May 19, 2026 • 24 mins
In Deuteronomy four, Moses states, "what other nation is so great as to have such righteous laws!" What makes God's laws so good? And what does that have to do with "the toddlers's creed"? Take a listen and find out! #StJohnsBuffalo #CovertoCoverBible #Deuteronomy #ToddlersCreed #TheGreatCommandment #RevivalGeneration
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Hello, this is Pastor Ryan Clark.
You are listening to a message from St.
John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 4 00:00:14,594.897959184 --> 00:00:18,924.897844743 Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 5 00:00:19,704.897844743 --> 00:00:20,324.897844743 Amen. 6 00:00:21,904.897844743 --> 00:00:29,824.89750142 Last weekend, my daughter and son-in-law got away for a couple of days to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. 7 00:00:30,554.897043656 --> 00:00:40,674.89788289 And so Katherine and I got the opportunity to do something that we really wanted to do, and that was spend two days watching our two wonderful grandchildren. 8 00:00:41,304.897043656 --> 00:00:52,194.896433305 We had a blast for those two days, doing things like playing house, working puzzles, going on walks, scootering, playing on the playground, et cetera, et cetera. 9 00:00:52,714.896891068 --> 00:00:56,714.896891068 But I have to say, at the end of two days, we were tired. 10 00:00:57,484.897348832 --> 00:00:58,474.899027299 Really tired. 11 00:00:59,724.899027299 --> 00:01:02,564.899179887 My grandkids, I think they're the best. 12 00:01:02,994.899485063 --> 00:01:04,24.898264359 They're amazing. 13 00:01:04,24.898264359 --> 00:01:05,634.898111772 They're, great kids. 14 00:01:05,634.898111772 --> 00:01:10,804.896280717 They have great parents that are teaching them, really a wonderful way to live. 15 00:01:11,574.896738481 --> 00:01:22,734.896585893 But as we were doing all of those fun things together with them, like working puzzles or playing house, I kept on being reminded of something that I had heard many years ago. 16 00:01:23,24.89750142 --> 00:01:25,374.895975541 It was called the Toddler's Creed. 17 00:01:25,374.895975541 --> 00:01:33,734.896585893 Anyone ever heard the Toddler's Creed? Well, for those of you that have never heard the Toddler's Creed, this is what the Toddler's Creed is. 18 00:01:34,694.895670365 --> 00:01:41,274.8974442 It says, "If I want it, it's mine. 19 00:01:42,424.89753957 --> 00:01:48,644.8978066 If I give it to you and change my mind," guess what? "It's mine." 20 00:01:50,614.89747996 --> 00:01:54,704.89715571 "If I can take it away from you, then it's mine. 21 00:01:55,124.89723201 --> 00:01:59,334.89727015 If I had it a little while ago," guess what? "It's mine. 22 00:01:59,804.89753718 --> 00:02:04,34.89707942 If it looks like mine, then for sure it's mine. 23 00:02:04,654.89791865 --> 00:02:08,774.89685054 If I saw it first," then guess what? "It's mine. 24 00:02:09,494.89807124 --> 00:02:13,234.89784236 And if you have it and you put it down, that's mine. 25 00:02:13,994.89807124 --> 00:02:18,784.83604426 Now, of course, if it's broken, it's yours." 26 00:02:19,984.89751573 --> 00:02:21,954.89760394 That's the Toddler's Creed. 27 00:02:22,184.89762301 --> 00:02:28,514.8973083 It's a bunch of rules and laws that have to do only with me, me, me. 28 00:02:29,434.89738459 --> 00:02:37,204.89688868 Everyone, when we're toddlers, we're the center of the world, right? And we think that the whole world revolves around us. 29 00:02:37,884.89719386 --> 00:02:44,54.89727015 Well, as we're going through our two-year Bible study, we are in the book of Deuteronomy right now. 30 00:02:44,434.89643092 --> 00:02:49,354.89650721 And in Deuteronomy, Moses is standing there on the edge of the Promised Land. 31 00:02:49,354.89650721 --> 00:03:00,744.89780421 He knows that he's not gonna be able to go into the Promised Land, but he's telling all of these millions of people what they are to remember as they go in to the land that God promised to them. 32 00:03:02,134.89719386 --> 00:03:14,514.89709849 And he says, "When you go in there, there's gonna be a bunch of people that are already there that are going to be living basically- by The Toddler's Creed, and you are not to act like them. 33 00:03:15,74.89704127 --> 00:03:24,714.89738459 In Deuteronomy 18 it says, "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 34 00:03:25,44.8973083 --> 00:03:42,974.89856715 Let no one be found among you who does such things like sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, who's a medium or a spiritist, or who consults the dead." 35 00:03:45,834.8971724 --> 00:03:53,134.89742274 Moses said you're going into a place where you're gonna be surrounded by people that are gonna be doing detestable things to the Lord. 36 00:03:54,64.89677424 --> 00:04:00,574.89700313 They're gonna be doing horrible things like casting spells and curses on one another. 37 00:04:01,184.8966598 --> 00:04:13,954.89711757 They're gonna be involved in horrible things like witchcraft, and they're even going to be doing the horrible thing of taking their babies and throwing them into the fire. 38 00:04:14,934.8966598 --> 00:04:33,364.89887233 Now, why would anybody do such a thing? The reason that all of those things are in yellow up there, and the reason that those things were detestable to the Lord, is because every one of those things you do if you think it's all about you. 39 00:04:35,634.89551539 --> 00:04:43,104.8967361 Why do you curse other people or cast spells on other people? Because they made me mad, and now it's all about me. 40 00:04:44,894.89765162 --> 00:04:52,154.89597316 Why do you do such a horrible thing of taking your babies and throwing them into the fire? Because you think it's all about me. 41 00:04:52,564.89963527 --> 00:05:04,724.89566798 And so, you know, even if I have to sacrifice my own flesh and blood so that the gods up there will grant me better in my life, well, it's all about me. 42 00:05:07,294.89719386 --> 00:05:10,604.89713664 And God says, "Don't act like that." 43 00:05:11,314.89717479 --> 00:05:28,974.89749904 In Deuteronomy 4, Moses says, "What other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I'm setting before you today?" The laws that God was setting before His Old Testament people were very different than the Toddler's Creed. 44 00:05:30,174.89635463 --> 00:05:32,234.89772792 They weren't all about me, me, me. 45 00:05:33,124.89711757 --> 00:05:36,264.89650721 They were about everybody else. 46 00:05:37,924.89635463 --> 00:05:42,444.89871974 For you confirmands, we spent time studying the Ten Commandments. 47 00:05:42,704.89704127 --> 00:05:46,444.89871974 Do you remember what the first three commandments were about? Here's a test. 48 00:05:46,934.89658351 --> 00:05:49,264.89841456 Loving who? Loving God. 49 00:05:49,704.89704127 --> 00:05:50,174.89826198 That's right. 50 00:05:50,264.89841456 --> 00:05:51,634.89734645 It's not about me, me, me. 51 00:05:51,714.89536281 --> 00:05:52,754.89627833 It's about loving Him. 52 00:05:53,584.89810939 --> 00:05:58,314.89765162 And then the second seven commandments are about loving others. 53 00:05:59,154.89780421 --> 00:06:00,324.89597316 It's not about me. 54 00:06:00,364.89688868 --> 00:06:02,364.89688868 It's about Him and it's about you. 55 00:06:03,654.89780421 --> 00:06:05,679.89551539 That's the way that God set it up. 56 00:06:06,819.8971724 --> 00:06:08,789.89726062 Oh, that's a much better way to live. 57 00:06:09,79.89722247 --> 00:06:12,219.89732737 And then he goes through all these different ways that you live that out. 58 00:06:12,759.89728923 --> 00:06:36,529.89631648 In Deuteronomy 14, it says, "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and share it and store it in your towns so that the Levites, who have no allotment or inheritance of their own, and the foreigners, the fatherless, the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." 59 00:06:37,369.89646907 --> 00:06:55,949.89830012 What you're gonna see as we go through some of these laws that God had set out for His Old Testament people is that God loved all of His people, but He had a special affinity in His heart for those that did not have or those that had less: the poor, the fatherless, the widow, the foreigner. 60 00:06:57,189.89616389 --> 00:07:00,239.89540095 And He says, "You know what? I don't want you to forget about them. 61 00:07:00,999.89753718 --> 00:07:08,229.89707942 I want you to think outside of yourself and think of other people, especially those that have not." 62 00:07:09,119.89646907 --> 00:07:14,359.89814753 In Deuteronomy 15 it says, "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 63 00:07:14,699.89448542 --> 00:07:16,129.8947906 This is how it is to be done. 64 00:07:16,389.89692683 --> 00:07:20,719.90333552 Every creditor shall cancel any debt they have made to a fellow Israelite. 65 00:07:21,199.89906306 --> 00:07:29,229.89784236 They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people because the Lord's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." 66 00:07:30,349.90058894 --> 00:07:37,289.90303035 Listen, we all know people that are completely underwater in debt, and it doesn't look like they're ever gonna get out of it. 67 00:07:38,539.90303035 --> 00:07:44,819.90180964 But the way that God set it up in the Old Testament with His people, He said that it's never gonna happen. 68 00:07:44,819.90180964 --> 00:07:56,889.90150447 Why? Because every seven years, everybody that owes another person a debt, that debt is canceled, and you get a fresh new start every seven years. 69 00:07:59,19.89875789 --> 00:08:00,879.89936824 That's a great law. 70 00:08:03,99.90088458 --> 00:08:10,899.90131373 Here's another one: "If anyone's poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, don't be hard-hearted. 71 00:08:11,199.90055079 --> 00:08:12,849.901123 Don't be tight-fisted toward them. 72 00:08:13,169.90081782 --> 00:08:17,569.90043635 Rather, be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need." 73 00:08:17,769.90119929 --> 00:08:27,569.90043635 Once again, He says, "My heart is for the poor and the needy, and when one of those comes into your life, don't be hard-hearted. 74 00:08:27,849.901123 --> 00:08:32,799.89997859 Don't be closed-fisted, hanging onto the stuff that is yours with all your might. 75 00:08:33,129.90180964 --> 00:08:35,109.90135188 Instead, be open-handed. 76 00:08:35,109.90135188 --> 00:08:37,259.89906306 Be willing to give to people." 77 00:08:39,89.90089412 --> 00:08:52,339.90089412 Behind that idea of being willing to give is the idea that God will continue to supply you as you are open-handed and supply those that God puts into your path. 78 00:08:54,129.90180964 --> 00:09:04,489.90242 Deuteronomy 16, He says, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly." 79 00:09:05,19.90086551 --> 00:09:09,329.9010467 Don't pervert justice or show partiality, do not accept a bribe. 80 00:09:09,329.9010467 --> 00:09:14,289.90108485 For a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 81 00:09:15,669.90119929 --> 00:09:23,349.90150447 It's so sad that in our day and age, probably justice is not always done in our court system. 82 00:09:24,689.90165706 --> 00:09:34,319.90081782 But the way that God set it up, He said, "Make sure that judges are good judges that are gonna judge fairly and not take any bribes." 83 00:09:34,939.90165706 --> 00:09:40,169.90119929 That's a good law because God loves people, and He wants us to love people as well. 84 00:09:40,699.89997859 --> 00:09:42,649.90074153 Deuteronomy 17, I love this one. 85 00:09:42,749.89921565 --> 00:09:54,539.90013118 He says, "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and you say, 'Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,' be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. 86 00:09:55,59.90058894 --> 00:09:58,859.899826 The king must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself. 87 00:09:58,929.89952083 --> 00:10:02,829.9010467 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. 88 00:10:03,49.90226741 --> 00:10:06,459.90211482 He must not accumulate large amounts of silver or gold." 89 00:10:06,709.90211482 --> 00:10:12,109.9036407 He says, "Guys, one day when you're in this Promised Land, you're gonna say, 'We want a king.' 90 00:10:12,859.9036407 --> 00:10:14,639.90242 Don't just appoint any king. 91 00:10:15,29.90180964 --> 00:10:19,319.90272517 Appoint the one that God has preordained and chosen Himself. 92 00:10:20,49.89845271 --> 00:10:24,279.90180964 And then that king is not to get wealthy in that position." 93 00:10:25,279.90180964 --> 00:10:40,749.90303035 Wouldn't that be nice in the United States here today if people that were in office were not using it as a way to get wealthy themselves? Not in God's world, not in the way that He set it up with His people, that would not happen. 94 00:10:42,759.89753718 --> 00:10:53,209.90211482 And then He goes on to say, "When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law taken from that of the Levitical priests. 95 00:10:53,569.90272517 --> 00:11:12,169.90119929 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left." 96 00:11:12,829.89723201 --> 00:11:18,719.89662166 He is saying when you're a king, you're also for a time going to become a scribe. 97 00:11:19,319.90272517 --> 00:11:24,249.89540095 You are to take the law and write out your own copy of it. 98 00:11:24,359.8960113 --> 00:11:42,579.89723201 Why? So that you will learn it, and then you are to read what you wrote out every day of your life so that you won't forget these good laws and decrees, and so that it will keep you humble, and you won't think that you're better than everybody else. 99 00:11:43,929.90333552 --> 00:11:59,339.90072246 Once again, wouldn't that be nice in our world today? Deuteronomy 22, "If you see your fellow Israelite's ox or sheep straying- Do not ignore it, but be sure to take it back to its owner. 100 00:11:59,739.90081782 --> 00:12:04,219.90131373 Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else that they have lost. 101 00:12:04,489.90081782 --> 00:12:05,289.90100856 Don't ignore it. 102 00:12:05,329.90097041 --> 00:12:09,259.90127559 He's saying, "Guys, I want you to be your brother's keeper. 103 00:12:09,549.90123744 --> 00:12:12,9.90127559 I don't want you just to be thinking about yourself. 104 00:12:12,39.90005488 --> 00:12:15,79.90097041 Think about your brother, your sister, th- your neighbor. 105 00:12:15,819.90074153 --> 00:12:19,749.9010467 And if they lose something and you find it, don't just leave it there. 106 00:12:19,749.9010467 --> 00:12:22,29.90173335 Pick it up, bring it back to them. 107 00:12:22,859.90165706 --> 00:12:24,419.901123 Take care of one another." 108 00:12:27,188.90092034 --> 00:12:54,168.90028376 As we look through all of these laws that God had set up for His people, we have to say with Moses, yes, what other nation has ever been so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws that God set up for His Old Testament people? So he says, "You are to follow all of those things which focus on God and which focus is on others." 109 00:12:55,168.90028376 --> 00:13:04,748.90211482 And then he says in Deuteronomy 18, "The Lord your God is gonna raise up for you a prophet like me," says Moses, "from among you. 110 00:13:05,478.90165706 --> 00:13:09,748.90211482 And if you're ever gonna listen to anybody, listen to him." 111 00:13:11,668.90028376 --> 00:13:20,108.90272517 Moses says, "One day, there's going to be somebody that's going to be raised up, and He's going to be the prophet of all prophets. 112 00:13:20,358.90272517 --> 00:13:23,928.90242 And if you're ever gonna listen to anybody, listen to Him." 113 00:13:25,438.90074153 --> 00:13:44,488.89997859 Who is He? If we go to Acts 3 in the New Testament, this is what it says, "Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah who has been appointed for you, even Jesus. 114 00:13:45,178.90242 --> 00:13:50,568.90180964 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people. 115 00:13:50,828.90394587 --> 00:13:54,288.90303035 You must listen to everything he tells you.'" 116 00:13:55,128.89936824 --> 00:14:02,118.89723201 Who was that prophet that we were to listen to above everything and everybody else? Jesus. 117 00:14:03,728.89784236 --> 00:14:21,208.90119929 And then when Jesus comes on the scene, as we heard in our gospel lesson for today, Peter, James, and John, and Jesus go up on the Mount of Transfiguration, and it says Jesus was transfigured before them, and God the Father begins to speak. 118 00:14:21,428.90242 --> 00:14:25,558.89967341 And what does He say? "This is my Son, whom I love. 119 00:14:25,868.89723201 --> 00:14:29,448.89906306 You must listen to Him." 120 00:14:30,948.89906306 --> 00:14:42,888.90150447 Jesus is the one that we are to listen to because He has the greatest laws and decrees that have ever been shown on the planet. 121 00:14:45,119.90087027 --> 00:15:00,914.90070338 So what did Jesus say if we're going to listen to Him? He said this: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart- With all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. 122 00:15:01,564.90079875 --> 00:15:06,4.90085597 Sounds like the Ten Commandments, doesn't it? Love God and love people. 123 00:15:06,794.90081782 --> 00:15:07,544.90081782 It's that simple. 124 00:15:08,844.90100856 --> 00:15:10,34.90058894 That's what Jesus said. 125 00:15:10,284.90058894 --> 00:15:13,524.90036006 We call that the Great Commandment. 126 00:15:13,884.90097041 --> 00:15:17,154.90142817 The Great Commandment: love God and love people. 127 00:15:18,854.90028376 --> 00:15:28,944.90043635 Now, what's the difference between the Toddler Creed and the Great Commandment? The Toddler Creed is all about me, me, me. 128 00:15:29,24.90226741 --> 00:15:29,964.90089412 Love me. 129 00:15:31,264.90013118 --> 00:15:34,454.90257258 The Great Commandment is love God and love others. 130 00:15:35,854.90028376 --> 00:15:41,794.90272517 Which one is a better way to live our lives? Obviously, the Great Commandment. 131 00:15:42,884.89906306 --> 00:15:52,804.9010467 Now, when I think about those two things, loving God and loving people, start with love God, the first thing that comes to my mind is my son, Josiah. 132 00:15:52,804.9010467 --> 00:16:01,694.90272517 My son, Josiah, tomorrow we get a chance to go down to the U of M and celebrate with him as he graduates, from college tomorrow. 133 00:16:02,894.90119929 --> 00:16:13,824.90150447 But for the last three years, he has served on a worship team for a ministry called Salt Company there at the University of Minnesota. 134 00:16:14,314.89936824 --> 00:16:21,384.89906306 And I remember a number of months ago, he said to Catherine and I, "Mom, Dad, you gotta come and check this out. 135 00:16:21,384.89906306 --> 00:16:22,464.90089412 You'll never believe it." 136 00:16:23,104.90028376 --> 00:16:24,674.89997859 Well, he was exactly right. 137 00:16:26,464.90089412 --> 00:16:37,514.90394587 They gather together for worship Thursday nights at 8:00 PM, and so Katherine and I got there Thursday about 7:45, and we went and sat in the back. 138 00:16:37,514.90394587 --> 00:16:40,774.8984527 And by the way, we were by far the oldest people there. 139 00:16:41,814.8993682 --> 00:16:47,714.9008941 Everybody else was 18 to 22, and there were 1,500 of them. 140 00:16:49,294.9027252 --> 00:16:51,544.9027252 I couldn't believe what I was watching. 141 00:16:51,934.9021148 --> 00:16:57,644.9011993 And they started worshiping, and 1,500 college students stood up with their hands in the air. 142 00:16:57,644.9011993 --> 00:17:01,764.9039459 This is a picture I took from the back of the auditorium there. 143 00:17:02,104.9002838 --> 00:17:07,864.8947906 1,500 people with their hands in the air, their eyes closed, singing out to the Lord with all of their heart. 144 00:17:08,504.8941802 --> 00:17:15,544.9027252 During th- down the center aisles, there were people that were littered down the aisles on their knees calling out to God. 145 00:17:17,84.8960113 --> 00:17:19,594.9057769 I had never seen anything like that before. 146 00:17:19,984.9051666 --> 00:17:30,444.8966217 I thought, Ryan, what were you doing when you were 18 to 20 years old on a Thursday night at 8:00? Were you gathering together with other believers to worship Jesus? No, I wasn't. 147 00:17:32,504.8941802 --> 00:17:52,654.9033355 What is going on with the young people today? I believe wholeheartedly, and many of us have been praying for years for a revival generation that would come right before Jesus comes back, that would lead the world closer to the Lord God. 148 00:17:53,979.9009132 --> 00:17:59,199.9007034 And I believe with all of my heart, guys, that you are that revival generation. 149 00:17:59,869.9007797 --> 00:18:01,9.901123 I am seeing it. 150 00:18:01,709.9009323 --> 00:18:06,509.901123 1,500 college students worshiping the Lord, and that's only gonna grow. 151 00:18:06,889.9012374 --> 00:18:19,19.9013519 And it is for such a time as this, guys, that you are being confirmed, and you are being raised up to be part of that generation that is gonna change this world forever. 152 00:18:21,579.9008917 --> 00:18:22,689.9008464 So that's loving God. 153 00:18:23,729.9008083 --> 00:18:26,519.9010086 But then He says, "I also want you to love one another." 154 00:18:26,519.9010086 --> 00:18:34,299.9007415 And when I think about that, I think of the old Beatles song, Oh, look at all the lonely people. 155 00:18:36,139.9008941 --> 00:18:39,499.9015045 We are surrounded by lonely people. 156 00:18:40,289.9005126 --> 00:18:43,389.9008941 We are surrounded by hurting people. 157 00:18:43,589.9016571 --> 00:18:48,339.9016571 We are surrounded by people that are trying to self-protect. 158 00:18:49,389.9008941 --> 00:18:58,969.9027252 And you know the way that people protect themselves? When they're walking through a busy place, they stare at their phones or they look down. 159 00:18:59,9.899826 --> 00:19:07,169.8996734 Why? Because that is a whole lot easier than looking up, smiling, saying hi, and not having it be reciprocated. 160 00:19:08,89.9016571 --> 00:19:08,919.8996734 That hurts. 161 00:19:09,909.9013519 --> 00:19:19,189.9009037 And so what is everybody doing? If I do that, then I don't have to get hurt. 162 00:19:21,189.9006652 --> 00:19:24,199.9008941 But we don't live as Christians by the Toddler's Creed. 163 00:19:24,229.9006271 --> 00:19:25,289.9010467 It's not about me. 164 00:19:27,479.9008917 --> 00:19:36,589.9010849 If anybody is gonna take the chance and love the lonely and hurting people in the world, it's gotta be us. 165 00:19:37,409.9007797 --> 00:19:38,799.901123 It's gotta be us. 166 00:19:39,659.9007797 --> 00:19:40,959.9009704 We've got to be the ones. 167 00:19:40,959.9009704 --> 00:19:42,539.9008941 But you say, "Well, I don't wanna get hurt." 168 00:19:42,649.9015045 --> 00:19:47,599.9003601 I don't wanna get hurt either, and I see myself doing this sometimes as well. 169 00:19:50,169.9009037 --> 00:19:51,299.9007797 But it's not about us. 170 00:19:51,369.9009513 --> 00:19:54,849.9009704 It's about us loving this hurting world. 171 00:19:55,249.9010658 --> 00:19:59,549.9007797 And if people are ever gonna see the love of Christ, it's gonna be through us. 172 00:19:59,779.9012756 --> 00:20:04,769.9010467 And by the way, there are gonna be times when they're gonna turn aside or they're not gonna reciprocate. 173 00:20:04,769.9010467 --> 00:20:10,289.9015045 You're gonna smile and they're gonna frown, or they're gonna look down, and you're gonna feel bad. 174 00:20:10,449.9013519 --> 00:20:19,59.9000549 But at that point, remember this: God loves you so very much, and His love is really all that we need. 175 00:20:21,49.9017333 --> 00:20:23,249.9005889 Just get back up and keep on smiling at people. 176 00:20:24,259.9027252 --> 00:20:25,479.9001312 Keep on loving people. 177 00:20:25,479.9001312 --> 00:20:26,919.9025726 Keep on saying hi. 178 00:20:27,329.90242 --> 00:20:29,39.9015045 Keep on praying for people. 179 00:20:29,689.8992156 --> 00:20:36,469.9018096 Be the light of the world that God wants us to be in this world, because it's not about us. 180 00:20:38,599.9009132 --> 00:20:48,539.9009704 Now, if we're gonna be honest, there's gonna be times when we're gonna forget all this, right? And we're going to go back out there in the world, and we're gonna think it's all about me again. 181 00:20:49,369.9008941 --> 00:20:51,469.9012756 Me, me, me, my, my, my, my, my, my. 182 00:20:53,354.9008727 --> 00:20:55,974.9008178 And we're gonna live our life by the Toddler Creed. 183 00:20:57,374.9009132 --> 00:21:22,124.9004364 But when that happens, and we recognize it, and we feel badly like, "Oh, man, I'm doing it again," what do we do? Well, we go to a passage like Deuteronomy 21 that says, "If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole or literally a tree, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole or tree overnight. 184 00:21:22,124.9004364 --> 00:21:30,154.8992156 Be sure to bury it in that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole or a tree is under God's curse." 185 00:21:30,654.8992156 --> 00:21:37,584.8995208 Do we know of anybody that was hung on a tree made of wood? Yes, we do. 186 00:21:39,54.9007415 --> 00:21:52,304.9007415 In Galatians 3 it says, "Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole or a tree." 187 00:21:53,894.9008941 --> 00:22:02,754.9015045 One of the things that we talk about a lot in confirmation is that we're all sinners, right? And because of our sin, we deserve punishment. 188 00:22:03,514.9036407 --> 00:22:13,144.9008941 In fact, the Bible says in addition to that, what we accrue for ourself are curses on our life when we live by the Toddler's Creed. 189 00:22:15,304.9009227 --> 00:22:30,284.9007034 But Jesus, out of His great love for us, came here to this earth and became a curse by being hung on a tree to take the curse that all of us had won for us by living by the Toddler's Creed. 190 00:22:30,904.9005889 --> 00:22:44,104.9013519 And because Jesus took our punishment, because He took the curse, now for those of us that put our trust in Jesus, there's no more curse left, and now it's just blessing and forgiveness on our lives. 191 00:22:44,294.8999786 --> 00:22:55,604.9013519 And so when you feel bad realizing, "I'm living for me instead of living for others or living for God," all you have to do now is just say, "God, I'm so sorry. 192 00:22:57,4.8990631 --> 00:22:59,334.9008941 For the sake of Jesus, I ask you to forgive me." 193 00:22:59,644.9022674 --> 00:23:05,34.9016571 Then you receive that forgiveness, you get back up, and you keep on living by the Great Commandment. 194 00:23:06,334.9008941 --> 00:23:08,734.90242 Love Him and love others. 195 00:23:09,734.90242 --> 00:23:18,884.9039459 And in the process, you're gonna be the light of the world to this very dark and sad and lonely and hurting world in which we live. 196 00:23:21,664.9009013 --> 00:23:28,554.9010658 So confirmands, family of God, we got a choice here today, and we have a choice every day. 197 00:23:29,144.9007415 --> 00:23:33,174.9004745 Am I gonna live by the Toddler's Creed? That's no way to live. 198 00:23:33,664.9011993 --> 00:23:36,684.9007034 A society can't work by the Toddler's Creed. 199 00:23:37,584.9012756 --> 00:23:48,994.901123 But instead, because you are forgiven and because you have the Holy Spirit, and confirmands, today we're gonna pray that that Holy Spirit fills you to overflowing here today. 200 00:23:50,239.9008512 --> 00:23:56,439.9007797 So that you can trust in God's forgiveness and instead live by the Great Commandment. 201 00:23:57,19.9007034 --> 00:23:58,469.9005126 I pray this in Jesus' name. 202 00:23:59,19.9007034 --> 00:23:59,459.9012374 Amen. 203 00:24:02,852.5675608 --> 00:24:04,502.5675608 You've been listening to a sermon from St. 204 00:24:04,502.5675608 --> 00:24:06,582.5675608 John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 205 00:24:06,902.5675608 --> 00:24:08,702.5675608 If you would like more information about St. 206 00:24:08,702.5675608 --> 00:24:14,362.5675608 John's and any of our ministries to our community and beyond, you can go to our website, www. 207 00:24:14,452.5675608 --> 00:24:14,692.5675608 stjohnsbuffalo. 208 00:24:15,932.5665608 --> 00:24:16,262.5665608 org. 209 00:24:16,642.5665608 --> 00:24:17,932.5675608 Thank you and God bless you.
Hello, this is Pastor Ryan Clark.
You are listening to a message from St.
John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 4 00:00:14,594.897959184 --> 00:00:18,924.897844743 Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 5 00:00:19,704.897844743 --> 00:00:20,324.897844743 Amen. 6 00:00:21,904.897844743 --> 00:00:29,824.89750142 Last weekend, my daughter and son-in-law got away for a couple of days to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. 7 00:00:30,554.897043656 --> 00:00:40,674.89788289 And so Katherine and I got the opportunity to do something that we really wanted to do, and that was spend two days watching our two wonderful grandchildren. 8 00:00:41,304.897043656 --> 00:00:52,194.896433305 We had a blast for those two days, doing things like playing house, working puzzles, going on walks, scootering, playing on the playground, et cetera, et cetera. 9 00:00:52,714.896891068 --> 00:00:56,714.896891068 But I have to say, at the end of two days, we were tired. 10 00:00:57,484.897348832 --> 00:00:58,474.899027299 Really tired. 11 00:00:59,724.899027299 --> 00:01:02,564.899179887 My grandkids, I think they're the best. 12 00:01:02,994.899485063 --> 00:01:04,24.898264359 They're amazing. 13 00:01:04,24.898264359 --> 00:01:05,634.898111772 They're, great kids. 14 00:01:05,634.898111772 --> 00:01:10,804.896280717 They have great parents that are teaching them, really a wonderful way to live. 15 00:01:11,574.896738481 --> 00:01:22,734.896585893 But as we were doing all of those fun things together with them, like working puzzles or playing house, I kept on being reminded of something that I had heard many years ago. 16 00:01:23,24.89750142 --> 00:01:25,374.895975541 It was called the Toddler's Creed. 17 00:01:25,374.895975541 --> 00:01:33,734.896585893 Anyone ever heard the Toddler's Creed? Well, for those of you that have never heard the Toddler's Creed, this is what the Toddler's Creed is. 18 00:01:34,694.895670365 --> 00:01:41,274.8974442 It says, "If I want it, it's mine. 19 00:01:42,424.89753957 --> 00:01:48,644.8978066 If I give it to you and change my mind," guess what? "It's mine." 20 00:01:50,614.89747996 --> 00:01:54,704.89715571 "If I can take it away from you, then it's mine. 21 00:01:55,124.89723201 --> 00:01:59,334.89727015 If I had it a little while ago," guess what? "It's mine. 22 00:01:59,804.89753718 --> 00:02:04,34.89707942 If it looks like mine, then for sure it's mine. 23 00:02:04,654.89791865 --> 00:02:08,774.89685054 If I saw it first," then guess what? "It's mine. 24 00:02:09,494.89807124 --> 00:02:13,234.89784236 And if you have it and you put it down, that's mine. 25 00:02:13,994.89807124 --> 00:02:18,784.83604426 Now, of course, if it's broken, it's yours." 26 00:02:19,984.89751573 --> 00:02:21,954.89760394 That's the Toddler's Creed. 27 00:02:22,184.89762301 --> 00:02:28,514.8973083 It's a bunch of rules and laws that have to do only with me, me, me. 28 00:02:29,434.89738459 --> 00:02:37,204.89688868 Everyone, when we're toddlers, we're the center of the world, right? And we think that the whole world revolves around us. 29 00:02:37,884.89719386 --> 00:02:44,54.89727015 Well, as we're going through our two-year Bible study, we are in the book of Deuteronomy right now. 30 00:02:44,434.89643092 --> 00:02:49,354.89650721 And in Deuteronomy, Moses is standing there on the edge of the Promised Land. 31 00:02:49,354.89650721 --> 00:03:00,744.89780421 He knows that he's not gonna be able to go into the Promised Land, but he's telling all of these millions of people what they are to remember as they go in to the land that God promised to them. 32 00:03:02,134.89719386 --> 00:03:14,514.89709849 And he says, "When you go in there, there's gonna be a bunch of people that are already there that are going to be living basically- by The Toddler's Creed, and you are not to act like them. 33 00:03:15,74.89704127 --> 00:03:24,714.89738459 In Deuteronomy 18 it says, "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 34 00:03:25,44.8973083 --> 00:03:42,974.89856715 Let no one be found among you who does such things like sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, who's a medium or a spiritist, or who consults the dead." 35 00:03:45,834.8971724 --> 00:03:53,134.89742274 Moses said you're going into a place where you're gonna be surrounded by people that are gonna be doing detestable things to the Lord. 36 00:03:54,64.89677424 --> 00:04:00,574.89700313 They're gonna be doing horrible things like casting spells and curses on one another. 37 00:04:01,184.8966598 --> 00:04:13,954.89711757 They're gonna be involved in horrible things like witchcraft, and they're even going to be doing the horrible thing of taking their babies and throwing them into the fire. 38 00:04:14,934.8966598 --> 00:04:33,364.89887233 Now, why would anybody do such a thing? The reason that all of those things are in yellow up there, and the reason that those things were detestable to the Lord, is because every one of those things you do if you think it's all about you. 39 00:04:35,634.89551539 --> 00:04:43,104.8967361 Why do you curse other people or cast spells on other people? Because they made me mad, and now it's all about me. 40 00:04:44,894.89765162 --> 00:04:52,154.89597316 Why do you do such a horrible thing of taking your babies and throwing them into the fire? Because you think it's all about me. 41 00:04:52,564.89963527 --> 00:05:04,724.89566798 And so, you know, even if I have to sacrifice my own flesh and blood so that the gods up there will grant me better in my life, well, it's all about me. 42 00:05:07,294.89719386 --> 00:05:10,604.89713664 And God says, "Don't act like that." 43 00:05:11,314.89717479 --> 00:05:28,974.89749904 In Deuteronomy 4, Moses says, "What other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I'm setting before you today?" The laws that God was setting before His Old Testament people were very different than the Toddler's Creed. 44 00:05:30,174.89635463 --> 00:05:32,234.89772792 They weren't all about me, me, me. 45 00:05:33,124.89711757 --> 00:05:36,264.89650721 They were about everybody else. 46 00:05:37,924.89635463 --> 00:05:42,444.89871974 For you confirmands, we spent time studying the Ten Commandments. 47 00:05:42,704.89704127 --> 00:05:46,444.89871974 Do you remember what the first three commandments were about? Here's a test. 48 00:05:46,934.89658351 --> 00:05:49,264.89841456 Loving who? Loving God. 49 00:05:49,704.89704127 --> 00:05:50,174.89826198 That's right. 50 00:05:50,264.89841456 --> 00:05:51,634.89734645 It's not about me, me, me. 51 00:05:51,714.89536281 --> 00:05:52,754.89627833 It's about loving Him. 52 00:05:53,584.89810939 --> 00:05:58,314.89765162 And then the second seven commandments are about loving others. 53 00:05:59,154.89780421 --> 00:06:00,324.89597316 It's not about me. 54 00:06:00,364.89688868 --> 00:06:02,364.89688868 It's about Him and it's about you. 55 00:06:03,654.89780421 --> 00:06:05,679.89551539 That's the way that God set it up. 56 00:06:06,819.8971724 --> 00:06:08,789.89726062 Oh, that's a much better way to live. 57 00:06:09,79.89722247 --> 00:06:12,219.89732737 And then he goes through all these different ways that you live that out. 58 00:06:12,759.89728923 --> 00:06:36,529.89631648 In Deuteronomy 14, it says, "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and share it and store it in your towns so that the Levites, who have no allotment or inheritance of their own, and the foreigners, the fatherless, the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." 59 00:06:37,369.89646907 --> 00:06:55,949.89830012 What you're gonna see as we go through some of these laws that God had set out for His Old Testament people is that God loved all of His people, but He had a special affinity in His heart for those that did not have or those that had less: the poor, the fatherless, the widow, the foreigner. 60 00:06:57,189.89616389 --> 00:07:00,239.89540095 And He says, "You know what? I don't want you to forget about them. 61 00:07:00,999.89753718 --> 00:07:08,229.89707942 I want you to think outside of yourself and think of other people, especially those that have not." 62 00:07:09,119.89646907 --> 00:07:14,359.89814753 In Deuteronomy 15 it says, "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 63 00:07:14,699.89448542 --> 00:07:16,129.8947906 This is how it is to be done. 64 00:07:16,389.89692683 --> 00:07:20,719.90333552 Every creditor shall cancel any debt they have made to a fellow Israelite. 65 00:07:21,199.89906306 --> 00:07:29,229.89784236 They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people because the Lord's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." 66 00:07:30,349.90058894 --> 00:07:37,289.90303035 Listen, we all know people that are completely underwater in debt, and it doesn't look like they're ever gonna get out of it. 67 00:07:38,539.90303035 --> 00:07:44,819.90180964 But the way that God set it up in the Old Testament with His people, He said that it's never gonna happen. 68 00:07:44,819.90180964 --> 00:07:56,889.90150447 Why? Because every seven years, everybody that owes another person a debt, that debt is canceled, and you get a fresh new start every seven years. 69 00:07:59,19.89875789 --> 00:08:00,879.89936824 That's a great law. 70 00:08:03,99.90088458 --> 00:08:10,899.90131373 Here's another one: "If anyone's poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, don't be hard-hearted. 71 00:08:11,199.90055079 --> 00:08:12,849.901123 Don't be tight-fisted toward them. 72 00:08:13,169.90081782 --> 00:08:17,569.90043635 Rather, be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need." 73 00:08:17,769.90119929 --> 00:08:27,569.90043635 Once again, He says, "My heart is for the poor and the needy, and when one of those comes into your life, don't be hard-hearted. 74 00:08:27,849.901123 --> 00:08:32,799.89997859 Don't be closed-fisted, hanging onto the stuff that is yours with all your might. 75 00:08:33,129.90180964 --> 00:08:35,109.90135188 Instead, be open-handed. 76 00:08:35,109.90135188 --> 00:08:37,259.89906306 Be willing to give to people." 77 00:08:39,89.90089412 --> 00:08:52,339.90089412 Behind that idea of being willing to give is the idea that God will continue to supply you as you are open-handed and supply those that God puts into your path. 78 00:08:54,129.90180964 --> 00:09:04,489.90242 Deuteronomy 16, He says, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly." 79 00:09:05,19.90086551 --> 00:09:09,329.9010467 Don't pervert justice or show partiality, do not accept a bribe. 80 00:09:09,329.9010467 --> 00:09:14,289.90108485 For a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 81 00:09:15,669.90119929 --> 00:09:23,349.90150447 It's so sad that in our day and age, probably justice is not always done in our court system. 82 00:09:24,689.90165706 --> 00:09:34,319.90081782 But the way that God set it up, He said, "Make sure that judges are good judges that are gonna judge fairly and not take any bribes." 83 00:09:34,939.90165706 --> 00:09:40,169.90119929 That's a good law because God loves people, and He wants us to love people as well. 84 00:09:40,699.89997859 --> 00:09:42,649.90074153 Deuteronomy 17, I love this one. 85 00:09:42,749.89921565 --> 00:09:54,539.90013118 He says, "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and you say, 'Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,' be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. 86 00:09:55,59.90058894 --> 00:09:58,859.899826 The king must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself. 87 00:09:58,929.89952083 --> 00:10:02,829.9010467 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. 88 00:10:03,49.90226741 --> 00:10:06,459.90211482 He must not accumulate large amounts of silver or gold." 89 00:10:06,709.90211482 --> 00:10:12,109.9036407 He says, "Guys, one day when you're in this Promised Land, you're gonna say, 'We want a king.' 90 00:10:12,859.9036407 --> 00:10:14,639.90242 Don't just appoint any king. 91 00:10:15,29.90180964 --> 00:10:19,319.90272517 Appoint the one that God has preordained and chosen Himself. 92 00:10:20,49.89845271 --> 00:10:24,279.90180964 And then that king is not to get wealthy in that position." 93 00:10:25,279.90180964 --> 00:10:40,749.90303035 Wouldn't that be nice in the United States here today if people that were in office were not using it as a way to get wealthy themselves? Not in God's world, not in the way that He set it up with His people, that would not happen. 94 00:10:42,759.89753718 --> 00:10:53,209.90211482 And then He goes on to say, "When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law taken from that of the Levitical priests. 95 00:10:53,569.90272517 --> 00:11:12,169.90119929 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left." 96 00:11:12,829.89723201 --> 00:11:18,719.89662166 He is saying when you're a king, you're also for a time going to become a scribe. 97 00:11:19,319.90272517 --> 00:11:24,249.89540095 You are to take the law and write out your own copy of it. 98 00:11:24,359.8960113 --> 00:11:42,579.89723201 Why? So that you will learn it, and then you are to read what you wrote out every day of your life so that you won't forget these good laws and decrees, and so that it will keep you humble, and you won't think that you're better than everybody else. 99 00:11:43,929.90333552 --> 00:11:59,339.90072246 Once again, wouldn't that be nice in our world today? Deuteronomy 22, "If you see your fellow Israelite's ox or sheep straying- Do not ignore it, but be sure to take it back to its owner. 100 00:11:59,739.90081782 --> 00:12:04,219.90131373 Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else that they have lost. 101 00:12:04,489.90081782 --> 00:12:05,289.90100856 Don't ignore it. 102 00:12:05,329.90097041 --> 00:12:09,259.90127559 He's saying, "Guys, I want you to be your brother's keeper. 103 00:12:09,549.90123744 --> 00:12:12,9.90127559 I don't want you just to be thinking about yourself. 104 00:12:12,39.90005488 --> 00:12:15,79.90097041 Think about your brother, your sister, th- your neighbor. 105 00:12:15,819.90074153 --> 00:12:19,749.9010467 And if they lose something and you find it, don't just leave it there. 106 00:12:19,749.9010467 --> 00:12:22,29.90173335 Pick it up, bring it back to them. 107 00:12:22,859.90165706 --> 00:12:24,419.901123 Take care of one another." 108 00:12:27,188.90092034 --> 00:12:54,168.90028376 As we look through all of these laws that God had set up for His people, we have to say with Moses, yes, what other nation has ever been so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws that God set up for His Old Testament people? So he says, "You are to follow all of those things which focus on God and which focus is on others." 109 00:12:55,168.90028376 --> 00:13:04,748.90211482 And then he says in Deuteronomy 18, "The Lord your God is gonna raise up for you a prophet like me," says Moses, "from among you. 110 00:13:05,478.90165706 --> 00:13:09,748.90211482 And if you're ever gonna listen to anybody, listen to him." 111 00:13:11,668.90028376 --> 00:13:20,108.90272517 Moses says, "One day, there's going to be somebody that's going to be raised up, and He's going to be the prophet of all prophets. 112 00:13:20,358.90272517 --> 00:13:23,928.90242 And if you're ever gonna listen to anybody, listen to Him." 113 00:13:25,438.90074153 --> 00:13:44,488.89997859 Who is He? If we go to Acts 3 in the New Testament, this is what it says, "Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah who has been appointed for you, even Jesus. 114 00:13:45,178.90242 --> 00:13:50,568.90180964 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people. 115 00:13:50,828.90394587 --> 00:13:54,288.90303035 You must listen to everything he tells you.'" 116 00:13:55,128.89936824 --> 00:14:02,118.89723201 Who was that prophet that we were to listen to above everything and everybody else? Jesus. 117 00:14:03,728.89784236 --> 00:14:21,208.90119929 And then when Jesus comes on the scene, as we heard in our gospel lesson for today, Peter, James, and John, and Jesus go up on the Mount of Transfiguration, and it says Jesus was transfigured before them, and God the Father begins to speak. 118 00:14:21,428.90242 --> 00:14:25,558.89967341 And what does He say? "This is my Son, whom I love. 119 00:14:25,868.89723201 --> 00:14:29,448.89906306 You must listen to Him." 120 00:14:30,948.89906306 --> 00:14:42,888.90150447 Jesus is the one that we are to listen to because He has the greatest laws and decrees that have ever been shown on the planet. 121 00:14:45,119.90087027 --> 00:15:00,914.90070338 So what did Jesus say if we're going to listen to Him? He said this: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart- With all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. 122 00:15:01,564.90079875 --> 00:15:06,4.90085597 Sounds like the Ten Commandments, doesn't it? Love God and love people. 123 00:15:06,794.90081782 --> 00:15:07,544.90081782 It's that simple. 124 00:15:08,844.90100856 --> 00:15:10,34.90058894 That's what Jesus said. 125 00:15:10,284.90058894 --> 00:15:13,524.90036006 We call that the Great Commandment. 126 00:15:13,884.90097041 --> 00:15:17,154.90142817 The Great Commandment: love God and love people. 127 00:15:18,854.90028376 --> 00:15:28,944.90043635 Now, what's the difference between the Toddler Creed and the Great Commandment? The Toddler Creed is all about me, me, me. 128 00:15:29,24.90226741 --> 00:15:29,964.90089412 Love me. 129 00:15:31,264.90013118 --> 00:15:34,454.90257258 The Great Commandment is love God and love others. 130 00:15:35,854.90028376 --> 00:15:41,794.90272517 Which one is a better way to live our lives? Obviously, the Great Commandment. 131 00:15:42,884.89906306 --> 00:15:52,804.9010467 Now, when I think about those two things, loving God and loving people, start with love God, the first thing that comes to my mind is my son, Josiah. 132 00:15:52,804.9010467 --> 00:16:01,694.90272517 My son, Josiah, tomorrow we get a chance to go down to the U of M and celebrate with him as he graduates, from college tomorrow. 133 00:16:02,894.90119929 --> 00:16:13,824.90150447 But for the last three years, he has served on a worship team for a ministry called Salt Company there at the University of Minnesota. 134 00:16:14,314.89936824 --> 00:16:21,384.89906306 And I remember a number of months ago, he said to Catherine and I, "Mom, Dad, you gotta come and check this out. 135 00:16:21,384.89906306 --> 00:16:22,464.90089412 You'll never believe it." 136 00:16:23,104.90028376 --> 00:16:24,674.89997859 Well, he was exactly right. 137 00:16:26,464.90089412 --> 00:16:37,514.90394587 They gather together for worship Thursday nights at 8:00 PM, and so Katherine and I got there Thursday about 7:45, and we went and sat in the back. 138 00:16:37,514.90394587 --> 00:16:40,774.8984527 And by the way, we were by far the oldest people there. 139 00:16:41,814.8993682 --> 00:16:47,714.9008941 Everybody else was 18 to 22, and there were 1,500 of them. 140 00:16:49,294.9027252 --> 00:16:51,544.9027252 I couldn't believe what I was watching. 141 00:16:51,934.9021148 --> 00:16:57,644.9011993 And they started worshiping, and 1,500 college students stood up with their hands in the air. 142 00:16:57,644.9011993 --> 00:17:01,764.9039459 This is a picture I took from the back of the auditorium there. 143 00:17:02,104.9002838 --> 00:17:07,864.8947906 1,500 people with their hands in the air, their eyes closed, singing out to the Lord with all of their heart. 144 00:17:08,504.8941802 --> 00:17:15,544.9027252 During th- down the center aisles, there were people that were littered down the aisles on their knees calling out to God. 145 00:17:17,84.8960113 --> 00:17:19,594.9057769 I had never seen anything like that before. 146 00:17:19,984.9051666 --> 00:17:30,444.8966217 I thought, Ryan, what were you doing when you were 18 to 20 years old on a Thursday night at 8:00? Were you gathering together with other believers to worship Jesus? No, I wasn't. 147 00:17:32,504.8941802 --> 00:17:52,654.9033355 What is going on with the young people today? I believe wholeheartedly, and many of us have been praying for years for a revival generation that would come right before Jesus comes back, that would lead the world closer to the Lord God. 148 00:17:53,979.9009132 --> 00:17:59,199.9007034 And I believe with all of my heart, guys, that you are that revival generation. 149 00:17:59,869.9007797 --> 00:18:01,9.901123 I am seeing it. 150 00:18:01,709.9009323 --> 00:18:06,509.901123 1,500 college students worshiping the Lord, and that's only gonna grow. 151 00:18:06,889.9012374 --> 00:18:19,19.9013519 And it is for such a time as this, guys, that you are being confirmed, and you are being raised up to be part of that generation that is gonna change this world forever. 152 00:18:21,579.9008917 --> 00:18:22,689.9008464 So that's loving God. 153 00:18:23,729.9008083 --> 00:18:26,519.9010086 But then He says, "I also want you to love one another." 154 00:18:26,519.9010086 --> 00:18:34,299.9007415 And when I think about that, I think of the old Beatles song, Oh, look at all the lonely people. 155 00:18:36,139.9008941 --> 00:18:39,499.9015045 We are surrounded by lonely people. 156 00:18:40,289.9005126 --> 00:18:43,389.9008941 We are surrounded by hurting people. 157 00:18:43,589.9016571 --> 00:18:48,339.9016571 We are surrounded by people that are trying to self-protect. 158 00:18:49,389.9008941 --> 00:18:58,969.9027252 And you know the way that people protect themselves? When they're walking through a busy place, they stare at their phones or they look down. 159 00:18:59,9.899826 --> 00:19:07,169.8996734 Why? Because that is a whole lot easier than looking up, smiling, saying hi, and not having it be reciprocated. 160 00:19:08,89.9016571 --> 00:19:08,919.8996734 That hurts. 161 00:19:09,909.9013519 --> 00:19:19,189.9009037 And so what is everybody doing? If I do that, then I don't have to get hurt. 162 00:19:21,189.9006652 --> 00:19:24,199.9008941 But we don't live as Christians by the Toddler's Creed. 163 00:19:24,229.9006271 --> 00:19:25,289.9010467 It's not about me. 164 00:19:27,479.9008917 --> 00:19:36,589.9010849 If anybody is gonna take the chance and love the lonely and hurting people in the world, it's gotta be us. 165 00:19:37,409.9007797 --> 00:19:38,799.901123 It's gotta be us. 166 00:19:39,659.9007797 --> 00:19:40,959.9009704 We've got to be the ones. 167 00:19:40,959.9009704 --> 00:19:42,539.9008941 But you say, "Well, I don't wanna get hurt." 168 00:19:42,649.9015045 --> 00:19:47,599.9003601 I don't wanna get hurt either, and I see myself doing this sometimes as well. 169 00:19:50,169.9009037 --> 00:19:51,299.9007797 But it's not about us. 170 00:19:51,369.9009513 --> 00:19:54,849.9009704 It's about us loving this hurting world. 171 00:19:55,249.9010658 --> 00:19:59,549.9007797 And if people are ever gonna see the love of Christ, it's gonna be through us. 172 00:19:59,779.9012756 --> 00:20:04,769.9010467 And by the way, there are gonna be times when they're gonna turn aside or they're not gonna reciprocate. 173 00:20:04,769.9010467 --> 00:20:10,289.9015045 You're gonna smile and they're gonna frown, or they're gonna look down, and you're gonna feel bad. 174 00:20:10,449.9013519 --> 00:20:19,59.9000549 But at that point, remember this: God loves you so very much, and His love is really all that we need. 175 00:20:21,49.9017333 --> 00:20:23,249.9005889 Just get back up and keep on smiling at people. 176 00:20:24,259.9027252 --> 00:20:25,479.9001312 Keep on loving people. 177 00:20:25,479.9001312 --> 00:20:26,919.9025726 Keep on saying hi. 178 00:20:27,329.90242 --> 00:20:29,39.9015045 Keep on praying for people. 179 00:20:29,689.8992156 --> 00:20:36,469.9018096 Be the light of the world that God wants us to be in this world, because it's not about us. 180 00:20:38,599.9009132 --> 00:20:48,539.9009704 Now, if we're gonna be honest, there's gonna be times when we're gonna forget all this, right? And we're going to go back out there in the world, and we're gonna think it's all about me again. 181 00:20:49,369.9008941 --> 00:20:51,469.9012756 Me, me, me, my, my, my, my, my, my. 182 00:20:53,354.9008727 --> 00:20:55,974.9008178 And we're gonna live our life by the Toddler Creed. 183 00:20:57,374.9009132 --> 00:21:22,124.9004364 But when that happens, and we recognize it, and we feel badly like, "Oh, man, I'm doing it again," what do we do? Well, we go to a passage like Deuteronomy 21 that says, "If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole or literally a tree, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole or tree overnight. 184 00:21:22,124.9004364 --> 00:21:30,154.8992156 Be sure to bury it in that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole or a tree is under God's curse." 185 00:21:30,654.8992156 --> 00:21:37,584.8995208 Do we know of anybody that was hung on a tree made of wood? Yes, we do. 186 00:21:39,54.9007415 --> 00:21:52,304.9007415 In Galatians 3 it says, "Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole or a tree." 187 00:21:53,894.9008941 --> 00:22:02,754.9015045 One of the things that we talk about a lot in confirmation is that we're all sinners, right? And because of our sin, we deserve punishment. 188 00:22:03,514.9036407 --> 00:22:13,144.9008941 In fact, the Bible says in addition to that, what we accrue for ourself are curses on our life when we live by the Toddler's Creed. 189 00:22:15,304.9009227 --> 00:22:30,284.9007034 But Jesus, out of His great love for us, came here to this earth and became a curse by being hung on a tree to take the curse that all of us had won for us by living by the Toddler's Creed. 190 00:22:30,904.9005889 --> 00:22:44,104.9013519 And because Jesus took our punishment, because He took the curse, now for those of us that put our trust in Jesus, there's no more curse left, and now it's just blessing and forgiveness on our lives. 191 00:22:44,294.8999786 --> 00:22:55,604.9013519 And so when you feel bad realizing, "I'm living for me instead of living for others or living for God," all you have to do now is just say, "God, I'm so sorry. 192 00:22:57,4.8990631 --> 00:22:59,334.9008941 For the sake of Jesus, I ask you to forgive me." 193 00:22:59,644.9022674 --> 00:23:05,34.9016571 Then you receive that forgiveness, you get back up, and you keep on living by the Great Commandment. 194 00:23:06,334.9008941 --> 00:23:08,734.90242 Love Him and love others. 195 00:23:09,734.90242 --> 00:23:18,884.9039459 And in the process, you're gonna be the light of the world to this very dark and sad and lonely and hurting world in which we live. 196 00:23:21,664.9009013 --> 00:23:28,554.9010658 So confirmands, family of God, we got a choice here today, and we have a choice every day. 197 00:23:29,144.9007415 --> 00:23:33,174.9004745 Am I gonna live by the Toddler's Creed? That's no way to live. 198 00:23:33,664.9011993 --> 00:23:36,684.9007034 A society can't work by the Toddler's Creed. 199 00:23:37,584.9012756 --> 00:23:48,994.901123 But instead, because you are forgiven and because you have the Holy Spirit, and confirmands, today we're gonna pray that that Holy Spirit fills you to overflowing here today. 200 00:23:50,239.9008512 --> 00:23:56,439.9007797 So that you can trust in God's forgiveness and instead live by the Great Commandment. 201 00:23:57,19.9007034 --> 00:23:58,469.9005126 I pray this in Jesus' name. 202 00:23:59,19.9007034 --> 00:23:59,459.9012374 Amen. 203 00:24:02,852.5675608 --> 00:24:04,502.5675608 You've been listening to a sermon from St. 204 00:24:04,502.5675608 --> 00:24:06,582.5675608 John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 205 00:24:06,902.5675608 --> 00:24:08,702.5675608 If you would like more information about St. 206 00:24:08,702.5675608 --> 00:24:14,362.5675608 John's and any of our ministries to our community and beyond, you can go to our website, www. 207 00:24:14,452.5675608 --> 00:24:14,692.5675608 stjohnsbuffalo. 208 00:24:15,932.5665608 --> 00:24:16,262.5665608 org. 209 00:24:16,642.5665608 --> 00:24:17,932.5675608 Thank you and God bless you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com