or people, they have great claims, because there's a lot of people who are claiming to be God and claiming to be able to do all these miraculous supernatural things. But when they don't have great lives, which all people are sinful, well, we laugh. We say, yeah. So here's Jesus who has not only a great life. I mean, he's the only perfect adult, but his claims are also great.

So that's why it's going to go to where it's going to go, where he's so radical that he becomes divisive. You know, when we get to the end of the chapter, it's like people are going to be against each other over me, because I'm claiming things. So you think about the people who wrote this Bible, mostly Jewish heritage, you know, they, believed in a God, well, there's only one God. Yeah. And here's Jesus claiming to be God. Well, that's why they had so many problems with it. They're like, well, you're a blasphemer.

And they're claiming that he has an evil spirit. And then when you fast forward 2,000 years, the people who wrote these words that were now reading came from that kind of heritage. Well, what would have had to happen for them to go against everything their whole nation believed. They went with Jesus and no, I'm telling you, he was the son of God. And so it comes back to that character

and his life lining up. Not only was he doing these great supernatural miracles, but it was also these, you know, what we're looking at is little moments like this where he's just showing you his character in these types of situations over, being anxious or worried or thinking you're something

because you have a bunch of money. And the more you stack these things on each other, you just see this kingdom that he's referring to, it's not of the earth. We're not going to be up and down every day depending on, you know, what's happened politically, financially, you know, what happened at your job or those things just seem so small when you start reading, reading this. And so really that's what he zeroes in on. How do you define real treasure? I mean, that was what he was asking. Yeah. So when you look at it, you know, 1 Peter 2, we're God's holy nation.

We're, you know, we're his treasured possession is what he calls it. So he sends Jesus down here, and that's why I said it's a prelude to the gospel, to live a perfect life. So we should have given him awards. We should have made statues. And he winds up dying for all our sins. and showing us that you can do everything the exact right way and you'll still die. I mean, the greatest injustice that's ever been. And so that grace is what then pricks our hearts.

I mean, that's why there's moving, there's something moving in the gospel that the world can't offer because it's almost unexplainable that this happened. So that's why it gets to the last part of the gospel, which is really, we're waiting on Jesus to come back. Well, this is a prelude to that in the next paragraph. Verse 32 is super powerful to me because it shows us the heart of God. It shows us the intentions of the Father. And I love this. That says, fear not little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

him. So that comforts me to know that the father of heaven and earth, the creator of the cosmos, you know, we tend to view him as so distant. That's one of the things that Paul talked about a lot. I mean, Acts 17, he says, you shouldn't view God as like far off and distant and aloof in a way because he's not far from each one of us. You should view him as a father where his offspring. And I love this, this idea that our heavenly father takes pleasure. in giving us the kingdom. Like he finds pleasure in that. I want to be on the side of what he finds pleasure in,

and to our benefit, he actually finds pleasure in giving us this kingdom that Jace was talking about and the prophet Daniel talked about, and Daniel too, the one that can't be shaken nor destroyed, the one that's throughout the entire vein of Jesus' ministry. We talk a whole lot about the gospel, but it wasn't just the gospel he was preaching.

It was the gospel and the kingdom, or the gospel of the kingdom. These two things are inseparable that God's kingdom is here. It's here now. It's not its full fruition. You know, we're not, we're awaiting the full fruition of that. We're awaiting the consummation of the kingdom when it's here and its full glory at the second coming.

But the kingdom is here. And we're being invited into, to live in this new kingdom that transcends our geopolitical spheres. I mean, it just does. I mean, look, we get into politics on here. We have, we are, you know, bona fide conservatives and all that. But that is not, our hope is not in that. If it was, we would, I mean, we have no hope.

Our hope is in a kingdom that can't be just shaken or destroyed, which that's why I think it's the father's good pleasure to give it to us because the father, he loves, he loves his children, and he wants to give us something that is sustainable and meaningful. And it just so happens to be the kingdom that he lives in and that his, on as the kingdom. I want to mention a couple of verses, Jay, before you read this last section, because I love what Zach just said, that this idea that this all comes out of how he feels about us. First Peter, five, seven, Peter said, cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. You know, so this is later in Peter's life he recognizes you don't have to have anxiety when you

know that God cares about you. And then Paul in Philippians 4 or 6 said, don't be anxious about anything but by prayer and petition, you appeal to him and he gives you the peace that transcends all understanding. So, you know, those ideas about anxiety and which we all have, you know, anxiousness from time to time, but we really realize who God is and how much he cares about us. We don't have to, which is, you know, both those writers' points as they go on. All right. So, Jay, just read that last section.

Let me add this on that. The reason why we have anxiety, I'm just thinking about what the core of anxiety is. it's fear that you're not going to have the outcome that you expect or want. That's what you're afraid of. Something is going to go wrong. And the fear is that I can't control the situation. I can't control it. And I think that's what's so powerful about the kingdom.

And it's why he can say here, fear not, little flock. And I don't think he's been like in a derogatory way condescending. I think he's just letting you know you're the. flock, I'm the shepherd, you know, fear not little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. God's sovereign. God can sustain us. And when we put ourselves in a posture of submission and trust in him, then we can be released of our anxieties because we, if God really is powerful enough and he's good, if he's both those two things, he's powerful, he's all powerful and he's all good, then he's going to have our best interest at heart. And so

when we move into moments of pain in our life, when we move into moments of anxiety, fear, something happens in your life. You just, you can't make sense of it. And that happens to everybody, you know, right?

You have to put yourself in that position again just to remember that, man, I'm not sovereign. I don't, I mean, I have such a limited view of, of reality of the world, occupy a very small percentage of,

of geographical space on planet Earth. And I do it in a very small, span of time in the grand scheme of all time. Like I'm, my, my, my, my,

my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my,

I have to trust in a sovereign God who is, who sees it all. And he, and he's in control of it all. And I can lean into that. That's why we, he says, this kingdom can't be shaken or destroyed.

He knows what he's doing. God's not surprised by outcomes. He's planned all of this. And so we lean into that and we trust in that. And that's when you can start to have a release of your anxiety when you realize that , you're not in control. anyways that he is.

Yeah, that's good. And I like the fact that it's little, I mean, thinking about that little flock of 12 would change the world and become the core of the kingdom, which is powerful. And die doing it.

That's right. And went to their death, proclaiming truth, which is really good. All right, just read this text, so we'll have it set up for overtime of the next podcast.

Yeah, so in 35, he says, be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, which he's obviously making a spiritual reference to those two qualities. And it's really something we're going to talk about. Because when you talk about or think about those verses that say, you know, I think about Galatians 3 when it says,

whoever we're all sons of God through faith in Christ, Jesus, for all of it who have been baptized into Christ, have clothed themselves with Jesus. Or you think about Ephesian 6, putting on the full armor of God, you know, the dress and keeping your lights, your lamps burning, you know, where do you get your fuel from for being a burning lamp for Jesus? I mean, it's an incredible illustration, and there's tons of passages that go with that. And it says, like, men waiting for their master to return

from a wedding banquet. And so you see the implications there. I mean, eventually we're going to be the bride of Christ. That's part of the, the kid. kingdom it is. So it's an incredible illustration. Because a lot of people when they read this, they're like, well, what's watching? What's the big, I mean, that's all he wants me to do is to watch and be ready. Yeah. And it gets to that moment where, you know, if you think Jesus could come back this very night, which is, was his point in the parable, he's kind of going back to that point when the guy I said, hey, I'm going to build bigger barns, and I'm going to take life easy, verse 19, and eat and drink, be merry. And God said to him, you fool, this very night your life will be demanded from you.

Then he'll get what you have prepared for yourself. So he's kind of going back to that idea. So he's like, be dress ready for service. Keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them,

which is very powerful because it's showing. Totally upside down. That would never happen in their culture, but he's giving them a picture or something better, yeah. Exactly. And it made me think about him washing their feet, you know. Yeah, yeah. And he came not to be served, but to serve. of all those passages, which is going back to the same principle where we started today.

We get this from God. His grace enables us to give grace, you know, to other people. Him serving gives us the ability to wrap our head around us serving other people. You know, his love gives us the ability to love others. So then in verse 20, no, 38, it will be good for those servants who's made. Factor finds him ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this. If the owner of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready because the son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

And then there's kind of an humorous interlude because Peter says, well, Lord, are you to, telling this parable to us or to everyone? Because remember, this whole scene is happening where there's thousands of people and they're trampling over each other have gathered up. And he had turned to his disciples and started talking. And then there's people hollering out from the crowd. So he was like, whoa, you're talking to us or is this for everybody? So he's kind of going, you got to picture that scene. You're right, Jay's, because he's speaking to the big group. Then all of a sudden he turns and speaks to his guys. It's almost like if we were, in the setting where we're doing this podcast,

then all of a sudden you're texting somebody just on your phone. It's a conversation within a conversation, and that's kind of what's happening. So Peter's like, you're talking to me? I mean, he's like, he's having a hard time. Is this for us? Is this for the whole group? But we need to know so.

And he's like, I want you to be ready. I mean, it's just, it's hard for the disciples. I mean, in this, when you're looking at these passages in this much detail, you kind of feel for the disciples. here because they're like it's easy for us because we know what's fixed to happen he's going to die he's going to be buried he's going to be resurrected they're going to turn back then come back then the holy spirit's going to be filled with the holy spirit they're finally going to get it and mature and then go out there like looking like sheep but functioning like warriors who are ready for any

moment for jesus to come back and they're all going to lose their life they're going to lose all their possessions they're going to be mocked they're going to be ridiculed So this is so important for him to be saying to them in this moment early on in their faith because they're going to live out to the exact measure of what he's talking about here. It's going to become a complete, spirit-driven venture and movement as being a part of the kingdom of God on earth. And unfortunately on the physical side, yeah, they're going to be martyred and they're going to be persecuted. But it's the same reflection of what Jesus did. He's going to show you the model.

That's why it's not up to us to gripe and complain or to be anxious or nervous or worry about the things that happened in this life. Because the best of us, Jesus, didn't get rewarded in this life in a material. interior way. Right. That's why I love when we study the Gospels, you get to see the hearts of these guys. And then you go and you read their later letters like we did with Peter earlier when he realizes at the end of his life. We get to see the span of the whole man's life. If somebody could do that with us, where they could have been right there with us at the beginning and then at the end, they would have been able to write the same thing. So we're out of time. We'll talk about this a little bit more in overtime as well as our next podcast on us. name is blazedtiv.com slash unashamed is where you go to find our overtime segments as well as everything else on blaze. Check it out. Thanks for listening to the unashamed podcast. Help us out by rating us on iTunes. And don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube and be sure to click that little bell to get notified about new episodes. And for even more content that you won't get anywhere else, subscribe to blaz TV at blaztv.com

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